Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Oakland City Council Public Works and Transportation Committee convened on March 24, 2026, at 11:34 AM, chaired by Councilmember Zac Unger, with members Noel Gallo, Ken Houston, and Charlene Wang present. The meeting was adjourned to a special meeting of the full council at 11:38 AM due to the presence of a quorum (Councilmember Brown joining via Zoom), but committee business continued. The agenda was reordered to items 4, 5, 7, 8, 6, and 3. All items received unanimous approval and were forwarded to the April 14, 2026 special city council consent agenda, with amendments noted. The meeting adjourned at 1:43 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (March 10, 2026): Approved unanimously (4-0) as presented.
• Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items: Approved unanimously (4-0). Councilmember Gallo requested a future report from Public Works on staffing levels and vehicle availability.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 (BPAC Annual Report): One speaker, David Ralston (immediate past chair of BPAC), presented the report and answered questions. He emphasized the commission's support for safer streets, greenway networks, and equity in transportation. Councilmember Houston expressed concern about higher traffic fatality rates for Black Oaklanders (2-3 times more likely) and requested demographic data.
• Item 5 (SB 1218 Support): One speaker, Mary Forte (East Oakland resident and activist), supported the bill but noted that vehicles without plates remain a problem. She also urged better enforcement.
• Item 7 (Illegal Dumping Enforcement Ordinance): Three speakers: David Boatright (District 4) questioned enforcement capacity and funding; Kevin Dowley (BPAC member) praised progressive penalties; Mary Forte supported the ordinance but noted the fines were lower than county proposals and called for more enforcement officers.
• Item 8 (Aerbits Pilot Program): Four speakers: David Boatright reiterated enforcement concerns; Mary Forte supported the pilot as a cleanup tool, not enforcement, and asked about San Francisco's experience; Kevin Dowley passed; one additional speaker from Zoom (not named) supported the pilot.
• Item 3 (Climate Action Plan): One speaker, Kevin Daly (BPAC), raised concerns about the cost of building electrification for low-income homeowners and the need for state-level policy changes.
• Open Forum: Three speakers: Kevin Dowley passed; David Boatright passed; Mary Forte announced an April 20 public meeting and requested a formal oversight committee for illegal dumping, asked about funding for the Aerbits pilot, and requested a report on the mayor's D.C. trip.

Discussion Items

• Item 4: 2025 BPAC Annual Report: Informational report received and filed. David Ralston presented seven key recommendations: (1) citywide greenway network, (2) reduce fatal traffic crashes, (3) implement immediate traffic calming, (4) prioritize complete streets, (5) balance traffic safety and emergency response, (6) fast-track waterfront connections to East Oakland, and (7) improve interagency coordination. Councilmembers discussed equity, enforcement, and community engagement.
• Item 5: Resolution in Support of SB 1218 (Arreguín): The committee voted to forward the resolution to the full council. The bill would require payment of illegal dumping fines before vehicle registration can be completed. Councilmember Houston noted that many dumpers use unregistered vehicles; Councilmember Wang asked about the need for license plate readers and enforcement. Staff clarified that Public Works has 36 cameras with LPR capability.
• Item 7: Ordinance to Strengthen Illegal Dumping Enforcement: The committee approved an amended ordinance that increases penalties (up to $1,500 first offense, $2,500 second, $5,000 third), makes transporting waste without a license plate a violation, and ties enforcement to the vehicle. Councilmember Wang added an amendment restoring daily civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day for commercial quantities, hazardous waste, mattresses, furniture, appliances, and e-waste. Councilmember Houston called for higher fines (up to $20,000 and jail time for hazardous dumping). The ordinance was forwarded to the full council.
• Item 8: Resolution to Authorize Aerbits Inc. Pilot Program: The committee approved a six-month pilot ($150,000) using aerial drones to detect and report illegal dumping for proactive cleanup. The system is privacy-first (no facial recognition, no LPR, masks private property). The pilot will cover 5–10 square miles of hotspot areas. Councilmember Houston requested that the pilot location be determined in consultation with councilmembers. The resolution was forwarded to the full council.
• Item 6: Commemorative Street Renaming for Bishop Charley Hames Jr.: The committee approved a resolution to rename the intersection of 39th and Telegraph Avenue as "Bishop Charley Hames Jr., Way" and install a plaque. The item was forwarded to the full council.
• Item 3: 2023-2025 Progress Implementing the 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP): Informational report received and filed. Staff reported that 40 ECAP actions are progressing, with highlights including a 50% reduction in port black carbon, all-electric new construction, and over 200 miles of bikeways. Councilmember Wang emphasized the need for the energy transition to create jobs and support communities without college degrees.

Key Outcomes

• All items received unanimous approval (4-0) on motions by committee members.
• Items 5, 6, 7, and 8 were forwarded to the April 14, 2026 special city council meeting at 3:30 PM on the consent agenda.
• Item 7 (Illegal Dumping Ordinance) was amended to include daily civil penalties (up to $1,000/day) for commercial/hazardous waste, as proposed by Councilmember Wang.
• Items 2, 3, and 4 were received and filed (informational).
• Councilmember Gallo requested a report on Public Works staffing and vehicle availability at the next city council meeting.
• Councilmember Houston requested demographic data on traffic fatalities among Black Oaklanders from the BPAC.
• Councilmember Gallo and others emphasized the need for stronger enforcement, more personnel, and better coordination with other agencies.
• Public comment called for a formal oversight committee on illegal dumping and regular agenda items on the topic.