Berkeley City Council and CHIP Work Session - February 24, 2026
Berkeley City Council and CHIP Work Session - February 24, 2026
The meeting began with a special work session on the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), followed by the regular City Council meeting. Key discussions included the CHIP presentation, performance metrics audit, SB 684 subdivision ordinance amendments, and the 2026 state/federal legislative platform. Several public comments were heard on various topics.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: Items 16 (Waterside Workshops Spring Fling), 17 (BUSD historical study), 18 (on-site manager exemption loophole referral), 19 (resolution urging Minnesota eviction moratorium), and other routine items. Councilmember discretionary fund allocations were adjusted for items 16 and 17.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP): Andy Katz (Community Health Commission chair) expressed concern that CHIP focuses on high-level pillars (housing, environmental health, behavioral health, community safety) but falls short of addressing chronic disease and infectious disease prevention. Talz Baptiste (community health commissioner) urged budget and performance alignment with CHIP goals, emphasizing the 13-year life expectancy gap between Berkeley Hills (91 years) and South/West Berkeley (78 years). Matt (steering committee member) noted that social determinants like housing affect chronic disease outcomes.
- Performance Metrics Audit: Steve Cromer and Matthew (public speakers) strongly supported adopting performance metrics, emphasizing outcomes and cost efficiency, and benchmarking against peer cities.
- SB 684 Subdivision Ordinance: Brianna Morales (Housing Action Coalition) supported the ordinance, stating it creates a practical pathway for small-scale ownership housing. Clio (public comment) noted that SB 684 was replaced by AB 1123, and urged holding off on the local alternative path. Debbie Sanderson asked to adopt only the state-compliant sections and revisit the local path.
- Non-Agenda: Speakers addressed the 20-story Durant project appeal denial, a recall notice, pedestrian safety at Derby & Warring (speaker Lola Zerkley was hit by a car), animal rights, housing issues at specific properties, and nuclear war concerns.
Discussion Items
Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Work Session
Director Scott Gilman and Deputy Director Tanya Bustamante presented the CHIP, developed over a year with community steering committee input. The plan identifies four priority areas: housing, environmental health, behavioral health, and community safety. Key data showed a 13-year life expectancy gap by neighborhood, and drug overdoses/suicide rising to the 6th leading cause of death. A public dashboard will go live in fall 2026. Implementation will involve advisory groups for each pillar, with a preparation phase through July 2026 due to budget constraints. Councilmembers questioned focus group selection, cross-departmental coordination, alignment with Medi-Cal, and measurable outcomes. Director Gilman emphasized community engagement and transparent reporting.
Performance Metrics Audit (Item 25 moved from Information to Action)
Auditor Jenny Wong presented a special report on performance measurement, recommending departments identify one or two outcome metrics per department (e.g., 911 response times, park satisfaction). Councilmember Blackaby proposed setting measurable goals aligned with city priorities. City Manager Paul noted departments are already developing five outcome measures each. Discussion focused on starting small, using existing data, and avoiding overburdening staff. No vote was taken; the item was discussed and acknowledged.
SB 684 Subdivision Ordinance (Item 20)
Associate Planner Branka Tatarich presented amendments to Titles 21 and 23 to implement SB 684, establishing a ministerial pathway for small-lot subdivisions (up to 10 units) and a local parcel map path for projects not qualifying under SB 684. The ordinance includes a parent parcel rule and objective zoning standards. Councilmember Casserwani moved two amendments: reducing minimum lot size for vacant single-family parcels in the Hillside Overlay Zone from 1,200 to 600 sq ft, and reducing usable open space requirement from 200 to 150 sq ft per unit. After clarifying questions about fire hazard zones and density, the motion passed 7-1-1 (Councilmember O'Keefe abstained).
2026 State/Federal Legislative Platform (Item 21)
Mayor Ishii presented the draft platform, with additions proposed by Vice Mayor Lunapara, Councilmember Humbert, Taplin, Blackaby, Tracub, and Bartlett covering health, housing, wildfire, energy, and more. Lobbyist Nicolo De Luca gave an overview of Sacramento and DC trends. The housing advisory commission also submitted written recommendations. Due to the volume of amendments and need for clarity, the item was continued to March 10, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
- SB 684 Subdivision Ordinance adopted on first reading (7-1-1), with amendments to minimum lot size (600 sq ft for vacant single-family parcels) and open space (150 sq ft/unit), including revised materials from staff.
- 2026 Legislative Platform continued to March 10, 2026, with all proposed additions to be compiled and published ahead of the next meeting.
- CHIP was presented and received; no formal vote required. Staff will return with progress updates in 2027.
- Performance Metrics audit was discussed; council and city manager committed to developing outcome measures for each department, with an annual reporting framework.
Meeting Transcript
Stand trial for having allegedly ordered and and instigated the killing, uh the extrajudicial killing of of alleged drug dealers, uh, I mean, thousands, potentially tens of thousands of Filipinos um uh have been killed. Um, ironically, speaking of double standards, um, these are the same crimes which Donald Trump has presumptively committed by the strikes that you reported earlier in the f in the in the Caribbean. Um, the extrajudicial execution without due process of alleged drug dealers, but Rodrigo Duterte is in The Hague, and Donald Trump is in the White House. Um, I think you know, this is also a watershed moment for the International Criminal Court to have a former head of state uh in the dock. Um, you know, in in in tw in in 24 years and and at a cost of probably three billion dollars. Um the International Criminal Court has never successfully uh uh captured and prosecuted and convicted a uh any state official anywhere, much less a former head of state. And so, you know, Rodrigo Duterte probably thought he was he was home free, but you know, you also have a number of other people who've been indicted by the ICC. Vladimir Putin, uh Benjamin Netanyahu, uh Minong Lang of of Miyan Marshall, a bunch of former heads of state out there, but they haven't been brought in. The International Criminal Court does not have a police force. So this is a major moment for international justice and for the ICC. And we only have about a minute left, but I'm wondering, the world is marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There are no signs of it stopping soon. President Trump promised on day one he'd end the war here a year later. Uh, it's still not ended. Why does peace seem so out of reach? Well, I think you know, this is this is a policy on both sides of uh really of uh of endless war. Um, I mean, talking about, you know, accountability, uh, the actually the the Russian invasion and Russian crimes in Ukraine have led to probably the most coordinated international justice response in history. I mean, the international criminal court has indicted Vladimir Putin and his minister for child affairs for thousands of uh of Ukrainian children who were kidnapped. Um you have four other uh the former chiefs of staff and defense minister and two generals who have been indicted um for attacking Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. You have tens of thousands of cases, uh, war crimes cases going through the Ukrainian courts, and you have the recently created special tribunal uh on aggression uh against Ukraine that may prosecute Russian leaders for the worst crime that was committed, uh, which was the invasion of Ukraine. Um, all these accountability things are moving forward, but peace doesn't seem anywhere closer than it did four years ago. We want to thank you, Reid Brody, longtime war crimes prosecutor, a member of the International Commission of Jurists. As we end today's show, fallout from the BAFTA award ceremony in London Sunday is growing. That's Britain's equivalent of the Oscars. Filmmaker Jonte Richardson has quit um the judge and the award, citing the organization's handling of a racist incident during the ceremony when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects. A Tourette syndrome campaigner shouted the N-word. The BBC failed to edit out the word from the broadcasts which aired two hours after the live show, while cutting the phrase free Palestine from Will Davies' acceptance speech, one of the award winners. John Tay Richardson wrote on LinkedIn, quote, after considerable soul searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the BAFTA emerging talent judging panel, the organization's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-word incident last night at awards was utterly unforgivable. I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy, and expertise to an organization that's repeatedly failed to safeguard. Over the course of a few years, life yielded a crisis of pandemics, resulting in many wheeling and searching for answers. Black men especially have had to agree with the passing of hip hop icons, DMX, Michael K. Williams, Bizmarkey, and many others. How has this impacted black men? How has this altered the way they see themselves, their ability to express themselves and their mental health? We sit down with black men raised on the culture of hip hop and ask them directly. Let's have a bite, take a step back in order to move forward. I'm your host, Miracle Jones, and this is Broughton the Blackman. I try to come out. Okay. Recording in progress. I don't need it right now, actually. I just have my hands being really late. I've got a big block harder. No, I mean sometimes they're not powerful enough, but the big fat ones usually are. I'm here. Humber. Here. Okay, quorum is present. Okay, very good.
openpublica.com