When members of your church or other religious affiliation dispute the existence of mental illness and advise you not to take psychiatric medication prescribed by a doctor, they're advising you to make a huge mistake. The person advising that will not suffer the consequences themselves, you will. You can be a good Christian, Hindu, Muslim, or any of the above and can still listen to the reality-based warnings and advice from a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in certain brain disorders treatable with psychiatric drugs.

On the other hand, a psychiatrist should never be advising you not to have a religious practice, albeit in my experience I have never seen that happen. Religion and science do not conflict. They are two different things that address completely different areas of human lives. 

Some of the greatest scientists and scholars have been highly religious. Gregor Johann Mendel was a meteorologist, mathematician, biologist, Augustinian friar, and abbot. After his death he gained recognition for discoveries that led to the modern science of genetics. He studied how characteristics in plants were transmitted. In high school, I got the impression that my biology teacher was big into church. I was told by a fellow student that he volunteered at the church doing cleanup. 

You do not have to be atheist to understand and believe science. Our President is highly religious and at the same time touts "listen to the scientists," in his powerful speeches about beating coronavirus. 

I am not religious, but it doesn't mean I lack belief in a higher power. Something takes care of me and got me through dozens of situations that by all rights I should not have survived. The higher power must have work in store for me or would not be taking care of me in this way. When people are in rough times, in which we don't know how we are to get through a situation, even the non-religious like me will be tempted to ask for help from something greater. 

Those who pervert science into something it is not might reject the spiritual, and this leads to cruelty. I am not saying you need to believe in god to be a good person--you do not. My point is that atheistic people who disbelieve in human personhood and believe people are machines that arose by chance, might also reject the validity of human suffering. This could lead to cruel experimentation on people. 

I've heard a psychiatrist say, "consciousness could be an illusion." How crackpot of an idea is that? To assert consciousness is an illusion is in total contradiction to the most basic truth known by a conscious entity: "I think therefore I exist." If consciousness were an illusion, we would be unaware that we are here. Who is reading these words? How is it that you are aware of them? Consciousness is not an illusion; it is a subjective absolute truth. 

Atheism is not the same thing as agnosticism. No one can prove or disprove a theory that explains how the universe came to be. We can prove and disprove many things about the universe and about the people in it. And it has been shown that science is applicable to mental illness. If you are a good Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Sikh, other, it doesn't make you more or less likely to become mentally ill, and none of these religions will cure it. 

I once believed meditative attainment could cure my mental illness; it can't. I've gained meditative attainment in my past, and then when I believed it had cured my condition, I relapsed from not taking medication. Afterward I was aware that the attainment I'd created was erased. And it can take years to regain this--if it is even possible. The damage to function that occurs in a relapse of psychosis will make any type of mental development harder to regain. I am not speaking of Buddhism specifically but of mindfulness, which can be practiced generically in the absence of any religious beliefs. 

Many doctors and many psychiatrists seem to reject the notion that human suffering exists. This is a sign of being disconnected. If science is to help the human species, it must be used to remediate aspects of the human condition. It must not be used solely for profits of innovators. Human beings employ massive amounts of time and energy devising methods of getting more. This is also apparently not in conflict with many religious practices. 

Doctors in the U.S. and in NAZI Germany have experimented on human beings. This was perceived as conscionable because people believed they were forwarding science. This is an atrocity like any other. A religious person could do this to people as could a non-religious person. Religion is a separate issue from people's acts of kindness and unkindness. That's an opinion. Many religions teach compassion. Yet the lesson does not always take. Some religions teach members that anyone outside of their religion goes to hell. Some religious people are lacking enough in basic perception that they would not be suitable to practice science. Yet many atheistic people are unsuitable as well, because ruling out the possibility that something conscious could have created the universe shows lack of thought. No one knows how the universe came about. Science can describe the universe but that is all it can do. Religion is not sufficient to explain things either, since our religions create a concept of god from human imagination, not from known fact. 

---

Jack Bragen is a commentary, self-help and fiction author and lives in Martinez.

Meeting the Locals

On my Sunday morning run uphill to the Berkeley Rose Garden, I had an unexpected encounter with one of the local residents. I detected a presence in the street on my right and, when I turned to look, I found myself starring at a young deer. I paused and watched as the deer's four feet passed in front of me—four feet in front of me.

The animal hoof-hopped up the front stairs of the nearest house before diving down between a couple of cars parked in the driveway and heading into the backyard where deer like to linger and munch.

As always, I extended a courteous greeting: "After you, my deer fallow." 

Beer on Raft 

Strolling down Solano Avenue a few nights back, we passed the Kirin Chinese Restaurant And Cocktail Bar and admired the new parklet that now extends into the former parking zone. 

There was a huge banner over the parklet wall that contained a welcoming message. To our amusement, a recent edge-tipping blast of wind had flipped the west end of the banner up and over the print so the invite now read: "RINKS TO GO! Rafted Cocktails!" 

The messed-up message conjured images of ice-skating waitpersons driving Zambonis and paddling kayaks. Guaranteed to draw a crowd. 

Clos Encounters of the Herd Kind 

On a recent morning drive by Berkeley Natural Grocery on Gilman, I couldn't miss the message on the side of a large delivery truck parked nearby. The truck was filled with a load of dairy products from Sonoma's Clover Farms and—for anyone who doesn't know—Clover has a mascot: Clo, a cartoon cow who recently celebrated her 50^th anniversary as a pun-grazy commercial icon. 

Checking out the side of the delivery truck, I found a cartoon of Clo holding hooves with a bullish beau as they both traipsed across a hillside wearing 18^th century garb. It looked like a bovine version of Wuthering Heights. And the pun, floating overhead/overherd read: "Happily Heifer After." 

(After doing a Clos check of Clover's online archives, I've discovered that this pun actually dates from 2009. Clo's entire list of moosings—viewable online—dates back to 1969.) 

Here's a collection of Clo puns that could leave you feeling cowed. 

"Tip Clo Through Your Two Lips" 

"Born and Grazed in Sonoma" 

"Clo's Knit Community" 

"CLOVER: The Only Milk With LOVE In It" 

"Dancing with the Steers" 

"Dairying to Be Great!" 

"Home Quart Advantage" 

"The Moo the Merrier" 

"Under the MistleClo." 

"Baby, It's Clo Outside." 

"Happy Moo Year!" 

"Sip, Sip, Hooray!" 

"A Scoop Above the Udders." 

"Udderly Devoted to Moo." 

"Talk Dairy To Me." 

PS: Clo even has her own book of children's stories: "Pasture Bedtime." 

Hearts So Full for David Hartsough 

Sunday, May 2nd, marked the 81^st birthday for veteran Bay Area Quaker peace activist David Hartsough. 

Like John Lewis, Hartsough knows how to make "good trouble." He has put his body on the line to block US Navy ships headed for Vietnam and ammo trains filled with munitions destined for covert US wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua. He has crossed borders to meet “the enemy” behind the "Iron Curtain" in East Berlin, Castro’s Cuba, and inside present-day Iran. He has marched with victims of violence in Guatemala, stood alongside refugees threatened by Philippine death squads, and handed out stuffed teddy bears to traumatized children in Gaza. 

His book, Waging Peace: Global Adventures of a Lifelong Activist, is testament to the positive change a single individual can accomplish. Inspired by the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. (with whom he worked during Civil Rights campaigns in The South), Hartsough has spent his life demonstrating how to defuse conflict through the power of active nonviolence. 

In 2002, Hartsough joined Mel Duncan and peace activists from 49 countries to create the Nonviolent Peaceforce. The NP has engaged in civilian peacekeeping missions around the world, training nearly 8,000 volunteers to serve as "unarmed civilian protectors" in far-off hotspots. (NP volunteers are currently active on the ground in Iraq, Myanmar, South Sudan and the Philippines.) 

Hartsough’s story demonstrates the persuasive power of organized nonviolent action. But Waging Peace is more than one man’s memoir. Hartsough shows how nonviolent strategies are being employed all over the world by growing numbers of ordinary people committed to extinguishing the flames of violence and war. 

The broadcast birthday party was special this year since Hartsough has been diagnosed with a bone marrow cancer and chronic leukemia. His extended on-line family of activists repeatedly praised Hartsough for his "relentless persistence" in confronting political violence and predicted he would also be successful in battling (make that "nonviolently resisting") cancer. 

The celebration took the shape of a Sing-a-long that included no fewer than 25 tunes ranging from civil rights anthems and protest ballads to classic Broadway show-tunes. 

After one of the event's many talented musicians completed a stirring rendition of "The Rose," Hartsough and his wife Jan re-appeared onscreen holding a handful of roses they had just plucked from the family garden. The sing-along ended with a rousing chorus of "We Shall Overcome." 

Hundreds of Hartsough's friends and admirers gathered for a memorable dive in the Zoom pool and many of them shared memories of meeting Hartsough in peace actions on nearly every continent. Many of those sharing memories had become life-long friends after meeting Hartsough in college, in high school, in grade school and even in elementary school. 

One of the many well-wishers to log into the Happy Zoomday event was local peace hero Daniel Ellsberg. Noting that Ellsberg's screen was blank, the moderator asked if he could activate his video. 

Ellsberg explained that he had intentionally left his screen blank since he was experiencing a bout of Bell's palsy—a short-term disorder that causes a drooping or swelling of one side of the face. The condition usually passes after a week or so. 

"I look like Dick Cheney!" Ellsberg complained, referencing George W's Vice-Presidential mastermind (or "master," for short). Dick "Darth Vader" Cheney was known for his trademark lop-sided sneer. 

One of the online party-goers interpolated the reassuring news that "Amy Goodman once had a bout of Bell's palsy." 

"Yeah," Ellsberg replied, "but when she looked in a mirror she didn't see Dick Cheney!" 

For updated information on David Hartsough's journey to recovery, you can visit this site at CaringBridge. 

Ellsberg's Actions Inspire a Mass Response 

And, speaking of Dan Ellsberg: To commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the release of the Pentagon Papers (on July 13, 1971), the University of Massachusetts and The GroundTruth Project recently collaborated on a three-day conference dedicated to Truth, Dissent, & the Legacy of Daniel Ellsberg. 

The conference marked the debut of The Ellsberg Archive Project, a project of UMass' Special Collections & University Archives program. 

In addition to a keynote speech by Daniel Ellsberg, topics addressed during the conference included:
• Why Nuclear Weapons Remain an Existential Threat and What to Do About It
• The American War in Vietnam and Why It Still Matters
• Antiwar Movements Then and Now
• The Pentagon Papers and Watergate
• Whistleblowers: Plenary Panel with Daniel Ellsberg and Edward Snowden
• Lessons and Legacies in an Age of Endless War 

More than 5,700 people registered for the online event and the conference videos have already been viewed more than 14,000 times on the Ellsberg Archive Project website. (UMass is also inviting visitors to check out the GroundTruth Project’s new podcast, The Whistleblower.) 

 

NATO to the Rescue? 

The UK and France have been facing off in a worrisome naval dust-up in the English Channel as part of a long-simmering dispute involving post-Brexit fishing rights in these shared waters. The British Navy dispatched two vessels to the waters off the island of Jersey and France retaliated by deploying two maritime patrol boats. 

The founding principle of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is that, if any NATO members is attacked, the US is required to come to the assistance of that country. This raises a vexing question. As World BEYOND War founder David Swanson asked during a May 6 webinar: "Does this mean the US now has to attack both France and Britain?" 

The Military Industrial Complex Has Grown More Complex 

Ray McGovern is not your average anti-war campaigner. McGovern is a former Army intelligence officer who worked inside the CIA for 27 years and delivered Daily Presidential Briefs before returning his coveted Intelligence Commendation Medal to protest the CIA's role in torturing foreign captives. In 2003, he co-founded Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity. 

McGovern no longer believes that the US is a democracy. Instead, he warns that the country's economic programs and foreign policy are controlled by a powerful authoritarian elite. And it's no longer just the Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) that President Eisenhower warned us against. These days, as McGovern likes to spell out, we have to deal with the MICIMATTC—"the Military-Industrial-Congressional-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank Complex." 

What the Pope Said 

On September 24, 2015, Pope Francis made a historic appearance before the US Congress and offered a fundamental criticism of US foreign policy that somehow failed to make the evening news or the morning papers. Pope Francis had spoken the unspeakable: he condemned America's Military-Industrial Complex and the "many powerful people [who] don't want peace because they live off war." 

“Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade." 

At the time Francis spoke, the US weapons industry had pulled in more than $23.7 billion in weapons sales to nearly 100 different countries. Congressmembers applauded the Pope politely but there was no congressional debate about America's debased role in promoting war for riches. Why? Because in 2014, "defense industry" lobbyists spent more than $150 million on lobbying and direct contributions to the political campaigns of war-friendly politicians. 

In an earlier conversation with a group of Italian primary schoolchildren in May 2015, the Pope had this to say about what he called "the industry of death": 

"Some powerful people make their living with the production of arms and sell them to one country for them to use against another country. The economic system orbits around money and not men, women. … So war is waged in order to defend money. This is why some people don’t want peace: They make more money from war, although wars make money but lose lives, health, education.” 

Seven of the world's ten largest weapons dealers are US companies. The top two are Lockheed Martin and Boeing, followed by Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, United Technologies, and L-3 Communications. 

 

Letter Literacy 

There is one letter of the English alphabet that doesn't own a proper name. That single, forlorn letter is "w." 

Apparently a late-comer to the alphabet, W bears the name of its nearby neighbor U. But why is W called "double-U"? Why isn't it called "double-V"? 

Why isn't it simply called "wuh"? Did someone fear "wuh" might be confused with "Y"? But "wuh" and "wi" are just as distinguishable as A and I—i.e., "ay" and "eye." 

According to All-knowing Google, the Roman alphabet lacked a letter W. And, apparently, no one needed a W until the Anglo-Saxons came along in the 7^th Century AD. Since the letter "v" had not yet been invented (and would have had the wrong sound when if finally did arrive), two "U"s were joined at the hip to represent the "wuh" sound. 

In the 8^th Century, the "uu" was retired in favor of a Runic letter known as "wyn." This wyn-wyn situation lasted until the 11^th Century, when the Normans conjoined the "uu" into a single letter—our modern-day "double-u." 

Read the Not-Feeling-So-Fine Print 

Have you every glanced at a one-page pharmaceutical ad in a magazine and then paused to read the small print that follows in the next 2-4 pages? 

I haven't kept score but, I swear, in most cases I discover the potential symptoms of the featured drug somehow always manage to include the same conditions the drug is supposed to cure. 

Take Spravato (esketoamine), for example. (Or, considering the side-effects, don't take Spravato.) 

Spavato, a product of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is a nasal-spray that is introduced as "a different choice" to deal with "treatment-resistant depression." 

So what are the possible downsides of sniffing a strong dose of Spavato? The more prominent symptoms listed include: "worsening depression, thoughts about suicide or dying, suicide attempts." 

Other common warnings point to increased blood pressure, vomiting, feeling drunk, disconnected, sleepy, and dizzy. On the plus side, the small print warned a dose of Spravato just might leave you "feeling very happy or excited." (A sign that the drug also is addictive.) 

In fact (according to the small print), this anti-depressant is so addictive the "your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking PRAVATO®." 

But don't blame Spravato. The warnings make the startling admission that, as a general rule, "Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger." 

Worth Noting:

Fire season is here with the first Red Flag Warning from 11 pm Friday until 6 am Monday

Monday - The Agenda and Rules Committee on Monday at 2:30 pm takes up two pages of space. The proposed new commission chart was inserted to make Item 37 easier to read.

Tuesday – Regular City Council meeting at 6 pm has only two action items. Item 29 under ACTION is the Audit of Berkeley Police Response.

Wednesday – Special Transportation meeting at 6 pm on the California/Dwight intersection. The Parks and Waterfront Commission is at 7 pm. The potential fitness court at Cesar Chavez Park that was previously rejected by Parks Commissioners is back again.

Thursday – The Reimagining Public Safety Task Force meets at 6 pm. The Police Review Commission is meeting Thursday at 7 pm not Wednesday.

There are still spots left for the free Virtual Screening of the Rights of Nature Film Invisible Hand and the Q&A with the Directors at 6 pm May 23. Email hammargrenkelly@gmail.com to register for the film and Q&A. Simon Bramwell one of six Extinction Rebellion activists acquitted April 15 in London stated it was wrong that companies and rights and nature didn’t.

If you have a meeting you would like included in the summary of meetings, please send a notice to kellyhammargren@gmail.com by noon on the Friday of the preceding week. 

Sunday, May 9, 2021 - Mother’s Day 

Monday, May 10, 2021 

Agenda and Rules Committee at 2:30 pm, 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89116593118 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 891 1659 3118 

AGENDA: Agenda planning for May 25, CONSENT: 1. Resolution and Ratifying COVID-19 Local Emergency, 2. Minutes for approval, 3. Assessments: Berkeley Tourism Business Improvement District FY22, 4. Assessment: Berkeley Property Owners Business Improvement District - Downtown FY22 & Authorize contract with Downtown Business Association (DBA) $7,285,257 for 7/1/2021-12/31/2026, 5. Assessment: North Shattuck Business Improvement District FY22, 6. Assessment: Telegraph Business Improvement District, 7. Formal Bid Solicitations $250,000, 8. Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Oakland for National Urban Search and Rescue Response System acting through FEMA, Sate and Local governments, 9. Contract $100,000 with Multicultural Institute for COVID-19 Outreach and Health Education Activities 6/1/2021-6/30/2022 outreach to Latinx, particularly day laborer and domestic workers, 10. Revenue Grant Funding Support from Steate of CA Board of State and Community Corrections Proposition 64 Public Health related to Marijuana Act, $1,000,000 5/1/2021-4/30/2024, 11. Revenue Grant Funding Support State of CA Public Health Services, 1-CHDP $353,395, 2-MCAH $332,000, 3-Tobacco $300,000, 4. Immunizations $42,204, 5-Public Heal Emergency Preparedness $257,000, 12. Accept Donation from CA Office of Emergency Services $9,000, 13. Protiviti Government Services: GSA Vehicle for Professional Services, GS-35F-0280X $137,000, 14. Grant Application Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) $42,000, 15. P.O. $206,180 with Altec Industries, Inc for One (1) Aerial Bucket Truck, 16. P.O. $245,000 with Braun Northwest for One (1) 2021 North Star 155-1 Type 1 Ambulance, 17. P.O. $206,200 with Cal-Line Equipment Inc for three(3) Bandit 250XP Brush Chippers, 18. P.O. $866,000 with Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc. for one (1)Pierce Quantum 1500 GPM Pumper, 19. Contract add $50,000 total $100,000 with Stanley Access Technologies for On-call and Emergency Repair Service for Automatic Doors, 20. Declaration of Intent – FY22 Street Lighting Assessments, 21. Fund Allocation request to MTC $450,000Transportation Development Act Article 3, 22. Agreement with AC Transit for Operation and Maintenance of transit Signal Priority Equipment deployed by Rapid Corridors Project, 23. Surplus Lands Act AB 1255 requires jurisdictions to compile and report annually an inventory of surplus lands to CA Dept of Housing and Community Development, 24. Lease Agreement: 2010 Addison/Center St Garage with Lexie’s Frozen Custard, 25. Appointment Monica Renee Jones to Mental Health Commission, 26. Authorization for Police Review Commission to conduct online poll, 27. Arreguin-Support AB 1177 CA Banking Options Act (zero fee, zero penalty financial services would eliminate exploitative alternatives such check cashing and pre-paid debit cards), 28. Taplin-Budget Referral Sixth St Traffic Calming 1. Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons at Sixth and Channing, 2. Median refuge, 29. Wengraf cosponsors Arreguin, Hahn, Taplin Holocaust Remembrance Day, 30. Wengraf-Budget Referral Traffic Calming increase funding by $100,000 to $200,000, 31. Droste-cosponsors Arreguin, Robinson, Bartlett Budget Referral Willard Park Ambassador, ACTION: 32. FY22 proposed budget hearing #1, final adoption June 29, 33. Public Hearing Environmental Division Fee Schedule adding microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs) proposed $510 for permit and inspection, 34. Public Hearing Recreation and Camps fee increases, 35. a. Grant Allocation Recommendation for Programs from Sugar Sweetened Beverage Panel of Experts (SSBPE), b. CM approve SSBPE recommendations 1-13 (not 14 & 15) and uphold previously Public Health allocation $339,374. 36.a. Hahn Amend Berkeley Election Reform Act (BERA) to Regulate officeholder accounts, b. Fair Campaign Practices Commission 1-prohibit or regulate officeholder accounts, 37. Droste-cosponsors Kesarwani Robinson, Commission Reorganization for Post-COVID19 Budget Recovery Refer to the CM and City Attorney to bring back changes to the enabling legislation phased approach Phase 1: prioritize merging Homeless Commission & Homeless Services Panel of Experts and merging Housing Advisory Commission & Measure O Bond Oversight Committee, Phase 2: see chart 

Additional considerations Staff to bring forward recommendations on consolidations one by one, CM and commissions to consider federal state or other mandates that might be impacted, what elements to keep, update or retire, relevant topics/issues, number of commissioners, qualifications, standing committees, volunteer workload and capacity.  

Existing Commission	New Commission Name (suggested)
Commission on Climate and the Environment  (18 members)	Zero Waste, Energy, Community Environmental Advisory, and Animal Care
Parks, Recreation, Waterfront (special Marina subcommittee)	Children, Youth, and Recreation and Parks and Waterfront
Peace, Justice, and Human Welfare  (mayor and council appointees only eliminates representatives of the poor)	Peace and Justice Commission and Human Welfare and Community Action Commission
Public Health Commission & Sugar Sweetened Beverage Panel of Experts	Community Health Commission and Sugar Sweetened Beverage Panel of Experts
Housing Advisory Commission  (Phase 1 priority consolidation)	Measure O and Housing Advisory Commission
Homeless Services Panel of Experts  (Phase 1 priority consolidation)	Homeless Commission and Measure P Homeless Services Panel of Experts
Public Works and Transportation	Public Works and Transportation
Planning	Planning and Cannabis
All other commissions will maintain their current structure: Aging, Library Board of Trustees, Civic Arts, Disability, Commission on the Status of Women, Design Review Committee, Disaster and Fire Safety, BIDs, Fair Campaign Practices and Open Government, Redistricting, Landmarks Preservation, Labor, Loan Adjustments Board, Personnel, Planning, Police Review/Accountability, Reimagining Public Safety, Mental Health, Zoning Adjustments Board, and Youth

38. Hahn-COVID Economic Recovery-Expanding Local Purchasing Preferences to Rebuild the City’s Local Economy Tax Base, 39. Wengraf-Amend BMC14.72.105 allow broader range of community facilities to be eligible for parking permits. INFORMATION: 40. Mental Health Work Plan, CONSENT: REFERRED ITEMS for REVIEW: 8. Discussion Regarding Impact of COVID-19 on Meetings, UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: 9. Strengthening and Supporting Commissions, Unfinished Business for Scheduling: 1. Kitchen Exhaust Hood Ventilation, 2. Surveillance Technology, 3. Objective Standards Recommendations for Density, Design and Shadows. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/Policy_Committee__Agenda___Rules.aspx 

Youth Commission at 5 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/97392842150 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 973 9284 2150 

AGENDA: 5. Public Comment, Chair announcements, Director’s Report, 8. City of Berkeley Teen Vaccination Campaign, 9. Election Chair, 10. Introductions, 11. Discussion Trigger Warnings, 12-14 Appointments to subcommittees, 18. Vice Mayor Lori Droste. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Youth_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Tuesday, May 11 2021 

City Council Regular Meeting at 6 pm, 

Email comments to council@cityofberkeley.info 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84138848278 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 841 3884 8278 

AGENDA CONSENT: 1. 2^nd reading Ordinance Regulating Police acquisition and Use of Controlled Equipment, 2. FY2021 Annual Appropriations $76,221,382 (gross) $51,227,368 (net), 3. Formal Bid Solicitations $1,800,000 ($1,100,000 Dock O&K Electrical upgrade, $700,000 Community partnerships COVID-19 testing, quarantine and vaccine), 4. Contract $300,000 7/1/2021-6/30/2022 with The Wright Institute for Mental Health Counseling for older adults, 5. Add $146,304 total $355,822 thru 6/30/2022 with Pacific Site Management for Landscaping services, 6. Add $245,000 total $637,778 thru 6/30/2021 (to be carried over to FY 2022 and then encumbered) with BUSD to provide Mental Health Services Act funded programs, 7. Add $55,000 total $90,000 thru 6/1/2021-6-30/2022 with GoGoGrandparent Technologies for Transportation Services for Senior and the Disabled, 8. Revenue Grant application funding from Alameda Co. for Public Health Services FY2022 ($93,187 Foster Care, $178,778 Berkeley High & Berkeley Tech, $193,175 school linked Measure A, $76,290 Tobacco Prevention), 9. Revenue Grant application to Essential Access Health for $180,000 for public health promotion, 10. Salary Resolution SEIU 1021 Accountant II hourly range $45.6375-$54.1916, 11. Add $209,980 total $614,980 extend term 5/14/2021- 6/30/2024, 12. Mills contract 1 Orchard Lane, 13. Mills contract 1581 LeRoy Ave, 14. Amend 1956 Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans – transfer two portions of City’s right of way on Gilman to Caltrans, 15. Arreguin co-sponsors Droste, Bartlett, Robinson – Support AB 550 Speed Safety cameras and request Berkeley be included as one of the pilot cities, 16. Arreguin co-sponsors Wengraf, Hahn, Kesarwani- AB 43 Safe Streets gives cities flexibility in reducing speed limits, 17. Arreguin co-sponsor Kesarwani – Support AB 629 require MTC to designate transit priority corridors and create pilot of multi-operator transit fare passes, 18. Arreguin - Amending COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance Relating to Commercial Leases, 19. Arreguin – Resolution committing to the C40 race to Zero www.citiesracetozero.org Berkeley to be carbon neutral/net zero by 2045 – global warming was 0.8°C in 2018 and ≈1.2°C in 2020 major action needed worldwide to stay at or below global warming of 1.5°C, 20. Taplin - Proclaim May 2021 as Mental Health Month, 21. Taplin co-sponsor Hahn – Resolution in support of Green New Deal for Cities 2021, 22. Taplin – Budget Referral Traffic Calming at Ashby & California, Sacramento & Channing, Cedar & 9th, 6^th & Channing, Sacramento & Russell, Channing & San Pablo, 23. Harrison co-sponsor Hahn – Support Roadmap Home 2030 Plan (Home 2030 funders include Chan Zuckerberg Initiative), 24. Hahn, co-sponsors- Harrison, Arreguin – Support AB 1289 Smart Climate Agriculture and AB 558 CA School Plant-based Food and Beverage Program, 25. Wengraf, co-sponsors Kesarwani, Harrison – Support SB-15 rezone idle retail sites to allow for affordable housing, 26. Robinson cosponsors Hahn, Wengraf Support Senator Warren’s Student Loan Debt Relief, 27. Robinson co-sponsors Bartlett, Droste, Arreguin – Support AB 1238 & AB 122 repeal jaywalking laws and bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, ACTION: 28. Published charges: Mental Health Clinical Services, 29. Audit Report: Data Analysis of City of Berkeley’s Police Response, INFORMATION: 30. Energy Commission Work Plan, 31. Streets Audit Wins National Recognition. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Agenda_Index.aspx 

Wednesday, May 12 2021 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board at 10 – 11:30 am 

Requires pre-registration use link 

AGENDA: Rent Board Registration 101, Registering Your Rental Property. 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/ 

Homeless Commission at 7 – 9 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96645301465 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 966 4530 1465 

AGENDA: 2. Public Comment, 5. Updates, 6. Discussion of Possible Homeless Ombudsman Position, 7. Accessibility Update at Pathways, 8. Update Homeless Panel of Experts Recommendations for Measure P Spending. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Homeless_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Housing Advisory Commission Special meeting at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96267647237 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 962 6764 7237 

AGENDA: 3. Public Comment, 6. Discussion and Action on West Berkeley Service Center’s Application for COB Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Housing_Advisory_Commission/ 

Parks and Waterfront Commission at 7 – 9 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96974512296 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 969 7451 2296 

AGENDA: 5. Public Comment, 6. Chair’s Report, Director’s Report, 8. Presentation: Annual Western Monarch Butterfly Monitoring at Aquatic Park, 9. Discussion/Action potential fitness at Cesar Chavez Park, 10. PRW/Operation Budget, 11. Update on Proposed Ferry/Pier Project & BMASP, 12. Refuse Service Parks/Marina 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Parks_and_Waterfront_Commission.aspx 

Dwight Way/California Street Intersection Project at 6 pm 

Zoom and links will be posted on city website on May 12,  

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/californiadwight/ 

Agenda: Project features on webpage 

Thursday, May 13, 2021 

City Council Closed Session at 3 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89118687489 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 891 1868 7489 

AGENDA: 1. Conference with Labor Negotiators for IBEW, Local 1245, SEIU 1021 Community Services and Part-time Recreation Activity Leaders, Berkeley Fire Fighters Local 1227, Berkeley Police Association, SEIU 1021 Maintenance and Clerical Chapters, Berkeley Fire Chiefs Association Public Employees Local 1. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Agenda_Index.aspx 

Police Review Commission at 7 – 10 pm, (note meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 13) 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87070468124 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 870 7046 8124 

AGENDA: 3. Public Comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 5. Chair Report, 6. PRC Officer Report, 7. Police Chief report, 8. Subcommittee reports, 9. a. Consider draft Policy 606, Warrant Service, b. Review BPD issues implementing Policy 300 Use of Force, c. Whether participate in scenario-based use-of-force training, d. Whether commissioners may be allowed to observe police officers being trained in use, e. Update transition to Police Accountability Board and Director of Police Accountability, 10.a. Consider making recommendations to new Board for handling complaints, b. Discuss vaccination status sworn officers, c. Lexipol policies: 324-Media Policies, 403-Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity and Investigation, 804-Records Maintenance and Release. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Police_Review_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Zoning Adjustment Board at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/98029164696 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 980 2916 4696 

AGENDA: 2. 1730 Blake – on consent– construct one 3-story, single family dwelling average and maximum height 33 ft, zoning R-2 - 2^nd house on parcel 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/zoningadjustmentsboard/ 

Reimagining Public Safety Task Force at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81983354907 (this link was created using the meeting ID, the zoom link posted with the agenda is expired, look for a corrected zoom link in agenda after Monday. Expect it to be the same as the one here created using the meeting ID) 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 819 8335 4907 

AGENDA: 2. Public Comment, Discussion/Action: Police Dept Overview #2 (Interim Chief Jennifer Lewis), Specialized Care Unit (Dr. Lisa Warhuus), Community Survey (NICJR), Community Engagement (NICJR), Subcommittee Reports: Policing, Budget & Alternatives to Policing (Opton, Ghosh, Cheema, Dangerfield, Lindheim, Mizell, Harger, Hyde) Cummunity Engagement (Fine, Harger, Malvido, Lutzker, Ejigu, Blake) 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/RIPST.aspx 

AC Transit Talks, 6 pm – 7:30 pm 

Use website for all links: https://www.actransit.org/talks 

AGENDA: Purpose of meetings to provide community updates on bus service, health and safety and communicate with Board Directors Jovanka Beckles for Richmond/North Richmond/San Pablo/Albany/Berkeley/Kensington/El Sorbrante 

Friday, May 14, 2021 

Reduced Service Day 

Saturday, May 15, 2021 & Sunday, May 16, 2021 

No City meetings or events found 

_____________________ 

Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals 

2421 Fifth Street (construct two residential buildings) 6/1/2021 

1205 Peralta (conversion of garage) TBD 

2943 Pine (construct a 2^nd story) TBD 

Notice of Decision (NOD) and Use Permits with End of Appeal Period 

3107 Deakin 5/18/2021 

1733 Fourth (Convert retail space to auto sales) 5/19/2021 

1733 Fourth (alterations to building) 5/13/2021 

2110 Haste 5/10/2021 

1231 Ordway 5/19/2021 

1913 San Antonio 5/19/2021 

1633 Sixth 5/12/2021 

2411 Sixth 5/25/2021 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications_in_Appeal_Period.aspx 

LINK to Current Zoning Applications https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications.aspx 

___________________ 

WORKSESSIONS 

May 18 – 1. Systems Realignment 2. Affordable Housing Policy Reform (tentative) 

July 20 – 1. Bayer Development Agreement (tentative), 2. Measure FF/Fire Prevention 

September 21 – 1. Housing Element (RHNA) 

Unscheduled Workshops/Presentations 

Cannabis Health Considerations 

Berkeley Police Department Hiring Practices (referred by Public Safety Committee) 

Update Zero Waste Priorities 

Civic Arts Grantmaking Process & Capital Grant Program 

Review and Update on City’s COVID-19 Response 

This meeting list is also posted on the Sustainable Berkeley Coalition website. 

http://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet under activist’s calendar http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com 

If you or someone you know wishes to receive the weekly summary as soon as it is completed, email kellyhammargren@gmail.com to be added to the early email list. 

If you wish to stop receiving the Weekly Summary of City Meetings please 

forward the weekly summary you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com 

***************************** 

Free Virtual Screening of the Rights of Nature film  

Invisible Hand 

and Q&A with the directors 

sponsored by Sustainable Berkeley Coalition and Berkeley Citizens Action  

 

Register at 

https://www.invisiblehandfilm.com/berkeley-give-nature-a-chance/ 

via email to hammargrenkelly@gmail.com 

early registration is recommended 

the free virtual screening and Q&A is limited to 100 participants 

If you have any questions contact Kelly Hammargren at hammargrenkelly@gmail.com 

 

Q&A with the directors: 6 pm, Sunday, May 23. 

The 85 minute documentary film is available for viewing from  

4:00 pm PDT Saturday, May 22 to Sunday, May 23, 6 pm PDT 

Audiences have said INVISIBLE HAND is a “game changing” story about Rights of Nature and global battle between capitalism and democracy. Last Born in the Wilderness host Patrick Farnsworth has called the film “really, really beautiful” and “incredibly moving.” 

“We are honored to receive these awards for documenting the Rights of Nature story,” said Pribanic. “This is a turning point in the story of our culture, where the Indigenous legacy that once protected this land can resurface to take on capitalism and defend Nature’s rights.” 

What this documentary is offering is a way forward through Rights of Nature. You hear time and time again that a corporation has the rights of a person. The idea that Nature has no rights whatsoever is absurd,” ~ Mark Ruffalo

The Rights of Nature in Berkeley  

The Resolution to Recognize the Rights of Nature is submitted by Councilmember Cheryl Davila for consideration by the Berkeley City Council at the October 27, 2020 City Council regular meeting.  

On October 13, 2020, the Berkeley City Council Agenda and Policy Committee removed Recognize the Rights of Nature from the proposed October 27, 2020 City Council agenda and referred the item to the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Sustainability Policy Committee (FITES).  

On March 3, 2021 FITES voted to forward the Rights of Nature to the full City Council with a qualified positive recommendation the final resolved clause of the draft resolution to place obligation on the City not the residents.  

On March 15 at the Agenda and Rules Policy Committee Mayor Arreguin said he was opposed to recognizing the rights of nature. 

The item was left on the council agenda for March 30.  

At the March 30 council meeting Mayor Arreguin said he supported the Rights of Nature and recommended moving the item to the consent calendar as a referral to the Peace and Justice Commission.  

At the same meeting after the consent vote approving the referral, the City Manager stated the Peace and Justice Commission would not be meeting because staff supporting the Peace and Justice Commission had been reassigned to support the EOC (Emergency Operation Center) for the COVID-19 emergency. 

Rights of Nature, legislative examples, history, timeline, documents and references,  

https://www.invisiblehandfilm.com/what-are-rights-of-nature/ 

Worth Noting: 

Fire season is here with the first Red Flag Warning from 11 pm Friday until 6 am Monday 

Monday - The Agenda and Rules Committee on Monday at 2:30 pm takes up two pages of space. The proposed new commission chart was inserted to make Item 37 easier to read. 

Tuesday – Regular City Council meeting at 6 pm has only two action items. Item 29 under ACTION is the Audit of Berkeley Police Response. 

Wednesday – Special Transportation meeting at 6 pm on the California/Dwight intersection. The Parks and Waterfront Commission is at 7 pm. The potential fitness court at Cesar Chavez Park that was previously rejected by Parks Commissioners is back again. 

Thursday – The Reimagining Public Safety Task Force meets at 6 pm. The Police Review Commission is meeting Thursday at 7 pm not Wednesday. 

There are still spots left for the free Virtual Screening of the Rights of Nature Film Invisible Hand and the Q&A with the Directors at 6 pm May 23. Email hammargrenkelly@gmail.com to register for the film and Q&A. Simon Bramwell one of six Extinction Rebellion activists acquitted April 15 in London stated it was wrong that companies and rights and nature didn’t. 

If you have a meeting you would like included in the summary of meetings, please send a notice to kellyhammargren@gmail.com by noon on the Friday of the preceding week. 

Sunday, May 9, 2021 - Mother’s Day 

Monday, May 10, 2021 

Agenda and Rules Committee at 2:30 pm, 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89116593118 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 891 1659 3118 

AGENDA: Agenda planning for May 25, CONSENT: 1. Resolution and Ratifying COVID-19 Local Emergency, 2. Minutes for approval, 3. Assessments: Berkeley Tourism Business Improvement District FY22, 4. Assessment: Berkeley Property Owners Business Improvement District - Downtown FY22 & Authorize contract with Downtown Business Association (DBA) $7,285,257 for 7/1/2021-12/31/2026, 5. Assessment: North Shattuck Business Improvement District FY22, 6. Assessment: Telegraph Business Improvement District, 7. Formal Bid Solicitations $250,000, 8. Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Oakland for National Urban Search and Rescue Response System acting through FEMA, Sate and Local governments, 9. Contract $100,000 with Multicultural Institute for COVID-19 Outreach and Health Education Activities 6/1/2021-6/30/2022 outreach to Latinx, particularly day laborer and domestic workers, 10. Revenue Grant Funding Support from Steate of CA Board of State and Community Corrections Proposition 64 Public Health related to Marijuana Act, $1,000,000 5/1/2021-4/30/2024, 11. Revenue Grant Funding Support State of CA Public Health Services, 1-CHDP $353,395, 2-MCAH $332,000, 3-Tobacco $300,000, 4. Immunizations $42,204, 5-Public Heal Emergency Preparedness $257,000, 12. Accept Donation from CA Office of Emergency Services $9,000, 13. Protiviti Government Services: GSA Vehicle for Professional Services, GS-35F-0280X $137,000, 14. Grant Application Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) $42,000, 15. P.O. $206,180 with Altec Industries, Inc for One (1) Aerial Bucket Truck, 16. P.O. $245,000 with Braun Northwest for One (1) 2021 North Star 155-1 Type 1 Ambulance, 17. P.O. $206,200 with Cal-Line Equipment Inc for three(3) Bandit 250XP Brush Chippers, 18. P.O. $866,000 with Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc. for one (1)Pierce Quantum 1500 GPM Pumper, 19. Contract add $50,000 total $100,000 with Stanley Access Technologies for On-call and Emergency Repair Service for Automatic Doors, 20. Declaration of Intent – FY22 Street Lighting Assessments, 21. Fund Allocation request to MTC $450,000Transportation Development Act Article 3, 22. Agreement with AC Transit for Operation and Maintenance of transit Signal Priority Equipment deployed by Rapid Corridors Project, 23. Surplus Lands Act AB 1255 requires jurisdictions to compile and report annually an inventory of surplus lands to CA Dept of Housing and Community Development, 24. Lease Agreement: 2010 Addison/Center St Garage with Lexie’s Frozen Custard, 25. Appointment Monica Renee Jones to Mental Health Commission, 26. Authorization for Police Review Commission to conduct online poll, 27. Arreguin-Support AB 1177 CA Banking Options Act (zero fee, zero penalty financial services would eliminate exploitative alternatives such check cashing and pre-paid debit cards), 28. Taplin-Budget Referral Sixth St Traffic Calming 1. Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons at Sixth and Channing, 2. Median refuge, 29. Wengraf cosponsors Arreguin, Hahn, Taplin Holocaust Remembrance Day, 30. Wengraf-Budget Referral Traffic Calming increase funding by $100,000 to $200,000, 31. Droste-cosponsors Arreguin, Robinson, Bartlett Budget Referral Willard Park Ambassador, ACTION: 32. FY22 proposed budget hearing #1, final adoption June 29, 33. Public Hearing Environmental Division Fee Schedule adding microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs) proposed $510 for permit and inspection, 34. Public Hearing Recreation and Camps fee increases, 35. a. Grant Allocation Recommendation for Programs from Sugar Sweetened Beverage Panel of Experts (SSBPE), b. CM approve SSBPE recommendations 1-13 (not 14 & 15) and uphold previously Public Health allocation $339,374. 36.a. Hahn Amend Berkeley Election Reform Act (BERA) to Regulate officeholder accounts, b. Fair Campaign Practices Commission 1-prohibit or regulate officeholder accounts, 37. Droste-cosponsors Kesarwani Robinson, Commission Reorganization for Post-COVID19 Budget Recovery Refer to the CM and City Attorney to bring back changes to the enabling legislation phased approach Phase 1: prioritize merging Homeless Commission & Homeless Services Panel of Experts and merging Housing Advisory Commission & Measure O Bond Oversight Committee, Phase 2: see chart 

Additional considerations Staff to bring forward recommendations on consolidations one by one, CM and commissions to consider federal state or other mandates that might be impacted, what elements to keep, update or retire, relevant topics/issues, number of commissioners, qualifications, standing committees, volunteer workload and capacity.  

Existing Commission	New Commission Name (suggested)
Commission on Climate and the Environment  (18 members)	Zero Waste, Energy, Community Environmental Advisory, and Animal Care
Parks, Recreation, Waterfront (special Marina subcommittee)	Children, Youth, and Recreation and Parks and Waterfront
Peace, Justice, and Human Welfare  (mayor and council appointees only eliminates representatives of the poor)	Peace and Justice Commission and Human Welfare and Community Action Commission
Public Health Commission & Sugar Sweetened Beverage Panel of Experts	Community Health Commission and Sugar Sweetened Beverage Panel of Experts
Housing Advisory Commission  (Phase 1 priority consolidation)	Measure O and Housing Advisory Commission
Homeless Services Panel of Experts  (Phase 1 priority consolidation)	Homeless Commission and Measure P Homeless Services Panel of Experts
Public Works and Transportation	Public Works and Transportation
Planning	Planning and Cannabis
All other commissions will maintain their current structure: Aging, Library Board of Trustees, Civic Arts, Disability, Commission on the Status of Women, Design Review Committee, Disaster and Fire Safety, BIDs, Fair Campaign Practices and Open Government, Redistricting, Landmarks Preservation, Labor, Loan Adjustments Board, Personnel, Planning, Police Review/Accountability, Reimagining Public Safety, Mental Health, Zoning Adjustments Board, and Youth

38. Hahn-COVID Economic Recovery-Expanding Local Purchasing Preferences to Rebuild the City’s Local Economy Tax Base, 39. Wengraf-Amend BMC14.72.105 allow broader range of community facilities to be eligible for parking permits. INFORMATION: 40. Mental Health Work Plan, CONSENT: REFERRED ITEMS for REVIEW: 8. Discussion Regarding Impact of COVID-19 on Meetings, UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: 9. Strengthening and Supporting Commissions, Unfinished Business for Scheduling: 1. Kitchen Exhaust Hood Ventilation, 2. Surveillance Technology, 3. Objective Standards Recommendations for Density, Design and Shadows. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/Policy_Committee__Agenda___Rules.aspx 

Youth Commission at 5 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/97392842150 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 973 9284 2150 

AGENDA: 5. Public Comment, Chair announcements, Director’s Report, 8. City of Berkeley Teen Vaccination Campaign, 9. Election Chair, 10. Introductions, 11. Discussion Trigger Warnings, 12-14 Appointments to subcommittees, 18. Vice Mayor Lori Droste. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Youth_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Tuesday, May 11 2021 

City Council Regular Meeting at 6 pm, 

Email comments to council@cityofberkeley.info 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84138848278 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 841 3884 8278 

AGENDA CONSENT: 1. 2^nd reading Ordinance Regulating Police acquisition and Use of Controlled Equipment, 2. FY2021 Annual Appropriations $76,221,382 (gross) $51,227,368 (net), 3. Formal Bid Solicitations $1,800,000 ($1,100,000 Dock O&K Electrical upgrade, $700,000 Community partnerships COVID-19 testing, quarantine and vaccine), 4. Contract $300,000 7/1/2021-6/30/2022 with The Wright Institute for Mental Health Counseling for older adults, 5. Add $146,304 total $355,822 thru 6/30/2022 with Pacific Site Management for Landscaping services, 6. Add $245,000 total $637,778 thru 6/30/2021 (to be carried over to FY 2022 and then encumbered) with BUSD to provide Mental Health Services Act funded programs, 7. Add $55,000 total $90,000 thru 6/1/2021-6-30/2022 with GoGoGrandparent Technologies for Transportation Services for Senior and the Disabled, 8. Revenue Grant application funding from Alameda Co. for Public Health Services FY2022 ($93,187 Foster Care, $178,778 Berkeley High & Berkeley Tech, $193,175 school linked Measure A, $76,290 Tobacco Prevention), 9. Revenue Grant application to Essential Access Health for $180,000 for public health promotion, 10. Salary Resolution SEIU 1021 Accountant II hourly range $45.6375-$54.1916, 11. Add $209,980 total $614,980 extend term 5/14/2021- 6/30/2024, 12. Mills contract 1 Orchard Lane, 13. Mills contract 1581 LeRoy Ave, 14. Amend 1956 Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans – transfer two portions of City’s right of way on Gilman to Caltrans, 15. Arreguin co-sponsors Droste, Bartlett, Robinson – Support AB 550 Speed Safety cameras and request Berkeley be included as one of the pilot cities, 16. Arreguin co-sponsors Wengraf, Hahn, Kesarwani- AB 43 Safe Streets gives cities flexibility in reducing speed limits, 17. Arreguin co-sponsor Kesarwani – Support AB 629 require MTC to designate transit priority corridors and create pilot of multi-operator transit fare passes, 18. Arreguin - Amending COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance Relating to Commercial Leases, 19. Arreguin – Resolution committing to the C40 race to Zero www.citiesracetozero.org Berkeley to be carbon neutral/net zero by 2045 – global warming was 0.8°C in 2018 and ≈1.2°C in 2020 major action needed worldwide to stay at or below global warming of 1.5°C, 20. Taplin - Proclaim May 2021 as Mental Health Month, 21. Taplin co-sponsor Hahn – Resolution in support of Green New Deal for Cities 2021, 22. Taplin – Budget Referral Traffic Calming at Ashby & California, Sacramento & Channing, Cedar & 9th, 6^th & Channing, Sacramento & Russell, Channing & San Pablo, 23. Harrison co-sponsor Hahn – Support Roadmap Home 2030 Plan (Home 2030 funders include Chan Zuckerberg Initiative), 24. Hahn, co-sponsors- Harrison, Arreguin – Support AB 1289 Smart Climate Agriculture and AB 558 CA School Plant-based Food and Beverage Program, 25. Wengraf, co-sponsors Kesarwani, Harrison – Support SB-15 rezone idle retail sites to allow for affordable housing, 26. Robinson cosponsors Hahn, Wengraf Support Senator Warren’s Student Loan Debt Relief, 27. Robinson co-sponsors Bartlett, Droste, Arreguin – Support AB 1238 & AB 122 repeal jaywalking laws and bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, ACTION: 28. Published charges: Mental Health Clinical Services, 29. Audit Report: Data Analysis of City of Berkeley’s Police Response, INFORMATION: 30. Energy Commission Work Plan, 31. Streets Audit Wins National Recognition. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Agenda_Index.aspx 

Wednesday, May 12 2021 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board at 10 – 11:30 am 

Requires pre-registration use link 

AGENDA: Rent Board Registration 101, Registering Your Rental Property. 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/ 

Homeless Commission at 7 – 9 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96645301465 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 966 4530 1465 

AGENDA: 2. Public Comment, 5. Updates, 6. Discussion of Possible Homeless Ombudsman Position, 7. Accessibility Update at Pathways, 8. Update Homeless Panel of Experts Recommendations for Measure P Spending. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Homeless_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Housing Advisory Commission Special meeting at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96267647237 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 962 6764 7237 

AGENDA: 3. Public Comment, 6. Discussion and Action on West Berkeley Service Center’s Application for COB Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Housing_Advisory_Commission/ 

Parks and Waterfront Commission at 7 – 9 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96974512296 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 969 7451 2296 

AGENDA: 5. Public Comment, 6. Chair’s Report, Director’s Report, 8. Presentation: Annual Western Monarch Butterfly Monitoring at Aquatic Park, 9. Discussion/Action potential fitness at Cesar Chavez Park, 10. PRW/Operation Budget, 11. Update on Proposed Ferry/Pier Project & BMASP, 12. Refuse Service Parks/Marina 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Parks_and_Waterfront_Commission.aspx 

Dwight Way/California Street Intersection Project at 6 pm 

Zoom and links will be posted on city website on May 12,  

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/californiadwight/ 

Agenda: Project features on webpage 

Thursday, May 13, 2021 

City Council Closed Session at 3 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89118687489 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 891 1868 7489 

AGENDA: 1. Conference with Labor Negotiators for IBEW, Local 1245, SEIU 1021 Community Services and Part-time Recreation Activity Leaders, Berkeley Fire Fighters Local 1227, Berkeley Police Association, SEIU 1021 Maintenance and Clerical Chapters, Berkeley Fire Chiefs Association Public Employees Local 1. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Agenda_Index.aspx 

Police Review Commission at 7 – 10 pm, (note meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 13) 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87070468124 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 870 7046 8124 

AGENDA: 3. Public Comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 5. Chair Report, 6. PRC Officer Report, 7. Police Chief report, 8. Subcommittee reports, 9. a. Consider draft Policy 606, Warrant Service, b. Review BPD issues implementing Policy 300 Use of Force, c. Whether participate in scenario-based use-of-force training, d. Whether commissioners may be allowed to observe police officers being trained in use, e. Update transition to Police Accountability Board and Director of Police Accountability, 10.a. Consider making recommendations to new Board for handling complaints, b. Discuss vaccination status sworn officers, c. Lexipol policies: 324-Media Policies, 403-Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity and Investigation, 804-Records Maintenance and Release. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Police_Review_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Zoning Adjustment Board at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/98029164696 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 980 2916 4696 

AGENDA: 2. 1730 Blake – on consent– construct one 3-story, single family dwelling average and maximum height 33 ft, zoning R-2 - 2^nd house on parcel 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/zoningadjustmentsboard/ 

Reimagining Public Safety Task Force at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81983354907 (this link was created using the meeting ID, the zoom link posted with the agenda is expired, look for a corrected zoom link in agenda after Monday. Expect it to be the same as the one here created using the meeting ID) 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 819 8335 4907 

AGENDA: 2. Public Comment, Discussion/Action: Police Dept Overview #2 (Interim Chief Jennifer Lewis), Specialized Care Unit (Dr. Lisa Warhuus), Community Survey (NICJR), Community Engagement (NICJR), Subcommittee Reports: Policing, Budget & Alternatives to Policing (Opton, Ghosh, Cheema, Dangerfield, Lindheim, Mizell, Harger, Hyde) Cummunity Engagement (Fine, Harger, Malvido, Lutzker, Ejigu, Blake) 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/RIPST.aspx 

AC Transit Talks, 6 pm – 7:30 pm 

Use website for all links: https://www.actransit.org/talks 

AGENDA: Purpose of meetings to provide community updates on bus service, health and safety and communicate with Board Directors Jovanka Beckles for Richmond/North Richmond/San Pablo/Albany/Berkeley/Kensington/El Sorbrante 

Friday, May 14, 2021 

Reduced Service Day 

Saturday, May 15, 2021 & Sunday, May 16, 2021 

No City meetings or events found 

_____________________ 

Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals 

2421 Fifth Street (construct two residential buildings) 6/1/2021 

1205 Peralta (conversion of garage) TBD 

2943 Pine (construct a 2^nd story) TBD 

Notice of Decision (NOD) and Use Permits with End of Appeal Period 

3107 Deakin 5/18/2021 

1733 Fourth (Convert retail space to auto sales) 5/19/2021 

1733 Fourth (alterations to building) 5/13/2021 

2110 Haste 5/10/2021 

1231 Ordway 5/19/2021 

1913 San Antonio 5/19/2021 

1633 Sixth 5/12/2021 

2411 Sixth 5/25/2021 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications_in_Appeal_Period.aspx 

LINK to Current Zoning Applications https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications.aspx 

___________________ 

WORKSESSIONS 

May 18 – 1. Systems Realignment 2. Affordable Housing Policy Reform (tentative) 

July 20 – 1. Bayer Development Agreement (tentative), 2. Measure FF/Fire Prevention 

September 21 – 1. Housing Element (RHNA) 

Unscheduled Workshops/Presentations 

Cannabis Health Considerations 

Berkeley Police Department Hiring Practices (referred by Public Safety Committee) 

Update Zero Waste Priorities 

Civic Arts Grantmaking Process & Capital Grant Program 

Review and Update on City’s COVID-19 Response 

This meeting list is also posted on the Sustainable Berkeley Coalition website. 

http://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet under activist’s calendar http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com 

If you or someone you know wishes to receive the weekly summary as soon as it is completed, email kellyhammargren@gmail.com to be added to the early email list. 

If you wish to stop receiving the Weekly Summary of City Meetings please 

forward the weekly summary you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com 

***************************** 

Free Virtual Screening of the Rights of Nature film  

Invisible Hand 

and Q&A with the directors 

sponsored by Sustainable Berkeley Coalition and Berkeley Citizens Action  

 

Register at 

https://www.invisiblehandfilm.com/berkeley-give-nature-a-chance/ 

via email to hammargrenkelly@gmail.com 

early registration is recommended 

the free virtual screening and Q&A is limited to 100 participants 

If you have any questions contact Kelly Hammargren at hammargrenkelly@gmail.com 

 

Q&A with the directors: 6 pm, Sunday, May 23. 

The 85 minute documentary film is available for viewing from  

4:00 pm PDT Saturday, May 22 to Sunday, May 23, 6 pm PDT 

Audiences have said INVISIBLE HAND is a “game changing” story about Rights of Nature and global battle between capitalism and democracy. Last Born in the Wilderness host Patrick Farnsworth has called the film “really, really beautiful” and “incredibly moving.” 

“We are honored to receive these awards for documenting the Rights of Nature story,” said Pribanic. “This is a turning point in the story of our culture, where the Indigenous legacy that once protected this land can resurface to take on capitalism and defend Nature’s rights.” 

What this documentary is offering is a way forward through Rights of Nature. You hear time and time again that a corporation has the rights of a person. The idea that Nature has no rights whatsoever is absurd,” ~ Mark Ruffalo 

The Rights of Nature in Berkeley  

The Resolution to Recognize the Rights of Nature is submitted by Councilmember Cheryl Davila for consideration by the Berkeley City Council at the October 27, 2020 City Council regular meeting.  

On October 13, 2020, the Berkeley City Council Agenda and Policy Committee removed Recognize the Rights of Nature from the proposed October 27, 2020 City Council agenda and referred the item to the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Sustainability Policy Committee (FITES).  

On March 3, 2021 FITES voted to forward the Rights of Nature to the full City Council with a qualified positive recommendation the final resolved clause of the draft resolution to place obligation on the City not the residents.  

On March 15 at the Agenda and Rules Policy Committee Mayor Arreguin said he was opposed to recognizing the rights of nature. 

The item was left on the council agenda for March 30.  

At the March 30 council meeting Mayor Arreguin said he supported the Rights of Nature and recommended moving the item to the consent calendar as a referral to the Peace and Justice Commission.  

At the same meeting after the consent vote approving the referral, the City Manager stated the Peace and Justice Commission would not be meeting because staff supporting the Peace and Justice Commission had been reassigned to support the EOC (Emergency Operation Center) for the COVID-19 emergency. 

Rights of Nature, legislative examples, history, timeline, documents and references,  

https://www.invisiblehandfilm.com/what-are-rights-of-nature/