Orinda City Council Minutes Page 1 of 5 07.01.25
JULY 1, 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. – SPECIAL MEETING– ORINDA LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL:
S
Mayor Malkani called the Special Meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Cara Hoxie, Janet Riley, Darlene Gee Mayor Latika Malkani, Vice Mayor Brandyn Iverson
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Malkani
C. ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY
1. Welcome and Recognition of City’s Founders – Mayor Malkani Mayor Malkani welcomed everyone to the City’s special meeting held 40 years after the City was incorporated on July 1, 1985. She announced the founders of the City, as Bobbie Landers, Joe Harb, Bill Dabel, Aldo Guidotti, and Richard Heggie.
She also acknowledged subsequent Mayors and Councilmembers who have served over the years, as Linda Knebel, Joyce Hawkins, Greg Wheatland, Sarge Littlehale, Alan Tabor, Laura Abrams, Amy Worth, Bill Judge, Steve Glazer, Victoria Smith, Sue Severson, Thomas McCormick, Dean Orr, Eve Phillips, Inga Miller, Dennis Fay, and Nick Kosla. She then recognized the City’s current Councilmembers Darlene Gee, Brandyn Iverson, Janet Riley, and Cara Hoxie.
Mayor Malkani also recognized and thanked the many City volunteers that have served on the City’s Commissions and Committees and the dedicated service organizations that have put in tireless hours to make the City of Orinda the wonderful place that it is. She thanked the Orinda Association, expressed gratitude to Allison Burns and her team at the Orinda Historical Society for organizing an exhibit for today’s event, and she then moved onto Item 2 to introduce legislators.
2. Honorary Presentations by Legislators
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 2 of 5 07.01.25
a. Congressmember DeSaulnier’s Office – Kaylee DeLand, representing Congressman DeSaulnier’s office said it is evident how each member of the community cares and how much each resident loves this City. The passion of providing excellent education, protecting the City’s open spaces, preserving the City’s history, and providing a vibrant hub downtown are all a testament to what makes the City so special.
She relayed the Congressman’s proud honor to have Orinda in his district and she congratulated the Council and Town on their 40-year anniversary today. She presented a certificate to celebrate the occasion and thanked the City Council.
b. Senator Grayson – Mike Sponsler, District Director, said on behalf of Senator Grayson, he was planning on enjoying this moment with the Council but got held up in Sacramento. He has had the pleasure of working with Orinda officials a few brief moments this year, but it is an amazing place. It was sad they had to move their offices from Orinda and he thanked the City for its kindness. He added that one of the best decisions was to hire an Orinda resident to be a part of their team, Rachel Zenner, Senior District Representative. He presented and read a few excerpts from Senator Greyson’s resolution.
c. Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan – A representative from Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan’s office said the Assemblywoman is proud to be an Orinda resident and was sorry she could not be at the meeting to present the resolution, which she read into the record celebrating the 40th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Orinda. d. Supervisor Andersen – Supervisor Candace Andersen said it is an honor to be here to celebrate the City’s 40th anniversary of its incorporation. She said last week was her 13th anniversary as a County Supervisor and she recognized the work in making Orinda the outstanding community it is. She then presented and read portions of a resolution recognizing Orinda.
3. Comments by Founders and Former Mayors
Mayor Malkani introduced and provided a brief background of each former Mayor and asked them to speak of what incorporation efforts were like. e. Former Mayor Joyce Hawkins expressed gratitude for the 40th anniversary celebration of Orinda’s incorporation and acknowledged the presence of former City Manager Janet Keeter. She reflected on the long and challenging journey to cityhood, which involved decades of effort, beginning with feasibility studies in 1953 and 1967 that failed to gain public support.
The successful third campaign, driven by nearly 200 volunteers and centered on the desire for local control of parks, planning, public works, and recreation, ultimately led to a 60% vote in favor of incorporation in 1985.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 3 of 5 07.01.25
At the time, local services were minimal—only two sheriff’s deputies covered the area, and planning required long trips to Martinez. Concerns over unchecked development, such as the approval of Theater Square without its iconic theater, spurred grassroots action. Citizens to Preserve Orinda mobilized community support, knocking on thousands of doors and submitting a petition with 4,500 signatures. They ran a traditional, community-driven campaign with videos, house parties, and education sessions to counter fears about taxes.
The campaign culminated in a pivotal moment on March 5, 1985, when residents celebrated the vote to incorporate Orinda as a city. The effort represented a triumph of civic engagement, persistence, and grassroots organizing.
f. Former Mayor Bobbie Landers emphasized that volunteering is central to Orinda’s spirit and a great way to meet its most interesting people.
Reflecting on the city’s early days, she noted that many things they accomplished 40 years ago wouldn’t happen the same way today. She recalled election night when, as the only woman elected to the first City Council, she made local news. Before officially becoming a city, the new Council held a lunch meeting at the Country Club, marking the occasion with photographs and press coverage.
She spoke about the original Council's commitment to the "four P’s" (parks, planning, public works, and recreation), and praised the efforts of local architects who created their first office space. They appointed an interim City Manager from Oakland, who hired long-serving city staffer Nancy Henderson. Later, they selected Tom Sinclair as City Manager from many applicants.
Ms. Landers recounted establishing Tuesday meetings, selecting the city’s blue-and-white logo through a contest, and negotiating public safety contracts. Despite working in small spaces, they managed significant events like the 1989 earthquake and the Oakland Hills Fire, maintained traditions like Council portraits and election celebrations, and enjoyed their early city-building journey. She then spoke of the many people who were instrumental in making Orinda the wonderful city it is today. g. Former Mayor Amy Worth thanked the attending County, State, and Federal representatives and highlighted the decades-long partnerships Orinda has had with various government agencies. She emphasized that incorporation was a vital step that enabled the community to manage its own affairs effectively and efficiently. The city's success, she noted, has come from working on a frugal budget and maintaining strong collaboration among Council members.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 4 of 5 07.01.25
Incorporation gave Orinda self-governance, allowing residents easier access to City staff and Council meetings rather than relying on County services in Martinez. It also created opportunities for around 50 volunteers each year to serve on commissions and committees, showcasing the city’s strong culture of civic involvement. Monthly Mayor’s Liaison Meetings further highlight the city's deep community engagement.
Ms. Worth praised Orinda's dedicated City staff and reflected on the positive outcomes of sticking to the “four P’s” (parks, planning, public works, and recreation). These include park expansions, sports field improvements, and community center renovations. Planning control was a key reason for incorporation, and it allowed the community to oversee land use, downtown revitalization, and the preservation of the Orinda Theater.
Public safety improved through partnerships with the Sheriff’s Department and the Fire District. Roads, once among the worst in the Bay Area, are now among the best. Incorporation also empowered Orinda to advocate regionally and secure important projects such as school bus turnouts, the city library and auditorium, and even the third bore of the Caldecott Tunnel, in which Worth played a direct role.
She closed by thanking Allison Burns for chronicling their history and recalled the “Orinda Fight Song” from the incorporation campaign, affirming that incorporation fulfilled its promise and that future leaders will continue this legacy of community commitment.
Mayor Malkani thanked all former Mayors, said staff performs the daily magic that brings the four P’s to life. She acknowledged the staff members who made tonight happen and asked everyone to give them a round of applause.
4. Presentation of City Proclamation
Mayor Malkani asked for comments before presenting the proclamation.
Councilmember Hoxie expressed appreciation for seeing so many former Councilmembers and Mayors gathered for Orinda’s 40th anniversary. She shared a personal memory of being in law school during the incorporation effort and recalled her mother’s involvement. At the time, city government wasn’t a focus for her, but many familiar community members were active in the effort. Now, she feels honored to serve as a Councilmember in the city where she grew up and thanked City staff for organizing the celebration.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 5 of 5 07.01.25
Councilmember Gee echoed the appreciation for the gathering and noted the inspiring precedent set by Bobbie Landers, highlighting the strong presence of women on the Council. Although she and her husband moved to Orinda in 1989 and weren’t part of the original incorporation effort, she acknowledged the remarkable achievements driven by community volunteerism. She expressed pride in serving as a Councilmember, gratitude for the community’s support, and appreciation for being part of such a wonderful city.
Vice Mayor Iverson echoed comments and said it was a joy listening to those who have spoken and it is an honor to get to know everybody.
Councilmember Riley said she also grew up in Orinda, knows the many early founders, remembers her parents being actively involved talking about incorporation, and said they were pleased and excited with the results. She said so many things happen in life and it is wonderful to celebrate the City’s 40th anniversary.
Mayor Malkani thanked staff, fellow Councilmembers, former Councilmembers, and all of the volunteers and residents in Orinda for making this such a place that is welcoming, inclusive, civil, and she then presented the proclamation, recognizing the City of Orinda on the occasion of its 40th anniversary of incorporation 1985-2025, and she and Councilmembers shared in the reading of the proclamation.
5. Public Comments – None.
D. ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:18 p.m. to the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
______________________________________
Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk