Local Politics
  1. Home
  2. US
  3. California
  4. Berkeley
  5. Meetings

2026-05-19 - City Council (special)

Summary

Built from the official approved minutes of the May 19, 2026 special meeting (approved on the May 19 and later Consent Calendars of the minutes batch). No video or transcript is posted, so there is no timing.

  • Roll call 4:03 p.m.: present Tregub, O'Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert and Mayor Ishii. Taplin arrived 4:09, Kesarwani 4:16 and Bartlett 4:42 p.m.
  • One item: the second community survey results and direction on potential November 3, 2026 ballot measures (City Manager). 15 speakers.
  • Motion (Taplin/Tregub), all ayes: affirm direction to prepare ballot language for a potential $300 million general obligation bond for priority infrastructure, and for a potential 0.5 percent increase in the City's sales and use tax to address the projected General Fund structural deficit and support essential services.
  • The recommendation also asked for input on the list of infrastructure projects for the bond; the minutes record no separate action on that part.
  • Adjourned 6:26 p.m. on a motion by Taplin, seconded by Lunaparra, all ayes. Certified by City Clerk Numainville.

Infrastructure Bond Ballot Measure

  • The $300 million general obligation bond direction was affirmed, all ayes. Council adopted the ballot resolution on June 16, 2026.

Sales Tax Ballot Measure

  • The 0.5 percent sales and use tax direction was affirmed, all ayes. Council placed the measure on the ballot on June 16, 2026.

Communications

  • Written communications on the item came from Phil Allen, Larry and Mary Ann Wight, Susan Schwartz (for Friends of Five Creeks), Emma Gobler, Lisa Cain, Nina, Katherine Schaaf, Susan Austin, Jeffrey J. Carter, Jan Ruchlis, Ray Yep, Nicola Reinhardt, Laura A Schmidt, Sarah Watts, Joel Myerson, Todd Jersey, John Callaway and Linda and Steven Rosen, plus a City Manager's Office presentation. The minutes list senders only, not positions.

Sources