Councilmember Igor Tregub's Berkeley District 4 September 2026 Newsletter

• Opposes reinstating tear gas use by police
• Supports activating vacant commercial spaces
• Opposes coal transport and export in Bay Area
• Supports Measure FF funding for street improvements

• Resolution on reinstating tear gas use
• Renaissance, Part 2 commercial vacancy referral
• Resolution opposing coal transport and supporting AB 40
• Measure FF five-year paving plan and CIP review

• Berkeley City Council meeting September 15
• District 4 September Office Hours September 19
• July 7 City Council Capital Improvement Program work session
• Public Safety Policy Committee review of tear gas proposal

Email from Councilmember Igor Tregub September 2026 – Berkeley District 4 Newsletter Dear Neighbors, Happy High Holidays to those of you who are celebrating and warmest wishes to everyone as we entering this active fall season. As the Council returns for this legislative session, starting today, I’m excited to continue advancing key legislative initiatives that reflect our shared priorities and address the diverse needs of our community. I hope you will find all the updates below, including important policy initiatives we’ve been working on, upcoming Council actions, and ways to stay engaged and informed, timely and useful. DISTRICT 4 September Office Hours WHEN: September 19th | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM WHERE: Event location will be sent via RSVP Only 2 slots left! Join Councilmember Tregub for September Office Hours, an opportunity to connect one-on-one, ask questions, share your ideas, and bring your thoughts directly to your Councilmember. RSVP now HERE! I’M VOTING AGAINST THE REINSTATEMENT OF TEAR GAS On September 15, the Berkeley City Council will consider a resolution that would reinstate the Berkeley Police Department’s ability to use tear gas in what the proposal describes as “critical” incidents where there is a significant risk of injury or death. The resolution would continue to prohibit the use of tear gas solely for crowd control and would also lift the City’s temporary moratorium on the use of smoke and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray. This proposal was previously considered by the Council and continued from the July 14 meeting; it was reviewed by the Public Safety Policy Committee, which recommended moving it forward with additional safeguards, including clearer definitions of permissible uses, public access to relevant use policies, and an after-action reporting framework. Councilmember Blackaby also added a Supplemental Item “Resolution Reinstating the Berkeley Police Department’s Ability to Use Tear Gas for Critical Life-Threatening Incidents Only and Lifting the COVID-19 Moratorium on Smoke and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray.” I appreciate the additional guardrails in the Councilmember Blackaby’s referral, which were worked out through discussion between the Office of Police Accountability, Police Accountability Board, and Berkeley Police Chief. And I respect the important work our Berkeley Police Department is doing to keep our community safe and adhere to the highest norms of professionalism. However, I would not want to see these substances used in Berkeley, especially by external agencies that we have virtually zero control over. Berkeley should prioritize de-escalation and strategies that protect public safety without introducing a chemical agent that can affect not only the individuals targeted by police, but also bystanders and surrounding community members. I will continue to support approaches that give our officers the tools they need to keep people safe while also maintaining strong protections for residents and the broader Berkeley community. I will be voting against reinstating the use of tear gas. RENAISSANCE, PART 2 - FOR A VIBRANT DOWNTOWN This week, I am bringing RENAISSANCE, Part 2 to the City Council. The item focuses on a problem we hear about regularly from residents and businesses: commercial spaces that remain vacant, unfinished, or difficult to bring back into active use. My office and I have worked extensively on this and previously submitted referrals to tackle commercial vacancies in our Downtown since my first day in office – partnering with local merchants and cultural use operators, property owners, business and merchant organizations, community members, and City staff about what is actually getting in the way. Based on those conversations, we are referring to the City Manager the implementation of several practical changes, including strategies to prevent long-term vacancies, activate exiting commercial spaces, and address projects that remain unfinished or inactive for extended periods – both in our downtown and throughout all of Berkeley’s commercial corridors. This is detailed work, and I am very grateful to the many people who took the time to meet with us, raise concerns, challenge some of our ideas, and suggest better ones. We hope this work will help us address some of the persistent commercial vacancies we see throughout Berkeley and make it easier to bring these spaces back to life. NO COAL IN BAY AREA AND BERKELEY! More than a decade ago, Berkeley joined Oakland and other East Bay communities in opposing plans to ship millions of tons of coal through our communities. Unfortunately, this fight is not over. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced $75 million in federal funding to support development of the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal as a major coal export facility. I am bringing a resolution to the City Council reaffirming Berkeley’s opposition to the transport, handling, and storage of coal and petroleum coke in our region. If this terminal moves forward, mile long coal trains could travel through West Berkeley every day, passing close to homes, schools, Aquatic Park, the Fourth Street shopping district, and other places where people live, work, and spend time. The resolution also calls on the Bay Area Air District to adopt strong protections against coal and petroleum coke (petcoke) pollution and supports AB 40, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, which would require environmental review for major new coal handling and export projects. Berkeley has stood against this project for years, and we need to continue standing with Oakland and communities throughout the East Bay now. MEASURE FF FUNDING AND THE FIVE-YEAR PAVING PLAN Since the passage of Measure FF in 2024, the City has continued working to translate this dedicated funding source into visible improvements across Berkeley, including investments in street and roadway infrastructure. While City processes can take time, significant progress has been made since Measure FF was approved, and the City remains responsive to the needs and concerns raised by residents. At our July 7 work session, the City Council reviewed the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including the proposed five-year paving plan, to better understand how projects are prioritized, funded, and scheduled. These efforts are closely connected to Measure FF funding: the funding provides an important resource for infrastructure improvements, while the CIP and five-year paving plan provide the framework for determining where and when those resources are invested. Because paving priorities are informed by roadway conditions, available funding, project coordination, and community needs, residents also play an important role in helping the City identify areas requiring attention. The best way for residents to report potholes, damaged streets, or other roadway concerns is through the City’s 311 system, which allows requests to be documented and tracked. These requests can then help inform the work of City staff and the appropriate commissions as they evaluate infrastructure needs and develop future paving priorities. Together, Measure FF funding, the CIP, and the five-year paving plan represent an ongoing effort to make strategic, transparent investments in Berkeley’s streets while remaining responsive to constituent concerns. HOW TO REPORT MICROMOBILITY DEVICES I have been working to make sure Berkeley’s growing use of shared micromobility devices —specifically, Veo and Lime devices — does not come at the expense of pedestrian safety, ADA accessibility, or the quality of our public spaces. City staff are working on implementing recommendations that were outlined in the item I authored earlier this year - a referral to strengthen Berkeley’s micromobility regulations, with a focus on improper parking, enforcement, operator accountability, rider education, and making sure sidewalks remain accessible to pedestrians and people using wheelchairs. Earlier this year I also co-sponsored a referral to increase the fees charged to shared-micromobility operator, including application, operating, per-vehicle, and per-ride fees. These efforts are intended to ensure that the companies operating in Berkeley are appropriately regulated and that the City has the resources needed to manage the impacts of these devices. Keeping our sidewalks clear and accessible is a shared responsibility. I encourage residents to report problems when they see them so that we can identify recurring issues, hold operators accountable, and make sure Berkeley’s streets and sidewalks work safely for everyone. If you see an improperly parked scooter, please report it. Residents can contact the operator directly: Veo at BKLOps@veoride.com or Lime at help-Berkeley@li.me. Please also copy sharedmobility@berkeleyca.gov so the City can track the issue. When submitting a report, include a photo of the scooter showing either the four-digit frame number on the front or the IOT number located just below the QR code on the handlebars. These identifying numbers help the operator and the City determine which specific device is involved. I am also continuing to push for better rider education and stronger safety practices, particularly around parking, sidewalk riding, and conflicts between scooters, pedestrians, and wheelchair users. On September 30, the Department of Public Works will provide my office with an update on how the current shared-micromobility program is working and I will be sure to continue to update you as well! CITYWIDE AND OTHER LOCAL UPDATES Ava Bike Electric Program Extension Thanks to a successful motion from me to approve an additional $3 million in funding, Ava Community Energy – your community energy choice provider on which I serve as the Berkeley representative – has extended the popular Bike Electric rebate program for one year. Ava Bike Electric aims to make clean, affordable transportation more accessible. Apply to enter a random monthly drawing for a chance to receive an instant rebate of $400 to $1,500 off a new e-bike, redeemable at participating bike shops. Visit here for more information! Youthworks Fall 2026 Ready to Work workshop series The Ready to Work program is designed to build key job skills for those who do not have prior work experience. The program will run for eight sessions on Tuesday afternoons between September 29 through November 17. Participants will receive a $250 stipend if they attend at least seven workshop sessions. Visit here for more information! UPCOMING EVENTS Mayor Ishii’s State of the City Address 2026 WHEN: Wednesday, September 23rd | 6:30 - 8:00 PM WHERE: The Freight, 2020 Addison St, Berkeley, CA 94704 Mayor Adena Ishii will deliver her 2026 State of the City Address. Join your neighbors to hear about the year behind us and the road ahead for Berkeley. Visit here for more information! Outdoor Porch Concert WHEN: Saturday, October 24th | 4:00 PM WHERE: 2213 Spaulding Ave Berkeley, CA 94703 Join this wonderful community porch concert that brings people from the whole neighborhood together! COUNCILMEMBER TREGUB IN THE COMMUNITY Berkeley Pride 2026 I attended Berkeley Pride 2026, hosted by the Pacific Center for Human Growth, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ community, joy, and resilience, bringing neighbors together through music, performances, and connection. Popbar Opens in Downtown Berkeley! A new sweet spot has arrived in the district just in time for summer! Popbar is now open in Downtown Berkeley, serving up delicious, handcrafted gelato on a stick — perfect for cooling off and enjoying a treat while exploring downtown. Stop by and check out this exciting new addition to our local business community! Located at: 2125 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704. Cold Stone Creamery Opens in Downtown Berkeley! Cold Stone Creamery is now open in the district, bringing its famous made-to-order ice cream, mix-ins, and sweet treats to the community. Located at: 2235 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING — STAY IN THE LOOP! I look forward to continuing our work together this month and beyond. Your input and engagement are crucial to building the vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community we all deserve. Let’s keep pushing forward, for a better and more resilient future. See details for all upcoming city events and the Downtown Berkeley Association’s fabulous calendar of events, including arts performances in downtown and throughout the City. Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. They can sign up to get on our list @ https://bit.ly/Igornews. All residents of Berkeley and beyond are welcome to join. For a Berkeley we can all call home, Igor Tregub Berkeley City Councilmember, District 4 2180 Milvia St, Berkeley, CA 94704 Office: (510) 981-7140 Email: itregub@berkeleyca.gov Berkeley City Council, D4 Councilmember Igor Tregub | 2180 Milvia St., 5th Floor | Berkeley, CA 94704 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice