Oak Leaf Newsletter - Summer 2024

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The Oak Leaf

Oakley’s General Municipal Election

On June 11, 2024, the Oakley City Council approved calling a General Municipal Election to be held November 5, 2024, for the following offices: One (1) Council Member from Distict 1, one (1) Council Member from District 3, and one (1) Council Member from District 5, each for a term of four years. The City of Oakley has five districts. Districts allow voters an opportunity to be represented by a City Council Member in their respective district. Voters are not eligible to vote for City Council candidates outside of the district in which they reside. Voting districts are reviewed every ten years following the U.S. Census. Council Members for Districts 2 and 4 were voted for during the November 2022 election. To search which district you reside in, please visit the following Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department website to enter your information and/or to use the Interactive Precinct Map: https:// www.contracostavote.gov/elections/voter-registration/my-votinginformation/#VoterLookupandSampleBallotSearch.

The candidate filing period for the November 5, 2024 election is Monday, July 15, 2024, through Friday, August 9, 2024. Candidate papers required to run for office may be obtained and filed in this period during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a m -6:00 p m and Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) with the City Clerk’s Office located at 3231 Main

A Message from Chief Beard Regarding Fireworks

The Oakley Police Department is reaching out to all residents with a reminder that all fireworks are illegal in the City of Oakley as per several laws. Our officers will be diligently enforcing firework violations as per Oakley Municipal Code 4.1, which can carry a $1,000 fine.

Historically fireworks have been very disruptive in the City of Oakley; personal injuries and fires have occurred because of them. The explosive nature

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Vision

Mission

The City of Oakley will create a resilient future that fosters and attracts a vibrant and evolving community that welcomes and values all people.

The City of Oakley celebrates our unique Delta lifestyle and small-town feel where we LIVE in a safe dynamic community, WORK together to build the future, and PLAY in our own backyard.

City of Oakley Park Ranger Keeping Our Parks Safe and Fun

City of Oakley Park Enthusiasts, please meet our Park Ranger Tamarin! Tamarin has been with the City for just under a year and has hit the ground running.

Ever wonder what a Park Ranger does in the City of Oakley? Tamarin is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector. What is that you ask? A Playground Safety Inspector inspects playground equipment and surrounding play areas to avoid potential hazards. You can also see Tamarin out and about doing maintenance, enforcing park rules, regulating field statuses, working special events, gathering security footage for vandalism at our parks, working closely with our contractors and our awesome Recreation Center and its staff, in addition to assisting in the removal of homeless encampments or sprucing up our parks with some cool new features. Our Park Ranger is also an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) able to provide medical care until help arrives. So, when you see Tamarin out in the Community, feel free to say hello!

Have you signed up to receive the weekly Oakley e-News? This weekly email is a great source of information about upcoming events, programs, job opportunities, classes, volunteer opportunities, City Council meeting recaps and more.

You can sign up to receive the eNews by texting OAKLEY to 42828 and following the prompts or by visiting www.ci.oakley.ca.us/public-information/.

Oakley’s General Municipal Election

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Street, Oakley, California. If lobby doors are locked on business days, please contact (925) 6257000, (925) 625-7013, or (925) 625-7048 for entry into the building. Please note that City Hall will be closed Friday, July 19, 2024, and Friday, August 2, 2024 (non-business days).

General qualifications for candidates are as follows:

· Be a U.S. citizen.

· Be a registered voter at the time the Declaration of Candidacy is issued.

· Not have been convicted of a felony involving accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe, the embezzlement of public money, extortion or theft of public money, perjury, or conspiracy to commit any of those crimes.

· Must be registered in the political subdivision for which they are running (district).

· If, during their term of office, they move their place of residence outside of the political subdivision limits or cease to be an elector of the political subdivision, their office shall immediately become vacant.

Interested persons are strongly encouraged to call (925) 625-7000 to make an appointment with the City Clerk to review and obtain papers to run for office in advance of the August 9, 2024 deadline.

Candidate workshops will be offered through the Contra Costa County Clerk-RecorderElections Department. Please visit https://www.conracostavote.gov/elections/voter-outreacheducation/informing-and-serving-the-public/ for more information.

A Message from Chief Beard Regarding Fireworks

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of fireworks also frighten pets and livestock animals. The Contra Costa County Animal Control Department gets challenged by an influx of calls each year because animals dig or jump out of yards and enclosures. Some animals are never reunited with their owners and some are injured, or worse.

The City of Oakley has adopted a zerotolerance stance regarding fireworks. You are encouraged to report any firework violations to the police department by calling 911 if it is an emergency a good example of an emergency would be an injured person or an active fire. You may also call 925-625-8060 or 1833-885-2021 if you believe it to be a non-emergency.

You can read the Oakley Municipal Code section specific to fireworks on our website under Title 4, Chapter 1. Stay safe, Oakley!

“Please enjoy yourselves with friends, family and loved ones as we celebrate our Country and Independence Day, but please do so in a respectful manner, above all- remain safe Oakley!”

FISCAL YEAR 2024/25

BUDGETINBRIEF

The Budget in Brief is meant to provide an overview of the City of Oakley’s Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program. To view the full budget document please visit the City’s financial documents page on our website: www.ci.oakley.ca.us/departments/finance

BUDGET MESSAGE

June 11, 2024

The Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council and Citizens of Oakley Oakley, California 94561

Dear Mayor Williams, Members of the City Council and Citizens of Oakley:

It is with great pleasure that I present to you a balanced budget for the fiscal year 2024/25. As we enter the year, we are excited to not only celebrate our 25th Anniversary, but also to honor the past, present and future of the City of Oakley. This budget continues to provide for the core service operations while also strategizing for what the future can hold for our community. Prioritizing quality of life and high-quality service for our citizens remains at the forefront without losing sight of fiscal responsibility and the importance of appropriate reserves.

We will start the year with the first phase of our new financial software being implemented. While we have several phases and years to continue this process, July will bring many new and exciting possibilities. The ultimate goal of the new EERP software is to expand everyday services offered to our citizens as well as providing more transparent reporting supported by the technology that new software brings. Staff have shown a significant commitment to not only the implementation but also to ensuring this new software is set up with future growth in mind.

Over the past eighteen months the economy has slowed, especially as it relates to development within the City of Oakley. While this slowing has created some budget difficulties, Oakley has managed this slowdown well. While many cities are feeling the effects of the slowdown and having to find ways to balance their budgets, we are remaining conservative, but have proposed a budget in which continued growth remains at the forefront. The slowdown has forced us to pause some capital improvement projects planned in fiscal year 2023/24, but has not affected the majority of our revenues, therefore allowing us to present a budget that continues to address the needs highlighted in our strategic plan.

The proposed budget has been developed with fiscal restraint and with a strategic focus on core services. We have taken great care to evaluate the recurring revenues and have ensured that recurring expenditures do not exceed the available and expected recurring revenues over time. As further explained in the budget document, there continue to be transfers of one-time revenues to important capital projects, including a much-needed increase in the investment in street and roadway projects.

Due to interest rates remaining high, home sales continue to be low, and we are projecting development-related revenues to remain lower than anticipated for the end of fiscal year 2023/24. Although, still conservative, the budget does assume an increase in development related revenues and anticipates approximately 180 permits being pulled for new construction within the fiscal year. The revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2024/25 also include a multi-family development as well as two commercial developments.

Bringing a Library to the City of Oakley has continued to be a priority of the City Council. With that there is a one-time transfer of the available fund balance proposed to be allocated to the Library project. The City’s General Fund 30% reserve is maintained not only in the current year budget, but also throughout the ten-year plan. Staff has looked at our future needs once a Library building is built and therefore has included additional positions as well as maintenance expenditure increases in the ten-year plan. It is important to note that at the end of the ten-year plan expenditures do exceed revenues by just over $200,000. This is something we will continue to monitor and will address in the coming years should revenues not come in higher than estimated.

I would like to thank the City Council for their leadership, conservative fiscal management, and support of our City staff. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to our employees. Your hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence is reflected every day in your service to our community. We all can take great pride in the successes over the past twenty-five years since incorporation, which includes a solid foundation of sound fiscal management, a committed staff, and a forward-thinking City Council. Thank you for your continued support and leadership in keeping Oakley on a PATH guided by our Mission, Vision, and Core Values!

Sincerely,

STRATEGIC PLAN

The City Council adopted the Strategic Plan 27+ on April 12, 2022, after a collaborative process with the Community and Staff. The plan identified goals and objectives that will guide our City into the future.

Mission

TheCityofOakleywill createaresilientfuturethat fostersandattractsa vibrantandevolving communitythatwelcomes andvaluesallpeople.

Vision

TheCityofOakleycelebrates ouruniqueDeltalifestyleand small-townfeelwherewe community,LIVEinasafedynamicWORKtogether tobuildthefuture,andPLAY inourownbackyard.

Shannon Shaw Anissa Williams

M

MAJOR CAPITALPROJECTS

CYPRESSROADEXPANSION

CIP 247 & CIP 310

CIP 247 will widen and fully reconstruct East Cypress Road from Knightsen Avenue to the Contra Costa Water District Canal. CIP 310 will complete all phases of the canal undergrounding at East Cypress Road. East Cypress Road is the only major roadway that carries traffic from far east Oakley, Bethel Island, and parts of the County to Main Street and beyond. The growth and development of the far east county region has necessitated various infrastructure improvements to East Cypress Road to accommodate the traffic demand on this roadway, which has been a health and safety concern for many years.

LAURELROADEXPANSION

CIP 280

Laurel Road from O'Hara Avenue to Cloverbrook Avenue is the last section of Laurel Road that needs to be widened and improved. Laurel Road is a major Arterial Road and the City's designated truck route with a direct connection to Highway 4. This section of Laurel Road has not been widened or improved due to the lack of rightof-way. Staff has been working with the property owners over the past several years to obtain the necessary right-of-way for this roadway widening. The construction of this project will also complement the new Safeway shopping center that will be constructed on the northeast corner of the Laurel Road/O’Hara Avenue intersection.

OAKLEYLIBRARY&COMMUNITYCENTER

CIP 318

Oakley is a growing community, and its population has nearly doubled since incorporation with growth continuing as new housing is added. The residents of Oakley deserve library services and a community facility that serves the existing and growing community. Lack of a modern and functional space has been a topic of many discussions with the City Council and community in recent years as the small section of the High School Library that is provided is not large enough to provide the wide range of services that the community desires. The City is in the process of working with community stakeholders to identify and secure funds for a 28,000 square foot facility estimated to cost $28M. The City has committed partial funding for this project and fund-raising efforts are underway by the project stakeholders.

Laurel Rd. & O’Hara Ave. Improvements

The widening of and improvements to Laurel Road and O’Hara Avenue, including a new intersection, have been a priority for the City. This project has been in the planning stage for several years and with the acquisition of the Right of Way needed for this roadway widening, the project was designed, and construction is anticipated to start in August 2024 and be completed by Summer 2025. This project will involve

relocation of large utility poles and their associated infrastructure along Laurel Road and O’Hara Avenue which will be done before the beginning of the roadway construction. The new eastbound Laurel Road and northbound O’Hara Avenue will have two travel lanes, bicycle lanes, curbs and sidewalks, and streetlights and landscaping. There will be a new traffic signal constructed on Laurel Road along with median modifications. This work will accommodate better traffic flows to the new Safeway Shopping Centre that will be constructed at the northeast corner of Laurel Road and O’Hara Avenue intersection.

City Meetings Available on YouTube in Your Language of Choice

City of Oakley City Council and Planning Commission meetings are available through the City’s website, https://www.ci.oakley.ca.us/agendas-minutes-videos-archive/ and streamed on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CityofOakleyCA.

Regular City Council meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. except during the months of June, July, August, November and December when meetings are held only the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Regular Planning Commission meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. Special meetings are held on occasion.

Meetings may be watched in the language of your choice on YouTube by changing your profile. Visit https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/87604 for instructions on how to change your profile on your computer, YouTube app, or mobile device, Video will display in English; however, subtitles/closed captions will appear in the language of your choice.

Please contact (925) 625-7000 if you should need additional information or assistance.

Oakley’s After School Program Returns

The Oakley After School Program (ASP) originated in 2008 and was offered for two days per week on the campuses of Delta Vista and O’Hara Park Middle Schools. Beginning in 2021, the ASP was moved to the Oakley Recreation Center four days per week due to classroom availability at the schools. Due to low attendance and staffing issues the program was paused for the 2023-2024 school year. Over the course of the year, Recreation Staff worked to reformat the program and renovate the space used each day. The After School Program has returned for the new school year and is now offered five days-a-week for the first time ever.

The renovated space features new reading, gaming, studying and socializing areas complete with pool and foosball tables. The ASP runs Monday-Friday from school dismissal time through 6 p.m. so that working parents have time to pick up their children. During this time, Recreation Staff Members organize crafts, games and activities for the students to participate in around daily homework and relaxation time. The cost for the program is $10 per day and families can register for the program online at https://secure.rec1.com/CA/oakley-ca/catalog or by visiting the Oakley Recreation Center at 1250 O’Hara Avenue. For more information, call the Oakley Recreation Division at (925) 625-7041.

A New Oakley Library and Community Center

The City of Oakley and the Contra Costa County Library system have partnered with community stakeholders, including the County Supervisor’s Office, Friends of the Oakley Library, the Rotary Club of Oakley, Oakley Senior Citizens, Veterans of Oakley, and the Library Foundation of Contra Costa to bring a new Oakley Library and Community Center to our deserving community.

The City has assembled funding sources to deliver a 9,000 sq. foot facility, but the Council has set a year-end goal to raise money for an approximately 28,000 sq. foot facility with space dedicated to the library and room for community groups like the seniors and veterans.

The Friends are hosting a fundraising event on August 16th to help meet that goal. For tickets to the event or to see other donation opportunities, visit their website at https://www.oakleylibrary.org/.

Follow this exciting project on Envision Oakley at https://engage.oakleyca.gov/en/projects/oakley-library=andcommunity-center-1 or by using the QR code to the right.

3231 Main Street

POSTAL CUSTOMER

OAKLEY, CA 94561

Oakley, CA 94561 Oakley City

Municipal Calendar

Planning Commission Meeting

Independence Day Holiday

City Hall Closed

City Council Meeting

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall Closed

City Council Meeting

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall Closed

City Council Meeting

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall Closed

City Council Meeting

For More Information:

Find detailed information and a current list of all events at the City of Oakley website at www.oakleyinfo.com.

We Have An App For That!

Did you know that you can report streetlight outages, potholes, Code Enforcement concerns, and broken park sprinklers, ask questions about property setbacks, sheds and heritage trees, and more on our Oakley OnDemand app? Download the app on your smartphone today!

625-7000/ info@ci.oakley.ca.us

City Meeting Schedule

All City Council meetings are regularly held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and Planning Commission meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of each month. All meetings are at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3231 Main Street.

City

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