District 6 Matters Newsletter: We Are Off To A Great Start!MLK Weekend Events, First Council Meeting of 2022 & Community UpdatesFrom the Office of Councilmember Loren Taylor
Two weeks into the new year, and we are already off to a great start! While we are still navigating the complex dynamics of COVID-19, and its unruly variants, I am encouraged by Oaklanders commitment to service and overall generosity. Local businesses, non-profits, and residents alike are finding innovative ways to extend a helping a hand to community members in need. Utilizing the investments we made over the past two years, our city’s public servants are working tirelessly to build out an equitable road to recovery. All with the collective goal to come out of this pandemic stronger than we were before.
Through these same values and practices we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A servant leader, his life’s work embodied an unconditional love for humanity. Through both the successes and disappointments of fighting for a just society, his dedication to creating a better world for future generations was unwavering. Whenever reflecting upon his accomplishments, I am reminded that we may not always bear the fruits of the seeds we plant today. And yet, we must continue to work towards our dreams anyway. To celebrate the life of this iconic leader, my office is excited to be joining community partners this holiday weekend for two service projects in East Oakland and a special Akoma Market. For those who would like to join us, please visit Section 3 for more information.
Inside this newsletter you’ll find the following information: COVID-19 Updates Preview of Tuesday’s Council Meeting (Jan. 18) MLK Weekend Events Community Updates & Resources
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office with any follow-up. – Email us at [email protected]. Yours in Service of Oakland,
A. Receive a FREE COVID-19 Test & Vaccine at an upcoming Umoja Health Pop-Up Testing/Vaccination Sites: Akoma Market 7101 Foothill Blvd Sunday, January 16 10:00am to 3:00pm Center of Hope 8411 MacArthur Blvd. Every Other Thursday 10:30am to 2:30pm Castlemont High School 8601 MacArthur Blvd. Every Other Thursday 2:00pm to 5:00pm (Students: 2:00pm to 5:00pm; General Public: 4:00pm to 5:00pm) CHORI 750 Aileen St. Every Other Friday 9:30am to 1:30pm McClymonds High School 2607 Myrtle St. Every Other Friday 11:30am to 4:00pm (Students: 11:30am to 4:00pm; General Public: 1:00pm to 4:00pm) For additional COVID-19 resources, please visit Umoja Health’s website.
B. REMINDER: Oakland’s Proof of Vaccination Mandate Takes Effect February 1
Effective Tuesday, February 1, 2022, proof of vaccination will be required for people 12 years and older to enter the following indoor public locations in Oakland:
Establishments or events where food or drink is served including restaurants, bars, coffee houses, clubs, and banquet halls Entertainment venues, theaters, concert venues, museums, and recreation facilities Gyms, fitness centers and yoga studios Senior adult care facilities and City Senior Center programs City Hall* Large indoor events at City-owned and privately-owned facilities
For people 18 years and older, the vaccination card must be cross-checked with the individual’s photo ID. Patrons entitled to a qualified medical exemption must provide verification of their exemption and proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test. Patrons are allowed to briefly enter businesses covered by this ordinance without showing proof of vaccination to use the restroom, place an order, pick up or pay for food or drink “to-go,” or perform necessary repairs, provided they wear a well-fitting mask at all times while in inside.
Important Date: Beginning on Saturday, January 15, businesses that are covered by the ordinance are required to prominently display an advisory notice informing patrons of the new requirement.
*In the case of City Hall entry only, a patron may show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test (within 72 hours of entry) and a photo ID in lieu ofshowing proof of vaccination. This is to ensure that members of the public who may not be able to meet the vaccination requirement for entrance to City Hall may fully benefit from the public services provided. This requirement does not apply to members of the public attending a City Council meeting or other meeting subject to the Brown Act and Sunshine Ordinance.
Read the City’s full press release for more information.
2. Preview of Tuesday’s Council Meeting(January 18, 2022 at 1:00pm)
Item 3.1: Oakland Public Works (OPW) Illegal Dumping Surveillance Camera Program During last year’s budget cycle, my office successfully secured funding for surveillance cameras to help combat the illegal dumping crisis in Oakland. Following review of by the Privacy Advisory Commission, OPW is advancing this effort by recommending that the Council adopt a resolution approving their illegal dumping surveillance camera program use policy, surveillance impact report, and the deployment of portable observation device surveillance units at known dumping spots.
Cant attend Tuesday’s meeting? Email your comments to the full Council at [email protected].
3. MLK Weekend Events
A. Kick-off your Saturday with our community clean-up at Arroyo Viejo Park This Saturday, January 15, my office is partnering with We Lead Ours for a community clean-up at Arroyo Viejo Park. From 9am to 12pm, we will be picking-up trash and landscaping this East Oakland treasure, located at 7701 Krause Avenue. Clean-up equipment and light refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact Dwayne Aikens at (510) 409-8275.
B. Bring your family & friends to the first Akoma Market of 2022 The Akoma Market is back! Join us from 10am to 3pm, this Sunday, January 16 at Liberation Park (7101 Foothill Blvd) for some delicious food, roller-skating, yoga, wine-tasting, and much-needed retail therapy at your favorite local vendors. Umoja Health is also providing FREE testing, vaccinations, and boosters to community members. Don’t forget to stop by our table to say hello and check out some the of latest updates from the City of Oakland!
C. Help us beautify Deep East Oakland for this year’s MLK Day of Service Monday, January 17, is MLK Day and my office is joining Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corporation at their 2022 Day of Service. Between 9am and 1pm, Higher Ground along with an amazing coalition of community partners will complete multiple beautification projects within the Sobrante Park and Brookfield Village neighborhoods. Volunteers can check-in at 8am in the ROOTS parking lot, 10495 Edes Avenue. To learn more about this effort, please contact Khariyyah Shabazz at [email protected]
4. Community Updates & Resources
A. Prepare for an emergency with your District 6 neighbors On Saturday, January 22, my office in collaboration with the Oakland Fire Department is hosting a personal emergency preparedness workshop at Rainbow Recreation Center, 5800 International Blvd. From 3:00–4:30pm, neighbors can come learn more about how to identify, anticipate, and reduce hazards at home/work, as well as apply basic medical techniques. Capacity is limited to 50 District 6 residents, and will be selected on a first come first serve basis. To register for this workshop, click here.
B. Become a service provider with the Oakland Fund for Children & Youth (OFCY) OFCY is currently looking for qualified non-profits and public agencies to provide services to local youth, ages 0-21. $18M in grants will be distributed to providers, in FY 2022-2023, to advance the following strategies outlined in
A. Kick-off your Saturday with our community clean-up at Arroyo Viejo Park
