Initiated by former Councilmember Lori Droste, Mark brought the Willard Clubhouse and Park improvements over the finish line, navigating tense, last-minute zoning considerations to deliver the final Council vote in support of the project. The old Willard clubhouse was inadequately sized and lacked essential facilities for afterschool care and neighborhood events.

Thanks to Mark and Lori's efforts, it has now been rebuilt as an award-winning, highly sustainable community space. Mark fought to ensure the project was not delayed or watered down, so it could serve as many of our kids and neighbors as possible.

Mark believes firmly that Berkeley must make good on its promise of being an inclusive community that provides new homes for families, essential workers, and immigrants alike. At the same time, Mark is determined to protect the small and local businesses that give Elmwood its unique character.

That's why Mark spearheaded the “tailored zoning” approach that won formal support from the Berkeley Planning Commission earlier this year. This approach targets zoning changes to the three specific opportunity sites in Elmwood that have the greatest potential for new homes while avoiding impacts to the pedestrian-oriented retail fabric we all treasure. You can read more about his positions on this issue on his Corridors Zoning Update FAQ.

Claremont Avenue has long been a dangerous roadway, frequently used by people speeding through between freeways. In response to the most recent tragic loss of life along this roadway, Mark engaged with the community and City staff to develop and kick off a plan for “quick build” safety improvements.

These low-cost strategies represent low-hanging fruit for improving roadway safety by encouraging drivers to slow down and be more aware of their surroundings. These quick-build solutions are currently under construction and serve as a precursor to more extensive long-term improvements anticipated along Claremont Avenue following Alameda County flood control projects beginning later this year or next.

During the pandemic, AC Transit eliminated bus service along Ashby Avenue. Mark was instrumental in persuading AC Transit to bring back an Ashby bus line as the agency considered which services to restore after lockdown. AC Transit was prepared to leave Ashby Avenue without service and instead bring back bus lines elsewhere.

By carefully analyzing AC Transit ridership data, Mark was able to show that the Ashby segment of the prior Line 7 was the more logical and cost-effective choice for restoration. The AC Transit board agreed, and Ashby once again has bus service in the form of Line 27.

Automotive uses at the top of Claremont Avenue and long stretches of Telegraph Avenue currently feature underutilized parcels that could be redeveloped as mixed-use housing to enliven their neighborhoods and provide much-needed homes.

Councilmember Humbert developed and proposed the Project to Increase Telegraph and Claremont Housing (PITCH) to study how the City could change its zoning rules to allow more housing and encourage these projects. To ensure this effort did not get lost in the budget process, Councilmember Humbert pledged thousands of dollars from salary savings in his office to pay for the overall study and environmental review, so this effort could move forward as quickly as possible.

Also first initiated by former Councilmember Droste, Berkeley's Middle Housing efforts aim to promote the creation of new homes in modestly sized projects in Berkeley neighborhoods that previously had exclusionary zoning. This effort culminated in final Planning Commission and Council votes during Mark's time in office.

Faced with competing proposals — one of which would have created fewer homes than we need, and one which would have effectively eliminated certain density limits entirely — Mark helped find the middle path for Middle Housing. He helped broker the deal from the dais that led to a consensus proposal winning broad approval from the Council.

Due to changes in State law, police reporting procedures previously adopted by the City Council were creating duplicative and conflicting requirements. Mark introduced the Council item that streamlined and consolidated these reporting requirements, so the Council and public would still get the information they need — but in a single report that comports with State law.

As a member of the UC/City/Student relations committee, Councilmember Humbert fought for UC Berkeley settlement funds to be set aside for the design and construction of safety improvements at Zachary's Corner. Seventeen years ago, this dangerous intersection at Warring and Derby was the site of the tragic loss of five-year-old Zachary Cruz to traffic violence.

Intersection changes to slow down vehicles and improve sight lines have been a long time coming, and Mark insisted that UC settlement funds be prioritized for this project. As a result, community meetings have taken place and a new design has been selected, with construction anticipated to take place soon.

Mark deeply values the community events that bring our neighborhood together. That is why he has reliably provided funding to key community events including Russell Street Halloween, the Music in the Elmwood festival, and the nascent Berkeley Sun Day festival.

Mark has given $1,000 annually from his Council office budget to Russell Street Halloween. And when City bodies declined the Elmwood business association's request for an arts grant, Mark stepped in to provide $7,000 in rescue funds for the Music in the Elmwood festival. Mark is deeply committed to running a lean Council office that leaves room for critical funding for community events.

Berkeley benefits from the preservation of its treasured landmarks; but outdated, regressive tax breaks for loosely regulated renovations were depriving the City of essential revenue. This is why Mark proposed — and the City Council unanimously passed — a pause on these tax breaks. Without adequate oversight or consideration for the means of people applying for these tax breaks, the City was losing out on thousands of dollars in tax revenue for property renovations that may or may not have been strictly necessary for historic preservation.

After a routine hot tub installation resulted in a lengthy neighbor battle and Council hearing, Mark took action to ensure that such disputes do not routinely bubble up to the City Council. Mark introduced an item to have City planning staff develop revisions to Berkeley's Zoning Ordinance that would standardize and streamline the rules and processes for obtaining permits for new hot tubs. This seemingly small change reduces staff time and costs, and aligns Berkeley with how other cities adjudicate Jacuzzis.

Across multiple efforts to increase regulatory burdens, Mark has fought for basic fairness and flexibility for mom-and-pop landlords who own duplexes or ADUs and live on site with their tenants. Although Mark is broadly supportive of basic tenant protections — especially for those in large and corporate-owned apartment buildings — he recognizes and fights for the idea that the relationship is fundamentally different when you are sharing your home or property with your tenant.

Mark has repeatedly resisted efforts to place onerous requirements on small landlords that could force them to live long-term with problematic tenants. And Mark was the sole vote on the City Council against rules (now overturned by the courts) that would have made it hard for small landlords to determine fair market rents for their units.

Automated cameras for speed enforcement are a no-brainer for improving safety on Berkeley streets. Unfortunately, the California State legislature has continued to limit their use and failed to expand pilot programs to include Berkeley (or simply all cities across California). When the speed enforcement camera pilot program came before the State legislature, Mark introduced an urgency item to have the City Council urge state legislators to include Berkeley in the pilot. Although the state still has not done so, this continues to be an area of advocacy for Mark.

Following a series of serious accidents at Berkeley intersections that featured only two-way stops, Mark introduced an item referring to staff a study of improvements at key intersections to slow traffic, increase safety, and pursue newer, more flexible standards for the installation of four-way stop signs.

Under State law, property owners are responsible for repairing sidewalks next to their property; however, the City of Berkeley's 50/50 program splits these costs with property owners to incentivize sidewalk repairs. Unfortunately, this program has been underfunded for years, resulting in long backlogs and poor sidewalk conditions.

Early in his tenure, Mark put forward a budget referral to fully fund this program and speed up repairs. Although the full Council did not ultimately prioritize this expenditure, Mark's goal of fully funding this program has found its way into recent ballot and bond measures.