TONA

Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association
North Berkeley

TONA MEETING

7:30 PM, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1996

THOUSAND OAKS SCHOOL

Agenda:
		1.  Annual Meeting & Election of Directors		
		2.  So, What's Happening With The Thousand Oaks School?

TONA ELECTION FORUM & ICE CREAM SOCIAL

7:30 PM, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1996

MASONIC HALL - Colusa Between Solano & Catalina

Agenda:
		1.  7:30 Ice Cream Social		
		2.  8:00 District 5 City Council Candidates Debate
		3.  Berkeley Ballot Mesaures Discussion

Thousand Oaks School Update

Since even before the 1989 earthquake, the condition of the Thousand Oaks Elementary School was below par. With the passage of Measure A, funds became available to make substantial improvements to the BUSD's facilities including Thousand Oaks.

A BUSD structural engineering study revealed substantial structural problems at TO School. This lead to the partial closure of the building and certain nonstructural improvements. While the BUSD was assessing the School, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) orchestrated the TO School's landmark designation by the Berkeley Landmarks Commission. TONA subsequently unsuccessfully (the law apparently doesn't allow for reconsideration of buildings designated landmarks) sought a reconsideration of the TO landmark status.

The building's landmark status and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has added several more significant steps to the evaluation process before BUSD can take any action to improve TO School. Earlier this year, an Initial Study (required by CEQA) was released. Unfortunately, that study was mistitled in public notices and had to be reissued last month. Earlier this month, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was released. The EIR provides a more comprehensive analysis of BUSD's options. The period for public comment runs 45 days and ends on October 26th. Thereafter the BUSD Directors will probably vote to replace or renovate at a meeting to be scheduled for late November.

TONA has supported the replacement option. TONA believes a new school building provides the best educational option for the community, is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and is the most cost effective option. Renovation is expected to be substantially more costly and would also involve adding a building to accommodate a larger student body scheduled to attend.

In July, BAHA mailed to TO residents a newsletter devoted to the School project along with its plea that the School be preserved, apparently at all cost. Unfortunately, BAHA's piece is inaccurate in many respects, particularly with respect to the appearance of a new building. Although the design of a new school building will definitely differ from the existing structure, the architect's current drawing of the building's facade are substantially different from those portrayed by BAHA.

The TONA Board feels that it is important for the neighborhood to understand the options and have an opportunity to form an informed opinion on these options. To this end, TONA has arranged for the School architects, the EIR consultants and the project manager to make presentations to the community at TONA's October 3rd meeting. The meeting will be held at the School. Come and get your questions answered. Come to air your concerns. Plans for both a new school building and a site renovation will all also be available along with a model of the proposed new building along with copies of the EIR.

Election Debate Night

Diane Woolley-Bauer (incumbent) and Ted Edlin have agreed to participate in a debate at TONA's special October 23 rd meeting. With this election the Fifth District seat will become a four year seat. Additionally, we hope to have representatives from groups campaigning for the six local ballot measures.

Blackberry Creek Weeding Party On October 26

The City actively encourages neighborhood participation in the maintenance of local parks. TONA recently meet with representatives of the Parks Department, Urban Creek Council, and T.O. School to identify the weeds along the Blackberry Creek which need to be removed before the rainy season.

On Saturday, October 26 at 9 am volunteer weed pullers are asked to assemble at the Tacoma entrance of the T.O. School Park for a weed pulling party. Work gloves and sturdy shoes/boots are recommended. Since some work will be along the creek banks, this party may not be suitable for children. Depending on the number of volunteers available, some graffiti removal and painting projects may also be undertaken. Refreshment donations gratefully accepted. For more information, call G.J. Stillson MacDonnell at 525-6874.

To give the new plants more time to establish themselves, temporary fencing will remain up around the Creek until mid-winter, The willows and the watercress will be cut back by the City shortly. Additional plantings will be made by the City this Fall. The irrigation system for the ball field is under repair. The TOT Lot equipment project leaders took a break over the summer but fundraising will be resuming shortly. $20,00 in tax-deductible contributions are being sought. If any one wants to write that check now, it would be greatly appreciated.

Poll workers Desperately Needed

On November 5th we will be having national, state and local elections and 4000 workers are needed to work from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm at the polls. You need to be a United States citizen and registered to vote in Alameda County. The pay ranges from $53 to $83.50 depending on the duties.

Call: (510) 272-6971 or 1 (800) 834-6454 for information.

Solano Avenue Zoning Issues

Under the C-SO Zoning Ordinance the number of food service establishments on Solano Avenue is limited to 12.

Existing food service business locations may become new food service businesses, but no locations that do not now provide food service may become food service establishment until there are fewer than 12 on the Avenue. The Unocal station has been granted a City Use Permit to add a convenience store on its premises. TONA has appealed the granting of such permit because we believe the store would constitute a food service under the ordinance and as such would exceed the quota. Additional concerns have been raised as to such store's impact on traffic, litter and the surrounding community. We expect that the City Council will schedule a hearing on TONA's appeal in October. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. At least two other food services are considering sites on upper Solano. Their addition would exceed the quota and TONA intends to oppose any increase in the number of food services on the Avenue.

Newsletter acorn illustrator: Nancy Gorrell - Editor & layoutist: Mark Gorrell

TONA Board of Directors

G.J. Stillson MacDonnell 525-6874  73651.3450@compuserve.com 
  President
Richard Thomason         524-3724
  Vice President
Elizabeth  Sklut         527-5512
  Treasurer
Jim Bonsey               526-8969 jamesbonsey@pge.com
  Secretary
Zelda  Bronstein         528-8345
Helen Burke              527-0176
Cynthia  Campbell        527-8639
Lu  Charlotte            525-6495
  Director Emeritus
Mark  Gorrell            525-3048
David Strachan           526-4058
Linda Tong               524-5544
Heinz Weber              526-4741

Use your envelope to send TONA your dues:
TONA Membership Form
Dues per year: 
$2 Senior, $3 Single, $5 Family
Send dues to:  TONA
P.O. Box 7572, Berkeley, CA 94707



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