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The Bates Update

News From Mayor Tom Bates

October 2007

This is the Mayor's monthly email update.  If you would like to be added to the email distribution for this update, please send an email to mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us or give the office a call at (510) 981-7100.

Recent News:

1.  Berkeley Breakthrough on Solar and Energy Efficiency Financing

Berkeley is set to become the first city in the nation to allow property owners to pay for energy efficiency improvements and solar system installation as a long-term assessment on their individual property tax bill.  I will ask the City Council to approve the framework for a “Sustainable Energy Financing District” at their November 6^th Council meeting.  The Berkeley Plan eliminates the two major financial hurdles to solar electric and solar water systems – the high upfront cost and the possibility that those costs will not be recovered when the property is sold. 

You can read more about it on my website, in the San Francisco Chronicle, or in the East Bay Daily News.

2.  Berkeley Receives Mixed, But Optimistic Economic Report

The City Council received an in-depth report on economic trends last week based on new data compiled by our Economic Development and Information Technology offices.  The news shows continued improvement after the severe economic downturn that lasted from 2002 to 2005.  For example, citywide sales tax receipts through March of this year are up nearly 9% since the middle of 2005.  We are also now closely tracking commercial vacancy rates on Telegraph and in our downtown.  While we still have a long way to go, our data shows that nearly a third of vacant commercial space in the Telegraph area is planned for occupancy soon with leases or permits pending.

You can view the report to Council here.

3.  Berkeley Sends Fire Engines to Southern California
In response to mutual aid requests to assist in fighting the massive firestorms in Southern California, Berkeley dispatched two fire engines and crews to the Los Angeles area.  The City will maintain full staffing of all fire stations by calling in extra crews and equipment to fill in.  You can read more on the City’s website.

 4.  Lots of Good Ideas from Climate Change Policy Trip to England

Earlier this month, I joined several other U.S. Mayors in England to work on climate change policy.  I think we all came back with ideas and a sense of optimism that with good policy and an engaged community we can make substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 

You can read a story about the trip in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Daily Cal.

5.  Pacific Steel Casting Health Assessment Report Released for Review
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) required the Pacific Steel Casting Company to prepare a Health Risk Assessment to meet the requirements of their Air Toxics Hot Spots program.  That report is now available for public review and comment through January.  The City, the State, and the Air District will be conducting independent reviews and analysis of the data during that time period.  A community meeting will be held during the month of January as well.  Following those reviews, the Air District will decide whether any further research is warranted before taking action.  The City will also then determine what steps it can and should take.

You can read the entire report on the BAAQMD website.

6.  Mayor Bates Helps Lead Town-Gown Conference
Shortly after taking office, I joined with the Mayor of Riverside to create a new statewide partnership of cities that host University of California or California State University campuses.  With support from the California League of Cities and others, we have now met a number of times at locations around the State.  Earlier this month, we held the second annual joint meeting of cities and universities to discuss town-gown relations.  Over 100 city and university leaders, including many from Berkeley, attended the meeting, which was held at UCLA.  Presentations and other information from the conference will be posted here.

7.  New website for Berkeley’s Measure G Climate Action Efforts

I am pleased to announce the creation of the new home page for our Measure G efforts.  The site, www.berkeleyclimateaction.org, was funded by a grant from the San Francisco Foundation.  We will post the complete first draft of our Berkeley Climate Action Plan there next month.  The site will allow you to read and comment on the report on-line.  Please check it out and let us know if you see any bugs.

8.  Check Out the “Berkeley in the 1930s” Exhibit at the History Center

A wonderful new exhibit on Berkeley in the 1930s in now on display at the Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center Street.  It explores both the Great Depression and the development of transportation, business and industry in our city.  You can learn more on the Berkeley Historical Society’s website.

9.  You Can Now Call 211 for Social Service Referrals and Assistance    

All residents of Alameda County can now dial “211” to be connected to a call center that will connect you with nearly any social service – from food banks to suicide prevention counseling to health care.

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