Oakland City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025

The Oakland City Council and Redevelopment Successor Agency met on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 3:34 PM. The meeting included consent calendar approvals, public hearings on zoning updates and business improvement districts, a resolution for World Cup team base camp support, and a controversial withdrawal of the Encampment Abatement Policy (Item 10) from the agenda. Public comment was extensive, with a large majority opposing the EAP and supporting alternative homelessness solutions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved draft minutes from October 21 and November 4, 2025.
• Declared local emergencies due to AIDS epidemic, medical cannabis health emergency, and homelessness.
• Reappointed members to the city planning commission and various advisory bodies.
• Accepted $279,000 from EBCF for Mayor's Office staff positions.
• Approved vacant property tax ordinance amendments (introduction).
• Approved economic activation zones legislation (introduction).
• Approved annual contributions to Youth Ventures JPA and early childhood state contracts.
• Approved Flex Street programs ordinance (introduction).
• Received an informational report on police emergency response times.
• Item 5.25 (27th Street Complete Streets contract) was withdrawn due to lack of urgency finding and rescheduled next consent calendar.
• All consent items passed unanimously with modifications noted (e.g., term length correction for BPAC appointments).

Public Comments & Testimony

• General support for items: Multiple speakers supported the economic activation zones (Item 5.17), the cultural affairs manager position (Item 5.18), and the Fresh 5X program (Item 5.16/5.17). Advocates from APEN, Oakland Chamber, and Vietnamese Chamber praised the legislation for boosting commerce and technology access.
• Opposition to consent items: Ralph Cannes criticized the vacant property tax loophole for house flippers, alleging the city ignores enforcement. Sean Brooks and Brenda Johnson requested a no-trespassing ordinance to address squatters. Jean Hazard questioned the legitimacy of cannabis health emergency and criticized special city council meetings.
• On homelessness declarations: Armando Sorzano and Nikki argued the city criminalizes homelessness and violates human rights. They urged the council to provide sanctuary and health care instead of punitive measures.
• On the Encampment Abatement Policy (Item 10, withdrawn): Over 100 speakers signed up; many opposed. Key positions included:
  • Opponents: Stated the policy is inhumane, criminalizes poverty, increases suffering, wastes resources, and does not solve homelessness. Speakers from disability rights groups (DREDF, Center for Independent Living), housing advocates (East Bay Housing Organizations, Care for Community Action), and formerly unhoused individuals emphasized that sweeps kill, destroy vehicles (people's last shelter), and violate rights. They urged housing-first solutions, safe parking, and community-led alternatives like Homefulness.
  • Supporters: A few speakers (e.g., Ken Noriso, Sanford Forte) argued for enforcement to clear sidewalks, restore order, and address drug and mental health issues. They claimed the current policy fails and that the EAP is needed to enforce consequences.
• On Item 6.2 (World Cup team base camp): Some public commenters questioned the economic benefit and equity of investing $300,000 in an Alameda facility when Oakland hotels are struggling. Others supported the partnership for its potential to bring revenue.

Discussion Items

• Item 6.1 – Zoning Amendments: Staff presented changes to reduce conditional use permit requirements for ground-floor activities. Councilmember Wong introduced an amendment to revert food service/concession changes in parks (Lake Merritt, Joaquin Miller) back to requiring a minor conditional use permit, citing environmental concerns. The amendment was supported by park advocates and passed unanimously.
• Item 6.2 – World Cup Team Base Camp: Authorized up to $300,000 in TOT sharing with Oakland Roots & Soul to attract a team. The city only pays if incremental TOT exceeds a baseline. Councilmember Houston expressed concerns about the facility being in Alameda and questioned how Oakland hotels would benefit. Staff noted the designated hotel is the Claremont in Oakland and projected $10M+ in economic activity. The resolution passed 7-1 (Houston dissenting).
• Item 6.3 & 6.4 – Montclair and Rockridge BIDs: Approved 5% and 3% assessment increases respectively. Public comment questioned city's collection burden.
• Item 8 – Lakeside Drive Complete Streets Contract: Awarded $8.8 million contract to Gallagher & Burke Inc. for construction. Passed unanimously.
• Item 9 – Rules of Procedure Amendment: This item was continued from the prior meeting after a tied vote (4-4). The mayor declined to break the tie, preferring to defer to council. Council suspended Rule 29 to allow further discussion, but the motion failed (5 yes, 3 no – needed 6). The item was then scheduled to the December 16 non-consent calendar on a 5-3 vote.
• Item 10 (Withdrawn): Council President Jenkins moved to withdraw, citing concerns from Cal ICH about sensitivity zones. Vote was 7-1 (Houston no). Despite withdrawal, over an hour of public comment was allowed.

Key Outcomes

• Item 6.1 – Approved on introduction (8-0) with amendment to preserve park food service minor conditional use permits. Final passage December 16.
• Item 6.2 – Approved resolution for TOT sharing with Oakland Roots (7-1). Staff to report back on outcomes by October 2026.
• Item 6.3 & 6.4 – Approved BID assessment increases for Montclair and Rockridge (8-0).
• Item 8 – Approved construction contract (8-0).
• Item 9 – Continued to December 16 non-consent calendar (5-3). Mayor declined tie-break.
• Item 10 – Withdrawn from current agenda; to be brought back in January 2026 after further work with Cal ICH.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM in memory of Coach Bean.