Oakland City Council Concurrent Meeting - June 17, 2025

The Oakland City Council held a concurrent meeting on June 17, 2025, at 3:30 PM. The council approved a consent calendar of 19 items, including second readings of ordinances on campaign finance, tax adjustments, and a speed safety camera system. A public hearing was held on a non-consent item regarding an advertising signs relocation agreement with Becker Boards, which was approved by a 6-2 vote. Numerous public speakers addressed arts funding cuts, homelessness, youth programs, and the Becker Boards proposal.

Consent Calendar

• Approved draft minutes from May 28 and June 3, 2025 meetings.
• Renewed declarations of local emergencies for the AIDS epidemic, medical cannabis access, and homelessness (Resolutions 90757, 90758, 90759 C.M.S.).
• Adopted an ordinance authorizing FY 2025-26 cost-of-living tax adjustments for voter-approved Measures M, N, C, NN, D, Q, AA, Y, and MM (Ordinance 13847 C.M.S.; vote 7-1, Gallo dissenting).
• Adopted an ordinance amending the FY 2024-25 Master Fee Schedule (final passage).
• Adopted an ordinance temporarily increasing campaign contribution limits and extending the Limited Public Financing Act to 2026 and 2028 elections (Ordinance 13849 C.M.S.; vote 6-2, Fife and Gallo dissenting).
• Adopted an ordinance adding a late fee for special event permits.
• Adopted an ordinance designating City of Oakland Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
• Approved retroactive travel reimbursement for Councilmember Gallo’s attendance at the 2025 City Leaders Summit.
• Authorized a contract amendment with Ben Rosenfield Consulting, LLC, extending the term through June 2026 and increasing compensation by $33,000.
• Approved an ordinance amending the Salary Ordinance to add new classifications and ensure compliance with the city’s minimum wage (first reading).
• Accepted a $260,000 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant for sea level rise and groundwater intrusion analysis.
• Awarded a $1.6 million construction contract for Highway Safety Improvement Program crossing improvements.
• Approved a professional services agreement with Verra Mobility to implement and operate a speed safety camera system for up to $4,865,000, with an added resolution clause stating the benefits outweigh costs and safeguard civil liberties (vote 7-1, Gallo dissenting).
• Adopted the FY 2025-26 Workforce Development Board budget and contracts.
• Extended the Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program grant to Bay Area Community Services through June 2027.
• Approved an urgency finding and resolution extending Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY) grants for 74 agencies totaling up to $18,252,282 (urgency passed 8-0).
• Authorized a five-year rental car services contract with Enterprise Mobility for up to $4 million.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Consent Calendar: Over 37 speakers addressed the council, with many expressing strong support for continued OFCY funding for youth programs and urging restoration of the Cultural Affairs Manager position, which was frozen in the budget. Speakers highlighted the positive impact of arts and after-school programs on youth development. Several speakers opposed the OPD rental car contract, advocating instead for investment in arts and community services. One speaker detailed failures in homeless encampment resolutions, reporting that of 212 residents at the East 12th encampment, only 55 were transitioned to Mandela House and 68 remain on the streets.
• Non-Consent Item S8 (Becker Boards): Nine speakers testified. Opponents, including representatives from Clear Channel, argued that the agreement was not legally authorized under Government Code Section 5412 because Becker does not own the billboards to be removed, and that the 15-year timeline for removal contradicts the purpose of relocation agreements. Opponents also cited potential light pollution and harm to neighborhoods. Proponents, including community members and Becker representatives, stated that the agreement had been vetted, provided guaranteed revenue, and included commitments to use light-blocking louvers, not advertise firearms or tobacco, and meet with community groups.
• Open Forum: Eight speakers addressed the council on topics including arts funding, affordable housing trust fund transparency, and support for day laborers.

Discussion Items

• Item S8: Advertising Signs Relocation Agreement with Becker Boards: Councilmembers Ramachandran and Gallo presented the resolution, noting that it would generate over $35 million over 31 years, with $750,000 annual payments plus carbon offset and beautification fees. They emphasized that the agreement requires removal of 11 existing advertising faces in exchange for up to 5 new signs, with community input and restrictions on advertising content. Councilmember Fife raised concerns about process, suggesting a possible Brown Act violation because a quorum of the Community and Economic Development Committee had included anticipated revenue from this item in the budget. The City Attorney stated that including prospective revenue in the budget is not necessarily a Brown Act violation, but if council members discussed merits and agreed to vote together, that could be. The City Attorney offered to discuss offline or refer to the Public Ethics Commission. Councilmember Fife voted no. Councilmember Jenkins also voted no, stating he was not ready to support the process. The motion to adopt the resolution passed 6-2 (Brown, Gallo, Houston, Ramachandran, Unger, Wang ayes; Fife, Jenkins noes).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 7-1 (Gallo dissenting on item 5.5 and overall).
• Campaign Reform Act (Item 5.7) passed 6-2.
• Speed Safety Camera System (Item S5.15) approved as amended 7-1.
• OFCY Grant Renewal (Item S5.18) approved with urgency 8-0.
• Becker Boards Agreement (Item S8) approved 6-2.
• Meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m. in memory of Bruce Nye and Melissa Hortman.