While El Cerrito’s population may be relatively small at 25,000, the city is ambitiously proposing a $21 million library project, which translates to an investment of $840 per resident towards its construction. This ongoing tax of around $300 per homeowner will sustain the library’s operations long after its completion. The city commissioned surveys among ElContinue reading “El Cerrito Wants to Charge a $300 / year Forever Tax”
Category Archives: City Staff
Public Information Is Not Public in El Cerrito
Holly M. Charléty was appointed as City Clerk for the City of El Cerrito in January 2019. Ms. Charléty began her local government career as a Municipal Clerk in 2011 with the City of Sacramento, where her responsibilities included facilitation of election processes, regulatory filing compliance, and oversight of Board and Commission members. ——————— PromptContinue reading “Public Information Is Not Public in El Cerrito”
Not a Good Idea to Renew the City Manager’s Contract
This Series:YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTIONis titled: Renewal of the City Manager’s Contract: A Call for Consideration During the Public Works presentation, the City Manager, while participating remotely, was heard saying, “Yvetteh, Shut the F word (profanity) up!” The City Manager’s recent conduct has raised significantContinue reading “Not a Good Idea to Renew the City Manager’s Contract”
Hostile Work Environment
This is not Theater – It is currently happening in El Cerrito. This is why this episode is titled: You cannot expect those who created the mess to fix it: Hostile Work Environment In California, a hostile work environment is created when offensive or discriminatory conduct present in the workplace restricts an employee’s ability toContinue reading “Hostile Work Environment”
Overtaxed and Underperforming
El Cerrito recently distributed a mailer seeking support for an upcoming tax increase proposal while emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency. However, examining the City Manager’s track record in these areas is crucial before embracing the rhetoric. One concerning instance is the city’s expenditure of half a million dollars to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit,Continue reading “Overtaxed and Underperforming”
Business as Usual
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,Continue reading “Business as Usual”
Performance Management
Series: Performance is only as good as the evidence indicates. Why does El Cerrito pay the City Manager over $235,000 plus generous benefits and perks just to have a pulse? Scott Hanin, who served as the City Manager at that time, announced his retirement, effective at the end of the calendar year 2018. In responseContinue reading “Performance Management”
Performance Management
Series: Performance is only as good as the evidence indicates. ICYMI, working hard in and of itself is not a reflection of outstanding leadership. Performance measurement is essential to the success of any City Manager because executives do not get paid to tread water, or make excuses but to consistently deliver measurable results. PerformanceContinue reading “Performance Management”
The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds
YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled -The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds Last week, EECRG reported the lack of transparency in presenting the financials to the public. The October meeting agenda, released Thursday, continues silence on Financial Updates and the fiscal year endingContinue reading “The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds”
YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled GFOA Best Practices Budget on Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget
Adopt rigorous policies for all operating funds aimed at achieving and maintaining a structurally balanced budget According to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), “Most state and local governments are subject to a requirement to pass a balanced budget. However, a budget that may fit the statutory definition of a “balanced budget” may not beContinue reading “YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled GFOA Best Practices Budget on Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget”
Deep Denial; More Guard Rails Needed
The last edition spotlighted the Need for Guard Rails. This edition highlights DEEP DENIAL: More than Guard Rails Needed. El Cerrito Council members have already missed and plan to miss future opportunities to address community challenges because they opted for an abbreviated summer schedule. According to the National League of Cities, local legislators and councilmembersContinue reading “Deep Denial; More Guard Rails Needed”
Time For The Guard Rails
The last blog focused on Deceit: How City Leadership Has Repeatedly Misled the Community. Today’s blog is titled Time For The Guardrails! The competing goals are playing themselves out as the volunteer three-member Financial Advisory Board tries to implement a policy for the General Reserve Fund for the City. What are these goals? Obviously, theContinue reading “Time For The Guard Rails”
Broken Promises
The last blog focused on the MORE TAXPAYER MONEY, PLEASE, and the eminent ask for more taxpayer bailouts. This episode spotlights Broken Promises: The myth that City Leadership allocates resources to improve the lives of El Cerrito residents. A new Library, a Senior Center, better services — these things elected El Cerrito Officials mindlessly assureContinue reading “Broken Promises”
MORE TAXPAYER MONEY, PLEASE
The last blog focused on the unbalanced budget and the eminent use of general fund reserves to balance the budget. This episode spotlights on MORE TAXPAYER MONEY, PLEASE. When finding a solution to the operating crisis facing El Cerrito, the only plan coming from City leaders is more taxes. That’s not a plan, but unlimitedContinue reading “MORE TAXPAYER MONEY, PLEASE”
El Cerrito Hiring Challenges…and solutions
The City of El Cerrito is conducting a classification and compensation study. Presumably, the study is commissioned to support their assertion that they can’t fill their positions because the salaries are too low. The premise of wages as the sole reason for the City’s inability to attract talent is not only erroneous, but it alsoContinue reading “El Cerrito Hiring Challenges…and solutions”
The City Council Did Nothing
This blog has been consistently focused on the critical aspects of governance, accountability, and transparency within El Cerrito’s city administration. The Chief Executive Officer, who also holds the position of City Manager, carries the responsibility for overseeing both the operational and financial performance of El Cerrito. It is essential to note that the City ManagerContinue reading “The City Council Did Nothing”
El Cerrito Election Links
There is still time to vote! Do you need to cram to catch up on the issues? If so, this post is for you! You can find many of the essential links here. Enjoy! Web pages Vanessa Warheit’s web page Vanessa Warheit’s YouTube Channel Carolyn Wysinger’s web page Gabe Quinto’s web page Disclosures El CerritoContinue reading “El Cerrito Election Links“
Conflict of Interest
In this town, things are getting worse. They have scheduled an event titled “Lunch with El Cerrito’s Mayor and City Manager,” where members of the public join them to have a conversation with Mayor Gabe Quinto and City Manager Karen Pinkos on the latest happenings in the City of El Cerrito, and what’s next forContinue reading “Conflict of Interest”
City Council wants to quickly extend the City Managers Contract by two years
So the City Council, which has been unable to move quickly on an financial issue, is moving rapidly to extend the City Managers contract until December of 2023. Her current contract expires December 2021. The negotiators Councilperson Quinto and Mayor Lyman have not asked the City Manager to make any real concessions as the cityContinue reading “City Council wants to quickly extend the City Managers Contract by two years”
City Council and Staff refuse to give basic information
I follow the budget pretty closely. I read the materials put online and try to translate them for the average resident who is interested but not able to dig through all the documents. I have been trying for months to get a detailed answer as to the budget cuts that have been made thus far.Continue reading “City Council and Staff refuse to give basic information”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 