Orinda City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6 01.07.25
JANUARY 7, 2025
CITY OF ORINDA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Note: Written communications received from the public prior to the start of this meeting can be viewed on the City’s website meeting calendar. They are also kept in the City Clerk’s Office as part of the public record and available upon request ([email protected]). 7:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING– GARDEN ROOM, ORINDA LIBRARY A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL:
Mayor Gee called the Regular Meeting to order at approximately 7:06 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Darlene Gee, Cara Hoxie
Vice Mayor Brandyn Iverson, Mayor Latika Malkani
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Janet Riley
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Malkani
C. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION by Councilmember Gee, and seconded by Councilmember Hoxie, to adopt the agenda. Said motion carried by unanimous (4-0) roll call vote.
D. ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY
D.1. Introduction of New Employees: Katherine Lee, Planning Technician and Ross Volker, Maintenance and Facilities Superintendent Planning Director Lashun Cross introduced new Planning Technician Katherine “Kat” Lee and provided a brief background of Ms. Lee. Ms. Lee thanked the Council and said she is looking forward to working with the City of Orinda.
Public Works Director Scott Christie introduced new Maintenance and Facilities Superintendent Ross Volker and provided a brief background of Mr. Volker. Mr. Volker thanked the Council and said he is looking forward to working with the City of Orinda.
Mayor Malkani and Councilmembers welcomed Ms. Lee and Mr. Volker to the City.
E. PUBLIC FORUM
None.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
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Mayor Malkani asked and confirmed there were no requests for removal of items and no public comments.
F.1. City Council Minutes
Recommendation:
Approve City Council Minutes:
1. December 3, 2024 Regular Meeting
F.2. Ordinance to Authorize Off-Leash Dogs at Designated Areas of City Parks Consistent with Posted Regulations
Recommendation:
Adopt Ordinance No. 25-01, waiving second reading, amending Section
12.28.230 of Orinda Municipal Code to Authorize Off-Leash Dogs at Designated Areas of City Parks Consistent with Posted Regulations F.3. Stop Sign at the Southern Loop Intersection of Camino Don Miguel Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution 01-25 (Traffic Order #233) Approving a Stop Sign at the Southern Loop Intersection of Camino Don Miguel
F.4. Amendment to Contract with Callander Associates Landscape Architecture, Inc. for Orinda Community Park Master Plan Recommendation:
Approve Amendment No. 4 between the City of Orinda and Callander Associates Landscape Architecture, Inc.
F.5. City of Orinda Legislative Platform
Recommendation:
Approve the City's Legislative Platform
MOTION by Vice Mayor Iverson, and seconded by Councilmember Gee, to approve Consent Calendar Item F.1, F.1.2, F.3, F.4, and F5. Said motion carried by unanimous (4-0) roll call vote.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
H. POLICY MATTER
H.1. Discuss Nine Council Subcommittees and Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 04-25 Restating and Memorializing Certain Details Relating to those Subcommittees
Recommendation:
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Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 04-25 Restating and Memorializing Certain Details Relating to Council Subcommittees: (1) Affordable Housing Subcommittee, (2) Public Safety Subcommittee, (3) Downtown Planning and Housing Element Subcommittee, (4) Infrastructure Committee, (5) City School 2x2 Subcommittee (with Orinda Union School District), (6) Fire Prevention 2x2 Meeting with MOFD, (7) Library Facility Steering Committee, (8) Wilder Subcommittee, and (9) Inclusion Diversity Equity and Action Subcommittee
City Manager Smith gave the staff report and PowerPoint presentation of the nine Council Subcommittees which are advisory to the City Council. Staff recommends the Council discuss modifications and adopt Resolution No. 04-25 restating and memorializing details of subcommittees.
Councilmember Hoxie asked and confirmed that the subcommittees include Councilmembers and can also include attendance by public members; that the 2x2 subcommittee are with other agencies, and the Library Facility Steering Committee has a separate composition which is outlined in the Library agreement.
Mayor Malkani also confirmed the Public Safety Subcommittee consists of Councilmember liaisons and Chief of Police and City Manager. Noticing is included pursuant to the Brown Act and the City Clerk maintains email lists which people can subscribe to.
Mayor Malkani opened the Public Forum, and there were no speakers.
Councilmember Gee suggested eliminating the Public Safety Subcommittee, given it is not widely attended by the public and the Chief of Police can report to the full Council.
Councilmembers voiced support of its elimination.
Vice Mayor Iverson suggested elimination or continuation of the Wilder Subcommittee for another six months as a transition, given resident interests. Council discussion ensued, and City Manager Smith spoke of outstanding issues of property owners to have the property turned over to the GHAD and said the Subcommittee is still interested in meeting with Councilmembers.
After brief discussion, Councilmembers voiced support of sunsetting the Wilder Subcommittee at the end of 2025.
Vice Mayor Iverson suggested having more structure around distinguishing evergreen subcommittees for one- or two-year terms from purpose subcommittees so they time out and be affirmatively renewed given constituents interest.
She thinks the Downtown Planning and Housing Element Subcommittee should be given a two-year time and proposed a name change to the Downtown Revitalization and Planning Subcommittee.
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Lastly, the City School 2x2 Subcommittee was to meet monthly and Vice Mayor Iverson thinks there should be a goal four times a year and to not meet during the summer when school is out.
Councilmember Hoxie said the meetings would therefore occur every other month during the school year, except December, or four a year. She suggested the School Board President and one other School Board member serve on the Subcommittee and having the Mayor and another Councilmember on the Subcommittee to mirror the positions.
Vice Mayor Iverson cited the number of Committees the Mayor attends and suggested a Councilmember that has the experience or availability.
City Manager Smith summarized the recommendations as amendments to the motion:
• Eliminate the Public Safety Subcommittee;
• Sunset the Wilder Subcommittee at the end of 2025;
• Establish a 2-year limit on the Downtown Revitalization and Planning Subcommittee and incorporate Downtown Precise Plan into the description; and • Amend the City School 2x2 Subcommittee to meet four times per year and to not meet in the summer
MOTION by Councilmember Gee, and seconded by Councilmember Hoxie, to adopt amendments, as described by the City Manager on Subcommittees. Said motion carried by unanimous (4-0) roll call vote.
City Manager Smith stated staff will return to the Council to make appointments to Subcommittees that remain with a revised Subcommittee list and updated Resolution.
H.2. City Council Committee Appointment/Liaison List for 2025 Recommendation:
Provide any feedback to the Mayor and approve the Appointment/Liaison List as proposed or amended
City Manager Smith stated as part of the January 21st agenda, staff missed a Council Liaison position on the list and will request the Council discuss the need for a liaison appointment to Cal Shakes Theater.
She stated the Council has certain Committees and Boards where Councilmembers serve in an advisory capacity and the Mayor’s recommendations are attached to the staff report.
There were modifications to the staff report that reference sections of the Policies and Procedures Manual to ensure it is correctly identified under local boards.
Mayor Malkani opened the Public Forum.
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Juliette Don, Vice President, Orinda Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said they have appreciated the opportunity to have Mayor Malkani as their liaison and appreciate support of other Councilmembers and City staff. She noted the agenda packet shows their meeting time is on Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m. and the correct time should be on the third Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. The change had conflicted with the Mayor’s Liaison meeting which they wanted to participate in.
Vice Mayor Iverson said if they are redefining the Downtown Planning Subcommittee to be primarily about downtown revitalization and economic development, ideally, she asked that one of the appointments to serve on the Downtown Subcommittee also be the liaison to the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Malkani suggested and Councilmembers agreed to hold on the one appointment and bring this back to the January 21st meeting when the Subcommittee appoints are brought forward.
Councilmember Gee asked and confirmed that Councilmember Riley did not express any concerns about moving forward with the proposed appointments.
MOTION by Vice Mayor Iverson, and seconded by Councilmember Gee, to approve the Appointment/Liaison List, as amended, to defer the appointment of Chamber of Commerce Liaison and note that these meetings are held on the third Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Said motion carried by unanimous (4-0) roll call vote.
I. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS – Councilmember Gee reported on the lovely holiday celebration which Parks and Recreation staff worked on in collaboration with their Sister City organization. The Sister City student will be leaving on January 20th and returning to the Czech Republic. Councilmember Hoxie said her family hosted this year’s student, and a host family is needed for next year.
Mayor Malkani reported an MOFD meeting was held on December 18th in recognition for Chief Winnacker, followed by a reception.
Mayor Malkani reported on December 21st the Council held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor with eight new Eagle Scouts who received proclamations and a day named in their honor.
Councilmember Gee said another item enjoyed over the holidays was the pop-up holiday shop. She thinks it would be great if the Council could receive a follow-up report on how that went.
Vice Mayor Iverson recognized the Light Up Orinda program with the trees which was very noticeable in town, and she hoped to be able to recognize the group.
Mayor Malkani thanked the City Clerk and City staff for organizing their reorganization meeting and reception which was very much appreciated.
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J. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT – City Manager Smith said on her list was to invite the Light up Orinda representatives and thank them. She reported that recruitments are still underway for Commissions and Committee vacant seats. The deadline for submission of applications is January 30th. The Council will hold its Strategic Planning on March 8th and the California League of Cities is hosting the New City Councilmembers and Mayors Academy on January 22-23.
K. MATTERS INITIATED – Councilmember Hoxie said she held a conversation with the City Manager to create a more formalized working relationship within Lamorinda similar to what Tri-Valley has done in the Danville area. She believes many issues Orinda deals with are issues they should be talking with Lafayette and Moraga about, as well.
MOTION by Councilmember Hoxie, and seconded by Vice Mayor Iverson, to bring forth a Council discussion on the possibility of expanding the Lamorinda working relationship between Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga. Said motion carried by unanimous (4-0) roll call vote.
Mayor Malkani and Councilmembers lastly welcomed Councilmember Hoxie to the City Council.
L. ADJOURNMENT
M. CLOSED SESSION
1. OPEN SESSION IDENTIFICATION of Closed Session Matters
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS of Closed Session Matters – None.
3. CLOSED SESSION
4. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – None.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -- EXISTING LITIGATION. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation: ORINDANS FOR SAFE EMERGENCY EVACUATION v. City of Orinda, Contra Costa County Superior Court Case No. N23-0579.
City Attorney Wolff announced the Council concluded the Closed Session item earlier and will not meet upon Adjournment.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m. to the next Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________________
Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk