Nikki Fortunato Bas
Councilmember, City of Oakland, District 2

#LoveLife

(A) Policy Work

#1. Housing: Passed emergency moratorium on rent increases

On February 14, Council unanimously passed an emergency moratorium on rent increases in owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes. I introduced this ordinance to act immediately to protect tenants from potential displacement, and to ensure accurate information to tenants and landlords. We also amplified the City's outreach to provide training and education to small landlords.

In the coming months, I will introduce legislation to further protect tenants, expand housing access, and help create more affordable housing.

#2. Homelessness: Increasing transparency and public knowledge on encampment management programs

Thanks to the past Council's work last year, Oakland's first Safe Car Park for unhoused neighbors opened in March at District 2's Williams Chapel Baptist Church. The Interfaith Council of Alameda County will operate 4 car parks in total. Residents are provided sanitation and security services, employment resources, supports to find permanent affordable housing, and more.

My office requested an information report from the City Administrator to provide and publicize in detail how the homeless encampment program works (e.g. deciding on and executing encampment closures, outreach and services, and housing options). It will be presented at the May 14, 4pm Life Enrichment Committee meeting. By sharing this information, I hope to advance more compassionate and sustainable solutions to the unsheltered crises. 

#3. Development: Facilitating community engagement in two major redevelopment proposals

After my March 2nd community forum with 150+ neighbors and community groups on Orton Development's proposal to redevelop the Kaiser Convention Center into a performing arts venue and space for nonprofit and arts organizations, my office spearheaded engagement with Orton and the City's Economic & Workforce Development Department to make sure the public's feedback and questions were answered to inform next steps. My office is committed to ensuring the maximum benefit to our communities with this public asset. 

My team also collected and relayed to the City Administrator the public's feedback on the Parkway Theater proposal to become a cannabis dispensary and movie theater / lounge space with on-site consumption. We raised attention to residents' concerns and share a project update to help address them. We also requested information and action from the City Administrator on cannabis permitting community engagement procedures, which will be presented on June 11, 6pm at the Public Safety Committee.

#4. Community Safety: Advocating for stronger statewide rules on police use of force

I introduced a resolution and worked with community organizations like Anti Police-Terror Project & ACLU No. Cal. to support AB 392, known as the California Act to Save Lives, which aims to strengthen the rules for police use of force, particularly deadly force. The bill passed the Public Safety Committee and will head to the Assembly floor for the next vote! See our staff report. Tomorrow (Thursday 4/18), we will hold a press conference at City Hall at 10am before the resolution is considered at the Rules & Legislation Committee at 10:45am.

My team is also working with many neighborhood groups across the district to build community and identify solutions to issues ranging from traffic safety to human trafficking. 

#5. Increasing resources for our public schools and students

Last night, Council passed my resolution to support the California Schools and Local Communities First Funding Act of 2020, which would close a corporate tax loophole and raise billions for public schools and infrastructure. If this initiative succeeds, the potential increase in revenue generated is estimated at $192 million annually for Alameda County, $24.6 million for Oakland. 

Also last night, I joined President Kaplan and Councilmembers Gallo and Thao to support the emotional and educational well-being of Oakland students by allocating $1.2 million to support OUSD's restorative justice program, foster youth case managers, and libraries.

As Chair of the Council's Education Partnership committee with the school district, I look forward to collaborating to align our collective resources and assets with OUSD in support of our students and public schools. 

(B) Oakland's 2-Year Budget 

Oakland is at a crossroads. We can continue down a path where Oaklanders who have lived in our city for decades are pushed out, while large-scale development projects, including on public land, are pushed forward with minimal community benefits and inadequate affordable housing.

I, like many of you, believe we must take a different path: growing with the goals of equity, inclusion and sustainability while making decisions with community engagement, transparency and accountability.

To do this, we must fundamentally shift our priorities and focus on the people who make up the heart and soul of Oakland, yet who are struggling to find affordable housing, stay in their homes, and make ends meet for their families. Moreover, we need to ensure that all Oaklanders receive the timely, quality services that we deserve.

To that end, here are my priorities for the FY 2019-21 budget which I've shared with the Mayor, City Administrator, Director of Finance, and the public:

Please join my office at our District 2 Budget Forum to provide feedback on my priorities and engage in the development of Oakland's budget.

Thursday, May 16, 2019
Lincoln Recreation Center
250 10th Street, Oakland CA, 94607
Light dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.
Program begins at 6:00 p.m.

In solidarity with city workers at the IFPTE Local 21 rally

Honoring city workers' service to Oakland and City Hall 

Supporting our teachers for living wages and student supports