Monday, November 10, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 1
ANNOTATED AGENDA
BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, November 10, 2025
6:00 PM
SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ROOM - 1231 ADDISON STREET, BERKELEY, CA 94702
ADENA ISHII, MAYOR
Councilmembers:
DISTRICT 1 – RASHI KESARWANI
DISTRICT 2 – TERRY TAPLIN
DISTRICT 3 – BEN BARTLETT
DISTRICT 4 – IGOR TREGUB
DISTRICT 5 – SHOSHANA O’KEEFE
DISTRICT 6 – BRENT BLACKABY
DISTRICT 7 – CECILIA LUNAPARRA
DISTRICT 8 – MARK HUMBERT
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid model with both in -person and virtual attendance. Attend this meeting remotely using Zoom. To request to speak, use the “raise hand” function in Zoom. To join by phone: Dial 1-669- 254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 160 112 3117. To provide public comment, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair. To submit a written communication for the public record, email [email protected].
Live captioned broadcasts of Council meetings are available on B -TV (Channel 33) and via internet video stream.
All Council meetings are recorded.
This meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act, Government Code Section 54953 . Any member of the public may attend this meeting, however, if you are feeling sick, please do not attend the meeting in person.
The City Council may take action related to any subject listed on the Agenda.
Pursuant to the City Council Rules of Procedure and State Law, the presiding officer may remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting. Prior to removing an individual, the presiding officer shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. The presiding officer may then remove the individual if they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior. “Disrupting” means engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, a failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body, or engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force.
Government Code Section 84308 (Levine Act) - Parties to a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use are required to disclose if they made contributions over $5 00 within the prior 12 months to any City employee or officer. Parties and participants with a financial interest are prohibited from making more than $500 in contributions to a decisionmaker for the 12 months after the final decision is rendered on the proceeding.
The above contribution disclosures and restrictions do not apply when the proceeding is competitively bid, or involves a personnel or labor contract. For more information, see Government Code Section 84308.
Monday, November 10, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 2
Preliminary Matters
Roll Call: 6:04 p.m.
Present: Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii
Absent: None
Action: M/S/C (Tregub/Taplin) to permit Councilmember Bartlett to participate remotely pursuant to the Brown Act as amended by AB 2449.
Vote: All Ayes.
Report from Closed Session
On the claim of Sierra Campagna, Claim No. 0164BC2025-0001 the City Council met in closed session and approved a settlement agreement with Sierra Campagna for a total amount of $700,000, $350,000 of which will be paid by the City.
On Berkeley Homeless Union et al. v. City of Berkeley et al., U.S.D.C. N.D. Cal. Case No. 3:25-cv-01414-EMC, the City Council authorized the City Attorney to appeal the Court’s order extending the preliminary injunction initially issued by the Court on June 10, 2025.
Land Acknowledgement Statement: The City of Berkeley recognizes that the community we live in was built on the territory of xučyun (Huchiun (Hooch-yoon)), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo (Cho-chen-yo)-speaking Ohlone (Oh-low-nee) people, the ancestors and descendants of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. This land was and continues to be of great importance to all of the Ohlone Tribes and descendants of the Verona Band. As we begin our meeting tonight, we acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of Berkeley, the documented 5,000 -year history of a vibrant community at the West Berkeley Shellmound, and the Ohlone people who continue to reside in the East Bay. We recognize that Berkeley’s residents have and continue to benefit from the use and occupation of this unceded stolen land since the City of Berkeley’s incorporation in 1878. As stewards of the laws regulating the City of Berkeley, it is not only vital that we recognize the history of this land, but also recognize that the Ohlone people are present members of Berkeley and other East Bay communities today. The City of Berkeley will continue to build relationships with the Lisjan Tribe and to create meaningful actions that uphold the intention of this land acknowledgement.
Ceremonial Matters: None
City Manager Comments:
The City Manager provided an update on the status of the Flock Cameras item from the September 9 meeting. The City is exploring options with other vendors and will report back to Council after the winter recess.
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters: 8 speakers.
Public Comment by Employee Unions: 0 speakers.
Consent Calendar
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Public Comment on Consent Calendar and Information Items Only: 5 speakers.
Action: M/S/C (Taplin/Tregub) to adopt the Consent Calendar in one motion except as indicated.
Vote: All Ayes.
1. Formal Bid Solicitations and Request for Proposals Scheduled for Possible Issuance After Council Approval on November 10, 2025
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the request for proposals or invitation for bids that will be, or are planned to be, issued upon final approval by the requesting department or division. All contracts over the City Manager’s threshold will be returned to Council for final approval.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300
Action: Approved recommendation.
2. Contract: Tablet Command for Mobile CAD and Incident Command From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to enter into a contract and any amendments with Tablet Command for Mobile CAD and Incident Command by piggybacking on a contract with the City of Long Beach. The Berkeley contract will be effective November 5, 2025, and end on September 21, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $135,000 which includes one-time startup costs. The contract may be extended for three additional one-year periods at a cost not to exceed $85,000 per year.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,015–N.S.
3. Contract: Protiviti Government Services Inc (“Protiviti”): Using General Services Administration (“GSA”) Vehicle for Professional Services Purchase Orders
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or delegate, to issue purchase orders with Protiviti for professional services using GSA purchasing vehicle no. GS35F-0280X in support of the following City Departments: Fire, Public Works, and Information Technology, for an amount not to exceed $892,000 through June 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473, Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300, Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,016–N.S.
Consent Calendar
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4. Amend Resolution No. 71,682-N.S for Joint Homekey+ Application for MLK House at 2942-44 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution amending Resolution No. 71,682-N.S authorizing the City Manager or his designee to increase the requested grant funds amount to the State of California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department’s Homekey+ program for the MLK House project from $4,500,000 to $5,000,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5400 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,017–N.S.
5. Grant Application: The 2025 Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) grant program of the California Division of Boating & Waterways From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to 1) Submit a grant application to the California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) 2025 Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) grant program for the removal and disposal of anticipated abandoned vessels located at the Berkeley Marina; 2) Accept the grant; 3) Execute any amendments; and 4) Authorize a local match contribution of $1,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,018–N.S.
Council Consent Items
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6. Fifteenth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: City Sponsorship and Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Fund
From: Mayor Ishii (Author), Councilmember Bartlett (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Humbert (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Lunaparra (Co- Sponsor)
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a Resolution co-sponsoring the 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jr.
Celebration on January 19, 2026.
2. Adopt a Resolution approving the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $500 per Councilmember including $500 from Mayor Ishii, to the Berkeley Rotary Endowment, the fiscal sponsor of the 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, with funds relinquished to the City’s general fund for this purpose from the discretionary Council Office Budgets of Mayor Ishii and any other Councilmembers who would like to contribute.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Adena Ishii, Mayor, (510) 981-7100
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,019–N.S. (Co-Sponsoring), and Resolution No. 72,020–N.S. (Relinquishment of Funds) revised to include contributions from the following Councilmembers up to the amounts listed: Councilmember Tregub - $250; Councilmember Humbert $500; Councilmember Blackaby - $250; Councilmember Lunaparra - $250; Councilmember Taplin - $500; Councilmember Kesarwani - $150; Councilmember O’Keefe - $250; Councilmember Bartlett - $250.
7. Reappointment of Dr. P. Robert Beatty to the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District Board of Trustees
From: Mayor Ishii (Author)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution reappointing Dr. P. Robert Beatty to the Board of Trustees of the Alameda County Abatement District for a four-year term ending on January 1, 2030.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Adena Ishii, Mayor, (510) 981-7100
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,021–N.S.
Council Consent Items
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8. Resolution of the City of Berkeley Supporting the Bay Area Air District’s Zero Emission Building Appliance Rules
From: Councilmember Tregub (Author), Councilmember Lunaparra (Co- Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution in support of the Bay Area Air District’s Zero- Emission Building Appliance Rules phasing out the sale of polluting gas-fired water heating and space heating equipment starting in 2027 for water heaters and 2029 for furnaces. The resolution also supports common-sense amendments to the rules to ensure flexibility for residents who have particular difficulty with compliance.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Igor Tregub, Councilmember, District 4, (510) 981-7140 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,022–N.S. as revised in Supplemental Communications Packet #2 from Councilmember Tregub to add Councilmembers Taplin and Humbert as co-sponsors.
Action Calendar – Public Hearings
9. Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code with Local Amendments From: City Manager
Recommendation:
1. Adopt the first reading of an Ordinance repealing the Berkeley Fire Code (Berkeley Municipal Chapter 19.48) and reenacting BMC Chapter 19.48;
2. Adopt a Resolution setting forth findings of local conditions that require more stringent building standards than those provided by the 2025 California Fire Code (“CFC”) and rescinding Resolution number 71,710–N.S.;
3. Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt a Resolution establishing annual permit fees, inspection and billing rates for inspection of property sites by the Berkeley Fire Department, and rescinding Resolution number 71,837–N.S. and all Resolutions amendatory thereof.
4. In compliance with state law on adopting such codes by reference, hold a public hearing following the first reading and before the second reading, and schedule the public hearing for December 2, 2025.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473
Public Testimony: The Mayor opened the public hearing. 1 speaker.
M/S/C (Blackaby/Humbert) to close the public hearing.
Vote: All Ayes.
Action: M/S/C (Blackaby/Humbert) to:
1. Adopt the first reading of Ordinance No. 7,990–N.S. Second reading scheduled for December 2, 2025.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 72,023–N.S. (Local Findings of Fact)
3. Adopt Resolution No. 72,024–N.S. (Establishing Fees) Vote: All Ayes.
Action Calendar – New Business
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10. Adoption of and Amendments to the California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code
From: City Manager
Recommendation:
1. Adopt the first reading of an Ordinance creating a new Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 19.49 and adopting the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, Title 24 Part 7, along with local amendments.
2. Adopt a Resolution setting forth findings of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions that require more stringent standards than those in the State Code.
3. In compliance with state law on adopting such codes by reference, hold a public hearing following the first reading, and before the second reading, and schedule the second reading and public hearing for December 2, 2025.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473
Action: 1 speaker. M/S/C (Blackaby/Ishii) to:
1. Adopt the first reading of Ordinance No. 7,991–N.S. Second reading scheduled for December 2, 2025.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 72,025–N.S. (Local Findings of Fact)
3. Thank the members of the WUI Vegetation Code Workgroup for their efforts, asking them to submit a memo with any additional follow-up recommendations to the Fire Chief before their work concludes on December 31, 2025.
4. Request that the City Manager bring back any additional WUI items coming out of these recommendations to the City Council’s Public Safety Policy Committee.
5. Within 60 days of the State Board of Forestry’s Zone Zero recommendation becoming finalized regulation, request that the City Manager report back to City Council with an update on the differences between the state and local vegetation management laws (if any).
Vote: All Ayes.
Recess: 7:14 p.m. – 7:27 p.m.
11. Annual Surveillance Technology Report for Body Worn Cameras, GPS Trackers, Fixed Surveillance Video Cameras, Parking Enforcement Officer Automated License Plate Readers, the Street Level Imagery Project, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Fixed Automated License Plate Readers From: City Manager
Recommendation: Pursuant to Chapter 2.99 of the Berkeley Municipal Code, adopt a Resolution accepting the Surveillance Technology Report for Body Worn Cameras, GPS Trackers, Fixed Surveillance Video Cameras, Automated License Plate Readers, the Street Level Imagery Project, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Fixed Automated License Plate Readers.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jennifer Louis, Police, (510) 981-5900
Action: 2 speakers. M/S/C (Taplin/Kesarwani) to adopt Resolution No. 72,026–N.S.
Vote: All Ayes.
Council Action Items
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12. Referral to Amend Berkeley Municipal Codes 3.24.120 and
3.24.300 to Improve Procedure for Designating Landmarks, Historic Districts and Structures of Merit
From: Councilmember Kesarwani (Author), Councilmember Humbert (Co- Sponsor)
Recommendation: Refer to the City Manager and City Attorney to amend two related Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) sections: 3.24.120, “Landmarks, Historic Districts and Structures of Merit-Designation-Initiation Procedures,” and its related BMC section 3.24.300, “Appeals-Procedures Required-City Council Authority.” This referral recommends refinements to the procedure for designating landmarks, historic districts, and structures of merit to discourage frivolous designations, often of sites that are planned to be redeveloped to address our City’s housing shortage.
Proposed amendments include the following two changes to the BMC:
1) Raising the threshold for the number of residents needed to sign the verified application of initiation of designation from 50 to 200; and 2) For properties located in residential zoning districts, require 51 percent of the residents within a 300-foot radius of the subject building/structure to be among the applicants signing on to initiate the landmark / structure of merit designation, similar to the threshold used for other City procedures by the Planning and Public Works departments. We note that this second requirement may necessitate the collection of more than 200 signatures.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Rashi Kesarwani, Councilmember, District 1, (510) 981-7110 Action: 16 speakers. M/S/C (Kesarwani/Humbert) to refer the proposal from Councilmember Kesarwani in Supplemental Communications Packet #1 and the proposal from Councilmember Tregub in Supplemental Communications Packet #2 to the City Manager and the City Attorney to consider potential amendments to Chapter 3.24.
Vote: All Ayes.
Public Comment – Items Not Listed on the Agenda - 5 speakers.
Adjournment
Action: M/S/C (Kesarwani/O’Keefe) to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All Ayes.
Adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
Monday, November 10, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 9
Communications
Waterside Workshops
1. Erin Woodell
California Writers Club
2. Richard Schwartz (2)
My Town AI
3. John J. Parman
Dia de Los Muertos Event
4. Adriana Betti on behalf of the Muertos Committee
Strong Shoreline Initiative
5. Rigel Robinson
IKE Kiosks
6. Sylvia
Care for Homeless People
7. Diana Bohn
Housing Concerns
8. Benito Romero
Traffic Safety
9. Whytes
Business Rights
10. Todd Andrew (2)
11. Beth Roessner
New CA State Legislation
12. Todd Andrew
Drone Proposal
13. Wendy Alfsen
Flock Concerns
14. Margots999
Elementary Reading Program
15. Marlene Cohen
Eid’s Televsion
Monday, November 10, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 10
16. Eid (3)
Newsletters
17. Berkeley Art Center
18. Downtown Berkeley Association
Middle East Conflict
19. Rebecca Ayers Azran (3)
Forwards
20. Russbumper (3)
URL’s
21. Russbumper
E-Scooters
22. Robert Borghese (6)
23. Devin Dollinger (4)
24. Wahid Amiri (3)
Supplemental Communications and Reports 1
Item #8: Resolution of the City of Berkeley Supporting the Bay Area Air District’s Zero Emission Building Appliance Rules
25. Jeffrey White (2)
26. Sarah Moore on behalf of the Environment and Climate Commission
27. Jean Tepperman
Item #12: Referral to Amend Berkeley Municipal Codes 3.24.120 and 3.24.300 to Improve Procedure for Designating Landmarks, Historic Districts and Structures of Merit
28. Revised agenda material submitted by Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani
29. Sharon Entwistle (3)
30. Karen Gilligan
31. Summer Brenner
32. Aimee Baldwin
33. Leila H. Moncharsh on behalf of the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association Board
34. Richard Marcus
35. Frances Wilson
36. Lorna Byrne
37. Leonard Pitt
Supplemental Communications and Reports 2
Item #8: Resolution of the City of Berkeley Supporting the Bay Area Air District’s Zero Emission Building Appliance Rules
38. Revised agenda material submitted by Councilmember Igor Tregub
Monday, November 10, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 11
39. Cindy Shamban
40. Sam Fishman on behalf of SPUR, Act Now Bay Area, SF Bay PSR, Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter, Safe Cities and Stand.earth, Menlo Spark, and Carbon Free Palo Alto
41. Daniela Suarez on behalf of Local Clean Energy Alliance (LCEA)
42. Daniel Tahara on behalf of 350 Berkeley Hub
43. Tom Yamaguchi
44. Marjory Keenan
45. Rebecca Medcalf
46. Liz Ozol
Item #10: Adoption of and Amendments to the California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code
47. Janice Thomas
Item #11: Annual Surveillance Technology Report for Body Worn Cameras, GPS Trackers, Fixed Surveillance Video Cameras, Parking Enforcement Officer Automated License Plate Readers, the Street Level Imagery Project, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Fixed Automated License Plate Readers
48. Office of the Director of Police Accountability on behalf of the Police Accountability Board (2)
Item #12: Referral to Amend Berkeley Municipal Codes 3.24.120 and 3.24.300 to Improve Procedure for Designating Landmarks, Historic Districts and Structures of Merit
49. Revised agenda material submitted by Councilmember Igor Tregub
50. Chris Hamilton
51. Janice Thomas
52. Jeff Baker
Supplemental Communications and Reports 3
Item #9: Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code with Local Amendments
53. Presentation submitted by the Fire Department
Item #10: Adoption of and Amendments to the California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code
54. Presentation submitted by the Fire Department
55. Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Working Group
Item #11: Annual Surveillance Technology Report for Body Worn Cameras, GPS Trackers, Fixed Surveillance Video Cameras, Parking Enforcement Officer Automated License Plate Readers, the Street Level Imagery Project, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Fixed Automated License Plate Readers
56. Elana Auerbach
57. Janice Schroeder
Monday, November 10, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 12
Item #12: Referral to Amend Berkeley Municipal Codes 3.24.120 and
3.24.300 to Improve Procedure for Designating Landmarks, Historic Districts and Structures of Merit
58. Sarah Bell
59. Frances Wilson
60. Gregory Kalkinas
61. Paul Schwartz
62. Jane McKinne
63. Jeffrey Hart
64. Stephen Alpert
Miscellaneous
65. 39 Postcards “More Climate Action, Less Hot Air”