The City of El Cerrito continues to hold “public workshops” that are nothing more than pep rallies for the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) library. At the last event held at the library, no information was distributed, and no relevant questions were answered. The city has little involvement in operating the library. The County has total control and funds what goes on in the library with our property taxes: people, programs, hours. The City lacks any expertise or domain knowledge in library science. So, why are they holding these “workshops”? About what, exactly?
The real reason for this dog and pony show is that the City needs the $300 per resident “forever tax” money to cover excessive spending. This tax is a perpetual burden on residents, designed to cover financial mismanagement rather than truly serving the community’s needs.
The Real Issue: Location and Cost
The real issue is simple: where is the best place to locate the library, and how much space do taxpayers want to pay for a new or renovated building? Residents want their say, but they are not getting it. Worse yet, parcel owners will foot the bill alone and not getting their say. Even non-residents have several questions about the proposed project. Many believe the alternative sitings for the library are far superior, but also think the existing library is a good fit for a new reconstruction. No one knows how the city insiders come up with “no parking” at the current library. It’s hard to understand how voters could decide on a new library without knowing what the alternatives were/are. That seems a rather undemocratic kind of “voting.”
Lack of Transparency and Questionable Financial Plans
The City has put forth plans that lack details, except they somehow plan to turn a supplemental parcel tax into $21,000,000 of proceeds for constructing the housing development, of which the library will occupy 20,000 sq ft.
- Lease Agreement Negotiations: What is the City negotiating with the Contra Costa County (CCC) Library Commission Lease Agreement document? The City has no involvement in library operations other than authorizing up to more hours a week of library hours. Its only job is to provide space for a library.
- Interest Payments: Who is paying the $1,600,000 interest payment on the proposal? Not the City. How does the Supplemental Property Tax collected by the CCC Tax Collector get to El Cerrito and to the entity paying the interest on the $21,000,000 that is going to be raised for construction? It’s all complicated and a bad sign.
Developer Influence and Lack of Competition
The City seems to be “captured” by the housing developer and the City Council. No other contractor wants to talk to El Cerrito because the City Council is already committed to the housing developer, to which the City made a $250,000 investment, making it clear that engaging with other contractors would be a waste of time.
A Call for Transparency and Resident Involvement
Residents deserve transparency and the ability to have a meaningful say in where their library is located and how much they will pay for it. The current process is opaque, with critical information withheld from the public. The City’s workshops should provide real answers and detailed plans, not serve as mere promotional events for pre-decided outcomes.
It’s time for the City to listen to its residents and provide the transparency and involvement they deserve. Without this, the future of the El Cerrito Library remains uncertain, and the trust in our local government continues to erode.
We urge all El Cerrito residents to demand transparency and accountability from their city officials. Attend city council meetings, ask tough questions, and insist on detailed plans and honest answers. Voice your concerns about the proposed perpetual tax and the lack of resident involvement in these critical decisions. Together, we can ensure that our community’s needs are met and that our local government truly serves its people. Join us in advocating for a library plan that reflects the desires and best interests of all residents. Your involvement is crucial. Let’s hold our City accountable and shape the future of our library together.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 