Why is Oakland set to approve a 4 million deal with a company defying its sanctuary city laws?

Oakland city staff aim to approve a $4 million contract for asphalt production with Martin Marietta Materials, despite the company’s violation of local sanctuary city laws. The city’s regulations prohibit contracting with companies that have associations with federal immigration agencies, a rule Martin Marietta does not meet due to its past involvement with the U. S. -Mexico border wall. This contract is crucial for Oakland’s five-year paving plan, which targets repairing over 300 miles of streets by 2027.

City Administrator Jestin Johnson noted that Martin Marietta has shown reluctance to comply with the city's sanctuary laws. City officials struggled to identify alternative local vendors, as the nearest capable firm is located too far away for practical use. The City Council plans to discuss this contract at an upcoming meeting, which will allow for more thorough scrutiny of the situation. Additionally, the city has failed to publish transparency reports regarding previous contracts with Martin Marietta. Councilmember Ken Houston advocated for the contract to be placed on the non-consent calendar, indicating a need for deeper deliberation.