San Leandro Power Default Shifts to Bright Choice as Ava Touts Savings

San Leandro electricity customers will shift from the 100% renewable default to Ava Community Energy's cheaper Bright Choice plan in 2027, saving about $5 to $10 a month, Ava's CEO told the City Council on Oct. 19, 2026. The presentation was informational. The night's only major vote unanimously introduced an ordinance aligning the city's accessory dwelling unit rules with state law. Between them, BART warned that a regional funding measure stands between riders and a 70% service cut.

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• Ava's default change for San Leandro customers moves to Bright Choice in 2027; the City itself stays 100% renewable.
• BART faces $370M-plus annual deficits starting in fiscal 2027 and plans to cut service 70% without a regional measure.
• ADU ordinance introduced 7-0 to match about a dozen new state laws; second reading Nov. 16.

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Ava's Report Card: Savings, Reserves and a Default Shift

The basics: Ava Community Energy is a not-for-profit community choice aggregator, a public agency that buys electricity for local customers. It serves about 2 million people across Alameda County and San Joaquin communities.

Why it matters: The default plan determines what most households pay and how green their power is. San Leandro customers are moving from Renewable 100 to Bright Choice, which is about 55% renewable. Renewable 100 carries a premium.

Where things stand: CEO Howard Chang presented Ava's inaugural impact report. Ava counts 96% participation overall and about 93% in San Leandro, plus $183 million in customer savings. San Leandro customers have saved nearly $7 million since 2018.

Chang confirmed the city's earlier decision on the default. "The city council has taken action to actually default back down to Bright Choice," said Chang. He put the household benefit at "about $5 or $10 per month in terms of savings."

Chang also promoted Ava's programs, including AvaCharge, Smart Home Charging, Ava Bike Electric and battery-backed resilience hubs.

The other side: Two public commenters pressed Ava on money and priorities. Public commenter Douglas Spaulding praised Ava's incentives but raised concerns about data centers' energy use and the mayor's position on them. Public commenter Alvaro Ramos questioned an Ava contract with Deloitte, the agency's use of reserves, a $10 million reduction in local development funding and rising PG&E bills.

Chang explained Ava's rate stabilization fund under GASB 62, the accounting standard he cited for the practice. "Currently in our rate stabilization fund, we have about $160 million, and in our reserves, we have about $330 million," said Chang. On local development funding, he said about $80 million remains. He added that California Energy Commission forecasts of data-center demand have been muted.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council took no action. Most residential and business customers will see modest bill relief and a lower renewable share unless they opt up to Renewable 100. Mayor Juan González III said municipal accounts will not follow the residential default. "The City of San Leandro itself, if I understand it correctly, will remain renewable 100% in the power that we procure," said González.

What's next: The default change takes effect in 2027. Customers who want 100% renewable power will need to choose that plan.

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BART's Fiscal Cliff: Safety Gains Meet $370M Deficit

Why it matters: San Leandro relies on two BART stations, and the city's Bay Fair redevelopment plans depend on BART's partnership. A deep service cut would affect commuters, students and transit-oriented housing alike.

Where things stand: BART Director Robert Raburn, who represents District 4, opened with good news. He said next-generation fare gates have raised revenue by about $10 million a year, crimes against riders per million trips have fallen 67% and rider satisfaction stands at 91.4%. He pointed to San Leandro transit-oriented projects Marea Alta and La Vereda, planned Bay Fair redevelopment and LIT San Leandro.

Then he turned to the deficit. "BART faces deficits of over $370 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2027," said Raburn. A regional transit measure would provide about $310 million a year starting in fiscal 2028. Without it, BART has approved an alternative plan that would cut service 70%, close the system at 9 p.m. and raise fares 50%.

The other side: Public commenter Alvaro Ramos criticized AC Transit service, BART fare inspectors and high fares, arguing they drive riders away. Public commenter Douglas Spaulding urged a yes vote on the regional measure. He asked about the Bay Fair transit village, affordable housing for households earning 30% to 60% of area median income, and a future navigation center.

Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen, District 5, asked about youth fares. "Is there a consideration or has there been discussion of possibly providing free rides for students 6th grade through 12th grade for BART?" she asked. "We have not had that discussion," said Raburn, who pointed instead to Clipper Start and 50% youth discounts. Bowen also asked about station safety.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The item was informational, and the council took no vote. Mayor González and Councilmember Fred Simon, District 4, praised the partnership. "Cost of a car is expensive and BART is a good option," said Simon. Later, González reported that the Alameda County Transportation Commission supports the regional measure.

What's next: BART's finances now hinge on the regional measure. Riders and housing advocates watching Bay Fair have the most at stake.

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ADU Rules Catch Up to Sacramento

The basics: Accessory dwelling units are backyard cottages, garage conversions and similar secondary homes. Junior ADUs are smaller units carved out of an existing house.

Why it matters: State law already governs nearly all ADU standards. Updating the local code gives builders one accurate rulebook and lowers the risk of objections from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, known as HCD.

Where things stand: Planning Manager Waylon Lee said the city last updated its ordinance in 2022. Since then, the Legislature has passed about a dozen amending bills. "The purpose of this ordinance is simple. To bring our zoning code into compliance with current state law," said Lee. He said the update will not change how staff processes ADUs, because state rules already apply.

Key provisions include:

• Up to three ADUs and one junior ADU on single-family lots.
• Up to eight detached ADUs on multifamily lots, capped at the existing unit count.
• A 15-business-day review to determine whether an application is complete.
• Appeal rights for applicants whose applications are denied or deemed incomplete.
• No denial of unpermitted ADUs built before 2020 unless health or safety requires it.
• Owner-occupancy rules for junior ADUs only when a bathroom is shared.
• Unit size measured by interior livable space.

Councilmember Simon asked how that timeline compares with other permits. "Applications generally are subject to the Permit Streamlining Act, which requires completeness determination within 30 days," said Lee.

The other side: No speaker opposed the update. Public commenter Douglas Spaulding supported it and suggested the city offer a class explaining ADU and junior ADU rules. Mayor González raised a trade-off while backing pro-housing goals. "As we build more on individual lots and start taking up street parking, it makes it harder for bicyclists," said González.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Simon moved and Bowen seconded the motion to introduce the ordinance. It passed unanimously (For: 7, Against: 0, Absent: 0). Voting members were González, Vice Mayor Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton, and Councilmembers James Aguilar, Victor Aguilar Jr., Simon, Bowen and Dylan Boldt. Homeowners and small builders gain clarity and appeal rights, while neighbors' concerns about street parking remain unresolved.

What's next: Second reading is set for Nov. 16. Staff will then submit the adopted ordinance to HCD and may return with changes if the state comments.

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Minor Items

• Appointment: The council unanimously appointed Nancy Brown to the Arts, Culture and Library Commission through Dec. 31, 2026; she was sworn in.
• Consent calendar: The calendar passed 7-0 after Ramos asked whether new Washington Manor library furniture can withstand flooding in an El Niño year.
• Feral cats: Floresta Gardens resident Leslie Watson said feral cats pose a health risk and that no city staff had followed up with her.
• Road vs. firehouses: Spaulding questioned support for reopening Lake Chabot Road over firehouse repairs, saying $1.5 million may fall short.
• East Bay Greenway: The mayor marked the north segment groundbreaking: about 270 days of construction along San Leandro Boulevard, backed by $30 million in federal advocacy.

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Looking Ahead

Ahead of the Nov. 3 election, Mayor González reported that the Alameda County Conference of Mayors unanimously opposes Prop 43. Ramos urged no votes on Props 39, 41, 42, 43 and 45. González also sought to reassure voters confused about district elections: "Please vote, follow the directions, and leave the computations to us." Bowen urged residents to sign up for Adopt a Drain and clear gutters before storms.