Arts & Events
THE BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S CALENDAR: Feb. 26-March 5
Worth Noting:
Plan Ahead: City Commissions return to in-person only attendance on March 1, 2023. Check calendar post when planning to attend city meetings for location and if online option is available.
- SUNDAY: The BART site walk is rescheduled for March 5
- MONDAY: At 2:30 pm the Agenda and Rules Committee item-9 Droste’s Legislative process (limiting legislation) is on the agenda. At 6:30 pm is a special City Council meeting (online only) on the COVID emergency and the Rental Eviction Moratorium. At 6 pm Speaking Up for Point Molate (online only) presents GeoTracker the Water Board’s monitoring system that provides progress on groundwater cleanup.
- TUESDAY: At 4 pm is a City Council special meeting on increasing the solid waste container fees to cover cost. The Zero Waste Commission meets 6 pm
- The Go To Meeting is Tuesday at 6 pm the City Council regular meeting with a submission from Robinson and Wengraf to limit public participation in city council meetings by restricting public comment to a single comment on all action items. On Tuesday evening this major change is scheduled to come up for a vote as the very LAST ITEM of the evening, agenda item-19. This started as a Droste item and then Robinson and Wengraf submitted an alternative (supplemental) The Exceptions to a single comment are when a public hearing, an appeal or a quasi-judicial (court like) item are on the agenda. In these exceptions the public may comment on those individual items.
- WEDNESDAY: Both BOLT (in-person) and the Ohlone Park Improvements (online) meet at 6:30 pm. The Homeless Services Panel of Experts meets at 7 pm.
- At 7 pm the Bird Safe Ordinance hearing is on the Planning Commission agenda. The proposed ordinance DOES NOT meet the American Bird Conservancy model ordinance to reduce bird collisions see: https://abcbirds.org/glass-collisions/bird-friendly-legislation/
- THURSDAY: At 1 pm FITES meets on GEG emissions and Climate Action Plan. Item-5 is for $600,000 total for studies for adding bike lanes, dedicated bus lanes and raised platforms to University and modifying Shattuck - all of these traffic narrowing impacts emergency access and evacuation routes. The HAC and LPC meet at 7 pm. WETA meets at 1 pm ferry ridership continues to drop. At 4 pm is a Webinar (online) on Transforming the Nation's Food System.
- SUNDAY March 5: At 2 pm North Berkeley BART Housing Site walk at 2 pm
Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/
Directions with links to ZOOM support for activating Closed Captioning and Save Transcript are at the bottom of this calendar.
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BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS
Sunday, February 26, 2023 - The North Berkeley BART site walk is rescheduled to March 5
Monday, February 27, 2023
AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor – Redwood Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1603320255
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 160 332 0255
AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve 3/14/2023 draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda after list of city meetings, 3. Berkeley Considers, 4. Adjournment in Memory, 5. Council Workssessions, 6. Referrals for scheduling, 7. Land Use Calendar, Referred Items for Review: 8. COVID, 9. Discussion of Potential Changes to City Council Legislative Process, Unscheduled Items: 10. Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committees, 11. Supporting Commissions, Guidance on Legislative Proposals.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules
CITY COUNCIL Closed Session at 4:30 pm
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1616821086
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 682 1086
AGENDA: 1. Pending litigation a. Cantin v. City of Berkeley Alameda Co Superior Cout #22CV009096, b. Government Claim of Gregory H. McCormick, 2. Conference with City property negotiators for 1619 University (Campus Motel), 3. Conference with labor negotiators related to Berkeley Fire Fighters Assoc. Local 1227.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
CITY COUNCIL Special Session at 6:30 pm
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1600096551
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 160 009 6551
AGENDA: 1. Extends the Covered Period of the COVID-19 Emergency Response for 60 days beyond the expiration of the local emergency, 2. Amends COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance related to evictions establishing a transition period.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
SPEAKING UP for POINT MOLATE FROM 6 – 7 PM
Videoconference: https://sierraclub.zoom.us/j/99891619534
AGENDA: Celina Hernandez, Senior Engineering Geologist at SF Bay Regional water Quality Control Board presents: How to Use GeoTracker – GeoTracker is the Water Board’s data management system for sites that require groundwater cleanup and for permitted facilities that could impact groundwater.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
CITY COUNCIL Special Session at 4 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison, School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610465939
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 046 5939
AGENDA: 1. Five Year Zero Waste Schedule, the current fee for the smaller solid waste containers do not cover the cost with proposed increases starting at per month $6 for 20-gallon and 32 gallon and $5.25 for 45 gallon, the chart of rate increases is on page 4 of the HTML packet
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison, School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610465939
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 046 5939
AGENDA: Use the link and choose the html option (at website) or see the agenda as listed at the end of the calendar.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
ZERO WASTE COMMISSION at 6 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/82587046286
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 825 8704 6286
AGENDA: 6. Staff Updates on Rate Schedule, progress on Zero Waste Strategic Plan, SB 1383 Implementation, SUDs Ordinance Enforcement, Discussion and Action Items: 1. Woolsey Garden Presentation, Lithium Ion Battery Discussion, 3. Compost Kitchen Pails & Batteries, 3. Officer Elections, 4. Update on Rates,
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/zero-waste-commission
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES (BOLT) at 6:30 pm
Central Library, Teen Room 1st Floor
AGENDA: III.A. Recruitment process to fill BOLT vacancy
https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/about/board-library-trustees
HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS at 7 pm
1301 Shattuck, Live Oak Recreation Center, Fireside Room
AGENDA: 6. Staff Update Here/There Closure, Emergency Resolution Grant Funding, 7. Chair Report, 8. Mission and goals, 9. Report on Council Budget meetings, 11. Homeless Services and inclement weather
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/homeless-services-panel-experts
PLANNING COMMISSION at 7 pm
2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center
AGENDA: 10. Elections of Chair and Vice-Chair, 11. Public Hearing Bird Safe Ordinance, 12. Discussion Pacific Steel Casting Zoning and General Plan
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/planning-commission
OHLONE PARK IMPROVEMENTS COMMUNITY MEETING from 6:30 – 8 pm
Videoconference: See the flyer or webpage for link to register for meeting https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Ohlone%20Park%20Restroom%20Lighting%20Community%20Meeting%203-1-23_0.pdf
Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171 Meeting ID: 844 2930 2020 Passcode: 130415
AGENDA: Restroom and Lighting improvements at Ohlone Park
https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/ohlone-park-improvements-community-meeting
Thursday, March 2, 2023
FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY (FITES) at 1 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor – Redwood Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611429430
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 142 9430
AGENDA: 2. Harrison, co-sponsors Bartlett, Hahn – Adopt Ordinance adding new chapter BMC 12.01 Establishing Emergency Greenhous Gas Limits, Process for Updated Climate action Plan, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Regional Cooperation, 3. Garland – Audit Status Report Fleet Replacement and Berkeley Streets, 4. Taplin – 51 Bus Rapid Transit 1. Refer to City Manager the development of implementation and community engagement plan to install Bus Rapid Transit with Dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, elevated platforms from Sixth St to Shattuck and along Shattuck from University to Durant, 2. Refer $300,000 FY 24-25 to conduct Complete Street Corridor Study along University from 6th St to Oxford, 3. Refer $300,000 FY 24-25 to conduct Complete Street Corridor Study along Shattuck from Virginia to Woolsey, 4. Refer FYx$X to install quick-build bus station improvements along the 51b route, 5. Initiate consultation with AC Transit and UC Berkeley Bear Transit as soon as possible. (Accompanying materials pages 33 – 110 in packet).
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION (HAC) at 7 pm
2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center
AGENDA: 7. Recommend HOME-ARP substantial amendment for Council approval (HUD requires a HOME-ARP allocation plan before allocating the $2,735,696 grant – deadline to submit 3/21/2023, failure to submit causes loss of funds), 8. Discussion and Possible action Fair Access and Transparency in Residential Application Process.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/housing-advisory-commission
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION (LPC) at 7 pm
2800 Park Street, San Pablo Park, Frances Albrier Community Center
AGENDA: 6. 1919 Addison – Structural Alteration Permit, 7. 1960 San Antonio Ave – Structural Alteration Permit, 8. 2800 Telegraph – Demolition Referral
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/landmarks-preservation-commission
Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) at 1 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 425 Market 26th Floor, San Francisco
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89718217408
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 897 1821 7408 Password: 33779
AGENDA: 6. Reports of Staff, b. Financials, c.&d. Legislative updates, e. Ridership chart on page 23 of packet (ridership is dropping), 9. Fare Program,
https://weta.sanfranciscobayferry.com/next-board-meeting
Living New Deal presents: Transforming the Nation’s Food System at 4 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85483883419
AGENDA: Lessons from the New Deal and Strategies for Today, Roundtable discussion on reform of the nation’s food system and lessons from FDR’s New Deal
https://livingnewdeal.org/webinars/
Friday, March 3, 2023 – No city meetings listed
Saturday, March 4, 2023 – No city meetings listed
Sunday, March 5, 2023
NORTH BERLELEY BART HOUSING SITE WALK at 2 pm
Meet at the station building to begin the public walk tour.
https://www.northberkeleyhousingpartners.com/
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AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm
Draft Agenda for March 14 City Council Regular Meeting at 6 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor – Redwood Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1603320255
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 160 332 0255
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules
AGENDA on CONSENT:
- Oyekanmi, Finance - Formal Bid Solicitations $2,802,400
- Sprague, Fire – Contract $400,000 with KLD Engineering, P.C. for Evacuation and Response Time Modeling from 4/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 with option to renew for $100,000 for additional 2 years
- Warhuus, HHCS – Contract $350,000 with GoGo Technologies Inc for Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled from 4/1/2023 to 6/30/2026 for 24/7 call center to arrange rides with Uber and Lyft for customers of the Aging Services Division’s Berkeley Rides for Seniors and Disabled
- Warhuus, HHCS – Contract $128,315 with mySidewalk, Inc for HHCS Web-Based Population Health Data Platform 3/15/2023 to 3/14/2026
- Kouyoumdjian, HR – Amend Contract 32000225 add $149,000 total $349,000 and extend 6/30/2024 with Its Personnel Consulting for Recruitment, Hiring, and Independent Workplace Investigation
- Kouyoumdjian, HR – Amend Contract 32100046 add $139,000 total $189,000 with HR Acuity, LLC for Case Management and Employee Relations Software
- Kouyoumdjian, HR – Purchase Order $150,000 with Glassdoor to Provide Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Ad Work from4/1/2023 to 3/31/2025
- Kouyoumdjian, HR – Purchase Order $150,000 with Indeed to Provide Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Ad Work from4/1/2023 to 3/31/2025
- Fong, IT – Amend Contract 31900187 add $106,000 total $278,000 with LV.NET (formerly Towerstream) for Secondary Internet for Redundancy and Load Balancing from 10/3/2017 to 6/30/2024
- Arreguin – Opposition to Initiative #1935 deceptively named “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act”
- Arreguin, co-sponsor Robinson – Resolution Support SB 50 – would allow Berkeley to move forward with BerkDOT program for a Berkeley Department of Transportation instead of police to enforce vehicle or bike low-level infractions (traffic stops and enforcement)
- Arreguin – Support SB 252 State Divestment from Fossil Fuels
- Kesarwani, co-sponsors – Budget referral Addition Street Maintenance Funding to Improve Payment Condition, Saving Tax Dollars add $4.7 million total $20 million FY 2024-25
- Taplin – Budget Referral Vision 2050 Complete Streets Parcel Tax Community Engagement and Program Plan refer $400,000 to June 2023 mid-year budget update to conduct community engagement, public information campaign and program plan development and climate resilient infrastructure
- Taplin – Support Unionization Efforts by Urban Ore Workers under representation by the IWW Union 670
- Taplin - Support for SB 58 Controlled Substances, decriminalization
- Robinson, co-sponsor Arreguin – Support SB 466 reforming Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act
- Robinson – Support H.R. 852 Investing in Safer Traffic Stops Act
- Sprague, Fire - Ambulance User Fee Increase
- Fair Campaign Practices Commission – Cost of Living Adjustment for $250 campaign contribution limit increase by nearest $10 in every odd-numbered year
- Klein, Planning – Climate Action Plan and Resilience Update
- Droste – Bureaucratic Effectiveness and Referral Improvement and Prioritization Effort (BE RIPE) limits submission of legislation to 1 item per year per council member and 2 items per year for the mayor
- Hollander, Economic Development – Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update
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February 28, 2023 Agenda for CITY COUNCIL Meeting at 6 pm
A Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1610465939
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 161 046 5939
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
URGENT ITEM: Increase Funding to Housing Retention Program Contract
- Arreguin - Add $300,000 to Housing Retention Program
- Arreguin – Amend contract 32100023 add $300,000 with Eviction Defense Center (EDC) for rent debt or other expenses that would enable applicants to retain housing
- 2nd Reading of Citywide Affordable Housing Requirements
- Minutes
- Radu - Donation $5000 to Animal Shelter from Stephen and May Birch Foundation
- Oyekanmi, Finance - Formal bid solicitations $2,220,000 ($290,000 to Aquatic Park, $1,500,000 to Tree Removal and Pruning Services, $330,000 to Echo Lake Camp Accessibility Upgrades, $100,000 to Harriet Tubman Terrace Tenant Support)
- Warhuus, HHCS – Contract $60,055 with Street Level Advisors and Strategic Economics for Housing to provide Fair Housing Analysis services 4/1/2023 – 4/1/2023
- Kouyoumdjian – Increase Wage Ranges of Seasonal Camp Staff Classifications
- Garland, Public Works – Final map of Tract 8573: 2628 Shattuck for 81-unit condominium project consisting of 78 residential units and 3 commercial units
- Garland, Public Works – Final map of Tract 8626: 2023 – 2025 Kala Bagal Way for 49-unit condominium project consisting of 48 residential units and 1 commercial unit
- Garland, Public Works – Final map of Tract 8490: 739 Channing Way for 15-unit condominium project consisting of 10 residential units, 4 live/work units and 1 commercial unit and merge 2 existing parels at 739 Channing
- Garland, Public Works – Bauman Lease Termination with Bauman Wellness and Settlement of Balance Due at 1007 University
- Taplin co-sponsor Hahn - Support for AB-309 Social Housing update version of AB 2053
- Taplin, co-sponsors Bartlett, Kesarwani, Arreguin – Resolution Condemning a pattern of attacks targeting Black political leaders
- Harrison – Support for HR 8040: People Over the Pentagon Act – calls for reducing bloated military budget by $100 billion and just transition for workers in militarized industries
- Robinson, co-sponsor Humbert, Hahn, Harrison – Creation of an intersection daylighting policy, referral to the city manager to increase lighting at high-injury streets, intersections and seek input from the Transportation and Infrastructure Commission
- ZAB Appeal 1262 Francisco, Use Permit #ZP2021-0006 and ZP#2020-0122 to add 40 sq ft on first floor and balcony on 2nd floor to an existing single family dwelling unit
- Williams-Ridley, City Manager – Making Berkeley an Employer of Choice with 1) hire two Associate HR Analysts and one Assistant Analyst (cost of new staff not listed), 2) contract $250,000 with branding and marketing agency, 3) $200,000 to enhance communications and social media content including department communications
- Resolution terminating the COVID-19 Emergency
- a. Youth Commission – Add a Youth Member to the Environment and Climate Commission. b. Billi Romain, Commission Secretary – Add a Youth member appointed and confirmed by BUSD with a referral to the City Manager to evaluate the feasibility and prepare draft language, c. Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Amending BMC 3.82 to add two youth members recommended by BUSD and appointed by the full council.
- Droste – Reforms to Public Comment Procedures at City Council meetings (limiting public comment). The Agenda and Rules Committee sends the measure to council with a negative recommendation to take no action.
INFORMATION REPORTS:
- Oyekanmi - FY 2023 First Quarter Investment Report (ended 9/30/2023)
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LAND USE CALENDAR:
Public Hearings
1262 Francisco (add 40 sq ft and 2nd story balcony) 2/28/2023
469 Kentucky (single family dwelling) 5/23/2023
Remanded to ZAB or LPC
1205 Peralta – Conversion of an existing garage
WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:
February 27 – Eviction Moratorium
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
April 18 – Hopkins Corridor Plan
May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report 5/16/2023
Unscheduled Presentations:
Climate Action Plan and Resilience Update – regular agenda March 14
City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations – check with Garland
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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.
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 calendar of city meetings please forward the email you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com with the request to be removed from the email list.
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For Online Public Meetings
CLOSED CAPTIONING, SAVE TRANSCRIPT OVERVIEW, DIRECTIONS and ZOOM SUPPORT LINKS:
ZOOM has as part of the program - (for no extra cost) Closed Captioning (CC). It turns computer voice recognition into a transcript. Accuracy of the Closed Captioning is affected by background noise, the volume and clarity of the speaker, lexicons/wordbook and dialect of the speaker. The transcript will not be perfect, but most of the time reading through it the few words that don't fit, can be deciphered, like Shattuck was transcribed as Shadow in one recent transcript.
One advantage of ZOOM live transcription over the Captioner’s Record for City Council meetings, is that Zoom grabs the speaker’s log-in name. The City Captioner recorder (a live person typing) uses the public comment speaker’s name from the person or someone else stating the name. The person speaking is frequently not identified. The small advantage of the CC Captioner’s record is the captioner is familiar with Berkeley specific terms.
For the online attendee the full transcript is only available from the time the attendee activates Closed Captioning. If Closed Captioning is activated and you sit through a meeting and then remember 10 minutes before it is over to click on CC then go to the arrow/carrot next to CC for the menu and click on Show Full Transcript you will only get the last 10 minutes, not the full transcript – So click often on both Save Transcript and on Save to Folder during the meeting for best results.
When you click on Show Full Transcript it will allow you to scroll up and down, so if want to go back and see what was said earlier you can do that during the meeting while the transcript is running.
At the bottom of the transcript when we as attendees are allowed to save there will be a button for, "Save Transcript," you can click on the button repeatedly throughout the meeting and it will just overwrite and update the full transcript. Clicking on the Save Transcript repeatedly as the meeting is coming to an end is important because once the host ends the meeting, the transcript is gone if you didn't save it.
After you click on "save transcript," click on "Show In Finder." The meeting transcript will show up (as a download to your desktop) in a separate box as a text file. (These text files are not large.) After you have done your last Save Transcript and Show In Finder, after the meeting is over you can rename it the downloaded transcript and save it (or send and share it).
Also a meeting does not have to be recorded to allow Closed Captioning and allow to Save Transcript. Saving the transcript saves it to our own computers. Closed Captioning is completely separate from recording a meeting, therefore recording a meeting does not activate closed captioning. The meeting host can activate closed captioning and block attendees from saving the transcript. When this is done there will be no “Save Transcript” button. Also, allowing attendees to save the transcript does not require the meeting host to save the transcript (for the public record).
Here is the link to ZOOM Support for how to set up Closed Captioning for a meeting or webinar:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/8158738379917#h_01GHWATNVPW5FR304S2SVGXN2X
Here is the link to ZOOM Support for attendees in how to save Closed Captions:
