Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting – October 27, 2026

The Oakland City Council Public Works and Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11:30 AM in the City Council Chamber. The committee considered two major action items: a long‑pending subdivision on Kenilworth Road and a $5 million professional services agreement for construction management of the Broadway Streetscape Improvements Project. Both items were forwarded to the November 10, 2026 Special City Council meeting, one on non‑consent and one on consent. The meeting also included public comments on the pending list and an open forum.

Consent Calendar (Routine Approvals)

• Item 1 – Approval of Draft Minutes (October 13, 2026): Approved unanimously (3‑0, with Councilmember Wang excused at the time).
• Item 2 – Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items (Pending List): Approved unanimously (3‑0, with Councilmember Wang excused at the time). One public speaker, Ms. Asada Olabala, raised concerns about the city’s tree‑removal permitting process, specifically the fee being non‑refundable even if a permit is denied and the delay between permit issuance and investigation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 – Kenilworth Road Subdivision:

  • Kevin Daly (public comment) expressed support for adding housing but requested sidewalks be included in the plan to avoid missing the opportunity; also questioned emergency access and fire safety.
  • Ms. Asada Olabala (public comment) noted the project’s long history (first partial map in 2006) and urged the city to address permitting delays that contribute to stalled housing projects.
  • Laura Blair (applicant’s representative, BuildZig) requested that the parcel map be approved so that previously authorized improvements (including retaining walls already in place) can be completed; she also ceded time to Carlos Plazola, who explained the developer’s difficult journey over 10 years.
  • Quintin Hillgren (neighbor) complained of constant dust, diesel fumes, and debris from the construction site, stating the project has been ongoing for years with minimal progress.
  • Andrew Rothman (neighbor) objected to another extension, citing noise, dust, and lack of progress; he noted the owner had originally planned to build a single home but now appears to be developing seven units commercially.
  • In follow‑up discussion, Councilmember Houston asked the developer’s representative about community meetings; the representative stated they have met with neighbors and are available for further communication.

• Item 4 – Broadway Streetscape Construction Management:

  • Kevin Daly (public comment) supported the project and requested a bike turn box from Broadway into 6th Street to improve cyclist safety.
  • Ms. Asada Olabala (public comment) questioned equity in project prioritization, listing many East Oakland projects that have not yet reached committee, and urged a fair distribution of transportation investments.

• Open Forum:

  • Ms. Asada Olabala highlighted city administrator spending on sidewalk shavings, recycling, tree maintenance, and boarding‑up properties, suggesting such reports should also go to the relevant committees.
  • Kevin Daly thanked Councilmember Houston for bringing up the parking division reorganization report and expressed optimism about transportation hiring.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Subdivision Improvements at Kenilworth Road (Three Resolutions): Staff (Ishra Jahan, Supervising Civil Engineer) presented: The project involves seven single‑family homes on vacant downhill parcels (Council District 4). The owner, Kenilworth Property LLC, seeks a subdivision improvement agreement to defer infrastructure construction until after map recording, a major encroachment permit for privately owned improvements (retaining walls, sewer, storm drain), and approval of Parcel Map No. 8228 (four lots plus remainder). The project was originally approved in 2006, with extensions; delays stemmed from an ancient landslide and COVID‑related permit renewals. The committee heard extensive public testimony from neighbors about construction impacts. Councilmember Houston urged the developer to improve communication and address dust/noise complaints. Councilmember Unger proposed forwarding the item to the full council on non‑consent to allow Councilmember Gennani (District 4) to engage with the parties.

• Item 4 – Broadway Streetscape Improvements Construction Management Support Services: Staff (Edmund Sioux, Supervising Civil Engineer) explained that a construction contract was awarded in July 2026 (McGuire and Hester) for pedestrian, transit, and signal improvements on Broadway between 2nd–11th Streets and 20th Street–Grand Avenue. The $5 million contract with VSCE Inc. covers resident engineers, inspectors, material testing, and special inspections. VSCE is an Oakland‑based SLB‑certified firm proposing to self‑perform 60% of the work; the remaining 40% will go to specialty subcontractors. Councilmember Wong questioned the high cost relative to the construction contract and requested more detailed documentation before full council action. Councilmember Houston praised the use of a local small business. The committee forwarded the item to council on consent.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Approved (3‑0) to adopt minutes of October 13, 2026.
• Item 2: Accepted pending list (3‑0) with no changes.
• Item 3 (three resolutions): Approved to forward to the November 10, 2026 Special City Council meeting on non‑consent – vote: 3 ayes (Unger, Wang, Gallo), 1 abstention (Houston).
• Item 4 (Broadway CM contract): Approved to forward to the November 10, 2026 Special City Council meeting on consent – vote: 4 ayes (Unger, Houston, Wang, Gallo), 0 nays.
• Open Forum: No committee action taken.

Committee membership: Chair Zac Unger (District 1), Councilmember Noel Gallo (District 5), Councilmember Ken Houston (District 7), Councilmember Charlene Wang (District 2) – all present by 11:36 AM. The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:30 PM.