Councilmember Susan Wengraf
Newsletter #96
August 12, 2021
Rose Garden Tennis Courts Open!
==On Wednesday, I had the pleasure to cut the ribbon on the new tennis courts at the Berkeley Rose Garden. These courts are now in pristine condition, and located in one of the most beautiful settings in the Bay Area. The roses are still in bloom due to a newly installed irrigation system. Please stop by and check out the beautifully restored pergola and new tennis courts!
 
==The tennis courts were created in the mid-thirties as part of the original Civil Works Administration Rose Garden construction. The site was graded to create terraces for the garden and level areas for the tennis courts. Since their original construction, the site topography has slowly shifted and moved, causing damage to retaining walls and cracking in many areas of pavement. The courts were in need of renovation to repair extensive cracking, provide a safe and level playing surface, and to improve site drainage. The renovations were accomplished with Measure T1 and Parks Tax dollars.

==Thank you to the residents of Berkeley for your generosity in making these improvements possible!
Living With Coyotes
==Many residents have concerns about coyotes and how they interact with pets and people. Coyotes are remarkably adaptable and resilient predators that pose both challenges and benefits to urban and rural communities.

==The coyote, known as the Song Dog, has existed in North America since the Pleistocene and is the most persecuted native carnivore in North America. Coyotes have expanded their range across North America and are increasingly common in residential areas where their presence can cause alarm and fear, especially regarding pets.

==The following articles contain useful information to help you manage your interactions with coyotes.

Wildfire Evacuation Workshops
Wildfire Evacuation Workshop: Build Your Household Fire Plan

==Wildfires are now more frequent, destructive, and fast-moving than ever. With fire season already underway, now is the time for Berkeley to prepare for the Red Flag Warnings and extreme fire weather conditions that summer and fall bring to our area.

==Berkeley Fire Department's Office of Emergency Services will be hosting workshops to support residents and community members as they make preparations for themselves and their households. This online workshop has two parts:

  1. Participants review and complete a Fire Weather Plan at home with their family using the online videos, website, and Household Fire Weather Plan tool; and
  2. We come together for a group discussion on ways to improve your readiness.

==Participants should watch the educational videos, review the wildfire preparation website, and complete their Household Fire Weather Plan with their family before joining us on the online workshop for a group discussion. During the workshop we will discuss ways we can all improve our household's customized plans for what to do during fire weather and wildfire evacuations.
 
==Join us for a group discussion on ways to improve your Household Fire Weather Plan.

Step 1:

Register for one of the online workshops below



Step 2:

Prior to the workshop:

1. Visit the City's wildfire preparedness website below.


2. Watch the five videos in the Wildfire Readiness Video Series below.


3. Download and fill out your step-by-step guide to creating your household fire weather plan below.

 
For questions about the workshop or wildfire preparation email:

Landscaping To Minimize Wildfire Risk
==Hot off the press from the University of California is this excellent guide to fire resistant landscaping and home hardening.

==Please take a few minutes to read about the steps that you can take to minimize the risk to wildfire. 
How Will You Access BART?
BART's Berkeley-El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan Survey
 
==As BART moves forward with plans to develop housing on their station parking lots, access for hills' residents becomes an issue of concern. How will you access transit via BART if parking opportunities are eliminated?
 
==Development at Ashby, North Berkeley and El Cerrito stations could change how some people get to the BART stations. In response, BART is leading the Berkeley-El Cerrito Corridor Access Plan.

==In collaboration with the cities of Berkeley and El Cerrito, BART's Corridor Access Plan is intended to identify options for people to get to and from BART and is funded by the California Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration.
 
==Take the BART Corridor Access Plan Survey through Aug. 20 to share your input.
Emergency Notifications
==Receive emergency notifications through ACAlert.

==Sign up here.
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Susan Wengraf
Berkeley City Council District 6
(510) 981-7160