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THE BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S CALENDAR; Sept.15-22

Kelly Hammagren

Sunday September 15, 2024 - 04:34:00 PM

Worth Noting:

It is not a mistake. The special Council meeting on the Ashby BART housing development is MONDAY, September 16 at 6 pm. The City Council September 24 meeting agenda is available for comment.

Monday, September 16, 2024:
- At 2:30 pm the Agenda and Rules Committee meets at 1231 Addison in the hybrid format.
- At 4:30 pm City Council meets in closed session in the hybrid format.
- At 6 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format on Ashby BART housing project.
- From 10 am – 3 pm the Civic Arts Commission meets in person
Tuesday, September 17, 2024:
- At 12 pm the Budget and Finance Committee meets in the hybrid format.
- At 3 pm the Civic Arts Commission Public Art subcommittee meets on Zoom.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024:
- At 1:30 pm the Commission on Aging meets in person.
- At 2 pm the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment, Sustainability Commission meets in the hybrid format.
- At 6 pm the Human welfare and Community Action Commission meets in person.
- At 7 pm the Commission on Labor meets in person.
- At 7 pm the Commission on the Status of Women meets in person.
Thursday, September 19, 2024:
- At 5:30 pm the Zero Waste Commission meets in person.
- At 6:15 pm the Transportation Commission meets in person.
- At 6:30 pm the Design Review Committee meets in person.
- At 6:30 pm the Fair Campaign Practices and Open Government Commissions meet in the hybrid format, however, the zoom link needs to be updated.
- At 7 pm the Commission on Labor meets in person.
Friday, September 20, 2024:
- At 2:30 pm the 2 x 2 Committee meets in the hybrid format.
- At 6 pm is the teen silent disco party
Saturday, September 21, 2024:
- At 9 am is the Coastal Cleanup.
- At 10 am is Build Your Own Emergency Kit at Ace Hardware on Milvia.

Please take advantage of checking the City website for any surprises and meetings posted on short notice at https://berkeleyca.gov

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BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS

Sunday, September 15, 2024 – no city meetings found

Monday, September 16, 2024

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm

Members: Arreguin, Hahn, Wengraf

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608747992

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

Meeting ID: 160 874 7992

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve -10/1/2024 -- 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, including Strengthening the Committee System to Provide More In-Depth Review and Vetting of Major Items, 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

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/1619424437

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

Meeting ID: 161 942 4437

AGENDA: 1. Pending Litigation a. Fisher et al v. City of Berkeley, b. Lina Cong v. City of Berkeley, 2. Conference with Real Property Negotiators 3201 Adeline Berkeley Repertory Group, Lease Price and Terms, 3. Conference with Real Property Negotiators 2439 Channing Framer’s Workshop Lease Price and Terms.

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

CITY COUNCIL Special 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/1610819512

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

Meeting ID: 161 081 9512

AGENDA: Agenda item 1. The Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (housing project and flea market) (packet is 124 pages) and 2. Presentation Berkeley-El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan (BECCAP) (packet 171 pages). https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-meeting-eagenda-september-16-2024

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Special Meeting from 10 am – 3 pm

In-Person: 160 University, Shorebird Nature Center

AGENDA: Icebreaker, 6. Charting Accomplishments, 7. Working Lunch, 9. Discussion & Training, 10. Reflection

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

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

BUDGET and FINANCE COMMITTEE at 12 pm

(Members: Arreguin, Kesarwani, Hahn, alternate Wengraf)

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1617370401

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

Meeting ID: 161 737 0401

AGENDA: 2. Harrison – Budget Referral: Allocate Exisiting $900,000 Transportation Network Company (TNC) Tax to Calm Traffic in Vicinity of Derby, Increase Citywide Traffic Calming Budget, and Establish Ongoing General Fund Allocation Policy for TNC, 3. City Manager – City Council Legislative Systems Redesign, 4.a. Commission on Aging – Achieving Goals of 2018 Berkeley Age-Friendly Action Plan, 4.b. City Manager Companion Report, 5.a. Homeless Services Panel of Experts - Measure P Allocations FY 2025-2026, b. City Manager – Companion Report, 6. City Manager – Accept the Risk Analysis for Long-Term Debt (Bonding Capacity) Report provided by Government Finance Officers Association.

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

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Public Art Subcommittee at 3 pm

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1616125937

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252

Meeting ID: 161 612 5937

AGENDA: 4. Discussion with possible action on FY 2025 Public Art Program Budget

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

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

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/1610104717

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

Meeting ID: 161 010 4717

AGENDA: 2. Taplin – Discussion Progress on Creating New Parkland, 3. Lunaparra – Discussion Southside Complete Streets, 4. City Manager – Street Rehabilitation Five Year Plan for FY 2024-2028

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

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm

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

AGENDA: Presentation: Serving Berkeley’s Homeless Population over age 55, Discussion/Action Items: 3. Presentation proposal: Services to the Berkeley Aged population, 4. Presentation proposal: Meeting the housing needs of seniors.

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

COMMISSION on LABOR at 7 pm

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

AGENDA: 2. Supporting employee ownership models of business, 3. Fair Workweek Ordinance Implementation, 4. Commission on Labor purview regarding labor ordinances and City workers.

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

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 7 pm

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

AGENDA: 7. Election of Vice-Chair, 8. Small Business Support Act/Small Business Ombudsman Proposal from Councilmember Bartlett, 9. Work Plan.

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

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION (HWCAC) at 6 pm

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

AGENDA: 2. Discussion and possible action regarding Community Services Block Grant 2025, 3. Discussion and possible action on a draft revised strategic plan and Council item for the HWCAC, 4. City of Berkeley Single Audit for the year ended June 30, 2023

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

Thursday, September 19, 2024

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 6:30 pm

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

AGENDA: 1. 2530 Bancroft Way (between Bowditch and Telegraph) – DRC2023-0014 – Preliminary Design Review – demolish existing 1-story 15,665 sq ft commercial structure and construct 12-story (134.5 feet), 139,833 sq ft mixed use development with 110 dwellings including 11 very low-income units and 2195 sq ft of ground floor commercial space, (SB 330)

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

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES (FCPC) and OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS (OGC) at 6:30 pm

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: check later

Teleconference: check later

Meeting ID: check later

AGENDA: FCPC: 8. Report from negotiating committee: Mike Chang for School Board, 9. Complaint Californians for Safety and Security, 10. Complaint Ruben Hernande Story, 11. Complaint: Friends of Adeline, 12. Review and possible revision of Procedures for the Fair Campaign Practices Commission, 13. Research into status of Re-Elect Mayor Jesse Arreguin 2024 Committee and the transfer of funds from Jesse Arreguin for State Senate District 7 2024 to Re-Elect Mayor Arreguin, OGC:City Council Rules of Procedure and Order Revisions, Joint FCPC-OGV: 16. Publicizing vacancies on Commissions. Information Items: 17. Public Financing Candidate Certifications a. Laura Babitt for School Board, Alfred Twu for Rent Board, 18. BERA Opinions a. Fix the Streets Opinion Corrected, 19. September 9, 2024 email from Chair Saginor to Council regarding provisions to Council’s Rules of Procedure and Order.

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

TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION at 6:15 pm

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

AGENDA: 2. Regional Measure 3 Safe Routes to Transit Cycle 1 Grant Application Adeline Quick Build Project, 3. Storm Water Master Plan

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

ZERO WASTE COMMISSION at 5:30 pm

In-Person: at 1326 Allston, City of Berkeley Corporation Yard, Ratcliff Building, Willow Room

AGENDA: 6. At 6 pm Staff Updates Progress on SB-1383, CA Climate Action Corps Fellows Starting Soon, Outreach about reusable to-go cups/containers, Discussion/Action 1. At 6:15 pm Presentation from National Stewardship Action Council about SB54 and Zero Waste CA Legislation w/Q&A, 2. 6:50 pm Report out from the Special Events Subcommittee and Green Building Subcommittee, 4. 7:10 pm Legislative Updates.

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

Friday, September 20, 2024

2 X 2 COMMITTEE (Council and BUSD) at 2:30 pm

Hybrid Meeting

In-Person: at 1005 Parker, Berkeley Adult School

Videoconference: https://berkeley-net.zoom.us/j/82280511873?pwd=qFJsj9Lde0X1INzzXaLt0IVzOlX0tj.1

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833

Meeting ID: 822 8051 1873 Passcode: 670477

AGENDA: 5. Discussion Items: 5.1 YEP Update, 5.2 Expanding Afterschool Programs, 5.3 Traffic Safety Enforcement Around BUSD Schools a. Update on Crossing Guards, 5.4 Cost of BUSD use of James Kenney Facility, 5.5 RPP for Educators are School Sites.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/2x2-committee

TEEN SILENT DISCO at 6 pm

Location: 1730 Oregon, Grove Park

See link for details

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/teen-silent-disco-dance-party

Saturday, September 21, 2024

COASTAL CLEANUP DAY at 9 am

Location: 160 University

See link for details

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/coastal-cleanup-day

BUILD YOUR OWN EMERGENCY KIT from 10 am – 12 pm

Location: At Ace Hardware, 2020 Milvia

AGENDA: September is National Preparedness Month

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/build-your-own-emergency-kit-1

Sunday, September 22, 2024 – no city meetings found

++++++++++ AGENDA & RULES COMMITTEE September 9 at 2:30 pm +++++++++

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm on Monday, September 16, 2024

Members: Arreguin, Hahn, Wengraf

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608747992

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

Meeting ID: 160 874 7992

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

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on October 1, 2024

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS

PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS

AGENDA on CONSENT

Brown, City Attorney – Unrepresented Employee Manual Amendments for Measure KK Compliance
Ferris, Parks – Grant Application $2,000,000 Regional Measure 3:2025 Safe Routes to Transit and Bay Trail Program for the Bay Trail Extension
Ferris, Parks – Grant Contract Accept $1,000,000 from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the African American Holistic Resources Center Project
City Manager – Amending the Berkeley Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Code BMC 15.12
Davis, Public Works – Grant Applications: Regional Measure 3: Safe Routes to Transit and Bay Trail Program, MTC $4,000,000 for Southwest Berkeley Bike Boulevards, $1,050,000 for Adeline Quick-Build
Peace and Justice Commission – Name City of Berkeley street in Honor of Daniel Ellsberg

AGENDA on ACTION:

Parks and Waterfront Commission – Recommend Adoption of Councilmember Taplin’s Referral Regarding Cal Sailing Club’s Six Historic J-Dock Berths for safety training for boating activities, community service and recreational education uses and direct the City Manager to retain the six slips for Cal Sailing Club to use for nonprofit sailing instruction and programs and to review every four years
Police Accountability Board, Director of Police Accountability – Berkeley Police Department Texting Offences: Independent Investigation by the Police Accountability Board
Authors Hahn, Humbert, Bartlett – Budget Referral $150,000 for La Pena Cultural Center

+++++++ CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 AGENDA +++++++++++++

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on September 24, 2024

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1619309217

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

Meeting ID: 161 930 9217

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

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS

PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS

Recess Items:

Davis, Public Works – Contract $400,000 with B0Bros Construction for Temporary Stabilization of Stair Tower Windows at 2180 Milvia

AGENDA on CONSENT

2^nd reading - Wengraf, co-sponsor Hahn - Amending BMC 7.52.060 to include “Wildfire Hardening” in the Real Property Transfer Tax Exceptions
2^nd reading - Kesarwani, co-sponsor Wengraf – Encampment Policy Resolution to Promote Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods and Related First Reading of Ordinance Amending BMC 14.48
Numainville, City Clerk - Establish 2025 City Council Meeting Schedule
Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $5,500,000 for Citywide custoidial services: Cleaning and supplying designated city facilities
Ferris, Parks – Grant Application Reconnecting Communities $5,000,000 to U.S. Department of Transportation for Santa Fe Railroad Trackbed to Park Conversion Project
Civic Arts Commission – Fund Request $125,000 Mitigation Fee Nexus Study, Public Art on Private Development Requirement
Arreguin – Amend Contract No. 32000196 add $11,632.30 total $347,632.30 with Szabo & Associates for Communications Consulting Services for the Mayor’s Office
Kesarwani – Budget Referral: Independent Consultant to Conduct Analysis of Referring Restaurant Inspections to Alameda County
Authors Humbert, Taplin, Wengraf – the Resolution Clarifying the Intent of Measure Y (2024) – Increasing Parks, Trees and Landscaping Maintenance Tax “Recommendation: In order to ensure that voters are fully informed and to inform future discussions of potential expenditures, it is recommended that the Berkeley City Council adopt the following language to clarify (but not change) the intent of Measure Y” The Intent of Measure Y is to generate additional funds by increasing the Parks Tax for park and landscape maintenance in the Waterfront including Cesar Chavez (Berkeley’s largest park), improvements to Berkeley’s urban forest and street plantings, and essential park and landscaping related capital projects.”

AGENDA on ACTION:

City Council Rules of Procedures and Order Revisions

INFORMATION REPORTS:

Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 2000 Kala Bagai Way #LMSAP2024-0002
Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 2227 Parker #LMIN2024-0001
Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 8 Greenwood Common #LMSAP2024-0001

+++++++++++++++++++ Land Use - Work Sessions - Special Meetings +++++++++++++++

LAND USE CALENDAR

~~844 University Ave (Black Pine Circle School) 9/3/2024~~ Removed from list
3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:

September 16 - Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley (Action) – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (information)
September 30 - COPA/TOPA - Action
October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan - Action
October 29 (3:30 pm) Re-Imagining Public safety Update (Tentative) - Information

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS

Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
Economic Dashboards Update (January 2025)
Evacuation Study (Fall 2025)

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST

Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
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.

SMITHEREENS: Reflections on Bits & Pieces: Flukes, Kooks & Nukesg

Gar Smith

Sunday September 15, 2024 - 05:20:00 PM

Call it Payapal Pay-Pal

Progressive Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal is raising campaign funds with a September 25^th online event called "Virtual Build Our America." The invite promises the event will include "Special Guests" but if you want to know who these mysterious luminaries are going to be, you'll need to secure a ticket for the event. These ducats don't come cheap but they do come with some catchy sponsorship labels. "Early Bird" tickets begin at $175, followed by five larger categories—Bold Activist ($300), Ardent Organizer ($600), Committed Visionary ($1,000), Innovative Idealist ($2,500), and Resolute Dreamer ($3,000).

A Tart, Pertinent Posting from the Past
Prolific journalist/interviewer David Kupfer emails a reflection from the past: "If we don't have a lot of people beginning to wake up, this world is doomed... the more people are able to drop their conditioning, be more awake, see the world a more flexible, open-minded fashion, the more chance we have of actually solving some of the terrible problems that beset us."

Kupfer's accompanying comment:
"A quote from Charles Tart, my professor at UC Davis in the Psychology Department...1987... How are things going People?"

Biden v. Putin v. Everyone Else on Earth
We're all on the brink of a nuclear war but the US news media barely mentions it.

On August 20, the New York Times revealed that, back in March, the Biden Administration secretly approved a new Nuclear Employment Guidance plan that calls for equipping 1,600 100-kiloton warheads with new "super fuze" technology as part of a "first-strike" plan to "fight and win" a simultaneous nuclear war to destroy Russia, China, and North Korea. This "war prep" was all accomplished without the "inconvenience" of having to seek approval from the Senate, as the Constitution requires.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has warned the West that Washington's offer to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons capable of striking deep within Russia territory would place the US and NATO in an active state of war. Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned: "If such a decision is made, that means NATO countries are starting an open war against Russia" which would force Moscow to "make certain decisions, with all the attendant consequences for Western aggressors."

Because Ukraine lacks the technology and expertise to use these special weapons, Putin warned, this direct intervention would mean that the US and NATO are "at war with Russia," a development that would change "the very nature of the conflict." Concerned observers noted with alarm that Putin rarely uses the word "war."

White House spokesperson Jack Kirby reportedly "dismissed" Putin's message.

'Psycho America' Suffers from a Military Industrial Complex
On Tuesday, September 17 (8-9:30 PM), the War Industry Resisters Network will be hosting an online, in-depth webinar on the machinations of the US nuclear weapons lobby. What's behind the proposed massive nuclear weapons buildup? Why are plans for "modernizing" Washington's existing nuclear stockpile allowed to proceed despite the increasing dangers of a nuclear Holocaust. (If nuclear weapons are a "defensive deterrence," as advertised, why would we need more of these "never-to-be-used" Armageddon arms?)

Webinar host Bill Hartung will review the key elements of a nuclear buildup (a new generation that includes nuclear-armed bombers, submarines, and missiles such as the new ICBM Sentinel (documented in Hartung's recent report for the Quincy Institute). Hartung will also reveal "the numerous ways that the companies that get the contracts to produce new nuclear weapons actually shape US nuclear policy in conjunction with government bureaucracies, members of Congress" who all benefit economically from their support of the "nuclear-industrial complex."
Click here to register for this event.

The Pentagon's Global Empire of Pollution
Radical filmmaker Abby Martin is wrapping up a new documentary that focuses on climate change and it's greatest contributor. The results of her investigation are echoed in a quote from Prof. Barry Sanders. In his book, The Green Zone: The Environmental Costs of Militarism, Sanders writes: "Here's the awful truth: even if every person, every automobile, and every factory suddenly emitted zero [carbon] emissions, the earth would still be headed—head-first and at full speed—toward total disaster for one major reason: the US military."

Fashion Plates
RAVEEE
HEXTEND
MZDAMBN
EOO4A1
IDB MOMS (I Debate Moms)
JZZSCHL (Jazz School)
ITALNLV (Italian Love)
7C[HEART]FAME (Seven Chart Fame?)

Bumper Snickers
I Had a Life… But My Job Ate It
Mutant Freedom Now
Visualize Whirled Peas
I'm Not Drunk. I'm Avoiding Potholes
No Baby on Board. So Hit Me, I Guess
Adults on Board. We Want to Live Too
Don't Assume I Share Your Prejudices

Acronyms for the Arms Trade
Prof. Don "ThinkerFeeler" Smith has had it with the DoD and the corporate minions of the arms trade. "It's time to retire the phrase 'Military Industrial Complex,'" he argues. Being an activist on many levels (See his AI-crafted ballad at the end of this item), Prof. Smith is ready with a new slew of names that are more appropriate identifiers for America's War Corporations. "How about PHEW for Profiting Handsomely from Endless Wars?," he suggests.

Here are a few more:
SCREW: Selfish Corporations Revel in Endless Wars
EWW: Endless Wicked Wars, Endless Worldwide Wars, Endless War Wankers, Endless War Whores

Smith asked Chat-GPT to contribute and got TWISTER: Tyrannical Warfare Industry Sustaining Tyranny, Exploitation and Destruction. But he prefers his own coinage: Tyrannical War Industry Sustaining Total Exploitation and Destruction.
DEMON: Defense Establishment Manipulating Operations Nationally; Dangerous Entities Militarizing Our Nation
DEATH: Death Enterprises—Armament, Technology, and Hegemony
PROFIT: Profiteers Ravaging Our Fortunes by Instigating Tragedies

When Smith returned to Chat-GPT, he received the following suggestions:
SCOURGE: Systemic Control Over Utilization of Resources and Governance for Endless Wars
WARMONGER: Weapons and Resources Manipulating Organizations Negating Global Ethics and Rights
CORRUPT: Congressional Overreach and Resource Reallocation for Unending Perpetual Tyranny
WARLORD: Weaponized Authority Redirecting Legislatures, Operations and Resources for Destruction
PLUNDER: Policy Leverage Undermining National Development and Economic Resources for Destruction
QUAGMIRE: Quasi-Utopian Agenda Generating Military Involvement and Resource Exploitation
SHACKLE: Strategic Hegemony and Congressional Control Keeping Legislatures Enslaved
PARASITE: Political Authority Redirecting Assets and Stifling Integrity through Endless Conflicts
WICKED: Warfare Industry Corrupting Key Economic Decisions.

"Beautiful for Endless Wars"

America the Bullet-full
The Brady anti-gun-violence organization has published a chart that shows how abnormal gun violence and mass shootings are outside the boundaries of the USA.

The chart shows the US at the top of s global list of 13 nations with 37,040 US "gun violence deaths" in 2023. In second and third place are France (2,098) and Germany (1.020). The other nations all registered gun deaths in triple digits.

Gun deaths outside the US totaled 7,223 meaning the US accounted for more than five times the fatalities in all of the other 12 countries combined. As the Brady team noted: "People in the US are 25 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than in other high-income countries."

Unlike the US, other countries have acted to dramatically holster the pistol threat. In 1996, a gunman with a semi-automatic rifle killed 35 people in Australia. The government responded by creating a national gun registry and banned al semiautomatic weapons. The result: Australia has seen only three mass-shootings since the deadly 1996 rampage.

In 2019, a gunman in New Zealand killed 52 Muslim worshipers. In response, the government of Lacinda Ardern installed a gun registry and placed a ban on ownership of the most dangerous weapons. More than 60,000 firearms were voluntarily surrendered in a government buy-back program. The result: No recurrence of deadly mass shootings.

In 1996, Scotland was rocked by a pistol-armed shooter who killed 16 schoolchildren. In response, the United Kingdom implemented a "near-total ban" on handguns. The result: since the introduction of gun control laws, nearly three decades ago, the country has seen only one mass-shooting.

Donald Trump - Hit 'Em Up (Kamala Harris Rap Diss)

HiRezTV

New: A BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S DIARY: Missing Middle Housing in Fire Zones

Kelly Hammargren

Wednesday September 11, 2024 - 12:58:00 PM

I was in Tim Walz country (Minnesota) when I saw the book Gunflint Burning: Fire in the Boundary Waters by Cary J. Griffith sitting on top of the stack of books at my sister’s house. Gunflint burning is the story of the Ham Lake Fire, the largest fire in Minnesota history in almost a century.

If you have ever canoed and portaged through the Boundary Waters, then you know how uniquely beautiful and serene the experience is. I did the trip decades ago with my then boyfriend. Out on the lake completely by ourselves we stopped to take in the spectacular beauty. It felt and looked as though the earth curved off from this miraculously special place.

Stephen Posniak, who loved the Boundary Waters, on May 5, 2007, two days into his twenty-seventh solo annual trip into the Boundary Waters, in a moment of carelessness accidently ignited the fire that burned an estimated 75,551 acres of forest, with a cost over $11,000,000 in resources, It destroyed so much that some told the author Griffith it was just too painful to relive, even through talking about it.

More than one thousand firefighters, volunteers and others responded to the call to fight the Ham Lake Fire.

Griffith is masterful in describing wildfire as a beast that is eating up whatever is in its path.

Any casual trip into the Berkeley Hills reveals yards, gullies and hillsides filled with highly flammable vegetation leading to densely packed housing, all of which makes a tasty meal to feed the fire beast.

I doubt that any of the younger crowd that spoke at the July 23 special meeting on the Middle Housing Ordinance in favor of adding housing by increasing density in the high fire zones in the Berkeley Hills have any appreciation of the beast that wildfire is, how a moment of carelessness, a wayward spark, can ignite a fire that eats everything in its path until it runs out of fuel.

A young woman who has never that I recall previously attended the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meetings in the years I’ve attended stood up for non-agenda comments on August 7, 2024. She spoke about how she had attended the city council meeting on middle housing and that older people from the hills were talking about fire and opposing adding middle housing in the hills when her friends needed housing.

She insinuated through her comments that opposition to adding housing in the fire zones was a ruse by existing property owners to bolster their own selfish interests. She didn’t believe the hills were actually that hazardous, and said housing should be built in the hills so her friends would have places to live.

The comments from the young woman pushing for approval of increasing density in the hills, the fire zones, didn’t move any commission action at that meeting.

Through the evening we learned from the young woman’s comments she had lived in Berkeley three year, and that is exactly the problem.

She wasn’t here in 1991 nearly thirty-three years ago when the Berkeley Oakland Firestorm exploded on Sunday morning, October 20^th , destroyed 2,843 single-family homes, 437 apartments and condominium units, took the lives of 25 people and 150 suffered non-fatal injuries.

Anyone who experienced that day is unlikely to forget it, especially the people who were trapped in traffic trying to evacuate, abandoned their cars and ran for their lives with the fire billowing around them. Others of us watched the fire move down the hills not knowing if it could be stopped and heard the frightening fire survivor stories from co-workers, friends and neighbors in the days that followed.

I wonder if she read Fire Chief Sprague’s letter to the Berkeley City Council on the middle housing zoning and fire risk, watched the films and followed the references from Sprague’s letter or for that matter if any of the people commenting at the July 23 City Council meeting for treating all of the City the same and increasing density in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) read his letter. https://tinyurl.com/ye27ra3e

I doubt any of those commenters at City Council dismissing fire risk actually grasped that fire in the Berkeley Hills is cyclical in nature and at thirty-three years since the Oakland Berkeley Hills Fire in 1991 we are pushing our luck.

Of course, I’ve learned as an RN that people , even when confronted with irrefutable science and facts, have an immense capacity for denial.

After the meeting, in the brief exchange I had with a member of the Berkeley Fire Department, asking what he thought, got this answer: “she isn’t interested in the science.”

When Kathy Kramer (organizer of the annual native plant garden tour) and I took a drive through the VHFHSZ to look at vegetation especially along the expected evacuation routes, nearly the entire area along our drive was filled with what looked more like kindling than what would fall into recommended steps for home hardening to reduce fire risk.

You can find the list of recommended native plants for VHFHSZ on the Bringing Back the Natives Fire-Hazardous plants and fire-resistant native plants webpage. https://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/fire-hazardous-plants-fire-resistant-native-plants

To make what Kathy and I saw that day even more alarming, my walk partner, who lives in the WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) on the very edge where housing ends and wildland starts, shared with me that in a recent evacuation exercise/drill she couldn’t get out and down the hill. That was in optimal conditions without raging fire and panicked drivers trying to evacuate.

Changing the VHFHSZ from a mix of highly flammable vegetation to fire-resistant native plants is a momentous task. The Berkeley Fire Department is trying to get on top of this through inspections and the Berkeley Fire Safe Council has done a miraculous job of clearing flammable eucalyptus debris, but there is still so much to be done.

A frequent phrase heard on adding and increasing housing density is that it is necessary because “my children can’t live here” or “my friends can’t live here” as if the 10.5 square miles of land in Berkeley is the only place in the world to live. What was interesting in my recent trip to Minnesota and all the other trips over the years was that I never heard anyone whining about where their children or friends couldn’t live.

Fire was just part of the backdrop to what played out at the July 23 City Council special meeting on the Middle Housing Ordinance. It started at 3:30 pm, was supposed to end at 5:30 pm and ran over to 8:42 pm.

I read the late posted “Revised Agenda Material for Supplemental Packet 2” from planning manager Jordon Klein, that stated, “Staff recommend delaying action to adopt the Middle Housing Zoning Ordinance…” but I didn’t quite believe there would be no action so I attended in person to what I believed would be a historic city council meeting.

By the time the meeting started, there were over 100 in attendance and most everyone spoke. It broke out as young versus old, meaning under 40 and people with gray hair. There was resentment over the long history of restrictive covenants, wealth in the hills and redlining in the flats. There was the continuing divide of race and class between hills and the flats. There was the demand that if density is going to increase then it should be across the entire city. There were calls of racism as the real reason for exempting the hills from increased density, not fire.

The very real unaffordability of housing hovered over all of it.

It was former Councilmember Lori Droste who brought the Missing Middle Housing concept to the table as the answer to housing affordability. Middle Housing, defined as duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes, was supposed to be more affordable by the very nature of adding more units to a single parcel and neatly fitting into single family home neighborhoods.

Missing Middle Housing was presented as addressing racism and the remnants of redlining and bringing equity by eliminating single family housing zoning, even though it has been that same single family housing zoning that protected the historic San Pablo Park Black neighborhood. To this day single family housing provides the more modestly priced homes in West Berkeley which has the highest percentage of persons of color in the 2020 census.

At the August 10 Berkeley Neighborhoods Council meeting, Chip Moore, Chair of the Planning Commission, was invited to speak on the Middle Housing Zoning Ordinance. Moore (who is Black), expressed his reservations on the Middle Housing Zoning: “They [proponents of middle housing] are using racism as a way to defend bad public policy…this is not real…they want you to shy away from this argument and I think it is despicable that they are using redlining to justify this…”.

Councilmembers Bartlett, Robinson and Kesarwani attached their names as sponsors along with Droste when Missing Middle Housing appeared on the city council agenda on February 26, 2019 (vote to continue), on March 26, 2019 (vote to hold over to April 23) and on April 23, 2019 when it was finally passed as a referral to the City Manager after which it landed at the Planning Commission.

Missing Middle Housing fell to the back shelf with the pandemic and other priorities. In the intervening years on February 23, 202Z, City Council voted to end single family zoning and to allow multi-family housing throughout all residential neighborhoods, with small scale developments in formerly single-family zoning neighborhoods and low-density neighborhoods.

In 2023 Berkeley submitted its Housing Element for the years 2023 – 2031 which is the state required document and exercise to define Berkeley’s plan for adding the assigned Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 8,934 dwelling units which Berkeley expanded to plan for 15,000 units.

Each regional governmental group receives a bulk number of new housing units which are divided up and assigned to cities within a region. Berkeley is part of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) of which Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin is President.

Interestingly, Richmond which is just up the road and has nearly three times the amount of land (33.7 square miles) was assigned by ABAG just 3,614 dwelling units. ABAG has their formulas. https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/66913/6th-Cycle-Housing-Element_Certified?bidId=

In 2023, Middle Housing was revived and brought to the Planning Commission for discussion by city staff on November 1, 2023 to refine the recommendations to send to City Council.

The name Missing Middle Housing is used to give the impression that besides middle size housing being missing, when middle housing is built it will be affordable to middle income and low-income households.

The entire theory ignores the price of land. The more units that can be put on a piece of land, the more valuable that piece of land becomes, which in turn hikes the rent and sale price of units. It is why when a modest single-family home is demolished and replaced with two or more houses they each sell at market rate which is over $1,000,000.

At the start of the Planning Commission public hearing on Middle Housing on April 3, 2024 Laurie Capitelli (alternate for the evening for Blaine Merker) was still on the middle housing as “affordable” page until he was informed by other commissioners that middle housing was about increasing the number of units not affordability.

April 3 was the evening that John E. “Chip” Moore, the Planning Commission Chair, was absent and Barnali Ghosh, vice-chair, chaired the meeting. It was quite a scene. In the nearly ten years I’ve attended Berkeley City meetings, I’ve never seen anything like it. Ghosh was intent on not allowing Commissioner Elisa Mikitin to speak. Ghosh interrupted her, spoke over her and even called on city staff to stop Mikitin from speaking. Staff stayed out of it.

Despite Mikitin’s concern not being on the table, she remained calm, making her point that if there wasn’t some kind of staging/priority setting to encourage density in single family home districts that normally escape the impacts of upzoning (increasing housing density with bigger taller buildings covering more of the land on a lot/parcel), i.e. North Berkeley, the modest more affordable homes in West Berkeley would be the target for demolition and replacement.

The Planning Commission voted 7 to 2 (Ayes: Andrew, Capitelli, Marthinsen, Twu, Hauser, Ghosh, Noes: Mikitin, Oates, Absent: Moore) for one to 50 dwelling units per acre in Lower Density Residential including the Hillside Overly the VHFSHZ and 20 to 80 dwelling units per acre in the Middle Density Residential and to change the language to say “building intensity can range” instead of “building intensity will range” under land use classifications.

The upzoning vote by the Planning Commission would increase the number of units in current low density neighborhoods with a range of 1 to 10 units to up to 50 units per acre and multi-unit neighborhoods from 20 to 40 units to up to 80 units per acre.

Middle Housing Zoning does not include the downtown which is zoned separately and is seeing a surge of high-rises like the 26-story 456 unit building on Oxford and Center, before the Zoning Adjustment Board on September 12, 2024. The Southside next to UC Berkeley Campus has already been upzoned.

In anticipation of the city council vote on Middle Housing Zoning, Commission on Aging commissioner Phyllis Orrick, who self-proclaimed as a YIMBY in her Sierra Club Northern Alameda County Executive Committee bid (she won), invited Karen Parolek to present examples of middle housing to the Commission on Aging on March 20, 2024. While Parolek was introduced as a Planner representing Berkeley and is the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Commission and a member of Walk Bike Berkeley, Parolek is the co-founder and President of Opticos Design, Inc., a nationally engaged architecture and urban design firm which specializes in missing middle housing. Parolek is not a city employee.

Her presentation included photos of fourplexes with spacious lawns and other designs that blended into local architecture. Spacious green lawns can be seen driving north on Claremont Boulevard off Ashby and Claremont Avenue, but most of us are living in already very dense neighborhoods. I measured the narrowest distance between the wall of my house and the wall of my neighbor, the duplex next door. It is 5 feet 7 inches.

In fact, the map included in Fire Chief Sprague’s letter shows nearly the entire Fire Zones 2 and 3 as dangerously dense which places Berkeley’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the highest risk category in addition to the topography and highly flammable vegetation.

Mayor Arreguin partnered with Councilmember Kesarwani before the July 23 council meeting on Middle Housing Zoning to draft a proposal. It was a smart move, as without gaining Kesarwani as a partner the ordinance likely would have passed with Kesarwani and Humbert joining Taplin Bartlett and Lunapara who all voted to move forward instead of abstaining.

The Lunpara/Humbert motion exempted the Hillside Overlay R1-H (Fire Zone 2) until after the evacuation study is completed by the Fire Department and accepted the maximum densities recommended by Arreguin and Kesarwani.

R-1 – 40 units/acre – Resulting in 5 units on a 5000 square foot lot

R-1A and R2 – 50 units/acre – Resulting in 6 units on a 5000 square foot lot

R-2A and MU-R – 60 units/acre – Resulting in 7 units on a 5000 square foot lot

If your eyes glaze over and your brain goes into shutdown with these numbers, just know Jordon Klein, Director of Planning and Development stated in his introduction to City Council on July 23, “Council is being asked to consider new objective standards to facilitate the production of multi-unit projects in low density districts where those projects are currently not allowed.”

The bottom line is that this is about opening every neighborhood to multi-unit development that has not already been upzoned.

There has been considerable information provided by the Fire Department in documents and presentations on the impact increasing the population and building density in Berkeley has on the capacity of the Fire Department to provide services.

The evacuation study being completed for the Fire Department is not just evacuation. It is also emergency access and will include when completed late this fall according to the information provided at the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission the capacity to assess the impact of how changing the configuration of a street will impact evacuation and emergency access.

The Berkeley Hills are not the only areas of the city with narrow streets creating trouble in the event of an emergency, whether it is access for emergency medical services, response to fire or evacuation.

If public safety has a place in planning and decisions, any further upzoning or changes to the configuration of city streets should be on hold until the evacuation study is completed.

Middle Housing Zoning is coming back for a City Council vote, We need to keep our eyes open and our email pens ready.

Berkeley City Council to Consider Criminalization of Homelessness

George Lippman Vice-Chair, Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission and Berkeley People’s Alliance

Tuesday September 10, 2024 - 11:54:00 AM

The Berkeley City Council is poised to take full advantage of the Trump Supreme Court’s anti-homeless decision in the Grants Pass case.

Tuesday night September 10 at 6pm, Council Member Rashi Kesarwani will introduce item 37 to promote the criminalization of living in public.

Meeting Details : Tuesday 9/10 at 6pm @ 1231 Addison Street

Agenda Packet: https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-regular-meeting-eagenda-september-10-2024

Zoom link: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1607838997

A march called by the new Berkeley Homeless Union will gather at Cedar and San Pablo at 5pm with a rally at 5:30 outside the city council meeting. (See several attachments.)

Kesarwani’s resolution gives lip service to the Martin v. Boise lower court ruling saying cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances if they do not have enough shelter beds available. But as the Union states, the resolution "introduces 'certain conditions' that effectively provide loopholes for justifying the criminalization of unhoused people who have no choice but to sleep in public spaces.

“The six criteria outlined in the resolution rationalize punitive actions against unhoused people, especially in areas designated as 'public right of way,' which are often the only spaces left for people to occupy. The resolution puts the blame on unhoused people for their own circumstances instead of providing relief to mitigate the health and safety risks in their community.

"It's important not to dismiss this is simply a 'traffic issue' – it's a matter of fundamental human rights. Criminalizing someone for being unhoused, particularly after taking away the shelter, is both unjust and inhumane."

As the Union points out, Kesarwani’s item goes against Mayor Arreguin’s statement July 9 that “We’re not going to crack down and do sweeps. We are going to continue to take the very thoughtful approach that we take which focuses on outreach and intervention."

Contact berkeleyhomelessunion@gmail.com or phone (510) 575-0563.

Please also read the attached Peace and Justice Commission resolution “Opposing the Criminalization of Poverty and Homelessness," adopted and referred to the city council on August 7.

Our resolution, if adopted by the city council, would take the opposite tack from Kesarwani’s. The City would “refrain from any criminalization or effective prohibition of sleeping while unhoused.” It would also put the City on record opposing Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-1-24, which “requires the removal of encampments on state lands and requests local governments to take the same action within their jurisdictions, while the Order provides no new funds for the creation of new housing or shelter….”

Please feel free to bring up the Peace and Justice proposal as the antithesis of Kesarwani’s punitive and anti-human item.

SMITHEREENS: Reflections on Bits & Pieces: Reich, Rants & Rites

Gar Smith

Monday September 09, 2024 - 04:54:00 PM

Reich Versus the Rich: The Inflation Ploy
With the rising prices of food and goods, Republicans are hammering the Biden Administration for allowing the cost of living to skyrocket during these critical pre-election months. In response, Berkeley economics truth-teller and MoveOn money-maven Robert Reich recently posted an online essay exposing "The Truth About Inflation."

Reich writes: "The entire America economy is concentrated into the hands of a few greedy, corporate giants with the power to raise prices." Reich reveals: Chevron, Exxon have doubled their profits, Proctor & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark have boosted prices for toilet paper and other staples. Pepsi and Coca Cola have reported billions in operating profits while both competitors have been jacking up prices. (Coke pulled in $10 billion in profits in the third quarter of 2021—a 16% profit over its previous third-quarter haul.)

In addition, Reich rages: "There are only four major meat processing companies in America" and all are "raising their prices and enjoying record profits." Same deal with powerful corporate banks, drug companies, and airlines.

An open letter to Reich:
"Thanks for the recent opinion piece on how a few wealthy market-hogging corporations use inflation to suck up added profits.

"How about noting how these powerful corporations are conspiring to feed inflation to influence the 2024 elections?

"One of the GOP's most effective pre-election ploys is blaming Joe Biden for high prices when it's big business that's creating the 'high cost of living.' Big Biz is not only fueling inflation to win the White House, they are hauling in massive profits in the process—i.e., getting paid for conspiring to steal the election. This should become a Democrat talking point. Big-time!"

Fashion Plates
LORIBEN
YUMI DA
UUUGH
ITALNLV (Italian Love)
WATRSHD (Watershed)
DL MKR (Deal Maker)
ALOHAC8 (Goodbye Cate)

Bumper Snickers
I Am Enough. Sugar Babe
Be Good. Do Good
Keep Honking! I'm listening to Honking
I Brake for Tiny Guys (Image of frogs, hummingbirds, worms)
BABY* ON BOARD *:
*The Baby Is Me. Legally, I'm an Adult, but Emotionally I Am a Baby.

Hollywood Heroes for Harris!
I just received an email from Sean Astin, the Lord of the Rings actor who portrayed the hobbit Samwise Gamgee.

"In this election," Astin writes, "we’re up against another malign force: Trumpism. We’re in a real-world battle between right and wrong, between light and dark.

"This Sunday, I’m inviting you to the Heroes 4 Harris Kamala-Con national livestream event with heroes from Star Wars, The Avengers, Hellboy, Batman, Dark Knight, Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride, Hercules, The Never-ending Story, and so many other sagas" talking with "real-life democracy heroes like Adam Schiff, Alexander Vindman, and the Tennessee Three about how we can defeat real-life foes in 2024."

This unusual event is co-sponsored by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Schlep Labs. Interested? If so, you can RSVP "yes" or "maybe" here to join us at 4pm Eastern this Sunday!

US Universities Conspire to Criminalize Activism

With the 60^th Anniversary of the Free Speech Movement fast approaching, US universities spent a good part of the summer hosting meetings, conferences, seminars, and webinars, on how to respond to the bothersome practice known as democracy. As one official at Oberlin College observed: "If your students are gone now, this is a good time to tighten up your policies." In July, one of these conferences drew 450 "campus protection professionals" to a Campus Safety Conference in Atlanta.

The reach of these strategic gatherings is explored in a recent Mondoweiss/ScheerPost article by Carrie Zaremba titled, "US Universities Spent the Summer Strategizing to Suppress Student Activism." And here are some snippets:

"Run by ex-military, law enforcement and campus public safety officials, the risk and crisis management consulting industry constitutes a critical node of a larger repression network of state actors, partisan off-campus groups and the Zionist lobby, who collectively work to criminalize student political dissent."

"The coordinated crackdown is further exemplified by the Hillel Foundation and Secure Community Network's recent launch of … a security campaign targeting over 50 campuses" with participation of "safety officials from 92 universities and representatives from the FBI, law enforcement association leaders, and Jewish security professionals."

The operating plan calls for: "Bans on encampments, temporary structures, amplified sound, chalking, free-standing signs, flyering, outdoor displays and event tables" and measures designed to "close existing loopholes and preemptively stifle spontaneous and organized political activity."

Looking at the situation in Berkeley, Zaremba writes:
The University of California, which allocated $29 million to counter the Student Intifada in the spring, announced a ban on “masking to conceal identity” and a directive requiring individuals to reveal their identity when asked. As new COVID-19 variants sweep California, President Drake framed these measures as “key to achieving the delicate but essential balance between free speech rights and the need to protect the safety of our community.”

Another potential victim of UCB's proposed No-masking Policy: Oski Bear, the UC campus mascot.

Endless War Blues: Robots for Peace
Another AI-created anti-war song from Donald Smith at ThinkerFeeler.

Cease-fire Resolution Stalled in Berkeley

Friday September 06, 2024 - 02:15:00 PM

The Berkeley City Council has not passed a resolution calling for a cease fire in Gaza, unlike most Bay Area city councils, and the city's Agenda Committee has not even considered a proposed draft of such a resolution. Members of Berkeley's Peace and Justice Commission, due to a bureaucratic snafu, have not been able to consider such a measure either. They held a rally last Tuesday on the steps of the South Berkeley Senior Center, where the commission was supposed to have met, which was attended by about 200 people and featured many speakers, including this one:

THE BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S CALENDAR: September 8-15

Kelly Hammargren

Saturday September 07, 2024 - 03:53:00 PM

Worth Noting:

City Council summer recess ends September 9, 2024. A full week of meetings ahead.

The September 16, 2024 City Council Special Meeting at 6 pm is available for review and comment. Agenda item 1. The Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (housing project and flea market) (packet is 124 pages) and 2. The Berkeley-El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan (packet 171 pages). https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-meeting-eagenda-september-16-2024

Sunday, September 8, 2024: From 10 am – 5 pm is the Solano Stroll with Solano closed to traffic.
Monday, September 9, 2024:
- At 2:30 pm the Agenda and Rules Committee meets in the hybrid format.
- At 4:30 pm City Council meets in closed session in the hybrid format.
- At 6:30 pm the Police Accountability Board has a community input meeting on the Berkeley Police Use of Force Policy.
- At 6:30 pm the Youth Commission meets in person.
- At 7 pm the Personnel Board meets in person.
Tuesday, September 10, 2024: At 7 pm City Council meets in the hybrid format with the Encampment Ordinance as item 37 in the agenda.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024:
- At 3 pm the City/UC/Student Relations Committee meets in the hybrid format.
- At 5 pm the Disability Commission provides virtual conferencing to commissioners and presenters, however, the public including public members with disabilities are required to attend in person.
- At 6:30 pm the Police Accountability board meets in the hybrid format.
- At 7 pm the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission meets in person.
Thursday, September 12, 2024: At 7 pm the Zoning adjustment Board meets in the hybrid format with agenda item 4 the 26-story mixed use project with 456 units at Oxford and Center.
Friday, September 13, 2024: At 7:30 pm is the movie A Million Miles Away at Grove Park.
Saturday, September 14, 2024:
- From 10 am – 12 pm the Berkeley Neighborhoods Council meets online on Berkeley Waterfront Development Plans and Middle Housing Ordinance with City of Berkeley Planning staff presenting and available for questions.
- From 11:30 to 3 pm is the city sponsored skate jam for all ages.

Sunday, September 8, 2024

SOLANO STROLL from 10 am – 5 pm

Solano Avenue closed to traffic

https://www.solanoavenueassn.org

Monday, September 9, 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/1612981697

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

Meeting ID: 161 298 1697

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve -9/24/2024 -- 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, including Strengthening the Committee System to Provide More In-Depth Review and Vetting of Major Items, 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

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/1615126453

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

Meeting ID: 161 512 6453

AGENDA: 1. Pending Litigation SEIU Local 1021 v. City of Berkeley Unfair Practice Charge, 2. Conference with Labor Negotiators

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

COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION on Berkeley Police Department Policy 300 at 6:30 pm

Meeting is Hybrid with participants limited to 15 in person and 30 for virtual attendance.

Only virtual participation spaces remain open.

Policy 300 is use of Force: The September 9 session is on Accountability and Transparency.

Use link to register and receive zoom link:

https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/legislative-body-meeting-attachments/ODPA%20Community%20Input%20Session_Use%20of%20Force_Final%20%282%29.pdf

PERSONNEL BOARD at 7 pm

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

AGENDA: Action Items: V. Recommendation to Revise Salary Range – Aquatics Specialist II, VI. Recommendation to Revise Job Class Specification – Assistant to the City Attorney, VII. Recommendation to Revise Job Class Specification – Community Services Officer, VIII. Recommendation to Extend Temporary Appointment – Deputy Director of Health, Housing, and Community Services, IX. Presentation on Hiring Data – discussion only, X. Report by Director of Human Resources.

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

YOUTH COMMISSION at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1730 Oregon

AGENDA: 9. Vote to send Bathroom Letter.

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

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on September 10, 2024

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1607838997

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

Meeting ID: 160 783 8997

AGENDA: Use the link and choose the html option to review agenda items individually or pdf to see the entire packet as one document or go to the agenda listed at the end of the calendar for a quick scan.

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

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

CITY/UC/STUDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE at 3 pm

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88420686172

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

Meeting ID: 884 2068 6172

AGENDA: 4. Use of UC Settlement Funds for Priority Capital Projects, 5. Presentation on Bakar ClimatEnginuity Hub Development Project, 6. Presentation on Bancroft Student Housing Development Project.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/cityucstudent-relations-committee

COMMISSION on DISABILITY at 5 pm

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

AGENDA: 10. Feedback on Tent Board Postcard, 11. Discussion and vote on Active Icon referral to Council, 12. Discussion and vote on WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) contract clause referral to Council, 13. Discussion and vote on PROWAG (Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines) contract clause to Council. 14. Workplan.

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

PARKS, RECREATION, and WATERFRONT COMMISSION at 7 pm

In-Person: 2800 Park, St. Frances Albrier Community Center

AGENDA: 8. Director’s Report Special events, community engagement, summer program recap, 9. Discussion/Action: Ohlone Greenway safety improvements, 10. Discussion/Action: Update on Stormwater Master Plan, 11. Discussion/Action: Update Measure Y, Parks Tax Ballot Measure. 12. Discussion/Action: Update on Testing at Cesar Chavez Park,

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/parks-recreation-and-waterfront-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, Public comment at the PAB is at the beginning and end of the meeting and not on individual agenda items.5. OPDA staff Report, 6. Chair and Board Member Reports, 7. Chief of Police Report, 9. New Business a. Discussion and action on the status of the PAB and ODPA Regulations for Handling Investigations and Complaints, b. Discussion and action on the operation and Processes Subcommittee’s recommendations for changes in the PAB’s Policy Review Process, c. Discussion and action regarding the 2025 PAB Strategic Planning session, d. Discussion and action regarding Citygate Associates, LLC Workload Organizational Study of the Berkeley Police Department, e. Discussion and action regarding the City Manager’s Off-Agenda Reports to City Council i. Specialized Care Unit (SCU), ii. Fixed Automated License Plate Reader Deployment Plan, 10. Public Comment, 11. Closed Session.

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

Thursday, September 12, 2024

ZONING ADJUSTMENT BOARD (ZAB) at 7 pm

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85908112052

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

Meeting ID: 859 0811 2052

AGENDA on Consent: 2. 2738 Prince – Use Permit #ZP2024-0001 - to construct an approximately 650 sq ft two-story addition creating 3 new bedrooms (total six) in R-2 District. 3. Re-appoint Lillian Mitchell, LEED AP for committee licensed architect position.

AGENDA on Action: 4. 2708 Prince – Use Permit #ZP2024-0024 – to demolish existing 13 ft 9 in tall 1-story 1052 sq ft house and accessory building (garage) and construct new 24 ft 4 in tall 2-story 3118 sq ft duplex,

5. 2128-30 Oxford / 2132-2168 Center – Use Permit #ZP2022-0135 – to demolish 2 buildings (one mixed-use with 16 rent controlled units, one commercial) and construct a 26-story (285 ft 4 in plus 7 ft parapet, 713,664 sq ft mixed use building with 456 dwelling units including 6 extremely low-income and 34 very low-income density bonus qualifying / replacement units 14,404 sq ft of commercial space, 36 parking spaces and certify FEIR and adopt mitigation monitoring and reporting program.

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

Friday, September 13, 2024

MOVIES in the PARK: A MILLION MILES AWAY from 7:30 pm – 10:45 pm

Location: 1730 Oregon, Grove Park

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/movies-park-million-miles-away

Saturday, September 14, 2024

BERKELEY NEIGHBORHOODS COUNCIL (BNC) at 10 am

Videoconference:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4223188307?pwd=dFlNMVlVZ2d6b0FnSHh3ZlFwV2NMdz09

Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171 Meeting ID: 422 318 8307 Passcode: 521161

AGENDA: Berkeley Waterfront Development Plans and Middle Housing Ordinance with City of Berkeley Planning staff presenting and available for questions.

https://berkeleyneighborhoodscouncil.com/

T-Mack Skate Jam from 11:30 am – 3 pm

Location: at 711 Harrison

Free Event all Ages – This Annual event celebrates the life and memory of Terrance McCrary Jr.

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/t-mack-skate-jam-0

Sunday, September 15, 2024 – no city meetings found

++++++++++ AGENDA & RULES COMMITTEE September 9 at 2:30 pm +++++++++

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm on Monday, September 9, 2024

Members: Arreguin, Hahn, Wengraf

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1612981697

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

Meeting ID: 161 298 1697

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

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on September 24, 2024

Recess Items:

Davis, Public Works – Contract $400,000 with B0Bros Construction for Temporary Stabilization of Stair Tower Windows at 2180 Milvia

AGENDA on CONSENT

Numainville, City Clerk - Establish 2025 City Council Meeting Schedule
Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations
Ferris, Parks – Grant Application $5,000,000 to U.S. Department of Transportation for Santa Fe Railroad Trackbed to Park Conversion Project
Civic Arts Commission – Fund Request $125,000 Mitigation Fee Nexus Study, Public Art on Private Development Requirement
Kesarwani – Budget Referral: Independent Consultant to Conduct Analysis of Referring Restaurant Inspections to Alameda County

AGENDA on ACTION:

Arreguin – Amend Contract No. 32000196 add $11,632.30 total $347,632.30 with Szabo & Associates for Communications Consulting Services for the Mayor’s Office
Authors Humbert, Taplin, Wengraf – the Resolution Clarifying the Intent of Measure Y (2024) – Increasing Parks, Trees and Landscaping Maintenance Tax “Recommendation: In order to ensure that voters are fully informed and to inform future discussions of potential expenditures, it is recommended that the Berkeley City Council adopt the following language to clarify (but not change) the intent of Measure Y” The Intent of Measure Y is to generate additional funds by increasing the Parks Tax for park and landscape maintenance in the Waterfront including Cesar Chavez (Berkeley’s largest park), improvements to Berkeley’s urban forest and street plantings, and essential park and landscaping related capital projects.”

INFORMATION REPORTS:

Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 2000 Kala Bagai Way #LMSAP2024-0002
Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 2227 Parker #LMIN2024-0001
Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 8 greenwood Common #LMSAP2024-0001

+++++++ CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 AGENDA +++++++++++++

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on September 10, 2024

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1607838997

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

Meeting ID: 160 783 8997

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

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS

PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS

AGENDA on CONSENT:

Ferris, Parks – Grant Application $3,200,000 Local Transportation Climate Adaption Program (LTCAP) for the Interstate 80 Aquatic Park Tidetube Culvert Renovation and Habitat Resiliency Project

Ferris, Parks – Grant Application: U.S. DOT - Charging and Fueling infrastructure Discretionary Grant – South Cove West Parking Lot Renovation and EV Charging Project.
Ferris, Parks – 2^nd reading of Ordinance No. 7,932-N.S. Lot Line Adjustments at 1401 Carelton Street and 1423 Ward Street to resolve main dwelling encroachments at the City’s Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion Project Site.
Ferris, Parks – 2^nd reading of Ordinance No. 7,933-N.S. lease agreement Youth Musical Theater Company for the Live Oak Theater at 1301 Shattuck for term of 3 years 9/1/2024 – 8/31/2027
Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes
Numainville, City Clerk – Contract $178,653.47 with File Trail, Inc for Records Management System 9/26/2024 – 9/26/2029
Numainville, City Clerk – Voting Delegates – League of California Cities Annual Conference
Numainville, City Clerk – City Council Rules of Procedure and Order Revisions, add revisions recommended by the Open Government Commission and approved by Council
Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $5,960,000, $100,000-Early Intervention system, $110,000-Public Art, $200,000-Food Assistance, $1,500,000-Storm Drain, $900,000-Police vehicles, $3,000,000-Curb Ramp Improvement Project
Gilman, HHCS – Mental Health Services Act Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Update
Gilman, HHCS – 2024 Local Housing Trust Fund Application to State of California Local Housing Trust Fund program for $5,000,000 for two projects at the North Berkeley BART Site: East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) and NBB BRIDGE Insight Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Project
Gilman, HHCA – Amend Contract No. 32300112 add $63,928 total $208,878 with Harold Dichoso for COVID-19 Outreach and Education and extend to 6/30/2025
Gilman, HHCA – Amend Contract No. 32200135 add $45,136 total $231,136 with Multicultural Institute for COVID-19 Outreach and Education and extend to 6/30/2025
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 32500020 total $249,999 with ACAPMO for Technology Program/Project Management Office (PMO) for additional services 8/1/2024 – 12/31/2025
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 31900187 add $84,000 total $362,000 with ISP.NET (Formerly LV.NET) for Secondary Internet for Redundancy and Load Balancing from 10/3/2017 – 6/30/2026
Fong, IT – Amend Contract 32100185 add $1,037,372 total $2,033,489 with Digital Hands for Cybersecurity Event Monitoring and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) frp, 5/14/2021 – 6/30/2027
Fong, IT – Amend contract add $645,173 total $2,934,123 with Tyler Technologies, Inc for Computer aided Dispatch (CAD) Software and extend to 6/30/2026
Fong, IT – Contract $1,395,000 with Roundstone Solutions, Inc. a Distributor of Carasoft Technology Corporation Using General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule for hardware, software, and services related to the Server Infrastructure Upgrade and Azure Disaster Recovery from 8/1/2024 – 7/31/2027
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 32000223 add $50,000 total $299,500 with Gray Quarter, Inc for Accela Professional Services through 7/31/2025
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 319002070 add $1,704,438 total $5,411,676 with Dell Computers, Inc. for Computer Hardware and Software Purchases
Fong, IT, Amend Contract No. 099471-1 add $16,906.61 total $100,359.61 with Integrated Business Consultants of GA (Reseller) for additional software maintenance and twenty additional support hours and extend through 6/30/2027
Ferris, Parks – Amend Contract No. 32400024 add $120,000 total $556,954 with Baldoni Construction Services, Inc for Echo Lake Camp Accessibility Upgrades
Ferris, Parks – Donation $3,400 for Memorial Bench at the Berkeley Waterfront Pathway in memory of Ying Xiang Liu
Ferris, Parks – Donation $3,400 for Memorial Bench at the Berkeley Waterfront Pathway in memory of Obaidulla Khan
Klein, Planning – Mills Act Contract 1401 Le Roy Ave
Klein, Planning – Mills Act Contract 60 Panoramic Way
Klein, Planning – Mills Act Contract 7 Greenwood Common
Louis, Police – Donation $1,125.42 Fusako Castro Estate to the Berkeley Police Department
Louis, Police – Contract $1,313,482 with All-Star Talent for Recruiting, Advertising, and Marketing Strategy for Berkeley Police and Fire Departments 6/1/2024 – 5/30/2028 with option to extend for 2 additional 2-year periods
Louis, Police – Accept Revenue Grant with California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) 10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025
a. Disaster and Fire Safety Commission – Panoramic Hill Secondary Evacuation egress road, adopt a resolution approving the development of a plan that includes a feasibility study and identification of funding sources, b. Sprague, Fire – Companion Report – Panoramic Hill Secondary Evacuation reach out to other impacted land owners to determine interest in pursuing and coordinate costs sharing to conduct a feasibility study to identify a safe secondary evacuation and access route
Homeless Services Panel of Experts – Request additional meeting in 2024 due to special meeting to address Insight Housing Allocation
Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission – Name Concrete Planter at Southeast Corner of Adeline and Alcatraz as the Ms Richie and Friends of Adeline Native Garden
Wengraf – Amending BMC 7.52.060 to include “Wildfire Hardening” in the Real Property Transfer Tax Exceptions
Wengraf, co-sponsors Arreguin, Hahn - AC Transit Draft Final Plan, Letter to AC Transit urging to reconsider frequency of service for bus lines 65, 67 including restoration of weekend service

AGENDA on ACTION:

Sprague, Fire – Ambulance Transport Fee Increase to match Alameda County approved ambulance user fee schedule effective 7/1/2024
Kesarwani, co-sponsor Wengraf – Encampment Policy Resolution to Promote Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods and Related First Reading of Ordinance Amending BMC 14.48 Recommendation CoB will continue to offer interim shelter existing “Housing First” approach with 6 exceptions, 1) Fire Department has determined encampment poses a fire hazard BMC 19.48, 2) HHCS has determined that encampment poses an imminent health hazard BMC 11.36.030, 3) Situation constitutes a public nuisance, 4) Encampment is located on City street median roadway or otherwise in dangerous proximity to traffic BMC 14.32.040, 5) Encampment interferes with or impedes city of utility companies’ construction or maintenance activities in the public right-of-way street lighting installation or repair street tree maintenance or utilities maintenance or repair and City Manager is authorized to take enforcement actions to deter re-encampments and may enable enforcement through temporary on-commercial objects of less than nine-square-feet within less than 24 hours in a designated public area marked with signage to deter re-encampment

Information Reports:

Housing advisory Commission 2024-2025 Work Plan.

Disposition of Items Removed from Draft Agenda

To be scheduled for a special meeting - Harrison – Adopt BMC 13.89 Community/Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, Policy Committee negative recommendation
Removed by City Manager - Klein, Planning – Re-adoption of the Berkeley Building Codes, Including Local Amendments to the 2022 California Building standards Code

+++++++++++++++++++ Land Use - Work Sessions - Special Meetings +++++++++++++++

LAND USE CALENDAR

~~844 University Ave (Black Pine Circle School) 9/3/2024~~ Removed from list
3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:

September 16 - Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (tentative July)
September 30 - COPA/TOPA
October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan
October 29 (3:30 pm) Re-Imagining Public safety Update (Tentative)

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS

Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
Economic Dashboards Update (January 2025)

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST

Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
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 ++++++++

The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html

Israel Must Be Held Accountable

Jagjit Singh

Saturday September 07, 2024 - 01:17:00 PM

IDF-Settler terrorism in the West Bank escalates.

Israel has made Gaza unlivable, planting seeds of hatred that will last for generations.

Israeli military forces (IDF) and settler extremists, armed with U.S-U.K. weapons, have been on a rampage, killing scores of innocent Palestinians. This only deepens resentment against Israel , the United States and the United Kingdom, ensuring decades of hostility.

Israel’s propaganda machine continues to justify its actions with false claims about the insurgents it has killed. The latest military operations in Jenin and across the West Bank have devastated Palestinian communities, destroying homes, businesses, and lives. Tragically, innocent civilians, including children, are among the dead.

The U.S. must reconsider its unwavering support for Israel’s military tactics. These actions not only violate human rights but also fuel a growing animosity towards Israel, the U.S., and the U.K. making any future peace far more difficult to achieve.

If the cycle of violence is ever to end, the world, including the United States, must hold Israel accountable for its continued occupation and aggression. Peace cannot be achieved through force, but through justice and respect for human life.

For more go to: https://callforsocialjustice.blogspot.com/

Opinion

Public Comment

New: Polio vaccine for Gaza

Jagjit Singh

Monday September 16, 2024 - 11:47:00 AM

"Some Gazans Say Polio Drive Is Futile While Israel Keeps Bombing," which highlights the challenges faced by the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza amidst ongoing violence. While the campaign has made significant strides in coverage, it is crucial to understand it within the broader context of the severe humanitarian crisis in the region. Children require 2 doses which they are unlikely to receive.

The daily threat of bombings, as recounted by residents such as Mohammed al-Sabti, underscores the tragic absurdity of focusing on disease prevention while a more immediate and deadly threat looms. The recent airstrike on a United Nations school complex, which tragically resulted in numerous casualties, exemplifies the dire conditions faced by Gazans. The irony that this site was used for polio vaccinations only a week prior highlights the precarious nature of humanitarian efforts amidst relentless bombing campaigns.

Moreover, human rights organizations rightly point out the paradox of international attention to polio while a broader ceasefire remains elusive. This discrepancy reflects a troubling reality where the urgency of immediate health threats is sometimes overshadowed by the inability to address the root causes of ongoing violence, including the brutal occupation, mass hunger, and the bombing of schools, hospitals, and Gaza’s infrastructure. These devastating conditions have nothing to do with “Israel’s self-defense” but rather represent an ongoing effort to annihilate the entire Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

UCB - a public university or a corporate innovation center?

Bernard Marszalek

Monday September 02, 2024 - 01:00:00 PM

A recent Chronicle article featuring Richard Lyons (class of '79), the university’s 12th chancellor depicts the university as a study in juxtapositions, or maybe, better, to use that antiquarian notion, contradictions.

On the one hand we have the former "chief innovation officer in 2020" at UCB, who banks almost a million dollar paycheck for his services, who, before his academic career with the Haas Business School is 1993, was the “chief learning officer” at Goldman Sachs for a few years. And in contrast to this pedigreed innovator, we have an institution that "faces an extraordinary $79 million budget deficit that threatens to exhaust its central reserves by spring" according to the Chron article.

What we have here, I believe, is the replication on UCB's campus of the general society with its collapsing bridges and utility failures, and, in contrast to this decay, high rise luxury residences, super yachts, and Michelin star restaurants. A polarization of private wealth and public poverty. Nothing better symbolizes this UCB polarization, what, in fact, is a total failure of the vision of a public serving university, than the transfer students leaving their luxury Anchor House apartments to sit on the steps of a lecture hall filled to beyond capacity, or venturing into a filthy restroom, or an understaffed library, or confronting a prof office hours wait list?

To quote again from the Chron:

Lyons said the group [the Berkeley Faculty Association] doesn’t represent all faculty, as does the Academic Senate. But it’s correct, he said, that the “core of the university” — including libraries and
labs — is deteriorating.

The BFA's Open Letter to the Chancellor is at the link below:

https://ucbfa.org/2024/04/an-open-letter-to-the-new-chancellor-of-ucb/

Further in the article, Lyons says, "We need to fund deferred maintenance in our research facilities."

Some of those research facilities are the promising financial rewards UCB hopes to harvest from biomedical labs. The campus houses many such labs. Most are classified as Biosafety Lab class 2 (BSL-2) - which require a series of safety protocols to protect the lab workers and prevent toxic material from escaping the labs. Three of those labs are the much more restricted BSL-3 labs that are currently prevented from occupying buildings in close proximity to residences and retail in the City of Berkeley. These labs deal with highly communicable viruses and are housed within specially built labs.

It is not very encouraging to read that the chancellor says labs are "deteriorating."

BUT, this may not be the most revealing fact is in this article. According to UCB's Budget Office ". . . just 14% of its funding now comes from the state, versus 50% in the mid-1990s."

This fact raises an interesting question. When does a public institution cease to be PUBLIC? If the operating budget of a so-called 'public institution' is mainly supported by private funds, in this case 86% (!), when do the benefits of public financing become a boondoggle for private interests?

Of course, the land is public, but why should a ostensible private institution, defined by its overwhelming private financing, benefit? What's so crazy about suggesting that UCB Inc should lease the land from the public and be considered just another big corporation that as a minor feature offer job training?

Growing Health Crisis in Gaza

Jagjit Singh

Monday September 02, 2024 - 04:46:00 PM

The recent polio outbreak in Gaza is a stark reminder of the dire consequences of the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian crisis it has created. Relentless bombing in Gaza has forced Palestinian civilians to be constantly on the move, often without access to adequate vaccination, food, or clean water. These conditions have directly contributed to a resurgence of polio, with a 10-month-old baby now paralyzed in one leg due to the virus. This is Gaza's first confirmed polio case in 25 years, and it poses a threat of further spread.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been alarming numbers of diarrhea cases, respiratory infections, lice, scabies, and suspected hepatitis A. International agencies are now rushing to provide over 1.6 million doses of oral poliovirus vaccine to immunize children under the age of 10. However, this reactive approach does not address the root causes of the health crisis in Gaza.

The ongoing conflict has decimated hospitals and clinics. This has severely limited Gaza’s ability to provide basic healthcare and disease prevention services. The current crisis, exacerbated by constant airstrikes and ground combat, makes Israel and the United States complicit in the humanitarian disaster affecting young children. The situation in Gaza requires immediate international intervention to stop the violence and ensure access to essential health services. Failing to act will not only continue to harm the people of Gaza but could also lead to a broader public health crisis. It is imperative that the global community holds accountable those responsible for these actions and works to restore peace and stability in the region.

Belief of the Privileged: Intrinsic Superiority

Jack Bragen

Sunday September 15, 2024 - 05:12:00 PM

Non-disabled (some would term them "neuro-typical") people often make erroneous presumptions about mentally disabled (sometimes termed "neuro-atypical") people. Many affluent people believe that can't do anything that entails brains.

But this is not accurate.

I'm badly misunderstood by a lot of people, and it baffles me. Some people seem to judge me by how I look: people who don't know me, who've never seen me before and who haven't ever spoken to me seem to assume I'm dumb. And I can tell when I'm being treated as an idiot--it is fully apparent.

Others might judge me by believing unfounded, defaming talk. People may form a consensus that I'm of low I.Q. And people are generally sure of themselves when everyone in their group agree on a belief. Then, when I do something that shows I'm not an idiot, that I'm actually damned smart, people seem to flip out.

Yet, I want to talk about the belief of superiority among those who work, versus those who can't. I have heard people boost their self-worth at the expense of disabled people by boasting, "I went to college, I work for a living, I have children to look after." This is supposedly a badge of being better. The reality is they ought to feel privileged and grateful, they can do this, because most people with disabilities would do this if we could, and we are denied the joys and challenges of it. A professional job seems to make life worth living. And if we are locked out of it, we have lives of doing without.

Professional employment is everything. It provides not just money, but self-worth, social status, meaningful experiences, and a reason to wake up in the morning. If you have a professional job, it brings respect from others and it brings self-respect.

Being denied a professional job is a major blow that can ruin the lives of people with disabilities. I met a man in a mental health self-help group who was newly diagnosed with a psych condition. For a living he was an airline mechanic. At a guess, a person would be fired from such a job if they exhibited any indication of a mental illness. I later heard of the man's suicide.

I need to tell you here that suicide is not a solution. Even when it seems as though there is no hope, I suggest you keep trying, and you will find good things to live for.

Many people believe they are better than other people because of having more money. The believe you are defined by your "net worth." Affluent, well-educated people are more prone to classism. If you are poor and lack formal education, you could harbor reverse classism. And I get flak from both sides.

In our laps, as people with disabilities, is the possibility that some kinds of work are within reach. And while it could be humiliating in some instances to be helped to work, through the channels of the mental health treatment system, it might be worth doing despite this. Maybe it just isn't worth it to try and compete against well-educated, professionally employed people. Instead, doing something within reach might be the answer.

When some friend, relative, acquaintance, or other individual wants to get their satisfaction of them being better than us, let them. Don't resent it, just focus on what you're doing.

I'm not after the whole pie, just a piece of it. If I can get some of the good things that come with working, it makes my quality of life better than it would otherwise be. I don't believe for a moment that I could handle full-time work. My history for the past forty years has shown limited success in part time work, with some of the work involving brainpower and other jobs doing tasks that no one else wants to do.

There are jobs where you can be paid to do something simply because no one wants to do this stuff. And there are top notch jobs that require a level of expertise and skill, where few would be capable enough. Those are two ends of the employment spectrum. I have been to the lower end. I've also done jobs that involve a fair amount of brainpower. It is not so much that no one else could do the jobs. It is just that not every person could do them, and they require some amount of training.

The presumption of superiority is condescending and inaccurate. But we don't have the power to force others to see it our way. When someone wants to feel superior, we can do nothing about it other than ignore it.

Jack Bragen is author of "Instructions for Dealing with Schizophrenia: A Self-Help Manual" and of three short story collections. His books are available on Amazon, and much of his writing is findable on the web.

New: Uncommiteds Should Address the Whole Problem

Bruce Joffe

Thursday September 05, 2024 - 01:58:00 PM

As Chris Krohn reported, the Uncommitted Democratic delegates are very unhappy because they didn't get a chance to address the DNC to advocate for a cease fire in Gaza. I also support a ceasing of all violent hostilities, and I believe that President Biden and Vice President Harris are working diligently to achieve a cease fire - as the first step toward a viable two-state peaceful solution. Nevertheless, it was appropriate that the Uncommitteds were not given the DNC stage.

Why? Because the Uncommitteds are committed to only one half of the problem: that Israel cease bombing Gaza where many innocent civilians are paying the price of Hamas' cruel placement of military assets within civilian schools, hospitals and homes. The Uncommitteds are NOT also demanding a cease fire on the part of Hamas and Hezbollah to stop firing rockets into Israeli civilian homes, schools, and marketplaces. The Uncommitted are calling for the U.S. to stop sending armaments to Israel, but have REFRAINED from calling for Iran to stop arming Hamas and Hezbollah. That makes the Uncommitteds appear to be committed to the terrorists who started this latest round of violence and its reprisal.

If the Uncommitteds are actually people of good faith who want peace in Palestine and Israel, they need to expand their demands for cease fire and disarmament. More urgently, they need to become COMMITTED to the electoral victory of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, because if the corrupt, lying cowards are elected, peace will be detonated and exploded, along with truth, justice, and democracy.

SMITHEREENS: Reflections on Bits & Pieces: Wars, Tours and More

Gar Smith

Wednesday September 04, 2024 - 01:38:00 PM

A GOP Voice Against Washington's Wars?
In his speech at the RNC convention Silicon Valley Republican donor David Sacks caused some jaws to drop when he uttered a seldom-spoken truth—that President Biden provoked the Russian invasion of Ukraine as part of "his talk about NATO expansion."

It was far from just talk. The US provocations hit a peak with the 2014 coup and a shooting war in the Donbas region that lead to Putin's "special military action." Sacks was correct when he stated that President Biden "rejected every opportunity for peace in Ukraine, including a deal to end the war just two months after it broke out." Sacks was correct when he bemoaned the resulting conflict's high cost in lives and money. And he sounded like Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein when he declared that the US should not try to "play the world's policeman." But Sacks dropped the bag when he declared that the US should build the world's most powerful military to keep America "safe."

Sacks failed to explain why the US—with 4% of the world's population—needs to be Number One in military strength. While Sacks prefers a president "willing to talk to adversaries as well as friends, because that is the only way to make peace" he also called for "a president who will stand up to the warmongers, instead of empowering them." The words were a bit discordant since many of America's worst warmongers are to be found in the GOP (e.g., Lindsey Graham).

Spoiler Alert: Sack's investment firm helped found Palantir Technologies, a major US $72 billion high-tech weapons manufacturer. Bonus Alert: Republican Rep. Mike Gallegher (R. Wis.) has announced that he's stepping down from his seat in Congress to take a top job with Palantir. As one press report put it, Gallagher "is publicly acknowledging that he is looking to trade on his government contracts to create profits in his new role: overseeing Palantir's defense business. In other words, he didn't just go through the revolving door. He's proud of it."

Locked and Lethal But Too Sick to Serve?
In her DNC acceptance speech, Kamala Harris shocked her peace-loving supporters by promising to unleash "the world's most lethal army." Harris has yet to address the requirement in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act that would require women—as well as men—to register for the military draft. But there's a problem the draft-hungry Pentagon has to deal with—i.e., the health of America's draft-age youth. Commentator Natalya Panteleyeva explains in the following diagnosis:

"[The] promise of the world's most powerful military runs into the problem of recruitment in a generation with 60% having a chronic disease disqualifying them from military service. Among the remaining 40%, many do not qualify because of non-chronic diagnoses in medical histories…. Even if [recruitment qualifications] are relaxed, the most powerful military will not emerge from the sickest population compared to its competitors."

Climate Change Isn't Healthy
The Climate Reality Project has just offered a glimpse of what climate change has in store, starting with Australia's Great Barrier Reef where temperatures over the past decade have reached the highest recorded in 400 years. Extreme heat has caused five mass coral bleaching events over the past decade. At the same time, the frequency and magnitude of extreme wildfires has doubled worldwide with the six of the most extreme fire years occurring in the past seven years.

Climate change is bringing more bad news for the Pentagon's plans to bring back the military draft. Climate change is aggravating a wide range of ailments, including respiratory and heart diseases, insect-spread diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile Virus, as well as water- and food-related illnesses. Not to mention potential injuries and deaths from extreme weather events like floods, wildfires, and more intense storms.

Give Us Hope, Kamala
The Harris/Walz ticket has gendered lots of enthusiastic response—in large measure because the Democrats are offering (for the first time in US history) a gendered ticket. The hope-spasm enthusiasm has been captured by this online reggae anthem, "Gimme Hope, Kamala."

This song is based on an 1988 Apartheid-era tune from South Africa performed by Eddy Grant's once-banned song, "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna." It's worth hearing. Give it a click.

Speaking of South Africa
Cleaning out some of the files in my office, I came across a stack of papers from a memorable trip to South Africa more than a decade ago. In addition to a list of 290 examples of local slang ("takkies" for sneakers, "stokies" for slippers) the glossary also included the following useful phrases under the headline, "You Know You're South African When":
You call a bathing suit a "swimming costume."
You can sing your national anthem in four languages and have no idea what it means in any of them
You can do your monthly shopping on the pavement.
You know someone who knows someone who knows Nelson Mandela.
You have to take your own linen if admitted to a government hospital.
People have wonderful names like: Christmas, Goodwill, Pretty, Wednesday, Blessing, Brilliant, Gift, Precious, Innocence and Given.

Fashion Plates
Personalized license plates spotted about town:
AUTAN
GROKNOW
PAPABOB
MONCERO
HELIOSP
XILANGA
MZDAMBN
MWWWMMM
LUIGIZ (Luigi's?)
LUVMRJ (LOVE MR. J?)
ARRTHOU (How Art Thou?)
Bumpersnickers
Get Bent
Be Simple
Peace Through Music
Skullastic READ of DIE
Can't Stop Me: I'm Following My Dreams
We're Fonda Jane

The Earth Does Not Belong to Us. We Belong to the Earth.

Electricity from the Ground Up
Researchers at Northwestern University have stumbled across a source of electricity that was first developed in 1911 and is literally "dirt-cheap." In an article titled "Dirt-powered Fuel Cells Can Run Forever," the scientists write about their creation of "a new fuel cell that harvests energy from microbes living in dirt."

A solution may lie with Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) that "use special microbes to break down soil and use that low amount of energy to power sensors. As long as there is organic carbon in the soil for the microbes to break down, the fuel cell can potentially last forever.”

The article describes how, instead of using chemicals, " MFCs harvest electricity from bacteria that naturally donate electrons to nearby conductors. When these electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, it creates an electric circuit."

As one university researcher noted: “If we imagine a future with trillions of [electronic] devices, we cannot build every one of them out of lithium, heavy metals and toxins that are dangerous to the environment."

"About the size of a standard paperback book, the completely soil-powered technology could fuel underground sensors used in precision agriculture and green infrastructure. This potentially could offer a sustainable, renewable alternative to batteries, which hold toxic, flammable chemicals that leach into the ground, are fraught with conflict-filled supply chains and contribute to the ever-growing problem of electronic waste."

A British start-up is reportedly ready to market a version of the MFC. They've named their bacteria-based-battery the "Bactery."

Artificial Intelligence Sings the Blues
"The Lesser-of-Two-Evils Blues" by Donald A. Smith, PhD

Using Udio.com for the music, I created this blues song about lesser-of-two-evils in US elections. I do think Trump is a lot worse, but both parties promote war and generally serve the 1%.

MENTAL HEALTH: Stay Well, Stay Alive

Jack Bragen

Monday September 02, 2024 - 03:43:00 PM

In the distant past, and I'm talking about the nineteen eighties, it wasn't really a big deal if you had a psychotic disorder and had a relapse. Often, it was anticipated. The mental health treatment systems were good enough toward ill people that we could get some care when this happened. I recall a nurse, as I walked past her in a hallway of a psych ward said, "So Jack, have you written any Pulitzer Prize winning novels lately?" At the time it was a good rib, since back then I had not even been published. That's the sort of thing you got. The nurse was quite nice and she was just joshing with me.

In the psych ward at Kaiser Martinez, in the late nineteen eighties, I found recovery in the peacefulness of the ward, and I came out of my delusions when a movie was played: "Field of Dreams." Movies aren't made like that anymore. Now it is all special effects, violence, and who can be the best at blowing the other guy away. Analogous changes have taken effect in how people treat those who are ill.

If you have a psychiatric condition and if you stop treatment for it, you could be in a lot of danger. The treatment system and the new legislation supposedly intended to help mentally ill people recover, are shams. If you have a mental illness, it is exceedingly important that you remain in treatment and don't play games with your meds or do any experimenting with a lower dosage.

Times have changed. And they have changed for the worse. We don't have compassionate, caring mental health facilities or housing. We could go to inpatient psychiatry in Martinez, which is said by those who work there, it is not a place to be unless you absolutely need it. We have jail. And we have the street. Those are our three choices if we relapse.

Housing, again, not anything to trifle with. I had a misjudgment concerning my housing almost two years ago, and that decision continues to punish me. At the time, the psychiatric nurse practitioner responsible for my medications was fiddling with my psychiatric drugs because a family member was upset, believing I was very delusional.

I was not as delusional as the family member believed me to be. When my meds were changed, I abruptly got worse. And I'd been switched to one of the most dangerous antipsychotics, one that could, in some cases, kill. I had a bad reaction to it that caused me to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. This nurse practitioner insisted the problem wasn't caused by the medication. I finally became very insistent about being switched back. And in the process of switching me back, this guy gave me lower dosages. I had been taking a regimen that was strong, but I was getting by. If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

Judgment is the first thing that goes. And I decided, while on a reduced dosage of meds, that I ought to move here.

The people I now deal with do not understand my condition because I have been treating it with exceeding, painstaking effort for the last twenty years, because I wanted to get well. I did get well, and, in many respects, it works against me. People don’t see the psychosis: that's because I'm dealing with it through medication, talk therapy and cognitive exercises. People don't get it that I am disabled.

I have recovered to the extent possible. Yet this recovery can be disrupted.

I honestly don't know what people think. Are they under the impression that I have a delusion I'm a writer? I don't know. People won't tell me.

Caregivers and members of mental health organizations, family... and politicians, all complain that the mentally ill individual needs to cooperate with treatment. It is a big lie. We are being dismissed as unsalvageable. A niche has not been created where a mentally ill person can get well and reintegrate into society.

Jack Bragen lives in Martinez, and is author of "Instructions for Dealing with Schizophrenia: A Self-Help Manual," available on Amazon.

Netanyahu & Trump worst enemies of Israel, America & the world

Jagjit Singh

Wednesday September 04, 2024 - 12:16:00 PM

The recent political maneuvers by Prime Minister Netanyahu, including his alliance with far-right extremists, are deeply troubling. His refusal to consider a cease-fire in Gaza or to engage in meaningful negotiations for peace is not about Israel's security; it's about his own political survival. By prioritizing military control over the Philadelphi Corridor at the expense of Israeli hostages, Netanyahu shows a disregard for human life and a willingness to sacrifice the future of Israel for his personal ambitions.

Netanyahu's actions, particularly his apparent strategy to escalate the conflict in Gaza to influence U.S. elections, are reckless. His alignment with former President Trump is not in Israel's best interest, nor is it in the interest of global peace. Instead, it serves to deepen the isolation of Israel, exacerbate the suffering in Gaza, and drive more talented Israelis to seek opportunities abroad.

President Biden and Vice President Harris must take a stand. An immediate embargo on weapons to Israel is necessary to pressure Netanyahu to end the war. Europe will likely follow, bringing the conflict to a swifter resolution and paving the way for a genuine peace process. Israel's future depends on courageous leadership that prioritizes peace over political gamesmanship.

Arts & Events

August Novels

Bob Burnett

Monday September 02, 2024 - 05:23:00 PM

This month I have six mystery/thriller novels to recommend and one to avoid.

(A) The In Crowd Charlotte Vassal (5 stars)

An atmospheric police-procedural mystery set in London.

The second book in the Caius Beauchamp series finds DI Caius and hist team, Amy and Matt, investigating two cold-cases: the disappearance of a teenage girl from a Dover boarding school and the looting of a pension fund. Busy DI Caius somehow makes time to start a relationship with an even busier milliner, Callie Foster. Will Caius solve the mysteries, and will his new relationship succeed?

This has become one of my favorite mystery series.

(B) In the Blink of an Eye Jo Callaghan (5 stars)

A techno thriller set in Warwickshire, England.

Coming off bereavement leave, DSI Kat Frank is given a novel assignment: form a small team and investigate whether an artificial intelligence program, Lock, can speed up the laborious process of finding missing persons. The team selects two cases – missing students – and ascertains both men may have been abducted by the same person. Then Kat’s son Cam disappears.

Thoughtful mystery/thriller with believable plot.

(C) Murder at the White Palace Allison Montclair (five stars)

A historical mystery set in 1946 London.

This is the 6^th mystery in the delightful series featuring Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge, proprietors of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau, and part-time detectives. Sparks and Bainbridge plan a New Year’s Eve party for their clients only to find that because of the London war damage there aren’t any available sites. They decide to use the shuttered White Palace club. As they supervise its renovation they find a dead body.

Murder at the White Palace works as a historical mystery. The plot is well paced and the atmospherics superb. What distinguishes this series is the relationship between Iris and Gwen and the evolution of their dating lives. Iris and Gwen grow and become interesting. (Caution: you may have difficulty understanding the relationships if you have not read the previous books.)

A good series getting better.

(D) May the Wolf Die Elizabeth Heider (5 stars)

A police-procedural mystery set in Naples, Italy.

Police officers Nikki and Valerio are sailing on their boat when they run into the corpse of a murdered naval officer. Nikki’s job is to manage relations between the Naples police and Americans working at the local naval base. Nikki is assigned to the murder investigation. And then there is another murder.

Very realistic mystery with good characterization of Nikki and Valerio. (Caution: there are vivid descriptions of sexual violence.)

(E) House of Glass Sarah Pekkanen (4.5 stars)

A psychological thriller set in Washington DC.

Stella Hutson is a “best-interest attorney” assigned to represent nine-year-old Rose Barclay in a civil-custody dispute. Rose is a prodigy who turned mute after the mysterious death of her nanny, Tina. To resolve the custody issue, Stella must determine who killed Tina: the father, Ian, the mother, Beth, the grandmother, Harriet, or even Rose?

A familiar plot structure, skillfully written.

(F) Smothermoss Alisa Alering (4.5 stars)

A thriller set in rural 1980’s Appalachia. Literary fiction with a healthy dose of magic realism.

Sisters Sheila and Angie live with their mother and great aunt in a cabin adjacent to the Appalachian trail in Virginia. Their hardscrabble existence is made more difficult when two hikers are murdered on the trail. Both sisters have psychic powers, which ultimately lead them to the killer. (Caution: if you don’t like magical realism, you won’t enjoy Smothermoss.)

Original and creepy.

A MYSTERY TO AVOID:

(G) Imposter Syndrome Joseph Knox (3 stars)

A stolen identity thriller set in London.

hhLynch, a burnt-out con artist, arrives in London. He comes to the attention of the Pierce family because he bears an uncanny resemblance to their missing son, Heydon. The bereft mother, Miranda, offers Lynch money to help find Heydon. Uncharacteristically, Lynch becomes obsessed with finding out what happened, And then there’s a murder.

Imposter Syndrome starts out well and then bogs down. A disappointment.

Summary: 2024’s best novels are: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker and The Hunter by Tana French.

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

Inside the Free Speech Movement—New Documentary

Gar Smith

Monday September 02, 2024 - 04:54:00 PM

The Berkeley Historical Society will be having two premiers of Linda Rosen's new documentary, “Inside the Free Speech Movement,” on Sept. 5 and Sept. 12 at 7 pm.

Watch the history of FSM as told by leaders, supporters, and professors. Based on oral history interviews by Linda Rosen, Jeanine Castello-Lin, and Tonya Staros and supplemented by photographs and sound taken at the events, all put together by video editors Jai Jai Noire and Tonya Staros with Melanie Mentzel.

September 5 — Premier of the overview documentary, Inside the Free Speech Movement

Bettina Aptheker and I will introduce the video and take questions afterwards.

September 12 — Premier of The FBI Spies on Berkeley

Seth Rosenfeld, author of Subversives: The FBI’s War on Student Radicals, and Reagan’s Rise to Power

Seth Rosenfeld and I will introduce the video and take questions afterwards.

Be sure to sign up for the Zoom links on Eventbrite. See the information below.

Inside the Free Speech Movement—New Documentary

Premiering September 5 and 12, 2024 on Zoom and YouTube

The Berkeley Historical Society and Museum (BHSM) has just produced its first documentary. Inside the Free Speech Movement, directed by Linda Rosen, who as a student was a participant in the movement 60 years ago and, as a BHSM volunteer, organized an exhibit and a videotaped oral history series for the FSM 50th anniversary in 2014. The interview videos were initially edited by Jai Jai Noire. BHSM board member Tonya Staros has continued the editing process over the past six months in consultation with Linda Rosen, and Melanie Mentzel of Berkeley Community Media has helped with final touches.

The interviews are augmented with historic photographs and original sound recordings, provided in part by the Free Speech Movement Archives.

Inspired in part by civil rights activism in the South, the FSM launched the national student rights movement of the mid-sixties and seventies, featuring civil disobedience and mass actions. Defending constitutional rights against efforts to repress them remains highly relevant today.

The film features Bettina Aptheker, David Lance Goines, Patti Iiyama, Anita Medal, Kathleen Piper, Jack Radey, Seth Rosenfeld, Peter Dale Scott, Leon Wofsy, and many others.
Two online events will celebrate the premiere of the film:
Thursday, Sept. 5, 7 pm on Zoom: Inside the Free Speech Movement, Part One. Its contents include:

Precursors to the Free Speech Movement

Free Speech Zone, Administrative Crackdown

United Front

Police Car Scene

March on the Regents’ Meeting

Sit-In and Arrests

The Strike

The Arraignment

Linda Rosen and Bettina Aptheker will introduce the video and take questions after the showing.

View in Person or Online
Parts One and Two will be posted on the Berkeley Historical Society YouTube channel on September 5, and viewers will be encouraged to watch Part Two on their own.

Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 pm on Zoom: Inside the Free Speech Movement, Part Four: The FBI Spies on UC Berkeley. This segment and the online event feature Seth Rosenfeld, author of Subversives: The FBI’s War on Student Radicals, and Reagan’s Rise to Power.
This section of the documentary includes excerpts from interviews with Bettina Aptheker, David Lance Goines, Seth Rosenfeld, Peter Dale Scott, Leon Wofsy, and Malcolm Zaretsky. Linda Rosen and Seth Rosenfeld will introduce the video and take questions after the showing.

Admission is free (donations appreciated) for both online events, but reservations are required on Eventbrite using the links above.hhh

"The Imaginary Invalid" in John Hnkle Park at 4

Gregory Kalkanis

Monday September 02, 2024 - 11:47:00 AM

Please consider spending an afternoon being entertained by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's production of Moliere's "The Imaginary Invalid" playing in the John Hinkle Park Amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is surrounded by a grove of Redwood Trees that serve to provide shade for the audience members by the 4pm curtain time. The play is quite funny and filled with double entendres including for the word 'intercourse', and the theme of the pompous doctors unwillingness to accept modern scientific theories is relevant today. Automobile parking is limited along the road leading to the park but the AC Transit bus number 7 stops on Arlington Avenue nearby. The play is free of charge but audience members are encouraged to leave a tip and a cash tip might be safer because the theater troupe is having difficulty with the electronic payment system. "The Imaginary Invalid" plays Monday 2 September and Saturday and Sunday 7, 8 September at 4pm at John Hinkle Park in Berkeley.

BNC Meeting on Sept. 14 at 10 am

Kelly Hammargren

Friday September 13, 2024 - 09:21:00 PM

A common complaint when one of those yellow signs appears announcing some horrible project next door or down the street, is followed with the question, how did this happen?

Berkeley City Council is poised to inflict more zoning changes. Get your email pens ready.

To hear the latest City Council plans before they vote, tune into the Berkeley Neighborhoods Council (BNC) meeting on Zoom on Saturday morning September 14 at 10 am. https://berkeleyneighborhoodscouncil.com/event/september-14-bnc-meeting

9/14/2024 at 10 am Berkeley Neighborhoods Council (BNC) Meeting Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4223188307?pwd=dFlNMVlVZ2d6b0FnSHh3ZlFwV2NMdz09

BNC is devoting its September 14 meeting to the Middle Housing Zoning Ordinance with expected City Council Action in the coming weeks (date to be soon but uncertain). The Waterfront with expected City Council Action on October 22 kicks off the 10 am meeting followed with Justin Horner, City of Berkeley Principal Planner at 10:30 am.

Updated: THE BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S CALENDAR: September 1-9

Kelly Hammargren

Monday September 02, 2024 - 04:39:00 PM

UPDATE: The Tuesday Sept. 3 meeting of the Peace and Justice Commission has been indefinitely postponed because the City of Berkeley originally mis-scheduled it for Wednesday. People with an interest in a resolution on a Gaza ceasefire will meet informally outside the South Berkeley Senior Center at 7 p.m. on Tuesday anyway to discuss.

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

Worth Noting:

Summer is over. City Council summer recess ends September 9, 2024. Board and commission meetings return.

Tuesday, September 3, 2024: At 7 pm the Peace and Justice Commission meets in person with a listening session followed by consideration of Resolution on Israel-Gaza
Wednesday, September 4, 2024:
- At 6 pm the Planning Commission meets in person with a public hearing on development agreements.
- At 6:30 pm BOLT meets in person.
- At 7 pm the Homeless Panel of Experts meets in person on the proposed encampment ordinance.
Thursday, September 5, 2024:
- At 6:30 pm the Landmarks Preservation Commission meets in person.
- At 7 pm the Housing Advisory Commission meets in person.
Saturday, September 7, 2024: From 12 noon to 5 pm there are activities on Solano for children with Solano Avenue open to traffic.
Sunday, September 8, 2024: From 10 am – 5 pm is the Solano Stroll with Solano closed to traffic.

Sunday, September 1, 2024 - no meetings

Monday, September 2, 2024 – Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

PEACE and JUSTICE COMMISSION at 7 pm

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

AGENDA: 8. Israel-Gaza Community Listening Forum, 9. Discussion and Action Regarding Resolution for an immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza and an End to U.S. Military Aid to Israel and Support for Palestinian Self-Determination, 10. Workplan.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/peace-and-justice-commission

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

BOARD of LIBRARY TRUSTEES (BOLT) at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1125 University

AGENDA: II. Presentation – State of the Collection, III. B. Amend Contract 32200222 add $135,594 with Konica Minolta Business Solutions, C. Gann Override Measure Reauthorizing the Library Tax Approved in 1988, IV. A. Proposed Personnel Changes for three vacant positions.

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

HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS at 7 pm

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

AGENDA: 4. Discussion of possible letter or report on September 10 City Council item 37 on clearing encampments, 5. Discussion of possible letter or report on safety protocols at shelters and homeless service programs

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

PLANNING COMMISSION at 6 pm

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

AGENDA: 10. Public Hearing: Development Agreement Procedure Revisions BMC 22.16, Development Agreements are negotiated contracts between a public agency and project sponsor that govern land uses within a specific area and may freeze existing zoning to provide assurance that the project will not be blocked by future regulatory changes.

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

Thursday, September 5, 2024

HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION (HAC) at 7 pm

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

AGENDA: Discussion and possible action: 6. City draft consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for Federal Program Year 2023, 7. Age-Friendly Action Plan Referral, 8. To recommend funding for BUSD Workforce Housing and St. Paul Terrace Projects, 9. Re-appoint the Civic Arts Joint Subcommittee.

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

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION (LPC) at 6:30 PM

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

AGENDA: 6. San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan,

7. 59 Arden Road – Zoning Officer Referral Administrative Permit #ZP2022-0127 – Located in Panoramic Hill – to construct new parking pad and concrete retaining wall – ES-R zone – very highest fire zone in Berkeley Fire Zone 3.

8. 2530-2538 Bancroft Way – Demolition referral for commercial building

9. 2436-2442 Haste – Landmark or Structure of Merit

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

Friday, September 6, 2024 – no city meetings found

Saturday, September 7, 2024

2024 FALL on SOLANO from 12 – 5 pm

Solano Avenue remains open

Activities at 1830 Solano: Face painting, balloon art, Solcar Choo Choo Train, The Big Bubble People

https://www.solanoavenueassn.org/fall-on-solano/

Sunday, September 8, 2024

SOLANO STROLL from 10 am – 5 pm

Solano Avenue Closed

https://www.solanoavenueassn.org

+++++++ CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 AGENDA +++++++++++++

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on September 10, 2024

Hybrid Meeting

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1607838997

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

Meeting ID: 160 783 8997

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

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS

PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS

AGENDA on CONSENT:

Ferris, Parks – Grant Application $3,200,000 Local Transportation Climate Adaption Program (LTCAP) for the Interstate 80 Aquatic Park Tidetube Culvert Renovation and Habitat Resiliency Project
Ferris, Parks – Grant Application: U.S. DOT - Charging and Fueling infrastructure Discretionary Grant – South Cove West Parking Lot Renovation and EV Charging Project.
Ferris, Parks – 2^nd reading of Ordinance No. 7,932-N.S. Lot Line Adjustments at 1401 Carelton Street and 1423 Ward Street to resolve main dwelling encroachments at the City’s Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion Project Site.
Ferris, Parks – 2^nd reading of Ordinance No. 7,933-N.S. lease agreement Youth Musical Theater Company for the Live Oak Theater at 1301 Shattuck for term of 3 years 9/1/2024 – 8/31/2027
Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes
Numainville, City Clerk – Contract $178,653.47 with File Trail, Inc for Records Management System 9/26/2024 – 9/26/2029
Numainville, City Clerk – Voting Delegates – League of California Cities Annual Conference
Numainville, City Clerk – City Council Rules of Procedure and Order Revisions, add revisions recommended by the Open Government Commission and approved by Council
Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $5,960,000, $100,000-Early Intervention system, $110,000-Public Art, $200,000-Food Assistance, $1,500,000-Storm Drain, $900,000-Police vehicles, $3,000,000-Curb Ramp Improvement Project
Gilman, HHCS – Mental Health Services Act Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Update
Gilman, HHCS – 2024 Local Housing Trust Fund Application to State of California Local Housing Trust Fund program for $5,000,000 for two projects at the North Berkeley BART Site: East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) and NBB BRIDGE Insight Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Project
Gilman, HHCA – Amend Contract No. 32300112 add $63,928 total $208,878 with Harold Dichoso for COVID-19 Outreach and Education and extend to 6/30/2025
Gilman, HHCA – Amend Contract No. 32200135 add $45,136 total $231,136 with Multicultural Institute for COVID-19 Outreach and Education and extend to 6/30/2025
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 32500020 total $249,999 with ACAPMO for Technology Program/Project Management Office (PMO) for additional services 8/1/2024 – 12/31/2025
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 31900187 add $84,000 total $362,000 with ISP.NET (Formerly LV.NET) for Secondary Internet for Redundancy and Load Balancing from 10/3/2017 – 6/30/2026
Fong, IT – Amend Contract 32100185 add $1,037,372 total $2,033,489 with Digital Hands for Cybersecurity Event Monitoring and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) frp, 5/14/2021 – 6/30/2027
Fong, IT – Amend contract add $645,173 total $2,934,123 with Tyler Technologies, Inc for Computer aided Dispatch (CAD) Software and extend to 6/30/2026
Fong, IT – Contract $1,395,000 with Roundstone Solutions, Inc. a Distributor of Carasoft Technology Corporation Using General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule for hardware, software, and services related to the Server Infrastructure Upgrade and Azure Disaster Recovery from 8/1/2024 – 7/31/2027
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 32000223 add $50,000 total $299,500 with Gray Quarter, Inc for Accela Professional Services through 7/31/2025
Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 319002070 add $1,704,438 total $5,411,676 with Dell Computers, Inc. for Computer Hardware and Software Purchases
Fong, IT, Amend Contract No. 099471-1 add $16,906.61 total $100,359.61 with Integrated Business Consultants of GA (Reseller) for additional software maintenance and twenty additional support hours and extend through 6/30/2027
Ferris, Parks – Amend Contract No. 32400024 add $120,000 total $556,954 with Baldoni Construction Services, Inc for Echo Lake Camp Accessibility Upgrades
Ferris, Parks – Donation $3,400 for Memorial Bench at the Berkeley Waterfront Pathway in memory of Ying Xiang Liu
Ferris, Parks – Donation $3,400 for Memorial Bench at the Berkeley Waterfront Pathway in memory of Obaidulla Khan
Klein, Planning – Mills Act Contract 1401 Le Roy Ave
Klein, Planning – Mills Act Contract 60 Panoramic Way
Klein, Planning – Mills Act Contract 7 Greenwood Common
Louis, Police – Donation $1,125.42 Fusako Castro Estate to the Berkeley Police Department
Louis, Police – Contract $1,313,482 with All-Star Talent for Recruiting, Advertising, and Marketing Strategy for Berkeley Police and Fire Departments 6/1/2024 – 5/30/2028 with option to extend for 2 additional 2-year periods
Louis, Police – Accept Revenue Grant with California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) 10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025
a. Disaster and Fire Safety Commission – Panoramic Hill Secondary Evacuation egress road, adopt a resolution approving the development of a plan that includes a feasibility study and identification of funding sources, b. Sprague, Fire – Companion Report – Panoramic Hill Secondary Evacuation reach out to other impacted land owners to determine interest in pursuing and coordinate costs sharing to conduct a feasibility study to identify a safe secondary evacuation and access route
Homeless Services Panel of Experts – Request additional meeting in 2024 due to special meeting to address Insight Housing Allocation
Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission – Name Concrete Planter at Southeast Corner of Adeline and Alcatraz as the Ms Richie and Friends of Adeline Native Garden
Wengraf – Amending BMC 7.52.060 to include “Wildfire Hardening” in the Real Property Transfer Tax Exceptions
Wengraf, co-sponsors Arreguin, Hahn - AC Transit Draft Final Plan, Letter to AC Transit urging to reconsider frequency of service for bus lines 65, 67 including restoration of weekend service

AGENDA on ACTION:

Sprague, Fire – Ambulance Transport Fee Increase to match Alameda County approved ambulance user fee schedule effective 7/1/2024
Kesarwani, co-sponsor Wengraf – Encampment Policy Resolution to Promote Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods and Related First Reading of Ordinance Amending BMC 14.48 Recommendation CoB will continue to offer interim shelter existing “Housing First” approach with 6 exceptions, 1) Fire Department has determined encampment poses a fire hazard BMC 19.48, 2) HHCS has determined that encampment poses an imminent health hazard BMC 11.36.030, 3) Situation constitutes a public nuisance, 4) Encampment is located on City street median roadway or otherwise in dangerous proximity to traffic BMC 14.32.040, 5) Encampment interferes with or impedes city of utility companies’ construction or maintenance activities in the public right-of-way street lighting installation or repair street tree maintenance or utilities maintenance or repair and City Manager is authorized to take enforcement actions to deter re-encampments and may enable enforcement through temporary on-commercial objects of less than nine-square-feet within less than 24 hours in a designated public area marked with signage to deter re-encampment

Information Reports:

Housing advisory Commission 2024-2025 Work Plan.

Disposition of Items Removed from Draft Agenda

To be scheduled for a special meeting - Harrison – Adopt BMC 13.89 Community/Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, Policy Committee negative recommendation
Removed by City Manager - Klein, Planning – Re-adoption of the Berkeley Building Codes, Including Local Amendments to the 2022 California Building standards Code

+++++++++++++++++++ Land Use - Work Sessions - Special Meetings +++++++++++++++

LAND USE CALENDAR

844 University Ave (Black Pine Circle School) 9/3/2024 (look for new date)
3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:

September 16 - Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation (tentative July)
October 22 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan
October 29 (3:30 pm) Re-Imagining Public safety Update (Tentative)

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS

Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (housing feasibility moved to fall)
COPA/TOPA (September 10, 2024 regular meeting agenda)
Economic Dashboards Update (January 2025)

PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST

Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
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 ++++++++

The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html