As first reported by The Morning Bun blog, Alameda City Council was scheduled to vote at its upcoming February 17 meeting on whether to approve the purchase of two Tesla sport utility vehicles for the Alameda Police Department (APD). Staff had also recommended purchasing 17 Hybrid Ford Interceptors.
Stock image by Depositphotos.
After a swift public outcry over the City spending tax dollars on a company owned by controversial figure Elon Musk, City Council decided to postpone the decision and pulled the item from the agenda.
The Alameda Post spoke with Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, who explained that she intends to “ask staff to research other vehicle choices” before the item comes up for approval in the future, possibly in March. The research includes reaching out to police departments such as Palo Alto, which recently began using an electric Rivian patrol car.
When asked if she had heard directly from constituents about the issue, Mayor Ashcraft laughed, “My email box just blew up.” She then added, “I am confident that we can make thoughtful purchasing choices.”
Ashcraft, who acknowledged that she has driven a Tesla for 13 years, told the Post that when she bought her car, there were not a lot of EVs on the market. She continued, “Now there are.”
Ashcraft also noted that Drew Dara-Abrams, who writes the Morning Bun blog, is a commissioner of the City of Alameda’s Transportation Commission and that she appointed him to the commission. The commission’s purpose is “to advise the City Council on City transportation policies and monitor implementation of approved plans as stated in the Transportation Commission.”
The Post also reached out to Councilmembers for their thoughts on the proposal to purchase Teslas. Tracy Jensen emailed the Post and said in a statement that she was against the purchase because of Tesla’s history of workplace racial discrimination and deceptive marketing practices. “City procurement policies must support Alameda values of transparency, diversity and equity,” Jensen stated, “and I will not support an institution that opposes those principles.”
The public may view other items at upcoming City Council meetings online. Click on “Meeting details” or “Agenda” in the right-hand column.
Jean Chen is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jean-Chen.
