Rashi Kesarwani | Updates

25Aug 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

Aug. News: Answering BART FAQs, Cesar Chavez Park, Hopkins Corridor & More

News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, The Council is currently on summer recess, but my office is open and available to address any issues or concerns you may have. You can reach me at rkesarwani@cityofberkeley.info or call 510-981-7110, or stop by my August Drop-In Hours: Cedar Rose Park Sun., Aug. 28 | 4-5 p.m. Picnic tables in tot lot area (southwest section of park) In this newsletter: - Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about N. Berkeley BART Development- Update on Cesar Chavez Park and Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan- Brief Update on Ballot Measures- Update on Hopkins Corridor Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions about N. Berkeley BART Development Many of you have asked questions about the N. Berkeley BART development, and here I want to provide you with detailed answers to three frequently…

26Jul 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

Summer News: Marina & Pier State Funding, Possible Ballot Measures, Housing Element & More

News, Newsletter, North Berkeley Bart

Dear Neighbor, I hope you're enjoying summer! I have some exciting updates to share in this newsletter. First, over the last year, I worked with Councilmembers Terry Taplin and Rigel Robinson and Mayor Arreguín to make sure Berkeley's marina and pier infrastructure needs were known to our State Senator and Assemblymember, with the hope that we could capitalize on the opportunity of another record state surplus to fund needed repairs. The City Council unanimously passed a budget request letter in October 2021 and more than a dozen stakeholder groups followed up with letters of support to the state. I'm honored to share that our State Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks have been able to deliver on our request for $15 million for our marina and pier. This is…

31May 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

May News: Facts About BART Development

News, Newsletter, North Berkeley Bart

Dear Neighbor, On Thurs., June 2, the City Council will hold a Special Meeting to consider four important documents related to zoning of the Ashby and N. Berkeley BART stations for development: Proposed Zoning and General Plan Amendments City and BART Joint Vision and Priorities City and BART Memorandum of Agreement Environmental Impact Report I understand information from various perspectives is circulating in the community, and in this newsletter I want to provide you with facts to answer the following questions: How will the maximum height of the N. Berkeley BART development be determined? What is the Community Objective Design Standards Process? How do state laws like the State Density Bonus, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and streamlined approval under SB 35 impact this project? Why do I see…

05May 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

ACTION ALERT: Council to Make Important Public Safety Decisions TONIGHT

Action Alert, News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, A Special Council Meeting on “Reimagining Public Safety” will be held THIS EVENING at 6 p.m., and the City Council is poised to take action to give the City Manager direction on how to proceed. The number of initiatives under consideration are so numerous and their scope so vast that it would not be possible for me to explain them all to you here succinctly. The agenda for tonight’s meeting alone is 2,100 pages long! You can read about some of the key initiatives in Berkeleyside including: A proposed Specialized Care Unit for mental health crisis and substance use emergencies.A new emergency medical dispatch model that relies on scripts and gives dispatchers training to provide life-saving instructions while first responders are en route. Civilian traffic enforcement (contingent upon state…

19Apr 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

April News: BART Housing Next Steps, Homekey Award, Trees & More

Event, News, Newsletter, North Berkeley Bart

Dear Neighbor, I wanted to remind you that a second Covid-19 booster shot is available four months after the initial booster shot, if you are 50 and older. If you are at least 12 years-old and are moderately to severely immunocompromised, you are also eligible to receive a second booster shot. To learn more about second booster eligibility, please see the California Department of Public Health Covid-19 Vaccine Eligibility Chart. City clinics now have second booster doses available to those who are eligible. In this newsletter: - BART Housing Next Steps: Council Discussion TODAY!- Homekey Grant for Homeless Housing Awarded to Berkeley- Trees Make Life Better Program in West Berkeley- Events & Meetings: Waterfront Clean Up Day, Virtual Community Meeting on Biking & Holocaust Remembrance Day QUICK UPDATE: My Street…

04Apr 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

Spring News: Homes at BART, Street Paving Update & More

News, Newsletter, North Berkeley Bart, Sidewalks and Streets

Dear Neighbor, There is much to be grateful for this spring, as we enter a period of reduced Covid-19 spread. I wish a happy and safe journey to all those who have an opportunity to travel for spring break. If you are able to make a donation to support relief efforts in Ukraine, I wanted to share three organizations with you: CARE, an international humanitarian organization, has set up an emergency Ukrainian Crisis Fund with the goal of providing immediate support for four million people. Donations will go toward providing Ukrainians with water, food, supplies, hygiene kits, immediate support and aid, and cash. Razom for Ukraine, a Ukrainian-American non-profit, is working to not only support emergency response to the war, but also provide a host of resources for people looking…

28Feb 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

Feb. News: Focus on Infrastructure – Streets, Marina, Hopkins Corridor & More

News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, I write to you as horrifying images of Putin's war on Ukraine flood our social media feeds, filling us with sorrow for the innocent lives lost, but also a deep admiration for the Ukrainian people—from President Zelensky to the brave men and women defending their homeland; their fight to defend their freedom is a powerful reminder of what is at stake in the world today, amidst a global shift toward authoritarianism and backsliding democracy. I take heart in the resolve of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and the United States in standing with Ukraine and punishing Russia for its unprovoked and unjustified attack on a sovereign nation, and I pray that a lasting peace can be reached soon.Here at home, the Omicron surge continues to…

12Jan 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

Jan. News: Staying Safe Amidst Omicron Surge, Community Mtg on Public Safety & More

News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, Happy New Year! As we ring in another year marked by the pandemic, I want to update you on where we are: We are currently seeing the highest rate of new cases than at any previous point in the pandemic, with Monday’s Covid dashboard showing 176 daily cases in the last seven days. It’s understandable to feel worried about your loved ones who may be at high risk. But we also know how to protect ourselves. Vaccination and booster doses along with masking offer strong protection and will keep our regional hospitals from being overwhelmed with people who are severely ill because of Covid-19. Protecting our hospitals' capacity is a top priority; it’s important that everyone who needs to go to the hospital for any reason can access…

14Dec 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

ACTION ALERT: Support Public Safety TOMORROW in Mid-Year Budget Update

Action Alert, News, Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, With certain crime trends on the rise this year, I am writing to let you know that the City Council will be voting at its meeting TOMORROW, Tues., Dec. 14 on whether to make important public safety investments. Shootings are on the rise, and this violence disproportionately harms West and South Berkeley. Our city has experienced at least 48 confirmed gunfire calls to date in 2021, compared to 39 at this time in 2020, according to Berkeleyside (as of Dec. 9). In 2019, there were 28 shootings for the year. Vehicle theft is also on the rise. At the Nov. 30 Council meeting, Police Chief Jen Louis stated that more than 1,000 vehicle thefts have occurred to date in 2021, compared to 805 cases for all of 2020.…

01Nov 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

Nov. News: Today’s Mtg Rescheduled, New Mask Order & Our Backyard Cottage Rules Pass Council!

News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, With a 70 percent chance of rain this afternoon, I am rescheduling today's In-Person Outdoor Office Hours to discuss development of the N. Berkeley BART Station to this Sat., Nov. 6 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. N. Berkeley BART Parking LotSat., Nov. 64:30-5:30 p.m. The Planning Commission Meeting on BART Zoning and the Joint Vision and Priorities Document will take place this Wed., Nov. 3 beginning at 7 p.m. In this newsletter: - New Mask Order- UPDATE: Our Proposal for Accessory Dwelling Units (Backyard Cottages) in the Flats Passes! In Some Fully Vaccinated Spaces, Employers Can Choose Whether Masks Should Be Worn The City of Berkeley issued the following news release last week: Beginning today, the City of Berkeley Health Officer will grant certain indoor settings that verify full vaccination…