Continuing the journey to 100 days

Team Barbara Lee

Newsletter No. 3, AUG. 2025

Mayor Barbara Lee speaks in front of a crowd at Lake Merritt

As we near my first 100 days, we're driving Oakland forward with clear focus. From charter reform and Measure W funding to the Lakeshore safety project and ceasefire teach-ins, we're building the Oakland residents deserve - prioritizing safety, equity, and responsiveness to your needs.

Here are some recent moments I want to share with you.

 

CHARTER REFORM WORKING GROUP

Oaklanders want more accountability and transparency from City Hall. So I've launched a Charter Reform Working Group with the League of Women Voters and SPUR to define clearer roles for elected officials, improve financial planning, and strengthen accountability. By January, we'll present concrete reform options to voters.

  • Fred Blackwell, CEO San Francisco Foundation and former Assistant City Administrator for Oakland.

  • Hon. Barbara J. Parker, former Oakland City Attorney (2011-2024)

  • Corey Cook, Cal Poly Vice President with expertise in electoral reform

  • Ben Rosenfield, public finance expert and former San Francisco City Controller

  • Zach Goldman, SEIU Local 1021 staff director and policy advocate

  • Ahmed Ali Bob, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board Chair

  • Mark Morodomi, former Oakland Public Ethics Commission counsel
Sign for Maia Correia Memorial Bikeway Mayor Barbara Lee speaking at a Community Listening Session

 


Breaking Ground on Life-Saving Infrastructure

We broke ground on the $5.4M Lakeshore Separated Bike Lanes Project, honoring 4-year-old Maia Correia who was tragically killed while biking in 2023. The project creates fully separated bike lanes with concrete barriers, improved crossings, and connects to our broader Lake Merritt safety network. Traffic safety is public safety, and Maia's family's advocacy will save lives.

 

Launched new City of Oakland Immigrant Rights and Resources web page

ICE out of Oakland advocates

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee

 

We launched a comprehensive immigrant rights resource page reaffirming Oakland's commitment to our immigrant communities - who add to the cultural and economic vibrancy of our neighborhoods. As Mayor of this sanctuary city, I want every immigrant family to know Oakland stands with them. OPD will not assist ICE in civil immigration enforcement. The page connects residents to vital services and know-your-rights information in multiple languages.

Visit the page here: https://tinyurl.com/t9nta8cu

Advocating for measure w funding to oakland

District 5 Supervisor Nikki Bas and Mayor Barbara Lee advocate for Measure W allocation

 

 Mayor Barbara Lee addresses the Alameda County Board of Supervisors

 
I advocated to Alameda County for equitable Measure W allocation reflecting Oakland's disproportionate share of regional homelessness. Oakland is 24 percent of Alameda County while accounting for 58 percent of the county’s unhoused population, and 74 percent of its Black unhoused population. The vast majority of Measure W funds should go toward housing and services where homelessness actually occurs. I'll continue fighting for our most vulnerable residents.

A panel including Mayor Barbara Lee and OFD Chief Damon Covington at a Ceasefire Teach-In

Listening Sessions and
Ceasefire teach-Ins

Community engagement helps develop policies and strategies to address our cities challenges together.

We have held 5 ceasefire teach ins with over 400 residents, Ceasefire, the Department of Violence Prevention and our Police Department to inform residents about our comprehensive public safety strategy that includes focused deterrence and crime prevention efforts.

Our 7 listening sessions focused on solution-oriented policies for neighborhood beautification, blight reduction, homelessness, and economic well-being. I look forward to continuing this engagement with residents as we work together with optimism and determination to improve life for everyone in our beautiful city.

 Onlookers at a Ceasefire Teach-In

 

Restoration of Cultural Affairs Manager Position for council consideration

Councilmember Carroll Fife and I are working to restore funding for a permanent Cultural Affairs Manager, with Council consideration in September.

Artists and cultural workers are critical to Oakland's identity and economic vitality, and this position will ensure they have dedicated support at City Hall.

 Mayor Barbara Lee and group posing for a picture.
Representing Oakland on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission		 Mayor Barbara Lee being sworn into the Metropolitan Transportation Commission

 

Last month, I was honored to serve my first day on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission as Oakland's representative. I'm committed to fighting for every dollar and ensuring Oakland gets our proportionate share of regional transportation investments.

 

Building Partnerships for Housing Solutions

Mayor Barbara Lee, State Senator Scott Wiener and others at lunch.

 

 Mayor Barbara Lee, State Senator Scott Wiener, and crowd.

 

I welcomed State Senator Scott Wiener to Oakland for an important discussion about affordable housing solutions. Senator Wiener has championed state legislation that makes it easier for cities like Oakland to build desperately needed affordable housing.

We need collaborative approaches between all levels of government to ensure every resident has a safe, affordable place to call home.

some more moments from the last few weeks

Mayor Barbara Lee focuses on blight removal in Deep East Oakland.

I spent time in Deep East Oakland community with Councilmember Ken Houston and Public Works staff, focusing on blight removal. This was teamwork in action.

Mayor Barbara Lee at a Ceasefire Teach-InI had a meaningful afternoon at St. Columba Catholic Church in Temescal for a Ceasefire Teach-In with members of the community, department of violence prevention, law enforcement and faith leaders, including Father Aidan McAleenan and Councilmember Zac Unger.

Mayor Barbara Lee and Volunteers at a Keep the Town Clean EventI was honored to join the Lend A Hand Foundation's 26th Annual Stay In School Program Packing Event at the Cypress Mandela Training Center, where since 1999 they've distributed over 160,000 free educational supply kits to students in underserved communities and are reaching 12,000+ more students this year.

Mayor Barbara Lee speaking at the Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities.I was deeply grateful to join the Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, acknowledging their significant contributions including leadership on the Elevator Maintenance Ordinance and ensuring accessibility considerations remain central to Oakland's environmental efforts.

 

Photo collage from recent
Keep the town clean events throughout oakland

Collage of Keep the Town Clean Events