APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBERS ROWENA BROWN & REBECCA KAPLAN
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR RAINBOW CROSSWALKS
IN THE LAKESHORE LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT, AUTHORIZING
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND FUNDRAISING, AND
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
EVALUATE, ENSURE COMPLIANCE, AND IMPLEMENT, AND
ADOPTING APPROPRIATE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) FINDINGS
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just community for all residents, including LGBTQ individuals who have historically faced discrimination and underrepresentation; and
WHEREAS, rainbow crosswalks have been used in cities across the country and around the world as a visible symbol of support for LGBTQ communities and to celebrate diversity and pride; and
WHEREAS, Oakland’s LGBTQ Cultural District, centered in the Grand Lake and Lakeshore neighborhoods, is home to a vibrant and historic LGBTQ community that has long contributed to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the City; and
WHEREAS, members of the LGBTQ community and local stakeholders have expressed a desire to install rainbow crosswalks in the LGBTQ Cultural District as a form of community expression, neighborhood identity, and public art; and
2 WHEREAS, non-standard crosswalk designs, including decorative or colored crosswalks, are subject to review for compliance with the California Vehicle Code and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), including requirements for visibility, pedestrian safety, and uniformity; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation (OakDOT) is responsible for managing the design, permitting, and installation of crosswalks in the public right-of-way and is equipped to assess any potential safety impacts or liability concerns associated with the installation of rainbow crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to support this community-led project by authorizing OakDOT to work collaboratively with local stakeholders on design development and public fundraising efforts, and to accept donations to fund the project; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to establish a clear and equitable process for evaluating and implementing future community-initiated crosswalk projects that reflect neighborhood culture and identity, subject to applicable design and safety standards; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland formally supports the installation of rainbow- colored crosswalks in the LGBTQ Cultural District as a symbol of inclusivity, pride, and recognition of the LGBTQ community’s contributions to Oakland; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the agreements and the action being undertaken to implement them are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the following CEQA Guidelines Sections: 15301 (minor alterations to existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use, including streets and sidewalks) and 15061(b)(3) (no significant effect on the environment); and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City authorizes the Department of Transportation to work in collaboration with community stakeholders to develop proposed crosswalk designs, facilitate public outreach, and evaluate proposed designs for compliance with the California Vehicle Code, CA MUTCD, and applicable safety standards; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Administrator, or their designee, is hereby authorized to accept monetary donations up to an amount not to exceed $100,000 to support the design, permitting, and installation of the rainbow crosswalks, and to deposit such funds into a designated account for this purpose; and be it
3 FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Department of Transportation shall be authorized to evaluate the proposed design and location, assess potential impacts, and ensure compliance with applicable law, and implement such installation based on the evaluation, and best practices.
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
3418469 / FH – Updated 5/13/2025