About the Survey

The Who, Where, and How of Resident Survey
In response to readers' questions, a description of the survey cited in the previous story is provided below:

The survey was conducted jointly by the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), UNITE HERE Local 2850, and Residents United for a Livable Emeryville (RULE). The survey was conducted over a one-month period (in February 2009) by a team of volunteers who went door-to-door in every neighborhood in Emeryville. On average, five teams of 2 volunteers conducted the surveys on 12 separate occasions, questioning more than 400 residents across the city, including North Emeryville, the Triangle neighborhood, Watergate, The Terraces, Archstone Apartments, 1500 Park Street, and the Emeryville Artists' Cooperative. Residents of Pacific Park Plaza (PPP) were not surveyed because volunteers were denied entrance. They were told that PPP does not allow soliciting. All the residents surveyed were chosen at random.

The 7-question survey asked residents their opinions about development in town, requesting that they prioritize their top three concerns or demands (see survey results - link in previous story - for more details). Survey questions were based on feedback received during a series of focus groups. Among the focus group participants were Emeryville teachers, former city council members, religious leaders, school board members, youth, small business owners, and residents. A professional, outside facilitator was hired to conduct all of the focus groups.

Residents Say Development Should Benefit Community

Survey Shows Quality Jobs, Affordable Housing, and Investment in Education are Priorities for Residents

The results of a new survey shows that Emeryville residents want development that includes community benefits. A majority (82 percent of more than 400 surveyed) do not support the current proposal for Bay Street Site B, which includes more high-end retail, a hotel, and condominiums. Site B is immediately to the north of the Bay Street mall. Residents are calling on the city and the developer to include more affordable housing, good-paying jobs, and an investment in education.

In February 2009, the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) teamed up with a local citizens group, Residents United for a Livable Emeryville (RULE), and UNITE HERE Local 2850 workers to survey residents. Click here for the survey results.

"No" on Emeryville Center for Community Life

Edited version of email to residents from Council Member John Fricke (sent March 22, 2009).
RE: The City Council's plans for the Emeryville Center for Community Life (ECCL), described on the website designed exclusively to promote it, as a place where "schools, community services, arts, and recreation programs are integrated." The price tag? More than $120 million.

At last Tuesday's (March 19) meeting, the City Council began the process of hiring an architect to design new community facilities - to be known as the Emeryville Center for Community Life - at the high school site (on San Pablo between 47th and 53rd streets). The architecture fees alone are estimated at $11 million, and would be paid from the city's redevelopment money. The entire project is estimated to cost $120 million. When completed, the project ("ECCL") would include new school facilities and city-run services. I voted "no" for a number of reasons.

The city's redevelopment money could be better spent on less grandiose projects. For example, Emeryville needs a permanent recreation center. In 2006, the city estimated the cost of a new recreation center at $6 million. Instead of preparing to spend $11 million on architects' fees, the city should provide a new rec center.

The money could also be spent to create more parks and open space. The park soon to be completed at 61st and Hollis cost about $8 million to buy the land, and design and construct the park.

The ECCL plan includes having all grades – kindergarten through 12th grade – at the high school site. Having just completed a $9 million renovation of the existing grammar school, the school district would abandon this school site. ECCL construction is scheduled to begin in 2011.

In these tough economic times, it doesn't make sense to be planning to spend $120 million on a project, especially since it's unclear where the money will come from.

Even if the money is found to construct the project, running the facility is going to demand a larger city budget. ECCL proponents argue that the project will actually save money in maintenance costs since a number of current city services and school functions will be consolidated in one location, thus saving operating money by sharing administrative functions. Can the city and school district expand the number of programs while saving money?

ECCL proponents are very ambitious in what programs will be offered: "180,000 square feet of interior space made up of general instruction classrooms, meeting rooms, administrative offices, 2 gymnasiums, multi-purpose areas, art and music studios, dance and fitness studios, space for preschool and before and after school activities, technology centers, teacher work areas, parent and teacher resource areas, library, and a health and wellness center. The outdoor space would include soccer field, football field, baseball field, basketball courts, a year-round swimming pool, a running track, gardens, and green open space."

The city's budget is stretched as it is. Sales tax revenue is down, and the city council is debating whether to raise taxes. I support raising taxes if the alternative means cutting back city services. I don't think this is the best time to be planning for a facility that will likely demand a larger city operating budget.

Finally, nothing has been decided on how the joint facility would be governed. The city's redevelopment money would be spent for a project on school district property. In places like Chicago and New York, the school superintendent answers to the mayor and the school budget is part of the city budget. In California, school districts are governed by separate, elected boards. Before the city uses its redevelopment agency money for a project on school property, it behooves us to know what governmental body will be ultimately responsible for what goes on at the facility.

Emeryville Vice-Mayor Ken Bukowski Censured

(l to r) Council members Ruth Atkin, Dick Kassis (mayor), Nora Davis, Ken Bukowski (vice-mayor), and John Fricke

The Two "No" Votes:
Bukowski Cries "Revenge";
John Fricke Calls Censure "Toothless"
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Council Also Votes to Cut Public Comment Period from 5 minutes to 3 minutes

by Brian Donahue and Tracy Schroth

The Emeryville City Council last Tuesday voted 3-2 to officially censure Vice-Mayor Ken Bukowski for unlawful and unethical conduct while in office. The strongly worded resolution criticized Bukowski for bringing "disrepute" on the city in general and the City Council in particular. The censure sought to publicly condemn Bukowski's actions and invite "the reaffirmation of his oath of office and commitment to govern his activities as an elected official ... in full compliance with ... all laws of the State of California and the City of Emeryville."

Bukowski and Council Member John Fricke voted against the censure. Bukowski characterized the move as revenge, while Fricke called it a "toothless" show for the cameras, noting that aside from public humliation, there is no consequence. He noted that the three Bukowski condemners were enthusiastic Bukowski supporters just a few short years ago, despite their knowledge of Bukowski's transgressions (although the list has grown since then). Council members Nora Davis and Ruth Atkin ran on the same re-election slate with Bukowski, with the active support of (now-Mayor) Dick Kassis, in 2007.

Bukowski, meanwhile, characterized the censure as an act of revenge, claiming that his fellow council members were punishing him for voting against the city renewing its contract with City Attorney Mike Biddle.

This is the second time the Bukowski censure resolution has been put to a vote. Council Member Ruth Atkin introduced the same resolution at a Jan. 20 Council meeting. But, after a lengthy discussion, she withdrew it, preventing a vote. At the time, Council Member Nora Davis indicated she was against the censure and that Bukowski had served the city well. Last Tuesday, however, she voted in favor of censuring Bukowski.

In other business, the Council voted 4-1 (Fricke against) to reduce the public comment period from 5 minutes to 3 minutes per citizen. They also voted to ban dogs from the council chambers.

Here is a list of Bukowski's offenses cited in the resolution:

• Failure to pay business license tax on his Doyle Street rental property.
• Disclosure to the public of confidential closed-session items discussed by the City Council. There is speculation that the disclosure had to do with the firing of a city staffer who alleged that the firing was racially motivated. Bukowski sided with the employee, publicly criticizing the handling of the case by then City Manager John Flores and City Attorney Mike Biddle. The city ultimately settled the case for $3.6 million.
• Failure to file the necessary campaign finance reports between October 2003 and 2006, "despite repeated reminders and requests from the City Clerk’s Office and referral to the Fair Political Practices Commission." Bukowski has since been fined by the Fair Political Practices Commission, according to the resolution.
• Soliciting and obtaining personal loans from individuals that exceed limits and terms set by the Political Reform Act and not repaying at least one of those loans. It was disclosed at a public meeting several months ago that Bukowski received a loan from Emeryville developer Francis Collins.
  
• Entering into a consulting contract with Paxio, Inc., an Internet service provider that also has a contract with the city to supply services, and failing to disclose that consulting agreement to his fellow City Council members.
  
• Participating in and influencing decisions of the City Council regarding Paxio while on Paxio's payroll.

Bukowski has "flouted and violated the law governing his activities as a local business owner and as a member of the office of the City Council on several occasions," the resolution said, noting that "these violations are not limited to an isolated incident and have brought disrepute to the City of Emeryville" and the City Council. The resolution went on to say that the Council has "grown weary of Council Member Bukowski's pattern of violating the law, followed by promises of reform once violations have been publicly exposed, and thereafter followed by further violations after some period of relatively 'good behavior' ... "

Opinion

Where Is Center?

by Joe Chambers

Where is the center of Emeryville? What constitutes a center? As my girlfriend, Luana, and I made our awkward walk home to 62nd and Hollis from Trader Joe’s, groceries in hand, we argued about exactly where the center of Emeryville lies. Unclear whether Emeryville’s main attraction, IKEA, constituted its center, I looked down at the sprawling vacant lot next to Bay Street Mall (a.k.a. Site B) as I crossed the Powell Street bridge.

The development planned for Site B is essentially an extension of the Bay Street mall. The list of what will occupy the site has an all-too-familiar ring: condos, high-rise hotel, and more retail. It’s more of what has come to characterize the city – attractions for the short-term visitor. What struck me, and probably the developers too, was the important central location of this site.

To me, this lot in and around Powell Street represents the heart of Emeryville. Not only is it the main access point to all the stores and freeways, but it allows our neighbors to the east to cross quickly into the main shopping district and onto the highway. Unfortunately, a car is necessary to make that trip. (Even from my home at 62nd and Hollis, I often consider driving as the most practical option.) Upon entering Emeryville, visitors must find parking, consume their goods, and then navigate the city’s convoluted web of one-way streets and heavy traffic to find the road home. There is no place for shoppers to rest, talk, read, or think long enough to consider that there might be something to do in Emeryville other than shop. Where is our communal meeting place? Must it all revolve around retail? I believe a city is made by a central public space that attracts visitors, employees, and residents alike. Site B could be that place. Take Union Square in San Francisco or Union Square in New York City – they both provide a gathering space where people can eat lunch, talk on the phone, or arrange to meet someone. If we had a place to collect ourselves, we could decide where to go next or whether to stay longer.

The Bay Street mall businesses would benefit from such a place. Visitors might stay longer, shop more or eat at a restaurant. As it stands now, people do their shopping, get exhausted, and go home. This transience will continue until the City finds its soul – becoming less retail park and more of a cosmopolitan city. If people could access this central location from a variety of directions, and without a car, Emeryville could have a community of residents from Emeryville, Berkeley and Oakland, who want to spend quality time in our city’s “downtown.”
___________________________________________________

Joe Chambers has lived and worked in Emeryville for the past 4 years. He is a local Emeryville artist whose emphasis is in architecture and city planning. His concern with the state of Emeryville is the lack of social and cultural attention the city provides its residents.

Emeryville City Council Ratifies It's January Ruling: The Woodfin Must Pay

City Council is Unanimous in Ruling that Woodfin Owes Workers $200,000 in Back Wages

by Tracy Schroth

Current and former Woodfin hotel workers are now one step closer to victory in their three-year fight for more than $200,000 in back wages. The Emeryville City Council voted last week to formally adopt written findings of fact in the case, essentially ratifying its Jan. 15 voice vote that Woodfin must pay back wages to dozens of immigrant workers. The final vote follows a marathon five days of hearings over two months. The Council rejected Woodfin's appeal of the city manager's finding in 2006, ordering the hotel to pay the additional wages to comply with the city's "living wage" ordinance.

The Council ultimately rejected Woodfin's argument that it is in compliance with Measure C, a 2004 initiative that established a "living wage" for workers at Emeryville hotels, and also set guidelines for working conditions.

City Attorney Mike Biddle has sent a letter to Woodfin General Manager Hugh MacIntosh stating that the Woodfin has until March 31 to pay the back wages, along with its annual permit fee. The letter asks that MacIntosh supply the required declarations confirming the payments were made, to whom, and for how much, no later than April 15. If the Woodfin fails to meet the payment deadline, it will be denied a renewal of its permit to operate.

Sam Hardage, owner of the Woodfin, at 5800 Shellmound Street, has spent well over $200,000 in legal fees trying to fight the order to pay the back wages, arguing that room cleaners received help with their work from supervisors and therefore the wages owed are considerably less. When asked to elaborate, Woodfin attorneys said that supervisors helped clean the rooms "with their eyes and their heads" (whatever that means).

Woodfin Suites Hotels, a privately held company, was founded by CEO Hardage, who earned the rank of "pioneer" in the 2004 George Bush re-election campaign by raising more than $100,000 in contributions. In 2008, Hardage raised about the same amount for Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential bid. Hardage also was a major contributor to the re-election campaign of former California Congressman Randy "Duke" Cuningham, now serving time in federal prison for accepting kick-backs from military contractors.

Community Yoga Center Opening in Emeryville

Square One Yoga Collective, a new studio offering low-cost yoga classes and community events, is opening March 1 in the Triangle Neighborhood of Emeryville.

Katy Cryer, a neighborhood resident, is teaming up with 11 other Bay Area yoga teachers to make the transformative art of yoga available to everyone, regardless of income. At the heart of Cryer’s vision is the belief that yoga has become too expensive for many of the people who need it most.

“Yoga changed my life,” she said, “It helped me become calmer, more centered, more self-assured, and more compassionate toward others. It even helped me break a 15-year tobacco addiction. Everybody should have this.”

Cryer plans to offer classes for $10 -- two-thirds to one-half what most other Bay Area studios charge. Neighborhood residents for whom even $10 is prohibitively expensive will be given the opportunity to apply for scholarships.

San Francisco architect Pablo Ortiz Pena is designing the interior of the studio, while Leigh Okies of Leigh Okies and the Office of Fine Print, also in San Francisco, is meeting all of Square One’s graphic design needs. Both Pena and Okies are working pro bono, sharing Cryer’s belief that yoga is a conduit for social and personal change.

"Many, many hours of their hard work is making Square One not only the most affordable of Bay Area studios, but also perhaps the most beautiful," Cryer said.

All events and classes on opening day (March 1) will be free and open to the public. Classes will begin at 9:30 am, 11:30 am and 4 pm. There will be a reception following the final class of the day. Sein Feit, an Oakland musician, will hold a kirtan (call and response chanting in the Hindu tradition) at 7:30 pm.

For more information, please contact Katy Cryer at 510-547-9700 or 415-652-8229, katy@squareoneyoga.com, visit website at www.squareoneyoga.com, or drop by the studio -- Square One Yoga Collective, 4336A San Pablo Ave., Emeryville, CA 94608.

City Manager Bans Distribution of News, Publications at City Hall

Secret News Request Prompts Blanket Ban on "Outside Publications," including Chamber Newsletter, Restaurant Flyers


By Brian Donahue, Marc Albert, and Tracy Schroth

A request by The Secret News to place printed copies of the Emeryville city news blog in City Hall – alongside the Chamber of Commerce newsletter, The Emeryville Connection -- has triggered an all-out news ban by City Manager Patrick O’Keefe. As a result of The Secret News’ request, O’Keefe has declared all “outside publications” prohibited, including restaurant and other business flyers formerly posted in the employee break room, and the Connection, copies of which were neatly stacked at the front counter for the past two + years.

The ban was issued last Thursday, at the advice of City Attorney Mike Biddle, just two hours after The Secret News made its request to place printed copies at City Hall.

In an e-mail to City officials, Chamber President Bob Canter vowed compliance with the new ban (see below), and that he supports the arrest of individuals caught distributing any publications at City Hall.

It’s the second time in recent years that the City has been challenged over its support of the Chamber’s newsletter, which serves primarily as a pro- government PR sheet. The first challenge came when it was discovered the City was actually using taxpayer money to bankroll the Connection, at a cost of $43,000 a year. This is despite the Chamber’s status as a private, independent membership organization with no formal city affiliation. The Chamber lost its taxpayer subsidy, and soon switched from glossy 4-color to newsprint.


Email to City officials from Chamber President Bob Canter:

We're going to obey you.

The Emeryville Chamber of Commerce has every intention of obeying the law and abiding by the decision of the City Manager and City Attorney regarding the distribution of materials in City Hall. We recognize the right of the City Manager to control what materials are distributed in the building.

Effective immediately -- in compliance with the City Manager's/City Attorney's joint determination -- we will no longer ask for, nor expect, The Emeryville Connection to be displayed anywhere inside City Hall. Per Mr. O'Keeffe, I will keep several issues with me and will hand them out on a one-on-one basis, upon request, or if someone says they would like to see a copy, but effective immediately there will be no illegal standing displays of the paper.

The City Manager/City Attorney can enforce their decision any way they deem proper, including removing illegally-displayed materials. Arrest also sounds like a great option to us.

Respected Urban Planner Cites Bay Street Mall as Design Failure

Bay Street mall design "really abysmal" says urban planner Daniel Iacofano of MIG, Inc.

Below is an excerpt of an interview with Daniel Iacofano by The Inclusive City, a website that promotes the concept of "inclusive design"and Iacofano's book about it, which he co-authored with Susan M. Goltsman. Iacofano and Goltsman co-founded the premier urban planning and design firm MIG, Inc. in Berkeley. Inclusive design refers to an approach to planning that promotes social and economic equity and community development, with full interaction and accessibility for all residents. Click here to read the entire interview.

Are there any specific examples of design under so-called New Urbanism that may look good from the outside, but don’t achieve the principles of social inclusion you espouse?

Daniel Iacofano: The Bay Street project in Emeryville, California, fails on many different levels. It purports to be a Main Street, with cars driving through, but it’s really a mall without a roof, with housing integrated into it. There are no neighborhood-serving stores where the people who live there can shop; you don’t go into a Gap every day—that store is a regional draw. And people who work there can’t afford to live there. There are no free gathering spaces and no parks. It’s not an authentic neighborhood and socially it just doesn’t work.

From the point of view of design, it’s really abysmal. Again, they’re trying to mimic a street, with sidewalks, streets and gutters. But it would have been better from an accessibility perspective—for people with disabilities—to eliminate the curbs and use a different technique of delineating the pedestrian right-of-way from the auto right-of-way. That’s where urban design is moving, by the way—towards a shared right-of-way.

So they totally missed it in Emeryville because they were lured into old ideas of what a city looks like. They had the opportunity to control the environment and make it universal design; instead they erected their own barriers. It was an uncritical re-adaptation of a Main Street icon and fails in what it’s trying to do. They began with a packaged idea and made no attempt to create an authentic environment.

"We Must Grow - But Not at Any Cost"

Letter to the Emeryville City Council
(Reprint of letter sent to the City Council prior to its vote on Jan. 20 to demolish the historic brick building at 39th and Adeline Streets - designated as "architecturally significant" under the City's own preservation ordinance. It is the third "architecturally significant" building the City Council has voted to demolish in the past year. )

Esteemed City Council Members,

I write to express my concern about the brick building currently
standing at 39th and Adeline. This building is an important part of
our landscape. Please don't give a developer a free pass to demolish
it.

I am not anti-development. I enjoy living in Emeryville, and I love
seeing it thrive and grow. But "smart growth" is different than
"growth at any cost." We can bring in new businesses and new
residents without violating our own policies for preservation of
historic structures.

Emeryville is strong, and it does not need to destroy its heritage
just to put up another cookie-cutter, vision-less new building. Many
Emeryville residents -- long-time residents like me -- love living in a
city that is different, quirky, and built on a legacy of industrial
and bricks-and-mortar growth. We love the way it looks. Yes, we must
grow - but not at any cost.

To me, this is part of a larger issue about the City's vision for
growth, and its priorities. Do we pass resolutions that reflect our values, only to abandon them at the first request of a developer?

Tuesday is my anniversary, and I will be unable to appear personally
at the council meeting. But I write to let you know that this issue
is very important to me, and I vote. Every time.

Thanks to Brian Donahue, John Fricke, and the Secret News for shining
a light on this important issue.

K.H.
6363 Christie Ave. (PPP)
...E'ville since '05 - and loving it!