June 24, 2021
Dear Friend,

This week Alameda County ranked among the best in California when 80 percent of residents over the age of 12 received at least one dose of vaccination! But we must continue to make sure our entire community gets vaccinated — so let's keep pushing!

Oaklanders can visit this site or call 510-208-4VAX. Residents who need an in-home vaccination can all 1-833-422-4255 or visit www.myturn.ca.gov

Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. Please forward this to a friend. They may subscribe here.

Oakland Love,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
Re-Opening Small Businesses With Gov. Newsom
California’s re-opening starts in Oakland. Last week I joined Governor Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Wilma Chan, Senator Nancy Skinner, and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce to celebrate our BIPOC-owned businesses, like Beastmode Barbershop and Graffiti Pizza, who are open and ready for business!
 
Thank you to Governor Newsom for making a historic investment of $4 billion in grants in the #CAComebackPlan, providing our small local businesses with the support they need to come roaring back. Oakland is open, and this is our moment to put our wallets where our hearts are. Celebrate re-opening by shopping local and be sure to support our incredible Oakland Black-owned businesses.
 
Budget Update: Urge Your Councilmember to Support Police Staffing Compromise Today!
Today, the Oakland City Council could pass the city’s $3.8 billion budget that will dictate your public services — including public safety — for the next two years. Last week, I wrote to you about the City Council President's proposal to significantly cut police budget, decimate 911 response and reduce officer staffing levels significantly. But Tuesday, Councilmember Loren Taylor (D6 Central East Oakland) proposed a way to mitigate these cuts without reducing any of the new laudable investments in violence prevention proposed by the Council President’s budget. Read it here.

I urge all Oakland residents to contact their Councilperson or virtually attend the budget meeting today at 10:30 a.m. and encourage City Council to adopt Councilmember Taylor's compromise.
Oakland Joins Housing Solutions Lab
Image via NYU Furman Center
Last week, Oakland announced its participation in New York University Furman Center’s Housing Solutions Lab, a nationally-funded policy initiative for small and midsize cities to advance opportunity and equity through innovative, evidence-based housing policy solutions.

To deliver more housing affordability and security for our residents, cities need comprehensive policy changes. I’m proud of Oakland’s leadership in creating new housing policies that promote flexibility and innovation and redefine what makes a ‘home’ a home.

President Biden Enacts New Crime Measures
Image via White House
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed executive orders in response to the rise in crime that we have seen throughout the country, including here in Oakland. These executive orders include tougher enforcement of federal gun control laws and new guidelines to help cities and states direct funds from the American Rescue Plan towards innovative crime prevention strategies such as Oakland’s Ceasefire.
 
At a time when so many are suffering from the devastating impacts of gun violence, it is critical that our police and crime prevention departments have the resources they need. When they do, we know we can achieve incredible reductions in gun violence. I applaud President Biden for taking actions that will help Oakland through this difficult time.

City Arts Grants Available Now
City Arts Grant applications are now open through July 15th! Cultural Funding Program grants are an important way that the City helps to support and nurture our arts community and cultural expressions of the many communities in Oakland’s neighborhoods.

Our beloved arts community has helped Oaklanders weather the pandemic through virtual programming, performances, stunning murals and other creative expressions. Find more information about these grants along with the application form below.
Head Start Vaccine Clinic on June 29 and July 1
Next week Oakland's Head Start is hosting two free vaccination clinics. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine helps protect yourself, your family, your friends, and your community. If you haven't already gotten your shot, it's not too late!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We’re all a family, we’re a community here.”
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
U.S. Olympic rowers train in the Oakland Estuary ahead of next month's Olympic Games held in Tokyo. The U.S. men's Olympic Team is based in Oakland, and has been training for Tokyo in the Estuary since 2018.
BONUS PHOTO OF THE WEEK
It's impossible not to smile when you're on FaceTime with Marshawn Lynch. Special shoutout to Beastmode Barbershop! #TownBiz