Ira Sharenow
El Cerrito, CA
Supplemental Materials Page 6 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 326 of 375
Environmental Quality Committee
FY (2025-2027) Work Plan Page 1 of 7
Adopted: June 10, 2025
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
COMMITTEE
Staff Liaison
Christina Leard | (510) 215-4338
[email protected]
Public Works Department
BIENNUAL WORK PLAN
FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 - 2026/2027
Environmental Quality Committee
Chair Fred Bialy; Vice-Chair Pamela Austin; Members Simrun Dhoot, Howdy Goudey, Heather Hayashi, Sean O’Connor,
Eleanor Pilling-Chappelear (Youth Member), Sheila Tarbet MISSION STATEMENT: The Environmental Quality Committee’s mission, as established by Resolution 2008-13, is the following:
• To serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council, staff, other boards, commissions, and committees, and the citizens of the City with regard to environmental quality issues within the City of El Cerrito; • To recommend programs, policies, and ordinances to the City Council and promote the City’s environmental quality efforts; and • Promote and foster public awareness, education, interest and support for environmental quality efforts, foster volunteer opportunities, and educate El Cerrito citizens regarding environmental quality and issues relating to environmental impacts.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Since the EQC’s establishment in 2008, the committee’s emphasis has cycled between public education, community volunteer organization, and environmental policy, but the general commitment to all forms of action envisioned for the EQC has remained consistent over time. The committee has also consistently maintained a high fraction of the 15-member capacity, with both long-serving members and a rotation of new members.
Agenda Item No. 7.B.
Supplemental Materials Page 7 of 55
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Environmental Quality Committee Page 2 of 7
FY (2025-2027) Work Plan Adopted: June 10, 2025
FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026
Items listed in priority order
Goal or
Objective
Proposed
Activities
Funding and
other
Resources
requested
Estimated
Staff time
needed
Timeline
For
Completion
Lead
Committee
Member
Promote
Environmental
Awareness
and Education
1) Participate in or Promote Public Engagement Events:
● Promote public events such as films, lectures, and
workshops to raise awareness about
environmental issues, climate change, and
sustainability.
○ Organize or promote a film showing in
Spring 2026.
● Explore offering activities like EV car and bike testdrives to showcase sustainable transportation options, possibly in Library parking lot.
2) Provide Outreach and Resources:
● Inform residents about tax incentives and rebates
for electrification and sustainable practices.
○ Develop a fact sheet about available
incentives/rebates
● Offer education materials on active transportation
alternatives and programs for reducing car
ownership.
○ Summary fact sheet based on materials
from the Go Green! Active transportation
fair.
3) Engage Youth and Schools:
● Collaborate with schools and youth organizations
to expand environmental education programs and
involve young residents in climate initiatives.
○ Support effort by EQC Youth Member to
pass a climate literacy resolution for the
WCCSD
1)
$400
No cost
2)
$50
$50
3)
No Cost
No cost
1)
4 hours
1 hour
2)
1 hour
1 hour
3)
None
None
1)
Spring
2026
Ongoing
2)
Dec 2025
Dec 2025
3)
Ongoing
Dec 2025
1) Pam
2) Fred
3) Fred &
Eleanor
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Environmental Quality Committee Page 3 of 7
FY (2025-2027) Work Plan Adopted: June 10, 2025
4) Community Outreach and Collaboration:
● Engage with the public at city events and through
other outreach activities to raise awareness about
environmental conservation.
○ Tabling at EC 4th of July Festival and other
city events as they occur.
● Co-sponsor relevant community events such as
the Hillside Festival, hikes, Fix-it Clinics, and Free
Market events.
4)
No cost
No cost
No cost
4)
None
None
None
4)
Ongoing
Annual
Ongoing
4) Howdy
Facilitate
Community
Engagement
through
Volunteer
Work Parties
1) Organize Regular Green Teams Work Parties with
Diverse Habitat Improvement Projects
● Hold Green Teams work parties every other month
to establish a consistent schedule.
2) Collaborate with other environmentally focused
community groups (Trail Trekkers, Friends of Five
Creeks, Baxter Creek Volunteers, Friends of Hillside
Natural Area) in habitat improvement projects (e.g.
Broom pulls, removal of other invasive species)
3) Stewardship of Hillside Natural Area
● Expand stewardship efforts in the Hillside Natural
Area.
● Support the implementation of the Hillside Natural
Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation
Management Plan and collaborate with the Urban
Forest Committee.
1)
No cost
2)
No cost
3)
No cost
No cost
1)
2 hours
per month
2)
1 hour
3)
None
None
1)
Every other
month
2)
Ongoing
3)
Ongoing
Ongoing
1) Sean
2) Howdy
3) Pam &
Heather
Advocate for
Implementatio
n of CAAP
Policies and
other Policy
Change
1) Advocate for policies in the CAAP update to accelerate progress toward zero net greenhouse gas emissions,
promote electrification, and prioritize equity.
● Collaborate with EC staff to implement city CAAP
priorities and receive regular updates on
implementation.
2) Engage in Budget Process to Support CAAP Goals:
● Advocate for CAAP goals during the budget
process to ensure allocation of resources for
achieving social, racial, and environmental justice
objectives.
3) Support efforts to electrify new and existing buildings and transportation in El Cerrito.
1)
No cost
2)
No cost
3) No cost
1)
Monthly
updates
2)
None
3) None
1)
Ongoing
2)
June 2026
3) Ongoing
1) Fred
2) Howdy &
Eleanor
3) Fred &
Howdy
Supplemental Materials Page 9 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 329 of 375
Environmental Quality Committee Page 4 of 7
FY (2025-2027) Work Plan Adopted: June 10, 2025
4) Support implementation of Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan
recommendations:
5) Explore alignment with local and global climate
policies.
4)
No cost
5) No cost
4)
None
5) 1 hour
4)
Ongoing
5) Ongoing
4) Heather
& Pam
5) Eleanor
FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027
Items listed in priority order
Goal or
Objective
Proposed
Activities
Funding
and other
Resources
requested
Estimated
Staff time
needed
Timeline
For
Complet
ion
Lead
Committee
Member
Promote
Environmental
Awareness and
Education
1) Participate in or Promote Public Engagement Events:
● Promote public events such as films, lectures, and
workshops to raise awareness about environmental
issues, climate change, and sustainability.
● Explore offering activities like EV car and bike testdrives to showcase sustainable transportation options, possibly in Library parking lot.
2) Provide Outreach and Resources:
● Inform residents about tax incentives and rebates for electrification and sustainable practices.
● Offer education materials on active transportation
alternatives and programs for reducing car ownership.
3) Engage Youth and Schools:
● Collaborate with schools and youth organizations to
expand environmental education programs and involve
young residents in climate initiatives.
4) Community Outreach and Collaboration:
● Engage with the public at city events and through other outreach activities to raise awareness about
environmental conservation.
○ Tabling at EC 4th of July Festival and other city
events as they occur.
1)
$400
No cost
2)
$50
3)
No Cost
4)
No cost
No cost
1)
4 hours
1 hour
2)
1 hour
3)
None
4)
None
1 hour
1)
Spring
2027
Ongoing
2)
Ongoing
3)
Ongoing
4)
Ongoing
Annual
1) Pam
2) Fred
3) Fred
4) Howdy
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Environmental Quality Committee Page 5 of 7
FY (2025-2027) Work Plan Adopted: June 10, 2025
● Co-sponsor relevant community events such as the
Hillside Festival, hikes, Fix-it Clinics, and Free Market events.
No cost None Ongoing
Facilitate
Community
Engagement
through
Volunteer Work
Parties
1) Organize Regular Green Teams Work Parties with Diverse Habitat Improvement Projects
● Hold Green Teams work parties every other month to
establish a consistent schedule.
2) Collaborate with other environmentally focused community groups (Trail Trekkers, Friends of Five Creeks, Baxter
Creek Volunteers, Friends of Hillside Natural Area) in
habitat improvement projects (e.g. Broom pulls, removal of other invasive species)
3) Stewardship of Hillside Natural Area
● Expand stewardship efforts in the Hillside Natural Area. ● Support the implementation of the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management
Plan and collaborate with the Urban Forest Committee.
1)
No cost
2)
No cost
3)
No cost
No cost
1)
2 hours
per month
2)
1 hour
3)
None
None
1)
Every 2
months
2)
Ongoing
3)
Ongoing
Ongoing
1) Sean
2) Howdy
3) Pam &
Heather
Advocate for
Implementation
of CAAP
Policies and
other Policy
Change
1) Advocate for policies in the CAAP update to accelerate progress toward zero net greenhouse gas emissions,
promote electrification, and prioritize equity.
● Collaborate with EC staff to implement city CAAP
priorities and receive regular updates on
implementation.
2) Support efforts to electrify new and existing buildings and transportation in El Cerrito.
3) Support implementation of Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan
recommendations:
1)
No cost
2)
No cost
3)
No cost
1)
Monthly
updates
2)
None
3)
None
1)
Ongoing
2)
Ongoing
3)
Ongoing
1) Fred
2) Fred &
Howdy
3) Heather
& Pam
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Environmental Quality Committee Page 6 of 7
FY (2025-2027) Work Plan Adopted: June 10, 2025
ONGOING PROJECTS
Project Activities Funding
and other
Resources
requested
Estimated
Staff time
needed
Lead
Committee
Member
Green Team Work
Parties
Coordinate roughly six trash clean-up events each year in various City parks, the Ohlone Greenway, and City streets. Organize other volunteer work parties focused on weed/invasive plant removal, pollinator habitat restoration/stewardship, tree planting (in collaboration with the Urban Forest Committee and City arborist), and maintenance/stewardship of the Hillside Natural Area.
None 2 hours
per month
Sean
Hillside Festival Assist Trail Trekkers in production of the annual event celebrating the Hillside Natural Area with many hikes, talks, and activities.
None 1 hour Pam
Climate Action
and Adaptation
Implementation
and Progress
Metrics
Work with City staff to implement strategies and tasks identified in the CAAP adopted in July, 2024. Explore opportunities to reduce residential natural gas use and promote electrification of home appliances, automobiles, and landscaping equipment as a complement to 100% renewable electrical power. Promote improved municipal electric vehicle infrastructure/readiness and fleet management. Explore ways to achieve greater social, racial, and environmental justice.
None 1 hour/
month
Fred &
Howdy
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Environmental Quality Committee Page 7 of 7
FY (2025-2027) Work Plan Adopted: June 10, 2025
PRIOR FISCAL YEAR (FY 24-25) ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Updated annually by July 1 and provided to City Council on Consent Goal/Objective Activities Supporting Goal Status
Public Education
and Outreach
a) Tabled at the WorldOne 4th of July festival to promote electrification of vehicles, home heating and cooking, including induction cooktop loaner programs. b) Sponsored the water refill station at the 2024 WorldOne 4th of July festival. c) Received a presentation on El Cerrito’s participation in the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge at the August meeting.
d) Co-sponsored Albany FilmFest at the Rialto Cinemas Cerrito that included Albany GreenFest, a showing of five environmental short films on October 10, 2024. e) Co-sponsored and co-organized the April 26 GO GREEN! Mobility Fair at El Cerrito BART f) Promoted the Annual Hillside Festival, co-sponsored with El Cerrito Trail Trekkers. g) Co-sponsored June 7, 2025 Green@Home East Bay Electrification Tour. h) Maintained steady coordination with the Urban Forest Committee, including participation in the March, 2025 Arbor Week event.
i) Received a presentation from City Staff at the December 2024 joint meeting with the Urban Forest Committee on the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience And Forest Conservation Management Plan.
j) Continued to Co-sponsor El Cerrito Free Market events. k) Co-sponsored Fix-it event on March 22, 2025 at El Cerrito Community Center. l) Tabled at Bike to Work Day 2025.
m) Provided input for public information about all-electric ADU’s for City distribution. a) Recurring
b) Complete
c) Complete
d) Complete
e) Complete
f) Recurring
g) Recurring
h) Ongoing
i) Complete
j) Recurring
k) Complete
l) Complete
m) Complete
Volunteer Work
Parties
a) Organized eight (8) in-person Green Teams work parties that focused on trash removal from streets, parks, and creeks (including participation in Coastal Clean-up Day). a) Ongoing
Policy
Development and
Recommendations
a) Provided a member to represent the EQC on the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan Stakeholder Advisory Group. ● Received a presentation from City Staff at a joint meeting with the Urban Forest Committee on the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan. b) Received a presentation on the Richmond Complete Streets project at the September 2024 meeting and offered feedback.
a) Ongoing
b) Ongoing
Implementation of
City Environmental
Programs
a) Supported City programs through public education, outreach, and work parties. a) Ongoing Move/Second: Goudey / O’Connor Action: Passed a motion to adopt the EQC Biennial Work Plan for FY 25-26 & FY 26-27 and FY 24-25 Accomplishments. Ayes: Bialy, Austin, Goudey, Hayashi, O’Connor, Tarbet Youth Member Chappelear: Aye Noes: None Supplemental Materials Page 13 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 333 of 375
EXHIBIT A (as amended)
As of 6/16/2025
City of El Cerrito Fire Department
List of Real Property Constituting Public Nuisance
APN STREET ADDRESS
505-351-012-8 8532 Betty Ln
505-201-006-2 1201 Brewster Dr
505-212-013-5 1009 Contra Costa Dr
505-102-001-3 1143 King Dr
505-362-001-8 1355 Rifle Range Rd
505-361-025-8 8615 Thors Bay Rd
505-361-053-0 8635 Thors Bay Rd
505-322-011-6 8636 Arbor Dr
505-332-003-1 1012 Villa Nueva Dr
505-372-028-9 1401 Atwell Dr
505-372-031-3 1395 Rifle Range Rd
505-390-010-5 1452 Club View Ct
505-390-011-3 1455 Vista Rd
573-133-005-5 1477 Rifle Range Rd
500-132-007-5 6536 Alta Vista Dr
500-120-017-8 2630 Monte Vista Av
500-190-020-7 6523 Barrett Ave
500-190-001-7 2665 Tamalpais Ave
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
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EXHIBIT A (as amended)
As of 6/16/2025
City of El Cerrito Fire Department
List of Real Property Constituting Public Nuisance
APN STREET ADDRESS
500-132-014-1 2675 Tamalpais Ave
505-421-010-8 1557 Arlington Blvd
505-173-006-6 1437 Arlington Blvd
505-310-001-1 1057 Arlington Blvd
505-181-007-4 1401 Devonshire Dr
505-382-008-9 1300 Devonshire Dr
505-181-003-3 1349 Brewster Dr
505-352-005-1 8523 Betty Ln
505-130-017-5 1534 Regency Ct
505-130-015-9 1550 Regency Ct
505-422-009-9 1514 Madera Ct
504-062-025-3 516 Richmond St
Supplemental Materials Page 15 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 335 of 375
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Gary Prost
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comments - Agenda Items 8A and 8B, Council Meeting June 17, 2025 Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 11:52:32 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Agenda Items 8A and 8B
Honorable Mayor Wysinger and City Council,
I urge you to support both clearing the vegetation on the 60 properties on the Fire Hazard Abatement list AND the ordinance regarding Defensible Space and Home Hardening Inspections within the High and VHFHSZs in El Cerrito.
We have seen what happens when the Diablo Winds fan a fire into an urban area from Coffey Park to Eaton, from Paradise to Pacific Palisades. The EC Fire Department has made the effort to identify homes that require mitigation, and Council must support their effort. The state has determined which actions, such as home hardening and defensible space, are necessary for the safety of the community in high fire risk areas. Insurance companies clearly support communities that take such actions. We must implement these common sense actions to make the city safer.
Sincerely,
Gary Prost, resident
., El Cerrito
--
Gary L. Prost PhD
Supplemental Materials Page 16 of 55
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Defensible Space and Home Hardening
Inspections and Designating Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Agenda Item No. 8.B.
Supplemental Materials Page 17 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 337 of 375
Wildfire Risk and Home Hardening
California faces more severe
wildfires, especially in WUI
areas
Home hardening and
vegetation management
reduce wildfire risk
El Cerrito promotes fire
resilience through alignment
with state laws
- Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Study (2021) Supplemental Materials Page 18 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 338 of 375
Wildfires in 2025
Supplemental Materials Page 19 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 339 of 375
Fire Hazard Severity Zones Maps
• The maps are required by
• Government Code 51178
& 51179
• Identify levels of fire
hazard
• 3 levels (Moderate, High,
& Very High)
Supplemental Materials Page 20 of 55
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How are the Zones determined?
• Best available science and data to
develop
– The model evaluated probability potential
fire behavior in the area.
– Fire history
– Vegetation
– Flame length
– Proximity to wildland
– Terrain
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Remap Fire Hazard Severity Zones Supplemental Materials Page 21 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 341 of 375
New Updates
• Updated burn probabilities for wildland areas
(inclusive of 2020 fires)
• Updated fire environment footprints (urban/developed) • Updated Vegetation density for urban areas
• Inclusion of slope in the urban zoning model
• Localized fire weather used in both wildland and urban models
• New firebrand production and transport model using
discrete local wind vector distributions
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
New Updates
Supplemental Materials Page 22 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 342 of 375
Wildland FHSZ
• Minimum size of 200 acres
• Burn probability
– Based on fire occurrence from 1991-2020
• Fire intensity
– Vegetation type
– Slope
– Local fire weather – how hot/dry/windy are
the worst conditions at a given location
(based on 2 km data from 2003-2018)
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Remap Fire Hazard Severity Zones Supplemental Materials Page 23 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 343 of 375
What is the map for?
• Building standards for new construction in the
Wildland-Urban Interface (California Building Code
Chapter 7A)
• Property development standards such as road
widths, water supply and signage (Fire Safe
Regulations)
• Defensible Space Requirements (Government
Code 51182)
• Natural hazard real estate disclosure (AB 38)
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Remap Fire Hazard Severity Zones Supplemental Materials Page 24 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 344 of 375
Fire Hazard Severity Zones New Updates
What’s Impacted…
Supplemental Materials Page 25 of 55
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Hazard Disclosures (AB 38)
• Requires inspections and disclosures
for real estate transactions in wildfireprone areas.
• Applies to real properties in High and
Very High FHSZs.
• Requires sellers provide
documentation
– Disclosing the result of inspections
– If the property complies with the vegetation
management and home hardening
requirements of Public Resources Code
Section 4291 or local vegetation
management ordinances.
Supplemental Materials Page 26 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 346 of 375
Hazard Disclosures (AB 38)
El Cerrito's current annual inspection
require Vegetation management
based on
• California Code of Regulations
(CCR) Title 14, Section 1299.01
• Limited buy access
AB 38 requires a thorough inspection
prior to sale to ensure the property
meets the requirements
• Public Resources Code Section
4291
• Regulations in High and Very
High FHSZs
• Full access to property
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Agenda Packet Page 347 of 375
Certificate of Compliance
Formal document issued by the Fire Department
• Confirming property meets local and state wildfire
requirements
• Inspection triggered by sale or by request, the department will issue either a:
• Certificate of compliance or a valid for 90 days
• Given to the homeowner's insurance company
• Help homeowners maintain insurance and may
qualify them for a discount on annual premiums
• Written report detailing areas of noncompliance, which must be provided to a buyer of a property prior to its
sale.
• Inspections allow the homeowner understand any
corrective actions needed to achieve a certificate of
compliance.
• The Fire Department will maintain a database of inspected and certified properties.
Supplemental Materials Page 28 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 348 of 375
Defensible Space and Home Hardening Inspections and
Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones
• Adopt Fire Hazard Severity
Zones map
• Adopt AB 38 inspections
• Offer a Certificate
Compliance
• Promote Public Safety
• Align with State
Regulation
• Assistance with Home
Insurance
Supplemental Materials Page 29 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 349 of 375
Questions?
osfm.fire.ca.gov/fhsz
Supplemental Materials Page 30 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 350 of 375
From: Sue Duncan
To: City Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 8B
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 1:39:18 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Honorable Mayor, City Council Members,
We strongly urge you to adopt the ordinance contained in Item 8 B.
As all of you are acutely aware, wildfires have grown in ferocity and destruction. It is of the utmost importance for El Cerrito to do all it can to protect the residents’ lives, property and therefore to protect the entire city. It is necessary for the city to be compliant with AB 38 and to have stronger building requirements and vegetation codes that align with the state.
Thank you,
Sue and Paul Duncan
EC Residents
Supplemental Materials Page 31 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 351 of 375
June 17, 2025
Fiscal Year 2025-26
Proposed Budget
City of El Cerrito
El Cerrito Public Financing Authority
Agenda Item No. 9.A.
Supplemental Materials Page 32 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 352 of 375
El Cerrito Strategic Plan 2024-2029
• Budget process and
recommendations guided by
Strategic Plan
• Department workplans aligned to
Strategic Plan goals
Detailed strategic alignment
information for each department
included in biennial budget
document
Supplemental Materials Page 33 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 353 of 375
Midcycle
Budget Process –
FY 2025-26
3 • Feb 4: FY 2023-24 Audit presented to City
Council
• March 4: Mid-year update to City Council on
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25
• April 15: City Council study session on General
Fund for FY 2025-26
• May 20: City Council discussion and direction
on one-time appropriations
• May 27: FAB Discussion of Proposed Midcycle
Budget and One-time Appropriations
• June 3: Review of Proposed Midcycle Budget
• June 17: Formal adoption of FY 2025-26
Budget
Supplemental Materials Page 34 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 354 of 375
All Funds
4 $69,497,298
$74,859,180
Revenue Expenditures
Proposed Budget All Funds,
FY 2025-26
Supplemental Materials Page 35 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 355 of 375
All Funds
Overview
7 • Increase in total expenditures of
$6,015,388 from the previous fiscal year,
with total revenues projected to increase
$1,660,000
• Driven largely by Capital Improvement
Program’s proposed increase in
expenditures of $5,003,759, with an
increase in revenue of $1,620,000
• Otherwise, revenue and expenditure
estimates for all “Special Funds” are per
the Adopted Biennial Budget, except
where minor revisions were needed due
to timing of purchases or projects
Supplemental Materials Page 36 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 356 of 375
Capital Improvement Program
Five-Year CIP includes 33 Identified Projects
FY 2025-26 includes 20 Active Projects
FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget - $7.8 Million
Includes:
• Transportation Improvements
• Greenway Improvements
• Swim Center Repairs and Modifications
• Storm Drain Repairs
• Annual Street Improvement Program
• Street and Sidewalk Access Improvements
• Richmond Street Complete Streets
8 Supplemental Materials Page 37 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 357 of 375
General Fund
Budget
9 $53,779,792 $53,764,017
Revenue Expenditures
Proposed General Fund Budget,
FY 2025-26
Supplemental Materials Page 38 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 358 of 375
Key Highlights for General Fund
• Second year of Biennial Budget
• No changes recommended to total General Fund revenues and expenditures
Proposed shifts among departments to ensure expenses do not exceed authority
• Little to no capacity for unbudgeted projects and initiatives • Impacts to departments may change, with possible readjustments at midyear depending on economic conditions and revenue and expenditure trends in each department
12 Supplemental Materials Page 39 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 359 of 375
General Fund Balance
• Projected Ending Fund Balance of
$20.8M (39% reserve ratio)
includes:
EDRF - $7.5M
Section 115 Trust - $2.9M
Unrestricted – $10.3M
• Projected discretionary funds
remaining for FY 2025-26 of
$1.1M
Doesn’t include any potential surplus
from FY 2024-25
13 Supplemental Materials Page 40 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 360 of 375
General Fund Forecast – Updated May 2025
14 • Forecast includes:
• Conservative revenue and expenditure
growth assumptions
• Labor increases from existing contracts and
historic averages
• Approval of $1 million in one-time fund
balance use/$1.5 million EDRF transfer to
Section 115 Trust
• Forecast does not include:
• Assumption of a recession
• Section 115 Trust smoothing payments
• Issuance of new debt or uses of fund balance
• Equipment or vehicle purchases beyond those budgeted
• Additional contributions to Internal Service Funds
Supplemental Materials Page 41 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 361 of 375
Proposed Budget Summary
The FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget:
• Reflects City Council priorities, including feedback from Biennial Budget process and input received during this current fiscal year • Aligns with the City's Strategic Plan
• General Fund revenues exceed expenditures; doesn’t use any reserves for ongoing costs
• Maintains unassigned General Fund reserves above 17%; with $7.5M in EDRF the total General Fund reserve ratio is 39%
• Enables the City to continue providing key services without service delivery impacts, while making thoughtful decisions about long-term adjustments
16 Supplemental Materials Page 42 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 362 of 375
Gann Limit
17 $195,961,530
Gann Limit
Included in the recommended actions for adopting the FY 2025- 26 Budget is the approval of the calculation and establishing the City’s FY 2025-26 Gann Appropriation Limit
The California Government Code requires that the City adopt the Gann appropriations limit by resolution on an annual basis Supplemental Materials Page 43 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 363 of 375
Thank you!
Supplemental Materials Page 44 of 55
Agenda Packet Page 364 of 375
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Ira Sharenow
To: Holly Charléty; City Clerk
Cc: Lisa Motoyama; Rebecca Saltzman; William Ktsanes; Kimberly White Subject: Item 9A Budget proposal
Date: Friday, June 13, 2025 7:46:23 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
I think the council needs to have a better understanding of budget projections.
Is it possible the city will fall below the minimal 17% reserves goal in the next fiscal year?
Management is projecting a surplus that is far below the 2% recommended by FAB. The budget proposal looks a lot like the pre-Covid budget that brought the city close to bankruptcy.
Why is the citywide budget going to run such a large deficit? Almost all funds are decreasing.
Which “one-off” expenditures are accounted for and which are not?
1. Ohlone Greenway repairs
2. Senior Center
3. Fixing the roads
4. Full cost of swimming pool repairs
5. Full cost of fire engine replacement
6. Full cost of fire safety equipment replacement
7. Other fire safety needs
8. Increases in employee compensation
Agenda Item No. 9.A.
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9. Increases in the CalPERS UAL pension liability
10.Realistic increases in employee compensation
11.New audio-visual for the council chambers
12.Other costs that will surely arise
Does the council know why the city plans on spending less in FY 2026 than it did in FY 2025?
https://elcerritoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/581/files/agenda/2422
Ira Sharenow
El Cerrito, CA
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EL CERRITO SWIM
CENTER:
EMERY G. WEED, III
LAP POOL PROJECT
DESIGN
EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
1 A genda Item No. 9.D.
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Project Overview
• Project: Design of repairs and upgrades of the Emery
G. Weed, III Lap Pool at the El Cerrito Swim Center.
• Consultant: Rogers Stringer & McClelland, Inc. (RSM). • Scope Includes: pool replastering, deck replacement,
accessibility and egress upgrades, EV charging
infrastructure, and optional waterslide installation.
• Compliance: California Building Code, County Health,
and applicable requirements including required
accessibility and egress upgrades
• Design contract not to exceed $220,000.
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Rogers
Stringer &
McClelland,
Inc. (RSM)
• Walnut Creek based Aquatic Design and Engineering Firm • Successor company to Rowley International, Inc., the original architect of the 2003 El Cerrito Swim Center complete renovation • Designed the El Cerrito Swim Center Recreation Pool Replaster Project in 2023
• Extensive El Cerrito experience gives strong understanding of how to update the current design to meet regulatory requirements • RSM has identified design requirements, scoping options and cost estimates and is the process of conducting exploratory work to inform full design scope
• Staff recommends continuing with RSM for full project design to ensure a smooth and quick transition to construction
• RSM’s continued involvement keeps possibility of construction timeline during ideal off-peak months
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Identified
Issues
• Severe plaster damage including a
large bubble and multiple cracks.
• Deteriorating pool deck with
cracks and rust.
• Accessibility and egress upgrades
required by 2022 California
Building Code.
• Opportunity to improve safety and
family-friendliness by converting
cantilever gutters to deck-level.
• Efficiency of incorporating EVSE
charging infrastructure and
integration of waterslide
installation.
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Proposed Design
Scope • Full pool and deck structural
design and engineering.
• Accessibility upgrades (restrooms, showers, parking lot, path of travel).
• Egress improvements. • Waterslide coordination and stormwater bioretention design. • Optional elements, EVSE charging infrastructure design and decklevel gutters, can be removed to reduce costs.
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Construction Options
FULL SCOPE ($3.4 MILLION)
Advantages:
• Addresses all safety, accessibility, and
infrastructure needs
• Cost-effective in the long-term
Disadvantages:
• High upfront cost
• Up to 5-month closure
• May need to be pushed to 2026 depending on
County health permit review timeframe
• Requires significant & unidentified funding
Advantages :
• Fixes most pressing safety and functionality issue
• Lower short-term cost
• Short-term advantage of smaller closure timeline
of 2 or 3 months which could be completed
within the upcoming Winter/Off-peak Season
• Mostly funded
Disadvantages :
• Delays other upgrades creating future
closures/revenue loss and higher long-term costs
• Does not address accessibility or egress
requirements.
• Waterslide installation will have to be done
separately at additional cost.
REPLASTER ONLY ($970,000)
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Revenue Impacts
Replaster Only
• Phase I:
• Replaster work timeline is up to 3 Months
• $156,000 Revenue Loss, Nov. thru Jan.
• Phase II:
• Deck, ADA, egress, EVSE & stormwater work timeline up to 4 Months • Additional $215,000 (+ inflation) Revenue Loss, Nov. thru Feb. • Total Revenue Loss: At least $371,000 (+ inflation)
Full Project
• Up to 5 Months
• Up to $290,000 in Revenue Loss, Mid-October through MidMarch • Higher if construction timeline is pushed out further due to permit review
Partnerships with neighboring Swim Centers, TBD, can mitigate revenue loss.
7 $-
$20,000.00
$40,000.00
$60,000.00
$80,000.00
$100,000.00
$120,000.00
$140,000.00
$160,000.00
$180,000.00
$200,000.00
Swim Center Revenue By Month
June 2024 – May 2025
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Funding
Considerations
Current Allocations:
• $500,000 from General Fund Reserves.
• $200,000 from Measure H (Parks & Recreation Facilities Fund).
Additional Needs:
• Full Scope: $2.7 million more needed.
• Replaster Only: $270,000 more needed.
Potential Sources:
• General Fund Reserves: unrestricted and/or Emergency
Disaster Relief Funds (EDRF)
• Borrowing with interest (traditional or private)
• Borrow from City Enterprise and/or Special Funds
• Additional Measure H fund balance may be available
after FY25 Close
Refined Options will be brought to the August 19th Meeting 8 Supplemental Materials Page 54 of 55
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Q & A
THANK YOU!
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