Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, and welcome to the Rules and Legislation Committee
meeting on this Tuesday, May 7th. And this meeting shall come to order before I begin
to, excuse me, I apologize, it's at 10.32 and this meeting shall come to order. Before
I give role, I would like to give instructions on how to submit a speaker card for an item
on this agenda if you are participating here in chambers with us in person and
would like to submit a speaker card please turn a speaker card into a clerk
representative here in the front either before the item is read into record or
ten minutes after this meeting start this meeting started at 1032 so that
would be 1042 registering to speak via zoom was due 24 hours before this
meeting began noting that there will no longer be online speaker cards accepted
but once again this meeting began at 1032,
we will stop accepting speaker cards at 1042
or before the item is read into record.
With that, I would like to begin roll.
I do starting with Councilmember Brown.
Present.
Councilmember Fai.
Present.
Councilmember Ramachandran, who is chairing this meeting.
Present.
And Council President Jenkins, who is currently excused,
he is participating remotely,
but I don't see him here in the queue.
All right, with that, we will Chair Ramachandran,
did you have any announcements
before I go to the first item?
Only happy municipal clerk's week again.
Thank you for your service to our city.
Thank you.
Grateful for you keeping our meetings in order and in check.
And with that, let's get this going.
Thank you, if there is three more days left
and municipal clerks and we accept gift cards, donuts,
anything that you would like to provide, thank you so much.
With that, we will now move to item number one,
which is the approval of the draft minutes
for the committee meeting on April 23rd, 2026.
Is there a motion?
Yep, move a second.
That was a motion by council member Fyfe,
seconded by council member Brown
to approve item one which is the draft minutes
for April 23rd, 2026.
On roll, Councilmember Brown.
Aye.
Councilmember Fyfe.
Aye.
And Councilmember Ramachandra who's sharing this meeting.
Aye.
And Councilmember Jenkins, excuse,
that was three ayes, one excuse.
Jenkins, that now takes us to item number two,
which is the determination of scheduling
outstanding committee items, your pending list.
And I do have two speakers for this item,
or one speaker.
okay let's hear the public speakers thank you so much I have Blair Beekman
if you are here and participating online your hand is raised thank you so much
you may begin hi Blair Beekman happy Thursday I'm interested in in this item
that you have a you have an item that will be going to about the Charter
amendment changes to the civilian oversight of the OPD in that process. You guys have
been having really awesome committee meetings lately. The past few months, very informative
and informational. And at your most recent committee meetings, I think at the end of
April, I can't remember which one. It was discussed that, you know, the previous council
and administration, worked really hard to create important civilian oversight practices
that were actually working well. And something was actually working well. And I can't quite
remember the facts about the situation, but it's like you guys are upsetting that process
right now. All of you, the administration, the new council staff, and you're trying to
set up new standards and best practices
with these civilian oversights and changes to the charter.
But we have to acknowledge
that the previous Civilian Police Commission Board
was doing something very well.
And you acknowledged that in the meeting.
And I think you want to work on those best practices,
yet at the same time,
you're upsetting what was an already good balance
that was taking place.
And how are you going to address that?
I think all of that has to be addressed
and certainly made clear how,
I can't remember to give a better facts about it,
but it has to be made more clear
what was going well the previous time
and what you're doing now to create these charter changes.
Do we really need these charter changes?
And the previous commissioners were really good actually.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments.
That concludes our public speakers for item number two.
councilmember Brown seconded by
my councilmember five.
I need a motion to entertain a
motion.
So moved second.
And that was a motion by
councilmember Brown seconded by
my councilmember five to approve
item two determination.
Of scheduling outstanding
committee items as is on roll
councilmember Brown Council
member five.
Sorry councilmember ramachandran
sharing this meeting I and.
one excuse
That now takes us to item number three new scheduling items
I will begin reading these items into records starting with item three point one
Which for staff will need an urgency finding. Let me read the title into record
It is a resolution authorizing one the city administrator to accept an appropriate grant funds in a total amount not to exceed
Dollars from the California Department of Transportation community clean up an employment pathway grant program and
execute related grant agreements to waiving the city of Oakland's advertising and competitive request for
proposal qualification requirements for the CCEP funded services
three amending the City Council resolution to increase the agreement with the youth employment partnership Inc by two two
the house like two million one hundred twenty five thousand dollar excuse me
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars my apologies for the total contract
amount not to exceed two million one hundred twenty five thousand dollars
for amending the City Council resolution to increase the agreement with the Lake
Merritt Institute by fifty thousand dollars for the total contract amount
not to exceed one million two hundred twelve thousand five hundred dollars and
and five adopting appropriate CEQA findings.
This item's being requested to be scheduled
for the May 12th Public Works
and Transportation Committee agenda.
I do see staff for the urgency.
Good morning, members of the council.
So staff requests an urgency finding
and that this item go to the May 12th Public Works Committee.
The city was awarded $300,000 from Caltrans for this work.
The state's deadline for commencement
of the work has already begun
and the work just has a one year timeline for implementation.
So we're requesting that this go so that we can commence
recruiting and training the youth participants
for the team Oakland program and start the work.
Thank you so much.
So noted.
We will now move to item 3.2,
which is a resolution for Council Member Wong's office.
I believe they may have a request for this item
as Council Member Wong's staff here.
Thank you so much.
Good morning, yeah.
My apologies, before you began,
if I can just read the full title,
I didn't get a chance to do so, my apologies.
Item 3.2 is a resolution submitting to the voters
at the November 3rd, 2026 election,
the Oakland Shelter Access for Encampment Response Act
to, among other things, amend Oakland Municipal Code
Chapter 4.56 to allocate special tax revenues
to the Oakland Shelter for Access
for Encampment Response Fund
for the purpose of providing interim shelter
traditional housing, encampment closure options
and other related homelessness services.
And amend the OMC Chapter 4.20 to propose
an eight year special commercial real estate
transfer tax surge of 25% or transfer of real property more than 2 million to 5 million,
5% of the transfers of real property for more than $5 million to 10 million and of 1% of
the transfer of the property above 10 million with revenues allocated to the fund and directing
the city clerk to take any and all actions necessary under the law to submit this measure to the voters at the
General election and making sequel findings this item is being requested to be scheduled to the May 14th Rules and Legislation Committee agenda
That's that that's it. Thank you so much
through the chair
If this is being scheduled to the May 14th Rules Committee that would require an urgency finding
There's you're within the 10 days notice requirement of sunshine
okay I know that through the chair the my goal in our office has worked more
closely with the city attorney's office on this I was under the impression it
was not the May 14th I thought it was the May 20 is it 21st rules no I'm you
can you can recommend a new scheduling date right now okay so yeah I'm not aware
of the days okay so this item will now be scheduled to the May 21st Rules and
Legislation Committee agenda yeah so noted so no urgency finding is needed
at this time thank you so much moving to item three point three which will excuse
me is a resolution to commemoratively rename for Youth Avenue between Mirror
Street and Carrington Street as Gary Peyton Way authorizing an installation
of a plaque honoring Gary Peyton pursuant to the policy and procedure
established by the Oakland City Council resolution 77967 CMS and this is being
requested to be scheduled for the May 19th City Council agenda on consent I
will read in the rule 24 which is this resolution is commemorative in nature
and requires timely consideration to align with community plan recognition
for Gary Payton his family local schools and the broader Oakland community
Moving to item three point four
Which is a resolution authorizing and directing the city attorney to compromise and settle the case of Madison Carte versus the city of Oakland
Alameda County Superior Court case
city attorney file number three six six zero three in a amount of
$55,000 Department of Transportation dangerous conditions of public property and this is being requested to be scheduled for the May 19
City Council agenda on consent. This will need a rule 24
through the chair for items 3.4 and 3.5 these
Author these resolutions authorizing settlement agreements routinely goes straight to council
Thank you rule 24 stated on record for items
3.4 and 3.5, which I will now read into record 3.5 is a resolution authorizing the city attorney to release the city's potential claims as
Necessary to joint a national settlement agreement with six ruminant opioid defendants national
prescription opioid litigation
Office of the city attorney public nuisance
false advertising unfair competition
Competition on to be scheduled on the main 19th City Council agenda on consent and as stated by the City Attorney the rule 24
was stated
prior
moving to item 3.6 item 3.6 is a resolution confirming the mayor's appointment of Brian Hallard and
Kaniya Giles to commission of persons with disabilities
This item is being requested to be scheduled for the May 19th City Council agenda on consent
I will read in the Rule 24, due to the recent quorum challenges experienced by the Commission
on the Persons with Disabilities during its last meeting, addressing current vacancies
is essential to ensure the Commission can consistently meet quorum requirements and
continue its work without disruption, particularly as it advances issues impacting accessibility,
inclusion, and the rights of persons with disabilities.
Item 3.7 is a resolution confirming the mayor's appointment of Danforth Doherty to the Budget
Advisory Commission.
This item is being requested to be scheduled for the May 19th City Council agenda on consent.
I will read in the Rule 24, which is due to recent quorum challenges experienced by the
Budget Advisory Commission during its last meeting, they are requesting this item be
brought forth.
Now moving to item 3.8, which is a title change.
I will read in the new title.
There is a new subject title as well.
I'm reading in the new title,
which is a resolution commemoratively renaming the plaza
at Public Right-of-Way at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center
as More Hope Plaza.
This is being requested for scheduling at May 19th.
City Council Agenda on non-consents.
Moving to item 3.9.
Item 3.9 is a resolution submitting to the voters
at the November 3rd, 2026 General Municipal Election
that would amend the Oakland City Charter to,
among other things, make the mayor,
the city's chief executive officer responsible
for managing city affairs.
Two, empower the council to confirm the appointments
of the directors of finance and human services,
public works and transportation.
Three, empower the council to create an independent budget
and legislative analysis office
to provide the council physical and policy analysis
that is objective and nonpartisan.
Four, affirm council members' rights to request information
and relay consensual concerns
and city official duties to respond promptly.
Five, empower the council to hold legislative hearings
and issue subpoenas.
Six create a memorial veto with a line item budgeted veto
and a council power to override any veto.
Seven require council members to work full-time
and not engage in outside employment.
Eight empower the public ethics commission
to align the mayors and council member salaries
with those of comparable full-time public offices.
Officials and nine require the publication of ordinances
within 15 days of passage and directing city clerk
to take any and all action necessary under the law
to submit this measure to the voters at the election
and making appropriate environmental CEQA findings.
This is being requested to be scheduled
for the May 21st Rules and Legislation Committee agenda.
Item 310 is adopt an ordinance amending the salary schedule
of salary ordinance to amend the salary ordinance
for council members, city attorney, and city auditor
in accordance with the Oakland's Public Ethics Commission
charter mandated salary adjustment.
This is being requested for the May 26th
Finance and Management Committee agenda.
Item number 311 is adopting ordinance
amending the salary schedule of ordinance number 12187,
salary ordinance to amend the salary for the mayor
on the May 26th, May 26th,
2026 Finance and Management Committee agenda.
Item 312 is receiving information report on the fiscal year 25 through 26 third quarter revenue and expenditures results
Year end estimate for the general purpose fund and select funds and this is being requested to be scheduled for the May 26
finance and Management Committee agenda
item 313 is receiving information report on the status of the compliance with the sewer
Sewer consent decree wastewater discharge requirements for wastewater sewer systems and national pollutant discharge
elements
systems
permit during the
24 month period from January 1st 2024 through December 31st 2025
This is being requested to be scheduled for the May 26th
2026 Public Works and Transportation Committee agenda
Item 314 is adopt a resolution authorizing the city administrator to enter into an agreement with the Alameda County flood control and waste
conservation
District to accept funds in the amount not to exceed one million six hundred thousand dollars to implement the collective
collaboration collaboration to Creek improvement and clean creeks program over a five-year term
from July 1st 2026 through June 30th 2030
term to
appropriate funds in the amount not to exceed one million six hundred thousand dollars from the district to
Implement the program for the term of the agreement and three adopt
Appropriate CEQA findings this item is being requested to be scheduled for the May 26 public works and Transportation Committee agenda
Item number 315. I believe has a title change. I do see staff approaching. Thank you
You want me to read?
Yes, please read the full title new title the full title should be awarded construction contract for project 1004857
making recreation center expansion slash renovation project to SJ and moroso construction company LLC
The lowest responsive and responsible bidder in accordance with the contractors bid
project plans and specification for amount of twenty eight million four hundred thirty seven
Seven thousand dollars amend resolution eight
Nine four nine one CMS to increase the professional service agreement with shaka wasaki architects by amount not to exceed
848
Seven hundred ninety seven dollars bringing the total contract amount from three million three million twenty eight thousand
eight hundred forty nine dollars to
three million eight hundred seventy seven thousand six hundred forty six dollars and two
wave the competitive request to for proposals slash qualification requirements and three
adopting appropriate california environmental quality act sql findings
thank you so much that gave me a moment to breathe also moving to item 316 um item 316 is
of the state to be a good
thing.
And I'm going to go back to two
pieces of legislation.
It's one resolution authorizing
the city administrator to apply
for, accept, and appropriate up
to $756,364 in fiscal year 2026
through 27 state transportation
development act article fun to
fund the comstock way stair path
rehabilitation east bay east
road to Rosemont Road stair path rehabilitation bicycle signage program and city racks bicycling
parking program phase 18 in adopting a sequel findings and to a resolution adopting a list
of projects for fiscal year 26 to 27 funded by the SB 1 the road repair and accountability
Act of 2027 and adopting a sequel findings and this is these two pieces of
legislation are being requested to be scheduled for the May 26 Public Works
and Transportation Committee agenda. Item 317 is receiving information report on
the City of Oakland's general plan and housing element annual progress report
for calendar year 2025 being requested to be scheduled on the May 26
Community and Economic Development Committee agenda. Item 318 is
receiving informational report on the housing and development programs by the
Housing and Community Development Department for physical year 25 through
26 and this is also being requested to be scheduled on the May 26 community and
Economic Development Committee agenda. Item 319 consists of two pieces of
legislation. One, a resolution authorizing the city administrator to accept an
appropriate Senate bill one grant funds from the California Ocean Protection
Council in the amount of one hundred forty four thousand nine hundred dollars
to fund the staff time to work on the existing conditions and vulnerability
assessment analysis for the sub-regional shoreline adaptation plan
authorizing the city administrator to apply for accept an appropriate
additional Senate bill one grant funds from the Ocean Protection Council in the
amount up to one million three hundred fifty five thousand one hundred dollars
for completion of the sub-regional shoreline adaptation plan and three
authorizing the city administrator to represent the city in intergovernmental
relations with neighboring jurisdictions within shared shoreline
operations landscape unit and to a resolution authorizing the city
administrator to enter into a cooperative agreement to purchase
services from the Conger Moss Gillard landscape architectural for the
development of the sub-regional shoreline adaptation plan by the
reliant relying on an existing professional services agreement between
the city of Alameda and CMG landscape architecture for a amount not to exceed
one million three hundred fifty five thousand one hundred dollars in
adopting appropriate CEQA findings to be heard on the May 26th community and
economic development committee agenda. Item 3.20 is adopt a resolution
amending resolution number 8 excuse me 9 0 8 1 9 to extend the agreement with
CitySpan Technologies Inc. for 12 months for the client services and contract
database ongoing grants management licensing user support and project
management and custom programming for Oakland fund for children youth funded
programs in the amount not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars for July 1st
2026 to June 30 of 2027 waiving the competitive multi-step solicitation
process for the acquisition of computerized or information technology
systems and waiving the local local small business enterprise requirements
and this is being requested to be scheduled for the May 26th life
Enrichment Committee agenda item
3.21 is a resolution directing the city administrator to one
develop and a more designation program to relocate industrial recycling facilities operated by a California way solutions in
CASS from areas in West Oakland to address negative environmental impacts on local residents and
Proceed proceed to Planning Commission's with a Mortizational legislation. No later than December 31st
2026 and this item is being requested to be scheduled for the May 26th Life Enrichment Committee agenda
item
3.22 is adopted resolution approving the 2025 through 2030
community violence reduction plan as required by the city by the Oakland community
Violence Reduction and Emergency Response Act of 2024 and approved by the Oakland Public Safety Planning and Oversight Commission
To be heard on the May 26 2026 Public Safety Committee agenda
item
3.23 is adopted resolution authorizing the city administrator to enter into a professional services agreement with a light
corporate solutions
to provide
Pre-employment background investigations for the period of June 1st 2026 to May 31st
2029 in the amount of
$300,000 with the option to extend the agreement for two years until May 31st 2031 as a
cost of up to two hundred thousand two hundred thousand dollars and without returning to counsel for a total amount not to exceed
$500,000 to be heard on the May 26th 2026 Public Safety Committee agenda
Item 3.24 is a resolution summarily vacating a public utility easement located at 747 52nd
Street to the property owner Children's Hospital and Research Center at Oakland and adopting
CEQA findings and this is being requested to be scheduled for the June 9th, 2026 Public
Works and Transportation Committee agenda and that concludes your new scheduling.
we do have four speakers for this item.
Okay, great, let's start with the public speakers.
All right, as I call your name,
please approach the podium in any order.
If you are participating via Zoom,
I ask that you please raise your hand
so we can easily identify you.
And again, please state your name for the record.
We will start, as usual, with those
who are participating here in person and chambers.
I have currently, Bear Binkman, Kevin Dowley,
You've got to have one question
and then we'll have some
questions for Rajni Mandal
and Kathy Leonard.
In any order, please approach the podium if you're here
and I called your name in person.
Thank you.
And the district for first of all, happy clerk's week.
Clerks, you do such an amazing job.
Can you please take over boards of commissions?
I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
But thank you for everything you do.
I wanted to speak on 3.22.
I want to raise a process concern
recommended that the city
commissioners stated that the
draft will still undergo
revisions based on community
feedback department input and
discussions with the city
attorney before the final
version is released part to the
plan may also be moved or
revised because of concerns
about scope and oversight
authority this plan will guide
more than forty five million
dollars per year in public
safety spending and council can
approve or reject it but cannot
amend it so I encourage
council to look carefully at
whether the plan stays focused
and priorities, avoids embedding specific staffing, program, or policy decisions that
belong in the normal budget process, and avoids expanding ops box role into OPD federal NSA
compliance and other areas already overseen by existing bodies.
I also ask council to ensure that the public has enough time to review the final draft
before any vote.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next speaker, please.
I'm really happy to see the charter 3.9 slowly working its way to rules.
The description is pretty sparse so far.
I'm hoping on May 21st we get full text.
I'm encouraged that there's no mention of the at-large council member so far.
I hope this means we're not deleting the at-large council member who they have been very useful
over the years to give a full, uh, full look at the city.
I'm also noticing a few other things that are missing.
I'm sure the information will be filled out.
Can the mayor vote in the city council?
That's not mentioned.
Currently mayor is allowed to vote to break a tie.
Can't tell whether that's staying the same or following options one,
two or three of the various Charter amendments in looking forward to seeing
more information as we get close. There's another item that's 3.4 Clark v. Oakland.
This specifies a settlement 55,000 for dangerous conditions. It's Oak Dot, so I
assume that this is either a street or a sidewalk issue. It doesn't specify what
the dangerous condition is and it doesn't specify the location. In most
settlements over the past in the past it does specify what happened and why
there's a settlement and from my perspective as a safe transportation
advocate I would like to know what the problem is and what we can do to make
this situation less dangerous in the future. Thanks. Thank you for your
I want to say a few comments about culture name.
Good morning councilpersons Kathy Leonard.
Here supporting.
Councilmember guile's resolution to commemoratively rename a section of fortieth avenue to Gary
Peyton way.
Gary Peyton was born in Oakland California he attended skyline.
High school with some of my siblings.
He is widely considered one of the greatest point guards of all times, best known for
his 13-year tenure with the Seattle Supersonics, where he holds the record for franchise records
and assists and stills that led them to NBA Finals.
As a player, he was NBA champion in 2006.
Nine times he was an NBA All-Star.
Two times he made the all-NBA first team, five times all-NBA second team, two times
he was on the all-star NBA third team, NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1996, nine
times he was, oops, I lost that, NBA, he made the NBA all-defensive first team.
That's what I was all about.
He led the NBA as a cis leader.
All rookie on the second team, it goes on and on
the accomplishments of this man.
I'm happy that the city is recognizing him and honoring him
with a commemorative plaque.
I'd also like to see him get a key to the city of Oakland.
He's done a lot to raise our stature,
and I appreciate that.
Beekman, you may begin.
All right, whether Beekman, I had three items to speak to,
three 14 and a few other items I can get to them.
Oh yeah, okay.
I'll start with three 22 community violence reduction plan.
Thank you for this.
I think I'm not, it's part of a measure.
And, and I'm not sure so much
then is about. But I caught my eye because I'm interested in how, you know, as a new
City Council, we're beginning to define our own best standards of how we're addressing
crime in Oakland. We should or not, our former mayor and Noel Gallo did an awesome job as
part of building up a really good crime prevention plan that I think we're all really benefiting
from it and respecting it this time.
How are we gonna continue that?
It's now up to ourselves as a new administration
and council to do that.
So I'll be interested in how we're moving forward.
Good luck in our efforts.
You have a few items on housing to help unhouse issues.
Thank you.
They sound sane.
I mean, they sound decent and a decent approach.
So thank you for that.
We need it at this time.
And just to hear the good stuff, it's important.
And to conclude, you have item 3.14,
collaborative and clean creeks agreement.
I felt your decision the past few days ago
on the oak tree issue, cutting down to many oak trees,
was it was a good conversation
that I felt Councilperson Brown
and Councilperson Fife
offered a really interesting point of view.
And in fact, Councilperson Brown
really clarified and made a very clear understanding
of how to really view all sides of the issue.
And then Oakland, how to view all sides of the issue.
And it was a really important learning process for myself.
I think he can be considered as egregious
in what he's been doing as council person five said,
but from that, if that may be the initial fine fee charge
for such actions that he's done,
it's way over expensive and we have to address that better
and I hope that can be clear, a clear process.
We address that more clearly,
how he can be fined in the future of such an event.
And we have ongoing conversation on private property
versus the rights of respecting the environment
and the area, that's an ongoing debate.
And good luck how we have that debate.
There was race involved with that and that's new to me.
Good luck with that too and thanks for your items today.
Thank you for your comments.
That concludes our public comment speakers for item three.
Thank you.
I see that district two council member staff
has a comment to make.
Please go ahead.
Yes, through the chair.
For council member Wong's office, item number 3.2,
resolution submitting to voters
the Oakland shelter access for encampment
response safer act, we would like to pull that item.
Noted.
Thank you.
Colleagues, any comments or questions?
Okay, if not, I will state the changes to item three.
Item 3.1, an urgency finding was stated.
Item 3.2 was withdrawn.
Item 3.8 had a title change,
and item 3.15 had a title change.
I will entertain a motion.
approval. Second. And that was a motion by Councilmember Brown seconded by Councilmember Fife to
approve item 3 as amended and on roll my apologies Councilmember Brown? Aye. Councilmember Fife? Aye.
Councilmember Ramachandri who's chairing this meeting? Aye. And Councilmember Jenkins who's
excused it is excused that item 3 is approved as amended with three eyes one
excuse we will now go to item 4 item 4 is the review of the draft agenda's
pending list and the City Council and committee meeting meetings and this is
for the May 12th committees and May 14th rules may the committee pending lists
Your draft May 19th council and draft rules 20 May 21st good morning through
the chair on the CED pending list item number eight adopt a resolution
authorizing the city administrator to negotiate terms and enter into an
advertising signs relocation agreement with out front foster interstate LLC a
At Delaware Limited Liability Company, OFI.
With such agreement, including the following,
A, allowing OFI to erect up to five new digital advertising
signs at certain locations in the city of Oakland in exchange
for OFI causing the removal of up to 11 of its existing
advertising faces at various locations in the city
by dates certain, with OFI and out front
waiving its rights to just compensation
for the remove signs.
B, requiring OFI to make payments in advance
of up to $2,305,000 for the fiscal year 2025 to 2027
by annual budget and annual payments
of up to $750,000 for each new digital advertising sign
for a 31-year term with escalations
and a 10-year renewal option,
in addition to providing other financial incentives
to the city, including negotiated carbon offset fees
and free advertising space,
and two, adopting appropriate
California Environmental Quality Act findings.
we would like to remove this item from the pending list
with no further, yeah,
just remove it from the pending list, thank you.
Thank you so much.
And just noting that is the CED pending list
under pending no date specific number eight.
Thank you so much.
Council Member Houston, did you have a comment?
Oh, okay.
No other changes from staff?
All right, then I will entertain a motion
noting the amendment to the CED pending list,
item eight, noting it's removal.
And apologies, public comment.
Yes, apologies, thank you so much, Rajni.
I will state those names who signed up for item number four,
and if you're participating via Zoom,
please raise your hand,
and for those who are here in person,
please approach the podium.
meeting is now adjourned I have
Rajni Mandal Kevin Dalley and
Blair Beekman thank you so much.
Rajni Mandal district for this
is for the community police
review agency report on the May
twelfth public safety committee
agenda.
This appears to be the first
time supper is presenting to
council under one C. two point
four six zero three zero after
years of inconsistent reporting
a gap identified by the city
auditor.
Councilmember one's member lays
and staff time spent on investigations, information that has not been consistently presented
in aggregate form to either the public or the police commission itself.
At the April 23rd police commission meeting, Director Lawson acknowledged CIPRA is still
building its reporting infrastructure and determining what information it can report
publicly.
He also stated the agency has lacked written operating procedures for a significant period
of time.
Commissioners themselves expressed difficulty interpreting CIPRA's spreadsheets and requested
to clear reporting and trend analysis.
That is why council's role here matters.
The police commission has not been able to ensure
this level of transparency and accountability
despite the ordinance already requiring it.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments.
Kevin Dally is passing his speaking time.
And Blair Beekman, you have been unmuted.
You may begin.
Hi, Blair Beekman.
I'm attending a really important budget meeting
in San Diego right now.
talking about homeless issues that may be seriously cut.
I talked about the austerity problems in San Diego.
Boy, I hope you guys can show them some good help,
good ideas, if you really need it.
For this item, there's the,
I think it's the May 12th public safety meeting.
You're gonna have more issues on ceasefire.
That item is being returned again to committee.
It's going all around.
And it's kind of nice that when you do that actually,
because it gives a lot of conversation and clarity.
It makes things really clear
what you're actually working on.
I kind of like it for that.
So good luck what you can be doing.
I don't know the details of what you're doing
with the ceasefire at this time,
but this is another good violence prevention program
of Oakland, I think.
I'm pretty sure that it's important.
And we've been doing this stuff well.
I think we've done this stuff so well the past few years.
It's created kind of a shield against, you know,
new Trump administration ideas
of our cities are in a horrific mess.
And we're not, we're very organized.
We have something really together
in how to work on our issues.
And it's nice to be proving that.
I hope you can continue that with things like ceasefire.
And I hope you can really be continuing conversation
on the future of peregrine and cell bright.
You brought the items for conversation.
And I would hate to think they would simply die
from the past council meeting.
I hope we can continue and you can bring back
in six months different options for the future
that we were talking about
at public safety committee in April.
I hope that that process can continue and that it's open
and then we don't fear it.
We develop ways that it can be a community conversation
and that alleviates fear, I think in those terms.
Good luck how to do that good work, thanks.
Thank you and that concludes our public comments.
speakers for item four.
I will entertain a motion to approve item four as amended.
So moved.
Second.
And that was a motion by Councilmember Fife,
seconded by Councilmember Brown
to approve item four as amended on roll.
Councilmember Brown?
Aye.
Councilmember Fife?
Aye.
Councilmember Ramachandran who is chairing this meeting?
Aye.
And Councilmember Jenkins is excused.
that's three I's and one excuse for item four.
That now takes us to our discussion.
Item number five, I will read that into record.
Adopt a resolution submitting to the voters
at the November 3rd, 2026 General Municipal Election,
a measure that would amend the city charter section 604
to among other things simplify the process
for appointing police commissioners
by only having regular police commissioners
that are appointed one each by the council members
and one by the mayor,
strengthening the independence of the office
of Inspector General by having the city auditor,
rather than the police commission
appoint the Inspector General,
streamline the process for appointing police chiefs
by using the same process used
to appoint other department heads
and directing the city clerk
to take any and all action necessary under the law
to submit this measure to the voters
after November 3rd, 2026, General Municipal Election
and making appropriate CEQA findings.
I do have several speakers for this item.
Thank you to Council Member Houston.
Did you have some?
Did you wanna take the speakers first?
Or how'd you wanna do this?
You can go first.
So thank you audience and thank you my council members.
Is President Jenkins gonna be online?
is not. So can I have five minutes for this presentation please. Yes. Okay. Okay good.
So but before we get started I want my colleagues and I want the the audience to hear this.
Is it this is to the parliamentarian. Is it true that a quarter of the city attorney's
this legal opinion goes to clarify in section 604.
This is to, through the chair to the parliamentarian.
Is that true?
This is critical.
Through the chair to Council Member Houston,
I don't have that number in front of me,
but all of our public opinions are available
on the city attorney's website.
So is the city attorney, Ryan Richardson around?
Because I want my colleagues to hear
that a quarter of the opinion is going towards 604.
So what and my colleagues to my
colleagues I know you guys been
over on wound about support of
these three small issues they're
small but they're huge in this
presentation is to amend the
charter six oh four they also
did a poll and that's going to
be coming out that eighty
percent of these three small
issues and that's what we're
you know that 80% of these three small, but huge changes,
the public wants them, so Trinity.
Before you start, do you have this presentation
sent to K-top?
Yeah, K-top should have it.
K-top, can you pull that up, please?
So what we'll do, we can go to page one, Trinity,
did you wanna, now this just bypassed and established
through ballot measure LL 2016 and reinforcement
the ballot measure S1 2020 the history of the police commission. Let's just
bypass that one Trinity. Let's go to the proposed Charter amendments. Simplify
the process for appointing police commissioners by only having regular
police commissioners that are appointed one each by the council members and one
by the mayor. The second one is strengthen the independence of the
Office of Inspector General by having the city auditor rather than the police
commission appoint the Inspector General. Three, streamline the process for
appointing the police chief by using the same processes used to appoint other
department heads. Trinity go to number four rationale for the proposed chatter
charter amendment number one. Let me read it out. Simplify the process for
appointing police commissioners by only having regular police commissioners that
are appointed one each by the council members eight council members and one by
the mayor which will be nine Trinity good morning through the chair with
respect to the selection panel there has been major dysfunction in the process of
appointing commissioners council has repeatedly rejected the proposed slate of
new commissioners by the police commission regarding keeping politics
out of the police commission business Oakland City Council members and the
mayor are nine independent and democratically elected officials who are
civilians that are elected by the people to provide civilian oversight in a
democracy, elected civilians are more accountable versus those who are
appointed to protect the people. I have some highlights here I like to say that
before you go to the next one. The City Council members are civilians that were
elected by the people. We are more accountable to the people than
appointed than individuals that are appointed that do not have
accountability to the voters. Trinity let's go to page four five. Page five.
rationale proposed Charter Amendment number two strengthen the independence
of the office of inspector general by having the city auditor which is an
elected elected by the people rather than the police commission appointed by
the inspector general Trinity good morning to the chair the inspector
general must look at all policing policies and provide critiques for
and I think it's important to
make these critiques public and
report them to the police
commission, free of any
restraints related to their
employment status.
I want you to explain that so
the public can hear that.
What does that mean by
employment status?
Essentially, if the inspector
general is to critique policies
the police commission has an involvement with the hiring
and removal of the inspector general.
It makes it a bit complex to provide impartial critiques
knowing that your critiquing policy is created
by individuals who have the ability
to influence your employment status.
Great job, go to the second one please.
For example, the issue with the inspector general
making these critiques is the inspector general
must report policy critiques to the police commission
who helps run those policies.
And making a sound critique becomes complex
because the Inspector General can be fired
by the Police Commission.
Placing the Inspector General in a position
where they may be restrained on their ability
to critique impartially is cause for concern.
That does not make for an independent Inspector General.
Placing the Inspector General under the purview
of the City Auditor resolves the concern.
The City Auditor is an elected official.
They will not run the Office of the Inspector General
under their purview.
The City Auditor will appoint the authority
of the Inspector General.
This will give the Inspector General more independence,
the city auditor would not run the inspector general's office directly here me out you won't run it directly the city auditor would be appointing authority of the OIG and will give the inspector general more information about the OIG.
would not run the inspector general's office directly hear me out it won't run
it directly the city auditor would be appointing authority of the OIG and will
give the inspector general more independence more independence and
accountability Trinity let's go to number page number six council member
would you like an additional five minutes yes I would please please stay
Thank you.
Thank you.
Five minutes went by that fast?
Whoa.
All right.
So, rationale.
Let's talk about the rationale.
This is page number six, rationale proposed charter amendment number three, streamline
the process for appointing police chiefs by using the same processes used to appoint other
departments.
This is so, so important because of the hiring and the firing of the police chiefs, and we
know about that.
Trinity.
Striking the 10th provision from section 604 the city charter will place the power to appoint a chief of police into the hands of the mayor
Speaking to the charter reform that is expected to come
Expected to be placed on the ballot if the majority of voters select strong mayor the amendments to section 604 will align
If the majority of voters select council manager, then the power will be vested in the city attorney's off the city
that's why we're going to
give you a break.
I apologize the city
administrator's office in
subject to the same process of
appointing department heads.
This will help to improve the
process for hiring a chief of
police the city has had many
turnovers with chief of police
the city needs a permanent
chief of police who can do
their job.
So I have highlights here we've
had- police chiefs that-
it more than a year. Now the latest vacancy since the police chief gave his
to leave in October 2025 we still have not found the chief of police and we're
not projected to find the chief of police until July per the police
commission. What I'm thinking is this I'm watching I don't believe I have the
votes here. I don't believe I have the votes because of certain political reasons. I like
to put this on the pending list and let me tell you why. So the public can start a signature
gathering campaign to move this item forward. So I wanted this to be the public can see
this so the individuals are going to do that gathering for this campaign could have something
to pull from so I like to put this on the pending list thank you thank you
councilmember we will move to public speakers but I will actually yeah sorry
we if there's no further comment from colleagues I will we will call public
speakers cancel number five through the chair to the parliamentarian since I
I believe this is being pulled right now.
Or put it put in the pending list.
But there was a full presentation, so we can still ask questions to the
the member who brought this item forward, correct?
Correct. Through the chair to council member five. Yes, this is in front of the committee.
Because I want to state for the record
that there should never be a presumption of a position that I would take.
I entertain particularly ballot initiatives going to the voters to give the voters an
opportunity to decide on what they would like to see.
My questions that I had for today's agenda item were to clarify some things that I believe
are contradictory to not only the auditor's report, but also to the intended, to the intent
of the item itself.
So through the chair, I would rise to ask our colleague a few questions about some of
the proposed amendments.
The first being having regular police commissioners that are appointed one each by the council
members with no alternate, with no alternates.
So through the chair, is it okay if I ask the questions?
the chair I would like to know if the goal is to simplify the process for the
police commission or address a power imbalance and I would also ask should I
ask all my questions consecutively or just so so so answer that question ask
that question again is the goal to simplify the process for the police
commission selection is selection Commission selection panel panel or is it
to address power imbalance?
The selection panel has been,
it has not been a good process.
Just last week, the week before last, when I went,
they had the wrong agenda.
It's just, it takes too long.
If we have each one of our council members,
which is eight, and the mayor, to a point,
We will have nine, we will appoint nine commissioners.
And that's what we should do,
the same process that we do with all the other,
when we elect all the other,
when we appoint all the other commissions.
But having no alternates, if someone is sick
or there's an issue, if there are no alternates
through the chair, could we potentially face
a lack of quorum where then nothing is done?
So let me go through to ask the city attorney this question
because if we have nine and two fall off,
how many do we have?
We have seven.
So, through the chair, city attorney.
I'm sorry, what's the question?
For our office?
I didn't ask a question.
No, you just asked a question.
Denying, about a quorum.
Without alternates, if there are multiple,
I guess this is to you.
It is because-
Would there be an issue,
Would there potentially be an issue with quorum?
I'm sorry.
It just speaking generally, it depends,
what the quorum is for the body.
If, you know, if you still have quorum,
the meeting can continue on.
Sure, whatever.
So, if we have eight appointees from the city council
and one from the mayor, we have nine members,
How does this address the power imbalance in the politics of the body?
Or can we also define politics, what that means?
Explain that again.
It was stated in the legislation that this is in order to simplify the process and address a power imbalance.
I believe those are two distinctly different things.
I'm trying to understand how the appointments address either of those two.
the power and balance or simplification of the process.
On the, I just mentioned it.
When it comes to the nine appointees,
I don't understand what you're saying, Council Member.
Okay.
Sir, you are out of order.
Please, please refrain from commenting from the public.
Thank you.
So the report, the report also states
that the goal is to strengthen the independence
of the Office of Inspector General
And the shift changes, this change moved the responsibility
but doesn't strengthen independence.
And in the auditor's report, he mentions
what the body needs in order to strengthen the independence.
And he recommends, the city auditor recommended
that the city attorney's office should provide
an independent analysis of the resources needed,
including staffing to support the requirements
of the police oversight agencies,
the commission, the community police review agency
and the office of inspector general.
The city auditor also said that in conjunction
with relevant stakeholders including the police commission,
the CPRA and the office of inspector general,
the council should develop and adopt revisions
to the municipal code, which I stated
that I would bring forward those revisions
to resolve the conflicts between the muni code
and the charter, namely clarifying whether the IG
is a civil service position and et cetera.
So I wanna understand why are we moving,
proposing to move against what the elected city auditor
recommends for independence?
The city auditor is elected.
Oh, go ahead.
Just to maintain order through the chair.
The city auditor is an elected body
And if the Inspector General falls under the elected body,
that person, it's almost like, yeah,
that person is, the Inspector General will have more
independence to make the right decision
instead of falling under the police commission.
Okay, so.
That's why I wanted Ryan Richardson here also,
because I asked him some of those questions
and he could answer, because those are legal questions.
I can also clarify the quorum question,
so under the proposed amendments,
well under the existing charter,
the quorum is five members,
so if you don't have alternates
as long as you have five members,
then there's a meeting of the body.
Thank you for that.
Okay.
And then removing the police chief appointment
from the commission and allowing the mayor
or the city administrator to select police chiefs.
If we engage in the same process for attracting directors,
do we have any timeline on how long it's taken
to select directors?
Because I would argue that that's also a timely process.
From the last several directors that we've hired
has taken a lot of time to do so.
what changes if we move to follow the process
that the city does with other departments
through the chair?
It has been, we've had the police chief fired.
We've had, let me, this is what,
let me put this on the pending list
because I wanted Ryan Richardson here
to speak to some of these issues that I spoke to him about.
So you are gonna put this on the pending list
and bring it back, through the chair?
To bring it back?
Okay, I just wanna say that this still concentrates power
with one elected official or a non-elected official.
And the city administrator is currently not elected.
And so if we're talking about,
I'm not exactly sure who was being suggested
to be able to engage in this power,
but removing one of the more important,
it does remove one of the more important roles
of the police commission.
And the only reason we have a police commission
is because people's rights have been violated
over and over and over again.
And over 80% of the residents of the city of Oakland
wanted to see something like this brought forward.
We recently had an in-custody death of a former NFL player
that we didn't understand what happened
for several weeks, if not months.
And people have a right to transparency,
and oftentimes, and it's not just
with the Oakland Police Department,
I have to say that sometimes it's like pulling teeth
with several departments in the city of Oakland
to get real information.
I've had challenges with the finance department for years,
the Department of Transportation for years,
And sometimes they know because we can't direct staff
that they can just wait us out.
So I think I'm happy that there will be charter reform
and I will reserve my questions
and maybe put them in a list so they can be reviewed
and make those available publicly.
But I have several questions
and I'm going to utilize this platform
to get those questions out
so the public understands where I'm coming from
because this is a big deal.
this is a very, very important process
that we're engaging in.
And I want to make sure that what I'm presenting
to the voters or suggesting that the voters review
is based in truth, in fact, because the push poll
that was released to get information
about what the voters actually want
was just that it was a push poll with fallacious results
and we cannot start on a basis of fallacy, I'm complete.
Thank you, we can move to, oh, Councilmember Houston,
did you have anything to say?
No, I'm good, I'm good.
Okay, thank you.
So just to restate, since the motion can't come from you,
I'm happy to channel what you requested
to make a motion to withdraw this item
and move it to the Rules Committee pending list.
And you need a second on that, right?
I'll second it.
And then public comment, thank you.
So noted, thank you for that.
We will now move to public comment.
We have, when I call your name,
please approach the podium in any order,
and please state your name for the record.
If you are participating via Zoom,
please raise your hand so I can easily identify you
and select you when your turn is to speak.
We'll start with those in chambers first.
Again, as I call your name, please approach the podium
and state your name for the record.
Rajni Mandal, Kevin Dalley, Lorelei Vosserman,
Millie Cleveland, Rashida Grenache, Pamela Drake,
David McGinnis, Kathy Leonard,
Maloff from OIG organization,
and Blair Beekman in any order, thank you.
Trick four, Oakland's history is exactly
why strong civilian oversight matters
and why the public takes this issue seriously.
But nearly after a decade of operation,
it is reasonable to ask whether the current structure
is functioning as clearly, effectively,
and accountably as intended.
The city auditor identified recurring governance
and accountability concerns in both 2020 and 2026,
including unresolved conflicts between oversight bodies,
unclear lines of authority,
and gaps in accountability mechanisms.
We have also seen repeated legal disputes
and coordination challenges
involving the city's oversight system.
These are serious institutional questions,
and discussing them is not a rejection of oversight.
It is part of ensuring that civilian oversight
I hope that these governance
questions continue to receive
thoughtful public discussion and
review.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments.
Next speaker.
Uh, Millie Cleveland, just for
coalition for police
accountability.
Um, can we just cut to the chase
about what councilman Houston's
resolution is really about?
Whose interest does it serve?
Uh, I just want to thank the
really about whose interest does it serve. Do you want a police department that functions
in a way that protects the constitutional rights of its residents, or don't you? Do
you want a police commission without community input on who should be on the commission,
or don't you? Do you want the community to have a built-in way to have a say on the criteria
for their police chief, like through a civilian police commission, or not.
Do you want the commissioner's appointments divorced from political influence, or do you
want to set the conditions for corruption or not?
It's time to pick your side.
There is no middle ground before you declare there is a problem.
With the charter, you first must make sure you're implementing it as it's written.
Then you can identify if there are problems.
And before this council thinks they have the bandwidth
to oversee the police department,
I suggest the Rules Committee start agendizing the job public
safety should be focused on.
When are you going to have a hearing on police over time
and have someone other than the police talk?
When are you going to direct the city administrator to focus
on the recommendations from the city auditor?
Why haven't you moved and agendized the civilianization
of positions within the police department?
Why aren't you asking the community what they would
like to address in the OPOA negotiations?
Why isn't there GPS in the patrol cars?
Why hasn't that been activated?
Why haven't you evaluated macro?
Where is the discussion on community policing?
What?
Thank you.
Your time.
Next speaker, please.
If I call your name and you were here in chambers.
Thank you, Mr. Dally.
Kevin Dally.
First, I want to just bring up the obvious procedural issue
that we're discussing charter amendments in 3.9.
Councilmember Houston has referred to this.
But if there are conflicts between the suggested amendment
related to the police commission and the not yet released charter amendments and 3.9 how will they
be resolved probably whichever one gets the highest number of votes but it it would be good if
if council member houston moves ahead with this it would be nice to look at the charter amendment
before deciding exactly what the wording should be.
On the other hand, I really hope Councilmember Houston
does not move ahead with this resolution.
Police oversight is important.
We have had decades of problems with police misbehavior.
Most police officers are ethical and honest,
but OPD is not handling those police officers
who don't do a good job and I really appreciate it.
Councilmember Fives continued watching over the police.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments. Next speaker.
Appreciate it, Grenache.
It's been a while.
There's a reason why there was no,
no argument on the 2016 ballot measure called Measure LL.
Nobody submitted and no argument there was no no argument on the 2020 ballot called measure
s one what does that mean it means nobody in the city not the city council not the police department
not the OPOA, not any community organization could find a reason to urge residents of Oakland to
vote no. What does that say? And what's different now? So now we have 10 years of experience
and we have an auditor's report and we can see that things are not perfect,
but we also have a mechanism for dealing with the issues that have been identified.
And that method is the ordinance, the enabling legislation, which is outdated
because it preceded measure S-1. It was brought to the council in 2024.
It had one reading and it was dropped.
So the responsibility is to look.
Thank you so much, your time is ended.
Thank you so much for your comments.
Next speaker, please.
Time to get here.
I'm going to tell you, it's hard to park around here
and walk around here.
Pamela Drake with the Wellstone Club
and the Progressive Working Group.
I have to say, it's annoying and tiring
to come here all the time to explain this.
I think the public understands, maybe some of you guys don't.
What, if you look at Washington DC you see a similar thing happen.
They had a lot of inspector generals
that the president decided we don't need that and got rid of them.
Then they have regulatory groups.
That's what the police commission is, it's not intended
to be a political organization nor to be governed by politics.
It's a regulatory oversight agency.
And if you decide to get rid of regulatory oversight,
you will be back where you were many years ago
when people will lose their lives with no accountability.
And it hasn't been that long since a man was killed by a rookie,
well, a rookie move on the exit on Lakeshore near my house.
and the city ended up paying a lot of money.
So there's a lot of lawsuits that can come from this,
but the reality is this is a regulatory body
that we should be proud of.
As Oaklanders, we have the most innovative, independent,
most community-minded oversight body in the country,
and that is over our most expensive,
most inefficient department,
which has the ability to be the most lethal.
It's really important that we maintain
This regulatory atmosphere that is removed from politics as much as possible.
Thank you.
Kathy Leonard, daughter of Oakland, the OPA, the police department has been
in existence for 147 years, the police commission 10 years during that 147 years.
The police have been unable to police themselves.
So why don't we just cut to the chase about really what's going on here?
getting rid of the police commission, getting rid of the OIG by sending them over to the
auditor's office, which is nothing but a ploy to get rid of the OIG's office.
So here's what we should do.
Let's bring back the Oakland riders, because that's where we're heading.
Let's bring back the pedophiles in the Oakland police department who abused a minor and then
I tried to say she was a prostitute when she was being sexually abused by more than five
police officers.
Let's bring back, oh no we already have that, I'm sorry, $400,000 in unbudgeted overtime.
There's so much to bring back here.
Let's bring back the framing and the beating of black and Latino citizens in the city of
Oakland.
That's where we're headed.
This proposal has OPO's hands all over it.
All over it.
So since when has the police, has the city council been carrying water for the police
union?
That's what I want to know.
This proposal is so ill thought out that the author couldn't even explain to his colleague
basic questions about how this thing is supposed to move forward.
Let's get this right.
We have time to move your hands
off the police commission.
Over 80% of Oaklanders voted
for it because they were sick
and tired of one hundred and
forty-seven years of.
Thank you for your comments next
speaker.
Zervon Malouf inspector general
I oppose that the city auditor
select inspector general and
have three main concerns.
Number one the loss of police
community input and number three it produces a conflict of interest. With auditing standards
I'm gonna go through each one so the loss of police commission authority there's historical
content contacts to why the police commission in Oakland is one of the strongest in the
nation. The Oakland charter and the ordinance established the police commission to oversee
the city of the city of the city.
the public. The public have a
the state of the state of the-
understand from talking to my council member you guys are already acknowledged
the lack of progress in Oakland the dysfunction and are looking at a charter
amendment to get better accountability chain of command in the city of Oakland
it's been mentioned that you council members can ask a department for
information and get it back I heard couple of years even so this is you know
Now there's no responsibility for city decisions.
We need it to go to an elected person,
certainly the mayor part of that,
that Alejo Harris, former mayor, had on his desk.
The buck doesn't stop here.
Well, it's, and now the same maze of,
management of different, of this department
and other, and related to other police commission
departments oversight has resulted in nothing happening.
Look at how many months it's been each of the times
this commission has fired people or they've let,
chiefs have left and just getting the consultants hired.
So, you know, I want civilian oversight
to investigate police misconduct.
I'm standing here, you want me on the commission?
that's going to get a consultant for the,
and then vote on which of the many?
No, and these people are not elected.
They're volunteers, and I believe Mr. Houston,
they're not even allowed to have any public safety
or at least police experience.
So I think that should be added to this.
Yeah, so I agree to compare it to other people
with all of your points.
Police commission in charge for it.
Thank you for your comments.
We will now move to those who signed up to speak in Zoom.
I have Lorelei Bosserman and Blair Beekman.
Lorelei, you have been unmuted.
You may begin your time.
Please unmute yourself.
My name is Lorelei Bosserman.
I'm alarmed that this proposal is even being considered.
We've tried letting politicians oversee the police.
It didn't work.
The police union has too much influence on politicians.
We've seen that before and we're seeing it now.
That's why the selection panel was created
to provide a buffer between politics
and the police commission.
The police commission is making real quantifiable changes.
Open police don't shoot and kill as many civilians
as they did before the police commission.
But the police union wants to eliminate
independent oversight.
They would prefer to be overseen by the city council
and we can all see why.
It's because council members like Ken Houston
and Kevin Jenkins are willing to do the police unions bidding.
As Kathy Leonard said,
this proposal has opioids fingerprints all over it.
That's exactly why we need to defend the independence
of the police commission.
This proposal to change the city charter
is an attack on the independence of the police commission.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments, next speaker.
On our last speaker for this item, Blair Beekman.
You may unmute yourself and begin.
Hi Blair Beekman. Unknowledgeable Blair Beekman trying to help the public process. I hope I can
help. I don't want to hurt things but um you know it's I tried to explain before in a previous uh
rules meeting a few weeks ago that um you know it's my understanding you know with there is a
community police commission and then the police review commission and you guys are making the
efforts to separate the two seriously and have really strong borders where one is a
community police effort and one is a police review board of government. And I think we
all understand that you want an officer inspector general to have to basically be working under the
city administration and to answer to them as opposed to answering to the board. That's being
really questioned right now as best practices. And Oakland simply has the tradition of having
the police review commission itself a way in on the future of a police chief which offers a bit
I don't know it's a system that I felt was okay. And you guys are trying to separate all of that
and make it I'm concerned you know your efforts to separate from the community police review board
Are we taking it too far.
That's that's my question for this process
and it's not being asked.
We're not we're not separate we're not offering
the two different boards what each board does.
What's their strengths are and you're trying to play
the strengths that I'm not sure we need to be
plain to in having I know you want to address
administration more in police policies and I just don't know
if this is the right approach.
And so that's my two cents at this time.
I hope this sort of conversation can be a more open conversation.
And we talk about the public process not.
Thank you.
That concludes our public speakers for item five.
We do have a motion by Councilmember Ramachandra and seconded by Councilmember Fyfe to move
item five to the rules pending list no date specific.
Should I call low?
I believe so.
No.
Okay.
On roll, Councilmember Brown?
Aye.
Councilmember Fyfe?
I just wanted to respond to one of the public speakers,
I still had a comment.
Oh, please go ahead.
Thank you, and I just wanted to make a statement
because I want the public to understand
that I am willing to entertain changes
that need to happen around oversight
so that it is strengthened, not eliminated,
but strengthened, and the reason I'm asking questions
is to make sure that we get it right.
We're not there yet, so hopefully when this does come back,
as we know that it will come back,
I'm able to ask questions, work with the maker
of this particular motion,
do the work of the enabling ordinance,
and then come back and ask a series of questions
to make sure that the public knows what we're doing.
But regarding the 11 chiefs in 13 years,
I just wanted to state that just because we've had 11 chiefs
in 13 years does not mean it's the fault of oversight.
And in fact, I would argue that a lot of the changes that
have occurred into Oakland becoming safer
is because of oversight night, not in spite of it.
So I wanted to say that in 2004, officers
known as the writers were accused of racial profiling,
beating people, framing them, and planning drugs.
In 2003, 119 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit
against these officers.
And there was a $10 million settlement
that included federal oversight.
In 2012, after ongoing problems and backsliding,
attorneys asked the judge to put an OPD into receivership.
In 2013, within months, there were serious problems.
Chief Jordan failed to comply with the agreement.
In 2013, Anthony Taribio became the chief,
and two days later, Sean Went was appointed permanent chief,
and we all know what happened with Sean Went.
He resigned.
He covered up a scandal that included black officers.
well, didn't take under consideration
what the complaints were by the black officers.
There were wide ranging investigations
including 14 OPD officers charged with raping a minor,
paying for sex, accessing OPD databases for personal gain,
a host of other things.
2016 to 2017, the administrator, Sabrina Landreth,
became the overseer of OPD
while we were looking for a permanent chief.
Then in 2016, voters passed Measure LL.
Is anyone paying attention to what Chief Kirkpatrick,
who was the police chief for Oakland,
now in Louisiana, is experiencing people
should really research what she's going through right now
for her lack of oversight.
There are a host of other things that I could list,
but again, we are not less safe
because of a police commission and civilian oversight.
The police department in Oakland has gotten better as a result.
We are not there yet.
We are not out of the woods, but removing oversight or changing it in a way that takes
away civilians' ability to participate in a democratically approved process will make
us less safe.
We do not want to backslide.
We want to get it right, and we want to strengthen what needs to be strengthened and remove things
We have to do all of these things
that don't need to be there,
but we need to do that authentically
and not based on push polls by people
who are dead set on restructuring Oakland
in their own image.
I am complete, Madam Chair.
Madam Clerk, we can proceed with the roll call.
Thank you.
Thank you, and I will recall the roll
because I did state the wrong move or seconder.
So this was a motion by Councilmember Ramachandran,
a move item five to the rules pending list no date specific on roll councilmember Brown
Councilmember five aye and councilmember on a challenging chair and
Councilmember Jenkins is excused item number five is approved to be moved to the pending list no date specific
With three eyes one excuse that now takes us to the open forum
As I call your name, please approach the podium in any order or raise your hand in the queue
If you are participating via zoom, I have Blair Beekman Kevin Dali
Rajni Mandal Millie Cleveland Kathy Leonard and Jose Dorado in any order
Rajni Mandal district for I want to take a moment to recognize the passing of Wilson Riles jr
Mr. Riles dedicated decades of service to Oakland as a city council member community leader and most recently as a member of the police commission
He represented a generation of public servants deeply engaged in the civic life of the city
From affordable housing and youth programs to broader social justice efforts
Whatever our individual perspectives we should honor the time energy and commitment. He gave to Oakland over many years
My condolences to his family friends and all who worked alongside him
thank you Kevin Daly also recognize the passing of Wilson Riles jr. a week from
today is bike to wherever day it's a chance for all the elected officials to
ride with their constituents in fact walk Oakland bike Oakland has promised
that if you get up in the morning you can ride with elected officials so far
because we're so excited about
this that we're gonna have a
little bit more of a break
from where we are though we've
only heard from two council
members I know you guys are
busy you plan on being there
but haven't replied yet so
councilmember anger has said
yes councilmember ramachandran
has a conflict I'm hoping all
the rest of you can. Meet bad
news D. B. stokland as usual
has to get up super early
because they have a longer
the public. And I will be at the.
police commission. It was in response to OPD brutality, corruption, and scandals that are
ongoing. They have not stopped. And the fact that the NSA has not been complied with is
a direct result of those brutalities, corruption, and scandals. The specific reason why the
police commission was established was not just in response to those conditions but also
specifically written so that there was independence independence thank you your time is up next
speaker please um milly cleveland i want to respond to the issue of the selection panel
being dysfunctional the reason the problems that are going on with the selection panel
are primarily due to the illegal interference
from the city administration with the independence
of the selection panel.
We have had the city administrator's office argue
with the chair over the agenda, which is inappropriate.
We had the city administration decide not to use
a very in-depth application process that was developed
by the selection panel without the selection panels
voted to rescind that
so the problems that are going on with the selection and we've been it's been
reported that there are counsel people who are actually advocating for
police commissioners
which is the opposite is of what should occur because it's supposed to be
divorced
from political influence so the problems with the selection panel
thank you your time
before i begin we only get one minute
speak in open forum. There's nobody here. We should get two minutes. Come on people.
Okay, Kathy Leonard, daughter of Oakland. I want to pay respects to our former Council
person, Wilson Riles from District Five. He preceded Council person Noel Gayo. He was
a member of the Brothers of Elders. He was a member with me, with the African American
Latino Action Alliance, he was a guy who loved Oakland, who loved people, and loved
doing the right thing, which I hope this council can carry forward in his legacy.
I'd also like to pay respects to my cousin, Eta Mae Johnson.
I did not know she was my cousin.
She was very loud at city council meetings, but it turns out I didn't know.
She can't whisper.
That's her normal voice.
But she graduated from Calistemont, my alma mater.
She worked with many stars, the Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, she wardrobe-styled a lot
of stars that we all love.
Thank you.
And our last speaker for open forum is Blair Beekman.
You've been unmuted and you may begin.
Hi, Blair Beekman.
Thanks a lot for the previous words from the previous public comment.
I wish a public comment could be two minutes here at the end more often.
You do it occasionally.
I wish you could do it more often,
especially when there's not many people around.
Yeah, I wanted to comment.
I made a gap at the council meeting on Tuesday
about SB 707 that you passed.
The way I'm understanding it,
I've reread the actual state,
I read the state proposition, SB 707,
It has a different ending than what yours does.
You clarify it as the meeting can
continue if after an hour there's internet problems.
Whereas on the state law,
it doesn't specifically say that,
it leaves it slightly vague,
and you guys tried to clarify that.
Is that legal that you did that?
That's my question. I hope we can answer.
Thank you for your comments.
That concludes our open forum speakers.
Madame city clerk just I would like to adjourn this meeting in the name of Wilson Riles who most recently
Was my constituent and I proudly authored a letter of recommendation for his appointment to the police commission which he honorably served
For a few years. I know there's many here who can speak very eloquently about
His dedication and commitment to the city of Oakland
Not only when he was a council member but for many many years past in my time as the D4 councilman
We're having him as my constituent. We spoke on such a range of topics that
Mr. Riles had deep knowledge on and at the end of the day
what struck me the most was the importance of good governance and that really sticks with me and
His memory is going to be continued to be honored
But we will adjourn this meeting in his memory and I assume there will also be other acknowledgments here at City Hall
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
I wanted to speak to the bike to work day.
My office just got the invite last night at 10.55 p.m.
So I wanted to let Mr. Dalley know that we have been reaching out, haven't heard back
until last night, but I do plan on riding as I do every year.
In terms of Wilson Riles, I want the public to understand that he was a radical revolutionary
for justice, and he would be appalled at what is happening,
even with some of the people calling his name.
And when I die, when I pass, I want people to stand up
for me and be like, nah, she wouldn't be happy with that.
And I know Wilson Riles would too,
and I know what he wants us to fight for.
So while I honor him, it means I will honor the authenticity
of who he was and not let dirt get put on his name
by people who are opposing his agenda.
So I just wanted to state that for the record.
We will not play with revolutionaries in Oakland.
Thank you.
This meeting is adjourned.