Good morning and welcome to the public works and transportation meeting for today.
January 27th, the time is now 1131 as this meeting has come to order.
Before taking role, I will provide instructions on how to submit
a speaker's card for items on this agenda.
If you're here with us in chambers and you would like to submit a speaker's card,
please fill one out and turn into a clerk representative.
My left, your right.
Before the item is read into record,
online speaker requests were due 24 hours prior to this meeting.
The meeting came to order at 11 31 a.m. Speaker cards were no longer be accepted 10 minutes after the meeting has began
Making that time 11 41 a.m. Would now we proceed to take roll councilmember
Dio
Crescent. Thank you councilmember Houston
Councilmember Wong
Present and chair on gear here. We do have four members present and before you begin chair on guard
Do you have any announcements for us today? Yeah?
I think we're going to limit speakers to one minute
because of the volume of people who came out
to say nice things about Dr. Ford.
We don't want him to get too much of a swell head.
So we're gonna do one minute per speaker.
Thank you.
Proceeding to item one, approval of the draft minutes
from the committee meeting on January 13, 2026.
We do have one speaker for this item.
I would move that we approve the minutes.
Moving to our public speaker, Blair Beekman.
and I do not see Blair Beekman online.
We have a motion made by Chair Unger,
seconded by Council Member Houston
to accept the approval of the draft minutes
from the committee meeting held on January 13, 2026,
as is on roll, Council Member Gallo?
Aye.
Council Member Houston?
Aye.
Council Member Wong?
Aye.
And Chair Unger?
Aye.
This motion passes with four ayes
to accept the approval of the draft minutes
from the committee meeting held on January 13th,
2026 as is moving to item two,
determination to schedule outstanding committee items.
And you do have also known as your pending list
and you do have one speaker for this item.
Do we have anything from staff or council members?
Amendments.
Nothing from the administration at this time.
All right, let's hear from our speaker, please.
Mrs. Asada.
I'm gonna ask that in conjunction with
permitted projects for development of housing
that we take a serious look at the parking spaces
that are being provided with those developments.
We have a development on West Grand
that's gonna be 71 units with only six parking spaces.
When we develop these units with no parking spaces,
then we put cars on the street
and parking becomes problematic.
and that's why we need to look at this
to resolve that issue.
We need to have a report on measure U
related to the Lincoln Rec Center allocations
of measure U running to the center.
The center is not being developed,
but the principle issue I have is that that.
Thank you for your comment, Ms. Asada.
And that concludes your public speakers for item two.
All right. I would move that we accept the pending list question.
Not a question so much. But I want to thank the chair for scheduling the
informational report on the parking reorganization.
I am getting more and more questions about it,
frankly from like bids in my district, the chamber.
And so I think that we do, we should discuss this as a public body.
So thank you.
It's scheduled for our next public works
and transportation committee.
Thank you.
We do have a motion made by Council Chair Onger,
seconded by Council Member Houston to accept
the determination of scheduled outstanding committee items
as is on roll.
Council Member Raguio.
Aye.
Council Member Houston.
Aye.
Council Member Wong.
Aye.
And Chair Onger.
Aye.
This motion passes with four ayes
to accept the determination of scheduled outstanding
committee items as is.
Moving to item three, adopt a resolution,
amending resolution number 88240 to increase the professional services agreement with loving
campus associates, architects, and architectural and engineering design services for the fire
station four and the amount not to exceed $2,700,000 bringing the total amount from
$1,500,000 and $4,200,000 into waiving the competitive request and proposal qualification
requirements and three adopting appropriate California equality act
findings and you do have two speakers for this item. Good morning chair hunger
members of the committee. I'm bearing before the committee today is the
resolution to increase the design contract for a loving campus associates
architects a local business enterprise from 1.5 to 4.2 million dollars for the
fire station for a project waiving the competitive RFP RFQ requirements and
and adopt appropriate CEQA findings.
In July 2020, Council approved a $1.5 million contract
with LCA Architects for master planning
and design of a new fire station at San Antonio Park.
However, after extensive community engagement
from 2021 to 2022, the community opposed locating
the station within the park
as it would reduce park programming.
It was also determined that new construction
would not be allowable under the city's Oscar element
due to the elimination of open space
the fire station. In March 2022 fire station 4 was excluded from the council adopted San Antonio
park master plan. After an extensive four-year search the city has since identified the property
at 1745 14th avenue as the future home of fire station 4. The state of California has provided
five million dollars through senate bill 101 to support property acquisition and council approved
A resolution of necessity in May 2025 to secure the site.
However, this site presents significant challenges.
A geotechnical and environmental report completed in March 2024 revealed a very shallow groundwater table, resulting in a high probability of liquefaction.
Additionally, the site requires the removal of a leaking underground storage tank and a hydraulic lift before construction can proceed.
Additional $2.7 million requested today will fund hazardous materials remediation planning to address these site conditions,
complete the architectural and engineering design tailored to this new location, and provide design support during construction.
The amendment also covers community engagement, permitting, and bidding support.
The total design fees as a percentage compared to the construction cost is approximately 25%,
which is still below the average statewide percentage of 40% to 50%.
Approval of this resolution will advance the replacement of Fire Station 4,
a facility built in 1909 that has served our community for over a century.
LCA Architects was selected through a competitive process in 2020, and
waving the RFP, RFQ requirements allows us to maintain project continuity and avoid delays.
Funding is available to measure KK series three and the item is CEQA exempt.
Staff recommends approval and I'm happy to take any questions.
colleagues questions.
Councilmember Wong.
Not working. Thank you.
So this is a station that's in my district.
So I had a chance to talk with staff in advance
of this report.
This is a really critically needed fire station
in the district.
And I also want to thank you all for working
with the community to not place it in the park
that was going to be quite controversial.
One of the things I did vet with staff is just
did strike strike me as a high dollar amount to add 2.7 million dollars for a
design contract but I was given helpful stats that show that this is actually
pretty par the norm for a public works project of this size that this is this
is not this is standard so I with that I do want to make a motion to adopt staff
recommendation so thank you. We have councilmember Houston next in the queue.
Through the chair how you doing this morning? I have a few questions this was
a highly controversial issue when it came to the intimate domain and the whole
get-down right. My question is when we purchased it or do we do inspection on
this prior to doing the purchasing of this and did we know the conditions of
hazardous because it went from 1.5 and now we got a 2.7 for design and it's on
the design on the 1.5 was that on that location it was on a different location
the 1.5 million dollars was for a design of a fire station and master
planning of a fire station at San Antonio park.
The report was done in March, 2024,
and it determined that there were several issues
with the site including shallow groundwater table
and also environmental issues that needed to be addressed
before a fire station could be built.
But given a site wide search looking for a location
for the fire station, the only feasible site
was this location at 1745 14th Avenue
that would accommodate the 33,600 square foot minimum
that the fire department is requesting for?
Yeah, through the chair.
I'm very familiar with that
because it went through closed session.
My point is we spent 1.5 on a different location.
Now we're spending another 2.7.
Is that what I'm hearing?
That's correct.
I know we need it.
I know it's not my district, but I'm a numbers guy.
And so through the chair,
the next thing is that the designer,
He has an office at 590 in Walnut Creek,
and then one at 197 in Oakland,
which one is his main office?
The main office is in Walnut Creek,
but their office is in Oakland.
Yeah, I know how that works too.
So when it comes to that,
what kind of outreach is he doing
to actually embrace another local designer in Oakland?
because you know I'm about Oakland, Oakland,
Oakland, Oakland, right?
So, has he embraced what's the subs?
The subcontractors that he's working for
are based on the LSLB requirements,
so they meet that 50% requirement.
So we do have local, small local businesses
that are from the city of Oakland
that help with this project.
That's working with the, what companies are that?
Through the chair.
Through the chair off the top of my head,
I don't know just the names of the companies,
but there are structural firms and.
I need to know who they are.
So before we close it out,
I just want to know I sent it to my office
because I want to know what firms they are
and how many they are, some detail on that.
Yeah, I know that we need to fire a house
and it's not my district at all.
But I just wanted to find out this detail matter
on who is the designer, where that money was spent
and now we're spending another 2.7 on a different location.
And so through the chair one more time,
We did get a inspection prior to purchasing
and using the intimate domain, correct?
Okay, I'll let my council member here speak.
I got a couple more questions though.
Council Member Gallo.
Yes, thank you, thank you for that information.
Certainly public safety is number one.
And for this fire station in this area,
we've been after this project for many, many years.
And we're at a point now to getting the work done,
and certainly I support that effort
for the community that's there.
And certainly I know the old fire station
been there many times and certainly know
the challenges that exist.
So with that, I second the motion to get this project done
and the sooner we can get it built, the better.
Thank you.
Other questions from my colleagues.
All right, let's go to our public comment, please.
When you recall your name, please approach the podium.
You do have one minute, Mrs. Sada and Blair Peekman.
Clearly, the best way to approach this project
was to allow it to be placed on the park area.
We already own the land.
And the space, the community's recommendations
based on it would interfere with recreational activities.
What activities would it have been interfering with?
We should have been the question from whoever.
And it should be recognized that just because the community has
input, that is not the last stand of how we make a decision
about the use of our property.
The other thing is, in order to acquire some property,
you use eminent domain.
You force people out of their land,
off their land for this project.
Lastly, because this has cost us so much money,
if we proceed, we should go with the Blair Peak Man.
That concludes your public speaker's item three.
I believe we have some more questions.
Council Member Gallo?
No, Council Member Houston.
Right here, support.
Through the chair, so can you give me a list
I want to send my office to Trinity Hall, the subcontractor,
so I know who he's embracing,
how they're embracing and what the dollar amount
that they are actually getting to grow their business
so we can go to Oakland businesses on our next design
instead of Walnut Creek, please.
After this meeting, that's the first thing I do.
All right, thank you, sir.
We do have a motion made by Council Member Wong,
seconded by Council Member Gallo
to approve the recommendation of the staff
and to forward this item to the February 3rd, 2026
City Council agenda at the will of this body,
is this consent or non-consent?
Would you like it to be on consent or non-consent?
On consent.
On consent, on roll.
Council Member Gaiu?
Aye.
Council Member Houston?
Aye.
Council Member Wong?
Aye.
And Chair Unger?
Aye.
The motion does pass with four ayes
to approve the recommendation of the staff
and to forward this item to the February the 3rd, 2026
City Council agenda and that is on consent.
Moving to item four.
Adopt a resolution honoring Michael P. Ford,
PhD for being awarded,
the National Parking Association Innovator of the Year award
and you do have 14 speakers.
Okay, popular guy.
This is a real honor to be able to recognize our employees
when they receive outstanding honors in their field
as Dr. Ford has done receiving the Innovator Award
from his national organization
that recognizes innovation in parking.
And I can't claim to be an expert on parking,
but I know that Dr. Ford has been supervising
an enormous staff under difficult conditions
coming out of the pandemic, trying to use technology
and figure out the best way for us
to both maximize revenue and maximize turnover
and the ability of our streets to be safe,
so this is really a wonderful honor.
I don't know if Director Rowan is in the room
to speak to this item.
There he is, he's hard to miss.
If you could come up and give us a few words,
I would appreciate that.
Yes, thank you through the chair.
I don't know if I'm allowed to speak to the gallery,
but I'm going to, so for starters,
I'm actually wearing Michael Ford's sweatshirt today.
When I started with the city of Oakland,
the first week he took me out and he said,
I think you need an Oak Dot sweatshirt
and I'll give you mine.
So that's the kind of person that we're dealing with.
And so it's a big deal when your industry
recognizes you for excellence.
And so I want to thank you Chair Unger
for bringing this item forward
to recognize the work that Dr. Ford has done.
And I just simply want to say his work's not done.
Thank you for what you've done.
We met last week to talk about challenges
that we have going forward, and I think you're gonna see him
achieve even higher levels within our team.
And one of the things that he always talks about is team.
You don't hear him often talking about me or I,
it's always the team.
Here's what the team needs.
I'm concerned about the team.
And I just really appreciate that spirit
and that attitude that you bring.
And I medicated myself up today,
spent the weekend in bed with the flu.
I may collapse as soon as I step down from here,
but I really wanted to thank you, Dr. Ford,
for all you mean to the team
and all that you're going to bring to us going forward.
So congratulations.
Dr. Ford, would you be so kind as to give us a few words?
You have 15 seconds.
Before I begin my prepared remarks,
I wanted to say that I'm originally
from St. Paul, Minneapolis,
and my wife is originally from Tehran.
So our thoughts and prayers and support
or with the people of Minnesota and Iran.
So thank you, Chair Unger and members of the committee.
I'd also like to acknowledge and thank Josh
and other senior members who are here today.
I'm truly honored by this recognition
and grateful for all of your continued support.
While thinking about what I would like to say
on this auspicious occasion,
I was reminded of the powerful lines
that Mayor Barbara Lee spoke last May
when she received an honorary doctorate degree
from Howard University and she addressed
the graduating class.
She said, quote, prove yourself,
work in your community, make the change that is necessary
regardless of what your passion is.
Do the work and you will get the recognition.
If public service is in your spirit, then do the work and quote by their deeds, shall
thee know them.
I find these words capture perfectly what this recognition represents.
First, I want to acknowledge Mary Lee herself as a tremendous leader.
Her decades-long dedication to Oakland and commitment to public service is an inspiration
to all who work to serve their community.
Second, and more importantly,
the National Parking Association Innovator of the Year Award
is not mine alone.
It belongs to every single member
of our Parking and Mobility Division.
For eight years, I have had the profound honor
of supporting and working alongside
exceptional public servants.
They are the ones who have done the work.
They are the ones who have proven themselves day in and day out.
This award is a recognition of their hard work and their innovative thinking.
From our parking control technicians who are on the streets promoting compliance and safe streets.
To our parking meter collectors who keep the coins coming in.
To our Parking and Mobility Assistance Center staff, who, despite appearances, are committed
to every constituent's success.
To our vehicle enforcement team that is recovering and clearing more and more stolen, blighted,
and abandoned vehicles.
To our mobility management team that has taken the active management of the parking system
to a whole new level.
Each member of our team has contributed to the creative solutions and dedication that
earned this national recognition.
Finally, I want to say this.
Public service is truly in the spirit of this parking staff.
They put the work in every single day.
Through tight budgets and staffing challenges, through pandemics and demanding constituents,
They show up and serve the people of Oakland with professionalism, innovation and heart.
And by their deeds shall thee know them."
Thank you.
Colleagues.
Who wants to follow that?
I did, so first of all, Dr. Ford actually lives in district two and I'm honored to represent
him.
I first of all wanted to just acknowledge you that parking is really critical to not
only public safety, but also economic development. It's so linked to so many of the things that
we so desperately need in the City of Oakland. So it's not just about vehicle placements.
It's so much more than that. The other thing that I just wanted to note is I have heard
from a number of folks, a little birdie has told me that Dr. Ford, he's a true servant
oriented leader because he is known to do random volunteer projects just across the
City of Oakland doesn't ask for any recognition.
I've heard this from other sources, not Dr. Ford himself.
And I think that so just exemplifies
how you really approach public service.
So thank you so much.
And thank you to the chair for putting forward
this resolution.
Council Member Gallo.
Where's Michael Ford?
No, thank you, Michael, for the many, many years
of service you have given Oakland.
And certainly, I know you for a long time.
I'm glad you're here in Oakland and support you.
And when we need to make contact with you,
you're always there and helping us in the neighborhood.
So thank you, and we welcome you.
And we appreciate everything you've done for this city.
Thank you, thank you so much.
Do you want to speak, Council Member Houston?
No, no, go ahead.
Before I got this seat,
I was able to go straight to Michael Ford
and speak to him about things in the community.
But now that as a council member, you can't do it
because it's almost like directing staff,
that's how they say it.
So I can't come to you like I used to.
I have to go through Josh Rowan.
So working with you, Michael, back in the day
when we were working together,
I appreciate when you did step up for me
when I did call you before I was in this seat.
I appreciate every time you did return my phone call.
really do. Thanks. All right. I see a number of Dr. Ford's colleagues and coworkers out
there and there's no greater testament than when the people who work with you every day
want to come up and sing your praises. So let's go to public comment. Thank you. Want
to call your name, please approach the podium and no particular order. If you're participating
via zoom, please raise your hands. You're easily identified. We will take in person
speakers before Zoom speakers. Kevin Dahle, Daniel Swafford, Henry Simmons, Keith,
and if I mispronounce your last name or your first name I do apologize in advance,
Scruchletts, Shalina Obey, Mrs. Asada, Kirby Olson,
Saavlon Houser, Craig Rafael,
Raju Injin, Douglas Mount,
George Spies, Stephanie Tran.
Once again, if I called your name,
please approach the podium.
No particular order. You do have one minute.
We will take in-person before Zoom. Thank you.
Hi council members, my name is Henry Simons and I work on Bart's government and community relations team
We review Oakland City Council items each week and we're delighted to see that Michael Ford is being honored by both this council and the
National Parking Association as innovator of the year
Michael's been a key partner for Bart as we work to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure throughout Oakland and he embodies effective
Intergovernmental partnership and it's been key to keeping our riders safe and just want to say congratulations Michael
We're very happy to see you recognized by the city and looking forward to many years of continued collaboration with all of you
Thank you
Good good afternoon members of the council. My name is Shalini Abhayguna Sekar, and I'm a program manager with
Trallant one of cities parking technologies partner. I just want to briefly congratulate Dr. Michael Ford on his well-deserved recognition
Michael leadership ambition had had a meaningful impact how on how the city approaches parking compliance and
Collections his ability to bring data driven practical innovation into day-to-day operations have helped
Improve outcome for the city while also supporting fair and efficient experience for the public
We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with Michael and the city of Oakland on these initiative and appreciate the continued
collaboration and commitment to modern, responsible solutions that benefit the city and its residents.
Congratulations again, Michael, and thank you for your leadership. Thank you.
Hello, George Spies. I'm here both to give my respect to Mr. Ford, but also to go to
the question of the challenges that the parking team faces going forward that were referred
to by Director Rowan and in my view splitting the team and sending part of it to finance
is probably the biggest challenge.
From my perspective, the idea that parking is transportation is self-evident.
If that's not something that's obvious to you, then there's plenty of work online to
demonstrate that.
So it seems to me also that this move needs to be justified.
And so far, I think I feel safe in calling it unjustified.
Why?
Because no public justifications have been offered.
It's an unjustified move.
I think the city administrator needs to come before the change is made, rather than after,
which is not the case right now.
Thank you.
Chair Unger, honorable City Council members, my name is Doug Mount.
I'm here to urge you to recognize and celebrate Dr. Ford's Award for Innovator of the Year
from the National Parking Association.
I have worked with Michael Ford for a number of years.
I know him as a highly respected head
of the Parking and Mobility Division.
He is a visionary.
He's a man of intellect and integrity,
and I urge you to publicly recognize Dr. Ford's many
innovations and awards today.
And I'd like to share my minute,
what's left with my colleague, Shala.
Thank you so much, Doug.
Good afternoon, Chair Enger, I really appreciate you guys
recognizing the great work that Michael Ford has done
throughout the years.
To the public speaker, student chair,
could you please announce your first name, please?
Sure, Shala is S-H-A-H-L-A, last name is Azimi.
Michael Ford has done a great job since he has,
you know, I've been with him in DOT for the past several years.
I can't say enough about his innovation,
And how about the respect, about this work tireless dedication that he has to the work
he's been doing.
Hi, my name is Keith Sherholtz, I'm with Oak Dot.
I'm here to speak about Michael Ford receiving the National Award for Parking Innovation.
While Michael absolutely deserves recognition for the innovative programs he's pioneered
at Oak Dot, I want to talk about something that doesn't fit neatly into award categories,
the way he shaped the people who work for him.
In the 26 years that I've worked for the City of Oakland, Michael is the best leader I have
ever had. He doesn't lead by memo or by theory. He leads by doing. He shows us
what good leadership looks like. We see that it works and then we work to do it
ourselves. He's taught me many things in the time that I've been here, but here's
what tells you who Michael really is. When our contract for bus shelter
maintenance was terminated, we had no one to assume it. Michael went out himself to
clean up broken glass waste and refuge from the bus stops. That's not any job
description that someone who understands that public service means serving the
public whatever it takes that's the kind of character that matters that's
leadership under pressure that's why this good morning for the record Kirby
Olson I'm speaking as a local 21 union member and an Oakland resident thank you
to councilmember Unger for introducing this item when I think of the word good
governance Michael comes to mind he is constantly looking to improve both the
staff who work under him and the efficiency with which we do our work he
He has worked tirelessly to staff up the parking division to bring together all of
the teams that work on parking under one roof and to introduce new more efficient processes.
The proposed reorganization of the parking division into finance is a terrible idea for
so many reasons.
One of them becomes all the more evident as a result of this item.
The administration is removing from parking leadership one of your most effective staff
in the entire city of Oakland.
Finance's plan is to replace Michael with two new positions who will together cost almost
million per year fully loaded. That is not good governance. That is the opposite of good governance.
Oakland has 99 problems and Michael is not one of them. Good morning. My name is Craig Raphael. I'm a
project manager with OakDOT and I've worked with Michael over the last six years most recently
through my role leading speed camera implementation. I'm proud that Oakland is the second city in
California to launch speed cameras and that would not have been possible without Michael's leadership.
Michael was a key partner throughout the process,
helping us to get a consultant on board,
ensuring the parking department was properly staffed,
and troubleshooting all the issues that came up along the way.
Some other things I appreciate about Michael,
he's deeply committed to equity.
He operates with transparency and skill,
especially evident around complex and fraught issues such as abandoned autos.
So I wanted to take this time to thank him,
let him know I appreciate him,
especially with everything going on,
and I'm hopeful that I'll continue to
to partner with Michael on issues related to parking
and mobility well into the future.
Thank you.
Good afternoon, everybody.
My name is Sivlon Hauser.
I'm the chair of the Oakland Bid Alliance
and executive director of the Jack London Improvement
District.
We are the city's partners in creating
vibrant commercial neighborhoods and fantastic streets
and public spaces.
We collectively reinvest $13 million of private funding
and mobilize dozens of street ambassadors
that help revitalize, invigorate,
make our neighborhoods amazing and safe.
And this award is in no small part
for the teams and Michael's leadership,
strategic management of parking,
and the use of our curbs and streets
as a critical and dynamic component
of transportation, mobility,
and Oakland's equitable economic development.
This is part of the core mission
of the Department of Transportation
to envision, plan, build, operate,
and maintain a transportation system
for Oakland and ensure safe, equitable,
and sustainable access and mobility
for residents, businesses, and visitors,
which I just had to look up and apologize,
I don't have that memorized.
Just congrats to the team and we look forward to.
Kevin Dally speaking for myself,
congratulations to Michael Ford
and the Parking and Mobility Division.
Part of the award is for improving collections of citations,
which makes this move of parts of Michael's division
to finance particularly ironic, sad.
If collections are being improved now,
what is it that the finance director can add to that process?
I'm concerned that a discussion on moving parking
to finance was originally scheduled for today's meeting
at the city administrator's request
that move, that date was changed to February 10th.
And now we find out that the city administrator plans
to change all the positions,
move all the positions February 7th,
three days before the hearing.
This sounds like an end run around the city count.
Good afternoon, Razu Engin,
and here to echo a lot of the previous speaker's comments,
recognizing Dr. Ford and the other wonderful public servants
that we have here in Oakland.
Really appreciate all the work that they do every day,
and it's really wonderful.
I am going to also echo the concerns expressed
by other speakers about the move to take apart
this award-winning division and move it
to different departments.
I don't think that that's a fully baked idea,
and would like to hear more about how
this will be implemented and affect parking operations
throughout Oakland before it's put into effect.
I think it's putting the horse before the cart
if you have it broken apart
and then have a hearing at City Council about it.
Thank you.
Hello council members.
My name is Stephanie Tran,
president of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
We of course are supportive of this recognition
and are so excited that Dr. Ford is being recognized
and honored for all the great work that he does for Oakland
For more than a decade, Dr. Ford has been a wonderful partner to Chinatown.
He has overseen the city's garages at the Pacific Renaissance Plaza and
Frank G Mar, and he has consistently understood the importance of parking
to Chinatown's small businesses.
He has been a responsive and reliable partner,
working to ensure that parking is safe, clean, and accessible for our community.
When street parking transitions to DOT, Dr. Ford listened to our merchant's concerns,
address placard abuse and help implement loading zones
and updated signage that was in language,
changes that really made a difference
for businesses on the ground.
So again, Dr. Ford really understands the need
for small businesses to thrive
and congratulations on this very well-deserved
national recognition and we look forward
to continue working together.
Good afternoon, my name is Sharnelle Smith
and I'd like to thank the council for hearing me.
I've worked in the Department of Parking Control
for over 35 years.
And I've seen our department go from public works,
to finance, to OPD, and finally, we're a DOT.
Well, for years, we've been the foster children of Oakland.
And we finally found a home.
Under Michael Ford, we've gotten more responsibilities.
Our gifts to the city have grown.
We're working lots.
our duties have expanded.
Our morale is picking up, and I think for the city
to just snatch all of that away from us
is gonna be a big slap in the face of morale.
We've built the VEU from parking enforcement
to serve the city better, and we're doing that.
We're recovering stolen vehicles, blighted vehicles,
abandoned vehicles, and I think the growth
that we've experienced in DOT under Michael Ford
is reviving okay here's some areas that we need to work on seriously related to
parking illegal parking and handicap zones parking large vehicles and what
is considered compact spaces double parking in Chinatown in another spaces
in Oakland broken parking meters parking on the sidewalk ticketing park
stolen vehicles. The last major update to the city's parking signage was 15
years ago. Cars parked on the street that impede street cleaners
needing to clean areas of our city and that's just some of them I just wrote on
my own. So all this praise about parking we got a lot of work to be done related
to parking particularly in Chinatown and Fruitvale where there is no parking
that's sufficient on international and in Chinatown that's called the role so I
will make a motion to accept and send this to full council on consent in the
other comments councilmember Houston yeah seconded did you second it
councilmember okay I'm sorry thank you yeah I did I heard four different
individual I thought this was about ironing honoring Michael Ford but I heard
four different individuals mentioned something about currency and finance and I was already
briefed on that and I with Justin Johnson's office and I from my briefing I
Cuz I heard the statements I
Agree with Justin Johnson, but now that I'm hearing what I'm hearing I think I'm have to go back in
We have an informational
I'd like to go back, okay, I just I just wanted because I heard some stuff at our next public works meeting
We're gonna have a full information report on this
Okay. Yeah, so
Thank you
We have a motion made by chair unger
Seconded by councilmember Wong to approve the recommendation of the staff and afford this item to the February 3rd city council agenda on consent
Noting councilmember Gayle excused at 1203
Councilmember Gayle is excused councilmember Houston. I
Councilmember Wong aye and chair unger. Aye the motion does pass with three ayes
I want to excuse guy Oh to approve the recommendation of the staff and afford this item to the
February 3rd 2026 City Council agenda that is all consent moving to open forum
If I could ask folks to stick around for a minute after open forum
I'd love to get a photo with dr. Ford and everyone in attendance after we adjourn
Thank you want to call your name, please approach the podium and no particular order. You do have one minute
If you're participating via zoom, please raise your hands you're easily identified. We will take in-person speakers first and then zoom
razoo
Kevin Dali
Blair Beekman
miss Asada
Kevin Dali speaking for myself one of the problems with the way
The current municipal code is structured for Oakland is that there is a list of departments
There's a title of departments to guarantee that there is a director for each department, but there is no responsibility
assigned to the departments with three exceptions, but
Transportation is one of those departments that does not have written
responsibility we have trusted in the past that the city administrator would honor the concept of
transportation and assign all transportation
related items to Department of Transportation or get City Council permission to do otherwise this city administrator is
violating norms and procedures and is moving
Okay, so in February we're going to readdress the public hearing on the tree
cutting
Issue where you're trying to find a property owner nine hundred thousand dollars for cutting trees without permission
You you had two employees who testified around that issue
One said that the reason why it took them three years to bring it before you
Was lack of staffing and then another employee said of our staff members said that it was because you had no
process in place
Now this this property owner had plans for development of that property and for three years
He's been denied an opportunity to get permits for his development. This is outrageous
It's outrageous
That three years has been you've held up a property owner
And I don't know if he had to pay vacancy tax or not because the property was vacant
but
Moving to our Zoom speaker, Blair Beekman, you may unmute yourself and begin your one-minute comment.
Hi, Blair Beekman. Only four public commenters, so hopefully we can get two minutes in the future.
As current local crime numbers have been lowering in Oakland across the state and across the country since 2023,
let's hope the Trump administration can begin to offer more sensible ICE and immigration policies,
and so as to not start new levels of violence within our local communities.
Thank you for the patience to the Oakland community as we're all trying to understand
how the future of neighborhood surveillance and technology and data collection compared
with the open practices of tech accountability can be equals.
We're not using shock and awe with armaments and military, but creating open conversation
and increasingly familiar dialogue, Oakland can continue to develop a well-balanced approach
of Social Services, the Oakland Macro Program, open accountable tech practices, and law enforcement
all working together as how to continue to build the future of Oakland neighborhood public safety
and to give good examples to the Trump administration at this time.
That concludes your speakers roll for form. Before we adjourn, I believe Council Member
Houston would like to adjourn in the honor of someone who's passed. Yeah, I'm up toe up right
Now. I just got news that I'm Bridget Cook passed away.
Yeah, and I want to.
Close this meeting in a memory of Bridget Cook.
We'll just do a moment of silence.
Thank you all. This meeting is adjourned.