News

To mitigate the economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City wants to highlight a variety of programs and efforts to support small businesses and workers. These resources include assistance with small business taxes, state and federal loan programs, worker benefits programs, and other direct business support. The City has also launched a website to serve as a portal for all the local, state and federal resources available to support small businesses and workers during this crisis.

Last night, the Oakland City Council confirmed Mayor Libby Schaaf’s appointments to the Cultural Affairs Commission. The Commission is an advisory council to the Mayor, City Council and City Administrator on all matters affecting cultural development in Oakland. The Commission members’ primary role and responsibility will be to act as ambassadors and advocates for arts and culture in Oakland.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee will present the Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award to Ms. Clarissa Douthard, a passionate advocate for children and parents. The award will be presented on Sunday, January 19, at In the Name of Love, the 18th annual musical tribute honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ms. Douthard, Executive Director of Parent Voices Oakland, receives the award for her outstanding work on behalf of the Oakland community.

*WITH NEW, EXTENDED DEADLINE*
The City of Oakland’s Planning & Building Department has released a Request for Proposals to develop its Proactive Rental Inspection Program (PRIP). The main objective of the PRIP is to conduct proactive inspections of residential rental units in Oakland creating a system that promotes proactive habitability inspection and tenant safety.

Shoppers can skip the stress of standing in lines to have fun, find great gifts and keep their money in Oakland supporting local businesses and bolstering the city’s economy. The one-stop portal at ShopOaklandNow.org is packed with information on holiday events, the #ShopOAKProud photo contest, online directories and a helpful concierge service.

Today, Vice Mayor Larry Reid (District 7) and City Councilmember Loren Taylor (District 6) dedicated the MacArthur Boulevard Gateway Arches, the newest City-funded public artwork. Two colorful, 45-foot-wide, site-specific roadway arches have been installed along MacArthur Boulevard.

Latest rapid response work includes innovative “hardened centerlines” which prevent drivers from cutting corners when turning

On Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6, the owner of an approximately 4-acre parcel of land in West Oakland will begin a clean-up process on its property to enable it to lease the land to the City of Oakland, at no cost, for use as a Safe RV Parking Site for the next two or three years.

On October 16, 2019, the Oakland City Council approved about $1,221,044 in fiscal year 2019-20 grants to Oakland-based nonprofit organizations and individual artists through the City’s Cultural Funding Program. The 91 arts grants range from $4,999 to $33,000 and have been awarded to 83 different recipients.

Learn more about the latest situational updates regarding the PG&E shutoff scheduled for Saturday, October 26.