May 2022
Dear friends, family, and constituents,
Last week I went on a powerful visit to the Alabama Civil Rights District with the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation; you can see some of the trip images below. I engaged with moments of history that I’m very familiar with and yet being there in person, resonated on a deeply felt visceral level. Learning about these past struggles is so important for inspiring us to act in the present, teaching us lessons about what effective collective action looks like as well as the backlash we might face when fighting for justice and equality.
It is this connection to struggles of the past and action in the present that I aim to share through the Black Arts District movement as well as the Black New Deal. I hope in the next few months we will have more to share on how you can become a part of these movements.
In Service and Solidarity,
Councilmember Carroll Fife
Items In This Newsletter
City Council Passes Legislation To Protect Oakland Renters From An Unprecedented Rent Hike
Oakland’s General Plan - The Housing Element
Town Hall on Oakland’s General Plan - Thursday May 26th
Town Hall on Installing Parking Meters Around Lake Merritt - Thursday June 2nd
Town Hall on the Fair Share Business Tax Proposal - Video
San Pablo Alley - Continuing Events
Images From The Alabama Civil Rights District
Legislation and Updates
1. City Council Passes Legislation To Protect Oakland Renters From An Unprecedented Rent Hike
At yesterday’s special meeting of the City Council, my office’s legislation to protect Oakland renters from an unprecedented rent hike passed with overwhelming support, six of eight council members voting to limit the proposed 6.7 percent increase to 3%. The second reading of this legislation on June 7th will officially amend the existing ordinance and formalize the new law.
At least 50 people showed up during public comment to state how this dramatic increase would impact their lives. A few landlords also spoke about wanting to implement the higher increase to recoup Covid and utility losses. City staff clarified the confusion and explained that lost costs can be recovered 4 different ways despite the legislation. Inquiries for these processes should be directed to the Rent Adjustment Program at (510) 238-3721.
With gas prices nearing $7/gallon, the increased costs of food and everyday expenses, I could not, in good conscience, allow this exorbitant spike to take effect. Thousands of Oakland residents will rest a little easier knowing their housing is secure. I’m grateful for my policy staff as well as city staff and attorneys who moved with urgency to bring this ordinance forward before it was able to do serious and irreparable harm.
A link to the legislation can be found here.
2. Oakland General Plan - The Housing Element
What is the Housing Element?
The Housing Element is a part of Oakland’s General Plan and serves as a blueprint for housing the City’s residents, at all economic levels including low income and households with special needs. The Housing Element presents an inventory of sites suitable for residential development in Oakland; an assessment of financial and programmatic resources; and an analysis of constraints, both governmental and non-governmental, to housing production in Oakland. This data and systematic analysis provides the basis for policies and actions to meet Oakland’s housing needs for the future.
How can you be heard in this process?
The draft Housing Element is available for public review and comment until June 13, 2022. You can access ways to give public comment here.
Events
3. Town Hall on Oakland’s General Plan For The Next 20 Years - Thursday May 26th
What is the Oakland General Plan?
Oakland's 2045 General Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Oaklanders to work together to create a visionary blueprint for the future of our City. Once approved in 2025, the Oakland 2045 General Plan will guide the development of our City for the following two decades. The Oakland 2045 General Plan will craft a new direction for the future of Oakland, one focused on creating an equitable and just city.
For all residents of West Oakland:
How do you envision Oakland in the future?
What are your big ideas on how to get there?
What environmental justice and environmental issues affect your community? What solutions should the City prioritize to address these issues?
Interested In Learning More?
The City of Oakland staff hosted a neighborhood open house for West Oakland residents to share more about the proposal and hear responses from the community. Video below.
4. Town Hall on Installing Parking Meters Around Lake Merritt
Ahead of the Oakland City Council addressing this item, please join me at this town hall to share your thoughts on the proposal. There will be information shared on what the current proposal is, how the funds will be used, and possibilities for adaptations. The floor will then go to attendees for questions and comments.
Register at tinyurl.com/lakemeters
5. Townhall on the Fair Share Business Tax Proposal
If you missed the townhall on the Fair Share Business Tax proposal, you can still watch the recording now up on my Youtube channel and also below.
At the town hall, Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas and I discussed the possibilities of the Fair Share Business Tax and answered questions from the community. We shared information about the efforts regarding this tax and what it would look like in dollars and cents. Oakland’s small businesses need tax relief and better city services - and billion dollar corporations need to pay their fair share.
This item recently passed with unanimous support from Council which means it’s headed to voters this Fall. You can read more about the proposal on the City of Oakland’s website here.
Town hall hosted by Community 4 Care.
6. Pablo’s Alley at Frank Ogawa Plaza - Tuesdays and Thursdays
Many more markets will be popping in District 3 over the spring and summer months! The Market at Pablo’s Alley in Frank Ogawa Plaza continues with Tuesdays Lunch & Listen from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The lunchtime market will include live performance by AMP Oakland performers from noon to 1:00 pm. Visit the local restaurants on the plaza with seating areas to chill. On Thursdays, it’s happy hour time from 4:00 pm - 8: 00 pm. Enjoy a beer or a glass of wine from Oakland's own Howden Market as well as a live concert by AMP Oakland performers and DJ each week.
This project is by Oakland Central in partnership with The Rotunda Building located at 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. The series will happen weekly in the plaza in front of the Rotunda Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May to August of 2022.
