District 1 Council Member· 2022-2026
Rashi Kesarwani
Berkeley
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 34
- Total speaking time
- 4:08:28
- Avg per meeting
- 7:18
- Segments
- 3131
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Top issues during term (8)(Budget)
Proposed 0.5% Sales Tax Increase
Generates roughly $9 million annually in new general fund revenue while raising the local sales tax rate to match neighboring cities.
soda tax increase
Shoppers will face notably higher prices on all sugary drinks bought within city limits.
homeless services funding
It's unclear if the city got its money's worth, or if this was a good investment in helping people find homes.
Structural Budget Deficit & Proposed Position Cuts
Reduces general fund expenditures by roughly $30 million annually through position eliminations and service reductions.
Measure Y arts parcel tax
It would raise about $6.3 million a year for the arts, with most homeowners paying around $105 more annually.
sugary drink tax
You'll pay higher prices at checkout for soda and sweet drinks, while the city pulls in extra tax revenue for public health programs.
FY 2027-2028 Biennial Budget & Structural Deficit
Involves gross appropriations of $921.6 million for FY 2027 and addresses a $30 million structural deficit.
vacancy tax interpretation
Landlords saved big, but the city's coffers are missing out on millions because of how they're counting vacant units.
Decisions during term (44)
Recorded while Kesarwani was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Amendment to Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 7.18 to Explicitly Require Competitive Procurement for Services to Promote Accountability and Transparency and Refer Development of Regulations to City Manager (Reviewed by the Budget & Finance…
Berkeley Flea Market End-of-the-Season Fall Festival/Halloween Celebration Event: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
Harriet Tubman Terrace Residents' Low-Income Housing Bay Cruise Lunch Event on Thursday, November, 5, 2026 - Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds from General Funds and Grant of Such Funds
Creations Berkeley - Creations Dance Group Road to Hollywood Nov 27th through Nov 30th 2026 / Hip Hop Hollywood Dance Tour - Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
Cal Sailing Club’s Final 2026 Open House: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds from General Funds and Grant of Such Funds
Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds from General Funds and Grant of Such Funds to Support the Restoration of “Sinbad Voyage”
Music in the Elmwood Festival: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
District 1 Support for the Gilman District Merchants Association to Promote Longterm Sustainability and Area Improvements: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
District 1 Support for the Gilman District Merchants Association to Promote Longterm Sustainability and Area Improvements: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds from General Funds and Grant of Such Funds to Support the Citywide Berkeley School Supply Distribution & Resource Fair
Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds from General Funds and Grant of Such Funds to the Downtown Berkeley Association in Support of the Social Service Outreach Coordinator Position
Russell Street Halloween Festivities (2026–2029): Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
Bertha Brown Community Memorial Gathering and Hunger Program Recognition – Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds from General Funds and Grant of Such Funds to Support of the Raising the Next Generation of Student Advocates (RISE) Program
Replenishing Business Damage Mitigation Fund: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Fund
Zero Empty Spaces in Downtown Berkeley: Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
Solano Avenue Stroll: Co-Sponsorship and Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to the General Fund and Grant of Such Funds to the Solano Avenue Association
Adoption of FY 2027-2028 Biennial Budget, CIP, and FY 2027 Appropriations Ordinance
Resorcery Org’s Mural Reveal and Food Drive Relinquishment of Council Office Budget Funds to the General Fund and Grant of Such Funds
Voting record (1)(Budget)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.