Caltrans Speeds Up $13M San Pablo Avenue Work as Sacramento Shifts

El Cerrito’s lobbying push in Sacramento paid off. Caltrans moved roughly $13M in San Pablo Avenue paving and safety work forward a year, to early 2027. At the City Council’s Oct. 20, 2026, meeting, the city’s state lobbyists and the League of California Cities spent nearly an hour on that win, dozens of new state laws and a November ballot that could reshape local taxing power. The council also approved two items 4-0. One was the consent calendar, which drew pointed questions about the pension trust and fuel costs. The other was a labor side letter required by state pension rules.

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• $13M San Pablo Avenue allocation moves construction to early 2027 instead of 2028
• Cal Cities opposes Prop 43, which would raise the vote threshold on citizen special taxes, and backs the $11.25B Prop 1
• New state laws cap plan checks, change e-bike rules and extend public records response time
• Mayor rebuts public commenter over the city’s S&P credit ratings ahead of the election
• Consent calendar passes 4-0 after questions on the pension trust and fuel spending that is “running high”
• Police and fire managers get doctorate pay parity, 4-0, at no current cost

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San Pablo Avenue Gets Paved a Year Sooner

Why it matters: San Pablo Avenue is a corridor with traffic fatalities. Its pedestrian safety and pavement upgrades now arrive at least a year earlier than planned.

Where things stand: The project had been slated for reprogramming to fiscal year 2027-28, said Ethan Nagler of the California Public Policy Group, the city’s state lobbying firm. The city responded on several fronts:

• It secured a joint letter from State Senator Jesse Arreguin and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.
• Council members met with Caltrans in Sacramento.
• The firm testified before the California Transportation Commission.

“On August 31st, Caltrans announced a roughly $13 million allocation for the project, and construction is now anticipated to begin in early 2027 instead of 2028,” said Nagler.

Dane Hutchings, CEO, California Public Policy Group, credited city employees. “This is really a testament to your team, your technical staff,” said Hutchings.

“You guys delivered for us,” said Mayor Gabriel Quinto.

The session in numbers: The Legislature adjourned Aug. 31. Lawmakers introduced 2,230 bills; 1,040 were signed and 120 vetoed. The consultants highlighted several outcomes that matter for city hall:

• AB 1621 caps plan checks at two.
• AB 1738 allows virtual inspections.
• SB 922 protects street maintenance fees.
• SB 1408 authorizes a 2028 Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) measure.
• SB 122 taxes software-as-a-service.
• AB 2346, SB 1167 and AB 1569 address e-bikes.
• SB 1005 covers rounding of cash payments. Cash rounding also appeared on the night’s consent calendar.

AB 1383, which would have enhanced pensions, did not survive. “The governor did veto it, citing direct costs,” said Hutchings. AB 736, on real property transfer taxes, failed in favor of a Prop 43 compromise. AB 1903, a construction-defect reform, did not advance. SB 1164, on district elections, was amended, and the firm’s clients moved to neutral.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council took no action on this informational item. Several vetoed or failed bills are expected to return. That matters for pension costs, permitting staff and developers facing plan-check delays.

What’s next: CCTA is surveying residents on its separate San Pablo Avenue Safety and Access Project. “CCTA wants input,” said Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Saltzman.

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Ballot Fights and a New Sacramento

Why it matters: November’s propositions and a new governor and Legislature in 2027 will shape El Cerrito’s revenue tools, homelessness funding and housing element deadlines.

Where things stand: Sam Brightman, Regional Public Affairs Manager, East Bay Division, League of California Cities, laid out four priorities:

• Local revenues
• Public safety partnerships
• Homelessness and housing funding
• Climate resiliency

He said Prop 43 would raise the vote threshold on citizen-initiated special taxes. “So we oppose Proposition 43,” said Brightman. Cal Cities backs Prop 1, an $11.25B housing bond.

On homelessness funding, Brightman cited state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) dollars. “This year, we were able to get $900 million in the budget,” said Brightman. He also reported:

• A Cal Cities fix for road-damage fees on garbage trucks
• The defeat of a proposed shift in wildfire liability
• Signed bills on metal theft, nitrous oxide and housing elements: AB 1941, SB 758, AB 1588, AB 1924, AB 2296 and AB 1642

He also praised Quinto’s term as Cal Cities president.

Hutchings said Prop 43 would set a two-thirds threshold. “League of Cities opposes it. Democratic Caucus opposes it. Everyone opposes this thing,” said Hutchings. On other measures:

• Prop 45 would streamline the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Some environmental and consumer groups oppose it over concerns about data centers.
• SB 63, the regional transit measure, has the city’s strong support.

The other side: Councilmember Lisa Montoyama asked whether the council’s Jan. 19 platform session leaves enough time to see the new administration’s priorities. Hutchings said the governor’s budget and transition staffing would provide a good sense before then.

What’s next:

• Jan. 4: The Legislature convenes.
• Jan. 10: The governor’s budget is due.
• Jan. 19: The council adopts its 2027 legislative platform.

Wildfire, artificial intelligence, housing and public records bills are expected next year. Cal Cities also invited the council to a Dec. 7 webinar.

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Mayor Rebuts Speaker Over Credit Ratings

Why it matters: Competing accounts of the city’s finances are surfacing as council seats are contested. The debate touches budget scrutiny from the state-audit era and the condition of city streets.

Where things stand: Public commenter Ira, the lone speaker, made several claims about city finances:

• An incumbent candidate wrongly said S&P had raised the city to A+; the city’s underlying rating is A-.
• Spending has accelerated about 9% per year.
• The city overspent its budget by more than $2.7M.
• The pavement condition index fell from 85 to 65.

He also thanked fire and police for their Public Records Act responses but said the clerk stonewalled his request about delays to the service delivery study. He urged the council to issue a statement.

Quinto answered later in the meeting. “The speaker that spoke about our S&P ratings is completely wrong,” said Quinto. He cited three points:

• An A+ rating on sales tax revenue bonds, raised from A-
• An A- rating on certificates of participation, raised from BBB in September 2025
• A positive outlook and record reserves

The other side: Ira returned during the side letter item. He said the mayor was confusing bond ratings with the underlying rating.

He also objected to having no chance to comment on the presentations. He criticized AB 1821, which changes the initial records response period from 10 calendar days to 10 business days. Ira said:

• The bill could chill records requests.
• The original version would have allowed fees of $22 to $66 per hour.
• The First Amendment Coalition and ACLU of Northern California opposed it.

He asked whether Quinto took a position as Cal Cities president. No reply from the dais was noted.

Nagler said the city supported AB 1821. He said the bill affects the initial response, not the time to produce records. “It’s just giving your staff just a little bit more time to deal with these requests,” said Nagler.

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Pension Trust, Fuel Costs Draw Scrutiny

Why it matters: Fuel overruns could force a midyear budget return after deep cuts. The city also expects to draw on its pension trust within five years.

Where things stand: Council members pulled two consent items for discussion: the cash report (Item C) and the check register (Item D).

Montoyama questioned how the Section 115 trust is performing. She said a visual comparison showed other investments would have earned “a whole lot more than our 115 trust is getting.” A Section 115 trust is an account set aside to pay pension obligations.

Finance Director Crystal Reams said the trust is in a moderately conservative profile that is not actively managed. “We can’t move the funds out of the Section 115 unless we are going to be using it for a pension-related obligation,” said Reams.

Saltzman pressed for numbers. “Can you share with us the figures of what you are estimating we will have when we start to spend it down?” she asked. Reams said projected balances will come with the next quarterly update.

On unleaded fuel, “It is running high right now,” said Reams. She said the city may return at midyear. Reams also addressed two other questions:

• Digital keys for bathrooms were unfunded.
• A flagged check was mainly the annual renewal of the city’s permitting software.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council approved Items A through E. Those included the Oct. 6 minutes with the clerk’s corrections, a proclamation, the cash report, the check register and cash rounding. The clerk also read resolution numbers 2026-64 and 2026-65.

• Motion: Montoyama; second: Saltzman
• For: 4 (Quinto, Saltzman, Councilmember William Ktsanes, Montoyama)
• Against: 0
• Absent: 1 (Councilmember Carolyn Wysinger)

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Doctorate Pay Extended to Public Safety Managers

The basics: A side letter amends an existing labor agreement. This one amends the memorandum of understanding with the Public Safety Management Association (PSMA). The agreement covers seven full-time battalion chief, police lieutenant and police captain positions.

Why it matters: The fire chief’s August contract included 7.5% education incentive pay for a doctorate. Human Resources Manager Shannon Bassi said CalPERS requires that pay to be offered across the closest related group. Extending it keeps the pay compliant with CalPERS rules.

Where things stand: Montoyama asked about cost. Bassi said there is none, because “no other additional members at this time have a PhD degree in this specific unit.” She added that no one is known to be pursuing one. Ira, the public commenter, congratulated the fire chief on the PhD.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The resolution passed.

• Motion: Saltzman; second: Montoyama
• For: 4 (Quinto, Saltzman, Ktsanes, Montoyama)
• Against: 0
• Absent: 1 (Wysinger)

Future costs depend on whether unit members earn doctorates.

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Minor Items

• Intersection safety: A virtual community meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22, covers proposed safety upgrades at Cutting Boulevard, Hagen and Wilson Way, tied to fall pavement work.
• El Niño prep: Ahead of a projected historic El Niño winter, Public Works is coordinating with Contra Costa County. Residents should check storm drains and gutters and can pick up up to 10 free sandbags.
• E-moto crackdown: Police are enforcing rules against e-motos on the Ohlone Greenway during National Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Garden awards: The El Cerrito Garden Club honored gardens at 434 Pomona, 755 Pomona and 320 Coronado, chosen from 19 nominations.
• Parcel A tour: Council members reported on an Oct. 19 tour of the El Cerrito Plaza BART site with Wicks and Secretary Javier Becerra. Montoyama said a regional housing funding measure is “still targeted for 2028.”

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Looking Ahead

The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 17. Quinto urged residents to vote early or use the City Hall drop box, and he dedicated the meeting to his late mother.