City Council Regular Meeting eAgenda December 2, 2025

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AGENDA

BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, December 2, 2025
6:00 PM

SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ROOM - 1231 ADDISON STREET, BERKELEY, CA 94702

Adena Ishii, Mayor

Councilmembers:

District 1 – Rashi Kesarwani

District 2 – Terry Taplin

District 3 – Ben Bartlett

District 4 – Igor Tregub

District 5 – Shoshana O’Keefe

District 6 – Brent Blackaby

District 7 – Cecilia Lunaparra

District 8 – Mark Humbert

This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid model with both in-person and virtual attendance. Attend this meeting remotely using Zoom. To request to speak, use the “raise hand” function in Zoom. To join by phone: Dial 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 160 966 0575. To provide public comment, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair. To submit a written communication for the public record, email council@berkeleyca.gov.

Live captioned broadcasts of Council meetings are available on B-TV (Channel 33) and via internet video stream. All Council meetings are recorded.

This meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act, Government Code Section 54953. Any member of the public may attend this meeting, however, if you are feeling sick, please do not attend the meeting in person. The City Council may take action related to any subject listed on the Agenda.

Pursuant to the City Council Rules of Procedure and State Law, the presiding officer may remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting. Prior to removing an individual, the presiding officer shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. The presiding officer may then remove the individual if they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior. “Disrupting” means engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, a failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body, or engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force.

Government Code Section 84308 (Levine Act) - Parties to a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use are required to disclose if they made contributions over $500 within the prior 12 months to any City employee or officer. Parties and participants with a financial interest are prohibited from making more than $500 in contributions to a decisionmaker for the 12 months after the final decision is rendered on the proceeding. The above contribution disclosures and restrictions do not apply when the proceeding is competitively bid, or involves a personnel or labor contract. For more information, see Government Code Section 84308.

Preliminary Matters

Roll Call:

Land Acknowledgement Statement: The City of Berkeley recognizes that the community we live in was built on the territory of xučyun (Huchiun (Hooch-yoon)), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo (Cho-chen-yo)-speaking Ohlone (Oh-low-nee) 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 Ohlone 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 Shellmound, and the Ohlone people who continue to reside in the East Bay. We recognize that 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 Ohlone people are present members of Berkeley and other East Bay communities today. The City of Berkeley will continue to build relationships with the Lisjan Tribe and to create meaningful actions that uphold the intention of this land acknowledgement.

Ceremonial Matters: In addition to those items listed on the agenda, the Mayor may add additional ceremonial matters.

Evie Wozniak, Community Activist

City Manager Comments: The City Manager may make announcements or provide information to the City Council in the form of an oral report. The Council will not take action on such items but may request the City Manager place a report on a future agenda for discussion.

Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters: Up to ten persons will be selected to address matters not on the Council agenda. If five or fewer persons are identified to provide non-agenda comment, each person selected will be allotted two minutes each. If more than five persons are selected to address matters not on the Council agenda, each person selected will be allotted one minute each.

In-person attendees wishing to address the Council on matters not on the Council agenda during the initial ten-minute period for such comment, must submit a speaker card to the City Clerk in person at the meeting location and prior to the moment that the Presiding Officer calls for public comment on non-agenda items. Remote attendees must raise their hand in the videoconference application when the Presiding Officer calls for non-agenda speakers. The first five raised hands on the videoconference application will be selected to speak and the first five cards drawn at the meeting will be selected to speak. The number of in-person and remote speakers selected may be adjusted by the Presiding Officer if fewer than five speakers from either format are identified.

The remainder of the speakers wishing to address the Council on non-agenda items will be heard at the end of the agenda.

Public Comment by Employee Unions (first regular meeting of the month): This period of public comment is reserved for officially designated representatives of City of Berkeley employee unions, with five minutes allocated per union if representatives of three or fewer unions wish to speak and up to three minutes per union if representatives of four or more unions wish to speak.

Consent Calendar

-The Council will first determine whether to move items on the agenda for “Action” or “Information” to the “Consent Calendar”, or move “Consent Calendar” items to “Action.” Three members of the City Council must agree to pull an item from the Consent Calendar or Information Calendar for it to move to Action. Items that remain on the “Consent Calendar” are voted on in one motion as a group. “Information” items are not discussed or acted upon at the Council meeting unless they are moved to “Action” or “Consent”.

No additional items can be moved onto the Consent Calendar once public comment has commenced. At any time during, or immediately after, public comment on Information and Consent items, any Councilmember may move any Information or Consent item to “Action.” Following this, the Council will vote on the items remaining on the Consent Calendar in one motion.

For items moved to the Action Calendar from the Consent Calendar or Information Calendar, persons who spoke on the item during the Consent Calendar public comment period may speak again at the time the matter is taken up during the Action Calendar.

Public Comment on Consent Calendar and Information Items Only: The Council will take public comment on any items that are either on the amended Consent Calendar or the Information Calendar. If ten or fewer persons are interested in speaking on an individual agenda item, each speaker may speak for two minutes. If there are more than ten persons interested in speaking, the Presiding Officer may limit the public comment for all speakers to one minute per speaker. Speakers are permitted to yield their time to one other speaker, however no one speaker shall have more than four minutes. The Presiding Officer may, with the consent of persons representing both sides of an issue, allocate a block of time to each side to present their issue. A speaker may only speak once during the period for public comment on Consent Calendar and Information items.

Additional information regarding public comment by City of Berkeley employees and interns: Employees and interns of the City of Berkeley, although not required, are encouraged to identify themselves as such, the department in which they work and state whether they are speaking as an individual or in their official capacity when addressing the Council in open session or workshops.

Consent Calendar

1.-Amendments to Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale or Use of Coordinated Pricing Algorithms (BMC 13.63)
From: City Attorney
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,992-N.S. amending the Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale or Use of Coordinated Pricing Algorithms (BMC 13.63).
First Reading Vote: Ayes - Kesarwani, Taplin, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Noes – None; Abstain – None; Absent – Bartlett.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Farimah Brown, City Attorney, (510) 981-6950

2.-Amendment: FY 2026 Annual Appropriations Ordinance
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,993-N.S. amending the FY 2026 Annual Appropriations Ordinance No. 7,977–N.S. for fiscal year 2026 based upon recommended re-appropriation of committed FY 2025 funding and other adjustments authorized since July 1, 2025.
First Reading Vote: Ayes - Kesarwani, Taplin, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Noes – None; Abstain – None; Absent – Bartlett.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Maricar Dupaya, Budget Manager, (510) 981-7000

3.-Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance Updates
From: Councilmember Lunaparra (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Humbert (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Blackaby (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,994-N.S. amending the Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance (BMC 13.105) to mirror key definitions with the language in the new Sanctuary City Ordinance and shorten the Right to Cure time period from 90 days to 30 days.
First Reading Vote: Ayes - Kesarwani, Taplin, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Noes – None; Abstain – None; Absent – Bartlett.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Cecilia Lunaparra, Councilmember, District 7, (510) 981-7170

4.-Zoning Ordinance Amendments to Title 23 of the Berkeley Municipal Code for Consistency with State Law and Technical Edits (SLTE 2025)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 7,995-N.S. amending the following sections of the Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) to maintain consistency and accuracy:

- 23.202.030 Additional Permit Requirements (Residential)

- 23.202.050 R-1 Single Family Residential District

- 23.202.080 R-2 Restricted Two-Family Residential District

- 23.202.090 R-2A Restricted Multiple-Family Residential District

- 23.202.100 R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District

- 23.206.090 MU-R Mixed Use Residential District

- 23.326.030 Demolition of Residential Units

- 23.326.040 Eliminating Dwelling Units through Combination with Other Units
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400

5.-Minutes for Approval
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the minutes for the Council meetings of November 6, 2025 (special), November 10, 2025 (closed), November 10, 2025 (regular), November 18, 2025 (special and regular).
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900

6.-Revised Conflict of Interest Code
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving a revised Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Berkeley and rescinding Resolution No. 71,108–N.S.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900

7.-Acceptance of Grant Funds and Contract: Healthy Black Families – Equity 4 Black Berkeley (E4BB) Transition
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1. Accepting $90,000 in grant funds from the San Francisco Foundation to support the Equity 4 Black Berkeley (E4BB) initiative; and 2. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract and any amendments with Healthy Black Families (HBF) for an amount not to exceed $90,000 to provide technical assistance, fiscal sponsorship, and organizational development services to support the establishment of an independent nonprofit organization to carry forward the work of Equity 4 Black Berkeley.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Rex Brown, City Manager’s Office, (510) 981-7000

8.-Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the Downtown Property-Based Business Improvement District (PBID) Petition and Ballot on Behalf of the City of Berkeley
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1. Authorizing the City Manager to approve and sign the “Preliminary Petition to Reestablish the Downtown Berkeley Property-Based Business Improvement District” document on behalf of City-owned properties in the proposed Downtown PBID area; and 2. In the event the petition is successful in generating a ballot process to reestablish a Downtown PBID, authorizing the City Manager to vote YES on any ballots on behalf of City-owned properties in the proposed Downtown PBID area.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Eleanor Hollander, Economic Development, (510) 981-7530

9.-Formal Bid Solicitations and Request for Proposals Scheduled for Possible Issuance After Council Approval on December 2, 2025
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the request for proposals or invitation for bids (attached to staff report) that will be, or are planned to be, issued upon final approval by the requesting department or division. All contracts over the City Manager’s threshold will be returned to Council for final approval.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300

10.-Contract: CentralSquare Technologies, LLC for Dispatch Center Software and Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to enter into a contract with Central Square Technologies, LLC for Dispatch Center software and services using Sourcewell Contract No. 030425. The four-year contract base period will begin on December 1, 2025, and end November 30, 2029, and will not exceed $103,635. There will be two optional one-year extensions, from December 1, 2029, to November 30, 2031. The total six-year contract amount will not exceed $212,602 which includes a $20,000 contingency.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473

11.-Revenue Contract: 2026 Community Services Block Grant
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to: 1. Accept the 2026 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) contract to provide services for low-income people from January 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027; and, 2. Execute any resultant agreements and amendments including amendments that may decrease or increase the contract amount, add discretionary funding, and change or update the contract terms.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5100

12.-Contract No. 32000232 Amendment: Worldwide Travel Staffing for Nurse Registry Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to amend Contract No. 32000232 with Worldwide Travel Staffing for nurse registry services for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,772,580 through June 30, 2027. This amendment will add $500,000 in funding and two years to the contract term, through June 30, 2027.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5100

13.-Loan Modifications for Existing Housing Trust Fund Projects: Margaret Breland Homes (2577 San Pablo Avenue) and Mable Howard Apartments (3250 Sacramento Street)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving amendments to existing Housing Trust Fund (HTF) loan documents for Margaret Breland Homes and Mable Howard Apartments to: 1. Approve the transfer of ownership of both properties to Berkeley Senior Recap, L.P., a new ownership entity formed to apply for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), with Resources for Community Development (RCD) as the Managing General Partner; 2. Approve the addition of the future tax credit investor limited partner at the time of the construction loan closing, as required by the LIHTC program; 3. Approve the extension of the City’s current loans and regulatory agreements for both properties to new 55-year periods and the reduction of interest rates from 6% simple interest to the Applicable Federal Rate (AFR) in effect at the time of construction loan closing (currently approximately 4.8%); and 4. Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all documents required to effectuate these actions, including amendments to existing loan agreements.
Financial Implications: See report.
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5100

14.-Contract No. 081263-1 Amendment: Uprise Claremont Behavioral Services for Employee Assistance Program Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend Contract No. 081263-1 with Uprise Claremont Behavioral Services (Claremont) in order to provide continued services for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by approving the rate increases for January 1, 2026 through January 1, 2029 and extending the contract from December 31, 2025 through January 1, 2029.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Janelle Rodrigues, Human Resources, (510) 981-6800

15.-Adoption of Successor Memorandum Agreement: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245
From: City Manager
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving the successor three-year Memorandum Agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245 with a term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, authorizing the City Manager to execute and implement the revised terms and conditions of employment set forth in the Memorandum Agreement; and

2. Adopt a new classification and salary resolution for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1245 and rescinding Resolution No. 70,453-N.S.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Janelle Rodrigues, Human Resources, (510) 981-6800

16.-Contract: Plante Moran for Professional Services and Licensing of Informatica Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Plante Moran for professional services and software licensing of the Informatica Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) in an amount not to exceed $700,000 from December 3, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500

17.-Contract No. 32400019 Amendment: Berkeley Community Media for Public Access Television
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend Contract No. 32400019 with Berkeley Community Media (“BCM”) for Public, Educational, and Governmental (“PEG”) access services for an additional $150,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $1,004,130.
Financial Implications: PEG Access Fund - $150,000
Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500

18.-Contract No. 32400104 Amendment: SmartWave for City Facility Managed Wi-Fi
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend Contract No. 32400104 with Smartwave Technologies LLC, for managed Wi-Fi and related services increasing the amount by $280,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $900,000 from July 25, 2023 to June 30, 2027.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500

19.-Contract No. 31900184 Amendment: Alcor Solutions, Inc. for Professional Services for ServiceNow and Intranet
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to contract No. 31900184 with Alcor Solutions, Inc. for professional services for ServiceNow and the City’s Intranet increasing the amount by $155,000 for an amended total not to exceed amount of $990,564 from February 14, 2017 to June 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: IT Cost Allocation Fund - $155,000
Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500

20.-Donation for the Thousand Oaks School Park Improvement Project in Memory of Michael Seltzer
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution accepting a cash donation of up to $80,000 for the Thousand Oaks School Park Improvement Project in memory of Michael Seltzer.
Financial Implications: See report.
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700

21.-Contract: Bauman Landscape and Construction, Inc. for The Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex Community Facility, Pickleball Courts and U8 Soccer Field Project
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1. Approving the plans and specifications for the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex Community Facility, Pickleball Courts and U8 Soccer Field Project (Bid Specification No. 25-11736-C); and 2. Rejecting the bid protest of Azul Works, Inc., the second-lowest bidder; and 3. Accepting the bid of Bauman Landscape and Construction, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on the Project; and 4. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract and any amendments, extensions or other change orders until completion of the project in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, with Bauman Landscape and Construction, Inc., for the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex Community Facility, Pickleball Courts and U8 Soccer Field Project, in an amount not to exceed $6,515,433, which includes a contract base amount of $5,223,909 and additive bid No. 1 in the amount of $769,134 and an 8.7% contingency in the amount of $522,391 for unforeseen circumstances.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700

22.-Grant Application: Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) Tree Planting Proposal
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) grant application to plant urban forest trees in the amount up to $750,000; to accept the grant; to execute any resultant revenue agreements and amendments; and authorizing the implementation of the project and appropriation of funding for related expenses, subject to securing the grant.
Financial Implications: One-Time Grants Fund - $750,000 (revenue)
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700

23.-Grant Application: Ocean Protection Council SB1 funds for the University Ave Sea-Level Rise Adaptation Plan
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit a grant application to the Ocean Protection Council SB1 program for the University Ave Sea-Level Rise Adaptation Plan for up to $500,000; accept any grants; execute any resulting grant agreements and any amendments; and that Council authorize the implementation of the project and appropriation of funding for related expenses, subject to securing the grant.
Financial Implications: $500,000 (revenue)
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700

24.-Grant Application: the CA Economic Development Department’s Employment Training and Pathways Program Funding for Additional YouthWorks Participants
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution designating the City Manager or his designee as the authorized signatory to submit a grant application to the CA Employment Training and Pathways Program for up to $600,000; accept the grant; execute all necessary agreements, contracts, and documents required to secure and administer said funds; and the City Council authorizes the implementation of the projects and appropriation of funding for related expenses, subject to securing the grant.
Financial Implications: $600,000 (revenue)
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700

25.-Contract: Passport Labs Incorporated for Parking Citation and Permit Management System (CPMS)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract and any necessary amendments with Passport Labs Inc. for a Parking Citation and Permit Management System for a three-year contract for a total of $1.7 million dollars with an option to extend the contract for two years for a maximum length of five years.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jennifer Louis, Police, (510) 981-5900

26a.-Loan Modification Requests for Housing Trust Fund Projects at 1139 Hearst Avenue, 3253 Adeline Street, and 1471 Addison Street and Update Interest Rates and Accrued Interest on Housing Trust Fund Loans
From: Housing Advisory Commission
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the following actions for Housing Trust Fund (HTF) loans and direct staff to examine the HTF administrative guidelines:

1. Extend Resources for Community Development’s existing HTF loan for 1139 Hearst Avenue (Hearst Street Apartments) for five years and reduce the interest rate for the remaining term to 3% simple interest. The principal amount of $916,000 will remain the same.

2. Combine South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation’s three HTF loans for 3253 Adeline Street (Lorin Station) into a new loan in the amount of $1,230,117, with 0% interest and a new loan maturity date of May 7, 2079, to align with their 2021 emergency rehab loan. The Regulatory Agreement will have a term of May 7, 2079, to be coterminous with the loan maturity date.

3. Refinance existing HTF loan for 1471 Addison Street (Addison Court Housing Cooperative) into a new loan with a 55-year term and 3% simple interest. The principal amount of $150,000 will remain the same. The Regulatory Agreement will have a term of November 1, 2080, to be coterminous with the loan maturity date.

4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents required to effectuate these actions, including amendments to existing loan agreements.

5. Forgive the accrued interest as of the effective date of the new and/or amended loan for each new loan for Hearst Street Apartments, Lorin Station, and Addison Court Housing Cooperative.

6. Direct staff to examine the HTF administrative guidelines to update the standards for interest rates and accrued interest for future HTF loans.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Mike Uberti, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-7400

26b.-Companion Report: Loan Modification Requests for Housing Trust Fund Projects at 1139 Hearst Avenue, 3253 Adeline Street, and 1471 Addison Street and Update Interest Rates and Accrued Interest on Housing Trust Fund Loans
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the following actions to modify three existing Housing Trust Fund (HTF) loans by:

1. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to extend Resources for Community Development’s existing HTF loan for 1139 Hearst Avenue (Hearst Street Apartments) for five years and reducing the interest rate for the remaining term to 3% simple interest. The principal amount of $916,000 will remain the same.

2. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to combine South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation’s three HTF loans for 3253 Adeline Street (Lorin Station) into a new loan in the amount of $1,230,117, with 0% interest and a new loan maturity date of May 7, 2079, to align with their 2021 emergency rehab loan. The Regulatory Agreement will have a term of May 7, 2079, to be coterminous with the loan maturity date.

3. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to refinance the existing HTF loan for 1471 Addison Street (Addison Court Housing Cooperative) into a new loan with a 55-year term and 3% simple interest. The principal amount of $150,000 will remain the same. The Regulatory Agreement will have a term of November 1, 2080, to be coterminous with the loan maturity date.

4. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute all original or amended documents or agreements to effectuate these actions, including amendments to existing loan agreements.

5. Direct staff to examine the HTF administrative guidelines to update the standards for interest rates and accrued interest for future HTF loans.
Financial Implications: See report.
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5100

27a.-Affordable Housing for Artists Report
From: Housing Advisory Commission, Civic Arts Commission
Recommendation: Approve the “Keeping Creativity Local: A Strategic Response to Affordable Housing for Artists” report and direct the City Manager to evaluate and implement the report recommendations as appropriate.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Snow Zhu, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-5100, Jennifer Lovvorn, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-7530

27b.-Companion Report: Affordable Housing for Artists Report
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Receive the Keeping Creativity Local: A Strategic Response to Affordable Housing for Artists report. Should the Council wish to move forward with any of the report’s policy recommendations, refer them to the budget process for evaluation of resource needs, feasibility, and prioritization through Reweighted Range Voting (RRV) process.
Financial Implications: See report.
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5100

Council Consent Items

28.-Annual Berkeley Holiday Fund: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Fund
From: Mayor Ishii (Author), Councilmember Tregub (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Blackaby (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $500 per Councilmember including $500 from Mayor Ishii, $500 from Councilmember Blackaby, and $250 from Councilmember Igor Tregub to the Berkeley Holiday Fund with funds relinquished to the City’s general fund for this purpose from the discretionary Council Office Budgets of Mayor Ishii and any other Councilmembers who would like to contribute.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Adena Ishii, Mayor, (510) 981-7100

29.-Urban Compassion Project: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund for Grant of Such Funds
From: Councilmember Kesarwani (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember O'Keefe (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Lunaparra (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution approving the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $1,000 per Councilmember including a $1,000 donation from Councilmember Kesarwani and $1,000 from Mayor Ishii to the Urban Compassion Project with funds relinquished to the City’s General Fund for this purpose from the discretionary Council Office Budget of Councilmember Kesarwani and Mayor Ishii and any other Councilmembers who would like to contribute.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Rashi Kesarwani, Councilmember, District 1, (510) 981-7110

30.-Resolution for Unionization Efforts by Employees of Ècole Bilingue
From: Councilmember Taplin (Author), Councilmember Tregub (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Lunaparra (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution in support of Ècole Bilingue de Berkeley administrative, support, and enrichment staff unionization effort.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Terry Taplin, Councilmember, District 2, (510) 981-7120

31.-Creations Berkeley – Black Joy Club Kwanzaa Toy Drive and Celebration on December 11, 2025 – Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
From: Councilmember Bartlett (Author)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $250 per Councilmember, including $250 from the discretionary Council Office Budget of Councilmember Ben Bartlett, to Creations Berkeley Media & Performing Arts, Inc., to support the Black Joy Club’s Kwanzaa Toy Drive and Celebration at Sylvia Mendez Elementary School on Wednesday, December 11, 2025. The funds will be relinquished to the City’s General Fund from the Discretionary Council Office Budget of Councilmember Ben Bartlett and the Discretionary Council Office Budgets of any other Councilmembers who would like to contribute.
Financial Implications: Councilmember’s Discretionary Funds - $250
Contact: Ben Bartlett, Councilmember, District 3, (510) 981-7130

32.-Budget Referral: FY26 AAO1 Downtown Berkeley Revitalization Projects
From: Councilmember Tregub (Author)
Recommendation: Refer the (1) Addison Catenary Lighting Project, (2) Oxford for All proposal, and (3) Harold Way Placemaking Project schematic design to the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Annual Appropriations Ordinance #1 (AAO1) budget process to be funded through the Street and Open Space Improvement Plan (SOSIP) and/or Long-Range Development Plan (LRDP) Funds.
These projects are high-impact investments in Downtown Berkeley’s ongoing revitalization. By transforming these key downtown spaces into safe, visually captivating, walkable destinations, these projects will encourage more residents, students, and visitors to explore local shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. These projects will highlight Berkeley’s creative and transit-oriented character, inviting people to visit, linger, take photos, and share their experiences. As pedestrian and bike traffic increases, existing businesses will be encouraged to extend hours, host outdoor events, and new businesses will be encouraged to occupy vacant storefronts creating a positive cycle of growth and reinvestment that benefits the entire community.
Through public-private collaboration and thoughtful designs, these initiatives will transform Downtown Berkeley with a spirit of creativity, inclusivity, urban vibrancy, and transit safety-- a place where people want to gather, spend time, and contribute to the city’s economic life.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Igor Tregub, Councilmember, District 4, (510) 981-7140

33.-Referral to the City Manager and City Attorney: Vibrant Storefront Policy
From: Councilmember Tregub (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Blackaby (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember O'Keefe (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Referral to the City Manager and City Attorney to develop a vibrant storefront policy that sets performance standards and considers additional strategies to address a growing number of ground-floor storefront vacancies in Berkeley’s commercial districts.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Igor Tregub, Councilmember, District 4, (510) 981-7140

34.-Annual Report on Gifts Received
From: Councilmember O’Keefe (Author)
Recommendation: Accept the Library’s annual reporting to the City Council of gifts received in FY 2025 as mandated by CC Resolution No. 65,444-N.S.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Shoshana O'Keefe, Councilmember, District 5, (510) 981-7150, Henry Bankhead, Library, (510) 981-6100

35.-Board of Library Trustees Reappointment: Beverly Greene
From: Councilmember O’Keefe (Author)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Reappointment of Beverly Greene to the Board of Library Trustees (“BOLT”) for a second term of four years commencing December 3, 2025.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Shoshana O'Keefe, Councilmember, District 5, (510) 981-7150, Henry Bankhead, Library, (510) 981-6100

36.-Notifying Residents of Upcoming Public Works Projects in their Neighborhoods
From: Councilmember Blackaby (Author), Councilmember Tregub (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Kesarwani (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Taplin (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Referral to the City Manager to develop a proactive communication system to alert the community of upcoming infrastructure projects from Public Works, EBMUD, PG&E, and other large housing or commercial development projects.
Financial Implications: Staff time
Contact: Brent Blackaby, Councilmember, District 6, (510) 981-7160

37.-Berkeley Symphony Orchestra Winter Promenade: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
From: Councilmember Lunaparra (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Tregub (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember O'Keefe (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $500 per Councilmember, including $500 from Councilmember Lunaparra’s discretionary fund and funds from any other Councilmembers who would like to contribute to the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for their 2025 Winter Promenade fundraising event with funds relinquished to the City’s general fund for this purpose.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Cecilia Lunaparra, Councilmember, District 7, (510) 981-7170

Action Calendar

-The public may comment on each item listed on the agenda for action. For items moved to the Action Calendar from the Consent Calendar or Information Calendar, persons who spoke on the item during the Consent Calendar public comment period may speak again during the Action Calendar public comment period on the item

The Presiding Officer will request that persons wishing to speak line up at the podium, or use the "raise hand" function in Zoom, to determine the number of persons interested in speaking at that time. If ten or fewer persons are interested in speaking on an individual agenda item, each speaker may speak for two minutes. If there are more than ten persons interested in speaking, the Presiding Officer may limit the public comment for all speakers to one minute per speaker. Speakers are permitted to yield their time to one other speaker, however no one speaker shall have more than four minutes. The Presiding Officer may, with the consent of persons representing both sides of an issue, allocate a block of time to each side to present their issue.

Action items may be reordered at the discretion of the Chair with the consent of Council.

The Presiding Officer may open and close an additional comment period for Action items on this agenda (excluding any public hearings, appeals, and/or quasi-judicial matters), at the start of the Action Calendar. Those who speak on an item during this comment period may not speak a second time when the item is taken up by Council.

Action Calendar – Public Hearings

-Staff shall introduce the public hearing item and present their comments. For certain hearings, this is followed by five-minute presentations each by first the appellant and then the applicant. The Presiding Officer will request that persons wishing to speak line up at the podium, or use the "raise hand" function in Zoom, to be recognized and to determine the number of persons interested in speaking at that time.

If ten or fewer persons are interested in speaking during a public hearing, each speaker may speak for two minutes. If there are more than ten persons interested in speaking, the Presiding Officer may limit the public comment for all speakers to one minute per speaker. Speakers are permitted to yield their time to one other speaker, however no one speaker shall have more than four minutes. The Presiding Officer may with the consent of persons representing both sides of an issue allocate a block of time to each side to present their issue.

When applicable, each member of the City Council shall verbally disclose all ex parte contacts concerning the subject of the hearing. Councilmembers shall also submit a report of such contacts in writing prior to the commencement of the hearing. Written reports shall be available for public review in the office of the City Clerk.

38.-Renewal of the Elmwood Avenue BID for Calendar Year 2026
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and, upon conclusion, adopt a Resolution confirming the Annual Report and Budget for the Elmwood Business Improvement District (hereafter, “the District”, “the Elmwood BID” or “the BID”) for 2025-26 and, if no majority protest exists, levy annual assessments in the District for calendar year 2026 to finance services and improvements and authorize a fiscal agency contract with Elmwood Business Association for receipt and expenditure of District funds.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Eleanor Hollander, Economic Development, (510) 981-7530

39.-Renewal of the Solano Avenue BID for Calendar Year 2026
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and, upon conclusion, adopt a Resolution confirming the Annual Report and Budget for the Solano Avenue Business Improvement District (hereafter, “Solano BID Advisory Board” or “the BID”) for 2025-2026 and, if no majority protest exists, levy annual assessments in the District for calendar year 2026 to finance services and improvements and authorize a fiscal agency contract for receipt and expenditure of District funds.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Eleanor Hollander, Economic Development, (510) 981-7530

40.-Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code with Local Amendments – Second Reading
Revised agenda material (Supp 2)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 7,990-N.S. repealing and reenacting the Berkeley Fire Code, including amendments to the California Fire Code as outlined in the proposed ordinance, plus Appendix Chapters D, E, F, O and P published by the International Code Council not included in the California Building Standards Code, as Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 19.48.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473

41.-Adoption of and Amendments to the California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code – Second Reading
Supplemental agenda material (Supp 2)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 7,991-N.S. creating a new Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 19.49 and adopting the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, Title 24 Part 7, along with local amendments.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473

42.-Amendments to Title 23 (Zoning) to Allow the Retail Sale of Alcohol in the Telegraph Avenue Commercial (C-T) Zoning District
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt the first reading of an ordinance amending the BMC Title 23 Section 23.204.020 to allow the retail sale of alcohol in the Telegraph Avenue Commercial (C-T) zoning district.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400

43.-Amendments to Title 21 (Subdivisions) to Allow Separate Sale of ADUs
Revised agenda material (Supp 2)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing, and upon conclusion, adopt the first reading of an Ordinance to amend Berkeley Municipal Code Title 21 (Subdivisions Ordinance) and Chapter 23.306 Accessory Dwelling Units to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 1033 by establishing local regulations for the separate sale of ADUs as condominiums.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400

Information Reports

44.-Economic Impact Study: Berkeley's Creative Economy and Assessment of Pandemic Relief Investments
From: City Manager
Contact: Eleanor Hollander, Economic Development, (510) 981-7530

45.-Sanctuary City Contracting Compliance Report for FY 2024 and 2025
From: City Manager
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300

46.-Housing Advisory Commission Fiscal Year 2026 Work Plan
From: Housing Advisory Commission
Contact: Snow Zhu, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-5100

Public Comment – Items Not Listed on the Agenda

Adjournment

NOTICE CONCERNING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS: If you object to a decision by the City Council to approve or deny a use permit or variance for a project the following requirements and restrictions apply: 1) No lawsuit challenging a City decision to deny (Code Civ. Proc. §1094.6(b)) or approve (Gov. Code 65009(c)(5)) a use permit or variance may be filed more than 90 days after the date the Notice of Decision of the action of the City Council is mailed. Any lawsuit not filed within that 90-day period will be barred. 2) In any lawsuit that may be filed against a City Council decision to approve or deny a use permit or variance, the issues and evidence will be limited to those raised by you or someone else, orally or in writing, at a public hearing or prior to the close of the last public hearing on the project.

Archived indexed video streams are available at: berkeleyca.gov/council-agendas.
Channel 33 rebroadcasts the following Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Communications to the City Council are public record and will become part of the City’s electronic records, which are accessible through the City’s website. Please note: e-mail addresses, names, addresses, and other contact information are not required, but if included in any communication to the City Council, will become part of the public record. If you do not want your e-mail address or any other contact information to be made public, you may deliver communications via U.S. Postal Service to the City Clerk Department at 2180 Milvia Street. If you do not want your contact information included in the public record, please do not include that information in your communication. Please contact the City Clerk Department for further information.

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the public counter at the City Clerk Department located on the first floor of City Hall located at 2180 Milvia Street, and through the City's online records portal: https://records.cityofberkeley.info/.

Agendas, agenda reports, and revised/supplemental material may be accessed via the online agenda for this meeting at: berkeleyca.gov/council-agendas
and may be accessed at reference desks at the following locations:

City Clerk Department - 2180 Milvia Street, First Floor
Tel: 510-981-6900, TDD: 510-981-6903, Fax: 510-981-6901
Email: clerk@berkeleyca.gov

Libraries: Main – 2090 Kittredge Street,
Claremont Branch – 2940 Benvenue, West Branch – 1125 University,
North Branch – 1170 The Alameda, Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch – 1901 Russell

COMMUNICATION ACCESS INFORMATION:

This meeting is being held in a wheelchair accessible location.

To request a disability-related accommodation(s) to participate in the meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Disability Services specialist at ada@berkeleyca.gov, (510) 981-6418 (V), or (510) 981-6347 (TDD) at least three business days before the meeting date.

Attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various scents, whether natural or manufactured, in products and materials. Please help the City respect these needs.

Captioning services are provided at the meeting, on B-TV, and on the Internet. In addition, assisted listening devices for the hearing impaired are available from the City Clerk prior to the meeting, and are to be returned before the end of the meeting.

Questions regarding public participation may be addressed to the City Clerk Department (510) 981-6900 or by email at clerk@berkeleyca.gov.

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I hereby certify that the agenda for this meeting of the Berkeley City Council was posted at the display case located near the walkway in front of the Maudelle Shirek Building, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, as well as on the City’s website, on November 20, 2025.

Mark Numainville, City Clerk

Communications

Council rules limit action on Communications to referral to the City Manager and/or Boards and Commissions for investigation and/or recommendations. All communications submitted to Council are public record. Copies of individual communications are available for viewing at the City Clerk Department and through Records Online.

Bell-to-Bell Mobile Device Policy

Erica Tsai
Amy Hill
Claudia Cattoglio and Davide Pietrobon
Flock Concerns
Lisa Ferguson
Amy Berlin
Diana Bohn
Summer Brenner
Elana Auerbach
Sepehr Nadimi
Madison Toloui
Berkeley Immigration Collaborative
Brian Hofer on behalf of Secure Justice
Upzoning
Utkarsh Nath (2)
Elke Glendenning
Baruch Moskovits (2)
Vivian Dempsey
Jeremy Poindexter (2)
EMBER
Margot Murtaugh
Public Safety Hazard Concern
Varun Paul
Berkeley Marina Concerns
Todd Jersey
Elizabeth Kowal and Constantine Philipides
Measure BB
Courtney Pal on behalf of non-profit affordable housing providers
Berkeley Police at City Council Meetings
Jesse Sheehan
Parking Garage on Milvia
Ben Gerhardstein
Ben Gerhardstein and Liza Lutzker on behalf of Walk Bike Berkeley
Carleton Street
Andrew Browning
2025 Bike Plan
Harald Leventhal
Veterans Building
Berkeley Community Latino Exhibit
Downtown Concerns
Elise Proulx
CAL Green Code Amendments
Danielle Amador
Zella Carmichael-Price
Maragaret Solomon
Duke Cruz Dela Rosa
Sanjna Shah
College Ave and Garber St. Crossing Concern
Anne Whyte
Measure FF
Joel Libove
Senior Transportation Waitlist
Ariadne Fellows-Mannion
Housing Concern
Hector91 Phuentes (3)
Missing Middle
Caephren McKenna (2)
2274 Shattuck Ave
Caephren McKenna (2)
City Council Concerns
Nicholas Lavrov
2136-2154 San Pablo
Brandon Yung
Property Taxes
Stephani Lesh
City Concern
John Vail
Landmarking
Harry Delmer
S. Entwistle
Holiday Party
John Craner
Street Fairs
Charles Siegel on behalf of Wike Bike Berkeley
Alfred Twu
Charles Siegel (2)
Barbara Bent
Renovation Schedule
Alex Merenkov
Berkeley Recycling Center
Lidia Villagomez
Formal Complaint
Jon Ruel Holder II
Density Paradox in LA
John J. Parman
Protecting Special Events
Lisa Bullwinkel
Signatures for Landmark Sites
Stephen Alpert (3)
Beth Gerstein
Holiday Promotions
Beth Roessner
UCB Mater Leasing
Barbara Gilbert
Property Damage Concern
Beatrice Huff
2298 Durant and 2360 Ellsworth
Heidi Webb on behalf of Jolene Kramer and Andrea Matsuoka
Newsletters
Downtown Berkeley Association
Visit Berkeley
New Multi-Unit Buildings
Kelly Hammargren
Elementary Reading Program
Marina Ostrowicki
Letter
Eids TV
URL’s
Russbumper (4)
Forwards
Russbumper (3)
E-Scooters
Robert Borghese (10)
Devin Dollinger (4)
Carson Lepre (3)
Chandana Silarp
Sukka Vinay Kumar

Supplemental Communications and Reports
Items received by the deadlines for submission will be compiled and distributed as follows. If no items are received by the deadline, no supplemental packet will be compiled for said deadline.

Supplemental Communications and Reports 1
Available by 5:00 p.m. five days prior to the meeting.
Supplemental Communications and Reports 2
Available by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting.
Supplemental Communications and Reports 3
Available by 5:00 p.m. two days following the meeting.