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Welcome to the second installment of my “Ask Mayor Tom” column. If you have a question or an issue you would like covered in this column, please drop me a note (my contact information is at the bottom).  

Dear Mayor Tom, 

I am writing about the air raid siren at Indian Rock Park. It is defunct and just sits there to the detriment of the park. It needs to come down and anything you can do would be great. I have lived here all my life and would be willing to help take it down.  

Bill Somerville 

Dear Bill, 

I’m familiar with the old siren. It is a large ugly structure with concrete footings that was originally put in by the federal government. It hasn’t been used for decades. I would love to remove this eyesore, but city staff have estimated that the removal will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000. With our budget uncertainties, this just is not at the top of the city’s priority list because it is not an active safety hazard. However, I would be happy to work with the neighborhood to raise money to help pay for the removal. If you or anyone else from the neighborhood would like to talk to me about that, please give me a call. 

Dear Mayor Tom, 

I am one of the dwindling number of Berkeley street vendors/artists on Telegraph Avenue. Here are some suggestions for changes if you would like to see us remain as an attraction on Telegraph. First, better lighting. Second, access to power outlets. Third, parking. Fourth, Make the mental health crisis team a permanent fixture on Telegraph—the are the best thing that has happened to Telegraph in years. Fifth, Consider making Telegraph a pedestrian zone without the threat of buses (or at least avoid widening the road for buses because that would take away our vending spaces). 

Philip Rowntree 

Dear Philip 

I have been working with the Telegraph Avenue Association, the Telegraph Business Improvement District, UC Berkeley and AC Transit to explore options for improving the Telegraph Avenue Area. Right now, we are in the process of contracting with a group called Project for Public Spaces that has had great success in improving areas like Telegraph Avenue. We are close to finalizing an agreement and I will for sure put forward your suggestions—so stay tuned! Lastly, I suggest you tell all your patrons to park at the Sather Gate Garage. We’ve made changes to the parking system, so there are almost always spaces available throughout the day. 

Dear Mayor Tom, 

Isn’t there some city rule or sanction prohibiting full-time City of Berkeley employees from sitting on city boards and commissions? For example, I know of several aides to city councimembers that also serve on city commissions. Could we please stop this illegal process? It is a way for staff to rule the citizen commissions. 

Jeanne Burdette 

Dear Jeanne, 

City staff members are already prohibited from serving on a commission that overlaps with their work responsibilities. For example, the city does not permit an employee of the Parks Department to serve on the Parks Commission because it would be a conflict of interest. However, if an employee (who is also a resident of Berkeley) works for the Department of Information Technology, the rules would allow that person to also serve on the Parks Commission.  

You specifically raised the issue of councilmember aides serving on commissions. Council aides do not direct city staff, they work with constituents to solve problems and develop policy initiatives. If a councilmember doesn’t see a problem with their aide participating as a commissioner in an area in which they have an interest, I would leave it to their discretion. We are lucky to have so many people volunteering their time and energy on our more than 35 commissions. 

Please send questions, concerns, and ideas that you’d like to see discussed in this column to “Ask Mayor Tom,” care of the mayor’s office: 2180 Milvia St., Berkeley, 94704. E-mail: mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us. Fax: 981-7199. Phone: 981-7100.