Oakland City Council Concurrent Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Oakland City Council convened a concurrent meeting of the Oakland Redevelopment Successor Agency, City Council, and Geologic Hazard Abatement District Board on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 3:41 PM. The meeting lasted until 10:13 PM, with an extension voted after 9:30 PM. Council acted on a packed agenda including the confirmation of an interim city administrator, placement of a real property transfer tax foreclosure loophole measure on the November 2026 ballot, approval of the Leona Quarry and Oakland Area GHAD budgets, adoption of the FY 2026-27 HUD Annual Action Plan, and several public hearings on delinquent taxes, liens, and the General Plan Land Use Framework. Key decisions were made on encampment abatement policies and a temporary street closure aimed at disrupting sex trafficking.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes of June 12 and June 16, 2026.
• Emergency Declarations: Renewed declarations of local emergency for HIV/AIDS, medical cannabis access, and homelessness.
• Planning Code Amendments (Item 6.5): Moved from consent to non-consent and approved as amended on introduction (removing a proposed discontinuance standard for truck-intensive industrial uses). Final passage scheduled for July 21, 2026.
• Bike Share Franchise: Approved final passage of an ordinance extending Lyft's bike share franchise agreement to December 31, 2032.
• Oakland Ice Center Lease: Approved final passage of a lease and management agreement with Sharks Ice, LLC, including up to $10 million in Measure U bond funds for capital improvements.
• Costco Exclusive Negotiation Agreement: Approved a 24-month exclusive negotiation agreement with Costco for development at 101 Admiral Robert Toney Way and 2308 Wake Avenue, with a $300,000 payment.
• Sanctuary City Ordinance (Item 6.26): Approved on introduction with amendments. Added robust whereas clauses acknowledging historic harms to Black Oaklanders, and strengthened language prohibiting city employees from assisting in federal immigration enforcement and requiring a citywide review of forms to delete non-required immigration questions. Co-sponsored by Mayor. Final passage on July 21, 2026.
• Salary Ordinance Amendments: Approved on introduction adjustments for council members, city attorney, and city auditor per Public Ethics Commission.
• Other Consent Items: Approved contracts for street sweeper brooms, asphalt disposal, Mission Linen supply extension, vegetation management (Native Soil, Inc., $4.5 million over 5 years), certification of June 2 election results, and various appointments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Interim City Administrator (S5.6): Two speakers expressed confusion about the charter basis for an interim appointment and criticized the rushed process. Councilmember Ramachandran voted no, citing fiduciary concerns based on past actions by the nominee.
• AC Transit Budget (5.2): Multiple speakers, including John Jones III and Mrs. Olabala, criticized AC Transit for the negative impacts of the International Boulevard BRT project and questioned the deficit projections. Others urged support to avoid service cuts affecting low-income riders.
• Real Property Transfer Tax Measure (S5.7): Nine speakers supported the closure of the foreclosure loophole, highlighting tax equity and potential revenue of $4–13 million annually. Some urged transparency that funds would go to the general fund. The Chamber of Commerce thanked Councilmember Wang for stakeholder engagement.
• HUD Annual Action Plan (4.1): Tenants and community organizers called for proactive code enforcement and investment in habitability protections. Speakers from ACCE urged stronger landlord accountability.
• Delinquent Business Taxes (4.2): Several property owners appealed the lien process, citing insufficient notice and excessive penalties. Jacob Poland stated his administrative hearing had not yet occurred. Staff noted 648 accounts were removed after outreach.
• General Plan Land Use Framework (4.5): Over 20 speakers represented diverse interests. Industrial stakeholders (port, maritime, logistics) urged preservation of industrial zoning and completion of an economic impact study. Youth fellows from Urban Strategies Council presented community engagement findings calling for more parks, maintenance, and a youth seat on the Planning Commission. Others emphasized native plants, libraries, and anti-displacement.
• Encampment Abatement Reports (5.4/5.5): Speakers criticized the slow pace of property activation and the lack of shelter options. Councilmember Fife expressed frustration that without resources, moving people from corner to corner does not solve the crisis. Councilmember Houston demanded prioritization of District 7.
• Temporary Street Closure (4.6): Nine speakers offered mixed views. Some supported the pilot to disrupt sex trafficking, while others worried about displacement and impacts on local auto shops. Residents and business owners near the proposed closure opposed it, urging focus on exit services for women.
• Sanctuary City Ordinance (6.26): Many faith and community leaders spoke in favor, emphasizing that immigrant families need protection from ICE. Some advocates requested even stronger bans on assistance. One speaker criticized the lack of Spanish translation for amendments.
• Other Consent Items: Speakers raised concerns about the Laurel Business Improvement District assessment process and supported the Costco development and Oakland School for the Arts street renaming.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Elizabeth Lake as Interim City Administrator (S5.6): The item required an urgency finding (7-1, Ramachandran no). Council heard from Mayor Lee, who argued the appointment was essential to avoid a gap in administrative authority and to allow execution of the upcoming Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRAN) financing, projected to save $750,000. Councilmember Houston questioned the rushed timing and charter basis. The resolution passed 6-2 (Brown, Fife, Gallo, Houston, Unger, Wang aye; Ramachandran, Jenkins no).
• AC Transit Budget and Service Update (5.2): AC Transit Board Member Sarah Syed and staff presented the agency's $200 million deficit over four years, potentially leading to a 16% service reduction and 300 job losses if a regional measure fails in November. Councilmember Houston raised concerns about the BRT's impact on East Oakland. The item was received and filed 7-0-1 (Houston abstained).
• Real Property Transfer Tax Foreclosure Loophole Measure (S5.7): After an urgency finding (8-0), Councilmember Wang presented the measure to close the foreclosure exemption, with exemptions for small residential transfers, community banks, and affordable housing conversions. Finance Director Johnson estimated annual revenue of $4–13 million. Council adopted amendments: (1) adding council authority to amend exemptions by ordinance, and (2) inserting final ballot language. The resolution passed 7-0-1 (Jenkins excused). The companion advisory measure was removed.
• Geologic Hazard Abatement District Budgets (3.1, 3.2): Leona Quarry GHAD budget adopted ($405,670 expenditures, assessment suspended) and Oakland Area GHAD budget adopted ($20,498 expenditures). Both approved with excused absences. Public comments questioned Oak Knoll assessments and the need for expert monitoring.
• HUD Annual Action Plan (4.1): The city accepted $14,674,799 in HUD grants for CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA programs. Funding will support capital improvements, housing rehabilitation, and homelessness services. The resolution passed 8-0 after public hearing.
• Delinquent Taxes and Fees (4.2, 4.3, 4.4): The council confirmed liens for delinquent business taxes ($4.4 million), real property transfer taxes ($235,000), and trash fees ($9.1 million). Administrative hearings were conducted; 648 business tax accounts were resolved. All resolutions passed unanimously.
• General Plan Update – Draft Land Use Framework (4.5): The council held a study session to receive public input on the draft framework. Staff emphasized the iterative process, with final adoption planned for fall 2027. Councilmembers highlighted the need to balance industrial retention with affordable housing and environmental justice. Youth fellows presented priorities for parks, native plants, and maintenance. The report was received and filed 8-0.
• Encampment Abatement Policy – City Property Analysis (5.4) and Management Team Operations (5.5): City staff presented an inventory of 46 city-owned properties: 5 identified as strongest candidates (Tier 1), 9 with potential constraints, and 32 not feasible. Councilmember Houston urged immediate action on the 71st Avenue site, noting a $500,000 investment was wasted. Councilmember Fife demanded honest assessment of lack of shelter capacity. Discussion highlighted dependence on county Measure W funds and the need for operational funding. The EAP implementation begins July 13. Both reports received and filed 8-0.
• Temporary Street Closure to Combat Sex Trafficking (4.6): Councilmember Wang proposed a 6-month pilot closing 9th, 10th, and 11th Avenues between International Boulevard and 15th Street to through traffic. The goal is to disrupt trafficking by removing concealed access points. Public comment was divided. Councilmember Gallo favored stronger police action. Councilmember Fife supported the pilot but voiced skepticism. Councilmember Jenkins abstained. The resolution passed 6-1-1 (Ramachandran excused, Jenkins abstained).
• 2026 Miscellaneous Planning Code Amendments (6.5): Removed from consent and amended on introduction to delete a provision that would have immediately discontinuing nonconforming truck-intensive uses after 60 days of inactivity. The amendment, offered by Councilmember Unger, preserves the right to continue such uses if actively marketed. Final passage set for July 21. Approved 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• Interim City Administrator: Elizabeth Lake confirmed as interim city administrator, 6-2. She will execute TRAN financing documents.
• Ballot Measure: Voters will decide on November 3, 2026 whether to amend the real property transfer tax to eliminate the foreclosure loophole, raising an estimated $4–13 million annually. (Passed 7-0-1.)
• GHAD Budgets: Both Leona Quarry and Oakland Area GHAD budgets adopted without assessment levies.
• HUD Grants: $14.67 million in federal grants appropriated for housing and community development programs.
• Delinquent Taxes: Liens confirmed for business taxes ($4.4M), transfer taxes ($235K), and trash fees ($9.1M).
• General Plan Update: Draft Land Use Framework study session held; further community engagement planned through summer 2026.
• Encampment Policy: City property inventory presented; implementation of Encampment Abatement Policy begins July 13, 2026. Additional funding and county partnerships needed.
• Street Closure: Pilot temporary street closure for sex trafficking disruption approved for 6 months, installation expected early fall.
• Sanctuary City Ordinance: Strengthened ordinance approved on introduction; final adoption on July 21.
• Planning Code Amendments: Nonconforming industrial use discontinuance standard revised; final adoption on July 21.
• Consent Calendar: All other consent items approved as amended, including contracts, appointments, emergency declarations, and salary adjustments.