7:05 pm:
Call to order of the Committee-of-the-Whole (CotW) by Co-Chair Barbara Chan.
All present introduced, and told a little known fact about, themselves.
Rich Bartke responded positively to request for a meeting scribe. (Thank you, Rich!)
40 people in attendance (23 community members including Manager of Chamber of Commerce, 1 representative from tennis group; 4 City Council Persons; 12 city staff persons, and a reporter from The Journal) (Not everyone signed in).
7:20 pm (about):
Thom Stark led the discussion on the proposed agenda for this meeting and the Ground Rules identified at April 9th Meeting that were passed out.
Suggested additions to proposed agenda are:
We decided to have information available for review at The Open House Senior Center and at the Community Center. We would also set up an e-mail distribution and try to get the information posted on the El Cerrito web page.
While discussing the clarification or combination of some of the Ground Rules, the subject of voting on various stages of the Committee's work was brought up.
The ensuing energetic discussion reflected residual frustration with vote "stacking" experienced during the previous Measure H process. The term stacking was used to describe the situation in which a large group comes in at the end of the process and votes its agenda without participating in the process enough to know the results of the process. The need for trust and consensus building was emphasized and the discussion ended with general agreement that any attendee could vote on any item discussed at the meeting s/he attended with voting on the "final report" to be discussed later if/asneeded.
A question on the applicability of The Brown Act, which sets rules for timely notification of public meetings and agenda requirements, was asked.
City Attorney will advise.
We discussed how much advance notice we want for our meetings.
About half wanted 72 hours, with the others preferring 1 week. Decision put off to the discussion on meeting schedules.
By popular demand, we moved on to the discussion of financial review and accountability.
7:35 pm (about):
Al Miller led the discussion on accountability and financial review. Because of the requirement for 2/3 majority approval on any realistic revenue increase measures, it is necessary to get as many remaining questions community members have about any of the city's finances and/or management practices answered satisfactorily. Some segment of our community distrust our City Council/Redevelopment Agency/city staff. We must identify the basis of this lack of trust and work to eliminate it, or, at least, reduce it as much as possible.
The following questions concerning our pending financial deficit were asked:
We requested a list of revenue sources of the city that are required by law to be dedicated to a specific purpose, so we can focus on unrestricted revenues.
Formation of a subcommittee of accountants that would review city's finances and audits was suggested.
We identified that there are concerns other than financial that need to be addressed (see next agenda item). We recognized that, no matter what the concerns, they eventually get back to the finances involved.
We need to review hidden costs, such as the city/agency's use of outside consultants and the city/agency's legal costs.
Access to the auditors who audit the city and Redevelopment Agency was requested and promised through Jay Corey. We were cautioned that auditors don't question the numbers provided by the city, but "just verify that they do, or do not, all add up."
In the end, we formed a subcommittee and named it the Financial Accountability Review Team. Its purpose is to:
One attendee requested that the current Utility Tax and Transfer Tax should be put on a future ballot for voter approval.
The Manager of the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce agreed encourage Chamber members to participate in the CotW deliberations and to gather and submit questions from any of them who have been questioning city/agency practices.
CotW members were asked to submit any questions they want answered to the Team and encourage any neighbors and friends to do the same. Questions may be dropped at the City Hall, the Community Center, or with any of the Team members.
Team members are:
8:45 pm (about):
Barbara Chan led the discussion on additional agenda items, non-agendized issues, and time and place of next meetings.
We identified the following items that need to be discussed:
One attendee requested the amount of assessment per parcel in the city needed to raise $1,000,000. About $100 was offered, but this amount needs verification.
We agreed to invite in other groups, such as the Parks and Rec Commission and the RAC, so we don't try to "re-invent the wheel." We can learn from other successful cities, too.
We realized that some issues, such as hidden costs, partnerships, and revenue sources, apply to all topics.
We discussed pros and cons of additional subcommittees and general ballot tactics.
We decided to have CotW meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month until we complete our task. The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 5th, at The Open House Senior Center located off Stockton Ave., behind our library.
Proposed agenda items are:
Meeting was adjourned.
(This record was prepared by Al Miller..)
Attendees who signed in: