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Praising Rep. Barbara Lee 

The City Council is expected to approve a commendation for Rep. Barbara Lee’s “wise and courageous vote in opposition to authorizing President Bush to wage war against terrorism.” 

On Sept. 14, Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against giving President Bush absolute authority to make decisions about using military force against terrorism. Lee’s lone stance has drawn both harsh criticism and high praise from around the country. 

The commendation, submitted by Councilmember Miriam Hawley and Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, applauds Lee for recommending justice over retribution. Hawley and Shirek also wrote in the commendation that “Lee’s leadership will be a rallying point for citizens seeking a reasoned and measured response to the atrocities of September 11.” 

ECO Pass 

The council is expected to approve a contract with AC Transit that will provide all city employees with a trial transit pass for AC Transit routes including Transbay lines. The ECO Pass program will go into service on Nov. 1 and expire on Dec. 31, 2002. 

The cost of the program is estimated to be $100,000 and will cover the city’s 1,600 full-time employees. The cost per employee is about $60 for the entire year. Employee ridership will be monitored by AC Transit and a monthly report will be provided to the city. If the program is successful it will become permanent. 

The council asked the city manager on June 12 to look into expanding the program to cover Berkeley Unified School District employees and also negotiating with BART for a similar program. Both of those proposals are still being considered. 

Law enforcement block grant 

The council will hold a public hearing prior to authorizing the city manager to accept a $250,000 federal grant, which would be used to hire two patrol officers for approximately 24 months. 

The money would come from the federal Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. The council has supported the use of LLEBG grant money to hire patrol officers since 1997. The grant amount is based on a formula that includes population and rates of various types of crimes. 

In past years the city has been able to fund three officers with the two-year grant. Because of increased salaries and a reduction of available grant money, only two officers will be funded for the next two-year cycle.  

According to a police department staff report the grant will help the city reach its goal of 204 sworn officers. Currently there 194 sworn officers.  

Redistricting 

The council will hold the first of two public hearings on five proposals to redraw the boundary lines of the city’s eight council districts. The city collected four plans from Berkeley residents and another was submitted by city staff.  

After the public hearing, the council will select one redistricting plan and hold another public hearing on Oct. 2, after which the council is expected to approve the selected plan possibly contingent on some minor changes.  

One controversial plan was submitted by the Associated Students of the University of California. The plan drastically redesigned districts 7 and 8 to create a student-dominated district. ASUC members have said their goal is to elect a student to the City Council who will represent student interests such as housing and safety.  

The city attorney described the student plan as non-conforming because it was in conflict with the City Charter, which requires only small adjustments to existing districts.  

The council will also discuss: 

• Signing a contract with the Berkeley Alliance for $80,000 for administrative support to the school district. 

• The purchase of 96 energy efficient refrigerators for low-income households at a total amount of up to $53,000. 

• Reestablishing food-cart licenses 

• Supporting the efforts of local organizations to eliminate racism and discrimination against people of Arabic descent and Muslim faith through education and media campaigns and establish Berkeley as a Hate Free Zone. 

• Funding for sign-language interpretation at the city’s Free Folk Festival. 

Other related meetings: 

Closed session 

The City Council will hold an executive session meeting at 4 p.m. at 2180 Milvia St. on the sixth floor to hold a a conference with the Berkeley Police Association, the department’s union, which is in the process of negotiating a new contract.  

Housing Authority 

The Berkeley Housing Authority will hold a meeting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, to discuss several issues including a plan to reorganize the BHA and review an information report about reopening section enrollment for 8 applications. Section 8 enrollment began on Sept. 7 and will end Oct. 5.