1. Since my re�rement, I have dedicated a substan�al amount of �me to volunteer work within our community. As the former Senior Commissioner, I forged connec�ons with numerous seniors, providing daily support through various ac�vi�es. Addi�onally, I ac�vely par�cipated in the cleanup ini�a�ves in the City of San Leandro and contributed my efforts to the Davis Street Community Center. Organizing annual food drives with the Bay-O-Vista Home Improvement Associa�on has been another meaningful way in which I have con�nued to posi�vely impact our community.
2. My passion lies in making a tangible difference in the lives of others, par�cularly in my extensive experience working with the school board and children. Having dedicated a significant por�on of my re�rement to volunteer work, I am commited to upli�ing the voices of those who have been historically excluded. Whether it's forging connec�ons with seniors as the former Senior Commissioner, ac�vely par�cipa�ng in community cleanup ini�a�ves and food drives, or collabora�ng with the school board, my drive-in life is to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing and inclusivity of our community. I believe that through service and advocacy, especially in educa�on, we can create posi�ve change that resonates with individuals from all walks of life.
3. The issue of crime is undoubtedly a significant concern for San Leandro residents. To address this, I believe it is crucial to focus on both recruitment efforts and ensuring the stability of our police department. Con�nuing to recruit qualified officers is essen�al to maintaining a robust law enforcement presence in our community. Equally important is fostering stability within the police department, as it enhances the effec�veness and efficiency of crime preven�on ini�a�ves.
By priori�zing recruitment and stability, we can work towards crea�ng a safer environment for all San Leandro residents.
4. Given the seven districts in the city of San Leandro, my approach would be to conduct comprehensive surveys across each district to beter understand the unique needs and concerns of the residents. This ini�a�ve aims to foster alignment between the city and myself in addressing community priori�es. Through this survey, I intend to evaluate the effec�veness of past ini�a�ves undertaken by the city, iden�fying successful strategies to build upon and recognizing areas where improvements are necessary. By ac�vely involving the community in the decision-making process, we can ensure that our efforts are targeted, responsive, and reflec�ve of the diverse needs within each district.
5. Having served as a former member of the Oakland School Board, a re�red Foreman for Local 104, and a dedicated member of various commitees in San Leandro, I bring a wealth of experience collabora�ng with diverse ci�zens and stakeholders. My background has honed my ability to ac�vely listen and follow up with thorough fact-finding, ensuring that decisions are well-informed and reflec�ve of community input. Through these experiences, I have developed a commitment to inclusivity and the skillset needed to navigate the complexi�es of community engagement and decision-making.
6. The most important role of the City Council is to enhance community well-being and provide improved services. In fulfilling this responsibility, I am commited to represen�ng the needs of my cons�tuents diligently. Transparency will be a cornerstone of my approach, ensuring open communica�on and accountability in every decision. To achieve these goals, I will stay fully informed on the unique issues within each district, fostering a responsive and inclusive City Council that priori�zes the overall welfare of our community.
7. I will con�nue to work with Building Futures, finding out the needs of individuals and comple�ng need assessments. I would look at the exis�ng policies and adjus�ng them to serve our homeless popula�on. I would reach out to ci�es that have had success with addressing the homeless issue.
8. I would work with the San Leandro Community Police review board and with the POA of San Leandro. In collabora�on we would con�nue to move forward with recommenda�ons.
9. My vision for the city is centered around the development of the marina, building upon the work already ini�ated. I envision transforming it into a vibrant, mul�purpose area that incorporates restaurants and mixed-use housing. This development aims to atract a diverse range of people, fostering a sense of community and vitality in the area. Addi�onally, I am dedicated to fostering collabora�ve efforts among city leaders to effec�vely address crucial issues. This includes implemen�ng strategies to prevent crime, suppor�ng local small businesses, and ac�vely working towards reducing the homeless popula�on. Through these ini�a�ves, I aspire to create a city that thrives on inclusivity, economic growth, and a high quality of life for all residents.
10. I envision our city embracing a culinary transforma�on with the introduc�on of farm-to-table restaurants and hybrid coffee shops. These establishments would cater to diverse community needs, staying open to serve various demographics. My focus is on fostering businesses that are not only commited to providing excellent service but also dedicated to suppor�ng the local community. I believe that by encouraging businesses whose profits contribute to boos�ng the local economy, we can create a thriving and sustainable environment that benefits both residents and entrepreneurs.
11. Having faced cri�cism from cons�tuents and the media in the past, I've developed a successful approach to manage it effec�vely. I priori�ze not taking cri�cism personally, instead focusing on ac�ve listening and responding graciously. It's essen�al to consider the substance of the cri�cism, demonstra�ng humility when necessary, offering sincere apologies, and working towards construc�ve resolu�ons. While it's impossible to sa�sfy everyone, I firmly believe that the way we handle cri�cism speaks volumes about our commitment to transparent and accountable leadership.
12. As a City Council member, I'd make it easier for people to get involved. I want ci�zens to know how things work and that they have the right to bring up their concerns with the city. For instance, in a past mee�ng, many wanted to talk about issues in Gaza. If everyone knew the mee�ng rules beter, we might have sorted out the concerns and found a solu�on before the mee�ng even happened. I believe in making the city process clear and open so everyone can take part.
Supplemental Questions (For Appointment to Fill Vacancy) | San Leandro City Council, Dist. 1
1. How often do you volunteer in our community?
As a result of WFH (working-from-home) during the height of the pandemic, I became involved in my immediate community. First starting with a Free Little Library, then providing our community with mutual aid via a Free Little Pantry at the site of the library. Since then, I have pivoted to advocating for Environmental Justice efforts on behalf of San Leandro and our Greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Formally, once per quarter at least four times annually. Informally, whenever I step outside my door, which includes but is n ot limited to picking up litter and/or reporting it via the Report a Concern.
2. What are your passions or what is your drive in Life? Living a life of service and invoking a zest for life in others, by showing them all the beauty around us.
3. What do you think is the biggest issue facing San Leandro residents, and what actions do you think the City can take immediately, in the midterm (3-5 years), and the long term (10-20 years)? I understand that the biggest issues that residents are concerned about relate to living in an affordable city, while ensuring public safety. As an idealist and engineer, I think immediate solutions to these issues would include developing pathways for inc reased housing opportunities with inventory that may already be available. In the long term, it is important to think about how the biggest issues may be driven by coexisting conditions within our society and we should be addressing root causes – not just the outcomes. Therefore, what I would bring to the team would be a systems thinking approach borrowed from solving complex engineering problems – to help mitigate occurrences and their severity.
4. How would you balance the needs and interests of different neighborhoods and communities in San Leandro with that of the City? Include any opportunities and constraints that you would take into consideration.
Balancing the needs and interests of the varies neighborhoods, communities within the city and the overarching goals of the city would include evaluating if there are areas that overlap and focus on high priority items first, while being transparent in the dec isions being made.
I would include opportunities to partner with interested community members to help achieve overarching goals, while acknowledging any potential limiting factors.
5. What specific skills and abilities do you bring that will enable you to work effectively with both the diverse members and perspectives of our community and the diverse members and perspectives on this City Council? I am a stubborn optimist and prior personal experience includes traveling and working abroad and being able to work with a variety of cultures, which has enabled me to collaborate effectively with diverse members and varying perspectives. My professional experience has also enabled me to work closely with cross-functional teams with different priorities while meeting overarching goals like ensuring patient safety, while acknowledging diverse ways of thinking how to design a product that will meet user-needs.
6. What is the most important role that the City Council plays and how would you ensure success in that role? I think the most vital role that the City Council plays is acknowledging the concerns of residents and seeking feedback for continuous improvement. The City Council has a responsibility to not only be an ambassador of the city but inspire others to participate in making the city a place where everyone feels safe and welcome. To be successful in continuous improvement efforts, I would make myself available to residents – and continue to walk/run throughout San Leandro. I would also welcome more neighborhood roundtables so I could understand challenges individuals may be facing that are not within my scope of lived experience.
7. How will you create and engage in policy and propose/implement hands on approaches to end homelessness in San Leandro? Today, I had the honor of participating as a volunteer in the Alameda County Point-In-Time Count and it was an insightful experience.
Understanding the needs of individuals through the survey, allowed me to think about how programming could be shifted away from only addressing immediate needs (like food and shelter), but also focus on the element of elevating an individual’s self-worth with kindness and compassion. I would engage with policy and propose/implement approaches by getting direct feedback from i ndividuals impacted, while being open to learning about other cities’ successes when it comes to ending homelessness.
8. How will you create and engage in policy and propose/implement hands on approaches [to] create a safer community from policing to community involvement in San Leandro?
I will be ready to support initiatives that are evidence-based to create and implement policies that aim at creating a safer community, while acknowledging that policing is one aspect of public safety – but it can be reserved for law enforcement situations. Through my lens of public health, I believe we could address multiple issues like advancing Environmental Justice while Preventing Crime through Enviro nmental Stewardship that promotes health and wellness of our shared environment and in turn our own health. There is evidence to suggest that reducing litter while enhancing beauty in a city can promote an active lifestyle of residents while helping to reduce crime a s streets will be busier.
9. What is your vision for the city, i.e., what should the City of San Leandro focus on during the next 3 -5 years, and how to plan to help realize that?
My vision for the city of San Leandro is to continue to expand the Resilience Hubs Initiative so all neighborhoods feel empow ered to take immediate actions to address the climate emergency, while collaborating across the city and county to create a more su stainable San Leandro and Greater SF Bay Area. A more sustainable San Leandro would include focusing on overburden areas of the city with projects that will improve the quality of life for residents. Initiatives could include expanding on the efforts of or ganizations like San Leandro 2050, that identified housing availability and affordability (as a key concern for residents) and the creation of greener employment opportunities for locals. Beyond the technical solutions that could be discussed, it is important for all individuals – homeowners, renters, visitors feel connected and a part of the community – to help combat loneliness that may adversely impact overall health, wellness and may have other implications on public health.
10. What types of organizations (e.g., businesses, non-profits, etc.) should San Leandro seek to attract to our city? Why these organizations? How would you support those efforts?
Types of organizations that San Leandro should seek to attract or have residents start – would include those that focus on community capacity building, the promoting of a circular economy, environmentally conscious businesses and organizations, development of clean technology (cleantech), and encouraging all employers to participate in recidivism reduction with reentry pathways for formal ly incarcerated individuals to expand economic opportunities so individuals have the ability to rebuild their lives. I would support these organizations, because they are thinking beyond their lifetime and focused on addressing root causes – not just outcomes. I would support these efforts, by actively engaging with organizations and I would be willing to participate in negotiations that would include ensuring decisions made are through the lens of a risk management perspective, for example any new entity should not adversely impact the health of the c ommunity.
11. How would you handle criticism from constituents or the media? I would manage criticism from constituents and/or the media by being mindful that being public facing and holding public office comes with opportunities to be challenged on decisions, actions, or in-actions. From a personal perspective, I would be mindful to address my health and wellness – while being open to having conversations with individuals that have opposing views. It is important that all community members voice their concerns – even if there are disagreements but can still respect one another.
12. What strategies would you use to promote civic engagement and participate in local government? I would acknowledge potential barriers for individuals to participate in civic engagement that may include but is not limited to economic challenges, lack of awareness by community members, resistance to participate, limited time due to personal priorities. I thi nk one strategy could be the use of positive reinforcement like active recognition or monetary incentives – but also leading by example. It is important to be mindful that full participation may not be feasible, but the City Council should welcome continuous feedback as a method to have community members participate and be engaged. An open environment of sharing ideas will allow us to get to better solutions, faster for the benefit of all.
Please explain why you want to be appointed to the City Council:
Please list any previous City of San Leandro Board, Commission, or Committee on which you have served:
Please list any community organizations to which you belong or have belonged:
Please provide any additional information you wish which covers your qualifications, interests, or training related to this appointment:
I have sufficient time to devote to this responsibility and will attend the required meeting(s) if I am appointed. I am also aware that this application is a public document. If appointed, I will file the necessary disclosure documents as required under the Political Reform Act.
Signature Date
Please return your application in person or by mail to:
Office of the City Clerk
City of San Leandro
835 East 14
th Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
You may also submit your application by email to: [email protected] Applications will not be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on January 29, 2024. Postmarks not accepted.
Please see attached sheet. None None I am eternally interested in leading any effort related to better health. I am a sub-3 hr marathoner and a triathlete finishing several Ironman races. I started running in 2016. I learned swimming in 2018. I am not born skilled. I am passionate about better health, for everybody. 01/25/2024
Das, Siddhartha Extra Sheet
Please explain why you want to be appointed to the City Council:
As a college student, I used to go to a weekly chemistry tuition, back in India. It was a five-minutes-walk from the bus stop. I used to pass by a homeless mother holding her little toddler. The toddler always appeared to be weak and sick. There was a cake shop at the bus stop. I used to buy a slice of cake with whatever allowance I used to have, and give that to the toddler on my way. One day, the toddler was not there any more.
The mother was lying on the side walk, dejected.
Since then, I have traversed multiple continents. Got married to an exceptional lady who grew up in a country that, before I met her, I did not know existed. At one point, two of us carried four different passports. We met at Yale. We have enjoyed the ‘relative’ privilege of being a part of the ‘have’s. But, it is impossible for me to forget that mother.
And, as I traversed continents, I learned that it is the same everywhere: even that mother carries the burden of the privilege that I enjoy; even she pays the tax when she tries to get her humble necessities from a shop. I want to give back. I want a world where all of us not only live happily and in good health ourselves, but also help our neighbors to attain so; and, some of our neighbors might be ‘have not’s.
Now I am a dad of a toddler, born here in San Leandro. He rides his balance bike around the streets here. Runs around and tries to climb everything in the playgrounds here. And, shows me signs of “Warming center” and asks me what that is. He needs a village to grow up.
Why do I want to be a part of the City Council? Because, I want to be a part of the organized effort to give back to our community, my son’s village.
Das, Siddhartha Extra Sheet
Supplemental Question 3. What do you think is the biggest issue facing San Leandro residents, and what actions do you think the City can take immediately, in the midterm (3-5 years), and the long term (10-20 years)? I doubt whether there is one single biggest issue. I feel, depending on the stage in life, different residents have different issues. However, on the whole in San Leandro, especially in my District 1, we are seeing a large influx of young families, including ourselves. Therefore, I would think one key issue would be places for families to walk to and hang out, better educational institutes, child care and sports facilities. in 3-5 years, I hope, the city would be able to build continuous, wide and well defined bike paths (like the new one on Grand ave) and small businesses (such as small but nice well-stocked grocery stores, restaurants, microbreweries, kid's daycare facilities) within 0.25-0.4 miles walking (i.e. about 5-10 minutes walking) from any place. In the long term, having (a) open fields like soccer fields with running tracks/path around, with adjacent playgrounds, adjacent public swimming pools, (b) more schools, and (c) more nationally regarded or city sponsored child care centers would be ideal. This will not only help the kids, but also promote healthy and close community.
Please explain why you want to be appointed to the City Council:
Please list any previous City of San Leandro Board, Commission, or Committee on which you have served:
Please list any community organizations to which you belong or have belonged:
Please provide any additional information you wish which covers your qualifications, interests, or training related to this appointment:
I have sufficient time to devote to this responsibility and will attend the required meeting(s) if I am appointed. I am also aware that this application is a public document. If appointed, I will file the necessary disclosure documents as required under the Political Reform Act.
Signature Date
Please return your application in person or by mail to:
Office of the City Clerk
City of San Leandro
835 East 14
th Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
You may also submit your application by email to: [email protected] Applications will not be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on January 29, 2024. Postmarks not accepted.
I have been interested in serving my community and city since we moved to San Leandro over eight years ago. I believe that a City's strength lies in its community members and those called to lead by members of the community. My expertise in leadership, dimplomacy, action based goal setting and my overal love for the City of San Leandro, are reasons to select me for this appointment. I want to be part of the success of this city and contribute where I can. While I have applied to serve on several commissions, I have not yet had the opportunity to do so. I would greatfully welcome the opportunity to serve the City in a formal capacity. I currently serve on the Board for SOS Meals on Wheels, based in San Leandro. I am also a Board of Director for The Village Demands and have served as Board President for the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce from 2019 - 2022. San Leandro is our home and we plan to continue to devote time and energy in support of this city. This includes my families support in all of my efforts to be more involved. I am dedicated, excited and ready to serve should I be selected. Additional docs attached. Thank you! 01/25/2024