Berkeley City Council Regular Meeting - July 8, 2025

The Berkeley City Council met on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM in a hybrid format. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, public comments on non-agenda matters (primarily the Ohlone Park encampment), a consent calendar with numerous items including the second reading of the Middle Housing ordinance, and an action calendar item on zoning technical edits. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Item A (Continued from June 26, 2025): Second reading of Ordinance No. 7,978-N.S. amending the Zoning Ordinance and General Plan to encourage “middle housing” in low-density residential districts (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A, MU-R), effective November 1, 2025. First reading vote was all ayes. Adopted unanimously.
• Item 1: Second reading of Ordinance 7,974-N.S. suspending the effective date of the coordinated pricing algorithms ban until March 2026. Unanimous.
• Item 2: Second reading of Ordinance 7,975-N.S. setting FY 2026 Measure GG tax rate: $0.06695/sq ft for dwelling units, $0.10132/sq ft for other property. Unanimous.
• Item 3: Second reading of Ordinance 7,976-N.S. setting FY 2026 Measure FF tax rate at $0.1299/sq ft. Unanimous.
• Item 4: Second reading of Ordinance 7,977-N.S. adopting FY 2026 Annual Appropriations Ordinance ($829,213,359 gross; $687,764,462 net). Unanimous.
• Item 5: First reading of ordinance designating Assistant City Attorney as at-will. Unanimous.
• Item 6: Resolutions authorizing contracts with RLH & Associates ($300,000), Ezer Consulting ($150,000), and GD Financials ($150,000) for financial consulting. Unanimous.
• Item 7: Approval of formal bid solicitations and RFPs. Unanimous.
• Item 8: Resolution authorizing grant application to California Fire Safe Council for up to $225,000/year for FY25-27 for an Alameda County coordinator. Unanimous.
• Item 9: Resolution amending SEIU-CSU MOU Exhibits A-D with updated hourly pay rates. Unanimous.
• Item 10: Resolution amending SEIU-MC Section 32 probationary period for Public Safety Dispatchers. Unanimous.
• Item 11: Resolution approving contract with Team Ghilotti for South Cove West Lot repaving, not to exceed $1,884,641. Unanimous.
• Item 12: First reading of ordinance amending lease with Yoonaco, Inc. (Hana Japan) at 235 University Ave, extending term to June 30, 2026, rent $7,868/month. Unanimous.
• Item 13: Resolutions for plan checking contracts: Coastland|DCCM ($1,000,000), Telesis Engineers ($1,500,000), West Coast Code Consultants ($2,000,000). Unanimous.
• Item 14: Resolution amending contract with FirstCarbon Solutions for CEQA compliance on Solid Waste & Recycling Transfer Station, increasing from $650,000 to $725,000. Unanimous.
• Item 15: Resolutions for tire service contracts with Don’s Tire Service ($400,000) and Morgan Tire ($400,000). Unanimous.
• Item 16: Resolution for vehicle washing contract with Kept Companies dba Fleetwash ($300,000). Unanimous.
• Item 17: Resolution for FY 2025 Drainage Improvements contract with Kerex Engineering ($4,397,236). Unanimous.
• Item 18: Resolution for tank maintenance contract with TEC Accutite ($200,000 for 3 years). Unanimous.
• Item 19: Resolution for on-call storm water maintenance contract with United Storm Water ($200,000 for 3 years). Unanimous.
• Item 20: Resolution declaring intent to vacate a 381.23-foot portion of Carleton Street (27,449 sq ft) and convey to Bayer Healthcare LLC. Unanimous.
• Item 21: Resolutions for purchase orders with SCL, Safety-Kleen Systems, and Lube Buster for vehicle lubricants (each $140,000). Unanimous.
• Item 22: Resolution reinstating street sweeping on the 2900 block of Regent Street. Unanimous.
• Item 23: Resolution approving appointment of Patricia Fontana-Narell to the Mental Health Commission (term July 9, 2025 – July 8, 2028). Unanimous.
• Item 24: Resolution adopting a letter in support of continued funding for Berkeley Rides for Seniors & The Disabled (BRSD) to Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas. Unanimous.
• Item 25: Resolution approving expenditure of up to $500 per councilmember from office budgets to support Port Chicago Alliance for Port Chicago Remembrance Weekend. Multiple councilmembers pledged additional amounts ($250 each from Humbert, Lunaparra, O’Keefe, Bartlett, Mayor Ishii; $100 from Kesarwani; $100 from Tregub). Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Matters: Several speakers expressed frustration about the ongoing encampment at Ohlone Park, stating it was unsafe and unsanitary, with one speaker noting a child nearly picked up a syringe. Others urged compassion and more resources for homeless individuals. The City Manager noted the outreach team visited the encampment 47 times, and the camp closure was planned.
• Consent Calendar – Middle Housing: Many public speakers commented. Supporters argued the ordinance is a historic step to increase housing supply and affordability, corrects exclusionary zoning, and will allow more people to live in Berkeley. Opponents criticized the process (alleging inadequate notice and last-minute changes), raised concerns about environmental impacts (shading, heat island, loss of tree canopy), and argued the ordinance does not guarantee affordable units and will accelerate displacement of Black and Brown communities. Several noted the ordinance lacks required affordability and that the council ignored community input. Some requested mitigation measures like a cap on permits, permeable surfaces, and solar protections.

Discussion Items

• Action Calendar – Zoning Ordinance Technical Edits (Item 26): Staff presented non-substantive technical amendments to various sections of Title 23 (Zoning Ordinance) to maintain consistency and accuracy. The public hearing was opened and closed with no additional public comment. Councilmember Humbert thanked staff for the detailed work. The council voted unanimously to adopt the first reading of the ordinance.

Key Outcomes

• Middle Housing Ordinance Adopted (Second Reading): Unanimous vote (9-0) to adopt Ordinance 7,978-N.S. The city attorney clarified the Brown Act was not violated; the special meeting on June 26 was properly noticed and the interim regulations of the 1973 Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance are no longer in effect. Councilmembers emphasized the six-year process, the need for density, and that the ordinance requires a future impact study after 25 projects are built.
• Zoning Technical Edits Adopted (First Reading): Unanimous vote (9-0) to adopt the ordinance with non-substantive corrections.
• Consent Calendar Approved as Amended: All items on the consent calendar were approved unanimously, including the middle housing ordinance and individual pledges for Port Chicago funding.
• Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned after the final vote.