Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council met on June 9, 2026. At roll call, Councilmembers Bartlett and Tregub were initially absent, but a quorum was present. The council reported that in closed session it approved a workers’ compensation settlement.

The meeting included ceremonial items: a presentation honoring City Manager Paul Buddenhagen for helping the school district’s “Cans to Carrots” gardening fundraiser, and an adjournment in memory of longtime Berkeley civic activist Alan Tobey.

During public comment, several speakers urged the city to maintain funding for the Live Free violence prevention program. Other speakers raised issues including Gaza, small business conditions, and civic events.

Main Agenda Items

• Consent calendar: Most routine items were approved together. Councilmembers added discretionary funds to the Poet Laureate Program, the Chavez-Huerta tribute site, and the 2027 Holocaust Remembrance Day Program. The council also approved policy recommendations related to event producers and civic events.

• Food facility inspection fee increase: Staff proposed raising restaurant and grocery inspection fees, saying the fees had not kept pace with costs or with other cities. Staff said the increase would help pay for more inspectors, a new software system, and a public-facing placard and inspection reporting program. Councilmembers asked about impacts on small businesses, outreach, and whether the program should eventually be fully fee-supported.

• Parking program changes: Staff proposed a broad package to address a projected parking fund deficit. The plan included extending meter hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., adding Sunday meter operations, installing meters in new commercial areas, moving toward cashless meter hardware, passing credit card processing costs to users, increasing residential parking permit fees, and raising parking fines. Council discussion focused heavily on Sunday parking, business impacts, and the idea that curb space is a limited public resource.

• Zero waste plan check and inspection fees: Staff proposed a new flat $250 fee for certain zero waste reviews and inspections connected to construction, special events, foodware rules, and food recovery requirements. Staff said these services are already being performed but currently lack a cost-recovery mechanism.

• Appeal of exterior elevated element inspection requirement: The council heard an appeal regarding a Fairview Street property subject to the city’s balcony/deck safety inspection program. Staff said the property was not exempt because it has exterior elevated elements and enough dwelling units to qualify under state and local law. The appellant argued the requirement was unconstitutional and unfair.

• Director of Police Accountability recruitment: The council discussed desired qualifications for the next director with the city’s recruiter. Councilmembers emphasized independence, strong management, knowledge of police oversight and relevant law, public communication skills, collaboration, and rebuilding trust in the office.

Decisions Made

• Approved: Consent calendar items 1–21. Item 22 was approved separately because Councilmember O’Keefe recused herself. The transcript does not state the final vote counts.

• Approved: Parking program changes, including extended meter hours, Sunday meter operations, new meter zones, cashless meter authority, pass-through transaction fees, residential permit fee increases, and fine increases. An amendment to remove Sunday parking failed, 2–6, with 1 abstention.

  • Yes on amendment: Bartlett, Blackaby
    
  • No on amendment: Kesarwani, Taplin, O’Keefe, Lunaparra, Humbert, Mayor Ishii
    
  • Abstain: Tregub

• Approved: Zero waste plan check and compliance inspection fees, with staff’s amendment clarifying compliance with state solar permit fee limits.

• Denied appeal / upheld staff determination: The council denied the appeal regarding 1615 Fairview Street and upheld the requirement to comply with the exterior elevated elements inspection program. Mayor Ishii recused herself.

• Continued: Item 28, the Capital Improvement Program public hearing, was moved to the June 16 meeting.