THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 15-21
–BERKELEY– Special council meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 6 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–MOVE TO REPEAL PEPPER SPRAY ORDINANCE– Last September, the City Council approved authorization for the police department to include pepper spray under its use-of-force policy. Pepper spray had been prohibited under the 1997 city ordinance, but the outbreak of conflicts this year between protesters in Berkeley necessitated a discussion on the issue. Berkeley’s Police Review Commission recommended on Oct. 25 for the City Council to revisit the issue, repeal the ordinance and reinstate the 1997 ordinance, due to the use of pepper spray as a health concern.
–598-UNITS AT NORTHERN WATERFRONT– Alameda’s Northern Waterfront project includes up to 589 housing units, including 79 affordable units. To make the Encinal Terminals project work, though, a supermajority of the council (four of five members) must approve a Public Trust Lands exchange. The waterfront transit-oriented development includes the city’s nearly landlocked 6.4 acres at the center of the project. The developer is proposing to expand the Public Trust land with 7 acres of waterfront property, at no cost. The project includes a marina and 50,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
–FLAVORED TOBACCO BAN– Councilmembers Frank Matarrese and Jim Oddie have a council referral pending that proposes the city study the feasibility of a flavored tobacco ban in Alameda that includes menthol cigarettes. The referral seeks to follow Oakland, which banned both this year. San Leandro also approved a flavored tobacco ban, but sidestepped the menthol issue.
–OAKLAND– Special Council meeting, Monday, Dec. 18, start at 5 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–RESIDENTIAL RELOCATION PAYMENTS– “This proposed Ordinance extends relocation payments to tenants displaced for owner or relative move-ins, as well as tenants who are displaced by condominium conversions. It sets notice requirements, and the time and manner by.which the relocation payments must be made. It also creates a Uniform Schedule of Relocation Payments, and conforms existing Ellis Act and code compliance relocation amounts to those in the uniform schedule.”
–The schedule, as proposed by Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, is $6,500 per studio/one bedroom units; $8,000 per two bedroom units; $9,875 per three or more bedroom units.” An amendment offered by Councilmember Anne Campbell Washington would require renters to have lived in the dwelling two years to receive the full relocation payment; two-thirds after one year; and one-third upon moving into the unit.
–SODA TAX BOARD– “Measure HH was approved by a majority of Oakland voters in the November 8, 2016 General Election establishing a general excise tax of 1 cent per ounce on the distribution of sugar sweetened beverages in Oakland. The tax took effect on July 1, 2017 and created the Sugar Sweetened Beverages Community Advisory Board… An appropriation of $278,758 for FY2017-2018 and $399,649 for FY 2018-2019 will cover personnel and operating expenses to support the administration, planning and capacity to meet the objectives of the Board.”
–ALAMEDA COUNTY– Regular board meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–AIRPLANE NOISE– Over the past few years, several East Bay communities have consistently complained about a noticeable uptick in airplane noise. The board will decide whether to send a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration to address the changes. Flight paths at San Francisco and Oakland Airports in recent years were altered, and the county believes the changes were made without sufficient attention to the impacts on East Bay residents.
–WARMING CENTER FUNDING– The Alameda County Community Development Agency is gearing up for the cold weather ahead, allocating funding for warming centers and shelter services in five cities. They include The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Oakland ($150,000); motel vouchers in Berkeley ($21,000); Fremont ($45,991); Adobe Services in Fremont ($35,130); South Hayward Parish in Hayward ($9,315; and First Presbyterian Church of Hayward to provide warming center services in Castro Valley ($59,825).
–COLISEUM SALE TALKS– Two weeks after Supervisor Nate Miley suggested at a Coliseum JPA meeting that the county restart discussions with the City of Oakland to sell its portion of the Coliseum complex to the city, the issue comes to the Board of Supervisors. County Administrator Susan Muranishi is recommending the county begin discussions with Oakland. The issue also appears on the closed session agenda for Tuesday morning.
–SAN LEANDRO– Regular council meeting, Monday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–BOND REFINANCING– San Leandro’s former redevelopment agency’s outstanding tax allocation bonds are $22.8 million. “The City has an opportunity to refinance the 2008 [Tax Allocation Bonds] TABs now and realize substantial savings in annual debt service payments. Based on municipal bond market rates effective 10/31/17, staff estimates that refinancing the 2008 TABs could result in almost $8.5 million total nominal savings over the life of the 2008 TABs.” Projects funded by the bonds include the senior center and downtown parking garage.
–BONTA IN SAN LEANDRO-– San Leandro’s representative in the state Assembly, Rob Bonta, will give his annual report on his office’s accomplishments and outlook for 2018.
–NEW YEAR’S HANGOVER– The first meeting of next year on Jan. 2 will be cancelled, according to a consent item on Monday’s agenda, due to an expected lack of a quorum.
–GATHERINGS-– Christmas Dinner, Monday, Dec. 25, 6 p.m., Your House, East Bay
–EDEN HEALTH DISTRICT– Regular board meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–BART– Regular board meeting, Thursday, Dec. 21, 9 a.m. [AGENDA NOT YET POSTED]
–Like Santa’s elves after Christmas, the EBC AGENDA takes a break and returns, Friday, Jan. 5–
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