City Government

Local Job Providers Call for WIB Overhaul

Published

11 years ago

July 13, 2013

A group of local nonprofit job agencies, calling themselves the Oakland Workforce Development Network, are calling on the City Council to reform the way the Oakland Workforce Investment Board (WIB) spends federal money for jobs and job training.

“Although … some aspects of the city’s stewardship of this system have improved, there are still very significant structural, legal and sustainability issues that the council should be aware of. These are issues that put the City of Oakland at risk,” said Gay Plair Cobb, CEO of the Oakland Private Industry Council.

The agencies are asking the city to stop taking 32 percent of the federal jobs budget off the top for administrative services. The WIB, which has included $1.5 million that remains unspent from last year as part of the new budget, says it is taking only 24 percent.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the city’s Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee, the nonprofit agencies said they are supporting the WIB’s new $4.8 million budget despite its flaws, due to the “the extreme urgency of (federal) job training funds being made available in a timely manner.”

Noting the unacceptably high unemployment rates of Black and Latino populations in Oakland, Cobb said, “These funds are intended to serve those in need of training services, your constituents.”

The agencies also are calling on the council to begin contributing city money to supplement diminishing federal funds. Though Oakland takes overhead from federal the Workforce Investment Act funds, it contributes no resources – unlike other government jurisdictions, according to the agencies.

In addition, the agencies say the city should direct the WIB to stop developing its budget and spending priorities in ad hoc meetings that are not public. “All meetings of the WIB (should) be properly noticed and open to public participation,” the agencies wrote in their statement distributed at the CED meeting.

Among those agreeing with the reform recommendations were Lao Family Community Development, Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation, Pivotal Point Youth Services, Oakland Private Industry Council, School Boardmember Jumoke Hinton Hodge and PUEBLO.

LaTronda Lumpkins, executive director of Pivotal Point, was critical of the failure of the 2013-2015 budget to fund services to foster youth, Latino youth in central East Oakland and young people in West Oakland.

Agreeing, Hinton Hodge said she was particularly concerned about the lack of services in West Oakland. “I am very dissatisfied with this (budget),” she said.

While federal jobs funding to Oakland has decreased by 9 percent, the city is increasing its costs to the program, said Kathy Chao Rotherg of Lao Family.

“It’s going to (mean) cuts to the streets, to the jobseekers and to providers in the community,” she said.

In regard to slow payment to job providers, “Our own organization was impacted two years in a row,” said Chao Rothberg. One year the city owed the agency $188,000, a nine-month delay, and another year $100,000, a 12-month delay, she said.

“Who is going to be serving West Oakland youth and Latino youth. Who is going to be taking care of these young people?” asked Karina Najera, interim executive director of Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation.

Responding to the criticisms, John Bailey, executive director of the Oakland WIB, said WIB’s work has been reviewed by the Department of Labor and the state, and never has the level of administrative overhead been raised as a concern.

Council President Pat Kernighan said she considered the speakers from the agencies to be “disingenuous” about wanting to get money onto the streets when “so many steps have been taken to delay this process and to derail it.”

Responding Councilmember Larry Reid, chair of the CED committee, backed the agencies’ reform recommendations.

“Though you may not support this,” he said to Kernighan, “I am supporting it. If you look at how we pass out the money on the street, it has been a very slow process.

The city must do what it can to make sure that service providers are able to do their work in a timely fashion, he said.

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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

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

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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.”