District 6 Matters: Oakland's Continued Response To COVID-19
From the Office of Councilmember Loren Taylor

Hi Neighbor,


As we approach our second weekend of sheltering in place, we see strong evidence that the drastic measures we have taken are indeed helping. The increase in COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area and across California is better than what we have seen in many other regions of the world. Since we are still in the early stages of this pandemic, it is absolutely critical that we continue to be vigilant and maintain our efforts of social distancing and sheltering in place. Thank you for doing your part to flatten the curve in the Bay Area and support our community in whatever capacity you are able.

Today on the Oakland City Council, we are advancing additional legislation to protect our most vulnerable neighbors in the midst of this crisis. Below, you will find more information about this important legislation as well as the following topics.

NEWSLETTER SECTIONS (Below)
  1. City of Oakland Eviction Moratorium Legislation
  2. Homeless Encampment Management Policy Survey
  3. Supportive Services for Small Business Owners
  4. Community Resources & Updates
  5. Donations & Volunteer Opportunities
And if you still have questions about COVID-19 and what the Federal,State and Local Governments are doing:

1. Click Here to watch last night's City of Oakland COVID-19 Town Hall

2. Please revisit our previous newsletters below:

  • March 8th: City of Oakland- Response to Coronavirus link
  • March 14th: Coronavirus update link
  • March 17th: Alameda County Shelter In Place Effective March 17th link
  • March 21st: News & Updates link

3. Alternatively, you can check updates from the Alameda County Public Health Departments by clicking here.  

As always, please feel free to reach out to our office with any additional questions/ follow-up. - Email us at [email protected]
 
  Also, Please share this email with any neighbors who may not have received this update!

 
Yours in Service of Oakland,
 
Loren M. Taylor, Councilmember
Oakland - District 6

1.City of Oakland Eviction Moratorium Legislation


Today, Friday, March 27th at 11am I and my fellow councilmembers will hold a special online city council meeting during which we will vote on two important issues that protect local residents during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
1. A city-wide moratorium on:
  • Residential AND commercial evictions
  • Residential rent increases and late fees
  • Residential evictions for nonpayment of rent that become due during the COVID-19 Local Emergency

2. A suspension of any closures of homeless encampments

3. An allocation of $1.6M to provide sanitation and hygiene services to homeless encampments

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We encourage every community member to read and engage this discussion.

Please find the agenda here.

Access this meeting on the following digital platforms:

  • TV: XFINITY CHANNEL10 & AT&T CHANNEL 99
  • Online: Oakland Legistar
  • Zoom: Follow this link
  • Call:(669)900-6833 ID-420 129 689
2. Homeless Encampment Management Policy
(SURVEY RESPONSE REQUESTED)


While we shelter in place to flatten the curve of coronavirus transmission, it is important to continue the efforts we started before COVID-19 emerged –aggressively addressing our homelessness crisis.

Your input is vital to the City Council as we make critical decisions about how homeless encampments should be managed and serviced.


 Please complete the survey below, designed to capture the perspective of those who live and work in Oakland. 

Homeless Encampment Management Policy Survey
3. Supportive Services For Small Business Owners
A. Square: Small Business Tips For Success During COVID-19

Recently, relocated to Oakland, Square has an amazing online platform to help Small Business Owners launch their businesses online.

Helpful How To's on the website.

How to take your business online?

Webinar Friday, March 27th at 2pm

RSVP FOR FREE HERE
C. Small Business Administration: Disaster Loan Assistance

SBA Disaster Loans: Businesses can apply for emergency SBA loans up to $2 million.  Payments can be deferred for up to 12 months, with terms up to 30years.

Applicants Apply Here


B. Seller Support

Are you interested in free online trainings for expanding your business online?

Visit Sellercommunity.com








D.Emergency Grant Funds for Small Businesses:

On Friday, March 20, the Mayor announced the  OaklandCOVID-19 Relief Fund .

While the criteria is still being developed, some of this funding will be allocated for small cash grants to small businesses.

Applications will be open soon, visit the website.
4. Community Resources & Updates
A. Alameda County Resources & informational websites

Rapid Response List of Resources



B. Shelter In Place Compliance

Alameda County has also launched  [email protected]   as a new email for compliance complaints and questions for non-essential businesses and non-essential activities in violation of the Alameda County public health order.
C. Oakland Unified School District

Regular School Attendance due to the Shelter In Place order has been extended though May 1, 2020 (Press Release)

Please utilize the OUSD Library Support Services:




D.List of City of Oakland Service Impacts

Do you have questions about services impacted by COVID-19?

Visit this website.

5. Transportation Services
A. AC Transit

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020

Rear Door Boarding and No Fare until further notice.

AC Transit Bus Maintenance and Employee Awareness

• Sanitizing all coaches at the close of daily service – including driver compartments, fare boxes, Clipper card readers, handrails, stanchions, seats, and other onboard hard surfaces

• Daily sanitization of AC Transit facilities – including the downtown Oakland Customer Service Center

• Supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), for voluntary use of personnel, including gloves and masks.

• Supply hand sanitizer dispensers and individual use bottles at all AC Transit facilities

• Employee Education and Awareness outreach

More Info
B. Bay Area Rapid Transit


Starting Monday, March 23, 2020, BART will provide limited service hours.

Monday-Friday from 5am-9pm

Saturday and Sunday service will be from 8am-9pm


All riders must be in the system by 8:45pm to have a guaranteed ride to their destination.

BART will monitor ridership data each day to determine how long these service hours will be in effect.



More Info

6. Donation & Volunteer Opportunities
A.Donate Materials


Oakland Main Library:
125 14th St,Oakland,Ca

Donate unused/new face masks

If you have quantities too large to deposit in the book return bin
please email: [email protected] to schedule a drop off.


Root's Community Health Center:
9925 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94603

Donate unused mask, unused cleaning products and food resources.

Call to arrange donation drop off: (510)777-1177
B.Donate Monetarily


City of Oakland:

The Oakland COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide immediate grants to nonprofit organizations working on the frontlines. The Fund will focus on four priority areas: food, homelessness, community health, and economic security.

Donate here COVID-19 Relief Fund



Diamond in the Ruff, Independent Living Transitional Home:

During this critical time, we need to support single women and women with children calm, stable, and hopeful.

We are accepting non-contact drop off of supplies at your convenience.
5940 Hayes Street, Oakland, CA 94621

If you like to give a donation to buy supplies, please go to  adiamondintheruffhouse.org  and click on donations.  
Question or Concerns? Contact The District 6 Team:

Councilmember Loren Taylor; [email protected]

Chief of Staff/Policy Lead: Pamela Ferran; [email protected]

Scheduling/Events: Lina Hancock; [email protected]

Constituent Liaison: Rowena Brown; [email protected]


Email us all: [email protected]