Fwd: District 5 May Newsletter

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Diane Tokugawa

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May 1, 2026, 10:01:01 PMMay 1
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Diane

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Subject: District 5 May Newsletter
Date: May 1, 2026 at 4:44:20 PM PDT

 
Hello Diane,

As May begins, budget deliberations are intensifying. The City is facing serious structural deficit and we will need to make hard choices to move toward a more fiscally responsible budget. The Budget Committee has asked all City Departments to put together spending reduction plans, many of which will significantly affect city programs and the services our community relies on. 

While we will all feel the impact of these cuts, the potential closure of Fire Station 4 on Marin Ave. is especially alarming for District 5 residents. I want to be clear that preventing this outcome is a top priority – and everyone I’ve spoken to on staff and on Council is focused on doing everything possible to keep the station open. The current budget proposal already has built-in one-time funds to maintain operations for a year until the proposed sales tax measure can be passed and start generating revenue. Should the tax fail to pass, I will push for alternative revenue sources or propose different cuts to keep it open. 

For those asking what they can do, the most effective step is to advocate for the Berkeley sales tax measure this fall – talk to your friends and your neighbors, and help spread awareness. 

The full Council will discuss the budget as follows: 

May 19, 2026: First hearing to discuss City Manager’s Proposed Budget
June 16, 2026: Potential Discussion on Revised Biennial Budget
June 23, 2026: City Council adopts Biennial Budget
June 30, 2026: City Council adopts Biennial Budget Continued (if needed)

As always, if there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Warmly, 
In this issue: 

  • Council Recap 
  • Upcoming Flock Meeting 
  • Corridors Zoning Update 
  • Taste of North Berkeley 
  • Alameda County Emergency Preparedness Fair 
  • City Events

Council Recap

FY 27/28 Budget Process Update

In the last couple of weeks, the Budget Committee has met to discuss the state of the City’s finances and proposed cost saving measures. The City faces an approximate $30 million deficit, and all city departments and charter offices have been asked to identify and propose reductions of 10-12%. 

These cuts carry significant implications for core services and staffing. To close the deficit and pass a balanced budget, the City is considering a series of cost saving measures which include closing Fire Station 4 (located in District 5), ending the winter shelter program, gutting the Mobile Crisis Team, staff layoffs, and decreasing resources for public safety. Agendas and materials for upcoming Budget Committee meetings are available here. 

Sales Tax Measure 

One of the proposed measures to help avert the most significant cuts is the proposed Sales Tax Measure. If passed, the measure will raise the sales tax from 10.50% to 10.75%, bringing Berkeley in line with other cities like Albany, Alameda, Emeryville, Oakland, Hayward, and more. The measure will be on the November 2026 ballot and, if passed, would start being collected in April 2027. 

Landmark Ordinance Revisions

On April 14th, Council passed two amendments to the Landmark Ordinance along with minor language changes. One of the amendnments increased the number of signatures needed to initiate the landmark process from 50 to 200 signatures, in all circumstances. The ordinance also updated Berkeley’s landmarking rules to prevent developers from repeatedly using SB 330 (the Housing Crisis Act of 2019) to delay or block landmark designations by clarifying that the law only allows a one-time five-year pause on landmarking. 

I encourage you to read the entire item here. 

The Use of City Facilities for City Purposes

Earlier this month, the City Council adopted a resolution to limit the use of City property to only activities that further City purposes and protect access to City services. This proposal will protect community access to libraries, government services, and more. 

Under the new policy, City property cannot be used without the City’s authorization unless it is normally open to the public, and City staff would be prohibited from approving uses that interfere with the City’s mission to serve its residents effectively and equitably. This resolution will prevent City property from being used for federal civil immigration enforcement, as that does not align with City purposes. 

You can read the full item here. 

Upcoming Flock Safety Meeting

You are invited to two upcoming Special Council meetings during which the City Council will discuss and vote on the Public Safety Technology item containing the Flock contract. In addition to renewing the ALPR contract, the City is also considering adding to the contract fixed video cameras, Flock nova investigative software, and drones.  

Because the current Flock contract expires in July, Council will meet on May 7th to vote on this item and, if necessary, will continue the discussion and vote to the June 2nd date. 

Thursday, May 7th, 2026 at 5:00pm

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 at 5:00pm

I encourage you to read through the proposal I brought forward with other members of Council here. This proposal adds stronger language to the Flock contract that raises the penalty for unauthorized data sharing, allows the City to cancel the contract at will, and increases data protection to ensure that the data collected will not be used in any way that defies Berkeley values. I will also be submitting my own supplemental proposing new language for the use policy governing drones. My changes would restrict deployment only to times when safety is at risk. I am not in favor of normalizing police drones being sent out for routine calls, because this constitutes a new type of police presence, and we need to deploy it thoughtfully and with sensitivity. You can find the item and all additional supplementals here. 

Corridors Zoning Update 

The City of Berkeley’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Corridors Zoning Update next week. The Commission will receive a staff presentation on the CZU, take public comment, then provide a recommendation to the full City Council. 

The meeting will be held on May 6th at 6:30 PM. 

You can join in person at the North Berkeley Senior Center, or join via Zoom. 

The Zoom link and agenda will be posted here, under the May 6th meeting. Check out the Project Webpage to learn more about the Corridors Zoning Update. 

Taste of North Berkeley

Join the North Berkeley community for an unforgettable culinary experience hosted by the North Shattuck Association. The event will feature many different foods and drinks from participating restaurants. Hear live music performances throughout the entire street! You can sample dishes and drinks at Tigerlily, Chaya, Saul's, The Walnut Tavern, and dozens of other locations. 

You can purchase tickets and read more about the event here!

Alameda County Emergency Preparedness Fair

THIS SATURDAY: Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, Alameda County Fire, and the City of Emeryville are hosting a FREE Emergency Preparedness Fair, open to all!

Emergency Preparedness is not just an individual responsibility: it’s on all of us. And we can come together to make sure we are as prepared as possible, including knowing who and what we can turn to in a crisis. Workshops, games and demos offered throughout.

RSVP required: bit.ly/d5preparedness

City Events


Address: 160 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 11:00am - 4:00pm



Address: 160 University Ave, Berkeley, CA  94710
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm



Address: Virtual
Date Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm



Address: Fire Department Training Facility, 997 Cedar Street
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 9:00am - 12:00pm

Address: 1201 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94708
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm


Address: Fire Department Training Facility, 997 Cedar Street
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm


Address: 160 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:00 am - 11:00 am 



Address: Fire Department Training Facility, 997 Cedar Street
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:00am - 12:00pm


Address: Fire Department Training Facility, 997 Cedar Street
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm


Address: 2100 Browning St, Berkeley, CA 94702
Date: Friday, May 22, 2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm



Address: Fire Department Training Facility, 997 Cedar Street
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 9:00am - 12:00pm


Address: 2800 Park Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 8:00am - 5:00pm


Shoshana O'Keefe | 1320 Spruce St. | Berkeley, CA 94709 US

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