Lisa Motoyama has served four years as El Cerrito Mayor/City Council member. During that time, El Cerrito developed and passed the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) necessary to move forward to meet California’s state goals for the reduction of greenhouse gasses. During this period, El Cerrito shifted from diesel-fueled transit vehicles to renewable diesel as a first step, and further steps are outlined in the CAAP. In addition to her work in transportation, Motoyama worked as Senior Housing Finance Consultant, lending expertise to transit-oriented infill housing planning.

Motoyama stepped up to the plate in 2020, facing pandemic disruption and fiscal emergencies in the City of El Cerrito. The State Auditor had put El Cerrito on the “high risk” list for fiscal stability. Four years later, the city is on sound financial footing, with a set-aside for Emergency and Disaster Relief as well as additional funding for future pension obligations. El Cerrito’s long-term financial sustainability is a high priority. 

Motoyama supports the goals of the State of California to reduce climate-change effects by increasing EV charging stations (which would help El Cerrito to transition its government-owned fleet) as well as developing resilience centers, currently unavailable in the city. She seeks additional funding to expand the proposed library at El Cerrito Plaza BART Station TOD, which would become the city’s first heating and cooling center (as well as a clean-air center for air-quality emergencies). She supports all-electric in new buildings.

Motoyama’s professional background is in low-income housing, where she has spent 30 years creating and preserving affordable housing for residents. She brought this expertise to the El Cerrito Planning Commission, supporting the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan, which included a CEQA review to streamline infill development.

As a 19-year resident of El Cerrito, Motoyama congratulates the community as “a city where residents care about the environment and have been at the forefront of implementing green systems and climate resilience.” She asks for your vote in moving El Cerrito forward as a more resilient city.

https://www.lisaforelcerrito.com/

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