Good morning and welcome to the Rules and Legislation Committee of Thursday, December
11, 2025.
Before I call roll, I will go over speaker card instructions.
If you'd like to fill out a speaker's card on any item on this agenda, please do so before
the item is called for discussion or 10 minutes after the start of this meeting.
This meeting started at 10 31, so your last opportunity to turn into speaker's card will
be 10 41 a.m.
you are looking to turn in an online speaker card they were due 24 hours
before the start of this meeting and that time period has passed. On roll
councilmember Brown. Present. Councilmember Fyfe. Present. Councilmember
Ramachandran is excused. Chair Jenkins. Present. Show me three members present
at this time before we get on with the agenda do you have any announcement? Yes
our December 16th last meeting of the year special council meeting will be
held at 1 p.m. noting that there will be a special council meeting on October
I'm sorry December December 16th starting at 1 therefore canceling the
regular scheduled meeting at 3 30 p.m. going on to item 2 there are no minutes
for this agenda so there is no motion going on to item three new scheduling
items starting with item 3.1 adopt a resolution honoring the extraordinary
life and lasting legacy of coach John beam on the December 16th City Council
agenda on consent do you need urgency finding so we'll 20 so these items
typically bypass committee thank you going to item 3.2 a resolution
approving the open police department surveillance use policy DGO 1-32.1
community safety camera system and the acquisition of security cameras and
related technology awarding a two-year agreement to flock safety for
acquisition of automated license plate reader and pan tilt zoom cameras
operating system technology and related services at a cost not to exceed two
million two hundred fifty two thousand five hundred dollars waiving the
competitive multiple-step solicitation process required for the acquisition of
information technology systems and waiving the local and small local
business enterprise program requirements this is asked to go before the December
16th now special city council agenda on non-consent April 24 will be needed
DOUGLAS Yes.
I'm Dr. Carlo Beckman.
I'm a project manager at the Oakland Police Department and I have our Rule 24 finding.
The FLOT contract has expired and without a contract, OPD cannot pay the vendor and
will be unable to continue to utilize the FLOT camera system.
We argue that Oakland's public safety will be severely impacted without the use of these
cameras.
system. We argue that Oakland's public safety will be severely impacted without
the use of these cameras. Thank you sir. Going to item 3.3 a resolution
approving ongoing cooperative purchase agreements exceeding $250,000 broken
Public Works Bureau maintenance and internal services commodities and
services contract at set forth in table one in an amount not to exceed three
million five hundred thousand dollars and adopt excuse me in adopting
appropriate sequel findings this is asked to go before the December 16th now
special city council agenda on non-consent this will also need a rule
24 reason for bypassing committee good morning Craig upon building services
manager public works facility services our rule 24 funding is the urgency for
to conduct work during the winter break and as soon as possible on building
facilities and properties and components of building components and systems and
that's our finding. Thank you. Going to item 3.4 an information report on the
proposed 2026 state and federal legislative agenda. This is asked to go
to the January 8 rules and legislation committee agenda. Item 3.5 adopts a
resolution authorizing an agreement with Montclair Village Association for the
The operation and management of the La Salle Garage, located at 6235 La Salle Avenue and
the Scott Lott, located at 2250 Mountain Boulevard for a period of 5 years, at an annual compensation
amount of $295,200 including $275,000 in reimbursable operating expenses and $20,200
Management fees and customer service incentives for a total amount not to exceed contract amount of one million four hundred seventy six thousand dollars
Waving the local small local business enterprise requirement and waving the competitive proposals
For solicitation requirement and adding excuse me in adopting appropriate sequel findings on the January 13th
public works and transportation committee agenda
Item three point six a resolution awarding a grant measure DD fund bond funds in an amount not to exceed
843 thousand eight hundred and seventy five dollars to
segoria Talon trust
for the purpose of acquiring property for the conservation and restoration of portions of
Sagittal Creek and making appropriate CEQA findings on the January 13th Public Works and Transportation Committee agenda
Now moving to your recommendations from the committees of the week of December 9 starting with Finance and Management committee
I don't 3.7 regarding the perform. Excuse me performance audit of the kids first Oakland Children's Fund
this item was
approved and
was
Approved to forwarded this item to the December 16th City Council agenda on consent
Item 3.8 regarding the amendment to ordinance number 12187
Regarding the salary ordinance for various classifications exemptions and in minimum wage increase
the committee approved
The this item as amended so and asked for it to go to the December 16th
2025 City Council agenda
That was there were amendments to the ordinance for this item
And the amendments are as followed
Follows to the ordinance on page 2 section 5 raising the rate from 1689 to 20 dollars and they all
Three parts of this legislation were asked to go before the December 16th
City Council special City Council agenda on non consent. This administration have something on this
Good morning. Sorry Candace from the city administrators office
Thank you for the time if you guys are all amendable. We are the rules committee is amenable
We would request that this item be scheduled to consent on
December 16th
I'm fine with it unless there's any other
So all three pieces of item 3.8 will be on the consent calendar once item 3.9
Regarding HDL software LLC local tax software solution imprinting and mailing services the committee approved the recommendations of staff and reported this item
to December 16th. City Council agenda on consent. Item 3.10 regarding the recognized obligation
payment schedule for fiscal years 26 through 27. The committee approved the recommendations
of staff and forwarded this item to December 16th on consent. Item 3.11 regarding awarding
a professional services agreement to Francisco and Associates for engineering services for
for local measures and the lad,
the committee approved the item as amended
with recommendations to go to consent,
but with the following amendments,
striking the last portion of the legislation
that states waiving the local small
or local business enterprise requirements,
striking the second resolve clause
that states further resolve that the city council
hereby waives the L slash SLBE requirements
for this contract.
Moving to the recommendations from the public works
and transportation committee.
Starting with item 3.12 regarding updates
to the environmentally preferable purchasing policy.
The committee approved the recommendations of staff
and forwarded this item to December 16th on consent.
Item 3.13, the sustainable fleet transition grants
acceptance match appropriation and purchases.
The committee approved the recommendations of staff
Thank you for being with us today.
Thank you for asking for this item to December 16th on consent.
Item 3.14 regarding the purchase contract, traffic, maintenance materials.
The committee approved the recommendations of staff and for this items the December 16th
City Council agenda on consent.
Item 3.15 regarding ensuring a competitive market for P.R.O.W. construction.
The committee approved the recommendations of staff and for this item to December 16th
on consent.
staffs on consent item three
point sixteen regarding the
electric bike lending program
grant acceptance and contract
extension the committee approved
the recommendations of staff
and four did this item to
December sixteenth on consent
I don't three point seventeen
regarding the acceptance of
funding and technical
assistance for a bay rain the
committee approved the
recommendations of staff and
on this item.
Item three point eighteen the
moo between the city of Oakland
and the city of San Leandro.
The committee approved the
recommendations and staff and
for this item six and sixteenth
on consent.
I am three point nineteen
regarding terms for an
exclusive negotiation agreement.
I don't excuse me the committee
approved the recommendations
of staff and for this item to
December sixteenth on consent.
I don't three point twenty
regarding the cannabis equity
program the committee received
we received and filed this item in committee.
Item 3.21, regarding the Bay Area's
District Zero Mission Building Appliance Rules,
the committee approved the recommendations of staff
and forwarded this item to the December 16th
City Council agenda on consent.
Item 3.22, regarding amendments of the Oakland Fire Code,
the committee approved this item
with the following amendments.
Two section 909, Smoke Control System,
Section G dash L adding is employed and supervised by a license C dash 20
C dash 61 or D 62 contractor and
to section 909 smoke control system
Section G dash 2 adding the
Adding to section 3 is employed and supervised by a license C dash 20
C 61 or D 62 contractor
Moving to your recommendations for the life enrichment committee starting with item 3.23
The grant agreement with friends of Peralta Hasi and the historical part the committee approved this item and forwarded it to the city
December 16 City Council agenda on consent
I'm 3.24 regarding the addendum to affiliation agreement between the University of San Francisco
And the city of Oakland the committee approved this item and forwarded to the December 16th
City Council agenda on consent
Item three point twenty five regarding early childhood and family services annual information report the committee received and file this item in committee
Item three point twenty six starts your public safety committee recommendations
the OPD citizens option for public safety cops grant
The committee approved the recommendations of staff and for this item to December 16th on consent
I'm three point twenty seven
Regarding the contract with a bright research group and ROKA for training services
The committee approved the recommendations of staff and for this item to December 16th on consent
item 3.28 regarding the contract amendment with the University of Pennsylvania for ceasefire lifeline violent
Lifeline evaluation the committee approved the recommendations of staff and for this item to the December 16 City Council agenda on consent
And your final item under new scheduling item 3.30 regarding the Lynn marine contract
The committee approved the recommendations of staff and forwarded this item to the December 16 City Council agenda on consent
That does conclude your new scheduling and you do have speakers on this item. Thank you so much
noting the present
Councilmember Houston are you participating?
It's not a motion to go into its but adjourn into a special meeting
On the motion by Councilmember five seconded by Councilmember Brown to adjourn into a special meeting
councilmember Brown
Aye councilmember five. Aye
Remember I'm Chandra. Aye
And cheer Jenkins. Come on Dean. Aye
Motion passes with a vote of four ayes
We are now adjourned into a special meeting due to the presence of councilmember Houston
Are you ready to move to the year public speakers a councilmember Houston, please approach the podium
Good morning. Good morning. How you guys doing? I want to support this
3.2 item
OPD community safety cameras camera policy of flock agreement at the public safety meeting
We had a split was two two and I said it at public safety
I said let's go to full council. Let's find out how full council feels about public safety
So, I thank you president Jenkins for bringing this back up. We need to get the
It says OPD, okay, so you read an item number 3.1
Excuse me, I read above that so I'm gonna look it says Oakland Police Department
But I appreciate the Oakland Police Department for bringing it forward. So thank you. Take this consideration. Let's move it to full counsel
We need that vote
And thank you so much councilmember Houston.
All right, let's go to our public commentaries.
Do you have something?
As I call your name, please approach the podium
in any order, please state your name
for the record before beginning,
so I can give you your appropriate amount of time.
If you are participating via Zoom,
please raise your hand so I can easily identify you,
and as with standard practice, you will be taken
after the in-chamber speakers.
Gracie Rosenberg, Rajni Mandal, Blair Beakman.
I have you for three items.
Rajni, I also have you for three items.
Ken Houston, I think you spoke already.
Storm Weiner, Malcolm Gin,
Juan Canham, Anayla, maybe.
I have you for two items.
Emma Wettie, Lance Wilson,
the councilmember. And the other.
of the 3.2 flock camera item.
We are here in support of that moving
to the full city council as the current contract
with OPD through CHP is about to expire
and that means that we will not have any access
to using these flock cameras at the time
and so we think we need a little bit more time
and then we would continue to
utilize the program before we
just end the contract.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Are you coming up to.
Matthew from councilmember
or his office we would also
support this going to full
council for more discussion
from from the whole body so.
Thank you for bringing that
opd.
Thank you so much public
comment.
Yeah my name is storm wiener
on the district one resident
at the Privacy Advocacy Commission, it failed at the public safety committee,
and it's now only urgent because the OPD has repeatedly failed to address any
of the concerns brought up by the hundreds of people who came out to give public comment.
It's also illogical.
If the contract is about to expire, why is the motion not to just renew the contract?
Why is the motion to expand the contract to an additional million dollars a year?
All of the concerns that were brought up by the hundreds of people,
they range across the whole spectrum from ideological,
meeting that mass surveillance is counterproductive to a thriving community and privatizing the
data sharing allows law enforcement agencies to launder their investigations circumventing
ordinary processes like warrants and probable cause.
There's legal issues due to misrepresentation by the floc reps multiple police departments
in the state have violated SB 34 by illegally sharing the ALPR data with the feds.
Richmond police chief recently just canceled their floc contract for that exact reason.
security issues, independent security researchers have shown that Flock...
Hey, I'm Alex J. I'm just going to follow up on that last comment, which I feel like
many people here maybe are not reading the news about what's actually happening with
Flock. In Richmond, the city thought that it had opted out of the national lookup database.
The thing that we all agreed was pretty gnarly. Flock just didn't opt them out. It was still
searchable up until a couple of weeks ago when the police chief got an anonymous tip,
You know, like this kind of lying, which we see from Flock, including in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
they were told they were taking cameras down, Flock had left up and put up two cameras without
the knowledge or consent of the city.
These are the kinds of pieces of information that you guys are not paying attention to.
Flock is not a trustworthy company, and when OPD says shit like, LA is not sharing any
any kind of data with the Feds.
There are countless pieces of evidence
of ICE directly getting access to information
and then creating deportations as a result of that.
You guys.
My name is Emma Weltie.
I just, yeah, I want to address the concerns
that everyone has raised regarding this vendor.
I think in this historical moment
where we're seeing a backslide
into a really pernicious far right authoritarianism.
This resolution is just so profoundly myopic and dangerous.
The vendor is funded by this network
of far right billionaires who are very explicit
with their intentions of undermining
any semblance of democracy that we still have.
And moreover, OPD has not produced any evidence
to show that this technology
is actually an effective deterrent to crime
or solving crime that they have not really.
Thank you, your time is up.
Hello, my name is Adam Wolf, District One.
The people have already spoken on this.
this is just shameful
that we're trying to sneak this through last minute.
We had 130 people here.
I don't understand where this urgency is coming from.
Actually I do.
Let me change my message on that.
I work at these tech companies.
I understand this type of business
development relationship we have.
We weren't born yesterday.
If this doesn't get approved right now,
of course Flock is gonna allow us to go back
and negotiate a new contract with them.
They're gonna let us keep using the equipment.
It's been installed, all of the initial costs is done for them.
They're going to want to make a deal and if making a deal means letting us use this
on an interim basis, fine.
So that's one thing, but let's not be suckers as a city.
We know there's a lot of litigation going on right now.
We know there's a lot of flaws in the contracts that we tried to put forward
and we should probably shore that up before we sign our names on a contract
for another two years, figure out what's going to happen.
Hi, I'm a former PAC member, but I'm also a parent of a child in OUSD who got that terrifying
email.
If we may pause our time through the chair, what's your name?
My name is Reem.
So I got that email about ICE activity at multiple schools, including at a preschool.
And so I'm really shocked that this agenda item continues to come up in this form, even
though so much evidence, you can just Google it, has surfaced about all the dangers of
flock.
It's literally inviting ICE through the front door of Oakland.
and so you cannot say that you were on the side
of protecting our sanctuary city if you move forward.
And I wanna also understand rather than trying
to sneak this through the back door
and sneak this into the agenda,
why not go forward with the proposal
that council member five had about doing
an open procurement process for an alternative vendor.
Even OPD said that there was an alternative.
Over two dozen cities have already dropped
their contracts with Flock.
This is embarrassing that Oakland is choosing
to ignore all of the red flags,
all of the security vulnerabilities,
all of the shadiness from this company
and push it forward, you know.
Hi, I'm Luna Vose.
I'm an educator in East Bay schools.
And what I'd like to see is...
Sorry, Luna.
I don't have a card for you for this item.
Oh, I'm up there.
What I'd like to see are...
What's your name?
In the Latino families.
Excuse me.
Can you say it tonight?
to the schools.
K-top, can you state your name for the record?
Luna Bose, returning to-
Do you have your yellow sheet?
Please, next speaker.
Hello, I'm Malcolm Jin.
I just wanted to speak against the Flock Resolution 3.2
for all the reasons already stated.
Working with Flock is working with fascism.
Thank you.
Hello, my name is Rhee Feelaway.
I've been coming to these council chambers since I was in high school advocating for
the basic needs of Oaklanders just like myself.
It is disgraceful, embarrassing, and a reflection of the fascist times we live in that despite
the hundreds of Oaklanders that have already stated their position on this matter, the
thousands of letters that you all have received, the Privacy Commission, the Police Public
Safety Committee, all of these bodies of governance that are meant to represent the needs of Oaklanders,
will of Oaklanders, the people that you all are meant to represent, have already
stayed at their position. The data has already been shared. The concerns noted
and yet we're here again in the dead of night when we found out last minute
that this was going to be on this agenda. Folks still mobilized. Still you see a
diverse community of Oaklanders. You saw dozens of young people, high schoolers,
elders, people from diverse backgrounds stating their position on what means to
to be safe to them and instead you call this public safety.
It's disgraceful.
Lance Wilson, good morning everybody.
To second what Rafael Wade just said.
I mean, this is disrespectful.
Excuse me, Mr. Wilson, can you come closer to the mic?
This is disrespectful for you guys
to have this agenda item,
agenda is yesterday at 2.30 p.m.
and not even give folks adequate time
to even get up here to submit cards,
do e-commerce, it's disrespectful.
The people have already spoken, like she said,
thousands of people are against this,
the opposition is out, and Flock's representative
came up here, lied, lied, lied, lied.
It's just disrespectful for you, there's no transparency.
Where's the transparency?
It got voted down in public safety, it got voted down,
and go back to the drawing board.
You don't just sneak something in on rules,
this is disrespectful, and I just wanna let it be known
that we are watching, when you think we're not
paying attention, all the slick moves, y'all pulling,
We are watching, thank you.
My name is Andrew Gross and as a parent
in the public school system, I don't need to say anything
because you already know exactly how I feel.
Reem's done it all.
My name is Anaya and I live in District One.
And first of all, I'd like to say I do actually support
the grant for Sigurte, thank you.
And I do not support this outrage that you all are trying,
I don't know, OPD is trying to pull, I don't know.
I do wanna thank council members Fife and Rowena,
I mean, sorry, and Brown,
for actually voting against this in the safety committee.
And I wanna remind everyone that in the advisory committee,
it was voted down four to two.
And I don't wanna repeat what everyone else has said,
but we do not deserve to live
in a surveillance society like this.
I'm concerned that there's been numerous data breaches
that OPD can't or won't regulate their use of the database
by outside agencies such as ICE and CPP.
Also that eventually, this will include drones
if you re-up this.
Maybe not this year, but soon.
I'm also concerned that the license plate readers
are capturing people's faces.
That's a privacy issue.
I don't want this data collected.
Floc's lied numerous times.
The code is vulnerable to hacking.
And then I'm gonna go ahead and say some of the stuff
that Storm didn't get to.
Floc is backed by Peter Thiel,
who publicly advocates for a techno-monarchy
to replace democracy.
Even if you use this type of tech,
you refuse to do business with this company,
or at least refuse to want you to refuse that,
or at least waive the competitive solicitation process.
Last month at the safety committee,
OPD revealed that they refused to activate
their patrol cars pending a privacy commission review
out of fear of possible disciplinary action
resulting from that data.
Why would we protect the privacy of on duty officers
more than residents of our community?
OPD or this committee,
Rajni Mandel, District 4.
The Public Safety Committee tied,
speaking about 3.2, which under Rule 5 means it failed to act.
And that is why this item is now before rules.
And this is not optional because this item is urgent.
OPD requested review back in May of 2025,
and the CHPMOU is expired.
Oakland cannot allow critical public safety tools to lapse
because a committee got stuck.
Rule 24 gives this committee clear authority
to send this forward today.
We also cannot ignore what happened
at that public safety meeting.
Speakers were heckled, shouted down, and intimidated
in violation of Rule 15 and the Brown Act.
That meeting did not reflect open public participation
and many people simply could not speak.
Moving this item to the full council
is the only way to ensure all Oaklanders
and all of their elected council members
are actually heard.
Thank you.
Order in the chamber.
Hi, I'm Elaine De Massey from District One.
I'm a retired research scientist
from National Labs-
the chair I'm sorry Elaine I do not have a card for you for this item. Do you
have a yellow sheet? Moving to the Zoom speaker starting with Juan Canham. I have
you with one card for one minute please unmute yourself and begin your comments.
Hi I'm Juan I'm a district 4 resident I was there the Public Safety Committee
yeah OPD haven't shown these cameras make us safer there's no need for a no
bid contract, the stinks of corruption. This is OPD trying to force through a contract because they
think they run the city not the council. Letting them get away with this is showing them that they
are right. Like why bother voting when OPD and also like more generally city staff can just do
backroom deals and then say we must urgently renew this bad backroom deal. We have a competitive
bidding process for a reason. It should be followed and OPD should like have to justify
that there's public safety benefit to this mass surveillance they want to deploy which they
haven't shown. They showed like one pathetic graph that showed crime goes down after 2023
which like could be attributed to anything um I like yeah this is just ridiculous to try and
sneak this through um yeah please don't disrespect a democracy by putting this on the pool. Thank you
you for your comments Armando Armando Solesano you are next please unmute
yourself and begin your comments council member five gave you a way out of this
you could simply choose a different technology company to contract with one
that doesn't share info with federal agencies that are disappearing people
and violating rights one that doesn't use such an insecure platform and doesn't
violate privacy why are you so intent on aligning yourself with this far right
the authoritarian administration. Why push a contract that enriches a white supremacist oligarch?
Not just on this policy, but on homelessness as well, you're aligning yourself with this
administration. And just like the EAP, you're trying to bring this back to the full council,
even though it failed in committee. And you're adding things to your agenda with no notice,
total disregard for transparency and the normal process of governance,
which also aligns you with the federal administration. Just acknowledge that
that you lost and bring back better legislation thank you for your comments
Ralph Brown I don't have a card under that name what card did you submit a
card I mean what name did you submit a card I submitted another Ralph Brown to
report gross violations of state law and city ethics code by council president
Hugh I don't have a card under that name thank you so president Houston you got a
promotion is that it is I take care of all the public speakers this time all
names have been called if you're on zoom in the room please raise your hand or
steps of the podium all names have been called or demotion depends on how you
look at it any comments from the council councilmember five I just want to
reiterate my position from the public safety committee meeting which is I am
in full support of the community's desire to our business and residential
community to have cameras as a support system for our community safety efforts
and I do not believe that this is the vendor to go with. We've had, as many
public speakers have said, ample examples of other potential vendors and I'm deeply
concerned that this does feel, this process feels like it lacks transparency and democracy.
This item failed in committee and should go back to committee and be deliberated in that
space.
I requested additional vendors to be considered and a host of other things.
I believe that we can use cameras for public safety tools, but this vendor has shown time
again that they will just work the the rule of law and cities and states all
over the nation so this is a scheduling item it failed it needs to go back to
committee that is my position and I just wanted to reiterate that for the public
so noting 3.2 rule 24 3.3 rule 24 3.8 move to consent that I miss anything
see none I'll entertain a motion I'll make I'll make the motion to move the
items along scheduling items is there a second second motion in a second has
amended on new scheduling move by which is item three moved by council member
Brown seconded by council member Rama Chandra and with the amendment stated by
the council president council member Brown I also member five I want to
register a no vote for item 3.2? Councilmember Fife registering a no vote
for item 3.2 and Councilmember Ramachandran? Aye. And Chair Jenkins? Aye.
Motion passes with a vote of four ayes noting council member noting council
members five no on item 3.2. Motion passes with a vote of four ayes going to
item four which is review of your draft agenda depending with City Council and
committee meetings.
You will see your December 16th council agenda
which has been canceled
in a special meeting at 1 p.m. scheduled in its place.
Rules and Legislation Committee,
Finance Management Committee Pending List,
Public Works CED Life Enrichment,
and noting the cancellation agendas
for the week of December 22nd.
councilmember meeting.
Oh I I can go after.
To the administration apologies candidates from the city
administrator's office I believe we have staff present
there was some changes we would like to make to the life
enrichment committee pending list.
If councilmember on a child run it up I see staff approaching
the podium now yes we have some changes to your life
enrichment committee pending list.
Welcome welcome back I'm seeing since yourself it's Jersey
I'm here regarding the pending
item list about the SSD board
recommendations to counsel
regarding the spending of
revenues derived from that tax
towards programs that are
supporting health and wellness
initiatives.
In May of 2018, the council
passed resolution 87062.
the board. And the board is.
that in the end of 2020 2023.
The board were able to present
their recommendations.
And I know reports regarding how
the funds have been spent as
well as their.
Recommendations of what they
thought the money should be
going towards we were on course
to do that in twenty twenty
which items are you moving.
The the annual board report.
the life enrichment committee committee pending list pending no date specific
it's item one the SSBT information report and item number two the SSB
advisory board grants these two items we're requesting to be withdrawn from
this agenda and as the staff is stating the reasoning why we don't need these
two items anymore so okay so it's being removed from the pen yes okay thank you
Thank you sir. Anything else from the administration? At this time we don't
have any other changes thank you. Okay do we have any public comment? Oh yeah so
the following rules will be counseled the 18th. Councilmember Ramachandra?
Never mind, I was asking about the 18th rules. All good let's go to public comment.
For item four as I call your name please support them in any order or raise your
hand if you're participating on Zoom. Blair Beekman, Rajni Mandal in any order
please. Rajni Mandal district four. I'm speaking today because this committee
controls what makes unto future agendas and there are several urgent items that
Oaklanders deserve clarity on. Last week the mayor's police commission
appointments for former Judge Grillo and former Mayor Kwon briefly appeared on
the rules agenda and then disappeared. These vacancies have been unfilled for
almost two years and I'm asking this committee to explain why and to ensure
these appointments move forward promptly. In the coming weeks the Police
Commission will also be forwarding documents about their budget and their
accomplishments. Documents that appear to be in response to the city auditor's
ongoing audit and its preliminary findings. I urge you to review those
carefully. You will also be asked to consider the militarized equipment use
policy in OPD's requests to replace aging rifles and armored vehicles.
On this issue, please be aware that the Commission's subject matter experts publicly told the media
that OPD's current rifles were obtained without approval.
That statement was false, and I provided the reporter with the actual documentation, and
the article was retracted.
There is a lot of misinformation circulating from parties with their own agendas.
I ask that this committee make decisions based on verifiable facts and not on narratives
designed to mislead.
Thank you.
Blair Beekman.
This time all names have been called.
So noting item one.
Councilmember Umjandra.
Yes.
Just connected with staff we've confirmed that there are no items for the January 13th
committee meetings so we will cancel that and I do know there are items at
the next the 27th meeting so we'll keep the rest of the month's finance thank
you okay so noting that more counseling rules 1218 January 13th finance
cancelled removed items one and two from the LEC pending list I'll entertain a
motion so moved second on the motion by Councilmember Rama Chandra and second
councilmember five to approve item four as amended councilmember Brown aye
councilmember five aye councilmember Ramachandran I chair Jenkins aye motion
passes with a vote of four ayes moving to your open forum speakers Rajni
Mandal and Blair Beekman Rajni Mandal district four I want to thank this
committee for advancing the flock items to full council. Oaklanders deserve a
citywide discussion where all elected representatives and all residents can
be heard. I also want to speak plainly about the misinformation and
intimidation tactics surrounding the issue. Over the past year paid activists
have repeatedly spread false claims about this proposal and that it that
flock creates secret databases that OPD shares data unlawfully and that it
violates state law all the time. None of these statements are actually supported
by the reports that have been provided to counsel.
One second.
We didn't start your time.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
No, it's all good.
I just went.
I heard my name, and I went.
My bad.
All right, but I'm just gonna continue
so that you don't waste any more time.
Please continue.
And so these narratives have been pushed aggressively,
often alongside heckling personal attacks
and attempts to silence people who testify
with actual documentation.
This is not public oversight.
This is an intimidation designed to derail
legitimate safety tools through fear instead of facts.
Oakland needs informed decision-making now more than ever
and I urge council to rely on verifiable data,
not pressure tactics or misinformation campaigns.
Thank you again for ensuring this item
receives a full and transparent hearing.
Thank you.
Blair Beekman was the only other speaker
and I don't believe he's here.
This meeting is adjourned.