Opinion: What Elisa Cooper taught me about the history of the affordable...
The Council is reneging on its 2006 pledge to divert all excess property taxes into an affordable housing fund. In 2017, $7M went into the Capital Improvement budget instead.
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History of the Berkeley pier: A ferry tale
The Berkeley pier has a long and storied history. First used for ferry service, then for car service, then for recreation, it is now too dilapidated to be open.
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New West Berkeley homeless shelter approved at Second, Cedar
Officials have voted to move ahead with plans to open a new "pop-up" homeless shelter at Second and Cedar — despite many unknowns about financing, staffing and logistics.
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Public process on Berkeley pier set to start in January
Community members may be able to weigh in on the future of the Berkeley pier as soon as January, city staff reports.
View ArticleOpinion: Pension obligations damage Berkeley’s finances
Berkeley owes $640M in pension obligations, which means Berkeley has to funnel funds toward that rather than fixing its parks, piers, and roads. Our leaders must address this.
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The Berkeley Emergency Storm Shelter fills a gap — but will close soon
Around 90 people have been sleeping each night at the Berkeley Emergency Storm Shelter. But it is slated to close on April 15.
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Pathways homeless center to open June 23; tiny houses cut due to cash shortfall
Volunteers spent the weekend in West Berkeley sprucing up the city's new Pathways center to prep it for its scheduled opening June 23. See how plans have changed.
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Opinion: The moral case against Measure O, the $135 million housing bond...
Measure O would cost taxpayers $280 million (including interest) but its claim to provide "affordable housing" is vague and there is no oversight mechanism.
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Opinion: A lament about the annual seasonal closure of the West Berkeley pool
The pool at King Middle School stays open year-round. Why can't the pool at West Campus, which serves south Berkeley, do the same?
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Berkeley mayor makes case for tax measures O and P, hits resistance
Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín hit the campaign trail last week to urge voters to support tax measures O and P to raise money for affordable housing and homeless services. He met with a tough crowd.
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‘Funding gap’ reported as $21M in Berkeley T1 projects proceed
The city of Berkeley expects to spend more than $20 million in the next year on a range of ambitious infrastructure projects funded by Measure T1, a $100 million bond that won landslide support from...
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Opinion: Give our city manager the right tools for her job so we know how...
Each year, new spending measures are passed without addressing two basic questions: (1) what is the price tag, and (2) what is the impact on existing services? Our city manager can change that.
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Berkeley votes to investigate expanded ferry service, reopening of pier
The Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday night in favor of a public planning process that could one day bring San Francisco Bay Ferry service to Berkeley.
View ArticleOpinion: Berkeley prioritizes employee benefits over capital improvements
Unfunded liabilities for infrastructure needs now exceed unfunded liabilities for employee pensions. Why, then, does the City Council prioritize paying down pensions rather than fixing roads and sidewalk?
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Berkeley officials to vote Tuesday night on 2-year city budget
The Berkeley City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday night on a two-year budget that focuses on public safety, housing affordability, sustainability and diversity, according to the mayor.
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City of Berkeley missing from state salary database due to ‘non-compliant’...
Berkeley is among nine cities in California that filed "non-compliant" reports with the state for 2018.
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