Celebrating Library Week Amidst Contemplation On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, El Cerrito marked Library Week with a notable presentation by Heidi Goldstein, a local librarian. The event highlighted the somewhat underappreciated El Cerrito Library, which, despite its outstanding staff and resources, sees limited foot traffic except during school dismissal times. This underutilization calls for increasedContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Library Dilemma: Navigating the Maze of Options and Opportunities”
Category Archives: election 2024
The Misguided Motivations Behind Pursuing Local Government Roles: A Closer Look
The journey into local government is often paved with good intentions. At the heart of many decisions to run for local office is a simple, powerful desire to help. This motivation, pure and commendable in its essence, is the driving force behind countless campaigns and initiatives. Yet, the landscape of local governance is rife withContinue reading “The Misguided Motivations Behind Pursuing Local Government Roles: A Closer Look”
Empowering Civic Engagement: Six Ways to Make a Difference in El Cerrito’s Future
In the vibrant community of El Cerrito, each resident holds the potential to shape the city’s future and contribute to its growth, prosperity, and community needs. Engaging in civic activities enhances your understanding of local governance and empowers you to make meaningful changes. Upon my arrival in El Cerrito in the post-pandemic world, I wasContinue reading “Empowering Civic Engagement: Six Ways to Make a Difference in El Cerrito’s Future”
El Cerrito Library Location
I am concerned about our City Council’s determination to move our city’s library from the current location on Stockton Avenue to the planned Plaza BART development. Hoping to start a community discussion of the issue, I wrote an opinion article which was printed in the March newsletter of the El Cerrito Democratic Club (ECDC). ThisContinue reading “El Cerrito Library Location”
Four + Years of Financial Mismanagement and Missed Opportunities
El Cerrito’s Unresolved Crisis: “Four Years of Financial Mismanagement and Missed Opportunities” sheds additional light on the city’s persistent inability to navigate its financial quagmire, highlighting a series of missteps and inaction by city leadership. Despite several years of clear indicators of fiscal distress and specific recommendations by the independent auditor for reform, the CityContinue reading “Four + Years of Financial Mismanagement and Missed Opportunities”
El Cerrito’s Compensation Study: Methodological Concerns and the Need for Comprehensive Analysis
Adjacent to Albany, where employees adhere to a standard 40-hour work week, El Cerrito’s staff operates under a 37.5-hour work schedule. This lower threshold of 37.5 hours not only leads to a 6% manpower shortfall for the city but also appears to encourage a cycle of justifications for not appropriately engaging stakeholders in relevant discussionsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Compensation Study: Methodological Concerns and the Need for Comprehensive Analysis”
Selective Solidarity: El Cerrito City Council’s Inconsistent Stance on Foreign Policy Engagement
Editor’s Note: The mayor has indicated that they paid their own airfare (coach) and the trip was not expenced to El Cerrito. A long time El Cerrito resident recently shared their thoughts on a blog post titled “Insider Gets Special Treatment,” highlighting how the city council’s engagement in foreign policy seems to be swayed byContinue reading “Selective Solidarity: El Cerrito City Council’s Inconsistent Stance on Foreign Policy Engagement”
Ineffective Cost Reduction Strategy
In yesterday’s episode of Missed Opportunities, we told you that the financial imbalance warranted a dedicated article. Over the last four years, the state has expressed ongoing concerns about El Cerrito’s approach to managing its finances, particularly its lack of a specific strategy for reducing expenditures. Despite recognizing the necessity for substantial spending cuts inContinue reading “Ineffective Cost Reduction Strategy”
The March 5, 2024 Budget Discussion: Yet, Another Missed Opportunity for Essential Inquiry
The budget discussion led by City Staff on March 5, 2024, was presented with precision and assurance. The speaker, endowed with impressive vocal quality and presentation skills navigated the topic. However, the presentation was somewhat perplexing and deliberately evaded several significant financial and related topics. This meeting presented a crucial chance for the Council toContinue reading “The March 5, 2024 Budget Discussion: Yet, Another Missed Opportunity for Essential Inquiry”
Classification and Compensation Study: El Cerrito’s Missed Opportunity
On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, during a City Council meeting, a detailed presentation was given on the classification and compensation study aimed at evaluating the city’s salary structure in comparison with other public entities. Before this presentation was made to the public, the City Council, including the Mayor, was briefed in a closed session. ThisContinue reading “Classification and Compensation Study: El Cerrito’s Missed Opportunity”
The Price of Sub Par Performance: A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Manager Compensation
In El Cerrito, a significant question emerges: Why is the City Manager’s role, crucial for the city’s governance and administration, associated with a salary over $240,000 plus extensive benefits and perks? Reports from the City Manager indicate that the city has addressed the State Auditor’s concerns, yet only some issues have been partially resolved. ManyContinue reading “The Price of Sub Par Performance: A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Manager Compensation”
El Cerrito Insider Gets Special Treatment – a microblog
At the Tuesday City Council meeting in El Cerrito, the community turnout was significant, with many attendees eager to share their thoughts on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The anticipation in the air shifted as the mayor announced a reduction in speaking time from three minutes to a brisk two. As speakers reached the new time limit,Continue reading “El Cerrito Insider Gets Special Treatment – a microblog”
El Cerrito’s Fiscal Dilemma: Navigating Budget Adjustments Amid Declining Reserves
Tuesday’s City Council meeting highlighted proposed midyear budget adjustments. A key point in the discussion is the staff’s suggestion to lower the expected property transfer tax revenue by $1 million due to a downturn. Notably, there’s no mention of a corresponding expense reduction. Instead, City Staff recommended general fund withdrawal of $1 million. While theContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fiscal Dilemma: Navigating Budget Adjustments Amid Declining Reserves”
Reevaluating Fiscal Priorities: A Closer Look at City Management Spending Practices
During these challenging financial times, it has come to light that the city’s fiscal resources are being significantly stretched by the city manager’s frequent travels. On a roughly monthly basis, she attends networking conferences, with all related expenses—membership fees, conference charges, airfare, lodging, and dining—being covered by city taxpayers. This practice, while expensive, raises deeperContinue reading “Reevaluating Fiscal Priorities: A Closer Look at City Management Spending Practices”
Navigating Change in El Cerrito: A Newcomer’s Perspective
As a recent transplant to El Cerrito in the wake of the pandemic, my partner and I often reflect on our decision to settle here. Drawn by its fantastic views of the Bay Area, convenient location near San Francisco and East Contra Costa County, along with access to two BART stations, we saw potential inContinue reading “Navigating Change in El Cerrito: A Newcomer’s Perspective”
Transparency and Trust Issues in Municipal Meeting and Info Sharing Practices
In January, the El Cerrito Citizens for Responsible Government (ECCRG) took a pivotal step by inquiring about the city’s handling of right-to-information requests made in 2023. They sought comprehensive details, including the outcomes of these requests and explanations for any denials. Although the city shared information about the requestors, topics, and dates, it notably omittedContinue reading “Transparency and Trust Issues in Municipal Meeting and Info Sharing Practices”
Evaluating the Track Records of Councilmembers Wysinger and Quinto in the Primary Elections
As the primary elections draw near, voters in Contra Costa County face important decisions regarding their representation on the Democratic Central Committee, District 1. Among the contenders are Carolyn Wysinger and Gabriel (Gabe) Quinto, both of whom currently serve on the City Council with terms set to conclude in 2026. Their tenure and actions whileContinue reading “Evaluating the Track Records of Councilmembers Wysinger and Quinto in the Primary Elections”
El Cerrito Quietly Renews City Manager’s Contract
On October 3, 2023, Resolution 2023-77 was quietly and unanimously passed by the City Council. The renewal included a hefty $450 car allowance although the City Manager lives in El Cerrito, a few miles from City Hall. In a recent turn of events, the City Manager, fresh off a contract renewal, displayed questionable judgment. Notably,Continue reading “El Cerrito Quietly Renews City Manager’s Contract”
Challenging Financial Oversight: A Critique of El Cerrito’s Budget Reporting Practices – Editor’s note below
Editor’s Note: Following the publication of this blog post, the City of El Cerrito staff made updates to the quarterly performance reports. These reports feature tables detailing revenue and expense categories, complete with annotations regarding budget percentages. This update is undeniably a positive move forward. The City Council Packet for Tuesday’s meeting was released today. Continue reading “Challenging Financial Oversight: A Critique of El Cerrito’s Budget Reporting Practices – Editor’s note below”
El Cerrito’s Fiscal Oversight: Missed Opportunities and the Urgent Need for Strategic Staffing and Pension Reform
In March 2023, the state auditor recommended that El Cerrito should evaluate its staffing levels prior to undertaking the Classification and Compensation Study. Despite this advice, El Cerrito proceeded to solicit proposals for a comprehensive classification and compensation study. This study aims to assess the city’s organizational structure, compensation practices, and policies. The outcome ofContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fiscal Oversight: Missed Opportunities and the Urgent Need for Strategic Staffing and Pension Reform”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 