Council approves Amendments to BMC Section 23.304.100 Regarding Electrical Transformers, 7–0

Amendments to BMC Section 23.304.100 Regarding Electrical Transformers

7 yes, 0 no

Mark Humbert (yes), Cecilia Lunaparra (yes), Adena Ishii (yes), Igor Tregub (yes), Rashi Kesarwani (yes), Brent Blackaby (yes), Shoshana O'Keefe (yes)

Consent Calendar Approval

8 yes, 0 no

Ben Bartlett (yes), Igor Tregub (yes), Terry Taplin (yes), Mark Humbert (yes), Cecilia Lunaparra (yes), Brent Blackaby (yes), Shoshana O'Keefe (yes), Rashi Kesarwani (yes)

Revisions to the Approved Environmental Health Fee Schedule

7 yes, 0 no

Mark Humbert (yes), Adena Ishii (yes), Cecilia Lunaparra (yes), Igor Tregub (yes), Rashi Kesarwani (yes), Brent Blackaby (yes), Shoshana O'Keefe (yes)

Establish 2027 City Council Meeting Schedule

7 yes, 0 no

Rashi Kesarwani (yes), Brent Blackaby (yes), Shoshana O'Keefe (yes), Cecilia Lunaparra (yes), Adena Ishii (yes), Igor Tregub (yes), Mark Humbert (yes)

Affordable Housing Preference Policy Pilot Assessment and Policy Update

8 yes, 0 no

Rashi Kesarwani (yes), Cecilia Lunaparra (yes), Ben Bartlett (yes), Igor Tregub (yes), Terry Taplin (yes), Mark Humbert (yes), Brent Blackaby (yes), Shoshana O'Keefe (yes)

Formal Bid Solicitations and Request for Proposals Scheduled for Possible Issuance After Council Approval on October 13, 2026

8 yes, 0 no

Cost-Neutral Berkeley Chief Fire Officers Association (BCFOA) Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) Side Letter Agreement

8 yes, 0 no

Resolution in Support of Proposition 4, the California Fair Elections Act of 2026, on the November 3, 2026, General Election Ballot

8 yes, 0 no

Undergrounding Electrical Transformers

A new ordinance requires residential and commercial developers to place electrical transformers underground rather than on private property above ground, protecting street frontages.

What it means: Pedestrians, neighboring property owners, and infill developers seeking to maximize site utility.

BART Regional Transit Funding and Deficit

BART directors presented updates on rising ridership and warned of severe service cuts if the upcoming regional transit measure fails.

What it means: Daily transit riders and local business districts reliant on regional accessibility.

Affordable Housing Preference Policy Update

The city updated its affordable housing preference policy to create a simpler tiered system, helping families displaced by BART and historical redlining return to Berkeley.

What it means: Displaced Berkeley residents and descendants of redline neighborhood residents seeking affordable housing.