Oakley Council Eyes Fines, Parent Liability in E-Bike Crackdown

Oakley's e-bike problem now has a price tag: just over $12,000 to repair one city dog park. At its Oct. 13, 2026, meeting, the City Council signaled it is ready to make riders, and their parents, pay. In a work session with no vote, council directed staff toward new ordinances, tougher enforcement and education. Separately, it passed state-mandated shelter zoning and a Sellers Avenue subdivision on identical 4-1 votes, with Councilmember George Fuller dissenting both times.

• E-bike crackdown: Council backs ordinances, higher fines and parent accountability after park damage

• Emergency shelters allowed by right in four multifamily zones, introduced 4-1 under state mandate

• Five-lot Hacienda Estates map on Sellers Avenue approved 4-1 amid CEQA objections

• Laurel and Empire corner gets early council nod for commercial use over a neighbor's objection

• Canal replacement: Water district previews a multibillion-dollar buried pipeline, with construction no earlier than fiscal year 2032

E-Bikes: Council Wants Parents to Pay

Why it matters: E-bikes and e-motorcycles are tearing up parks and crowding pedestrian paths. Council members appeared ready to escalate fines and shift costs to families.

Where things stand: In a 40-minute briefing, Police Chief Paul Beard pinpointed the source of most complaints. "Pre-driving age juveniles are creating most of the issues for us that we're seeing," he said. He described riders doing wheelies on pedestrian areas and churning up park turf.

At the COTA Dog Park alone, the damage covered 2,850 square feet and took 64 labor hours and 20 cubic yards of planter mix to repair. "The COTA dog park cost the City of Oakley just over $12,000 to repair the damage that we just looked at," Beard said.

Police impounded vehicles on Sept. 3 and Sept. 29. One family paid $500 to retrieve an impounded motorcycle. Beard walked through California's e-bike class rules, the department's education flyers and ordinances adopted elsewhere, including in Orange County and Carlsbad. "I believe that education like this is good, but I think enforcement is more effective," Beard said. He also floated an ordinance allowing the city to charge parents of violators.

The other side: Vice Mayor Aaron Meadows cautioned against treating this as a youth-only problem, noting that adults also ride on sidewalks. "And so it's not just the kids. It's really everybody," Meadows said. Councilmember George Fuller pressed staff on who impounds the bikes and where they are stored. Councilmember Shannon Shaw asked whether Class 3 e-bikes and e-motorcycles on roads must be licensed, registered and insured, a question that could give police a basis for towing.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Mayor Hugh Henderson framed the consensus. "I think we need to hit this on a 3-pronged approach," he said. His three prongs were ordinances, enforcement backed by Office of Traffic Safety grants and a regional task force, and education.

Shaw wanted parks covered by any new rules. "I am fine charging parents if there is significant damage that we can prove is caused by their child," she said. Councilmember Anissa Williams went further. "So I say make them as hefty as we're allowed to, impound the bikes for as long as we're allowed to, for as expensive as we're allowed to," she said. Williams suggested roughly $1,000 as a fine level and urged the city to use video submitted by residents.

Parents of young riders face the clearest new exposure. Park users and Public Works crews stand to gain if the damage slows.

What's next: Staff will develop options. No return date was announced.

Shelter Zoning Passes, Reluctantly

The basics: A "by-right" use is allowed without discretionary review, such as a use permit or a project-specific environmental study.

Why it matters: The ordinance brings Oakley's code into compliance with state law. The state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) required the change when it certified the city's housing element.

Where things stand: Community Development Director Ken Strelo said the amendment implements Policy Action 3.7 of the housing element. "This is something that was required by HCD when they certified the city's housing element in 2023," he said. The change applies only to the M-9, M-12, M-17 and M-30 multifamily districts. It approves no shelter project and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under state law.

The other side: Fuller asked about large lots near Sellers Avenue and opposed giving up environmental review, citing a Delta Protection Commission letter. "CEQA is there to protect the residents and protect their water," he said. Staff responded that the commission's concerns related to the next agenda item. No members of the public spoke.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Meadows seconded Shaw's motion while making clear where the pressure came from. "This is being dictated to us by state law, not by our choice," he said. Shaw and Williams both cast reluctant yes votes, and Shaw answered the roll call with "Reluctantly, yes." The vote: For: 4 (Henderson, Meadows, Shaw, Williams); Against: 1 (Fuller); Absent: 0. The ordinance was introduced, not yet adopted.

Sellers Avenue Split Clears Over CEQA Objections

Where things stand: Council approved the Hacienda Estates tentative parcel map, which divides a 5.4-acre parcel zoned R-40 on Sellers Avenue into five lots of roughly one acre each. Staff said the map fits the zoning and the general plan's Rural Residential density and is consistent with the general plan's existing CEQA analysis.

Asked whether more homes could follow, Strelo drew a line between local and state rules. "So under the city general plan, this could not be subdivided further," he said. He added that SB 9, the state lot-split law, could still allow splits with single-family homes exempt from CEQA.

Applicant Mark Delo said he and fellow investors each plan to build homes and have no plans for further subdivision. "I plan on building my home there on one of the acres," Delo said.

The other side: Fuller wanted CEQA review, citing restoration work on Marsh Creek.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Williams moved approval. "This helps at least a little bit with our housing element," she said. The vote: For: 4 (Henderson, Meadows, Shaw, Williams); Against: 1 (Fuller); Absent: 0. The applicant gains buildable rural lots, while SB 9 remains a path to more density that the city cannot block.

Laurel and Empire: Commercial Corner Gets Early Nod

Why it matters: The site is one of the city's last undeveloped signalized corners. Redesignating it would make an existing home there legal nonconforming, meaning the home could stay but would no longer match the zoning.

Where things stand: Associate Planner Evan Cordman said 3920 and 3980 Empire Avenue total just over three acres now designated Residential Low. A smaller former city parcel on the site was sold in 2022. The Planning Commission was open to the change, and two members of the public opposed it there. Separation rules would still bar some uses. "Even with the commercial designation, neither a fuel station nor a car wash could be established on the site," Cordman said. The owners said they have no buyer and want direction from the city.

The other side: Carolyn Campbell, whose property adjoins the site, cited cut-through traffic, delivery trucks, noise and light pollution. She said she had also opposed the change in July. "Spot zoning a small 3-acre pocket for commercial use right against our home does not serve the long-term vision of our community infrastructure," Campbell said.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The work session was advisory, and no vote was taken. Henderson said residential access would be difficult, citing fire code limits and the site's job potential. "I would support moving that into a commercial piece of property," he said. Another councilmember urged the owners to work with neighbors and voiced hope for something other than fast food.

What's next: The owners may pursue a formal general plan amendment application.

Canal Replacement and Delta Fights Shadow Council Votes

Where things stand: Contra Costa Water District Director Constance Holdaway said the district serves more than 520,000 people, relies wholly on the Delta, and has Los Vaqueros Reservoir 90% full. She outlined a plan to replace 20 miles of the Contra Costa Canal, from Antioch to Clyde, with 8- to 11-foot buried pipe. The work would require a bypass system and build on the Oakley segment, where replacement began in 2009. "This will be a multibillion-dollar project, broken down into multiple smaller projects completed in phases," Holdaway said. There is no firm cost estimate yet. Funding could come from grants, loans, partnerships and rates.

A Delta water advocate who gave his name as Roger briefed council on opposition to the Delta Conveyance Project, estimated at $60 billion or more. He also covered harmful algal blooms, the veto of SB 872 levee funding, a new lawsuit against the Department of Water Resources, and El Niño flood risk near Dutch Slough and Big Break.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Fuller cited the water district's presentation in voting against consent item 4.7, whose subject was not described during discussion. "After watching CCWD presentation, I am even more adamant not to go forward with this project, and so I will vote no," he said. The item passed. For: 4; Against: 1 (Fuller); Absent: 0.

Minor Items

• New inspector job: Council voted 5-0 to add a Senior Public Works Inspector. The top-step cost is about $186,000, and staff estimate about $200,000 in average annual savings compared with contract inspectors. The amended salary schedule also reflects the minimum wage rising from $16.90 to $17.40 on Jan. 1, 2027.

• Minutes: The rest of the consent calendar passed 5-0. Item 4.1, the minutes, passed 4-1 after Fuller objected that they lack detail. Item 4.11, which attaches council comments to minutes, passed 5-0.

• Police honors: Nathan Wingate and Murrell Johnson received the department's first Chief's Certificates of Commendation for pulling a woman from a sinking car in the canal. Officer Gabriel Ganz received the department's first Life-Saving Award.

• Housing bond preview: Williams said the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAFA) may pursue a 2028-2030 housing bond. Shaw was sworn in to the Cal Cities East Bay Division board.

• Proclamations: Council recognized Community Planning Month, Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week (Oct. 11-17), World Polio Day (Oct. 24) and Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31).

Looking Ahead

The Freedom High School Parent Club hosts a car show fundraiser Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Restore the Delta holds a speaker training Oct. 21, and National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day falls on Oct. 24. The East Contra Costa County Meds Coalition's Fentanyl Awareness Symposium is Nov. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Freedom High School. Council adjourned to a closed session on existing litigation, and no action was reported.