Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Public Works and Transportation Committee met on May 26, 2026, at 11:32 AM. The committee discussed eight agenda items, including a performance audit on illegal dumping, funding for creek improvements, the Lincoln Recreation Center expansion contract, and a change order for the East Oakland Arts Center. Public comment was heard on several items. The meeting adjourned after open forum.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (Approval of Minutes): Draft minutes from the committee meeting on May 12, 2026, were approved unanimously (3 ayes, 1 excused).
• Item 2 (Pending List): The determination of schedule outstanding committee items (pending list) was approved unanimously (4 ayes).
• Item 4 (Creek Funding): A resolution to accept $1,600,000 from the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the Collaborative Creek Improvement and Clean Creeks programs over a five-year term (FY 2026–2031) was approved and forwarded to the June 2 City Council agenda on consent (4 ayes).
• Item 5 (Lincoln Rec Center): Two resolutions awarding a construction contract to SJ Armoso Construction Company for $28,437,000 and amending the professional services agreement with Shah Kawasaki Architects by $848,797 (new total $3,877,646) for the Lincoln Recreation Center expansion/renovation/resiliency project were approved and forwarded to the June 2 City Council agenda on consent (4 ayes).
• Item 6 (Transportation Funding): Two resolutions accepting $756,364 in state Transportation Development Act funds for stair path rehabilitation, bicycle signage, and bicycle parking, and adopting the FY 2026-27 list of SB1-funded projects (total $13 million) were approved and forwarded to the June 2 City Council agenda on consent (4 ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 (Pending List): Dwayne Nelson (West Oakland resident) criticized the city's illegal dumping cleanup timeliness, citing open service requests from 2025. A second speaker (Mr. Thod) complained about incomplete sidewalk projects and unlit lights.
• Item 3 (Illegal Dumping Audit): Dwayne Nelson noted that his own service requests were not resolved within the two-day median reported in the audit, and expressed concern about the environmental enforcement unit's training timeline (target June 2027). Kevin Dowley suggested making bulk pickups easier for multifamily units, and Ms. Asada questioned where hazardous waste can be legally disposed.
• Item 4 (Creek Funding): Two public speakers (not named in transcript) spoke in support.
• Item 5 (Lincoln Rec Center): Nine speakers, including community members, parents, and representatives from Friends of Lincoln Square Park and the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, voiced strong support for the project. Ms. Asada opposed, alleging deception in how Measure KK and other funds were used.
• Item 6 (Transportation Funding): Dwayne Nelson requested paving on 24th Street near the New Parkway Theater. Ms. Asada challenged the equitable distribution of funds across districts.
• Item 7 (Sewer Consent Decree): Two speakers (Nelson and Daly) spoke but their specific comments were not captured in detail.
• Item 8 (East Oakland Arts Center): Ms. Asada questioned the delay in fixing vandalism from 2024 and expressed skepticism about the project timeline. Dwayne Nelson noted the contract began in 2023 and criticized the lack of contractor accountability.
• Open Forum: Omawali Fowls (Telegraph Community Ministry Center) described a homeless encampment sweep on April 16, 2026, where belongings were taken as trash. Ms. Asada criticized the closure of three homeless shelters while funding went to the Lincoln Rec Center, alleging inequity in resource distribution.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 (Illegal Dumping Performance Audit): City Auditor Michael Houston presented findings covering 2019–2025 data. Key points: Oakland residents pay 23–40% more for curbside service than neighboring jurisdictions; illegal dumping cleanup is reactive and timely (median 2 business days in 2024); the city collected only $16,000 in fines despite spending $2 million on enforcement; and 311 reporting is not available in languages other than English, violating the city's equal access ordinance. Seventeen recommendations were made, all accepted by the administration. Councilmember Guyo questioned the use of the $35 million annual franchise fee. Public Works Director Liam Garland highlighted recent actions including increased fines, camera expansion, and a proposed special assessment on unserved commercial properties.
• Item 7 (Sewer Consent Decree Compliance): Compliance Officer Tyree Jackson reported that the city achieved 87% compliance with mandates over the 24-month reporting period (Jan 2024–Dec 2025), including a 61% reduction in sewer spills and a 41% reduction in untreated wastewater volume. Two areas of partial or non-compliance (system monitoring and sewer repair/replacement) were addressed, with full compliance expected within 12 months.
• Item 8 (East Oakland Arts Center Change Order): Staff requested a contract increase for CWS Construction from 25% to 56% of the original $1,785,000 contract (new total $2,784,600) due to vandalism during a construction pause for electrical switchgear. Councilmember Houston opposed, arguing insurance should cover the damage and that the contractor was not local. Councilmember Wong requested itemized documentation in future reports. The contractor is based outside Oakland.

Key Outcomes

• Item 3: Received and filed the illegal dumping performance audit (4 ayes).
• Item 4: Approved and forwarded to City Council on consent (4 ayes).
• Item 5: Approved both resolutions and forwarded to City Council on consent (4 ayes).
• Item 6: Approved both resolutions and forwarded to City Council on consent (4 ayes).
• Item 7: Received and filed the sewer consent decree compliance report (4 ayes).
• Item 8: Approved the contract increase and forwarded to City Council on non-consent (3 ayes, 1 no – Councilmember Houston).