Oakland City Council Committee Meetings - May 26, 2026

The Oakland City Council held two committee meetings on May 26, 2026: the Life Enrichment Committee (noon) and the Public Safety Committee (6:07 p.m.). Key actions included hearing a report from the Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities, advancing a resolution to relocate polluting recyclers in West Oakland, approving multiple contracts, and forwarding the 2026–2030 Community Violence Reduction Plan (Measure N) to the full council with a 4-0 vote. Public speakers raised equity concerns about early childhood funding, tree protection, and surveillance technology.

Consent Calendar

• Life Enrichment Committee: Approved draft minutes of May 12, 2026 (4-0). Approved determination and schedule of outstanding committee items (4-0).
• Public Safety Committee: Approved draft minutes of May 12, 2026 (3-0, one excused). Approved pending list of outstanding items (3-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Life Enrichment Committee: Parents and staff from Safe Passages Baby Learning Community program urged OFCY reserve funds to be dedicated to early childhood and elementary after-school programs. A business owner (Anthony Del Toro) described a dispute over illegal permits on his property. A speaker (Jeffrey Kayo) advocated for mental health funding and prevention.
• Public Safety Committee: Colleen Brown (CPAB chair) expressed concern that language about community policing was weakened in the final CVRP. Gabriela Garcia (Youth Alive) commended the plan but urged a cohesive youth prevention strategy. Rajani Mandal supported the plan and raised governance questions.

Discussion Items

Life Enrichment Committee

• Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities Report: Chair Anwar presented highlights: the commission is more active; annual survey shows top needs in housing and transportation; challenges include lack of emergency wheelchairs by fire department, construction non-compliance, and understaffed ADA programs. Anwar requested support for distributing next survey, funding ADA staffing, and using an internal service fund model. Councilmember Gaio asked about definition of disability and age groups. Councilmember Wong asked about older housing stock and ADA compliance. The item was forwarded to the June 2 City Council agenda (non-consent, 4-0).
• Contract Extension – City Span Technologies: Robin Love (Children & Youth Services Manager) requested a 12-month contract extension ($200,000) for grants management database to ensure smooth onboarding of new programs and preparation for RFP. Approved and forwarded to council on consent (4-0).
• Replacement Lead Agency – Healthy Wealthy Wise Program: Robin Love requested approval to replace Children & Youth Outreach with Youth Employment Partnership (YEP) for a $225,000 grant, as YEP met objectives and is located in Fruitvale. Approved and forwarded on consent (4-0).
• Amortization Program to Relocate Industrial Recyclers: Chair Fife introduced a resolution directing the city administrator to develop amortization legislation to relocate California Waste Solutions and CAS Inc. from West Oakland to the Army Base area, citing environmental impacts and community objectives. Discussion included past lapsed contracts and alternative sites. Motion to forward to full council (non-consent, 4-0).

Public Safety Committee

• 2026-2030 Community Violence Reduction Plan (Measure N): Yuana Chukleva (OPSPAC chair) presented the four-year plan with goals: reduce homicides/shootings by 10% annually, reduce domestic violence/CSE by 10% by 2030, improve clearance rates by 10%, improve 911 response (90% within 15 sec), maintain 700 sworn officers. Strategies include wraparound services, Ceasefire, crime reduction teams, and recruitment. Councilmember Wong raised concerns about 911 response time not being prioritized enough. Councilmember Brown asked about community engagement themes. Councilmember Houston pushed for higher accountability penalties for CBOs. Councilmember Fife questioned how feelings of safety are measured and noted OPD recruitment challenges. After public comment and legal clarification that council cannot amend the plan, the committee voted 4-0 to forward it to the June 2 council agenda (non-consent).
• False Alarm Reduction Program – PMAM Corp: LaRaja Marshall (OPD) requested a five-year contract ($1,127,115) and waiver of competitive bidding. Approved and forwarded on consent (4-0).
• Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2026–2031: Veronica Cole (OFD) presented the plan with updated hazard profiles and equity emphasis. FEMA approval received May 26. Approved and forwarded as a public hearing (4-0).
• Background Investigation Contract – Elite Corporate Solutions: Michael Hunt (OFD) requested a three-year contract (up to $500,000) for pre-employment background checks. Discussion about table figures; staff will correct before publishing. Approved and forwarded on consent with amendment (4-0).

Key Outcomes

• Life Enrichment Committee (4-0 votes):
  • Approved May 12 minutes.
  • Sent disabilities commission report to full council (non-consent).
  • Approved City Span contract extension (consent).
  • Approved YEP as lead for Healthy Wealthy Wise (consent).
  • Approved amortization resolution for recyclers (non-consent).
• Public Safety Committee (4-0 votes):
  • Approved May 12 minutes and pending list.
  • Approved 2026–2030 CVRP (Measure N) for full council (non-consent).
  • Approved PMAM false alarm contract (consent).
  • Approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan as public hearing.
  • Approved Elite Corporate Solutions background check contract with corrected table (consent).