City Council Regular Meeting eAgenda November 18, 2025
AGENDA
BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, November 18, 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: 160 387 4329. 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.
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.-Amending Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 7.54 The Empty Homes Tax
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,986-N.S. amending Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 7.54 The Empty Homes Tax to address issues that arose in the first annual billing and to simplify administration of the tax.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David White, City Manager's Office, (510) 981-7000
2.-Amendment to Ground Lease with East Bay Regional Park District at 400 Gilman Street (Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of an Ordinance No. 7,987-N.S. authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Ground Lease with East Bay Regional Park District for the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex at 400 Gilman Street extending the term to December 31, 2053 and includes improvements to be constructed by the City.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700
3.-Remove Pre-Transfer Eligibility Restriction of the Transfer Tax Rebate for Wildfire Hardening
From: Disaster and Fire Safety Commission
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,989-N.S. amending Berkeley Municipal Code Section 7.52.060 addressing real property transfer tax exceptions related to home hardening.
First Reading Vote: Ayes – Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, Lunaparra, Ishii; Noes – Blackaby, Humbert; Abstain – O’Keefe.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Keith May, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-3473
4.-Amendments to Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale or Use of Coordinated Pricing Algorithms (BMC 13.63)
From: City Attorney
Recommendation: Adopt Amendments to the Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale or Use of Coordinated Pricing Algorithms (BMC 13.63).
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Farimah Brown, City Attorney, (510) 981-6950
5.-Minutes for Approval
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the minutes for the Council meetings of October 14, 2025 (regular), October 27, 2025 (closed), October 28, 2025 (special and regular).
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900
6.-Contract: General Code, LLC for Berkeley Municipal Code Publishing Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with General Code, LLC, for online and printed code publishing services for the Berkeley Municipal Code from November 20, 2025 through November 19, 2030 for a total not to exceed amount of $75,000.
Financial Implications: General Fund - $75,000
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900
7.-Contract with Options Recovery Services for Berkeley CareBridge Program and Appropriation for Administrative and Evaluation Support in the City Manager’s Office
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to: 1) Execute a contract with Options Recovery Services for an amount not-to-exceed $7,510,842.00 to operate the Berkeley CareBridge post-arrest diversion and reentry program for three (3) years, and execute any amendments thereto (including scope, budget realignments, and time extensions) that remain within the grant award and City policies; and 2) Appropriate $409,158.00 in funding for administrative and evaluation support within the City Manager’s Office for the Assistant to the City Manager position (temporary), equivalent to 0.5079 FTE over three years to support grant administration, program oversight, and evaluation requirements.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Carianna Arredondo, City Manager's Office, (510) 981-7000
8.-Amendment: FY 2026 Annual Appropriations Ordinance
Revised agenda material (Supp 2)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt first reading of an Ordinance 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.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Maricar Dupaya, Budget Manager, (510) 981-7000
9.-Contract No. 32000179 Amendment: Allied Universal Security Service for Citywide Unarmed Security Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to Contract No. 32000179 with Allied Universal Security Service (formerly First Alarm Security & Patrol, Inc.) for citywide unarmed security services in the amount of $1,000,000 for a new total not to exceed $5,450,000 and extend the contract through June 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300
10.-Formal Bid Solicitations and Request for Proposals Scheduled for Possible Issuance After Council Approval on November 18, 2025
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the request for proposals or invitation for bids 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: $8,153,016 - Various Funds
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300
11.-Purchase Order: Blaisdell’s Business Products for Office Furniture and Equipment for Fire Headquarters
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to issue purchase orders with Blaisdell’s Business Products for the purchase of miscellaneous office supplies, small equipment and office furniture for Fire Headquarters using the Omnia Partners Region 4 ESC Contract No. R190301 for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 through May 31, 2026, with the option of one (1) single-year extension if the Omnia contract is extended.
Financial Implications: Funding for will come from Measure FF (Fire and Emergency Services) and UC Settlement funds.
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473
12.-Golden Bear Homes Partnership Transfer
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1. Approving the transfer of the Managing General Partner role for Golden Bear Homes, LP from Bay Area Community Services (BACS) to Hearthstone Housing Foundation (Hearthstone); and 2. Approving BACS’ assignment and Hearthstone’s assumption of BACS’ obligation under the loan and regulatory agreements for Golden Bear Homes; and 3. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute all original or amended documents to effectuate this action.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5400
13.-Contract No. 104289-1 Amendment: Jackson & Coker for Locums Tenens Psychiatrists
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to amend Contract No. 104289-1 with vendor Jackson & Coker Locum Tenens, LLC to provide locum tenens psychiatrists in an amount of $500,000 for a not to exceed amount of $1,464,480 through June 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5400
14.-Adoption of Side Letter Agreements Between the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association (BFFA), Berkeley Fire EMS Professionals Association (BFEMSA), and Berkeley Fire Chief Officers Association (BFOA) to Clarify the Calculation and Reporting of Special Compensation Under CalPERS Regulations
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving Side Letter Agreements between the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association (BFFA), Berkeley Fire EMS Professionals Association (BFEMSA), and Berkeley Fire Chief Officers Association (BFOA) to clarify the calculation and reporting of special compensation under CalPERS regulations.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Janelle Rodrigues, Human Resources, (510) 981-6800
15.-Adoption of Side Letter Agreement with Berkeley Police Association to Clarify the Calculation and Reporting of Special Compensation Under CalPERS Regulations
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Police Association (BPA) to clarify and confirm the compounding and reporting of special compensation under CalPERS regulations.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Janelle Rodrigues, Human Resources, (510) 981-6800
16.-Contract No. 32100079 Amendment: ePlus Technology Inc., for Cohesity Backup Software, Maintenance and Support
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend Contract No. 32100079 to increase the spending authority with ePlus Technology Inc. (“ePlus”), for Cohesity backup software, maintenance and support services increasing the amount by $110,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $718,400 from November 1, 2020 to November 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: $110,000 - Information Technology Cost Allocation Fund
Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500
17.-Contract: Paymun Building & Development, Inc. for the K-Dock Restroom Renovation Project
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1. Approving the plans and specifications for the K-Dock Restroom Renovation Project (Bid Specification No. 25-11743-C); and 2. Rejecting the bid from ERA Construction, Inc., the fourth lowest bidder and deem ERA Construction, Inc. ineligible to protest against Argos Construction, apparent lowest bidder, Paymun Building & Development, Inc., apparent second lowest bidder, and Green Bay Remodeling, Inc., apparent third lowest bidder; and 3. Rejecting the bid from Argos Construction as non-responsive; and 4. Accepting the bid of Paymun Building & Development, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on the Project; and 5. 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 Paymun Building & Development, Inc., for the K-Dock Restroom Renovation Project, in an amount not to exceed $440,000, which includes a contract amount consisting of base bid of $368,000, additive bid item in the amount of $32,000, and a 10% contingency in the amount of $40,000.
Financial Implications: $440,000 - Various Funds
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700
18.-License Agreement for Temporary Parking for Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a license agreement and any amendments with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) for the City of Berkeley to use a portion of the North Basin Strip at McLaughlin Eastshore State Park for 18 months as temporary parking for Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex visitors during construction.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700
19.-Mills Act Contract – 1619 Walnut Street
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act contract with Noemi Ruelas for the maintenance and restoration of a City Structure of Merit property at 1619 Walnut Street.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
20.-Contract: DC Electric for On-Call Electrical Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract and any amendments with DC Electric to provide on-call electrical services for a three-year period from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $375,000, with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms. The service rates will be adjusted annually in accordance with the pricing outlined in the awarded bid.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
21.-Contract No. 32500098 Amendment: Pacific Site Management Landscaping Services for Gilman Street and Interstate 80 Interchange Project
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to Contract No. 32500098 with Pacific Site Management to increase the spending authority by $300,000, for a new total not to exceed of $600,000 and extending the contract through June 30, 2028, and executing a reimbursement agreement with the Alameda County Transportation Commission for up to $300,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
22.-Contract: On-Call Handrail Fabrication and Installation Services, Bailey Fence Company, Inc
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Bailey Fence Company, Inc. for on-call handrail fabrication and installation services for a three-year period from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
23.-Contracts: On-Call Industrial Hygiene and Regulatory Compliance Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt four Resolutions authorizing the City Manager to execute the following contracts, and any amendments, extensions or other change orders for on-call industrial hygiene (IH) services and on-call regulatory compliance (RC) services, each for a contract period of January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2029:
1. IH: Acumen Industrial Hygiene, Inc for an amount not to exceed $100,000;
2. IH: Millennium Consulting Associates for an amount not to exceed $100,000;
3. IH: Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical & Environmental Sciences Consultants: for an amount not to exceed $100,000; and
4. RC: Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
24.-Multi-Year Purchase Orders with Papé Kenworth Inc. for Parts and Related Equipment for Kenworth, Peterbilt, and PACCAR Medium-and Heavy-Duty Trucks
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute purchase orders with Papé Kenworth, Inc., an authorized dealer of Kenworth Truck Company, a Division of PACCAR Inc., for parts and related equipment used on Kenworth, Peterbilt, and PACCAR medium and heavy-duty trucks, in an amount not to exceed $380,000, for a period of three-years.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
25.-Recommendation to Rename "5 ½ Street" Alleyway as Jeronimus Alley
From: Transportation and Infrastructure Commission
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution, by at least a two-thirds Council majority, renaming the alleyway running parallel between 5th and 6th streets, located between Camelia Street and Virginia Street, unofficially labeled as "5 ½ Street," to "Jeronimus Alley" in honor of Wayne Jeronimus.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Mark Helmbrecht, Secretary, Transportation and Infrastructure Commission, 510-981-6403
26.-Recommendations for the Formulation of Advanced Fiscal Policies to Institutionalize Strategic Bond Issuance, Optimize Municipal Investment Returns, and Leverage Intergovernmental and Philanthropic Capital Funding
From: Councilmember Taplin (Author) (Reviewed by the Budget and Finance Committee)
Recommendation:
1. Structured Bond Issuance Framework: Refer to the City Manager assessment, analysis, and presentation to the Council of a potential comprehensive fiscal policy every two years that institutionalizes, codifies, and makes publicly accessible a regular, predictive schedule for general obligation bond issuance. This potential policy, in addition to and alongside existing practices, may be informed by actuarial and capital market analysis of the City’s bonding capacity and be modeled on established frameworks utilized in fiscally disciplined jurisdictions such as San Francisco, Santa Monica, and others. The goal is to remediate the City’s substantial deferred maintenance liabilities and strategically advance the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
2. Modernize Investment Policy: Refer to the City Manager the enactment of a detailed review and performance benchmarking of the City’s current investment policies, ordinances, and resolutions. Based on this review, the City Manager may consider: -Amendments to align Berkeley’s portfolio management practices with those of peer jurisdictions in the Bay Area; -Asset strategies that maintain compliance with CA Government Code §53600 et seq. while improving yields through enhanced diversification and duration matching;
3. Comparative Bond Issuance Analysis and Timeline: Refer the City Manager to conduct a comprehensive analysis of historical general obligation bond issuance and debt service rates in Berkeley and comparable jurisdictions. The analysis may consider the following: - Examine 30 years of municipal bond trends, showing the consistency of low interest rates during fiscally disciplined cycles; -Compare Berkeley's historical borrowing costs with those of San Francisco, Santa Monica, Palo Alto, and other cities; -Demonstrate the efficacy of maintaining a regular issuance schedule every 6–10 years to preserve low borrowing rates and steady bond ratings; -Present a 30-year fiscal projection showing that with prudent debt layering and consistent retirement of obligations, Berkeley can issue up to $250–$300 million in bonds in successive tranches while maintaining fiscal health and AAA-quality debt service coverage ratios, and examine the impact on deferred infrastructure liabilities. The City Manager is requested to return with a projected 25–30 year financing timeline that identifies capital milestones, projected issuances, debt service loads, and cost-saving thresholds compared to inflation-driven delays. This timeline shall be paired with policy recommendations to ensure adherence to long-range financial planning objectives.
Policy Committee Recommendation: to send the item to Council with a Qualified Positive Recommendation with the changes as proposed by Councilmember Taplin as follows:
1. Structured Bond Issuance Framework
Refer to the City Manager assessment, analysis, and development and presentation to the Council of a potential of a comprehensive fiscal policy every two years that institutionalizes, codifies, and makes publicly accessible, codifies current practices a regular, predictive schedule for general obligation bond issuance. This potential policy, in addition to and alongside existing practices, smayhould be informed by actuarial and capital market analysis of the City’s bonding capacity and be modeled on established frameworks utilized in fiscally disciplined jurisdictions such as San Francisco, and Santa Monica, and others. The goal is to remediate the City’s substantial deferred maintenance liabilities and strategically advance the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
2. Modernize Investment Policy.and Establish a Capital Grant Matching Fund
Refer to the City Manager the enactment of a detailed review and performance benchmarking of the City’s current investment policies, ordinances, and resolutions. Based on this review, the City Manager may consider should recommend:
-Amendments to align Berkeley’s portfolio management practices with those of peer jurisdictions in the Bay Area;
-Asset strategies that maintain compliance with CA Government Code §53600 et seq. while improving yields through enhanced diversification and duration matching;
Establishment of a dedicated Capital Grant Matching Fund, capitalized with a designated portion of net investment returns, to maximize Berkeley’s competitiveness in securing grants under federal programs such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and state-funded resilience initiatives.
3. Develop a Comparative Bond Issuance Analysis and Timeline
Refer the City Manager to conduct a comprehensive analysis of historical general obligation bond issuance and debt service rates in Berkeley and comparable jurisdictions. The analysis may consider the following should:
-Examine 30 years of municipal bond trends, showing the consistency of low interest rates during fiscally disciplined cycles;
-Compare Berkeley's historical borrowing costs with those of San Francisco, Santa Monica, and Palo Alto, and other cities;
-Demonstrate the efficacy of maintaining a regular issuance schedule every 6–10 years to preserve low borrowing rates and steady bond ratings;
-Present a 30-year fiscal projection showing that with prudent debt layering and consistent retirement of obligations, Berkeley can issue up to $250–$300 million in bonds in successive tranches while maintaining fiscal health and AAA-quality debt service coverage ratios, and examine the impact on deferred infrastructure liabilities.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terry Taplin, Councilmember, District 2, (510) 981-7120
27.-Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance Updates
Revised agenda material (Supp 2)
From: Councilmember Lunaparra (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Humbert (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Blackaby (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt the proposed amendments to 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.
Financial Implications: None
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.
28.-Adoption of Berkeley Building Codes, Including Local Amendments to California Building Standards Code
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing, and upon conclusion adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 7,988-N.S repealing and reenacting the Berkeley Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy and Green Building Standards Codes in BMC Chapters 19.28, 19.29, 19.30, 19.32, 19.34, 19.36 and 19.37, and adopting related procedural and stricter provisions where the modifications or changes are substantially equivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the City and were in effect as of September 30, 2025.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
29.-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: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt the first reading of an Ordinance 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
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
Council Action Items
30.-Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements
Supplemental agenda material (Supp 2)
From: Councilmember Humbert (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Kesarwani (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Lunaparra (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution pausing the City of Berkeley's authorization to use Mills Act Agreements for historic property preservation, deferring or denying all pending applications as of November 19, 2025, and allowing existing contracts to expire without renewal unless the City Council takes future action to reauthorize the program.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Mark Humbert, Councilmember, District 8, (510) 981-7180
31.-Unmanned Aerial Systems and Drones as First Responders
Supplemental agenda material (Supp 1)
From: Councilmember Taplin (Author), Councilmember Kesarwani (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Humbert (Co-Sponsor) (Reviewed by the Public Safety Committee)
Recommendation: Refer to the City Manager the initiation of the process outlined by BMC 2.99: Surveillance Technology Ordinance (STO) for the Berkeley Police Department (BPD) to acquire and use Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), including Drones as First Responders (DFR), consistent with all auditing, transparency, data and privacy protections required for all use policies and acquisition reports under the STO.
Policy Committee Recommendation: Send the item with a positive recommendation to Council.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terry Taplin, Councilmember, District 2, (510) 981-7120
Information Reports
32.-2025 Audit Follow-up Status Update
From: Auditor
Contact: Jenny Wong, Auditor, (510) 981-6750
33.-Independent Third-Party Audit of the Payroll Audit Division
From: Auditor
Contact: Jenny Wong, Auditor, (510) 981-6750
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.
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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
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North Branch – 1170 The Alameda, Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch – 1901 Russell
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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 6, 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.
Item #30: Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements
- Laura Veit and Isaac Warshauer
- Janice Thomas
S. Entwistle
Telegraph Corridor
- Helen Hallberg
Benjamin Fry
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair
Grace Teasdale
Access to Police Communications
Theo Posselt
Flock Concerns
- Jindi Zhang
- Aliza Zangwill
- Zora Uyeda-Hale
- Mimi Main
- A Rubin
Lou Riordan
Formal Complaint Concerns
Alex Merenkov (2)
Bearathon
Iris Hamelin and Anna Kathawala
High-Rise Apartment Buildings
Harvey Sherback
Elementary Reading Program
Blima Dreezer
Disaster Preparedness Event
Dr. Veronica Ufoegbune, Raquel Balingit, Newt McDonald, Joyce Barnes, and Ebele Enebeli
Courtesy Photos
Georgia Paulos
Honeybee Resources
Mateo Kaiser
E-Bike Test & Rides
- Jill Holloway
Nancy Hernandez
Zachary’s Corner Safety Concerns
Anne Whyte
2425 Durant ZAB Appeal
Heidi Webb on behalf of Jolene Kramer and Andrea Matsuoka
Harrison Street
- Jim Lutz
- Dr. Sukhdeep (Bobby) Dhadwar
Craig Nagasawa
Concept 3B Design
Neil Schneider
Housing Shaking Concern
Bingo Fantasy Football
Crosswalk Concerns
- David Lerman
Whytes
Safety and Privacy Concern
Christian Bogado Marsa
Draft Resolution
Hank Pellissier
Tilden Park
Peter and Norma Lydon
Berkeley Juneteenth Association, Inc.
Gerald Baptiste, Jr.
Sidewalk Power Wash
Nancy Joachim
Construction
Kirstie Bennett
Exterior Elevated Elements Concerns
Andrew Marowitz
Spenger’s Parking Lot
- Morgan Read
- Denny
- John Norheim and Steve Smith
Steven Donaldson
Property Tax Increase
- Eric Friedman
Maureen Burke
ICE Concerns
Katharine Bierce
Street Sweeping
Mark Chekal
Marina Parking Fee
- Maddie Williams
- Gordon Stout
- Wini Williams
- Ivan Diamond
- Deirdre Anderson
- Kevin Johnston
- Jennifer Millar
- Lucy Kruyff
- Sebastian Diaz
- Kimberly McKeown
- Chris Stratton
- Elsa Tranter
- Jeff Malmuth
- Johanna Eigen
- Karen Shimoda
- Dave Tepper
- Sherry Shannon
- Gianna Michael
- Joann Kweon
Brandon Essex
Housing Concerns
- Hector91 Phuentes (18)
John Dunlap
Forwards
Russbumper (3)
URL’s
Russbumper (3)
Newsletters
- Berkeley Art Center
Downtown Berkeley Association
E-Scooters
- Robert Borghese (10)
- Devin Dollinger (11)
- Nicolas Nagle
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.