Oakland Rules & Legislation Committee Meeting – May 21, 2026
Oakland Rules & Legislation Committee Meeting – May 21, 2026
The Rules and Legislation Committee met on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:38 AM to consider scheduling items, draft agendas, and a major charter reform proposal. Due to a high number of public speakers, speaking time was limited to 1 minute 30 seconds for item 3 and 1 minute for item 5.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 (Approval of Minutes): Approved unanimously for the May 7, 2026 committee meeting.
- Item 2 (Determination of Scheduling Outstanding Committee Items): Approved as is with no changes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 (New Scheduling): Multiple speakers addressed the Becker Boards billboard amendment (item 3.9). Christopher Powell (attorney for Outfront Foster Interstate) urged rejection, arguing the proposal would cut guaranteed payments from $750,000 to $250,000 per year, retroactively claw back payments, and reduce billboard removal obligations. Nima Link (Becker Boards) supported the amendment as a necessary lifeline to continue community benefits. Other speakers commented on item 3.8 (SB 1415), item 3.13 (AANHPI Heritage Month), and item 3.14 (tax anticipation notes).
- Item 5 (Charter Reform): Over 30 speakers expressed positions. Supporters (including Faith in Action East Bay, Spur, League of Women Voters, and labor representatives) urged placing the strong mayor proposal before voters, citing the extensive community process with over 750 participants. Opponents (including candidates and long-time residents) argued for a council-manager form of government or a “third option,” warning that a strong mayor model concentrates power and could weaken council oversight. Several speakers requested a fiscal analysis before adoption.
- Open Forum: Two speakers commented on charter reform and city management issues.
Discussion Items
- Item 3 (New Scheduling) – Sub-item 3.9 (Becker Boards Amendment): The city attorney advised that a 17-day newspaper notice is required under Oakland Municipal Code Title 17. After discussion, the item was rescheduled to the June 16, 2026 City Council agenda to allow time for the notice. The rule 24 justification was provided: adjustments are needed to ensure market viability of the billboards and continued community revenue.
- Item 3 – Other Sub-items: Several items were adjusted: item 3.8 withdrawn; item 3.2 (Arthur E. Thomas Way) scheduled for June 2 consent; item 3.10, 3.12, and 3.13 (with updated rule 24) placed on consent or non-consent; item 3.14 moved to June 23 FMC; item 3.17 moved to June 23 CED; item 3.24 withdrawn; item 3.25 placed on public safety pending list.
- Item 4 (Draft Agendas & Pending Lists): Adjustments made to upcoming committee agendas. Public safety item (crime data report) moved to October 27; CED item (General Plan annual report) moved to pending list.
- Item 5 (Charter Reform Resolution): Mayor Sheng Thao presented the proposal, emphasizing structural clarity, strong mayor with strong council, independent budget analysis, department head confirmation, full-time council, and elimination of Section 218 misdemeanor provision. She addressed concerns about rhetoric and historical bias. Councilmembers discussed accountability, financial implications, and preferred governance models. Councilmember Houston expressed support for the current strong manager system. Councilmember Ramachandran stated preference for council-manager but supported forwarding to full council. Councilmember Fife questioned accountability mechanisms. The Public Ethics Commission (PEC) recommended amendments to salary-setting timing and Section 218 enforcement scope. The committee voted 4-0 to forward the resolution to the June 2, 2026 City Council agenda as a non-consent item.
Key Outcomes
- Item 3 (New Scheduling) – Approved as amended: All sub-items scheduled per committee adjustments.
- Item 4 (Draft Agendas) – Approved as amended.
- Item 5 (Charter Reform) – Forwarded to City Council: Motion by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Fife, to place the resolution on the June 2, 2026 City Council agenda as a non-consent item. Vote: 4-0 (Brown, Fife, Ramachandran, Jenkins).
- Next Steps: PEC staff will work with the author on suggested amendments. The full council will debate and potentially vote on June 2.
- Meeting Adjourned at approximately 12:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good. Sorry. Good morning. Good morning, everyone in chambers. Good morning, and welcome to the rules and legislation committee meeting on this Thursday, May twenty first. The time is now ten thirty-eight, and this meeting shall come to order. I'd like to give instructions on how to submit a speaker card. If you are here with us in chambers and would like to submit a speaker card on items on this agenda, we ask you to please fill out a speaker card on the table in front of you and hand it to the clerk representative either before the item is called or ten minutes after this meeting began. The meeting began at ten thirty-eight. And so that would make that cut off time to submit your speaker cards either at ten forty-eight or before the item is called. Chair Jenkins. Yes, because of the immense amount of speakers, we're going to limit public speaking time to a minute and thirty seconds. Moving to the first item, item number one is approval of the draft minutes for the committee meeting on May seventh, twenty twenty six. Council Member Fife. Council Member Ramachandran. Aye. Councilmember uh Chair Jenkins. Item number one is approval for eyes. Thank you for that. We now are moving to item number two, which is determination of scheduling outstanding committee items, which is your pending list. I have no speakers. I have a motion by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Council Member Five to approve item two, determination of scheduling and outstanding committee items on roll for this. Council member Brown. Aye. Council Member Fife. Aye. Council Member Ramachandra. Aye. And Chair Jenkins. Aye. Item number two is approved with four ayes. As is. No changes. This now takes us to item three, new scheduling. One moment. We have quite a few items. Item three starts with item 3.1, which is an ordinance amending the uh reenacting OMC Charter 3.08 to remove ballot title and summary of measure to clarify and remove unnecessary requirements for the city sponsored ballot measure and amend section 3.08.040 to update language regarding nomination petitions. Three amend section 3.08.080 to clarify declaration of candidacy forms and four at section 3.08.085 to clarify requirements for ballot designations. And this item is being requested to be scheduled for the May 28th rules of legislation committee meeting agenda. And I will now read the urgency finding for this item, which is the ordinance needs to be adopted in order to update election materials. Election materials needed to be update prior to the state of nomination period. Now moving to item 3.2. I do see um a hand at this time. So we'll adjourn into a special meeting as there's a couple of council members here that are going to participate. I'll understand the motion. I'll second. And we have a motion by council present uh council chair Jenkins, seconded by council member Brown to adjourn in a special meeting, council meeting at the presence of additional council members on roll. Councilmember Brown. Aye. Councilmember Fife.
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