Oakland

All Oakland decisions in one place. City Council votes and the committee work that shapes them. What passed, what changed, and what this means for you.
23
Jun

Oakland's 'City of Refuge' law heads to council July 7

Oakland Public Safety Committee: The "City of Refuge" sanctuary ordinance and a 6-month sex-trafficking street closure both cleared committee 3-0, headed to a July 7 City Council vote.
4 min read
23
Jun

Fewer car lanes, more crossings proposed for 14th Street

Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee: A nearly $2.5M safety redo of 14th Street and two disposal contracts head to council July 7. A nearly $21M Broadway contract moved to July 14.
3 min read
23
Jun

Oakland youth grants: panel backs $20,677,356 a year, July 7 vote

Oakland Life Enrichment Committee: Up to $20,677,356 a year in grants for youth programs cleared the committee 4-0 and now heads to the July 7 City Council vote. Two other items also passed.
2 min read
23
Jun

Oakland takes a first step toward a Costco on the old Army Base

Oakland Community and Economic Development Committee: Costco talks for a vacant Army Base site cleared committee 4-0 toward a July 7 council vote, plus $14,674,799.07 in federal housing funds.
4 min read
16
Jun

Oakland mayor breaks 4-4 tie to put charter plan on the ballot

Oakland City Council: A strong-mayor charter measure heads to the November ballot after Mayor Lee broke a 4-4 tie. The council funded 21 violence-prevention groups and raised property taxes.
5 min read
12
Jun

Oakland passes its budget by declaring a fiscal emergency

Oakland City Council: The council passed its 2026-27 budget 6-2, declaring a fiscal emergency to waive the 700-officer police minimum and Democracy Dollars. It also moved $50M up to housing.
6 min read
09
Jun

Oakland sends $38.1M anti-violence plan to Council, cut to 2 years

Oakland Public Safety Committee: A $38.1M plan for 21 violence-prevention groups heads to the full Council, cut from 3 years to 2. The first wildfire report flagged an unfilled manager job.
3 min read
09
Jun

A paperwork error stalled payments for 369 Oaklanders' care

Oakland Life Enrichment Committee: A fix to keep lifeline services reaching 369 frail seniors and disabled adults heads to the full council June 16. Plus up to $197,432 for summer camp.
2 min read
09
Jun

Oakland panel backs a $10M ice rink fix and new Sharks lease, 4-0

Oakland Community and Economic Development Committee: A new Sharks Ice lease and up to $10M in bonds to overhaul the downtown rink cleared committee 4-0, heading to Council June 16.
3 min read
09
Jun

Oakland bike share could keep running through 2032, after a 3-1 vote

Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee: Members split 3-1 to extend Lyft's bike share to 2032 and backed about $26.5M for an MLK Jr. Way redesign. Council votes June 16.
3 min read