As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being an engaged and thoughtful part of our community. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another tradition—or simply take this time to reflect and recharge—we wish you joy, peace, and the warmth of connection. The holiday seasonContinue reading “Holiday Message”
Author Archives: eccrg
Editorial: El Cerrito’s Workplace Culture—Time to Align Words with Actions
El Cerrito’s progress in funding, infrastructure, and financial stability is worth recognizing. But a city’s success is more than a a list of checks paid or a groundbreaking ceremony—it’s the health of its workplace culture and the trust employees have in their leadership. Without addressing systemic issues, the foundation of these advancements remains fragile. TheContinue reading “Editorial: El Cerrito’s Workplace Culture—Time to Align Words with Actions”
El Cerrito Plaza Station: Addressing Parking Challenges with Equity
The Plaza Station in El Cerrito is at the heart of some of the city’s most pressing parking challenges. As transit-oriented development (TOD) plans and other urban projects take shape, the City Council faces the difficult task of balancing modernization with the needs of all residents. Ensuring that solutions are equitable, practical, and sustainable willContinue reading “El Cerrito Plaza Station: Addressing Parking Challenges with Equity”
What Did Management and Council Really Do?
They often claim they “worked hard to turn things around,” but here’s what actually happened: • Accepted $6.1 million in ARPA funds • Accepted $4 million+ per year in RPTT • Increased property taxes after revaluation • Benefited from increased sales tax revenue after court decisions ➡️ Over $12 million per year in extra revenues.Continue reading “What Did Management and Council Really Do?”
El Cerrito Leadership: Focus on True Community Progress
Leadership is about setting goals, taking responsibility, and achieving meaningful results. But sometimes, leaders get caught up in celebrating small successes rather at the cost of focusing on the larger challenges ahead. This seems to be the case in El Cerrito, where recent social media posts suggest a disconnect between modest progress and the hardContinue reading “El Cerrito Leadership: Focus on True Community Progress”
El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line
Today marks a significant moment for the City of El Cerrito. The California State Auditor has officially removed our city from its “High Risk” designation, a status reserved for the bottom 5% of cities with severe financial vulnerabilities. This milestone reflects the city’s progress in achieving fiscal stability, improving budget reporting, and implementing some soundContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line”
Examining Citizen Participation in El Cerrito City Council Meetings
Public participation is a cornerstone of local government, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, recent practices in El Cerrito City Council meetings raise questions about how well the city’s processes align with its ordinances and the principles of open governance. Consent Calendar and Public Input One key issue lies with the Consent Calendar. This section ofContinue reading “Examining Citizen Participation in El Cerrito City Council Meetings”
El Cerrito Leadership: The Risks of Selective Transparency
In her recent State of El Cerrito address, Mayor Tessa Rudnick touted the city’s “large fund balance” as a sign of strong fiscal management. However, this narrative failed to acknowledge a critical detail: most of this fund balance is restricted, earmarked for specific uses, and unavailable to address broader community needs. Moreover, the city hasContinue reading “El Cerrito Leadership: The Risks of Selective Transparency”
El Cerrito’s Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation
El Cerrito stands out among its neighboring cities for its unusually high concentration of fire services relative to its population and geographic size. The California State Auditor previously recommended that El Cerrito conduct a staffing analysis to determine the appropriate staffing levels for each classification. However, nearly four years later, the city has disregarded thisContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation”
El Cerrito’s Continued Reliance on Consultants: A Costly and Unsustainable Cycle
The City of El Cerrito’s latest request for proposals (RFP) from consulting firms specializing in economic development, affordable housing, and financial strategies might seem like a step toward progress. However, this pattern raises pressing concerns about sustainability, financial recovery, and the long-term impact on the city’s workforce. The recurring reliance on consultants is not justContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Continued Reliance on Consultants: A Costly and Unsustainable Cycle”
Final State of the City Address: Mayor’s Legacy in Focus
El Cerrito’s Mayor will deliver her final State of the City Address on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, marking a pivotal moment for the community. As she concludes her term without seeking reelection, this address provides a unique opportunity for an honest and thorough evaluation of the city’s current condition and its path forward. The MayorContinue reading “Final State of the City Address: Mayor’s Legacy in Focus”
The El Cerrito Senior Center: A Case of Neglect and Mismanagement
The plight of El Cerrito’s senior community has become an enduring symbol of the city’s administrative inertia and misplaced priorities. Over seven years after a concerned citizen brought the issue of the Senior Center to the City Council at the October 3, 2017 meeting (timestamp 19:25), seniors remain displaced, and the city continues to evadeContinue reading “The El Cerrito Senior Center: A Case of Neglect and Mismanagement”
El Cerrito’s Capital Improvement Needs: One-quarter of a Billion Dollars!
El Cerrito is facing an urgent and substantial need for capital improvements, estimated by the state auditor at nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. This staggering figure highlights the breadth of infrastructure needs within the city, encompassing everything from essential repairs to crucial building upgrades. Despite the significance of these unmet capital improvement needs,Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Capital Improvement Needs: One-quarter of a Billion Dollars!”
The Looming Pension Crisis: A $98 Million Unfunded Liability
On November 19th, the city council and staff marked the occasion of a $1.3 million contribution to a Section 115 pension investment. Notably, their consultant had advised a minimum contribution of $5 million, but the account was opened with only about 20% of that recommendation. Typically, cities that establish a Section 115 investment account areContinue reading “The Looming Pension Crisis: A $98 Million Unfunded Liability”
Addressing Concerns About Privacy
In the era of digital discourse, it’s essential to strike a balance between fostering open dialogue and respecting individual privacy. Recently, a concerned citizen raised serious allegations against the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) regarding the publication of names and email addresses in blog comments. It’s time to address these concerns and clarifyContinue reading “Addressing Concerns About Privacy”
Decline in El Cerrito Library Foot Traffic and Proposed Parcel Tax
Between FY 2019 and FY 2024, the El Cerrito Library experienced a significant 43% decline in foot traffic. In 2019, the library recorded 171,262 visits, which decreased to 96,798 by 2024—a reduction of 74,464 visits. This trend reflects a broader pattern across the Contra Costa Library system, which saw an overall 31% decline in footContinue reading “Decline in El Cerrito Library Foot Traffic and Proposed Parcel Tax”
Political Opportunism, Silencing and Civil Liberties Concerns
A concerned citizen recently wrote to ECCRG. Their perspective offered some insight. Here are a few thoughts presented as a blog: Advocacy for Surveillance Technology El Cerrito’s city government has recently come under scrutiny, with allegations suggesting it operates as a “Good Ol’ Boys” club, lacking accountability and transparency. Residents express concerns that Mayor TessaContinue reading “Political Opportunism, Silencing and Civil Liberties Concerns”
Put the right people in the right places, doing the right things – a microblog
Ensuring that the appropriate personnel are in optimal positions and performing effectively is a fundamental principle of management. This principle becomes particularly apparent during the city’s annual budget development. The City Manager frequently dismisses requests for more detailed information or budget modifications with a recurrent excuse: a shortage of staff. This repeated response, which residentsContinue reading “Put the right people in the right places, doing the right things – a microblog”
Mayor Tessa Rudnick: How Will You Lead Differently as a Future City Manager?
Mayor Tessa Rudnick has expressed aspirations to become a city manager one day. This raises an important question: How would she approach governance differently to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility, and better outcomes for the residents of El Cerrito? With the State of the City Address approaching, now is the perfect time for Mayor Rudnick toContinue reading “Mayor Tessa Rudnick: How Will You Lead Differently as a Future City Manager?”
El Cerrito’s Governance: The Illusion of Transparency
El Cerrito’s City Manager Karen Pinkos often touts her commitment to transparency and public engagement. On paper, her administration checks all the boxes: public hearings are held, presentations are given, and decisions are announced. At first glance, this may appear as the textbook definition of participatory government. However, a deeper look into her leadership practicesContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Governance: The Illusion of Transparency”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 