Visit https://bit.ly/BulkyBlockParty to learn more about these events and alternative bulky disposal options.

District 6 has two vacancies on the Budget Advisory Commission that need to be filled.

Background

The Budget Advisory Commission is a fifteen-member board of volunteers dedicated to advising the City’s elected officials on expenditures, revenues, and financial policies. The BAC’s advice generally takes the form of information reports submitted to the Finance & Management Committee of City Council. Generally, the BAC researches topics deemed important to the fiscal health of the City, encourages public participation and input into the City’s fiscal decision making, and improving the transparency and accountability of City fiscal information and decision making.

Commission Members

Commissioners are appointed for a term of 3 years. Each member of the Commission must be an Oakland resident. Eight Commissioners are appointed respectively by each City Council member. Three Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor. Two commissioners are appointed by the City Council Finance Committee. One Commissioner is appointed by the City Auditor and the Chair of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee. Once appointed, a Commissioner is expected to participate in monthly meetings (second Wednesday of the month from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at City Hall) and occasional subcommittee meetings to produce relevant reports to present to City Council.

Desired Skills & Abilities

Commissioners should represent a variety of backgrounds and professions so that the Commission provides a well-rounded perspective on Oakland City government, community building and engagement, leadership, program administration, and policies related to municipal finance, ethics and transparency. Specifically, a Commissioner should be able to do the following:

• Read, analyze, and understand written information and make decisions based on the information
• Listen to public input, assess community needs, and make decisions about how to best accomplish the Commission’s goals
• Understand the context in which the Commission operates within City government and the broader community
• Communicate orally during a public televised meeting
• Collaborate effectively with other Commissioners, the public, City officials, and staff
• Serve with fairness, openness, honesty, and integrity
• Identify personal conflicts of interest or other factors that could lead to actual or perceived improper influence
• Complete a Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interests annually, disclosing information such as one’s financial interests in investments, property, income, and gifts (to view a copy of a Form 700, contact Commission staff or visit www.fppc.ca.gov
• Adhere to all Commission-related laws and policies, including but not limited to the Oakland City Charter, Oakland Government Ethics Act, and Oakland Sunshine Ordinance

Commission Duties

Commissioners provide feedback and suggested questions for the biennial budget survey, may produce recommendations and suggested amendments for the biennial budget process and midcycle budget amendment, and provide feedback on potential process improvements for each biennial budget process. Commissioners also may develop ad hoc study committees that analyze different aspects of the City’s financial condition based upon the interests of the Commissioners during periods that do not have a required report or deliverable for the Mayor and City Council.

Potential Commissioners can apply for the BAC positions here: https://oakland.granicus.com/boards/w/8552f8c4c0e15460/boards/6672

MPERT is proud to announce we now have six emergency neighborhood gathering locations throughout Maxwell Park called incident command centers (ICC). These ICCs are located in sectors: AA, AB, C, D, E, and I. Neighbors can gather at the ICCs to get or offer help during a major emergency. It is the ideal location to store community emergency supplies including radios, crow bar, tarp, and first aid supplies. To find the ICC nearest you, contact mpert.info@gmail.com.

The goal is to identify two ICC locations per sector. Hosting an ICC does not require much work on your end. Your address is listed as an ICC and you give at least one neighbor access to this box for use during an emergency, in case you are not home; but nobody needs to enter your home. Once funding becomes available, MPERT can provide a 3x5 garden storage box for community emergency supplies. If you can host an ICC, please reach out: mpert.info@gmail.com, 510-917-9994.