Events
THE BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S CALENDAR: March 17-23
Worth Noting:
City Council Spring Recess is scheduled from March 27 through May 6, 2024. The two special elections are April 16 to fill the vacant District 7 Council seat and May 28 to fill the vacant District 4 Council seat.
District 4 candidates: Soli Alpert, Elana Auerbach, John Haracz, Ruben Hernandez Story, Igor A. Tregub
District 7 candidates: James Chang, Cecilia Lunaparra,
Check the City of Berkeley (CoB) website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/
- Monday: At 3 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format in closed session.
- Tuesday:
- At 4 pm the Civic Art Commission Public Art Subcommittee meets online.
- At 6 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format with a master lease on small cell telecommunication facilities on streetlight poles.
- Wednesday:
- At 1:30 pm the Commission on Aging meets in person.
- At 7 pm the Commission on the Status of Women meets in Person.
- No agenda is posted for the Commission on Labor. Check later if cancelled
- Thursday:
- At 6:15 pm the Transportation and Infrastructure Commission meets in person.
- At 6:30 pm the Design Review Committee meets in person on one multi-family project.
- No agenda is posted for the Fair Campaign Practices and Open Government Commission which should be meeting at 6:30 pm.
- At 7 pm the Rent Board is scheduled to meet in the hybrid format. No agenda is posted.
- Friday: At 2:30 pm the 2x2 Committee (CoB & BUSD) meets in the hybrid format
- Saturday: At 12:30 pm is an Aqua Zumba Party a CoB recreation event.
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BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS
Sunday, March 17, 2024 – if living in Districts 4 or 7 check for candidate forums and house parties promoting candidates.
Monday, March 18, 2024
CITY COUNCIL Closed Meeting at 3 pm
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor – Redwood Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1612602699
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)
Meeting ID: 161 260 2699
AGENDA: 1. Conference with Legal Counsel pending litigation Workers’ Compensation ADJ15654682, 2. Pending Litigation a. GTE Mobilnet of CA v. CoB Case No. 4:20-cv-05260-DMR, b. Jay v. COB; Alameda Superior Court Case No. 22CV018197, 3. Conference with Real Property Negotiators Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck CoB and Youth Musical Theater Company, 4. Conference with Labor Negotiators employee organizations: Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227 I.A.F.F., Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227 I.A.F.F./ Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Association, Berkeley Police Association, DEIU 1021 Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Activity Leaders, SEIU 1021 Maintenance and Clerical, Public Employee Union Local 1, Unrepresented Employees
https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-closed-meeting-eagenda-march-18-2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Public Art Subcommittee at 4 pm
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1614156265
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 415 6265
AGENDA: 5. FY 2024/2025 Cube Space Curator application.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/civic-arts-commission
CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting at 6 pm
A Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618484137
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 161 848 4137
AGENDA: Use the link and choose the html option with links to documents by agenda item or pdf to scan/read the agenda and documents as one large packet (284 pages) or scan the agenda listed at the end of the calendar. One action item on cell towers.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm
Location: 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center
AGENDA: Presentations: 1. Berkeley rides for Seniors and the Disabled FY 2024-2025 Program – Mary Triston, 2. Missing Middle Housing and Zoning Measures – Karen Parolek, Discussion/Action 1. Ohlone Greenway Project, 2. Follow-up Age Friendly report.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-aging
COMMISSION on LABOR at 7 pm
Location: 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center
AGENDA: - NO Agenda posted as of 1 pm 3/16/2024, check before going
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-labor
COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 7 pm
Location: 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center
AGENDA: 7. Presenter, Simone Robenolt, from Policy Link on Women’s Economic Uncertainty and Slow Economic Recovery Post-Pandemic, 8. Possible Presentation from the California Office of Civil Rights (Formerly DFEH) on Brief Overview of California OCR and Sexual Harassment Training Legally Required Under State Law for Employers, 9. Proposed Recommendation on City Enforcement of Legally Required Training, 10. Recommendation on Sex Trafficking.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-status-women
Thursday, March 21, 2024
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 6:30 pm
Location: 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Gooseberry Room
AGENDA: 1. 2037 Durant (Hustead’s Auto Body between Shattuck and Milvia) – Preliminary Design Review – to demolish a one-story, 13,000 sq ft commercial building and construct an 8-story 76,373 sq ft building with 1,552 sq ft of ground floor commercial space and 74 dwelling units of multi-family housing. All bedrooms have windows. A SB 330 state density project.
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/design-review-committee
TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION at 6:15 pm
Location: 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Aspen Room
AGENDA: B. 2024 Commission Work Plan
FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES COMMISSION (FCPC) / OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION (OGC) at 6:30 pm
Location: 2180 Milvia, Cypress Room
FCPC / OGC normally meets the 3rd Thursday of the month, NO agenda is posted, check later
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/fair-campaign-practices-commission
RENT BOARD at 7 pm
A Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86351823870?pwd=StV8iv1VnftDeahcLsszUQPN5RdeeE.1
AGENDA: NO agenda posted, check later
https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/elected-rent-board/rent-board-meetings
Friday, March 22, 2024
2x2 Committee (City - Hahn, Taplin, BUSD - Vasudeo, Shanoski) at 2:30 pm
A Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 2020 Bonor, Room 126
Videoconference: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86759481399
Teleconference: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 867 5948 1399
AGENDA: 5. Discussion items, 5.1 Update 2020 Vision/YEP, 5.2 Summer Programming, 5.3 Bright Streets / street Safety Implementation Update + engagement with BUSD principals, 5.4 Update on parking permits for BHS staff, 6. Action Items: 6.1 Future agenda items
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/2x2-committee
Saturday, March 23, 2024
AQUA ZUMBA PARTY at 12:30 pm
Register: https://ca-berkeley.civicrec.com/CA/berkeley-ca/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTIzODgxOTQ%3D
Location: 2100 Browning
AGENDA: 90 minute party in the pool, $20 per person,
https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/aqua-zumba-party
Sunday, March 24, 2024 – no city meetings or events found
+++++++++++++++++++ CITY COUNCIL AGENDAS +++++++++++++++++++
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for Regular 6 pm Meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618484137
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 161 848 4137
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR:
AC Transit Presentation
AGENDA on CONSENT:
- 2nd reading – Acquisition of Real Property at 1900 Fourth Street and authorization to transfer that property to the Sogorea Te Land Trust, thereby returning the land to the Ohlone people.
AGENDA on CONSENT:
- Oyekanmi, Finance – Formal Bid Solicitations $120,000 payroll audit
- Louis, Police – Amend Contract No. 32200150 add $45,000 total $150,000 with Range Maintenance Services LLC for Indoor range cleaning services and extend from 1/8/2024 to 12/1/2028
- Murray, Public Works - Amend Contract No. 108090-1 add $3,865,300 total $12,790,172 with IPS Group, Inc. for Parking Management System, Parking Meter Maintenance and Conversion to Pay-by-Plate Pay Stations, and extend from 6/30/2024 – 6/30/2026
- Murray, Public Works - Amend Contract No.115731-1 add $919,815 total $2,915,355 with SKIDATA, Inc (formerly Sentry Control Systems) for extending parking access and revenue control maintenance services and warranties for equipment nearing the end of its useful life in the City’s three parking garages (Oxford, Center and Telegraph Channing) and extend by 2 years to 6/30/2026
- Murray, Public Works – Grant Application up to $6,000,000 GRO-23-606 to California Energy Commission (CEC) for Charging Infrastructure for Government Fleets. If approved requires 30% match and all work to be completed by 6/30/2028
- REMOVED BY CITY MANAGER – COMING BACK ON MARCH 26 AGENDA
- Murray, Public Works – Purchase Order $665,000 with Owen Equipment Safes for one combination storm sewer cleaner, Contract #101221-VTR
- Arreguin – Appoint Councilmember Wengraf to represent City of Berkeley to East Bbay Hills Wildfire Prevention Coordinating Group, Councilmember Humbert as the Alternate revision added.
- Murray, Public Works – Adoption of a Master License Agreement Template for the Non-Exclusive Installation of Small Cell Telecommunications Facilities on City Owned and Maintained Streetlight Poles in the Public Right-of-Way
- Radu, CM Office - Audit Status Report Response: Code Enforcements Resources Significantly Restrained and Improvements needed in Case Management and Oversight
- Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 2144 Shattuck Appeal Period Expiration 3/19/2024
- Klein, Planning - LPO NOD: 2274 Shattuck Appeal Period Expiration 3/19/2024
- Murray, Public Works – Audit Status Reports: Fleet Replacement Fund Short Millions & Rocky Road: Berkeley Street At Risk and Significantly Underfunded (packet272 pages)
DISPOSITION OF ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA:
- Withdrawn by Arreguin – Sole Source Contract Waiver for Creation of Equitable Black Berkeley Surviving Entity, Adopt resolution that supports efforts to implement the Equitable Black Berkeley Initiative by: 1. Approving sole source procurement on the basis of BDO US, P.C. being the only viable vendor, 2. Approving the contract with BDO US, P.C. $600,000, 3. Accepting grant funding up to $660,000 to cover the cost plus 10% administrative fee paid to the City of Berkeley for administering the contract
- REMOVED BY CITY MANAGER – COMING BACK ON MARCH 26 AGENDA - Murray, Public Works – Purchase Order Extension Authorizations for Critical Vendors of Equipment Parts and Services for Multiple Departments total $4,135,803.51, 1. Golden State Emergency Vehicle for Fire vehicle repairs $800.437.50, 2. Pape Machinery, Inc. for heavy equipment parts and repairs $666,667.50. 3. City Auto Supply for vehicle parts $432,447.50, 4. Fleetwash, Inc for vehicle washing $372,615, 5. Coast Counties Truck & Equipment, Co. for heavy equipment parts $351,730, 6. Arata Equipment Company for Zero Waste vehicle parts $305,000, 7. TEC of California, Inc, for vehicle parts and accessories $305,000, 8. Future Ford of Concord for auto/truck parts and service $300,000,9. Acme Rigging & Supply Company, Inc. for wheel loader and heavy equipment $285,995, 10. Western Truck Center $260,000, 11. McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Co. for Zero Waste Truck parts $200,000, 12. California Covers for upholstery services $110,881.01, 13. Berry Brothers for towing services $50,000
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA for Regular 6 pm Meeting on March 26, 2024
Hybrid Meeting
In-Person: at 1231 Addison St. in the School District Board Room
Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1618014669
Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 161 801 4669
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
AGENDA on CONSENT:
- Murray, Lease Agreement: Dorothy Day House d.b.a. Dorothy’s Closet at 2425a Channing in the Telegraph-Channing Mall and Garage for 5 year term retroactive to 5/1/2023 with option to renew one additional 5 year term.
- Numainville, City Clerk – Minutes for approval
- Radu, CM office – Amend Contract 32200202 add up to $975,756 total $4,872,158 with Shree Jalasai Lodging, LP for 1461 University for purpose of extending the interim non-congregate shelter program on a month to month basis for no longer than 6 months
- Radu, CM office –Contract Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB) to operate shelter at the Rodeway Inn thru 9/30/2024 for $1,925,256 (pdf page 141 - 146)
- Oyekanmi, Finance – Amend Contract 31900162 add $1,400,000 total $5,125,735 with Pride Industries for Janitorial Services through 6/30/2025 estimated annual spending going forward $1,000,000 per year
- Oyekanmi, Finance – Amend Contract 32000060 add $210,000 and $720,000 for two year extension total $1,750,000 with Toshiba for Multi-function Devices thru 9/15/2025
- Oyekanmi, Finance – Amend Contract 32400009 add $50,000 with Stella Courier for Satellite Mall Services/Mail Room coverage
- Sprague, Fire – Contract $275,000 over 2-year period with Marina Landscape for Wildfire Safe Model Garden Construction at Firehouse #4
- Ernst, HHCS – Amend Contract 32400033 add $50,000 total $200,000 and extend 1/15/2025 with Strategic Economics for Affordable Housing Requirements Economic Feasibility Analysis
- Ernst, HHCS – Amend Contract 31900225 add $15,300 total $2,873,947 with Lifelong Medical Care to fund No Place Like Home (NPLH) supportive services at Maudelle Miller Shirek
- Ernst, HHCS – Amend Contract add $50,000 total $100,000 with The Labor Compliance Managers for Labor Standards Enforcement Services.
- Bustamante, HHCS – Contract $30,000 with Dr. Gail Newel for Health Officer services when the City Health Officer is out of the office (backup) from 5/1/2024 – 5/1/2025
- Kouyoumdjian, HR – Appointment of Terrance Davis as Director of Public Works effective 4/15/2024 at an annual salary of $260,000, previously director of Public Works for Vallejo, BA in Ethnic Studies and MBA
- Kouyoumdjian, HR – MOU Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Association
- Ferris, Parks – Amend Contract 32400015 add $303,000 total $350,000 with California Consulting for on-call grant writing services
- Murray, Public Works – FY 2025 Street Lighting Assessments initiating proceedings
- Murray, Public Works – Purchase Order Extensions for equipment, parts and services through 1/30/2025: 1. PO with Golden State Emergency for Fire vehicles repairs add $500,000 total $800,437.50, 2. PO with Pape Machinery add $375,000 total $666,697.50, 3. PO with City Auto Supply add $250 total $432,447.50, 4. PO Fleetwash, Inc. add $200,000 total $372,615, 5. PO with Coast Counties Truck & Equipment C, add $225,000 total $351,730, 6. PO with Arata Equipment Co add $210,000 total $320,180, 7. PO with TEC of California add $200,000 total $305,000, 8. PO with Future ford of Concord add $205,000 total $300,000, 9. PO with Acme Rigging & Supply Company, In. add $200,000 total $285,995, 10. PO with Western Truck $260,000, 11. PO with Southern Counties Lubricants LLC add $175,000 total $238,500, 12. PO with McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Co add $150,000 total $200,000, 13. PO with California Covers add $60,000 total $110,881.01, 14. PO with berry Brothers add $15,000 total $50,000
- Human Welfare and Community Action Commission – Confirm Cheryl Atkinson District 1 as an elected representative of the poor
- Community Health Commission – Response to Council referral Long Term Care Facility Oversight (1) refer to CM and budget process the establishment of an enhanced Ombudsperson program for oversight of SNF and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly and (2) early implementation of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal for minimum staffing levels ahead of the 3-year period proposed by CMS
- Hahn, co-sponsors Wengraf, Taplin, Humbert – Budget referral $200,000 for study and implementation of traffic control measures on upper Marin to address urgent safety needs for pedestrians
- Wengraf – Proclamation for Holocaust Remembrance Day,
- Wengraf – Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds for 2024 Virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day Program not to exceed $500 per member
- Klein, Planning – Zoning Amendments BMC 23.326 Demolition and Dwelling Unit Controls
- a. Ernst, HHCS - Dissolution of the Human Welfare and Community Action Commission and the Peace and Justice Commission and the establishment of the Human Welfare, Peace and Justice Commission, b. Ernst, HHCS - Reform the Human Welfare and Community Action Commission by amending rules regarding the Commission’s composition, number of members, filling of vacancies, election of low-income representatives, enumerated functions, and other changes. (documents in pdf pages 375 – 697, 24b. Reform the HWCAC starts on pdf page 553 with another complete attachment of same state documents, tables, communications for 24a)
- Friedrichsen, Budget Manager - FY 2024 Mid-Year Budget Update
- Homeless Services Panel of Experts – Two consecutive meetings canceled for lack of quorum
DISPOSITION OF ITEMS REMOVED from DRAFT AGENDA:
- Request by City Manager and Fire Chief to reschedule for May 7 - Disaster and Fire Safety Commission – Use Measure FF to Support Understory Mitigation for one-time eucalyptus understory cleanups on select participating private properties
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LAND USE CALENDAR
2113-2115 Kittredge (California Theater) 6/4/2024
3000 Shattuck (construct 10-story mixed-use building) TBD
WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:
- March 19 (ceremonial tentative) AC Transit: Update on the Durant Quick Build Project
- May 21 at 4 pm (tentative)Inclusionary Housing In-Lieu Fee Feasibility Study
- October 22 Draft Waterfront Specific Plan
UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS
- Ashby BART Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Berkeley – El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Presentation
- Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
- Presentation on Homelessness/Re-Housing/Thousand-Person Plan (TBD regular agenda)
PREVIOUSLY LISTED WORKSESSIONS and SPECIAL MEETINGS REMOVED FROM LIST
- Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
- May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report, Wildfire Prevention Plan https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-meeting-eagenda-may-16-2023-6-pm
- June 20 (WS) - Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update, Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update reports available https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas/city-council-2023-06-20
+++++++++++++ SIGNING UP FOR EMAILS or UNSUBSCRIBING ++++++++
Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/
The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html
+++++++++ HINTS for MANAGING CLOSED CAPTIONING and TRANSCRIPTS ++++++++
For Online Public Meetings
CLOSED CAPTIONING, SAVE TRANSCRIPT OVERVIEW, CHAT, DIRECTIONS and ZOOM SUPPORT LINKS:
ZOOM has as part of the program -(for no extra cost)- Closed Captioning (CC). It turns computer voice recognition into a text transcript. Closed Captioning and show full transcript and the save option are only available when the person setting up the ZOOM meeting has activated these options. If you don’t see CC ask for it. If it can’t be activated for the current meeting ask for it for future meetings.
The accuracy of the Closed Captioning is affected by background noise and other factors, The CC and transcript will not be perfect, but most of the time reading through it the few odd words, can be deciphered--for example "Shattuck" was transcribed as Shadow in one transcript.
For the online attendee, the full transcript is only available from the time the attendee activates Show Full Transcript. But if you sit through a meeting and then remember 10 minutes before it is over to click on Show Full Transcript you will only get the last 10 minutes, not the full transcript – So click often on both Save Transcript and on Save to Folder during the meeting for best results.
When you click on Show Full Transcript it will allow you to scroll up and down, so if want to go back and see what was said earlier you can do that during the meeting while the transcript is running.
At the bottom of the transcript when we as attendees are allowed to save there will be a button for, "Save Transcript," you can click on the button repeatedly throughout the meeting and it will just overwrite and update the full transcript. If you lose connection during a zoom meeting your transcript will be from when you started it to the last time you clicked on save transcript. Clicking on the Save Transcript repeatedly as the meeting is coming to an end is important because once the host ends the meeting, the transcript is gone if you didn't save it.
Near the end of the meeting, after you click on "Save Transcript," click on "Save to Folder." The meeting transcript will show up (as a download to your desktop) in a separate box as a text file. (These text files are not large.) After you have done your last Save Transcript and Save to Folder (after the meeting is over) you can rename the new transcript folder on your computer, and save it (re-read or send or share it).
Remember, allowing us attendees to save the meeting transcript does not require the public meeting host to save the transcript (for public record.)
Saving CHAT: There are three dots at the bottom of the CHAT. If you click on these you should get a menu to save the CHAT.
At the upper corner of the transcript and the chat there is a tiny box with an arrow. If you click on this the transcript and chat will pop out of being connected to the zoom screen. You can then move these on your screen for easier continuous viewing.
Here is the link to ZOOM Support for how to set up Closed Captioning for a meeting or webinar:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/8158738379917#h_01GHWATNVPW5FR304S2SVGXN2X
Here is the link to ZOOM Support for attendees in how to save Closed Captions:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360060958752-Using-save-captions#h_01F5XW3BGWJAKJFWCHPPZGBD70
How to convert a YouTube video into a transcript
Copy the YouTube url into the box with “enter a youtube url” and click on go https://youtubetranscript.com/
The transcript (not perfect, but very close) will appear instantaneously
