Happy New Year from the Berkeley Mayor’s Office

Mayor Jesse Arreguin and the Mayor’s Office staff wish you and your family a happy and prosperous new year. We look forward to working for you in 2020.

A reminder that the Mayor’s Office will be closed until January 2, 2020. If you have an emergency please call 510-981-5911 or for a city service request please call 311.

New Local Laws in Effect Starting January 2020

In July this year, the Berkeley City Council adopted groundbreaking legislation to prohibit natural gas infrastructure in newly constructed buildings. This ordinance, the first in the nation, is in response to the growing movement to phase out fossil fuels, and in recognition of the health and safety concerns over natural gas, including leaks and pipeline explosions. Last year, the City Council adopted a Fossil Fuel Free Berkeley resolution setting the goal of being a fossil fuel free city by 2030. Decarbonization of buildings and transportation are key goals of Berkeley’s 2009 Climate Action Plan. I want to thank Councilmember Kate Harrison for authoring this important law.

The natural gas ban takes effect January 1, 2020, and new buildings which submit building permit applications will be subject to these requirements.

Also taking effect January 1st, the Single Use Foodware and Litter Reduction Ordinance will phase out plastic disposable foodware. The ordinance seeks to reduce plastic waste which ends up in storm drains, San Francisco Bay, and ocean. All disposable foodware and accessory disposable foodware items must be certified compostable. Additionally, food vendors will charge $0.25 for every disposable cup provided. As with reusable bags, customers are encouraged to bring their own cups.

The Lobbyist Registration Act goes into effect on January 1st. Every local governmental lobbyist must register prior to any lobbying activity taking place. An annual registration fee of $500 is required (exempt for non-profits). Lobbyists can register on the online portal. This Act will promote greater transparency by providing the public with information on who is a lobbyist and their interactions with local officials.

Mid-Year Budget Focuses on Equity, Safety, and Sustainability

On December 3rd, the City Council approved the Mayor’s recommendations for mid-year budget allocations. This action builds on the work of the Council over the past three years to prioritize long-term fiscal health, while addressing critical needs such as public safety, housing, and homelessness.

Among the many recommendations, the Council approved $550,000 for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for vegetation management and the Safe Passages Program. To address the growing danger of collisions on city streets, and in line with the Vision Zero policy, the Council allocated an additional $275,000 for pedestrian safety and street improvements throughout Berkeley.

The Council approved an additional $200,000 to address environmental and health concerns resulting from illegal dumping. This funding supplements state grants which the City received to address illegal dumping and sanitation around homeless encampments.

Other highlights in the budget include $250,000 for environmental review of future development at the North Berkeley and Ashby BART stations, as part of a collaboration between the City and BART for the construction of affordable and environmentally friendly transit-orientated development. $60,000 is being spent to continue the City’s inclement weather shelter, providing 65 beds during times of wet or cold weather or poor air quality. Separately, the Council also voted that evening on the first round of Measure P allocations, providing millions of dollars for various homeless services and programs.

The Mayor’s recommendations come after receiving months of community input while balancing the requests from Councilmembers to provide geographic equity. The full list of recommendations can be found in the Mayor’s mid-year budget message.

Statewide Coalition Calls for Ending Fossil Fuel Reliance

Berkeley has long been leading the way on environmental policy. We were the first city to introduce curbside recycling in the 1970s and the first to ban styrofoam in the 1980s. More recently, we have made headlines for our actions on single use disposables (cups, straws, etc) and eliminating natural gas in new construction. But as the threat of climate change becomes more severe, more action is needed beyond what any city can do alone.

A few weeks ago, a press conference was held in front of City Hall by Elected Officials to Protect California. Berkeley was chosen as the location due to its environmental stewardship. The purpose was to promote a campaign to phase out fossil fuels in California. I have joined over 300 elected officials in signing onto a letter calling on the Governor to:

End the issuance of permits for new fossil fuel projects, including permits for new oil and gas wells, infrastructure for fossil fuels, and petrochemical projects in California.
Design a swift, managed decline of all fossil fuel production, starting with a 2,500-foot human health and safety buffer zone around all homes, hospitals, schools, playgrounds and farms to protect public health and address the severe environmental injustice of production in low-income communities and communities of color.
Commit the state to 100% clean, renewable energy in all sectors, starting with significant investments in disadvantaged communities and areas that are already suffering the most from the worst impacts of fossil fuel extraction and climate change.

For more information on what we are doing to address climate change, read my blog posted in the East Bay Times.

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal against Berkeley's Right to Know Ordinance

In a victory for the City of Berkeley and for the public’s health and safety, on December 9th the United States Supreme Court rejected a challenge by CTIA – The Wireless Association on the City’s historic “Right to Know” Ordinance. Passed unanimously by the City Council in May 2015, the Ordinance requires cell phone retailers to provide customers a notice stating that carrying a cell phone may exceed federal guidelines for radio frequency exposure. The ordinance requires posted signage and a written disclosure based on the language already approved by the federal FCC on safe exposure guidelines.

CTIA originally filed a lawsuit a month after the Council vote, ultimately reaching the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In a 2-1 decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the ordinance was constitutional, stating that “far from conflicting with federal law and policy, the Berkeley ordinance complemented and enforced it”.

The Ordinance went into effect in March 2016. With the court challenge resolved, other cities are expressing interest in passing similar ordinances. Thank you to the Berkeley City Attorney’s office and outside counsel, Professor Lawrence Lessig, for their excellent work in defending the ordinance and the public’s right to know.

Be Counted - 2020 US Census Coming Up

The decennial US Census will take place in April 2020, but work behind the scenes has been going on for some time. As we get closer to the date, the Census is looking to hire 1,000 census takers in Alameda County. Counting all residents is crucial to receive federal funding and services, and ensuring that we have fair and proportional legislative districts on all levels of government, from City Council to Congress.

Berkeley faces several challenges in our ability to count everyone. Historically, there have been undercounts in Berkeley of students, seniors, and unhoused individuals. For each person not counted, local communities lose nearly $10,000 in funding over the next ten years. This year will be the first time residents can fill out the census online, in addition to by mail or phone. To help prevent undercounts, it is strongly encouraged for local residents to apply for a job. People are less likely to be undercounted when census workers live in the communities that they are counting. Click here if you are interested in applying for a job in the US Census. Applications are due December 31st.

Discovered in Berkeley Shows City's Ingenuity and Creativity

By highlighting companies that speak to our City’s values and contribute to our community character, the Discovered in Berkeley campaign inspires pride among Berkeley’s residents and business owners about Berkeley’s incredible businesses. During the course of this campaign, 12 businesses will be highlighted.

Our @DiscoveredinBerkeley campaign continues to highlight local businesses enriching our community and building a better world. The latest company to be featured, Urban Ore, is part of “The Upcycle” theme, which builds upon Berkeley’s strength in the “green economy” and leadership with waste reduction. The article demonstrates our Office of Economic Development’s commitment to supporting environmentally responsible businesses as well as companies considering becoming worker-owned cooperatives as a strategy for business continuity. Learn more about OED’s support for local businesses on the OED website or check out www.DiscoveredInBerkeley.com to see what Berkeley businesses are up to.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

9th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration

Monday, January 20, 2020, 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Pauley Ballroom, MLK Student Union, UC Berkeley

Join us for the 9th annual Berkeley Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration, a new tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. This year’s theme is “Where do we go from here - chaos or community?” This theme is taken from the title of Dr. King’s final book, which encourages unity in a time of division and hope in a time of despair. Click here to purchase tickets.