Berkeley City Council
April 15, 2025

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION

NOTICE OF DECISION
#LMIN2024-0008
2425 Durant Avenue
March 31, 2025

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STATUS: Categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061.(b)(3) Review for Exemptions.

The application materials for this project is available online at:
https://berkeleyca.gov/construction-development/land-use-development/zoning-projects or https://permits.cityofberkeley.info/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx

FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AND APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE

ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE
COMMISSION VOTE: 8-0-0-0 (Note: one vacancy)
YES: CRANDALL, ENCHILL, FINACOM, LEUSCHNER, MONTGOMERY, ORBUCH,

PLESE, SCHWARTZ
NO: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
TO APPEAL THIS DECISION (see Section 3.24.300 of the Berkeley Municipal Code):

To appeal a decision of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to the City Council you must:

1. Submit a letter clearly and concisely setting forth the grounds for the appeal to the City Clerk, located at 2180 Milvia Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley. The City Clerk’s telephone number is (510) 981-6900.
a. Pursuant to BMC Section 3.24.300.A, an appeal may be taken to the City Council by the application of the owners of the property or their authorized agents, or by the application of at least fifty residents of the City aggrieved or affected by any determination of the commission made under the provisions of Chapter 3.24.

2. Submit the required fee (checks and money orders must be payable to ‘City of Berkeley’):
a. The basic fee for persons other than the applicant is $1,500. This fee may be reduced to $500 if the appeal is signed by persons who lease or own at least 50 percent of the parcels or dwelling units within 300 feet of the project site, or at least 25 such persons (not including dependent children), whichever is less. Signatures collected per the filing requirement in BMC Section 3.24.300.A may be counted towards qualifying for the reduced fee, so long as the signers are qualified. The individual filing the appeal must clearly denote which signatures are to be counted towards qualifying for the reduced fee.

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION

NOTICE OF DECISION
#LMIN2024-0008
2425 Durant Avenue
March 31, 2025

b. The fee for appeals of affordable housing projects (defined as projects which provide 50 percent or more affordable units for households earning 80% or less of Area Median Income) is $500, which may not be reduced.
c. The fee for all appeals by Applicants is $6,000.

3. The appeal must be received prior to 5:00 p.m. on the "APPEAL PERIOD EXPIRATION" date shown above (if the close of the appeal period falls on a weekend or holiday, then the appeal period expires the following business day).

If no appeal is received, the landmark permit will be final on the first business day following expiration of the appeal period.

NOTICE CONCERNING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS:

If you object to this decision, the following requirements and restrictions apply:

1. If you challenge this decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Landmarks Preservation Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.

2. You must appeal to the City Council within fifteen (15) days after the Notice of Decision of the action of the Landmarks Preservation Commission is mailed. It is your obligation to notify the Land Use Planning Division in writing of your desire to receive a Notice of Decision when it is completed.

3. Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6(b) and Government Code Section 65009(c)(1), no lawsuit challenging a City Council decision, as defined by Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6(e), regarding a use permit, variance or other permit may be filed more than ninety (90) days after the date the decision becomes final, as defined in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6(b). Any lawsuit not filed within that ninety (90) day period will be barred.

4. Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(d)(1), notice is hereby given to the applicant that the 90-day protest period for any fees, dedications, reservations, or other exactions included in any permit approval begins upon final action by the City, and that any challenge must be filed within this 90-day period.

5. If you believe that this decision or any condition attached to it denies you any reasonable economic use of the subject property, was not sufficiently related to a legitimate public purpose, was not sufficiently proportional to any impact of the project, or for any other reason constitutes a “taking” of property for public use without just compensation under the California or United States Constitutions, your appeal of this decision must include the following information:

A. That this belief is a basis of your appeal.

B. Why you believe that the decision or condition constitutes a "taking" of property as set forth above.

C. All evidence and argument in support of your belief that the decision or condition

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION

NOTICE OF DECISION
#LMIN2024-0008
2425 Durant Avenue
March 31, 2025

constitutes a “taking” as set forth above.

If you do not do so, you will waive any legal right to claim that your property has been taken, both before the City Council and in court.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Communications to Berkeley boards, commissions or committees 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 a City board, commission or committee, 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 or in person to the secretary of the relevant board, commission or committee. 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 secretary to the relevant board, commission or committee for further information.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Questions about the project should be directed to the Commission Secretary at (510) 981-7410 or [email protected]. All project application materials may be viewed at the Permit Service Center (Zoning counter), 1947 Center Street, 3rd Fl., during regular business hours.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Findings for Approval

2. Application Materials
ATTEST:

Fatema Crane, Secretary
Landmarks Preservation Commission
cc: City Clerk
Anthony Bruce, Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, P.O. Box 1137, Berkeley, CA 94701
2425 Durant Avenue LLC, P.O. Box 9541, Berkeley, CA 94709

A t t a c h m e n t 1, Part 2
Findings for Designation
MARCH 06, 2025
2425 Durant Avenue
– Laura Tull Property
Landmark application #LMIN2024-0008 for the consideration of City Landmark or Structure of Merit designation status for a residential property constructed in 1886 and 1905-1906 (APN: 055-1878-007-01)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
City Landmark designation of the property at 2425 Durant Avenue

CEQA FINDINGS

1. The project is found to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, Public Resources Code §21000, et seq.) pursuant to Section 15061.b.3 of the CEQA Guidelines (activities that can be seen with certainty to have no significant effect on the environment).

LANDMARK PRESERVATION ORIDNANCE FINDINGS

1. Pursuant to Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Section 3.24.110.A.1.(a) of the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (LPO), the Landmarks Preservation Commission of the City of Berkeley (Commission) finds that the property at 2425 Durant Avenue meets the architectural merit criterion for City Landmark designation as an example of an early residence from Berkeley’s first subdivisions and one of the oldest reaming examples from this period of development. The third house built in the Beaver Tract, 2421 Durant Avenue is the oldest remaining example from this period of development. The property, developed over twenty years, includes examples of Stick style, Shingle, and Colonial Revival architecture that are worth preserving for the exceptional values they add as part of the neighborhood fabric. 2421 Durant Avenue, in particular, is one of the few remaining houses built in the Stick style in the University campus area. 2425 Durant Avenue, an example of Colonial Revival architecture with Shingle style elements, was designed by locally prominent architect, William H. Wharff, and appears to be one of his few remaining examples of pre-1906 work. The period of significance begins with its construction in 1886 and spans until 1906, when the cottage building was complete.

2. Pursuant to B
MC Section 3.24.110.A.4, Commission finds that the property at 2425 Durant Avenue meets the historic value criterion for City Landmark designation as representative of an early pattern of residential development that began following the first subdivision, College Homestead Association Tract in 1866. The property’s later evolution, including the 1905 construction of the flats at 2425 Durant Avenue and the

FINDINGS for DESIGNATION 2425 Durant Avenue

two-st ory cot tage in 1906 is representative of the continuing residential development in the area during that period that coincided with the growth o f the University.

FEATURES TO BE PRESERVED

This designation shall apply to the subject property and the following distinguishing features of the property shall be preserved, and missing features shall be restored to the extent possible:

Property
• Location at north side of Durant Avenue.
• Setting in a mixed-use neighborhood adjacent to the University of California, Berkeley campus.
• Spatial relationship between the two main residences – 2421 Durant Avenue and 2425 Durant Avenue and the rear cottage and ancillary building. 2421 Durant Avenue
• Primary elevation (south) elevation on Durant Avenue. • Distinctive tower roof
• Horizontal and vertical band details (stickwork)
• Decorative trusses
• Fan bracket details
• Decorative wood spandrel on primary elevation
• Decorative trim above window openings
• Dormer windows
• Exterior wood siding and shingle details
• Original half-glaze front doors
2425 Durant Avenue
• Primary (south) elevation on Durant Avenue
• Shingle wood exterior
• Dormer windows
• Two-story bay window on south elevation
• Shingled porch with simple frieze at south elevation
Cottage
• Primary (south) elevation at rear of 2421 Durant Avenue • Shingle wood exterior
• Double-hung wood windows

CITY OF BERKELEY
Ordinance #4694 N.S.

LANDMARK APPLICATION
Laura Tull Property
2425 Durant Avenue
Berkeley, California
Figure 1. Two of the three residential structures that comprise the Laura Tull Property. Anthony Bruce, 2024 Attachment 1, Part 3

1. Street Address: 2425 Durant Avenue (2421–2427 Durant Avenue) City: Berkeley County: Alameda ZIP: 94704

2. Assessor’s Parcel Number: 055-1878-00701
Block and lot: Block 1, Lot 19 and east half of Lot 18 Tract: Beaver Tract Block No. 1 Dimensions: 75 feet x 130 feet
Cross Streets: Telegraph Avenue and Dana Street

3. Is property on the State Historic Resource Inventory? No.

Is property on the Berkeley Urban Conservation Survey? Yes Forms #: 17975-1 and 17975-2

4. Application for Landmark Includes:
a. Building(s): Yes Garden: Yes Other Feature(s): No b. Landscape or Open Space: Yes Natural: No Designed: Yes c. Historic Site: No
d. District: No
e. Other: Entire property

5. Historic Names: Cyrus H. Street House; Laura Tull Flats; Laura Tull Cottage (3 structures) Commonly Known Name: not known

6. Date of Construction: 1886 (Street House); 1905 (Tull Flats); 1906 (Tull Cottage) Factual: Yes Approximate: No
Source of Information: Berkeley Advocate, January 1887; City of Berkeley Building Permit Application #379, April 29, 1905; Berkeley Reporter, September 1906

7. Architect: unknown [Ira A. Boynton?] (1886); William H. Wharff (1905); unknown (1906)

8. Builder: Carlos R. Lord (1886); A. Cross & Son (1905); unknown (1906)

9. Style: Stick-Style (1886); Colonial Revival (1905); brown-shingle (1906)

10. Original Owners: Berkeley Village Improvement Association/James L. Barker (1886); Laura Tull (1905); Laura Tull (1906)
Original Use: VLQJOHIDPLO\UHVLGHQFH


ÁDWV



VLQJOHIDPLO\UHVLGHQFH



11. Present Owners: Qian Wang of Collabhome, through 2425 Durant Ave., LLC Present Occupant: unknown

12. Present Use: Residential, multiple
Current Zoning: R-SMU Adjacent Property Zoning: R-SMU, C-T

13. Present Condition of Property:

Exterior: excellent Interior: excellent Gr
ounds: excellent
Has the property’s exterior been altered? Minimally

14. Description
Fig. 2 The Cyrus Street House, built in 1886. Note the carriage house at the right. O. V . Lange photo from Beautiful Berkeley, 1889. 3 The Laura Tull Property consists
of four structures that stand on the
parcel with the County Assessor’s
address of 2425 Durant Avenue: the
Stick-Eastlake style Street House
from 1886, the shingled Colonial
Revival Tull Flats from 1905, the
Tull Cottage from 1906, and a large
pre-1911 shed. All three are ar-
ranged on a large lot with a 75-foot
street frontage and a 130-foot depth.

The Stick-style Street House is
two stories with a third story tucked
under the roof and within a tow-
er that rises over the entrance. The
design is “Stick,” as much—but not
all—of the framing is echoed on the
Fig. 3 The Street House in 1939. Donogh File, Berkeley
Architectural Heritage Association.

Fig. 4 The Street House. Anthony Bruce, 2024.
exterior with vertical boards (the “sticks”). Besides the decorative sticks, the house sports a good deal of Victorian-era “gingerbread.” It is surfaced mainly in channel-rustic siding. (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5)

4 'HÀQLQJ WKH WZR VWRULHV D IULH]H UXQV DURXQG WKHKRXVHLWVXSSHUKRUL]RQWDOSLHFHDWWKHOHY-
el of the second-story window sills. Within the
IULH]HEDQGDUHQDUURZYHUWLFDOVWULSVRIZRRG
HYHQO\ VSDFHG7KH IULH]H LV UHSHDWHG EHQHDWK
the bay window at the front of the house.

The east two thirds of the street façade is taken
up with a gable-roofed two-story section that
projects a few feet from the main body of the
house. There is a pair of tall, narrow double-
hung-sash windows in the center of the second
story; the pair is crowned by an elaborate mold-
ing. Below is a large slanted bay that is the full
width of this section. The center of the bay is
on the same plane as the wall of the second sto-
ry, and the double-hung window in the center
is so broad as to be almost square. Above the
window, and set within stick framing, are two
identical scroll-sawn panels. (Fig. 6) Each is a
confection of curlicues with a built-up circu-
lar motif in the center. The same panels appear
above the narrower windows on the slanted
sides of the bay. Here they are almost hidden
from view by fan-like brackets that give the im-
Fig. 5 The Street House in 1974. Elizabeth Crews photo, Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

5 pression of supporting the second story. ( Fig.
7) Three sun-rays ornament the surface of the
fans. Drop ornaments accentuate the two cor-
ners. The wall section within the gable is sur-
IDFHGZLWKÀVKVFDOHVKLQJOHV&XUYHGEUDFNHWV
support the eaves at the corners. A Stick-style
RUQDPHQWDOGHYLFHÀOOVLQWKHXSSHUSDUWRIWKH
gable and is set at the outer edge of the eaves,
its shadows cast against the wall increasing its
three-dimensional effect.

Fig. 6 Scrollsawn ornament in the panels above the
windows in the bay. Anthony Bruce, 2024.

Fig. 8 Street House entrance. Anthony Bruce, 2024.

Fig. 7 The fan-like brackets at the window bay.

Anthony Bruce, 2024.

The entrance is to the left of the bay window;
an inset porch, reached by stairs, leads to the
front door. (Fig. 8) More of the fan ornaments
GHÀQHWKHXSSHUFRUQHUVRIWKHSRUFK7KHHQ-
trance is a double door, each with a window
panel above and wooden panels below. A
transom window above of patterned glass is
framed with bright-colored glass pieces. The
entrance side of the front façade is designed to
resemble a tower. The second story has a sin-
gle tall, narrow window, and supported above
is a narrow roof overhang. Rising above is the
pièce de résistance: the tower top with a high
pyramid-shaped roof. Originally, the wooden
roof shingles were applied in bands of differ-
ent shaped shingles and the bands were paint-
ed alternately light and dark colors. ( Fig. 2) It
LVQRZFRYHUHGZLWKFRPSRVLWLRQURRÀQJ7KH
roof is pierced by dormers on the south and
west sides. The windows are tall and narrow
with the upper sash ending in an angle arch.

The dormers are topped by simple gable roofs.

The visible east side of the house continues the
materials and motifs of the façade. (Fig. 9) To-
ward the rear of the house, a decorative gable

(the end of a cross gable) rises above an orig-
LQDOSDLURIVHFRQGÁRRUZLQGRZV7KHVHKDYH
since been joined by a small window to the left
of these. A similar window arrangement is on
WKHÀUVWÁRRU$FKLPQH\
RQHRIDWOHDVWWZR

ULVHVRQWKHHDVWVLGHVHUYLQJDÀUHSODFHLQWKH
IURQW SDUORU ,W ZDV VHLVPLFDOO\ UHWURÀWWHG DQG
either rebuilt or the bricks surfaced in stucco.
)RXUGLDPRQGVKDSHGWKUHHGLPHQVLRQDOÁRUDO
pieces (terra cotta? metal?) on the lower part of
the chimney were retained, but the heavy, cor-
beled chimney top (Fig. 2) was removed in the
UHWURÀW
There is a two-story projecting bay on the west
opposite the gable on the east. This bay most
likely corresponds with the placement of the
dining room. The part of the house that is visi-
EOHIURPWKHVWUHHWFRQWDLQVWKHÀUVWÁRRUSXE-
lic rooms. Slightly inset from the west and east
walls is another section almost as large as the
front half. Its roof does not rise as high as the
front and has small windows tucked under the
URRIRYHUKDQJRQWKHVHFRQGÁRRU7KLVLVWKH
Fig. 11 The rear wing of the Street
House and utility porch; western
section of the garden; and front
of the Tull Cottage (partly hidden
behind a camellia). Photo from a
real estate rental listing online.

Fig. 9. The front and east elevation of the Street House Anthony Bruce, 2024.
less-ornamented utilitarian wing that would have contained the original kitchen. At the very back is a one-story enclosed utility porch with a hip roof. (Fig. 11) The Street House was converted to six apartments in 1943. Interior details, such as elaborate PLG9LFWRULDQZLQGRZIUDPHVZDLQVFRWLQJÀUHSODFHVDQGFRORUIXOSDWWHUQHGÀUHSODFHDQGKHDUWK tiles, were retained in the conversion. (Fig. 10)
Fig. 10 Fireplace in former back
parlor. Online rental listing photo.
6

7 The two-story Colonial Re-
vival Laura Tull Flats stands
on the eastern half of the prop-
erty, and was assigned the two
addresses of 2425 and 2427
Durant. (Fig, 12 ) It was built
DVWZRIXOOÁRRUÁDWV%HÀWWLQJ
the Colonial Revival style, the
building is boxy in shape and
has a hip roof with hip-roof
dormers. As a Colonial Re-
vival variant, it is sheathed in
wood shingles (painted). The
eaves are broad and a plain
IULH]HDERXWWKHVDPHZLGWKRI
the eaves runs beneath. A sim-
ple molding unites the two ele-
ments. A two story slanted bay
ÀOOVWKHOHIWKDQGSRUWLRQRIWKH
front elevation. The bay ends
EHIRUHLWUHDFKHVWKHIULH]HDQG
it is topped by slightly pitched
roof. A similar two-story bay stands near the
rear of the west elevation.

This Colonial Revival house is almost com-
pletely devoid of Classical ornamentation
except at the two entrance porches. Here the
hip roof over each porch is supported by two
square posts and two squared pilasters against
the wall of then house. These are all designed
DV DEVWUDFWHG &ODVVLFDO FROXPQV ZLWK ÁXWLQJ
built-up bases, and moldings at the top that
are suggestive of capitols. The entrance porch
OHDGLQJWRWKHVHFRQGÁRRULVRQWKHULJKWRI
WKHVWUHHWIDoDGH7KHVWHSVDQGSRUFKÁRRUDUH
brick. (Fig. 14
7KHHQWUDQFHWRWKHPDLQÁRRU
is on the west. The steps are wood. (Fig, 15)
All windows are double-hung sash. Each sto-
ry on the Durant front has a pair of windows
and three windows in the slanted bay. The
frames around windows and doors have mi-
tered corners. This quality detail is carried out
on the interior, lending a graciousness to the
rooms. When the building was converted to
Fig, 12 The Laura Tull Flats, 2425-27 Durant Avenue.

Anthony Bruce, 2024.

Fig. 13 The Tull Flats in 1939. Donogh Real Estate File, Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

8 Fig. 14 The Laura Tull Flats, showing the east side of the building. Anthony Bruce, 2024. eleven apartments in 1944, most of the original
woodwork and doors were retained, including
WKH ´WLJHU PDSOHµ ÀUHSODFH PDQWHO WKDW 2OLYH
Maddock proudly showed her tenants when
they arrived at her door to pay rent. (Fig. 16)
Fig. 15 The west side of the Tull Flats, showing
HQWUDQFHWRWKHÀUVWÁRRUDQGWKHIURQWDQGVLGHED\V Anthony Bruce, 2024.
)LJ7KH´WLJHUPDSOHµPDQWHOLQWKHIRUPHUÀUVW
ÁRRUÁDWRIWKH7XOO)ODWV)URPDQRQOLQHUHQWDOVLWH The third and newest residential building on
the property is the Laura Tull Cottage at 2423
Durant Avenue, built in 1906. The two-story
dwelling sits at the northwest corner of the
property behind the Street House. It is not vis-

9 Fig. 15 Sleeping porch room at the west end of the sec- RQGÁRRURIWKH7XOO&RWWDJH)URPDQRQOLQHUHQWDOVLWH Fig. 16 Main entrance to the Tull Cottage.

From an inline rental site.
ible from the street. Photos showing only part
of the structure can be found on online real es-
tate listings. It appears to be a simple, shingled
Craftsman-style dwelling with a gable roof
running the length of the house. There is a pos-
sible sleeping porch at the west end that may
have a hip roof, judging from an interior photo.

The windows are mostly double-hung sash
with similar mitered frames to those on the Tull
Flats (did the same contractor build both?).
7KHZLQGRZIUDPHVKDYHDQDGGLWLRQDOÁDUHG
molding at the top, most often associated with
Colonial Revival buildings. Windows in the
sleeping porch are single-pane and almost
square. Entrance doors feature a vertical light
with a substantial sill-like molding beneath the
JODVV7KHIURQWSRUFKLVHQWHUHGE\DÁLJKWRI
wooden steps at the right. A bulkhead wraps
around the other two sides, and two square
posts, with moldings at top and bottom, sup-
port a simple roof. Two angled braces, jutting
from the side of the house, also act as supports.

The Tull Cottage was converted to upstairs and
GRZQVWDLUVÁDWVLQ
$QH[SRVHGZRRGHQ
stairway on the east side of the building leads
WRWKHHQWUDQFHWRWKHXSVWDLUVÁDW
$'X-
rant Avenue). The interior features Colonial
Revival style door and window trim, and an
unpainted wood sleeping porch room with ex-
posed rafters.

There is a fourth structure on the property—a
one-story shed of wood-frame construction—
at the northeast corner. As is the case with the
cottage, the shed is not visible from the street.

Sanborn maps and an aerial view online show
it as a long, gable-roofed structure, with a
north-south orientation. The shed was stand-
ing as early as 1911, and was most likely built
before 1909. It is located in the spot where the
two-story carriage house once stood.

The structures on the Tull Property are metic-
ulously maintained, both inside and outside.

Viewed from the street, the buildings are en-
KDQFHGE\ÁRZHUEHGVVKUXEVDQGPDQLFXUHG
lawns. The landscaping in the rear includes
ODZQVKUXEVODUJHFDPHOOLDVIHUQVÁRZHULQJ
plants, and a live oak, which stands between
the back of the Street House and the front
of the Tull Cottage. Old-fashioned concrete
walkways wend their way through the proper-
ty connecting the structures. As evidenced by
photographs taken of the property through the
years, a garden setting has been an important
feature of the property to the various owners.

Fig. 16. The Shed at the northeast corner of the Tull
Property, partialy hidden by shrubbery. From an on-
line rental site.

10 Fig. 17 The Laura Tull Property. Photo from an online rental site.

Features to Be Preserved
The structures that comprise the Tull Property have been maintained in excellent condition over the last 137 years, and the buildings retain most of their original features, which are each essential WRWKHZKROH7KHUHIRUHPRVWRIWKHIHDWXUHVRIWKH7XOO3URSHUW\DUHVLJQLÀFDQWLQFOXGLQJEXWQRW limited to:
• the original windows, framing, and sills
• the siding
• the roof types
• the dormers on the Tull Flats
• the bay windows
• the ornament on the Street House
• the stained glass window in the Street House
• the ornament on the Street House
• the pillars on the Tull Flats
• the tower on the Street House
• the front doors on all three houses
• the concrete garden walkways

15. History
Beaver Tract Block No. 1.

San Francisco capitalist George W. Beaver
owned block eleven of the College Homestead
Association Tract, subdivided in 1866 by the
trustees of the College of California. This was
%HUNHOH\·V ÀUVW VXEGLYLVLRQ FUHDWHG WR UDLVH
funds to support the construction of the college
campus. In 1884, Beaver re-subdivided the
northern half of his property bounded by Dana,
Bancroft, Telegraph, and Durant, as the Beaver
Tract Block No. 1. Acting as his agent, Berke-
OH\SLRQHHU-DPHV/%DUNHUÀOHGWKHVXEGLYL-
sion map with the county.
7KH ÀUVW KRXVH EXLOW
VROG LPHGLDWHO\ WR 0DW-
thew Gilbert Upton, editor of the San Francis-
co Bulletin, and is no longer extant) in the new
Beaver Tract stood at 2419 Durant Avenue.

It was built in 1884 by the Berkeley Village
Improvement Association, owned by James L.

Barker who was instrumental in the develop-
ment of Berkeley. James L. Barker was a San
Francisco businessman when, in 1867, he in-
YHVWHGKLVSURÀWVLQDODUJHWUDFWRIODQGZHVW
of Shattuck Avenue that he purchased from
Francis Kittredge Shattuck. He induced the
&HQWUDO 3DFLÀF 5DLOZD\ WR EXLOG D VSXU OLQH

11 into downtown Berkeley in 1876; he helped
IRXQG %HUNHOH\·V ÀUVW QHZVSDSHU WKHAdvo-
cate, in 1877. And the following year he was
signer of Berkeley’s incorporation papers and
delivered them to Sacramento. In 1877 he built
his own large Italianate residence on his land,
facing Dwight Way (demolished by Herrick
Hospital in 1976). He opened his real estate
development company at Shattuck and Dwight
Way in 1880 (“Plans furnished and houses built
for cash or on installment.”). Barker’s compa-
ny built many houses in his own tract and else-
where in Berkeley. Both his Barker Block and
India Block are City of Berkeley Landmarks.

The second house to be built in the subdivision
was the residence of Mrs. Martha L. Crow, built
in 1885. It stood at Durant and Dana.

The Street House (2421 Durant Avenue).

The third house to be built in the Beaver Tract
still stands at 2421 Durant Avenue. It is the
picture-perfect Stick-Eastlake style Cyrus
Street House, and is one of the few houses in
Berkeley remaining from the 1880s. Prominent
Fig. 18 The Upton and Street houses seen standing to-
gether, facing Durant Avenue on Block 1 of the Beaver
Tract. To the right is the Congregational Church (Clin- ton Day, architect, 1883) at Durant and Dana.

Louis L. Stein Collection, Berkeley Historical Society.

Berkeley contractor Carlos R. Lord began con-
struction of the house in the summer of 1886.

It was built by James L. Barker’s Berkeley Vil-
ODJH,PSURYHPHQW$VVRFLDWLRQ,WLVGLIÀFXOWWR
determine whether the Upton and Street houses
were built as speculative ventures (both seem
too grand for “spec” houses), or whether the
clients commissioned the houses through Bark-
er’s company. (Fig. 18)
7KHÀUVWUHVLGHQWVRI'XUDQWQHYHURZQHG
the house, but continued to lease the property
from the Berkeley Village Improvement As-
sociation. By at least October of 1887, Cyrus
Holiday Street (1844–1913), his wife, and their
four sons were in residence in the new house,
if they had not, in fact, moved in upon comple-
tion of the house.

A few years after the house was built, it was
sold to Reuben Rickard, a successful mining
engineer and a well-known Berkeleyan at the
time. The Rickard family lived in a gracious
Italianate house set in a large garden at Ban-
croft and College. Reuben Rickard was Presi-
dent of the Berkeley Board of Trustees twice in
the 1890s. He died in 1896 on a mining busi-
ness trip to Australia. Although his descendants
continued to own the house on Durant until
1904, they did not reside in it.

Fig. 19 Cyrus Holiday Street with his four sons and a
grandson. Photo found online.

Cyrus Street ( Fig. 19) was considered a lead-
er in the advancement of California, and was
an ardent promoter of world peace. He and his
wife Ann were natives of Iowa who came to
California in 1874. Cyrus’ main occupation
was always real estate, in San Francisco and
later as secretary of the Berkeley Improvement
Company on Center Street, however in 1881
KH KHOSHG RUJDQL]H WKH ,PPLJUDWLRQ $VVRFLD-
tion of California, which brought over 200,000
settlers from around the country to California.

He was a co-founder of The Argonaut, a lead-
LQJ &DOLIRUQLD OLWHUDU\ DQG SROLWLFDO PDJD]LQH
which was published until 1956. Later in life,
Cyrus Street worked for world peace. He was
HGLWRURIWKHPDJD]LQHThe United Nations, and
was one of the founders (and vice-president) in

 RI WKH 2UJDQL]DWLRQ RI WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO
Association of the Friends of Peace.

Tragedy struck within a few months of the
family’s move to the Durant house: Ann Honn
Street died in November of 1887. The Street
boys were not without a mother for long, as
their father married Mary Samantha Honn,
Ann’s sister, the following year. The Street
family lived in the Durant House until about
1895. While there, Cyrus worked in real es-
tate in San Francisco and was secretary of the
Berkeley Improvement Company.
$IWHUUHVLGLQJLQ6DQ)UDQFLVFRIRUDERXWÀYH
years, the Streets were back in Berkeley, this
time in another rented house at 1517 Shattuck
Avenue. In this home, Cyrus Street died in
1913 and Mary died in 1917. This is the same

KRXVHWKDWZDVODWHUUHPRGHOHGLQWR&KH]
Panisse.

Meanwhile on Durant Avenue, the former Street
home was sold in August 1904 to Mrs. Lau-
ra Yetter Tull, whose husband Lewis Reuben
Tull had died the year before. The Tulls lived
in Napa where Lewis was the proprietor of a
produce market. They most likely had moved
to Berkeley in 1900 so their daughter Henriet-
ta Marilla could attend the University (she was
The Tull Flats (2425 and 2427 Durant) and
Tull Cottage (2423 Durant).

The following year (1905), Mrs. Tull com-
missioned architect William Wharff to design
a large brown-shingle house (2425 and 2427
'XUDQW
 FRQVLVWLQJ RI WZR ÁDWV RQ ZKDW KDG
been the garden and driveway of 2421 Durant.
6KHPRYHGLQWRWKHXSSHUÁDWDQGKHUGDXJK-
WHUPRYHGLQWRWKHORZHUÁDWDIWHUWKHEXLOGLQJ
was completed that fall. The next year (1906),
Mrs. Tull built a two-story cottage at the back
of the property (2423 Durant). This seems to
have been intended as the home for mother and
daughter.

In 1910, Henrietta married Dr. Walter Pike
Austin, a University of California graduate, in
a ceremony at her mother’s home, with near-
ly 100 friends and relatives in attendance. The
couple settled in Salinas, where Walter prac-
ticed dentistry.

A year before her death in 1926, Laura Tull
converted the rear cottage, at 2423 Durant, into
a duplex. Henrietta inherited the property on
Durant, and moved there after her husband died
LQ
OLYLQJLQWKHORZHURIWKHUHDUÁDWV,Q
the fall of 1943, Henrietta Austin converted
the Street House (which had remained until
then a single-family residence) into six apart-
ments through a federal government Home
Owner’s Loan Corporation loan, likely for
government-approved wartime housing. The
following year, through the loan, Mrs. Austin
Class of 1906). ( Fig.
20) As was common for
widowed women, Lau-
ra Tull invested in real
estate and moved from
the family’s apartment
at 2320 Bancroft to the
commodious house at
2421 Durant.

Fig. 20 Henrietta
Marilla Tull Austin.
1906 Blue and Gold.
12

13 was Loy Chamberlain, who was from an old
Berkeley musical family and had grown up a
few blocks away on Ellsworth Street.

Post-War Years Under Olive Maddock.

The next chapter of the property began after the
end of WWII when Miss Olive G. Maddock
moved from the state of Washington to Berke-
OH\ DQG LQWR WKH ORZHU ÁDW RI WKH UHDU FRWWDJH which Henrietta had vacated in favor of one
of the new apartments at 2425 Durant. Olive
Maddock was a secretary at various compa-
nies, eventually working as Executive Secre-
tary at the Head-Royce School. (Fig, 21) A year
after Henrietta Austin’s death in 1972, Miss
Maddock became the next owner of the entire
SURSHUW\DQGPRYHGLQWRWKHPDQDJHU·VÁDWDW
2425 Durant. Perhaps her eventual ownership
was arranged with Henrietta. They would have
known each other for thirty years, and perhaps
Henrietta considered that Olive would be a
careful custodian of the property. She later told
of free speech activist Mario Savio having been
a tenant. Miss Maddock died in 1998.

Restoration.

In 2000, Jason Wallace, the then-owner of the
property, received an honor from the Berkeley
Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA). A
IHZ\HDUVHDUOLHULQ

DWKUHHDODUPÀUHKDG
caused over $100,000 worth of damage to the
Street House. Wallace’s subsequent restoration
ZDVUHFRJQL]HGZLWKD3UHVHUYDWLRQ $ZDUGIURP
BAHA along with this citation, “The house was
built in 1886 on speculation and is one of the
few surviving Stick style houses with a tower
in Berkeley. It stands between Telegraph and
Dana, a block that has seen much more demoli-
tion than preservation, and was featured on the
cover of BAHA’s 1990 calendar ‘Proud Survi-
YRUV·,WZDVGDPDJHGE\ÀUHDQGKDVQRZEHHQ
returned to its former glory.”
Present Day.

Fast forward to August 13, 2024 when SF YIM-
BY published a story about a planned 20-story
apartment building designed by “Yes Duffy”
an “activist-architect” for this site on Durant
Avenue. The article states, “Three existing res-
idential buildings owned by 2425 Durant Ave.,
LLC, will need to be demolished. Rhoades
Planning Group, a prominent Berkeley-based
ODQG XVH FRQVXOWDQF\ ÀUP LV UHVSRQVLEOH IRU
the application.” The article is, indeed, refer-
ring to the Street House and the two buildings
built by Laura Tull, although the YIMBY writer
seems to think they were all built in 1925! What
a pronouncement, especially after the property
has received such loving care for the past 137
years!
made eleven apartments
in what had been two
ÁDWVDW'XUDQW$F-
cording to one student
tenant who resided in
the house in the 1980s,
the house at 2425 “was
cut up into apartments to
house Berkeley scientists
during World War II, who
may have helped work
on the A-bomb.” The ar-
chitect for the conversion
Fig. 21 Olive G.
0DGGRFNÀIWKRZQHU
of the property. Pho-
to found online.

6LJQLÀFDQFH
7KH/DXUD7XOO3URSHUW\ZKLFKLVVLJQLÀFDQWDV
a residential enclave and peaceful green oasis
situated only three doors from busy commer-
cial Telegraph Avenue, meets several of the
criteria for designation as a City of Berkeley
Landmark.

Educational Value. The Laura Tull Property is
DQ LQVWUXFWLYH UHÁHFWLRQ RI WKH FKDQJHV LQ WKH
Beaver Tract and along Telegraph Avenue be-
tween the time the Street House was built in
DQGZKHQWKHÁDWVDQGFRWWDJHZHUHEXLOW
The area had been a neighborhood of mostly
single-family homes, and Telegraph, itself, was
residential. This began to change with the con-
struction of the Marshall Block at Telegraph
and Bancroft in 1904, at the northeast corner
RI WKH %HDYHU 7UDFW 7KH ÀOOLQJ LQ RI WKH 7XOO 3URSHUW\ZLWKÀUVWWKHÁDWVLQ
DQGWKHQ
WKHFRWWDJHLQ
UHÁHFWVWKHHPHUJLQJXUEDQ
character of the area south of the campus at that
time. The structures on the property have not
changed in exterior appearance since 1906 and
have been continuously maintained. The Tull
Property remains today as an intact piece of
Berkeley’s urban history.

The Cyrus Street House is one of only three in-
tact single-family residences on the north side
of Durant Avenue between Milvia and College.

All three survivors were built during the early
years of the South Campus neighborhood when
Durant Avenue was a street of family homes.

The others are the Cornelius Beach Bradley
House (Edgar A. Mathews, 1897), 2639 Durant
Avenue (City of Berkeley Landmark); and the
Marshall Albee House (c. 1902), at 2415 Du-
rant Avenue.

Architectural Merit. The Street House is sig-
QLÀFDQWIRUEHLQJRQHRIWKHIHZ%HUNHOH\KRXV-
es remaining from the 1880s, as well as one of
the few remaining houses that was designed
in the Stick-Eastlake style. Many of the 1880s
houses were built in the area south of the Uni-
versity campus and have not survived the tre-
mendous changes in this section of town in the
20th Century. Even in the 21st Century these
early houses are not safe from destruction. For
example, the University tore down the Warren
Cheney House (1885) for a temporary parking
lot in 2010.

The house is an excellent local example of a
Stick-Eastlake style residence. Its distinctive
tower gives verve to the design and promi-
nence to the house.

Cultural Value. The Street House is also sig-
QLÀFDQWIRULWVFRQQHFWLRQWRLPSRUWDQW%HUNHOH\
ÀJXUHV&\UXV+ROLGD\6WUHHWWKHÀUVWUHVLGHQW
was a leader in the world peace movement;
Reuben Rickard, second owner of the property,
was a mayor of Berkeley; Mario Savio, a lat-
er resident of one of the Tull Property houses,
was important in the Free Speech movement
at the University of California in 1964; and
Berkeley pioneer James L. Barker, the build-
HURIWKH6WUHHW+RXVHDUHDOOÀJXUHVRISURPL-
nence. The Street House is a rare documented
example of the type of house built by Barker’s
real estate company, the Berkeley Village Im-
provement Association. James L. Barker was a
civic-minded businessman who did much for
Berkeley. Two of his commercial buildings are
City of Berkeley Landmarks.

Fig. 22 The Michael Curtis House, 1505 Hopkins, built
by Lord & Boynton in 1888 (demolished). O.V . Lange
photo, Beautiful Berkeley, 1889.
1413

7KH 6WUHHW +RXVH LV DOVR VLJQLÀFDQW DV SRVVL-
bly being the work of Berkeley architect Ira
A. Boynton. The construction notices that ap-
peared in the Berkeley Advocate rarely includ-
ed the name of the architect or designer, and the
notices for the construction of the Street House
were no exception. It is fortunate that the name
of the contractor, Carlos Lord, was mentioned.

According to the Advocate 0U %DUNHU·V ÀUVW
house in the Beaver Tract, the Upton House of
1884 next door, was built by “Mr. Boynton.”
A few years later Ira Boynton and Carlos Lord
formed the contracting partnership of Lord &
Boynton, and as such were the builders of the
Michael Curtis House on Hopkins Street in Per-
alta Park in 1888 ( Fig. 22). The Curtis House
is almost identical to the Street House, and
with Boynton’s previous connection to Bark-
er, it suggests that Boynton may have been the
designer of the Street House. Ira A. Boynton’s
Brackenridge, Luttrell, and Payson houses are
all City of Berkeley Landmarks.

The Laura Tull Property on Durant Avenue,
and the buildings thereon, give interest and his-
torical texture to this Southside urban street-
scape. The Laura Tull Property is very much
worthy of landmark designation and preserva-
tion.

17. Historic Value— City: Yes Neighborhood: Yes
Architectural Value— City: Yes Neighborhood: Yes

18. Is the property endangered? Yes! There was a proposal to demolish the Laura Tull Proper- ty published in the August 13, 2024 edition of SF YIMBY.

19. Bibliography:

Berkeley Advocate, July 24, 1886; August 14, 1886; January 1, 1887 Berkeley assessment records. The Bancroft Library.

Berkeley and Oakland directories. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, Ancestry.com.

Berkeley Gazette, “Berkeley’s Architectural Heritage” by Anthony Bruce, February 9, 1976.

Berkeley Reporter, September 4, 1906
Berkeley Voice, “The Way it Was: Images of Berkeley’s Architectural Heritage” by Susan Stern Cerny, February 22, 1990.

Block books. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

Block Files. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

City of Berkeley Building Permit Applications, 1905, 1913, 1924, 1943, 1944, 1946.

Edwards Transcript of Records for Alameda County, April 24, 1905, contract notice; August 25, 1905 & September 30, 1905, completion notices..

Napa Weekly Journal, “Wedding Bells: Miss Tull and Dr. Walter Austin Married Friday Night,” May 13, 1910.

Oakland Tribune, September 2, 1884; July 16, 1885; July 20, 1886, August 8, 1904.

Oakland Tribune,´)ULHQGVRI3HDFH2UJDQL]HG+HUHµ6HSWHPEHU 
Oakland Tribune,´)LUH7UDLQLQJ3D\V2IIDV%OD]H6FDWWHUV5LW]+RWHO5HVLGHQWVµE\%HQ&KDUQ\ 'HFHPEHU

>LQFOXGHVQRWLFHRI6WUHHW+RXVHÀUH@
Ormsby Donogh Real Estate File. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

San Francisco Call & Post, “Advocate of Peace Among Nations Dies,” July 22, 1913.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1894, 1903, 1911, 1929, 1950. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

SF YIMBY, “Pre-Application Revealed for 20-Story Apartments in Southside, Berkeley” by An- drew Nelson, August 13, 2024.
7UDFWVPDSV$ODPHGD&RXQW\$VVHVVRU·V2IÀFH
U.S. Census and California V oter Registration records. Ancestry.com.

20. Recorder: Anthony Bruce for the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, P.O. Box 1137, Berkeley, California 94701
[email protected]; 510-841-2242

21. Date: October-November 2024
15 “The Berkeley Building and Improvement As-
sociation [sic] is preparing plans for a modern
dwelling which will be built on the Beaver
tract, near the Congregational church. It will
cost about $3,500.”
Berkeley Advocate, July 24, 1886
“C. R. Lord has taken the contract to build a
house for Mr. J. L. Barker on Durant avenue,
near the Congregational Church. It will cost
about $3,500, and from the plans, we judge it
will be one of the handsomest in that already
beautiful neighborhood.”
Berkeley Advocate, August 14, 1886

22. Addenda:
16

Fig. 23 “1—10-room, 2 story house, Beaver tract on Durant avenue, J. L. Barker, C. R. Lord, contractor $4000.” The Street House was included in a year-end list of all houses built in Berkeley in 1886. “Berkeley Improvements,” Berkeley Advocate, January 1, 1887.. 17

Fig. 24 City of Berkeley Building Permit Application No. 377, April 29, 1905. 18

Fig. 25 “Mrs. L. Full [sic]. cottage, Durant ave., $1620.” Mrs. Laura Tull’ s cottage, included in the list of Berkeley building contracts for August 1906. “Astonishing Activity in Local Building Market Makes Total of Contracts Let in August Exceed June’ s Record Run,” Berkeley Reporter, September 4, 1906. 19

Figs. 26, 27, 28, 29 Four photographs of the Cyrus Street +RXVH WDNHQ E\ :LQÀHOG 6FRWW :HOOLQJWRQ LQ -XQH  
Wellington was a professor in the Decorative Arts Depart- ment at the University of California, as well as a practicing architect and furniture designer. In 1962 he photographed Victorian houses in the East Bay that he felt noteworthy. :LQÀHOG6FRWW:HOOLQJWRQ&ROOHFWLRQ%HUNHOH\$UFKLWHFWXU- al Heritage Association
20

21 Fig. 30 Article by Anthony
Bruce on James L. Barker from
the %HUNHOH\ 'DLO\ *D]HWWH,
February 9, 1976.

Fig. 31 Article by Susan (Dinkelspiel) Stern Cerny fea- turing the Cyrus Street House from the Berkeley V oice, February 22, 1990.

Fig. 32. Notice of James L. Barker’ s company pur-
chaing from George W. Beaver the lot on Durant on
which was built the Street House. Oakland Tribune,
July 15, 1885.

Fig. 33. Notice of James L. Barker’ s company planing
the Street House. Oakland Tribune, July 20, 1886.

22 Fig. 34 The BAHA cal-
endar for 1990, show-
ing the Cyrus Street
House on the cover.

Fig. 35 History of the College Homestead Association Tract from the BAHA calendar for 1990.

Environment and Climate Commission
2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 ● Tel: (510) 981-7000 ● TDD: (510) 981-6903 ● Fax: (510) 981-7099 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: https://berkeleyca.gov/

INFORMATION CALENDAR
April 15, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Environment and Climate Commission (ECC)
Submitted by: Brianna McGuire, Chairperson, ECC
Subject: Environment and Climate Commission 2025 Work Plan

INTRODUCTION
The Environment and Climate Commission (ECC) is responsible for advising the City Council on matters related to environmental sustainability and climate change. ECC’s scope includes work to advance the goals of: advancing green buildings and resource efficiency; decarbonizing buildings and transportation; engaging and educating the community; addressing the impacts and welfare of all species, including animals, insects, and plants; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; reducing toxics and preventing pollution; and supporting environmental justice. The ECC works closely with the City of Berkeley’s Office of Energy & Sustainable Development (OESD).

CURRENT SITUATION AND ITS EFFECTS
The ECC has a broad scope and a responsibility to support and work closely with OESD staff. The ECC created subcommittees to work on the following projects:

Project Status Description
Building
Decarbonization
In Committee Support OESD staff with feedback on building electrification programs, including Building Emissions
Saving Ordinance (BESO), Berkeley Existing Buildings
Electrification Strategy, Climate Equity Fund, Just
Transition Fund, REACH Codes, and Building
Performance Standards. Collaboration with Housing
Advisory Committee as needed.

Community-
informed
Environmental
Justice & Climate
Metrics, and
Principles of Just
Transition, Vehicle
Miles Traveled &
Workforce
In Committee Support and participate in 2025 efforts to develop an Environmental Justice Element for the General Plan and
track the city’s climate goals using community-driven
benchmarks (health-focused, emissions-based, qualitative measure, etc.).

Perform research and give feedback on the Just Transition principles, Vehicle Miles Traveled reduction, and
development of a Workforce Development Board to
suggest as amendments to the City’s General Plan.

28

Environment and Climate Commission 2025 Work Plan INFORMATION CALENDAR April 15, 2025

Community
Outreach
In Committee In collaboration with OESD, plan community outreach campaigns, create materials, and support events that
raise awareness of City activities, public programs, and local climate action opportunities. Make suggestions
about possible website improvements. Raise awareness
of climate activities/resources to Councilmembers.

Climate Emergency
Preparedness
In Committee In coordination with the Office of Emergency Services and Public Health Community Preparedness and
Prevention Team, support the City with engagement on
climate emergency education and resources including at
Community Resilience Centers.

OESD Input &
Support
Ongoing Support OESD staff with feedback on programs,
standards, and other initiatives, including the Climate Equity Fund, Climate Action planning, etc. Forward
viable grant opportunities when appropriate.

At its February 26, 2025 meeting the ECC approved the work plan to send to City Council as follows: Motion/second to approve the 2025 Workplan with minor revisions as discussed and recorded (McGuire, Binns). The motion carried 8-0-0-1; Ayes:

Ranney, McGuire, Tahara, Guliasi, Kesselman, Binns, Athanasiou, Syed. Noes: None.

Abstain: None. Absent: LaBonte.

BACKGROUND
First established in 2022, the ECC was formed by merging the Community Environmental Advisory Commission and the Energy Commission. ECC commissioners bring a wide range of expertise, with backgrounds in government, academia, nonprofit, and private sector environmental work, and include youth perspectives. These backgrounds inform the ECC’s work and help it to consider diverse and equitable approaches to addressing the City’s environmental challenges.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE IMPACTS
The ECC’s initiatives will improve environmental sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a just transition.

POSSIBLE FUTURE ACTION
This work plan is intended to provide a guide to the work the ECC plans to take on in 2025. As additional items or issues arise, or are referred to the Commission from Council, the ECC will adjust this plan accordingly.

FISCAL IMPACTS OF POSSIBLE FUTURE ACTION
Future action items that the ECC may send to City Council could require staff time to develop, finalize, and/or implement. The ECC strives to ensure proposals provide

Environment and Climate Commission 2025 Work Plan INFORMATION CALENDAR April 15, 2025

significant net triple bottom line benefits to the City when evaluating total costs and benefits across environmental, social, and economic impacts.

CONTACT PERSON
Sarah Moore, Secretary, Environment and Climate Commission, [email protected]

2180 Milva Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 ● Tel: (510) 981-7000 ● TDD: (510) 981-6903 ● Fax: (510) 981-7099 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: https://berkeleyca.gov/

INFORMATION CALENDAR
April 15, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Police Accountability Board
Submitted by: Hansel A. Aguilar, Director of Police Accountability (DPA) & Secretary of the Police Accountability Board (PAB)
Subject: Police Accountability Board Recommendation: Former Board Member Recognition

INFORTMATION ONLY REPORT
This report presents resolutions recognizing and expressing appreciation for the service and contributions of former Police Accountability Board (PAB) members. The PAB plays a vital role in promoting civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley, and these resolutions acknowledge the dedication and efforts of departing members. As an informational item, this report provides the resolutions for City Council’s consideration.:

Resolutions Expressing Appreciation for Past Board Members:

1. Resolution thanking Regina Harris for her service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

2. Resolution thanking Brent Blackaby for his service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

3. Resolution thanking John "Chip" Moore for his service and leadership in civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

4. Resolution thanking Alexander Mozes for his service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

5. Resolution thanking Michael Chang for his service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

6. Resolution thanking Nathan Mizell for his service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

7. Resolution thanking Ismail Ramsey for his service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

29

Police Accountability Board Report: Board Member Recognition INFORMATION CALENDAR April 15, 2025

8. Resolution of thanking Deborah Levine for her service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

9. Resolution thanking Cheryl Owens for her service and commitment to civilian oversight (see Resolution Attached)

SUMMARY
This report provides the resolutions for former Police Accountability Board Members.

The resolutions are in the following order:

1. Regina Harris

2. Brent Blackaby

3. John “Chip”
Moore

4. Alexander Mozes

5. Michael Chang

6. Nathan Mizell

7. Ismail Ramsey

8. Deborah Levine

9. Cheryl Owens

FISCAL IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION
There are no identifiable fiscal impacts associated with these recommendations.

CURRENT SITUATION AND ITS EFFECTS
The Police Accountability Board (PAB) currently has six seated members out of nine total positions and lacks an appointed alternate. Despite these vacancies, the PAB has remained committed to its mission of promoting police accountability and transparency.

The resolutions being presented seek to formally recognize the dedication and contributions of PAB members since the Board’s inception. By highlighting their efforts, these resolutions aim to reinforce public awareness and engagement in the PAB’s work, strengthening community trust and support for civilian oversight.

BACKGROUND
The Police Accountability Board (PAB) is comprised of nine members. Each member was nominated by the Mayor or a City Councilmember and approved by the full Council. Board member terms end four years after appointment, or upon the expiration of the nominating City Councilmember’s term, whichever is earlier.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no identifiable environmental effects or opportunities associated with this report.

Police Accountability Board Report: Board Member Recognition INFORMATION CALENDAR April 15, 2025

RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATION
The PAB presents these recommendations for the City Council, aimed at honoring and recognizing former Board Members service and contribution to the Police Accountability Board.

CONTACT PERSON
Hansel A. Aguilar, Director,
Office of the Director of Police Accountability (510) 981-4950

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0001

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY

THANKING REGINA HARRIS FOR HER SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO CIVILIAN

OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Regina Harris served on the PAB from July 7, 2021 to February 5, 2025 and was one of the originally appointed members to serve on the PAB, provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and WHEREAS, during her tenure, Regina Harris demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to the Board’s work, including serving as Vice Chair, where she played a crucial role in guiding discussions, facilitating meetings, and strengthening the Board’s decision-making processes; and
WHEREAS, Regina Harris contributed significantly to key initiatives, including her participation in the Body-Worn Camera (BWC) subcommittee, where she provided insight and recommendations to enhance transparency and accountability in policing practices; and
WHEREAS, Regina Harris was a steadfast advocate for community concerns, ensuring that the voices of Berkeley residents were represented in discussions on police oversight, policy development, and systemic reform; and
WHEREAS, her dedication, insight, and leadership have had a lasting impact on the Board’s work and the broader goals of police accountability in the City of Berkeley; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Regina Harris for her outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Regina Harris for her leadership and service, recognizing her positive impact on the Board’s initiatives and the Berkeley community.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0001
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Regina Harris as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for her invaluable service to police accountability in the City of Berkeley.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Regina Harris as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for her invaluable service to police accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of her contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain Absent
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: ____________

CERTIFICATION
I, J
oshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the accuracy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board
Date
2/19/2025
2/19/2025
2/19/2025
4 Ayes, 1 Absent

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0002

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY

THANKING BRENT BLACKABY FOR HIS SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO

CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Brent Blackaby served on the PAB from September 12, 2023 to December 6, 2024 and provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Brent Blackaby demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the mechanisms for recognizing positive contributions within the Berkeley Police Department, advocating for a revised commendations process that fairly and transparently acknowledges officers' notable efforts in serving the community; and WHEREAS, his thoughtful approach to oversight and policy reform contributed to strengthening public trust in law enforcement accountability and reinforcing the PAB’s role in fostering fair and effective police practices; and
WHEREAS, Brent Blackaby resigned from the PAB to continue his public service as a member of the Berkeley City Council, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to civic engagement and the betterment of the Berkeley community; and WHEREAS, his tenure on the PAB left a lasting impact on its operations, setting a foundation for continued progress in police oversight and community relations; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Brent Blackaby for his outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Brent Blackaby for his efforts to enhance accountability, transparency, and positive engagement between law enforcement and the community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Brent Blackaby as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for his invaluable service to police

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0002
accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of his contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain Absent
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: ____________

CERTIFICATION
I, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the accuracy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

2/19/2025
2/19/2025
2/19/2025
4 Ayes, 1 Absent

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0003

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY THANKING JOHN "CHIP" MOORE FOR HIS SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP IN

CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, John "Chip" Moore served on the PAB from July 7, 2021 to February 5, 2025 and was one of the originally appointed members to serve on the PAB, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, John "Chip" Moore served two consecutive terms as Chair of the PAB, guiding the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability through a crucial developmental phase; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the PAB successfully submitted its Permanent Regulations, which are currently undergoing the meet and confer process, ensuring a solid framework for civilian oversight and law enforcement accountability; and WHEREAS, Chair Moore oversaw the finalization of the BERKELEY POLICE DEPARTMENT TEXTING OFFENSES: An Independent Investigation by the Police Accountability Board (commonly referred to as the Downtown Task Force Report), demonstrating his steadfast commitment to transparency and accountability in law enforcement oversight; and
WHEREAS, his tenure was marked by significant milestones that strengthened the Board’s role in police accountability, setting a strong foundation for the newly elected Chair to build upon; and
WHEREAS, John "Chip" Moore’s leadership, dedication, and expertise have left a lasting impact on the Board’s work and the broader goals of police accountability in the City of Berkeley;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to John "Chip" Moore for his outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0003
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to John "Chip" Moore for his exceptional contributions, recognizing his role in shaping a strong and effective oversight body.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to John "Chip" Moore as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for his invaluable service to police accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of his contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain Absent
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: ____________

CERTIFICATION
I, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the accuracy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

2/19/2025
2/19/2025
2/19/2025
4 Ayes, 1 Absent

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0004

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY

THANKING ALEXANDER MOZES FOR HIS SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO

CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Alexander Mozes served on the PAB from November 7, 2023 to February 5, 2025 and provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Alexander Mozes distinguished himself as a thoughtful and engaged member of the Board, contributing significantly to key discussions and policy initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Alexander Mozes conducted an independent and in- depth analysis of the Fair and Impartial Policing (FIP) report, providing valuable insights and recommendations that strengthened the Board’s understanding and oversight of bias and policing practices in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, Alexander Mozes was a vocal and thoughtful critic of the Specialized Care Unit (SCU), raising important considerations about its implementation, effectiveness, and alignment with the community’s needs and expectations; and WHEREAS, his d edication, analytical contributions, and unwavering commitment to meaningful oversight have had a lasting impact on the Board’s work and the broader goals of police accountability in the City of Berkeley; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Alexander Mozes for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board a nd the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Alexander Mozes for his leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing police accountability and community trust.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Alexander Mozes as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for his invaluable service to police

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-0004

accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of his contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain Absent
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x

Total: _________ ___

CERTIFICATION
I
, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the accuracy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

2/19/2025
2/19/2025
2/19/2025
4 Ayes, 1 Absent

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0005]

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY

THANKING MICHAEL CHANG FOR HIS SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO CIVILIAN

OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Michael Chang served on the PAB from July 1, 2021 to September 14, 2022 and provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Michael Chang served as the first Vice Chair and later became the second Chair of the PAB demonstrating exemplary leadership and commitment to the Board’s work; and
WHEREAS, Michael Chang served on the initial iterations of the PAB’s Regulations Subcommittee, contributing to the development of permanent regulations for handling complaints against sworn officers of the department; and WHEREAS, Michael Chang stepped down from the PAB to continue his public service as Vice President of the Berkeley Board of Education;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Michael Chang for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Michael Chang for h is leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing police accountability and community trust.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Michael Chang as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for his invaluable service to polic e accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of his contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0005]

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: 5 Ayes, 0 No

CERTIFICATION
I, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the ac
curacy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

3/5/2025
3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0006]

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY

THANKING NATHAN MIZELL FOR HIS SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO CIVILIAN

OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Nathan Mizell served on the PAB from June 30, 2021 to December 7, 2022 and provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Nathan Mizell demonstrated his leadership as Vice Chair of the PAB where he played a crucial role in guiding discussions, facilitating meetings, and strengthening the Board’s decision-making processes; and WHEREAS, Nathan Mizell served on the PAB’s Director Search Subcommittee, Fixed Surveillance Camera Policy Subcommittee, and Chief of Police Selection Process Subcommittee;
WHEREAS, Nathan Mizell stepped down from the PAB to serve on the Berkeley Rent Board;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Nathan Mizell for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Nathan Mizell for his leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing police accountability and community trust.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Nathan Mizell as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for his invaluable service to police accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of his contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0006]

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: 5 Ayes, 0 No

CERTIFICATION
I, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the ac
curacy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

3/5/2025
3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0007]

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF THE

DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY THANKING

ISMAIL RAMSEY FOR HIS SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Ismail Ramsey served on the Berkeley Police Review Commission; and WHEREAS, Ismail Ramsey served on the PAB from June 10, 2021 to March 8, 2023 and provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Ismail Ramsey served as the inaugural Chair of the PAB, guiding the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability through a crucial developmental phase; and
WHEREAS, Ismail Ramsey served on the PAB’s Fair and Impartial Policing Implementation Subcommittee, Fixed Surveillance Camera Policy Subcommittee, and Controlled Equipment Use & Reporting Subcommittee, making meaningful contributions to their work; and WHEREAS, Ismail Ramsey stepped down from the PAB to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, where he quickly made a significant impact in ensuring the safety of our Berkeley community and the broader region; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Ismail Ramsey for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Ismail Ramsey for his leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing police accountability and community trust.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Ismail Ramsey as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for his invaluable service to police accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of his contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0007]

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: 5 Ayes, 0 No

CERTIFICATION
I, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the ac
curacy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

3/5/2025
3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0008]

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY

THANKING DEBORAH LEVINE FOR HER SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO

CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Deborah Levine served on the PAB from June 16, 2021 to May 10, 2023 and provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure, Deborah Levine brought her expertise as a Criminal Law Attorney to the PAB, offering valuable insights that enriched the PAB’s work; and WHEREAS, Deborah Levine served on the PAB’s Director Search Subcommittee, Mental Health Response Subcommittee, Drone Use Policy Subcommittee, Body -Worn Camera Policy Subcommittee, Conflict of Interest Subcommittee, and Chief of Police Selection Process Subcommittee; and
WHEREAS, Deborah Levine stepped down from the PAB upon the completion of her term;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Deborah Levine for her outstanding contributions and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Deborah Levine for her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing police accountability and community trust.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Deborah Levine as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for her invaluable service to police accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of her contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________

3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0008]

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: 5 Ayes, 0 No

CERTIFICATION
I, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the ac
curacy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

3/5/2025
3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0009]

RESOLUTION OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF

THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY

THANKING CHERYL OWENS FOR HER SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO CIVILIAN

OVERSIGHT
WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley is committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement through the work of the Police Accountability Board (PAB); and WHEREAS, Cheryl Owens served on the PAB from June 10, 2021 to March 10, 2023 and provided dedicated service to the mission of civilian oversight and police accountability in Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure, Cheryl Owens served as the first subcommittee chair of Policy and Practices Subcommittee related to the Downtown Task Force and Bike Unit Allegations, establishing a crucial foundation for the subcommittee’s work; and WHEREAS, Cheryl Owens served on the Regulations Subcommittee, Fair and Impartial Policing Implementation Subcommittee, and the Policy and Practices Subcommittee related to the Downtown Task Force and Bike Unit Allegations; and WHEREAS, Cheryl Owens brought her extensive experience as a civilian police career employee to the PAB, providing a unique perspective rooted in the City Charter and promoting collaboration among stakeholders; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Police Accountability Board of the City of Berkeley that the Board expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Cheryl Owens for her outstanding contributions and commitment to the mission of civilian oversight.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability extend their heartfelt thanks to Cheryl Owens for her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing police accountability and community trust.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution be presented to Cheryl Owens as a token of our sincere appreciation and recognition for her invaluable service to police accountability in the City of Berkeley, and that a copy be transmitted to the Berkeley City Council for their awareness and acknowledgment of her contributions.

Adopted on: _____________________
3/5/2025

RESOLUTION NO. [2025-0009]

RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Board Member Aye No Abstain
Calavita x
Cayetano x
Leftwich x
Williams x
Wilson x
Total: 5 Ayes, 0 No

CERTIFICATION
I, Joshua Cayetano, as Chair of the Police Accountability Board, hereby certify the ac
curacy of the voting results contained in this document.

Joshua Cayetano,
Chair of the Police Accountability Board
Date
I, Hansel A. Aguilar, witnessed the signing of this document and can confirm that the signature, whether physical or electronic, belongs to Joshua Cayetano. I have signed this document below as a witness to the signing.

Hansel A. Aguilar,
Director of Police Accountability &
Secretary to the Police Accountability
Board

Date

3/5/2025
3/5/2025

2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 ● Tel: (510) 981-6750 ● TDD: (510) 981-6903 Email: [email protected] ● Website: https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-audits

INFORMATION CALENDAR
April 15, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jenny Wong, City Auditor
Subject: City Auditor’s Office 2024 Peer Review Results

INTRODUCTION
The Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) has again issued an opinion that the City Auditor’s Office’s internal quality control system was suitably designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance of compliance with Government Auditing Standards for the period of November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2024.

CURRENT SITUATION AND ITS EFFECTS
Auditors from Washington County, OR and Jackson County, OR completed an External Quality Control Review (peer review) of our internal quality control system. They followed the ALGA Peer Review Guide standards and guidelines in examining our system, including our efforts for ongoing monitoring and improvement.

The peer reviewers examined three audits from the peer-review period. They also reviewed a selection of our non-audit service assessments in which we evaluated the impact of those services on our audits and identified safeguards for maintaining independence. It is in the opinion of the peer review team that our internal quality control system was adequately designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance of compliance with Government Auditing Standards for the period of November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2024.

Strengthening Auditor Accountability and Oversight
The peer reviewers noted one area where our office can strengthen our internal control systems. The Payroll Audit Division is part of the City Auditor’s office and performs important payroll functions. Audits require independence and the reviewers noted that due to independence issues, we are unable to conduct performance audits of payroll, which is an important city function. To ensure that the Payroll Audit Division operates effectively and complies with relevant standards, our office has periodically requested independent external

audits of the Division. There is currently an audit in progress that is due to be released later this year.

City Auditor’s Office Areas of Excellence
The peer review team recognized our commitment to a high-standard of audit quality by identifying areas in which we excel:
 The office has an excellent tone at the top, and they were particularly impressed with the office's dedication to continuous improvement, staff support, and positive supervision.
 The office has very qualified audit staff and has ensured their skills are maintained though training.
 Audit workpapers were very organized and audit procedures were well documented and effectively indexed. They particularly appreciated that we develop an understanding of the needs of diverse stakeholders when conducting our audits.

The efforts of many led to the peer reviewer’s positive opinion and our ability to demonstrate a commitment to audit excellence. I would like to thank the following for their current and past contributions:
 Ann-Marie Hogan, Former City Auditor whose unwavering belief in the value of Government Auditing Standards provided continuous support of a well-designed and effective internal quality control system.
 I would also like to thank my staff: Erin Mullin, Whistleblower Program Manager; Caitlin Palmer, Audit Manager; Pauline Miller, Auditor II; Kendle Kuechle, Auditor II; and Katie Wysong, Auditor I.

BACKGROUND
The Berkeley City Charter requires our audits to be performed in accordance with government auditing standards and those standards require that we undergo a peer review every three years. The City Auditor’s Office has consistently passed peer reviews since its first review in 1997.

Government Auditing Standards help ensure that government auditors maintain competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence in planning, conducting, and reporting their work.

Auditors enhance their credibility by following standards so their work leads to improved government management, decision making, and oversight.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE IMPACTS
The peer review team maintained workpapers in electronic format, which greatly reduced the use of paper and ink. There are no other identifiable environmental effects or opportunities associated with the subject of this report.

POSSIBLE FUTURE ACTION
We will explore ways to address the challenge raised by the peer reviewers to allow for future audits of payroll in compliance with the Government Auditing Standards.

FISCAL IMPACTS OF POSSIBLE FUTURE ACTION
None known at this time.

CONTACT PERSON
Jenny Wong, City Auditor (510) 981-6750
Attachments:
1: 2024 External Quality Control Review of the Berkeley City Auditor’s Office Final Report

Communications

All communications submitted to the City Council are
public record. Communications are not published directly to the City’s website. Copies of individual communications are available for viewing at the City Clerk Department and through Records Online.

City Clerk Department
2180 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-6900

Records Online
https://records.cityofberkeley.info/

To search for communications associated with a particular City Council meeting using Records Online:

1. Select Search Type = “Public – Communication Query (Keywords)”

2. From Date: Enter the date of the Council meeting

3. To Date: Enter the date of the Council meeting (this may match the From Date field)

4. Click the “Search” button

5. Communication packets matching the entered criteria will be returned

6. Click the desired file in the Results column to view the document as a PDF