Rules & Legislation Committee Meeting – June 4, 2026

The Oakland City Council Rules & Legislation Committee convened on June 4, 2026 at 10:34 AM and adjourned at 11:06 AM. Chaired by Council President Kevin Jenkins, the committee approved draft minutes, determined the schedule of outstanding committee items, and voted on new scheduling requests for 13 items plus a last-minute addition. All motions carried unanimously (3-4 votes depending on attendance). Public comments focused on budget transparency, OPD overtime, and the need for civilianization of police positions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Draft Minutes (May 21, 2026): Motion by Rowena Brown, seconded by Janani Ramachandran. Passed 3-0-1 (Fife excused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Millie Cleveland (public comment on Item 2 and Open Forum): Requested that the Public Safety Committee schedule a presentation from labor representatives on their research document "Smarter Public Safety" to address OPD overtime and cost savings. She noted that after Measure E’s failure, the city must make serious budget decisions and should hear from labor, not just the police department.
• Ann Jenks (Open Forum): Urged the committee to place an open, robust discussion of the OPD budget on the Public Safety Committee agenda, including civilianizing positions to free officers for direct public safety work, reviewing overtime, and addressing OPOA contract issues. She emphasized the need for a good-government approach after the failure of Measure E.
• Kevin Daly (comment on Item 3.3 and Open Forum): Expressed concern about the repeated waiving of voter-approved tax rules (e.g., sugar-sweetened beverage tax) under financial emergency declarations, warning it risks loss of public support. He also called for civilianizing OPD roles like traffic collision reporting and said progress on budget discussions felt stalled.

Discussion Items

• Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items (Item 2): Approved as presented. One speaker (Millie Cleveland) addressed the committee.

• New Scheduling Items (Item 3): The committee reviewed and voted to schedule the following items to future meetings:

  • 3.1 Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) vendor additions – to Life Enrichment Committee on June 9, 2026. Urgency finding accepted.
  • 3.2 FY 2026‑27 Proposed Midcycle Budget – to Special City Council on June 12, 2026.
  • 3.3 FY 2026‑27 Maintenance of Effort Waivers and use of one-time revenues – to Special City Council on June 12, 2026.
  • 3.4 City settlement for Fire Station 4 relocation ($5M) and lease at 1475 14th Ave – to City Council on June 16, 2026 (Consent).
  • 3.5 PFRS Investment Portfolio report – to Finance & Management Committee on June 23, 2026.
  • 3.6 InnoFin Solutions LLC Professional Services Contract ($200,000 over 5 years) – to Finance & Management Committee on June 23, 2026.
  • 3.7 Salary Ordinance amendments for labor relations classifications and fire department salaries – to Finance & Management Committee on June 23, 2026 (5 pieces of legislation).
  • 3.8 Asphalt and concrete disposal contracts (Argent Materials and Bee Green Recycling, up to $2.8M each over 5 years) – to Public Works & Transportation Committee on June 23, 2026.
  • 3.9 Sale of 319 Chester Street (title change to convert to affordable rental project) – to Community & Economic Development Committee on June 23, 2026. Title change accepted.
  • 3.10 Costco Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (24-month term, $300,000 payment) – to Community & Economic Development Committee on June 23, 2026.
  • 3.11 OFCY Year-Round Program Grants ($20.68M annually for two years) – to Life Enrichment Committee on June 23, 2026.
  • 3.12 Report on Recruitment Process for Chief of Police – to Public Safety Committee on June 23, 2026. Note: Presenter to be OPD; committee expressed concern about appropriateness of candidate searchers presenting.
  • 3.13 Sideshow Penalty Ordinance (title change to include spectators, strengthen impoundment, create enforcement exemptions) – to Public Safety Committee on June 23, 2026. Title change read into record. Also a dais request noted.
  • Additional Item (from City Administrator): Annual Report on Measure MM Spending from Oakland Wildfire Prevention Commission – to Public Safety Committee on June 9, 2026. Urgency finding accepted.

• Review of Draft Agendas, Pending Lists, City Council and Committee Meetings (Item 4): Approved as amended. Changes included:

  • Finance & Management Committee Pending List: Informational reports on FLSA Overtime Investigation and Status of Implementing Council Policy Directives moved from June 23 to November 17, 2026.
  • Community & Economic Development Committee Pending List: FY 2024‑25 Q3 & Q4 Code Enforcement report scheduled for June 23, 2026.
  • Public Safety Committee Pending List: Title change for item on temporarily restricted street closure from International Blvd to disrupt sex trafficking; scheduled for June 23, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• All scheduling motions passed unanimously: Item 2 (4-0), Item 3 as amended (4-0), Item 4 as amended (3-0-1, Fife excused).
• The committee approved the addition of an urgency item (Measure MM annual report) to the June 9 Public Safety Committee agenda.
• Title changes were accepted for items 3.9 and 3.13.
• No final policy decisions were made; the committee acted solely as a scheduling body.

Open Forum

• Two speakers (Ann Jenks and Kevin Daly) reiterated calls for deeper review of the OPD budget, civilianization, and overtime reduction. Millie Cleveland passed.