Berkeley Weekly Update - 11/7/23

COVID-19: New Health Order for Healthcare Workers

A new Health Order is now in effect that will last through April 30, 2024. This Health Order requires that staff in healthcare facilities and EMS workers to have both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine, or if they are not vaccinated, to wear high-quality, well-fitting masks such as a N-95 mask. Berkeley’s Health Order mirrors Alameda County’s, and similar orders are also in effect in most Bay Area counties. While this Health Order only applies to healthcare staff, everyone is encouraged to stay up to date with vaccinations and wear a well-fitted mask in appropriate settings based on personal risk factors, especially if you or someone you live with is vulnerable to COVID-19.

Cases of contagious respiratory viruses rise during the holiday and winter season. The best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated. Every year, an updated flu vaccine is provided based on the most prominent strains. Similarly, a new COVID-19 vaccine has recently been approved which provides protection against the latest major variants. New this year is a vaccine for RSV, which is recommended for adults 60 and over and infants 19 months and younger (the two age groups at highest risk to severe illness from RSV). Consult your healthcare provider to book an appointment. Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time.

Global Economic Outlook on City Finances

No city is in a bubble, and the state of macroeconomics has an impact locally. Our Finance Department is monitoring national and international economic conditions to help forecast local conditions. Over the past couple of years, high interest rates have been implemented to tackle inflation. While these efforts have had success in cooling down inflation and the job market, it can have a negative effect on other economic factors such as the sale of property, which in turn can result in less revenue for the City. Recent national economic indications have resulted in a pause in further increases to interest rates, and supply and demand conditions which became unstable during the pandemic are becoming more balanced.

The global economy is expected to slow down through 2024, despite the resilience of the US economy. International conflicts, inflation, and tightening monetary policy has contributed towards market volatility. Despite the uncertainty of where the global economy is heading, Berkeley remains in a solid position, with sales tax and unemployment now at pre-pandemic levels.

The City Budget was adopted in June 2023, with a mid-year update known as the Annual Appropriations Ordinance (AAO) now underway. This is done to make tweaks to the budget based on updated revenue and expenses projections and can provide an opportunity to fund projects and programs that could not be fulfilled during the June budget process. The next Budget Committee will take place on November 16th, with Council adopting the AAO update on December 12.

Streamlining 311 Customer Service

Making a request to the City is now easier than ever. Our 311 number (510-981-2489) has been improved to provide department, division, and service information. This means that instead of going through 311 and waiting to get a call transferred, you can go to the appropriate department directly on the first call. This will reduce call transfers, reducing the time it takes to get connected to city staff.

In the month of October, 311 had 7,624 customer interactions, including nearly 5,000 phone calls. The top category for calls was related to financing/billing, followed by general city services and public works calls.

Improvements to Local Parks

Berkeley Project Day took place on November 4th, where the City partners with UC Berkeley students to volunteer by cleaning up, beautifying, and landscaping in City Parks and other locations. Each year, the Berkeley Project devotes approximately 12,000 hours of volunteer time, saving over $400,000 in labor costs. This semester, volunteers worked at 17 different sites maintained by the Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront (PRW) Department, including James Kenney Park, Strawberry Creek Park, Berkeley Rose Garden, Aquatic Park, Ohlone Park, and San Pablo Park.

PRW has also completed several projects across the City over the past couple of weeks, including renovations to the Berkeley Way mini-park, resurfacing ball courts at James Kenney Park and Codornices Park, ADA improvements at Aquatic Park, and have begun planting 250 trees at west side of Aquatic Park along the freeway.

Holiday Party Save the Date

The Mayor’s Office will be hosting its 3rd annual holiday party on Friday, December 15 in the evening. Stay tuned for more details, including the location and exact timing. Be sure to wear an ugly sweater!