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Berkeley council honors Sophie Hahn and Acting Mayor Susan Weingraff; residents urge action on theater, parks and homelessness
Summary
At a Dec. 3 council meeting, the City of Berkeley honored outgoing Councilmember Sophie Hahn and Acting Mayor Susan Weingraff; public commenters raised preservation concerns about the United Artists theater CEQA exemption, urged protections for encampment residents at Ohlone Park, and supported renaming a skate park for Terrence McCreary Jr.
The Berkeley City Council on Dec. 3 opened its regular meeting with tributes to outgoing Councilmember Sophie Hahn and Acting Mayor Susan Weingraff, presenting proclamations and speeches that highlighted Hahn’s work on Measure O, homelessness initiatives and the West Berkeley Shell Mound rematriation. Hahn described her tenure as “an incredible 8 years” and asked colleagues to keep asking “What is best for Berkeley?”
Family members and elected officials, including State Senator Jesse Aragon, presented certificates and spoke in praise. Multiple council colleagues and department leaders—city manager, city attorney and auditor—offered personal remarks and expressed gratitude for both officials’ public service.
During two public comment periods the council heard a mix of congratulations and community concerns. A group of speakers representing Save the UA Berkeley warned that city staff had determined a development project affecting the United Artists theater is eligible for a CEQA exemption under AB 1633; Laura Linden and Dan Ojresakrig said peer reviews completed in August concluded the UA is a historic resource and urged the council to retain local review rather than allowing the matter to proceed to the Zoning Adjustments Board without fuller scrutiny.
Advocates from the Berkeley Homeless Union asked the city not to evict Ohlone Park residents without first providing ADA assessments and accommodations, saying an ADA coordinator had declined to assess individuals. Yessica Prado urged the council to create an accessible pathway for disability accommodations before enforcing relocations.
Other public comments included strong community support for keeping the Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair on Telegraph Avenue after a threatened move, and numerous speakers urging the council to rename the Harrison Skate Park in memory of Terrence McCreary Jr.; the council indicated support for that request.
On consent the council approved a package of routine items (with two changes: continuing item 18 to the next meeting and adding a co‑sponsor to item 17). Council also approved the renewal of the Solano Avenue Business Improvement District and accepted staff reports on audit follow‑ups, including staffing and police overtime audits.
The meeting concluded after a final round of public comments and a unanimous vote to adjourn.
