West Oakland BusinessAlert

Business Community Attendees
Reve Bautista (Oakland City Attorney’s Office), George Burtt (WOCA), Christine Calabrese (City of Oakland Administrator’s Office, ADA), Roberto Costa (CEDA), Linda Fadden (WON), David Ferguson (City of Oakland OPW), Debbie Hauser (Staff), Michael Herling (Consolidated Cleaning Services), Francesco Indrio (Alpi Int’l.), Edward Kangeter (CASS), Ray Kidd (WON), Steve Lowe (WOCA), Tom McCoy (BBI Construction), Chris Mills (BKF Engineers), Ellen Parkinson (Parkinson Enterprises), Margot Lederer Prado (Bus. Dev. Services)

Discussion with Reve Bautista, Oakland City Attorney’s Office, Special Prosecution Team
After being welcomed by the Committee, Ms. Bautista discussed her role at the City Attorney’s Office. She serves as a City prosecutor but is attached to the City Attorney’s office by invitation. She refers to herself as the City’s prosecutor, and her work is related only to those issues that seek to better the quality of life for Oakland citizens, specifically in Area 1, encompassing North and West Oakland. She previously worked as a prosecutor on behalf of the City of San Francisco for 18 years.

Ms. Bautista authored gang injunction language, recently proposed in hopes of quelling gang related activities and violence in Oakland. She worked on a similar project in San Francisco. Her position at the City Attorney’s office provides the authority to bring a variety of crimes to the DA’s desk for consideration, including quality of life crimes such as illegal dumping and blight activities, such as the spraying of graffiti. The DA’s office has ultimate jurisdiction over what crimes to prosecute, however Ms. Bautista works closely with the DA to make the case for prosecution.

Ms. Bautista reported she is committed to making a difference in West Oakland. Sixteen months in the making, the Special Prosecution Team program has now been launched and is looking to make a difference in the quality of life here, focusing on gangs and dumping, as directed by the City Attorney. Ms. Bautista requests the assistance of business managers and employees in keeping her informed about these crimes, including submission of photos, dates, times and reporting to OPD. She will be asking the citizens and business owners of West Oakland to make victim impact statements before the court, when necessary. She also intends to meet with Oakland Public Works staff to coordinate efforts and is encouraging that a “summit” be hosted by the City Attorney’s office in order to strategize and divide tasks. A billboard marketing campaign could follow successful prosecutions that result in better quality of life. In responding to doubts expressed about the viability of camera surveillance as a tool to fight crime, Ms. Bautista stated that cameras are still a good means of keeping tabs on crime and possibly providing evidence.

Ms. Bautista looks forward to developing a fruitful working relationship with West Oakland BusinessAlert and residents of Area 1.

Illegal Dumping and Public Works Agency’s Maintenance Services
David Ferguson, Operations Manager for Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful, provided an update on ongoing maintenance services and illegal dumping elimination efforts. Staff reductions caused by previous budget cuts have left the KOCB program with less personnel than optimal to handle citywide services. However, overall dumping has been reduced since the program was initiated eight years ago, from 4,000 tons per year to 2,000 tons per year, due in large part to public outreach and the introduction of amnesty days for waste elimination. The DA’s office is more embracive of pressing charges against dumpers than in the past, and individuals caught dumping are paying fines assessed to them. Dumpers are caught most often from evidence left behind, as opposed to being caught in the act, and a citation of approximately $1,000 is issued. David and staff are making efforts to get more dumped waste recycled than thrown away in landfill. Some OPW trucks are designated to pick up only certain waste products at present. Litter Enforcement Officers are required to visit at least two businesses a day in order to conduct outreach and make sure services are being rendered properly. Edward Kangeter reported on his company’s efforts to eliminate dumping at his place of business. He’s installed “no dumping” signage around the property and has encouraged his neighbors to do so as well. He proposes a City and/or OPD stakeout on a weekend night when dumping and prostitution are prevalent. David reports that stakeouts that result in citations are challenging because it is a hit and miss proposition. Operation Lie In Wait, conducted with the aid of Craig’s List when more funding was available two years ago, was successful in catching haulers in the act of accepting materials illegally for disposal. He and his staff are engaged in outreach to encourage reporting and volunteerism as a means to deter dumping activities. He invited feedback on the needs of local business owners, including fencing and signage that limit access. A limited budget is available to fund these items.

West Oakland Industrial Infrastructure Study
Margot Prado distributed a February 8th draft summary scope of services for work now underway on a consultant basis through BKF Engineering. The summary delineates services that are funded and services not currently funded in studying West Oakland infrastructure needs. Chris Mills of BKF reported that several tasks are now in the midst of being completed, including study of safety issues, lighting and surface road conditions. BKF staff has been dispatched to evaluate conditions, and Chris estimates the study is approximately 12% completed. Composition of the resulting report will follow once scope of work is fully fleshed out. George Burtt commented that several tasks on the draft summary appear to be more consistent with economic development rather than basic improvement of existing infrastructure. Tom McCoy encouraged that a meeting be held between BKF staff, Margot and other selected stakeholders in order to further define infrastructure needs. Margot suggested that the West Oakland BusinessAlert Committee be proactive in requesting needed funding for infrastructure from appropriate agency heads. BKF’s study should be completed this summer.

Christine Calabrese, ADA Projects Coordinator for the City Administrator’s Office, discussed her interactions with railroad company staff as part of work conducted on behalf of the City. She has worked with the railroads to get better crossings implemented in Jack London Square and other places around the city. Working with the railroads to have them comply with ADA law may be a way of getting needed quality of life improvements done at the same time, such as better pedestrian access and paving. Christine will share an existing sidewalk priority plan and other documents in an effort to assist in putting together a strategic plan to present to Union Pacific. She cited a recent ruling against Caltrans for $1.1 billion that establishes precedence for right of way access. Tom McCoy discussed a request from Oakland City Attorney John Russo for a letter to be submitted to his office on behalf of concerned West Oakland citizens in regards to railroad improvements as a quality of life issue, along with a proposed improvement plan that can be submitted to railroad companies. Christine offered use of a letter being submitted to Caltrans on the City’s behalf that may also be used as a template for a letter to UP. She recommended contacting Larry Paradis of Disability Rights Advocates, who carried the lawsuit brought against Caltrans, for input. Tom McCoy suggested the best way to approach Union Pacific is first through plan development and negotiation. Christine and CEDA staff will work together in evaluating sidewalk prioritization and railroad layout maps, and Christine will gather information on precedence in work done on behalf of other clients.