Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 1
ANNOTATED AGENDA
BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
6:00 PM
SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ROOM - 1231 ADDISON STREET, BERKELEY, CA 94702
TELECONFERENCE LOCATION - 1404 LE ROY AVE, BERKELEY, 94708
TELECONFERENCE LOCATION – 301 WEST 17TH STREET, AUSTIN, TX 98701
JESSE ARREGUIN, MAYOR
Councilmembers:
DISTRICT 1 – RASHI KESARWANI DISTRICT 5 – SOPHIE HAHN
DISTRICT 2 – TERRY TAPLIN DISTRICT 6 – SUSAN WENGRAF
DISTRICT 3 – BEN BARTLETT DISTRICT 7 – VACANT
DISTRICT 4 – VACANT DISTRICT 8 – MARK HUMBERT
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid model with both in- person attendance and virtual participation. If you are feeling sick, please do not attend the meeting in person.
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To submit a written communication for the City Council’s consideration and inclusion in the public record, email [email protected]
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This meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act, Government Code Section 54953 and applicable Executive Orders as issued by the Governor that are currently in effect. Any member of the public may attend this meeting. Questions regarding public participation may be addressed to the City Clerk Department (510) 981-6900. 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.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 2
Preliminary Matters
Roll Call: 6:20 p.m.
Present: Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Hahn, Wengraf, Humbert, Arreguin
Absent: None
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:
1. Recognition of the 90th Anniversary of Berkeley Student Cooperative
2. Adjourned in Memory of Julia Elkin, Berkeley Resident
3. Presentation from the Health Officer: State of Public Health in Berkeley City Manager Comments: None
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters: 20 speakers.
Recess 7:32 p.m. – 7:49 p.m.
Consent Calendar
Public Comment on Consent Calendar and Information Items Only: 10 speakers.
Action: M/S/C (Arreguin/Hahn) to adopt the Consent Calendar in one motion except as indicated.
Vote: All Ayes.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 3
1. Minutes for Approval
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the minutes for the Council meetings of January 16, 2024 (regular), January 17, 2024 (closed), January 22, 2024 (special) January 23, 2024 (closed and special) and January 30, 2024 (regular) Financial Implications: None
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900
Action: Approved the minutes as submitted.
2. Contract No. 31900184 Amendment: Alcor Solutions, Inc. to Expand Services for Intranet Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to Contract No. 31900184 with Alcor Solutions, Inc., to expand scope to include intranet services.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,215–N.S.
3. Contract No. 105921-1 Amendment - TruePoint Solutions, LLC for Professional Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend Contract No. 105921-1 with TruePoint Solutions, LLC for professional services, increasing the amount by $250,000, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,297,200 and extending the term by one year for the term beginning June 1, 2015 to June 30, 2025.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,216–N.S.
4. Donation: Memorial Bench at Cesar Chavez Park in memory of Charlie Pollack From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution accepting a cash donation in the amount of $3,400 for a memorial bench to be placed at Cesar Chavez Park in memory of Charlie Pollack.
Financial Implications: Revenue - $3,400
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,217–N.S.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 4
5. Contract: West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Tree Removal and Pruning Services From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to execute a contract and any amendments with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for tree removal and pruning servings in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 over a period of three years, with an option to renew for two additional years at $500,000 per year, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,500,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,218–N.S.
6. Contract: Rincon Consultants for Environmental Justice Element, Safety Element Update, and Equitable Climate and Resilience Metrics From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to award a contract and execute any amendments, extensions, or change orders with Rincon Consultants, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $634,000 over a three-year period, to update Berkeley’s General Plan Safety Element, develop a new General Plan Environmental Justice (EJ) Element, and create an Equitable Climate and Resilience Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy and Dashboard.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,219–N.S.
7. Contract No. 32300057 Amendment: Association for Energy Affordability for Pilot Climate Equity Fund
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to amend Contract No. 32300057 with Association for Energy Affordability for the Pilot Climate Equity Fund, increasing the amount by $43,556, to a new total contract amount not to exceed $126,890, and extend the contract through May 30, 2025.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,220–N.S.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 5
8. Accept Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Equipment Voucher
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to submit an application and an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), execute any related revenue agreements and amendments, and accept funds for an equipment voucher from the Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program of up to $174,290 for the two-year period of February 13, 2024 through February 13, 2026.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Andrew Murray, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,221–N.S.
9. Contract: (Specification No. 24-11529-C) JJR Construction Inc. for FY 2024 Sidewalk Repair Project
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) Approving plans and specifications for the FY 2024 Sidewalk Repair Project; 2) Accepting the bid of JJR Construction Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; and 3) 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 in an amount not to exceed $4,246,955.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Andrew Murray, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,222–N.S.
10. Contract: (Specification No. 24-11621-C): Bay Pacific Pipeline, Inc. for Virginia Street, Russell Street, et al. Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) Approving plans and specifications for the Sanitary Sewer Project located on Virginia Street, Russell Street, et al., and 2) Accepting the bid of the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Bay Pacific Pipeline, Inc., and 2) 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, in an amount not to exceed $4,828,002, which includes a 10% contingency of $438,909.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Andrew Murray, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,223–N.S.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 6
11. Contract (Specification. No. 24-11645-C): Koios Engineering, Inc. for Urgent Sewer Repair FY2024 Project
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) Approving plans and specifications for the Urgent Sewer Repair FY2024 Project; 2) Accepting the bid of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Koios Engineering, Inc.; and 3) 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, in an amount not to exceed $465,187, which includes a 10% contingency of $42,289.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Andrew Murray, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,224–N.S.
12. Reject Bids – FY 2023 Retaining Wall and Storm Drain Improvement Project, Specification Nos. 23-11616-C & 23-11614-C
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to reject bids and direct staff to re-advertise the work associated with the FY 2023 Retaining Wall and Storm Drain Improvement Project, Specification Nos. 23-11616-C & 23-11614- C.
Financial Implications: See report.
Contact: Andrew Murray, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 71,225–N.S.
Council Consent Items
13. Resources to Plan for Future Health Care Access for Berkeley Residents From: Mayor Arreguin (Author), Councilmember Hahn (Author), Councilmember Wengraf (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Allocate $300,000 from the General Fund for legal and/or other technical expertise as may be needed to identify/evaluate existing or potential opportunities to secure the future of healthcare and hospital access for the people of Berkeley.
Funds should be used to broadly explore healthcare needs of the entire Berkeley community, now and in the coming decades, including the needs of low income communities and communities of color, the elderly, youth, women, and other groups that have lower health and life-expectancy outcomes and/or have specialized healthcare needs; and healthcare facilities, programs, and other assets that are and/or can be accessible to Berkeley residents in the coming years Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jesse Arreguin, Mayor, (510) 981-7100
Action: Councilmember Humbert added as a co-sponsor. Approved recommendation.
Vote: Ayes – Taplin, Bartlett, Hahn, Wengraf, Humbert, Arreguin; Noes – None; Abstain – Kesarwani.
Council Consent Items
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 7
14. Referral to the City Attorney: Eminent Domain Feasibility Analysis for 2902 and 2908 Adeline Street Properties and Abandoned House on 1946 Russell Street From: Councilmember Bartlett (Author)
Recommendation: Refer the City Attorney to conduct an analysis and report to the Council on the feasibility of using eminent domain to enable the City to purchase the blighted commercial properties on 2902 and 2908 Adeline Street, as well as the adjacent abandoned house on 1946 Russell Street for the purposes of developing mixed-use affordable housing.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Ben Bartlett, Councilmember, District 3, (510) 981-7130 Action: Approved recommendation.
Action Calendar – Public Hearings
15. ZAB Appeal: 2924 Russell Street, Administrative Use Permit #ZP2023-0081 From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and, upon conclusion, adopt a Resolution affirming the decision of the Zoning Adjustments Board to approve Administrative Use Permit #ZP2023-0081 to install an unenclosed hot tub in the rear yard.
Financial Implications: Nione
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
Public Testimony: The Mayor opened the public hearing. 0 speakers.
M/S/C (Arreguin/Humbert) to close the public hearing.
Vote: All Ayes.
Action: M/S/C (Humbert/Hahn) to adopt Resolution No. 71,226–N.S. affirming the decision of the Zoning Adjustments Board to approve Administrative Use Permit #ZP2023-0081 to install an unenclosed hot tub in the rear yard, and dismissing the appeal.
Vote: All Ayes.
Action Calendar – Public Hearings
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 8
16. Zoning Amendments for Berkeley Business; Amending Berkeley Municipal Code Title 23
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt the first reading of an ordinance amending Title 23 of the Berkeley Municipal Code to streamline and clarify the permitting process for small businesses in commercial districts (“C-Prefixed”), select manufacturing (“M-Prefixed”) districts, and the Residential BART Mixed Use (R-BMU) and Residential Southside Mixed Use (R- SMU) zoning districts.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
Public Testimony: The Mayor opened the public hearing. 2 speakers.
M/S/C (Arreguin/Taplin) to close the public hearing.
Vote: All Ayes.
Action: M/S/C (Arreguin/Hahn) to adopt first reading of Ordinance No. 7,898–N.S.
Second reading scheduled for March 12, 2024. Referred to the City Manager a request to develop regulations and performance standards to mitigate noise impacts for Group Class Instruction uses.
Vote: All Ayes.
Information Reports
17. FY 2024 First Quarter Investment Report: Ended September 30, 2023 From: City Manager
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300
Action: Received and filed.
18. State of Public Health in Berkeley Summary Report
From: City Manager
Contact: Anju Goel, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5400 Action: Received and filed.
19. LPO NOD: 2113-2115 Kittredge Street/#LMSAP2022-0011 From: City Manager
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400 Action: Received and filed.
Adjournment
Action: M/S/C (Arreguin/Hahn) to suspend the rules and adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All Ayes.
Adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 9
Communications
Item #15: ZAB Appeal: 2924 Russell Street, Administrative Use Permit #ZP2023- 0081
1. Homayoon Kazerooni
ZAB Appeal: 2113-2115 Kittredge Street
2. Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo
United Artist Theater at 2274 Shattuck
3. Deborah Chalfie
4. Kay Weinstein
5. David Brandon
6. Stuart Hyde
7. Elizabeth LaBarre
Crime and Police Matters
8. Sunwalk10@
9. Shellie Wharton
10. Miles Morris Walker
Council Chambers/Councilmembers
11. Rod Gutierrez
12. Kelsi Pertual
13. Justin Lee
14. Vivian Pisano
Tree Removal
15. Ken Jung, Transportation Department
16. Carol Denney
Property Taxes
17. Pauline Wallace (2)
PG&E Rate Increases
18. Patrick Golier
Pedestrian Safety
19. Sophie Johnson
McNair’s Donated Items Taken
20. Moni Law
21. Paul Kealoha Blake
Fulton-Woolsey Bike Boulevard
22. Charles Siegel (2)
23. Ken Jung, Transportation Department (2)
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 10
24. Councilmember Harrison
25. Megan Wachspress
26. David Hoffman (5)
27. Justin Baldwin
28. Matt Weber
29. Dan A.
30. Emily McAfee
31. Ben Hays
Restaurant Inspections
32. David Lerman
Berkeley Marina
33. Tahirah Rasheed
Refuse Services Blocking Driveway
34. Dan Bristol
Middle Housing
35. Jonathan Singh
36. D. Scott Phoenix
37. Amanda Le
Chavez Park Air Quality
38. Martin Nicolaus, on behalf of the Chavez Park Conservancy
39. Carol Denny
Berkeley Unified School District
40. Dorothea Dorenz
Street Paving
41. Barbara Gilbert
Anti-Discrimination Ordinance
42. 6 similarly-worded form letters
Golden Duplex Rent Control
43. Lauren Schiller
People’s Park
44. Moni Law (2)
Gaza and Israel
45. Micky Duxbury
46. Jon Jackson
47. Rainbow Alvarez
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 11
48. Naz Akbaroff
49. Nazanin Badakhsh
50. Dena Al-Adeeb
51. Michael Fullerton
52. Kelsi Pertula
53. Aaron Kalter
54. Anna Henry
55. Russbumper (2)
56. Nikki Roach
57. Anna Henry
58. Barbara Erickson
59. Gregory Kalkanis
60. 6 similarly-worded form letters
URL’s Only
61. Vivian Warkentin
Supplemental Communications and Reports 1
• None
Supplemental Communications and Reports 2
• None
Supplemental Communications and Reports 3
Item #15: ZAB Appeal: 2924 Russell Street, Administrative Use Permit #ZP2023-0081
62. Presentation, submitted by Planning and Development
Item #16: Zoning Amendments for Berkeley Business; Amending Berkeley Municipal Code Title 23
63. Presentation, submitted by Office of Economic Development
64. Liz Lisle, on behalf of the Shotgun Players
Item #18: State of Public Health in Berkeley Summary Report
65. Presentation, submitted by Health, Housing, and Community Services
Item #19: LPO NOD: 2113-2115 Kittredge Street/#LMSAP2022-0011
66. Dale Sophiea
Miscellaneous Communications
67. Versus Mitsubishi, submitted by Eids Television
68. Path to Humanity, submitted by Travis Castle