Berkeley City Council Regular Meeting - April 29, 2025

The Berkeley City Council met on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the School District Board Room and via teleconference. The meeting included ceremonial adjournments, public comments, a consent calendar with 27 items, and action items including a public hearing on the 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan and a residential parking program. The meeting lasted several hours, with councilmembers participating both in-person and remotely.

Ceremonial Matters

• The Council adjourned in memory of former Councilmember Mary Wainwright, with a proclamation presented to her family. Councilmember Taplin read a tribute.
• Adjourned in memory of Bill Chapman, a longtime League of Women Voters member, honored by Mayor Ishii.
• Adjourned in memory of environmental activist David "Chicken" Nesmith, with remarks from Councilmember Tregub.
• Councilmember Taplin also adjourned in memory of constituents Betty and Jimmy Pugh.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved an urgent item (added to the agenda) supporting AB-389, which would provide a state income tax credit for fire-resistant home improvements. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Item 7 (Adjustment to Police Accountability Board Stipend Cap) was approved after a brief discussion; Councilmember Taplin voted no, Councilmember Humbert abstained, and Councilmember Blackaby recused himself.
• Item 19 (Resolution opposing police brutality and use of force on nonviolent protesters) was on the consent calendar with a negative recommendation from the Public Safety Policy Committee. The Council took no action; Councilmembers Tregub and Lunaparra abstained.
• Numerous budget referrals and resolutions were approved as part of the consent calendar, including:
  • Item 15: Budget referral for afterschool program expansion ($300,000).
  • Item 16: Budget referral for F and G dock deck replacement ($250,000).
  • Item 17: Relinquishment of council office budget funds for Berkeley Juneteenth Festival (multiple councilmembers contributed).
  • Item 18: Support for Berkeley High Robotics Team (funds contributed by several councilmembers).
  • Item 21: Budget referral for deportation defense legal and education funds ($200,000). Mayor Ishii and Councilmember Tregub pledged additional funds from their office budgets.
  • Item 24: Budget referral for Street Spirit drop-in center ($25,000).
  • Item 25: Resolution supporting state and regional funding for Bay Area public transit.
  • Item 27: Deferral of $150,000 for Round Park conversion.
• Item 22 (Adding ADA expertise to the SAFE STREETS Citizen Oversight Committee) was moved to the Action Calendar for amendment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Matters: Speakers addressed concerns about a proposed public bathroom at Adeline and Alcatraz, the demolition of the United Artists Theater, and the city's meeting procedures.
• Consent Calendar: Numerous speakers supported items including Juneteenth, Street Spirit, afterschool programs, deportation defense funds, and public transit funding. A robotics team representative thanked the council for support. One speaker expressed confusion about item 19 (police brutality) and urged its passage. Parents highlighted the need for more aftercare slots.
• Public Hearing on Item 28 (Consolidated Plan): One speaker asked about flexibility in funding allocations given potential federal cuts.
• Public Hearing on Item 29 (RPP on Virginia Street): A resident of the block spoke in favor, citing spillover parking from BART.
• Item 22 (ADA expertise): Speakers supported the amendment, including a commissioner on aging and the founder of Streets of Equality, emphasizing the need for disability representation.

Discussion Items

• Item 28: Submission of 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan and PY 2025 Annual Action Plan – Staff presented the HUD-required plan, detailing $3.3 million in estimated annual funding for CDBG, ESG, and HOME programs. Councilmembers asked about federal funding uncertainty and the difference between CDBG and HOME programs. The plan was approved unanimously.
• Item 29: Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) on the 1500 block of Virginia Street – Staff reported that 83% of residents opted in, exceeding the 51% threshold. A parking occupancy study confirmed need. The item was approved unanimously.
• Item 22: Adding ADA expertise to the SAFE STREETS Citizen Oversight Committee – Councilmember Blackaby proposed an amendment to clarify that at least one member should have experience with ADA compliance or accessible infrastructure challenges. The amendment was approved unanimously after public comment.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Urgent item (AB-389) added to consent calendar and approved unanimously.
  • Consent calendar approved as amended (with Item 7 passing 6-1-1-1, Item 19 taken as no action).
  • Item 28 (Consolidated Plan) approved 8-0.
  • Item 29 (RPP) approved 8-0.
  • Item 22 (ADA expertise) approved 8-0.
• Budget referrals: Items 15, 16, 21, 24 were referred to the Fiscal Year 26 Mid-Biennial Budget Update process.
• Next steps: Staff will finalize and submit the Consolidated Plan to HUD; implement RPP signs on Virginia Street; and reopen the application process for the SAFE STREETS committee with the new ADA criteria.