Worth Noting:

City Council is on spring recess through April 14, 2025

Check City website for meetings posted on short notice https://berkeleyca.govonday, March 31, 2025 

• • At 7:30 pm in person film Democracy Noir at the Grand Lake Theater on how Viktor Orban transformed Hungary from an open democracy to a largely authoritarian system.
• Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  • At 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format.
• Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • At 6:30 pm the Board of Library Trustees meets in person
• Thursday, April 3, 2025
  • At 3:30 pm the Civic Art Commission on Public Art Subcommittee meets.
  • At 6:30 pm the Landmarks Preservation Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Housing advisory Commission meets in person.
• Friday, April 4, 2025
  • At 10 am the Civic Arts Commission subcommittee on Housing for Artists meets.
• Saturday, April 5, hRELATED ACCOMMODATION(S) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 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, March 30, 2025 - No City meetings events found, 

Monday, March 31, 2025 

 

Film – DEMOCRACY NOIR at 7:30 pm 

Location: at Grand Lake Theater 

BENEFIT for Indivisible 

Democracy Noir provides a sweeping account of how Viktor Orban used a free and democratic election to install authoritarian rule in Hungary. Orban changed the constitution, took over the courts, dismantled the rule of law and took over the media. Orban’s influence helped shape Project 2025. Film Director in person 

Film 93 minutes. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GPGHqABpQ8 

 

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 

 

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Members: Ishii, Taplin, Humbert, Alternate: Bartlett 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1607420968 

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

Meeting ID: 160 742 0968 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 6. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve -4/15/2025 -- draft agenda – use link or read full draft agenda below at the end of the list of city meetings, 3. Adjournment in Memory, 4. Council Worksessions, 5. Referrals for scheduling, 6. Land Use Calendar, Referred Items for Review: none, Unscheduled Items: 19. City Council Legislative Redesign. (use link for draft agenda or go to the end of this calendar for full draft agenda). 

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

 

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 

 

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

In-Person: at 1125 University, West Branch Library 

AGENDA on Consent: II.B. Amend Contract No.32100093 add $120,000 total $240,000 with Pacific Site Management for landscape maintenance at all libraries and extend from 12/31/2024 to 12/31/2027. 

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

 

Thursday, April 3, 2025 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Public Art Subcommittee at 3:30 pm 

Check later for location and agenda. 

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

 

HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION (HAC) at 7 pm 

In-Person: 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: 6. Berkeley Housing Authority Status Update 

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

 

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center 

AGENDA: 7. A. 2845 Woolsey – Landmark or Structure of Merit (#LMIN2024-0001) for the F.B. Norton House 

B. 2700-2724 Shattuck – Demolition Referral (Use Permit #ZP2024-0058) 

C. 2500-2512 San Pablo/1093-1098 Dwight Way – LPC Correspondence to City Council to the Landmark Designation Appeal Hearing 

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

 

Friday, April 4, 2025 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Joint subcommittee on Affordable Housing for Artists at 10 am 

Check later for location and agenda. 

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

 

Saturday, April 5, 2025 

 

NATIONAL DAY of ACTION 

Berkeley Location: at North Berkeley BART Station at 1 pm  

Stay local or join friends at one of the many rally locations.  

https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/ 

 

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue from 9 am – 1 pm 

Location: 997 Cedar, Fire Department Training Facility 

Use link for details and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/cert-classes-unit-7-april-5-2025 

 

NATIVE TREE PLANTING at the BERKELEY WATERFRONT at 9:15 am 

Location: at 160 University 

Use link for details and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/native-tree-planting-berkeley-waterfront 

 

CANOEING at the WATERFRONT at 9:45 am 

Location: at 201 University 

Use link for information and to register. Children 5 and older must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $15 per person 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/canoeing-berkeley-waterfront 

 

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE SPRING COHORT from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Location: at 2090 Kittredge, Berkeley Central Library, 3^rd floor, Community Meeting Room 

Use link for details and to register, event is free, child friendly, lunch provided 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/fatherhood-initiative-spring-cohort-3 

 

Sunday, April 6, 2025 – no city meetings, events found 

 

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

++++++ AGENDA & RULES COMMITTEE, Tuesday, April 1, 2025+++++++++++ 

 

AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 

Members: Ishii, Taplin, Humbert, Alternate: Bartlett 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1607420968 

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

Meeting ID: 160 742 0968 

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

 

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on April 15, 2025 

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE 

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS 

PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS 

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

 

 

1. Klein, Planning – 2^nd reading Building Emission Saving Ordinance (BESO)
2. Klein, Planning – 2^nd reading – Establishment of M-RD Zoning District
3. Numainville, City Clerk, Police Accountability Board appointment of new member
4. Radu, City Manager’s Office - Contract $200,000 with The Regents of the University of California on behalf of its San Francisco Campus to evaluate the success of its Encampment Resolution Funding Round 3 encampment resolution strategy, 1/1/2025 – 12/31/2025
5. Oyekanmi, Finance - Formal Bid Solicitations
6. Gilman, HHCS - Amend Contract No. 32200086 add $50,001 total $100,000 through 6/30/2028 with Crisis Services of Alameda County for Mental Health Crisis Line
7. Gilman, HHCS – Amend Contract No. 32200191 add $500,000 total $1,000,000 (add 2 years) through 6/30/2025 with Options Recovery for substance Use Disorder services
8. Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 32000177 add $61,098 total $194,475 with NextRequest PRA Software for software hosting, implementation, maintenance and related services for a Public Records Act Respons Software System 7/1/2019 – 6/30/2027
9. Ferris, Parks – Purchase Order $116,495 with Multiquip Inc. for a Portable Emergency Power Generator for Berkeley Tuolumne Family Group
10. Aguilar, PAB – Proclamation of the City of Berkeley Designating April 17 as Police Accountability Day
11. Kesarwani – Budget Referral $150,000 for Ohlone Greenway Safety Improvements Project Unfunded Balance
12. Kesarwani – Establish Rules and Limits When Community-Based Organizations Receive Funding without Procurement to Promote Transparency, Fairness, and Stewardship of Public Funds
13. Bartlett – Resolution approving expenditure of funds to Celebracion Cultural Sylvia Mendez (Spring Cultural Celebration)
14. Tregub – Resolution Commemorating April 24, 2025 as Berkeley Holocaust Remembrance Day
15. Authors Tregub, O’Keefe, Humbert, co-sponsor Ishii – Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to Virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025
16. Tregub, co-sponsors Blackaby, Lunaparra, Taplin – Support CA SB 42 Political Reform Act public campaign financing, remove prohibition of public financing of campaigns
17. O’Keefe – Budget referral $80,000 for Thousand Oaks Park Playground Update
18. Hahn – Policy Committee negative recommendation for Study: Sabbatical Leave for City of Berkeley Employees
19. Humbert – Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds for Music in Elmwood Festival

AGENDA on ACTION: 

 

 

 

 

20. Aguilar, PAB – Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Texting Offences: Independent Investigation by Police Accountability Board (PAB) Recommendations 1. Council affirm PAB access to records, 2. Full and meaningful sworn officer accountability, 3. Direct City Manager with BPD and Director of Police Accountability to fulfill vision of CA Penal Code Section 832.7 (b)(1) allowing transparency in sustained cases of officer racism or other discriminatory conduct or expression, 4. Call on CA State legislators to extend prohibition on arrest quotas
21. Ishii, co-sponsors Blackaby, Lunaparra, Taplin – Sanctuary City Ordinance
22. O’Keefe, co-sponsors Ishii, Blackaby, Lunaparra – alternate Housing Options for People experiencing homelessness, staff to identify a list of potential locations of City properties for the purpose of establishing alternative housing options
23. Blackaby – Resolution Affirming support for BPD, PAB and Director Police Accountability in response to Downtown Task Force Texting Offenses Investigation

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

 

 

 

 

24. Gilman, HHCS – Age-Friendly Berkeley Update
25. Gilman, HHCS – Response to Referral “Care first, Jails Last”
26. Klein, Planning – Climate Action Plan
27. Klein, Planning Notice of Decision: 21 Mosswood Road
28. Klein, Planning Notice of Decision: 2138 Cedar
29. Klein, Planning Notice of Decision: 2231 McKinley
30. Klein, Planning Notice of Decision: 2425 Durant
31. Environment and Climate Commission Workplan
32. PAB – Former PAB member recognition
33. Wong, Auditor – City Auditor’s Office 2024 Peer Review Results

 

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

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

 

 

• 2274 Shattuck (UA theater Project) 4/22/2025
• 1048 Keith (single family house) 5/6/2025
• 2500-2512 San Pablo / 1094-1098 Dwight 5/20/2025
• 2500-12 San Pablo / 1094-96 Dwight Way 5/20/2025
• 1950-1998 Shattuck 6/3/2025
• 2138 Kittredge TBD

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

 

 

 

 

• April 15 (4 pm) Adoption of Cal Fire Map, Adoption of Fire code Amendments
• April 22 (6 pm) City Council ZAB Appeal Hearing for UA Theater Project
• April 29 (4 pm) Presentation on City’s Unfunded Liabilities
• May 5 (4 pm) Brown Act Training
• May 13 (new date) (6 pm) Evacuation Study and Response Times

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

 

 

Council Referral: Social Housing previously listed as Mixed-Income Housing (June or July) 

FUTURE INFORMATION REPORTS 

 

 

1. Reimagining Public Safety Update
2. Affordable Housing Fee Feasibility Study
3. Berkeley Fire Department Annual Report
4. Greenhouse Gas Inventory / Climate Action Plan Update

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)

Feasibility Study Follow Up Session 

 

 

 

++++ 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. 

 

 

hhhhhhhhhj

The Trump Administration has been unrelentingly awful. Each day brings a fresh batch of Trump bad news. It would be easy to get discouraged and imagine that Trump is winning, but that is not true. The Trump juggernaut is slowing down. Trump initiatives are stalling because a) many of them are unpopular; b) a great number are being challenged in court; and c) they are being managed by Trump loyalists who are incompetent. 

1.Polls: With every day in office, Donald Trump becomes less popular. Polls indicate that his initiatives slashing the size of government agencies do not have support. 51.3 percent of Americans feel the US is headed in the wrong direction (vs. 43 percent who feel it is headed in the right direction.) According to the recent Gallup poll, 53 percent of Americans do not approve of Trump’s job performance (vs. 43 percent who approve). 

2.Trump’s economy is failing. The Federal Reserve’s core inflation measure has increased to 2.8 Percent. Consumer confidence has fallen to a low not reached since January 2021. The stock market is down. The Atlanta Federal Reserve predicts US GDP will contract 2.8 percent in the first quarter. ( https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow ) 

3.National security: The big news this past week was that Trump national security advisers used insecure chat software, “Signal,” to discuss bombing Yemen and inadvertently included a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, in the chat. Rather than admit the mistake, Trump, Defense secretary Hegseth, and others blasted Goldberg and the press. This was another indication that Trump and his national security team are incompetent. 

4.Tariffs: Despite evidence they are not working, Trump dogmatically sticks to his trade-war tactics. On Thursday he announced 25 percent tariffs on automobiles manufactured outside the US. As a result, the stock market collapsed: the S&P 500 dropped 2 percent; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost1.7prcent of its value; and the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.7 percent. On April 2, Trump promises more tariffs. 

5.Immigration: Recently, Trump signed an order using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as the legal basis for his deportation of alleged “Tren de Aragua” gang members. The Federal District Court has blocked this tactic, but Trump persists and has appealed to the US Supreme Court. Trump’s ICE continues to arrest student activists such as Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent US resident with a green card, who led pro-Palestinian protests or spoke out against Israeli genocide. 

6.DOGE: Each week features some new outrage perpetrated by Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency.” This past week indicated that Musk and Trump have set their sights on Social Security. However, on Friday, a federal judge blocked Trump and Musk from dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  

7.Canada: Trump continues to threaten to annex Canada and make it the “51^st state.” As a result, Canadians are fearful of travelling to the US and overall tourism from Canada has dropped 20 percent. (Tourist visits from the EU countries are also down.) 

8. Health & Human Services: This past week Robert Kennedy Jr., Secretary of HHS, announced 10,000 employees would be cut. Meanwhile, FDA’s top vaccine official, Dr. Peter Marks, resigned: “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary [Kennedy], but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.” There have been 483 confirmed cases of measles in the US. 

9. Ukraine: The US and Russia are negotiating a truce in the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia demands trade concessions that affect the EU, but they are not involved in the talks. Meanwhile, the US is trying to force Ukraine to sign a deal giving US exclusive access to Ukraine’s minerals. On Friday Ukraine President Zelensky said: “[Ukraine] would only agree to a minerals deal that could give his country security guarantees against Russian aggression, but these have not been forthcoming and an agreement that could compromise EU membership adds a further snag.” ( https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-trump-zelensky-minerals-2052495 ) 

10. War on Universities: Trump has targeted American universities by stating that if they do not change policies that he dislikes, he will withhold their federal grants – often worth millions of dollars. Trump accused Columbia of “antisemitic” activities and threatened to withhold $400 million unless nine demands were met; Columbia acquiesced. 

Summary: While Trump’s power is waning, he has increased his meddling in all facets of American life. His dictums are mean-spirited and, often, stupid. For example, given the other problems facing the US, why pick a fight with Canada? 

The stupidest Trump event of the week was also the most disturbing: the Signal chat regarding Yemen. There were 17 known participants in this chat. They did not meet in the White House situation room – as has been the custom—but in other offices. Most were in Washington DC, but three were abroad: Secretary of State Rubio was in Canada, Director of National Intelligence Gabbard was in Tokyo and Bangkok, and Special Envoy Witkoff was in Moscow. The participants took the call on their private phones – another violation of the security protocol. All used “Signal” an application that was not authorized for this purpose.  

The Signal chat suggests that Trump’s national security team either doesn’t understand the US secure communication protocol or doesn’t care. This disdain for traditional security operating procedure represents a grave threat to US national security.

A Castle Made of Books 

Visitors to Berkeley's Main Library are in for a grand surprise when they step through the front doors. The space previously dedicated to staid and steady rows of bookshelves has been transformed by a stunning display called "Fata Morgana"—a sprawling sculpture by artists Glenna Cole Allee, Santhi Analytis and Yulia Pinkusevich. The (understandably) fenced-off artwork is an architectural wonder of walls, walkways, and windows comprised not of bricks, but entirely of books (more than 2,000 of them). The trio of artists describe their work as a "wave-like structure…, its edges curling and cascading like frozen currents" embedded with "circular portal windows inviting viewers to peer inside." 

As tlhey say in the book-borrowing community: "Check it out!" 

Chalk One Up for Nola
The steps at Berkeley's Main Post Office have long been an activists' easel with colorful chalk-writ messages sometimes stretching the length of the PO's front-door parking space. It's a great spot for foot-traffic, especially when it's lunch-time at Berkeley High. Recently spotted: a new announcement scrawled on the cement with a sharpie. It reads: "Nola McCafferty yells at girls for fun." 

Fashion Plates
Personalized license plates spotted here and there around town:
ELNWOOD
LDYBLK
BLESSN
LANDBAT
LADFAN5
KITTIE
OMGPWNI
HNDNITIT (Hand knit it) 

Bumper Snickers
(Note: All on one Prius: too many to post.)
Good Night White Pride
Bestie, Please Let Me Merge
Leftists Against Other Leftists
Go Green, Kiss a Goblin 

Honk if You're a Dramatic Clown
In This Car We Believe: Anime Is a Team Sport
Rats Ride Loose, I Will Press Charges
How Can a Loving God Cause Such Agony?
You Just Got Passed by a Raccoon in a Trench Coat
Where If Not Here? Who If Not You? When If Not Now?
May Bahamut Keep You and the Babayaga Not Take You This Night
The Great State of Taxes
Is there any country on Earth that makes the process of taxation such a painfully complex and daunting duty? Sure, making multiple multi-page tax forms, arithmetic attachments, innumerable schedules, and magazine-sized Instructions so taxing is great if you happen to be a tax attorney or a tax-preparing company but the complexity of the US tax system poses a brain-busting challenge for the average citizen. As I wade through the annual slog of tax-filing minutia, I can't help but wonder if America's aging population couldn't file a class-action lawsuit accusing the IRS of promoting a countrywide policy of "elder abuse." 

On the State level, here's a surprising morsel I culled from an instruction sheet issued by California's Franchise Tax Board. 

From Form FTB 5870A—Tax on Accumulation Distribution of Trusts: 

"The instructions provided with California tax forms are a summary of California tax law and are only intended to aid taxpayers in preparing their state income tax returns. We include information most useful to the greatest number of taxpayers in the limited space available. It is not possible to include all requirements of the California Revenue and Taxation Code (R&TC) in the instructions. Taxpayers should not consider the instructions as authoritative law." 

Noem Names the Nemesis
Kristi Noem, Trump's appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, has been appearing in chilling media ads in which she openly threatens to track down, arrest, and deport 'illegal aliens." But the majority of these media warnings are delivered In English! So which English-speaking US residents are being targeted? Brits? Presumably these ads are also being aired (or subtitled) in Spanish. And how many other languages are being employed? Chinese? Japanese? French? German? Farsi? Arabic? Turkish? 

Trump Plays the Easter Bunny for Easy Money
Sen. Elizabeth Warren writes: "On the campaign trail, Trump promised the American people cheaper eggs at the grocery store. In reality, he’s promising billionaire benefactors 'valuable brand visibility' deals at the White House while grocery prices still remain high. 

"We’re just two months into Trump’s second term, and his new administration is already beating his earlier record of corruption. Ceding power to [Elon Musk] the world’s richest man. Turning the White House lawn into a Tesla dealership." And that's not all, Warren notes. "[F]or as low as $200,000, corporate CEOs can slap their corporate logo on Donald Trump dressed as the Easter Bunny at the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll event." 

In response, Warren and her Congressional colleagues sent the White House a 10-page letter "sounding the alarm on the overwhelming corruption and vast conflicts of interest throughout the Trump administration" and urging the President to: 

• Reinstate the government watchdogs who Trump purportedly fired, including all Inspectors General, the OGE Director, and the OSC Director, and commit to protecting those offices from further political interference.
• Thoroughly vet potential nominees for all conflicts of interest and refuse to appoint anyone who would enter with clear conflicts that existing recusal and divestment rules alone cannot resolve.
• Promptly issue an ethics pledge and ensure robust enforcement.
• Divest from his business holdings, in this case by either liquidating the Trump Organization assets or placing them in a truly blind trust operated by an independent trustee.
• Disclose his tax returns from the past three years.
• Revoke Mr. Musk’s power to profit from his efforts to manipulate the executive branch for his own benefit. Mr. Musk should also be required to promptly release his financial disclosure form so that the public can understand his potential conflicts of interest.

 

The Ad Vance of Aberration Nation
From a tweet on X:  

A photo of JD Vance in combat gear on a gun range shooting off rounds with an assault rifle. The photo's caption reads: "Just the Vice President of the United States sending some freedom seeds downrange. Doesn’t get more American than that." This chilling message was followed by a US flag emoji. 

Who else besides Nance calls bullets "freedom seeds"? Sounds like something the pranksters at The Onion might send out, but apparently it's real Pentagon mil-speak.  

In other unsettling use of GOP pol-speak, King Trump recently dubbed himself the Fertilization President‑—on Women's Day. And then he leaned in and told Fox News that the US should forget it's revolutionary roots and consider joining the British Commonwealth.  

Save the USPS Post-haste
The Washington Post reports that Trump is planning to sign an executive order “to fire the members of the Postal Service’s governing board and place the agency under the control of the Commerce Department and Secretary Howard Lutnick.”  

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) of the Save the Post Office Coalition (SPOC) issued the following response: "I won’t sugarcoat things. This is a worst-case scenario. And it’s postal workers and rural America who will pay the price while greedy corporate CEOs get richer. This would be an illegal takeover by the Trump administration that defies the Constitution, which clearly gives Congress authority over the USPS, but that hasn’t stopped Trump before." 

The SPOC campaign includes more than 300 organizations including: Public Citizen, ACLU, NAACP, Indivisible, MoveOn, Color of Change, the American Postal Workers Union, National Farmers Union, VoteVets, and RuralOrganizing.org to state groups like Mainers for Accountable Leadership, Alaska PIRG, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, and many more. 

Having successfully passed The Postal Service Reform Act with bipartisan support, SPOC is optimistic it can stop The Oligarchy's plot to privatize the Postal Service. The USPS is a great tool for communication and commerce. Ben Franklin would be proud of the institution he founded. If Musk, Trump and Louis DeJoy were to tell this Founding Father what their plans are for privatizing the USPS for profit, Ben would probably tell them to "Go fly a kite!

In recent months I moved out of downtown Martinez. 

I had been living in a housing situation with a lot of stress—but inhabited by a cohesive community of good people. The housing was conducive to writing a lot because I was in a little room with a bathroom, a refrigerator, and a microwave oven, and nothing else. I never wanted to pay what the cable company charges to have television. I could get some amount of television on my aging PC laptop and bottom dollar android phone. It matters that I keep up on news, since I write essays for newspapers, and they had better be well-informed pieces. 

I'm dealing with the aftermath of a very hard time in my life, of environmental stress, and a very challenging and difficult change of residence from the old place to the new place. Consequently, I'm in recuperative mode and the energy level is less than usual. 

I suffer from psychosis, and I have to keep symptoms in check on a continuous basis. I'm medicated. 

The social atmosphere at the old building was tolerant. Expectations weren't too high. But it was a high stress environment, and this impacted me, whether I liked it or not. I lived there for about a year and a half. 

And I'm unsure of the biological and/or mental impact I experienced from living there. Doubtless I was producing stress hormones. And certainly, living in that atmosphere had psychological impact. But since I can't see myself through the lenses of other people's cameras (and this idea is purely hypothetical) I would never be able to do an assessment. 

I receive mental health treatment, and I have been receiving it for the past 40 years. It is a miracle I am alive, breathing, writing, and doing many of the things that nondisabled adults have to do. I sincerely wish my living conditions were better. And now I'm on track for a decent existence, at least so I hope. The current place is quiet, it has landscaping, it is not infested by vermin, there is not a lot of crime, and the units are spacious, well-maintained and well-appointed. 

I haven't made any friends here, in the new place, so far. Yet the residents all seem like they are intelligent and friendly. I might have some things in common with some. Time will tell. I'm on good terms with staff members and this is reassuring. 

If I had some friends to come visit me, it'd be perfect. It isn't easy being alone. And when one of my misdirected coping skills is to produce delusional content, it means I have to be highly vigilant for my own symptoms. 

And it bothers me that when I become overly depressed, oral hygiene suffers. I have all of my teeth except for the wisdom teeth (extracted thirty years ago), and I'd like to keep them all. I'm always seeing people with mental illness who lack teeth or who have very poor teeth, or some missing. I'm disturbed by the idea. Part of the solution to this quandary is, don't disrespect the dentist. 

At the moment, as I write this, the sun is going down, it is cloudy and cold outside, and I'm keeping myself company by composing at the computer. If I'm fortunate, I might get a phone call from my spouse tonight. I can't expect much more than that. Meanwhile, I'm getting good vibes either from myself or from some anonymous entity that wants me to feel better. 

To the reader: keep this in mind—you are not alone. 

 

Jack Bragen lives and writes in the East Bay.

In a troubling escalation of state repression, Tufts University Ph.D. student Rumeysa Ozturk was detained by plainclothes ICE agents on March 25, 2025, in Somerville, Massachusetts. Ozturk, a Turkish national, was approached by six masked agents while walking with friends, just before breaking her Ramadan fast. Surveillance footage of the incident has sparked outrage, especially since the university was unaware of her arrest. Authorities later claimed her student visa had been revoked, although her lawyer filed an emergency petition to block her removal. 

Ozturk’s detention follows her vocal support for Palestinian solidarity protests on campus, where she co-wrote an article criticizing Tufts' administration’s handling of Palestinian advocacy. Her arrest is part of a broader pattern of detaining activists, including international students like Iranian doctoral student Alireza Doroudi and immigrant rights activist Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez Zeferino. 

In response, over a thousand demonstrators gathered at Powder House Square in solidarity, demanding an end to the government’s crackdown on immigrant communities and calling for the cessation of U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. This series of events highlights the growing suppression of dissent and immigrant rights, underscoring the urgent need for action to protect free speech and human rights.

On March 25, 2025, Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal was brutally assaulted by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank village of Susya, in the Masafer Yatta region. Ballal, known for co-directing the documentary No Other Land, which highlights the struggles of Palestinians against home demolitions and settler violence, was attacked shortly after breaking the Ramadan fast. His co-director Basel Adra and Jewish American peace activist Anna Lippman were eyewitnesses to the assault, which involved masked settlers and Israeli soldiers. Adra confirmed that while Ballal was being beaten, soldiers stood by, pointing guns and firing warning shots to prevent villagers from intervening. 

Ballal’s injuries were severe, and as he screamed for help, the soldiers abducted him. Despite false accusations from Israeli military authorities that Ballal had thrown stones, eyewitnesses, including Lippman, confirm that no such actions occurred. This attack underscores the systematic violence faced by Palestinians in the West Bank, especially in areas like Masafer Yatta, where settlers routinely clash with the local population. The international community must urgently intervene to end this violence and hold those responsible accountable. 

Since the attack, Ballal has been released, but his condition remains unknown. The international community, especially the United States which is funding much of the conflict, must continue to demand justice for Ballal and all Palestinians living under the brutal Israeli occupation.

Afther two months of Trump 2.0, the 47^th President has fallen into a predictable pattern. Each day there’s a dominant news item. This morning it was Ukraine peace talks. Yesterday it was eliminating the department of Education. Trump has managed to tightly control the daily news cycle. 

Trump has reasons for doing this. He revels in the attention. He feels he has momentum and doesn’t want to lose it to the Democrats. Trump is playing to his media strength and, so far, it has served him well: he has rattled the Democratic Party and unnerved patriotic Americans. 

Nonetheless, Trump’s media maneuverings have a darker purpose: they are meant to hide the fact that the Trump presidency is falling. If we look outside the Trump media bubble, we see obvious signs of this: the economy is on the rocks and Trump doesn’t know what to do. In two months, the reputation of the United States has been savaged: the US has become a pariah nation. 

Public perception of Trump has turned negative: “According to an AtlasIntel survey of 2,550 respondents conducted between March 7 and March 12, Donald Trump currently has a 47 percent approval rating and a 52 percent disapproval rating for his job performance.” ( https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/donald-trumps-approval ) “One of the main reasons for Trump's waning support is discontent with his management of the economy. More than half (54%) of respondents to the most recent NBC News poll expressed disapproval of President Trump's economic management, while 44% expressed approval.” 

Most pollsters find that public perception of Trump is positive on only one issue: immigration. A recent NBC News poll found that 55 percent of respondents approved of his handling of “border security and immigration” while 43 percent disapproved. ( https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/poll-trump-faces-early-challenges-economy-united-gop-backs-big-change-rcna195860 ) 

This polling result explains why Trump repeatedly talks about immigration. He may throw out random items as his “message of the day;” for example, the claim that Joe Biden’s pardons are void because he didn’t sign them. Nonetheless, several times each week Trump returns to immigration. The Trump Administration regards this as a winning issue. 

Since January 20, Trump’s immigration record is mixed. Trump declared a state of emergency and shut down all immigration (except for white Afrikaners). This has dramatically curtailed legal immigration. The situation with H1B and H2B visas is confuse, but it appears that fewer applicants will be admitted for technical and agricultural jobs. 

With regards to illegal immigration, there here have been raids throughout the country, staffed by ICE personnel supplemented by members of the FBI, DEA, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The raid results have been mixed: Newsweek reports: “[ICE said] that it had removed 28,319 people from the U.S. interior between January 20 and March 11, averaging to around 3,887 per week, or 555 a day. However, ICE has generally been responsible for removing those detained at the border, also. If the latest numbers include border removals, then the new administration is falling behind [Biden’s] weekly average of about 5,000 last year.” ( https://www.newsweek.com/trump-mass-deportation-numbers-data-ice-2047311 ) 

Trump is not getting the deportation numbers he expected. To make the deportation effort look good, Trump has begun relying on media stunts, such as transporting some targeted individuals to US military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 

This past week Trump tried three new tactics to improve his immigration numbers: 

1.Used Alien Enemies Act: A week ago, Trump signed an order using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as the legal basis for his deportation of alleged “Tren de Aragua” (TdA) gang members. This obscure law can be used only if there is “declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States.” Therefore, Trump declared TdA as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” that is “perpetrating an invasion” of the US. 

Trump likes the use of the Alien Enemies Act because he believes he can deport suspected gang members, starting at the age of 14, with no due process. 238 alleged members of TdA were deported to a El Salvador, where they were interred in a high-security prison. None of the 238 were afforded due process in the US. (it’s alleged not all of them belong to TdA.) 

2. Arrested Mahmoud Khalil: On March 8, ICE arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent US resident with a green card, who helped lead Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian protests last spring, The Trump administration accused Khalil of “engaging in activities aligned to Hamas” and is seeking to deport him using a legal provision from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952: this gives the US Secretary of State power to removed individuals from the US if their presence is said to “have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States”. 

3. Revoked Legal Status of 543,000 immigrants: Trump said he will revoke the temporary legal status of more than half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV). Those migrants have been told to leave the country before their permits, and deportation shield, are cancelled on April 24. 

These three actions are meant to give a boost to Trump’s struggling immigration initiative. Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of TdA. However, he should have been able to deport them without taking this step. Trump and ICE reasoned that invoking the Alien Enemies Act would be easier as ICE wouldn’t have to grant the suspects due process. 

Trump arrested Mahmoud Khalil – and other pro-Palestinian activists – to expand the deportation playing field. Khalil has a green card, but Trump seeks to revoke this on dubious legal grounds. Trump has gone after Khalil because he has led pro-Palestinian protests. Trump doesn’t want Khalil to express his political beliefs. (Note that Trump has begun to call people he doesn’t like “Palestinians.”) 

Trump’s termination of the CHNV program comes after his announcement that he would end the temporary protected status of an additional 500,000 Haitians living in the US. To be clear, when Trump heralded his “mass deportation” program, many voters thought he was talking about folks who had come to the US illegally and had a criminal record. Now the targeted population has shifted. 

Summary: Donald Trump has been disappointed in the number of deportations achieved by his immigration initiative. Polling results indicate immigration is his only point of strength. 

To make his mass deportation effort look good, Trump has changed the rules. ICE is no longer focused on individuals who came here illegally and have a criminal record. Now Trump has broadened the deportation focus to include all non-white immigrants he doesn’t like. Too bad if they came here legally; Trump intends to change the rules to void their status. 

Trump 2.0 is failing. As a result, Trump is doubling down on his dreadful immigration plan.

It’s hard to know what District 2 Councilmember Taplin had in mind for the Council Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Sustainability Committee (FITES) for the 2 pm meeting on Wednesday March 19, 2025 with the agenda item 2. Discussion Item: Waterfront Specific Plan Update: Cesar Chavez Park Next Steps. There were no matching documents and Taplin who is a member of the committee didn’t attend the meeting, but passed on a request that the item be placed on the next agenda. 

The City Council vision to gentrify the Marina has been at odds with the Marina users since the proposal for a ferry floated out of the Berkeley City Council on May 8, 2018. I remember that evening well as that was the night at 2 hours 2 minutes into the special meeting Sophie Hahn talked about wanting a visionary plan and related her earliest memories of the marina riding in a taxi to the heliport and getting on a helicopter with her family to fly to SFO. She mentioned that of those many trips by helicopter one of them even made it into a picture in the San Francisco Chronicle. 

The proposal from former Mayor Arreguin came with the promise that the expansion of WETA (Water Emergency Transportation Authority) ferry services would pay for the pier (closed in 2015 due to safety concerns) and Berkeley wouldn’t have to pay for anything except for well this portion of the pier that wasn’t part of the ferry service and upgrades on the land side. 

I’ve always felt there was something fishy about the pier and ferry projections and that certainly fit the picture at the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission on March 12, 2025. 

Liza McNulty Capital Improvement Manager presented the TDM (Transportation Demand Management) Vehicle Trip and Parking Reduction Methodology to the commission with emphasis on the 18,000 data points of parking utilization at the Marina used in the analysis. She went through photos, charts and graphs showing how parking could be increased with striping the lots and parking enforcement. She told the commission and public attendees the highest parking utilization was in June on a Saturday at 2 pm. She implied in her presentation that the times of highest utilization were used in the analysis. And she went through an exercise on how parking enforcement could entice Marina users to find other methods of transportation to the Marina. 

All these gyrations came to a happy ending with sufficient available parking for a ferry and recreational users of the Marina. 

For anyone who had not read the report in the packet (note the packet was as usual not posted until sometime deep into the weekend), this all sounded perfectly wonderful. 

hen we heard from the public. One of the public attendees Gordon Stout pointed out that the report specifically stated (on page 22) only 10 am and 8 pm parking counts were used and these were averaged. Peak utilization hours 2 pm and 4 pm were specifically excluded. The history of vehicle parking counts at 10 am and 8 pm were to monitor for overnight parking by homeless persons sleeping in vehicles. 

The entire happy ending of the 129 page parking study and report in the March 12 Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission agenda is based on the hours of low utilization to push forward how a ferry for commuters will not impact Marina recreation users. 

There are no estimates in the report how much it will cost to monitor and ticket parking lot users. 

It should be remembered that the Marina is a place where lower income families can currently go for free and ferry users as self-identified in previous WETA surveys using existing ferry services are majority high-income earners.  

Much of the early evening public comment to the commission revolved around the sudden closure of the heavily used East Dock due to deterioration. As pointed out in the letter from Noah Marcel Sudarsky (included in the packet) the City answer is always the same, structural issues, no money to fix it and better and bigger projects are coming through future developments. 

This gives the appearance that the City deliberately fails to maintain infrastructure to justify some future project to which the public would otherwise object. 

The new Commission chair Abshez pushed through a request to Council to direct the City Manager to create the Cesar Chavez Park Vision. This is after the Marina plan renamed as the Waterfront Specific Plan with a City investment of around $1.5 million on “main” consultants Hargreaves Jones (six subconsultants listed) to create a waterfront plan. That plan fell flat months ago. 

The discussion prior to the vote circled around who would make up this task force or committee that would create the vision for Cesar Chavez Park and would these visioning meetings be public. These questions were never satisfactorily answered. 

The measure passed with one abstention. 

I always feel uneasy about these task forces/committees. They always seem to come under the pretense of being public and transparent while being the opposite. 

Here is the link to the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission Agenda Packet: 

https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/legislative-body-meeting-agendas/PRW%20Agenda%202025-03-12.pdfj

Israel has broken the two-month ceasefire with Hamas, launching a devastating wave of airstrikes on Gaza that has killed at least 400 people, with more than 560 others injured. Many of the victims are children, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. These attacks, which came without warning, are a harsh reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict. 

Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, an American trauma surgeon volunteering in Gaza, paints a grim picture of the situation. He describes treating victims, many of them children, who suffer from severe injuries amid deteriorating conditions. Hospitals are overwhelmed, unable to provide adequate care due to shortages of resources and facilities. Malnutrition and dehydration compound the suffering, leaving many patients with little hope of survival. 

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen as Israel imposes a blockade on aid, further depriving the population of essential supplies. Dr. Sidhwa calls on Americans to demand an end to the U.S. government's support of Israel’s actions, emphasizing that this bloodshed is preventable. He urges that diplomatic, military, and economic assistance to Israel cease, in hopes of preventing further unnecessary suffering.

Worth Noting: 

City Council Spring Recess is March 26 – April 14, 2025 

Check City website for meetings posted on short notice https://berkeleyca.gov 

• Tuesday, March 18, 2025:
  • At 11 am the Solano Business Improvement District meets in person.
  • At 4 pm is the annual Police Department Report to Council
  • At 6 pm is the regular Council meeting with local hazard mitigation plan, a task force to address sex trafficking and fixed surveillance cameras on the action agenda
• Wednesday, March 19, 2025:
  • At 2 pm Cesar Chavez Park is on the FITES Committee agenda.
  • At 3:45 pm small business support and impact bond are on the Health, Life Enrichments, Equity & Community Agenda.
  • At 1:30 pm at the Commission on Aging in person meeting is a presentation on street safety and emergency response in the Berkeley Hills overly (fire zone) from UCB city planning graduate studies
  • At 6 pm is a virtual community meeting on Adeline Corridor landscaping planning.
  • At 6:30 pm the DRC meets in person on an 8-story project on Milvia at Addison
  • At 6:30 pm the Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets in person only format on Block Grants in a room fully equipped for hybrid meetings.
  • At 6:30 pm the Police Accountability Board meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on Labor meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on the Status of Women is scheduled to meet, but no agenda posted.
• Thursday, March 20, 2025:
  • At 9:30 am is recreation Wee Play for under age 4.
  • At 5:30 pm the Zero Waste Commission meets in person.
  • At 6 pm is CERT Unit 6 Training.
  • At 6:30 pm the Fair Campaign Practices and Open Government Commission meets on ongoing campaign enforcement referrals.
• Friday, March 21, 2025:
  • At 1:45 pm the 2 x 2 Committee meets on safe routes to school
• Saturday, March 21, 2025:
  • At 9 am is CERT Unit 6 Training.
  • At 10 am is Nature Journaling for age 7 and up.
  • From 10:30 am – 12:30 pm is Fatherhood Initiative Spring Cohort.
  • At 3 pm is Building your Fire weather Plan.

 

If you are unable to attend a meeting in person and/or it is not offered in the hybrid or an accessible format, TO REQUEST A DISABILITY RELATED ACCOMMODATION(S) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 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, March 16, 2025: no city meetings, events found 

Monday, March 17, 2025: no city meetings, events found 

 

Tuesday, March 18, 2025: 

 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 4 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1609781710 

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

Meeting ID: 160 978 1710 

AGENDA: 1. Louis, Police Chief – 2024 Berkeley Police Department Annual Report 

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

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular 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/1609781710 

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

Meeting ID: 160 978 1710 

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. 

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

 

SOLANO AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD at 11 am 

In-Person: 1849 Solano 

AGENDA: 4. Chair’s Report Introduction of Solano Berkeley Police Department Officer, 5. Financials, 6. Work Plan. 

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

 

Wednesday, March 19, 2025: 

 

FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT and SUSTAINABILITY (FITES) at 2 pm 

Members: Taplin, Lunapara, Humbert, alternate Ishii 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608672417 

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

Meeting ID: 160 867 2417 

AGENDA: All items for discussion 2. Taplin – Waterfront Specific Plan Update: Cesar Chavez Park Next Steps, 3. Lunaparra – Southside Complete Streets Plan, 4. Humbert – Status of Zachary’s Corner 

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

 

HEALTH, LIFE ENRICHMENTS, EQUITY & COMMUNITY at 3:45 pm 

Members: Bartlett, Tregub, O’Keefe, alternate Taplin 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618229815 

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

Meeting ID: 161 822 9815 

AGENDA: 2. Bartlett – Small Business Support Act, 3. Bartlett – discussion - Impact Bond 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-health-life-enrichment-equity-community 

 

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: Presentation: Aligning Street Safety and Emergency Response in the Berkeley Hills-This work reveals that the current status quo may be dangerous for people living in the Berkeley Hills, especially for those over the age of 60 who make up a high proportion of the area’s residents. Presenter Morgan Elizabeth Cunneen-Franco, Lisa Schroer, Esteban Villasenor Masters of City Planning Student at UC Berkeley, Discussion/Action: 2. Measure FF 

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. Officer election, 3. Debrief Worker Cooperative Panel of Experts and consider recommendations to Council. 

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: no agenda posted 

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

 

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE (DRC) at 6:30 pm  

(note meeting on Wednesday not usual Thursday) 

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

AGENDA: 6. 2100 Milvia at Addison – DRCP2023-0018 - Preliminary Design Review – to demolish an existing 3-story non-residential building and construct an 8-story 97 ft 6 in, 208,740 sq ft mixed-use building containing 201 dwelling units, 4 liv/work ununits including 11 very low income units and 3,713 sq ft ground floor commercial space 

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

 

HUMAN WELFARE and COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: at 2180 Milvia, 1^st Floor, Cypress Room (2180 Milvia has at least 3 meeting rooms equipped for hybrid meetings yet this meeting is not posted as a hybrid meeting) 

AGENDA: 5. Community Services Block Grant Community Action Plan and Community Needs Assessment update, 8. Review CoB funded agency Program and Financial reports, Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) program and financial reports, 9. Discussion and possible action on review of 2024 outcomes and goal setting for 2025, 11. ADA audits of City programs. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/human-welfare-and-community-action-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: try 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 891 7458 9069 

AGENDA: 4. Public comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 8. Police Chief report, 10. A. Restructuring existing subcommittees, b. PAB review of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Mutual Aid Agreements, c. BPD revised external fixed camera locations, d. BPD 2024 annual report, 12. Closed Session. 

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

 

SOUTH ADELINE LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS COMMUNITY MEETING #3 at 6 pm 

Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88519743757?  

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 885 1974 3757 Passcode: 233546 

AGENDA: Proposed landscaping improvements from south end of Ashby BART in area of Alcatraz to southern city limit. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/south-adeline-landscaping-improvements-community-meeting-3 

 

Thursday, March 20, 2025: 

 

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

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1614055306 

Teleconference: try 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 161 405 5306 

AGENDA: FCPC: 8. Yes on Measure CC / No on Measure BB, 9. Enforcement referral regarding Vanessa Danielle Marrero, Rent Stabilization Board Commission, 10. Public financing matching funds disbursement to Mark Humbert for Council 2022, 11. Referral Failure to repay unspent public financing matching funds a. Jenny Guarino for City Council 2024, b. Re-Elect Laura Babitt 4 Berkeley School Board 2024, 12. Mandate cost of living adjustments, 13. Review and possible revision of Procedures for FCPC, OGC: 15. Referral of non-filing quarterly lobbying reports: Yuri Sadiki-Torres, 16. Lobbyist Registration Form Revisions, 17. Publicizing commission work and vacancies, 18. Council rules of Procedure, 19. Progress in proving remote access to Commission and Board meetings. 

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

 

ZERO WASTE COMMISSION at 5:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: Discussion/Action: 6:15 pm 1. Update by Abbe & Associates about CoB Zero Waste Strategic Plan, 6:40 pm 2. Update by the Ecology Center about their Operations, 7 pm 3. Report outs from the special events Subcommittee and Green Building Subcommittee. 

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

 

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) Unit 6: Fire Safety and Utility Controls at 6 pm 

Location: 997 Cedar, Fire Department Training Facility 

Use link for details and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/cert-classes-unit-6-March-20-2025 

 

TOGETHER WEE PLAY WITH THE STORY-TIME BAND at 9:30 am 

Location 2800 Park, Rances Albrier Community Center 

For age 4 years and under 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/together-wee-play-story-time-band-7 

 

Friday, March 21, 2025: 

 

2 x 2 COMMITTEE at 1:45 pm 

Members: Council - Taplin, Blackaby and BUSD - Brown, Shanoski 

Hybrid Meeting: 

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

Videoconference: https://berkeley-net.zoom.us/j/88225033466?pwd=QJXaDTjNl69fWtaxwaS8BMGM6hGmtV.1 

Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833 

Meeting ID: 882 2503 3466 Password: 796338 

AGENDA: 6.1 Safe Routes to School 6.1.1 Cragmont Elementary, 6.1.2 Longfellow Middle School, 6.1.3 Student Safety Around Homeless Encampments Near School Sites. 

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

 

Saturday March 22, 2025: 

 

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) Unit 6: Fire Safety and Utility Controls at 9 am 

Location: 997 Cedar, Fire Department Training Facility 

Use link for details and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/cert-classes-unit-6-March-22-2025 

 

NATURE JOURNALING CLUB at 10 am 

Location: at 160 University 

Use link for details and to register, for ages 7 and older, cost $10 per person 

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

 

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE SPRING COHORT from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Location: at 2090 Kittredge, Berkeley Central Library, 3^rd floor, Community Meeting Room 

Use link for details and to register, event is free, child friendly, lunch provided 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/fatherhood-initiative-spring-cohort-0 

 

BUILDING YOUR FIRE WEATHER PLAN at 3 pm 

Location: at 2940 Benvenue, Clarmont Branch Library 

Use link for details and to register 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/emergency-preparedness-class-create-your-household-fire-weather-plan-03-22-2025 

 

Sunday, March 23, 2025: no city meetings, events found 

 

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

 

+++++ FINAL AGENDA for March 18, 2025 CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm +++++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular 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/1609781710 

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

Meeting ID: 160 978 1710 

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. 

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

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE 

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS 

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Fong, It – Amend Contract No. 31900122-1 add $120,000 total $794,300 with Rolling Orange, Inc for website maintenance and support 3/1/2019 – 6/30/2027
2. Davis, Public Works – Contract $5,500,000 with Pride Industries for Citywide Custodial Services at 21 locations in total for 4/1/2025 – 3/31/2028 with an option for two 1-year extensions for maximum 5 years
3. Davis, Public works – Contract $8,962,808 which includes 10% contingency of $814,800 with SubTerra Constructions, Inc. for sewer rehabilitation project and reimbursement contracts with UC $210,000, Addison Labs Foundation $120,000 and Core Services $120,000.
4. Davis, Public Works – Amend Contract No. 32400141 add $100,000 total $225,000 with Mercury Associates, Inc. for fleet consulting services 12/1/2023 – 12/30/2026
5. Davis, Public Works Contract $470,910 which includes a 10% contingency of $42,810 for urgent sewer repair FY 2025 Project
6. Davis, Public Works – Initiate FY 2026 Street Lighting Assessments
7. Davis, Public Works – Establish Measure FF Safe Streets Citizen Oversight Committee
8. Lunaparra – Relinquishments of Office Budget funds for California Triathlon club

AGENDA on ACTION: 

9. Sprague, Fire – 2024 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
10. Commission on the status of Women – Formation of a Sex Trafficking Task Force to Address Current Sex Trafficking
11. Louis, Police – Revised External Fixed Surveillance Camera Locations away from areas covered by ALPR to high pedestrian traffic and Vendor Transition from Edgeworth Integration, LLC to Flock Safety Center/MLK, College Ashby, Milvia/Allston, 9^th/Gilman, Center/Shattuck, Adeline/Fairview, Durant/Telegraph, Shattuck/Ashby, 4^th/Virginia, 62^nd/King, University/MLK

 

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

 

+++++ FINAL AGENDA for March 25, 2025 CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm +++++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular 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/1611397649 

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

Meeting ID: 161 139 7649 

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. 

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

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE 

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS 

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. New first reading - Klein, Planning – Proposed Amendments to Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO), adopt new first reading
2. 2^nd reading Ordinance No. 7,956-N.S. - Housing Advisory Commission – Adopt an Ordinance to Prohibit the Sale or Use of Algorithmic Devices to Set Rents or Manage Occupancy Levels for Residential Dwelling Units – Policy Committee qualified positive recommendation
3. Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes for approval
4. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal bid solicitations and RFP total $6,575,000, Construction of Class 3 bikeway on Fulton, Prince, Wheeler, and Woolsey connecting the Southside neighborhood to the Ashby BART - $3,740,000, Converting traffic bollards to green infrastructure, repair of University bridge deck
5. Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 32000118 add $1,123,457 total $2,830,366 with NEXGEN Asset Management for software maintenance and professional services through 6/30/2029
6. Ferris, Parks – Five Contracts at $450,000 each total $2,250,000 for on-call Landscape Architectural Services for Capital Improvement Projects 5/1/2025 – 4/30/2028 with 1 – Carducci & Associates, Inc, 2 – Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc (MIG, Inc), 3 – PGAdesign, Inc, 4 – Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey (RHAA), 5 – RRM Design Group
7. Ferris, Parks – Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex Restroom and Community Space Project

AGENDA ON ACTION: 

8. Klein, Planning – Establishment of M-RD Zoning District, Associated General Plan and West Berkeley Plan Amendments, and EIR
9. ZAB Appeal: 3000 Shattuck Use Permit #ZP2022-0046 – Project to demolish gas station and construct 10-story (114) mixed-use with 166 dwellings including 17 very low-income density bonus qualifying units and 1000 sq ft of commercial space, staff recommends dismiss appeal
10. a. Sugar Sweetened Beverage Product of Experts – Allocations of $2,294,774 over 2 years FY 2026 and FY 2027 to Reduce Consumption and Health Impacts of Sugar Sweetened Beverages with 42.5% ($975,278.95) to BUSD, 42.5% ($975,278.95) to grants community-based organizations, c. up to 15% ($344,216.10) to support overall program evaluation, 11. b. Companion Oyekanmi, Finance – Distribution (39.45%) $905,292 to BUSD, (39.45%) $905,292 to grants, 16% total for $128,990 to Finance Dept for staffing and Muni-Services, $242,095 to staffing and monitoring and carry over any excess

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

11. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY 2025 Mid-Year Budget Update
12. Klein, Planning - LPO NOD 2138 Kittredge #LMIN 2024-0006
13. Klein, Planning - LPO NOD 3332 Adeline #LMSAP 2025-0001

DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED FROM the DRAFT AGENDA: 

• Referred to Public Safety Committee - Sprague, Fire – Adoption of CAL FIRE Map Designating City of Berkeley Fire Hazard Severity Zones
• Referred to Public Safety Committee - Sprague, Fire – Modification and Adoption of Berkeley Fire code Local Amendments first reading, second reading scheduled for April 15, 2025.

 

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

 

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

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

• 3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) 3/25/2025
• 2274 Shattuck (UA theater Project) 4/22/2025
• 1048 Keith (single family house) 5/6/2025
• 2500-2512 San Pablo / 1094-1098 Dwight 5/20/2025

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• March 18 (4 pm) Berkeley Police Department Annual Update
• March 25 (4 pm) Pavement Management Program Development
• April 22 (6 pm) City Council ZAB Appeal Hearing for UA Theater Project
• April 29 (4 pm) Presentation on City’s Unfunded Liabilities
• May 13 (new date) (6 pm) Evacuation Study and Response Times

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

Council Referral: Mixed-Income Housing 

FUTURE INFORMATION REPORTS 

1. Reimagining Public Safety Update
2. Affordable Housing Fee Feasibility Study
3. Berkeley Fire Department Annual Report
4. Greenhouse Gas Inventory / Climate Action Plan Update

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)

Feasibility Study Follow Up Session 

 

++++ 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. 

 

 

 

Chronic Culls

On Sunday, in the midst of my six-mile run to the Berkeley Rose Garden, I paused to pick up the Sunday edition of the Chron at the Rose and Shattuck CVS. While waiting in line for a clerk to beckon me to step forward I heard a chuckle from the young shopper behind me. "Are you buying a newspaper?" he asked with an amused smile before offering his follow-up statement: "I've never seen anyone buy a newspaper." His girlfriend giggled in shared amusement.

Just another sign, I sighed, that the print journalism continues to struggle in hard times.

The Chronicle used to supply readers with four distinct, stand-alone sections but now the slimmed-down Chron combines sports and the arts (films, stage, music) in a single volume. The world news section is now confined to a single page. 

Chronic Quirks 

Last week, in a major production glitch, the Chron failed to include its daily parade of comic strips. The missing panels were still accessible via the special on-line e-Chronicle for archived posting. (The Chron made it up the next day by printing two separate sections containing two days worth of cartoon commentary.) 

But the greater seismic shock came with the sudden disappearance of Candorville, a smart and sassy commentary strip by UC Berkeley grad and Sacramento resident Darrin Bell. There was not a word of explanation In the Chron. It was only online that readers could learn that, on January 15, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning cartoonist had been charged with possessing images of "sexually explicit images of children." Bell has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is free on pre-trial release while ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device. 

Meanwhile, newspapers across the US have replaced Candorville with Ray Billingsley's Curtis (a black-centric strip already running in the Chron's Sunday Comics) while other papers have opted to introduce replacements including Daddy Daze, Insanity Streak, and Macanudo. 

The Chronicle, however, has opted to run a strip called Dumplings—an odd choice in that it presents viewers with a cartoon clan of vulnerable, bite-sized infants whose antics might appeal to page-turning pederasts. 

America's Plan to Invade Canada in the 1930s 

With all the Trump Talk about proclaiming Canada to be Washington's "51^st State," it's a bit of a surprise to learn of a secret US plot during the 1930s to invade our northern neighbor—beginning with the occupation of Halifax, Toronto, and Vancouver. Chemical weapons were to be used. 

Canada got wind of War Plan Red and planned a counterstrike to force the surrender of US cities. Here's a video of this little-known chapter of US imperialism. 

 

Economic Woes and Wows 

The Economic Policy Institute has generated some historical data that would curl Bernie Sanders' eyebrows (and probably already has). EPI's historical research has unveiled the stats for "50 years of progress…for CEOs." Here are the numbers: Back in 1970, the average CEO in the US made as much money as 20 employees. By the year 2020, your average CEO was pocketing as much money as 350 hard-working employees. 

 

Fashion Plates
Here's the latest collection of personalized license plates spotted around town:
OWLE
QUACKIE
DRKRIFF
ROADTRP
AMU ALUM
REXUSUH
KLM FAV
CH4LIFE
INNSAEI
DRKPPY (Dark Puppy?)
LRDA MCY (Lord A-Mercy)
YMNCOFE (Yemen Coffee?)
BUNNIDY(Spotted on Easter Sunday)
GAOMES (The General Accounting Office is a mess?) 

Bumpersnickers 

A bevy of political bumperstickers is cropping up in the wake of the anti-woke whackos in and out of the White House. Here's a sampler:
Vote Blue No Matter Who
Monica's Ex-Boyfriend's Wife for President
Darwin 2024. Let Natural Selection Take Its Course
If You Still Support Trump Stay 500 Feet Behind
You Can't Have My Rights. I'm Still Using Them
Reality: A Nice Place to Visit But I Wouldn't Want to Live There 

A Requiem for Victims of US Wars 

 

The following digitized political ditty was created by Donald A. Smith, PhD., a prolific and political professor who knows how to put AI to good use. He writes the lyrics, uses AI to create powerful images and taps into Udio.com to provide the music. Note: Requiem" begins with a long orchestral introduction. Feel free to sing along.

 

 

 

Other Music:

America the Battleful (Oh Beautiful for Endless Wars!)
We are Spending Two Trillion Dollars on Weapons That Must Never Be Used
We Can't Compete with China, So Let's Provoke a War
Thomas Merton's Prayer for Peace
Rock Opera about U.S. Militarism, Part One
The Unholy Land has Genocide
Bending Over for Dearest Uncle Sam
Endless War Blues
Windy City Protests -- from Vietnam in '68 to Gaza in '24
No More Blood For Their Endless War: an antiwar folk song made with AI
Machinery of Death (death metal song)
No More Stupid Wars!
Lesser of Two Evils Blues
Eisenhower warns about the Military-Industrial Complex
Eisenhower Warns about U.S. Militarism
and Love Song by the U.S. Military Gospel Choir. 

 

Donald Trump’s March 4^th speech to the joint session of Congress marked the first six weeks of his second term in office. It also marked the end of phase 1 – a period where Trump was, for the most part, unchecked; a period where Trump pushed the limits of his executive power. Now we have entered phase 2, where Trump will encounter opposition from Congress and the judiciary. 

There were several aspects of phase 1, Trump’s “shock and awe” campaign. Trump issued more than 75 executive orders and made extensive use of presidential commutation powers. Trump enlisted the help of Elon Musk to establish the “Department of Government Efficiency;” this tactic allowed Trump to reduce the federal workforce by several hundred thousand workers. Trump also levied tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico. Finally, Trump was active in foreign policy; he dramatically changed our relationship with NATO, Russia, and Ukraine. 

The unifying theme of phase 1 was executive power. Trump took actions that did not need the approval of Congress. 

1. The Economy: Donald Trump was elected president because of his promise to fix the economy. The most recent Consumer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that inflation has surged, as the cost of gas, rents, and groceries went up. Trump now says this inflation is Biden’s fault and disavows responsibility for the economy: “I had nothing to do with that.” ( https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5152657-donald-trump-rising-inflation-doge-tariffs-economy/ ) Trump has failed to deal with inflation. 

2. Immigration: Trump declared a state of emergency and shut down all immigration (except for white Afrikaners). There have been raids throughout the country, staffed by ICE personnel supplemented by members of the FBI, DEA, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Trump’s immigration numbers lag Biden’s. ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/02/15/ice-arrests-immigration-deportations/ ) So far, Trump has failed at “mass deportation.” 

3. Culture: During his presidential campaign, Trump ran on two cultural issues: DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and “Transgenderism” -- the supposed evil spread by the presence of transgender individuals in the US. During phase 1, Trump ruthlessly eliminated DEI programs in the federal government and influenced many corporations to shutdown their DEI initiatives. Trump relentlessly targeted transgender individuals -- roughly 1 percent of the population; about 2.3 million individuals. 

4. Mass Firings: 77,000 federal employees accepted Trump’s buyout offer. Trump followed this by laying off thousands who had not completed their probationary period – the Washington Post estimated this would affect 200,000 employees. Among the agencies affected are the Center for Disease Control, Energy Department, IRS, National Park Service, and the Veteran’s Administration. Trump and his acolyte, Elon Musk, seem determined to keep firing federal employees, regardless of the programmatic impact. 

On January 27^th, Trump issued a memo cutting off funding for popular benefit and grant programs. This also affected federal employment. 

5.Communication: In contrast to former President Biden, Donald Trump has given a press briefing most days of his tenure. As a result, Trump news dominates the airwaves. 

6. Foreign Policy: Trump’s foreign policy has become clear: the US will withdraw from traditional alliances and go it alone. Trump has offended most of our traditional allies. 

This new isolationism has terrible consequences for Ukraine. Trump wants to end US involvement in the conflict and withdraw US aid. Trump prefers to negotiate solely with Russian Premier Putin and is prepared to give Putin two things he wants: Russia will keep the Ukrainian territory it has seized, and the US will block Ukraine from joining NATO. 

In a surprise, Trump declared Canada our enemy. He’s determined to make Canada the 51^st state. Trump also wants to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal. 

PHASE 2 

If the unifying theme of phase 1 was executive power, phase 2 will be characterized by pushback from the judiciary and Congress. 

Lawsuits: Since Trump’s inauguration more than one hundred lawsuits have been filed to thwart his actions. More than thirty lawsuits relate to Trump's immigration policies. Approximately twenty challenge the actions of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Ten respond to Trump’s transgender policies. The balance oppose the president's unilateral changes to federal funding, government hiring and the structure of federal agencies. Many of these cases are still pending, but most of the judicial decisions favored the plaintiffs -- Trump’s actions have been deemed illegal/unconstitutional. 

Congress: Until this point, Trump did not need Congress. Now, Trump faces three deadlines that require him to work with Congress: On March 14h, the federal government runs out of money unless a continuing resolution is passed. Shortly thereafter, government borrowing will reach the debt limit. Next, Congress will consider Trump’s budget: Trump wants his 2017 tax cuts reauthorized (cost $4.5 trillion) and additional funds appropriated for Defense and Homeland Security ($340 billion). 

It’s unlikely that the Republican-controlled Congress can pass all three of these measures without securing votes from Democrats. This gives the Democratic minority an opportunity to exact concessions from Republicans. 

Communication: Democrats realize they cannot continue to let Donald Trump monopolize the news. In this phase we should expect Democrats to make changes to their communications strategy. 

Summary: Phase 2 will determine whether Donald Trump will continue to run roughshod over the Constitution or whether “check and balances” will hold. Whether the courts and Congress will do their job. Phase 2 should also indicate whether Democrats have figured out how to counter the Trump media blitz.

The recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University, raises serious concerns about the suppression of political speech in America. Khalil, an Algerian citizen with Palestinian roots and a green card holder, was arrested by ICE agents in a seemingly arbitrary move to revoke his green card. This action, which occurred as the Trump administration sought to penalize Columbia University, has been widely criticized for its lack of legal clarity and its broader implications for freedom of expression. 

Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen and has a pregnant wife, was one of the prominent figures organizing the protest against the ongoing violence in Gaza. His arrest follows the administration’s decision to withdraw $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, accusing it of not adequately addressing antisemitism on campus. Yet, critics argue that this is not about antisemitism but an effort to stifle dissent, especially from student activists like Khalil who have spoken out against Israel’s actions in Gaza. 

As Khalil's whereabouts remain unclear, this incident symbolizes the growing crackdown on free speech and the use of immigration enforcement as a political tool. The broader message to students and faculty is chilling: dissent will be met with consequences. This troubling development underscores the urgent need for vigilance in protecting both academic freedom and the right to protest.

Worth Noting: 

Thursday March 13, 2025 is Earth Overshoot Day for the United States. Earth Overshoot Day is the day when humanity consumes more resources than the Earth can regenerate in a year. If the entire planet used resources like the United States, that day would be March 13 for the year 2025. Earth Overshoot Day for the planet for 2025 is July 24. In 2024 that date was August 1. https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/ 

 

City Council meets at 5 pm on Tuesday to finalize the priority of referrals and which referrals should be eliminated. The agendas for the Tuesday, March 11 regular meeting and the March 18 regular meeting are available for comment. 

• Sunday, March 9, 2025 – Daylight Savings – SPRING FORWARD
• Monday, March 10, 2025
  • At 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 4:30 pm the City Council meets in closed session
  • At 6:30 pm the Youth Commission meets in person
• Tuesday, March 11, 2025
  • At 5 pm City Council meets in the hybrid format to prioritize referrals to the City Manager.
  • At 6 pm City Council conducts the regular meeting in the hybrid format.
• Wednesday, March 12, 2025
  • At 5 pm the Disability Commission meets with zoom login available to commissioners, but not to the public unless requested related to disability accommodations.
  • At 7 pm the Parks Commission meets in person.
  • From 7 – 8 pm is the community meeting Six Critical Steps to Disaster Preparedness on zoom.
• Thursday, March 13, 2025
  • From 9 am – 12 pm is a flu vaccine pop-up clinic
  • At 9:30 am is Together Wee Play for age 4 years and under
  • At 10 am the Council Budget & Finance Committee meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 7 pm the Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) meets in the hybrid format.
• Friday, March 14, 2025
  • At 11 am the Civic Arts Policy Subcommittee meets on zoom.
• Saturday, March 15, 2025
  • From 9 – 11 am is the 3^rd Saturday Shoreline Cleanup.
  • At 10:30 am is Fatherhood Initiative Spring Cohort.

 

Check City website for meetings posted on short notice https://berkeleyca.gov 

If you are unable to attend a meeting in person and/or it is not offered in the hybrid or an accessible format, TO REQUEST A DISABILITY RELATED ACCOMMODATION(S) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 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, March 9, 2025 – Daylight Savings Time Begins, Spring Forward 

 

Monday, March 10, 2025 

 

AGENDA AND RULES COMMITTEE Meeting at 2:30 pm 

Members: Ishii, Taplin, Humbert alternate Bartlett 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611694310 

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

Meeting ID: 161 169 4310 

AGENDA: Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve - 3/25/2025 -- 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: none Unscheduled Items: 8. City Council Legislative Redesign 

Old Items Determined by Committee to Remove: 

• Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committees Process and Structure (Including Budget Referrals),
• Discussion and Recommendations on the Continued Use of Berkeley Considers Online Engagement Portal,
• Discussion and Possible Action on City Council Rules of Decorum, Procedural Rules, and Remote Public Comments
• Modifications or Improvements to City Council Meeting Procedures,
• Strengthening and Supporting City Commission: Guidance on Development of Legislative Proposals
• Consideration of Changes to Supplemental Material Timelines

Next Agenda Committee meeting Tuesday, April 1, 2025 

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

 

CITY COUNCIL Closed Sessions at 4:30 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1613989284 

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

Meeting ID: 161 398 9284 

AGENDA: 1. Anticipated Workers’ Comp Litigation, 2. Conference with Labor Negotiators, Employee Organizations: Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227 I.A.F.F., Berkeley Fire Chiefs, Berkeley Police Association, Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Activity Leaders SEIU 1021, Maintenance and Clerical SEIU 1021, Employee Union Local 1, Unrepresented Employees, 3. Existing Litigation Selamawit Tezare v. CoB Alameda Superior Court Case No. 23CV030502 

https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-closed-meeting-eagenda-march-10-2025 

 

YOUTH COMMISSION at 6:30 pm 

In-Person: at 1730 Oregon 

AGENDA: No agenda posted 

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

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 

 

CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting at 5 pm 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618265658 

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

Meeting ID: 161 826 5658 

AGENDA: 1. 2025 City Council Referral Prioritization.  

Use this link for the table of which referrals are being eliminated and which receive priority. 5 is a high priority. https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-03-11%20Special%20Item%2001%202025%20City%20Council%20Referral%20Prioritization.pdf 

Link to all council meeting agendas: 

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

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular 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/1618265658 

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

Meeting ID: 161 826 5658 

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. 

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

 

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 

 

SIX CRITICAL STEPS to DISASTER PREPAREDNESS from 7 – 8 pm 

Virtual - Use link for details and to register for ZOOM  

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/emergency-preparedness-class-six-critical-steps-disaster-preparedness-03-12-2025 

 

COMMISSION on DISABILITY at 5pm 

In-person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center (Aspen Room) 

AGENDA: 7. Form 700 filing due April 1, 2025, 9. Recommendations for & notifications of accommodations at City/meetings/events, 10. Process for Commission recommendations on Measure FF. 

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

 

PARKS, RECREATION, and WATERFRONT COMMISSION at 7 pm 

In-Person: 2800 Park, Frances Albrier Community Center 

AGENDA: check later not posted 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/parks-recreation-and-waterfront-commission 

 

Thursday, March 13, 2025 

 

BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE at 10 am 

Members: Ishii, Kesarwani, Blackaby, alternate Tregub 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1602864762 

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

Meeting ID: 160 286 4762 

AGENDA: 2. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY2025 Mid-Year Budget Update, 3. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager – “Risk-Based Analysis and Stress Test of General Fund Reserve Requirements, 4. Davis, Public Works – Audit status Reports Fleet Replacement and Berkeley Streets. 

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

 

ZONING ADJUSTMENTS 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/85893871616 

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

Meeting ID: 858 9387 1616 

AGENDA: 2. 1520 Grant – Use Permit - #ZP2024-0055 – on consent - major residential addition including conversion of two garage spaces on ground floor of a rear dwelling into habitable space and construction of an interior stair within the nonconforming side and rear setback on a lot that is nonconforming for lot coverage and density, 

4. 2655 Shattuck – Use Permit - #ZP2024-0057 – on action – to demolish a 1-stroy, 8,185 sq ft nonresidential building and construct 8-story (85 ft) 84,399 sq ft mixed use building with 97 dwelling units including 10 very low-income density bonus qualifying units, 2,117 sq ft commercial space. 

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

 

FREE FLU VACCINE POP-UP from 9 am – 12 pm 

Location: at 1947 Center, 1^st floor (Vital Statistics Department) (walk in) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/free-flu-vaccine-pop-march-13 

 

TOGETHER WEE PLAY with THE STORY-TIME BAND at 9:30 am 

Location: at 1301 Shattuck, Live Oak Community Center 

For age 4 years and under 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/together-wee-play-story-time-band-6 

 

Friday, March 14, 2025 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Policy Subcommittee at 11 am 

AGENDA: Agenda not posted check later 

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

 

Saturday, March 15, 2025 

 

3^rd SATURDAY SHORELINE CLEANUP from 9 - 11 am 

Location: at 160 University 

Use link for details 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/3rd-saturday-shoreline-cleanup-march 

 

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE SPRING COHORT at 10:30 am  

Location: at 2090 Kittredge, Berkeley Central Library, 3^rd floor, Community Meeting Room 

Use link for details and to register, event is free, child friendly, lunch provided 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/fatherhood-initiative-spring-cohort-0 

 

Sunday, March 16, 2025– no city meetings, events found 

 

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

 

++++++ AGENDA & RULES COMMITTEE, Monday, March 10, 2025 +++++++++++ 

 

AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm on March 10, 2025 

Members: Ishii, Taplin, Humbert 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1611694310 

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

Meeting ID: 161 169 4310 

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

 

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on March 25, 2025 

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE 

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS 

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Klein, Planning – Proposed Amendments to Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO), adopt new first reading
2. Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes for approval
3. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal bid solicitations and RFP $6,575,000
4. Fong, IT – Amend Contract No. 32000118 add $1,123,457 total $2,830,366 with NEXGEN Asset Management for software maintenance and professional services through 6/30/2029
5. Ferris, Parks – Five Contracts at $450,000 each total $2,250,000 for on-call Landscape Architectural Services for Capital Improvement Projects 5/1/2025 – 4/30/2028 with 1 – Carducci & Associates, Inc, 2 – Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc (MIG, Inc), 3 – PGAdesign, Inc, 4 – Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey (RHAA), 5 – RRM Design Group
6. Ferris, Parks – Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex Restroom and Community Space Project

AGENDA ON ACTION: 

7. Klein, Planning – Establishment of M-RD Zoning District, Associated General Plan and West Berkeley Plan Amendments, and EIR
8. ZAB Appeal: 3000 Shattuck Use Permit #ZP2022-0046 – Project to demolish gas station and construct 10-story (114) mixed-use with 166 dwellings including 17 very low-income density bonus qualifying units and 1000 sq ft of commercial space, staff recommends dismiss appeal
9. Sprague, Fire – Adoption of CAL FIRE Map Designating City of Berkeley Fire Hazard Severity Zones
10. Sprague, Fire – Modification and Adoption of Berkeley Fire code Local Amendments first reading, second reading scheduled for April 15, 2025.
11. a. Sugar Sweetened Beverage Product of Experts – Allocations of $2,294,774 over 2 years FY 2026 and FY 2027 to Reduce Consumption and Health Impacts of Sugar Sweetened Beverages with 42.5% ($975,278.95) to BUSD, 42.5% ($975,278.95) to grants community-based organizations, c. up to 15% ($344,216.10) to support overall program evaluation, 11. b. Companion Oyekanmi, Finance – Distribution (39.45%) $905,292 to BUSD, (39.45%) $905,292 to grants, 16% total for $128,990 to Finance Dept for staffing and Muni-Services, $242,095 to staffing and monitoring and carry over any excess

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

12. Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY 2025 Mid-Year Budget Update
13. Klein, Planning - LPO NOD 2138 Kittredge #LMIN 2024-0006
14. Klein, Planning - LPO NOD 3332 Adeline #LMSAP 2025-0001

 

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

 

+++ FINAL AGENDA for March 11, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR Meeting at 6 pm +++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison, BUSD Board Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618265658 

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

Meeting ID: 161 826 5658 

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

 

To comment: email council@berkeleyca.gov 

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: Adjourn in Memory of Polly Armstrong former District 8 City Councilmember and Marty Shiffenbauer, Community Activist 

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS 

PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS 

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Gilman, HHCS – 2^nd reading – Inclusionary Housing Ordinance In-Lieu fee
2. Klein, Planning – 2^nd reading – Zoning Ordinance Amendments to State Law related to EV Charging and Technical edits
3. Numainville, City Clerk –Police Accountability Board – Appointment by Humbert of New Member
4. Numainville, City Clerk – 2025 Updated Commissioners’ and Board Members’ Manuel
5. Radu, City Manager’s Office – Contract $57,908.08 with Edgeworth Integration LLC to Purchase and Provide Installation of New Security System Server at Berkeley Animal Care Services
6. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations, total $4,775,000, Plan Checking Services and City of Berkeley Billboard Relocation Agreement $4,500,000, Generator Maintenance Services Building M $275,000
7. Sprague, Fire – Annual Purchase Orders for L.N. Curtis and Sons, PO for FY 2026 shall not exceed $330,000 with an annual increase no more than 5% each year through 3/27/2028. A 20% contingency is added, total amount $1,040,324
8. Gilman, HHCS – Amend Contract No. 32400177 add $60,000 total $180,000 with Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez for Health Officer Coverage
9. Gilman, HHCS – Joint Homekey Application for MLK House at 2942-44 MLK Jr Way
10. Gilman, HHCS – Authorize Integration of BUSD Preferences with the City of Berkeley’s Housing Preference Policy for BUSD Workforce Housing Project (1701 San Pablo
11. Walker, HR – Salary Adjustments – Deputy Director of Public Works increase to $110.9807 per hour (annual $230,839.86) and Deputy Director of HHCS increase to $107.0460 per hour (annual $222,65568)
12. Walker, HR – Berkeley Fire Fighter Association – Side Letters Pertaining to Probationary Periods, Pre-Promotional Academies and Vacation Slots
13. Walker, HR – Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Associations Side Letter – Battalion Coverage
14. Tregub, co-sponsors Bartlett, O’Keefe – Referral to the City Manager to make a recommendation for further Council action: Transfer Tax Exemption for 100% Affordable Housing Projects
15. Tregub, co-sponsor Taplin – Referral to 4 x 4 Committee: Removing On-Site Manager Exemption Loophole for Certain Multi-Family Properties that are Adjacent and/or Share the Same Common Area
16. Hahn – First Year Free – Fill Empty Storefronts – reviewed by Land Use Committee and forwarded to council with a negative recommendation to take no action

AGENDA on ACTION: 

17. Klein, Planning – Public Hearing - Appeal of Special Assessment Tax Lien – 1806 Walnut – Staff recommend to reject the appeal
18. Housing Advisory Commission – Adopt an Ordinance to Prohibit the Sale or Use of Algorithmic Devices to Set Rents or Manage Occupancy Levels for Residential Dwelling Units – Policy Committee qualified positive recommendation

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

19. Oyekanmi, Finance –FY 2025 First Quarter Investment Report: Ended 9/30/2024

 

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

 

+++++ FINAL AGENDA for March 18, 2025 CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm +++++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular 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/1609781710 

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

Meeting ID: 160 978 1710 

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. 

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

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Fong, It – Amend Contract No. 31900122-1 add $120,000 total $794,300 with Rolling Orange, Inc for website maintenance and support 3/1/2019 – 6/30/2027
2. Davis, Public Works – Contract $5,500,000 with Pride Industries for Citywide Custodial Services at 21 locations in total for 4/1/2025 – 3/31/2028 with an option for two 1-year extensions for maximum 5 years
3. Davis, Public works – Contract $8,962,808 which includes 10% contingency of $814,800 with SubTerra Constructions, Inc. for sewer rehabilitation project and reimbursement contracts with UC $210,000, Addison Labs Foundation $120,000 and Core Services $120,000.
4. Davis, Public Works – Amend Contract No. 32400141 add $100,000 total $225,000 with Mercury Associates, Inc. for fleet consulting services 12/1/2023 – 12/30/2026
5. Davis, Public Works Contract $470,910 which includes a 10% contingency of $42,810 for urgent sewer repair FY 2025 Project
6. Davis, Public Works – Initiate FY 2026 Street Lighting Assessments
7. Davis, Public Works – Establish Measure FF Safe Streets Citizen Oversight Committee
8. Lunaparra – Relinquishments of Office Budget funds for California Triathlon club

AGENDA on ACTION: 

9. Sprague, Fire – 2024 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
10. Louis, Police – Revised External Fixed Surveillance Camera Locations away from areas covered by ALPR to high pedestrian traffic and Vendor Transition from Edgeworth Integration, LLC to Flock Safety Center/MLK, College Ashby, Milvia/Allston, 9^th/Gilman, Center/Shattuck, Adeline/Fairview, Durant/Telegraph, Shattuck/Ashby, 4^th/Virginia, 62^nd/King, University/MLK
11. Commission on the status of Women – Formation of a Sex Trafficking Task Force to Address Current Sex Trafficking

 

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

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

• 3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) 3/25/2025
• 2274 Shattuck (UA theater Project) 4/22/2025
• 1048 Keith (single family house) 5/6/2025
• 2500-2512 San Pablo / 1094-1098 Dwight 5/20/2025

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• March 11 (start at 5 pm) City Council Referral Prioritization
• March 18 (4 pm) Berkeley Police Department Annual Update
• March 25 (4 pm) Pavement Management Program Development
• April 22 (6 pm) City Council ZAB Appeal Hearing for UA Theater Project
• April 29 (4 pm) Presentation on City’s Unfunded Liabilities
• May 13 (new date) (6 pm) Evacuation Study and Response Times

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

Council Referral: Mixed-Income Housing 

FUTURE INFORMATION REPORTS 

1. Reimagining Public Safety Update
2. Affordable Housing Fee Feasibility Study
3. Berkeley Fire Department Annual Report
4. Greenhouse Gas Inventory / Climate Action Plan Update

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)

Feasibility Study Follow Up Session 

 

++++ 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. 

 

 

The Two Little Words that Waste Tons of Food

Last Fall, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) convinced California legislators to remove the "sell by" date on packaged food and beverages. But wait! Isn't that going to trigger a nationwide outbreak of food poisoning? 

Far from it. The "sell by" date actually refers to the "inventory rotation" on a store's shelves. The NRDC notes the misleading labeling accounts for "nearly 10 percent of consumer food waste" and is the reason why "approximately 40 percent of the food grown and produced in the US is never eaten." 

This is set to change in 2026 when California's markets will substitute a new safety label that reads: "best if used by." The NRDC's nationwide Food Matters initiative hopes to divert "more than 35,000 tons of food waste from disposal," noting that "each year the average American spends $788 on food that is never eaten." 

Diverting food items from garbage bins and landfills to the 13.5 percent of US homes that endure shortages of nutritious foods, would also decrease the amount of climate-warming methane produced by edible food left to rot in garbage heaps. 

Sequel Squeals: Late Night Rivalry
Two of late-night TVs popular political pranksters are engaged in a friendly competition to attach satirical titles to their nightly episodes. Here's a recent roster of broadcasts with quirky names that put the pun in punishment. 

Jimmy Kimmel
The Lyin' King
Leprechaun Artist
Hate of the Union
Fart of the Deal
Mount Rushmoron
New Tariff in Town
Shill Baby Shill (Trump promoting Teslas outside the White House) 

Stephen Colbert
Stop the Steel
No, Bad Doge
Jerk of All Trades
Dow in the Dumps 

Colberting Gifts 

Stephen Colbert's YouTube page claims 1.6 million viewers, many of whom have posted a wide range of comments—many worthy of host Colbert himself. Some examples:
• "Eggs are expensive because all the chickens are in congress." 

• "The EPA is bringing back lead in paint and gasoline. Because the GOP needs a new generation of voters." 

• "Australian here. I sold my US investments yesterday. I can’t trust Trump not to confiscate my money in his next insane move." 

• "Greetings to the 74 million of you who voted for Harris from your friends in Canada." 

• "Ukraine elected a comedian and got a leader. The US elected a TV host and got a joke." 

• "Yesterday in Calgary, Canada, a Tesla was stolen and driven into the icy water of the Bow River." 

• "MAPA - Making America Polluted Again." 

Fashion Plates 

Personalized license plates spotted about town:
MZDAMBN
TAJGLAM
JIJICAT
YAYA4A
2SEXY4U
LASTKISS
LYNZE4
NAVNIT
ROLL1UP 

EVYCAR
SALOME9
TRANS4MR (Transformer)
NOTYHOW (Not Why, How?) 

Bumper Snickers
All spotted on one Toyota Prius!
I Love Sodomy
I Love my Gay Dog
Department of Sexy
I Hate Bumper Stickers
This Is the Back of My Car
haha caught you reading. nerd
If You Honk at Me I'll Kill Myself
You Just Got Passed by a Bad Driver
My Kid Beat Up Your Honor Student!
And this parting comment on the car's license plate frame:
Drive Fast. Eat Ass. 

Heil, Columbia! 

Sixty years since hundreds of protesters were arrested for staging a sit-in at UC Berkeley's Sproul Hall, the free speech rights of US students are once more on the line. 

Following the arrest, abduction, an incarceration of student anti-war leader Mahmoud Khalil, Columbia's administrators meted out punishment to campus protesters "ranging from multiyear suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions." According to an AP report, Columbia's Judicial Board did not reveal how many students and graduates had been targeted for punishment. 

Members of the university's history department urged Columbia's Board of Trustees to resist Donald Trump's attempt to criminalize criticism of Bibi Netanyahu's genocidal campaign against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The board's refusal to stand up for vigorous academic debate was clearly influenced by the Trump administration's threat to withhold $400 million in federal funding. Professor Sheldon Pollock called the government's action a "ransom note." 

Meanwhile, in Berkeley ("the Home of the Free Speech Movement"), the struggle at Columbia and the threatened deportation of Green Card holder Mahmoud Khalil, has raised alarms among veterans of the 1964 civil rights campaign. (Full disclosure: I was one of the Sproul arrestees and I served a three-week sentence at Santa Rita jail—largely spent hoeing weeds in a prison radish patch under the watchful eyes of guards armed with shotguns.) 

Here are some of the thoughts shared online by some FSM vets. [For more on the history and lasting impact of the FSM, check out the Free Speech Movement Archives at http://www.fsm-a.org].  

• I have the feeling that many Germans in the thirties must have felt the same way I certainly feel at this point — appalled, horrified, and helpless!  

• The reign of terror is so dense one cannot keep up with the atrocities being committed by our government. 

• Many of the more conservative [donors] certainly behaved very badly last spring and they gave Trump license, but all of this is way beyond anything they were fashioning and is much more Trump and Musk’s truly fascist agenda. 

• Very dangerous is arrest of Khalil since he has permanent resident status and a green card and his wife is U.S. citizen, and his only offense was speech. 

• At Columbia, the effort to put three departments in ‘receivership,’ violates every tenet of academic freedom, and the challenge to their admissions policies is really about destroying Columbia because it was these protests that launched the movement against the genocide and war.  

• We need an all-out united front across the country. I hope Columbia faculty and weak-kneed president can act with principle. Also waiting to see what AAUP [American Association of University Professors] does. 

• You would have to go back to WW I and wholesale firing of faculty who opposed that war to find comparable scale of attack.  

• Argh! 

A Request from the FSM Archives 

We would like to share with you some exciting news. After decades of hard work, the Free Speech Movement Archives are nearly finished with our primary task; transferring our documents to institutions that can make them available to future generations of activists and scholars. With your continued support, we have nearly completed our most important task.  

We have completed the process of organizing 6 sets of documents, images and artifacts. The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley will receive the most complete set, the others will go to other institutions. The Bancroft has also expressed an interest in our audio/visual collection, uncatalogued. The other less complete sets of documents will be distributed to other institutions around the country. At this point a representative of the Bancroft has inspected the archive, now moved to Berkeley, and we are expecting the appropriate legal documents from the University shortly. We hope to affect the transfer soon thereafter.  

We still have to arrange the transfer of the other sets of documents to other institutions, and we have our ongoing tasks of upholding the accurate historical memory of the Free Speech Movement and educating people about its record and legacy. In these times of increasing repression, notably against the exercise of free speech on campuses, this is more important than ever. 

We anticipate to complete our main work and to continue our educational work, we will require approximately another $5,000. We are appealing to you for donations to help us complete the work, send whatever you can to Anita Medal, Treasurer of the Free Speech Movement Archives, 1801 5^th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. 

It has been a long road, and we have lost some people on the way. Two in particular come to mind, and we are proud to be able to honor the memory of Michael Rossman and Marilyn Noble, who had so much to do with getting us to this point. 

Thank all of you for helping keep the history of our glorious movement alive for future generations. 

Board of Directors, Free Speech Movement Archives  

Bettina Aptheker, Robert Cohen, Susan Druding, Lee Felsenstein, Barbara Garson, Jackie Goldberg, Lynne Hollander Savio, Steve Lustig, Anita Medal (Treasurer), Jack Radey (President), Gar Smith, Barbara Stack, Hanna Tema 

Freeze Speech: The Chris Hedges Report 

An excellent but chilling, discussion about Columbia U and free speech with Chris Hedges and Katherine Franke 

https://youtu.be/fgx2xH8iMjM?si=rbmMUdrCBzAjbXVx 

 

Don't miss this important article from 48hills.org refuting YIMBY dogma om the need for indiscrimate housing demand. 

Dramatic data suggests gentrification and income inequality are far more important than 'constraints' on development as the cause of high housing prices

https://48hills.org/2025/03/new-study-by-fed-economists-directly-contradicts-yimby-narrative-on-housing-prices/

I’ve never been a Trump-Russia conspiracy fan, never subscribed to the theory that Donald Trump is a Russian agent. Given Trump’s many positge statements about Russian president Vladimir Putin, I’ve assumed Trump admires the Russian dictator, envies Putin’s wealth and power. Trump calls Putin a friend. Predictably, this past week Trump aligned US foreign policy with that of Putin. 

Ukraine: Trump plans to end US involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and withdraw US aid. Trump wants to negotiate solely with Putin. Trump is prepared to give his friend two things he wants: control of the Ukrainian territory Russia has seized, and guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO. 

On February 28^th, Trump met with Ukrainian premier Zelenskyy in the oval office. They were supposed to sign an agreement where the US would get access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth and Ukraine would obtain some security assurances. The meeting turned ugly and neither party got what they wanted. It was clear that Zelensky doesn’t trust Trump and Trump doesn’t like Zelenskyy. On March 3^rd, Trump “paused” military aid to Ukraine. (Trump illegally impounded funds authorized by Congress.) 

Fortunately for Ukraine, the major European nations are going to stand with the embattled country. The good news is that this alliance will provide the funds Ukraine needs. The bad news is that there will be disruption of key security systems – such as communication. I expect the US to cease all involvement with Ukraine and to withdraw from NATO. The key question is: will Russia agree to negotiate a peace agreement if the US is not at the table? 

NATO: Trump’s foreign policy has become clear. The US will withdraw from traditional alliances and go it alone. Trump has offended most of our traditional allies, On February 12^th, Defense Secretary Hegseth told NATO that the US defense priorities “lie outside Europe.” Within the next 30 days, Trump will withdraw the US from NATO. 

Tariffs: On March 3^rd, Trump announced he would levy 25 percent tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, and 20 percent tariffs on imports from China. (Trump also promises future tariffs on imports from Europe.) These tariffs will have two impacts: they will drive up consumer prices and they will further alienate us from our traditional allies.  

Economy: The economic outlook is worsening. The Atlanta branch of the Federal Reserve has lowered its projection for the first quarter 2025 GDP. On Monday March 3^rd they forecast 2.8% negative growth. On March 2^nd, Moody’s economist Mark Zandi posted: “The economy appears to be gagging on the uncertainty created by the haphazard economic policymaking happening in DC. Retail sales, manufacturing production, real consumer spending, home sales and most telling, consumer confidence, are all down meaningfully in the past month or two.” 

 

Summary: In six weeks, Donald Trump has authorized a massive change in the US government and our foreign policy. Trump does not believe that the federal government is an instrument for good. Trump does not believe in global alliances.  

In Donald Trump’s ethics: the ends justify the means. Trump believes that if the outcome of a policy is good then the actions that produced are morally acceptable no matter how many people are hurt in the process. (This philosophy is known as consequentialism.) Trump believes that, in the long term, his policies will benefit the United States.  

The reality is that Trump has weakened the nation. That’s exactly what his friend, Vladimir Putin, wants.

What do you do when you ask your daughter if your granddaughter is vaccinated against measles and she won’t answer?

That may be a question asked in many places not just by a friend to her daughter.

Just a day ago the Texas Department of State Health Services announced an unvaccinated child died from measles in the ongoing outbreak in the Texas South Plains and Panhandle regions. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/texas-announces-first-death-measles-outbreak

This is so tragic. A child died from a wholly preventable disease, because of the failure to be vaccinated against measles. 

The first Measles vaccine was released in 1963. In 1971 the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) was licensed. The MMRV which added the varicella vaccine to the MMR was approved in 2005. 

Measles was declared eliminated in the United states in 2000 thanks to a very high percentage of people receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. And then the anti-vaccine movement took hold. 

Texas with a high rate of unvaccinated children is the center of the current measles outbreak and the location of the unvaccinated child that died from measles. The CDC reported as of February 20, 2025 measles cases in eight jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas. 

If you read the CDC report, note that a child is not fully vaccinated until after two doses of the MMR. The first does is recommended to start at age 12 to 15 months though during an epidemic or with travel the first dose of MMR can be given to an infant as young as 6 months. The second dose is at age 4 years to 6 years. Older children, teenagers and adults who have not been vaccinated at all still need two doses of the MMR or MMRV (varicella-chicken pox added) vaccine with at least 28 days between the first dose and the second dose. An extra dose during an epidemic is not harmful. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html 

In 1989, California had a measles outbreak that lasted through 1990 with more than 16,400 reported cases, 3,390 hospital admissions and 75 deaths. 

I remember it well. I was a relatively new manager in the pediatric clinic at Kaiser Oakland and one of my areas of responsibility was the pediatric injection clinic where vaccines were given. 

Measles is the most contagious disease we know of. It is airborne and so contagious that just being in a room after someone infected with measles has left is enough for a susceptible person to become infected from the virus still floating in the air. Roughly 9 out of 10 unvaccinated children exposed to measles will become infected. 

When someone is exposed to measles, the protective action to prevent infection or to modify the clinical course of disease is to give the MMR (measles vaccine) within 72 hours of exposure.  

At Kaiser we were contacting every family of a child that had been registered one hour before the sick child with measles to two hours after. During the peak of the epidemic, in the Oakland pediatric vaccine clinic we were vaccinating more than 350 children a day. 

As noted by the Texas Health Department and various other sources, people who are infected with measles will begin to have symptoms within a week or two and are contagious from about four days before the rash appears to four days after. 

To quote from Dr. Peter Hotez, who was interviewed on several shows after the news of a child dying from measles, said this: 

“[M]easles is a serious illness. In the 1980s, 3 million kids died every year from measles. It was the single leading killer of children globally. Now through GAVI, the Global Alliance of Vaccines and Immunizations, we’ve brought it down to 100,000 deaths – still a lot of deaths…The minute you stop vaccinating and maintaining that vigilance of 90-95% vaccine coverage, the measles comes roaring back… 

What happens [when you get infected] is you get a prodrome [early symptom] of what we used to call the three Cs – cough, coryza, which means upper respiratory involvement and congestion, conjunctivitis – followed by the rash. And the rash is occurring because the virus is getting into the bloodstream and disseminating to the skin and all parts of the body. And unfortunately, that includes what we call hematogenous spread to the lungs, and it causes a very damaging pneumonitis [inflammation of the lungs] and pneumonia, and then can also result in encephalitis [swelling and inflammation of the brain] and other involvement.” 

Back in 2015 when the Berkeley City Council was taking a vote to support California SB 277 the immunization requirement bill for children entering child care or school, Councilmember Wengraf related that she moved to California to take a job as a teacher of deaf children who because of measles had lost their hearing. (Governor Brown signed SB 277 on June 30, 2015.) 

My next door childhood playmate was deaf from a measles infection. When we reached school age the family moved to Faribault, Minnesota where there was a school for deaf and blind children. 

As a retired RN who still maintains a Registered Nurse license and Public Health Nurse Certificate, there are not words suitable for print describing the frustration I feel toward anti-science and anti-vaccine movements like Health Freedom and the Health Freedom Defense Fund. 

I temper that frustration with understanding; the problem with public health is that when it is working we don’t notice it. 

The problem with childhood vaccinations is that most adults today have no memory or experience with the complications, disabilities and deaths vaccines prevent. This week the first childhood death from measles in over a decade might put a wedge into the anti-vaccine mantra that vaccines are more dangerous than the disease. 

The constant sewage of rage, disinformation, misinformation that flows across social media is spread by charismatic influencers who place themselves as the ones to be trusted, not physicians and scientistsm, feeds into conspiracies and fears. “Snake oil salesmen” (and women) have been around since the beginning of time. 

Robert Francis Kennedy, Jr (RFKjr) professed during the U.S. Senate hearings on his appointment by Trump to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) that he was all in on supporting vaccinations, even convincing Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy (Republican – former Democrat) whose life’s work as a physician has been to advocate for vaccines including running large-scale vaccine programs. Cassidy didn’t just vote for RFKjr, he gave a speech in the Senate in support of RFKjr after being convinced by-him that as Secretary of HHS he would support vaccines. 

RFKJr as Secretary of HHS will oversee the CDC, NIH, FDA, Indian Health Services, Medicare and Medicaid. See the full HHS Organizational Chart here: https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/orgchart/index.html 

Now on the job, RFKjr put the vaccine schedule in his crosshairs on day one. Cassidy should have known better than to trust RFKjr. There is plenty of recent history on RFKjr’s anti-vax stance. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/health/robert-f-kennedy-jr-polio-vaccines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.tU4.uG9l.ZJ9Irv4jPRuZ&smid=url-share 

There is a sordid underbelly to RFKjr’s use of his father’s legacy and the recognition of the Robert Kennedy name to peddle the repeatedly studied and debunked theory that the measles vaccine (MMR – Measles, Mumps, Rubella) causes autism. 

Yesterday at a Trump cabinet meeting, RFKjr said there were only two measles deaths and claimed there was nothing unusual with the outbreak and that the reason 20 children were hospitalized was for quarantine. 

Anyone hearing this should know better.  

Dr. Lara Johnson, chief medical officer for Covenant Health Hospital in Lubbock, Texas where eighteen children are hospitalized with measles complications said they do not hospitalize to quarantine a child, that measles is a serious illness with a mortality rate of about a 3%. They hospitalize to manage symptoms with supportive care like supplemental high-flow oxygen and escalating support as needed. 

I’ve read the original 1998 article by Wakefield in The Lancet, where Wakefield hinted of a newly discovered syndrome linking the MMR vaccine and autism. It took over a decade before Wakefield’s scientifically and ethically flawed paper was withdrawn and his license revoked. By that time serious damage was done and the anti-vaccine movement surged. 

I also read Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism: My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician and Autism Dad by Peter J. Hotez. The book is the very personal story of science and coping with a child with autism. 

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origins, in plain language, everything known to cause autism occurs during early brain development in the fetus. Autism is not caused by vaccines and a child can’t be made autistic. Two important identified factors are the age of the parents particularly the father and the health of the mother during pregnancy. Age 34 and older is associated with increased risk of autism. Maternal Health during pregnancy is important throughout a pregnancy and it is especially important in early pregnancy when the brain of the fetus is developing. 

Back to RFKjr 

It should be noted that the anti-vaccine nonprofit Children’s Health Defense (CHD) was founded by Eric Gladen under the name of World Mercury Project. The income of the World Mercury Project jumped from $13,000 in 2014 to $470,000 in 2015 when RFKJr joined the board and the name was changed to Children’s Health Defense. Income (rounded) in 2020 was $6,800,000, in 2021 $16,000,000 and $23,500,000 in 2022. 

RFKJr’s income from Children’s Health Defense is found in ProPublica Nonprofit explorer. Note that in 2023 while RFKJr was “chairman on leave” he was still paid $326,056 in compensation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/260388604 

RFKjr also reaps income through anti-vaccine lawsuits. 

One of the early theories on the MMR vaccine and autism pointed to the tiny amount of the mercury based preservative Thimerosal used in vaccines. Though there was never any finding of any association between Thimerosal and autism, it was removed from childhood vaccines in the United Sates in 2001. 

Thimerosal is still used for some formulations of inactivated influenza vaccines in multi-dose vials, however, flu vaccine in single dose vials (one person one dose), pre-filled syringes and nasal spray do not normally contain thimerosal. (You can always ask if that is your fixation.) 

Only one Republican, Mitch McConnell a survivor of polio voted with the Democrats against the confirmation of RFKjr with the final count of 52 to confirm and 48 noes. 

RFKjr has said no vaccines are safe. Polio is another vaccine under his attack. 

Polio has existed since prehistoric times. FDR contracted polio at age 39 in 1921. 

The Berkeley Times (in print only) devoted two full pages to Zona Roberts (1920 – 2025) and her activism for persons with disabilities describing her as a pioneer in the disability rights movement. Her son Ed Roberts for whom the Ed Roberts Campus is named contracted polio at 14 in 1953 and came home as a quadriplegic in an iron lung. 

As a little kid, I remember my dad wanting to stop in Chicago during a family road trip and my mother absolutely refusing saying, “there is polio in Chicago.” I didn’t know what polio was, but I understood it was something terrible from my mother’s response. 

Polio the scourge of the 1940s and 1950s ended with the polio vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955. Dr. Albert B. Sabin developed a second polio vaccine in 1961. 

RFK Jr was born in 1954. He would not have gone to kindergarten with children in wheelchairs from contracting polio as I did. He would have no memory of ambulance after ambulance rushing children with polio to the Sister Kenny Institute as my brother-in-law did. 

Sister Elizabeth Kenny opened the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1942. The Sister Kenny Institute still exists as the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute but with the polio vaccine effectively eliminating paralysis and death from polio the focus has shifted to serious injuries like brain injury, spinal cord injury or stroke. 

If you are paying attention, polio is making a comeback with the anti-vax movements and war in Gaza. 

In June 2022 a young unvaccinated man in his 20s from the Jewish Orthodox community in Rockland County, New York showed up in the emergency room with weakness and paralysis creating a public health emergency with the diagnosis of polio. According to news reporting some took quick advantage of free public vaccination clinics while others in the community called it a hoax and declined. 

With the bombing and destruction of infrastructure, hospitals, loss of clean water, and loss of sanitation facilities in Gaza a 10-month old Palestinian baby in Gaza contracted polio in July 2024. To stop the spread of polio two humanitarian ceasefires were called for the two dose administration of the polio vaccine with the required four week wait between the first and second dose. The funding for the critical polio vaccination drive (2 doses) in Gaza for over 640,000 Gazan children under the age of 10 came from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. 

The vaccinations were delivered in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) (January 20, 2025 Trump EO to withdraw from WHO), UNICEF and UNRWA (the U.S. stopped funding UNWRA in March 2024 until March 25, 2025 and Israel currently bans UNRWA from access to Gaza and the West Bank). 

Polio outbreaks are also reported in Pakistan and French Guiana. 

Keeping track of disease trends is what health professionals look for in the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) from the CDC. The banner on the CDC website stating “CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders” is gone now, but not being stepped the content I can’t tell you what was removed or modified. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index.html 

The MMWR is shared worldwide. Shutting down communication from the CDC has worldwide impact not just within the U.S. 

Right now, there is a Tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas City, Kansas with 67 confirmed cases. 

Over 900 dairy herds in California are infected with Bird Flu (H5N1), the virus has been found in 16 states. Bird flu is not just in birds and dairy, it has also infected seals, bears, foxes, skunks, opossums, racoons, bobcats, goats, alpacas, otters, lynxes, polecats, badgers, racoons, farmed mink, stray and domestic cats and dogs and zoo animals such as tigers and leopards. So far people infected with bird flu is around 70. 

If you are following the price of eggs, depending on what source you check over 20 million egg laying hens have been culled. 

Infectious disease isn’t going away. 

MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) is a noble endeavor, however, RFKJr’s approach to take an eight-year hiatus from the study of infectious disease to devote research to chronic disease is definitely wrong-headed. 

These days everything is on the chopping block, federal funding, grants and of course the people with no thought or understanding to the massive impact of the firing of federal employees like the scientists and food inspectors who protect our health, the IRS employees who process our taxes, the USAID workers who provided assistance worldwide while at the same time monitored the spread of contagious disease and watched for brewing epidemics. 

I am probably being too generous describing the destruction of government and government services unfolding before our eyes as being done out of ignorance, when what we see can only be explained as relishing in the impact to maximize the shock value of gutting the government to make way for harvesting the spoils. 

Show up if you can, call often and email telling our senators, representatives, elected to stand up and stand firm. If we still had John Lewis, we wouldn’t have to tell him to stand up, he would stand firm until he was arrested and carried away.  

The NIH is one of my go to sources when I am looking for research studies. Given the current scrubbing of government websites to remove any words, references that don’t align with the beliefs of the Trump administration, I signed up for the Center for Infectious Disease, Research and Policy (CIDRAP) daily newsletter from the University of Minnesota. It is free and CIDRAP covers the cost of removing the paywalls from references. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu 

"It was a truly disturbing moment: a former president, who tried to undermine democracy, bullying a man who is fighting to preserve it. The scene was set in the Oval Office, where President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, both TV stars-turned-politicians, engaged in a disgraceful confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump, whose draft-dodging past contrasts sharply with Zelensky's wartime bravery, took the opportunity to berate him for not being grateful enough to America. He accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” and demanded more gratitude, despite Zelensky’s repeated thanks for American support. To further insult Zelensky, a member of Trump’s handpicked press pool mocked him for not wearing a suit, echoing Trump’s earlier remarks about his attire.

The most shocking part of this spectacle was Trump’s alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a tyrant bent on swallowing Ukraine. Trump claimed that Putin had suffered alongside him during the "Russia, Russia, Russia" witch hunt and seemed baffled by Zelensky’s justified hatred of Putin’s brutal invasion.

Zelensky’s steadfastness and leadership are the qualities we need in these trying times. Trump, however, remains consumed by his delusions of grandeur, unable to see the truth of the situation or to act in the best interests of Ukraine and the free world.

I have recently moved from where I lived in Martinez, California, to a nicer place in a nearby town. I needed something more comfortable. And where I lived, the stressful conditions made it very hard to accomplish anything, not to mention having a modicum of happiness. 

Yet I am not yet established at my new, current abode. I have many tasks in front of me that I need to nail down before I can fully relax and settle in. 

The other day I needed to get some food, and there is a Safeway within less than a mile. This essay is partly about my experiences, as a mentally and physically disabled man dealing with and shopping in an upscale Safeway. And it is about the people (human beings) there, and the in-store environment. 

Before I am thought to be on the verge of defaming Safeway and the food shoppers there, I have to give you a bit of an explainer: I am a longstanding critic of human behavior. I am subject to paranoid delusions and hallucinations. Third: I need to acknowledge that a 24-hour Safeway around the corner is a major convenience, and it helps me have a far better diet than what I subsisted on before I came here. 

And I'm not truly writing about Safeway; I'm writing about human beings and our modes of behavior, and attitudes. We aren't perfect. 

But if you are disabled, you can't escape ablism, it will exist wherever you go. My preference is usually to shrug it off. But I want to talk about mental health ableism or call it disablism. (I don't know which one is the currently accepted terminology.) 

At that Safeway, it is difficult to walk the floor of the store, with my knee arthritis. It is a big supermarket. I can be seen struggling to walk from one part of the store to another, and this can be an embarrassment. And physically on my end, it feels like I am pumping the legs. I'm dealing with arthritis in the knees, and I am flexing my leg muscles to take pressure off the knees. This becomes very strenuous after just a short distance. 

So far in my life, I don't want to use a walker or be in a wheelchair. 

I'm also dealing with paranoid thinking, and I wonder whether people consider it a spectacle for someone to walk with difficulty and have an expression of being in pain. I will walk to various parts of the store, and I am up against limits of how far I can walk. 

I am a sixty-year-old man. To have this mobility issue—it seems unusual. Most people my age are in good condition and do not have this sort of limitation. I wonder if one of my medications has done this to me. 

On my first or second visit to the store, my perceptions were chaotic, and the stimuli at the store was overwhelming. A lot of it seemed like a blur. Part of schizophrenia is a difficulty with too much stimuli. I was at the checkout, and the cashier either said this or I hallucinated that she said this: "Is your social worker with you?" 

I guess I am identifiable as different by sight. In my past, many people in the category of "normal" and/or "mainstream" have not treated me well. While some haven't noticed me as disabled and have been nice, others have been either mocking or maybe something more benign, in the conclusion I am an institutionalized fool. Many have been shocked when I've been able to produce a debit or credit card and pay for something. 

Society is bigoted and it is puritanical. The puritanism is not exclusive to the well-off. Many people who themselves have a disability are intolerant. They merely will find other things to hate. Being disabled doesn't make you more understanding. 

I have lived at two places now that have a collective consciousness, one that will accept a person or will reject them and throw them out of the bubble. And I'm like that with the human species. I'm not let in. It is not a good feeling. 

It is rough to be mentally disabled and now physically disabled as well. And it is salt in the wound not to be accepted by people, including many who themselves are disabled. 

---

 

Jack Bragen lives and writes in the East Bay.

Antisocial Media

Xfinity is currently running radio ads promoting their 5G systems as tools of social enrichment—when the truth is that they are actually pushing a high-tech world of social isolation.

The ad begins with a frantic call from a panicked dad who phones Xfinity with the following question: "My daughter just invited her entire class to her birthday party! Will my WiFi handle it?"

The Xfinity operator assures him that its 5G system can simultaneously handle "hundreds of calls". He replies with relief: "So the kids can watch stuff on their phones while the parents share movies online!"

If this was a TV ad, it could close with a panoramic shot of multiple dozens of kids and adults sprawled across chairs, sofas, beds and carpets with their eyes fixed on little glowing screens.

This is not "social media." It is "anti-social media"—applied in the form of a self-administered techo-overdose. 

Immigration Criminalization  

With millions of working Americans struggling to stay housed and fed, Trump continues to monetize—by upwards of $88 billion—his vengeful plan to un-house and deport hundreds of thousands of "illegal immigrants." (All in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which forbids the use of Pentagon troops to enforce domestic military functions. 

While American families pay escalating costs to the corporate suppliers of food and housing, Trump plans to arrest and jail 30,000 immigrants in Guantanamo, the Pentagon's Cuban prison. 

And how will the arrestees be shunted to this notorious military jail? According to Win Without War: "The cost to operate a C-17 military transport aircraft is $28,500 per hour. A flight back and forth to Guatemala, only counting time spent in the air, takes about 10½ hours, ticking up a bill of $300,000 per flight." 

Meanwhile, Der Trump maintains a contradictory stance on the question: "migrants: good or bad." Trump plans to offer "Gold Cards" to rich foreigners willing to pay $5 million to become official US immigrants. While cash-strapped "immigrant hoards" remain intolerable in Trump's America, our Ocher Ogre is all for adding to the immigrant tides by driving 2 million Palestinians from their homes to face a bleak and uncertain future. 

Win WIthout War has a petition with a simple statement you can sign to protest the criminalization of migrants. Servicemembers should be safeguarding and protecting people, not hunting down families seeking refuge. 

 

  As Phony As a Two-dollar Bill

  The Grifter-in-Chief likes to conjure self-celebrating "personality totems" bearing his name and/or likeness and offered to his mega-MAGA fans for real money. We've seen it all: Trump University, Trump AI-generated Superhero cards (featuring a lean Trump outfitted as a cowboy, auto racer, and astronaut), Trump Bibles (made cheap in China and selling for $60 over the counter in the US.

When I harvested my weekly load of postal mail I found it included a huge envelop from the Bradford Exchange Mint offering an "Urgent Notice" of a "risk-free opportunity" for "preferred clients" to score a "2025 Presidential tribute" to Donald Trump. 

 

The contents of the envelop were devoted to soliciting "privately-enhanced US Mint $2 Bills saluting Donald Trump's victory" in the 2024 election. The bills are nothing more than regular "legal tender" paper bills "privately enhanced" with two laminated, full-color images of Trump on either side of a quizzical-looking Thomas Jefferson. 

The bills come wrapped inside a "custom-designed tamper-proof holder" and one of these tacky artifacts can be yours for only $39.99, plus $6.99 for "shipping and service." Just don't try folding and stuffing it in your wallet while it's still packed inside its Deluxe Display Case ("a $70 value"). 

But wait, there's more! "Due to Donald Trump's enduring popularity," a set of new and different Trump bills are set to be issued on a monthly basis. And there's an unexpected offer: Bradford promises to send the first Trump Bill for a free inspection "so you can see it up close, in your home, without sending a penny. You pay for it only if you want to keep it. Otherwise, just send it back." 

That's a pretty cavalier way to treat something with a combined value nearing $117. So what are they going to do if you should happen to "forget" it? Send out a bill collector? 

The Bradford's large 4-page "Collector's Notice" includes this odd disclaimer: "The presentation of this collectible for sale does not indicate an endorsement of any political candidate or opinion by the Bradford Exchange or its affiliates." 

(You can peruse the Trump Bill online at: Bradforexchange.com/trump2pres.) 

Fashion Plates
Here's the latest collection of personalized license plates spotted around town:
SOCCER2
JN4GIRL
BEAN SNX
YOOM
AIRFAN
SAY YEAH
LADY KO
CYLUS
EUTONY2
4BURSA
2UPNDWN (Two Up and Down)
Bumpersnickers 

A bevy of political bumperstickers is cropping up in the wake of the anti-woke whackos in and out of the White House. Here's a sampler: 

Are We Great Yet? 'Cause I Just Feel Embarrassed
Keep the Immigrants. Deport the Racists
No One Elected The Trump Puppet Master
F-ELON
One Day We'll Wake Up to His Obituary
Elect a Clown Expect a Circus
No Kings In America
Unwilling Participant in an Idiocracy
I Think, Therefore I Am… Not a Trump Supporter
Two Paths and America Chose the Psychopath 

 

'America the Battleful' 

 

The following digitized political ditty was created by Donald A. Smith, PhD., a prolific and political professor who knows how to put AI to good use. He writes the lyrics, uses AI to create powerful images and taps into Udio.com to provide the music. Feel free to sing along.

Here's the link: https://progressivememes.org/war/America-the-Battleful.html 

 

And here are some of the lyrics:
O beautiful, for endless wars
For searing waves of pain
For vicious bombing travesties
Above the ravaged plain!
America, America,
God shed his tears on thee
And crown falsehood with orphanhood
From sea to blood-drenched sea!

g Worth Noting:

Another busy week. What looks like the most important meetings highligghted covering things like DEI, Gaza, racist text scandal, block grants, and when building projects require a public hearing or counter approval by staff and what projects can be appealed.

On Tuesday at 6 pm as if we haven’t already had enough in this city that votes about 97% for Democrats is the Trump address to congress. No matter what our tolerance, we should be watching it.  

• Monday, March 3, 2025:
  • At 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 7 pm the Peace and Justice Commission meets in person with opposition to American occupation of Gaza on the Agenda.
  • At 7 pm the Personnel Board meets in person.
• Tuesday, March 4, 2025: There is no council meeting.
  • At 6 pm Trump will address the Joint Session of Congress. The speech will be carried by PBS, major stations and online.
  • At 3:30 pm the Civic Arts Public Art subcommittee meets on Zoom.
• Wednesday, March 5, 2025:
  • At 2 pm the council FITES Committee meets in the hybrid format with Measure FF and Telegraph on the agenda.
  • At 6 pm the Planning Commission meets in person with a public hearing on Standard Conditions of Approval which means when does a building project require a public hearing/review and when is it an approval by staff with no public hearing.
  • At 6:30 pm the PAB meets in person with police texts and council Public Safety Committee response on the agenda.
  • At 6:30 pm BOLT meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Homeless Services Panel of Experts meets in person at 7 pm with access to vaccines on the agenda.
• Thursday, March 6, 2025:
  • At 6:30 pm the Landmarks Preservation Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Housing Advisory Commission meets in person with DEI and block grants on the agenda.
• Saturday, March 8, 2025:
  • At 10 am is a bicycle tour of the marina cost $10/person.
  • At 10:30 am is Fatherhood Initiative Spring Cohort.

Check City website for meetings posted on short notice https://berkeleyca.gov

If you are unable to attend a meeting in person and/or it is not offered in the hybrid or an accessible format, TO REQUEST A DISABILITY RELATED ACCOMMODATION(S) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 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, March 2, 2025 – no meetings found 

 

Monday, March 3, 2025 

 

AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm  

Members: Ishii, Taplin, Humbert alternate Bartlett 

Hybrid Meeting: 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1614776340 

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

Meeting ID: 161 477 6340 

Public Comment on non-agenda and items 1 – 7. 1. Minutes, 2. Review and Approve - 3/11/2025 -- 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: none Unscheduled Items: 8. City Council Legislative Redesign 

Old Items Determined by Committee to Remove: 

• Discussion Regarding Design and Strengthening of Policy Committees Process and Structure (Including Budget Referrals),
• Discussion and Recommendations on the Continued Use of Berkeley Considers Online Engagement Portal,
• Discussion and Possible Action on City Council Rules of Decorum, Procedural Rules, and Remote Public Comments
• Modifications or Improvements to City Council Meeting Procedures,
• Strengthening and Supporting City Commission: Guidance on Development of Legislative Proposals
• Consideration of Changes to Supplemental Material Timelines

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

 

PERSONNEL BOARD at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA: IV. Recommendation to extend temporary position Manager of Aging Services, V. Recommendation to extend project based appointment Landscape Gardener, VI. Request from the Office of Director of Police Accountability, VII. Report by Interim Director of HR, VIII. Copy of Berkeley Matters. 

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

 

PEACE and JUSTICE COMMISSION at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA Discussion/Action Items: 1. Presentation on ensuring and Protecting Trans Sex Equality, 2. Progress Flag at 1231 Addison, 3. Resolution Opposing an American Occupation of Gaza, 4. Preliminary Discussion on Elements for a Recommendation to Council on Protecting Transgender Rights in Berkeley, 5. Training on Proper Procedure to Submit a Commission Recommendation to Council, 6. Sanctuary City for LGBTQIA2S+ People, 7. Federal Actions Targeting the LBGTQ Community. 

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

 

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 

 

CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Public Art Subcommittee at 3:30 pm 

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

AGENDA: Check later 

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

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 

 

FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY (FITES) at 2 pm 

Hybrid Meeting: 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1607619923 

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

Meeting ID: 160 761 9923 

AGENDA: 2. Taplin - Measure FF Next Steps, 3. Humbert - Restarting the Complete Streets Process on Telegraph. 

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

 

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

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

AGENDA: II. B. On Consent Amend Contract No, 32000087 add $51,733.57 total $169,217.57 with Comprise Technologies, Inc for the provision of a PC Time and Print Management System, III. Action A. Unclaimed Property and Lost & Found Policy Update, B. Serving with a Purpose Conference. 

 

HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS (HSPE) at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Development of HSPE bylaws, 7. Identifying sites and planning for site visits in 2025, 8. Discussion on health care and vaccine access for unsheltered, uninsured or underinsured residents since sunset of the Bridge Access Program, 9. Discussion on the existing barriers to expand operational hours for health and social services. 

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

 

PLANNING COMMISSION at 6 pm 

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

AGENDA: 11. A. Public Hearing: Standard Conditions of Approval which means when does a building project require a public hearing/review and when is it an approval by staff with no public hearing, B. Accessory dwelling Unit (ADU) Discussion, (packet 157 pages) 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/planning-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: 891 7458 9069 

AGENDA: 3. Public Comment on agenda and non-agenda items, 5. ODPA Staff Report a. ODPA Recap “Honoring Black Voices, Advancing Justice” Community visioning session, b. Police Accountability Newsletter 6. Board member reports, 7. Chief Report, 9. Discussion/Action Items a. Review BPD Mutual Aid Agreements, b. Restructuring subcommittees, c. Recognizing former PAB members, d. April 17 Police Accountability Day, e. Police Equipment and Community Safety Report, f. Recap, discussion and action on next steps after PAB’s presentation to the council Public Safety Committee on texting offenses and fair and impartial policing, 10. Public Comment, 11. Closed Session. 

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

 

Thursday, March 6, 2025 

 

HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION (HAC) at 7 pm 

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

AGENDA: 6. Overview of Berkeley’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Discussion and Action on Options Recovery Services Application for the City of Berkeley’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Policy. 

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. 2033-2035 Francisco Street – #LMIN2024-0003 - Landmark or Structure of Merit Designation 

7. 2231 McKinley – #LMIN2024-0005 - Landmark or Structure of Merit – Residential property 

8. 2138 Cedar – #LMSAP2024-0008 - Structural Alteration Permit (#LMSAP2024-0008) for Grace North Church – request to install new landscape features 

9. 21 Mosswood Road - #LMIN2024-0007 - Landmark or Structure of Merit – residential property listed on the National Register of Historic Places 

10. 2425 Durant - #LIMSAP2025-0002 - Structural Alteration Permit 

11. 2113-2115 Kittredge - #LMSAP2024-0002 - Structural Alteration Permit 

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

 

Friday, March 7, 2025 - no meetings found 

 

Saturday, March 8, 2025 

 

BICYCLE TOUR of the MARINA at 10 am  

Location Start Point: at 160 University 

Use link for details and to register: registration required, cost $10 per person. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/bicycle-tour-berkeley-marina 

 

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE SPRING COHORT at 10:30 am  

Location: at 2090 Kittredge, Berkeley Central Library, 3^rd floor, Community Meeting Room 

Use link for details and to register, event is free, child friendly, lunch provided 

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/fatherhood-initiative-spring-cohort 

 

Sunday, March 9, 2025 – no meetings found 

 

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

 

++++++ AGENDA & RULES COMMITTEE, Monday, March 3, 2025 +++++++++++ 

 

AGENDA and RULES COMMITTEE at 2:30 pm on March 3, 2025 

Members: Ishii, Taplin, Humbert 

Hybrid Meeting 

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

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608705681 

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

Meeting ID: 160 870 5681 

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

 

DRAFT AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on March 25, 2025 

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE 

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS 

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Fong, It – Amend Contract No. 31900122-1 add $120,000 total $794,300 with Rolling Orange, Inc for website maintenance and support 3/1/2019 – 6/30/2027
2. Davis, Public Works – Contract $5,500,000 with Pride Industries for Citywide Custodial Services at 21 locations in total for 4/1/2025 – 3/31/2028 with an option for two 1 year extensions for maximum 5 years
3. Davis, Public works – Contract $8,962,808 which includes 10% contingency of $814,800 with SubTerra Constructions, Inc. for sewer rehabilitation project and reimbursement contracts with UC $210,000, Addison Labs Foundation $120,000 and Core Services $120,000.
4. Davis, Public Works – Amend Contract No. 32400141 add $100,000 total $225,000 with Mercury Associates, Inc. for fleet consulting services 12/1/2023 – 12/30/2026
5. Davis, Public Works Contract $470,910 which includes a 10% contingency of $42,810 for urgent sewer repair FY 2025 Project
6. Davis, Public Works – Initiate FY 2026 Street Lighting Assessments
7. Davis, Public Works – Establish Measure FF Safe Streets Citizen Oversight Committee
8. Lunaparra – Relinquishments of Office Budget funds for California Triathion club

AGENDA on ACTION: 

9. Sprague, Fire – 2024 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
10. Louis, Police – Revised External Fixed Surveillance Camera Locations away from areas covered by ALPR to high pedestrian traffic and Vendor Transition from Edgeworth Integration, LLC to Flock Safety Center/MLK, College Ashby, Milvia/Allston, 9^th/Gilman, Center/Shattuck, Adeline/Fairview, Durant/Telegraph, Shattuck/Ashby, 4^th/Virginia, 62^nd/King, University/MLK
11. Commission on the status of Women – Formation of a Sex Trafficking Task Force to Address Current Sex Trafficking

 

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

 

+++ FINAL AGENDA for March 11, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR Meeting at 6 pm +++ 

 

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 

Hybrid Meeting 

In-Person: at 1231 Addison, BUSD Board Room 

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618265658 

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

Meeting ID: 161 826 5658 

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

 

To comment: email council@berkeleyca.gov 

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

CEREMONIAL MATTERS: Adjourn in Memory of Polly Armstrong former District 8 City Councilmember and Marty Shiffenbauer, Community Activist 

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 

PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS 

PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS 

 

AGENDA on CONSENT: 

1. Budenhagen, City Manager – 2^nd reading – Inclusionary Housing Ordinance In-Lieu fee
2. Klein, Planning – 2^nd reading – Zoning Ordinance Amendments to State Law related to EV Charging and Technical edits
3. Numainville, City Clerk –Police Accountability Board – Appointment by Humbert of New Member
4. Numainville, City Clerk – 2025 Updated Commissioners’ and Board Members’ Manuel
5. Radu, City Manager’s Office – Contract $57,908.08 with Edgeworth Integration LLC to Purchase and Provide Installation of New Security System Server at Berkeley Animal Care Services
6. Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations, total $4,775,000, Plan Checking Services and City of Berkeley Billboard Relocation Agreement $4,500,000, Generator Maintenance Services Building M $275,000
7. Sprague, Fire – Annual Purchase Orders for L.N. Curtis and Sons, PO for FY 2026 shall not exceed $330,000 with an annual increase no more than 5% each year through 3/27/2028. A 20% contingency is added, total amount $1,040,324
8. Gilman, HHCS – Amend Contract No. 32400177 add $60,000 total $180,000 with Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez for Health Officer Coverage
9. Gilman, HHCS – Joint Homekey Application for MLK House at 2942-44 MLK Jr Way
10. Gilman, HHCS – Authorize Integration of BUSD Preferences with the City of Berkeley’s Housing Preference Policy for BUSD Workforce Housing Project (1701 San Pablo
11. Walker, HR – Salary Adjustments – Deputy Director of Public Works increase to $110.9807 per hour (annual $230,839.86) and Deputy Director of HHCS increase to $107.0460 per hour (annual $222,65568)
12. Walker, HR – Berkeley Fire Fighter Association – Side Letters Pertaining to Probationary Periods, Pre-Promotional Academies and Vacation Slots
13. Walker, HR – Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Associations Side Letter – Battalion Coverage
14. Tregub, co-sponsors Bartlett, O’Keefe – Referral to the City Manager to make a recommendation for further Council action: Transfer Tax Exemption for 100% Affordable Housing Projects
15. Tregub, co-sponsor Taplin – Referral to 4 x 4 Committee: Removing On-Site Manager Exemption Loophole for Certain Multi-Family Properties that are Adjacent and/or Share the Same Common Area
16. Hahn – First Year Free – Fill Empty Storefronts – reviewed by Land Use Committee and forwarded to council with a negative recommendation to take no action

AGENDA on ACTION: 

17. Klein, Planning – Public Hearing - Appeal of Special Assessment Tax Lien – 1806 Walnut – Staff recommend to reject the appeal
18. Housing Advisory Commission – Adopt an Ordinance to Prohibit the Sale or Use of Algorithmic Devices to Set Rents or Manage Occupancy Levels for Residential Dwelling Units – Policy Committee qualified positive recommendation

INFORMATION REPORTS: 

19. Oyekanmi, Finance –FY 2025 First Quarter Investment Report: Ended 9/30/2024

 

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

 

LAND USE CALENDAR 

• 3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) 3/25/2025
• 2274 Shattuck (UA theater Project) 4/22/2025
• 1048 Keith (single family house) 5/6/2025
• 2500-2512 San Pablo / 1094-1098 Dwight 5/20/2025

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS: 

• March 11 (start at 5 pm) City Council Referral Prioritization
• March 18 (4 pm) Berkeley Police Department Annual Update
• March 25 (4 pm) Pavement Management Program Development
• April 22 (6 pm) City Council ZAB Appeal Hearing for UA Theater Project
• April 29 (4 pm) Presentation on City’s Unfunded Liabilities
• May 13 (new date) (6 pm) Evacuation Study and Response Times

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS 

Council Referral: Mixed-Income Housing 

FUTURE INFORMATION REPORTS 

1. Reimagining Public Safety Update
2. Affordable Housing Fee Feasibility Study
3. Berkeley Fire Department Annual Report
4. Greenhouse Gas Inventory / Climate Action Plan Update

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)

Feasibility Study Follow Up Session 

 

++++ 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.