Oakland Public Safety Committee Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Public Safety Committee of the City Council met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:08 PM in the council chambers. Chair Wong presided with Councilmembers Brown, Fife, Houston, and Wong present (four members). The meeting covered approval of minutes, a determination of schedule, a resolution for firefighter mental health services, the appointment of a vice chair, and public comment on various safety issues.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approval of Draft Minutes – Approved minutes from the January 13 and January 27, 2026 committee meetings. Motion by Councilmember Brown, second by Chair Wong, passed 4-0.
• Item 2: Determination of Schedule (Pending List) – Accepted the pending list as presented. Motion by Councilmember Houston, second by Councilmember Brown, passed 4-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Open Forum (16 speakers) – Residents and members of ACE raised concerns about the Flock surveillance contract, urging cancellation after Santa Cruz, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Richmond canceled theirs due to ICE access despite state law. Multiple speakers called for a proactive rental inspection program, citing mold, pests, and landlord retaliation. Others highlighted illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, and lack of street lighting, especially affecting seniors. One speaker, Paula Hawthorne, distributed copies of Darwin BondGraham's book "The Writers Come Out at Night" and urged support for the Police Commission.
• Public Comment on Item 4 – Paula Hawthorne spoke in support of Councilmember Houston's appointment, citing his integrity and work ethic.

Discussion Items

• Item 3: Evergreen Counseling Contract for Oakland Fire Department – Assistant Chief Chris Foley presented a resolution to authorize a professional services agreement with Evergreen Counseling to provide behavioral health services for OFD from February 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, at a cost not to exceed $450,000, with two one-year extension options at up to $150,000 per year, for a total contract amount not to exceed $700,000. The contract is funded through 1010 (Measure Z). Four respondents were received in the RFQ process; Evergreen was the only local provider. The department reported 744 clinical visits through the existing contract. Councilmembers questioned the funding source and raised concerns about the lack of diversity among Evergreen's clinicians (98% female, no persons of color). Chair Wong requested a conversation with Evergreen about clinician diversity. The item was approved and forwarded to the February 17, 2026 City Council consent agenda.
• Item 4: Motion to Designate Councilmember Houston as Vice Chair – Councilmember Houston spoke about his long-standing commitment to public safety, including graffiti abatement, illegal dumping, and encampment policies. Councilmember Fife expressed concerns about the rule change creating vice chairs, stating the chair could already designate a presider. Chair Wong requested that if appointed, Houston attend meetings in person rather than remotely. The motion was approved 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 3: Approved to forward the Evergreen Counseling contract to the February 17, 2026 City Council consent agenda (4-0).
• Item 4: Appointed Councilmember Houston as Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee (4-0).
• The meeting was dismissed after public comment. Chair Wong noted an upcoming report on overtime at the March 10, 2026 Finance and Management Committee meeting.