City Council to consider changes to the business license tax

On Tuesday, May 3, the city council will consider whether to place a ballot measure on the November 2011 ballot that would change the business license tax.  Eliminating the cap that is currently on this tax would increase revenue to the city.  Only a few businesses would be effected by this change in the cap (which currently limits a business tax at $117,048/year, no matter how large gross receipts are beyond $146.3 million).  Changes in state law in 1996 require a vote of the electorate to "increase" this tax by a simple majority. No other cities nearby have a cap or maximum on their business licenses.

Another issue the city council will consider is whether to change the tax rate for business license taxes.  We currently tax businesses at .08%, compared to Oakland at .12% and Berkeley at .18%. 

A third issue is whether to exempt small businesses from the tax, either a complete or partial exemption.  Currently the minimum tax paid is $25/year.  Oakland's minimum is $60 and Berkeley's is $51.

I welcome your opinion on this measure.  Please email me at emeryvillewest@gmail.com

Jennifer West

Temescal Creek Park Community Meeting, May 7 at noon

When my girls and I bike to their school, we pass through Temescal Creek Park.  It is our favorite part of the ride.  If you live near this hidden park (between 47th St. and 53rd), you will be interested to know about this meeting, scheduled for Saturday, May 7:

The City of Emeryville is preparing to upgrade the children’s play area at Temescal Creek Park. 

The City is inviting residents to a community meeting on Saturday May 7, 2011, from 12pm until 1pm, at Temescal Creek Park, to meet the architect, review design proposals, and provide input.  

Please consider coming that day to hear more about these plans.  Bring 2 or 3 of your neighbors along!

How much can you and your neighbors recycle?

Stopwaste.org is sponsoring a contest.  You can win!  All you have to do is be the best recycler and composter in town!  Go to Ready Set Recycle Contest to take a pledge and participate.  Single Family residences can win without entering.  But since many of us in Emeryville live in Multi-family residences, we must take the pledge to be eligible to win.  Folks from Stopwaste are auditing garbage, recycling and compost bins randomly, checking to make sure that you put everything in the right bin.  All paper, cans, bottles, cardboard and plastic containers (#1, 2, and 5) go in the recycling.  All food scraps, food soiled cardboard or paper, and plant debris go in the green bin. 

We want to minimize what goes to the landfill!  If it is packaged in something that must be landfilled, think twice before buying it.

Check out the website and try the quiz to see if you know how to recycle like a master!

Rebuilding Together in Emeryville, Saturday, April 30

Here is information on a wonderful event where our community comes together to help neighbors.  Please consider joining in at an event this Saturday!  Go to the website www.rtebn.org to learn more and to sign up!

Rebuilding Together puts in a hard day's work to help out a person who could use work done on her house.  In one day volunteers take care of tripping hazards, and fix up the property.

This Saturday, April 30, is the day to help out!  Two projects are here in Emeryville this year!