In early January 2020, a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), was isolated in several patients in Wuhan, China (1). Because of a global outbreak in 2002 of a different but genetically similar coronavirus (SARS), and subsequent outbreak of another coronavirus called MERS-CoV in 2012, scientists around the world immediately pivoted to working on vaccines and treatments for this new disease. This included molecular virologists, immunologists, biochemists, and structural biologists at UCSF, UC Berkeley, and the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI).

As of August 6, 2020, the City of Berkeley has reported 422 SARS-CoV-2 cases and four deaths. With rapidly increasing community spread, and a burning desire to get back to some semblance of normality, the need for an effective vaccine and therapy grows stronger every day. If all goes well – and there are no major setbacks in the clinical trials – a vaccine to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, and new and more effective antiviral therapies to treat the disease known as COVID19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), might be available within six months to a year. -more-

Key concerns about a proposed major Point Molate development project - about emergency egress, conflicts with Richmond's general plan, open space preservation and traffic mitigation, among other things - linger for Richmond planning commissioners, less than two weeks before a scheduled vote on approving the project's final environmental report. -more-

ast summer, we spent two weeks visiting Lebanon and Jordan. We found Beirut to be a rollicking series of intensely human encounters with scores of engaging, helpful, delightful strangers that we met in the streets and in the souks. Jordan's capital city, Amman, was a blistering hot ramble of crowded streets, storied ruins and high-rise office towers—towers that some locals resent. As our Jordanian friend, Ayman, put it: "This is not our culture. You can't know everyone in your building if it is more than four stories tall." -more-

Two different Berkeley neighborhoods reported incidents of Black Lives Matter signs being torn down in the last month, the same month The Way Christian Center on University Avenue was set on fire hours after placing a Black Lives Matter sign across its entrance. The Berkeley police investigated it as arson since "nobody was hurt." -more-

More and more US police seem to behave like mafia style gangsters, gunning down African-Americans with impunity. Take the case of Breonna Taylor. -more-

I got tested for COVID-19 earlier this summer and I’m writing this to tell you about the prelude and experience, for if and when you get tested. -more-

Preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated the number of fatal drug overdoses hit a record high last year, reversing the progress made in 2018. In 2016, for example, more than 100 people were dying every day because of an opioid-related overdose, and over 11 million people misused prescription opioids, per Drug Rehab Services. The data released by the CDC show that within 50 states and the District of Columbia, overdose deaths are occurring in everyone at different degrees of severity. The number of Americans who died from a drug-related overdose surged to over 70,000 in 2017. However, by 2018 the number declined by 4.6%, which was the first decrease in almost 30 years. -more-

When we make new beginnings or start a new project, we often must begin at square one. A certain point in recovery from an acute episode of mental illness is often like this. -more-

Three months ago, I wrote: "We're in the middle of a slow-motion catastrophe. The consequence of disease, depression, and Donald." Sadly, U.S. conditions have gotten worse. The latest GALLUP POLL indicates, "[only] 13% of U.S. adults are satisfied with the state of the nation." -more-

Chalk Talk

Chinese and Indian forces have pulled back from their confrontation in the Himalayas, but the tensions that set off the deadly encounter this past June—the first on the China/India border since 1975—are not going away. Indeed, a combination of local disputes, regional antagonisms and colonial history have brewed up a poisonous elixir that could pose a serious danger to peace in South Asia. -more-

Trump has railed against "mail-in voting" while defending "absentee voting.” Yet his own lawyers acknowledged in court documents the two are the same thing. Trump and many administration officials have utilized vote-by-mail options in the past. This includes Vice President Mike Pence, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, as well as members of Trump's family. -more-

Worth Noting:

There are five Board/Commission City meetings and two Ashby and North Berkeley BART “Office Hour” question and comment sessions in the week of August 9 – 16.



Monday – Ashby and North Berkeley BART Office Hours 5 pm

Tuesday – PRC Subcommittee Acquisition and Use of Controlled Equipment 11 am. - (Controlled equipment is about military equipment purchased for and used by Berkeley police)

Wednesday – Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board Outreach Committee 2 pm includes the COVID-19 update addressing rent and eviction protections

Parks and Waterfront Commission is at 7 pm

Thursday – Ashby and North Berkeley BART Office Hours 12:30 pm

The 6 pm Zoning Adjustment Board Special meeting is the Update to the Baseline Zoning Ordinance and the scheduled one-hour meeting is not really enough time for comment on the 458 page document that covers everything zoning and permitting, i.e. land use, loading zones, demolitions, lapsed permits, public hearings, wireless installations standards, ADUs. And, those reading through the document will be disappointed to see that some of the current problems with zoning are continued into the “update.” This deserves your attention especially if you have any interest in what is allowed and restricted in Berkeley. Once the document goes to Council and is approved by Council it is effective immediately. The regular ZAB meeting follows the special 6 pm meeting.



Sunday, August 9, 2020

No City meetings or events found



Monday, August 10, 2020

Ashby and North Berkeley BART Community Advisory Group (CAG), 5 – 6:30 pm

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/bartplanning/

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/94928040853?pwd=UDdiZkVhbjZNWWdIOExpRmk0TG9xUT09#success

Meeting ID: 949 2804 0853 Passcode: 423205

Teleconference: 669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 949 2804 0853 Passcode: 423205

These are “Office Hours” meant for questions and comments covered in meeting #2, no presentations will be made. You can join the Zoom call at any time during the sessions

Link to video of meeting #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDhvUxijOR0&t=1328s



Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Police Review Commission Subcommittee Police Acquisition & Use of Controlled Equipment Ordinance, 11 am

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Police_Review_Commission_Homepage.aspx

Videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85395953013

Teleconference: 669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 853 9595 3013

Agenda: 4. Public Comment, 5. Determine how to proceed proposed ordinance regulating police acquisition and use of controlled equipment.



Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board – Outreach Committee, 2 pm

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/94498345912?pwd=Q1pPcmpFeWpXQm9mMlJ5cWpwRDIrUT09#success

Teleconference: 408-638-0968 Meeting ID: 944 9834 5912 Passcode: 764417

Agenda: 4. Public Comment, 6. Census Outreach, 7. COVID-19 update and tenants



Parks and Waterfront Commission, 7 – 9

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Parks_and_Waterfront_Commission.aspx

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/95404087596

Teleconference: 669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 954 0408 7596

Agenda: 5. Public Comment, 8. Berkeley Commons Project, Proposed development @ 600 Addison with proposed improvements to Aquatic Park, bike/ped trail, ADA accessible parking, 9. Update T1 Phase 1, 10. Update T1 Phase 2



Thursday, August 13, 2020

Ashby and North Berkeley BART Community Advisory Group (CAG), 12:30 - 2 pm

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/bartplanning/

Videoconference:

https://zoom.us/j/96397530244?pwd=L1lTdEd6QUI3aFp3VlpNTlZQNEprZz09#success

Meeting ID: 963 9753 0244 Password: 0340944

Teleconference: 669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 963 9753 0244 Password: 0340944

These are “Office Hours” meant for questions and comments covered in meeting #2, no presentations will be made. You can join the Zoom call at any time during the sessions

Link to video of meeting #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDhvUxijOR0&t=1328s



Zoning Adjustment Board, 6 pm and 7 pm – same login for both meetings

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/zoningadjustmentsboard/

Videoconference: https://zoom.us/j/94599730086

Teleconference: 669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 945 9973 0086

6 pm Special Meeting

Agenda: 1. Update on Baseline Zoning Ordinance, Phase 1 of the Zoning Ordinance Revision (Zoning Ordinance packet 458 pages)

7 pm Regular Meeting

1328 Oxford – alter 5400 sq ft residential parcel that is over density by constructing 234 sq ft 2^nd story, adding 4 dormers to roof resulting 202 sq ft of habitable space in attic to existing 2-story single family dwelling. on consent

2956 Hillegass – enlarge 2-story 1926 sq ft single family dwelling on 2754 sq ft lot by converting 903 sq ft basement and crawl space to habitable space increasing bedrooms from 3 to 5 and establishing an uncovered off-street parking space within rear setback – on consent

1531 Summit – construct new 2393 sq ft 2-story single family dwelling with average height 24’5” and detached 2 car garage within 25% of lot portion closed to Summit on 7269 sq ft vacant hillside parcel. Staff recommend approve

2716 – 2718 – raise dwelling at front of lot to create 3-story dwelling, raise dwelling at rear of lot and construct 2 new dwellings below and not provide required 2 parking spaces. Staff recommend approve front unit addition of 6^th or greater bedroom to parcel and residential addition greater than 16’ in average height and 20’ maximum height, deny variance to not provide parking for the new dwellings.

2870 Webster – appeal of Zoning Officer decision to approve Admin Use Permit as part of extensive remodel to expand 2296 sq ft 2-story single family dwelling on 4935 sq ft R-1 parcel, construct 115 sq ft additionof 2^nd floor with aveage height of 25’5”, enlarge bathroom window, construct 9’fence. Staff recommend approve and deny appeal.



Friday, August 14, 2020, Saturday, August 15, 2020, Sunday, August 16, 2020

No City meetings or events found



_____________________



Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals

1346 Ordway, TBD

Notice of Decision (NOD) and Use Permits With End of Appeal Period

1451 Catherine 8/24/20

800 Dwight 8/20/2020

118 El Camino 8/13/2020

2410 Grant 8/24/2020

28 Hillcrest 8/25/2020

1231 Oxford 8/25/2020

2750-52 Prince 8/18/2020

3015 San Pablo 8/12/2020

1201 Second 8/18/2020

2012 Shattuck 8/18/2020

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications_in_Appeal_Period.aspx



LINK to Current Zoning Applications https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Division/Current_Zoning_Applications.aspx



___________________



WORKSHOPS

Sept 29 – Digital Strategic Plan/FUND$ Replacement Website Update, Zero Waste Priorities, Vision 2050

Oct 20 – Update Berkeley’s 2020 Vision, BMASP/Berkeley Pier-WETA Ferry



Unscheduled Workshops/Presentations

Cannabis Health Considerations

Presentation from StopWaste on SB 1383

Systems Realignment



Previously Schedules and Unscheduled Items Removed From Lists

Sept 22 – Navigable Cities, Crime Report (per Mayor Arreguin the Crime Report will be rescheduled to a regular City Council meeting, the date is not available. The last crime report was in March 2019)

Ohlone Territory



___________________



To Check For Regional Meetings with Berkeley Council Appointees go to

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Committee_and_Regional_Body_Appointees.aspx



To check for Berkeley Unified School District Board Meetings go to

https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/



_____________________



This meeting list is also posted on the Sustainable Berkeley Coalition website.

http://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet under activist’s calendar http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com



When notices of meetings are found that are posted after Friday 5:00 pm they are added to the website schedule https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and preceded by LATE ENTRY



If you wish to stop receiving the Weekly Summary of City Meetings please forward the weekly summary you received to kellyhammargren@gmail.com, -more-