Charter Reform Advances 5-3 as Council Splits Over Strong Mayor

Oakland's most consequential governance debate in decades moved forward Tuesday night, with the City Council voting to advance a charter reform ballot measure to a second hearing despite deep divisions over whether to concentrate executive power in the mayor's office. The marathon session also produced a contentious 5-3 vote to approve the city's violence reduction spending plan — unlocking tens of millions in voter-approved public safety funds before a June 30 deadline.

• Charter reform measure advances 5-3 to June 16 second hearing, splitting council between strong mayor supporters and council-manager advocates

• Violence reduction plan approved 5-3 after Wang's push to delay pending Measure E election results fails; $45-47M/year in Measure NN funds unlocked

• Master Fee Schedule passes first reading 6-1 with 3% baseline increase; Wang votes no over fee burden on small businesses

• Hazard mitigation plan adopted unanimously, maintaining FEMA grant eligibility and positioning Oakland for zero post-disaster cost share

• Disability commission chair warns ADA understaffing costs city millions in litigation annually, calls for two additional positions

• Consent calendar clears 8-0 with $28.4M Lincoln Recreation Center contract, WIOA workforce funding, and West Oakland recycler relocation directive