City Council Regular Meeting eAgenda November 29, 2022
AGENDA
BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
6:00 PM
Jesse Arreguin, Mayor
Councilmembers:
District 1 – Rashi Kesarwani |
District 5 – Sophie Hahn |
District 2 – Terry Taplin |
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 Government Code Section 54953(e) and the state declared emergency, this meeting of the City Council will be conducted exclusively through teleconference and Zoom videoconference. The COVID-19 state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person and presents imminent risks to the health of attendees. Therefore, no physical meeting location will be available.
Live captioned broadcasts of Council Meetings are available on Cable B-TV (Channel 33) and via internet accessible video stream at http://berkeley.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=1244.
To access the meeting remotely: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: Please use this URL https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82196348694. 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 or 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 821 9634 8694. If you wish to comment during the public comment portion of the agenda, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair.
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.
To submit a written communication for the City Council’s consideration and inclusion in the public record, email council@cityofberkeley.info.
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:
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: In addition to those items listed on the agenda, the Mayor may add additional ceremonial matters.
- Adjournment in memory of Al Wasserman, Berkeley resident
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.” Three members of the City Council must agree to pull an item from the Consent Calendar or Information Calendar for it to move 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.
Urgent Item
Resolution in Support and Reaffirm Support for Net Energy Metering
From: Councilmember Ben Bartlett (Author), Councilmember Susan Wengraf (Co-Sponsor), and Councilmember Kate Harrison (Co-Sponsor)
Recommendation: Send the enclosed Resolution in support of Net Energy Metering and transmit copies to Governor Gavin Newsom, State Senator Nancy Skinner, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, and members of the California Public Utilities Commission Board (CPUC). The Proposed Decision (PD) issued by the CPUC on November 10, 2022, continues to threaten access to net energy metering and rooftop-scale solar and storage by homeowners and tenants alike, thus interfering with Berkeley’s and California’s climate action and equity goals.
Financial Implications: Limited staff time associated with sending a letter to designated recipients.
Contact: Ben Bartlett, Councilmember, District 3 (510) 981-7130
1.-Sewer and Access Road Easement and Installation Agreement with Paulonia Investment, LLC and Little Tree Investment, Inc.
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,841-N.S. authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement and installation agreement and any amendments for sewer pipe facilities with Paulonia Investment, LLC and Little Tree Investment, Inc. for extending, operating, maintaining, and accessing sewer pipe facilities on parcel with APN 063-2969-034-23.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Liam Garland, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
2.-Sewer and Access Road Easement and Installation Agreement with James Robert Higgins
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,842-N.S. authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement and installation agreement and any amendments for sewer pipe facilities with James Robert Higgins for extending, operating, maintaining and accessing sewer pipe facilities on 1033 Miller Avenue (APN 063-2969-034-25).
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Liam Garland, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
3.-Sewer and Access Road Easement and Installation Agreement with Paulonia Investment, LLC and Little Tree Investment, Inc.
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,843-N.S. authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement and installation agreement and any amendments for sewer pipe facilities with Paulonia Investment, LLC and Little Tree Investment, Inc. on parcel with APN: 063-2969-034-44 for accessing sewer pipe facilities.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Liam Garland, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
4.-Adopt an Ordinance Adding a Chapter 11.62 to the Berkeley Municipal Code to Regulate the Use of Carryout and Produce Bags and Promote the Use of Reusable Bags
From: Councilmember Harrison (Author), Councilmember Hahn (Author)
Recommendation: Adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 7,844-N.S. adding a Chapter 11.62 to the Berkeley Municipal Code to regulate the use of carryout and produce bags and promote the use of reusable bags with a phased enforcement and implementation approach, effective with respect to new charges for bags pursuant to Sections 11.63.040 and 11.63.050 and provisions applicable to the City of Berkeley and City-sponsored events pursuant to Section 11.63.090 on January 1, 2023, and administrative regulations for and all provisions in this ordinance effective June 30, 2023.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: Staff Time - $350,000 per year
Contact: Kate Harrison, Councilmember, District 4, (510) 981-7140
5.-Resolution Making Required Findings Pursuant to the Government Code and Directing City Legislative Bodies to Continue to Meet Via Videoconference and Teleconference
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution making the required findings pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3) and determining that as a result of the continued threat to public health and safety posed by the spread of COVID-19, City legislative bodies shall continue to meet via videoconference and teleconference, initially ratified by the City Council on September 28, 2021, and subsequently reviewed and ratified on October 26, 2021, November 16, 2021, December 14, 2021, January 10, 2022, February 8, 2022, March 8, 2022, March 22, 2022, April 12, 2022, May 10, 2022, May 31, 2022, June 28, 2022, July 26, 2022, August 23, 2022, September 20, 2022, October 11, 2022, and November 3, 2022.
Financial Implications: To be determined
Contact: Farimah Brown, City Attorney, (510) 981-6950
6.-Amend I-80 Gilman Interchange Improvement project funding agreement, Contract No. 42200065 (Agreement A22-0056) with Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC)
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing Contract No. 42200065 (Agreement A22-0056) with Alameda CTC and any other amendments to fix drainage and grading issues for the future fire lane on 3rd Street between Gilman and Camelia Streets as part of the I-80 Gilman Interchange Improvement Project, increasing the amount of the agreement by $750,000, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,250,000.
Financial Implications: See report.
Contact: Liam Garland, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
7.-Budget Referral: Strawberry Creek Lodge Food Program
From: Mayor Arreguin (Author), Councilmember Taplin (Author)
Recommendation: Refer to the December 2022 Annual Appropriations Ordinance (AAO) budget process $50,000 for the Strawberry Creek Lodge Food Program.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jesse Arreguin, Mayor, (510) 981-7100
8.-Grant Approval: San Francisco Foundation to support the Equitable Black Berkeley Initiative
From: Mayor Arreguin (Author)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to accept a $75,000 grant award from the San Francisco Foundation to renew the existing ideation facilitator contract supporting the Equitable Black Berkeley Initiative, a community-led process to develop a reparative approach to new development at the Ashby BART Station and Adeline Corridor, with the goal of maximizing affordability of new housing.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jesse Arreguin, Mayor, (510) 981-7100
9.-Excused Absence for Councilmember Ben Bartlett
From: Mayor Arreguin (Author)
Recommendation: Excuse Councilmember Ben Bartlett from the September 29, 2022 Council meeting as a result of illness.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Jesse Arreguin, Mayor, (510) 981-7100
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 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. 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.
10.-Renewal of the Solano Avenue BID for Calendar Year 2023
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and, upon conclusion, adopt a Resolution confirming the Annual Report and Budget for the Solano Avenue Business Improvement District for 2022-2023 and, if no majority protest exists, levy annual assessments in the District for calendar year 2023 to finance services and improvements and authorize a fiscal agency contract for receipt and expenditure of District funds.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Eleanor Hollander, Economic Development, (510) 981-7530
11.-Referral Response: Amendments to the Sign Ordinance to Clarify Procedures and to Establish a Coordinated Sign Design Program, and Establish a New Fee for Coordinated Sign Design Programs
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and, upon conclusion:
1. Adopt the first reading of an Ordinance amending the Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Title 20 [Signs] to clarify design review procedures for signs, establish an optional Coordinated Sign Design program, and amend Section 20.12.070 [Issuance authorized when] and Section 23.204.070B [Design Review – When required] to provide internal consistency; and
2. Adopt a Resolution amending Resolution No. 67,985-N.S., the Land Use Planning Fee schedule, to add a new Coordinated Sign Design Program Fee.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
12.-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. 7,839-N.S. repealing and reenacting the Berkeley Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, and Green Building Standards Codes in Berkeley Municipal Code Chapters 19.28, 19.29, 19.30, 19.32, 19.34, 19.36 and 19.37, and adopting related procedural and stricter provisions.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
13.-Re-enactment of the Berkeley Housing Code; Repealing Chapter 12.48 and Repealing and Re-enacting Chapter 19.40
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 7,840-N.S. repealing Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 12.48 (Residential Rental Housing Safety Program), and repealing and re-enacting BMC 19.40 (Berkeley Housing Code), incorporating BMC Chapter 12.48 into BMC Chapter 19.40.
First Reading Vote: All Ayes.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
Action Calendar – New Business
14.-Return to In-Person City Council Meetings and Status of Meetings of City Legislative Bodies
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Review the public health meeting protocols and advise on any revisions to be implemented for the return to in-person regular meetings at the December 6, 2022 regular meeting.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Mark Numainville, City Clerk, (510) 981-6900
15.-Adeline Street at Ashby BART Conceptual Design
Presentation
From: City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the Plaza with Two-Lane Adeline option as the conceptual design for a street reconfiguration and new plaza along Adeline Street between Ashby Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and authorizing the City Manager to direct staff to proceed with the detailed engineering design of the project.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Liam Garland, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
Information Reports
16.-Climate Action Plan and Resilience Update
From: City Manager
Contact: Jordan Klein, Planning and Development, (510) 981-7400
17.-City Policies for Managing Parking Around BART Stations
From: City Manager
Contact: Liam Garland, Public Works, (510) 981-6300
18.-Fair Campaign Practices Commission FY2022-2023 Work Plan
From: Fair Campaign Practices Commission
Contact: Sam Harvey, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-6950
19.-Open Government Commission FY2022-2023 Work Plan
From: Open Government Commission
Contact: Sam Harvey, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-6950
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.
Archived indexed video streams are available at:
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas.
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 made available for public inspection at the public counter at the City Clerk Department located on the first floor of City Hall located at 2180 Milvia Street as well as posted on the City's website at https://berkeleyca.gov/.
Agendas and agenda reports may be accessed via the Internet at:
https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
and may be read at reference desks at the following locations:
City Clerk Department - 2180 Milvia Street, First Floor
Tel: 510-981-6900, TDD: 510-981-6903, Fax: 510-981-6901
Email: clerk@cityofberkeley.info
Libraries: Main – 2090 Kittredge Street,
Claremont Branch – 2940 Benvenue, West Branch – 1125 University,
North Branch – 1170 The Alameda, South Branch – 1901 Russell
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 November 17, 2022.
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 at the City Clerk Department and through Records Online.
No Right Turn on Red
- Riti Dhesi
- Ned Himmel
- Laralynn and Joe Rapoza
Harriet Tubman Terrace Apartments
- Darinxoso Oyamasela
Homelessness and Encampments
- Friends of Five Creeks (3)
- Craig Nagasaw
- John Caner, Downtown Berkeley Associations
- Susana Garcia
PCI Street Conditions
- David Lerman (2)
- Marna Braunstein Clark
Hopkins Street Corridor
- Nancy Lewis
26-Story Building in Central Berkeley
- Dorothea Dorenz
EV Micro-Mobility Vehicles
- Bernard Marszalek
Traffic Safety at Cedar and California
- David Lerman
Bring Back Transit Bus 80
- Jovanka Beckles
Berkeley Waterfront and Marina Area
- Camille Antinori, David Fielder and Gordon Stout
Recruitment of Commissioners for the Commission on Aging
- George Porter, Chair, Commission on Aging
Support for Repairs to La Pena Cultural Center
- Natalia Neira and Tara Dalbo, Executive & Deputy Executive Director
Illegal Dumping
- Alice Rosenthal
Implement Ceasefire in Berkeley
- Diana Bohn
People’s Park
- Susana Lamaina
- Joshua Hart
- Susan Stevens
- Sandra Morey
- Norma Harrison
Cannabis Policy
- Getting It Right From The Start
North Berkeley BART Developer Selection
- John Parman
- Peggy Radel
Berkeley Half Marathon Impacts
- Alexander Merenkow
Climate Change
- Vivian Warkentin
Proposed Proclamation, in Honor of Barbara Ann White
- Moni Law (2)
End the Eviction Moratorium
- Jeannie Llewellyn
- May Fong
- Daniel Gonzalez
PRA Request
- Nathan Mizell
- Dee Williams-Ridley
Berkeley City Council Meeting Comment
- Peter Goldman
Berkeley Police Department Superior Customer Service
- Pauline Russo Cutter, Mayor of San Leandro
Golden Gate Fields Stable Code Violations
- T. Conrad
Measure L
- Jeffrey Heller
Housing Element
- 9 similarly-worded from letters
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.