We're now at 549 signers. Thank you for every signature, share, and email to City Hall.
An update on District 1
Laura Babitt, who endorsed this petition, is currently leading in the District 1 City Council race. The election is closed but hasn't yet been called, so we'll wait for the final count. Laura, if you're reading this: best of luck. We're rooting for you!
Support a ban on encampments around preschools and daycare centers
This week, neighbors from Potter Creek, District 1, and downtown joined about 30 people at a roundtable organized by Councilmember Terry Taplin (D2) on the proposed legislation. It would create a 600-foot buffer zone around preschools and daycare centers. That covers nearly 150 locations across Berkeley.
The bill is carried by Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani (D1) and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Taplin and Brent Blackaby (D6). The sponsors described it as a first step, with a full citywide ban as the goal once this one succeeds. That would bring Berkeley in line with its neighboring cities.
Many people at the meeting spoke about how tents and RVs have affected their homes and businesses, especially since the Harrison Street encampment was broken up. The takeaways were:
Support the 600-foot buffer zone.
Tell your story. Personal letters, social media posts, and showing up on November 17th matter more than anything else we can do. You can attend in person or by Zoom.
WRITE TO THE COUNCIL
Send to: council@berkeleyca.gov, or by mail to City Clerk Department, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704. You can also email the Mayor and your own councilmember directly.
Subject line: Nov 17 Council Special Meeting Daycare Encampment Ban
Deadline: Send by 5 pm Tuesday, November 10. That gets your email into Supplemental Packet 1, which goes to Council five days before the meeting.
Last call: Noon Monday, November 16 gets you into Supplemental Packet 2. Anything later isn't distributed until after the meeting.
Note: Emails to Council are public record. Your name and address are optional.
If you live in District 3, 4, 5, or 8, please also write to your own councilmember. Their votes are still in play:
Ben Bartlett (D3) — bbartlett@berkeleyca.gov
Igor Tregub (D4) — itregub@berkeleyca.gov
Shoshana O'Keefe (D5) — sokeefe@berkeleyca.gov
Mark Humbert (D8) — mhumbert@berkeleyca.gov
ATTEND THE MEETING
When: Tuesday, November 17, 4:00 pm, Special Council Meeting
Where: Berkeley Unified School District Boardroom, 1231 Addison Street, Berkeley
Remote access: The Zoom link and meeting ID will be on the first page of the agenda, which should post around November 5. By phone, dial 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (toll free) and enter the meeting ID.
Speaking time: Public comment happens when the item is called. Each speaker gets two minutes, cut to one minute if more than ten people want to speak, so prepare a one-minute version.
Ceding your time: You may be asked to cede your minute to another speaker who has a presentation or needs more time. Once you cede it, you can't take it back.
On Zoom: Click "raise hand" and wait for the Chair to call your name. You don't have to use your real name.
By phone: Press *9 to raise your hand. When the Chair reads the last four digits of your number, press *6 to unmute.
Accessibility: For disability accommodations, contact ada@berkeleyca.gov or (510) 981-6418 at least three business days before the meeting.
Not sure what to say? Two or three sentences is enough. Tell them where you live or work, what you've seen, and that you support the buffer zone as a first step toward a clear citywide policy.
Thank you for staying engaged. Please keep sharing the petition. Every voice in the room, and in the Council's inbox, counts.
— Safe and Clean Berkeley Alliance