1 C I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
District 5 Budget Recommendations
FY 2023-2025
I look forward to working with Mayor Sheng Thao, and my City Council colleagues and Oakland residents to develop a spending plan that balances fiscal responsibility with the need to make bold investments in Oakland’s future. The budget recommendations are an expression of the values of Oakland and District 5 residents and illustrate my commitment to making Oakland an equitable city that its growing responsibility and addressing the needs of all neighborhoods and residents, especially Oakland’s underserved neighborhoods.
Community Safety and Prevention
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Investing $2.1 million in violence prevention programs ($1 million directed to serving our youth and high school students)
Police Motorcycle and Sideshow unit for traffic enforcement Recommendation: $2 million per year
3. Recruitment and retention of police officers
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Attrition rate is currently 5 officers per month, yearly is 60 officers Graduating academies = 20 officers per academy; recommend 3 academies $3 million per academy per year
Maintain officers at 718 per year
4. Community oriented policing
• Restore 15 walking officers for downtown and neighborhood business districts
5. Cameras-License plate readers
• 200 cameras at $500,000 per year
6. Grants for Community Safety Ambassadors-
Recommendation per the following Council District:
D4-$200.000 D5-$200.000
D6-$200.000 D7-$200.000
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I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
2 Parks and Recreation Services
1. Feather River Camp
Recommendation: $70,000 per year
2. 3.
4. Neighborhood Recreation centers for daily and weekend services Recommendation: $2 million
Curt Flood Field – restoration of fields, replacing the $300,000 that was originally appointed Recommendation: $300,000
Josie De La Cruz Park –
• New children’s place structure and turf playing area
Recommendation: $600,000
Community Based Senior/ Adult Services:
Seniors are especially vulnerable to street homelessness yet also face added safety risks in congregate setting in addition to facing health and dignity barriers that can prevent folks from considering congregate shelter a viable option.
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Community based senior services
Multipurpose senior service programs
Programs that offer legal assistance and caregiver support Senior health care access
Homelessness initiatives for seniors
Recommendation:
1. 2.
Fruitvale-San Antonio senior centers – $400,000
Serving and housing over 400 seniors
Native American Health Center- $200,000
Serving 200 seniors
Oakland Cultural and Arts Division:
Restore existing funding for the Cultural and Arts Division, keeping it at the 2022-2023 funding and approved staffing levels at $1.73 million.
Recommendation: $1.73 million
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I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
3 Homelessness Solution and Housing Security
Increase our communication and request for funds from the Federal and State government, Alameda County and Foundations.
Housing Development:
The development of new housing units is essential in meeting the demand of our population. Funding should be included in the budget to encourage the development of affordable housing specifically geared to people experiencing homelessness, seniors and low to moderate income individuals.
Expand funding for coordinated Street Outreach Teams:
Continued and increased funding in needed for this program. Holistic, street based, and continued engagement from outreach workers is vital.
Safe Villages Pilot Program:
We must work collaboratively with the County of Alameda health and human services department to identify appropriately sized, available county land for this purpose; to provide a safe camping location for unsheltered individuals living in tents. This is an immediate tool to allow people who are experiencing homelessness and who are hesitant to engage with traditional services/ outreach a safe place. This place can act as a short term, low barrier, and non-congregated alternative to the existing array of shelters. A safe village should provide living accommodations, access to sanitation resources, meals, and connection to supportive services in an environment that is safer than street homelessness, (including spaces such as sidewalks and unsanctioned encampments). Onsite health services would foster connections to or placements into, the broader community system of care, such as community resources, shelters, behavioral health, and primary care resources, and when available permanent, or long-term housing. Its focus should consider an appropriate level of behavioral health and substance use disorder resources.
Safe Parking Program:
The Safe Parking Program is an essential component to addressing homelessness with a proven, successful track record. These sites will serve people who dwell in their vehicles and are hesitant to enter congregated shelter. I request ongoing funding for the programs continued operations and expansion.
Maintain Oakland’s youth shelters:
Minors with a focused on increasing capacity and quality services Homeless Outreach Team:
Ongoing and increased funding to support homeless outreach team C
I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
4 Access to Housing:
Housing is increasingly difficult to find in Oakland. Below are items that will protect access to housing, increase affordability, and avoid unnecessary evictions Transition of properties from commercial use:
Conduct a study on incentivizing and removing barriers from transitioning commercial use to residential units at the city level to comply with AB 2011
Increase funding for the housing stability fund:
Proactively address housing insecurity and prevent homelessness for families Increase funding for the housing instability prevention program:
Proactively address housing insecurity and prevent homelessness for seniors C
I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
5 City of Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo, District 5
Budget Priorities for Fiscal Year 2023-2025
June 21,2023
Much of our time in office has been reacting and responding to crisis. While we cannot control what is thrown at us or predict the future, we also have a responsibility to position the city strategically. These years should mark a shift from the city operating largely in the response mode foisted upon us to a more forward- thinking stance. Our budget priorities go beyond responding to problems and aim at preventing problems and making the day to day lives of our residents better.
Our recommended investments will make our neighborhoods feel safer as we keep roofs over families heads, housing the unhoused, and provide young people with the support, love, guidance, and discipline they need. Communities will benefit from more parks and trees, better and safer roads. Our recommendations will prove to Oakland that their local government can work for them by continuing to invest in our city workers and being more responsive to requests and provide world class services, whether that means in the way we pick up trash, responded to emergencies, or simply maintain our parks, libraries, and schools.
In many ways, Oakland is positioned to thrive in the years ahead, our community has incredible talent and soul, we are surrounded by natural beauty, and we have diverse industries that can power an inclusive and thriving economy. We know what the barriers to tapping into our potential are. Our investments should anticipate those barriers and build a bridge to overcome them and create a path to the incredible future that is within our reach.
Our vision of Oakland for all, drives everything we do in the District 5 office, clean and healthy neighborhoods, world-class services with world class jobs, and safety, justice, and prosperity are the goals that guide our priorities. We believe it is important to recognize when a budget item offers Oakland various and intersectional benefits.
We believe all people have the right to the opportunity to fulfill their potential and pursue their dreams, we commit to placing racial equity and justice at the forefront of all decision making in such a way that addresses past harm and levels the playing field now and in the future. Our work, in this budget cycle and beyond, is to ensure that our values are reflected in our city’s budget.
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I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
6 1. Safety and Opportunity
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support funding for the sideshow unit
Support the City of Oakland Police motorcycle squadron
Support funding for walking officers and staff 15 total with number deployed downtown and neighborhood districts if necessary. Augment these positions with deployed sworn staff Commit one million dollars annually to continue the previous investments made to increase ambassadors across all commercial corridors with a focus on downtown and neighborhood corridors.
Safety and security:
Every person in every neighborhood deserves to feel safe. However, crime is far from the only indicator of safety. Safety is being protected from danger, risk, or injury. Our investments in safety should address immediate concerns and risks and create the conditions for long term peace and safety in our communities.
Improve the physical environment:
Place based interventions that are structural, scalable, and sustainable have been shown to reduce violence an many strategies are economically viable. Increasing the prevalence of green space in a neighborhood, improving the quality of neighborhood buildings and housing, and creating public spaces with ample lighting suitable for pedestrian traffic can be cost effective ways of decreasing community violence.
Engage and support Youth:
Young people, especially young males, account for a disproportionate amount of community violence, any effort to reduce violence must involve a special focus on youth. Strategies that add structure and opportunities for youth have been shown to decrease their involvement in violence crime. Youth employment, job mentoring and training educational supports, and behavioral interventions can improve youth outcomes and reduce violence. Some of these strategies require relatively costly individualized therapeutic interventions, but others focused on work and school have been associated with cost-efficient reductions in violence.
Youth care and development proof of concept program:
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I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
7 A program to support adolescents and youth adults by providing them with access to caregivers in the community who are trained in assisting people with who have traumatic life experiences. programs like these are ways to uplift and affirm young people as beloved members of our community. The youth experience often differs in Oakland depending on what opportunities are available and accessible in their neighborhoods, including education, after school programs, youth development programs, and access to mental health resources.
Wraparound Services for young people involved in employ and empower:
An approach to wraparound service is strengths based, needs driven and includes service strategies specific to a young person. Grant opportunities should be south to support teens and transition-aged youth in the program who indicate need for support.
Mental and behavioral health support specific to teens and transition age youth:
Work with the community to understand the growing need for mental and behavioral health support.
Works jointly with the county of Alameda behavioral health services to support expanded services in the continuum of care for 12–25-year-olds, including a consideration of meeting youth where they are. And expanding opportunities for community-based organizations to offer therapeutic services.
Confront the gun problem:
Implementing comprehensive and uniform gun policies can decrease the use of firearms in violent acts.
Violence has been reduced by policy mechanisms that limit access to guns by youth people, impose waiting periods and increase required training
Adequately staff public safety dispatchers:
The city of Oakland should not have to wait hours to communicate with their public safety system. We recommend filling the position necessary to ensure wait times are consistent with our goals of being a world class city.
2. Clean and Healthy Neighborhoods
Safe/ clean streets:
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Litter and Illegal dumping removal
Waste management services
Code enforcement
Youth services – training and education
Crossing guards/School safety
Graffiti abatement
Beautification of neighborhoods and commercial streets
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I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
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Tree and plant care
Façade improvements
Sidewalk and lighting
Head start program
Sustain funding for city run head start programs, including staff recruitment and hiring for vacant positions, professional development support for all childcare workers and maintaining the number of available programs slots
Programing for Youth:
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Invest in the city-wide community-based youth enrichment programming Restore the summer jobs for youth program
Transportation and Mobility Safety:
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Pedestrian and bicycle safety
Traffic calming
Traffic signals
Street signs
Sidewalks
Facilities
Public works
Parks and recreation:
The city of Oakland parks system provides healthy, sustainable, and enriching environments for all residents and tourist. Neighborhood parks, and recreation centers are critical to improving the quality of life for our communities. We must continue to increase the funding for our parks, recreation centers and Feather River Camp, to train and educate our children and families. -
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Upgrades, restoration and improvements to city parks and infrastructures Curt Flood Field
Cesar Chavez Park
Josie De La Cruz Park
Brookdale Park
Union Point Park
Economic development:
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I T Y H A L L | 1 F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A | O A K L A N D, C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Noel Gallo [email protected]
Councilmember - District 5 510.238.7005
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Bring more businesses into Oakland
Improve planning and building permits and inspections
Evaluate city retail environment and policies to address market changes in retail space demand Employment and training
Continuation and expansion of the strong workforce project to provide workforce development program targeted individuals with an array of workforce development related services aimed at improving the economic wellbeing. Services will include direct job placement assistance, information, and referral coordination with existing employment training services, employment and education related workshops, and referral to community
social services partners for health care, cultural services, or educational counseling. The strong workforce program will be expanded to include services to support youth, consistent with the city of Oakland programs, for ages 16-21 years as well as adults, ages 21+ years old • Attracting and retaining a competitive workforce
Most city positions have salaries that are not competitive with similar positions in other municipal jurisdictions. To attract and retain the best and the brightest workforce, the budget must include funding to make needed salary increase to ensure Oakland is the most competitive. In addition, funding should be geared towards expediting and improving the city’s hiring process for new staff positions.
3. World-Class Services
Oakland Cultural and Arts Division:
Restore existing funding for the Cultural and Arts Division, keeping it at the 2022-2023 funding and approved staffing levels at $1.73 million.
Human services for Seniors:
Senior services-
Seniors are especially vulnerable to street homelessness yet also face added safety risks in congregate setting in addition to facing health and dignity barriers that can prevent folks from considering congregate shelter a viable option. The city should invest in prefabricated homes for seniors and seek partnership with religious institutions and businesses for siting the home.