Marina Improvements, Back to School, and More Berkeley News
State of California Awards Berkeley $15 Million for Marina Improvements
Recent improvements to the Marina include reconstruction of University Avenue and traffic safety improvements.
The Berkeley Marina serves as an important recreational area, being home to over 100 acres of open space and seven miles of trails enjoyed by residents in Berkeley and throughout the region. The Marina has over $200 million in infrastructure assets, but over $100 million in needed repairs, such as the replacement of the closed Municipal Pier. In recent years, over $26 million has been invested to improve critical capital investments, including repaving failing streets, dock replacements, electrical upgrades and restroom improvements.
Last year, I joined Councilmembers Rashi Kesarwani, Terry Taplin, and Rigel Robinson in working with state representatives to secure $15 million in state funding to rebuild our Pier and improve our Waterfront. Thanks to the hard work and leadership of our State Senator, Nancy Skinner and State Assemblymember, Buffy Wicks, the state budget adopted in June included $15 Million for Waterfront improvements. These funds will be used for a variety of high-priority capital improvement projects to ensure the vitality and longevity of the Marina. This includes replacement of multiple docks and pilings, replacing a failed parking lot, reconstructing the Cesar Chavez perimeter path, and improvements to ensure safe passage of boats entering and exiting the Marina.
Another major project that funds could be spent on is the replacement of the Pier. Additionally, the Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan is currently underway, which aims to build on the Waterfront as a destination for boating, water recreation, walking, biking, and other forms of landside recreation. In addition, an ancillary but not primary goal, is to ensure that the Marina Fund long term is financially stable and to make critical improvements to infrastructure to adapt to the threat of climate change. The BMASP is a three-year process expected to be completed in 2024 which is guided by community input including from Waterfront stakeholders. However the City has already confirmed, in response to numerous concerns, that no development will occur at Cesar Chavez Park. For more information on how you can get involved, click here.
North Berkeley Senior Center Reopening
On July 28, 2022, the North Berkeley Senior Center (NBSC) reopened when 200 residents got a preview of the newly renovated facility at the official ribbon cutting ceremony. NBSC was closed for several years while it went through an extensive renovation to make it seismically safe, upgrade meeting rooms and other amenities, and make it more sustainable and energy efficient. During this time senior meal services and activities were relocated to the South Berkeley Senior Center and West Berkeley Service Center.
Improvements include a seismic retrofit of the building so it can continue to operate after an earthquake. NBSC is a designated care and shelter site, and partial funding from the project came from a FEMA grant, in addition to funding from 2016’s voter approved Measure T1 bond.
Currently, NBSC is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. There are currently a few classes with limited capacity, in addition to general information and assistance. In the future, hours as well as classes and other programming will be expanded, including meal programs. As this facility primarily serves seniors, maintaining a safe and healthy environment is paramount. Therefore, all visitors must be fully vaccinated and wear a facemask while indoors. For more information on the services offered, contact the North Berkeley Senior Center at 510-981-5190.
COVID-19 and Monkeypox Updates
COVID-19
As of Tuesday, August 29, there have been 19,782 cases of COVID-19 in Berkeley. Over the last 30 days, there were 661 cases, and we are currently averaging 16 cases over the last seven days. The case rate, which is based on last week’s numbers, is 19.3 cases per 100,000 residents per day. Test positivity is at 5.7%, which is down 34% over the last month. Total hospitalizations are also on the decline and ICU numbers remain stable. All recent hospitalizations have been residents older than 50, which is why getting a second booster shot is important for those eligible. Approximately 65 Berkeley residents have died from COVID-19 to date, with 9 deaths recorded so far in 2022, the latest one occurring on August 7, 2022. 95% of Berkeley residents are fully vaccinated, with 87% of vaccinated people receiving at least one booster.
While it is too early to know if another surge will occur in the winter, it is a likely probability given that conditions are more favorable for spread in the winter, as the last two years saw a surge. Also, there is an increased chance of more localized outbreaks over the next couple of weeks with school back in session. Cases in BUSD and UC Berkeley will be monitored closely over the next few weeks. A new vaccine that targets the Omicron sub variants recently received authorization from the FDA paving the way for mass distribution of boosters for adults.
Monkeypox/MPX
As of Tuesday, August 30, there have been 3,624 cases of Monkeypox (also known as MPX) in California since the outbreak began in May. 174 cases have been reported in Alameda County. While anyone can catch MPX, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, 97.4% of cases in California have been in men, of which around 85% self identify as gay and around 10% self identify as bisexual. MPX is not solely a sexually transmitted disease, but 94% of cases reported nationally have been connected to sexual activity.
Cases across the country are on the decline since peaking in early August, with similar trends being seen internationally. However, it is too early to know if these trends are permanent or if case numbers will rebound. A decline in cases can be attributed to behavioral changes within communities most at risk, and the proliferation of vaccines within those communities.
Improving Street Safety for Back to School
Berkeley High School is one of many schools that has seen traffic safety improvements under the Bright Streets Initiative.
School is now back in session for the Berkeley Unified School District, Berkeley City College, and UC Berkeley for the 2022/23 academic year. As part of our efforts to achieve our Vision Zero goals, last year Council approved the Bright Streets Initiative introduced by Councilmember Sophie Hahn. This policy requires the painting of all crosswalks, midlines, bike lanes, curbs, and other street markings, in addition to clarifying and improving traffic signage in areas around Berkeley public schools.
The Public Works Department does an annual assessment of the aforementioned conditions around schools. This assessment follows the prioritization throughout the year of service requests around schools, and is supplemented by staff’s understanding of the unique needs and conditions of the streets and sidewalks around each school. This year’s review resulted in improvements at Cragmont, Oxford, Rosa Parks, Ruth Acty, and Washington Elementary Schools and Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. Previously, improvements under this program have been made at Emerson, John Muir, Malcolm X, Thousand Oaks, and Washington Elementary Schools and Berkeley High School.
For requests to improve pavement, markings, curb paint, signage, and other traffic safety features in the streets and sidewalks near a school, please use the City’s 311 service.
Berkeley Businesses to Switch to 100% Solar and Wind Energy
Starting in October, Berkeley businesses will be powered through 100% renewable sources. Earlier this year, residential customers and City facilities joined EBCE’s Renewable 100 plan. This is being provided through East Bay Community Energy, our local clean energy provider which provides green, locally-sourced electricity to cities in Alameda County and San Joaquin County. Renewable 100 is just that 100% renewable with energy from solar and wind sources. The cost of complete green energy is just 2.3% more than PG&E rates. No action is required for this transition to take place, but people do have the option to opt-out.
To learn more and ask business-specific questions about the service changes, join an upcoming online webinar hosted by EBCE. This will take place on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 9 a.m. Register here.
Carbon emissions from electricity usage in Berkeley have plummeted over the past decade due to our focus on ditching fossil fuels and embracing wind and solar, and this latest action will bring us a step closer to net zero. The transition to Renewable 100 is critical for the City to achieve its climate action goals.
We Need You! Apply to Serve on a City Board or Commission
The City of Berkeley has dozens of boards and commissions that give Berkeley residents a direct role to shape city policies. Most commissions are advisory to the Council, who as the legislative branch of the city, has ultimate policy authority. However some have quasi-judicial functions and make decisions on permits, landmarking applications, police complaints and enforcement of various city laws.
Currently there are a number of vacancies on various commissions which make it challenging for them to meet and conduct important business. Most commissions meet 10 times a year, however some meet on a monthly or even bi-weekly basis. Visit the Boards and Commissions webpage to learn more about different commissions, their responsibilities and meeting schedules.
Mayor Arreguin has a number of vacancies on various commissions and is looking for applications from interested Berkeley residents.
The Mayor currently has openings on the following Commissions:
Commission on Aging
Commission on Disability
Commission on the Status of Women
Elmwood BID Advisory Board
Fair Campaign Practices Commission/Open Government Commission
Human Welfare & Community Action
Peace & Justice Commission
Personnel Board
Solano Avenue BID Advisory Board
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Product Panel of Experts
Zero Waste Commission
Other Council offices also have vacancies across multiple Commissions. You do not have to be a resident of a Councilmember’s district to be their Commissioner, the main requirement is to be a Berkeley resident. Some commissions however like the Elmwood Advisory Board, FCPC, Solano BID and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Panel have specific membership requirements and separate applications. For a full list of vacancies, to apply for a Commission, and for more information on each Commission, click here.
If you are interested in serving as the Mayor’s appointee on any of these commissions please send a pdf of your signed application form and your resume to Lars Skjerping in the Mayor’s office at LSkjerping@cityofberkeley.info. We will follow up to schedule an interview to discuss your qualifications and interest.
Council District Lines Have Changed- Know Your District This Election
Earlier this year, the City of Berkeley Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) approved a new district map for the Berkeley City Council. This was the first time the IRC was responsible for this decennial process, after voters approved Measure W1 in 2016 to establish an redistricting independent commission. While the new map, which will be in place for the next ten years, is similar to the previous map, some people have been moved to different districts to maintain equal population among the eight districts as required by federal law. To find out what district you live in, type in your address with the Council District Lookup Tool or by looking at the new Council district map.
This November, City Councilmembers in Districts 1, 4, 7, and 8 are up for election, in addition to the City Auditor. Council Districts 2, 3, 5, and 6 will be up for election in 2024, in addition to the Mayor. The School Board and Rent Board elections, which have around half their seats up for election every two years, are citywide and are not affected by Council district maps. District maps have also changed on State and Federal levels. The City of Berkeley is located in Assembly District 14, State Senate District 7, and Congressional District 12.