APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER CARROLL FIFE
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING COUNCILMEMBER REBECCA
KAPLAN FOR OVER 17 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE
CITY OF OAKLAND
WHEREAS, Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan has served the City of Oakland with unwavering dedication and vision for over 17 years, including as the At -Large Councilmember and interim District 2 Councilmember; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Kaplan made history in 2008 as the youngest and first openly lesbian member of the Oakland City Council, bringing inclusive representation and passionate advocacy to City Hall; and
WHEREAS, throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated energetic and effective leadership on key issues including economic development, public safety, housing, transportation, clean energy, environmental justice, and so much more; and
WHEREAS, she has championed efforts to streamline small business regulations, combat blight, attract retail investment, and generate job opportunities, often securing new revenue streams without increasing taxes on residents and has been a tireless advocate for accessible transportation, significantly expanding safe biking, walking, and transit options throughout Oakland; and
WHEREAS, she played a pivotal leadership role during the COVID -19 pandemic, securing critical funding to preserve fire stations and essential city jobs —an effort she sustained annually to ensure continued delivery of vital services; and
WHEREAS, as President of the Coliseum Joint Powers Authority, she led the successful effort to establish the Oakland Coliseum as a mass vaccination site, contributing to Alameda County achieving one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates in the region; and
WHEREAS, she has consistently supported grassroots organizations and local businesses, including championing sports teams like the Oakland Ballers and Oakland Roots; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Kaplan has advanced public safety through transparency, modernization of 911 systems, and establishment of non -enforcement alternatives, including the creation of an independent Inspector General’s office, approved by voters; and
2 WHEREAS, she led the creation of the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) Program —securing state funding and authoring legislation to house the program within the Fire Department to ensure livable wages and union protections; and
WHEREAS, she has been a leading voice for environmental justice, advancing efforts to reduce harmful emissions in East and West Oakland from diesel trucks and promoting zero - emission technologies to improve air quality; and
WHEREAS, she has championed the needs of working families by supporting Head Start and early childhood education programs and successfully authored legislation to expand voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds for school board elections; and
WHEREAS, she holds academic degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Phi Beta Kappa), Tufts University, and Stanford Law School, and has applied her legal and policy expertise with diligence, creativity, and integrity in service to Oakland; and
WHEREAS, she has chaired and served on numerous boards and commissions, including as President of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Joint Powers Authority, a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board (BAAQMD), and Vice Chair of Public Engagement for the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), always focused on advancing equity and maximizing public benefit; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan has helped shape a more equitable and resilient Oakland and her impact is indelible; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council hereby recognizes and honors Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan for her exceptional leadership, visionary public service, and enduring contributions to the City of Oakland over the past 17 years.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
3417410/LL