Glossary

AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act)

The 2019 state law, in effect since 2020, that caps annual rent increases for many rental units at 5% plus inflation (no more than 10%) and adds statewide just cause eviction rules.

See also Just cause eviction, Costa-Hawkins · Meetings on Tenant protections and rent

ABAG

The Association of Bay Area Governments, the regional planning agency that, among other things, assigns each city its share of regional housing need.

See also RHNA, MTC

Abatement

The process of requiring a property owner to remove a nuisance, such as dry weeds that pose a fire hazard. If the owner does not, the city does the work and charges the cost to the property, often as a lien.

See also Lien · Meetings on Fire hazard and weed abatement

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)

A second home on a residential lot, such as a backyard cottage or garage conversion. State law limits how much cities can restrict them.

Meetings on Accessory dwelling units

Annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR)

The city's audited annual financial statements, formerly called the CAFR.

See also Unmodified opinion, Material weakness · Meetings on Audits and financial reporting

ARPA

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which sent federal pandemic relief funds to local governments.

Meetings on COVID-19

Automated license plate reader (ALPR)

A camera system that photographs vehicle license plates and records where and when each was seen.

See also Military equipment policy (AB 481) · Meetings on Surveillance technology

Brown Act

California's open-meeting law for local governments. It requires meetings to be open to the public, agendas to be posted in advance (72 hours for regular meetings), and limits what a council may discuss or act on outside a properly noticed meeting.

See also Closed session, Quorum · Meetings on Council meetings, rules and transparency

California Voting Rights Act (CVRA)

A 2001 state law that lets residents challenge at-large elections where racially polarized voting impairs a protected group's ability to elect candidates of its choice. Many cities respond to a demand letter by moving to district elections.

See also Safe harbor (district elections) · Meetings on District elections

CalPERS

The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the state pension system that administers the city's employee pensions.

See also Unfunded accrued liability (UAL), Section 115 trust · Meetings on Pensions and retiree costs

Capital improvement program

A multi-year plan and budget for building and repairing infrastructure such as streets, storm drains, parks and buildings.

Meetings on Streets, paving and public works

CCTA

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority, which plans transportation in the county and administers its voter-approved transportation sales tax.

See also WCCTAC, MTC · Meetings on Buses and regional transportation

CEQA

The California Environmental Quality Act: it requires public agencies to identify and disclose the significant environmental effects of projects they approve, and to reduce them where feasible.

See also Environmental impact report (EIR), Negative declaration · Meetings on General plan, zoning, building codes and CEQA

CERT

Community Emergency Response Team: a volunteer program that trains residents in disaster preparedness and basic response.

Meetings on Emergency preparedness

Charter city

A city governed by its own charter, approved by its voters, which gives it more authority over municipal affairs than a general law city has under state law.

See also Real property transfer tax · Meetings on Charter city

Check register

A list of the payments the city made during a period, usually presented to the Council on the consent calendar.

See also Consent calendar

Closed session

A part of a meeting held privately, as the Brown Act allows for specific matters such as pending litigation, labor negotiations, real estate negotiations and personnel. Any reportable action taken must be announced in open session.

See also Brown Act · Meetings on Council meetings, rules and transparency

Complete streets

An approach to street design that serves everyone who uses the street: people walking, biking, taking transit and driving.

See also Vision Zero · Meetings on Bicycling and walking

Consent calendar

A group of routine items approved together in a single vote without discussion. A councilmember can "pull" an item from the consent calendar so it is discussed and voted on separately.

See also Check register, Proclamation · Meetings on Council meetings, rules and transparency

Costa-Hawkins

The 1995 state law that limits local rent control: it exempts single-family homes, condominiums and newer buildings, and lets landlords reset rent when a unit becomes vacant.

See also Just cause eviction, AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) · Meetings on Tenant protections and rent

Density bonus

A state law that lets a developer build more homes than zoning allows, with other concessions, in exchange for including affordable units.

See also Inclusionary housing · Meetings on Housing element and state housing law

Design review

Review of a project's appearance and site design, by staff or by an appointed design review board, before it can be built.

See also Use permit · Meetings on Development projects and appeals

Enforceable obligation

A debt or contract of a former redevelopment agency that state law allows to be paid after dissolution.

See also ROPS, Successor agency · Meetings on Redevelopment dissolution and successor agency

Environmental impact report (EIR)

The detailed study CEQA requires when a project may have a significant effect on the environment.

See also CEQA, Negative declaration · Meetings on General plan, zoning, building codes and CEQA

Financial Advisory Board

El Cerrito's resident advisory board on city finances. It reviews budgets, reserves and financial policies and makes recommendations to the Council.

Meetings on Financial Advisory Board

First and second reading

The two steps for adopting an ordinance: it is introduced (first reading) at one meeting and adopted (second reading) at a later meeting, often on the consent calendar.

See also Ordinance

Form-based code

Zoning that regulates the physical form of buildings (height, placement, frontage) more than the uses inside them.

See also Specific plan · Meetings on San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan

Fund balance

What remains in a fund after spending: the accumulated surplus. A city's reserves are held as part of its fund balance.

See also Unassigned reserve, General fund · Meetings on Use of reserves and fund balance

Gann limit

The limit set by the California Constitution (Proposition 4, 1979) on how much tax revenue a government may appropriate each year, adjusted for population and inflation. Cities adopt their limit annually with the budget.

Meetings on Budget adoption

General fund

The city's main operating fund. It receives unrestricted revenue such as property and sales taxes and pays for core services like police, fire, parks and administration.

See also Fund balance, Structural deficit

General plan

A city's long-range blueprint for development, required by state law, with elements such as land use, circulation, housing and safety.

See also Housing element, Specific plan · Meetings on General plan, zoning, building codes and CEQA

General tax

A local tax whose revenue goes to the general fund for any purpose. It needs approval by a simple majority of voters.

See also Special tax, General fund

HCD

The California Department of Housing and Community Development, which reviews and certifies housing elements.

See also Housing element · Meetings on Housing element and state housing law

Housing element

The chapter of the general plan, updated every eight years, that shows how the city will accommodate its share of the region's housing need. The state housing department must certify it.

See also RHNA, HCD · Meetings on Housing element and state housing law

Inclusionary housing

A local rule requiring new residential projects to include a share of affordable homes or pay a fee instead.

See also Density bonus · Meetings on Affordable housing

Internal service fund

A fund that charges city departments for shared services, such as vehicles, equipment or technology, and saves toward replacing them.

Meetings on Reserve policy

Joint powers authority (JPA)

An agency formed by two or more public agencies to provide a service together, such as waste management or energy.

See also RecycleMore, MCE

Just cause eviction

Rules allowing a landlord to evict a tenant only for listed reasons, such as non-payment or an owner moving in. State law has set statewide just cause rules for many rentals since 2020; local ordinances can go further.

See also AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act), Costa-Hawkins, Rent registry · Meetings on Tenant protections and rent

LAFCO

The Local Agency Formation Commission, a county-level commission that approves boundary changes, annexations and the formation of special districts.

Level of service (LOS)

A letter grade, A to F, for traffic congestion at an intersection or on a road. Since a 2013 state law, CEQA reviews measure vehicle miles traveled instead of congestion.

See also CEQA · Meetings on Traffic safety and Vision Zero

Lien

A legal claim recorded against a property for an unpaid amount, often collected on the property tax bill.

See also Abatement

Master fee schedule

The city's list of charges for services such as permits, inspections and facility rentals, updated periodically.

Meetings on Fees and charges

Material weakness

A serious deficiency in internal controls found by an auditor, one that could allow a significant misstatement to go undetected.

See also Annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) · Meetings on Audits and financial reporting

Mayor pro tem

The councilmember who presides when the mayor is absent. In El Cerrito the Council chooses the mayor and mayor pro tem from among its own members, at a reorganization meeting each December.

Meetings on Council reorganization and swearing-in

MCE

A public, not-for-profit community choice electricity provider (originally Marin Clean Energy) serving many Bay Area communities, offering cleaner power options through the PG&E grid.

See also Joint powers authority (JPA) · Meetings on Clean energy and electrification

Military equipment policy (AB 481)

A 2021 state law requiring police departments to have the governing body approve a policy for using items defined as military equipment, and to report on their use each year.

See also Automated license plate reader (ALPR) · Meetings on Surveillance technology

MTC

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Bay Area's regional transportation planning and funding agency.

See also ABAG, CCTA · Meetings on Buses and regional transportation

Negative declaration

A CEQA finding that a project will not have a significant environmental effect. A "mitigated" negative declaration relies on required measures to reach that finding.

See also CEQA, Environmental impact report (EIR) · Meetings on General plan, zoning, building codes and CEQA

NPDES stormwater permit

A permit under the federal Clean Water Act. Bay Area cities follow a regional stormwater permit that sets rules for keeping trash and pollutants out of storm drains.

Meetings on Stormwater, creeks and flooding

OPEB

Other post-employment benefits: mainly retiree health care, apart from pensions.

See also Section 115 trust · Meetings on Pensions and retiree costs

Ordinance

A local law. An ordinance is normally introduced at one meeting (first reading) and adopted at a later one (second reading), and usually takes effect 30 days after adoption.

See also First and second reading, Urgency ordinance, Resolution

Oversight board

The board that reviews and approves a successor agency's actions and payment schedules on behalf of the other agencies that share the property tax.

See also Successor agency, ROPS · Meetings on Redevelopment dissolution and successor agency

Parcel tax

A local tax charged per property (or per square foot) on the property tax bill. For a city it is a special tax, so it needs two-thirds voter approval.

See also Special tax, Two-thirds vote (special tax) · Meetings on Parcel taxes and assessments

Pavement condition index (PCI)

A 0 to 100 score for the condition of street pavement; higher is better.

Meetings on Streets, paving and public works

POST

The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, which sets selection and training standards for police officers.

Meetings on Police staffing and leadership

Proclamation

A ceremonial statement by the Council recognizing a person, group, event or observance. It has no legal effect.

Proposition 13

The 1978 state constitutional amendment that caps the property tax rate at 1% of assessed value and limits increases in assessed value to 2% a year until a property changes hands. It also requires two-thirds voter approval for special taxes.

See also Two-thirds vote (special tax), Proposition 218

Proposition 218

The 1996 state constitutional amendment requiring voter or property-owner approval for new or higher local taxes and assessments, and a notice and protest hearing before property-related fees such as garbage or storm drain fees can rise.

See also Proposition 13, Parcel tax · Meetings on Parcel taxes and assessments

Public safety power shutoff (PSPS)

When a utility turns off power in high fire-risk conditions to reduce the chance its lines start a fire.

Meetings on Emergency preparedness

Quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present for a body to conduct business. For a five-member council, a quorum is three.

See also Brown Act

Real property transfer tax

A tax paid when real estate is sold, calculated on the sale price. Charter cities can set their own rate; others are limited to the rate set by state law.

See also Charter city · Meetings on Real property transfer tax

Recusal

When a member steps out of the discussion and vote on an item, usually because of a financial or other conflict of interest.

Meetings on Council pay, conduct and ethics

RecycleMore

The name used by the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority, the joint powers authority through which west county cities manage garbage and recycling programs.

See also Joint powers authority (JPA), SB 1383 · Meetings on Garbage and recycling service

Redevelopment agency

A local agency that used tax increment financing to fund projects in designated areas. California dissolved all redevelopment agencies effective 1 February 2012.

See also Tax increment, Successor agency · Meetings on Redevelopment Agency and projects

Rent registry

A city database in which landlords register their rental units and report rents.

See also Just cause eviction · Meetings on Tenant protections and rent

Resolution

A formal decision or statement of policy by the Council, adopted in a single vote. Unlike an ordinance, it is not a local law.

See also Ordinance, Resolution of intention

Resolution of intention

A resolution that formally states what the Council intends to do next, often a required first step in a process set by state law.

See also Resolution, Safe harbor (district elections)

RFP and RFQ

Request for proposals and request for qualifications: formal invitations for firms or developers to submit proposals (RFP) or their qualifications (RFQ) so the city can choose one.

RHNA

Regional housing needs allocation: the number of homes, by income level, that each city must plan for in a cycle. In the Bay Area the regional share is assigned through ABAG.

See also Housing element, ABAG · Meetings on Housing element and state housing law

ROPS

Recognized obligation payment schedule: the list of a former redevelopment agency's debts and obligations to be paid in a period, submitted by the successor agency for approval by its oversight board and the California Department of Finance.

See also Successor agency, Enforceable obligation · Meetings on Redevelopment dissolution and successor agency

Safe harbor (district elections)

The process in state election law for a city that receives a voting-rights demand letter: if it adopts a resolution of intention within 45 days and adopts district elections within the following 90 days, the costs the claimant can recover are capped.

See also California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), Resolution of intention · Meetings on District elections

SB 1383

A 2016 state law to cut organic waste sent to landfills. Since 2022 it has required organics collection for homes and businesses and the recovery of edible food.

See also RecycleMore · Meetings on Garbage and recycling service

Section 115 trust

An irrevocable trust, named for a section of the federal tax code, that a public agency can use to set money aside for future pension or retiree health costs.

See also Unfunded accrued liability (UAL), OPEB · Meetings on Pensions and retiree costs

Special tax

A local tax whose revenue is dedicated to a specific purpose, such as a library or parks. It needs two-thirds voter approval.

See also General tax, Parcel tax, Two-thirds vote (special tax)

Specific plan

A detailed plan for one area of the city that carries out the general plan, with its own zoning standards.

See also General plan, Form-based code · Meetings on San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan

Structural deficit

A gap in which ongoing spending exceeds ongoing revenue, so it remains even after one-time money is used up.

See also General fund · Meetings on Deficits and cuts

Successor agency

The body, often the city itself, that winds down a dissolved redevelopment agency's remaining debts and obligations.

See also ROPS, Oversight board, Enforceable obligation · Meetings on Redevelopment dissolution and successor agency

Tax increment

The growth in property tax revenue within a redevelopment area above a base year, which the redevelopment agency kept to repay debt and fund projects.

See also Redevelopment agency · Meetings on Redevelopment Agency and projects

TRAN

Tax and revenue anticipation note: short-term borrowing within a fiscal year to cover cash needs before property tax payments arrive, repaid the same year.

Meetings on Borrowing, bonds and debt

Transit-oriented development (TOD)

Housing and mixed-use development built at or near transit stations; in El Cerrito, around the El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte BART stations.

Meetings on Transit-oriented development

Transportation impact fee

A fee charged on new development to help pay for transportation improvements needed to serve it.

Meetings on Fees and charges

Two-thirds vote (special tax)

The share of voters needed to approve a special tax (one dedicated to a specific purpose) in California. A general tax, whose money can be used for any purpose, needs a simple majority.

See also Special tax, General tax, Proposition 13

Unassigned reserve

The part of general fund balance not restricted, committed or assigned to a specific purpose: the most flexible money a city holds.

See also Fund balance · Meetings on Reserve policy

Unfunded accrued liability (UAL)

The gap between the pension benefits employees have earned and the assets set aside to pay them. Employers pay it down over time on a schedule set by CalPERS.

See also CalPERS, Section 115 trust · Meetings on Pensions and retiree costs

Unmodified opinion

An auditor's "clean" opinion: the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects.

See also Annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR), Material weakness · Meetings on Audits and financial reporting

Urgency ordinance

An ordinance that takes effect immediately, without the usual waiting period, to protect public health, safety or welfare. It needs a four-fifths vote of the council.

See also Ordinance

Use permit

Permission for a use that zoning allows only after review, usually with conditions attached.

See also Variance, Design review · Meetings on Development projects and appeals

Utility users tax

A local tax on utility bills, such as electricity, gas, water and telecommunications.

Meetings on Utility users tax

Variance

An exception from a zoning standard, such as a setback or height limit, granted when a property's physical features make strict compliance a hardship.

See also Use permit · Meetings on Development projects and appeals

Vision Zero

A goal and strategy of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries.

See also Complete streets · Meetings on Traffic safety and Vision Zero

WCCTAC

The West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee, a joint body of the west county cities and the county that coordinates transportation planning in the area.

See also CCTA · Meetings on Buses and regional transportation