Agenda packet — El Cerrito City Council, May 21, 2024 (part 2 of 2)

General Fund Budget Update
Quarter 3 FY 2023-24
1/01/2024 – 03/31/2024

INTRODUCTION
The City of El Cerrito is pleased to submit the Quarter 3 FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget Update, for the period 01/01/2024 through 03/31/2024. The report provides a high-level overview of the City's status on the budget, with expenditures by department, showing unaudited actuals.

GENERAL FUND REVENUES
FY 2023-24 General Fund revenue is budgeted at $48.5 million. Table 1 shows the year-to-date revenues by classification, and Table 2 shows the year-to-date revenues by department. As of March 31, 2024, tax revenues are at 62% of budget. Taxes received during Quarter 3 include utility users’ taxes, sales taxes, and real property transfer taxes (through February). Overall General Fund Revenues for Quarter 3 are at 65% of the total FY 2023- 24 Adopted Budget, which is in line with the 66% received for Quarter 3 FY 2022-23.

Table 1 reflects real property transfer taxes for the months of July through February, as March funds (totaling $173,676) were received in April and will be reflected in the FY 2023-24 Quarter 4 Update. Adding the March real property transfer tax funds to the Quarter 3 revenue actuals results in year-to-date revenue of $2,019,185 or 61% of the Adopted Budget. Property transfer taxes are still performing under the projected amount in the FY 2023-24 Amended Budget, which is lower than the prior fiscal year which was at 77%.

Table 1
General Fund Revenue – Classification
Quarter 3
Classification Budget Amount
(Amended)
YTD – Q3
Actual Amount
% of
Budget
Prior YTD – Q3
Actual Amount
Property Taxes $11,417,064 $6,762,176 59% $5,638,157
Sales Taxes 3,998,666 2,388,858 60% 5,484,732
Measure R Sales Taxes 3,855,000 2,474,800 64% 2,841,756 Transient Occupancy Taxes 150,000 45,484 30% 55,233
Franchise Taxes 1,400,000 804,319 57% 857,006
Business License Taxes 1,150,600 1,042,324 91% 1,028,398 Property Transfer Taxes 3,300,000 1,845,509 56% 3,328,241 Utility Users' Taxes 3,520,000 2,481,513 70% 2,671,054
Other Taxes 1,500 1,769 118% -
Taxes Totals $28,792,830 $17,846,752 62% $19,062,821
Licenses & Permits 1,284,618 995,099 77% 753,401
Fines & Forfeitures 145,000 178,023 123% 77,284
Use of Money and Property 584,073 606,916 104% 504,449
Intergovernmental Revenues 8,393,092 5,158,471 61% 5,114,018 Charges for Services Totals 7,594,420 6,106,694 80% 4,579,342 Other Revenue Totals 911,748 372,872 41% 377,968
Other Financing Sources Totals 977,182 488,591 50% 732,754 Totals $48,682,963 $31,753,418 65% $31,202,037
Agenda Packet Page 152 of 225

Page 2 of 3 ends

Table 2
General Fund Revenues – Department
Quarter 3
Revenue Budget Amount YTD -Q3
Actual Amount
% of
Budget
Prior YTD – Q3
Actual Amount
Non-departmental $34,136,304 $21,032,214 62% $21,896,401 Administration 140,100 11,763 8% 32,404
Police 214,000 212,498 99% 170,818
Fire 5,213,592 3,201,133 61% 3,493,135
Public Works 664,312 526,125 79% 303,217
Community Development 2,841,226 2,341,536 82% 1,879,593 Recreation 5,473,429 4,428,149 81% 3,426,469
Totals $48,682,963 31,753,418 65% $31,202,037

GENERAL FUND - EXPENDITURES
General Fund expenditures are budgeted at $54.99 million for FY 2023-24. Tables 3 and 4 show the expenditures year-to-date by classification and by department, respectively. Departments are tracking slightly lower at 71% of the total year-to-date amount for quarter 3. This is a minimal increase over the Quarter 3 FY 2022-23 expenditures at 70%.

As in previous fiscal years, Personnel is the largest component of General Fund expenditures. Departments have continued to fill vacant positions and we are now trending at 71% of budgeted expenditures. This is slightly higher than Quarter 3 FY 2022-23 at 70%.

Table 3
General Fund Expenditures – Classification
Quarter 3
Classification Budget Amount
Amended
YTD – Q3
Actual Amount
% of
Budget
Prior YTD – Q3
Actual Amount
Personnel $35,358,284 $26,029,054 74% $22,676,918
Purchased Professional & Technical Services 7,347,177 4,002,086 54% 2,998,268 Purchased Property Services 2,846,162 1,487,777 52% 1,216,319 Other Purchased Services 3,558,119 2,939,341 83% 2,373,566 Supplies 940,675 528,069 56% 424,396
Property & Capital 685,138 236,454 35% 453,492
Financing Costs 634,368 338,535 53% 270,392
Other Financing Uses 3,622,194 3,330,813 92% 667,763
Totals $54,992,117 $38,892,129 71% $31,081,114
In Table 3, the actual expenditures reflected for the “Other Purchased Services” classification includes the onetime full fiscal year’s annual insurance premiums which are paid each year in July. Also, in Table 4 expenditures reflected for the Administration Department include the one-time full fiscal year’s annual payments.

Agenda Packet Page 153 of 225

Page 3 of 3 ends

Table 4
General Fund Expenditures – Department
Quarter 3
Expenditures Budget Amount
Amended
YTD – Q3
Actual Amount
% of
Budget
Prior YTD – Q3
Actual Amount
Administration $8,076,150 $5,878,189 73% $5,012,110
Police 13,663,610 9,784,467 72% 8,769,522
Fire 14,873,622 10,419,044 70% 9,249,761
Public Works 2,849,926 1,868,938 66% 1,538,650
Community Development 4,892,425 3,126,620 64% 2,159,242 Recreation 6,524,937 4,287,906 66% 3,611,653
Non-departmental 4,111,447 3,526,965 86% 740,177
Total $54,992,117 $38,892,129 71% $31,081,115

CONCLUSION
The City of El Cerrito is currently expensing slightly lower than the budgeted amounts; and revenue amounts are trending slightly lower than budgeted. Revenues are not received in equal quarterly releases. Staff continues to evaluate revenue and expenditure trends as we are preparing FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 budgets.

Agenda Packet Page 154 of 225
CITY HALL 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Telephone (510) 215-4305 Fax (510) 215-4379 http://www.el-cerrito.org

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA MATERIALS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 21, 2024
(revised May 23, 2024)
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)

1. Public Comments (Not on the Agenda and Consent Calendar) a. Environmental Quality Committee Recommendation
b. Public Comments

2. Agenda Item No. 7.F. - Resolution to Amend the City's Classification Plan a. Revised Attachment
b. Public Comments

3. Agenda Item No. 8.A - FY 2024-25 Master Fee Schedule a. Public Comments

4. Agenda Item No. 9.B. - Fiscal Year 2024-25 and 2025-26 Budget Study Session a. Presentation
b. Public Comments
Agenda Packet Page 155 of 225
5/15/2024
El Cerrito City Council
El Cerrito City Hall
10890 San Pablo Ave.

El Cerrito, CA 94530
Mayor Rudnick and City Councilmembers,
The following recommendation from the El Cerrito Environmental Quality Committee was passed at the 5/14/2024 EQC meeting with a unanimous vote.

While we appreciate the recent change to allow advisory body recommendations to be part of comment for the purposes of expediency, so you receive it as soon as possible, as you continue the budget process.

Thank you for your consideration,
Simrun Dhoot
Chair, Environmental Quality Committee
Agenda Packet Page 156 of 225

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE

ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
On May 14, 2024 the Environmental Quality Committee made the following recommendation to City Council:

EQC Recommendation to Council on Climate Action “Early Wins” and CAAP Integration into Budget Mayor Rudnick and Councilmembers:

With the Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) expected for adoption in the next few months, the Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) has the following recommendation that we encourage you to take into consideration during your current 2-year budget setting process. • The 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration, and the subsequent Council direction to bring climate action “early wins” prior to CAAP adoption, should be met with substantive, stated and funded, climate action in the current 2-year budget. • Also, the new budget should include funding for near-term elements in the draft CAAP, as it is expected to be adopted at the beginning of that 2-year period. • The identified “early wins” in the draft CAAP should be implemented and strengthened, in a timely manner, to be consistent with the intention of the Climate Emergency Declaration and the “early wins” idea, that has largely been postponed by the complications preventing further action on the intended all-electric building ordinance.

Please consider some of the following for explicit inclusion and funding in the next 2-year budget:
• A prompt alternative to the intended all-electric building ordinance that delivers a very strong incentive to build all-electric buildings without raising concerns of legal challenges. • Modification of the Real Property Transfer Tax rebate program to exclude using the rebate for funding the installation of gas appliances.
• Adoption of a revised Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy, perhaps renaming it the Environmentally Preferred and Climate Action Purchasing Policy, that emphasizes forward looking purchases that make meaningful contributions to climate action. • Support the draft “early wins” by funding a watering trailer (“water buffalo”) to enable proper maintenance of newly planted street trees.
• Support the other draft “early win” by funding public, and city fleet and employee, EV charging at the Community Center and other feasible City locations. • Make an explicit statement that climate action is expected to be implemented as standard practice in all job descriptions and employee evaluations.

Moved/Second: Member Miner/Tarbet Ayes: Members Dhoot, Bialy, Akacic, Austin, Goudey, Miner, O’Connor, Tarbet, Vekony Noes: None Absent: Members Hayashi, Shonkoff
Agenda Packet Page 157 of 225
From: cordell hindler
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comments
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 11:51:31 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Hello Mayor Rudnick, Council Members and Staff,
I am submitting the following comments into the Record

1. for a Future Agenda, The Council Should Invite Danny Wan or Designee to present on the Port of Oakland as it relates to economic development

2. Also to Direct staff on the recommendations in regarding the class & comp Study Sincerely
Cordell
Agenda Packet Page 158 of 225
Michael A. Fischer
El Cerrito City Designated Library Commissioner
[email protected]
May 20, 2024
Mayor Tessa Rudnick
Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Wysinger
Council Member Paul Fadelli
Council Member Lisa Motoyama
Council Member Gabe Quinto
I am Michael Fischer, Library Commissioner since 2017. As the council is no doubt aware, this summer marks the 75th anniversary of our library … and is a good reminder of why we need a new, larger, safe, and accessible library.

Still 75 years is important to celebrate and our Senior Community Library Manager Heidi Goldstein and her staff, with the co-sponsorship of our El Cerrito Library Foundation, developed a series consisting of five authors who either lived in El Cerrito, went to school here, or have some other connection to our city.

The first event was on Saturday May 11 featuring author Gail Tsukiyama, author of nine wonderful books. We filled our library up with over 100 attendees, clearly showing the need for a new and larger library. Ms.

Tsukiyama commented several times in her remarks about the need for a larger library — and as a regular library user she ought to know. (I attach a couple of photographs that show the inadequacy of our library to handle the number of people attending the event. There are less than 100 people shown in the main seating. The others are either sitting or standing further away, standing in library aisles, or leaning against desks and tables. Also, the area being used is part of the children’s section of the library and at times during the program one or more children, with a parent, came into the area to look at books of interest to them. Fortunately, General Public Comments
Agenda Packet Page 159 of 225
like most El Cerritans, they were well behaved and did not interfere with the program.)
Future events, all at 10:30 am on Saturdays, will feature children’s author and illustrator Robert Liu-Trujillo on July 13, children’s author Serena Allen on August 10, El Cerrito’s new Poet Laureate Tess Taylor on September 14, and El Cerrito’s inaugural poet laureate Maw Shein Win on November 9.

I’ve attached a copy of the flyer about the program.

A new library at the Plaza Station will permit many more programs of this type so we urge all who wish to help in this effort to join us at the Committee for a Plaza Station Library, c4psl.org.

I’d also like to correct my remarks from February 5, 2024. At that time I noted, correctly, that the El Cerrito Library had the 10th largest door count countywide and the second largest in the west county. Unfortunately the numbers I presented in the attached table showed double the number of door counts for all libraries, using numbers for both entries and exits. So the number there should all be divided by two but there is no change in the relative ranking.

Very truly yours,
Michael Fischer (he him)
[email protected]
El Cerrito City Designated Library Commissioner
Past Chair, Contra Costa County Library Commission
Secretary, Library Foundation of Contra Costa County
Board Member, El Cerrito Library Foundation
Parliamentarian, Friends of the El Cerrity Library
Member, C4PSL (Committee for a Plaza Station Library)
Agenda Packet Page 160 of 225
Agenda Packet Page 161 of 225
Agenda Packet Page 162 of 225
Agenda Packet Page 163 of 225
From: Tam Sababa
To: City Clerk
Subject: Opposition to a ceasefire resolution
Date: Monday, May 20, 2024 4:59:14 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Thank you for keeping your focus on local matters and not surrender to the pressure and bullying people. We are thankful for your strength.

Tamir Kalwary, resident
Agenda Packet Page 164 of 225
From: Allen Mayer
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public comments - not on the agenda: Opposition to a ceasefire resolution on the city council agenda.

Date: Monday, May 20, 2024 8:00:55 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Dear Sirs and Madams,
Please do not place a ceasefire resolution with regard to the Israel-Hamas war on the El Cerrito City Council agenda. Please continue to focus on local issues that have a concrete effect on our local community, and leave foreign affairs to our federal government. Please do not contribute to ill-will and conflict within our community.

Thank you,
Allen Mayer
Kensington CA 94707
Sent from my iPad
Agenda Packet Page 165 of 225
From: D Dorenz
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public comment: opposition to ceasefire on city agenda Date: Monday, May 20, 2024 10:32:56 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Dear City council Members:

I urge you not to put a ceasefire resolution or a boycott , divest and sanction resolution on the agenda. These resolutions have no influence on US foreign policy, create divisiveness in our community, and would turn you into a propaganda tool for those who want Hamas to survive to kill Israelis again as it did on Oct. 7th. Hamas has rejected all ceasefire offers from Israel. It does not want to negotiate. If those who come to you telling you that you are heartless for not saving Palestinian lives with a symbolic ceasefire, really wanted to end the war, their message would be quite different. It would demand that Hamas lay down its weapons, surrender and return all the hostages, then the war would end immediately.

Don't participate in the hypocrisy of these Hamas supporters. When they shout "from the river to the sea", they are calling for the destruction of Israel and their goal is the same when they shout " Death to America, and Death to Israel". These chants that also call for global intifada and revolution, reveal another of their true intentions which is to destroy our democracy in favor of an Islamist state. It's pure Hamas propaganda that has taken over the left in this country. That is what we saw at UCLA, Columbia and so many universities across the United States.

Thank you for standing strong against this onslaught week in and week. Please be sure to enforce boundaries for these disruptors of the City council meetings so that other citizens can have the chance to speak about issues that really need to be dealt with for the good of all the residents of the City. Thank you again.

Dorothea Dorenz
--
Dorothea Dorenz
Agenda Packet Page 166 of 225
From: Dean Kertesz
To: City Clerk
Subject: public comments – not on the agenda: opposition to putting a ceasefire resolution on the city council agenda Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 9:39:56 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Dear Members of the El Cerrito City Council,
I write to you once again to thank you for, up to this point, your refusal to put a ceasefire resolution on the El Cerrito City Council Agenda.

I, along with most El Cerrito residents, am committed to peace and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. I abhor war.

However I write to you to implore to not put a ceasefire resolution on the City Council agenda for the following reasons:

It invites hate into El Cerrito. Every city that has placed such a resolution on their agenda has been subjected to hours of hate speech, calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and anti semitic speech targeting Jews. Don't let that happen here.

It is clear that those calling for a ceasefire have a personal animus against Mayor Rudnick. When she is absent from a City Council meeting, they are absent. When she is present they are present. This bigoted behavior and these personal attacks on our mayor should not be rewarded.

It has become clear from the statements of some of the ceasefire activists at the May 7th meeting that they do not just want a ceasefire resolution. They said that this is just the first step of a bigger agenda. The next step will be a call for economic divestment for the city, as Richmond is doing, and then a boycott of all Israeli institutions and citizens.

Their ultimate goal is the elimination of the State of Israel. They do not say this explicitly because they know that the vast majority of El Cerrito residents and American citizens would be appalled by this goal. The so-called ceasefire resolution is the first step of this plan.

Please continue your efforts to hold our city together and represent all the residents of El Cerrito rather than take official actions that divide our city.

Respectfully, Dean Kertesz
Agenda Packet Page 167 of 225
From: Alan Marks
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public comments - not on the agenda - opposition to putting a ceasefire resolution on the agenda Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 10:17:30 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Any ceasefire resolution is divisive, outside the scope of city business and will not help to resolve the conflict.

Alan B Marks
Agenda Packet Page 168 of 225
From: Walla Oriqat
To: City Clerk; Paul Fadelli; Lisa Motoyama; Gabe Quinto; Tessa Rudnick; Carolyn Wysinger Cc: Albany&ElCerrito4ceasefire now
Subject: Item not on the agenda - Ceasefire Resolution
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 11:07:01 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

El Cerrito City Council members,
How many more mothers in Gaza must wrap their children in shrouds and bury them? Israel has killed over 15,000 children in the last 8 months. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said a child in Gaza is killed or wounded “every 10 minutes”. Source - United Nations
How many more children must lose their parents in Gaza? According to the UN, at least 17,000 children in Gaza have been orphaned or separated from their families due to Israel's attack on Gaza. This includes 6,000 mothers who have been killed in the war, leaving 19,000 children orphaned. Source - UN Women 37 mothers have been killed each day since October 7th, a rate of 2 mothers every hour.

Source - Rescue.org
How many more pregnant women must suffer in Gaza?
Approximately 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza have little-to-no access to adequate prenatal health services. At least 183 women are giving birth in Gaza every day and most do not have access to midwives, doctors, or healthcare facilities during or after delivery. Source - Rescue.org
How many more people have to starve in Gaza?

1.9 million innocent civilians in Gaza are being systematically starved by Israel who is blocking vital humanitarian aid from being delivered. 32 people, including 28 children, had died of malnutrition and dehydration. Source - Human Rights Watch How many more hospitals, schools, and universities must be destroyed in Gaza? This is a trick question because Israel has destroyed them all.

The next generation of voters across almost 140 U.S. college campuses are protesting the ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israel. Students have often been on the right side of history, leading movements that have catalyzed social change for causes such as Apartheid South Africa, the Vietnam war, and the Holocaust.

If you call yourself a parent, a feminist, an academic, a public servant, or even just a human.. how are you not horrified by the unbearable suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza?
How could you NOT do whatever you could, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to make it stop? Are Palestinians not worthy of basic human rights? We are urging you to uphold your civic duty and listen to your community - just like our neighboring cities and over 100 cities across America have done.

Agendize a ceasefire resolution.

Don’t allow your fear or privilege to keep you on the wrong side of history.

Agenda Packet Page 169 of 225
From: Terry Friedkin
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public comments not on agenda against ceasefire Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 11:18:39 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

I want to express my concern that the City is dealing g w international issues Please register my concerns- anti- ceasefire.

Respectfully, Terry Friedkin
Agenda Packet Page 170 of 225
From: Paola Alessandra Sensi-Isolani
To: City Clerk; Paul Fadelli; Lisa Motoyama; Gabe Quinto; Tessa Rudnick; Carolyn Wysinger; Albany&ElCerrito4ceasefire now
Subject: Re: Item not on agenda: Cease Fire
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 12:52:14 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Causing starvation as a weapon of war, denial of humanitarian supplies,, deliberate targeting of civilians, journalists, doctors are all war crimes and yet our City Council refuses to consider a Gaza ceasefire resolution. You are not upholding your civic duty or listening to your community! Listen to our students, they were the conscience of this country during the Vietnam war and are our conscience now as they demonstrate without fear for Palestinian rights and an end to Israeli atrocities and continual Palestinian land grab, all committed with our support. I will continue to march, to write, to send money for Palestinian relief and at the same time feel ashamed to have a city council that is silent at such an important time when conscience should prevail. Your inaction shows to me, an 84 year old woman and retired College professor, that even at the lowest level of city council members, politicians sell their souls as you are doing now. Paola Sensi-Isolani Agenda Packet Page 171 of 225
From: Karen Pinkos
To: City Clerk
Subject: FW: City Council Meeting 5/21/24 - Item Not on the Agenda Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 12:57:46 PM
From: leslie dibenedetto
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2024 11:33 AM
To: Karen Pinkos <[email protected]>; Tessa Rudnick <[email protected]>; Gabe Quinto <[email protected]>; Carolyn Wysinger <[email protected]>; Paul Fadelli <[email protected]>; Lisa Motoyama <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting 5/21/24 - Item Not on the Agenda Dear El Cerrito City Council and Manager Pinkos…..I am writing again to ask that a ceasefire resolution be added to the city agenda. What a tiny request given all the suffering in Gaza. We all know th Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization. sophospsmartbannerend
Dear El Cerrito City Council and Manager Pinkos…..I am writing again to ask that a ceasefire resolution be added to the city agenda. What a tiny request given all the suffering in Gaza. We all know the devastation and death. Did you know that to date, more than 100 American communities have passed ceasefire resolutions representing millions of constituents in America.

And more are passed every day. Why does this matter, you ask? This amplifies the voices of the majority of Americans who do not support US funding of the Israeli army or the war that is being waged in Gaza. This in turn reflects the majority of EC residents too and I still cannot believe that our city council members continue to refuse to agendize this matter after so many outcries. Why is that?
You must know that after hearing from their residents, Albany city council right next door added this item to their agenda, educated themselves to what matters to their residents, what is happening with our tax dollars, then crafted and passed a resolution. I have not heard of any hate coming since Albany passed a resolution. Divisiveness in fact continues in EC.

Richmond went farther recently and added divestment language to how they invent their money.

Our neighbors in Pinole may be next.

We are surrounded by progressive and bold leadership, yet El Cerrito once again, lacks clarity and leadership and does its’ best to delegitimize those that they vowed to represent. i must say ‘shame’ - shame that EC residents are not represented. shame that personal agendas supercede doing righ by us and not speaking up for Gaza, and against our tax dollars being spent on war.

It saddens me that I live in a city that does not represent my voice - the voice of the majority. the voice of peace and humanity. Our council still sticks with the status quo unless there is zero controversy or aligns with their personal agenda.

Students across this country have organized to call for an end to this, for meaningful change. It seems the youth are more willing to step out of their comfort zone than adults who hold power.

They are willing to take risks to say “not in our name” There is still time to do the right thing? We are surrounded by communities who represent the voice of their residents. Are El Cerrito residents not the same as Albany or Richmond? Do you really think our values are being reflected by the silence of our city council? Leslie D Adams
El Cerrito, CA
Agenda Packet Page 172 of 225
From: Miguel Gravelle Izaguirre
To: City Clerk; Carolyn Wysinger; Gabe Quinto; Lisa Motoyama; Paul Fadelli; Tessa Rudnick Subject: Re: Item not on agenda: Cease Fire
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 1:06:23 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

I and my fellow Jewish, Palestinian, Arab, and diverse other community members have worked hard to earn our community's support for a ceasefire and a stop to the genocide that most humans on Earth and inside the USA see as real and unjust.

We have appealed to you for months, as more ethical city councils have not only calked for a ceasefire and end to genocide, but called for divestment from Apartheid Israel until there is no more apartheid.

You all disgust me and your children, grandchildren, and other descendents will view you all as kindred spirits to the white moderates that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. criticised in his A Letter From a Birmingham Jail.

Your inaction and silence disgraces you. You are enablers of settler colonial violence, apartheid, and genocide.

Shame on you all. Shame!
Hoping for a better El Cerrito government soon.

You should call for a ceasefire and divestment until there is an end to apartheid and the land is shared by those who do not believe in white supremacy, Jewish supremacy, or any form of supremacy and all people have their full human rights respected -Miguel Gravelle
Agenda Packet Page 173 of 225
From: Sherry Drobner
To: Tessa Rudnick; Lisa Motoyama; Paul Fadelli; Gabe Quinto; Carolyn Wysinger; Holly Charléty; Karen Pinkos Subject: Public Comment Not on the Agenda
Date: Monday, May 20, 2024 11:21:36 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

To the Mayor and City Council Members,
Continue to keep your heads buried in the sand. Continue to clap your hands over your ears and shade your eyes from the blood let in Palestine. As you proclaim Jewish American Heritage month just remember that Zionism is not Judaism. Remember that some Jewish Americans do not follow the Zionist Israeli lobby groups and organizations that justify a genocide to fulfill a lust for political project. Remember that in our community there are Jewish residents who are not Zionists, who are not anti-semitic and who are not being fully represented by our City Council.

I applaud so many of the Jewish Americans in our community and in our country who are speaking out for a cease fire and speaking out against the horrific genocide ongoing under the joint conduct of the Israeli and US government. Where are these Jewish Americans mentioned in your proclamation.

Sincerely,
A Jewish resident
Sherry Drobner
--
I live and work on unceded Lisjan Ohlone land in the territory of Huchiun . As a non-Native person I pay Shuumi, a voluntary land tax that supports Lisjan Ohlone sovereignty . Learn more here.

Agenda Packet Page 174 of 225
FLSA: Exempt

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER

DEFINITION
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Public Works Department, including Engineering, Facilities and Maintenance, Environmental Services including solid waste recycling and contract administration; manages and administers the City’s capital improvement program; formulates department policies, goals, and directives; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with State and local intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. Exercises direct supervision over managerial, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a department director classification that oversees, directs, manages, and participates in all activities of the Public Works Department, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. The Public Works Director/City Engineer provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal functions, and activities; and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
• Assumes full management responsibility for all Public Works Department programs, services, and activities including engineering, capital improvement, and maintenance of multi-modal transportation systems, parks and trails, public landscapes, urban forest, storm drains, creeks, stormwater treatment facilities, integrated waste management, environmental sustainability, and public buildings.

Agenda Item No. 7.F.

Agenda Packet Page 175 of 225
Public Works Director/City Engineer

Page 2 of 5 ends

Council Approved:
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget and capital improvement program; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments, as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns. • Monitors and implements legal, regulatory, technology and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner. • Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• Conducts Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning activities; provides oversight and input into the conceptual design of engineering projects; investigates and resolves problems with scope of work or cost issues of major facility upgrade and replacement projects. • Oversees and coordinates the construction, modification, maintenance, and repair of City buildings, facilities, parks, landscaping, and infrastructure.
• Confers with engineers, developers, architects, utility companies, property owners and a variety of outside agencies and the general public in acquiring information and coordination of engineering, public works, storm, streets, transportation, and related matters; provides technical interpretations and applications of ordinances, laws, engineering codes, compliance and violation issues, drainage and traffic matters, access, legal descriptions, and policy matters. • Reviews and approves plans and specifications, designs, cost estimates, environmental documents, reports, and studies for all engineering projects.
• Prepares or amends the City Code and standards for streets, drainage, subdivision regulations, and flood hazards.
• Directs the preparation and administration local, county, state, federal, and private grant applications. • Conducts a variety of related organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate. • Serves or designates staff to provide staff support to assigned committees or commissions. • Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions.; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering and public works administration. • Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, resolutions, and ordinances related to department activities, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.

Agenda Packet Page 176 of 225
Public Works Director/City Engineer

Page 3 of 5 ends

Council Approved:
• Responds to public inquiries and concerns and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; serves as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required. • Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. • Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:
• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering, or a related field. A master’s degree is desirable.

Experience:
• Seven (7) years of managerial or administrative government experience in civil engineering, capital improvement program administration, municipal public works maintenance, or a related field including five (5) years of management experience.

Licenses and Certifications:
• Individuals who are appointment to this position will be required to maintain a current and valid California Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record throughout employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.

A current and valid out-of-state license may be used upon hire and a valid California Driver’s License must be obtained within six (6) months of appointment.
• Possession of a valid registration as a Professional Engineer with the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge of:
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility. • Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures. • Principles and practices of leadership.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget administration, contract negotiation and management, financial management, and grant development and administration.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.

Agenda Packet Page 177 of 225
Public Works Director/City Engineer

Page 4 of 5 ends

Council Approved:
• Principles, practices, and procedures of public administration in a municipal setting. • Principles and practices of public works program development, management in a municipal setting, and public works long-term maintenance planning and budgeting. • Civil engineering principles and practices applied to the field of municipal public works, including planning and development, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. • Methods, materials, and techniques employed in public works construction. • Principles and practices of construction program development. • Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution.
• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility. • City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. • Techniques for de-escalation and providing a high level of customer service by effectively assisting with the public, vendors, and City staff.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:
• Direct the management of comprehensive engineering and public works programs. • Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner. • Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards. • Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Public Works Department. • Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of managerial, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support personnel; delegate authority and responsibility. • Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques. • Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Manage and administer a comprehensive capital improvement program; review and develop designs, plans, long range capital improvement plans, and specifications. • Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Develop applicable grant applications for state, federal, and other programs providing funding for capital project maintenance and construction.
• Make complex mathematical and limited statistical calculations with accuracy. • Direct the preparation of studies, analyses, reports, contracts, and related documents. • Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.

Agenda Packet Page 178 of 225
Public Works Director/City Engineer

Page 5 of 5 ends

Council Approved:
• Attend City Council meetings and/or make presentations, as required. • Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials. • Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments. • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using the English language. • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to operate a motor vehicle to visit and inspect City sites, including traversing uneven terrain and other access points. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.

Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may also work in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with challenging individuals while interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS
City employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required to accommodate the City’s needs and attend meetings/events as required, in addition to responding as a Disaster Services Emergency Worker.

Agenda Packet Page 179 of 225
From: Howdy Goudey
To: City Clerk
Subject: public comment for agenda Item 7F Classification Plan Amendment Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 5:08:23 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Dear Mayor Rudnick and Councilmembers,
To be consistent with the 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration and the soon to be adopted Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, it is extremely important to provide a leadership message, throughout the city staff, that climate action is part of everyone's job description and will be part of job performance evaluations.

The series of new adoptions of job classifications that you are undertaking, following the class and compensation study, is a timely opportunity for you to include language about climate action in all staff job descriptions.

In the batch you are considering tonight, only the Environmental Services Manager job description makes any reference to climate action. Please pull item 7F from the consent calendar and adopt the classifications with the amendment that all job descriptions include attention to observing the Climate Emergency and CAAP, and that these elements of everyone's work will be included in reviews of job performance.

Just as an example, the CIty Engineer position oversees large public works construction projects involving many decisions that are connected to climate action and GHG emissions, such as design for alternative modes of transport and use of low embodied carbon materials.

Thank you for your time and attention,
Howdy Goudey
El Cerrito
Agenda Item No. 7.F.

Agenda Packet Page 180 of 225
From: Howdy Goudey
To: City Clerk
Subject: public comment for agenda Item 8A Master Fee Schedule Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 5:36:42 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Dear Mayor Rudnick and Councilmembers,
These are small issues, but I thought I would bring your attention to a couple of things I noticed in the Master Fee Schedule.

If I understand it correctly, the Commercial EVSE permit fees have a strange progression that is not supported by the difference in work to review and inspect. Installing 5 or 6 units cost less than 4 or 7 units.
# of EVSEs Total permit fee
1 $601
2 $608
3 $912
4 $1216
5 $1010
6 $1212
7 $1414
8 $1818
Also, item 4 under Citywide services shows a fee of $47 per meeting for "Use of Council Chambers (Government Agencies Only)". Perhaps this is intended (required?) to be a discounted rate for other government agencies, but it seems rather a low fee for that large meeting space, given that community members (even city co-sponsored organizations) have to pay well over a hundred dollars a meeting to rent a small clubhouse meeting space.

Howdy Goudey
El Cerrito
Agenda Item No. 8.A.

Agenda Packet Page 181 of 225
May 21, 2024
City of El Cerrito
City Council Budget Study Session
Department Presentations
Agenda Item No. 9.B.

Agenda Packet Page 182 of 225
Study
Session
Agenda –
Department
Presentations
• High Level, Draft Preview of
Departments
 Overview and Staffing FY 2023‐24 Highlights  FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
• Budget totals and line‐item detail
still being finalized
 Non‐departmental, special funds,
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) also in progress
Agenda Packet Page 183 of 225
Budget Priorities for FY 2024‐25 & FY 2025‐26
• High‐Performing Organization
 Maintaining Reserves  Maximize Revenues Conduct Cost Allocation and Service Delivery Studies
 Local Measure Renewal
• Community Safety
 Crime Prevention Wildfire Prevention/Safety Emergency Operations  Disaster Preparedness • Environmental Sustainability
 Climate Action Plan
Update/Implementation
• Livability and Belonging
 Parks/Open Space Senior Programs/Services
• Infrastructure & Amenities
 BART TOD/Library Housing Support Businesses & Economic Development
 Complete Streets 3
Agenda Packet Page 184 of 225
El Cerrito
Strategic Plan
2024‐2029
• Implementation Action Plan in
development
• Budget process and
recommendations guided by Strategic Plan
• Department workplans aligned to
Strategic Plan goals
 Detailed strategic alignment
information for each department to be included in budget document Agenda Packet Page 185 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and 2025‐26 Budget Strategies
• Proposing to eliminate vacant Management Assistant position  0.5 in Finance and 0.5 in City Manager’s Office
• Adjustments to Professional Services and Travel/Training• Deferred maintenance and facility repairs• Using Monsanto Settlement funds and Landscape & Lighting Assessment District fund balance to cover ongoing costs • Defer purchase on Maintenance Utility Truck and Dump Truck Replacements
• Reduced line items for Supplies, Equipment, and Technology Replacements
Agenda Packet Page 186 of 225
City
Management
• Provides leadership and direction to all
Departments in the City
• Serves as central liaison to the public• Ensures the implementation of City Council policy direction
• Core functions include:
 City Manager’s Office City Clerk Human Resources Information Technology City Attorney Agenda Packet Page 187 of 225
Department Overview and Staffing
CITY MANAGEMENT FY 2021‐22 FY 2022‐23 FY 2023‐24 FY 2024‐25 FY 2025‐26 City Manager 1 1 1 1 1
Assistant City Manager 1 1 1 1 1
Assistant to the City Manager 0 0 1 1 1
Management Analyst III 0 1 0 0 0
City Clerk 1 1 1 1 1Management Assistant 0 1 1.5 1 1
Administrative Clerk Specialist 1 0 0 0 0
Human Resources Manager 1 0 0 0 0
Senior Human Resources Analyst 0 1 1 1 1
Human Resources Technician 0 0 0 0 0
Human Resources Specialist 1 1 1 1 1
Information Technology Manager 1 1 1 1 1
Information Technology Specialist 1 1 1 1 1
Network Security Engineer 1 1 1 1 1CITY MANAGEMENT TOTAL 9 10 10.5 10 10 Agenda Packet Page 188 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
• City Management
 Strategic Plan 2024‐2029 General Fund reserves at highest levels in 10 years • Emergency Disaster Recovery Fund• Section 115 Trust
 Opportunity for a New Library National Community Survey Enhanced Public Information Began Process for Measure R Extension Expanded Grant‐writing Efforts  Implemented Legislative Advocacy Program • HR
 Multi‐Year Class. & Comp. Study Successfully Filled 19 Full‐time Positions and Hired 31 Part‐time Employees 8
Agenda Packet Page 189 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
• City Clerk
 Youth in Civics Program Expansion Advisory Body Ad‐Hoc By the Numbers:
 344 Public Records requests 37 Advisory Body Applications  10 trainings conducted 120+ public meetings facilitated • IT
 Upgraded Citywide Network and
Cyber Security Systems
 Upgraded Video Security Surveillance Systems
• City Attorney
 Transitioned to Redwood Public Law
9 Agenda Packet Page 190 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
• Measure R Extension• Implementing Strategic Plan• Opportunity for a New Library • Developing Strategies for Ongoing Budget Adjustments
• Improving Technology for Efficiency
and Cybersecurity
• Utilizing the Class. & Comp. Study • Pursuing Grants and Monitoring State Legislation
• Mandatory DEI Training• Employee Engagement, Hiring, and Retention
10 Agenda Packet Page 191 of 225
Finance
Department
• Supports the financial and fiscal
sustainability of the City
• Ensures activities are performed,
recorded, and presented in compliance with professional and ethical standards • Core functions include:
 Budget Treasury Financial Reporting Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Payroll Purchasing Debt Management Agenda Packet Page 192 of 225
Department Overview and Staffing
FINANCE DEPARTMENT FY 2021‐22 FY 2022‐23 FY 2023‐24 FY 2024‐25 FY 2025‐26Finance Director/City Treasurer 1 1 1 1 1Accountant I 0 2 2 2 2Budget/Finance Manager 1 1 1 1 1Finance Technician 2 0 0 0 0Senior Accountant 1 1 1 1 1Senior Finance Technician 1 1 1 1 1 Management Assistant 0 0 0.5 0 0
FINANCE DEPARTMENT TOTAL 6 6 6.5 6 6
Agenda Packet Page 193 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
• FY 2022‐23 Audit completed in May of
2024, with an unmodified "clean" opinion
• FY 2022‐23 Audited Financial Statements
were submitted to the GFOA for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting • The Finance Department has successfully
filled all positions after an almost 100% turnover
• Establishment of the Emergency Disaster
Recovery Fund and the Section 115 Pension Trust
13 Agenda Packet Page 194 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
• Review and revise Citywide policies and procedures related to Finance
• Implement Utility Tax collection and analysis software• Conduct Citywide Cost Allocation Plan and Fee Study• Support Citywide Service Delivery Study• Overhaul the City's ERP to allow for more efficient processing and recording
14 Agenda Packet Page 195 of 225
Recreation
Department
• Provide safe, friendly, reliable services that
will enhance the quality of life through diverse programs • Core functions include:
 Adult programs and services
• Senior Service programs
 Aquatics Childcare Summer camps and classes Park and Facility Rentals, Programming and Planning
 Special Events Volunteer programs Citywide custodial services Agenda Packet Page 196 of 225
Department Overview and Staffing
FY 2021‐22 FY 2022‐23 FY 2023‐24 FY 2024‐25 FY 2025‐26
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
2 2
3 3
3 Administrative Clerk Specialist
0 0
1 1
1 Assistant Recreation SupervisorChildcare Teacher
1 1
1 1
1 4
5 5
5 5
Community Services Coordinator
1 1
1 1
1 Custodial Maintenance Lead WorkerCustodian
4 4
4 4
4 Management Analyst II
1 0
0 0
0 Recreation Director
1 1
1 1
1 Recreation Supervisor
4 4
4 4
4 18 18 20 20 20
RECREATION DEPARTMENT TOTAL
Agenda Packet Page 197 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
17 0
500
100015002000250030003500400045005000
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Adult Enrollments by Type
Special Event Aquatic Activities Classes & Activities Classes & Activities EBD EBD = Enroll by
Day Activity
0 500
100015002000250030003500
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
60 and Better! Enrollments by Type
Senior Services Classes & Activities Classes & Activities EBD Senior Services EBD • Significant increases in participation
and programs offered for adults and seniors
• Successfully negotiated extensions of
Facility Use Agreements with WCCUSD
• Raised $44,000 for the 4th of July
Festival in 2023
• Winner in 6 Categories for the "Best of
El Cerrito” Awards
• Held the first Adult Dance events and
brought back others held prior to the pandemic
Agenda Packet Page 198 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
• 28% increase in “Discount Day”
Summer Camp Registrations
• Overall increase in youth program
participation
• Winner in 11 categories and Top 5 in
an additional 10 categories for the "Best of Contra Costa County" Parents Press Awards • Held the first “Play Like a Girl+ El
Cerrito” and brought back several family events held prior to the pandemic 18 0
500
10001500200025003000
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Youth Enrollments by Type
After School Enrichment Classes & Activities
0 10002000300040005000600070008000
2019 2022 2023 2024 (YTD)
Summer Camp Enrollments by Year
Discount Day Total Summer
Agenda Packet Page 199 of 225
Recreation Department Cost Recovery
19 84%
81%
62%
56% 56%
52%
40%
31%

1.9% 2.4%

5.6%

1.9%

6.8% 6.6% 4.9% 4.8%
0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
El Cerrito
Amended
El Cerrito
Adopted
Danville Antioch San Ramon Hercules Albany Emeryville
Fiscal Year 2023‐24 Recreation Departments Cost Recovery & General Fund Support
Cost Recovery % % of General Fund
Agenda Packet Page 200 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
• Implement strategies to better recruit and retain
part‐time employees
• Expand Senior Services as space permits• Strategize ways to make programs and services more affordable and advance equity
• Collaborate with partners to implement Master
Plan projects and priorities
• Continue to implement technology
enhancements to streamline processes and enhance customer experience 20 Agenda Packet Page 201 of 225
Public Works
Department
• Maintain, operate, develop, design, and
construct public infrastructure, buildings, parks, landscapes, natural areas, integrated waste services, and environmental programs providing for a sustainable and resilient community • Core functions include:
 Engineering  Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
management
 Transportation Systems Infrastructure & Facilities Maintenance Landscape and Parks Maintenance Recycling Collection and Integrated Waste Management
 Environmental Sustainability Programs Emergency Response Agenda Packet Page 202 of 225
Department Overview and Staffing
• Two Divisions
 Engineering – 5 FTE including
Department‐level
 Operations & Environmental
Services Division (OESD)– 22.3 FTE
• Filled three vacant positions to
fully restore Engineering team
• Evaluated OESD staffing to
address facilities, deferred maintenance, and environmental goals PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FY 2021‐22 FY 2022‐23 FY 2023‐24 FY 2024‐25 FY 2025‐26 Management Analyst 1 1 1 1 1Administrative Clerk 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Associate Engineer 1 1 1 1 1
Engineering Technician 0 1 1 1 1
Environmental Programs Manager 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
Operations + Environmental Services ManagerForklift Operator 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 Maintenance Services Lead worker 2 2 2 2 2
Maintenance Services Superintendent 1 1 1 0 0
Maintenance Operations Supervisor 0 0 0 1 1Maintenance Worker 4 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 Management Assistant 2 2 2 2 2
Public Works Director/City Engineer 1 1 1 1 1
Recycling Maintenance Worker 4 5 5 5 5
Recycling Operations Supervisor 1 1 1 1 1
Senior Program Manager 0 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
Senior Engineer/Engineering Manager 1 1 1 1 1
Environmental Specialist 1 1 1 1 1
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TOTAL 24.2 27.3 27.3 27.3 27.3
Agenda Packet Page 203 of 225
23 FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
Agenda Packet Page 204 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
Engineering• Reinvigorated ADA and traffic engineering programs• Upgraded City Hall EV charging stations• Began construction of Arlington Park, Del Norte TOD Complete Streets, Hillside Natural Area Signage,
& ADA Sidewalk
improvements
• Replaced Castro Park Clubhouse Sanitary Sewer• Developed Red Flag Parking Pilot Program• Developed Coop Agreements with CCTA for Richmond Street Complete Streets & Countywide Smart Signals
• Developed Pavement Agreement & Encroachment Permit for EBMUD’s Wildcat Pipeline
• Secured WCCTAC STMP funding ($419K) for design of Ohlone Greenway Uptown Improvements & El Cerrito Plaza BART TOD East‐West Bikeway & launched Local Road Safety Plan (with Community Development)
24 Agenda Packet Page 205 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
Operations & Environmental Services• Procured Renewable Diesel for City fleets• Secured Technical Assistance grant for Public Fleet Electrification Planning
• Implemented Citywide Recycling and Garbage Cart Swap • Developed Climate Action & Adaption Plan• Initiated Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience & Forest Conservation Management Plan
• Developed Compliant Disposable Foodware guide• Procured new Landscape Maintenance Agreements for Ohlone Greenway, Streetscapes, and Building Grounds
• Hosted Coastal Cleanup Day, Arbor Day, and Earth Day events 25 Agenda Packet Page 206 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
26 Plans• Complete Climate Action & Adaption Plan and Hillside Natural Area Plan• Develop Public Fleet Electrification Transition Plan Projects & Programs
• Construct Misc Storm Repair, Activity Pool Slide Replacement, Community Center Roof Replacement, City Hall Boiler, and Lap Pool Replastering & Deck Repair • Design Swim Center ADA & EV Charging, Richmond Street Complete Streets, Countywide Smart Signals Project, and Ohlone Greenway Uptown Improvements • Enhance Sidewalk Shaving Program• Procure Solid Waste Post‐Collection Services and Street Sweeping• Support El Cerrito Plaza BART TOD building permits, parking and transportation improvements
State Mandates
• Implement Clean Water Program Municipal Regional Permit 3.0• Implement new California Air Resource Board Advanced Clean Fleet• Implement East Bay Sanitary Franchise Agreement programs and SB 1383
Agenda Packet Page 207 of 225
Police
Department
• Protect our community, solve crime,
and pursue justice
• Foster an environment of collaboration,
honesty, and respect with each member of the community, the department, and allied agencies • Core Functions include:
 Emergency Response Criminal Investigations Traffic Safety Parking Enforcement Public Education and Outreach Agenda Packet Page 208 of 225
Department Overview and Staffing
POLICE DEPARTMENT FY 2021‐22 FY 2022‐23 FY 2023‐24 FY 2024‐25 FY 2025‐26 Police Chief 1 1 1 1 1Community Services Officer (CSO) 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4Police Cadet 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 Police Captain 1 1 1 1 1
Police Corporal 4 4 4 4 4
Police Corporal ‐ Detective 1 1 1 1 1
Public Safety Executive Assistant 1 1 1 1 1
Police Lieutenant 2 2 2 2 2Police Officer 13 13 13 13 13 Police Officer ‐ Detective 6 6 6 6 6
Police Officer ‐ K9 2 2 2 2 2
Police Officer ‐ Traffic 0 1 1 1 1
Police Records Specialist 4 3 3 3 3
Police Records Supervisor 1 1 1 1 1
Police Sergeant 5 4 4 4 4
Police Sergeant ‐ Detective 1 1 1 1 1
Police Sergeant ‐ Admin 1 1 1 1 1
Property and Evidence Specialist 1 1 1 1 1
Senior Police Records Specialist 0 1 1 1 1POLICE DEPARTMENT TOTAL 48 48 48 48 48 Calls for Service
22,910
Up 43%
2023 Statistics Snapshot
Violent Crimes
130
Up 7%
Property Crimes
1,062
Down 3%
Parking Violations
3,026
Up 178%
Reports Taken
2,510
Down 2%
Moving Violations
1,400
Up 243%
Agenda Packet Page 209 of 225
Police Revenue
29 Average Revenue per
Moving Violation = $61
Average Revenue per
Parking Violation = $30
Agenda Packet Page 210 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
• Reached Full Staffing (momentarily) in
December 2023
• Deployed a Community Liaison Officer (CLO)• Completed Training – Integrating Communication, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT)
• Installed 40 ALPR Cameras• Maintained High Clearance Rates, solved:
o 53% of Assaults o 35% of Robberieso 50% of Rapes
30 Agenda Packet Page 211 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
• Training Collaborations
o Contra Costa Probation for "Policing the
Teenage Brain"
o Humintell for Communications for
Investigations
• Technology
o Retail theft and violent crime case tools –
Peregrine and Cellebrite
o Drone deploymento Dash cameras
• Staffing
o Facility Dogo Traffic Officer
31 Agenda Packet Page 212 of 225
Fire
Department
• Enhance community safety by reducing
loss of life and property and safeguarding the environment • Effectively respond to fires, rescues,
and medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents, and major disasters • Core functions include:
 Fire Suppression  Emergency Medical Response Code Enforcement and Fire Inspections Vegetation Reduction  Public Education and Outreach Agenda Packet Page 213 of 225
Department Overview and Staffing
FIRE DEPARTMENT FY 2021‐22 FY 2022‐23 FY 2023‐24 FY 2024‐25 FY 2025‐26 Fire Chief 1 1 1 1 1
Executive Administrative Assistant 1 1 1 1 1
Battalion Chief 3 3 3 3 3
Battalion Chief/Training Officer 1 1 1 1 1
Fire Captain 2 2 2 2 2
Fire Captain/Paramedic 7 7 7 7 7
Fire Captain/Paramedic/FPO 1 1 1 1 1
Fire Engineer 5 5 5 5 5
Fire Engineer/Paramedic 7 7 7 7 7
Firefighter 6 6 6 6 6
Firefighter/Paramedic 3 3 3 3 3
Civilian Fire Marshall 0 0 0.5 0.5 0.5
FIRE DEPARTMENT TOTAL 37 37 37.5 37.5 37.5
Agenda Packet Page 214 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
Administration
• Enhanced automatic aid agreements with regional partners• Submitted grants for one new Type 1 engine ($1.4 million) and SCBAs ($400,000)• Hired three firefighters• Saved $17,801,300 in property value in El Cerrito Training
• Exercised the Emergency Operations Plan during a threeday earthquake drill• Completed trench rescue training• Completed a joint fire academy with Richmond Fire Public Outreach
• Partnered with Lamorinda for CERT training• El Cerrito's CERT program• Hosted Tri-City Safety Day and CPR classes 34 Agenda Packet Page 215 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
Administration
• Apply for federal grants for radio replacement and E372 (our Type 3 grass unit)• Purchase new EKG monitors• Complete our Records Management system (RMS) upgrade Training
• Compete high-rise training and wildland drill with regional partners• Host an Earthquake exercise with regional partners• Host seven CERT classes to expand the team Operations
• Maintain response times below 8 minutes• Develop a regional SOG for electric vehicle fires • Develop a regional SOG for Active Shooter/IMCI events• Enhance our shared response with Berkeley, Albany, Richmond, and Con Fire to decrease response times 35 Agenda Packet Page 216 of 225
Community
Development
Department
• Deliver services and programs that ensure
a safe, livable, and resilient built environment
• Core functions include:
 Planning Building Neighborhood Preservation (Code
Enforcement/Residential Rental Inspection)
 Affordable Housing (incl. Rent Registry) Economic Development Sustainable Transportation Planning Business License/Parking Permits Administration (Records Management, PRAs, contracts/invoices, communications)
Agenda Packet Page 217 of 225
Department Overview and Staffing
FY 2021‐22 FY 2022‐23 FY 2023‐24 FY 2024‐25 FY 2025‐26
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Management Analyst III 1 0 0 0 0
Management Assistant 1 1 1 1 1
Neighborhood Preservation Officer 1 1 1 1 1
Building Inspector I‐III 1 1 1 1 1
Building Inspector III 1 1 1 1 1
Building Official 1 1 1 1 1
Building Plan Checker II 1 1 1 1 1
Community Development Director 1 1 1 1 1
Planning Manager 1 1 1 1 1
Permit Technician I‐II 1 1 1 1 1
Permit Technician III 1 1 1 1 1
Assistant/Associate Planner 1 1 1 1 1
Senior Planner 1 1 1 1 1
0 2 2 2 2
Senior Program Manager (Housing/Econ Dev, Transportation) Administrative Clerk Specialist 1 1 1 1 1
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOTAL 14 15 15 15 15
Community
Development
Director
Housing‐Admin‐
EconDev‐Sust
Transp (4.5)
Building (7.25) Planning (3.25)
• Business License• Parking Permit• Rent Registry• Sustainable Transportation Planning
• Affordable
Housing
• Economic
Development
• Grant App/Admin• Administration
(contracts, invoicing, records, PRAs etc.)
• Business License• Parking Permit• Rent Registry• Sustainable Transportation Planning
• Affordable
Housing
• Economic
Development
• Grant App/Admin• Administration
(contracts, invoicing, records, PRAs etc.)
Building Permits
• Applications• Plan Check• Inspection
Neighborhood
Preservation
• Code
Enforcement
• Residential
Rental Inspection
Building Permits• Applications• Plan Check• Inspection
Neighborhood
Preservation
• Code
Enforcement
• Residential
Rental Inspection
Current Planning
• Land Use Permits• Plan CheckAdvanced Planning• General Plan (e.g. Safety Element, Housing Element)
• Specific Plans
(San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan)
Current Planning• Land Use Permits• Plan CheckAdvanced Planning• General Plan (e.g. Safety Element, Housing Element)
• Specific Plans
(San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan)
Agenda Packet Page 218 of 225
FY 2023‐24 Highlights and Accomplishments
FY24 To Date(Through April)
FY23
Building Permits Issued 1,271 1,039Building Inspections 7,097 4,438 $35M*(+$31M ant. Jun)
Building Permit Valuation $49MSolar Permits Issued 307 160Code 132/111 122/124Enforcement Cases (Opened/Closed)Business License 450/1879 421/1907(New/Renewal)Planning Permits 167/123 120/112(Submitted/Approved) 38 Housing‐Admin‐Econ Dev‐Sustainable Transportation• Housing & Transportation Grants• Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) Outreach, Analysis, Policy• Unhoused Solution Summit & Cannabis Quality of Life Fund (CORE)• New Business Openings• Transportation Planning at Plaza TOD• BRIDGE Affordable Funding (June Groundbreaking) • Makers' Fair (next one June 8!)Planning
• Housing Element (Certification: August)• Entitled 1711‐1755 Eastshore (305 units; mixed income)• Plaza TOD Entitlement process• Safety Element (Initiated)Building• SB379 Online Solar Permitting Platform• Reduced Turnaround Times• Coordinated New Permit Review Process with Fire Dept• Reviewed/Issued/Inspected New Businesses Agenda Packet Page 219 of 225
FY 2024‐25 and FY 2025‐26 Focus/Workplan
• Mandatory Housing Element & MTC
Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) policy/activities
• Development at Plaza TOD• Safety Element• Local Roads Safety Plan (LRSP)• Outdoor Dining & Retail Ordinance• SB 326 and SB 721 (California Balcony Law) implementation
• Mayfair and EC‐Plaza South Affordable
Housing
• Advance Phase II Solar Online Permitting• Triennial Building Code update (effective January 2026)
39 Agenda Packet Page 220 of 225
Budget Next
Steps
• May 24, 2024: Draft budget document
published
• May 28, 2024: Financial Advisory Board
meeting
• June 4, 2024: Proposed Biennial Budget
Hearing
• June 18, 2024: Consider adoption of
Biennial Budget (required prior to June 30)
 Additional Meetings if needed
• Return to City Council during Fiscal Year
with strategies for ongoing budget adjustments
40 Agenda Packet Page 221 of 225
Thank you!
el‐cerrito.org/budgetprocess
Agenda Packet Page 222 of 225
From: Ira Sharenow
To: Holly Charléty; City Clerk
Cc: Tessa Rudnick; Lisa Motoyama; Paul Fadelli
Subject: Item 9B Budget Discussion Session
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 8:38:50 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Please discuss the following.

1. The return to deficit spending

2. The approximate $85 million pension liability. The state auditor gives the city a zero on future pension liability.

3. Funding a senior center

4. Fixing the roads – reversing the decline in the pavement condition index

5. Fixing the Ohlone Greenway. The city has now placed warning signs just north of Eureka

6. The prediction of a 15% increase in the sales tax for FY 2025. Are the revenues for FY 2024 decreasing?

7. The prediction of a 10% increase in the real property transfer tax for FY 2025. Are the revenues for FY 2024 decreasing?

8. The donation of parking spaces to the Plaza project. Are those spaces worth $50 million? See the discussion at the November 19, 2019 council meeting

9. The overuse of highly compensated consultants. Paying consultants to lead meetings.

10. Managers spending too much time at out of town networking meetings and not doing enough for the community

11. Wasteful spending on the failing Plaza library proposal

12. The need to completely restructure how the city does budgeting Ira Sharenow
El Cerrito, CA
Agenda Packet Page 223 of 225
From: Cathy Taruskin
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comment - Agenda Item #9B
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 10:42:08 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

To: El Cerrito City Council and City Manager
I sympathize with the frustration you must feel when your outreach attempts to solicit input and feedback from the citizens of El Cerrito resulted in only 175 responses out of nearly 26,000 residents in your recent 2024 Budget Survey. How can they expect you to serve them if they don’t tell you what they want?
But this is all the more reason to pay attention to the people who DID care enough to respond. 31% of the respondents asked for pickleball court improvements. There must be a reason that requests for pickleball facilities have been outnumbering all other issues since 2018, when you conducted focus groups during the development of the El Cerrito Recreation Department’s Master Plan development. At that time, long before the explosion of pickleball’s popularity, pickleball was cited 118 times in the summary report:

A_Community-Engagement-Summary (el-cerrito.org)
We have finally gotten beyond the 2.5 years of delay waiting for the Castro Land Use Agreement to be signed – that happened in April. Now the delay in preparing the RFP is that you are in the middle of your ‘budget season’. This is unfortunate because without RFP responses we do not know actual dollar amounts to budget for.

To date the pickleball community has raised nearly $70,000 to donate to the city for this project. Please include an allocation in your budget to cover the balance of the cost to convert the Castro Tennis Courts into six permanent pickleball courts. Due to the deferred maintenance and severe deterioration of the courts, that balance might be higher than the usual court maintenance estimates – please anticipate that. We want to avoid having funding become the next stumbling block.

It would be wonderful to be able to demonstrate to the pickleball community that El Cerrito leadership doesn’t just ask for opinions, they listen and take action as a result of the responses they get.

Cathy Taruskin
USA Pickleball Ambassador, El Cerrito
EC Resident since 1987
Agenda Packet Page 224 of 225
From: Howdy Goudey
To: City Clerk
Subject: public comment for agenda Item 9B Budget Study Session Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 4:49:17 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.

Dear Mayor Rudnick and Councilmembers,
The Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is expected to be adopted in the next couple of months, which means it will be in place for almost all of the 2-year budget you are currently developing. It is crucial to the effective implementation of the new CAAP, and the 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration, for the identified near term CAAP actions to be adequately funded in this 2 year budget. Furthermore, the identified "early wins," which were intended to happen before CAAP adoption, should be expedited and funded. Beyond "extra" spending on climate action items, it is also an important leadership message for your budget to convey that all routine city actions and expenditures are expected to be made within the guidance of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

Please consider some of the following, and more, for explicit inclusion and funding in the next 2-year budget:

Rapid development of an alternative to the intended all-electric building ordinance that delivers a very strong incentive to build all-electric buildings while avoiding legal challenges. Contra Costa County is following recent actions taken by Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, and is poised (in less than two months) to adopt an Energy Code amendment that will reduce GHGs and encourage more all-electric buildings.

Modification of the Real Property Transfer Tax rebate program to exclude using the rebate for funding the installation of gas appliances.

Adoption of a revised Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy, that emphasizes forward looking purchases that make meaningful contributions to climate action and requires thoughtful analysis of impacts and alternatives.

Support the draft “early wins” by funding a watering trailer (“water buffalo”) to enable proper maintenance of newly planted street trees.

Support the other draft “early win” by funding public, city fleet and employee, EV charging at the Community Center and other feasible City locations.

Include in this budget an explicit statement that climate action is expected to be implemented as standard practice in all work and purchasing As part of the new adoption of job classifications following the class and compensation study, include attention to observing the Climate Emergency and CAAP in all job descriptions and employee evaluations.

Thank you for your time and attention,
Howdy Goudey
El Cerrito
Agenda Packet Page 225 of 225

El Cerrito City CouncilMay 21, 2024

El Cerrito City Council
May 21, 2024