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Councilmember Susan Wengraf
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Currently the Berkeley City Council is dealing with some very big, complex issues including the budget, implications of sanctuary city status, and homelessness, while also being ground zero for the protests regarding free speech. We are also addressing divestment from Wells Fargo Bank, a new library board (BOLT), and whether or not to have our police and fire departments participate in Urban Shield trainings. I have introduced two budget referrals for increased funding for traffic calming and street lighting, both very important city-wide issues.
With Spring comes the blossoming of roses, the birth of deer, and an increase in mosquitoes. In addition, the heavy rains have encouraged growth of vegetation and increased fire hazards, especially in our hills area. Please read below to learn more about what can be done to help us stay safe.
Your responses to the parking survey are critical to my understanding of what is important to my constituents with regards to parking policy in the hazardous fire area. Take 5 minutes to answer the survey, please!
My best regards,
Susan Wengraf
Included in this newsletter is information about:
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Mothers Day Rose Garden Celebration
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These days it is a relief to have the opportunity to celebrate something positive, like the completion of the first phase of the renovation of the Rose Garden! Please join us on
Saturday, May 13th at
11am for an early Mother's Day celebration at the Rose Garden. There will be activities for children, music, and a good time for all. The mid-section of the pergola has been beautifully reconstructed, the paths have been improved, and the tennis courts re-sealed. We are looking forward to Phase 2 when the remainder of the pergola will be completed.
Please help us support the Friends of the Rose Garden by visiting their new website and making a contribution to future improvements to this community treasure. Go to:
berkeleyrosegarden.org.
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Hills Fire Zone Parking Survey
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For years, we have been struggling with possible solutions to emergency responders' ability to navigate our narrow and curvy streets. With increased density as a result of Air B&B and Accessory Dwelling Units, parking has become even more of an issue
By completing
this survey, you will help to inform my approach to the problem.
Special thanks to Victoria Legg, Fire and Disaster Safety Commissioner, and Jessica L'Esperance, District 6 resident and volunteer, for creating and formatting the survey. It only takes a few minutes to complete!
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Save The Date ! Town Hall Meeting With Fire & Police
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Every year I hold a forum on fire safety and crime. This year I will be combining the two, with the first half dedicated to fire danger and fire safety issues, and the second half to crime and public safety matters.
The meeting will be co-hosted by Council member Hahn who now represents District 5.
What: Town Hall Meeting on public safety with Fire and Police
Where: Northbrae Community Church, 971 The Alameda
When: Thursday, June 8th, 7-9:30 pm
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Mosquitoes In Your Neighborhood?
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With the heavy rain season that we've just experienced, mosquitoes are breeding in large numbers. Berkeley is a member of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District which provides service to Alameda County residents.
If you are noticing mosquitoes in or around you home, please contact them at:
http://www.mosquitoes.org/services/. They will come out to inspect your property and suggest ways to abate the problem.
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Living With Wild Deer
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My office has been receiving calls about our deer population with concerns about the threat they present to our safety. This time of year, fawns are born, and the mothers can be very protective.
Deer acting aggressively towards dogs
Every year in spring and summer Animal Services receives a few calls about deer acting aggressively towards pet dogs. Wildcare, a wildlife rescue organization in Marin advises the following:
If the deer is female, she is most likely protecting her fawn that will be hiding nearby. A male deer may behave aggressively during mating season (Autumn). Both these behaviors are hormonal and are seasonal. Keep your dogs on leash and avoid the area for a couple of weeks. The deer will move on.
Relocating wildlife is illegal in California and, although relocation sounds humane, in most cases relocation results in the death of the animal. Removed from its den, food and water sources and comfort zone, most wildlife will perish.
Feeding deer is illegal. Do not intentionally or unintentionally feed deer. Additionally, discourage neighbors from doing the same.
Deer in residential areas
- Leave the deer alone unless it is causing a traffic hazard. If this is the case call animal services or the police department.
- Do not chase or scare the deer unless it is acting aggressively toward you or destroying your landscape. If so, use hazing techniques such as waving an umbrella, banging a large pot with a spoon, spraying with a hose, or installing a motion activated sprinkler to exclude it from an area.
- If the deer is in a back yard, leave it alone. In most cases it will move on during the evening or night when it feels safe to do so.
- If it appears sick or injured call animal services.
- If it has become habituated into the backyard use hazing techniques, provide adequate exclusionary fencing, and remove attractants (fallen fruit, bedding area, etc.)
- If it is merely transient and passing through, then it is best to leave it alone.
Mother deer leave their fawns alone for large portions of the day. The fawn will settle down and wait for her, curled up in a small ball in that "don't notice me" position. This is normal, so don't disturb a fawn who is laying down. If the fawn looks cold, hungry, confused, or sick (eg. staggering, panting, head held low with tongue sticking out, or obvious injury, such as a broken limb or large laceration) call and report it to Animal Services. Do not feed the animal.
Living with deer
- Deer pose a serious risk to motorists and quite a few deer are struck and killed by vehicles . BE ALERT AND DRIVE CAREFULLY.
- The best way of controlling deer is fencing. Deer fences should be at least 8' high. The fence should be slanted towards the approach area.
- Plant shrubs and trees that are known to be deer-resistant. For a list of plants and trees that are deer-resistant, write to the Resources Agency, California Department of Fish and Game, Resources Bldg., 1416 Ninth St., Sacramento, CA 95814 or contact the California Native Plant Society.
- There are some deer repellents that work, but you have to be very diligent about applying them (this too can be costly for large areas).
- Motion activated sprinklers appropriately placed and calibrated are highly effective.
- Effigies work for a while, but they must be moved daily, otherwise the deer will habituate to them as long as they no longer perceive them as a threat. The same holds true for scare devices.
For more information contact
To report a violation or a trapped or wounded deer, contact
Berkeley's Animal Care Services (510) 981-6600
Department of Fish and Game dispatcher (831) 649-2801.
Publications
Internet Resources
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Susan Wengraf Berkeley City Council District 6 510-981-7160 |
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