It's hard to miss the Teen Workshop as you drive down Mission Boulevard. The vibrant building pops out with its all-over Native American themed artwork, which features a mural of Quetzalcoatl and other native deities painted by local community members. Inside, middle and high school students can learn how to build and repair bikes, screen print t-shirts, make signs, woodwork and make videos. Computer graphics and art classes are available upon request. Due to budget cuts, operation hours have been reduced to five hours a week.
The Union City Clerk's office is located in the City of Union City administrative offices. A key government figure, the city clerk is the liason between the community and its officials. Among the clerk's many duties are preparing agendas, attending council meetings, overseeing local elections, helping with voter registration, and administering the oaths of office to newly elected council members, and registering and filing documents, such as tax and property records.
Union City's Leisure Services Department provides a wide variety of recreation and leisure programs to engage the city's children, teens, adults and seniors. The department operates the city's recreational facilities: Holly Community Center, Kennedy Community Center, Ralph and Mary Ruggieri Senior Center, Sports Center, Teen Center, Teen Workshop and Dan Oden Swim Complex. Programs include youth sports, summer camps, aquatics, arts, dance classes, senior activities, community gardens, and after school and special needs programs. For a detailed list of programs, along with fees and schedules, visit the Leisure Services website.
The City of Union City administrative offices and council chambers are located in the William M. Cann Memorial Civic Center, in between the public library and police station. The building houses most of the city's administrative offices, including Public Works, Economic and Community Development, Leisure Services and more. The offices of the city clerk, city manager and city attorney are also located here. The city council meets here every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The city's boards, commissions and committees also meet here (see the full schedule here).
The city manager's seat is currently filled by Larry Cheeves, who has served as Union City's city manager since 2003. He is reponsible for handling all day-to-day operations and administration. His duties include preparing the city budget, organizing and implementing the city council's policies and maintaining intergovernmental relations. Cheeves also serves as the city council's chief advisor.
The Economic and Community Development Department oversees city planning and construction. It's responsible for fostering the city's physical and economic evolution. The department houses a planning division, building division and redevelopment agency. As well, the department manages the city's environmental programs and neighborhood preservation program.
Built in 2009, Alameda County Fire Department Station 33 serves Union City's Decoto District. Formerly Union City Fire Station 3, this is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green building in the city. The station is staffed by three fighters--a captain, an engineer and a fighter, one of whom is also a paramedic. The station also has two fire engines, one of which is equipped with four-wheel drive to fight wildland fires.
