Alameda Point developer SunCal has submitted language for a ballot measure it hopes to put before voters. City Attorney Terry Highsmith boiled it down to a written initiative within the required limit of 500 words (see full text, page 3). SunCal representatives are now out in force gathering the required number of signatures — some 6,600 — from Alameda voters by Aug. 7 to get the initiative on the ballot.

If SunCal garners the required signatures, and the majority of voters approve the measure in November, the city will create a special district at Alameda Point. The city will allow SunCal to build 4,800 homes, 350,00 square feet of retail space, some 3.2 million square feet of commercial space and 600 boat slips within this new district — all exempt from Measure A, which limits the size and density of housing on the Island.

The measure will allow SunCal to build apartments and other "multifamily" housing on 1,084 acres of Alameda Point. In the 11-page document submitted to the city, the developer promises that they will facilitate toxic cleanup on the grounds of the former Naval Air Station.

In the documents, SunCal tells the city and its residents that its proposed development is "transit-oriented" and will boast a new ferry terminal and transit hub. The document promises to promote environmental sustainability and enhance waterfront access.

Mayor Beverly Johnson surprised many of her fellow Alamedans on April 3 with a "robocall" to Island City households. During the recorded message, Johnson expressed her support for SunCal's development plans at Alameda Point.

The mayor's call may have violated Public Utilities Commission code sections 2871-2876. The code requires that a live person come on the line before the recording to identify the nature of the call and the organization behind it. In addition, the PUC requires that the recipient of the call must "consent to allowing the recording to be played." The call must also be disconnected from the telephone line as soon as the message is over or the recipient hangs up.

No live person came on the line asking for consent during Johnson's call, several recipients told the Alameda Sun. Violations of the law can result in a fine not to exceed $500 for each violation and disconnection of telephone service to the automatic dialing/announcing device for a period of time specified by the commission.

While some argue that the call was exempt from the PUC code because the mayor was calling her constituents, other robocall recipients complained that they are on the federal "Do Not Call" list and believe their wishes were violated by the call.

The next day, Alamedans opened their mailboxes to find a full-color brochure paid for by "Revitalize Alameda Point — a committee with major funding by Cal Land Venture LLC & Affiliated Entities, through SCC Alameda Point LLC, a company under contract with City of Alameda to Master Plan Alameda Point."

According to the mailer, Johnson has endorsed SunCal's plan. When the Alameda Sun called the number left as a caller ID for the robocall, the party on the other end of the line answered, "Revitalize Alameda Point."

A return call to Revitalize Alameda Point resulted in a telephone call from Adam Alberti of Singer Associates in San Francisco. The robocall was 100 percent legal and an example of free speech, Alberti said. He explained that the call originated in Alexandria, Virginia, where there is no requirement that a live person come on the line to introduce the call.

Redevelopment Services Director Leslie Little said that Johnson had relied on Revitalize Alameda Point's expertise in the matter and did not see anything wrong with making the recording. The mayor has decided to discontinue making robocalls, Little said.