Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, city officials, and community leaders report on progress and plan for sustained solutions.
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SUMMARY:
Nearly 300 community members gathered at Allen Temple to hear from Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland City Councilmembers, and other leaders about progress on illegal dumping eradication in Oakland.
The meeting focused on progress, including accountability for dumpers and vehicle owners, improved detection and enforcement, reliable garbage services, cleanup, and coordination among city, state, community, and partner organizations.
The meeting conveyed that the city now has a funded plan that is being implemented. The 311 hotline has reduced the backlog, while additional enforcement, detection, eradication, and service improvements remain underway. The City of Oakland continues to learn from other cities’ best practices.
Mary Forte of Block by Block Organizing presented research from the Oakland City Audit Report and Alameda County Grand Jury Report.
Mayor Barbara Lee reported on shared progress, policy proposals, service commitments, and enforcement priorities.
Senator Jesse Arreguín thanked FIAEB for coming to Sacramento and discussed SB 1214, that implements statewide penalties for illegal dumping.
Liam Garland, City of Oakland Director of Public Works, introduced newly hired environemental safety officers and referenced public resources at the City of Oakland brochure table outside.
All councilmembers expressed support and committed to working with IDLOC; except Councilmember Jenkins.
- Bulky Block Parties have been reinstated. The next event is Saturday, October 24 at 9:00 a.m.
- Updated equipment for garbage collection
- Incentivize compliance
- Collaborations with CalTrans
- Businesses required to maintain sufficient garbage
- Collaborations with OUSD: hiring students to help clean up treats
- Assessments of Oakland’s garbage services, with more value and fairness
- 9M Crankstart Foundation Grant spending dashboard
- Investing in detection with Airbits aerial imagery
Faith in Action East Bay and Block by Block Organizing will host another accountability session in six months.
WHAT: Faith in Action East Bay and Block By Block Organizing Network, two long-time Oakland-based community organizations dedicated to building an Oakland in which every person thrives, are partnering with Allen Temple Baptist Church to hold a public meeting to recognize progress and a sustainable partnership for implementation plan to address the citywide health crisis of illegal dumping. This meeting is one in a series of sessions, the culmination of more than a decade of sustained community-led efforts to develop sustainable solutions to this long-term crisis.
WHO: Community leaders and hundreds of residents from schools, congregations, and neighborhoods throughout Oakland will meet with city, county, and state officials, including Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, to recognize progress and build a commitment to a comprehensive, concrete, and sustainable solution to the illegal dumping crisis.
Public officials:
City of Oakland: Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee; Oakland City Council Member Zac Unger (District 1); Oakland City Council Member Charlene Wang (District 2); Oakland City Council Member Noel Gallo (District 5); Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins (District 6); Oakland City Council Member Ken Houston (District 7); Liam Garland, City of Oakland Director of Public Works; Rebecca Kaplan, Project Manager, City of Oakland, Illegal Dumping and Blight; Josh Rowan, Director of the Oakland Department of Transportation.
Oakland Unified School District: Oakland School Board Director Patrice Berry (District 5)
County of Alameda: Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley (District 4); Erin Armstrong, Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Miley
State Legislature: California State Senator Jesse Arreguin (7th District)
Other: Aerbits Founder and Director Brian Johnson
Invited, but not-yet-confirmed guests: Oakland City Council Member Rowena Brown (At Large).
When: Monday, September 14,. Doors open at 5 p.m. Meeting begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94621
Why: For nearly a decade community organizations have been calling on the city to address the illegal dumping crisis, which undermines the health, safety, and well-being of Oakland children and families and undermines efforts to build a thriving and economically vibrant city. In January and April, hundreds of city residents attended public actions, during which city officials agreed to partner with the community to advance systemic solutions to this public health emergency. These meetings are the culmination of hundreds of hours of work and sustained leadership on the part of the Illegal Dumping Organizing Committee, led by Faith in Action East Bay. Their efforts have led to advancing county, and state regulations on illegal dumping and a unique partnership with the City of Oakland. The September 14 meeting provides the opportunity to both recognize progress to date and, as importantly, solidify a plan, in partnership with community leaders, that will translate current progress into long-term relief from the crisis of illegal dumping.
VISUALS: Photo and video opportunities, including testimony from impacted youth and adult residents.
BACKGROUND ON ORGANIZATIONS:
Faith in Action East Bay [FIAEB]: Faith in Action East Bay is a multi-faith and multi-racial organizing network made up of more than 23 congregations and over 25,000 families. Since 1972, Oakland Community Organization (OCO), now Faith in Action East Bay, has empowered leaders to advance systemic change, racial justice, and economic equity in Oakland.
Block By Block Organizing Network [BBBON]: Block By Block Organizing Network (BBBON) is an Oakland political and electoral organization formed in 2010. BBBON is a not-for-profit, city-wide, district-based organization of Oakland residents. The members are dedicated to the betterment of Oakland through community partnerships and support for progressive public leadership. BBBON is a member of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club.