Uncategorized – Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Mayor Barbara Lee News Release

Holly Baumbach — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:51:56 +0000

NEWS RELEASE

Mayor Lee Delivers Major Business

Permitting Reforms

Oakland, CA — Today, Mayor Barbara Lee announced breakthrough permitting reform to support Oakland small businesses. This announcement represents a key milestone in the Mayor’s ambitious 10-point plan to tackle Oakland’s most pressing challenges within her first 100 days in office, where permitting reform was identified as a critical priority for economic growth and business development.

“The City should be a partner, not a roadblock, in getting your business or home renovation or development off the ground,” said Mayor Barbara Lee. “Streamlining permitting is one of my top priorities because I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to navigate city processes as a resident of Oakland. I’m proud that in my First 100 Days, the City is making improvements to its systems to better serve residents and encourage more businesses to open up in Oakland.”

Too often, small businesses can find process and procedures time consuming or confusing to navigate. These permit reforms address these hardships directly. These new permit reforms will expand the range of “by-right” ground floor uses approvable without zoning administrator and planning commission review. Other reforms include making permits related to small businesses available for easy online digital submittal.

Major Reforms Being Implemented

Expanded “By Right” Development: Commercial activities in Downtown Oakland, Broadway Valdez, and Lake Merritt areas have been streamlined to make it easier to start businesses, with similar reforms planned for commercial districts citywide by Fall 2025.

Digital Transformation: Common permits can now be submitted online with a single application instead of multiple in-person submissions to various departments. Additional high-volume applications including Zoning Clearances, Sign Design Review, and Entertainment Venue approvals will go online before the end of 2025.

Same-Day Processing: A majority of building permits – including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing approvals for storefront improvements – can now be submitted online and processed immediately. Additional permits such as Bollards and Minor Encroachments will be available for same-day issuance before year-end.

Enhanced In-Person Services: The One-Stop Permit Center at 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza now offers expanded hours (8:30 am – 4:00 pm daily) with most permitting agencies co-located and offering both walk-in and pre-scheduled appointment options.

Community-Driven Improvement Process:

The city’s comprehensive 100-day permit reform study also achieved significant milestones:

Community Engagement: Over 50 interviews with residents, homeowners, small business owners, and city staff

Process Transparency: Cross-department workflows for 15 of Oakland’s most common permits mapped and made available to the public

Cross-Department Collaboration: Multiple departments working together with residents to break down silos and accelerate improvements

Budget Investment: $3 million allocated for business permitting system upgrades

“This is about action, not bureaucracy. We’re streamlining systems, prioritizing community input, and delivering the kind of responsive government Oaklanders deserve.”

The initiative involves collaboration across multiple city departments including the Office of the Mayor, City Administrator’s Office (CAO), Planning and Building Department (PBD), Department of Transportation (OakDot), Public Works (OPW)

Fire (OFD), Economic and Workforce Development (EWDD), Information Technology (ITD), Department of Race and Equity, with shared leadership from the City’s Innovation Team, Robin Abad, Citywide Permitting Ombudsman, and Rose Rubel, Assistant to the City Administrator.

Media Contact:

Justin Phillips, Communications Director

jbphillips@oaklandca.gov

120th Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration

Holly Baumbach — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:23:46 +0000

Joy to the Town

Holly Baumbach — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:49:14 +0000

It’s a wrap on the Oakland Metro Chamber’s first Annual “Joy to the Town” – a weekend of holiday celebration in support of Oakland small businesses, restaurants, entrepreneurs, one-of-a-kind entertainers, and the companies that made it possible including Wells Fargo, Block, Visit Oakland, Comcast, PG&E and Kaiser Permanente. Learn more about this year’s event and all the Oaklanders that supported and helped to make it such a success

View the highlights!

New Police Chief

Holly Baumbach — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 23:41:42 +0000

Oakland, CA – Mitchell has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and previously served as Chief of Police in Lubbock, Texas. Chief Mitchell’s start date is being finalized but he is expected to begin leading the Oakland Police Department between late April and early May.

“Floyd Mitchell is a strong leader and smart crime fighter who delivers results. His commitment to proven crime reduction strategies including proactive policing and strong officer-community engagement vaulted him to the top of the list. As our city’s top police officer, Chief Mitchell will join the talented public safety leadership team we have assembled and lead the law enforcement elements of Oakland’s comprehensive public safety strategy,” said Mayor Sheng Thao.

“As servant leaders and guardians of our city, I and the members of the Oakland Police Department have a unique opportunity to create lasting relationships and make significant impacts in the communities we serve. Our duty is to promote safety, prevent crime, and pursue justice for all we serve by collaborating and communicating with ourcommunity,” said Incoming Chief Floyd Mitchell. “As Oakland’s police chief I look forward to working together with our residents, businesses owners, city leadership, and members of the police commission to build a stronger and safer Oakland. I am excited about the opportunity to meet the members of the police department, interact with all the people who call this beautiful city home, and become an integral part of this special place.”

Chief Mitchell began his career as a patrol officer with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. After 25 years of impeccable service with Kansas City accepted the police chief position for the City of Temple, Texas. In 2019, Mitchell was appointed as the 23rd police chief for the City of Lubbock, Texas, where he served until September of 2023. Chief Mitchell is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He has earned both his BSA and MBA degree in Business Administration from Baker University and is a graduate of the Certified Public Manager Program, administered by Texas State University.

He is a graduate of the 236th Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Academy, Quantico, Virginia, and the Police Executive Research Forum’s – Senior Management Institute for Policing, at Boston College. Chief Floyd Mitchell moves to Oakland with his wife Rebecca and is the father of two adult sons, Ben and Ethan.

CHP Conducts Sting Operations

Holly Baumbach — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 23:05:18 +0000

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the results of targeted law enforcement operations conducted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Oakland and the East Bay that resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to gangs, organized crime, and carjacking rings. Including the initial surge last month, CHP has now arrested 168 suspects, recovered 360 stolen vehicles, and seized 16 crime-linked firearms as part of the agency’s increased deployment in the East Bay.

WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: “Through coordinated efforts like this, state and local law enforcement are disrupting criminal networks, apprehending dangerous individuals, and making our streets safer for all Californians. We will continue to invest resources, collaborate with local partners, and take decisive action to combat crime and uphold the rule of law in Oakland and across the state.”

“The California Highway Patrol is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Californians,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Collaborating with our law enforcement partners in Oakland, we are making a difference — and making the entire East Bay region safer.”

Suspects were arrested by the CHP for charges including possession of stolen property, auto theft, transportation of narcotics, DUI, and felony gun possession, as well as arrests for outstanding warrants. The arrests were a result of undercover operations and uniformed patrol and were carried out in coordination with allied local law enforcement agencies in recent weeks following the initial surge that was announced on February 14, 2024.

The CHP continues to have an expanded and visible presence in Oakland focused on high-visibility enforcement to deter, investigate, and respond to criminal activity and will conduct additional unannounced operations in the East Bay. There are currently 72 CHP officers assigned to the greater Oakland area assisting in this role.

HOW WE GOT HERE: Today’s announcement builds on Governor Newsom’s efforts to improve public safety in the East Bay, including through a temporary CHP surge operation and increased enforcement focused on combating auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime, violent crime, and high-visibility traffic enforcement. In addition to increasing CHP’s presence, last month the Governor also announced a new partnership between the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Justice, the California National Guard, the California Highway Patrol, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (ACDAO) that will result in the deployment of attorneys and resources to boost law enforcement capacity to investigate, analyze, and prosecute suspects in violent, property, and serious drug-related crimes.

INVESTING IN OAKLAND: The Governor recently released Caltrans’ 10-Point Action Plan in support of the city’s efforts to improve street safety and beautification. The comprehensive plan outlines actionable steps the state is taking to further support the city through blight abatement efforts, homeless encampment resolutions, community outreach initiatives, employment opportunities, and other beautification and safety efforts. A detailed overview of the state’s investments in Oakland and Alameda County is available here

Take the Pledge

Holly Baumbach — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 02:40:11 +0000

The “Back to Work” Pledge contains five immediate steps that every Councilmember and every candidate should go on-the-record and support:

1. A commitment to lead by example and reopen city hall, return to in-person meetings by November 1, and to ensure all public serving departments are staffed daily.

2. A commitment to bring back visible & active police walking officers downtown immediately.

3. A commitment to temporarily reallocate parking meter fees and taxes to local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) for increased ambassador presence.

4. A commitment to fund a 900-officer police force. Currently, the force hovers around 680. Even with this increase, OPD’s force would continue to be far lower per capita than most US cities.

5. A commitment to fully implement the unanimously passed encampment management plan immediately.

Oakland Chamber Advocates For Long-Term Business Sustainability

Holly Baumbach — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 18:50:04 +0000

Oakland Metro Chamber successfully advocates for a more sensible Oakland Business Tax Policy

When the proposal was brought forward in July of 2020 the business community immediately supported moving to a progressive tax rate where those that make more pay more. However the size of the proposed tax rate increases – for some businesses upwards of 800% – was of great concern particularly when businesses were reeling from the initial impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic.
 
After a significant advocacy effort led by the Oakland Metro Chamber, the City Council chose to defer ballot consideration to the Nov 2022 ballot, during which time more study and input would be solicited. The Chamber continued its advocacy, outreach, and education efforts across Oakland during that time.
 
In the fall of 2021, the Chamber learned of additional, and more significant, tax increases being discussed. As a result, the Oaklanders Together Coalition was formed. Oaklanders Together is a collaboration of select Oakland’s Business Improvement Districts, Multi-cultural Chambers of Commerce, and partner business organizations representing thousands of businesses in every district across Oakland- 80% of whom are small and local. The Coalition led an effort for an alternative tax proposal that would provide significant relief for Oakland’s small businesses, fund city services, update the tax structure, and save Oakland jobs. 
 
Oaklanders Together advocated for Oakland’s entire business ecosystem, one that supports job-creating industries as well as preserves our small and vibrant local businesses – all necessary for Oakland’s long-term economic sustainability. The coalition developed and circulated a petition to voters for a moderate and progressive tax measure for the November ballot. The Oaklanders Together measure provided for a fair progressive tax that required any revenue increases to be spent on specific issues important to Oaklanders; including economic relief for small businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, illegal trash and dumping, and services for Oakland’s unsheltered neighbors.
 
In an effort to not confuse voters with competing measures, tax rate structures, and expenditure priorities on the ballot, Oaklanders Together representatives and members of Oakland’s public employee unions came together to seek a compromise. After months of negotiations, an agreement was reached that resulted in the City Council’s action in late May 2022 to place one measure on the November ballot supported by Business and Labor. Although these tax increases are substantive, for some larger companies up to a 400% increase, due to the advocacy and legislative efforts led by the Oakland Metro Chamber there are significant economic savings for local and small businesses and thousands of jobs saved across Oakland – as compared to Council’s more severe initial proposal. 
 
So, what does the ballot measure mean for Oakland Businesses? 
 
1) It modifies gross receipts tax rates from a flat rate to a progressive structure where those that make more pay more – this change is consistent with other municipal jurisdictions’ tax policy changes over the past few years and one that the Oakland Metro Chamber has supported since it was first brought forward in July 2020.
 
2) It increases the gross receipts tax rates for select business categories – plainly stated – gross receipts taxes will go up as your revenue increases. The table below is what was approved by the City Council and is represented in the ballot measure that will appear on the November 2022 ballot.
 
3) It lowers the tax rates on businesses in certain categories under one million dollars annually, particularly those industries hit hardest during the pandemic.
 
So, what does this mean for your business?
 
1)    The table below lists the impacted industry categories, current flat tax rates associated with those industries, and proposed progressive tax rate increases. 
2)    If passed in November these increases will take effect in Jan 2023 and apply to that and future tax years’ gross receipts.

If you have any questions or would like to be updated on this issue, please provide your name and information through the form on this page and we will keep you updated.

If you would like to read the full text of the November measure, you can do so here.

The Oaklanders Together Op-Ed article published in the San Francisco Chronicle can be found here.

2026 Economic Summit

2025 Pulse of Oakland Poll Results

Mayor Barbara Lee News Release

The Town Love Contest

Rachel Wilson — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 18:42:27 +0000

The Town Love Contest

Oakland is all about love.

Love of food. Love of culture. Love of community.

During the month of February, you can win a pair of Southwest Airlines flights just by showing your love to Oakland restaurants who have taken the Dining For Justice pledge brought to you by Community Kitchens.

We have partnered with Community Kitchens to give away a pair of Southwest tickets to diners who show their love for Oakland restaurants on social media. Tell us about your love for the food, the restaurant, your fellow diners, whatever makes you feel good. (Rules and T&Cs apply*)

Check out this Google Map for participating Dining For Justice restaurants all throughout Oakland who have pledged to add 1% to diners’ bills to help fund meals for Oakland’s unhoused community.

Submit your post by 5pm on Monday February 28th, and one winner will be randomly selected and announced by March 4th, 2022.

Community Kitchens Dining For Justice Press Links: SF Chronicle KTVU KRON4

To enter The Town Love Contest

Follow Community Kitchens at @ckoakland, @oaklandchamber, @oakland
Dine at a participating Dining For Justice restaurant
Share a selfie on Instagram while dining and at a participating Dining For Justice restaurant and tag @ckoakland,@oaklandchamber, @oakland
Hashtag #ThinkOaklandFirst and #DiningForJustice and #Oakproud

Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Releases Annual Survey of Voter Attitudes

Rachel Wilson — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 01:07:26 +0000

Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Releases Annual Survey of Voter Attitudes

Voters love Oakland and are proud to call it home yet pessimism on homelessness, housing and crime is rising

Oakland, CA — Oakland voters think the city has work to do – with 64% of residents saying Oakland is headed on the wrong track. In its annual survey of voter attitudes, voters are increasingly pessimistic about the direction of the City, the local economy, and local elected officials. The survey by FM3 Research interviewed 619 residents who are likely to vote in the November 2022 election and has a margin of error of +/- 4.0%.

“This year’s poll underscores the need for our civic leaders to listen harder to the opinions of Oaklanders,” said Barbara Leslie, the Chamber’s President and CEO.

“This isn’t about one group or person’s point of view, our voters are saying loud and clear they want a ‘yes and’ strategy when it comes to Oakland’s most pressing issues like public safety and homelessness,” Leslie added.

Voters expressed great pride in being Oakland residents. However, they expressed great concern that homelessness (94%), crime (78%) and homeless encampments (88%) are acute problems facing Oakland that the city government needs to prioritize, with crime concerns having the largest one-year increase.

By a margin of 81% to 18%, Oakland voters would support a policy that prohibits unmanaged homeless encampments in parks and public spaces but provides designated spaces where people experiencing homelessness can access bathrooms and support services until longer-term housing solutions are created.

Concerns about crime have also risen dramatically in the past year, increasing by a substantial margin from 58% in 2020 to 77% in 2021 – a 19% increase. Looking back to 2017, this number was as low as 45%. Today, two-thirds of residents say they feel less safe in Oakland than they did two years ago.

A majority (51%) say they think the number of police officers should be increased and that Oakland should resist calls for defunding. However, overwhelming majorities also back reallocating funding to address root causes of safety problems and increase police accountability.

Oakland voters feel strongly and are growing more committed (75%) to having large companies in their city because it is good for the local economy.

A broad majority (72%) continues to say that keeping the A’s in Oakland is important.

Oakland Chamber Board Chair Zack Wasserman added, “Our residents feel less safe. That disproportionately prevents investments in new businesses, affordable housing, and other vital economic lifelines. We are here to partner with the City, employers, and developers to spur investment in Oakland. We are open for business.”

Throughout the survey’s 20 year history, the Oakland Voters Survey conducted 12 months prior to a Mayoral election has been a bellwether. The Chamber’s 2013 survey was widely credited with showing then Councilwoman Libby Schaaf that there was a path to victory over the incumbent Mayor Jean Quan. This year, no such trend appeared and no clear-cut favorite emerged in what looks to be a wide-open election field of named and expected candidates.

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