Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 1
ANNOTATED AGENDA
BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
6:00 PM
SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ROOM - 1231 ADDISON STREET, BERKELEY, CA 94702
ADENA ISHII, MAYOR
Councilmembers:
DISTRICT 1 – RASHI KESARWANI
DISTRICT 2 – TERRY TAPLIN
DISTRICT 3 – BEN BARTLETT
DISTRICT 4 – IGOR TREGUB
DISTRICT 5 – SHOSHANA O’KEEFE
DISTRICT 6 – BRENT BLACKABY
DISTRICT 7 – CECILIA LUNAPARRA
DISTRICT 8 – MARK HUMBERT
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid model with both in -person and virtual attendance. Attend this meeting remotely using Zoom. To request to speak, use the “raise hand” function in Zoom. To join by phone: Dial 1-669- 254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 160 387 4329. To provide public comment, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair. To submit a written communication for the public record, email [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.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 2
Preliminary Matters
Roll Call: 6:44 p.m.
Present: Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii
Absent: None
Land Acknowledgement Statement: The City of Berkeley recognizes that the community we live in was built on the territory of xučyun (Huchiun (Hooch-yoon)), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo (Cho-chen-yo)-speaking Ohlone (Oh-low-nee) people, the ancestors and descendants of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. This land was and continues to be of great importance to all of the Ohlone Tribes and descendants of the Verona Band. As we begin our meeting tonight, we acknowledge and honor the original inhabitants of Berkeley, the documented 5,000 -year history of a vibrant community at the West Berkeley Shellmound, and the Ohlone people who continue to reside in the East Bay. We recognize that Berkeley’s residents have and continue to benefit from the use and occupation of this unceded stolen land since the City of Berkeley’s incorporation in 1878. As stewards of the laws regulating the City of Berkeley, it is not only vital that we recognize the history of this land, but also recognize that the Ohlone people are present members of Berkeley and other East Bay communities today. The City of Berkeley will continue to build relationships with the Lisjan Tribe and to create meaningful actions that uphold the intention of this land acknowledgement.
Ceremonial Matters: None
City Manager Comments: None
City Auditor Comments:
The City Auditor commented on the Audit status reports on the agenda as well as the AAO and the savings in the Auditor Department budget.
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters: 10 speakers.
Consent Calendar
Public Comment on Consent Calendar and Information Items Only: 4 speakers.
Action: M/S/C (Lunaparra/Tregub) to adopt the Consent Calendar in one motion except as indicated.
Vote: Ayes - Kesarwani, Taplin, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Noes – None; Abstain – None; Absent – Bartlett.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 3
1. Amending Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 7.54 The Empty Homes Tax From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,986-N.S. amending Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 7.54 The Empty Homes Tax to address issues that arose in the first annual billing and to simplify administration of the tax.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: David White, City Manager's Office, (510) 981-7000 Action: Adopted second reading of Ordinance No. 7,986–N.S.
2. Amendment to Ground Lease with East Bay Regional Park District at 400 Gilman Street (Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of an Ordinance No. 7,987-N.S. authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Ground Lease with East Bay Regional Park District for the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex at 400 Gilman Street extending the term to December 31, 2053 and includes improvements to be constructed by the City.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700 Action: Adopted second reading of Ordinance No. 7,987–N.S.
3. Remove Pre-Transfer Eligibility Restriction of the Transfer Tax Rebate for Wildfire Hardening
From: Disaster and Fire Safety Commission
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,989-N.S. amending Berkeley Municipal Code Section 7.52.060 addressing real property transfer tax exceptions related to home hardening.
First Reading Vote: Ayes – Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, Lunaparra, Ishii; Noes – Blackaby, Humbert; Abstain – O’Keefe.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Keith May, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-3473 Action: Adopted second reading of Ordinance No. 7,989–N.S.
4. Amendments to Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale or Use of Coordinated Pricing Algorithms (BMC 13.63)
From: City Attorney
Recommendation: Adopt Amendments to the Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale or Use of Coordinated Pricing Algorithms (BMC 13.63).
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Farimah Brown, City Attorney, (510) 981-6950
Action: Adopted the first reading of Ordinance No. 7,992–N.S. Second reading scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 4
5. Minutes for Approval
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the minutes for the Council meetings of October 14, 2025 (regular), October 27, 2025 (closed), October 28, 2025 (special and regular).
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900
Action: Approved the minutes as submitted.
6. Contract: General Code, LLC for Berkeley Municipal Code Publishing Services From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with General Code, LLC, for online and printed code publishing services for the Berkeley Municipal Code from November 20, 2025 through November 19, 2030 for a total not to exceed amount of $75,000.
Financial Implications: General Fund - $75,000
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,027–N.S.
7. Contract with Options Recovery Services for Berkeley CareBridge Program and Appropriation for Administrative and Evaluation Support in the City Manager’s Office
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to: 1) Execute a contract with Options Recovery Services for an amount not-to-exceed $7,510,842.00 to operate the Berkeley CareBridge post-arrest diversion and reentry program for three (3) years, and execute any amendments thereto (including scope, budget realignments, and time extensions) that remain within the grant award and City policies; and 2) Appropriate $409,158.00 in funding for administrative and evaluation support within the City Manager’s Office for the Assistant to the City Manager position (temporary), equivalent to 0.5079 FTE over three years to support grant administration, program oversight, and evaluation requirements.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Carianna Arredondo, City Manager's Office, (510) 981-7000 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,028–N.S.
8. Amendment: FY 2026 Annual Appropriations Ordinance
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt first reading of an Ordinance amending the FY 2026 Annual Appropriations Ordinance No. 7,977–N.S. for fiscal year 2026 based upon recommended re-appropriation of committed FY 2025 funding and other adjustments authorized since July 1, 2025.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Maricar Dupaya, Budget Manager, (510) 981-7000 Action: Adopted the first reading of Ordinance No. 7,993–N.S. as revised in Supplemental Communications Packet #2 by the City Manager. Second reading scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Consent Calendar
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9. Contract No. 32000179 Amendment: Allied Universal Security Service for Citywide Unarmed Security Services
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to Contract No. 32000179 with Allied Universal Security Service (formerly First Alarm Security & Patrol, Inc.) for citywide unarmed security services in the amount of $1,000,000 for a new total not to exceed $5,450,000 and extend the contract through June 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,029–N.S.
10. Formal Bid Solicitations and Request for Proposals Scheduled for Possible Issuance After Council Approval on November 18, 2025
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the request for proposals or invitation for bids that will be, or are planned to be, issued upon final approval by the requesting department or division. All contracts over the City Manager’s threshold will be returned to Council for final approval.
Financial Implications: $8,153,016 - Various Funds
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300
Action: Approved recommendation.
11. Purchase Order: Blaisdell’s Business Products for Office Furniture and Equipment for Fire Headquarters
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to issue purchase orders with Blaisdell’s Business Products for the purchase of miscellaneous office supplies, small equipment and office furniture for Fire Headquarters using the Omnia Partners Region 4 ESC Contract No. R190301 for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 through May 31, 2026, with the option of one (1) single-year extension if the Omnia contract is extended.
Financial Implications: Funding for will come from Measure FF (Fire and Emergency Services) and UC Settlement funds.
Contact: David Sprague, Fire, (510) 981-3473
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,030–N.S.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 6
12. Golden Bear Homes Partnership Transfer
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1. Approving the transfer of the Managing General Partner role for Golden Bear Homes, LP from Bay Area Community Services (BACS) to Hearthstone Housing Foundation (Hearthstone); and 2.
Approving BACS’ assignment and Hearthstone’s assumption of BACS’ obligation under the loan and regulatory agreements for Golden Bear Homes; and 3.
Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute all original or amended documents to effectuate this action.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5400 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,031–N.S.
13. Contract No. 104289-1 Amendment: Jackson & Coker for Locums Tenens Psychiatrists
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to amend Contract No. 104289-1 with vendor Jackson & Coker Locum Tenens, LLC to provide locum tenens psychiatrists in an amount of $500,000 for a not to exceed amount of $1,464,480 through June 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Scott Gilman, Health, Housing, and Community Services, (510) 981-5400 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,032–N.S.
14. Adoption of Side Letter Agreements Between the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association (BFFA), Berkeley Fire EMS Professionals Association (BFEMSA), and Berkeley Fire Chief Officers Association (BFOA) to Clarify the Calculation and Reporting of Special Compensation Under CalPERS Regulations
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving Side Letter Agreements between the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association (BFFA), Berkeley Fire EMS Professionals Association (BFEMSA), and Berkeley Fire Chief Officers Association (BFOA) to clarify the calculation and reporting of special compensation under CalPERS regulations.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Janelle Rodrigues, Human Resources, (510) 981-6800 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,033–N.S.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 7
15. Adoption of Side Letter Agreement with Berkeley Police Association to Clarify the Calculation and Reporting of Special Compensation Under CalPERS Regulations
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Police Association (BPA) to clarify and confirm the compounding and reporting of special compensation under CalPERS regulations.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Janelle Rodrigues, Human Resources, (510) 981-6800 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,034–N.S.
16. Contract No. 32100079 Amendment: ePlus Technology Inc., for Cohesity Backup Software, Maintenance and Support
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend Contract No. 32100079 to increase the spending authority with ePlus Technology Inc. (“ePlus”), for Cohesity backup software, maintenance and support services increasing the amount by $110,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $718,400 from November 1, 2020 to November 30, 2026.
Financial Implications: $110,000 - Information Technology Cost Allocation Fund Contact: Kevin Fong, Information Technology, (510) 981-6500 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,035–N.S.
17. Contract: Paymun Building & Development, Inc. for the K-Dock Restroom Renovation Project
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1. Approving the plans and specifications for the K-Dock Restroom Renovation Project (Bid Specification No. 25-11743-C); and 2.
Rejecting the bid from ERA Construction, Inc., the fourth lowest bidder and deem ERA Construction, Inc. ineligible to protest against Argos Construction, apparent lowest bidder, Paymun Building & Development, Inc., apparent second lowest bidder, and Green Bay Remodeling, Inc., apparent third lowest bidder; and 3.
Rejecting the bid from Argos Construction as non-responsive; and 4. Accepting the bid of Paymun Building & Development, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on the Project; and 5. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract and any amendments, extensions or other change orders until completion of the project in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, with Paymun Building & Development, Inc., for the K-Dock Restroom Renovation Project, in an amount not to exceed $440,000, which includes a contract amount consisting of base bid of $368,000, additive bid item in the amount of $32,000, and a 10% contingency in the amount of $40,000.
Financial Implications: $440,000 - Various Funds
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,036–N.S.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 8
18. License Agreement for Temporary Parking for Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a license agreement and any amendments with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) for the City of Berkeley to use a portion of the North Basin Strip at McLaughlin Eastshore State Park for 18 months as temporary parking for Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex visitors during construction.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,037–N.S.
19. Mills Act Contract – 1619 Walnut Street
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act contract with Noemi Ruelas for the maintenance and restoration of a City Structure of Merit property at 1619 Walnut Street.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,038–N.S.
20. Contract: DC Electric for On-Call Electrical Services From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract and any amendments with DC Electric to provide on-call electrical services for a three-year period from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $375,000, with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms.
The service rates will be adjusted annually in accordance with the pricing outlined in the awarded bid.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,039–N.S.
21. Contract No. 32500098 Amendment: Pacific Site Management Landscaping Services for Gilman Street and Interstate 80 Interchange Project From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to Contract No. 32500098 with Pacific Site Management to increase the spending authority by $300,000, for a new total not to exceed of $600,000 and extending the contract through June 30, 2028, and executing a reimbursement agreement with the Alameda County Transportation Commission for up to $300,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,040–N.S.
Consent Calendar
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 9
22. Contract: On-Call Handrail Fabrication and Installation Services, Bailey Fence Company, Inc
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Bailey Fence Company, Inc. for on-call handrail fabrication and installation services for a three-year period from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,041–N.S.
23. Contracts: On-Call Industrial Hygiene and Regulatory Compliance Services From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt four Resolutions authorizing the City Manager to execute the following contracts, and any amendments, extensions or other change orders for on-call industrial hygiene (IH) services and on-call regulatory compliance (RC) services, each for a contract period of January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2029:
1. IH: Acumen Industrial Hygiene, Inc for an amount not to exceed $100,000;
2. IH: Millennium Consulting Associates for an amount not to exceed $100,000;
3. IH: Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical & Environmental Sciences Consultants: for an amount not to exceed $100,000; and
4. RC: Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,042–N.S. (Acumen), Resolution No. 72,043– N.S. (Millennium), Resolution No. 72,044–N.S. (Ninyo), and Resolution No. 72,045– N.S. (Geosyntec).
24. Multi-Year Purchase Orders with Papé Kenworth Inc. for Parts and Related Equipment for Kenworth, Peterbilt, and PACCAR Medium-and Heavy-Duty Trucks
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute purchase orders with Papé Kenworth, Inc., an authorized dealer of Kenworth Truck Company, a Division of PACCAR Inc., for parts and related equipment used on Kenworth, Peterbilt, and PACCAR medium and heavy-duty trucks, in an amount not to exceed $380,000, for a period of three-years.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terrance Davis, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,046–N.S.
Council Consent Items
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25. Recommendation to Rename "5 ½ Street" Alleyway as Jeronimus Alley From: Transportation and Infrastructure Commission
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution, by at least a two-thirds Council majority, renaming the alleyway running parallel between 5th and 6th streets, located between Camelia Street and Virginia Street, unofficially labeled as "5 ½ Street," to "Jeronimus Alley" in honor of Wayne Jeronimus.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Mark Helmbrecht, Secretary, Transportation and Infrastructure Commission 510-981-6403
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 72,047–N.S.
Council Consent Items
26. Recommendations for the Formulation of Advanced Fiscal Policies to Institutionalize Strategic Bond Issuance, Optimize Municipal Investment Returns, and Leverage Intergovernmental and Philanthropic Capital Funding From: Councilmember Taplin (Author) (Reviewed by the Budget and Finance Committee)
Recommendation:
1. Structured Bond Issuance Framework: Refer to the City Manager assessment, analysis, and presentation to the Council of a potential comprehensive fiscal policy every two years that institutionalizes, codifies, and makes publicly accessible a regular, predictive schedule for general obligation bond issuance. This potential policy, in addition to and alongside existing practices, may be informed by actuarial and capital market analysis of the City’s bonding capacity and be modeled on established frameworks utilized in fiscally disciplined jurisdictions such as San Francisco, Santa Monica, and others. The goal is to remediate the City’s substantial deferred maintenance liabilities and strategically advance the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
2. Modernize Investment Policy: Refer to the City Manager the enactment of a detailed review and performance benchmarking of the City’s current investment policies, ordinances, and resolutions. Based on this review, the City Manager may consider: -Amendments to align Berkeley’s portfolio management practices with those of peer jurisdictions in the Bay Area; -Asset strategies that maintain compliance with CA Government Code §53600 et seq. while improving yields through enhanced diversification and duration matching;
3. Comparative Bond Issuance Analysis and Timeline: Refer the City Manager to conduct a comprehensive analysis of historical general obligation bond issuance and debt service rates in Berkeley and comparable jurisdictions. The analysis may consider the following: - Examine 30 years of municipal bond trends, showing the consistency of low interest rates during fiscally disciplined cycles; -Compare Berkeley's historical borrowing costs with those of San Francisco, Santa Monica, Palo Alto, and other cities; -Demonstrate the efficacy of maintaining a regular issuance schedule every 6–10 years to preserve low borrowing rates and steady bond ratings; -Present a 30-year fiscal projection showing that with prudent debt layering and consistent retirement of obligations, Berkeley can issue up to $250– Council Consent Items
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$300 million in bonds in successive tranches while maintaining fiscal health and AAA-quality debt service coverage ratios, and examine the impact on deferred infrastructure liabilities. The City Manager is requested to return with a projected 25– 30 year financing timeline that identifies capital milestones, projected issuances, debt service loads, and cost-saving thresholds compared to inflation-driven delays. This timeline shall be paired with policy recommendations to ensure adherence to long- range financial planning objectives.
Policy Committee Recommendation: to send the item to Council with a Qualified Positive Recommendation with the changes as proposed by Councilmember Taplin as follows:
1. Structured Bond Issuance Framework
Refer to the City Manager assessment, analysis, and development and presentation to the Council of a potential of a comprehensive fiscal policy every two years that institutionalizes, codifies, and makes publicly accessible, codifies current practices a regular, predictive schedule for general obligation bond issuance. This potential policy, in addition to and alongside existing practices, smayhould be informed by actuarial and capital market analysis of the City’s bonding capacity and be modeled on established frameworks utilized in fiscally disciplined jurisdictions such as San Francisco, and Santa Monica, and others. The goal is to remediate the City’s substantial deferred maintenance liabilities and strategically advance the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
2. Modernize Investment Policy.and Establish a Capital Grant Matching Fund Refer to the City Manager the enactment of a detailed review and performance benchmarking of the City’s current investment policies, ordinances, and resolutions.
Based on this review, the City Manager may consider should recommend:
-Amendments to align Berkeley’s portfolio management practices with those of peer jurisdictions in the Bay Area;
-Asset strategies that maintain compliance with CA Government Code §53600 et seq. while improving yields through enhanced diversification and duration matching; Establishment of a dedicated Capital Grant Matching Fund, capitalized with a designated portion of net investment returns, to maximize Berkeley’s competitiveness in securing grants under federal programs such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and state-funded resilience initiatives.
3. Develop a Comparative Bond Issuance Analysis and Timeline Refer the City Manager to conduct a comprehensive analysis of historical general obligation bond issuance and debt service rates in Berkeley and comparable jurisdictions. The analysis may consider the following should:
-Examine 30 years of municipal bond trends, showing the consistency of low interest rates during fiscally disciplined cycles;
-Compare Berkeley's historical borrowing costs with those of San Francisco, Santa Monica, and Palo Alto, and other cities;
-Demonstrate the efficacy of maintaining a regular issuance schedule every 6–10 years to preserve low borrowing rates and steady bond ratings; -Present a 30-year fiscal projection showing that with prudent debt layering and consistent retirement of obligations, Berkeley can issue up to $250–$300 million in bonds in successive tranches while maintaining fiscal health and AAA-quality debt Council Consent Items
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 12
service coverage ratios, and examine the impact on deferred infrastructure liabilities.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terry Taplin, Councilmember, District 2, (510) 981-7120 Action: Approved recommendation as recommended by the Budget & Finance Committee.
27. Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance Updates
From: Councilmember Lunaparra (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Humbert (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Blackaby (Co- Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt the proposed amendments to the Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance (BMC 13.105) to mirror key definitions with the language in the new Sanctuary City Ordinance and shorten the Right to Cure time period from 90 days to 30 days.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Cecilia Lunaparra, Councilmember, District 7, (510) 981-7170 Action: Adopted the first reading of Ordinance No. 7,994–N.S. as revised in Supplemental Communications Packet #2 by Councilmember Lunaparra. Second reading scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Action Calendar – Public Hearings
28. Adoption of Berkeley Building Codes, Including Local Amendments to California Building Standards Code
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing, and upon conclusion adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 7,988-N.S repealing and reenacting the Berkeley Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy and Green Building Standards Codes in BMC Chapters 19.28, 19.29, 19.30, 19.32, 19.34, 19.36 and
19.37, and adopting related procedural and stricter provisions where the modifications or changes are substantially equivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the City and were in effect as of September 30, 2025.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
Public Testimony: The Mayor opened the public hearing. 0 speakers.
M/S/C (Humbert/Blackaby) to close the public hearing.
Vote: All Ayes.
Action: M/S/C (Tregub/Humbert) to adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 7,988–N.S.
Vote: All Ayes.
Action Calendar – Public Hearings
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 13
29. Zoning Ordinance Amendments to Title 23 of the Berkeley Municipal Code for Consistency with State Law and Technical Edits (SLTE 2025) From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt the first reading of an Ordinance amending the following sections of the Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) to maintain consistency and accuracy:
- 23.202.030 Additional Permit Requirements (Residential) - 23.202.050 R-1 Single Family Residential District
- 23.202.080 R-2 Restricted Two-Family Residential District - 23.202.090 R-2A Restricted Multiple-Family Residential District - 23.202.100 R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District
- 23.206.090 MU-R Mixed Use Residential District
- 23.326.030 Demolition of Residential Units
- 23.326.040 Eliminating Dwelling Units through Combination with Other Units Financial Implications: None
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
Public Testimony: The Mayor opened the public hearing. 0 speakers.
M/S/C (Humbert/Taplin) to close the public hearing.
Vote: All Ayes.
Action: M/S/C (Tregub/Taplin) to adopt the first reading of Ordinance No. 7,995– N.S. Second reading scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Vote: All Ayes.
Council Action Items
30. Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements From: Councilmember Humbert (Author), Mayor Ishii (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Kesarwani (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Lunaparra (Co- Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution pausing the City of Berkeley's authorization to use Mills Act Agreements for historic property preservation, deferring or denying all pending applications as of November 19, 2025, and allowing existing contracts to expire without renewal unless the City Council takes future action to reauthorize the program.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Mark Humbert, Councilmember, District 8, (510) 981-7180 Action: 10 speakers. M/S/C (Humbert/Lunaparra) to adopt Resolution No. 72,048– N.S. as amended in Supplemental Communications Packet #2 by Councilmember Humbert; and further amended to add a clause directing the City Manager to initiate non-renewal proceedings for all Mills Act contracts. In addition, Councilmember Humbert noted for the record that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Vote: All Ayes.
Council Action Items
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 14
31. Unmanned Aerial Systems and Drones as First Responders From: Councilmember Taplin (Author), Councilmember Kesarwani (Co- Sponsor), Councilmember Humbert (Co-Sponsor) (Reviewed by the Public Safety Committee)
Recommendation: Refer to the City Manager the initiation of the process outlined by BMC 2.99: Surveillance Technology Ordinance (STO) for the Berkeley Police Department (BPD) to acquire and use Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), including Drones as First Responders (DFR), consistent with all auditing, transparency, data and privacy protections required for all use policies and acquisition reports under the STO.
Policy Committee Recommendation: Send the item with a positive recommendation to Council.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Terry Taplin, Councilmember, District 2, (510) 981-7120 Action: 3 speakers. Councilmember Blackaby added as a co-sponsor. M/S/C (Taplin/Humbert) to approve the recommendation.
Vote: Ayes – Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Humbert, Ishii; Noes – Lunaparra.
Information Reports
32. 2025 Audit Follow-up Status Update
From: Auditor
Contact: Jenny Wong, Auditor, (510) 981-6750
Action: Received and filed.
33. Independent Third-Party Audit of the Payroll Audit Division From: Auditor
Contact: Jenny Wong, Auditor, (510) 981-6750
Action: Received and filed.
Public Comment – Items Not Listed on the Agenda - 1 speakers.
Adjournment
Action: M/S/C (Taplin/Tregub) to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All Ayes.
Adjourned at 10:06 p.m.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 15
Communications
Item #30: Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements
1. Laura Veit and Isaac Warshauer
2. Janice Thomas
3. S. Entwistle
Telegraph Corridor
4. Helen Hallberg
5. Benjamin Fry
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair
6. Grace Teasdale
Access to Police Communications
7. Theo Posselt
Flock Concerns
8. Jindi Zhang
9. Aliza Zangwill
10. Zora Uyeda-Hale
11. Mimi Main
12. A Rubin
13. Lou Riordan
Formal Complaint Concerns
14. Alex Merenkov (2)
Bearathon
15. Iris Hamelin and Anna Kathawala
High-Rise Apartment Buildings
16. Harvey Sherback
Elementary Reading Program
17. Blima Dreezer
Disaster Preparedness Event
18. Dr. Veronica Ufoegbune, Raquel Balingit, Newt McDonald, Joyce Barnes, and Ebele Enebeli
Courtesy Photos
19. Georgia Paulos
Honeybee Resources
20. Mateo Kaiser
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 16
E-Bike Test & Rides
21. Jill Holloway
22. Nancy Hernandez
Zachary’s Corner Safety Concerns
23. Anne Whyte
2425 Durant ZAB Appeal
24. Heidi Webb on behalf of Jolene Kramer and Andrea Matsuoka
Harrison Street
25. Jim Lutz
26. Dr. Sukhdeep (Bobby) Dhadwar
27. Craig Nagasawa
Concept 3B Design
28. Neil Schneider
Housing Shaking Concern
29. Bingo Fantasy Football
Crosswalk Concerns
30. David Lerman
31. Whytes
Safety and Privacy Concern
32. Christian Bogado Marsa
Draft Resolution
33. Hank Pellissier
Tilden Park
34. Peter and Norma Lydon
Berkeley Juneteenth Association, Inc.
35. Gerald Baptiste, Jr.
Sidewalk Power Wash
36. Nancy Joachim
Construction
37. Kirstie Bennett
Exterior Elevated Elements Concerns
38. Andrew Marowitz
Spenger’s Parking Lot
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 17
39. Morgan Read
40. Denny
41. John Norheim and Steve Smith
42. Steven Donaldson
Property Tax Increase
43. Eric Friedman
44. Maureen Burke
ICE Concerns
45. Katharine Bierce
Street Sweeping
46. Mark Chekal
Marina Parking Fee
47. Maddie Williams
48. Gordon Stout
49. Wini Williams
50. Ivan Diamond
51. Deirdre Anderson
52. Kevin Johnston
53. Jennifer Millar
54. Lucy Kruyff
55. Sebastian Diaz
56. Kimberly McKeown
57. Chris Stratton
58. Elsa Tranter
59. Jeff Malmuth
60. Johanna Eigen
61. Karen Shimoda
62. Dave Tepper
63. Sherry Shannon
64. Gianna Michael
65. Joann Kweon
66. Brandon Essex
Housing Concerns
67. Hector91 Phuentes (18)
68. John Dunlap
Forwards
69. Russbumper (3)
URL’s
70. Russbumper (3)
Newsletters
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 18
71. Berkeley Art Center
72. Downtown Berkeley Association
E-Scooters
73. Robert Borghese (10)
74. Devin Dollinger (11)
75. Nicolas Nagle
Supplemental Communications and Reports 1
Item #27: Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance Updates
76. Revised agenda material submitted by Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra, Mayor Adena Ishii, Vice Mayor Mark Humbert, and Councilmember Brent Blackaby Item #30: Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements
77. Peggy Radel
78. Frederica and Robert Breuer
79. Janice Thomas (2)
80. Oren Cheyette
81. Joel Myerson
82. Laura Veit and Isaac Warshauer
Item #31: Unmanned Aerial Systems and Drones as First Responders
83. Supplemental agenda material submitted by Councilmember Terry Taplin Supplemental Communications and Reports 2
Item #1: Amending Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 7.54 The Empty Homes Tax Item #2: Amendment to Ground Lease with East Bay Regional Park District at 400 Gilman Street (Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex)
Item #3: Remove Pre-Transfer Eligibility Restriction of the Transfer Tax Rebate for Wildfire Hardening
Item #26: Recommendations for the Formulation of Advanced Fiscal Policies to Institutionalize Strategic Bond Issuance, Optimize Municipal Investment Returns, and Leverage Intergovernmental and Philanthropic Capital Funding
84. Barbara Gilbert
Item #3: Remove Pre-Transfer Eligibility Restriction of the Transfer Tax Rebate for Wildfire Hardening
85. Yen Trac
Item #8: Amendment: FY 2026 Annual Appropriations Ordinance
86. Revised agenda material submitted by the City Manager’s Office Item #27: Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance Updates
87. Revised agenda material submitted by Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra, Mayor Adena Ishii, Vice Mayor Mark Humbert, Councilmember Brent Blackaby Item #30: Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 ANNOTATED AGENDA Page 19
88. Supplemental agenda material submitted by Councilmember Mark Humbert, Mayor Adena Ishii, Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani, and Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra
89. Frederica Drotos
Item #19: Mills Act Contract – 1619 Walnut Street
Item #30: Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements
90. Laura Veit and Isaac Warshauer
Supplemental Communications and Reports 3
Item #19: Mills Act Contract – 1619 Walnut Street
91. Jeffrey Baker
Item #26: Recommendations for the Formulation of Advanced Fiscal Policies to Institutionalize Strategic Bond Issuance, Optimize Municipal Investment Returns, and Leverage Intergovernmental and Philanthropic Capital Funding
92. Geoff Lomax
Action Calendar
Item #30: Pausing City of Berkeley Authorization for Mills Act Agreements
93. Leila H. Moncharsh on behalf of Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (2)
94. Elizabeth Snowden and Charles P. Smith
95. Jane McKinne
96. Krishna Shekhawat
97. Jeffrey Baker
98. Andrew Ryan
99. Marc Grant and Jeanne Allen
100. Delia Taylor
101. Doris Fulder Nassiry
Item #31: Unmanned Aerial Systems and Drones as First Responders 102. Neil Egbert on behalf of the Berkeley Police Association