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Dear Friends,
It is my pleasure to update you on the work I have been doing to make Alameda County an even better place to call home.
In this edition you can read about how I helped broker a deal to keep San Leandro Hospital open, the volunteer day I organized at Allendale Elementary School and the passage of Alameda County’s first Project Stabilization Agreement, a countywide effort that I led over the past year. You can also find information on upcoming streetscape improvement projects in San Lorenzo and about the conveyance ceremony I attended in Alameda to celebrate the transfer of almost 1,400 acres of land from the US Navy to the City of Alameda.
It is an honor to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments, questions or concerns that you may have regarding the district or Alameda County.
Sincerely,
Wilma Chan
Supervisor, Third District
Saving San Leandro Hospital
After years of negotiations, lawsuits and threats of closure, San Leandro Hospital will remain open and continue to serve local residents. This past February, I was approached by Sutter Health’s leadership to explore a last effort to resolve this situation. I am proud to have brokered this deal on behalf of our community. Pressure in Sacramento and locally were also key factors that led to a historical renewal of negotiation to keep San Leandro Hospital open for the foreseeable future.
On May 14, Sutter agreed to donate San Leandro Hospital along with all of its assets and equipment to Alameda Health System (AHS) and to provide a $22 million stipend to fund operations through 2014. Alameda County and the City of San Leandro will each contribute $1 million per year for the next three years to support the hospital’s operations. Donation of the hospital from Sutter Health to Alameda Health Systems (AHS) depends on both parties negotiating a more detailed agreement. In addition to the $22 million subsidy fund, Sutter agreed to contribute their legal claim of $17 million previously filed against Eden Township Health Care District toward the operations of San Leandro Hospital.
San Leandro Hospital is the only general hospital in San Leandro with an emergency room that handles nearly 30,000 visits a year. The closure of this hospital would have been devastating to San Leandro residents and the surrounding communities. It would have also meant the loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs that help support local families and businesses.
Once a more detailed agreement is reached, San Leandro Hospital's license must be transferred to Alameda Health System. Although there is much more work to do to stabilize the hospital, this deal represents a monumental step forward to regaining a full-service health facility in our community.
Keeping San Leandro Hospital open has been one of my top priorities since my return to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. I would like to thank the residents, labor and San Leandro City Council officials for their strong partnership and would also like to acknowledge Sutter Health and Alameda Health Systems for making this a reality.
Spruce-up Day at Allendale Elementary School
This spring, as part of my Adopt-A-School initiative, I organized a volunteer day at Allendale Elementary School in Oakland where nearly 100 volunteers helped beautify the school grounds. I was joined by parents, students and community members to help revitalize the school garden that will be used as an educational space where students will learn about plants, nature and the outdoors. Volunteers also painted positive messages throughout the school, organized classrooms, built planter boxes and painted a colorful map of the United States on the blacktop that will be used to give students geography lessons for years to come. Click here to see photos on my Facebook page.
I would like to thank Oakland Unified School District’s Acting Superintendent Gary Yee, SEIU-ULTCW, San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, Greenlining Institute, The Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA) and all of the community members that volunteered at this important event. I would also like to thank our community donors whose contributions helped make this day a success.
Adopt-A-School is part of my initiative to promote volunteerism and community support for our local schools. As schools throughout Alameda County continue to face limited resources, I believe that projects like this will make a significant impact on the quality of our children’s education. If you are interested in volunteering on future Adopt-A-School projects, please email us at district3@acgov.org.
Human Impact and Prevention Budget 2013
In Alameda County, an estimated 340,270 children live in poverty, nearly three times the national rate. However, approximately $5 billion has been cut from state health and human service programs since 2008. This is one of many troubling examples of the cumulative impact of years of state budget cuts on local residents who depend on essential safety net programs including child care, dental services, and support for seniors.
In April, I held the second annual Human Impact and Prevention Budget public meeting in Oakland where community members, providers, and advocates attended to learn and share about the real outcome of multi-year state budget cuts that continue to test our most vulnerable residents including children, families, and seniors. Participants heard first-hand stories of these challenges from local residents who have been personally affected. You can listen to the testimony as well as read this year’s report by clicking here. Photos from the event are also posted on my Facebook page.
As the safety net continues to fray, I believe it is critical that we inform community, regional and state leadership about how many local residents continue to grapple with years of devastating cuts and discuss how we can effectively advocate for restoration and prevention-based services. If you are interested in learning more or becoming involved with the Human Impact Budget, please contact Seth Kaplan, Human Impact Analyst, at (510) 272-3880 or by email at seth.kaplan@acgov.org
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Beautification and Safety Improvements on Grant Avenue
Major upgrades are scheduled for Grant Avenue in San Lorenzo this coming fall. Alameda County will launch a “Beautification and Sidewalk Improvement” project to provide better pedestrian and bicycle accessibility and safety along Grant Avenue between Via Seco and the Union Pacific Railroad. Planned improvements include: constructing bicycle lanes and pedestrian pathways, rehabilitating the pavement; installing Bay Friendly certified landscaping and providing storm drain improvements including sustainable features such as rain garden drainage facilities. These improvements will create a wonderful pedestrian and bicycle link between San Lorenzo and the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Construction is set to begin this fall and complete by the summer of 2014. During construction, traffic impacts should be minimal. However, temporary single lane closures may be required from 9:00AM to 3:00PM when traffic is lightest. These temporary single lane closures will have little effect on traffic. This effort joins a growing list of County led projects in San Lorenzo including the expansion of the San Lorenzo Library, an 80-unit senior housing development and improvements to Hesperian Boulevard.
Protecting Seniors
The older adult population is the fastest growing segment of our nation yet elderly abuse is one of the biggest issues facing older adults across all communities. Last March, I launched an educational workshop series to help older adults learn about how to identify and protect themselves from financial fraud and scams. In partnership with the City of San Leandro, we hosted our second workshop at the San Leandro Senior Center on May 30. Nearly 100 seniors attended the workshop and learned about how to avoid common deceptive practices targeted at older adults. Our panel of speakers included representatives from the Alameda County’s District Attorney’s Office, Legal Assistance for Seniors and Alameda County’s Adult Protective Services Unit.
I would like to thank San Leandro City Vice Mayor Jim Prola, Council Member Benny Lee and City Manager Chris Zapata for attending this educational workshop and the City of San Leandro for their support with this important event. Please check out my website for upcoming workshops in your neighborhood.
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Alameda County's First "Project Stabilization Agreement"
Over the past year, I have chaired the countywide Project Stabilization Task Force in an effort to promote good jobs for local residents, financial savings, and timely completion of County construction projects. As a result of this collaborative between the County, construction trades, and local leaders, the Board of Supervisors adopted the first ever Countywide Project Stabilization agreement (formerly known as a Project Labor Agreement) on June 11 in partnership with the Building and Construction Trades and its 28 affiliated unions.
The PSA, designed after successful models utilized by school districts, cities, and ports, outlines expectations and benefits for county-funded construction projects with the labor community and promotes both training and hiring of county target populations such as veterans and low income residents. County construction projects of $1 million or more now have a working agreement that covers a wide range of requirements such as local hiring practices, wages, benefits, and the promotion of apprenticeship programs.
I am excited to announce that the first project to benefit from this groundbreaking agreement will be the San Lorenzo Library expansion project. This is an important step to increase support for the San Lorenzo community as well as the local economy and workers.
Tackling Gun Violence
The impact of gun violence continues to pressure local families and hurt communities in Alameda County every year. On May 17, I joined Assemblymember Rob Bonta, members of the Oakland City Council and other community leaders and stakeholders to discuss gun violence in the East Bay. At the hearing, panelist speakers highlighted both root causes of gun violence as well as efforts to address this epidemic.
At the hearing, I spoke about my past experience on the Oakland Unified School District School Board of Education where I found many schools dealt with the presence of guns on campus on a daily basis. I also highlighted the importance of the County as the local safety net and its critical role in promoting factors that ensure public safety. As we continue to struggle with budget cuts at the state level, it is crucial that safety net programs are kept intact in order to provide services to our most vulnerable residents during these times of increasing violence in our communities.
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Conveyance Celebration at Alameda Point
On June 24, I joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Alameda Mayor Marie Gilmore, the Alameda City Council and other City officials at Alameda Point to celebrate the transfer of almost 1,400 acres of land and water from the U.S. Navy to the City of Alameda. It is the first and largest transfer to the City since the Naval Air Station closed in 1997. The property includes 509 acres of land and 870 of submerged land.
The City of Alameda is currently engaged in a planning process to prepare the Point for new development that features 1,400 new homes, including affordable or lower-income homes as well as commercial retail space. Development at Alameda Point will create thousands of jobs that disappeared when the Navy base closed.
I am proud to represent one of the most coveted cities in the Bay Area and look forward to working with the City of Alameda to continue to promote a vibrant and healthy community.
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In the News
Wilma Chan: True immigration reform could be boon to Alameda County
The immigration legislation being debated in Washington will have far reaching implications for Alameda County. –Contra Costa Times (April 10, 2013)
'Breathmobile' To Do Asthma Checkups At Bohannon Middle School
In 2011, eleven percent of the Bohannon student body, or 111 students, were diagnosed with asthma according to Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan's office. - Castro Valley Patch (April 16, 2013)
Volunteers Clean Up San Lorenzo Village on Earth Day
Residents of all ages fanned out in 10 teams to beautify the community. – Castro Valley Patch (April 24, 2013)
Supporters Sound Alarm Against Delay in Expanding Medi-Cal
Under ACA, the federal government has promised to cover 100 percent of expansion costs in the first three years, and at least 90 percent thereafter. –New America Media (May 4, 2013)
Mom With Asthmatic Son Thankful For “Breathmobile”
This medically-equipped Winnebago visited Bohannon Middle School in San Lorenzo where one in 11 students suffer from this respiratory illness. – Castro Valley Patch (May 7, 2013)
Wilma Chan: We made history together by saving San Leandro Hospital
The people of San Leandro have made history and San Leandro Hospital will remain open for the foreseeable future. –Oakland Tribune (May 21, 2013)
Alameda County Adopts Countywide Project Stabilization Agreement
An Alameda County agreement with building and trade union is expected to grow good paying jobs and support local economy. – KCBS (June 12, 2013)
Eden Township pledges up to $20 million for San Leandro Hospital survival
Hopes that San Leandro Hospital will remain open as an acute care facility are a little brighter after the Eden Township Healthcare District board of directors pledged up to $20 million in support. – Mercury News (June 19, 2013)
The Healthy Kids Partnership between Kaiser Permanente and the Alameda County Fair This year Kaiser Permanente is partnering with the Alameda County Fair to sponsor "Kids Days" as a part of an effort spearheaded by Alameda County Supervisor Chan to encourage healthy lifestyle habits for children and their families. –Alameda Patch (June 25, 2013)
Upcoming Events
San Leandro Creek Tree Assessment
This summer, Alameda County will conduct an assessment of trees on County properties within the San Leandro Creek corridor. The study area is from Union Pacific Railroad to I-580 crossings. This study is intended to develop a comprehensive tree management plan that includes tree risk management and maintenance to ensure the safety of area residents. If you have any questions about the upcoming tree assessment, please contact Jim Browne, County Arborist, at (510) 670-5796, or you may also contact Karina Rivera from Supervisor Wilma Chan’s District office at (510) 278-0367.
San Lorenzo Relay for Life
Join the San Lorenzo Village Home Association and area residents at the 2nd Annual San Lorenzo Relay for Life at San Lorenzo High School on Saturday, August 10. If you are interested in forming or joining a team, contact the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association at (510) 275-4554 or click here for their website.
Alameda’s Fourth of July Parade
Celebrate Independence Day at the City of Alameda’s Annual 4th of July Parade. Equestrians, dance troops, floats, and antique cars will be marching through the streets of Alameda starting at 10AM. Click here for more info.
Waterfront Flicks at Jack London Square
Enjoy FREE outdoor movies this summer at Jack London Square in Oakland. Movies begin at sundown on selected Thursdays throughout the summer. Click here for more info.
Community Resources
Alameda County Resource Guide
For information and referrals on Alameda County programs, check out our resource guide: http://www.acgov.org/government/documents/ACResourceDirectory.pdf
Summer Camps Guide in Alameda County
Looking for camps or programs to enroll your children into this summer? Click here for information on camps throughout the Bay Area.
Boards and Commissions
Are you interested in serving Alameda County and District 3? There are currently several openings to become a District 3 representative. Learn more at http://www.acgov.org/clerk/bcc.htm. Applications including a cover letter and resume can be submitted to District3@acgov.org.
Public Art for the San Lorenzo Library Expansion Project
The Alameda County Arts Commission has started work on the public art program associated with the San Lorenzo Library Expansion Project and they want to hear from you! Take the public art survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SLZpublicart. Your responses to this short survey will help influence the artwork for the Library. Your ideas are needed and valued! The survey is available through Sunday, July 7, 2013. Spanish and Chinese are available as well!
2013-14 Alameda County Budget
The 2013-14 Alameda County final budget was adopted on Friday, June 28. For information on the approved county budget, including this year’s Human Impact reports, click here.
Alameda County Child Care Planning Council request for nominations
The Alameda County Child Care Planning Council is requesting applications for nominations to its Steering Committee. The Council advises and makes recommendations to policymakers to ensure that all children and families have access to quality child care that educates children and enriches their lives. Application deadline is September 20. Click here to learn more and apply.
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