Oakley, California

City of Oakley
City
Oakley City Hall
Logo
Location in Contra Costa County and the state of California
City of Oakley Location in the United States
Coordinates: 37°59′51″N 121°42′45″W / 37.99750°N 121.71250°WCoordinates: 37°59′51″N 121°42′45″W / 37.99750°N 121.71250°W
Country	United States
State	California
County	Contra Costa
Incorporated	July 1, 1999[1]
Government
• Mayor	Kevin Romick[2]
• State Senator	Steve Glazer (D)[3]
• State Assembly	Jim Frazier (D)[4]
• U. S. Congress	Jerry McNerney (D)[5]
Area[6]
• Total	16.155 sq mi (41.842 km^2)
• Land	15.853 sq mi (41.059 km^2)
• Water	0.302 sq mi (0.783 km^2)  1.87%
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	35,432
• Density	2,200/sq mi (850/km^2)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code	94561
Area code(s)	925
FIPS code	06-53070
GNIS feature IDs	277567, 2411294
Website	www.ci.oakley.ca.us

Oakley is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. It is within the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The January 1, 2016 population was 40,144, as determined by the State Department of Finance. Oakley was incorporated in 1999 and is the most recently incorporated city in Contra Costa County. Oakley is part of the East Contra Costa Bicycle Plan, which has existing facilities in Oakley as well as plans for further expansion.^[7]

Etymology

The name "oak" comes from the abundance of oak trees, while the suffix "-ley" comes from the Old English word for "field" or "meadow".^[8]

Geography and environment

The Oakley areas offers access to the Delta de Anza Regional Trail.^[9] According to reports provided by CNN,^[10] Oakley experiences 21.16 inches of annual rainfall with an average high temperature in July of 96.0 F and an average low temperature in January of 40.0 F. Oakley experiences 52% clear days throughout the year.

Oakley’s west border is Highway 160, which provides access to Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and the Central Valley. The City of Antioch adjoins Oakley on the west, the city of Brentwood adjoins Oakley on the south, and Bethel Island lies to the east. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta forms the northern boundary. The southwestern skyline is dominated by Mt. Diablo.

Boundaries

Prior to 1963, creating a new city in California only required a petition, a public hearing (where 51 percent of the landowners could approve the desire to incorporate) and an election. During the 1950s over 50 new cities incorporated, and in Los Angeles County alone, 10 new cities incorporated in 1957. At the time, no thought was given as to how or who would pay the costs for the necessary services needed to sustain a city. Fire, police, water and sanitation services were often provided by a number of different and overlapping entities.

In an effort to gain control over this kluge of overlapping services and control the proliferation of incorporations, Governor Edmund G Brown, Sr. created the Commission on Metropolitan Area Problems, in 1959. The Commission was given the task of studying and making recommendations on the “misuse of land resources” and the growing complexity of overlapping local government jurisdictions.

The Knox-Nisbit Act of 1963 contained the Commission’s recommendations on local government reorganization resulting in the creation of the Local Agency Formation Commission or LAFCO, operating in every county. Additional powers were given to LAFCO in the District Reorganization Act of 1965, the Municipal Organization Act of 1977, the Cortese-Knox Local Government Reorganization Act 1985 and the Cortese-Knox-Hertz Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000.

One of the services mandated to LAFCO was to create a Municipal Service Reviews (MSRs) of all local agencies. An MSR is a comprehensive study designed to better inform LAFCO, local agencies, and the community about the provision of municipal services. Service reviews capture and analyze information about the governance structures and efficiencies of service providers and identify opportunities for greater coordination and cooperation between providers.

The last MSR for Oakley was created in 2008 and can be found here.^[11]

Government

The City of Oakley is a General-Law City, as opposed to a Charter City, formed under State legislative statutes and governed by a body of laws in the State Constitution. As of July 1, 2008, there are 479 cities in California, 372 general law cities and 107 charter cities. Of the 19 cities in Contra Costa County, Richmond and San Ramon are the only cities with a charter. Only 147 of the cities in California elevate the position of mayor to a public electable position. In Contra Costa County, Antioch, Brentwood, Martinez, San Ramon and Richmond are the only cities that have chosen this route.

Oakley operates under a council-manager form of government. It was developed in an effort to avoid the corruption and inefficiency surfacing, at that time, in some eastern cities in the latter part of the 19th century. It has proved to be the most successful and popular model of local government in most communities across the United States. It currently represents over 100 million citizens in over 2,500 cities in the U.S.

The Oakley City Council consists of five non-partisan council members elected “at large” for staggered four-year terms each. Oakley’s City Council (as well as those council members from the other 19 cities) are considered part-time because, aside from being council members they have full-time jobs. This part-time nature of the council opens up opportunities for ordinary citizens who are working in the private sector to participate.

Annually,at the first Council meeting in December, the Mayor is selected by a majority of the City Council from among currently serving Council Members. At this time a Vice Mayor is also selected. This is the standard method among general law cities. Cal. Govt. Code § 36801: “The city council shall . . . choose one of its number as mayor, and one of its number as mayor pro tempore.” However, a general law city is permitted to have a mayor that is directly elected by the voters, if certain procedures are followed.

Oakley’s mayor presides at council meetings, appoints council members to various internal and external committees, attends community events as the council’s representative, and performs other ministerial duties. The vice mayor presides in the mayor’s absence. California’s Constitution establishes that every council member, including the Mayor has only one vote. Even a directly elected Mayor can only have one vote.

History

Native Americans Society

Archeologists have found prehistoric sites in the Oakley area. One substantial shell mound was discovered early in the 20th century near what is now the east edge of town. The Northwest Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System now keeps track of archeological investigations undertaken in Oakley. Around three-dozen such projects have been completed in the past 25 years, yielding only four prehistoric sites in the City. However, the information center believes there is a high possibility that other prehistoric sites remain within the City.

The first accounts of identifiable cultural community in the west delta are attributed to the Bay Miwoks, who occupied the region between 1100 and 1770 AD. The Bay Miwok people, usually called the Julpunes or Pulpunes by European explorers, were organized into “tribelets”—political units that included several fairly permanent villages and a set of seasonal campsites arrayed across a well-defined territory.

Spanish Exploration
Spanish incursions into the Oakley area began in the 1770s. The first to enter what are now the City limits was the De Anza expedition of 1775-76. However, after a failed attempt to find a route through the tule swamps to the Sierra, the De Anza expedition returned to Monterey. Subsequent expeditions by the Spanish did not result in colonization. Europeans settled in the Delta in the 19th century, but were killed by malaria and smallpox.

Contemporary History
The name Oakley is of Old English origin and its meaning is “meadow of oak trees”. This aptly describes the area when first settled and to some extent even today. However, if not for the flip of a coin and cribbage board the community may have been named Dewey. Instead of the Oak Leaf logo it may have been a dew drop. City founder Randolph Marsh wanted to name the city Dewey, after Admiral Dewey. Mr. Marsh was impressed with the exploits of Admiral Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War. His friend J.T. Whightman preferred the name “Oakley” because the terrain was largely meadows and oaks. To determine which name would prevail they battled it out over a game of cribbage. Marsh may have lost the game and the right to name the city but he ensured his immortality by choosing downtown street names whose first initials spelled “Marsh” — Main, Acme, Ruby, Star and Home.
Oakley's first post office was established in 1898,^[12] and Oakley only became an incorporated city a full 101 years later, in 1999.^[13] The city's motto is, "A Place for Families in the Heart of the Delta."

Police services

Historically, Oakley contracted for police servicea with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office; however, in May 2016 the City transitioned to bring the Police Department staffing "in-house." This transition was made due to rising costs of the Sheriff's Office contract. The City still contracta with the Sheriff's Office for dispatch, forensics and jail services.There are 29 full-time sworn personnel (1 Chief, 2 Lieutenants, 5 Sergeants, and 21 Patrol Officers. The City Council has approved the hiring of 4 additional sworn personnel that will come on board early in 2017. The Department is located on the west end of City Hall at 3231 Main Street.

Traffic enforcement is the primary responsibility of all patrol officers. With the addition of two motorcycles to the mobile fleet, there are now two officers specifically assigned to traffic enforcement. Juvenile matters are handled by a full-time School Resource officer. Oakley still relies on the sheriff's office for homicide, serious sexual assault, and narcotics investigations. Oakley's Traffic Unit handles collision investigations that result in the serious injury or death of a motorist or pedestrian.^[14]

The non-emergency dispatch number for the Police Department is 925-625-8855.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1970	1,306		—
1980	2,816		115.6%
1990	18,374		552.5%
2000	25,619		39.4%
2010	35,432		38.3%
Est. 2015	39,813	[15]	12.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2010

The 2010 United States Census^[17] reported that Oakley had a population of 35,432. The population density was 2,193.2 people per square mile (846.8/km²). The racial makeup of Oakley was 22,641 (63.9%) White, 2,582 (7.3%) African American, 314 (0.9%) Native American, 2,236 (6.3%) Asian, 142 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 4,998 (14.1%) from other races, and 2,519 (7.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12,364 persons (34.9%).

The Census reported that 35,329 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 75 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 28 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 10,727 households, out of which 5,479 (51.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,531 (60.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,412 (13.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 708 (6.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 747 (7.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 93 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,522 households (14.2%) were made up of individuals and 515 (4.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.29. There were 8,651 families (80.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.62.

The population was spread out with 10,808 people (30.5%) under the age of 18, 3,531 people (10.0%) aged 18 to 24, 10,149 people (28.6%) aged 25 to 44, 8,553 people (24.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,391 people (6.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.0 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

There were 11,484 housing units at an average density of 710.8 per square mile (274.5/km²), of which 8,163 (76.1%) were owner-occupied, and 2,564 (23.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.5%. 26,778 people (75.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8,551 people (24.1%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census^[18] of 2000, there are 25,619 people, 7,832 households, and 6,461 families residing in the city. The population density is 796.4/km² (2,063.2/mi²). There are 7,946 housing units at an average density of 247.0/km² (639.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 75.50% White, 3.42% Black or African American, 0.89% Native American, 2.86% Asian, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 10.58% from other races, and 6.46% from two or more races. 24.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 7,832 households out of which 52.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% are married couples living together, 9.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% are non-families. 13.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.26 and the average family size is 3.56.

In the city the population is spread out with 34.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $65,589, and the median income for a family is $68,888. Males have a median income of $49,883 versus $34,659 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,895. 5.0% of the population and 2.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Education

At 99.6%, nearly all students living within the City of Oakley are attending a public or private school located within City limits. The City is mainly served by Oakley Union Elementary School District (K-8) and the Liberty Union High School District.

Elementary schools

• Oakley Elementary School
• Gehringer Elementary School
• Laurel Elementary School
• Vintage Parkway Elementary School
• Iron House Elementary School
• Orchard Park School (Educated K-8) (Antioch Unified School District)
• Almond Grove Elementary School has been constructed on Carpenter Road between Brown and Empire.

Middle schools

• O'Hara Park Middle School
• Delta Vista Middle School
• Orchard Park School ( K-8, located in the Antioch Unified School District)
• A third middle school is proposed for the area along the south side of Brownstone Road. If the project ensues, it is proposed to be named R.C. Marsh Middle School.

High schools

• Freedom High School

Public libraries

The Oakley Library of the Contra Costa County Library is located in Oakley.^[19]

Notable residents

Joe Mixon, star running back for the University of Oklahoma Sooners, 2015-present

• Nguyen Do, poet, editor and translator. He relocated from San Francisco to Oakley. He's author of thirteen books.
• Lisa Joann Thompson, dancer, actress, choreographer, starred in In Living Color, Fame L.A. and Motown Live, lived in Oakley during her high school years, and attended Liberty High School in Brentwood.

References

1. "California Cities by Incorporation Date" (Word). California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
2. "City Council". City of Oakley. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
3. "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
4. "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
5. "California's 9th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
6. U.S. Census Archived 2012-01-24 at WebCite
7. East Contra Costa County Bicycle Facilitees
8. Gudde, Erwin G. "California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographic Names", 4th ed, University of California Press, p. 266
9. Delta de Anza Regional Trail reference
12. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 674. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
13. http://www.ci.oakley.ca.us/
14. http://www.ci.oakley.ca.us/subpage.cfm?id=354240
15. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
17. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Oakley city". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
18. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
19. "Oakley Library." Contra Costa County Library. Retrieved on April 1, 2010.

• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Oakley, California

External links

• Official website
• Oakley Local News (Oakley Press)
• (Oakley Events EastCountyLive.com SPOTLIGHT)
• Romick in Oakley a Local Blog