April 14, 2014 update from the Public Works Engineering Division:

The Citizen Street Oversight Committee held a Special Meeting on April 3, 2014 to review the City’s Fiscal Year 2012-13 audit documents, which were recently completed, and continue its discussion on the permissible uses of Measure A funds and role of the Committee. Maze and Associates presented the Measure A information contained in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the Independent Accountant’s Report on Applying Agreed Upon Procedures for the City of El Cerrito Master Installment Sale Agreement. The Committee, by a vote of three to two, approved its Annual Report Memorandum to City Council finding that that the Measure A expenditures were appropriate. The report will be transmitted to the City Council at the next Council Meeting. Regarding the second matter, at the request of two members of the Committee, City staff had previously provided several documents illustrating the authority of the City Council to allocate Measure A funds to street improvement work that was not pavement-related. The documents show that Measure A allocations and expenditures were appropriate. While non-pavement work is an appropriate use of Measure A funding, staff understands that improving and maintaining pavement condition was the first priority of Measure A. We have ensured that maintaining the excellent pavement condition index (mid-80s) will not be sacrificed by funding other street improvement work. The City Attorney has also prepared a memorandum to respond to questions regarding the permissible uses of Measure A. A copy of the memorandum is available for public review.