Orinda City Council Minutes Page 1 of 7 11.03.25
NOVEMBER 3, 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– ORINDA LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL:
Mayor Malkani called the Regular Meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Darlene Gee, Cara Hoxie, Janet Riley Mayor Latika Malkani, Vice Mayor Brandyn
Iverson
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Malkani.
C. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION by Councilmember Hoxie, and seconded by Councilmember Gee, to adopt the agenda. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) vote.
D. ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY – None.
E. PUBLIC FORUM
Keith Erickson discussed wildfire abatement requirements in Southwood Valley, emphasizing that all property owners must maintain defensible space and remove fire hazards. While most residents comply, the Southwood Valley property owner, Mr. Lew, has not. He criticized Mr. Lew for ignoring safety rules and attempting to advance a development project without meeting legal fire mitigation obligations. He noted that a 2006 subdivision proposal required a General Plan Amendment, yet the current developers are trying to proceed without one through waivers and concessions. Mr.
Ericson therefore urged the City to halt all development efforts until the property meets mandated fire safety standards.
Chris Kniel said of the 43 acres of Southwood Valley, 10 acres can be developed, noted the grading plan indicates there will be a cut of 60,000 cubic yards and fill about 85,000 cubic yards so the net amount of fill will be 25,000 cubic yards. A large dump truck will hold about 15 cubic yards and there will be 1,700 delivery trips along the City’s roads.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 2 of 7 11.03.25
Councilmember Gee asked and confirmed with the City Manager that she will ask if MOFD could check the fire risk and abatement process for the Southwood Valley property.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Malkani said she asked for a separate vote on Item F.5, 1.a and b, specifically for Housing Element sites outside the downtown. There were no additional items for removal or public comments.
F.1. Minutes Approval
Recommendation:
Approve City Council Minutes:
1. October 21, 2025 Regular Meeting.
F.2. Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter Ending September 30, 2025 Recommendation:
Accept the Quarterly Investment Report for the period ending September 30, 2025.
F.3. Hardiman Construction Inc. Contract Acceptance - Group 2 Stormdrain Lining Project (CIP Project Nos. 3101 and 3102) Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 55-25, Accepting the Work and Contract with Hardiman Construction Inc. as Complete for the Group 2 Stormdrain Lining Project Nos. 3101 and 3102.
F.4. Public Hearing to Consider Certain Findings and Approve Energy Service Contract with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC to Retrofit Sports Field Lights at Wilder Sports Fields #1 and #2 with LED Fixtures (CIP 4195).
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution 51-25 Adopting Required Findings and Approving a Contract with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC to Retrofit Lighting for Wilder Sports Fields, CIP Project #4195.
F.5. Housing Element Implementation – Ordinance 25-04, Ordinance 25- 05, Resolution 52-25(A), and Resolution 52-25(B), Regarding Amendments to the General Plan and Zoning, and Adoption of Objective Design Standards
Recommendation:
Take the following actions:
1) For Housing Element Sites outside the Downtown:
a) Waive the full reading and adopt Ordinance 25-04.
b) Adopt Resolution 52-25A.
2) For Housing Element Sites within the Downtown:
a) Waive the full reading and adopt Ordinance 25-05.
b) Adopt Resolution 52-25B.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 3 of 7 11.03.25
3) Direct staff to actively monitor state housing element law requirements in relation to the October 10, 2025 Court of Appeal decision in New Commune DTLA LLC v. City of Redondo Beach so that Staff can bring back, for timely Council consideration, any further amendments that might be appropriate to ensure compliance.
MOTION by Vice Mayor Iverson moved, and seconded by Councilmember Hoxie to approve Consent Calendar Items F.1, F.2, F.3, F.4, and F.5; (2a, 2b, and 3.) Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) vote.
Item Voted on Separately:
F.5. Housing Element Implementation – Ordinance 25-04, Ordinance 25- 05, Resolution 52-25(A), and Resolution 52-25(B), Regarding Amendments to the General Plan and Zoning, and Adoption of Objective Design Standards
Recommendation:
Take the following actions:
1) For Housing Element Sites outside the Downtown:
a) Waive the full reading and adopt Ordinance 25-04.
b) Adopt Resolution 52-25A.
MOTION by Councilmember Hoxie moved, and seconded by Councilmember Gee to approve Consent Calendar Item 5 (1.a and 1.b). Said motion carried by unanimous (4-0-1; Malkani recused) vote.
G. PUBLIC HEARING – None.
H. POLICY MATTERS
H.1. Sign Committee Recommendation, Update on Project and Request to Rebrand from Crossroads Mini Park to Crossroads Plaza Recommendation:
Receive the update on the project and approve the Ad-Hoc Sign Committee recommendation for the entryway monument sign and the project name as Crossroads Plaza.
Public Works Director Scott Christie gave the staff report, PowerPoint presentation, and overview of the Ad-Hoc Sign Committee’s recommendation for the entryway monument sign and the project name as Crossroads Plaza.
Councilmember Riley said she and Councilmember Iverson served on the Ad-Hoc Committee. She referenced the Art in Public Places’ efforts for many years to do a sign and the decision not to use their suggestion and, instead proposing something from 2017. They are leaning towards a traditional, timeless design with vinyl lettering that pops. She described the essence of the coloring as less red than shown in the graphic.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7 11.03.25
Regarding funding, the sign cost is less than one-third of total costs and 50% of what it used to be, reducing costs significantly. In terms of grants, she confirmed the Orinda Garden Club has $60,000 to donate to support the cost of the planting.
Vice Mayor Iverson noted that Councilmember Riley was very involved and passionate about the lighting and landscaping and how it all worked together, which turned out well.
Councilmember Riley noted that two Garden Club master gardeners have been very involved in the planning and design of landscaping, provided input about choices and placement, so they are integrating the entry appearance to what is going on with the other side of Orinda.
Councilmember Gee asked and confirmed with Mr. Christie that all existing planting will be removed, and a good showcase of fire-safe and drought-resistant plantings will still be achieved, with colors to coordinate with the rest of the City.
Councilmember Hoxie asked and confirmed there will be spotlights on the signs, lighting for the landscaped areas, and bollards for the pathway.
Mayor Malkani referred to the sign foundation and wall and confirmed the granite sign is $40,000 and the sign foundation and wall is another $20,000. She asked and confirmed that the Ad-Hoc Committee talked about the mosaic sign which was $50,000 and there are concerns with private art, added installation costs, and the ability to add art in the future.
Mayor Malkani asked and confirmed that the “Welcome to Orinda” was part of the original design.
Vice Mayor Iverson said when going back to 2017, she noted the font of Orinda had an art-deco accent in the lettering with cut-outs which has been lost in the current iteration.
She asked if this is something the Council can consider or she asked if it was specific to the metal as a medium. Mr. Christie said they would have to ask Arrow Sign.
Councilmember Gee asked if the planting intended to include any trees, and Councilmember Riley said yes, in the back.
Councilmember Hoxie said currently there are benches around the fountain and she confirmed these would be removed.
Mayor Malkani opened the Public Forum, and there were no speakers. She noted the Council received communications which are included in the public packet.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7 11.03.25
Vice Mayor Iverson expressed support for the “Welcome to Orinda” design, suggesting a review of the original version’s more elegant lettering. She mentioned prior consideration of installing a simple public art sign or rotating art display but noted PG&E’s approval requirements and constraints. Finally, she emphasized that the landscaping should be both fire-safe and as attractive as possible, leaving design decisions to the landscape designer and Ad-Hoc Committee.
Councilmembers unanimously supported the “Welcome to Orinda” design and confirmed that staff will ask Arrow Signs as to whether the font can be the art-deco style, that the Ad-Hoc Committee can review and approve the new proposed etched lettering, and voiced support for the approval.
Mayor Malkani and Councilmembers thanked the Ad-Hoc Committee for its thorough review, thanked the Orinda Garden Club for their donation, cited the efforts made to minimize costs while providing value, and voiced support of the City’s entryways and improvements to make them look presentable when entering the City.
MOTION by Vice Mayor Iverson moved, and seconded by Councilmember Riley to approve the recommended option with the red/brown granite, the primary silver lettering, and the budget as presented. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) vote.
H.2. Infrastructure Committee Date Extension
Recommendation:
Receive an update from the Infrastructure Committee and extend the term to December 2026.
City Manager Smith reported that the Mayor and Councilmember Gee have been working for the past 1½ years on recommendations to address private road and storm drain issues. The Infrastructure Committee continues to meet and is still completing storm drain mapping and developing policy options for Council review. The Committee is requesting an extension of its term through the end of 2026 to finish these tasks, though she noted the full extension may not be needed. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for January.
Councilmember Gee acknowledged that some work plan items remain unfinished and she highlighted the value of the progress made so far, encouraged everyone to review the posted questionnaire results, noting that the effort has improved drainage mapping and provided a productive forum for community engagement.
Mayor Malkani echoed comments and briefly remarked on the importance of the storm drain mapping piece.
Mayor Malkani opened the Public Forum, and there were no speakers.
Councilmembers thanked the Mayor and Councilmember Gee for their service on the Infrastructure Committee and confirmed outstanding items for review in the work plan.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7 11.03.25
MOTION by Councilmember Hoxie moved, and seconded by Vice Mayor Iverson to support extension of the Infrastructure Committee. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) vote.
I. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Gee reported holding an Infrastructure Committee meeting and they continue to have positive public participation.
Mayor Malkani and Councilmember Gee reported on the following events:
• Wildfire Prevention Education Night was held on October 29th in collaboration with MOFD and OUSD
• Lamorinda Arts Council’s celebration of their 75th anniversary • Orinda Community Foundation’s Citizen of the Year Awards Banquet. Maggie Boscoe, former Del Rey music teacher and contributor, was honored as Citizen of the Year. Carlos Baltodano was honored as Volunteer of the Year. Rhydian Daniels, 6th grade student at OIS, volunteered 98 hours to conduct outreach and education for Children’s Hospital, UCSF, and for Children’s Miracle Network.
J. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Smith reported the Light Up Orinda will be kicked off in the Library Plaza in partnership with the Orinda Community Foundation on Thursday, November 6th and Winter Fest will be held on December 5th at the Community Center and information is available on the City’s website.
Additionally, Mayor Malkani announced a ribbon-cutting for Lamorinda Atelier in Theater Square on November 7th, 6–8 p.m., hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, the Northern California Sister City Conference will hold their regional meeting in Orinda at the Wilder Art and Garden Center on Saturday morning, November 8th, the Lamorinda Arts Council has an opening of their current exhibition and reception is November 15th in the Library Gallery in the afternoon.
Councilmember Gee reported there is an upcoming subcommittee meeting on Wednesday night with MOFD at 6:00 p.m.
K. MATTERS INITIATED – None.
L. 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
a. CITY MANAGER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
Orinda City Council Minutes Page 7 of 7 11.03.25
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, performance evaluation of City Manager Linda Smith
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, conference with the City's designated labor negotiators (Councilmembers Gee and Riley), City Manager M. ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:22 p.m. to the next Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________________
Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk