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Important Issues Within Our Community - 2006
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Max
Anderson Important
Issues In Our Community Budget
After cutting more than $20 million from the budget over the past
four years, the City Council passed a balanced budget without any further
reductions in city services or personnel;
The Citys overall budget for the 2007 fiscal year is $292
million and its general fund (discretionary) budget is $133 million.
The City Council will review revenue and expenditures after six
months to determine if further adjustments are needed. Youth Set aside $50,000 for FY 2007 to aid in the planning process for a Youth Center in Berkeley. This one-time allocation will begin the planning process for a comprehensive youth center; Created position of Youth Coordinator for South and West Berkeley. Ashby BART Development
Set aside $40,000 to begin a planning process for the entire
Adeline Avenue corridor;
Directed the Citys Planning Department to develop a work plan
for the South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation (SBNDC) and the Ashby Task Force through December 31, 2006. Healthcare
Support the goals of Californians for Healthy Kids;
Striving to end health disparities;
Sought and received funding in the 2006-2007 budget for
hypertension diagnosis and treatment program in South and West Berkeley;
Worked with Alta Bates Summit Medical Center establishing a new
policy that offers discounts to uninsured patients. Precautionary Principles
Cell Phone Towers
Working to reduce the installation of cell phone towers in or near
residential neighborhoods thereby eliminating the possibility of any radio
frequency emissions. The City takes responsibility in a proactive manner for safe guarding the public where there is a potential for health and safety threats. Housing
Working to provide affordable housing for those who work in
Berkeley but cant afford to live in Berkeley including work-force
housing at Ashby BART; Supported housing for moderate and low-income families at the Oxford Plaza project. Iceland
Actively involved in the elimination of
health and safety risks at the site specifically pertaining to
issues of ammonia which is stored at the site; Support the continued support of a safe use facility as an asset to the community. Derby Street Fields Actively working with neighbors, the school district and sports field advocates to reach a compromise that includes: 1) Preservation of the Farmers Market 2) Keeping Derby Street open 3) Regulation size baseball diamond. Labor Actively supported the Berkeley Honda workers in their dispute with the new owners of the dealership. The new labor contract was agreed to after a 9 month struggle; Request that the Berkeley Bowl and other Berkeley businesses support fair labor practices. Ashby Arts District
Meet with the Ashby Arts District organizations to create a
world-class arts district in South Berkeley;
Assist with identifying funding for this effort. Commissions Worked diligently to fill the largest void of appointees to commissions upon taking office; Supported diversity on all City commissions; Currently no vacancies. Crime Statistics
The City Council has directed the City Manager to provide quarterly
reports on crime in Berkeley, including comparisons of Berkeley's crime
rate to other jurisdictions in the Bay Area.
In addition, the Police Department has new crime view software
available on the web, allowing users to see reported crime data by
address, beat area or district. Information is updated daily and users can
choose which crime types they would like to view for a period of up to 180
days. The user can find more specific
information about an specific incident by placing the cursor over the
event marker. There is also an on-line tutorial about how to use the
software. Traffic Calming
South Berkeley neighborhood streets are the thoroughfares for
commuters traveling to the freeway and those coming into Berkeley;
The volume of traffic is high, and often too fast, endangering
pedestrians, children at play and cyclists.
Since we can no longer use speed bumps to slow traffic [they
present difficulties to emergency services and the disability community]
we must look at alternatives;
Sponsoring the placement of new traffic circles and replacing old
barriers. Alcohol Outlets
Co-sponsored the acceptance of BAPACs report to the City Council
along with policy recommendations to reduce the illegal purchase of
alcohol by minors and reducing the amount of liquor stores in our
community;
Supported the restrictions on the operation of Black & White
Liquor Store; Encouraged the close of Grove Street Liquor Store and advocate for a greener business.
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