Oakland City Council Cmte to Consider Censure of Council President Thursday, 10:45 AM

It is an opportunity for community to speak to why Oakland deserves better in a council president and city representative. The public can sign up to speak on this issue. The public is also able to sign up to cede time to other speakers. Though they tried to avoid it at council last night, the council voted unanimously to vote on the issue at the Rules Committee meeting.

McElhaney's opponent in the upcoming District 3 Council Seat election, Noni Session, spoke about the censure and the issues surrounding it at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Here is a video of her comments.

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Subject: Censure of President of the Council Lynette Gibson--McElhaney.
From: Councilmember Desley Brooks On Behalf Of Members Of The Public
Recommendation: Schedule The Following:

A) A Censure Hearing, And Possible Referral To The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Of Councilmember Lynnette Gibson--McElhaney For Violation Of The City And State Laws, Council Rules Of Procedure, Ethics Rules And Oakland City Charter Investigated And Established By The Alameda County Grand Jury. Charges:

• 1. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Had A Conflict Of Interest That Prohibited Her From Using Her Elected Position To Influence An Administrative Decision On The Townhouse Project.
• 2. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Violated Ethics Rules By Privately Contacting A Department Head And City Staff To Argue Personal Objections, Resulting In The Department Head Re-Evaluating The Project. This Gave The Appearance That The Department Head Was An Advocate For The Councilmember.
• 3. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Improperly Used City Resources By Having Her Chief Of Staff Draft A Letter For Her In Opposition To The Project For The Councilmember. The Grand Jury Believes That Was A Misuse Of City Resources Solely Intended To Benefit The Councilmember Personally.
• 4. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Violated Of City And State Rules, During A Planning Commission Hearing, Where She Inappropriately Used Her Position To Question City Policy, To Challenge Staff, And To Interrupt Proceedings.
• 5. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Violated Section 218 Of The City Charter. And

B) And An Informational Report From The City Council And Public Ethics Commission Explaining Why No Action Has Been Taken. The Grand Jury Concluded That The Failure Of The Oakland City Council And The Oakland Public Ethics Commission To Recognize And Address These Breaches Of Ethical Standards Is Unacceptable.; As Soon As Possible On The November 1, 2016 City Council Agenda And The As A Public Hearing November 1, 2016