Alameda staff outlines possible $300M infrastructure measure tied to $800M needs

Danielle Mueller, Alameda’s sustainability and resilience manager, used the planning‑board public‑comment slot to brief members on community outreach for a potential local infrastructure revenue measure.

"Over the last year, we've been engaging with the community regarding the city's significant infrastructure challenges," Mueller said, adding staff had identified more than $800 million in urgent needs including aging roads, bridges, storm drains and public‑safety facilities. She cited the city’s pavement condition score (66 out of 100) and examples such as last winter’s King Tide flooding and a 2023 power outage while High Street Bridge was open.

Mueller described a $300 million option under consideration that would create a protected, dedicated fund for repairs and resilience projects and estimated the cost to property owners at roughly $49 per $100,000 of assessed value — about $245 a year for a home with $500,000 assessed value, she said. The proposal would prioritize measures such as backup generators for bridge access, pothole repairs, stormwater improvement to prevent bay pollution, and upgrades to fire and training facilities.

She urged residents to review mailed materials and an online survey to help prioritize projects and encouraged broad outreach. The board did not take action on the non‑agenda briefing; the comment was recorded for informational purposes and to guide future council discussion.