City Government

City Council Challenges WIB Dysfunction, Awards Additional Funding to Oakland PIC

Published

10 years ago

June 5, 2015

Responding to the city’s long-term failure to meet the needs of the unemployed in Oakland, the City Council voted this week to award the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) a $250,000 grant to help support the agency’s jobs and training programs that are a primary local resource for youth and adults, veterans and the formerly incarcerated.

On a number of occasions, PIC has pointed out the failure of the city to comply with applicable regulations governing the setting of funding levels for RFPs that are issued by the city for federal workforce dollars. The City Council appears to agree that service providers, such as PIC, are underfunded.

The city receives federal funding to support jobs and training programs, and unlike many other cities, Oakland contributes no direct funding to support the programs, despite diminishing federal revenues.

However, the city takes more than 30 percent of the annual allotment of federal funds off the top for administration, resulting in a lack of sufficient funds for the service providers that work directly with unemployed youth and adults in the community.

PIC provides employment services through its One-Stop Comprehensive Career Center, which keeps the city in compliance with federal regulations for WIA funding.

It provides direct services in response to 35,000 to 44,000 visits per year from job seekers, in addition to workshops and classes, one-on-one career counseling and job placement services, as well as assistance to employers facing downsizing or closure.

As federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding has decreased over the past five years, the amount of money dedicated to city administration has increased, while nonprofits and service providers have suffered the cost.

And, PIC has been one of the organizations carrying that burden.

Since 2010, PIC’s WIA funding has been cut by $150,000, while contracted service levels have increased by 300% over prior levels. This has created a significant funding gap, according to PIC’s memo to the city council.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Annie He, coordinator at PIC, speaking in both English and Cantonese, said, “We have a very diverse population of clients that walk through our doors who may speak many different languages or may be monolingual, and we’re always prepared to translate.”

More than 40 percent of PIC staff at the career center is multilingual.

“Regardless of what language our clients may speak, we have the ability to assist them with their job search, obtaining employment or entering training. At Oakland PIC, we try to be as culturally competent as we can,” said He.

“Clients are in big need of our services,” said Mayra Ramirez, who manages the career center and WIA program at the PIC. “Fourteen years ago, I was a WIA client myself and an Oakland PIC client, and the services that I once received are the reason for my success now.” Ramirez addressed the meeting in both English and Spanish.

She said this year alone, PIC has placed over 500 clients in jobs. “It feels great to learn that clients are getting into training, getting jobs, and getting services,” said Ramirez.

The underlying issue at the council meeting was how did the city get itself into this position?

According to the memo from PIC, the WIB has not conducted a “competent cost analysis” that is required for federal WIA funding and would provide guidance on fair pricing for services that the city requires.

Speaking at the Tuesday meeting, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan asked why no one has ever asked for the city to “audit the internal component of this funding, in terms of how it is that the city’s own overhead is higher than previously, and there’s less money going to service providers.”

After calling for a motion to award the additional funding to the PIC, Kaplan also asked the city administrator to “continue to look into the big picture, long-term issues so by next year we have a more thorough plan for the long term.”

Councilmember Desley Brooks said, “I think all of this council understands the dysfunction of the WIB board, a board that routinely did not complete its budgets on time.”

“It is shameful when you look at what other WIBs are doing around the country, and ours is so mired in mess that they can’t do their work,” Brooks continued.

“PIC isn’t the only organization that was impacted by the dysfunction that we all know exists within the WIB process. PIC has been ostracized because they have spoken up,” she said.

“We never looked at a process that spends $1.46 million for 7 city staff to not provide direct services…I hope that this council looks closely at the facts of this case and we will begin to move forward in how we can correct the dysfunction,” Brooks added.

Councilmember Noel Gallo praised the Private Industry Council for its work and said he looked forward to seeing the city work more closely with PIC in the future to work on job development programs.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

5 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

5 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”