DATE: August 18, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Hayward and the County of Alameda for the Administration of the Russell City Redress Fund and Phase 1 Payments and Related Actions
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts the attached resolution (Attachment II) 1) authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Hayward and the County of Alameda for administration and governance of the Russell City Redress Fund and Phase 1 payments; 2) accepting a $100,000 contribution from the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) and authorizing its transfer to the Alameda County Auditor-Controller for deposit in the Russell City Redress Fund; 3) authorizing receipt of up to $100,000 in additional contributions from other entities or persons and transfer of those contributions to the Alameda County Auditor-Controller; and 4) authorizing the City Manager to take related budgetary actions.
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SUMMARY
Russell City was part of unincorporated County of Alameda until its annexation into the City of Hayward in 1964. During the 1950s and 1960s, approximately 1,400 residents were displaced through the acquisition of nearly 700 parcels of land, resulting in lasting economic and community harm.
Following formal apologies by the City and County and an extensive community process, the City of Hayward, County of Alameda, and ACOE committed a combined $1.3 million to the Russell City Redress Fund. On August 4, 2026, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved an MOU with the City establishing the administration and governance of the Redress Fund and authorizing the County Auditor-Controller to issue Phase 1 payments consistent with the MOU. Phase 1 prioritizes eligible applicants who personally owned and resided in residential property in Russell City that was acquired by Alameda County through eminent domain between January 1, 1961 and December 31, 1964. Eligible Phase 1 households may receive payments of up to $25,000.
The recommended action would approve the City's participation in the MOU, establish the administrative and governance framework for the Redress Fund, authorize transfer of the City's and ACOE's committed funds to the County Auditor-Controller, and allow implementation of Phase 1 payments.
The recommended action would approve the City's participation in the MOU, establish the administrative and governance framework for the Redress Fund, authorize transfer of the City's and ACOE's committed funds to the County Auditor-Controller, and allow implementation of Phase 1 payments.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution
Attachment II Exhibit A MOU