Events
The Berkeley Activist's Calendar, May 2-9
Worth Noting:
Tuesday – Building Electrification webinar at 6 pm – Getting off natural gas.
Wednesday – Planning Commission at 7 pm, Affordable housing is item 9 on the agenda.
Thursday – Budget and Finance Committee at 1 pm, department presentations continue for FY 2022 budget.
The May 11 City Council agenda is available for review and comment.
Scroll to the end of the calendar for the information for the free virtual screening of the Rights of Nature film Invisible Hand and the Q&A with the directors. The film will be available from May 22 at 4 pm until the Q&A with the directors May 23 at 6 pm. Early registration is recommended.
Sunday, May 2, 2021 - No City meetings or events found
Monday, May 3, 2021
Ashby and North Berkeley BART Community Advisory Group (CAG) at 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/91313217916
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 913 1321 7916
AGENDA: Office Hours #1
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/bartplanning/
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
4x4 Joint Task Force Committee on Housing: Rent Board/City Council at 3 pm
Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/92083611523?pwd=cmxxdisxQkVudjZMYm5DT0xBOFpTUT09
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 913 9801 1329 Passcode: 857447
AGENDA: 5. Update Amendments to Short term Rental Ordinance, 6. Discuss Adoption of Affordable Housing Overlay for 100% Affordable Housing Developments, 7. Discuss possibility of passing rental forgiveness, 8. Discuss AB 1079 (Land Trusts)
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Home/4x4_Committee_Homepage.aspx
Getting of Gas in Berkeley’s Buildings at 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Links provided through registration with eventbrite
AGENDA: Benefits of building electrification
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=17345
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
City Council Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment & Sustainability Committee at 2:30 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87849364168
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 878 4936 4168
AGENDA: 2. Ordinance Reducing Tax for Qualifying Electrification, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Retrofits, 3. 15 mph Speed Limit at all Early-Childhood Education Facilities, 4. Disposition of existing agenda items related to temporary rules for policy committees due to COVID-19 emergency, UNSCHEDULED: 5. Just Transition from Fossil Fuel Economy, 6. Impact/Mitigation fees to public right of way (streets), 7. Regulate Plastic Bags
Board of Library Trustees at 6:30 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86042306505
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 860 4230 6505
AGENDA: IV. FY 2022 budget, V. Presentation: Transition to Online Programming.
https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/about/board-library-trustees
Homeless Services Panel of Experts at 7 pm
Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/92491365323
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 924 9136 5323
AGENDA: 6. Recommendations for Measure P funding to be submitted to Budget and Finance Policy Committee
Planning Commission at 7 pm
Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/98281560402
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 982 8156 0402
AGENDA: 9. Citywide Affordable Housing Requirements Update, 10. Public Hearing General Plan Re-designation staff recommendation add 5 parcels to Adeline Corridor as C-AC 1709 Alcatraz, 3404 King, 3244 Ellis, 1717 Alcatraz, 2024 Ashby
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Planning_Commission_Homepage.aspx
Thursday, May 6, 2021
City Council Land Use, Housing & Economic Development Committee at 10:30 am
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86006545447
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 860 0654 5447
AGENDA: 2. Disposition of existing agenda items related to temporary rules for policy committees due to COVID-19 emergency
City Council Budget & Finance Committee at 1 pm (note meeting time),
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86096171541
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 860 9617 1541
AGENDA: Items 2-4 Department Budget Presentations: Planning & Development, City Attorney, Office of the Director of Police Accountability, 5. Disposition of existing agenda items related to temporary rules for policy committees due to COVID-19 emergency
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Home/Policy_Committee__Budget___Finance.aspx
Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board at 7 – 11 pm
Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/97418734828?pwd=eTBMOXBlZFd0RFNPektTRVBkTVZzdz09
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 974 1873 4828 PASSCODE: 285019
AGENDA: 4.e. Waivers, 7. Annual registration fees,
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/
Independent Redistricting Commission at 6 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88294057810
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 882 9405 7810
AGENDA: 2. Draw District 1 Alternate Commissioner, 3.&4. Legal Aspects of Redistricting
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/redistricting/
Landmarks Preservation Commission at 7 – 11:30 pm
Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/92277210166
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 922 7721 0166
AGENDA: 5. Revisions to Landmarks Preservation Ordinance, 6. Resolution to End Exclusionary Zoning in Berkeley
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/landmarkspreservationcommission/
Public Works Commission at 7 – 10 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84312916787
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 843 1291 6787
AGENDA: not posted check after Monday
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Public_Works_Commission_Homepage.aspx
Ashby and North Berkeley BART Community Advisory Group (CAG) at 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/95267102899
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 952 6710 2899
AGENDA: Office Hours #2
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/bartplanning/
WETA, 1 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89718217408
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 897 1821 7408 Passcode: 33779
https://weta.sanfranciscobayferry.com/next-board-meeting
Friday, May 7, 2021 - No City meetings or events found
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Mother’s Day Rose Garden Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 10 am – 12 pm
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=17369
Berkeley Neighborhoods Council 10 am – 12 pm
Meeting Zoom link not posted yet, check website later in week
https://berkeleyneighborhoodscouncil.com/
Sunday, May 9 2021 – Mother’s Day
May 11 - City Council regular meeting at 6 pm agenda is available for comment
Email comments to council@cityofberkeley.info
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84138848278
Teleconference: 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) Meeting ID: 841 3884 8278
AGENDA CONSENT: 1. 2nd reading Ordinance Regulating Police acquisition and Use of Controlled Equipment, 2. FY2021 Annual Appropriations $76,221,382 (gross) $51,227,368 (net), 3. Formal Bid Solicitations $1,800,000 ($1,100,000 Dock O&K Electrical upgrade, $700,000 Community partnerships COVID-19 testing, quarantine and vaccine), 4. Contract $300,000 7/1/2021-6/30/2022 with The Wright Institute for Mental Health Counseling for older adults, 5. Add $146,304 total $355,822 thru 6/30/2022 with Pacific Site Management for Landscaping services, 6. Add $245,000 total $637,778 thru 6/30/2021 (to be carried over to FY 2022 and then encumbered) with BUSD to provide Mental Health Services Act funded programs, 7. Add $55,000 total $90,000 thru 6/1/2021-6-30/2022 with GoGoGrandparent Technologies for Transportation Services for Senior and the Disabled, 8. Revenue Grant application funding from Alameda Co. for Public Health Services FY2022 ($93,187 Foster Care, $178,778 Berkeley High & Berkeley Tech, $193,175 school linked Measure A, $76,290 Tobacco Prevention), 9. Revenue Grant application to Essential Access Health for $180,000 for public health promotion, 10. Salary Resolution SEIU 1021 Accountant II hourly range $45.6375-$54.1916, 11. Add $209,980 total $614,980 extend term 5/14/2021- 6/30/2024, 12. Mills contract 1 Orchard Lane, 13. Mills contract 1581 LeRoy Ave, 14. Amend 1956 Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans – transfer two portions of City’s right of way on Gilman to Caltrans, 15. Arreguin co-sponsors Droste, Bartlett, Robinson – Support AB 550 Speed Safety cameras and request Berkeley be included as one of the pilot cities, 16. Arreguin co-sponsors Wengraf, Hahn, Kesarwani- AB 43 Safe Streets gives cities flexibility in reducing speed limits, 17. Arreguin co-sponsor Kesarwani – Support AB 629 require MTC to designate transit priority corridors and create pilot of multi-operator transit fare passes, 18. Arreguin - Amending COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance Relating to Commercial Leases, 19. Arreguin – Resolution committing to the C40 race to Zero www.citiesracetozero.org Berkeley to be carbon neutral/net zero by 2045 – global warming was 0.8°C in 2018 and ≈1.2°C in 2020 major action needed worldwide to stay at or below global warming of 1.5°C, 20. Taplin - Proclaim May 2021 as Mental Health Month, 21. Taplin co-sponsor Hahn – Resolution in support of Green New Deal for Cities 2021, 22. Taplin – Budget Referral Traffic Calming at Ashby & California, Sacramento & Channing, Cedar & 9th, 6th & Channing, Sacramento & Russell, Channing & San Pablo, 23. Harrison co-sponsor Hahn – Support Roadmap Home 2030 Plan (Home 2030 funders include Chan Zuckerberg Initiative), 24. Hahn, co-sponsors- Harrison, Arreguin – Support AB 1289 Smart Climate Agriculture and AB 558 CA School Plant-based Food and Beverage Program, 25. Wengraf, co-sponsors Kesarwani, Harrison – Support SB-15 rezone idle retail sites to allow for affordable housing, 26. Robinson cosponsors Hahn, Wengraf Support Senator Warren’s Student Loan Debt Relief, 27. Robinson co-sponsors Bartlett, Droste, Arreguin – Support AB 1238 & AB 122 repeal jaywalking laws and bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, ACTION: 28. Published charges: Mental Health Clinical Services, 29. Audit Report: Data Analysis of City of Berkeley’s Police Response,
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Agenda_Index.aspx
Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals
2421 Fifth Street (construct two residential buildings) 6/1/2021
Notice of Decision (NOD) and Use Permits with End of Appeal Period
190 Alvarado 5/4/2021
1205 Cornell 5/4/2021
3107 Deakin 5/18/2021
1428 Delaware 5/4/2021
1733 Fourth (Convert retail space to auto sales) 5/19/2021
1733 Fourth (alterations to building) 5/13/2021
2110 Haste 5/10/2021
1231 Ordway 5/19/2021
1913 San Antonio 5/19/2021
1836 Thousand Oaks 5/4/2021
LINK to Current Zoning Applications https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications.aspx
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WORKSESSIONS
May 18 – 1. Systems Realignment 2. Affordable Housing Policy Reform (tentative)
July 20 – 1. Bayer Development Agreement (tentative), Measure FF/Fire Prevention
September 21 – 1. Housing Element (RHNA)
Unscheduled Workshops/Presentations
Cannabis Health Considerations
Berkeley Police Department Hiring Practices (referred by Public Safety Committee)
Update Zero Waste Priorities
Civic Arts Grantmaking Process & Capital Grant Program
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
If you or someone you know wishes to receive the weekly summary as soon as it is completed, email kellyhammargren@gmail.com to be added to the early email list.
If you wish to stop receiving the Weekly Summary of City Meetings please
forward the weekly summary you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com
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Free Virtual Screening of the Rights of Nature film
Invisible Hand
and Q&A with the directors
sponsored by Sustainable Berkeley Coalition and Berkeley Citizens Action
Register at
https://www.invisiblehandfilm.com/berkeley-give-nature-a-chance/
early registration is recommended
the free virtual screening and Q&A is limited to 100 participants
If you have any questions contact Kelly Hammargren at hammargrenkelly@gmail.com
Q&A with the directors: 6 pm, Sunday, May 23.
The 85 minute documentary film is available for viewing from
4:00 pm PDT Thursday May 22 to Sunday, May 23, 6 pm PDT
Audiences have said INVISIBLE HAND is a “game changing” story about Rights of Nature and global battle between capitalism and democracy. Last Born in the Wilderness host Patrick Farnsworth has called the film “really, really beautiful” and “incredibly moving.”
“We are honored to receive these awards for documenting the Rights of Nature story,” said Pribanic. “This is a turning point in the story of our culture, where the Indigenous legacy that once protected this land can resurface to take on capitalism and defend Nature’s rights.”
What this documentary is offering is a way forward through Rights of Nature. You hear time and time again that a corporation has the rights of a person. The idea that Nature has no rights whatsoever is absurd,” ~ Mark Ruffalo
The Rights of Nature in Berkeley
The Resolution to Recognize the Rights of Nature is submitted by Councilmember Cheryl Davila for consideration by the Berkeley City Council at the October 27, 2020 City Council regular meeting.
On October 13, 2020, the Berkeley City Council Agenda and Policy Committee removed Recognize the Rights of Nature from the proposed October 27, 2020 City Council agenda and referred the item to the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Sustainability Policy Committee (FITES).
On March 3, 2021 FITES voted to forward the Rights of Nature to the full City Council with a qualified positive recommendation the final resolved clause of the draft resolution to place obligation on the City not the residents.
On March 15 at the Agenda and Rules Policy Committee Mayor Arreguin said he was opposed to recognizing the rights of nature.
The item was left on the council agenda for March 30.
At the March 30 council meeting Mayor Arreguin said he supported the Rights of Nature and recommended moving the item to the consent calendar as a referral to the Peace and Justice Commission.
At the same meeting after the consent vote approving the referral, the City Manager stated the Peace and Justice Commission would not be meeting because staff supporting the Peace and Justice Commission had been reassigned to support the EOC (Emergency Operation Center) for the COVID-19 emergency.
Rights of Nature, legislative examples, history, timeline, documents and references,
https://www.invisiblehandfilm.com/what-are-rights-of-nature/
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