The City of Orinda is seeking applications from
resident volunteers to serve on City Committees and Commissions
Art in Public Places Committee (1)
Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission (3)
Historic Landmark Committee (2)
Parks & Recreation Commission (2)
Planning Commission (3)
Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee (1)
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)
County Connection Citizens Advisory Committee (1)
Statement of Interest forms are available from the Orinda City Clerk's Office, 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.
Deadline has been extended to Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 5:00pm.
Qualified applicants for City Commission and Committee appointments
will be invited to interview before the full City Council.
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2016 Parking Study
Orinda residents and other interested parties participated in a community outreach meeting on the upcoming Downtown and Affected Neighborhoods Parking Study on Wednesday, January 27, 2016.
The meeting included a presentation on the scope of the study and provided an opportunity for the public to share ideas and concerns about parking in the downtown area and adjacent neighborhoods.
The slide presentation from the meeting can be viewed here.
Upon completion of the Parking Study, the following topics will have been examined: * The existing parking supply, demand and current utilization * Current parking policies and alternatives to maximize utilization of existing spaces * Parking enforcement strategies * Intrusion of BART commuters into local business and residential neighborhoods * Public/private partnership opportunities * Permit parking program for various users * ADA compliance of on-street parking spaces The study will develop strategies and solutions for short and long-term parking needs downtown, in the adjacent neighborhoods and will address access needs for residents, employees, customers and commuters in Orinda across a range of transportation modes. For additional information, please contact Tonya Gilmore at 925-253-4291 or tgilmore@cityoforinda.org
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Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings
City Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 7:00pm
Library Auditorium, Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Art in Public Places Committee
Monday, February 8, 2016 3:30pm
May Room, Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563 Planning CommissionTuesday, February 9, 2016, 7:00pm
Library Auditorium, Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission
Wednesday, February 10, 2015 6:30pm
Sarge Littlehale Community Room
City Hall, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC)
Monday, February 15, 2016, 7:00pm
Sarge Littlehale Community Room
City Hall, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
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Public Works and Engineering Services
Lamorinda Fee and Finance Authority (LFFA) The LFFA met last week and approved the updated Nexus Study and Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that are the basis for the transportation impact fees charged by Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette on new development. The updated Nexus and the JPA will be presented to each City Council for approval in February. A recommendation for approval will be presented to the Orinda Council on February 16.
2015 Annual and Measure J & L Pavement Rehabilitation Project Due to favorable weather on Wednesday and Thursday last week, Bay Cities Paving & Grading was able to finish the final lift paving work along Crestview Drive, Donald Drive, and Lost Valley Drive. These streets were the remaining streets that were partially constructed before the holidays which required the finish pavement surface. The streets remained in their interim condition due to inclement weather and lack of available asphalt. Asphalt plants opened Wednesday and Thursday since there were enough paving contractors in the region needing asphalt to make it economical to open the plants. Work this week is expected to be light due to forecasted rain. Most of the activities will include utility manhole and valve cover adjustments, minor asphalt dike work, and general clean up. There are six more streets that will be rehabilitated under this project: Calvin Drive, Camino Sobrante, Canon Drive, Overhill Road, St. Stephens Drive and Valley Drive. The roadway treatment that will be applied to these streets require from seven to ten consecutive clear days for pavement pulverization, cement treatment and new hot mix asphalt placement operations. The status of the work on these streets, except for St. Stephens Drive, is postponed until weather permits. The rehabilitation of St. Stephens Drive will commence after the active PG&E gas line relocation work is completed which is projected in April/May 2016.
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From the Desk of Chief Nagel
At the January 19, 2016 Orinda City Council meeting Chief Nagel recognized
Officer Landon Lawson as the 2015 Officer of the Year and
Derek Brown as the 2015 Reserve Officer of the Year.
Officer Lawson has been assigned to the Orinda Police Department since January of 2014. Since his arrival, Officer Lawson has demonstrated an outstanding work ethic that is apparent in his criminal investigations, written reports and his contacts with the citizens of Orinda.
Officer Lawson continues to demonstrate a high level of dedication to his position as an officer for the City of Orinda by making over 50 arrests; 27 of which were subjects actively operating their motor vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
In March 2015, the City of Orinda took advantage of Officer Lawson's natural leadership abilities and selected him to be a Field Training Officer. This position was made available to Officer Lawson due the fact that he exceeded our expectations of him as an officer, demonstrated a sustained commitment to the service of both the citizens of Orinda and his coworkers, and continually strives to improve upon his already exceptional work product. This position has required him to train brand new patrol officers in every aspect of law enforcement. In July 2015, Officer Lawson took on the responsibility of the being the city's single traffic enforcement officer, while still maintaining his position as a Field Training Officer
Officer Lawson sets an outstanding example for our Officers in the Orinda Police Department in his work ethic, commitment to the community, attitude, and dedication to being an integral part of this Police Department. He is the well deserving recipient of the City of Orinda Police Department's Officer of the Year award.
Reserve Officer Derek Brown has been a reserve officer in Orinda for the past 21 years. His dedication to the City of Orinda is much appreciated by his fellow officers and administrative staff. Derek volunteers his time performs a number of duties that allow full time officers more time to conduct investigations and work on special projects. Some of those tasks are: assisting in safely directing the control of vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. Crowd control at major events, gatherings, disasters, and any other special occasions which may cause a large crowd to assemble or traffic to congest. He also assists in providing security at City facilities, parades, sporting and other public events, provides transportation and hospital custody of prisoners and transports evidence, records and equipment and prepares necessary reports.
Congratulations to Landon and Derek
and we thank them for their service!
Crime Statistics will return next week.
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Planning Department
A regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting was held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Public Hearings included:
- Title 17 Orinda Municipal Code Zoning Amendments - Public hearing to consider a recommendation by the Planning Commission to the City Council concerning a City-initiated proposal to revise Title 17 zoning regulations for consistency with the Fifth Cycle Housing Element.
- This item was continued to the next Planning Commission meeting on February 9, 2016.
- 81 La Cresta Road - Public hearing to consider wireless communications facility permit and elevated deck permit applications for 6 antennas with associated equipment mounted on a PG&E transmission tower, and a 23ft x 28ft fenced equipment area with cabinets and a standby generator on an elevated metal equipment platform.
- This item was approved with additional conditions.
- Wilder Lots 104, 110, 111, 136, 152 - Public hearing to consider five design review applications and four elevated deck permit applications for five new single-family residences on vacant lots in the Wilder subdivision.
- This item was approved with additional conditions.
Zoning Administrator Updates- Public Hearings:
- 122 Scenic Drive - The Zoning Administrator hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016 at 4:00pm has been cancelled. Instead, there will be a public hearing for this project at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting. The project involves back yard improvements including grading, retaining walls, a batting cage, an entertainment center and a sport court.
- New Project Applications
- 31 Lucille Way - Tree Removal Permit request to remove 9 trees on a vacant lot for a future development.
- 149 Ivy Drive - Exception permit for encroachment into setback to allow for addition to existing single-family residence.
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City Manager announces the appointment of a new
Planning Director, Drrummond Buckley
After an extensive search and recruitment process, Orinda City Manager Janet Keeter announced that Drummond Buckley will join the City of Orinda staff as Planning Director, effective February 29, 2016.
Mr. Buckley has served in many capacities during his tenor in the Planning profession including serving as the City of Sausalito's Planning Director, working as the Senior Planner for the City of Orinda from 1996-1999, the Assistant and Associate Planner for the City of Santa Monica, various private sector positions, and most recently working for Worley Parsons Corporation serving as their Urban Management & Economics Expert and assisting with governance, urban planning, and economic development initiatives.
With his educational background of a BA degree from UCSC and an MA in Urban Planning from UCLA, Drummond has a blend of experience, education and skills that is well suited to meeting our organizational needs in the Planning Department and the Orinda community.
As we work together to discuss the future of Orinda, we need an individual at the helm who brings both fresh ideas and an intricate understanding of our city's complex planning process. Mr. Buclkley's experience both here in Orinda and in other communities will add tremendous value to our City's planning efforts.
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Facing Life and Death: a film and discussion at the Orinda Library
February 25, 6:30 p.m.
Orinda Library Garden Room
The Orinda library is hosting a free screening of the film,
Facing Life and Death, by East Bay filmmaker, Dr. Michelle Peticolas.
Dr. Peticolas is a sociologist, filmmaker and longtime student of Sufism. She teaches seminars on end-of-life and leads loss support groups around the Bay Area. She has been working in the field of death and loss for over 17 years. Producer of the award winning documentary
Secret of Life and Death, she also presents at hospitals, hospices and
community groups around northern California.
Death is a subject that much of modern western society prefers to avoid. Following the 26 minute film screening with a moderated discussion, participants will share stories and listen to the stories of others. Visit her website at www.secretsoflifeanddeath.com
Sponsored by the Friends of the Orinda Library and in partnership with Hospice of the East Bay
Free & Open to the public - No Registration Required
6: 30 PM in the Orinda Library Auditorium. 26 Orinda Way, Orinda.
For more information, call the Orinda Library at 925-254-2184
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Parks and Recreation
Get Paid to Have Fun!
The City of Orinda is starting the annual search for responsible, highly motivated, outgoing and fun-loving individuals to join the Parks and Recreation team as camp counselors this summer. Camp Orinda Counselors will have the opportunity to chaperone fun trips to Waterworld, Six Flags, Sky High and more. Interested individuals will need to complete and submit an application and additional questionnaire by Friday, March 18. The City will contact applicants shortly thereafter to schedule an interview.
The application and questionnaire can be found
here. For more information please contact Human Resources Manager Pamela Foster at pfoster@cityoforinda.org.
A Sneak Peek of Summer!
The new, 16-page Summer Camp Guide is now available online, click here to view the guide. Copies are being mailed by the second week of February and will be available to pick up at the Orinda Community Center. The Choose Your Own Adventure camp guide will allow parents to view all camps for all ages in a week-by-week matrix. Parents can search by week and then find the appropriate age to choose their child's adventure.
For summer camp planning assistance, stop by the Summer Camp Fair on Saturday, February 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Orinda Community Center located at 28 Orinda Way. The fair will provide parents the opportunity to speak with camp directors and staff about the new summer camp schedule in addition to being able to meet summer day camp staff and specialty class instructors. Some of the camps that will be onsite to answer questions are Art, Kids N' Dance, Kidz Love Soccer, Little Medical School, Mad Science, Musical Theater, National Academy of Athletics, Play-Well TEKnologies, Skyhawks, Tennis, and World Cup Soccer. Additional information will be available a week before the fair.
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