OAKLAND CITY COUNCILAn opinion by the Oakland City Attorney's office that a voter-approved independent police commission did not have authority, under the City Charter, to hire or fire an inspector general for police investigations, roiled advocates of police transparency Tuesday night in the Oakland City Council chambersOakland voters overwhelmingly supported Measure LL in November 2016, … Continue reading Oakland police commission enabling ordinance moves along, despite city attorney’s opinion
Category: Abel Guillen
Oakland councilmember blasts mayor, police, fire for doing little to limit rising overtime costs
Oakland Councilmember Annie CampbellWashington doubts the city administrationis serious about reducing overtime hours for its public safety employees.OAKLAND CITY COUNCILOakland's overtime budget for the police and fire departments is bursting at the seams, leading one normally reserved councilmember Tuesday to unleash a litany of strong criticisms against not only each public safety department's leadership, but also … Continue reading Oakland councilmember blasts mayor, police, fire for doing little to limit rising overtime costs
2017 Year in East Bay Politics: We grabbed Trump by the politics
2017 YEAR IN EAST BAY POLITICSIt's difficult to imagine what the prevailing story line of politics in the East Bay would have been without the daily barrage of tweets and general insanity emanating from President Donald Trump in 2017. Much time and energy was expended everywhere chronicling his first year in office, including the East … Continue reading 2017 Year in East Bay Politics: We grabbed Trump by the politics
Oakland plan to restrict speculators at proposed A’s ballpark is held in committee
A's management announced an intention tobuild a new ballpark in the above area nearLaney College in OAKLAND CITY COUNCILLegislation that would have placed short-term controls aimed at hindering speculative real estate moves in and around the proposed A's ballpark near Laney College was put on hold Tuesday by the Oakland City Council Community and Economic Development … Continue reading Oakland plan to restrict speculators at proposed A’s ballpark is held in committee
Kaplan, Brooks upset over ICE accountability item being iced by Oakland committee members
OAKLAND CITY COUNCILOakland Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan and Desley Brooks expressed bewilderment Friday after an inquiry into the Aug. 16 raid in Oakland conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents was abruptly removed from consideration at yesterday's Oakland City Council Rules Committee. The item was previously scheduled for next Tuesday.The request was made by … Continue reading Kaplan, Brooks upset over ICE accountability item being iced by Oakland committee members
Oakland proposal to border wall builders: Take your biz elsewhere
OAKLAND CITY COUNCILPrototypes for President Donald Trump's border wall are nearly complete. The City of Oakland, however, believes it has its own prototype for stymieing the wall's construction.An Oakland City Council proposal to ban vendors from seeking city contracts who if they help design or construct the controversial border wall was approved Tuesday by the … Continue reading Oakland proposal to border wall builders: Take your biz elsewhere
Oakland council committee moves to cool OPD coordination with ICE
Oakland Councilmember Rebecca Kaplanaddressing the public safety committeeon Tuesday night.OAKLAND CITY COUNCILAn Oakland City Council committee backed an ordinance Tuesday night that revokes authority previously given to the city administrator for entering agreements with the U.S. Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE)."It sends a strong message and brings peace of mind to members of our community," … Continue reading Oakland council committee moves to cool OPD coordination with ICE
With patience and time running out, Oakland finds a way to approve $2.5bn two-year budget
Oakland Councilmember Abel Guillen's motionallowed the city approve its two-year budgetjust under the wire before a Friday deadline.OAKLAND CITY COUNCILFor a budget battle in Oakland that resulted earlier in the week with an abrupt adjournment in response to civil disobedience, it didn’t take much to inflame what became another wild night inside the council’s chambers. … Continue reading With patience and time running out, Oakland finds a way to approve $2.5bn two-year budget
Oakland City Council backs inquiry, Trump impeachment: ‘I hope God blesses us with a miracle and gets rid of both Trump and Pence’
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL"I can't think of any of my colleagues on this council that voted for Donald Trump," said Oakland Council President Larry Reid before a number of public speakers lined up to urge the City Council to support a resolution to investigate and possibly impeach Donald Trump.He was right. The Oakland City Council unanimously … Continue reading Oakland City Council backs inquiry, Trump impeachment: ‘I hope God blesses us with a miracle and gets rid of both Trump and Pence’
Oakland public bank study put on hold while city passes the hat around to cannabis interests
OAKLAND CITY COUNCILDuring the Oakland City Council committee stage, at least one Oakland councilmember consistently urged stakeholders in the city's cannabis business community to fund a proposed $100,000 public bank feasibility study rather than using the depleted general fund. Councilmember Noel Gallo's idea was never elaborated upon by his colleagues until Tuesday night and the … Continue reading Oakland public bank study put on hold while city passes the hat around to cannabis interests
Following emotional hearing, Oakland City Council approves Dept. of Violence Prevention
OAKLAND CITY COUNCILIt was one of the most somber Oakland City Council meetings in recent memory. Dozens of public speakers detailed the anguish following the loss of loved ones to gun violence in Oakland. And, later, after Council President Larry Reid's daughter provided her own tragic testimony, he struggled to fight back tears before the … Continue reading Following emotional hearing, Oakland City Council approves Dept. of Violence Prevention
Oakland public bank feasibility study moves forward
OAKLAND CITY COUNCILOakland officials are putting a down payment on the possible creation of a public bank. The Oakland City Council Finance and Management Committee approved the allocation Tuesday of $100,000 to study the feasibility of the potentially landmark public bank in Oakland, or possibly regionally.The proposed public bank would give Oakland residents in underserved … Continue reading Oakland public bank feasibility study moves forward
Oakland City Council may hear resolution in June seeking possible impeachment of Trump
OAKLAND CITY COUNCILThree Oakland elected officials introduced a resolution Thursday calling for Congress to investigate all impeachable offense alleged of President Donald Trump.The symbolic resolution, authored by Oakalnd Councilmember Dan Kalb, Abel Guillen, was presented to the Oakland City Council Rules Committee on Thursday morning. Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker asked to be included as … Continue reading Oakland City Council may hear resolution in June seeking possible impeachment of Trump
Oakland public bank study postponed as questions arise over $100,000 proposal
OAKLAND CITY COUNCILThe momentum for Oakland becoming only the second public bank in the entire country was slowed Tuesday when an Oakland City Council committee declined to support a feasibility study worth $100,000.A majority of the Finance and Management Committee strongly questioned whether the proposal recommended by city staff was sufficient to conduct a thorough … Continue reading Oakland public bank study postponed as questions arise over $100,000 proposal
Oakland approves city ban on companies hoping to build Trump’s wall
Oakland Councilmember Abel Guillen'slegislation rebuking the building of Trump'swall was approved Tuesday night.OAKLAND CITY COUNCILIf a business specializing on a gamut of services from construction to internet services to public relations wants to help build President's Trump controversial southern border wall, they won't be able to enter into contracts with Oakland, the City Council unanimously … Continue reading Oakland approves city ban on companies hoping to build Trump’s wall
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