2015

The community development director presents the city's first citywide urban greening plan, built over two and a half years from 848 survey responses and a task force of commissions and volunteer groups, with six goals, eleven objectives and fourteen projects. Abelson asks about neighboring parks, school grounds and accessibility, and Bridges about what the projects are for; the plan is adopted 5–0.

Facing a 1 March 2016 state deadline, after which the state would become the sole licensing authority for cultivation where cities had not acted, the Council introduces an ordinance banning all marijuana cultivation and delivery and confirms permissive zoning; staff count 25 dispensaries advertising delivery to El Cerrito. Howdy Goudey asks for more study of a delivery ban that could affect homebound patients, and Friedman and Quinto expect to revisit it.

The Council accepts $527,124, El Cerrito's share of about $6.65 million in reserves the West County waste authority built up running the Richmond recovery facility, with staff crediting the Mayor's representation. The library introduces its two new librarians and its family story times, ESL group and computer tutoring, and retires its BART book vending machine; a special meeting is set for 21 December, and the Mayor makes the annual regional and local appointments.

MCE's community power organizer explains the power charge indifference adjustment: a proposed 95% increase to be voted on 17 December, a billion-dollar account the CPUC told PG&E it could not close, a charge likely to last about 20 years, and PG&E alone applying it to low-income CARE customers. The Council asks the CPUC to reject the increase and re-examine the fee.

At the annual reorganization, Friedman reviews his year as Mayor, from the smoking ordinances and minimum wage to a budget surplus and new open space, and the Council selects Greg Lyman as Mayor and Janet Abelson as Mayor Pro Tem; Lyman sets out his goals. The meeting is held in honor of former city manager Richard Brown, and Al Miller invites volunteers for the Shadi holiday display.

Lyman pulls the minimum wage ordinance to consider fewer, even $1.50 steps; the California Restaurant Association asks for one date a year, a new franchise owner counts nine empty storefronts, a home-business owner and two restaurant owners ask for small-business exemptions and more time, while the Democratic Club and Ensuring Opportunity urge the Council to stay the course. It adopts the ordinance as written, Friedman calling it a moral issue and a step forward.

The finance director reports 2014–15 ending about $270,000 to the good, home prices at a high and property taxes running ahead, with the Home Depot sales tax now owed to Richmond. The Council adopts a 9% integrated waste management fee with garbage rates unchanged, and the Trail Trekkers donate $3,264 for the hillside.

Staff propose $11 from July 2016 rising to $15 by 2020 with no exceptions, following the August study session. Supervisor Gioia, who says about a quarter of the county's households do not earn a self-sufficiency wage, thanks El Cerrito for “taking the lead once again to be the first city to adopt this ordinance”. Labor, clergy, the League of Women Voters, anti-poverty groups and low-wage workers urge a faster schedule with paid sick leave and service charge protections; SEIU asks for $15 by 2018, and the Democratic Club asks for $12 in 2017, noting Richmond's schedule. The California Restaurant Association, citing margins of about 3.5 percent, an in-home care agency and a coffee shop owner ask for training wages and exemptions.

Friedman frames four decisions: the wage, the timeline, sick leave and service charges, saying “i don't want to wait until we can do it perfectly”. The Council adopts Lyman's schedule, a larger early jump and then a steadier rate: $11.60 on 1 July 2016, $12.25 in 2017, $13.60 in 2018 and $15 in 2019, then CPI increases, and introduces the ordinance unanimously, with full consideration of paid sick leave and hospitality service charges in February 2016.

The Diablo Fire Safe Council begins a six-month community wildfire protection plan for El Cerrito and Kensington, where about 40 percent of the city is rated very high fire hazard. As the Successor Agency, the Council approves the long-range property management plan for the Mayfair, Eastshore triangle, Cerrito Theater and civic center properties. Closed session brings two settlements, a family's donation of 1.6 acres on King Drive is noted, and Lyman reports the Recycle More reserve settlement, with a little over $500,000 coming to El Cerrito.

With Bridges out of town, residents of an RV park on El Dorado, to be replaced by 27 townhomes, and a dozen supporters ask for a resident impact report, a waiting list for affordable housing, tiny homes or a displacement ordinance, saying the park has long operated as a de facto mobile home park; Nicholas Arzio says 31 parcels effectively serving as affordable housing would give way to 27 luxury units, and Howdy Goudey calls the displacement a moral matter. The Mayor says staff and the city attorney are looking at all options. Neighbors of the new Korematsu Middle School press for speed humps and parking, one saying the school was “foisted upon our community”.

The Council adopts the tobacco retailer licensing ordinance as first passed, declining staff's proposal to give the under-age entry rule for significant tobacco retailers a 24-month grace period; Lyman calls 24 months to post signs and train employees unrealistic. Staff and Fehr & Peers present the active transportation plan, updating the 2007 bicycle and pedestrian plan with the city's first bicycle boulevards, grant-ready focus projects and a crosswalk policy. Speakers support it, Goudey saying its projected shift of about 8 percent of trips is too small a notion. Abelson, who says new curb designs have caused accidents for wheelchair users, raises curb design and bicycles on the Ohlone Greenway; a councilmember notes the scoring gives no points for ADA accessibility, and Lyman raises patchwork sidewalks. The hearing is continued so Abelson and Lyman can work with staff.

Abelson reports from the League of California Cities conference, Quinto on the questions other cities asked about El Cerrito's smoking ordinance, and the Arts and Culture Commission invites the public to Arts Day; proclamations mark Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Staff present a tobacco retailer license program a year in the making: annual licenses, clerks of legal purchase age, no self-service displays, buffers around schools and between retailers, no new tobacco shops, a ban on single cigars under $5 and small packs, and a ban on flavored non-cigarette products, which the federal government identifies as starter products and which would make El Cerrito the first in the area. Two El Cerrito High students, health advocates and the county's tobacco prevention staff support it; a resident objects that it bans sales to adults.

A councilmember says flavors like “blueberry blast” are marketed to children, not adults, and supports making the city's two tobacco stores adult-only; Abelson, recalling family members who started smoking as teenagers, does not want economic development based on cigarette sales. Lyman totals the retailers' claimed losses at about $750,000 in sales, and another councilmember, with sympathy for small retailers but none for tobacco companies, says the industry's hold on the federal government does not extend to El Cerrito. The ordinance is introduced with three changes: adult-only significant tobacco retailers, tolling for closures required by other laws, and no fine in lieu of suspension.

Fire Chief Lance Maples reports crews sent to fires across the state with no injuries, saying it is “better to practice in someone else's backyard than ours”. Six EC STARS interns describe their summer at City Hall, the Council confirms weed abatement costs of $16,139.75 on eight properties, a tenant reports a 50 percent rent increase on 30 days' notice, and Tom Panis asks for a small-employer provision in the minimum wage. An MCE liaison warns of PG&E's requests to the CPUC, including a higher exit fee.

Opening the study session, Mayor Friedman names global warming and poverty as the two greatest challenges. Supervisor Gioia and the Ensuring Opportunity campaign present the case for a simple $15 by 2020 in all 19 Contra Costa jurisdictions, with regional enforcement for small cities. The UC Berkeley Labor Center's Annette Bernhardt says local minimum wages have grown from five places before 2012 to 24, that median earnings for those working in the county fell 12 percent from 2007 to 2013 after inflation, and that research finds little effect on jobs; EBASE describes Oakland and Emeryville. Staff report that about a third of El Cerrito households are low income and set out the choices: the rate, indexing, phase-ins, Richmond's health care credit and enforcement.

Kevin O'Neill, the only speaker in opposition, says his coffee shop would raise prices and let its teenage workers go, and that El Cerrito “doesn't need to be in the vanguard”; the Democratic Club, SEIU and clergy urge a January 2016 start or $15 by 2018. Asked how that testimony squares with the research, Bernhardt says the studies largely concern restaurants and prefers not to comment until the county study is done. The Council asks staff to study $15 by 2018 as well as 2020, index to the CPI, allow no exemptions or Richmond's credit, research paid sick leave and work with other cities or the county on enforcement, with community meetings before an ordinance.

Proclamations honor two officers who ran in the Special Olympics torch run, the ADA's 25th anniversary with AC Transit, and 30 years of Citizens for East Shore Parks, and the swim center's competition pool is renamed the Emery G. Weed III lap pool. Tom Panis announces Anza expedition banners and reports an old dump unearthed at the Castro school site, MCE reports El Cerrito leads its territory in Deep Green enrollment, and the floodplain ordinance is adopted with two instructions from Lyman to staff.

The recording begins during public comment. Castro neighborhood residents ask the city to stand up for Castro Park, speed humps and parking limits as Korematsu Middle School nears, with one proposing one-hour parking with guest permits; residents of an RV park slated for townhouses seek a resident impact report; and others ask for a minimum wage, a noise ordinance and Cerrito Creek maintenance. The Council thanks the Rosenberg family for land on King Drive, kept as open space under a 2003 agreement.

The sheriff's office presents a proposed SB 863 reentry and mental health facility at the West County Detention Facility, costing about $88 to $89 million, which would replace existing cells rather than add beds; Contra Costa would apply for the full $80 million in a competition only a few large counties can win. AC Transit proposes its first service expansion since about 2003, including the 72R every 10 minutes at peak until midnight; Abelson says it would cost riders local service north of MacDonald.

The Council introduces ordinances for expedited rooftop solar permits, FEMA-based floodplain management with an added historic structure definition, and returning the Measure A swim center tax to the rates voters approved in 2000, $58.46 per single-family home, to fund over $2 million in pool repairs. After about 12,000 inspections found 173 violations, it declares 22 properties fire hazard nuisances, and it approves a $5 million cash-flow loan.

Godbe Research's first phone and internet poll of likely voters finds 72 percent support for a library bond, about 73 after more information, with a safe, earthquake-ready library the top priority; smaller 2015 and June 2016 electorates fall near the two-thirds line, so November 2016 is recommended. BART's Del Norte project would nearly double the paid area, bring elevators inside and turn part of the Ohlone Greenway into a plaza, with construction from April 2016.

The Council honors retiring Police Captain Michael Regan after 27 years, proclaims Loving Day, hears the Committee on Aging and Human Relations Commission work plans and a clean street measure audit, renews the lighting and landscaping assessment and storm drain fees, and hears the Democratic Club's call for a minimum wage no lower than Richmond's.

Appellants Howdy Goudey and Robin Mitchell, backed by letters from 116 people at the Planning Commission and 50 more that night, argue that the 15 units at 1715 Elm Street, four feet from a historic stone-lined creek channel, fail the city's creek and general plan goals and risk flooding, noting the regional water board's requests for more hydrologic analysis. The architect says the project was thoroughly vetted and, the water board having failed to act within a year, approved by operation of law; staff and the city attorney say final design review cannot revisit the August entitlements. Speakers read the creek ordinance's findings and warn of El Niño. Friedman calls transit-oriented development the overriding environmental question, and the Council upholds the approval 3–2 with Bridges' conditions to reduce hardscape along the channel, consider a fence in keeping with the historic house, and add riparian plantings.

The I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility team says the freeway carries about 270,000 vehicles a day and describes signs, ramp meters and coordinated signals to reduce secondary accidents; the roughly $80 million project, funded mainly by Prop 1B and county sales taxes, has completed El Cerrito's requests, from a bus-only lane at Del Norte BART to signal upgrades, and is on track for activation in late 2015.

Economic Development Committee chair Tess Taylor describes a year-long listening tour and asks for a permanent economic development staff member. The Council submits priority conservation area designations without the private Fairview parcel, defers the swim center tax rate to July, and adopts a master fee schedule raising most fees about 4 percent, asking staff to look at business licenses for volunteer groups. A speaker describes a dog seized and caged by county animal services, and East Bay MUD's critically low supplies bring new water restrictions.

Housing manager Hildy Mile, on her last day, presents the final housing element with state-requested programs to study displacement regionally, monitor at-risk affordable units such as the 58 at El Cerrito Royale and Del Norte, and plan infrastructure for San Pablo Avenue growth. After a renter asks for rental regulations, Friedman explains that state law bars rent control on units built after 1995 and favors a regional approach, while councilmembers expect a just-cause eviction ordinance in a year or two. Corrections from Nicholas Arzio are added and the element is adopted unanimously.

Earth Day volunteers clear about 5,400 cigarette butts from San Pablo Avenue, the Council proclaims Affordable Housing Week as RCD's Ohlone Gardens rises, and MCE reports El Cerrito leads in Deep Green enrollment.

The El Cerrito Library's annual report shows volunteer hours rising from about 1,100 to over 2,500 and children's program attendance from about 4,000 to over 7,500 in two years, with $20,000 from the Friends and a new seed lending library. Adult school teachers urge, and the Council sends, letters asking the state to restore older adults programs; the NAACP announces a town hall on race relations and trust with the police chiefs of El Cerrito and Richmond.

The Council extends its urgency moratorium on new or relocated massage establishments by 10 months and 15 days while the city attorney updates 2007 regulations after the state restored local control, and thanks departing housing manager Hildy Mile and acting city manager Karen Pinkos.

About 275 donors raised over $100,000 and a $251,000 National Park Service grant covered about half the $475,000 price of the eight-acre Madera property; with the Trust for Public Land waiving its fee after selling a small donated lot, the city needs only about $120,000 of Measure WW park money. Campaign leaders credit Lyman's early support and Bridges' challenge to double the goal, and volunteers ask for funding to steward the hillside.

The Council joins four PACE programs letting owners finance energy, water and seismic upgrades through property assessments at no cost to the city, and adopts a mid-year budget update that cuts the utility users tax projection by about $477,000, offset by property taxes and Measure R.

MCE reports about 370 El Cerrito accounts opting out and nearly 200 choosing 100 percent renewable power, and Lyman says PG&E is seeking $654 million to own vehicle charging stations. The Crime Prevention Committee presents its work plan, with Eugene Go marking 18 years of service, and the Environmental Quality Committee its mission to “educate, inspire and activate”. A councilmember reports that of about $36 million from recyclables sold from 2002 to 2013, about $33 million went to rate reductions El Cerrito did not share, and the meeting adjourns to 28 March.

With a new state law restoring local control over massage businesses, the city attorney presents an urgency moratorium on new or relocated massage establishments while staff review zoning, the 2007 ordinance and possible regulations; Lyman and Friedman stress that most local businesses operate lawfully, and the ordinance passes unanimously. Friedman appoints Lyman as MCE director and Quinto as alternate.

A Fairmont Elementary parent asks the Council to press the school board to rebuild the overcrowded, nearly 60-year-old campus, and the police department's officer of the year, Chi Li, is honored. Lyman reports the waste authority will soon take up its recycling reserve fund.

Chief Sylvia Moyer and analyst Samantha Wendling report an overall decrease of 17 in Part 1 crimes for 2014, crediting proactive patrols, a new analyst, problem-oriented policing of troubled properties and a homeless outreach effort, despite staffing shortages. The Planning Commission and Financial Advisory Board present their work, and the board asks to be excused from work plans.

The Council approves a lot split at 915 Clark Place on condition of a permeable driveway acceptable to the fire department, and hires Godbe Research for up to $30,503 to survey voters on funding a new library, after Lyman discloses he is treasurer of a library campaign committee. Public speakers raise Measure A funding, a proposed Chevrolet dealership on the former OSH site, seed libraries and business taxes for nonprofits.

In a study session, staff propose licensing all 18 tobacco retailers, barring lounges, vape shops and new significant tobacco retailers, banning flavored and small-pack products, and setting a 1,000-foot buffer between stores and a 500-foot buffer around schools and parks. Councilmembers debate whether a new grocery should be able to win an exception, how to treat existing stores, and whether El Cerrito should go further than Richmond; the American Cancer Society urges a strong ordinance.

Lieutenant Stephen Bonini presents a voluntary security camera registration program, in which the police would neither own nor watch any camera live and the list would stay an internal database; Sacramento County saw participation of two to three percent. The Council endorses it unanimously after speakers raise privacy and public records concerns, and a councilmember suggests building it through National Night Out.

With Bridges out of the country, a 40-year resident asks the Council to wait two years before implementing the no-smoking ordinance, calling it a meat-axe approach. The Arts and Culture Commission reviews two years that brought the wind sculptures along San Pablo Avenue and a public art master plan, and plans an artist in residence at the recycling center; the Rotary Club gives the library foundation $11,000, and liaison reports cover the waste authority's search for an executive director.

Howdy Goudey asks the Council to direct staff, the developer and the water board to reconfigure the approved 14-unit 1715 Elm Street project so it imposes less on the creek, saying the public and the water board raised concerns; the mayor thanks him for his persistence as an example of democracy in action.

A councilmember reminds residents that the region is still in a drought despite recent rain and asks for volunteer writing coaches at the high school. The consent calendar passes, and the Council returns to board and commission interviews.