City Council Regular Meeting eAgenda April 21, 2020
REVISED AGENDA
(Added continued items from April 14, 2020)
BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
6:00 PM
Jesse Arreguin, Mayor
Councilmembers:
District 1 – Rashi Kesarwani |
District 5 – Sophie Hahn |
District 2 – Cheryl Davila |
District 6 – Susan Wengraf |
District 3 – Ben Bartlett |
District 7 – Rigel Robinson |
District 4 – Kate Harrison |
District 8 – Lori Droste |
PUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE AND TELECONFERENCE
Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, issued by Governor Newsom on March 17, 2020, this meeting of the City Council will be conducted exclusively through teleconference and Zoom videoconference. Please be advised that pursuant to the Executive Order and the Shelter-in-Place Order, and to ensure the health and safety of the public by limiting human contact that could spread the COVID-19 virus, there will not be a physical meeting location available.
Live audio is available on KPFB Radio 89.3. Live captioned broadcasts of Council Meetings are available on Cable B-TV (Channel 33) and via internet accessible video stream at http://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventWebcastMain.aspx.
To access the meeting remotely: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: Please use this URL https://zoom.us/j/257156624. If you do not wish for your name to appear on the screen, then use the drop down menu and click on "rename" to rename yourself to be anonymous. To request to speak, use the “raise hand” icon by rolling over the bottom of the screen.
To join by phone: Dial 1-669-900-9128 and enter Meeting ID: 257 156 624. If you wish to comment during the public comment portion of the agenda, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair.
To submit an e-mail comment during the meeting to be read aloud during public comment, email clerk@cityofberkeley.info with the Subject Line in this format: “PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM ##.” Please observe a 150 word limit. Time limits on public comments will apply. Written comments will be entered into the public record.
Please be mindful that the teleconference will be recorded as any Council meeting is recorded, and all other rules of procedure and decorum will apply for Council meetings conducted by teleconference or videoconference.
This meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act, Government Code Section 54953. Any member of the public may attend this meeting. Questions regarding this matter may be addressed to Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900. The City Council may take action related to any subject listed on the Agenda. Meetings will adjourn at 11:00 p.m. - any items outstanding at that time will be carried over to a date/time to be specified.
Preliminary Matters
Roll Call:
Ceremonial Matters: In addition to those items listed on the agenda, the Mayor may add additional ceremonial matters.
- Adjourn in memory of Joe Engbeck, Local Activist
- Adjourn in memory of all the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Manager Comments: The City Manager may make announcements or provide information to the City Council in the form of an oral report. The Council will not take action on such items but may request the City Manager place a report on a future agenda for discussion.
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters: Persons will be selected to address matters not on the Council agenda. If five or fewer persons wish to speak, each person selected will be allotted two minutes each. If more than five persons wish to speak, up to ten persons will be selected to address matters not on the Council agenda and each person selected will be allotted one minute each. The remainder of the speakers wishing to address the Council on non-agenda items will be heard at the end of the agenda.
Consent Calendar
The Council will first determine whether to move items on the agenda for “Action” or “Information” to the “Consent Calendar”, or move “Consent Calendar” items to “Action.” Items that remain on the “Consent Calendar” are voted on in one motion as a group. “Information” items are not discussed or acted upon at the Council meeting unless they are moved to “Action” or “Consent”.
No additional items can be moved onto the Consent Calendar once public comment has commenced. At any time during, or immediately after, public comment on Information and Consent items, any Councilmember may move any Information or Consent item to “Action.” Following this, the Council will vote on the items remaining on the Consent Calendar in one motion.
For items moved to the Action Calendar from the Consent Calendar or Information Calendar, persons who spoke on the item during the Consent Calendar public comment period may speak again at the time the matter is taken up during the Action Calendar.
Public Comment on Consent Calendar and Information Items Only: The Council will take public comment on any items that are either on the amended Consent Calendar or the Information Calendar. Speakers will be entitled to two minutes each to speak in opposition to or support of Consent Calendar and Information Items. A speaker may only speak once during the period for public comment on Consent Calendar and Information items.
Additional information regarding public comment by City of Berkeley employees and interns: Employees and interns of the City of Berkeley, although not required, are encouraged to identify themselves as such, the department in which they work and state whether they are speaking as an individual or in their official capacity when addressing the Council in open session or workshops.
1.-Resolution Reviewing and Ratifying the Proclamation of Local Emergency Due to the Spread of a Severe Acute Respiratory Illness Caused by a Novel (New) Coronavirus (COVID-19)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution reviewing the need for continuing the local emergency due to the spread of a severe acute respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) and ratifying the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the Director of Emergency Services on March 3, 2020 and initially ratified by the City Council on March 10, 2020.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Farimah Brown, City Attorney, (510) 981-6950
2.-Formal Bid Solicitations and Request for Proposals Scheduled for Possible Issuance After Council Approval on April 21, 2020
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the request for proposals or invitation for bids (attached to staff report) 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: Mental Health Services Fund - $192,276
Contact: Henry Oyekanmi, Finance, (510) 981-7300
3.-Contracts: On-Call Landscape Architectural Services for Capital Improvement Projects
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt three Resolutions authorizing the City Manager to execute contracts and any amendments with the following firms for on-call landscape architectural services for capital improvement projects, for contract periods of May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2023:
1. BASE Landscape Architecture, for an amount not to exceed $300,000.
2. PGA Design, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $300,000.
3. RRM Design Group, for an amount not to exceed $300,000.
Financial Implications: See report.
Contact: Scott Ferris, Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, (510) 981-6700
4.-Fiscal Year 2021 Street Lighting Assessments – Initiating Proceedings
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt two Resolutions describing proposed improvements to be used to in determine the annual assessments levied for Berkeley Street Lighting Assessment District No. 1982-1 and Street Lighting Assessment District No. 2018, and ordering the preparation of Engineer’s Reports.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Phillip Harrington, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
5.-Send a letter to CA Assemblymember Buffy Wicks in support of AB 1851 “Faith-based organization affiliated housing development projects: parking requirements”
From: Councilmember Bartlett (Author), Mayor Arreguin (Author), Councilmember Davila (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Send a letter to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks expressing the City of Berkeley’s support for AB 1851, which would allow for the elimination of residential parking requirements on faith-based properties for density bonus qualifying housing development projects.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Ben Bartlett, Councilmember, District 3, (510) 981-7130
The public may comment on each item listed on the agenda for action as the item is taken up. For items moved to the Action Calendar from the Consent Calendar or Information Calendar, persons who spoke on the item during the Consent Calendar public comment period may speak again at the time the matter is taken up during the Action Calendar.
The Presiding Officer will request that persons wishing to speak line use the “raise hand” function to determine the number of persons interested in speaking at that time. Up to ten (10) speakers may speak for two minutes. If there are more than ten persons interested in speaking, the Presiding Officer may limit the public comment for all speakers to one minute per speaker. Speakers are permitted to yield their time to one other speaker, however no one speaker shall have more than four minutes. The Presiding Officer may, with the consent of persons representing both sides of an issue, allocate a block of time to each side to present their issue.
Action items may be reordered at the discretion of the Chair with the consent of Council.
Action Calendar – Public Hearings
Staff shall introduce the public hearing item and present their comments. This is followed by five-minute presentations each by the appellant and applicant. The Presiding Officer will request that persons wishing to speak, use the “raise hand” function to be recognized and to determine the number of persons interested in speaking at that time.
Up to ten (10) speakers may speak for two minutes. If there are more than ten persons interested in speaking, the Presiding Officer may limit the public comment for all speakers to one minute per speaker. Speakers are permitted to yield their time to one other speaker, however no one speaker shall have more than four minutes. The Presiding Officer may with the consent of persons representing both sides of an issue allocate a block of time to each side to present their issue.
Each member of the City Council shall verbally disclose all ex parte contacts concerning the subject of the hearing. Councilmembers shall also submit a report of such contacts in writing prior to the commencement of the hearing. Written reports shall be available for public review in the office of the City Clerk.
6.-Electric Bike Share Program Franchise Amendment (Continued from March 10, 2020)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Pursuant to Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 9.60, conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt the first reading of an Ordinance granting a Franchise Agreement Amendment to Bay Area Motivate, LLC, a subsidiary of Lyft Incorporated, to provide shared electric bicycles to the Berkeley public.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Phillip Harrington, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Acton Calendar – Continued Business
A.-Oppose The Alameda County Sheriff's Proposal to Receive An Additional $85 Million Annually to Dramatically Increase the Sheriff's Office Budgets Especially for Santa Rita Jail During a Pandemic Crisis (Continued from April 14, 2020)
From: Councilmember Davila (Author), Councilmember Harrison (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Bartlett (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a resolution opposing the Alameda County Sheriff’s proposal to receive an additional $85 million annually to dramatically increase the Sheriff's Office budgets, especially for Santa Rita Jail; and
2. Send copies of this resolution to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors prior to their next Board meeting where the proposal will be voted on April 21, 2020.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Cheryl Davila, Councilmember, District 2, (510) 981-7120
B.-Establish a Moratorium on Enforcements of the BMC Chapter 14.48 Sidewalk Ordinance, 3x3 regulation, Encampment Evictions, Sweeps, RV Parking and the towing/ticketing/impounding of vehicles used for shelter during the COVID 19 Pandemic (Continued from April 14, 2020)
From: Councilmember Davila (Author)
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a resolution establishing a moratorium on enforcements of the BMC Chapter 14.48 Sidewalk Ordinance, 3x3 regulation, Encampment Evictions, Sweeps, RV Parking and the towing/ticketing/impounding of vehicles used for shelter during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
2. Direct the City Manager and/or designee to implement the moratorium.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Contact: Cheryl Davila, Councilmember, District 2, (510) 981-7120
7.-Adopt a Resolution to Upgrade Residential and Commercial Customers to 100% Greenhouse Gas Emissions-Free Electricity Plan and Municipal Accounts to 100% Renewable Plan (Reviewed by the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment & Sustainability Committee)
From: Councilmember Harrison (Author), Mayor Arreguin (Author), Councilmember Robinson (Co-Sponsor), Councilmember Hahn (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution to: a. Opt up Berkeley’s municipal accounts to Renewable 100 (100% renewable and 100% greenhouse gas-free) electricity service, and refer the estimated increased cost of $100,040 to the June 2020 budget process. b. Upgrade current and new Berkeley residential and commercial customer accounts from Bright Choice (>85% GHG-free) to Brilliant 100 (100% GHG-free), except for residential customers in low income assistance programs. The transition would be effective October 1, 2020 for residential customers and January 1, 2021 for commercial customers. c. Provide for yearly Council review of the City’s default municipal, residential, and commercial plans.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Kate Harrison, Councilmember, District 4, (510) 981-7140
8.-Urgency Ordinance: Commercial Rent Increase Restrictions During the COVID-19 Emergency
Revised material (Supp 1)
Revised material (Supp 2)
Revised material (Supp 3)
From: Councilmember Harrison (Author), Councilmember Davila (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation:
1. Adopt an urgency ordinance amending Berkeley Municipal Code 13.110, Title 13, The COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance, limiting commercial rent increases to 10% through and including six months after the local state of emergency has been declared over.
2. Send correspondence to the following:
i. The District Attorney of Alameda County Nancy O’Malley asking that the District Attorney 1) investigate and take action pursuant to Business and Professions Code 17200, et seq. against any commercial real property owner or agent of such who seeks a rent increase of more than that permitted by this ordinance, or seeks a rent increase that has the effect of constructively evicting any commercial tenant; and 2) authorize the Berkeley City Attorney to use Business and Professions Code 17200, et seq. to take actions against any violator of this ordinance or who seeks a rent increase that has the effect of constructively evicting any commercial tenant.
ii. Governor Gavin Newsom, asking for the Governor to take appropriate action against commercial landlords who seek rent increases that have the effect of constructively evicting commercial tenants during the course of this emergency and for a reasonable time after the end of the emergency.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Kate Harrison, Councilmember, District 4, (510) 981-7140
Public Comment – Items Not Listed on the Agenda
Adjournment
NOTICE CONCERNING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS: If you object to a decision by the City Council to approve or deny a use permit or variance for a project the following requirements and restrictions apply: 1) No lawsuit challenging a City decision to deny (Code Civ. Proc. §1094.6(b)) or approve (Gov. Code 65009(c)(5)) a use permit or variance may be filed more than 90 days after the date the Notice of Decision of the action of the City Council is mailed. Any lawsuit not filed within that 90-day period will be barred. 2) In any lawsuit that may be filed against a City Council decision to approve or deny a use permit or variance, the issues and evidence will be limited to those raised by you or someone else, orally or in writing, at a public hearing or prior to the close of the last public hearing on the project.
Live captioned broadcasts of Council Meetings are available on Cable B-TV (Channel 33),
via internet accessible video stream at http://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventWebcastMain.aspx and KPFB Radio 89.3.
Archived indexed video streams are available at http://www.cityofberkeley.info/citycouncil.
Channel 33 rebroadcasts the following Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
Communications to the City Council 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 the City Council, 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 to the City Clerk Department at 2180 Milvia Street. 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 City Clerk Department for further information.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be posted on the City's website at http://www.cityofberkeley.info.
Agendas and agenda reports may be accessed via the Internet at http://www.cityofberkeley.info/citycouncil
COMMUNICATION ACCESS INFORMATION:
To request a disability-related accommodation(s) to participate in the meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Disability Services specialist at (510) 981-6418 (V) or (510) 981-6347 (TDD) at least three business days before the meeting date.
Captioning services are provided at the meeting, on B-TV, and on the Internet.
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I hereby certify that the agenda for this meeting of the Berkeley City Council was posted at the display case located near the walkway in front of the Maudelle Shirek Building, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, as well as on the City’s website, on April 16, 2020.
Mark Numainville, City Clerk
Communications
Council rules limit action on Communications to referral to the City Manager and/or Boards and Commissions for investigation and/or recommendations. All communications submitted to Council are public record. Copies of individual communications are available for viewing through Records Online.
Evictions & Rent Payments During the COVID-19 Pandemic & Shelter in Place
- Bill Bogert
- Ian Winters, on behalf of the Northern California Land Trust
- Linda Blair
Construction During the Pandemic
- Tina Hand, on behalf of the Bay East Association of Realtors
- Rachel Rosekind
- Gene Turitz
FEMA Trailers
- Thomas Lord
- Margy Wilkinson
COVID-19 General Communications
- Janice Murota
- Beth Gerstein, on behalf of Councilmember Kesarwani
- Jason Meggs (3)
- Russbumper
- David Lerman
- William Rosen
- Cynthia Larson
- Victoria Gu, on behalf of Compassionate Bay
- Walter Wood
- Kirsten MacDonald, John Caner and Barbara Hillman, on behalf of the Berkeley Chamber, the Downtown Berkeley Association and Visit Berkeley
- Regina DiMaggio
- Jacob Steinhardt
- Bryce Nesbitt
Encampments
- Sally Sommer
- Liz Wiener
- Margy Wilkinson
- Marcia Poole
- Diana Bohn
- Councilmember Harrison
- Tajmal Payne
- Thomas Lord
Street Cleaning
- James D’Albora
Cannabis Dispensaries
- James Wood
People’s Park Bathroom
- Sheila Mitra Sarkar (5)
- Councilmember Davila
- Andrea Prichett
- Christopher Kohler
- Arthur Fonseca
Supplemental Communications and Reports
Items received by the deadlines for submission will be compiled and distributed as follows. If no items are received by the deadline, no supplemental packet will be compiled for said deadline.
- Supplemental Communications and Reports 1
Available by 5:00 p.m. five days prior to the meeting.
- Supplemental Communications and Reports 2
Available by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting.
- Supplemental Communications and Reports 3
Available by 5:00 p.m. two days following the meeting.