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Hello Diane,
In March, my office held office hours at the North Berkeley Farmers’ Market with Mayor Ishii. It was a gorgeously warm evening and North Shattuck was bustling with energy.
We spent the evening talking with residents about the issues on their minds – namely, the Corridors Zoning Update. I enjoyed getting to connect with everyone who came by to say hello and appreciated the insights and ideas that were shared. These informal conversations among neighbors are one of my favorite parts of the job.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by. We will be sure to keep you posted on future office hours and other opportunities to connect with our team. As always, if you need anything our office is just a phone call or email away.
Warmly,
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In this issue:
- Council Recap
- Make Music Day
- Berkeley Restaurant Week
- Save the Date: Corridors Zoning Update Listening Session and Workshop
- Wildfire Prevention Clean Up
- Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Swap n’ Shop
- Spring on Solano
- Gilman District Street Fair
- Berkeley Arts Center Events
- Library Events
- City Events
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Flock Safety Cameras Update
As you may know, our last Council meeting before recess ran out the clock before we could reach a decision on the Flock contract, and a motion to extend the meeting did not pass. Three supplementals were brought before council, including a stronger version of the Flock contract I co-sponsored. This supplemental would approve the contract with several new stipulations, including financial penalties for unauthorized data sharing, a requirement that Flock obtain written permission from the City before changing data-sharing settings, and the ability for the City to exit the contract at any time – for any reason – without incurring a financial penalty.
After over four hours of public comment, the meeting deciding whether the City should renew its network of automated license plate readers, add fixed surveillance cameras, acquire drones, launch a Community Video Streams program, and acquire a new centralized investigative software, concluded without an agreement. The item will be revisited during a June 2nd Special Meeting.
Personally, while I understand and share the concerns around immigration enforcement and data privacy, I believe this to be a valuable tool for our Police Department and trust their technical competence and commitment to our values and laws. With a tighter contract and close monitoring, I believe the small risk of data misuse can be managed, and that the program will make our entire community safer. As we move forward, I would appreciate hearing from you. Please take a second to share your thoughts with my office at sok...@berkeleyca.gov.
Hopkins Street Referral
My office has introduced a referral asking staff to prioritize the much needed repaving of Hopkins Street from Sutter Street to San Pablo Avenue. As of today, Hopkins Street remains on the City’s 5 Year Paving Plan as a 2023 holdover with no immediate plans to repair the street. Meanwhile, the condition of the pavement continues to deteriorate and the pedestrian safety issues that were identified years ago remain. Addressing the Hopkins situation is one of my top priorities while in office. In addition to repaving, the referral calls for important pedestrian safety improvements including additional and improved crosswalks, lighting enhancements, and traffic calming measures consistent with the City’s Vision Zero and Pedestrian Plans.
If passed, this referral would see improvements along Hopkins by Fiscal Year 2027-2028 at the latest. The next step for the item is to be heard by the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment, and Sustainability Committee in April. You can keep an eye out here for the official agenda. If you support the repaving of Hopkins Street, I encourage you to make public comment at the Committee meeting and email cou...@berkeleyca.gov to share your thoughts. I look forward to keeping you updated!
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On June 21st, join your neighbors in a worldwide celebration of music! Launched in France as a Ministry of Culture initiative in the 1980s, Make Music Day has since spread to over 2,000 cities across 120 countries.
Held on the same day across the globe, the celebration encourages musicians of all levels to participate. Unlike traditional concerts or festivals, what makes Make Music Day unique is the fact that every performance is completely free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to participate!
You can learn more about the event here. If you are interested in performing or hosting a performance, sign up here.
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Berkeley Restaurant week is upon us! Get ready for a 10-day-long celebration of Berkeley’s vibrant and diverse food scene. This year’s theme, “Seeds of Spring,” highlights the fresh, seasonal flavors inspired by Berkeley’s rich local bounty.
Discover special menus and exclusive offerings from Berkeley’s outstanding restaurants, wineries, and breweries – all at an exceptional value.
The festivities begin on April 3rd at 5:30pm with a kick off at the Gilman Wine Block. Learn more about the event and participating restaurants here!
| | Save the Date: Corridors Zoning Update Listening Session and Workshop | |
Over the last couple of months, I’ve heard from many community members concerned about how the proposed Corridors Zoning Update may affect small businesses. I share these concerns and desires to protect and preserve our beloved local businesses. In the last couple months, my office has spent time walking along both Solano Ave and North Shattuck to speak directly with business owners and better understand their concerns and perspectives.
As we work to balance the existing needs of the community with our state allotted housing goals, I wanted to share that I support a middle-of-the-road approach known as targeted zoning. An overlay could focus on specific, larger parcels that are most likely to be redeveloped, rather than broadly upzoning across entire districts. The goal is to add housing thoughtfully while limiting potential impacts on existing businesses, most of which occupy smaller parcels and would therefore be unaffected by the change. The Planning Commission is working on a proposal that reflects this approach.
On April 16th, join District 5 and District 4 for a virtual listening session on the Corridors Zoning Update. Please hold that date and keep an eye out for future emails – a zoom link will be sent out closer to the date.
Furthermore, on May 1st, join city staff for an overview of the CZU project and small group discussions. You can find out more information here.
You can join the virtual public workshop and provide your input about the three corridors (North Shattuck, College Avenue, and Solano Avenue). Don’t worry if you can’t make the meeting! This is the first of multiple community meetings.
| | Wildfire Prevention Clean Up | | |
Help our community become more fire safe by volunteering at a wildfire prevention clean up hosted by Mayor Ishii's BerkeleyCorps and HelpBerkeley.
The number of very large, difficult to control, wildfires per year in CA has tripled since the 1960s. Berkeley is particularly exposed to uncontrollable wildfires coming from Tilden Park in NE winds, in conditions classified by the City of Berkeley as Extreme Fire Weather. Close to 50% of the homeowners in the area are seniors on fixed income, often with conditions that do not allow them to conduct wildfire mitigation activities on their own. That’s where you come in to help!
Duties will include gathering debris, brush trimming, weed cutting, and collecting vegetation. Tools and snacks will be provided.
You must register to participate. Register here: tinyurl.com/berkeleycorps2.
| Holocaust Remembrance Day | |
Experience the power of Anna Rabkin’s testimony as she shares her experiences during Berkeley’s 23rd annual Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The City of Berkeley is sponsoring a secular Holocaust Remembrance Day program, honoring a distinguished survivor and remembering those who were murdered, those who survived, resisters and liberators. We come together as a community to reflect on the integrity of memory and its importance.
This event will be held virtually on Sunday, April 12th. You can RSVP in advance here.
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Shop sustainably on North Shattuck! On Saturday, April 18th, join neighbors for a lively Earth Day celebration, featuring community swaps, sidewalk sales, and a festive after-party hosted by Vintage Berkeley. The fun starts at the intersection of Shattuck & Vine!
Read more information about the event on the North Shattuck events page.
| | Join your neighbors on Solano Ave this April 4th for an afternoon of live music, kids' activities, and local artisan vendors! Activities will stretch from the Alameda to San Pablo Avenue. You can visit the Solano Avenue Association for more information! | Gilman District Street Fair | |
The Gilman District Street Fair organizing committee is seeking volunteers to assist with our 4th annual event. The last three Street Fair events were a tremendous success, and this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better. And we could use your help!
We are looking for volunteers to assist the organizing committee the day of the event, starting at 7:30am and ending around 6:30pm. We are hoping for a 2-2.5 hour commitment from each volunteer. Volunteers will get a free T-shirt and a coupon for a special treat from one of the Gilman District's establishments.
Please go to gilmandistrict.org/gilmandistrictstreetfair and click the volunteer link to sign up! Come join us for a fun day!
| Berkeley Arts Center Events | |
On Saturday, April 11th the Berkeley Art Center will be hosting its Public Reception of "Regeneration & Renewal 2026” awards. Join other community members in a celebration of local art!
The Berkeley Arts Center hosts great events throughout the month, for artists and art-lovers alike! You can view this event and others here!
| | Don’t forget to check out the Berkeley Public Library’s events calendar. Our libraries host hundreds of events a month. You can check out the full list of offerings here. | | |
Flashlight Egg Hunt
Address: Grove Park, 1730 Oregon St
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026 | 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Egg hunts aren't just for the little kids! Don’t miss the city of Berkeley’s second annual Flashlight Egg Hunt for kids in Grades 5-8.
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Spring Egg Hunt Extravaganza
Address: César Chávez Park, 11 Spinnaker Way
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 9:00am - 1:00pm
Join the City of Berkeley’s annual Spring Egg Hunt Extravaganza at Ceasar Chavez Park!
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Public Health Resource Fair
Address: West Berkeley Family Wellness Center, 1900 Sixth St
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026 | 11:00am - 3:00pm
Join us at the West Berkeley Wellness Center to celebrate National Public Health Week!
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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue
Address: Fire Department Training Facility, 997 Cedar Street
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:00am - 1:00pm
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9:00am - 1:00pm
Take a deep dive into the first steps that will help prepare you and your family to handle any disaster in the Bay Area and Berkeley.
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Together Wee Play with the Story-Time Band
Address: Frances Albrier Community Center, 2800 Park St
Date:Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 9:30am - 12:00pm
Bring your tots for a fun and educational morning with the Story-Time Band!
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Earth Day Cleanup
Address: Shorebird Nature Center, 160 University Ave
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9:00am - 11:00am
Join us every third Saturday of the month to help clean the litter off our shorelines.
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Community Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair
Address: West Berkeley Family Wellness Center, 1900 Sixth St
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 10:00am - 2:00pm
Join the City of Berkeley for Rooted & Ready: Community Wellness & Emergency Preparedness Fair on April 10 at the West Berkeley Family Wellness Center!
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Waterfront Walk and Talk - April
Address: 214 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Join our Waterfront Manager and your neighbors for a “walk & talk” through the southern Waterfront area!
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Live Oak Laughs “LOL” Comedy Night
Address: Live Oak Community Center, 1301 Shattuck Ave
Date: Friday, April 24, 2026 | 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Join us for a night of stand-up comedy! Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for cheaper tickets and guaranteed entry.
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Arbor Day Tree Planting at Berkeley Waterfront
Address: Shorebird Nature Center, 160 University Ave
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 9:30am - 1:00pm
Join us to plant trees. Our goal for the day is to plant around 100 new trees, shrubs, and native plants in areas around Shorebird Nature Center.
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Nature Journaling Club
Address: Shorebird Nature Center, 160 University Ave
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Explore your creative mind and develop closer connections with nature around the Berkeley Waterfront.
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