Facing a looming debt to cover unfunded liabilities and a still struggling economy, Oakland administrators presented a proposed budget plan for the 2013-2015 Fiscal Year which can be found here: Oakland 2013-2015 Budget.   

In the past, city employees had to make concessions (department cuts, random furlough days and increased contributions to retirement benefits) in order to help the city past the recession. This year, they are not having it..and SEIU and Local Unions and other city employees showed up to Tuesday’s (April 30th) City Council Meeting to say “Enough is Enough”.

Before the mayor presents the proposed budget to City Council, Council President Pat Kernighan allows for the public and union representatives to make comments. First there is Open Forum. For those of you who don’t know what open forum is, it’s a chance for the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda. The main subject of Open Forum tonight? How the city chooses to spend it’s money (*cough*the budget*cough*).

Phil Tagami is a major businessman in Oakland and holds important city development contracts like ones concerning the Oakland Army Base. Gene Hazard doesn’t like him.

The Oakland Animal Shelter took in over 5 thousand animals (dogs and cats) in 2012. Learn more about the Animal Shelter by visiting their website: Oakland Animal Services

After Open Forum..the Council hears comments from local Union representatives about the mayor’s proposed budget and how they have been affected by past budget negotiations.

SEIU 1021 speaks first..

FTE’s = Full Time Employees. TPT = Temporary Part-Time Employees, no benefits.

After the SEIU 1021 President (or head representative at the meeting tonight) speaks. Other SEIU members speak about their experiences.

Next..it’s time for IFPTE Local 21 Union members to speak. Not only do they give a speech, but they have a video to share which basically sums up their stance on the issue.  Watch the video here:

After hearing from Union representatives, the Mayor presented her budget plan. She didn’t go into too much detail, except to highlight the reasons behind some of the decisions made on what to cut and what to preserve. Her focus is on public safety, and trying to build Oakland’s economy the quickest way possible.

Next up was Deanna Santana, explaining how the city administration will spend according to the Mayor’s budget proposal. Unfortunately, Ms. Santana’s presentation (as detailed as she was trying to make it) wasn’t really clear to the general public, except when it came to figuring out what things were going to get cut.

After the city’s report,  Council President Kernighan (District 2) allowed some additional public comments before the City Council weighed in..

Finally the Oakland City Council weighs in with comments. Not all of the comments were recorded via twitter. (Note..if you would like to know how your councilmember feels about the budget, make sure you seek them out and ask their opinions!)

Councilmember Dan Kalb (District 1) chimes in first.

Councilmember Lynette McElhaney (District 3) agrees. She feels that it’s important that we figure out a way to make sure city services are maintained.

Councilmember Desley Brooks (District 6) in particular had a lot of questions and concerns over the proposed budget from the Mayor and City Administrator.

Councilmember Gallo (District 5) is appreciative of Ms. Brooks questions and gets CM Kernighan to promise that her questions will be addressed (once Ms Brooks submits them in writing to the City Administrator) and the answers will be made public by the time the Council makes a final decision on the budget.

Councilmember Schaaf (District 4) appreciates the questions being asked about the budget. However she is in support of making sure we address the unfunded liabilities that the city continues to face.

Councilmember Lynette McElhaney (District 5) quickly addresses comments that make it seem like she doesn’t care about the Oakland’s looming debts.

Councilmember Larry Reid (District 7) chooses to submit his questions to the City Administrator in writing rather than address the council in public.

Finally, at the end of this presentation on the budget. Local organization OpenOakland presents a new website application designed to make the Oakland Budget more understandable to the general population. The website was generated from Oakland residents with the help of City Staff. To visit the website go to openbudgetoakland.org

Unfortunately, not all of the councilmembers are ecstatic about the new budget application..

So Oakland citizens? What do you think the city should do about the budget? Would you like to share your thoughts? There will be several town halls throughout the city where you can talk with your councilmember and neighbors about how the city should spend your tax dollars.

Attend one of the town hall events below (arranged by date):

1. Thursday, May 9  6:30 – 8:30 pm

  Marian Zimmer Auditorium, Oakland Zoo,
     9777 Golf Links Road
        Council District 7

2.  Monday, May 13   6  – 8 pm
   Cesar Chavez Education Center,

    2825 International Boulevard
    Council Districts 5 & At-large

3.  Saturday, May 18  Noon – 2:30 pm

Beebe Memorial Cathedral,
  3900 Telegraph Avenue
  Council Districts 1 and 3

4. Sunday, May 19 3:30 – 5:30 pm
   Glenview Elementary School,

      4215 La Cresta Avenue
      Council Districts 2 & 4

5. Monday, May 20  6:30 – 8 pm

     Frick Middle School,
     2845 64th Avenue
    Council District 6

Finally there will be other city council meetings discussing the budget where you can share your thoughts via Open Forum:

The following Council Budget Hearings will be held in Council Chambers, Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza:

Thursday, May 23, 6:30 pm
Thursday, June 13, 6:30 pm
Thursday, June 27, 6:30 pm for final budget adoption

Do you have any preliminary thoughts so far? Share!