Agenda Item
8 24-0454 Subject: Proposed Ballot Measure To Modernize And Strengthen Ethics Oversight In The City Of Oakland
From: Public Ethics Commission
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution On The City Council's Own Motion Submitting To The Voters For The November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election A Measure That Would Amend City Charter Sections 603, 401 And 403, And Oakland Municipal Code Chapters 2.24 And 3.20 To, Among Other Things: (1) Revise The Qualifications And Restrictions On Eligibility To Serve As A Commissioner On The Public Ethics Commission (Commission); (2) Establish That Members Of The Commission May Serve In Holdover Status For A Period Of One Year; (3) Specify The Vote Threshold For Action By The Commission; (4) Revise The Removal Procedures For Members Of The Commission; (5) Add Additional Minimum Staffing Requirements For The Commission And Limit The Ability Of The City To Reduce Staffing Based On Fiscal Necessity; (6) Provide The Executive Director The Ability, At Their Discretion, To Hire Outside Legal Counsel In Addition To Using The City Attorney To Render Legal Advice And Services To The Commission Relating To Laws The Commission Administers Or Enforces; (7) Expand The Types Of Laws That The City Council Must Forward To The Commission To Review; (8) Require The City Council To Consider All Proposals From The Commission Regarding Amendments To Any Law The Commission Enforces Or Administers; (9) Amend The City Attorney And City Auditor Salary Review Schedule To Allow The Commission To Set The Salary On A Bi-Annual Basis; And (10) Amend The Lobbyist Registration Act To Restrict Local Governmental Lobbyists From Making Any Payment Or Incurring Any Expense Of Any Amount That Directly Benefits An Elected City Officeholder, Candidate Or Member Of Their Immediate Family; And Directing The City Clerk To Fix The Date For Submission Of Arguments And Provide For Notice And Publication, And To Take Any And All Other Actions Necessary Under Law To Prepare For And Conduct The November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election
My name is Vernetta Woods and I am here with BayPEC, Oakland Rising, and a District 7 resident.
I am here today to express support for the Maplight agreement and PEC proposed ballot measure to ensure we see full implementation of Democracy Dollars in 2026. Oakland has made it clear that we need fair, transparent, and accountable government and this funding and measure will continue to move us in this direction.
Thank you!
My name is Cynthia and I am here with BayPEC, Oakland Rising, and a District 4 resident.
I am here today to express support for the Maplight agreement and PEC proposed ballot measure to ensure we see full implementation of Democracy Dollars in 2026. Oakland has made it clear that we need fair, transparent, and accountable government and this funding and measure will continue to move us in this direction.
Thank you!
The Oakland League of Women Voters supports this measure. The provisions recognize the critical importance of the Public Ethics Commission to the functioning of democracy in Oakland. They will enable to PEC to better perform its role, including leading implementation of the Fair Elections Act which will bring Democracy Dollars to Oakland. These are proposals that strengthen confidence in the qualifications of our commissioners, allow the PEC to have a reasonable degree of authority and independence befitting its unique responsibilities. Gail Wallace, President, League of Women Voters of Oakland
A strong democracy needs a strong and independent Public Ethics Commission.