Registrations for the Thanksgiving break camps are now available. Exciting educational camps are offered for ages 3-14 with a wide range of camps available. Information is available at the Orinda Parks and Recreation Department or online at  www.cityoforinda.org.

The Orinda Senior Outing to the Monterey Bay Aquarium had seventeen participants and they enjoyed a fabulous time and the amazing weather. An exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium offered the special ins and outs of running the Aquarium. Thanks to a generous transportation grant from the Orinda Parks & Recreation Foundation, this trip was offered at a reduced rate.

Here are just a few quotes from happy Monterey Bay Aquarium Senior Outing participants...

"It was a super trip, thank you."

"Really enjoyed the trip to Monterrey.  Look forward to more."

"Thanks for providing such a wonderful opportunity for visiting the Monterey Aquarium. It was quite an enjoyable trip. Looking forward to our next adventure."

"Thanks for planning the trip.  A great time with a great group of people and so inexpensive.  I so appreciate your "putting it together"."

 "The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City"

Welcome New Planning Technician Parish Burns!  

We are very pleased to have Ms. Burns on the staff of the Planning Department.  Her first day with the City was November 12 and she was introduced to the Planning Commission that evening.  Parish is currently learning the City's development code, shadowing Planning staff at the counter and assisting with plan review.   

Planning Commission

November 12

• Housing Element - Approved resolution recommending City Council adoption of the Housing Element and associated environmental review and amendments of the land use element, zoning map and zoning code.
• 15 Risa Court - Moraga Valley Pool and Tennis Club general use permit application approved with conditions
• 16 Frog's Leap Way (Wilder) - Design review approved for a new single family home 
• 249 Hall Drive -  Wireless Communication Facility Permit approved for an upgrade of an existing AT&T installation

Next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2013

"The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City"  

The City of Orinda is pleased to announce,  

"Cans for a Cause Food Drive"

The City has partnered with the Orinda Union School District, and Republic Waste Services to collect food to donate this holiday season.   Specially marked collection bins will be placed at Orinda school locations, Orinda City Hall, and the Orinda Community Center. Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable canned goods and packaged foods. Items needed are fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, peanut butter, and other shelf stable items. All items collected will be donated directly to the Contra Costa Food Bank.  Republic Services, our current local refuse provider, will match the amount of food collected.  

The City of Orinda and the Orinda Union School District will host the food collection from December 9th-20th. The Orinda schools will begin their collections with the first school, Orinda Intermediate School (OIS) starting November 12th until November 22nd. The remaining schools will follow soon after in December, with the final school, Glorietta Elementary hosting their event February 3rd - 14th, 2014. By staggering the collection drives, it will allow the Contra Costa Food Bank to receive donations even after the holiday season, when donations tend to be lower.

The Orinda schools will be collecting food on the following dates:

Orinda Intermediate School - November 12-22   

Del Rey Elementary - December 2-19

Sleepy Hollow Elementary - December 2-19

Wagner Ranch Elementary - December 2-19

Glorietta Elementary - February 3-14th 2014  

If residents have any questions, please contact Food Drive Coordinator,  

Aimee Stevens at 925.570.5654

resident volunteers to serve on the following   

City Commissions and Committees: 

Art in Public Places Committee (1)

Planning Commission (2)

Parks & Recreation Commission (2)

Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission (2)

Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (3)

Finance Advisory Committee (3)

Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee (1)

Historic Landmark Committee (3)

The City of Orinda is also seeking applications from resident volunteers to serve as the City's Liaison to the following local agencies:

Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District Trustee (1)

Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging (1)

Representative on the Contra Costa County Library Commission (2)

County Connection Citizens Advisory Committee (1)

Statement of Interest forms are available from the Orinda City Clerk's Office located at 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563. If you have any specific questions regarding the recruitment, please contact Michele Olsen, City Clerk at 925-253-4221 or molsen@cityoforinda.org. Application forms may also be downloaded from the City's website at www.cityoforinda.org.

Completed Statement of Interest forms must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office by Friday, January 3, 2014 at 5:00pm.

Qualified applicants for City Commission and Committee appointments will be invited to interview before the full City Council on Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Manzanita Bridge - The street approaches on both sides of the bridge have been partially paved and there is one-way traffic across the bridge. Once the retaining wall on the north side of the west approach is completed, the bridge will be open to two-way traffic.

Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission (CIOC) - During the regular monthly CIOC meeting, current Chair Dennis Fay was re-elected for another term and Darlene Gee was re-elected to serve as the Vice-Chair. Approximately 11 residents from Monte Vista Lane attended to bring to the CIOC's attention the poor condition of their road. The Commission asked that Public Works evaluate the condition and make a recommendation for an Urgent Repair project to be brought to the next CIOC meeting for review. The CIOC then reviewed the latest draft of the Measure L .5 cent Sales Tax street selection policy and moved to approve the policy. The policy will be brought to the City Council in the near future for their approval. The CIOC then reviewed and discussed the draft preliminary street selection for the 2015 annual paving project funded by Gas Tax and Measure J Return to Source revenue. This recommendation will go the Council for approval in early 2014.   

• Repaired potholes on Tappan Lane.
• Three separate road repairs made on Tappan Lane and Terry Lane. Removed damaged asphalt, repaired the road base and paved new overlay.
• Cleaned up litter on Camino Pablo between Miner Road and Santa Maria.
• Re-striped the lane lines on Camino Pablo between Santa Maria and Brookwood.

at Orinda Village by Bank of America