Planning commission finds FY27'236 CIP consistent with Hayward general plan; $264M FY27 and $1.3B 10-year program highlighted

The Hayward Planning Commission voted to find the recommended fiscal-year 2027 through 2036 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) consistent with the Hayward 2040 general plan after a staff presentation and commissioner questions.

Alex Ameri, director of public works, introduced the CIP and said the document was developed across departments. "Staff recommends that the planning commission finds that the FY 27-36 CIP is consistent with the city's 2040 general plan," Ameri said.

Staff presenter Ellie gave an online tour of the CIP budget book, saying the recommended FY27 budget is $264,000,000 with a 10-year total of $1,300,000,000. The largest categories in FY27 were sewer and water system projects; staff highlighted the annual sewer-line replacement program, phase 2 improvements at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRF), groundwater sustainability and a suite of mobility and livable-neighborhood projects such as pavement rehabilitation, sidewalk expansion and the Patrick Gadding Complete Streets project.

Ameri and staff also described projects under way and near-term timelines: La Vista Park has started construction and is expected to complete in 2027, the city is evaluating sites for a new public safety center and staff reported a preferred site on West Winton (final council decision not yet made), and the airport-funded projects include taxiway work and private development on airport land. On funding, Ameri said the city uses a mix of funds and will pursue grants and bonds for large unfunded needs. He flagged a state-mandated wastewater nutrient-reduction requirement with a project cost estimate of approximately $490,000,000 and said the city will need multiple funding sources to meet that cost.

Commissioners asked for more readily navigable, street-level maps of current and planned pavement projects and clarification about timelines and funding strategies. One commissioner asked staff to consider publishing a clearer streets map on the CIP website; staff said they would explore that option.

Commissioner Stevens said on the record he did not agree the CIP was consistent with the general plan because he questioned the linkage between the general plan and a community workforce agreement (CWA) referenced in the CIP materials. He asked whether using nonunion contractors and paying prevailing wage would change unfunded liabilities. Staff and other commissioners acknowledged the comment but the commission voted to find the CIP consistent with the general plan.

What happens next

Staff will forward the commission's finding and the CIP materials to the City Council for its review and approval; staff said the CIP materials and interactive online budget book are available on the city's website.

Sources and context

This article is based on the Planning Commission presentation by the Public Works director and staff, and the commission's recorded discussion and vote.