City of Berkeley

Shall the City's appropriation limit under Article XIIIB of the California Constitution be increased to allow expenditure of the proceeds of City taxes and income from the investment of those taxes for fiscal years 2025 through 2028?

Shall the measure to use existing revenue to fund housing retention and homelessness prevention; modify certain grounds for eviction; remove rent control and registration exemptions for certain units; allow tenant associations and require owners to confer with them; limit the ways tenants can be charged for utilities; limit the maximum annual rent increase to 5%; eliminate suspension of rent controls during high vacancy; and require notice to new tenants of their rights, be adopted?

Shall the measure to use existing revenue to create a fund for rent payments to property owners on certain tenants' behalf; to expand exemptions from rent control and registration for certain single-family homes and two-unit properties; to allow property owners and tenants to agree to rent increases in exchange for services or amenities; to modify certain grounds for eviction; to allow tenants' associations; and to remove certain powers from the Rent Board, be adopted?

Shall the measure prohibiting the establishment within the City of Berkeley of facilities where livestock are kept for 45 days or more in a 12-month period and which meet size and other regulatory thresholds established by the Environmental Protection Agency; prohibiting the expansion of existing facilities; requiring existing facilities to cease operations within one year; establishing a penalty of $10,000 per violation per day; and allowing enforcement by the City Council or by private lawsuit, be adopted?

Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax for the purposes of street and sidewalk repair, repaving and reconstruction, pedestrian safety projects, traffic-calming measures on bicycle boulevards, and environmental infrastructure, at a rate of $0.13 per square foot of improvements, which may be increased annually for inflation, generating approximately $10.5 million annually for 12 years, provided the City continues to fund street maintenance and repair at levels established in 2022, be adopted?

Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax for the purposes of street, sidewalk, and pedestrian path repair, repaving, and reconstruction, safety improvements, and environmental infrastructure, at a rate of $0.17 per square foot of improvements to dwelling units and $0.25 per square foot of improvements to other property, which may be increased annually for inflation; and generating approximately $15 million annually for 14 years, provided other funding for street maintenance is maintained, be adopted?

Shall the measure adopting a tax of $2.9647/therm of natural gas consumed annually in buildings of 15,000 square feet or larger except government buildings, single-family residences, and residential buildings with at least 50% affordable units, adjusted annually for inflation plus 6%; allocating revenues to building decarbonization programs, and administration; and establishing an oversight committee, generating an estimated $26.7 million the first year and more thereafter until its expiration in December 31, 2050, be adopted?

Shall the measure setting new indoor air quality standards for City-owned and -leased buildings; prohibiting compliance with those standards through the use of air filtration or disinfection technologies emitting ozone, volatile organic compounds, oxidation byproducts, excessive sound, or ultraviolet light; requiring repair, closure, evacuation, and/or provision of alternative services to the public due to building closure when standards are not met; and creating a private right to sue over alleged violations, be adopted?

Shall the measure effective January 1, 2027, setting the existing general tax on transfers of real property at 2.5% of a property's value for properties valued $1.6M or higher, and increasing the rate from 2.5% to 3% for properties valued $1.9M or higher and from 3% to 3.5% for properties valued $3.0M or higher, adjusted annually for increases in value; removing January 1, 2029 expiration date; generating an estimated additional $2M - $4M annually, until repealed, be adopted?

Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to maintain Berkeley Public Library facilities and services, prioritizing neighborhood libraries, weekend and evening hours, diverse collections, and youth, educational and other programs, at $0.06 per square foot of improvements for dwelling units, and $0.09 per square foot for other properties, generating $5,600,000 annually until repealed, in addition to the current library tax of $0.28 per square foot for dwelling units and $0.4233 for other properties, be adopted?

Shall the measure increasing the rate of the City's special parcel tax for parks, trees and landscaping maintenance from $0.221 to $0.2652 per square foot of taxable improvements, adjusted annually for inflation, exempting very low-income property owners as defined by the City Council, estimated to generate an additional approximately $3.8 million annually for a total of approximately $22 million annually, and effective until amended or repealed by voters, be adopted?

Shall the measure to remove the current January 1, 2027 expiration date and extend until ended by voters the general tax on the distribution of sugary drinks and sweeteners, paid by distributors at the rate of 1(cents sign) per fluid ounce, previously approved by voters in 2014, with exceptions for small retailers, milk products, and baby formula, raising approximately $1,150,000 per year for general government use, be adopted?

Shall the measure to create affordable housing; repair streets and sidewalks; underground utilities; and enhance buildings, infrastructure, and safety, authorizing the issuance of $650 million in general obligation bonds, subject to independent oversight and audits, be adopted?

Shall the measure to tax property owners who keep residential units vacant more than 182 days per year, $3,000 for each nonexempt condominium, duplex, single family dwelling, or townhouse vacant unit in the first year, increasing to $6,000 for each subsequent year, and $6,000 for all other residential units vacant in the first year, increasing to $12,000 for each subsequent year, with exceptions, from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2034, generating between $3,900,000 and $5,900,000 annually, be adopted?

Shall any federal, state or local public entity be empowered to develop, construct or acquire an additional 3,000 units of low-rent housing in the City of Berkeley for persons of low income?

Shall an ordinance enacting a tax at a rate of $0.1047 per square foot of improvements, which is estimated to generate $8.5 million annually for firefighting, emergency medical response, 9-1-1 communications services, hazard mitigation, and wildfire prevention and preparedness, until repealed by the voters, be adopted?

Shall an ordinance enacting a tax on users of Transportation Network Companies for prearranged trips originating in Berkeley, at a rate of 50 cents per trip for private trips and 25 cents per trip for pooled trips, regardless of the number of passengers on the trip, which is estimated to generate $910,000 annually for general municipal services in the City of Berkeley until January 1, 2041, be adopted?

Shall an ordinance increasing the Utility Users Tax on electricity and gas from 7.5% to 10%, with exemptions for low-income users, for general municipal services, including programs to equitably reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, and authorizing the City Council to increase the gas users tax by an additional 2.5%, with the total tax estimated to generate $2.4 million annually, until repealed by the voters, be adopted?

Shall the measure amending the Berkeley City Charter to create an independent Berkeley Police Accountability Board and Director of Police Accountability to provide oversight of the Berkeley Police Department (Department) policies, practices, and procedures; obtain access to records; investigate complaints filed by members of the public against sworn employees of the Department; and recommend discipline of sworn employees of the Department, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, be adopted?

Shall the measure amending the City Charter to provide that compensation for the office of Mayor be set at Alameda County's median three-person household income from the California Department of Housing and Community Development and that of Councilmembers maintained at 63% of the Mayor's compensation, with annual increases based on changes in Area Median Income, but which may be lowered for unexcused Council meeting absences or negotiated salary reductions for City employees, be adopted?

Shall the measure amending the City Charter to eliminate the residency requirement for sworn members of the fire department, conform the provisions of Article V, Section 9.5 and Section 10 regarding the eligibility requirements for the Redistricting Commission to state law, remove gender-specific language and amend Article VII, Section 28 and Article XVI, Section 113 to update terms and duties of the office of City Attorney be adopted?

Shall the City's appropriation limit under Article XIIIB of the California Constitution be increased to allow expenditure of the proceeds of City taxes and income from the investment of those taxes for fiscal years 2021 through 2024? Financial Implications: This measure would not increase taxes or impose a new tax. It would authorize the City to continue to spend the proceeds of already-approved taxes for FY 2021 through 2024.

Shall the measure amending the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance to: prohibit eviction of qualifying tenants for nonpayment of rent during state or local emergencies; authorize the Rent Stabilization Board to set registration fees for certain partially exempt units; and limit the Accessory Dwelling Unit exemption to owner-occupied properties with a single-family home and one accessory unit be adopted?

Shall the measure to issue $135 million in general obligation bonds to create and preserve affordable housing for low-income households, working families, and individuals including teachers, seniors, veterans, the homeless, and persons with disabilities; subject to citizen oversight and independent audits, be adopted?

Shall the ordinance raising funds for general municipal purposes such as navigation centers, mental health support, rehousing and other services for the homeless, including homeless seniors and youth; increasing the real property transfer tax for ten years from 1.5% to 2.5% for property sales and transfers over $1,500,000, adjusted annually to capture the top approximately 33% of transfers; generating an estimated $6,000,000 - $8,000,000 annually; and establishing the Homeless Services Panel of Experts to recommend homeless services, be adopted?

Shall the ordinance amending the Rent Stabilization Ordinance to: account for potential repeal of the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act by preserving existing vacancy rent adjustments; update the new construction exemption from rent stabilization to a 20-year rolling period; and exempt all lawfully permitted Accessory Dwelling Units from rent stabilization and eviction for good cause protections, be adopted?

(ADVISORY) Shall the measure, advising the Mayor to engage citizens and experts in the development of Vision 2050, a 30 year plan to identify and guide implementation of climate-smart, technologically-advanced, integrated and efficient infrastructure to support a safe, vibrant and resilient future for Berkeley, be adopted?

Shall an ordinance amending the Rent Stabilization Ordinance to: prohibit owner move-in evictions of families with children during the academic year; increase the amount of relocation assistance required for owner move-in evictions to $15,000 with additional $5,000 for certain tenants; clarify protections for elderly/disabled tenants; require filing of eviction notices; change the source of interest rates for security deposits; and clarify exemptions and penalties to conform with state law, be adopted?

Shall an ordinance: (1) amending the City’s existing minimum wage ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all employees in the City of Berkeley by October 1, 2019, and thereafter by the CPI, with exemptions for youth in job training programs and a $1.50 health benefit credit; (2) requiring that service charges be distributed to the employees who provide the services; and (3) mandating paid sick leave for employees, be adopted? 

Shall an ordinance: increasing the City’s existing minimum wage to $15 per hour on October 1, 2017, with annual increases based on the CPI + 3% beginning January 1, 2019 until it reaches $16.37 per hour in 2016 dollars, and thereafter based on the CPI; eliminating exemptions for youth in job training programs; requiring that hospitality service charges be distributed to the employees who provide the services; and mandating paid sick leave for employees be adopted?

Shall an ordinance permanently increasing the gross receipts tax on owners of three or more residential rental units from 1.081% to 1.5%, prohibiting landlords from passing the tax on to sitting tenants except as allowed by law, and authorizing the Council to create a citizen panel to make recommendations on increasing affordable housing and protecting residents from homelessness be adopted?

Shall the City of Berkeley issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $100,000,000 to repair, renovate, replace, or reconstruct the City’s aging infrastructure and facilities, including sidewalks, storm drains, parks, streets, senior and recreation centers, and other important City facilities and buildings? Financial Implications: The average annual cost over the 40-year period the bonds are outstanding would be approximately $21, $90, and $128, respectively, for homes with assessed valuations of $100,000, $425,000 and $600,000.

Shall an ordinance permanently increasing the gross receipts tax on owners of five or more residential rental units be increased from 1.081% to 2.880%, prohibiting landlords from passing the tax on to sitting tenants, and directing the Housing Advisory Commission to make recommendations on funding and programs to increase affordable housing and protect Berkeley residents from homelessness, be adopted? Financial Implications: This amendment is estimated to raise approximately $3,900,000 annually, increasing with rents. 

Shall the City’s appropriation limit under Article XIIIB of the California Constitution be increased to allow expenditure of the proceeds of City taxes and income from the investment of those taxes for fiscal years 2017 through 2020? Financial Implications: This measure would not increase taxes or impose a new tax. It would authorize the City to continue to spend the proceeds of already-approved taxes for FY 2017 through 2020.

Shall the Charter of the City of Berkeley be amended to provide that the council district redistricting that occurs every ten years after the federal census shall be conducted by a citizens redistricting commission that is independent of the City Council? 

Shall a City Charter amendment and ordinance to allocate approximately $500,000 annually from the General Fund, not to exceed $2,000,000 over any four years, to provide those candidates for Mayor and Council who only accept contributions of $50 or less per donor with a matching payment of six times the amount of each contribution from Berkeley residents, up to $120,000 per participating Mayoral candidate and $40,000 per participating Council candidate, be adopted? 

Shall the City of Berkeley Charter be amended to authorize the City Council to allow persons aged 16 and 17 years old who would otherwise be eligible to vote, to vote for the office of School Director, provided no City funds could be used for any related expenses, such voting is technically workable and would not prevent consolidation with county elections, and would not result in any increased election costs to the City?

Shall any federal, state or local public entity be empowered to develop, construct or acquire an additional 500 units of low-rent housing in the City of Berkeley for persons of low income?

Shall an ordinance imposing a 1¢ per ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar‐sweetened beverages (e.g., sodas, energy drinks, presweetened teas) and sweeteners used to sweeten such drinks, but exempting: (1) sweeteners (e.g., sugar, honey, syrups) typically used by consumers and distributed to grocery stores; (2) drinks and sweeteners distributed to very small retailers; (3) diet drinks, milk products, 100% juice, baby formula, alcohol, or drinks taken for medical reasons, be adopted?

Shall the parks special tax be amended to sustain community parks like the Rose Garden, children’s playgrounds, tennis, basketball courts, and ball fields, by increasing the per square foot tax rate from $0.1256 to $0.1466 and adding an inflation factor? Financial Implications The annual cost increase in fiscal year 2016 would be $39.90, from $238.64 to $278.54, for a 1,900 square foot home and $210, from $1256.00 to $1466.00, for a 10,000 square foot building.

Shall the Charter of the City of Berkeley be amended to conform the provisions for the recall of elective officers to recent judicial rulings and the state Elections Code with respect to counting of votes, signature threshold, petition circulators, and signature verification, and adjust the deadlines for calling recall elections to allow for consolidation with statewide elections? Financial Implications: Potential cost savings from increased likelihood of election consolidation.

Should the United States Constitution be amended to abolish the legal concept that corporations are persons that are entitled to constitutional rights, and the doctrine that the expenditure of money may be treated as speech?

Shall the People of the City of Berkeley advise the City Council to adopt an ordinance based on proposed federal legislation and the San Francisco Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance giving employees in Berkeley the right to request to work part‐time, and send letters to the state and federal elected officials, requesting the state and federal governments to give government employees the right to have shorter work hours, if doing so would not cause operational problems?

Shall an ordinance amending Zoning Ordinance provisions for downtown Berkeley be adopted to: establish new requirements for new buildings over 60 feet; eliminate current historic resource determination for Green Pathway projects; establish a Civic Center Historic District overlay; amend LEED requirements; change parking requirements; restrict some permitted uses; change prevailing‐wage requirements for workers in specified categories; and reduce hours of operation for businesses selling or serving alcohol?

Shall Ordinance No. 7,320‐N.S. authorizing the adjustment of Berkeley City Council district boundaries pursuant to Section 9, Article V of the Berkeley City Charter, to equalize population in the districts as a result of population changes reflected in the 2010 decennial federal census be adopted?

Shall the City of Berkeley issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $30,000,000 for street improvements and integrated Green Infrastructure such as rain gardens, swales, bioretention cells and permeable paving, to improve roads, reduce flooding and improve water quality in the creeks and Bay?

Shall the City of Berkeley issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $19,400,000 to fund construction of replacement Warm and Willard pools, and renovation or replacement of associated facilities, as well as repair, renovation or replacement of locker rooms and associated facilities at the existing West Campus and King pools?

Shall a special tax of $0.00779 per square foot of improvements on land in Berkeley be authorized to fund maintenance and operation of the replacement Warm Water and Willard Pools, if a bond measure funding construction of those pools is adopted?

Shall the appropriation limit under Article XIIIB of the California Constitution (which limits city expenditures) be increased to allow for the expenditure of taxes previously approved by the voters for parks maintenance; libraries; emergency medical services; emergency services for severely disabled persons; and fire protection and emergency response and preparedness, for fiscal years 2013 through 2016?

Without increasing the rate, shall an ordinance be adopted to update Berkeley’s existing utility users tax, which funds police, fire and other essential City services, to keep current with changes in technology and Federal and State laws while maintaining exemptions for nonprofit educational organizations and hospitals, adding an exemption for low-income taxpayers, and requiring an annual verification and public report as to collection and expenditure of the tax?

Shall the Charter of the City of Berkeley be amended to provide that council district redistricting shall be adopted by ordinance and to require that districts be as equal in population as feasible taking into consideration topography, geography, cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, compactness of territory and communities of interest, and have easily understood boundaries such as major traffic arteries and geographic boundaries?

Shall an ordinance prohibiting sitting on sidewalks in commercial districts from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, with exceptions for: (a) medical emergencies; (b) wheelchairs and similar mobility devices; (c) bus benches; (d) street events; (e) other furniture placed on the sidewalk pursuant to a permit; requiring the City to ensure that it is applied in a constitutional manner and requiring a warning prior to citation, be approved?

Shall the West Berkeley Plan and the Zoning Ordinance be amended to allow development flexibility on up to 6 large sites, each under the same ownership, during the next 10 years, allowing a maximum height of 75’ with a site-wide average height of 50’, and only if community and environmental benefits are provided to West Berkeley?

Shall an ordinance be adopted: establishing new agenda and meeting requirements for the City’s legislative bodies (Council, Rent Stabilization Board and all 36 commissions), including earlier agenda deadlines; increased disclosure requirements for public records; and creating a new commission with authority to take enforcement action against the City in case of violations?

Shall an ordinance requiring the City to publish certified biennial reports of its 20-year financial obligations for employee/retiree expenses, capital assets, and “productive capacity of City services”, the present value of those obligations, and the annual expenses needed to meet them, and prohibiting any new or increased debt financing, property-related fee, assessment or tax absent certification of the report by the City Manager or other, independent professional, be adopted?