Thread by @bnhca

We are starting our D3 forum in just a few minutes! Followed by D5! It’s not too late to sign up!

https://twitter.com/bnhca/status/1306317003989250048

Your humble narrator once again be live-tweeting.

Standard warning: “we” strive to be accurate to both the questions and responses but can only type to fast. For the full truth, check the recording which we will release.

We had 60 attendees at peak last time so let’s see how it goes tonight.

Ok we now have both candidates for D3 and will start soon!

Starting with introductions of each of the 3 hosting groups - us, @WalkBikeBerk, and @caldems

Host introductions are complete and starting with the candidate introductions.

Reminder that each candidate has submitted questionnaires to BNHCA! which we’ve posted on our main page. bnhca.org

This question was very informative for most candidates - here is @benbartlettberk’s response.

.@benbartlettberk starts out - noting that since he was elected 4 years ago, he’s had a daughter and thinks frequently of the future we’re leaving for the next generation.

Among other plans @benbartlettberk says he wants to support a UBI pilot.

Deborah Matthews is next and starts her introduction. Says we need to cope with rising home prices, violent crime, traffic. Has served on and shared multiple commissions, often as one of a few African American women.

On to the first question, from us: Portland and others are passing “missing middle” legislation - allowing 2-4 units on single family lots - would you support this for Berkeley?

@benbartlettberk says “yes” - in 2016 I wrote an op-ed calling for eradication of single family zoning, co-sponsored a resolution with @loridroste, and created plan for allowing small condos (Open Doors initiative).

Deborah Matthews also supports and links this to the history of discrimination behind single family zoning.

@WalkBikeBerk: what can we do to address the danger of our current transportation infrastructure?

Deborah Matthews: I call for $100m over 10 years for investment in South Berkeley and support Vision Zero.

@benbartlettberk I support it and have accomplishments. Got largest investment in South Berkeley in a generation. Have done pilots for alternate streets but time to go bigger. @JesseArreguin and ABAG are looking at a Green New Deal.

@caldems: how can we get UC more active in addressing housing issues?

@benbartlettberk: need to engage with students - including as interns and others. We’ve had students show up to engage with council discussions and it’s been effective.

Deborah Matthews: need to engage with UC, especially in South Berkeley. Wants to create permanent low income units by funding non profit ownership through the housing trust.

2nd question BNHCA: how would you raise as much funding as possible to build as much low income as possible?

Deborah Matthews: Need to remember that 100% affordable housing requires funding which takes a long time to organize. 100% of nothing is nothing. We have hardly seen housing development until recently.

@benbartlettberk: this is a long-standing debate. Measure O&P have provided $100m for affordable housing. The Credit Union project was partially funded by that and also climate funding.

@WalkBikeBerk second Q: do you support creating a Berkeley Dept of Transportation and how should it work?

@benbartlettberk: I’m a big supporter and a co-sponsor. Should benefit POC and bikers, also lower costs by removing armed street soldiers from traffic policing.

a bit more accurate

https://twitter.com/walkbikeberk/status/1306767466849206273

Matthews: yes and we need to make sure that we design it from the lens of diversity equity and inclusion?

@caldems: how do we balance needs of students and also long term residents?

Matthews: look at raising as much money as possible for the trust fund. Possibly raise fees from housing developments.

@benbartlettberk: this is personal for me, my mother was displaced. It’s not just more housing - it’s also eviction prevention.

audience questions, selected by panel. first q: do we need state mandates to stop the finger-pointing around home building?

@benbartlettberk: yes - Berkeley has 5k units in the pipeline, our neighbors do not. Perhaps we should have a “cap and trade” approach through ABAG.

Matthews has alarms outside her window and is closing her window.

Matthews: not certain if the state is the right level, need serious discussions at local level, about what really has to happen. Allows us to address issues such as violent crime through this.

Audience Q selected by @WalkBikeBerk: if you could design the Adeline right of way from scratch what would you do?

Matthews: I’m really excited by this. Co-founder of @SBerkeleyNow. Want to introduce Black historical district, include greenway, housing, and walking.

@benbartlettberk: need to be careful because I’m going to vote on this. But would like to see greenway, vibrant storefronts, and affordable housing.

Q selected by @caldems: what’s your vision for community safety shared by all residents?

@benbartlettberk: wrote George Floyd Act. Envisions a licensed group of mental and social workers to deal with people in crisis, focus the policemen and guns on real crime.

Matthews: I did a ride-along with Berkeley Police to understand better. (sorry got distracted and missed the rest of her answer).

Now for summations.

Matthews: I will focus on the office, not higher office. Deliver equity to all people in Berkeley. Support Newsom’s plan on aging including ability to age in place. Support plans to help at-risk population go to work.

@benbartlettberk: generations ago my family came to South Berkeley and found freedom. I’ve passed over 100 laws because I believe that housing is a human right and in equity and inclusion for all.

This ends the D3 forum!