The City of Oakland is moving closer to embracing an open data project--a program that would approve city government's agreement to put aside $180,000o of the $360,000 cost to have 2013 Code for America fellows working on projects to benefit the city of Oakland. The resolution would also provide next steps for the high-level resolution passed by Council last month to support creating an open data place and structure for city-generated information.

On Tuesday, July 10, the Finance & Management Committee  will meet at 10:30 to discuss the Code for America plan and approve--or not approve--going forward with the plan. Oakland’s 2013 Code for America application proposes  fellows helping to stream-line the city's contracts and purchasing system to help city departments and vendors alike, and to create an open data repository that would lessen the load on the overburdened  Public Records Request system.

Code for America Fellows are currently working in several cities around the country, including New Orleans, Santa Cruz, Austin and Detroit; in 2011, over 20 cities applied for the program (see http://codeforamerica.org/2012-city-finalists/)

Staffers from Code for America (whose Founder/CEO and key employees happen to be Oakland residents) will be at the committee hearing this Tuesday; if you're eager to see this pass, you might come along as well.

MEETING

July 10, 2012, 10:30 AM
Finance & Management Committee
Hearing Room 1, City Hall