Express your views on public issues to the City of Berkeley through a new on-line Forum called Berkeley Considers. The current topic, Homelessness Policy, is available for comment until April 4, 2017. The link to participate and to read more is http://www.cityofberkeley.info/considers/  

The City developed Berkeley Considers to expand the number and range of citizens who can communicate their views beyond those who are able to speak at City Council meetings,  write or speak  to Council Members directly. The City hopes that this forum will give a more varied and more representative range of citizen opinions than is currently available to it through city boards and commissions and direct testimony. It will, of course, still reflect the views of those who decide to participate and will not be a statistically reliable sample of Berkeley public opinion.

The current question is:

Should the City Council direct the City Manager to implement Emergency Interim Measures to provide stability, navigation and respite to homeless individuals, as well as pathways to permanent housing and services, and create a 1,000 Person Plan to address the homeless crisis in Berkeley?

The City of Berkeley describes the platform as follows:

Berkeley Considers is an online forum for civic engagement. Read what others are saying about important Berkeley topics, then post your own statement. Comments will be submitted to City officials as part of their decision process.

Berkeley Considers is run by Peak Democracy, a non-partisan company whose mission is to broaden civic engagement and build public trust in government.

When you post your first statement, you will be asked for your name and home address. This confidential information is used only by Peak Democracy to identify statements from residents in and near Berkeley – so that users know which statements are from local residents. They will keep your information confidential, they do not accept advertising, and they will not share contact information, as noted in the company’s Privacy Policy. The City of Berkeley does not currently require participants to show their name in order to participate. All Berkeley residents, regardless of immigration status, are welcome to provide feedback

As with any public comment process, participation in Berkeley Considers is voluntary; city officials may consider input from this forum along with all other channels for participation. However you choose to participate, thanks for helping us build a better Berkeley.