Measure U Oversight Committee

Measure U Oversight Committee — May 14, 2024

This was a regular meeting of the Measure U Oversight Committee, held in City Hall Council Chambers with four of five members present. The minutes from this meeting carry an unusual procedural note: due to absences and resignations between 2024 and 2025, subsequent meetings lacked enough eligible members to formally ratify these minutes, so they are being released in permanent "draft" state.

Approval of Minutes — March 27, 2024

The Committee approved minutes from its previous meeting without discussion.

Vote: Moved by Davison, seconded by Hamilton. Passed 4–0 (Hart absent).

Measure U Biannual Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023

Chair Fishman presented the biannual report covering Measure U expenditures through June 2023 and asked if any discussion was needed before approval. No substantive discussion was recorded, and the Committee moved to approve the report.

Vote: Moved by Sturm, seconded by Davison. Passed 4–0 (Hart absent).

Transmittal Letter to City Council

This item had a procedural backstory. At the previous meeting on March 27, 2024, the Committee had attempted to create a subcommittee to draft a transmittal letter to the City Council summarizing the Committee's findings. However, neither the creation of the subcommittee nor the drafting of the letter had been properly agendized, which caused confusion and raised Brown Act compliance concerns. Because the subcommittee was never legally formed, the letter it produced could not be used as-is.

To resolve this, City staff drafted a new transmittal letter intended to reflect the Committee's original intent and direction. Assistant City Manager Cochran and City Attorney Danly explained the procedural issue to the Committee, noting that any future subcommittee formation must be publicly agendized in advance to comply with the Brown Act.

The Committee then reviewed a slide presentation from Staff Liaison Gooch summarizing Measure U activity. Discussion touched on General Fund spending, including staff positions, salaries, and pensions, with ACM Cochran providing context. Committee Member Davison asked questions about General Fund expenditures, and Chair Fishman emphasized the Committee's role in educating both the public and the City Council about Measure U finances.

The Committee also discussed the content of the transmittal letter itself. Chair Fishman proposed minor wording changes related to employee hiring and recruiting to improve clarity. Members also requested that future reports and letters include more robust budgetary information — specifically graphs and financial forecasts — so that the Council receives the same level of detail the Committee itself reviews. Staff Liaison Gooch confirmed that additional charts and forecast information could be incorporated into this year's report before transmittal.

One item of public comment had been submitted by email prior to the meeting, from Susan Kirks. Chair Fishman confirmed the panel had reviewed it. No members of the public spoke in chambers.

The Committee approved the transmittal letter as amended, with the agreed-upon wording changes and the addition of charts.

Vote: Moved by Davison, seconded by Sturm. Passed 4–0 (Hart absent).

Committee and Staff Comments

Committee Member Jane Hamilton announced her resignation from the Committee at the close of the meeting. ACM Cochran and staff thanked her for her service. Her departure, combined with prior absences, contributed to the quorum difficulties that later prevented formal approval of these minutes.

Key Takeaways