While other cities placed a moratorium on travel and meals when revenues decreased during the pandemic, El Cerrito was business as usual, spending recklessly and mismanaging public funds.
On April 30, 2022, the city manager spent $583.66 at San Rafael Joe’s – not an El Cerrito establishment. Apparently, there was a gathering for department heads, according to documents. Please see below for details.
The San Rafael Joe’s order- Departmental Head Dinner- $507.70
2 Espresso $6.50
3 Cappucino $12.00
2 Calamari Appetizer $24.50
2 Bruchetta $22.00
1 House Salad $6.75
4 Prime Rib $152.00
1 Veal Scal $25.50
1 Veal Parmigiana $25.50
1 Chick Piccata $21.00
1 Veggie W/Snapper $22.00
1 Prawns Saute $24.50
2 Tiramisu $10.00
1 Bread Pudding $7.50
1 NY Cheese Cake $7.50
1 Crème Brulee $7.00
1 Cup Chowder $7.00
Gratuity $84.62
Total Due $507.70*
*The credit card expense was $583.66. The City did not explain the difference.
El Cerrito, a city of just 25,000 continues to spend exorbitantly. In June of 2019, the city clerk incurred an expenditure of $6,259.75 at Los Moles. The city possibly had a negative general fund balance at that time, and spending more than $6 thousand for non-essential expenses is not prudent for public funds.
These are the Fiscal Year credit card expenditures by the city manager.
Y2019 $15,146.39
Y2020 $3,832.16
Y2021 $7,190.49
Y2022 $12,231.47 10 months
Y2023 $12,111.97 8 months
These are some monthly credit card expenditures for everyone.
Month Amount
Jan-19 $48,296.69
Feb-19 $54,181.88
Mar-19 $39,949.30
Apr-19 $57,205.99
May-19 $67,210.24
Jun-19 $84,405.24
Jul-19 $95,727.55
Aug-19 $67,231.14
Sep-19 $60,378.61
Oct-19 $65,963.00
Nov-19 $48,289.57
Dec-19 $53,729.65
Total $742,568.86
Like many other cities, the federal government restricts entertainment expenses, travel and employer-provided meals, but El Cerrito continues the tradition of excessive spending and fiscal mismanagement.
City leaders are clearly out of touch and have behaved irresponsibly for so long that they think it is a Commonplace practice of incompetence and abuse.
The City plans a ballot measure requesting more taxes. Before El Cerrito gets another taxpayer bailout, reforms need to be implemented to make the agency more accountable to taxpayers.
Here’s how you can help:
- Share this post with other residents.
- Comment on the blog.
- Attend the monthly Financial Advisory Board meetings in person. The next meeting is scheduled for October 24; meetings are neither recorded nor provided remotely.
- Council meetings are both remote and in-person. The City Council meeting will be tomorrow. All attendees can speak. The schedule is here.
- If you want to contact City Council Members or the City Managers, all their emails are below.
- Karen Pinkos-City Manager kpinkos@ci.el-cerrito.ca.usCouncilperson Gabe Quinto gquinto@ci.el-cerrito.ca.usCouncilperson Carolyn Wysinger cywysinger@ci.el-cerrito.ca.usCouncilperson Tessa Rudnick trudnick@ci.el-cerrito.ca.usMayor Lisa Motoyama lmotoyama@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
- Councilperson Paul Fadelli pfadelli@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 