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Agenda Item
6.10 26-0747 Subject: Becker Boards Agreement Adjustments
From: Councilmember Gallo
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution: (1) Authorizing The City Administrator To Amend The Advertising Signs Relocation Agreement, Dated December 29, 2023, With Becker Boards, A California Limited Liability Company ("Becker"), Such That The Annual Payments Would Be Converted From A Fixed-Fee Structure To A Payment Structure Where Twenty Percent (20%) Of Becker's Advertising Revenue Collected From The New Advertising Signs Would Be Apportioned To The City And Certain Community Nonprofits, With Fifty Percent (50%) Of That Revenue Paid To The City And The Remaining Fifty Percent (50%) Split Equally Among (A) The Native American Health Center, (B) Asian Health Services, (C) La Clinica De La Raza, And (D) Baywell Health, With The City Receiving A Minimum Of $250,000 Per Year, Regardless Of Becker's Revenue, Which Amount May Be More Depending On Becker's Revenue; And (2) Adopting Appropriate California Environmental Quality Act Findings
I work with several business districts in Oakland, and Becker Boards support of free advertising for nonprofit organizations has been invaluable for us. They have been promoting our district events and festivals, driving much needed foot traffic to our small business corridors and supporting the cultural experiences and local artists, musicians, and performers. Please keep this opportunity alive for Oakland nonprofits. Thank you. Jody Colley (Laurel district, Rockridge district, Montclair Village district, as well as Oaktoberfest in the Dimond)
My name is Selena Wilson and I am reaching out on behalf of the East Oakland Youth Development Center. EOYDC has benefited from the free ads offered by Becker Boards. They have helped us promote our fundraising events which play a vital role in enabling EOYDC to award over $150,000 in college scholarship awards annually.
I am requesting that the Becker Boards agreement amendment (26-0747) be removed from the consent calendar for the City Council meeting on 6/16/26.and scheduled for full public discussion.
The proposal appears to reduce guaranteed funding to nonprofit beneficiaries and eliminate future payment escalators from the original agreement. Meanwhile, Becker’s justification is based on unspecified “Oakland advertising market conditions,” but no supporting financial data appears to be included in the agenda materials.
Given the controversy and public scrutiny surrounding the original Becker agreement, this item deserves a transparent public discussion and independent fiscal analysis before approval.
At minimum, Council should request:
• Becker revenue and occupancy data supporting the amendment request;
• projected impacts to nonprofit payments over the remaining term;
• clarification of whether the City is giving up previously negotiated public benefits; and
• guidance regarding any ethics or conflict concerns given the history of this agreement.
I work with several business districts in Oakland, and Becker Boards support of free advertising for nonprofit organizations has been invaluable for us. They have been promoting our district events and festivals, driving much needed foot traffic to our small business corridors and supporting the cultural experiences and local artists, musicians, and performers. Please keep this opportunity alive for Oakland nonprofits. Thank you. Jody Colley (Laurel district, Rockridge district, Montclair Village district, as well as Oaktoberfest in the Dimond)
Good afternoon, Oakland City Council.
My name is Selena Wilson and I am reaching out on behalf of the East Oakland Youth Development Center. EOYDC has benefited from the free ads offered by Becker Boards. They have helped us promote our fundraising events which play a vital role in enabling EOYDC to award over $150,000 in college scholarship awards annually.
Please vote YES on Item 6.10.
In community,
Selena
Dear Councilmembers:
I am requesting that the Becker Boards agreement amendment (26-0747) be removed from the consent calendar for the City Council meeting on 6/16/26.and scheduled for full public discussion.
The proposal appears to reduce guaranteed funding to nonprofit beneficiaries and eliminate future payment escalators from the original agreement. Meanwhile, Becker’s justification is based on unspecified “Oakland advertising market conditions,” but no supporting financial data appears to be included in the agenda materials.
Given the controversy and public scrutiny surrounding the original Becker agreement, this item deserves a transparent public discussion and independent fiscal analysis before approval.
At minimum, Council should request:
• Becker revenue and occupancy data supporting the amendment request;
• projected impacts to nonprofit payments over the remaining term;
• clarification of whether the City is giving up previously negotiated public benefits; and
• guidance regarding any ethics or conflict concerns given the history of this agreement.
Thank you for your consideration.