Dublin's Signal Contract Has No Performance Measures, and Council Wants Answers

Dublin's 96 traffic signals are maintained by Alameda County under a contract that has no written performance measures. That contract expires June 30, 2027, and council members spent about 45 minutes on Nov. 3, 2026, pressing staff on timing, technology and accountability. The same Election Day meeting also brought a split 3-1-1 vote on youth mini-grants, cost questions on a Village Parkway rebuild and pointed public questions about the Mayor's financial disclosures.

---

• Signal maintenance contract has no performance measures and expires June 30, 2027; council wants timing fixes.
• Youth Mini-Grants approved 3-1-1 after a dispute over awarding two groups more than they requested.
• Village Parkway grant bid draws scrutiny as a resident cites cost growth from $18.5M to about $43M.
• Residents seek enforcement near Emerald Glen High School over speeding, fast e-bikes and lunchtime trespassing.
• A resident presses Mayor Sherry Hu on Form 700 disclosures; the Mayor says she complies with FPPC rules.

---

Signals Run Smoothly, Staff Says. Council Wants Proof.

The basics: Dublin operates about 96 traffic signals. Of those, 75 are connected remotely and 21 are not. Seven more at freeway ramps are run by Caltrans and Pleasanton. Cycle lengths run 130 to 140 seconds. Alameda County handles maintenance through quarterly inspections and 24-hour emergency response.

Why it matters: Signal timing shapes daily commutes on corridors like Dublin Boulevard, Tassajara Road and Central Parkway. The county contract's expiration gives the city a chance to write in standards it currently lacks.

Where things stand: Transportation and Operations Manager Saimi Reddy gave the county a positive review. "They have been performing pretty good," she said. Councilmember Michael McCorriston asked the accountability question directly: "Do we actually measure their performance, their response performance?"

The answer was no. "We don't have officially any performance measures written into their contract," Reddy said.

Backup power is uneven. Eleven critical intersections have fuel cells. The remaining 15 lack backup power and will get traditional batteries through a capital project expected to go to bid in early 2027. Signal cameras also have limits. "As of now, we do not have capabilities to record with these cameras," Reddy said.

Council members also asked about county staff training, the effect of the pedestrian bridge at Dublin Boulevard and Doherty Road, and coordination along Central Parkway. They also asked whether Dublin should move from time-of-day timing to adaptive timing, which adjusts signals to real-time traffic.

The other side: Councilmember Kashef Qaadri questioned how long the report took. "I'm a bit surprised it took 2.5 months to come back," he said. He asked staff to bring ideas to a later report: "But what could we be doing better in terms of tweaking those timings, using more technology, combination of both?" Mayor Sherry Hu took a different view, saying her own observations showed traffic moving smoothly.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The report was informational, with no vote and no public comment. Commuters and residents near major corridors have the most at stake in timing changes. Alameda County faces the prospect of a contract with performance terms for the first time.

What's next: Staff plans to seek proposals before the June 30, 2027 expiration. The new scope may add fiber maintenance. "We are also looking at adding hydrogen fuel cell maintenance to the scope," Reddy said. Council expects a follow-up on timing improvements.

---

Youth Grants Pass, but Not Unanimously

Why it matters: The Youth Mini-Grant Program funds youth-led projects with a mental health focus. The 3-1-1 vote exposed a policy disagreement over whether advisory bodies should award more than applicants ask for.

Where things stand: The Youth Advisory Committee recommended the allocations. Two projects received more than they requested, including the Emerald High School Gardening Club. Youth Advisory Committee Chair Caitlin Weiss said the committee prioritized reach and mental health. "We were benefiting the most amount of Dublin youth possible," she said.

Weiss added that a past grantee's reporting had built trust. "They had planned to reach 100 students, and they ended up reaching 93," she said. Vice Chair Rex Wan said staff narrowed 22 applicants to 10 using four criteria: inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and budget.

McCorriston raised geographic balance. "What are you doing to promote this throughout the city to make it inclusive, say?" he asked. He noted that awardees skewed toward Emerald. The committee said applications rose almost 50% and pledged to broaden outreach.

The other side: Vice Mayor Jean Josey asked for a separate vote on the item. "I disagree with us giving more money to an organization than what they requested," she said. She also proposed letting the committee, rather than staff, do the pre-screening. Recreation Coordinator for Family Programs Shalini Reddy responded: "So far we have not considered that, but we can definitely do that moving forward."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The allocations passed on a roll call: For: 3 (Hu, Qaadri, McCorriston), Against: 1 (Josey), Abstain: 1 (Councilmember John Morada), Absent: 0. Morada did not state a reason for abstaining. Funded youth groups move forward. Schools outside the Emerald area may see more outreach next cycle. (Staff materials)

What's next: Staff will consider shifting pre-screening to the committee in future rounds.

---

Village Parkway Bid Moves Ahead Amid Cost Questions

The basics: Item 5.2 authorizes Dublin to apply to the California Transportation Commission's SB 1 Local Partnership Competitive Program. The money would go toward rebuilding Village Parkway (CIP No. ST0323). SB 1 is the state's road-funding law. The item was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion.

Why it matters: The corridor rebuild depends on outside money, and its price tag has grown sharply.

Where things stand: Morada asked about the downside: "What if we do not win this bid? What will happen and what are the implications to us as a city or the project and also the CIP?" City staffer Madidi answered: "The funding gap will still be there, but we will try to phase the project." Staff said they would also pursue other funding.

Staff said the project will install both fiber conduit and fiber. Construction impacts are still being minimized in design. "I can't promise that there won't be any, but we are trying to minimize," Madidi said. Assistant Public Works Director Vatsal Patel explained the difference between 65% and 95% design. "65% level design just means that we have a larger than conceptual design," he said.

The other side: Public commenter George Williams said the project's cost grew from $18.5M in 2024 to about $43M. He asked where the local match would come from and urged the city to re-evaluate the design and scope, including widened sidewalks alongside bike lanes. Senior city staff said the city had received another grant of almost $10M. "We don't start anything, obviously, that isn't fully funded," a senior staff member said.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Qaadri moved approval and McCorriston seconded. Ayes were heard on a voice vote, but no result or tally was announced. Drivers, cyclists and businesses along the corridor face eventual construction. Taxpayers face the local match. (Staff materials)

What's next: Watch for the official minutes and the state's grant decision.

---

Neighbors Near Emerald Glen High Ask for Enforcement

Why it matters: Residents described the conditions as an imminent safety risk. Council members signaled willingness to spend more on enforcement.

Where things stand: Public commenter Pankaj said he spoke for about 1,000 residents in two East Dublin complexes. He cited rampant traffic violations and e-bikes traveling over 25 mph on sidewalks. He also described trash, break-ins and vandalism at The Cottages during lunch. He asked the city to work with the school on a closed campus at lunch or added school resource staff. He also wants more officers at drop-off and pickup.

Public commenter Mayura, of Dublin Ranch Villas, described rolling stops at Finnian Way intersections. She also said students had entered a garage and a community pool area.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Senior city staff said the resident's email was on file, staff had talked to the police chief and the city was connecting with the school. During council reports, Josey asked colleagues for head nods to spend extra resources on enforcement. "We definitely need to be working with the school district on enforcement around that," she said. No formal action was taken.

What's next: Watch for any enforcement spending request and for city coordination with the school district.

---

Resident Questions Mayor's Disclosures

Public commenter Christy Lee said she first raised conflict-of-interest concerns on Oct. 20 and had emailed the Mayor four times without a written answer. Lee said the Mayor amended her Form 700, the state's statement of economic interests, on Oct. 28. She said the amendment disclosed an interest in Selena Care LLC held through Global Green Life Inc.

Lee also asked about the Mayor's reported co-manager role and possible links to the Inspiration Drive Memory Care Project. She raised a January 2025 investment message and campaign contributions from people connected to the developers. These are Lee's allegations and have not been verified.

Hu said she had consulted her professional treasurers and tax professionals. "We follow FPPC rules. Everything is in compliance," she said. The FPPC is the state Fair Political Practices Commission. Public commenter Mike Grant said the issue alarmed him.

---

• Consent calendar: Items included the Oct. 20 minutes, a Griffin Structures fire station assessment, a Francisco & Associates amendment, Wave waterslide maintenance, a VeloShack small business grant, a branding strategy and a Redwood Public Law amendment. The package was moved and seconded; no result was announced.
• Dublin High students: Seniors urged youth mental health supports and a revived downtown, citing an 80-student survey.
• Council pay: Grant urged revisiting the council stipend so hourly workers like electricians and nurses can serve.
• E-bike laws: Morada noted the governor signed AB 1569, AB 1614, AB 2346 and SB 1167.
• In memoriam: The council adjourned in honor of Kay Germain Ingalls, the Vice Mayor's mother, who died of Alzheimer's.

---

Looking ahead: A youth mental health forum is set for Nov. 15 at the Senior Center, and Dublin Tree Lane registration runs through Nov. 20.