Manufacturing businesses and vacancies on Carleton Street in West Berkeley/Photo: John Osborn By John C. Osborn The Berkeley City Council held the first of two public hearings Tuesday about proposed changes for West Berkeley that could drastically alter the landscape of the city’s economy in years to come. The changes would relax protections that have been […]
Berkeley City Council
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Special council session to consider employee benefits
City Auditor Ann-Marie Hogan The City of Berkeley’s unfunded liability for employee pension benefits will be the focus of a special City Council work session at 5:30 p.m. before the regular council meeting next Tuesday. In an email about the session, City Auditor Ann-Marie Hogan wrote, “The City Council, City Manager, and City employees will […]
Berkeley City Council tables WikiLeaks resolution
A resolution to brand Pfc. Bradley Manning a hero brought out both supporters and critics. Photo: John C. Osborn By John C. Osborn The Berkeley City Council voted last night to table a controversial resolution calling for the release of alleged military whistle blower Private Bradley Manning from military prison and to honor him as a […]
Citizens’ sunshine law to go on 2012 ballot
By John C. Osborn After 10 years of discussion and 24 draft ordinances, the residents of Berkeley will soon be able to vote on a new open records law. On Tuesday December 14, the Berkeley City Council will vote to place the “Berkeley Sunshine Ordinance,” a citizens’ proposal to make Berkeley city government more transparent, on […]
On the agenda: Berkeley City matters
Decisions, decisions. Highlights from the agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting: Whether to restrict official travel to Arizona and cancel contracts with businesses there in reaction to that state’s recently passed law allowing police to question and detain people they think are in the U.S. illegally. Oakland, Richmond and San Francisco have already have passed measures aimed […]
Pilot 2020 Vision projects announced
Photo: BUSD By Deirdre Nurre A second special joint meeting between the Berkeley School Board and the Berkeley City Council will be held tonight at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. They’ll discuss the 2020 Vision for Berkeley’s Children and Youth. The Berkeley Alliance developed the 2020 Vision, as a “citywide movement to ensure academic success and […]
On tonight’s council agenda: balloons, ferries, noise
There are three notable items on tonight’s city council agenda. The Community Environmental Advisory Commission is seeking a declaration that balloons “pose environmental and other physical hazards when released into the environment”. That sounds like a stereotypical, laughable Berkeley initiative, but if you read the report to the council, you’ll probably change your mind. Balloons […]
On the agenda for the City Council
Tonight’s city council meeting has both substantive and symbolic items on the agenda. The council meeting is webcast from 7pm. There will be a first reading of an ordinance requiring employers with 10 or more employees to offer a pre-tax payroll deduction for commuter benefits. As part of the economic stimulus legislation passed in February, […]
Low-cost vaccine clinic for pets this Sunday
This Sunday, as part of Animal Shelter Awareness month, a vaccine and microchipping clinic for cats and dogs will be held outside the city’s animal shelter. Rabies, DHLPP, kennel cough, and FVRCP vaccines will be available for $10 each, but those in need will not be turned away for lack of funds. Microchips, which identify […]