EL CERRITO

On Sept. 20, 2022 the City Council passed a resolution to end its local state of emergency as of Dec. 31.

The local emergency has been in place since March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has allowed the city to enact various emergency measures including closure of city facilities and other related health and safety measures. In addition, actions taken under the local emergency included an eviction moratorium for residential and commercial rental properties and the creation of a temporary outdoor dining and retail program for local businesses.

The end date of Dec. 31 allows ample notice of the local state of emergency’s termination, particularly with respect to the eviction moratorium. City staff will develop legislation to bring to the City Council in the next two months that will ensure the eviction moratorium continues through Dec. 31 and to continue the outdoor dining and retail program until such time that permanent legislation can be developed and enacted.

— city of El Cerrito

ALBANY

City awarded $230,000 to remove dying eucalyptus trees

Albany has been awarded a California State Coastal Conservancy grant to support the Albany Hill Eucalyptus Project. City staff provided an update on the project in May to the City Council, which authorized staff to submit an application to the California State Coastal Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program to support project planning and design; fire safety; and education and research.

Developing a nuanced and thoughtful removal and restoration plan is necessary for the drought- and pathogen-stricken eucalyptus forest on Albany Hill. This plan will provide guidance for removing dead and diseased blue gum eucalyptus trees while minimizing impact to local flora and fauna, including the monarch butterflies, which use Albany Hill as an overwintering site.

The plan will also include analysis and preliminary design of replacement trees and native plantings, to avoid hillside erosion and renew the Albany Hill landscape for residents and wildlife to enjoy for generations to come. On Sept. 22, the Coastal Conservancy board authorized $230,000 to fund Albany’s proposal. For more information, visit albanyca.org/departments/public-works/construction-alerts online.

— city of Albany

BERKELEY

Register by Oct. 24 to vote in city’s November elections

Register by Oct. 24 to vote in the Nov. 8 election, which includes the state offices and propositions, as well as local candidates and ballot measures.

If you are already registered, check your registration status before Oct. 24 to confirm that your information is correct. You need to re-register if you have moved, changed your name, or wish to change your political party preference. The following measures and offices are on Berkeley’s Nov. 8 ballot:

• Measures L, M and N;
• City Council Districts 1, 4, 7 and 8;
• school board (three seats);
• rent board (five seats);
• city auditor.

While you can register “provisionally” to vote until election day, the best way to register is to do so by Oct. 24. For more details, visit bayareane.ws/3CgScTO online.

— city of Berkeley

RICHMOND

Celebrate Día de los Muertos at city’s art center on Oct. 15

Fall Family Day at Richmond Art Center (RAC) will be a special celebration of Día de los Muertos from 12 to 3 p.m. Oct. 15.

Kids of all ages and their grown-ups are invited to RAC’s courtyard to celebrate the Day of the Dead with art-making, music and miniature low riders. Admission is free. Artist Daniel Camacho is leading the festivities with a community ofrenda and papier-mâché skull workshop. Camacho’s work is on view now through Nov. 17 at RAC in the exhibition De Fantasías y Realidades. For the ofrenda, Camacho invites community members to contribute items that honor their loves ones.

Other activities at Fall Family Day will include a Día de los Muertos presentation by Ernesto Olmos; live printing and coloring with local art collective Liberación Gráfica; community chalk mural with Rebeca García-González; art demonstrations; a marigold giveaway; search and find; and local art vendors. The RAC is at 2540 Barrett Ave. in Richmond. Visit richmondartcenter.org/events/dia-de-los-muertos-fall-family-day-10-15-22 online for more information.

— RAC

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