El Cerrito Democratic Club

by Arlin Robins

Our April meeting of the El Cerrito Democratic Club was very well attended. Our current Mayor, Mark Friedman gave a presentation on the state of the city. He listed the city’s 6 main goals and how the accomplishments of the last year are helping to meet and further those goals. He touched briefly on the SPASP, the switch to MCE for electricity and the very harsh smoke limitations. The goal of a sustainable future is not yet accomplished. The city faces challenges such as a need for a new public safety building, staff vacancies, compensation and retention, vacant commercial properties, deferred maintenance on city facilities and lack of financial reserves.
The Mayor listed the upcoming opportunities for our city:

• A new Library/Community Center/Senior Center
• Ohlone Greenway improvements
• Total Remodel of the E.C. Del Norte Bart station
• Increase in the minimum wage – Supervisor John Gioia is heading the task force
• A Just Cause Eviction ordinance

Mark told us that funding from Cap & Trade will be growing and contributing to affordable housing. He also suggested that anyone interested in more information on transit oriented development should contact Rebecca Salzman.

The second presentation of the night was given by Ben Choi from Marin Clean Energy.

MCE was formed in Marin City in 2008 and began serving in 2010 (165,000 customers) It is a Not-for-Profit agency, designed to provide up to 100% renewable energy sources for our electricity. They take over procurement of the energy, providing it through PG&E’s infrastructure and billing directly. Emergency services are still handled through PG&E, but by working with MCE, we are removing demand for dirty energy sources. MCE calculated that in the 1st 4 years of service, approximately 60,000 tons of pollution was removed from the environment. This equals 2 acres per E.C. household of forest planted.

Mr. Choi explained that they answer to 17 communities, through the board of directors. Each community elects an official to act on the board.

Customers are able to choose a level of energy provided. 100% renewable is referred to as Deep Green. MCE provides Deep Green service to 365 households as of the meeting date.

Regular Club Meeting

 Tuesday, April 28

6:00 p.m.

                                                      Zion Presbyterian Church

                                                          545 Ashbury Ave

 The next Club meeting will be on Tuesday, April 24.

                 Our guests will be Mark Friedman, the current Mayor of El Cerrito, Alex DiGiorgio of Marin Clean Energy Club  and members will also consider a number of changes to the by-laws and standing rules.

                The Mayor will present a 2015 State of the City address and then open the floor for a Q&A session with the public following his remarks.

             Babysitters are available free to parents for ECDC meetings, if we are given notice that they are needed.

                           HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP?

Our March meeting of the El Cerrito Democratic Club was very well attended.  We had visitors and members representing many different areas of the West Contra Costa County Unified School District.

Superintendent Dr. Bruce Harter and School Board Member Todd Groves each gave presentations about the school district, including enrollment numbers, past, current and projected. They spoke about the updating to facilities that has been made possible through bonds voted by the public; the long -range facilities master plan, educational goals and accomplishments, and some of the programs in place now that are making a difference for the students.  Dr. Harter also discussed the State’s mandates regarding satellite schools and the school district’s requirement to provide facilities.

Afterwards, the floor was opened for a question and answer session, with our VP Treasurer, Greg Lyman aptly fielding and presenting questions from the audience.  Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Bruce Harter and Board Member Todd Groves for your time, Greg Lyman for gracefully handling the question and answer, and to our astute audience of members and visitors for your thoughtful questions.