Berkeley City Council Meeting Summary – February 26, 2026

The Berkeley City Council met on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 6:03 p.m. (Note: The raw transcript states the meeting began on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, but the provided metadata specifies February 26, 2026. This summary uses the metadata date.) The meeting opened with ceremonial proclamations for American Heart Month and in memory of Gianna Ranuzzi, as well as a moment of silence for Ukraine. The council then moved through the consent calendar, an action calendar item on performance metrics, a public hearing on an SB684 implementation ordinance, and a discussion of the 2026 state and federal legislative platform, which was continued to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved unanimously. Councilmembers added discretionary fund donations to item 16 (Waterside Workshops Community Spring Fling) and item 17 (BUSD historical study), and co‑sponsored items 17 and 18. Several councilmembers noted item 19, a resolution urging Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to enact an eviction moratorium, and item 18, a referral to close an on‑site manager exemption loophole for multifamily properties.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Stephen Alpert opposed a 20‑story project at 2425 Durant, arguing that developers used state density bonus law to bypass Berkeley’s “hard hat” ordinance requiring health insurance, apprenticeship training, and prevailing wages. He stated that council’s vote was “pro‑development” rather than “pro‑housing.”
• Rhonda Grushka served a recall notice to a council member (name not specified) and confirmed she had filed paperwork with the city clerk.
• Lola Zerpley, a UC Berkeley student and Southside resident, described being hit by a car at the intersection of Derby and Warring (“Zachary’s Corner”) on February 10, 2026. She reported that 11 accidents have occurred there since 2011, and that the city has not installed a blinking pedestrian light or repainted faded crosswalks. She demanded immediate safety changes.
• James Arnold criticized the opening of a campus burger restaurant on Hay Street, urging the city to support vegetarian alternatives and regulate animal killing.
• Maria Sol raised concerns about housing affordability and management companies (e.g., at Alcatraz and Sacramento) leaving elevators down for a month, trapping residents in wheelchairs.
• Carol (last name not given) asked how AB 339 might affect the budget regarding contractor unions.
• Rebecca Grove (Waterside Workshops) thanked the council for supporting the spring fling and announced a cycling club and tsunami preparedness event.
• Steve Cromer and another speaker supported the performance metrics report, urging transparency and outcome‑based budgeting.
• Brianna Morales (Housing Action Coalition) urged adoption of the SB684 ordinance to create a clear pathway for small‑lot subdivisions and ownership housing.
• Sarah Bell (Housing Advisory Commission) presented detailed edits to the legislative platform, including support for tenant protections, universal design, condominium defect reform, and repeal of Article 34 of the California Constitution.

Discussion Items

• Performance Metrics (Item 25): Auditor Jenny Wong presented a special report on outcome‑based budgeting. The report recommends streamlining performance reporting, aligning measures with strategic goals, and exploring outcome‑based budgeting. Councilmember Blackaby led a discussion on starting with one or two metrics per department. City Manager Paul noted departments are already working on up to five outcome measures. No vote was taken; the item was informational.
• SB684 Implementation (Item 20): Staff presented an ordinance to create a ministerial small‑lot subdivision path for qualifying projects (up to 10 units) and a streamlined local parcel map option. Councilmember Kessarwani moved to amend minimum lot sizes in the hillside overlay zone from 1,200 sq ft to 600 sq ft, and to reduce usable open space from 200 sq ft per unit to 150 sq ft. After discussion, the ordinance passed with those amendments. Roll call: 8–0 (Councilmember O’Keefe abstained due to a personal discomfort; Councilmember Castroani absent).
• Legislative Platform (Item 21): Lobbyist Niccolò De Luca gave an update on state and federal legislative trends. Councilmembers offered numerous amendments (e.g., support for autonomous vehicle regulation, condominium construction defect liability reform, wildfire insurance, mental health funding). The mayor proposed sending advocacy letters on these priorities without prior council approval. After receiving many edits, the council decided to continue the item to the next meeting (March 10, 2026) to compile a clean version.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• SB684 Ordinance: Adopted on first reading with amendments (minimum lot size 600 sq ft in hillside overlay zone for vacant parcels; open space reduced to 150 sq ft). Vote: 8–0–1 (O’Keefe abstained).
• Legislative Platform: Continued to March 10, 2026, to incorporate all proposed amendments and ensure clarity. The mayor’s request to send advocacy letters without prior council approval was accepted.
• Performance Metrics Report: Discussed; no formal action taken. The city manager and auditor will continue work on outcome measures.
• Ceremonial Items: American Heart Month proclaimed; Gianna Ranuzzi honored; moment of silence for Ukraine.
• Auditor Update: The city auditor reported progress on restaurant inspections audit recommendations, with two fully implemented and four partly implemented. The online inspection data is expected back by summer 2026, and window placards are being studied.