Proclamation
Lois Butler
July 16, 2024
Whereas, in 2016, Lois Butler joined the City of Alameda as its Economic Development Manager and over the past eight years has contributed significantly to the City, its local businesses, and residents; and Whereas, Lois was instrumental in reviving important community and economic development initiatives , including the popular Façade Improvement Grants and Public Art Program , and oversaw the Public Art Commission which, during Lois’s tenure, adopted the Public Art Master Plan and awarded more than $500,000 in Public Art Grants; and Whereas, During the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Lois Butler organized the City’s Economic Recovery Task Force to rapidly assist the most impacted business sectors and populations . This task force then helped oversee distribution of over $1 million in emergency grants to bolster local small businesses and non-profit organizations; and Whereas, Lois also assisted with the “Alameda Strong ” campaign, a small business grant program that helped local restaurants, bars, retailers, and service providers stay in business during mandated COVID-19 shutdowns; and Whereas, Lois supported another Pandemic program , “Feed Alameda,” initiated by Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft to generate income for local restaurants while providing the City’s most vulnerable residents with healthy packaged hot meals. Ms.
Butler personally helped distribute these meals each week; and Whereas, Lois Butler championed workforce development for Alameda residents, including teens, by coordinating job fairs and the annual Youth Career and Summer Job Fair for high school students; and Whereas, Lois Butler has been a steadfast advocate for providing services for Alameda’s unhoused population. She worked with our Economic Development Department on the successful application for a $12.3 million grant from California’s HomeKey Program which was used to build Dignity Village, Interim Supportive Housing for 60 formerly unsheltered individuals and an on- site residential manager , and helped secure an additional $2.35 million grant for operating expenses from Alameda County; and
Whereas, Lois and her team have tirelessly supported the Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance, the Downtown Alameda Business Association and West Alameda Business Association, co -sponsoring many special events, including Restaurant Week and the “Shop Local” campaign; and
Whereas, Lois Butler has been Alameda’s Ambassador, attending special event s, mixers, and celebrations, getting to know the City’s business community, listening to and addressing their concerns, and advocating for them; and Whereas, for the past eight years, in her quiet, soft -spoken manner, Lois has demonstrated compassion and sound judgment, and assured the professional development, advancement, and personal well-being of her team, while always focused on civic responsibility and the greater good. Lois Butler most definitely leaves the City of Alameda a better place than she found it.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of the City of Alameda on behalf of the Alameda City Council, do hereby convey our City’s gratitude to Lois Butler for her eight years of admirable service and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor