Oakland Rules and Legislation Committee Meeting – May 28, 2026

The Rules and Legislation Committee met on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 10:35 AM in open session. Councilmembers Brown, Fife, Ramachandran, and Chair Jenkins were present. Councilmember Wong joined later for a special council meeting. The committee considered scheduling of outstanding items, new legislation, draft agendas, a proposed ballot measure on foreclosure transfer taxes, and an ordinance updating election procedures.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Blair Beekman spoke on items 3.17 (illegal dumping), 3.28 (OFCY contract), and 3.34 (violence reduction plan), expressing support for community‐minded approaches and budget priorities. He also commented on item 5, noting the need for further study and caution about revenue reliance on economic downturns.
• Kevin Daly (online) – name called but not present.
• Rajni Mandal (District 4) urged the committee to consider rescheduling the September 29 City Council meeting to avoid overlap with a critical NSA hearing and praised OPD’s compliance with all 51 NSA tasks for the first time.
• Kieran Chinoy (Bridge Association of Realtors) thanked Councilmember Wong for removing the million‑dollar cap and restoring exemptions for natural persons and family trusts, but expressed concerns about losing exemptions for small investors and potential impacts on lending and redevelopment.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – New Scheduling: The committee reviewed and approved scheduling of 34 sub‑items, including:
  • 3.1/3.2: Budget Advisory Commission report and Mayor’s proposed mid‑cycle budget – scheduled for June 1 special City Council meeting (Rule 24).
  • 3.3: Resolution supporting SB 1095 – scheduled for June 2 City Council consent (Rule 24; Councilmember Brown added as co‑sponsor).
  • 3.4–3.6: Various contracts and franchise agreements – scheduled for June 9 committee meetings.
  • 3.7–3.9: Ceremonial resolutions – scheduled for June 16 City Council consent (Rule 24).
  • 3.10–3.13: GAD budgets, street sweeper contracts, BID assessments – scheduled for June 16 or June 23 committee meetings.
  • 3.14–3.34: Recommendations from May 26 committee meetings, with adjustments (e.g., 3.27 moved to non‑consent, 3.29 moved to consent).
• Item 4 – Review of Draft Agendas: Several agenda items were re‑scheduled: a Public Safety Committee item moved to September 22; a “City of Refuge” ordinance title change and schedule to June 23; and a resolution thanking Rep. Latif moved to June 16 consent (Councilmember Jenkins added as co‑sponsor).
• Item 5 – Ballot Measure on Foreclosure Transfer Tax: Councilmember Wong presented a resolution to amend the Real Property Transfer Tax to close a loophole exempting foreclosure and deed‑in‑lieu transactions, with an advisory measure to dedicate revenue to homelessness services (interim shelter, addiction treatment, job readiness, etc.). Key points:
  • The tax would apply to institutional investors (REITs, hedge funds) but exempt natural persons/family trusts and small investors.
  • An exemption for adaptive reuse (e.g., converting commercial property to housing or health care) was included.
  • Estimated additional revenue: $1 million to $5 million per year, depending on economic cycles.
  • Each ballot measure costs approximately $600,000.
  • Councilmember Fife raised concerns about the advisory measure being non‑binding and urged more data and community engagement. Councilmember Ramachandran and Brown preferred a July schedule.
  • After discussion, a motion to continue the item to the June 11 Rules Committee meeting (with the floor amendments) was approved 4‑0.
• Item S6 – Ordinance on Election Procedures: The City Clerk presented an ordinance to delete redundant ballot title requirements, update nomination petition language, and clarify candidacy forms. An urgency finding was approved (motion by Brown, second Ramachandran; 4‑0). The ordinance was then approved as amended (motion by Fife, second Ramachandran; 4‑0) to go to the June 2 City Council consent agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 (determination of scheduling) approved as is:
  Motion by Brown, second Fife – 4 ayes.
• Item 3 (new scheduling) approved as amended:
  Motion by Fife, second Brown – 4 ayes.
• Item 4 (draft agendas) approved as amended:
  Motion by Brown, second Fife – 4 ayes.
• Item 5 (ballot measure) continued to the June 11 Rules Committee meeting with provided amendments:
  Motion by Jenkins, second Brown – 4 ayes.
• Item S6 (election procedures ordinance) – urgency finding and ordinance approved:
  Urgency motion by Brown, second Ramachandran (4‑0); ordinance motion by Fife, second Ramachandran (4‑0). Scheduled for June 2 City Council consent.
• Special budget meetings announced: June 1 (9 AM), June 12 (12 PM), and June 17 (12 PM).