City Council
October 6, 2026
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Elizabeth Lake FROM: Monica Elise Davis
Interim City Administrator Deputy City Administrator
SUBJECT: Resolution Ratifying The Mayor’s
Actions During The 2026 Annual
Recess
DATE: September 18, 2026
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Confirming and Ratifying Actions Taken By The Mayor During The Oakland City Council 2026 Annual Recess In Conformance With The Council’s Rules Of Procedures
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
During the City Council’s annual recess period, the Mayor is authorized to take certain actions that would normally be taken by the City Council that cannot be deferred for Council action following the recess, as referenced in Rule 21 of the Council’s Rules of Procedure, Resolution No. 91119 C.M.S. Actions taken by the Mayor during the annual recess must be presented to the City Council at its first regular meeting in October, at which time the Council may confirm said actions.
In accordance with Rule 21 of the Council’s Rules of Procedure, this report requests that the City Council confirm the actions taken during the 2026 annual recess. The City of Oakland Recess Agenda, dated August 25, 2026.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The City Council’s annual summer recess commences August 1st and continues through August 31st each year, or until the first meeting in September as set by the Rules and Legislation Committee. During the recess, the City of Oakland business is governed by specific sections of the Oakland Municipal Code (O.M.C.) and the Council’s Rules of Procedure.
O.M.C. 2.04.020. (H) states that during the City Council annual recess, the City Administrator’s purchasing authority shall not exceed $500,000 for the purchase of supplies or payment for services, and $300,000 for professional and consultant services. Council approval is not required for contracts within these limits during the recess, provided vendors and Michelle Phillips (Sep 25, 2026 09:01:54 PDT)
Michelle Phillips Sep 25, 2026
Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: Resolution Ratifying The Mayor’s Actions During The 2026 Annual Recess Date: September 18, 2026 Page 2
City Council
October 6, 2026
contractors are selected in accordance with the City’s advertising and bidding/request for proposal/qualifications requirements and other requirements of the Purchasing Ordinance.
Contract approvals exceeding the foregoing recess purchasing levels are subject to the City Council’s annual recess process set forth in the Council’s Rules of Procedure and must set forth reasons why the item cannot be deferred until the Council’s legislative session resumes and must be presented to the City Council for ratification upon return from its annual recess.
Council’s Rules of Procedure, Rule 21, Action During Council Recess, authorizes the Mayor to take action during the Council recess under the following circumstances:
• Actions that the Council would usually take, except for actions 1) requiring the adoption of an ordinance and 2) appropriating funds.
• Purchases carried out during the recess must conform to the requirements set forth in the Purchasing Ordinance. For example, funds must be previously budgeted by the City Council for the purchase, and staff must conduct advertising and/or bidding Request for Proposal/ Qualification (RFP/Q) processes as required by the Purchasing Ordinance, Oakland Municipal Code Section Ch. 2.04.
• Resolutions and agenda reports for actions approved during the recess must be posted on the summer recess ten-day agenda to provide public notice and the opportunity for public comment and input for matters to be approved on behalf of the Council during the recess.
• Purchases and other approvals involving expenditure or disposition of funds are limited to previously adopted budgeted amounts.
• Resolutions must include justification as to why actions taken on behalf of the Council during the recess cannot be deferred for Council approval after recess, except contracts authorized under O.M.C. section 2.04.020.H (City Administrator Recess Purchasing Authority).
Rule 21 also states that the Mayor may convene emergency Council meetings to take emergency actions necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
Pursuant to the Council’s Rules of Procedures, the following actions and resolutions were approved by the Mayor during the 2026 annual recess and are presented to the City Council for confirmation.
August 25, 2026, Office Of The Mayor Annual Recess Agenda x Adopt A Resolution Fixing The Rate Of Property Tax And Levying A Tax On Real And Personal Property In The City Of Oakland For Fiscal Year 2026-27 For Voter- Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: Resolution Ratifying The Mayor’s Actions During The 2026 Annual Recess Date: September 18, 2026 Page 3
City Council
October 6, 2026
Approved Indebtedness (See Agenda Report listed hereto as linked here to as City of Oakland - File #: AR2026-001, for reasons the item could not be deferred) x Adopt A Resolution (1) Accepting Up To One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) From The Mitchell Kapor Foundation – P.R.I.M.E. Alliance To Support And Provide Partial Funding For A Staff Position In The Mayor’s Office To Serve As The Local Project Manager Leading The City’s Participation In The P.R.I.M.E. Alliance; and (2) Authorizing The City Administrator To Enter Into A Memorandum Of Understanding Subject To Additional Council Approvals Where Required (See Agenda Report dated August 25, 2026, for reasons the item could not be deferred).
RELATED PLANNING EFFORTS
This agenda item is a routine item and does not relate to any Oakland strategic planning effort.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. Fiscal impacts related to these items approved during the Council recess are discussed in the agenda reports and resolutions as linked below:
- Fiscal Year 2026-27 Tax Levy For Voter-Approved Indebtedness- City of Oakland - File #: AR2026-001
- The Mitchell Kapor Foundation - P.R.I.M.E. Alliance - City of Oakland - File #:
AR2026-002
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No public outreach was required for this report other than posting on the City’s website.
COORDINATION
The Office of the City Attorney was consulted in preparation for this report.
RACE AND EQUITY
There are no race and equity opportunities associated with this report. However, essential city services that serve the public greatly rely upon revenues generated from the voter-approved special tax measures.
Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: Resolution Ratifying The Mayor’s Actions During The 2026 Annual Recess Date: September 18, 2026 Page 4
City Council
October 6, 2026
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Confirming And Ratifying Actions Taken By The Mayor During The Oakland City Council 2026 Annual Recess In Conformance With The Council’s Rules Of Procedure.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Monica Elise Davis, Deputy City Administrator, at 510-495-4810.
Respectfully submitted,
Monica Elise Davis
Deputy City Administrator
Winnie Woo for Monica Davis