Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Grant topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Berkeley council approves consent calendar after public pleas to release gun-violence grant funds
Summary
At a July 29 special meeting the Berkeley City Council approved the consent calendar after public commenters urged the council to release funds for Live Free's gun-violence intervention program and questioned budget allocations including a police analyst position.
The Berkeley City Council on July 29 approved the consent calendar after two public commenters urged the council to release grant funds for a local gun-violence intervention program and questioned the program's budget allocations. Kentrell Killins of Live Free told the council the organization holds the city's contract for the gun-violence intervention program and asked officials to approve a recently awarded grant so the funds could be released. "This grant is adopted and allowed to be, executed as is stated," Killins said, adding the award would allow Live Free to add two outreach staff to a team that he said currently includes "2 and a half" life coaches and around-the-clock responders.
A second public commenter raised questions about the program's budget, asking whether an approximately $1,000,000 figure included about $450,000 over two years for a police analyst and whether the city had considered lower-cost alternatives. "450,000 of that doesn't go to these guys... That's a lot of coin," the commenter said.
The mayor called for approval of the consent calendar; a council member moved to approve and the mayor announced the motion passed. The transcript does not list a roll-call tally or specify which individual items were on the consent calendar by identifier. Council then moved to the action calendar and scheduled presentations on the city's homeless system.
Why it matters: public commenters said the grant would expand direct outreach and trauma support to families affected by regional gun violence, while at least one commenter questioned the balance of funds between direct service providers and a policing or analysis position. Council approval of the consent calendar advances routine items and any included grant approvals, but the transcript does not show line-item votes or further details about how the questioned analyst position is funded.
The meeting proceeded to staff presentations on homelessness and housing supports, where council asked staff to present additional materials and follow-up details on funding sources and program outcomes.
