The Berkeley City Council convened on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:05 PM. The meeting included ceremonial recognition of American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month, a presentation from the City Auditor on the city's financial condition, public comments on non-agenda matters, and several public hearings and votes on federal funding allocations, bond financing, zoning amendments, and a rezoning application. All action items were approved.
Okay, hello everyone. Calling to order the Berkeley City Council meeting today is Tuesday, April 28th, 2026. It is 6 05 p.m. Clerk, can you please start us off? Councilmember Kissarwani here. Councilmember Taplin is currently absent. Councilmember Bartlett. Present. Drago. O'Keefe. Here. Lackaby. Here. Unapara. Here. Humbert present. And Mayor Ishi. Here. Okay. Councilmember Bartlett is participating in the meeting remotely pursuant to the just cause exception in the Brown Act. Forum of the Council is participating in person at the noticed physical meeting location. And uh Councilmember Bartlett, if you could provide a brief general description of the circumstances relating to your need to appear remotely without disclosing any medical diagnosis or other confidential medical information. Yes, uh, there's a there's a medical situation that I cannot disclose. Okay. Uh and then please disclose if there is anybody in the room with you who is 18 years of age or older, and if so, what their relationship is to you. I'm alone at this time. Okay. Uh and Councilmember Bartlett will participate through both audio and visual technology for the duration of the meeting, and we can proceed. And Mr. City Clerk, it looks like Councilmember Tapman is honestly. There is Councilmember Taplin. So we can mark Councilmember Taplin as present. Um Councilmember Taplan's teleconference um location is noted on the agenda, so we do not need to do the just cause exception uh script for him. Okay. Very good. Thank you. We are now moving on to our ceremonial items. And today we have a proclamation for American Muslim Appreach appreciate appreciation, excuse me, and awareness month, and Councilmember Lunapara has requested this proclamation and will be reading it. So if our our representatives from CARE, if you want to come up to the podium, you can receive the proclamation. Okay. Recognizing April 2026 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month. Whereas the City of Berkeley takes great great pride in supporting individual religious freedoms and is strengthened by the diverse religious, political, and cultural traditions and contributions of its diverse populations, including those that practice Islam. And whereas the history of Islam on this continent dates back to before the founding of the United States, originating with enslaved Africans who brought their Muslim beliefs to the Americas, and whereas over 90,000 Muslims live in Alameda County and significantly contribute to the cultural, political, and economic fabric of our communities. And whereas the City of Berkeley is home to a variety of Muslim institutions, such as the Berkeley Masjid, a vital spiritual and community center for prayer and connection, Zaituna College, the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States, and other Muslim organizations, including the Mus Berkeley Muslim Student Association, each providing support for Muslims. And whereas it is critical to acknowledge and promote awareness of the invaluable contributions of Muslims in Berkeley and across the country. And whereas the Berkeley City Council acknowledges the importance of local government in advocating for justice and reaffirms that Muslims everywhere deserve to live in peace, dignity, and safety. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Adina Ishi, mayor of the city of Berkeley, do hereby declare April 2026 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month. Perfect. We have um members of care and the Berkeley Masjid here to present. Okay.