A public information request for FAB member attendance sent to the City Clerk was met with the response, “check the website,” despite the fact that the website records are incomplete. This is how El Cerrito tax dollars are being utilized!
In the heart of El Cerrito, a troubling pattern has emerged that calls into question the effectiveness and integrity of our local government. Since January 2023, three Financial Advisory Board (FAB) meetings have been canceled due to either city staff cancellations or the inability to reach a quorum. This disruption has significant implications for the governance of our city, and the problem runs deeper than mere attendance issues.
Attendance and Participation: A Tale of Two Years
In 2023, the City Council appointed Council Liaison Wysinger to attend FAB meetings. However, Wysinger’s commitment was questionable at best, with attendance recorded at just one meeting. Admittedly, she’s not well versed in finances, and her lack of participation mirrors her interest in learning about municipal finance.
The contrast in 2024 is stark, as Council Liaison Fadelli attended most meetings, with another council member stepping in during his absence. This discrepancy highlights an inconsistency in engagement and commitment from our elected officials.
Leadership and Tenure: An Unbalanced Approach
A particularly concerning issue is the ongoing disparity in how leadership roles within the FAB are managed. A previous FAB chair held their position for nearly five years, yet the current chair is being forced out after just two years. This abrupt change raises questions about the fairness and rationale behind such decisions. The City Council and City Clerk are responsible for providing candidates for FAB, yet the selection process seems to lack transparency and consistency.
Absenteeism Among New FAB Members
Further complicating matters, three new FAB members, selected by the City Council, have been absent more often than present at FAB meetings. One previous member was even forced out due to an alleged rule violation, while others who fail to meet attendance expectations remain on the board.
Absenteeism undermines the effectiveness of the board and hinders its ability to fulfill its advisory role. This is particularly disturbing because the newly seated members were appointed during the most critical time of the year – during the budget process.
A quorum of three is necessary for a meeting and minimum of four is needed for subcommittee analysis, research and evaluation. Having an ineffective FAB is in the City Manager’s best interest.
Such selective enforcement of rules and seating uncommitted residents suggests a deeper issue within the governance framework of our city.
The Role of the City Manager
The City Manager’s influence over which items are presented to FAB adds another layer of concern. Many items of material financial impact are not reviewed by FAB and proceed to the council without the necessary advisory input. This systemic pattern of bypassing the board not only diminishes the role of FAB but also undermines the principle of thorough, informed decision-making in our city’s governance.
The Need for Accountability and Transparency
The issues of misapplied rules, inconsistent participation, and selective enforcement within El Cerrito’s City Council and FAB are alarming. They highlight a need for greater accountability and transparency in how our city is managed. The residents of El Cerrito deserve a government that is consistent, fair, and fully committed to the responsibilities it has undertaken.
Also, for greater transparency, FAB meetings should be recorded.
In conclusion, it is crucial for the City Council to reassess its approach to governance. Ensuring consistent attendance, fair treatment of board members, and transparent processes will help restore trust and effectiveness in our local government.
The future of El Cerrito depends on a council that is not only present but also fully engaged in serving the best interests of its community.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 
When we vote for new City Council members we might want to assess their ability to address the City Manager and her lack of transparency and accountability to the public. In the past, City Council members have unanimously approved her contract (and salary increases) without thorough review. The previous City Council anointed Karen Pinkos to her position- the city did not engage in outside recruitment, thereby continuing a dysfunctional management style that insulate the administration from the public, and when possible, the City Council members.Hopefully we can find candidates who are less about climbing the political ladder and more about city governance.
On Mon, Jul 1, 2024 at 7:00 AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
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The City Manager gave a presentation on June 27th sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce at Juku Cafe and misrepresented the City’s debt load. She claims the City has “very little debt” while ignoring the over 80 million dollars of unfunded pension liabilities that are ECONOMIC DEBT even if recorded off balance sheet. I think she also said the City was never near going Bankrupt. I don’t think I believe her. She is very concerned about the upcoming vote on extending the 1% sales tax measure that expires in 2027.
On Mon, Jul 1, 2024 at 6:59 AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
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We can also create another blog post on this issue? Thoughts?
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