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…
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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)…
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04Jan 2023 by Kieryn Darkwater

Weather Alert: Safety Reminders for Heavy Rain and Wind

News, Newsletter
Hi Neighbor, Happy New Year! This e-mail includes safety reminders for heavy rain and wind from the City of Berkeley and AC Alert. From AC Alert: "There’s still time to prepare for today's storm: Sign up for alerts, get sandbags, charge your phone, prepare an emergency kit with flashlights, prescriptions, and important documents." "Avoid driving, if possible. Don’t drive through road closures or flood waters: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!" Alameda County Prepare for Winter Storms Webpage From City of Berkeley: With another "atmospheric river" expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds starting today, help keep Berkeley safe by doing your part to reduce flooding in your neighborhood and by reporting downed power lines, clogged drains, fallen trees, and other storm-related issues. The National Weather Service has issued a High…
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24Oct 2022 by Kieryn Darkwater

Fall News: N. Berkeley BART Developer Public Presentations & More

News, Newsletter
Dear Neighbor, Our community mourns the senseless loss of three young people—Isamaeli (Eli) Mata’afa and Jazy and Angel Sotelo Garcia—to gun violence. You can support their families and memory by making a donation: Support the family of Isamaeli (Eli) Mata’afa by clicking HERE. The Berkeley Public Schools Fund has established the Jazy and Angel Scholarship Fund. As Chair of the Council's Public Safety Policy Committee, I will continue to advocate for investments to ensure families feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.   In this newsletter: - SAVE THE DATE: N. Berkeley BART Developer Candidate Public Presentations on Thurs., Nov. 10- Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) Permit Expansion to West Berkeley- Construction Updates: Gilman Interchange and Ohlone Greenway- Support Old Finnish Hall- Covid Recovery Grants SAVE THE DATE: N. Berkeley BART Developer…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 to…
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