Dublin · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Dublin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Free Senior Legal and Medicare Counseling Services
LASHICAP offers free, one-on-one legal help and Medicare counseling at the Dublin Senior Center — covering Medicare HMOs, billing, and claims. The committee will hear an update on these services.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program
Free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers, aimed at taxpayers over 50 with low to moderate incomes, is offered annually at the Senior Center. The committee will hear an update on the program.
City Investment Portfolio Performance
The council approved its yearly review of how the city invests public funds, with updates for new state law and a formal role for the Finance and Investment Committee.
2026 Fall Home Decorating Contest
The city is launching a new Fall Home Decorating Contest to celebrate traditions like Halloween and Diwali. Commissioners reviewed the contest format, which will include judging and public voting.
Firearms Retailing and Shooting Range Moratorium Extension
Since January, new gun shops and indoor ranges have been on hold under a temporary moratorium while the city studied its options. The council picked a middle path: licensing-style regulation like tobacco retailers, no buffer distances, but annual air-quality and toxics compliance checks for ranges.
Commercial Business Growth and Activity
A look at the 107 businesses clustered around Sierra Court and Dougherty Road — mostly building and landscape suppliers, recreation businesses, and manufacturers. It answers a question the committee asked back in February.
Small Business Assistance Program Update
The city's program helping local businesses with compliance costs got refreshed — new relocation assistance grants, expanded technical help, and a bigger role in the annual budget process.
Merger of Human Services and Parks & Community Services Commissions
The council formally erased the Human Services Commission from the city code, completing its September consolidation with the Parks and Community Services Commission. Community health and welfare oversight now sits with the broader commission.
Human Services Grant Program Oversight
The city allocated $319,000 in federal grant funds to support the Tri-Valley Haven shelter expansion and the School of Imagination classroom project.
The Wave summer 2026 promotions and pricing
The Wave wrapped its tenth waterpark season with 62,212 visitors, free-admission events that drew record crowds, new shade structures, and expanded water-safety education with the nonprofit Swimbrayv.
2026-27 Youth Mini-Grant Program funding
Dublin's Youth Mini-Grant Program gives $10,000 a year to youth-led clubs and organizations serving middle and high school students. Ten finalists pitched out of 22 applicants, and the funding ultimately goes through the Parks and Community Services Commission and City Council before winners are announced in December.
Local Veterans Support and Educational Programs
American Legion Post #237, VFW Post #6298, and the city's Parks and Community Services staff were scheduled to share updates on veteran activities and upcoming events — the kinds of programs that connect military families to the Dublin community.
PRFTA Master Plan Update
Camp Parks (PRFTA) is a major federal presence in Dublin, and any changes to its master plan can affect the community around it. The Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the plan, revisions, and additional projects.
2027 Temporary Public Art Program – Decorated Shamrocks
Dublin spends $20,000 a year from the Public Art Fund on temporary art. The commission weighed four approaches — repeat past murals, try new elements like benches, loan an exhibition, or commission an original interactive piece — which changes how many local artists get paid work.
Selection of Dublin's next Poet Laureate
Dublin's honorary Poet Laureate serves a two-year volunteer term writing and reading poetry at civic events and promoting literature in schools and the community. The commission was scheduled to hear applicants and recommend a candidate, who then needs City Council approval.
Site D-1 Affordable Housing Land Transfer Stalled
The council amended its affordable housing agreements for the Amador Station project and asked staff to report on transferring the Site D-1 parcel in the Dublin Transit Center from the county for affordable housing.
East Ranch (Francis Ranch) CFD Bond Sale
The council authorized bond issuance to reimburse the Trumark master developer for roads and other public facilities in the East Ranch area. The debt is backed by special taxes on properties within the district, not the city's general fund.
Animal shelter services renewal
Dublin renewed its share of the agreement keeping the East County Animal Shelter on Gleason Drive running, after the old contract expired June 30. The new deal runs one year with two optional one-year extensions.
Employee cost-of-living adjustments
All city employees received an additional 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment retroactive to July 1, bringing this year's total to 3.2%. Department heads and the City Manager got their own adjustments under a separate salary plan resolution.
Code of Ethics and Conduct adoption
Dublin adopted its first standalone ethics code covering the council and all boards and commissions, with amendments on respecting past council decisions and fixing cross-references. Final version returns September 15.
City Manager compensation increase
City Manager Colleen Tribby received a 6% raise retroactive to June 1, 2026, plus $10,000 in annual performance pay, following her 2026 evaluation.
Sister City cultural event fee waiver
The Dublin Sister City Association wants the city to waive about $2,717 in rental fees so it can host a free, family-friendly cultural celebration tied to Dublin's partnership with Bray, Ireland. The group plans to raise $3,000+ through vendors, sponsors, and performers.
Dublin Arts Center arts ecosystem planning
The Dublin Arts Collective is laying out a vision for what happens around the new Arts Center once it opens in 2026-27 — galleries, artist mentorship, youth programs, and arts-and-wellness offerings. It could shape how Dubliners of all ages experience the arts in their city.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Awareness in Parks
Should Dublin post signs or other messaging about the 988 crisis line in its parks and facilities? San Ramon installed 26 signs citywide, and Danville ran a flyer and social media campaign. Staff worries about sign clutter, how crisis signage might change how people perceive parks, and opening the door to requests for signs for every cause — so alternatives like QR codes on new signs linking to all human services resources are on the table.
Youth Mini-Grant Program outcomes
The committee reviewed how it will score applications for its youth mini-grant program, which has $10,000 to give to Dublin youth clubs for arts, cultural, and other activities. Funding recommendations still need commission and council approval.
Splatter 2026 Festival
Dublin's end-of-summer festival returns September 12 at Emerald Glen Park with a new Color Dash fun run, three stages of music, multicultural performances, and a $75 VIP lounge.
Employee Cost-of-Living Adjustment Methodology
Employees got a 1.7% cost-of-living raise in 2026, which the council felt fell short of actual inflation. The pay question now heads to a closed session on September 15.
Traffic Safety, Crosswalks, and Crossing Guards
During closing reports, the council asked staff to bring back a report on traffic and circulation in Dublin — a heads-up that congestion concerns are on the agenda.
Fund Balance and Reserves Policy Modernization
Dublin's rules for how much money it keeps in reserve — and how it can spend it — haven't been fully updated since 2015. Staff proposed simplifying the policy and aligning it with current priorities, with changes eventually headed to the City Council. This affects how well the city can weather economic downturns, emergencies, and future infrastructure bills.
City Council and Mayor Salary Adjustments
The council voted 3-2 to introduce an ordinance raising councilmember pay to $1,730.56 per month and setting the mayor's additional salary at $400 per month, effective after the November 2026 election.
DUI Suppression Grant for Dublin Police
Dublin Police Services won a $137,001.60 state grant to buy a dedicated DUI suppression patrol vehicle and run 12 saturation patrols this fiscal year. Funded through the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, it aims to cut impaired-driving crashes, injuries, and deaths.
2026 Fireworks Activities After-Action Review
The council got a wrap-up on how the city's July 4th fireworks activities went this year, covering enforcement and operations around the holiday.
Staff Cost-of-Living Adjustment Discussion
The council asked for a future discussion item on the cost-of-living adjustment given to city staff in 2026 — signaling interest in reviewing employee compensation.
Alameda County Emergency Management Participation
Dublin signed on to continued participation in the county's Operational Area Emergency Management Organization — the coordination framework for disaster response born after the 1991 East Bay Hills firestorm.
Dublin Library Services Update
The Commission received the library's quarterly report for April-June, covering programs, partnerships, and usage statistics for the Dublin Public Library.
Financial Sustainability and Cost Recovery Framework
The Parks Department is moving beyond its one-size-fits-all 65% cost recovery goal from 2018 toward a tiered model that treats community-benefit programs (like parks and events) differently from individual-benefit ones (like classes and rentals). Fees for some programs could change once the framework is built, but nothing is decided yet.
Youth Volunteers for Fall and Winter City Events
Youth Advisory Committee members committed to staffing volunteer shifts at Splatter, Harvest Fair, Ghosts of Dublin, the Floating Pumpkin Patch, and the Holiday Tree Lighting — helping keep these popular community events running.
2026-27 Youth Advisory Committee Work Plan
The teen committee set its priorities for the year: a virtual event with sister city Wicklow in Ireland, mini-grants for youth programs, a mental health campaign and forum, KidVenture Night, and a benefit concert. Ad-hoc committees were appointed to lead each project.
Regional Senior Nutrition and Support Services Coordination
Open Heart Kitchen provides free hot meals to Tri-Valley seniors 60 and older, and CityServe offers caregiver support, transportation and fall prevention services. This presentation connected committee members with resources seniors and their families can use.
2026 Senior Center Fall and Winter Events
The Senior Info Fair, Holiday Craft Boutique and Holiday DancEscape are on the calendar, giving local seniors chances to connect with service providers, shop from local artisans, and celebrate the holidays with live music.
Street Lighting Assessment District 2026-1 Formation
Property owners in Street Lighting Districts 1983-1 and 1999-1 will see the annual assessment levied for fiscal year 2026-27 after the Proposition 218 ballot process concluded with no opposition raised at the hearing.
Dublin Centre Development Agreement Amendment
A proposed first amendment to the development agreement for the 76.2-acre Dublin Centre site along Tassajara Road, with the Planning Commission having recommended approval. The developer is now operating as Risewell Homes after a partial assignment in 2024.
Transient Occupancy Tax Increase
The council couldn't muster the four votes needed to put a hotel tax increase on the November ballot. Rates would have gone from 8% to 10% in 2027 and 12% in 2028, with a new exemption for military families at the Parks Reserve Forces Training Area.
Forest Park and parks capital improvements
The council formally accepted the finished Safe Routes to School crossing improvements and Iron Horse Nature Park Phase 1, and applied for county transportation funding for Dublin Boulevard Extension and pedestrian projects.
General Municipal Election November 3, 2026
Consent item related to the upcoming November 3, 2026 general municipal election.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
The council was scheduled to adopt an EV Infrastructure Plan building on the city's Climate Action Plan 2030, guiding where charging infrastructure goes.
Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District Deficits
Annual assessments for existing landscaping and lighting districts plus a proposed new Street Light Assessment District 2026-1, subject to Proposition 218 protest procedures.
Street Resurfacing and Tassajara Road Improvements Authority Delegation
The council was asked to let the City Manager award street resurfacing, pedestrian/ADA, and Tassajara Road contracts during the summer recess so construction isn't delayed.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule Adjustments
The council was set to hold a public hearing on trash, disposal, and recycling rates from Amador Valley Industries for 2026-27, which directly affects residents' utility bills.
Facility Naming Policy
Dublin has named parks informally since 1983 — think Shannon, Kolb, and Dolan — but has never had a formal City Council policy for naming or renaming parks and facilities. The commission was set to review a draft policy and recommend it (or not) to the City Council.