Union City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Union City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Playground and Park Fitness Equipment Replacement
The city planned an $86,275 purchase of replacement playground and fitness equipment for local parks, including William Cann Park.
City Manager Employment Agreement Amendment
The Council considered changes to City Manager Joan Malloy's contract, tied to the city's salary schedule and a budget amendment. This affects the city's top administrator and how public funds cover executive compensation.
Ballfield Use Policy and Reservation Guidelines
Staff presented recommended updates to the policy governing who can use and reserve Union City's sports fields. The rules affect youth leagues, adult teams, and anyone trying to book a field.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update
The city rolled out an updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan with a new vision, goals, and lists of proposed park and recreation facility improvements. If adopted, it would guide how Union City invests in parks for years to come.
I Street At-Grade Crossing Closure Engineering
The city was set to approve more engineering money to close the I Street rail crossing, which supports a new pedestrian crossing at BART. That's a safety improvement near the station neighbors use daily.
Traffic Safety Grant for Extra Enforcement
A state grant of $87,900 would fund Selective Traffic Enforcement Program operations for fiscal year 2026-2027 — think extra DUI and traffic enforcement.
Proposed Raising Cane's at 31900 Dyer Street
A new Raising Cane's restaurant is proposed at 31900 Dyer Street, and the city has drafted an environmental review (Mitigated Negative Declaration) for it, along with general plan and zoning amendments. The study session was the public's chance to comment before any decision is made. Nearby residents typically care about traffic, noise, and drive-thru operations at this stage.
Housing Law and CEQA Framework
The commission was set to receive a briefing on state housing law and CEQA — the rules that shape how the city reviews housing and development projects. These laws affect how quickly and under what limits the city can approve or condition projects.
Arizona Street Bike Boulevard construction
The council was scheduled to award a $491,698 construction contract to Pavement Coatings Company for a new bike boulevard on Arizona Street, with a total construction budget of $540,868. This would create a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians in the area.
BART Transit Column Mural Project
The council was scheduled to get an update on the mural project at the BART transit columns, approve a revised timeline, and green-light the RFQ/RFP process plus a budget appropriation. Public input from a 2025 community forum shaped the plans.
Union City Cybersecurity
A three-year contract with ePlus Technology, up to $180,684, for cyber-security monitoring and incident response — protecting the city's computer systems from attacks.
Sidewalk Repair Underwriting Options
The council was set to approve a tiered structure for charging property owners for sidewalk repairs, with payment plans up to 24 months.
Fremont Bank grant for teen workshop
A $71,200 grant from Fremont Bank was set to fund improvements to the Larry Orozco Teen Workshop — new money for youth programs at no cost to local taxpayers.
Police labor agreement for COPPS unit
A side letter with the Police Officers Association was on the agenda to set up a pilot program schedule for the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving unit.
Dangerous dogs ordinance update
The council was set to give final adoption to an ordinance updating city rules on vicious and potentially dangerous dogs in the municipal code's Animals title.
At-grade pedestrian crossing at BART
An additional $70,104 was scheduled to go to HDR for engineering on the long-planned pedestrian crossing at the BART station, bringing the total contract to $961,727. The crossing aims to make station access safer for walkers.
New city job classifications
Two new classifications — Revenue Coordinator and Junior Accountant — were slated for approval, along with a side letter with OE3 PEG and updates to the compensation plan.
Jolly Roger Land entertainment expansion at Union Landing
A family entertainment business at Union Landing wants to grow into a neighboring tenant space, adding roughly 9,900 square feet and new amenities. The commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing on whether to allow it.
Station East Community Facilities District (Mello-Roos)
The city was set to start forming a Mello-Roos district to fund services and facilities in the Station East area, potentially issuing up to $38 million in bonds. Property owners in the district could face special taxes to pay for it.
Transit Short Range Transit Plan consulting contract
An amendment to the Parametrix consulting contract, adding $281,131 for a total of up to $355,941, to complete the Union City Transit short-range plan.
LLAD No. 3 landscape and lighting assessments
The engineer's report for Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 3 was up for approval, with a June 23, 2026 hearing set on the proposed assessments.
November 2026 general municipal election
The council was scheduled to formally call the November 3, 2026 city election and consolidate it with the statewide election.
FY 2026-2027 CDBG Action Plan and ECHO Housing funding
The city's annual federal block grant plan for housing and community development was up for a public hearing, including $4,215 to support ECHO Housing's rent mediation and eviction prevention work.
Waste Management
Your trash is piling up in Union City because of a nationwide garbage strike! Get ready for overflowing bins and a pretty smelly situation as the strike continues.
Waste Management Strike
Your trash might not get picked up on time because of a big garbage strike hitting 24 Bay Area cities, including ours. Get ready for potential delays and maybe some stinky sidewalks.
Juvenile Justice
Two young boys were killed in a gang-related incident, and now a third teen is being charged as an adult. This tragic event shines a spotlight on the serious problems facing kids in our community.
Waste Disposal
Tired of that old mattress taking up space? Union City is making it easy to get rid of it for free! This is your chance to declutter your home without paying a dime for disposal.
Sea Level Rise Impact
Union City is facing a serious threat from rising sea levels. Expect more flooding in the future, so the city needs to start planning for it now.
Sales Tax
Get ready to pay a bit more for your stuff in Union City. The city's sales tax just went up, so your shopping bill is going to be slightly higher starting now.
Police Chief Appointment
Union City has a new police chief, and this appointment is a major move for the city's public safety strategy. Get ready for potential shifts in how law enforcement operates locally.
City Designation
Union City just became a 'Compassionate City'! This new designation means the city is officially pledging to be more welcoming and supportive for all residents.