Oakland Rules and Legislation Committee Meeting – January 22, 2026

The Rules and Legislation Committee met on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Councilmembers Brown and Ramachandran were present, Councilmember Fife was excused, and Chair Jenkins presided. The committee approved previous meeting minutes, scheduled a number of items for the February 3 City Council meeting, reviewed draft agendas for the week of January 27, and heard public comments on procedural and policy matters. All motions passed 3–0–1 (three ayes, one excused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Asaad Olabala (speaking on Item 2 – minutes of Jan 8, 2026): Expressed concerns about insufficient information in prior reports, including the Caltrans MOU, delinquent business tax item, police commission selection, early care funding, and the Community Police Advisory Board’s annual report. Criticized a lack of detail on targeted areas, staff use, and how $50,000 from PG&E would be spent by neighborhood committees.
• Blair Beekman (speaking on Item 3.8): Voiced strong support for Assembly Bill 1537, which would limit peace officers’ involvement in immigration enforcement, and thanked the committee for its work. Urged better oversight to ensure de-escalation and demilitarization if ICE agents operate in Oakland.
• Asaad Olabala (speaking on Item 3 – new scheduling): Questioned the process for homeless commission appointments, noted the commission hasn’t met since September 2025, criticized the accuracy of homeless counts, and asked why the committee hasn’t addressed Oakland police officers working off‑duty in non‑sanctuary cities. Also raised concerns about fire evacuation plans at Skyline High School.
• Rajni Mandal (speaking on Item 4 – draft agendas): Requested that the overdue biannual MACRO report be formally agendized for the Public Safety Committee to ensure structured oversight of the program’s performance, staffing, and outcomes. Stressed this was a procedural request, not a policy position.
• Asaad Olabala (speaking on Item 4 – draft agendas): Called for reconsideration of Oakland’s sanctuary city status with a “non‑sanctuary for criminals” clarification; requested reports on Ethics Commission meeting notices, the city administrator’s spending authority, housing authority data, business closures, mutual aid with non‑sanctuary cities, off‑duty police assignments, foreclosure statistics (2020‑2025), gentrification impacts, outreach funding, a missed state homelessness grant, and outstanding invoices.
• Blair Beekman (speaking on Item 4 – draft agendas): Commented on the upcoming special public safety committee meeting about neighborhood community policing, expressed hope that previous police review board commissioners could be considered among the 13 new nominations, and supported efforts to improve community dialogue.
• Asaad Olabala (speaking in Open Forum): Criticized the Ethics Commission’s self‑selection process for new members, arguing the candidate pool was too limited and implying that no appointment would have satisfied the council’s desire for a broader process. Also noted $700,000 that was supposed to come from other cities for FIFA Roots support but was paid entirely by Oakland.
• Rajni Mandal (speaking in Open Forum): Raised a procedural issue regarding Measure NN and the Oakland Public Safety Planning and Oversight Commission (OPSPOC). Stated that recent OPSPOC materials describe specific service approaches and resource assumptions that may go beyond high‑level planning, and requested that Council clarify how OPSPOC planning, departmental proposals, and Council appropriations are meant to interact, especially before the first four‑year plan takes effect.
• Blair Beekman (speaking in Open Forum): Expressed support for two previous police commissioners who he felt had made a strong commitment to listening to community voices, and urged that they still be considered. Stressed that Oakland’s best practices in policing should be shared nationally and that federal immigration enforcement actions must be resisted.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Approval of Minutes (January 8, 2026): A motion by Councilmember Ramachandran, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to approve the minutes. Passed 3–0–1.
• Item 3 – New Scheduling (Items 3.1 to 3.9): The committee considered nine items for placement on the February 3 City Council consent agenda or future committee agendas. Item 3.4 (paramedic services equipment purchase) was withdrawn at staff’s request. All other items were recommended for consent or committee referral. Speakers commented on 3.8 (AB 1537) and general process. Motion by Councilmember Ramachandran, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to adopt item 3 as amended. Passed 3–0–1.
• Item 4 – Review of Draft Agendas: The committee reviewed agendas for the week of January 27, including a canceled public safety meeting replaced by a special meeting. No administration updates. Public speakers raised multiple requests for future agenda items. Motion by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Ramachandran, to approve item 4. Passed 3–0–1.
• Open Forum: Provided for additional public comments on items not on the agenda. No committee action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes from January 8, 2026, committee meeting.
• Scheduled items 3.1–3.9 as proposed (item 3.4 withdrawn) for the February 3 City Council meeting or appropriate committee.
• Approved draft agendas for the week of January 27, including a special public safety meeting.
• All motions passed with a vote of 3 ayes (Brown, Ramachandran, Jenkins) and 1 excused (Fife).