As a Planning Commissioner, I fought for high standards for developments in our city. Hayward clearly needs new development, but we do not want to settle -- we want high quality projects that enhance the city. I also pushed the City to be more proactive in seeking input from the community about future development projects. We should be more collaborative with the community as we plan Hayward’s future.
As a Planning Commissioner, I worked directly with many current and prospective business owners, where I developed an understanding of what attracts -- or doesn’t attract -- businesses to Hayward. On the Planning Commission I also stood up for our environment. I voted against a new peaker power plant because one power plant in Hayward is more than enough. I fought for smart, transit-oriented development around our BART station, and pushed for adequate parks and open space as part of all residential neighborhoods. And I fought to make sure that new developments, especially residential developments, are a sufficient distance away from our shoreline to protect them from future sea level rise.
As a member of the Hayward Sustainability Committee, I help to shape policies that make our city more environmentally sustainable. My efforts have helped lead to the adoption of a citywide climate action plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions over the next 40 years, a strong green building ordinance, a Styrofoam ban for restaurants, a plastic ban bag, a Bay-friendly landscape ordinance, a net-zero energy Water Pollution Control Facility, and other pro-environment policies. As part of East Bay Community Energy, which I helped form, most Hayward customers are now receiving 100% GHG-free energy! These are strong initiatives that make Hayward a leader in combating Climate change and can serve as a model for other cities.
On the Citizens Advisory Commission, I advised the City Council on spending Hayward's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. I was twice elected chairperson; and I documented the commission’s best practices in a manual which became part of the commissioner handbook.
Campaign $olutions for Hayward Co-Chair (2001 - 2005)
As Co-Chair of Campaign $olutions for Hayward (CA$H), I helped lead the effort to reform our local campaign finance system, to keep big moneyed special interest out of Hayward elections. The City Council ultimately implemented a $50,000 voluntary spending limit for city elections and a $1,000 contribution limit (indexed to inflation). After the implementation of campaign finance reform, I led the post-passage enforcement monitoring effort and strengthened the ordinance in 2017.
Twin Bridges HOA President (2002 - 2004)
As President of my Homeowners Association, I led an effort to clean-up and beautify our neighborhood. We encouraged every homeowner to maintain their property and preserved the neighborhood as the attractive community it remains to this day.
Mission Hills of Hayward Neighborhood Committee Member
As a member of the Mission Hills of Hayward Neighborhood Committee, I helped organized our community to oppose some of the new developments proposed in the South Hayward Hills. I fought against developing sites that were too close to the Hayward fault, on unstable soil, on hillsides that are too steep, or on highly visible hillsides.
As a Neighborhood Alert Block Captain, and a graduate of the Hayward Police Department’s Citizen Academy, I have direct experience working to coordinate crime prevention activities in Hayward. In my own community, I helped organize residents to ensure our streets and our neighborhood park remained a safe and inviting place for our families.
A Little About Myself
For 20 years, I have been working for the betterment of Hayward. My wife Kindra and I love living here. We bought our first home in Hayward, and chose to raise our two kids here. We appreciate what a diverse community Hayward has to offer, and we are deeply committed to this city.
My public service in Hayward began as president of my homeowner’s association. I also successfully worked to help pass Hayward’s local campaign finance law, which keeps big special interest money out of our local politics. Prior to my election to Council in 2012, I served on the Hayward Citizens Advisory Committee, Sustainability Committee, and Planning Commission. Professionally, I have a BS in Computer Science and Engineering from UCLA and work as a Software Solutions Architect for a technology company.
I have spent my two terms on the City Council working to make our city safer, bring more jobs and shopping opportunities here, make our city more attractive, put us on a more sustainable path economically and environmentally, and to make Hayward a more youth-friendly city. I hope you will join me in this effort.
My Family ~ my daughter Ellette, my wife Kindra, and my son Caden
Other Organizations I Belong To:
Fairway Park Neighborhoods Association
Friends of Hayward Public Library
Hayward Area Democratic Club
Hayward Area Historical Society
Hayward Area Planning Association
Hayward Arts Council
Hayward Education Foundation
Hayward GLOBE
Hayward Literacy Council
Alameda South County NAACP
League of Women Voters
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sierra Club
Sun Gallery
Paid for by Al Mendall for Hayward 2016. FPPC ID#1340477. 30232 Brookside Lane, Hayward, CA 94544. Labor Donated.