Oakland Council Honors LGBTQ Activists, Confronts Illegal Dumping and Lead Crisis

The Oakland City Council spent its May 19 meeting toggling between celebration and confrontation — unanimously renaming a public plaza for two slain LGBTQ leaders, then clashing over why illegal dumping enforcement remains toothless in East Oakland. The session ended with youth advocates demanding the city spend $14 million in lead paint settlement funds sitting idle while children in Fruitvale are poisoned at rates exceeding Flint, Michigan.

• Council renames LGBTQ Community Center plaza "Moore Hope Plaza" to honor activists Peggy Moore and Hope Wood, killed in a 2024 car crash

• Members blast illegal dumping status quo, demanding prosecution, dedicated police resources, and accountability for unfilled enforcement positions as council approves $1.1M action plan

• Youth advocates confront council on lead poisoning, citing 83% of Oakland rentals contaminated and $14M in unspent settlement funds

• Affordable Housing Month celebrated as Oakland's point-in-time homeless count drops 20%

• Emergency floodplain ordinance passes to avoid FEMA suspension before May 25 deadline

• $200M short-term borrowing authorized on first reading to smooth city cash flow and pre-fund CalPERS pension payments

Moore Hope Plaza: A Permanent Memorial to Two Trailblazers

Why it matters: Oakland cemented its commitment to preserving LGBTQ history by unanimously creating a permanent public memorial at the heart of its LGBTQ Cultural District, honoring two women who shaped marriage equality and political organizing across the East Bay.

Where things stand: The council adopted a resolution commemoratively renaming the plaza at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center as "Moore Hope Plaza" in honor of Peggy Moore and Hope Wood, two longtime activists and partners killed in a car accident in May 2024.

Councilmember Rowena Brown, who sponsored the resolution, described the pair's decades of organizing — from fighting Proposition 8 to mentoring candidates through the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club and Sistahs Steppin in Pride.

"This renaming honors the lives and legacy of Peggy Moore and Hope Wood. These two women were trailblazers in the Bay Area through their passion for social justice, advocacy and community organizing," said Councilmember Brown.

Councilmember Charlene Wang played a video clip of Peggy Moore describing her journey to Oakland and the city's role in her activism. "Peggy was inspired by Oakland. And then Peggy would go on to inspire other Oaklanders, especially LGBTQ Oaklanders," Councilmember Wang said afterward.

Council President Kevin Jenkins recalled working alongside Moore during his time as a staffer for Supervisor Keith Carson and during her tenure with Mayor Libby Schaaf. Councilmember Ken Houston shared personal memories of Moore's warmth and support during his early campaigns. Councilmember Janani Ramachandran remembered receiving advice from Moore at an Equality California political training.

Three public speakers also honored Moore. Jean Hazard recalled Moore's planned assembly run and political strategy work. Asada Olabala urged the council to celebrate Moore specifically as a "strong black woman." Isaac Cost Reed shared memories from Lakeshore Cafe.

Decisions: Approved 7-0 (For: Brown, Gallo, Houston, Jenkins, Ramachandran, Unger, Wang; Absent: Fife).

Illegal Dumping: Council Demands Prosecution and Police Resources

Why it matters: Illegal dumping disproportionately impacts East and West Oakland communities of color. Council members are signaling that cleanup alone is insufficient — they want arrests, prosecutions, and accountability for previously budgeted enforcement positions that may never have been filled.

Where things stand: The consent calendar included three linked items: a $1.1 million IDEA expenditure plan (S6.26), support for SB 1230 strengthening dumping penalties, and support for AB 2310 expanding liability to include transporting waste for dumping. All passed 7-0, but the discussion that preceded the vote was anything but routine.

Councilmember Houston delivered one of the meeting's most impassioned speeches, describing decades of hazardous dumping in District 7 and calling the current approach a failure.

"We need to stop clean up. Cleanup, cleanup, cleanup. Cleanup is not working. It has not worked. It has not worked," said Councilmember Houston. He emphasized that environmental enforcement officers need training to collect evidence that can hold up in court, comparing the work to crime scene investigation.

Councilmember Wang called for at least one full-time Oakland Police Department officer dedicated to illegal dumping and graffiti enforcement. "I think we need at least one full time OPD officer that's dedicated to illegal dumping and graffiti vandalism," she said, citing a city auditor finding that OPD failed to investigate reported dumping crimes and the district attorney declined to prosecute.

Councilmember Brown pressed the administration on transparency, questioning whether previously budgeted positions for environmental enforcement officers and technology improvements had actually been filled or funded. "So when we think about expenditures, where, if these positions haven't been hired, where is that money?" she asked.

The other side: Councilmember Noel Gallo offered a practical comparison, noting that San Leandro residents can dump household trash at a waste management facility for free once a month and asking why Oakland cannot offer the same service. Public commenter Dwayne Nelson opposed the $1.1 million expenditure plan outright, questioning the lack of key performance indicators and the one-year reporting delay. He urged more frequent oversight and accountability for outcomes, not just spending.

What's next: The state bills head to Sacramento. Council members' demands for prosecution pathways, dedicated police resources, and answers on unfilled enforcement positions will test the administration's responsiveness in coming months.

Youth Demand Oakland Spend $14M Lead Settlement on Proactive Inspections

The basics: A 2019 legal settlement with paint companies yielded over $14 million — $5 million held by the city and $9 million by the county — for lead hazard remediation. Advocates say the money has sat largely untouched.

Why it matters: With 83% of Oakland rental homes potentially containing lead, according to KQED reporting cited during testimony, and Fruitvale experiencing higher lead poisoning rates than Flint, Michigan, the gap between available funds and deployed resources represents a public health crisis for children.

Where things stand: Approximately eight speakers — mostly high school students from La Clinica de la Raza's Healthy Homes Initiative and CASA CHE Youth Bridge Program — filled the open forum with personal stories of lead exposure.

Sylvia Guzman, a Healthy Housing Champion from La Clinica, described her children being born into a lead-infested building and urged the council to adopt proactive rental inspections.

Crystal Harding of All Children Thrive California and the Havens Court Safe Homes Initiative put the crisis in stark national context, stating that Fruitvale had higher lead poisoning rates than Flint, Michigan. She urged investment in equitable lead abatement and proactive rental inspections.

Several student speakers shared personal testimony. One described her 7-year-old sister suffering stomach pain before testing revealed lead poisoning. Another cited that buildings built before 1972 may still contain lead.

Councilmember Gallo confirmed the $5 million city and $9 million county allocation but lamented the slow response, noting lead issues have been identified in his own City Hall office. Councilmember Wang added that Castlemont High School has only one working drinking fountain due to lead in its pipes.

What's next: Council President Jenkins directed the City Administrator to respond to the community outside of the council meeting regarding the lead settlement funds. "Madam City Administrator, we're going to hold you responsible for responding outside of council and making sure that we get all on that lead settlement money getting out," he said.

Affordable Housing Month: 20% Drop in Homeless Count

Why it matters: The 20% reduction in the point-in-time homelessness count marks a significant milestone for Oakland, and the affordable housing pipeline — with hundreds of units in construction — shows tangible returns on city investment, even as federal funding cuts loom.

Where things stand: The council recognized May 2026 as Affordable Housing Month (Item 6.15), drawing testimony from multiple community organizations.

Annie Ledbury of EBALDC highlighted four new construction projects, noting the organization leads 15% of Oakland's current affordable housing construction pipeline. Carla Guerrera of The Unity Council celebrated the groundbreaking of 2700 International Boulevard — 75 units, 22 designated for formerly homeless veterans — built with Measure U funds. The Unity Council now manages 408 affordable units with 670 more in the pipeline.

Isaac Cost Reed highlighted the 20% reduction in the point-in-time count. "I do want to shout out the recent results of the point in time count where the City of Oakland showed a 20% reduction in homelessness. And I think that that is absolutely amazing," said Councilmember Brown, who sponsored the item.

Councilmember Brown spoke at length about the importance of the recognition given federal cuts to social services and rental assistance, flagging upcoming RHNA and Oakland Housing Authority reports at the Community and Economic Development Committee.

Council Mourns 85th Avenue Tragedy

Councilmember Houston named the victims of a violent incident on 85th Avenue on Sunday, May 17, in which individuals were struck by a vehicle. He identified the deceased — Robert Dixon and Charles Blackman — and several injured, while withholding one name pending family notification.

"Robert Dixon called him Frog. He was from 85th. And I got a call at 1123 on Sunday, May 17th in the morning," Councilmember Houston said. He urged the community to wait for the police investigation before taking action.

Council President Jenkins adjourned the meeting in honor of all the 85th Avenue victims, as well as former Councilmember Wilson Riles Jr., arborist Christopher Buckley, and community member Etta Mae Johnson.

Gary Payton Way Comes to East Oakland

Councilmember Gallo shepherded the commemorative renaming of 40th Ave between Mera and Carrington Streets as "Gary Payton Way," honoring the NBA Hall of Famer and Oakland native.

"Oakland at one time was the fifth largest market in the country for recruiting professional athletes," Councilmember Gallo said, listing legends including Marshawn Lynch, Damian Lillard, Ricky Henderson, Jason Kidd, Bill Russell, and Dave Stewart.

Multiple public speakers — including Arthur Shanks, who recalled mentorship from Gary Payton's father, and Jason Dixon, who described how the Payton family shaped his life — testified in support. John Jones III tied the commemoration to Malcolm X's birthday.

A dedication ceremony is scheduled for June 18. Approved as part of the consent calendar, 7-0.

Senior Housing Conditions Draw Sharp Rebuke

During open forum, residents of Oakland Station senior housing and a building at 1428 105th Avenue described deplorable living conditions. Councilmember Houston recounted a recent inspection visit.

"When we went out there, expired fire extinguishers, handrails didn't work. The roll up door didn't work. It smelled like stench and it was just awful. No one should have to live like that," he said.

Gregory Slaughter thanked Council President Jenkins, Councilmember Brown, and Councilmember Houston for visiting Oakland Station. Tomasa Bird, a resident at 105 International, described five years without bathroom grab bars, repeated falls including a broken wrist, rain leaking into her apartment, and roach infestation.

Minor Items

• Emergency floodplain ordinance (6.6): Chief Building Official Cecilia Moyla secured emergency adoption of a FEMA-compliant floodplain management ordinance to avoid suspension from the National Flood Insurance Program before the May 25 deadline. Previously passed 4-0 at Public Works Committee and 7-1 at first reading.

• Retired annuitant exception (S5.2): Council waived the 180-day CalPERS waiting period to rehire John Mineta, a 26-year city employee and Oakland Army Base project manager. Brendan Moriarty said Mineta would support environmental compliance, a quarter-billion-dollar state grant, real estate negotiations for the Costco project, and staff training. Approved 7-0.

• $200M short-term borrowing (S5.3): First reading of an ordinance authorizing up to $200 million in tax and revenue anticipation notes for FY 2026-27. David Jones of the Treasury Bureau said the notes also enable pre-funding of CalPERS pension liability at a 3.34% discount. Second reading scheduled for next month. Approved 7-0.

• Fire and safety equipment contracts: $1 million for Bauer Compressors (SCBA units), $2.5 million for LN Curtis & Sons (firefighter equipment), $1.5 million for Graybar Electric.

• State bill endorsements: Council supported eight bills including SB 1313 (PFAS water grants), AB 1821 (public records response times), SB 1314 (smoke shop regulations), SB 417 (Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026), and AB 2351 (Shelter Bed Transparency Act).

• Grants accepted: $300,000 Caltrans cleanup grant; $1.35 million in state healthcare funds for the PATH CITED program; $67,500 for DigitalLIFT senior digital literacy; $100,000 for the Ceasefire-Lifeline strategy via Community Initiatives.

• Item 6.5 (260 Oak Street easement): Continued to June 2.

• Appointments confirmed to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities and Budget Advisory Commission.