Rashi Kesarwani

24Apr 2024 by Kieryn Darkwater

April News: San Pablo Safety Upgrades, Gilman District Street Fair, Bike Race & More

Newsletter

Hi neighbor, Happy Spring! I’m honored to share that the City of Berkeley has earned a “Pro-Housing” Designation from the state’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). By earning the Pro-housing Designation, Berkeley will now be eligible to receive exclusive access to pro-housing grants and additional points in the scoring of competitive housing, community development, and infrastructure funding programs administered by HCD. Among our housing policy achievements, the state highlighted our Planning Department’s work to simplify the permit application process for backyard cottages, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): …the city facilitates Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) production by prioritizing ADU permit applications, having one dedicated ADU planner, and providing a website with FAQs and links to ease ADU planning. These important process improvements, which follow best practices proven to be effective…

12Mar 2024 by Kieryn Darkwater

March News: Community Safety Mtg, Ohlone Greenway Funding & More

Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, I was disheartened to hear about the multiple reports of auto break-ins in District 1 locations over the last month. On Feb. 21, 23 car break-ins occurred at the N. Berkeley BART parking lot; and the following evening, several blocks in West Berkeley experienced more than 50 car burglaries. According to Police Chief Jen Louis, the victimized areas in West Berkeley include residential parking lots in the 2000 blocks of Fourth and Fifth streets, 1400 block of Seventh Street, 800-1000 block of Jones, 900 block of Cedar, 1400 block of Santa Fe and possibly the 2700 block of Acton. The perpetrators primarily rifled through center consoles and glove boxes. Police investigators are following leads taken from security cameras installed close by. I have introduced and supported Council items…

23Jan 2024 by Kieryn Darkwater

January News: San Pablo Ave Community Mtg & Coat Drive

Homelessness, Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, I wish you my best as we begin a new year. Earlier this month, the Mayor lamented the deterioration of civil discourse among a subset of activists in the Council chambers. The loss of life, suffering, and destruction in Gaza is hard to witness, and I pray everyday for a sustainable lasting peace. My heart breaks for victims of this war on both sides, and for their loved ones here and around the world. Still, it is deeply regrettable that some find it acceptable to shout down those with whom they disagree. I pray that we seek kindness over vitriol, empathy over self-righteousness, and unity over division. All of us who serve in elected office have at times been on the receiving end of uncivil behavior, often…

07Dec 2023 by Rashi Kesarwani

Winter News: Final BART Mtg, Street Paving, AC Transit Routes

Event, News, Newsletter, North Berkeley Bart, Sidewalks and Streets

Hi Neighbor, Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating this evening. In this season of giving thanks, I feel especially grateful for the opportunity to serve our community. A large part of my service involves reading and listening to your varied perspectives—from local issues such as housing at N. Berkeley BART and street paving to the war in the Middle East. I offer my prayers for peace, and my prayers for those in our community who have lost loved ones and are experiencing deep grief and pain. I respect the right of all to protest, and I understand and sympathize with strongly-held beliefs on issues of war and peace that we have heard of late in the Council chambers. Because of the disruption at recent Council meetings, the Mayor has been…

16Oct 2023 by Kieryn Darkwater

Oct. News: Middle East Conflict and Safety in Our Community, N. Berkeley BART Mtg

Event, News, Newsletter

Like many of you, I’ve been following the news of the vicious terror attack unleashed by Hamas near the Gaza border in Israel, which claimed the lives of an estimated 1,300 innocent Israeli civilians—including babies, children, and the elderly—on a Jewish holy day. I unequivocally condemn this deliberate and brutal act of terrorism, and my heart breaks for all those who have lost loved ones. At the same time, I feel deep empathy for the suffering of innocent Palestinians and grieve for the civilian loss of life in Gaza. As this conflict unfolds, we know there will be more casualties, including civilians in Gaza and Israel. My thoughts are with all members of our community who are directly impacted by events in the region. I also pray that we sustain…

24Aug 2023 by Kieryn Darkwater

Aug. Updates: Ohlone Greenway Redesign and N. Berkeley BART & Public Safety Meetings

Newsletter, North Berkeley Bart, Sidewalks and Streets

Hi Neighbor, A number of alarming crime incidents have occurred in our district recently, and certain property and violent crimes are on the rise, based on the 2022 crime report. Please SAVE THE DATE for a District 1 Public Safety Meeting on Thurs., Sept. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Adult School Multipurpose Room (1701 San Pablo Ave.) with Berkeley Police Lt. Matt McGee of the Community Services Bureau. In addition to answering your questions, we will share the latest crime statistics for our district, strategies to protect yourself and your property, and review the status of public safety tools that the Council has recently authorized as well as the status of filling vacant police positions. Last month, the Council approved the use of automated license plate readers, which…

17Jul 2023 by Kieryn Darkwater

Summer News: City Budget & Staffing, Addressing Encampments & BART Updates

Homelessness, News, Newsletter, Sidewalks and Streets

Hi Neighbor, I hope you’re able to take time this summer to slow down and enjoy these warm sunny days with your family and friends. Last month, the Council approved a balanced budget for FY 2023-24, which you can read about in Berkeleyside and The Berkeley Scanner. In the years I have served on the Council, it has been concerning to watch some of my Council colleagues attempt to initiate new costly programs and services without appearing to consider the annual ongoing cost and the availability of staff to deliver on their ambitions. In this year’s budget, there was a recognition by Mayor Arreguín that the City does not currently have the financial or staff capacity to deliver on some of his Reimagining Public Safety initiatives. This is something I…

08May 2023 by Kieryn Darkwater

May News: N. Berkeley BART Open House, Police Chief Appointment & More

Event, Newsletter, Sidewalks and Streets

Hi Neighbor, Happy May! I wanted to remind you that the selected N. Berkeley BART development team will be hosting an open house this Wed., May 10 and you may drop in anytime from 6 to 8 p.m. at the N. Berkeley Senior Center (1901 Hearst). They will be seeking your input on a variety of issues listed in the flyer below. Light refreshments and children’s activities will be available. If you require any special accommodations, please e-mail nbb@bridgehousing.com as soon as possible. Also, please SAVE THE DATE for my next Drop-In Meeting: Tues., May 30 from 5-6 p.m. at the Ohlone Park playground picnic table (near Hearst and McGee). In this newsletter: May 9: Council Considers Permanent Appointment of Jennifer Louis as Police Chief Gilman Street Closed Between Second…

28Mar 2023 by Kieryn Darkwater

March News: San Pablo Ave Corridor Meeting, Street Paving, Gilman District Street Fair & More

News, Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, Happy Spring! Our City staff are continuing to clear downed trees from last week's powerful storm, which is expected to take one month. If you have wood debris (including shrubs, brush, limbs, woody bushes, broom, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, firewood, etc.) on your property, you can schedule an appointment for the City’s chipper service HERE. In light of the recent storm, this service is being offered citywide beginning April 17. Please SAVE THE DATE for my next Drop-In Meeting: Sun., April 2, 10-11 a.m.Berkeley Way Mini-Park (1294 Berkeley Way)(Seating is limited here, so please feel free to bring your own folding chair if you like.) In this newsletter: - San Pablo Avenue Corridor Project Open House this Thurs., March 30, 6-8 p.m. at the Adult School (1701 San Pablo)…

10Feb 2023 by Rashi Kesarwani

February News: BART Meeting Next Week, Ohlone Greenway Upgrades & More

Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, This Black History Month, we mourn the tragic death of Tyre Nichols and we witness an alarming assault on African American Studies. Here in Berkeley, I pledge my continued commitment to fighting for racial justice. This month, I will be holding two drop-in meetings for residents: Cedar Rose Park (amphitheater area)Sat., Feb. 18 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. West Berkeley Service Center, 1900 Sixth St.Thurs., Feb. 23 | 5-6:30 p.m. On Thurs., March 2 (5:30-6:30 p.m.), I will hold a safety meeting at the Berkeley Adult School for the 1600 to 1700 blocks of San Pablo Avenue with Berkeley Police Lt. Matt McGee and Head of Neighborhood Services Peter Radu—pursuant to my Council item requesting a security assessment for the area. In this newsletter: Hopkins Street Safety Plan Special Council…