Berkeley City Council unanimously confirms District 4 election, approves committee appointments and seating

The Berkeley City Council on June 25 unanimously confirmed the results of the May 28, 2024, special municipal election for District 4, approved committee appointments to incorporate the new member and adopted a new seating arrangement during a 3:15 p.m. special meeting.

The meeting was called to order by the presiding official, who asked the city clerk to call the roll. The presiding official then described three consent items: confirmation of the District 4 election results, various appointments to policy committees to integrate the new council member, and a seating plan for the now fully constituted council. "I move adoption of the entire consent counts," the presiding official said, and another member seconded the motion.

Public comment during the special-meeting portion included a short Zoom statement by Blair Beachman, who said, "I just wanted to, also, thank the new council person," and urged the council to honor the work and legacy of the prior mayor/council member Harrison. With no further speakers, the public-comment period on the consent calendar was closed.

The clerk conducted a roll-call vote on the consent calendar; each member present answered in the affirmative and the presiding official announced the motion carried. The council immediately moved and seconded a motion to adjourn the special meeting; by another roll-call vote the council voted to adjourn.

The actions taken at the special meeting were procedural and limited to the three consent items described by the presiding official; no substantive policy debate or amendments were recorded during the special session. The council proceeded to a later meeting for additional business.