Events
New: THE BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S CALENDAR:April 27-May 4
Worth Noting:
April 28, 2025 at 5 pm City Council will hold a special meeting (in person and on zoom) to consider the Ceasefire Resolution passed by the Peace and Justice Commission last September 30, 2024.
To comment email council@berkeleyca.gov
Link to Activist’s Diary comment on the Ceasefire Resolution, Israel and Palestine. https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2025-04-01/article/51051?headline=A-BERKELEY-ACTIVIST-S-DIARY-Ceasefire-Resolution-to-be-heard-by-council-on-Monday-April-28-at-5-pm---Kelly-Hammargren
The City of Berkeley notice sent on April 24 2025 states, “The City Council public hearing on zoning amendments to encourage middle housing, scheduled for next Tuesday, April 29, is CANCELED…” and there will be a public hearing on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 on the rezoning of R-1A to R2.
Link to notice: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CABERKE/bulletins/3dd8065
MIDDLE HOUSING REMAINS as item 30 on the AGENDA DESPITE CITY NOTICE THAT IT HAS BEEN CANCELED. It will supposedly be pulled at the meeting.
WARNING: The notice implies all Middle Housing consideration is cancelled, however, the public hearing relates only to R-1A to R-2, the Middle Housing agenda item states that the General Plan Amendments on Middle Housing relate to areas currently zoned R-1, R-1A, R2, R-2A and MU-R (low-density residential districts) with effective date of September 1, 2025. We need to watch there is no sleight of hand with the Planning Department and Council proceeding for a vote on zones R-1, R-2A and MU-R when the public is not in attendance to comment believing it is canceled.
Quick Look:
- Monday, April 28, 2025
- At 5 pm the Berkeley City Council meets in the hybrid format to consider the Ceasefire Resolution.
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- At 6 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format as above Middle Housing remains on the agenda.
- Thursday, May 1, 2025
- International Workers’ Day National Day of Action – many rallies listed below in the calendar.
- At 3:30 pm the Civic Arts Commission Public Art Subcommittee meets on zoom.
- From 4 – 5:30 pm is the free gardening and cooking class series.
- At 6:30 pm the Landmarks Commission meets in person.
- From 6:30 – 8:30 pm is the Corridors Update Community Workshop affecting North Shattuck, College and Solano.
- At 7 pm the Housing Advisory Commission meets in person.
- Friday, May 2, 2025
- At 10 am the Civic Arts subcommittee on affordable Housing for Artists meets in person.
- At 2 pm the 2 x 2 Committee meets in the hybrid format.
- From 5 – 6 pm is the every Friday Stop the Coup Protest at College and Ashby.
- Saturday, May 3, 2025
- At 9 am is CERT unit 1.
- At 9:15 am is Tree Planting in Willard Park
- At 10 am is free Kidney Screening
- From 10 am – 5 pm is the free (donations welcome) Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour with 9 of the 32 gardens open for viewing in Berkeley. Register in advance for addresses. Photos and descriptions available online.
Check City website for meetings posted on short notice https://berkeleyca.gov
May 6, 2025 City Council agenda is available for comment.
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.
There is no guarantee that if we attend rallies, stand up to be counted, resist the authoritarian takeover of this country in every nonviolent way we can, we will win, but if we stay home and don't resist we are guaranteed to lose. We have work to do. Gene Sharp's Dictatorship to Democracy is an excellent guide. https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/resource/from-dictatorship-to-democracy-a-conceptual-framework-for-liberation/
There are local rallies every week including, the every Saturday rally at the Berkeley Tesla dealership. Use the websites to look for more.
- Check Indivisible East Bay for events and rallies - https://indivisibleeb.org/
- Check 50501 Fifty Protests Fifty States One Movement - https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Monday, April 28, 2025
CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting on the CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION at 5 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1602247476
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 160 224 7476
AGENDA: one agenda item 1. Resolution for an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza, and an End to U.S. Military Aid to Israel and Support for Palestinian Self-Determination.
Use the link to read the full resolution
https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-meeting-eagenda-april-28-2025
To submit a written comment email council@berkeleyca.gov
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room
ZOOM: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1613068832
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 161 306 8832
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, April 30, 2025 – no city meetings or events posted
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – International Workers’ Day National Day of Action
CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Public Art Subcommittee at 3:30 pm
ZOOM: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1616125937
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 612 5937
AGENDA: 5.a. Proposal for Cube Space Exhibition, b. Public Art Work Plan.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/civic-arts-commission
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION at 6:30 pm
In-Person: 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center
AGENDA: 7. A. 2328 Channing Way – Structural Alteration Permit - #LMSAP2025-0004 – for the Lutrell House – install a new above ground transformer
b. 1947 Center - Structural Alteration Permit - #LMSAP2025-0007 - for State Farm Insurance Company Building – replace windows
8. Section 106 Consultation of the National Historic Preservation Act for Proposed North Berkeley BART A. Permanent Supportive Housing Project at 1750 Sacramento, B. Affordable Housing Project at 1429 Delaware (East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/landmarks-preservation-commission
CORRIDORS ZONING UPDATE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP from 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86199877324?pwd=XF5Tp1HQ21I30ciIo9a4ThGQs5SnBq.1
Teleconference: 1-669-444-9171
Meeting ID: 861 9987 7324 Passcode: 939786
AGENDA: Future development on North Shattuck, College and Solano to increase housing capacity, address development challenges and promote equity while preserving the unique character of each corridor.
https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/corridors-zoning-update-community-workshop
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION at 7 pm
In-Person: 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center
AGENDA: 6. Presentation on City of Berkeley’s Unpermitted Dwelling Units Amnesty Program, 7. Discussion and Possible Action to recommend funding to the 2024 Housing Trust Fund Request for Proposals, 8. Discussion and Possible Action to recommend Housing Trust Fund Program funding for Community Development’s Maudelle Miller Shirek Community at 2001 Ashby.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/housing-advisory-commission
MAY DAY NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION from 10 am – 2 pm
Location: at Telegraph and Bancroft in Berkeley
Focus: Frontline UC Workers
MAY DAY STRONG: WE ARE MANY from 11 am – 12 pm
Location; at Broadway and Coronado in Oakland
Focus: Organizing for working families, union protection and safety
https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/780688/
MAY DAY NATIONAL DAY of ACTION from 3 – 7 pm
Location: meet at Fruitvale Station and march to San Antonio Park
Focus: All Power to the Workers, IEB (Indivisible East Bay) Contingent at Oakland Sin Frontera May Day Event, Rally, march and resource event
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event
MAY DAY STRONG NATIONAL VIGIL from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Location: at 3200 Grand and Lake Park near Grand Lake Theater
FOCUS: Long Term space for peaceful dissent
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event
FREE GARDENING and COOKING CLASS SERIES from 4 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: at 1640 Stuart
Use link for details and to register
https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/free-gardening-and-cooking-class-series-4
Friday, May 2, 2025
ONGOING STOP the COUP PROTEST from 5 – 6 pm
Location: at College and Ashby, Berkeley
Focus: Rally every Friday Stop the Coup Protest, Music
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event
CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Subcommittee on Affordable Housing for Artists at 10 am
In-Person: check later
AGENDA: Check later
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/civic-arts-commission
2 x 2 COMMITTEE at 2 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison, School District Board Room
Videoconference: use webpage link for update – zoom link in posting comes up as expired.
AGENDA: Discussion items 7.1 Safe Routes to School, 7.2 Update on BUSD and City of Berkeley Collaboration of After School Programs and program funding.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/2x2-committee
Saturday, May 3, 2025
STOP the DOGE DESTRUCTION from 12 – 1 pm
Location: at 1731 Fourth Street, between Virginia and Delaware, outside Tesla Showroom
Focus: Every Saturday, Stop Doge Destruction
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness at 9 am
In-Person: 997 Cedar, Fire Department Training Facility
Use link to register and detail
COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING at WILLARD PARK at 9:15 am
Location: at 2730 Hillegass
Use link for details
https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/community-tree-planting-willard-park
FREE KIDNEY SCREENING at 10 am
Location: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center
Use Link for Details, free consults with UCSF and Stanford Kidney Doctors
https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/free-kidney-screening
BRINGING BACK the NATIVES GARDEN TOUR from 10 am – 5 pm
Locations: Use link to preview gardens and to select gardens to tour
Register to receive addresses of gardens on tour – tour free, donations welcome: https://bringingbackthenatives.net/garden-tour-registration
Gardens with California Native Plants support birds, butterflies, bees, pollinators:
Saturday Tour Features 32 gardens in Bayside Cities: Berkeley – 9 gardens on tour. Gardens are also in Alameda Albany, Castro Valley, El Cerrito, Hayward, Kensington, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pinole, Richmond, San Leandro, San Pablo.
https://bringingbackthenatives.net/view-gardens
Sunday, May 4, 2025
BRINGING BACK the NATIVES GARDEN TOUR from 10 am – 5 pm
Locations: Use link to preview gardens and to select gardens to tour
Register to receive addresses of gardens on tour – tour free, donations welcome: https://bringingbackthenatives.net/garden-tour-registration
Gardens with California Native Plants support birds, butterflies, bees, pollinators:
Sunday Tour Features Inland Cities: Clayton, concord, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Orinda, San Ramon, Walnut Creek
https://bringingbackthenatives.net/view-gardens
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++++++ CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for Tuesday, April 29, 2025+++++++++++
CITY COUNCIL Regular 6 pm Meeting on April 29, 2025
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison, School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1613068832
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 161 306 8832
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules
FINAL AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on April 29, 2025
MIDDLE HOUSING REMAINS as item 30 on the AGENDA DESPITE CITY NOTICE THAT IT HAS BEEN PULLED and sent to the Planning Commission to be heard on June 4, 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:
- Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes
- Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $1,850,000, Zero Waste $850,000, Mar-Coastal Conservancy Marina Operations/Maint Capital Improvements $1,000,000
- Sprague, Fire – Contract $200,000 with Public Consulting Group (PCG)for Professional Services related to Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT), Quality Assurance Fee (QAF), Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT), Public Provider Ground Emergency Transport (PP-GEMT) using General Services Agency’s (GSA) contract No. 47QTCA20D004Y 4/1/2025 – 3/31/2027 with two 2 year extensions to 3/31/2032 not to exceed $300,000 in total
- Walker, HR – Amend Berkeley Police Association (BPA) MOU Section 19.5 Administrative leave for Captains increase from 50 hours to 60 hours
- Fong, IT - Amend Contract No. 31900270 add $2,786,057 total $8,197,733 with Dell Computers for hardware, software and related services utilizing County of Riverside Agreement 808445 11/1/2019 – 10/31/2027
- Fong, IT – New Contract $171,323 with Tyler Technologies Inc. for Open Data Portal’s (ODP) Hosting Services, thru 6/30/2027
- Aguilar, Office of Director PAB – Process for Adjusting PAB Stipend following AAO#1 Carryover Approval $12,000 in FY 2024 carryover funds for PAB Committee + Training Stipends Adjustments
- Klein, Planning – Amend Contract No. 32200208 add $100,000 total $1,600,000 with West Coast Code Consultants
- Klein, Planning – Amend Contract No. 32200207 add $100,000 total $1,600,000 with Telesis for Plan Checking Services
- Davis, Public Works – Amend PO add $75,000 total $505,000 with Braun Northwest Inc. for two 2025 F-450 North Star Engine Remount of Ambulance Bodies to New Chassis
- Davis, Public Works – Final Map of Tract 8717: 805 Jones Street
- Davis Public Works – Contract $12,323,848 with Bay cities Paving & Grading, Inc. for 2025 Street Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project
- Davis, Public Works – Contract $4,208,200 includes 10% contingency for South Berkeley Bikeway and Bus Stop Improvements Projects
- Davis, Public Works – 2 Contracts $150,000 each with M&A Towing and City Towing for towing services
- Taplin – Budget Referral $300,000 for Afterschool Program Expansion to FY 2026 Mid-Biennial Budget Update
- Taplin – Budget Referral $250,000 for F and G Dock Deck Replacement
- Bartlett – Berkeley Juneteenth Festival: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds
- Authors Tregub, O’Keefe, co-sponsors Ishii, Taplin – Bay Area Robotics Education Sustainability Alliance: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds for 2025 Berkeley High Robotics Team’s East Bay Regional Robotics Competition
- Harrison – Policy Committee recommendation, negative – Opposition to Police Brutality and Use of Force on Nonviolent Protestors
- O’Keefe – Letter in support of SB 456 Muralist Exemption from having to obtain a contractor’s license
- Blackaby – Budget Referral $200,000 for Deportation Defense Legal and Education Funds
- Blackaby, co-sponsor – Add ADA expertise to the Safe Streets Citizen Oversight Committee Lunnaparra - $25,000 to June 2025 Mid-Biennial Budget Process to Partially Cover Street Spirit’s Operational and Programming Costs
- Blackaby, co-sponsors Taplin, O’Keefe, Humbert – Resolution to request amend AB-645 (2023-2024) to add Berkeley to California Automated Speed Enforcement Pilot Berkeley
- Lunaparra – Refer $25,000 to the June 2025 Mid-Year Bienial Budget Process to Partially Cover Street Spirit’s Operational and Programming Costs
- Lunaparra – Resolution supporting State and Regional Funding for Bay Area Public Transit
- Lunaparra – Resolution Supporting a State Budget Request for CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program and Endorsing AB 936 supplemental benefits program
- Humbert – Defer $150,000 for Round Park from Nov 2024 FY 2025 AAO#1
- Gilman, HHCS – Submission of the 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan and Program Year 2025 Annual Action Plan – allocation of federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Emergency Solutions Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Grant (measure includes defining percentage to administration
- Davis, Public Works – Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) Program on 1500 block of Virginia
- Klein, Planning – General Plan Amendments relating Middle Housing – in areas currently zoned R-1, R-1A, R2, R-2A and MU-R (low-density residential districts) with effective date of September 1, 2025, The notice from the City of a public hearing relates to rezoning of R-1A to R-2 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CABERKE/bulletins/3dd8065 ,
INFORMATION REPORTS:
- 2025 Police Accountability Board Work Plan
- Wong, Auditor – Restaurant Inspections Audit Report Wins National Recognition
DISPOSITION of ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA:
- Referred to Land Use, Housing & Economic Development - Taplin – Referral to CM feasibility analysis and request for recommendation for Berkeley Green New Deal Workforce Development to create pathways to green jobs and accelerate the transition to a fossil-free local economy
- Referred to Budget and Finance Committee - Taplin – Refer to City Manager to assess potential 2026 revenue ballot measures to support capital improvements to fire department facilities
- Referred to Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Sustainability Committee (FITES) - Tregub, co-sponsor Lunaparra – Budget Referral $400,000 - Oxford for All IV bicycle facility on the east side of Oxford Street and Fulton Street between Bancroft and Hearst,
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CITY COUNCIL Regular 6 pm Meeting on May 6, 2025
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison, School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1612529488
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 161 252 9488
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-agenda-rules
FINAL AGENDA for City Council Regular 6 pm Meeting on May 6, 2025
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS on NON-AGENDA MATTERS
PUBLIC COMMENT by EMPLOYEE UNIONS
AGENDA on CONSENT:
- Sprague, Fire – 2nd reading – Adoption of CALFIRE Map and Additional Areas Designated as the City of Berkeley Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- Hollander, Economic Development – Re-Establishment of the Berkeley Tourism Business Improvement District (BTBID)
- Sprague, Fire – Contract: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to contract with Diablo Fire Safe Council (DFSC) to serve as the fiscal sponsor for donations that support home hardening work in Berkeley, particularly in its Fire Hazard Severity Zones for a term of five years.
- Walker, HR – Amend Contract No. 32400192 add $108,884.79 with GovernmentJobs.com (dba NEOGOV) for online data management services and extend from 5/16/2025 to May 15, 2028
- Ferris, Parks – Reject all bids and re-scope and re-bid the work associated with South Cove West Lot Repaving Project
- Klein, Planning – Amend Contract No. 32200042 with WCG for updates to the BESO Programs’s Salesforce Software System
- Davis, Public Works – Amend Contract No. 117441-1 add $375,574.42 total $1,625,574.42 with Chrisp Company for Painting Red Curbs to Enhance Compliance with California’s Daylighting Law (AB 413)
- a. Commission on the Status of Women – Notice, tacking and enforcement of CA SB 1343 sexual harassment prevention training for Berkeley private, public and non-profit employers and employee with more than 5 employees, b. White, CM office – Companion Report – take no action on Commission Recommendation – City is already implementing and meeting the commission recommendations for City Employees, enforcement of non-City businesses is covered by the State of California’s Civil Rights Department and not within the City’s jurisdiction to enforce.
- Sprague, Fire – 2nd reading – Modification and Adoption of Berkeley Fire Code Local Amendments
- Klein, Planning - ZAB Appeal: 1048 Keith Avenue, Use Permit ZP2024-0014 – to demolish 2,760 sq ft single-family dwelling and construct a 2-story (25 ft tall, 3,600 sq ft single family dwelling including building setback from 20 ft to 15 feet, 2 unenclosed off-street parking spaces within the front setback, the construction of a trellis within the front setback, and the installation of a fence and retaining wall along the lot line.
+++++++++++++++++++ Land Use - Work Sessions - Special Meetings +++++++++++++++
LAND USE CALENDAR
- 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 6/3/2025
- 2655 Shattuck TBD 7/22/2025
- 2425 Durant – Laura Tull Property (landmark designation) TBD
- April 28 (5 pm) Peace and Justice Ceasefire Resolution
- May 5 (4 pm) Brown Act Training
- May 13 (new date) (6 pm) Evacuation Study and Response Times
- May 20 (new date and time) (4:30 pm) Presentation on City’s Unfunded Liabilities
Council Referral: Social Housing previously listed as Mixed-Income Housing (June or July)
FUTURE INFORMATION REPORTS
- Reimagining Public Safety Update
- Affordable Housing Fee Feasibility Study
- Berkeley Fire Department Annual Report
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory / Climate Action Plan Update
- Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
- Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
- Presentation on Homelessness/Re-Housing/Thousand-Person Plan (TBD regular agenda)
++++ How to get on or off the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary email list ++++++++
Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/
The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html
If you would like to receive the Activist’s Calendar as soon as it is completed send an email to: kellyhammargren@gmail.com.If you want to receive the Activist’s Diary send an email to kellyhammargren@gmail.com. If you wish to stop receiving the weekly calendar of city meetings please forward the email you received to- kellyhammargren@gmail.com -with the request to be removed from the email list.
