1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER KEVIN JENKINS
RESOLUTION COMMEMORATIVELY RENAMING OF
THE 8200 BLOCK OF FONTAINE AVE/FONTAINE
OVERPASS “DAVID SAKURAI WAY” PURSUANT TO THE
POLICY AND CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY OAKLAND
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 77967 C.M.S.
WHEREAS, an application has been submitted by the Office of Councilmember Kevin Jenkins requesting the commemorative street naming of 8200 block of Fontaine Ave/Fontaine Overpass. This location was chosen because it is the location of Rudsdale High School, where David tragically lost his life; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code section 34091.1 allows a jurisdiction by resolution to name a new public street or to rename an existing public street; and
WHEREAS, the naming of a new public street or the renaming of an existing public street is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970; and
WHEREAS, the City Council will occasionally honor the contributions of an outstanding individual with commemorative street names or by the renaming of a public street such as with Joe Morgan Way, Herbert Guice Way, Peter Van Kleef Way, Dr. Huey P. Newton Way, Deontae Bush Way, Dorothy King Way, and Too Short Way; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Oakland City Council Resolution No. 77967 C.M.S. (passed July 15, 2003), the City Council may, on its own motion, consider the renaming of a public street as a tribute to an individual, or as a result of a significant event or activity if one of the following criteria is met:
1. The individual has positively impacted the lives of a nation or the world; or
2. The name change is related to an economic development or redevelopment activity; or
3. The renaming commemorates a significant historical event; and
2 WHEREAS, the City Council may commemorate a nominee either by: (a) retaining the existing street name and installing commemorative plaques or signs; or (b) renaming the existing street for the individual and installing new street signs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that David Sakurai, who was tragically killed in the line of duty at Rudsdale High School, served the Oakland Unified community with integrity and kindness; and
WHEREAS, Kazuhiro David Sakurai, a cherished member of the community, dedicated over 18 years of service as a carpenter for OUSD's Buildings and Grounds Department. On September 28th, 2022, David was critically injured during a shooting that occurred at Rudsdale Hi gh School and subsequently died on November 17th, 2022. David was known for his sense of humor and mischievous pranks. He has also been described by those who knew him well as a man with a heart of pure gold who was always willing to jump in and help anyone who needed it. David’s nickname among his OUSD Buildings and Grounds friends was “MacGyver,” because his skills crossed many trades, and he could improvise solutions with whatever was available. He had the trust and respect of his co - workers. They knew that David would stand up and speak up for them when a wrong needed to be made right; and
WHEREAS; David had served as shop steward for the OUSD carpenters from 2017 until his death. When David learned that he only had a few days to live, his union brothers came to the hospital to say goodbye and confided that they were struggling from the trauma of the shooting and did not feel adequately supported.
From his deathbed, David immediatel y picked up his phone and called the Union Business Rep, advocating for their needs to be met. During his time in the hospital, David also expressed desire for th e incident to be handled through a restorative justice process, instead of simply incarcerating the individuals involved. David believed that incarceration and punitive justice measures would only perpetuate the cycle of violence; and
WHEREAS; David grew up in Berkeley, graduated from Berkeley High School and ran David Sakurai Construction, a general contracting business, from 1985 until he began working with OUSD. For many years, David volunteered as a basketball coach, and board member for the East Bay Youth Athletic League. David was the loving partner of Anne Okahara, and step -father to Kazumi Chin and Masami Chin, and their partners Michelle Lin and Jaskanwal Pawar. There are so many who feel blessed to have had him as a friend, a brother, uncle, or coworker. David always said that each of us has to pay back or pay forward our debt of gratitude, and David was always the first to do so; and
WHEREAS; he will forever be remembered as a kind and giving man of great integrity.
3 WHEREAS, the City Council intends to honor David Sakurai’s contribution to the Oakland community and the world by retaining the existing street name, adding an additional honorary street name, and installing commemorative street signs or plaques; and
WHEREAS, the City Council intends that the costs associated with such a commemorative act will be borne by Oakland Unified Board President Sam Davis.
RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council hereby approves the renaming commemorative street naming of 8200 block of Fontaine Ave/Fontaine Overpass , “David Sakurai Way”; and
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council directs the City Administrator to proceed with the commemorative designation of ‘ David Sakurai Way” and placement of street sign(s) or plaque(s) to that effect on Fontaine Ave/Fontaine Overpass.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
Asha Reed
City Clerk, Office of The City Clerk
and Clerk of the Council
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES -
NOES –