Moving Oakland Forward Together

It's been a packed week for us starting with last week's amazing Oakland Family Day turnout, continuing with committee approval of our Seismic Retrofit Program, several budget hearings and many community meetings. As chair of the Finance Committee I will continue to work primarily on developing the next two year budget through next week.

One of thousands of families working together on an activity at Chabot Science Center during last Saturday's Oakland Family Day.

My apologies if you have sent me a personal email this week. I usually try to respond within one to two working days but expect to be backlogged at least through next week. I encourage you to call or email our District 4 staff for a more prompt response during this time.

Finally, it has been a week of highs (see #2) and lows (see #10) for our office and the city. Enjoy the warm weather and a Happy Father's Day to all !!

Council President Pro Tem

1. FOSC Work Days, Take Dad to Mars & Weekend Events

FOSC Workdays: Restoration Workday at Dimond Canyon. Meet at El Centro Trailhead. Saturday, June 16, 9 am-Noon, Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676. Nursery workday at Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery, Saturday, 1:30-4:30 pm.

"Patience and Sarah," a modern opera, First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th Street, Saturday, June 16: In celebration of Gay Pride Month, Musicopia presents Paula Kimper and Wende Persons' powerful story of two star-crossed lovers. $20. tickets@uuoakland.org or 893-6129 ext. 698.

Father's Day Mission to Mars, Sunday, June 17, 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm: Take Dad out of this world, register now for your place on a simulated space mission to the Red Planet! For information on Challenger Missions at Chabot Science Center. (Right) Testing out an original NASA training module for the Mercury capsules which brought the first US astronauts into space.

2. Free Oakland Family Day Attracts Over 20,000

Oakland was at its best last Saturday as over 20,000 residents patiently lined up to see some of our best attractions for free. Most were first time visitors.

The Oakland Museum had nearly 2000 visitors with activities and special exhibits focusing on art and education. Their monthly free Second Sunday's attract 400-600 by comparison.

Fairyland was filled to capacity by 1:30 pm with a long line all afternoon. By closing at 4 pm over 4000 visitors had entered the "magic shoe" -- double their previous Saturday record.

Chabot Science Center saw a steady stream into evening with over 4800 visitors (and we weren't counting kids under 3) -- more than double our previous record. After speaking at the Museum in the morning and going by Fairyland, I tried to swing by the Zoo but traffic was backed up into the Laurel. I spent most of the rest of the day helping a constant stream of visitors register at Chabot. It was a real joy to see large families of 3 and even 4 generations come from all over Oakland representing almost every ethnic and linguistic group in the city. I saw hundreds of District 4 families, many led by their children who had come to their center on field trips.

Finally, the Oakland Zoo recorded 10,568 visitors, including over 8,400 Oaklanders. The line of visitors slowed traffic on 580 all day.

By days end, I had talked literally to hundreds of Oaklanders. A wide spectrum of people told me they had never visited many of these Oakland treasures, but planned to come back. Not a few told me they made it to all 4 attractions! Most asked us to do this again. Overall I was amazed of how friendly everyone was, even when lines occasionally got long and areas were crowded.
My favorite moment of the day came as I left the Chabot Center at sunset. Earlier I had helped register a young man, his mother and a large group of younger brothers, sisters, and cousins. I noticed he had both Mayan symbols and gang tattoos on his arms. I told him to come back next year when our new exhibit "Mayan Skies" opens and explained that the center at night was an inexpensive date and very romantic place our telescopes and planetarium shows. (The telescopes are free on Fridays and Saturdays and a close view of the moon or Saturn's rings can be enchanting.) As my husband and I left, I noticed the young man come in with a young lady and another couple and could only smile.

3. Dimond Peets Set to Open Soon

Richard Cowan, who works with merchants for my office, has been helping Peets with their building permits. He reports they've passed their last hurdle and should be able to finish construction soon. We'll let you know the details. This peek at the interior was posted by Dimond activist Tim Chapman on the Dimond Forum. Rev. Monte McClain of the Fruitvale Presbyterian Church posted this interview with his friend Scott SooHoo, the new manager on his blog.

The French Bakery La Farrine which will open one door down the block is constructing ventilation for its ovens and is aiming for an August opening.

4. Council Budget Hearings Near End

Since the Mayor released his proposed budget, the Council has held 6 district meetings, one televised call-in meeting, and 4 special Council hearings. The City Council will hold its fifth special budget meetings Tuesday, June 19th, 3:30-5:30 pm.

Q: What Public Safety budget increases is the Council considering for the new budget? Briefly the Council is looking the following strategies:

The Mayor and City Administrator proposals were summarized in this past newsletter. The Council has final budget authority and a budget must be passed by June 30th. For an overview of the City Budget, budget schedule and more: Budget Facts.

One proposal to increase the number of police on the streets would temporarily stop the contract to provide police to the airport. Ending the contract would cost about $4 million and would return about 15 officers to patrol.

1. Maximize Current Police Resources:

Reorganize schedules and assignments to make sure more police are on the streets. We currently have more police on duty during high crime periods than before but we have more changes to come as we renegotiate our Police Contract.
Reorganize police for more geographic accountability. The new plan calls for Captains who will oversee all problems within an area over all shifts. All officers assigned to the same areas will get to know the neighborhoods better and establish relations with the community. As Measure Y beat/problem solving officers come on line (about half of the beats now) we are seeing improvements in chronic problems as they work with local neighborhood alert and crime prevention councils.
Civilianize some jobs so more officers are on the street (evidence techs, data and report functions, etc)
Remove police from the airport until we fill all 803 sworn police positions.

2. Increase Police Support Services: Our latest police academy has 55 cadets, the largest in recent years. This means we have over 80 new officers in training, but fierce competition for cadets and retirements mean that it will be until sometime next year that we will fully utilize the budgeted positions we now have. Until then we can:

Hire retired officers to work on investigations
Hire more police techs who can collect evidence, data, take reports of crimes to focus on specific areas (car thefts, burglaries, robberies, etc)
Consider new programs such as the "Ambassador" programs which hire youth and students in commercial areas to walk people to their cars, act as guides, extra ears and eyes on the street.

3. Strengthen Community Policing Resources: Neighborhood Crime Councils and Alert Groups are significantly increased and stronger over the last two years. We have increased Neighborhood Service Coordinators and improved training, and outreach materials.
4. Focus Crime and Violence Prevention Programs: Working with schools, probation, social service and community groups we are focusing on young people most at risk - victims of violence and exploitation, truants, children in foster care, youth on probation or parole, drop-outs, and gangs. Measure Y dollars are leveraging more funds from the county, state and foundations. In some programs case management & counseling has cut in half the percentage of young people who get back in trouble with the law. New programs working with sexually exploited minors have helped girls get off the streets and have led to 10 to 25 year sentences for their pimps. Mayor Dellums wants to expand the programs started by Mayor Brown to provide transition employment programs for young men returning from prison.

5. Community Policing: Neighborhood Alert Honored, National Night Out, National Trends

Introduction to Administration of Justice Community Policing Course: Taught by Margaret Dixon, Merritt faculty member and retired Oakland Police Officer, this course is open to the public-- and is free to high school students! Hear and learn from a variety of expert guest speakers about Community Policing in Oakland; tour the Oakland Police Department, go on a Ride-Along with an Oakland Police Officer and Complete a Community Policing Project. Course runs from 10 am to Noon, Monday, Wednesday and Friday plus 3 hours a week lab at Suite 6303, 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza. Course runs from June 18 to July 27. Register online at Peralta Community College District or call 446-7368. Course name is ADJUS21, 3.0 Units at Peralta Community College District.

Neighborhood Alert Honored: The National Sheriffs' Association announced this month that the Oakland Police Department will receive the 2007 Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch. "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."

Register for National Night Out Now; the nation's night out against crime is Tuesday, August 7, 7-9 pm. Research shows that when neighbors know each other and look out for each other crime goes down. Last year District 4 had over 60 parties, join with their neighbors to have a neighborhood block party, ice cream social or other outdoor event to build neighborhood spirit and unity - the first defense against crime. My staff and I, police, and other city staff will visit each party. Register your party online, or contact Brenda Ivey with the Oakland Police Department at 238-3091. The deadline to register is 5:00 pm on Friday, July 27th. Only registered groups will be eligible for a visit! Block Party Guide

The Annual FBI Report on Crime Trends released last week won't surprise most Oaklanders. Some of the 2006 findings were:

Big-city murders rose sharply in 2006 as violent crime increased nationally for the second straight year. In 2007 Oakland's murder rate is down by a third.

Robberies spiked by 6 percent, marking the highest increase in any category of crime surveyed.

Burglaries, however, rose slightly - particularly in mid-size cities, where the rate grew by 3.3 percent.

Violent crime rose in every region of the country except for the Northeast. Western states saw the largest jump in violent crime, by 2.8 percent.

If you witness a robbery or crime, this Identification Sheet might help police get the information we need to make an arrest. More Robbery Tips

Use Your NCPC to Help Set Community Safety Priorities: Our office tries to monitor the many listservs in our District where neighbors register concerns about crime and traffic safety but you cannot consider this the same as contacting police or our office directly. Police beat priorities are set at theNeighborhood Crime Prevention Councils (NCPCs). We encourage neighborhoods and representatives from Neighborhood Watch Groups to participate in their NCPC's. Schedule

6. Fairfax-Foothill-High Streetscape Design Project

<< Fairfax Theater in 1906.
This month about 20 neighbors and merchants along Foothill Blvd, Fairfax ,and High Street met with designers hired by the City to discuss possible elements for a Streetscape Design. The design will be used to apply for state and federal funding to improve pedestrian and traffic safety in the neighborhood.
The focus is on two nodes: 1) High Street from Courtland to Bancroft and Foothill from High to 45th Ave; and 2) the Fairfax shopping area at Foothill. Some of the ideas discussed were: more trees and landscaping, improving the look and connection to the community of Fremont High School along Foothill, slowing the traffic on Foothill, banners or design elements to distinguish the Fairfax shopping area. Follow-up meetings will be held when proposed designs are ready. For more information contact Kimani Rogers in the Community Economic Development Agency 238-6204 or Richard Cowan in my office 238-7041.

7. Traffic News: Go 30 in Glenview, Skyline Enforcement

Drive Slowly Through Glenview...Or You'll Miss It: This is the slogan of the Glenview campaign to slow traffic down to 30 mph. You'll see this slogan on new posters and bumper stickers to reinforce the new radar speed feedback signs, flashing lights, and increased police enforcement on Park Blvd.

Traffic Enforcement Results for Skyline Boulevard.Grizzly Peak/Fish Ranch and Shepherd Canyon Roads: The City's Traffic Enforcement Division has been patrolling along Skyline Boulevard and nearby streets on a regular basis since early April. Between April 7 and May 24, 83 speeders were cited; 82 were speeding automobiles, and one was a speeding motor cycle. 68 were Oakland residents. The City's Traffic Enforcement Division rotates throughout the city at various speeding hot spots identified by the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils as top priorities. This area has been on the priority list for the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) for several months. Enforcement efforts along the Skyline corridor will continue throughout the summer.

8. Seismic Strengthening Program Goes to Council June 19

<<Typical wood-framed home damaged during 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
Our proposal for a new Voluntary Seismic Strengthening Incentive Program, co-sponsored by Council Member Brunner, was approved by both the Finance and Community & Economic Development Committees and forwarded to the June 19th City Council meeting for funding. Experts predict that a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on the Hayward Fault will result in tens of billions of dollars of economic loss--half of which will be loss of housing. More than 155,000 homes are anticipated to become uninhabitable, including 36,500 Oakland homes. That's one-third of our housing! They also predict up to 15,000 casualties.

This is tragedy we can reduce or prevent. If Oaklanders retrofit their homes, we could save thousands of lives and reduce the financial loss to individuals and the city at large. Only 15% of Oakland homes are retrofitted to current standards. Over the last year our office has sponsored retrofit workshops, worked to develop standards for retrofitting, and worked regionally to change state standards and programs. We are now proposing a program building on a successful Berkeley program, where now 80% of their homes have been retrofitted over the last ten years. The Program has four elements:

It establishes seismic strengthening standards for typical wood-framed houses to ensure that retrofits meet a baseline of effectiveness.
It establishes a low, flat seismic strengthening permit feet of $250 as an incentive. (Currently, homeowners must pay a percentage of the cost of the retrofit, which can be substantial.)
It establishes a New Homeowner Seismic Strengthening Reimbursement Incentive Program whereby new owners of older homes have one year in which to retrofit according to the new standards. If the retrofit passes inspection, they will be eligible for reimbursement of their expenses of up to .5% of the purchase price of the home or $5,000, whichever is less.
Setting aside $500,000 from the proceeds of the Real Estate Property Transfer Tax for the 2007-08 Fiscal Year and up to $1,000,000 in future Fiscal Years to fund the reimbursement program.

Download the report and ordinance. For additional information, contact Sue Piper in our office. We will also be coming back to the City in the fall with additional recommendations, such as requiring automatic gas shut off or gas flow interrupt valves and mandatory retrofitting when homeowners do major renovations, and grants for low income home owners.

9. Help Us Attract Retail, Shopper Survey & Meetings

The City of Oakland is working with a team led by Conley Consulting Group to create a citywide strategy to attract more retail stores and to improve the retail experience in Oakland. An important part of the process is to learn about consumer perceptions and preferences. This online survey measures the shopping patterns of Oakland shoppers. Upon completing the survey, you will be able to enter a drawing for a free Apple iPod Nano.

You can also participate in four public input meetings:

Saturday, June 23, 10 am- Noon, Mosswood Recreation Center, 3612 Webster Street
Monday, June 25, 6 - 8 pm at Hearing Room 4, City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Monday, July 9, 6 - 8 pm, Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Boulevard
Wednesday, July 11, 6 - 8 pm at Fruitvale/San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 E. 12th, Street, at Fruitvale Village near the Fruitvale BART station.

10. Thieves Hit Fire Memorial, Wildfire Inspections Start

Wildfire Memorial Vandalized by Metal Thieves: Sadly, while Sue Piper of our office and her husband Gordon attended his mother's funeral out-of-state last week, the Memorial Garden dedicated to the victims of the 1991 Wildfire was vandalized by thieves who stold two brass trees and the nameplates of the victims. The garden, a labor of love created by Gordon and his neighbors, is within line sight of their home which was lost and rebuilt after the fire. "If we'd been in town we would have seen the thieves," says Sue. They estimate it will take about $5,000 to replace the plaques and fixtures. Donations made to Friends of Oakland Parks can be sent to 33 Hiller Drive, Oakland 94618. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the thieves, call the police at 238-3951 or Crime Stoppers at 238-6946.

2007 Inspection Notices Mailed: Residents of the Wildfire Prevention District should have received your 2007 Inspection Notice from the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District. Inspections begin June 15. Now is the time to work on cutting back your overgrown shrubs, cutting tree limbs next to your house, and mowing tall grasses. Be aware of endangered species that might be on your property. If you hire someone to do the work or to haul away your debris, be sure to ask for the receipt from the Davis Street Transfer Station. We have had problems with haulers dumping their debris in parks and other open spaces; you could be liable for the fines if there is anything identifying you with the debris. (Goats grazing in Joaquin Miller Park this week.)

Green Plant Recycling Practices: Don't forget that residents of the Wildfire District can have their branches reduced to water conserving mulch. For more tips on how to recycle vegetation to enrich your soil, reduce green house emissions and landfill, go to StopWaste.org.

11. Plastic Bag Ban Goes to Council June 26, 11 am

Proposed Plastic Bag Ban: On Tuesday, June 26, 11 am, Council Member Nancy Nadel and I will introduce an ordinance banning plastic carry out bags from large retail stores similar to the legislation recently passed by San Francisco. Each year 12 million barrels of oil go to produce over a trillion single use plastic bags. Californians use over 19 billion bags and throw 600 away every second, resulting in over 147,000 tons of litter. Thousands of marine animals die from ingesting bags or entanglement. To comment on the ordinance, contact Richard Cowan of our office 238-7041. To date, we have received overwhelming support of this ordinance via emails from Oakland residents.

Don't forget to recycle your green food waste (and their recyclable, compostable packaging) into the large green waste bins!

12. School & Youth News

Mayor's Summer Job Program (MSJP): The mayor is asking businesses to provide summer jobs for a youth or to sponsor one or more youth at $2,500 each. The Mayor will recognize participating businesses with certificates of appreciation, personal letters of thanks for helping Oakland become the model city and an invitation to a luncheon Mayor at which he will personally thank businesses this year's program. A position can be part or full-time, and should be pay-appropriate wages for a 16-21 year-old entry level employee. MSJP will prescreen candidates based on the job order; employers select the employee and have the option of having the Private Industry Council (PIC) be the employer of record to avoid the complications of adding another person to your payroll. For questions, contact 768-4437 or http://www.oaklandwib.org/summer_jobs.htm

"Get a Clue @ Your Oakland Public Library: The Library's Summer Reading Program for kids, June 9-August 11, is the 2007 Summer Reading Game. Anyone age 13 and under is encouraged to drop by one of the Library branches, the Bookmobile or the Children's Room to sign-up and start reading their way to valuable prizes, including books and tickets to some of Oakland's hottest attractions. For more information and a full list of Summer Reading Programs, visit your local library or go to the Library website.

Teens Get Active @OPL-June 9-August 11: Teens are invited to get involved in the Oakland Library this summer with animals and film showings, MySpace photo and information sessions, crafts, GameZone activities, volunteer opportunities and lots of great summer reading.

Zoomobile Visits Libraries This Summer: Come meet unusual animals when they roll into your branch library this summer: Dimond Branch, Wednesday, July 18 at 11 am, and Montclair Branch, Saturday, July 28 at 2 pm.

Complete list of summer activities for children at the Oakland Public Library...

City Sponsors Summer Lunch Program at Local Rec Centers: Last year Oakland provided more than 80,000 free lunches to children throughout the City under the age of 18. This summer there are more than 45 participating sites in the program, including the Allendale Recreation Center and the Brookdale Recreation Center in District 4. For details call the Alameda County Food Bank at 1-800-870-FOOD or Oakland's Department of Human Services.

13. More Community News

Authors Visit A Great Good Place for Books in June: Thursday, June 21, 7 pm--Montclair poet William Winston; Saturday, June 23 4:30 pm, author/illustrator Dave Keane reading Joe Sherlock, Kid Detective: Case #000005, the Art Teacher's Vanishing Masterpiece; Tuesday, June 26, 7 pm, Amanda Eyre Ward, author of Sleep Towards Heaven, reads from her new novel, Forgive Me.; Wednesday, June 27, 7 pm, Bridget Kinsella, author of Visiting Life; Thursday, June 28, 7 pm, China Galland reading from Love Cemetery: Unburying the Secret History of Slaves. All readings take place at a Great Good Place for Books, 6120 La Salle Avenue, in Montclair.
Clean up at Brookdale Park: the Girls Club will be working at Broodale Park on Saturday, June 23 from 9 am to Noon. For details, contact Noel Gallo at 615-5415.

Great American Camp Out at Joaquin Miller Park, June 23: The Office of Parks & Recreation and the National Wildlife Federation hosts a rare opportunity to camp overnight in Joaquin Miller Park on Saturday, June 23. Take a hike, enjoy a nature talk, sit around the camp fire--experience family fun in the great outdoors. Only $25 per family (includes dinner, activities, camp snacks and a continental breakfast). Register online (activity#70750.402) or contact Stephanie Benavidez at 867-0669.For details

Maxwell Park Clean Up Day, Sunday, June 24, 9-Noon: Meet at Redding and High behind the Walgreens to help pick up trash and weed the area. Volunteers needed every 4th Sunday. For details contact Jan Hetherington.

FOSC Workdays: Sunday, June 24, 9:30-Noon, Creek Monitoring/aquatic insect sampling. Call Emma Brown at 427-2507 to confirm location; Friday, June 29, 9:30 am to Noon, seed hike to collect seeds to propagate native plants. Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676. Saturday, June 30, 9- Noon, Remove invasive species and plants to stabilize creek bank at Beaconsfield Open Space. Contact Richard Kaufmann at 531-1237 for details.Saturday June 30, 9 - Noon, restoration workday at grassland site at Joaquin Miller Park Nursery. Call Kathren Stevenson at 388-5676. Saturday, June 30,1:30-4:30 pm. Nursery workday propagating native plants. Call 387-9744.

First Fridays After Five! at the Oakland Museum of California: July 6-Craig Horton Blues Band; August 3, Bay Area Blues Society's Caravan of All Stars; September 7, Rhonda Benin and Soulful Strut. Live music in the museum cafe, 5 - 9 pm. For details.

Monthly Outdoor Movie Series Begins Saturday, July 21: The highly successfull Old Oakland Outdoor cinema series returns for a fourth season beginning Saturday, July 21 with the screening of "Ray." The 2007 season features four award-winning films, including three Oscar Winners:"Little Miss Sunshine" on August 18; "The Day the Earth Stood Still" on September 15, and "Babe" on October 20. Once a month, the series transforms Ninth Street between Broadway and Washington into an outdoor cinema with movies beginning at dusk. Limited seating is available; filmgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. For more information, call 238-4734.

14. Save the Date: Summer Street Fairs & Festivals

2nd Annual Summer Solstice Music Festival in the Laurel, June 23: Legendary jazz Saxophonist Hal Stein, Korean Folk Singer Miena Yoo, Jazz-Pop-Funk-Fusion Duo Gemini Soul, and Western Swing Sextet Lipsey Mountain Spring Band will return to perform in Oakland's Laurel Neighborhood at the Second Annual Laurel Summer Solstice Music Festival from 1-7 pm. For further information, contact the Laurel Village Association.

32nd Annual Montclair Village Fine Arts Festival, June 29-July 1: More than 90 professional artists from across the western United States will display and sell their one-of-a-kind art in the Montclair business district on Mountain Avenue at LaSalle. Sponsored by the Montclair Business Improvement District, this free festival continues to be among the most popular community events in Oakland. Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, July 1, 10 am to 5 pm.

MSIC's July 4th Music in Montclair Park, Wednesday, July 4, 3-6 pm: Bring your own picnic and enjoy free music.

Hot Dogs & Shakespeare in Dimond Park, Saturday, July 22, 1 pm: Watch Woman's Will perform Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in Dimond Park: Free swim and play for kids at Dimond Recreation Center from 11 am - 3 pm.