Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council met Feb. 24, 2026; Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani was absent. Mayor Adena Ishii and seven councilmembers (Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, O’Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert) constituted a quorum. The Council issued proclamations (American Heart Month; memorial for Janna Renuzzi) and observed a moment of silence marking the Ukraine invasion anniversary. Public comment included a recall filing against CM Blackaby, multiple habitability/tenant complaints (including long elevator outages), and a UC Berkeley student reporting being struck in a crosswalk at “Zachary’s Corner,” urging interim pedestrian-safety fixes. Staff reports included an Auditor update on restaurant‑inspection follow‑up and a timeline for a new Environmental Health database (target June rollout; online inspection data by summer).

Main Agenda Items

• Performance metrics/auditor report: The City Auditor presented “A Guide to Measuring Performance,” recommending a focused, outcome-oriented approach (one–two high-value measures per department initially), centralized and consistent reporting, use of existing data, and incremental adoption of outcome-based budgeting. The City Manager said departments are preparing up to five proposed measures each; staff will compile and select a core set for regular reporting. No formal adoption of specific measures occurred; follow-up through committee and the budget cycle was requested.

• SB 684 implementation and local parcel-map pathway (Title 21/23 amendments): Planning staff proposed ordinances to create a ministerial SB 684 pathway for small‑lot subdivisions that meet state thresholds, plus a streamlined (but non‑ministerial due to the Subdivision Map Act) local parcel‑map option for small infill projects that fail SB 684’s 66% density threshold. Key points: density and parent‑parcel rules are evaluated pre‑subdivision; projects in “very high” fire severity zones are excluded; unit and ownership limits (up to 10) apply. Council accepted revised materials clarifying “protected units.” After public testimony (support from housing advocates; concerns about conflicts with other laws and recent state changes), the Council adopted the ordinance on first reading as amended to reduce the Hillside Overlay vacant‑lot minimum from 1,200 to 600 sq. ft. and lower usable open space from 200 to 150 sq. ft./unit. Two members abstained on the motion.

• 2026 State & Federal Legislative Platform: Mayor Ishii and the City’s lobbyist briefed the Council; members proposed numerous additions (student homelessness, AV regulation, public bicycle storage, lighting, wildfire/insurance measures, e‑bike regulation monitoring). Staff flagged active state trends (e‑bike bills, fire-safety/insurance, illegal dumping). Because of multiple late edits and inconsistent draft versions, the Council continued the platform item to March 10 for consolidation; by consensus the Council authorized lobbyists to send advocacy letters on approved priorities without returning for each letter.

• Grants and community items: Berkeley’s share of an ABAG/Estuary Partnership grant ($223,000 over 2.5 years) for shoreline adaptation was noted. The Waterside Workshop received Council support and announced community programs.

Decisions Made

• Adopted proclamations (American Heart Month; memorial for Janna Renuzzi).
  
• Consent calendar approved unanimously; multiple council office relinquishments/co‑sponsorships recorded for Items 16 and 17.
  
• Performance‑metrics informational report moved to the front of the action calendar; staff to compile department‑proposed measures for Council/committee review.
  
• Ordinance implementing SB 684 and a complementary local parcel‑map pathway accepted with two numeric amendments (HOZ vacant‑lot minimum = 600 sq. ft.; usable open space = 150 sq. ft./unit); motion carried with two abstentions.
  
• Legislative platform item continued to March 10 for consolidation of edits; Council authorized lobbyists to send advocacy letters on items aligned with eventual priorities.
  
• Follow‑ups requested: Environmental Health database rollout (June); staff response/engineering follow‑up on requested interim safety measures at Zachary’s Corner; Budget Committee review of investment‑policy constraints.