The largest bond measure in the city’s history and a tax on vacant houses and apartments will be on the 2022 ballot.
Kate Harrison
After Berkeley High tragedy, students lobby for better mental health care
Following a classmate’s death, five students called on the City Council to prioritize funding student mental health programs. “We were converting our grief into something meaningful,” one said.
From downtown to single-family blocks, Berkeley eyes big zoning changes
The city could remove limits on tall buildings downtown, and provide quick approval for small apartments in most neighborhoods.
Berkeley’s redistricting commission picks new City Council map
The map the commission chose essentially keeps intact the current City Council district borders, with a few tweaks.
Berkeley redistricting: How new City Council boundaries could affect you
Berkeley’s Independent Redistricting Commission is expected to make its choice for a new map over the coming weeks.
New street paving policy could create ‘Equity Zone’ with priority for repairs
The plan would shift much of the city’s spending from major corridors to neighborhood streets, with a focus on West and South Berkeley.
No rest on Sunday: Free meter parking could end in Berkeley
Supporters say enforcing parking meters on Sundays could help shore up Berkeley’s parking fund, which has been battered by the pandemic.
Berkeley’s plastic bag ban could get a whole lot tougher
Plastic bags in the produce aisle and thicker bags for groceries and takeout would be banned under a proposal in its early stages.
Berkeley leaders demand more data about ‘militaristic’ police equipment
Data about where police use rifles, launchers and other “controlled” equipment will now be public. Officials said it’s a matter of racial justice.
Berkeley votes to limit low-level traffic stops to reduce policing disparities
Officers will focus on investigative stops and pulling over dangerous drivers rather than “random observations of minor equipment violations,” Police Chief Andrew Greenwood said.
Berkeley police will track, share more use-of-force data under new rules
Berkeley officials voted early Friday morning to adopt an updated use-of-force policy for police that will expand what types of force officers track and report, and how they make this information available to the public.
Berkeley pares $9.3M from police budget amid clamor for reform
The Berkeley City Council shifted more than $9 million out of the police department budget Tuesday night to help pay for a range of reforms called for by community members and city officials alike in recent weeks.