It Passed! Oakland City Council Unanimously Votes to Use $10 Million to Restore Vital Community Services and to Ensure a Transparent Budget Process
April 12, 2021
Today, April 12, 2021, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed the resolution introduced by Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and I, to accept the ARPA Federal Funding, create a transparent budget process, and to allocate the $10 million from the OACCA/Warriors litigation, to provide a just and healthy recovery for the Oakland community by restoring vital community resources and programs.
Highlights of what is now to be restored and funded with the new OACCA $10 million:
Fully restoring Oakland’s Fire Department Services. I pushed back and fought against the administration’s closure of Fire Stations earlier this year. Now, the remaining stations will be restored, aiding our city’s response to fires, which is especially important during these lengthier and more severe fire seasons.
Community Safety Ambassadors in Chinatown, Eastlake, East Oakland, West Oakland, Fruitvale and other business districts.
Reducing blight and illegal dumping by restoring positions that help stop litter and trash.
Under the direction to Oakland’s Homeless Administrator, funding to house homeless in hotels and provide clean up services
Restore Operation Ceasefire.
Restore walking foot patrol officers.
Expand ShotSpotter to parts of East Oakland currently not covered.
Reopen recreation centers & closed swimming pools.
Help close the gap in funds for the Violence Prevention Funding plan, this plan includes programs for youth job training.
COVID-19 Vaccination Community Engagement: Fund grants to community-based organizations for work in Oakland underserved communities to provide information and access to COVID testing and vaccination.
Unfreeze Crime Investigation Positions: these positions include the civilian Evidence Technicians and related positions that help solve crime and improve community safety.
Traffic Safety: Improve responsiveness to needs regarding traffic calming, such as speed bumps and other streetscape improvements that can help reduce speeding, prevent accidents, and protect the public.
Our item will additionally ensure the protection of the City’s reserve funds by holding them in a separate fund that cannot be accessed without Council approval. This step will ensure the public process for budget adoption – – to take place at noticed meetings with public input and a public vote.
View full Spreadsheet (Please note that this spreadsheet was amended at the meeting to include more funding community support): http://oakland.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=c5f128f1-0cdf-4058-b535-38de92234fc8.pdf
Item Memo and Resolution: http://oakland.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=32167
In solidarity,
Rebecca Kaplan
Oakland Vice Mayor