City Government

Schaaf Hires $300,000 Part-time Consultant for Eight Months

Published

8 years ago

October 7, 2016

Mayor Libby Schaaf has hired a consultant for $300,000 to work part time for eight months – waiving the competitive bidding process – to establish a new Department of Transportation for the City of Oakland.

Jeffrey Tumlin, who started working in Oakland on July 11, is helping to create the transportation department, which will take over some of the functions of the existing Oakland Public Works Department.

Jeffrey Tumlin

The transportation department would play a major role in the spending much of the $600 million infrastructure bond measure that is on the November ballot.

Tumlin is principal of Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates, a firm that provides consulting services in “paratransit and mobility management, walking and bicycling facilities and design and parking management,” according to a city staff report.

“Mr. Tumlin…has committed to providing approximately 75 percent of his time for a period of eight months assisting the city to establish the (department),” said a May 2016 report from the City Administrator’s Office.

According to Mayor Schaaf, he is serving as interim director of the Department of Transportation.

Tumlin is being paid from funds allocated by the City Council to establish the Department of Transportation, $500,000 in the 2015-2016 city budget and $1 million in the 2016-2017 budget.

“A better Oakland starts with better streets today, in every part of our city. We need a world-class transportation department to take a fresh look at our streets,” said Mayor Schaaf in a media release.

Carroll Fife, a representative of OaklandWorks, raised concerns about Schaaf’s decision to hire the expensive consultant.

“We have a lot of questions about this,” said Fife. “Why is someone being paid $300,000 out of our taxes to do a part-time job for which there was no transparent bid process? Is this the way the money from the infrastructure bond will be used – as a piggy bank for expensive consultants? And why is there so little diversity in those hired to make major economic and planning decisions for the city?”

Oakland’s exiting Public Works Department has 785 employees, the second largest department in the city after the police department.

Once the new Department of Transportation is fully operational, it is projected to have 270 full time employees, and public works will have 590 employees.

The two departments will have a total of 860 employees, an increase of 75 city staff.

Staff is predicting that the City of Oakland may have trouble in the future paying for the two new departments.

“Both departments may face significant challenges in balancing their funds in FY2017-19 budgets because many of them contain structural deficits,” in addition to a possible “further reduction in State Gas Tax revenues due to low prices and decreasing consumption,” according to the staff report.

The two departments will overlap and coordinate their work but will have separate responsibilities, according to the staff report.

The Department of Transportation will focus “on the surface of the roadway, including services for all users of those roadways,” for example, street paving, bicycle lanes, pedestrian safety, lighting, parking enforcement and signage, the report said.

Public works will focus on “the services underneath and outside the roadway,” for example, sewers, watershed and storm drains, graffiti, facilities, parks and trees, refuse and recycling.

The new transportation department would help spend up to $350 million that is earmarked for transportation in the $600 million November bond measure.

Brian Beveridge of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project raised questions about why the new department was formed. “I think this is a really big shake up that has not been made clear to the people of Oakland,” he said.

“The first question is why is it necessary? What’s wrong with Public Works now? The second question is why do we need an outsider instead of directing the staff to plan this division of responsibilities?” he asked.

In her media release announcing the department of transportation, Mayor Schaaf praised consultant Jeff Tumlin.

“Jeff gets Oakland and understands how to get things done…(We) will benefit from his years of experience in building safer, more vibrant and more equitable communities,” she said.

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Related Topics:Carroll Fife Department of Transportation infrastructure bond Jeffrey Tumlin Libby Schaaf Oakland

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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

9 hours 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

11 hours 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.”