Kevin McCarthy, leading (or perhaps following) his party's MAGA extremists, claims to be oh-so-concerned by our National Debt that he is threatening default for the first time in history. Yes, the national debt is too high, but yes, it is the result of budgets already approved by both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.  

If Republicans were truly concerned about the high debt, they shouldn't have approved tax cuts for the very rich, during trump's mis-administration, while reducing resources for IRS tax collection. Reduced revenue along with higher spending increases debt. 

Default on financial obligations that have already been incurred will lower our nation's credit rating. That will increase the cost (interest rate) for governmental borrowing. Higher borrowing costs will increase the national debt even higher!  

McCarthy's refusal to raise the debt limit will actually increase the very debt he pretends to want to reduce.

I'm prefacing this week's feature with a disclaimer: This piece doesn't contain proven scientific fact, and it should not be used as a basis for how you deal with your or anyone's psychiatric condition or lack thereof. This is conjecture, or maybe it is an oversized anecdote. Here it is:

Certain kinds of life situations and environments can be damaging to some people. This could often be a separate issue from a psychiatric condition. The damage I speak of can show itself in some impairment in some types of functioning, but it doesn't change the brain malfunction that causes a psychiatric condition. 

For example, I experienced damage several years back, through being overextended with nonstop demands of an ill family member, and through not having enough peaceful breaktime intervals to recuperate. Consequently, I began to have a behavior problem where I would get angry more easily, causing what some people termed as "angry outbursts" in which I would raise my voice. And I couldn't get control over this problem for a great while, until I was able to do a deep relaxation and get at the root of the internal problem, one that resembled an "OS" malfunction. Under some circumstances, we can correct the damage. But it may take months or longer to do this. 

I find that going to some places is damaging. I avoid like it was The Great Plague, going to a particular overcrowded medical office in Concord, California, partly because they pack in patients in the waiting rooms like sardines in cans, and I can't help but be influenced by the concentration of sick people. It has an effect. Some readers could scoff at this observation, but I'll tell you this is for real. 

The human mind, at a guess, has code that makes it process sensory and internal information. We don't understand how our brains process information, and it is at a level far and above any AI we currently can build. We can work for centuries on AIs, and we have already worked at least a half century on them. (The first transistors were invented in 1948.) 

AI's have amazing capabilities. But at a guess, we haven't invented an AI that has consciousness. We haven't invented an AI that can feel pain, joy, grief and/or anger. And AI's most likely will never go on strike for better working conditions. The real point is, human beings very likely operate from code, like AI's do, but in humans, it is at a level we can't duplicate or comprehend. 

On the other hand, on Mother's Day of 2023, I went with family to a loud, crowded restaurant, and it was an overload situation. The damage was minimal if it existed at all. Perhaps I felt safe because these were the people with whom I grew up. Not all overload situations will necessarily cause ill effects. Maybe the perception of a situation being a threat to me, or not, is a factor. 

If people function from code, albeit highly flexible and advanced code, it follows that the code from which we function is vulnerable to errors, to "corruption" (in the computer sense), and to other damage. The human mind and brain have software that can be harmed. And we don't have the capability to just reboot. The human body and mind invariably try to heal, but we can't always accomplish that. 

Sensory overload can cause damage. Excessive trauma can cause damage. The damage isn't easily remedied. We are better off when we can anticipate and avoid damaging situations. If the same damaging situation is repeated, we could be damaged in a compound manner. We may or may not know it when we have sustained damage to the mind. 

Gut instinct could play a role in what we decide to do or not do. If you feel that doing something is a bad idea for you, it might be a better guide for you than pure reasoning. If people are pressuring you to do something that you don't want to do or can't do, this creates additional complexity for the scenario. 

People are designed to write our own code and revise our own code through numerous avenues. The systems by which this might happen are far from flawless. Thinking about past situations, past mistakes, and the errors we made, or the trespasses other people made, is one avenue among many. A person subject to psychosis can do "reality checking" and they can contemplate the realism of a delusional belief. To successfully do either, a basic stability must be established first. 

What I've said so far is less expert than the theoretical and is entirely unproven, and it is the musings of an individual, me, and I lack a scientific education. Therefore, what I've said so far is in the realm of conjecture. Yet I think about my mind, I observe it, and I've discovered many of the things that cause it to do worse or do better. 

If you believe that some things are damaging, and if they are reasonably avoidable, maybe you ought to avoid them. I can't deal with crowds or loud situations. I can't deal with a wild party atmosphere. I can deal with things when they are quiet and not demanding. That's why the writing activities that I do make sense for me. This is so whether it ends up paying a lot, a little, or not paying at all. I hope that I at least break even every year. 

A good dropping off point for the reader, this week, is the worthiness of spending time on a weekend or evening, reading for enjoyment. You don’t need to read literary masterpieces. You could read news pieces on your phone. You could read short fiction available online. Reading doesn't have to be another standard by which we judge ourselves. Yet, often reading is indulgent and it is potentially good for mental wellness. 

---

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

Breaking News in Urinal Journalism
Among its many eco-amenities, the wonderful David Brower Center offers energy efficient, gender-neutral restrooms. You will find them on the ground floor. Two doors, side-by-side, prominently identified with identical gender-neutral signs.

On a recent visit, I chose the door on the left and entered a large space filled with private booths. No one else was using the facility (as far as I could tell, given the privacy provided by the booths). On my second visit (during a break in a presentation at the nearby Goldman Auditorium), I found the hallway approach jammed with men and women lining up to use the loos. This time, I chose the door to the right. Inside, I once again found private booths but also—to my surprise—a set of wall-mounted urinals in an open area across from the line-up of private booths. Half-a-dozen gents were lined up waiting a turn at the basins.

There were no ladies to be seen. Just men.

On departing the privy, I took notice of a crowd of ladies waiting to enter the all-booth lavatory. It was clear that, despite the signs, the women were all using one bathroom and the men were all patronizing the other.

The Solution to Pollution Is Not More Pollution
Food and Water Watch is steamed over the EPA's plans for “regulating" greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. "Rather than regulating greenhouse gasses," FWW fumes, "the rules actually incentivize costly, ineffective, and polluting carbon capture at power plants." 

Carbon capture proponents claim they can sequester climate-warming carbon dioxide at the source—maybe even remove it from the atmosphere. The problem that's overlooked: you need to burn more climate-cooking fuel to power carbon-capture equipment. 

Carbon capture is not only carbon-dependent, it is a pricey option that has racked up a track record of failures.  

"Carbon capture is a delusion not a solution," say the experts at FWW. "We can no longer afford to lose time in the race to confront climate change. Thanks to our lack of determined action, catastrophic tornados and hurricanes are now becoming as commonplace as mass shootings." 

Here's a suggestion: How about declaring an "Energy Sabbath" each Sunday when businesses and households will be asked to turn off all pollution-powered household equipment? If this one-day-a-week strategy were 100% effective, if could immediately reduce energy-related pollution by 14%. 

Fashion Plates
ENTLING: A towering mythical creature, half-human, half-tree—no tires. 

SWEDIE2: Sweetie Number Two? Es We Die Too? 

White Subaru: BLYYMEY (A pirate's curse?) 

Black Subaru: FOG TWN (A resident of fog town San Francisco) 

Black Honda: GOTLOVE: (I blew a kiss to the lady behind the wheel and she returned the gesture) 

Black Ford: FIAT SLG ("Let there be slugs?" UC Santa Barbara's mascot if the Banana Slug) 

Black Lexus: GO LONG (Quite possibly a 49er fan) 

Grey Mercedes: 34MERSO (Merso is a California-based cannabis lab located in Lompoc) 

Bumper Snickers
Tax My Carbon 

Boldly Going Nowhere 

Sorry for Driving So Close in Front of You 

The Best Thing About Small Towns: You Get to Be in the Band 

Spend Your Life Doing Strange Things with Weird People 

If You're Happy and You Know It It's Your Meds 

Has the Ukraine-Russia-NATO War Gone Nuclear?
On May 15, Yevgeny Kuklychev, Newsweek's Russian-born Senior Fact Check Editor, reported on a "viral video of a huge explosion near the city of Khmelnytskyi in Western Ukraine." The terrifying clip appears to show that "a 'depleted uranium' storage facility was hit and reports that radiation levels were 'rising' in the aftermath of the strike." 

Four Russian drones reportedly struck an ammunition depot that had recently received a controversial shipment of British "depleted uranium" weapons—including tank-piercing bullets. Observers feared that the depleted uranium (DU) weapons had been turned into dust and churned upwards by two massive blasts that left an ominous mushroom cloud hovering over the city. 

 

Health concerns were raised when radiation detectors were reported to have shown large spikes in gamma radiation at the blast site and also downwind—in the direction of Poland and other Western European nations. 

In most cases, such extraordinary video footage would have been widely broadcast but, in this case, Western media appears to have chosen to ignore the story. 

Amidst growing European concerns over the health impacts of radioactive fallout, Sputnik, a Russian news outlet, asked nuclear weapons inspector Dr. Chris Busby for an assessment. 

"After Chernobyl, the European Union set up a Europe-wide gamma radiation detector system that used to give gamma readings in real time," Dr. Busby replied. "I went to look. But astonishingly, all the data was blocked. The web- based system, administered from Germany, (EURDEP) would not provide the detector maps that are normally available." The radiation graphs remained offline until May 18 when the maps were suddenly reposted. However, Dr. Busby noted, "The map type had been changed and everything we saw in the downloads had disappeared or had been smudged out" in an apparent case of "panic and cover-up." 

Busby was also alarmed by aftermath photos taken at the clean-up site that showed firefighters using remote-controlled vehicles. "The last times we saw robot vehicles clearing up was in the ruins of Chernobyl and Fukushima," Busby noted. "If I am right, there has been an environmental disaster, and the DU particles will travel across Poland, Germany and Hungary, and will end up in the Baltics, probably later, the whole of Europe including the UK." 

 

Kucinich Speaks the Truth
A former member of Congress and presidential candidate has publicly accused a sitting president of breaching the Constitution, violating international law, and committing a war crime. In response, the Mainstream Media quietly shrugs and looks the other way. 

During an anti-war speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on February 19, 2023, former Rep. Dennis Kucinich declared that Washington's "greatest talent is to craft misinformation and disinformation to subvert the media, to misuse it as an instrument to incite fear and hatred among our people, exciting partisan divisions at home through crass politics and stirring ancient hatreds abroad through lies, deceit, false flag operations and provocations which profane the very essence of democracy…. 

Kucinich then went on to boldly state: "In blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines, this government has deliberately circumvented Article One of the US Constitution, the authority of Congress, to make war; it has violated international criminal law by conspiring to commit acts of sabotage and violence on the high seas…. 

"It has used illegal and unconstitutional means to destroy the energy resources needed to protect millions of people in Europe during winter and then to profit from its illegal actions by selling energy to Europe at a four to six times markup.…. 

"Thanks to a courageous journalist, Seymour Hersh, we know what each of you did at the Nord Stream Pipelines, Mr. President, Mr. Secretary of State, Mr. National Security Advisor and Madame Under Secretary of State. And we will not rest until you are held accountable by Congress, by the International Criminal Court, and by the American people at the next election for your reprehensible conduct which has debased our Constitution, undermined the Rule of Law and, in our name, committed an Act of War that threatened the peace of the world and the stability of our own nation." 

Offering US Jets to Shoot Down Russian Jets? What Could Go Wrong?
Prof. Steven Starr, an Associate of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and a former board member and senior scientist with Physicians for Social Responsibility, has a few choice words regarding Joe Biden's G7 agreement to escalate the Pentagon's proxy Ukraine war with Russia by approving the use of US F-16 fighter jets in the skies above Ukraine. As Starr recently noted in an email conversation: 

"F-16s date back to the 1970s, they will be completely at risk to Russian air defense systems and no match for Russian fighters, despite whatever the latest Top Gun movies say.  

"They are unable to fly off runways that are not pristine and Russia will have no trouble finding those airstrips and making them unusable. I have read that F-16s do not have enough range to fly out of Romania. If that is correct, one danger will be if they start flying out of runways in Poland, because Poland is a member of NATO and, if Russia hits Polish runways, it opens up the issue of Chapter V. 

"It appears to me that the US is bent on escalating the conflict. Russia has just taken Bakhmut and is likely to begin larger offensive actions in the near future, as the spring rains stop and the ground dries out, allowing for the movement of armored vehicles.  

"This is not going to be a 'frozen conflict' because the Ukrainian Army is on the point of collapse, and Russia is not likely to accept anything other than an unconditional surrender. 

"Why? Because they have no one trustworthy to negotiate with. The signers of the Minsk Accords have publicly stated that they never intended to honor the agreement, they signed simply to buy time for Ukraine to be rearmed by NATO. The US has abrogated so many agreements that the Russians describe them as 'non-agreement capable.'  

"So, the question is, will the US/NATO choose to send troops into Ukraine if the Ukrainian Army falls apart in the face of a Russian offensive?" 

When It Come to Press Freedom, the US Is Not a Leader
Somehow the Washington Post didn't see anything wrong with hosting a "press freedom" event with Sec. of State Antony Blinken. 

Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index provides an annual assessment about the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories. On May 3, the Post held a live broadcast to promote the release of the WPFI's findings. The clear scent of Western Bias could be sniffed when the Post announced its roster of top journalists would share air-time with Blinken, who would be discoursing in an "exclusive interview … about the state of global press freedom." 

If any legitimate reporter could chose someone to address the poor performance of other countries on press freedom, the last name on the list would be A. Blinken (who likes to be addressed by his nickname: "Abe Lincoln"). 

For the record, the top ten Press Freedom leaders are: Norway, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Portugal, and Timor-Leste. 

The US is listed as number 45, right behind Tonga. 

As one upset observer put it, the WPFI "misspelled 'Free Dumb' for all the brainwashed suckers who buy into the endless propaganda." This suggests a new term to describe the current state of fact-lacking, fib-filled US media/politics—a dumocracy. 

As we've long known—from the risk-taking exploits of Daniel Ellsberg to the jail-time meted out to killer-drone insider Daniel Hale—Washington prefers to incarcerate the whistleblowers it can capture while driving others into exile and/or subjecting them to extradition. 

Press Freedom? Tell it to Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, and Seymour Hersh. 

Revisiting Jerusalema
Magoso Jerusalema Challenge, Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya 

 

 

In June 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $308 billion state budget that provided direct tax refunds for 23 million Californians to help address rising costs, tackles the state’s most pressing needs, builds our reserves, and invests in California’s future.

Then California gave back stimulus payments of $9.2 billion via the Middle Class Tax Refund program and later a second stimulus check. Now California projects a $32 billion budget deficit. And Gov. Newsom doesn’t want to use the rainy-day or reserve fund to close the budget deficit.

Now I appreciate the stimulus checks, but what will Californians now lose as the state tries to close the budget gap — giving with one hand and taking back with the other. This is a heck of a way to run a business (state).

I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing second Nakba that is threatening the Palestinian people, as they face the constant threat of expulsion from their homeland. As Palestinians and the United Nations mark the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, it is crucial that we shine a light on the continued suffering endured by Palestinians due to the actions of right-wing Israeli militants and extremists. 

The Nakba, which translates to "catastrophe" in Arabic, refers to the tragic events of 1948 when approximately 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee from their homes or were violently expelled upon the establishment of Israel. These Palestinians, who sought refuge in neighboring countries or were internally displaced, have experienced displacement and dispossession that has spanned generations. 

What makes the current situation even more alarming is the hermetic sealing of Gaza, where Israeli militants employ Gestapo-like tactics to impose a suffocating blockade on the Palestinian inhabitants. For the past 16 years, Gazans have been subjected to severe restrictions on their basic human rights, including access to essential services, healthcare, education, and freedom of movement. This ongoing collective punishment is causing immense suffering and condemning the people of Gaza to a slow and painful death. 

In addition to the atrocities in Gaza, we cannot ignore the rampant home demolitions perpetrated by Israeli settler terrorists, often with a tacit approval from the Israeli government. These acts of aggression further exacerbate the plight of Palestinians, leaving families homeless and traumatized. The continued expansion of illegal settlements and the destruction of Palestinian homes by these extremist groups undermine any prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region. 

The international community has begun to recognize the gravity of the situation. Amnesty International, among other reputable organizations, has officially labeled the regime imposed by Israel on Palestinians as apartheid. This regime not only treats Palestinians as an inferior racial group but also enforces a system of oppression and domination aimed at creating a Jewish supremacist society. Such a system goes against the principles of justice, equality, and human rights that should be upheld by all nations. 

It is crucial that we raise awareness about the ongoing second Nakba and the violations of human rights faced by Palestinians. The international community must take a stand against the continued displacement, dispossession, and suffering endured by the Palestinian people. We must urge governments, organizations, and individuals to actively support a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one that upholds the rights and dignity of all individuals involved. 

As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, let us renew our commitment to justice and equality for all. The voices of Palestinians must be heard, and their rights must be respected. It is time for the world to unite and work towards a future where Palestinians and Israelis can coexist in peace and security.gh

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) is best known for the operas and opera-ballets he composed at Versailles for the court of Louis XIV. One of these latter is the rarely heard Les Surprises de l’Amour, first performed at Versailles 1748. Recently, as part of the Barefoot Chamber Concerts, an affiliate of the San Francisco Early Music Society, excerpts from Rameau’s Les Surprises de l’Amour were performed in a transcription by 18th century composer Ludwig Christian Hesse, who scaled down this work to present it in a small chamber music ensemble. Bay Area musicians formed a group called Harmonia Felice consisting of viola da gambists Amy Brodo and Roy Wheldon, theorbist Jon Mendle, and harpischordist Caitlyn Koester, and these instrumentalists were joined by singers Caroline Jou Armitage, soprano, and Brian Thorsett, tenor. The concert was in the Parish Hall of Berkeley’s Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Friday, May 19 at 6:30 pm. 

Rameau’s Les Surprises de l’Amour in its original form was in two acts, the first being L’Enlèvement d’Adonis, and the second being La Lyre Enchantée. For this Berkeley concert, Harmonia Felice performed the Ouverture from L’Enlèvement d’Adonis followed by the complete La Lyre Enchantée, including the charming dance movements composed for this opera-ballet by Rameau. Dance, of course, was an integral part of music at the court of Louis XIV, who himself often danced the principal role in works composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, Jean-Philippe Rameau or other French Baroque composers. 

The plot of Rameau’s La Lyre Enchantée involves the love of Parthenope for Linus, a humble shepherd, and his apparent indifference to her charms and her love. Instead, Linus loves Urania who discovers the enchanted lyre and can’t resist plucking it, then immediately sings the praises of love. Apollo is astonished at the beauty of the dance steps performed by both Urania and Terpsichory and presents each of them a crown of laurels. Instrumental dances ensue, a Loure, a Tamborin, and a Chaconne. The vocal roles were brilliantly sung by soprano Caroline Jou Armitage and tenor Brian Thorsett, who also performed on tambourines. Caroline Jou Armitage has a pitch perfect voice of amazing clarity, and she sang with great intensity and commitment to her roles, whether the sweet Parthenope, the beguiled Urania, or the gender-bending role of Apollo. Tenor Brian Thorsett was a robust Linus, a character who at first fears the excesses of love but soon gives in to the charms of Parthenope. The instrumental ensemble featured superb performances by Amy Brodo and Roy Wheldon on violas da gamba, and fine continuo accompaniment by harpsichordist Caitlyn Koester and theorbist Jon Mendle. Kudos are due to Barefoot Chamber Concerts for presenting this delightful rarity by Jean-Philippe Rameau in a chamber music tran -scription by Ludwig Christian Hesse. 

Worth Noting:

So far no meetings are listed for Thursday or Friday adding extra days to the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/

Only those meetings noted as recorded can be accessed for a full record after the meeting is over. City meeting minutes contain only actions, the outcome of votes on action items. In meetings that are not recorded, discussion is heard only by those who attend the meeting and there is no record of discussion.

• Monday:
  • 12 noon the Community for a Cultural Civic Center online on Turtle Island Monument.
  • 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format to review the City Council draft agenda for June 6. The Bird Safe Ordinance is on the June 6 City Council agenda. (this meeting is audio recorded (not video) and allows attendees to save the transcript)
  • 6 pm the Zero Waste Commission meets in person.
    
    
  • 6 pm Speaking Up for Point Molate meets online Jacob T. Henry Engineering Geologist SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board on “Cleaning Up Point Molate: Progress and Challenges. “ (recorded) The May 15 video on the steep decline of bird populations and preventing deadly bird-glass collisions is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOi8cGie_8s
• Tuesday:
  • 4 pm City Council Special Meeting on Unfunded Liabilities and Infrastructure Needs is in the hybrid format (video recorded and allows attendees to save the transcript)
  • 6 pm City Council regular meeting in the hybrid format Surveillance Ordinance on the agenda. (video recorded and allows attendees to the save transcript)
• Wednesday:
  • 6 pm Civic Arts Commission meets in person.
  • 6 pm the Environment and Climate Commission meets in person.
  • 6:30 pm the Police Accountability Board meets in the hybrid format.
  • 7 pm the Disaster and Fire safety Commission meets in person.

Directions with links to Zoom Support for activating Closed Captioning and Save Transcript are at the bottom of this calendar.

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BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS

Sunday, May 21, 2023 - No city meetings listed

Monday, May 22, 2023

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor – Redwood Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1613010148 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 301 0148 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve 3/21/2023 draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda below at the end of the list of city meetings, 3. Berkeley Considers, 4. Adjournment in Memory, 5. Council Workssessions, 6. Referrals for scheduling, 7. Land Use Calendar, Referred Items for Review: none Unscheduled Items: 8. COVID, 9. Discussion of Potential Changes to City Council Legislative Process, 10. Modifications or improvements to City Council Meeting Procedure, 11. Strengthening and Supporting City Commission: Guidance on Development of Legislative Proposals, 12. Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committees Process and Structure (Including Budget Referrals), 

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

COMMUNITY for a CULTURAL CIVIC CENTER at 12 noon 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81225523461?pwd=aUd1dmNGb3NBWG5jOTJDajF4RkxZZz09 

Teleconference: Meeting ID:  

AGENDA: Presentation Jennifer Lovvrom on Turtle Island Monument 

ZERO WASTE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

In-Person: 1326 Allston, CoB Corporation Yard, Ratcliff Building, Willow Room 

AGENDA: 4. Public Comment on non-agenda items, 6. (6:30 pm) Staff Updates on Rates, Progress on Zero Waste Strategic Plan, SB-1383 Implementation, SUDs Ordinance Enforcement, Plastic Bag Ordinance, Discussion and Action Items: 1. Eco-Sorter, 2. Prop 218 process and Workplan, 3. Ridwell Waste Less, and Deconstruction Ordinance, 4. San Francisco Refuse Separation Law. 

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

SPEAKING UP for POINT MOLATE from 6 – 7 pm 

Videoconference: https://sierraclub.zoom.us/j/99891619534 

AGENDA: Jacob T. Henry, Engineering Geologist, SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board on “Cleaning Up Point Molate: Progress and Challenges.“ (recorded) 

YouTube Channel Past Presentation – What we can do right now to prevent deadly bird-window collisions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOi8cGie_8s 

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 4 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1604260018 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 160 426 0018 

AGENDA: 1. Unfunded Liability Obligations and Unfunded Infrastructure Needs. 

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

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1604260018 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 160 426 0018 

AGENDA: Use the link below (and choose the html option on the website) or see the agenda listed at the end of the calendar. 

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

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

In-Person: at 1901 Russell, Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library 

AGENDA Presentations, Discussion & Action: 7. a) Action: Approval of Final Art Plan for 2403 San Pablo, b) Presentation: Artist Space Trust, c) Action: approval of Poet Laureate Program Guidelines, d) Presentation and Action: Civic Center Design Concept. 

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

DISASTER and FIRE SAFETY COMMISSION at 7 pm 

In-Person: 997 Cedar, Fire Department Division of Training Classroom 

AGENDA: 2. Fire Dept Staff Report, 4. Bradstreet – Adopt Recommendation to City Council on Measure FF and Measure GG Tax Rate Adjustment, 5. Select date and time for special meeting to hear presentations on the Facilities Master Plan and Dispatch Needs Assessment, 6. Consideration to change date for June meeting, (June 28th Islam Eid alAdha), 7. Dean – Recommendation that council consider establishing height-related fire fighting surcharge for high-rise buildings, 8. Concrete Retrofits/Seismic Threat. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/disaster-and-fire-safety-commission 

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: 6. Update from staff a. OESD, b. Community Resilience Centers (CRC), c. Building electrification outreach – May Green Home Tour, 7. Presentation & Discussion: Lead Paint Hazard Enforcement, 9. Workplan Updates a. Transportation, b. Natie Plants and Pest Reduction Subcommittee, c. Electrification subcommittee. 

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

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD at 6:30 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82653396072 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 826 5359 6072 

AGENDA: 2. Oath of office for new members District 5 Leah Wilson & District 8 William Williams, 5. Public comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 5. ODPA staff Report, 6. Chair and Board Reports, 7. Chief Report, 8. Subcommittee Report, 9. Training on Graham v. Connor, 10. a. ODPA proposed procedure for internal/external communications between the Board and other parties, b. Processing of commendations for BPD officers, c. Presentation on the incorporation of Animal Assisted Intervention, d. Policy review case status updates, 11. Closed Session on Case Updates. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/police-accountability-board 

Thursday, May 25, 2023 - No city meetings listed 

Friday, May 26, 2023 - No city meetings listed 

Saturday, May 27, 2023 - No city meetings listed 

Sunday, May 28, 2023 - No city meetings listed 

Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day Holiday 

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AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Draft Agenda for May 6 City Council Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor – Redwood Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1613010148 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 161 301 0148 

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

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $1,061,394
2. Warhuus, HHCS – Shelter Plus Care Program Renewal Grants 1. a. HUD $3,949,021 for supportive Housing for 6/1/2023 - 5/31/2024, b. COACH Project $2,327,914 for 1/1/2023 – 12/31/2023, 2. Federal grant via Alameda County $881,045 for chronically homeless and disabled 3/1/2023 – 2/28/2024
3. Warhuus, HHCS – RFP for MLK, Junior (MLK) House for new owner, 2. Consider the reallocation of $1,178,974 in 2021 Housing Trust FundRehabilitation Funding initially awarded to RCD to the new owner/operator of MLK House as part of the transfer of property to help support rehabilitation of the existing housing
4. Grant Application: Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) $60,000 and $6,000 match
5. Ferris, Parks – Amend Contracts for as-needed Tree Services add $250,000 to each Tay Area Tree Specialists (31900292), Hamilton Tree Service (31900193), Professional Tree Care (31900212), West Coast Arborists (31900218)
6. Ferris, Parks - Donation from the Bessemer Trust for Tree Planting $7,105
7. Klein, Planning - Contract $1,500,000 with Rebuilding Together East Bay North for Just Transition Pilot Program over 2-year period
8. Klein, Planning - Amend Contract 32000020 add $61,000 total $2,061,000 with Rincon Consultants, Inc. for On-Call Planning and Environmental Services for 2023 – 2031
9. Louis BPD - Resolution approving 2022 Equipment Ordinance Annual Report
10. Wong, Auditor, co-sponsors Arreguin, Kesarwani – Endorse the City Auditor’s plan to implement a Whistlerblower Program
11. Kesarwani, co-sponsors Humbert, Taplin, Wengraf – Additional Street Maintenance Funding to Improve Pavement Condition increase total street paving by $4,700,000 total $20,000,000
12. Bartlett – Bench Donation: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds (Bartlett $3,500) for creating a community bench in memory of the efforts from community members made in 2020 on the Black Life Matters Movement
13. Bartlett – Berkeley Juneteenth Festival: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds (Bartlett $1000)
14. Harrison – Budget Referral $7,000 to Purchase Marking Equipment to Engrave Identification Numbers onto Catalytic Converters
15. Harrison – Budget Referral $15,000 in Budget Process in Measure P funds for City recreational vehicle pump-out station, including minimal staffing costs, liability, maintenance, and replacement costs to allow individuals to discharge effluent waste directly into the City’s sewer system
16. Wengraf – Support SB-233 (Skinner) EV vehicles and EV supply equipment: bidirectional capability

AGENDA on ACTION: 

17. Klein, Planning – Bird Safe Building Requirements; Adding Municipal Code Section 23.304.150
18. Arreguin – Referral to City Manager and City Attorney: Tenant Habitability Plan and Amendments to Relocation Ordinance
19. Arreguin, co-sponsors Harrison, Hahn, Robinson – Amendments to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance to adjust the timeline to provide documentation proving that non-payment of rent was for a Covered Reason for Delayed Payment if an Unlawful Detainer is served

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

20. Police Overtime Audit Report Wins National recognition

+++++++++++++++++++ 

 

May 23, 2023 Agenda for CITY COUNCIL Meeting at 6 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1604260018 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 160 426 0018 

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

AGENDA on CONSENT 

1. 2nd reading Arreguin - Adding BMC Chapter 13.107 Hard Hat Ordinance
2. Amendment FY 2023 Annual Appropriations Ordinance $27,940,780 (gross) and $29,658,924 (net)
3. 2nd reading - Resolution of Intention to Amend the Miscellaneous CalPERS Contract to Effectuate PEPRA Cost Sharing Agreements
4. Appointment of Standby Officers for District 8 and District 2.
5. Minutes for April 11, 13, 17, and 25
6. Appointment of new members to the Police Accountability Board by Councilmembers Humbert (Mr. Bill Williams) and Hahn (Leah Wilson).
7. Hollander, Economic Development – Annual Report for 2023 and 2024 Assessments for Telegraph Property Based Business Improvement District (TBID)
8. Hollander, Economic Development - Annual for 2023 and 2024 Assessments for Berkeley Tourism Business Improvement District (BTBID)
9. Hollander, Economic Development - Annual for 2023 and 2024 Assessments for North Shattuck Property Based Businesses (NSBID)
10. Hollander, Economic Development - Annual for 2023 and 2024 Assessments for Downtown Berkeley Property Based Businesses (DPBID)
11. Hollander, Economic Development – Contracts total $600,000 for 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026, $200,000 with Atthowe Fine Art Services, $100,000 with Kala Art Institute, $200,000 with Preservation Arts LLC, $100,000 with ShipArt International
12. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations - $1,907,987 ( Tenant Legal Services for Rent Board $870,000, On-call Landscaping $50,000, second stair Improvements $987,987)
13. Oyekanmi, Finance – Amend Contract 32000164 add $975,000 with Synthesis Group, Inc. dba Minuteman Press for citywide copying and extend thru 1/31/2025
14. Oyekanmi, Finance – Contract (no cost given) with Stella Courier, LLC. With Stella Courier for mail room services and coverage
15. Oyekanmi, Finance – Appropriations Limit for FY 2024
16. Oyekanmi, Finance – Amend Contract 9367 $3,000,000 with Wells Fargo for Banking Services to continue the work of de-bundling and extend to 5/31/2027
17. Sprague, Fire – Contract $100,000 to align with City of Downey existing contract with Data Ticket to provide Administrative Citation Processing 5/1/2023 – 9/21/2025 with option to extend for addition three one year terms not to exceed $300,000 for 5/2023 – 9/2028
18. Warhuus, HHCS – Revenue Grant total $46,080, $14,000 from State of CA for Tuberculosis Control Program, $32,080 from Alameda Co for Public Health Infrastructure Program
19. Warhuus, HHCS – Contract $200,000 with JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. for CA Hom Visiting Program Planning Consulting Services, 7/1/2023 – 1/31/2024
20. Warhuus, HHCS – Amend Contract 32300104 add $250,000 total $500,000with Village of Love to Operate the Telegraph Neighborhood Sacred Rest Drop-in Center
21. Warhuus, HHCS – Amend Contract 32300144 with Resource Development Associates for Specialized Care Unit Evaluation
22. Fong, IT – Contract $299,710 with Accela, Inc. for software maintenance 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2025
23. Ferris, Parks – Contract $399,000 with Delta Charter for bus transportation services for Echo Lake Camp and Select Recreation Division Summer Programs 6/1/2023 – 6/1/2026
24. Ferris, Parks – Contract $436,954 includes 20% contingency $72,826 with Baldoni Construction Services, Inc. for Echo Lake Camp accessibility upgrades
25. Louis, BPD – Referral Response: Security Assessment of the 1700 and 1600 blocks of San Pablo, assessment did not indicate a need for further security improvements to the Berkeley Inn or immediate area
26. Garland, Public Works – Audit Status Report, Rocky Road, Berkeley Streets
27. Garland, Public Works – Amend Contract 10986 add $100,000 total $600,000 with Zero waste Collaborative for the Solid Waste & Recycling Transfer Station Rebuild Feasibility Study and extend to 6/30/2025
28. Garland, Public Works – Purchase Order 72 Hour, LLC, dba National Auto Fleet Group for Uplifting of Crime Scene Unit Cargo Van
29. Civic Arts Commission – Refer to City Manager Development of Artists Affordable Housing Certification Program
30. Energy Commission – Recommendation on Climate, Building electrification, and Sustainable Transportation Budget Priorities for FY 2023-2024
31. Removed by Aguilar, PAB – Contract $100,000 with AppleOne for temporary staffing services
32. Arreguin – Support Scott Weiner & Phil Ting SB 532 requires if proposed ballot measure imposes a tax, raises taxes or issues bonds, that rate and duration of tax levied be included in ballot, for full bill see https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532
33. Arreguin – 1. Resolution calling on Hyundai and Kia to take immediate action to fix for the flaw in their vehicles that make the easy targets for car thefts, 2. Direct City Attorney to explore taking legal action against Hyundai and Kai
34. Arreguin – Contract $482,525 includes contingency of $50,000 with Badawi & Associates, CPAs for Professional Auditing Services to perform annual financial audits of City’s financial statements and perform annual compliance audits required by Single Audit Act of 1984 (revised 1996) for 5/22/2023 – 6/30/2026 with option to extend for 2 additional years
35. Taplin – Budget Referral $600,000 for HAWK crosswalk at 6th and Addison
36. Harrison – Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds 2023 Taste of Downtown Berkeley Event
37. Hahn, co-sponsors Harrison, Taplin – FY 2024 Budget Referral: Study to support Housing Element commitment to increase housing and enhance economic vitality on all commercial corridors, with particular attention to the higher-resourced commercial avenues identified in Program 27 of the Housing
38. Wengraf, co-sponsor Arreguin, Hahn – Support H.R. 603 HEAL Act Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act
39. Robinson, co-sponsors Arreguin, Taplin – Relinquishment of Council Office budget Funds for Pacific Center for Human Growth 50th Anniversary Gala

AGENDA on ACTION: 

40. ZAB Appeal: 469 Kentucky Use Permit #ZP2022-0087 – demolish single family dwelling and construct a 3-story 3,310 sq ft single-family dwelling with a two-car garage, and dismiss the appeal
41. Warhuus, HHCS – Fee Increase: Condominium Conversion Program Application Fee by $30 new total $310 per application and for units currently rented by $40 total $410 and applications deferring the mitigation fee by $95 to $1040 per unit
42. Warhuus, HHCS – Fee Increase: Condominium Conversion Program Subordination Fee add $35 new total $399
43. Warhuus, HHCS – Fee Increase: Below Market Monitoring Program add $18 new total $450
44. Ferris, Parks – Selected Marina Fee Increases
45. Ferris, Parks – Changes to Selected Parks and Recreation fees
46. Louis, BPD – Surveillance Ordinance items related to Fixed Surveillance Cameras and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (Drones)
47. Bartlett, co-sponsor Arreguin – Adopting temporary exemption from the collection of taxes under BMC Chapter 9.04.136(D): Tax Rate for Non-Medical and Medical Cannabis Businesses

Items 48 – 50 previously listed as Information Reports now listed as Action Items 

48. Louis, BPD - Audit Recommendation Status – 911 Dispatchers: Understaffing Leads to Excessive to Overtime and Low Morale
49. Louis, BPD - Audit Recommendation Status – Data Analysis of the City of Berkeley’s Police Response
50. Louis, BPD - Audit Recommendation Status – Berkeley Police Improvements Needed to Manage Overtime and Security Work for Outside Entities

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LAND USE CALENDAR: 

Public Hearings 

469 Kentucky (single family dwelling) 5/23/2023 

Notice of Decision and Date Appeal Period Ends 

705 Euclid (single family home) 5/23/2023 

2000 Milvia (add service of alcoholic beverages) 5/23/2023 

2439 Durant (construct mixed-use building) 5/23/2023 

2538 Durant (construct mixed-use building) 5/23/2023 

2555 College (construct multifamily residential building) 5/23/2023 

2720 Hillegass (construct community center) 5/23/2023 

2800 Telegraph (construct residential building) 5/23/2023 

3031 Telegraph (construct mixed-use building) 5/23/2023 

 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report, Wildfire Prevention Plan 

(If you missed the Fire Facilities Presentation this is worth watching) https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas 

May 23 – Unfunded Liability Obligations and Unfunded Infrastructure Needs 4 pm 

June 20 - Climate Action Plan and Resilience Update, Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update, 

July 18 – Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations 

July 25 – Draft Waterfront Specific Plan 4 pm (new date and time) 

Unscheduled Presentations, Workshops and Special Meetings: 

Fire Dept Standards of Coverage and Community Risk Assessment 

Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation (requested by Public Safety Committee) 

City Council Referrals to Agenda & Rules Committee 

City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations 

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

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

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

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

________ 

 

For Online Public Meetings 

CLOSED CAPTIONING, SAVE TRANSCRIPT OVERVIEW, DIRECTIONS and ZOOM SUPPORT LINKS: 

For no extra cost the ZOOM meeting application has as part of their program Closed Captioning (CC). It turns computer voice recognition into a transcript. Accuracy of the Closed Captioning is affected by background noise, the volume and clarity of the speaker, lexicons/wordbook and dialect of the speaker. The transcript will not be perfect, but most of the time reading through it the few words that don't fit, can be deciphered, like Shattuck was transcribed as Shadow in one recent transcript. 

Know that any Zoom meeting can be set up to allow Closed Captioning and Save Transcript. Also, any meeting can be set up to allow Chat and to Save Chat.  

If there is no CC at the bottom of your zoom screen, the person who set up the meeting did not activate this option. They may not realize they have this option or they may know about it and have chosen not to offer closed captioning. If it is not activated, ask for it. 

To save a meeting transcript, look for CC for Closed Captioning at the bottom of the screen. Then click on the arrow next to CC and select View Full Transcript. You will only see the transcript from the time you activated closed captioning or view full transcript. It is not necessary to show closed captioning to see and save the transcript. 

At the bottom of the transcript column if we, as attendees, are allowed to save the transcript, there will be a button for, "Save Transcript," you can click on the button repeatedly throughout the meeting and it will just overwrite and update the full transcript. Clicking on the "Save Transcript" repeatedly as the meeting is coming to an end is important because once the host ends the meeting, the transcript is gone if you didn't save it. 

– So click often on both "Save Transcript" and on "Save to Folder"--saving it to your computer during the meeting for best results. (These text files are not large.) 

After you have done your last "Save Transcript" and "Save to Folder"--then (after the meeting is over) you can rename the new transcript on your computer, and save it (to re-read it, or to send or share it). Remember, allowing us attendees to save the meeting transcript does not require the public meeting host to save these transcripts (for any public record.) 

Here is the link to ZOOM Support for how to set up Closed Captioning for a meeting or webinar:  

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/8158738379917#h_01GHWATNVPW5FR304S2SVGXN2X 

Here is the link to ZOOM Support for attendees in how to save Closed Captions Transcripts: 

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360060958752-Using-save-captions#h_01F5XW3BGWJAKJFWCHPPZGBD70