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Berkeley,
California (Monday, September 17, 2007)--
As part of the research and
policy-making process for PCEI, the public is invited to discuss our
goals for our shared public areas, as well as our commitment to
protecting people’s civil rights and providing necessary services.
Saturday,
September 29, 2007
10:00
a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North
Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Avenue
The
Public Commons for Everyone Initiative (PCEI) seeks to improve our
City’s common areas for everyone who lives in, works in, or visits
Berkeley. Our parks,
libraries, schools, cultural venues, and commercial districts are
important gathering places for everyone, and the City wants to
ensure that everyone feels welcome and safe.
Integral to that goal is ensuring that people have a safe
place to sleep at night, that their civil rights are protected, and
that those with physical, mental, or economic disabilities are cared
for and have access to essential services.
The
public is invited to attend the forum and give their input on the
policy components recommended by the City Council, including:
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Add
more public bathrooms or expand the hours of existing bathrooms;
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Expand
supportive housing opportunities;
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Develop
services that help transition people towards meaningful work and
educational activities;
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Assess
need for additional public seating;
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Restrict
smoking in commercial areas;
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Plan
superior diversion models, effective street outreach teams, and
community monitoring;
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Adopt
laws regarding public urination and defecation, inappropriate
street behavior, and determine fair and equitable enforcement
options;
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Increase
the number of parking meters and parking meter fees to generate
financial support for expanded and improved services created by
PCEI.
Please
get your voice heard at the meeting, and bring your friends and
neighbors, too. If you can’t make it to the meeting, please
contact your City Council representative by email, phone, fax or
regular mail. You may also email Lauren Lempert at llempert@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
or write to her at the City Manager’s Office, 2180 Milvia,
Berkeley, CA 94704. Visit
http://CityofBerkeley.info/Manager/publiccommonsforeveryoneinitiative.htm
for more information about the initiative.
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