Action/Advocacy

League of Women Voters^®
of Oakland

Citiwide Records Management (7-20-2010). Recommendations Regarding Boards and Commissions (5/17/2010). Voting Outreach And Education Campaign Fund (3-16-2010). Ranked Choice Voting (3-02-2010). OCRA Contribution Limits (3-01-2010). CA Universal Health Care Act (2-18-2010). Central Waterfront Plan (2-09-2010). Instant Runoff Voting (12-12-2009). Records Management proposal (12-11-2009). IRV Press Conference (10-30-2009). Records Management (10-29-2009). Barbara Lee on Health Care (7-20-2009). Barbara Lee on Climate Change Legiislation (7-09-2009). Public Ethics Commission (4-17-2009). Oakland Boards and Commissions (2-19-09). Lobbyist Registration Act (1-5-09). Oakland City Council - Campaign Finance (11-02-2008). Finance and Management Records (10-12-08). Central Business District Rezoning (9-2-2008). Oakland Records Managment (8-14-2008).

The League of Women Voters has two separate and distinct roles.

Voters Service/Citizen Education: we present unbiased nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues.

Action/Advocacy: we are also nonpartisan, but, after study, we use our positions to advocate for or against particular policies in the public interest. We never advocate for candidates.

This page is the Action/Advocacy role

The November election is coming! Look here to see the LWV California state endorsements

Citywide Records Management Program

July 20, 2010
Oakland City Council
City of Oakland
One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Subject: Citywide Records Management Program (Agenda Item S-7.32)
Dear Councilmembers:
The League of Women Voters of Oakland strongly supports the Citywide Records Management Program (Item S-7.32), as presented on the July 20, 2010 City Council meeting agenda and as approved and recommended by the Special Finance and Management Committee on July 13. As you know, this program establishes a policy and a framework for a systematic citywide records management program. Without this strong citywide policy statement enacted in the ordinance by the City Council, we will continue to have piecemeal attempts at record management, but no real progress.
The League of Women Voters can attest that Oakland city government lacks the tools to ensure that its records are easily accessible for city staff and citizens. The Public Ethics Commission fields numerous complaints regarding missing records or failure to produce records. There are many reasons why records cannot be found, but they are regularly lost or mislaid.
Basic records management is required by the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which requires that public agencies make all their records, with some exceptions, accessible to the public. In order for records to be accessible, the city staff needs to be able to find them. The citizens of Oakland expect their city government to comply with the requirements of the CPRA.
In order to enact strong records management the city needs a strong policy statement from the City Council and a commitment from the administration that it will enforce the policy. The City Clerk has made her statement of commitment by hiring a professional records manager to oversee the program. However, the records manager must have full cooperation from all city departments. The City Administrator must make a strong statement that the records management program has his full backing, and make it a high priority for city staff.
We urge you to approve the Citywide Records Management Program on July 20.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy and Suzanne Loosen, Co-Presidents

Recommendations Regarding Boards and Commissions (5/17/2010)

May 17, 2010
The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, Mayor
Members of the Oakland City Council
Oakland City Hall
One Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, California 94612
Dear Councilmembers:
The League of Women Voters of Oakland is pleased to present the attached findings and recommendations regarding boards and commissions in the City of Oakland. The report contains twelve general recommendations which address size, appointment, operations, and communications issues. Key among these is the recommendation that a Councilmember liaison meet in person at least once a year with each board and commission, and that the board or commission adopt formal goals and set itself specific tasks and objectives in a cooperative process with the Councilmember. You should expect that boards and commissions will on the one hand, advise and assist you in carrying out your priorities for the City, and on the other, advise and assist you in setting those priorities.
The report also addresses two specific areas of concern. The first is the role and function of the oversight committees, which we suggest warrant a separate study. The second is the Workforce Investment Board, for which we offer specific findings and recommendations.
In addition, we offer the following observations and recommendations for your consideration.
Charter changes
Some of the changes recommended may require changes in the city charter. We did not allow the need for a charter election to deter us from putting forward what we thought to be the best solution to a given problem.
Form 700
In Los Angeles, all people nominated to positions in any government agencies are required to submit their conflict of interest disclosures before they are confirmed by the City Council. We recommend that Oakland adopt a similar policy for nominees to any board, commission or committee deemed to have power to make decisions in which the public might want to know about a potential conflict of interest before the appointment. These entities include, but are not limited to, the Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Committee, the Housing, Residential Rent and Relocation Board, the Planning Commission, the Public Ethics Commission, and the Workforce Investment Board.
New boards and commissions
In the course of interviews with City Council members, one Council member indicated that she thought an entertainment commission would be helpful to advise the Public Safety Committee; another favored a traffic commission.
The League recommends that before establishing a new board or commission, the City Council appoint a task force to address the specific issues about which it seeks advice, giving the task force clear direction and a definite time in which to complete its tasks. The Council can review the work of the task force and seek the advice of task force members whether the subject warrants a permanent board or commission.
Next steps
The League urges the Council to direct the City Administrator to appoint an interdisciplinary team to develop an implementation plan for these recommendations. This team should report back to the Council within six months.
We are happy to be of service, and hope that our report provides some direction for making Oakland city government ever more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all our citizens.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy Suzanne Loosen
Co-Presidents
Cc: John Russo, City Attorney
Courtney Ruby, City Auditor
LaTonda immons, City Clerk
Here is our Report on Boards & Commissions

Voting Outreach And Education Campaign Fund (3-16-2010)

March 16, 2010
Oakland City Council

Dear Councilmembers,
Re: Voting Outreach And Education Campaign Fund (Agenda Item 10)
The League of Women Voters of Oakland has been a longtime supporter of the Oakland Campaign Reform Act. We strongly support the public funding of elections, and will continue to advocate for this here in Oakland, in California, and throughout the United States.
The Council is considering the use of public funding money on a one-time basis to help pay the cost of the first use of ranked choice voting in Oakland. Because we also so strongly want to make ranked choice voting a success in Oakland, we said earlier that we supported the use of this money + on a one-time basis. We'd like to make our support for this very explicit: we support this use of the public funding money if the funds are used to help the city meet costs which otherwise would come from the General Fund. We remain concerned about how the city will pay its share of the cost of implementing ranked choice voting and whether the city has sufficient funds to pay for a voter education campaign separate from that conducted by the Registrar of Voters.
That said, we commend those who produced the revised plan for a voter outreach education campaign on ranked choice voting. Drawing lessons from San Francisco's experience and planning a program where community organizations will be conducting media and forum-style educational outreach along with person-to-person contact which has proven to be effective, the proposed program seems a very worthwhile undertaking.
Requiring that participating groups coordinate with the county Registrar of Voters outreach program and submit performance reports will help make the program succeed.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy and Suzanne Loosen, Co-Presidents

Ranked Choice Voting (3-02-2010)

March 2, 2010
Oakland City Council
Dear Councilmembers,
Re: Use of Oakland Campaign Reform Act Funds for Education on Ranked Choice Voting

The League of Women Voters of Oakland has been a longtime supporter of the Oakland Campaign Reform Act. We strongly support the public funding of elections, and will continue to advocate for this here in Oakland, in California, and throughout the United States.
The Council is considering the use of public funding money on a one-time basis to help pay the cost of the first use of Ranked Choice Voting in Oakland. Because we also so strongly want to make Ranked Choice voting a success in Oakland, we said earlier that we supported the use of this money - on a one-time basis. We'd like to make our support for this very explicit: we support this use of the public funding money if the funds are used to help the city meet costs which otherwise would come from the General Fund.
We have concerns about this proposal, if it would actually use the money to create a new voter education campaign. The Alameda County Registrar of Voters is prepared to conduct an effective voter education campaign for Ranked Choice Voting, reaching out to voters in all three cities who will be using this system for the first time. All of the materials will be in three languages: English, Spanish, and Chinese.
The League of Women Voters is part of a group of volunteers already working to do community outreach. They are working separately from the Registrar, but coordinating their work with him, using the Oakland Ranked Choice Voting materials his office develops.
In this time of very tight budgets, we question whether Oakland should be spending extra money on a separate voter education effort. Before you decide to spend the extra money, please ensure that criteria and oversight for the program are established and that any city-funded voter education is well-coordinated with that done by the Registrar of Voters. If there is a separate city-funded program, it should assign one person, on a temporary basis, to be responsible for the coordination with the Registrar of Voters.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy and Suzanne Loosen, Co-Presidents

OCRA Contribution Limits (3-01-2010)

To: Oakland City Councilmembers
Re: OCRA contribution limits
The League of Women Voters of Oakland has been a longtime supporter of the Oakland Campaign Reform Act.
We strongly believe that making changes to the contribution limits at this point in the election cycle is not wise or rational. The current $ 600 limits have served us well. There is no evidence to show that candidates in the last two election cycles have not been able to raise enough money to wage a good campaign with these limits in place.
What is proposed is a fundamental change and deserves a full debate, not a quick decision. Any change to the contribution limits at this point in the election cycle is bound to be seen in a political light, whether the decision is made politically or not.
We believe the change is not necessary. Candidates in this cycle will have a longer time to raise money from more people, and still have only the one election cycle in which to campaign.
It is being argued that the need to do voter education on Ranked Choice Voting will increase the cost of the campaign. This is not true: since the Registrar of Voters will be providing voter education as part of the Ranked Choice Voting implementation, there is no need for any candidate to spend his or her campaign funds on education.
We urge keeping the current OCRA contribution limits. If you truly feel there is a need to consider an increase in the limits, please take it up after the election is over.

CA Universal Health Care Act (2-18-2010)

February 18, 2010
The Honorable Loni Hancock
California State Senate
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Hancock,
Re: SB 810
Thank you for your continuous strong support for SB 810 which will be voted on this month.
SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act, will provide every Californian the security of comprehensive, quality health care benefits in a system that gives everyone the right to choose his or her own physician and controls health care cost inflation.
SB 810 makes good fiscal sense. It combines the federal, state and local funds already spent on health care with affordable insurance premiums that replace all the premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket payments and co-pays now paid by employers and consumers. It limits the amount that can go to administrative overhead to five percent of our health care dollars, avoiding the huge waste in our current system.
Escalating health care costs are a burden to all Californians personally as well as to state and local governments that are major employers and safety net providers. With our state budget facing another $20 billion-plus deficit, and with millions of Californians without jobs and health care, we must take the important step of passing REAL health care reform. Please continue your leadership role in passing SB 810.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy and Suzanne Loosen
Co-Presidents, League of Women Voters of Oakland

Central Waterfront Plan (2-09-2010)

February 9, 2010
Community and Economic Development Committee
City of Oakland
Dear Chair and Committee Members:
Re: Central Waterfront Specific Plan
The League of Women Voters of Oakland commends the consultant's work on the Central Estuary Specific Plan, which encouraged public participation over six meetings. The final meeting gave attendees the opportunity to select a preferred alternative from the three that had been developed.
The preferred alternative combined some of the key points of the three original proposals. It promises that the Fruitvale District will be enhanced with both commercial and housing, which will work to create a vibrant area to both live and shop. This is a reflection of Oakland's Green City name when housing, commercial and BART come together.
The League is concerned about the housing development proposed for an area that is currently industrial - the Tidewater area. Housing should be located within half a mile of public transit. The Tidewater area is more than 1.2 miles to Fruitvale BART. AC Transit has said that the population density would not justify bus service to the area. Putting housing in this industrial area violates the spirit of California's new law designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, SB 375 (2008)*. If the City of Oakland is to become known as the "Green City," this element should be removed from the proposed plan for the area.
We are also concerned that putting housing on industrial land reduces the already small amount of land in the city zoned for industrial use.
The League of Women Voters supports multi-modal, efficient, convenient, cost-effective, equitable, safe transportation planned in concert with land use and viable alternatives to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and single-occupancy vehicle use. We ask you to approve housing in Oakland only when it is located within half a mile of public transit.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy and Suzanne Loosen, League of Women Voters of Oakland

A brief summary of SB. 375 is below.

Brief Summary of SB 375 (2008)
1. It creates a Sustainable Communities Strategy that links climate policy with an integrated regional land-use-and-transportation-planning approach to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from automobiles and light trucks. Within the Bay Area, automobiles and light trucks account for about 64 percent of emissions from the transportation sector. A Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) is based on a regional target for greenhouse-gas reduction and it identifies areas for housing and development for all of the region's population. It identifies significant resource areas and farmland. It sets forth an integrated development pattern and transportation network that will achieve the greenhouse reduction targets for the region, if there is a feasible way to do it. The plan needs to comply with the federal clean air and transportation laws. An alternative planning strategy is permitted if it is not possible to achieve the targets within an SCS.
2. It aligns the program for the regional distribution of housing to be consistent with the SCS. The bill expands regional and local responsibilities relative to state housing objectives. It requires that the region identify residential areas sufficient to accommodate all of the Bay Area's population, including all economic groups, for 25 years; and it requires that, within three years of amending their housing elements, local governments enact zoning to implement those elements
3. It adds new provisions to the California Environmental Quality Act to encourage land use decisions that implement the Sustainable Communities Strategy.
4. It adds new modeling provisions to accurately account for the transportation impacts of land use decisions.
SB 375 explicitly assigns responsibilities to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to implement the bill's provisions for the Bay Area. Both agencies are members of the Joint Policy Committee (JPC). Policies were approved by the JPC and provide guidance to the two lead regional agencies in fulfilling their responsibilities in collaboration with their JPC partners, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC).
The first step will be the establishment of regional greenhouse gas reduction targets by the California Air Resources Board by September 2010. After that, each region, in cooperation with counties and cities, will work on a Sustainable Communities Strategy for their region.
For more information: www.abag,ca,gov/jointpolicy/jpc-sb375-implementation.htm

Instant Runoff Voting (12-12-2009)

Dear Councilmember,

The League of Women Voters of Oakland urges your support for Instant Runoff Voting (also known as Ranked Choice Voting). IRV was approved by an overwhelming voter mandate in 2006. Recently, the Secretary of State certified the voting equipment, and the Alameda County Registrar of Voters has stated that he is ready to administer a ranked choice election in Oakland. Oakland voters are ready and waiting.

Instant Runoff Voting will increase voter turnout by moving Oakland's local elections from June to November, when the turnout is almost 60% higher than in June. This helps ensure that the electorate will reflect the preferences of a wider cross section of Oakland voters and a more representative demographic than under the current system. After paying the one-time start up costs, the city will show significant savings in its election expenditures by eliminating run-off elections.

Join the League of Women Voters and others in supporting Instant Runoff Voting for Oakland.
Sincerely,

Katherine Gavzy and Suzanne Loosen, Co-Presidents League of Women Voters of Oakland

Records Management proposal (12-11-2009)

December 11, 2009

Dear Members of the Finance and Management Committee: The League of Women Voters of Oakland strongly supports the Records Management proposal on the Finance and Management Committee December 15 agenda. This proposal establishes a policy, and sets the framework for a process, that will set the City on the path to a systematic citywide records management program. Without this strong city-wide policy statement enacted in the ordinance by the City Council, we will continue to have piecemeal attempts at record management, but no real progress.
The League of Women Voters can attest that Oakland City government lacks the tools to ensure that its records are easy for City staff and citizens to access and use. The Public Ethics Commission fields numerous complaints that have to do with missing records or failure to produce records. There are many reasons why records cannot be found from intentional to unintentional. However, records simply get lost or mislaid on far too regular a basis.

Basic records management is required by the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which requires that all public agencies make all their records, with some very few exceptions, accessible to the public. In order for records to be accessible, the city staff needs to be able to find them. The citizens of Oakland have a right to expect that their city government can and will comply with the requirements of the CPRA.

In order to enact strong records management the city needs a strong policy + the records management ordinance changes to the Sunshine Ordinance + from the City Council and a strong commitment from the administration that it will enforce the policy. The City Clerk has made her statement of commitment by hiring a professional records manager to oversee the program. However, the records manager does not operate in a vacuum. Without full cooperation from all city departments, the records manager will not be able to do his or her job. The City Administrator must make a strong statement that records management has his full backing, and make it a high priority for everyone who does work for the city.

Please support the Records Management policy proposal on December 15, and again when it comes before the full City Council.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy
Suzanne Loosen
Co-Presidents, League of Women Voters of Oakland
Cc: Dan Purnell, Executive Director, Public Ethics Commission
LaTonda Simmons, City Clerk
John Russo, City Attorney
Courtney Ruby, City Auditor

LWV Statement IRV Press Conference (10-30-2009)

Statement at the Press Conference: October 30, 2009
I am Helen Hutchison, past president of the League of Women Voters of Oakland. The Oakland League is a strong supporter of IRV and worked with those leading the 2006 campaign to see it come to Oakland. We were ecstatic when IRV passed with 69% of the vote.
What is happening now---behind-the-scenes attempts to keep Oakland from implementing IRV--violates much of what the League stands for. This is not a "closed session" issue; it needs to be discussed in the full public view.
The League values TRANSPARENCY in local government, but you are hearing today about former and current elected officials who are trying in secret to undermine IRV for Oakland; these same officials did not come forward with their opposition during the campaign, when it would have been appropriate to do so;
The League believes in ADEQUATE CITIZEN ACCESS, but these same officials are working to keep local elections in June--when few people in Oakland vote--instead of going with IRV which means we could move local elections to November, when almost 60% more people vote -- in many areas 100% more people of color.
The League believes that government should be EFFECTIVELY MANAGED -- IRV eliminates costly runoff elections, with savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars each time. However, those now trying to undermine what the citizens of Oakland voted for don't care if the City's always-scarce funds are spent on runoff elections, because it serves their purposes to have local government officials elected in June, when there is a much smaller turnout which is much older and whiter than Oakland's population as a whole.
So, we of the League in Oakland are appalled at these behind-the-scenes manipulations which seek to keep the people of Oakland from having the election system we chose. In a democracy the people choose and the government follows: that is what we want to see in Oakland on Ranked Choice Voting.

City of Oakland Records Management (10-29-2009)

October 29, 2009
Oakland City Council
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Dear Councilmembers:
The recent My Word column by John Russo and Courtney Ruby in the Oakland Tribune has focused new attention on Oakland's problems with records management. The League of Women Voters has followed the issue of records management for many years. We can attest that Oakland City government lacks the tools to ensure its records are easy for City staff to use and available for citizen access. Numerous complaints filed with the Public Ethics Commission have to do with missing records or failures to produce records.
The League is a long-time advocate for records management reform and has become a strong proponent of the changes to the Sunshine Ordinance proposed over a year ago by the Public Ethics Commission and supported by the City Attorney and City Auditor. These changes are designed to make the records of the City readily accessible to City officials and staff and to the public. First presented to the City Council last fall, the Ethics Commission's proposals were to have been considered last spring. But they have yet to reappear on the Council calendar, and there has been no public explanation for the delay.
Proper records management for the City requires a strong statement by the City Council committing the City to maintaining all its records in a usable, efficient system. The Council can do this by adopting the changes to the Sunshine Ordinance and authorizing an adequate budget to put the system in place as soon as possible. The City Administrator must demonstrate his commitment to reforming records management by allocating the necessary resources and instilling in all staff in all departments the importance and urgency of implementing a rational, uniform system.
To ensure a sustained effort, the Records Manager position in the City Clerk's office -- key to overseeing the implementation of a citywide records management policy -- must be filled now. The City needs a trained professional records manager with the authority to deal with every department and keep everyone on task in implementing the new policy.
We have been told repeatedly that Oakland does not have the money to implement a good records management process. Yet the City continues to bleed money to unfavorable judgments and settlements in lawsuits that cannot be adequately defended because the City cannot reliably produce its own records in a timely manner. How can Oakland not afford a good process?
In conclusion:
- The City Council must enact the proposed changes to the Sunshine Ordinance and provide funding for implementation.
- The City Administrator must enthusiastically back the implementation of the Ordinance changes.
- The vacant Records Manager post must be filled as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Katherine Gavzy Suzanne Loosen
Co-President Co-President
cc:
Dan Purnell, Executive Director, Public Ethics Commission
Courtney Ruby, Oakland City Auditor
John Russo, Oakland City Attorney
Oakland Tribune
San Francisco Chronicle
Montclarion

Barbara Lee on Health Care (7-20-2009)

July 20, 2009
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
1301 Clay Street Suite 1000-N
Oakland, CA 94612
Dear Representative Lee:
America is facing a health care crisis caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and an insurance system that leaves 47 million of us without any coverage. The current health care system is endangering both our economy and our health, and voters have made it clear that they want change. According to a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, 70 percent of Americans surveyed believe the health care system needs major changes, if not a complete overhaul. As Congress considers health care reform legislation, the League of Women Voters of Oakland thanks you for your support for health care reform and for your leadership on this issue. We urge you to keep the following issues in mind as Congress deals with this complex issue.
First, health care reform legislation must guarantee quality, affordable health care to all U.S. residents. The League believes that it is universal coverage that will determine the humanity of our system. All Americans must have health care coverage, including the choice of a quality, affordable public insurance plan. The legislation must include a benefits package that includes the prevention of disease, health promotion and education, primary care, acute care, long-term care, and mental health care. In addition, any health care package must include prescription drug coverage and allow for pre-existing conditions.
But coverage is not enough. We need to provide for quality and safety in the health care system. We believe that health care legislation must establish a system-wide program to coordinate information, establish best practices and provide consumers the information they need to protect themselves and their families. It is essential that comparative data on treatments, benefits packages and medical outcomes be made publicly available so that individuals can make informed health decisions and so costs can be controlled.
The federal government needs to take additional strong action to reduce the costs of health care for individuals, businesses and communities. As a nation, we are spending $1 out of every $6 we earn on health care. Over the last three decades, increases in the amount we spend on health care have consistently risen faster than wages and inflation. If nothing is done to control costs, we could be spending $3 trillion for health care by 2011 and $4.2 trillion by 2016.

Barbara Lee on Climate Change Legiislation (7-09-2009)

July 3, 2009
The Honorable Barbara Lee
1301 Clay Street Suite 1000-N
Oakland, CA 94612
Dear Congresswoman Lee:
The League of Women Voters of Oakland thanks you for your support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The bill is the first to try to curb the greenhouse gases that cause climate change and will help move the U.S. into a clean energy economy.
We look forward to continued work with you on this and other issues of mutual concern in the future.
Sincerely,
Helen Hutchison
Action Chair, League of Women Voters of Oakland

Public Ethics Commission (4-17-2009)

April 17, 2009

Oakland City Council Rules Committee
City Hall, 2nd Floor
One Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Re: Functions, Duties, Authority and Composition of the Public Ethics Commission

The League of Women Voters of Oakland is pleased to support the proposed changes to the Public Ethics Commission enabling ordinance. We have followed this ordinance as it has made its way through the Commission, and commented on it there. We are encouraged to see many of the changes that we suggested have been incorporated in the final ordinance. These points include retention of the three-year term for commissioners with the possibility of reappointment, jurisdiction over the Port and School Board, and restrictions on commissioner activities and financial interests.
The League approves the addition of authority to initiate investigations, audits, and public hearings; authority to determine the merit of complaints and reach a decision that is final and unappealable; and the emphasis on input from the public on governmental laws.
Areas where the League would like to have seen changes are:

The Commission should have authority to place proposed changes in ethics laws on the ballot

If the Commission retains authority to set City Council salaries, its decisions should be final and not reviewed by those affected, namely the City Council. In the long term a separate City Compensation Board or other mechanism should be established to adjust the salaries of all elected officials.

The Commission should have authority over joint powers agreements.

We would like to see the Commission and its Executive Director more clearly separated from the City Administration and City Attorney. It is hard to see how the Public Ethics Commission and its Executive Director can sit in judgment on the very offices to which it owes its power. There is a hint of conflict of interest on the part of legal advisors placed, as they are, between City agencies and the Ethics Commission. The issue of more independence for the Commission has to include an increased budget, especially for investigations. A two person staff cannot possibly implement needed reforms and conduct investigations in a timely way.
These proposed changes to Chapter 2.24 of Oakland Municipal Code are excellent. The League supports the amendments as set forth.
Sincerely,
Helen Hutchison
President, League of Women Voters of Oakland
cc: Dan Purnell
Elinor Buchen
Richard Cowen
Ray Leon
Lupe Schoenberger

Oakland Boards and Commissions (2-19-2009)

Statement to the Rule Committee of the Oakland City Council
Feb. 19, 2009
The League of Women Voters of Oakland has long been concerned about the Oakland Boards and Commissions. We have studied the Boards and Commissions at various times, and followed the City Clerk's reports on vacancies on the Boards and Commissions. We have at times reminded both the Mayor and Council about making timely appointments to these bodies.
Given that you have asked for this report, it seems clear at this point that you are more than likely aware of the critical need for people to serve on the Oakland Boards and Commissions. It seems more a question about why we are having a problem finding people willing to serve. We have some recommendations: People serving on Boards and Commissions need to feel that their time is well spent + that their work will be productive. We recommend that you look at how you treat reports from advisory committees and how you use the advisory committees mandated by various laws. In the past, we have frequently seen high quality reports prepared by advisory committees that did not receive the attention that they deserved. The oversight committees mandated by the various laws must be given the full information that they need to do their work in a timely manner. Their charge from the public is to be oversight committees, and the public expects them to have the time to be able to do real probative questioning before reporting back to us. We suggest you look at the reasons why people are not willing to serve, and perhaps make some necessary improvements to the interaction between Council and Boards and Commissions. The League of Women Voters would then be willing to help with a publicity campaign to help recruit new members for the Boards and Commissions.

Lobbyist Registration Act (1-5-2009)

January 5, 2009
To: Members of Public Ethics Commission
From: League of Women Voters of Oakland Re: Lobbyist Registration Act
The League of Women Voters of Oakland has been involved with Oakland's Lobbyist Registration Act since its introduction by the Public Ethics Commission, two members of the League having served on the nine member task force charged with drafting it. We consulted with a number of the people who worked on that legislation in preparing our statement, as well as people who have followed the issue over the years since it was adopted.
The original 2000 ordinance submitted to the City Council had the following Findings and Declarations:
3.20.020 The Oakland City Council finds and declares each of the following:
The people of Oakland have the need and right to know the identity of lobbyists who attempt to influence the decisions of City Government and the means employed by them to advance their interests; and
Full disclosure of lobbying activities of such persons, their inducements, and the identity of their employers, will contribute to public confidence in the integrity of local government; and
Full disclosure is also necessary to ensure that City Officials are kept informed about the identity of persons whose interests the lobbyists represent and to ensure that City officials are not improperly influenced by such lobbyists.
3.20.30 Purpose of this Act The purpose of the Act is to maintain a fair and open decision-making process in City government and to ensure that the public and city officials have full knowledge of lobbying activities that have been brought to bear on any legislative on administrative action.
We hope this helps explain the original intent of the ordinance.
The danger comes when lobbying is done in secret + out of the public eye, accompanied by financial contributions or assistance to the person(s) lobbied and presents a request for individual or small group benefit which may harm or hurt the common good.
We believe that the most important issue to be considered in lobbyist registration is financial interest. If there is financial interest of any kind, whether direct or indirect, however slight, then the lobbyist should register and report all contacts with City officials and their staff. This should extend to nonprofit organizations and their employees. It is quite possible for nonprofit organizations to have financial interests in their lobbying efforts. It is also possible for the employee of the nonprofit organization to have financial interest in the lobbying, even if the organization itself might not.
We also suggest that the language of the ordinance be clarified to state clearly that officers and directors of any organization, whether salaried or not, are subject to the ordinance. The original intent of the legislation was to include all of these people.
We feel it is very important to make clear distinctions between the different types of nonprofit organizations. It is possible to use the federal definitions of the organizations. If you look at an organization's Form 990 statement, you can see what its charitable status is. If you look at its board of directors, you can see if it represents a cross section of the community or comes from just one group.
One more factor that might be considered for small community nonprofit groups such as the League of Women Voters, which don't have a financial interest, is the number of meetings that we hold with City officials each year. An example would be a parent group that organizes to lobby for better playground equipment for their local park. They would probably only meet with their Councilmember a few times, whereas established groups meet more regularly and frequently.
Finally, if it proves too difficult to write criteria to exclude some groups, we would be happy to be included. We would be willing to register and report as required.

Oakland City Council - Campaign Finance (11-02-2008)

November 2, 2008
Oakland City Council<br One Frank Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Dear City Councilmembers:
The Oakland League of Women Voters is extremely concerned about the outright transfer of money from the Election Campaign Fund to the City General Fund. We understand that the City's current financial situation is critical, and, as such, every source of money must be used to help preserve the core City services.
However, we believe that the transfer of the money from the Election Campaign Fund should be done as a loan to the General Fund and repaid when the City is returned to a better financial standing. The money that is currently in the Election Campaign Fund has been set aside for campaign funding. We anticipate that with Instant Runoff Voting in effect for the next local election cycle, there will be increased interest in running, and, therefore, increased need for the funds provided from the Election Campaign Fund. This very small amount of money is one of the things that helps keep the political system alive in Oakland.
Please make this transfer a loan, and keep the Election Campaign Fund intact.
Sincerely,
Helen Hutchison
President, League of Women Voters of Oakland

City Council - Finance and Management Records (10-12-2008)

October 12, 2008

Oakland City Council - Finance and Management Committee
One Frank Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612

Dear City Councilmembers:
The Oakland League of Women Voters is pleased to support the Public Ethics Commission's proposal to incorporate a City-wide records management ordinance into the Sunshine Ordinance. We commend the Public Ethics Commission, especially their Sunshine Committee for their diligent and thorough work through the summer on this ordinance.

The past several years have proved that Oakland City government lacked the tools to ensure their records would be easy for City staff to use and available for citizen access. We especially applaud the following:
     - Inclusion of a definition of electronic records and adding provisions for their control;
     - Establishment of a Records Management Committee;
     - Recognition that historical records must be archived, including electronic records.

The League wants to draw particular attention to two sections:
     1) the section mandating that elected officials shall transfer all their records to the City Clerk upon the end of their term of office, and
     2) the section giving the Ethics Commission authority to investigate allegations of criminal conduct. Without the power to carry out the intention of the Ordinance, the City is no better off than before. We also feel strongly that this authority should be lodged in the Ethics Commission, independent of any political bias.

The League of Women Voters approves the Public Ethics Commission's efforts to ensure that Oakland citizens will be able to rely on the protection of the simple, but essential records that we generate.
Sincerely,
Helen Hutchison
President, League of Women Voters of Oakland

Central Business District Rezoning (9-2-2008)

September 2, 2008
To: Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board
Zoning Update Committee of the Oakland Planning Commission
RE: Central Business District Rezoning

The League of Women Voters commends the Zoning Update Committee on its commitment to study this issue more carefully and in depth. The Central Business District is an area vital to the health and vitality of Oakland. It contains some of the Oakland's favorite amenities, its oldest housing, and its most interesting architecture. The character of the area needs to be preserved and enhanced rather than be seen as an opportunity for unfettered development.
We concur with the recommendations in the attached letter previously sent to you by East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO). In particular we would emphasize the following:. Inclusionary zoning is critical to maintaining a decent stock of affordable housing which Oakland so badly needs. The CBD is too large for blanket zoning. Each block and neighborhood provides specific opportunities for growth, development or enhancement and should be zoned accordingly. Density is important near transit. Lake Merritt must be available to the maximum number of Oakland's residents, not walled off by high rise apartments surrounding it.
We encourage continued scrutiny of the area including demographics of who exactly lives in that area. What size families? What are their incomes? How large are their apartments? Are they rental or condominium? Are there boarding houses and/or SROs in the area? If a building were torn down rather than redeveloped, where would the people who live there now go? A large population stands to be affected by this rezoning. We urge you to move slowly and with consideration of all community needs and concerns.
Helen Hutchison
President
League of Women Voters of Oakland
cc: Members of the Planning Commission
Encl: copy of letter from East Bay Housing Organizations

Public Ethics Commission - City of Oakland Reconds Management (8-14-2008)

August 14, 2008
Public Ethics Commission
One Frank Ogawa Plaza, 4th fl.
Oakland, CA 94612

Dear Commissioners:
The Oakland League of Women Voters is pleased to support your project to resurrect Ordinance No. 11370, City-wide Records Management Program. As soon as it was discovered that this 1991 ordinance had never been codified or indexed into the Municipal Code, it was obvious this should be corrected. Thank you, and thanks to the entire Public Ethics Commission for doing this job thoroughly and quickly.
The past several years have proved that Oakland City government lacked the tools to ensure their records would be easy for City staff to use and available for citizen access. We especially applaud the following:
- Inclusion of a definition of electronic records and adding provisions for their control;
- Appointment of a Records Manager;
- Establishment of a Records Management Committee;
- Recognition that historical records must be archived.
The League wants to draw particular attention to two sections: 1) the section mandating that elected officials shall transfer all their records to the City Clerk upon the end of their term of office, and 2) the section giving the Ethics Commission authority to investigate allegations of criminal conduct. Without the power to carry out the intention of the Ordinance, the City is no better off than before. We also feel strongly that this authority should be lodged in the Ethics Commission, independent of any political bias.
The League of Women Voters is pleased to express our approval of the Public Ethics Commission's efforts which will hopefully ensure that Oakland citizens now will be able to rely more confidently on professional protection of the simple, but essential records that we all generate as we live here.
Sincerely,
Helen Hutchison
President
cc: City Auditor Courtney Ruby, City Attorney John Russo

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: July 22, 2010 15:09 PDT.