OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Oakland CED Committee Meeting – December 9, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, December 9, 2025
BodyOakland, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, December 9, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:20:21
Transcript — Verbatim
2:21

Good afternoon, and welcome to the community and economic development committee meeting.

2:28

For today, Tuesday, December ninth.

2:30

The time is now one thirty, and this meeting has come to order.

2:35

Before taking roll, I will provide instructions on how to submit a speaker's card for items on this agenda.

2:40

If you're here with us in chambers and you would like to submit a speaker's card, please find out, please fill one auditor into a clerk representative before the item is read into record.

2:51

Allow our speaker requests for due twenty-four hours prior to the meeting starting.

2:55

This meeting came to order at nine thirty one thirty p.m.

3:00

Excuse me.

3:06

M.

3:07

With that, we would now proceed to take roll.

3:22

Present.

3:30

We have four members present.

3:32

And before we begin, Chair Brown, do you have any announcements for us this afternoon?

3:36

Yes, thank you so much.

3:37

Well, good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to our last community and economic development committee meeting of twenty twenty five.

3:45

It's truly been a pleasure working alongside all of the amazing departments that present to this committee.

3:51

So housing and community development, economic and workforce development, planning and building, as well as the amazing partnership of our city administration, um, Betsy Lake and team, as well as the city attorney's office.

4:06

And so as a first-year council member, your partnership and professionalism has really made this first year both productive and impactful.

4:15

And so as we're looking to 2026, I'm excited for the work that we'll be able to do around anti-displacement implementation, the city's economic action plan, as well as continued exploration on how we use Oakland spaces and land for public good.

4:32

And then lastly, I did want to make the announcement that in order to ensure that we complete uh conclude our meeting on time today, we will uh be limiting uh public comment to one minute per speaker.

4:45

And so thank you all so much, members of the public for being here, and so we can go ahead and get started.

4:53

Thank you, Chair Brown, for your announcements and noting one minute for all public speakers for every item, including open form.

5:02

Moving to item one approval of the draft minutes from the committee meetings held on October 28th, 2025, and the special meeting on November 18th, 2025.

5:13

And you do have one speaker for this item, um we can hear from the public speakers.

5:26

Moving to our public speaker.

5:28

If you're here with St.

5:29

Chambers, please approach the podium.

5:31

If you're participating via Zoom, please raise your hands.

5:34

You're easily identified.

5:35

Blair Beakman.

5:44

As I don't see Blair, that concludes your public speakers.

5:48

Excellent.

5:49

And I'll entertain a motion.

5:52

Councilmember Unger.

5:54

So moved.

5:55

Second.

5:57

We have a motion made by Councilmember Unger, seconded by Councilmember 5 to accept the draft minutes from the committee meetings on October 28th, 2025, and a special meeting on November 18th, 2025, as is on roll.

6:11

Councilmember 5.

6:12

Aye.

6:13

Councilmember Rama Chandran.

6:16

Aye.

6:16

Thank you, Councilmember Unger.

6:18

Aye.

6:19

And Chair Brown.

6:20

Aye.

6:20

The motion passes with four ayes to accept the draft minutes of the committee meetings held on October 28th and November 18th, 2025.

6:29

Moving to item two, determination to schedule outstanding committee items.

6:33

And this is also known as your pending list, and you do have one speaker for this item as well.

6:38

Okay, excellent.

6:39

Um, and so to the administration, um, any um items for our consideration.

6:46

Not through the chair, then I just time.

6:47

Excellent.

6:48

Thank you so much.

6:49

Um, and so I'll make the motion to move this item.

6:52

And is there a second?

6:54

Second.

6:55

Excellent.

6:56

And we can hear from the public speakers.

6:58

Thank you, Miss Asada.

7:07

So the upcoming uh World Cup is supposed to be an opportunity for us to benefit economically.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Cannabis Regulation██████████████████18%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Environmental Protection███████████11%
Land Use and Zoning██████████10%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Racial Equity██████6%
Contracting And Procurement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Oakland Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting – December 9, 2025

The Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee met on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 1:30 PM under Chair Brown. The meeting covered agenda items including approval of minutes, a pending list, a jurisdictional MOU with San Leandro, a resolution to begin negotiations with Costco/DECA for a warehouse at the former Oakland Army Base, an informational report on the cannabis equity program, an urgency resolution supporting Bay Area Air District rules 9-4 and 9-6 (zero-emission building appliance standards), and an urgency ordinance adopting the 2025 California Fire Code with local amendments. Public comment was limited to one minute per speaker.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1: Approval of Draft Minutes – Minutes from October 28, 2025, and the special meeting of November 18, 2025, were approved unanimously (4-0).
  • Item 2: Determination to Schedule Outstanding Committee Items – The pending list was accepted unanimously (4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 3 (MOU with San Leandro): Speaker Ms. Asada questioned why San Leandro would be the lead agency when the majority of the property is in Oakland and raised concerns about the lack of a contract with Piedmont for library services.
  • Item 4 (Costco ENA): 19 speakers registered. Supporters included Stephanie Tran (small business owner, sees Costco as creating jobs and affordable supplies), Petra Brady (Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, full support), Christina Tostado (Costco employee for 20 years, described strong wages and benefits), Kathleen Uribe (Oakland resident, lauded Costco’s ethics), Sean Granberry (Oakland resident, 100% support), and Travis Duncan (DECA developer, emphasized early stage and community benefits). Opponents included Sanford Forte (warned of increased traffic and pollution, questioned loss of local jobs and tax revenue) and Ray Kidd (concerned that Costco would preempt relocation of polluting industry Cast Metals to the site). The Prescott Chair (Zoom) requested an RFP rather than exclusive negotiation.
  • Item 5 (Cannabis Equity): Two speakers. Ricky McCullough (equity operator) praised the grant program for its ease of access. Joshua Chase (operator) credited the program for his ability to own 100% of his business and employ 20 local workers. Ms. Asada questioned the program’s success, citing struggles and attrition.
  • Item 6 (Air District Rules): Two speakers. Sam Fishman (SPUR) emphasized the breadth of engagement and urged support. Derek Barnes supported the goals but urged caution about retrofitting old multifamily buildings. Ms. Asada criticized the city’s failure to address lead paint, seismic safety, and Army Base pollution.
  • Item 7 (Fire Code): Two speakers. George Spees (Traffic Violence Rapid Response) praised collaboration between OFD and OakDot but preferred project‑by‑project flexibility. Kevin Daly (Transport Oakland) opposed codifying minimum street widths (Appendix D and Section 503), arguing they encourage speeding and were not deemed urgent three years ago. Ms. Asada asked about gated community access and ADU accessibility.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3: MOU with City of San Leandro – Staff (Jana Wismer) presented that the property straddles the border; the Oakland portion is a parking lot with no structures. San Leandro will process all planning and building permits as lead agency. No questions from committee. Motion passed unanimously to forward to the December 16 City Council consent agenda.
  • Item 4: Costco Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) – Councilmember Fife presented the resolution as a preliminary step to allow discussion with Costco/DECA. He noted the site has been undeveloped for 20 years, legal restrictions prevent residential use, and the project could bring significant tax revenue and jobs. He committed to extensive community engagement, starting Dec 18. City Administrator Johnson and Director Moriarty supported the item, stating an ENA would later require analysis of whether a competitive RFP is needed. Councilmember Unger asked why exclusive instead of RFP; staff responded that the OMC allows waiver and analysis will be done. Motion passed 4-0 to forward to Dec 16 City Council consent agenda.
  • Item 5: Cannabis Equity Program Informational Report – Staff (Kat Torrio and Darlene Flynn) presented the program’s history, current status (211 equity businesses), and use of GoBiz 6 grant funding. New initiatives include startup grants, cannabis café conversions, and special events. Staff noted staffing needs and plans to improve record‑keeping. Councilmembers asked about geographic tracking and predatory partnership prevention. The report was received and filed unanimously (4-0).
  • Item 6: Resolution Supporting Bay Area Air District Rules 9-4 and 9-6 – Councilmember Wong introduced the urgency resolution, citing public health benefits (85 premature deaths/year, 15,000 asthma attacks) and the need to support timely implementation with flexibility for low‑income residents and small businesses. Staff confirmed the rulemaking process includes exemptions and a December 10 hearing. Motion passed 4-0 to forward to Dec 16 City Council consent agenda.
  • Item 7: 2025 California Fire Code Adoption and Local Amendments – Fire Marshal White and Assistant Fire Marshal Smith presented the code adoption, focusing on Section 503 (20‑foot minimum fire access road width) and Appendix D (26‑foot width for aerial apparatus access). They stressed collaboration with OakDot and BPAC, and that the code provides clear minimums to streamline development. Councilmember Unger introduced an amendment to require licensed contractors for smoke damper certification (sections G1 and G2). Councilmember Fife raised concerns about street width leading to speeding and asked if Appendix D could be removed. Staff argued removal would hinder emergency response and that the collaborative approach works. The committee voted 4-0 to approve as amended and forward to Dec 16 City Council consent agenda.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent items (1, 2) approved unanimously.
  • Item 3 (MOU with San Leandro) approved unanimously and forwarded to City Council consent.
  • Item 4 (Costco ENA) approved unanimously and forwarded to City Council consent; community meeting scheduled Dec 18.
  • Item 5 (Cannabis Equity) received and filed unanimously.
  • Item 6 (Air District Resolution) approved unanimously and forwarded to City Council consent.
  • Item 7 (Fire Code Adoption) approved with amendments (smoke damper contractor certification) unanimously and forwarded to City Council consent.
  • Public comment for Costco and fire code raised significant opposition to street width requirements and exclusive negotiation; committee acknowledged concerns but opted for continued collaboration.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, and welcome to the community and economic development committee meeting. For today, Tuesday, December ninth. The time is now one thirty, and this meeting has come to order. Before taking roll, 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 find out, please fill one auditor into a clerk representative before the item is read into record. Allow our speaker requests for due twenty-four hours prior to the meeting starting. This meeting came to order at nine thirty one thirty p.m. Excuse me. M. With that, we would now proceed to take roll. Present. We have four members present. And before we begin, Chair Brown, do you have any announcements for us this afternoon? Yes, thank you so much. Well, good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to our last community and economic development committee meeting of twenty twenty five. It's truly been a pleasure working alongside all of the amazing departments that present to this committee. So housing and community development, economic and workforce development, planning and building, as well as the amazing partnership of our city administration, um, Betsy Lake and team, as well as the city attorney's office. And so as a first-year council member, your partnership and professionalism has really made this first year both productive and impactful. And so as we're looking to 2026, I'm excited for the work that we'll be able to do around anti-displacement implementation, the city's economic action plan, as well as continued exploration on how we use Oakland spaces and land for public good. And then lastly, I did want to make the announcement that in order to ensure that we complete uh conclude our meeting on time today, we will uh be limiting uh public comment to one minute per speaker. And so thank you all so much, members of the public for being here, and so we can go ahead and get started. Thank you, Chair Brown, for your announcements and noting one minute for all public speakers for every item, including open form. Moving to item one approval of the draft minutes from the committee meetings held on October 28th, 2025, and the special meeting on November 18th, 2025. And you do have one speaker for this item, um we can hear from the public speakers. Moving to our public speaker. If you're here with St. Chambers, please approach the podium. If you're participating via Zoom, please raise your hands. You're easily identified. Blair Beakman. As I don't see Blair, that concludes your public speakers. Excellent. And I'll entertain a motion. Councilmember Unger. So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Councilmember Unger, seconded by Councilmember 5 to accept the draft minutes from the committee meetings on October 28th, 2025, and a special meeting on November 18th, 2025, as is on roll. Councilmember 5. Aye. Councilmember Rama Chandran. Aye. Thank you, Councilmember Unger. Aye. And Chair Brown. Aye. The motion passes with four ayes to accept the draft minutes of the committee meetings held on October 28th and November 18th, 2025. Moving to item two, determination to schedule outstanding committee items. And this is also known as your pending list, and you do have one speaker for this item as well. Okay, excellent. Um, and so to the administration, um, any um items for our consideration.

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