Berkeley City Council Meeting – May 12, 2026
Berkeley City Council Meeting – May 12, 2026
The Berkeley City Council met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:08 p.m. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, public comment on non-agenda items, approval of the consent calendar, and a single action item approving a lease agreement. Council members also made donations to the Juneteenth Festival.
Ceremonial Matters
- Jewish American Heritage Month: Proclamation read by Mayor Ishii, accepted by Robin Mencher, Director of Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay. The proclamation noted that about 25% of Bay Area Jewish households include people of color, rising to nearly 40% in younger households.
- Affordable Housing Month: Proclamation accepted by Tracy Matthews, a Berkeley resident and member of East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO). The proclamation cited over 39,000 affordable homes in California ready to build but lacking financing, and a 44% potential reduction in affordable housing options if proposed federal budget cuts are enacted.
- Eid al-Fatir and Eid al-Adha: Proclamation written by interns, accepted by Sophia Sheikh on behalf of Asiasidiki. Recognized the two major Muslim holidays, with Eid al-Fatir celebrated March 30–31, 2026 and Eid al-Adha beginning May 27, 2026. Noted 23 distinct Muslim student organizations at UC Berkeley.
Consent Calendar
- Council members made donations to the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival (Item 16): Councilmember Kesarwani ($100), Lunapara ($200), Blackaby ($500), Vice Mayor Traeger ($200), Bartlett (sponsor), Humbert ($250), Taplin ($250), O'Keefe ($250). Item was approved unanimously.
- Appointments to the Police Accountability Board (Item 4) and a contractual amendment for a special event permitting software module (Item 5) were approved as part of the consent calendar.
- City Manager confirmed that Item 15B (companion report) was the operative item, with 15A incorporated by reference.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jess Heinzelman (Throne Labs): Thanked council for the pilot program, citing survey results that 90% felt safer and 90% reported other positive outcomes. Referenced a recent staff memo.
- Richard Woods: Advocated for vegetarianism, linking animal slaughter to homelessness and citing biblical references.
- Marbury Watker: Resident on Bancroft & 6th Street, reported that a traffic light installed 17 months ago removed 40–50 parking spots, affecting 30 businesses and homeowners. Requested council attention.
- Dr. Stephen Alpert: Criticized Councilmember Humbert’s website for misrepresenting a London School of Economics study by Buck Holtz. Stated the study found it takes over 20 years (optimistic) or over 100 years (historical data) for market-rate housing to filter down to become affordable. Accused Humbert of deception.
- Ryan Lau (AC Transit): Announced a potential service reduction due to a $200 million deficit over four years, with possible 16% service cuts and up to 300 job losses. Public hearing set for June 10, 2026 at 5 p.m.
- Rosalina Gutman: Called for an official proclamation recognizing May 12 as Global Awareness Day for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
- Caller ending in 211: Commented on Eid al-Fatir, calling for unity between Jews and Muslims, and praised former Mayor Shirley Dean.
- Susan Schwartz (Friends of Five Creeks): Urged the city to fund green infrastructure at Channing Way and Aquatic Park to avoid losing a $1.5 million EPA grant. Suggested using funds from a Monsanto PCB settlement.
- Rubel Wubishet (Alchemy Community Therapy Center): Representing a nonprofit with 20 therapists and 250 clients moving to Berkeley, requested reinstatement of loading zones and ADA parking removed by the traffic light at Bancroft & 6th Street.
- Carol Morasovic (public comment on non-agenda): Reported that the City Auditor could not easily determine total consultant spending due to inconsistent classification. Asked council to address this after the budget process.
Discussion Items
- Item 17 – Lease Agreement with Patia and Associates Inc. for 125–127 University Avenue: The lease was presented as a public hearing because of a code requirement. Councilmember Blackaby questioned whether the rent of $4,265 represented an increase. Staff confirmed the rent rose to $2.50 per square foot from $2.05–$2.15. No public comment. The public hearing was closed, and the lease was approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously, including donations totaling $1,450 for the Juneteenth Festival from council members’ office accounts.
- Lease agreement with Patia and Associates approved unanimously.
- The meeting adjourned without further action.
Meeting Transcript
Hello, everyone. Good evening. We're gonna get started. Council members. I'm calling to order the Berkeley City Council meeting today. It's Tuesday, May 12th, 2026. It is 6.08 p.m. Thank you everyone for your patience. Can we start us off with a role, please? Okay. Uh Councilmember Kisserwani. Here. Taplin, present. Bartlett is currently absent. Trego present. O'Keefe. I'm here. Wackaby here. Unapara. Here. Umbert present and Mayor Ishii. Here. Okay. Form is present. Um. So yeah, it is another one. Okay, so on the first meeting of the month, we read the land acknowledgement statement. So I will read it this month. We've been taking turns. The city of Berkeley recognizes that the community we live in was built on the territory of Huchun, 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 Allone tribes and descendants of the Verona Band. 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 of the West Berkeley Shell Mount and the Allonee people who continue to reside in the East Bay. We recognize that the 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 importance, the history of this land, but also recognize that the Ohlone people are present members of Berkeley and other East Bay communities today. The City of Berkeley will continue to build relationships with the Lijon tribe and to create meaningful actions that uphold the intentions of this land acknowledgement. Thank you. We have three ceremonial matters this evening. Going to start us off with Jewish American Heritage Month. And this was requested by Councilmember Trego with community support from former Council Member Susan Wengraff in recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month. And Robin Mencher, I believe, is here. Ah, hi. Welcome. Come on up. Director of the Jewish Family and Community Services, East Bay. To receive. Hi. Recognizing and celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month, whereas Jewish Americans have been an important part of the American story and have greatly contributed to all areas of American life and culture since our nation's earliest days. And whereas generations of Jewish people have fled to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families, and these immigrants make made invaluable contributions in support of equality and civil rights through their leadership and achievements. And whereas Jewish Americans connect to their Jewish identity culturally, ethnically, religiously, and follow Jewish ethics and values, and whereas Jewish Americans are diverse racially, ethnically, socially, politically, and economically, with around 25% of Bay Area Jewish households, including people of color, which increases to nearly 40% in younger households. And whereas the City of Berkeley recognizes Jewish American commitment to civic engagement and stands with the Jewish American community against hatred or bigotry in our city and country.
openpublica.com