Measure M Conclusion, Surveys, and More Berkeley News
Eviction Moratorium Transition Period to Begin May 1st
At the March 21, 2023 City Council meeting an ordinance was adopted to “transition” and then end the COVID 19 Emergency Response Ordinance, otherwise referred to as the Eviction Moratorium. The transition period, May 1, 2023 – August 31, 2023, will allow for property owners who own just one residential property in Berkeley to initiate Owner Move In Evictions, and will allow for evictions to proceed for non-payment of rent after the “covered period” ends April 30, 2023. During the transition period, tenants who are unable to pay some or all of the rent due in May, June, July or August 2023 because of an impact related to COVID, will still be protected from eviction if they submit a declaration to the housing provider. Additional funds have been added to the local rent relief program and those facing a hardship in paying rent should contact the Eviction Defense Center at (510) 452-4541 and ask for Eric Magaña or Jose Morales. For more information related to these changes and for a copy of the declaration form, please visit the Rent Board website page.
Measure M Bond Funds Dozens of Projects
Dozens of streets were repaved or reconstructed thanks to funding from Measure M.
In 2012, Berkeley voters approved Measure M, a $30 million bond for street and watershed improvements and integrated green infrastructure. Over the past twelve years, 63 street improvements and 11 green infrastructure projects were funded with Measure M funds, with the final allocations now completed. Goals and priorities for the use of these funds were driven by a robust community process, with representatives from the Public Works Commission, Community Environmental Advisory Commission, Transportation Commission, and Parks & Waterfront Commission hosting community meetings to share ideas and gather public input. Highlights of projects funded by Measure M include:
Reconfiguration of Shattuck Avenue, improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
Improvements to Adeline Street, stretching nearly a mile from Ashby Avenue to Derby Street, including protected bike lanes, bus boarding islands, and high visibility crosswalks.
Panoramic Hill Rehabilitation, covering 1.3 miles of pavement, including drainage, sidewalks, retaining walls, and related infrastructure.
Repaving and reconstruction of dozens of streets throughout the City.
Various green infrastructure projects, including rain gardens at Presentation Park and Vine and Spruce, a bioswale at Rose and Hopkins, and permeable pavers on Milvia along Hopkins and Eunice.
Thanks to Measure M, we have been able to improve City streets, protect neighborhoods from flooding, reduce pollution, and improve water quality. For a complete list of projects completed with Measure M funds, click here.
Learn About ADUs at the 2023 Homeowners Fair
The City of Berkeley is co-sponsoring the 2023 Homeowners Fair, hosted by the Alameda County Assessor’s Office. The event, which takes place on Saturday, May 6th from 10am-12pm at the Berkeley Adult School (1701 San Pablo Avenue), will focus on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages and secondary units. Berkeley City Staff will be in attendance to answer your questions about ADUs and go over the steps on how to build one. The event is free, but registration is required. If you have questions or need special accommodations, contact 2023Fair@acgov.org.
Cal Move Out
With UC Berkeley’s Spring Semester coming to an end on May 12, Cal Move Out is just around the corner. A coordinated effort involving multiple stakeholders, including the City, University, and Student organizations are making sure that the Move Out is safe and sustainable. In 2022, 180,000 pounds of furniture and over 800 mattresses were recycled, mostly through Cooperative Reuse. This year, from May 19-30 at 10am-5pm at the Clark Kerr Campus southwest parking lot, students who are moving out can drop off unwanted furniture, in addition to unopened, unexpired food and electronic waste. Anyone can pick up furniture at this site.
Illegal dumping can cause dangerous conditions and result in fines of up to $1,000. Enforcement of illegal dumping is being strictly enforced this year. Whether you live in a dorm, Greek Housing, or off-campus housing, there are options for you to safely dispose of unwanted items. For more details, visit the Cal Move Out website.
New Chipper Program Reservations Available
As part of the Fire Department’s efforts to improve vegetation management and mitigating wildfire risks, Berkeley residents are entitled to free curbside chipping, pickup, and disposal of vegetation material from residential properties. This replaces the previous chipper program run by the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department.
Reservations from the Chipper Program are now open, and will continue for the next 21 weeks. Appointments can only be made through this form (cannot be done over 311). For more details on what materials are accepted and FAQs, click here.
Traffic Safety Data Now Available on Transparency Hub
The Berkeley Police Department has launched a new Traffic Safety page on BPD’s Transparency Hub. The Transparency Hub was launched last year to provide the public easily accessible data, including information on calls for service, use of force, and information collected as part of the California Racial and Identity Profiling Act. The new page provides data on calls for service, reported collisions, and traffic stop data. The page also features a survey where community members can submit a traffic safety concern to the BPD Traffic Bureau.
Become a Fire Department Volunteer Ambassador
This year, the Berkeley Fire Department is looking for community ambassadors to interact with residents living in high fire danger areas. With a goal of reaching out to 8,500 households this fire season, the Ambassador Program will help BFD tailor outreach to each situation and collect valuable information on which households need assistance or present the most significant challenges.
Responsibilities of the Ambassadors are:
Canvassing the Berkeley Hills (knocking on doors and talking to residents)
Attending community events to distribute information
Tracking resident concerns about requirements and local codes
Surveying residents about defensible space
Click here for more information and to apply.
Participate in Surveys to Improve Transit and Infrastructure
Take these two surveys to provide feedback on AC Transit and Berkeley's streets and infrastructure.
In response to changing ridership patterns as a result of the pandemic, AC Transit is conducting a survey to get community feedback to plan a new bus service network. This is part of the AC Transit Realign, which aims to evaluate existing service and analyze post-pandemic revenue losses, funding shortfalls, and Bus Operator workforce challenges. 100 people will be selected at random to win a $50 Visa gift card. To fill out the survey, click here.
To help the City of Berkeley better address the community’s needs and concerns around infrastructure, an anonymous survey has been created to gather input on resident’s motivations around how they voted on 2022’s Measure L, the proposed $650 million infrastructure and affordable housing bond that failed to meet the 2/3rds threshold needed for approval. Please fill out this survey by May 10th to help us better understand how to move forward with future infrastructure funding opportunities.
Berkeley Streets Criterium Race this Sunday
Street closures on Oxford Street will take place to accommodate the race. Photo Credit: Berkeley Bicycle Club
The annual Berkeley Streets Criterium Cycling event returns to UC Berkeley on Sunday, April 30th. Limited road closures, namely Oxford Street between Center Street and University Avenue, will take place between 5am-9pm. Pro and top-level amateurs will race in the late afternoon. Traffic detours will direct traffic from Oxford Street to Shattuck Avenue and Kala Bagai Way. This is the second race of a two day event, with the first event taking place in the Berkeley Hills in Orinda. Spectators are welcome to watch the April 30th event, which takes place on a short circuit along UC Berkeley’s West Crescent. For questions, contact Bryan Kao of Cal Cycling at kaob1@berkeley.edu.