June 4, 2024, 7:00 PM Regular

Participants: - Councilmembers: Rashi Kesarwani (District 1), Terry Taplin (District 2), Ben Bartlett (District 3), Igor Tregub (District 4), Sophie Hahn (District 5), Susan Wengraf (District 6), Cecilia Lunaparra (District 7), Mark Humbert (District 8) - Mayor: Jesse Arreguin - City Staff and Public Commenters

Key Points of Discussion and Decisions:

• Labor and Apprenticeship Concerns:

  • A significant portion of the meeting focused on labor issues related to a new development project in Berkeley. Concerns were raised about the lack of apprenticeship opportunities, substandard healthcare for workers, and the potential employment of non-local, unskilled labor.
  • Union representatives emphasized the importance of fair wages, healthcare, and apprenticeship programs, highlighting that without proper dialogue, workers might lose out on essential benefits.

• Project Approval and Public Hearing:

  • The council discussed the appeal against the Zoning Adjustments Board's decision to approve a new development project. The project includes 211 units with a mix of studios, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom apartments.
  • Councilmember Humbert moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilmember Taplin. The council unanimously approved the project with amendments to conditions 41 and 42, emphasizing the importance of fair labor practices and community benefits like healthcare.

• Public Works and Infrastructure:

  • Ohlone Park and Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex Improvements: New lighting at Ohlone Park and conceptual designs for Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex, including new community space, restrooms, pickleball courts, soccer fields, and parking lot improvements.
  • Sidewalks and Pathways: Berkeley has 375 miles of concrete sidewalks with 28,000 sidewalk shaves completed from July 2022 to June 2023. The FY24 budget allows for curb ramps and repairs, with an estimated 600 total repairs.
  • Street Conditions: Berkeley has 216 centerline miles of improved streets with a poor pavement condition index (PCI) of 55. The FY24-28 plan includes 47 miles of pavement rehabilitation.
  • Stormwater Management: Key projects include Strawberry Creek culvert repairs and West Berkeley and Aquatic Park stormwater improvements.
  • Sewer System: FY23 program replaced 4.4 miles of sewer mains, with 19 urgent repairs.

• Transportation Improvements:

  • Completed projects include California Dwight safety improvements, Shattuck and Berkeley Way flashing beacons, and MLK-Quiddill pavement striping.
  • Ongoing projects include Southside Complete Streets, Adeline Street transportation improvements, and Telegraph multimodal corridor study.

• Public Comments:

  • Andy Kelly from BART provided updates on upcoming station shutdowns for interlocking upgrades, which will involve bus bridges and delays but aim to improve long-term system reliability.

• Budget Overview:

  • Sharon Friedrichson, the budget manager, presented an overview of the proposed budget for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Citywide revenue growth is projected at 2% for FY25 and just under 5% for FY26, but expenditures are outpacing revenues.
  • The FY25 budget is approximately $776 million, a 6% increase from FY24, driven by salary and benefits increases and affordable housing mitigation funds. The FY26 budget is projected at $771 million, a slight decrease from FY25.

• Departmental Funding Requests:

  • Departments presented detailed funding requests and priorities. The City Clerk's office, for example, has a $3.5 million budget, primarily funded by the general fund, focusing on the 2024 election and hybrid meeting improvements.

• Capital Improvement Program (CIP):

  • The CIP for FY25-29 was discussed, with a focus on FY25 and 26. The total CIP funding request is approximately $353 million over five years, with the streets program being the largest component.

Conclusion: The Berkeley City Council meeting highlighted the complexities of balancing development with community needs and environmental considerations. Key themes included labor rights, infrastructure improvements, and budgetary constraints. The council demonstrated a commitment to ensuring fair labor practices, enhancing public infrastructure, and maintaining community engagement in decision-making processes. 🚧🚴‍♂️💼