OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Oakland Life Enrichment Committee Meeting - April 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
BodyOakland, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:10:24

Transcript — Verbatim
2:57

Good afternoon.

2:59

And welcome to the life enrichment committee for today, April 21st.

3:04

The time is now four.

3:06

Oh two PM, and this meeting has come to order.

3:10

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

3:15

If you are here with us in chambers and you would like to submit a speaker card, please fill one out and turn into myself or clerk representative before the item is read into record.

3:40

Well, with that, we would now proceed to take roll.

3:42

Councilmember Gaio.

3:52

Excused.

3:57

Thank you.

3:57

And Chair Five.

4:16

Moving to our first item of the day, item one.

4:18

Due to this being a special meeting, as note, there will be no minutes to be approved.

4:23

Item two, determination schedule all standing committee items, and you do have two speakers for this item.

4:30

Okay, for the determination of outstanding committee items, we will hear from our public speakers and then I will make an announcement on item two.

4:38

Absolutely.

4:39

Moving to our public speakers, Ms.ada.

4:49

Oh, I'm sorry.

5:04

As a public announcement, if you are missing your phone, Ms.

5:07

Asada has it.

5:08

Thank you.

5:13

Ms.

5:13

Asada.

5:15

Okay, that concludes your public speakers right in two.

5:19

Okay, I if I could have staff from uh parks and recreation come, Micah.

5:25

If you could come and speak to item two, we are going to be removing item five from the agenda.

5:33

Staff is going to give a few remarks about why, but after staff gives the remarks about these this agenda item, then I'll make a motion on this this item.

5:44

Uh good afternoon, council members and committee.

5:47

I'll Micah Hamming, the interdirector of OPRID.

5:50

Um, we are pulling this item due to that the department is not ready to move forward.

5:55

And at this time, I want to be fair to the Oakland vendors organization that are here to be able to put their bid in when that time comes for the next um when we put it out again for vendor.

6:07

So thank you.

6:08

So um when my staff and I reviewed this item, and I saw that this um was a contract for not well not to exceed $500,000 to a firm that was not an Oakland-based firm on the same agenda when we're talking about uh local, small local business enterprises and our update and a roadmap for how we're moving forward on um supporting Oakland businesses.

6:35

I worked with staff to uh come up with a recommendation to rectify this issue, and I want to say thank you, Micah, because you've been amazing.

6:44

This work started before you were employed with the city of Oakland, and so I want to acknowledge your um commitment to Oakland businesses and process.

6:54

So, what I'm recommending today for this item, item number five, is that we take staff's recommendation and move this item to uh pending no date specific, so I will entertain a motion to remove this per staff's recommendation from this today's agenda, and we will still hear speakers when we come to this item.

7:14

Um, but we will move it from the agenda today.

7:23

I made the motion if you want to second council member Houston.

7:26

I will acknowledge your comments.

7:28

I will recognize your comments.

7:30

Uh thank you.

7:31

I mean, we've been fighting for the small local businesses, and we want all the small local businesses that can do this work to stand up to get qualified or whatever they have to do.

7:41

What do they actually do?

7:42

The chair, what do they have to do to become um a vendor?

7:45

So they need to be able to go into the eye supplier uh procurement and put all the information in that is needed that they asked on in the system.

7:53

Once that information is in the system, then once the purchasing department puts out the bid for once it they put out for the bid, they'd be able to see the requirements, and if they're and if they make the um all the requirements that is required for this bid, if they have all the requirements, then they'll be able to be able to be it on the next time we put our RFQ out.

8:14

And through the chair, when you think that may be just rough, nothing set in stone.

8:19

When you think two months, three months, what'd you think?

8:22

At this time I can't say.

8:24

Okay, I appreciate that.

8:25

Thank you so much.

8:26

But council member Houston, just let's stay in conversation because I know this is an issue that you care about as well.

8:32

And um, we as all you know, council members should be supporting letting the public know how organizations can become registered businesses with the city of Oakland.

8:42

That is not agendized, so we will continue with this agenda.

8:45

Thank you, Ms.

8:46

Hammock.

8:46

I appreciate your your partnership on this issue.

8:49

Thank you.

8:52

Where is the business from it's it's Hayward, they're based in Hayward.

9:00

Yes, Alpine Awards is based in Hayward.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Contracting And Procurement█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Youth Programs███████████████17%
Public Libraries███████8%
Procedural█████6%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Workforce Development████4%
Public Engagement██2%
Homelessness██2%
Disability Rights██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Special Life Enrichment Committee Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Oakland City Council Special Life Enrichment Committee met on April 21, 2026, from 4:02 PM to 6:11 PM, chaired by Councilmember Carroll Fife. The committee considered eight agenda items, including library service agreements, a contract withdrawal, grant acceptances, and an informational report on local business certification. All four committee members were present: Gallo, Fife, Wang, and Houston (arrived at 4:07 PM). The committee voted unanimously on all items, forwarding several to the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting.

Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items (Item 2)

  • The committee voted to withdraw Item 5 (Contract for Customized Goods and Apparel) from the agenda and place it on the Life Enrichment Committee pending list with no date specific. Staff cited the need to allow Oakland-based vendors to compete. The motion passed 4-0.

Library Agreement with City of Piedmont (Item 3)

  • Staff Presentation: Director Jamie Turbach reported that the City of Piedmont has not had a formal contract since 2008, paying $350,471 annually without increases. The new agreement would receive $1,082,955 over three years (FY2025-2028), a 3% increase. Piedmont residents have used Oakland libraries for 108 years due to reciprocity.
  • Public Comment: One speaker criticized the lack of a contract since 2011, arguing that Piedmont pays less than Oakland residents who pay library parcel taxes (Measure Q and D). The speaker said the proposed amount is still too low.
  • Discussion: Councilmember Wang noted that inflation-adjusted the 2008 payment would be $540,000 today. Turbach explained that without a contract, Piedmont could still access libraries via state reciprocity and pay nothing. The formula has Piedmont paying more per capita than Oakland, but Emeryville pays less. The committee approved and forwarded to the May 5 City Council consent agenda, 4-0.

Library Agreement with City of Emeryville (Item 4)

  • Staff Presentation: Director Turbach presented a three-year contract for $459,827 (FY2026-2029), with 5% annual escalation. Emeryville has had a contract, unlike Piedmont.
  • Public Comment: One speaker noted disparities: Emeryville paid $10/resident vs. Piedmont's $33/resident in 2011, and the current proposal still seems unfair to Oakland taxpayers.
  • Discussion: Turbach explained that Emeryville previously contributed through senior services, allowing a lower rate. Councilmember Wang asked about applying fines to Piedmont/Emeryville residents; staff said they could look into it. The committee approved and forwarded to May 5 City Council consent agenda, 4-0.

Contract for Customized Goods and Apparel (Item 5 - Withdrawn)

  • Although withdrawn, the committee took public comments. Two speakers spoke: one questioned the solicitation process and lack of detail on usage; another raised concerns about the Oakland vendor process. The item remains on the pending list.

Acceptance of Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation Grants (Item 6)

  • Staff Presentation: Assistant Director Sarah Herbert requested authorization to accept up to $10 million in monetary grants and up to $10 million in goods/in-kind services through June 2036. The foundation supports scholarships, playgrounds, and supplies.
  • Public Comment: Two speakers spoke. One expressed frustration about Measure bond funds not being used for homeless as promised. Another asked about donor control over how funds are spent, and noted that the staff report did not include a required racial equity impact analysis.
  • Discussion: Staff clarified that donors can designate purposes, but the city can refuse donations. The department focuses on equity in allocating scholarships. The committee approved and forwarded to May 5 City Council consent agenda, 4-0.

Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program and OFCY Summer Program Grants (Item 7)

  • Staff Presentation: Robin Love and Robin Levinson presented 21 grants totaling over $3.1 million for summer 2026 and 2027. The program will serve 505 youth annually through the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (100 hours paid work experience, financial literacy) and about 1,600 additional youth through OFCY summer programs. Awardees include nine agencies for the Mayor's program and 12 across four OFCY strategies. The program emphasizes career pathways in healthcare, tech, construction, and hospitality.
  • Public Comment: Four speakers spoke in support, including a youth participant who highlighted the benefits of summer programs. One speaker requested more focus on specific skills (healthcare, tech, trades) and geographic coverage (noting 94601 zip code missing). Another asked about the age range (14-21) and September end date.
  • Discussion: Councilmember Wang praised the report. Staff addressed questions: the program serves up to age 21 per charter; September allows for reporting. The mayor's office noted a May 14 business event to host youth. The committee approved and forwarded to May 5 City Council consent agenda, 4-0.

L/SLBE Certification and Road Map Update (Item 8)

  • Staff Presentation: Director Emeline Espia presented an informational report on the impact of Ordinance 13825, which amended L/SLBE certification requirements. Key data: application volume steady, 62% recertifications, 38% new certifications. All racial/ethnic groups saw numerical increases. However, no contract award data has been produced in 25 years; the city is implementing B2G system to track awards. A draft roadmap was co-developed with community stakeholders, identifying five early action areas (oversight, waivers, payment, capacity building, forecasting). City Administrator Johnson gave preliminary direction to halt SLBE waivers.
  • Public Comment: 11 speakers, representing coalition members (Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, East Bay Rental Housing Association, Construction Resource Center, etc.), urged immediate action. Key demands: eliminate waivers, increase local participation goals to 50%, enforce prompt payment (15 days), track contract awards, and establish a shared working document. Speakers noted that certification does not mean contracts: Black-owned firms are 27% of certified construction vendors but receive a fraction of dollars. They called for 30-day actions on oversight, transparency, and compliance.
  • Discussion: Councilmember Houston highlighted the long history of ordinance amendments and need for implementation. Deputy City Administrator Navarro confirmed halting waivers, with official communication expected by end of week. Councilmember Wong asked about federal DBE program alignment; staff explained that federal DBE activities are on pause due to new interim rule. The committee voted to receive and file the report, 4-0.

Open Forum

  • Two speakers addressed issues: one criticized a policy prohibiting volunteers from assisting seniors with bus steps, calling it a violation of ADA; another requested internships for youth in health fields.

Key Outcomes

  • All four action items (Items 3, 4, 6, 7) were approved and forwarded to the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting, likely on the consent agenda.
  • Item 5 was withdrawn and placed on the pending list.
  • Item 8 was received and filed.
  • The committee directed staff to provide updates on the waiver halt and continued work on the L/SLBE roadmap.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. And welcome to the life enrichment committee for today, April 21st. The time is now four. Oh two PM, 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 are here with us in chambers and you would like to submit a speaker card, please fill one out and turn into myself or clerk representative before the item is read into record. Well, with that, we would now proceed to take roll. Councilmember Gaio. Excused. Thank you. And Chair Five. Moving to our first item of the day, item one. Due to this being a special meeting, as note, there will be no minutes to be approved. Item two, determination schedule all standing committee items, and you do have two speakers for this item. Okay, for the determination of outstanding committee items, we will hear from our public speakers and then I will make an announcement on item two. Absolutely. Moving to our public speakers, Ms.ada. Oh, I'm sorry. As a public announcement, if you are missing your phone, Ms. Asada has it. Thank you. Ms. Asada. Okay, that concludes your public speakers right in two. Okay, I if I could have staff from uh parks and recreation come, Micah. If you could come and speak to item two, we are going to be removing item five from the agenda. Staff is going to give a few remarks about why, but after staff gives the remarks about these this agenda item, then I'll make a motion on this this item. Uh good afternoon, council members and committee. I'll Micah Hamming, the interdirector of OPRID. Um, we are pulling this item due to that the department is not ready to move forward. And at this time, I want to be fair to the Oakland vendors organization that are here to be able to put their bid in when that time comes for the next um when we put it out again for vendor. So thank you. So um when my staff and I reviewed this item, and I saw that this um was a contract for not well not to exceed $500,000 to a firm that was not an Oakland-based firm on the same agenda when we're talking about uh local, small local business enterprises and our update and a roadmap for how we're moving forward on um supporting Oakland businesses. I worked with staff to uh come up with a recommendation to rectify this issue, and I want to say thank you, Micah, because you've been amazing. This work started before you were employed with the city of Oakland, and so I want to acknowledge your um commitment to Oakland businesses and process. So, what I'm recommending today for this item, item number five, is that we take staff's recommendation and move this item to uh pending no date specific, so I will entertain a motion to remove this per staff's recommendation from this today's agenda, and we will still hear speakers when we come to this item. Um, but we will move it from the agenda today. I made the motion if you want to second council member Houston. I will acknowledge your comments. I will recognize your comments. Uh thank you. I mean, we've been fighting for the small local businesses, and we want all the small local businesses that can do this work to stand up to get qualified or whatever they have to do. What do they actually do? The chair, what do they have to do to become um a vendor? So they need to be able to go into the eye supplier uh procurement and put all the information in that is needed that they asked on in the system. Once that information is in the system, then once the purchasing department puts out the bid for once it they put out for the bid, they'd be able to see the requirements, and if they're and if they make the um all the requirements that is required for this bid, if they have all the requirements, then they'll be able to be able to be it on the next time we put our RFQ out. And through the chair, when you think that may be just rough, nothing set in stone. When you think two months, three months, what'd you think? At this time I can't say. Okay, I appreciate that.

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