City Manager's Update - December 15, 2023

City Manager's Update / December 15, 2023

The holiday season is upon us, and as the new year approaches it's a good time to reflect on the past year. 2023 was a big year for El Cerrito. Among many other accomplishments we adopted our new Strategic Plan, we were recognized as a Prohousing community by the state, we solidified our financial position with healthy reserve funds including millions set aside in case of emergency and to address our long-term pension costs, and we continued to provide excellent services to residents, businesses, and visitors. Our recovery from the pandemic years remains ongoing, but the progress we have made this year is significant, and something that the City Council, our staff team, and our entire community should be extremely proud of.

To that end, everyone is invited to the first annual State of the City address on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Lisa Motoyama will reflect on the City's achievements of 2023 and look to the future as she wraps up her mayoral year. We will also honor our generous sponsors of this year's July 4th/worldOne Festival. Following the State of the City, the City Council will hold their annual reorganization meeting at 6:00 p.m. where they will thank the outgoing Mayor and select next year's Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. It will be a great night of showcasing all that makes El Cerrito special, and I hope to see you there!

I am grateful to our City Council for their leadership, and to our entire City staff team for all the great work they have accomplished this year. Our community is fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented group of people that do their very best to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors every day.

As a reminder, during the holiday season several City facilities will be closed or have special holiday hours. City Hall will be closed beginning December 21, 2023 and will reopen on January 2, 2024. You can find a full list of holiday hours and closures at this link.

I wish everyone a safe, healthy, warm, and joyous holiday season. I am so proud and honored to be a part of the El Cerrito community for the past 22 years (and counting). Our future is bright and I'm confident that 2024 is going to be a great year. As always, please take care of yourselves and each other.

Happy New Year!

Karen Pinkos

City Manager

City of El Cerrito

CITY MANAGEMENT

First Annual

State of the City

Address

The City of El Cerrito will host the first annual State of the City Address by Mayor Lisa Motoyama on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at El Cerrito City Hall. In her address, Mayor Motoyama will be providing an overview of City’s accomplishments over the past calendar year and discuss current and future goals.

The Mayor will also honor the following Stars & Stripes Level Sponsors who generously contributed to the 2023 City of El Cerrito/worldOne 4 ^th of July Festival:

AC Transit

Chevron

East Bay MUD

East Bay Sanitary

El Cerrito Royale

JunkCat

Kaiser Permanente

Stege Sanitary

PG&E

Premier Graphics

Tires Direct

This address will occur before the regularly scheduled City Council meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. where the City Council is expected to conduct a reorganization of the City Council and select among its members a Mayor and a Mayor Pro Tempore (Mayor Pro Tem) to serve a one-year term.

Event Details:

City of El Cerrito State of the City Address

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

5:00 p.m.

City Hall Council Chambers

10890 San Pablo Avenue

This event is free and open to the public and will be live-streamed here.

Save The Date: 2024 Priority Setting/Budget Kick Off

On Saturday, January 13, 2024, the City Council will be holding a Priority Setting/Budget Kick Off Session. This session will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center located on 7007 Moeser Lane.

2024 El Cerrito Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Celebration

On Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, the City of El Cerrito's Human Relations Commission is sponsoring two events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., the El Cerrito Historical Society will be sponsoring a film screening on the history of the annual El Cerrito MLK Jr. Celebration at the El Cerrito High School Performance Arts Theatre located at 540 Ashbury Ave. On Monday, January 15, 2024, the 35th Annual MLK Parade and Rally will begin at 9:00 a.m. at El Cerrito City Hall. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. with the Rally/Program beginning at 11:00 a.m. at El Cerrito High School. For more information, visit the Human Relations Commission website.

El Cerrito Housing Efforts Profiled by the League of California Cities

On December 6, 2023, the League of California Cities published an article profiling the City's proactive housing efforts. The article, titled "El Cerrito Proves that Carrots, Not Sticks, Create Lasting Housing Solutions," praising how the City has surpassed State housing goals through the implementation of the San Pablo Specific Plan and highlighting the partnership on the transit-oriented development planned at the El Cerrito Plaza BART station with BART. The article also cities the City's pro-housing designation by the State. Read the article here.

El Cerrito Minimum Wage Increases 3% to $17.92 on January 1, 2024

Starting January 1, 2024, the City’s minimum wage will increase from $17.35 per hour to $17.92 per hour. The City Minimum Wage Standards require all employers to pay their employees no less than the minimum wage for all hours worked in the City of El Cerrito, regardless of where the business is headquartered. Employees who work less than two hours a week within El Cerrito are exempt. Each year, the wage will increase based on changes in the local Consumer Price Index. Employers and workers with questions about the El Cerrito Minimum Wage Ordinance can visit www.el-cerrito.org/wages or contact [email protected].

CITY CLERK

Vote-by-Mail Ballot Box at City Hall

Did you know that anytime you receive a ballot for an election, you can cast your vote at City Hall? During each election cycle, the City partners with Contra Costa County to provide a 24-7 secured return box for your ballot. As we gear up for the 2024 Presidential Primary, the ballot box at City Hall has been replaced with a larger size capacity model. El Cerrito boasts one of the top return boxes in all of Contra Costa County, and the City and County work to ensure that there is no delay or disruption for voters to be able to return their ballot. This is the first Presidential Primary to provide ALL voters with a vote-by-mail ballot and we are looking forward to high voter turnout.

Not registered? The February 20, 2024 deadline to register will be here before you know it! Check your voter status or register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/. For more information, contact the County registrar’s office at [email protected]

Now Accepting Applications For Boards, Commissions, and Committees - 2024 Term Expirations (Due 2/1/2024)

The City Council is currently seeking applications for 20 seats set to expire on March 1, 2024 including:

Arts & Culture Commission (3)
Citizens Streets Oversight Committee (1)
Committee on Aging (3)
Crime Prevention Committee (2)
Environmental Quality Committee (4)
Financial Advisory Board (1)
Park and Recreation Commission (1)
Planning Commission (2)
Urban Forest Committee (2)

Local Appointment to Regional Bodies

Contra Costa County Advisory Council for Aging (1)

Members of Boards, Commissions, and Committees provide an invaluable service to El Cerrito. Serving as an advisory body member can be a rewarding experience for residents. It is an excellent way to participate in local government and to make a personal contribution to the improvement of the El Cerrito community.

Click Here to View Full Details 2024 Maddy Act Local Appointments List

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend meetings of the advisory body prior to submitting an application. The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 1, 2024. Brief interviews are tentatively scheduled for February 2024. Open recruitment is done year-round should any unexpected vacancies occur, and any applications received after the deadline will be kept on file (for a period of one year) for this purpose.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Building Permits Update

For the month of November, 116 building permits were issued, 414 inspections were performed, and 90 permits were “finaled” (e.g., closed out). Currently, the application processing time for building permits requiring plan check is up to 15 days after the date a complete application is submitted. Permits are available in person during counter hours or can be submitted via email at [email protected], and will be issued within 1-2 business days. Please visit www.el-cerrito.org/permitcounter for more information.

Planning Division Updates

On February 7, 2024, the Design Review Board (DRB) will consider a Tier II Design Review application for a proposed new 5-story building containing 310 residential units, with 24% set aside for low-income households, at 1711-1755 Eastshore Boulevard. The DRB reviewed and provided comments on this application on November 1, 2023. The DRB continued the meeting to January 3, 2024. However, the project applicant requested that the meeting be held on February 7, 2024, to allow for additional time to revise the plans to address comments provided by the DRB. The project utilizes State Density Bonus law and applied through the SB 330-Housing Crisis Act of 2019 process.

On January 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission will hold a joint study session in the City Hall Council Chambers to provide input on the proposed Master Plan for the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project. The master plan proposes six new multifamily residential and mixed-use buildings with a total of 673 new residential units, approximately 2,100 square-feet of commercial ground-floor retail, an approximately 0.5-acre community open space plaza along Fairmount Avenue, and connectivity improvements to the existing Ohlone Greenway for pedestrians and bicyclists of all ability levels.

If the City can secure the necessary financing, then a 20,000 square foot public library for the City will be included in the project. This master plan does not include a proposed 70-unit affordable housing development located at 515 Richmond Street which was approved on April 3, 2023, under a separate streamlined ministerial application ahead of this master plan application. The entire project includes 743 residential units comprised of 53% market-rate and 47% below market rate consisting of 31% affordable (30% - 60% of area median income) and 16% low income (up to 80% area median income). The primary focus of the study session will be on the master plan site plan and the general layout of proposed buildings and open spaces, as well as an overview of circulation and bicycle-pedestrian improvements, parking and amenities. In the future, more detailed plans for each proposed building and open space area will be brought to a public hearing with the Design Review Board (DRB) for advisory review. Project details and background information can be accessed by visiting www.el-cerrito.org/TOD.

Anyone with questions on this or other projects is encouraged to contact the Planning Division at (510) 215-4330 or [email protected].

Mayfair Update: Affordable Housing and Commercial Spaces

The Mayfair mixed-use project continues to take shape. After many years of effort, BRIDGE Housing received their final funding award from the California Debit Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) on December 6, 2023. With this source, Phase II 69 affordable units are slated to break ground in May/June 2024.

In addition, all four new commercial spaces constructed as part of Phase I totaling 8,894 square feet have been leased to three new businesses. The operators of Mi Casa Grill will occupy two spaces. Their new concept includes Mexican, Peruvian, Pasta food stations along with coffee and juice a bars. Mayfair Market, a convenience store, has a building permit under review and expects to start construction in early 2024. SaWadDee Thai Restaurant, formerly in Richmond, intends to apply for a building permit in early 2024. Mayfair fulfills many of the City’s goals by creating new mixed-income housing adjacent to transit while supporting economic development along the San Pablo Avenue corridor.

Affordable Housing Waitlist Opportunities

Click to view December 2023 Affordable Housing Opportunities– All Bay Area Counties (Courtesy of www.openhousesf.org)

FIRE

Holiday Safety Message from the Fire Chief

The holiday season is a prime time for residential fires. Home fires most often occur in December, January, and February. Cooking, holiday decorations, candles, and heating equipment increase the likelihood of fires. On average, more than one-third of home fire deaths in the United States occur during the winter months. In addition to always having working smoke alarms installed throughout your home, the following tips can help you stay safe during the holiday season.

Cooking

Always keep an eye on food being heated and be alert. If you leave the kitchen - turn off the heat!
Dress appropriately for cooking. Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking and use caution when working near heat sources.
Keep things that can catch fire away from the stove/range and oven.
If a pan with grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn off the burner.
Cool a burn: If you experience a burn while cooking that does not break the skin, run cool water over the skin for 10 - 15 minutes. Do not place butter or ointment on the burn; this keeps the heat in and could further damage the skin. A physician should treat severe burns.

Christmas trees

Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by watering them daily. When Christmas trees dry out, they are easily ignited. These fires burn very rapidly and can quickly burn down your home in a matter of a few minutes and often result in fatalities.
When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
Please do not place the tree where it may block exits.
Please make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source (i.e., heaters, heater vents, and fireplaces), and try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances.
When decorating Christmas trees with lights, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some lights are designed only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Lights should be listed by an independent testing laboratory (i.e., UL-approved holiday lights). Strings of lights with worn, frayed, broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used. Never use electric lights on a metal tree.
Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Be sure to place candles well away from tree branches.
Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
Children are fascinated with Christmas trees. Keep a watchful eye on them when around the tree, and do not let them play with the wiring or lights—also, store matches and lighters out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Safely dispose of the tree when needles begin dropping. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage or placed against the house.

Candles

Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
Use sturdy candle holders that won't tip over easily, are made from a material that can't burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax. Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface, and do not use them in places where children or pets can knock them over.
Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (e.g., clothing, books, paper, curtains, flammable decorations, etc.). Don't place lit candles on windowsills, near blinds or curtains.
Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votive candles and other candle containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax melts.

Heating

Clean and inspect furnaces, fireplaces, and chimneys annually before using them for the upcoming year. Ensure a national testing laboratory approves space heaters and has a tip-over shut-off function.
Never burn gift wrapping paper or Christmas trees in the fireplace.
Keep furniture and other items that can catch fire at least 3 feet from heating sources.
Ensure all gas-burning appliances, such as gas heaters, are in good shape and burn clean. Carbon Monoxide is caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances and idling cars and can cause serious illnesses, including death. Install Carbon Monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.

POLICE

Calls for Service

The El Cerrito Police Department (ECPD) handled 2,040 calls for service in October. To read more about the types of calls the ECPD handles, check out our Nixle Feed at www.nixle.com.

Community Warning System

Have you registered with the Community Warning System?

CWS can alert residents and businesses within Contra Costa County that are impacted by or are in danger of being impacted by an emergency. The CWS message will include basic information about the incident and what specific protective actions (shelter in place, lockdown, evacuate, avoid the area, etc.) are necessary to protect life and health.

To register, visit: cwsalerts.com

Employment Opportunities with the ECPD

In College and interested in law enforcement?

The El Cerrito Police Department is hiring part-time Police Cadets. Starting pay is $18.13/hr. Cadets perform a variety of non-sworn law enforcement duties, including providing non-emergency assistance in the office and in the field. Police Cadets are hired as temporary non-sworn staff for up to five years while enrolled in college.

Qualifications:

Completion of 12th grade; must be attending an accredited college or university and enrolled in at least 6 semester or 8 quarter units and maintaining a "C" average. Must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid California Driver’s license.

Applicants must be able to pass an extensive background check, including a polygraph exam, medical, drug screen and psychological exam.

Contact Sergeant Wentworth for more information:

(510) 262-4442, [email protected]

Interested in Becoming a Police Officer?

The ECPD is currently looking for candidates for Police Recruit and Police Officer. These jobs offer an unmatched ability to make positive change in our community and offer great benefits to boot! If you or someone you know is interested in joining the ECPD team, please have them check out our available positions at: www.el-cerrito.org/jobs.

PUBLIC WORKS

Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Planning

COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 5, 2024

The City of El Cerrito is developing the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan (Plan) to establish a comprehensive fire hazard reduction and vegetation management plan to guide the City’s fire fuel reduction, native forest conservation, and maintenance activities. City staff and the consulting team have begun gathering data and conducting assessments.

The first Public Workshop was held on November 15, 2023 where the project team received great feedback on the strategies to decrease fire risk and protect native habitats. If you were unable to attend, WE STILL WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. Please visit the website at www.el-cerrito.org/Hillside-Natural-Area-Plan or use the QR Code above to access the community survey which closes on January 5, 2024.

For questions, contact Stephen Prée in the City’s Operations + Environmental Services Division at [email protected] or (510) 559-7685.

Funding Provided by: Coastal Conservancy

Arlington Park Improvements Project Update

Construction of the Arlington Park Improvements Project began on November 27, 2023.

Improvements to the clubhouse will include interior and exterior painting; new bathroom fixtures, cabinetry, lighting, flooring, and windows; accessibility upgrades; and expanded exterior doors leading to the patio. Improvements to four of the picnic areas will include new picnic tables, seating, barbeques, and surfacing and accessibility upgrades. The contractor, Streamline Builders, has begun minor interior work, applying primer on clubhouse exterior, and fencing of picnic areas.

The El Cerrito Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan (Plan) identifies Arlington Park as one of the most popular parks in El Cerrito and prioritizes recommendations to improve facilities in poor condition or not meeting current ADA standards. The current project will fulfill multiple recommendations in the Plan.

Funding for the project is from the California Proposition 68, the Parks, Environment, and Water Bond Act of 2018, Per Capita Program and the City Measure H Parks and Recreation Facilities Fund.

The project is scheduled to be completed in four months; your patience is appreciated as we work to complete the project. For more information, please contact Public Works Engineering at [email protected] or (510) 215-4382.

El Cerrito Del Norte Complete Streets Project Update

On December 5, 2023, the City Council awarded a contract for construction of the El Cerrito Del Norte Complete Streets Project to Ghilotti Bros. Inc., of San Rafael, CA. The construction is anticipated to break ground in March 2024.

Improvements consist of enhanced and new protected crosswalks, new context-sensitive bikeways, bus boarding islands, circulation improvements, and streetscape amenities. The project area includes San Pablo Avenue from Ohlone Greenway near the northern city limit to Potrero Avenue, Eastshore Boulevard from Potrero Avenue to San Pablo Avenue, Hill Street from San Pablo Avenue to Liberty Street, Cutting Boulevard from I-80 to Key Boulevard, and Knott Avenue from San Pablo Avenue to Key Boulevard.

Funding for the project is from a variety of sources including One Bay Area Grant Cycle 2 Federal Grant Program, Contra Costa Transportation Authority Measure J Transportation for Livable Communities Program, West Contra Costa Transportation Authority Subregional Transportation Mitigation Program, State Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Grant (Mayfair) Program, SB1 Local Partnership Program-Formulaic and Local Streets & Roads Program, Transportation Fund for Clear Air, Safe Routes to BART, and City Transportation Impact Fee Program, and development contributions.

The project is scheduled to be completed by early 2025. Stay alert for additional information on the construction in the coming months. For more information on the project, visit www.el-cerrito.org/transformingdelnorte.

Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project Update

The City is collaborating with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to deliver the Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project from Fairmount Avenue to Elm Street. The project is funded by the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal grant and will implement pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements to Richmond Street. The Engineering team is currently reviewing consultants’ proposals and the design process is scheduled to begin in early 2024. Construction on the project will proceed after the EBMUD Wildcat Pipeline Improvement Project on Richmond Street is completed in 2025.

Hillside Natural Area Trail Entry & Signage Improvement Project Update

The Hillside Natural Area Trail Entry & Signage Improvement Project will install gateway trailhead kiosks, trail entry signs, and trail directional markers within the Hillside Natural Area. The design, which is based on the El Cerrito Trails Signage Plan, and mock-up of the signs are expected to be completed in early 2024 with installation of the signs beginning by Spring 2024.

The project also included installation of trail entry stairs at the base of Motorcycle Hill, at the intersection of Blake and Navellier in 2017.

Funding for the project is from East Bay Regional Parks Measure WW funds. For more information, please contact Public Works Engineering at [email protected] or (510) 215-4382.

Traffic Safety Requests

The Engineering team has been evaluating and addressing requests from residents to improve traffic safety in their neighborhoods. This includes installing new red curbs at intersections to improve visibility between vehicles at the intersection, and between vehicles and pedestrians accessing the crosswalks (also known as “daylighting”).

As part of these traffic safety improvements, the Maintenance team recently installed new red curbs on Central Avenue at these locations:

On the northeast corner of the intersection of Central Avenue and Kearney Street
On the southwest, southeast, and northeast corners of Central Avenue and Lexington Avenue
On the northwest and northeast corners of Central Avenue and Liberty Street

Recruiting for the ADA Advisory Group

The Public Works Department plans to reconvene the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) Advisory Group in 2024. The Group meets regularly to review and discuss accessibility projects in the City and the needs of those with disabilities. If you’re interested in participating, please email Marielle Cuison at [email protected] or call (510) 215-4385.

2023 Bay Area SunShares Cycle Update

This fall, the City of El Cerrito partnered with Bay Area SunShares to provide discounts on turnkey solar installations and home battery storage. SunShares makes it simple and more affordable for Bay Area residents to go solar + storage by pooling the buying power and negotiating discounts with pre-vetted installers. This allows all of us to accelerate clean energy adoption and build regional resilience to climate change. Any resident in the Bay Area’s 9 counties was able to sign up for the SunShares discount at bayareasunshares.org between September 1 and November 15, 2023. El Cerrito had a total of 31 sign-ups. We thank each member of our community who has taken the bold step towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future by signing up for solar power. Your commitment to clean energy is not only an investment in the well-being of our planet but also a powerful contribution to the collective effort to combat climate change.

Recycling + Environmental Resource Center Holiday Hours

For the upcoming holidays, the Recycling + Environmental Resource Center (RERC) will be closed on Christmas Day (Monday 12/25), the day after Christmas (Tuesday 12/26), and New Year’s Day (Monday 1/1). There will not be Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection on Tuesday 12/26. Saturday 12/30, the Center will be open limited hours from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., closing early in observance of the New Year’s Eve holiday. The RERC is open six days per week; Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. For questions, please contact City Staff at (510) 215-4350 or [email protected].

Holiday Curbside Collection Schedule

During the last week of December and the first week of January, curbside collection will shift by one day and run Tuesday - Saturday. There will be no collection on Christmas Day, Monday, 12/25 and New Year’s Day, Monday, 1/1. For questions, please contact City Staff at (510) 215-4350 or [email protected].

RECREATION

November Recreation Recap

In November, the El Cerrito Recreation Department offered over 150 activities. There were 807 activity registrations, and 406 facility reservations. At the Swim Center, there were 3,566 pass visits and 902 drop-in visits. 243 Senior meals were served, and 169 one-way Easy Ride Paratransit Service trips were provided to seniors. 286 students were served across the four childcare sites.

Winter Spring rECguide Now Available!

The Winter Spring 2024 rECguide is now available online at www.el-cerrito.org/recguide. This activity guide contains information on Recreation Department programs for all ages during January - May 2024. Activity registration is available online at www.el-cerrito.org/onlinereg.

Recreation Department Gift Cards

Give the gift of fun! The Recreation Department is excited to now offer gift cards. Available in any amount, gift cards can be used for any number of programs within the Recreation Department including but not limited to:

Youth Programs such as Gymnastics or Karate

Adult Programs such as Ballet or Zumba

60+ Programs such as Easy Ride or Respite

Swim Programs such as Punch Passes or Swim Lessons

Facility Rentals such as Picnic Sites or Clubhouses

Gift cards can be purchased online at www.el-cerrito.org/onlinereg or in person at the El Cerrito Community Center Office at 7007 Moeser Lane. For more information, visit https://el-cerrito.org/1660/Gift-Cards.

Special Events: Mark Your Calendars!

(Adult) Line Dance – Friday, January 27, 2024, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Kick off the New Year in style dancing the night away at our Silver and Gold Line Dance. Silver and Gold attire encouraged. The event includes dance instruction and light refreshments. Tickets may be purchased online at www.el-cerrito.org/onlinereg .