July 22, 2021
Dear Friend,

Last week, seven Bay Area counties including Alameda County recommended that residents wear masks while indoors. While COVID-19 cases have risen in recent weeks, the vast majority of new cases are among those who are unvaccinated. I urge our community to continue to take this virusincluding the Delta variant—very seriously, and to remember that the most powerful defense against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.

¡Y puede vacunarse hoy! To get a vaccine, Oaklanders can visit this site or call 510-208-4VAX. Residents who need an in-home vaccination can call 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
A's Update: Council Approves New Term Sheet
Yesterday, we hosted a press conference with Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and labor and community leaders near the Waterfront Ballpark site at Howard Terminal. Our City and community leadership stands united in the effort to keep the A's rooted in Oakland and build a world-class waterfront ballpark district that protects our Port, our community, and our taxpayers, and will benefit our entire region for generations to come.

Tuesday’s vote by the City Council marked a milestone in our effort. Based on our extensive negotiations, shared values and shared vision, we believe the A’s can and should agree to the terms approved by the City Council. This is the path to keeping the A’s rooted in Oakland in a way that will produce the benefits our community demands and deserves.
 
We look forward to continue working with the A’s to address their remaining concerns and to focus now on developing a final Environmental Report and binding Development Agreement that address the complex details of this visionary project.

City Departments To Receive 12 Cultural Strategists
Last week, Oakland received a $900,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to fund the placement of 12 cultural strategists within various City of Oakland government departments. These creative minds working with our dedicated City staff will help develop new solutions to old problems. Engaging the breadth of creative talent from our communities will strengthen the bonds between residents and government while resolving real-world challenges.

Update from DC: Infrastructure, Child Tax Credit
This week, I wrote an op-ed with San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo urging Congress to pass President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan. This plan provides funds for tackling climate change and environmental sustainability, for high-speed and intercity rail, affordable housing, equity and community resources, and investing in broadband. The Bay Area has long been on the cutting edge of technological innovation — just as we have led the way in fighting for equity and social justice. While an increased investment in human infrastructure is needed, this bipartisan framework is a critical first step to invest in our collective future, right historic wrongs, and truly build back better.

Families Can Now Receive Benefits Through the Child Tax Credit! The latest passage of the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan marks the largest tax credit for children in American history, and is a huge step towards cutting child poverty in half. If you qualify and have filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or received a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, you will automatically receive monthly benefits. If you still qualify for the Child Tax Credit but did not file taxes, you can utilize the Non-Filer Sign-up tool to receive your benefits. Visit this link for more information.

California's Historic Investment in Homelessness
On Monday, Governor Newsom signed a bill that will direct $12 billion in funding towards fighting the homelessness epidemic in California. This bill includes money for converting hotels into long-term housing, housing for people struggling with mental illness, and direct funding for cities. When it comes to fighting homelessness, direct funding to cities gets direct results.

Oakland has put flexible funding towards innovative solutions to our homelessness crisis, moving thousands of residents off the streets and into safety and services while assisting them on a path into permanent affordable housing. This bill, the largest investment in homelessness by a state in U.S. history, will allow us to continue our fight against this deep injustice.

District 5 Mobile Mayor This Saturday, July 24th
Attention District 5 residents! Join us from 11 AM - 1 PM on 7/24 for our Virtual Mobile Mayor Event! We’ll be featuring discussions with Mayor Schaaf on Violence Prevention, Homelessness, and Illegal Dumping. Sign up using the link below.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“If the struggle to make ends meet is monthly, the solution has to be also.”

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Oakland native, Bishop O'Dowd grad, and No. 14 overall NFL Draft pick Alijah Vera-Tucker signed a deal with the Jets on Tuesday. Congrats Alijah for doing Oakland proud! #TownBusiness