Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
This information can be interpreted for you free of charge. Visit City Hall at 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530 or learn more at www.elcerrito.gov/LanguageAccess
Esta información se puede interpretar gratuitamente. Visite el Ayuntamiento en 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530 o obtenga más información en www.elcerrito.gov/LanguageAccess
这些信息可免费为您解释。请访问位于 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530 的市政厅，或访问 www.elcerrito.gov/LanguageAccess 了解更多信息
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (5:00 PM)
Hillside Conference Room - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito Join Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82804106371?pwd=8JtIyJgPPbZJ1kls3H8JHJHpJSy09s.1 Meeting ID: 828 0410 6371 Password: 199639 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Join Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88469010144?pwd=wWpahSimetpNFYEKXHu9JQhDmEZsXb.1 Meeting ID: 884 6901 0144 Passcode: 346087 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 View (Regular Meeting Only):
1. Cable T.V. Broadcast on KCRT Channel 28
2. Livestream Online at www.elcerrito.gov/CouncilMeetingMaterials Public Comments:
1. In-person, by submitting a request to speak to the City Clerk.
2. Via Zoom, using the "Raise Hand" feature to request to speak.
3. By phone, dialing *9 to "raise your hand", and *6 to unmute.
4. Online, using the "Submit Comments" feature on the meeting event.
5. Via email to [email protected] indicating Public Comments – Agenda Item #.
Written comments received by 11:00 AM the day of the meeting will be provided to the City Council and posted online in advance of the meeting. Comments received after the deadline will be provided to the City Council and posted after the meeting.
Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 510- 215-4305. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable accommodations. Closed Captions are available via zoom.
Conduct: This meeting is held pursuant to City Council Rules of Order and Procedure.
Agenda Packet Page 1 of 155
Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
5:00 PM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
All persons wishing to speak should sign up with the City Clerk. Remarks are typically limited to 3 minutes per person and to items on the special meeting agenda only.
2. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: Karen Pinkos, City Manager; Alexandra Orologas, Assistant City Manager; Shannon Bassi, Senior Human Resources Analyst; Glenn Berkheimer, Labor Negotiator; and Sky Woodruff, City Attorney.
Employee Organizations: Police Employees Association (PEA); and Public Safety Management Association (Police Chief, Fire Chief.) Contact: Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, City Management
3. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING
LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of case: David Ciappara v. City of El Cerrito (California Public Employment Relations Board Case No. SF-CE-2346-M)
Contact: Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, City Management
4. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OR OBSERVATION OF A
MOMENT OF SILENCE
2. TELECONFERENCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
3. COUNCIL/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Reports of closed session, commission appointments and informational reports on matters of general interest which are announced by the City Council and staff.
Agenda Packet Page 2 of 155
Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Remarks are typically limited to 3 minutes per person. The Mayor may reduce the time limit per speaker depending upon the number of speakers and may limit the total time for public comment to facilitate the completion of business on the agenda. Comments regarding non-agenda, presentation and consent calendar items will be heard first.
Comments related to items appearing on the Public Hearing or Policy Matter portions of the Agenda will be heard prior to the City Council taking action on each item.
5. PRESENTATIONS
6. ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
All items on the consent calendar shall be acted upon in one motion, unless a member of the City Council or staff request separate consideration.
A. Financial Advisory Board Recommendation
Action Proposed: Receive and file recommendations from the Financial Advisory Board.
Contact: David Carvel, Chair, Financial Advisory Board
B. Loving Day Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation declaring June 12, 2026 as Loving Day in the City of El Cerrito, and encourage people to reflect on the Loving family and all of the pioneers who have and will continue to fight for the civil right to love.
Contact: Shannon Bassi, Human Resources Manager, City
Management
C. Economic Development Commitee Appointment
Action Proposed: Approve an Economic Development Committee recommendation to appoint UlugBeck Nurmatov, effective June 1, 2026.
Contact: Aissia Ashoori, Housing-Economic Development Manager; Community Development Department
D. Authorization for Purchase of a 2023 EV Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger Paratransit Van
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement with Model1 Commercial Vehicles through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (Contract Agenda Packet Page 3 of 155
Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
No. 0813250-CRE), in an amount not to exceed $115,000, for the purchase of one Ford E-Transit 350 for use in the Easy Ride Senior & Disabled Paratransit Program.
Contact: Bridget Cooney, Recreation Supervisor; Christopher Jones, Recreation Director, Recreation Department
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. POLICY MATTERS
A. Draft Proposed FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Biennial Budget Action Proposed: Receive and file the Draft Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 and 2027-28 City Biennial Budget and provide direction to staff as necessary.
Contact: Claire Coleman, Budget/Financial Services Manager; Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer; Finance Department
9. CITY COUNCIL LOCAL & REGIONAL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS
Mayor and City Council communications regarding local and regional liaison assignments, committee reports, and any required reporting under AB 1234 for meetings (as defined by the Brown Act) attended at the public's expense.
10. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
The City of El Cerrito serves our diverse community by providing exceptional services that create a safe and resilient future for all.
Agenda Packet Page 4 of 155
Agenda Item No. 6.A.
FINANCIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Date: June 2, 2026
To: El Cerrito City Council
From: Financial Advisory Board
Subject: Receive and file Financial Advisory Board Recommendations
ACTION PROPOSED
Receive and file a recommendation from the Financial Advisory Board.
POLICY
Pursuant to City Council Resolution 2024-16, Section 4, Advisory Body Recommendations shall be provided to the City Council on the consent calendar as a “receive and file” and if a member of the City Council wishes to further discuss any recommendation received, it may be requested as an agenda item at a future meeting.
RECOMMENDATIONS
On May 26, 2026, the Financial Advisory Board voted on the following recommendation(s) to City Council:
Recommendation 1: The Financial Advisory Board supports the budget’s direction towards Internal Service Fund Planning, for deferred maintenance, vehicles, equipment, and capital needs; and recommends that future budgets show planned contributions, uses, and unfunded needs.
Moved/Second: Vice Chair McDougall/Member Szlatenyi Ayes: Chair Carvel, Vice Chair McDougall, Members Szlatenyi and Van Zerber Noes: Member White Absent:
Youth Member Watson Lamprey-Singer
Recommendation 2: The FAB appreciates the direction that the Internal Service Fund process is going, and believes it is a significant improvement. In addition, the FAB recommends that the City Council request that staff return to the City Council with an ISF policy by December 2026 that includes contribution schedules, target balances, drawdown rules, and asset replacement schedules. The FAB requests the opportunity to review a draft before City Council adoption.
Agenda Packet Page 5 of 155
Moved/Second: Member White/Member Van Zerber Ayes: Chair Carvel, Vice Chair McDougall, Members Szlatenyi, White and Van Zerber Noes: None Absent: Youth Member Watson Lamprey-Singer
Recommendation 3: The FAB recommends that the City Council direct staff to develop and adopt a fiscal sustainability key performance indicator framework that is regularly presented to the City Council for review.
Moved/Second: Member Szlatenyi/Chair Carvel Ayes: Chair Carvel, Members Szlatenyi and White Noes: Vice Chair McDougall, Member Van Zerber Absent: Youth Member Watson Lamprey-Singer
Recommendation 4: The FAB supports maintaining the expanded CIP in the budget book and recommends that future budgets contain in the expanded direction.
Moved/Second: Vice Chair McDougall/Member Szlatenyi Ayes: Chair Carvel, Vice Chair McDougall, Members Szlatenyi and Van Zerber Noes: Member White Absent:
Youth Member Watson Lamprey-Singer
ASSOCIATED WORKPLAN GOAL(S)/AREA(S) OF RESPONSIBILITY
1. Work Plan Goals
2. El Cerrito Municipal Code 2.04.300 Financial Advisory Board There shall be a financial advisory board consisting of five members who reside in the city and have demonstrated expertise in financial management, accounting, fiscal analysis, computer applications, economic analysis or related skills. The financial advisory board shall have the powers and duties stated below, and such other duties and the council shall decide:
1. To conduct a review and make recommendations on the proposed annual budget and long-term financial plan for the city and all component units to assist the city council in making decisions on major expenditures and revenue sources, and to include a review of city council compensation consistent with county-wide recommendations included in Contra Costa Grand Jury Report No. 1104.
Attachment(s):
1. Rationale for Recommendations
Agenda Packet Page 6 of 155
Agenda Packet Page 7 of 155
Agenda Item No. 6.B.
EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION
Recognizing June 12, 2026 as Loving Day in the City of El Cerrito WHEREAS, Mildred and Richard Loving were arrested in 1958 for violating Virginia’s felony law prohibiting interracial marriage; and WHEREAS, the Loving family was convicted of violating the law and given a suspended sentence provided that they did not return to their home in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a couple for 25 years; and
WHEREAS, the Loving family did not back down but took their case to the United States Supreme Court and won, overturning their conviction and creating a landmark civil rights victory; and
WHEREAS, their case Loving v Virginia (1967) ended all laws prohibiting interracial marriage nationwide, paving the way for all consenting adults to marry the one they love; and
WHEREAS, our country, state and region are moving forward in the 21st Century as a multiracial and multicultural society; and
WHEREAS, an annual celebration known as Loving Day is held on June 12 in communities throughout the nation to commemorate and celebrate the anniversary of the 1967 Supreme Court decision; and
WHEREAS, the El Cerrito Human Relations Commission invites the community to celebrate Loving Day using its Celebration Tool Kit at elcerrito.gov/LovingDay; and WHEREAS, the City of El Cerrito joins other communities to find a common vision from our interwoven past to build a society free of racism for the benefit of our collective future.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of El Cerrito does hereby declare June 12, 2026 as Loving Day in the City of El Cerrito and invites everyone to recognize this day as a celebration of multiculturalism, and to reflect on the Loving family and all the pioneers who have and will continue to fight for the civil right to love.
Dated: June 2, 2026
_____________________
Gabe Quinto, Mayor
Agenda Packet Page 8 of 155
AGENDA BILL
Agenda Item No. 6.C.
Date: June 2, 2026
To: El Cerrito City Council
From: Aissia Ashoori, Housing-Economic Development Manager; Community Development Department
Subject: Economic Development Committee Appointment
ACTION PROPOSED
Approve an Economic Development Committee recommendation to appoint UlugBeck Nurmatov, effective June 1, 2026.
UlugBeck Nurmatov has been an El Cerrito resident for two decades. Mr. Nurmatov's professional background is in Information Technology with a focus on data and cybersecurity. He is interested in joining the EDC to grow his community while utilizing his technical expertise to support El Cerrito businesses.
The applicant has demonstrated their commitment to economic prosperity which is aligned with the mission of EDC. The Economic Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend the appointment of UlugBeck Nurmatov at its regular meeting on May 18, 2026. If the City Council approves this recommendation, the number of committee members will be 11 out of a possible membership total of 15, as established by Resolution 2013-66.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONSIDERATIONS
This action supports the City’s Strategic Plan Goal(s) of:
• Livability and Belonging
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
Reviewed by:
Karen Pinkos, City Manager
Attachments:
Application(s) on file with the City Clerk
Agenda Packet Page 9 of 155
AGENDA BILL
Agenda Item No. 6.D.
Date: June 2, 2026
To: El Cerrito City Council
From: Bridget Cooney, Recreation Supervisor; Christopher Jones, Recreation Director, Recreation Department
Subject: Authorization for Purchase of a 2023 EV Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger Paratransit Van
ACTION PROPOSED
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement with Model1 Commercial Vehicles through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (Contract No. 0813250-CRE), in an amount not to exceed $115,000, for the purchase of one Ford E-Transit 350 for use in the Easy Ride Senior & Disabled Paratransit Program.
BACKGROUND
The City of El Cerrito’s Easy Ride Senior & Disabled ADA Paratransit Service program ("Easy Ride Program") is designed to address local mobility needs and reduce transportation barriers for seniors and adults with disabilities. Service is primarily provided within El Cerrito city limits, with limited pre-approved destinations up to one mile outside the city. Easy Ride provides critical access to medical/dental appointments, nutrition services, shopping, recreational activities, and other essential destinations that support the health, independence, and quality of life of participating residents. The program provides shared, door-to-door transportation services for eligible El Cerrito seniors age 60 and older and adults age 18 and over with disabilities (doctor’s verification required). Easy Ride is funded by Contra Costa County’s Transportation Sales Tax (Measure J).
The City currently operates a minivan paratransit vehicle and a 14-passenger 2019 Econoline E-350 Super Duty Cutaway vehicle for the Easy Ride Program that requires a Class B commercial driver's license. Due to the limited availability of qualified Class B drivers, the vehicle has not been consistently utilized in regular service delivery, resulting in reduced operational efficiency and transportation capacity.
To improve operational flexibility and service reliability, staff propose replacing the existing 14-passenger cutaway vehicle with a smaller, fully electric, ADA-accessible EV Ford E-Transit 350. The proposed vehicle does not require a Class B commercial driver's license to operate, which will expand the pool of eligible drivers, improve scheduling flexibility, and support more consistent delivery of paratransit services. The replacement vehicle will also advance the City’s sustainability goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering long-term vehicle maintenance and fuel costs.
Agenda Packet Page 10 of 155
Agenda Item No. 6.D.
ANALYSIS
Staff evaluated replacement vehicle options that would better meet the operational needs of the City’s Easy Ride Program. Staff evaluation included a test drive of the fully loaded van in El Cerrito’s hilly neighborhoods and narrow streets. The proposed EV Ford E-Transit 350 would improve operational flexibility, expand transportation capacity, and support the City’s sustainability goals. The 2023 EV Ford E-Transit 350 is a new vehicle, comparable to newer model years, which the vendor has on-hand for quick delivery and is at a competitive price.
Transitioning to a smaller transit vehicle eliminates the requirement for Class B licensed drivers, significantly expanding the pool of eligible driver applicants and improving the City’s ability to recruit and retain transportation staff. This change will help ensure more reliable and consistent transportation services for seniors and adults with disabilities in El Cerrito.
The smaller vehicle size is also better suited for navigating narrow residential streets and neighborhood areas throughout El Cerrito. Improved maneuverability will allow staff to more efficiently transport riders to and from the Café Costa lunch program, other City programs, and other scheduled trips while improving flexibility and overall rider experience. In addition, the proposed purchase supports the City’s broader sustainability and fleet electrification goals and State requirements. The acquisition of an electric transit vehicle aligns with guidance and regulations established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which requires public agencies to transition portions of their fleets to zero-emission vehicles when feasible. Electric vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, contributing to improved air quality and supporting California’s climate goals and the City’s goal to have 10% electric vehicles by 2027.
Procurement of City vehicles is done through the Sourcewell bid process, which is consistent with the City’s Procurement Policy as it allows for the purchase of equipment through competitively solicited contracts through other public agencies. Sourcewell is a municipal contracting agency operating under the enabling authority of Minnesota Statute 123A.21. The cost of a 2023 Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (Contract No. 081325-CRE) is approximately $105,000 with a contingency amount of $10,000 to cover any incidental expenses such as wrapping the vehicle with Easy Ride Program and City branding materials, totaling $115,000. Funding for this purchase in the total amount of $115,000 is available in the Measure J Paratransit Fund (Fund 214) as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONSIDERATIONS
This action supports the City’s Strategic Plan Goal(s) of:
• Livability and Belonging; and
• Infrastructure and Amenities; and
Agenda Packet Page 11 of 155
Agenda Item No. 6.D.
• Environmental Sustainability.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility of a significant effect on the environment (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061), and it consists of changes to the operation of existing City facilities involving a negligible or no expansion of existing or former use (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301).
Replacing the City's existing 2019 Ford Econoline E350 Super Duty Cutaway Van with a 2023 Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger EV supports State air quality regulations and the City's environmental sustainability goals. As a zero-tailpipe emissions vehicle, the ETransit 350 Gamechanger reduces greenhouse gas emissions from fleet operations.
The shift from a gas-powered to an all-electric vehicle lowers the City's overall carbon footprint and advances local and regional climate action goals.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The total cost for the purchase of the 2023 EV Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger, including a contingency for incidental expenses, is estimated to be $115,000. Funding in this amount is included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget in the Measure J Paratransit Fund.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
The City Attorney has reviewed this action and found that legal considerations have been addressed.
Reviewed by:
Karen Pinkos, City Manager
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Purchase Quote
Agenda Packet Page 12 of 155
RESOLUTION 2026-XX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE 2023 EV FORD E-TRANSIT 350 GAMECHANGER
PARATRANSIT VAN THROUGH A SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $115,000
WHEREAS, the City of El Cerrito’s Easy Ride Senior & Disabled ADA Paratransit Service program ("Easy Ride Program") is designed to address local mobility needs and reduce transportation barriers by providing door-to-door transportation services for seniors and adults with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of one 2023 EV Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger Paratransit Van is necessary to replace an existing vehicle currently utilized by the Easy Ride Program that has exceeded its intended useful life, requires frequent and increasingly costly maintenance to remain operational, increases risk of disruptions to time-sensitive customer service and operations, and requires a Class B commercial driver to operate which the City has been unable to recruit and retain for several years due to supply and demand issues; and
WHEREAS, Sourcewell is a local government and service cooperative created under the laws of the State of Minnesota (Minnesota Statutes Section 123A.21) offering a Cooperative Purchasing Program to eligible participating government entities and is authorized to contract with eligible entities to perform governmental functions including the purchase of goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the City participates in the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, which establishes contracts for a variety of products and services through public and competitive solicitations, and permits member governments to purchase products and services through those contracts; and
WHEREAS, a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement has been publicly and competitively bid for automobiles, sports utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks; and WHEREAS, Sourcewell has identified Model1 Commercial Vehicles as the low-cost responsible bidder for Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (Contract No. 081325-NAF); and
WHEREAS, the purchase of the one EV Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger Paratransit vehicle is estimated to be approximately $105,000 with a contingency amount of $10,000 to cover any incidental expenses, for a total amount of $115,000; and WHEREAS, funding in the total $115,000 amount is included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget in the Measure J Fund (Fund 214).
Agenda Packet Page 13 of 155
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of El Cerrito that it hereby authorizes the purchase of one 2023 EV Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger Paratransit Van through a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (Contract No. 0813250-CRE) for a total amount not to exceed $115,000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall go into effect immediately upon passage and adoption.
I CERTIFY that at a regular meeting on June 2, 2026, the City Council of the City of El Cerrito passed this Resolution by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
IN WITNESS of this action, I sign this document and affix the corporate seal of the City of El Cerrito on .
Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk
APPROVED:
Gabe Quinto, Mayor
Agenda Packet Page 14 of 155
2023
MobilityTrans
Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechanger
PRICE PROPOSAL
CONTACT
Date Issued: [ 05/01/2026 ]
Name: [ JR Castro ]
Phone: [ 909-731-5274 ]
Email: [ [email protected] ]
Prepared for
[City of El Cerrito ]
Whether you need to fill a spot in your fleet or create an entirely new vehicle, your Model 1 experts have a single top priority: you. With a clear understanding of your needs, we find ways to deliver — starting with deep relationships all the way back at the manufacturer level. And with the nation’s largest inventory of commercial vehicles, you’ll never be short on the best choices to make for your business.
SALES EXPERIENCE
550+ Years of Collective Bus
Sales Experience Servicing Over
1,500 Customers Annually
NATIONWIDE NETWORK
21 Full-Service Locations
Nationwide Partners with
25+ Top Manufacturers
COMPETITIVE PRICING
Volume Discounts
Fixed Contract Pricing
IN-HOUSE FINANCING
Seamless Transactions
Flexible Solutions
Agenda Packet Page 15 of 155
PRICE PROPOSAL
IMAGES & FLOORPLAN
Agenda Packet Page 16 of 155
SPECIFICATIONS
CHASSIS
⋅ 2023 Ford Transit 350, High roof, Extra Long Length
⋅ Power: Ford OEM Electric Motor
⋅ GVWR: 9,500 lbs.
⋅ Fuel Type:Electric
EXTERIOR
⋅ Exterior Color: White
⋅ Wheelbase: 148”
⋅ Rear Curb Side Lift Doors
⋅ Stainless Steel Assist pole at Right and Left Entry
⋅ Front End Alignment
⋅ 8” Stainless Steel driver, co-pilot, passenger running boards ⋅ Single rear wheel
INTERIOR
⋅ Insulate headliner, walls, doors
⋅ AMF Bruns SmartFloor System
A/C & HEAT
⋅ E-Transit Twin Air Tie-In Heat/Cool Floor Mount - 28K BTU Heat/31K BTU Cool
ELECTRICAL
⋅ Intermotive Flex Tech Electrical System
AUDIO / VISUAL
⋅ Deluxe AM/FM/CD with clock & 4 speakers PA ready
⋅ Rosco back-up camera system w/ 7” rearview monitor/mirror combo
PRICE PROPOSAL
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
⋅ 34” x 54” Braun wheelchair lift located in the rear of the unit ⋅ Intermotive Gateway Transit Fast Idle with lift interlock
ACCESSORIES
⋅ Additional QRT Deluxe Tiedowns, Lap & Shoulder Belt (2) ⋅ Retractable Shoulder Harness w/ Height Adjustment (3) ⋅ Tiedown Storage Box
SAFETY
⋅ Back-up alarm
⋅ Rear view camera
⋅ 5lb Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit, Triangle Reflectors ⋅ ADA sign package-Emergency Exit, No Smoking, Low Clearance, Preferred Seating
PASSENGER SEATING OPTIONS
⋅ 7 Ambulatory, 1 Wheelchair (including co-pilot)
⋅ 3 Ambulatory, 2 Wheelchair (including co-pilot)
⋅ 1 Ambulatory, 3 Wheelchair (including co-pilot)
SEATING
Passenger Seating:
− Seat Fabric: Level 6 Jordan Blue
− (3) 2 passenger GO-ES Forward facing fold away seat – 35” Wide − (6) Seat Top Mounted Grab Handle – Black
− (3) US Armrest, Black Molded – Aisle Seats Only
(1) OEM Co-Pilot, Driver’s Seat
Agenda Packet Page 17 of 155
Manufacturer Warranty Electrical Components: 8 Years / 100,000 Miles Bumper to Bumper: 3 Years / 36,000 Miles
Safety Restraint System: 5 Years / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion (Perforation Only): 5 Years / Unlimited Miles Chassis Warranty 3 year / 36,000 Miles
All vehicles come with warranty, but Model 1 offers more value without the added cost.
Our coverage and support come with each of our new vehicles — standard.
WE PROCESS ALL THE WARRANTY REGISTRATIONS
We register all of your bus parts for you, no more pesky warranty cards to fill out. This includes all parts, wheelchair lift, electronics, HVAC, etc.
WE HANDLE ALL THE PAPERWORK
We administer and coordinate any warranty work. You make one call to our warranty department, and they take it from there.
REPAIR FACILITIES NEAR YOU
When warranty work is needed, we use service repair facilities near the bus location. We have over 3200 authorized centers and growing. You will never have to drive far to get repairs completed.
NO MORE CLAIM FORMS
Model 1 handles all parts of the claim process, you will have no out of pocket expenses, no reimbursements, and the service facility will be paid directly by us.
WARRANTY
PRICE PROPOSAL
Agenda Packet Page 18 of 155
PRICE PROPOSAL
Agenda Packet Page 19 of 155
Vehicle Type: Date:
Contact: Type of Lift:
Agency: Seat Material Level:
Address: Seat Color:
City, State, Zip: Floor Color :
Phone: Salesperson:
E-Mail: Salesperson Cell:
NOTE:
Quantity: Price Ext. Price ADA
1 $101,767.48 $101,767.48 $9,800.00
1 2 - Modular Track Floor System Std Std
1 25 - Qstraint Deluxe (8100) credit per set of 4 (In Lieu of specified 360) Std Std 1 27 - Delivery Zone 1 821.60 821.60 821.60
1 9,756.50 9,756.50 9,756.50
1 68kwh Battery Credit -$19,500.00 (19,500.00)
1 Pivot Seat-Blue $1,850.00 1,850.00
1 Storage Bin $850.00 850.00
.
Class Z - Base Price $101,767.48
***SOURCEWELL CONTRACT # 081325-CRE*** Published Options $10,578.10 Non-Published Options -$16,800.00
Total $95,545.58 $20,378.10
Doc Prep Fee $85.00
. The Non-Taxable Amount is the ADA Equipment in the Base and Added as Options Non-Taxable $20,378.10 . The Taxable Amount Includes the Mobility Rebate of $1,000.00 For Ford Chassis Taxable Amount $75,252.58 . 484 Tax Total $8,089.65 10.750%
. Sub-Total $103,720.23
. DMV E-File Fee: $33.00
. DMV Fee $1,150.00 (Estimated)
. Tire Fee $12.25
. 0 Local Delivery $0.00
. 92845.58 Total $104,915.48
Number of Units 1
Final Total $104,915.48
[email protected] 909-731-5274
Description
Published Options
7007 Moeser Lane Blue
El Cerrito, CA 94530 Grey Altro Floor
City of El Cerrito
510-559-7008 JR Castro
Bridget Cooney
Class Z1 - Z-1 E-Transit 5/1/2026
Level 4
PER THE PURCHASING COOPERATIVE, PRICING SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO PPI (PRODUCER PRICE INDEX) ESCALATION AND/OR MANUFACTURER PRICE INCREASES.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE TO CONFIRM QUOTED PRICING IS STILL VALID PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF PURCHASE ORDER.
Class Z1 - Z-1 E-Transit (Basic) 109" Hiroof EL W3X 148" WB 6+copilot, driver and WC 84 - WC Lift installed behind curbside rear axle (Pending Altoona test or concurrence testing is not necessary
Non-Published Options
Braun Side Rear
Class V 1 OF 1 4/30/2026
Agenda Packet Page 20 of 155
AGENDA BILL
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
Date: June 2, 2026
To: El Cerrito City Council
From: Claire Coleman, Budget/Financial Services Manager; Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer; Finance Department
Subject: Draft Proposed FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Biennial Budget
ACTION PROPOSED
Receive and file the Draft Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 and 2027-28 City Biennial Budget and provide direction to staff as necessary.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Proposed Biennial Budget presents a balanced spending plan that closes an operating deficit through a combination of expenditure reductions, updated cost allocations, and special revenue fund utilization. The budget was developed using a target-based budgeting approach following extensive engagement with the City Council, community members, and all City departments, and reflects the City Council's direction to maintain service levels at the highest sustainable level while keeping combined General Fund reserves above 29%.
The Proposed Biennial Budget also reflects several significant structural improvements to how the City plans for large and long-term costs, including an expanded internal service fund program, an updated Cost Allocation Plan, and improved methodologies for budgeting insurance, workers' compensation, salary savings, and one-time payouts.
Two major one-time expenditures are included and explicitly separated from the ongoing operations and maintenance budget: fire engine replacement at a net General Fund cost of approximately $1.1 million across both years, and self-contained breathing apparatus replacement at a net General Fund cost of approximately $330,000 in FY 2027-28.
BUDGET PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY
The FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Biennial Budget is the product of an extensive process that began in December 2025 and has engaged the City Council, community members, and all City departments. The budget development timeline included a City Council retreat and priority-setting session on January 10, 2026; a community budget survey open from January 16 through March 31, 2026, with 173 respondents; two community budget workshops in March 2026; department head presentations to the City Council on March 17, 2026; three City Council budget study sessions on April 21, May 5, and May 19, 2026; and Financial Advisory Board (FAB) review at two meetings in May 2026. The budget before the City Council for consideration will be formally presented on June 16, 2026 for adoption.
Agenda Packet Page 21 of 155
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
The FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Biennial Budget was developed using a target-based budgeting (TBB) approach, consistent with best practices identified by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The Finance Department and the City Manager's Office built a status quo expenditure projection incorporating current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)-based personnel costs, non-discretionary estimates, and projected increases in discretionary costs. That analysis identified a preliminary structural General Fund operating budget deficit of approximately $1.7 million in FY 2026-27 and $2.2 million in FY 2027-28, assuming continuation of current service levels with fully updated cost projections.
Each department received a spending target based on its share of General Fund expenditures, staffing levels, and cost recovery through fees, grants, or other nonGeneral Fund sources. Departments submitted proposals to meet their targets, and Finance and the City Manager's Office conducted multiple rounds of review, evaluated proposals, and developed additional solutions. Key cost drivers include significant growth in insurance costs, personnel costs under current labor agreements, and CalPERS pension obligations.
Finance then presented various scenarios to the City Council during budget study sessions. The scenarios provided different options for how the City might balance the operating budget through cuts and service changes, with different levels of use of reserves. The City Council directed staff to pursue an approach that maintained service levels at the highest sustainable level while keeping reserves as close to the combined 30% target as possible. The 30% unrestricted reserve goal includes two components:
13% of General Fund expenditures reserved for the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund (EDRF), and 17% of General Fund expenditures maintained as unassigned fund balance. The FAB recommended that the City Council keep reserves above a combined 26%, which would include 13% in the EDRF and 13% in unassigned fund balance. The City Council provided feedback to staff indicating a goal of exceeding the FAB’s recommendation and keeping reserves above 29%. The proposed budget accomplishes that goal.
REVENUES
Property Taxes. Property taxes are the City's largest General Fund revenue source, projected at approximately $19.2 million annually. The budget reflects a 5% increase in FY 2026-27 based on forecasts provided by the City's property tax consultant, HdL Coren & Cone, incorporating the standard 2% Proposition 13 increase plus reassessments at change of ownership and the completion of the dissolution of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency in FY 2025-26.
Sales and Transactions and Use Taxes. The City receives approximately $9.4 million in combined sales and use tax revenue annually. The budget projects Bradley-Burns sales tax growth of 5% in FY 2026-27 and 2.6% in FY 2027-28, with the locally adopted Transactions and Use Tax (TUT), Measures A and G, projected to increase by 0.1% in FY 2026-27 and 2.6% in FY 2027-28.
Agenda Packet Page 22 of 155
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
Real Property Transfer Tax. Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) revenue has been budgeted conservatively at $3.4 million in FY 2026-27 and $3.5 million in FY 2027-28, reflecting steady but supply-constrained property markets. RPTT is a volatile revenue source, and staff recommend treating exceptionally strong years as one-time funds available for one-time uses.
Utility Users Tax. The Utility Users Tax (UUT) generates approximately $4.5 million annually. The budget projects energy UUT (gas and electric) increasing by 5% from PG&E rate structure changes and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)- approved wildfire cost allocations, water UUT increasing by 7% based on East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) approved rate increases, and telecom UUT decreasing by 5% due to continued cord-cutting and the decline of cable subscriptions.
The City is working with legal counsel and its utility tax consultants to evaluate the implications of the recent court decision in City of Santa Barbara v. Walt Disney Company (final as of April 22, 2026) regarding video streaming services and UUT applicability. This decision is expected to recover UUT revenue lost in the shift from cable subscriptions to streaming services.
Other Revenues. Franchise taxes are projected at $1.85 million annually. Business license taxes are projected to remain stable at approximately $1.2 million. Fees for service are set at levels consistent with the updated Master Fee Schedule, which was adopted by the City Council on May 19, 2026. Grants are budgeted only when confirmed and secured; additional grants received during the fiscal year will be brought to the City Council for appropriation. The City has secured a number of large grants for the next two fiscal years, including grants through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC), and the Coastal Conservancy.
EXPENDITURES
Personnel. Personnel costs constitute approximately 74% of General Fund expenditures, totaling approximately $42.9 million in FY 2026-27 and $44.9 million in FY 2027-28. These totals reflect cost-of-living adjustments of 3% to 3.5% under current labor agreements, approved and negotiated market adjustments for 16 positions ranging from 3% to 10.25% over two years based on the Classification and Compensation Study, and a 9% annual increase in medical benefit costs and 5% in dental benefits, both fully paid by the City for all full-time employees and their dependents. The Police Employee Association (PEA) contract concludes June 30, 2026; negotiations are underway.
Pension. CalPERS pension costs are projected to continue escalating toward a peak in the early 2030s, driven primarily by rising Unfunded Actuarial Liability (UAL) costs. The City's Section 115 Pension Funding Trust, established in September 2023 and holding approximately $3 million, is available to smooth the impact of peak pension costs. The proposed budget does not propose drawing on the Section 115 Trust in FY 2026-27 or FY 2027-28. Staff will evaluate whether draws become appropriate beginning in FY 2028-29 as pension cost trajectories clarify.
Agenda Packet Page 23 of 155
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
The City evaluates prepayment of the UAL at the beginning of each fiscal year, which has historically yielded approximately a 3.3% discount.
Insurance. Insurance costs have increased approximately 210% citywide from FY 2020- 21 to FY 2027-28, with a projected 19% increase in FY 2026-27 expected to moderate to an estimated 12% in FY 2027-28. The annual cost increase from FY 2020-21 to FY 2027-28 is expected to be at least $2.4 million.
Utilities and Fuel. City utility costs are projected to increase at rates consistent with UUT revenue projections. Fuel costs reflect current market conditions and are subject to change. The City piggybacks on state fuel contracts, which are set to expire January 1, 2027.
STRATEGIC BUDGET CHANGES
The proposed Biennial Budget reflects several significant changes to how the City budgets and plans for long-term costs.
Cost Allocation Plan and Master Fee Schedule. The Budget incorporates the results of the City's updated Cost Allocation Plan (CAP), completed in spring 2025, and the Master Fee Schedule adopted by the City Council on May 19, 2026. The updated CAP ensures that the General Fund is appropriately reimbursed for overhead and administrative costs. The prior CAP had not been updated in over a decade, and nonGeneral Fund operations had not been absorbing their appropriate share of growing citywide costs, particularly insurance. Finance verified all charges are allowable and appropriate under applicable funding source requirements.
Internal Service Fund Expansion. An important structural change in this budget is the expansion and ongoing funding of internal service funds (ISFs) for vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure. Rather than absorbing the full cost of a major asset replacement in a single year, the City makes regular annual contributions to each ISF, so that when a replacement cost comes due, funds are already set aside. The budget includes over $890,000 in annual ISF contributions citywide for vehicle and equipment replacement, long-term capital projects, and deferred maintenance. In prior years, El Cerrito could not sustain adequate ISF contributions; the fire engine replacement that appears as a onetime expenditure in this budget is a direct consequence of that gap. This change improves long-term fiscal sustainability by planning ahead for known replacement costs.
Insurance and Workers' Compensation Methodology. To improve clarity, transparency, and remove budget distortions around this very large cost to the City, general liability and other insurance costs have been consolidated in Non-Departmental rather than budgeted within the Human Resources Division. In addition, the proposed biennial budget updates the methodology for allocating workers' compensation costs, weighting by safety and miscellaneous classifications as a percentage of total payroll using Municipal Pooling Authority (MPA) factors to improve accuracy.
Agenda Packet Page 24 of 155
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
One-Time Payouts. One-time payouts, which have been budgeted inconsistently over recent years, are now budgeted in Non-Departmental based on historical General Fund averages. Staff will perform quarterly adjustments based on actual staff departures to account for these costs in the appropriate department where the expense occurs, maintaining cost transparency while removing significant budget variances, particularly in small divisions where a single departure can have a disproportionate impact.
Salary Savings. The Budget includes a 2% salary savings assumption based on the City's historical vacancy rate of 8 to 12 percent. While vacancies generate gross salary savings, overtime, backfill, specialized contract services, and other operational needs absorb most of those savings. The 2% figure represents the net portion that constitutes a genuine budget reduction. Similar to the change in budgeting for one-time payouts, rather than budgeting for salary savings in individual departments, these are budgeted in Non-Departmental. Actual salary savings will be realized through actuals in each department, and Finance will continue to manage payroll budgeting and costs to ensure that budgeted salary savings are not utilized for other purposes at the expense of a balanced budget.
Budget Solutions. To close the structural deficit, the City Council provided direction through three study sessions on a range of budget adjustments, which are reflected in the Proposed Budget. These include:
• Reducing non-personnel budgets citywide, including supplies, equipment, professional services, and maintenance
• Updating overhead cost allocations to special funds to reduce the General Fund subsidy
• Utilizing special revenue funds for allowable Police Department costs, including software, equipment, and administrative overhead, and reducing software and equipment budgets
• Reducing Police Officer recruitment incentives and recruitment support • Continuing to utilize consultant services in lieu of filling vacant positions in the Building Division
• Decreasing professional communications support, including managing social media in-house and eliminating the News and Views newsletter • Eliminating or reducing Recreation programs and events, including some special events and most contract janitorial services
• Reducing select administrative support and supplies costs • Canceling the Advisory Board Member recognition dinner and holiday light installation on San Pablo Avenue
• Decreasing the City Council travel and training allocation by $1,000 per member • Decreasing the General Fund contribution for the Fourth of July event by 50% • Reducing the Council Retreat facilitator scope of services Agenda Packet Page 25 of 155
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
MAJOR ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES
The Biennial Budget identifies two significant one-time expenditures related to Fire Department vehicles and equipment. These major one-time costs are separated in the budget book to provide greater transparency around the City’s ongoing versus one-time costs.
Fire Engine Replacement. The City's Type 1 fire engine at Station 52 is beyond its 15- year useful life. At the City Council's direction in FY 2025-26, the City executed a contract with Hi-Tech Fire Equipment for a replacement engine at an estimated total cost of $1,628,245, including equipment, structured in two payments across FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28. After applying the $380,000 set aside by the City Council in June 2025 and accumulated ISF contributions, the net General Fund cost is approximately $301,000 in FY 2026-27 and $800,000 in FY 2027-28. To smooth the budgetary impact across both years, the Proposed Biennial Budget front-loads ISF contributions of $1,025,000 in FY 2026-27 and $158,600 in FY 2027-28.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement. The Fire Department's selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment, purchased in 2013, is subject to a federally mandated maximum service life of 15 years, requiring replacement no later than FY 2027-28. The total estimated replacement cost is $500,000. Per the City's existing service contract with the Kensington Fire Protection District, one-third of that cost will be paid directly by the District, resulting in a net General Fund cost of approximately $330,000, budgeted in FY 2027-28.
GENERAL FUND RESERVES
The City's Comprehensive Financial Policy, updated by the City Council on March 17, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-17), establishes a General Fund reserve target of 17% of projected General Fund operating expenditures for the unassigned reserve and 13% for the EDRF, for a combined target of 30%. The City Council may adopt a deficit budget if projected unassigned reserves do not fall below 10% in any year of the five-year forecast; if unassigned reserves fall below 10%, the City must adopt a plan to restore the reserve to 17%.
The General Fund ended FY 2024-25 with a total fund balance of $24.25 million, or 43% of FY 2024-25 expenditures. The City projects the FY 2025-26 ending fund balance at approximately $21.1 million, or 37% of expenditures, reflecting draw-down for one-time uses. Under the proposed budget, projected reserves are 31% combined (EDRF plus unassigned) in FY 2026-27 and 29% in FY 2027-28. The total dollar amount of reserves is not projected to decrease significantly; the percentage declines because the City's expenditure base is growing. Staff project reserves will stabilize around 29% through FY 2029-30 before recovering to 30% in FY 2030-31 as pension costs begin to moderate.
The structural decisions reflected in this budget aim to keep the City stable through the next ten years while pension costs remain high. The City is not at risk of a cash shortfall or short-term borrowing given its healthy reserve levels.
Agenda Packet Page 26 of 155
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONSIDERATIONS
This action supports the City’s Strategic Plan Goal(s) of:
• High Performing Organization; and
• Community Safety; and
• Livability and Belonging; and
• Infrastructure and Amenities; and
• Environmental Sustainability.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Proposed Biennial Budget achieves a structurally balanced operations and maintenance budget in both fiscal years. Across all funds, total citywide budgeted revenues are approximately $93.5 million in FY 2026-27 and $85.3 million in FY 2027-28, with total citywide budgeted expenditures of approximately $96.4 million and $86.6 million respectively. The higher FY 2026-27 totals reflect significantly larger capital project fund activity in that year, including state grant-funded projects.
General Fund revenues are projected at $58.5 million in FY 2026-27 and $60.5 million in FY 2027-28, with General Fund operating expenditures of $57.7 million and $60.2 million respectively, generating an operating surplus in each year. One-time expenditures for fire engine and SCBA replacement are funded through ISF contributions drawn from that surplus, with total General Fund ISF contributions of $1,025,000 in FY 2026-27 and $488,600 in FY 2027-28 for the one-time expenditures.
Combined General Fund reserves are projected at 31% in FY 2026-27 and 29% in FY 2027-28, which includes 13% in the EDRF and 16% held as unassigned General Fund reserves. This exceeds the Financial Advisory Board's recommended floor of 26% combined and is consistent with the City Council's direction to maintain reserves above 29%.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
Reviewed by:
Karen Pinkos, City Manager
Attachments:
Digital Budget Book (Recommended)
Proposed Budget Book (PDF)
1. Presentation
Agenda Packet Page 27 of 155
Fiscal Year 2026-27 &
Fiscal Year 2027-28
Proposed Biennial Budget
City of El Cerrito
El Cerrito Public Financing Authority
El Cerrito Employee Pension Trust Board
June 2, 2026
Agenda Packet Page 28 of 155
Agenda
• Budget Overview
• Budget Public Engagement Process
• Proposed Budget – All Funds
• Proposed Budget – General Fund
• Long-Range General Fund Forecast
• Capital Improvement Program
• Next Steps
2 Agenda Packet Page 29 of 155
Budget Overview
and Process
Agenda Packet Page 30 of 155
About the Budget
• Adopted annually per El Cerrito Municipal Code
• July 1 – June 30 fiscal calendar
• Major Types of Funds
• General Fund – supports general governmental functions, unrestricted dollars • Special Revenue Fund – funds restricted for a specific program or use • E.g., Gas Tax Fund must be used for streets and road-related programs • Enterprise Fund – self-supporting activities funded by fees on a user-charge basis
• Integrated Waste Management Fund is supported by user charges for the City’s solid waste program
• Capital Fund – track capital projects using a variety of funding sources • Debt Service Funds – track the City’s payments on major debt • Internal Service Funds – set aside funds over time for future expenses 4 Agenda Packet Page 31 of 155
Budget Process Overview
• Staff develop detailed revenue budget using past actuals, current trends, economic trends and forecasting, proposed or projected rate changes, and expert analyses
• Staff determine personnel costs, including salaries, benefits, CalPERS, workers’ compensation
• Evaluate other non-discretionary expenses including insurance and utilities • Target-Based Budgeting: departments receive a “target” and submit budget proposals based on City revenues and funding, not status-quo expenditures • City Council, FAB and community provide input on budget priorities through strategic plan,
• public meetings and workshops, and surveys
• City Manager reviews and approves or rejects budget requests, proposes additional changes if required to balance the budget
• City Council reviews scenarios and proposals and provides direction on how to balance maintaining services with keeping reserve levels high. 5 Agenda Packet Page 32 of 155
Budget Guiding Principles
• Annual budgets should balance and avoid deficit
spending.
Fiscal Sustainability
• General Fund revenue is a shared resource across
all departments.
One City, One General Fund
• Provide City Council, Finance, the City Manager
and the public with the information they need to
make informed decisions and support the City’s
objectives.
Transparency
• Fund balance and one-time revenue should be
used for one-time costs, not ongoing
programmatic or staffing needs.
One-Time Uses for One-Time Revenue
6 • Departments have the discretion to allocate
spending among line items within a division for
non-personnel expenses.
• The use of salary savings for other expenses must
be approved by City Manager and Finance Director.
Budget to the Bottom Line (Division Level)
• Budget amendments to the General Fund should
be avoided off-cycle, including during mid-year.
Complete Budgets during Annual Budget
Process
• Finance plans to develop asset replacement plans
and internal service funds to prepare for long-term
needs.
Plan and Prepare for Long-Term Needs
Agenda Packet Page 33 of 155
Strategic Plan • Reaffirmed by City Council at
January Workshop
• Budget process and
recommendations guided by
Strategic Plan
• Department workplans
aligned to Strategic Plan
goals • Detailed strategic alignment
information for each
department has been included
in budget document
7 Agenda Packet Page 34 of 155
City Organization
8 Residents of
El Cerrito
City Council
Boards and
Commissions City Manager
City
Management
Community
Development Fire Finance Police Public Works Recreation City Attorney
Agenda Packet Page 35 of 155
Public Engagement
Budget Survey
• Open from January 16 through
March 31, 2026
• 173 respondents
• 96% of respondents live in El
Cerrito
• 4 questions:
• Investment levels of 16 City services
• Top 3 Budget Priorities
• Allocate Points across Infrastructure
categories
• Open-ended Comments
Budget Workshops
• In-person workshop on March 7,
2026, and virtual workshop on
March 25, 2026
• Recording available on City Website
• Included a review of city finances
and city services
• Two activities:
• Survey to consider tradeoffs
• Prioritization of core service areas
9 Detailed survey and workshop data presented to the City Council on April 21, 2026 Agenda Packet Page 36 of 155
Major Factors Influencing the Budget
• Economy uncertain:
• International conflict
• Tariff uncertainty
• Complex interest rate environment
• Consumer confidence shaky
• Inflation stabilizing but still impacting
costs
• Volatile and costly insurance markets
• Insurance markets – rapidly
increasing costs
• Pension costs – rising but
approaching peak
• Unfunded mandates and
increasing state requirements
10 2025-262026-272027-282028-292029-302030-312031-322032-332033-342034-352035-362036-372037-382038-392039-402040-412041-422042-432043-44 2044-452045-462046-472047-482048-492049-502050-512051-522052-532053-542054-55 $0.0000
$2.0000
$4.0000
$6.0000
$8.0000
$10.0000
$12.0000
$14.0000
$16.0000
Projected City Pension Costs
Normal Cost UAL Payment
Approaching highest UAL around
FY32, then decrease over time.
Normal cost remains steady as
UAL gradually diminishes.
Agenda Packet Page 37 of 155
Citywide Budget –
All Funds
11 Agenda Packet Page 38 of 155
Revenues – All Funds by Source
• Property Tax: $19.2M annually, 5%
increase
• Sales Tax: $12.4M annually, 2%
increase
• Property Transfer Tax: $3.4M
annually, 6% increase
• Utility Users Tax: $4.9M, 32% increase
• FY26 budget significantly lower than
actuals in both FY25 and FY26
• New court case with expected positive
impacts on the City’s UUT
• Fees and Other: $48M, 60% increase
• Increase primarily from grants (181%
increase over FY26 budget)
12 Citywide Revenue by Source – FY 2026-27
Agenda Packet Page 39 of 155
Revenues – All Funds
13 Category FY 2025 Actual FY 2026 Amended
Budget FY 2027 Budgeted FY 2028 Budgeted
Property and Other Taxes $43,631,001 $42,183,936 $45,583,403 $47,067,897 Licenses & Permits $1,414,521 $1,073,280 $1,172,980 $1,208,169 Fines and Forfeitures $198,861 $130,000 $195,000 $195,000 Non-Departmental Revenue $6,359,263 $3,699,695 $4,106,922 $4,147,068 Use of Money and Property $427,941 $547,190 $418,000 $431,000 Intergovernmental Revenue $13,157,846 $9,685,103 $27,245,981 $16,600,474 Charges for Services $12,338,386 $12,591,551 $13,635,215 $14,556,690 Other Revenue $1,542,239 $955,200 $1,162,381 $1,045,400 Total Revenues $79,070,056 $70,865,956 $93,519,882 $85,251,699 Agenda Packet Page 40 of 155
Expenditures – By Fund
• General Fund is largest part of City
operations
• Special revenue funds include:
• Gas Tax funds and Street
Improvement Fund (Measure A)
• Measure H Parcel Tax for Parks
• Landscape and Lighting District
• Enterprise Fund is the Solid Waste
& Recycling Program (Integrated
Waste Management Fund)
• Expenditures vary widely based on
type of revenue (source) and
allowable uses
14 Citywide Expenditures by Fund Type – FY 2026-27
Agenda Packet Page 41 of 155
Expenditures by Type
• Personnel costs
• Salaries
• Pension
• One-Time Payouts
• Medical and Other
Benefits
• Non-Personnel
• Insurance
• Utilities
• Professional services
• Software
• Supplies
15 Citywide Expenditures by Fund Type – FY 2026-27
Agenda Packet Page 42 of 155
Proposed Staffing
16 Agenda Packet Page 43 of 155
Citywide Expenditures by Department
17 Includes significant new grant funding in FY 2026-27 in the Community Development Department Agenda Packet Page 44 of 155
Major Budget Changes
Structural Changes
• Increased investment in Internal
Service Funds
• Vehicles & Equipment
• Capital and deferred maintenance
• Updated cost allocations to special
funds
• Updated budget methodology for
insurance, worker’s compensation,
and one-time payouts
Budget Cuts
• Reductions to non-personnel budgets
citywide, including supplies,
equipment, professional services, and
maintenance
• Decrease in professional
communications and facilitation support
• Decrease City Council travel and
training
• Reduction in some programs and
events
• Reduced City contribution to 4th of July
event
• Cancel Advisory Board Member
recognition dinner, holiday light
installation on San Pablo Avenue, some
Recreation special events
18 Agenda Packet Page 45 of 155
About Internal Service Funds (ISFs)
• Annual contributions replace
one-time budget impacts
• Funded throughout asset lifetime
until replacement needed
• Unique replacement schedules
for major equipment and
vehicles
• Tracked by Finance and Depts
• Replacement schedules use
estimates of future cost increases
• Balances grow with investment
earnings
19 SCBA = Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Agenda Packet Page 46 of 155
Citywide Fund Balances
• Detailed table of all fund
balances in budget book
• General Fund to remain
above 29% unrestricted
reserves in both years (13%
EDRF and 16% unassigned)
20 Agenda Packet Page 47 of 155
General Fund
21 Agenda Packet Page 48 of 155
Operating Budget Overview
22 Agenda Packet Page 49 of 155
General Fund Revenue
• General Fund revenues remain
stable
• Most revenues received from
general purpose taxes,
including:
• Property Tax
• Sales and Transactions Taxes
• Utility Users Taxes
• Property Transfer Tax
• Business License Taxes
• Council adopted updates to
Master Fee Schedule on May
19, 2026
23 Agenda Packet Page 50 of 155
Revenue by Type
24 Category FY 2025 Actual FY 2026 Amended
Budget FY 2027 Budgeted FY 2028 Budgeted
Property and Other Taxes $36,176,468 $36,865,664 $40,283,414 $41,693,077 Licenses & Permits $1,414,521 $1,073,280 $1,172,980 $1,208,169 Fines and Forfeitures $198,861 $130,000 $195,000 $195,000 Non-Departmental Revenue $1,737,762 $1,451,502 $2,048,587 $2,113,984 Use of Money and Property $427,941 $410,600 $418,000 $431,000 Intergovernmental Revenue $6,180,922 $5,551,043 $6,043,597 $6,216,116 Charges for Services $7,459,593 $7,550,502 $7,440,227 $7,713,858 Other Revenue $695,879 $747,200 $827,816 $834,100
Total Revenues $54,291,946 $53,779,792 $58,429,622 $60,405,305 Agenda Packet Page 51 of 155
Expenditures by Type
25 High Other Financing Uses expenditures in FY 2023-24 were due to the City's investment of $9 million into the EDRF.
Agenda Packet Page 52 of 155
Expenditures by Department
26 High Non-Departmental expenditures in FY 2023-24 were due to the City's investment of $9 million into the EDRF.
Agenda Packet Page 53 of 155
Expenditures by Department
27 Category FY 2025 Actual FY 2026 Amended
Budget FY 2027 Budgeted FY 2028 Budgeted
Non-Departmental Revenue ($3,258) - - -
Administration $7,694,840 $9,103,654 $6,530,969 $6,781,537 Public Works $2,316,511 $2,631,758 $2,782,433 $2,846,856 Police $14,902,515 $15,323,961 $16,633,894 $17,517,534
Fire $16,400,399 $16,144,408 $17,339,840 $17,911,556
Community Development $3,847,195 $4,113,906 $3,960,368 $4,196,659 Recreation $6,433,269 $6,712,967 $6,941,819 $7,233,603
Non-Departmental $1,399,278 $2,880,767 $3,465,676 $3,690,177 Total Expenditures $52,990,749 $56,911,420 $57,654,998 $60,177,922 Note: Non-Departmental Revenues in FY 2024-25 Actuals relate to accounts no longer in use. Future similar expenses will be classified as Non-Departmental, but past actuals cannot be changed.
Agenda Packet Page 54 of 155
Major One-Time Expenditures
• 2 major needs recommended for use of one-time fund
balance
• Fire Engine approaching 15-year end-of-life
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs): approaching federally-mandated maximum service life of 15 years
• Payments frontloaded through ISF contributions to smooth budgetary impacts
Item FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 Total
Fire Engine $1,025,000 $158,600 $1,183,600
SCBAs - 330,000 330,000
Total General Fund Contribution $1,025,000 $488,600 $1,513,600 28 Agenda Packet Page 55 of 155
Long-Range General Fund Forecast
29 • Reserves remain above 31% in FY 2026-27 and above 29% ($20.8M) in all subsequent forecasted years
• Use of Section 115 modeled to smooth highest UAL costs from FY29 to FY35 Agenda Packet Page 56 of 155
Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) Budget
30 Agenda Packet Page 57 of 155
CIP Budget Process
• Multi-year planning tool updated
annually
• One year appropriated each June
along with operating budget
• Organized by project category
with identified funding sources
• Unfunded needs listed for longrange planning
• Cost estimates reflect project
stage
• Prioritization criteria:
• Health, safety, and legal
• Asset condition
• Prior investment protection
• Grant leverage
• Strategic plan and priority
alignment
• Operational impact
• Community benefit and equity
• New ClearGov CIP Budgeting
tool: interactive, project-level
transparency
31 Agenda Packet Page 58 of 155
CIP Budget - Summary
• $10M of projects planned for
FY 2026-27, largely grantfunded
• Over 30 active projects
• Primarily Transportation
projects in FY 2026-27
• Variety of smaller parks and
facilities projects
32 Agenda Packet Page 59 of 155
CIP Budget – Five-Year Plan
33 Later years subject to change based on needs,
priorities, and funding availability
Agenda Packet Page 60 of 155
Proposed Budget Summary
• Reflects City Council priorities, including
feedback during the budget development
process
• Aligns with the City's Strategic Plan
• Has revenues exceeding expenditures for
the operating budget
• Maintains reserves above a combined 29%,
including 13% EDRF and 16% unassigned
• Enables the City to continue providing key
services with some changes to programs
34 Agenda Packet Page 61 of 155
Next Steps
• Questions, Comments, Direction
• Finalize Digital Budget Book
• Staff to present final version at regular
City Council Meeting on June 16, 2026
• Adoption of Budget by June 30, 2026
• THANK YOU to the City Council, City
staff team, and El Cerrito community for
all your hard work!
35 Agenda Packet Page 62 of 155
Thank you!
For more information: elcerrito.gov/BudgetProcess
36 Agenda Packet Page 63 of 155
CITY HALL 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Telephone (510) 215-4305 Fax (510) 215-4379 http://www.elcerrito.gov
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA MATERIALS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
June 2, 2026
(revised June 3, 2026)
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
Public Comments (Not on the Agenda and Consent Calendar) Agenda Item No. 8.A. – Draft Proposed FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Biennial Budget Revised Presentation
Agenda Packet Page 64 of 155
From: No Reply
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comment Submission
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 8:45:41 PM
This sender is trusted.
Submitted by: Doctormiz Davis
Email Address:
Commented on event: https://elcerritoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1212/overview If you are having trouble viewing the URL above, cut and paste the string into your browser window.
User comment: When will Agenda be avavailable? Will Meeting 6/2 be avavailable remotely? What time period is scheduled for Meeting on VOTING DAY? How to submit permission to speak? Is Paratransit Vehicle Access part of El Cerrito's Fleet Improvements? Ambulance?or limited to fire & law? I will attempt, once again, to request El Cerrito Paratransit, unfortunately Paratransit requires 6+ weeks in advance! No ability for a standing order weekly or even monthly. Homeowner 30 years, Disabled forced retirement 20 years. Fyi, State worker get ZERO SSI contribution & Zer0 Worker's Comp (unless law enforcement/fire). Martha Davis, EMT & Epidemiologist lll. Retired & Disabled
Agenda Packet Page 65 of 155
Dan Stegink
Pacifica CA 94044
RECQVED
28 2026
“?Si£r» Gabe Quinto
Mayor & BAAQMD Director
City of El Cerrito
10890 San Pablo Ave
El Cerrito CA 94530
RE: Brown Act-compliant Written Public Comment for both June 2026 City of El Cerrito Council and BAAQMD Meetings San Francisco County Supervisor and BAAQMD Director Gabe Quinto:
Please do not endorse BAAQMD Director Ray Mueller for San Mateo County Supervisor or his forthcoming District Attorney Campaign.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe is expected to retire this summer and Mr. Mueller is requesting other electeds support him being appointed to the office of San Mateo County District Attorney.
Mr.Mueller, has filed $7,000 of late April/May 2026 campaign donation disclosures from donors openly affiliated with the Bohannan companies, a company whose website to this day glorifies their founder David D. Bohannon (see appended document):
Madeline (Bohannon) Johnson — Lincoln, CA — $1,000
Abby (Bohannon) Dunckel — San Francisco, CA — $1,000
Ryan Bohannon — San Jose, CA — $1,000
Shan Bohannon — Newark, CA — $1,000
Mary Bohannon — Woodside, CA — $1,000
Diane Sheardown (Bohannon Dev Co) — San Carlos, CA — $1,000 Christine Bohannon — San Francisco, CA — $1,000
The circumstances surrounding these late filings are deeply troubling, and make Bohannan-by-birth donors Mr. Mueller’s largest special Interest group.
In 2022 I moderated a publication forum for the Richard Rothstein book “The Color of Law”, and was astonished to find the roots of a significant part of California’s segregation right here In San Mateo County.
Agenda Packet Page 66 of 155
in his 2017 book. The CohrofLa.wA Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, author and researcher Richard Rothstein highlights David Bohannon as a prominent example of a developer who, with active government support, created racially segregated housing in the San Francisco Bay Area during and afterWorld War II. «utcharts+4
Key Connections in The Color of La.w
● Developer of Segregated Suburbs: Bohannon was a major white property developer who built "whites-only" suburbs, most notably Rollingwood in Richmond.
California, a* utcharts
● Government-Sponsored Segregation: Rothstein uses Bohannon to prove that segregation was not merely de facto (caused by private prejudice) but de jure (sanctioned by government policy). The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) provided the financing for Bohannon's projects while actively enforcing covenants that prohibited Black families from buying homes there, m utcharts ● The Case of Sunnyhills; Bohannon also developed the "Sunnyhills" suburb in Milpitas, California. Rothstein describes how Bohannon worked with city officials to increase sewer costs for a nearby integrated housing project to prevent Black workers from living there, ensuring Sunnyhills remained all-white. ««utchans ● impact on the Bay Area: Bohannon's work is crucial to Rothstein’s argument that government agents and developers actively created "ghettos" in the Bay Area by financing suburban housing for whites while restricting African Americans to overcrowded urban areas, m utcharts *3
>4
Shockingly his second largest historical donor group is Chevron beneficiaries ($6,000) in San Mateo County and his largest independent expenditure group was Chevron/Marathon/PbF Energy.
https://www.kqed.org/news/12010828/oil-industry-spends-thousands-on-local-bay-areaelection-in-city-with-no-refineries “In the last month, the oil industry super PAC — officially labeled the Committee for Jobs and the Economy, Sponsored by Energy Companies and Building Trades Unions Representing Working Men and Women — began sending out flyers in support of ... “...In 2022, the same committee spent $95,000 backing San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller.”
“The phone number on the committee’s most recent political filings is the main number for Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk, a Sacramento-based law firm that has represented Republican and industry-based interests.”
Agenda Packet Page 67 of 155
Top Contributors O Top Payees O
Total
Contributions Total Expenditures Payee Type Name Type
$4,455.21 Bell Mcandrews & Hiltachk LLP ENTITY $75,000.00 Chevron Corporation and Its Subsidiaries ENTITY Marathon Petroleum Corporation and Its $50.00 Aggregated Unitemized Expenditures INDIVIDUAL Subsidiaries/affiliates $37,500.00 ENTITY
Pbf Energy Western Region LLC and Affiliated
Entities $37,500.00 ENTiTY
View All Contributors - - - ●●View AH Payees
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ca/committee/committee-for-jobs-and-economysponsored-by-energy-companies-and-building-trades-unions-represe nting-workingmen-and-women-1454340-rcp/ As someone who has long championed transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, I respectfully urge you to review these filings and the underlying evidence carefully, and submit to you that Mr. Mueller’s acceptance of these donor amounts while voting or advocating on ANY sanction, fine, or permit of Chevron is a clear conflict of interest, and potentially subverts the good reputation of the work you do at BAAQMD.
I ask that you formally revoke your endorsement of Ray Mueller, and also wish to bring to your attention a matter of local significance to the residents of San Mateo & Santa Clara counties. There is growing community support for changing the name of Bohannan Drive in both San Mateo & Menlo Park, and I respectfully ask that you lend your voice and influence to this effort.
Thank you for your service to the Great State of California. This letter reflects the personal position only myself, and does not represent Richard Rothstein or the California Democratic Party.
Respectfully yours,
Dan Stegink
Pacifica CA 94044
Agenda Packet Page 68 of 155
I
i
I.
fs.LV- '-c'.J'
.jj.
9^ George Surmaitis 8m ● park Pacifica (West)
I voted for Ray the first time, not this time.
Ol D Reply fj> Share
V
%.
1 O
I .-A
Dan Stegink Now - Lirida Mar North
Ray, as you are an attorney bound by the State Bar's ethics code. what, part of this post do you believe is slanderous?
O 1 D Reply Share
r,
T'
Ol ’
■4-
-7U■’
tij
1;
●%
DanStegInk NoW' -Linda Mar North ' ●●● -
Ray, I should add that I moderated a publication event
for Author Richard Rothstein, author of the Color of
Law, an award-winning bookthat talked specifically
r,:and at length about David Bohannan. This is not. '
ancient history, these race restricting deeds are stiil all :'- overtitles in Belmont, Menlo Park, etc;
t
t.
»
H
x:
,A ●1*
T
f
io'j'V
O 1 O Reply Ct> Share
a 0 ■
f
r
Add a comment... ■.cp
yj A, \
:
t HStlStf-Aj-, ;● I
Agenda Packet Page 69 of 155
r
»
41 RESOLUTION
Sponsored
Taking
WHEREAS
the
By:
In
Hate
20-11.20
the
CADEM
out
State
of
Region
Homeownership
of California
6, Assembly
every
District
year thousands
22 of real
estate transactions continue to be
conducted using deeds, titles, and other documents that include race restricting covenants that prevent transfer[s) of property to racial, ethnic, or religious minorities, but frequently Black people, with many homeowners unaware of racially related documents; and
WHEREAS in 1948 the US Supreme Court ruled in Shelley v. Kramer that rendered racially restrictive covenants unenforceable, and the Fair Housing Act made them illegal, and state (or local) enforcement of such covenants violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; and 42 43
44 45
46 47
48 49
50 2
WHEREAS the continued inclusion of these covenants in real estate contracts discourages the transfer of property to both people of color and religious minorities, artificially reduces the supply of housing, and perpetuates a discriminatory housing practice;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party supports the removal of racially restrictive covenants from the real estate transaction process; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Che author of this resolution will send copies to county governments in all 58 counties.
Autlior(s): Dan Stegink, Assembly District 22
Sponsored By: CADEM Region 6, Assembly District 22
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 9
10 RESOLUTION 20-11.22
11 Resolution Opposing Final Rule on Campus and K-12 Sexual Assault and Harassment https://cadem.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/November-2020-Resol ution-Packet20_11J3_A.pdf Tho Bohannon Companies develop, maintain, and manage retail, office, and research and development (R&O) properties
throughout the Say Area, As a family-owned firm, we're
committed to delivering responsible real estate projects that meet the needs of their tenants and the surrounding community.
And wc’rc known for managing our portfolio personalty.
OU« MISTOflT
https://www.ddbo.com/about-us
Agenda Packet Page 70 of 155
From: Cordell Hindler
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comments
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026 1:36:35 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello Mayor Quinto, Council Members and Staff,
I am submitting the following Comments into the Record:
1. for a Future Agenda, the Council Should Invite Caitlin Sly to Present on the Food Bank
2. I wanted to thank the council for the Proclamation for Bike to Wherever Day last month Sincerely
Cordell
Agenda Packet Page 71 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Katherine Kimsey
To: City Clerk
Cc: William Ktsanes; Carolyn Wysinger; Lisa Motoyama; Rebecca Saltzman; Gabe Quinto Subject: Public Comment—No Agenda Item
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026 8:24:35 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
City Council Members,
I want to draw your attention to something that concerns me. Tonight, despite vociferous public comment against it, the Safety Committee voted to endorse the Police Chief’s proposal to enter into a year long contract with Peregrine Technologies. This matter will not come before you because the amount of the contract is under $45,000.
The “presentation” to the committee failed to answer several important questions, many of which were posed by members of the public including:
-how does Peregrine store and use the data it has access to from ECPD databases? What license does it have to use the data?
-how does AI come into the system? Peregrine aggregates data and helps police make connections, how does it do that? With AI?
-Peregrine has a function that allows for sharing of data with other jurisdictions. What protections are in place to ensure that doesn’t happen? When it inevitably does happen because that is the point of these systems, how will residents be compensated and made whole?
It is my impression that the presentation to the Safety Committee was the whole of the planned public review process. That is entirely unacceptable. I want ECPD to have modern crime fighting tools. But, we simply cannot afford to align ourselves with another Palantir connected, Peter Thiel funded AI data company without properly vetting the company and allowing for public comment. Look at where it got us with Flock.
I ask that you do what you can to bring this important issue before you now so that we aren’t having a knock down drag out fight in a year when the contract is up for renewal.
Best,
Rin
Get Outlook for iOS
Agenda Packet Page 72 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Benjamin Pauw
To: William Ktsanes; City Clerk; Lisa Motoyama; Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger Subject: Public comment - no agenda item
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026 8:26:39 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
HelloTonight I attended the meeting of the public safety committee. There was discussion of the police using Peregrine Technology.
I am commenting to express my concern about the El Cerrito police partnering with Peregrine.
There has not been a sufficient review process to allow the public to learn more about Peregrine and whether it will genuinely keep the citizens of El Cerrito safe - or make us less safe.
I asked Chief Keith if Peregrine uses AI, and he said it does not. But, as I reviewed the company’s website it seems clear that Peregrine uses AI: https://peregrine.io/ai-forinvestigations Please give the public time to learn about Peregrine before agreeing to spend El Cerrito’s budget on technology with links to Palantir. As with Flock, it does not feel safe for our city government to partner with massive surveillance technology.
Thanks,
Benjamin Pauw
Agenda Packet Page 73 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Cindy McPherson
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Monday, June 1, 2026 10:01:25 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
I am writing with concern after attending tonight's June 1 Community Safety Committee meeting. Chief Keith brought his idea to contract with Peregrine Technologies, another surveillance technology intimately connected with Palantir. I am concerned that the safety committee listened to his pitch and gave an endorsement without doing any review or diligence to accurately understand the company or contracted services.
There was also no communication about this with the public. Keith said he was bringing it to the committee because the Flock contract had been canceled. Council member Ktsanes widely suggested that for transparency, he offer this decision to the City Council, even though the contract amount does not require him to do so, citing transparency with the public as a key goal. I wholeheartedly agree.
Without knowing what exactly Keith wants to contract with Peregrine for, or what the terms, security commitments, or controls are, I submit this summary and caution from the Brennan Center for Justice's Expert Brief: The Dangers of Unregulated AI in Policing, which goes deep into the history of police use of data; today's fusion tools, including Peregrine; problems; and recommendations. Their bottom line conclusion is what I want to advocate for:
"The risk of harm is too high to allow for the uncritical adoption and unregulated use of data fusion and analytics tools."I urge the City Council to review Peregrine and not allow it to be implemented by ECPD without any oversight from the council and input from our residents.
Below is an excerpt from the Brennan Center's brief:
"Across the country, police departments have adopted automated software platforms driven by artificial intelligence (AI) to compile and analyze data. These data fusion tools are poised to change the face of American policing; they promise to help departments forecast crimes, flag suspicious patterns of activity, identify threats, and resolve cases faster. However, many nascent data fusion systems have yet to prove their worth. Without robust safeguards, they risk generating inaccurate results, perpetuating bias, and undermining individual rights.
Police departments have ready access to crime-related data like arrest records and crime trends, commercially available information purchased from data brokers, and data collected through surveillance technologies such as social media monitoring software and video surveillance networks. Police officers analyze this and other data Agenda Packet Page 74 of 155
with the aim of responding to crime in real time, expeditiously solving cases, and even predicting where crimes are likely to occur. Data fusion software vendors make lofty claims that their technologies use AI to supercharge this process. One company describes its tool as “AI providing steroids or creating superhuman capabilities” for crime analysts.
The growing use of these tools raises serious concerns. Data fusion software allows users to extract volumes of information about people not suspected of criminal activity. It also relies on data from systems that are susceptible to bias and inaccuracy, including social media monitoring tools that cannot parse the complexities of online lingo, gunshot detection systems that wrongly flag innocuous sounds, and facial recognition software whose determinations are often flawed or inconsistent — particularly when applied to people of color."
Please, do what you can to bring this important issue before you now, for the transparency which is essential to the trust between electeds, police, and residents.
Cindy McPherson, El Cerrito resident
Agenda Packet Page 75 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Sara Larsen
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Hello City Councilmembers, Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:01:59 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
My name is Sara Larsen and live in El Cerrito. I am
emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s
intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data
fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a
system would consolidate residents’ personal info into
a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to
security risks and constitutional privacy violations.
Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates
the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in
protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Sara Larsen
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Agenda Packet Page 76 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Kels Jones
To: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama; City Clerk Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:02:30 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Kels Jones and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Kels Joens
Kent Drive El Cerrito
They/Them Why this Matters
On Miwok, Muwekma, Ohlone, and Confederated Villages of Lisjan Land Native Land Map Agenda Packet Page 77 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Jenny Patchen
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:21:46 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Jenny Patchen and I have been a resident of El Cerrito for 13 years. I am writing to urge you to reject the ECPD's proposed contract with Peregrine Technologies, which is a brazen end-run around the recent decision to reject Flock.
Peregrine is a data fusion platform that consolidates body camera footage, dispatch records, license plate data, and more into a single mass surveillance database shared across agencies. In Orange County, the sheriff's office admitted it had no policies or procedures governing its use of Peregrine. In Durham, NC, residents raised serious alarms about the platform's AI, predictive policing capabilities, and ties to Palantir.
The Council was right to end our Flock contract. Berkeley's experience proved us correct: a leaked city attorney memo revealed Flock was sharing data with Border Patrol in violation of sanctuary law, and a class action lawsuit was filed in April 2026 for illegally tracking millions of Californians.
I am deeply concerned that Peregrine is now being pushed through as a replacement, effectively circumventing the Council's decision. Watching ECPD engage in such flagrant disregard of our community feels deeply violating as an El Cerrito citizen.
Please don't let a different vendor name obscure what this is: mass surveillance. I urge you to reject this contract.
Thank you,
Jenny Patchen
Agenda Packet Page 78 of 155
From: Rebecah Kenny
To: City Clerk
Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:33:13 AM
I'm an El Cerrito resident. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech. This system would gather our personal data into a mass surveillance database vulnerable to constitutional privacy risks end hacking leaks. If the council doesn't act, this system risks being implemented with little notice or chance for feedback from our community. After the council's thoughtful and measured review of Flock, I hope you will work to ensure community engagement and trust before any possible implementation of Peregrine systems as well.
Thank you,
Rebecah Kenny
Agenda Packet Page 79 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Michelle Ayazi
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:38:47 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Dear El Cerrito City Council Members,
My name is Michelle Ayazi and I have lived in El Cerrito for over 12 years, since our son was born. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine. Thanks for your consideration.
Warmly,
Michelle Ayazi
Lawerence Street
Agenda Packet Page 80 of 155
From: Michael DeGroff-Kirchgraber
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:40:05 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Michael DeGroff-Kirchgraber and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Michael DeGroff-Kirchgraber
Portola & Richmond
Agenda Packet Page 81 of 155
From: Muzamil Khan
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:53:55 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is M. Muzamil Khan and I live and work in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations.
Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
M. Muzamil Khan
Agenda Packet Page 82 of 155
From: Tamiko Panzella
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:59:59 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Tamiko, I am caregiver for my grandmother who lives in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Tamiko
Agenda Packet Page 83 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Chris Rodriguez
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:04:02 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Chris and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Chris Rodriguez
Agenda Packet Page 84 of 155
From: Brendan Harrison
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Lisa Motoyama; William Ktsanes; Carolyn Wysinger; Rebecca Saltzman Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:09:09 AM
Hello City Council members,
My name is Brendan and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Brendan Harrison
Agenda Packet Page 85 of 155
From: americas morsewanted
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - not on agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:09:15 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Erica and I am an El Cerrito neighbor and park admirer. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Erica M.
El Cerrito neighbor
Agenda Packet Page 86 of 155
From: Michael
To: City Clerk; Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 8:02:13 AM
Hello City Council-members,
My name is Michael Waxman and I live in El Cerrito and been a resident since 1955. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito.
Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Michael Waxman
Agenda Packet Page 87 of 155
From: Linda Milani
To: City Clerk
Cc: Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; [email protected]; [email protected]; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments -Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:20:58 AM
Hello City Council Members,
My name is Linda Milani and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to URGE you to review ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling out Flock contract, I URGE you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine Tech.
Thanks for your consideration,
Linda Milani
Del Norte
Sent from my iPad
Agenda Packet Page 88 of 155
From:
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:21:36 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Jennifer and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Jennifer Ruthenburg
Agenda Packet Page 89 of 155
From:
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:24:18 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Mark Hersh and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Mark Hersh
.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Agenda Packet Page 90 of 155
From: Benjamin Emmert-Aronson
To: City Clerk; Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public comments - not on the agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:22:18 AM
Good Morning,
My name is Benjamin Emmert-Aronson, and my family and I live in El Cerrito, near Motorcycle Hill. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
We have all received those notices "Your information has been compromised, but we're giving you a year of credit monitoring." Tech companies know that data breaches are only a matter of time - it's an operating principle for them.
But what happens when that data isn't our name and address, but surveillance data of our movements? Our images? Our children?
Please at least give the public time to weigh in on this decision.
Thanks for your consideration,
Ben Emmert-Aronson
Agenda Packet Page 91 of 155
From: PG Bur
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] NO Peregrine in El Cerrito
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:22:42 AM
NO PEREGRINE IN EL CERRITO
Hello City Councilmembers:
My name is Paula Burch and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thank you for your consideration,
Paula Burch
El Cerrito Plaza
Agenda Packet Page 92 of 155
From: whatsup doc
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public comments-not on the agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:37:12 AM
Good day, City Council Members,
Ry Crawford here, a home owner and long term El Cerrito resident. I am emailing you to urge you to review the El Cerrito Police Department's intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/integration platform for El Cerrito. This system would consolidate residents' personal information into a mass surveillance database with vulnerable security risks and constitutional privacy violations.
Mass surveillance endangers our safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking a step forward in protecting our privacy by not renewing the Flock contract, here is another situation in which I urge you to do the right thing by El Cerrito: review and reconsider any contract with Peregrine Tech.
Thank you for your serious consideration of this.
Ry Crawford
St Jerome's neighborhood of El Cerrito.
Agenda Packet Page 93 of 155
From: Anna Belle Rosen
To: City Clerk
Cc: Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama; Gabe Quinto Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:34:16 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Anna Belle Rosen and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations.
Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine. In addition I don't feel safer in a city that uses a security system that runs on AI - a technology that is notoriously riddled with errors. I am not interested in having the safety of me or my child beta-tested for a tech company.
Thanks for your consideration,
Anna Belle Rosen
Agenda Packet Page 94 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: STEVEN PRICE
To: City Clerk
Subject: public comment
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:38:00 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Dear El Cerrito City Council,
As America’s automobiles get bigger and bigger, they get safer for the occupants if hit by another car. The downside is that they get more lethal when they strike people on the street—pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders. Our streets are getting less safe as a consequence. The Ohlone Greenway offers protection from automobiles except at intersections where all collisions with cars occur. The Greenway has the greater number of travelers at most intersections yet also has stop signs for Greenway users at almost all intersections defying the natural logic that lower volumes of travel should yield to routes with higher volumes. This must be corrected.
This could be done in manageable phases initially targeting those intersections that pose greater risks to Greenway travelers. Intersections next to the BART stations are at the top of the list starting with Central Avenue and the Greenway. The construction of the TOD building is obstructing motorists’ sightlines as they approach the Greenway going west making calming traffic particularly urgent. This location also sees heavy pedestrian traffic as commuters head to and from BART. A letter submitted to the city from the El Cerrito Walk and Roll Coordinating Committee and the BART Bicycle Advisory Task Force prioritizes this location and also the Greenway crossings at Cutting Boulevard and Hill Street near Del Norte BART, and the crossing of Lincoln Avenue.
If the City started by making improvements at one or more of these locations, it would be a popular win for the City since these locations are highly visible to the public.
Sincerely,
Steve Price
El Cerrito
Agenda Packet Page 95 of 155
From: Clifford Federspiel
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:39:23 AM
Dear City Councilmembers,
My name is Clifford Federspiel I livecandcwork in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
-Clifford Federspiel
Agenda Packet Page 96 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: gene robinson
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:46:38 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Eugene Robinsonand I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Eugene Robinson
Lower Hill of El Cerrito
Agenda Packet Page 97 of 155
From: mvben33
To: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama; City Clerk Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:49:34 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Jane Daly and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Jane Daly
El Cerrito, near Richmond Annex
Agenda Packet Page 98 of 155
From: Mehmet Seflek
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:52:14 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Mehmet Seflek and I'm a 30+ year resident of El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Mehmet Seflek
Agenda Packet Page 99 of 155
From: Aaron Cohen
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 9:55:57 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Aaron Cohen and I have been a resident of El Cerrito at 8310 Terrace Drive for 13 years. I am writing to urge you to reject the ECPD's proposed contract with Peregrine Technologies — even as a “pilot”.
Calling it a pilot doesn't limit the risk; it just limits the scrutiny. Real resident data flows into the system from day one. And pilots like this rarely stay pilots: San Mateo's started as an 18-month trial and became a $2M, 40-month agreement. El Cerrito's own contract documents already commit the city to absorbing Peregrine costs "in perpetuity" after the grant period ends. That's not a pilot — it's a permanent surveillance infrastructure with a temporary price tag.
Peregrine consolidates body camera footage, dispatch records, license plate data, and inter-agency information into one searchable platform. In Orange County, the sheriff admitted there were no policies governing how that data could be used. Marin County supervisors just raised the same concerns we should be raising now.
The Council was right to end our Flock contract. Berkeley's experience proved why: a leaked memo showed Flock sharing data with Border Patrol in violation of sanctuary law, and a class action lawsuit followed in April 2026. We were right then.
Please don't approve a more powerful replacement for Flock under the cover of a grant pilot. Our immigrant population deserves better from us as a Sanctuary City Thank you,
Aaron Cohen
Agenda Packet Page 100 of 155
From: Natalie Slama
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:01:59 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Natalie Slama and I live and work in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Natalie Slama
Korematsu area of El Cerrito
Agenda Packet Page 101 of 155
From: Joanna Lawrence Shenk
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:04:22 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Rev. Joanna Lawrence Shenk and I have called El Cerrito home for just over five years. I am emailing you with concerns about ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. I urge City Council to thoroughly reviewing this tech before approving its use.
I am deeply grateful for the time you took in the last couple months to consider the pros and cons of the Flock contract. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling that contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito.
Let’s honor all the beautiful birds of El Cerrito for the ways they enhance our quality of life and say no to corporations that disrespect our feathered friends in service of mass surveillance.
Thanks for your consideration,
Joanna Lawrence Shenk
Del Norte Neighborhood of El Cerrito
Rev. Joanna Lawrence Shenk
Associate Pastor, First Mennonite Church of San Francisco Unceded Ohlone homelands
(she/her)
Front Light co-host, the podcast of Mennonite Action
Author of "The Movement Makes Us Human: An Interview with Dr. Vincent Harding on Mennonites, Vietnam, and MLK."
"You'll be free indeed, not when your days are without a care, nor your nights without grief, but rather when these things bind up your life, and yet you rise above them, unbound.” -Kahlil Gibran
I answer emails Tuesday-Friday, rarely Saturday and Sunday, and (almost) never on Monday.
Agenda Packet Page 102 of 155
From: Wei-En Chang
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:08:07 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Good morning City Councilmembers,
My name is Wei-En Chang, I live and work in El Cerrito and my kids go to Korematsu and ECHS. I am emailing you to urge a review of ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a non-consensual mass surveillance database that violates constitutional rights to privacy, and is vulnerable to security risks and abuses of power.
Mass surveillance endangers the safety and rights of every resident and visitor of our community. Usage and oversight of such technologies is opaque at best, and the lack of accountability to the public is alarming. After taking a great step forward in protecting our privacy by voting out Flock, I urge you all to review and reject starting a contract with Peregrine. Don’t give away our rights, and public funds, to unaccountable vendors.
Thank you very much,
Wei-En Chang
Carlson/Central
Agenda Packet Page 103 of 155
From: Thomas Parks
To: Gabe Quinto
Cc: Rebecca Saltzman; William Ktsanes; City Clerk; Carolyn Wysinger; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:23:01 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Tom Parks and I'm a 24-year homeowner in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the
ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Tom Parks
Agenda Packet Page 104 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Jegath Geronimo
To: City Clerk; Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public comments - not on the agenda - Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:40:51 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Jiggy Geronimo and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito.
After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine. At the very least, the public deserves a chance to ask questions and have transparency into this process.
Thanks for your consideration,
Jiggy Geronimo
Near Castro Park of El Cerrito
Agenda Packet Page 105 of 155
From: Lauren Arnest
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:45:04 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Lauren Arnest and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito.
After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Lauren Arnest Midtown El Cerrito
Agenda Packet Page 106 of 155
From: Miguel Gravelle Izaguirre
To: City Clerk; Miguel Gravelle Izaguirre
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:46:42 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Miguel and I live and work in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Miguel
Lower Hill
Agenda Packet Page 107 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From:
To: City Clerk
Cc: [email protected]; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:52:17 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Hank and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
This matter will not come before you because the amount of the contract is under $45,000.I will remind council members that Chief Keith has previously held dedicated public meetings for the sole purpose of gather public comment as well as gave a presentation to city council before entering into a contract with ClearviewAI so ECPD could use their facial recognition software. That contract amount was for $7,000. He also expressed having gotten good information from the public that would eventually be incorporated into the ECPD's current polices regarding how they are allowed to us facial recognition software.
Thanks for your consideration,
Hank
El Cerrito resident since birth
Agenda Packet Page 108 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Minju Cho
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:52:40 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Michelle Cho and I live in El Cerrito near Canyon Trail Park with my husband and toddler daughter. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. I commend you for taking a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Michelle Cho
Agenda Packet Page 109 of 155
From: Maddie Carpenter
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:59:17 AM
Hello City Council members,
My name is Maddie and I live in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Maddie
El Cerrito Resident
Agenda Packet Page 110 of 155
From: judith green
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comments-Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 11:06:40 AM
To City Council Members<
My name is Judith Green and I have been an El Cerrito resident for over 25 years. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal information into a Mass Surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident of and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by canceling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
In my opinion, mass surveillance is one of the most dangerous and greatest threats to freedom in our country. Please do not allow this to move forward without public input.
Thanks you for your consideration,
Judith C. Green
.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Agenda Packet Page 111 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Melissa Murphy
To: City Clerk; Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: NO ON PEREGRINE Tech
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 11:20:29 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Dear Members of the EL Cerrito City Council:
I live and work in El Cerrito and and am writing to urge you to carefully review ECPD’s proposed contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito.
Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
The city should also consider the likelihood of costly lawsuits that would arise against the city as a consequence of foreseeable hacks and leaks from such database, setting aside possible suits for collecting this data in the first place.
Thank you for reading.
Melissa Murphy
Del Norte Bart neighborhood
--
Agenda Packet Page 112 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Jeremiah Maller
To: Rebecca Saltzman; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama; Gabe Quinto; Carolyn Wysinger; City Clerk Subject: Please Require Public Review Before Any Peregrine Contract (Public Comment) Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 11:30:50 AM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Dear Mayor Quinto and City Councilmembers,
Thank you for voting on May 5 not to renew El Cerrito’s Flock contract. That decision showed real responsiveness to community concerns about privacy, unauthorized data access, and the risks of surveillance technology. The Council voted 3-2 not to renew the contract.
For those same reasons, I urge the City not to allow the Police Department to purchase or contract for Peregrine without full City Council review and meaningful public input.
Peregrine is not ordinary police software. It is an AI-enabled data-fusion platform that can make police data centralized, searchable, and actionable. That raises many of the same concerns residents had about Flock, but potentially on a broader scale. Flock focused primarily on automated license plate reader data. Peregrine could consolidate multiple categories of sensitive information into one platform, increasing the risks of misuse, data breaches, mission creep, and outside-agency access.
The recent Flock debate showed that these concerns are not hypothetical. Public reporting described unauthorized federal agency searches of El Cerrito’s Flock system and concerns that the City could not fully control how data was accessed once it entered a cloud-based surveillance platform.
Even if a Peregrine contract technically does not require Council approval, a technology with this level of surveillance impact should not move forward through an administrative process alone. The public deserves a City Council agenda item, a staff report, and a clear explanation of what data Peregrine would access, who could search it, how long information would be retained, whether outside agencies could access it, and what safeguards would prevent misuse.
Please place this item on a City Council agenda before any contract is approved or implemented. El Cerrito should not expand police surveillance infrastructure without transparency, accountability, and community consent.
Sincerely,
Jeremiah Maller
Berkeley resident and frequent visitor and shopper in El Cerrito Agenda Packet Page 113 of 155
From: Sandy Lynn Davis
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 11:31:35 AM
Hello City Councilmembers,
I urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito.
After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Sandy Davis
El Cerrito Plaza resident
Agenda Packet Page 114 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Graham Laird Prentice
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 3:17:26 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is Graham Prentice and I live and work in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations.
Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Graham L.P.
Mid-town El Cerrito
Agenda Packet Page 115 of 155
From: AJ
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: [UNKNOWN SENDER] Public Comments - Not on the Agenda: Peregrine Tech Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 3:36:47 PM
Hello City Councilmembers,
My name is NAME and I live/work in El Cerrito. I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/ integration platform for El Cerrito. Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
AJ cho
Agenda Packet Page 116 of 155
Allow sender | Block sender
From: Rosie Fei
To: City Clerk
Cc: Gabe Quinto; Rebecca Saltzman; Carolyn Wysinger; William Ktsanes; Lisa Motoyama Subject: No Peregrine (or any Mass Surveillance) in El Cerrito! Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 3:46:07 PM
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Hello El Cerrito Councilmembers,
My name is Rosie Fei and I live in El Cerrito.
First, I want to thank the Councilmembers in ensuring our Flock contract was not renewed. I have serious concerns about how mass surveillance and data gathered from it is used to hurt our most marginalized community members.
Switching from one contract to another to mass surveil El Cerrito residents is not the solution to true safety. Therefore, I am emailing you to urge you to review the ECPD’s intended contract with Peregrine Tech for a data fusion/integration platform for El Cerrito.
Such a system would consolidate residents’ personal info into a mass surveillance database that is vulnerable to security risks and constitutional privacy violations. Mass surveillance endangers the safety and violates the constitutional rights for every resident and visitor to El Cerrito. After taking such a great step forward in protecting our privacy by cancelling our Flock contract, I urge you to review and reconsider starting a contract with Peregrine.
Thanks for your consideration,
Rosie Fei
El Cerrito Resident
Agenda Packet Page 117 of 155
Fiscal Year 2026-27 &
Fiscal Year 2027-28
Proposed Biennial Budget
City of El Cerrito
El Cerrito Public Financing Authority
El Cerrito Employee Pension Trust Board
June 2, 2026
Agenda Item No. 8.A.
Agenda Packet Page 118 of 155
Agenda
• Budget Overview
• Budget Public Engagement Process
• Proposed Budget – All Funds
• Proposed Budget – General Fund
• Long-Range General Fund Forecast
• Capital Improvement Program
• Next Steps
2 Agenda Packet Page 119 of 155
Budget Overview
and Process
Agenda Packet Page 120 of 155
About the Budget
• Adopted annually per El Cerrito Municipal Code
• July 1 – June 30 fiscal calendar
• Major Types of Funds
• General Fund – supports general governmental functions, unrestricted dollars • Special Revenue Fund – funds restricted for a specific program or use • E.g., Gas Tax Fund must be used for streets and road-related programs • Enterprise Fund – self-supporting activities funded by fees on a user-charge basis
• Integrated Waste Management Fund is supported by user charges for the City’s solid waste program
• Capital Fund – track capital projects using a variety of funding sources • Debt Service Funds – track the City’s payments on major debt • Internal Service Funds – set aside funds over time for future expenses 4 Agenda Packet Page 121 of 155
Budget Process Overview
• Staff develop detailed revenue budget using past actuals, current trends, economic trends and forecasting, proposed or projected rate changes, and expert analyses
• Staff determine personnel costs, including salaries, benefits, CalPERS, workers’ compensation
• Evaluate other non-discretionary expenses including insurance and utilities • Target-Based Budgeting: departments receive a “target” and submit budget proposals based on City revenues and funding, not status-quo expenditures • City Council, FAB and community provide input on budget priorities through strategic plan,
• public meetings and workshops, and surveys
• City Manager reviews and approves or rejects budget requests, proposes additional changes if required to balance the budget
• City Council reviews scenarios and proposals and provides direction on how to balance maintaining services with keeping reserve levels high. 5 Agenda Packet Page 122 of 155
Budget Guiding Principles
• Annual budgets should balance and avoid deficit
spending.
Fiscal Sustainability
• General Fund revenue is a shared resource across
all departments.
One City, One General Fund
• Provide City Council, Finance, the City Manager
and the public with the information they need to
make informed decisions and support the City’s
objectives.
Transparency
• Fund balance and one-time revenue should be
used for one-time costs, not ongoing
programmatic or staffing needs.
One-Time Uses for One-Time Revenue
6 • Departments have the discretion to allocate
spending among line items within a division for
non-personnel expenses.
• The use of salary savings for other expenses must
be approved by City Manager and Finance Director.
Budget to the Bottom Line (Division Level)
• Budget amendments to the General Fund should
be avoided off-cycle, including during mid-year.
Complete Budgets during Annual Budget
Process
• Finance plans to develop asset replacement plans
and internal service funds to prepare for long-term
needs.
Plan and Prepare for Long-Term Needs
Agenda Packet Page 123 of 155
Strategic Plan • Reaffirmed by City Council at
January Workshop
• Budget process and
recommendations guided by
Strategic Plan
• Department workplans
aligned to Strategic Plan
goals • Detailed strategic alignment
information for each
department has been included
in budget document
7 Agenda Packet Page 124 of 155
City Organization
8 Residents of
El Cerrito
City Council
Boards and
Commissions City Manager
City
Management
Community
Development Fire Finance Police Public Works Recreation City Attorney
Agenda Packet Page 125 of 155
Public Engagement
Budget Survey
• Open from January 16 through
March 31, 2026
• 173 respondents
• 96% of respondents live in El
Cerrito
• 4 questions:
• Investment levels of 16 City services
• Top 3 Budget Priorities
• Allocate Points across Infrastructure
categories
• Open-ended Comments
Budget Workshops
• In-person workshop on March 7,
2026, and virtual workshop on
March 25, 2026
• Recording available on City Website
• Included a review of city finances
and city services
• Two activities:
• Survey to consider tradeoffs
• Prioritization of core service areas
9 Detailed survey and workshop data presented to the City Council on April 21, 2026 Agenda Packet Page 126 of 155
Major Factors Influencing the Budget
• Economy uncertain:
• International conflict
• Tariff uncertainty
• Complex interest rate environment
• Consumer confidence shaky
• Inflation stabilizing but still impacting
costs
• Volatile and costly insurance markets
• Insurance markets – rapidly increasing costs
• Pension costs – rising but approaching peak
• Unfunded mandates and
increasing state requirements
10 $0.0000
$2.0000
$4.0000
$6.0000
$8.0000
$10.0000
$12.0000
$14.0000
$16.0000
2025-262026-272027-282028-292029-302030-312031-322032-332033-342034-352035-362036-372037-382038-392039-402040-412041-422042-432043-442044-452045-462046-472047-482048-492049-502050-512051-522052-532053-542054-55 Projected City Pension Costs
Normal Cost UAL Payment
Approaching highest UAL around
FY32, then decrease over time.
Normal cost remains steady as
UAL gradually diminishes.
Agenda Packet Page 127 of 155
Citywide Budget –
All Funds
11 Agenda Packet Page 128 of 155
Revenues – All Funds by Source
• Property Tax: $19.2M annually, 5% increase
• Sales Tax: $12.4M annually, 2% increase
• Property Transfer Tax: $3.4M
annually, 6% increase
• Utility Users Tax: $4.9M, 32% increase
• FY26 budget significantly lower than
actuals in both FY25 and FY26
• New court case with expected positive
impacts on the City’s UUT
• Fees and Other: $48M, 60% increase
• Increase primarily from grants (181%
increase over FY26 budget)
12 Citywide Revenue by Source – FY 2026-27
Agenda Packet Page 129 of 155
Revenues – All Funds
13 Category FY 2025 Actual FY 2026 Amended
Budget FY 2027 Budgeted FY 2028 Budgeted
Property and Other Taxes $43,631,001 $42,183,936 $45,583,403 $47,067,897 Licenses & Permits $1,414,521 $1,073,280 $1,172,980 $1,208,169 Fines and Forfeitures $198,861 $130,000 $195,000 $195,000 Non-Departmental Revenue $6,359,263 $3,699,695 $4,106,922 $4,147,068 Use of Money and Property $427,941 $547,190 $418,000 $431,000 Intergovernmental Revenue $13,157,846 $9,685,103 $27,245,981 $16,600,474 Charges for Services $12,338,386 $12,591,551 $13,635,215 $14,556,690 Other Revenue $1,542,239 $955,200 $1,162,381 $1,045,400 Total Revenues $79,070,056 $70,865,956 $93,519,882 $85,251,699 Agenda Packet Page 130 of 155
Expenditures – By Fund
• General Fund is largest part of City
operations
• Special revenue funds include:
• Gas Tax funds and Street
Improvement Fund (Measure A)
• Measure H Parcel Tax for Parks
• Landscape and Lighting District
• Enterprise Fund is the Solid Waste
& Recycling Program (Integrated
Waste Management Fund)
• Expenditures vary widely based on
type of revenue (source) and
allowable uses
14 Citywide Expenditures by Fund Type – FY 2026-27
Agenda Packet Page 131 of 155
Expenditures by Type
• Personnel costs
• Salaries
• Pension
• One-Time Payouts
• Medical and Other
Benefits
• Non-Personnel
• Insurance
• Utilities
• Professional services
• Software
• Supplies
15 Citywide Expenditures by Fund Type – FY 2026-27
Agenda Packet Page 132 of 155
Proposed Staffing
16 Agenda Packet Page 133 of 155
Citywide Expenditures by Department
17 Includes significant new grant funding in FY 2026-27 in the Community Development Department Agenda Packet Page 134 of 155
Major Budget Changes
Structural Changes
• Increased investment in Internal
Service Funds
• Vehicles & Equipment
• Capital and deferred maintenance
• Updated cost allocations to special
funds
• Updated budget methodology for
insurance, worker’s compensation,
and one-time payouts
Budget Cuts
• Reductions to non-personnel budgets citywide, including supplies, equipment, professional services, and
maintenance
• Decrease in professional
communications and facilitation support
• Decrease City Council travel and
training
• Reduction in some programs and
events
• Reduced City contribution to 4th of July
event
• Cancel Advisory Board Member
recognition dinner, holiday light
installation on San Pablo Avenue, some
Recreation special events
18 Agenda Packet Page 135 of 155
About Internal Service Funds (ISFs)
• Annual contributions replace
one-time budget impacts
• Funded throughout asset lifetime
until replacement needed
• Unique replacement schedules
for major equipment and
vehicles
• Tracked by Finance and Depts
• Replacement schedules use
estimates of future cost increases
• Balances grow with investment
earnings
19 SCBA = Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Agenda Packet Page 136 of 155
Citywide Fund Balances
• Detailed table of all fund
balances in budget book
• General Fund to remain
above 29% unrestricted
reserves in both years (13%
EDRF and 16% unassigned)
20 Agenda Packet Page 137 of 155
General Fund
21 Agenda Packet Page 138 of 155
Operating Budget Overview
22 Agenda Packet Page 139 of 155
General Fund Revenue
• General Fund revenues remain
stable
• Most revenues received from
general purpose taxes,
including:
• Property Tax
• Sales and Transactions Taxes
• Utility Users Taxes
• Property Transfer Tax
• Business License Taxes
• Council adopted updates to
Master Fee Schedule on May
19, 2026
23 Agenda Packet Page 140 of 155
Revenue by Type
24 Category FY 2025 Actual FY 2026 Amended
Budget FY 2027 Budgeted FY 2028 Budgeted
Property and Other Taxes $36,176,468 $36,865,664 $40,283,414 $41,693,077 Licenses & Permits $1,414,521 $1,073,280 $1,172,980 $1,208,169 Fines and Forfeitures $198,861 $130,000 $195,000 $195,000 Non-Departmental Revenue $1,737,762 $1,451,502 $2,048,587 $2,113,984 Use of Money and Property $427,941 $410,600 $418,000 $431,000 Intergovernmental Revenue $6,180,922 $5,551,043 $6,043,597 $6,216,116 Charges for Services $7,459,593 $7,550,502 $7,440,227 $7,713,858 Other Revenue $695,879 $747,200 $827,816 $834,100
Total Revenues $54,291,946 $53,779,792 $58,429,622 $60,405,305 Agenda Packet Page 141 of 155
Expenditures by Type
25 High Other Financing Uses expenditures in FY 2023-24 were due to the City's investment of $9 million into the EDRF.
Agenda Packet Page 142 of 155
Expenditures by Department
26 High Non-Departmental expenditures in FY 2023-24 were due to the City's investment of $9 million into the EDRF.
Agenda Packet Page 143 of 155
Expenditures by Department
27 Category FY 2025 Actual FY 2026 Amended
Budget FY 2027 Budgeted FY 2028 Budgeted
Non-Departmental Revenue ($3,258) - - -
Administration $7,694,840 $9,103,654 $6,530,969 $6,781,537 Public Works $2,316,511 $2,631,758 $2,782,433 $2,846,856 Police $14,902,515 $15,323,961 $16,633,894 $17,517,534
Fire $16,400,399 $16,144,408 $17,339,840 $17,911,556
Community Development $3,847,195 $4,113,906 $3,960,368 $4,196,659 Recreation $6,433,269 $6,712,967 $6,941,819 $7,233,603
Non-Departmental $1,399,278 $2,880,767 $3,465,676 $3,690,177 Total Expenditures $52,990,749 $56,911,420 $57,654,998 $60,177,922 Note: Non-Departmental Revenues in FY 2024-25 Actuals relate to accounts no longer in use. Future similar expenses will be classified as Non-Departmental, but past actuals cannot be changed.
Agenda Packet Page 144 of 155
Major One-Time Expenditures
• 2 major needs recommended for use of one-time fund
balance
• Fire Engine approaching 15-year end-of-life
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs): approaching federally-mandated maximum service life of 15 years
• Payments frontloaded through ISF contributions to smooth budgetary impacts
Item FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 Total
Fire Engine $1,025,000 $158,600 $1,183,600
SCBAs - 330,000 330,000
Total General Fund Contribution $1,025,000 $488,600 $1,513,600 28 Agenda Packet Page 145 of 155
Long-Range General Fund Forecast
29 • Reserves remain above 31% in FY 2026-27 and above 29% ($20.8M) in all subsequent forecasted years
• Use of Section 115 modeled to smooth highest UAL costs from FY29 to FY35 Agenda Packet Page 146 of 155
Forecast Comparison – May 19 to Budget
Scenario B+ Scenario C+ Proposed Budget
30 Proposed Budget maintains reserves higher than Scenario B+, and lower than Scenario C+.
Agenda Packet Page 147 of 155
Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) Budget
31 Agenda Packet Page 148 of 155
CIP Budget Process
• Multi-year planning tool updated
annually
• One year appropriated each June
along with operating budget
• Organized by project category
with identified funding sources
• Unfunded needs listed for long- range planning
• Cost estimates reflect project
stage
• Prioritization criteria:
• Health, safety, and legal
• Asset condition
• Prior investment protection
• Grant leverage
• Strategic plan and priority
alignment
• Operational impact
• Community benefit and equity
• New ClearGov CIP Budgeting
tool: interactive, project-level
transparency
32 Agenda Packet Page 149 of 155
CIP Budget - Summary
• $10M of projects planned for
FY 2026-27, largely grantfunded
• Over 30 active projects
• Primarily Transportation
projects in FY 2026-27
• Variety of smaller parks and
facilities projects
33 Agenda Packet Page 150 of 155
Total Funding Requested by Project Type
34 Building and Facilities - Non-Recreation
3%
Parks & Recreation Facilities
2%
Stormwater and Drainage
1%
Creeks and Trails
7%
Transportation
87%
Agenda Packet Page 151 of 155
CIP Budget – Five-Year Plan
35 Later years subject to change based on needs,
priorities, and funding availability
Agenda Packet Page 152 of 155
Proposed Budget Summary
• Reflects City Council priorities, including
feedback during the budget development
process
• Aligns with the City's Strategic Plan
• Has revenues exceeding expenditures for
the operating budget
• Maintains reserves above a combined 29%,
including 13% EDRF and 16% unassigned
• Enables the City to continue providing key
services with some changes to programs
36 Agenda Packet Page 153 of 155
Next Steps
• Questions, Comments, Direction
• Finalize Digital Budget Book
• Staff to present final version at regular
City Council Meeting on June 16, 2026
• Adoption of Budget by June 30, 2026
• THANK YOU to the City Council, City
staff team, and El Cerrito community for
all your hard work!
37 Agenda Packet Page 154 of 155
Thank you!
For more information: elcerrito.gov/BudgetProcess
38 Agenda Packet Page 155 of 155