 OIS Barbeque On Thursday, August 20th, The Orinda Police Department participated in the annual OIS barbecue at Orinda Intermediate School serving delicious barbecued hot dogs to approximately 300 hungry students. Members of the Orinda Police Department, City Administration, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works provided a large barbecue in the morning and set up a well-organized cooking machine, consisting of cooks and a well-run assembly line for packaging nice lunches. All of the cooks were grateful we did not have a scorching summer day as the barbecue certainly provided enough heat. This was a great opportunity for the students and staff to meet the officers and provide an opportunity to ask questions and say "Hi." 
Crime Statistics for August 16, 2015 to August 22, 2015|
Description
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Statistic
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Location
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Battery
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1
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10 Block Altarinda Road
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Petty Theft
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1
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Wilder Park
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Arrest - Petty Theft
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1
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10 Block Altarinda Road
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Vehicle Theft
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1
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80 Block Sunnyside Lane
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Arrest - Warrant
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1
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Rite Aid
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City staff has a new tool to reach the Orinda Community
City staff has activated a Nextdoor account, in addition to the Police Nextdoor account, which will allow information to be provided to Orinda residents quickly. Each department has access, and the Nextdoor account will be used to notify the community of information that is of importance, timely, and relevant. Recent posts include the announcement of the new Fall/Winter Activity Guide, as well as information on the PG&E Project on Moraga Way. The use of Nextdoor will be a fast and reliable way of staying in contact with the community.
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Public Works and Engineering Services
Bike Lane Enhancement along Northbound Camino Pablo at Westbound Hwy 24 On-Ramp
On August 18, 2015, the City Council approved the implementation of green conflict zone striping in the new bike lane along northbound Camino Pablo between the BART entrance/exit and Santa Maria Way. The green striping is intended to improve traffic safety by bringing more awareness to motorists of the presence of cyclists in the area. The dashed green striping allows motorists to merge across to enter into an adjacent traffic lane. The solid green striping are restricted areas for bicyclists for which motorists are not allowed to cross or enter. The striping is expected to be installed within the next several weeks. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Senior Civil Engineer, Larry Theis at (925) 253-4260 or Ltheis@cityoforinda.org.
The Camino Pablo Pavement Rehabilitation Project
The Camino Pablo Pavement Rehabilitation project will re-commence at the end of the week, with signal pole foundation work at the Brookwood Road and Santa Maria Way intersections. St. Francis Electric, subcontractor to Ghilotti Bros., Inc. will be onsite to start preparing the new pole foundations by drilling and casting new concrete piles. Please expect some delays due to lane closures in the area. The next steps will be erecting the new traffic signals poles and mast arms, along with electrical connections and new traffic signage. The overall signal work is expected to take 4-6 weeks.
Alhambra Valley Road Closure
The Contra Costa County Public Works Department will fully close Alhambra Valley Road one half mile east of the intersection of Bear Creek Road for a period of four (4) weeks. This will begin 7:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2015 through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2015, for the purpose of constructing the Alhambra Valley Road Safety Improvements Project. The improvements include slide repair and grading for pavement widening, culvert extensions, and road reconstruction. Electronic message boards were placed on the Bear Creek Road at the Camino Pablo intersection and on Happy Valley Road at the Bear Creek Road intersection. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes such as Highways 4 or 24. Emergency vehicles will have access to the area during construction. Please contact the County's Resident Engineer, Sunny Jhutti at (415) 246-4920 or email SunnyJ@Hannagrp.com for additional information, questions, or concerns. (See map below)
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Planning Department
Planning Commission
August 25, 2015
New Public Hearings:
- 1 Camino Sobrante - Commercial use permit to allow a bank (Chase Bank) in a Type I retail space.
- Code Amendments - Review and provide recommendations to the City Council on proposed amendments to the regulations pertaining to Landscape Structures (OMC 17.4.24) and Duration of design and other approvals (OMC 17.30.12, 17.44.1 and 17.44.3).
Continued Hearings:
- 35, 37, 39 Wilder Road - Design review and elevated deck applications for new single family homes proposed by Taylor Morrison of California, LLC.
- Update of Planning Commission Rules and Procedures
September 8, 2015
- 7 Via Hermosa - Design review for a construction of a new 4,200 square foot single family home on a vacant lot
- 60 Boeger Ranch Road - Design review for a construction of a new 4,500 square foot single family residence on a vacant lot in the Wider subdivision
- 149 Hall Drive - Design Review for a construction of a new 1,763 square foot single family home on a vacant lot
Zoning Administrator
Posted
- 501 Moraga Way - Temporary Event Permit application for St. John's Orthodox Church's annual Middle Eastern Food Festival to be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 2015 with setup on the day before the event and clean up immediately after the event. About 2,000 participants are expected for the event, which will include food stalls, vendors, a cultural heritage exhibit, children's activities and an entertainment stage.
- 25 Brookbank Road - Exception application for work within a creek setback including expansion of an existing elevated entry patio that will connect to the house's existing south patio.
New Projects
- 96 Camino Encinas - Exception application to replace an existing fence along Moraga Way with a 6-foot fence.
- 251 Sundown Terrace - Exception application to replace an existing footbridge, repair and expansion of existing pool paving, replacement of drainage outfalls and a construction of a new accessory pool cabana structure.
Historic Landmarks Committee
The Historic Landmarks Committee held a special meeting on August 18th, 2015 where recommendations for historical images and narratives were finalized for incorporation into signs for the City's pedestrian wayfinding project.
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Parks and Recreation
Championships for Basketball and Softball
This past week marked the Championship Round for two of our adult sports leagues. First, on Thursday August 13, Bay Oak Benefits beat PHS All Stars to win the first ever Orinda Summer Shootout in a rematch from the Spring Championship Game. Bay Oak Benefits has now taken home the Orinda Cup in their first two seasons competing in the Orinda Adult Basketball League.
On Sunday, August 15 the Waitlisters defeated the Old Scouts to win the 2015 Senior Softball League Championship. This year's tournament featured 8 teams and a double elimination format that included two full days of play and yielded 15 total games. This was the Waitlisters' first championship victory in over 15 years of participating in the Orinda Softball League.
I'm a Park and Rec KidSM
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is celebrating their 50 th Anniversary this year. NRPA was established to advance park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all. As part of their 50 th Anniversary, NRPA is launching the I'm a Park and Rec KidSM campaign, a viral social media campaign asking everyone to share their "Park and Rec Kid" story and to challenge others to get out to their parks and participate. Their goal of this campaign is to inspire individuals of all ages to use their community parks and recreation as a solution for happier, healthier lives.
Since the Orinda Parks and Recreation Department believes in the value of offering access to the serenity and inspiration of nature; outdoor spaces to play and exercise; facilities for self-directed and organized recreation; positive alternatives for youth; and activities that facilitate social connections, human development, the arts, and lifelong learning, they are encouraging members of the community to share their own Park and Rec Kid story.
Create and share your own "I'm a Park and Rec Kid" short video and post it on
Twitter, Facebook and/or YouTube.
Just make sure to use #ImAParkandRecKid and #OrindaParksRec in your post.
Everyone has their own story, what's yours?
Weekly Instructor Spotlight
The Orinda Parks and Recreation Department strives to better the lives of residents of the Orinda community now and in the future by offering access to the serenity and inspiration of nature, outdoor spaces to play and exercise, facilities for self-directed and organized recreation, positive alternatives for youth, and activities that facilitate social connections, human development, the arts, and lifelong learning. To help cultivate this type of environment the City contracts with remarkable independent instructors who can provide specialized programs and classes. We will be "spotlighting" one instructor per week.
This week we'd like to introduce you to Sensei Don Stasenka, Orinda Karate-Do Instructor. Sensei Don Stasenka is a 4th degree black belt and has trained and taught Karate for 20 years and teaches self-defense seminars for Women & Children (AIDE: Avoid, Identify, Defend, Escape). Currently he offers a traditional Okinawan Karate-do program for children ages 5 through 15, and adults ages 16 and up. Students of all strength and experience levels will be challenged to strengthen their bodies, sharpen their minds and expand their spirit.
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Sensei Don Stasenka,
Orinda Karate-Do Instructor.
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This comprehensive program focuses on awareness of your surroundings, avoidance of undesirable situations, and how to handle undesirable situations confidently. In addition participants are taught the importance of respect and self-discipline, challenging their bodies and minds. Our kids program deals with "street" awareness, avoiding strangers, and self-defense in a kid-friendly way.
"What motivated you to teach kids karate?"
For years I had no interest in teaching kids karate. I thought that adult training programs were the only serious programs. One day my little tiny Chihuahua dog ran away and I went to work searching for her. I did everything to find her including putting up posters on the street and in parks. More than once I found myself surrounded by kids asking about the little missing dog and volunteering to help find her. No parents in sight. The story of the pied piper came to mind. The most terrible scenario could easily become reality. It occurred to me that the only thing needed was a photocopied picture of a little dog and a van. It also occurred to me that something needed to be done to reduce the odds of this ever happening. I was validated a couple years later when one of my student's parents sent me this message,
"I just wanted to send you a little thank you and reiterate the incident that happened the day after my daughter Emily's first karate class last month. Emily had just learned how to deal with strangers. You had gone over what to do when a stranger approaches you. The very next day I was running late to pick Emily up from school and she was waiting by the edge of the school gates and a red van drove up to her, a woman leaned out and waved to her. Emily didn't know her and was frightened but remembered what you had taught her about running away, yelling and getting to a safe place and to tell someone. She will never forget that and neither will I. Thank you so much." Para La Russa
I take this very seriously and I strongly believe that kids need to be more aware of their surroundings. They need to be challenged, learn discipline, and be encouraged to achieve. I also think that kids need to be kids and all this serious stuff should be approached in a fun and kid-friendly way.
Sensei Don Stasenka (4th Dan Black Belt, Head instructor - Orinda Karate-do)
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Congressman DeSaulnier invites you to attend a town hall meeting to listen to a presentation and legislative update, share your thoughts on issues important to you and your family, and learn about the broad range of constituent services his office can provide to you. In an effort to be accessible to our community, he is hosting a town hall meeting here in Orinda. For more information please click here Orinda Town Hall Wednesday, September 2, 2015
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
(Check-in begins at 6:00 PM)
Orinda Library Auditorium
26 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA, 94563 |
From the Desk of Police Chief, Mark Nagel
In an effort to reduce property theft related crimes, the Orinda Police Department has begun utilizing Motion-Activated Surveillance Cameras (Reconyx) and an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) within the City of Orinda. The Reconyx cameras are located at various locations throughout the city and the ALPR camera is utilized on one patrol car.
The ALPR system will instantly notify officers of stolen vehicles and abandoned stolen vehicles in the City. The Motion-Activated Cameras will be integral in providing suspect leads to investigators by providing license plate information. The City of Orinda held numerous City Council meetings which provided an opportunity for the community and City Council to ask questions and provide input.
The Motion-Activated Surveillance Camera (Reconyx) policy can be found here . With the camera technology and the increase in community involvement, the Orinda Police Department is committed to making Orinda a safer city.
For additional information, please contact Police Chief, Mark Nagel at mnagel@cityoforinda.org or by calling (925) 254-6820.
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Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings
Planning Commission
Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 7:00 pm
Library Auditorium, Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Finance Advisory Committee
Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 6:00pm
Sarge Littlehale Community Room
City Hall, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Mayor's Community Liaison Meeting
Tuesday, September 1, 2015, 8:30am
Sarge Littlehale Community Room
City Hall, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563 City Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 1, 2015, 7:00pm
Library Auditorium, Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight CommissionWednesday, September 9, 2015, 6:30pm
Sarge Littlehale Community Room
City Hall, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Parks & Recreation Commission
Wednesday, September 9, 2015, 7:00 pm
Orinda Community Center, Room 7
28 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 9456
Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee (PWARC)
Monday, September 21, 2015, 9:00am
Sarge Littlehale Room, City Hall
22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
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