May 4th, 2022
Greetings in May,

Last week, Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter completed her final State of the City Address. The theme of the speech was "A City Where Kindness Matters." You can view the entire speech on the City's YouTube Channel and Facebook Page

The newly formed Community Police Review Board (Board) is accepting applications for board members. The Board specifically serves to increase public trust, accountability, ensure police operations reflect community values, and, in cooperation with the Independent Police Auditor, ensure prompt and impartial investigations of complaints brought by the public regarding the police department. The Board will operate independently from the police department and provide diverse perspectives on community policing. The Board will consist of six residents from each council district, two students (between the ages of 18-22), and an at-large member appointed by the Mayor. Every member has voting privileges.   
 
Board members will receive 30 hours of orientation and training no later than 90 days after their appointment. The Board will have the ability to examine policies that indicate a need for review based on trends and data or have a compelling community concern.  The Board will be responsible for developing an annual public report and work plan, which will provide transparency and include complaint analysis and other observations. Prospective board members can verify their residence on the city council district lookup website (sanleandro.maps.arcgis.com).  
 
Apply for the Community Police Review Board: www.sanleandro.org/boards 
 
Community Police Review Board Ordinance: https://sanleandro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
Sincerely,
150th Day of Celebration on June 4th

Mark your calendars for the annual Cherry Parade on June 4th as part of the year-long celebration planned for the City's 150th Birthday. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. in downtown, so get there early to join in the fun. Before and after the parade, make sure to drop by the Farmers Market held at the San Leandro Main Library to purchase some cherries to enjoy.  

Who doesn't love a parade? We sure do, and we are looking for parade entries to make this the largest birthday celebration in 150 years!  The parade will be held on Parrott Street and along E. 14th Street, ending at City Hall. Have you ever dreamed of marching in a parade?  Building a float? Riding your bike with your best friend? The possibilities are endless! If you belong to a club or an organization or business - please consider entering.  Do you drive a vintage car or ride a horse?  Maybe your class or school wants to show your spirit? Are you part of a sports team, dance club, or dog walkers group? A new feature this year is our LGBTQ PRIDE in the San Leandro section and we are looking for entries so please spread the word. There will be some awards too - so check out the parade application.

There's nothing sadder than a fun parade with a small crowd...so plan on coming down early for a good seat (bring a lawn chair if you like) and support the event by cheering everyone on, waving the 150th flag, and enjoying the parade. The deadline to apply (it's FREE) is May 11th. Please visit the City's website to find the parade application online. 

Following the parade, the community is invited to food and music on the St. Leander's Church grounds hosted by the San Leandro Historical Society. Their event is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will have a variety of food selections for sale and live local entertainment. The San Leandro Chamber of Commerce will host a beer and wine garden with food trucks at the Casa Peralta. Thank you San Leandro Historical Society and the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce for organizing these fun events for our community. 

June 4th is just one of many events planned for the 150th Year of celebration. Please visit the City's website for the latest updates and more events being planned.  And remember to tell your friends "meet me at the parade"!

The Gathering
As part of the 150th Day of Celebration on June 4th, the San Leandro Historical Society is hosting a brand-new event called The Gathering.  The event will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Leander's parish grounds. There will be local entertainment and multi-cultural food booths, as part of the celebration of our many cultures in San Leandro. Nearby at the Casa Peralta, the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a wine and beer garden along with food trucks.  
New Solar Panel System to Premiere on May 5th

San Leandro will reveal a brand new one-megawatt solar panel system at its Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, a milestone in the Bay Area city’s quest to radically upgrade its energy infrastructure to cut costs, improve air quality, and adapt to California’s increasing strain for electricity.
 
“There are no ifs, ands, or buts about the need for California cities to figure out where and how we can cut back on grid dependency for energy,” Mayor Pauline Cutter commented. “The City of San Leandro has been on a mission to improve the way we operate for years, and what we’ve learned is that technologies of, and for, the future are required to accomplish it. This green energy project by Climatec meets future demands as it aligns with our sustainability efforts.”
 
The WPCP has been San Leandro’s largest consumer of energy among City facilities. The plant regulates, collects, treats, and disposes of wastewater, which are essential functions for protecting San Francisco Bay’s water quality and the broader ecosystem. It also supplements the local water supply with recycled water, cleaning about five million gallons of wastewater a day, with spikes of up to 14 million gallons. 
 
The new solar panels make it possible for the plant to generate its own energy, reducing overall usage by at least 45 percent–that’s up to $247,500 in City general fund savings each year. Other new efficiency improvements include intelligent HVAC controls and LED lights that further optimize the WPCP’s energy use, as well as battery storage that turns the solar array and plant into a micro-grid capable of keeping critical services running during power outages.

The program has earned San Leandro accolades, including a $2 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) in 2020. The same year, the U.S. Conference of Mayors named San Leandro a winner in its Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards for the initiative.  

The WPCP improvements are a part of Smart City San Leandro, a citywide effort to implement technologies and infrastructure that is creating a brighter future. Because of these improvements, San Leandro met its Climate Action Plan goal of reducing 2005 emission levels by 25 percent before 2020. 
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
First Annual Climate Action Festival at the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club on Sat May 21 from 10-2pm!
The City of San Leandro will be hosting their first annual Climate Action Festival to engage families, youth, and community members on the education at the intersection of climate change, resilience, and equity. The day will provide multiple ways of engagement across art, repair, storytelling, film, and more. Programming will include screenings of film shorts and a panel discussion with the SF Urban Film Fest, tabling by local climate and community groups, free bike repair and education with BikeMobile, a dance performance by Black Indigenous and Deaf led Urban Jazz Dance Company, and more! A complimentary light lunch of banh mi sandwiches and veggie rolls will be served from Cafe Sorriso. ASL interpretation will be provided. Masks will be strongly encouraged to attend. 

East Bay Green Home Tour (free!)
Saturday & Sunday, May 14 & 15
10:00AM – 1:00PM
 
What are your East Bay neighbors doing to combat climate change, improve air quality, generate clean energy, and move toward a safer, healthier, greener future? Find out at the 2022 East Bay Green Home Tour – a virtual tour of 12 local homes, including a San Leandro resident, with live Q&As with homeowners, renters, and experts. The tour features an all-new lineup of people, homes, and situations, plus helpful resources and ideas.

Register and learn more at EastBayGreenHome.com.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Jazz It Up! 2022

Each year, Building Futures looks forward to raising a glass and enjoying great jazz with valued partners like you while raising funds to support life-changing services. San Francisco’s all-women La Mezcla Dance Company will be showing a “never seen before” performance for Building Futures at our virtual gala.100% of the net proceeds from this fundraising event supported our homeless, domestic violence, and housing services in Alameda County. This year’s celebration is in honor of all mothers, on Mother’s Day weekend. Please join us to celebrate virtually and raise a glass to honor mothers all over. Register today to get a free ticket to this virtual event.
New 62-unit Affordable Housing Development Near BART
Loro Landing, a new 62-unit affordable housing development near BART, has opened, with half of the apartments set aside for homeless residents and lower-income veterans.
 
Statement from Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter:
 
“Loro Landing will serve an important role in providing safe, convenient, eco-friendly housing that will set new standards for its broad array of important services and amenities. It will contribute to our city’s vision for a vibrant downtown and offers much-needed housing to our neighbors who increasingly find themselves priced out of the local housing market yet are essential to a strong economy and diverse community. Military veterans and formlessly homeless residents will benefit from living in these first-class housing accommodations. This housing development is a transit-oriented development model project. ”
RECREATION AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Summer 2022 Activities Guide

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to learn something new, meet new and old friends, get in shape, or get involved in our community. The Summer 2022 Activities Guide will feature Summer Camps, Special Events, Classes, and Community Resources. There is something in the guide for everybody, from tots to seniors and individuals to families.  
  
San Leandro Resident registration will be available online at www.sanleandrorec.org, in-person, or by mail, starting on Thursday, April 14 at 8:30 A.M. Non-resident registration will be on Thursday, April 21, beginning at 8:30 A.M.  
 
For more information or general inquiries, contact us by email at slrec@sanleandro.org or 
Public Works
Recycling Program Spring Events

The City of San Leandro Recycling Program is pleased to resume community recycling events. To ensure everyone’s safety, we have made changes; such as requiring appointments for all events. Events are subject to any state and local health and safety requirements in place on the event day. Note that the event schedule is subject to change and cancellation.
Compost Giveaway

San Leandro celebrates the success of the Food Scrap Recycling Program by offering free compost to participating residents. Compost is only available during this two-day event. Residents may obtain a maximum of two bags per household. No preorders or rainchecks. You may only register for one appointment.
Date: Friday, May 6 & Saturday, May 7 Time: 7 am –3 pm;
Location: Public Works Service Center 14200 Chapman Rd, San Leandro. Register here: Compost Giveaway | San Leandro, CA
Shredding & Technotrash Recycling Event

Join the San Leandro Recycling Program for our annual shredding event and see your documents shredded on the spot! Residents can also drop-off CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, jewel cases, and audio and video tapes for recycling. Shredding and techno trash must be packaged separately. No e-waste will be accepted.
Date: Saturday, May 14 Time: 9 am – 1 pm;
By appointment only
Location: Public Works Service Center 14200 Chapman Rd, San Leandro
SAN LEANDRO POLICE DEPARTMENT
San Leandro Police Arrest Suspect for Negligent Vehicular Manslaughter.

On April 18th, at 4:15 pm, San Leandro Police responded to the area of Fairway Drive and Monarch Bay Drive for a hit-and-run collision with injuries. Officers located a Monarch Bay Golf Course employee who was riding a lawnmower, unconscious and suffering from significant injuries.

Officers also located a black stolen Ram pickup at the scene. Multiple witnesses reported seeing the exact vehicle before the collision driving recklessly in the area. Additionally, witnesses observed the truck's occupants fleeing the collision scene.
Because of the severity of the victim's injuries, San Leandro Police Traffic Investigators responded to the scene, and additional staff was assigned to locate the suspects responsible for the crime. About an hour and a half later, SLPD located one of the responsible occupants from the pickup several miles away from the crash scene. The occupant, a passenger, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. SLPD detectives also arrested the driver the following day.

On April 20th, we sadly learned the victim of the collision succumbed to his injuries. The District Attorney's Office has filed charges against Jason McDermott, a 43-year-old male from Oakland, for negligent vehicular manslaughter, hit and run with injuries, and other charges.

"The San Leandro Police wish to offer our sincerest condolences to the victims' families, friends, and colleagues. We are also grateful that we were able to apprehend the driver in a safe and timely manner," said Captain Ali Khan.
Assistant Chief Luis Torres from the San Leandro Police Department CPCA Volunteer of the Week!



Chief Torres serves on the CPCA Training Committe and is a big supporter of WLLE. Thank you for always stepping up when needed Chief!
LIBRARY

In honor of the City of San Leandro's 150th Anniversary and Asian American Pacific Islander Month, San Leandro Public Library will host free Introduction to Ikebana classes led by seasoned instructor Tomoko Tsuji. All adults of every skill level are invited to learn about the art of Japanese flower arrangement, where form brings together nature and humanity.

The free classes will take place on 
Saturday, May 7 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm 
Tuesday, May 17 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm 
Saturday, May 21 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday, May 31 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Tomoko Tsuji has been practicing Ikebana for over 25 years in Japan and the US and has a teaching credential from the Ikenobo school in Japan. She has been teaching Ikebana at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, and has done arrangements for various Bay Area venues and events. Based in Oakland, Tomoko enjoys gardening in the company of neighborhood cats who come to sun themselves in her yard.

Please visit the San Leandro Main Library (300 Estudillo Ave.) or call 510-577-3971 for questions or to reserve your spot, as space is very limited. The in-person free classes will take place outdoors and all materials will be provided. 
Please use the buttons below to access upcoming Library programming.
To register for a program, please visit www.sanleandro.org/library.

San Leandro Public Library
300 Estudillo Ave.
San Leandro, CA 94577 | (510) 577-3970
ALAMEDA COUNTY FIRE
Chipper Program

The Free community chipping program runs Saturdays, April 23 - June 4, 2022. This service is for residents in high fire areas aimed to reduce potential fire hazards by assisting with the *chipping of vegetation that exceeds green bin space but too small for commercial chipping providers. It is being offered in collaboration with CAL FIRE and their Fuel Management Teams and ACFD's Reserve Firefighter Training and Education Program.

ACFD response areas and CAL FIRE state response areas are the program priorities, most of which are located in Alameda County unincorporated areas (excluding Fairview), and San Leandro. The purpose is to create defensible space around the home and access routes for first responders.

We will not enter private property; this is a curb side service. No work will be done during Red Flag days. *Chipped materials will not be hauled away.
STAFFING UPDATES
NEW HIRES (Full-time):
Kelly Frydendal–Police Officer
Cynthia Lemaire–Senior Planner
Cynthia Lopez–Administrative Assistant II
Steven McWatters–Maintenance Mechanic
Cristhian Sandoval–Plant Operator in Training
 
NEW HIRES (Part-time):
David Bolanos–Recreation Specialist
Kyle Javorsky–Recreation Specialist
Stephen Liang–Recreation Specialist I
 
PROMOTIONS:
Zachary Amos–Street Maintenance Worker I
Nicole Castelino–Senior Engineer
Sheila Marquises—E&T Director
Hayes Morehouse—Water Pollution Control Manager
Ashley Perry—Recreation Supervisor II
RESOURCE LINKS
PUBLIC MEETINGS
San Leandro Public Meetings

Note: San Leandro public meetings are being conducted remotely to comply with the COVID-19 pandemic public health orders. Log-in details for any given meeting session will typically be posted on the City’s Agenda page 72 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. The City uses the Zoom Video Conferencing software to facilitate the remote meetings.