Berkeley votes to give its mayor and City Council members significant pay raises
The salaries of the mayor and City Council members will increase by 75%, thanks to the apparent passage of Measure JJ.
In brief
Berkeley City Council
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Berkeley hopes new Ceasefire program will curb violence
Citing an “alarming rise in shootings” this year, officials pledged Tuesday night to work to create a new Ceasefire program designed to “address gun violence” in Berkeley.
Annual crime report sees shootings rise for the third straight year
The 2020 Berkeley crime report shows that shootings have risen as other crimes have dropped.
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.
Berkeley may start fining people $100 when they don’t wear face masks
Currently, the city must seek a criminal prosecution to do anything other than warn people to wear masks. A proposed ordinance will allow officials to hand out an administrative citation instead.
In brief
Berkeley residents can now apply to oversee mapmaking for election districts
The citizens’ commission will be in charge of reviewing maps for the eight City Council districts, revised every 10 years after the census.
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.
‘The leadership that came from the streets has been decapitated’: Deaths of 5 homeless advocates in a year leaves a void
The loss of so many leading Berkeley activists who worked to give unsheltered people a greater say in their living conditions is sorely felt, but the fight will go on, say advocates.
In brief
Barbara Brust spends her time helping those who are unsheltered. Now she needs the help
Brust runs Consider the Homeless which delivers soup, food and groceries to those living on the streets of Berkeley. She now has advanced cancer and needs funds for her medical care.
What’s on the Berkeley ballot? Pay raises for mayor and council, Uber surcharge, new police oversight, more
There will be eight Berkeley measures on the Nov. 3 ballot. Here’s what to expect.
