Shell game

Oakland councilmembers raise more concerns about Coliseum deal, CM Ramachandran says Oakland is a 'political circus;' Cast vote record discussions returns to Board of Supes

CITY NEWS

OAKLAND

—MOVING GOALPOSTS—Oakland Councilmembers Treva Reid and Janani Ramachandran again slammed the city administration’s handling of the shifting deal to sell its half of the Coliseum Complex to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group.

—The special meeting set for 10 a.m. was called by Reid, Ramachandran, and Councilmember Noel Gallo using a rarely-used parliamentary rule that allows three members to call a special meeting.

—But the meeting was canceled Monday morning due to a lack of a quorum. Oakland Councilmembers Nikki Fortunato Bas, Rebecca Kaplan, and Carroll Fife had excused absences. (Several of the same councilmembers expressed uncertainty last week about attending a second special meeting that was set for 9:30 a.m. on Monday.)

—Later, Councilmember Dan Kalb announced that Councilmember Kevin Jenkins would also be absent due to a doctor’s appointment.

—The late-hour move irked the three councilmembers, who roundly criticized their absent colleagues, Mayor Sheng Thao, the city administrator, and the negotiation team working with AASEG.

—“The lack of quorum for this 10 a.m. meeting that myself, Councilmemer Reid and Councilmember Gallo have been attempting to schedule for months, at this point, is indicative of this city at this moment being a political circus,” Ramachandran said.

—“There has been dishonesty from every level of this city’s negotiating team, from the mayor’s office, from the city administration, but also the city attorney.”

—Reid charged the mayor and administration with withholding information about the Coliseum and its changing terms.

—“We have been met with delay and disrespect, withholding of information in this process that is appalling,” Reid said.

“The disrespect that our workforce and our community have felt throughout this process has been layered with deception, delay, silence, manipulation, withholding and inequitable disclosing of details to all councilmembers.”

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