OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Oakland Rules & Legislation Committee Meeting - February 26, 2026

City Council — Thursday, February 26, 2026
BodyOakland, California
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, February 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 54:14
Transcript — Verbatim
3:13

Good morning.

3:14

And welcome to the rules and legislation committee on this Thursday, February 26th.

3:22

The time is now 1033.

3:25

And this meeting shall come to order.

3:28

Before I begin, um, with role, I would like to give instructions on how to participate and submit a speaker card to items on this agenda.

3:38

If you are here in person, um, in chambers, and would like to submit a speaker card, please fill out a speaker card and turn it into a clerk representative.

3:48

Um, ten minutes after the uh no other than ten minutes after the meeting has started, um, or before the item is called, whichever comes first.

3:57

Um, registering to speak via Zoom is due twenty four hours before the meeting began.

4:03

So again, if you are participating here with us in chambers in person, please fill out a speaker card and turn it into the clerk representative.

4:10

Um, within the first 10 minutes after the meeting started.

4:13

Again, the meeting started at ten thirty-three, and the queue to submit a speaker card will close at ten forty-three.

4:22

With that, I have Councilmember Brown.

4:33

Present.

4:34

Council Member Fife.

4:27

Present.

4:39

Council Member Ramachandron.

4:42

Present.

4:43

And Chair Jenkins.

4:48

Present.

4:48

Good morning.

4:49

Good morning.

4:49

Thank you for that.

4:50

We have present.

4:51

For member present.

4:53

Before I go on to the first item, Council President Jenkins, would you like to make any speech?

4:59

Yes.

4:52

So we'll be counseling the March 17th City Council meeting.

5:03

And we will be scheduling a special meeting on March 16th.

5:07

Thank you for that.

5:08

So noted the special March 16th meeting for council and the 17th will be canceled.

5:14

And moving on to our first item, item number two is the approval of the draft minutes for the committee meeting on February 12th, 2026.

5:31

I'll make that motion.

5:40

Thank you for that.

5:41

I have a motion by Council Councilmember Brown.

5:45

Seconded by Councilmember Fife to approve the uh draft minutes as is on roll for this call.

5:52

Is Councilmember Brown?

5:53

Aye.

5:54

Council Member Fife.

5:56

Aye.

5:56

Councilmember Ramachandra.

5:58

Aye.

5:58

And Chair Jenkins.

6:00

Abstain.

6:02

I have three ayes and one abstention.

6:05

And the item is approved as is item number three, our new scheduling.

6:11

Starting with item 3.0.

6:14

This is a resolution accepting the certification of the results of the exemption of the initiative petition proposing an ordinance entitled Oakland Public Safety Cleanliness and Community Accountability Act of 2026 proposed ordinance.

6:29

Two, calling and giving notice for holding a special municipal election on June 2nd, 2026 for the purposes of submitting the proposed ordinance to the voters.

6:39

Three, requesting consolidation of the special municipal election with statewide director primary elections to be held in the city of Oakland on June 2nd of 2026, and four directing the city clerk to take any and all actions necessary under the laws to submit this measure to voters to at the June 2nd, 2026 election.

6:59

And this is being requested to be scheduled for March 3rd, City Council agenda on consent.

7:04

And this needs an urgency finding.

8:23

And this is being requested to be heard on March 10th, 2026 Public Works and Transportation Committee.

8:30

Moving on to item 3.2.

8:32

This is an informational report from the BART addressing BART's current physical outlook, addressing revenue and ridership decline.

8:41

It's plans for addressing its physical challenges and the part um parameters, BART set for accepting a loan from the state of California to be scheduled for the March 10th, 2026 Public Works and Transportation Committee agenda.

8:58

Moving to item 3.3.

9:01

This is a resolution authorizing the city administrator to um submit a head start non-competitive baseline grant application for fiscal year 26 through 2031, and two authorizing the city administrator to accept an appropriate head start basic training and technical assistance, early head start, basic and training and technical assistant grants for fiscal year 2026 through 2027.

9:26

From the U.S.

9:26

Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start DHHS, a CF in an estimated amount of $13,797,057 and committing the necessary local match funds and central service over set over set and three awarding a grant agreement to fund comprehensive early care education and family services to community service providers, bananas incorporated and brighter beginnings for fiscal year 2026 through 2027 for an amount not to exceed $2,600,000 and for authorizing the city administrator to accept an appropriate additional federal head start early head start funds in the if they become available within the physical year 25 2026 through 2027 and amend the grant agreement within the limits of the federal award and this is requesting to be scheduled on the March 10th life enrichment committee agenda.

10:27

Item 3.4 is excuse me for apologies, yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████78%
Personnel Matters████████14%
Public Safety████7%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Oakland Rules & Legislation Committee Meeting - February 26, 2026

The Rules & Legislation Committee met on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:33 AM in the City Council Chamber to schedule items for upcoming City Council and committee meetings, review recommendations from subcommittees, and approve reappointments. The meeting lasted approximately 51 minutes, adjourning at 11:24 AM. The committee addressed 30 agenda items, including new scheduling requests, recommendations from five standing committees, and a reappointment to the Housing, Residential Rent, and Relocation Board. All votes were 4-0 except where noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (February 12, 2026): Accepted 3-0-1 (Jenkins abstained).
  • Item 3.0 (Oakland Public Safety, Cleanliness and Community Accountability Act): Resolution accepting certification of the initiative petition, calling a special election on June 2, 2026, consolidated with the statewide primary, and directing the City Clerk. An urgency finding was read into record. Scheduled to the March 3, 2026 City Council agenda on consent.
  • Item 3.5 (Gender-Affirming Care): Resolution reaffirming Oakland’s commitment to transgender, gender-nonconforming, intersex, and two-spirit residents’ right to gender-affirming care; demanding healthcare providers and insurers comply with state and local laws. Councilmember Brown added as co-sponsor. A Rule 24 (waiving committee referral) was read. Scheduled to the March 16, 2026 Special City Council meeting on consent.
  • Item 3.8 (International Day of Happiness): Resolution recognizing March 20, 2026 as International Day of Happiness. A Rule 24 was read. Scheduled to the March 16, 2026 Special City Council meeting on consent.
  • Item 3.14 (Citywide Cooperative Agreements FY 2026-27): Resolution approving cooperative purchase agreements exceeding $250,000, up to $8,040,000. Originally forwarded on non-consent with a request for supplemental information, but after discussion, the committee moved it to the March 16, 2026 Special City Council meeting on consent.
  • Item 3.18 (Howe Street Certificate of Completion): Resolution accepting public improvements and filing an unconditional certificate of completion. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item 3.19 (Adeline Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit): Three resolutions for construction contract, design amendment, and inspection services. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item 3.20 (Home Depot Property Rights for 42nd Ave/High St): Resolution amending Resolution 89703 to acquire property rights. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item 3.24 (Department of Race and Equity Update): Informational report. Originally forwarded on non-consent, but moved to consent after discussion. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item 3.25 (Black New Deal Report): Informational report on the Black New Deal Racial Impact Study. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item 3.26 (Stryker Sales LLC Emergency Medical Equipment): Cooperative purchasing agreement up to $3,409,389 over five years. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item 3.27 (ImageTrend Emergency Management Software): Agreement for AI-powered fire and EMS records management system, total up to $1,369,243. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item 3.28 (OPD Surveillance Tech 2024 Annual Reports): Resolution accepting annual reports for seven surveillance technologies and determining continued use. Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.
  • Item S5 (Reappointments to Rent Board): Confirmed reappointment of Kara Brodfuehrer (landlord rep), Cinthya Munoz Ramos (tenant rep), and Deseanna Williams (alternate tenant rep). Scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council on consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michael Ford (Local 21 member, Oakland resident): Spoke on Item 3.10 (Parking Administrator exemption) expressing deep concern that the city is using limited resources to fix something that is not broken, noting the current parking organization has a proven track record and recently received a national award. In open forum, he reiterated his opposition to replacing an established lower-cost protected position with an at-will position, and supported postponing the supplemental report to allow data-informed public process.
  • Rajni Mandal (District 4): Spoke on Item 3.10 supporting the maintenance and strengthening of the constitutional policing administrator role, calling it a linchpin in Oakland’s effort to exit NSA oversight. She noted the role provides coordination, accountability, and continuity across departments, and that without it, compliance becomes fragmented. In open forum, she urged the committee to establish uniform transparency and reporting expectations for CIPRA equal to other departments, and asked that the mayor’s appointment of Doug Wong to the Police Commission be scheduled as soon as possible due to quorum needs.
  • Cinthya Munoz Ramos (appointee): Thanked the council and expressed excitement to serve on the Rent Board, noting she has learned a lot and is grateful for the reappointment.
  • Kara Brodfuehrer (appointee): Expressed commitment to continuing Rent Board service and strong tenant protections.
  • Deseanna Williams (appointee): Expressed excitement to continue serving, bringing social and resident justice experience.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3.0 (Initiative Petition): The committee approved an urgency finding and scheduled the resolution to the March 3 City Council on consent. No debate recorded.
  • Item 3.3 (Head Start Grant): Staff requested withdrawal to the pending list (no date specific); committee agreed.
  • Item 3.5 (Gender-Affirming Care): Councilmember Brown requested to be added as co-author and to move the item to the March 16 special meeting on consent, citing urgent federal rules. Rule 24 was accepted.
  • Item 3.6 (OPD Cadet Program): Mayor’s office requested to be added as co-sponsor; committee agreed.
  • Item 3.7 (LETS Throw Phone Contract): Police Department requested rescheduling to March 24 Public Safety Committee to revise resolution; committee agreed.
  • Item 3.12 (Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendments): Staff read a title change (adding “tenant appeal” clarification). Scheduled to March 24 Community and Economic Development Committee.
  • Item 3.13 (OFCY Evaluation): Staff requested rescheduling to April 21 Life Enrichment Committee due to impacted March 24 agenda; committee agreed.
  • Item 3.14 (Cooperative Agreements): Discussion on whether to move to March 16 special meeting on consent. Councilmember Jenkins initially questioned the need for a supplemental report, urging staff to be available for questions. Councilmember Brown and Ramachandran preferred the supplemental report in writing. Committee ultimately moved the item to March 16 on consent.
  • Item 3.15 (BAC Parcel Tax): Scheduled to Finance and Management Committee pending list; staff to coordinate with BAC on availability.
  • Item 3.16 (Cash Management Report): Received and filed.
  • Item 3.17 (OAAP Maintenance Agreement): Continued to March 10 PW&T with supplemental report on numbers, timelines, Caltrans responsibilities, and homelessness encampment policy.
  • Item 3.21 (S-14 Housing Sites Zone): Forwarded as public hearing to March 3 City Council.
  • Item 3.22 (SB 79 Planning Code Implementation): Forwarded as public hearing to March 3 City Council. Note: Minutes show a motion to amend (excluding sites near Ashby, MacArthur, Rockridge BART) failed 2-2, then original motion passed 4-0.
  • Item 3.24 (Race and Equity Update): Originally non-consent, but Chair Jenkins and Councilmember Fife argued it could be moved to consent or another date. After discussion, moved to March 3 City Council on consent.
  • Item 4 (Review of Draft Agendas): Changes approved: Item 5.1 (reorganization of Parking Division) moved to March 10 PW&T; title change for lead hazard item on March 10 CED. March 17 City Council meeting cancelled; special meeting March 16 at 3:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were unanimous (4-0) except the approval of minutes (3-0-1) and the failed SB 79 amendment (2-2).
  • Items scheduled to March 3, 2026 City Council: 3.0 (consent), 3.18 (consent), 3.19 (consent), 3.20 (consent), 3.21 (public hearing), 3.22 (public hearing), 3.24 (consent), 3.25 (consent), 3.26 (consent), 3.27 (consent), 3.28 (consent), S5 (consent).
  • Items scheduled to March 10, 2026 committee meetings: 3.1 (PW&T), 3.2 (PW&T, oral report), 3.4 (Life Enrichment), 3.6 (Public Safety), 4.0 (PW&T item 5.1), and a new lead hazard item (CED).
  • Items scheduled to March 16, 2026 Special City Council: 3.5 (consent), 3.8 (consent), 3.14 (consent).
  • Items rescheduled to later dates: 3.3 (pending list), 3.7 (March 24 Public Safety), 3.9 (March 24 Finance & Management), 3.10 (March 24 Finance & Management), 3.11 (March 24 Finance & Management), 3.12 (March 24 CED), 3.13 (April 21 Life Enrichment), 3.15 (pending list), 3.17 (March 10 PW&T), 3.23 (pending list).
  • Other actions: 3.16 received and filed; 3.29 received and filed.

Note: The agenda listed 3.2 as an informational report from BART, but the minutes and transcript indicate it was presented as an oral report. The committee did not receive a written report.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. And welcome to the rules and legislation committee on this Thursday, February 26th. The time is now 1033. And this meeting shall come to order. Before I begin, um, with role, I would like to give instructions on how to participate and submit a speaker card to items on this agenda. If you are here in person, um, in chambers, and would like to submit a speaker card, please fill out a speaker card and turn it into a clerk representative. Um, ten minutes after the uh no other than ten minutes after the meeting has started, um, or before the item is called, whichever comes first. Um, registering to speak via Zoom is due twenty four hours before the meeting began. So again, if you are participating here with us in chambers in person, please fill out a speaker card and turn it into the clerk representative. Um, within the first 10 minutes after the meeting started. Again, the meeting started at ten thirty-three, and the queue to submit a speaker card will close at ten forty-three. With that, I have Councilmember Brown. Present. Council Member Fife. Present. Council Member Ramachandron. Present. And Chair Jenkins. Present. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you for that. We have present. For member present. Before I go on to the first item, Council President Jenkins, would you like to make any speech? Yes. So we'll be counseling the March 17th City Council meeting. And we will be scheduling a special meeting on March 16th. Thank you for that. So noted the special March 16th meeting for council and the 17th will be canceled. And moving on to our first item, item number two is the approval of the draft minutes for the committee meeting on February 12th, 2026. I'll make that motion. Thank you for that. I have a motion by Council Councilmember Brown. Seconded by Councilmember Fife to approve the uh draft minutes as is on roll for this call. Is Councilmember Brown? Aye. Council Member Fife. Aye. Councilmember Ramachandra. Aye. And Chair Jenkins. Abstain. I have three ayes and one abstention. And the item is approved as is item number three, our new scheduling. Starting with item 3.0. This is a resolution accepting the certification of the results of the exemption of the initiative petition proposing an ordinance entitled Oakland Public Safety Cleanliness and Community Accountability Act of 2026 proposed ordinance. Two, calling and giving notice for holding a special municipal election on June 2nd, 2026 for the purposes of submitting the proposed ordinance to the voters. Three, requesting consolidation of the special municipal election with statewide director primary elections to be held in the city of Oakland on June 2nd of 2026, and four directing the city clerk to take any and all actions necessary under the laws to submit this measure to voters to at the June 2nd, 2026 election. And this is being requested to be scheduled for March 3rd, City Council agenda on consent.

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