Berkeley City Council Special Closed Meeting – December 3, 2024

The Berkeley City Council held a special closed meeting on December 3, 2024, at 4:00 PM in the School District Board Room. The purpose was to convene in closed session to discuss three matters: anticipated litigation, a government claim, and real property negotiations. No public comments were received, and the meeting adjourned without taking any open-session actions.

Roll Call

• Councilmembers present: Tregub, Lunaparra, Humbert, and Acting Mayor Wengraf.
• Councilmembers absent: Kesarwani, Taplin, and Bartlett.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comment, either in person or via Zoom.

Closed Session Items

• 1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code Sections 54956.9(a) and 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(3))
  • Discussion of a government claim filed by Safeco as subrogee of Michael and Susanne Kossa-Rienzi on May 3, 2023.
• 2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code Sections 54956.9(a) and 54956.9(d)(2))
  • Discussion of an arbitration request filed on May 6, 2022, in Public Employees Union Local 1 v. City of Berkeley regarding PEPRA Ramp Down.
• 3. Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Government Code Section 54956.8)
  • Negotiations regarding properties at 1250-1288 Ninth Street, 1226 9th Street, 1249 8th Street, 1223 8th Street, 1221 8th Street, and 930 Harrison Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. Appointed negotiators: Paul Buddenhagen (City Manager’s Office), David Sprague (Fire Department), and Dionne Early (Public Works). The negotiating party is Smith and Walters, Inc. The subject under negotiation is price and terms.

Key Outcomes

• The City Council voted unanimously to convene in closed session at approximately 4:02 PM. No votes or decisions were reported in open session. The meeting adjourned without further public action.