From official newsletter

October 2026 Newsletter

Oct 14, 2026, 9:55 PM • Councilmember Terry Taplin

Summary

Councilmember Terry Taplin highlights several key community initiatives and opportunities for public engagement in Berkeley. Residents are urged to report ICE sightings to Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership to ensure community safety. The city is pursuing a grant to transform a contaminated vacant lot near Allston Way into a new neighborhood park, following the successful Santa Fe Trackbed to Park project. Public input is sought on AC Transit’s Contingency Service Plan amid a looming $200 million deficit threatening service cuts in 2027. Additionally, the Alameda County Behavioral Health Services Act invites community feedback to improve local behavioral health services. The newsletter also promotes youth engagement through the Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate contest and announces upcoming office hours and public hearings.

Key positions and references

Key positions

Support for community safety via ICE reporting
Pursuit of grant funding for West Berkeley park development
Advocacy for public input on AC Transit service contingency planning
Encouragement of community feedback on behavioral health services

Agenda items and issues mentioned

West Berkeley Brownfield to Neighborhood Park Project
AC Transit Contingency Service Plan
Alameda County Behavioral Health Services Act Community Input Survey
Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate Program

Meetings and events mentioned

Fall Friday Office Hours on October 16 at George Florence Park
AC Transit Public Hearing on October 14 in Oakland
Behavioral Health Services Listening Session on October 28
Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate Contest application deadline October 30

Full newsletter

This newsletter is best viewed in its original format.

If you think you see ICE, call the Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership (https://www.acilep.org/) (ACILEP) at 510-241-4011. The county is doing all they can to track ICE activities in our neighborhoods and getting legal aid to anybody who is taken. Calling this number if you think something is going on is the best way to keep everybody saf…