Been to the marches and rallies, but don’t know where to go from here?

One of our members, Alan Brill has created a how-to manual for those who haven’t joined one of the established resistance organizations and want to create one in your neighborhood.  The manual is too long to show here, but you can access it here: COMMUNITY BUILDING – A How-to Guide

 

Alan also included a resource guide that was posted earlier and may have slipped below your blog horizon.  You can access it here: Resource Guide Collection

 

When I have time, I’ll update the resources page so you won’t need to search for this post.

 

If you have content to contribute to the site, please submit it to me, Michael  If your content is consistent with our editorial guidelines, I’ll be happy to add you as a contributor.  Since we are a community volunteer organization, the other members of our board will also review my editorial decisions.

 

Michael

Editor/webmaster

 

Posted in Featured Content Political Action by Michael Tigges. Comments Off on Been to the marches and rallies, but don’t know where to go from here?

Alan Brill’s Resource Compilation

Introduction

This document is organized as follows:

  • Helplines: Phone number and links for immediate support
  • Local Organizations: Bay Area organizations, independent of national organizations
  • Resource Websites: All categories of resources suggested by the group
  • Articles and other reading material

A separate document has suggestions and offers of support by individuals in the group.

HELPLINES

Police Emergency:  911

or from a cell phone:  510-777-3211

Police non-emergency:  510-777-3333

 

24/7 Trevor Helpline (Transgender issues)

866-488-7386

Transgender Americans should apply for passport and ID now before Trump takes office or else they may not be able to get documents recognizing their gender identity.

For Financial help applying or to donate.

https://transrelief.com/

 

ACLU: feel you’re at risk?

We have compiled a list of resources:

If you are an immigrant

https://www.aclu.org/feature/feel-at-risk#immigrant

If you’re Muslim

https://www.aclu.org/feature/feel-at-risk#muslim

If you’re LGBTQ

https://www.aclu.org/feature/feel-at-risk#lgbtq

If you’ve been sexually assaulted

https://www.aclu.org/feature/feel-at-risk#assault

If you’re interacting with the police

https://www.aclu.org/feature/feel-at-risk#police

If you’re a protester or journalist

https://www.aclu.org/feature/feel-at-risk#protester

Barbara Lee, 13th Congressional District of California

Oakland
1301 Clay Street, Ste. 1000-N
Oakland, CA 94612
P: (510) 763-0370
F: (510) 763-6538

M–F: 9 am – 5 pm (PST)
Washington, DC
2267 Rayburn House
Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
P: (202) 225-2661
F: (202) 225-9817

M–F: 9 am – 5:30 pm (EST)

Mental Health:

Depression/Crisis Call Center Hotline:  775-784-8090

Anxiety Crisis Call Center Hotline:  775-784-8090

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  800-273-TALK

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Hotline:  800-656-HOPE

Report Child Abuse

1800-4-A-Child

U.S. Congress Representatives

Search by Zip, State or All

http://www.whoismyrepresentative.com/

Veterans

1800-277-8255 ext. 1

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

350° East Bay

We are building a grassroots climate movement, working for deep reductions in carbon pollution in the San Francisco Bay Area & beyond.

http://www.350bayarea.org/350eastbay

 

Alameda County Food Bank

Distributes nutritious food to low income county residents. Programs to end hunger, nutrition education and more.  Donate, advocate, volunteer.

www.accfb.org/

 

Block By Block Organizing Network

Volunteers Working Together for One Oakland
Current project Sanctuary City, Sharon Rose

sharonroseESL@hotmail.com

http://bbbon.net/

Causa Justa/Just Cause

In Oakland and San Francisco, we’re challenging displacement and gentrification by growing coalitions and campaigns that confront corporate development

http://cjjc.org/

Central Committee Alameda County Democratic Party – Voter’s Edge

Strengthen progressive positions within the Democratic Party. Promote local regulations that make developers build more affordable housing.  Find in-depth information about what’s on your ballot.

http://votersedge.org/

 

Centro Legal de la Raza

Founded in 1969, Centro Legal de la Raza is a comprehensive legal services agency protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant, low-income, and Latino communities.

http://centrolegal.org/

East Bay Community Law Center

Mission. To promote justice and build a community that is more healthy, secure, productive and hopeful by providing: legal services and policy advocacy that are   responsive to the needs of low-income communities, and law training that prepares future attorneys to be skilled and principled advocates that are committed to finding innovative solutions to the cause and conditions of poverty.

http://ebclc.org/

 

EBASE

Building Power with Workers Community and People of Faith

http://workingeastbay.org/

 

Friends of Sausal Creek

Sausal Creek is in Oakland, CA. The Friends of Sausal Creek are volunteers working to maintain and improve the creek watershed.

http://www.sausalcreek.org/

 

Glenview Neighborhood Association

A web site of the Glenview Neighborhood in Oakland, California.

https://sites.google.com/site/glenfriendswiki/

Glenview Women’s Club

Glenview Women’s Club is a 30 year old community service organization, now a 501(c)(3) non-profit, whose 80 members raise money and donate time to support various causes.

http://www.glenviewwomensclub.com/

 

Harbor House Ministries

Interdenominational, multi-ethnic, Christian organization working with youth and families in the San Antonio District of Oakland towards self-sufficiency

http://hhministries.org/

 

Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California

Provides a dynamic space that cultivates an exchange of ideas about Islam through art, culture, and education programs.

http://www.iccnc.org/

N4RJ Neighbors for Racial Justice

We are a group of Dimond residents who came together two years ago to educate and challenge ourselves and each other about the use of racial profiling on our list serves, by our police, in our institutions, and in our behavior.

Vigils in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement at the corner of Fruitvale and MacArthur, Saturdays from 12 noon to 1pm.

 

Oakland Community Organization

Current campaigns are: Lifelines to Healing, Pathways to Citizenship, Excellent Education, Civic Engagement, Bringing Health Care Home and New Bottom Line. Also, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to stay engaged with OCO across the web.

http://www.oaklandcommunity.org/

 

Oakland Justice Coalition

The Oakland Justice Coalition is a coalition of organizations and individuals that came together around common goals for the 2016 Oakland elections.

http://www.oaklandjustice.org/

 

Oakland Rising

Unites communities across Oakland for smart solutions and responsive government. As a multilingual, multiracial alliance

http://www.oaklandrising.org/

 

St. Mary’s Center

We are a community of hope, justice, and healing that serves at-risk seniors and preschoolers in the heart of Oakland. We strive to improve their quality of life through counseling, shelter, nutrition, advocacy and social support.

http://stmaryscenter.org

 

Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

Renewing and invigorating the Democratic Party in the Oakland Bay

http://wellstoneclub.org/

 

Resource Websites

AARP

A nonprofit, nonpartisan, social welfare organization with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families – such as health care, employment and income security, and protection from financial abuse.

http://www.aarp.org

 

ACLU American Civil Liberties Union

https://www.aclu.org/

ACT BLUE

A non-profit PAC allowing individuals and groups to channel their progressive dollars to candidates and movements of their choosing.  They have raised $1,458,388,071 since 2004.

https://secure.actblue.com/

 

AFL—CIO

Federation of labor organizations. Contains links to member unions, speeches, organizing information.

http://www.aflcio.org/

 

Amnesty International

Supports Human Rights.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/

Anti-Defamation League

Aims to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all people.

http://www.adl.org/

 

Black Box Voting

nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the integrity of the electoral process.

http://blackboxvoting.org/

 

Catholic Charities

Restoring stability and hope. Homelessness and Housing Services.

Aging Support · Children and Youth · Behavioral Health · Refugee and Immigrant

http://catholiccharitiessf.org/

Common Cause (Robert Reich, Former Dept of Labor under Clinton)

Nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen’s lobbying organization promoting open, honest and accountable government.

http://www.commoncause.org

http://www.commoncause.org/states/california/

 

Congressional Progressive Caucus

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) consists of one United States Senator and seventy five members of the United States House of Representatives

www.progressivecaucuscdp.org/

https://www.facebook.com/USProgressives/

 

RACIAL

 

Courage Campaign

Join the fights for a more progressive California and country. We are an online community of activists powered by more than 1000000 members. (Robert Reich, Former Dept. of Labor under Clinton)

https://couragecampaign.org/

 

Democratic Governors Association

The DGA is dedicated to electing Democratic governors across the country.

https://democraticgovernors.org/

 

DNC Democratic National Committee

https://www.democrats.org/

EWG (Environmental Working Group)

Protecting the environment and your health. Read our latest reports.

Types: Children’s Health, Toxics, Consumer Products, Energy, Farming, etc.

http://www.ewg.org/

 

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, opportunity, and environmental stewardship.

https://www.fcnl.org/

 

Greenpeace

Greenpeace and people like you are a people-powered movement fighting for a green and peaceful future for our oceans, forests, food, climate and democracy.

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/

 

Habitat for Humanity

At Habitat for Humanity, we build. We build because we believe that everyone, everywhere, should have a healthy, affordable place to call home.

https://www.habitat.org/

Human Rights Campaign

Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Equal Rights

 

 

International Rescue Committee

The IRC aids refugees & people whose lives are shattered by conflict & disaster.

https://www.rescue.org/

 

Kehilla Community Synagogue

Kehilla is a community of social progressives and spiritual seekers: a participatory, musical, celebratory and democratic congregation of all ages, identities, etc.

 

https://kehillasynagogue.org/

Lambda Legal

National organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

http://www.lambdalegal.org/

 

League of Women Voters

Rooted in the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization.

http://lwv.org/

 

Middle East Children’s Children’s Alliance

A non-governmental organization working for peace and justice for Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and Iraq. Especially focusing on the rights of children.

https://www.mecaforpeace.org/

Moveon.org, Civic and Political Action

http://front.moveon.org/about-moveon-political-action/#.WEcAcoVjAxU

NARAL

National organization advocating for and providing comprehensive information on reproductive rights in the U.S. Numerous local affiliates.

www.prochoicecalifornia.org

 

NRDC National Resources Defense Council

Non profit that uses law, science, and the support of its 500000+ members to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe, healthy planet.

https://www.nrdc.org/

 

Our Revolution

The next step for Bernie Sanders’ movement is a new group called Our Revolution, which will fight to transform America and advance the progressive agenda

https://ourrevolution.com/

 

OXFAM

Helping families overcome poverty.

https://www.oxfamamerica.org/

 

PFAW People for the American Way

Conducts research, legal, education, and advocacy for a wide variety of liberal causes. Current issues, news, activist network links, and background information.

http://www.pfaw.org/

 

Planned Parenthood

Information and resources covering sexual and reproductive health topics. Research on sexual health problems and directory of health centers in the US.

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/

Rebuild Hope

Emergency financial assistance for disabled US veterans.

http://rebuildhope.org/

 

Sierra Club, SF Chapter (Berkeley)

www.sierraclub.org/san-francisco-bay

Social Security Works

The mission of Social Security Works is to protect and improve the economic status of disadvantaged and at-risk populations

http://www.strengthensocialsecurity.org/social-security-works/

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

https://www.splcenter.org/

Stand with Standing Rock

The Oceti Sakowin Camp is a historic gathering of tribes standing in solidarity to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline. Stand with Standing Rock today.

http://standwithstandingrock.net/

SURJ (Showing up for Racial Justice)

Bay Area chapter of a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice.

http://www.surjbayarea.org/

 

The UNtraining:  Untraining White Liberal Racism

We explore what it means to be white, bringing awareness to white conditioning and privilege that we did not choose as children.

http://www.untraining.org/

Trust Vote

Protecting our elections

http://trustvote.org/

 

Unitarian Universalists

Advancing justice and human rights. At home and around the world.

Worker’s rights – Grassroots collaboration – Fostering social justice – Unitarian values

http://www.uusc.org

 

Veterans for Standing Rock

Led by Wesley Clark

https://www.gofundme.com/veterans-for-standing-rock-nodapl

Voting Rights Task Force (see Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club)

 

Work That Reconnects Network/Joan Macy

Eco-spirituality, local events

http://workthatreconnects.org/

 

MEDIA

 

Democracy Now

Daily independent news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 800 stations (TV and radio, including KPFA

https://www.democracynow.org/

 

East Bay Express

Alternative weekly newspaper serving Berkeley, Oakland and the San Francisco East Bay area.  East Bay owned and independently operated.

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/

KALW

kalw.org/KALW is local public radio from the San Francisco Bay Area. BBC, NPR, and innovative local programming including Crosscurrents and Your Call.  Publicly funded.

KPFA (94)

Listener-funded progressive talk radio and music radio station located in Berkeley, California, U.S., broadcasting to the San Francisco Bay Area. KPFA airs public news, public affairs, talk, and music programming.

https://kpfa.org/

 

The Young Turks,  TYT Network |

https://tytnetwork.com/

 

Truthdig

News site providing: expert coverage of current affairs; thoughtful, provocative columnists, presented from a progressive point of view.

http://www.truthdig.com/

 

Truthout.org

sparks action by revealing systemic injustice and providing a platform for transformative ideas through investigative reporting and analysis

http://www.truth-out.org/

 

Youth Radio

An Internet and public radio station presented by young people. Contains a collection of articles, quotes, and background about the organization.

https://youthradio.org/

ARTICLES AND OTHER READING MATERIAL

Don’t Let Social Anxiety Stop You From Calling Your State Representatives by Kate Ryan

https://www.good.is/articles/how-to-call-state-rep-social-anxiety

What To Do About Trump

Get Involved/Make a Plan/Protect Yourself

https://www.whatdoidoabouttrump.com/

Trump Changed Everything.  Now Everything Counts, by Barbara Kingsolver https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/23/trump-changed-everything-now-everything-counts?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

The Narcissist

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/06/the-mind-of-donald-trump/480771/

Proposed Immigration Crackdown” KQED

https://ww2.kqed.org/lowdown/2015/07/10/explainer-what-are-sanctuary-cities/

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on President Trump: “Move Beyond Anger to Action, by Mayor Libby Schaaf, November 15, 2016

http://m.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/oakland-mayor-libby-schaaf-on-president-trump-move-beyond-anger-to-action/Content?oid=5034459

What are Sanctuary Cities?  KQED

https://ww2.kqed.org/lowdown/2015/07/10/explainer-what-are-sanctuary-cities/

San Francisco Official Response to the Election of Trump

SF Bay Times (Sanctuary City)

http://sfbaytimes.com/san-franciscos-official-response-to-the-election-of-trump/

Digital Security Tips for Protesters (as seen in Wired Magazine)

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/11/digital-security-tips-for-protesters

Buddhist Mindfulness

A Buddhist monk explains mindfulness During Times of Conflict

Thich Nhat Hanh through Phap Dung on Vox

http://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2016/11/22/13638374/buddhist-monk-mindfulness

Practicing Peace in Times of War, by Pema Chodron

 

Sojourners, progressive Christian Magazine and online publication

Article re sanctuary and tools for doing that

https://sojo.net/articles/sanctuary-movement-sees-post-election-resurgence-heres-how-get-involved

Deliver the Vote, A History of Election Fraud, an American Political Tradition-1742-2004, by Tracy Campbell, 2006

Congressional Research Service, Informing the legislative debate since 1914,

the National Popular Vote Initiative:  Direct Election of the President by Interstate Compact by Thomas H. Neale, Specialist in American National Government.

http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc808162/m2/1/high_res_d/R43823_2014Dec12.pdf

What are Sanctuary Cities and How are They Bracing for Trump’s

SF Supervisor Campos to Seek Funding to Block Deportations, SF Chronicle, Nov 28

http://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/SF-Supervisor-Campos-to-seek-funding-to-block-10640856.php?cmpid=sfc_em_topstories

 

 

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Posted in Education Featured Content Housing Political Action Public Safety by Michael Tigges. Comments Off on Alan Brill’s Resource Compilation
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Alan Brill’s Calendar of Events

[Editors Note: These events will be added to the BBBON calendar for easy access]

Thurs Jan 19 4:30P

Who: Oakland Community Organizations

What: March to Resist Trump Policies

Where: Oakland Fed. Bldg. @ 1301 Clay St.

Fri Jan 20 & Sat Jan 21LOCAL AND NATIONAL INAUGURATION EVENTS

BAY AREA

Fri Jan 20.  Time:  Volunteer – 8:30-11 am; Advocacy 11 am – 12p; Volunteer 12-3p.

Who:  Alameda County Food Bank

What:  A Day of Unity and Action

Where:  7900 Edgewater Dr., Oakland.

Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-of-unity-and-action-registration-30971005110

Fri Jan 20.  Time:  7 am -5 pm

Who:  Oakland Sollidarity Assembly. https://oaklandsolidarityassembly.org/

Where:  Ron V. Dellums Federal Bldg., 1301 Clay St., Oakland

Strike Schedule:
– 7am – The Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building (1301 Clay Street) will be shut down with a Mass Picket Line disrupting all ICE and Federal Operations. They will be providing breakfast for the working class and poor at the Picket Line.
– 9 am – Oscar Grant Plaza (14th and Broadway) They will be hosting an All Day Mutual Aid Fair with Teach-Ins/Workshops, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, A Free Store, Speakers, and Music.
– 12PM – March of the Working Class – Organized and Unrepresented workers will gather in unity at Latham Square on Broadway and Telegraph (site of the 1946 General Strike) – Endorsed by Labor Rising Against Trump–     5 PM – Open Mic / Speak Out – Oscar Grant Plaza – 14th and Broadway

https://www.facebook.com/events/1862566130646162/
NOTE: THERE ARE REPORTS THAT MAY BE DISRUPTIVE INFILTRATORS AT THIS AND OTHER EVENTS.

Fri Jan 20th – Sat Jan 21.  Anytime, all the time.

Who:  You

What:  Bang the Pots, Raise the Din.

Where: Your home porch…bang pots on porch, make noise to protest Trump inauguration
https://www.facebook.com/events/270989079983590/

Fri Jan 20. Time:  8 pm – 1 am.

Who:  Bay Area Dump Trump

What:  Mass street gathering. May be infiltrators present here and at other resistance actions.

Where:  Justin Herman Plaza, 1 Market Street, San Francisco
https://www.facebook.com/events/658612721008515/

Sat., Jan 21 Time: 10 am – 3 pm.

What:  Women’s March

Where: Madison Park at 9th street, Oakland
https://www.facebook.com/events/738883302927200/

Sat Jan 21. Time:  12 – 3 pm

Who:  Occupy Inauguration

Where:  Frank Ogawa Plaza,

What:  This will be a family-friendly event to protest the inauguration of Trump.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1295610047127762/

Sat Jan. 21.  Time 4 – 9 pm.

What:  Women’s March – SF

Where:  Civic Center, SF – Justin Herman Plaza.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1746651672318855/

Thurs Jan 26 Time: 7-9 pm

What: Deeper Understanding of Islam

Where: Kehilla Synagogue 1300 Grand Ave

What: Interactive event about Islam by Oakland Neighbors Inspiring Trust (ONIT)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/deepen-your-understanding-of-islam-tickets-29882604675

Sun Jan 29: Afternoon—Exact time TBD

What: Glenview Area Groups for Action-GAGA

Gathering—Discuss Emotions & Plan           Neighborhood Actions

Where: Location TBD

Email for Information: GlenviewAGA@gmail.com

NATIONAL

Fri Jan. 20 and Sat Jan 21.  Time:  1/20 10 am – 1/21 1 am.

What:  GENERAL STRIKE.

Where:  Every city, USA
https://www.facebook.com/events/1816053321967887/

Sat Jan 21. Time: 10 am – 3 pm.

What:  National Women’s March.
Location: Independence Ave and 3rd street SW.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2169332969958991/

Sat Jan. 21.

What:  Occupy Inauguration

Where: At Inauguration
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OccupyInauguration/

 

FEBRUARY

Wed Feb 1.  Time:  6-8 pm

Who: various activist groups

What: No Milo Yiannopoulos at UC Berkeley – to protest him speaking on campus

Where: UC Berkeley, Pauley Ballroom, MLK Student Union, 2nd floor

https://www.facebook.com/events/530185687185313/

Wed Feb 1. Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

Who: Oakland Privacy

What:  group meeting

This group advocates for privacy and surveillance regulation ordinances around the bay area

Where: Omni Commons 4799 Shattuck Ave, Oakland

http://oaklandprivacy.org/next-meeting/

Thur Feb 2. – Sat Feb 4  Times:  Thur: 5:30pm – 11:00pm; Fri: 9am – 12:30pm. [Lunch Break] 2pm – 5pm. [Dinner Break] 7pm – 11pm; Sat: 9am – 5pm. [Dinner Break] 7pm – 11pm

Who:  Sister Giant (Marianne Williamson)

What:  On The Intersection of Spirituality and Politics

Partial list of  speakers:  Bernie Saunders, Alan Grayson, Thom Hartmann, Dennis Kucinich, John Fugelsang, etc.  $149 to attend in WDC, $50 to livestream

Where:  Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, in Arlington, VA

http://sistergiant.com/

Sun Feb 5.  Time: 1 pm

Who:  Oakland Justice Coalition

What: Presentation: “Remaking an American City: How the Richmond Progressive Alliance turned a company town into a model for municipal action in the Trump Era”

Guest speaker: Steve Early

Where: 1830 Lakeshore Ave #104, Oakland

Presented by the Oakland Justice Coalition

Sun Feb 26.  Time:  4 pm

Who:  Courage Campaign

What:  The second “Speak Your Truth” event

Agenda:  Let’s come together as a community to vent, cry, share ideas for action, and get inspired! Just being together with like-minded people will help all of us heal in these challenging times. This time we’ll review what

everyone has been able to accomplish in the last two months and then we’ll plan to do more… I’ll try to get someone from the ACLU or the SF Human Rights Commission to come and talk to us as well. Our first meeting was quite a success – I’m sure our second one will be too!

Where:  Must reserve to see location.  http://act.couragecampaign.org/event/CourageousResistanceCommunityMeeting/339/signup/?akid=&zip=

 

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Posted in Featured Content Political Action by Michael Tigges. Comments Off on Alan Brill’s Calendar of Events

Alameda Civil Grand Jury Report on the Garbage/Recycling Contract

The following is an excerpt from the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury’s 2016 Final Report.  It addresses the issue of excess (or unfair) garbage / recycling fees charged to small businesses.

CITY OF OAKLAND’S COSTLY PURSUIT OF ZERO  WASTE  FRANCHISE CONTRACTS

alameda-county-civil-grand-jury-on-excess-garbage-fees

EXECUTIVE  SUMMARY

The Grand Jury received numerous citizen complaints concerning increases to garbage and composting collection rates in the city of Oakland as a result of the city’s new Zero Waste franchise contracts. The Grand Jury also received citizen complaints that these 2015 franchise agreements for garbage and recycling collection had been awarded improperly; that garbage collection rates charged to Oakland businesses violated California law; and that $30 million in franchise fees paid to the city passed on to Oakland ratepayers are an alleged “illegal tax.”

The Grand Jury undertook a comprehensive investigation  related  to  the solicitation and award of the city’s Zero Waste contracts. The Grand Jury determined that: (1) although intended, the city’s contracting process failed to achieve a competitive bidding environment; (2)  the  city’s  contracting  process  was for all intents and purposes abandoned by  the  city  council  before  the  process was completed; (3) even though intended, the city’s contracting process lacked reasonable transparency; (4) collection rates paid by Oakland businesses and multi-family residences were markedly  higher  than  surrounding communities; and (5) franchise fees paid by the city’s garbage  collection  contractor, passed on to Oakland ratepayers, are disproportionately higher than franchise  fees paid to  other Bay Area municipalities  and special    districts.

A franchise agreement is an authorization granting an exclusive contract by a government entity to a private enterprise enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities. Oakland ratepayers are the primary beneficiaries of the Zero Waste franchise contracts.

The city council owed a duty to, among other things, safeguard the ratepayers’ financial interests. Nevertheless, the city council failed its duty. Reasonable  financial analysis of numerous ancillary collection services  directly  impacting  rates was not performed, and there was little to no public debate concerning disproportionately  high  franchise fees.

BACKGROUND

In 2006, the city of Oakland enacted a Zero Waste policy and corresponding strategic plan. The city’s intent was to reduce  refuse  tonnage  deposited  in  landfills  by 90%, from 400,000 tons in  2006, to  40,000 tons  in    2020.

Over the next nine years the city  implemented  its  Zero  Waste  strategic  plan.  They designed a process and schedule for soliciting franchise contracts for collection, diversion, recycling and landfill  disposal  services.  These  were  essential elements to achieving the city’s environmental goals. These contracts needed to be in place well in advance of June 2015, the expiration of an existing citywide collection and disposal services contract with Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC), and a recycling collection contract  with  California  Waste Solutions (CWS) that covered a portion of Oakland. A lapse of service between contracts would result in uncollected garbage creating  a  significant  public  health  crisis.

In 2009, the city hired a consulting firm to assist its public works staff  in  developing and implementing a Request for Proposal  (RFP)  process  for  the  award of franchise contracts for: (1) garbage and compostables collection (in the city’s RFPs, garbage and compostable materials  are  referred  to  as  “Mixed Material and Organics”), (2) residential recycling collection, and  (3)  landfill disposal services. In addition to setting forth the technical performance requirements for the anticipated  contracts, the  city’s  RFPs  also  sought  to  foster a competitive bidding environment. In short, the city hoped to receive multiple contract proposals from a spectrum of potential contractors.

In the course of developing the RFP, the city council issued 32 policy directives to public works staff. Specific directives required: that licensing recyclers serve Oakland businesses; that franchise contracts include provisions on city policies for equal benefits, living wage, and campaign contributions; that disclosure of a felony history be eliminated from initial job applications; requirements to pay competitive wages and benefits, defined as equivalent or better than collectively bargained contracts in surrounding counties; inclusion to the maximum extent possible of Oakland local business and employment of Oakland residents; labor peace plans in the event of labor disputes or unrest; and requirement for a customer service call center located within Alameda County. During the RFP process, a specific policy directive mandated a “cone of silence” which was imposed to safeguard the integrity of the city’s RFP process by keeping proposers from improperly influencing elected officials.

In 2012, the city issued two formal, comprehensive RFPs for: (1) collection of garbage and compostables, and  collection  of  residential  recycling,  and  (2)  landfill disposal services. The city’s two  RFPs  collectively  numbered more  than 500 pages of contract requirements and bid submission procedures. The  city  issued fourteen addenda to the original RFPs for the two collection services contracts, and seven addenda to the original RFP for  landfill  disposal  services. Most of the  city’s  issued  addenda  answered  bidder’s  questions,  clarified  contract  provisions,  or revised  proposal  submittal times.

On April 24, 2012, in a report to the city council, staff cautioned that “established industry standards for these types of Contracts necessitate thoughtful application of provisions to secure the desired economic and social benefits … [and] the RFP process must strike a balance between securing economic benefits for Oakland and achieving the best customer rates for the services, it must guard against unintentional bias or infeasible requirements that would suppress competition.”

Over the course of the next three years, the city engaged in what can only be described as a tortured procurement process. This process evolved dramatically toward its conclusion and culminated in the award of three franchise contracts       to two incumbent firms. Even though the city started the contracting process in 2011, and with good intentions, the city ultimately ran out of time and thus lost control of key final decisions. The city’s goal was that the selection  process  be open and transparent. However, the process moved to “behind closed-door” negotiations between the two contractors. In the end,  the  public  and  even  city staff were left on the   sidelines.

INVESTIGATION

During the course of its investigation the Grand Jury reviewed thousands of pages of documents, screened several hours of Oakland City Council meeting videos, reviewed statutes and ordinances, and interviewed city officials, complainants and other citizens.

The documents examined by the Grand Jury included: RFP’s for each of the three franchise agreements, contract proposals submitted by WMAC and CWS, best and final offers submitted by WMAC and CWS, Oakland Public Works staff and consultant’s reports, city council meeting minutes, the Memorandum of Agreement between WMAC and CWS, correspondence, and the final executed franchise contracts awarded to WMAC and CWS.

The Grand Jury examined and analyzed hundreds of pages of garbage and recycling collection rate sheets submitted to the city by WMAC and CWS, including the final rate sheets incorporated into the executed franchise contracts. In addition, the Grand Jury examined garbage, composting, and recycling rates charged in other Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa communities, and examined franchise fees paid to other California municipalities for comparable garbage, composting, and recycling services.

The City Received Only Two Responsive  Contract   Proposals

The RFP requirements never achieved the city’s goal to create a competitive bidding  environment  for  the  city’s  Zero  Waste  franchise  contracts.   Initially, sixpotential bidders expressed interest for garbage and recycling collection services, and five potential bidders for landfill disposal services. However, in January 2013, the city received contract proposals from only two firms, the incumbent entities CWS and WMAC. A third proposal was received that was deemed unresponsive to the city’s bidding requirements.

CWS submitted a contract proposal for garbage and recycling services, but not for landfill disposal services. WMAC submitted a contract proposal for all three franchise contracts. In its proposal, WMAC submitted a discounted, “bundled rate” structure, conditioned on the city awarding all three franchise contracts to WMAC. In the evaluation process, city staff raised questions whether the CWS proposal was in fact responsive in light of infrastructure required to perform garbage collection services and in the time frame required to perform the service.

The Grand Jury reviewed documents showing that an innovative bid was contemplated by a third contractor. This bidder indicated that they were capable of providing the services, but the structure of the RFP was inflexible after its release. For example, the contractor believed that the city might be better served with a city-owned transfer station, but the RFP did not appear to allow for such innovation.

As a non-incumbent contractor, this third potential bidder would need to construct a transfer station, and observed its construction would be at a significant capital cost. Furthermore, environmental requirements could take 3-

5 years to obtain approvals, which would delay a new transfer station being operable until half-way through the contract period. In the interim, the contractor would have to pay a third party a premium to perform that function. It was apparent to this contractor that such an investment was too risky. Unfortunately, the city did not recognize that the RFP favored an incumbent bidder with an existing infrastructure until it was too late.

City Staff Was Under-Resourced and Lacked the Time to Manage the Complexity of the RFP Process and Implementation of Oakland’s Zero Waste Strategic Plan

The Grand Jury heard testimony that the city’s RFP process was the first of its kind for the city of Oakland for establishing waste franchise contracts. No prior existing process was in place, and public works staff was challenged by the complexity and volume of what was required to evaluate and negotiate the contract proposals received from WMAC and CWS.

For close to six months, from January to June 2013, public works staff and the city’s retained consultant evaluated proposals submitted by CWS and WMAC.

In June 2013, city staff presented its  evaluation  to  the  city  council,  recommending  that  staff  conduct  separate  contract  negotiations  in  parallel with CWS and WMAC. Acting on the city council’s direction, public works staff commenced negotiations with CWS and WMAC. Noteworthy, staff’s parallel negotiations would extend over the next year. Time for an ordered contract transition was quickly running out. Likely unintended, this extended period of negotiation  also  resulted in a vacuum of public    information.

In May 2014, public works staff recommended the city award all three franchise contracts to WMAC. Staff advised the city council that WMAC’s bundled rate structure provided the lowest overall rate option for Oakland citizens. However, the city council rejected those recommendations, directed staff to continue contract negotiations, and to solicit best and final offers (BAFO) from CWS and WMAC, and allowed CWS to expand its bid to include the landfill disposal services.

On June 13, 2014, CWS and WMAC submitted best and final offers.   For the  first time, CWS included in its BAFO a proposal for landfill disposal services. At this juncture, with just a year to the expiration of existing collection contracts, the contracting process started to devolve. New parties were injected into the contract negotiations at the last hour. City staff was presented best and final offers that were in many regards new contract proposals. Indeed, CWS’ BAFO submission numbered more than 700 pages. The Grand Jury notes that initial proposals had taken more than 18 months to evaluate and negotiate. City staff was now asked to compress its evaluation and present final recommendations in less than six weeks. At this point neither the complex process that had been designed, nor the expertise of the consultants that had been hired, could be sufficiently utilized.

Following its review and analysis of the contractors’ BAFO submissions, public works staff again recommended that the city’s most prudent option was to award all three franchise contracts to WMAC. Staff pointedly advised the city council that WMAC’s proposal “would provide the best value for the Oakland ratepayers and the best customer experience, while meeting the city’s Zero Waste Goal.” Further, in its agenda report to the city council, staff identified concerns that CWS lacked the existing infrastructure necessary to perform services at the expiration of the existing contract. Despite staff’s warning that it risked a critical interruption to services at the expiration of the existing contracts, the city council voted to award all three franchise contracts to  CWS.

In Light of a Negotiated Settlement Between WMAC and CWS, The City’s Contracting Process Was in Essence Abandoned, Moved Behind Closed Doors, and Lacked Transparency

In August 2014 WMAC filed a lawsuit against the city and CWS alleging various irregular actions related to  the  contracting  process.  WMAC  sought  to  rescind  the ordinances awarding all three franchise agreements to  CWS.  At  the  same  time, WMAC began collecting signatures for a ballot referendum that asked  Oakland voters to invalidate the ordinances awarding the franchise contracts to CWS. Had the measure qualified for the ballot,  the  final  determination  of  the  Zero Waste contractor would have  come  after  the  existing  contracts  had  expired. The city was in danger of potentially losing  garbage  services,  and  creating  a  public  health crisis.

In September 2014, WMAC and CWS settled their dispute and as part of the agreement, WMAC dropped its lawsuit and referendum efforts. The parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement that provided WMAC would be awarded franchise contracts for garbage and compostable collection, and landfill/disposal services, and CWS would retain the portion of the new franchise contract for residential recycling collection. The parties also agreed that WMAC would pay a total of $15 million to CWS: $2.5 million in settlement of all costs and fees and other claims and $12.5 million for “a ten year right of first refusal … for any of CWS recycling businesses in Alameda County….” The parties’ Memorandum of Agreement was conditioned on the city council amending its ordinance to award the franchise contracts as CWS and WMAC had agreed.

Within days, the city council voted to adopt the agreement. With little time for staff analysis, on September 29, 2014, the city council voted to amend its ordinance to award a franchise contract for garbage and compostables collection and landfill disposal services to WMAC, and to maintain the franchise contract for residential recycling with CWS. Shortly thereafter, the city council voted to extend the term for CWS’ franchise contract from an initial 10 year term to 20 years pursuant to the MOA.

The Grand Jury  investigated  whether the  city  of Oakland  was an integral  party  to the settlement agreement between WMAC and CWS, but found no  such  evidence. Instead, evidence presented to the Grand Jury suggests the city was marginally involved, if at all, other than simply ratifying the end result of the agreement.

The Grand Jury found that the city staff’s initial recommendation, to award all three franchise contracts to WMAC, was the least costly alternative for ratepayers. City council repeatedly rejected staff recommendations, placing  the contracting process and timeline for award in jeopardy. This undermined the contracting process and produced a non-competitive result.

Impact to Oakland Ratepayers Received Insufficient Attention from Public Works Staff and the Oakland City   Council.

From the onset, staff and city council knew that implementing the Zero  Waste policy would result in substantial increases for Oakland’s ratepayers, thus emphasizing the need for thorough cost  and  rate  analysis.  The  Grand  Jury  looked for evidence that analysis of the estimated costs of the services provided under the franchise contracts bore a reasonable relationship to rates charged to Oakland’s citizens. The Grand  Jury  also  sought  evidence  that  numerous  economic provisions identified in the city council’s 32 policy directives had been analyzed to identify costs and corresponding impact to Oakland’s ratepayers. However, no evidence was presented to the Grand Jury indicating the  value  of many ancillary service costs had been analyzed,  or  that  other  economic  provisions had been analyzed  for  potential  impact  to  ratepayers.  The  Grand  Jury also heard testimony that no analysis was performed related to ancillary collection  services,  such  as  bin  push rates.

It appears to the Grand Jury that the city council paid minimal attention to the impact of the cost for services provided to the ratepayers. The contract awarded to WMAC for garbage collection and landfill disposal services includes the following provisions directly impacting  ratepayers:

  • rates are adjusted annually to fully capture WMAC’s increased costs based on new or increased franchise fees and government fees;
  • rate adjustments include additional 1.5% over and above other adjustments for the second through fifth contract years resulting in lower first year  costs;
  • a special Local 6 labor wage adjustment for the second through fifth contract years;
  • proposal reimbursement fees of $750,000 paid to  city;
  • city may set other fees as it deems necessary, with garbage collection service rates adjusted to include such other fees; and
  • WMAC collections services for the city, as enumerated in the contract, are provided without

The city council neither requested, nor performed, its own analysis to determine the corresponding economic impact to Oakland ratepayers for these contract requirements.

In addition, again with no apparent economic impact analysis, the city council required WMAC to subcontract for services that WMAC was capable of providing on its own. WMAC was obligated to enter into a subcontract with a jobs training nonprofit to “provide organics collection for commercial ratepayers on a subscription basis,” and a subcontract with a local utility district “for processing and diversion of organics collected from commercial ratepayers.” Evidence presented to the Grand Jury indicated WMAC could self-perform these services at a lower cost to ratepayers.

Public Not Clear How Rates Paid for Residential and Commercial Collection Services Are Reasonably Related to the Actual Cost of Services

In order to establish the impact of the new contract rates on the citizens of Oakland, the Grand Jury collected rate sheets for nine Alameda County cities. The Grand Jury compared monthly rates for the standard residential single- family dwelling garbage, recycling and organics collection as well as the rates for commercial trash and organics collection for one to six cubic yard bins from one to six times weekly.

The Grand Jury’s comparison showed Oakland’s rate for residential single- family dwellings as well as the rates for commercial trash collection to be  toward the higher end, but reasonably similar to the other cities in the county. However, at the time of the study by the Grand Jury, all rates for the collection   of organics from commercial ratepayers were 33% higher than average and the highest in the county.

In response to the outcry of local small businesses and multi-unit residential ratepayers, these rates have since been adjusted closer to the county average. This rate reduction was achieved at the expense of a number of original requirements the city council demanded, including a local call center, extension of the contract term, community outreach, and options to increase rates further in the future.

A second comparison study was also performed by the Grand Jury contrasting the rates in the original proposals of both WMAC and CWS, their best and final offers and the final contract awarded to WMAC by the city. This study clearly shows reductions across the board for single family residential as well as commercial waste collection and recycling, along with significant increases in the rates for the collection of organics from those same commercial customers, in an apparent attempt to balance out the needed reductions.

The Grand Jury also requested a recap of the total book of business (the anticipated rates that would be collected under the core contract) resulting from these contract negotiations. The city estimate was $111.3 million annually, which was $655,000 more than WMAC’s original proposal and $1.4 million over their “best and final offer” for each year.

The Franchise Fees Paid to the City Are Disproportionate in Size Compared to Similar  Fees  Paid  to  Other Municipalities.

The franchise agreement awarded to WMAC  provides  for  a  $30  million  “franchise fee,” paid  annually,  and  passed  on  per  the  agreement  to  ratepayers. A franchise fee has been in existence  in  previous  waste  contracts.  The  Grand  Jury surveyed  franchise  fees  paid  to  surrounding  government  entities  and found that the franchise fees paid to the city of Oakland by WMAC under its  contract are disproportionately higher than those surrounding government  entities. Over the life of this ten-year agreement, with annual increases  as  provided, over $300 million in additional fees are to be absorbed by Oakland’s ratepayers.

The Grand Jury is troubled that these fees, which represent 30% of the ratepayers’ monthly bills, were not transparently reported or openly discussed with the public at any time during the contracting process.

CONCLUSION

Evidence presented to the Grand Jury indicates that significant resources were allocated to design and achieve a competitive bidding environment for the city’s RFP without achieving its goals. The city of Oakland paid over $1 million for consulting services  for  guidance  in  the  RFP  and  contract  award  process.  Several years of work by city staff were also dedicated to the creation of a competitive bidding process. Given the inordinate time and resources expended during the course of the RFP process, and the substantial monetary value of the anticipated franchise contracts, the city expected multiple  bidders  and  competitive contract proposals. However, the process was  ultimately ineffective and failed to achieve  this   result.

The process was originally designed to be independent of political influence with every effort to ensure transparency. For example, the Zero Waste website published every major document, staff report, and notices of meetings relating to the process. It was a genuine effort to educate the community with continuous updates on the process. In the end, this process was abandoned. The final decisions about how the contracts would ultimately be awarded, the rates, and the last minute payouts between contractors were a mystery to the public and to the city. New rate tables and the contractors’ settlement were distributed to staff and to the council. And, without meaningful analysis, the contracts were approved by the Oakland City Council a short time later.

FINDINGS

 Finding 16-6:

Financial analysis of numerous contract provisions providing  for  economic benefits to the city  was  insufficient.  Little  or  no  analysis  of  the  ultimate financial  impact to ratepayers was  performed.

Finding 16-7: The city of Oakland’s contracting process failed to achieve a competitive bidding environment.

Finding 16-8: The city drafted RFP provisions that favored the incumbents and suppressed competition.

Finding 16-9: The city’s official contracting process was abandoned and replaced by the contractors’  closed-door negotiations.

Finding 16-10: Public transparency was undermined by the contractors’ closed-door negotiations.

Finding 16-11: There was little to no public debate before the city council concerning disproportionately  high  franchise fees.

Finding 16-12: Collection rates paid by Oakland businesses and multi-family residences were markedly higher than those in surrounding communities.

Finding 16-13: Franchise fees paid by the city’s garbage collection contractor, passed on to Oakland ratepayers, are disproportionately higher than franchise fees  paid  to other  Bay  Area  municipalities  and  special districts.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation  16-4: Given the complexity and enormous financial impact of the existing franchise contracts, the city of Oakland should start planning and preparing to solicit competitive bids for contracts to be in place sufficiently in advance of the expiration of the existing agreements.

Recommendation  16-5: The city of Oakland should ensure, when available, that the RFP processes be flexible enough to allow potential vendors to propose alternative, innovative responses.

Recommendation  16-6: The city of Oakland must ensure that subsequent agreements are solicited and awarded with complete transparency to the ratepayers, the parties whom ultimately bear the cost of the services. Rates charged should be reasonably related to the cost of the services provided.

Recommendation  16-7: To ensure transparency, the city of Oakland must publicly report on and have public discussion regarding franchise fees (and how those fees are to be used) in any city contract.

Recommendation  16-8: The Oakland City Council must ensure adequate resources to validate the completeness and accuracy of contract proposals. This may require the support of an independent financial analysis.

Recommendation  16-9: The city of Oakland should immediately begin to consider a long term strategy to correction of the short-comings of the current contract, including:

  1. Specific timelines and milestones required to assure a truly competitive process is developed;
  2. Evaluation of innovations such as a city-owned transfer station;
  3. Regular financial review and assessment focused on the actual cost of services provided and ratepayer impact; and
  4. Involvement of impacted communities and public

RESPONSES REQUIRED

Responding   Agencies   –  Please  see  page  125  for   instructions

Mayor, City of Oakland:

Findings 16-6 through 16-13

Recommendations 16-4 through 16-9

Oakland City Council:

Findings 16-6 through 16-13

Recommendations 16-4 through 16-9

 

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BBBON SC Notes

BBBON Steering Committee Meeting

 October 13, 2016

 Decisions and Action Items

Campaign

  • Continue to concentrate in Districts 5 and 7
  • Walk in the last three weeks for Noel Gallo, and Rosie Torres (1), Michael Hutchinson (2)
  • Continue to push Measures HH, JJ and LL
  • Send email blast to mailing list and make phone calls to get more walkers and phone bankers
  • Appeal to Cantonese speakers to join phone bank to Chinese Americans organized by Jean and Floyd

Next GA

  • On November 10, at either Madison Lofts or 1200 Lakeshore. Sharon will get venue.
  • Will have a small panel, including Jean Quan and Pamela Drake, to talk about lessons of the election.
  • Floyd and Jennifer will create a proposal about how to continue to involve young people in BBBON (building on the experience of the “intergenerational” meetings that have been held for the last few months.
  • We will not have a formal holiday party as we did last year, but instead will ask for volunteers to organize a fundraising event for the next GA, February 9, 2017. That meeting will also be the BBBON Annual meeting as stipulated in the by-laws.

Request for SC to consider supporting Oakland small businesses on the question of fair rates for garbage collection

John Claasson, D4 BBBON chair, had asked us to consider supporting the cause of small business owners who are fighting against high or unfair garbage / recycling fees.  We had sent the attached report from the Alameda Civil Grand Jury tp provide background.  But John could not attend the SC meeting and not many of us had read the report, so we decided on the following: Sharon and John will discuss what action(s) might be taken by BBBON and make a presentation at the next SC meeting.  In the meantime, SC members are urged to read the attached report.

Announcements

Marilyn Lawson, BBBON D6 chair, has organized the annual Health Fair at Lion Creek Crossing apartment complex on Saturday, October 15 (subsequently postponed to October 22 due to rain).  We will assure that campaign literature is there.

 

Posted in Featured Content Minutes by Michael Tigges. Comments Off on BBBON SC Notes

Wellstone DRC Oakland General Election Flyer

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To view the pdf: wellstone_bbbon_oakland_final

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Wellstone DRC Berkeley General Election Flyer

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To view the pdf: wellstone_4pg-campaign_berkeley_11x17-final

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Announcing the Annual BBBON Picnic

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Posted in Featured Content General Assembly by Michael Tigges. Comments Off on Announcing the Annual BBBON Picnic

A Week of Action in Oakland

Here is the text of a letter we received calling on BBBON to join the movement:

Dear Allies:

Our City is under siege and has been since Libby Schaaf took office.  Backed by large developers and private interests, she has moved with impunity while destroying and displacing communities of color in Oakland.  Also since her election as Oakland’s mayor, the community has resisted her policies and practices with a myriad of beautiful tactics, actions and strategies.

Now, Oakland is losing thousands of families per month to displacement, the Police Department is embroiled in yet another scandal and businesses like Uber are moving into our city without almost no accountability. The Anti Police-Terror Project, Black Power Network, ACCE Action, East Bay Organizing Committee (EBOC/Fight for 15). The East 12th Coalition and others invite you to a march & action to ReClaim our city and continue Oakland’s resistance that will be part of a larger “week of actions’ beginning on Monday, June 13th.

What:  March & action to ReClaim Oakland to demand:  immediate protections for renters, redirecting City money to protect low wage workers & public education around connection between police terror, displacement and the impact on our schools/young people. This will be a culminating event that’s part of a larger “week of actions” beginning on Monday, June 13th

When:  Friday, June 17th gathering @ 3pm/march begins at 3:30

Where:  Meet @ E. 12th Parcel (diagonally across from 1200 Lakeshore Avenue on the estuary off Lake Merritt)   We will be rallying @ the E. 12th space and marching downtown to lift up our demands

The week will target the repressive policies and practices of the Schaaf administration and fight back against private interests and large developers who are displacing our families and driving up rents. Our plan is to focus on:

– Pressuring the City Council to extend the housing moratorium

– ​Building pressure to place the Oakland Renter Protection Act measure on the November ballot

– Public education campaign around the connection between police terror, displacement and the impact on our schools/young people.

-Demands for community benefits including good jobs, affordable housing, and community stability to ensure that new development serves existing residents and workers.

We encourage you to share this far & wide and please RSVP by responding to this email if you will be able to attend.

In solidarity,

Black Power Network

Anti-Police Terror Project

ACCE Action

East Bay Organizing Committee (Fight for 15)

Since this arrived as an attachment, the RSVP address was lost.  Best bet is to go to Google to find the sponsor’s web sites for more information and to respond.

Posted in Housing Political Action Public Safety by Michael Tigges. Comments Off on A Week of Action in Oakland

Rally for Police Accountability

This is the text of a letter we are asking you to send to City Council members

McElhaney (D3Intern@oaklandnet.com)

Campbell-Washington (ACampbellWashington@oaklandnet.com)

Guillen (clchen@oaklandnet.com)

Reid (lreid@oaklandnet.com)

in advance of the June 14th rally and hearing:

Dear Council Member ___________________

 

Oakland has spent more than 30 million dollars monitoring the Negotiated Settlement Agreement over the Oakland Police Department since 2003 and over 65 million dollars on wrongful death and police brutality lawsuits. How many affordable housing units or police academies could those funds have provided for our city?

As you know, a group of concerned citizens and [30] organizations, known as the Oakland Police Accountability Coalition including the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the League of Women Voters, SEIU Local 1021, ACCE, the Oakland Alliance, and the Block by Block Organizing Network have discussed the need for a truly independent police commission that could be set up when the current federal oversight ends. The Coalition has researched existing versions, interviewed attorneys, police specialists and sitting commissioners in other cities and come up with a unique new model of police oversight.

Since an independent commission requires a charter change and a citywide election, we are requesting that you join with Council Members Kalb, Gallo, and Kaplan to put this carefully wrought measure on the November ballot rather than substituting a weaker ordinance that does not provide true citizen accountability. A measure that continues to give the mayor or a city administrator the option of declining to impose discipline, for instance, would restrict true police department reform and leave us open for more abuse and additional lawsuits in the future.

This is a good government measure that provides transparency and real community engagement with police operations for all Oakland residents. As progressives, we expect no less from our representatives. We hope you will join with progressive council colleagues to place it on the ballot.

Signed

Pamela Drake, Sheryl Walton, Sharon Rose, Floyd Huen, Rich Johnson, Michael Tigges

You can copy and paste the text into your favorite text editor, or download it from here: Progressives’ Police Accountability Measure

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