El Cerrito Unanimously Picks Five Districts, Deadlocks on Library Hours in Budget Crunch

El Cerrito's City Council made a landmark decision on its electoral future, voting unanimously for five council districts with a rotating mayor — permanently reshaping how the city's 26,000 residents will choose their representatives starting in 2028. But the night's other defining moment was an impasse: the council could not agree on whether to cut $100,000 in extended library hours, the single largest unresolved item standing between a 28% and 30% reserve floor as a June 19 budget deadline looms.

• Council votes 5-0 for five election districts with a rotating mayor, rejecting a directly elected mayor over concerns about fundraising barriers, power concentration and campaign costs
• Budget deadlock on library hours — Councilmember Lisa Montoyama proposes cutting $100K in extended evening hours; Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Saltzman calls them essential for working families
• Master fee schedule adopted with tree planting fee slashed from $533 to $150 to encourage property owners to plant street trees legally
• SEIU 1021 warns five community development positions remain unfilled, with the union's 16% vacancy rate approaching a state-mandated 20% alarm threshold
• Financial Advisory Board sets a 26% reserve floor after failing to win support for 28% or 30% minimums
• MCE Clean Energy reports a 14% rate cut and expands its virtual power plant pilot across its full service area

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Five Districts, One Voice: Council Rejects Directly Elected Mayor

The basics: Under threat of a California Voting Rights Act lawsuit, El Cerrito must transition from at-large to district-based elections. An anonymous resident's attorney alleged racially polarized voting, triggering a 90-day safe harbor window. If the city fails to adopt district maps within that period, it could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in plaintiff attorney fees.

Why it matters: The choice between five standalone districts with a rotating mayor and four districts with a directly elected mayor will define El Cerrito's governance for decades — shaping who runs, who wins, and how power is exercised in a city of 26,000.

Where things stand: City Attorney Sky Woodruff opened the second of five required public hearings by walking the council through the legal constraints. Demographer Paul Mitchell of Redistricting Partners described the mapping tool at youdrawthelines.com, which has already received about eight community-submitted maps, and explained the Fair Maps Act criteria: equal population, contiguity, communities of interest, compact districts, and no partisan or incumbent gerrymandering.

A Polco survey of 600 respondents showed 60% preferred four districts with a directly elected mayor and 25% preferred five districts. But the survey results did not carry the room. All five council members lined up behind five districts, citing a constellation of concerns about the alternative.

Councilmember Carolyn Wysinger warned that a directly elected mayor would change the fundraising dynamics in ways that could undermine candidate diversity. "Directly elected mayor races are very different. I've said this very carefully — it probably won't turn out the way that people think," said Councilmember Wysinger.

Councilmember William Ktsanes argued that smaller districts actually lower the barrier to entry. "Reaching out to 5,000 residents is much different than reaching out to 26,000 residents in terms of just mailing costs and flyers and walking," he said. "I think that actually you might attract more talent."

Councilmember Montoyama was succinct: "I think five districts is the way to go. I think it's cleaner. And I think the rotating mayor is part of what we do here."

Mayor Gabriel Quinto — who has been openly critical of the CVRA process — nonetheless supported the five-district path. "It's a big scam and a big shakedown and everyone knows it," said Mayor Quinto of the legal threat. "And I know why we need to do this. And I think it will be a pretty easy exercise."

Public commenters largely echoed the council. Sue Duncan said a directly elected mayor could be stuck in office for years if they underperform, while the rotating system provides leadership development. Barbara Chan warned a directly elected mayor would concentrate power and drive costly campaigns that could divert resources. Ira Sharenow supported five districts, expressing concern about the risk of electing a poor mayor. Mike McDougall expressed a weak preference for four districts but said he would support whichever option the council chose. Megan Steffen suggested a possible compromise of four districts plus one at-large seat, but City Attorney Woodruff confirmed only five districts or four-plus-mayor are available under the safe harbor framework.

Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman suggested elementary school catchment areas as communities of interest for the map-drawing process: "I think it's something worth looking at — where the school lines fall, particularly for elementary schools."

Decisions: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to close the public hearing and then voted unanimously (5-0) to proceed with five districts and a rotating mayor. Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman moved the motion; Councilmember Wysinger seconded.

What's next: The next community workshop is June 3 at City Hall. Three more public hearings remain before the council formally adopts district maps.

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Budget Squeeze: Library Hours Become the Fault Line

Why it matters: El Cerrito's two-year budget must be adopted by June 19, and reserves are already projected to dip below the city's 30% policy target. The roughly $100,000 cost of extended library hours has emerged as the pivotal difference between Scenario B-plus (reserves dipping to ~28%) and Scenario C (~30%).

Where things stand: Budget Manager Claire Holman presented updated scenarios incorporating changes since the May 5 session, including a 3% insurance cost increase exceeding $100,000, revised cost allocation from the new master fee schedule, and separation of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) purchases as one-time capital. Both scenarios stay above the Financial Advisory Board's recommended 26% reserve floor.

The council quickly agreed on several smaller cuts: a $1,000-per-member reduction to council travel ($5,000 total savings), reducing the retreat facilitator to $6,000 per year (roughly $10,000 in savings), and keeping landscape maintenance fully funded — rejecting the $15,000 and $105,000 cuts proposed in Scenarios B and C respectively.

But the extended library hours proved intractable. Councilmember Montoyama revived a proposal she first floated in 2020: "I will say I think we should continue to consider reducing the library hours, because that is a significant amount of money. It's $100,000."

Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman pushed back forcefully: "The extra hours we provide, it's not just about the total cumulative hours. It's about allowing working people and families to go to the library."

Councilmember Wysinger defended council travel as essential for regional advocacy, noting that lobbying for federal earmarks requires in-person visits to legislative offices, not just district events. She stopped short of a formal motion on library hours. Councilmember Ktsanes said he wanted a more intentional analysis of vacant positions before cutting services.

The other side: During public comment, FAB Chair David Carvell challenged the council to look beyond the narrow cuts being debated. He argued that requiring employees to pay 5% of insurance premiums could save $400,000 — far more than the library hours or landscape maintenance combined. Megan Steffen urged the council to preserve landscape maintenance and asked how members would interpret a potential no-vote on Measure C — specifically, whether it would be used to justify cutting library services. Ira Sharenow supported reducing library hours, citing declining usage. John Stashek advocated eliminating the $5,000 city contribution to holiday lights, noting he had previously raised all such funding privately through business donations.

What's next: Staff confirmed the budget book would be delivered Friday for review. The June 2 study session and June 19 adoption hearing remain on the calendar. The library hours question will carry forward unresolved.

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Tree Planting Fee Slashed to Encourage Legal Plantings

Why it matters: A property-owner street tree planting permit had jumped from roughly $60 to $533 in a prior fee study cycle — and nobody used it. The fee effectively incentivized residents to plant trees without permits, undermining the city's ability to manage its urban canopy.

Where things stand: Budget Manager Claire Holman presented the annual master fee schedule update, noting that substantial increases reflect the new classification and compensation study, insurance cost hikes, and an updated cost allocation plan. Staff had proposed reducing the tree planting fee to $294. Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman pushed for $150, arguing the high fee drives unpermitted planting.

Urban Forest Program Manager Steven Pray confirmed that fewer than a handful of property owners had applied in 12 years at the old $50 rate, while the city-planted option at roughly $360 attracted about 10 applications per year. Tree materials cost about $200–$225 each. Mike McDougall suggested going below $100 and creating a public policy document outlining the subsidy rationale.

The update also raised the business license tax exemption threshold from $8,300 to roughly $15,000, a CPI adjustment reflecting no change since 2002. Community Development Director Melanie Mintz noted that nobody has taken advantage of the ADU amnesty program, in part because of unresolved state-level compliance pathway issues.

Decisions: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to adopt the fee schedule with the $150 tree planting fee amendment. Staff was directed to report back next year on tree planting uptake and subsidy transparency.

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SEIU Warns Understaffing Threatens Community Development

Why it matters: The city's delayed service delivery study is holding up hiring decisions across multiple departments, and the SEIU 1021 chapter's 16% vacancy rate is approaching the 20% state-mandated threshold that would require corrective action under AB 2561.

Where things stand: HR Manager Shannon Bassey presented the second annual AB 2561 report showing 163.8–165.3 FTE citywide, a 10% average monthly vacancy rate, and 47.5 average days to fill vacancies. SEIU 1021 Chapter President Eddie Nodal then detailed the union's perspective: five vacancies in community development (two building inspectors, one plan checker, two permit technicians), plus one administrative assistant and one custodial vacancy in recreation. The union argued that consultant turnover in building services disrupts project management and that contracted custodial work undercuts bargaining unit positions.

Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman asked for a timeline commitment on the service delivery study and expressed concern about the proximity to the 20% threshold. Councilmember Ktsanes asked about the cost implications of vacancies for budget planning. City Manager Karen Pincus said the study is still in draft and she would meet with the consultant within two weeks.

Decisions: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to close the public hearing. No action was required beyond receiving and filing the report.

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FAB Draws a Line at 26% Reserves

During the consent calendar discussion, FAB Chair David Carvell and FAB Vice Chair Mike McDougall presented the board's fiscal recommendations. McDougall disclosed that he had first moved for a 30% minimum reserve floor and then 28%, receiving no seconds for either motion. The board ultimately agreed on 26% as a floor for any projected year.

The FAB also unanimously supported creating internal service funds — approximately $890,000 in initial contributions — to smooth large one-time capital costs like fire trucks over their useful life. Carvell urged the council to focus on sharpening pencils on larger line items rather than fighting over $5,000 cuts, and called for a plan to restore reserves above 30%.

Councilmember Wysinger asked for clarification that 30% remains the policy target (13% Emergency/Disaster Reserve Fund plus 17% general fund reserve), with 26% serving as the recommended temporary floor. The consent calendar — including the FAB recommendation, a Pride Month proclamation, check register, NPDES agreement, and wastewater inspection agreement — passed unanimously (5-0).

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MCE Clean Energy: Rates Drop, Virtual Power Plants Expand

MCE Community Development Manager Chiara Donato delivered an annual update reporting a 14% rate reduction effective April 1, a $10 million MCE CARES credit program providing up to $20 per month in bill relief on top of state CARE/FERA programs, and expansion of the virtual power plant pilot from Richmond to MCE's full service area. El Cerrito has 92% customer enrollment, with 11% in the 100% renewable Deep Green product. MCE has distributed over $260,000 in EV rebates and $244,000 in energy efficiency rebates to El Cerrito customers.

Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman asked about e-bike rebate programs, noting that neighboring agency Ava Community Energy offers such programs: "Especially as the state rebate program for e-bikes went away — it was wildly popular and terribly mismanaged. So they decided instead of fixing it, just get rid of it." Donato said MCE hasn't implemented one but acknowledged growing interest. No action was taken; the item was informational.

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Minor Items

• Written public comment deadline moved from 2 p.m. to 11 a.m. on meeting days to ensure council receives comments in time for the supplemental packet.
• Pride Month flag raising scheduled for June 1 at City Hall, with a gathering at Castro Park.
• Makers Fair announced for June 7 at Hana Gardens.
• Mayor Quinto raised council stipend parity, saying El Cerrito is among the lowest-paid councils in Northern California: "We are truly one of the lowest paid in Northern California. And I want to make sure that the city manager knows where I stand on this."
• Councilmember Ktsanes requested cumulative financial reporting on major projects and consultant expenditures rather than monthly check register line items only. He also proposed holding the council retreat every two years instead of annually.
• Residents flagged a trust deficit — Megan Steffen described a "low trust" atmosphere among parents and residents, urging greater transparency. Ira Sharenow questioned who knew about the $37.2 million Griffin Rom library cost estimate before it was made public.