Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 5:02 PM to consider adoption of the 2026 prioritized list of City Council referrals (Part 2 of a two‑part process). A quorum was present: Mayor Adena Ishii and Councilmembers Terry Taplin (D2), Igor Tregub (D4), Shoshana O’Keefe (D5), Cecilia Lunaparra (D7, Vice Mayor), and Mark Humbert (D8). Councilmembers Rashi Kesarwani (D1), Ben Bartlett (D3), and Brent Blackaby (D6) were absent. The staff report and Attachment 1, Exhibit A (final RRV rankings) were referenced.

Main Agenda Items

• Process and outcome: City Clerk Mark Newmanville summarized the reweighted range voting (RRV) process used to rank 39 referrals (councilmembers scored each referral 0–5; scores were processed algorithmically). Part 1 (Jan 27) had previously removed 14 referrals.
• Top results and workload concerns: Three Public Works referrals tied for the #1 position; the tie was preserved to reflect RRV operation. Public Works items comprised 19 of 39 referrals and half of the top 20, prompting discussion about departmental capacity and workload.
• Implementation guidance: Department heads and the City Manager were advised to exercise discretion in sequencing work; at minimum departments should assess resources needed to begin their top‑ranked referral(s).
• Public comment:
  • Jeff Lomax (Within Our Means, Berkeley) criticized recent tax increases, parcel tax adjustments, and increased borrowing authority, opposing reliance on more taxes and permanent borrowing.
  • An unnamed speaker raised concerns about a proposed Gilman Street rezoning (San Pablo to I‑80) for manufacturing/R&D, citing potential impacts on local culture and character (rezoning appears as priority #4).
  • Paul Matthew (online) supported the structured prioritization and recommended that any bond issuance or fiscal policy review explicitly analyze property tax impacts on homeowners (especially fixed‑income residents) and lifecycle operating/maintenance costs for new capital projects.
• Council remarks: Councilmember Humbert noted broad consensus around infrastructure and public‑realm priorities (including shared streets and pedestrian/bike safety) and acknowledged fiscal limits.

Decisions Made

• Councilmember Lunaparra moved to adopt the RRV‑ranked list of 39 referrals; the motion was seconded and adopted by roll call vote of members present: Taplin — Yes; Tregub — Aye; O’Keefe — Yes; Lunaparra — Yes; Humbert — Yes; Mayor Ishii — Yes. No additional referrals were removed.
• Next steps: The adopted prioritized list will be provided to the City Manager, City Attorney, Charter offices, and the Budget & Finance Committee to inform 2026 planning. Departments will determine resource needs for their top referral(s) and the City Manager will exercise discretion on workload distribution.
• The special meeting was adjourned; the regular Council meeting convened at 6:00 PM.