One thing that surprises me is how little engagement there is in what is happening in our local politics until something bumps up next door like the Willard Park Community Center (appeal to be heard on July 24), or the 10-story project at 3000 Shattuck (appeal date September 26) or the 8-story project at 1598 University (appeal date of October 3).

I probably shouldn’t be surprised since I largely ignored the actions of the City of Berkeley for 24 years until November 12, 2014 when Erin Diehm saw the anti-fracking sign on my gate, knocked on my door and asked me to go to a City meeting the next evening. That was to save the Shattuck Cinemas and it has been downhill or uphill depending on the day’s view ever since.

The Albany Theater is closing. That leaves the Elmwood and Pacific Film Archives in Berkeley and trips to Oakland, Emeryville or places more distant for film. Watching movies on a handheld device or even a large TV screen just isn’t the same as the immersion that comes with the “big” screen. There are still great films being made, they just won’t be shown in Berkeley.

Mark Rhoades presented the proposed Berkeley Forge development in West Berkeley to Berkeley Design Advocates on Thursday. Rhodes called out to me that the project would have bird safe glass and 100% native plants. (Erin Diehm is the real expert on native plants). The project is a lovely redo turning the site into a bustling research and development center. According to Rhoades the application for the project is months away. There are still many steps to walk through including the challenges of sea level rise, rising ground water and toxics in the soil at the site.  

Capping is often the solution to soil contamination and this is expected for the Berkeley Forge site, but the trio of sea level rise, groundwater and toxics in soil doesn’t always keep toxics safely under the cap. That was the subject of the presentation by Kristina Hill for the Sea Level Rise and Shoreline Contamination Regional Workshop last January. You can catch her presentation at 42 minutes in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM4YydPBV3A 

Kristina Hill, Associate Professor UCB is the Director, Institute for Urban and Regional Development, College of Environmental Design. Hill has been lecturing and presenting on sea level rise and ground water for a number of years. As she points out in this short video, we know sea level rise is coming, we just don’t know how fast, and just 16 inches of water will have a huge impact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ewu_WCj-CI 

The piece that seems to be missing when considering building in West Berkeley is that even before the big melting burb comes from Antarctica, smaller amounts of sea level rise will impact infrastructure, buildings and wetlands and toxics where they exist, according to Hill. 

The question we are left with is the same one as posed in the book I recommended last week The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration by Jake Bittle: what do we do about building in high risk locations? 

 

This was a light meeting week all things considered. I made only four of the ten meetings listed in the Activist’s Calendar. It would have been five, had the 4 pm Special City Council Session with Fire Chief Sprague on the Fire Department Final Report and Recommendations from Standards of Coverage and Community Risk Assessment Study gone on as scheduled, instead of being cancelled. 

You can read the 160 page report with the ten recommendations at: https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2023-06-13%20Special%20Item%2001%20Final%20Report%20and%20Recommendations.pdf 

No reason is known to this writer for the cancellation. However, deals, compromises and the pursuit of vanity projects come to mind. 

Berkeley is listed in the document as 51st in population in the State of California and 2nd in density (San Francisco is 4th in population, 1st in density) (pages 98-99). 

The consulting group for the Fire Department Citygate was very thorough and starts with, “Citygate finds that the Department is organized only to accomplish ‘yesterday’s mission’ and is struggling to meet current demand, much less the future growth of the City and university…The growth in population and medical incident demand which has occurred in the City over the past two decades, and which is projected to continue, will increasingly strain the Department’s response times, which are already substantially slower than best practice recommendations…” (page 20) 

On June 6, Mayor Arreguin asserted that Berkeley needs to add 15,000 dwelling units instead of the 8,934 units assigned by ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments) of which Arreguin serves as President. 

The presentation of the Southside Plan to the Design Review Committee on Thursday revolved around upzoning the blocks south of UC Berkeley campus for student housing to add denser eight story buildings which can expand to twelve stories with State density bonuses. As with the other presentations I have attended, there was no mention of the services needed to support this added density. What might disturb some people, myself included, were the suggestions that in these taller denser buildings, with greater lot coverage and less green space, fitness rooms, study rooms, pet washing rooms, multi-use recreation rooms or conference rooms could all be used to fulfill the requirement for open space. 

Normally open space is outdoors. Balconies and rooftop spaces are often included in plans along with open patios and gardens as open space. Kim Stanley Robinson author of The Ministry for the Future would probably find these so-called indoor spaces labeled as open space appalling. Robinson, a science fiction writer, author of 22 novels translated into 24 languages, pulled a chair outside around 2007 and has been writing outside ever since using an overhead tarp for inclement weather. 

The Fire Department study had this to say about density, “The City is also evolving to improve its housing shortages by approving mid- and high-rise residential buildings. The ongoing intensification of land uses, building heights and population density will make several sections of the City very urban – typical of the largest metropolitan cities for building fire and rescue/EMS challenges. The cumulative effect of these projects around the City necessitates a shift in staffing and response models as well as an increase in the flexibility of emergency medical resources. The City’s fire and ambulance programs must evolve to those suitable for a major urban fire department in staffing, unit types, and facility locations. Citygate acknowledges this will not only be costly but also very difficult to find new locations for responders.” 

By the time this all comes to a head, Jesse Arreguin may well be out of the city, sitting in the coveted State Senate seat. 

As for the projects reviewed at the Design Review Committee (DRC), there were two. Both were approved to move on to the Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB). 

The proposed 5-story project at 2427 San Pablo Ave (between Dwight and Channing) will consist of eight replacement apartment units to compensate for the two residential buildings being demolished and a Group Living Accommodation (GLA) with 77 private rooms. The project promises five very low-income units. All eight replacement apartments have bedrooms with no windows. Janet Tam, FAIA, commented that she hoped this was not a pattern. 2712 Telegraph was another project with bedrooms without windows that garnered an unfavorable recommendation in May. 

The other proposed project at 2480 Bancroft Way (between Telegraph and Dana) replaces a 1-story commercial building with an 8-story mixed use building with 28 units including two very low-income units. The units vary in size between three, four, five and six bedrooms. Every bedroom does have a window. The ground floor contains 2,066 feet of commercial space. 

The Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community Committee unanimously voted to forward the psychedelic drug policy from the Community Health Commission to City Council. The policy received a “qualified” positive recommendation instead of a positive recommendation as the Committee voted to make three changes. The resolution would read to change the title to deprioritize the enforcement of laws imposing criminal penalties. The substance of the resolution was simplified overall and defined the substances as biosynthesized/naturally occurring and added that this resolution does not rely upon nor accept as fact assertions made in material submitted with the original item or in the Community Health Commission referral response. 

The last City Council meeting in June is when Council votes on the budget for the next fiscal year. There wasn’t much the Agenda Committee could do in reviewing the draft agenda for June 27 except to move as much as possible to consent. The final agenda for June 27 has 61 items. Most should go quickly, but we will not likely see that proposed budget until sometime after the June 22 Budget and Finance Committee meeting. The Civic Center Plan was pushed to July 11. 

The big item at the Agenda Committee was Councilmember Hahn’s presentation on “Major Legislative, Budgeting & Implementation Systems Redesign.” This is the next step from former Councilmember Droste’s parting act to limit major legislation to one item per councilmember per year and two items for the mayor per year. Hahn did not suggest a limit on major legislative items, but rather a process and submission cycle. Discussion will continue at the next Agenda Committee meeting. You can scroll through Hahn’s presentation at https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/legislative-body-meeting-attachments/2023-06-12%20Agenda%20Committee%20Item%208a%20and%208b%20System%20Redesign.pdf 

To me, as a close observer, many major legislative ideas, though well intended, feel half-baked even when they take a detour through council committees before landing as referrals for the city manager or in some other lap to develop. The one council committee that consistently holds, reviews and develops legislation before passing it on is FITES (Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Sustainability). 

City Council met on June 13 with the kind of long agenda that appears as the Berkeley City Council rolls into voting for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget adjustment, the second year of the biennial budget, and wiping unfinished business off their plate before the summer recess. The budget hearing fulfilled the perfunctory hearing requirement. No vote was taken and it will come back with a final version on June 27. One interesting note in the budget documents is that while the Marina Fund comes up $1,527,348 short, the Parks Tax Fund has $1,850,401 surplus. This deserves more discussion and attention, especially as the Parks Commission cites the Marina fund being charged for Parks services. 

The T1 deficit was settled by borrowing from the fully funded Worker’s Compensation fund, taking money from the defunct controversial Hopkins Bike/Pedestrian project, adjusting the cost downward on the Security Camera Project, dropping a $400,000 software paperless contract process software program, and taking money from the Fire Station 6 project. It is the usual rejuggling of priorities. Many are happy to see anything that takes funding away from the Hopkins Corridor. For my two cents, a safe street is one that needs some repair to slow traffic. 

Fixed Surveillance Cameras and Drones were item 24 on the Council agenda under action. I can’t recall any time City Council has rejected requests from the Berkeley Police Department (BPD) for Surveillance. City Council may tighten procedures as they did Tuesday evening, but a flat out denial is never in the frame, and it wasn’t this night either. The retention period for recordings was tightened to 180 days; access to the data was limited to BPD. 

The ten location sites approved were 6th at University, San Pablo at University, 7th at Dwight, San Pablo at Dwight, 7th at Ashby, San Pablo at Ashby, Sacramento at Ashby, College at Ashby, Claremont at Ashby and 62nd at King. 

License plate and facial recognition hardware is not installed on the cameras. The fixed license plate reader surveillance cameras are coming to council on July 25. 

The amendment to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance passed on a six to three vote. Humbert voted no and Kesarwani and Wengraf abstained. This was the ordinance passed during the height of the pandemic to protect renters from evictions. With the COVID – 19 Emergency over, renters now have through August 31 to get their paperwork and plans in order. The renters are still responsible for unpaid rent accrued during the transition period. 

The Berkeley Office of Economic Development will give their report of the great comeback of the Berkeley economy at the special meeting on June 20, but that is not everyone’s story. 

 

 

 

 

At 8:30 am, June 23, 1995, a loud knock rattled the door of my home in Berkeley, California. One look at the two dour faces and four highly polished shoes tipped me that it wasn't the Jehovah's Witnesses. "FBI!" both men announced, simultaneously flashing badges: "We've received a tip that you may be the Unabomber. We'd like to ask you some questions." There is a sign on our door that reads: "Please remove shoes before entering house." I invited the agents to come inside—after shucking their shoes. As I expected, the agents elected keep their laces tied. They sat on the porch ledge; I pulled out a chair. "Have you ever lived and or worked in Utah or Illinois?" they asked. "Are you good working with wood? With plumbing? Can we see your workshop?" I confessed that I had no workshop and had been losing a weeklong battle with a leaky kitchen faucet. While we spoke, my eight-year-old poked his head out the door, ready to come to my defense, if needed. 

"Well," Walter, the older agent finally admitted with an air of disappointment, "You really don't fit the physical description."  

"It's routine," Walter says. "Somebody named you as a suspect because he says you used to be the editor of the Berkeley Barb back in the Sixties. We have to check out all these leads." 

"Jeez!" I blurted without thinking, "I thought this was for something I'd done recently!"  

(I had, in fact, anticipated a visit. The previous month, San Francisco State University Sociology Professor Michael Rustigan had offered the media some speculations on the Unabomber's possible motivation. The Oakland Tribune's story was headlined: "Unabomber an Environmental Zealot." Invited to address this charge on the "Green Hour," a Sunday morning radio-talk show in San Francisco, I suggested that the FBI might have been involved in the attempted car-bomb assassination of Earth First! activist Judi Bari. 

Judi, who was then suing the FBI for false arrest, had unearthed documents that revealed the FBI had run a "bomb school" to show local cops how to build and detonate car bombs. This was just a few weeks before Bari's Subaru blew up on the streets of Oakland. Perhaps coincidentally, the first FBI agents and Oakland Police to arrive on the scene had been central participants in the bomb school exercise.  

What Was that Secret Code?
My FBI interrogation lasted about 20 minutes. As the agents began to leave, I asked a question. "Two years ago the Unabomber wrote a letter and used a secret code. That's how the FBI knew the recent letter published in the New York Times was authentic. But how do you guys know this was the same fellow who sent mail bombs for the first 15 years? Maybe the real Unabomber doesn't have a secret code." 

The agents froze. Walter fixed me with a cold stare and asked: "How did you know there was a secret code?"  

"Well, it was reported in the New York Times, in all the newspapers, on the radio...." I stammered, flustered but defiant. 

John, the quiet, younger agent, shifted his weight, moved closer and asked ever-so casually: "Um, by the way. What is the code?" He waited expectantly. After a pause, I burst out laughing. 

(A local political activist subsequently told a similar tale about a friend who had shipped medical supplies to Cuba. Two FBI agents knocked on his door and confronted him with the question: "Is it true you've been sending medical supplies to Cuba and Albania?" Without thinking, he replied: "What do you mean, Albania?") 

"Could you give me a business card?" I asked the senior agent. "Nobody's going to believe this story otherwise." Walter complied and I closed the door, relieved and bewildered. I figured that the FBI must not be very close to nabbing the actual Unabomber, if agents were knocking on my door. 

The Press of Events
Later that week, Chris Clarke, then-editor of Terrain, the magazine of the Berkeley Ecology Center, asked if I would write a report of my FBI encounter. The incident didn't seem particularly newsworthy but, at Chris' prodding, I dashed-off a quick 500-word piece. 

Within hours of Terrain's publication, I received a call from Thuy Vu, a reporter for a local San Francisco TV station. She wanted to tape an interview. "I really don't see a story here," I replied. Besides, I explained, I was just getting ready to take my son ice-skating. "That's okay," she bounced back, "We can film the interview at the skating rink!" She would not be denied. 

Vu wanted to "explore the Unabomber's environmental links." Hoping to squelch this attempt to tie environmentalists to the Unabomber, I agreed to the interview. As I returned from skating, a remote TV van was already turning down our hard-to-find street. 

Furniture was pushed aside, light readings were taken and the cameraman positioned me on a sofa. The lights flared, the camera rolled, and the reporter began by asking me about the Unabomber's "environmental" links. I stated that I could see no connection. She read the Unabomber's statement about the need to break society up into small, autonomous groups of no more than 100 people. "Do you agree with that statement?" she demanded. I began to get a glimpse of the trouble that lay ahead. 

The next morning, when I arrived for work at Earth Island Institute, everyone was talking about a TV news report linking the Unabomber to "radical environmental groups." Some of our members had had seen the report and called, claiming that Earth Island had been named as a suspect organization. The executive directors were concerned. I was in a sweat.  

I was relieved to learn that the furor had been kicked up not by my Thuy Vu interview but by a report on the morning newscast of KTVU-TV in Oakland. KTVU faxed me a transcript of their broadcast: It claimed that the Unabomber had been copying the "literature, strategies... [and] tactics" of "radical environmental groups like Earth First!" KTVU reported that the FBI was now investigating SF environmental groups.  

Compounding the damage, KTVU illustrated its bogus Unabomber-environmentalist story by running archival footage of Judi Bari's broken body being pulled from the smoking remains of her car after the bomb blast that nearly killed her. This irresponsible use of out-of-context footage was clearly designed to suggest a link between bombs and "radical environmentalists." 

The office phone began to ring with calls from reporters requesting interviews. KGO radio was brash and insistent. KRON-TV was thoughtful and skeptical. KCBS radio was sympathetic and helpful. I finally agreed to be interviewed by KCBS. 

By the time I sat down for a phone interview with a Los Angeles Times reporter, I had started to warm to my new-found role as "political eco-pundit." I had my sound-bytes down. Welcoming the opportunity to turn the tables, I described the freshman members of the GOP as a "band of anarchists" whose goal was to overthrow "the rule of law and the restraints of wise regulation." 

The New York Daily News wanted to know if I agreed with the Unabombers' contention that reading anarchist and radical environmental journals revealed a "seething distrust" of the direction of modern technological society. I suggested that watching the CBS Evening News or reading the morning paper would reveal that most people have a "seething distrust" of the direction of modern technological society. 

The Washington Post Offers a Glimpse of the 'Manifesto'
Joel Achenbach called from the Washington Post to announce he was flying out to do an interview. I offered to set up a meeting with fellow enviros. I invited Achenbach to a restaurant across from the Fantasy Films building in Berkeley. Karen Pickett from Earth First! and Chris Clarke joined us at the table. 

To our surprise, Achebach arrived with a printout of the entire, unpublished 35,000-word manuscript. At that time, nobody outside of law enforcement and a few select newspapers had been allowed to peer into the mysterious contents of the "Manifesto." Achebach's copy had been entered on disk and reformatted. He explained this had been done to circumvent the Unabomber's "guidelines" that each paper make "no more than five photocopies" of his manuscript and limit them to internal circulation only.  

Joel read some passages aloud and asked for our response. I asked Joel whether the Unabomber had anything to say about chemical pollution of the air or water or the impact of multinational corporations and extractive industry. 

Nothing. 

The Unabomber's opposition to Affirmative Action struck Chris an "intellectual amalgam of David Horowitz and Ayn Rand." The Unabomber's complaint about industrial society's "disruption of the power process" was a particularly odd phrase.  

Most surprisingly, on page two of the Unabomber's three-page cover-letter, the author pointedly apologized for any comments in his previous communiqué "that may have implied that anarchists or environmentalists are prone to violence" [paraphrase]. He went on to describe both camps as essentially nonviolent and specifically exonerated Earth First! which, he emphasized, "had never intentionally harmed a human being." I was shocked. The media had this information but had done nothing to discourage the feeding frenzy linking the Unabomber to "radical environmentalists." 

Achenbach's lengthy article appeared in the next week's Style section of the Post. The lead paragraph described me as a "mellow, aging hippie." (I was lucky: another local FBI subject, pirate radio pioneer Stephen Dunifer, was portrayed as sporting a "Jesus-grown-old look.") After the Post write-up, I began receiving calls from Newsweek, the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times. My office voice-mail racked up another 17 calls, including messages from reporters at CNN, the San Francisco Examiner and the Sacramento Bee. Most of them were apparently triggered by the Weird-Doings-in-Berkeley spin to Achenbach's piece. 

Ken Noble, the Los Angeles Bureau Chief of the New York Times flew to Berkeley to interview Dunifer and myself. Noble has previously covered Rwanda and Liberia. He confessed that he was relieved to have left the O. J. Simpson murder trial behind after six months.  

By now, I'd got my sound bites down. I described the Berkeley Barb as an "antiwar" publication: "We were interested in stopping bombings. We were trying to stop two of the most dangerous serial bombers in the last half of the 20th century," I intoned, "A Democrat named Johnson and a Republican named Nixon." This line, which always got a laugh from the reporters, never wound up in print or on air. 

The Times article appeared with my name misspelled and it had the FBI materializing on my porch at the wrong time of day. 

A Newsweek reporter called from Washington with a series of questions. "So you say the FBI came to your door," the reporter began, "What were you wearing?" Before I could answer, he volunteered, "Blue jeans and a tie-dyed shirt?" Newsweek had apparently read the Post piece.  

The reporter wanted my physical description. "Blue eyes. Blond hair," I ventured. "Down to where?" Newsweek wanted to know. "Hey, I've got a regular haircut," I insisted. Newsweek responded with exasperated confidentiality, "Yeah... but down to where?" (I realized I was dealing with reporter from the "paint-by-numbers school of journalism." He already had his picture, all he wanted was for someone to fill in the colors.)  

"What does your house look like. Got a garden? What kind of flowers?" "Normal front yard," I confess. "Flowers and grass.... Um..., I think I should rephrase that." I added. "Flowers and a lawn." "Oh, sure," Newsweek chuckled all-knowingly. 

Hoping to get some work done on the next issue of Earth Island Journal, I slipped off to my phone-free office in Berkeley's Ecology Center Building. But as I passed the front door, the entire Ecology Center staff looked up and trumpeted: "You've got to get on the phone! Peter Jennings wants you to call!" 

I was handed the phone number of a local producer who desperately wanted to film an interview to be up-linked by satellite to New York for the ABC Evening News. Twenty minutes later, not one but two film crews showed up. A jurisdictional dispute broke out over which unit would film the interview. 

Since one of the news teams had suddenly become superfluous, I tried to interest them in some "real stories." I passed out copies of the Ecology Center's magazine, Terrain — the one with the "Unabomber" story that had triggered all this misguided press attention and pointed to the lead cover story—the awards for the "Top Censored Stories of 1995."  

I pointed out that one of these Project Censored stories was my exposé of Project HAARP, a Defense Department plan to build a powerful electronic beam in Alaska to "burn holes" in the Earth's ionosphere. The ABC news crew expressed little interest in a planned Pentagon attack on the ionosphere. There was some mild curiosity when I handed out copies of Earth Island Journal and explained that it was the first US magazine printed on "tree-free" paper (made from kenaf, a fast-growing annual plant).  

Finally, in honor of their new corporate owners, I gave both ABC crews copies of the Journal with the cover story on "The World According to Disney."  

 

The story continues in Around the Bend—"Unabomber, Part II: England Calling." 

Berkeley holds a special place, deserved or not, as a city of liberal / progressive ideas and politics.

I’ve read every letter/email sent to the Berkeley City Council before its June 6 meeting that I could find (total 193) in “records online” and only two out of that stack were in opposition to the draft of the Bird Safe Ordinance as passed by the Berkeley Planning Commission with a revision submitted by Councilmember Harrison.

On May 19, 2023, when the draft of the Bird Safe Ordinance still included residential buildings on a phase-in schedule, and before Councilmembers Kesarwani and Wengraf submitted their alternate proposal as Supplemental 2 to exempt residential properties and glass under 12 square feet in area, Dr. Scott Loss, author of the scientific paper referenced and quoted by the Planning Department, and later in the alternate ordinance from Kesarwani and Wengraf, wrote: 

“[M]y lab has studied the bird-window collision issue and solutions to address it, for the last decade. In 2014, I published a highly cited and publicized paper estimating that up to 1 billion birds annually die from bird-window collisions in the U.S. alone, making this one of the top threats affecting our native bird populations. In fact, bird-window collisions are such a major threat to our birds that making buildings and window safe for birds was identified in 2019 as #1 in a list of 7 simple actions to help birds and halt and reverse the decline of North America’s bird populations. [underlining by Dr. Loss] 

“Individual property owners can make a difference in addressing the bird-window collision issue by treating their glass windows with commercial products (e.g. films and markers placed over glass and do-it-yourself solutions). However, making major inroads to broadly address this issue requires political buy-in and policies that provide guidelines for making buildings more bird-friendly, thus addressing this issue at a meaningful scale that greatly benefits declining bird populations. Policies such as the Bird Safe Berkeley Ordinance are absolutely crucial for reducing bird collisions, and voting to pass this ordinance would immediately make Berkeley a global leader and beacon for environmental action, and a role model for other cities around the U.S. and worldwide.” 

The June 6, 2023, email from Peter Saenger, Acopian Ornithological Specialist at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, sent to Council at 11:16 am is best described as a slap down of Kesarwani and Wengraf. 

“Dear Council 

It has come to my attention that there are two major misstatements being pushed by some of your members. 

1. “Research to date has not determined what bird-safe measures are effective for low-rise residential structures.”

[Response] How to effectively mitigate bird-wind collisions anywhere, especially low-rise and residential buildings, has been scientifically tested and proven for decades. A simple search of the web for “the 2 x 4 rule” or reading one of the countless peer-reviewed papers on what works and what does not will show this is true. A short example on this topic is attached. [email and article in records online Supplemental Communications 3] 

2. “Data on the Efficacy of Bird-Safe Glass is Not Based on Western U.S. Bird Species.” And “may have created a bias in the effectiveness of recommended mitigations measures.”

[Response] Again, someone is not doing their homework. There are peer-reviewed, published studies on bird-window collisions from every continent, other than antarctica. Collisions do vary between different species, but this is a world-wide issue and what works to mitigate collisions in the eastern US, also works in the Western US, England, Australia, China, Korea, etc. Again, a search of the web will find studies done along the west coast.” 

Saenger named two west coast articles “Preventing Bird-Window Collisions – Seattle Audubon” and the NIH published paper “Bird-Window Collisions at a West-Coast Urban Park Museum: Analyses of Bird Biology and Window Attributes from Golden Gate Park, San Francisco” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26731417/ 

The most interesting finding in the article Saenger attached is that Acopian blinds, the DIY inexpensive project of parachute cord (researchers used olive colored) hung 3.5 inches apart the full length of the window is an incredibly effective treatment (95% effective) to deter bird-window collisions. 

After two bird-glass collisions, Erin Diehm (and spouse) made an Acopian blind for $18 to successfully end bird strikes on the window looking into their native plant garden (see photo). https://www.birdsavers.com 

Glenn Philips, Executive Director of Golden Gate Audubon, countered the claim that there are no options for single family houses and residential buildings and cost assumptions with the information that most standard and single and double-hung windows would be compliant with the ordinance since they include a full external screen and add no additional cost and that bird safe glass adds about 8% to the total cost of the window. 

The total responses to the question about the proposed Bird Safe Glass Ordinance on the Berkeley Considers web site were 462. “Yes” were 85.1% (393), with 12.8% no (58) and 2.4% (11) other. The opposition cited cost, quoted disinformation that bird safe glass is not energy efficient, railed against regulations, called the ordinance green-washing and nimbyism, called for attention to homelessness and crime and said that cats kill more birds than bird-glass collisions (Aurora, Illinois has an ordinance on that cat problem). 

The first commenters on the Bird Safe Ordinance at the Berkeley City Council meeting were Niko, aged five and August, 6. 

When six-year old August was lifted to the microphone by his mother to speak on saving birds, what came out was “I’m scared, I’m really scared.” He had what probably felt like an eternity for his fear to build. It was almost three hours of waiting to speak in a room full of strangers with a looming City Council looking down on him from the elevated dais. He had every reason to be afraid. 

As a young child his fear was in the moment, without a sense of how the earth is changing, really quite sick according to Joyeeta Gupta, co-chair of the report referenced by Steve Newman in the Chronicle on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Steve Newman started Earthweek: a diary of a planet with “Ailing Earth A report says Earth has exceeded seven out of eight key ecological stability limits pushing it into the ‘danger’ zone.’” 

The report in the journal Nature in the article Earthweek, a “Safe and just Earth system boundaries”, is dense with explanations, charts and a world map of hotspots with a part of California along the coast and into the valley in deep red (a hotspot). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06083-8 

The easier to read summary in Common Dreams lists the eight boundaries; 1) earth surface temperature (climate), 2) natural ecosystem (biosphere), 3) functional integrity (biosphere), 4) surface water (water), 5) groundwater (water), 6) nitrogen (nutrient cycles), 7) Phosphorus (nutrient cycles) and 8) aerosol loading (atmosphere). https://www.commondreams.org/news/planetary-health-failing-7-of-8-earth-system-boundaries-crossed 

The boundary that wasn’t breached was aerosol loading/atmosphere, though New York might disagree on that assessment with smoke turning the sky orange from hundreds of wildfires burning out of control in Canada. https://www.commondreams.org/news/planetary-health-failing-7-of-8-earth-system-boundaries-crossed 

There was more bad news on June 6, the day of the council vote on the Bird Safe Ordinance. Another climate milestone could come in the 2030s, about a decade sooner than anticipated: ice free Arctic summers. This is very bad news, as ice reflects the heat of the sun but a dark open ocean absorbs the heat, creating a feedback loop (amplification) speeding up global warming. The Arctic is already reported to be warming two to seven times faster than the rest of the planet, depending on the day and which study or article one picks up. 

The Arctic Ice cap for thousands of years acted to keep the world’s climate in balance. With losing that moderating force the jet stream has slipped off the top of the planet. This week the jet stream is drooping down to Mexico, bringing cold weather south that should have stayed in the Arctic. It’s June and some of my friends say they are still using their heaters. 

The staff presentation at the council meeting on the Bird Safe Ordinance followed the children. 

After a brief presentation from Justin Horner, Associate Planner, City of Berkeley Planning Department, Mayor Arreguin immediately turned to the remaining Public Comment speakers, leaving them to guess what kind of watering down grand compromise Arreguin would propose after they spoke. Representatives from the City of Berkeley Planning Commission were not invited to the table to present. 

Jordon Klein, Director of Planning and Development, said the Planning Department would work with whatever was decided.  

Glenn Philips, Executive Director of the Audubon Society was able to speak for 4 minutes by asking volunteers to give him their minute. 

After public comment closed, Arreguin kicked off his comments asserting the city’s need to build 15,000 units of housing in Berkeley (the actual number in the Housing Element is 8,934). 

Councilmember Harrison spoke to her Revision, then she said “There's a cost for doing the right thing in the environment. Everyone wants to solve the climate and diversity problem: they want to solve with other people sacrificing. We are the problem. We use too much plastic, as Councilmember Hahn tried to deal with. We drive too much. We eat too much meat. We are the problem. When this thing comes up, it is kind of hard. It is harder when our planet dies and our children can't live.” 

It was evident that Councilmembers Kesarwani and Wengraf had not read the letters from the scientists, or if they read them, they chose to ignore the information.  

Wengraf finally got around to her priority at 10:29 pm. “I have to say I was disappointed to find out the Planning Commission did not discuss the impact on views when they discussed the bird safe ordinance. Many of my constituents live in homes with views, and most of the options for bird safe glass would impact the human experience of looking through that glass. They're patterns or etched. The tape would interfere with the view; the film would interfere with the view. The only option that might not interfere with the view is the most expensive option which is UV glass. I feel like that is a very important thing that was not discussed at the Planning Commission and it is important to me as someone who represents constituents who have properties with views and those views are worth a lot of money. And imposing an ordinance that would impact them would have financial implications and also quality of life implications.” [Emphasis added] 

The high school and college students who came to speak in favor of the Bird Safe Ordinance as it came from the Planning Commission and Councilmember Harrison who stayed for the final vote are angry and they should be. They are left with the mess, an overheated planet, collapsing biodiversity and a Mayor and City Council that are more concerned about views than the quality of life for their generation and the next generations.  

The evening ended with the last comment from Zev Massey, a graduating high school senior. 

“My name is Zev…I want to thank you all for coming here and agreeing on a resolution. This is not related to birds. It’s related to youth and our role in politics…A lot of the kids here, it is their first time giving public comment. And, when you go home and think about tonight, I’d like you to think about the lasting impression that you left on these kids, and whether you give them hope that local politics is doing what the citizens and the future generation that will inhabit this earth want from our representatives, or whether a different taste was left in their mouth.” 

The Bird Safe Ordinance second reading is June 27, 2023. It will go into effect 30 days later. 

While the final version included exemptions for Residential or Mixed Use buildings under 35 feet in height and less than 10,000 square feet, designated historical buildings (landmarked and/or structure of merit), and affordable housing, and Arreguin lowered the height requirement from 100 feet to 75 feet, this makes the final outcome about 40% of what we would have had if in fact the Mayor and City Council had voted for the draft of Bird Safe Ordinance passed unanimously by the Planning Commission and the Revision submitted by Councilmember Harrison. https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2023-06-06%20Item%2018%20Bird%20Safe%20Harrison%20Rev2%281%29.pdf 

Considering the dreadfully awful and ineffective version of Bird Safe Requirements offered by Kesarwani and Wengraf in Supplemental 2 with only eight councilmembers present to vote (Councilmember Bartlett was absent), there were still positive outcomes. 

Arreguin started with Harrison’s revision. The exemption for transparent materials under 12 square feet was eliminated, as was the use of a certified biologist. The key provision of Patterned Glazing Treatment as detailed by Harrison in her revision made it into the final version. The ordinance applies to the large mixed use projects of 10,000 square feet or greater. https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2023-06-27%20Item%2001%20Ordinance%207864.pdf 

SB 330 projects comply with the conditions in place at the time of application. For all other projects, no matter when entitled, the ordinance applies when a building permit is needed. 

This version of the ordinance puts Berkeley a step forward, but certainly not a leader. 

Those of us following the City closely continually place blame on the City Manager. Watching so much unfold in Berkeley lately, I often think we ought to be looking up the other branch of the tree, the one reflecting ambition to climb the political ladder. 

I have two books to recommend, The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration by Jake Bittle and Urban Jungle: The History and Future of Nature in the City by Ben Wilson. 

The Great Displacement follows the personal stories of people displaced by climate fueled disasters, hurricanes, wildfires and drought, FEMA buyouts and thoughts about what living in and buying properties in high risk areas means for the future. 

Those houses with views Wengraf is so anxious to protect over the quality of life for present and next generations of youth sit in the high fire hazard zone, within feet of the Hayward Fault, in a hillside slide area. When disaster happens, as it eventually will, will retreat be an option on the table? Should further construction in these areas be allowed at all even now? 

Will McCarthy poses the question of construction in earthquake zones in the East Bay Times article “Why the Hayward Fault is the epicenter of debate over housing goals vs. earthquake risk.” https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/06/13/why-the-hayward-fault-is-the-epicenter-of-debate-over-housing-goals-vs-earthquake-risk/ 

The second book, Urban Jungle, is a fascinating history of domestic and wild animals in cities that challenges us to plan the inclusion of nature within cities. 

Both books speak to how cities filled with hardscape, buildings, pavements, roads and no place for nature leave us unprepared for the upheaval we can expect from global warming and climate fueled disasters. 

Those of us who are concerned about the future of the children and teenagers who showed up for the Bird Safe Ordinance and future generations have a full plate of work in front of us. 

The California Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear the case on People’s Park. This objective review by the judicial branch of the win by People’s Park supporters in the Court of Appeal calls into question the motivations of both the executive and legislative branches of state government to obscure the issues of the case. 

Harvey Smith, president of the People’s Park Historic Group Advocacy Group (PPHDAG), states, “The governor and key legislators are definitely showing a lapse in objectivity when it comes to the facts of our case. Rather than focus on the park, CEQA has become the central issue, and supporters of the park have been characterized as wealthy NIMBYs.” 

PPHDAG questions the attack on CEQA with its single focus on the “end of development due to noise.” PPHDAG was not surprised by UC Berkeley twisting the winning decision by the Court of Appeal. UC shifted the focus from their bad planning shown by not addressing adequately alternative sites, which was easily recognized by the judges, to the issue of noise created by residents. UC also added an Orwellian spin by describing the group as “privileged NIMBY neighbors.” 

However, when Governor Newsom, Senator Wiener, and Assemblyperson Buffy Wicks parrot the same misinformation, leads PPHDAG to probe why they are all marching in lockstep and listening to only one side. Most of PPHDAG supporters are constituents of Buffy Wicks, but she has never reached out to the organization. 

This all begs the question - are there bigger forces at work? Perhaps the influence and campaign contributions of the real estate and development industry, the financial investment industry, and the oil industry – all “CEQA-haters” – play the biggest role in the attack on CEQA while eclipsing the real issues in the struggle to preserve People’s Park, a much-needed park and open space and a National Register of Historic Places site. 

UC also ignores that for years it has worked with Berkeley residents to ameliorate the impact of noise in many neighborhoods with high concentrations of student residents. The City of Berkeley also has its own noise ordinance showing that noise is a community issue that should not just be brushed off by UC saying it’s a non-issue or one that could be discriminatory. 

Fact-based analysis of CEQA cases by studies of the Rose Foundation shows that CEQA cases have very little impact on development throughout California. Anyone in Berkeley can easily see that development is in no way hampered by just witnessing the sprouting of multi-story glass and steel boxes all over town, including two proposed 25 plus story buildings. 

The spin put on the CEQA case was also applied to the loss of HUD housing vouchers for the supportive housing portion of Housing Project #2 at People’s Park although the real reason for the loss of support was the refusal by UC to comply with a required federal environmental review. 

PPHDAG supporters all want UCB to build student housing, just not in a totally inappropriate location. Endorsers of PPHDAG are from all over Berkeley, California and the U.S. They include UCB professors, three former Berkeley mayors, three former Berkeley city councilmembers, many former Berkeley commissioners, Cal alumni and students, attorneys, architects, historians and many others who are concerned about the threatened destruction of People’s Park. 

The solution for all this would be for UC to build the People’s Park project on any of its multiple alternative sites while also making good on the promise to provide for supportive housing through a nonprofit developer. Of course, this would mean rejecting the false choice of choosing either a park or housing when it’s easily apparent that both are needed and both are possible. 

# # #

The maliciousness of the elite demanding its colonialist rights to the land is off the charts. We say that because Berkeley makes a point (at the beginning of every City Council meeting) of referring to the land as having once been the residence of the Ohlone, yet this city also aids in a malicious seizure of the land. In Atlanta, it is the elite’s desire for a militarized police training center (nicknamed Cop City) built on the land of a forest that still houses indigenous and poor working class people. In Berkeley, it is People's Park, which has become the residence of those without rights, that the elite of this city desires to take over for its own purposes. Today, in this city, there is a glut of market rate housing, an excess capacity for the city, but with hardly enough to meet the needs of low income people. [Cf. Steve Martinot, “People's Park and Cop City,” Daily Planet, March 23, 2023, for background. 

The Elite and Its Rejection of the Sacred

In Atlanta, the cops shot to death a protester sitting in his tent when they raided. The cops claim he shot at them first; but even the coroner shows that to be a lie. He had no GSR on his hands, but 16 police bullets in his body.

In Atlanta, they have arrested over 40 people on charges of “domestic terrorism.” It is for standing and marching and leafleting and speaking against the elite’s plan for its training ground. The elite is good at accusing the people of what it itself does with impunity. 

In Berkeley, the elite lays claim to land that has already been declared historical. First, it gave Spenger’s Parking Lot away in the face of Ohlone claims to its sacredness as a shellmound site; and second, it collaborates with the University to reduce People's Park to a bronze plaque, naming it a historical site; it is an attempt to forget the struggles for justice and equality that were fought there. 

In Atlanta, the cops charged "domestic terrorism??" For enacting the rights given the people by the Constitution? Because those enactments contradict the venality and militarism of the elite? Seventy percent of the people of Atlanta opposed “Cop City,” yet the cops shoot and kill a protester representing them. All sacredness of that forest, that land, and its multiple cultural traditions, have been thrown under the awful wheels of the police war-machine. 

Both pieces of land have been made sacred by their many fights for a democracy that the US has promised and never succeeded in producing (somehow, enslavement, Jim Crow, patriarchy, its undeclared wars against sovereign nations, and its atomic crimes against humanity seem to get in the way). 

The elite invents new harassments 

In Atlanta, on May 31, 2023, a police SWAT team caged three people who were charged with raising money for bail for protesters. They were members of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, arrested for “money laundering” and “charity fraud.” Not only does Atlanta consider free demonstrations to be terrorism, but expenses and reimbursements for such things as gasoline, covid tests, yard signs, and flyers are now to be considered “money laundering.” 

Is the elite that fragile? 

But it is actually an old police tactic, that harks back to the 60s. The police make false arrests, and the people have to pay lawyers with monies they don’t have to defend themselves. Its purpose is to hinder the movements’ public purposes. It is a tactic designed to silence the people. But the people have counter tactics, networks of organizations. In Atlanta, there is the Civil Liberties Defense Center, which provides bail funds, jail support, and legal assistance for activists since 2020 and the Black liberation uprisings of that year. It is a project of the Network For Strong Communities, getting anti-repression grants for the unhoused, and support for Black worker-owned cooperatives. 

People's Park is also building its networks to gain the strength to keep the city and the University at bay. The People's Park Council has established a kind of “sister-city” relation with other movements for community sovereignty, e.g. the "Commons" of Ann Arbor, MI. There are others -- the black sovereignty movement in Jackson, MS, the homeless organizations in Boise, ID; etc. They are small but would not be once they connect with each other. Is that what the University fears, the people united? Is that why police actions in Berkeley and Atlanta have been so intentionally malicious, so purposefully unconstitutional, so falsely called “criminal organization.” 

The Elite’s Ethic of Malice

In Berkeley, the maliciousness takes the form of shutting off the water to the park, so the people cannot garden, and so the plants will die. It has shut off the elctricity, so there is no light at night. It does not shy from making life dangerous for the Park’s people. The University sent in chain saws, and cut down most of the trees, leaving large logs, ten feet long and three feet in diameter, lying around, as an obstruction against whatever the people decided to do. 

They did it to make it appear that they were ready to begin construction. Yet the University is not legally in a position to begin construction because it has decided, on its own, to ignore California’s ecological and environmental regulations (by simply ignoring the CEQA legal requirement). They do it to make it look as if the people had lost already. Yet some of those logs didn’t even come from the Park. They are Eucalyptus logs, from the hills. There were no Eucalyptus trees in the park. 

In Atlanta, the movement defenders refer back to community involvement in raising bail money for civil rights workers and activists. Thus they include the historical background for present day activism, just as People’s Park Council does for the Park. We cannot afford to lose touch with our past, as our tradition, nor let our history be taken out of our hands by those who wish to forget the activism of the people against the elite – the elite that had funded Cop City well in advance. 

It is for that that we organize a bucket brigade to bring water to the Park. And we call upon gardeners from all corners of the city to come and help us rejuvenate the Park, to bring it and the people’s creativity and fertility to fruition. 

We meet on Saturday’s at the Grassroots House, 2022 Blake St., at 1 pm. Join us. 

We would ask UC Berkeley if, in dealing with People’s Park, they are sure they want to be associated with such despotic tactics as exhibited by the Georgia police? Bringing a community together in solidarity with those who are fighting for community is not a crime. But criminalizing it in the name of militarism or profitability is.

The "placebo effect" is classically known among most doctors to potentially make an ill patient well. The placebo effect is not fully understood. It might consist of a sugar pill, a completely inert pill, given as though a medicine; yet it can and often does make many patients feel better! 

In scientific trials of drugs, placebos are routinely given to a "control group." The "control," in pharmacology, allows the scientists to filter out the acknowledged placebo effect. Studies are done labeled as "double-blind studies" meaning the persons administering the medicine or giving the placebo are not told whether they're giving the "real thing" versus the "fake" or inert pill. Those in both the "test" group and the control group are subject to the same conditions, as close as the scientists can get it. 

It is considered unethical to give placebos and lie to the patient about it. The patient should be informed that she/he is in a study and might be getting a placebo. I certainly would want to be told and wouldn't want to be lied to about what I'm getting. According to all sources I've reviewed, doctors do not lie to the patients, and if you're getting a shot or pill, you can assume it is the real deal. 

In modern psychiatry, I've read one paper that said doctors are unhappy about the increasing efficacy of placebos in treating mental illnesses. Doctors might feel slighted. It seems this is remotely akin to slipping decaf to someone who is a hardcore caffeine addict and doesn't want their caffeine to be faked. Doctors make their living on treating sick people. If the much-loved psychiatric drug is upstaged by a sugar pill, this seems to be upsetting to some doctors. 

When we take an antipsychotic, we get more than a mind-altering substance. We get an idea that something is wrong with the brain, and we are taking an action to remediate it. This could be more profound than you might think. You have adopted a "postulate" that tells you an error needs to be addressed. This can have a wide-ranging effect on thoughts. We have conceded we are subject to an error in thought. We are taking steps to correct it. 

In that case, why is it so difficult to convince many psychotic people that they should be taking their medication? 

There are a number of reasons for this. Antipsychotics often cause physical, mental and emotional suffering. Antipsychotics are almost like a chemical straitjacket. You can't move normally. Even brushing your teeth can become arduous. Your thinking is vastly limited. Even though being psychotic takes you away from truth, antipsychotics impede the flow of thoughts. It is hard to think and even to read a book on antipsychotics if you compare the medicated person versus the younger person a year before the psychosis got really bad. Antipsychotics cause depression. It is very hard to be happy on antipsychotics. Antipsychotics can be hell to take. No wonder patients don't like them. 

The above is true only some of the time. There are a lot of patients who obtain a lot of relief and help from antipsychotics because the drugs brought them back from the brink, brought them out of their horrible non-reality and restored normalness. This is often external help in a circumstance where we couldn't help ourselves on our own. Side effects can create suffering, but this is better than not having any use of the mind, or having a mind that has run amok, and that is directing you to take destructive actions. 

Other than side effects, we have the other side of the coin, in which a psychotic person refuses medication because of their ego. If you think about it, it's a very hard "pill" to swallow when we acknowledge a physical or mental defect. Not everyone feels this way, but many do. Family and physicians wonder that it is hard for us to come to grips with the idea our brain doesn't work, that we have a brain defect, that, as a result we are "disabled", and, furthermore, that our lives and prospects for the future are prognosticated to be crap.  

Many Americans pride themselves on being of "good stock." Many have self-images in which we want to see ourselves as seamless. We want to believe in ourselves as worthy, as lacking significant defects. To acknowledge a major "defect" is a hard jump. This is normal. 

Anosognosia isn't the sole reason for noncompliance. It is one of the reasons. Yet, doctors and treatment professionals have failed to do enough to make life bearable for patients. We're offering medication, but what is the point to that if life contains nothing but misery? The mental health treatment system needs to get a clue that serving up pizza and cookies isn't enough to make a mentally ill person happy; it will only make them chunky. 

This is not to say that mentally ill people can't seek happiness on our own. Many of us can and do. Yet there are some who could benefit from being given something more, something to look forward to. 

I've gotten jobs, a spouse, and before that, girlfriends, on my own and haven't needed any help from the treatment system obtaining any of it. Truly, the treatment system has done more to interfere. 

I suggest more social activities for those who could benefit from going out on a date. The treatment system often falls short of providing opportunities for legitimate gratification. 

Medication makes the lives of mentally ill patients saner yet sometimes intolerable, especially when the side effects are too awful. This needs to be offset with something good, if we are to see any kind of progress. 

---

Jack Bragen lives and writes in Martinez, California.

I am very concerned by two omissions in the Donald Trump indictment document.

First, the indictment narrates that some boxes of U.S. documents were transported to trump's golf-residence in Bedminster, NJ. Indeed, it relates how trump waived a Top Secret map around in front of PAC associates there, trying to impress them. Has the FBI searched the Bedminster facility for more incriminating documents?

Second, the indictment omits identifying trump's motive. Why did he obstruct returning the documents so fiercely? Was it just his insecure need to boast and show-off? Or was he using (or planning to use) the documents for some self-serving transaction? Those military secrets could garner him a high price from our enemies, and his threat to reveal them could extort our friends.

The investigation must continue.

I write to express my deep concern regarding the recent revelation that former U.S. national security adviser and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was responsible for a far greater number of civilian deaths in Cambodia during the U.S. war than previously acknowledged. As Henry Kissinger celebrates his 100th birthday, it is imperative that we do not overlook his violent legacy.

The bombshell investigation by The Intercept sheds light on Kissinger's involvement in brutal military interventions across Latin America and Southeast Asia. His actions were aimed at suppressing communist movements and expanding U.S. influence, but they came at a high cost of innocent lives. The survivors and families affected by these campaigns continue to bear the pain and loss, while Kissinger remains unaccountable.

This revelation adds to an already extensive list of killings and crimes attributed to Henry Kissinger. As Nick Turse, author of the investigation, aptly points out, even at this late stage of his life, Kissinger should be held accountable for his actions. The passage of time should not shield him from answering for the pain and suffering he caused.

It is crucial that we recognize the significance of these revelations and engage in a broader conversation about the role of individuals in positions of power. The actions of our leaders should not be forgotten or glossed over. True justice demands that those responsible for atrocities face consequences, regardless of their age or achievements.

As we mark this milestone in Henry Kissinger's life, let us not allow it to overshadow the victims and their families. Instead, let us remember the innocent lives lost and strive for a world where such violence is not repeated.

In his book A Song of Love and Death: The Meaning of Opera, Peter Conrad writes, “Strauss tries to outwit history by being both Mozart and Wagner at once….Die Frau ohne Schatten (1919) began as Strauss;s Zauberflõte, an ingenuous fairy tale, but ended as something more like his Ring, a top-heavy treatise on cosmic biology.” As I sat in the audience on June 10 during San Francisco Opera’s current revival of Richard Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman Without A Shadow), which has a libretto by Hugo von Hofmannstahl, I often perceived similarities between this Strauss opera and both Mozart’s Die Zauberflõte and Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen.  

To start with, In all these operas, there are mixtures of gods, demi-gods and humans. In Zauberflõte, Sarastro and The Queen of the Night are gods or at least god-like, he representing the sun and light while she represents the darkness of night. Yet their child, Princess Pamina, is very much human, as is Prince Tamino as well as Tamino’s sidekick Papageno and his eventual wife, Papagena. Likewise, in Wagner’s Ring, Wotan is a god and has the supernatural powers of a god. Yet he is also somewhat limited or bound by pressures from his wife, Fricka, and by his daughter Brüunnhilde, who disobeys her father by aiding the human Sieglinde once that woman’s brother/lover Siegmund has been killed by Hunding. This action by Brūnnhilde also guarantees the future rise of humanity by allowing Sieglinde to give birth to the hero Siegfried, who eventually brings about the downfall of the gods. Following this logic, I see the Empress in Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten, daughter of the god Keikobad and herself a god or demi-god who, like Brūnnhilde, comes out on the side of the humans, in this case, Barak the Dyer and his wife. 

Interestingly, both the Empress and the Dyer’s wife begin this opera as barren females who have not been able thus far to bear children. In the Empress’s case, her infertility is symbolised by her lacking a shadow. Her father, the god Keikobad decrees that within three days she must obtain a shadow, and thereby become fertile, or her beloved husband, the Emperor, will be turned to stone. The Empress’s conniving Nurse counsels the Empress to descend to the human world and steal a shadow from a human female. The Empress naively agrees to do this, and the Nurse leads the Empress to the humble earthly household of Barak the Dyer and his wife. 

After three years of marriage, this human couple is still childless, and Barak’s wife blames her husband for this and denies her interest in having children, even going to the point of forcing her husband to sleep separately from her. Further, she seems unwilling or unable to appreciate the goodness of her husband, to whom she is unreconciled in marriage. In this respect, Barak and his wife resemble Die Zauberflõte’s Sarastro and his estranged wife, The Queen of the Night. When the insidious Nurse tries to persuade the Dyer’s wife to give up her shadow in exchange for a wealth of gold and other riches, the Empress gradually begins to sympathise with Barak and his wife, and she eventually refuses to accept the shadow of the Dyer’s wife. 

The Empress returns to the heavenly realm of her stern father and even dares to petition him in person on behalf of Barak and his wife. Though her husband the Emperor, whom she dearly loves, has now been turned to stone, the Empress prevails upon her father, and she miraculously begins to cast a shadow, which frees the Emperor from his stone encasement. Keikobad, the father, like Mozart’s Sarastro, has been initially unfairly accused of being stern, unyielding and vehemently against the human world; yet he turns out, as does Sarastro, to be quite fair, even sympathetic to the pleas of his daughter on behalf of the humans. Indeed, by the end of Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten, even the Dyer’s wife has belatedly recognised the inherent goodness of her husband Barak, to whom she now gives herself willingly as their marriage now promises they will indeed have children. 

In this San Francisco Opera production of Die Frau ohne Schatten, led by the company’s former music director Donald Runnicles, the first-rate cast featured the outstanding Swedish soprano Nina Stemme as Barak’s wife, superb Finnish soprano Camilla Nylund as the Empress, Danish bass-baritone Johan Reuter as a finely drawn Barak, San Francisco-born Linda Watson as the evilly conniving Nurse, and David Butt Philip as the beleaguered Emperor. Nina Stemme, who has thrilled San Francisco audiences in many operas, including her first Brūnnhilde in the complete Ring cycle, possesses a voice rich in various colors, and she used them all in portraying the many-sided emotional states of the Dyer’s wife — longing, anguish, despair, resentment, and, finally, glowing appreciation of Barak her husband. Likewise, Camilla Nylund also distinguished herself as the multi-faceted Empress, who refuses to seize her own happiness if it comes at another’s expense. In the role of Barak, Johan Reuter gave a vocally robust performance, striking a perfect balance between down-to-earth common sense and endearing patience at his young wife’s initial recalcitrance. San Francisco native Linda Watson, who has previously won acclaim in Europe in the role of the Dyer’s wife, here sang the powerfully insidious role of The Nurse. British tenor David Butt Philip was vocally effective in the high-lying role of The Emperor. 

In small roles, bass Stefan Egerstrom was the Spirit Messenger of Keikobad; Barak’s brothers (or fellow workers) were sung by tenor Zhengyi Bai, and bass-baritones Wayne Tigges and Philip Skinner. The Nightwatchmen were sung by baritones Javier Arrey and Kidon Choi and bass-baritone Jongwon Han. The opera’s fantastical characters such as the Falcon and Voices of Unborn Children were sung by Elisa Sunshine, Arianna Rodriguez, Mikayla Sager, Olivia Smith, Gabrielle Beteag, Nikola Printz, and Victor Cardamone. 

The colorful sets were the work of noted painter David Hockney. The Lighting Director was Justin A. Partier, and Costume Designer was Ian Falconer. This production was staged by Director Roy Rallo. Last but by no means least, Conductor Donald Runnicles deftly brought out all the orchestral colors in Strauss’s score. In every respect, this Die Frau ohne Schatten was a first-rate production that will long be fondly remembered by all who see it.

On Friday, June 16, San Francisco Opera did itself proud by producing a one-night only Centennial Concert featuring the Opera’s Orchestra and Chorus, three top-notch conductors, and fifteen leading vocal soloists. The company founded in 1923 by Neapolitan Gaetano Merola looked back over its 100-year history, offering projected still images of many of the singers and productions that made this company a major force in the world of opera. Yet there was also a look forward to the years to come, as President Joe Biden noted in the closing words of the congratulatory letter he sent to the company, which letter was read aloud onstage by the current General Director Matthew Shilvock. 

Opening this concert was the Prelude from Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nūrnberg conducted by the company’s current Music Director Eun Sun Kim. Throughout this vibrant prelude, projected still images came fast and furious, indeed, far too fast and furious, there being no fewer than 59 of them! I shuddered to think that perhaps in this concert we’d be bombarded by so many mages they’d detract from the music itself. Happily, this was generally not the case. 

In fact, in the second item on the program, the aria “Amour, viens rendre à mon àme” from Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice, exquisitely sung by mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, with SF Opera’s former Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles conducting, there were no projected images at all. Next came the sensuous love duet “Pur ti miro” from Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea, with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham as Nero and soprano Heidi Stober as Poppea., conducted by Patrick Summers. During this wonderful music it was hard to discern why the 14 images were chosen, as few of them had anything to do with this great opera. 

Following this came a rarity, the aria “Odi il voto” from Giuseppe Verdi’s Ernani. So rarely heard is this aria, which is usually omitted, that Matthew Shilvock announced that this would in fact be the first time it had been heard at San Francisco Opera. It was brilliantly sung by tenor Russell Thomas, conducted by Eun Sun Kim, and turned out to be an unexpected highlight of the concert, although there were many others. Next came Pierrot’s Tanzlied” from Die tote Stadt by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, followed by the “Embroidery Aria” from Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten, sung by soprano Heidi Stober and conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. Next we heard the duet “Vicino a te” from Andrea Chénier by Umberto Giordano, brilliantly sung by soprano Ailyn Pérez and tenor Michael Fabiano, conducted by Eun Sun Kim. Closing out the first half of this concert were a stirring rendition of Va, pensiero” from Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring the SF Opera Chorus whose director is John Keene; followed by tenor Brian Jovano/vich singing “Ch’ella mi creda” from La fanciulla del West by Giacomo Puccini; and the Te Deum” from Puccini’s Tosca, featuring bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as Scarpia and the SF Opera Chorus. 

After Intermission, as the second half of this concert got under way, we heard “The Entrance of the Guests” from Wagner’s Tannhāuser, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. For this music, three trumpeters were placed onstage, emphasising their ceremonial function. Following this we heard baritone Brian Mulligan perform the aria “Batter My Heart” from Doctor Atomic by Bay Area composer John Adams. This aria was conducted by Eun Sun Kim. Then came Kostelnićka’s aria “Co chvita” from Jenúfa by Leos Janáček, movingly sung by soprano Karita Mattila, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. Then, in a nod to American musical theatre, came “Losing My Mind” from Follies by Stephen Sondheim, sung by soprano Patricia Racette, conducted by Patrick Summers. Racette’s voice seems to have darkened a bit with age, though this may simply be a function of this dark-toned piece by Sondheim.č 

The next two works were highlights of this concert, beginning with a vivacious performance by soprano Adela Zaharia of “Je veux vivre” from Roméo et Juliette” by Charles Gounod, conducted by Eun Sun Kim; and followed by “Ombra mai fu” from Xerxes by George Frideric Handel, exquisitely sung by mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, conducted by Patrick Summers. Following this, we heard “Prosti, nebesnoye sozdanye” from The Queen of Spades by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky, sung by tenor Brandon Jovanovich, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. Then we heard the brilliant duet “Là ci darem la mano” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, sung by bass-baritone Christian Van Horn and soprano Heidi Stober, conducted by Eun Sun Kim. Next came another highlight, perhaps the highlight of this concert, the Liebestod from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde sung by the current leading Wagnerian soprano Nina Stemme, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. Closing out this Centennial Concert were the aria “Cessa di piú resistere” from Il barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini, brilliantly sung by tenor Lawrence Brownlee, conducted by Patrick Summers, and, finally, the SF Opera Chorus singing “Ave Signor” from Mefistofele by Arrigo Boito. 

Finally, I can only repeat the closing words of President Biden’s letter, which were, “May the San Francisco Opera continue to help so many discover and rediscover the power of art for years to come.” 

 

Worth Noting:

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

SUNDAY – Juneteenth Festival 11 am – 7 pm

MONDAY – Berkeley City Juneteenth Holiday

TUESDAY

• 10 am Public Safety Committee meets in hybrid format
• 2 pm Civic Arts Commission Policy Committee meets online
• 4 pm City Council meets in closed session in the hybrid format
• 6 pm City Council Special Meeting in hybrid format on Economic Dashboard and Climate Action Plan

WEDNESDAY

• 1:30 Commission on Aging meets in person.
• 2 pm FITES meets in the hybrid format on GHG limits, the Climate Action Plan and 51 Bus Rapid Transit
• 6 pm Civic Arts Commission meets in person
• 6 pm Environment and Climate Commission meets in person
• 6:30 pm Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets in person
• 6:30 pm Police Accountability Board meets in the hybrid format
• 7 pm Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission meets at 7 pm

THURSDAY

• 9 am Budget & Finance Committee meets in the hybrid format and will finalize the 2024 budget recommendations for the June 27 full council vote.
• 6:30 pm Community Health Commission meets in person
• 7 pm ZAB meets in the hybrid format. All projects are alterations to existing dwellings

KPFA – To vote for the local Board of Directors later this summer, if you have not already contributed $25 the deadline is June 30. The local board in turn will select four Directors to serve on the National Board.

June 27, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting agenda is available for comment and follows list of meetings.

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, June 18, 2023

Juneteenth Festival from 11 am – 7 pm

https://berkeleyjuneteenth.org/

Monday, June 19, 2023 – Juneteenth City Holiday 

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE at 10 am 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1604903901 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 160 490 3901 

AGENDA: Review and Recommendations Requested on Surveillance Ordinance Item Related to Fixed Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-public-safety 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE at 2 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1617483268 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252  

Meeting ID: 161 748 3268 

AGENDA: 6. Discussion items with possible action: a. FY 2023 Accomplishments, b. FY 2024 Workplan, c. Public Art in Private Development Ordinance Amendment 

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

CITY COUNCIL Closed Session 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/1613505317 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 161 350 5317 

AGENDA: 1. Pending Litigation a. Dressler v. CoB Alameda County Superior Court RG21094748, b. SEIU Local 1021 v. CoB California Public Employment Relations Board, Unfair Practice Charge No. SF-CE-1965-M, 2. Conference with Labor Negotiators Employee Organizations Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227 I.A.F.F., Berkeley Fire Fighters Association, Local 1227 I.A.F.F. / Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Association, Berkeley Police Association. 

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

CITY COUNCIL Special 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/1616716467 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 161 671 6467 

AGENDA: - 1. Berkeley Economic Dashboards, 2. Update Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update 

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

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: Presentation - Overview on Housing & Seniors, Discussion/Action: 1. a. Conference on Aging, b. Land Use & Economic Development Downsizing for Seniors, 2. Berkeley’s Age-Friendly Plan 

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

FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY (FITES) at 2 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1606960872 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 160 696 0872 

AGENDA: 2. Harrison, co-sponsors Bartlett, Hahn – Adopt an Ordinance Adding a New Chapter BMC 12.01Establishing Emergency GHG Limits, Process for Updated Climate Action Plan, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Regional Collaboration, 3. Taplin – 51 Bus Rapid Transit, 4. Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Adding Chapter BMC 12.39 to Regulate Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-facilities-infrastructure-transportation-environment-sustainability 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 7. Presentations, Discussion & Action Items a. FY 2024 Grant process and awards, b. IFY 2024 individual Artist Projects Grant Awards, c. FY 2024 Community Festival Grant Awards, d. FY 2024 General Operating Support Awards, e. Public Art in Private Development Ordinance Amendment, f. FY 2023 Public Art Accomplishments, g. FY 2024 Annual Workplan, h. FY 2024 Public Art Budget 

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

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Update from Staff. A. DC Fast Chargers on Municipal Property, b. Native Street Trees, 7. Presentation BESO Development of Upgrade Requirements. 

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

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: at 2800 Park, Frances Albrier Community Center 

AGENDA: 4. Review and approve the Community Action Plan Public Hearing and approval of the 2024-2025 Block Grant, 6. Election of Low-Income Representatives, 9. Review City funded agency Program and Financial reports a. J-Sei program and financial reports, 10. Hopkins Corridor, 12. Discussion and possible action on holding hybrid meetings 

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

PARKS, RECREATION, and WATERFRONT COMMISSION at 7 pm 

In-Person: at 2800 Park, Frances Albrier Community Center 

AGENDA: 8. PRW Divisions Capital Budget, 9. Update on DBAW loan for D&E Dock Project, 10. Update on Marina Fund fiscal gap FY 2024, qq. Update on Aquatic Park Capital Projects, 12. Parking at the Berkeley Waterfront, 13. Waterfront Specific Plan subcommittee, 14. Update on Pier and Water Transportation Ferry Project, 16. Workplan 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/parks-recreation-and-waterfront-commission 

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD Regular Meeting 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: 3. Public Comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 4. Closed Session (20 minutes) Conference with Labor Negotiators BPA, 10. Subcommittee reports on a. Policy and practices related to Downtown Task force and Bike Unit, b. Body-Worn Cameras, 11. a. Recognition of Maritza Martinez, b. Adoption NACOLE’s code of ethics, c. Procedures for continuous review of commendations, e. Presentation of Policy Complaint No. 2023-PR-0003, f. PAB Charter Rules and Policies, 12. Public Comment, 13. Closed Session Case No. 32. 

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

Thursday, June 22, 2023 

 

BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE at 9 am 

A Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: 2180 Milvia, 1st Floor, Cypress Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1606807814 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) 

Meeting ID: 160 680 7814 

AGENDA: 2. Presentation from City Attorney on the Department’s FY 2024 Proposed Budget and Funding Requests, 3. FY 2024 Proposed Budget, 4. Interim Housing Program at the Super * Motel (1619 University), Presentation on the Status of the Marina Fund, 6. Accept the Risk Analysis for Long-Term Debt (Bonding Capacity) Report provided by Government Finance Officers Association, Energy Commission – Recommendation on Climate, Building Electrification, and Sustainable Transportation Budget Priorities for FY 2023 – 2024 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-budget-finance 

COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: Subcommittee Reports: Chronic Disease Prevention, Entheogenic Subcommittee, Health Facilities, Policy tracking, Discussion/Action Items: 1. Updates from Health Officer, 2. Community Health Assessment presentation, 4. Referral on Long Term Care Facility Oversight, 5. Light Pollution Control 

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

ZONING ADJUSTMENT BOARD at 7 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89616268195 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 or 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: 896 1696 8195 

AGENDA: 2. 1192 Oxford - on consent – #ZP2023-0039 enclose and convert existing porch into a powder room and foyer, convert existing 2nd floor sunroom into a bathroom, remodel existing 2nd floor deck to add approximately 100 square feet and construct new outdoor stairs, height would be 25 ft, 10 inches 

3. 1432 Blake – on consent - #ZP2022-0180 to construct exterior stairs and a 100 sq ft enclosed porch with maximum height of 17 ft 6 inches to existing dwelling unit on a lot that is non-conforming for lot density 

4. 1524 Campus Drive – appeal – staff recommend dismiss the appeal #ZP2022-0122 – construct a 3rd story major residential addition over 20 ft maximum height, alterations in the nonconforming front setback, addition of a 5th bedroom, outside deck and a new pedestrian access bridge 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/zoning-adjustments-board 

EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING for ARTISTS and HOW to ACCESS IT from 4:30 – 5:30 pm 

Online: Use Link to Register 

AGENDA: Navigating local vs national resources, key differences and similarities, resources 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/emergency-relief-funding-artists-and-how-access-it 

Friday, June 23, 2023 – no public meetings listed 

Saturday, June 24, 2023 – no public meetings listed 

Sunday, January 25, 2023 – no public meetings listed 

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June 27, 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/1608493904 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 160 849 3904 

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

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. 2nd reading - Klein, Planning and Development - Bird Safe Building Requirements; Adding Berkeley Municipal Code Section 23.304.150
2. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Debt Service on the Affordable Housing General Obligation Bonds (Measure O, Nov 2018 Election) at 0,0250%
3. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: FundFirefighting, Emergency Medical Response and Wildfire Prevention (Measure FF) at annual tax rate of $0.1176 (11.76 cents)
4. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund Debt Service on Neighborhood Branch Library Improvements Project General Obligation Bonds (Measure FF, November 2008) at 0.0050%
5. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: FundService on 2015 Refnding General Obligation Bonds (Measures G, S & I) elections 1992, 1996 and 2002 at o.0115%
6. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Debt Service on the Infrastructure and Facilities General Obligation Bonds (Measure T1, November 2016) at 0.0140%
7. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Debt Service on the Street and Watershed Improvements General Obligation Bonds (Measure M, November 2012)
8. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Business License Tax on Large Non-Profits at $0.7909 per square foot of improvements
9. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Maintenance of Parks, City Trees and Landscaping at $0.2130
10. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Provision of Emergency Medical Services (Paramedic Tax) at $0.0451
11. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: FundEmergency Services for the Severely Disabled (Measure E) at $0.02018)
12. 2nd reading - Fair Campaign Practices Commission – Amendments to Berkeley Election Reform Act to modify the forms required to open a campaign committee, change the deadline to qualify for public financing, clarify rules
13. 2nd reading - Arreguin, Harrison, Hahn, Robinson - Amendments to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance.
14. Minutes for Approval
15. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $400,000
16. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund fire Protection and Emergency Response and Preparedness Measure GG
17. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Special Tax Rate: Fund Library Services
18. Oyekanmi, Finance – Appropriations Limit for FY 2024 $342,803,053
19. Oyekanmi, Finance – Revisions to the Debt Management and Disclosure Policy
20. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Reaffirming the Investment Policy and Designation of Investment Authority
21. Sprague, Fire Dept – Contract $106,000 with ZOLL Medical Corporation for ECG Monitor/Defibrillator Support for emergency Response Vehicles from 7/1/2023-6/30/2025
22. Sprague, Fire Dept – Contract $62,000 with Stryker Corp, Preventive Maintenance Service from 8/1/2023 – 8/1/2026
23. Sprague, Fire Dept – Contract $1,600,000 with US Digital Designs for Fire Station Emergency Alerting System from 7/12/2023 – 6/2/2026
24. Warhuus, HHCS – Amend Contract add $35,000 total $125,000 with Harold Dichoso COVID-19 Outreach and Education and extend to 6/30/2024
25. Warhuus, HHCS – Fiscal Year 2023 Community Development Block Grant 1. Allocate $680,000 of FY 2023 Federal CDBG funds available to to Insight Housing to rehabilitate IH’s Dwight Way Center
26. Fong, IT – Amend Contract - Total $1,939,538 with Dell Computer for Computer software and hardware using County Riverside Amendment No. 1 for 11/1/2019 – 10/31/2024
27. Fong, IT – Amend Contract 10549B add $1,000,000 total $4,705,342.68 with Tyler Technologies Enterprise Resource Planning System for ongoing software licensing, maintenance services and disaster recovery services 4/1/2017 – 6/30/2025
28. Ferris, Parks – Contract $263,000 includes $50,000 (23.5%) contingency with R.X. Lodge, Inc. for the West Side Aquatic Park Tree Planting and Irrigation Project
29. Ferris, Parks – Grant Application: USDA Forest Service – Berkeley Urban Forestry Project up to $3,800,000 local in-kind match, up to $500,000 in local cash match
30. Ferris, Parks – Donation $6,800 Two Memorial Benches at Cesar Chavez Park in memory of Richard & Gloria Crocker
31. Louis, Police Dept – Contract $200,000 with Citygate for Police Dept Staffing and Workload Study $120,000 for 6/30/2023 – 6/30/2024 with option to extend for 2 additional years for total $200,000
32. Garland, Public Works – Contracts (3) total $1,200,000 with Cunha Surveying, Inc. (Cunha) $400,000, Kister, Savio & Rei, Inc (KSR) $400,000, MNS Engineers, Inc (MNS) $400,000 for on-call survey services for capital improvement projects and the Engineering Division, for 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026
33. Garland, Public Works – Contracts (5) total $1,500,000 for On-Call Geotechnical and Engineering Testing Services, BSK Associates $400,000, Inspection Services, Inc. $400,000, Ninyo & Moore $400,000, Alan Kropp & Associates $150,000, Fisher Geotechnical $150,000.
34. Garland, Public Works – Contract $12,973,925 includes 20% contingency with Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc for Southside Complete Streets Project
35. Garland, Public Works – Contract $1,625,500 with Downtown Streets for Hand Sweeping, Graffiti and Litter Abatement, Poster Removal and Low Barrier Volunteer Work Experience Program for 8/1/2023 – 8/30/2027
36. Garland, Public Works – Amend Contract add $835,969 total $2,285,969 with Trip Stop Sidewalk Repair, In for FY 2020 Sidewalk Inspection and Shaving Services
37. Garland, Public Works – Ground Lease Agreement – RM Ventures LLC d.b.a. in the Wood Grill and Bar for Nonexclusive Use of Elmwood Parking Lot Pedestrian Paseo
38. Garland, Public Works – SteelWave Donation for $40,000 cash donation for Addison Bike Blvd project and Vision Zero traffic safety improvements in West Berkeley
39. Garland, Public Works - goBerkeley SmartSpace Pilot Program Evaluation & Next Steps, adopt resolution to maintain SmartSpace
40. Garland, Public Works – Approve Proposed Projects Anticipate to be paid for by the State’s Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Funds for FY 2023 – 2024
41. Garland, Public Works – Extend the Community Workforce Agreement with Building & Construction Trades Council, et al., for Construction Projects over $500,000
42. Disaster and Fire Safety Commission – Request that City Council Strongly Recommend that HUD-Owned Harriet Tubman Terrace Apartments Install Solar Battery Back-Up Battery Capability to meet the medical needs of their residents during loss of electrical power and consider same action for other HUD properties in Berkeley
43. Peace and Justice Commission – Establishment of a Sister City Relationship with Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Honduras
44. Arreguin – Amend Contract 32000196 add $78,000 total $303,500 with Szabo & Associates for Communications Consulting Services and extend to 6/30/2024
45. Bartlett, co-sponsors Arreguin, Harrison, Hahn – Berkeley Food Utility and Access Resilience Measure (FARM) – Refer to City Manager the task of protecting the City’s Food Supply from natural disasters and economic disruptions and the Office of Economic Development and adopt the goals of FARM
46. Bartlett – Street Pavement Painting, relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds
47. Bartlett, co-sponsor Ha – Reparations Now Community Art Mural Restoration and Preservation on Ellis next to Malcolm X Elementary School
48. Wengraf, co-sponsor Hahn – Support for AB-660 Food Labeling (Assemblymember Irwin) Food Labeling quality dates, safety dates and sell by dates

AGENDA on ACTION: 

49. Garland, Public Works - Public Hearing on Zero Waste Five Year Rate Schedule (fee for refuse, compost and recycling collection based on size of garbage container)
50. Warhuus, HHCS – Biennial Syringe Services Report
51. Garland, Public Works – Approval and Levy of 2018 Clean Stormwater Fee in FY 2024
52. Garland, Public Works – Levy and Collection of Street Lighting Assessments
53. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY 2024 Proposed Budget Update Adoption
54. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY 2024 Annual Appropriations Ordinance $718,982,025 (gross) and $610,760531 (net)
55. Oyekanmi, Finance – Borrowing of Funds and the Sale and Issuance of FY 2023-2024 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
56. Bartlett, co-sponsors Arreguin, Harrison, Humbert – Adopt temporary exemption from the collection of taxes under BMC Chapter 9.04.136(D) Tax Rate for Non-Medical and Medical Cannabis Businesses
57. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - Voluntary Time Off Program for FY 2024
58. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager – Status Report – Berkeley’s Financial Condition (FY 2012 – FY 2021): Pension Libilities and Infrastructure Need Attention
59. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2023 Third Quarter Investment Report: ended 3/31/2023
60. Louis, Police – Update on the Implementation of Fair and Impartial Policing Task Force Recommendations
61. Zero Waste Commission – FY 2023 – 2024 Work Plan

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LAND USE CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

• 705 Euclid Avenue (new single family dwelling) 9/26/2023
• 2720 Hillegass Avenue - Willard Park (Construct Community Center) 7/24/2023
• 3000 Shattuck Avenue (Construct 10-story mixed-use building) – 9/26/2023
• 1598 University Avenue (Construct 8-story miexed-use building) 10/3/2023

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
• June 13 - Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment cancelled, report is worth reading
• June 20 (WS) - Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update, Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update,
• July 11- Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation (at 4 pm)
• July 18 (WS) - Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD), and City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations
• July 25 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan (at 4 pm) – rescheduled to fall

. 

Unscheduled Presentations – Workshops and Special Meetings: - None 

. 

* * * * * 

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:
.
ZOOM has as part of the program -(for no extra cost)- Closed Captioning (CC). It turns computer voice recognition into a text transcript. Accuracy of the Closed Captioning is affected by background noise and other factors, The CC transcript will not be perfect, but most of the time reading through it the few odd words, can be deciphered--for example "Shattuck" was transcribed as Shadow in one recent transcript. 

 

For the us, the online attendee, the full transcript is only available from the time the attendee activates Closed Captioning. But if Closed Captioning is activated and you sit through a meeting and then remember 10 minutes before it is over to click on CC then go to the arrow/carrot next to CC for the menu and click on Show Full Transcript you will only get the last 10 minutes, not the full transcript – So click often on both Save Transcript and on Save to Folder during the meeting for best results. 

 

When you click on Show Full Transcript it will allow you to scroll up and down, so if want to go back and see what was said earlier you can do that during the meeting while the transcript is running. 

 

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

 

Near the end of the meeting, after you click on "Save Transcript," click on "Save to Folder." The meeting transcript will show up (as a download to your desktop) in a separate box as a text file. (These text files are not large.) After you have done your last Save Transcript and Save to Folder (after the meeting is over) you can rename the new transcript folder on your computer, and save it (re-read or send or share it). 

 

Remember, allowing us attendees to save the meeting transcript does not require the public meeting host to save the transcript (for 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: 

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

 

Worth Noting:  

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

SUNDAY – Juneteenth Festival 11 am – 7 pm 

MONDAY – Berkeley City Juneteenth Holiday 

TUESDAY 

• 10 am Public Safety Committee meets in hybrid format
• 2 pm Civic Arts Commission Policy Committee meets online
• 4 pm City Council meets in closed session in the hybrid format
• 6 pm City Council Special Meeting in hybrid format on Economic Dashboard and Climate Action Plan

WEDNESDAY 

• 1:30 Commission on Aging meets in person.
• 2 pm FITES meets in the hybrid format on GHG limits, the Climate Action Plan and 51 Bus Rapid Transit
• 6 pm Civic Arts Commission meets in person
• 6 pm Environment and Climate Commission meets in person
• 6:30 pm Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets in person
• 6:30 pm Police Accountability Board meets in the hybrid format
• 7 pm Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission meets at 7 pm

THURSDAY 

• 9 am Budget & Finance Committee meets in the hybrid format and will finalize the 2024 budget recommendations for the June 27 full council vote.
• 6:30 pm Community Health Commission meets in person
• 7 pm ZAB meets in the hybrid format. All projects are alterations to existing dwellings

 

KPFA – To vote for the local Board of Directors later this summer, if you have not already contributed $25 the deadline is June 30. The local board in turn will select four Directors to serve on the National Board. 

June 27, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting agenda is available for comment and follows list of meetings. 

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, June 18, 2023  

Juneteenth Festival from 11 am – 7 pm  

https://berkeleyjuneteenth.org/ 

Monday, June 19, 2023 – Juneteenth City Holiday 

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE at 10 am 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1604903901 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 160 490 3901 

AGENDA: Review and Recommendations Requested on Surveillance Ordinance Item Related to Fixed Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-public-safety 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE at 2 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1617483268 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252  

Meeting ID: 161 748 3268 

AGENDA: 6. Discussion items with possible action: a. FY 2023 Accomplishments, b. FY 2024 Workplan, c. Public Art in Private Development Ordinance Amendment 

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

CITY COUNCIL Closed Session 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/1613505317 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 161 350 5317 

AGENDA: 1. Pending Litigation a. Dressler v. CoB Alameda County Superior Court RG21094748, b. SEIU Local 1021 v. CoB California Public Employment Relations Board, Unfair Practice Charge No. SF-CE-1965-M, 2. Conference with Labor Negotiators Employee Organizations Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227 I.A.F.F., Berkeley Fire Fighters Association, Local 1227 I.A.F.F. / Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Association, Berkeley Police Association. 

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

CITY COUNCIL Special 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/1616716467 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 161 671 6467 

AGENDA: - 1. Berkeley Economic Dashboards, 2. Update Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update 

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

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: Presentation - Overview on Housing & Seniors, Discussion/Action: 1. a. Conference on Aging, b. Land Use & Economic Development Downsizing for Seniors, 2. Berkeley’s Age-Friendly Plan 

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

FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY (FITES) at 2 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1606960872 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)  

Meeting ID: 160 696 0872 

AGENDA: 2. Harrison, co-sponsors Bartlett, Hahn – Adopt an Ordinance Adding a New Chapter BMC 12.01Establishing Emergency GHG Limits, Process for Updated Climate Action Plan, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Regional Collaboration, 3. Taplin – 51 Bus Rapid Transit, 4. Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Adding Chapter BMC 12.39 to Regulate Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-facilities-infrastructure-transportation-environment-sustainability 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 7. Presentations, Discussion & Action Items a. FY 2024 Grant process and awards, b. IFY 2024 individual Artist Projects Grant Awards, c. FY 2024 Community Festival Grant Awards, d. FY 2024 General Operating Support Awards, e. Public Art in Private Development Ordinance Amendment, f. FY 2023 Public Art Accomplishments, g. FY 2024 Annual Workplan, h. FY 2024 Public Art Budget 

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

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Update from Staff. A. DC Fast Chargers on Municipal Property, b. Native Street Trees, 7. Presentation BESO Development of Upgrade Requirements. 

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

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: at 2800 Park, Frances Albrier Community Center 

AGENDA: 4. Review and approve the Community Action Plan Public Hearing and approval of the 2024-2025 Block Grant, 6. Election of Low-Income Representatives, 9. Review City funded agency Program and Financial reports a. J-Sei program and financial reports, 10. Hopkins Corridor, 12. Discussion and possible action on holding hybrid meetings 

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

PARKS, RECREATION, and WATERFRONT COMMISSION at 7 pm 

In-Person: at 2800 Park, Frances Albrier Community Center 

AGENDA: 8. PRW Divisions Capital Budget, 9. Update on DBAW loan for D&E Dock Project, 10. Update on Marina Fund fiscal gap FY 2024, qq. Update on Aquatic Park Capital Projects, 12. Parking at the Berkeley Waterfront, 13. Waterfront Specific Plan subcommittee, 14. Update on Pier and Water Transportation Ferry Project, 16. Workplan 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/parks-recreation-and-waterfront-commission 

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD Regular Meeting 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: 3. Public Comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 4. Closed Session (20 minutes) Conference with Labor Negotiators BPA, 10. Subcommittee reports on a. Policy and practices related to Downtown Task force and Bike Unit, b. Body-Worn Cameras, 11. a. Recognition of Maritza Martinez, b. Adoption NACOLE’s code of ethics, c. Procedures for continuous review of commendations, e. Presentation of Policy Complaint No. 2023-PR-0003, f. PAB Charter Rules and Policies, 12. Public Comment, 13. Closed Session Case No. 32. 

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

Thursday, June 22, 2023 

 

BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE at 9 am 

A Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: 2180 Milvia, 1st Floor, Cypress Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1606807814 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) 

Meeting ID: 160 680 7814 

AGENDA: 2. Presentation from City Attorney on the Department’s FY 2024 Proposed Budget and Funding Requests, 3. FY 2024 Proposed Budget, 4. Interim Housing Program at the Super * Motel (1619 University), Presentation on the Status of the Marina Fund, 6. Accept the Risk Analysis for Long-Term Debt (Bonding Capacity) Report provided by Government Finance Officers Association, Energy Commission – Recommendation on Climate, Building Electrification, and Sustainable Transportation Budget Priorities for FY 2023 – 2024 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-budget-finance 

COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: Subcommittee Reports: Chronic Disease Prevention, Entheogenic Subcommittee, Health Facilities, Policy tracking, Discussion/Action Items: 1. Updates from Health Officer, 2. Community Health Assessment presentation, 4. Referral on Long Term Care Facility Oversight, 5. Light Pollution Control 

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

ZONING ADJUSTMENT BOARD at 7 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89616268195 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 or 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: 896 1696 8195 

AGENDA: 2. 1192 Oxford - on consent – #ZP2023-0039 enclose and convert existing porch into a powder room and foyer, convert existing 2nd floor sunroom into a bathroom, remodel existing 2nd floor deck to add approximately 100 square feet and construct new outdoor stairs, height would be 25 ft, 10 inches 

3. 1432 Blake – on consent - #ZP2022-0180 to construct exterior stairs and a 100 sq ft enclosed porch with maximum height of 17 ft 6 inches to existing dwelling unit on a lot that is non-conforming for lot density 

4. 1524 Campus Drive – appeal – staff recommend dismiss the appeal #ZP2022-0122 – construct a 3rd story major residential addition over 20 ft maximum height, alterations in the nonconforming front setback, addition of a 5th bedroom, outside deck and a new pedestrian access bridge 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/zoning-adjustments-board 

EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING for ARTISTS and HOW to ACCESS IT from 4:30 – 5:30 pm 

Online: Use Link to Register 

AGENDA: Navigating local vs national resources, key differences and similarities, resources 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/emergency-relief-funding-artists-and-how-access-it 

Friday, June 23, 2023 – no public meetings listed 

Saturday, June 24, 2023 – no public meetings listed 

Sunday, January 25, 2023 – no public meetings listed 

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June 27, 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/1608493904 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free) Meeting ID: 160 849 3904 

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

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. 2nd reading - Klein, Planning and Development - Bird Safe Building Requirements; Adding Berkeley Municipal Code Section 23.304.150
2. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Debt Service on the Affordable Housing General Obligation Bonds (Measure O, Nov 2018 Election) at 0,0250%
3. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: FundFirefighting, Emergency Medical Response and Wildfire Prevention (Measure FF) at annual tax rate of $0.1176 (11.76 cents)
4. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund Debt Service on Neighborhood Branch Library Improvements Project General Obligation Bonds (Measure FF, November 2008) at 0.0050%
5. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: FundService on 2015 Refnding General Obligation Bonds (Measures G, S & I) elections 1992, 1996 and 2002 at o.0115%
6. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Debt Service on the Infrastructure and Facilities General Obligation Bonds (Measure T1, November 2016) at 0.0140%
7. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Debt Service on the Street and Watershed Improvements General Obligation Bonds (Measure M, November 2012)
8. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Business License Tax on Large Non-Profits at $0.7909 per square foot of improvements
9. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Maintenance of Parks, City Trees and Landscaping at $0.2130
10. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund the Provision of Emergency Medical Services (Paramedic Tax) at $0.0451
11. 2nd reading - Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: FundEmergency Services for the Severely Disabled (Measure E) at $0.02018)
12. 2nd reading - Fair Campaign Practices Commission – Amendments to Berkeley Election Reform Act to modify the forms required to open a campaign committee, change the deadline to qualify for public financing, clarify rules
13. 2nd reading - Arreguin, Harrison, Hahn, Robinson - Amendments to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance.
14. Minutes for Approval
15. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $400,000
16. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Tax Rate: Fund fire Protection and Emergency Response and Preparedness Measure GG
17. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Special Tax Rate: Fund Library Services
18. Oyekanmi, Finance – Appropriations Limit for FY 2024 $342,803,053
19. Oyekanmi, Finance – Revisions to the Debt Management and Disclosure Policy
20. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2024 Reaffirming the Investment Policy and Designation of Investment Authority
21. Sprague, Fire Dept – Contract $106,000 with ZOLL Medical Corporation for ECG Monitor/Defibrillator Support for emergency Response Vehicles from 7/1/2023-6/30/2025
22. Sprague, Fire Dept – Contract $62,000 with Stryker Corp, Preventive Maintenance Service from 8/1/2023 – 8/1/2026
23. Sprague, Fire Dept – Contract $1,600,000 with US Digital Designs for Fire Station Emergency Alerting System from 7/12/2023 – 6/2/2026
24. Warhuus, HHCS – Amend Contract add $35,000 total $125,000 with Harold Dichoso COVID-19 Outreach and Education and extend to 6/30/2024
25. Warhuus, HHCS – Fiscal Year 2023 Community Development Block Grant 1. Allocate $680,000 of FY 2023 Federal CDBG funds available to to Insight Housing to rehabilitate IH’s Dwight Way Center
26. Fong, IT – Amend Contract - Total $1,939,538 with Dell Computer for Computer software and hardware using County Riverside Amendment No. 1 for 11/1/2019 – 10/31/2024
27. Fong, IT – Amend Contract 10549B add $1,000,000 total $4,705,342.68 with Tyler Technologies Enterprise Resource Planning System for ongoing software licensing, maintenance services and disaster recovery services 4/1/2017 – 6/30/2025
28. Ferris, Parks – Contract $263,000 includes $50,000 (23.5%) contingency with R.X. Lodge, Inc. for the West Side Aquatic Park Tree Planting and Irrigation Project
29. Ferris, Parks – Grant Application: USDA Forest Service – Berkeley Urban Forestry Project up to $3,800,000 local in-kind match, up to $500,000 in local cash match
30. Ferris, Parks – Donation $6,800 Two Memorial Benches at Cesar Chavez Park in memory of Richard & Gloria Crocker
31. Louis, Police Dept – Contract $200,000 with Citygate for Police Dept Staffing and Workload Study $120,000 for 6/30/2023 – 6/30/2024 with option to extend for 2 additional years for total $200,000
32. Garland, Public Works – Contracts (3) total $1,200,000 with Cunha Surveying, Inc. (Cunha) $400,000, Kister, Savio & Rei, Inc (KSR) $400,000, MNS Engineers, Inc (MNS) $400,000 for on-call survey services for capital improvement projects and the Engineering Division, for 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026
33. Garland, Public Works – Contracts (5) total $1,500,000 for On-Call Geotechnical and Engineering Testing Services, BSK Associates $400,000, Inspection Services, Inc. $400,000, Ninyo & Moore $400,000, Alan Kropp & Associates $150,000, Fisher Geotechnical $150,000.
34. Garland, Public Works – Contract $12,973,925 includes 20% contingency with Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc for Southside Complete Streets Project
35. Garland, Public Works – Contract $1,625,500 with Downtown Streets for Hand Sweeping, Graffiti and Litter Abatement, Poster Removal and Low Barrier Volunteer Work Experience Program for 8/1/2023 – 8/30/2027
36. Garland, Public Works – Amend Contract add $835,969 total $2,285,969 with Trip Stop Sidewalk Repair, In for FY 2020 Sidewalk Inspection and Shaving Services
37. Garland, Public Works – Ground Lease Agreement – RM Ventures LLC d.b.a. in the Wood Grill and Bar for Nonexclusive Use of Elmwood Parking Lot Pedestrian Paseo
38. Garland, Public Works – SteelWave Donation for $40,000 cash donation for Addison Bike Blvd project and Vision Zero traffic safety improvements in West Berkeley
39. Garland, Public Works - goBerkeley SmartSpace Pilot Program Evaluation & Next Steps, adopt resolution to maintain SmartSpace
40. Garland, Public Works – Approve Proposed Projects Anticipate to be paid for by the State’s Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Funds for FY 2023 – 2024
41. Garland, Public Works – Extend the Community Workforce Agreement with Building & Construction Trades Council, et al., for Construction Projects over $500,000
42. Disaster and Fire Safety Commission – Request that City Council Strongly Recommend that HUD-Owned Harriet Tubman Terrace Apartments Install Solar Battery Back-Up Battery Capability to meet the medical needs of their residents during loss of electrical power and consider same action for other HUD properties in Berkeley
43. Peace and Justice Commission – Establishment of a Sister City Relationship with Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Honduras
44. Arreguin – Amend Contract 32000196 add $78,000 total $303,500 with Szabo & Associates for Communications Consulting Services and extend to 6/30/2024
45. Bartlett, co-sponsors Arreguin, Harrison, Hahn – Berkeley Food Utility and Access Resilience Measure (FARM) – Refer to City Manager the task of protecting the City’s Food Supply from natural disasters and economic disruptions and the Office of Economic Development and adopt the goals of FARM
46. Bartlett – Street Pavement Painting, relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds
47. Bartlett, co-sponsor Ha – Reparations Now Community Art Mural Restoration and Preservation on Ellis next to Malcolm X Elementary School
48. Wengraf, co-sponsor Hahn – Support for AB-660 Food Labeling (Assemblymember Irwin) Food Labeling quality dates, safety dates and sell by dates

AGENDA on ACTION: 

49. Garland, Public Works - Public Hearing on Zero Waste Five Year Rate Schedule (fee for refuse, compost and recycling collection based on size of garbage container)
50. Warhuus, HHCS – Biennial Syringe Services Report
51. Garland, Public Works – Approval and Levy of 2018 Clean Stormwater Fee in FY 2024
52. Garland, Public Works – Levy and Collection of Street Lighting Assessments
53. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY 2024 Proposed Budget Update Adoption
54. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY 2024 Annual Appropriations Ordinance $718,982,025 (gross) and $610,760531 (net)
55. Oyekanmi, Finance – Borrowing of Funds and the Sale and Issuance of FY 2023-2024 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
56. Bartlett, co-sponsors Arreguin, Harrison, Humbert – Adopt temporary exemption from the collection of taxes under BMC Chapter 9.04.136(D) Tax Rate for Non-Medical and Medical Cannabis Businesses
57. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - Voluntary Time Off Program for FY 2024
58. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager – Status Report – Berkeley’s Financial Condition (FY 2012 – FY 2021): Pension Libilities and Infrastructure Need Attention
59. Oyekanmi, Finance – FY 2023 Third Quarter Investment Report: ended 3/31/2023
60. Louis, Police – Update on the Implementation of Fair and Impartial Policing Task Force Recommendations
61. Zero Waste Commission – FY 2023 – 2024 Work Plan

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LAND USE CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

• 705 Euclid Avenue (new single family dwelling) 9/26/2023
• 2720 Hillegass Avenue - Willard Park (Construct Community Center) 7/24/2023
• 3000 Shattuck Avenue (Construct 10-story mixed-use building) – 9/26/2023
• 1598 University Avenue (Construct 8-story miexed-use building) 10/3/2023

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
• June 13 - Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment cancelled, report is worth reading
• June 20 (WS) - Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update, Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update,
• July 11- Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation (at 4 pm)
• July 18 (WS) - Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD), and City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations
• July 25 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan (at 4 pm) – rescheduled to fall

. 

Unscheduled Presentations – Workshops and Special Meetings: - None 

. 

* * * * * 

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:
.
ZOOM has as part of the program -(for no extra cost)- Closed Captioning (CC). It turns computer voice recognition into a text transcript. Accuracy of the Closed Captioning is affected by background noise and other factors, The CC transcript will not be perfect, but most of the time reading through it the few odd words, can be deciphered--for example "Shattuck" was transcribed as Shadow in one recent transcript. 

 

For the us, the online attendee, the full transcript is only available from the time the attendee activates Closed Captioning. But if Closed Captioning is activated and you sit through a meeting and then remember 10 minutes before it is over to click on CC then go to the arrow/carrot next to CC for the menu and click on Show Full Transcript you will only get the last 10 minutes, not the full transcript – So click often on both Save Transcript and on Save to Folder during the meeting for best results. 

 

When you click on Show Full Transcript it will allow you to scroll up and down, so if want to go back and see what was said earlier you can do that during the meeting while the transcript is running. 

 

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

 

Near the end of the meeting, after you click on "Save Transcript," click on "Save to Folder." The meeting transcript will show up (as a download to your desktop) in a separate box as a text file. (These text files are not large.) After you have done your last Save Transcript and Save to Folder (after the meeting is over) you can rename the new transcript folder on your computer, and save it (re-read or send or share it). 

 

Remember, allowing us attendees to save the meeting transcript does not require the public meeting host to save the transcript (for 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: 

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