Dear Friend,
As more Oaklanders get vaccinated, as our businesses and bars open up, as we return to our social lives, our favorite parks and musical venues, we must remember that not all of Oakland experienced the pandemic the same way. Disparities based on race, gender, education and economic status were heightened during the past year. As we move forward, let us lift up our neighbors and continue to fight for the most vulnerable among us.
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: First Pitch to City on July 7 |
|
Let's go Oakland! Last Friday night I joined San Francisco Mayor London Breed to throw out the first pitch to open the Bay Bridge Series. Seeing a stadium full of excited fans was a tribute to the progress we've all made during the pandemic and a milestone to re-opening.
On Wednesday, our City Council's Community & Economic Development Committee will hear a status report from our staff with updates and recommendations to the term sheet we're negotiating with the A's. As we watch the team play great baseball this season, I remain committed to keeping the A's rooted in Oakland -- and bringing home a waterfront ballpark.
|
|
Budget Impact: Oakland Passes Two-Year Budget |
|
The budget passed last week by the Oakland City Council makes bold investments to reimagine public safety through violence prevention and non-police strategies that I strongly support. Unfortunately, it also cuts 50 police officers and much-needed future academies, which will significantly reduce police staffing, delay 911 response times, and force our officers to work even more overtime shifts, which are expensive and unsafe for officers and residents alike.
I believe that until we have proven alternatives, we cannot destroy Oakland’s current public safety system at a time when we are losing so many to gun violence. Our community is suffering and unfortunately, the impacts of violence and trauma are falling more heavily on communities of color in East and West Oakland. My office will continue to work in partnership with the Department of Violence Prevention, the Police Department, and community partners to interrupt the cycles of violence affecting our city.
|
|
Eviction Moratorium Extended and New Tenant Resources |
|
Last week, I published an op-ed with Republican Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona calling on the Biden Administration to extend the eviction moratorium put in place during the pandemic. We are mayors from different parties, but we both agree that resources for housing are an investment, not a cost.
We are grateful that Governor Newsom and the state legislature have extended California's eviction moratorium through the end of September, while providing $5.2 billion to cover all unpaid rent for lower-income Californians who struggled during the pandemic. The City of Oakland's local eviction moratorium remains in effect.
|
|
California Budget to Provide Direct Funds for Homelessness |
|
This week, the Governor and state legislature reached a budget agreement that will provide $2 billion in local funding to cities like Oakland to fight homelessness. When it comes to fighting homelessness, direct funding to cities gets direct results. In Oakland, we’ve used flexible funding to innovate and move thousands of residents off the streets and into safety and services, while assisting them on a path into permanent affordable housing.
This historic funding gives us a fighting chance to end homelessness in Oakland. I'm grateful for my fellow Big City Mayors being unified in our determination to bring this multi-billion dollar investment directly to the frontlines of the crisis to help us fight the moral failing that is our homelessness epidemic.
|
|
Today thru July 3: Free Vaccine Clinic at Allen Temple |
|
Allen Temple Baptist Church is hosting three free vaccination clinics. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available by drop in or appointment. It's not too late to get a shot!
|
|
ICYMI: City Arts Grants Available Through July 15 |
|
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.
|
|
“When I think about the future, I think 'How can people be empowered to tell the story of Oakland?' ”
|
|
|
Shooting hoops at Franklin Elementary School's new basketball court. Thanks to the Eat. Learn. Play Foundation, students can enjoy a brand new playground, multi-sport court, and sensory garden.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
