If you build it, they will come: Councilmember Kernighan unveils the Clinton Park tot lot structure to families and children of the Eastlake Community, with food and festivities!
FEATURED REPORTS AND EVENTS
Recreational Opportunities abound this Saturday, June 9
Want to learn how Oakland City government is spending your tax dollars?
Crime Concerns
Asking for your feedback on proposed changes to Mandana Plaza Park
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 7: Screening of “Maxed Out” at Parkway Theater
June 7: East Bay Bus Rapid Transit: Public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact ReportJune 9: Life Academy High School Triathlon
June 9: Oakland Family Fun Day — Free admission for Oakland residents to the Oakland Zoo, Oakland Museum, Chabot Space & Science Center, and Fairyland
June 8-10: Free Workshop for Arts Active Parents
June 9: Free - Learn to Row Day at the Jack London Aquatic Center
June 13: Public Information Meeting on the City of Oakland’s ’07 – ’09 BudgetJune 13: Public hearing on East Bay Bus Rapid Transit: Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report
June 14: City Council Special Meeting Regarding FY '07-'09 Budget Review of the Oakland Police DepartmentJune 16: Park Blvd & E. 18th St Area Clean-up
June 21: Deadline for applying for the free Oakland Citizens’ Academy
June 23: Bella Vista Park Community Fair
June 23: Great American Backyard Campout at Joaquin Miller ParkJune 26: Public Works Committee Considers Proposed Ban on Plastic Bags Ordinance
...And Coming in July
July 26: Geese Management at Lake Merritt meeting – 7 pm - Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue.
REPORTS
June 13 District 2 City Meeting on the City of Oakland’s ’07 – ’09 Budget
Public Works Committee Considers Proposed Ban on Plastic Bags Ordinance on June 26
East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Is Coming!
Sponsor a Special Olympics Athlete
Take the Oakland Shopper Survey
District 2 Resident Lisa Lestishock Named Alameda County Bicycle Commuter of the Year
City’s Citizens’ Academy Accepting Applications for the Next Academy
Safe Place Alternative looking for donations
Oakland Police Receive National Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch
Clinton Park Tot Lot Structure Opens!
June 7: Screening of “Maxed Out” Parkway Theater
A fascinating and sobering look at debt in America. Starts at 9:15 pm. Compared to the rest of the Bay Area, Oakland suffers from a disproportionate number of predatory loans and, as a result, has seen a dramatic increase in foreclosures. Oakland City Attorney John Russo, in collaboration with loan counselors and fair lending advocates, will host an after-movie discussion about how to avoid predatory loans.
Click here for more information or here for Parkway Theater's schedule.
June 7: East Bay Bus Rapid Transit: Public hearing on the Draft Environmental
Impact Report
AC Transit riders and people who work on International Blvd of Telegraph will be interested in this pubic hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRT is scheduled to be implemented along Telegraph and International. Open House (5:30 pm), and Presentation and Testimony (7:00 pm) –Where: Metro Center Auditorium, Metropolitan Transportation Commission Building, 101 – 8th St @ Oak St. near Lake Merritt BART. A second hearing will take place in the Fruitvale area on June 13 – see announcement below.
June 9: Life Academy High School Triathlon
It’s not too late to support Life Academy’s programs in career preparation, class trips with an emphasis on health and team building, college tours, their after school study hall, and the purchase of essential materials and supplies such as P.E. equipment. You can make a donation by check payable to “OSSF/Life Academy Fund” and send it c/o Erik Rice, Principal, Life Academy of Health and Bioscience, 2111 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606. Or donate on-line here. Once on the Network for Good website, be sure to put “Life Academy Fund” in the “Designation” field.
You can also come support the teams on Saturday, June 9. The 10am opening ceremony will be at HOME Project in Alameda. The teams will bicycle 9 miles in Alameda, kayak 3 miles across the Oakland estuary to Jack London Aquatic Center, run 2 miles along the Oakland Estuary, and the big finish will be from 11:30 – 2pm at the Jack London Aquatic Center (115 Embarcadero). As you support the competitors as they cross the finish line, there will be games, food, music and awards!
June 9: Oakland Family Fun Day — Free admission for Oakland residents
to the Oakland Zoo, Oakland Museum, Chabot Space & Science Center,
and Fairyland
Explore the African safari or the Milky Way Galaxy, jump aboard a pirate ship or enjoy the scenic beauty of Yosemite without leaving Oakland. What sounds like a tall tale will be a fun adventure during the first-ever Oakland Family Fun Day, when Oakland residents are offered free admission to four of the City’s premier family-oriented cultural treasures. Imagine kicking off summer by hanging out with chimpanzees at the Oakland Zoo, star gazing at Chabot Space & Science Center, reliving storybook tales at Children’s Fairyland, and tracking the changing images of Yosemite National Park at the Oakland Museum of California. Hosted by Mayor Ron Dellums and the City of Oakland. Click here for details.
June 8-10: Free Workshop for Arts Active Parents
Oakland Youth Arts Festival June 8-10
Arts Learning in Oakland Schools... Made Visible!
Performances and Outdoor Visual Art Gallery all weekendFriday, June 8, 6-8 p.m.
Opening Reception & SpeakersSaturday, June 9
9:30-11:30 a.m. -- Arts Active Parent Workshop (Lecture Hall)
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Free admission to all Museum Galleries, Drumming, Live Mural Making, Local videos!Sunday, June 10, 12-4 p.m. -- Family Day in the Art Studio: Young Students Teach Parents, more
BE PART OF THE FESTIVAL STAFF!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for setting up every day Friday through Sunday, and breaking down on Monday.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to be trained as greeters, festival guides, and docents.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Oakland Youth Arts Festival, please contact Carolyn S. Carr at carolyn@ousdarts.org or 510.384.5742 and let her know what days and times you are available.
Free Workshop…The Role of the Arts Active Parent:
How to Start An Arts Learning Revolution At Your School
Find out how to be a more powerful advocate for arts learning and all its benefits. Learn the language of arts education -- what to ask for, who to ask, and how to help. You will leave this workshop inspired, but also equipped, to start the 07-08 school year as a strong and knowledgeable arts advocate. By working together, all the Arts Active Parents at your school can accomplish great things.
This is a free event, but please pre-register so we can plan materials. A supervised arts activity will be provided for children 5 and older. Please let us know if you will be bringing a child or children.
RSVP here or here.
June 9: Free - Learn to Row Day at the Jack London Aquatic Center
Take advantage of this free opportunity to work virtually every muscle in your body. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero.
Every half-hour participants will leave from the dock on the training barge (capacity of 12) and receive an introduction to sweep-oar rowing. Meanwhile, on land, participants will be instructed in how to use professional rowing machines. World class championship rowers DeDe Birch and Peggy Johnston are slated to coach. Participants do not need to know how to swim. Everyone will be fitted for personal flotation devices and will be required to sign a waiver on site. Call (510) 208-6067 for more information.
June 13: Public Information Meeting on the City of Oakland’s ’07
– ’09 Budget
Find out how your tax dollars are being spent in Oakland City government. The District 2 Comunity Meeting on the City of Oakland’s ’07 – ’09 Budget will be held at Bella Vista Elementary School, Main Auditorium, located at 1025 E. 28th St, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Hear a presentation from the City’s Budget Director and ask your questions about the proposed City budget for the next two years. Councilmember Kernighan and representative of the Mayor’s office will also be present.
Bella Vista School, 1025 E. 28th Street, is located between 10th and 11th Avenues. Directions from Grandlake area: Heading east on MacArthur Blvd, turn right on 13th Avenue, and right on E. 28th Street.
June 13: Public hearing on East Bay Bus Rapid Transit: Public Hearing
on the Draft Environmental Impact Report
Open House starts at 5:30 pm, and Presentation and Testimony at 7:00 pm. The hearing will be held at the Fruitvale/San Antonio Senior Center, Fruitvale Transit Village, 3301 E. 12th St, Ste. 201 (opposite the Fruitvale Public Market) at the Fruitvale BART station. Also in Oakland on June 7 – see announcement of location above here.
June 14: City Council Special Meeting Regarding FY '07-'09 Budget Review
of the Oakland Police Department
This budget hearing will be held at the City Council chambers, Oakland City Hall, beginning at 4 pm. If you wish to speak on the issues of crime and public safety in Oakland, please attend. You can check back by the end of the week here for the agenda, and to fill out a time card, go here or sign up just before the beginning of the meeting itself. Also, the information will be available here: click on "Council Agendas and Minutes," and then "Meetings and Events."
June 16: Park Blvd & E. 18th St Area Clean-up
Meet at 9 am at FM Smith Recreation Center, 1969 Park Blvd – 9 am. Join District 2 staff, Assistant City Administrator, OPD and other City staff for two concentrated hours of picking up litter and cleaning along neighborhood streets.
June 21: Deadline for applying for the free Oakland Citizens’ Academy
Click here for story about the Citizens’ Academy and how to apply.
June 23: Bella Vista Park Community Fair
11 am – 2 pm between 10th and 11th Aves, behind and adjacent to Bella vista Elementary School, 1025 E. 28th St. Sponsored by the 17Y Neighorhood Crime Prevention Council, Bella Vista Watch and the Friends of Bella Vista Park.
Hear about and sign up for summer youth programs in the park, learn how to handle pets, paint a tile for the seat walls in the park, tour a fire engine, sign up for a plot in the community garden, and find out how to prepare yourself, family and block for an earthquake. Click here for more detail.
June 23: Great American Backyard Campout at Joaquin Miller Park
Held at Joaquin Miller Park and sponsored by the Office of Parks & Recreation and the National Wildlife Federation. Take your family for an overnight campout, take a hike, enjoy a nature talk, sit around the camp fire - experience family fun in the great outdoors! Only $25.00 per family (includes dinner, activities, camp snacks and continental breakfast)! Register online here [activity #70750.401] or contact Stephanie Benavidez here or (510) 867-0669 for more information. Click here for a flyer and more details:
June 26: Public Works Committee Considers Proposed Ban on Plastic Bags
Ordinance
On June 26, the Public Works Committee will hear the item regarding the ordinance banning the use of petroleum-based, non-biodegradable plastic bags. Because I believe we need to move toward oil independence and be good caretakers of our environment, I will be supporting this ordinance. The item will be heard between 12:30 pm and 2 pm. If you wish to speak on this item, please check back after June 16 here and fill out a time card here, or just before the beginning of the meeting itself. Note, the item # must be referenced on your speaker’s card.
...And Coming in July
July 26: Geese Management at Lake Merritt meeting
A community meeting will be held at 7 pm, at the Lakeside Park Garden Center, located at 666 Bellevue. Look for more details in our July E-News.
REPORTS
There are a lot of good things going on in Oakland, and much is changing for the better, but the prevalence of crime continues to be a backdrop and a threat to the success of all our other endeavors. In the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of discussion about crime in District 2 as a result of Chip Johnson's article in the Chronicle regarding recent robberies in the Grandlake area. There is very real reason for concern about crime in ALL District 2 neighborhoods, as well as other parts of the city. It is a very serious problem I have been struggling with as your Councilmember since I took office two years ago. Below I am going to offer my view of what is going on, some historical perspective, discuss what the Oakland Police Department (OPD) is doing, what more the City could do, and finally, offer some practical information about what you and your neighbors can do to avoid being victims of crime.
Much of this article is written for those of you who are new to crime problems and OPD issues. Those of you who are “veterans” of neighborhood crime-fighting and have been actively engaged with your Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils (NCPC’s) and OPD staff for many years already know most of what I have to say, though you might not share my perspective on it. I’m sure you’ll let me know if you see things differently.
Some history and my perspective on crime trends in District 2
Historically, the incidence of crime in Oakland has varied dramatically by neighborhood. While some areas in East and West Oakland have been plagued by shooting deaths and other violence, many other neighborhoods in the hills, such as Crocker Highlands and the Grandlake have been very safe places to live. Many neighborhoods fall somewhere in between, including parts in District 2 such as the greater San Antonio, Eastlake and Bella Vista areas. These neighborhoods have struggled for years with chronic property crime--auto thefts, and home burglaries--as well as pockets of drug-dealing.
Since I became Councilmember two years ago, my staff and I have worked closely with the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils and the Oakland Police Department to combat crime wherever it occurred. We have had some successes, such as greatly reducing drug dealing and related criminal activity on 23rd Avenue and on E. 17th Street near 6th Avenue. Unfortunately, our efforts have not been successful in stemming what has become an epidemic of armed street robberies that has been growing in many parts of the city for about two years. In our District, Asian residents and merchants around International Blvd in the Eastlake have been particularly hard hit over this time. Also, many of you will remember a wave of robberies in the neighborhood just east of the Lake. The robbers in that case were finally caught, but the overall trend of armed street robberies has continued in many neighborhoods below I-580.
Despite special efforts by OPD for the past four months to suppress robberies in our District, the number has remained about the same--which is to say, very high. The number of robberies in our area, Police Services Area 3 (PSA3), has been over 60 per month for the past six months, except for March. PSA3 encompasses Council District 2 (except for Chinatown), plus Adams Point and part of Glenview. In fact, in the past few months the robberies have actually spread to new areas. The geographic area being targeted now includes neighborhoods on the hills side of I-580, in previously low-crime areas such as Rockridge and the Grandlake. Many people are analyzing this trend, but in my view there is no definitive answer for why it is happening. Some of you may have read Lieutenant Tracey’s comment in Chip Johnson’s article that he thought OPD’s enforcement efforts in other neighborhoods had caused the robbers to go elsewhere (into the hills), but I respectfully disagree. The robberies have not disappeared from any neighborhood, they have just spread over a larger area. I think the robbers have simply gotten very bold because most of the time they do not get caught.
As your Councilmember I am very frustrated that our City has not been able to control this upsurge of serious crime. I talk and strategize with OPD regularly on how to stop these robberies, and they are trying very hard. In 2006, OPD arrested 578 people for robbery. So far in 2007, 242 arrests have been made. Given these numbers, one would think the robberies would have stopped, but they haven't. OPD and I are starting to track a group of these arrests to find out what happened to them in the criminal justice system. We will continue to track the statistics and keep trying new strategies until we get results.
So what to do to stop the robberies?
First, we need to catch more of the culprits. The problem is, it is really difficult to catch a robber in the minutes following a street robbery. They disappear in seconds, and even if the police arrive in 2 or 3 minutes, it is usually too late to find them. So far, most victims have been unable to give descriptions that are specific enough to be useful. The robbers usually are wearing hooded sweatshirts that make it hard to see their faces.
We need more police investigators. We only have 7 robbery investigators for the whole City. I believe that the amount of public policy discussion of this problem at the level of the City Council and Mayor’s office has been inadequate. Granted, the problem is a hard one to solve, but all the more reason to specifically address it in our budget discussions and Council meetings. I will be addressing the issue at the City’s budget hearing on Tuesday, June 5 and future City Council meetings.
I do want to recognize the great effort that our Police officers have been making to catch the bad guys. In addition to beefing up regular patrol, they have been surveilling our neighborhoods in plainclothes to prevent more robberies. We have a lot of really committed police staff in our area and a commanding Lieutenant, Lt. Ed Tracey, who really cares about making Oakland safe for all our residents. I just got some good news from him that Friday night OPD did a special robbery suppression operation in PSA3, arrested 7 people on felony robbery charges and made several narcotics arrests as well.
In addition to law enforcement, the City is directing other resources to intervene with young adults who are headed in the wrong direction. Through our Measure Y dollars, violence prevention programs have gotten underway in the past year, and hopefully they will begin to have some effect. In the long term, creating more jobs in Oakland, which I am actively working on, will have an impact on reducing crime.
What more can the City do?
Most people I talk to agree that Oakland needs more police officers. As many of you know, OPD is doing a major recruitment effort and is hiring many new officers. The City has the funding for more officers through Measure Y, and though OPD is doing a great job at recruiting and training new officers, it isn’t happening fast enough to substantially outpace the number of retirements. It may be another 18 months before OPD reaches its goal of 802 officers.
So how to increase the amount of people power available to OPD? I am supporting three proposals:
• Hire police service technicians (PSTs) to handle some of the work our sworn officers are now doing. Twenty years ago, OPD had a lot more police service technicians. They can handle burglary reports, respond to auto accidents, etc., and take some workload off the sworn officers. Technicians also cost less than sworn officers.
• Bring back the 19 or so officers now working at the Airport. The Port is currently paying the City for these officers, so the City will lose about $4 million from the Port to do this, but I think we have no choice.
• Use more police retirees to work on investigations and other tasks.OPD Reorganization
In order to do a better job of reducing crime, the Oakland Police Department is reorganizing its command and line staff into geographic areas this summer. I believe this reorganization is a good thing and will increase the department’s effectiveness. It is not a panacea, but I believe that management having control of staff for a defined area and focusing on crime trends in that area are more likely to reduce crime than our current system. The new command structure should be in place by July. To learn more about the present system and the proposed reorganization, you can read the staff report on the reorganization here.What can YOU do to keep yourself safe and prevent crime in your neighborhood?
Be alert to your environment when you are out on the street. When you’re walking either on your own neighborhood or a commercial area, don’t be distracted by talking on your cell phone or listening to your I-Pod. Robbers go for the people who aren’t paying attention.
If you routinely come home late at night, get someone else to watch for you when you’re walking between your car and your front door. If someone is dropping you off at night, don’t sit in the car talking for 10 minutes—I’ve talked with two people who got robbed that way. Instead, go inside to talk.
Program your cell phone to call 777-3211 for police emergency. (Calling the numbers 911 on your cell phone will direct your call to the California Highway patrol.)
The non-emergency number is 777-3333.
Neighborhood Watch groups
Organize your block. A key factor in reducing crime is to have neighbors on a block being watchful and communicating with one another about any suspicious activity that they see or crimes that have occurred. You can organize a block group informally, or you can formalize your group into a Neighborhood Watch group recognized by the City. For assistance in forming a Neighborhood Watch, you can call one of our district’s Neighborhood Services Coordinators (NSCs), Edith Guillen or Hoang Banh. Contact information below. They can give advice on best practices, but you can also just get started by flyering your neighbors and calling a meeting. Generally people form an email list and share phone numbers so information can be shared quickly. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of doing this—it can be very effective in stopping crime.
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils (NCPCs)
Join your NCPC. Staffed by Neighborhood Services Coordinators, Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils contribute to community policing efforts in Oakland by providing Oaklanders with forums to strategize and take action to reclaim neighborhoods, reduce blight, build community, and prevent crime. There is one NCPC for every Police Beat in our District. They are listed below, with meeting times and places. To find out what beat you live in, click here to see a map showing the geographcial boundaries of the various beats.. Zoom in on the map to see your neighborhood. Also, there is a map and other good safety information on the PSA3 website created by Lt. Tracey.NCPCs generally meet regularly, most meeting every month or two, and are staffed by a Neighborhood Service Coordinator—either Edith or Hoang. Also present are one or more officers from OPD and usually a staff member from my Council office. The discussion is usually focused on any crime problems or nuisance activities in the beat. Information is shared on how to work with OPD and the City departments on various kinds of problems. The group prioritizes their top three items of concern, which then are tackled by our Problem-Solving Officers or other appropriate staff.
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council Information
Neighborhood Services Coordinators in District 2NSC Edith Guillen, 510-535-5682
NSC Hoang Banh, 510-238-6566
NSC Monique Tsang, 510-238-6883
Acting NSC for 17Y Niccolo De Luca, 510-238-6587
NCPC Meeting Times & Places
Name Beat Meeting Time & Location Boundary NSC Chinatown Third Wednesday of the month, 6 pm at the Chinatown OPD substation in the Renaissance Plaza 14th St., 5th St., Peralta Creek, Broadway Monique Tsang Grand Lake
14y, 16x
First Thursday of every month, 7:00pm at the Grand Lake Neighborhood Center (530 Lake Park Avenue)I580, Oakland Ave, Lakeshore Ave, Piedmont city limit Hoang Banh China/Haddon Hills
Neighborhood Network
Third Wednesday in January, April, July and October (quarterly) from 7- 8:30pm at the Leaning Tower of Pizza (498 Wesley)
China Hill, Haddon Hill, Park/E.18th Hoang Banh East Park
Third Thursday of every other month from 6:30-8pm at F.M. Smith Recreation Center (1969 Park Blvd, at Newton & Park Blvd.)E. 21st Street, Foothill Blvd., 14th Avenue, 4th Avenue Edith Guillen Highland
Fourth Monday of every month from 7-8:30pm at the Bella Vista Elementary School Gymnasium, 1025 E.28th Street.I580, E.21st St., 14th Ave., Park Blvd. Niccolo De Luca, Acting NSC Garfield
Third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-7:30 pm at Garfield School (22nd Avenue and Foothill Blvd)E.21st St,. Foothill Blvd., 23rd Ave., 14th Ave. Edith Guillen Manzanita
Third Monday of every month from 6:45-8:15 pm at the Salvation Army (2794 Garden Street)I580, E.21st St., 23rd Ave., 14th Ave Edith Guillen San Antonio
First Wednesday of every month from 6:30-7:30pm at Saint Anthony School (1500 E.15th Street)Foothill Blvd., Estuary, 23rd Ave., Lake Merritt Channel Edith Guillen
Yahoo groups for NCPCs and PSA3Many members of NCPCs communicate with each other and City staff via Yahoo listserves. There are Yahoo groups for most of our NCPCs, as well as one big one for PSA3, our whole Police Service Area. My staff reads the messages on several of the sites to keep track of what’s going on in the district, and Lt. Tracey also follows activity on the PSA3 group. To join the PSA3 Yahoo group, go the links listed below.
In some of our active NCPC areas, email communication on Yahoo groups and directly to our Problem-Solving Officers has resulted in numerous arrests.To sign up for Yahoo newsgroups for the following beats in District 2, click the following links:
Glenview: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glenfriends; http://www.glenfriends.org
Highland: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/highlandncpc/14X
Grand Lake: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GrandLakeNCPC
Lakeshore Terrace: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lakeshoreterrace/
14Y: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/14Y_NCPC/
15X: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/15X_NCPC
16X: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/16X_NCPC/
17X: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/17X_NCPC/
17Y: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/17Y_NCPC/
18X: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/18X_NCPC/
18Y: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/18Y_NCPC/
19: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/19X_NCPC/
PSA3 (a larger region that includes all of District 2, except Chinatown): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PSA3/The above information can also be found on our website here
ConclusionWhile crime is a serious problem for all of us who live in Oakland, I still believe that Oakland is a great place to live. We will eventually win the battle to make our neighborhoods safe, and I am doing everything in my power to make that happen sooner rather than later. I ask all of you to be a part of crime prevention by connecting with your neighbors and being alert for what is going on around you. Also, if you think the City Council should be handling the crime problem differently, or if you just want to share your concerns about crime, then please come to the City Council Special Meeting regarding FY '07-'09 Budget Review of the Oakland Police Department on June 14, starting at 4 pm, at the City Council chambers. If you wish to speak on the issues of crime and public safety at the Council hearing, please check back by the end of the week here and fill out a time card here, or just before the beginning of the meeting itself, or call my office at 238-7002.
There are so many great people in Oakland, and relatively few who are causing the crime problem. Working together with OPD, we can make sure that the bad guys don’t scare us off our own streets.
June 13 District 2 City Meeting on the City of Oakland’s ’07
– ’09 Budget
With the City of Oakland biennial budget now passing the $1 billion mark, wouldn’t you like to know where that money is being spent? The City works on a two-year budget cycle with July 1, 2007 starting the next cycle. Numerous discussions and decisions must be made before June 30 and we would like you to be informed and also we would like to hear what you believe are priorities for the City of Oakland.
Please join me; City Administrator Deborah Edgerly (invited); Jim Smith, Budget Director for the City of Oakland; Dan Lindheim, Director of Budget for the Mayor’s Office and Councilmember Jean Quan, chair of the City Council Finance Committee on Wednesday, June 13 from 7 – 9 pm. The meeting will be held at Bella Vista Elementary School, Main Auditorium – 1025 E. 28th St , between 10th & 11th Avenues.
Public Works Committee Considers Proposed Ban on Plastic Bags Ordinance
on June 26
Ever wondered about the life cycle of the plastic bag that you get at grocery stores? Globally, the production of over a trillion single-use disposable plastic bags used each year requires over 12 million barrels of oil. Of that trillion, Californians use up 19 billion of those bags each year, and throw away 600 per second.
The bags can cause severe problems for cities like Oakland as well as natural habitats. Many marine animals have perished through entanglement and ingestion caused by the plastic bags. Littered plastic bags are carried by storm water and wind into City storm drains that can empy into ecosystems like Lake Merritt, Oakland’s creeks, the estuary and into the Bay.
On June 26, the Public Works Committee will hear the item regarding the ordinance banning the use of petroleum-based, non-biodegradable plastic bags. Because I believe we need to move toward oil independence and be good caretakers of our environment, I will be supporting this ordinance. The item will be heard between 12:30 pm and 2 pm. If you wish to speak on this item, please check back after June 16 here and fill out a time card here, or just before the beginning of the meeting itself. Note, the item # must be referenced on your speaker’s card.The ordinance has three components. First, to address the negative environmental impacts of single-use plastic bags, this Ordinance would ban the use of petroleum-based non-biodegradable carry-out plastic bags at affected retail establishments. Click here for the staff report. Produce bags which are provided for in the fruit, vegetables or deli section are not affected. Second, to promote consumer awareness of environmentally friendly practices, the Ordinance encourages affected retail establishments to educate their customers regarding the use of reusable bags. Finally, the Ordinance allows the use of paper bags as an alternative to plastic bags and encourages a 5-cent surcharge on paper bags. The ordinance further stipulates that the paper for single-use paper bags must come from environmentally preferable sources, must be 100% recyclable, and must contain a minimum of 40% recycled content.
East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Is Coming!
At the May 30 Forum on Community Planning and Transit Oriented Development hosted by AC Transit, held at the Oakland City Council Chambers, Enrique Penalosa, a former mayor of Bogota, Columbia, recounted – to the crowd’s delight - how his city built the TransMilenio, an alternative transportation bus system which touts benefits like dedicated bus lanes, priority at traffic signals, and fewer stops.
What Bogota has enjoyed for years may now be a reality in the East Bay, if the AC Transit can have its way. AC Transit is proposing an East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – a new approach to public transit that offers the speed, efficiency and convenience to attract new transit riders, while dramatically improving service for existing passengers. More importantly, this alternative form of transportation is environmentally friendly, cutting down on greenhouse gases by reducing urban traffic congestion.
The BRT proposed by AC Transit would provide bus service running from Bayfair BART in San Leandro, up East 14th Street, along International Boulevard, through downtown Oakland, up Telegraph Avenue, and into downtown Berkeley. For East Oakland, this means faster buses all along International Boulevard. According to AC Transit, the proposed BRT line will improve current bus service with the following features:
• giving the bus its own traffic lane so it can run faster
• giving it priority at traffic signals so it doesn’t get stuck waiting for red lights
• providing real-time information to riders about when the next bus is coming
• increasing the frequency of buses to dramatically reduce waiting times
• building state-of-the-art bus stations to enhance safety and comfort
• selling tickets in advance at bus stops, which will reduce the time the bus spends at each stop
In order to start construction by late 2008 or early 2009, and have the line running by 2011, AC Transit first needs to get through an environmental review process and hold hearings on the BRT. There will be a hearing in our district on June 7 (Information on display at 5:30 p.m. Presentation to begin at 7 p.m., followed by public testimony) at the MetroCenter Auditorium in the Metropolitan Tranportation Center, located at 101 8th Street (8th at Oak Streets), Oakland. For more hearing dates/locations go here; for the informational brochure, English and Spanish versions are available.
Click here for an Oakland Tribute article on BRT.
Mandana Plaza Park Update: Asking for Your Feedback on Proposed Changes
to Mandana Plaza Park (on Lakeshore Ave above Mandana Blvd)
Improvements for the tot lot area are in the works, principally a three-foot high, black vinyl clad chain link fence on the upper and lower long sides. Its purpose is to deter youngsters from bolting for the street. Funding permitting, the planting strips adjacent to the tot lot would be replaced with decomposed granite and a bench installed on the upper side.
Some parents have asked for a fence along the lower side of the green lawn, extending from the bus stop at the corner of Lakeshore Ave and Mandana Blvd to the redwood trees in the center (more or less) of the park. They cite the instances of children running into Lakeshore Ave chasing their balls. The fence would be located at the edge of the sidewalk along the large meadow lawn. It would be a three-foot high chain link fence with vines planted to grow on it. Installation of this fence may mean cutting back on some of the tot lot amenities but not the fencing there.I’m asking for your feedback about a proposed three-foot high fence along the sidewalk edge of the large meadow area. Would your children use the lawn more if there were a fence there? Would you be willing for a three-foot chain link fence with vines to be installed along the edge of the sidewalk? I would really appreciate hearing from you by June 22. Please send your e-mail to my aide Jennie Gerard here.
Sponsor a Special Olympics Athlete
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is proud to team up with the law enforcement community to help raise money for Special Olympics. All proceeds will be used to help Special Olympics athletes train year round in their respective events.
Special Olympics provide opportunities for individuals aged eight and older with special disabilities to compete in a wide variety of Olympic-type sports. Their programs provide opportunities for these special athletes to develop physical fitness and demonstrate courage. The participants experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skill and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community. The Special Olympics of Northern California serves over 14,000 individuals. Although this seems like a very large number, this only touches a small percentage of the hundreds of thousands with developmental disabilities in Northern California. Next year we would like to add 1,000 new athletes. You can help us reach this goal by participating in Sponsor-An-Athlete.The cost to Sponsor-An-Athlete for one year is $500 or six months for $250. The Sponsorship will help give one athlete the opportunity to have training, equipment, and a sense of accomplishment for the year.
All donations are completely tax-deductible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Officer Huy Nguyen at (510) 612-3785 or via email. The Special Olympics Federal Tax ID number is 68-0363121.
Take the Oakland Shopper Survey
Rather stay in Oakland to shop? Do your part to make it happen. Join the hundreds who have already taken the Oakland Shopper Survey!
The City of Oakland is working with a team led by Conley Consulting Group to create a citywide strategy to attract more retail stores to and improve the retail experience in Oakland. An important part of the study is determining consumer perceptions and preferences. You can help by taking the Oakland Shopper Survey here.
Once you have completed the survey, you will be able to enter a drawing for a free Apple iPod nano.
District 2 Resident Lisa Lestishock Named Alameda County Bicycle Commuter
of the Year
I was pleased to present the East Bay Bicycle Coalition’s award for the 2007 Bike Commuter of the Year for Alameda County to Lisa Lestishock, a District 2 resident, at the City’s Bike to Work Day celebration last month. A pediatric nurse practitioner, Lisa averages 30 miles a day during her bike commute from the Union City BART station across the Dumbarton Bridge to her job in East Palo Alto at a Community health center. She is currently training for the AIDS/Lifecycle and plans to pedal the 7 day, 545 mile ride on a fixed gear bike, no less! She is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and her passion for humanity is apparent in everything she does. My congratulations go to Lisa on being designated the 2007 Bike Commuter of the Year for Alameda County. I invite you to view the Bike to Work Day event photos here. Read more about the event here. Please feel free to forward these links.
City’s Citizens’ Academy Accepting Applications for the Next
Academy
The next English-speaking Citizens’ Academy, starting July 2nd and concluding September 4th, is taking applications through June 21st. The academy is designed to engage Oakland citizens with the City elected and appointed officials, and provide an interactive forum for learning first-hand how the City is structured and managed; what the City’s relationship is to Alameda County, Oakland Unified School District and other public agencies; what City services and programs are available; and how to apply this experience to serving and advocating for neighborhood associations, non-profit groups and local businesses.
Click here to learn more about the Citizen’s Academy and here to apply. For information about Spanish-speaking and Cantonese-speaking Citizens’ Academies, please call 238.6448.
Safe Place Alternative looking for donations
The Safe Place Alternative is looking for donations of the following items:
• Arts & crafts activities that can be done in small groups (ie, jewelry making kits, candle making kits, etc.)
• Group tickets to local amusement parks (Great American, Six Flags Marine World)
• Gift certificates or vouchers to Bay Area recreational venues (movies, museum tickets, etc)
• Bus and BART passes, taxi vouchers
• Roller skates in women’s sizes 6-11 (and protective equipment please)
• Gift cards to local grocers
• Phone cards in $5 increments
• Modern new junior and women’s clothing in sizes 2-14
• Matching sweat pants & hooded sweatshirts in women sizes medium and large
• Flip-flops and sandals in women sizes 6-11
• Journals and fun pens
• Youth friendly DVD’s and CD’s
• BackpacksDonations can be dropped off at the main desk of the Alameda County Family Justice Center @ 470 – 27th Street, Oakland (between Broadway and Telegraph). Their hours are 8:30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. For more information on the Alameda County Family Justice Center, please go here or phone 510-267-8800.
Oakland Police Receive National Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch
The National Sheriffs’ Association last week announced that the Oakland Police Department will receive the 2007 Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch at a ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah. “The improvement OPD has made over the past two years is remarkable,” said Aaron Kennard, Executive Director of the National Sheriff’s Association. “In that time they have increased the number of Neighborhood Watch groups from 50 to 487, and increased participation in National Night Out from 35 block parties to 227. This means more people know their neighbors and are looking out for each other.”
The improvement began in May 2004 when the Oakland City Council approved a program to increase community involvement in community policing at three levels: at the block level with revitalized Neighborhood Watch and Merchant Watch programs, at the neighborhood level with more than 50 Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils that the Neighborhood Watch groups now feed into, and at the citywide level with increased participation in events such as the biannual Community Leadership Summit and organizations such as the Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee.
Oakland Police Chief Wayne Tucker applauded the Neighborhood Services Division for this award, saying, “Revitalizing the Neighborhood Watch program is a tremendous undertaking and demonstrates OPD’s commitment to the residents of Oakland and to community policing.”
Clinton Park Tot Lot Structure Opens!
After more than 3 years of planning, I am excited to open the Clinton Park tot lot structure to the community of the Eastlake area. I feel the play structure reflects the wishes of the neighborhood residents that we gathered at the community meetings. I would like to thank our Public Works Agency and Parks and Recreation staff who worked on this project, as well as McGuire & Hester, the construction contractor that built the structure and provided the food and festivities.