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CITY OF OAKLAND
ONE FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA x 6 TH FLOOR x OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612 Office of the City Attorney
Ryan Richardson
City Attorney
FAX:
TDD:
(510) 238-3601
(510) 238-6500
(510) 839-6451
October 21, 2025
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
Subject: Samuel Melton v. City of Oakland, Kaleo Albino, Darren Allison, and DOES 1-5
U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal. Case No. 3:24-CV-07783-JCS City Attorney File No. 37117 (Oakland Police Department – Property Confiscation)
President Jenkins and Members of the City Council:
Pursuant to Section 401 of the Charter, the C ity Attorney has prepared and requests your approval of a resolution authorizing compromise and settlement of the above-entitled lawsuit for the sum of Eighty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($80,000.00).
This action arises out of Plaintiff Samuel Melton’s (“Melton”) claim that on January 3, 2024, the Oakland Police Department(“OPD”)hauled and destroyed Melton’s boat without notice or due process. Melton’s boat was anchored in the Oakland Estuary for a lengthy period of time and appeared to be inoperable or abandoned. OPD provided a notice of abatement and subsequently hauled and destroyed the boat. Melton claims the boat was operable and not abandoned, and that OPD’s notice to abate was confusing and not compliant with governing law.
Melton claims as damages the value of the boat, personal effects, emotional distress, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The City has determined th at settlement in the amount of $80,000 to Melton, without admitting liability and to avoid further litigation, is in the best interest of the City.
The City Council authorized settlement of th is case in Closed Session on Thursday, October 9, 2025 (moved by Councilmember Charlene Wang and seconded by Councilmember Noel Gallo - 5 Ayes, 3 Excused – Councilmembers Rowena Brown, Ken Houston, and Janani Ramachandran).
Respectfully submitted,
RYAN RICHARDSON
City Attorney
Assigned Attorney:
Christina Lum
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