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2026-06-09 - City Council (regular)

Summary

Built from the official approved minutes of the June 9, 2026 regular meeting (June 2026 minutes-for-approval batch, approved on the June 30 Consent Calendar). No video or transcript is posted, so there is no timing.

  • Roll call 6:09 p.m.; Bartlett absent at roll call and present at 6:17 p.m. Adjourned 10:40 p.m. on a motion by Taplin, seconded by Bartlett, 8-0 with Kesarwani absent at that point.
  • Closed session report: Council met June 8 and gave direction to outside counsel and approved a Compromise and Release settlement of a workers' compensation claim (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)).
  • Ceremonial: City Manager Buddenhagen recognized for the BUSD Cans for Carrots program; adjourned in memory of Alan Tobey, community activist. City Manager comments: none.
  • Public comment: 10 speakers on non-agenda matters, 0 from employee unions, 10 on the Consent Calendar, 4 on non-agenda matters at the end.
  • Consent Items 1 to 21 adopted in one motion (Taplin/Humbert), all ayes. Item 22 (hot tub zoning referral) taken separately and approved 8-0 with O'Keefe recused.
  • Parking meter overhaul (item 24): amendment to drop Sunday meters failed 2-6-1; first reading and three resolutions carried 8-1 (Bartlett no).
  • Zero Waste plan check fees adopted with a solar permit fee protection; Environmental Health fees adopted; a Fairview Street elevated elements appeal denied 8-0 with the Mayor recused.
  • Mayor-led discussion with the recruiter on the next Director of Police Accountability (no vote).
  • Five-Year Capital Improvement Program hearing continued to June 16, all ayes.
  • Three Council grants from discretionary budgets adopted on consent (Poet Laureate, Chavez/Huerta Tribute Site, Holocaust Remembrance Day).
  • Item 1: second reading of Ordinance No. 8,009-N.S., lease with Patpatia and Associates for second-floor office space at 125-127 University Avenue, Berkeley Waterfront; term July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029 with two one-year extensions.
  • Item 2: second reading of Ordinance No. 8,010-N.S. amending the FY 2026 appropriations by $17,362,804 gross and $16,419,776 net; see Annual Appropriations Ordinance Adoption.
  • Item 3: second reading of Ordinance No. 8,011-N.S. adding pepper spray to the police equipment ordinance; see Pepper Spray Reporting Requirements.
  • Items 4 to 6: Resolutions 72,292 to 72,294 approving annual reports and FY 2027 budgets and declaring intent to levy assessments for the Telegraph and North Shattuck property based business improvement districts, and Resolution 72,293 for the Berkeley Tourism Business Improvement District.
  • Item 7: Resolution 72,295, Visit Berkeley transient occupancy tax contract amendment, up $1,114,351 to a new not-to-exceed of $4,614,351.
  • Item 8: bid solicitations and requests for proposals totaling $2,849,000 approved.
  • Item 9: Resolution 72,296, notice that the FY 2027 appropriations limit will be adopted June 30.
  • Item 10: Resolution 72,297, sole-source contract with Medical Priority Consultants (Priority Dispatch) for dispatch software, up to $942,533 over five years (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031) plus up to $793,765 for four extension years, $1,736,298 total over nine years.
  • Item 11: Resolution 72,298, state Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health grant of $315,267 for FY 2027 to 2029.
  • Items 12 and 13: Resolutions 72,299 and 72,300 accepting $3,400 donations each for memorial benches at the Marina and the Rose Garden.
  • Item 14: Resolution 72,301, swimming pool chemicals contract up to $175,000, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028.
  • Item 15: Resolution 72,302, charter bus contract amendment adding $140,000 for a new total of $539,000.
  • Item 16: Resolution 72,303, permit for a storefront retail cannabis establishment at 2590 Telegraph Avenue, contingent on other permits.
  • Item 17: Resolution 72,304, critical incident stress management contract adding $60,000 for a total of $260,000, through June 30, 2027.
  • Items 18a and 18b: Civic Arts Commission event producers policy and the City Manager's companion referral; see Special Events Policy Review.
  • Items 19 to 21 (Council Consent): see Council Discretionary Fund Grants.

Council Discretionary Fund Grants

  • Item 19, Poet Laureate Program: Resolution 72,305; Mayor Ishii $2,500 with member additions (Taplin $1,000, Blackaby $500).
  • Item 20, Chavez/Huerta Tribute Site via Kala Art Institute: Resolution 72,306; Ishii $2,500 and Kesarwani $500 with additions.
  • Item 21, 24th annual Holocaust Remembrance Day program: Resolution 72,307; Ishii $3,500 and Tregub $500 with additions (Blackaby $1,500).

Hot Tub Zoning Referral

  • Item 22 (Council Consent, by Humbert): refer to the City Manager and Planning Commission an amendment allowing unenclosed outdoor hot tubs ministerially in all zones except ES-R, with an Administrative Use Permit in ES-R. Motion (Lunaparra/Tregub). Ayes: Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Absent: O'Keefe (recused for a recent hot tub purchase). Kesarwani and Bartlett added as co-sponsors.

Environmental Health fees (public hearing item 23)

  • Continued from May 19. 0 speakers. Hearing closed (Tregub/Kesarwani, all ayes); Resolution 72,308 adopted (Humbert/Taplin, all ayes) approving revised Environmental Health Division fees effective July 1, 2026 and rescinding Resolution 71,354.

Parking Meter Program Changes

  • Item 24 (continued from May 19), 5 speakers; hearing closed (Tregub/Taplin, all ayes).
  • Failed amendment (Blackaby/Bartlett) to remove Sunday meters: Ayes Bartlett, Blackaby; Noes Kesarwani, Taplin, O'Keefe, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Abstain Tregub.
  • Carried (Taplin/Humbert) 8-1, Bartlett no: first reading of Ordinance 8,012 (second reading June 30) and Resolutions 72,309 (meter costs), 72,310 (permit fee schedule) and 72,311 (violations and fines).

Zero Waste Plan Check Fees

  • Item 25 (continued from May 19, revised materials), 1 speaker. Resolution 72,312 adopted (Tregub/Humbert, all ayes) with revised materials and added language so solar permit fees stay within Government Code Section 66015 limits.

Exterior Elevated Elements Inspection Appeal

  • Item 26, 0 speakers. Hearing closed (Taplin/Bartlett) and Resolution 72,313 adopted (Bartlett/Kesarwani), both 8-0 with Ishii recused for living near the property: denial of the appeal affirmed and fees upheld.

Police Accountability Director Hiring

  • Item 27 (Mayor Ishii): discussion with recruiter WBCP Inc. on the ideal candidate profile for the next Director of Police Accountability. 0 speakers; Council gave feedback; no vote.

Biennial Budget Adoption

  • Item 28: Five-Year CIP (FY 2027 to FY 2031) Public Hearing No. 1 continued, with supplemental City Manager materials, to June 16 (Tregub/Humbert, all ayes). Budget Manager Maricar Dupaya was the contact.

Communications

  • About 113 communications were filed. Topics included upzoning (including a series from one frequent writer and 8 form letters), e-scooters, Flock cameras, fire department concerns, Hopkins Street, a monument relocation, the ferry project, BMR rent clarifications, repaving requests, and the CIP (from several resident groups). No positions are recorded in the minutes.

Sources