• Affordable Housing
  • Our balanced budget makes a record $216 million investment, mostly from Measure U, for the creation, acquisition and preservation of affordable housing, plus a Council-created Rapid Response Homeless Housing Acquisition Fund with $8.8 million to more rapidly create housing for unhoused residents.
  • Two 100% affordable housing projects are moving forward on the East 12th Parcel by Lake Merritt. East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) will hopefully break ground next year with a 91-unit, 100% affordable housing project. Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) is planning an 84-unit 100% affordable housing project. 
  • The Brooklyn Basin Project has completed two affordable housing projects that add 341 affordable units. With the recent expansion of Brooklyn Basin, the committed community coalition negotiated new community benefits including: $9 million towards the preservation and acquisition of affordable housing in the nearby neighborhoods of Chinatown, Eastlake, and San Antonio; 20% local hire for the additional 600 housing units; and an additional $350,000 to the West Oakland Jobs Resource Center for job training to nearby residents. 

• Tenant Rights
  • Earlier this year, Council passed my legislation to end the COVID Eviction Moratorium on July 15th, 2023 and improve the Just Cause Ordinance.
  • Our balanced budget allocated $1 million a year for tenant legal services, especially important as the COVID eviction moratorium expires July 15th.

• Homeless Solutions
  • Two years ago, my team worked with the community and City to develop an innovative, interim use on city-owned land at the East 12th Parcel by Lake Merritt. We created a tiny home program on public land with improved services and infrastructure such as electricity, plumbing, storage and room for pets. 
  • On June 30th, the City of Oakland and the Housing Consortium of the East Bay successfully concluded the LakePoint Tiny Home Community program after almost two years of serving over 80 houseless individuals with resources, shelter, and community. All participants transitioned into other housing and shelter programs, including many now in permanent housing thanks to our partnership with Oakland Housing Authority. The unoccupied site will be cleaned and secured, while the structures will be moved to other homeless programs.
  • In the new year, construction is anticipated to start on the first of two 100% affordable housing projects. Stay tuned for community meetings later this summer about the projects. My team and I are proud of this historic step forward in using public land for public good –  ensuring that our most vulnerable are sheltered and served, and creating more deeply affordable housing.

 

Community Safety for All

Our adopted budget continues to invest in holistic community safety, despite closing a huge deficit. Here are some key investments that seek to prevent violence, activate safe public spaces, effectively respond to crisis, and solve crime. 

• Violence prevention: Council added $2.85 million more for violence prevention programs, including $600,000 focused on sex trafficking; and also funded 24/7 crisis response to gun and gender-based violence. 
• Activate Oakland Initiative: This new program dedicates $434,000 to revitalize downtown and neighborhood commercial corridors by activating public spaces, incubating events, and promoting public safety awareness. The event program will offer sponsorships of $1,000 to $10,000 and will be administered by Visit Oakland.
• Community Safety Ambassadors: $1 million per year will support community safety ambassadors in commercial corridors, building off the Holiday Shop Safe initiative. 
• Crisis and emergency response: MACRO (Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland) will expand its hours and locations of coverage to support OFD response to non-violent 911 calls; and the City will prioritize filling vacant 911 dispatcher and MACRO crisis responder positions.
• Effective policing: The Council approved Mayor Thao’s police staffing plan — setting the number of officers to realistically account for the actual time it takes to recruit, train and graduate new recruits. 712 officers are authorized in FY 2023-2024 and three (3) academies will graduate new officers, estimated at 20-25 graduates per academy. In FY 2024-2025, another three (3) academies will graduate new officers.
• Civilianization of certain police functions: Oakland will continue to civilianize certain police functions to enable police officers to focus on serious and violent crime. (Special events and certain traffic enforcement are now handled by civilian staff.) With the new budget, two (2) new civilian investigators will help solve missing persons and traffic/vehicle collision cases, among other things, so police investigators can focus on solving violent crimes. OPD Internal Affairs will be transferred to the independent Community Police Review Agency to ensure greater accountability. 
• Traffic safety: More than $10 million is dedicated for traffic safety improvements to prevent injury and fatalities on city streets, on top of millions for street paving and sidewalk repair. Council added $800,000 to be allocated evenly by each Councilmember ($100,000 each) for traffic safety improvements plus $770,896 for violence prevention/sideshow prevention.
• Lake Merritt equity and access: The new Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan will generate $1 million to support equity and access at Lake Merritt and fund a Lake Merritt vending program and events, expansion of the park stewards program, park maintenance, traffic safety improvements, and compliance with park and other rules. 
  

 

Equitable Services and Infrastructure Improvements

• The Capital Improvement Project Budget via Measure U is funding the renovation/expansion of the Lincoln Recreation & Resilience Center; a feasibility study to kick off the master planning for San Antonio Park and a future Community Library and Resilience Center; and the renovation of Fire Station 4 in Central Oakland. 
• Clinton Park in Little Saigon is getting a boost of parks improvement funding from Measure Q ($100k+).
• For Lake Merritt, we’ve allocated $1 million per year in parking revenue for Lake Merritt to advance equity and inclusion, including supporting the Lake Merritt Freedom Market and other activities/events ($200k+), as well as park improvements ($150k) and expanding the park ambassadors program ($150K).
  

 

Just Economic Recovery

• Small business support: The small business Facade Improvement Program will continue with $200,000 to support physical and safety improvements; and a critical staff position for multilingual business assistance will be filled.
• Arts and culture: Council increased Cultural Affairs grants by $300,000 each year, added $100,000 for the activation of Frank Ogawa Plaza, and unfroze Program Analyst II and the Special Events Coordinator, who support special events and cultural affairs.

 

I am proud of and humbled by the work that we’ve accomplished in District 2 and across Oakland, which will continue to encourage and grow our vibrant cultures and communities. From ensuring that every person has access to shelter, housing and food, to creating a community where all people access the opportunities and resources they need, I will remain active in pushing forward progressive change for the most vulnerable and marginalized. This progress has only been made possible through the  collaboration and partnership with our neighbors, community-based organizations, and my colleagues at the City of Oakland. I look forward to strengthening our work together for all of Oakland.

 

Town Nights — San Antonio Park & Lincoln Square Park
Town Nights has been an amazing success across the multiple sites in District 2! At Lincoln Square Park, the events so far have included community performances, sports, music, games and food for youth and seniors alike! At San Antonio Park, Trybe and partners have served more than 1100 meals, hosted a wellness fair and a vintage car show, and featured amazing performances from salsa and soul to rap and turf dancing! The work of the many organizations putting together Town Nights across the City is integral to creating the safer Oakland that we want, and I am extremely grateful to the Department of Violence Prevention for spearheading this initiative. Make sure that you check out one of the great Town Nights events happening near you! Friday, July 21st will be the final events.

 

Lincoln Summer Nights 
Now In its 7th season, Lincoln Summer Nights on the 2nd Thursday of each month through October has been put on by and for the community, entirely by volunteers including the Oakland Chinatown Coalition and Friends of Lincoln Square Park! We’ve enjoyed the performances, resources, activities and food for all ages each month. This past Thursday we especially enjoyed the entertainment and acrobatics by Circus Bella. The park was packed and there were smiles all around. 

 

LAKEFEST
The LakeFest this year was a smashing success, with more than 15,000 attendees of every age! Vendors and businesses were out, the music was great, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I deeply appreciate the cultural value that festivals like LakeFest bring and maintain for Oakland, and I’m looking forward to LakeFest 2024! A huge shoutout to founder Trevelon Adanandus, his team, and all of the organizations, staff and volunteers that worked on bringing this back for another year!

---

Tuesday 7/18: Council Meeting Preview

Activating San Antonio Park, Brooklyn Basin Community Facilities District, General Plan Update & More

Highlights for this coming Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 18th at 2pm (our last Council meeting before the summer recess): 

For more information including how to share public comment for those items you care about, see the agenda for instructions — or submit an e-comment (24 hours before the meeting). We look forward to seeing and hearing from you!

---

Community Calendar️

Children’s Fairyland Sleepovers
Camp out at Children’s Fairyland! Join fellow Oaklanders this summer for magical themed nights under the stars where you and your family will enjoy rides, special performances, storybook sets, dinner, and an unforgettable outdoor overnight experience! Bring a tent and sleeping bags—let them do the rest! Tickets: $65 per person. Includes dinner and continental breakfast! Space is limited so reserve your spot today! The next two dates are: July 22, (Puppets), and Aug 4 (Fairies). Tickets and more information here.

Oakland United Rowing Team High School ‘Learn To Row’ Classes Starting Soon!
The Oakland United Rowing Team’s High School ‘Learn To Row’ class is about to start! No experience is required to become a part of this great Oakland team that introduces Oakland Unified School District High School students to rowing in a fun, on-the-water environment. You can learn about the Oakland United Rowing programs and more here.

Cycles of Change 4th Annual Bike-A-Thon | August 25th, from 1 - 2pm
Cycles of Change’s fourth annual Bike-a-Thon is coming up on Friday, August 25. This event will gather cyclists of all backgrounds to ride around Lake Merritt for one common goal: to support Cycles of Change’s transportation justice and youth empowerment work! For this year’s Bike-a-Thon, they are honoring their 25 years of community based work and harnessing community power to ensure the coming 25 years of Cycles’ work in East Oakland. You can sign up to be a rider, make a pledge, and more here.

Trybe Summer Events and Town Nights
Oakland TRYBE’s Town Nights at San Antonio Park kicked off with an amazing display of music, art, community, and fun! Hosted during the summer months to encourage peace and discourage violence, Town Nights programming allows community based organizations and the City to work together through the Department of Violence Prevention to support each other and create a safer and more inclusive Oakland for ALL. More at townnights.org. 

                   

Lake Merritt Freedom Vendor's Market | Saturdays and Sundays @ El Embarcadero

It's been great to see all of the different vendors out around the lake with their wares, and to see the intergenerational crowd enjoy food, music, and community outside! I’m hopeful that the Freedom Vendor’s Market will become a staple opportunity for Oaklanders to support our local vendors, enjoy our lake, and enjoy our community! Join us on Saturdays & Sundays at El Embarcadero. 

Bulky Block Party - Every last Saturday of the month

Oakland residents! Do you have bulky items that you just can't seem to get rid of? Let the City help! Come to one of our Bulky Block Parties every last Saturday of the month. 

Who can participate?

• All Oakland residents, including home owners and renters.
• Who cannot come: businesses, for-hire haulers, contractors, painters, organizations, apartments & condominium managers, clubs, and non-profits.

 

For more information, check out the website here, or see the flyer below for more info.

City & District 2 News and Resources

NEWS:

• Learn more about the changes coming to Oakland’s Main Library. “It wouldn’t be a library redesign without a storytelling element. At a second workshop on Aug. 5, participants will learn about the building blocks of a narrative, then share personal stories about “what a new branch library means to you and your community.” These stories will help inform a video that BAVC Media will make as part of the feasibility study.” More here from the Oakland Public Library and in the Oaklandside. 
• Broadway Streetscape Improvements
  The Oakland Department of Transportation’s (OakDOT) Major Projects Division is working to deliver projects that will strengthen connections between West Oakland, Chinatown, Downtown, Old Oakland, and the Jack London District.
  • Staff are starting outreach and design for the Broadway Streetscape Improvements, which is focused on Broadway between 2^nd and 11^th Street and between 20^th Street and Grand Avenue. The project aims to improve safety and accessibility for people who walk, roll, and take transit along Broadway. The scope of improvements has been informed by previous community engagement and adopted plans. Improvements may include curb extensions, ADA curb ramps, high visibility crosswalks, bus-only lanes, and improvements to the Broadway/I-880 underpass (such as pedestrian lighting).
    
    
    

Your input is needed! Fill out a short survey to tell the project team about your priorities for traveling along Broadway and what types of improvements you're excited about. The survey is available in English, Chinese, and Spanish. More information about the project can be found at: oaklandca.gov/broadway For questions, contact the project team at [email protected].

• Our Boards & Commissions have vacancies! Join today! 

  To advance a #PeoplePoweredGovernment, we need residents like YOU to be a part of our Boards and Commissions! There are over forty boards and commissions, each with a specific stake in keeping Oakland running. Check out vacancies and apply today! Some Boards and Commissions you may be interested in are:

  • Police Commission Selection Panel
  • Community Policing Advisory Board
  • Children’s Fund Planning & Oversight Committee
  • Affordable Housing & Infrastructure Bond Public Oversight Committee
  • Commission on Persons with Disabilities
  • Public Art Advisory Commission
  • Library Advisory Commission

 

• Learn about the latest developments in the fight to keep coal out of Oakland as the trial began. Read more in the Oaklandside.  
• We were warmed to see so much kindness and community support for our beloved Colonial Donuts after another tragic robbery. Our office continues to support the shop and our businesses along Lakeshore and other corridors. Watch the story here on KTVU. 
• Great to see Oakland Community Land Trust and East Oaklanders in the New York Times! “Born of the Civil Rights Movement, community land trusts are working to preserve neighborhoods and create new homeowners from New York to California.” Read more in the New York Times.  

RESOURCES:

• Check out our D2 Neighborhood pages for resources & events!
  
  Chinatown, Downtown, Jack London: oaklandca.gov/topics/chinatown-downtown-jack-london-neighborhood
  East Lake: oaklandca.gov/topics/eastlake_neighborhood
  Grand Lake: oaklandca.gov/topics/grandlake-neighborhood
  San Antonio: oaklandca.gov/topics/san-antonio-neighborhood
  
  
• Information & Support for Tenants & Property Owners as Covid-19 Eviction Moratorium Ends on July 15th
  • On July 15, 2023, the City of Oakland’s COVID-19 pandemic-related eviction moratorium will sunset. The City is conducting an educational campaign to provide tenants and property owners with the information they need to understand how this policy change affects them, what their rights are, and how they can access support. Learn more here: www.oaklandca.gov/news/2023/oakland-eviction-moratorium-phase-out
  • The Rental Adjustment Program will host several workshops, starting on July 19th until November 15th. For more information, you can also check out the RAP website here: www.oaklandca.gov/RAP
  • I'm proud to have authored the original eviction moratorium legislation in March 2020 and to have worked with my colleagues and the community along the way to protect tenant rights, help prevent displacement, and with the adopted budget to have added $1 million per year to provide tenant legal services.

• Oakland Fire is Now Recruiting for Entry Level Firefighter EMT & Paramedics

Application Period: August 3 - August 9, 2023. Are you ready to serve Oakland by helping fight fires and keep our community safe? Then you should apply to be a part of the Oakland Fire Department. 

REQUIREMENTS:

1. High school diploma or GED
2. EMT or Paramedic License
3. Driver’s License 
4. CPAT within last 6 months 

Learn More -- Watch: https://youtube.com/watch?v=sxvtIT125g4

• Home Electrification Resources: In December of 2020, the City started requiring all new buildings to be all electric, which will create safer homes, more jobs, and an overall better Oakland. Learn more about the timeline and resources & benefits to electrifying your home here: www.oaklandca.gov/projects/electrify.
  
  
• Clean Cars for All and Charge Program: The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars for All program provides up to $9,500 for income-qualified members of communities disproportionately affected by air pollution to retire older vehicles and replace them with a new or used hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric, or fuel cell vehicle, or get a transit card or e-bike. Additionally, up to $2,000 in funding is available for home-charging equipment and installation for purchasing a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle. Applicants must live in a designated, eligible community in the Bay Area and their household income must fall under a specified limit based on their household size. For more information or to apply for Clean Cars for All, visit www.baaqmd.gov/cleancarsforall.
  
  
• Does your business have compost and recycling services? Fines to Businesses for lack of compost and recycling service started January 2023: If your business fails to establish compost and recycle collection or get an approved waiver, StopWaste, the Alameda County public agency working on behalf of the City of Oakland to enforce the law, will issue citations for non-compliance. Starting fines range from $50 to $100, depending on the size of a site’s trash service and will increase every 60 days up to $500 if a site continues to not have the required service. Actions to comply with SB 1383 and avoid fines:
  • Sign up for compost and recycle service online 
  • Apply for a minimal generation waiver if your business generates a very small volume (less than 10 or 20 gallons a week) of compostable or recyclable material.