Berkeley · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Berkeley public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Measure Y arts parcel tax
Berkeley voters may get to decide Measure Y, a parcel tax that would send about $6.3 million a year to local arts groups. Most homeowners would pay roughly $105 annually. If you care about live theater and arts funding—or your tax bill—this is one to watch.
Renaming of Cesar Chavez Park
The north waterfront park is renamed Si Se Puede Park, honoring the farm worker movement, after a community committee process. The city still needs to work out trademark permission with the UFW.
City Contracting and Procurement Audit
Council moved forward on requiring competitive bidding for service contracts over $100,000, responding to a city audit that found large contracts skipped competitive processes. The City Attorney's office will also report quarterly on legal spending.
Affordable Housing Preference Policy Revision
The City Council updated its housing preference policy to prioritize households displaced by BART and descendants of redlined neighborhoods using a simplified tiered system.
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.
Undergrounding Electrical Transformers
The council enacted a new rule requiring new residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments to place electrical transformers underground rather than on private surface pads.
Soda Tax Increase
Berkeley is thinking about doubling its local soda tax to help cover rising city expenses. If this passes, get ready to pay significantly more for sugary drinks at the register.
Sugary Drink Tax
Berkeley is voting on Measure AA, which would double the current tax on sugary drinks. If it passes, expect to pay noticeably more for your favorite sodas at the store.
Ferry Service and Pier Development
Berkeley just secured state approval to fast-track lawsuits for its new municipal pier and electric ferry project, paving the way for construction to potentially start by 2028. This zero-emission transit upgrade aims to slash regional traffic and give commuters a brand-new way to get across the Bay.
Berkeley Economic Dashboards and Local Market Trends
City leaders reviewed the latest economic data to see how local businesses, commercial corridors, and the overall economy are performing. This information helps shape future economic development strategies and support programs for local enterprises.
Campaign Finance Compliance and BERA Regulations
Local candidates and ballot measure committees must navigate complex local and state campaign finance rules, including strict contribution caps and electronic reporting requirements, to maintain transparency in Berkeley elections.
Inclusionary Housing In-Lieu Fee Update
The council updated housing fees to add a floor area deduction for single-family homes, aiming to balance developer contributions with housing affordability goals.
Berkeley Police Department 2025 Annual Report Review
Berkeley cops might soon be off the hook for traffic tickets! The city council is considering a ban on police making traffic stops, potentially shifting that duty to other city workers. It's part of a bigger plan to rethink how policing works in Berkeley.
AC Transit Budget Deficit and Service Contingency Plan
AC Transit announced a projected $200 million deficit over the next four years, warning of potential 16% service cuts and job losses if additional revenues are not secured.
Rent Stabilization Ordinance Ballot Measures
Berkeley's city council just put the brakes on landlords using software to set rent prices. They're worried algorithms could lead to unfair rent hikes, so they're banning this tech to keep things more affordable.
Small Sites Affordable Housing Program Funding
Residents and housing advocates clashed over whether to preserve funding for the Small Sites Program or redirect housing trust funds toward new construction gap financing.
Environmental Health and Zero Waste Fee Increases
The city is establishing and raising fees for restaurant health inspections and zero waste plan checks to recover administrative costs and protect shrinking enterprise funds from deficits.
Recruitment of Director of Police Accountability
The city council and public discussed desired qualifications, priorities, and communication skills for hiring a new permanent Director of Police Accountability.
Downtown Berkeley PBID Renewal
Property owners voted overwhelmingly to renew the Downtown Berkeley Association's improvement district for another 10 years, continuing cleaning, hospitality, and marketing services in the commercial core.
Green Infrastructure Funding for Channing Way and Aquatic Park
Advocates urged the city to fund and construct planned green infrastructure at Channing Way and Aquatic Park to prevent the forfeiture of a $1.5 million U.S. EPA grant.
Public Bank Ballot Measure
Berkeley voters might get to vote on setting up California's first public bank, which could completely change how the city handles its money and local economic policies. This is a huge deal for municipal finance and could set a brand new trend for the state.
Election Guide
Berkeley voters, get ready! The June 2 primary election is your chance to choose who represents you on the City Council and for District Attorney. Make sure you know what's on your ballot and how to cast your vote.
Local Density Bonus Program for Condominium Development
Berkeley's getting ready to build up! New rules mean taller buildings are allowed, which could mean a lot more apartments and condos hitting the market.
Housing Ballot Measure Petitioner Requirements
The city set a standard rule requiring 200 signatures for housing initiatives and a 5-year timeline, balancing accessibility for regular residents against the hurdles posed by corporate property owners.
Whistleblower Report on Unauthorized Ambulance Purchase
The City Auditor revealed that a former employee committed the city to a $286,000 ambulance purchase without required council approval, highlighting gaps in purchasing controls and transparency.
Resolution Condemning the War on Iran
The council is weighing a resolution that takes a stance on international conflict and offers support to local community members affected by the crisis.
Performance Metrics and Outcome-Based Budgeting
The City Auditor presented a guide on tracking performance metrics to help guide budget decisions and ensure city services are effective and transparent.
City Council Referral Prioritization
The council streamlined its massive backlog of policy proposals using Re-Weighted Range Voting. By deciding which stalled or low-priority items to scrap and which to keep alive, the city determines what staff will actually work on next.
Car-Free Telegraph Avenue Budget Referral
Berkeley's making intersections safer by clearing out parked cars, giving everyone a better view. The goal? Fewer crashes and a smoother ride for walkers and drivers alike.
Wildfire Safety Plan
Berkeley's city council just approved a new wildfire safety plan, and it's causing a stir. This plan will change how the city deals with fire risks, so get ready for some new rules and procedures.
Wildfire Prevention Regulations
Berkeley's looking to beef up wildfire safety by potentially banning certain plants and wooden fences near homes. Get ready to rethink your landscaping if you want to keep your place fire-safe!
Homeless Encampments Lawsuit
Berkeley businesses are fed up with homeless encampments and are suing the city. They say the encampments are bad for business and want the city to step up and fix it.
Zoning and Housing Discrimination
Berkeley's zoning rules have a shady past, actively separating people by race and income for ages. This deep dive shows how these policies have shaped who lives where for decades.
Zoning Reform
Berkeley's considering a major zoning shake-up, possibly allowing duplexes and small apartments in areas currently reserved for single-family homes. This could open the door to more housing options in a notoriously expensive city.
City Manager Appointment
Berkeley has a new city manager, Paul Buddenhagen! He's now in charge of running the city, so get ready for some fresh ideas and a new direction for how Berkeley operates.
Building Codes
Berkeley's bold move to ban natural gas in new buildings is being reversed. This means new homes might go back to using gas, changing how we power our houses and build them in the future.
Gas Ban Repeal
Berkeley's groundbreaking ban on natural gas in new buildings is likely getting repealed. This means new homes and businesses might go back to using gas hookups, changing how we power our city.
Natural Gas Ban Ruling
Berkeley tried to ban natural gas in new buildings, but the feds just said 'no way.' A federal court refused to reconsider, so that ban is officially dead.
Psychedelics Policy
Berkeley's city council just voted to decriminalize certain psychedelics. This means fewer penalties for using these substances, potentially shifting how the city handles drug enforcement.
Zoning Change
Berkeley's ditching single-family zoning, opening the door for more housing types in neighborhoods previously restricted to just one house per lot. This could mean more apartments and duplexes popping up, potentially making the city more affordable and diverse.
Natural Gas Ban
Berkeley is making waves by becoming the first US city to ban natural gas hookups in new buildings. This groundbreaking decision could reshape how we construct and power everything from homes to businesses.
Gender-neutral City Code
Berkeley is updating its city code to ditch gendered words like "manhole" for inclusive terms like "maintenance hole." It's a quick linguistic update to make local government feel welcoming to everyone.
Fur Clothing Ban
Berkeley is cracking down on fashion by banning the sale of fur clothing, making it only the second city in the country to do so. If you love wearing fur, you'll need to shop elsewhere because local stores are clearing their shelves.