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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Berkeley City Council Regular Meeting - July 8, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, July 8, 2025

BodyBerkeley, California

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, July 8, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:02:46

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:01

Okay.

0:02

Recording in progress.

0:05

Down, we're going to get started.

0:08

Okay, so for folks that don't know, today was actually bring your kids to council day.

0:14

So we've got some children who are in the audience today, and I'm really glad that you could join us.

0:21

Um, so I will be extra explaining things today so that way folks can learn.

0:26

Um, but maybe it's good problems.

0:28

So I've got my gavel here, and I'm gonna call our meeting to order.

0:33

Um, I'm calling to order the Berkeley City Council meetings Tuesday, July 8th, 2025.

0:39

And I'm gonna start with Kurt, if you could please take the role.

0:42

And for those of you who are following along, that's page two of the agenda.

0:49

Okay, um, on the roll.

0:52

Uh um Council Member Passarwani here.

0:56

Taplin.

0:57

Right.

0:58

Garlet here.

1:00

Drake, okay.

1:02

O'Keefe here.

1:04

And Black is being merged on the public.

1:10

I don't get to leave him on.

1:13

So Black Nate Absent.

1:15

Munapara here.

1:18

Comfort.

1:20

Folks, can you keep quiet?

1:21

I'm sorry, I we're taking the role.

1:25

Thank you.

1:28

Uh Hummer is present.

1:30

Yes, present.

1:31

Thank you.

1:31

And Mayor Ishi.

1:32

Here.

1:33

Thank you.

1:34

Okay, so next on our agenda is the land acknowledgement statement.

1:38

And since we've been taking turns reading our land acknowledgement, uh, this meeting is Councilmember Humphrey's turn.

1:45

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

1:48

The City of Berkeley recognizes that the community we live in was built on the territory of Whiteshum, the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo speaking Ohlone people, the ancestors and descendants of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County.

2:07

This land was and continues to be of great importance to all of the Ohlone tribes and descendants of the Verona Bay.

2:15

As we begin our meeting tonight, we acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of Berkeley, the documented 5,000-year history of a vibrant community at the West Berkeley Showhounds, and the Alone people who continue to reside in the East Bay.

2:30

We recognize that Berkeley's residents have and continue to benefit from the use and occupation of this unceded stolen land since the city of Berkeley's incorporation in 1878.

2:43

As stewards of the laws regulating the city of Berkeley, it is not only vital that we recognize the history of this land, but also recognize that the Ohlone people are present, members of uh Berkeley and other East Bay communities today.

2:57

The City of Berkeley will continue to build relationships with the Liz John tribe and to create meaningful actions that uphold the intention of this land acknowledgement.

3:07

Thank you.

3:08

Thank you so much.

3:09

I'm really grateful that we live in a city that has a land acknowledgement of state heads.

3:14

Um next on our agenda is ceremonial matters.

3:16

And I have two ceremonial matters today.

3:19

They are City of Berkeley proclamations.

3:21

So I'm going to start by reading this one about commemorating disability pride month in 2025.

3:26

Whereas Disability Pride Month is observed every July to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disability Acts, the ADA on July 26, 1990, a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of life.

3:41

And whereas disability pride month highlights disability culture, history, and community pride and challenges the harmful notion that people with disabilities must conform to societal norms to lead meaningful lives.

3:53

Their lives are inherently full, valuable, and worthy of dignity and respect.

3:58

And whereas the first disability pride day was held in Boston in 1990, followed by the first disability pride parade in Chicago in 2004.

4:06

And today celebrations take place across the country, empowering people with disabilities to take pride of who they are.

4:12

And whereas the theme for the 2025 Disability Pride Month, we belong here and we're here to stay, affirms that people with disabilities are a vital, permanent, and irreplaceable part of every community, not Sunday, not conditionally, but now.

4:25

And whereas the disability pride uh disability rights face growing threats in education, employment, health care, and public life.

4:33

This year's theme serves as a call to action to confront and dismantle ableism, discrimination, and exclusion.

4:40

And whereas the Center for Independent Living, CIL, founded in Berkeley, California, and led by and for people with disabilities has been pioneering, a pioneering for advancing disability rights accessibility, advocacy, and inclusion since its founding.

5:00

And whereas CIL empowers individuals with diverse disabilities through its staff, board, providers, and participants, and remains deeply committed to fostering a community where all people with disabilities can live with autonomy, dignity, and opportunity.

5:07

And whereas by honoring the lived experience of disabled individuals and championing systemic change, CIL continues to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and fight for a future where disability rights are protected, valued, and expanded.

5:21

Now, therefore, be resolved that I, Adina Ishi, mayor of the city of Berkeley, do hereby proclaim July 2025 as disability pride month, and recognize and commend the Center for Independent Living for its extraordinary leadership, enduring advocacy, and unwavering commitment to disability justice, equity, and inclusion in Berkeley and beyond.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Comment████████████████████████████████████36%

Affordable Housing███████████████████████████27%

Procedural███████7%

Public Health█████5%

Homelessness█████5%

Environmental Protection█████5%

Cultural Recognition████4%

Disability Rights███3%

Engineering And Infrastructure███3%

Summary of Proceedings

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.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. Recording in progress. Down, we're going to get started. Okay, so for folks that don't know, today was actually bring your kids to council day. So we've got some children who are in the audience today, and I'm really glad that you could join us. Um, so I will be extra explaining things today so that way folks can learn. Um, but maybe it's good problems. So I've got my gavel here, and I'm gonna call our meeting to order. Um, I'm calling to order the Berkeley City Council meetings Tuesday, July 8th, 2025. And I'm gonna start with Kurt, if you could please take the role. And for those of you who are following along, that's page two of the agenda. Okay, um, on the roll. Uh um Council Member Passarwani here. Taplin. Right. Garlet here. Drake, okay. O'Keefe here. And Black is being merged on the public. I don't get to leave him on. So Black Nate Absent. Munapara here. Comfort. Folks, can you keep quiet? I'm sorry, I we're taking the role. Thank you. Uh Hummer is present. Yes, present. Thank you. And Mayor Ishi. Here. Thank you. Okay, so next on our agenda is the land acknowledgement statement. And since we've been taking turns reading our land acknowledgement, uh, this meeting is Councilmember Humphrey's turn. Thank you, Madam Mayor. The City of Berkeley recognizes that the community we live in was built on the territory of Whiteshum, the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo speaking Ohlone people, the ancestors and descendants of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. This land was and continues to be of great importance to all of the Ohlone tribes and descendants of the Verona Bay. As we begin our meeting tonight, we acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of Berkeley, the documented 5,000-year history of a vibrant community at the West Berkeley Showhounds, and the Alone people who continue to reside in the East Bay. We recognize that Berkeley's residents have and continue to benefit from the use and occupation of this unceded stolen land since the city of Berkeley's incorporation in 1878. As stewards of the laws regulating the city of Berkeley, it is not only vital that we recognize the history of this land, but also recognize that the Ohlone people are present, members of uh Berkeley and other East Bay communities today. The City of Berkeley will continue to build relationships with the Liz John tribe and to create meaningful actions that uphold the intention of this land acknowledgement. Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm really grateful that we live in a city that has a land acknowledgement of state heads. Um next on our agenda is ceremonial matters. And I have two ceremonial matters today. They are City of Berkeley proclamations. So I'm going to start by reading this one about commemorating disability pride month in 2025. Whereas Disability Pride Month is observed every July to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disability Acts, the ADA on July 26, 1990, a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of life. And whereas disability pride month highlights disability culture, history, and community pride and challenges the harmful notion that people with disabilities must conform to societal norms to lead meaningful lives.

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