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Berkeley City Council Scorecard

By Judith Scherr
Friday May 09, 2008 - 04:41:00 PM

The City Council took the following actions on Tuesday, May 6: 

• The City Council approved 5-2 a resolution to rescind an April 2006 resolution, defining “cultural” activities at the Gaia Building on Allston Way. Councilmembers Darryl Moore, Max Anderson, Kriss Worthington, Dona Spring and Mayor Tom Bates voted to approve the resolution (after several failed votes). Councilmembers Gordon Wozniak and Betty Olds abstained. Councilmember Linda Maio recused herself and Councilmember Laurie Capitelli was absent. (See full story in the May 8 Daily Planet.) 

• A proposal to ask the UC Regents to delay certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report for two buildings proposed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs in Strawberry Creek Canyon was put off until a special meeting could be held on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers to take up the matter. (See full story in the May 8 Daily Planet.) 

• Councilmember Linda Maio pulled a resolution to support the people of Haiti off the agenda because she objected to the United Nations military referred to as “occupying forces.” The item will come back to council at a later date. 

• With Councilmember Laurie Capitelli absent, the council unanimously approved a resolution opposing the state agriculture department spraying intended to eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth. 

• With Capitelli absent, the council voted unanimously to refer to the city manager to include an exemption from transfer taxes for homeowners who make energy-efficient and solar improvements to their properties. 

• The council voted 6-2, with Councilmembers Gordon Wozniak and Betty Olds in opposition, and Capitelli absent, to certify that the conditions for Instant Runoff Voting had been met: that the technology is available, that IRV wouldn't preclude the city from holding consolidated elections with the county; and that IRV would not result in additional election costs. Using IRV for the November election in Berkeley hinges on federal and state certification of the IRV software. 

• The council unanimously approved recycling contracts with Stockton Recycling Company and Waste Management for sorting and recycling construction and demolition waste. 

• The council voted 7-1 for a pilot program downtown, whereby cars would be required to vacate parking spaces so that street sweepers can sweep more effectively. The program would restrict parking on the West side of Shattuck Avenue, from Hearst Avenue to Blake Street on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. and on the east side of Shattuck on Tuesday and Thursday. 

A complete summary of council actions can be seen at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=20126.  

A video of the council is available at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=9868