Oakland City Council Concurrent Meeting – October 6, 2026

The City Council of Oakland met on October 6, 2026, from 3:33 PM to 7:43 PM, with Council President Kevin Jenkins presiding. Seven members were present (Brown, Fife, Gallo, Ramachandran, Unger, Wang, Jenkins); Councilmember Houston was excused. The agenda was modified to hear the State of the City address first. Key actions included adopting amendments to the S-8 housing ordinance, approving a construction contract for the 19th Street BART to Lake Merritt Greenway project, and passing a 45-day moratorium on data centers as part of the consent calendar. Extensive public comment focused on city worker contracts, the data center moratorium, and police overtime.

Consent Calendar

The consent calendar was approved with a vote of 7-0 (Houston excused). Notable items included:

• 6.5 – Memorandum of Understanding with the Oakland Police Officers’ Association (OPOA), providing wage increases and bonuses. Councilmember Fife voted no; the ordinance passed for final passage 6-1 (Fife no).
• 6.12 – Ordinance amending OMC Chapter 8.28 on solid waste, approved as amended with language clarifying enforcement.
• 6.15 – Interim urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on data centers (effective immediately, requiring six affirmative votes; passed 7-0).
• 6.1 – Approval of minutes from September 15, 2026.
• 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 – Renewal of local emergencies for HIV/AIDS, medical cannabis access, and homelessness.
• 6.6 – Informational report on the performance audit of the Vacant Property Tax.
• 6.7 – Salary ordinance title changes.
• 6.8 – Park restoration contract with McGuire and Hester ($453,907.93).
• 6.9 – Residential parking permit zone adjustments.
• 6.10 – 98th Avenue crossing improvements contract ($2,184,566.58).
• 6.11 – Martin Luther King Jr. Way Complete Streets resurfacing contract ($7,306,798.13).
• 6.13 – Grant to Service Opportunity for Seniors for Meals on Wheels ($150,000 per year for FY25-27).
• 6.14 – Early care and education emergency grant ($500,000).
• 6.16 – Informational report on OPD human trafficking enforcement.
• 6.17 – Acceptance of CHP toxicology grant ($270,942).
• 6.18 – Ratification of Mayor’s actions during 2026 annual recess.
• 6.19 – Confirmation of Stephanie Wilborn to Head Start Advisory Board.
• 6.20 – Professional services agreement with Barretto-Co. for signage ($300,000).
• 6.21 – Resolution honoring Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar on its 50th anniversary.
• 6.22 – Reappointment of councilmembers to ABAG Executive Board.
• 6.23, 6.24 – Renewal of MOUs with ATF and DEA for OPD task forces.
• 6.25 – Reappointment of R. Steven Wilkinson to Police and Fire Retirement Board.
• 6.26 – Confirmation of Sharon Jones to Commission on Homelessness.
• 6.27 – Settlement in Willie Wilson v. City of Oakland ($230,000).
• 6.28 – Recognition of National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.
• 6.29 – Resolution celebrating Soulovely’s 15th anniversary.
• 6.30 – Commemorative street renaming of Broadway between 14th and 17th Streets as “Black Panther Party Boulevard.”

Public Comments & Testimony

Over 100 speakers addressed the council, with the majority speaking on the data center moratorium and city worker contracts.

• City Workers (Local 21, SEIU 1021, Oakland Firefighters): Dozens of employees urged the council to direct the administration to offer a fair contract with cost-of-living adjustments. They stated that no COLA has been provided in 18 months, that vacancies exceed 20% in some departments, and that the city’s bargaining team has not made reasonable offers. Many contrasted the police contract (14% over five years) with the lack of raises for civilian workers. Speakers demanded equitable treatment and warned of a potential strike.
• Data Center Moratorium: A large number of residents strongly supported the moratorium, citing environmental impacts (water usage, energy demand, pollution), noise, health effects, displacement, and the need for community control over technology. Some speakers advocated for a permanent ban. A smaller number of speakers opposed the moratorium, arguing that data centers bring investment, jobs, and technological progress.
• OPD Audit and Overtime: Several speakers criticized the police contract and the slow implementation of audit recommendations, especially overtime tracking (projected for 2031). They called for GPS in patrol cars and stricter oversight.
• Other comments: Concerns about illegal dumping, homelessness, affordable housing, traffic safety, and equitable investment across neighborhoods were raised. One speaker supported the street renaming for the Black Panther Party.

Discussion Items

5.1 – State of the City (Mayor Barbara Lee) Mayor Lee presented an informational report, highlighting:

• Crime reductions: burglaries down 26%, violent crime down 17%, homicides and shootings down by double digits over three decades, gun violence down 50% in 33 months.
• End of federal oversight of OPD after 23 years.
• MACRO crisis response handled 7,000 calls with 97% resolved without police or EMS.
• Homelessness fell 20% between 2024 and 2026; 1,000 families prevented from losing homes; 1,300 affordable homes opened in two years.
• $334 million in bonds unlocked for infrastructure and housing.
• Balanced budget, filled over 1,000 vacant positions.
• Other achievements: Oakland ranked #1 food city by Condé Nast, greenest big city in America, reopened parks and recreation centers. The report was received and filed (7-0-1).

4.1 – S-8 Ordinance Amendments (SB 79 Housing near Transit) Staff presented amendments to the Planning Code to address state HCD comments, excluding industrial parcels and adding four new transit stops. The public hearing had one speaker. Councilmember Gallo raised concerns about government-owned land not being included in the housing strategy. The ordinance was approved on introduction (7-0-1) and scheduled for final passage on October 20, 2026.

5.2 – Audit Recommendation Follow-Up Report City Auditor Michael Houston reported that 71% of 329 audit recommendations (dating from 2014) are now implemented or closed. 95 recommendations remain open, including 13 on police overtime. A new dashboard was launched. Councilmembers questioned delays in OPD overtime tracking and the need for interim solutions. The report was received and filed (7-0-1).

5.3 – 19th Street BART to Lake Merritt Greenway Project (Contract Amendment) Staff requested a $4.19 million amendment (total not-to-exceed $10.62 million) due to unforeseen conditions and delays. Councilmember Wang voted no, citing concerns about cost overruns (65% increase) and the use of Measure U funds. The resolution passed 6-1 (Wang no).

5.4 – Major Encroachment Permit at 1021 45th Avenue Granted for outward-swinging doors and planters, preserving 9.5 feet of sidewalk. No public speakers. Passed unanimously (7-0-1).

Key Outcomes

• S-8 Housing Ordinance approved on first reading (7-0-1), with final passage set for October 20.
• 19th Street Greenway contract amendment approved (6-1, Wang opposed).
• 45-day moratorium on data centers adopted as an urgency ordinance (7-0, with six affirmative votes required by City Charter Section 213). The ordinance includes a requirement for a written report within 45 days.
• OPOA Memorandum of Understanding passed on final passage (6-1, Fife no).
• All consent calendar items approved, including the data center moratorium, salary schedule changes, and various contracts and resolutions.
• Council directed staff to provide a briefing on land owned by public agencies for housing, responding to Councilmember Gallo’s request.