Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council meeting on November 10, 2025, chaired by Mayor Adena Ishii, involved all council members, including Ben Bartlett, who participated remotely. The session commenced with a land acknowledgment honoring the Ohlone people. Key discussions focused on legal settlements, climate initiatives, fire safety regulations, surveillance technology, and landmark designation processes.

Main Agenda Items

• Settlement and Legal Matters: The council approved a $700,000 settlement with Sierra Campagna, with the city contributing $350,000, and authorized an appeal against a court order involving the Homeless Union.

• City Manager's Update: An item regarding flock fixed cameras was removed for further vendor research.

• Public Comments:

  • Concerns about public restroom access in Civic Park.
  • Calls for equitable participation in the San Pablo Avenue specific plan.
  • Climate activists urged immediate action on CO2 levels.

• Climate Initiatives:

  • A resolution supporting zero-emission building appliance rules was introduced to promote climate leadership and equity.
  • Public comments supported the resolution but raised concerns about financial burdens on low-income residents.

• Fire Safety Regulations:

  • Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code with local amendments, enhancing fire safety and ADA compliance.
  • Introduction of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Code focusing on home hardening and vegetation management.

• Surveillance Technology:

  • The Annual Surveillance Technology Report was reviewed, highlighting privacy concerns and the use of ALPRs.
  • Measures were implemented to prevent unauthorized data sharing with immigration agencies.

• Landmark Designation Process:

  • Proposed changes to the landmark designation process to prevent misuse in blocking housing developments.
  • Discussions on increasing the signature threshold for landmark petitions and balancing preservation with housing needs.

Decisions Made

• Fire Code and WUI Code Adoption:

  • The council unanimously approved the adoption of the fire code and WUI code, with local amendments. A public hearing was scheduled for December 2nd.

• Surveillance Technology:

  • The council adopted the recommendations of the Surveillance Advisory Committee, emphasizing transparency and data protection measures.

• Landmark Designation Process:

  • The council referred proposals regarding landmark designation reforms to the city manager and city attorney for further review.

• Public Engagement:

  • Strategies for educating residents on new fire safety codes and surveillance technology were discussed, with plans for public outreach.

Overall, the meeting underscored Berkeley's commitment to enhancing public safety, addressing climate change, and balancing historical preservation with urban development. The council demonstrated a proactive approach to managing legal, environmental, and technological challenges, with an emphasis on transparency and community engagement.