• Update on 2^nd Annual Can's for a Cause Program
• Proclamation Recognizing March as Prescription Drug Awareness Month
• Recognition of Orinda Teen Advisory Council (OTAC) Members for their Completion of Red Watch Band Training

Policy Matters

I-1 - Approval of the Orinda Intermediate School Sidewalk Master Plan

I-2 - Consider Initiating a Parking Study of the Downtown Crossroads and Village

I-3 - Request for Authorization to Augment the Service Contract with Pacific Municipal Consultants (PMC) for Preparation of the Housing Element Update and Associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Ivy Drive Sidewalk - The Engineering staff has been working on an upcoming sidewalk project along portions of Ivy and Coral Drives to be constructed in the summer of 2015. This project is funded through the Safe Routes to School grant program to improve pedestrian safety around Orinda Intermediate School. As part of this project, city staff has created an outreach plan to the neighborhood to inform residents about this upcoming project.  During community meetings, staff received significant positive feedback for the installation of sidewalks - however there was some debate as to which side of the street the sidewalk should be placed. Engineering staff listened to the feedback and determined that the best solution is to present an overall Orinda Intermediate School Sidewalk Master Plan to the City Council on March 3, 2015 for approval. The approval of this plan would be beneficial for the staff in preparing future federal and/or state grant applications to complete the overall sidewalk network in this neighborhood. Residents near Orinda Intermediate School are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Orinda Library Auditorium to provide their input or comments on the sidewalk plan.

Tuesday night the Planning Commission, staffed by Emmanuel Ursu, held a record-setting efficient meeting which lasted all of 15 minutes. Turns out there was only one item on the agenda for design review.

Wednesday night the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC), staffed by Susan Mahoney, attempted to meet at their regularly scheduled time and location, but unfortunately failed to have a quorum. No timely items were on the agenda so the items will go forward at the March meeting.

A joint meeting with the Public Works Aesthetics Review Committee (PWARC), staffed by Tonya Gilmore, and the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), staffed by Michelle Lacy, was also held on Wednesday night. The Mini-Park design took front and center stage as both groups discussed the design elements for the future renovation of the park. Members of the public also provided input.

Also happening on Wednesday night, Chief Mark Nagel presented law enforcement information to a group of neighbors organized by the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. This meeting, "Ready Lamorinda" is described in Chief Nagel's section.

The time and effort to hold a public meeting often times goes unsaid because the meetings seem to come together seamlessly.   In reality, agendas are set and posted, rooms are booked and set-up to the appropriate configuration, staff reports and packets are prepared, produced, and distributed, and then staff provides the support during and post-meetings including minutes and follow-up actions.  The city manager wants to publicly acknowledge the hard work of staff; particularly leading up to and including this past week.  We do not see the pace slowing down as we have many balls in the air.

Please join us as exciting things are going on in our community  -  to be notified about upcoming meetings, go to www.cityoforinda.org to sign up for email alerts for City Council, Committee and Commission meetings! 

DROP-OFF BOXES RETURN TO CONTRA COSTA CITY HALLS THIS SPRING

Residents will be able to save postage and time with expanding vote-by-mail program

Contra Costa residents residing in the 7^th Senatorial District will find it easier to vote in the upcoming March 17^th Special Primary Election, as the County Elections Office and City Clerks are again teaming up to provide convenient  "CoCo Vote-N-Go" drop off  locations prior to and on Election Day.

For more information about voting by mail, call 925-335-7800 or visit the  

County Elections website at www.cocovote.us.

Planning Department 

Planning Commission

February 24, 2015

• 72 La Cuesta Drive - Re-submittal of design review and elevated deck permit applications to allow a 441 square foot addition to a two-story 2,111 square foot residence that was previously approved by the Planning Commission - approved (5-0)

March 10, 2015 - meeting cancelled

March 19, 2015 - Thursday

• Housing Element and Final Environmental Impact Report

Zoning Administrator

Posted

• 54 Diablo View Road - Exception application to construct a 268 square foot carport within the front yard setback
• 215 Crestview Drive - Exception application to allow fence height in excess of four (4) feet within feet of the right-of-way

Projects Received

• 225 El Toyonal - Lot line adjustment application. 
• 59 La Espiral Road - Design review application for a 578 square foot addition to an existing house; design review required for multiple additions within 5 years 
• 25 Los Cerros - Tree removal permit to remove two black oak trees because of possible property damage and health of the trees

Did you know a creek runs through it?

    Several creeks, in fact. You might already know this, especially if your home is near a creek. San Pablo Creek, one of Orinda's biggest, flows from the Glorietta neighborhood, through both sides of downtown Orinda, all the way to Wagner Ranch Nature Area, and into San Pablo Reservoir.

But did you know that 30 to 40 years ago, Orinda's watershed was home to rainbow trout as well as many other creek-loving critters like deer, bears, raccoons, rabbits, mountain lions, fox, coyotes, frogs, salamanders, birds of all types and plenty of fish? Creeks help give Orinda its natural beauty and have historically provided wonderful habitat for abundant wildlife. C.S. Owen, an early settler, noted in 1880 that, "In those days fishing was very good in the San Pablo Creek, where one caught trout, and also salmon three feet long."

Do you think wildlife and nature give Orinda some of that special quality that we love so much?

Our organization, Friends of Orinda Creeks, needs your help to restore and maintain the natural health of our watershed so that these critters will come back to our creeks. There are many ways to help. If you are a boots-on-the-ground type of person, you could participate in our annual events such as trash clean-ups, invasive plant removals, and native plantings. If organization and leadership are more to your liking, join our board!

Learn more about us. Show your enthusiasm. Let us know about you.

Contact us online at: info@orindacreeks.org

On February 18, 2015 Chief Nagel attended a regional meeting in Walnut Creek regarding regulating the taxi industry in the Lamorinda area. Part of the regional regulation will include background checks, ensuring drivers have adequate insurance, a drug and alcohol check and regular vehicle inspections. It was a very productive meeting with numerous law enforcement representatives from neighboring agencies providing suggestions and making recommendations. Additional meetings will occur in the near future to continue our progress towards regulating the taxi industry in Lamorinda.

Crime Statistics for 02-15-15 to 02-21-15

1 - Suspicious Subject Stop Arrest              Miner Road @ Camino Pablo

          Safeway

2 - Traffic Stop Arrest                                   Camino Pablo @ Camino Sobrant

                                                                      WB Hwy 24 @ Wilder Road

1 - Welfare Check Arrest                              60 block Moraga Way

1 - Vandalism                                                20 block Coachwood Terrace

1 - Identify Theft                                            Counter Report @ Orinda Police Department

2 - Residential Burglary                                700 block Miner Road

1 - Threats                                                     Miramonte High School

1 - Brandishing a Weapon Arrest                 10 block Fleetwood Court

1 - Forgery                                                    10 block Alice Place

1 - Vehicle Theft                                            100 block Manzanita Drive

Parks and Recreation     

Take Me Out to the Ball Game   

Break out your bats, oil your gloves and put on your favorite team's cap. The City of Orinda Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the return of our spring softball leagues. This year we are offering two leagues; the men's recreational league will take place on Tuesday nights and the co-ed recreational league will play on Friday nights. The deadline to register is Monday, March 30. Opening day will be held on April 7 with championship games concluding the season on May 23. Register your team today to ensure your spot in our league. For more information contact Troy Faulk at tfaulk@cityoforinda.org or (925)253-4204.

A Bouquet of Blossoms

The sun is out, flowers are in bloom and spring is in the air! Get the full effect by joining us on our next senior trip to the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show on March 20. The group will be carpooling from the Orinda Community Center at 10:00 a.m. and returning by 4:00 p.m. Our very own Ikebana Instructor, Soho Sakai, is being featured in the show with her beautiful floral arrangements!  Register now at the Orinda Community Center or online at www.cityoforinda.org.

The Social/Ballroom Dance class provides interested parties a place to learn how to move gracefully across the floor. Instructors Chris Mehling and her partner, David Kelso use a relaxed teaching style that makes it easy to learn the skills needed to dance well and have a wonderful time. After participating in a few classes you will notice improved coordination, posture and balance even for those that have two left feet. To hear a little more about Chris Mehling's classes, click here. To find out which classes are coming up, view page 29 of the Winter/Spring Activity Guide.