Oakland Rules & Legislation Committee Meeting: June 25, 2026

The Oakland City Council Rules & Legislation Committee convened on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10:31 AM, chaired by Council President Kevin Jenkins. The committee handled scheduling determinations, a proposed ballot measure to amend the real property transfer tax foreclosure exemption, and forwarded numerous items to the July 7 and subsequent City Council and committee meetings. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items (Item 2): Approved as presented.
• Reappointment of Alvina Wong to the Board of Port Commissioners (Item 5): Approved and forwarded to the July 7, 2026 City Council agenda on consent.
• New Scheduling Items (Item 3) – Consent Portion: The committee approved the scheduling of the following items to the July 7, 2026 City Council agenda on consent: Reappointments to the Oakland Housing Authority (3.1), Reappointment to the Wildfire Prevention Commission (3.2), ITD Cy Pres Tech Grant (3.4), Oakland School for the Arts Commemorative Street Renaming (3.5), OPD BAHC FIFA World Cup Grant (3.6), League of California Cities Conference Reimbursement (3.26), and all recommendations from the June 23 committees (Items 3.29–3.41, 3.44) as noted in the agenda. The Sanctuary City Ordinance (Item 3.44) was forwarded as amended (striking provisions allowing detention and notification cooperation under certain conditions).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item S6 – Real Property Transfer Tax Measure: Two speakers commented. Robert Alpadaka, a 40-year Oakland resident and housing development veteran, expressed support for closing the foreclosure tax loophole and stated that homelessness is a top priority. Dan Cobb also urged support, calling the measure a smart way to close a loophole in the existing progressive transfer tax.
• Item 3 – New Scheduling Items (General): Two speakers addressed multiple agenda items. Rajni Mandal (District 4) questioned the timeline for implementing the Flock community camera program (approved six months prior), supported the helicopter maintenance contract but urged a long-term replacement strategy for aging city equipment, and backed the proposed technology audit. Blair Beekman praised the sanctuary city ordinance amendments, raised concerns about Flock oversight and the need for public discussion on future video surveillance vendors, and stressed the importance of public participation in hiring a new police chief.
• Open Forum: Rajni Mandal commented on public participation, noting that heckling of speakers at recent meetings and safety concerns near City Hall may discourage attendance, and urged continued value for emailed and e-comments.

Discussion Items

• Item S6 – Resolution to Place Real Property Transfer Tax Amendment on November Ballot: Councilmember Wang presented a measure to end the exemption for foreclosure transactions (deed-in-lieu and short sales) from the city’s real property transfer tax, with proceeds going to the general fund. He proposed amendments: removing a companion advisory spending measure, adding an exemption for transfers converting property to affordable housing, giving the City Council authority to create future exemptions by ordinance, exempting all community banks (not just California-based), and basing the tax on fair market value. Councilmember Fife expressed concerns that the exemptions (especially for community banks and affordable housing) could be exploited, and questioned revenue estimates (the City Administrator’s report projected $400,000–$1 million annually, while Wang’s analysis of 16 recent transactions suggested much higher figures, up to $16.5 million for half of 2026). Councilmember Ramachandran wanted to see the amendments in writing before voting. A motion to forward the item to the July 2 Rules & Legislation Committee for further review passed 3–1 (Fife dissenting).
• Item 3.8 – Mayor’s Appointment of Elizabeth Lake as Interim City Administrator: The committee debated whether to schedule the appointment for the July 7 council meeting. Finance Director Bradley Johnson stated that confirming an interim or permanent City Administrator by July 15 is critical to close a bond transaction (temporary revenue anticipation notes) that would save approximately $5.5 million in PERS costs; the City Attorney confirmed that under the charter, only a council-confirmed city administrator can sign the bond documents. Councilmember Ramachandran requested a one-week hold to conduct due diligence, while Councilmembers Brown and Fife argued for moving it forward given the financial urgency. Council President Jenkins noted the tie and stated that no action would be taken, effectively keeping the item in committee for further scheduling consideration.
• Item 3.18 – Report on Inventory of City-Owned Properties: Councilmember Houston requested that this informational report, originally scheduled for the July 14 Life Enrichment Committee, be moved to the July 7 City Council non-consent agenda, citing the upcoming encampment abatement policy implementation and the need for immediate action. After discussion, the committee approved the change, and the item will appear on the July 7 council agenda as non-consent.
• Other Discussion: Councilmember Fife noted that an informational report on fixed-wing aircraft as a police helicopter replacement, which she sponsored in 2023, will be brought back to the Public Safety Committee. The committee also continued a resolution supporting AB 1588 (sideshow penalties) to the July 2 Rules meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 – Pending List: Approved 4-0.
• Item 5 – Port Commissioner Reappointment: Approved 4-0 to forward to July 7 council on consent.
• Item S6 – Real Property Transfer Tax Ballot Measure: Continued to the July 2, 2026 Rules & Legislation Committee with amendments (vote: 3-1, Fife opposed).
• Item 3.8 – Interim City Administrator Appointment: No action taken; item not scheduled.
• Item 3.18 – City-Owned Properties Inventory Report: Moved to the July 7, 2026 City Council non-consent agenda (by Rule 24).
• Item 3.27 – Resolution Supporting AB 1588: Continued to the July 2 Rules & Legislation Committee.
• All other scheduling items under Item 3: Approved as amended (with specific items moved to consent, non-consent, or committee calendars as noted in the minutes).
• Item 4 – Draft Agendas and Pending Lists: Approved 4-0.
• Open Forum: Heard without action.