Is it possible that the mere act of thorough performance evaluations by the El Cerrito City Council could lead to significant improvements in city management or prompt changes in leadership? This question comes to mind when considering the recent resignation of Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley.
Berkeley’s top city administrator, Dee Williams-Ridley, announced her resignation effective July 10. The announcement was made shortly after the City Council convened to evaluate her performance in a closed session.
Serving as the principal administrator, Williams-Ridley made her decision public through a joint statement with Mayor Jesse Arreguín, communicated by a city spokesperson. She stated her intention to pursue new opportunities, a decision disclosed just an hour after the City Council’s performance review. The City Council, which holds the authority to appoint the city manager, thus plays a critical role in shaping the leadership within the city’s administration.
The Mayor thanked Williams-Ridley for her dedicated service, while she commended the city workers and residents for their support. Matthai Chakko, a spokesperson for the manager’s office, mentioned that the council is now looking to appoint an interim city manager as they search for a permanent successor.
This sequence of events in Berkeley prompts a reflection on the practices of nearby El Cerrito.
If the El Cerrito City Council were to adopt a similar approach of rigorously assessing their City Manager’s performance, it could lead to one of two outcomes: either it would drive improvements in the management of the city due to the increased accountability or result in a change in leadership if it becomes apparent that new direction is beneficial. Just as in Berkeley, such evaluations can serve as a pivotal mechanism for ensuring the highest standards of governance and administration in city management.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 