Meeting Time: December 12, 2023 at 11:30am PST
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Agenda Item

9 23-0957 Subject: Amend Beautification Council's Contract Amount From: Public Works Department Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To (1) Increase Beautification Council's Contract Amount By Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000) For A Total Not To Exceed Contract Amount Of Three Million Four Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($3,480,000); And (2) Waive Further Advertising Bidding, Competitive Request For Proposal/Qualification Selection And Local Business/Small Local Business Participation Requirements

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    Michael Podolak 9 months ago

    I fully support of adopting a resolution to (1) increase the Beautification Councils contract by $600k, as well as waive any further need for bidding, or responses to RFQ's, etc.

    I have had the chance to witness first hand how this organization operates within some of our oakland communities. I have had the chance to speak to Ken Houston himself and learn from his group about how they operate. Frankly, I am so impressed by how they are able to work under some of the circumstances in which they work.

    They are efficient, safe, and very productive. And they do it in a way that respects the individuals (often times unhouse) in the areas they work, and of one another. In fact, this organization is actually employing some of the folks that were once unhoused themselves.

    By embracing the people around them, while providing an opportunity for them, the Beautification Council exemplifies what an organization like this should be doing.

    The Beautification Council has the ability, and relationships to work across all levels of State, County, and City entities. They have a more than proven process to do the work they do so well. Please help our communities by extending their contract.

    Sincerely,
    Mike Podolak
    Hoover-Foster