Almost all my life I’ve lived in walking distance of a major urban university. For most of the last 60 years or so I’ve been in Berkeley. As a Cal (that’s what we called it in the olden days) undergraduate I started out in a rooming house (aka “ a single family home”, i.e. a house with many more bedrooms than bathrooms or kitchens). It was a classic Berkeley brown shingle, vintage turn of the 20^th century, on Channing near Telegraph, owned and inhabited by a classic hard-working immigrant, the proprietor of Anna’s Donut House next door, open as I recall from 6 a.m. until two a.m. Anna didn’t get much sleep.

My room was on the third floor. I shared it with a girl from a ranch in Walnut Creek (yes, it was still ranches in those days.) The one bathroom was on the second floor, so we took turns. The other tenants were girls from Taiwan, all science whizzes except one classical pianist. From them in the common kitchen I learned a bunch of nifty cooking tips, including how to cut up a chicken and fixing steamed eggs in a cup. Their first language was Mandarin, but they were eager to practice their English on me.

Anna played it close to the vest. Her first language was Eastern European of some Slavic variety. I didn’t understand it though I was studying Russian, and she had little interest in learning English, so we rarely talked. Her goal was making and saving the maximum amount of money to send home to the old country.

She was a penny-pincher. When we weren’t home she’d come into our room and unplug the radio and lamps because she thought they were burning electricity, even when turned off.

The house had no central heating, but our attic room had (horrifying in retrospect) a gas-fired wall heater with an open flame on which my roommate and I roasted hot dogs. But it didn’t burn down—it’s still there, now transmogrified into a Thai restaurant with a deck and a colorful paint job.

In those days, such houses were part of a neighborhood of similar establishments: older homes with several bedrooms built for families, some turned into woman-owner-occupied rooming houses by the 1950s, many run by faculty widows. In my senior year I moved to an apartment in the living room and dining room of a converted house—my next-door neighbor from that time is still my good friend.

I was in the class of ’61. We were just starting to exercise some political muscle, and UCB was fighting back. Back then, Cal was in Berkeley, though it was already starting to fancy that it was Berkeley.

Governor Pat Brown was our commencement speaker. We boycotted and picketed the event in our caps and gowns because he had allowed the execution of author Caryl Chessman.

Not so long afterwards I moved to Ann Arbor so my husband could go to graduate school, so we missed the 60s uproar here. The administration at the University of Michigan was much better than Cal at staying out of fights, even though there was plenty of political activity.

In 1973 we moved back so he could teach at Berkeley (the school) and looked for a house in Berkeley (the town) so our three daughters could go to the city’s excellent and diverse public schools. School bussing for racial integration had just started.

We benefited greatly from White flight. The old rooming house we had bought cheaply in Ann Arbor was seedy and small, on a busy street. We traded it almost even for an enormous house in Berkeley in excellent condition, also on a busy street. Undesirable elements (conservative White people terrified of school integration) were moving out to Lamorinda and points east, so real estate prices here were sliding downhill.

The busy street was a plus for us, because public transit was still excellent back then. The 65 bus stopped right at our front door; the TransBay E bus was at the corner, with frequent stops day and night. My husband could ride his bike to campus, I could take the E bus to The City for work, and the kids could take the 51 to Berkeley High—a perfect trifecta.

The big cheap houses on our busy street, including ours, provided homes for a great diversity of interesting people: communes of famous radicals, artists, musicians, journalists of various stripes, lots of students, novelists and even Eldridge Cleaver. Sadly, the neighborhood has re-gentrified in the last few years, adding dull novelties like investment bankers and even one rogue crooked convicted techie who ended up pardoned by the departing Donald Trump.

Why am I telling you all this? Because last week I watched the oral arguments about the appeal by a couple of neighborhood groups of a lower court decision which would have allowed UCB to evade California Environmental Qualiy Act (CEQA) requirements that noise impacts and alternative sites be studied before building an 1100 bed student dorm on a historic site at People’s Park.

That’s studied, not eliminated.

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Tom Lippe, in his oral presentation pointed to language in California law that clearly included noise as one of the categories that an environment impact report needs to review. UCB had simply chosen to skip that step when it did the CEQA-mandated Environmental Impact Report. The university’s hired counsel suggested that human social noise, which students could be expected to make, shouldn’t count. The underlying premise of UC’s argument seemed to be that they could do as they please, Berkeley citizenry be damned.

As I review my lengthy history in and with Berkeley, that’s a claim that’s tough to challenge. But questions from the three appeals justices at the hearing I saw streamed indicated that the judges might not buy it this time. Though UC’s lawyer condemned the idea that students make a lot of noise as a baseless stereotype, both Lippe and the justices stressed the need for actual data on the topic, the kind of data that competent EIRs provide but UC’s didn’t this time,.

Some history: The university used eminent domain to take the land which is now People’s Park, which was then a big square block of houses southeast of my old rooming house on Channing Way, away from resident owners and their student tenants in the 1960s. There were rumors that UC bureaucrats disliked the tenants’ bohemian lifestyle.

The Big U tore those homes down, but failed to build anything to replace them. After some years students and citizens, without permission, took back the unused open space and turned it into a park. After a big fight, which park advocates hoped they’d won, the site was neglected for more than a half-century more despite occasional UC efforts to enhance it with amenities like a beach volleyball court and a primitive bathroom. 

The site was, however, recognized first as a landmark by the city of Berkeley and then placed on the National Register of Historic Places. But despite its historic status, the University of California administration allowed the park to deteriorate unnecessarily: destruction by neglect. 

It didn’t have to be that way. In the 1980s, when my family started a bootstrapped tech company in the low rent second floor space of a Telegraph avenue retail building, the park was still a pleasant place to have a picnic lunch. The kids came by every day after school. 

The adjacent parcel, today the site of a new dorm, was a parking lot much appreciated by the Telly merchants. Some cheery African American veterans not otherwise housed slept there in sleeping bags at night. They swept it up every morning, kept out the riffraff, and saved parking places for friends like us. A prospective customer who visited our office wearing a suit and tie told us they’d greeted him with shouts of “businessman, businessman” as he walked past the park to our door, but he was a good sport and enjoyed it as part of the authentic Berkeley experience. Volunteers maintained landscaping, gardens and a stage. 

This kind of peaceful co-existence, which lasted for many years, was ignored by UCB in their latest plan. 

UC in this EIR ultimately failed to consider the many alternative sites which are available in the area, several of which the university already owns. In the intervening years, the history of how the University of California has been devouring Berkeley has produced an impressive accumulation of property in the south of campus area, downtown Berkeley, Richmond and elsewhere. That’s why the justices in their draft opinion could criticize the EIR’s failure to consider feasible alternatives to the People’s Park site as required by CEQA. 

The vultures are gathering now. In the Sunday Chronicle, there’s an op-ed by Chris Elmendorf, who lives in San Francisco and commutes to his UC Davis law school job on AMTRAK. He’s a great favorite of the YIMBY claque, the neo-liberal true believers who want to let the market decide what our urban built environment should be. They’re kin to the U.S. congressional gang who’ve just taken over the House Rules Committee on a platform of repealing most regulations. 

Twitter (reports of its death are exaggerated) provides a window into California YIMBY tendencies. Elmendorf is very active among the Twitterati. Last week he said this there: 

“I am not a fan of litmus test for judicial appointments, but I do wonder whether we'll soon see real ideological divisions among state court judges in blue states on land use, admin procedure, and maybe policing/criminal justice issues?” 

Responding, one acolyte, who identifies himself, though not by name, as an attorney and UC grad, applauded, suggesting that “There needs to be a litmus test for all new judges (federal or state) on housing. Democratic governors should never be nominating NIMBYs to the bench, just as they don't nominate anti-abortion judges.” 

That’s swell, isn’t it? Especially the implication that we should require judge appointees to disclose future rulings on any topic, even including abortion. 

More Elmendorf: “CEQA is about to get much, much worse unless the Leg or the AG steps in.” If you don’t like the law, dump it. 

His Chron op-ed is an impassioned call for doing away with environmental review because—OMG—some projects might not get built. In replies to his twitterant on this topic, some naysayers did point out that the number of projects actually stopped by CEQA is vanishingly small—take a look at the data if you don’t believe this. 

And finally, embarrassingly, he claims that the draft decision " should make anyone who knows the racist history of land-use regulation shudder." Why? Because “The court said that students are, statistically, more likely to make noise than non-students, so UC Berkeley had to analyze the ‘noise impacts’ of students whom the university’s housing and enrollment plan would bring into the area. This is a recipe for affluent homeowners to hold up — using stereotypes or statistics — any housing project that would bring a different kind of person into the neighborhood." 

Yup, no tired old statistics about noise for me. My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with facts. 

It’s ironic that this middle-aged upper-income White guy, like similar others before him, saw fit to admonish a Black justice on racism. Justice Terri Jackson, who is Black herself, employed a hypothetical about a church using tambourines to probe the concept of including noise as a required category for CEQA study. When Elmendorf repeated on Twitter what he thought he’d heard her say, he said that Justice Jackson had worried that Black churches were the ones that could be targeted by neighbors who say they don't like the sound of tambourines. 

"Really, this isn't what CEQA is about, " he opined. 

Actually, the justice didn’t say “Black” churches—she just said “churches”. Lots of non-Black churches have tambourines too, which Judge Jackson surely knows. Is there a bit of racial stereotyping in play here? 

Following the various Elmendorf-spawned threads on Twitter, I learned that some of his acolytes were appalled that new L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (another Black woman) might not adhere to a core tenet of the YIMBY dogma. 

A podcaster asked her to rate some assertions as true or false. In the print summary, this one emerged: 

Newsie: “The construction of market rate homes in disadvantaged areas does not cause gentrification or displacement, but instead prevents it.” True or False?  

Mayor Bass: ”That’s false. That’s completely false. I’m sorry.”  

TwitterYIMBYs were shocked, shocked by this quote, though few had bothered to listen to the whole chit-chatty episode on the Cal Matters website. For Mayor Bass’s sensible exposition of why building expensive developments has led to gentrification in her own neighborhood, listen here: 

https://soundcloud.com/matt-levin-4/gimme-shelter-mayor-karen-bass-on-housing-and-homelessness?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing 

All this adds up to my long-winded response to an op-ed in Sunday’s Chronicle by Professor Elmendorf. It appears to be part of an on-going campaign to get rid of the Environmental Quality Act, orchestrated by what is called, sometimes without sarcasm, the development “community”. These are the folks who believe that there’s big money in big buildings, and that if your profit margin doesn’t perform up to expectations it must be the government’s fault. You can read his Sunday issue treatise here: 

California legislators refuse to fix CEQA. Here’s how Newsom and the courts can take charge.  

What was cut from the Chron piece, he says on Twitter, is a lengthy discussion of whether the real effect of CEQA can be reliably measured. The author admits honestly that “ CEQA critics have no way of quantifying the true severity of the CEQA problem. That's why, in my first draft of the Chronicle piece, I wrote that I am only ‘weakly of the view that CEQA is a big problem.’ “ 

He should have told the headline writer that. Here’s some of what he left out, as tweeted: 

“My first draft tried to make an epistemic point about difficulty of knowing how big a problem CEQA is. It didn't make the final cut, so this 🧵 explains it. The fundamental epistemic problem is that we have no reasonable way of approximating the counterfactual development patterns that would have been observed in California w/o CEQA." 

In ordinary English, he says we have no way of knowing what would have happened here if there were no CEQA. Too true. 

There’s a lot of talk in cities these days about what is called “quality of life”. What I might modestly suggest is that the good professor(51 years old and like many in the news lately a graduate of Yale Law) and his legislative patrons Scott Wiener, Nancy Skinner and Buffy Wicks, are the wrong people to be deciding what’s good for us in Berkeley’s South of Campus area or in Mayor Bass’s home neighborhood in L.A. Those of us who have had our boots on the ground in our neighborhoods for many years have a much better idea than Sacramento in all its incarnations about what affects the quality of our life, and yes, even about what’s best for the University of California at Berkeley. 

A story which I won’t tell today is the history of the benighted expansion of perfectly fine Memorial Stadium to become a huge, costly and ultimately debt-swamped Mussolini-esque monument. And talk about noise impact on neighbors… You can read all about how it happened it in the Planet archive, notably bylined by Richard Brenneman. 

I’m sorry to say this, but we told you so. 

Hey, UCB! CEQA helped to get your attention on the stadium, but you still got it wrong. And without CEQA you would surely do it again. Unfortunately, since CEQA has been sadly weakened in the years since it was passed, you could do it again anyhow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve taken to keeping an eye on the battery status of my phone and iPad, knowing that at any point there might be another power failure. It was just a little over a week ago, when I was watching the late news with a map on the screen of all the power outages, when my house and the neighborhood dropped into darkness.

Most of us are probably in the middle of precipitation whiplash watching pictures of flooded land that until December were drying and dried up creeks and rivers after years of drought. It is difficult to absorb that the future may bring storms with twice as much water as what has already dropped, if we are to believe the impact of warming ocean and air on atmospheric rivers.

It may be difficult to grasp in the middle of back-to-back storms, flooding and mudslides that climate-driven weather disasters are not our biggest threat. The biggest threat is the loss of biodiversity and the collapse of nature. And each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to act. That was the message of Douglas Tallamy Wednesday evening at the Golden Gate Audubon Society. 

In case you missed Tallamy as I did, the recording is already posted on the Golden Gate Audubon website, and that is where I watched it. https://goldengateaudubon.org/speaker_series/natures-best-hope/ 

I confess the whole host plant and special relationship between insects and native plants was lost on me until, on our way to the Y, my swim partner started pointing out which yards with non-native plants were dead zones for pollinators. I thought plants were plants, you pick the pretty one and never having much gardening talent, it didn’t much matter as in my care it would die anyway. Then my swim pointed out the yards with native plants local to our area filled with activity, buzzing bees, fluttering butterflies, caterpillars lunching on their host plants. 

Reading Tallamy’s book the Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of our Most Essential Native Trees filled the gap for me. Now I understand that monarch butterflies may spend their winter resting on the non-native eucalyptus, when there are no pine, fir or cedar trees to moderate winter temperatures, but unless there is milkweed on which to lay their eggs come spring there will be no monarch butterflies. Milkweed is the only source of digestible food for monarch caterpillars. The host relationship is the same for the pipevine and pipevine butterfly. 

The meaning of ecosystems, the interdependent relationships between plants, animals, insects, fungi, organisms that work together with their physical environment, finally sunk in. 

It is a message that is lost on the city foresters and the Parks Department and unfortunately too many people who are in the position to give direction and make planting choices. From everything I hear and see we have city foresters who think diversity means taking plants from around the world that are drought tolerant and planting them in Berkeley, apparently not understanding there is an evolutionary relationship in nature that developed over hundreds and thousands of years. 

When it comes to the restoration of ecosystems, alien plants are dead zones. This matters. 

Wildlife, nature is affected by climate, but the biggest threat is us; we are the biggest threat to the survival of our own species. 

Tallamy started his talk with this message from E.O. Wilson: Insects are: “The Little Things That Run the World” 

Life as we know it depends on insects. 

If insects were to disappear 

1. Most flowering plants would go extinct;
2. That would change the physical structure and energy flow of most terrestrial habita
3. Which would cause the rapid collapse of the food webs that support amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (including us).
4. The biosphere would rot due to the loss of insect decomposers.
5. Humanity would be doomed!

After all this rain with waterlogged soil, downed trees, ruined gardens, we have the perfect setting to pull out all of our non-native plants, especially those non-native invasive plants and replace them with California natives. Tallamy emphasized not all native plants are equal and to put our sights on the plants that support the most species (available in calscape). No matter what is the size of your space for plants, Tallamy said there is a place for us in the Homegrown National Park and we have Calscape to help. https://calscape.org/ 

We can restore ecosystems and that was the message Tallamy gave. 

Thursday evening there were seven projects on the Zoning Adjustment Board agenda with the last at 1752 Shattuck, a David Trachtenberg project. In my public comment, I gave David Trachtenberg the award for the evening with the project with the fewest native plants, followed with that, given all the projects he designs in Berkeley, he should do, and hw should know better by now. When I suggested he watch and read Douglas Tallamy, Trachtenberg said he had his book. I continue to wonder if he read it, given the list of plants in the project plans. 

When starting fresh it should be easy to do the right thing. The plan for the 68 unit mixed-use building at 1752 Shattuck gained added height by including seven very low income units to capture the state density bonus. 

On a happier note you can read “They Fought the Lawn. And the Lawn’s Done” about how Janet and Jeff Crouch changed state law in the process to change minds about native plants. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/14/climate/native-plants-lawns-homeowners.html 

I attended the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission on ZOOM on one computer and captured the transcript of the Police Accountability Board (PAB) meeting through ZOOM, save transcript on another. The computerized voice capture isn’t perfect, but close enough for meeting content. 

The PAB had two agenda items I’ve been following, the complaints against the Police Downtown Bike Unit which upended the appointment of Jennifer Louis from interim chief to Chief of Police on November 15, 2022 (check the November 20, 2022 Activist’s Diary) https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2022-11-20/article/50077?headline=A-BERKELEY-ACTIVIST-S-DIARY-Week-Ending-November-20--Kelly-Hammargren and the report of misconduct by Jennifer Louis in 2017 when Andrew Greenwood was still Police Chief. 

The accusation of sexual harassment leaked to the public on December 29, 2022. I might have missed it if I hadn’t turned on the late night news on KRON4. The Los Angeles Times has the most complete report, but these days you need a subscription to read it. 

Jennifer Louis was accused in 2017 of sexual harassment, misconduct. After an independent investigator sustained the complaint, Chief Greenwood moved to suspend Louis for five days. Louis appealed the suspension and City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley reduced it to a written reprimand and one-on-one training. Then in 2020 according to the LA Times the report was removed from Louis’s file. 

I was expecting the PAB to discuss the content of what happened, but instead the discussion was about getting the information, especially from Internal Affairs.  

My questions and concerns revolve around the response by the City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley undermining Police Chief Greenwood, and why the whole affair (employee complaint, investigation, reprimand with a letter that was later removed instead of a suspension) did not reach the Mayor and City Council and the Police Accountability Board during consideration of awarding Jennifer Louis the permanent position as Chief of Police? 

Furthermore, how is it that the officer that owes a “clean” file to the city manager is recommended by the same city manager to be appointed interim chief in 2021 and “permanent” police chief in November 2022? Did this affair in its entirety, essentially a tap on the wrist, set the stage where Berkeley Police officers could send racist texts, arrest quotas, harass the homeless, and act with impunity as described by Brandon Woods, Public Defender for Alameda County at the November 15, 2022 City Council meeting? Is this City administration environment why a 20-month search for a new police chief (from the outside) turned up empty? 

The Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission does not record meetings and requests for recording meetings or even turning on closed captioning falls on deaf ears. And the description “deaf” is not used lightly. The subject of closed captioning, live transcription and allowing attendees to save meeting transcripts is the subject of the complaint I brought to the Open Government Commission that will be discussed on January 19, 2023. 

Scott Ferris, Director of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, reported a T1 funding gap of around $4,500,000 due to an increase in construction costs by about 25% and that priority projects were facilities, roads and restrooms. Ferris’s proposal to remove $300,000 from the Civic Center Turtle Island Monument Project was met with firm resistance from the Parks Commission. The estimate to renovate the African American Holistic Center is about $1,000,000 less than what it would cost to tear down the existing building and start from scratch. All of these estimates were made before we have felt the full impact of the destruction from our winter storms. 

The list of unfinished projects will go back to the joint subcommittee of Parks and Infrastructure and Transportation and eventually City Council. 

Brennan Cox, Parks Commissioner and landscape architect, voted in the end with the rest of the commissioners to support the Turtle Island Monument Project’s latest design. His comments prior to voting captured the state of affairs and much that I agree with. 

“This has gone on too long, something should be built, I don’t think we should build something to build something…The design is not moving enough for me” Cox said he spent a lot of time looking at monuments/memorials and went on to name some: the National African American Museum, the National Veterans Memorial, the Kindred Spirits: Choctaw Native American Monument, the exhibit by Wei Wei at Alcatraz.  

When my turn to speak came I answered Martin Nicholaus’ question of whether the monument includes a snapping turtle. I answered in the affirmative and added that snapping turtles are illegal to possess or release in California. 

Ferris still has no estimate for the cost of the latest design or any timeline, though he stated that his experience shows he can get it done on time. 

The next day the Community for a Cultural Civic Center met and the discussion continued. One member asked how the Turtle Island Monument represents the local Indigenous Peoples the Ohlone. It doesn’t. The Ohlone creation story is of an eagle, a hummingbird and a coyote not a turtle. 

The saga continues, no cost estimates, no timeline, a T1 fund shortage. This still looks to me like Lucy pulling the football. 

Before the Supreme Court ended Roe v. Wade with Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, there never would have been the need for a 10-year child in Ohio to travel to Indiana for a medication abortion. While access to abortion and contraceptives is a fundamental right in California, the Peace and Justice Commission ensued researching the availability of information and access to reproductive health services for Berkeley High and UC Berkeley students. Most of the meeting evening was consumed with the discussion of the results of their research which ended in a report that will be sent to council supporting hiring two community health educators as suggested by Lisa Warhuus PhD, ORSCC, Director of Health, Housing and Community Services. 

No mention was made in the Peace and Justice discussion or report of Berkeley City College students, nor did there seem to be any mention of middle school and grade school. The average age for menarche in the U.S. is 12, but some little girls start menstruating years earlier, even as young as 8. Sadly, the need for reproductive health services reaches to children. 

BNC (Berkeley Neighborhoods Council) finished the week. The agenda as always is so full, we could really use two meetings to cover it all. What you won’t catch elsewhere was the presentation on the reconfiguration of San Pablo. There is an open website to submit comment. https://www.alamedactc.org/programs-projects/multimodal-arterial-roads/sanpabloave 

In contrast to the City of Berkeley, the team for the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Project looks to establishing a parallel bike network. Meaning that instead of Road Diets and taking away traffic lanes, the San Pablo Corridor Project plan is to place the bike routes on quieter parallel streets. 

The reconfiguration of Hopkins with removing traffic lanes, parking and adding bike lanes in front of the Monterey Market and block of businesses continues to create an uproar and for good reason. The whole redesign is justified by a fatal accident that occurred April 14, 2017 at 6:30 pm when a driver failed to yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The entire redesign doesn’t end distracted driving, but it does make Hopkins more confusing to navigate for everyone, narrow an evacuation route and put the survival of local businesses at risk. 

When I finish here, the Housing Element is waiting, all 1428 pages of it. It is a reading task that I have been dreading. The Housing Element is how Berkeley will add enough new housing to meet the assigned Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 8,934 units with 3,854 of them for extremely low income, very low income and low income households between now and December 31, 2031. It is the only agenda item for the special City Council meeting Wednesday, January 18 at 4 pm. 

The draft came with adding 19,098 units, basically 14,016 market rate and moderate income to get to 3,854 affordable units and a statement to the effect that so much of Berkeley is ruined with non-native plants, we might as well cover the city with housing. 

The final version is supposed to be proposing squeezing around 15,000 additional units into this 10.5 square miles we call Berkeley. That should turn Berkeley into a city of wall to wall cement. Not terribly appealing except for the land owners who can expect big profits from upzoning for bigger buildings and the developers who will build them. By the time Berkeley is built over with housing and coffee shops there might be more several more atmospheric rivers to send weather disaster refugees to our doorsteps along with the burgeoning classes of UC Berkeley students.  

The reading I did finish was Revenge: How Donald Trump Weaponized the US Department of Justice Against His Critics by Michael Cohen. I read Cohen’s first book Disloyal and found the inside scoop fascinating. Revenge is Cohen’s perspective on how Trump used the Department of Justice against him. I kept reading Cohen’s second book expecting it to get better. It didn’t. 

Despite this there is an important message: It is grievance politics. It is about getting even, something it looks like we will be living with for the next two years with the Republican majority in the House. If Trump runs in 2024 and manages to win, revenge will be on the platter. 

The stack of books on Trump seems endless and there are many that are better written and more thorough like The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker and Susan Glaser. At 752 pages or 29 hours if you pick up the audiobook as I did, there is little that is left out. I am anxious to see how that book compares with the copy of January 6 Report by the January 6 House Committee that arrived this week. 

Last week I wrote about Bob Woodward’s book The Trump Tapes. The podcast The Political Scene with David Remnick and Bob Woodward discussing the book, Trump and reporting, is worth a listen. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bob-woodward-on-his-calls-with-trump/id268213039?i=1000594674083 

It does wonders for my self-esteem when I work alongside typical people with no disabilities in a job that is not subsidized by a special program, and when I do not disclose a disability. In my writing endeavors I do this today, and in my past, I've done it in entry level and skilled jobs. When I was successful in pizza delivery and television repair in the nineteen eighties, it made me feel 'normal' and to this day I believe there is no substitute for it. 

A psychiatric disorder does not have to mean you can't work competitively, especially in areas that you find interesting and to which you are attracted. There is nothing written in stone and handed down to Moses that says disabled people can't work as would a 'normal' person. To try this, self-confidence is required. But you must also have the unwillingness to give up. 

If you are young and have a psychiatric disorder, but if you want to buck the role of being a "disabled person" working as though non-disabled is your path. However, from where I stand, I adjust in my work for my unique attributes. Some are drawbacks and some are strengths. I adjust how I work accordingly. The disability does, in fact, enter the picture. Yet, the fact of doing something normal people do, with appropriate adjustments, cannot be beat. 

Adjusting could consist of self-coaching. It could consist of spending an hour before work doing meditation intended to eliminate anxiety pertaining to going to work. Packing a lunch is always a good idea so that you aren’t adding additional stress of buying from a food truck. If you smoke, you likely won't have a chance to light up at work; wear a patch. The work activity itself can also be adjusted and I can't give specifics about this, because every job is different. 

I'd also like to add here that due to sum of physical and mental problems I have, I can handle no more than fifteen hours per week. If I remain within that, I can usually do well. When I become too ambitious and want more, I have sabotaged myself in the job. 

Although in many areas, mental health professionals don't necessarily know what they're talking about (e.g., the prognosis I was given) they are on target when it comes to the need to treat a psychiatric problem with medication and therapy. It can be difficult to work while taking antipsychotics, but it is the only route available that will work in the long run. You could think you're cured because you've held a job for five months, but any noncompliance with medication will come back to bite you in the butt. 

When I was in my twenties, a mental health organization that I was trying out for employment assistance had placed me as bus person at a Denny's restaurant. To this day, the humiliation I felt is memorable. I was at work, in the Denny's uniform, while the restaurant manager hobnobbed with the placement specialist, both of whom were looking in my direction. If you don't quite get how this was humiliating, you had to be there. It made the experience not worth it, and it taught me a lesson about what I wasn't going to do anymore. I respect myself too much. 

I'm currently at the infancy of a job in which I'm supplying content to a manuscript broker. I am making headway in the job. I briefly at the same time had another job in which I was supplying written content (fictional) to an adult website. They went defunct suddenly and without any advance warning. That particular job was set up to be very convenient and I wish they had remained in business. 

I also sell books I've written on Amazon. This doesn't usually pay much, not much at all. But a few dollars here and there over a long period of time doesn't hurt. The industry of writing rarely pays in comparison to the level of work you're doing. 

When I placed five Op-Eds over a period of a year, into a large newspaper in the Bay Area, there was no direct pay, but it was very clearly a victory. It paid indirectly because it boosted book sales. 

Success is how you define it. If you define success only by a dollar amount, you could be in for disappointment. If you view success in terms of having created something that did not beforehand exist, and if you've made something that's really good, it is worth it for you to be proud. When you take pride in what you do, it is a plus for your existence. If you can be paid for it, it is even better. But being paid may involve factors that you don't control. 

The private sector has a lot of things that are good. And not all of it is owned by Republicans and/or Trump people. Many people in the private sector are progressives. You can get all kinds. 

In a job that doesn't require education, training or skill, the pay is going to be bottom of the barrel and so will the work conditions. In some cases, you can luck out, and escape this. You might get minimum wage but maybe the work conditions won't be dismal. On the other hand, in a repair job, you are expected to produce repaired units, one after another. It is a "production"-type job. If you can't keep pace, you won't last. Yet, repair jobs are considered respectable. They require brains. The pay is decent. But the work can be very demanding. In my twenties, I succeeded in a few of them. The fact that I contracted mononucleosis in my twenties, worked against me, and that was a factor in losing two good jobs I'd gotten. 

If you are mentally ill, you don't have to resign yourself to doing brainless work, despite what mental health professionals may have prognosticated. Often the problem is the mental health professionals. And that's why it may be practicable to seek work in the private sector and not reveal that you are considered disabled--if it is something you are able to do. Like I say, in my twenties I could do this. But also, it was harder for employers to get information about people, and they didn't have a way of knowing much more about me than what I presented to them. 

If you don't feel quite prepared to do what I've outlined above, take heart. Many people need help along the way, and there is no shame in that. If you are just not interested in working, it is okay because you probably have a legitimate disability. 

---

 

Jack Bragen is a writer who lives in Martinez, California.  

vv

On the 21st anniversary of the first “unlawful enemy combatants” arrival at the U.S. naval base base at Guantánamo Bay, more than 150 international human rights organizations in a letter dated January 11, 2022, called on President Joe Biden to close the prison. Around the world, Guantánamo is a symbol of racial and religious injustice, abuse, and disregard for the rights long-recognized under both human rights law and international humanitarian law. Arguably, the president has the Constitutional power to close the Guantánamo Bay prison without congressional approval. 

Since 2002, 779 were held at Guantánamo Bay prison; presently 35 detainees remain. The Senate Torture Report . which found, among other things, that the CIA engaged in torture such as waterboarding, shackling in painful positions, prolonged sleep deprivation, and slamming detainees against walls confirms that Guantánamo was a place of torture and indefinite detention, and is a continued international embarrassment. The remaining detainees should receive a speedy trial. Those found guilty should be transferred to a stateside prison. Those found not guilty should be immediately released. 

How did the U.S. come to occupy Guantánamo? The Platt amendment to a U.S. Army Appropriations Bill of 1901 gave the U.S. the right to intervene militarily in Cuban affairs whenever the U.S. decided such intervention was warranted. Cubans were given the choice of accepting the Platt Amendment or remaining under U.S. military occupation indefinitely. The U.S. has intervened militarily in Cuban affairs at least three times. U.S. intervention has endowed Cuba with a series of weak, corrupt, dependent governments. In 1903, the U.S. used the Platt Amendment to obtain a perpetual lease of Guantánamo Bay, a blatant example of U.S. gunboat diplomacy. 

Opponents of normalization argue that Cuba has a repressive regime with a poor human rights record. Yet, the U.S. administration got along fine with Fulgencio Batista, the thug Fidel Castro overthrew. Under Batista, Americans were free to frolic at Cuban nightclubs, casinos and beach resorts. But then Batista was in our pocket, Castro was not.  

Opponents of closing the Guantánamo Bay Detention facility also argue that it would be too dangerous to public safety to have "terrorists" on U.S. soil. Yet, during World War II, the U.S. housed, fed, and worked over 425,000 German POWs in 700 camps in 46 states with little or no risk to the populace. Most of the camps were low to medium security camps, not prisons, although some of the camps had to be designated "segregation camps," used to separate the Nazi "true believers" from the rest of the prisoners. Of the 425,000 POWs held in U.S. prison camps, only 2,222 -- less than 1% -- tried to escape, and most were quickly rounded up. Guantánamo prisoners, on the other hand, would be sent to high, medium or even a so-called supermax security prisons, where the chance of escape would be minimal. 

It is time for President Biden to end the U.S. embargo of Cuba, close Guantánamo Bay prison, and return Guantánamo Bay to Cuba. 

 

 

 

Worth Noting:

A very full week

• Tuesday: The Agenda and Rules Committee meets at 2:30 pm to finalize the Council agenda for January 31. At 6 pm the City Council meets. Item-19 is the status report on pension liabilities and infrastructure. Item-21 changes affordable housing requirements. The move is to calculate the in lieu fee by sq ft instead of the number of units. The in lieu fee of $45/sq ft is paid by the builder to get out of including the affordable units in the building, the units we desperately need.
• Wednesday: City Council meets at 4 pm to adopt the Housing Element for 2023 – 2031. Also, on Wednesday the Commission on Aging takes up the Hopkins Corridor at 1:30 pm and the Commission on Disability has called a special at 3 pm on the Hopkins Corridor. The Civic Arts Commission, Commission on the Status of Women and the Environment and Climate Commission all meet at 6 pm. The Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets at 6:30 pm.
• Thursday: The Fair Campaigns and Open Government Commission meets at 6 pm. The Design Review Committee meets at 7 pm with two projects on the agenda, 3031 Adeline a 7-story project with 64 units and 3000 Shattuck a 10-story 166 unit project. The Transportation and Infrastructure Commission meets at 7 pm with an update on T1 funds which are coming up short for approved projects and Hopkins design from Gilman to the west end (not the section by Monterey Market and block of businesses).
• Friday: The Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force program at 9 am is on Climate and the Economy.

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/



BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS 

 

Sunday, January 15, 2023 – No city meetings listed 

Monday, January 16, 2023 – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – A day of volunteering 

 

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 

 

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618509440 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 161 850 9440 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve 1/31/2023 draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda after list of city meetings, 3. Berkeley Considers, 4. Adjournment in Memory, Scheduling: 5. Council Work Sessions, 6. Referrals for scheduling, 7. Land Use Calendar, 

Referred Items for Review: 8. a. & b. COVID, 9. Strengthening and Supporting Commissions, Guidance on the Development of Legislative Proposals, 10. Discussion of Potential Changes and Enhancements to the City Council Legislative Process,  

Unscheduled Items: 11. Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committee Process and Structure (including Budget Referrals), 12 a. Youth Commission – Adding a Youth Member to the Environment and Climate Commission, b. Environment and Climate Commission – Support for Youth Appointee, c. Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Amending BMC 3.82 Modifying Membership and Appointment Procedures for the Environment and Climate Commission, 13. Droste – Bureaucratic and Referral Improvement and Prioritization Effort (BE RIPE) limits legislative referrals to 1 for councilmembers and 2 for mayor, restricts budget referrals to established programs, 14. Droste – Reforms to Public Comment. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610052107 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 005 2107 

AGENDA: use link and html version or go to agenda list at the bottom of this notice. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 

 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 4 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619486060 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 948 6060 

AGENDA: Adoption of 2023- 2031 Housing Element (packet 1386) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1614800144 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 161 480 0144 Passcode: 825132 

AGENDA: 4. Letter to Council regarding Hopkins Corridor Reconsideration 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-aging 

 

COMMISSION on DISABILITY Special Meeting at 3 pm  

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81982907807?pwd=a2dDOENEN2N3aG9jb3F4dXQvNDZaQT09 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 819 8290 7807 Passcode: 647330 

AGENDA: B. Hopkins Corridor Plan/Project 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-disability 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1605902821 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 Meeting ID: 160 590 2821 

AGENDA: 7. Presentations, Discussion & Action Items a) Overview of Public Art Selection Process, b) Approval of Willard Clubhouse Public Art Project Plan, c) Discussion of Poet Laureate Program, d) Discussion of Council Referral of City Song, Motto and Flag, e) Public Art on Private Development Quarterly Report. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/civic-arts-commission 

 

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83651073735 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 836 5107 3735 

AGENDA: 6. Report on Reproductive Access and Peace and Justice Commission Resolution, 7. Support funding of 2 health educators FY 2024, 8. CCSWG grant, 11. Women’s History Month Planning. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-status-women 

 

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81848349132 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171 Meeting ID: 818 4834 9132 

AGENDA: 6. Update from staff in-person meetings, Climate Equity Pilot Fund, Youth Commissioner, Gas Station Warning Labels & Used Gas Car Ban, BESO minimum requirements, Gas Prohibition amendments, staffing, 7. Reports from Commission Liaisons, Discussion/Action: 8. Subcommittee updates a. Zoning Changes to encourage EV charging/discourage gas stations, b. Transportation, c. Native Plants and Pest Reduction. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/environment-and-climate-commission 

 

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION (HWCAC) at 6:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/4863098496 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 486 309 8496 

AGENDA: 5. Approve 2023 Community Services Block Grant, 6. Update HWCAC low-income representative election process, 7. Election, 8. 2023 Meeting Schedule, 9. Review of Berkeley funded agency Program and Financial reports – Berkeley Free Clinic program and financial reports, 10. Communication mechanism between city employees and service providers, 11. Senior housing and programs, 12. Requirements for contracted non-profit service providers and transparency of grant reports, 13. Eligibility for service as a Representative of the Poor, 14. Accessibility and Availability of materials on city website, 15. Accessibility quality assessment program to handle non-conforming public facilities and complaints from seniors and disabled people over substandard services or services not provided. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/human-welfare-and-community-action-commission 

 

Thursday, January 19, 2023 

 

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES and OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82530486544 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 825 3048 6544 

AGENDA: Fair Campaign Practices: 6. Amendments to BERA to clarify method for cost of living adjustments for campaign contribution and public financing dollar amounts and to better coordinate adjustments with timing of relevant data availability, Open Government Commission: 9. Commission meeting minutes posting requirements, 10. Use of live transcription for teleconferenced meetings. Informational Items: 13. November 8, 2022 General Election Public Finance Matching Funds Report. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/fair-campaign-practices-commission 

 

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83133802449 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 831 3380 2449 

AGENDA: 1. 3031 Adeline – Preliminary Design Review – Demolish existing approximately 1,000 sq ft 1-story commercial structure and construct 7-story mixed-use building with 4030 sq ft of commercial space, 64 units, 21 auto parking spaces and 55 bicycle parking spaces 

2. 3000 Shattuck - Preliminary Design Review – Demolish existing gas station and construct 10-story mixed-use building with 1,043 sq ft of commercial space, 166 units (including 17 very low income units). 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/design-review-committee 

 

TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82514969964 

Teleconference: 1-888-788-0099 Meeting ID: 825 1496 9964 

AGENDA: Discussion/Action: 1. T1 Update, 2. Hopkins St Gilman to west end, Election, 4. Workplan 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/transportation-and-infrastructure-commission 

 

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD MEETING at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89067745635?pwd=T2FMMkdpZG05VC91YXVFRWVZZGxwZz09 

Teleconference: 1-408-638-0968 Meeting ID: 890 6775 5634 Passcode: 395740 

AGENDA: Consent: 6. c. Proposal to approve staff recommendations for waivers of late registrations, Action: 7. a. 1) Possible letter to University of CA regarding its property agreement with Blackstone’s Real Estate Income Trust Inc. Fund (REIT), b. Allow Board to continue to meet exclusively by teleconference. 

https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/elected-rent-board/rent-board-meetings 

 

Friday, January 20, 2023 

 

CLIMATE and the ECONOMY at 9 am 

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-the-economy-registration-369246936527 

AGENDA: 9:20 Medea Benjamin, 10 am The Doughnut that’s good for CA, 10:30 Public Banks, 11:05 Zero Food Waste. 

https://www.cemtf.org/ 

 

Saturday, January 21, 2023 – No city meetings listed. 

Sunday, January 22, 2023 – No city meetings listed. 

 

++++++++++++++++ 

 

January 17, 2023, AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular Meeting Jan 31, 2023 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618509440 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 161 850 9440 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules 

AGENDA RECESS ITEMS:  

1. CM (City Manager) - Amend contract 32200036 modify sole source contract and any amendments with Berkeley Convention and Visitors Bureau, d.b.a. Visit Berkeley to distribute 1/12 of annual Berkeley Transient Occupancy Tax funds to support tourism marketing and promotion for 7/1/2020 – 6/30/2023
2. Louis BPD – Amend contract 100692-3 add $500,000 total $2,000,000 with Serological Research Institute for DNA testing Services, length of contract does not change, expires 6/30/2025,

AGENDA on CONSENT:  

3. City Attorney - Review and ratify local COVID-19 Emergency
4. City Attorney - Continue directing Legislative Bodies to meet via Videoconference and Teleconference
5. Finance - Formal bid solicitations $33,541,532
6. Sprague Fire - Grant application: Funding up to $5,000,000 from CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) to be used to develop and deliver public education materials explaining the inspection process, defensible space, assist residents in need of financial assistance to remove vegetation to meet state and local codes, enhance chipper program and fund 3rd party administrator
7. Warhuus – Amend Contract 32000202 – add $576,616 total $3,400,640 and extend 1 yr with Aberkeley Food & Housing Project for Rental Subsidy for Russell Street Residence
8. Human resources – Contract $250,000 2/1/2023 – 7/31/2023 with Apple One Employment Services for Temporary Staffing Services
9. IT – Amend contract 32000118-1 add $689,400 total $1,706.909 with Nexgen Asset and Work Order Management Software Maintenance and Professional Services and add 2 years
10. IT – Increase spending authority by $186,610 total $422,915 with AHEAD,Inc using CA Dept of General Services for purchase of additional Varonis software licenses 1/31/2023 – 12/21/2023
11. Ferris – Amend contract 32200183 add $90,000 total $1,100,000 with Western Water Features Inc for electrical renovations at King Swim Center
12. Ferris – Contract $2,483,865 (includes 15% contingency $323,982) with CA Constructores for Grove Park Field and Playground Renovation Project
13. Planning – Amend Contract 32000020 add $1,000,000 total $2,000,000 with Rincon Consultants, Inc for on-call review of land use permit applications and environmental review
14. Garland – Contract $1,490,427 (includes 10% contingency $135,493) with Kolos Engineering, Inc for urgent sewer repair
15. Garland – Contract $4,417,421 (includes 10% contingency $401,584) with Bay Pacific Pipeline for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project (Hearst, Scenic Ave, Euclid, LeConte, Arch, Cedar, LaLoma, LeRoy, Piedmont, Kelsey, Palm Ct, Russell, and Backline Avalon, Belrose, University Alvarado, Roble Road
16. Garland – Authorize Funding Agreement with AC Transit for $1,036,000 additional funding for Quick-Build Durant Transit Lane Project
17. Garland – Contract $1,663,900 with DBA Ray’s Electric for MLK Jr Way Vision Zero Quick Build Project
18. Garland – Contract $4,444,006 (includes 10% contingency $404,001) for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Parnassus Rd, et al. Project
19. Robinson, co-sponsors Harrison, Bartlett, Hahn - Parking/Towing Fines & Fees Reform – Adopt Ordinance amending BMC 14.72.080 reduces burden of parking and towing fines on indigent persons making up to 50% AMI and allows eligibility for RPP (residential parking permits) even with outstanding tickets and fines and budget request for $383,512 for ongoing management of the program

AGENDA on ACTION: 

20. ZAB Appeal 2065 Kittredge Use Permit #ZP2021-0193, demolishes portions of City Landmark including Shattuck Cinemas to construct 8-story 187 units (including 4 live-work units and 9 very low income units) with 4993 sq ft commercial space and 43 parking spaces
21. Bartlett – qualified positive recommendation from Budget & Finance Committee – Outcomes Based Funding, Pay-For-Success and Social Impact Bonds
22. Arreguin – Request allocation of Early Action Planning Grants (REAP) for Higher Impact Transformative Activities
23. Bartlett, co-sponsors Arreguin, Harrison, Hahn – Berkeley Food Utility and Access Resilience Measure (FARM), direct CM to protect City’s food supply from natural disasters and economic disruptions by facilitating and chartering a community based non-profit with designing and implementing an integrated local food production and distribution system for Berkeley

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

24. Updated Sanctuary City Contracting Compliance Report for FY 2021.

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++ 

 

Agenda for January 17, 2023 CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610052107 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 005 2107 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

AGENDA on CONSENT:  

1. 2nd Reading - Zoning Ordinance Technical edits and corrections to BMC Title 23
2. 2nd Reading – Annual Appropriations Ordinance (mid-year budget allocations) $178,289,951 (gross) $172,028,412 (net)
3. Minutes
4. Approval donated sculpture gift Queen Shamiram by Fred Parhad valued $225,000 for inclusion in City of Berkeley Art Collection
5. Formal bid solicitations and RFP $3,506,00
6. Amend contract #32000146 for $1,017,000 with Aramark for uniforms and laundering thru FY2025
7. Amend contract #32000064 add $21,078 total $141,077.73 and extend to 1/31/2024 with Tiana Sanchez International, LLC for HHCS Equity Consultant
8. Revenue Grant Agreement: $2,473,611 for 7/1/2022 – 6/30/2028 from State of California Home Visiting Program for public health promotion and prevention services
9. ***Item Removed from Agenda by the City Manager*** Amend Contract 32000226 $125,000 thru 12/31/2022 with MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions for SRIP | Disability, Police Employees Retirement Income Plan, and Health Reimbursement Accounts for Retiree Health Premium Assistance Plan Reimbursements
10. Establish Classification and Salary Medical Director $15,671.76 - $17,802.72 monthly or $188,061.12 - $213,632.64 annually
11. Contract $822,512 with Presidio for Micro-Segmentation
12. 15-year Lease agreement with Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement to use 1718 8th Street in James Kenny Park 3/1/2023 – 2/1/2038
13. Arreguin – Support for SB 4: Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act
14. Arreguin - 12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on 1/16/2023
15. Arreguin – Amend Contract 32200161 add $75,000 total $125,000 with Community Development Partners to extend consulting work associated with Equitable Black Berkeley Initiative
16. Kesarwani – Referral for a Security Assessment of the 1700 and 1600 blocks of San Pablo 2 months after City of Berkeley lease of 27-room motel at 1720 San Pablo
17. Wengraf, co-sponsors Harrison, Humbert, Hahn – Support SB-36 (Skinner) Out-of-state criminal charges: prosecution related to abortion and gender-affirming care
18. Robinson – Relinquishment of Council Office Funds for Pacific Center for Human Growth

AGENDA on ACTION: 

19. Status Report – Berkeley’s Financial Condition (FY 2012 – FY 2021) Pension Liabilities and Infrastructure Need Attention
20. City Manager -Ferris- Changes to Selection Camps Programs Fees
21. City Manager – Klein & Warhuus – Affordable Housing Requirements – amending BMC 23.328, establishes affordable housing in lieu fee per sq ft rather than by number of unites, suggested fee $45/sq ft.
22. Taplin, co-sponsor Harrison - Resolution Supporting Trip Reduction Alternative for BUSD BHS Tennis and Parking Structure Project

 

+++++++++++++++++++ 

 

Agenda for January 18, 2023 CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 4 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619486060 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 948 6060 

AGENDA: Adoption of 2023- 2031 Housing Element (packet 1386) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

+++++++++++++++++ 

 

LAND USE CALENDAR:* 

 

Public Hearings 

2065 Kittredge (construct 8-story mixed-use building) 1/31/2023 

1262 Francisco (add 40 sq ft and 2nd story balcony) 2/28/2023 

Remanded to ZAB or LPC 

1205 Peralta – Conversion of an existing garage 

 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

January 18 – Housing Element at 4 pm 

January 31 – Measure T1 funding at 4 pm 

February 2 – Hopkins Corridor Plan at 6 pm  

February 21 - Local Pandemic/Endemic Update Report, Housing Preference Policy 

February 28 – Zero Waste 5-Year Rate Schedule at 4 pm 

March 7 - Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan 

March 14 – Annual Crime Report at 4 pm 

March 21 - Civic Arts Grantmaking Process & Capital Grant Program at 4 pm, Civic Center Vision Project at 4 pm 

May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report 5/16/2023 

 

Unscheduled Presentations: 

Climate Action Plan and Resilience Update 

City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations 

 

+++++++++++++ 

 

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week can be found in the Berkeley Daily Planet under Activist’s Diary at: www.berkeleydailyplanet.com. 

Activist’s Diary for the week ending January 8, 2023. 

https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2023-01-08/article/50141?headline=A-BERKELEY-ACTIVIST-S-DIARY-week-ending-January-8--Kelly-Hammargren 

 

 

This meeting list is also posted at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html 

If you would like to receive the Activist’s Calendar as soon as it is completed send an email to kellyhammargren@gmail.com. 

If you wish to stop receiving the weekly summary of city meetings please forward the email you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com with the request to be removed from the email list. 

________ 

 

* The Land Use Calendar / Notice of Decision (NOD) and Use Permits with the End of the Appeal Period 

webpages with easy to find listing of building projects in the appeal period has been removed as another casualty of the conversion to the new City of Berkeley website. 

 

Here is the old website link (no longer functional), Please ask for it to be restored. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/planning_and_development/land_use_division/current_zoning_applications_in_appeal_period.aspx 

 

Worth Noting:  

A very full week 

• Tuesday: The Agenda and Rules Committee meets at 2:30 pm to finalize the Council agenda for January 31. At 6 pm the City Council meets. Item-19 is the status report on pension liabilities and infrastructure. Item-21 changes affordable housing requirements. The move is to calculate the in lieu fee by sq ft instead of the number of units. The in lieu fee of $45/sq ft is paid by the builder to get out of including the affordable units in the building, the units we desperately need.
• Wednesday: City Council meets at 4 pm to adopt the Housing Element for 2023 – 2031. Also, on Wednesday the Commission on Aging takes up the Hopkins Corridor at 1:30 pm and the Commission on Disability has called a special at 3 pm on the Hopkins Corridor. The Civic Arts Commission, Commission on the Status of Women and the Environment and Climate Commission all meet at 6 pm. The Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets at 6:30 pm.
• Thursday: The Fair Campaigns and Open Government Commission meets at 6 pm. The Design Review Committee meets at 7 pm with two projects on the agenda, 3031 Adeline a 7-story project with 64 units and 3000 Shattuck a 10-story 166 unit project. The Transportation and Infrastructure Commission meets at 7 pm with an update on T1 funds which are coming up short for approved projects and Hopkins design from Gilman to the west end (not the section by Monterey Market and block of businesses).
• Friday: The Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force program at 9 am is on Climate and the Economy.

 

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/ 

 

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS 

 

Sunday, January 15, 2023 – No city meetings listed 

Monday, January 16, 2023 – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – A day of volunteering 

 

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 

 

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618509440 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 161 850 9440 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve 1/31/2023 draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda after list of city meetings, 3. Berkeley Considers, 4. Adjournment in Memory, Scheduling: 5. Council Work Sessions, 6. Referrals for scheduling, 7. Land Use Calendar, 

Referred Items for Review: 8. a. & b. COVID, 9. Strengthening and Supporting Commissions, Guidance on the Development of Legislative Proposals, 10. Discussion of Potential Changes and Enhancements to the City Council Legislative Process,  

Unscheduled Items: 11. Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committee Process and Structure (including Budget Referrals), 12 a. Youth Commission – Adding a Youth Member to the Environment and Climate Commission, b. Environment and Climate Commission – Support for Youth Appointee, c. Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Amending BMC 3.82 Modifying Membership and Appointment Procedures for the Environment and Climate Commission, 13. Droste – Bureaucratic and Referral Improvement and Prioritization Effort (BE RIPE) limits legislative referrals to 1 for councilmembers and 2 for mayor, restricts budget referrals to established programs, 14. Droste – Reforms to Public Comment. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610052107 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 005 2107 

AGENDA: use link and html version or go to agenda list at the bottom of this notice. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 

 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 4 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619486060 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 948 6060 

AGENDA: Adoption of 2023- 2031 Housing Element (packet 1386) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1614800144 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 161 480 0144 Passcode: 825132 

AGENDA: 4. Letter to Council regarding Hopkins Corridor Reconsideration 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-aging 

 

COMMISSION on DISABILITY Special Meeting at 3 pm  

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81982907807?pwd=a2dDOENEN2N3aG9jb3F4dXQvNDZaQT09 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 819 8290 7807 Passcode: 647330 

AGENDA: B. Hopkins Corridor Plan/Project 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-disability 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1605902821 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 Meeting ID: 160 590 2821 

AGENDA: 7. Presentations, Discussion & Action Items a) Overview of Public Art Selection Process, b) Approval of Willard Clubhouse Public Art Project Plan, c) Discussion of Poet Laureate Program, d) Discussion of Council Referral of City Song, Motto and Flag, e) Public Art on Private Development Quarterly Report. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/civic-arts-commission 

 

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83651073735 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 836 5107 3735 

AGENDA: 6. Report on Reproductive Access and Peace and Justice Commission Resolution, 7. Support funding of 2 health educators FY 2024, 8. CCSWG grant, 11. Women’s History Month Planning. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-status-women 

 

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81848349132 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171 Meeting ID: 818 4834 9132 

AGENDA: 6. Update from staff in-person meetings, Climate Equity Pilot Fund, Youth Commissioner, Gas Station Warning Labels & Used Gas Car Ban, BESO minimum requirements, Gas Prohibition amendments, staffing, 7. Reports from Commission Liaisons, Discussion/Action: 8. Subcommittee updates a. Zoning Changes to encourage EV charging/discourage gas stations, b. Transportation, c. Native Plants and Pest Reduction. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/environment-and-climate-commission 

 

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION (HWCAC) at 6:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/4863098496 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 486 309 8496 

AGENDA: 5. Approve 2023 Community Services Block Grant, 6. Update HWCAC low-income representative election process, 7. Election, 8. 2023 Meeting Schedule, 9. Review of Berkeley funded agency Program and Financial reports – Berkeley Free Clinic program and financial reports, 10. Communication mechanism between city employees and service providers, 11. Senior housing and programs, 12. Requirements for contracted non-profit service providers and transparency of grant reports, 13. Eligibility for service as a Representative of the Poor, 14. Accessibility and Availability of materials on city website, 15. Accessibility quality assessment program to handle non-conforming public facilities and complaints from seniors and disabled people over substandard services or services not provided. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/human-welfare-and-community-action-commission 

 

Thursday, January 19, 2023 

 

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES and OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82530486544 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 825 3048 6544 

AGENDA: Fair Campaign Practices: 6. Amendments to BERA to clarify method for cost of living adjustments for campaign contribution and public financing dollar amounts and to better coordinate adjustments with timing of relevant data availability, Open Government Commission: 9. Commission meeting minutes posting requirements, 10. Use of live transcription for teleconferenced meetings. Informational Items: 13. November 8, 2022 General Election Public Finance Matching Funds Report. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/fair-campaign-practices-commission 

 

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83133802449 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 831 3380 2449 

AGENDA: 1. 3031 Adeline – Preliminary Design Review – Demolish existing approximately 1,000 sq ft 1-story commercial structure and construct 7-story mixed-use building with 4030 sq ft of commercial space, 64 units, 21 auto parking spaces and 55 bicycle parking spaces 

2. 3000 Shattuck - Preliminary Design Review – Demolish existing gas station and construct 10-story mixed-use building with 1,043 sq ft of commercial space, 166 units (including 17 very low income units). 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/design-review-committee 

 

TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82514969964 

Teleconference: 1-888-788-0099 Meeting ID: 825 1496 9964 

AGENDA: Discussion/Action: 1. T1 Update, 2. Hopkins St Gilman to west end, Election, 4. Workplan 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/transportation-and-infrastructure-commission 

 

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD MEETING at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89067745635?pwd=T2FMMkdpZG05VC91YXVFRWVZZGxwZz09 

Teleconference: 1-408-638-0968 Meeting ID: 890 6775 5634 Passcode: 395740 

AGENDA: Consent: 6. c. Proposal to approve staff recommendations for waivers of late registrations, Action: 7. a. 1) Possible letter to University of CA regarding its property agreement with Blackstone’s Real Estate Income Trust Inc. Fund (REIT), b. Allow Board to continue to meet exclusively by teleconference. 

https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/elected-rent-board/rent-board-meetings 

 

Friday, January 20, 2023 

 

CLIMATE and the ECONOMY at 9 am 

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-the-economy-registration-369246936527 

AGENDA: 9:20 Medea Benjamin, 10 am The Doughnut that’s good for CA, 10:30 Public Banks, 11:05 Zero Food Waste. 

https://www.cemtf.org/ 

 

Saturday, January 21, 2023 – No city meetings listed. 

Sunday, January 22, 2023 – No city meetings listed. 

 

++++++++++++++++ 

 

January 17, 2023, AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular Meeting Jan 31, 2023 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618509440 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 161 850 9440 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules 

AGENDA RECESS ITEMS:  

1. CM (City Manager) - Amend contract 32200036 modify sole source contract and any amendments with Berkeley Convention and Visitors Bureau, d.b.a. Visit Berkeley to distribute 1/12 of annual Berkeley Transient Occupancy Tax funds to support tourism marketing and promotion for 7/1/2020 – 6/30/2023
2. Louis BPD – Amend contract 100692-3 add $500,000 total $2,000,000 with Serological Research Institute for DNA testing Services, length of contract does not change, expires 6/30/2025,

AGENDA on CONSENT:  

3. City Attorney - Review and ratify local COVID-19 Emergency
4. City Attorney - Continue directing Legislative Bodies to meet via Videoconference and Teleconference
5. Finance - Formal bid solicitations $33,541,532
6. Sprague Fire - Grant application: Funding up to $5,000,000 from CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) to be used to develop and deliver public education materials explaining the inspection process, defensible space, assist residents in need of financial assistance to remove vegetation to meet state and local codes, enhance chipper program and fund 3rd party administrator
7. Warhuus – Amend Contract 32000202 – add $576,616 total $3,400,640 and extend 1 yr with Aberkeley Food & Housing Project for Rental Subsidy for Russell Street Residence
8. Human resources – Contract $250,000 2/1/2023 – 7/31/2023 with Apple One Employment Services for Temporary Staffing Services
9. IT – Amend contract 32000118-1 add $689,400 total $1,706.909 with Nexgen Asset and Work Order Management Software Maintenance and Professional Services and add 2 years
10. IT – Increase spending authority by $186,610 total $422,915 with AHEAD,Inc using CA Dept of General Services for purchase of additional Varonis software licenses 1/31/2023 – 12/21/2023
11. Ferris – Amend contract 32200183 add $90,000 total $1,100,000 with Western Water Features Inc for electrical renovations at King Swim Center
12. Ferris – Contract $2,483,865 (includes 15% contingency $323,982) with CA Constructores for Grove Park Field and Playground Renovation Project
13. Planning – Amend Contract 32000020 add $1,000,000 total $2,000,000 with Rincon Consultants, Inc for on-call review of land use permit applications and environmental review
14. Garland – Contract $1,490,427 (includes 10% contingency $135,493) with Kolos Engineering, Inc for urgent sewer repair
15. Garland – Contract $4,417,421 (includes 10% contingency $401,584) with Bay Pacific Pipeline for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project (Hearst, Scenic Ave, Euclid, LeConte, Arch, Cedar, LaLoma, LeRoy, Piedmont, Kelsey, Palm Ct, Russell, and Backline Avalon, Belrose, University Alvarado, Roble Road
16. Garland – Authorize Funding Agreement with AC Transit for $1,036,000 additional funding for Quick-Build Durant Transit Lane Project
17. Garland – Contract $1,663,900 with DBA Ray’s Electric for MLK Jr Way Vision Zero Quick Build Project
18. Garland – Contract $4,444,006 (includes 10% contingency $404,001) for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Parnassus Rd, et al. Project
19. Robinson, co-sponsors Harrison, Bartlett, Hahn - Parking/Towing Fines & Fees Reform – Adopt Ordinance amending BMC 14.72.080 reduces burden of parking and towing fines on indigent persons making up to 50% AMI and allows eligibility for RPP (residential parking permits) even with outstanding tickets and fines and budget request for $383,512 for ongoing management of the program

AGENDA on ACTION: 

20. ZAB Appeal 2065 Kittredge Use Permit #ZP2021-0193, demolishes portions of City Landmark including Shattuck Cinemas to construct 8-story 187 units (including 4 live-work units and 9 very low income units) with 4993 sq ft commercial space and 43 parking spaces
21. Bartlett – qualified positive recommendation from Budget & Finance Committee – Outcomes Based Funding, Pay-For-Success and Social Impact Bonds
22. Arreguin – Request allocation of Early Action Planning Grants (REAP) for Higher Impact Transformative Activities
23. Bartlett, co-sponsors Arreguin, Harrison, Hahn – Berkeley Food Utility and Access Resilience Measure (FARM), direct CM to protect City’s food supply from natural disasters and economic disruptions by facilitating and chartering a community based non-profit with designing and implementing an integrated local food production and distribution system for Berkeley

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

24. Updated Sanctuary City Contracting Compliance Report for FY 2021.

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++ 

 

Agenda for January 17, 2023 CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610052107 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 005 2107 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

AGENDA on CONSENT:  

1. 2nd Reading - Zoning Ordinance Technical edits and corrections to BMC Title 23
2. 2nd Reading – Annual Appropriations Ordinance (mid-year budget allocations) $178,289,951 (gross) $172,028,412 (net)
3. Minutes
4. Approval donated sculpture gift Queen Shamiram by Fred Parhad valued $225,000 for inclusion in City of Berkeley Art Collection
5. Formal bid solicitations and RFP $3,506,00
6. Amend contract #32000146 for $1,017,000 with Aramark for uniforms and laundering thru FY2025
7. Amend contract #32000064 add $21,078 total $141,077.73 and extend to 1/31/2024 with Tiana Sanchez International, LLC for HHCS Equity Consultant
8. Revenue Grant Agreement: $2,473,611 for 7/1/2022 – 6/30/2028 from State of California Home Visiting Program for public health promotion and prevention services
9. ***Item Removed from Agenda by the City Manager*** Amend Contract 32000226 $125,000 thru 12/31/2022 with MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions for SRIP | Disability, Police Employees Retirement Income Plan, and Health Reimbursement Accounts for Retiree Health Premium Assistance Plan Reimbursements
10. Establish Classification and Salary Medical Director $15,671.76 - $17,802.72 monthly or $188,061.12 - $213,632.64 annually
11. Contract $822,512 with Presidio for Micro-Segmentation
12. 15-year Lease agreement with Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement to use 1718 8th Street in James Kenny Park 3/1/2023 – 2/1/2038
13. Arreguin – Support for SB 4: Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act
14. Arreguin - 12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on 1/16/2023
15. Arreguin – Amend Contract 32200161 add $75,000 total $125,000 with Community Development Partners to extend consulting work associated with Equitable Black Berkeley Initiative
16. Kesarwani – Referral for a Security Assessment of the 1700 and 1600 blocks of San Pablo 2 months after City of Berkeley lease of 27-room motel at 1720 San Pablo
17. Wengraf, co-sponsors Harrison, Humbert, Hahn – Support SB-36 (Skinner) Out-of-state criminal charges: prosecution related to abortion and gender-affirming care
18. Robinson – Relinquishment of Council Office Funds for Pacific Center for Human Growth

AGENDA on ACTION: 

19. Status Report – Berkeley’s Financial Condition (FY 2012 – FY 2021) Pension Liabilities and Infrastructure Need Attention
20. City Manager -Ferris- Changes to Selection Camps Programs Fees
21. City Manager – Klein & Warhuus – Affordable Housing Requirements – amending BMC 23.328, establishes affordable housing in lieu fee per sq ft rather than by number of unites, suggested fee $45/sq ft.
22. Taplin, co-sponsor Harrison - Resolution Supporting Trip Reduction Alternative for BUSD BHS Tennis and Parking Structure Project

 

+++++++++++++++++++ 

 

Agenda for January 18, 2023 CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 4 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619486060 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 948 6060 

AGENDA: Adoption of 2023- 2031 Housing Element (packet 1386) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

+++++++++++++++++ 

 

LAND USE CALENDAR:* 

 

Public Hearings 

2065 Kittredge (construct 8-story mixed-use building) 1/31/2023 

1262 Francisco (add 40 sq ft and 2nd story balcony) 2/28/2023 

Remanded to ZAB or LPC 

1205 Peralta – Conversion of an existing garage 

 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

January 18 – Housing Element at 4 pm 

January 31 – Measure T1 funding at 4 pm 

February 2 – Hopkins Corridor Plan at 6 pm  

February 21 - Local Pandemic/Endemic Update Report, Housing Preference Policy 

February 28 – Zero Waste 5-Year Rate Schedule at 4 pm 

March 7 - Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan 

March 14 – Annual Crime Report at 4 pm 

March 21 - Civic Arts Grantmaking Process & Capital Grant Program at 4 pm, Civic Center Vision Project at 4 pm 

May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report 5/16/2023 

 

Unscheduled Presentations: 

Climate Action Plan and Resilience Update 

City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations 

 

+++++++++++++ 

 

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week can be found in the Berkeley Daily Planet under Activist’s Diary at: www.berkeleydailyplanet.com. 

Activist’s Diary for the week ending January 8, 2023. 

https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2023-01-08/article/50141?headline=A-BERKELEY-ACTIVIST-S-DIARY-week-ending-January-8--Kelly-Hammargren 

 

 

This meeting list is also posted at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html 

If you would like to receive the Activist’s Calendar as soon as it is completed send an email to kellyhammargren@gmail.com. 

If you wish to stop receiving the weekly summary of city meetings please forward the email you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com with the request to be removed from the email list. 

________ 

 

* The Land Use Calendar / Notice of Decision (NOD) and Use Permits with the End of the Appeal Period 

webpages with easy to find listing of building projects in the appeal period has been removed as another casualty of the conversion to the new City of Berkeley website. 

 

Here is the old website link (no longer functional), Please ask for it to be restored. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/planning_and_development/land_use_division/current_zoning_applications_in_appeal_period.aspx 

 

Worth Noting:  

A very full week 

• Tuesday: The Agenda and Rules Committee meets at 2:30 pm to finalize the Council agenda for January 31. At 6 pm the City Council meets. Item-19 is the status report on pension liabilities and infrastructure. Item-21 changes affordable housing requirements. The move is to calculate the in lieu fee by sq ft instead of the number of units. The in lieu fee of $45/sq ft is paid by the builder to get out of including the affordable units in the building, the units we desperately need.
• Wednesday: City Council meets at 4 pm to adopt the Housing Element for 2023 – 2031. Also, on Wednesday the Commission on Aging takes up the Hopkins Corridor at 1:30 pm and the Commission on Disability has called a special at 3 pm on the Hopkins Corridor. The Civic Arts Commission, Commission on the Status of Women and the Environment and Climate Commission all meet at 6 pm. The Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets at 6:30 pm.
• Thursday: The Fair Campaigns and Open Government Commission meets at 6 pm. The Design Review Committee meets at 7 pm with two projects on the agenda, 3031 Adeline a 7-story project with 64 units and 3000 Shattuck a 10-story 166 unit project. The Transportation and Infrastructure Commission meets at 7 pm with an update on T1 funds which are coming up short for approved projects and Hopkins design from Gilman to the west end (not the section by Monterey Market and block of businesses).
• Friday: The Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force program at 9 am is on Climate and the Economy.

 

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/ 

 

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS 

 

Sunday, January 15, 2023 – No city meetings listed 

Monday, January 16, 2023 – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – A day of volunteering 

 

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 

 

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618509440 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 161 850 9440 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve 1/31/2023 draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda after list of city meetings, 3. Berkeley Considers, 4. Adjournment in Memory, Scheduling: 5. Council Work Sessions, 6. Referrals for scheduling, 7. Land Use Calendar, 

Referred Items for Review: 8. a. & b. COVID, 9. Strengthening and Supporting Commissions, Guidance on the Development of Legislative Proposals, 10. Discussion of Potential Changes and Enhancements to the City Council Legislative Process,  

Unscheduled Items: 11. Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committee Process and Structure (including Budget Referrals), 12 a. Youth Commission – Adding a Youth Member to the Environment and Climate Commission, b. Environment and Climate Commission – Support for Youth Appointee, c. Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Amending BMC 3.82 Modifying Membership and Appointment Procedures for the Environment and Climate Commission, 13. Droste – Bureaucratic and Referral Improvement and Prioritization Effort (BE RIPE) limits legislative referrals to 1 for councilmembers and 2 for mayor, restricts budget referrals to established programs, 14. Droste – Reforms to Public Comment. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610052107 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 005 2107 

AGENDA: use link and html version or go to agenda list at the bottom of this notice. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 

 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 4 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619486060 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 948 6060 

AGENDA: Adoption of 2023- 2031 Housing Element (packet 1386) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

 

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1614800144 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 161 480 0144 Passcode: 825132 

AGENDA: 4. Letter to Council regarding Hopkins Corridor Reconsideration 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-aging 

 

COMMISSION on DISABILITY Special Meeting at 3 pm  

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81982907807?pwd=a2dDOENEN2N3aG9jb3F4dXQvNDZaQT09 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 819 8290 7807 Passcode: 647330 

AGENDA: B. Hopkins Corridor Plan/Project 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-disability 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1605902821 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 Meeting ID: 160 590 2821 

AGENDA: 7. Presentations, Discussion & Action Items a) Overview of Public Art Selection Process, b) Approval of Willard Clubhouse Public Art Project Plan, c) Discussion of Poet Laureate Program, d) Discussion of Council Referral of City Song, Motto and Flag, e) Public Art on Private Development Quarterly Report. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/civic-arts-commission 

 

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83651073735 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 836 5107 3735 

AGENDA: 6. Report on Reproductive Access and Peace and Justice Commission Resolution, 7. Support funding of 2 health educators FY 2024, 8. CCSWG grant, 11. Women’s History Month Planning. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-status-women 

 

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81848349132 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171 Meeting ID: 818 4834 9132 

AGENDA: 6. Update from staff in-person meetings, Climate Equity Pilot Fund, Youth Commissioner, Gas Station Warning Labels & Used Gas Car Ban, BESO minimum requirements, Gas Prohibition amendments, staffing, 7. Reports from Commission Liaisons, Discussion/Action: 8. Subcommittee updates a. Zoning Changes to encourage EV charging/discourage gas stations, b. Transportation, c. Native Plants and Pest Reduction. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/environment-and-climate-commission 

 

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION (HWCAC) at 6:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/4863098496 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 486 309 8496 

AGENDA: 5. Approve 2023 Community Services Block Grant, 6. Update HWCAC low-income representative election process, 7. Election, 8. 2023 Meeting Schedule, 9. Review of Berkeley funded agency Program and Financial reports – Berkeley Free Clinic program and financial reports, 10. Communication mechanism between city employees and service providers, 11. Senior housing and programs, 12. Requirements for contracted non-profit service providers and transparency of grant reports, 13. Eligibility for service as a Representative of the Poor, 14. Accessibility and Availability of materials on city website, 15. Accessibility quality assessment program to handle non-conforming public facilities and complaints from seniors and disabled people over substandard services or services not provided. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/human-welfare-and-community-action-commission 

 

Thursday, January 19, 202