City of Orinda est 1985
 Orinda Outlook

For the week of October 21, 2013

 By City Manager

Janet S. Keeter

 

You could be the next Treasurer for the City of Orinda !!

The City of Orinda is accepting applications from Orinda resident volunteers to serve as the City's Treasurer.

 

The City Treasurer is appointed by the City Council with responsibilities including:

  • Custodian of all monies, bonds and other securities of the City;
  • Invests available funds with qualified depositories;
  • Provides for the investment of all idle cash in accordance with the "Orinda Investment Policy";
  • Maintains records and portfolio for all City investments;
  • Prepares reports required of the Treasurer by State and City codes; and
  • Performs related duties as necessary.

Candidates must have working knowledge of State and City codes relating to the receipt, custody of and the investment of public funds; skills in the practices of investing public funds; ability to read, understand, interpret and explain updated codes relating to Treasurer's duties. Please see City Treasurer Position Description for minimum qualifications.  This is an upaid position. 

 

The two-year term for the City Treasurer will expire February 28, 2016. The City Council will review all applications and interview eligible candidates.

 

Applications, the complete City Treasurer Position Description and copies of the City of Orinda Investment Policy are available from the City Clerk's Office, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563. Telephone: (925) 253-4221. Email: molsen@cityoforinda.org.   Application forms may also be downloaded from the City's website at www.cityoforinda.org. The deadline for completed applications is Friday, December 6, 2013.


"The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City"  
Planning Department 

Astoria at Wilder -  

Staff held a kick-off meeting with Urban Planning Partners on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the senior assisted living facility proposed on the 1.1-acre site near the ball fields at Wilder.  The Notice of Preparation of an EIR is expected to be distributed in mid-November.

 

Housing Element -  

Staff provided the City's Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) reviewer an update on the status and the schedule for completion and adoption of the Housing Element and associated environmental review and ordinances.   Staff is  on schedule to present the 5th Draft, ordinances and the Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration to the Planning Commission on October 29th.  The meeting will be held in the Founders Auditorium.

 

Chase Bank (25A Orinda Way) -  

Staff solicited proposals from three traffic engineering firms to prepare a parking and circulation study for the Chase bank/retail project proposed on the vacant site across from the library plaza.  TJKM was selected to prepare the study (at the applicant's cost) and they are set to work on their report October 14-21st.  Staff met with the development team and suggested the applicant consider additional site layout alternatives. On October 17 the applicant indicated they will not alter the plan and wish to go forward with the proposal as-is.

 

Community Meeting Regarding Crossroads Parking Management - 

The Planning Director along with the Assistant to the City Manager, Tonya Gilmore, and Police Services Chief, Scott Haggard facilitated a community meeting with residents of Bates Blvd and Muth Dr. to discuss changes proposed to the management of street parking in the area.  Over 20 residents attended the meetings which were held at 4 pm and again at 6 pm on October 14.

 

At the meeting, staff outlined the objectives of the program which are to maintain and enhance: (1) pedestrian safety, (2) availability of parking for residents, (3) availability of parking for downtown Orinda employees and (4) effective and fair parking enforcement.

 

Based on the insightful input residents provided at the meeting, City staff will amend the proposal and present it to the City Council for consideration at a meeting to be held later in 2013 or in early 2014.  Notice of the next Council meeting on this matter will be provided to residents in the area.

 

City staff will recommend to the City Council the following changes:

  1. Establish a parking permit program for parking spaces located along 2, 4 and 6 Bates Boulevard. This area currently has no parking restrictions and can accommodate approximately 22 to 25 vehicles.  Under the new program, parking would be limited on Monday through Friday between 7 am and 6 pm to 4 hours without a permit or all-day with a permit.  Permits would be available to employees that work in downtown Orinda and to residents.
  2. Extend the no parking zone on one side of Muth Drive and establish a 4-hour limit on the other side of Muth Drive. Residents of Muth Drive will inform the City of their preference as to which side is to be "no parking" and which side will have a 4-hour time limit.
  3. To address line-of-sight concerns, the no parking zoning which ends at 7 Bates Blvd may be extended eastward (at the request of the property owners) a distance necessary to address the concern. In addition, a 4-hour zone will be added to the north side of Bates Blvd, beyond the no parking zone and the 4-hour zone on the south side of Bates Boulevard (east of Muth Drive) will be extended.  
  4. The City will install a radar speed sign on Bates Boulevard to warn drivers of their speed.
  5. Vegetation near 6 Bates Blvd will be trimmed to comply with code requirements to maintain a three foot clearance from the edge of the roadway.
  6. The City will investigate the feasibility of installing a sidewalk along one side of Bates Boulevard from the base of the hill to the top of the permit parking zone (6 Bates Blvd).
  7. The City will investigate the possibility of establishing a casual carpool parking area along Santa Maria Way and Altarinda Road on the Village side of Hwy 24 to, in part, provide an alternative for parkers displaced by the permit parking on Bates Blvd.

Planning Commission -

 

October 29, 2013

  • Housing Element

November 12, 2013

  • 15 Risa Court - Moraga Swim and Tennis Club general use permit (continued)
  • 249 Hall Drive - Wireless communication facility permit (upgrade of existing facility)
  • 17 Frog's Leap - Design review for a new single family home
  • 32 Orchard Road - Design review for 1,624 adjusted sq ft addition

City Council -

 

October 22, 2013

  • 34 Broadview Terrace - Design review for a single family home (Planning Commission appeal)
  • Below Market Rate Housing Program for Orinda Grove development

November 5, 2013

  • 10 Avenida de Orinda - Design review and general use permit for a Montessori preschool (Planning Commission appeal)

New Projects Received as of 10/10/2013

  • 519 Miner Road - Design review for a new single family residence
  • 158 Canon Drive - Design review for a small  addition
  • 607 El Toyonal - Tree removal permit
  • 7 Sunrise Hill Road - Design review for a new single family residence

"The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City" 

Public Works

    

Manzanita Bridge - Construction is progressing nicely. The contractor is currently working on the retaining walls for the road approaches on each side of the bridge. Once the retaining walls on the east side approach and a portion of the south side wall on the west approach are completed the bridge will be opened to one way traffic while the west side walls are completed.

    


Photo provided by C. Swanson, Director, Orinda Public Works

Tarabrook Storm Drain - The contractor is working on installing the new 36-inch pipe upstream from the boring pit and hopes to have this section of pipe completed by the end of the week.   

 

 

Photo provided by C. Swanson, Director, Orinda Public Works

   

Work has also begun on the new structures for the upstream inlet to the new pipe.  

  

     

Photo provided by C. Swanson, Director, Orinda Public Works
 

 "The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City"
Police Activity

Orinda Police had 2 arrests for DUI in the past week.

 

The Investigation Unit filed several misdemeanor cases with the District Attorney. They also assisted the patrol units by doing extra patrol in the city due to recent residential burglaries.

 

Recently, Orinda Police have noticed a trend of homeowners not setting their home alarms. Please activate your alarms when you are leaving your homes. If you have a front gate please close it as this can deter a person from entering your home.

 

Officer Rosenbaum attended a 40-hour DUI course. The course covers new legislation related to drinking and driving, investigation, and court testimony.

 

Detective Dennison attended an Orinda Night Out gathering. He made a presentation on crime trends and home security.

 

Chief Haggard attended the Operations Area Emergency managers meeting. The discussion entails tactics and coordination between the state, county, and local level.  The Chief also attended a grant-writing seminar that provided an overview on how to successfully apply for federal and state level grants.

 

The City of Orinda held its annual Shakeout exercise October 17, 2013. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated and City personnel staffed their respective posts. Moraga Orinda Fire District (MOFD), Red Cross, Orinda Union School District staff and Ham Radio personnel were also on hand to take part in the exercise. The EOC was given two major scenarios to manage. The EOC worked closely with other EOC's in the area (Lafayette and Moraga) to share information and resources. The exercise was a valuable experience for those who have never been involved in an operation of this magnitude.  It also served staff to review current operations and find ways to improve upon existing practices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Photos by Tod Fierner, Orinda Public Works Inspector 

 

  Theft Statistics:

 

Residential Burglaries:                   Stolen Car:

200 Block of Crescent Drive              0 Block Camino Sobrante

60 Block of Tara Road

 

Auto Burglary

0 Block of Robert Road

 
"The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City"
Janet Keeter
City Manager
  
We would like to hear from you!
Send your comments or questions to:
or call 925-253-4291