A Timeline of Leadership and Key Controversies Karen Pinkos became City Manager of El Cerrito in 2018, assuming responsibility as the city’s chief administrative officer. In this role, the city manager oversees financial management, city staff, operational performance, and the major initiatives brought before the City Council. Since that time, El Cerrito has faced aContinue reading “Karen Pinkos and the Direction of El Cerrito”
Category Archives: State Audit
Questioning the City’s Priorities
El Cerrito residents are once again being asked to consider a major public investment: a proposed $37 million library project. Supporters describe it as an investment in the future. But many residents are asking a more basic question: Is this really the city’s most urgent priority right now? When you step back and look atContinue reading “Questioning the City’s Priorities”
Transparency Is the Foundation of Trust
In any healthy democracy, trust between the public and its government is built on one essential principle: transparency. When a city openly shares information, explains its decisions, and responds clearly to questions, residents can evaluate those decisions for themselves. Even when people disagree, transparency builds confidence that decisions were made honestly and thoughtfully. But whenContinue reading “Transparency Is the Foundation of Trust”
Follow the Money: Who Is Really Funding the “Yes” Campaign?
Influenced by social media In recent weeks, residents have begun asking a simple question: Who is funding the campaign to pass the proposed El Cerrito library parcel tax? That question matters because campaign finance often reveals something that campaign messaging tries to obscure — who benefits and who is driving the agenda. A review ofContinue reading “Follow the Money: Who Is Really Funding the “Yes” Campaign?”
The city has made a very minimal effort to find a site for a new library on city property
By Betty Buginas Taken from the El Cerrito Wire Copy of email sent the evening of March 10 to the city clerk, city attorney, city manager, and city council members: Since the city has not adequately responded to my public records request, I would like you to confirm the information I was able to locateContinue reading “The city has made a very minimal effort to find a site for a new library on city property”
What the Brown Act Is — and What It Is Not
Engagement Is Allowed. Action Requires an Agenda. In recent meetings in El Cerrito, we’ve heard councilmembers suggest that they do not respond to residents during public comment because of the Brown Act. Let’s clarify what the law actually says. The Ralph M. Brown Act (Gov. Code § 54950 et seq.) is California’s open meeting lawContinue reading “What the Brown Act Is — and What It Is Not”
The New “Yes on the Library” Website: What It Says — and What It Doesn’t
A polished new website has appeared promoting the library tax measure on the June ballot. It is sleek.It is well designed.And it tells a compelling story about a modern library for El Cerrito. The site appears to be a rebrand of the earlier campaign website that focused heavily on a library at the Plaza. ItContinue reading “The New “Yes on the Library” Website: What It Says — and What It Doesn’t”
Why Refreshing the Existing Site Makes the Most Sense
This blog was heavily influenced by social media commentary, public documents, and local news coverage. As voters consider the June 2 library tax initiative, one option continues to receive far less attention than it deserves: Refreshing and improving the existing library site. In a debate dominated by relocation plans and 20,000-square-foot expansion concepts, the mostContinue reading “Why Refreshing the Existing Site Makes the Most Sense”
El Cerrito has a habit of drawing a bull’s-eye around the arrow after it lands.
You’ve seen it: a decision gets made (or floated), then the City rushes to build a story around it—one that’s supposed to make the outcome feel inevitable. The problem is that the story often collapses the moment you ask a basic follow-up question. Here’s a perfect example. We’re told that if the library initiative passes,Continue reading “El Cerrito has a habit of drawing a bull’s-eye around the arrow after it lands.”
$37 Million for Another Community Center?
El Cerrito residents are being asked to consider a $37 million investment in a new library facility. Supporters describe a modern, code-compliant building with updated technology, expanded programming, improved accessibility, community gathering space, and even emergency shelter capabilities. Those goals sound positive on paper. But before we commit tens of millions of dollars, we needContinue reading “$37 Million for Another Community Center?”
El Cerrito: A Call for Leadership Reform Before New Taxes
El Cerrito is not a broken town. It is a town being asked to fund broken habits. We are no longer interested in new or renewed taxes. Not because we do not value services. Not because we do not care about parks, libraries, roads, safety, or community programs. But because El Cerrito has reached theContinue reading “El Cerrito: A Call for Leadership Reform Before New Taxes”
Who Is the New Library Really For?
Tuesday night’s City Council presentation finally included publicly shared usage data for the El Cerrito Library. That matters. Decisions of this magnitude should start with facts. According to the Library’s published FY 2024–25 statistics: • 10,622 El Cerrito cardholders • 35% of households with an active account • 102,362 annual visitors • 115,530 items borrowedContinue reading “Who Is the New Library Really For?”
Taxing Residents for Outdated Library Plans
Former Mayor and Councilmember Greg Lyman recently made a public remark that deserves a second look. He said, “We don’t mind taxing ourselves.” It was said publicly. And it shouldn’t be forgotten. Because what he really meant was this: We don’t mind taxing the property owners in El Cerrito. That is what this conversation isContinue reading “Taxing Residents for Outdated Library Plans”
There’s No Guarantee the Library Gets Built — But the Tax Is Guaranteed
Understanding What’s Actually Being Proposed in El Cerrito In June, El Cerrito voters will be asked to decide on a parcel tax being marketed as a “library initiative.” The vote is on. But residents deserve to understand exactly what they are being asked to approve before casting a ballot. Right now, there is no publiclyContinue reading “There’s No Guarantee the Library Gets Built — But the Tax Is Guaranteed”
Transparency Isn’t a Slogan. It’s Proof.
This post is informed by what residents are saying online and in community forums. People aren’t confused. They’re paying attention. The City continues to describe the proposed library tax process as “transparent.” But recent actions suggest something very different. A central claim in the City’s messaging is that a 17¢ per square foot parcel taxContinue reading “Transparency Isn’t a Slogan. It’s Proof.”
When Questions Get Shut Down, It Tells You Something
On Saturday evening an El Cerrito resident posted a Vote Yes advertisement on NextDoor promoting the library tax. When community members began asking reasonable questions—about costs, long-term impacts, and accountability—the response wasn’t engagement. It was restriction. Comments were immediately closed. No further discussion was allowed. And prior comments were erased. The post stayed up. TheContinue reading “When Questions Get Shut Down, It Tells You Something”
Who Profits from the Library Tax? Taxpayer Concerns Explained
Editorial The February 19 special meeting was presented as a chance to explain the details of the proposed library initiative. But let’s be clear: this is not simply about a library. This is about a tax. It is about creating a permanent revenue stream so the City can immediately issue approximately $37 million in bondsContinue reading “Who Profits from the Library Tax? Taxpayer Concerns Explained”
From $157,000 to Nearly $800,000: Why Trust Is Fracturing in El Cerrito
Residents are not confused. They are reading. On page 24 of the City’s own impact report, the current library’s annual operating cost is listed at $157,615. On the same page, the report acknowledges that operating and maintenance costs could reach $797,000 annually for the El Cerrito Plaza library — a more than 400% increase. AgendaContinue reading “From $157,000 to Nearly $800,000: Why Trust Is Fracturing in El Cerrito”
Understanding El Cerrito’s Midyear Budget Dilemma
Pages 37–43 of yesterday’s City Council agenda packet, which contain the staff report for the Midyear Budget Update, should give every El Cerrito resident pause. Together with the accompanying budget presentation, they show a city that is increasingly relying on reserves to cover routine expenses, allowing costs to grow faster than revenues, and drifting towardContinue reading “Understanding El Cerrito’s Midyear Budget Dilemma”
Seven Differences. One Bad Deal.
A concerned neighbor created this Library Tax Comparison after learning that the El Cerrito Library Tax language was modeled on San Rafael’s Measure P. They decided to put the two initiatives side by side. What they found is sobering. Seven critical differences — and in every case, El Cerrito residents get the worse deal. •Continue reading “Seven Differences. One Bad Deal.”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 