Updates

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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
26Oct 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

Oct. News: Local Ordinance on ADUs (Backyard Cottages), Redistricting Maps & Community Mtgs

News, Newsletter
Dear Neighbor, I hope you're staying warm, dry, and safe during this heavy rainstorm! In the last 24 hours, our City personnel responded to 117 calls for emergency service and 66 locations of localized flooding. Crews have addressed almost all of the 44 tree calls and will be working throughout the week with expanded crews to address all of the downed trees, limbs, and tree debris. Last week, the CDC expanded its recommendation on Covid-19 booster shots for certain recipients of the Moderna vaccine and all recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This comes after booster shots were made available for certain recipients of the Pfizer vaccine last month. If you have questions about whether a booster shot is right for you, please talk to your doctor. Please SAVE…
Read More
20Sep 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

Sept. News: Homelessness Updates, Districts 1 & 2 Community Meeting & More

Homelessness, News, Newsletter
Dear Neighbor, As you may know, our Health Officer recently issued a health order requiring proof of vaccination for individuals age 12 and older to enter certain indoor businesses. Last Tuesday, the City Council unanimously voted to require City employees to be vaccinated. I have been an advocate for both of these measures and will continue to support steps to prioritize our community’s public health. Vaccines are our best defense against the pandemic. Please SAVE THE DATE for a Drop-In Community Meeting with Councilmember Terry Taplin (District 2) and myself:Districts 1 & 2 Drop-In Community MeetingSat., Sept. 25, 12-2 p.m.Meadow in front of Hidden CafeStrawberry Creek Park In this newsletter: - Outreach, Clean Up and Fencing of University/I-80 Freeway Areas- RV Safe Parking Site to Open in Two Weeks- Highlights…
Read More
08Sep 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

Health Order Requires Vaccination in Certain Businesses

COVID19, News, Newsletter
I wanted to make sure you were aware that our City of Berkeley Health Officer Lisa Hernandez issued a health order last week that requires employees of certain businesses to be vaccinated and also requires a portion of these businesses to verify proof of full vaccination for patrons who are at least 12 years-old. Please find below the City's press release about the health order. And stay tuned for my full September newsletter later this month. A City of Berkeley Health Officer Order issued Wed., Sept 1 will require employees of certain businesses to be vaccinated while also requiring a portion of those businesses to also verify proof of full vaccination for patrons who are at least 12 years-old. The requirement to verify vaccination of both employees and patrons focuses…
Read More
07Aug 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

August News: “The War Has Changed,” Rental Assistance & More

Newsletter
As our understanding of the Delta variant evolves, our Bay Area health officers are updating health and safety guidance. Last week, we learned from an internal CDC presentation that "the war has changed" because the Delta variant is different from previous strains of Covid-19. Please find below the new guidance on masking indoors in public settings released earlier this week. *** Eight Bay Area health officers have issued Health Orders requiring masks indoors in public places. The Orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions, starting on Tues., Aug. 3. "We are deeply fortunate to have vaccines that so profoundly reduce the risk of severe illness and death from the newest, more dangerous variant," said Dr. Lisa B.…
Read More
30Jul 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

July News: Masks Indoors, State Budget Update, City Agreement with UC Berkeley & More

News, Newsletter
One thing many of us have grappled with over the course of this pandemic is the high level of uncertainty that we face. The Delta variant brings us to yet another inflection point in which experts are processing data in real-time and our public health officials are updating health and safety guidance.  Earlier this month, the City of Berkeley issued the following guidance related to face coverings: The City of Berkeley's Health Officer along with health officers around the region encourage vaccinated and unvaccinated people alike to wear face coverings in indoor public settings, an environment fueling spread of the Delta variant of the virus causing Covid-19 disease. Each of the three tested, safe, and effective vaccines provide high protection against serious illness and death while also reducing infections, including…
Read More
23Jun 2021 by Kieryn Darkwater

June News: City Budget, Homelessness Updates, Safety on Sacramento St

Homelessness, Newsletter, Sidewalks and Streets
It’s hard to believe that a full 15 months have passed since we were first asked to shelter in place on a Tuesday last March. Over the course of weeks and months, we all faced uncertainty and isolation, and some of us faced economic devastation or the loss of a loved one. President Biden, who has experienced the loss of two children and his first spouse, recently said: “A day will come when the memory of the loved one you lost will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye. That’s when you know you’re going to get through it. You will get through it. But it’s a long haul.” More than 600,000 people in the U.S.—and more than 3.8 million globally—who did not survive the past…
Read More