Open Letter to the Oakland City Council In Defense of Measure Q For Parks & Homeless
The Proposed Reallocation of Measure Q Funds Has Costs that Will Far Outweigh the Benefit
Dear Oakland Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Council Members Carroll Fife, Rebecca Kaplan, Dan Kalb, Janani Ramachandran, Noel Gallo, Kevin Jenkins and Treva Reid,
I am writing to you on behalf of the volunteers, businesspeople, residents, and park visitors of Lake Merritt to express our strong opposition to any proposed reallocation of Measure Q funds. This bond was approved by Oakland voters in March 2020 to address parks and recreational services, homelessness, and water quality. In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Measure Q projections are estimated to account for about $30.75 million in revenue.
The parks and recreational services, in particular, are vital for providing safe, healthy spaces for our community to gather and play. Addressing homelessness and improving water quality are equally essential for the health and safety of our residents. All of these services form a baseline level of care that’s essential for our new Lake Merritt Conservancy to fulfill our own mission of stewardship.
While we appreciate the impossible choices you face in producing a balanced City budget, we urge you to look elsewhere to make the numbers work. We implore you to honor the original intent of Measure Q, its early volunteer supporters, and the will of the voters. The proposed redirection of Measure Q jeopardizes the public trust, and carries consequences not just for us, but for all Oaklanders, that far outweigh the benefit:
It further weakens the City’s ability to recruit, resulting in even higher costs for lower quality service.
It discourages private investors from funding projects in the City, thereby cannibalizing the tax base.
It undermines future City-sponsored ballot measures, and feeds voter skepticism about City government’s trustworthiness.
We urge the City Council to vote against any proposal that diverts Measure Q funds, to safeguard the basic needs of not only Lake visitors, volunteers and business owners but all Oakland residents.
Thank you for your consideration.
In Community,
Jonathan Hoffberg
President
Lake Merritt Conservancy
Bravo. Well said.
City government cannot afford to maintain its lands and services in Oakland. Outside help is essential.
This help needs to be from private corporations, wealthy individuals, foundations, and federal / state grants. Without these, our public lands and services will deteriorate.
If given the responsibility for park maintenance and operations, the Lake Merritt Conservancy can solicit and use outside funding to work together and create a truly amazing place to live, love, and share. For Lake Merritt, this path is through the LM Conservancy.
Exactly so! The well being of LM can ill afford loss of any funding designated for maintenance and public safety.