Berkeley City Council Announces New Hybrid Format For Council Meetings

BERKELEY, CA — Residents of Berkeley can now attend city council meetings virtually or in person, as long as they wear a mask, the city announced in a news release last week.

"If you are feeling sick, public health guidelines strongly recommend that you stay home," the city said adding that city council is asking everyone to follow those guidelines.

"When sick, you can still attend via computer or phone and participate in public comment," the city said.

According to the city, the new hybrid format will increase public participation and interaction with council in "an environment with strong COVID-19 protections."

The new hybrid meetings began Dec. 6 and will be the new standard going forward, the city said.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. To participate in person the meeting will be held at the Berkeley Unified School District Boardroom at 1231 Addison Street. Those wishing to participate remotely via Zoom, should call 888-475-4499 the night of the meeting. The meeting ID, which will be needed to participate, is 818 8576 3338.

For details on how and when to comment, visit the city of Berkeley's Participating in City Council Meetings page.

"Those participating remotely will see little difference from the virtual meetings the Council has held since March of 2020," the city said.

Other options for watching or listening to city council meetings in formats that don't allow for public comment include tuning in to Cable B-TV on channel 33 or watching the live stream of the meeting, available online.

City Council policy committees and all boards and commissions will continue to meet in a virtual-only setting, the city said.

For questions about the hybrid meeting format, contact the City Clerk Department via email or call (510) 981-6900.