Margaret L. O'Brien, Finance Director
City of Alameda, CA
City of Alameda, CA
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Dear Margaret and Ross
We are delighted to inform you that Alameda, CA has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 GovInvest Trailblazer Awards. This recognition is a testament to your organization's exceptional commitment to leveraging modern solutions for accurate analysis and enhanced transparency.
The GovInvest Trailblazer Award is bestowed upon organizations that exemplify outstanding leadership and innovation in adopting cutting-edge technologies to drive positive change and set new standards for local government. This award reflects your unwavering commitment to excellence, and we applaud your team's efforts in embracing forward-thinking approaches to achieve unparalleled results.
Your ability to harness the power of modern solutions sets a benchmark for others in the industry. The recognition also serves as a validation of our dedication to delivering high-quality services and exceeding industry standards. We take great pride in your accomplishment and view it as a motivation to continually raise the bar.
The GovInvest Team looks forward to continuing our partnership with you and exploring new opportunities for collaboration. Your feedback and input have been invaluable to us, and we remain committed to exceeding your expectations.
For your reference, attached is a press release announcing the 2023 GovInvest Trailblazer Award Winners. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission to support agencies across the country.
Sincerely,
Shareen Baker
Customer Success Manager
GovInvest Inc.
917-423-7443
(Chicago, Illinois)—Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to City of Alameda for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
SAN FRANCISCO (S&P Global Ratings) May 16, 2023--S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term rating to 'AAA' from 'AA+' on Alameda, Calif.'s general obligation debt outstanding.
At the same time, S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term rating to 'AA+' from 'AA' on the city's certificates of participation outstanding.
"The raised ratings reflect our view that the city will continue its record of strong-to-very-strong financial performance, which has significantly improved its available fund balances in preparation for possible adverse economic conditions in fiscal 2023, while continuing to lower its debt burden and sustain its strong economic growth," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Cenisa Gutierrez.
The outlook is stable.
Alameda is built out in most of its service area but is undergoing a boom in residential and commercial development.
Today, Alameda City Manager Jennifer Ott announced that she has selected Amy Wooldridge to serve as Assistant City Manager. Ms. Wooldridge currently serves as the City of Alameda’s Acting Assistant City Manager and Recreation and Parks Director.
“Amy has 18 years of senior management experience, including over 10 years as the City of Alameda’s Recreation and Parks Director. She has a proven record of collaborative community engagement, along with strong project management skills. I look forward to working together to implement City Council’s priorities to serve our residents and businesses,” stated City Manager Jennifer Ott.
Alameda’s Assistant City Manager is a vital member of the executive management team and has a very high level of interaction with officials, department heads, community groups, business leaders, and residents. The Assistant City Manager works closely with the City Manager to provide leadership and creative approaches to the City’s short and long-term goals, and address a wide variety of complex daily operational challenges. When applicable, the Assistant City Manager will serve as Acting City Manager.
“I am looking forward to serving Alameda residents and businesses in this new capacity, alongside a strong executive team and City Manager Ott,” stated Amy Wooldridge. “I deeply appreciate our Recreation and Parks staff for everything the team has accomplished and created for the Alameda community over the last ten years. As a resident of Alameda, I am grateful to live and work in a community with such a dedicated staff and City Council.”
In response to severe winter storms that began on December 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency throughout California today that will assist local governments and protect public health and the environment.
The City of Alameda activated its Emergency Operations Center earlier this week and today City Manager, Jennifer Ott, issued a Declaration of Local Emergency after determining that there are conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City. These conditions are caused by severe winter storms related to a series of atmospheric river systems bringing high winds, substantial precipitation, and urban flooding.
A High Wind Warning is in place until 10am Thursday, January 5, and a Flood Watch is in place until 4pm Thursday. While these hazardous weather conditions are expected to lessen in the next 24 hours, rains and winds will continue into the weekend and the week to come.
Residents should call 510-337-8340 to report flooding and other needs and 911 for life/safety emergencies. The City of Alameda is providing regular updates on the storm’s impact at www.alamedaca.gov/alerts, including road closures, transit cancellations, sandbag availability, and safety and preparedness tips. The City's Warming Shelter at Christ Church and Day Center at Alameda Point has extended its hours and expanded its capacity to house Alamedans who are unhoused during the storm. Anyone seeking shelter should call 211.
The City of Alameda expects to begin reconstructing the pavement on Mariner Square Drive between Constitution Way and Marina Village Parkway on December 5, 2022. This project will take two weeks to complete, and during construction the City’s contractor will implement a full road closure, 24 hours a day. Road users will need to use other routes to travel through the area or access properties in the immediate area. Detour signs and temporary traffic control will guide motorists through Marina Village Parkway.
During construction, there will be minor increases to noise and dust. The City appreciates your cooperation and patience, and apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this project may cause. Questions or information about the project should be directed to Trung Nguyen, Public Works Department, at 510-747-7900. The project is primarily funded by Alameda County Measure BB, Vehicle Registration Fee, and SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
After an extensive recruitment, the Alameda City Council is set to appoint Jennifer Ott as Alameda’s new City Manager at its December 6, 2022 meeting. Ms. Ott is expected to begin work January 3, 2023.
"I am truly excited about returning to the City of Alameda as its next City Manager,” said Jennifer Ott. “My previous 13 years working for Alameda, and the many relationships I developed, will allow me to hit the ground running and immediately begin implementing Council and community priorities.”
Alameda’s City Manager is appointed by and reports directly to the Mayor and City Council. As the City’s Chief Administrative Officer, the City Manager provides leadership and organizational direction for City operations.
“On behalf of the City Council, I’m delighted to welcome Jennifer Ott back to Alameda as its new City Manager,” stated Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. “With more than 20 years of local government experience, including 13 years serving the City of Alameda, Jennifer understands Alameda’s unique opportunities and challenges. I have no doubt she will provide exceptional leadership for this organization, and be a valuable partner to the City Council, while serving our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Since 2018, Ms. Ott has worked for the City of Hayward where she currently serves as Assistant City Manager and Development Services Director. From 2005 to 2018, Ms. Ott worked for the City of Alameda as Redevelopment Manager, Acting Assistant City Manager, Chief Operating Officer of Alameda Point, and Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Director. In 2009, Ms. Ott oversaw the renovation of the Alameda Theatre which won numerous awards, including from the California Redevelopment Association, California Preservation Foundation, and California Art Deco Society.
Ms. Ott holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Spanish from the University of California, Davis. She is also fluent in Spanish.
As we welcome our new City Manager, the City acknowledges and thanks former Human Resources Director Nancy Bronstein and Public Works Director Erin Smith who served as Interim City Managers during the recruitment process.
On Monday, October 10 the East Bay Economic Development Alliance launched the new Alameda County Small Business Recovery Grant Program. The grant fund is available to eligible Alameda small businesses and sole proprietorships with 25 or fewer employees. Eligible applicants can receive a one-time grant of $5,000 for home-based businesses and $10,000 for brick-and-mortar businesses.
The Small Business Recovery Grant Program was authorized by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors when it appropriated federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and is available to most businesses that have not previously received COVID-19-related ARPA funding directly from the County of Alameda.
Funds are limited and not everyone who applies is guaranteed to receive funding. If the total funding requests for all grant applications exceeds available program funding levels totaling $11 million, grants will be awarded by lottery.
City of Alameda highlights local investments on the one year anniversary of the passage of the American Rescue Plan
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), historic legislation that allows the City of Alameda to directly invest $28.6 million into our community. This funding is addressing the critical needs of our residents and driving Alameda’s economic recovery.
“The ARPA relief money that the City of Alameda received was a lifeline during the pandemic and continues to provide resources to address the immediate needs of our residents, businesses, and nonprofits, as well as long-standing social and economic inequities,” said Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft.
The City’s ARPA spending plan is focused on addressing housing, homelessness, and behavioral/mental health; investing and building broadband infrastructure; providing household and local small business assistance; and supplementing revenue loss – all with an emphasis on those in our community who were and continue to be disproportionality impacted by the pandemic.
Working with community leaders and the City Council, the City of Alameda has put into place plans to use ARPA funding for:
This June, the City will receive another round of critical ARPA funding, and will educate and engage the community about additional relief programs funded by ARPA that will improve lives in Alameda.
The City of Alameda was recently awarded a highly competitive $12.3 million grant from California Housing and Community Development Department’s HomeKey Program. The City, partnering with developer DignityMoves, will use this funding to build Dignity Village, 47 modular units of interim supportive housing for homeless individuals and couples, among them, individuals with disabilities and young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. Supportive services include access to physical and mental health services, employment assistance, and help transitioning to permanent housing.
The City submitted its successful application at the end of 2021, joined by co-applicants, DignityMoves and Five Keys Schools and Programs, the social service provider. The City has also secured $2.35 million from Alameda County to cover five years of operating expenses.
Construction of Dignity Village will start this spring and is expected to take approximately eight months to complete. The project is located at 2350 5th Street on a City-owned site known as the “bottle parcel” because of its unusual shape. All 47 units will have a private bathroom, bed, and desk. Onsite amenities include a community room/dining area, shared kitchen, parking area, and dog run because residents are allowed to have pets.
“I’m thrilled that the State of California has recognized the significance of this project,” said Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. “As the City works to end homelessness in Alameda, Dignity Village will provide life-changing, and lifesaving, opportunities for its residents.”
