Jenny Wong, City Auditor
Promoting transparency and accountability in Berkeley government.
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Audit News
from the City Auditor
November 2020
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Berkeley streets are among the worst in the Bay Area. Out of 101 Bay Area cities, Berkeley is 15th from the bottom. The most recent pavement condition index (PCI), used to measure street quality, was 59 out of 100 in 2018. If funding for street paving is maintained at the current levels, overall quality of our streets will continue to decline to a PCI of 52 by 2023 and the deferred maintenance costs will increase to $328 million.
The cost of just maintaining our current street condition is significant. In 2018, a City Contractor estimated that it would cost the City $17.3 million annually to maintain the current PCI, which is approximately $10 million more than the City has been spending on an annual basis. To improve PCI 5 points in five years would require an estimated $27.3 million annually.
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Prior efforts to improve street quality were not sufficiently funded. Additionally, in 2012, Berkeley adopted the Complete Streets Policy, which mandates a holistic approach to streets improvements to include sidewalks and other things. Additional funds, however, were not allocated to implement this approach. More work is being required with the same amount of funds.
The Street Paving and Repair Policy has also not been updated since 2009 and is not being followed. The policy does not account for equity, a significant community consideration, and lacks performance measures and goals.
We initiated this audit because street quality is one of the top concerns, along with housing and homelessness, that I hear about from constituents. People always ask, why are Berkeley streets in such bad condition? This audit sought to explore why that is the case and what it would take to improve the quality of our streets.
The audit recommends the Public Works Department regularly determine the amount of funding needed and report such findings to Council; identify potential paths for funding street improvements; and update the street rehabilitation policy to align with Vision 2050, Complete Streets, and other adopted goals, develop performance measures, and report on those measures to Council. The Public Works Department agreed with these findings and recommendations.
You can access our report highlights page in Spanish here.
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New Restrictions on Indoor Activities |
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As cases surge, state restricts indoor activities in Berkeley and throughout state
State officials, noting a surge in COVID-19 cases locally, moved Berkeley and the rest of Alameda County into the more restrictive tier that requires certain businesses to only operate outdoors. The new restrictions reflect some truths about the virus that can be used by everyone: half of all COVID-19 cases are believed to be unknowingly spread by those who feel fine; face coverings are powerful; and the virus more easily spreads indoors.
That also means we each hold tools to slow the spread.
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Everyone should always do the essentials: stay home when sick, wear face coverings, wash hands frequently, keep physical distance with those not in your household and get a flu vaccine.
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When leaving the safety of home, use three questions to help assess and choose lower risk activities: Where will you go? Who will attend? What will happen?
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Budget your risk by being selective about what activities you choose to do and forgo others.
These questions should also help you avoid confined spaces, crowds and close contact with those outside your household.
Restricting indoor activities that mix multiple households
The following businesses must only operate outdoors: restaurants, wineries, museums, galleries, botanical gardens, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, exhibition spaces, gyms, fitness centers, dance studios, yoga centers, churches, swimming pools. State law will allow certain industries to remain open indoors, but limited to 25 percent capacity: retail stores, shopping centers, strip malls. Grocery stores and convenience stores can open at 50 percent capacity.
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Resources For COVID-19 Information and Updates |
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