Berkeley City Council Regular Meeting – June 25, 2024

The City Council met on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the School District Board Room, 1231 Addison Street, Berkeley, in a hybrid format. The meeting lasted until after midnight and included the swearing-in of new Councilmember Igor Tregub (District 4), a tribute to outgoing City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley, public testimony from city employee unions, and adoption of the FY2025–2026 biennial budget. Major actions included reserving $24.5 million for affordable housing at the North Berkeley BART station, approving a $2 million gun violence intervention contract, and adopting a balanced budget that uses one-time measures to close a structural deficit.

Ceremonial Matters

• The council conducted a swearing-in ceremony for new Councilmember Igor Tregub, who filled the vacant District 4 seat. Tregub spoke about building bridges and healing divides in the community.
• The council unanimously adopted a proclamation honoring outgoing City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley for eight years of service, citing her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, a 45% reduction in unsheltered homelessness, and numerous equity initiatives. Individual councilmembers praised her crisis management and partnership.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Employee Unions (First Regular Meeting of the Month): Representatives from SEIU Local 1021 (Maintenance & Clerical, CSU/PTRLA units) and Local 1 (AFSCME) spoke during a special public comment period. Speakers called for open and coordinated bargaining, noting that city workers’ wages have fallen 30–40% behind inflation. Several highlighted retention challenges, lack of competitive parental leave, and the need for cost-of-living adjustments. A representative for the SEIU Maintenance & Clerical chapter reported that after months of negotiation, a successor MOU had been reached with supermajority member approval, and urged council to ratify it.
• General Public Comment (Non-Agenda): Multiple speakers addressed the Black Repertory Group Theater, asking the council to honor agreements for operational funding and to preserve the institution as a cultural hub. Other speakers raised concerns about the absence of the efficacy report for surveillance cameras (Item 40), the use of a PR firm (Szabo & Associates) for the Mayor’s Office, and neighborhood impacts from the Golden Bear Homes supportive housing project.
• Public Comment on Consent Calendar and Budget: Many residents spoke in favor of the small sites program (funding to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing), food security RFP (Item 59), and community agency funding. Several city employees again urged support for fair contracts and open bargaining.

Consent Calendar

The council adopted the consent calendar as amended, with the following notable changes and votes:

• Item 13 – Contract with Live Free USA for Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Program ($2 million over two years) – approved.
• Items 26, 27, 28 – New MOUs with SEIU Local 1021 Maintenance & Clerical, Unrepresented Employee Group salary adjustments, and Berkeley EMS Professionals – all approved. Councilmembers noted the three-year contract for SEIU Maintenance & Clerical was reached just before the old contract expired.
• Items 49 & 50 – Reserving $24.5 million for affordable housing at North Berkeley BART (three projects by BRIDGE Housing, EBALDC, Insight Housing) and approving the Affordable Housing Compliance Plan – moved from action to consent and adopted unanimously.
• Item 33 – Audit recommendation status for police overtime and outside security work – accepted as a report.
• Item 40 – Contract for installation of surveillance cameras at 15 locations ($850,000) – remained on consent; Councilmember Lunaparra recorded a “no” vote, and Councilmember Hahn abstained, citing lack of efficacy data.
• Item 43 – Allocation of $100,000 for a nexus study for a parks impact fee – Councilmember Kesarwani voted no; Councilmember Taplin abstained.
• Item 56 – Proposed ordinance establishing horse protections (Golden Gate Fields closure made moot) – moved to consent with no action.
• Item 57 – Risk analysis for long-term debt – moved to consent and referred back to Budget & Finance Committee.
• Item 58 – Ordinance establishing emergency greenhouse gas limits – moved to consent with no action (Councilmember Tregub abstained). Co-sponsors indicated the ordinance was not ready for adoption.
• Item 59 – Referral for RFP to support food assistance providers – moved to consent (later funded in budget).
• Council Consent Items 44–48 – Relinquishments of council office funds for Front Row Festival, Pride on the Plaza, support for ACA 14, Equitable Black Berkeley initiative, and contract amendment for Szabo & Associates – all approved. Councilmembers contributed varying amounts from their office budgets.

Discussion Items

• Item 53 – FY2025 & FY2026 Biennial Budget Adoption: After a staff presentation and extensive public comment, the council debated the budget. Key points included:
  • The budget closes a projected $10 million deficit using one-time measures: a holiday on workers’ compensation fund contributions ($4.7 million), increased salary savings assumptions in police and fire, use of $3 million per year from the Section 115 pension trust, and $11 million in fund balance.
  • The mayor’s supplemental budget added $5 million per year for the small sites program (preserving affordable housing), $200,000 per year for a food security RFP, funding for community agencies (e.g., Aurora Theater, WaterSide Workshops, Junior Jackets), and $150,000 for additional surveillance cameras in Districts 3 and 8.
  • Councilmember Kesarwani expressed concern about the structural deficit, noting that 85% of the balancing strategies are one-time. She proposed an amendment requiring quarterly financial reporting for community agencies funded outside the standard RFP process. After discussion, the council adopted a friendly amendment requiring annual reporting with city staff technical assistance.
  • The final budget was adopted on a 9-0 vote (all present).
• Item 54 – FY2025 Annual Appropriations Ordinance: The ordinance was amended to reflect the budget adjustments (including $670,240 for legislative assistant salary step increases, $150,000 for cameras, and $200,000 for food security RFP in FY2026). Approved unanimously.
• Item 55 – Borrowing of $36 million in Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes: Staff noted this is a routine cash-flow measure. Approved unanimously.
• Items 51 & 52 – Public hearings on street lighting assessments and clean stormwater fee: Both approved after brief public comment.

Key Outcomes

• FY2025–2026 Biennial Budget Adopted (9-0). The budget includes $5 million/year for the small sites program, $2 million for gun violence intervention, $1.5 million EPA stormwater grant, and funding for numerous community agencies. It relies on one-time balancing strategies, with a commitment to revisit sustainability in the next cycle.
• New MOUs Approved: Three-year contracts with SEIU Local 1021 Maintenance & Clerical (retroactive to June 27, 2024) and Berkeley EMS Professionals, plus salary adjustments for unrepresented employees.
• Affordable Housing Commitment: Resolved $24.5 million for three projects at North Berkeley BART, ensuring 50% of units are permanently affordable. Also approved the Affordable Housing Compliance Plan.
• Surveillance Cameras: Authorized $850,000 contract for 15 cameras, plus $150,000 in budget for additional cameras; a separate resolution to remove a camera at Telegraph & Dwight was scheduled for July 9.
• Labor Relations: Council committed to open and coordinated bargaining for remaining unions (Local 1 and CSU/PTRLA units), after hearing union concerns.
• Other Actions: Accepted the police overtime audit report, referred long-term debt risk analysis back to committee, and took no action on horse protections and greenhouse gas limits ordinances.