City of Orinda est 1985
 Orinda Outlook 

For the week of May 11
, 2015

       By City Manager  

      Janet S. Keeter

Celebration of Life for Les Graham

 

On Tuesday, May 12 at 3:00 p.m., the City of Orinda will host a Celebration of Life for Les Graham at the Orinda Community Center. The Parks and Recreation staff will host the event and light refreshments will be provided.  

 

Since Les was a lifetime fan of the Oakland A's, the Parks and Recreation Department are encouraging attendees to wear green and gold in honor of their devoted fan.


 

Camino Pablo Pavement Rehabilitation

   

The pavement rehabilitation work along Camino Pablo is in full swing. Pavement grinding has been completed between Santa Maria Way and Camino Sobrante. Ghilotti Bros., Inc. is finishing base failure repairs this week. The first lift of asphalt (base course) was placed on the section of Camino Pablo between Camino Sobrante and Miner Road, including some temporary striping. Currently there is no designated right turn pocket off Camino Pablo onto Miner Road. This is a temporary situation and the right turn pocket will be replaced after the final pavement lift is installed. The final asphalt lift between Santa Maria Way and Miner Road will be completed this week. The final striping will be placed approximately 10-14 days after the final lift of asphalt throughout the project. There will be more night work along Camino Pablo between Moraga Way and Santa Maria Way and along Brookwood Road between Camino Pablo and Moraga Way. Grinding of the existing pavement and base failure repairs will be done the week of May 11th, followed by paving of new asphalt at the end of the week or at the beginning of the week of May 18th.  

 

Orinda Restaurant Tour

The Orinda Chamber of Commerce and the restaurateurs of Orinda will once again hold the Orinda Restaurant Tour - Dining Al Fresco, on Tuesday, May 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will be held throughout and about Theatre Square in downtown Orinda with most of the Orinda restaurants providing samples of some of their finest offerings to tour participants who want to "taste" Orinda at its finest - all in one, easy walking tour, al fresco!

This event promises to be another big success with live music provided by The Ripplers, a local band playing dance classics from every decade in Restaurant Alley (Vashell Way) across from the Theatre.  Up to 20 restaurants will be on board so "abbondanza!"  The tasting tour will go from 6:00 to 8:00 with pie and coffee service from 7:00 to 8:30.   Non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase as permitted.  SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, May 12, 2015.
City Council Meeting Highlights - May 5, 2015

Here are a Few Highlights from the May 5th City Council Meeting
!

Items for the Good of the City

The Council issued a Proclamation recognizing May 17th to 23rd as Public Works Week
Eden Housing presented the City of Orinda with an Affordable Housing Partner Recognition
Announcement of May 14th as Bike to Work Day
Announcement of the 3rd Annual Mother's Day Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

Public Hearing on Wilder Project Annual Review
The Council held a Public Hearing and found the project to be in substantial compliance with the Development Agreement.

Camera Technology Options for Police Department
The Council approved the purchase and installation of eight  Reconyx cameras and one Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) package to be installed on an Orinda Police car. Chief Nagel was directed to report back to Council in one year on the effectiveness of the technology.

Received the 2014 Annual Report from Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission Council thanked Commission members for the hard work and diligence that went into report and provide feedback. A revised report will be brought back to the City Council on May 19th for receipt.

This feature of the Orinda Outlook is meant to serve as a highlight of items from the May 5th City Council Meeting. To view the meeting in its entirety or review meeting materials including the
Agenda, Minutes and Staff Reports please click here!

Upcoming Meetings
 

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Planning Commission
     7:00pm  Library Auditorium, Orinda Library

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 

Parks and Recreation Commission &

Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee

Special Meeting
6:00pm Community Center, Room 7

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 

Parks and Recreation Commission
 Regular Meeting
7:00pm Community Center, Room 7

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015  

Citizen's Infrastructure Oversight Commission
6:30pm Sarge Littlehale Community Room 

 

Thursday, May 14, 2015

City Council Special Meeting - Budget

 8:30am Library Auditorium

 

     Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission (CIOC)

7:00pm  Library Auditorium  


When is Bike to Work Day?

The San Francisco Bay Area's 21st annual Bike to Work Day will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2015 with all nine Bay Area counties participating in the celebration. The event is part of National Bike Month.

 

What Happens on Bike to Work Day?

Energizer Stations are located along Bay Area county commute routes where bicyclists can stop for refreshments, giveaways, and bicycling information or simply to be 'cheered on' by fellow participants. Energizer Stations will be open during morning commute hours and some will even re-open during the evening commute. Stay tuned for updated information about Energizer Station locations, Bike to Work Week activities and Bike to Work Day "after parties."

 

Why Bike to Work?

More than one million Bay Area residents live within five miles of their workplace, an ideal distance for bicycling. The work commute only represents 23% of all trips, so consider how you also may be able to bike to shop, to school, for errands, and for social events. In a world concerned with climate change, pollution, congestion and wasted time, the question should really be: Why not bike to work?

 

How many people in the Bay Area commute to work by bike every day?

According to the 2013 American Community Survey, over 62,000 Bay Area residents use a bicycle as their primary means of getting to work every day. On Bike to Work Day, we expect tens of thousands of people to bike to work in the Bay Area - with many being first-time bike commuters.

 

Do I need to register for Bike to Work Day?

Registration is free, quick and easy. You don't need to register, but the only way to win awesome prizes is to pledge to ride. By registering you will be making a pledge to Bike to Work, allowing the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition to better calculate participation. When you register, you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize.

 

Only Bay Area Residents (residents of any of the Bay Area's 9 official government counties)

will be qualified to win prizes.

 

The City of Orinda sponsors an Energizer Station that will be located at the foot of the St Stephen's trail at the intersection of
Bryant Way and Davis Road.  The station will be open 6:30AM - 8:00PM.  Stop by for energizing treats and bicycle goodies!

 

Public Works

Southwest Area Transportation Committee (SWAT)

Three items were discussed at the most recent SWAT meeting. First was approval of a BART request to spend $110,000 of County Sales Tax Measure J funds for new bicycle lockers at the Orinda and Lafayette stations. Second was approval of a proposal from the City of San Ramon to take over administrative services for SWAT. This service has been provided by the City of Danville for the past several years. Third was a presentation and discussion of the Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) being proposed by the Contra Costa Transpiration Authority (CCTA). This plan is being proposed as part of the decision process for moving forward with a 2016 ballot measure for countywide transportation funding.

 

Lamorinda Program Management Committee (LPMC)  - 

Lamorinda Fee and Finance Authority (LFFA)

The Lamorinda Program Management Committee (LPMC) and the Lamorinda Fee and Finance Authority (LFFA) met last week and reviewed the recommended service alternatives for providing transportation to the Lamorinda downtown areas and BART stations in Orinda, Lafayette and expanded school bus services. The alternatives recommended are BART Shuttle, BART Vanpools, Flexible Transit Services and Expanded School Bus Service. The LMPC's consultant, Nelson/Nygaard, will be conducting a survey of transit users to determine which of these services will be viable. The LFFA also reviewed the methodology and draft recommendation for the revised Transportation Impact Fees that will be charged to new developments by the three communities in the future. This fee recommendation will be presented to the three City Councils in June for review and discussion before being adopted by the LFFA.

 

More detailed information about the transportation services and the  

proposed impact fees can be found Here.

Parks & Recreation  

  

Make Change Happen

Have you ever wanted to get involved with your community? The Orinda Teen Advisory Council (OTAC) provides the perfect opportunity to gain valuable volunteer experience and make an impact on other local teens and children all while having fun. This year's events included two movie nights, Holiday Bazaar Kid's Corner, Sibley Regional Preserve invasive plant removal, Orinda Action Day, and implementation of Red Watch Band Training along with monthly donation drives.

   

Positions for 2015-2016 are listed online and applications are currently being accepted. Positions include co-chairs, community outreach and involvement officers, grade representatives and treasurer. Students in grades 6 through 12 at all area schools are welcome to apply.

 

Position Descriptions can be found here and Applications can be found here 

 

Summer Camp Cancellations

The Orinda Parks and Recreation Department has updated their cancellation policy regarding summer camps. This year summer camps that do not meet the minimum number of participants (low enrollment) will now be cancelled two weeks before the first day of camp.  Staff wants to provide parents/guardians enough time to make any necessary changes. If you haven't already done so you can look through the camps being offered here. You may register online, click here, or you can call the Orinda Community Center at (925) 254-2445.

   

 

Keep yourself and the roads safe!

AARP Driver Safety courses are offered year round at the Orinda Community Center. The two-day course is designed for the older driver because the course addresses the physical changes of the maturing driver and identifies ways to compensate for those changes. Participants may even be eligible for a discount on their automobile insurance after completion of the 8 hour course!

 

Participants are encouraged to check with their insurance agent regarding policy discounts. The next two-day class is May 19 and May 21, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Orinda Community Center. Registration is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Pre-registration is required and registration can be completed at or sent to the Orinda Community Center.

 

Parks and Recreation Commission and Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee Special Joint Meeting

 

The Parks and Recreation Commission and Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee will be holding a special joint meeting to discuss the Mini-Park renovation project.  The Mini-Park is located at the northeast corner of Brookwood and Camino Pablo.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 7 at the Orinda Community Center.


Crime Statistics for 4/26/15 to 5/02/15

Description

Statistic

Location

Traffic Stop Arrest

3

Camino Pablo @ Manzanita Drive

    

10 block Camino Sobrante

    

Camino Pablo @ Bear Creek Road

      

Suspicious Vehicle Stop Arrest

3

20 block St Stephens Drive @ WB Hwy 24

    

Wells Fargo Bank

    

Northwood Drive @ Southwood Drive

      

Auto Burglary

2

Wagner Ranch Elementary

    

80 block Tara Road

      

Residential Burglary

3

100 block Ardith Drive

    

10 block Monroe Court

    

10 block Ridge Lane

      

Petty Theft from Vehicle

1

20 block Heather Lane

      

Credit Card Fraud

1

10 block Scenic Court

Planning Department   

 

Planning Commission

 

 
May 12, 2015
  • 75 La Cresta Road - Design review for a new 2,648 square foot single family resident, a 202 square foot expansion of an existing detached garage, and demolition of an exist 1,573 square foot house
  • 50 Las Cascadas - Design review and elevated deck permit for a 2,076 square foot addition constructed without permits to a two-story single family residence.
  • 67 Muth Drive - Tree removal permit to allow removal of a tree that is located in an area of remedial grading.
  • Capital Improvement Program - Review CIP for consistency with the General Plan

New Projects

  • 650 Orindawoods - Wireless communications permit to allow a new cellular site
  • 30 Paintbrush Lane - Revisions to a new single family residence that was previously approved by the Planning Commission

Monthly Development Activity Report

Overall, activity in April 2015 was up from the previous month yet slightly below the level of activity in April 2014.  The average level of activity over the past 12 months (May 2014 to April 2015) is slightly higher than the average of the prior 12 months (May 2013 to April 2014).  In April 2015 there was a 23% increase in the number of projects submitted yet a 5% decrease in the number of applications. One project (i.e. a new single family home) may have multiple applications (i.e. design review, tree removal, elevated deck, exception, etc.).



On May 1, 2015, BART installed new bicycle racks which can accom
modate approximately 50 bikes at the Orinda station. The new bike racks are in the paid area of the station inside the fare gates. 


The bike parking is free, sheltered fr
om the weather, and in a secure area. If you have been thinking of bicycling to BART, now is the time to try it. If you are new to cycling, Bike East Bay has tips and other resources to help you out, including information on safety classes for both adults and kids, at https://bikeeastbay.org/NewCyclists 

 

  

 

If you have any questions or comments on the new bike parking, please contact BART's Steve Beroldo (SBerold@bart.gov).


 

Janet Keeter
City Manager
  
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or call 925-253-4291