“Today,” tweeted California Yimby staffer Louis Mirante on September 28, the Gov signed 3 Ca YIMBY-sponsored bills. That’s more than any other housing organization successfully sponsored this year.” Newsom also signed twelve other housing bills. In 2019, he signed a “housing package” of 18 bills. In 2017 and 2018, Jerry Brown signed a total of 31 housing bills into law, including draconian measures such as Wiener’s SB 35 and SB 828, and Nancy Skinner’s SB 330 and SB 167. That adds up to 64 new housing laws in four years.

To justify this legislative onslaught and the rollback of the California Environmental Quality Act and local say in land use that it authorizes, its proponents claim that California has a gigantic housing shortage.

In late September, that claim took a hit. The Palo Alto-based Embarcadero Institute released a critique of the state’s Regional Housing Need Allocations (RHNAs), the amount of housing that each region must permit, divvied up among the region’s cities. Embarcadero showed that “as an unintended consequence of Senate Bill 828,” the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) had used “an incorrect vacancy rate and double counting.” The result: 900,000 excess housing units allocated in SoCal, the Bay Area, and the Sacramento region. HCD’s “[e]xaggerated targets…encourage market-rate housing development at the expense of affordable housing,” where the real housing crisis lies. -more-

Cheryl Davila won the District 2 Council seat in 2016 in a totally unexpected upset against an incumbent who held that seat for 12 years. She was not “groomed” by the insiders for the position, unlike so many who run for office in Berkeley, and it was obvious pretty quickly that she wasn’t going to roll over and vote with the bloc like her predecessor. When Cheryl got her footing, she started marching forward on the gut issues: climate, poverty, homelessness, policing and racism. -more-

EDITOR'S NOTE: We've spent a good deal of time studying the ballot, and were just sitting down to type up and post our recommendations when we discovered that Margot had already done the work. We agree with almost all of her choices, though we will probably skip voting for some unopposed incumbents whose performance in office has been a disappointment. P,S. We're skipping some incumbents whose opponents don't seem any better.

She notes these organizational endorsements:

Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club (Wellstone)

California Association of Retired Americans (CARA) -more-

Following his disastrous debate performance mocking his opponent for wearing a mask, President Trump retreated to the sanctuary of the White house invoking fierce criticism of being complicit in the infection of a growing number of prominent Republicans who continue to follow their cult leader with complete abandon at super spreading events. Tormented by the nagging thought that his VP might upend him and aching for the adoration of his supporters, DJT sauntered out of Walter Reed Hospital endangering the safety of his Secret Service Agents for a joy ride and photo op him in hermetically sealed presidential vehicle. -more-

-more-

I don't want a Hsiung victory any more than any of you. I happen to think Hill would arrive green, learn quickly, and do the job quite well, and he has my vote, but I'm not here to persuade you of that. What I do wish to do is to point out some elements of your op-ed on Berkeleyside.com that suggest you have a mistaken understanding of certain issues. To wit: -more-

Berkeley Mayor and candidate for re-election, Jesse Arreguin, has sent out an email to his supporters in which he recommends a Berkeleyside article about his opponent Wayne Hsiung, alleging that “Wayne is running a deceptive campaign and not being truthful about his past, his record, or his true agenda. I encourage every Berkeley voter to read the Berkeleyside story before you vote.” -more-

In a plague year that's already assailed us with pestilence and flame, election season unleashes further nightmares. In Washington, D.C., and red-state capitals, repudiated Republicans' arrogance is on full, breathtaking display. They're poised to steal a second election-year Supreme Court seat. They’ve internalized overlord Vladimir Putin's tactics toward stealing a second presidential election. And they’ll disenfranchise as many voters as they can to hold onto doomed Senate seats. If you're awake and have a conscience, it's easy to figure out the top of your ballot. -more-

A long, quiet struggle over the introduction of a new era of "4G/5G" microwave transmitters in Berkeley neighborhoods erupted into violence between midnight and dawn on October 5. Once again, the issue involved a struggle between local autonomy and corporate hegemony. -more-

This is insanely cool. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse brilliantly exposes dark money in politics at the Barrett hearing. Do not miss it. -more-

After the dreadful initial 2020 presidential debate, there were some who called for the debates to cease. That would have been a mistake because the second debate, a vice-presidential tussle between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, was productive. It resulted in a win for Senator Harris and further momentum for the Biden-Harris campaign. -more-

As people with mental illness, we are not afforded basic respect. Our words aren't taken as valid, aren't believed, and are dismissed as nonsense and a product of defective minds. Our express desires and needs are often ignored--or worse, are used as part of their material for your clinical assessment. This is not precisely the same thing as "not taking us seriously." It is more a circumstance in which no one accepts what we are telling them in the manner we intend. And this is worse. -more-

Our virus super-spreader president prematurely left the Walter Reed medical center. Although infected with the virus, he shed his mask before entering the White House. Trump is being treated with an experimental drug cocktail along with other drugs indicating that Trump’s condition is more serious than the White House and his physicians admit. -more-

A Scary Scenario: Trump Takes His Medicine

What can be sicker than Donald the Trump

Unmasked, mocking Covid while huffing for air?

Flouting his fits, calling Fauci a chump

Waving to unmasked supporters, I swear!

What can be worse than this egotist's chants

Far worse than militias of Trump-loving androids?

There's only one spectacle worse than Trump's rants:

Watch out everybody, it's Don Trump on Steroids!

The Nobel (Kinda, Sorta) Peace Prize

On October 9, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize would be awarded to the United Nations' World Food Program, which provides life-saving nutrition to people in more than 80 nations around the world.

Donald Trump responded to the news by claiming that his failure to win the prestigious award was proof that the selection process was "rigged." (Not satire! True!) -more-

With major movements for social, political, and cultural change dynamically underway in our own time, we’re apt to forget similar periods in the past when sea changes took place in American society and politics. -more-

Worth Noting:

The week ahead is exceptionally full with meetings

Tuesday – City Council Agenda committee is at 2:30 pm and the Full Council starts at 5 pm with a presentation on Ohlone History and Culture. Regular agenda item 16. On consent Is to approve Ballot Measure P funds for transitional group living with 178 sq ft rooms with bed, toilet, shower, sink at 1367 University, item 19. Police Chief Crime and Use of Force Report, 22. Support for Community Refrigerators for the food insecure (Oakland is doing this).

Wednesday – BART Community Advisory Group is at 6 pm and Disaster and Fire Safety Commission and Parks and Waterfront Commission at 7 pm. The Police Review Commission at 7 pm may create a subcommittee on “no-knock” warrants.

Thursday – Measure T1 at 6:30 pm will focus on Districts 2 and 3. If you missed or can’t attend the next two T1 meetings go to this one. Design Review at 7 pm 2210 Harold Way is student housing. Guidelines for the Downtown and Open Space will be discussed after the projects.



This Summary of City meetings is the available published public meetings that could be found and they are important. This does not include the task forces established by the Mayor (those schedules are not available). If anyone would like to share meeting schedules including community meetings to be included in the weekly summary so we can be better-informed citizenry, please forward the notices to sustainableberkeleycoalition@gmail.com before Friday noon of the preceding week.



October 23, 9 am – 12 pm Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force (CEMTF) Fourth Virtual Summit Series for an Environmentally Just and Regenerative Future

https://cemtf.org, register for the event https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-emergency-mobilization-task-force-virtual-summit-series-4-tickets-122654347455



Sunday, October 11, 2020

No City meetings or events found

Monday, October 12, 2020

Indigenous People’s Day – City Holiday



Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board – IRA/AGA/Registration Subcommittee, 5:30 pm,

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/99566042178?pwd=Ri9mMWZ3SWVFUmxOekpPaUdNYUVrdz09

Teleconference: 1-408-638-0968 Meeting ID: 995 6604 2178 Passcode: 687949



Agenda and Rules Committee, 2:30 pm

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

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84345655218

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 of 1-877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 843 4565 5218

Agenda planning for October 27 Regular City Council meeting CONSENT: 3. Augment the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) with COVID_19 Resiliency Loan Program (CARES Act Recovery), 4. Accept Economic Dashboard update report (pre-covid data), 5. $1,067,302 Formal Bid solicitations, 6. Align BMC definition of smoking with State of CA code to include medical cannabis, 7. Contract $175,000 with Allana Buick & Bers, Inc and Wiss, Janney, Elstner for On-call Citywide Roof Assessment Services. 8. Contract $293,000 with DMR Builders for 125/127 University Tenant Improvement Project, 9. Contract add $660,283 total $1,995,540 and extend to 6/30/2024, 10. Contract add $100,000 total $250,000 and extend to 6/30/2022 with Technology, Engineering and Construction, Inc. for Tank Maintenance and Certification Services, 11. Contract add $150,000 total $432,750 and extend to 12/31/2022 with Direct Line Tele Response for Citywide after-hours answering services, 12. Re-establish Game Day parking restrictions, 13. Renewal of Elmwood BID (Business Improvement District) for 2021, 14. Renewal Solano BID for 2021, 15. Allocate $50,000 to UC Theatre Concert Career Pathways Education Program, 16. Allocate $500,000 to require biweekly (once every 2 weeks) cleaning of populated encampment sites and City should partner with appropriate non-profit organizations to create work opportunities for homeless residents who can help City staff clean streets on an ongoing basis, 17. Adopt 2020 Traffic Circle Vegetation Policy and Maintenance Plan, ACTION: 18. COVID-19 Response 2020 Summary Report (work performed by City staff in relation to the pandemic), 19. a.&b. Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Ordinance Policy and Enforcement Modifications, 20. a.&b. Recommendation to Modify Policies Related to the Enforcement of Smoke-free Multi-Unit Housing Ordinance, 21. Letter to CA Horse Racing Board to investigate treatment and welfare of horses at Golden Gate Fields, 22. Recognize the Rights of Nature, 23. Providing our Unhoused Community with Fire Extinguishers, 24. Convert 62^nd Street between King and Adeline into one-way toward Adeline, 25. Support for Berkeley Mutual Aid (BMA) services addressing needs of residents during COVID-19 until 3 months after COVID-19 emergency order is lifted $3000/month, Referred Items: 8. Impact of Covid-19 on meetings of legislative bodies, Unscheduled/Unfinished Business Items: 1. Kitchen Exhaust Hoods, 2. Opt Up, 3. Surveillance Technology, 4. No Confidence Vote in the Police Chief, (packet 246 pages)



Berkeley City Council,

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

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88371105282

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128

toll free 1-877-853-5257, 1-888-475-4499, 1-833-548-0276, 1-833-548-0282

Meeting ID: 883 7110 5282

5 pm, Presentation: Ohlone History and Culture

6 pm, Regular City Council meeting, CONSENT: 1. Extend grace period for Fair Chance housing to Jan 1, 2021, 2. Healthy Checkout Ordinance 2^nd reading, 3. Bid solicitations $325,000, 4. Revenue Contract »$6 million Dept of Health Care Services, 5. Lease Agreement 225 University – Qasemi Abdul Moqim dba Berkeley Sportsman Center, 6. Measure T1 Phase 1 Project List Additions, 7. Resumption of fees at Oregon Senior Apartments, 8. Revenue Grant FY 2020-2021 $51,000 Alcohol Beverage Control, 9. Amend Contract add $230,000 (T1) total $5,616,293 renovation 2640 MLK Way Adult Mental Health Services, 10. Contract award First Carbon Solutions for CEQA compliance for Solid Waste & Recycling Transfer Station Replacement Project, 11. a.&b. Compiling Homeless Commission Recommendations in a Reference Manual, 12. Authorize installation of Security Cameras at the Marina, 13. Oppose Proposition 22 which exempts Lyft, Uber, DoorDash have invested $181 million to be exempt from providing employee benefits, 14. Amend Council Rules of Procedures so that Council submitted items be placed directly on the agenda to allow the whole Council to review and take action on the submitted item to ensure equity in the process, 15. Support Proposition 16 removes ban on affirmative action, 16. Step Up Housing Allocation of Measure P Funds to lease and operate at 1367 University, 17. Removal of Traffic Bollards at intersection of Fairview and California, 18. Enforce Bi-weekly (once every 2 weeks) residential cleaning measures to address encampments and promote clean streets, Presentation: 19. 2019 Crime Report and 5 Year Use of Force Report, Public Hearing: 20. Bond 1717 University rental housing development, 21. ZAB appeal 1346 Ordway, ACTION: 22. Support for Community Refrigerators (cost) $8000, 23. Request Congress to introduce “the Breathe Act,” 24. Proposed Navigable Cities Framework – access for People with Disabilities in Berkeley (expect to be rescheduled to October 20), INFORMATION: LPC Annual Report to Council



Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board Security Deposit: Rights and Responsibilities webinar designed for tenants and landlords, go to website to register for conference links/logins

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/



Disaster and Fire Safety Commission, 7 https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Disaster_and_Fire_Safety_Commission_Homepage.aspx

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/92385957075

Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 923 8595 7075

Agenda Action: 7. Recommendation to Council based on findings of newly formed Berkeley-Oakland-Regional Parks-UC Working Group regarding Grizzly Peak Blvd. Discussion: 8. Measure T1, 9. ADU Urgency Ordinance, 10. Fire Tax Ballot Measure FF,



Parks and Waterfront Commission, 7 pm

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

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/93075568475

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 930 7556 8475

Agenda: 5. Public Comment, 8. T1 Phase 1 Update, b. Council adding T1 Projects, 9. T1 Phase 2 Project Recommendation Process, PRW unfunded lists, 10. Subcommittee to process community feedback, 11. Potential criteria for T1 Phase 2 project selection,



Ashby and North Berkeley BART Community Advisory Group, 6 – 9 pm

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/bartplanning/

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/99872028689?pwd=bUZhUnBGTnZtdGRpc25McTlEc2Fpdz09

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 998 7202 8689

Agenda Financial Feasibility: What makes a development project work, Building Height and Affordable Housing (higher levels of affordable housing), Open Space, Infrastructure and Parking



Police Review Commission, 7 – 10 pm

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

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87070468124

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 870 7046 8124

Agenda: 4. Public Comment, 7. Chief of Police Report, 8. Lexipol Policies Subcommittee, 9. a. Whether BPD has written policy on no-knock warrants and whether to establish a subcommittee policy, b. Policy complaint for towing and storage, 11. Closed Session Berkeley Police Association v. City of Berkeley Case No. 2002 057569



Thursday, October 15, 2020

Annual Shakeout 10:15 am Earthquake preparedness drill

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/City_Manager/Press_Releases/2020/2020-10-08_Drop,_cover,_and_hold_on_at_10_15am_October_15.aspx



Design Review Committee

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

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/92600940639

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 926 0094 0639

2352 Shattuck (1.)– Final Design – split lot in two, construct two 8-story mixed-use 204 units (14 very low income) 90 ground-level parking spaces

2210 Harold Way (2.) – Continued Preliminary Design – 7-story, 38 dwellings with total of 135 bedrooms, storage for 48 bicycles (designed for students, 3 and 4 bedroom with galley kitchens, and no living room, no affordable units)

1200 San Pablo (3.) – Preliminary Design – demolish three existing commercial buildings, construct 6-story mixed use with 104 units (including 9 very low income), 55 ground level parking spaces

DISCUSSION: Guidelines for Downtown Street and Open Space Improvements (SOSIP) https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Downtown_Area_Plan/Streets_and_Open_Space_Improvement_Plan.aspx



Fair Campaign Practices (FCPC) – Open Government Commissions (OGC), 7 pm

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/FCPC/

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82025317005?pwd=b1U3d3FYTDZFVm0vejRPTmFJdEVQd%20z09

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 820 2531 7005

Agenda FCPC: 6. Complaint alleging violation of BERA (Failure to identify funding source) by Bahman Ahmandi, Soulmaz Panahi, Dan McDunn, Wendy Saenz Hood Neufield and Home Owners for Berkeley Rent Board, 7. Enforcement referrals from the office of the City Clerk, a. Berkeley Community for Police Oversight Committee supporting Police Commission Oversight Charter Amendment, b. Maria Poblet for Rent Board, OGC: 9. Complaintfiled by Martin and Olga Schwartz relating to ZAB, 10. Brown Act Presentation, 11. Conflict of Interest Presentation, FCPC/OGC 12. Officeholder Accounts.



Measure T1 Phase 2 – Public Meeting – District 2/3, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/MeasureT1Events/

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/97372069574

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 973 7206 9574



Transportation Commission, 7 pm, listed as meeting, no agenda posted, check after Monday

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



Friday, October 16 2020 -- Saturday, October 17, 2020 -- Sunday, October 18, 2020

No City meetings or events found

____________________



Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals

1346 Ordway, 10/13/2020

0 (2435) San Pablo (group living) – 1/19/2021

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

1850 Arch 10/13/2020

1862 Arch 10/13/2020

6029 Chabolyn 10/20/2020

1217 Hopkins 10/12/2020

1526 Sixth 10/12/2020

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications_in_Appeal_Period.aspx

LPC NOD 2277 Shattuck, 1915 Berryman, 2328 Channing,



LINK to Current Zoning Applications https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications.aspx

___________________



WORKSESSIONS

Oct 13 - Ohlone History 5 pm

Oct 20 – Navigable Cities, UC Long Range Development Plan

Jan 12 – Update Zero Waste Priorities, Undergrounding Task Force Update

Feb 16 - BMASP/Berkeley Pier-WETA Ferry

March 16 – date open for scheduling



Unscheduled Workshops/Presentations

Update Berkeley’s 2020 Vision

Cannabis Health Considerations

Berkeley Police Department Hiring Practices (referred by Public Safety Committee)

Systems Realignment

Digital Strategic Plan/FUND$ Replacement Website Update,

_____________________



To Check For Regional Meetings with Berkeley Council Appointees go to

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



To check for Berkeley Unified School District Board Meetings go to

https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/



_____________________



This meeting list is also posted on the Sustainable Berkeley Coalition website.

http://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet under activist’s calendar http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com



When notices of meetings are found that are posted after Friday 5:00 pm they are added to the website schedule https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and preceded by LATE ENTRY



If you wish to stop receiving the Weekly Summary of City Meetings please forward the weekly summary you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com, -more-