January 20, 2022
Dear Friend,

Thanks to the Biden administration, every home in the United States can now order four free at-home COVID-19 tests at this link. I encourage all Oaklanders to make use of this resource, and continue to take every precaution to help fight this surge.

Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. Please forward this to a friend. They may subscribe here.

In community,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
A's Update: Environmental Report Heads to Council!
Image via City of Oakland
On Wednesday night, the Oakland Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend sending the final Environmental Impact Report to the City Council for certification. This recommendation is a huge win for our entire region and puts Oakland one step closer to building a landmark waterfront ballpark district with the highest environmental standards.

For this EIR, our City provided an extended public comment and review period and responded to more than 400 comments in writing. A new waterfront neighborhood will provide a long-term home for our beloved Oakland A’s, 18 acres of beautifully landscaped public parks, 3,000 units of much-needed market rate and affordable housing, and bring more than 25,000 union construction and 7,000 permanent jobs to our region. Let’s go Oakland!
Public Safety Update: Oakland CHP Patrols Effective
In August, I sent a request to Governor Newsom that the state provide additional CHP traffic enforcement resources into Oakland's major commercial corridors, which the Governor granted. This request for more state resources to areas experiencing a traumatic increase in violent crimes and dangerous traffic violations came from the community.

Last week, The Oaklandside published an article on the effects of CHP's increased presence in Oakland. The article shows that last September, following our request to the Governor, CHP helped make additional stops and arrests for dangerous driving. Chief Armstrong also reported a decreased sideshow activity in Oakland that month, attributing that trend to the additional CHP patrols. We are grateful to the Governor for both listening and responding to the concerns of local government regarding public safety, and we'll continue to look for every resource to make Oakland a safer city.
The Andrews Sisters: From Oakland To ESPN
On Tuesday, Kendra Andrews made her debut on ESPN's NBA Today show as the network's newest Warriors beat reporter. The host of NBA Today? Kendra's sister Malika. Kendra recently joined ESPN after covering the Warriors for NBC Bay Area, while Malika has hosted NBA Today since 2021, after becoming the NBA' s youngest sideline reporter ever during the previous season. A huge shoutout to these Oakland native sisters for doing big things on the national stage! Check out the clip below to see the pair on air together for the first time.
More Bulky Waste Services for Oaklanders
Ditch your junk for free this January! All Oakland residents can schedule no-charge large item drop off appointments with Waste Management of Alameda County, and all residents - including apartment dwellers - can schedule a bulky pickup each year. On Saturday, January 29, OPW will host its monthly Bulky Block Party where residents can drop off their items for free, from 9am-1pm, at 7101 Edgewater Drive.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
A great morning for a bike ride in the Oakland hills. Have a picture that might make a good photo of the week? Send in your submissions at this link!
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND RESOURCES
  • A family-owned shipping company based out of the Port of Oakland that regularly ships to Tonga is collecting relief supplies to send on its container ships, in response to the recent, devastating volcanic activity and tsunami. Find out how you can donate here.

  • Last week, the Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development Department released a report detailing its incredible accomplishments over the last 5 years. Oakland's parks are places of recreation as well as places of community, wellness, and resilience. It's worth taking a little time to learn about the fantastic work that OPRYD is doing.

  • Help shape Oakland's #GeneralPlanUpdate by participating in our upcoming community meetings. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Oaklanders to create a visionary blueprint together for the future of our City. Find meeting times here.

  • New laws for 2022 make it easier to create more housing in Oakland! Single-family homeowners may now build more homes or split their lots with more homes, and owners of RVs may now occupy these "vehicular residences" with special permits. Learn more.

  • Oakland teachers, be sure to use DonorsChoose.org to get your school supply wishlists up! Steph and Ayesha Curry's Eat.Learn.Play. foundation will be filling one million dollars worth of non-tech, literacy-related requests.

  • REMINDER: Even though the federal moratorium has ended, Oakland's eviction moratorium remains in place. Find rental resources here.

  • Access a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccine record here.

  • Enrollment for the 2022-23 OUSD school year is open now until February 4, 2022.

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Now through June, Oakland entrepreneurs and business owners can meet with the CIty's business support staff at any of 6 Neighborhood Business Assistance locations. Learn more + schedule an appointment here.

  • The Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) is hiring paid interns for a variety of roles. Open to full-time students in community college, four-year college, or graduate school. Applications are open through February 10.


  • Was your New Year's resolution to find a new job? Oakland residents have access to 5,000 free online courses in multiple languages to help advance your career of prepare to return to work. Learn more here.


  • The Youth Beat Multimedia Apprentice program, launching in 2022, is currently recruiting BIPOC young adults who are NOT currently on a 4-year college track but who are ready to dive into a career in media. Apprentices will gain access to professional tools, skills, and mentors they need to pursue a fulfilling career in the film and media industry. Apply here!

  • Oakland Unified School District is hiring for a variety of roles! Find out more at the OUSD Jobs Portal.

  • AC Transit is hiring bus operators. Jobs start at $22.11/hour after paid training. Learn more about further opportunities here.