SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2023
DOCUMENTS RECEIVED
AFTER PUBLISHED
AGENDA
ITEM #1
CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
APPT 23-001
January 7, 2023
Dear Hayward City Council Members,
I am writing in support of Artavia Berry, my mother, to serve in the vacant seat on City Council.
I believe her mission to serve was nurtured by a humble upbringing; she knows what it means tobe impoverished and overworked. Therefore, she is considerate of people who continue toexperience incessant hardship. I find her combination of empathy and practicality invaluable asshe is always thinking about how she can help improve the lives of those around her.
Her ambition to leadership has been recognized by multiple publications including ones from,Newsweek, The Mercury News, and The New York Times.
As her daughter, I must confess that her parenting style has always been strict yet fair; I believeshe will bring the same energy to the City of Hayward if she were to be appointed.
Stay safe,
Angel L’Mae Roberson
January 7, 2023
Dear Hayward City Council Members:
My name is Angela Johnson, and I’m writing today to express my support for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat on City Council.
I have known Artavia for approximately for 3 years through our work together with the Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She an authentic leader, a spiritual being, who is well respected by the community, her networks. Artavia has consistently shown a passion for public service throughout the past 30 years and can be demonstrated by her work with the City of Chicago Meals on Wheels, and as the co-leader for Christ the King Jesuit High School.
As a resident of Hayward, she has continued her public service by volunteering on many important issues that have led to significant resources and visibility for the City, including delivering nearly $500,000 in literacy intervention & Support services to young learners in Hayward Unified School District, helping Hayward secure a 2
nd Promise Neighborhood Initiative Gran for $30MM, expanding the Jefferson Awards Recognition Programs in Hayward and the most recent work on Healing and Restitution for Russell City, which I was made aware via the front page of the New Yor Times! Her service as the Commissioner on the Hayward Community Services Commission has been a valuable access point for local leaders to learn about the funding process, gain new partnership opportunities and she has a compassionate voice of leadership for expanding resources for our most vulnerable community members.
I appreciate Artavia’s gentle yet powerful spirit. I serve on the Social Action Committee with her, and we have planned and implemented various projects/actions within the Hayward community such as hosting a Voter Registration booth at the Juneteenth event. In addition, I have witnessed her gift for mediating conflict if it arises to deconflict the situation.
This is just a snapshot of the leadership the City of Hayward would gain by appointing Artavia to the vacant seat. The City of Hayward would be lucky to have Artavia on the Council and I urge you to move forward with appointing her.
Sincerely,
Angela Johnson
Hayward-Tri City Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
www.DeltaHaywardTriCity.org
Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
P.O. Box 4113
Hayward, CA 94540
January 5, 2023
Dear Hayward City Council Members:
My name is April V. Lampkin and I’m writing today to express my support for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat on City Council.
I have known Artavia for 3 years through our work together as a members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She is an authentic leader, well respected and trusted by the community to listen and collaborate to deliver results.
From her early work in Chicago with Delta Sigma Theta, Public Allies Chicago, Meals on Wheels, the City of Chicago and as the co-leader Christ the King Jesuit High School – Artavia has consistently shown a passion for public service throughout the past 30 years.
As a resident of Hayward, she has continued her service by volunteering on many important issues that have led to significant resources and visibility for the City, including delivering nearly $500,000 in literacy intervention & support services to young learners in Hayward Unified School District, helping Hayward secure a 2nd Promise Neighborhood Initiative Grant for $30MM, expanding the Jefferson Awards Recognition Programs in Hayward and the most recent work on Healing and Restitution for Russell City, which I read about on the front page of the New York Times.
Her service as a Commissioner on the Hayward Community Services Commission has been a valuable access point for local leaders to learn about the funding process, gain new partnership opportunities and she has been a compassionate voice of leadership for expanding resources for our most vulnerable community members. This is just a snapshot of the leadership the City would gain by appointing Artavia to the vacant seat.
The City of Hayward would be lucky to have Artavia on the Council and I urge you to move forward with appointing her.
Sincerely,
April V. Lampkin, President
Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter
ΔΣΘ Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Arielle Danzy
Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
ARRIETTA CHAKOS | URBAN RESILIENCE STRATEGIES | 1442A WALNUT STREET, #178 | BERKELEY, CA 94709
December 13, 2022
The Honorable Mark Salinas, Mayor
Members, City Council
City of Hayward , California
Mayor Salinas and City Council Members:
I'm writing to support the appointment of Ray Bonilla, Jr. to Hayward's City Council. I've worked with Ray the last twelve years on high -profile regional and national resilience initiatives and know him to be an outstanding member the of Hayward and the Bay Area communities.
As a former City of Berkeley official and in my current p ublic policy practice, I've rarely seen an individual as committed as Ray Bonilla; his dedication to Hayward is unparalleled. Beginning in high school, and continuing for almost two decades, Ray has served on multiple boards and commissions, starting with the Hayward Youth Commission. A commitment t o community frames his involvement as a public servant.
This commitment has a long reach.
In his tenure as Kaiser Permanente’s national resiliency director, Ray elevated the professional application of community resilience, sustainability and equity in the Bay Area and the nation. His p rofessional accomplishments are distinctive; he worked with the Resilience Policy team at the Association of Bay Area Governments where we developed landmark resilience initiatives for the region’s 101 cities and 9 counties to address disaster risk and craft sustainable safety interventions. Collaboratively, we developed sample resilience legislation; building code guidelines for seismic and sea level rise safety; and, disaster recov ery planning for local application.
He is a nationally recognized leader in America’s resilience community -of-practice. As a master business continuity professional, Ray was an appointed member of the Resilient America Roundtable at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.
With our committee colleagues, we both served as advisors to the White House and the Congress on resilience public policy and its application in local communi ties across the country. In communities hit by hurricanes, f looding and earthquakes, the committee aimed at supporting pre -disaster planning to reduce damages and human suffering. Ray was an avid advocate to promote frontline communities and the access to equitable planning and fiscal resources to implement resilience actions for safer housing and improving post-disaster outcomes.
His role as deputy Incident Commander for Kaiser Permanente’s response to COVID , where he led the organization’s internal response, supported communities and governments and provided COVID vaccines to high -risk, vulnerable communities. This
ARRIETTA CHAKOS | URBAN RESILIENCE STRATEGIES | 1442A WALNUT STREET, #178 | BERKELEY, CA 947069
recent work prompted the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Health Security to appoint Ray to its CommuniVax Project advisory board. The national program on health equity and vaccine access was funded by the Ch an Zuckerberg Initiative and focused on pilot communities to increase national vaccine and clinical care access for communities of color. Ray guided the development of a health equity playbook for local governments, regarded as a policy primer across the nation.
Ray keenly understands, appreciates and loves Hayward. His experience with daunting challenges--climate chaos; social inequity, co mmunity health and housing shortages — provides leadership with accomplishment to enact prudent and effective solutions with equity among diverse community stakeholders. Ray has a long record of achievement for driving results, collaborating and developing strategies to address community needs.
I recommend Ray Bonilla's appointment to Hayward's City Council with the utmost confidence given his leadership in service to the community and its resilient future.
Sincerely,
Arrietta Chakos
Principal
From: Arzo Mehdavi
To: List-Mayor-Council; Miriam Lens
Subject: Public Comment for Council member appointment
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 11:56:23 PM
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Hello respected Mayor, Council members, and Ms. Lens,
My name is Arzo Mehdavi. I’m a former Community Services Commissioner and Chairperson and an active Hayward Community member. I’m writing to you asking that you please consider and vote in Ray Bonilla for the vacant Council Member position.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ray when I joined the Community Services Commission back in 2015. He was the Chairperson at that time. His great leadership, commitment to community, and service inspired me to strive further within the commission and to become a better public servant. Ray is Hayward born and raised. He has given so much of his time and love to our Hayward Community. Through his work on the different Boards and Commissions and his community work, Ray has shown true dedication to making our City the best place to live and work. As a resident of Hayward, I cannot imagine a better candidate. I give my full support to Ray Bonilla becoming our newest Council Member. Thank you all for your time.
From: Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Social Action Committee
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: Letter of Support - Artavia Berry for Hayward City Council Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 12:48:03 AM
Attachments: HTCAC Social Action Letter of Support_Artavia Berry_Hayward City Council Candidate.docx.pdf CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.
Greetings Council Members,
Please see attached a letter of support for Artavia Berry's candidacy.
In community,
--
Aurielle Trapps
Jamela Joseph
Co-Chairs, Social Action Committee
Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae ChapterDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.P.O. Box 4113Hayward, CA 94540 1/7/23
Dear Hayward City Council Members:
We are the Social Action Committee of the Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter of Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. We are writing today to express our full support for Artavia Berry to serve inthe vacant seat on the Hayward City Council.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization founded on January 13,1913, by 22 college women, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. We arecommitted to public service with a primary focus on the Black community and to theconstructive development of our more than 200,000 members.
The Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter (HTCAC) was chartered on March 2, 1990, by 20visionary Deltas, to serve the needs of cities in Southern Alameda County of the Bay Area inNorthern California including the city of Hayward. Since that time, the chapter has built a legacyof dedicated service within our designated service area by promoting academic excellence andscholarship; encouraging social action and political involvement; and providing programs andservices to meet community needs and concerns. In alignment with Delta’s National Five PointProgrammatic Thrust, Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter’s activities and events focus on: ● Economic Development● Education Development● International Awareness and Involvement● Physical and Mental Health● Political Awareness and Involvement We work within our service area of Hayward to provide its residents with innovative serviceprograms, support of the area’s youth through scholarships and personal growth opportunities,and community forums that address community needs. Given our commitment to the city ofHayward, it is important to us that our City Council members best represent the interests andneeds of the community. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity for such a dedicatedcommunity leader to become a Hayward City Council member.
Ms. Berry has been a member of the Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter for four years. She hasserved in important leadership roles throughout all four years. Some of her roles have includedserving as the Chapter and Farwest Region Chaplain, Strategic Planning Chair, Delta YouthPrograms volunteer, and Social Action Committee Member. These roles have allowed Ms. Berry
to contribute to the Hayward community through community engagement, community service,healing centered support, and civic engagement.
Ms. Berry has consistently shown a passion for public service throughout the past 30 years withDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her passion and commitment to public service has trulyinspired not only her Sorority sisters but the entire community of Hayward. She continues todemonstrate exceptional leadership through her work as a Hayward Commissioner, provensuccess record on important issues such as the Healing and Restitution for Russell Cityresidents, as well as through serving as a voice for the most vulnerable community members.
Ms. Berry has had an undeniable impact in the City of Hayward, and we are confident she willbe of great benefit to the City Council in service of the Hayward community. We strongly urgeyou to move forward with appointing Artavia Berryand would welcome any opportunity topartner with the City Council on areas that align with our mission and purpose.
In community spirit,
April V. Lampkin, Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter President Aurielle Trapps, Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter Social Action Co-Chair Jamela Joseph, MSOD, Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter Social Action Co-Chair
From: Barisha Spriggs
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: Letter of Support for Hayward City Council Candidate Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 4:03:19 PM
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Dear Hayward City Council Members:
My name is Barisha Spriggs and I’m writing today to express my support for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat on City Council.
I have known Artavia for 5 years through our work together. She is an authentic leader, well respected and trusted by the community to listen and collaborate to deliver results. From her early work in Chicago with Delta Sigma Theta, Public Allies Chicago, Meals on Wheels, the City of Chicago and as the co-leader Christ the King Jesuit High School – Artavia has consistently shown a passion for public service throughout the past 30 years.
As a resident of Hayward, she has continued her service by volunteering on many important issues that have led to significant resources and visibility for the City, including delivering nearly $500,000 in literacy intervention & support services to young learners in Hayward Unified School District, helping Hayward secure a 2nd Promise Neighborhood Initiative Grant for $30MM, expanding the Jefferson Awards Recognition Programs in Hayward and the most recent work on Healing and Restitution for Russell City, which I read about on the front page of the New York Times.
Her service as a Commissioner on the Hayward Community Services Commission has been a valuable access point for local leaders to learn about the funding process, gain new partnership opportunities and she has been a compassionate voice of leadership for expanding resources for our most vulnerable community members. This is just a snapshot of the leadership the City would gain by appointing Artavia to the vacant seat.
The City of Hayward would be lucky to have Artavia on the Council and I urge you to move forward with appointing her.
Sincerely,
Barisha Spriggs
Elected Member of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee AD20 From: Carl Gorringe
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: Please Appoint Dan Goldstein
Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 1:36:20 AM
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Dear Hayward City Council:
Deciding who should fill the empty council seat is very simple. Simply pick the next top choice that the community voted for in the last election. That would be Dan Goldstein.
Unless you have some serious objection with him, he should be your choice.
Even after interviewing other great candidates, and you end up favoring someone else, please resist choosing them.
None of the other candidates were vetted by the community in an election.
City Council is chosen by the community. Picking someone else would take away our right to vote.
Thank You,
Carl Gorringe
January 8, 2023
Dear Hayward City Council Members:
My name is Deanna Omoroghomwan and I’m writing today to express my support for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat on City Council.
I have known Artavia for a few years through our work together as members of the Hayward Tri-City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is an authentic leader, well respected and trusted by the community to listen and collaborate to deliver results. From her early work in Chicago with Delta Sigma Theta, Public Allies Chicago, Meals on Wheels, the City of Chicago and as the co-leader Christ the King Jesuit High School – Artavia has consistently shown a passion for public service throughout the past 30 years.
As a resident of Hayward, she has continued her service by volunteering on many important issues that have led to significant resources and visibility for the City, including delivering nearly $500,000 in literacy intervention & support services to young learners in Hayward Unified School District, helping Hayward secure a 2
nd Promise Neighborhood Initiative Grant for $30MM, expanding the Jefferson Awards Recognition Programs in Hayward and the most recent work on Healing and Restitution for Russell City, which I read about on the front page of the New York Times.
Her service as a Commissioner on the Hayward Community Services Commission has been a valuable access point for local leaders to learn about the funding process, gain new partnership opportunities and she has been a compassionate voice of leadership for expanding resources for our most vulnerable community members. This is just a snapshot of the leadership the City would gain by appointing Artavia to the vacant seat.
The City of Hayward would be lucky to have Artavia on the Council and I urge you to move forward with appointing her.
Sincerely,
Deanna Omoroghomwan
Deanna Omoroghomwan
01/07/23
Dear Hayward City Council Members, my name is DeJan Roberson and I am reaching out today to express my utmost support for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat within the City Council! I have known Artavia for my entire life as she is my mother. She is a natural born leader, highly favored, respected, and entrusted by the entire community to listen, collaborate, and always deliver the most efficient results in any and every task placed in her way.
From her early work in Chicago with Delta Sigma Theta, Public Allies Chicago, Meals on Wheels, the City of Chicago, and as the co-leader of Christ the King Jesuit High School, Artavia has consistently shown a deep passion for public service throughout the past 30 years and counting. Now currently as a resident of Hayward, she has continued her service by volunteering towards many critical issues that have ultimately led to significant resources as well as a bright visibility of the future for the City.
Ms. Berry’s accomplishments have been nothing short of outstanding, including:
1. Delivering nearly $500,000 in literacy intervention & support services to young learners in the Unified School District.
2. Assisting Hayward in securing a 2nd Promise Neighborhood Initiative Grant for $30M.
3. Expanding the Jefferson Awards Recognition Programs in Hayward.
4. Plus her most recent efforts on Healing and Restitution for Russell City. (which was a front page article on the New York Times!)
Her service as a Commissioner on Hayward’s Community Services Commission has been a valuable gateway for local leaders to gain knowledge about funding processes, in addition to growing new partnership opportunities. She has been a compassionate and prominent voice of leadership in expanding resources for our most vulnerable community members.
This is all but a fraction that the City would gain by appointing Artavia to the seat. It is guaranteed that she will be a large factor towards the Council as well as the City as a whole. The City of Hayward would be lucky and blessed to have Artavia on the Council and I urge you to move forward with appointing her.
Sincerely,
DeJan Roberson
Dear Mayor Salinas and Councilmembers,
It has been brought to my attention that the vacancy on the Council by the election of former Councilmember Mark Salinas has created an opening for a 2 yr. replacement to the Council.
Because of the new leadership to the Council I would recommend this person have experience in local government to facilitate the continuity and implementation of Hayward’s vision and goals.
One such person with County, City and State government experience is Austin Bruckner. He is currently serving on behalf of County Supervisor Nate Miley for over the last 5 years, Senator Corbett and other elected in the South Bay during the last 10 years.
I have just completed a 10 yr commitment to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee as an Appointed Alternate member by Ret. Assemblymember Bill Quirk and former Hayward City Councilmember. I would have to say my appointment was made because of my cannabis activism work over the last 18 years. Through this work, I have been appointed to Cannabis Advocacy groups such as a board member of CaNorml, founded the Alameda County Democratic Brownie Mary Democratic Club and a member of Supervisor Nate Miley’s Cannabis Stakeholder’s Group for over 10 yrs. to name the local appointments.
Through these appointments I have had the opportunity to work with Austin on many different committees over the years. His current position with Supervisor Nate Miley has included working with Cannabis Stakeholders through their permitting process, creating agendas for our monthly meetings by reaching out to members, county agencies involved in the permitting process and the Sheriff’s office. He has always been engaged, productive and his contributions to the conversations reflective of his government experiences.
Please consider Austin Bruckner for continuing the two year term remaining by election of Council member Salinas to Hayward’s New Mayor. It will allow for his knowledge of local and regional government and its programs to benefit the City of Hayward.
Best regards,
Denise Martellacci
From: Diana Bell
To: List-Mayor-Council
Cc: Diana Bell
Subject: Support for Artavia Berry
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 7:04:11 PM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.
Date
Dear Hayward City Council Members:
It is with great pride that I am sending this message of support for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat on your the Hayward City Council. She is an active citizen who is committed to justice for ALL. She will serve you well!
I am a 25+ year member and Past President of the Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In that capacity, I have personal experience partnering with your Mayors and council members. I met Artavia about 3 years ago when she joined our chapter. She joined us prepared to work, bringing her experience from Chicago to bear. She stepped up to serve as our chapter’s Chaplain and was a focused and soothing voice helping us through the Covid lockdown. Her work in our chapter was noticed by our Farwest Region leaders who have appointed her to a Chaplain role there.
Artavia is well liked, well respected, and trusted to deliver results! In Chicago, she not only worked with the Delta Sigma Theta chapter, but she also served Public Allies of Chicago, Meals of Wheels, the City of Chicago, and other organizations for over 30 years.
As a resident of Hayward, she has continued her service by volunteering on many important issues that have led to significant resources and visibility for the City, including delivering nearly $500,000 in literacy intervention & support services to young learners in Hayward Unified School District, helping Hayward secure a 2
nd Promise Neighborhood Initiative Grant for $30MM, expanding the Jefferson Awards Recognition Programs in Hayward and the most recent work on Healing and Restitution for Russell City, which I read about on the front page of the New York Times.
Her service as a Commissioner on the Hayward Community Services Commission has been a valuable access point for local leaders to learn about the funding process, gain new partnership opportunities and she has been a compassionate voice of leadership for expanding resources for our most vulnerable community members. Artavia Berry brings strong leadership skills and a servant’s heart to any role that she takes on. The City of Hayward has much to gain by appointing her to the vacant seat. I pray that you move forward and appoint her as our country, our state, the City of Hayward will reap the benefits!
With sincerity and joy,
Diana L Bell
Past President, Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
January 7th, 2023
Dear Hayward City Council Members :
My name is Jahna Nicks and I’m writing today to express my support for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat on City Council.
I have known Artavia for (x years through our work together at x). She is an authentic leader, well respected and trusted by the community to listen and collaborate to deliver results. From her early work in Chicago with Delta Sigma Theta, Public Allies Chicago, Meals on Wheels , the City of Chicago and as the co -leader Christ the King Jesuit High School – Artavia has consistently shown a passion for public service throughout the past 30 years.
As a resident of Hayward, she has continued her service by volunteering on many important issues that have led to significant resources and visibility for the City, including delivering nearly $500,000 in litera cy intervention & support services to young learners in Hayward Unified School District, helping Hayward secure a 2 nd Promise Neighborhood Initiative Grant for $30MM , expanding the Jefferson Awards Recognition Programs in Hayward and the most recent work o n Healing and Restitution for Russell City , which I read about on the front page of the New York Times.
Her service as a Commissioner on the Hayward Community Services Commission has been a valuable access point for local leaders to learn about the fundin g process , gain new partnership opportunities and she has been a compassionate voice of leadership for expanding resources for our most vulnerable community members. This is just a snapshot of the leadership the City would gain by appointing Artavia to the vacant seat.
The City of Hayward would be lucky to have Artavia on the Council and I urge you to move forward with appointing her.
Sincerely ,
Jahna Nicks
From: Lenora Taylor
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: Support for Artavia Berry for appointment to Hayward City Council Date: Thursday, January 5, 2023 12:54:14 PM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to show my support for Artavia Berry’s appointment to City Council.
I have had the pleasure of working with Commissioner Berry on the Community Service Commission and the organization, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She is a natural leader and well respected and trusted in the community. I found her to be very diplomatic in her approach with others and willing to listen and offer support when necessary.
She is one of those people who just know how to get it done. The City of Hayward would benefit by having her wisdom and character as a member of the Council.
Thanks for your attention and consideration.
Lenora Roland Taylor, Esq.
Law Offices of Lenora Roland Taylor
109 Jackson St., Ste. 240
Hayward, CA 94544
510-581-1963
510-582-2334 (Fax)
[email protected]
www.lrtaylorlaw.com
pg. 1
December 19, 2022
City Council, City of Hayward
777B Street, 4th Floor
Hayward CA 94541
Re: Letter in support of Ray Bonilla
Hon. Mayor Salinas, and Members of the Hayward City Council,
This letter is written to you in support of the appointment of Ray Bonilla to the Hayward City Council. I am Moe Wright, the co-chair of the EveryOne Home Leadership Board and Alameda County’s Continuum of Care Board. Since 2019, I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ray and have experienced his commitment to public service firsthand. He is a bright, collaborative, and natural leader who, with his deep understanding of his community, would make an excellent addition to the Hayward City Council.
Ray has been an instrumental leader on The EveryOne Home Leadership Board, whose charter is to serve Alameda County's most vulnerable populations. The Leadership Board's actions were essential in conceiving and passing both Measure A-1, a county bond for affordable housing, and, more recently, Measure W, a general sales tax with a commitment to use it to alleviate homelessness in Alameda County. In addition to contributing to these efforts, Ray has participated in board committees directed at bringing new talent to our organization and drawing together public and private resources to support the movement to end homelessness in our county. His contacts and knowledge of fundraising, policy, and local government have been invaluable.
Ray was also a key leader in the countywide governance revision that occurred in 2020-21. Two of the most significant shifts in our approach to making the homelessness response system more effective are the centering of racial equity in our work and power sharing with those who have lived experience in homelessness. Ray has been a solid and consistent voice in bringing equity to the forefront of our work. Racism in its many forms contributed to the manifestation of homelessness that we see today. In Alameda County, African Americans make up 11% of our general population and 47% of our homeless population. Fighting this legacy means that we need to center racial equity in our response system. Likewise, the true representation of
pg. 2
people with lived experience of homelessness in the policy and decision-making process is a key ingredient to the formulation of an effective response to homelessness in our county. With Ray’s leadership, influence, and advocacy, the board voted to have a third of all members of our board and committees be people with lived experience of homelessness.
Ray has brought a solid vision for integrating housing insecurity into the evolution of total health by addressing systemic issues which improve conditions for health and equity in our communities. As a former leader of Kaiser Permanente’s housing and homelessness taskforce, he partnered with many community organizations to lead efforts to end homelessness and preserve affordable housing by influencing strategic impact investments, shaping policy, and catalyzing innovative partnerships.
I recognized Ray's strong commitment to solving real problems with real solutions. He acknowledges that working within the community is what it takes to make a change. He understands issues, helps develop policies, collects allies, works across sectors, and executes solutions. He has been a source of continued strength, energy, and action on our Leadership Board. As a recognized community leader and public servant, I am confident Ray will bring the necessary skills, experience, passion, and know-how to serve Hayward well as a member of the City Council.
Yours Truly,
Moe Wright, Co-Chair of EveryOne Home Leadership Board
From: Rita Duncan
To: List-Mayor-Council
Cc: Artavia Berry
Subject: Letter of Support for Artavia Berry City Council Seat Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 7:31:22 AM
Attachments: ABerryEndorsement BWOPA.pdf
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Greetings Honorable Salinas and City Council Members,
Please find attached a letter of support for Artavia Berry’s appointment for City Council.
Please feel
free to contact me if you need any additional information.
Sincerely,
Rita Duncan
January 8, 2023
To the Members of the Hayward City Council,
My name is Rita Duncan and I’m writing to express the support of the Hayward/South Alameda County Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) for Artavia Berry to serve in the vacant seat on City Council.
BWOPA Hayward/South County has reviewed the aims and objectives of Artavia Berry’s application to be seated in the vacant seat on the Hayward City Council. She has been a member of our Chapter for the past 3 years. She is an authentic leader, well respected and trusted by the community to listen and collaborate to deliver results.
Artavia has shown great concern for the residents of the community and has demonstrated a deep commitment for advancing partnerships, resources and policies that work to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Her leadership on the Hayward Community Services Commission demonstrates her capacity to lead, build alliances and engage the community towards positive outcomes.
The City of Hayward would gain a strong leader and valuable perspective by appointing Artavia to the Council. The Hayward/South Alameda County BWOPA Chapter urge you to move forward with appointing her to the vacant seat. As such, BWOPA/South County submits our endorsement of Artavia Berry to be appointed to the Hayward City Council.
For any questions, please contact our office at 415-297-9466.
Sincerely,
Rita Duncan
Rita Duncan
President
Hayward/South Alameda County BWOPA
415-297-9466
From: senda rios
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: Nomination for vacancy on Hayward City Hayward Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 6:44:36 PM
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June 9,2023
Mayor and Honorable City council members
I am Senda Rios, a resident of Hayward for approximately 44 years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings that have given me an insight into many of the problems that Hayward residents face, as well as how the community resources and city hall have attempted to assist in making this city safe and inviting to new residents. I have had the privilege of working at Project Eden, being the director of YFSB at the Hayward Police Department, a counselor at La Familia and for over 20 years, a elementary and high school counselor for Hayward schools.
Throughout the time I have lived in Hayward I have been involved in many volunteer activities which include working side by side with a couple of current city council members.
I am retired but I continue to be proud of the efforts of my past colleagues and friends who through their work and service to this community have prioritized the Haywardchildren and taken “born and raised in Hayward seriously”. Hayward has been blessed with many, what an old friend of mine describes, as a “newcomer” who have also made great contributions to our city.
My purpose in addressing you today is to share my pride in having seen many Hayward children benefit from the support, love, and hard work you and Hayward have given to have our kids helping them grow up and be successful.
I shared my work experience with you to assure you that I have a very good understanding of what Hayward children face and often struggle with in our community. Having said that, I nominate Ray Bonilla for your consideration to fill the vacant city council.
Ray is one of the “born and raised in Hayward” kids I have watched grow.
As his Tennyson High counselor, I was privileged to watch Ray work hard and gain the respect of his peers as a leader on campus. He was the first in his family to graduate from High School and the first to attend college and complete his master’s degree. His passion for his community and his commitment to serving Hayward motivated him to join the Youth Commission as a junior in high school and became the commission’s first chairperson in 2004. At Tennyson he served on different committees, one being the school’s student government team. After high school he continued to work for his community for over 13 years, serving both on the Hayward Community Services Commission and in 2017 he was appointed to the Hayward Planning Commission. As a planning commissioner he was able to use his education, his work experience, but most importantly his South Hayward roots to ensure that decisions on the planning and use of Hayward’s land served all citizens and especially the most vulnerable.
Ray has asked me if I would write this recommendation and I consider it a privilege and a very proud moment to follow Ray on his journey to work toward ending this city‘s homelessness challenges, assuring that all residents can afford a home, and making our neighborhoods safe and resilient. As a lifelong resident of Hayward and a successful business executive and resiliency leader, Ray brings to the council an equity minded and balanced community perspective to issues that are and will impact Hayward.
Thank You
Senda Rios LCSW
Sent from my iPad
Respectively submitted,
Teresa Cox
Fremont City Council
Vivian Wan, MSW
Chief Operating Officer, Abode Services
Fremont Resident (former Hayward resident)
December 16, 2022
Dear City of Hayward Mayor and Councilmembers :
I wanted to take the opportunity to highly recommend my colleague, Ray Bonilla, to fill a two- year appointment on the Hayward City Council. Mr. Bonilla’s commitment to community service, leadership, and equity practices makes him the ideal candidate for this role. While you probably know his qualifications and commitment to Hayward, including more than two decades of service to Hayward on a variety of commissions, I’ve had the pleasure of working with him to address housing and homelessness issues throughout the county as we have served on the EveryOne Home Leadership Board together since 2019.
EveryOne Home is a “collective impact” organization, striving to unite the efforts of city and county government partners with nonprofit service providers, individuals with lived experience, and community members. Ray came into this group about a year before the pandemic - at a time of challenging leadership changes - as a relative outsider as he had not worked directly in housing or homelessness as many other board members had. This did not last long however, as Ray dove in fully, learning quickly and emerging as a leader asking tough and fair questions. He supported efforts to improve coordinated entry systems, participated in point-in-time homeless counts, backed county-wide measures such as A-1 and Measure W and led other fundraising efforts. During the pandemic, Ray also ensured that people experiencing homelessness were able to access COVID vaccines, testing, and wellness support. From my perspective his most notable accomplishment was to use his voice, influence, and intellect to help create a housing system that is more equitable and starts to address the systemic racism that has excluded people of color from adequate housing and access to health care services.
While I’ve only known Ray for four years, I can see that his leadership and commitment to fight for those who aren’t in the room make him an ideal public servant. I also appreciate that while Ray and I haven’t always agreed on critical topics, he listens to others’ opinions, is respectful and kind, and understands that complex problems rarely have simple solutions.
Sincerely,
Vivian Wan, MSW
Chief Operating Officer, Abode Services
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