When it comes to planning for the future, one would expect a city to have a clear and coherent capital improvement plan, especially for major infrastructure projects. Unfortunately, the reality in El Cerrito is far from ideal. Around 2010, budget documents pointed to three significant projects: a new senior center, a new library, and aContinue reading “The Disappearing Act: El Cerrito’s Unclear Capital Improvement Plan”
Tag Archives: politics
Democratic Forum for El Cerrito Council Candidates: A Closer Look
On Saturday, August 17, 2024, the El Cerrito Democratic Club hosted a forum featuring four candidates vying for seats on the City Council. As the forum unfolded, it became clear that the issues facing our city are both urgent and complex. If you missed the live discussion, I strongly encourage you to view the recordedContinue reading “Democratic Forum for El Cerrito Council Candidates: A Closer Look”
El Cerrito’s Need for Transparent Sexual Harassment Policies
Allegations of sexual harassment within the El Cerrito Police Department continue to raise serious concerns about the safety and well-being of employees. Five years ago, former police officer Sarah Perez filed a lawsuit on August 20, 2019, accusing the department of sexual harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation. Despite the passage of time and the seriousnessContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Need for Transparent Sexual Harassment Policies”
Fiscal Transparency Needed
In her State of the City address on December 19, 2023, Councilmember Lisa Motoyama presented an optimistic picture of El Cerrito’s financial health. Her words, however, warrant closer examination. Lisa has long been recognized as the most fiscally responsible member of our City Council. Her efforts to steer El Cerrito through challenging financial times haveContinue reading “Fiscal Transparency Needed”
Microblog: Will El Cerrito Continue to Support Higher Taxes with Fewer Services?
In a surprising turn of events, the $20 billion Bay Area housing bond proposal has been pulled from the November ballot. The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority made this decision in light of dwindling support for new taxes, according to recent polls. This development raises significant questions for residents of El Cerrito, a city thatContinue reading “Microblog: Will El Cerrito Continue to Support Higher Taxes with Fewer Services?”
Moving the Goal Line: The City’s Ever-Shifting Standards for Financial Stability
In the realm of public finance, the goalposts seem to shift whenever it suits those in power. In El Cerrito, we’ve seen this play out with how the city measures the health of its General Fund reserves. When the City meets the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) guidelines, it’s cause for celebration. But when theContinue reading “Moving the Goal Line: The City’s Ever-Shifting Standards for Financial Stability”
El Cerrito City Council: A Look at the Candidates for the 2024 Election
As we approach the 2024 election, El Cerrito’s City Council race is heating up. With two current council members—Paul Fadelli and Tessa Rudnick—not running for re-election, the landscape is set to change. This blog provides a brief overview of the candidates on the ballot and what their election could mean for the future of ElContinue reading “El Cerrito City Council: A Look at the Candidates for the 2024 Election”
Creating Accountability for City Leadership
In the complex landscape of municipal governance, accountability is paramount. As El Cerrito faces persistent fiscal challenges, creating a system of accountability for the City Manager and their direct reports is crucial to ensuring transparent and effective decision-making. Data-driven leadership can play a vital role in establishing this accountability, driving improved performance, and regaining publicContinue reading “Creating Accountability for City Leadership”
The Hidden Cost of Loyalty: A Closer Look at El Cerrito’s Leadership
In the heart of our diverse and vibrant community, a troubling trend persists within El Cerrito’s city leadership—a trend that raises questions about loyalty, vested interest, and the real cost to our city’s future. At the helm of this trend is the City Manager, whose ability to cultivate unwavering loyalty from her staff comes atContinue reading “The Hidden Cost of Loyalty: A Closer Look at El Cerrito’s Leadership”
Candidates for El Cerrito Council
Incumbents Candidates There is still time to run for council. November 2024 Candidates The City of El Cerrito General Municipal Election will be held on November 5, 2024, to fill three seats on the City Council. Terms are for four years, and successful candidates will be sworn into office at a City Council meeting heldContinue reading “Candidates for El Cerrito Council”
The City of El Cerrito: Tactical Decisions Masquerading as Strategy
In the City of El Cerrito, leadership often touts their decision-making as strategic. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that many of these decisions are nothing more than transactional and tactical. True strategy involves long-term vision and comprehensive planning, but the city’s recent actions demonstrate a lack of such foresight. Short-Term Budget Fixes OneContinue reading “The City of El Cerrito: Tactical Decisions Masquerading as Strategy”
The Price of Public Safety in El Cerrito
In El Cerrito, the commitment to public safety is evident in the significant compensation packages allocated to our fire department and city management. However, the disparity between our city’s spending and that of nearby cities raises concerns. While protecting citizens is paramount, the financial burden on our community is substantial, and the need for newContinue reading “The Price of Public Safety in El Cerrito”
Vote for a Leader Who Puts Your Interests First
As the re-election of current Mayor Tessa Rudnick approaches, it’s time for us, the community of El Cerrito, to reflect on our leadership and the promises made to us. Our leaders have pledged to enhance our community with new projects like a library, a senior center, and improved services. Yet, the reality of these commitmentsContinue reading “Vote for a Leader Who Puts Your Interests First”
El Cerrito’s Tax Extension “Until Voters End It”
On Tuesday, the El Cerrito City Council voted 4-0 to put a measure on the November ballot to extend our city’s Measure R one percent sales tax “until voters end it.” While the council members briefly considered a 30 or 35-year sunset, they ultimately decided on an indefinite extension. This decision raises significant concerns aboutContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Tax Extension “Until Voters End It””
Another Forever Tax on November Ballot
At the upcoming July 17 council meeting, council members are expected to propose a “forever tax” to be placed on the November ballot. If approved by the voters this tax will be imposed on the sale of tangible personal property and the storage, use, or other consumption of such property. The proposed tax rate wouldContinue reading “Another Forever Tax on November Ballot”
Tackling Fare Evasion and Enhancing Safety: A Critical Look at Saltzman’s Bid for City Council
The media has been buzzing with reports about fare evasion at BART stations, and rightfully so. As a paying BART rider or a taxpayer, it’s our money that’s being lost. BART staff estimates the revenue loss due to fare cheats at $10 million to $25 million per year, but recent conservative figures suggest that fareContinue reading “Tackling Fare Evasion and Enhancing Safety: A Critical Look at Saltzman’s Bid for City Council”
The Plaza Library Project: Time to Consider Your Options
The City of El Cerrito has wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on the Plaza project. Moreover, the city lost out on grant money, resulting in a few million dollars lost. The higher interest rate environment means the city would lose millions more in interest payments. In fiscal year 2024, the city used reserves outContinue reading “The Plaza Library Project: Time to Consider Your Options”
Misapplying Rules: The Impact on El Cerrito’s City Council and FAB Participation
A public information request for FAB member attendance sent to the City Clerk was met with the response, “check the website,” despite the fact that the website records are incomplete. This is how El Cerrito tax dollars are being utilized! In the heart of El Cerrito, a troubling pattern has emerged that calls into questionContinue reading “Misapplying Rules: The Impact on El Cerrito’s City Council and FAB Participation”
Rebecca Saltzman: From BART’s Financial Cliff to El Cerrito City Council
Rebecca Saltzman has decided not to seek re-election to the BART Board, instead filing to run for the El Cerrito City Council. This move raises eyebrows, as some might argue she’s jumping from one challenging situation to another. After all, Saltzman played a role in steering BART towards its current financial cliff, and now she’sContinue reading “Rebecca Saltzman: From BART’s Financial Cliff to El Cerrito City Council”
Today is Budget Day: Unanswered Questions and Public Concerns
Today is a significant day for our city as the budget deliberations come to a head. Over the past months, citizens have followed the budget process diligently, yet there remains a sense of uncertainty about the council’s overarching goals and priorities. As we dive into the discussions, several pressing questions need clear answers from ourContinue reading “Today is Budget Day: Unanswered Questions and Public Concerns”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 