City Government
“Anti-Terrorism Contraband” Cargo Inspections Conducted in Alameda
The inspection of potentially hazardous cargos that come through the Port of Oakland have been conducted for months in the City of Alameda, even though the City of Oakland has refused to allow such inspections at the old Horizon Beverage building in West Oakland.
Concerns have been raised by community members that Bobac CFS Corporation is operating a Customs Examination Station (CES) in Alameda by the Naval Base. The examination station is an Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) site that inspects for illegal cargo, smuggling, weapons of mass destruction, and other contraband, in addition to being a Trade (site), which conducts inspections for trade violations.
Bobac has operated as a customs exam station for over four years, but concerns have increased since the company that had been conducting A-TCET inspections – PCC Logistics – lost its contract with U.S. Customs last year when it had to move due to one of the snafus surrounding the beginning of Oakland’s Army Base Development project.
In addition, Oakland residents are concerned that trucks are transporting potentially hazardous cargos on Oakland streets to the Bobac facility in Alameda.
Seeking to relieve some of the anxiety caused by the inspections, Customs says it takes steps to make sure that no known hazardous materials are shipped through the community.
U.S. Customs inspectors “examine containers for dangerous materials and anomalies prior to leaving the port” and do not “permit movement of any container suspected of containing harmful materials,” said Frank Falcon, Public Affairs Liaison with CBP.
In order to determine whether or not containers coming in to the port hold dangerous material, CBP uses equipment to “non-intrusively” examine cargo before it’s transported to an inspection site in the community.
U.S. Customs has assured Alameda city staff that there would be no hazardous material at the Bobac facility, according to Assistant City Manager Alex Nguyen.
While no hazardous materials may be knowingly transported through Oakland to Alameda, the site in Alameda does conduct A-TCET “anti-terrorism contraband” inspections.
Therefore, questions remain whether potentially hazardous cargo – explosives or radioactive materials – may be unknowingly transported into Alameda, and what are possible dangers to local communities.
These concerns were raised by Oakland residents and city officials when the City of Oakland rejected entrepreneur Tom Henderson’s attempt to conduct A-TCET inspections in West Oakland.
Bobac owner Bob Haydari, who has been working with unloading and reloading cargo for 25 years, says he has not received any dangerous material at his facility while working with U.S. Customs.
In a recent article in the Alameda Sun newspaper, Haydari said, “There is nothing to worry about. I’m 60 years old, I work with my wife, and two kids, I would not do this if I thought this job was dangerous.”
However, some Alameda residents are still unsure the inspections provide sufficient safety guarantees.
“I just want the whole (City) Council to look into it,” said Alameda resident Irma Garcia-Sinclair a November interview with The Alamedan.
Activism
S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System
Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.
By Carla Thomas
San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).
Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.
“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”
According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.
“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”
Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.
SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.
Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.
Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.
Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.
Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.
“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Bay Area
Mayor London Breed: State Awards San Francisco Over $37M for Affordable Housing
On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP). The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.
By Oakland Post Staff
On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP).
The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.
The new development at 1515 South Van Ness Ave. will provide 168 affordable homes to low-income families, formerly homeless families, and persons living with HIV earning between 25-80% of the San Francisco Area Median Income (AMI).
In addition, the project is anticipated to provide family-friendly amenities and ground floor community-serving commercial spaces that preserve the prevailing neighborhood character of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.
“This funding unlocks our ability to move on building affordable housing units for families in San Francisco at a crucial time. We understand the level of need for more housing that is accessible, and like the state, the city continues to face a challenging budget cycle,” said Breed. “1515 South Van Ness is a good example of what can be achieved in San Francisco when you have strong community partnerships and an unwavering commitment to deliver on critical needs for our residents.”
“From the beginning of my term as Supervisor, I have fought to bring affordable housing to 1515 South Van Ness” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “In the interim, the site has been utilized for homeless services and shelter, and I am thrilled that HCD has recognized the value of this development, and we are finally ready to break ground and bring 168 affordable homes to low income and formerly homeless families in the Mission.”
Owned and occupied by McMillan Electric Company until 2015, the City and County of San Francisco purchased 1515 South Van Ness Avenue in June 2019 with the intent of developing new affordable housing.
In November 2020, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) released a Multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified developers to build affordable housing on the site, and subsequently selected Chinatown Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) in May 2021 to develop the site.
The project is expected to begin construction in winter 2025.
“A strong, long-term push by Mission advocates to make this site 100% affordable is now paying off, with 168 family units that include services and childcare. People of color communities know what they need, and we are excited to be in partnership with a team, consisting of MEDA, CCDC, and MOHCD, that listens,” said Malcolm Yeung, Executive Director at CCDC.
“We are excited to be in partnership with CCDC, yet again, and for the opportunity to develop intergenerational affordable housing in the City’s Mission District,” said Luis Granados, executive director at MEDA.
Increasing housing affordable to lower-income and vulnerable residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation, as well as Mayor Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out the steps the City will take to meet the bold goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next eight years.
Tuesday’s funding announcement emphasizes the importance of regional and state collaboration in order to reach our housing and climate goals.
“We are thrilled—not just to bring a project of this size to a community with great need — but to do so with community-based developers and their partners who understand the neighborhood and sensitivities around cultural preservation,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.
City Government
Vallejo Continues to Accept Applications for Boards, Committees and Commissions
The City of Vallejo is requesting applications to serve on a number of the City’s boards and commissions. Vallejo residents who are interested in serving on an advisory body are invited to submit an application and supplemental questionnaire for consideration.
By City of Vallejo
The City of Vallejo is requesting applications to serve on a number of the City’s boards and commissions. Vallejo residents who are interested in serving on an advisory body are invited to submit an application and supplemental questionnaire for consideration.
There are currently openings on the following boards, commissions, and committees:
- Beautification Commission(2) terms expire 6/30/28
- Civil Service Commission(2) terms to expire 6/30/28
- Design Review Board(2) terms to expire 6/30/28
- Housing & Community Development Commission(1) term to expire 6/30/28
- Housing Authority(1) tenant commissioner term to expire 12/31/24
- McCune Collection Commission(3) terms to expire 6/30/28
- Participatory Budget Steering Committee(6 members & 3 alternates) terms expire 6/30/25
- Planning Commission(2) terms to expire 6/30/28
- Surveillance Advisory Board – Districts 1, 2, and 3 Members OnlyDistricts 1 & 3 terms to expire 1/2/25 and District 2 term to expire 1/5/27
- Sister City Commission(1) term to expire 6/30/27
- Solano Commission for Women & Girls(1) Vallejo representative can be youth or adult. Term to expire 4 years from date of appointment
For City Boards and Commissions, except for the Civil Service, McCune Collection, and Sister City Commissions, the Surveillance Advisory Board, and the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee, all appointed members must complete and file a Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700, within 30 days of appointment.
All City Board and Commission members must complete AB 1234 Ethics training and file a Certificate of Completion within 30 days of appointment.
In most instances, to be eligible for appointment, applicants must be residents of the City of Vallejo. Information regarding the duties of each board and commission and specific criteria for appointment may be found within each application. With some exceptions, appointments are typically for a term of four years.
The application period will remain open until a sufficient number have been received in the City Clerk’s Office
Interviews with the City Council are tentatively scheduled for the evenings of June 3 and 10. Applicants must attend the interview to be considered for appointment on a board or commission.
Application forms and supplemental questionnaires are accessible in several ways:
- The City’s website, located on the Boards and Commissions page
- At City Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 555 Santa Clara Street, 3rd Floor, Vallejo, CA
- By Email at abrahamson@cityofvallejo.net, or by phone at (707) 648-4527
By U.S. Mail: City of Vallejo, C/O City Clerk, PO Box 3068, Vallejo, CA 94590
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