Extra

Worth Noting:

Winter recess ends Monday with the first council meeting of the new year on Tuesday, we can expect Council to pass January 21. The agenda is available for comment at the bottom of this email with middle housing (26), Berkeley as a sanctuary city (27) and upgrades to high risk intersections and AB 413 (28).

• Tuesday, January 21, 2025: A
  • t 11 am the Solano Business Improvement District meets in person.
  • At 6 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format.
• Wednesday, January 22, 2025:
  • At 6 pm the Civic Arts Commission meets in person.
  • At 6 pm the Environment and Climate Commission meets in person.
  • At 6 pm is the Recreation Scholarship Workshop,
  • At 6:30 pm the Police Accountability Board meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 7 pm the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets in person.
• Thursday, January 23, 2025:
  • At 6:30 pm the Community Health Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Mental Health Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Zoning Adjustment Board meets in the hybrid format.
• Saturday, January 25, 2025:
  • At 9 am is the CERT Unit 2 Disaster Preparedness.
  • From 10 am – 2 pm is the pop-up on updating the Berkeley Bike Plan at the Downtown Farmer’s Market.
  • At 10 am is Nature Journaling for children.
  • At 12:30 pm is Swim Lesson Assessment Day

Check City website for meetings posted on short notice, webinars and City of Berkeley Recreation Calendar. https://berkeleyca.gov



If you are unable to attend a meeting in person due to a disability and/or it is not offered in the hybrid or an accessible format, TO REQUEST A DISABILITY RELATED ACCOMMODATION(S) TO PARTICIPATE IN A CITY MEETING, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Disability Services specialist at 510-981-6418 (V) or 510-981-6347 at least 3 days before the meeting (the sooner the better). Thomas Gregory is the ADA Program Coordinator.

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



BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS 

 

Sunday, January 19, 2025 – no meetings found 

 

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025 - Martin Luther King Jr Holiday (all city offices closed) 

 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025  

 

CITY COUNCIL at 6 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison, BUSD Board Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608180534 

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

Meeting ID: 160 818 0534 

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 quick look. 

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

 

SOLANO AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD at 11am 

In-Person: 1849 Solano 

AGENDA: 5. Financial Update, 6. Work Plan, Web Development and Postcard for Branding. 

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

 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Presentations, Discussion & Action Items a) Recommendation of artist Joanna Keane Lopez for Cube Space, b) Recommendation for approval of artwork by Forest Wolf Kell for new 24/7 public restroom outside the Public Parking Garage on Channing Way proposed by the Telegraph Business Improvement District, c) Recommendation for approval of recommendation to the City Council that it refer to the Planning Commission for its consideration and action a draft ordinance amending Municipal Code AB 812 (Chapter 747) authorizing a certain percentage of affordable units be reserved for lower income artists of those required affordable housing units consistent with the City of Berkeley’s Affordable Housing Preference Policy, d) Quarterly Report Civic Arts Grants-funded Community Festivals, e) Quarterly Report Private Development. 

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

 

DISASTER and FIRE SAFETY COMMISSION at 7 pm 

In-Person: at 997 Cedar 

AGENDA: No Agenda posted, check later 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/disaster-and-fire-safety-commission 

 

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 8. Workplan 10. Subcommittee updates a. Electrification Equity and Access, b. Water Conservation and Management. 

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

 

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD (PAB) at 6:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1900 Addison, 3^rd Floor 

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89174589069 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 826 5339 6072 

AGENDA: 3. Public Comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 5-8. Staff, Board, Chief and Subcommittee reports, 9. Designation of presenter for PAB’s reports to City Council (PAB report referred by Agenda Committee to Council Safety Committee, 10. B. Proposed Amendment to Section K Mutual Aid, c. Review of BPD MOUs/Mutual Aid Agreements per Section K, d. Status update on Policy Reviews, e. Strategic Planning Session, f. PAB Annual Report, 11. Public Comment, 12. Closed Session. 

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

 

RECREATION SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP at 6pm 

Use web link for information and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/recreation-scholarship-workshop-4 

 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025 

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: 2. Staff Update, Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan. 

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

 

MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION (MHC) at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA: 4. Discussion of meeting with COB (City of Berkeley) finance and Mental Health Dept, 5. Presentation and possible action of self-assessment tool for current commissioners, 5. By-Laws for Berkeley Behavioral Health Commission, 7. Caseload Statistics, 8. Mental Health Commission Annual Report, 9. Subcommittee reports – includes SCU, 10. Role of MHC is advising scope of Behavioral Health services for child, 11. Following five domestic violence homicides, San Mateo County launches co-response pilot. 

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

 

ZONING ADJUSTMENT BOARD at 7 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison, BUSD Board Room 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88171623196 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833  

Meeting ID: 881 7162 3196 

AGENDA: 2. 2244 McKinley – Use Permit #ZP2021-0082 – to convert 900 sq ft of an existing single-family dwelling to administrative offices for a private school and establish missed-use building with school and residential uses, Berkwood Hedge School. 

3. 654 Woodmont – Use Permit #ZP2023-0109 – this project TO BE CONTINUED to date uncertain. 

[654 Woodmont is in the Hillside Overlay and mapped in Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/informationwarehouse/eqzapp/ as east of the Hayward Fault with just the edge of the lot at Woodmont grabbing the landslide zone] – project to eliminate one of two single-family dwelling units from single family zoned lot through combination, construct a 2-story major residential addition (1,988 sq ft) above 14 ft in average building height (22 ft and above 20 ft maximum building height within the Hillside Overlay (24 ft), vertically extend wall within a nonconforming setback, construct an accessory structure (garage) within the first half of the lot, fence exceeding 6 ft in height along lot line and 9ft, 8 in retaining wall within a minimum required setback on a lot nonconforming for density. 

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

 

Friday, January 24, 2025 - no meetings found 

 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025 

 

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) UNIT 2: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS at 9 am 

Use web link for information and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/cert-classes-unit-2-january-25-2025 

 

NATURE JOURNALING CLUB AT 10 AM 

Use web link for information and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/nature-journaling-club-january 

 

BERKELEY BIKE PLAN POP-UP from 10 am – 2 pm 

Location: at Downtown Farmer’s Market at Center & MLK 

https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Berkeley%20Bike%20Plan-Social%20Ads.pdf 

 

SWIM LESSON ASSESSMENT DAY at 12:30 pm 

Use web link for information and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/swim-lesson-assessment-day-0 

 

Sunday, January 26, 2025 – no meetings found 

 

++++++ CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, Tuesday, January 21, 2025 +++++++++++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison, BUSD Board Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608180534 

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

Meeting ID: 160 818 0534 

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

 

Land Acknowledgement 

Ceremonial Matters 

City Manager Comments 

Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters 

Public Comment by Employee Unions 

 

RECESS ITEMS: 

1. Radu, City Manager Office - Amend Contract No. 105938-1 add $42,840 total $274,440 with Koefran Industries to provide weekly removal and disposal of deceased animals from Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS) through 2027
2. Oyekanmi, Finance – Amend Contracts 32000146 add $500,000 total $1,517,000 with Vestis Services, LLC (formerly Aramark Uniform Services) for Uniforms and Laundering and 32300013 add $500,000 total $1,235,000 with Herc Rental Inc. for Rental Equipment and Products
3. Gilman, HHCS – Amend Contract 32400177 add $20,000 total $120,000 with Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez for Health Officer Coverage
4. Davis, Public Works – Contract $2,683,395 (includes 10% contingency) with Rosas Brothers Construction for FY 2025 Curb Ramp Improvement (Specification No. 25-11679-C)

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

5. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager – Amend Contract No. 32400129 add $45,203 total $85,203 with IGM Technology Corporation for Digital Budget Book Services and extend to 1/31/2027
6. Numainville, City Clerk – Contract $330,000 with Records Xpress of California, LLC dbs Access Information Management for Offsite Records Management Services 12/1/2024 -11/30/2029
7. Hollander, Economic Development – Contract $150,000 with Julie W. Change Public Artwork Commission for Willard Clubhouse 18’5” wide 10’ tall
8. Hollander, Economic Development – Accept National Endowment for the Arts Grant $40,000 to enhance Civic Arts Grant Programming
9. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $12,169,940 (Environmental database migration- $275,000, Pavement Management Consulting-$900,000, Staff uniforms-$200,000, Recreation Management SaaS Platform-$150,000, Cesar Chavez Perimeter Pathway-$1,500,000, On-Call Stormwater for Transfer Station-$200,000, Integration Platform-$500,000, Waste Disposalplus cylinders-$350,000, Corp Yard Green Room and Building H Improvements-$1,650,000, Environmental Consulting on-call-$500,000, Citation and Permit Management-$5,819,940)
10. Sprague, Fire – Authorized Agent Update Resolution 69,682-N.S. for FEMA Public Assistance to engage for another 3 years with FEMA and Governor’s Office for Emergency Services
11. Gilman HHCS – Amend Contract No 32100126 add $30,000 total $205,000 with Anjanette Scott LLC for housing Consultant Services end 6/30/2026
12. Gilman, HHCS – Housing Trust Fund Recommendations for MLK Jr House Predevelopment Funds disperse $320,000 and Haste Street Rehabilitation Funds reserve $500,000
13. Ferris, Parks – Amend Contracts No(s) 32400134 Lind Marine, 32400135 Silverado Contractors, 32400145 Power Engineering to remove and dispose derelict and abandoned vessels at Berkeley Marina by increasing contract amount by $55,000 total $217,000 and extend to 9/30/2026
14. Ferris, Parks Amend Contract No. 32100143 add $86,000 total $806,000 with ACTC/Caltrans for Construction of Gilman Street Sanitary Sewer Line Extension
15. Ferris, Parks – Accept Donation $16,000 from Friends of the Berkeley Animal Care Shelter for new fencing for animal training area at Aquatic Park
16. Louis, Police – Contract $200,000 with Benchmark Analytics for Early Intervention System (EIS) Platform 2/3/2025 – 2/3/2027 with option to extend for 2 years total $400,000
17. Louis, Police – Amend Contract No. 100692-5 add $2,000,000 total $5,000,000 with Serological Research Institute for DNA Testing Services and extend from 6/30/2025 to 6/30/2027
18. Louis, Police – Amend Contract No. 31900143 add $2,000,000 total $7,365,545 with Passport Labs Incorporated for a Parking Managements System and extend 18 months to 8/4/2027
19. Davis, Public Works – Two Reimbursement Agreements with Union Pacific Railroad for construction of safety improvements at Addison and Bancroft Way
20. Davis, Public Works – Master Contract No. 901979, Purchase Order, California Automotive Retailing Group dba Dublin Chevrolet for two 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicles not to exceed $220,000
21. Mental Health Commission – Appoint Lisa Teague to the Mental Health Commission 3-year term 1/22/2025 – 1/21/2028
22. Mayor Ishii – Seating Arrangement, Vice Mayor Term Revision, Committee and Council Appointments

AGENDA on ACTION: 

23. Gilman, HHCS – Public Hearing – California Municipal Finance Authority Bond Financing for 2001 Ashby Avenue
24. Ferris, Parks – Public Hearing – Changes to Recreation and Camps Program Fees
25. Klein, Planning – ZAB Appeal 2708 Prince Street, Use Permit ZP2024-0024, demolish single family home and garage and construct 2-story duplex 24 ft height, 3,118 sq-ft
26. Kesarwani – Expanding Homeownership Opportunities for Middle-Income Earners Refer to City Manager to develop modifications to BMC Title 21 (Subdivisions) and refer to City Manager and Planning Commission to develop modifications to Title 23 (Zoning) to enhance ownership opportunities for middle-housing-in alignment with unanimous Council direction for Middle Housing Ordinance and allowances under Chapter 783, Statutes of 2023
27. Blackaby, cosponsors Ishii, Lunaparra, Taplin – Reaffirm Berkeley as a Sanctuary City, refer to City Attorney to explore possibility of pledging the City’s legal support to help “sensitive sites” defend themselves against civil litigation, create taskforce of councilmembers and community members/organizations, UC officials to continually assess threats to Berkeley’s immigrant community and participate in the process of codifying Berkeley’s Sanctuary protections through a city ordinance
28. Lunaparra – Budget Referral – Curb Marking and Preventive Infrastructure Upgrades at High-Risk Intersections in accordance with New California Daylighting Law AB 413

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

29. Wong, Auditor – Audit Follow-up status Update

 

DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED from the AGENDA” 

• Radu, City Manager Office – Contract $60,323.58 with Edgeworth Integration LLC for purchase and installation of new security camera syster server (cameras in place) at Berkeley Animal care Services 1/22/2025 – 1/21/2026 – Rescheduled to 2-11-2025
• Police Accountability Board – Berkeley Police Department Texting Offences: An Independent Investigation by the Police Accountability Board (see report for details – 271 Pages) – Referred to Public Safety Committee
• Kesarwani – Establish Rules and Limits When Community-Based Organizations Receive City Funding without Procurement to Promote Transparency, Fairness, and Stewardship of Public Funds – Referred to Budget Committee

 

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

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

• 3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) 3/25/2025
• 2708 Prince (construct duplex)1/21/2025

 

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• None

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

• Affordable Housing Feasibility Study Follow Up Session (winter 2025)
• BPD Annual Report (March 2025)

UNSCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS 

• Economic Dashboards Update (February 2025)
• Evacuation Study (Winter 2025)
• Unfunded Liabilities (April/May 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

 

++++ 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.