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Agenda Item
5 26-0692 Subject: Proposed Ballot Measure To Reform Oakland's City Charter
From: Office Of The Mayor
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Submitting To The Voters At The November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election A Measure That Would Amend The Oakland City Charter To, Among Other Things (1) Make The Mayor The City's Chief Executive Officer Responsible For Managing City Affairs;
(2) Empower The Council To Confirm The Appointments Of The Directors Of Finance, Human Resources, Public Works, And Transportation;
(3) Empower The Council To Create An Independent Budget And Legislative Analyst's Office To Provide The Council Fiscal And Policy Analysis That Is Objective And Nonpartisan;
(4) Affirm Councilmembers' Right To Request Information And Relay Constituent Concerns, And City Officials' Duty To Respond Promptly;
(5) Empower The Council To Hold Legislative Hearings And Issue Subpoenas;
(6) Create A Mayoral Veto With A Line-Item Budget Veto And A Council Power To Override Any Veto;
(7) Require Councilmembers To Work Full Time And Not Engage In Outside Employment;
(8) Empower The Public Ethics Commission To Align The Mayor's And Councilmembers' Salaries With Those Of Comparable Full-Time Public Officials; And
(9) Require The Publication Of Ordinances Within Fifteen Days Of Passage;
And Directing The City Clerk To Take All Actions Necessary Under Law To Submit This Measure To The Voters At The Election; And Making Appropriate California Environmental Quality Act Findings
Hello, my name is Samia Zuber and I lead a community based organization in Oakland and a member of the BWOPA Oakland/Berkeley Chapter.
I support the proposed Charter Reform measure and the transition toward a stronger mayor governance structure for the City of Oakland.
I support establishing the Mayor as the City’s Chief Executive Officer with clearer authority and accountability, while also strengthening the legislative branch through expanded oversight authority and the creation of an independent Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Oakland deserves a governance structure with clearer accountability, stronger oversight, and more effective coordination across City government.
I also want to thank the Council for preserving at large, citywide representation within the current proposal.
On behalf of the Executive Board of the BWOPA Oakland/Berkeley Chapter, we write in support of the proposed Charter Reform measure and the transition toward a stronger mayor governance structure for the City of Oakland.
We support establishing the Mayor as the City’s Chief Executive Officer with clearer authority and accountability, while also strengthening the legislative branch through expanded oversight authority and the creation of an independent Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Oakland deserves a governance structure with clearer accountability, stronger oversight, and more effective coordination across City government.
We also want to thank the Council for preserving citywide representation within the current proposal. As Oakland continues striving toward equitable and representative leadership, maintaining pathways for citywide representation remains important.
I have a few questions: 1) what is the fiscal analysis of the proposed Ballot Measure? It adds an Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst's Office to the City Council Office. How many FTE and what is the fully loaded cost? 2.) What is the projected fiscal impact of the salary changes for the Mayor and Council (going to full time). 3). The Finance and Human Resources Directors are hired by the CAO and confirmed by the City Council, why are the Directors that handle infrastructure included as well. That would be the Public Works and Department of Transportation positions. As I read it, all other Department Heads are appointed by the Mayor. What is the rational for this? Finally, I urge the City Council to consider the elimination of the At-Large Council position, after the incumbent completes the term under term limits or choses not to run for re-election. It was a recommendation of the Mayors Charter Reform Working Group. I would request you ask for the fully loaded cost of each Council Member and the staff and overhead. The savings would assist at establishing the new Budget office being recommended. Thank you for your consideration in this matter and for requesting this information in order to make a fully informed decision.
I support the proposed ballot measure to reform Oakland’s City Charter. Please move forward with its recommendations. Thank you.
Hello, my name is Samia Zuber and I lead a community based organization in Oakland and a member of the BWOPA Oakland/Berkeley Chapter.
I support the proposed Charter Reform measure and the transition toward a stronger mayor governance structure for the City of Oakland.
I support establishing the Mayor as the City’s Chief Executive Officer with clearer authority and accountability, while also strengthening the legislative branch through expanded oversight authority and the creation of an independent Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Oakland deserves a governance structure with clearer accountability, stronger oversight, and more effective coordination across City government.
I also want to thank the Council for preserving at large, citywide representation within the current proposal.
Thank you.
Samia Zuber
On behalf of the Executive Board of the BWOPA Oakland/Berkeley Chapter, we write in support of the proposed Charter Reform measure and the transition toward a stronger mayor governance structure for the City of Oakland.
We support establishing the Mayor as the City’s Chief Executive Officer with clearer authority and accountability, while also strengthening the legislative branch through expanded oversight authority and the creation of an independent Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Oakland deserves a governance structure with clearer accountability, stronger oversight, and more effective coordination across City government.
We also want to thank the Council for preserving citywide representation within the current proposal. As Oakland continues striving toward equitable and representative leadership, maintaining pathways for citywide representation remains important.
I support the Charter Reform Working Group's report and urge you to move forward with it's recommendations. Thank you
I favor a Council-Manager system of local government, led by a professionally trained manager. Thank you.
Please reject the strong-mayor proposal and instead consider a council-led, professionally managed system of government.
Please reject the strong-mayor proposal and instead consider a council-led, professionally managed system of government.
I have a few questions: 1) what is the fiscal analysis of the proposed Ballot Measure? It adds an Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst's Office to the City Council Office. How many FTE and what is the fully loaded cost? 2.) What is the projected fiscal impact of the salary changes for the Mayor and Council (going to full time). 3). The Finance and Human Resources Directors are hired by the CAO and confirmed by the City Council, why are the Directors that handle infrastructure included as well. That would be the Public Works and Department of Transportation positions. As I read it, all other Department Heads are appointed by the Mayor. What is the rational for this? Finally, I urge the City Council to consider the elimination of the At-Large Council position, after the incumbent completes the term under term limits or choses not to run for re-election. It was a recommendation of the Mayors Charter Reform Working Group. I would request you ask for the fully loaded cost of each Council Member and the staff and overhead. The savings would assist at establishing the new Budget office being recommended. Thank you for your consideration in this matter and for requesting this information in order to make a fully informed decision.