Sustainable Business Alliance
The Sustainable Business Alliance is a membership organization for companies committed to greater environmental and socially responsible business practices. Our members are a diverse community of over 100 sustainable businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area. We strengthen our businesses through networking, education, and partnership opportunities. We learn from and support each other through strong community and collaboration.
Our mission is to promote sustainable business practices, nurture the environmentally-committed business sector, advocate the environmentally progressive policies, and improve the environmental profile of economic activity in the East Bay.
If you are already implementing sustainable practices in your business, or would like to learn more about greening your business, consider membership in our growing network of eco conscious entrepreneurs.
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Oakland Parking Ticket Profiling Called 'Not Fair'
The East Bay Express is reporting:
The City of Oakland has exempted two wealthy neighborhoods from its parking ticket blitz since last summer, and instead has targeted low and middle-income neighborhoods, the Chron reports. The city apparently exempted the upscale Montclair and Broadway Terrace neighborhoods after residents there complained about Oakland’s decision to begin issuing tickets en masse last summer to boost revenues. But the decision has resulted in parking tickets being issued disproportionately in low and middle-income areas.
The most common tickets have been for parking cars partially on sidewalks on narrow streets. City residents have been parking this way for years to avoid being hit by other motorists, but Oakland officials last summer decided to crack down on the practice as a way to help balance the city’s budget. But residents in East Oakland, where streets are as narrow as they are in Montclair or Broadway Terrace, note that it’s unfair to target them, and not wealthier city residents.
UPDATE: Oakland officials: Unequal ticketing policy ended
City Administrator Dan Lindheim said Thursday the practice was only in effect from July 24 to Nov. 12.
0 Comment(s)A Solution to Parking in Oakland?
The East Bay Express published an article about a possible solution to Oakland's parking crisis. Cities like San Francisco and Redwood City are testing a new approach that would price parking by how difficult it is to find a spot. This supply and demand theory comes from UCLA professor Donal Shoup. Shoup says "It's about getting the price right. You don't want to charge $1 an hour in a business district that is half empty. If you do, then the price is too high."
Oakland Parking Meeting At Grand Lake Theater
The recent change in parking rates and the rise in parking tickets issued in Oakland is causing an uprising. Business owners are saying the city's aggressive ticketing is upsetting customers and negatively impacting their sales. And The news has covered the story here and here and here.
This has prompted many of the Lakeshore businesses to close their doors today in a general strike. And some have developed petitions to recall certain Oakland City Council Members.
The community is getting together tonight at the Grand Lake Theater to brainstorm and discuss further plan of action. They have created a special page for this initiative.
Oakland City Council approves 50 cent increase in metered parking
Starting July 13th it will cost you more to park in Oakland:
Parking Meters:
The Oakland City Council approved a 50 cent increase in metered parking rates in Oakland which raises the rate to $2.00 per hour. Most Kiosks have already been set with the new rates. The old meter heads are being changed manually and should be completed by Saturday, July 11, 2009.
Parking Hours:
The Oakland City Council also approved an extension of the parking enforcement time to 8 pm. This will go into effect on Monday, July 13, 2009.
