Berkeley is a city with a small population and a big reputation. In California alone, there are more than 30 cities bigger than Berkeley. In Alameda County, Berkeley is ranked fourth in population behind Oakland, Fremont, and Hayward. And yet, we are famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech and the arts. Our mission is to provide quality service to our diverse community; promote an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally sound and culturally rich city; initiate innovative solutions; embrace respectful democratic participation; respond quickly and effectively to neighborhood and commercial concerns, and do so in a fiscally sound manner.