Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council met on September 15, 2026. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgment, the Pledge of Allegiance, and two proclamations: one celebrating Berkeley’s entrepreneurs and one recognizing September as Hunger Action Month.

The City Manager gave brief remarks about the closure of the Harrison Street encampment, saying the city was acting under court orders and continuing to work with certain individuals who had disability-related accommodation issues. Public comment on non-agenda items focused heavily on that encampment closure, with several speakers criticizing the city’s actions and calling for a sanctioned encampment or more services instead of enforcement.

During council comment on the consent calendar, several members highlighted items related to downtown business vacancies, fire prevention tracking software, support for the Gilman District Merchants Association, a study of housing-related fees, and a resolution opposing coal transport in the East Bay.

The meeting’s major debate was over whether to lift Berkeley’s ban or moratorium on certain police chemical agents, including tear gas, pepper spray (OC), and smoke, in limited situations. That discussion drew extensive public comment both in person and online. Because of technical/audio problems and the late hour, the council did not finish the matter and continued it to a later meeting.

Main Agenda Items

• Ceremonial proclamations

  • A proclamation recognized “America the Entrepreneurial” and highlighted Berkeley’s startup and small business community.
  • A proclamation recognized September 2026 as Hunger Action Month and acknowledged local food aid organizations.

• City Manager comments on Harrison Street encampment

  • Staff said the city had begun closing the encampment that morning, subject to court orders requiring packing help, storage of belongings, replacement survival gear, and ongoing work with seven people covered by disability accommodation rulings.
  • Many public speakers strongly objected, describing the closure as traumatic and calling for a sanctioned encampment and more humane support.

• Consent calendar highlights

  • Councilmembers spoke in support of:
  • a contract for fire-prevention tracking software,
  • support for the Gilman District Merchants Association,
  • a requested report on construction and housing-related city fees,
  • a downtown/commercial vacancy “Renaissance” effort,
  • and a resolution opposing coal handling and transport in the East Bay.

• Police chemical agents item

  • A council item proposed allowing limited use of tear gas by the Special Response Team in narrow cases such as hostage situations, armed barricaded suspects, and certain high-risk warrant situations.
  • A supplemental amendment further narrowed and clarified those conditions.
  • The Police Accountability Board representative urged the council to keep the current ban and moratorium and instead request an outside study on health impacts and alternatives.
  • Police staff argued the tools could reduce the need for lethal force in rare, high-risk situations.
  • Public commenters overwhelmingly opposed lifting the ban, citing health risks, potential misuse, protest policing history, and lack of trust in police oversight.

Decisions Made

• Approved unanimously: Motion to adjourn/close non-agenda public comment, 9–0.
• Continued: The council continued the police chemical agents items (including the proposal to allow limited use of tear gas and the alternative recommendation to retain the ban and seek further study) to September 29, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
• No other final actions are shown in the meeting record provided.