OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Berkeley City Council Meeting Summary: July 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 7, 2026
BodyBerkeley, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:31:30

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Hello, good evening, everyone.

0:03

I am calling to order Berkeley City Council meeting today is Tuesday, July 7th, 2026, and it is 6 05 p.m.

0:12

Can we start off with a role, please?

0:14

Okay.

0:14

Uh Councilmember Kirserwani.

0:17

Here.

0:18

Oh, here.

0:19

Here you are.

0:20

All right.

0:21

And Councilmember Taplin.

0:25

Councilmember Taplin.

0:30

President.

0:31

Um Bartlett is absent.

0:34

Trago, present.

0:36

O'Keefe.

0:37

I'm here.

0:37

Blackaby.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Unapara.

0:42

Here.

0:42

Humbert present.

0:43

And Mary Ishi.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Okay.

0:46

Okay.

0:47

Thank you very much.

0:48

So it tonight is the first uh city council meeting of the month, so I will read the land acknowledgement statement.

0:55

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.

1:09

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

1:15

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 Shell Mound, and the Ohlone people who continue to reside in the East Bay.

1:29

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.

1:39

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 Allone people are present members of Berkeley and other East Bay communities today.

1:50

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

1:59

So for this evening, uh we have two ceremonial matters.

2:03

One is an adjournment in memory uh for Carl Anthony, which was requested by Councilmember Traegub, and um he will read something in a minute.

2:11

And then also we have a presentation from Ryan Lau from AC Transit External, he's the AC Transit External Affairs representative.

2:18

So I'm gonna start us off with our German in memory and pass it over to Councilmember Trake.

2:24

And uh also I think that uh his grandson is here.

2:27

If you want to come up to the front here, um you can come up to the podium.

2:31

Thank you.

2:32

And anyone else who's here for the adjournment in memory.

2:36

Oh yeah.

2:38

Thank you, madam mayor.

2:40

Today we adjourn in memory of oh, today we adjourn in memory of Carl Anthony, a visionary architect, regional planner, author, educator, and one of the nation's pioneers of environmental justice.

2:56

Carl Anthony passed away on April 4th, 2026, at the age of 87, leaving behind the legacy that reshaped the way our country approaches environmental stewardship, equity, and community development.

3:11

Born in Philly, Carl studied architecture at Columbia University before making the Bay Area his home.

3:19

Berkeley became the center of his life's work, where he advanced the belief that every community deserves clean air, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and meaningful opportunities to thrive.

3:32

As the founding director of urban habitat, Carl helped build one of the nation's leading organizations dedicated to environmental justice and equitable regional planning.

3:44

He later served as president of the Earth Island Institute, co-founded Breakthrough Communities, and brought together diverse leaders to address the challenges facing cities and regions throughout California.

3:58

Carl's influence on Berkeley was profound as president of the Berkeley Planning Commission.

4:05

He this was before we had chairs, we had presidents.

4:12

He championed thoughtful planning that reflected the needs of all residents and helped shape a more inclusive vision for the city's future.

4:21

At UC Berkeley, he inspired generations of students to examine the connections between race, place, and the environment, encouraging many of them to pursue lives of public service and civic leadership.

4:37

Through his writing, including the earth, the city, and the hitting narrative of race.

4:44

Carl challenged readers to think differently about the history of American cities and the importance of creating communities where everyone can succeed.

4:55

His ideas continue to guide policymakers, planners, educators, and community leaders across the country.

5:02

Carl Anthony's legacy lives on in the institutions he threatened.

4:59

He strengthened the students and advocates he mentored, and the countless lives he touched.

5:14

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were inspired by his remarkable life.

5:24

May he rest in power and may his enduring example continue to inspire future generations.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████████████35%
Miscellaneous████████████████████████24%
Housing█████████████13%
Homelessness███████████11%
Procedural██████6%
Public Transit█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Fiscal Sustainability█1%
Public Comment█1%
Summary of Proceedings

The Berkeley City Council met on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 6:05 p.m. for a regular meeting. The agenda included ceremonial matters, a presentation from AC Transit on budget challenges, consent calendar approval, public hearings on ambulance fees and police department MOU compendium, and action items regarding large vehicle parking, the five-year street rehabilitation and Measure FF plans, and a ballot measure to amend the rent stabilization ordinance.

Ceremonial Matters and Presentations

  • Adjournment in Memory: Councilmember Tregub spoke in memory of Carl Anthony (1938–2026), a pioneering environmental justice architect and planner. His grandson, Makai Sloane Anthony, shared remembrances.
  • AC Transit Presentation: Stephen Jones (Director of Legislative Affairs) and Ryan Lau presented on the agency's fiscal challenges. AC Transit carries over 3 million riders monthly, 65% of whom are transit-dependent, and projects a $200 million deficit over four years. Without new funding, service cuts of up to 16% and potential layoffs of 300 employees may occur. They urged support for the Connect Bay Area Act (SB 63), a half-cent sales tax measure that would generate $52 million annually for AC Transit. A contingency plan would reduce service on some lines if no funding is secured by December 2026.

Consent Calendar

The consent calendar was approved unanimously (9-0) after moving Item 9 (Waterfront Specific Plan) to consent. Items included:

  • Item 3: Public art fee study (speaker urged consideration).
  • Item 4: Revenue agreements ($80,000 for crime suppression grants).
  • Item 5: Annual police equipment report (noted PAB review submitted as supplemental).
  • Item 6: Ambulance transport fee increase (public hearing held, approved).
  • Item 7: Memorandum of Understanding Compendium 2026 with law enforcement agencies (approved after public hearing, with discussion on data sharing restrictions).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non‑Agenda: Speakers addressed garbage collection, Palestinian solidarity, housing data from Emeryville, a coffee shop complaint, and concerns about a planned bike lane on Hopkins Street near Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.
  • On Consent/Information Items: Public comments highlighted the police equipment report (need for PAB review, concerns about weapons inventory) and the loophole in public art fees.
  • On Item 8 (Large Vehicle Parking): Multiple speakers opposed criminalizing RV dwellers, emphasizing the lack of housing alternatives. One speaker (Amber) described barriers to obtaining housing vouchers. The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce expressed support, citing health and safety concerns.
  • On Item 10 (Street Rehabilitation): Speakers advocated for a Hearst Avenue complete street study and questioned bicycle infrastructure usage. Others raised equity concerns for South Berkeley.
  • On Item A (Rent Ordinance): Landlords and tenant advocates debated the amendments. Nonprofit housing providers supported the fee waiver provision; some landlords argued increased regulation discourages housing supply.

Discussion Items

  • Large Vehicle Parking Regulations (Item 8): Council debated a referral to study and potentially amend city code to address abandoned and long-term parking of large vehicles in the public right-of-way. Supporters (Councilmembers Taplin, Humbert, Blackaby, Kesarwani) called it a balanced approach to public health and safety, while critics (Mayor Ishii, Councilmember Lunapara) worried it would criminalize homelessness without providing housing. Amendments removed golden duplex provisions. The motion passed 7-2 (Lunapara and Mayor Ishii dissenting).
  • Five-Year Street Rehabilitation and Measure FF Plans (Item 10): Staff presented the integrated plan covering FY 2027-2031, with $88.6 million from ongoing revenues and $40 million from Measure FF. Key corridors (Claremont, Telegraph, Oxford) were deferred due to ongoing planning. Hopkins Street was included but staff noted the funds would be carried over pending multimodal design. Council discussed equity across districts, with Councilmember Blackaby noting District 6 receives 12% of treatment despite having 17% of street miles. The resolution was amended to require further review of certain safety projects by the Safe Streets Citizens Oversight Committee. The motion passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Rent Stabilization Ordinance Amendments (Item A): Council considered placing cleanup amendments on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Changes included: capping banked rent increases at 10%, extending tenant right-to-organize to buildings with 5+ units, preventing removal of protections for sitting tenants, authorizing fee waivers for nonprofit housing providers, and clarifying replacement unit definitions. The measure passed unanimously (9-0), with Councilmembers Lunapara, Tregub, and Mayor Ishii designated to write the ballot argument.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved 9-0.
  • Ambulance Transport Fee Increase: Approved 9-0.
  • MOU Compendium: Approved 9-0.
  • Large Vehicle Parking Referral: Approved 7-2 (Lunapara and Mayor Ishii dissenting).
  • Street Rehabilitation and Measure FF Plans: Approved 9-0, with amendments adding a whereas clause and resolve clause on safety projects.
  • Rent Ordinance Ballot Measure: Approved 9-0 to place on November 3, 2026 ballot.
  • Council adjourned at approximately 9:05 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Hello, good evening, everyone. I am calling to order Berkeley City Council meeting today is Tuesday, July 7th, 2026, and it is 6 05 p.m. Can we start off with a role, please? Okay. Uh Councilmember Kirserwani. Here. Oh, here. Here you are. All right. And Councilmember Taplin. Councilmember Taplin. President. Um Bartlett is absent. Trago, present. O'Keefe. I'm here. Blackaby. Here. Unapara. Here. Humbert present. And Mary Ishi. Here. Okay. Okay. Thank you very much. So it tonight is the first uh city council meeting of the month, so I will read the land acknowledgement statement. 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 Alone 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 at the West Berkeley Shell Mound, and the Ohlone 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 history of this land, but also recognize that the Allone people are present members of Berkeley and other East Bay communities today. The City of Berkeley will continue to build relationships with the Lijan tribe and to create meaningful actions that uphold the intention of this land acknowledgement. So for this evening, uh we have two ceremonial matters. One is an adjournment in memory uh for Carl Anthony, which was requested by Councilmember Traegub, and um he will read something in a minute. And then also we have a presentation from Ryan Lau from AC Transit External, he's the AC Transit External Affairs representative. So I'm gonna start us off with our German in memory and pass it over to Councilmember Trake. And uh also I think that uh his grandson is here. If you want to come up to the front here, um you can come up to the podium. Thank you. And anyone else who's here for the adjournment in memory. Oh yeah. Thank you, madam mayor. Today we adjourn in memory of oh, today we adjourn in memory of Carl Anthony, a visionary architect, regional planner, author, educator, and one of the nation's pioneers of environmental justice. Carl Anthony passed away on April 4th, 2026, at the age of 87, leaving behind the legacy that reshaped the way our country approaches environmental stewardship, equity, and community development. Born in Philly, Carl studied architecture at Columbia University before making the Bay Area his home. Berkeley became the center of his life's work, where he advanced the belief that every community deserves clean air, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and meaningful opportunities to thrive. As the founding director of urban habitat, Carl helped build one of the nation's leading organizations dedicated to environmental justice and equitable regional planning. He later served as president of the Earth Island Institute, co-founded Breakthrough Communities, and brought together diverse leaders to address the challenges facing cities and regions throughout California. Carl's influence on Berkeley was profound as president of the Berkeley Planning Commission.

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