Winter 2022 Oak Leaf

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CIT Y OF OAKLEY

The Oak Leaf Winter 2022

Volume 24, Number 1

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Josh McMurray Unites as City Manager

Josh McMurray officially became Oakley’s new City Manager this past fall.

After an extensive search, interim City Manager Joshua McMurray has been selected as the permanent City Manager for the City of Oakley. His appointment was finalized by the City Council, through a unanimous vote this past fall.

McMurray has worked for the City of Oakley since 2008, initially as a planner and then in a variety of advanced roles before becoming the City’s Economic and Community Development Director in 2019.

“I’m very honored to be Oakley’s City Manager,” said McMurray. “I want to thank the City Council for their confidence in me. I am looking forward to continuing

Inside this Issue Election Districting News……………....Page 3 Job Openings…..Page 2 2022 Municipal Calendar …….….Page 6 Oakley’s Newest Park…………….....Page 4 Recreation Division News……………....Page 5 Small Business Classes……....…..Page 2 Strategic Plan…………..…….Page 6

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Meet Oakley’s New Chief of Police, Paul Beard The City of Oakley is excited to announce that Paul Beard has recently been appointed the Oakley Police Department’s new Chief of Police.

“This is a very exciting time for Oakley, and we look forward to working under Paul’s strong leadership in law enforcement,” said Josh McMurray, Oakley’s City Manager.

“He exemplifies so many of the traits that are necessary for the success of our community, not just as a Police Chief, but in all

aspects of public service such as integrity and accountability.”

Chief Beard has been with the OPD since the City established its own police department in May of 2016, having formerly contracted with the County.

He recently celebrated 32 years in law enforcement, as he began his career in the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff in January 1990.

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Paul Beard was sworn in as the City of Oakley’s new Police Chief in January.

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The Oak Leaf

Join Our Team- Work for the City of Oakley!

Here at The City of Oakey, our mission is to recruit and retain a qualified and diverse workforce to meet the varied needs of the organization and to develop a staff that exceeds the communityʹs expectations.

Our job openings page is updated frequently, so check back often to see if there is a position you match with well!

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Oakley Moves to District-Based Elections for 2022 Background In July 2021, the Oakley City Council began the process to move from at-large to district-based elections. After holding six public meetings to obtain community input, the Oakley City Council approved district-based elections and a five-district map. The change was prompted by threatened litigation which many California cities and districts have received, alleging violation of the California Voting Rights Act in which atlarge elections impact a protected class. Upon weighing the potential costs and legal implications of litigation, the Council approved transitioning from at-large elections to district-based elections.

How Will this Impact Voters in Oakley?

Previously, elections were at-large, meaning each of the five Councilmembers represented the entire Oakley community. The change to districtbased elections will allow voters an opportunity to be represented by a City Councilmember in their respective district. Voters will not be eligible to vote for City Council candidates outside of the districts in which they reside. Voting districts are reviewed every ten years following the U.S. Census.

Districts The Council approved five districts, as shown on the map. During the November 2022 election, candidates from Districts 2 and 4 will be elected. Candidates from Districts 1, 3 and 5 will be elected in 2024. Councilmembers currently serving will complete their respective terms. The position of Mayor will continue to rotate among Councilmembers each December in accordance with the City’s Municipal Code.

Candidates for City Council Elections The nomination period for the November 2022 General Municipal Election is Monday, July 18th through Friday, August 12th. Candidates must be

registered to vote and reside within the district in which they wish to represent. Contact the City Clerk at (925) 625-7000 prior to the nomination period for more information.

Manager: Working Together (Continued from the Front Page)

the great work with the City Council, the exceptional Team Oakley Staff, and the Oakley community as a whole to make this City an even better place to live and work.”

McMurray holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University and is a graduate of the Contra Costa Local Government Leadership Academy. He served on the oversight board to the Successor Agency to the Oakley Redevelopment Agency. Professional affiliations include membership in the American Planning Association, the International City/County Management Association, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

In his spare time, McMurray enjoys cooking, as well as camping along the coast and at Lake Tahoe with his family.

“Oakley is a great community and I look forward to creating a collaborative culture built on trust, transparency, and hard work,” said McMurray.

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The Oak Leaf

Oakley’s New All-Abilities Area Park is Now Open!

The City of Oakley was thrilled to be able to open its latest park this past Fall– the allabilities playground near the amphitheater at the Oakley Civic Center Park.

After one of our large 200-year-old oak trees fell down a while back, the Public Works team got straight to work on filling in the space.

This brand new all-abilities playground includes many different components to bring children of various abilities together, featuring: visual, textile, audible, and vestibular stimuli on many levels.

The playground also comes with Oakley’s first digitally interactive components that utilize an app. No Wi-Fi? No worries. The City offers free public Wi-Fi at Creekside Park, Civic Center Park, Oakley Plaza, and

Nunn-Wilson/Koda Dog Park.

Some other renovations at Civic Center Park include a 30-foot redwood tree, walking path, expanded turf areas, expanded amphitheater seating, and a picnic area.

Chief: A Focus on Quality of Life for the Oakley Community (Continued from the Front Page)

Chief Beard has worked his way through the ranks of the OPD, serving as sergeant and lieutenant before taking up his new, exciting position. He was interested in law enforcement from an early age, having grown up in a police family- his paternal grandmother was a deputy sheriff for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona and later she became the first female police officer for the Chandler Arizona Police Department. His father was also a reserve officer with that department.

“The stories I heard growing up just seemed to naturally lead me to this career,” said Beard.

Chief Beard also has a strong bond with the Oakley community. His maternal grandparents, cotton farmers from Arkansas, settled in Oakley in 1944. His grandfather built a house on West Bolton Road in Oakley and his family has had ties to Oakley ever since.

“To say I am proud to serve this community in this capacity is an understatement,” said Beard. “I can’t wait to continue to support the City of Oakley.”

In his new capacity as Chief, Beard says that among his initial goals will be to continue an

intensive regimen for his officers to cultivate their expertise, and also to work on quality-of-life issues that affect Oakley’s citizens such as traffic concerns and homelessness.

When he is not on the beat, Chief Beard is a family man who enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and stepchildren. You can also find him fishing on the Delta, in the workshop in his garage that he recently built, and spending time with his four dogs.

Apply to be a County Transportation Advisor The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) maintains a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide involvement in the CCTA. To become a member of the CAC, you must reside within the City of Oakley Apply at www.oakleyinfo.com. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 11th at 5:00 p.m.

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Check Out These Fun Upcoming Rec Events!

Classes Recreation Classes for all ages are always ongoing- everything from martial arts, to public speaking, to drawing, to bird-watching! Visit ci.oakley.ca.us/recreation to learn more.

Scholarships Did you know that financial scholarships for our classes are available for income-qualified young people who reside in Oakley. Applications are available online, at the Rec Center (1250 O’Hara Avenue), or to have one emailed or faxed to you, call 925.625.7041.

Is it Just Me? Saturday, February 26th Youth can come to the Oakley Recreation Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to join the Oakley Youth Advisory Council to learn different stress management techniques, how to cope with challenges, and where to look for resources. Activities will include exercise, journaling, gardening, and music and art therapy.

Youth Employment Workshop and Fair Saturday, March 12th We invite teens from the Oakley community to join us at the Oakley Rec Center for mock interviews, job-hunting tips, and application help for open local jobs. Staff also will be available to explain the application process to become a Rec Leader or Rec Aide with the City of Oakley.

Science Week Saturday April 2nd through Saturday, April 9th Join us for a fun and educational week’s worth of activities, including catapult making, the raptor show, reptile encounters, and more. Partici-

pants under the age of 17 will receive a stamp on their passport at each workshop they attend and those with five or more stamps will receive a special prize! Event times and locations will be available on our website at www.ci.oakley.ca.us.

Art in the Park Saturday, April 23rd Our traditional “Rock the Chalk” event returns as a part of the expanded “Art in the Park” day at the Civic Center Park Amphitheater from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Artists of all ages are invited to showcase their talent through various mediums.

Concerts in the Park Beginning Friday, May 6th Our popular Concerts in the Park series is back!

Join is for these events in Civic Center Plaza, featuring live local musicians and food trucks from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event is free and scheduled to run monthly on First Fridays from May to October Movie in the Plaza Beginning Saturday, May 7th Join us for a series of free movies under the stars at Oakley Civic Center Amphitheater.

When the sun goes down, we will be showing a popular film on our big screen, so bring your (Continued on Page 6)

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The Oak Leaf

Help Oakley Form a New Strategic Plan in 2022 It’s time to develop the City of Oakley’s 20222024 Strategic Plan and you can help! Since the City was incorporated, Oakley has set a series of specific two-year strategic plans which outline goals that lead to actions.

We are in the early stages of a process which will ultimately include three public meetings and culminate in the creation of the detailed and ex-

Rec: In-Person Events are Back!

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blankets, chairs, and snacks for a fun night of cinema under the stars.

Taste of Oakley Saturday, May 14th Explore a culinary world tour offered by Oakley restaurant and vendors at the Oakley Recreation Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you are a local restaurant, caterer, or cottage food professional who’d like to participate, email oleary@ci.oakley.ca.us Oakley’s Got Talent, Saturday May 21st Youth 18 and under will show of their unique talents at 7:00 p.m. at the Oakley Recreation Center. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, April 6th. Follow Oakley Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

tensive Strategic Plan.

The Strategic Plan is an important document that dictates the direction and priorities of the City for the next two years. Areas of focus include:  Downtown & Main Street Revitalization  Community Outreach, Communication, & Participation  Community Infrastructure & Traffic Safety  Public Safety  Parks, Streetscapes, & Recreational Opportunities “Community participation is so important in guiding our City staff as they create a vision for Oakley’s future,” said Oakley’s City Manager Joshua McMurray. “The Plan will help us identify the needs of our wonderful growing community.”

Please mark your calendars now for our Strategic Plan workshops at the Oakley Recreation Center, scheduled for February 15th, March 10th, and March 31st at 6:30 p.m.

Municipal Calendar February 4 & 18 City Hall Closed 8 & 22 City Council Meeting 21 Presidents’ Day March 4 & 18 8 & 22

City Hall Closed City Council Meeting

April 1 & 15 12 & 26

City Hall Closed City Council Meeting

May 6 & 20 10 & 24 30

City Hall Closed City Council Meeting Memorial Day

June 3 & 17 14

City Hall Closed City Council Meeting

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Ayude a Oakley a Elaborar un Nuevo Plan Estratégico ¡Es tiempo para desarrollar el Plan Estratégico de 2022 a 2024 para la Ciudad de Oakley y usted nos puede ayudar! Desde que se incorporó la ciudad, Oakley ha establecido una serie de planes estratégicos de dos años que han definido los objetivos que conducen a acciones.

Estamos en las primeras etapas de un proceso que posteriormente incluirá una reunión pública que se llevará a cabo en la primavera y culminará en la creación del Plan Estratégico detallado con metas específicas.

El Plan Estratégico es un documento importante que establece la dirección y las prioridades de la Ciudad para los próximos dos años (2022-2024). Las áreas de enfoque para el plan incluyen:  Revitalización del centro de la ciudad y la calle Main Street  Alcance comunitario, comunicación y participación publica  Infraestructura y seguridad vial  Seguridad Pública  Parques, espacios urbanos y oportunidades recreacionales

“La participación de la comunidad es muy importante ya que el Plan creara una visión para el futuro de Oakley y guiara a nuestro personal de la ciudad”, dijo el Administrador de la Ciudad de Oakley, Joshua McMurray. “El Plan nos ayudará a identificar las necesidades de una comunidad maravillosa en pleno crecimiento”.

Marque sus calendarios ahora para nuestros talleres del Plan Estratégico en el Oakley Recreation Center, programados para el 15 de febrero, el 10 de marzo y el 31 de marzoa las 18:30.

Regresan los Eventos de Recreación en Persona ¡La División de Recreación estaba entusiasmados el otoño pasado ya que regresamos a nuestros eventos programados después de un año de eventos virtuales y modificados! Se dio la bienvenida a los residentes, proveedores y organizaciones comunitarias en participar en eventos como Heart of Oakley, Harvest Festival, Tree Lighting y más.

A medida que avanzamos hacia 2022, esperamos continuar brindando eventos especiales en persona, clases y programación extracurricular. Para obtener una lista completa de todos los programas, clases y eventos, visite www.ci.oakley.ca.us/recreation.

POSTAL CUSTOMER OAKLEY, CA 94561 3231 Main Street Oakley, CA 94561 Oakley City Hall 925 625-7000/ info@ci.oakley.ca.us

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

City Directory Building.................................................. 625-7002 Code Enforcement................................ 625-7031 City Attorney......................................... 625-7000 City Manager......................................... 625-7025 City Clerk............................................... 625-7013 Economic Development....................... 625-7006 Human Resources................................. 625-7011 Parks........................................................ 625-7037 Planning & Zoning................................ 625-7000 Police Non-Emergency………...……...625-8855 Police Dispatch………………….......... 625-8060 Public Works/Engineering................... 625-7037 Recreation............................................... 625-7041 Business Hours

For More Information: Find detailed information on specific events and a current list of all events at the City of Oakley website at www.oakleyinfo.com and click on Events & Classes.

Have a Community Calendar Item?

Local non-profits, service organizations, public clubs, etc. can submit their events for our community calendar. To submit your event, visit the City of Oakley website at www.ci.oakley. ca.us, click How Do I? and scroll down to City Information and click View More, then click Add an Event to the City Calendar.

Stay Informed!

Sign up for the City’s weekly e-Newsletter or visit our website for the latest information.

Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - noon or by appointment. Friday: by appointment.

City Offices are closed 1st & 3rd Friday of each month Community Services Chamber of Commerce........................ 625-1035 Oakley Library....................................... 625-2400 Oakley Seniors………………………... 626-7223 County Animal Services….................. 335-8300 Fire District (ECCFPD)......................... 634-3400 Local Utilities Diablo Water District............................ 625-3798 Ironhouse Sanitary District …………..625-2279 Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery……….682-9113