CITY MANAGEMENT

Assembly District 14 Wildfire Preparedness Expo

On Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Assemblymember Buffy Wicks will be hosting a regional wildfire preparedness event in partnership with the City of El Cerrito. This free event will take place at El Cerrito City Hall at 10890 San Pablo Avenue and will bring together experts, local agencies, and community partners to provide the information, tools, and support needed for residents to reduce the risk of wildfire. It will feature keynote presentations including a panel discussion with local fire chiefs on how our communities can better mitigate the risk of wildfire. For more information, please visit the event webpage and RSVP link here.

El Cerrito Contra Costa CORE Partnership Continues

Effective July 1, the City is continuing its partnership with the Contra Costa County CORE program to offer enhanced support to unsheltered individuals and families in El Cerrito and connect them to healthcare, basic needs services, and shelter. This is made possible through a unique partnership with the County as well as the nearby cities of San Pablo, Hercules, and Pinole. The City of El Cerrito is proud to continue offering these expanded services to the unsheltered population in El Cerrito.

Funding for this partnership comes from Community Benefit Quality of Life Contributions from the City's two permitted cannabis businesses. This year, $15,000 has also been allocated to support those at risk of homelessness and to help people avoid entering the emergency shelter system. If you encounter or observe anyone in need of services in El Cerrito or know someone that could benefit from this housing stability fund, please call CORE at 211, text “HOPE” to 211, or visit 211cc.org

El Cerrito Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Approved

At the June 17 City Council meeting, the City Council formally adopted the 2nd year of the City's "Biennial Budget", approving the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 maintains the City's total General Fund Balance above $20 million, equating to a 39% reserve ratio. Review the Staff Report and City Council Meeting Materials here and review the City's adopted budget numbers for all departments at el-cerrito.org/budget

AC Transit Service Changes Coming August 10 

As part of its Realign initiative, AC Transit is updating its service throughout the East Bay, with a new bus network going live on August 10. The majority of lines throughout the AC Transit service network will see changes. These changes vary by line and may include changes to routes, schedules, frequency, hours of operation, and/or replacement. This update is designed to reflect how riders are using the system in a post-pandemic world, with adjustments that better accommodate hybrid and remote work schedules. Learn more on AC Transit's website here.

CITY CLERK

Engage in Local Government! Apply for a City Advisory Committee.

More than 70 residents are appointed by the City Council to serve on City Boards, Commissions, and Committees (advisory bodies.) These volunteers are directly responsible to the City Council and with 13 active advisory bodies, there are several opportunities to serve! Current vacancies exist on Citizens Street Oversight, Community Safety, Economic Development, Environmental Quality, and Urban Forest Committees. For more information, visit the City’s website and consider submitting an application today.

Recent City Council Meeting Highlights 

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 (Regular Meeting) 

• Adopted an ordinance regarding defensible space and home hardening inspections, and designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones 
• Held Public Hearings on Fire Hazard Abatement and Public Nuisance Abatement Cost
• Held Active Transportation Plan/Richmond Street Complete Streets Study Session

Upcoming City Council Agenda Items (Subject to Change)

• General Fund Budget Update
• Swim Center Lap Pool Construction and Funding Discussion
• Council Policy and Rules of Order and Procedure Revisions

City Council Summer Meeting Schedule

The City Council adopted a regular meeting schedule reducing meetings to the 3^rd Tuesday of the month during the summer months of July – September. 

CANCELLED Regular Meetings 

August 5 | September 2

Upcoming meeting dates, agenda materials and public comment instructions are available online at elcerrito.gov/CouncilMeetingMaterials as well as video archives. For questions or more information, please contact the City Clerk at cityclerk@elcerrito.gov or (510) 215-4305.

11965 San Pablo Ave.

On June 8, 2025, Community Housing Works (CHW) submitted a formal entitlement application for an affordable housing project pursuant to the process established in Senate Bill 35 (SB 35). SB 35 requires the ministerial approval of specified projects. These projects must include a certain percentage of affordable housing and be consistent with the City’s objective development standards after the State Affordable Housing Density Bonus and applicable waivers and concessions are applied. CHW is proposing a 154 unit, 8 story building. The units will have below market rents dedicated to households with incomes below 80 percent of Area Medium Income. The project proposes 14 studio units, 78 one-bedroom units, 62 two-bedroom units, and one manager unit. The project is located on the north edge of El Cerrito, adjacent to the Richmond Greenway and the City of Richmond at the former Taco Bell site.  

Welcome to El Cerrito

Sweet Potatoe's Up Beet Cafe is now open at 6401 Fairmount Avenue. The cafe serves coffee, espresso and affogato, and some retail merchandise. Shop El Cerrito and welcome our new neighbor. 

Housing Opportunities and Resources

July 2025 Affordable Housing Opportunities– All Bay Area Counties (Courtesy of openhousesf.org).

Check out the Doorway Housing Portal to view affordable housing listings across the Bay Area here or visit housingbayarea.org. To learn about new affordable housing opportunities in El Cerrito, subscribe to the Community Development eNewsletter or visit elcerrito.gov/AffordableHousing. 

Building Permits In June, 98 building permits were issued, 8 of which were solar permits and 1 was an ADU. Last June, 93 building permits were issued, which included 7 solar permits, and 3 ADUs. Currently, the application processing time for building permits requiring plan check is up to 15 days after the date a complete application is submitted. Over the counter permits are available for eligible projects in-person during counter hours or can be submitted via email at buildingapplications@elcerrito.gov and will be issued within 1-2 business days. Please visit elcerrito.gov/permitcounter for more information.

Building Division Year in Review: During Fiscal Year 2025, 1,346 building permits were issued, which included 164 solar permits and 20 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Building Division also secured the CalAPP Grant which funded the implementation of the SolarAPP Program. SolarAPP+ allows for streamlined solar permitting and automated code compliance review for most residential rooftop photovoltaic projects.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Webpage

ADUs have been known by many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units and more. The City has prepared a dedicated webpage for homeowners to learn about the ADU permit process that includes informational resources for financing an ADU and designing an all-electric ADU. Visit elcerrito.gov/adu for more information.

Operations

With a rapid response and coordinated attack, the El Cerrito Fire Department saved over $3.1 million in property value from a lithium-ion battery fire in the garage of a home. Engine 51 arrived in less than 6 minutes, gave a perfect size-up, passed command, and initiated fire attack. A rapid primary search confirmed that all victims made it out of the house, and the Fire Department contained the fire to the building of origin, preventing extension to the neighboring homes.

The homes in El Cerrito are frequently less than 10 feet from each other and vulnerable to home-to-home fire spread. Lithium-ion battery fires occur due to internal failures or external damage. They can lead to thermal runaway—a rapid increase in temperature that can ignite the electrolyte and cause fire or explosion. When a lithium-ion battery catches fire, it produces intense heat, toxic gases, and smoke. Thanks go out to our Fire Department team for their work in handing this fire quickly and effectively.

Safety Message

Lithium-ion battery storage safety is essential due to the potential risks associated with these batteries, such as fires, explosions, and chemical leaks. Proper practices and safety measures help minimize hazards:

1.   Proper Storage Conditions:

• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, ideally between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
• Keep batteries away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture.
• Use fire-resistant containers or cabinets designed for lithium-ion batteries.

2.   Handling and Use:

• Handle batteries carefully to avoid punctures, crushing, or physical damage.

3.   Monitoring and Maintenance:

• Regularly inspect batteries for swelling, leaks, corrosion, or damage.
• Avoid storing fully charged or fully depleted batteries for long periods.
• Use fire detection systems in storage areas.

4.   Emergency Preparedness:

• Have fire extinguishers suitable for electrical and chemical fires (e.g., Class D or ABC extinguishers) nearby.
• In the case of fire, close the door to the affected area if possible, exit the home immediately, and call 911. Lithium-ion battery fires burn extremely fast and are very difficult to extinguish.
• Avoid exposure to the gases released from Lithium-ion battery fires.

By following these safety practices, homes can reduce the risk of accidents related to lithium-ion battery storage and ensure safe handling and storage.

Training

The El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department participated in a large-scale evacuation drill simulating a wildfire in Tilden Park. The drill used a "SimTable." SimTables are interactive simulation tools used by fire departments and emergency responders for training, planning, and decision-making. They provide realistic, 3D visualizations of emergency scenarios, including building layouts, fire spread, and hazardous materials. The 3D environments help responders visualize complex scenes, plan effective responses, and assist incident commanders in evaluating options and predicting fire behavior. Participants included El Cerrito-Kensington Fire, Berkeley Fire, San Ramon Fire, Contra Costa Fire, East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) Fire, El Cerrito PD, Kensington PD, Berkeley PD, Orinda PD, EBRPD PD, Cal OES, and the County Community Warning System. The Fire Department is constantly training and preparing for different disasters to improve the safety of our community.

Calls for Service  

The El Cerrito Police Department (ECPD) handled 2,109 calls for service in June. To read more about the types of calls the ECPD handles, check out our Nixle Feed at www.local.nixle.com/el-cerrito-police-department/.

E Bikes: Rules of the Road

With the rise in popularity of e-bikes, it is important to understand the rules and laws regarding their use.

E‑Bike Classes & Limits

• Class 1: Pedal‑assist only, max motor speed 20 mph
• Class 2: Throttle‑or‑pedal assist, also limited to 20 mph
• Class 3: Pedal‑assist only, up to 28 mph, must have a speedometer

Licensing, Registration, Insurance

• No license, registration, plates, or insurance required—unless the bike exceeds e‑bike limits (over 750 W or > 28 mph), in which case it's treated like a motor vehicle

Age & Helmet Rules

• Under‑18: Helmet required on all e‑bikes
• Class 3 riders: Must be 16+ and wear a helmet, regardless of age

Where You Can Ride

• E‑bikes follow the same road rules as regular bikes (stop signs, lights, yield, hand signals, ride as far right as practicable)
• Class 1 & 2: Allowed on bike lanes, multi‑use paths/rail trails

When riding an e-bike, please be safe and courteous to other bike lane and trail facility users.

Employment Opportunities with the ECPD 

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: elcerrito.gov/jobs.

PUBLIC WORKS

Pickleball Courts at Castro Park – Construction Completed!

In collaboration with the East Bay Pickleball Association (EBPA), the City completed modification of the Castro Park courts to include six pickleball courts in early July. Much of the funding for the project was provided by the EBPA’s fundraising efforts and the remainder from the City’s annual court resurfacing budget. Open Play hours are offered each day (see below).

Reservations can be made during non-Open Play hours online at elcerrito.gov/onlinereg. To learn more, visit elcerrito.gov/sportsfacilities.

Open Play Hours

• Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m. -12 p.m.
• Monday & Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Wednesday-Friday (Summer): 4 - 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday (Winter): 3 - 5 p.m.

Annual Trip Hazard Removal Program

Consistent with California State Law, the El Cerrito Municipal Code (13.20.090) requires property owners to maintain adjacent sidewalks in a safe condition. The City has standard operating procedures wherein the City tracks locations of damaged sidewalks, implements temporary measures to ensure public safety, identifies and follows up with the party that is responsible for making a permanent repair, and plans repairs caused by a street tree or other City infrastructure. 

The work involves either shaving the sidewalk if the uplift is minor or removing and replacing the entire sidewalk panel. In May and June, the City’s shaving contractor completed work as part of the annual Trip Hazard Removal Program. Approximately 531 sidewalk trip hazards at 53 sites were repaired which improves safety and accessibility for all residents.  

The El Cerrito del Norte Complete Streets Project Continues

Progress continues on the El Cerrito Del Norte Complete Streets Project with work along San Pablo Avenue and Cutting Boulevard. Traffic will still be shifted towards the center of the road so work can be completed at its outer edge. 

Reconstruction of curb ramps, sidewalks, driveways, and bikeways along southbound San Pablo Avenue from Wall Ave to Cutting Blvd and along westbound Cutting Blvd from San Pablo Avenue to I-80 will soon allow for public use. Improvements to eastbound Cutting Blvd from I-80 to San Pablo Avenue have begun. Concrete curb ramps, sidewalk, bus pads, storm drain, bikeways and traffic signal work are also underway along southbound San Pablo Avenue from Cutting Ave to Blake St. A temporary crosswalk crossing San Pablo Avenue at the north leg of Hill St maintains a direct path for people crossing San Pablo Avenue to and from the BART station and allows for construction access and progression for remaining sidewalk improvements. This temporary crosswalk will be made permanent as the project nears completion, providing pedestrians with more direct access from the BART station to the businesses located on the other side of San Pablo Avenue.

Above: Reconstructing concrete curb ramps, driveways, sidewalk, and storm drain along SB San Pablo Avenue and WB Cutting Blvd.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete this important project to improve safety and access for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users. Please exercise caution in this area, for the safety of other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and the construction crews. 

2025 Street Surface Seal Project – Construction this Summer

The 2025 Street Surface Seal Project construction will begin in August. The project is a component of the Measure A funded Annual Street Improvement Program and generally implements the first year of a five-year pavement maintenance plan that groups El Cerrito streets into five geographical zones. This first year focuses on the northernmost zone, including 68 street segments, as shown here.

The work consists of patch paving, crack sealing, the application of either an asphalt rubber cape seal or a slurry seal treatment, construction of curb ramps at seven locations, installation of traffic striping and markings, and other related work. The project also includes red curb markings to formalize the California Daylighting law (AB 413) prohibiting parking within 20 feet of an approach to a crosswalk to improve pedestrian safety.

On July 15, letters regarding the upcoming work were mailed to about 1,500 residents on streets where the surface seal treatments will be applied alerting them about the upcoming work. Visit elcerrito.gov/2025surfaceseal for the list of streets, parking restrictions, schedule, and additional information.

Slurry Seal Project on Colusa Ave and Santa Fe Ave – Construction this Summer

The City of El Cerrito is partnering with Contra Costa County to slurry seal sections of Colusa Avenue (from Fairmount Avenue to the south city limits) and Santa Fe Avenue (from Colusa Avenue to the south city limits) as part of the County’s paving project in Kensington. Notably, the jurisdictional boundary between El Cerrito and Contra Costa County runs along the centerline of these streets.

The contractor will begin work in Kensington in late July, with operations progressing into El Cerrito in August. For more information, visit the County’s project webpage at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/10343/2025-Kensington-fiberized-Slurry-Seal-an

Styrofoam Recycling Temporarily On Hold at the El Cerrito Recycling Center Due to Mechanical Issues – Repairs In Process

The densifier machine at the El Cerrito Recycling Center that compacts styrofoam in order to be transported for recycling is currently out of order due to mechanical issues. City staff are working hard to make the necessary repairs to bring the machine back online as soon as possible.

Thursday styrofoam drop-offs for El Cerrito residents will be paused until repairs have been completed and the densifier machine is once again operational. Repairs are projected to be completed in approximately 4-6 weeks at the time of this article. We ask for your patience as staff sources parts and schedules repairs.

Please check the Recycling Center website (elcerrito.gov/RERC) or contact City staff at green@elcerrito.gov or call 510-215-4350 for updates. As an alternative, the nearest styrofoam recycling center to El Cerrito is National Recycling Corp. at 1312 Kirkham Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Please see their website for more information: NationalRecycle.com.

Know Your Monthly Street Sweeping Day! Remember to Move Your Vehicle  

and Help Keep El Cerrito Clean! 

Street sweepers play a critical role in preventing pollution by removing litter and other debris before they can enter storm drains, ditches, creeks and the Bay. The City of El Cerrito asks that residents move their vehicles from the street on their monthly street sweeping day. Find your street’s sweeping schedule at elcerrito.gov/StreetSweeping. There you can find a map that lists your street's monthly street sweeping day. 

Red Flag Parking Pilot Program Continues 

The City, in collaboration with El Cerrito Fire Safe Council, is continuing the Red Flag Parking Pilot Program, which was launched in 2024. This pilot program is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety responsiveness and community emergency preparedness. Red Flag Days are declared by the National Weather Service when fire weather conditions, consisting of warm temperatures, very low humidities, and strong wind, are especially dangerous. In El Cerrito, these days typically occur a handful of days or less a year.

What to expect:

Now through November on Red Flag Days, on-street parking will be prohibited on one side of select streets to allow access for public and emergency vehicles in a fire-related emergency. The affected streets include:

• Rifle Range Road between Bel View Court and City Limit
• Terrace Drive between Arlington Boulevard and Ridgewood Lane
• Contra Costa Drive between Devonshire Drive and King Drive
• Contra Costa Drive between King Drive to Betty Lane (new to the program this year)
• King Drive from between Contra Costa Drive and King Court

To learn more or provide feedback, visit our Red Flag Warning page on the City website.

New Red Curb Installation

The Engineering team has been evaluating and addressing requests from residents to improve traffic safety in their neighborhoods. As part of these traffic safety improvements, the Maintenance team recently installed red curb at the Elm St. and Donal St. intersection as well as near Harding Elementary to comply with California’s new daylighting law (AB 413) and to improve visibility at crosswalks and intersections.

Encroachment Permits

For May, 72 encroachment permits were issued. Currently the application processing time for encroachment permits is no more than 7 days after the date a complete application is submitted. Permits can be submitted via email to encroachmentpermit@elcerrito.gov. Please visit elcerrito.gov/EncroachmentPermit for more info.

Celebrating Parks Make Life Better® Month!

The California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS) created the Parks Make Life Better® Month campaign to create awareness of the benefits of parks and recreation and to raise the status of parks and recreation as a vital community service. In June 2025, the El Cerrito City Council recognized the importance of access to local parks, trails, open space, and facilities for the health, wellness, development, inspiration, and safety of El Cerrito residents and all Californians, and declared the month of July 2025 as “Parks Make Life Better!®” Month. Click Here for the Proclamation.

It's Not Too Late to Celebrate!

PMLB BINGO: Celebrate PMLB Month with us by downloading your PMLB Bingo Card and using it as inspiration to get out and explore El Cerrito Parks, Facilities, and Programs. Check off as many boxes as possible, and turn in your Bingo Card to the El Cerrito Community Center office by August 8th. Participants will be entered into a raffle to win prizes!

CPRS STORY LINE: The Parks Make Life Better® Story Line is a dedicated voicemail line created by CPRS where people can say thank you to a local park that has made a difference in their life — whether it’s where they played as a child, take peaceful walks, gather with loved ones, or find a quiet moment of joy. Call (209) 645-1462 and leave a voicemail message (up to 3 min) that includes the name of the park and City, and a brief message sharing a thank you, favorite experience, or what makes that park special. Voicemails will be collected through September 20th. Stories may be featured in statewide efforts to support funding and protection for parks and recreation programs.

EMAIL US: Prefer email to voicemail? Continue to inspire and motivate the Recreation Department by sharing with us at recreation@elcerrito.gov why you love El Cerrito Parks.

Summer Camp Spaces Still Open

The last day of summer camp 2025 is Friday, August 15. This means there is still time to join us for some summer fun! Camps with space available include Scout Camp for Tots, Swim & Sun, Sports Camp, Tennis, Circus, Textile Arts, Improv Camp and more. Click Here to view ALL camps with space remaining, as well as details including schedule, fees, registration, and more. To learn more about the El Cerrito Recreation summer camp program, visit elcerrito.gov/summercamp.

Thank You 4th of July Sponsors!

Thank you to everyone who celebrated the 4th of July at the City of El Cerrito and worldOne Festival this year. It was a great day filled with music, fun, and community. We are extremely grateful for all the purchases, donations, and sponsorships that allow this tradition to continue year after year. We would like to once again acknowledge our highest level sponsors: Fireworks, Stars & Stripes, and Blue level sponsors. The festival would not live on without you!

• Mechanics Bank
• Chevron
• East Bay Sanitary
• EBMUD
• Financial Harmony Tax Resolution
• Kaiser Permanente
• NUG
• Stege Sanitary District
• Tire Direct El Cerrito
• Doherty's Truck & Auto Rental
• FATAPPLE'S Restaurant & Bakery
• Jimmy Stuart's Construction & Fine Carpentry
• MCE
• Olivero Plumbing
• PG&E
• Phillips 66
• Premier Graphics
• Rialto Cinemas El Cerrito
• Strive Real Estate
• Kathleen Hunt (Unique Law)

Summer Programs at the Pool

Friday Family Fun Nights, Fridays through 8/15 from 4:30 - 7 p.m.

For families with children of all ages, Family Fun Night is rECswim in the evening. Taking place every Friday in the Activity Pool (0-3.5 feet deep) and Splash Park, it is the perfect place for families to enjoy the summer evenings!

Hot Summer Nights: rECswim After Dark, Saturdays through 8/9 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

rECswim After Dark is perfect for families with older youth and teens, and includes the Activity Pool plus use of the diving boards. Enjoy the pool in the dark with fun lights and music!

Fall Program Registration Coming Soon!

Tuesday, 7/29 for El Cerrito Residents

Wednesday, 7/30 for All

The Fall 2025 rECguide is now available online at elcerrito.gov/recguide. Be sure to check it out to see the newest schedule of recreational classes, activities, services, and special events for September-December 2025. Fall program registration opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, 7/29 for El Cerrito Residents, and Wednesday, 7/30 for all. Registration is accepted online at elcerrito.gov/onlinereg, or in person at the El Cerrito Community Center (7007 Moeser Lane) during business hours. To prepare for registration, make sure you can log in and ensure all account information is up to date. For additional help with registration visit elcerrito.gov/howtoregister.

El Cerrito Swim Center: Emery G. Weed, III Lap Pool Repairs

The El Cerrito Swim Center was fully renovated and opened in 2004, thanks to the El Cerrito voters who passed Measure A in 2000, and has served the community well for over 20 years. Over the years, staff have maintained and repaired both Swim Center pools as needed, noting that the typical lifespan of pool plaster and decking is 15 to 20 years. In 2023, the Recreation Pool’s plaster was showing signs of deterioration and was replaced. More recently, in February 2025, significant damage was discovered in the Emery G. Weed, III Lap Pool, including a large bubble in the plaster of the shallow end and several smaller cracks throughout. These issues pose both safety and operational concerns, requiring timely repairs to avoid pool closure.  

An aquatic design and engineering firm was hired to assess the pool's condition, estimate repair costs, and develop a construction timeline. Beyond the plaster damage, the assessment identified deterioration in the surrounding pool deck, including cracks and rust, along with required upgrades for accessibility (from the parking lot to the locker rooms) and emergency egress to meet current code standards. These codes were not in place when the pool was originally constructed. While the City has conducted regular maintenance over the years, the scope of needed repairs is expected and appropriate at this stage in the facility’s lifecycle. 

An opportunity was identified to convert the shallow end's cantilever gutters to deck-level gutters, enhancing safety and making the area more family-friendly. Additional projects identified include adding the water slide installation project and incorporating electric vehicle charging stations into the parking lot upgrades which improve efficiency and reduce overall costs.  

The total estimated cost for all repairs, upgrades, and improvements could exceed $3.4 million. Alternatively, the most urgent need, plaster repairs, can be addressed in a phased approach for about $970,000. However, the remaining work identified will also need to be completed soon due to the worsening condition of the pool deck. 

It is likely that the Swim Center would have to completely close for most of this work. The closure could be up to 5 months for the full project and up to 2 months for the replaster only project with future projects requiring up to an additional 4 months. Exactly when these closures will take place is still to be determined. To minimize disruption, staff have been exploring partnerships with nearby pools to continue programs like swim teams, water aerobics, and lap swim during the closure. For more details, please see the June 17, 2025 City Council Agenda Bill. 

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, staff will give an update to the El Cerrito City Council with refined timelines and estimates and present funding options for the Lap Pool construction. The City Council will likely decide whether to fund the full scope of the Lap Pool improvements or the phased approach at this meeting as well. Members of the public are invited to submit comments to the City Council either in-person at the meeting on August 19 or by emailing cityclerk@elcerrito.gov. Written comments received by 2 p.m. 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 will be posted after the meeting.