Let's Bill Billionaire Bezos and Other Big-buck Bozos

On July 20, Amazon honcho Jeff Bezos—a Master of the Universe with a net worth of $202 billion according to Forbes’ “Real-Time Billionaires List"—was not just the richest man on Earth, he also became the richest person in space.

Bezos was July's second billionaire astronaut. Music and airline magnate Sir Richard Branson (worth a piddling $5 billion) had become history's first billionaut just nine days earlier. (Tesla Titan and former Saturday Night Live guest host Elon Musk—net worth: $160 billion—plans to blast into space as well, with his eyes set on colonizing Mars.)

Meanwhile, there are a lot of serious problems erupting down on Earth that are not being addressed by these self-absorbed, star-gazing, macho-moneybag stunt-meisters. That's why Public Citizen has come up with an immodest proposal.

As Public Citizen president Robert Weissman explains, under PC's proposed Terra Tariff, "billionauts returning from orbit must plunk down 10% of their net worth as a landing fee to return to Earth. Let's call it the 'Billionaire Astronaut Reentry Fee'—BARF, for short." The BARF would apply only to billionauts, Weissman clarified, "not to sub-billionaire passengers or crew." (Note: despite his ginormous wealth, Bezos has managed to avoid paying federal taxes.)

For Bezos, the BARF would be $20.2 billion—which sounds like a lot but it's actually less than the increase in Bezos' net worth in just the past three months.

Public Citizen calculates that the Bezos BARF could raise nearly enough money to vaccinate enough people to end the global COVID-19 pandemic. So, if these costly and polluting billionaire blast-offs make you feel like you want to BARF, add your name here. 

Jupiter Fly-by 

Good news: you don't need a billionaire to explore space. 

That's because NASA has been using taxpayer-financed space-missions to explore the universe remotely. In a recently released 3.5-minute, time-lapse animation from the Juno space mission, arm-chair astronauts can experience what it looks like to soar within 645 miles of Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede—at 41,600 miles per hour. (The lighter and darker sections of the moon's surface are believed to the result of sublimation as ice changes from a solid to a gaseous state. Also on display, the crater Tros, one of Ganymede's most prominent landmarks.) 

With an ethereal soundtrack by Vangelis, the animation then proceeds from Ganymede to Jupiter. In real-time, the 735,000-mile journey takes14 hours and 50 minutes but, within seconds, Earth-bound spectators are brought within 2,100 miles of Jupiter's famous clouds. And hold on as Jupiter's powerful gravitation speeds the probe's passage to nearly 130,000 miles per hour. 

Don't Count Yore Egg-corns Before They're Hutched 

Merriam-Webster tells us an "eggcorn" is "a word or phrase rendered incorrectly due to a mishearing or misspelling." Case in point: saying "eggcorn" when you're pointing your finger at an acorn. The word was invented by linguist Geoffrey Pullum in 2003 but it's taking a while for it to catch on. Here are some other examples: 

• day-today operations (instead of day-to-day) 

• for all intensive purposes (instead of intents and purposes) 

• the city is teaming with evil gangs (instead of teeming) 

• the sun will eventually die and we’ll all hurdle to our intergalactic deaths (instead of hurtle) 

More than 640 other egg-samples can be found at the The Eggcorn Database. 

I Scream Day (Yep, Another Eggcorn) 

National Ice Cream Day was celebrated on July 17—the third Sunday of the month, as decreed by Ronald Reagan in 1984. According to Google, some of the earliest fans of the Cold Scoop included the Roman Emperor Nero, Alexander the Great, and King Solomon. Fun fact: The first American ice cream recipe—an 18-step process—was crafted by Founding Father Thomas Jefferson. 

VanLeeuwen Ice Cream marked Ice Cream Day by conspiring with Kraft Foods to concoct the world's first Mac & Cheese ice cream. (VanLeeuwen's other frozen concoctions include Earl Grey Tea Ice Cream and Vegan Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb Ice Cream.) 

If you want to give Mac & Cheese ice cream a try, here's a serving suggestion: skip the chocolate syrup and try a topping of tomato catsup. 

And here's a tip from a Berkeley frozen-food aficionado: Try out the Caramel Balsamic ice cream from the Raxakoul Coffee and Cheese shop on Hopkins Street. Word is, "it's divine." 

Ice Cream and Israel 

On July 19, CODEPINK announced that Ben & Jerry’s will cease selling its ice cream in illegal Israeli settlements, a move that was cheered by the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement.  

The Vermont-based company issued a statement that read: “We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)." B&J stated it would not renew a partnership with its Israeli franchise licensee when the current agreement expires at the end of 2022. 

An announcement tweeted by Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever, stated that the company would “stay in Israel through a different arrangement.” But, that "arrangement" had not been approved by the independent board that oversees B&J's overseas operations. A new agreement would require board approval and board chairperson Anuradha Mittal (executive director of the Oakland-based Oakland Institute) who is "known for her commitments to ending wars and achieving racial justice, hinted that that will not happen." 

Peanut Butter and Petroleum Jelly 

Speaking of food, someone sent me an old newspaper ad for Vaseline (aka Petroleum Jelly). The ad was so old that the price displayed on the jar was just ten cents. The ad also showed a label that included the boast: "So Pure You Can Eat It!" 

That stirs some childhood memories. Oh how I miss those good old days when mom would send me off to school with a lunchbox filled with my favorite snack: a peanut butter and petroleum jelly sandwich—washed down with a cold can of carbonated kerosene. 

Earth's Greatest Enemy  

Abby Martin, the director of the 2019 documentary Gaza Fights For Freedom, is hard at work on a second feature film, Earth's Greatest Enemy —an anti-imperialist environmental documentary. The filmmakers are appealing for funding to complete the film. They write: "We urgently need donations to make this film a reality. If you want to support this hard-hitting environmental film that exposes the US war machine, you can make tax-deductible donations. "Individuals or organizations who raise or contribute $10,000 or more will be listed as an Executive Producer on the film. Donors of $1,000 or more will have their name listed in the film credits." More information at “Empire Files Inc.,” PO Box 42085, Los Angeles CA 90042." 

Stop Excluding Military Pollution from Climate Agreements 

World BEYOND War is leading a coalition effort asking attendees to the November 1-12 COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow to address greenhouse gas emissions from military operations. The US military is one of the planet's leading sources of planet-cooking pollution but it is not required to reduce—or even to report—its contribution to our climate emergency. 

As usual in these situations, there's a petition to be signed. Here's the link, http://cop26.info, and here are some highlights from the petition:  

As a result of final-hour demands made by the US government during negotiation of the 1997 Kyoto treaty, military greenhouse gas emissions were exempted from climate negotiations…. 

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, obliges signatories to publish annual greenhouse gas emissions, but military emissions reporting is voluntary and often not included…. 

There is no reasonable basis for this gaping loophole. War and war preparations are major greenhouse gas emitters…. There must be no more exception for military pollution. 

We ask COP26 to set strict greenhouse gas emissions limits that make no exception for militarism, include transparent reporting requirements and independent verification, and do not rely on schemes to "offset" emissions. 

[Full Disclosure: I'm a member of the WBW board.] 

Can You Really Have It Both Ways? 

On July 14, former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman was arrested after trying to break into an in-law's house in Washington State—after fleeing from the wreckage of his crashed Mercedes. 

According to the Chronicle, Sherman was charged with "driving under the influence, reckless endangerment of roadway workers, second-degree criminal trespass, third-degree malicious mischief and resisting arrest." 

Following his release, Sherman posted an apology on Twitter that read: “I am deeply remorseful for my actions on Tuesday night. I behaved in a manner I am not proud of. I have been dealing with some personal challenges over the last several months, but that is not an excuse for how I acted." 

Then, having apologized profusely for his behavior, he entered a plea of "not guilty." 

Sierra Club Appeal Strikes a Troubling Note 

I was delighted to hear an activist radio spot sponsored by the Sierra Club. It was the first time I'd heard an environmental group make a broadcast-pitch over the AM dial. The Sierra Club spokesperson was aiming critical darts at the Public Utilities Commission for refusing to adequately protect the state's waterways from the impacts of a historic drought. 

The next day, I got a letter from the Club praising President Biden's pledge to protect "30 percent of our lands and waters by the year 2030." The letter included an invitation to send a "Matching Grant" to secure $300,000 in added funding for the Club's good works. 

There was a big problem in the messaging, however. Given the intensity of the out-of-control wildfires now consuming hundreds of square miles of our Western forests, I wish the Sierra Club's copywriter had come up with a different slogan to encourage participation. 

Instead, the invitation on the outside of the envelope read: "Ignite our movement. BE THE MATCH." 

Poetic Licenses 

Here's another list of license-plates-about-town. Some time ago, out on the roadways, I spotted a classic 1951 PowerGlide Chevy with a license plate that read: COOL 51. More recently, I found myself wondering if the driver of a mysterious van was a master of Asian martial arts. His plate read: BLKNNJA. Also seen around town, a Chevy (presumably owned by an animal veterinarian) that not only bore a plate that read DOG+NRS (Dog Nurse?) but also featured a frame that proclaimed: "My basset hound can lick your Honor Student." The car also sported a political bumpersticker that proclaimed: "I Bark for Barack." 

In West Berkeley, I spotted an eco-green mini-Cooper with the plate: "FOODWEB." And then there was a Toyota Prius with a plate that read: "WITHER." 

At first, I thought the driver might be signaling dismay over the compounding consequences of our historic drought. But then I noticed a sticker for Elizabeth Warren and understood the intended message was: "WITH HER." 

Getting in Step with Frisco's Frisky Nickelettes  

On July 27, Denise Larson's new book, Anarchy in High Heels, is set to strut onstage and the author wants to make it clear: this dishy Sixties retrospective of SF's notorious cabaret rebels is about more than flashy haute couture—"it's not a state of dress: it’s a state of mind." 

Anarchy relives the combustive emergence of a talented feminist troupe that transformed a San Francisco porno theater into a Palace of Femme Arts. 

The year was 1972, a "burn-your-bra era" in which "young ladies" were learning to become strong women by renouncing conservative 1950s values and embracing liberation. 

According to the press notes: "Denise Larson was a timid 24-year-old actress wannabe when, at an after-hours countercultural event called The People’s Nickelodeon, she accidently created Les Nickelettes," a rebel cohort of rambunctious women driven by an "anything-goes spirit" and "a deeply hidden female humor." Once these hidden satirical thoughts began to soar and sing onstage, Les Nickelettes won acclaim as "a brazen women’s lib troupe" whose "feminist skits, stunts, and musical comedy" prompted The Bay Guardian to salute them as “nutty, trashy, and very funny.” 

Larson tells the tale of the Nickelettes from her insider's perspective as playwright, stage director, producer, and administrative/artistic director.  

The Kirkus Review crows: “The engrossing book addresses the importance of empowering marginalized individuals, who have so much to say. … A meaningful, feminist joyride that travels back in time. 

You can join the author in person (or virtually) at 6PM on July 27 at SF's Green Apple Books (1231 9^th Avenue). 

Meanwhile, here's a taste of Les Nickelettes from their archives on YouTube. 

The Seductive South African Song that Has the Whole World Dancing 

I recently discovered what appears to be the biggest global musical phenomenon since the debut of Despacido, a musical pandemic that spread around the globe in 2017. Jerusalema, a written by Master KG and performed by Nomcebo Zikode. Kgaogelo "Master KG" Moagi is a South African musician, a record producer, and the creator of a song that has circled the world and inspired millions to dance in the streets and on the dust of every continent. While the lyrics are simple and oblique ("Jerusalem, my home. Save me! Join me, Don't leave me here!"), the music is irresistible and a spirited flash-mob dance has grown up around the song. 

Jerusalema has brought people into the streets in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East—with joyous performances in both Israel and Palestine. There are scores of renditions on YouTube (including versions with dancing toddlers, Swiss police, Catholic nuns, European monks, doctors and nurses, and fans from Madagascar, to San Francisco). The list of "dance challenges" appears to be endless—and growing. 

Here are some top picks. 

Jerusalem Master KG and Nomcebo: Official Video

Jerusalema: Worldwide Airlines Dance Challenge

Jerusalema: Top 10 Dance Challenge

After watching joyous videos from scores of countries around the world, a thought arose: Why—with such music and dancing to unite us—do we still have wars? 

Alas, instead of finding an answer, I encountered a new twist to this enigma. On July 11, news broke that Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode are fighting with each other over the song's royalties. 

It is hard in today's culture containing many fear-inducing things to prevent oneself from having symptoms of paranoia.

In modern times, it seems that paranoia is prevalent. Finding someone who isn't paranoid--that's a rare find. It would be someone who does not have any real difficulties in her or his life. Perhaps a toddler whose mind has yet to be corrupted by parents. Or maybe a dog who has Buddha Nature. Even most Zen students and teachers seem find it prudent to employ caution about the world. I've been to a Zen monastery that had a sign saying the premises are monitored by video cameras. This is because, above all, successful meditation practitioners are connected to reality. And the reality is, things are scary.

These are insane times, and if you are not affected by this, something is probably wrong with you. 

Where does that put us mentally ill people? By that I mean those of us who were considered mentally sick before Trump came along, before coronavirus came along, and before a nearly successful attempt to overthrow the U.S. Government? It puts us in a category of extreme disadvantage. 

If we can't sync our minds to some splinter of the fractured consciousness of the human species, we are lost. We then would have to find our own way. And how are we to do this while medicated, while disabled, and while regarded as incompetent? 

Many of us continue to live in the past. I mean the recent past, a time before this weird stuff took hold and shattered the foundations of something we thought we could always rely on. We considered the U.S. Government to be like a bedrock on which we could always build. Now it seems unreliable. 

How does a person find a sense of safety within this context? The easy and quick answer is: You don't. The other answer is, you do your best to arrange a relatively secure situation, one that works, for now, and you hope for the best. A "sense of security" is just that, a sense. 

Security doesn't exist. Or, as Buddhist philosophy suggests, all things are impermanent. Thirty thousand years from now, our descendants, if they exist, will be uncovering our bones and preparing them to put up in their museums. And that, to me, is somehow a comforting thought. It makes me feel that I'm merely part of the evolution of our planet Earth, and I feel this is a good thing. 

To feel safe, you just need to trust that, for now, things are safe, and that's the best you can hope for. If you feel safe and peaceful, it becomes far easier to emerge from a paranoid state into a healing state of mind. And healing is what we need. 

I have specific memories that stand out in my consciousness of recovery from psychosis. In all those memories, the emergence from delusion took place at a time that I was very peaceful. Peacefulness means you are not scared. If you are not scared, you can recover from psychosis. 

The United States needs to heal and not fight. Mentally ill people need to heal and should not have to fight with ourselves and with our symptoms. We will not be able to go back to the past. 

Thus, if you want to keep up, you need to study what the world is changing to and adapt to that. But it doesn't have to be ridiculously hard, to do that. It takes less effort to acknowledge the truth than it does to fabricate self-deceit or lies to others. 

If you are paranoid, you are in the new normal. If you are hyper-paranoid, it is an impracticable state because you are excessively defending and can't function. You need to have a middle ground, one in which you look after yourself, but in which you maintain internal calm. 

If all of this seems like science fiction, it is because we've made it to the future. And we do not need to be afraid of the future. The human species has a very bright future as soon as we get past a few more bumps. I really believe this. I believe we have a lot to look forward to. There is every reason to be hopeful, and we should not give up. 

Just for fun, here is the actual derivation of the word “bubkes.” 

“Bawb” is Yiddish for “bean.” It is spelled bays kawmetz-alef bays in Yiddish. “Aw” is the closest we can come in English to the sound of kawmetz-alef, though the actual Yiddish vowel is shorter. Bays is the Yiddish equivalent of B, pronounced bet in modern Hebrew. 

“Ke” is a Russian diminutive suffix that is used in Yiddish. 

Put them together, and “bawbkes” literally means little beans. In Yiddish, it is also used to means something of negligible value, as we would say in English, “I work for peanuts” or “for chicken feed.” 

Most of the children of Yiddish speaking immigrants to America used a few Yiddish words in a language sometimes called “Yinglish.” 

The heard the dismissive use of “bawbkes,” and so they used it to mean “norhing,” without knowing its literal meaning. They pronounced the kawmetz-alef as “uh” rather than “aw,” which is common in Yinglish. They didn’t read Yiddish, so they sometimes mispronounced the word as “bupkes” rather than “bubkes.” 

So, saying that “bubkes” is a Yiddish word meaning “nothing” is roughly equivalent to saying that “peanuts” and “chicken feed” are English words meaning “nothing.” It would be accurate to say that “bubkes” is a Yinglish or Yiddish-English word meaning “nothing.” 

The site you link for the meaning is obviously written by people who know Yinglish and not Yiddish. The comment about goat turds is a fanciful speculation rather than a serious attempt at a derivation. 

So please don’t shmutz up my heritage with goat turds. When you do, I have to reply by making much ado about bubkes. 

The Week's Best Names in the News

Here are some plop-dazed name-faves that made it into print this week: A weightlifter from Tonga, a 70-year-old lady astronaut, a Tour de France cyclist, a SF Symphony conductor, a basket-ball-juggling Spelling Bee champ and her father. In that order: Kuinini "Nini" Manumua, Wally Funk, Sepp Kuss, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zaila Avant-garde, and Jawara Spacetime.

Oddest Phone Message of the Month

Someone left a recorded message on my phone that simply announced: "There is no one here to take your call."

False Acronyms

BART is a true acronym. ICYMI is not an acronym.

A true acronym forms a pronounceable word. If it can't be pronounced as a word, it's not an acronym.

There's not a word for this in the English language. So let's create one.

Henceforth, an inaccurately named acronym shall be called an "inacronym."

Telecom Giant Living in Terror of Electronic Radiation?

AT&T, one of the biggest players in the TeleCom gameplan to roll out millions of 5G microwave transmitters across the US, apparently has a double standard when it comes to exposing citizens to unregulated electromagnetic radiation. Visitors to the AT&T office at 1612 Solano Avenue will discover an array of warning signs plastered over the front entrance. 

One sign warns: "ATTN: Turn Off All Cellular Phones, P.C.'s and Two Way Radios Before Entering The Building." 

A second sign seems to be at odds with the first. It reads: "Access to this building is monitored electronically. • Entry requires a valid access card • Visitors must arrange access with local management • For deliveries please use the phone." 

Another reads: "WARNING. Entering this area can expose you to lead from lead acid batteries. Lead is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov." 

The Adventitious Advance of TV Ads 

Watching the televised evening news these days, a TV viewer can see news content atrophy in real time. CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, and ABC World News Tonight all begin with a good serving of uninterrupted all-news reports but that starts to change a bit past the half-way mark. 

On a typical evening, David Muir presides over ABC News for 19 uninterrupted minutes until the first commercial break (consisting of five concurrent ads). Muir returns to deliver two short news items—in less than a minute—(followed by a commercial break with seven back-to-back ads) and reappears to share a single news item that lasts less than a minute (followed by another spate of seven ads) before ending with a final "good news" spot that lasts a bit more than a minute. 

It's a lot like watching a news anchor getting slowly swallowed in quicksand. 

A Follow-up Note from Jeffrey Blankfort 

Last week, we posted photographer Jeffrey Blankfort's backgrounder on the rediscovery of a rare satirical short filmed by The Committee. Here's a postscript from Blankfort with some enticing links. 

"What your fans may find intriguing is that the woman walking down the Lombard St. stairs at the end of the film (and who I should have mentioned was Cathy Casamo) would, years later, become known as Stark Naked in Tom Wolf's Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test as Neil Cassady's lover. I have a page of photos of her and a link to more info on her on my website." Well worth a lingering look. 

Capitalism Declining into Kaput-alism 

Thanks to Laurence of Berkeley for this commentary from the June 25 issue of New York Magazine: "Not only do 51% of US citizens from 18 to 35 approve of 'socialism,' but also 60% of Black Americans. [I put "socialism" in quotes because it has so many different meanings.] And 55 percent of the entire population support Medicare for All. Also, as of last August, more Democrats approved of socialism than of capitalism—56% to 53%." 

All we need now is some energy (and a real democracy) to make it happen 

Give Him a Pass, Man 

ICYMI (which I did, even though I was a co-conspirator in the underground "Whereas Campaign"), the City of Berkeley officially declared June 15 to be "Arnie Passman Day." As the official proclamation notes, Arnold "AP" Passman has spent more than six decades as a local wit, writer, poet, satirist, songwriter and activist. 

T'was my pleasure to ramble with Arnie during our long stint with the Berkeley Barb and later to find amusement in the one-off staged performances of his subversive plays and the extended playtime that was AP's downtown House of Cards—a long-running, ad-hoc cabaret on University Avenue. 

Besides chronicling the roots of rad-radio in his 1971 book, "The Deejays," Arnie has been an impresario (accent on the "imp") and host of varied celebrations including: the "Peace Symbol's Birthday" (February 21), "Midsummer Day/Peace Day" (August 6), and "Gandhi's Birthday" (October 2), which featured late-afternoon, live poetry readings around the Gandhi statue on SF's Pier 39. 

The City Proclamation lists many of Arnie's odd-and-even-odder accomplishments but my favorite plaudit was lofted by Carol Denney whose tribute was crafted into the City's salute to AP as a madcap mensch who "this year turned 85 years old, all the while speaking puns to power." 

Footnote: It was AP who, to the best of my knowledge, coined the word: "Kaput-alism." 

Hey, Let's Make a Bundle by Selling Our Roads to Wall Street! 

The Daily Kos is waving a warning flag. "Because Republicans refuse to make the rich or corporations pay higher taxes, the group of Democratic and Republican senators working on the bipartisan infrastructure package have come up with a dangerous new way to pay for their $579 billion proposal: privatize public assets. 

"Privatizing infrastructure has not been a good deal for the government, or the public. In 2009, the city of Chicago sold 36,000 parking meters to a Wall Street firm. While that brought the city a little over $1 billion in revenue, Chicago drivers will now pay an additional $11 billion in parking rates [to the Wall Streeters] through the 75-year life of the agreement." 

Bad policy. 

Privatizing public works to finance social needs is like selling a family member to pay the rent. 

“US Imperialism Is the Greatest Danger to World Peace”

During his scathing 18-minute tutorial, Hedebouw easily switches between French and Flemish—a rare rhetorical touch designed to reach out both to politicians and workers. 

A Transcriber's Footnote 

The only posted translation of Hedebouw's presentation was in French. It was displayed in a sequence of hundreds of 4-second clips separated by time-code notations (i.e. 10:04). Removing more than 280 time codes produced a pile of French verbiage that, when run through an online translation service produced une grande montagne of nonsense—like the following: 

economic political powers and most aggressive of the last century to the nations of the world from a ship football forward our colleague andré to receive crunch europe at intervene from india in all strategy this good little handicap all i become a start 1 euro by a sect and nice they would denature or not janine beugnies indoor football all by m a sale of backhand ex you will see you brands you were born berthe from the start a star and i you really want to demonstrate it. 

Needless to say, it took a good bit of time to reconstruct the English translation from the subtitles that flashed on the screen in the recorded video. Time well spent, I believe. 

A nationwide June study by Navigation Research invited a thousand Americans — White, Black Asian, Latinix, Democrat and Republican — to check off what they thought were the nation's "Top Crises." 

There were 14 choices. The top two concerns were no surprise: "Violent Crime" and "The Coronavirus Pandemic." Number three was an outlier: "The spread of misinformation." Rounding out the Top Five were "The situation at the US-Mexico border" and "China's role as a global superpower." 

Climate Change came in at #6 — but only among Democrats and African-Americans. 

GOPers ranked "voter fraud" as three-times as worrisome as "climate change." 

A lot of potential crises categories were missing. Among them: nuclear weapons, NATO military provocations, corporate corruption, economic inequality, oligarchy, billionaires who pay no taxes…. 

Trump Tells the Truth: Admits He Lies 

On July 11, during a semi-coherent, jabbering ramble from the podium of the CPAC Convention in Dallas, the Twice-Impeached Peach-colored Prince of Prejudice, actually confessed that he is a self-serving, lying, son of an itch. Speaking of a poll to determine which candidate CPAC would back in the next election, TIPPP boldly blathered this explanation of his modus operandi: "If it's bad ideas, I say it's fake. If it's good, I say that's the most accurate poll perhaps ever." 

Barbara Lee's Olympic Pot Petition 

Just days ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, the US Anti-Doping Agency bounced sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson from competing after she tested positive for cannabis use. Congresswoman Barbara Lee sprang to the sprinter's defense. 

"I’ve said it before — cannabis should be legalized. That goes for medical and recreational use, including for athletes in their private lives." 

Lee noted that pot is legal for medical and recreational use in Oregon, where the Olympic trials were held. Besides "cannabis lacks any scientific evidence as a performance-enhancing substance or competitive advantage." 

Rep. Lee has posted the following petition. "If you agree that the USADA should stop including cannabis as a prohibited substance and allow athletes like Sha’Carri to compete, sign your name onto my petition." 

And, if you agree that "Barbara Lee Speaks for Me," our progressive champion will be celebrating her birthday on Saturday, July 24, at multiple least Bay locations. $20 donations "suggested but not required." RSVP at bit.LY/BLEEBDAY, contact SudipKDutta@Gmail.com, or call (510) 850.5283. 

Do You Feel a Song Coming On? 

The talented folks at the satirical-rock workshop known as Founders Sing have posted the following invitation: 

"We could really use your HELP on something! 

"It’s been a total thrill for us have your support as we’ve created 42 political parodies and original songs over the past year. We’ve addressed subjects like Trump, Congress, Trump, racial injustice, Trump, election integrity, Trump, etc. And of course there are more hair-raising issues on the horizon we’ll be tackling. At this turning point in our nation’s history, we would love to get YOUR thoughts on what we’re planning to do creatively going forward. 

"We feel that there’s a strong unmet need for songs that address the experiences relevant to people of our generation. For example aging, spiritual seeking, loss, and big questions like “Why the hell are we even here?!” 

"If YOU, our loyal viewers, have emotionally resonant subjects that you feel we’d be able to address with original songs, we’re ALL EARS. We look forward to creating the Playlist of our Lives. 

"Thank you SO MUCH. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!" 

This week's essay follows two different paths of thought, and I hope it is followable. I'm speaking of our own attitudes as mental health consumers and I'm speaking of the problems that come about through use of force on mentally ill consumers. Here it is...



Your world, consisting of stimuli reaching your mind and body, and how you process these stimuli, is partly a product of attitude. However, when someone does harm to you, you did not bring this on yourself. Attitude is only one of many factors that determine what we experience.

If we suffer from psychiatric illness, it skews how we perceive our surroundings, and how we perceive everything. This is not attitude; this is a medically caused condition affecting the mind.

Most "normal" people do not see things accurately. It takes a lot of work to teach the mind to work well and to have clarity of perceptions. And this is applicable to both mentally ill people and to the non-afflicted. People see what they expect to see, whether accurate or not. The difference with a mentally ill person is where the brain has a gross malfunction, one that might be harmful to the brain itself. (It is believed by many people that untreated psychosis, if it takes place a long time, causes loss of gray matter. This, belief, however, may not be definitively proven.) 

That leaves us with the remaining idea that untreated psychosis causes inability to function in the human environment. This seems obvious. Psychosis puts an individual at risk. If you can't perceive a "Walk" and "Don't Walk" sign at a crosswalk as it was intended, you are at risk of being hit by a car, or of causing a collision of nearby cars. If you can't interpret people's speech normally, you cannot communicate. These things are incredibly basic to the degree that everyone assumes you have them. Severe psychosis can impair this. It causes mind to be inoperative. Medication is needed. 

So, where does attitude fit in? Attitude is applicable upon a patient becoming stabilized and ninety percent rational. (I'm giving you that ninety percent figure off the top of my head, as an educated guess.) Attitude does not really exist if a person is fully psychotic, because the disease is running the show. In my case, I've programmed in a few fail-safes that took effect the last three times that I became severely mentally ill; they prevented me from losing my life and from being incarcerated. Yet this is not the same thing as me being well. 

Once a mentally ill person is stabilized, 'attitude' goes into effect. This makes a substantial difference. If we are agile enough in our thinking, it is easier to sustain the concept that we have a mental illness, yet we realize it doesn't have to invalidate who we are. This, in turn, causes more cooperativeness with taking medication and other treatment. 

The above does not come about through being forced. Despite the best of intentions and despite the apparent or real urgency to give treatment to a mentally impaired person, when you externally force someone to be medicated, emotional trauma enters the picture. This hinders the ability to judge for ourselves that we need treatment. Because of this, I believe that long-term forced meds should be reserved only for those who have the worst and most life-threatening cases of 'noncompliance'. 

Once you force compliance on someone, it may introduce a permanent need to put that individual into a controlled life-situation. Think of it analogously to invading a sovereign country, installing an artificial government that can't sustain itself without U.S. presence, then later withdrawing troops. The 'vacuum' you've created causes a bloodbath in that country. Disaster is often the aftermath of force, whether you're speaking of a country or a mentally ill individual. 

On the other hand, you should never argue with a 'crazy person.' Someone who is ill to the point where they're not rational will never respond to reason, and there is ample justification to call paramedics and in some cases police. One hopes the local police have adequate training in restraining a mentally ill person without harming him or her. 

Now, a shift in course: 

Attitude can consist of the self-value that tells us we can continue to be ambitious. We can continue to strive for excellence. If we don't strive for excellence, we could at least strive for adequate. I'm not kidding. If we are determined to have something going for us, it will become a reality. Being medicated doesn't have to close the door on all ambition. 

Don't worry about what others think you can't do--you will ultimately prove them wrong. I'm not telling you to try unrealistic things. Something that you can see as realistically attainable should be tried. And if your attempt is unsuccessful, nonetheless, it is still good experience. 

If you are unable to do something you wanted to do, because the medication or the illness impaired you, or because the thing was just too difficult, don't get down on yourself. Under my belt I have decades of trying to do things and falling flat on my face. Fear of failure doesn't have to stop you, and neither does fear of success. If you don't believe you deserve to succeed, it is self-sabotage right from the start. I've been there and I continue to struggle with it. 

When stabilized, attitude matters. So does perception. It also matters what others tell you. Other people could be discouraging to the point where you become deflated from their talk right after you voice an ambition. Don't get into an argument about it. Just take the first step...  

I am a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam (1987-1988) as well as Germany and Okinawa. I agree with President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw all our troops from Afghanistan, America’s longest-running war or the “forever war” as some have dubbed it. Briefly, here’s why:

Maintaining the status quo there is no longer worth the time, cost, and most importantly, the risk to the American troops that would be needed to hold things together. As Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), a former ranger and veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, aptly put it, "If there was a military solution to the war, we would've found it years ago.”  

The war cost 2,312 U.S. military lives, 20,066 wounded in action, an estimated 43,000 civilian deaths, and cost trillions of dollars. All the troops are expected to leave by August 31st, although reportedly, over 90% have already left. Our exit will undoubtedly facilitate a Taliban takeover or civil war. 

It all started on Oct. 7, 2001, with American airstrikes against al-Qaida targets in retaliation for the Sept. 11 attacks. The Taliban government had given the terrorist group a safe haven from which it could carry out terror attacks. When we put our troops on the ground, we had forgotten about the Russia-Afghan war (1979-1989). Like Russia, we became bogged down in a never-ending war. What if the U.S. had limited our intervention to airstrikes? 

Spanish philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” When will the U.S. learn the lessons of our failed interventions in Vietnam, Syria, and Iraq? A moral of our Afghanistan intervention— don’t start a war until you know how you're going to end it. 

I see that Haiti has asked U.S. to send troops following its president’s assassination.

Worth Noting: 

City Council has only two scheduled meetings July 13 and July 27 before Summer recess July 28 – September 13, 2021. 

Monday the Agenda and Rules Committee at 2:30 pm reviews the draft for the last council meeting before summer recess. Item 19 in the proposed agenda is Objective Standards Recommendations for Density, Design and Shadows from JSISHL referral to Planning Commission and Design Review Committee (pages 39 – 62 in packet), 

Tuesday is the Regular City Council meeting at 6 pm. Item 14 is the Accessory Dwelling ordinance and item 18 is the appointment of the Police Accountability Board appointment of members. 

Wednesday the Planning Commission at 7 pm will conduct a public hearing on the Bayer proposed Community Benefits Package. 

Thursday the Design Review Committee at 7 pm will consider the 800 Dwight Way – (Bayer) 

Friday the Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force at 9 am will offer a webinar on Building Decarbonization. Pre-registration for this free event is required. 

Sunday, July 11, 2021 - No City meetings or events found 

Monday, July 12, 2021 

Agenda and Rules Committee at 2:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87224858589 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 872 2485 8589 

AGENDA: 2. Review Draft Agenda for 7-27-2021 regular Council Meeting – (Full Draft agenda included in this post after list of city meetings), 5. Council Worksessions, 6. Referrals to Agenda Committee, 7. Land Use Calendar, Referred Items for Review: 8. Impact of COVID-19 on meetings, Unscheduled Items: 9. Strengthening and Supporting City Commissions, 10. Return to In-Person Meetings, (next meeting August 30). 

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

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 

City Council Closed Session at 4 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86076393598 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 860 7639 3598 

AGENDA: 1. Pending Litigation a. City of Berkeley (CoB) v. Regents of UC No. RG19023058. B. Save Berkeley’s Neighborhoods, et al., v. Regents of UC No. RG19006256, 2. Conference with legal counsel consider whether to initiate a lawsuit against the Regents of UC related to LRDP (Long Range Development Plan). 

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

City Council Regular Meeting at 6 pm, 

Email: council@cityofberkeley.info 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82181611485 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 821 8161 1485 

Use link or scroll through list week of city meetings to full agenda 

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

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 

City Council Closed Session at 3 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81700770490 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 817 0077 0490 

AGENDA: 1. Pending Litigation a. WCAB Case No #ADJ1556675 and ADJ10831595, 2. Conference with Labor Negotiators employee organizations IBEWm Local 1245, SEIU 1021 Community Services and Part-time Recreation Activity Leaders, Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227, Berkeley Police Association SEIU Local 1021 Maintenance and Clerical Chapters, Berkeley Fire Fighters Local 1227 I.A.F.F./Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Association, Public Employees Union Local 1, Unrepresented Employees. 

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

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board IRA/AGA/Registration at 5 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88313434616?pwd=QWpyNm1HVmdIdFB3cFplaTFDK01LZz09 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 883 1343 4616 Passcode: 016947 

AGENDA: 4. Public Comment, Discussion& Possible Action: 5. Proposal to mandate disclosure of rent control protections in leases, 6. Regulation 503 to remove sunset language, 7. Hiring an outside consultant to draft a report for the Board regarding the rent control impacts of Council’s initiation of 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. 

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: Updates/Action Items: 5. & 6. Presentation and discussion Sidewalk ordinance, RV ordinance, 7. Measure P recommendations, 8. Vaccination rates unsheltered, sheltered, 9. Changes planned for shelters 1281 University, 1654 Fourth street, 10. Status of RFQ for nonprofit housing developers to rehabilitate hotels, 11. Grants being applied for under ARPA, 12. Cal Trans cleaning, 13. Disability access. 

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

Planning Commission at 7 – 10 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/95541508344 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 955 4150 8344 

AGENDA: 9. Election, 10. Elect Planning commissions Representative to BART CAG, 11. Public Hearing Workshop Regarding the Proposed Community Benefits Package for Bayer Healthcare LLC Development Agreement. 

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

Thursday, July 15, 2021 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board at 7 pm 

Links for virtual meeting and agenda not posted check after Monday. 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/ 

Design Review Committee at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/92989533084 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 929 8953 3084 

AGENDA: 1. 800 Dwight Way – Bayer Healthcare LLC - advisory comments 

2. 2902 Adeline – Final Design Review – redevelop 3 parcels at 2902 and 2908 Adeline and 1946 Russell which includes the demolition of one residential structure and one mixed-use structure and construction of 6-story mixed-use building with 4 live/work units and 50 dwelling units including 4 available to very low income households, 56 bicycle spaces and 24 stacked parking for 24 vehicles, 

3. 2176 Kittredge – Final Design Review – construct new 7-story mixed-use building including 165 residential units, ground level retail and underground parking, project includes the demolition of non-residential building and 1-story gas station and car wash. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/designreview/ 

Fair Campaign Practices and Open Government Commission meetings cancelled 

Friday, July 16, 2021 

Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force at 9am – 12 pm 

This event is free registration is required 

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-safe-buildingsbuilding-decarbonization-tickets-157304657465 

AGENDA: Building Decarbonization 

http://cemtf.org 

Saturday, July 17, 2021 & Sunday, July 18, 2021 - No City meetings or events found 

___________________ 

Agenda and Rules Committee Meeting DRAFT Agenda for City Council July 27, 2021 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87224858589 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 872 2485 8589 

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

CONSENT: 1. Contract $163,008 7/1/2021-6/30/2022 with Berkeley YMCA for Fitness Center Memberships for City Employees, 2. Minutes, 3. Contract $200,000 (Measure FF) with Citygate for Fire Dept Standards of Response Coverage study to include risk profile, optimum fire station locations, crew staffing deployment, work schedules, 4-6 Funded thru CA Mental Health Services Act to 6/30/2022, 4. Contract $100,000 with East Bay Sanctuary Covenant for Trauma Support Services Latinx/Latinas/Latinos for Prevention – early intervention 5. Contract $100,000 with Pacific Center for Human Growth for LGBTQIA+, 6. Contract $31,846 with Center for Independent Living, 7. Contract add $616,819 total $7,440,430 with Innovative Claim Solutions (ICS) for administration of City’s Workers’ Compensation Program thru 6/30/2022, 8. Contrct add $75,000 total $250,000 with Bartel Associates for Actuarial Consulting Services thru 12/31/2023, 9. Contract $1,119,580 (includes $101,780 contingency) with OBS Engineering, Inc for John Hinkel Park Amphitheater Area Improvements, 10. Contract add $120,000 total $278,000 with Siegal & Strain Architects for Design and Construction Administration Services for Cazadero Camp Jensen Dormitory Replacement project, 11. Contract add $40,000total $280,000 with Bellingham, Inc for Additional Dock Repairs at Berkeley Marina, 13. Contract add $146,000 total $439,000 with DMR Builders for the 125/127 University Tenant Improvement Project/renovation, 14. Dana Complete Streets Project by AC Transit install 2-way cycle track, bus boarding platform pending public works approval final construction drawings, 15. Request for two additional meetings for Homeless Services Panel of Experts, 16. Taplin – Letter of support SB 379 – bill prohibits UC from contracting with any health facility or subcontractor that limits a UC employed health care practitioner from providing patients with medical information, reproductive and gender-affirming services (UC has contracted with Dignity Health the largest Catholic Hospital network which recently argued before States Supreme court for its constitutional right to refuse to allow a transgender patient in Sacramento to undergo a hysterectomy.) 17. Bartlett, cosponsors Arreguin, Kesarwani - Proclamation Partition Remembrance Day, ACTION: 18. CM - Updated Fees for Home Occupations Ordinance, 19. Objective Standards Recommendations for Density, Design and Shadows from JSISHL referral to Planning Commission and Design Review Committee pages 39 – 62 in packet), 20. CM – Rules of Procedure Revise rules for legislative process during COVID-19, CM – Designate a voting delegate and alternative for business meeting of the Annual League of CA Cities conference on 9/24/2021, 22. Energy Commission – Creation of Climate Equity Fund $600,000, 23. Arreguin - Contract $78,000 with Szabo & Associates for communications consulting services for Mayor’s office thru 6/30/2022, 24. Taplin – Ghost Gun Precursor Parts Ordinance, prohibits any person other than licensed manufacturer or importer from possessing, selling, transferring, purchasing, transporting, receiving or manufacturing and unfinished firearm that has not been imprinted with a serial numbers, 25. Hahn , Arreguin– Accelerating City’s transition to Plant-based foods, resolution to decrease animal based food products byt 50% by 2024, 26. Hahn, cosponsors Bartlett, Harrison – Contract for Grant-wriging Services, 27. Wengraf – Call on US Government to negotiate the elimination of nuclear weapons, INFORMATION REPORTS: 28. Referral Response to SB 1413 expediate development of teacher and school employee housing, 29. LPC Commission actions. 

_____________________ 

Regular Council Meeting, July 13, 2021, at 6 pm, email comments to council@cityofberkeley.info 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82181611485 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 821 8161 1485 

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

CONSENT: 1. 2^nd reading FY2022 Tax rate Measure E for emergency services for severely disabled $0.01796 per sq ft improvements, 2. 2^nd reading FY2022 Annual appropriations $673,601,287 gross ($552,265,708 net), 3. Formal Bid Solicitations $663,976, 4. Contract $1,200,000 (includes 7.3% contingency $82,000) with ERA Construction, Inc. for the O&K Docks Electrical Upgrade Project at the Berkeley Marina, 5. Amend Contract add $50,000 total $2,144,056 with Suarez and Munoz Construction for San Pablo Park Playground and Tennis Court Renovation Project, 6. Authorize City Manager (CM) to accept Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grants of $75,000 (competitive), $83,506 (non-competitive) and Priority Development Area (PDA) Grant $750,000 for San Pablo Ave, 7. Accept Grant $135,462 from CA Highway Patrol (CHP) Cannabis Tax Fund to reduce impaired driving detection/investigation training for officers, community education in Berkeley, 8. Resolution approving adjusted fees for 2018 Clean Stormwater Fee, 9. Contract $702,384 (includes $117,064 contingency) for Central Library Waterproofing & Restoration Project, 10. Amend Contract add $150,000 total $200,000 and extend by 2 yr to 11/30/2023 with New Image Landscape Co. for on-call landscaping services, 11. Resolution supporting ending Qualified Immunity Act, ACTION: 12. . Arreguin co-sponsors Hahn, Wengraf – Endorse All Home CA Regional Action Plan on Homelessness, 13. CM – Zoning Map Amendment of Parcels at 1709 Alcatraz, 3404 King 3244 Ellis, 1717 Alcatraz and 2024 Ashby rezone to Commercial – Adeline Corridor District (C-AC) and revise boundaries of the Adeline Corridor Specific Plan Area to include the 5 parcels, 14. CM – Conduct a public hearing and adopt the first reading of local Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance, 15. Harrison, co-sponsors Bartlett, Taplin – Adopt Resolution Updating City of Berkeley (CoB) Street Maintenance and Rehabilitation Policy and Refer to Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Sustainability (FITES) potential bonding and funding opportunities for improving the Paving Condition Index (PCI), 16. CM – Housing Element Annual Progress Report, 17. Taplin – Amend BMC Section 14.56.070 for 3-Ton Commercial Truck Weight Limit between University and Dwight on Tenth Street, Ninth Street, Eighth Street and Seventh Street, 18. Police Accountability Board – Appointment of Members, INFORMATION REPORTS: Work Plans, 19. Animal Care Commission 2021/2022, 20. Commission on Disability, 21. Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Product Panel of Experts. 

_______________________ 

Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals 

2943 Pine (construct a 2^nd story) 9/28/2021 

1205 Peralta (conversion of garage) 10/12/2021 

770 Page (demolish existing unit and construct 4 detached) 7/27/2021 

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

0 Cragmont 7/21/2021 

1131 Hillview 7/13/2021 

1513.5 7/20/2021 

2326 Roosevelt 7/13/2021 

3015 San Pablo 7/13/2021 

2768 Shasta 7/13/2021 

2000 University 7/13/2021 

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 

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

September 21 – 1. Housing Element (RHNA) 

October 19 – 1. Update Zero Waste Rates and Priorities, 2. Berkeley Police Department Hiring Practices (referred by Public Safety Committee), 3. Crime Report 

December 7 – 1. Review and Update on City’s COVID-19 Response, 2. WETA/Ferry Service at the Marina, 3. Presentation by Bay Restoration Authority 

Unscheduled Workshops/Presentations 

Cannabis Health Considerations 

Civic Arts Grantmaking Process & Capital Grant Program 

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. 

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 

Worth Noting:

So far, the last City Council meetings before summer recess are: July 20^th and July 27^th. City Council summer recess is July 28 – September 13, 2021. Item 28 in the July 27^th agenda is Objective Standards for Density, Design and Shadows. The mayor said he will be submitting a supplement to the standards. Keep checking as nothing is posted yet. The full July 27^th agenda follows the daily list of meetings.



Wednesday afternoon FITES meets at 2:30 pm on the plastic bag ordinance and the City Fleet Replacement Fund audit. Wednesday evening there are five overlapping meetings. The Labor Commission at 7 pm, Human Welfare & Community Action Commission at 6:30 pm and the Transportation Subcommittee on BART at 6 pm look to be the most interesting. The Transportation subcommittee on BART is taking over where CAG (Community Advisory Group for BART Station Housing Developments at Ashby and North Berkeley BART) left off on planning for BART parking.

Thursday – The Mental Health Commission at 7 pm starts with the FY 21/22 MHSA annual report presentation and public hearing. Item 5 on the agenda is the update on the SCU.

Friday – The outdoor movie in Grove Park is Akeelah and the Bee at 8:45.

 

Sunday, July 18, 2021 & Monday, July 19, 2021 - No City meetings or events found 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 

Solano Avenue Business Improvement District Advisory Board at 10 am 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86475480085 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 864 7548 0085 

AGENDA: 4. Review Invoices from SAA, 5. Projects / Goals for 2021 Collaboration with SAA – including Solano Revitalization, 6. Coordination & Communication with Solano Businesses as COVID restrictions all lifted, 7. Commissioner Recruitment. 

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

City Council Special Meeting at 4 pm, 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89932150811 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 899 3215 0811 

AGENDA: Use link for MOU details 1. MOU IBEW Local 1245, term 6/28/2020-6/30/2022, 2. MOU SEIU Local 1021, term 6/27/2021-6/26/2024, 3. MOU Berkeley Police Association, term 7/1/2021-6/30/2023, 4. Unrepresented Employees: Salary Update and Update to Unrepresented Employee Manual. 

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

City Council Special Meeting at 6 pm, 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89932150811 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 899 3215 0811 

AGENDA: CONSENT: 1. Resolution Reviewing, Ratifying Local COVID-19 Emergency – continues the COVID Emergency, WORKSESSION: 2. Bayer Healthcare LLC Development Agreement Amendment, 3. Measure FF and Fire Prevention. 

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

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 

City Council Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment & Sustainability Committee (FITES) at 2:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89578391060 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 895 853 5257 

AGENDA: 2. Adopt an Ordinance to Regulate Plastic Bags at Retail and Food Service Establishments, 3. Presentation by City Auditor: Berkeley’s Fleet Replacement Fund Short by Millions. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Home/Policy_Committee__Facilities,_Infrastructure,_Transportation,_Environment,___Sustainability.aspx 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board Outreach Committee at 5:30 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81940482696?pwd=eUtDSUxNanRpTTZ4S3NTblc5ODIxdz09 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 819 4048 2696 Passcode: 377787 

AGENDA: 4. Public Comment, 5. Tenant Survey, 6. Website, 7. Fair Chance Ordinance, 8. Cal Student Outreach. 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/ 

Commission on Labor at 7 – 9 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/97638388941?pwd=M0NZRzY5UXh5N05BR1BwZ0kvNXZTZz09 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 976 3838 894 Passcode: 324229 

AGENDA: 6. Workplan, 7. Discussion new State Legislation that would prevent elected prosecutors from investigating police misconduct if they’ve accepted campaign funds from law enforcement unions, 8. Discussion of the labor shortage and its impact on economic recovery. 

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

Independent Redistricting Commission at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82156557519 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 821 5655 7519 

AGENDA: 2. Discussion Regarding Outcomes from the July 10, 2021 Public Hearing and Next Steps in the Process, 3. Report from Community Outreach Subcommittee, 4. Independent Redistricting Commission Budget, 5. Status In-person meetings. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/redistricting/ 

Human Welfare & Community Action Commission at 6:30 pm 

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

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

AGENDA: 6. Low-income representative election, 7. Commission agenda item request process, 8. Commissioner Manual Review, 9. Review CoB funded agency Program and Financial reports, a. Through the Looking Glass, 10. Minutes, 11. Presentation Youth ALIVE, 12. Sidewalk Ordinance, 13. Accessibility issues Pathways, Grayson St. Staff v. Consultants; Ombudsman and concerns over Justice Dept ruling on Mental Health, 14. Alta Bates, 15. TOPA (Tenants Opportunity Act, 16. Citywide public restrooms report, 17. Disabled accessibility in high-density corridors, 18. Possible improvements to HWCAC request for proposal review process, 19. City Grant writer procurement, 20. Questionaire to Council regarding HWCAC priorities, 21. Current state of homelessness, 22. Possible action on letter to Council regarding commission mergers, 23. 24-hour emergency homeless shelter at 742 Grayson, 24. Air Quality, 25. Possible letter to Council regarding current situation at Pathways (and New Horizons) and supply of affordable housing throughout City. 

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

Transportation Commission Subcommittee BART Access Plan #1 at 6 - 8 pm 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81668756576 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 816 6875 6576 

AGENDA: 1. Transit Oriented Development and the Corridor access Plan, 2. Corridor Access Plan to date, 3. Next Phase: Set BART parking range & development initial station access options, defining the BART parking replacement range, developing menu of Initial Station Access Options, Strategy development and evaluation.  

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

Thursday, July 22, 2021 

Mental Health Commission at 7 – 9 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96361748103 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 963 6174 8103 

AGENDA: 3. Mental Health Service Act (MHSA) Annual Report FY21/22 presentation and public hearing, 4. Interview and vote on nomination of Tommy Escarega, 5. SCU update, 6. Re-imagining Task Force Update, 8. Public Education campaign, 9. Mental Health Manager’s Report and Caseload Statistics, 10. US Dept of Justice investigation of Santa Rita Jail. 

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

Zoning Adjustment Board at 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/96948167628 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 969 4816 7628 

AGENDA: 2. 1207 Tenth St – Staff Recommend Approve – demolish existing non-residential building on 12,800 sq ft industrial parcel and construct 3-story 20,390 sq ft mixed-use building with 2 live-work units containing Art/Craft Studio Workspaces, 12 Art/Craft Studios, a R&D facility, Light Manufacturing (shared fabrications shop) and Incidental Retail (Art Gallery), parking garage for 10 vehicles and 24 bicycles at ground level. 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/zoningadjustmentsboard/ 

Friday, July 23, 2021 

Outdoor movie at Grove Park: Akeelah and the Bee at 8:45 – 10:30 pm (free) 

Location: Grove Park, 1730 Oregon 

Please arrive 30 minutes before start of film, bring blankets, sleeping bags and/or low-back beach chairs. Alcohol free event. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=17436 

Saturday, July 24, 2021 & Sunday, July 25, 2021 - No City meetings or events found 

___________________ 

July 27, 2021 City Council Regular meeting at 6 pm 

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

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81818068814 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 818 1806 8814  

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

CONSENT: 2^nd reading 1&2. 1. CM – Zoning Map Amendment of Parcels at 1709 Alcatraz, 3404 King 3244 Ellis, 1717 Alcatraz and 2024 Ashby rezone to Commercial – Adeline Corridor District (C-AC) and revise boundaries of the Adeline Corridor Specific Plan Area to include the 5 parcels, 2. Taplin – Amend BMC Section 14.56.070 for 3-Ton Commercial Truck Weight Limit between University and Dwight on Tenth Street, 3. Contract $163,008 7/1/2021-6/30/2022 with Berkeley YMCA for Fitness Center Memberships for City Employees, 2. Minutes, 4. Minutes, 5. CM – Designate a voting delegate (Hahn) and alternative (Taplin) for business meeting of the Annual League of CA Cities conference on 9/24/2021, 6. Contract $200,000 (Measure FF) with Citygate for Fire Dept Standards of Response Coverage study to include risk profile, optimum fire station locations, crew staffing deployment, work schedules, 7. Contract $100,000 with East Bay Sanctuary Covenant for Trauma Support Services Latinx / Latinas / Latinos for Prevention – early intervention, 8. Contract $100,000 with Pacific Center for Human Growth for LGBTQIA+, 9. Contract $31,846 with Center for Independent Living, 10. Contract add $616,819 total $7,440,430 with Innovative Claim Solutions (ICS) for administration of City’s Workers’ Compensation Program thru 6/30/2022, 11. Contrct add $75,000 total $250,000 with Bartel Associates for Actuarial Consulting Services thru 12/31/2023, 12. Contract $1,119,580 (includes $101,780 contingency) with OBS Engineering, Inc for John Hinkel Park Amphitheater Area Improvements, 13. Contract add $120,000 total $278,000 with Siegal & Strain Architects for Design and Construction Administration Services for Cazadero Camp Jensen Dormitory Replacement project, 14. Contract add $40,000total $280,000 with Bellingham, Inc for Additional Dock Repairs at Berkeley Marina, 15. Contract add $146,000 total $439,000 with DMR Builders for the 125/127 University Tenant Improvement Project/renovation, 16. Dana Complete Streets Project by AC Transit install 2-way cycle track, bus boarding platform pending public works approval final construction drawings, 17. Energy Commission – Creation of Climate Equity Fund $600,000 (this was already passed through the FY2022 budget process) 18. Request for two additional meetings for Homeless Services Panel of Experts, 19. Arreguin - Contract $78,000 with Szabo & Associates for communications consulting services for Mayor’s office thru 6/30/2022, 20. Taplin – Letter of support SB 379 – bill prohibits UC from contracting with any health facility or subcontractor that limits a UC employed health care practitioner from providing patients with medical information, reproductive and gender-affirming services (UC has contracted with Dignity Health the largest Catholic Hospital network which recently argued before States Supreme court for its constitutional right to refuse to allow a transgender patient in Sacramento to undergo a hysterectomy.) 21. Bartlett, cosponsors Arreguin, Kesarwani - Proclamation Partition Remembrance Day, 22. Hahn , Arreguin– Accelerating City’s transition to Plant-based foods, resolution to decrease animal based food products byt 50% by 2024, 23. Hahn - Appointment of Beverly Greene to Board of Library Trustees. 24. Hahn – Letter to Senators Feinstein and Padilla in Support of Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, 25. Hahn, cosponsors Bartlett, Harrison – Contract for Grant-writing Services, 26. Wengraf – Call on US Government to negotiate the elimination of nuclear weapons, ACTION: 27. CM - Updated Fees for Home Occupations Ordinance, 28. ( a supplemental from Mayor Arreguin is supposed to accompany the objective standards – it is not posted as of 1pm 7/18/2021) Objective Standards Recommendations for Density, Design and Shadows from JSISHL referral to Planning Commission and Design Review Committee pages 39 – 62 in packet), 29. CM – Rules of Procedure Revise rules for legislative process during COVID-19, INFORMATION REPORTS: 28. Referral Response to SB 1413 expediate development of teacher and school employee housing, 29. LPC Commission actions. 

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Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals 

2943 Pine (construct a 2^nd story) 9/28/2021 

1205 Peralta (conversion of garage) 10/12/2021 

770 Page (demolish existing unit and construct 4 detached) 7/27/2021 

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

1630 Carleton 7/26/2021 

0 Cragmont 7/21/2021 

1044 Park Hills 8/3/2021 

1513.5 Prince 7/20/2021 

1831-B Solano 8-3-2021 

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 

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WORKSESSIONS 

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

September 21 – 1. Housing Element (RHNA) 

October 19 – 1. Update Zero Waste Rates and Priorities, 2. Berkeley Police Department Hiring Practices (referred by Public Safety Committee), 3. Crime Report 

December 7 – 1. Review and Update on City’s COVID-19 Response, 2. WETA/Ferry Service at the Marina, 3. Presentation by Bay Restoration Authority 

Unscheduled Workshops/Presentations 

Cannabis Health Considerations 

Civic Arts Grantmaking Process & Capital Grant Program 

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