2026-09-22 - Finance & Management Committee

00:01:04Good morning and welcome to the Finance and Management Committee meeting of Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 22nd 2026, the time is now 09:30am. In the speeding MAY come to order before taking rival provide instructions on how to submit speaker cards for items

00:01:18on this agenda. If you here with us in would like to submit a speaker card, please fill out and turned one into myself or a clerk. Representative. No later than 10 minutes after the start of this meeting or before the item is read into record,

00:01:30whichever will occur first registering to speak via zoom is now to 24 hours prior to the start of this meeting. Time, this meeting come to order at 09:30am, and speaker cards will no longer be excepted. 10 minutes after making that 09:40am, will now

00:01:43proceed with taking Roll Council members. Brown. And chair Ramachandran. PRESIDENT.

00:01:56Thank you. We have 4 members present chair. Before end. You have any announcements at this time. No, come back. We have a long set of impacted agendas all day various committees. So we will try to run this as efficiently as

00:02:10possible. Thank you. Thank you. Starting off with item one approval of the draft minutes from the committee meeting of 7/14/2026, we have no speakers on this item. Move

00:02:31the item. Thinking. Second. Thank you. That's a motion made by council member Brown seconded by Chair Ramachandran to approve the draft minutes from the committee meeting July 14th 2020 6, honorable

00:02:45Councilmembers, Brown. Under eye long. I chair on the Chandra eye. Thank you. Item one passes with for ice to accept the draft minutes from

00:02:587/14/2026 item, 2 determination of sketch about standing committee items also known as your pending. Listen, we have one speaker on this item. On the Chandra and committee members, David Jones

00:03:14at the Treasury Bureau just West this morning that I believe that Director Johnson is not here today, but he has spoken with that chair around Chandra she seemed to be okay with it. We are requesting the

00:03:27have the quarterly cash manage reporting the quarterly police and fire retirement system. Better newspapers, their performance report go informational memos that will be posted on the city website.

00:03:42This will allow you more time. You know, to manager here meetings ongoing basis, knowing it your calendars or so a self, you know, didn't give a little bit relief there and just as know we did this

00:03:55during the pandemic. So it's pretty pretty seamless. And the paper's report actually goes to its board. So it gets approved there as well. But then you know, I have to say

00:04:09this morning. Thank you, colleagues. Any content questions about that. All right. Then. We will entertain

00:04:23a motion. We have public comment. All you the name that signed up to speak on item to. That's a societal of Allah. So

00:04:35you have. Schedule annual reports. And you haven't had an annual report from the spending of the city administrators ability to

00:04:49spend up to 250 $1000 without coming to council since 2023. The next scheduled report related to that. His schedule

00:05:04for 2027. Now this is what happens when you don't have the ability to have checks and balances related to. Capacity to do that. Last Wednesday at the meeting of the Ethics

00:05:19Commission. The Oakland Police Department was held accountable for misspending of $12,000 using measure z funds to go Washington, D.C., for

00:05:32more on the state a week. And in the report, it said that the city administrator signed permission. For the 12,000 which he shouldn't have done because that money should not

00:05:47have been used flow going on a trip that money is supposed to be used for. Violence prevention 9-1-1, calls. And for recruitment. And because you had no checks and balance,

00:06:00you couldn't hold the city administrator accountable in 2024. For spending that money. So I encourage you if you are legally obligated to have

00:06:13reports on spending funds in this city to do it. And so we could have possibly a lot of misspending of funding related to that capacity of your city,

00:06:25administrative to spend without coming to Thank you for your comments. And we have a motion made by Councilmember Wang second in by council member Brown to except the

00:06:38determination of scheduled outstanding items as amended, noting that he changes too withdraw. The cash management report and informational report regarding police and fire retirement systems. The

00:06:51pending list to be posted as informational memos on the city's website. On role Councilmembers bound. And CHAIRMAN I thank you. Item 2

00:07:05passes with 4 eyes to accept the pending list as amended. Reading in item 3 adopt a resolution authorizing the city administrator or designee to enter into a cooperative contract agreement with

00:07:19government jobs dot Com Inc dba Neoga for human resources. Information Systems, subscription services for two-year period. Starting 7/1/2026 through 6/30/2028 and

00:07:32amount not to exceed 1 million 77 thousand $547.98 and leaving the competitive multas multiple steps, solicitation process and the local, small, local business enterprise requirement. And we

00:07:44have one speaker on this item. Thank you. I believe staff would like to withdraw item. That's correct. Okay. And to the PRESIDENT And then they would need to come to rules to be scheduled. That's great.

00:07:57Not right here on on this item. Can we postpone it or can you just come back to to comply with your own rules like to recommend that you vote as a body to postpone this item and also take public comment on this item. Okay.

00:08:14We'll take public comment. Calling in the name that signed up to speak on item

00:08:30number a societal of Was the reason for not having the item

00:08:43addressed. After public comment. I can ask the question. Well, it might be a part of my comment. But after public public comment after that, we can and to a part of

00:08:55my public comment might 2. Deal with why you pull the item. Have you started to talk me? I'm going to see the clock, please. Lack of

00:09:07accountability. So within the report. You have a section deals with it short way. You identify applicants by

00:09:21ethnicity. And you have at this city identified is black. African-american. Black is not an ethnicity or race. White is not an ethnicity. It's a race.

00:09:37Then you have. You're a pain. Yeah. White, European and Caucasian. Was a different suing Whiting Caucasian. Why do you bring all this crazy stuff up? The eu have Asian

00:09:49isn't. It is group. Asian is a race. European and I don't understand all district algae to group people and ways and

00:10:04we all just human beings. But race is not a social construct. Ethnicity is legit. It has to do with culture and language. And history of a

00:10:19group of people. But for whatever reason you all choose to be of all groups and in the report, are we going to see anything that says how many people will have? Because in a report, the higest groom that

00:10:34is applying to work. Is African-Americans and I want to see foundational black. And then the lowest number of people coming Looks like I don't see too many black

00:10:46people and that will call and I see less and less So at some point, a report on applies and

00:10:59who gets the job based all. Thank you for your comments chair. That speakers on this item. Okay. Thank you, Seth. What you like to explain why he pulled the item? Vested to pull that and we will vote on

00:11:12it. To chair. Good morning. My name is Amber Little hr manager with the Human Resources Management Department. I'm here to request that would pull item number 3. There are a few outstanding questions that need to be addressed. And we also need to make a change to

00:11:25the title based on feedback from contacts, anticipate that we will bring a very similar item back to fmc on OCTOBER 27th following review of rules on OCTOBER. 1st. They didn't want to note that there are no

00:11:38service impacts by putting this item. There a motion? Okay. Make the motion to go

00:11:56ahead and postpone this. Thank you. We have a motion made by council member Brown second by Councilmember Unger to withdraw this items and the agenda on role councilmembers. Brown. I Unger I long I chair

00:12:12a child I thank you. Motion passes with 4 eyes to withdraw items degree from the agenda reading and item number 4 receive an informational report from the city auditor on the performance audit of the vacant property tax. And

00:12:24there are 4 speakers that signed up to speak on item. Thank you. I Houston, go

00:12:36ahead. We will 5 minutes on the clock. Mission. It's okay. Michael, see Houston City Auditor. Good Morning Committee members, members of

00:12:50Public City staff. I'm here to present the findings and recommendations from audit of the city's vacant property This was a person required by Oakland Municipal

00:13:02Code 4, 5, 6, 0, 7, 0, which requires the city auditor's office to review the vacant property tax on a regular basis to ensure accountability, improper disbursement of all revenue collected from the tax. We issued this audit report in

00:13:17JULY. So I'm grateful to the audit team assisted City auditor Stephanie Noble Wilson and performance auditor, Claire Sullivan and they are here with you this morning. Audit sought to review the processes for identifying vacant property

00:13:32subject to the tax to examine the exemption process to ensure compliance with the Muni code into understand the frequency of different exemptions to identify the revenue the taxes generated to identify the benefits to

00:13:45taxes, produce and to compare the cost of administering attacks against the benefits. It has things the time period of the audit was the 5 years between that ideas between and

00:13:57including fiscal years, 2020, 2020. 21 and 2025. 26. So Oakland voters passed Measure w in 2018 measured abuse tablets. A special tax on

00:14:09vacant properties to generate revenue to reduce homelessness, blight and related issues. The City Council resolution that authorized measure w on the ballot states that Oakland is experiencing significant. They could see a property and that

00:14:25properties that are vacant or undeveloped deprived the community of economic opportunity in housing that could be provided if those properties were put to use the resolution further states that make up properties deprived the city of the revenue needed to provide public services and

00:14:38that vacancy encourages blight, crime and illegal dumping the tax on vacant properties is intended to fund solutions for homelessness. Illegal dumping remediation and related programs. Our

00:14:50audit considered the original intent and desired outcomes identified during the ballot measure its conception. The first of the 3 findings was that administrative process that the administrative

00:15:02process appears effectively identify vacant properties in Oakland. City administrator has assigned the city's finance department with the administration of the tax. But other entities are also involved, which is illustrated in exhibit 2 of the audit

00:15:19report. All right. It used a definition of vacant provided in the Oakland Municipal Code. Section 4, 5, 6, 20. The properties make it if it is in use fewer than 50 days in the

00:15:33calendar year and use is broadly defined to include lawful, physical occupancy as well as civic commercial industrial agricultural, extractive religious activities. This exhibit exhibit 4 from the audit

00:15:45report shows properties that appeared likely vacant confirmed vacant and those that were ultimately taxed since initiation of the tax numbers of taxed properties were lowered in numbers of

00:15:58likely vacant and confirmed vacant properties due to news declarations and exemptions properties can be exempt in specific circumstances such as being under active construction or other

00:16:10exemption criteria include properties being owned by nonprofits or low-income seniors or people with disabilities. So this exhibit shows that properties that have been identified as likely

00:16:23vacant have gone down. But the properties that were confirmed vacant have actually increased since the inception of the tax. So there are fewer false positives. The city contracts with in outside consultant sci

00:16:36Consulting Group to identify likely vacant properties using multiple data sources, including data on water usage, partial ownership, aerial imagery. To assess city's compliance with the Muni Code

00:16:49in ministering the tax basis, documentation for 9 properties over the years of the tax 3 identified as vacant properties for which the vacant property taxes paid. 5 properties were exempted from

00:17:01the tax and one property went through legal process to repeal the tax for these 9 properties. We checked for whether clickable Muni code requirements were met and we assess to appropriateness of evidence provided for tax

00:17:14exemptions. Our review of those 9 properties throughout the multiple years covered by audit found that the city's handling of these 9 properties was in compliance with the Muni Code during the course of the audit. The Finance Department developed provide

00:17:26written policies and procedures for tax administration which document the specific minimum documentation required to approve exemptions and detailed requirements for each step of administration

00:17:43process. We considered that methods for identifying. We concluded that methods for identifying vacancies are reasonable and appear to have improved over time is highlighted in exhibit for that. I just went over other Houston 5 minutes is over is 3

00:17:55more minutes efficient for them. The clock not really. What we have an impact, Asian, if we can set the time. Then think so 13 of the 18

00:18:08properties were found that attacks database and have either been tax as vacant are exempted from tax. So We did our own kind field work to see

00:18:20if visibly appear to be vacant was on the database yeah. There we go to the second finding measurable goals and regular reporting.

00:18:33What allowed the city to assess the effectiveness, the vacant property tax. So the city raised 29.8 million for

00:18:49the vacant property tax. It from 2021. Through. 24 25 so between 4.7 in 7 and a half million was generated annually

00:19:02from tax bacon properties. Expenditures from the vacant property have found a funded Oakland public works. The finance Department, the city minister's Office Housing and Community Development, Department and Human Services Department public works accounted for 20 Million.

00:19:17About 73% of tax expenditures. 66% of all expenditures heads has funded illegal dumping initiatives. And that's by far the use of the tax funds spending needs to municipal,

00:19:30quote, code requirement that 25% of revenue in a vacant property tax fund must be used for Blight. And when nation illegal dumping and code enforcement, a blighted properties, the Muni code

00:19:42states that no more than 15% of tax revenue could be used for administration. And the city spent 15% of revenues on administrative cost on average for the time that we reviewed exceeded percent only in the

00:19:55first year due to start up costs like adding staff positions and starting up contracts as covid. The city's financial system does not clearly distinguished administrative expenditures

00:20:07relevant to the vacant property tax which led us to recommendation. Number one. That the finance Department should should define administrative expense. City

00:20:25Council resolution. 8, 7, 3, 1, 9, stated that the taxes imposed for the sole purpose is of raising revenue necessary to support and fund services homeless people and affordable housing at unrelated programs. The 5

00:20:37month finance departments also acknowledge the goals of discouraging vacant properties. And we do see plight crime in illegal dumping the use of tax revenue does not reflect the broadly stated goals and multiple allowable uses of that tax.

00:20:50The city has spent much of the vacant property tax revenues on illegal dumping and he's not consistently fund other programs relating to the Texas School of supporting and funding services for people experiencing homelessness and

00:21:03affordable housing. So we recommend that that the city and minister to develop a plan to assemble and report data to establish a baseline of vacant property chins and causes in Oakland. And performance metrics and goals for the

00:21:16vacant property tax and should be used regularly assess effectiveness of the tax and reduce they can seize, minimizing the negative impacts of blighted properties and funding programs lined

00:21:28with the cities approved uses. Ce California. Governments cause Okay. Extra 3 minutes is up. Don't go to the final recommendation. I believe this

00:21:43study. The finance Department should provide an annual report to the City Council and Commission on homelessness detailing revenues, expenditures and status projects funded by the tax as required by California

00:21:58government code sections. This critical transparency and oversight was so far and we present this to Homelessness

00:22:10The Finance Department has agreed to this recommendation. The last one. But I recommendations that's just

00:22:22about the design of the tax. The tax MAY fall short maximizing the productive use and development of vacant properties due to design constraints, ours is a fixed rate. No matter how big the

00:22:35property us or how valuable value of the property is $3,000 to residential vacant properties and 6,004 commercial and that structure doesn't really impact. Does it have? That's a reflect the different impact that

00:22:49different vacant properties. We'll have city right on. And did also cuts the the revenue generated and that different from other cities like San

00:23:02Francisco, homes, tax, Washington, dc's in Vancouver's. So taking into consideration things like the size of the property, the length of they can whether blight is it is observed on

00:23:15property. Those things might improve the effectiveness of the tax disincentivize and pay Thank you. We will open it up

00:23:30to questions concerned about. Excellent. Thank you. So much of request is definitely a very comprehensive. So thank you so much to your team to you and the team preparing this information for us. I

00:23:45just had I did have one question. I know that the report, especially on the last night that you are sharing about, like, I comparing other cities. I was curious where you all able to kind of dive

00:23:57in a little bit deeper as relates to okc got the property type, whether it's residential, which tax rate is about $6,000 compared to some

00:24:12of the other ones being 3,000 also within the report. There are some numbers that show refund requests as well as hearing requests again. So is curious you know, over the

00:24:24documenting over the years what those numbers were. But I guess like I would be curious was a residential or Parcells

00:24:36like who are like King giving like, who's making the inquiry to either get a refund or needing some type of hearing versus just the total number

00:24:52between the 2. I do know most of them were residential I might tougher to team have the team answer more detail thank

00:25:05you, councilmember. We don't have a breakdown was, but I think that that's data that we could get some of that something you're just doing. We could follow up separately.

00:25:18Because I just be curious. As we are here, I guess, you know, I think that there's clear criteria that you all were able to find around like, you know, who qualifies for

00:25:31these various requests and just kind of getting being able to get that data to see you know, are we because I I think you know, and correct me if I'm wrong, I think that

00:25:44part of the goal here around parcel activation right? I think that there are, you know, across our city, especially in east Oakland, are a lot of vacant park

00:25:57parcels which contribute a blight, etc. And so we are you giving waivers I guess like the parcels. I think I would

00:26:10be concerned with that given like the cause is only 3,000 how much it cost to actually like clean, clean up those parcels from illegal dumping its edges. So I would be interested to see how that how

00:26:24that breaks down. Okay. I think we can get you that. I can tell you. In the meantime, though, that vacant lots without any sort of structure on the other ones that are most likely to be identified because they're among the easiest ones, too. And all of

00:26:36the waivers are issued, according to Reis unspecified within the law. And so when we did that case to the approach rejecting that implementing that appropriately from that they were. So we had some assurance in that area.

00:26:49Excellent. That sounds good. And case studies that you a recent able to do of those properties where the across the sea or did you concentrate in just one area? Across the

00:27:04city? Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember long. Thank you. Threw the chair as always. This is excellent work. 2

00:27:16questions you had noted in exhibit 14 and develop residential properties make up the most a vacant properties in Oakland. What does that look like to lay person? Is it

00:27:30just? Piece of grass, you know, like a chew what that looks like that, right? Is it that a that's residential intended for residential use a case, but there's no building

00:27:43structure essentially. Apologies from this period question. My sense is that based on zoning. And so a lot of Oakland is is zoned residential and has transition to residential. So it could look like a lot of different things, especially if you're looking in west of Glen, for

00:27:56example, if there's a lot of formerly industrial that's currently zoned for residential. Okay. Got thank you. My other question is on the expenditure side of things

00:28:09you and noted that the majority of funding has been going to legal time thing. I think the statute says that 25% of the funds should be going to illegal dumping, but it says at least so. Is it your understanding that the

00:28:22expenditures are actually? Say violating the law are just not in the spirit of the line. What voters had intended when agreed to be taxed on this,

00:28:35the letter okay. So we didn't find that any of the uses of the taxes outside of what's required. It's just people were very surprised find how little of the money France spent on homelessness,

00:28:47services and housing services. Yeah, me Alright, thank you so much. All right. I have a couple of firstly, I will second counselor Brown's

00:29:00request for data on the residential versus commercial. Think that's important conversation as we think about how to activate specifically they can commercial stations of which we have many throughout the city. So if

00:29:13that could be in a supplemental before this goes to the full council just to break down numbers, that would be great. Secondly, I found them not very interesting. At the end of the spatial

00:29:28vacancies and it seemed like a perhaps the most making. These are my district and a lot of the hills and I wanted to understand with this, not is this just vacancies are vacant. He's with the exceptions of, for example. I know that in some of these

00:29:42areas, it's they are a vacant because you can't build certain kinds of developments because of the wildfire maps. So can you explain the regional differences? I think there was an explanation of the West Oakland side and

00:29:54zoning. But why the certain areas of spatial vacancy clusters exist and I'm going to have the mic over to perform its Claire sold. I think you and answer your

00:30:07question. The math. That's on Page. 58 that shows the vacant properties includes. Properties are vacant as well as those that are vacant, but exempt from the tax. To the

00:30:19answer. So this doesn't break down. What are exemptions for that? It does not yet. Okay. Is it would it be too soon include in the supplemental as well? If take out? Yeah, that

00:30:33would be helpful. Thank you. Then to the administration, when I know that finance reports on the vacancy tax as well. Do have a regular report

00:30:48on that? We have reported. I believe the report went out earlier this year out just confirm with staff. Thank you. And as an annual report or every couple of years, I believe it was every couple

00:31:02years. Okay. Thank you. Questions become too public. Thank you. Calling the names that signed up to speak on item number item. Number 4, Madeleine's Stacy, a subtle of ala Kevin Dolly and Derrick Barnes. In no particular

00:31:15order, you can come up to the podium state, your name for the record and then begin. Not on Stacy. First of all, I know I see this every time that MR. He I'm always so impressed and grateful for your work. I just

00:31:28I don't think I'll ever get over how great you're doing. I was fortunate enough to see the full presentation on this report at the Commission of

00:31:41Homelessness. And I think deficit and a great job of identifying as he stated the the vacant lots. But we're not fully fulfilling the intent.

00:31:54Up the tax both in capturing the revenue that we could be capturing to kind of asset the blight and make it not worth while to have vacant property. Make it more expensive to pay the vacant tax than it is to

00:32:08maintain the property and then also and where the money and how the money's being spent. So even though there are caps on like Prop 13 does have some caps on how much you can tax

00:32:20based on assessed value. San Francisco is still doing. These are not a flat rate and where really missing a lot. A lot. A lot of revenue that wouldn't be any more like

00:32:32administrative cost. Identifying the lots in bend charging them already happening and we could capture a lot more revenue if we were based on like you said the size, the assessed value. But especially I think it is

00:32:47relevant to 2. How many years it's been vacant and the blight and then very importantly, where it's being spent. So has the report says only 4% of the property tax just a little under a million

00:33:01dollars has gone to the housing community department. It's the money really needs to go to homelessness, services and housing services. Really, really, really important that we shift that money to where it's intended and where it's needed. And I can guarantee

00:33:13that sweeps over a million dollars a year. So we really need more money into

00:33:30homelessness services. Thanks for the report. This is amazing to start to work on they can taxes. And now I have a challenge. I think this is both for the auditor and for the city Council. Beyond what

00:33:43the current report is. Can we look hit property which is underutilized and some of that might include say your parking lot. I know this is coming up on the agenda You know, parking lot in some cases

00:33:58could be turned in housing and wallet technically used utilized. It's not the best possible usage. How can the council? Encourage property

00:34:10owners to use their property in the more effective way. Following goals of the city and possible. Big challenge for the auditor to look into

00:34:24that well. This was not an easy audit. I suspect what I'm asking is probably even worse.

00:34:40Thanks. The report says it's possible that some vacancy

00:34:57properties got. Undetected. The report also says that the out of money spent from 2022.

00:35:0921 to 22 forward. 25. Collect. It was 29.8 million spent was 26.8 million. So what's happening with the rest of that money? Based on what the money could have been spent. I don't see why all of it was

00:35:23unspent. The report says that the city. Oracle system does not clearly distinguish administrative expenditures. I don't know how you deal with

00:35:36that. The city could improve oversight of the tax procedure. Now San Francisco has a similar attacks. Call the empty home tax.

00:35:49Proposition him. And SEPTEMBER of 2026. California state appeals court struck down the tax entirely. The court ruled

00:36:01that the tax is a violation of the state. Alex Ellis at. That means that. Landlords are protected and have the right

00:36:15to exit the rental up market. Without any consequences. So. Is it possible that you are in violation of the Ellis Act? As

00:36:27it relates to renters? Landlords who decide to leave their property. I think somebody needs to check on that. And determine whether those those landlords a

00:36:44comment under the Ellis Act. Thank you for your comments chair. That speakers on this item. Thank you. I will entertain a motion to this to the full the next full council

00:36:58meeting with 2 additional requests as clarified by the

00:37:10clerk. So Thank you. We have a motion made by Councilmember Unger second by Councilmember Wang to approve the recommendations of staff and support this item to the OCTOBER 8, 6, City Council agenda with the request to

00:37:23stop to provide in a supplemental report request for data on the residential versus commercial, specifically vacant commercial spaces and why certain areas of spatial, a vacancy clusters exist and the breakdown of

00:37:36exemptions and each vacancy cluster on role councilmembers Brown. I anger. I long. I and chair on child I thank you. Item number 4 passes with 4. I support this item to the

00:37:49OCTOBER 6 city Council agenda and to the maker of the motion. Is that on consent or non consent? We came to consensus consent. Okay. Thank

00:38:02you consent. Reading in item 5 receiving information report from the city administrator ot or their designee on the Special Revenue Collection project, including hiring and activating the work to bring in additional revenue from non about businesses. And there

00:38:23are 2 speakers on this item. Good morning, finance chair and council members. Nicole. Well turn into a tax administrator. Pleased to present the by Emil Special Revenue Collection report. In response to questions raised

00:38:37by council members Ramachandran and Brown finances compiled keep data summarizing Everybody. Management Bureau score focus areas, business tax to loosing management community outreach in compliance identification

00:38:52of unregistered businesses. Under this tax delinquency management. We continue to analyze business tax delinquency rates to ensure that renewals and subsequent collection activities identified early and address

00:39:06through sustained efforts. Community outreach in compliance. The bureau is actively engaging the community to improve overall understanding of business tax responsibility and to support compliance and registration and payment requirements. As

00:39:21far as the identification of underage the businesses. We are prioritizing the identification of and rich to businesses and working to bring them into compliance with the city business tax ordinance. As of the date of this report, the Oakland Business Tax Renewal rate is

00:39:3783.9% Regarding property tax related delinquencies updates were presented to council on JANUARY 20th in JULY, 7th 2026. These efforts to resulted in property liens that have now been transferred

00:39:49to the Alameda County secured property tax on AUGUST. 10th 2026, totally 5.4 million dollars. Fernand property business accounts are in the State Revenue Management Bureau staff continues to

00:40:02conduct field work and outstanding balances are being referred to the city by collects the division for further action. Our community outreach remains a major Focus. Revenue Management bureau staff have participated in several events, including

00:40:15first Friday, the Oakland Chinatown Lunar New Year. Bizarre Lakes. That's the Little Street Fair. The outdoor vendor support Clinic. Additionally an updated public service announcement video in conjunction with k-pop has

00:40:30been completed. To strengthen data integrity with I can identify and registered businesses approximately 6,879 landlord audit notices were mailed on SEPTEMBER. 11th

00:40:432026. These notices support verification of existing landlord account and help identify and registered multi-unit parcel owners that through registration within the business tax system. This

00:40:55concludes this Special Revenue Collection report. I am happy answer any questions. Thank you so much. I will start with a couple of questions. And firstly notice my city of Oakland revenue measures led from the Laurel Street there.

00:41:11Thank you for being out there. I think the progress is incredibly noticeable you know, I personally really appreciate the efforts to get more businesses in compliance and paying because that's

00:41:25revenue that we need. Firstly I to get a sense of the delinquency. So in the past between 2025 26. He mailed about 15,000 delinquency

00:41:38notices. Is it do you know if that's about the same as last year or was there a decrease or increase? I think that last year there was a catch up, meaning that there was a an

00:41:50effort to catch up on multiple years. So it MAY have been an increase this year. I want you to delinquency can fall into 3 different categories. There are individuals who will start

00:42:03a business with the intent. I call them. I have a dream but never go through with the actual business. Then you have the one to actually start a business and the legitimately forget to renew out of any

00:42:17delinquency. And this is just industry standard. You're going to get anywhere between 80 to 85% compliance. 15% of that population are the ones that you're going to have to actually do extra efforts in order to bring them into

00:42:31compliance. What my team and I have been doing is that we have been individually calling these individuals to find out. Are you still currently in business this being the ones that have commercial locations, the residential.

00:42:44Obviously we can't visit them but making phone calls, sending emails and doing the additional effort. But to go back to your question is the rate of delinquency from last year to this year? I believe that previous years were a

00:42:57matter of catching up one years that had not been collected or notice. That makes sense. Thank I also

00:43:10notice that the not the high number of businesses that were closed. And I see that chart and specifically reflecting those months where you see a really sharp increase because of your outreach efforts. And

00:43:24that makes a lot of sense of these businesses. I just have to go through the formality in close their account. So thank you for that. I have a question about. The non property section for the for

00:43:37the property renewals. I understand that there's a very clear threat of this is going to go on your property tax bill. So if you don't, hey, now you're going to have to pay soon enough, but understand that the non

00:43:51property the new event at Manila's are more difficult to collect. Ice. So again, looking through these the number of after the number of

00:44:04notices were sent. You did a bunch of extra effort that ended up in a total of 3,517

00:44:16outstanding accounts, but only 300% for collections. 927 pay. Their obligation, 650 were in of this remaining. 3500 non property accounts. What is the plan and why can't those all

00:44:30be sent to our collections Department of the city? 2 refer over to our collections Department, which is a team of 5, would be overwhelming. So

00:44:42the plan is, is that my supervisor of the business tax customer service is actively calling on individual accounts, the ones that are within Oakland. Followed

00:44:55processes that if we hear back from you, the question is, are you currently? And this is if you're not use the new out an affidavit and then you close out the account, we closed it out on right here. We're finding that within the

00:45:10population of every 100, about 50% of them never actually continue the business. So the accounts that are paying are paying online or they're paying in office or beer legitimately never. They never

00:45:25paid the registration fee. So we have come in with some internal policies. One not paying what your initial application on not even establishing account. That was not the case in previous years. You are allowed to

00:45:38establish an account and the account had a registry in the registration fee was never paid, but we treated it as an active business when it actually wasn't. Okay. So that's why there's a lot more businesses on the roles that

00:45:51have never really operate it. Yes. And what about the reverse? I know this is a more difficult compliance issue. How have you been able to engage in efforts to get businesses registered that are

00:46:04that were previously not registered as businesses that operating as businesses. Absolutely. Our field work has a strong. It's been I would

00:46:16say very enlightening. They're made the business that we're looking for MAY not be there, but we've been able to find a new business that did not register. So we've been able to register on. And, you know,

00:46:30in the field activity way, our activity that we've done with the 75,000 postcards that I out in and that was a previous report in APRIL that netted 900 new when Todd counts that

00:46:46came into fruition. The effort that we've done at different community events. We've seen Appleton, uptick of people registering so by my people being at meeting people where there there we've been

00:46:58actually getting an increase of registration for people who would not normally have registered and in the recent mailing that we did of 6,879 notice is we've actually

00:47:10gotten uptick of about 150 property owners who did not formally register. That's great to I I will to make

00:47:25copies in just a second that makes a lot of sense when it comes new registrations so going to mass question on the

00:47:38property side of things so 4,400 something parcels went to. The Alameda County property Tax row that we approved a couple of months ago. I believe what happened

00:47:52to the rest of the parcels that were not sent to the roles that they end up paying some of them where they also out of business today, there were a combination, some paid.

00:48:05Some were not And that is how they were taken off of that win from the approval to the tax roll. And final question is funding. I think efforts that you've taken in the past year and a half believe is,

00:48:21you know, showing momentum Ken, can you keep the Special Revenue project going with the resources that you have? To be very clear. It. MAY be called

00:48:33a special revenue collection process, but really our normal day-to-day business Revenue Management Bureau. This is part of our I would say that the nexus of our this is what we're supposed to do. It is

00:48:46all ordinance Trevon. The timeline is pretty solid, especially with the incorporation of measure t in the subsequent Measure c which will be happening. This is

00:48:59what we're supposed to do. This is not an anomaly, not a special. This is what should be happening all the time. Great. And are you fully is your is the revenue division fully staffed or they're still there? Absolutely not. But I

00:49:13believe, but we're making we're we're being supported it as best we can by the administration and looking at all city we're doing what we

00:49:26can. What we have in my model for the team is all gas. No breaks at this point. Thank you. Councilmember Wang Brown. Thank you so much for your

00:49:40work on this. Have. A couple of questions. So one is just around the the the rental units, right that are not registered. What's the relationship between not

00:49:53having a licensed like multi unit, for example, apartment and registration with the rent Rent Register you working with the rap team just to coordinate and identify

00:50:05whether there's landlords that maybe are not registered and therefore charging whatever rent they want because they're unlicensed. Are you seeing that read her theme here? I believe this. That make shoes.

00:50:18We didn't run a rent registry project. Last year we identify property owners who were registered with the river just meant program but not registered with this is tax. We have done a couple of

00:50:31mitigations where we have our information link on the just meant website. They also put it in your literature. We are as a matter of business when we register a property, we automatically register them

00:50:46for rent. Going wrap the rent adjustment process. White property owners do not know that they are supposed to have rental or a business tax account. It could be a matter this. You're not told by your

00:51:01real estate agent. Or you lived in the property. You moved out of the property, but you did not know or you did not do the research to say, hey, do I have to another obligation back from my irs

00:51:14stays. I would say that if your reporting what anything on a schedule c or Schedule ii there is local jurisdictions that you need to look at as far as your obligations are

00:51:26concerned, what we're doing and what our role is, especially with the landlord Audit project that just one now is that the project is going to be ran every 2 years along with the postcards, notifying people just and

00:51:39that's why I that if you are renting out your property, if he's Airbnb or you're doing a sublet, you are required to have a business license. So it is a matter of us in our outreach and engagement and

00:51:53informing the public. Our public service announced a public service announcement video that we will be rotating on k-pop. That will be out And then there are a couple other things that we're workshop ing internally on how to get out.

00:52:05Get this information out to the public and art post card. I will say our billboard in the bart station is still present. So it's still informing people. Okay. That's

00:52:17great. I would say I think there's a need to really dig into the landlords that are both unregistered on the rap system as well as the business license section. I'm sure some MAY just not know, but I. Have

00:52:30concerns that there are number her purposefully doing that order to avoid kind to avoid our rental, you know, our rent control laws. The other

00:52:44question I just have, I I also picked up on the same thing that that your image 100 picked up, which is just the number of closed counts at 10,376 is that. Typical? Are

00:52:57we seeing kind concerning trends with overall business activity going down more closures than openings or I just love to some more historic to understand if the

00:53:10fact that 10,000 closed can't compared 6,491 accounts for flex. Just really concerning trends in our economy or local economy. No, these were accounts that should have been

00:53:26that it 4 or 5 years ago. So we're now we went to the process of vetting them currently, meaning that we are actively calling were actively engaging and actually talking or reaching out to the actual taxpayer to determine if

00:53:39they're still in business. These accounts would have been if we have been doing things the way it needed to happen. They would have been closed out in previous years. But now that there's been Tonight,

00:53:53going home. Yes, okay. Because you've been proactive. You've identified that. Great. Okay. Thank you so much. To the back. Excellent. Thank you so much for your work on Definitely appreciated.

00:54:09Getting getting the update. So couple questions that I had had a had a lot of questions similar to council chair Ramachandran as well. I was curious about I know that the

00:54:22you send mailings to folks. I was curious if you all are using a digital outreach system, whether that be via like email or tax. I am looking into text. I just saw

00:54:37hr department for that might help my team looking into seeing if we can actually what that process would look We also want to it would need to be integrated within our

00:54:50current data base. So there is a matter of an api and a discussion about that. But absolutely I have been pondering text messaging, I think would be a little bit more. We need as the policy that we have a meeting, but where they're at. I think

00:55:06people are more responsive, especially generationally to a tax as opposed to an email or even letters. So absolutely. Yeah. I think that that would be a good recommendation. I know whenever I get a text message about something and

00:55:18there's an easy link and it's like, oh, you know, go on and pay this here. I feel like that can help support because my other question because of the full title of this item is including hiring rate. So in

00:55:30order to support, you know, the 5 staff members that you listed, I feel like some type of digital outreach could be effective. Whether that is, you know, whatever is the main

00:55:44time that we're collecting those fees that, you know, there's an e-mail and then the follow-up is be a tax and then maybe the last thing that we're doing, you know, and I don't know what the quarterly system is of like how you are

00:55:57collecting these fees. But maybe the last thing is the phone call right to to help support this work. And then I definitely had lot of put the

00:56:12clothes that counts. But I think your explanation was definitely a really made sense around the pro Act being pro proactive, I guess. Like in OCTOBER. And then also it

00:56:27looks like APRIL 2026. A decent amount of accounts were closed as well. And so, you know, thank you so much to you and the team for, you know, really focusing in on this. But I guess maybe my last question is I know I know you

00:56:43said that the the quote was it all gas? No brakes, right. And so I appreciate that. I appreciate that. And also at the same time, how how can we ensure, you know, whether it's 5 years from now, our decade

00:56:56from now that we really put in like the structure in place so that there's kind of no, there's kind of bumps in the road when it comes to this

00:57:09work. To answer your and leaving our building and infrastructure, you have to look at the entirety of what the process with the end goal is my policy or our philosophy

00:57:21is to utilize technology. Because that is where we're at. Making sure that our processes are consistent conforming with the audit that was done by auditor used his

00:57:34office in the recommendations that were there that are sustainable. And making sure that there's a legacy. So where we're at right now is directly documenting our processees ensuring that we

00:57:46have a timeline, a calendar that is, you know, it is what it is. It just doesn't deviate from the air and ensuring that motivating the my team members that this is what we're here to do and making sure that we

00:57:59do it. And that's actually leaving that legacy. And I understand where you're where you're coming Excellent. Thank you so much. And in on the city's website, do we have a page this like dedicated to this where it's like, you know, in the month of MARCH,

00:58:12we do x, y and z and, you know, expect this communication from us. Do we have anything? We're explaining the process we don't. But that's the theory. That idea. I think we can make that happen Thank you so Okay.

00:58:24We will move to public comment. Calling in the name to sign up to speak on item number 5 Mississauga ohl of

00:58:44Allen Derrick Barnes. So before speak. Do sidewalk vendors in mobile? Trump vendors pay business tax to

00:58:58shake your Yes and no. Okay. It's estimated that over 200 vendors debt come under that category. Sidewalk vendors, mobile vendors operate here in

00:59:11Oakland. How are you able to? Keep up with the sidewalk vendors? Think we have quite a bit who Operating not only without paying business tax, but also without paying the

00:59:26business license. I think you have to pay the business tax in order to get the business license. Okay. So not only they didn't not have the ability to be accountable for

00:59:39the taxi and not getting the licensing. They also not getting the help for They're not getting the fire inspections and they not getting the state seller's permit. And this is

00:59:53overwhelming. Now you say, too, and your documentation in order to hold people accountable for pain, the it actually put a lien on the property. So that's the property of the business

01:00:06owner. Because a lot businesses stay rent. From for businesses. They don't own the property. So what are you

01:00:22putting lean Their homes? Yes, okay. So in the case of sidewalk fund, You put lien on a property with a homes? No,

01:00:35so we don't have that ability to collect Flores, sidewalk vendors and mobile. Trump then does based on this formula, putting liens on people's property. Thank you for being so cooperative. So I can

01:00:47understand because this body. Just operate within the own bubble. They required to public eye. Thank you for your comments. Muscle of chair that concludes all speakers on this

01:01:00item. Thank you. I will entertain a motion. And with that history to receive and file. I yes, yes, I'm so

01:01:13moved. I don't. Thank you. We have a motion made by council member Brown seconded by COUNCILMAN, anger to receive an file. This information report in committee on rule Councilmembers, Brown. Anger I

01:01:25long I and CHAIRMAN Chandran, i thank you, Adam. 5 passes with 4 eyes to receive and file this information report and committee. Item 6 regarding the implementation and performance of the city of Oakland's prompt payment

01:01:37policy has been withdrawn from this agenda pursuant to rule 28 of the council's rules of procedure and police on the Finance and management committee pending was under no date specific. Item. 7 receive information report on the operational and financial

01:01:51status of city-owned parking garages. The evaluation of parking operating performance and review of the city's parking operations. Alton Alternative. And we have courts because on this item.

01:02:08Thank you. Please. Good morning. Payments and management community members to the chair and it was assessing guess is that really a tax administrator with the finance Department? Thank you for the opportunity to be here

01:02:21here with you today. Before you some informational report that focuses on 4 key areas related to cities, parking garage and and parking lot per the report provides overview

01:02:33of the operational and financial status of the city's parking garages. It presents brief evaluation of the city of Oakland Park Partners, the current contractor responsible for managing the city's parking garage operations

01:02:47since 2014. Provides update on the part maintenance needs and the investments needed to keep this important public assets. And finally, it outlines a road map over the next year, including the evaluation of parking Operation

01:03:00alternatives, opportunities to angry, increase utilization and revenue and the upcoming competitive procurement process for future parking management services. As outlined in the report, the city's parking system

01:03:13continues to be an important public asset that's of that supports tentative adn generates revenue to support operations and maintenance. While parking revenues have declined approximately 17%

01:03:25since the pandemic. The city still generated over 8 and a half million street parking revenue from the city-owned garages and lots in fiscal year 2025. 26. In response to the climate. The man pulling

01:03:38the pandemic, the city work with vehicle parking partner, Searcy Opp, our current contract, that garage operator to identify opportunities to reduce operating costs while maintaining service level. One

01:03:50of the changes what's moving from a gave it to a Kate list parking model system which eliminated much of the equipment. And I'm going women's associated with the gates and take it systems. The

01:04:03tradeoff is that the gate, let's model relies more heavily on wireless connectivity. And a medic license plate recognition. Technology. Because garages are Enclosed structures.

01:04:15Connectivity, challenges can sometimes affect the system's performance and enforcement. Asylum in the report. Staff will evaluate technology improvements and alternative operating models as part of an

01:04:28xrp process. Including whether the current model continues to provide the best balance of costs reliability enforcement and revenue collection. With respect to the scene of a parking partners steps,

01:04:41evaluation pounds factory performance in managing the city's parking facilities and supporting the operational changes implemented over the past several years. They have been instrumental in helping the city reduce operating costs while maintaining customer service throughout

01:04:55the garage. Perfectly. With respect to the department's staff has received estimates for required maintenance and repairs across the city-owned garages and lots totaling approximately 7.8 million

01:05:07dollars. Addressing this invest investments will be critical to preserving the city's parking assets, improving the customer service experience and supporting long-term operational,

01:05:20liability. Respectively r p it will provide an opportunity to evaluate range of alternatives, including enhanced months. The current date less model, a potential return to a model near everything control technologies, expend it

01:05:32operating strategies. Another approach is the same to improve customer service utilization and long-term financial sustainability. And with that, I am available to answer any questions that you may Thank you. Thank you.

01:05:45Quick question before I got it comes on the ground or so I know that it. I think there's a big question of. Why the city doesn't a lot of money off of these garages. And I did do some research and saw

01:06:01that. Very few cities make a lot money off of their city owned parking garages, which is different from private garages, for reasons that I don't quite know. Can you explain a little bit about the

01:06:14fall revenue for the money that we doing kind of broadly speaking the night we can get to specific questions. So broadly speaking, there has been a big decline in demand for parking, especially like

01:06:26in the downtown area since the pandemic. So following the pandemic, there was a big The climbing that hasn't really come back to its prior levels. So in general, there was time.

01:06:43That was Led by the pandemic. Also noted in the report, it looks like. The if you look at the that are really citations

01:06:55that were on the enforcement side after we went a gets us into a system. The number of citations that have been issued only represent about one percent of the overall revenue for the garages. And

01:07:09so it appears that system, we have also fact that the revenue generation our revenues are keeping up with the with what we would expect

01:07:24to be the the total revenue parking fees. Of the note of citations, I think the table to is very interesting. It seems like in some years there weren't any citations issued like 2022, which is after the

01:07:39pandemic. So and some garages seemed to have a lot more citations and eyes which I know the sizes vary but comparing apples to apples, you know, for example, City Center West 2026 just so far

01:07:53it has been 445 citations as there was back in 2023. But then 2025 last year, there is only 15. Can you explain a little bit about why the fluctuations and citations

01:08:06have been so much? MISTER That information to explain the fluctuation between garages. I do know that we have had some took technological challenges and some of them in terms law.

01:08:20Having a signal to to at times and things like that. But this is saw. This is one of issues that will be that we are the Indian and that will be about

01:08:32length in feet, upcoming rfp The rfp provides opportunity to evaluate a range of alternatives, which MAY include a better technological other things. And so this is something that with the current contract expired, go

01:08:44in your piece that we're planning to show you something that we definitely want to look into and see what are are better options out there. Ken

01:08:57I You're not going kind of seems like gala system isn't working out the way we help the minutes. It's a bit of an honor system which works if you have stringent enforcement. But we don't have enforce Mont. Is it your sense

01:09:10that again, program is working or should we try to move to something else? With the rfp? We can try and identify better technology that maybe will help and force a game. System better meaning that we were

01:09:27able to actually utilize the technology and identify vehicles that are not part legally or having pay them. At the point entry. But no, just looking at the numbers in general get since that. It's that it's it's not working.

01:09:41Like, like I said, the revenue from the citations represents about one percent of our overall revenue and sold. It seems that there's opportunity there to pay you MAY be utilizing the gated system.

01:09:54Just like to serve. Put a marker down on my preference to either dramatically ramp up enforcement or go back to a good program because we can't provide free parking services you when you need the revenue

01:10:07or or else we need to, you know, put people on the street where they have to pay the parking meter so that my sense is that gave us is not working. The great Texas. Noted. Thank you. Count number

01:10:23one. Yeah, I just wanted to reinforce that. I just in the report. Does seem that your seeking to evaluate a range of options that really looks at in hand saying the existing

01:10:35gate lists model and I just want to put another thumb on the scale to just look at Gay. Did can you explain the rationale for why Kate was was even considered that because I don't get it. To be honest.

01:10:53Yeah. So when the at the onset of the pandemic would notice revenues were declining. But the garages parking in general folks were working from home. So they were coming to app is downtown. A lot of the

01:11:06businesses town work. Closing. So there was dozen them and the number revenue. And the city of Oakland part of the saving measures at the time we actually instructed our

01:11:19partners go away from the gate. It model. What it does is that reduces costs. But mainly terms of the

01:11:36infrastructure and the the missionary that goes into into into the maintenance the upkeep of those machines actually also any time for something, there's any issue with unemployment ticket when you're trying to enter and you cannot access the garage, then you need someone to be there

01:11:48in that. And so there's also likened now more where tension that that's required in terms of the personnel. So so that was the idea to reduce some of those costs at the time. And hopefully the idea was that we

01:12:02would be able to enforce with improved technology with license plate reader, for example. And be able to fully enforce still generate the revenue. But since it hasn't

01:12:15been working. Canton and

01:12:28event. So want to Turkish and also at the time the park system, which is are our oldest But he in the garage less outdated and needed to be replaced. And it determined

01:12:41that he would cost about 2 million dollars at the time replace the system that we have in place. So that was another thing that considered the time. Okay. I Yes, yes, we

01:12:53can move ok, excellent. Thank you so much for bringing the report back. Definitely has a lot more detail other than the original one. Thankful thankful for that. I definitely have a handful of

01:13:07questions in the report on. It does list in great detail. You know what each of these prop properties like each of these garages needs as relates to the capital improvements. And

01:13:20so with the I guess, the new rfp coming out like what is our plan to make some of these modifications? I mean, some of them I feel like there's some

01:13:32that lists like security needs cameras, replace signage. I feel like a lot of those are low hanging fruit. Can you explain what the plan is there? Sure. So for some of

01:13:46those long hate for it, as referenced top, so we just have to identify proper funding for them. So basically just can have the available resources that we have and just identify the proper funding for it. We have

01:13:59started working our first. The first things that we're tackling right for lack of better terms response. Depart department inspection they recommendations for one of our

01:14:13garages. And those resulted in approximately $600,000 that we did not anticipate in the budget. And so we had find proper funding for it. And that's that's the first thing that we're working on currently. But we plan on

01:14:27doing the same and continuing in there existing resources or through the budget process to identify funding for those low hanging fruit. Stand in for the major for the larger items such as elevator repair items

01:14:39that at least $100,000 or greater. Then we're going look between courts if we can incorporate them in our cip process. Through the budget process, we also have the cip process that goes side by side in a long and look see if we

01:14:54can incorporate some some of those larger items into process secure So that's the next fiscal year. And then I guess one thing that I was unable to quite understand

01:15:07from their report. So, for example, one of the listed parking spaces is the Grand Walker lot. And like one of

01:15:19the charred items as remote monitoring. So I was curious, if you can, I mean, I know what that means, but I guess like contract wise with what's the difference between like if you think of this garage that we have right here where we

01:15:33know that it's managed by, you know, these folks there that kind of monitor the coming and going make sure people pay. And I think that's what they're doing and so Happ like in this rfp process, are we?

01:15:46I'm going to ensure that all of these garages are actually managed in the same way as this one are. How's that determination made? So it's my understanding that their home

01:16:00and person per se I can maybe come if that's the case. One of options that we're looking at in the rfp is installing certain safety and security systems to technology as well. For example, installing a

01:16:12camera where you're able to monitor from from par and basically can communicate. So if you notice anything suspicious, you can talk to the camera a through a speaker. You all alert them were asked them questions

01:16:25like, hey, they need help finding your car 100 things like that. So that's that's that's an alternative way of monitoring. But out, let me see if I can confirm if if, in fact, a lot of the coaches are

01:16:50aksing One 0nd. So so, yes, I was able to confirm that there

01:17:03was a done a couple years similar to what I was describing in terms of like installing camera system with speakers and things like that in that time it was done at the grand wait And so. That MAY be was referenced in the

01:17:21report. And in and you know, I I feel it. I think this item just like parking managing parking garages is just now under finance again or something right? So I understand that you MAY not have all of this information

01:17:35right but was there actually a time where all of these garages actually where by individuals Monday, the Friday night and 5 and like or was there in and was there like a

01:17:49scaling back because I guess like as we are working to ensure that garages like we're collecting the revenue, as my colleagues mentioned around you know, having the the you know, specialized Gates sick

01:18:02said run. Doesn't seem to be working. I guess I'm just curious, like should we actually go ahead in move towards ensuring all of these spaces are actually managed.

01:18:16So we do have members from our seal parking partners who would be able confirm if management structure

01:18:29previously place. I'm not able to confirm I don't have information from a with the information. I'm sure there's a and that that you know, for the commission. But I think they're confirming 2 seconds

01:18:47want okay? Through the chair seal pp, which is parking partners will be able to give you a granular detail on how each of the lots are actually operate. It. They will also be able to provide background and context. One pilot programs

01:19:01that were done from the the pandemic up until now we are. We are at as far as the finance department we took over the operation on JULY first. So there's a lot of

01:19:14background work that we bringing up to speed on. And there different things that our approach on getting things done in the parking garages is

01:19:26more accelerated. So a lot of these issues that have been there have been there for years. Art actual goal is to actually make sure that we are bringing back its bringing

01:19:39back the the level of service that was happening. Pre-pandemic and making sure that we have the material and doing that in the process of doing what is actually out there as far as technology,

01:19:51which is rfp process. Yeah, I think I think that that sounds great. I think that that's a great idea. And, you know, the one thing that both in the report last time even this one, I think it's great that we have the full number of how

01:20:05much the garages are bringing in like. It's like a total. Hey, this is so many millions. We actually have the breakdown per garage. I know. I know this report says citations, but I think that I think I'm more interested in across all

01:20:19of these garages. What is the revenue that's coming in. So that was actually a request our prior presentation and we provided us a supplemental report I believe it was JULY

01:20:3221st. I'm City Council meeting. So that was provided at that time because ok, thank I move well, my recommendation

01:20:44to this body of interest stay hold this in committee. I understand that there's ifp process going on, but I think there's a number of unanswered questions and a few of them down. So if we could hold this

01:20:57and continue this in committee to the NOVEMBER 10th Fun and Finance Committee meeting, hopefully that's enough time to gather this information. The things that have written down as one, a discussion of.

01:21:12Whether of whether or not to bring that a gate. Technology move away from Gate Lis and exploration of other options. I see there's kind of a brief summary this report that a little more of what else we're

01:21:26considering. Number 2, I'm interested in. They usage her garage so we can compare each garage with in years. What the numbers, if we have of revenue pro garage over the years because that table that shows

01:21:42the citations is one indicator citations. But also how much was it used maybe in 2025? Know when did you cities and what do so it's an example of being able to compare the citations to usage would be

01:21:57helpful number 3, why the citations have varied. You said you didn't. You weren't able to explained that today of why one year there is few one year. There's a lot more usage. Can obviously be one of those things. But maybe there's staffing issues or

01:22:09safety issues or something else going on. That would be interested in knowing 4. I think I prefaced this saying I understand that parking garages don't always make a

01:22:22lot of cities money, but what lessons from cities that are doing it right. Can we follow them? From the day I was able to close able to get net revenues. It was harder to see. You know what, sight across revenues, those higher

01:22:36see what cities are actually netting. But at all, public information, I'm sure I would love to see what lessons we can learn from other California cities that is 4 or

01:22:535 finally, I would as couples counselor suggested there's a lot of deferred maintenance, you know, several million dollars worth in your recommendation. What are the

01:23:05top priorities for the consideration of? Well, this body that the full council as we go through future budgeting cycle us. Mobile. And we'll hear public comment and then

01:23:20make motion. Thank you. Calling in the needs of signed up to speak on item number 7. David Bell, right. Kevin de le Assad over Bala and Derrick Barnes. Ali, guess what? I'm going to talk about parking

01:23:35policy and I am disappointed that there was a decision made to move the parking policy for garages to them finance department, which I don't know has any expertise in parking

01:23:47policy. That Chris City, it's not only the revenue that's generated. It's also the business. If prices are too high city. Yeah, you get a whole lot our but what you want to do is you want to turn over. You want people to come

01:24:00to Oakland to want them to spend money, enjoy life. Or walk around. The lake cannot spend money. Good news is street parking is still part

01:24:16dot. Kirby Olson. It's part of that rolling out dynamic pricing for street parking. You would just the price if there's. No parking available on the block, you have you

01:24:29raise the price if the plot, the block just empty. You lowered the price until there's roughly one in 2 spot block. San Francisco about 15 years ago did the same thing

01:24:43with parking lots. Gold was 15% vacancy per parking lot. So I definitely appreciate the follow-up. You just did adding some extra information on the

01:24:56lot. I also like to see occupancy and to go how you will be changing the hourly pricing. Time of weekend special events to have roughly

01:25:1115% occupancy. Also concerned that some empty lots are some parking lots. Should we consider turning them into housing? Dimon parking lot in district 4 know my local parking lot. It was donated so

01:25:24that they'd be free parking is at sensible when you charge. Street parking prices, can we change that? What's the

01:25:42occupancy there? Thanks. They have been throughout the country. Lawsuits based on the pay by plate meter system. And some of the last 2 weeks have to do with type of cold air

01:25:57runs. Getting unfair parking tickets and dealing with privacy track. Tracking concerns. They is all case in California. Bet. Bartholomew

01:26:13versus talking concepts. They did not develop a privacy policy related to the reading parking. Plate readers systems. It It would just results in a statutory damage

01:26:29of 2,500 per violation. You also have. Pay by phone class action suit filed in 2026. This federal lawsuit, a class

01:26:45action lawsuit filed pay by phone alleges that this deception because you start paying before the final pay button has been pressed another wish people over

01:26:57paying with that system. Have a tissue several times. To explain how the city. I center

01:27:10has validated parking. And I just found out that you have an arrangement with a pate, a set amount of money. Per month to you. I don't know how works with the people park in that

01:27:22garage to get out and go straight to the center and there's no. Use of the law. Meet ki Asha. You have to

01:27:35explain things and I've said this, I've seen this over and over again. How does this work? You give the appearance that you avoid dealing with financial issues in some

01:27:57cases. David Boatright district 4, I recommend the city makes public its plan for monetizing the Clay Street

01:28:11parking lot. If city doesn't have the funds to utilize his property as a private development been attempted. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Sure. That includes

01:28:26all speakers on this item. Thank I will move the item has previously said it to the number 10 council meeting with a request for additional information on the 5 questions

01:28:38Thank you. We have a motion made by council member Ahmed Tron take care a child. And second by council member Brown to continue this item to the new to the NOVEMBER 10th Finance and Management Committee meeting with the request to staff to provide in

01:28:55a supplemental, report. The following. Whether or not to bring back the gate technology or move away from Gate Lis. The usage pro garage to compare each garage with in years. Why the citations have varied. What lessons can we

01:29:08learn from other California cities and what are the top deferred maintenance priorities for the consideration of the full Council on role Councilmembers, Brown. I and

01:29:23Jeremy Chandran. I thank you. Item 7 passes with 4 eyes to continue this to the NOVEMBER 10th Finance and Management Committee agenda. Item 8. Adopt an ordinance amending

01:29:36the salary schedule ordinance. Number 1, 2, 1, 8, 7, cms to amend the title as a full-time classification of exempt limited, limited duration employee to exempt limited

01:29:51duration employee. Amend the title of the full-time classification of exempt limited duration employee of hours to exempt limited duration employee of 40 hours and see amend the title of the book Time Classification of

01:30:05employee relations analyst principal 2 employee and Labor relations analyst principle. We have one speaker on this

01:30:18item. Morning chair on the Chandra and members of the committee. Jamie Project principle of Human Resources analyst with the Human Resources Management Department. The item before you is routine maintenance to

01:30:30the city's classification plan. This is the kind of I know we bring to it a few times a year. It usually results in creating new classifications are making changes to existing

01:30:43classifications. This specific ordinances requesting title changes to 3 items. 2 of them are for shuns exempt limited duration employees eld ease. We believe that adding that

01:30:58reference is to 37.5 hours and 40 hours will clarify the nature of the workweek. From the 3rd item. It is currently titled Pence on playing Principal employee relations analyst. And we are

01:31:10recommending a title change to align it with the recently created classifications in that full John Series. So the name change to principal employee and Labor relations analyst. I'm available to answer any questions you MAY

01:31:26have. Thank you, Connie. Any questions? Okay. Can move to the public speaker. Calling in the name that signed up to speak on item number 8 was a

01:31:42subtle of Principal Louis in labor and lives. Nobody wanted to What is the duties and responsibilities? And is this a new title position on? Is

01:31:56this frozen position that's now being brought back? Come on, guys. You need a little bit more than this. And at some point of discussion needs

01:32:11to be had and that only 32% of your city employees live in Oakland. Spent a lot of time talking about you have an ordinance that says you prioritize doing business with

01:32:24businesses in Oakland, which you have. People who are making major decisions about the this city. What's best for city. But you don't feel you

01:32:37need to live in this city. And we got 92% about police offices that don't live in Oakland. 87% of all firefighters don't live plant. So and they don't spend the money in Oakland. Because they

01:32:51go back to places where they live and they don't generate much revenue. Again, I think a little bit more detail on principal employee in Labor

01:33:08and Liz. Some discussion. Thank you for your comments. Sure. That includes all speakers on this item. Okay. Thank you. I will entertain a motion to forward this to the next council meeting. On

01:33:22content. Thank you. We have a motion made by Councilmember Unger, seconded by Councilmember want to approve the recommendation to stop and support this item to the OCTOBER 6 City Council agenda on consent on role

01:33:37Councilmembers. Brown. Long. I and Jeremy Chandran, I thank you. Item 8 passes with 4. I support this item to the 10/6/2026 City Council agenda on consent. Moving on to open for him, calling the names

01:33:50that signed up to speak. David Boatright, Canada, Olson, Assad of Allah. And Kevin

01:34:04Dolly. David. But right district 4, I recommend the City Council provide more oversight to projects and measures. It authorizes to authorize without follow-up reviews of status and performance is allowing such

01:34:18authorizations to be wasteful. And or unsuccessful. And example is measure am am which is almost 2 years after the public's approval is just just

01:34:30now developing means to m# # # requirements and support the Wildfire Prevention

01:34:45Commission. This Wednesday. Your Budget Advisory Commission need had meeting. And in that meeting, they produced and review the document that's eventually

01:34:58going to come to you. The purpose of the document issue get real good head. Start on the potential budget for 27.

01:35:1128. And then in the document they are looking at budget stabilization issues. My recommendation is that as soon as possible, this document

01:35:23comes before this body. With some type of presentation related to budgetary issues because it goes into other issues of how crime economics

01:35:35related. How you develop a budget based on Oakland's culture and diversity. So I will see when this document comes before this body. And if it's being done in a timely

01:35:50manner. Thank you. That includes all speakers for open form. Thank you for this

01:36:07meeting is adjourned.