Learn to submit maps for new council boundaries at Oct. 2 meeting

City of Berkeley sent this bulletin at 09/23/2021 10:58 AM PDT

September 23, 2021

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SERVICES. RESOURCES. COMMUNITY.

News from the City of Berkeley

Learn to submit maps for new council boundaries at Oct. 2 meeting

Watch how to use online mapping tools and identify communities with shared interests

Come to a virtual meeting where you can learn how to help shape new City Council district boundaries and even submit your own maps on paper or using online tools.

The City’s eight Council boundaries are re-drawn every ten years using updated Census figures, but, for the first time in Berkeley, they’ll be drawn by an independent commission rather than elected officials.

Using public input, the Independent Redistricting Commission will draw eight districts with roughly the same number of people. They’ll look to keep communities with similar social and economic interests together.

What the map looks like is something you can take part in.

Oct. 2 meeting starts map submission period

The launch of the public submission period is on Oct. 2, when you can come to the commission’s kick-off meeting.

We’ll be making the online and printable mapping tools available after the meeting. During the meeting, we’ll demonstrate how to use them.

Saturday, October 2, 1pm
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87605788482
Phone: (669) 900-9128; Meeting ID: 876 0578 8482

You will also have the chance to share general thoughts on the redistricting process during the meeting.

For questions or requests for accommodation or to receive printed copies of mapping tools, contact the City Clerk Department at redistricting@cityofberkeley.info or (510) 981-6908.

Tell us about your community

Keeping communities with similar interests together in the same voting district is important.

Use our online form to tell us about your community of interest. Where is it located in Berkeley? What things do you have in common with your neighbors? Please share it with your friends and neighbors (English/Español).

You can submit the form online or print it and submit via:

Email: redistricting@cityofberkeley.info
In person: Call (510) 981‐6908 to make an appointment
Mail: City Clerk Department, 2180 Milvia Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704

Come to our kick-off meeting, learn how to use our tools and let us know how you think Council boundaries should be drawn.

City Health Officer Order to require vaccination in certain businesses

A City of Berkeley Health Officer Order will require employees of certain businesses to be vaccinated while also requiring a portion of those businesses to also verify proof of full vaccination for patrons who are at least 12 years old.

The requirement to verify vaccination of both employees and patrons focuses on indoor environments where airborne droplets or particles containing the virus spread easily because people:

remove a face covering, such as to eat or drink in a restaurant, bar, or club
breathe at more intense levels in a group, such as a gym, yoga studio or dance class
crowd together in groups of 1,000 or more

Artists, cultural workers sought for survey about affordable housing needs

If you live or work in Berkeley as a musician, actor, dancer or other type of artist or if you're an employee of an arts or cultural organization, fill out a survey to help assess the housing needs for you and others like you.

If you're an artist or a cultural worker who's been displaced from Berkeley over the past 5 years due to the high cost of housing, you, too, should fill out the survey.

This less than 10-minute survey will be used to identify risks specific to Berkeley's arts and culture industry and develop strategies to preserve and create affordable housing solutions.

Fill out the online survey by Sept., 30, 2021

Reduce your unpaid gas and electric bill debt by up to $8,000

Sign up soon for a new state program to help reduce up to $8,000 in unpaid balances on your PG&E bill - and keep your power on after Sept. 30, the last day of a statewide ban on disconnecting gas and electricity.

With each on-time payment, 1/12^th of your past bill is forgiven. Your power stays on and up to $8,000 of your debt will be cleared.

East Bay Community Energy and PG&E residential customers should sign up before Sept. 30 by calling (800) 743-5000.

Read more at cityofberkeley.info.