Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting - September 22, 2026

The Public Works and Transportation Committee of the Oakland City Council met on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 11:45 AM (scheduled for 11:30 AM) in the City Council Chamber. Chair Zac Unger presided, with Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Ken Houston, and Charlene Wang present (all four members). The committee reviewed 11 agenda items, including a major storm drainage master plan update, contract amendments, a parking zone change, an encroachment permit, and a solid waste ordinance amendment. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approval of Draft Minutes (July 14, 2026) – Approved unanimously (4-0).
• Item 2: Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items – Approved as amended (4-0) to withdraw a duplicate pending item (File ID 25-0536) because it was superseded by Item 11 on the agenda.
• Item 5: Park Restoration Services Contract – Approved (4-0) and forwarded to the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting on the consent calendar. The contract ($453,907.93) with McGuire and Hester is for post-storm trail repairs in Joaquin Miller Park and Diamond Canyon, funded 75% by FEMA, 18.75% by Cal OES, and 6.25% by the city’s sewer fund.
• Item 7: Residential Parking Permit Zone Changes – Approved (4-0) and forwarded to the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting on consent. Modifications include adding Webster Street to Zone N and removing sections of Aileen Street (Zone P) and Ross Street (Zone C).
• Item 9: 98th Avenue Crossing Improvements Construction Contract Award – Approved (4-0) and forwarded to the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting on consent. The $2,184,566.58 contract with Ray’s Electric (Gruendl Inc.) includes pedestrian safety improvements such as rapid flashing beacons and crosswalk enhancements.
• Item 10: Martin Luther King Jr. Way Complete Streets Resurfacing Project – Approved (4-0) and forwarded to the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting on consent. The $7,306,798.13 contract with McGuire and Hester includes pavement resurfacing and safety improvements on MLK Way (47th St to Berkeley border).
• Item 11: Ordinance Amending OMC Chapter 8.28 (Solid Waste) – Approved (4-0) and forwarded to the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting on consent, with Councilmember Wang added as co-sponsor. The ordinance strengthens waste disposal requirements, establishes a commercial special assessment for unpaid trash bills, and creates an on-site cleanup hauler permit program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sada Olabala (multiple items): Urged the city to address safety issues with 311 response times, tree limb hazards, and unused traffic signals; criticized the three-year delay in trail repairs and the lack of enforcement on illegal dumping; raised concerns about data center water contamination; and questioned the consistency of Park and Recreation Advisory Commission decisions that bypass council.
• Kevin Daly (multiple items): Supported the storm drainage fee ballot but asked for clarity on property-owner-only voting and fund dedication; praised Diamond Canyon trail repairs; asked how to avoid future large change orders on the 19th St BART project; supported MLK project approval but urged expedited safety improvements; and noted that illegal dumping often stems from residents lacking sufficient trash service.
• Kathy Adams (Items 6 & 10): President/CEO of Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce – demanded transparency on local and disadvantaged business participation in the 19th St BART contract amendment; asked for a report on actual subcontractor dollars paid and opportunities for Oakland businesses in the additional $4.185 million.
• Stanley Cooper (Item 10): Local contractor – requested postponement of the MLK project contract to allow further review of the mentor-protege program, arguing the ordinance is ambiguous about whether Oakland-based companies must be the proteges. He noted that the protege (On the Level Concrete) has a San Francisco office and only recently established Oakland presence.
• Edward Hemmat (Item 8): Property owner at 1021 45th Ave – thanked the committee and noted that the building also houses a repair shop and commercial kitchen, not just a cannabis facility.
• David Boatwright (Open Forum): Questioned the timeline and cost of the storm drainage master plan, urging the council to prioritize higher-impact projects over trail repairs and park maintenance without new taxes.
• Other speakers: Brief comments on parking fees and the need for better enforcement of hauling regulations.

Discussion Items

• Item 3: Storm Drainage Master Plan Update and Stormwater Fee Report – Staff (Terry Fashing, Watershed & Stormwater Division Manager) presented an informational report on the master plan (75% complete, final in 2027). Key estimates: $1.26 billion needed for specific capital projects; $3.63 billion for system-wide improvements; at least $16.3 million/year for proactive maintenance; and $24 million/year for water quality compliance. The city currently has no dedicated storm drainage fee, unlike Alameda ($88/year/home) and Berkeley ($42/year/home). A Prop 218 ballot process (18-36 months) could raise $10-15 million annually. Councilmembers expressed strong support but raised concerns about current funding from Measure U and Measure Q (only 5% for water quality), 311 response failures, and illegal discharges. The item was received and filed (4-0).
• Item 6: 19th Street BART to Lake Merritt Project Construction Contract Amendment – Staff (Amit Silvan) requested a $4,185,426.69 increase (to a total of $10,624,575.44) due to unforeseen underground utilities (shallow gas lines, railroad ties with hazardous material), basement structures, and delays from utility companies, public events, and weather. The project timeline extended from June 2023 to December 2026. Councilmembers questioned the size of the change order and whether rebidding was possible. Staff explained that rebidding would jeopardize $4 million in federal grants and result in significant additional costs. Councilmember Houston raised concerns about the potential for underbidding and subsequent gouging, and asked about design-build alternatives. After public comment demanding local business transparency, the committee approved the item 4-0 but forwarded it to the City Council on the non-consent calendar (motion amended from consent to non-consent to allow further discussion).
• Item 8: Major Encroachment Permit at 1021 45th Avenue – Staff (Reginald Bazil) recommended approval of a conditional encroachment permit for five outward-swinging doors and ten planters, leaving 9.5 feet of clear sidewalk. Councilmember Houston opposed, citing a pattern of non-compliance by cannabis facilities with community beautification agreements (OMC Title 5, Chapter 81, Section 70). He voted no but clarified his objection was not specific to this property. The item was approved 3-1 (Houston dissenting) and forwarded to the City Council on non-consent.

Key Outcomes

• Items 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11 were approved unanimously and forwarded to the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting, mostly on the consent calendar. Item 11 includes Councilmember Wang as co-sponsor.
• Item 6 was approved 4-0 but forwarded on non-consent to allow further City Council debate on the $4.185 million contract amendment and local business participation.
• Item 8 was approved 3-1 (Houston no) and forwarded on non-consent due to broader enforcement concerns about cannabis facility agreements.
• Item 3 (Storm Drainage Master Plan) was received and filed; staff will continue exploring a storm drainage fee ballot process (target 2027-2029).
• Item 4 (Safe Oakland Streets Report) was withdrawn from the agenda and placed on the committee’s pending list.
• Ongoing Referral: Councilmember Houston directed the City Administrator to enforce community beautification requirements for all cannabis facilities and requested a report on actual local business participation in the 19th St BART project. Councilmember Wong requested a review of the design-build project delivery model for future projects. The committee also noted the need for stronger enforcement of existing hauling and solid waste regulations.