August99-8

Storm Drainage Task Force

This committee has been reformulated and given the task to recommend modifications to the Tunnel Road corridor from the Caldecott Condominiums to Claremont Avenue. The committee made up of of Jane Brunner, Polly Armstrong (Councilmember from Berkeley), Oakland and Berkeley Traffic Engineers, Caltrans and residents, meets every month or two. What is important about this com- mittee is that both Oakland and Berkeley are work- ing together on problems that concerns both cities.

At this time there is only discussion. Polly

Armstrong is proposing that Caltrans should give Highway 13 back to Berkeley. Before this transfer can be done, both cities of Oakland and Berkeley, have to request the transfer. At this time, there are plans to modify the light at Ashby and Claremont Avenue. The new light will allow cars, who are traveling east on Claremont Avenue, to have a protected left turn to Ashby.

Right now the committee is in the fact-finding phase. Suggestions and help from all are very welcome.

-Howard Matis

For the past 18 months, the Storm Drainage Task Force, appointed by the Oakland City Council, has been studying the City's drainage problems and considered what should be done. Aided by a Woodward Clyde study financed by the City, and by the discoveries of City Staff, the Task Force has identified capital improvements needed to the tune of some $43 million. We have also determined that upgrades in preventative replacement, improved maintenance, community outreach and environmental quality (creeks, clean water) are vitally important to prevent the sort of pervasive deterioration which characterizes our present situation. Therefore, we have proposed a comprehensive program to address the future as well as the present.

Naturally, this will cost money. Working with the City, we are proposing a fee of about $5 per single family home, to be collected as part of the sewage fee on EBMUD bills. The proposed fee conforms to the requirements demanded by Prop. 218. We hope this program will help inform and inspire the people of Oakland while providing us with the tools needed to address our many problems. If we do nothing to correct the ravages of time an Prop. 13, we can look forward to a future of flooding and expensive lawsuits. Please note that performance standards are built into the program; water, not money, we hope, will be what heads down the drain. Clean water.

Task Force members and City officials want to give Oaklanders a chance to find out more and ask questions concerning the program. Among the opportunities will be a presentation at the October District One Advisory meeting, which usually takes place on the first Saturday of the months at the Peralta School, between 10 A.M. and noon. Assuming that Jane Brunner's schedule is normal for that month, that event would happen on October 2nd. I look forward to meeting neighbors there who are concerned about Oakland's storm drainage and about their EBMUD bills at that meeting.

&endash; David Kessler, Vice President, NHPA

Weed Abatement

I went through part of our neighborhoods with the Oakland weed inspector for our area, Camille Rodgers today. I pointed our some areas that needed to have the weeds removed and she pointed out areas that would be cited starting Friday, July 1. I had previously canvassed Norfolk Rd. from Buckingham to Marlborough. Our lists almost coincided indicating that Camille is doing a fine job and deserves our support.

I asked Camille if she was getting much input from the neighborhoods and she said that she was not. She said that it would be very helpful if people could send her the name, address, phone no., etc. of any lots which need weed removal. The more input she gets, the more time she can spend in the field. I would suggest that people volunteer to walk each street or area and turn in the names of all those who are not in compliance.

Camille said that starting July 1 she would turn over lots not in compliance. The owners would have perhaps a week or so to cut their lot before the city hired contractors do the job. Camille Rodgers can be reached at her direct line: 238-7392. If you cannot get through call 238-7388 until you get a person. Also, her FAX is 238-3769.

If you have any questions, please contact me. 510-845-9579. &endash; Milton Soldz

Tunnel Road

After the Oakland City Council agreed to allow the Claremont Hotel to put a traffic light on Tunnel Road, a joint Oakland-Berkeley committee was formed to reduce its impact. The committee met for several months, and recommended several modifications to the implementation of the light. These changes were subsequently implemented.



	Storm Drainage Task Force			This committee has been reformulated and given the task to recommend modifications to the Tunnel Road corridor from the Caldecott Condominiums to Claremont Avenue. The committee made up of of Jane Brunner, Polly Armstrong (Councilmember from Berkeley), Oakland and Berkeley Traffic Engineers, Caltrans and residents, meets every month or two. What is important about this com- mittee is that both Oakland and Berkeley are work- ing together on problems that concerns both cities. At this time there is only discussion. Polly Armstrong is proposing that Caltrans should give Highway 13 back to Berkeley. Before this transfer can be done, both cities of Oakland and Berkeley, have to request the transfer. At this time, there are plans to modify the light at Ashby and Claremont Avenue. The new light will allow cars, who are traveling east on Claremont Avenue, to have a protected left turn to Ashby. Right now the committee is in the fact-finding phase. Suggestions and help from all are very welcome. -Howard Matis
	For the past 18 months, the Storm Drainage Task Force, appointed by the Oakland City Council, has been studying the City's drainage problems and considered what should be done. Aided by a Woodward Clyde study financed by the City, and by the discoveries of City Staff, the Task Force has identified capital improvements needed to the tune of some $43 million. We have also determined that upgrades in preventative replacement, improved maintenance, community outreach and environmental quality (creeks, clean water) are vitally important to prevent the sort of pervasive deterioration which characterizes our present situation. Therefore, we have proposed a comprehensive program to address the future as well as the present. Naturally, this will cost money. Working with the City, we are proposing a fee of about $5 per single family home, to be collected as part of the sewage fee on EBMUD bills. The proposed fee conforms to the requirements demanded by Prop. 218. We hope this program will help inform and inspire the people of Oakland while providing us with the tools needed to address our many problems. If we do nothing to correct the ravages of time an Prop. 13, we can look forward to a future of flooding and expensive lawsuits. Please note that performance standards are built into the program; water, not money, we hope, will be what heads down the drain. Clean water. Task Force members and City officials want to give Oaklanders a chance to find out more and ask questions concerning the program. Among the opportunities will be a presentation at the October District One Advisory meeting, which usually takes place on the first Saturday of the months at the Peralta School, between 10 A.M. and noon. Assuming that Jane Brunner's schedule is normal for that month, that event would happen on October 2nd. I look forward to meeting neighbors there who are concerned about Oakland's storm drainage and about their EBMUD bills at that meeting. &endash; David Kessler, Vice President, NHPA

				Weed Abatement
				I went through part of our neighborhoods with the Oakland weed inspector for our area, Camille Rodgers today. I pointed our some areas that needed to have the weeds removed and she pointed out areas that would be cited starting Friday, July 1. I had previously canvassed Norfolk Rd. from Buckingham to Marlborough. Our lists almost coincided indicating that Camille is doing a fine job and deserves our support. I asked Camille if she was getting much input from the neighborhoods and she said that she was not. She said that it would be very helpful if people could send her the name, address, phone no., etc. of any lots which need weed removal. The more input she gets, the more time she can spend in the field. I would suggest that people volunteer to walk each street or area and turn in the names of all those who are not in compliance. Camille said that starting July 1 she would turn over lots not in compliance. The owners would have perhaps a week or so to cut their lot before the city hired contractors do the job. Camille Rodgers can be reached at her direct line: 238-7392. If you cannot get through call 238-7388 until you get a person. Also, her FAX is 238-3769. If you have any questions, please contact me. 510-845-9579. &endash; Milton Soldz

	Tunnel Road
	After the Oakland City Council agreed to allow the Claremont Hotel to put a traffic light on Tunnel Road, a joint Oakland-Berkeley committee was formed to reduce its impact. The committee met for several months, and recommended several modifications to the implementation of the light. These changes were subsequently implemented.