Worth Noting:

The City Council summer recess is from July 31 – September 9, 2024, HOWEVER, if the City Council doesn’t finish the ballot initiatives for the November 5 election, there is a tentative August 5 Council meeting. All ballot measures must be submitted for the election by August 9, 2024. Primary Argument for Ballot Measures filing dates are 8 am August 12 – 12 pm August 16 with the rebuttal filing period 4 pm August 16 – 12 pm August 23.

• Monday, July 29, 2024: At 10 am the Health, Life, Enrichment Equity & Community Committee meets in the hybrid format. At 4 pm City Council meets in closed session on Grants Pass decision.
• Tuesday, July 30, 2024: City Council meets in the hybrid format starting with a special meeting at 3 pm on the ballot initiatives followed with the 6 pm regular council meeting. (If going in person bring rations it will be a long night)
• Wednesday, July 31, 2024: At 1 pm FITES meets in the hybrid format. At 6 pm HWCAC meets in person.
• Thursday, August 1, 2024: At 6:30 pm the the Landmarks Preservation Commission meets in person.
• Friday, August 2, 2024: From 1 – 3 pm is a family picnic for WIC participants
• Saturday, August 3, 2024: At 10:30 am is a fatherhood support group for fathers who spend time in Berkeley (residency in Berkeley not required)

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

At the bottom are the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary.

For how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts, saving CHAT and converting YouTube to a transcript go to https://tinyurl.com/3jau6ym8

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS 

Sunday, July 28, 2024 – no city meetings found 

Monday, July 29, 2024 

HEALTH, LIFE ENRICHMENT, EQUITY & COMMUNITY at 10 am 

Committee Members: Kesarwani, Bartlett, Tregub, Alternate Hahn 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618991706 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 899 1706 

AGENDA: 2. Gilman, HHCS – Changes to the Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) Council appointee process and possible selection of public sector commissioners, 3. Klein, Planning - Re-Adoption of the Berkeley Building codes, 4. Bartlett, co-sponsor Harrison – Amendment to Healthy Checkout expands to stores under 2500 sq ft to sell more nutritious food and beverage options in checkout areas. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-health-life-enrichment-equity-community 

CITY COUNCIL Closed Session at 4 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618709267 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 870 9267 

AGENDA: one agenda item 1. City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson 

https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-closed-meeting-eagenda-july-29-2024 

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting (Ballot Initiatives for November Election) at 3 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611538218 

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

Meeting ID: 161 153 8218 

AGENDA: 1. Numainville, City Clerk – (Fix the Streets & Sidewalks) Initiative Ordinance creating a Parcel Tax for the Purpose of Funding Repairs and Improvements to Streets, Sidewalks and Pedestrian Paths (Fix the Streets & Sidewalks) for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

2. Numainville, City Clerk – (Safe Streets) Initiative Ordinance creating a Parcel Tax for the Purpose of Funding Repairs and Improvements to Streets, Sidewalks and Pedestrian Paths (Safe Streets) for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

3. Numainville, City Clerk – (Natural Gas Consumption) Initiative Petition – Initiative Ordinance to Adopt a Special Tax on Natural Gas Consumption in Buildings 15,000 sq ft or larger for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

4. Numainville, City Clerk –– (Indoor Air Quality) Initiative Ordinance Requiring the Adoption of Minimum Indoor Air Quality Standards in City-Owned and City-leased Buildings for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

5. Community Survey Results and Direction on Potential 2024 Arts & Culture Ballot Measure, 6. Brown, City Attorney a. Reauthorize General Tax on the Distribution of Sugar Sweetened Beverages, b. Tax Measure to Fund Berkeley Public Library, c. Tax Measure to increase Parks, Trees and Landscaping Tax, d. Increase and Extend General Real Property Transfer Tax, 

7. Lunaparra – Ballot Measure Berkeley Tenant Protection and Right to Organize Act, 

8. Tregub – Alternative Ballot Measure to Large Buildings Fossil Fuel Emission Tax, INFORMATION REPORTS: 

9. Davis, Public Works – Analysis of Fix the Streets and Safe Streets Ballot Measures, 

10. Klein – Report Large Buildings Fossil Fuel Emissions Tax, 

11. Davis, Public Works – Analysis Ballot Measure Aerosols Requirement “Healthy City Buildings”. 

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

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611538218 

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

Meeting ID: 161 153 8218 

AGENDA: Use the link and choose the html option or see the agenda listed at the end of the calendar. 

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

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 

FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY (FITES) at 1 pm 

Committee Members: Taplin, Lunaparra, Humbert, Alternate Kesarwani 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618979414 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 897 9414 

AGENDA: one item 2. Discussion Item: Stormwater Master Plan Update. 

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

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 1. Election of chair and vice chair, 3. Election of low-income representative, 4. Draft mission statement and revised work plan, 5. HWCAC Strategic Plan, 6. Review of LifeLong Medical Care Financial Reports. 

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

Thursday, August 1, 2024 

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION (LPC) at 6:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. 2201-2207 Blake Street and 2517 Fulton Street – Structural Alteration Permit #LMSP2024-0004 – Relocate historic stable structure, construct new residential building at rear of landmark, 7. 1614 Sixth Street – Structural Alteration Permit #LMSP2024-0003 – Construct 2 new residential buildings at rea of landmark, 8. 60 Panoramic Way – Mills Act Contract Application #LMMA2023-0001, 9. 7 Greenwood Common - Mills Act Contract Application #LMMA2024-0002 

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

Friday, August 2, 2024 

WIC-NIC FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY PICNIC from 1- 3 pm 

Location: at 2121 Tenth Street, George Florence Park 

Register Online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wic-nic-celebrate-world-breastfeeingchestfeeding-week-tickets-880475234127?aff=oddtdtcreator 

AGENDA: Family, Women, Infants & Children 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/wic-nic-free-family-friendly-picnic 

Saturday, August 3, 2024 

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE SUPPORT GROUP at 10:30 am 

In-Person: at 1900 Sixth Street 

AGENDA: 5 Saturdays August 3 – August 31, $20 gift card given to each participant after each meeting, lunch and refreshments, connect, share experiences, for fathers/father figures who spend time in Berkeley (residency in Berkeley not required, live, work, play or pray in Berkeley) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events 

Sunday, August 4, 2024 – no city meetings found 

++++++++++ AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on July 30, 2024 ++++++++++++ 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on July 30, 2024 

(The AGENDA for the expected July 30 City Council special afternoon meeting on Ballot Initiatives for the November election is not posted – check later.) 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611538218 

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

Meeting ID: 161 153 8218 

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

URGENT ITEM: Kouyoumdjian, HR – Appointment of Director of HHCS 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Brown, City Attorney – 2nd reading – Amendments for Measure KK Compliance and Updated Settlement Authority (increases city Attorney Authority to $50,000)
2. Ferris, Parks – 2nd reading – Lease Agreement Youth Musical Theater Company for 2925 and 2945 Bolivar
3. Aguilar – 2nd reading Lease office space for PAB

1. Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes
2. Gilman, HHCS - Amend Contract 32400082 add $300,000 total $500,000 with the Wright Institute for Mental Health Counseling for Older Adults end date 6/30/2026
3. Gilman, HHCS – Filling Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) Public Sector Vacancies appointing Catherin Huchting, Mary Behm-Steingberg and George Lippman to HWCAC as private sector representatives
4. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Public Health Investigator with hourly salary range of $35.5512 - $43.2127
5. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Assistant Fire Inspector with hourly salary range of $36.8038 - $44.7352
6. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Veterinarian with hourly salary range of $71.5295 - $86.9445
7. Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 10549C add $1,000,000 total $5,705,342.68 with Tyler Technologies Enterprise Resource Planning System for ongoing software licensing, maintenance services, implementation and consulting services, and disaster recovery services from 4/1/2017 – 6/30/2027
8. Ferris, Parks – Amend Contract 31900042 add $37,000 total $153,756 with CivicPlus, Inc for on-line recreation reservation system services
9. Ferris, Parks – Lot Line Adjustments at 1401 Carleton and 1423 Ward to resolve main dwelling encroachments at the City’s Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion Project Site
10. Ferris, Parks – Lease Agreement with Youth Musical Theater Company for Live Oak Theater at 1301 Shattuck from 9/1/2024 – 9/31/2027 with one 5-year option
11. Louis, Police – Accept Grant $111,716.80 with Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) for period 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025
12. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $340,000with National Auto Fleet Group for Prisoner Transport Vehicle Body Assembly Upgrade
13. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $400,000 with Turf Star, Inc for Go-4 Parking Enforcement Vehicles
14. Environment and Climate Commission – Refer to City Manager to fund and develop a Curb Management Plan (initiated by Environment and Climate Commission to city council sent by Agenda Committee to FITES which sent item back to council to refer to city manager)
15. Arreguin – Refer to City Manager Ashby BART Area Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District (EIFD) Analysis
16. Lunaparra, co-sponsors Arreguin, Hahn – Supporting the “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 or “Registry Bill” (HR 1511 & SB2606) and endorsing the Northern California Coalition for Just Immigration Reform’s “Three-Day Walk for a Path to Citizenship” from San Jose to San Francisco on August 17-19, 2024
17. Lunaparra, co-sponsors Wengraf, Arreguin, Hahn – Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC): Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds for repair of glass skylights above Casa Zimbabwe up to $500

AGENDA on ACTION: 

18. Wong, Auditor – Recommends report back by City Manager by January 2025 on Berkeley Restaurant Inspections: Chronically Understaffed Program did not meet targets
19. Klein, Planning – ZAB Appeal 2600 Tenth Street, Administrative Use Permit ZP2023-0031, appeal Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) decision to deny change of use of 3 tenant spaces from Media Production to Research and Development and to create 6 – 9 tenant spaces in a 7-story building. Recommendation to either A. Uphold the appeal and reverse ZAB decision or B. Deny the appeal and affirm the ZAB decision.

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

20. Wong, City Auditor – FY 2025 Audit Plan

DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA: 

• To be scheduled after summer recess in September - Harrison - Adopt BMC 13.89 Community/Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA/TOPA) forwarded by the Land Use Committee with a negative recommendation in a 2 to 1 vote. Lunaparra asked about sponsoring COPA/TOPA but was denied by city staff

+++++++++++ LAND USE - WORK SESSIONS - SPECIAL MEETINGS +++++++++++++++ 

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

2600 Tenth Street 7/30/2024 – Arreguin to recuse 

3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• August 5 (placeholder 6 pm) – Action to Place Ballot Measures on the Ballot
• September 17 - open
• October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

• Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (tentative July)
• Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST 

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment

HOW to GET ON or OFF the ACTIVIST’S CALENDAR & ACTIVIST’S DIARY EMAIL LIST 

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/ 

 

The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page 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 want to receive the Activist’s Diary 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 

Worth Noting:  

The City Council summer recess is from July 31 – September 9, 2024, HOWEVER, if the City Council doesn’t finish the ballot initiatives for the November 5 election, there is a tentative August 5 Council meeting. All ballot measures must be submitted for the election by August 9, 2024. Primary Argument for Ballot Measures filing dates are 8 am August 12 – 12 pm August 16 with the rebuttal filing period 4 pm August 16 – 12 pm August 23. 

• Monday, July 29, 2024: At 10 am the Health, Life, Enrichment Equity & Community Committee meets in the hybrid format. At 4 pm City Council meets in closed session on Grants Pass decision.
• Tuesday, July 30, 2024: City Council meets in the hybrid format starting with a special meeting at 3 pm on the ballot initiatives followed with the 6 pm regular council meeting. (If going in person bring rations it will be a long night)
• Wednesday, July 31, 2024: At 1 pm FITES meets in the hybrid format. At 6 pm HWCAC meets in person.
• Thursday, August 1, 2024: At 6:30 pm the the Landmarks Preservation Commission meets in person.
• Friday, August 2, 2024: From 1 – 3 pm is a family picnic for WIC participants
• Saturday, August 3, 2024: At 10:30 am is a fatherhood support group for fathers who spend time in Berkeley (residency in Berkeley not required)

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

At the bottom are the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary. 

For how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts, saving CHAT and converting YouTube to a transcript go to https://tinyurl.com/3jau6ym8 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS 

Sunday, July 28, 2024 – no city meetings found 

Monday, July 29, 2024 

HEALTH, LIFE ENRICHMENT, EQUITY & COMMUNITY at 10 am 

Committee Members: Kesarwani, Bartlett, Tregub, Alternate Hahn 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618991706 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 899 1706 

AGENDA: 2. Gilman, HHCS – Changes to the Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) Council appointee process and possible selection of public sector commissioners, 3. Klein, Planning - Re-Adoption of the Berkeley Building codes, 4. Bartlett, co-sponsor Harrison – Amendment to Healthy Checkout expands to stores under 2500 sq ft to sell more nutritious food and beverage options in checkout areas. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-health-life-enrichment-equity-community 

CITY COUNCIL Closed Session at 4 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618709267 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 870 9267 

AGENDA: one agenda item 1. City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson 

https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-closed-meeting-eagenda-july-29-2024 

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting (Ballot Initiatives for November Election) at 3 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611538218 

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

Meeting ID: 161 153 8218 

AGENDA: 1. Numainville, City Clerk – (Fix the Streets & Sidewalks) Initiative Ordinance creating a Parcel Tax for the Purpose of Funding Repairs and Improvements to Streets, Sidewalks and Pedestrian Paths (Fix the Streets & Sidewalks) for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

2. Numainville, City Clerk – (Safe Streets) Initiative Ordinance creating a Parcel Tax for the Purpose of Funding Repairs and Improvements to Streets, Sidewalks and Pedestrian Paths (Safe Streets) for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

3. Numainville, City Clerk – (Natural Gas Consumption) Initiative Petition – Initiative Ordinance to Adopt a Special Tax on Natural Gas Consumption in Buildings 15,000 sq ft or larger for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

4. Numainville, City Clerk –– (Indoor Air Quality) Initiative Ordinance Requiring the Adoption of Minimum Indoor Air Quality Standards in City-Owned and City-leased Buildings for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments, 

5. Community Survey Results and Direction on Potential 2024 Arts & Culture Ballot Measure, 6. Brown, City Attorney a. Reauthorize General Tax on the Distribution of Sugar Sweetened Beverages, b. Tax Measure to Fund Berkeley Public Library, c. Tax Measure to increase Parks, Trees and Landscaping Tax, d. Increase and Extend General Real Property Transfer Tax, 

7. Lunaparra – Ballot Measure Berkeley Tenant Protection and Right to Organize Act, 

8. Tregub – Alternative Ballot Measure to Large Buildings Fossil Fuel Emission Tax, INFORMATION REPORTS: 

9. Davis, Public Works – Analysis of Fix the Streets and Safe Streets Ballot Measures, 

10. Klein – Report Large Buildings Fossil Fuel Emissions Tax, 

11. Davis, Public Works – Analysis Ballot Measure Aerosols Requirement “Healthy City Buildings”. 

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

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

A Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611538218 

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

Meeting ID: 161 153 8218 

AGENDA: Use the link and choose the html option or see the agenda listed at the end of the calendar. 

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

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 

FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY (FITES) at 1 pm 

Committee Members: Taplin, Lunaparra, Humbert, Alternate Kesarwani 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618979414 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 897 9414 

AGENDA: one item 2. Discussion Item: Stormwater Master Plan Update. 

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

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 1. Election of chair and vice chair, 3. Election of low-income representative, 4. Draft mission statement and revised work plan, 5. HWCAC Strategic Plan, 6. Review of LifeLong Medical Care Financial Reports. 

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

Thursday, August 1, 2024 

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION (LPC) at 6:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. 2201-2207 Blake Street and 2517 Fulton Street – Structural Alteration Permit #LMSP2024-0004 – Relocate historic stable structure, construct new residential building at rear of landmark, 7. 1614 Sixth Street – Structural Alteration Permit #LMSP2024-0003 – Construct 2 new residential buildings at rea of landmark, 8. 60 Panoramic Way – Mills Act Contract Application #LMMA2023-0001, 9. 7 Greenwood Common - Mills Act Contract Application #LMMA2024-0002 

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

Friday, August 2, 2024 

WIC-NIC FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY PICNIC from 1- 3 pm 

Location: at 2121 Tenth Street, George Florence Park 

Register Online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wic-nic-celebrate-world-breastfeeingchestfeeding-week-tickets-880475234127?aff=oddtdtcreator 

AGENDA: Family, Women, Infants & Children 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/wic-nic-free-family-friendly-picnic 

Saturday, August 3, 2024 

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE SUPPORT GROUP at 10:30 am 

In-Person: at 1900 Sixth Street 

AGENDA: 5 Saturdays August 3 – August 31, $20 gift card given to each participant after each meeting, lunch and refreshments, connect, share experiences, for fathers/father figures who spend time in Berkeley (residency in Berkeley not required, live, work, play or pray in Berkeley) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events 

Sunday, August 4, 2024 – no city meetings found 

++++++++++ AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on July 30, 2024 ++++++++++++ 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on July 30, 2024 

(The AGENDA for the expected July 30 City Council special afternoon meeting on Ballot Initiatives for the November election is not posted – check later.) 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611538218 

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

Meeting ID: 161 153 8218 

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

URGENT ITEM: Kouyoumdjian, HR – Appointment of Director of HHCS 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Brown, City Attorney – 2nd reading – Amendments for Measure KK Compliance and Updated Settlement Authority (increases city Attorney Authority to $50,000)
2. Ferris, Parks – 2nd reading – Lease Agreement Youth Musical Theater Company for 2925 and 2945 Bolivar
3. Aguilar – 2nd reading Lease office space for PAB

1. Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes
2. Gilman, HHCS - Amend Contract 32400082 add $300,000 total $500,000 with the Wright Institute for Mental Health Counseling for Older Adults end date 6/30/2026
3. Gilman, HHCS – Filling Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) Public Sector Vacancies appointing Catherin Huchting, Mary Behm-Steingberg and George Lippman to HWCAC as private sector representatives
4. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Public Health Investigator with hourly salary range of $35.5512 - $43.2127
5. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Assistant Fire Inspector with hourly salary range of $36.8038 - $44.7352
6. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Veterinarian with hourly salary range of $71.5295 - $86.9445
7. Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 10549C add $1,000,000 total $5,705,342.68 with Tyler Technologies Enterprise Resource Planning System for ongoing software licensing, maintenance services, implementation and consulting services, and disaster recovery services from 4/1/2017 – 6/30/2027
8. Ferris, Parks – Amend Contract 31900042 add $37,000 total $153,756 with CivicPlus, Inc for on-line recreation reservation system services
9. Ferris, Parks – Lot Line Adjustments at 1401 Carleton and 1423 Ward to resolve main dwelling encroachments at the City’s Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion Project Site
10. Ferris, Parks – Lease Agreement with Youth Musical Theater Company for Live Oak Theater at 1301 Shattuck from 9/1/2024 – 9/31/2027 with one 5-year option
11. Louis, Police – Accept Grant $111,716.80 with Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) for period 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025
12. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $340,000with National Auto Fleet Group for Prisoner Transport Vehicle Body Assembly Upgrade
13. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $400,000 with Turf Star, Inc for Go-4 Parking Enforcement Vehicles
14. Environment and Climate Commission – Refer to City Manager to fund and develop a Curb Management Plan (initiated by Environment and Climate Commission to city council sent by Agenda Committee to FITES which sent item back to council to refer to city manager)
15. Arreguin – Refer to City Manager Ashby BART Area Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District (EIFD) Analysis
16. Lunaparra, co-sponsors Arreguin, Hahn – Supporting the “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 or “Registry Bill” (HR 1511 & SB2606) and endorsing the Northern California Coalition for Just Immigration Reform’s “Three-Day Walk for a Path to Citizenship” from San Jose to San Francisco on August 17-19, 2024
17. Lunaparra, co-sponsors Wengraf, Arreguin, Hahn – Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC): Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds for repair of glass skylights above Casa Zimbabwe up to $500

AGENDA on ACTION: 

18. Wong, Auditor – Recommends report back by City Manager by January 2025 on Berkeley Restaurant Inspections: Chronically Understaffed Program did not meet targets
19. Klein, Planning – ZAB Appeal 2600 Tenth Street, Administrative Use Permit ZP2023-0031, appeal Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) decision to deny change of use of 3 tenant spaces from Media Production to Research and Development and to create 6 – 9 tenant spaces in a 7-story building. Recommendation to either A. Uphold the appeal and reverse ZAB decision or B. Deny the appeal and affirm the ZAB decision.

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

20. Wong, City Auditor – FY 2025 Audit Plan

DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA: 

• To be scheduled after summer recess in September - Harrison - Adopt BMC 13.89 Community/Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA/TOPA) forwarded by the Land Use Committee with a negative recommendation in a 2 to 1 vote. Lunaparra asked about sponsoring COPA/TOPA but was denied by city staff

+++++++++++ LAND USE - WORK SESSIONS - SPECIAL MEETINGS +++++++++++++++ 

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

2600 Tenth Street 7/30/2024 – Arreguin to recuse 

3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• August 5 (placeholder 6 pm) – Action to Place Ballot Measures on the Ballot
• September 17 - open
• October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

• Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (tentative July)
• Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST 

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment

HOW to GET ON or OFF the ACTIVIST’S CALENDAR & ACTIVIST’S DIARY EMAIL LIST 

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/ 

 

The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page 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 want to receive the Activist’s Diary 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 

The situation in Gaza is nothing short of a humanitarian crisis, and the voices of American doctors, nurses, and surgeons who have volunteered in Gaza since October 7 should not be ignored. 

The open letter from these 45 healthcare professionals to President Biden and Vice President Harris outlines the dire conditions in Gaza. According to their observations, more than 92,000 people, which is over 4% of Gaza’s population, have perished—a number significantly higher than typically reported. These professionals describe a devastating scenario where nearly everyone in Gaza is either sick, injured, or both, and where basic necessities such as running water and sanitary facilities are almost nonexistent. 

The US and many of our European allies have long lost the moral high ground and are merely responding to political pressures. 

Netanyahu’s recent trip to Washington was more of a vanity trip to escape the seething anger from the people of Israel who have regrettably shown callous unconcern for the lives of Palestinians. It is time to end this conflict by calling for a ceasefire, ending the draconian occupation, and applying maximum pressure on Kamala Harris to ensure she abandons the disastrous policy of pandering to the war criminal Netanyahu. Biden has shown appalling weakness in supporting military actions that lead to the systematic destruction and displacement of the Palestinian people. 

As the U.S. potentially transitions in leadership, it is imperative that we reassess our foreign policy and military aid strategies. We must prioritize humanitarian efforts and advocate for an end to the blockade and occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Let is not repeat the appalling crimes we committed against our native Indians. 

The American public must not become desensitized to the suffering in Gaza, and it is our duty to speak out against these injustices.

Many fluff pieces have been celebrating the tenure of Carol Christ as chancellor of UC Berkeley, particularly extolling her fundraising prowess. However, there is a dark side to her seven years at the helm, chief among them her obsession with People’s Park, which according to a former Berkeley mayor began decades ago. 

Obviously the relationship between UC and People’s Park over its long history has not been an easy one; it has veered from uneasy accommodation to outright antagonism. However, there were times when a positive future for the park could have been assured as an internationally-recognized asset to Berkeley and the university. 

According to former UCB Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, Bob Lalanne, who left his position in 2016, building on People’s Park was off the table, and in fact there were proposals considered to improve it and make it more inviting for the entire community. This was reversed when Carol Christ took the helm in 2017, and as statements indicate it became her vanity project. A recent L.A. Times article stated she “is proud of her relentless efforts to build housing at Berkeley’s iconic People’s Park.” She also repeated in the article some of the misinformation that she and UCB PR flak Dan Mogulof have been spewing about the park. Early this year she also told the Times that the park’s “redevelopment” will go down as “one of the most important things I’ve done.” 

Besides the misinformation, Christ and Mogulof have committed major acts of omission, never mentioning the park’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places and its recognition by the country’s leading preservation organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Likewise the anti-environmental act of destroying a park with its many redwoods, oaks and other trees brings to mind the attitude of Ronald Reagan who stated, "If you've seen one redwood tree, you've seen them all." 

Carol Christ will go down in the annals of history arm-in-arm with Ronald Reagan, who formulated the original attack on the park, the invasion of Berkeley by the National Guard, and the killing and maiming perpetrated by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. 

People’s Park was created after the Civil Rights and Free Speech Movements in the midst of the Vietnam Anti-War movement and preceded the first Earth Day. It is tied to and symbolizes all these movements. We can only wonder what possessed Chancellor Christ to recently speak in conversation about Free Speech with Condoleezza Rice, George W. Bush’s Secretary of State, champion of the Iraq War and accused war criminal. Was this another snub to the history of the park? 

Park supporters have outlived the tenure of Christ as chancellor, but the UC machine will keep moving to acquire more property in Berkeley with disregard for our city’s historic properties and the housing displacement caused by its increasing enrollment. 

People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group, the People’s Park Committee, and many others have pointed out why the People’s Park construction project is an avoidable bad idea. Those many reasons will not be repeated here, but it is clear that the project was never about housing but about destroying the park and its historic legacy. If constructed on an alternative site, it would be nearly completed by now. 

The inappropriate location of the project and the resultant delays have wasted millions of dollars of public funds due to increasing construction costs, legal and police costs, and the shipping container wall with razor wire. This money could have been better spent in so many ways, chief among them increasing the budget for returning the Native American remains and artifacts hoarded by Cal and legally mandated by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act passed by Congress over thirty years ago. 

We are not alone in our criticism of UC corporate-like expansion and its façade of social concern. Book length critiques can be found in Tony Platt’s The Scandal of Cal and Christopher Newfield’s The Great Mistake. Likewise Davarian Baldwin’s book In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower analyzes universities’ growth, resulting gentrification, policing, and monetization schemes. 

We honor fact-based research and support social justice. We think of these as values that should be associated with UC Berkeley. Therefore, it is disappointing in the extreme when UC Berkeley behaves like a greedy and abusive corporation without a conscience, but with a big budget for public relations and legal representation. 

Long Live People’s Park!

The Berkeley City Council has scheduled a Public Hearing for Tuesday July 23 at 3.30 to adopt a “Middle Housing” ordinance that would upzone most of the Berkeley’s residential neighborhoods. According to the Planning Department, Middle Housing is “Not single family and Not Podium or High Rise Housing.”

This “Middle Housing” zoning ordinance is undoubtedly the biggest land use decision in many decades in the City of Berkeley. An April 21 article in California Planning & Development Report titled “Berkeley Considers Massive Upzoning,” states that this “upzoning would allow the development of more than 100,000 homes according to one estimate, in a city where there are currently 47,000 homes.”

It is astounding that this “massive upzoning” is coming in front of Council for adoption, when the great majority of residents of Berkeley have no idea about “Middle Housing” coming in their midst. There have been meetings, but almost all part of the Housing Element process. No citywide meetings regarding this ordinance have been held. 

Equity Issues. It is very likely that middle housing will be concentrated in lower income neighborhoods. As reported in the November 1, 2023 memo to the Planning Commission, Berkeley city planners met with Missing Middle Architects who indicated that, since densification as proposed is based on the demolition of existing structures, “middle housing projects are most feasible on lots that are vacant or with a relatively low-value existing home.” 

If successful, then, it is likely that middle housing – which is market-rate housing -will lead to the gentrification of neighborhoods with “relatively low-value existing homes.” The recently approved Demolition Ordinance will protect existing affordable housing units that will be torn down as part of middle housing developments. That is admirable. However, the potential remains for a massive influx of market-rate housing in lower income neighborhoods. 

The point is that the proposed ordinance will have diverse effects on the various neighborhoods of the city. One problem with broad upzonings is that they treat neighborhoods that are socio-economically and geographically diverse the same. These possible effects have not been analyzed. 

Additionally, allowing greater densities will lead to higher land values, making existing property values go up, possibly making the upzoning counterproductive (existing single-family homes will become more expensive). 

Gentle Density. While I see problems with this version of “Middle Housing,” I want to stress that I am in favor of the densification of single-family neighborhoods with “gentle density,” i.e., with duplexes, triplexes and townhomes. These typologies, with front and backyards and housing facing the street, provide much greater densities while being compatible with single-family housing. 

Backyards/Open Space Protection. The proposed amendments, however, go beyond that, practically eliminating backyards. Trees will be cut down, new additional impervious surfaces will be put in place, causing temperatures to increase. As a National Geographic article “Bating the Heat” (07-21) pointed out, wealthy neighborhoods are shady and cool while temperatures rise in lower income neighborhoods, where usually lots are much smaller. 

The proposed ordinance reduces open space requirements, increases lot coverage and reduces the distance of a new building from a rear yard line from 20/15 feet to 4 feet. These changes are likely to destroy the existing interconnected, informal network of backyard open space, reduce wildlife habitat, the green canopy and soil permeability, making climate change worse. 

This kind of middle housing will lead to the browning of Berkley, especially in neighborhoods most likely to be affected by the “heat-island effect.” 

Planning Commission or Planning Department? What is in front of you is the Planning Commission’s recommendation, not the Planning Department’s. The Planning Commission would allow more flexibility for developers, while the Planning Department proposes more, and understandable, regulations and encourages smaller units. Maximum density (number of housing units per lot), for example, while not recommended by the Planning Commission, was proposed by the Planning Department to provide “a degree of predictability for existing residents as to what proposed projects may include.” (page 21 PH Report). The differences, however, are negligible. Both recommendations call for a massive upzoning. 

The Planning Commission believes strongly that we need more housing at all levels, and they hope that middle housing can produce units more “affordable” than the market generally produces, if planning regulations are cut down. 

That is debatable. But we can be sure that middle housing, as proposed, would likely lead, in the long run, to heightened gentrification in the southern and western neighborhoods of the city, some of which were red lined in the past. Additionally, their quality of life would be reduced, as back yards disappear, and the heat-island effect becomes worse. 

State Density Bonus Law. With this law, the density of development allowed in a locality can be increased up to 50 percent if the developer provides some affordable housing. Additionally, “incentives” must be provided, for example additional height or lees backyard or side yard distance requirements. No mention is made of this possibility in the report 

What to do. Council must not approve the proposed ordinance at this time. If Councilmembers approves Middle Housing, they should, as part of the adoption, mandate that in three to four years the city prepare a study on how and where middle housing – and demolitions related to it – is being built, at what affordability levels, if state density bonus law was utilized, and with recommendations for possible changes. 

Public Participation. Instead of adopting this middle housing ordinance, council should create mechanisms to widely publicize the proposal in ways that the general public can easily understand (especially density bonus law implications), including possible socioeconomic, equity and environmental impacts. 

Postponing approval makes sense also because the Hillside Overlay Zone, now included in the ordinance, is now being studied for emergency evacuations of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The Planning Department had recommended that: “The middle housing zoning standards should not be applied to parcels in the Hillside Overlay zone until this study is completed” (Page 24). It seems the safe thing to do. On the other hand, excluding the Hillside Overlay Zone now, would be the inequitable thing to do. 

Council should postpone adoption. The city needs an equitable and transparent public participation process for this significant policy change. 

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Nico Calavita, a Berkeley resident, is Professor Emeritus in the Graduate Program in City Planning at San Diego State University, where he taught classes on land use planning, urban design and site planning. He authored several papers and books on affordable housing, Inclusionary Housing and Land Value Capture 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Remember this idea? That would be the 26-story building on Oxford, right across from the UCB campus. It's back, not better. Zelda Bronstein nailed it way back in 2019 in this Planet article which you can click on:

Lori Droste’s “Missing Middle” Housing Proposal Needs a Reality Check

Worth Noting:

The 3:30 pm City Council on zoning on middle housing will increase density in residential zones except Panoramic Hill which is rated ES-R = Environmental Safety-Residential (“exceptionally vulnerable to severe damage or destruction from fire and earthquake hazards”) Note that some property owners are reporting “density” as a listed reason for being denied renewal of property insurance in the hillside fire zones.

July 30 City Council regular meeting agenda is available for review and comment. The City Council meeting on Ballot Measures for the November election is not posted and expected to be scheduled for the afternoon of July 30.

The City Council summer recess is from July 31 – September 9, 2024. 

• Monday, July 22, 2024:
  • At 3 pm Council meets in the hybrid format in closed session with a very full agenda including the Grants Pass SCOTUS ruling and the Black Repertory Group.
  • At 7 pm the Homeless Services Panel of Experts meets in person.
• Tuesday, July 23, 2024:
  • At 11 am the Solano BID meets in person.
  • At 3:30 pm the Council meets in the hybrid format on zoning changes for middle housing.
  • At 5:30 pm the Council meets in the hybrid format on amending the loan agreement with the former City Manager.
  • At 6 pm the Council meets in the hybrid format for the regular evening meeting.
• Wednesday, July 24, 2024:
  • At 6 pm the Environment and Climate Commission meets in person.
  • At 6 pm the Civic Arts Commission meets in person.
  • At 6:30 pm the Police Accountability Board (PAB) meets in the hybrid format.
• Thursday, July 25, 2024:
  • At 6:30 pm the Community Health Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Mental Health Commission meets in person.
  • The Zoning Adjustment Board meeting is cancelled.
• Friday, July 26, 2024: At 8:35 the movie in the park is How to Train Your Dragon 2 at Glendale La Loma Park.
• Saturday, July 27, 2024: From 2 – 4 pm is Music in the Park at Frances Albrier Park

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

At the bottom are the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary. For how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts, saving CHAT and converting YouTube to a transcript go to https://tinyurl.com/3jau6ym8 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS 

Sunday, July 21, 2024 – no city meetings or events found 

Monday, July 22, 2024 

CITY COUNCIL Meeting at 3 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608742239 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 160 874 2239 

AGENDA: 1. Conference with Legal Counsel – anticipated workers’ comp litigation, 2. Conference with Legal Counsel – anticipated litigation claim of Paul Wescott, 3. Appointment of Director of HHCS, 4. Conference with Legal Counsel – anticipated litigation related to City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson SCOTUS ruling, 5. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, lease and terms 1001 University Berkeley Food Network, 6. Conference with Real Property Negotiators and Legal Counsel anticipated litigation, lease and terms, 3201 Adeline, Black Repertory Group, 7. Conference with Labor Negotiators employee organizations: Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227 I.A.F.F., Berkeley Fire Chiefs Local 1227 I.A.F.F., Berkeley Police Association, SEIU 1021 Community Services and Part-time Recreation Activity Leaders, SEIU 10121 Maintenance and Clerical, Public Employee Union Local 1, Unrepresented Employees. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-closed-meeting-eagenda-july-22-2024 

HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS Special Meeting at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA: 8. Transfer of $549,785 previously allocated for acquisition of Insight Housing’s Russell House to Insight Housing’s Dwight Way shelter for rehab funds, 9. SCOTUS Grants Pass decision. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/homeless-services-panel-experts 

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 

SOLANO AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD at 11 am 

In-Person: at 1849 Solano 

AGENDA: 4. Financial update, 5. Traffic safety at Solano/Colusa intersection, relationship with North Shattuck Association, 6. Public comment. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/solano-avenue-business-improvement-district-advisory-board 

CITY COUNCIL – Location and ZOOM for back to back council meetings 

Note: the same in-person location and ZOOM login are used for all Three City Council Meetings at 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm and 6 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1600197323 

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

Meeting ID: 160 019 7323  

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

3:30 pm - CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting – Middle Housing Zoning 

AGENDA: Klein, Planning – changing zoning in residential neighborhoods across the city to increase density - Zoning Ordinance and General Plan Amendments Relating to Middle Housing. Adopt the first reading amending BMC Title 23 for the purposes of encouraging development of middle housing in areas currently zoned R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A and MU-R (“low-density residential districts”) 

R-1 = single-family residential, R1-A = limited two family residential, R2 = two-family residential, R2A = Restricted multiple family residential, small multiple family and garden-type apartment structures, MU-R = mixed-use residential 

5:30 - CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting – Amending Loan Agreement - Dee Williams-Ridley  

AGENDA: 1. Arreguin – One item - Amending the loan agreement for former City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley to deduct the loan repayment principal by $200,000 to $460,000, “reduce interest from 3% to 0% until July 17, 2027” 

6 pm - CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting  

AGENDA: Use the link and choose the html option to review agenda items with links to documents or pdf to see the entire packet or go to the end of this email for a quick look at posted regular meeting agendas. 

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

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 7. Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). Includes link to presentation to June 26 Disaster & Fire Safety Commission. 

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

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Presentations, Discussion, Action: a0 San Pablo Specific Plan, b) Revised Design of Artwork for West Service Center by Lara Kaur, c) Cube Space ProposalSept – Nov, d) Individual Artist, Project Grant Awards, e) Grantmaking process, f) Council referral for Amendments to the Public Art on Private Development Ordinance and Budget referral for Fee Nexus Study, g) Quarterly art report, h) Grants funded quarterly Festivals Report, i) Evaluation of New Parkway Theatre for use of cultural or arts space intended for performing arts on Center Street. 

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

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD (PAB) at 6:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 2020 Milvia, Suite 250 

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

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 826 5339 6072 

AGENDA: 3. Public comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 5. Staff report, 6. Chair and Board reports, 7. Chief of Police report, 8. Subcommittee reports, 9. a. Policy complaint, b. Interconnection between Specialized Care Unit and the Berkeley Police Department, c. Board training, 10. Public Comment, 11. Closed Session. 

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

Thursday, 25, 2024  

COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: 5. Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 6. Letter from community member concerning wood burning. 

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

MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION at 7 pm 

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, 2nd floor, Poppy Room  

AGENDA: 2. MHSA (Mental Health Services Act) FY 2025 Annual Update, 5. Response to Berkeleyside article, “Berkeley returns $400,000 in housing funds meant for homeless hotel” 

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

ZONING ADJUSTMENT BOARD - cancelled 

Friday, July 26, 2024 

MOVIES in the PARK: HOW to TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 at 8:35 pm  

Location: Glendale La Loma Park, 1310 La Loma Avenue 

Bring blankets, low-back beach chairs, flashlights for walking home. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/news/summer-evening-movies-berkeley-parks 

Saturday, July 27, 2024 

MUSIC in the PARK – KIDS JAM from 2 – 4 pm 

Location: Frances Albrier Park, 2800 Park Street 

Food vendors will be onsite, magician, 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/music-park-kids-jam 

Sunday, July 28, 2024 – no city meetings found 

+++++++++++++ CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA for JULY 23, 2024 ++++++++++ 

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for the Regular Meeting on July 23, 2024 at 6 pm  

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1600197323 

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

Meeting ID: 160 019 7323  

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

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Mayer, Library – 2nd reading - FY 2025 Special Tax Rate: Fund the Provision of Library Services $0.2800 (28 cents per square foot for dwelling units, $0.4233 (42.33 cents) per square foot for industrial, commercial and institutional buildings
2. Brown, City Attorney – 2nd reading – Youth voting in Berkeley School Board Elections: Ordinance providing for voting by persons aged 16 and 17 for office of School Director
3. Brown, City Attorney – Municipal Code Amendments for Measure KK Compliance and Updated Settlement Authority increases the City Attorney to settle claims up to $50,000
4. Friedrichsen, Budget – Contract $161,280 with Downtown YMCA for memberships for City employees
5. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $4,525,000
6. Gilman, HHCS - Public Facility Improvement Program Funds, 1. Reallocate $549,785 of FY 2024 Measure P funds from Insight Housing Russell Street Residence to Dwight Way Center
7. Mayer Library – Appoint Priscilla Villanueva to Board of Library Trustees (BOLT)
8. Ferris, Parks – License Agreement Revenue $11,498 with Masaba LLC., DBA Roaming Bean Coffee Vender to operate at Berkeley Waterfront for a 3-year term ending 7/31/2027
9. Ferris, Parks – Lease Agreement with Youth Musical Theater Company from 9/1/2024 – 8/31/2034 with one 5-year option for City properties 295 and 2945 Bolivar Drive in Aquatic Park
10. Louis, Police – Adopt approving the 2023 Annual Military Equipment Report, Assembly Bill 481
11. Davis, Public Works – Contract $1,256,120 with Alta Planning & Design for Adeline Street Transportation Improvements Project
12. Davis, Public Works – Contract $1,973,708 with Buhler Commercial for FY 2023 Retaining Wall and Storm Drain Improvement Project
13. Davis, Public Works – Amend Contract No. 31900102 add $500,000 total $900,000 with Nute Engineering for on-call Civil Engineering Services for Sanitary Sewer Program from 6/30/2024 – 6/30/2025
14. Davis, Public Works – Amend 1956 Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans to Include new I-80 Gilman Interchange
15. Davis, Public Works – Change Football Game Day Parking Restrictions in Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) Zones
16. Aguilar, PAB – Lease for Office Space for Office of the Director of Police Accountability Board (ODPA) at 1900 Addison

AGENDA on ACTION: 

17. Gilman, HHCS – Substantial Amendments to PY 2018, PY 2019, PY 2020 and PY 2021 Annual Action Plans to Reallocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding City’s Public Facility Improvement Program 1. Reallocation of $478,500 CDBG from Senior Disabled Loan Rehabilitation Program to Public Facility Improvement Program, 2. Allocate $450,000 of reallocated funds to Insight Housing to 2140 Dwight Way, 3. Allocate $52,775 to Larkin Street Youth Services.
18. Davis, Public Works – North Berkeley BART Transit Oriented Development Bicycle Access Improvements on Virginia Street Bicycle Blvd, adopt one of two resolutions a. 12-foot-wide bikeway or b. 9-foot-wide bikeway (Transportation and Infrastructure Commission recommended 12-foot-wide bikeway) - Removed
19. Lunaparra – Adopt Resolution Approving Peaceful and Lawful Use of the Dwight Triangle as Public Open Space
20. Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: #LMSAP2024-0001 - 8 Greenwood Common
21. Davis, Public Works – Alameda County Transportation Commission Rail Safety Enhancement Program – Phase A
22. Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) – Annual Report

DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA: 

• Referred to Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community Policy Committee - Commission on the Status of Women – Formation of a Sex Trafficking Task Force to Address Current Sex Trafficking in Berkeley

++++++++++ AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on July 30, 2024 ++++++++++++ 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on July 30, 2024 

(The AGENDA for the expected July 30 City Council special afternoon meeting on Ballot Initiatives for the November election is not posted – check later.) 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611538218  

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

Meeting ID: 161 153 8218 

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

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes
2. Gilman, HHCS - Amend Contract 32400082 add $300,000 total $500,000 with the Wright Institute for Mental Health Counseling for Older Adults end date 6/30/2026
3. Gilman, HHCS – Filling Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) Public Sector Vacancies appointing Catherin Huchting, Mary Behm-Steingberg and George Lippman to HWCAC as private sector representatives
4. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Public Health Investigator with hourly salary range of $35.5512 - $43.2127
5. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Assistant Fire Inspector with hourly salary range of $36.8038 - $44.7352
6. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Veterinarian with hourly salary range of $71.5295 - $86.9445
7. Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 10549C add $1,000,000 total $5,705,342.68 with Tyler Technologies Enterprise Resource Planning System for ongoing software licensing, maintenance services, implementation and consulting services, and disaster recovery services from 4/1/2017 – 6/30/2027
8. Ferris, Parks – Amend Contract 31900042 add $37,000 total $153,756 with CivicPlus, Inc for on-line recreation reservation system services
9. Ferris, Parks – Lot Line Adjustments at 1401 Carleton and 1423 Ward to resolve main dwelling encroachments at the City’s Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion Project Site
10. Ferris, Parks – Lease Agreement with Youth Musical Theater Company for Live Oak Theater at 1301 Shattuck from 9/1/2024 – 9/31/2027 with one 5-year option
11. Louis, Police – Accept Grant $111,716.80 with Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) for period 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025
12. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $340,000with National Auto Fleet Group for Prisoner Transport Vehicle Body Assembly Upgrade
13. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $400,000 with Turf Star, Inc for Go-4 Parking Enforcement Vehicles
14. Environment and Climate Commission – Refer to City Manager to fund and develop a Curb Management Plan (initiated by Environment and Climate Commission to city council sent by Agenda Committee to FITES which sent item back to council to refer to city manager)
15. Arreguin – Refer to City Manager Ashby BART Area Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District (EIFD) Analysis
16. Lunaparra, co-sponsors Arreguin, Hahn – Supporting the “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 or “Registry Bill” (HR 1511 & SB2606) and endorsing the Northern California Coalition for Just Immigration Reform’s “Three-Day Walk for a Path to Citizenship” from San Jose to San Francisco on August 17-19, 2024
17. Lunaparra, co-sponsors Wengraf, Arreguin, Hahn – Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC): Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds for repair of glass skylights above Casa Zimbabwe up to $500

AGENDA on ACTION: 

18. Wong, Auditor – Recommends report back by City Manager by January 2025 on Berkeley Restaurant Inspections: Chronically Understaffed Program did not meet targets
19. Klein, Planning – ZAB Appeal 2600 Tenth Street, Administrative Use Permit ZP2023-0031, appeal Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) decision to deny change of use of 3 tenant spaces from Media Production to Research and Development and to create 6 – 9 tenant spaces in a 7-story building

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

20. Wong, City Auditor – FY 2025 Audit Plan

DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA: 

• To be scheduled after summer recess in September - Harrison - Adopt BMC 13.89 Community/Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA/TOPA) forwarded by the Land Use Committee with a negative recommendation in a 2 to 1 vote. Lunaparra asked about sponsoring COPA/TOPA but was denied by city staff

+++++++++++ LAND USE - WORK SESSIONS - SPECIAL MEETINGS +++++++++++++++ 

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

2600 Tenth Street 7/30/2024 – Arreguin to recuse 

3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• July 23 (3:30 pm) - Zoning Ordinance and General Plan Amendments Relating to Middle Housing
• July 30 - Special Meeting on Ballot Initiatives
• August 5 (placeholder 6 pm) – Action to Place Ballot Measures on the Ballot
• September 17 - open
• October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

• Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (tentative July)
• Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST 

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment

HOW to GET ON or OFF the ACTIVIST’S CALENDAR & ACTIVIST’S DIARY EMAIL LIST 

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/ 

 

The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page 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 want to receive the Activist’s Diary 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 

 

The prison system within the United States has long been criticized for being cruel and unjust. The state of California however, has blazed a different trail when it comes to the prison system, and is well on its way to recognizing that the aim of incarceration should be fairness and rehabilitation, not revenge and punishment. While rates of incarceration are still tremendously disproportionate towards people of color, California jails and prisons offer more resources and support than do most prisons across the country. This is, paradoxically, in part due to the prison overcrowding problem in the 1990’s which resulted from Governor Reagan’s closure of California mental health institutions, leading to higher incarceration rates and forcing California prisons to accommodate the larger numbers. 

Aster Tadesse is an educator who has worked in the field of prison services for over thirty years, with a focus on the opioid addiction crisis that is all too prevalent within the carceral system. She works with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and she points out that “Rehabilitation” was added only recently to the name of this California institution. She says that 60-70% of people within jails and prisons in California are there due to some relation to drug use, whether it be possession of illegal substances, dealing these substances, or committing a crime while under the influence. 

Tadesse began her counseling career in a methadone clinic and then became a “drug education” teacher in Santa Rita Jail. Currently, she teaches at the West County Detention Facility which is a jail in Richmond, and has closely followed the development of education and rehabilitation programs since 1993. The jail’s four step drug education program requires that inmates attend class for three hours every day. The aim is to assist drug or alcohol addiction rehabilitation through learning:The first step in the program helps inmates build skills in relapse prevention, including an understanding of the psychological aspect of addiction and the hold that it can have on the mind. 

• The first step in the program helps inmates build skills in relapse prevention, including an understanding of the psychological aspect of addiction and the hold that it can have on the mind.
• The second step encourages the building of new relationships with the inmates’ new sober self and with their family and community.
• Step three targets the management of anger, which is often an unavoidable emotion in the carceral experience and also in the process of recovery.
• The fourth step aims to make the inmate’s transition out of jail and back into the community as successful as possible, through short and long term goal setting, as well as assistance from an onsite transition specialist at the facility who helps to connect people with the resources they need to continue their recovery journey, even as they typically return to the same environment where they originally developed an addiction.

This program has been implemented into the majority of California jails and prisons for close to thirty years now, following the pattern of reform that began in the 1990’s. Tadesse wants the public to know that despite all of the valid objections that can be made to the carceral system, this program is something humane happening inside of a jail, and that there are people and programs inside California jails and prisons dedicated to substantially improving the lives of inmates, and not just punishing them. As she ironically puts it: “I tell my students, if you ever want to be in jail, this is the best time for you to be in jail.” 

 

While many prisons and jails in the United States deprive inmates of proper medical care, here again, California is an exception. In the Bay Area’s prison system, including the West County Detention Facility, health care delivery is a priority. “I hate to say this,” comments Tadesse, “but as the students will tell you, they are given more medical follow up in prison and jail than outside.” In the West County Detention Facility, a wide range of services are rendered by medical practitioners, including dentists, eye doctors, and gynecologists for women, as well as general care doctors and nurses. Additionally, Women are sent to hospitals for needs such as childbirth. 

The way drug addiction is handled in the West County Detention Facility may hold lessons for treatment in society at large. Every individual first receives a careful medical assessment, with a specific focus on the risk of overdose. Following this, inmates sometimes have the option to join a twelve step program to help with recovery, accompanying Tadesse’s educational rehabilitation program. 

Another person who has extensive administrative experience with the programs at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond is Deputy Butler, who has worked for the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department for twelve years. He makes sure the jail runs smoothly overall and oversees inmates in their cell blocks, getting them to and from medical appointments and assisting in their interactions with various facilities within the Contra Costa Jail system. As an administrator of a broad range of services in this Richmond jail, Butler draws attention to a new development: the construction of an almost 100 million dollar mental health treatment facility in the jail that will “tackle the custody of inmates with a more holistic approach. It focuses on not just removing people from society, but replanting people back into society.” 

Butler says that the biggest change he has seen in the California prison system is the improvement in mental health services. Whereas in the past there was hardly any attention at all given to inmates’ mental health issues, every jail facility now has numerous mental health practitioners who provide counseling and support. Butler says that the vast majority of inmates in the West County Detention Facility –as in most jails and prisons– who are mentally ill have a history of addiction. In carceral environments as in the wider society, drug use has significant psychological causes and consequences. 

This “holistic” approach in local and statewide California prisons and jails is changing the system. Innovative programs aim to provide prisoners with the tools, mental strength, and resilience they will need in order to re-enter society successfully. Issues such as drug addiction, mental illness, and lack of education have so often gone unaddressed in prisons, although they are the main reasons why inmates end up behind bars again after release. 

It is well-known that the way in which those incarcerated and addicted are treated makes all the difference in their recovery. If inmates receive respect and empathy, and have access to resources, including counseling and education, their chances of re-integrating successfully upon release improve enormously. A sure sign of progress being made in local and state California penal institutions is the much improved treatment of staff like Tadesse by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Educators, Tadesse says, “were begging to teach” three decades ago, but now “they're begging us to teach” because they recognize how essential educational programs are in jails and prisons. 

Butler, and Tadesse both emphasize that the problems of drug addiction and mental illness originate, of course, long before a person sees the walls of a prison or jail. When addressing the roots of addiction, Tadesse emphasizes that “a drug problem is not only a drug problem. It’s a societal problem, it’s a mental problem, it’s a physical problem.” She points out that people use drugs to self-medicate in response to neglect, abuse, depression and shame, to name just a few essential issues. When looking at the links between drug addiction, mental health issues, and the systems that put people in jails and prisons, these facts regarding larger systemic issues have been known for decades, but until recently there has been very little action towards addressing these issues. 

Tadesse and Butler are among the administrators and staff who, together with the inmates themselves, grapple daily with the core problems of incarceration and attempt to create a system giving those incarcerated more of a chance to succeed when they leave their cells behind and rejoin the community.g

We deeply grieve the passing of Max Anderson, a cherished friend, mentor, and former Berkeley City Councilmember. Max's life was marked by unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and the well-being of our community.

Max served with distinction as the representative for District 3 from 2004 to 2016. His leadership and dedication to public service were rooted in his deep compassion for others and his steadfast belief in the power of community. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, Max brought a perspective of service to his work, advocating tirelessly for the people on affordable housing, public health, and justice.

Max's contributions to Berkeley are profound. He championed policies to uplift our most vulnerable residents and worked to ensure everyone in our city had access to the resources they needed to thrive. This work included advocacy for increasing the minimum wage in Berkeley in order to support working families and reduce poverty. He also advocated for the expansion of mental health services and resources within our community. 

Max was instrumental in passing Berkeley's "Right to Know" ordinance which required cell phone retailers to inform customers about potential radiation exposure. Despite significant legal challenges, including a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, the ordinance was upheld, reflecting Max's commitment to public health and consumer rights. 

Max was also a dedicated environmental advocate, supporting Berkeley's Climate Action Plan and championing green building standards. His commitment to public safety led to more robust police oversight measures ensuring accountability and justice in law enforcement. Additionally, Max worked tirelessly to support local businesses, create job opportunities, and improve economic prospects for Berkeley residents. He was a staunch proponent of youth programs, school safety, and tobacco control measures, and tenants' rights, always prioritizing the health and well-being of the community. 

Max was a man of remarkable integrity and kindness. His generosity, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to making Berkeley a better place for all its current and future residents serves as a model for both councilmembers and community members alike. Max's warmth and humanity made him a beloved figure in our community. He was instrumental in creating Friends of Adeline, a community activist organization that continues to serve South Berkeley. 

Max Anderson was a South Berkeley champion. Max used the dais to teach on national issues while using his pen to drive change locally. As we reflect on Max's life, we are reminded of the importance of carrying forward his vision for a more equitable and inclusive community. Let us honor Max by continuing to fight for the values he held dear and by striving to build a community that reflects his passion and dedication. 

Rest in power Max. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew you and in the profound impact of your work. Your dedication to justice, equity, and community service along with the significant changes you brought about will continue to inspire us all. 

On my kitchen wall there’s a poster with a slogan from World War II Britain: “Keep Calm and Carry On.” In the wake of the recent presidential debate (also known as The Debacle), pundit wannabes could use a sign like that. They fell all over each other pronouncing President Biden down for the count.

The worst offender was the New York Times Editorial Board, which should be charged with journalistic malfeasance. Almost before the MSNBC talking heads had finished their OMGs over Biden’s poorish performance on Thursday night, the NYT Board was out of the gate on the Internet (“digital edition”) calling for his scalp, a cry they repeated in print in the Sunday Opinion section:

“As it stands, the president is engaged in a reckless gamble. There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency. “

And there were plenty more top-tier newsies and editorial writers who announced the same hasty conclusion.

Why?

Granted, the president was somewhat hoarse, and he obviously struggled not to revert to his childhood stutter. And yes, he seemed a bit fuzzy, with trouble choosing words and finishing sentences.  

Why was he sounding like that? Watching at home I made an immediate diagnosis before he’d spoken the equivalent of three grafs: he had a cold, of course.  

But colds don’t make you fuzzy, do they?  

No, but as an experienced home medicator (daughter,spouse,parent, grandparent) I can tell you that a vast array of OTC (over the counter) cold remedies do. I’ve learned from personal experience not to take any of the stuff Big Pharma would like you to buy at CVS or Walgreens before doing anything moderately complicated, like driving … or participating in a debate.  

I’m not a doctor, or at least just a J.D, not an M.D. That’s why I was gratified to learn that a trio of Yale professors, including two genuine M.Ds, agreed with my diagnosis. Their conclusion appeared on Saturday on the MedPage Today site::  

“The most probable explanation for this transient period of cognitive impairment in an older person with a cold is a side effect of cold medications. If this is so, the handwringing should cease, and we should use the debate as a reminder of how common such reactions are rather than an indication that the president is chronically debilitated.”  

Unfortunately, it seems that President Biden’s handlers, including his lovely wife perhaps, didn’t realize this. If the man had a bad cold, he should have been advised to announce that he’d lost his voice and offer to set another date.  

Now, after the damage has occurred, here’s the advice of the Yale doctors:  

“We need to know if President Biden took cold medications before the debate. His doctors should assess the role they may have played. How the American people assess the debate hinges on the answer. It would be tragic to magnify the meaning of an ill-timed adverse drug effect -- and potentially have it change the course of history.”  

But following such sober advice is no fun for the commentariat. Sunday’s NYT Opinion is loaded with what Jamelle Bouie, interviewed there, called “hyperventilating panic”. His own comments are the exception; he catalogs the “fatal downsides to Biden leaving the race” which seem to have escaped the notice of his NYTO colleagues.  

The Board members in particular don’t seem to be aware of how hard it would be for Democrats to mount a real campaign for a new candidate at this stage. They claimed, remember, that  

“There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency. “  

Really? Who?  

Liberals, traditionally Nervous Nellies always looking for alternatives, need to be constantly reminded that you can’t beat someone with no one, and the devil you know is usually the safer choice. An assortment of governors with little name recognition outside their own states would be risky even two years out, and we’re down to single digit numbers of months now. Senators are needed right where they are. Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom have negatives well known to Californians.  

The Times Editorial Board, like similar boards of other well-funded prestige papers, is populated by and large by people who have no real-life political experience. They tend to overestimate the influence of “independent” or “undecided” voters. From an early job as a campaign manager I know that people who describe themselves thus actually seldom vote. “Infrequent” registered voters on the rolls have probably moved away. Of the probable voters, a very small percentage will be changing their minds because of this debate.  

As NYT and its competitors become more and more digital, man-bites-dog excitement becomes more and more desired as clickbait. Follow-up to the debate conspicuously lacked factchecking of Trump’s 90 straight minutes of lies—where’s the news in that? He performed as expected.  

As my daughter pointed out to me, it’s a lot easier to deliver a smooth presentation if you don’t worry about facts, which is why some viewers claimed Trump “won”. He radiated confidence, not letting truth cramp his style.  

The best analysis I’ve seen of how this first debate will or won’t, should or shouldn’t, affect the November election came from MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, someone who had a real political job working in the Senate before he became an opinion journalist.  

You can see it here. His opening monologue is only about twenty minutes long and well worth the time.  

Just as I'm ready to post this, the Supreme Court has given us all very good reasons to stop squabbling and get on with it. If we can't bar the door in November, we'll find out what real trouble looks like.

Well, July has started with a big bang. As I said last month, new issues will (probably) be posted on the first of the month, with new contributions added periodically throughout. Berkeley is calm, but the action is in DC. Keep an eye on People's Park.

Bidding Bye-Bye to Biden
On July 21, Joe Biden announced that he was passing the presidential torch after four tremendous years (and several tempestuous weeks). In reply, the activist org MoveOn, published a note of appreciation that began with this tribute: "We are grateful for his administration’s incredible work—including passing historic climate and health care policies and providing economic relief for millions of families." 

Meanwhile, in an addendum to an extensive article critical of Trump, the editor of Socialist Action offered the following critical re-cap of Joe Biden's long—and not always liberal — political career:
50 Years of Service: An Editor’s Note
"Joseph Biden’s 50 years in US government 'service' included his central role as the Democratic Party’s liaison between its openly racist/segregationist wing, the heirs of the slavocracy, and its Northern corporate 'liberals.'
"Biden was dismissive of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s sexual harassment charges brought by Anita Hill (1991), wrote the most racist and punitive crime law in US history (1994), wrote a counterterrorism bill that expanded the federal death penalty against people who hadn’t committed murder and became a model for the Patriot Act (1996), proposed cutting Social Security (1995), voted against gay marriage (1996), backed the gutting of welfare (1996), voted to repeal Glass-Steagel, setting the stage for the financial crisis (1999), voted for the Patriot Act (2001) and the Iraq War (2002/3), voted against bankruptcy protections for students (2005) and armed a genocide (2023/4)" 

Politicartoons
Once again, the Chronicle's comic pages have offered-up some eyebrow-raising political-economic revelations. In a recent Pearls Before Swine strip, former-lawyer-turned-cartoonist Stephan Pastis sends his character Rat to seek wisdom from a guru donkey who dwells in a mountain retreat. The character is reverently referred to as "The Wise Ass on the Hill." 

In the July 23 strip, Rat ventures uphill to ask a question: "What percentage of Americans are millionaires?" The Wise Ass replies: "Around five percent." 

Rat follows up with a second question: "And the same percentage holds true for our public servants in Congress?" Wise Ass replies: "More than half of them are millionaires." 

Back on solid ground, Rat shares this epiphany with Pig, declaring: "Our servants have stolen the kingdom." 

Could SCOTUS Ruling Free Biden to Pack the Court?
The country is still reeling from the ruling of the conservative hard-right wing of the Supreme Court that Donald Trump—were he to win (or seize) a second term as president—would essentially be "above the law." But this ruling could sink the expectations of the pro-Trump jurists for the simple reason that the king-like powers intended to empower a GOP president now apply to the current "lame duck" occupant of the Oval Office—Joe Biden. 

Biden currently has the power to see former Rep. Val Demings taking a seat on the Post Office's Board of Governors, thereby adding a pro-democracy member to the USPS board—an essential step to firing Trump-appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. DeJoy, a multimillionaire, has worked to "Trump the vote" by discouraging the delivery of mail-in ballots in presidential elections. But thanks to Court's "above the law" ruling, Biden may now have the power to dismiss DeJoy outright. Thanks to Trump's Supremes, Biden now has five months left to exercise kingly powers to enact laws that benefit the many instead of the few. 

Fashion Plates
Personalized license plates spotted about town.
AWL BLCK
HI OREO
KURO JAX
N12345R
FIATSLG
ROCK VOX
SLOW CT
OKTMICE
EMILYRS
OILTANK
BK NITE
YNZOGY (Wines. Oh, gee! Why?)
Bumpersnickers 

Carbon Tax Me
Mutant Freedom Now
I'm Already Against the Next War
Humane Meat Is Yuppie Bullshit *Ask Any Cow
Honk If You Don't Exist
I'm Not Drunk I'm Just Avoiding Potholes
No Baby on Board. So Hit Me, I Guess
This Baby Goes from Zero to Sixty. Eventually
Mall-Wart: Your Choice for Cheap Plastic Crap
For Such a Small Town There Sure Are a Lot of Idiots Here 

A Breathtaking Public Service Ad
In March, a public service group called The Real Cost released a 30-second ad that's now been viewed 4.3 million times. It exposes how oil pollution from "energy companies" in the Amazon creates a chemical danger that puts teen "vapers" at risk. 

 

EXXON Ad: If Big Oil Were to Tell the Truth
A quick roundup of extreme weather, climate science, and climate action headlines from Yellow Dot Studios and Adam McKay, the Academy Award-winning writer and director of "Don't Look Up." The core message: "Oil companies are killing us, our leaders are letting them, and the media is MIA." 

 

A quick roundup of extreme weather, climate science, and climate action headlines from Yellow Dot Studios and Adam McKay, the Academy Award-winning writer and director of "Don't Look Up." The core message: "Oil companies are killing us, our leaders are letting them, and the media is MIA." 

Trump Wasn't the Only Would-be Dictator 

Donald Trump sent a chill through the nation's airwaves when he was asked about his authoritarian traits should he win the presidential race and return to the Oval Office. In a word: "Would you become a dictator?" To which Trump replied: "Only on day one." 

President Joe Biden, in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on July 5, was even more disturbing when he described his future global ambitions: 

Look. I have a cognitive test every single day. Every day I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I'm running the world. Not—and that's not hi—sounds like hyperbole, but we are the essential nation of the world. 

(Click here to see AI images of Joe Biden is Running the World) 

And that's the gist of much of today's global angst: The US is a global empire but an empire in decline. Despite having more than 900 military bases in more that 70 foreign nations (backed up by a global expeditionary force called NATO), the US' self-proclaimed role as "the world's only essential nation" is under competitive economic "threat" from the rival economies of Russia and China. 

Saluting Those Who Said "Bye-bye" to Bibi
According the Axios, more than 100 legislators boycotted Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress. Here is a list of those who refused to support Netanyahu's genocide of Palestinian men, women, and children: 

Representatives 

 

Alma Adams	Lloyd Doggett	Betty McCollum
Nanette Barragán	Veronica Escobar	Jim McGovern
Ami Bera	Anna Eshoo	Grace Meng
Don Beyer	Dwight Evans	Gwen Moore
Lisa Blunt Rochester	Valerie Foushee	Seth Moulton
Susan Bonamici	Maxwell Frost	Kevin Mullin
Jamaal Bowman	Ruben Gallego	Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Brendan Boyle	John Garamendi	Ilhan Omar
Julia Brownley	Chuy Garcia	Bill Pascrell
Cori Bush	Robert García	Nancy Pelosi
Yadira Caraveo	Al Green	Mary Peltola
Tony Cardenas	Raul Grijalva	Chellie Pingree
Andre Carson	Steven Horsford	Mark Pocan
Ed Case	Chrissy Houlahan	Katie Porter
Sean Casten	Jared Huffman	Ayanna Pressley
Kathy Castor	Sara Jacobs	Jan Schakowsky
Joaquin Castro	Pramila Jayapal	Adam Smith
Judy Chu	Hank Johnson	Melanie Stansbury
Yvette Clarke	Ro Khanna	Mark Takano
Emanuel Cleaver	Raja Krishnamoorthi	Bennie Thompson
James Clyburn	Rick Larsen	Mike Thompson
Steve Cohen	Summer Lee	Rashida Tlaib
Gerald Connolly	Barbara Lee	Jill Tokuda
Jim Costa	Teresa Leger Fernández	Paul Tonko
Madeleine Dean	Zoe Lofgren	Lori Trahan
Diana DeGette	Ben Luján	Gabe Vasquez
Rosa DeLauro	Stephen Lynch	Nydia Velázquez
Suzan DelBene	Seth Magaziner	Bonnie Watson Coleman
Mark DeSaulnier	Thomas Massie
Debbie Dingell	Doris Matsui

 

Senators 

 

Laphonza Butler	Angus King	Jeanne Shaheen
Ben Cardin	Ben Luján	Chris Van Hollen
Tom Carper	Ed Markey	Elizabeth Warren
Catherine Cortez Masto	Jeff Merkley	Peter Welch
Tammy Duckworth	Patty Murray	Sheldon Whitehouse
Dick Durbin	Rand Paul	Ron Wyden
Martin Heinrich	Jack Reed
Mazie Hirono	Bernie Sanders
Tim Kaine	Brian Schatz

 

The Naked Sooth
A few days ago, a trip to pick up some bagels on Gilman Street encountered an unexpected incident of unadorned street theater.

Shortly after parking next to Berkeley Bagels, we heard a male voice shout: "What about arresting the OTHER criminals?!"

Looking across the street toward the Westbrae Biergarten, I was surprised to see a lanky young fellow standing on the curb, buck-naked, as he exhorted passing vehicles (whose drivers responded by whipping out their smartphones and recording his unclothed protest to share online).

After several minutes of strutting barefoot and naked—on the sidewalk and in the street—he gathered up his shirt and slithered back inside his jeans (no underwear to be seen).

I opted to forgo inviting the fellow to a sit-down interview for The Planet.

As he prepared to shuffle down the street in search of a new show-all venue, I noticed the whole episode took place in front of a message on the wooden wall of the biergarten that read: KIDS ONLY.

I can't imagine how a parent could begin to explain such a bizarre incident to a toddler. Maybe just a shrug and a chuckle and the comment: "Only in Berkeley—the home of the Clothes-free Speech Movement." 

The Supremely Partisan Court
Given the Supreme Court recent majority vote to demolish democracy and grant criminal immunity to Donald Trump, our current Court could well be renamed the "Supremacist Court." Despite the repeated cries that "no man (or woman) is above the law," a majority of the Justices have essentially declared that anyone who once occupied the Oval Office now enjoys immunity from prosecution and may dictate his/her will with the unquestionable powers of a king. It is the fulfillment of Trump's 2016 campaign boast: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” Who knew he was referring to the voters on the Supreme Bench? 

A ghastly factoid: Two thirds of the current Supreme Court were appointed by George W. Bush (two appointments) and Donald Trump (three appointments). And what liability do these two politicians share? Both were Republican Presidential candidates who took office in spite of the fact that they lost the popular vote. 

The three Trump-appointed justices should have recused themselves from voting on a grant of criminal immunity to the man who appointed them. 

There is a bleakly dystopian side-effect of the court's ruling: the precedent also applies to the current president. Joe Biden is now "above the law" and could announce any number of progressive reforms in the closing days of his administration. In 2021, in the early days of his presidency, Biden contemplated expanding the Supreme Court by appointing four liberal justices, thereby titling the court's majority in the direction of liberal rulings. That would be quite a legacy! 

Count Me Out
In an August 2022 investigation of his New York business practices, Donald Trump invoked the Fifth Amendment nearly 450 times. During a four-hour deposition, Trump answered only one question—when he confirmed his name. 

Trump has now racked up a new score in the game of name-dropping. The hard-right honchos behind the Heritage Foundation have published a manual for dismantling the country's democratic parameters and installing a full-blown corporate oligarchy. 

That the Heritage Foundation has pinned its heretical hopes on a Trump presidential victory is underscored by the fact that their 900-page takeover plan—simply called Project 2025—mentions Trump's name 312 times. That means Trump's name would appear, on average, more than once every three pages. 

Happy Birthday, Julian! Assange Freed from Prison
60 Minutes Australia 

 

Assange Talks about Escaping Embassy
60 Minutes Australia 

(October 15, 2018) — Julian Assange is Australia's most famous asylum seeker. The Wikileaks founder fled to the Ecuadorian Embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden. He believes it's a ploy to have him sent to the US for trial over the publication of thousands of top secret and highly embarrassing military and diplomatic documents. Assange invited 60 Minutes Australia into his small world to share his thoughts about escape, running for the Australian Senate and how long he can sustain his diplomatic stand-off. 

 

"Julian Assange Exposed a CIA Spy Program, So They Tried to Kill Him." See online video here. 

Trailer for "Ithaka," a Documentary on Assange and His Family 

 

Pearls before Pigs
Lawyer-turned-Chronicle-comic-strip-artist Stephan Pastis recently introduced a shocking economic factoid in his daily cartoon offering, "Pearls Before Swine." In the strip's first panel, Rat (the strip's resident cynic), holds up a sign that reads: "In 1965, the average CEO made 21 times as much as the typical worker." 

The next panel contains an update: "Today, the average CEO makes 344 times as much as the average worker." In the next panel, Rat says: "Let me try to show you that on a bar graph." 

Turns out the bar graph is too tall to fit and it busts through the top of the panel. "I think you ran into 'Mutts,'" says Rat's sidekick, Pig. Rat shouts out an apology to the characters in "Mutts"—a dog-and-cat comic directly above Pastis' panels. 

This visual stunt comes with a revelation. In order for the joke to work, every newspaper that carries Pearls must also carry Mutts—with the former always positioned directly below the latter. The bigger picture: that means every newspaper in the US that offers Pearls or Mutts is obliged to run the same 21 cartoon strips every day and all in the same order! 

Fashion Plates
Personalized license plates spotted about town.
CO81FO
DMAXZ71
SPATZLE
BIGFUZE
JAZZITN (Jazz It In?)
WINBUGI (Win Buggy)
BJSVOVO (BJ's Volvo? On a Volvo)
FNDINSD (Found Inside?)
SOBRYNT (Sober? Why Not?) 

Bumpersnickers
This Is the Back of My Car
My Driving Scares Me Too
I Trip Over My Wiener [Image of small dog]
I'm into Fitness (Fitness Whole Pizza in My Mouth)
I'm Only Speeding Because I Really Need to Poop
I Don't Suffer from Insanity. I Enjoy Every Minute of It
Even Though This Is A STUPID STICKER You're Still Squinting to Read It 

I Believe in a Better World Where Chickens Can Cross the Road Without Having Their Motives Questioned 

Trump Isn't the Only Would-be Dictator
Donald Trump sent a chill through the nation's airwaves when he was asked about his authoritarian traits should he win the presidential race and return to the Oval Office. In a word: "Would you become a dictator?" To which Trump replied: "Only on day one." 

President Joe Biden, in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on July 5, was even more disturbing when he described his future global ambitions: 

Look. I have a cognitive test every single day. Every day I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I'm running the world. Not—and that's not hi—sounds like hyperbole, but we are the essential nation of the world. 

And that's the gist of much of today's global angst: The US is a global empire but an empire in decline. Despite having more than 900 military bases in more that 70 foreign nations (backed up by a global expeditionary force called NATO), the US' self-proclaimed role as "the world's only essential nation" is under economic "threat" from rival economies of Russia and China.
See related AI images: Joe Biden is Running the World 

EXXON Ad: What If Big Oil Were to Tell the Truth 

Brain-dead lawyers and land managers are allowing e-bikes on unpaved trails in violation of NEPA (in the U.S.) and CEQA (in California). They think that they are just like ordinary mountain bikes. If you believe that, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. 

Wild animals don't like to be around humans. Isn't that obvious? So where humans are recreating, the animals lose access to their preferred habitat, at least during the day. (But often mountain bikers are using lights to ride also after dark.) That is habitat destruction! Just as a mountain bike allows one to travel several times as far as a hiker or equestrian, an e-bike extends one's range even farther. That is a significant impact! 

Mountain bikers kill animals and plants on, under, and next to the trail. E.g. in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California, Berkeley, are two snakes (a federally Threatened Alameda whipsnake, and a ringneck snake) that were killed by mountain bikers (the latter on a trail closed to bikes). (And don't forget that insects are animals, too.) Since an e-bike significantly extends a mountain biker's range, permitting e-bikes on unpaved trails is a significant impact! 

Riding a bike significantly increases one's weight (pressure on the ground), and hence the force applied to the soil and the erosion that you cause. An e-bike is even heavier, and therefore causes significantly more erosion. An e-bike also increases the speed that you can travel, and hence your momentum, erosion, and the potential of injury to other trail users. Class 2 e-bikes can reach 20 MPH, class 3, 28 MPH. It's extremely unlikely that the police can enforce a 15 MPH speed limit, and even if they could, it would require even more damaging motorized access by the police. 

E-bikes are powered by extremely hazardous lithium ion batteries, which have caused numerous devastating, deadly, unpredictable explosions and fires. With global warming upon us, do we really want to increase such threats to people and parks? Are you prepared to pay for the consequences of your very unwise decision? 

And, once again, mountain bikers are attempting to pass legislation that would permit bicycles in Wilderness, claiming that this would be harmless. One wonders why mountain bikers are too lazy -- or in too much of a hurry -- to walk…. 

There is really only one solution consistent with the protection of people and nature, which is to restrict bicycles to pavement.

I am writing in response to Maureen Dowd's recent New York Timnes column, "Trump the Lion, or Trump the Lyin’?" The article paints a vivid picture of Donald Trump's performance at the Republican National Convention, but it’s essential to scrutinize the underlying narratives and implications. 

Firstly, the depiction of Trump as a master of narrative is accurate. However, it's crucial to differentiate between storytelling and truth. The former president's speech was indeed dramatic, but it is filled with hyperbole and self-aggrandizement. His recounting of the assassination attempt, while captivating, raises questions about its veracity and his motivations for embellishing such events. 

Trump's claim that his survival was divine intervention raises the stakes of his rhetoric. Instead of using his platform to propagate misleading narratives, it would be far more commendable for him to use his influence to speak the truth. As someone who professes a belief in divine grace, Trump should recognize that he will soon meet his Creator and face the day of judgment. This reality should compel him to promote honesty and integrity rather than sow discord and division. 

Moreover, the portrayal of Trump as a heroic figure, almost messianic in nature, by his supporters is deeply concerning. It promotes a cult of personality that undermines democratic principles. The lionization of Trump, particularly after his role in the January 6th insurrection and his ongoing legal troubles, sets a dangerous precedent. 

In conclusion, while Trump is undoubtedly a compelling figure, it is imperative that the media and the public critically examine his narratives. We must prioritize truth and accountability over sensationalism to safeguard our democratic institutions.

The recent comparison between Senator J.D. Vance and the character of Dr. Faustus in Christopher Marlowe's play is both compelling and unsettling. Much like Faustus, Vance seems to have traded his values and integrity for political power and influence, aligning himself with a figure he once denounced. 

In 2016, Vance described Donald Trump's policies as ranging from "immoral to absurd" and even likened Trump to "America's Hitler." Yet, his recent acceptance of a vice-presidential candidacy alongside Trump signals a dramatic and concerning reversal. Vance's transformation from a "Never Trumper" to a zealous supporter of the MAGA cause highlights a troubling trend of political opportunism and abandonment of principles. 

Vance's memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," initially celebrated for its insight into rural America's struggles, now appears as a stepping stone in his political ambitions. Critics from Appalachia have rightly pointed out the classism and elitism inherent in his narrative, which often blames the region's culture for systemic economic issues rather than addressing broader economic policies. h The Faustian bargain Vance has struck mirrors a broader issue in contemporary politics: the belief that one can harness and control dangerous and divisive forces for personal gain. As history and literature remind us, such bargains rarely end well. 

In the end, Vance's story serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of abandoning one's principles for power. It underscores the need for integrity and steadfastness in our political leaders, qualities that seem increasingly rare in today's political landscape.

It was a late night. The enormous GOP crowd at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena (now Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse), host to the 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC), was on its feet with future U.S. national security advisor, Gen. Michael Flynn at the microphone exhorting the delegates to chant, “Lock her up, lock her up.” Waiting in the wings just to the right of the podium was the next speaker, Iowa Gov. Jodi Ernst. She paced anxiously. With the end of network primetime coverage only minutes away, Ernst would likely not get to address a national TV audience as Gen. Flynn continued the flame-thrower rhetoric, his carotid artery bulging as sweat dripped off his brow. “I call on Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race…because of her careless use of a private email server.” He went on to excoriate the enemies of the state and extol the qualities of the man many of us refused to believe would be the next President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The Party of Trump was being born that night. The city of rock and roll was clearly being rocked by what at first appeared as a fringe movement, MAGA would later co-opt the entire Republican Party.  

I witnessed an intense and politically jubilant four-day political pep rally back in July of 2016. That convention ushered in a decidedly rightward, and populist, shift within the Republican Party. It also yielded a candidate who had neither held public office or served in the military, a first. I left that convention, like so many, believing Hillary Clinton would have a cakewalk to the White House in November. The Democratic establishment thoroughly misjudged the mood of the electorate in 2016. Voter ire against the establishment was significant and growing. The country was wanting to move past the Bush and Clinton political dynasties. Democratic leadership had an opportunity to change its stripes in the populist campaign of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, but the political omen went unheeded. Which brings us to today’s critical moment, when some of the same leaders within the Democratic Party seem unable to grasp the present moment. Democratic voters love Joe Biden, but more than 60% of them think itt is time for him to leave the stage. Will the Democratic Party leadership heed the call now? Seems unlikely since the assassination attempt on the former President. But why? 

Donald Trump was on a campaign-light mode since his June 27th debate with Biden, just watching the Democrats, and Biden, flail as they tried to make an historic decision: how to replace an ailing, and stumbling, incumbent President. The Trump campaign was feeling so confident about the debate results that it waited until this past Monday to unveil its VP choice, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. As Biden continued to teleconference with various Democrats, especially the donor class, someone took a shot at Trump and it once again saw both campaigns kick into a different political strategy gear. The Trump campaign’s plan not to allow the nation to take its eyes off of the Democratic Party’s ongoing political train wreck changed dramatically on July 14, 2024. It has significantly doubled-down on the old narrative of Trump as victim, but with an enlarged dose of empathy and sympathy, which will very likely see Trump’s poll numbers rise. 

When I entered the Cleveland arena eight years ago for the RNC, it was a Trump campaign that was inexperienced and at times, flagging badly. The attitude at that convention on the part of Trump and his consiglieres–Steven Miller, Steve Bannon, and Gen. Flynn–was a glimpse at the coarss behavior and reckless policy statements that were to come. Throw anything at the wall and see what sticks. Even though the lies continue to pile up to this day, witness the more than 30 false claims Trump declared in his recent debate with Biden, the amnesia of the former President’s supporters is deep. The lies about the economy, about the border and immigration, and about global warming have become acceptable, even among long-time GOP office holders and officials who should know better. 

Trump's party entered Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum on Monday appalled at the attempted assassination but giddy with hero worship as well. Jack Beaty the political writer calls it a cult of Trump. It sure seemed like cult-like worship when Trump entered the Fiserv Forum Monday night. Gone are the moderates or political minders like former Chiefs of Staff John Kelley and Mick Mulvaney. Gone are former old-style Republicans like Michael Steele and John Kasich, both from Ohio, replaced by the young GOP buck, J.D. Vance. The irascible former UN Ambassador John Bolton and former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney have been no-shows here in Milwaukee. The Bush family too has long been sidelined in the party of Trump, replaced by further to the right populist operatives.  

The RNC continues this week toward Thursday’s likely coronation of the President. Although the crowd’s cheering for the former President was nothing short of absolute bedlam on Monday night, the final night of the convention’s pomp and circumstance on Thursday night may be like no other, and might lead to the final nail in Joe Biden’s thus far inept political campaign. 

 

 

In late June, People's Park Historic District Advocacy Group requested in a brief email a meeting with new UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons. He delegated campus spokesperson Dan Mogulof to write to us saying he will not meet with us. We replied with the letter below, which Chancellor Lyons did reply to personally but with the clear implication the People's Park project would move forward. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Dear Chancellor Lyons: We are disappointed that you will not meet with us. Your predecessor also never deemed it necessary to meet with those who support the preservation of People’s Park. Because she was not able to achieve total destruction of the park before she left her position, you will inherit that distinction. We do not know how aware you are of the background that led us to this point, but we’d like to explain that like the Free Speech Movement and other controversial issues at Cal, the battle for People’s Park will not disappear once the heavy equipment rolls onto the site. 

Despite the misstatements by Dan Mogulof regarding the “strong support” manufactured for the project, our Open Letter, which the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group began circulating in 2021, stands in stark contrast. Many have signed on since, and many other supporters have joined in the effort to protect People’s Park. The nearly 150 signatures on the Open Letter include Berkeley residents, 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. 

Additionally, several student groups support preservation of People’s Park - Pay Your Workers Campaign, Historic Preservation Club, Cal ACLU, and Suitcase Clinic. Add to that, two resolutions from the ASUC opposing destruction of the park, the Berkeley Faculty Association’s questioning of the project, and the many editorials in support of the park in the Daily Cal. Support has also come from the country’s leading preservation organization - The National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

These park advocates are clearly not the profile of “privileged NIMBY neighbors” claimed by the UC administration. They have all recognized a particularly bad plan when so many viable alternative sites for student housing are available. UC has given the community the false choice of having either a park or a dorm when we can have both. 

Respecting the State Supreme Court decision is difficult if one understands that AB 1307 undercut park proponents’ win in the State Court of Appeal. AB 1307 was nothing more than a sweetheart, backroom deal concocted by Assemblyperson Buffy Wicks. She had absolutely no contact with the plaintiffs in the court case or with any park proponents in the district she purportedly represents. There were no legislative committee hearings that aired arguments on the bill, pro and con. The bill can only be described as a piece of special interest legislation with the special interest being none other than UC. 

This outcome is disappointing because the nonprofit, community-based organizations were only asking for a public process under the California Environmental Quality Act. The Court of Appeal clearly saw that UC pursued a private process in determining it had no alternative other than to build on People’s Park. Our groups hired legal representation at great expense to advocate for transparency from UC. We played by the rules, and when UC did not like the outcome, it got the rules changed. 

This begs the question - Is the project about student housing or about destroying the park? This is particularly evident when the millions of wasted dollars of public funds are considered due to delays, legal and police costs, and the shipping container wall with razor wire. 

In order to meet its housing goal, UCB has claimed that it wants to build as much student housing as soon as possible. However, as an indication of its outrageously poor planning to reach the goal, UCB chose People’s Park as Housing Project #2 and then admitted early on that it would certainly experience delays due to the controversial nature of the project. Anchor House, Housing Project # 1, is nearly completed. If any of the many alternative sites had been chosen for Housing Project #2, it would likewise be nearly complete. 

Cal touts that 1.7 acres of the park would remain open space after development. However, the increasingly densely populated Southside needs probably at least three times the acreage of People’s Park to meet urban green space standards at the international, national, state or city level. Stripping much-needed open space from students and the community is particularly perverse because it is unnecessary. We also know that beyond the ever-growing borders of the Cal campus there is still a “Berkeley community.” 

Cal states it has “secured housing vouchers from the City of Berkeley for this project” neglecting to explain that housing vouchers come from the federal Housing and Urban Development voucher program. Vouchers would only be available if UC completed an environmental impact report in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, a requirement UC refused for its original supportive housing project. Since UC has destroyed a site on the National Register of Historic Places, this will likely be a major deterrent for any potential nonprofit housing developer. 

Not only are the proposed buildings out-of-keeping with the area, they overshadow a National Landmark (Bernard Maybeck’s First Church), a building by famed architect Julia Morgan, the Anna Head complex by the founding member of Berkeley’s Ratcliff architectural dynasty, and many other historic structures that surround People’s Park. 

The university claims to honor the historic importance of the park but does so by destroying a place that is an official city landmark, recognized by the State Historic Resources Commission. And People's Park is also listed on the federal government's National Register of Historic Places as a site of such national importance that it's worthy of preservation. So UC's idea of honoring this historic place is to destroy it. 

Chancellor Lyons, inviting us to give “input and ideas regarding planning” for commemoration of the park would make us complicit in UC’s perpetration of the death and wounding of park protectors, the tremendous waste of millions of dollars in delays due to inappropriate siting of the project, and the delay of the construction of much needed student and supportive housing . 

Many who consider themselves part of the Cal family honor fact-based research and support social justice. We think of these values as having been strengthened by experiences at Berkeley. Therefore, it pains most Cal-affiliated people when UC Berkeley behaves like a greedy and abusive corporation without a conscience, but with a big budget for public relations and legal representation. 

Obviously corporations can make expensive miscalculations, e.g., Ford’s Edsel. UC campuses likewise have made costly planning errors, e.g., UCSB’s “Dormzilla.” However, both of these mistakes were recognized and the projects were terminated. Harm only comes when a bad decision is stubbornly sustained at the cost of institutional integrity. 

Yes, this project has been well underway due to Carol Christ’s efforts, but you will inherit the mantle of the person who implemented it. If any of these details are unclear or need further elaboration, we would be happy to explain. We understand you delegating to Dan Mogulof a reply to our request for a meeting. However, we would deeply appreciate a personal reply to the critical issues raised in this letter. 

Sincerely, 

Harvey Smith, BA ’67, MPH, ’84, UC Berkeley 

President, People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group

I’m writing in response to the recent article, "I’m Bored, So I Shoot," which documents alarming testimonies of Israeli soldiers who admit to shooting Palestinians out of boredom. This report by Oren Ziv of +972 Magazine highlights deeply troubling actions and attitudes among Israeli forces in Gaza. 

The article details accounts from six soldiers who describe a nearly complete absence of firing regulations, with soldiers shooting as they please, setting homes on fire, and leaving corpses in the streets. Such behavior indicates a severe lack of accountability and suggests that soldiers feel empowered to act with impunity. As Ziv states, soldiers were often shooting out of boredom rather than for any tactical or military reason. 

Yuval Green, a reservist who spoke to Ziv, has refused to continue serving in the Israeli military, citing the need to end the ongoing war and sign a ceasefire treaty. Green’s stance is both courageous and morally imperative, reflecting a growing recognition that the current approach is unjust and unsustainable. 

Moreover, the footage from Al Jazeera showing Israeli soldiers executing unarmed Palestinians is deeply disturbing and underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform within the Israeli military. The normalization of such violence, as described in the article, points to a broader policy issue rather than isolated incidents. 

The testimonies of these soldiers reveal a pattern of indiscriminate violence, lack of oversight, and a culture of impunity. This situation demands immediate attention and action from both Israeli authorities and the international community to prevent further atrocities and promote peace. 

It is critical that all Americans call the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111and demand an immediate halt to all military and economic aid to Israel, an immediate ceasefire, and an end to Israel’s barbarism, mass murder, and mass starvation. This is another critical reason that President Biden must resign immediately. Our flag is soaked in the blood of innocent Palestinians. 

This is another chapter in our history of violence and mayhem. The mass killing of innocent civilians in Gaza is Biden’s legacy. Israeli forces should withdraw from Gaza and the West Bank and allow humanitarian agencies like UNRWA to take control.

Pole Posters
This seems to be the season for lost cats. Suddenly photos of dozens of missing felines have started cropping up pinned to neighborhood utility poles.

One cat (distinguished by having only "half a tail" can now be seen in a photo on a dinner-table-sized banner that offers a reward of $250. (Cautionary note: If such lofty rewards were to become commonplace, it could spur a surge in intentional "kat-nappings."

Meanwhile, a "lost cat" poster on Rose Street carries a penciled message that reads: "My 'lost' cat just turned up in my neighbor's basement.'

On the other hand, a completely singular poster is now on display thanks to a team of young entrepreneurs on Yolo Street who are inviting neighbors to stroll by on weekends and "watch us make lemonade." The poster also proudly announces that their beverages are unique, given that "they contain artificial coloring!" So, what color do you desire for your lemonade?—red, green, blue?

Golden Gate Banner Drop Gets Media Blackout
A recent dispatch from Codepink announced a local event dedicated to freedom for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and hope for the future of war-ravaged Palestine. The Bay Area's local Codepinkers—troubled by the fact that most members of Congress support shipping US weapons to Netanyahu's Gaza Genocide and have done nothing to help expedite Assanges’s release from prison after being jailed for "the crime of journalism"—arranged for a "banner drop" off the Gate Bridge.

A video of the banner drop has been shared with Assange and his family but, as a Codepink media note ruefully remarked: "The media censored this story. We think it’s important…. Please share/like far and wide. We have to be our own media!"

Here's a one-minute clip of the "banner news" captured by Peter Menchini. 

 

Fashion Plates
Personalized license plates spotted about town.
PIX13
JRCLIFF
KOMERO1
ALLIASK (All I Ask)
INSRWME (Insure Me)
YMNCOFE (Yemen Coffee) 

Bumpersnickers
Mutant Freedom Now 

Honk If You Don't Exist
I'm Not Drunk I'm Just Avoiding Potholes
No Baby on Board. So Hit Me, I Guess
This Baby Goes from Zero to Sixty. Eventually
Mall-Wart: Your Choice for Cheap Plastic Crap
For Such a Small Town There Sure Are a Lot of Idiots Here 

Veterans Walk 700 Miles to "Unwelcome" NATO
More than a month ago, a contingent of military veterans signed up to march more than 700 miles from Maine to Washington, DC, in wind, rain, and unbearable heat. The mission of their PeaceWalk (https://peacewalk2024.org) was to arrive in time for NATO's 75^th anniversary—and join thousands of other protesters gathered to "unwelcome" NATO to the nation's capitol. The event's rallying cry was "No to NATO, Yes to Peace" (https://nonatoyespeace.org). 

The first order of business was blocking K Street. Then it was on to the White House. 

Here's a video of Veteran For Peace activist Tarak Kauff during a rally "on the road to peace." 

 

Want to Know More?
Here is World BEYOND War's list of links to the many panels, speeches, and events of the two-day protest: See: https://nonatoyespeace.org  

We Are Unwelcoming NATO to Washington
Videos from No NATO – Yes Peace Summit
Videos from Rally at White House
Video of Breaking Points Show
NATO’s Wars Versus Human Survival
German Parliamentarian in Washington
The Need to Free Europe from Nuclear Danger
The View From France: No to NATO, Yes to Peace
Veterans For Peace Walk from Maine
Busboys and Poets Was Packed Friday Night
VIDEO: Canada Out of NATO
Confronting NATO’s War Summit in Washington
Report by ABC Channel 7
Does Anyone in Washington Know About Finland? 

Fossil-Free Berkeley Bill Goes on the Ballot
A note from the Sierra Club 

On July 9th, Berkeley City Council members will vote to place the Large Buildings Fossil Fuel Emissions Tax (“Fossil Free Berkeley”) on the City ballot. This is an exciting opportunity to take action on the climate crisis while promoting equity and health in Berkeley! 

This measure would raise $23 million dollars per year by taxing only the 500 largest buildings in Berkeley on their methane gas use. The funding raised from this measure would be used to electrify Berkeley buildings. Low-income homes would be prioritized, but all buildings, including those that are taxed, can apply for the funding. 

The tax will improve equity and health in Berkeley by: 

 

• Prioritizing funds for neighborhoods historically overburdened by pollution;
• Favoring the use of union labor;
• Including strong renter protections and targeted exemptions for non-profits and deed-restricted affordable housing in the 500 largest buildings; and
• Eliminating gas-powered appliances, which will have health benefits like improving air quality, decreasing rates of childhood asthma, and reducing health impacts on our hearts and lungs.

Business interests in the city will be present to advocate against this tax, and the City Council needs to hear your voice now! 

 

 

Ms-Matched Candidates
The "Step Aside Joe Campaign" continues to rage in the interstices of the Internet with people pondering new—and younger—faces facing up to the Orange-cheeked Gargoyle.
Imaginations have run wild with possible match-ups—Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders? Hillary Clinton Redux? And, if Kamala Harris were to remain the Democrats' chosen VP, might we watch Gavin Newsome verbally eviscerating Trump while Katie Porter totes up Trump's lies live on a whiteboard. But Kamala Harris has got the credentials to step up for a presidential run. Plus she alone has access to the millions of dollars in campaign cash collected under the Biden/Harris banner. 

And there's another tantalizing twist. The nefarious/ incestuous SCOTUS ruling that a president enjoys "special immunity" from criminal prosecution not only applies to Trump but it applies to the current elected president, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. 

That could conceivably give Joe the power to apply the ruling of "Trump's Judges" to order The Donald to do a perp-walk into the nearest Federal pen. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted in her scathing dissent: 

"The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority’s reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution.
"Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune." 

The meme was quickly picked up by an Internet artist who posted a photo of Biden making a phone call and declaring: "Hello, Seal Team 6? They just ruled I am immune. Take him out." 

-CNN: CEO Trump donor -

ABC: CEO Trump donor -

CBS: CEO Trump donor -

NBC: CEO Trump donor -

MSNBC: CEO Trump donor -

Washington Post: owner Jeff Bezo -

Wall Street Journal: Owner: Rupert Murdoch -

New York Times: CEO Trump donor. -

New York Post: Owner: Rupert Murdoch

Check out:

https://mstdn.social/@LilHulkQ ./112740884242629814

My neighbor and I are out looking in anticipation for little bites in the leaves of the plants in the strip between the sidewalk and the street. I call it the median, though a new friend constantly corrects me that the median is in the middle of the street. The strip has many names like road verge, parkways, medians, berms, hellstrip. It’s really owned by the city, but we’re responsible for maintaining it. 

I got help to dig up, pull out the weeds in my strip and my neighbor hired the same “helper” to take out the concrete. We’ve been going to the native plant stores and put in native plants, for birds, butterflies and caterpillars. We thought we had lost the caterpillars, but I got a text there were two. I’m thinking, I might have to put up a sign on the sidewalk, “caterpillar crossing” when they leave the plants to form their chrysalis and return as a butterfly. I planted the pipevine inside the front yard. 

Erin Diehm who introduced me to the thrill of native plants said it might be three or four years before I see the pipevine caterpillars and the black and iridescent blue pipevine butterflies. In pre-pandemic days as we walked together to the downtown Y, she would point out the yards with native plants with skippers, bees and butterflies and she would point out the yards with non-native imported plants as dead zones with no pollinators flitting from plant to plant. 

I shudder when I think of both the massive and focused herbicide and pesticide spraying to maintain big green lawns when I visit family in the Midwest. This along with monoculture, alien 

/non-native plants, urban sprawl, glass architecture and climate change is why we’ve lost a third of the birds in North America and are sitting on the edge of the collapse of nature. 

With all the swirling bad news, finding caterpillars is brightening my day. 

When I see the development plans at the Design Review Committee (DRC) and Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB), I feel like the designs are for a past that is gone, not a warming future especially not an excessive heat warning day. Those building plans with bedrooms with no windows become deadly in a power failure. 

The 1598 University project (the bedrooms have windows) came back for final design approval to DRC on May 16 with a new architectural firm DJR out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. DRC rejected the changes DJR made to the design by Trachtenberg Architects and sent them back to the drawing board. DJR returned on June 20 bringing back the featured shading over windows and full samples of the exterior finish. The building exterior/finish was much improved, but landscape plans had a row of Canary pines. 

Mary Muszynski, MLA (Master of Landscape Architecture) is the DRC member with the responsibility for assessing and advising on project development landscape plans. 

Muszynski addressed the Canary pines in a way that was a first for DRC. She said that Canary pines are a highly flammable tree with resin and even though 1598 University is in the flats and not in one of the very high fire hazard severity zones, highly flammable trees should not be planted next to residences. 

Muszynski also asked DJR to reduce cultivars and increase native plants. 

It is summer, it is hot, we need to think and act differently which takes us to the property insurance crisis in the very high fire hazard severity zones (VHFHSZ). 

First to the Insurance Crisis Panel arranged by Councilmember Wengraf. 

I live in the formerly redlined area of Berkeley, the flats, not the wildland urban interface (WUI) or in fire zone 2 (Berkeley Hills) or 3 (Panoramic Hill). 

Here are my takeaways from the webinar: 1) If you own property in one of the high risk wildland urban interface fire areas or happen to sit in the same zip code, when you get that homeowner insurance policy cancellation notice or giant rate hike, check if you can change your status through home hardening measures (measures to make your property more resistant to wildfire). 2) Get to work immediately to find a replacement even if the actual cancellation may still be a couple of months or more away. 3) If you find an insurer the advice is jump on it as the offer can quickly slip away. 4) When all else fails, there is the California Fair Plan. 5) The California Fair Plan is intended to be temporary while searching for an insurer and may not (more like will not) offer the full coverage homeowners seek in normal circumstances. 

Though the name California Fair Plan makes it sound like it is a State of California sponsored backstop it is not. 

You can watch the Insurance Crisis webinar at https://youtu.be/76TV56X3dLk?si=GVAHverDe632u5Hk 

There wasn’t a lot of detail on the California Fair Plan by the panel. For a better understanding of the Fair Plan, Livable California sponsored an in-depth session which can be watched at: https://youtu.be/OWCewh-_26g?si=Czvbxeeeel2FOW8G&t=1 

The property insurance crisis is much broader than just California and Florida. ‘How ‘Kitty cats’ are wrecking the home insurance industry” by Jake Bittle originally published in Grist and republished in the Guardian gives a taste to how the cumulative impact of smaller catastrophic storms fueled by climate change are hitting the home insurance markets in the Midwest, plains and south. https://grist.org/extreme-weather/home-insurance-midwest-climate-disasters/ 

None of this is good news. 

When catastrophic events hit, they make a splash in the news cycle for a couple of days and then disappear. In Jake Bittle’s book The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration, Bittle takes us into the personal stories of how people’s lives and community are impacted and changed from the Four Horsemen of the Anthropocene, fire, heat, drought and flood. This book is definitely worth reading and not just because the section on fires is close to home, the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa and the Camp fire that destroyed Paradise. As for floods, I will never look at Houston the same way.  

If you don’t have a TV with connection to CNN or didn’t watch the series Violent Earth you can still watch episode 2 Wildfire for $1.99+ https://www.vudu.com/content/browse/details/Violent-Earth-Wildfire/3305747 

 

Israel’s terrorist activities are growing exponentially, making all Americans complicit in their crimes. It ordered another mass expulsion of Palestinians from Khan Younis. It is imperative to address the grave concerns raised regarding Israel's military actions and the treatment of Palestinians.  

If the President does not immediately call for a ceasefire and the resumption of food, water, and fuel, he should resign, especially after his abysmal debate performance last week. Clearly, he is no match for the demonic Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, who is capitalizing on Biden’s weakness. 

Israel's army has ordered a mass expulsion of Palestinians from Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, in preparation for another ground invasion. This action has resulted in the frantic evacuation of patients from the Gaza European Hospital, one of the last functioning medical centers in the region. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has reported that at least eight people were killed and over 30 others were wounded in renewed strikes on southern Gaza. 

Freed Palestinian prisoners describe torture and degrading treatment in Israeli jails. On Monday, Israel freed the director of Gaza’s largest medical center after detaining him without charge for seven months. Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya of Al-Shifa Hospital said after his release that his Israeli captors broke his fingers and repeatedly struck him in the head as part of the daily torture he and other Palestinians endured. 

Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya: “The prisoners are undergoing extremely harsh conditions, from scarcity of food and drink, as well as physical torture. The prisoners are all facing brutal conditions right now. Hundreds of medical staff, including doctors, nurses, radiation specialists, and others, were targeted and are stuck in occupation army prisons being tortured."

An analysis of the nonfactual presentation in UC Berkeley’s flyer “A Renewed People’s Park for All” reveals the irrationality of the People’s Park project and the venality of UCB administration in pursuing it. This is amplified by the undercutting of park proponents’ win in the State Court of Appeal by AB 1307 and its subsequent impact on the recent State Supreme Court decision reversing that win. 

Moreover, an immediate concern is whether UC has done an adequate archeological investigation of the park. Given a recent official filing with the Northwest Information Center of the State Office of Historic Preservation showing evidence of Native American artifacts in or near the park, UC should present information to the public describing what steps it has taken to ascertain it will not continue its long history of destruction of historic Native sites, graves and objects. 

AB 1307 was nothing more than a sweetheart, backroom deal concocted by Assemblyperson Buffy Wicks. She had absolutely no contact with the plaintiffs in the court case or with any park proponents in the district she purportedly represents. There were no legislative committee hearings to air arguments on the bill, either pro or con. The bill can only be described as a piece of special interest legislation with the special interest being none other than UC. 

This outcome is disappointing because the nonprofit, community-based organizations were only asking for a public process under the California Environmental Quality Act. The Court of Appeal clearly saw that UC pursued a private process in determining it had no alternative other than to build on People’s Park. Our groups hired legal representation at great expense to advocate for transparency from UC. They played by the rules, and when UC did not like the outcome, it got the rules changed. 

This begs the question - Is the project about student housing or about destroying the park? This is particularly evident when the millions of wasted dollars of public funds are considered due to delays, legal and police costs, and the shipping container wall with razor wire. 

In order to meet its housing goal, UCB has claimed that it wants to build as much student housing as soon as possible. However, as an indication of its outrageously poor planning to reach the goal, UCB chose People’s Park as Housing Project #2 and then admitted early on that it would certainly experience delays due to the controversial nature of the project. Anchor House, Housing Project # 1, is nearly completed. If any of the many alternative sites had been chosen for Housing Project #2, it would likewise be nearly complete. 

Cal claims extensive public engagement and input on the project. However, it was only earlier this year that teach-ins were held on campus that included student groups, faculty and community groups that provided an open and balanced analysis of what it would mean to destroy People’s Park. In 2021, People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group circulated an Open Letter with nearly 150 signatures that includes Berkeley residents, 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. Their representative views were never considered by campus administration. 

Additionally, several student groups support preservation of People’s Park - Pay Your Workers Campaign, Historic Preservation Club, Cal ACLU, and Suitcase Clinic. Add to that, two resolutions from the ASUC opposing destruction of the park, the Berkeley Faculty Association’s questioning of the project, and the many editorials in support of the park in the Daily Cal. Support has also come from the country’s leading preservation organization - The National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Cal touts that 1.7 acres of the park would remain open space after development. However, the increasingly densely populated Southside needs probably at least three times the acreage of People’s Park to meet urban green space standards at the international, national, state or city level. Stripping much-needed open space from students and the community is particularly perverse because it is unnecessary. 

Cal states it has “secured housing vouchers from the City of Berkeley for this project” neglecting to explain that housing vouchers come from the federal Housing and Urban Development voucher program. Vouchers would only be available if UC completed an environmental impact report in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, a requirement UC refused for its original supportive housing project. Since UC has destroyed a site on the National Register of Historic Places, this will likely be a major deterrent for any potential nonprofit housing developer. 

Not only are the proposed buildings out-of-keeping with the area, they overshadow a National Landmark (Bernard Maybeck’s First Church), a building by famed architect Julia Morgan, the Anna Head complex by the founding member of Berkeley’s Ratcliff architectural dynasty, and many other historic structures that surround People’s Park. 

The university claims to honor the historic importance of the park but does so by destroying a place that is an official city landmark, recognized by the State Historic Resources Commission. And People's Park is also listed on the federal government's National Register of Historic Places as a site of such national importance that it's worthy of preservation. So UC's idea of honoring this historic place is to destroy it. 

Many who consider themselves part of the Cal family honor fact-based research and support social justice. We think of these values as having been strengthened by experiences at Berkeley. Therefore, it pains most Cal-affiliated people when UC Berkeley behaves like a greedy and abusive corporation without a conscience. 

Corporations can make expensive miscalculations, e.g., Ford’s Edsel. UC campuses likewise have made costly planning errors, e.g., UCSB’s “Dormzilla.” However, both of these mistakes were recognized and the projects were terminated. Harm only comes when a bad decision is stubbornly sustained at the cost of institutional integrity.

The United States spent decades in Afghanistan, spending billions, only to leave the situation for women far worse than before. It’s time for women around the world to be liberated from the imposition of archaic rules and customs, such as the mandatory hijab in Iran and the severe lack of women's rights in Afghanistan and throughout the Muslim world. The United Nations should convene a meeting to encourage Islam to modernize its faith.

Women worldwide should displace men in key government positions to bring order and sanity, correcting the mess men have created. This approach aligns with a simple Persian prayer: "I praise the thought well thought, the word well spoken, and the deed well done." It is worth noting that the founder of the Sikh faith was a pioneer of women's rights. When the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in August 2021, they initially suspended education for girls above the sixth grade until conditions were deemed suitable under Islamic rules. Now, over 1,000 days later, school remains off-limits for girls older than 12, and restrictions have extended to universities. The Taliban claim education is an "internal matter," leaving the future of girls' education uncertain. 

Denial of education is only one of many Taliban decrees against women. Female civil servants were instructed not to report to work, and women are now barred from working at NGOs and humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations. Many female-owned businesses, such as beauty salons, have been shuttered. Women and girls must be accompanied by a male relative to travel. 

As a result, women and girls have been virtually erased from public life, deprived of their most basic rights. Afghan women began describing the Taliban’s policies as gender apartheid in the 1990s, and there is a growing call to criminalize such policies under international law. 

The Taliban’s institutionalized oppression is devastating not only for the current generation of Afghan women and girls but also for future generations. Boys, raised in a system that dehumanizes women, may follow their leaders’ example and continue to mistreat women, becoming vulnerable to radicalization, which poses security concerns beyond Afghanistan’s borders. The Taliban's gender policies also severely deprive LGBTQ individuals of their fundamental rights. 

Despite these oppressive conditions, Afghan women and girls are resisting. Some have protested in the streets, risking arrest and violence. Girls with internet access, a minority, are taking online classes, and female entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to circumvent restrictions. 

It would be easy to leave these women to struggle alone, claiming that the international community has done enough damage in Afghanistan. But that would be a grave disservice to both the defiant women and those without the economic capacity to fight back. We have an obligation to meet their bravery with increased protection, support, and solidarity. The upcoming meeting in Doha, Qatar, will discuss a political path forward for Afghanistan. The agenda, however, focuses on fighting narcotics and helping the private sector, excluding human rights and women's issues. If these exclusions are the price of the Taliban’s presence in Doha, the cost is too high. 

The international community must insist on reversing the restriction of Afghan women’s and girls’ rights, ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making, and holding the Taliban accountable. Having these issues explicitly on the agenda in Doha would be an important first step. 

The bravery, dignity, and perseverance of millions of Afghans in the face of gross injustice must be matched by strong, principled, and effective international leadership. g

The Predictability of TV Newscasts
ABC World News, CBS Evening News and NBC Nightly News all seem to be working from the same script these days: An opening report on the latest floods, hurricanes, and wildfires (with no mention of "climate change") followed by "The Mass Shooting of the Day." And, to offset all the downer stories, the networks close each daily newscast with a short, upbeat "human-interest" story. 

Here are a few stories that aren't being followed. 

Stuck in Space 

Since June 5, two US astronauts—Sumita Williams and Barry Wilmore—have been stranded in orbit, unable to return to Earth owing to helium leaks in their Starliner space capsule that could leave them without power needed to fuel the capsule's thrusters. The Starliner was designed by Boeing—the military contractor now famous for building passenger jets with badly bolted side doors. Asked for a response on the discovery of the helium leaks, a Boeing rep replied: "We thought we'd fixed that." 

The Starliner mission is a year behind schedule and $1.5 billion over budget (a performance typical of Pentagon-funded programs). If the Starliner remains off-line, the two stranded astronauts' back-up plan will involve "catching a ride" on Elon Musk's SpaceX vehicle, which is parked on the opposite side of the International Space Station. The Dragon space capsule has room for 7 passengers.. 

The Less-than-Admirable Admiral
A former Pentagon figure has been caught in the middle of a "revolving door" scandal. According to American Military News, former US Navy Vice Admiral Robert Burke has been accused of "attempting to secure government contracts in exchange for future employment." The Justice Department has accused Burke of colluding with Yougchul Kim and Meghan Messenger, co-CEOs of "an unnamed company" (aka "Company A") to steer a "sole-source contract" to the unnamed firm "in return for future employment." 

Burke also conspired with fellow Navy brass to offer the "unnamed company" a contact for a training program worth "triple-digit millions." Burke has been charged with acts of bribery and conspiracy that could land him in prison for up to 30 years—essentially a life sentence. No word on what penalties, if any, the "unnamed company" might face. 

Final note: the Justice Department's decision to hide the name of the complicit company is no match for Google. A search quickly reveals Company A is a firm called Next Jump: "Led by Co-CEOS Charlie Kim & Meghan Messenger, Next Jump is run by innovative mentors who are passionate about transforming the workplace." The company was also apparently passionate about transforming Admiral Burke's workplace. 

 

Yes to Peace. No to NATO: July 6-7
World BEYOND War and a long list of anti-war organizations are planning to converge on Washington DC for the 75^th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. But they aren't converging to join NATO's "big celebration of 75 years of itself"—with a host of militaristic meetings beginning in the US capitol on July 9 that is expected to draw "many presidents, prime ministers, foreign secretaries—and weapons dealers." 

The No to NATO global peace alliance is planning to host (and livestream) a summit on Saturday July 6 and a rally on Sunday July 7, with "various other actions in the days before and after that weekend" to say "Yes to Peace and No to NATO."' The organizers note that the demonstrations are not intended to promote any governments or political candidates and participants are asked not to bring any national flags or campaign signs. 

What's the gripe over NATO? For one thing, this post-WWII institution's founding principal—"an attack on one is an attack on all"—enshrines a threat of armed violence without just cause or constraint. It is an imperial threat that NATO's armies shares with drug cartels and Mafia enforcers. For another: NATO is no longer limited to the US, Canada and 10 European nations. Today NATO has nearly tripled in size with 32 members, including many countries that are found far outside NATO's original boundaries. 

If you can't make it to DC, you can follow the events live on YouTube at this embedded link. 

 

The GOP's Plans to Belabor Labor
Former Labor Secretary and UC economics professor Robert Reich must be outraged over the following piece of news. The Coalition of Human Needs recently noted: "At a time of skyrocketing CEO pay, stagnant wages for workers, and widening income inequality, House Republican appropriators have proposed drastic cuts to the Department of Labor (DOL)," including: 

• Cutting the National Labor Relations Board's budget to $200 million―a third of its current funding. 

• Slashing worker protection by cutting the Wage and Hour Division by 10% and OSHA by 12%—two agencies responsible for addressing child labor violations. 

• Blocking the DOL from preventing the misclassifying of employees as independent contractors―thereby excluding them from employment benefits and worker protections. 

• Targeting the DOL’s expansion of overtime pay rates. 

As usual, when it comes to aiding the working class, the GOPers are playing Stoppers and Loppers. 

Fashion Plates
Personalized license plates spotted about town.
BIG ZI
EZBIG
LIM SUN
MARI TAN
6NOCKS
TONBOLT
KAUII 13
KHCTKH
PAYMULA
SULAMEC
BGBLU24 (Big Blue 24?) 

Bumpersnickers
Ride the Surf
Blame Canada
Visualize Whirled Peas
Not Rich Enough for a Tax Break
Don't Assume I Share Your Prejudices
Shop at Wal-Mart. China Depends On It
Don't Believe Anything Until Its Been Officially Denied
Vote Republican. Won't You Help Us Profit From The Suffering of Others?
Join the Army and Travel to Exotic, Distant Lands, Meet Unusual, Exciting People, and Kill Them. 

 

I've heard it said, the issues dealt with when we are in our twenties consist of relationships and careers. I was no different than that, except I did not fully establish myself with either skill. 

When I was in my twenties, I was fairly employable, and I worked many jobs. At most of them I couldn't make it. But I was a success at about a half dozen of them, to me meaning I kept the job six months or more and could do the job. When I was in my twenties and worked, it boosted my self-acceptance because I wasn't doing something institutionalized. 

I had girlfriends when I was in my twenties and met my wife when I was thirty. I became engaged to my wife the same day that I was released from the hospital following a psychotic episode. Joanna was a first because she wanted me even through a psychotic episode. Other relationships, if the going got tough, they'd split the scene. 

Even though I had limited successes at work and relationships in my twenties, it didn't translate to a lifetime of success. There were a lot of factors working against me, and I was not able to get a lasting toehold on working. 

When I was nineteen, I was threatened by men with guns who wanted to do a "stick-up" on the supermarket I was hired to clean. If I'd had any sense, I would've resigned from my job immediately after. Going back every night to the nighttime cleanup of supermarkets became a terrifying activity, and it triggered a relapse, one that would have come about eventually anyway. At the time I'd gone noncompliant, so the relapse was coming. The fact of being threatened with being killed only hastened the otherwise inevitable relapse. 

But at that age I was quite resilient. I recovered from the relapse, handily. I worked in electronic repair in my early twenties and also at temp jobs, and at some other jobs. And I dated. 

But people and events kept coming out of the woodwork, and I kept getting knocked flat on my butt. I was assaulted. I had issues with pining after a friend who I wanted but who wanted to keep it platonic. I went noncompliant again at age 25, and it was a decisively bad relapse that followed. It was not that I did anything illegal, wild or dangerous. I'm speaking of the lasting effects on my level of function that followed. 

Mental health professionals term it "the revolving door" syndrome. It is the pattern of continually relapsing and going back into the hospital. This terminology comes from the 1980's and it is outdated. 

In modern times, if you relapse too many times, you will not keep getting re-hospitalized. You will either die on the streets, or you will lose your soul in prison. Now more than ever, we cannot afford to mess with our mental well-being. Relapsing is not an option. 

If I had wanted to be employable, now, at age fifty-nine, there are a couple of things I could have done a long time ago that would have made this possible. 

However, no one can predict the future, and it is very cliché to say "if I knew then what I know now..." 

As it stands, I have multiple health problems, and I would never make it in conventional employment. If I'd made a major push toward that, at let's say, age 40, I might have overcome the various obstacles, and by now I would be acclimated for a job. I wanted to be a famous author, but I did not understand the basic reality that a good writer maintains a day job for the first ten to twenty years of his or her writing career. 

I've said this in the past: Writing will put a feather in your cap, but you can't eat a feather, a feather will not fill your gas tank, and a feather won't put a roof over your head. 

I've come upon a time in my life where I pay the price for not mastering employment and relationships, which are skills in our domains in our twenties. Too many setbacks took place. I was noncompliant too many times. 

No one can predict the future. So, I don't rule out that tomorrow I could resoundingly be a success. And because there is still hope for me, I continue to try. 

---

 

Jack Bragen is author of "Instructions for Dealing with Schizophrenia: A Self-Help Manual," and has also published three short fiction collections.  

It was a late night. The enormous GOP crowd at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena (now Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse), host to the 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC), was on its feet with future U.S. national security advisor, Gen. Michael Flynn at the microphone exhorting the delegates to chant, “Lock her up, lock her up.” Waiting in the wings just to the right of the podium was the next speaker, Iowa Gov. Jodi Ernst. She paced anxiously. With the end of network primetime coverage only minutes away, Ernst would likely not get to address a national TV audience as Gen. Flynn continued the flame-thrower rhetoric, his carotid artery bulging as sweat dripped off his brow. “I call on Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race…because of her careless use of a private email server.” He went on to excoriate the enemies of the state and extol the qualities of the man many of us refused to believe would be the next President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The Party of Trump was being born that night. The city of rock and roll was clearly being rocked by what at first appeared as a fringe movement, but would later co-opt the entire Republican Party.  

I witnessed an intense and politically jubilant four-day political pep rally back in July of 2016. That convention ushered in a decidedly rightward shift within the Republican Party. It also yielded a candidate who had neither held public office or served in the military, a first. I came away, like so many, believing Hillary Clinton would have a cake-walk to the White House that November. The Democratic establishment thoroughly misjudged the mood of the electorate. In 2016, voter ire for the establishment was significant, and growing. The country was wanting to move past the political dynasties of the Bushes and the Clintons. Democratic leadership had an opportunity to change its stripes in the populist campaign of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, but the political omen went unheeded. Which brings us to today’s critical moment, when some of the same leaders within the Democratic Party seem unable to grasp the present moment. Democratic voters love Joe Biden, but more than 60% of them know it is time for him to leave the stage. Will the Democratic Party leadership heed the call? 

Donald Trump has been on a campaign-light mode since his June 27th debate with Biden, just watching the Democrats, and Biden, flail as they try to make an historic decision: how to replace an ailing, and stumbling, incumbent President. The Trump campaign is feeling so confident about the debate results that it has yet (Friday afternoon) to unveil its VP choice, as Biden continues to teleconference with various Democrats about his fate. This is the 15th day that the Trump campaign is not allowing the nation to take its eyes off of the Democratic Party’s ongoing political train wreck that is playing out in real time. Who will blink first? 

When I entered the Cleveland arena eight years ago for the RNC, it was a Trump campaign that was inexperienced and at times, flagging badly. The attitude at that convention on the part of Trump and his consiglieres–Steven Miller, Steve Bannon, and Flynn–was a glimpse at the course behavior and reckless policy statements to come. Throw anything at the wall and see what sticks. And the lies continue to pile up, witness the more than 30 false claims Trump declared in his recent debate with Biden. These lies have become acceptable, even among long-time GOP office holders and officials. Trump's party will enter the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Monday without many moderates or political minders like former Chiefs of Staff, John Kelley and Mick Mulvaney. Gone are former old-style Republicans like Michael Steele and John Kasich, both from Ohio. The irascible former UN Ambassador John Bolton and former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney are likely no-shows. The Bush family too has long been sidelined in the party of Trump, replaced by further to the right populist operatives like vice-Presidential hopefuls, Senators J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio, and billionaire businessman and governor, Doug Bergum.  

Then there’s the “2024 GOP PLATFORM, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” [sic] At 16 pages it is the Cliff’s Notes version of past party platforms. The previous two were 62(2020) and 60(2016) pages of policy statements, respectively. This year’s GOP Platform is anything but modest and lacking in specifics. There is page after page of blunt statements like ”Republicans Will End Left-wing Gender Insanity,” many seemingly pulled directly from the former President’s speeches. Of course, there is also a sprinkling of Trumpian superlatives–chapter 2. Seal the Border, and Stop the Migrant Invasion” and “chapter 3. Build the Greatest Economy in History. There are doses of nostalgia–”chapter 4. Bring Back the American Dream,” militarism–”chapter 9. Return to Peace Through Strength,” and jingoism, “America First: A Return to Common Sense.” (Preamble) 

There is also a notable backing away from strict abortion limits or a federal abortion ban,. Instead, the platform notes, near its end on page 15, “Republicans will protect and defend a vote of the people, from within the States, on the Issue of Life.” While the document extolls the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it also touts states rights. “After 51 years, because of us, that power has been given to the States and to a vote of the People.” The only mention of “abortion” is “We will oppose Late Term Abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF(fertility treatments.)” 

So bring your popcorn, the RNC begins for real gnday, but the political gamesmanship continues, 24/7. Will Biden step down? Who will be Trump’s VP choice? And of course, what do the latest polls say? Much more to come.

I’ve been doing more reading than writing in the recent weeks and as usual the reading content is heavy, bringing a different frame to the war in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, the debate and the Supreme Court. 

After reading Anne Applebaum’s Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine on the Holodomor the entirely manmade famine of the 1930s also known as the Ukrainian Famine engineered by Joseph Stalin, it is difficult to believe the Ukrainians all these years later would be willing to negotiate a peace agreement with Russia that would give away any Ukrainian land. 

Memories are long. 

When I read Ronen Bergman’s book Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations I described it as brutal and it was with descriptions of bombings and torture followed by murder. But even that did not prepare me for the brutality in Ilan Pappe’s description of the Nakba in The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine.  

In Ashfaaq Carim’s March 15, 2024 interview with Pappe, Pappe describes his journey sharing how through declassification of the historical documents of the Nakba in 1978 challenged the narrative and everything he and his friends had come to believe. Reading the declassified documents changed the trajectory of his career as a historian resulting in becoming an Israeli dissident and authoring The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine in 2006. https://youtu.be/Bu1_OFUcd0g?si=81-xdtA6ftEmSPfO 

There seems to be an endless list of books on Israel and Palestine. Since November 2023, I’ve made my way through thirteen, have three in process and six more on hold. But it was Peter Maass’s April 9, 2024 opinion piece in the Washington Post, “I’m Jewish, and I’ve covered wars. I know war crimes when I see them” that led me to reading about the war in Bosnia in his first book Love Thy Neighbor: A Story of War published in 1996. 

There is a through line in my recent reading. Maass ponders in Love Thy Neighbor how the “wild beast” in human nature can so easily break the restraints of civilization and incite neighbors to torture, rape and murder one another. 

Bosnia was an integrated pluralistic society in 1992 prior to the war.  

There is so much that is quotable and memorable in Love Thy Neighbor that it seemed like the entire book was underlined when I borrowed it from the Berkeley library. The book isn’t easy to get. The Berkeley Central Library has one print copy and there are no e-editions. My reading journal is filled with pages of notes. 

From Love Thy Neighbor 

“What happened in Bosnia was not a Balkan Freak Show, but a violent process of national breakdown at the hand of political manipulators. The dynamics of fear and loathing between people of different backgrounds – ethnic or religious or economic – are not as unique or complex as we might like to believe. Violent breakdowns can occur in virtually any country during times of economic hardship, political transition or moral infirmity; such troubles create opportunities for manipulators and the manipulators create opportunities for the wild beast.” 

We are in a perilous time for our country. With the Heritage Foundation Project 2025 as a guide, Donald Trump and all of his enabling sycophants are poised to dismantle the governing we have known into an authoritarian state. 

With no hope of expanding the Supreme Court or impeaching the corrupted Clarence Thomas, the secure conservative majority of six to three has free rein or better free reign to create endless damage. 

We could say the dismantling has already begun with the decisions coming from the Supreme Court. 

The Court has even gone so far as to encourage payoffs. In Snyder v. United States, the Court decided in a 6 – 3 opinion that generous gifts after a “service” by state and local officials is not bribery/corruption. This was before Monday, July 1, 2024 when the Court bestowed broad immunity on a past and future Trump presidency, “The Court thus concludes that the President is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for conduct within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority.” (page 2 TRUMP v. UNITED STATES) https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2024/07/scotus_immunity-7-1.pdf 

Women, pregnant people were already disposable with the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the abortion bans that followed. As if that wasn’t enough, through the use of the filibuster the Senate minority blocked legislation to protect the right to contraception on June 5, 2024. And then, there was Biden’s inability to articulate a coherent answer to a question on abortion at the June 27, 2024 debate. 

Biden’s performance in the debate was a disaster. Friends were texting me they couldn’t take it anymore and shut off the debate. 

In the thread of emails, I’ve been receiving from a Democratic party-based group sending links to donating to Biden’s campaign and articles supporting Biden countering my comment that Biden looked like a deer in headlights and that his performance reinforced all my fears about his aging, they are all in. 

Biden has accomplished a lot, but these are no ordinary times. And prior to the debate, his accomplishments weren’t translating into a lead over Trump. In fact, besides being on the losing end, Biden has been polling behind Democratic Senators and Representatives. 

In the fallout from the debate, it is not the loyal Democrats that worry me. They will vote the ticket regardless. It is the people like the woman standing next to me waiting for the light to change to cross the street on Friday afternoon. I asked her if she watched the debate and what she thought. To her the debate was such a disaster, she said she can’t vote for either Biden or Trump. She expects to sit out voting. She voted for Biden last time. 

There was the young man at my house for the inspection of my rooftop solar. He didn’t watch the debate and wasn’t planning on voting. If he did vote he said he would probably vote for Trump as he is not impressed with Biden. 

What appears obvious is that Biden can perform exceptionally when he has a teleprompter. But, stepping away from scripted settings and rote glad-handing interactions, Biden falls apart. Biden lost his train of thought, was at times incoherent, was unable to counter Trump’s barrage of lies and on the question on abortion which is undoubtedly one of the most important issues for young voters he blew it. 

This cannot be explained away, by saying Biden has a stutter or he had a cold or was tired. 

We need a fully functioning president or at the very least we need a team around Biden who have enough sense, not to put him into situations where he will fail. 

Think back to the 2020 Biden Trump debate. Biden was sharp in control. This time Biden struggled through responses. The description I heard that was most fitting was in the Ezra Klein post-debate podcast. It was, as if Biden’s cue cards fell on the floor in a pile and as he was trying to pick them up he spouted off in whatever order he found them. 

Friday morning following the debate on Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough left behind his usual cheer leading for another Biden term and spoke honestly “failure is not an option” and asked if any Fortune 500 company would keep a CEO in place who appeared as Biden did last night losing his train of thought unable to respond to Trump’s continuous string of lies. The answer is, of course, no. 

Mika (on Morning Joe) came to Biden’s defense, saying we shouldn’t be so quick to judge. 

I agree with Ezra Klein’s post saying that the job of the president is not just to do the job, but to instill confidence that as president he is capable of doing the job. 

I can’t imagine a President Biden able to fulfill his responsibilities for another term. 

As I see it, we don’t have a large enough core of faithful supporters who will vote for Biden to defeat Trump even without considering third party candidates siphoning away votes. 

Plus, Biden losing means an unrestrained Trump. When Trump tells his followers, “I am your retribution” we should believe him. 

Biden’s responses in the debate told me why we are nine months into a war on Gaza that is an unremitting horror, a moral and political failure and the move to peace in Ukraine is beyond grasp. 

Biden has burned through voters who supported him in 2020 in his handling of Israel in the war on Gaza. 

This is a train wreck. 

Back to Love Thy Neighbor. 

“The goal of imperial wars, which we are most familiar with is to conquer and rule [Russia’s war on Ukraine]. The goal of nationalist wars, as in Bosnia [and the Nakba] is to conquer and cleanse. These contests are winner take-all. When you are faced with enemies who wish to expunge you from your land, and when those enemies offer a treaty that ensures their boots will stay on your throat, suffocating you one day, you have little choice but to keep struggling, even though the odds are against you and people who call themselves your friends are saying you should give up. Resistance becomes not an option but an imperative.” 

An article on Gaza in the Guardian many weeks ago described the destruction of housing and the toxins from bombings left behind would take possibly fourteen years to clean up. Looking at the photos of the devastation that make it out despite the targeted killing of journalists in Palestine makes fourteen years sound like unrealistic optimism. Along with the destruction of housing (domicide), hospitals and infrastructure, there is the destruction of schools and universities (scholasticide) and the killing of scholars, educators, artists – the erasure of history. 

Then there is the war crime of starvation. 

I find it difficult to describe what is happening in Gaza as anything other than genocide. 

Councilmember Lunaparra at the dais with the keffiyeh over her shoulders is smart, articulate, well-informed, impressive as someone who is young and a fresh college graduate, but she is no match for the pro-Israel power players dominating Berkeley City Council leadership. Her promise of a ceasefire resolution is dead just like the thousands of innocent Palestinian children.  

There was one bright spot in my recent reading, Ali Velshi’s just released Small Acts of Courage: A legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy. The book is part memoir, part history. It is the story of immigration, finding country and home beginning with Velshi’s great grandfather leaving India for South Africa and family members crossing paths with Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Tolstoy Farm, living through Apartheid, the liberation of Kenya to self-governing and landing in Canada. The section on the pluralistic, multi-culture, immigrant welcoming Canada is inspiring. Small Acts of Courage is a book I highly recommend. 

In Trump v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for official acts but may not shield all his efforts to overturn the 2020 election while president. The court returned the case to the trial judge to decide which Trump’s acts may be prosecutable.

Practically speaking there will be no trial before the election and if elected, Trump will likely have his attorney general end the case. Who said Trump was not above the law?

With Trump’s likely election and the implementation of Project 2025, also known as the Presidential Transition Project, a collection of conservative policy proposals from the Heritage Foundation to reshape the United States federal government and consolidate executive power, the transition of our country from a democracy to a banana republic will be well on its way.

President Biden succeeded in accomplishing good policies for our future, recovering from trump's chaotic disaster.

But, presidents don't get to create and administrate good policies unless they can communicate them well to the public, and debunk the opponent's "policies" and character. Biden failed to do that during the "debate." Repubs will play and replay the debate's many cringe-worthy moments endlessly.

A wise man knows how to see himself. Wise people understand that aging is inevitable and final. Wisdom knows when to step aside, victorious, rather than remain in a final competition that will crush one's reputation into ignominy.  

Democratic accomplishments need another standard-bearer who can represent, with vigor, the values and vision our country needs to continue. The threat of losing this election requires putting the good of the country above personal ambition. 

Some kindly suggestions to Joe Biden are necessary. The question is: From whom will he listen?

I am Jack, I'm a 59-year-old man, and I have suffered from a psychotic-type psychiatric condition my entire adult life.

A major psychiatric condition has the potential to ruin your life if you let it. And you should not let that happen. Despite the massive hardships that come with mental illness, you are better off not giving in to it, and you are better off getting what you can still get. And part of not letting this condition do away with your happiness is to adapt. And there is a lot of adapting you must do.

A psychotic condition may be the most severe category of mental illness and the worst in terms of affecting your present and future life. If you are new to psychosis, whether you are the patient or a family member, there is a lot to learn, and there may be a lot of unpleasant surprises. How do you manage psychotic symptoms? Is the medication truly necessary? What can I expect? What will be my son's or daughter's capabilities, and what will be the limitations? 

To begin: Almost universally, if a young person suffers from psychotic symptoms, he or she must have medication. There is no getting around it. 

In 1982, at the age of eighteen, I first became ill with paranoid schizophrenia. I had an extremely bad episode of psychosis that rocked my family and from which I was lucky to get out of alive. I was put on medication, and it made all the difference. Had medications not yet been invented, I would have been fully out of luck. 

Antipsychotics are a relatively recent discovery that began with Thorazine. In 1952, scientists discovered Thorazine to have a dramatic effect on psychotic patients. 

But it is a natural consequence of being treated with antipsychotics for patients to try to become noncompliant, even while these are drugs may be the only things that stand in the way of total disaster. The side effects of Thorazine, Stelazine, Haldol, and many more drugs produce a great deal of physical and mental suffering. To get the patient on board with taking antipsychotics, it is up to the patient to gain the necessary insight. When we fully realize the consequences of going noncompliant, most of us will choose to take our medication rather than let our lives be ruined by a neurobiological condition. 

The lifetime decision of compliance that I made did not come quickly or easily. I had several episodes of noncompliance and resultant psychotic illness. At age 30, I was smart enough to realize what I was up against. I also knew that my parents were getting too old to deal with me as a psychotic person. Additionally, I needed to have a life. And this was only achievable through medication compliance. 

But in 1982, this was not yet the case. 

Despite the urging of doctors, family members, and my better judgment, I stopped medication after five months. I had a job cleaning and polishing supermarket floors in the East Bay. I was able to move out of my family's home and live in shared rental across town. 

A year later, the disease caught up with me and I was fully ill once again, but this time I was not violent. I was picked up while trying to steal gasoline from a gas station. The debt for the gas was resolvable. However, I needed a much greater level of care in the months that ensued, because my brain condition had been harmed by the time off of medication. 

Taking psychiatric medications is generally not the most fun thing we can do. And if the meds are antipsychotics, the side effects can be very unpleasant and sometimes disconcerting. 

In addition to being medicated, there is more that we need to do to get well. It helps to be in contact with other human beings. Getting employment that is isolating could have a harmful effect. Old school psychiatry might not acknowledge what I just said. Old school psychiatry, in my feeling, is wrong about a lot of things. 

The diagnosis they gave me was seemingly fully correct. Yet the prognosis was wrong, and the prognosis didn't do me any favors. 

When I reached my early twenties and was back at work, it was a period in which I could regard myself as "normal," and I didn't define myself as a mentally ill person. I was a young man, I had semiprofessional employment in video repair, and I had girlfriends. 

When I reached age 25, I started to experience more setbacks. A man decided he wanted to have a fistfight with me. He may have been a drug dealer, or he may have just been irate. Being knocked to the ground and hit in the face was not the favorite experience of my life. 

When I was in my mid-twenties, things had become difficult enough that I decided to apply for Social Security. It was a last resort, because I truly didn't want to give up on working. 

In my quest to become successful, many people and circumstances have invariably come out of the woodwork to interfere. 

Finally, I am approaching age 60, and success is in my scope. I have a professional activity that I'm good at. Many people acknowledge me as a good person. And I can shrug off, ignore, or deflect further attempts at knocking me down. Or so I hope. Please wish me luck. 

 

---

Jack Bragen is mentally ill, lives in Martinez, California, and writes commentary and fiction.  

This month I have eight mystery/thriller novels to recommend.  

 

LITERARY FICTION: The first two novels are so well written that they classify as literary fiction.  

 

(A) French Windows Antoine Laurain (five stars) 

 

A superb psychological thriller set in Paris. 

 

(Published in France as Dangeuresement Douce.) 

 

French Windows features a psychoanalyst, Dr. Faber, and his client Nathalia. She’s a photographer who cannot work because of trauma: she inadvertently photographed a murder. Faber attempts to draw her out by having her write stories about the apartment house residents she sees from her window. A French spin on the classic Hitchcock “Rear Window” setup. 

 

A short novel (175 pp,) that is extremely well written. 

 

(B) Swan Song Elin Hildebrand (five stars) 

 

A cozy mystery set on Nantucket. 

 

This is the 27^th, and final, novel in Erin Hildebrand’s “Nantucket” series. It’s a superb beach read.  

 

The summer that police chief Ed Kapernash is due to retire, the social life of Nantucket is disrupted by the arrival of a wealthy couple, the Richardsons. After a series of raucous parties. their 22-million-dollar home burns to the ground, and their personal assistant disappears. 

 

First on the list of positives about “Swan Song” is setting. Erin Hildebrand makes Nantucket come alive. When the novel is finished, the reader feels that they know Nantucket physically and socially. The primary characters are well defined and interesting. The plot is compelling.  

 

A CLASSIC MYSTERY: 

 

(C) Truly Devious Maureen Johnson (five stars) 

 

A fun mystery set in rural Vermont. 

 

A three-book series that follows high-schools student Stevie Bell as she enters a prestigious Vermont private school, Ellingham Academy, with the intent of getting away from her very conservative parents and solving the notorious Ellingham mystery – the 1936 kidnapping of Iris Ellingham and her three-year-old daughter Alice. (The three books are: “Truly Devious,” “the Vanishing Stair,” and “the Hand on the Wall.”) 

 

Maureen Johnson’s novel cleverly combines Steve’s investigation of the 80-year-old mystery with her inquiry into a recent murder at Ellingham Academy. And, for good measure, we read about Stevie’s on again, off again relationship with David Eastman, the son of a presidential candidate. 

 

Warning: You must read all three books to learn whodunnit. 

 

THREE THRILLERS WITH FLAWS: 

 

(D) Very Bad Company Emma Rosenblum (4 stars) 

 

A con thriller set in Miami. 

 

Emma Rosenblum is back with her second novel in a series that might be titled: rich people behaving badly. (The first book, “Bad summer People,” is a mystery set on Fire Island.) 

 

I love the set up: a new executive, Caitlin Levy, joins an innovative tech startup, Aurora, just in time to attend their raucous executive retreat in Miami. The first night, Jessica Radum, the vice-president in charge of partnerships, dies of a drug overdose. Aurora’s CEO, John Shiller, wants to keep the news quiet because it may interfere with the pending acquisition of Aurora by a much larger company. Caitlin receives warnings about Aurora, but the money is so good she chooses to ignore them. So do the other executives: Debra Foley, Olive Green, Martin Ito, Dallas Joy, Nikki Lane, and Zach Wagner. Will the truth about Aurora come out before the big pay day? 

 

A cynical look at the world of high tech. 

 

(E) The Unwedding Ally Condie (4 stars) 

 

A murder mystery set in Big Sur. 

 

To celebrate her 20^th wedding anniversary, Ellery Wainwright books a weekend at an exclusive California resort; then her husband announces he wants a divorce. Ellery ends up going alone to Broken Point Resort. Then she realizes that most of the rooms are reserved for a big wedding. Feeling isolated and depressed, Ellery wakes up early the next morning and goes for a swim. In the pool, she finds the body of the bridegroom. 

 

“The Unwedding” doesn’t quite work. What’s good: Ellery is strong and believable. The setting is great, and the plot made more intense when a storm isolates Broken Point. The resort is filled with art that adds panache. Author Ally Condie avoids the cliché of having Ellery find a romantic partner. 

 

What’s not so good: One too many murders. I’m not happy with the ending, which is convoluted and confusing. The use of the resort art is overdone. Ellery’s back story doesn’t work. 

 

An ambitious mystery with flaws. 

 

(F) The Midnight Feast – Lucy Foley (4 stars) 

 

A revenge thriller set at The Manor resort on the Dorset Coast. 

 

A creepy beach read based on a return-to-the-scene-of-the-crime formula. Fifteen years ago, as a teenager, Bella had a traumatic experience at the previous incarnation of The Manor. Unexpectedly, she gets an invitation to be present at the opening of The Manor as an upscale resort. Bella encounters her nemesis, Francesca the resort owner, and others from her past. After a scary walk through the woods, there’s a murder. 

 

Lucy Foley likes to write from multiple points-of-view, but it doesn’t work here. And there’s an underlying class-warfare theme that feels heavy handed. 

 

Enjoyable thriller with flaws. 

 

 

TWO HISTORICAL MYSTERIES WITH FLAWS:  

 

(G) The Comfort of Ghosts Jacqueline Winspear (4 stars) 

 

A historical mystery set in 1945 England.  

 

“The Comfort of Ghosts” is the 18^th and last novel in the Maisie Dobbs series. I’ve enjoyed these books but in recent years they’ve gotten less interesting. In “The Comfort of Ghosts” the mystery energy has diminished; this is primarily a cozy historical novel. There are three mystery episodes: the murder/suicide of a controversial landowner, the fate of four adolescent squatters, and the tracing of a decades-old adoption. 

 

The Maisie Dobbs series began in 1910 with the introduction of Maisie, a precocious thirteen-year-old maid, and ends in 1945, just after the end of WWII. This time span afforded Jacqueline Winspear the opportunity to explore a meaty swath of English history; she does that well. Each of the eighteen novels has some mystery or thriller component, but what distinguishes the series is the meticulous historical detail and the well-crafted relationships that Maisie develops. Winspear found a format that worked for her and used it effectively. 

 

In the past few years, the mystery series most like “Maisie Dobbs” is “Her Majesty the Queen Investigates.” By SJ Bennett. (“The Windsor Knot,” “All the Queen’s Men,” and “Murder Most royal.”) These three novels feature Queen Elizabeth II as a highly sophisticated sleuth. “The Queen Investigates” is also steeped in historical detail. However, a critical difference between the two series is that “the Queen investigates” mysteries are more gripping; that is, each novel is a mystery first and a fictional history second. The Maisie Dobbs series ended by being history first and mystery second. 

 

(H) A Ruse of Shadows – Sherry Thomas (3.5 stars) 

 

A historical mystery set in 19^th century London. The 8^th Lady Sherlock novel. 

 

Sherry Thomas has reinvented Sherlock Holmes as a smart and passionate young woman. Down on her luck, Charlotte Holmes sets up a London detective consulting business using her imaginary brother, Sherlock. She fools everyone except her longtime friend, Lord Ingram. After a period of tortured adjustment, Charlotte and Ingram become lovers. However, they cannot live together because they are pursued by the evil Moriarity. 

 

I like this series but book 8 is a mess. It has a thin plot that is way too complicated. There are 30 characters in the novel and three overlapping stories. The worst problem is that there’s no suspense. 

 

A disappointing addition to a good series. 

 

Summary: Halfway through the year, the best novel is The Hunter by Tana French, amystery set in a rural Irish village. 

 

If you want to read my book reviews, check out my FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/KateSwift.mysteries/ 

 

Bob

Nigerian Highlife singer and bandleader Okwy Osadebe, musical heir to his famed late father Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, will perform a Berkeley dance concert with his band Highlife Soundmakers International, 8 pm (doors open at 7), Thursday, July 25 at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, between Shattuck and Milvia.  

Advance sale tickets--general admission: $39 ($44 day of show), Seniors (65 and over): $37, Students snd youth (21 and under): $24. Prices include all fees. Please note: seating not guaranteed with an open dance floor, except accessible seating arranged on advance. freightandsalvsge.org (510) 644-2020. 

The show will be presented by on-air personality and music promoter Nnambi Moweta of Radio Afrodicia on KPFK-fm in Los Angeles. Local rehearsals for the F&S show here and one following on the 27th in LA will be presided over by longtime East Bay singer, bassist and bandleader Babá Ken Okulolo and will include locally based musicians Adesoji Odukogbe, percussionist Barry Uba and famed guitarist Eugene deCoque.  

"Highlife is not Afrobeat [the famous international sound from the 70s, 80s] per se,"commented Jackie Wilson of the East Bay's African Music Source, "but rather the more tradition-based, lilting sounds of authentic popular and vernacular music. And Okwy has beautifully preserved the legacy." 

The Afrobeat scene here produced popular bands locally from the 70s to the present, including Kotoja, the Nigerian Brothers, the West African Highlife Band ... Hedzoleh Soundz from Ghana, who in an earlier edition recorded with Hugh Masekela and backed him while touring the US, lived and played for years in the Bay Area. The more famous names internationally were King Sunny Ade and Fela Kuti, who many of these musicians played with. 

Highlife itself dates back for many decades. Okwy Osadebe's father, Osita Osadebe, who died in 2007, played with the Highlife big bands before breaking away to be part of the movement, particularly among his own Igbo people, toward a music driven by guitars and horns, moving to call and response traditional African music, showcasing the elegance of the Igbo language, their customs and values, "a culture passed down from generation to generation ... music [that possesses] the ability to transcend language and cultural barriers." 

Amid his "colorful theatrical antics" onstage, Okwy adds to the beat, the playing and lyrics those philosophical proverbs favored by his father. "Yes, Osita Osadebe's music has some spiritual connections," Okwy says.

Long-time Berkeley residents can tell you, in a flash, the name of the prolific local street poet known as "The Bubble Lady of Telegraph Avenue." Back in the Sixties (and beyond), Julia Vinograd was a living icon of our tumultuous Free Speech City—a wielder of words, an irrepressible social protagonist, and an activist sprite who left both ballads and bubbles in her wake. 

"Bubbles"? Indeed! 

Vinograd, who walked with a limp owing to a disabling childhood bout with polio, was among the crowd of nonviolent Free Speech Movement protesters who occupied Sproul Hall in 1964 and were removed in a historic mass arrest. But it wasn't until the spring of 1969 that Vinograd became a sensation when she began appearing at political rallies, protest marches, and street demonstrations armed with nothing more than small bottles of soapy water and a determined grin. When other activists were in the habit of throwing an occasional brick, Julia could be seen beaming as she set about blowing bouncing banners of bubbles through the air. 

Now, years after her death in 2018, Julia's unique presence is being celebrated in a lyrical and vital documentary called "Julia Vinograd: Between Spirit and Stone"—an intense and vital documentary currently in the works. The film's award-winning East Bay producer-director-cinematographer Ken Paul Rosenthal is currently editing a "rough cut" for KQED and intends to finish the entire film by summer of 2025. 

During her decades of social activism, Vinograd remained a prolific poet who churned out more than 70 volumes of poetry. Her prodigious literary output has been honored with an American Book Award, a Pushcart Prize, and Berkeley's Lifetime Achievement Award. Back in 2004, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates honored the poet by declaring June 5 "Julia Vinograd Day." In his announcement, Bates praised Vinograd, stating: "She gives us a face to see ourselves anew. She gives us a voice when ours vanishes." 

As Rosenthal explained, during a lunchtime interview at Nina's Café in West Berkeley, getting to know Vinograd was illuminating and life-affirming. He sees the film as an opportunity to give voice to "historically-silenced communities." Vinograd rose above her infirmities and spoke from "the rare perspective of a poet surviving on the same economic and cultural margins as the itinerant and disenfranchised subjects of her verse." 

Rosenthal explained that the film's subtitle, Between Spirit and Stone, refers to "the diverse thematic range of Julia's poetry as well as the emotional arc of the film. Both stretch from the secular (her observational street poetry) to the ineffable (her sublime Book of Jerusalem poems)." 

Julia’s Jerusalem poems are dialogues between God and the city of Jerusalem, who are personified as antagonistic lovers. Zeitgeist Press has recently published an extended edition of the Jerusalem poems that triples the number of poems in the original 1984 publication. 

Rosenthal recounted how it was Vinograd's expressed belief that "her street poetry would make her famous while, after her death, the Jerusalem poems would make her immortal." 

Julia’s voracious appetite is well-documented in the film. Rosenthal recalled a meal-time conversation with Vinograd, and noted with a laugh how she spat food in his face, continuing to speak non-stop as she tore into a sandwich. 

Flipping open his laptop on the café table, Rosenthal shared the film's trailer, along with a few sections from the rough cut, including an historical overview of the 1969 People's Park struggle and Vinograd's role in promoting the park and its legacy. 

"The park was ours. We made it," Vinograd explained. And, when UC Berkeley fenced off the beloved community gathering spot, she had to take a stand. As a disabled pacifist, however, physically contesting the park's future with lines of armed police and National Guard troops wasn't an option she could pursue. Instead, she purchased 20 bottles of soap bubbles and set out to spread some nonviolent levity in the midst of chaos. 

Waving a bubble-making wand worked its magic—and not just on the park's defenders. To Vinograd's surprise (as recounted in a cover story in the June 2022 issue of Street Spirit), when the bubbles began to fly, two patrolling police officers put down their batons and asked to try their hands at making bubbles. "Mine's bigger than yours," one cop boasted, prompting his partner to reply: "But look at mine go. It's the motion that counts! 

The team behind the documentary (which includes interview cinematographer Kesten Migdal, story consultant Catherine Hollander, motion-graphics artist Harley Scroggins, and impact producer Steve Ladd) has created a unique visual palette that balances raw historical footage with patches of cinematic magic that shows images of animated bubbles emerging from Julia’s typewriter and, in another scene, conjures boot-prints of readable type that appear crossing the surface of a deserted, rain-swept Telegraph Avenue. 

There are also stunning sequences of superimposition and time-lapse artistry, such as a scene where lines of Julia's poetry leap to the screen and spin around a towering street pole. Or when a day's worth of sunshine pours through the windows of Julia's vacant former apartment in seconds—as her treasured manual typewriter rests motionless on the empty floor. 

It's been years in the making but this is a deft and spirited documentary that is well worth the wait. 

You can watch the trailer here. 

You can visit the film website here. 

You can support the film’s completion by making a tax-deductible donation here. 

 

People's Park 20^th Anniversary
Julia Vinograd  

The wizards in old tales
used to bury their hearts in secret places.
And unless you dug up the heart and destroyed it,
they were invulnerable and heartless.
Part of my heart is buried in People’s Park.
Not all of it, not even the largest part.
Other places, people and I’m no wizard
so I keep some of it myself.
Part of my heart is buried in People’s Park.
Leave it alone.
It’s the part that will never be reasonable,
never grow up and know better
and do worse.
It’s young;
breathing is sweet to it, and wild and scary.
It remembers meeting soldiers’ bayonets with daffodils.
It remembers tear-gas drifting over swing sets.
It will always be young.
Leave it alone.
I go to the park sometimes to talk to it.
Not often. Time passes
and it doesn’t always recognize me.
But it tells me there are many hearts
buried with it.
All young, all proud of what they made
and fought for. Do not disturb them.
Do not build on them.
Do not explain that times have changed.
Do not tell them it’s for their own good.
They’ve heard that before. They will not believe you.
There are many hearts buried in People’s Park
and a small part of my own as well.
Oh, leave them alone.
Julia Vinograd, All rights reserved 

 

 

Julia Vinograd Reading at Moe's Books, Berkeley 2008

 

 

Worth Noting:

August is when City Council, Boards and Commissions take a break, the summer recess.

We are looking at a packed rest of July, before they all take off.

Note that the Fair Campaign Practices Commission, Human Welfare and Community Action Commission, Transportation and Infrastructure Commission should all be meeting the coming week and no meeting announcements are posted.

The City Council summer recess is from July 31 – September 9, 2024, however, City Council will meet August 5 to take action to place ballot measures on the ballot for the November election.

The July 23 City Council agendas are available for review and comment. The 3:30 pm Council meeting is on zoning changes for “middle housing” aka duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, small multi-unit buildings/projects, etc. Includes fire zones/hillside overlay, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R2A.

• Monday: At 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format. (Public Safety Committee is cancelled)
• Tuesday: (no council meeting)
  • At 3:30 pm no agenda or location is posted for the Civic Arts Public Art Subcommittee.
  • From 6 – 7:30 pm is the Mental Health Services Act Community Input Meeting in the hybrid format.
• Wednesday:
  • At 1:30 pm the Commission on Aging meets in person.
  • At 2 pm FITES meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 5 pm is the Mayor Forum in the hybrid format,
  • At 6 pm the Planning Commission meets in person with hearings on Zoning changes for R&D under title “Keep Innovation in Berkeley.”
  • At 7 pm the Commission on the Status of Women meets in person.
• Thursday:
  • At 5:30 pm the Zero Waste Commission meets in person.
  • At 6 pm the Sugar Sweetened Product Panel of Experts meets in person.
  • From 6 – 7:30 pm is the Mental Health Services Act Community Input Meeting in the hybrid format.
  • At 6:30 pm the Design Review Committee meets in person on two projects.
  • At 7 pm the Rent Board meets in the hybrid format.
• Friday:
  • From 9 am – 12 pm is the CEMTF webinar on Climate and Biodiversity.
  • At 9 am the Elmwood BID Advisory Board meets in person on Cal football parking.
• Saturday:
  • At 9 am is shoreline cleanup.
  • From 10 am – 12 pm is the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Review Workshop.

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

At the bottom are Agenda Committee and Council Agendas, Land Use Calendar, planned special council meetings and the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary.

For how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts, saving CHAT and converting YouTube to a transcript go to https://tinyurl.com/3jau6ym8

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS 

Sunday, July 14, 2024 – no city events found 

Monday, July 15, 2024 

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Members: Arreguin, Hahn, Wengraf 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619029161 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 902 9161 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve -7/30/2024 -- draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda below at the end of the list of city meetings, 3. Berkeley Considers, 4. Adjournment in Memory, 5. Council Worksessions, 6. Referrals for scheduling, 7. Land Use Calendar, Referred Items for Review: 8.Discussion and Possible Action on City Council Rules of Decorum, Procedural Rules, and Remote Public Comments, 9. City Council Legislative Redesign, Unscheduled Items: 10. Modifications or Improvements to City Council Meeting Procedures, 11. Strengthening and Supporting City Commission: Guidance on Development of Legislative Proposals, 12. Discussion and Recommendations on the Continued Use of Berkeley Considers Online Engagement Portal, 13. Consideration of Changes to Supplemental Material Timelines 

• Removed from list of unscheduled items - Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committees Process and Structure (Including Budget Referrals),

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

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 (no city council meeting – next scheduled meeting July 23) 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Public Art Subcommittee at 3:30 pm 

AGENDA: no agenda posted 

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

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT (MHSA) Community Input Meeting from 6 – 7:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8446733966?pwd=OGp3Tm5LQTc5TGdhb2tYWllKcDVhdz09&omn=89471660365 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: 844 673 3966 Password: 081337 

AGENDA: To share information and elicit input on the proposed MHSA Annual Update, Proposition 1 and mental health needs in Berkeley. 

Meeting Contact: Karen Klatt (510) 981-7644, kklatt@cityofberkeley.info 

https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/MHSA%20FY25%20Annual%20Update%20Community%20Input%20Meetings%20Flyer_07-2024.pdf 

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: 2. Discussion City budget for senior services, 3. Presentation proposal: Services to the aged homeless 

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

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

Members: Taplin, Lunaparra, Humbert, alternate Kesarwani 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611319789 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 131 9789 

AGENDA: All posted as discussion items, 2. Taplin – Stormwater Master Plan Update, 3. Taplin – Capital Improvement Program and Unfunded Infrastructure Needs, 4. Taplin – Progress on Creating New Parkland, 5. Harrison – Progress on the Bike and Pedestrian Plans. 

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

BERKELEY MAYOR FORUM from 5 – 6:30 pm 

Mayor Candidates: Kate Harrison, Sophie Hahn, Adena Ishii 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1305 University, The Way Christian Center 

Videoconference: https://bit.ly/BerkeleyJuly17MayorForum 

MODERATED BY: Moni Law 

SPONSORED BY: Berkeley People’s Alliance, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, Berkeley Community Action, Berkeley Green Party, Our Revolution East Bay 

For more information: email info@berkeleypeoplesalliance.org 

PLANNING COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 10. Public Hearing: State Law Technical Edits 2024 – Review revised proposed zoning ordinance amendments to align BMC with state law related to electric vehicle charging as well as additional non-substantive edits and corrections, 11. Public Hearing: Keep Innovation in Berkeley – Review revised proposed zoning ordinance amendments related to R&D uses and other changes. 

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

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Discussion on Approach to Young Women/Girls with Mental Health Issues and Suicide Prevention, 7. Discussion AI and Impact for Women on Housing and Public Benefits. 

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

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION 

AGENDA: No meeting announcement is posted. The HWCAC normally meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2180 Milvia in the Cypress room at new time 5 pm. Check after Monday for meeting announcement. 

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

Thursday, July 18, 2024  

ZERO WASTE COMMISSION at 5:30 pm 

In-Person: at 1326 Allston Way, Ratcliff Building, Willow Room 

AGENDA (includes approximate time for item): 6pm – 6. Staff updates on SB 1383 Implementation, Discussion/Action: 6:15 pm – 1. Recommendation requested by Urban Ore, 6:45 pm – 2. Report special events and green building subcommittee, 7 pm – 3. Recommendations regarding CAW (Community Against Waste) supported legislation, 7:10 pm - 4. Legislative updates. 

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

SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGE (SSB) PRODUCT PANEL of EXPERTS at 6 pm 

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: 2. Presentation on community value of marketing efforts, 3. Presentation of effective ways to integrate marketing efforts into current SSB grantee programs, 4. Presentation on resources. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/sugar-sweetened-beverage-product-panel-experts 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT (MHSA) Community Input Meeting from 6 – 7:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8446733966?pwd=OGp3Tm5LQTc5TGdhb2tYWllKcDVhdz09&omn=89471660365 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: 844 673 3966 Password: 081337 

AGENDA: To share information and elicit input on the proposed MHSA Annual Update, Proposition 1 and mental health needs in Berkeley. 

Meeting Contact: Karen Klatt (510) 981-7644, kklatt@cityofberkeley.info 

https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/MHSA%20FY25%20Annual%20Update%20Community%20Input%20Meetings%20Flyer_07-2024.pdf 

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 6:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: 1. 2128 Oxford at center – DRC2022-0014 - Preliminary Design Review – to demolish two buildings (one mixed-use with 16 rent-controlled units, one commercial and construct a 26-story (285 ft 4 in plus 12 ft parapet), 694,778 sq ft, mixed-use building with 456 dwelling units (including 40 very low-income density bonus qualifying units, 14,961 sq ft commercial space, 36 vehicle parking spaces 

2. 2550 Shattuck at Blake – DRC2023-0015 – Preliminary Design Review – to demolish an existing non-residential building and construct a 68,672 sq ft 7-story mixed-use residential building, 72 dwelling units (15 below market rate, 8 very low-income and 7 low-income) and 3247 sq ft commercial space including 3 live/work units. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/design-review-committee 

RENT BOARD at 7 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: not posted check after Monday 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: not posted check after Monday 

AGENDA: not posted check after Monday 

https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/elected-rent-board/rent-board-meetings 

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES COMMISSION / OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION 

No meeting announcement is posted. The FCPC/OGC normally meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 2180 Milvia in the Cypress room at 6:30 pm. Check after Monday for meeting announcement. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/fair-campaign-practices-commission 

TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION 

No meeting announcement is posted. The FCPC/OGC normally meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center at 6:15 pm. Check after Monday for meeting announcement. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/transportation-and-infrastructure-commission 

Friday, July 19, 2024 

ELMWOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) ADVISORY BOARD at 9 am 

In-Person: 2947 College, Rear Parking Lot 

AGENDA: IV. Cal Gameday Football Parking Revision proposal. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/elmwood-business-improvement-district-advisory-board 

CLIMATE EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION TASK FORCE (CEMTF) from 9 am to 12 pm 

Register for Videoconference: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-biodiversity-registration-912847610777?aff=oddtdtcreator (conference is free, donations appreciated) 

CONFERENCE FOCUS: Climate & Biodiversity, Colonization & Rights for Humans & Nature 

https://www.cemtf.org 

Saturday, July 20, 2024 

3rd SATURDAY SHORELINE CLEANUP at 9 am 

Location: at 160 University, Shorebird Nature Center 

­https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/3rd-saturday-shoreline-cleanup-8 

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN PUBLIC REVIEW WORKSHOP #2 at 10 am  

In-Person: at 1901 Russell, Library, Community Room 

AGENDA: Presentation on the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan followed with question and answers (expected to end at noon). 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/local-hazard-mitigation-plan-public-review-workshop-2 

Sunday, July 21, 2024 – no city meetings found 

+++++++++++++++++++ AGENDA & RULES COMMITTEE +++++++++++++++++++ 

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm on Monday, July 15, 2024 

Members: Arreguin, Hahn, Wengraf 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619029161 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 161 902 9161 

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

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on July 30, 2024 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes
2. Gilman, HHCS - Amend Contract 32400082 add $300,000 total $500,000 with the Wright Institute for Mental Health Counseling for Older Adults end date 6/30/2026
3. Gilman, HHCS – Filling Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) Public Sector Vacancies appointing Catherin Huchting, Mary Behm-Steingberg and George Lippman to HWCAC as private sector representatives
4. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Public Health Investigator with hourly salary range of $35.5512 - $43.2127
5. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Assistant Fire Inspector with hourly salary range of $36.8038 - $44.7352
6. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Establish job class specification and salary of Veterinarian with hourly salary range of $71.5295 - $86.9445
7. Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 10549C add $1,000,000 total $5,705, 342.68 with Tyler Technologies Enterprise Resource Planning System for ongoing software licensing, maintenance services, implementation and consulting services, and disaster recovery services from 4/1/2017 – 6/30/2027
8. Ferris, Parks – Amend Contract 31900042 add $37,000 total $153,756 with CivicPlus, Inc for on-line recreation reservation system services
9. Ferris, Parks – Lot Line Adjustments at 1401 Carleton and 1423 Ward to resolve main dwelling encroachments at the City’s Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion Project Site
10. Ferris, Parks – Lease Agreement with Youth Musical Theater Company for Live Oak Theater at 1301 Shattuck from 9/1/2024 – 9/31/2027 with one 5-year option
11. Louis, Police – Accept Grant $111,716.80 with Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) for period 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025
12. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $340,000with National Auto Fleet Group for Prisoner Transport Vehicle Body Assembly Upgrade
13. Davis, Public Works – Purchase Order $400,000 with Turf Star, Inc for Go-4 Parking Enforcement Vehicles
14. Environment and Climate Commission – Refer to City Manager to fund and develop a Curb Management Plan (initiated by Environment and Climate Commission to city council sent by Agenda Committee to FITES which sent item back to council to refer to city manager)
15. Wong, Auditor – Recommends report back by City Manager by January 2025 on Berkeley Restaurant Inspections: Chronically Understaffed Program did not meet targets
16. Klein, Planning – ZAB Appeal 2600 Tenth Street, Administrative Use Permit ZP2023-0031, appeal Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) decision to deny change of use of 3 tenant spaces from Media Production to Research and Development and to create 6 – 9 tenant spaces in a 7-story building
17. Harrison - Adopt BMC 13.89 Community/Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA/TOPA) forwarded by the Land Use Committee with a negative recommendation in a 2 to 1 vote. Lunaparra asked about sponsoring COPA/TOPA but was denied by city staff
18. Arreguin – Refer to City Manager Ashby BART Area Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District (EIFD) Analysis
19. Wong, City Auditor – FY 2025 Audit Plan

 

+++++++++++++ CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDAS for JULY 23, 2024 ++++++++++ 

The 3:30 pm and 6 pm City Council meetings are at the same location and have the same ZOOM login. 

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for the Special Meeting at 3:30 pm and the Regular Meeting at 6 pm on July 23, 2024 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1600197323 

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

Meeting ID: 160 019 7323 

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

++++ CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for the Special Meeting at 3:30 pm on July 23, 2024 ++++ 

AGENDA on ACTION: one item  

1. Zoning Ordinance and General Plan Amendments Relating to Middle Housing. Adopt the first reading amending BMC Title 23 for the purposes of encouraging development of middle housing in areas currently zoned R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A and MU-R (“low-density residential districts”)

++++ CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for the Regular Meeting on July 23, 2024 at 6 pm ++++ 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Mayer, Library – 2nd reading - FY 2025 Special Tax Rate: Fund the Provision of Library Services $0.2800 (28 cents per square foot for dwelling units, $0.4233 (42.33 cents) per square foot for industrial, commercial and institutional buildings
2. Brown, City Attorney – 2nd reading – Youth voting in Berkeley School Board Elections: Ordinance providing for voting by persons aged 16 and 17 for office of School Director
3. Brown, City Attorney – Municipal Code Amendments for Measure KK Compliance and Updated Settlement Authority increases the City Attorney to settle claims up to $50,000
4. Friedrichsen, Budget – Contract $161,280 with Downtown YMCA for memberships for City employees
5. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $4,525,000
6. Gilman, HHCS - Public Facility Improvement Program Funds, 1. Reallocate $549,785 of FY 2024 Measure P funds from Insight Housing Russell Street Residence to Dwight Way Center
7. Mayer Library – Appoint Priscilla Villanueva to Board of Library Trustees (BOLT)
8. Ferris, Parks – License Agreement Revenue $11,498 with Masaba LLC., DBA Roaming Bean Coffee Vender to operate at Berkeley Waterfront for a 3-year term ending 7/31/2027
9. Ferris, Parks – Lease Agreement with Youth Musical Theater Company from 9/1/2024 – 8/31/2034 with one 5-year option for City properties 295 and 2945 Bolivar Drive in Aquatic Park
10. Louis, Police – Adopt approving the 2023 Annual Military Equipment Report, Assembly Bill 481
11. Davis, Public Works – Contract $1,256,120 with Alta Planning & Design for Adeline Street Transportation Improvements Project
12. Davis, Public Works – Contract $1,973,708 with Buhler Commercial for FY 2023 Retaining Wall and Storm Drain Improvement Project
13. Davis, Public Works – Amend Contract No. 31900102 add $500,000 total $900,000 with Nute Engineering for on-call Civil Engineering Services for Sanitary Sewer Program from 6/30/2024 – 6/30/2025
14. Davis, Public Works – Amend 1956 Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans to Include new I-80 Gilman Interchange
15. Davis, Public Works – Change Football Game Day Parking Restrictions in Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) Zones
16. Aguilar, PAB – Lease for Office Space for Office of the Director of Police Accountability Board (ODPA) at 1900 Addison

AGENDA on ACTION: 

17. Gilman, HHCS – Substantial Amendments to PY 2018, PY 2019, PY 2020 and PY 2021 Annual Action Plans to Reallocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding City’s Public Facility Improvement Program 1. Reallocation of $478,500 CDBG from Senior Disabled Loan Rehabilitation Program to Public Facility Improvement Program, 2. Allocate $450,000 of reallocated funds to Insight Housing to 2140 Dwight Way, 3. Allocate $52,775 to Larkin Street Youth Services.
18. Davis, Public Works – North Berkeley BART Transit Oriented Development Bicycle Access Improvements on Virginia Street Bicycle Blvd, adopt one of two resolutions a. 12-foot-wide bikeway or b. 9-foot-wide bikeway (Transportation and Infrastructure Commission recommended 12-foot-wide bikeway) - Removed
19. Lunaparra – Adopt Resolution Approving Peaceful and Lawful Use of the Dwight Triangle as Public Open Space
20. Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: #LMSAP2024-0001 - 8 Greenwood Common
21. Davis, Public Works – Alameda County Transportation Commission Rail Safety Enhancement Program – Phase A
22. Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) – Annual Report

DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA: 

• Referred to Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community Policy Committee - Commission on the Status of Women – Formation of a Sex Trafficking Task Force to Address Current Sex Trafficking in Berkeley

+++++++++++ LAND USE - WORK SESSIONS - SPECIAL MEETINGS +++++++++++++++ 

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

2600 Tenth Street 7/30/2024 

3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• July 23 (3:30 pm) - Zoning Ordinance and General Plan Amendments Relating to Middle Housing
• July 30 - Special Meeting on Ballot Initiatives
• August 5 – Action to Place Ballot Measures on the Ballot
• September 17 - open
• October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

• Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (tentative July)
• Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST 

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
• Presentation on Homelessness/Re-Housing/Thousand-Person Plan (TBD regular agenda)

+++++++++++++++ 

HOW to GET ON or OFF the ACTIVIST’S CALENDAR & ACTIVIST’S DIARY EMAIL LIST 

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/ 

 

The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page 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 want to receive the Activist’s Diary 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.

Worth Noting:

With no board or commission meetings during the week of the 4th of July the coming week is packed. Some boards and commissions that were rescheduled from the holiday week are meeting on “unusual” days. Additionally, August is when City Council, Boards and Commissions take a break, we are looking at a packed rest of July, before they all take off.

The City Council summer recess is from July 31 – September 9, 2024.

• Monday, July 8, 2024:
  • At 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format to finalize the July 23 City Council Agenda.
  • At 4:30 pm City Council meets in closed session.
  • At 6:30 pm the LPC meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Personnel Board meets in person.
• Tuesday, July 9, 2024: All Tuesday meetings are hybrid.
  • At 5 pm City Council meets on youth voting in school board elections.
  • At 6 pm is the regular City Council meeting.
  • From 6 – 7:30 pm is the Community meeting on the Mental Health Services Act.
• Wednesday, July 10, 2024:
  • At 10:30 am the 4 x 4 Task Force Committee meets on a ballot measure to amend the Rent Board Ordinance.
  • At 11 am is a free Chair Yoga class.
  • At 5 pm the Commission on Disability meets in person with presentations on DEI and AC transit (bus stop) design guidelines.
  • At 6:30 pm the PAB meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 7 pm the Homeless Services Panel of Experts meets in person with a presentation on the SCOTUS Grants Pass decision on the agenda.
  • At 7 pm the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission meets in person.
• Thursday, July 11, 2024:
  • From 6 – 7:30 pm is the Community meeting on the Mental Health Services Act.
  • At 6:30 pm BOLT meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the HAC meets in person with Middle Housing Zoning on the agenda.
  • At 7 pm the ZAB meets in the hybrid format with only one project to review which is on consent.
• Friday, July 12, 2024:
  • At 2 pm the Civic Arts Commission subcommittee on grants meets on ZOOM.
  • At 8:35 pm is family night movie Trolls Band Together in Strawberry Creek Park.

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

At the bottom are the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary.

For how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts, saving CHAT and converting YouTube to a transcript go to https://tinyurl.com/3jau6ym8

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS 

Sunday, July 7, 2024 – no City meetings found 

Monday, July 8, 2024 

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Members: Arreguin, Hahn, Wengraf 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1606520294 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 160 652 0294 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve -7/23/2024 -- draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda below at the end of the list of city meetings, 3. Berkeley Considers, 4. Adjournment in Memory, 5. Council Worksessions, 6. Referrals for scheduling, 7. Land Use Calendar, REFERRED ITEMS FOR REVIEW: 8.Discussion and Possible Action on City Council Rules of Decorum, Procedural Rules, and Remote Public Comments, 9. City Council Legislative Redesign, UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: 10. Modifications of Improvements to City Council Meeting Procedures, 11. Strengthening and Supporting City Commission: Guidance on Development of Legislative Proposals, 12. Discussion and Recommendations on the Continued Use of Berkeley Considers Online Engagement Portal, 13. Consideration of Changes to Supplemental Material Timelines 

• Removed from list of unscheduled items - Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committees Process and Structure (Including Budget Referrals),

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

CITY COUNCIL Closed Session at 4:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1606133036 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 160 613 3036 

AGENDA: 1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Pending litigation – Worker’s Compensation Matters. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-closed-meeting-eagenda-july-8-2024 

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION (LPC) at 6:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. 1310 University – Structural Alteration Permit - #LMSA2024-001 – for Santa Fe Railway Station, 7. 2276 Shattuck - Structural Alteration Permit - #LMSA2024-005 – for the Morse Block Building, 8. 2000 Kala Bagai Way - Structural Alteration Permit - #LMSA2024-002 – for the Shattuck Square Building, 9. 1401 Le Roy – Mills Act Contract application - #LMMA2024-0001 for the John Galen Howard House, 10. 2227 Parker – Landmark or Structure of Merit - #LMIN2024-0001 

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

PERSONNEL BOARD at 7 pm 

In-Person: at 1301 Shattuck, Live Oak Park Community Center 

AGENDA: V. Revise Job Class Specification – Mail Services Aide, VI. Establish Job Classification and Salary – Veterinarian, VII. Establish Job Classification and Salary – Public Health Investigator, VIII. Establish Job Classification and Salary – Assistant Fire Inspector, IX. Closed Session: Unrepresented Employee Appeal of Proposed Five-Day Suspension. 

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

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 5 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611898773 

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

Meeting ID: 161 189 8773 

AGENDA: one agenda item 1. Ordinance for Youth 16 and 17 year old voting in Berkeley School Board Elections and Resolution for youth 16 and 17 to vote in November 2024 election for office of School Director. 

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

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611898773 

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

Meeting ID: 161 189 8773 

AGENDA: Use the link and choose the html option or see the agenda listed at the end of the calendar. Ballot initiatives are on the agenda. 

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

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT (MHSA) Community Input Meeting from 6 – 7:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8446733966?pwd=OGp3Tm5LQTc5TGdhb2tYWllKcDVhdz09&omn=89471660365 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: 844 673 3966 Password: 081337 

AGENDA: To share information and elicit input on the proposed MHSA Annual Update, Proposition 1 and mental health needs in Berkeley. 

Meeting Contact: Karen Klatt (510) 981-7644, kklatt@cityofberkeley.info 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/mental-health-services-act-mhsa-person-hybrid-community-input-meeting-2 

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 

4 x 4 TASK FORCE COMMITTEE on HOUSING at 10:30 am 

Members City Council: Arreguin, Tregub, Hahn, Lunaparra, Members Rent Board: Simon-Weisberg, Johnson, Marrero, Walker 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1947 Center, 3rd Floor, Magnolia Room 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84183502120?pwd=UTjuFmvCYpPvhUDhtycaxcxXarQBzZ.1 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 841 8350 2120 Passcode: 139757 

AGENDA: 6. Discussion/Possible Action on ballot measure to amend the Berkeley Rent Board Ordinance. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/4x4-joint-task-force-committee-housing 

FREE CHAIR YOGA CLASSES from 11 am – 12 pm 

In-Person: at 1900 Sixth Street, West Berkeley Family Wellness Center 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/free-chair-yoga-classes 

COMMISSION on DISABILITY at 5 pm 

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

AGENDA: 7. Presentation with Rex Brown, CoB DEI Officer: DEI and the Disability Community, 8. Presentation by AC Transit Planner Crystal Wang on proposed Transit-Supportive Design Guidelines (TSDG), i.e. bus stop design and multimodal integration with paratransit, sidewalk users, bikeways. 

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

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD at 6:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 2020 Milvia, Suite 250 

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

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 826 5339 6072 

AGENDA: 5. Public Comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 7. ODPA Staff Report, *. Chair and Board Reports, 9. Police Chief Report, 10. Subcommittee Reports, 11. New Business all discussion and action: a. the “Policy and Practices Related to the Downtown Task Force and Bike Unit Allegations”, b. Public Records Act request to the California Highway Patrol for vehicle pursuit data submitted by the BPD, c. Proposal to systematize Board Training, d. BPD’s 2023 Annual Military Equipment, e. Introduction of the Office of Strategic Planning and Accountability, 12. Public Comment, 13. Closed Session. 

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

PARKS, RECREATION, AND WATERFRONT COMMISSION at 7 pm 

In-Person: 2800 Park, Frances Albrier Community Center 

AGENDA: 8. Referral to designate Planter to Honor Ms. Richie Smith, 9. Community Survey of City needs and potential ballot measures for November 2024, 10. Draft Update - Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 11. Stormwater Master Plan Project 

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

HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Presentation on ramifications of SCOTUS Grants Pass decision, 7. Chair report on budget, 8. Reallocation of Measure P monies $549,785 from Russell House to Dwight Way 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/homeless-services-panel-experts 

Thursday, July 11, 2024 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT (MHSA) Community Input Meeting from 6 – 7:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8446733966?pwd=OGp3Tm5LQTc5TGdhb2tYWllKcDVhdz09&omn=89471660365 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: 844 673 3966 Password: 081337 

AGENDA: To share information and elicit input on the proposed MHSA Annual Update, Proposition 1 and mental health needs in Berkeley. 

Meeting Contact: Karen Klatt (510) 981-7644, kklatt@cityofberkeley.info 

https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/MHSA%20FY25%20Annual%20Update%20Community%20Input%20Meetings%20Flyer_07-2024.pdf 

BOARD of LIBRARY TRUSTEES (BOLT) at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: at 1125 University, West Branch 

AGENDA: III.A. Adopt resolution to create two new positions to support Library operations and communications. 

https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/about/board-library-trustees 

HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION (HAC) at 7 pm 

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: 6. Presentation and Possible Action on Middle Housing Zoning, 7. Public Facilities Improvement Program – Insight Housing and Larkin Street Youth Services, 8. Draft update to Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 9. Berkeley Age-Friendly Action Plan. 

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

ZONING ADJUSTMENT BOARD at 7 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88278593958 

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171  

Meeting ID: 882 7859 3958 

AGENDA: only one project to be reviewed 

2. 2427 San Pablo (between Channing & Dwight)–on consent­­– Use Permit #ZP2022-0115 - SB 330 density project - to demolish 2 existing multifamily buildings, construct 36,280 square foot, 5-story (70 feet 8 inches) residential building containing 8 replacement units and residential hotel (group living accommodation) with 70 single occupancy rooms (3 extremely low-income, 2 very low income, 3 low income) for a total of 78 units, 15 off-street auto parking, 

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

Friday, July 12, 2024 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Grants Subcommittee at 2 pm 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1605915710 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 

Meeting ID: 160 591 5710 

AGENDA: 5. FY 2025 Individual Artist Projects grant funding scenarios. 

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

MOVIES IN THE PARK – Trolls Band Together at 8:35 pm 

Location: Strawberry Creek Park, 1260 Allston Way 

Bring blankets, low-back beach chairs, flashlights for walking home. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/news/summer-evening-movies-berkeley-parks 

Saturday, July 13, 2024 

BERKELEY NEIGHBORHOODS COUNCIL (BNC) – no July meeting, next meeting August 10. 

Sunday, June 14, 2024 – no city meetings found 

+++++++++++++++++++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm Monday, July 8, 2024 

Members: Arreguin, Hahn, Wengraf 

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on July 23, 2024 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1606520294 

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)  

Meeting ID: 160 652 0294 

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

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Mayer, Library – FY 2025 Special Tax Rate: Fund the Provision of Library Services $0.2800 (28 cents per square foot for dwelling units, $0.4233 (42.33 cents) per square foot for industrial, commercial and institutional buildings
2. Brown, City Attorney – Municipal Code Amendments for Measure KK Compliance and Updated Settlement Authority increases the City Attorney to settle claims up to $50,000
3. Friedrichsen, Budget – Contract $161,280 with Downtown YMCA for memberships for City employees
4. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $4,525,000
5. Gilman, HHCS - Public Facility Improvement Program Funds, 1. Reallocate $549,785 of FY 2024 Measure P funds from Insight Housing Russell Street Residence to Dwight Way Center
6. Mayer Library – Appoint Priscilla Villanueva to Board of Library Trustees (BOLT)
7. Ferris, Parks – License Agreement Revenue $11,498 with Masaba LLC., DBA Roaming Bean Coffee Vender to operate at Berkeley Waterfront for a 3-year term ending 7/31/2027
8. Ferris, Parks – Lease Agreement with Youth Musical Theater Company from 9/1/2024 – 8/31/2034 with one 5-year option for City properties 295 and 2945 Bolivar Drive in Aquatic Park
9. Davis, Public Works – Contract $1,256,120 with Alta Planning & Design for Adeline Street Transportation Improvements Project
10. Davis, Public Works – Contract $1,973,708 with Buhler Commercial for FY 2023 Retaining Wall and Storm Drain Improvement Project
11. Davis, Public Works – Amend Contract No. 31900102 add $500,000 total $900,000 with Nute Engineering for on-call Civil Engineering Services for Sanitary Sewer Program from 6/30/2024 – 6/30/2025
12. Davis, Public Works – Amend 1956 Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans to Include new I-80 Gilman Interchange
13. Davis, Public Works – Change Football Game Day Parking Restrictions in Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) Zones
14. Aguilar, PAB – Lease for Office Space for Office of the Director of Police Accountability Board (ODPA) at 1900 Addison
15. Commission on the Status of Women – Formation of a Sex Trafficking Task Force to Address Current Sex Trafficking in Berkeley

AGENDA on ACTION: 

16. Gilman, HHCS – Substantial Amendments to PY 2018, PY 2019, PY 2020 and PY 2021 Annual Action Plans to Reallocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding City’s Public Facility Improvement Program 1. Reallocation of $478,500 CDBG from Senior Disabled Loan Rehabilitation Program to Public Facility Improvement Program, 2. Allocate $450,000 of reallocated funds to Insight Housing to 2140 Dwight Way, 3. Allocate $52,775 to Larkin Street Youth Services.
17. Louis, Police – Adopt approving the 2023 Annual Military Equipment Report
18. Davis, Public Works – North Berkeley BART Transit Oriented Development Bicycle Access Improvements on Virginia Street Bicycle Blvd, adopt one of two resolutions a. 12-foot-wide bikeway or b. 9-foot-wide bikeway (Transportation and Infrastructure Commission recommended 12-foot-wide bikeway)
19. Lunaparra – Adopt Resolution Approving Peaceful and Lawful Use of the Dwight Triangle as Public Open Space

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

20. Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: #LMSAP2024-0001 - 8 Greenwood Common
21. Davis, Public Works – Alameda County Transportation Commission Rail Safety Enhancement Program – Phase A
22. Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) – Annual Report

+++++++++++++++++++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for Regular 6 pm Meeting on July 9, 2024 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611898773 

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

Meeting ID: 161 189 8773 

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

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Klein, Planning – 2nd reading of Ordinance No. 7,924-N.S.- Amendments to Zoning Ordinance BMC 23.326 Demolition and Dwelling Unit Controls (Demolition Ordinance)
2. Oyekanmi, Finance – 2nd reading of Ordinance No. 7,925-N.S.- FY 2025 Tax Rate: Fund Fire Protection and Emergency Response and Preparedness (Measure GG) at annual tax rate of $0.0629 per square foot of improvements
3. Friedrichsen, Budget – 2nd reading of Ordinance No. 7,926-N.S.- FY Annual Appropriations $776,943,545 (gross) and $670,897,257 (net)
4. Police Accountability Board (PAB) – Appointment of new member by Taplin
5. Numainville, City Clerk - Policies and Timeline for Filing Ballot Measures Arguments
6. Louis, Police – Grant Application $300,000: Bureau of Justice Assistance Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies
7. Sprague, Fire – Contract $150,000 ($75,000/year) with Gallup, Inc. for Employee Engagement and Development, 8/1/2024 – 9/30/2026
8. Sprague, Fire – Purchase Agreement $7,353,115, sales tax $751,206, prepay discount $951,353 with Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. and contract amendment No. 078804-1 (8068) add $9,492,845 (prior to sales tax, equipment only) NTE amount $26,693,305 with Banc of America Public Capital Corp. for Master Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement paid over 7 years at an annual interest rate of 4.1438% and 1st payment not later than 4/9/2025 for 3 Pierce Enforcer 1500 GPM Type 1Fire Engines and 2 Aerial Fire Trucks
9. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Civilian Instructor – Establish Job Class Specifications and hourly salary range of $31.5568 - $38.7241
10. Kouyoumdjian, HR – Amend Contract No. 32000224 total cost $375,000 with Goinvest, Inc. for Labor Costing Software and Analysis Services 5/23/2024 – 6/30/2026
11. Ferris, Parks – Contract $3,080,000 which includes $28,000 contingency with Rincon Consultants for Environmental Support Services for the Berkeley Water Transportation Pier Ferry Project
12. Davis, Public Works – Contract $12,361,800 with Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. for Street Rehabilitation FY 2024 Project.
13. Community Health Commission – Dark Skies Ordinance, (a) refer to the Planning Commission, (b) refer to the City Manager, a request to ask the Department of Public Works to implement a moratorium on installation of street lighting and building lighting exceeding 3,000 Kelvin
14. Hahn, co-sponsors Bartlett, Taplin – Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds for co-sponsorship of Port Chicago Weekend 2024
15. Lunaparra – Amend 1/30/2024 Council action and remove Dwight Way/Telegraph Intersection from list of intersections being considered for additional surveillance technology

AGENDA on ACTION: 

16. Radu, City Manager Office – Referral Response: Gap analysis of Berkeley’s Homelessness System of Care
17. Removed by Brown, City Attorney – Ordinance Providing for Voting by persons aged 16 and 17 for Office of School Director in November 2024 School Board Elections
18. Numainville, City Clerk – Initiative Petition – Initiative Ordinance Establishing Direct Rental Payments and Amending the Rent Stabilization Ordinance for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments
19. Numainville, City Clerk – Initiative Petition – Initiative Ordinance to Adopt a Special Tax on Natural Gas Consumption in Buildings 15,000 sq ft or larger for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments
20. Numainville, City Clerk – Initiative Petition – Initiative Ordinance creating a Parcel Tax for the Purpose of Funding Repairs and Improvements to Streets, Sidewalks and Pedestrian Paths (Fix the Streets & Sidewalks) for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments
21. Numainville, City Clerk – Initiative Petition – Initiative Ordinance Requiring the Adoption of Minimum Indoor Air Quality Standards in City-Owned and City-leased Buildings for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments
22. Numainville, City Clerk – Initiative Petition – Initiative Ordinance creating a Parcel Tax for the Purpose of Funding Repairs and Improvements to Streets, Sidewalks and Pedestrian Paths (Safe Streets) for 11/5/2024 election and designate by motion councilmembers to file ballot measure arguments
23. Harrison – Amendments to BMC 23C.22 Short Term Rentals – negative recommendation by the Land Use, Housing & Economic Development Committee
24. Lunaparra – Condemn University of California’s Anti-Labor Actions and Legal Tactics

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

25. Klein, Planning – LPO NOD 1401 Le Roy Ave #LMSAP2024-0002

+++++++++++++++++++ Land Use - Work Sessions - Special Meetings +++++++++++++++ 

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

2600 Tenth Street 7/30/2024 

3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• July 23 (3:30 pm) Zoning Ordinance and General Plan Amendments Relating to Middle Housing
• July 30 Special Meeting on Ballot Initiatives
• September 17 - open
• October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

• Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (tentative July)
• Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST 

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
• Presentation on Homelessness/Re-Housing/Thousand-Person Plan (TBD regular agenda)

++++ How to get on or off the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary email list ++++++++ 

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/ 

 

The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page 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 want to receive the Activist’s Diary 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. 

With the With the Fourth of July Holiday on Thursday there are only two meetings this week.  

· Monday, July 1, 2024: The Land Use Committee meets at 10 am in the hybrid format with TOPA and Housing for Artists on the agenda.  

· Wednesday, July 3, 2024: The Facilities Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment & Sustainability meets at 2 pm in the hybrid format on curb management. 

The July 9 City Council agenda is available for review. The City Council summer recess is from July 31 – September 9, 2024. 

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

At the bottom are the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary. 

For how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts, saving CHAT and converting YouTube to a transcript go to https://tinyurl.com/3jau6ym8