District 6 Matters: News & Updates
From the Office of Councilmember Loren Taylor

Hi Neighbor,
As we head into another weekend of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am reminded of the continued need to protect our community. We wear masks, we maintain physical distancing and seek news ways of staying connected. Why? Alameda County has been placed on the monitoring list by the State of California because COVID-19 positive cases continue to increase. (See section1 of this newsletter for more details.)

Many of us may have experienced the loss of someone we know as a result of this pandemic. I want to express my sympathy for the recent loss of one of our East Oakland neighbors, Bill Dotson. Both he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus, and sadly he did not recover. I fondly remember the hospitality and kindness he showed me when I knocked on his door during the 2018 campaign.
Rest in peace, Mr. Dotson, you will be greatly missedI
As a community, we must continue to support each other during this time. What are some ways we care for one another? By providing for the health and wellness of our East Oakland neighbors though nutritious meals for our families.

On a related note, I would like to share with you that our office is participating in the "Feed Your City Challenge" tomorrow!

The Feed Your City Challenge founded by retired NBA star Ricky Davis and Music Legend,Tony Draper and Grammy Award Winning Rapheal Saadiq (Oakland Native!) to host the "FEED YOUR CITY CHALLENGE" in East Oakland on Saturday, July 18th at Noon in response the COVID -19 pandemic.

Oakland native Raphael Saadiq has long been involved in projects that focus on giving back to his community. This crisis has only highlighted the need for communities to work together to support and uplift each other. Upon learning of the extraordinary work Feed Your City Challenge has been doing in numerous states, it was clear the efforts needed to be replicated locally.

They are working with me as well as Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Deputy Chief of Police LeRonne Armstrong, DB Bedford, Sean Gascie, Gabriel Hart, Carolyn Johnson and the team at Black Cultural Zone and World Central Kitchen.

The event will take place at 6955 Foothill Blvd and will serve the community until supplies are gone.

The "Feed Your City Challenge" will provide hot meals, fresh groceries and essential PPE supplies for up to 3,000 community members via non-contact drive-thru lanes, following all CDC social distancing guidelines.

Local station KMEL 106.1, the official media partner of the event, will also be on-site to help with the day’s mission.


Caring for our community also means that we help ensure everyone's safety, recognizing shortcomings of our existing public safety system and committing to improving it. To this end, we have begun to lead efforts to reimagine and reconstruct a more effective and community-responsive public safety system here in Oakland. If you missed some of the recent conversations from this past week, please visit the links below:

  1. Reimagining Public Safety Town Hall with Councilmembers Dan Kalb & Loren Taylor. (Special Guests: Regina Jackson,David Muhammed, Chief Guillermo Cespedes and Former Chief Howard Johnson)
  2. Reform + Reimagine Public Safety Town Hall with Mayor Libby Schaaf (Special Guest: Ron Davis and Senator Nancy Skinner)

And, this coming Tuesday (7/21), the Council will consider a Proposal for Establishing a Community Taskforce to Reimagine Public Safety and identify recommended improvements to policing that can be incorproated into the 2021-2023 Council budget. Click here to view the Agenda Memo and Accompanying Resolution that I drafted along with Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. Please send me an email to share your thoughts.
Inside this newsletter you'll find the following information:

  1. Alameda County COVID-19 Update
  2. Oakland City Council: CARES FUNDING
  3. Oakland Rent Adjustment Program Survey
  4. City Council Constituent Management Application
  5. Public Services Updates
  6. Community Resources(New Affordable Housing Units and Summer Programs!)

As always, please feel free to reach out to our office with any additional questions/ follow-up. - Email us at district6@oaklandca.gov
 
  Also, Please share this email with any neighbors who may not have received this update!

 
Yours in Service of Oakland,
 
Loren M. Taylor, Councilmember
Oakland - District 6
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1. Alameda County COVID-19 Update
A.Alameda County COVID-19 Updates


Alameda County would be placed on the  California State Data Monitoring List  due to sustained increases in COVID-19 cases. The Monitoring List includes 31 other counties and identifies those that are not meeting statewide benchmarks.

On July 14, the Alameda County Board of Supervisor approved a letter of support for Variance Attestation, and we submitted our application the same day. Less than 24 hours later we learned the State approved our Variance, which means that: 
  • Outdoor outdoor dining can resume, and Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) permitting issues should be resolved. It's important to note that face coverings are required at all times, except when eating or drinking.
  • The Oakland Zoo can open for outdoor operations.

  • Indoor worship services are no longer permitted; outdoor services may continue.
  • Indoor malls are no longer permitted; other indoor retail is not affected at this time.

Monitoring list restrictions will remain in place until further notice. We are updating our orders, website and other informational materials to reflect these changes and reduce the confusion caused across these three levels of authority: allowances with state variance attestation, the state monitoring list requirements, and state orders.

As a reminder, please see the County’s  Reopening Plan , latest  Health Officer Orders , and a  list of business types authorized to operate   under current orders.
2.Oakland City Council Updates
CARES ACT FUNDING
This past Tuesday Councilmember Taylor and the Council's Equity Caucus led the allocation of $2M to address health, economic, and food access disparities exacerbated by COVID-19 . Click here to read the press release

3.City of Oakland Rent Adjustment Program
Survey
A. City of Oakland Rent Adjustment Program


The COVID-19 global pandemic has had serious impacts on our local, state, and national economies.

On March 27, 2020, the Oakland City Council adopted an ordinance imposing a moratorium on residential evictions and rent increases, and prohibiting late fees during the Local Emergency.

The Ordinance also prohibits evictions based on nonpayment of rent that became due during the Local Emergency when the tenant suffered a substantial reduction of income or substantial increase of expenses due to COVID-19.

On May 19, 2020 City Council extended the eviction moratorium to August 31, 2020 or at the end of the Local Emergency, whichever comes first.

City Council has the discretion to extend the moratorium. 
We want to know how the residential rent increase/eviction moratorium has affected tenants and property owners.


4.City Council Constituent Management Application
A. Want to Share Concerns/ Issues With City Council? - Now Theres An App For That!


The City of Oakland IT Department with City Council Staff have finished the completion of a constituent application. The application allows you to send your City Council representative your concerns and issues about what is happening in the district.

When you submit a complaint, you'll be given a confirmation number and someone from the representative City Council district will either email or call you based on your request.

Please create an account and try the new application!



5. Public Services Updates
A. Clipper Start Program

The new  Clipper START program allows lower-income adults age 19-64 to receive big fare discounts on select transit services around the region.


Applicants to the pilot program can provide a copy of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or Medi-Cal card, a county benefits eligibility letter, their Muni Lifeline card number or a copy of their last federal tax return to demonstrate their eligibility. Once approved, they will receive a personalized Clipper card that must be loaded with cash value before use.

B.BRT NO PARKING

Effective August 1 , AC Transit will begin using cameras mounted on BRT buses to cite vehicles illegally parked in the BRT’s BUS ONLY lanes. 

The fine for parking in the BUS ONLY lane is $110.  Vehicles are also subject to towing, which imposes additional costs. Motorists driving in the BUS ONLY lane are also subject to citation and fine.
 
 
Residents, delivery trucks, business owners and their employees/customers routinely- and illegally- park in the BUS ONLY lane. For everyone’s safety, it is imperative that these lanes be kept clear for BRT buses and emergency vehicles.
 

6. Community Resources
A. Additional Coronavirus Testing in East Oakland
If you or a family member are experiencing symptoms or believe that you have been exposed to the coronavirus, please get tested.

East Oakland's three (3) sites are:

1) Drive Thru Testing at Allen Temple Baptist Church (8501 International Blvd)

2) Walk-up testing at Roots Community Health Center (9925 International Blvd)
3) Walk-in or Drive-Up Testing at Osita Health Clinic (2521 Seminary Ave, Ste 1)
  • FREE Covid 19 testing for the community of Oakland.
  • No Appointment Necessary
  • Sign up at www.ositahealthclinic.com for faster service
  • Come by or call at 510-777-1000
  • PCR and antibody tests for more accurate readings

Testing is free!
B.Summer Architecture Camp

The San Francisco Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects Project Pipeline camp is an excellent opportunity for middle school-aged students to learn STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Architecture and Math) skills while engaging directly on a community project which will help to improve a San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood. 


We are very excited to be holding an eight-day long architecture and community planning summer camp, July 27 th  - August 3rd, hosted virtually.


Now entering its tenth year in the San Francisco Bay Area, the camp introduces middle school students ages 11-14 to the environmental design profession and strengthens STEAM skills with fun and creative design thinking curriculum, while also building confidence in public speaking and interest in civic engagement.

C.Emergency Food Distribution

St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland and our pastor; Bishop Gregory B. Payton, has partnered in with World Vision Ministries in providing free food distribution to the Oakland.

When: Tuesday's 12-2pm
Location: 1909 Market St
Call to reserve for your family: (510)834-2094






D.New Affordable Housing Units

The City Oakland received  $90 million  in state resources to build 462 new units of deeply affordable housing next to vital public transportation hubs.

The funds will support new projects next to the West Oakland and  Fruitvale BART  stations and the  new BRT line  in Deep East Oakland.

The homes will be reserved for our lowest income residents, including individuals making less than $28,000 and families of three and four making less than $78,000.

Residents who are interested can contact:
Online Alameda County Housing Portal   Here  
Call Oakland Housing & Community Development: 510-238-6182 
E.East Oakland Mobility Action Plan

East Oakland Collective is leading the community engagement on the East Oakland Mobility Action plan, funded by MTC.

The goal is to ensure ALL EAST OAKLANDERS have access to, and choices within, a local and regional transportation system that is safe, efficient, affordable and connects them to the places they need to thrive.

As part of the greater  East Oakland Mobility Action Plan , 73rd Avenue was identified as one of the many major streets to receive investment. This 73rd Avenue community survey seeks to create a corridor that reinforces fair and just treatment, and safety for all. 

The City of Oakland will partner with local residents, community groups, small businesses and other transportation agencies to minimize displacement, gentrification and acknowledge historical injustices.



F. Support for Oakland Residents

  • General social service issues: 211 


  • The City’s 311 phone line and OAK311 website continues to be a resource to request routine maintenance and report urgent infrastructure issues 


Question or Concerns? Contact The District 6 Team:

Councilmember Loren Taylor; ltaylor@oaklandca.gov

Chief of Staff/Policy Lead: Pamela Ferran; pferran@oaklandca.gov

Scheduling/Events: Lina Hancock; lhancock@oaklandca.gov

Constituent Liaison: Rowena Brown; rbrown3@oaklandca.gov


Oakland City Council - District 6 | https://www.oaklandca.gov/officials/loren-taylor