Friday, May 24, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 1
ANNOTATED AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF T HE
BERKELEY CITY COUNCI L
Friday, May 24, 2024
10:30 AM
SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ROOM - 1231 ADDISON STREET, BERKELEY, CA 94702 TELECONFERENCE LOCATION - DIMAN HOUSE, 41 CHARLESFIELD STREET, PROVIDENCE, RI 02912
TELECONFERENCE LOCATION - 740 S. BROADWAY, 5TH FLOOR, LOS ANGELES CA 90014
TELECONFERENCE LOCATION - 1404 LE ROY AVE, BERKELEY 94708
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 – CECILIA LUNAPARRA 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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Remote participation by the public is available through Zoom. To access the meeting remotely: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: Please use this UR L https://cityofberkeley- info.zoomgov.com/j/1601164409. T o request to speak, use the “raise hand” icon by rolling over the bottom of the screen. To join by phone: Dial 1-669-254-5252 or 1-8 33-568-8864 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 160 116 4409. If you wish to comment during the public comment portion of the agenda, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair. Please be mindful that the meeting will be recorded.
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.
Friday, May 24, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 2
Preliminary Matters
Roll Call: 10:41 a.m.
Present: Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Hahn, Wengraf, Lunaparra, Humbert, Arreguin
Absent: None
Action Calendar
1. Community Survey for Potential November 2024 Ballot Measures From: City Manager
Recommendation: Receive the report, which provides information on a potential Parks Tax increase and a Measure P extension and increase, and provide direction on the upcoming community survey as well as any other proposed measures.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700, Peter Radu, City Manager's Office, (510) 981-7000, Anne Cardwell, City Manager's Office, (510) 981-7000
Action: 6 speakers. The Council provided direction on the survey to:
• Survey for Parks Tax increases of 20% and 28%.
• Add a question about general support for a revenue measure to support local arts organizations and programs.
• Survey for a Measure P extension with two options: 1) renewing the current tax; and 2) adding tiers for higher value sales (3% at $3 million; 3.5% at $10 million). • Consult with the City Attorney’s Office to draft ballot question language for inclusion in the survey.
The Council also provided general direction to develop a ballot measure to extend the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax.
Action Calendar
Friday, May 24, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 3
2. Council Referral – Request for City Council to place a limited Library tax on the November 2024 ballot
From: Board of Library Trustees
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution to include on the November 2024 ballot a measure levying a new, limited tax in order to maintain current levels of Library services, building maintenance, collections and staffing. The proposed rate is 6¢ per square foot of residential building space and 9¢ of commercial building space, with annual adjustments, and exempting low-income homeowners. The recommendation is to place this measure on the ballot, using language that aligns as closely as possible with the language employed by Godbe Research in the March 2024 community survey: “To maintain Berkeley Public Library services/ facilities such as: - summer reading programs for children; - keeping qualified librarians; - quality places for children; - homework help/ tutoring; - book, material/ digital collections; - maintain library facilities; - senior/ accessible programs; and - maintain weekday and weekend hours; shall the Berkeley Public Library measure be adopted, levying 6¢ per square foot of residential building space (other rates detailed in the voter handbook), providing $5,600,000 annually, until ended by voters, with annual adjustments, and exempting very low-income homeowners?”
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Tess Mayer, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-6100 Action: 9 speakers. M/S/C (Arreguin/Hahn) to refer to the City Attorney to work with Library staff to develop a revenue measure for the November 2024 ballot.
Vote: All Ayes.
Adjournment
Action: M/S/C (Arreguin/Taplin) to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: Ayes – Taplin, Hahn, Lunaparra, Humbert, Arreguin; Noes – None; Abstain – None; Absent – Kesarwani, Bartlett, Wengraf.
Adjourned at 2:06 p.m.
Communications
• None
Supplemental Communications and Reports 1
• None
Supplemental Communications and Reports 2
Item #2: Council Referral – Request for City Council to place a limited library tax on the November 2024 ballot
1. Vivian Pisano
2. Judy Gonzalez-Massih
3. Tess Fruge
4. Beth Ward
Friday, May 24, 2024 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 4
5. Greta Fillingim
6. Kathy Helliesen
Supplemental Communications and Reports 3
Item #1: Community Survey for Potential November 2024 Ballot Measures
7. Presentation, submitted by Parks, Recreation and Waterfront
Item #2: Council Referral – Request for City Council to place a limited library tax on the November 2024 ballot
8. Presentation, submitted by the Library
9. Andrew Thompson
10. Scott Barshay
Miscellaneous Communications
11. Yes on D
12. Healthy Berkeley Impacts