On Tuesday, February 4th at MacArthur Bart between 5-6:30pm we will be gathering to promote public transit as a civil right, as a strategy to combat climate change and as a creator of union jobs. This day has been designated BAY AREA TRANSIT EQUITY DAY. -more-

SB 50, a so-called “housing” bill authored and sponsored by Senators Wiener (D-San Francisco), McGuire (D-Marin/Sonoma), Skinner (D-Berkeley), and Senate President Pro Tem Atkins (D-San Diego), went down in defeat yesterday after two days that included three consecutive votes on the California Senate floor. The pro-SB50 Sacramento Bee called proposed law that aimed to end single family zoning in the state, an “ambitious” bill that would “spur California’s cities to build more housing, increasing affordability by increasing supply.”

Notwithstanding the fact that the vast majority of cities in California do not build housing (private developers do), or finance housing (private lenders do), and that the bill contained no substantive provisions or viable solutions to address housing affordability -- or even any evidence that its supply and demand thesis was valid -- the mainstream media has been quick to inundate us with vociferous blame and shame, calling the SB 50 "no" vote a failure of vision, a lack of courage, and worse.

But they are wrong. SB 50 failed because its fundamental premise is incorrect.

Affordable housing in California and the rest of the country for that matter is not a “zoning” problem.[1] It is an income and wealth inequality problem and a lack of financial tools to tap private capital for public good. And that is in great part the direct result of national and state income tax and corporate subsidy policies.

Period. -more-

DJT has successfully declared war on immigrants separating children from the parents. His racist policies have emboldened white euphemists. His tax cuts have driven a big gaping hole in the federal deficit (current interest on fed debt $479B) to be paid by our children & future generations of Americans. Team trump and the Senate Republicans who are complicit in his many crimes are black slapping & giving themselves high 5’s for blocking witnesses terrified that the sordid truth of Trumps dealings with Ukraine might see the light of day. The blood of all those dead Ukrainians who died because of the delay in US military aid will wash over Trump & his disgusting minions. The age of courageous independent thinkers seems to have vanished. Democracy is on life support. -more-

As the reader has seen and heard, we've had an impeachment, (almost done at the time I'm writing this) that was a mockery the Constitution. -more-

No good community partner would situate a marijuana dispensary and smoking lounge one storefront from a public library, even if there was no technical prohibition. -more-

Don't miss this. Arreguin, Droste, Robinson are endorsing UC's redevelopment plan for the site of People's Park in today's online Chronicle.

It’s time for a new People’s Park

When I learned that Senate Republicans had blocked witness testimony for the Impeachment Trial, I was reminded of the concluding line from T.S. Eliot's 1925 poem, "The Hollow Men:" "This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper." I wasn't surprised that Republicans voted to let Trump off the hook; I was surprised that their coverup was so brazen.

Throughout the Impeachment Trial, I have been hoping that some Republican would take the moral high ground and recognize Donald Trump's perfidy. It's not like Trump was accused of a sexual indiscretion, and then lying about it; Trump was accused of jeopardizing national security for political gain, and then obstructing the investigation. This is a big deal, a clear impeachable offense, and it's depressing that Republicans do not acknowledge this.

In the end there were 49 votes to allow additional testimony, and 51 votes against. Two crucial Republican "swing" votes, Lamar Alexander and Lisa Murkowski, voted with the majority. They both grabbed onto political "escape outlets" that had been proffered by the Trump's legal team. -more-

Not everyone is interested in having employment. If you are mentally ill and disabled and aren't interested in that, there is nothing wrong with that. Yet, this week's column is intended for readers who have thought about working, and who wonder if they would want to try that. -more-

During the Senate trial, President Trump’s defense defense attorney Alan Dershowitz's claimed that even if the president did what people accuse him of doing, without a criminal element, the conduct didn't rise to the level of impeachable. However, this argument is, as one author put it, just “Constitutional crabgrass.” -more-

TIME Out

The February 3 edition of TIME Magazine is devoted to a celebration of youth activism around the planet. But while the editorial coverage — enhanced with photos of and essays by scores of young activists — is positive and inspiring, there are two editorial lapses that stand out as mind-bogglingly misappropriate.

First: TIME's special "Youthquake" section begins with a two-page photo collage depicting young activists holding signs in support of leading progressive campaigns. The signs read (from left to right): Save Our Children, Free Speech 4 Students, Protect Our Kids/Not Your Guns, DACA Now, Healthcare for America, System Change/Not Climate Change and #Not My President.

But the last sign on the right (shown being saluted by a trio of beefy, whiskered thirty-somethings) reads: "Protect Our Guns."

(Who knew the right to bear AK-47s was a leading Youth Culture issue?)

The second flub is even worse.
-more-

Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter is Artist-in-Residence at San Francisco Symphony in 2020, and she is scheduled to give three appearances here this year in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. On Sunday evening, January 26, Anne-Sophie Mutter teamed with her longtime collaborator pianist Lambert Orkis to perform a recital of three Beethoven violin sonatas at Davies Hall. In a brief interview printed in the program notes for this recital, Anne-Sophie Mutter spoke of her lifelong admiration for Beethoven, saying “He is more than a musician to me, he is a philosopher… and he stands for humanity.” She also spoke of the inspiration she draws from Beethoven’s life motto” “Through darkness to light.” This motto, she revealed, is reflected in her choice of sonatas for this recital. By including both the dark, agitated Opus 23 Sonata in A minor and the sunny, cheerful “Spring” Sonata in F Major, Opus 24, Mutter sought to emphasise the passage from darkness to light. Further, the famed Kreutzer Sonata in A Major, Opus 47, closes the program because it is “the pinnacle of sonata writing: You could almost describe it as a concerto for piano and violin.” -more-

g The first Schwabacher Recital of 2020 was held on Wednesday evening, January 29, at Taube Atrium Theatre in San Francisco’s War Memorial Building. Featured performers were -more-

Perennial favorite Jordi Savall returned to Berkeley Saturday, February 1, with La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Hespèrion XXI in a concert of Spanish Baroque music at First Congregational Church. Focussing on the musical and theatrical heritage of Spain’s Siglo de Oro, or Golden Age, which spans from roughly 1556 to 1681, Jordi Savall emphasised the interrelatedness of theatre and music. In the plays of Lope de Vega and Calderón de la Barca, to name only the most prominent playwrights, music was performed which incorporated popular songs and two and four part polyphonic harmony. Composers such as Pedro Guerrero, Manuel Machado, Gaspar Sanz, Juan Blas de Castro, and the Flemish polyphonist Matthieu Rosmarin (who Hispanicized his name to Mateo Romano), may not be household names today, but they were among the leading composers of the Siglo de Oro in Spain. Their music was performed in royal courts, churches, theatres, and the courtyards of aristocratic palaces throughout Spain and Portugal, and even in the Imperial venues in Flanders. -more-

Worth Noting and Showing Up:

Monday – Author Talk with George Lakey on How We Win

Tuesday – The 6 pm City Council special session includes two items ballot initiative planning and the Adeline Corridor Plan,

Wednesday – The Planning Commission item 10. Southside Plan is about increasing the housing density (student housing) adjacent to UCB Check the agenda packet for details.

Thursday – Inclusionary affordable housing in Opportunity Zones (Opportunity Zones are Capital Gains tax shelters) is on the City Council Land Use Committee agenda, Facilities, Infrastructure meets in the afternoon.

Sunday, Feb 9 – 350 Bay Area is providing ½ day training on impacting CA legislation on Climate.

The agenda for the February 11 City Council meeting is available for review and follows the list of meetings.

February 18 is the last day to Register to Vote for the March 3, CA primary, https://registertovote.ca.gov Use the same link to check your registration. (If you can’t find your registration you may need to add your middle name or initial with your first name)



Sunday, February 2, 2020

No City meetings or events found

Monday, February 3, 2020

City Council Public Safety Committee, 10:30 am, at 2180 Milvia, 1^st Floor Cypress Room, Agenda, no items listed other than approving minutes

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Home/Policy_Committee__Public_Safety.aspx

Peace and Justice Commission, 7 pm at 2180 Milvia, 1^st Floor Cypress Room, Agenda: 8. Proposed project to develop a framework for social justice approach to human needs in Berkeley, 9. 75^th anniversary of atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki educational forum and development of nuclear weapons at Livermore National Weapons Lab, 13. 1/21 Council 5 to 4 vote rejecting resolution to oppose new US Base construction in Henoko-Oura of Okinawa

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=13054

Personnel Board, 7 – 9 pm, 2180 Milvia, 6^th Floor Redwood Conference Room, Agenda: V. Revise Firefighter, Sworn Fire Inspector, Deputy Fire Marshal and Fire Marshal Classifications

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

Public Works Commission – Paving Subcommittee, 6:30 – 7:30 pm at 2000 University, Au Coquelet, Agenda: 3. Creating Revised Streets Policy

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

How We Win in These Polarized Times, George Lakey, Author Talk, 7 pm, at 6501 Telegraph, Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, no fee, donations appreciated, Sunday workshop is full with a waiting list

http://eastpointpeace.org/event/howwewin/

Tax the Rich Rally, with music by Occupella, 4 – 5 pm at the Top of Solano in front of the Closed Oaks Theater, Rain Cancels

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Berkeley City Council, Tuesday, at 1231 Addison Street, BUSD Board Room, https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Agenda_Index.aspx

3 pm Special Closed Session: Conference with Labor Negotiators, Employees Berkeley Police Association

4 pm Special Session: Public Hearing Berkeley Election Reform Act, Action: 1. Cost of Living Adjustment, 2. Prohibit Officeholder Accounts

6 pm Special Session, Agenda: 1. Discussion Services Council may wish to fund thru revenue measures (ballot initiatives) and community survey, 2. Adeline Corridor Planning Process Update.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Board of Library Trustees, 6:30 pm at 1901 Russell St, Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, Agenda: Consent: B.36 month contract with First Alarm Security & Patrol $550,000 with option to extend, Action: A. Potential Impact Berkeley Patient Group relocation on West Branch Library

https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/about/board-library-trustees

Commission on Disability, 6:30 – 9 pm at 1947 Center, 4^th Floor, Agenda: 2. Census Presentation, 5. Elevator Ordinance, 6. New Construction and Renovations – Accessibility Guidelines and Regulations

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

Homeless Services Panel of Experts, 7 pm at 2180 Milvia, 1^st Floor Cypress Room

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

Planning Commission, 7 – 10 pm at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center, Agenda: 10. Southside EIR discussion – increase density adjacent to UCB campus (roughly Bancroft Way - Dwight, Prospect – Fulton, Telegraph extends to Parker), 11. Public Hearing Amend Zoning Map and General Plan for Rose Garden Inn - 2740 & 2744 Telegraph, 2348 Ward, 12. State ADU regulation and local ADU ordinance,

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

Police Review Commission, 7 – 10 pm, at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center, Agenda: 9. Berkeley Police Dept policies regarding interactions with persons possibly on probation or parole

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

Thursday, February 6, 2020

City Council Land Use, Housing & Economic Development Committee, 10:30 am, at 2180 Milvia, 6^th Floor Redwood Room, Agenda: 3. Inclusionary Units in Opportunity Zones, 4. Chain Store Regulations, 5. Small Business Listening Sessions, 6. Amend Ordinance 13.78 to prohibit additional fees for roommate replacements, lease renewals and terminations.

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Home/Policy_Committee__Land_Use,_Housing___Economic_Development.aspx

City Council Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment & Sustainability Committee, 2 pm, at 2180 Milvia, 6^th Floor Redwood Room, Agenda: Bright streets – paint crosswalks, bike lanes, traffic signage within 3 blocks of schools, 3. Regulate plastic bags at retail and food service establishments, 4. Terminate sale of gasoline, diesel and natural gas passenger vehicles in City of Berkeley by 2025, 5. Revive Berkeley Bus Rapid Transit, 6. Establish Brilliant 100 as EBCE default for residential and commercial, Renewable 100 (100% renewable energy) for Municipal accounts, 7. Potential Bonding and Funding Opportunities for improving the PCI (Paving Condition Index) and creating a Paving Master Plan. Unscheduled/Items for Future Agendas: Traffic Circles, Climate Emergency Dept/Office

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

Cannabis Commission, 2 – 4 pm, at 2180 Milvia St, 6^th Floor, Agenda: VII. A. Best Practices for Equity Programs, B. Cannabis Ordinance passed 1-28-2020

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/MedicalCannabis/

Fair Campaign Practices Commission, 7 pm at 2180 Milvia, Cypress Room, 4. Public Campaign Financing Program certification for Alexander Sharenko

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/FCPC/

Housing Advisory Commission, 7 – 9 pm at 2939 Ellis St, South Berkeley Senior Center, Agenda: 8. 1654 Fifth St, 9. Climate Emergency Subcommittee,

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

Landmarks Preservation Commission, 7 – 11:30 pm at 1947 Center St, Multipurpose Room, Basement, http://www.cityofberkeley.info/landmarkspreservationcommission/

1399 Queens Road – Landmark or Structure of Merit Designation

3000-3006 San Pablo – Demolition Referral

2590 Bancroft Way – Demolition Referral

2300 Ellsworth – Landmark or Structure of Merit Initiation

Certified Local Government Grant Application

2043 Lincoln – Landmark or Structure of Merit designation

2133 University - Sign Alteration Permit

2200-block Piedmont Ave – Structural Alteration Permit

Public Works Commission Regular Meeting, 7 – 10 pm at 1326 Allston Way, Willow Room, City of Berkeley Corporation Yard, No Agenda posted, check before going

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

Public Works Commission – Utility Undergrounding Subcommittee, 4 – 5 pm at 1947 Center, 4^th Floor, Elm Room, 5. Council work session March 24, 6. Transition from undergrounding subcommittee to task force if approved by Council

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

Friday, February 7, 2020

California on Fire – Toyota protest rally, 4 – 5:30 pm, at 2400 Shattuck, Toyota Dealership, can’t come call Toyota USA CEO Jim Lentz @ 800-331-4331.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29818835/trump-toyota-fuel-economy/

Saturday, February 8, 2020

No City meetings/events found

Sunday, February 9, 2020

350 Bay Area ½ day training (in Berkeley) on how to impact State of California critical climate legislation, 12:20 – 4 pm, sign up online to attend

https://350bayarea.org/event/legislative-training-for-new-volunteers



_____________________



Agenda for February 11 Council meeting: Agenda: CONSENT: 1. Approvals Development Agreements for 2012 Berkeley Way, 2. 2^nd reading Cannabis Ordinance, 3. Appoint Lisa Warhaus as Director of Health, Housing and Community Services, 5. Add $235,000 (total $450,000) with Sloan Sakai LLP for Chief Labor Negotiator services, 6. Apply for CA Dept of Housing and Development (HCD) funds $1 – 5 million under CalHome Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program and agreements if awarded, 7. Apply for Infill Infrastructure grants for 2527 Blake (SAHA) and 2001 Ashby (RCD), 8. Modify Block Grant to use CSBG funds for mobile shower program, 9. Support HR 5038 – Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019, 10. Support HR 5609 – Homelessness Emergency Declaration Act, 12. Improve enforcement ordinance Wage Theft Prevention, 13. Installation William Byron Rumford Plaque, 14. Referral to City Manager Electric Moped Ride-Share Franchise Agreement, ACTION: 15. Recommendations Related to Code Enforcement and Receivership Actions, 16. Disposition 1631 fifth St, 17. Resolution Safe Overnight RV Parking at Designated City-Owned Parking Lots, 18. Discussion Potential Ballot Measure for inclusion in community survey, 19. Electric Bike Share Program Franchise Amendment, 20. Resolution Discouraging the Use of Cell Phones, Email, Texting, Instant Messaging and Social Media by Councilmembers during Official City Meetings, 21. 2-Lane Option on Adeline St between MLK Way and Ward.

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2020/02_Feb/City_Council__02-11-2020_-_Regular_Meeting_Agenda.aspx



____________________________



Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals

0 Euclid – Berryman Reservoir TBD

2422 Fifth St – mixed-use building 2-25-2020

1581 LeRoy Ave – convert vacant elementary school property – LPC & ZAB 2-25-2020

Remanded to ZAB or LPC With 90-Day Deadline

1155-73 Hearst (develop 2 parcels) – referred back to City Council – to be scheduled

Notice of Decision (NOD) With End of Appeal Period

1872 Allston 2-12-2020

910 Ashby 2-12-2020

1168 Cragmont 2-4-2020

2336 Eighth 2-12-2020

1412 Hearst 2-6-2020

1801 Shattuck 2-5-2020

1612 Stuart 2-4-2020

1508 Virginia 2-11-2020

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/planning_and_development/land_use_division/current_zoning_applications_in_appeal_period.aspxhttps://www.cityofberkeley.info/planning_and_development/land_use_division/current_zoning_applications_in_appeal_period.aspx