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Council Topics Forum

Civil Sidewalks Ballot Measure
Should the City Council request that the City Manager draft ballot measure language for City Council consideration on July 10, 2012 amending the Municipal Code to restrict sitting on the sidewalk in all commercial zones in the City of Berkeley?

Closed Topics Forum

Consolidation of City Commissions
Should the City Council direct the City Manager to bring back necessary legislation to consolidate City commissions and adjust the meeting frequency for certain commissions in order to reduce resources allocated to commission work?
West Berkeley Project
Should the City Council adopt proposed West Berkeley Zoning Amendments to allow specific uses into "Protected Space" under certain conditions?
Premium Parking Zone
Should the Council establish a premium parking zone in the Downtown and increase the parking rate by $0.25 to $1.75 per hour?
Extension of Residential Preferential Parking Permit Zones
Should the City Council ask the City Manager to explore extending the area eligible for Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) permit zones to include the entire City of Berkeley?
FY2012 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Should the City approve the borrowing of $57,000,000 and the sale and issuance of Fiscal Year Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes?
Supporting Core Religious Practices Involving Male Circumcision and Condemning Bigotry
Should the City Council adopt the Peace & Justice Commission's Resolution condemning the "Foreskin man" comic books and urges backers of the San Francisco measure to do likewise and that any proposal that strikes directly at a core religious practice should not be welcomed when it is tainted by overt expressions of bigotry?
Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Fees
Should the City approve new fees and increase current fees for select recreation and marina education programs and facilities?
Marina Fee Increases
Should the City Council increase berthing and other related fees at the Berkeley Marina?
Official Visits for Army P.F.C. Bradley Manning
Should the City Council adopt the Peace & Justice Commission's Resolution urging President Obama to comply with existing laws and grant access to Army P.F.C. Bradley Manning for official visits?
Senior Center Rental Fees
Should the City Council increase facility rental fees?
Contracts for Landfill Disposal Services, and for Construction and Demolition Debris Sorting Services
Should the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a new contract and any amendments with Waste Management of Alameda County (WM): 1. for landfill disposal services, for a not- to-exceed amount of $32,740,168 for the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2026, and terminating the Waste Management Amended Contract No. 7665A. 2. for construction and demolition (C&D) debris sorting services for a not-to-exceed amount of $3,571,770 for the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014, with the option for two 1-year extensions?
Clemency Request and Release from Solitary Confinement for Leonard Peltier
Should the City Council send a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to release Leonard Peltier from solitary confinement and to grant executive clemency for Leonard Peltier?
Environmental Health Fees
Should the City Council increase fees by 11% for health permits, inspections and other services?
Closure of Guantanamo and Justic for Cleared Detainees
Should the City Council adopt a Resolution supporting the closure of the prison at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba (Guantánamo) in furtherance of our country’s national security interests and supporting justice for cleared detainees including removing Congressional and Homeland Security imposed bans on their movement?
Extension of Moratorium on Parking Meters on Adeline Street
Should the Moratorium on Charging for Parking at Meters on Adeline between Woolsey Street and Alcatraz Avenue be Extended?
Community Agency Funding
Should the Council Approve the City Manager's Recommendations for Community Agency Funding?
Preventative Towing and Street Sweeping Ticket Information
Should the Council refer to the City Manager for consideration the concept of providing towing and street sweeping information to help prevent costly accidental violations?
ZAB Appeal: 1760 Solano Avenue
Should the Council Approve the Decision of the Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) to allow the replacement of three existing antennas and one additional equipment cabinet?
Purchase of 10 Automated Refuse Trucks
Should the Council authorize the City Manager to purchase 10 automated drop-frame side-loader refuse trucks from Western Truck Center for an amount not to exceed $3,633,000?
Tenant Relocation Payments
Should the Berkeley City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing dollar amounts for the following relocation payments referenced in Section 13.84.070 of the revised ordinance: 1) per diem payments of $120 for a single person household, $135 for a two-person household and $166 per day for a household of three or more persons; 2) dislocation allowance of $400; 3) fixed payment for moving costs of $300; 4) fixed payment for storage costs of $200; and 5) reimbursement for pet boarding costs up to a maximum of $50 per day for dogs and $20 per day for cats?
City Fuel Operations Audit
Should the City Manager Implement the Auditor's Recommendations to Accurately Monitor the City's Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Usage ?
Status of Housing and Child Care Mitigation Fees
Should the Council accept the attached report and find that large office, retail, industrial and/or commercial projects continue to create new demand for affordable housing and child care that developers should be required to offset or mitigate?
Anti-Harassment Ordinance
Should the City Council refer to the City Manager consideration of establishing an ordinance like LA's to limit harassment?
Development Flexibility for Existing Public Libraries
Should a Zoning Amendment be Adopted to Allow Development Flexibility for Existing Public Libraries?
New DUI Policies
Should the City Council refer to the City Manager consideration of the establishment of a DUI ordinance similar to one in Oakley, CA where those convicted of a DUI must pay for all city expenses due to their DUI crime?
United Farm Workers Petition
Should the City Council Support the United Farm Workers Petition to End the Secure Communities Program?
Refuse Collection Fees
Should Berkeley increase the Residential and Commercial Refuse Collection Fees by the increase in the Bay Area Consumer Price Index?
Tenant Screening Fees
Should the City of Berkeley require property owners to disclose to applicants for rental housing, information regarding California state law requirements on the collection of apartment screening fees?
Restrict Location of Drug Stores
Should the City Council restrict the location of new or expanded drugstores to a minimum of 1000 ft of an existing drugstore?
Zoning Changes to Encourage Economic Development
Should the City Council adopt the first reading of an ordinance to streamline zoning permit requirements for certain business activities likely to encourage economic activity?
Auto Dealers on South Shattuck
Should the City Council refer to the Planning Commission a Zoning Ordinance amendment to allow automobile dealers to become a legal conforming use on South Shattuck Ave, including the ability to lease or purchase additional property if necessary?
West Berkeley Zoning
Should the City Council amend West Berkeley zoning to allow conversion of warehouse and/or wholesale spaces to other uses including research and development (R&D)?
Employment Rights for Domestic Care Workers
Should the City Council support AB 889 establishing employment rights for domestic care workers?
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Second Campus
Should Berkeley encourage the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to locate its second campus at one of three potential sites in West Berkeley?
Safe Resettlement of Cleared Guantanamo Detainees
Should the City Council Support the Resettlement of One or Two Guantanamo detainees to Berkeley?
A Cuppa of Tea
Should the City Council deny the appeal and affirm the decision of the Zoning Adjustments Board to allow a change of use at an existing commercial tenant space, from personal and household service use to quick-serve restaurant, which would exceed the numerical quota for quick-service restaurants in the Elmwood Commercial District?
Ecology Center Contract
Should the City Council adopt a Resolution amending Contract No. 8219-A with the Ecology Center, reducing the contract amount by $2,416,938 for a new, not to exceed, amount of $34,718,739 for the term January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2020?
FY 2011 Mid-Year Budget Revisions
Should the City Council adopt the City Manager's recommendations regarding the FY 2011 revenue shortfall of $1.8 million?
Topp Twins
Should the City Council adopt a Proclamation declaring the Topp Twins Honorary Citizens of the City of Berkeley?

2009 Council Archives Forum

Possible Ballot Measure for June 2010 Election - City Pools
Should the City Council submit a ballot measure to the voters, for up to $29 million, to reconstruct and upgrade the City's public pools?
Traffic Calming Policy Procedures
Should Berkeley establish a revised Traffic Calming Policy?
Evaluation of Speed Cushions
Should the City Council direct the City Manager to authorize Public Works Transportation staff to pursue pilot tests at three new locations?
Do Not Mail Registry
Should the Council support establishing a Do Not Mail Registry giving citizens the choice to stop unwanted commercial junk mail?
Withdrawal of US Armed Forces from Afghanistan
Should the Berkeley City Council adopt a resolution calling for the withdrawal of US Armed Forces and private contractors from Afghanistan and the cessation of drone attacks on Afghanistan and Pakistan?
Stop Light Timing:Tunnel & Oak Ridge
Is the timing of the stop light in Front of the Claremont Hotel on Tunnel Rd adequate for residences to safely exit Oak Ridge Rd?
Food Scrap Recycling Survey
1.Do you participate in Berkeley's food scrap recycling program? 2.If you do not participate, what are the obstacles preventing you from doing so? 3.Please share your suggestions on how to improve this important program.
Sweatshop-Free Procurement Ordinance
Should the City of Berkeley adopt a Sweatshop-Free Procurement ordinance for the City of Berkeley?
Downtown Area Plan and Associated General Plan Amendments
Should the City Council adopt the Planning Commission's proposed Downtown Area Plan?
Extension of Panoramic Hill Urgency Ordinance
Should the City Council extend the moratorium on the issuance of all discretionary permits or entitlements that would either create new building lots or authorize the construction of new residential structures or the addition of more than 200 square feet of floor area or any new rooms to existing structures for an additional 12 months?
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Application
Should the City of Berkeley submit a grant application for $1 million for the Berkeley Energy Initiative?
Marina Fee Increases for FY 2010
Should the City Council increase berth fees, dry storage and storage locker rental fees?
Fee Increase: Rental Housing Safety Program
Should the Berkeley City Council adopt a resolution increasing the Rental Housing Safety Program annual fee by $9 per unit per year, to $26 per unit per year, and by $4.50 per room per year, to $13 per room per year?
Fee Increases: Annual Fire Inspections and Fire Permits
Should the Berkeley City Council increase Fire Inspection and Permit Fees by an average of 10%?
Fees: Environmental Health Division
Should the City Council adopt a Resolution establishing fees for 2010 for permit and inspection and other services?
Berkeley Climate Action Plan
Should the Berkeley City Council approve a modified Climate Action Plan for the purpose of environmental review?
Supplemental Military Leave Compensation
Should the City Council extend the City's supplemental military leave compensation benefit to May 31, 2010?
Diane Griffin Day
Should the City Council issue a proclamation declaring Diane Griffin Day, and thanking her for helping identify overcharges of $289,000?
Foie Gras
Should the Berkeley City Council Adopt a Resolution urging Berkeley restaurants to remove foie gras from their menus?
Refuse Collection Rate Increase
Should the City increase refuse rates, subject to a majority protest vote?
Tree Planting Project Grant
Should the City Council authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application to Caltrans for the Berkeley Urban Reforestation Project for $210,700?
Pacific Steel Casting Odor Management Plan
Should the Berkeley City Council intervene in court to obtain disclosure of the Odor Management Plan for Pacific Steel Casting?
Proposition 1A
Should the Berkeley City Council adopt a Resolution opposing Proposition 1A of 2009; and request the City Manager to send copies of the resolution to the Alameda County Mayors and the Clerks of the Board of Supervisors in Alameda County and San Francisco County?
Verification of an Employee's Legal Status to Work
Should the Berkeley City Council adopt a resolution in support of a Assembly bill, which will prohibit state and local governments from requiring private employers to use a federal online program to verify an employee’s legal status to work in the USA?
Vehicle Storage and Towing Services
Should Berkeley contract with four towing companies for vehicle storage and towing and increase the contract by $25,000?
Parking Meters
Should the City of Berkeley install the surplus single-space meters, in other commercial areas without parking meters, to increase revenue which would help offset anticipated budget deficits?
Defer Development Fees
Should the City Council adopt a resolution to grant the City Manager authority to defer building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permit fees for new development projects and substantial remodels on a case-by-base basis if they meet certain criteria?
Graffiti Abatement
Should the City Council request that the City Manager convene a group of appropriate staff members to work with Councilmember Maio on developing a strategy to address the increase in graffiti vandalism?
15mph Speed Limit
Should the Berkeley City Council Request the City Manager to consider establishing a 15 mph speed limit on the streets around schools?
1820 Solano
Should the council affirm the Zoning Adjustment Board’s (ZAB’s) approval of a Use Permit to allow general office use, in one existing ground floor tenant space adjacent to street frontage at 1820 Solano Ave?
Increased Parking Fines
Should the City of Berkeley increase parking fines by $5/citation to re-coop loses from a recent State mandate to send $4.50 for every parking ticket back to the state?
Wireless Facilities
Should the Berkeley City Council adopt the first reading of an Ordinance repealing and reenacting Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 23C.17, Wireless Telecommunication Facilities...
21st Century Transport
Should the Berkeley City Council a) adopt a Resolution of support for U.S. PIRG 21st Century Transportation For America policy recommendations and b) urge President Barak Obama, U.S. Congress, California State Legislature and Governor Schwarzenhegger to support the policy recommendations.
Sidewalk Displays
Should the Berkeley City Council consider establishing an expedited permitting process to allow Sidewalk Merchandise Displays in retail areas, concurrent with the short-term strategies to address downtown vacancies?
Downtown Economic Developmt
Should the Berkeley City Council direct the Planning Commission to Initiate Near-Term Modifications to the Zoning Ordinance to Promote Downtown Economic Development?
Police Misconduct
Should the City of Berkeley should send a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service,...
War Resisters Day
Should the Berkeley City Council sponsor the 3rd Annual Celebration of Berkeley Conscientious Objectors and War Resisters Day...
2421 Ninth St
Should the council affirm the Zoning Adjustment Board’s (ZAB’s) approval of a Use Permit to allow the addition of a 1688 ft2, two-story dwelling unit at the rear of the property located at 2421 Ninth Street?
Police Misconduct (2)
Should the City of Berkeley should send a letter to the following offices and individual noted below denouncing the brutal use of law enforcement ...
Tibetan Flag
How would you recommend that the Council act regarding the request to raise the Tibetan flag on the city flagpole in Civic Center Park on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 to show solidarity with the people of Tibet and Tibetan support groups in commemoration of the Tibetan National Uprising Day?
Earthquake Shut-off Valves
Should the Berkeley City Council ask the City Manager to study the issue of requiring the installation of natural-gas, earthquake-shut-off valves in buildings in Berkeley in limited circumstances, and report back to the Council with specific recommendations?
Removal of Prohibition
Should the Berkeley City Council remove the prohibition on Carryout Food Stores and Quick Service Restaurants on University Ave between Oxford St and Martin Luther King Jr. Way?
2516 Ellsworth
Should Council affirm ZAB's approval of the project to renovate and enlarge the property at 2516 Ellsworth?
Efren Paredes, Jr
Should Council send a letter to Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm in support of the immediate release of Efren Paredes, Jr., condemning his sentence, juvenile life in prison without parole, as a human rights violation in contravention of various treaties.

2008 Council Archives Forum

Disaster Preparedness Tax
Should the City Council place a fire & disaster preparedness parcel tax on the November 2008 Ballot?
Pools Bond Measure
Should the City Council place a pools bond measure on the November 2008 Ballot?
Library Safety Bond Measure
Should the City Council place a library seismic safety bond measure on the November 2008 ballot?

2011 Council Achives Forum

Failing Streets: Time to Change Direction to Achieve Sustainability
Should the City Council request that the City Manager report back by September 11, 2012, and every six months thereafter, regarding the status of the audit recommendations until reported fully implemented?
Honor the Live and Memory of the Chiricahua Apache Leader Geronimo
Should the City Council adopt a Resolution joining with the nation in honoring the life of Goyathlay, his extraordinary bravery, and his commitment to the defense of his homeland, his people, and Apache ways of life; consider the auto-biography of Goyathlay an historic document of critical significance which American schools should include in their curriculums; send a letter to President Barack Obama calling on him to issue a formal apology to the Chiricahua Apache people and to the indigenous peoples of these lands of the United States for the misuse of the name Geronimo in the military operation that killed the terrorist Osama bin Laden; and call on President Barack Obama to direct the nation to cease using the title Operation Geronimo and instead use the title Operation bin Laden?