Page One

While the council approved funding towards a youth center and spending funds for new fire engines, it put off a number of other decisions. 

The vote to allocate $243,000 from the Citizen Option for Public Safety funds for a youth center was unanimous. It is to be built in south or west Berkeley, but needs further funding. Amidst concerns about a perceived escalation in drug turf skirmishes, Police Chief Dash Butler said that such a youth center would facilitate “ground zero drug counseling.” 

Decisions over whether to designate the 1903 Swink House a “structure of merit,” thus protecting it as a Berkeley landmark, were deferred until the Sept. 26 City Council meeting, as was a decision on approving procedures to include citizen involvement in the decision over what should be done with the 170-foot-high tower at the Public Safety Building which neighbors want removed. 

Funds to buy new fire engines over the next eight years were approved. 

The council also passed a resolution to urge the federal government to label all genetically manipulated foods. 

Perhaps the strangest event of the night had the council debating whether to approve a raise in basic rates for cable television services. Whether the council adopts the resolution or not, the rates will increase in 2001 under FCC regulations, councilmembers said. 

“Why are we even debating this?” asked a perplexed Diane Woolley at 11:15 PM.