TOWN OF MORAGA
SPECIAL MEETING of the
TOWN COUNCIL
January 23, 2024
MINUTES
6:30 p.m.
The following are minutes of the actions taken by the Town of Moraga Town Council.
A full video recording of the meeting is available on the Town's website at:
https://livestream.com/moraga
Council Chambers
335 Rheem Boulevard, Moraga, California 94556
CALL TO ORDER
The special meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Teresa Onoda.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Mayor Teresa Onoda, Vice Mayor Steve Woehleke; Councilmembers: Kerry Hillis, David Shapiro and Renata Sos Councilmembers absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Onoda announced the passing of Dale Walwark, former Town Councilmember and self- appointed Statesman.
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Moraga Community Foundation Presentation: Painted Rock Trailhead and Crosswalk Improvements at Chalda Way and Rheem Boulevard Lisa Maglio, Vice-President, Moraga Community Foundation (MCF) and Boardmember Dave Trotter, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions from the Town Council.
There were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
There were no comments from the public.
ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA
Acceptance of Consent Items
Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 1 January 23, 2024
6.1 Receive Accounts Payable Claims for: 11/28/2023 ($2,133.04), 01/03/2024 ($34,968.94); 01/04/2024 ($41,737.42); and 01/17/2024 ($91,887.16)
6.2 Approval of Minutes for the September 27, 2023, October 11, 2023, October 25, 2023, November 8, 2023, December 6, 2023, December 13, 2023 and January 10, 2024 meetings of the Moraga Town Council
6.3 Awarding a Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management, Inspection and Material Testing Services to Substrate, Inc. in the Amount of $635,000 for 2023 and 2024 Pavement Rehabilitation Projects with a 15% Contingency for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $730,250 executed by the Town Manager; and Authorization of the Town Manager to Execute Agreement Amendments up to $92,250 (15% Contingency) of the Contract Amount (project exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 14 Cal. Code Regs. 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities)
6.4 Confirmation of Town Council Committee Assignments for 2024 ACTION:
Motion: Woehleke / Second: Sos
Approve Items 6.1 and 6.4.
Vote: (5-0)
B. Consideration of Consent Items Removed for Discussion Items 6.2 and 6.3 were pulled for discussion.
The following members of the public spoke: Spencer Schilling.
ACTION:
Motion: Woehleke / Second: Shapiro
Approve Items 6.2 and 6.3, with the October 11, 2023 Town Council meeting minutes to be brought back at a future meeting with corrections requested by Councilmember Hillis.
Vote: (5-0)
ADOPTION OF MEETING AGENDA
There were no comments from the public.
ACTION:
Motion: Sos / Second: Woehleke
Adopt meeting agenda.
Vote: (5-0)
REPORTS
A. Town Manager Update
Town Manager Scott Mitnick announced Katie Bruner as the new Administrative Services Director.
B. Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports
The Mayor and Councilmembers provided updates on meetings they attended, and events and activities in Moraga.
Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 2 January 23, 2024 Councilmember Sos reported representatives from the Town of Moraga were sought for the County Connection Citizens' Advisory Committee and Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging, with more information on the Town website.
Councilmember Hillis reported due to a death in the family he would be unable to attend the upcoming League of California Cities Mayors'/Councilmembers' Academy and the Mayor would be taking his spot.
Vice Mayor Woehleke reported as of January 1, 2024, a new Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) ordinance was in place related to clearing bamboo and junipers at least 10-feet back from any paved surface road. As of January 1, MOFD personnel had placed doorhangers on those properties in violation of the ordinance. Chipper season was also underway, with more information on the MOFD website.
Mayor Onoda reported she had worked with the environmental group at Campolindo High School to create a passive native plant environment at West Commons Park, with seeds to be planted on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. rain or shine; she had met with local scientists about the Town's General Plan to discuss how to make it more sustainable; and she had attended the Lion's Club Crab Dinner. She also announced that the Towr vebsite had information on the Town's 50th anniversary, with a link for recipes to be submitted and included in the Town's cookbook, to be available for purchase at the Pear Festival scheduled for September 28, 2024.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION
A. Support of Moraga School District Bond Measure
Endorsement of Moraga School District Ballot Measure D ("Local Funding to Keep Classrooms & Labs Safe and Up to Date")
Town Manager Mitnick introduced the item. Anna Moon, Chair, Citizens Committee for Safe and Modern Moraga Schools and Dr. Julie Parks, Superintendent, Moraga School District (MSD) provided a presentation. Ms. Moon and Dr. Parks responded to the Council's questions.
There were no comments from the public.
Council discussion followed.
ACTION:
Motion: Shapiro / Second: Hillis
Endorse Moraga School District Ballot Measure D ("Local Funding to Keep Classrooms & Labs Safe and Up to Date") with the endorsement to be reflected in a letter signed by the Mayor.
Vote: (5-0)
Mayor Onoda declared a brief recess at 7:20 p.m.
The Town Council reconvened the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
B. Corliss Drive Safe Routes to School Project and TDA Grant Application Approval Adoption of a resolution supporting an application for 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Transportation Development Act Article 3 Grant for Corliss Drive Safe Routes to Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 3 January 23, 2024 School Improvements Project (CIP 21-404); and direct the Town Manager to develop a funding strategy to fund the project.
Public Works Director/Town Engineer Shawn Knapp presented a PowerPoint presentation. Nate Levine, Engineering Manager, Sandis Civil Engineers; Police Chief Jon King and Lieutenant Steve Borbely responded to Council's questions.
Council discussion followed.
Vice Mayor Woehleke provided a presentation.
There were no comments from the public.
ACTION:
Motion: Hillis / Second: Shapiro
Direct staff to pursue for the Corliss Drive curve near term modifications to improve separation of pedestrians from vehicles through use of means to be determined by staff, be it, for example, striping, No Parking or other means that would enhance that objective.
Vote: 5-0
ACTION:
Motion: Woehleke / Second: Sos
Direct staff to continue to pursue the Raised Concrete Sidewalk within the Town's right-of-way along the outer radius of the Corliss Drive/Sullivan Drive curve as the preferred public safety improvement project and direct the Town Manager to develop a funding strategy to fund the project, and adopt Resolution 04-2024 Authorizing the Town Engineer to apply for a Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Transportation Development Act Article 3 "Safe Routes to School Improvement Project" Grant to fund a portion of the project.
Vote: (3-2; Woehleke/Sos)
11. DISCUSSION ITEMS
None.
12. COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
13. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Town of Moraga Letter of Support for Caltrans Grant Application
14. TOWN MANAGER FOLLOW-UP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Town Manager Mitnick reported the next meeting of the Town Council would be February 14, 2024, with the County Clerk/Recorder to provide a presentation on the next election along with other agenda items; Town Council Goals and Objectives had been scheduled for February 28, 2024; the Planning Director had been conducting outreach with a number of community organizations with respect to the General Plan; he, the Mayor and Vice Mayor would participate in the League of California Cities Mayors'/Councilmembers' Academy in Monterey this week; and he provided an update on the SMC Town Gown relationship. SMC requested a Community Service Day on April 20, 2024, and planned to have its student athletes involved in a public project at Commons Park also possibly involving local sports leagues. More information would be posted on the Town website.
SMC would also provide an update on SMC activities at a future meeting.
Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 4 January 23, 2024
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Onoda adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. In Honor of Dale Walwark.
Respectfully submitted by:
A.Deavener
Amy Heavener, CMC
Town Clerk
Approved by the Town Council:
teresa noda
Teresa Onoda,
Mayor
Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 5 January 23, 2024