Picasso dove Seasons greetings

Councilmember Susan Wengraf  
Councilmember Susan Wengraf


 
Newsletter #35

                   

  December, 2013 

Dear friends and neighbors,

 

    It's hard to believe that the holidays are here and that 2013 is almost over!  With the gift-giving season upon us, I encourage you all to do your shopping locally.  We have a wonderful variety of retail shops throughout the city offering unique gifts, including an array of home oriented items, music, books, toys, food and wine specialty shops, baby and children's clothing, women's clothing, games, etc.  There are also opportunities to give gift certificates to local restaurants, spa services, and tickets to theatre, music, and dance performances.  Local Berkeley businesses need our support.  It's simple.  If we want a vibrant local economy, we all need to encourage it.  So, please, put away the computer and try to purchase your gifts at our local shops.  Now, with the new parking system, you may even be able to find a space to park your car!

 

    I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

 

Susan 

list 

Included in this newsletter is information about:

pavingStreet Paving Coming Your Way!
Street paving

    Last November, Berkeley voters approved Measure M which will add $2.5 million in 2014 and $6 million in subsequent years through 2018 to funds available for street rehabilitation.  The implementation of Measure M began with an excellent public participation process by the Public Works Commission, under the leadership of Chair Ray Yep.  On November 19th, 2013, the City Council approved the recommendations of the commission.

    I am very happy to report that the Commission agreed with me that many streets in the hills were in very bad condition and needed to be rehabilitated in the first two year phase of the Measure M process.  In June, the City Council will look at recommendations for the 2016 - 2018 cycle, so please don't despair if your favorite worst street is not on the current list.  There is a good chance that it will be included in the next phase.

The streets in District 6 that will be rehabilitated in 2014 are:

  • Fairlawn from Queens to Avenida
  • Grizzly Peak Blvd. from Marin to Shasta
  • La Loma from Cedar to Virginia
  • Le Roy from Hawthorne to Cedar
  • Muir Way from Grizzly to Park Hills Rd.
  • Park Gate from Park Hills Rd. to Shasta
  • Ridge Rd. from Scenic to La Loma
  • Shasta from Keeler to Grizzly
  • Vine St. from Spruce to Hawthorne Terrace
  • Virginia St. from La Loma to its Dead End
  • Wildcat Canyon Road from Grizzly to the East City Limit

In 2015, the following streets in District 6 will be rehabilitated:

  • Cedar St. from Spruce to La Loma
  • Glen from Oak to Eunice
  • Glendale Ave. from Campus Dr. to La Loma
  • Grizzly Peak Blvd. from Shasta to East City Limit
  • Hearst Ave. from Spruce to La Loma
  • Keeler from Grizzly Peak to Marin
  • Keith Ave. from Spruce to Euclid
  • La Loma from Glendale to Quarry
  • Le Conte from Arch to Highland Pl.
  • Shasta from Cragmont to Keeler
  • Spruce from Eunice to Rose

    For a complete list of all streets throughout the city included in the 2014-2015 phase and for more information on the process, criteria, etc. go here.

 

signsWhat Are Those New Signs??

 

BERKELEY CHANGES PARKING METER RULES

 

2hr parking 4hr parking  

 

    The City of Berkeley has changed parking meter rates and extended time limits to make it easier to dine, shop and enjoy the arts in three of City's most vibrant districts: downtown, the Elmwood, and the south side of the UC Berkeley campus around Telegraph Avenue.

 

    During this 2-year pilot program, time limits will be relaxed to give parkers more flexibility, creating longer zones of 2, 3, 4, and 8 hours.  The new, demand-based meter rates will push drivers toward available spots and away from congestion.

 

    Parking will cost $2.25 per hour in high demand zones, labelled as Premium Areas.  Prices will fall to $1.25 or $1.00 per hour where parking is more available, identified as Value Areas. Metered parking at the curb currently costs $1.50 per hour citywide, or $1.75 in much of the downtown.

 

    The goal is to free up 1 to 2 spaces on every block and make it easier to find parking, reducing frustration and traffic as well as pollution from circling drivers.  People already come to these Berkeley districts by bike, bus, BART, foot, and car.  Now, each of those modes should be even easier - creating a balance that allows all to move more freely.

   

    These changes are the most recent part of a pilot program known as goBerkeley, which started in July and is funded by regional and federal grants.  The program already paid for 1,000 AC Transit Easy Passes and City CarShare business discounts to area workers for one year as a way to encourage traveling without a personal car.  

 

    The City Council will review the initial results based on the changes to parking and traffic, public surveys, and community input in March 2014.  They will evaluate the entire pilot project a year from now.  At the end of the pilot program, the council could choose to end, modify, or permanently implement the demand-based parking rules.

 

    For more information click goBerkeley.

 

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summitEBMUD Summit Reservoir
Summit Reservoir plan

From Michelle Blackwell, EBMUD Community Affairs:

 

    In preparation for the Summit Reservoir Replacement Project, EBMUD will be clearing trees from the work area to make room for the new facilities and to remove trees that have reached the end of their lifecycle. To avoid the nesting season the tree removal will take place from November 4th to December 20th, 2013. Work hours for the tree clearing will be from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Per the environmental impact report (EIR), published November 2011, protected trees that are removed for this project will be replaced with native species appropriate for the area.

 

    Landscaping and replacement plantings will be done towards the end of the Summit Reservoir Construction Project, which is expected to start in Summer, 2014 and take approximately two years.

 

    For additional information about the Summit Reservoir Replacement Project please click here.

 

    If you have questions or concerns now or during construction, please contact Michele Blackwell by phone (510) 287-2053 or email.  For after hours contacts call (866) 403-2683.

 

thanksThank You From Friends of the Fountain and Walk

 

    Sara Holmes, the driving force behind the Friends of the Fountain and Walk, wants to thank the community for their support of the balustrade repair project.

 

    In addition to the nearly $20,000 donated in 2011 and 2012, the community donated over $55,000 in 2013 for this effort.  We are pleased to report additional repair funds from the City of Berkeley: the Public Works Department has agreed to contribute $10,000 and the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department $5,000.

 

    Our sincerest thanks to all contributors!

 

    To see a list of continuing repair projects and short video about the fountain, please go to  Friends of the Fountain and Walk. 

 

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officeJoin us for an office hour!

 

    Councilmember Susan Wengraf and School Board Member Julie Sinai are hosting a joint open office hour. 

 

Where: Brewed Awakening Cafe

1807 Euclid (between Ridge & Hearst)

 

When:  Saturday, December 14th

               11:00 am - 12:30pm

 

    We are reaching out to you. If you have any questions or concerns about either the schools or the city, drop by and let's talk!

 

Susan Wengraf
Berkeley City Council District 6
510-981-7160
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