Faith in yourself contributes to your entire community.

I'd like to start off this edition of my newsletter with a note on the power of faith in self. We may not always realize it, but our belief in ourselves as individuals reverberates and impacts everyone around us. Our personal assertion of knowing and believing that we are worthy of greatness and a sound path to our dreams makes success more normal and attainable to anyone in our sphere that may be feeling discouraged or incapable in their own lives.

It is often true that whole communities are under an invisible and illusionary boot of low esteem. It is the champions amongst us- the personal believers in self that stride through the day that give hope and serve as living examples and motivators for us all. 

I encourage us all to seize the new Spring weather and upcoming Summer time as your time for absolute faith in yourself and to take up the mantle of being a motivator for the people around you. 

Always on Your Behalf, 

Councilmember Desley Brooks




The passing of this special and phenomenal man has shaken us all. Just weeks ago Prince blessed our city with his spirit, energy, and an amazing performance. Sending love and light to the family and friends of  Prince Rogers Nelson as the world mourns one of the greatest to ever do it. 



I'm working to ensure that law enforcement agencies release body camera footage to families who have lost loved ones.

I'm asking the council to support Assembly Bill 1957, which currently proposes that a state or local law enforcement agency releases body camera footage 60 days after the commencement of an investigation that does not lead to an indictment. This is a part of my continued work on your behalf promoting accountability of any police agency and to that end, the work that was done with 100 Black Men of the Bay Area restating the right to record and giving families closure. There is  nothing worse than families not knowing what happened to their loved ones. This item is set to go to the Rules Committee 4/21.





 Why I voted No on Impact Fee Proposal:

Little impact, too low, potentially accelerate displacement and gentrification. 

 

 




Impact fees are designed to allocate resources to support communities impacted by the changes that come along with new developments in property, transit, and general wellness. Oakland is facing a housing affordability crisis and is confronted with inadequate infrastructure. As Oakland experiences economic growth, it is important that the City plan for and provide funds for affordable housing, transportation improvements, and capital facilities to meet the current and evolving needs of residents. Multiple City policies and initiatives, such as the General Plan, Housing Equity Roadmap, and Mayor's Housing Cabinet "Oakland At Home" report call for adopting development impact fees so that new development in the city pays its fair share towards funding affordable housing, transportation improvements, and capital facilities.

The Council recently approved Impact Fees in an effort to address the housing crisis confronting our city.  

However, I voted no on the fees because  they will have little impact, are too low, and will potentially accelerate displacement and gentrification.  

The proposal approved the Council divides the city in 3 zones and establishes fees based on the zones. Dividing our city into 3 zones, each zone having a different fee. This is unprecedented; staff could not tell us any other city that had done this for affordable housing. The substantially reduced fee may hasten displacement of working families and communities of color who have been long term residents of the city. 

I was astonished to see that the proposal suggests that there be different fees for different areas or "zones" in Oakland. So depending on where you live in Oakland, developers would pay less or more to build in your community. Shockingly, the fees being suggested for East Oakland are minuscule and if allowed to play out as is would allow developers to come to East Oakland and build with their own agendas with very little real accountability to the people who live, work, and go to school there.

KQED recently published a very well done informational video on the Impact Fees:



It has been said that East Oakland is the final frontier and safe haven for low income and working class communities in Oakland, particularly for People of Color. I refuse to let our communities be taken advantage of by manipulative or inconsiderate policies. 






Last week City Council Unanimously voted in favor of adopting the Assembly Bills I've suggested Oakland embraces to strengthen gun safety. 
 


I've made a serious recommendation to our Rules and Legislation Committee to strengthen gun safety and violence prevention in Oakland. My reccomendations were brought to vote last night at our City Council meeting and I'm excited to share with you all that it has passed. This is another victory in my effort to end the presence of gun violence in our communities. Below is an outline of the Assembly Bills I recommended we support.
 
Gun violence is unacceptable in our communities, period. The safety of our residents is and always has been paramount in my work to serve District 6 and the City of Oakland. Over the years I have worked with law enforcements and specialized contractors to bring cutting edge training and technology to our district and city to help prevent and eradicate the prevalence of gun crimes in our communities. We've seen the positive outcomes from these efforts, but it is a relentless ad ongoing fight that I want all of my constituency to know about and join me in championing. 

I've submitted a resolution in support of a series of Assembly Bills. Bills 2459, 1674 and Senate Bills 880 and 1446- a Bill designed to prevent the sale of and proliferation of dangerous weapons. 

I've outlined some of the key points of each Bill and what they propose below:

AB 2459

This Bill will enact the following: 

+ Require gun retailers to install and use video r 
ecording equipment
+ Ban of residential gun dealers
+ Require gun retailers to hold insuranc 
e
+ Grant authority to a 
ttorney general to enforce
+ Allow local jurisdictions to enact more s
 
tringent laws if th 
ey so choose

This bill would  provide transparency for all  gun transactions by enacting  requirements  which are considered best practices by many  cities and gun retailers across California.


AB 1674

AB  1674  caps the amount of firearms  that may be  purchased by a person at  one per month - t he same  restriction currently in place for handguns.

SB 880 

This bill clarifies  the definition  of assault weapons and provides the DOJ the authority to bring  existing regulations into conformity with the original intent of Californi a's Assault Weapon Ban.  Absent this bill, the assault weapon ban is severely weakened, and these types of military - style  firearms will continue to proliferate on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

SB 1446 

This measure will prohibit the possession of large  capacity ammunition magazines (defined as  ammunition feeding devices holding more than 10  rounds). Current and retired police officers would  be exempt from the ban.

The Rules and Legislation Committee meets every Thursday at 10:45 am in Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall. 
  Click here to view agendas for upcoming meetings. 

Also, feel free to contact me at  dbrooks@oaklandnet.com with any questions or concerns.






Groundbreaking Firefighter Milton Williams presented with a proclamation for his service to the city of Oakland by Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed

Engine Company No. 22 of the racially segregated Oakland Fire Department. (1943)

When my office was contacted to prepare a proclamation for Mr. Williams I was honored to do so. Our community is rich with living legends like Milton Williams and it is always a pleasure to lift up our giants and unsung heroes! 

95 -year-old Milton Williams is an Oakland, CA native living in  the home that he helped build with his
own hands. Mr. W's long career includes a time in the  Civilian Conservation Corps, where he
became a Journeyman Machinist at the age of 20 and wa s one of the first black men to work in
a machine shop. During the war Milton was drafted int o the Navy, where he completed his
service at the Alameda Naval Air Base as an aviation ma chinist. Soon after the war, upon
passing the exam for being a firefighter, Milton join ed the only black firehouse in Oakland.

Segregation was strongly in place, and integration had  not yet happened. Until 1952 that is,
when Milton applied for, and with the help of the N AACP, became the first black man to work at
a white-only fire station! 
Mr. Williams was visibly emotional and moved to tears beside his loved ones as he accepted the recognition from Fire Chief Deloach Reed.

Milton remembers being tre ated as an outsider by the other men.  Because he had tremendous inner strength and a support ive family, he managed to remain  there for two years, but the pressure was finally too mu ch and he returned to the black  firehouse, where integration had begun and he rememb ers a very different attitude towards the  white men who eventually joined the team. Milton ret urned to the shipyard to finish his working  career as a well-respected and better paid machinist. Fa mily had always been his support, and  he worked hard to raise his children. Now, he enjoys the  fruits of his labor as his family is mostly  close by and keep an eye on him. Milton began receiving  Meals On Wheels deliveries about  eight years ago and finds life much more pleasant and  easier because of it. He has a special  relation with his drivers and even displays their pict ure alongside his family photos.  " The meals  are good and the drivers so very nice and caring, he  said with a smile.

" It helps me continue to  live in the home I helped build myself. "

Milton Williams and
Chief Deloach Reed.


 

 

Nehanda Imara is a long time trailblazer in both Environmental Justice and Cultural Awareness. 
 


Nehanda Imara is a stellar educator, community activist, environmentalist, and all around leader- living and working in Oakland, CA.

We celebrate her in this edition of Councilmember Desley Brooks' newsletter for her continued efforts to raise awareness around environmental pollution impacts on marginalized communities, as well as her tenured work to take students from Oakland area colleges on a study abroad trip to Ghana, West Africa. 

The mark of true leaders in our community is evident when at any given moment they are engaging in tangible efforts that can be supported and participated in by interested people and groups. 

Nehanda is at the forefront of Communities for a Better Environment's Earth Day activities that went down last week in East Oakland. 

Click here to view flyer and to get more info. 
True to form, Nehanda photoed here above educating activist on recent community leadership reformation in East Oakland. 

She's also continuing her legacy work of taking students from Oakland and the surrounding areas to Ghana, West Africa- a life changing experience for all involved. 

Over the years her effort to broaden the perspectives of students by taking them on this cultural and often spiritual pilgrimage has impacted hundreds of students and also brought resources and aid to Ghanaian social efforts via contributions and offerings from the people who participate in Nehanda's program. 

A fundraising effort has begun to support the program's next trip. If you'd like to learn more about the study abroad program or donate in support the effort click here. 




 

Councilmember Brooks highly encourages Oakland residents to be informed 
on the issues being discussed on your behalf at City Hall. You can always visit the city's website and view upcoming agenda items.


As mentioned Tuesday evening, the City of Oakland launched the first interactive Boards and Commissions management system December 30, 2015.  The system list all boards details such as purpose, meeting information, liaison name and contact, board membership, vacancies, and an automated application that allows the public to apply for any vacant seats with automatic delivery of completed applications to the Office of the Mayor.
  

  
The City Council meet the first, third and fifth Tuesdays of the month in Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall. Ceremonial presentations and non-controversial (consent) items will be heard at 5:30 pm. At 6:30 pm public hearings and discussion items are reviewed.



 
Prop. 47 Infomercial is a MUST SEE: 
Learn how to get your felony record reduced to a misdemeanor!

Recording Artist, Justice Advocate, and Oakland native son Ise Lyfe stars in a statewide television infomercial designed to spread the word about Proposition 47, which California voters voted into law last year.


With the passage of Proposition 47, certain low-level, nonviolent felonies can now be changed to misdemeanors on old criminal records. If you or someone you know has a prior criminal record with a felony record for any of the following crimes, you may qualify to remove the felony from your record and change it to a misdemeanor:
  • Simple drug possession 
  • Petty theft under 950 dollars
  • Shoplifting under 950 dollars
  • Forging or writing a bad check under 950 dollars
  • Receipt of stolen property under 950 dollars
If you have a previous conviction for crimes such as rape, murder or child molestation or are in the sex offender registry, you will not be eligible to get these felonies reclassified.  Click here  for a list of crimes that will exempt you from getting your record reclassified. Read more from the California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections  here .





Councilmember Brooks encourages you to get out and participate in all the great events and recreational opportunities our great city has to offer! Here are some great upcoming events in Oakland! 


Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement 


From Now thru July 14, 2016
Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Thursday

African American Museum and Library
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA  94612

Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement combines history and textile designs that will honor women whose actions were instrumental in the success of the Civil Rights Movement. Some of the women were well known; others less so, but deserving of greater recognition. Please walk through history as AAMLO's Chief Curator Rick Moss creates an environment that places the actions of these women in the historical context of this great movement. 
The exhibition will be open until July 16, 2016.




EARTH DAY at City Center Plaza!



Friday, April 22, 2016 from noon to 2 pm
Oakland City Center Plaza 

Mark your calendar for Friday, April 22, 2016 from noon to 2 pm to drop by City Square in Oakland City Center in downtown Oakland  Our Earth Day event is free and open to the public. See you there!




__________________________________________________
Thank you for reading Councilmember Brooks' bi-weekly newsletter. Feel free to share it far and wide. If you have anything you'd like to share that you'd like featured in the newsletter, send an email to:

dbrooks@oaklandnet.com

We'd love to hear from you!
 __________________________________________________



Councilmember Brooks encourages 
us all to make the best health decisions possible! What we eat, think, and do impacts us all- so here's this week's health corner with useful info to keep us healthy and thriving!
 

Avocado Bravo!

Avocados and avocado oil are high in monounsaturated oleic acid, a "heart healthy" fatty acid that has major health benefits!

So add avocado and avocado oil to some of your favorite dishes to increase your health and vitality!

Councilmember Brooks would love to feature you in her bi-weekly newsletter!

If you are a resident of District 6 with an interesting and positive story to tell about yourself or community, send and email to dbrooks@oaklandnet.com

We look forward to hearing from you!
 ______________________
 

The City of Oakland Website has new tips and access to resources to prepare you for the event of an earthquake.

       Readiness is key!
Click here to get the info
______________________
 
African American Male Achievement program is a  phenomenal effort within Oakland Unified School District to support Black boys
Click here for more information
______________________________
Quick Links
  ZERO WASTE


Councilmember Brooks has always worked towards 
keeping District 6 and the entire city mobilized 
towards clean, safe, and cost effective waste management. If you have any questions about recent changes and improvements to Oakland's waste services, 
please utilize the ZERO WASTE HOTLINE: 

To provide the best service to residents, we recommend forwarding calls and e-mails to the City's Recycling Hotline at 238-SAVE (x7283) or recycling@oaklandnet.com


 

The Recycling Hotline is fully staffed and ready to provide swift, effective assistance to callers. The Recycling Hotline issues work orders to Waste Management and CWS through Cityworks, tracks each service issue, explains the rules and requirements that apply to residents, building owners and businesses, and highlights all the benefits of the City's new program. The Recycling Hotline identifies and tracks issues and compels corrective actions as needed from Waste Management and CWS.


 

Constituents who want help finding the best rates available to them should contact the haulers directly: Waste Management is handling billing and rates questions for residential customers at 510-613-8710. Waste Management is also where businesses should call about trash and compost rates and service, and their business line is 510-613-8700. Commercial recycling remains an open market and business owners can shop around for different service providers using the directory posted on the program's new website, www.OaklandRecycles.com.


 

 


Click here to connect with Councilmember Brooks on Facebook!