Good morning
And welcome to the rules and legislation committee of Thursday, January 8th before I call roll
I will go over speaker card instructions
If you'd like to speak on any item on this agenda
Please pull out a speaker's card and return that card to a clerk representative before the item is called for discussion
Or 10 minutes after the start of this meeting this meeting started at 10 39
So your last opportunities turn into speakers car will be at 10 49 or before the item is called for discussion
If you're looking to turn in an online speaker card that time has passed as they were due 24 hours before the start of
This meeting on roll. We have councilmember
Councilmember Brown present councilmember 5 present council member Ramachandran
Present and share Jenkins present showing four members present at this time
Do you have any announcements before we begin? Happy new year everyone looking forward to a wonderful?
twenty six and working for the residents of oakland
let's get started
starting with item two approval of the draft minutes from the meeting of
december fourth
and the meeting of december eleventh i have no speakers on this item
just need a motion
no approval
and the motion by council member rama chinger and second by council member
five to approve
the minutes for december fourth and december eleventh
Councilmember Brown, aye.
Councilmember Fyfe, aye.
Councilmember Ramachandran, aye.
And Chair Jenkins, aye.
Motion passes with a vote of four ayes.
Now moving on to item three,
which is all of the scheduling item, new scheduling items.
Starting with item 3.0,
adopt a resolution authorizing the city administrator
to negotiate and enter into a delegated maintenance agreement
with the California Department of Transportation
to include maintenance activities,
such as weed abatement, litter, and debris removal
on specified Caltrans highway ramps and off-ramps,
accepting and appropriating up to $375,000 from Caltrans
in connection with the agreement
and making appropriate CEQA findings.
This is asked to go before the January 13th,
2026 Public Works and Transportation Committee agenda.
Going to item 3.1,
Adopt a resolution confirming their report
and notice of liens for delinquent business taxes
with penalties, interests and administrative
and assessment charges and overruling any protests
and objections related to the liens included in said report
and authorizing the recordation of liens
and directing the notice of lien assessment charges
be turned over to the county tax collector.
This is asked to go before the January 20th, 2026
for this item and I'm looking
at it as a public hearing.
The rule twenty four request
for this item is.
That it go straight to council
because it's a public hearing.
Can we go back to item three
point zero is there somebody
here from the mayor's office.
To give urgency finding.
I think.
Pressing over W. chief staff to
mayor barber lee thank you a
council president.
Yeah so we're requesting urgency
finding- so this item can be
heard by public works next
to take on the challenge in
today- this agreement as the
clerk mentioned allows the city
to immediately partner with
Caltrans to address ongoing
safety and cleanliness. Concerns
on state highway on and off
ramps including weed abatement
litter and debris removal-
advancing this item on expedite
timeline ensures the city can
begin this work as soon as
possible- and also accept the
available funding of the- look
forward to working with you all
to advance item thank you all.
Sounds good if it pleases
is any objections objects in noting the urgency and adding Council President
Jenkins to item 3.0 going to item 3.2 adopt the following pieces of
legislation a resolution accepting the Police Commission selection panel slate
of Ricardo Garcia Acosta and Omar farmer to serve on the Oakland Police
Commission or a resolution rejecting the Police Commission selection panel slate
And Ricardo Garcia Acosta and Omar Farmer
to serve on the Oakland Police Commission.
This is asked to go before the January 20th,
City Council Agenda on Non-Consent.
The Rule 24 reasoning for these going straight to Council.
This item is a recommendation
from the Police Commission Selection Panel.
And under City Charter Section 604, Section C, Part 3,
the Selection Panel is required to submit its slate
to the City Council for consideration.
going to item 3.3, adopt a resolution
confirming the mayor's reappointments of Karen Zukar,
Chie Azuma, and Alex Weinberg to the Library Commission.
This is asked to go before the January 20th,
2026 City Council agenda on consent,
and rule 24 will need to be stated.
Good afternoon, Council.
Yes, we are requesting this item under rule 24
be advanced to City Council for your full consideration.
let me know if you have any questions thank you going to item 3.4 adopted
resolution authorizing the city administrator to apply for except the
first five Alameda County early care and education emergency grant in an amount
not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars to provide stipends to eligible
early childhood and family services division staff and other allowable early
childhood expenditures effective July 1 2025 through June 30 2026 and to accept
additional early care and education emergency grant funding that becomes
available for the same purpose during the same contract term and to enter into
an agreement with California school age consortium to serve as the fiscal
sponsor for the city of Oakland award from first five Alameda County's
eligible early childhood and family services grant to manage and disperse
stipends to eligible early childhood and family services and other related grant
expenditures this is asked to go before the January 20th City Council agenda on
consent the rule 24 reason this resolution is urgently needed to
authorize an application for the first five Alameda County early care and
education emergency grant measure C seeking up to $500,000 in emergency funds
for first five Alameda County to support early childhood educators and program
And we will make a motion to
approve.
And I thank the committee.
And I thank the committee.
We will work with the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the committee.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the committee.
And I thank the committee.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the committee.
And I thank the committee.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the board of
commissioners.
And I thank the board of
An information report from the city administrator
on the February, I'm sorry, on fiscal year 25 to 28,
city-wide strategic plan six-month update.
This is asked to go before the January 27th
Finance and Management Committee agenda.
Monica Davis, deputy city administrator.
Staff is requesting to move this item to February 10th
given how impacted the January 27th meeting is.
Going to item 3.6,
receive an information report
on the Oakland Police and Fire Retirement System
investment portfolio as of September 30, 2025.
This is asked to go before the January 27th
Finance and Management Committee agenda.
Item 3.7,
receive an information report on the activities
of the Department of Race and Equity,
including recent major accomplishments,
interdepartmental collaborations,
and current and upcoming initiatives.
This is asked to go before the January 27th
Finance and Management Committee agenda.
Councilmember understand.
Thank you.
I would request the author to bring this
to a different committee since, well,
firstly the 27th FMC meeting is impacted,
but also it doesn't directly relate
to our purview of items we typically discuss.
Councilmember Brown.
Okay, I think first off,
I believe from the administration there was going to be a date change on this one to February
the 10th and or the 24th and then as far as it going to another subject matter committee
you know that that works well I guess through the chair to Councilmember Fife would you
be open to having this one in life enrichment.
I'm sorry, I wasn't prepared on this topic.
Was it intended to go to finance?
Are there financial questions that you're
requesting from the Department of Race and Equity?
No, I think just I believe maybe historically it's
gone to F&M, but I could be mistaken.
So maybe, I guess, through the chair to the administration,
where do items for race and equity normally get scheduled?
Good morning, Candace, from the city administrator's office.
the city's. I believe in the past the items regarding race and equity have gone to. The life of the committee but it could be something different in this report that is requesting otherwise but yes in the past they have gone to life enrichment committee.
the state of the state. And I'm.
we're in trouble with a piece of vision that rules okay excellent thank you yes I
want to be clear I'm happy for it to go to life in Richmond I know historically
that's where something like this would go I'm more concerned about the time
frame for which the city staff would have to prepare a report I know right
now with the date that it was initially scheduled for it's rushed and I don't
think that would be good for staff to not produce the very best product so
it's just me I think I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
excited to be here and I'm
I'm just going to do one more
motion to the committee.
So can we put it in life
enrichment no date specific and
then once we get to the
director we can handle this.
Next time it rolls.
Is that fine with you council
member Brown.
I'm sorry what was state.
So it's going to be no date
specific we're gonna put in
life enrichment and at the next
rules will take care of the
official date.
I would like to get this item
scheduled.
To the chair of the committee
would work for me okay well but I would like to hear from staff to know what
works for them to staff deputy city administrator Monica Davis I did speak
with director Flynn and she expressed a preference for February 10th and I just
spoke with her so it yeah to the chair of the committee February 24th according
to my staff I haven't reviewed my calendar for life enrichment yet okay
Where I've had no conversation about this potentially coming. So what I'm hearing from my staff is February 24th
And I also spoke with the director Flynn as well. You are the chair of the committee
24th
So through the chair to the Rules Committee for clarification this would be going to February
24th life enrichment, is that correct?
Okay, going to item 3.8. I understand there's a title change for that item
Good morning and happy New Year's everyone. There is a title change to address a typo in the title in the
First item the title should be changed the dollar amount should be changed from for the chair
If you can just read the entire new title, thank you. Okay
amending resolution number
88240 c.m.s to increase the professional services agreement with Loving Campos associates LCA architects for
Architectural and engineering design services for the fire station for a project by an amount not to exceed $2,700,000.
Bringing the total contract amount from $1,500,000 to $4,200,000.
With the change being the 4,200,000.00, that's where the change occurs.
And that's the only change that needs to be made.
Thank you.
This is asked to go before the January 27th
Public Works and Transportation Committee agenda.
Going to item 3.9,
adopter resolution awarding grant agreements
using substance abuse and mental health services,
administration funds, to three agencies
and a total amount not to exceed $437,000
to provide trauma-informed behavioral health services
to high-risk youth and their families
from October 1, 2025 through December 31st, 2026
and waiving the local and small local business
enterprise program and requests for
proposals and qualifications requirements
and awarding professional services agreements
to three entities in a total amount,
not to exceed $200,000 in SAMHSA funding
from October 1, 2025 through December 31st, 2026
and authorizing the city administrator
to amend the above grant agreements
and professional services agreements
to increase the amount of said agreements using carryover
or reallocated grant funding
in accordance with SAMHSA authority.
This is asked to go to the January 27th
life enrichment committee agenda.
Item 3.10, receive the 24 through 25
annual information report
from the community policing advisory board
on the January 27th public safety committee agenda.
Item 3.11, receive an information report from OPD and CPRA
on the role of scaly hearings in OPD's discipline process,
current challenges, managing scaly hearings
and options to address the backlog of disciplined cases.
Awaiting scaly hearings,
this is article before the January 27th,
Public Safety Committee agenda,
but I believe there is a date change request for this item.
councilmember Brown. Yes so for this one we will move the date to public safety
on February the 24th. Thank you. Thank you. Noting that this item will be going
to February 24th Public Safety Committee. Item 3.12 receive an
informational report from the city administrator on the city of Oakland's
utilization of his newspaper of record for advertisement and other noticing
purposes pursuant to chapter 1.06 of open municipal code and resolution number 89141
including whether all appropriate advertisements and notices have been placed with the official
newspapers rationale if and when such placements have not occurred and improvements needed
for full compliance with OMC chapter 1.06 this is as to go before the February 10th
for Richmond committee agenda good morning to the chair and to the clerk
into the chair of excuse me of the life of Richmond committee I'm Candace from
the city administrators office we are asking if amendable by chair 5 that this
item be presented as an oral report yes I'm completely open to that thank you
thank you so much going to item 3.13 adopts a resolution authorizing the
city administrator to enter into a professional services agreement with
evergreen counseling, a marriage and family therapy corporation to provide
behavioral science, consult, consult, consultation,
training and confidential mental health services for the open fire department
from February 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028,
in the amount not to exceed $450,000 with two one year options to extend the
agreement for up to an additional two years in an amount not to exceed
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars per year without returning to council
for a total contracts amount not to exceed seven hundred thousand dollars
this is asked to go before the February 10th public safety committee. Item 3.14
receive an information report from the Budget Advisory Commission on the
proposed June 26 40 million dollar parcel tax measures to support essential
city services and fiscal stability on the February 24th 2026 finance and
management committee agenda out of 3.15 I believe has a title change yes so for
this item I'll read in the adjusted title receive an informational report on
the results of the salary survey for all city job classifications that earn a
salary rate less than $25 per hour and then in addition we are also going to
pivot on the date and so I believe director Howe is on zoom to state her
preferred date for this item although my preference is mid-march.
Good morning everyone Mary Howe human resources director yes thank you for the
consideration for a later date we are just working with outside consultants to
help us do the survey so we just want to make sure that there is sufficient time
and for them to perform this work.
And also given the timeline system materials to council,
I just want to make sure there's enough time.
So if it works for council members,
Brown and Ramachandran,
we would ask for a late March, early April date,
if that works.
And the date for late March,
that would be March 22nd?
24th.
24th, yeah, sorry.
And then is there a possibility for an early April date?
Cause I'm just thinking that in the abundance of caution,
we would have to get our materials in
by the end of February, roughly, to make that March date.
Excellent, thank you so much.
Chair of Finance, Ramachandran,
did you have any feedback?
Yeah, my preference would be to hear it
on Tuesday, March 24th.
If I may, just do the chair to the committee.
There is a spring break for the first week of April,
so there is no committee.
So the next April date would be the April 21st,
so the March 24th would be more efficient, if preferable.
Excellent, thank you so much.
Okay, public comment?
As I call your name, please approach the podium
in any order, please state your name for the record.
If you are on Zoom, please raise your hand
so I can easily identify you.
You will be called after the speakers in chambers.
Kevin Dally, Rajni Mandal and Balair Beekman.
Okay, I do not see any, I don't see Kevin,
I don't see anyone in chambers moving to the Zoom speakers.
Starting with Balair Beekman,
please unmute yourself and begin your comments.
Hi, Balair Beekman.
I had two public comments on consent
or on this item today, if possible, 3.2 and 3.5, thank you.
For 3.2 about the selection panel nominations
for police commissioner appointment,
I'm in favor of accepting the police commission
selection panels instead of rejecting.
I hope you've offered a choice here.
This is an item that's been ongoing for over a year now,
and I think we're in a bit of a different space
in Oakland a year ago compared to now.
A lot of work has been developing
towards a fair and equal process for all sides.
We are a developing community,
I've noticed in Oakland in the past year.
It's become a more integrated process for everyone.
And good luck in those continued efforts into 2026.
is with that in mind, I think the two commissioners
in question can be really good from what I've seen.
So I hope they can be accepted and continue
their good work and good efforts.
And they're committed to working towards, you know,
a fair community process as well.
It sounds like my beginning, beginner's understanding.
So good luck in working just to resolve this issue
in good terms for everyone.
And for item 3.5 is a strategic six month plan
update things city-wide.
I've been making a big point.
I've been learning how to talk about the importance
of all our programs together,
working towards law enforcement, macro city services,
social services, all working together.
Man, you guys have been doing an awesome job with that.
It's not just the tech.
I mean, there's just a lot that's helping our city community
that was talked about yesterday
about like crime rates are down
and we have to continue those good efforts.
And I hope we can really be, you know, making that clear
that it's a number of items
that what's bringing our crime levels down
that we continue to ask help for and promote
and ask for funding for good luck in our good efforts
and clear understandings by everyone.
It should be a good 2026 in those good terms hopefully.
Thank you.
Rajni, you are next.
Please unmute yourself and begin your comments.
Rajni Mandel, District 4.
For item 3.2, selection panel recommendations,
I urge the committee to focus on process integrity
and not personalities.
When these reappointments last came before council,
they were rejected because of problems
with the recruitment and vetting process.
What's before you today appears to be the same names
resubmitted without a materially different process
or a broader candidate pool.
If the justification for resubmission
is based mainly on procedural clarifications,
rather than a substantially different recruitment
vetting effort, then council should carefully consider whether those clarifications actually
addressed the concerns that led to the prior rejection. I urge the committee to clearly state
for the full council what has and has not changed since the last vote, so council members can make
an informed decision based on process rather than urgency. For 3.11 Skelly hearings, I just want to
share a few facts from OPD's report included in tonight's police commission meeting agenda, so
this item is framed clearly as it moves forward. OPD reports that there are currently 46 discipline
cases waiting for SKELE hearings involving 64 officers. OPD also reports it has 18 trained
SKELE hearing officers available. The SKELE backlog has been steadily declining throughout
2025 after OPD and human resources made process improvements in late 24, such as moving the
process online and expanding who can conduct hearings. SKELE hearings are handled by OPD,
HR and sometimes the city attorney's office. SIPRA does not schedule or run SKELE hearings.
As this moves to public safety, I ask that the report separate investigation delays
from SKELE delays and clearly state which department controls each step. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments as I do not see Kevin in the chambers or on zoom. That does conclude
your public comment. Councilman Ramachandran, do you wish to speak? Okay so I'll entertain a motion
noting 3.0 urgency finding 3.5 rescheduled to February 10th at VMC 3.7 rescheduled to February
24th LEC, 3.8 with the title change.
3.11 rescheduled to February 24th Public Safety,
3.12 will be noted as an oral report.
3.15 will be rescheduled to March 24th FMC.
And the title change.
I did want to just make a note just to
the administration for item 3.2.
I have a handful of questions that I'll be
and hopefully those can be published as a supplemental in time for the January 20th
city council meeting. And then I'll make a motion to move this item.
Motion by Brown. Second.
Second by Fife. On item 3.3, I'm sorry, item three moved by Councilmember Brown, second
council member five with the amendments read into record by council president
jenkins councilmember brown aye councilmember five aye councilmember
ramachandran and chair jim motion passes with a vote of four ayes going to item
four review of the draft agendas pending list city council and committee meetings
before you are the agendas for the committees of next week as well as the
pending list there any changes please state them now and just know the
January 13th finance and management committee was cancelled some
cancelled some time ago and there's a cancel cancellation agenda attached
thank you the administration good morning again
Candace from the city administrators office I just want to note staff is
present at the podium they have changes to the January 13th finance and
management committee agenda as well as there'll be changes to the CED pending
list but staff is present for finance January 13th at this time. Please
proceed. I'm actually present for the Public Works and Transportation
Committee meeting January 13th. We want to move the item measure DD grant
agreement for Segura Tae land trust watershed acquisition to February 10th.
To the administration anything else? Apologies he corrected me and wasn't
finance with public works change as well as I do have staff
from CED here to make some changes to the pending list.
Per no?
No, but staff will be present for changes
to the pending list, but there's additional staff here.
I'm not sure.
Perfect.
Good morning, my name is Susan Olson.
I'm from administrative analyst two
from planning and building.
We are requesting the presentation
of the impact fee annual report currently listed
on January 27th CED agenda be rescheduled for February 10th.
The report has been completed and was posted
for public review December 27th,
as required by government code 66006.
And is that item number one?
I don't know what item number one is.
I think it's item number one.
Yes, that's correct.
Okay, perfect.
Anything else from the administration?
Not at this time.
Council Member Brown.
And so through the chair to the administration,
I was under the impression that for the committee meeting
of CED next week that the item HCD,
anti-displacement strategic action plan is actually,
that is not ready, the materials are not ready
to be submitted and so are we moving that item?
That was the feedback that I received
from Administrator Lake.
Can we come back to you to confirm that?
We need a moment to consult
with the assistant city commissioner like.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Do I have any public comments?
As I call your name, please support him in any order.
Please state your name for the record before beginning.
If you're on Zoom, please raise your hand
so I can easily identify you.
Kevin Dowley, Blair Beekman.
I believe they are both on Zoom.
Blair, please unmute yourself and begin your comments.
All right, thank you.
Blair Beekman again.
I wanted to comment on public safety items
that you have coming up on your
public safety committee meetings.
I'm understanding that there's a bit of difficulty
with the committee and council procedural process
going on right now.
That's going to have to be addressed with some issues.
Good luck that we can be working on procedural issues,
better clarification and such.
I've been, you know, speaking of the really importance
of the good work on the AOPR issue vendor issue
that you've done that I hope can be if that item
is going to be continuing that the it's the procurement
process it's important we didn't talk about how it can have
updates at committee or council meetings.
I think that's a simple procedural ask that it could
be at public safety or city council you know every six
months or so as an update process.
And after this time, we should also be discussing
much more regularly in the open space
about more strategically placed reduced amounts
of surveillance tech in Oakland neighborhoods
that can do the same amounts of good public safety work
and current standards within Oakland neighborhoods.
I hope that discussion can be a bit more regular.
It needs to be.
It can do really good work.
I think you're aware of the subject,
but I think we need a bit more facts about it
and understanding.
and the public space is a good place to have the discussion to figure that out.
Thank you for your time and good luck in
bringing that to the public safety committee meetings in the future. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments, Kevin.
Dally, last call.
I do not see him in chambers.
He's not in Zoom.
All right. Seeing that's the end of the public speakers.
Councilmember Brown.
Through the chairs to the administration for the CED item, item three.
from the City Administrator's Office for the January 13th, for CED pending list, January
13th, item 1, the receive an information report.
That report's not ready yet, and we would like to move that to January 27th.
So 113 CED, item 1 to go to January 27th?
Yes.
Councilmember Brown?
And so then on that.
Can you say the title?
It's the receive an information report on the housing and community development departments and tight displacement strategic action plan
That's the item that we would like to move
So and so if that item is being removed from this agenda, then CD would be canceled because there's no other items
So CD counsel January 13th, so cancellation of CD January 13th
Does the council want to move public safety?
Of the chairs, of the chairs.
No, we'll check in with her.
There's an open spot.
We'll check in with her.
All right, so noting the cancellation of the 113 CED,
noting 113 Public Works item number four rescheduled
to February 10th, noting the 113 CED item number one rescheduled
to 1 27 and noting item one on CD 127 schedule to February 10th I'll
entertain a motion I move approval an item for moved by councilmember Brown
second by Councilmember Fife as amended councilmember Brown aye councilmember
Fife aye councilmember Ramachandran aye and chair Jenkins aye motion passes with
vote of four ayes going to item five receive an information report regarding the proposed
2026 state and federal legislative agenda. You do have two three speakers on this item.
Nikolo welcome back. Thank you very much honorable council president and council members Nikolo
DeLuca. It is an honor and a thrill to be here in Oakland so thank you very much for the invitation.
I want to be respectful of everyone's time and also
everyone's experience.
We've done this dance before.
This is a fun dance.
This is adopting the 2026 legislative state
and federal platform.
As I like to call this, this is a playbook
for the upcoming year.
Of course, items come, items go.
But it's really our roadmap to move forward.
This document, 13 pages, has had input from all of you,
your staff, the mayor, her staff,
the city administrator, his agency directors,
and very thorough, so we are happy to answer any questions
and move forward.
A couple of things, as you all know,
I love highlighting our team.
You see me, but we have a great team behind us in D.C.
and in Sacramento.
Right now, the governor is giving
his final state of the state.
Tomorrow, his finance director will talk a little bit
about his proposed budget.
We will have updates for all of you.
And just real quickly, I'd say the top,
so in the report, we break it down
into the top policy items that we want to lead on.
We also have a matrix of policy items
we want to support and work on,
and then funding items we want to work on.
And so the feedback after meeting with all of you,
the mayor and her team and agency directors,
number one is working to support the unhoused.
Number two is addressing illegal dumping and blight.
Number three is public safety
and then number four is economic inclusion.
So in the report, it goes into greater detail,
but to the public, just really want to highlight,
those are kind of our four main marching orders for the year.
With that, happy to stop talking
and answer any and all of your questions.
So thank you, Nicholeau, for your continued work.
Tamsin does an excellent job, both Sacramento and DC,
and something that's near and dear to my heart
as OUSD and the safety of our students at OUSD.
Skyline High School, we've had a number of shootings.
And as the city and the school board
are both looking at budget deficits,
we need to figure out a way
so that we can keep our babies safe in school.
And I think I speak for council when I say,
you know, the violence at OUSD has to stop,
but also we need to help them,
or they need to stand up their public safety program
so that they can go after grants,
so that they can advocate.
Would it be appropriate here to say working with their lobbyists to finding grants and,
you know, if I'm in Sacramento or if I'm in DC, just advocating on behalf of them, getting
what their public safety plan is so we can advocate for dollars alongside with them as
they're standing up their own public safety program?
Absolutely.
Council President, happy to do so.
In the report, we have mentioned of partnering with OUSD and others in the region.
Over the years, we've had an open door of talking to their advocates, talking to some
of their administration members, so happy to continue that, and definitely the stronger
the partnerships, the better.
And do they have their own lobbyists?
You know, I recall they did at one point, if they don't, we've got good contacts there,
and if not, we could work with all of you for some of your contacts.
Okay, and I'd love if we could meet with their superintendent to just see what their priorities
are and see how we can keep our babies safe.
Sounds good.
Excellent, um, yep, I also wanted to just thank Niccolo and the team as well as the office and the mayor and you know
Everyone that weighed in on this very comprehensive report. I was very delighted to see many of the
you know pieces of feedback and and
Ideas that I had for 2026 and helping to support
You know really every segment of the city of Oakland whether we're trying to address
and support our LGBTQ community,
economic revitalization in our city,
as well as public safety concerns,
and then really excited that the item around public health
in East Oakland being the first,
being able to have the Young People's Wellness Center
even made it into the report.
So there's a lot of things that we are going to be focused on
in 2026, and so thank you so much for the support
And advocacy as we go into this new year.
Absolutely.
Thank you, Council Member Brown.
Council Member Fife.
I just want to say thank you, Nikolo.
Your work has had tremendous impact in my district
while I've been in office.
It's had real tangible impact, particularly
around homelessness.
So I definitely look forward to this upcoming year, which
I know will be a challenge with what's
happening at the federal level, but also
the deficit at the state level.
So I know you're going to have to work extra hard this year,
but I was also really pleased to see a lot of the things
in there that we've been working on for the last several years
and definitely want to double down on homelessness
to figure out what those solutions are.
Happy to see a lot of the things around libraries,
but particularly around issues that I plan on focusing on
in my district and citywide, like side shows.
It's a major issue for every district now.
And so we're looking into alternatives
to make that revenue generating for the city
if we can do a comprehensive but sanctioned program.
It's something that I start working on in 2021.
So I was happy to see that that's a part of this project,
this whole program as well that you plan on advocating for.
But I wanna know specifically how can you prioritize
with so many demands that the city of Oakland has?
how do you manage what those priorities are?
Great question through the chair.
Number one, like I had mentioned earlier,
we have an awesome team.
So there's about six, seven of us that are working overall
on behalf of the city.
Number two, we've got clear communication with you all
and clear communication with the mayor and her office
on what the priorities are.
We're very grateful that you all are in sync
and everyone's working together
and rowing in the same direction.
What was really helpful with this report
was really not ranking but having the four main topics,
homelessness, illegal dumping,
public safety, economic inclusion,
and how those buckets fall.
You all know because you're all our experts,
Sacramento and D.C.,
there's many different opportunities to get involved,
whether it's pushing legislation,
whether it's working on funding opportunities.
I also wanna thank the city administrator and his team
because our grants team has a lot of open communication,
a lot of support on the different grant applications
that we help support too.
I don't wanna forget the grants team.
So I would say that, you know, there's a lot happening
on behalf of the city.
We all like to work really hard
and it keeps us very, very busy and we continue to do so.
The cool thing though, about this report is items come,
we address them and then new items get added.
So we're just perpetually working in the state of motion.
You all have been very, very clear,
which just gives us the direction.
And again, really proud of the full team
that gets after this.
Can you call in?
You came to my district to see some of the impacts
of homelessness and some very severely impacted areas.
And if you need me to go to Sacramento or DC,
if I need to support any of your lobbying efforts,
happy to do that.
I appreciate that.
You all have been really good about letters,
phone calls and visits coming up
through your different resources and connections.
Again, I made that commitment to you about West Oakland.
Even though I live in Sacramento now,
I'm still born and raised in Oakland.
I'm still here splits time between here and Italy but happy to always be if you guys have things that are going on
Either myself or some of the other team members are happy to come down
So we could hear what you all are hearing and see what you all are seeing
And again, just continue the frequency of checking in visits partnering or what have you
Councilmember on Machandra. Thank you echoing what this whole body has said you really appreciate your efforts
You know despite difficult budgets in the state and federal situation
We've gotten quite a lot of money in the last year
And I think that's the product of a lot of hard work and concerted efforts. I have a question about
You mentioned the governor's budget. Yes, could you explain that timeline? Absolutely
So by that the Constitution says the governor's got to propose his budget essentially by tomorrow
So this is I think the first time ever where he's doing his final state of the state
Teasing out his budget priorities, but tomorrow his finance director will make it more clear as to what they're proposing to reduce or support or even cut
from there it starts a marathon of
informational hearings budget subcommittee hearings and other discussions
Again, what's great about having this adopted is it gives our team the green light to work on a lot of these items
To answer your question more directly governor proposes his budget. It's gonna sit out there for a couple of months
Then we're gonna have that subcommittee hearings committee hearings
Both houses assembly in the Senate will release their budget proposals
Probably the next couple of weeks the May revise which I think might be like by May 10th
it will then be presented don't have a better number because we'll know what the
Second quarter tax returns will be looking like then we'll really get down to like in the machinations and the negotiations of the budget
The budget has to be adopted and approved by June 15th, however, in years past there's been a lot of budget trailer bills, which is really the specificity on the budget actions.
Those usually go into print during the summer time and get approved in August and by September.
So the budget essentially goes from January through September, and it does mirror the legislative process.
One thing that we have are there is potential budget deficit of around $18 billion.
This time last year was more, and this time last year, there's a lot of dread.
What we have been hearing from the different budget committee staffers is the kind of AI
boom right now has been making some good ground on any deficits.
They just, it's more of a sugar rush.
You can't count it for too long of a time.
So fingers crossed that A, everyone fills their tax returns in on time, B, the AI rush
continues to grow, job market gets better, retail gets better, and hopefully that deficit
can be shrunk.
Props to the legislature and the governor because each year they are able to close massive
debts without having a huge impact on us.
Federal government, completely different story, but proud of our leadership out there and
all the work that the mayor continues to do and that you all continue to do to fight for
some of those earmarks and support some of those funding, some of those budget allocations
also. Thank you. And along with that as we advocate for funding, does our
sacramental delegation have their assignments? Oh yeah we have been in
clear communication with them. Just reached out to them recently about
potential legal dumping legislation as we work on fine-tuning what our specific
budget asks. They'll be in the loop but we are in frequent communication with
So we have a new pro tem, Monique Lamone from Santa Barbara.
She has changed committee assignments going to effect in February.
Senator Earing has, if I recall, housing.
And I want to say he kept human services or public safety.
It's sorry, it's not.
I think it's not.
So it's, I think it's, I think it's, it's,
it's not that we're looking for.
We're looking at a new pro tem, Monique Lamone from Santa Barbara.
She has changed committee assignments going to effect in February.
Senator Earing has, if I recall, housing.
Or public safety that sorry, it's kind of been a blurb recently, but we have the new assignments
And then in the assembly everything has also remained the same. So we're fortunate. We've got a great delegation
They've been great to Oakland. They're all active. So
Appreciate all of our work in partnership with them, too. Absolutely. Thank you
Seeing no more comments. Let's go to the public speakers
As a car name, please approach supporting me in the order. Please say your name for the record before beginning
If you are on Zoom, please raise your hand so I can easily identify you if you still wish to speak.
Sequoia Hall, Blair Beekman, Kevin Dowley.
Thank you so much. My name is Sequoia Hall, Chief of Staff at Roots Community Health.
Thank you Council members for the robust
intentional policy priorities for the City of Oakland.
Specifically, I want to commend the prioritization of our youth.
Roots has been providing full service comprehensive primary care for adults in their families in East Oakland since
2008
More recently we have dedicated our efforts to combat poor health outcomes for our youth 13 to 26
With the young people's Wellness Center that's located on International Boulevard
Which I am grateful to see uplifted in the legislative priorities
Roots alongside our youth as well as our rise East partners, which I believe everyone is familiar with
that initiative
successfully raised two point three million to fully
Construct the Young People's Wellness Center in East Oakland. I want to extend as a sincere
Thank you to councilmember Brown
For attending and joining us at the groundbreaking and continuing to advocate on behalf of our Oakland's youth
With the success of the construction this year, it is time to complete the purpose of our center
so
within within the the focusing and to bring our centers staffing services
Programming as well as just a space
to
Allow our youth to connect
In and just have a safe haven for them. So we are ready to do that
And with this $5 million investment proposed in the priorities will ensure that the center
fully opens ready to serve over 500 of Oakland's youth prior, I'm sorry, annually.
Our youth receive confidential primary care behavioral health, sexual reproductive health,
navigation, workforce programming, and trauma-informed care services designed for them and by them.
I want to emphasize that now is a critical time.
Thank you, your time is up.
Okay, thank you.
Moving to the Zoom speaker, Mr. Beekman,
please unmute yourself and begin your comments.
Hi, Blair Beekman, thank you for this item.
Similar to what I spoke on item 3.5,
just good luck on our funding issues.
I really hope we can be promoting
kind of like our best values of Oakland
of California at this time, I think it actually, we had a lot of success and a lot of good luck
with Trump not coming in with federal troops, you know, in the past fall. And that took
good reasoning to share what we're doing well. And I just hope we can continue those good practices.
And I hope, you know, I'm really sorry for cities like Minneapolis right now, what they're going
through and I just hope we all learn important lessons that we don't need to
be using violence to solve our issues and I hope Trump really can learn that
and I think we can show those good lessons in what we're doing well that
we're not just using law enforcement we're using you know many different
practices and social services to answer our needs and I think that's that's
being addressed really well and making a good impression good luck we can
and continue those good efforts.
It's clear as a community process, we can be doing that.
We're all clear on that.
That builds solidarity as a community good process.
And about the, you know, you want to clean up areas
of the city and stuff.
And I think that's a good step to address that specifically
instead of possibly labeling it on homelessness
and not assigning homelessness to the cleanup issues.
And when we use the surveillance tech with the cleanup issues if we practice surveillance tech really well
You know and have good open public policies and clear that builds community and trust and that's that's our good stuff
Good luck in our positive good efforts. What we can be doing. Thank you
Thank you for your comments as I don't see Kevin Dali in chambers are on zoom that concludes your public comment
I'll entertain a motion
I'm move approval
Moving to receive this report
On the motion by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Fyfe to receive and file
this report.
Councilmember Brown?
Aye.
Councilmember Fyfe?
Aye.
Councilmember Ramachandran?
Aye.
And Chair Jenkins?
Aye.
Motion passes with a vote of four ayes going to item six.
Adopt a resolution confirming Mayor Barbaralee's appointment of Ivelio Griot and Doug Wong
to serve on the Oakland Police Commission as the Mayor's appointees.
item does require an urgency finding and vote as it was added to the supplemental agenda.
Is there someone in here from the mayor's office that can state the urgency finding?
Yes, good morning, Council President, Council Members.
Yes, I'll read the urgency finding.
Surprise Gilbert, Deputy Chief Staff to Mayor Barbara Lee.
So to ensure the continuity of operations and the uninterrupted performance of the police
commissions central functions, the mayor seeks to urgently advance the appointments
of Judge Griot and Mr. Doug Wong to the January,
or at the first meeting of the Rules and Legislation
Committee, your meeting today.
Both these appointments bring significant experience,
judgment and public service backgrounds
that will strengthen the Commission's existing work
and will help ensure a timely
and efficient leadership transition,
while also maintaining critical oversight responsibilities
of the Police Commission.
Thank you for that.
Thank you.
All right, do we have?
You do need a vote, also.
and thank you for your service.
I'll entertain a motion on the urgency finding.
So moved.
On the motion by Councilmember Fyfe,
second by Councilmember Brown.
For the urgency finding that was read into record
by the mayor's staff, Councilmember Brown.
Aye.
Councilmember Fyfe.
Aye.
Councilmember Ramachandran.
Aye.
And Chair Jenkins.
Aye.
Urgency vote passes with a vote of four ayes.
Reading the item into record again,
adopt a resolution confirming the mayor's, Mayor Barbourly's
Appointments of Evelio Griot and Doug Wong to serve on the Oakland Police Commission as the mayor's appointees
You do have two speakers on this item
So do the appointees want to have words?
If the appointees can come up and have words. I'm pointy and then I've met able to counsel. I have some remarks as well
Good morning. My name is Douglas Wong. I
Was honored that mayor Lee asked me to serve on the police commission. I look forward to
During my best and I think I've met most of the city staff here our city council members here. So thank you very much
So do we have questions and I have some questions
last chance
Thank you. Thank you. No questions just a comment that
Mr. Wong you've committed so much of your life to service to the city of Oakland
I've had the honor of getting to work with you on a number of civic matters
Not just in district 4 but throughout the city your service as a firefighter as a very active wildfire prevention advocate and
You know community leader on the broad issues of homelessness civic engagement
public safety and more is really commendable and I am in full support of your
candidacy to the Oakland Police Commission and your willingness to volunteer for an
Incredibly important initiative and thank you for a willingness to serve. Thank you. Thank you councilmember Brown. I mean by I
Just wanted to ask through the chair
potentially to our
city attorney
because I know this was a
problem in the
with the selection panel
What or or when were the background checks conducted for these two individuals?
And will that be a
Will that come up in this process later? I talked to the city attorney and oh, oh
If you know I
Can defer that question to the mayor staff the charter does require background checks for these
Appointees and I understand that will be done prior to
Council consideration of the item
Yes, present go where the chief staff to mayor Barbara Lee so through the chair council member fight. Thank you for the question
Yeah, we've been in touch with the city attorney's office and they
And and we're aware that there needs to be background checks. We are in touch with the city administrators office
With regards to expediting those background checks. And so we fully expect that they will be done prior to any vote at City Council
Thank you. So a point of clarification. I
Was a firefighter for Contra Costa County Fire Protection District not Oakland. I was
to get us back to my own
position. Three quarters of it
is too short at that time. You
had to be five nine I was five
eight and a quarter. That is
tall to me so- through the
chair thank you for that I'm I
appreciate the opportunity to
have a brief conversation and
appreciate your service around
cert and everything that you've
done to contribute to the city
of Oakland so- I just wanted
that clarification from the
I just wanted to share with you
that I had a little bit more
regard from councilmember
Houston who called me ranting
and raving about you and you
know that is to say something.
I have a question about how you
see the independent police
commission interacting with
council and I say that because
there's been what seems to be
friction and comments that I've
heard in police commission
meetings where they want to
hurry up and pass policies so
that council doesn't get to weigh
to the judge, criticizing City Council for rejecting their appointments,
suggesting that City Council actions were politically motivated, stating that
Council's actions contribute to an anti-commission climate, saying that City
City Council puts behavior, risk NSA compliance, City Council acknowledges City Council's former
role but emphasizes restraint.
And so I dream of a world where we work together to get out of NSA, out of the NSA even though
police commission is an original party to the NSA, but I don't see our roles as adversarial.
We all want constitutional policing, I believe, and we all want to work together.
So how do you see the role of city council working with the independent police commission?
We all work, we all have to work hand in hand.
I've been to, I've attended police commission meetings and I noticed the animosity between
some of the members and the community and the disrespect, I guess, from other people.
But we all want the same thing.
We want a police department that not only protects us and works with us but works with
the community.
You know, so being a firefighter, I've been in situations where everybody wants you to
do something and you can't.
So you have to prioritize what you have to do.
So as I come on and look at it and read these letters, I noticed that there was like people
who are expressing their personal opinion, not facts.
And you have to deal with the facts.
If we can't do it and pass it on to city council
in a timely manner or in what I would say a fair manner,
I would table the issue until the next time we meet.
Because we can't give you a half-assed report
and say do this or recommend this, all right?
so I appreciate it and I look forward to having
a collaborative working spirit
although the police commission is independent,
we all work together for
constitutional policing and the safety of our residents.
Council member Fife.
Thank you. Through the chair,
could you define constitutional policing
or how you see constitutional policing?
Well, every law enforcement department
has SOPs, standard operating procedures,
and they're supposed to be followed,
But unfortunately, sometimes, as in any situation, personalities get involved and somebody might say something or act in a way which somebody finds offensive.
So myself, having been stopped by ICE to prove that I was an American citizen, I was terrified. Just absolutely terrified.
And I don't want that to happen to our citizens now.
I have a lot of acquaintances and working with different committees and commissions
to work with the entire city of Oakland and you have to find out where are they coming
from because everybody has a different background.
Everybody has different family values and that's what we have to work together to find
out a solution where everybody, people involved,
can get together, come up with a viable solution,
and smooth over and compromise is the name of the game.
You just can't get your way all the time.
I have kids.
I can prove it.
OK, Council Member Brown.
Excellent.
Well, nice to meet you, Mr. Wong.
I think my question is just pretty direct.
Serving on the police commission is a very important role.
One where a lot of the decisions that you make
or that you're weighing in on impact so many Oaklanders.
And so I guess I'm curious just kind of knowing
the history of that body,
what would you say would be maybe your top three priorities
kind of stepping, if you have the opportunity
to step into this role?
Well, one of my goals would be to get rid of the NSA.
I think we've spent a lot of money, 20 years is a long time.
I was involved in the first writers' episode
because a couple of my friends were caught up in it.
And I just, at that time, did not feel,
And I still did not feel it was the right thing to do.
Now, there were some citizens out in the West Oakland Senior
Center who felt the police were doing the right thing
because they felt safe.
That was a false safe to me.
So working with the police commission,
and I hope to meet all the members
and find out where they're coming from,
listen to the stories, find out my relationship,
my responsibilities, and carry them out to best my abilities.
Thank you.
Seeing no more questions, do we have public comments?
Thank you, sir.
Blair Beekman and Rajni Mandal.
Rajni, please unmute yourself and begin your comments.
Rajni Mandal, District 4.
I want to commend the mayor's selections
and express hope that commissioners
with strong professional backgrounds
can help restore neutrality, procedural discipline,
and adherence to the police commission's charter mandate.
The commission sorely needs a parliamentarian.
Meetings regularly stray beyond the charter mandate
and basic principles of Robert's rule of order.
I urge the city attorney to reconsider
providing a parliamentarian role at these commission meetings.
It was done in prior years
and discontinued after conflicts,
but the absence of procedural guidance
has created ongoing dysfunction
that requires renewed attention.
And thank you so much, Mr. Wong,
for your showing up,
and being a part of this police commission.
I think these two mayoral appointments are excellent,
and I really look forward to see what they get to do.
Thank you, Ms. Mondahl.
Blair Beekman, please unmute yourself
and begin your comments.
Hi, thank you, Blair Beekman.
This was a good item to hear.
It was a good learning experience for myself.
Thank you.
Good luck to the candidates.
Good words I was hearing.
And thank you to Council President speaking
on trying to create some sense of community for the process.
I haven't been around the meetings over the past years
all that much, so I don't quite know how they've been going.
But I do come from a place that I really want the community
to have a good voice on items.
and they are just often marginalized incredibly
in the public process.
And a really good previous Oakland Police Commission,
one of the review boards had a really good way
to address, I mean, public concerns
that if we're trying to bring all of that together,
I hope we don't have to marginalize the voices of people.
it's difficult to really speak to these issues
and have a part in the process.
And that it's just so easily can happen
in trying to find this middle ground
that is important for Oakland at this time
that we don't lose everyday voices,
that it's more difficult to speak on these issues
and to have their concepts heard and understood.
So good luck, we can continue those sort of good efforts
in how we move forward in 2026.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments, Mr. Chair.
That was the last speaker.
To the Mayor's staff, we have a title change.
Yes, and one of the things that I wanted to add,
thank you, Council President Jenkins.
One of the things that I wanted to add
is Judge Grujo did apologize,
he wasn't able to make it today.
He had an unexpected thing come up
that he would love to share his regrets.
I did share his contact information with you all
and he does welcome any opportunities
to speak with any of you all if you wanna reach out.
And so, yeah, and I'll read through Judge Carrillo's bio
very quickly, for all of you who aren't aware,
he brings more than 20 years of judicial experience
and a strong record in civil criminal and complex litigation,
including issues of governmental accountability
and public records.
Through his career, he has emphasized transparency,
fairness, and public trust, values
that are central to the police commission's work.
Again, he is ready and willing to talk to any of you.
Thank you all again.
And then, yes, I do have a slight change
that I will read into our technical amendment
that I'll read into the record.
So if you look at the last line, the resolve line,
we're requesting that you amend the line
beginning October 12th, strike 12 and add 17.
And then the final piece of that sentence,
a C formerly held by Regina Jackson,
we're requesting that you strike Regina Jackson
and add Brenda Harbin Forte.
Thank you.
So I'll entertain a motion.
Sorry, just one clarification.
The correction to the term date from October 12 to October 17th
is in both the first and second resolve clause.
So for both appointees, that's correct.
Thank you.
And through the chair possible, please
provide the corrected legislation to our office
before 4 p.m. I'm sorry, to my office before 4 p.m. today.
Thank you.
First up, thanks.
So as a strong supporter of civilian oversight,
I will move this as amended.
second
on the motion by council president jenkins seconded by councilmember brown to
approve staff recommendation as amended going to the
We had January
20
City council meeting on
consent
consent
Councilmember Brown. I also member five
Council member Ramachandran I and chair Jenkins. I motion passes with a vote of four ayes
That was your final action item going to well the administration. Good morning. My apologies again
Candace from the city administrator's office. I would like to ask if amendable to the chair
Because of the cancellation of the February excuse me January 13th
CED committee we are asking after consulting with the
public safety chair if we can move public safety committee up to 130 so making public safety a special meeting instead of having it at
6 o'clock on January 13th
So I believe the chair can call for that right? Yes, and we did consult with the chair and they are
She is minimal as well as the committee members of that. Okay. Thank you so much and
Just to confirm I don't know if the clerk's office still needs to receive an email from the chair or is this yes
So if we can if council member Wong staff is present if they can make sure that
Council member Wong sends an email to the clerk's office to confirm the cancellation of the six o'clock
Public safety moving to 130 on the 13th. Thank you so much
Through the chair if I could if you could do that as soon as possible as our agenda production starts right after this meeting
Calling names were open forum Blair Beekman
Rajni Mandal and Kevin Dalley
Rajani please unmute yourself and begin your comments. I wanted to briefly
flap you items on tonight's police commission agenda that are relevant to
council's oversight role under the NSA. The commission will be considering
their statement to the federal court electing a chair and vice chair and
continuing work with the police chief search. Those leadership decisions matter
because they shape how the commission communicates externally during a
a sensitive phase of federal oversight.
With respect to the proposed statement to the court,
while the tone is more measured than earlier drafts,
it still appears to frame NSA challenges in political terms,
including references to city council actions.
Court submissions are strongest when they focus
on compliance facts and governance structure,
not political characterization.
I also wanna clarify the current status of task two,
which requires that at least 85%
of misconduct investigations be completed within 180 days.
Recent monitoring reports have excluded SIPRA cases
from task two analysis because SIPRA investigations
have not been completed within required timeframes.
This means current task two assessments
do not reflect the full picture.
This is not only an IAB to SIPRA transition issue,
it reflects unresolved SIPRA capacity,
systems and transparency gaps.
SIPRA does not publish total case numbers.
how many cases miss deadlines,
or a current annual report for 2425.
I respectfully ask the Rules Committee
to prioritize transparency and accountability
by requiring regular public reporting
on SIPRA case volumes, 180-day compliance,
and progress towards basic infrastructure goals,
such as case management systems and procedure manuals.
Thank you.
Mr. Beekman, please begin your comments.
Hi, Blair Beekman, thanks for the meeting.
It can be difficult to speak to the public process.
Good luck that we can be inclusive
to everyone in that effort.
I thank you again to Oakland City Council
and city government for working towards compromise
and looking for a new aisle of credit vendor
in the next few years besides block.
It seems to have proven that Oakland City Council
and city government can be committed
to community best practices
and it can also serve an Oakland love life
and do not harm philosophy.
I hope in 2026, we can all be learning
important additional lessons about transparency, clarity,
and better procedures for the Oakland public meeting process.
I also hope we can be learning to more openly, clearly,
and publicly define when Oakland should use the term urgency
in the public meeting space.
As you have proven with the clock item,
Oakland city council, city government is learning
how to arrive at some very good policymaking,
but may need a bit more time, patience, transparency,
and clarity with public meeting procedures
simply may be needed.
I hope this can be a time of public help and support
and the Oakland community process working together
at this time to address these issues.
To offer a list of hopes at this time,
I hope our Oakland community can be in agreement
to want to continue a well-balanced approach
of social services, the Oakland macro program,
open accountable tech practices and law enforcement
all working together as how to build the future
of Oakland neighborhood public safety.
I'm also hopeful Oakland is currently setting a course
that we can all be working to invite practices of peace,
good reasoning and open community dialogue
as how to create our shared future
instead of the use of continual war
and its use of harm and secrecy and decision-making.
I hope we can approve upon an update
as needed new public meeting procedures approved
at the December 26th, 2025 city council meeting.
And I hope we can take some good steps to review
better develop a more clear procedural public meeting process in 2026. Thanks.
Thank you Mr. Beekman. That was the last open forum speaker. Thank you for
productive roles. This meeting is adjourned.