7 months of COVID-19: Berkeley reports impacts, lessons learned
The City Manager’s office will present a report outlining the city’s multi-departmental response to COVID-19.
In brief
City
Top Stories
Update: PG&E outages pared back but Berkeley still wants residents to be on high alert and be ready to evacuate
The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation makes for extremely dangerous conditions, city officials said.
Independent expenditure campaigns spend big to influence rent board, District 2 city council race
By law, independent expenditure campaigns must act independently of the candidates they are backing. They can’t communicate or even coordinate with those running for office.
Election resources
In brief
Heads up, Berkeley voters: You now have 6 ballot boxes to choose from
This week, Alameda County added four new 24-hour ballot boxes in Berkeley.
All the essentials — A guide to voting in Berkeley in the 2020 election
Who can vote. How to register to vote. Where, when and how to vote. How to track your ballot. And why you should never leave a polling place without voting.
Who is running for office in November? Here’s a list of every Berkeley candidate
There are 12 seats at play, including the mayor’s office, four City Council positions, two School Board positions and five on the Rent Stabilization Board.
Watch: Election 2020 candidate events in Berkeley
We’re keeping track of forums featuring candidates and issues on the Nov. 3 ballot. Watch the recordings here once the events are over.
Coronavirus
Crowds are scarier than creepy costumes: Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos adapt in a pandemic
Masks may be the only constant from past years for fall celebrations upended by COVID-19.
As COVID-19 cases decline, elementary schools and some other services may re-open with restrictions
The city is increasing testing availability to help schools open as soon as Oct. 13. Nail salons, tattoo parlors and other personal services may open Oct. 9.
After six months of no gigs, ‘front porch’ music returns to Berkeley’s Back Room
Live music is returning downtown with regular, socially-distanced performances at The UC Theatre, Bobby G’s, and a planned Freight & Salvage ‘tour’ of downtown parklets.
UC Berkeley may ban walking, biking and running through campus
The ban on outside visitors is in response to a state recommendation that universities limit visitors as much as possible. It is unclear how much Cal intends to enforce the new guidelines, however.
Housing
Real estate interests spend heavily to support property-friendly rent board candidates
There is a full slate of five property owner-oriented candidates running for the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board — and real estate interests are backing them big time.
Election 2020: Rent board candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet the 12 Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
In brief
Affordable senior housing project breaks ground in North Berkeley
A new affordable senior housing project next to All Souls Episcopal Parish broke ground in North Berkeley on Wednesday.
Planning Commission approves Adeline plan with 100% affordable housing goal
The commission says the percentage is not a requirement, but an aspiration. Community and BART talks are ongoing.
Homelessness
Workers haul 35 tons of debris out of Seabreeze encampment but campers remain
Berkeley only cleaned up one half of the encampment because of what it says is lack of cooperation from Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol.
In brief
Seabreeze homeless encampment cleanup underway in West Berkeley
Berkeley city workers are on the scene Sunday doing a long-planned cleanup at the Seabreeze homeless encampment by the on-ramp to westbound Interstate 80.
The last four years in Berkeley have been challenging, but Jesse ArreguĂn says he is ready for more
He has had to deal with the “Battle for Berkeley,” homelessness, Trump’s saber-rattling against sanctuary cities and the pandemic.
To make sure everyone is counted in the census, volunteers canvass Berkeley homeless encampments
Community volunteers and census workers say the U.S. Census Bureau’s count has a host of planning issues.
Transportation
In brief
Help Berkeley decide how to spend $50M in parks, paving, seismic improvements
The city of Berkeley is hosting five public meetings this month to collect public input on how to spend more than $50 million in Measure T1 money. They kick off tonight, Oct. 1.
In brief
Gilman roundabouts construction set to begin in late 2020
A project to build two huge roundabouts to replace the chaotic intersections on Gilman Street at Interstate 80 in West Berkeley is set to begin by the end of the year.
In brief
AC Transit will give free masks, sanitizer to riders
The bus agency is adding an extra layer of health and safety precautions to keep passengers safe.
Ashby, North Berkeley top BART’s list of stations to build housing faster
Berkeley’s efforts to help lead the charge to build hundreds of new apartments at the Ashby and North Berkeley BART stations have landed the city at the top of the transit agency’s list for short-term development plans.
Berkeley City Council
Look up your council district. See the Berkeley City Council roster. Review council meeting agendas.
Firefighters pour money into Berkeley ballot measure that would raise $8.5 million a year
Supporters have contributed $44,000 to Measure FF. It would raise property taxes to improve 911 service and help prepare Berkeley for disasters, they say. Opponents contend there are no controls on the fund.
Berkeley will be first in the nation to ban candy, soda at checkout aisles
City Council passed an ordinance banning unhealthy food from checkstands at large retailers. In March 2021, stores like Whole Foods and Berkeley Bowl will have to replace chips and candy with healthier options.
Berkeley’s first police chief supported eugenics, prompting calls to rename Vollmer Peak
August Vollmer has long been lauded for the innovations he brought to policing. But revelations about some of his beliefs are making people reexamine his legacy.
Recent stories
Some Berkeley voters still don’t have their ballots; Berkeleyside is trying to find out why
The Alameda County registrar of voters mailed ballots to 78,000 Berkeley residents in early October, but some have not been delivered yet.
Election complaints filed against ArreguĂn and Hsiung mayoral campaigns
Critical information about who is paying for campaign materials is missing, the complaints state.
4 years of experience or a fresh start: What do South Berkeley voters want?
South Berkeley voters will have to decide whether they are happy with the leadership of four-year incumbent Ben Bartlett, or whether they want something new.
Affordable, transit-oriented housing is key issue in District 5 race, where newcomers challenge Sophie Hahn
The three candidates align on many issues, like affordable housing and public transit, but have different methods to accomplish these goals.
In Berkeley Hills council race, wildfires, housing and disaster response are the hot topics
Incumbent Susan Wengraf and challenger Richard Illgen both have decades of experience, but differ on the best approaches to address Berkeley’s challenges.
