Councilmember Susan Wengraf


 
Newsletter #64

                   

                                             June, 2018 


Dear Friends and Neighbors,

    This time of year City Council is busy trying to finalize the budget for next year, identify priorities for staff, and clear the council agendas in anticipation of our summer break. We are also in negotiations on several labor contracts.

    As you make your plans for your summer, please remember that Fire Season is no longer limited to September and October. With climate change, fire season is year round. Please read this article published in Berkeleyside which quotes our Fire Chief, Dave Brannigan.

    I am planning a community-wide meeting on Fire Safety mid -July ( more info below) and I hope that you can all attend. In the meantime, please take advantage of the chipper program to clear your yards of debris and vegetation.

    I am always interested in hearing from you, even if it is to complain. Feel free to write to me.

    My best,
 
 
 

Susan Wengraf
list  
gardenRose Garden Renovation Update

    Thanks to our Rosarian Miguel Cortes and all the wonderful volunteers, the Berkeley Rose Garden is in full bloom, and hasn't looked this good in years!
 
    Come hear great music and learn how your generosity is helping to make improvements at this Berkeley jewel.
Rose Garden
Music
voteVote In Primary Election!
Ballot dropoff box     There are important races for Berkeley residents to vote on in the California Primary Election on June 5th. Please take the time to exercise your right to vote!

    If you are an absentee voter, you can either mail in your ballot (don't forget postage) or drop off your ballot at the collection box in front of City Hall at 2180 Milvia Street, up to and including election day on June 5. (No postage required).

    For a list of all 24/7 collection boxes, click here.  You can also walk your ballot into your polling place on Election Day, June 5th.

chipperA Message from your Disaster Fire Safety Commissioners
 
May 31, 2018
Dear Neighbor,
 
    We are your neighbors who serve on the City's Disaster Fire Safety Commission. Like most of you, we also live in Berkeley's Very High Hazard Fire Zone. Bob and I have been working together on the Commission since 2015 to raise awareness of the fire danger in the Very High Hazard Fire Zone in Berkeley.
 
    The North Bay fires were a wake-up call that we need to be better prepared. One way we can help ourselves and our neighborhoods is to practice good fire-wise vegetation management. Since the Spring of 1993, a  brush chipping service and debris bin program is available to and funded by property owners in the designated fire fuel areas of the City. This program was developed after the 1991 Tunnel Fire to encourage residents to maintain defensible space around their homes and on vacant lots. Many of you have taken advantage of this program and have done a terrific job of clearing and clipping vegetation as evidenced by the number and size of green bins set out for pick up, and tonnage collected each year by the chipper program.
 
    However, given the elevated risk of wildfire encroaching into Berkeley this year, we all need to re-evaluate what fire-wise vegetation management means. Bob keeps his property green and low. I just removed a beloved juniper nestled against the house and plan to replace it with a rock and succulent garden. We both carefully monitor the size of plants and plant debris underneath trees and cut back our vegetation to maintain, as best we can, Cal Fire's defensible space requirements for properties in the state's Very High Hazard Fire Zone. We are tree lovers just as many of you are and so we trim to keep branches off roofs and clear of other flammables such as other trees, bushes, wood structures and fencing.
 
    There is always more that we could do but after last year's tragic fire season, we agreed that this is very good year to start planning a fire-wise garden. This link can help you decide what to do in your gardens this year and in the future as you replace plants, trim your trees and bushes, and replace fencing, gates, and garden furniture.
 
    Bob and I wish you a very enjoyable and safe summer,
 
Bob Flasher & Victoria Legg

Chipper map

    Please take advantage of the chipper program to clear your property of flammable vegetation. This program is provided to assist you in maintaining a fire safe property.

    The schedule and instructions are here.

fireFire Safety Meeting
Fire preparedness SAVE THE DATE
Mark your Calendars
July 12th at 7:00 pm
Community Meeting on Fire Safety
Special presentation on fire-safe landscaping
Stay tuned for details.

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hhwHousehold Hazardous Waste Dropoff
HHW dropoff

    The Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off program has a free one-day event in Albany at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday, June 24th.

    Residents can drop off unlimited mattresses and box springs at this event. 

    Fill out the form here to make an appointment. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with the event's address (appointments are required in order to keep a steady flow of traffic). Space is limited. Register early to guarantee that you get an appointment.

    Your information will be kept confidential and will only be used by the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program and StopWaste. Only Alameda County Residents can participate.

Materials Accepted:

  • Pest & Garden products
  • Batteries
  • Fluorescent Bulbs
  • Paints
  • Electronics & Small Appliances
  • Propane
  • Medicine (no controlled substances)
  • Oil, Gasoline, Auto Fluids
  • Cleaners
  • Sharps Containers

 Materials NOT Accepted:

  • Asbestos
  • Explosives/Radioactives
  • Railroad Ties & Treated Wood
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Compressed Gas Cylinders other Than Propane
  • Large Appliances (A/C, Refrigerators, Stoves, Washers, etc.)
  • Construction and Demolition Waste
  • Smoke Detectors
postofficeA Decision on the Main Post Office
Old Berkeley post Office
 
    After several years of litigation, Judge Alsup of the United States District Court finally issued a ruling against the U.S. Post Office, in favor of the City of Berkeley. This ruling is the result of years of work defending Berkeley's Historic Civic Center, including the Downtown Post Office, and ensuring that it is reserved for civic and community future purposes.
 
    In 2014, the City Council approved a Historic Civic Center District Zoning Overlay which limits uses to civic activities such as libraries, performance venues, museums and government offices.
 
    The Overlay was challenged by the U.S. Post Office in 2016, who claimed that it was approved for the purpose of preventing the sale of the Post Office.
Judge Alsup's decision validates the original Historic Zoning legislation, and while USPS may still appeal, the ruling is a clear step towards victory. The Court's decision can be read here .

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acalertEmergency Notifications
 
    AC Alert will be Berkeley's primary emergency alerting system for the public. It is one of the tools the City of Berkeley uses to communicate emergency information and instructions to the community. AC Alert can send:
  • Voice alerts to phones
  • SMS text messages
  • Email
  • TTY/TDD messages
    Listed AT&T "land lines" are automatically included to receive voice messages from AC Alert for emergency warnings. Community members must sign up to receive voice or text alerts on cell phones, VoIP phones, unlisted phones, TTY/TDDs or through email.

    If you want to receive emergency alerts and updates, sign up for AC Alert.

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three11311
  • 311 Need a new refuse can?
  • Have a favorite pothole you want filled?
  • Want to report illegal dumping?
CALL 311
 

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