These amendments, along with an $8 million increase to OPD and an $18 million investment in violence prevention programs like MACRO, address the rise in violent crime in Oakland. I continue to work with Police Chief Armstrong on making Oakland more safe.
In addition to increased public safety funding, I was able to secure:Councilmember Thao stands with Chief Armstrong and Chief Freeman and the peace rally at lake Merritt
District 4:
$150,000 for traffic calming and sideshow deterrence at the MacArthur/Coolidge and MacArthur/Fruitvale intersections
Sidewalk Cutouts to add trees to our business corridor streets
Small Business Reopening Assistance for the Dimond, Laurel, and Fairfax
Permanent, vandal-proof litter receptacles for Dimond Park and Courtland Creek
$60,000for Murals in District 4
$312,000 for roundabouts at Suter and Liese, 38th and Penniman, and Brookdale Ave off Courtland
$100,000 for Redwood Heights Park Tot Lot Improvements
$306,101 to reopen the Brookdale Park Recreation Center
$35,000 to resurface the Montclair Park Tot Lot
$35,000 for the Montclair Park restrooms
$250,000 for a new Courtland Creek Park Outdoor Fitness Court
$250,000 to resurface the Courtland Creek basketball court and for a new mini tot lot
$175,592 for the Joaquin Miller Park restrooms
Citywide:
$650,009 for traffic calming and sideshow deterrence across Oakland
$1,000,000 additional funding for Wildfire Prevention and Vegetation Management
$260,000 additional funding for Emergency Preparedness and CERT training
We need to support OPD’s efforts to respond to violent crime while also reimagining what public safety means. We must invest in programs that tackle the roots of crime while ensuring we can respond to violent crimes when they occur. By proceeding with a balanced approach, we can keep people safe today while working to eradicate the causes of crime over time. With this goal, I will continue to work with reform groups, Violence Prevention Chief Cespedes, and Police Chief Armstrong to make our city safer and make sure everyone is treated equally in our justice system.
Join us for National Night Out 2021!
One of the best ways we can make our communities safer is by getting to know our neighbors and build stronger relationships. This is why we are thrilled to be participating in National Night Out tomorrow Tuesday, August 3rd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
National Night Out (NNO) is a community-police awareness-raising event held on the first Tuesday of every August. It is meant to raise awareness of public safety in communities, as well as give neighbors an opportunity to get to know one another. This year, the City of Oakland’s National Night Out will be focused on Emergency Preparedness.
If you would like to invite us to a block party, reach out to my office at district4@oaklandca.gov. You can register for a block party here. You can view a guide on how to safely enjoy a block party here. For more information on where and when block parties will be held, here is the link to the City’s website with all the resources you’ll need!
A new indoor mandatory masking announced today by 7 Bay Area Counties and the City of Berkeley. This order includes Alameda County. All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, starting tomorrow, August 3rd.
From January 1 to July 14, 99% of COVID-19 cases in California were among unvaccinated people. The COVID-19 vaccines are the most important tool we have to stop transmission, prevent new variants, and save lives.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and 100% free for everyone 12 and up in California’s 58 counties. Alameda County is encouraging unvaccinated residents 12 and older, and those who missed their second dose, to call 510-208-4VAX to schedule an appointment.
If you are a renter having difficulty paying your rent or anticipate that you will have difficulty in the next few months, or if you are a landlord whose tenant has not been able to pay rent, California has just authorized additional funds to provide financial relief to tenants and landlords.
Budget bill AB 832 provides $5.2 billion to help struggling California renters by covering rent that a tenant may owe for as far back as April 2020 - along with future rent payments, if needed. AB 832 also extends California's eviction moratorium to Sept. 30.
Either renters or landlords can apply. NOTE: the application process works best (and fastest) if both the tenant and landlord complete it cooperatively.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Renters who submit an application to the rental assistance program by Sept. 30 are protected from eviction beyond Sept. 30 while their rental assistance application is being processed.
So submit your application ASAP. Don't wait.
The City Council adjourned for its Summer Recess last week. The City Council will reconvene in September 21st.
Howard Terminal Updates
On July 20, the City Council approved a non-binding Term Sheet with the Oakland A’s to give City staff direction on the City’s priorities regarding the development of Howard Terminal.
My goal is to keep the As in Oakland and make a deal that is financially responsible for the City of Oakland. As a financial steward Oaklanders, it is my job to use taxpayer revenue responsibly. We cannot risk negative impacts to our General Purpose Fund, which would take away from funding Oakland’s most basic needs, like our parks, roads, wildfire prevention, and public safety services and infrastructure. Recently, a fire station in District 4 had to close due to maintenance issues hours before a red flag warning.
Moreover, it’s incredibly important that we also consider neighboring communities that will be impacted directly by relocating the As to Howard Terminal, including Chinatown and our West Oakland communities.
There is absolutely a path forward on this project, but the A’s must stay at the negotiating table and negotiate in good faith with the City. A new stadium must make financial sense for the City, not make the City vulnerable to being left on the hook, and improve the neighborhood where a stadium is built.
GreenLining Oakland Digital Inclusion Program
In 2020, as workplaces and businesses shuttered due to COVID-19 lockdowns, we were reminded that internet access is a fundamental right. It showed us that the internet is no longer a luxury — rather it is a necessity for us to connect to friends and families, access government services, achieve economic security and to be a full member of today’s digital society. Despite the internet’s importance, the latest data shows that 94,000 Oakland residents lack internet access and are on the wrong side of the digital divide.
There are many reasons for the digital divide but several key barriers to internet
connectivity include:
Affordability - The high cost of internet service limits access to high-speed home internet.
Devices - Many families cannot afford reliable computing devices that have internet connectivity.
Digital Literacy - Many of those in the digital divide are not comfortable with using the internet.
To address these barriers, The Greenlining Institute, in collaboration with the City of
Oakland, has developed a year-long program intended to:
Build digital inclusion and digital literacy through trainings and educational programs
Build awareness around free and affordable broadband plans,
Provide computers and tablets to residents that lack devices, and
Provide $100,000 in grants and technical assistance to 10 local organizations ($10,000 per organization) with the goal of increasing internet adoption and digital literacy in priority communities and neighborhoods.
For more information about the program and to download the full application packet please visit the project webpage.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Workshops
If your business or nonprofit is in a low-income area, you may qualify for up to $15,000 in federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advances. These "advances" are like grants, and do not need to be repaid. You do not have to qualify for or accept a loan to receive the advances. Much of Oakland below I-580 qualifies as a low-income area!
Up to $10,000 Targeted EIDL Advance if your business or nonprofit is in a low-income area, lost more than 30 percent in revenue, and has 300 or fewer employees.
Additional $5,000 Supplemental Targeted Advance if your business or nonprofit is in a low-income area, lost more than 50 percent in revenue, and has 10 or fewer employees.
If you have not previously applied for EIDL, apply now! To help eligible businesses apply, the City is hosting free, in-person application workshops in East Oakland and West Oakland:
81st Avenue Library
Thursday, July 29 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or Noon
Wednesday, August 4 at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.
West Oakland Youth Center
Thursday, August 5 at 5 pm, 6 pm or 7 pm
Oakland Redistricting Commission Public Hearings
Oakland’s inaugural Redistricting Commission announced its public hearing schedule as it deliberates and adopts new district boundaries for the City Council and School Board of Directors. District boundaries define and consolidate shared communities of interest which translate to voting power and political influence.
The Commission will receive public testimony on the following dates (all times at 6:00 pm):
Additional public hearings and in-person workshops may be announced at later dates. To stay informed of Oakland’s redistricting process, visit: www.oaklandca.gov/redistricting and select the ‘Provide Input’ icon at the top of the page.
Look what’s new in the Dimond District! I’m honored to have been invited to support the unveiling of the beautiful “Skip” mural by the talented Robin Gibson.
Thank you to the Dimond Improvement Association, Dimond merchants and Popoca for the free samples of your yummy food! (Note: Popoca is coming soon to the Dimond!)
Barbara Lee Comes to District 4
It was an honor to be able to host my good friend and our Congresswoman Barbara Lee for a birthday meet and greet on Saturday. Congresswoman Lee has been an incredible role model to so many, including myself. Thank you Congresswoman for your fierceness and for leading with heart and values.
Special thank you to Keith Uriarte and Linda Dittes for hosting and sharing your beautiful Oakland home with us for this amazing event. ❤️
Courtland Creek Restoration Project in Courtland Creek Park
Two of my biggest priorities are bringing Brookdale Park and Courtland Creek to a standard that celebrates and uplifts the surrounding community. This is why I brought in real investments to the area in this last budget and why we are working closely with city staff and the community on the renovations and restoration of Courtland Creek.
This past Saturday I joined the community meeting at Courtland Creek to hear more about the project from amazing staff and to hear more about the concerns the community has. This meeting was a follow up from the big cleanup we participated in at Courtland Creek in June.
The roads in Oakland are in desperate need of repair, and our 3-year paving plan is hyper focused on this. More paving will be happening in the hills this August, and you can find their dates below and see more by checking out the paving schedule from the 2021 Oakland Hills Paving Project:
THANK YOU to Robbie Neely for helping organize this effort, and my predecessor Councilmember Dick Spees for beginning this long journey. Both of you have been phenomenal advisors and mentors through this process.
