Berkeley City Council Special Meeting Minutes

Date and Time: April 16, 2024, 4:00 PM

🏛️ Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council held a special meeting to confirm the recent special election results and to welcome a new councilmember. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jesse Arreguin, with all councilmembers present except for Ben Bartlett (District 3) and Rashi Kesarwani (District 1).

📜 Key Agenda Items

The main focus was to certify the results of the April 2, 2021, special election for District 7. Mayor Arreguin moved to adopt the consent calendar, which was seconded and subsequently passed unanimously by the present councilmembers.

Interestingly, there were no public comments either in-person or via Zoom, leading to a swift closure of the public hearing.

The highlight of the meeting was the official welcome of Cecilia Lunaparra as the new councilmember for District 7. Here are some key points:

• Mayor Arreguin expressed his excitement about working together on various issues.
• Councilmember Sophie Hahn (District 5) congratulated Lunaparra and looked forward to future collaborations.
• Councilmember Susan Wengraf (District 6) welcomed Lunaparra and expressed eagerness to work on land use and other issues.

Councilmember Lunaparra made a heartfelt speech, emphasizing her historic election as the first undergraduate student, Latina, and queer woman of color on the council. She expressed gratitude to her supporters and highlighted her commitment to accountability and community organizing. She also voiced solidarity with student protesters and international issues, pledging to ensure that no city or UC resources are used to punish nonviolent protesters.

🗳️ Voting and Decisions

The consent calendar, which included the certification of the special election, was unanimously approved by the following councilmembers:

• Terry Taplin (District 2): Yes
• Sophie Hahn (District 5): Yes
• Susan Wengraf (District 6): Yes
• Cecilia Lunaparra (District 7): Yes
• Mark Humbert (District 8): Yes
• Mayor Jesse Arreguin: Yes

Absent: Rashi Kesarwani (District 1), Ben Bartlett (District 3)

The meeting was adjourned following a unanimous vote, with the same councilmembers present.

🎉 Key Takeaways

• Election Certification: The April 2, 2021, special election results for District 7 were officially certified.
• Welcome Cecilia Lunaparra: The council enthusiastically welcomed Cecilia Lunaparra, marking a historic moment for the city.
• No Public Comments: The meeting saw no public engagement, making it a quick session.
• Unanimous Decisions: Both the consent calendar and adjournment were passed unanimously by the present councilmembers.

The meeting ended on a positive note, setting the stage for future collaborations and initiatives under the newly constituted council. 🌟