MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING
IN PERSON, OR VIEW ON ZOOM OR YOUTUBE AS LISTED BELOW
https://www.youtube.com/@cityoforinda9535/streams
Zoom Webinar:
https://tinyurl.com/OrindaCityCouncil
Phone:669 444 9171
Webinar ID:
810 2271 2723
In Person:
Orinda Library Auditorium
26 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA 94563
(925) 351-6676
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
7:00 PM - REGULAR MEETING
City Council
Agenda Page 1 11.18.25
How to follow and/or participate in the meeting:
IN PERSON SPEAKER CARDS: If you would like to speak during the public forum or on an item listed on the agenda, you are invited to submit a speaker card to the City Clerk. You will be permitted to speak even if you elect not to submit a speaker card or decline to provide information requested on the card. After the City Council has heard from everyone who submitted speaker cards, anyone electing not to submit a speaker card may form a line at the lectern. Public comment is generally limited to 3 minutes per speaker per agenda item.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: You may also submit a public comment in advance of the meeting by following instructions below:
Deliver to City Hall at 22 Orinda Way or send an e-mail to [email protected] by 3pm on the day of the meeting. Those comments will be forwarded to the City Council. They will also be made a part of the public record and be available to view in the public review binder at Orinda City Hall, 22 Orinda Way. In addition, they will be available electronically by selecting the date of the meeting in this Box account link: https://tinyurl.com/Orinda-Public-Comment REMOTE COMMENTS: Remote Public Comments have been discontinued for the foreseeable future. This does not include teleconference locations. 7:00 PM - REGULAR SESSION
A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Darlene Gee, Cara Hoxie, Janet Riley
Vice Mayor Brandyn Iverson, Mayor Latika Malkani
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Council
Agenda Page 2 11.18.25
C. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The City Council may take action on any item listed on the agenda.
D. ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY
D.1. Proclamation Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Rosa Parks’ Refusal to Give Up Her Seat on a Bus in Montgomery, Alabama and Proclaiming “Illuminating Our Path to Civil Rights” Day in the City of Orinda.
D.2. Introduction of New Business Owner Aydin Ameli, Shemroon Cafe.
E. PUBLIC FORUM
The public forum provides an opportunity for members of the public to speak on any item within the jurisdiction of the City Council that is not on the agenda.
Additionally, a speaker has the option of addressing the Council on an item listed on the agenda, if the speaker will not be present when that agenda item is taken up. When an item is not listed on the agenda, State law prohibits Council discussion or action. Councilmembers may only “briefly respond” to statements made and questions posed. For example, State law allows Councilmembers to ask questions for clarification and provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information. Additionally, consistent with the “Matters Initiated” rule contained in its Policies and Procedures Manual, the Council may also direct staff to report back and/or place a matter on a future agenda for discussion.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
F.1. Minutes Approval
Recommendation:
Approve City Council Minutes:
1. November 3, 2025 Regular Meeting.
F.2. Contract with Harris & Associates for the 2025 and 2026 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Projects (CIP Nos. 4183 and 4190) Recommendation:
Approve a contract with Harris & Associates, Inc. for the 2025 and 2026 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Projects (Project Nos. 4183 and 4190), including a 15% contract contingency.
F.3. Accept Work and Contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. for the 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project (City Project No. 4178) Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 60-25, Accepting the Work and Contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. for the 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project and Increase in the Contract Contingency to 14%.
City Council
Agenda Page 3 11.18.25
F.4. Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements Project (Project No. 5019) - Design Approval and Construction Contract
Recommendation:
Take the following actions:
1) Approve the design for the Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements (Project No. 5019).
2) Award the construction contract to Marina Landscape, Inc. of Orange, California, in the amount of $202,085 and authorize the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 15% ($30,315). The total authorized amount, including contingency, is $232,400.
F.5. Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcement Services Recommendation:
Approve the Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and approve the Budget Change Form #007-26.
F.6. Amend Resolution 51-25 - Musco Sports Lighting, LLC (CIP 4195) and Related Budget Change
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution 64-25 Amending Resolution 51-25 to Correct the Amount of the Contract with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC to Retrofit Lighting for Wilder Sports Fields, CIP Project #4195, and approve the Budget Change.
F.7. Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - Approve the 2026 Framework Recommendation:
Approve the Lamorinda Legislative Coalition Framework for 2026.
F.8. Amendment to Employment Agreement - City Manager
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution 65-25, Approving the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the City of Orinda and Linda Smith.
G. PUBLIC HEARING
G.1. Public Hearing for Approval of the Issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Public Finance Authority for the Senior Housing Project Located at 15 Irwin Way
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution 58-25 Approving the Issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Public Finance Authority in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $15,000,000 for the Purpose of Financing or Refinancing the Acquisition and Construction of Vista Verde Senior Housing and Certain Other Matters Relating Thereto.
H. POLICY MATTERS
City Council
Agenda Page 4 11.18.25
H.1. Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act Amendments: Public Access, Remote Participation, and Language Accessibility Requirements Recommendation:
Receive the report regarding Senate Bill (SB) 707, recently signed into law, which enacts major amendments to the Ralph M. Brown Act effective January 1, 2026, and July 1, 2026. Provide direction regarding the potential implementation of remote meeting options for eligible advisory bodies.
I. COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
J. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
K. MATTERS INITIATED
L. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Orinda City Council will be held on Tuesday, December 02, 2025 at 7:00 PM.
Please visit the City’s website at www.cityoforinda.org to view the City Council Calendar.
I, Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk, declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that this special meeting agenda has been posted at least 24 hours in advance at the Orinda City Hall, 22 Orinda Way and the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way.
Additional copies are available at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, and at the City’s website at www.cityoforinda.org. At least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, this agenda was also delivered to and received by each member of the City Council as well as each local newspaper, radio station and television station requesting written notice of special meetings.
I, Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk, declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that this regular meeting agenda has been posted at least 72 hours in advance at the Orinda City Hall, 22 Orinda Way and the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way. Additional copies are available at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, and at the City’s website at www.cityoforinda.org
~ Notices ~
There is a 90-day limit for the filing of a challenge in Court to certain City decisions that require a hearing by law, the receipt of evidence, and the exercise of discretion. The 90-day limit begins on the date the decision is final (Code of Civil Procedure §1094.6). Further, if you file a challenge in Court, you may be limited by California law, including but not limited to Government Code §65009, to those issues raised in connection with the public hearing. The City Council may be requested to reconsider a decision if the request is made prior to the next City Council meeting. For information on the next City Council meeting, please call 925.253.4221 or visit the website at www.cityoforinda.org. Unless otherwise noted, City Council actions include a determination that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply. ~ Accessible Public Meetings ~
City Council
Agenda Page 5 11.18.25
The City of Orinda will provide special assistance for disabled citizens to participate in public meetings upon advance notice. If you need auxiliary hearing aid or sign language assistance at least two (2) working days advanced notice is necessary. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, Ca 94563 or 925.253.4221 or [email protected] with the following information: name, mailing address, phone number and type of assistance requested.
City of Orinda
PROCLAMATION
Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Rosa Parks’ Refusal to Give Up Her Seat on a Bus in Montgomery, Alabama “Illuminating Our Path to Civil Rights” WHEREAS, on December 1, 1955, Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, an African American seamstress and civil rights activist, was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus to a white passenger, an act of courage that ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott and galvanized the American Civil Rights Movement; and
WHEREAS, Rosa Parks’ quiet but resolute defiance became a powerful symbol of dignity and resistance in the face of systemic racial injustice and inspired generations of Americans to stand up for equality, justice, and human rights; and WHEREAS, her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by a young Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which lasted over a year and marked a defining moment in the struggle against segregation, ultimately resulting in a landmark Supreme Court ruling declaring segregation on public buses unconstitutional; and
WHEREAS, the legacy of Rosa Parks continues to shine as a beacon of hope and justice, illuminating our path to civil rights and reminding us that the actions of one individual can indeed change the course of history; and
WHEREAS, 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of this historic moment, providing an opportunity for all residents to reflect on the progress made, recommit to the work of equality, and honor those who paved the way toward a more inclusive and just society.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Latika Malkani, Mayor of the City of Orinda do hereby proclaim December 1, 2025, as “Rosa Parks Day: Illuminating Our Path to Civil Rights” day in the City of Orinda, to honor Rosa Parks’ legacy by promoting civil rights, respect, and justice in our community and across the nation.
Latika Malkani, Mayor
City of Orinda
D.1
Packet Pg. 6
Communication: Proclamation Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Rosa Parks’ Refusal to Give Up Her Seat on a Bus in Montgomery, City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.1
Date: November 18, 2025
Department: City Clerk
AGENDA TITLE: Minutes Approval
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve City Council Minutes:
1. November 3, 2025 Regular Meeting.
BACKGROUND:
The following City Council Minutes are attached for review and adoption.
1. November 3, 2025 Regular Meeting
ATTACHMENTS:
A. City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025
Respectfully Submitted by:
Sheri Smith
City Clerk
Prepared By: Sheri Smith, City Clerk
Approved by:
F.1
Packet Pg. 7
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.
F.1.a
Packet Pg. 8
Attachment: City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025 (3764 : Minutes Approval) 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.
F.1.a
Packet Pg. 9
Attachment: City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025 (3764 : Minutes Approval) 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.
F.1.a
Packet Pg. 10
Attachment: City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025 (3764 : Minutes Approval) 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.
F.1.a
Packet Pg. 11
Attachment: City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025 (3764 : Minutes Approval) 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.
F.1.a
Packet Pg. 12
Attachment: City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025 (3764 : Minutes Approval) 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.
F.1.a
Packet Pg. 13
Attachment: City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025 (3764 : Minutes Approval) 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
F.1.a
Packet Pg. 14
Attachment: City Council Minutes of November 3, 2025 (3764 : Minutes Approval) City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.2
Date: November 18, 2025
Department:
Public Works and
Engineering Services
AGENDA TITLE: Contract with Harris & Associates for the 2025 and 2026 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Projects (CIP Nos. 4183 and 4190) RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a contract with Harris & Associates, Inc. for the 2025 and 2026 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Projects (Project Nos. 4183 and 4190), including a 15% contract contingency.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Orinda maintains approximately 92 miles of public streets. Each year, the City implements an Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Program to preserve and improve roadway conditions through a combination of preventive maintenance, pavement rehabilitation, and accessibility improvements.
On May 6, 2025, the City Council approved the list of streets for the Annual 2025 Pavement Rehabilitation project.
For Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026, 91 street segments totaling approximately 91,100 linear feet and 2,404,000 square feet of pavement area have been identified for treatment using the City’s pavement management program recommendations, included as Attachment A. The estimated construction budget for the combined two-year program is approximately $3.4 million.
On September 11, 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified consultants to provide professional engineering services, including field investigation, pavement design, ADA compliance evaluation, preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E), and bid/construction support.
The RFP emphasized the City’s goal of implementing cost-effective pavement treatments that extend pavement life, improve ride quality and drainage, and ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
DISCUSSION:
Proposals were due on October 9, 2025, and the City received a total of five. The firms that responded to the RFP were Harris & Associates, Sanbell, Wilsey & Ham, RSA, and CSG. City staff reviewed and evaluated all submitted proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria outlined in the RFP and in accordance with State law, which requires selection based on qualifications and expertise. The evaluation considered demonstrated experience with pavement design and rehabilitation projects of similar F.2
Packet Pg. 15
scope and size, familiarity with Caltrans, County and City design standards, overall quality and completeness of the proposal, staff qualifications and availability, and overall value to the City.
Following a thorough review and scoring process, Harris & Associates achieved the highest overall ranking among all proposers. The firm demonstrated outstanding expertise in pavement design, ADA ramp design, and construction document preparation for comparable local agency projects. With a proven record of delivering pavement rehabilitation PS&E packages for multiple Bay Area municipalities, Harris & Associates has consistently managed projects of similar complexity, schedule, and budget with high quality and efficiency. Three firms were shortlisted for further evaluation and ranked based on reference feedback. References for Harris & Associates were highly favorable, earning the firm the top ranking overall.
Under the proposed agreement, Harris & Associates will provide a full range of professional services, including project management and coordination to maintain schedules, communication, and deliverable tracking; field investigation and preliminary engineering to verify existing conditions, evaluate pavement and curb ramps, and document repair areas; and preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates at the 50%, 90%, and Final Bid Set stages, including detailed cost estimates and bid schedules as described in the proposal (included in Attachment B).
The scope also includes coordination with utility agencies and the design of ADAcompliant curb ramp upgrades, as well as bidding and construction support services such as responding to RFIs and reviewing submittals during construction.
After determination of Harris as the selected firm, their proposed cost of services of $294,350 was reviewed and found to be reasonable. This cost equates to 8.7% of the estimated construction budget, which is within the typical range for comparable projects.
Staff recommends approving a contract with Harris for $294,350 and authorizing the City Manager to approve additional work, if justified, up to a contingency amount of 15% ($44,153). The potential contract value would be $338,503.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The design services for the Annual Pavement Rehabilitation 2025/2026 Project are included in the approved FY 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget under CIP Nos. 4183 and 4190. The project budget has sufficient funds to cover the professional services contract. Funding for the projects, including design, construction and construction management, is summarized below.
Funding Source Fiscal Year(s) Budgeted
Amount
CIP#4183 Road Maintenance fee (Fund #335) 25/26 and 26/27 $1,515,000 CIP#4183 200 Gas Tax 26/27 $825,000
F.2
Packet Pg. 16
CIP#4183 Add-on Sale Tax Measure R 26/27 $210,000
CIP#4183 700 Capital Improvement 26/27 $25,000
CIP#4190 Road Maintenance fee (Fund #335) 25/26 and 26/27 $1,230,000 CIP#4190 200 Gas Tax $770,000
CIP#4190 330 CCTA Return to Source (local Share) 26/27 $250,000 CIP#4190 700 Capital Improvement 26/27 $25,000
Total: $4,850,000
NEXT STEPS:
Upon award of contract, City staff will finalize the subject agreement (Attachment B) and route if for signatures. A kickoff meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible to start the design. The consultant will then develop plans, specifications and cost estimates necessary to solicit bids for project construction. The design work is anticipated to be completed within 75 calendar days from issuance of Notice to proceed.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Annual Paving Rehabiliation 2025-2026 Street List
B. Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) Respectfully Submitted by:
Scott Christie
Public Works Director
Prepared By: Ha Nguyen, Senior Engineer
Approved by:
F.2
Packet Pg. 17
Street Name From To Length
(FT)
Width
(FT)
Area
(SF)
Current
PCI
#
Recommended
Treatment
1 ABBOT COURT MORGA VIA CUL-DE-SAC 339 19 6,441 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 2 ALTARINDA CR. E. ALTARINDA DR. CUL-DE-SAC 245 25 6,125 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 3 ARDITH COURT CORAL DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 279 25 6,975 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 4 ARDOR DRIVE LOMA LINDA COURT MORAGA WAY 268 26 6,968 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 5 AVIS COURT DONALD DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 166 26 4,316 90 Micro-Surface (Type II) 6 BATES CT. TAHOS RD END 394 29 11,426 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 7 BERKELEY AVE (2345Y) CLAREMONT AVE END 752 22 16,544 76 Micro-Surface (Type II) 8 BOBOLINK RD. (2354B) MANZANITA DR. LOS ALTOS 1,990 22 43,780 78 Micro-Surface (Type II) 9 BROOKBANK RD. MINER RD. CUL-DE-SAC 865 19 16,435 77 Micro-Surface (Type II) 10 CALVIN DRIVE RHEEM BLVD. CALVIN COURT 1,092 24 26,901 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 11 CAMINO SOBRANTE LA ESPIRAL EL RIBERO 2,190 21 45,990 88 Micro-Surface (Type II) 12 CAMINO SOBRANTE LA ESPIRAL MINER ROAD 2,354 21 49,434 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 13 CARISBROOK DRIVE CORAL DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 1,160 25 29,000 84 Micro-Surface (Type II) 14 CORTE DEL REY IVY DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 327 27 8,829 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 15 COURTNEY LANE DONALD DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 828 20 16,560 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 16 CRANE CT. ( 2555P) VAN TASSEL LANE CUL-DE-SAC 315 24 7,560 68 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 17 CRESCENT DR CLAREMONT AVE. PIEDMONT AVE. 896 19 17,024 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 18 CROSS RIDGE TR. KITE HILL RD. END 240 25 6,000 61 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 19 CROSSRIDGE PL. KITE HILL RD. CUL-DE-SAC 147 23 3,381 61 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 20 CULVER CT. CREST VIEW DR. CUL-DE-SAC 691 20 13,820 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 21 DESCANSO DRIVE IVY DRIVE END 1,498 30 44,940 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 22 DIAS DORADOS CAMINO SOBRANTE LA CINTILLA 719 17 12,223 80 Micro-Surface (Type II) 23 DONNA MARIA WAY DOLORES WAY RITA WAY 1,075 23 24,725 80 Micro-Surface (Type II) 24 DONNA MARIA WAY RITA WAY EL CAMINO MORAGA 585 23 13,455 63 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 25 DOS ENCINAS EL CAMINO MORAGA CUL-DE-SAC 1,202 27 32,454 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 26 DOVER COURT DONALD DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 436 25 10,900 86 Micro-Surface (Type II) 27 DUNCAN COURT DONALD DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 107 64 6,848 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 28 E. ALTARINDA ORINDAWOODS DR. EL NIDO RANCH 1,190 30 35,700 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 29 EASTON COURT HALL DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 1,010 25 25,250 74 Micro-Surface (Type II) 30 EL GAVILAN (2545R) LA ESPIRAL END 2,700 18 48,600 81 Micro-Surface (Type II) 31 EL NIDO COURT LA CRESTA ROAD CUL-DE-SAC 194 20 3,880 63 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 32 EVANS PLACE KEITH DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 322 24 7,728 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 33 GLORIETTA BLVD (2731 MARTHA RD. OVERHILL RD. 1,151 31 35,681 63 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 34 GLORIETTA BLVD (2731 OVERHILL RD CITY LIMITS 2,275 32 72,800 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 35 GLORIETTA BLVD (2731 RHEEM BLVD. MARTHA RD. 1,314 32 42,048 65 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 36 GREYSTONE TR. ORINDAWOODS DR. GREYSTONE TR 360 25 9,000 64 Micro-Surface (Type II) 37 GREYSTONE TR. EAST END WEST END 410 29 11,890 61 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 38 HARRAN CR. (2545AE) E. ALTARINDA DR. CUL-DE-SAC 267 26 6,942 67 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 39 HIGHLAND CT, (2745 OVERHILL RD. CUL-DE-SAC 420 19 7,980 89 Micro-Surface (Type II) Attachment A
City of Orinda
2025/2026 Street List
Attachment A 1 of 3 9/10/2025
F.2.a
Packet Pg. 18
Attachment: Annual Paving Rehabiliation 2025-2026 Street List (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 40 IRVING CT. (2555D) IRVING LANE CUL-DE-SAC 208 21 4,368 65 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 41 IRWIN WAY ORINDA WAY END 379 22 8,338 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 42 KEITH DRIVE 17 KEITH DR EVANS PL 213 24 5,112 84 Micro-Surface (Type II) 43 KEITH DRIVE EVANS PL DONALD DRIVE 537 24 12,888 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 44 KELLIE ANN CT. MEADOW VIEW RD. CUL-DE-SAC 320 29 9,280 64 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 45 LA ESPIRAL (2544D) CAMINO SOBRANTE
SOUTH
2,400' COP 2,400 20 48,000 89 Micro-Surface (Type II)
46 LA ESPIRAL (2544D) 2,400' COP LAS VEGAS ROAD 2,100 20 42,000 89 Micro-Surface (Type II) 47 LA ESPIRAL (2544D) LAS VEGAS ROAD VIA HERMOSA 2,881 20 57,620 84 Micro-Surface (Type II) 48 LA ESPIRAL (2544D) VIA HERMOSA CAMINO SOBRANTE
NORTH
1,094 20 21,880 93 Micro-Surface (Type II)
49 LA SENDA (2545W) LA NORIA CUL-DE-SAC 330 16 5,280 78 Micro-Surface (Type II) 50 MEADOW CT. (2745 D) MEADOW LN. CUL-DE-SAC 365 21 7,665 86 Micro-Surface (Type II) 51 MEADOW LN. (2745 N) GLORIETTA MEADOW VIEW 1,380 25 34,500 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 52 MEADOW PARK CT. GLORIETTA BLVD. END 1,200 22 26,400 79 Micro-Surface (Type II) 53 MINER RD. (2444C) CAMINO DON LOMBARDY LN 1,950 26 50,700 84 Micro-Surface (Type II) 54 MONTE VISTA RD CAMINO PABLO PRIVATE 2,700 20 54,000 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 55 MORAGA WAY BROOKSIDE RD GLORIETTA 2,058 38 78,204 77 Micro-Surface (Type II) 56 MORAGA WAY BRYANT WAY CAMINO PABLO 870 63 54,810 84 Micro-Surface (Type II) 57 MORAGA WAY CAMINO MORAGA CORAL DR 1,824 37 67,488 78 Mill & Overlay 58 MORAGA WAY CAMINO PABLO OVERHILL RD 510 50 25,500 79 Micro-Surface (Type II) 59 MORAGA WAY CORAL DR IVY DR (EAST) 1,776 38 67,488 83 Mill & Overlay 60 MORAGA WAY GLORIETTA BLVD ORCHARD RD 1,849 44 81,356 74 Micro-Surface (Type II) 61 MORAGA WAY LLOYD LN BROOKSIDE RD 1,518 38 57,684 74 Micro-Surface (Type II) 62 MORAGA WAY ORCHARD RD VALLEY VIEW 1,667 42 70,014 75 Micro-Surface (Type II) 63 OAKRIDGE LANE TAHOS RD. CUL-DE-SAC 480 22 10,560 78 Micro-Surface (Type II) 64 ORCHARD RD. (2945 D) BROOKSIDE ROAD GLORIETTA BLVD 2,071 23 47,633 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 65 ORIOLE RD. (2445E) BOBOLINK RD. CUL-DE-SAC 200 21 4,200 80 Micro-Surface (Type II) 66 PARKWAY CT. (2847 B) GLORIETTA BLVD. END 960 22 21,120 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 67 PIEDMONT AVENUE CRESCENT DR. CLAREMONT 365 18 6,570 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 68 RAE COURT FIESTA CIRCLE CUL-DE-SAC 115 26 2,990 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 69 RAE DRIVE FIESTA CIRCLE CUL-DE-SAC 292 34 9,928 80 Micro-Surface (Type II) 70 RAMONA DRIVE IVY DRIVE ARROYO DRIVE 1,063 23 24,449 81 Micro-Surface (Type II) 71 RANCH RD. (2655D) MINER RD. END 700 18 12,600 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 72 RYDAL COURT EASTWOOD DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 143 25 3,575 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 73 SALLY ANN RD. (2847 A) GLORIETTA BLVD. PARKWAY CT. 900 22 19,800 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 74 SCENIC CT. (2745 O) SCENIC DR. CUL-DE-SAC 240 21 5,040 69 Thin Overlay/Mill & fill 75 SOUTHWOOD DR. Bates Blvd. End 180 35 6,300 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 76 SUNNYSIDE CT. SUNNYSIDE LANE CUL-DE-SAC 360 26 9,360 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 77 TAHOS RD. (2745AS) - 11007 NORTHERLY PROP LINE 445 TAHOS NORTHERLY PROP LINE 565 TAHOS 1,698 29 49,242 86 Micro-Surface (Type II) 78 TAHOS RD. (2745AS) - 11007 WANDA LANE NORTHERLY PROP LINE 445 TAHOS 1,789 29 51,881 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 79 TARRY LN. (2555H) COP N/O 52 TARRY LN VAN TASSEL LN. 1,562 23 35,926 81 Micro-Surface (Type II) 80 VALENCIA ROAD DON GABRIEL WAY ALTAMOUNT DRIVE 1,730 21 36,330 82 Micro-Surface (Type II) 81 WANFLETE CT CORAL DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 397 25 9,925 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) Attachment A 2 of 3 9/10/2025
F.2.a
Packet Pg. 19
Attachment: Annual Paving Rehabiliation 2025-2026 Street List (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 82 WARFORD TR. Bates Blvd End 999 33 32,967 81 Micro-Surface (Type II) 83 WARFORD TR. MUTH DR. BATES BLVD 999 33 32,967 81 Micro-Surface (Type II) 84 WESTOVER COURT ARDITH DRIVE CUL-DE-SAC 385 25 9,625 87 Micro-Surface (Type II) 85 WHITEHALL DRIVE MORAGA WAY 735' E/O 735 33 24,255 77 Micro-Surface (Type II) 86 WILDER RD. BIGLEAF RD ORINDA FIELDS LANE 2,725 28 76,300 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 87 WILDER RD. RABBLE RD BIGLEAF RD 1,435 22 31,570 81 Micro-Surface (Type II) 88 WILDER RD. DAIRY CREEK LN RABBLE RD 2,430 22 53,460 83 Micro-Surface (Type II) 89 WILDER RD. GATE 920 FT (S) DAIRY CREEK LN 920 22 20,240 85 Micro-Surface (Type II) 90 ZANDER DRIVE RHEEM BLVD. ZANDER COURT 979 29 28,391 92 Micro-Surface (Type II) 91 ZANDER DRIVE ZANDER COURT ALICE LANE 1,339 29 38,831 81 Mill & Overlay TOTAL 91,093 2,403,163
Attachment A 3 of 3 9/10/2025
F.2.a
Packet Pg. 20
Attachment: Annual Paving Rehabiliation 2025-2026 Street List (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 1 CITY OF ORINDA
SERVICES CONTRACT
_Harris & Associates Inc. (“Provider”) and the City of Orinda (“City”), a municipal corporation, agree as follows. City and Provider are sometimes individually referred to herein as “Party” and collectively as “Parties.”
1. Purpose of Contract.
a. City requires certain special services for the purpose of Design Service for the 2025/26 Annual Paving Rehabilitation Project (No. 4183/4190). b. Provider is qualified to provide these services and is willing to provide the/m according to all of the terms of this agreement, including all insurance requirements set forth herein.
2. Duties of Provider.
a. Provider agrees to perform services described in Exhibit A (proposal submitted 10/9/25) and in Exhibit B (cost proposal dated 10/9/25), which are attached to this agreement and incorporated by this reference. Provider agrees to perform these services diligently in accordance with the standards of its profession and to City’s satisfaction. Provider promises and agrees to furnish to City all labor, materials, tools, equipment, services, and incidental and customary work necessary to fully and adequately perform the services described in this agreement.
b. The parties may, from time to time, agree in writing that Provider, for additional compensation, shall perform additional services. c. Provider shall assign only competent personnel to perform services pursuant to this agreement. Provider shall notify City in writing of any changes in Provider’s staff assigned. City may, in its sole discretion, determine that a person assigned to perform services is not performing in accordance with the standards required herein. If the City makes such a determination, Provider shall replace such person immediately.
3. Time of Performance.
a. This agreement shall not be effective and no payments shall be made to Provider until:
(i) City has received satisfactory evidence that Provider has met all of the insurance requirements, and
(ii) All required signatures have been obtained.
b. The effective date of this agreement shall be the date on which the last signature is affixed or on receipt of satisfactory evidence of insurance, whichever is later.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 21
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 2 c. The services of Provider shall begin no sooner than the effective date and shall continue until all work is approved by City. All work shall be completed no later than _December 30, 2026_, and in accordance with . Provider must deliver the services according to the Schedule of Performance provided in Exhibit A.
d. Time is of the essence for the performance of the services. Provider must have sufficient time, resources, and qualified staff to deliver the services on time, according to any Schedule of Performance specified in Exhibit A.
4. Compensation.
a. City agrees to pay Provider at the rates described in Exhibit B, based on actual costs, not to exceed a maximum contract price of $_294,350___ for satisfactory performance of the services under this agreement.
b. Provider shall bill City on a monthly basis for work done in the preceding month. Provider’s project manager shall review and sign the invoice. The billings shall contain, as a minimum, total hours worked on the project by position, hourly rates, total amount due for the period and a contract payment status summary showing total billed to date compared to total authorized contract amount. In addition, Provider shall describe work that was completed during the monthly billing period both in qualitative terms (e.g., listing project activities) and in quantitative terms (e.g., scope of work completion percentage). City, at its sole discretion, shall evaluate the billing and determine whether or not the amount billed is commensurate with the state of completion of the work. If City determines that the amount billed exceeds the status of completion of either an individual task or the entire project, then City may reduce the amount of the progress payment accordingly.
c. The parties shall agree in writing to any changes in compensation due to changes in Provider’s services prior to performance of those changed services. d. To the extent that Provider’s insurance documentation is not in compliance with the requirements of this agreement and the City Attorney is required to intervene to explain and obtain the proper documentation from Provider’s insurer, the cost of the City Attorney’s services will be deducted from the contract price to which Provider would otherwise be entitled under the terms of this agreement.
5. Provider Status.
a. Provider is an independent contractor and is solely responsible for its acts and omissions. Provider is not City’s agent, employee, partner, joint venture, or representative for any purpose. Provider has no power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability on behalf of City. Provider is solely responsible for the means and methods of performing the services under this agreement and for the persons hired to work under this agreement. Provider shall direct and control its personnel and shall pay all wages, salaries, and other amounts due such personnel in connection with this agreement and as required by law. Provider is responsible for all reports and obligations respecting such personnel. Provider shall pay of all taxes, fees, contributions or charges applicable to the conduct of Provider’s business, and shall provide City with proof of F.2.b
Packet Pg. 22
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 3 compliance upon request. Provider is not entitled to health benefits, worker’s compensation, or other benefits from the City.
b. Provider is solely responsible for the payment of employment taxes incurred under this agreement and any similar federal or state taxes. Provider and any of its employees, agents, and subcontractors shall not have any claim under this agreement or otherwise against City for seniority, vacation time, vacation pay, sick leave, personal time off, overtime, health insurance, medical care, hospital care, insurance benefits, social security, disability, unemployment, workers compensation or employee benefits of any kind. Provider shall be solely liable for and obligated to pay directly all applicable taxes, fees, contributions, or charges applicable to Provider’s business including, but not limited to, federal and state income taxes. City shall have no obligation whatsoever to pay or withhold any taxes or benefits on behalf of Provider. Should any court, arbitrator, or administrative authority, including but not limited to the Internal Revenue Service or the State Employment Development Division, determine that Provider, or any of its employees, agents, or subcontractors, is an employee for any purpose, then Provider agrees to a reduction in amounts payable under this agreement, or to promptly remit to City any payments due by the City as a result of such determination, so that the City’s total expenses under this agreement are not greater than they would have been had the determination not been made.
6. Conflict of Interest.
Provider understands that its professional responsibility is solely to City. Provider warrants that it presently has no interest, and will not acquire any direct or indirect interest, that would conflict with its performance of this agreement. Provider shall not employ a person having such an interest in the performance of this agreement.
Provider and its agents or employees working under this agreement shall submit statements of economic interest under the Political Reform Act (Government Code section 81000 et seq.) if requested to do so by City.
7. Work Product, Intellectual Property and Records.
a. Ownership. All documents furnished to Provider by City and all reports or work product (including electronically stored documents) prepared by Provider under this agreement are City’s property and shall be given to City at the completion of Provider’s services without restriction or limitation on use or dissemination by City. Provider grants City a royaltyfree, exclusive and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish and use all original computer programs, writing, sound recordings, pictorial reproductions, diagrams, charts, computations, drawings, and other works of similar nature produced in the course of the performance of this agreement. Provider shall not publish any such material without the prior written consent of City.
b. Right to Use. Provider represents and warrants that it has the legal right to utilize all intellectual property it will utilize in the performance of this agreement. Provider further represents that it shall ensure City has the legal right to utilize all intellectual property involved in and/or resulting from Provider’s performance of this agreement.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 23
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 4 c. Confidential Information. In the performance of this agreement, Provider may be given access to confidential information owned or controlled by the City, which may contain proprietary or confidential details the disclosure of which to third parties may be damaging to City. Provider shall hold in confidence all City information provided by City to Provider and use it only to perform this agreement. Provider shall exercise the same standard of care to protect City information as a reasonably prudent contractor would use to protect its own proprietary data.
d. Recordkeeping. Provider shall maintain and make available to City accurate books and accounting records relating to its work under this agreement. Provider will permit City to audit, examine, and make excerpts and transcripts from such books and records, and to make audits of all invoices, materials, payrolls, records, or personnel and other data related to all other matters covered by this agreement, whether funded in whole or in part under this agreement. Provider shall maintain such data and records in an accessible location and condition for a period of not less than three years after final payment under this agreement or until after final audit has been resolved, whichever is later.
8. Assignment; Subcontracts.
Provider’s services are considered unique and personal. Provider shall not assign or transfer its interest or obligation under this agreement without City’s prior written consent.
Provider shall not subcontract its duties under this agreement without City’s prior written consent. Any attempt to do so shall be null and void, and any assignees, subcontractors or transferees shall acquire no right or interest by reason of such attempted assignment, subcontracting or transfer. Any changes related to the financial control or business nature of Provider as a legal entity is considered an assignment of this agreement and subject to City approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Control means fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power of the business entity.
9. Licenses.
Provider represents and warrants to City that it has all licenses, permits, qualifications, insurance, and approvals legally required for Provider to practice its profession and/or provide services under this agreement. Provider shall, at its sole cost and expense, keep in effect such licenses, permits, qualifications, insurance, and approvals at all times during the term of this agreement.
10. Insurance Types and Limits.
Provider shall procure and maintain for the duration of this agreement insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property that may arise from or in connection with its performance under this agreement. Coverage shall be at least as broad as:
a. Commercial General Liability (CGL): Insurance Services Office Form CG 00 01 covering CGL on an “occurrence” basis for bodily injury and property damage, including products-completed operations, personal injury and advertising injury, with a limit of no less than __$1,000,000__ per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general F.2.b
Packet Pg. 24
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 5 aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.
b. Automobile Liability: Insurance Services Office Form Number CA 0001 covering Code 1 (any auto), or if Provider has no owned autos, Code 8 (hired) and 9 (nonowned), with a limit of no less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage.
c. Workers’ Compensation insurance as required by the State of California, with Statutory Limits, and Employer’s Liability Insurance with a limit of no less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease. Workers’ Compensation insurance will not be required if Provider furnishes to City a written verification that it has no employees. d. Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions) Insurance appropriate to the Provider’s profession, with a limit of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence or claim, $2,000,000 aggregate.
If Provider maintains higher limits or broader coverage than the minimums shown above, City requires and shall be entitled to coverage for the higher limits or broader coverage maintained by the contractor.
11. Additional Insurance Requirements.
The insurance policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions:
a. Additional Insured Status: City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers are to be covered as insureds on the Automobile Liability policy and on the Commercial General Liability policy.
b. Primary Coverage: For any claims related to this agreement, Provider’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance as respects City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by City, its officers, officials, employees, or volunteers shall be excess of the Provider’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.
c. Notice of Cancellation. Provider shall not cancel, assign, or change any policy of insurance required by this agreement or engage in any act or omission that will cause its insurer to cancel any insurance policy required by this agreement except after providing 30 days prior written notice to the City. If an insurance policy required by this agreement is unilaterally cancelled or changed by the insurer, the Provider shall immediately provide written notice to the City and obtain substitute insurance meeting the requirements of this agreement.
Nothing in this subsection relieves Provider of its obligation to at all times maintain all insurance required by this agreement.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 25
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 6 d. Waiver of Subrogation: Provider hereby grants to City a waiver of any right to subrogation which any insurer of Provider may acquire against City by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance. Provider agrees to obtain any endorsement that may be necessary to effect this waiver of subrogation, but this provision applies regardless of whether or not City has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from the insurer. e. Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions: Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by City. City may require Provider to provide proof of ability to pay losses and related investigations, claim administration, and defense expenses within the retention.
f. Acceptability of Insurers: Insurance is to be placed with insurers licensed to do business in the State of California and with a current A.M. Best’s rating of no less than A:VII, unless otherwise acceptable to City.
g. Claims Made Policies: If any of the required policies provide coverage on a claims-made basis:
(i) The retroactive date must be shown and must be before the effective date of this agreement or the beginning of work, whichever is earlier.
(ii) Insurance must be maintained and evidence of insurance must be provided for at least five (5) years after completion of the of work. (iii) If coverage is canceled or non-renewed, and not replaced with another claims-made policy form with a retroactive date prior to the effective date/beginning of work. Provider must purchase “extended reporting” coverage for a minimum of five (5) years after completion of work.
h. Subcontractors: Provider shall require and verify that all subcontractors maintain insurance meeting all the requirements stated herein. i. Special Risks or Circumstances: City reserves the right to modify these requirements, including limits, based on the nature of the risk, prior experience, insurer, coverage, or other special circumstances.
12. Verification of Insurance.
Provider shall furnish City with original certificates and amendatory endorsements or copies of the applicable policy language effecting coverage required herein.
Such evidence of insurance shall be attached hereto as Exhibit B and considered an integral part of this agreement, which shall not become effective until satisfactory evidence of insurance has been received by City. All evidence of insurance must be received and approved by City before work commences. However, failure to obtain the required documents prior to the work beginning shall not waive Provider obligation to provide them. City reserves the right to require F.2.b
Packet Pg. 26
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 7 complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements required by these specifications, at any time.
13. Indemnification.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, including but not limited to Civil Code section 2782.8, Provider shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless City and its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from and against any and all liability, claims, suits, losses, injuries, damage, demands, expenses, and costs (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expert fees) of every nature, arising out of, pertaining to, or relating to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of Provider’s in the performance of this agreement. Provider shall not be obligated to indemnify City against liability arising from the sole negligence or willful misconduct by City.
Acceptance by City of insurance certificates and endorsements required under this Agreement does not relieve Provider from liability under this indemnification and hold harmless clause. The obligations of Provider under this Section 13 will not be limited by the provisions of any workers’ compensation act or similar act.
Provider agrees to obtain executed indemnity agreements with provisions identical to those set forth here in this Section 13 from each and every subcontractor, or any other person or entity involved by, for, with, or on behalf of Provider in the performance of this Agreement.
The provisions of this section survive termination of this agreement.
14. Equal Employment Opportunity.
Provider is an equal opportunity employer and agrees to comply with applicable regulations governing equal employment opportunity. In the performance of this agreement, Provider shall not discriminate against any employee, subcontractor, or applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, or medical condition, or any other protected classification. Provider shall comply with all anti-discrimination laws, including Government Code Sections 12900 and 11135, and Labor Code Sections 1735, 1777, and 3077.5. Provider agrees to provide records and documentation to the City on request necessary to monitor compliance with this provision.
15. Compliance with Laws.
a. General Laws. Provider shall comply with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to this agreement. Provider will promptly notify City of changes in the law or other conditions that may affect the services or Provider’s ability to perform. b. Labor Laws. Provider shall comply with all labor laws applicable to this agreement. If the services include a “public works” component, Provider is required to comply with prevailing wage laws under Labor Code Section 1720 and other labor laws.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 27
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 8 c. Provider shall keep itself fully informed of and in compliance with all applicable laws affecting its performance under this agreement.
16. Notices.
Any notice to be given under this agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the parties as follows:
City
City Manager
City of Orinda
22 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA 94563
Provider
Harris & Associates Inc.
1401 Willow Pass Road,
Suite 500
Concord, CA 94520
17. Litigation.
If either party brings an action to enforce this agreement, the prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs (including, but not limited to, expert witness fees and discovery costs).
18. Waivers.
Waiver of a breach or default under this agreement shall not constitute a continuing waiver or a waiver of a subsequent breach of the same or any other provision of this agreement.
19. Modification.
No waiver, modification or termination of this agreement is valid unless made in writing.
20. Severability.
If any provision of this agreement is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this agreement shall remain in effect to the greatest extent permitted by law.
21. Termination.
a. Termination Without Cause:
(i) At any time and without cause, either party may terminate this agreement by giving 10 days written notice. In the event of such termination without cause, City shall pay Provider for services rendered to date and Provider shall deliver to City any work product, whether complete or incomplete.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 28
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 9 (ii) If the City terminates this agreement, the time spent in closing out the services will be compensated up to a maximum of ten percent (10%) of the total funds expended to date in the performance of the services, provided the City so approves in writing. b. Termination For Cause: In the event of Provider’s substantial failure to meet its obligations under this agreement, City may elect to give Provider 10 days written notice and an opportunity to cure. If Provider has not cured the defects in its performance within 10 days, City may terminate the agreement for cause. After termination for cause, City shall pay Provider for services satisfactorily rendered to date, and Provider shall deliver to City any work product, whether complete or incomplete.
c. Suspension: City may, at any time, temporarily suspend Provider’s performance, in whole or in part, by giving a written notice of suspension to Provider. If City gives such notice, Provider shall immediately suspend its activities under this agreement as specified.
22. Entire Agreement.
This agreement, together with its attachments, sets forth the entire understanding between the Parties and supersedes any oral or written understanding they may have had prior to the execution of this agreement. No other contract, statement, or promise relating to the subject matter of this agreement shall be valid or binding. If there is any inconsistency between any term, clause, or provision of the main agreement and any term, clause, or provision of the attachments or exhibits thereto, the terms of the main agreement shall prevail and be controlling.
23. Governing Law and Venue.
The formation, interpretation, and performance of this agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Venue for all litigation relative to the formation, interpretation, and performance of this agreement shall be in Contra Costa County.
24. Authority to Enter Agreement.
Provider has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business and to execute, deliver, and perform the agreement. Each Party warrants that the individuals who have signed this agreement have the legal power, right, and authority to make this agreement and bind each respective Party.
25. Successors and Assigns.
This agreement shall be binding on the successors and assigns of the Parties.
26. Headings and Construction.
Headings appearing herein are descriptive only and for convenience in reference to this agreement. References to Provider include its agents, servants, and employees.
References to City include its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 29
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 10 City of Orinda
__________________________________
City Manager Date
Attest
___________________________________
City Clerk
Approved as to form
___________________________________
City Attorney
Harris & Associates, Inc.
__________________________________
Date
___Principle-in-Charge _________
Printed Title
___ Marcus Fuller,__________________
Printed Name
Attachments:
Exhibit A, Proposal Documents: Scope of Services, submitted 10-9-25 Exhibit B, Cost Proposal, dated 10-09-2025
Exhibit C, Evidence of Insurance: Certificates, Endorsements and Policy Language F.2.b
Packet Pg. 30
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 11 Exhibit A
Proposal Documents: Scope of Services & Schedule
(pages attached)
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 31
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual
ANNUAL PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION 2025/2026
CITY PROJECT NO. 4183/4190
CITY OF ORINDA
October 9, 2025
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 32
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. Table of Contents ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TAB #1 Cover Letter ...................................................................................................................................... iii TAB #2 Project Understanding.......................................................................................................................1 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation 2025/2026 ................................................................................................1 TAB #3 Work Plan Approach & Schedule .......................................................................................................4 TAB #4 Staff Plan: Experience, Qualifications, & References.......................................................................7 TAB #5 Resumes .............................................................................................................................................iv TAB #6 Acknowledgment of City Consultant Agreement & Certification of Insurance Requirements ...10 F.2.b
Packet Pg. 33
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual TAB #1 Cover Letter iii
Harris & Associates, Inc.
1401 Willow Pass Road, Suite 500
Concord, CA 94520
925.827.4900 WeAreHarris.com
October 9, 2025
Ha Nguyen, Sr. Civil
Engineer
City of Orinda
22 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA 94563
Annual Pavement Rehabilitation 2025/2026
Dear Ms. Nguyen,
The City of Orinda’s (City/Orinda) commitment to maintaining a high-quality roadway networks is evident through its decade-long investment in pavement infrastructure.
Since launching its multi-phase pavement rehabilitation program in 2012, Orinda has transformed its street network from one of the lowest Pavement Condition Index (PCI) ratings in the region to among the highest. As the City transitions from large-scale reconstruction to strategic long-term maintenance, Harris & Associates (Harris) is ideally positioned to support the development of comprehensive Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the Annual Pavement Rehabilitation 2025/2026 project.
Harris offers the following benefits:
• Experienced Leadership Team – Our project will be led by senior pavement specialists with extensive experience designing cost-effective rehabilitation strategies for suburban communities with challenging topography. Our team has worked with numerous Bay Area municipalities to develop pavement management systems that optimize the life cycle of roadway assets while addressing ADA compliance requirements.
• Comprehensive Field Assessment Approach – Harris utilizes advanced field documentation technologies to accurately capture existing conditions, enabling precise treatment recommendations tailored to each of the 91 street segments. Our meticulous assessment methodology has consistently helped clients maximize their pavement rehabilitation budgets while addressing critical infrastructure needs. • Proven Success with Similar Projects – Having completed comparable pavement rehabilitation projects throughout Contra Costa County, our team understands the unique challenges presented by Orinda’s winding roads, hilly terrain, and tree-lined neighborhoods. Our experience integrating ADA upgrades with pavement treatments allows us to develop coordinated PS&E packages that minimize construction conflicts and optimize project delivery.
Harris recognizes that this project represents an important component of Orinda’s data-driven pavement management strategy. We are committed to delivering a wellcoordinated, biddable PS&E package that will help extend roadway life, improve ride quality, enhance accessibility and drainage, and facilitate successful project delivery. Our team looks forward to partnering with the City to implement cost-effective pavement treatments that maintain Orinda’s roadway network at a sustainable level for years to come.
Sincerely,
Harris & Associates, Inc.
Gabriel Gutierrez-Garcia, PE, QSD/QSP
Project Manager
949.508.2453
[email protected]
Marcus Fuller, PE, PLS
Principal-in-Charge
949.536.2510
[email protected]
CONTRACT TERMS
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Harris does not foresee
any issue accepting the
City’s standard consultant
agreement conditions
as-is but would welcome
the opportunity to discuss
potential changes that
would benefit both parties.
CONFLICT OF
INTEREST
Harris certifies that we do
not have any conflicts of
interest.
INSURANCE
Harris certifies that we
do meet the insurance
requirements as listed
in the RFP. A copy of our
Certificate of Insurance can
be found on page 10.
TIMELINE
Harris has designed a
schedule for this project
scope of work with all bid
documents completed by
January 2026. Please see
page 6 for more details.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 34
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #2 Project Understanding 1 Project Understanding
Orinda’s roadway network of publicly maintained roads
comprises 11 miles of arterials, 15 miles of collectors, and approximately 67 miles of residential streets. The focus of this year’s annual paving rehabilitation project is on residential streets, with collectors and arterials being the lesser number of segments; the high PCI score of
the proposed segments makes them ideal for pavement
preservation treatments.
PAVEMENT REHABILITATION
This 2025/2026 pavement rehab project includes a total
of 91 segments with approximately 91,093 linear feet of pavement to be rehabilitated. Based on the preliminary
analysis performed by the City, three primary types of
rehabilitation methods have been selected as preferred
methods of treatment, namely:
MicroSurface
(Type II)
Thin
Overlay/
Mill & Fill
Mill &
Overlay
76 segments,
80,763 LF
12 segments,
5,391 LF
3 segments,
4,939 LF
Thanks to the long partnership that Harris has with the City, our team understands the unique settings of the City streets such as:
Unique terrain, including steep grades and
narrow residential roads;
Narrow streets where two-way travel is
very constrained;
Widespread use of street parking, even on
narrow streets;
Steep driveways with significant grade
breaks, which can cause conform challenges;
Moreover, our project manager conducted a preliminary
field reconnaissance of the streets listed for rehabilitation to understand the diversity of the project sites and identify existing conditions that may have influenced the City’s decision to select specific methods of treatment.
FIELD INVESTIGATION
The Harris team will visit each project site to evaluate, take photos, and catalog the condition of existing pavement, curb and gutter, asphalt dike, sidewalk, curb ramps,
driveway conforms, culverts, ditches, drainage inlets,
storm drain manholes, signing and striping using our
field work checklist. Our team will take measurements of various existing features to show in project plans. Existing curb ramps will be evaluated for compliance with current ADA standards.
During our field visit, we will take pictures of all striping to keep a record of the existing conditions. Our team will also review and recommend necessary upgrades to meet
current signing and striping standards.
CURB RAMPS
Harris staff documenting
curb ramp conditions in the
field
Intersections with curb ramps that do not meet current
standards will require repair/reconstruction. During
preliminary design, our field visit will include checking curb ramps for compliance and taking measurements of
ramps within the project’s limits on streets selected for thin overlay and mill and overlay. Plans will include design details to repair/reconstruct the ramps to bring them to current standards. This requirement does not apply to
streets designated for micro-surface treatment, however, all segments within the project will be evaluated and
TAB #2 PROJECT UNDERSTANDING
ANNUAL PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION 2025/2026
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 35
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. Annual Pavement Rehabilitation 2025/2026 2 presented to the City. All ramp details will be based upon horizontal measurements and slopes taken in the field and design standards.
UTILITIES
Coordination with utility agencies is essential to avoid construction conflicts, confirm contractors have complete and accurate utility information, and minimize delays—
since utility coordination can often be time intensive. In asphalt preservation projects, utility covers are frequently paved over due to incomplete or outdated records.
Proactive coordination helps prevent these issues and
keeps the project on schedule.
Harris will request all relevant information from the utility agencies and coordinate the design and construction
schedule to avoid conflicts with any planned improvements by utilities that could cut into newly paved roads.
TIMELY PROJECT DELIVERY
The project requires a fast-track schedule, with 100%
PS&E submittal for City review and advertisement
within 75 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed. Harris brings a strong team of pavement design specialists and experienced design engineers adept at managing complex
projects on accelerated timelines. We have prepared a
detailed schedule that identifies critical path activities to provide timely delivery. The project manager will oversee all tasks, strategically assigning team members to maintain progress. Harris will provide regular schedule updates to the City and promptly address any adjustments needed
due to unforeseen circumstances.
Key to Success:
Constant
Communication
Additionally, our collaborative expertise allows us to
balance the needs of the project while staying within
the design budget. Issues such as unforeseen site
circumstances and major design changes can greatly
affect the budget. Our team overcomes these challenges
by maintaining constant communication with the client
and using our breadth of experience to generate innovative solutions in a timely manner.
Our recent project for the City of Watsonville had a fasttracked schedule of about two months between the Notice to Proceed and bid documents. The project consisted of
92,000 SY of slurry seal, 20,000 SY of mill and overlay of hot mix asphalt including about 9,000 SF of base
repairs. In addition to paving rehabilitation the project included thermoplastic striping, restriping configurations to add green bike lanes and higher visibility crosswalks and coordination for adjusting utility covers to grade
on mill and overlay conditions. The team accomplished
this feat by effectively delegating tasks across the team and committing to biweekly progress meetings with the
City to confirm mutual agreement of design decisions.
Our approach reduced major design changes between
deliverables, which allowed us to stay on track and within the allocated design budget.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Our systematic project management approach has
helped us time and again to deliver numerous public
infrastructure projects successfully. Our experience
working on public infrastructure improvements projects
has taught us that project management is easier when
everyone works as a team, and the team works best
when everyone understands the “game plan.” On our
projects, we prepare a project management plan (PMP)
tailored specifically to the project. The PMP sets goals and expectations, documents requirements, defines documents assignments and team member responsibilities, establishes control systems and measures to manage costs, schedule, scope, communications, quality, resources, and risk.
Our project management experience affirms that spending the appropriate amount of time in the initiation and
planning phase of the project makes the execution phase seamless and efficient while helping tremendously with the project monitoring and control. The benefit that the PMP approach provides to the City is that everyone knows who, what, when, and the level of effort anticipated for project success.
Our approach to project management is
based on philosophies and practices that
are rooted in the Project Management
Institute’s PMBOK® Guide and
Standards and tailored specifically for
the City and project. In addition to
foundational best practices, we have
our own Harris Project Management
Program (HPMP) that established our
formal processes, and provides tools, training, and
guidelines for the Harris contract.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 36
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. Annual Pavement Rehabilitation 2025/2026 3
QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
Our approach to quality includes focused collaboration
among our seasoned team members across our various
service lines to deliver a well-vetted deliverable to
our clients and partners. As an organization, we have
developed a culture where all employee-owners are
aware of and committed to quality in our processes and
deliverables. Each member of our team will embody this
“quality-oriented” mindset during the delivery of your
projects.
We adhere to a “Harris Way to
Quality”—a 37-page QA/QC Manual
that reflects our commitment to
delivering high-quality products
and services. The QA portion of the
manual details the process of reducing
potential errors or non-compliant
deliverables. Our QA philosophy
speaks to the technical components,
contractual requirements, and civil
engineering solutions as appropriate. The QC portion of the manual provides the measurements for performing
detailed reviews and checking of all aspects of the project work by qualified, designated team members.
Randall Bliss, PE will serve as QA/QC Manager on your
projects performing project reviews, documenting these
reviews, and providing technical input and guidance at
agreed-to milestones to add value to the delivery process and reduce errors. We have the philosophy that QA/QC
is a continuous process from conceptual design to final PS&Es on all design projects.
We have a strong and long-term commitment to quality.
Our plan to deliver quality documents is simple—
diligently adhere to proven quality review procedures
that are built on organized and effective communication, participatory review by the City, and systematic tracking of issues and actions. Construction management is one of our strong business arms, which provides us with a deep bench of very strong construction managers and inspectors.
We engage our construction management group to
perform constructability reviews on our deliverables.
Their experience in construction helps the design team
understand what works and does not work in the field,
which has trained us to always consider constructability in design concepts and design details early in the project.
Compare the latest PCI data to
PCI based on recent
maintenance data and
previous updated PCI data
Accuracy check decision trees,
customized projects, budget
scenario reports and work
and online database backups
Pavement inspection data at 25% and 50%
completion of pavement inspections.
Overall, 10% of the total inspection
mileage will be reviewed during the QA/QC.
FIELD
INSPECTION
POST PCI
CALCULATIONS
ON PMP DATABASE
ANALYSIS
+ REPORTS
01 02
03 QA/QC PROGRAM OVERVIEW
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 37
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #3 Work Plan Approach & Schedule 4 Work Breakdown Structure Task Descriptions
TASK 1 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Our Project Manager, Gabriel Gutierrez Garcia, PE,
QSD will manage the project team from the notice to
proceed (NTP) through project close-out. Gabe’s project management tasks include:
Task 1.1 – Project Management and Coordination
• Serving as primary point-of-contact
• Managing the in-house project team
• Monitoring progress of individual tasks
• Preparing monthly progress reports with each invoice
• Coordinating with the project team and stakeholders to complete work products and maintain quality control
• Meeting with City staff to discuss design scope and
review comments
• Providing bid period support services
• Providing construction support services
Task 1.2 – Project Timeline
• Monitoring and maintaining the 75 calendar days
project schedule and budget
• Attending regular check-ins with the City’s project
manager
• Incorporating City comments within one week of
submittal review
TASK 2 – PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING, FIELD
INVESTIGATIONS, AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Once NTP is received, we will begin our preliminary
engineering phase. We will hold a kick-off meeting to
discuss with City staff confirmation of scope of work and schedule, review preliminary street selection and proposed pavement treatments, establish utility coordination
strategies, discuss format of deliverables, and clarify responsibilities of each party. We will prepare the meeting minutes and include project team’s contact information, action items, and an updated schedule.
Task 2.1 – Base Mapping and Plan Development
Harris will utilize existing ArcGIS base maps provided
by the City or Google aerial maps to develop the initial base maps. We will create the plans based on the
pavement treatments for all 91 street segments identified in Attachment A. On the plans, we will provide tables
that will include quantities for pavement treatment types, base repairs, edge treatments, crack sealing, signage and striping, and ADA curb ramp upgrades (if any). The plans will present the agreed upon pavement treatment that are aligned with existing field conditions and City standards.
Task 2.2 – Field Assessment
Harris will conduct the field assessment with multiple
teams of two to make sure we complete our survey of the 91 street segments within the scheduled time. We will
verify street measurements, pavements treatment limits, identify and measure base failures where required, utility adjustments, and special pavement treatments. The team
will take and document geolocated photographs of each
base repair to save in the project file for reference. Existing striping and signage conditions will be assessed, tabulated and replaced, in kind, per City standards if required.
Utility covers, lids, and boxes will be identified and shown to be adjusted to grade, protect in place, or raised/lowered during pavement work. We will evaluate existing curb
ramps within project limits for ADA compliance using
a smart level and tape measure and noting obstructions.
Other relevant field conditions will be documents that may impact the design/construction including drainage issues, obstructions and site-specific constraints.
Task 2.3 – Monument Research and Preservation
We will research record maps and corner records from
the City to identify and preserve all existing survey
monuments within the Mill & Overlay treated streets that are required during construction.
Task 2.4 – Utility Coordination
Harris will send out utility request letters to all utility companies with facilities in the project area. We will
notify them of the project and request if they have any planned utility projects that may be in conflict. We will provide 65% plans for the utility agencies for verification and coordinate with them if utility relocations are needed ahead of construction.
TASK 3 – PLAN, SPECIFICATION AND COST
ESTIMATE PREPARATION
Task 3.1 – Plan Preparation
The city is requesting design plans in three submittal
phases: 50%, 90% and Final (Bid Set).
• 50% Plans will include:
– Proposed pavement limits for each street segment
– Title Sheet, Notes Sheet,
– Plan views of surface treatment limits, base repair
locations, utility structure adjustments, culverts to
be replaced or rehabilitated, and edge and conform
grinds. We will include a table of base repair quantities and utility and monument data.
– Utility adjustments, identify ADA curb ramp
locations, and storm drain and striping improvements.
TAB #3 WORK PLAN APPROACH & SCHEDULE
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 38
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #3 Work Plan Approach & Schedule 5 – Identify schematic locations of high-pressure PG&E
gas mains from PG&E gas maps.
• 90% and Final (Bid Set) Plans will include:
– Project-specific construction notes and additional
details. We will incorporate city review comments
from the 50% package and develop the plans
mentioned in the 50% Plans above, to a 90% level.
– Striping and Pavement Marking Sheets will show
all existing striping and pavement markings to be
replaced in kind.
– Detail Sheets
• General Plan Development Requirements will include:
– Confirm final pavement treatments with City staff for each segment
– Utilize City standard details and specifications with custom project details where applicable.
– Staging and Phasing plans, Traffic Control layouts, and utility coordination
– ADA curb ramp upgrade details based on field
assessments.
– Provide both electronic (PDF and CAD) submittals at
each milestone.
Task 3.2 – Specifications and Estimates (90% and Final) For the specifications, Harris will prepare Technical
Specifications based on the latest City -provided front-end and technical specification templates and Caltrans 2018 specifications. We will provide a detailed Bid Schedule with quantities and descriptions matching the plans.
Harris will prepare the Engineer’s Construction Cost
Estimate (Excel format) for the 90% and Final (Bid
Set) stages. We will apply unit prices from current bid tabulations.
We will perform and internal QA/QC review from our
QA/QC manager for all submittals to verify accuracy and bid-ready.
TASK 4 – BIDDING & CONSTRUCTION PHASE
SUPPORT SERVICES
Task 4.1 – Engineering Support During Bid Phase
Gabe will assist the City by attending the pre-bid
meeting and answer design questions from prospective
bidders during the bid period. We will log questions and responses for City to include in the Addendas or other
technical design related issues.
Task 4.2 – Pre-Construction Meeting
Gabe will attend the pre-construction meeting to answer any questions from the contractor.
Task 4.3 – Review and Approval of Submittals (10
Assumed)
Gabe and his team will review shop drawings and
submittals from the contractor and provide responses. We will prepare a log of the submittals to show the status of each reviewed.
Task 4.4 – Review and Respond to RFI’s (10 Assumed)
The Harris Team will review and respond to RFI’s from
the contractor in a timely manner.
Our team conducted a site visit to several
representative project locations to better
understand your specific needs.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 39
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #3 Work Plan Approach & Schedule 6 WBS Task Name Duration Start Finish
A Notice to Proceed 1 day Mon 11/10/25 Mon 11/10/25
1 Project Management 50 days Mon 11/10/25 Fri 1/23/26
1.1 Project Management and Coordination 50 days Mon 11/10/25 Fri 1/23/26
1.2 Project Timeline 50 days Mon 11/10/25 Fri 1/23/26
2 Preliminary Engineering, Field Investigations, and
Design Development
40 days Mon 11/10/25 Thu 1/8/26
2.1 Base Mapping and Plan Development 5 days Mon 11/10/25 Fri 11/14/25
2.2 Field Assessment 15 days Mon 11/17/25 Tue 12/9/25
2.3 Monument Research and Preservation 5 days Mon 11/24/25 Tue 12/2/25
2.4 Utility Coordination 40 days Mon 11/10/25 Thu 1/8/26 3 Plan, Specification and Cost Estimate Preparation 35 days Wed 12/3/25 Fri 1/23/26
3.1 Plan Preparation (50%, 90% & Final) 35 days Wed 12/3/25 Fri 1/23/26
3.1.1 Plan Preparation 50% Submittal 10 days Wed 12/3/25 Tue 12/16/25 B Project Review Meeting 50% Submittal 1 day Fri 12/19/25 Fri 12/19/25
3.1.2 Plan Preparation 90% Submittal 10 days Wed 12/24/25 Thu 1/8/26 C Project Review Meeting 90% Submittal 1 day Wed 1/14/26 Wed 1/14/26
3.1.3 Plan Preparation Final Submittal 5 days Fri 1/16/26 Fri 1/23/26
3.2 Specifications and Estimates (90% & Final) 18 days Wed 12/24/25 Wed 1/21/26
3.2.1 Specifications and Estimates 90% Submittal 5 days Wed 12/24/25 Wed 12/31/25
3.2.2 Specifications and Estimates Final Submittal 3 days Fri 1/16/26 Wed 1/21/26 D Final Submittal - Bid Documents 1 day Fri 1/23/26 Fri 1/23/26 4 Bidding & Construction Phase Support Services 102 days Mon 1/26/26 Tue 6/16/26
4.1 Engineering Support During Bid Phase 21 days Mon 1/26/26 Mon 2/23/26
4.2 Pre-Construction Meeting 1 day Tue 3/24/26 Tue 3/24/26
4.3 Review and Approval of Submittals (10 Assumed) 20 days Wed 3/25/26 Tue 4/21/26
4.4 Review and Respond to RFIs (10 Assumed) 60 days Wed 3/25/26 Tue 6/16/26 11/10 Notice to Proceed
12/19 Project Review Meeting 50% Submittal
1/14 Project Review Meeting 90% Submittal
1/23 Final Submittal - Bid Documents
3/24 Pre-Construction Meeting
22 27 1 6 11 16 21 26 1 6 11 16 21 26 31 5 10 15 20 25 30 4 9 14 19 24 1 6 11 16 21 26 31 5 10 15 20 25 30 5 10 15 20 25 30 4 9 14 19 24 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026 Task Split Milestone Summary Critical
Annual Pavement Rehabilitation 2025/2026
City Project No. 4183/4190
Wed 10/1/25
Schedule
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 40
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #4 Staff Plan: Experience, Qualifications, & References 7 Q,
City of Orinda
Organizational Chart
Harris will deploy a strategically structured team led by our Project Manager, Gabriel Gutierrez-Garcia, with specialized personnel assigned to each project phase based on technical expertise and availability. Our pavement specialists will lead comprehensive field assessments across all 91 street segments, while our design engineers will develop PS&E documents with support from ADA compliance and cost estimating specialists. This integrated team approach facilitates continuity of knowledge from field investigation through construction support, with all key personnel maintaining sufficient availability to meet the City’s aggressive 75-day timeline for delivering complete bid documents.
Marcus Fuller, PE, PLS
3% | Los Angeles, LAWA/
LAMP-ATMP
3% | City of Ontario, OnCall Plan Check
5% |City of Watsonville, OnCall Engineering, Development Plan Check, Pavement
Program Management
Gabriel Gutierrez-Garcia,
PE, QSD/QSP
10% | City of San Diego,
Siempre Viva Rd
25% | City of Huntington
Beach, Newland-Bushard
Complete Streets Project
5% | City of Tracy, Pavement
Rehab Phase 1A
5% | City of Richmond, CityWide Concrete Imp
Randall Bliss, PE
80% | City of Anaheim, OnCall Project Management
15% | City of Watsonville, OnCall Engineering, Development Plan Check, Pavement
Program Management
Luella Gabriel
15% | Marin County,
Redwood Hwy Frontage Rd.
Rule 20A
25% | McClellan AFB, Old
Magpie Creek Remediation
Pavement Restor
15% | Town of Ross,
Administration Center
Undergrounding
10% | City of Cotati, 2026
Pavement Preservation
Ka Chow, PE, CMIT, ENV SP
10% | RVSD, Fairfax
Capacity Improvements
15% | Town of Ross,
Administration Center
Undergrounding
15% | Marin County,
Redwood Hwy Frontage Rd
Rule 20A
15% | City of Vallejo, 2025
Cape Seal Project
Chris Marinez-Cahue, EIT, CMIT
95% | City of Anaheim,
Vermont Street Alleys
Sanitary Sewer Imp
Christian Mercado, EIT
10% | City of Ontario,
Utility Plan Check Reviews
30% | City of Morgan Hill,
Development Reviews
10% | City of Gonzales, 4th
St Pavement Rehabilitation
10% | City of Watsonville,
Development Reviews
Lou Her, EIT
70% | McClellan Park,
Remediation and Release of
McClellan AFB Old Magpie
Creek Channel
5% | 22nd District
Agricultural Association,
Water & Sewer Master Plan
Andrea Salazar
35% | City of Huntington
Beach, Newland & Bushard
Street Design Project
35% | City of Richmond,
ADA Miscellaneous
Sidewalk Rehab Project
10% | City of Oakland,
Piedmont Pines Joint Trench
Ryan Tan
45% | City of Huntington
Beach, Newland-Bushard
Complete Streets Project
20% | City of Richmond,
Citywide Concrete
Improvements
Current Staff Assignments
Design Services
Pavement Engineering
Specialist
Luella Gabriel
Sr. Project Engineer
Ka Chow, PE, CMIT, ENV SP
Christian Mercado, EIT
Project Engineer
Chris Marinez-Cahue, EIT,
CMIT
Lou Her, EIT
Design Engineer
Andrea Salazar
Ryan Tan
Project Manager
Gabriel Gutierrez-Garcia, PE, QSD/
QSP
Principal-in-Charge
Marcus Fuller, PE, PLS
QA/QC Manager
Randall Bliss, PE
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 41
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #4 Staff Plan: Experience, Qualifications, & References 8 1 Willow Pass Rd Repaving and Safe Route to Transit Improvements , City of Concord Project Description. Harris is providing design services for pavement rehabilitation of Willow Pass Road between Galindo Street and Landana Drive, spanning approximately 1.9 miles. The federally funded project includes pavement rehabilitation using cold-in-place recycling (CIR) and mill and overlay methods, upgrades to ADA-compliant curb ramps, minor concrete
repairs, utility adjustments, and the installation of two bioretention areas connected to the storm drain system. Additional improvements include new striping, high-visibility crosswalks, and bicycle route enhancements.
To enhance pedestrian safety along this key transit corridor, the project also reconstructs sidewalks and driveways at several locations and installs a new pedestrian HAWK signal at San Vincente Drive. To align with the City’s “complete streets” goals, Harris is designing a 1.25-mile two-way cycle track on the north side of Willow Pass Road, providing separated bicycle access and improved multimodal connectivity.
Success Story. To keep the project within budget, the City chose to include the two-way cycle track as an additive bid alternate, introducing design challenges related to lane reductions, striping changes, and parking adjustments.
Harris addressed these complexities by developing detailed drawings that clearly distinguished additive elements from the base design, simplifying bidding and cost evaluation. This approach provided clarity for contractors and reviewers and was later commended by two independent agencies
for its effectiveness and clear organization.
Owner’s Project Manager:
• Aldrich R. Bautista, Associate Civil
Engineer, 1950 Parkside Drive,
Concord, CA 94519, (P): 925.671.3028
(E): aldrich.bautista@cityofconcord.
org
Key Relevant Elements: Pavement
Rehabilitation, Curb Ramp & Sidewalk
Upgrades, Utility Adjustments,
Stormwater Improvements, Multimodal
Enhancements, Pedestrian Safety
Improvements, Construction
Documentation
Reference Projects
2 Citywide Concrete Improvements, City of Richmond
Project Description. Harris is providing engineering design services for the City of Richmond’s ADA Miscellaneous Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project. The work includes localized sidewalk and curb ramp improvements citywide to address accessibility, safety, and aging infrastructure. The Harris team is responsible for field evaluation, design development, and preparation of construction documents, including contractor work orders and construction support.
Success Story. This project enhances pedestrian access and extends the life of Richmond’s sidewalk network. Through efficient field investigation and design, Harris supports the City in delivering ADA-compliant improvements that
promote safety and mobility. The team’s collaborative
approach facilitates on-schedule, within-budget delivery and contributes to a smoother, more accessible public realm for the community.
Owner’s Project Manager:
• Dan Santos, Assistant Engineer, 450
Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA
94804, (P): 510.620.6645 (E): Daniel_
[email protected]
Key Relevant Elements: Project
Management, Field Research &
Assessment, Design Development,
Construction Documents, Utility &
Accessibility Considerations
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 42
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #4 Staff Plan: Experience, Qualifications, & References 9 3 2023 Street Rehabilitation Project, City of Cotati
Project Description. The 2023 Street Rehabilitation Project primarily consisted of Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR), Slurry Seal Treatments, rehabilitation and replacement of pedestrian pathways, a parking lot at Helen Putnam Park, and adding Class 2 bike lanes along Myrtle Avenue. The City requested a multitude of additional items to be completed once the project was underway, and although out of scope items were added to the project, Harris was able to deliver the project on time and under budget.
Success Story. The contractor faced a challenge during excavation for the new Decomposed Granite (DG) pathway along Myrtle Ave, encountering saturated soil at a depth of three feet in the subgrade. Heavy construction equipment was being used along the narrow path situated between an existing creek and Myrtle Ave. Unfortunately, due to these conditions, the contractor was unable to proceed with the pathway installation. Harris provided recommendations including the use of alternative equipment (smaller and lighter in size), over-excavating and installation of pavement fabric in hopes of minimizing the surcharge observed along the pathway. Harris additionally incorporated a 2-3 day drying out period in the construction schedule to address the saturated soil conditions before continuing with the installation of the Aggregate Base (AB) and DG materials. These strategic measures were successfully implemented, which resulted in the construction of a new DG Pathway in accordance with the specified plans and requirements.
Owner’s Project Manager:
• Craig Scott, Director/City Engineer,
201 West Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA
94931, (P): 707.665.3620 (E):
[email protected]
Key Relevant Elements: Pavement
Rehabilitation, Pedestrian Pathways,
Bike Lane Improvements, Parking Lot
Upgrades, Field Problem-Solving
4 Pavement Program Manager, City of Watsonville
Project Description. Harris & Associates is serving as the Pavement Program Manager for the City of Watsonville under a multi-year contract funded in part through Measure R. Harris supports the City across three core areas:
• Planning & Prioritization – overseeing development of the Pavement Master Plan, validating PCI ratings, treatment strategies, and annual funding allocations.
• Design & Delivery – managing RFPs for PS&E and construction services, reviewing plans, and coordinating quality checks to keep projects on track.
• Program & Council Support – tracking budgets, providing quarterly updates, preparing City Council reports, and facilitating transparent communication with stakeholders.
Through this role, Harris provides the City with the structure, technical expertise, and consistent reporting needed to deliver its annual pavement maintenance and rehabilitation program.
Success Story. Harris collaborated closely with the City to implement the pavement recommendations outlined in the
Pavement Management Program and develop the Year 1 Pavement Rehabilitation PS&E. Despite an ambitious schedule, Harris successfully prepared the complete PS&E package and issued the project for bid within just two months. The pavement improvements included 92,000 square yards of polymer-modified slurry seal, 20,000 square yards of cold milling, 2,500 tons of new asphalt paving, and 9,000 square feet of localized base repairs. In addition, the project incorporated new roadway striping featuring green bike lanes and high-visibility crosswalks.
Owner’s Project Manager:
• Patrice Theriot, Principal Engineer,
201 West Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA
94931, (P): 831.768.3100 (E): Patrice.
[email protected]
Key Relevant Elements: Pavement
Master Plan Oversight, PS&E Oversight,
Construction Support, Program
Reporting, Funding Management
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 43
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes iv
TAB #5 RESUMES
EDUCATION
MA, Public Administration
BS, Civil Engineering
REGISTRATION
Professional Civil Engineer, CA (PE)
Professional Land Surveyor, CA
(PLS)
Marcus Fuller, PE, PLS
PRINCIPAL-IN-CHARGE
With over 30 years of public sector experience in public works and engineering, Marcus has managed and delivered an extensive range of public infrastructure programs in the cities he has served. Having successfully delivered hundreds of capital projects worth an estimated portfolio of $500 million, his expertise and track record are undeniable.
Marcus has demonstrated his ability to remain flexible and work collaboratively with agencies to achieve their goals. He has held critical roles such as City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Public Works Director/City Engineer, bringing a unique perspective and insight into the inner workings of the public sector. Marcus appreciates the challenges some public agencies face with limited capacity or expertise to effectively manage large capital programs and deliver important capital projects and brings this awareness and sensitivity to agencies pursuing solutions to these challenges. Given his acute understanding of the dynamics of local government and the political realities of delivering projects, Marcus is an exceptional asset in the management of your pavement program.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Watsonville, Pavement Program Manager. Project Manager. As the initial Program Manager of the City of Watsonville’s Pavement Program, Marcus coordinated with the Harris team on development of the Pavement Master Plan (PMP) Update to inventory and evaluate the pavement condition of the City’s streets, navigating the different considerations in developing the PMP Update to include equity among disadvantaged neighborhoods, Council Districts, and other factors. Leaning on his public sector experience, Marcus collaborated with City staff to make sure the PMP Update was developed with full transparency and inclusive of the City’s expectations, including forward facing public information on the PMP Update process leading to a public hearing on it. Moving forward, the City’s PMP Update will serve as the basis for the City’s budget allocations for a multi-year Pavement Program that will define the annual paving projects to be developed and implemented under Harris’ role as the Program Manager.
• City of Oakland, ADA Curb Ramp Repair and Replacement Program. Project Manager. Harris is providing program management services related to the City of Oakland’s ADA Access Ramp/Sidewalk Long-Term Repair and Replacement Program.
The program also includes construction of missing access ramps or sidewalks previously identified by the City. Marcus is working with the engineering staff to conduct an evaluation of the City’s comprehensive sidewalk and ramp survey and the 5-year repair/replacement program developed by another consultant; develop programs with 10-, 15-, and 20-year horizons; and identifying an optimal program that would best deliver the expected outcomes.
• City of Rialto, Various Projects. City Manager. As City Manager for the City of Rialto, Marcus was responsible for managing the entire municipal affairs of the City, including preparing and administering the City’s $220 million budget and $110 million CIP.
Marcus also served as Acting City Engineer during a vacancy, and was responsible for reviewing and preparing a Comprehensive Pavement Management Program for the City Council’s approval that set forth a prioritized basis for identifying street repair and rehabilitation projects. This resulted in development and delivery of over $50 million in street repair projects. Marcus also led the process for pursuing an alternative delivery method for development of the City’s new Police Station, resulting in negotiation and approval by the City Council of a Pre-Development Agreement with the Design-Build team that will result in a preliminary design and Guaranteed Max Price for construction of the project.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 44
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes v
EDUCATION
MA, Environmental Studies
BS, Civil Engineering
REGISTRATION
Professional Civil Engineer, CA (PE)
CERTIFICATIONS
Qualified SWPPP Developer/
Practitioner (QSD/QSP), CASQA
Gabriel Gutierrez-Garcia, PE, QSD/QSP
PROJECT MANAGER
Gabriel has 12 years of experience managing and designing municipal infrastructure projects focused on pavement rehabilitation, ADA accessibility, and stormwater improvements. He has delivered hundreds of street and pavement projects across California, from slurry seals to full-depth reconstructions. His expertise includes field evaluation, treatment selection, and preparation of PS&E packages in compliance with Caltrans and local agency standards. Gabriel collaborates closely with agency staff, utilities, and design teams to address base repairs, drainage improvements, and ADA curb ramp upgrades. His recent work on the City of Concord Willow Pass Road Repaving & Safe Route to Transit Project reflects his ability to navigate complex, federally funded projects while maintaining schedule and budget discipline.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Concord, Willow Pass Road Repaving & Safe Route to Transit Project. HAWK Signal Design. Harris provided design services for pavement rehabilitation for this federally funded project which involves pavement rehabilitation using cold-in-place recycling and mill and overlay methods, installation/upgrades of curb ramps along the project limits, minor repair of concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter, adjustment of utility frames and covers to grade, adjustment of pedestrian push buttons to meet current ADA standards, replacement of traffic detector loops with video detection system, restriping, and installation of bike routes and high visibility crosswalks. As part of this effort, Harris also completed federally funded forms and documents on behalf of the City to help streamline certain internal processes. Gabe led the design of the HAWK traffic signal for this effort.
• City of Watsonville, Green Valley Road. Project Manager. The City had 65% plans, specifications and estimate in shelf from 2020, Harris took the project , finish the design and had PS&E ready within 6 weeks, good for City Council authorization to bid. The project location is Green Valley Road from Carey Avenue to Thicket Lane, approximately 2,100 linear feet and varies in width. The project limits go through Freedom Boulevard; since Freedom Boulevard was recently improved, this project will protect in place by stopping construction at the intersection. The original design of the project called for 8-inch mill and overlay, however did not provide any vertical control, adding to that, the concrete improvements needed to be re-design and the existing and proposed striping was not complying with current standards. Harris prepared full 3D elements and provided vertical design and control, re-design the street section and all concrete improvements to provided feasible solutions to drainage concerns around those improvements. Moreover, the striping was upgraded based on the City’s input and the specifications were brought to current standards. Gabriel coordinated with the City, and directed the design team, work on the 3D elements and manage the project budget and timeline.
• City of Cotati, 2021 Pavement Preservation Project. Senior Design Engineer. Based on the Five-Year CIP Report that Harris developed for the City in March 2020, we had selected streets to receive defined pavement treatments utilizing StreetSaver data and City recommendations, and prioritized them for years 2020 through 2024 with allocated City budgets. The 2023 Street Construction and Improvements Project will primarily consist of FDR, mill and overlay, and slurry seal treatments. Gabriel provided design services on this project. The project was successfully bid and finished well within the allotted budget and on schedule. The plans and specifications were bid on schedule and bids came in favorably at $450,000.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 45
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes vi
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering
REGISTRATION
Professional Civil Engineer, CA (PE)
CERTIFICATIONS
Nuclear Testing Equipment, Troxler
Randall Bliss, PE
QA/QC MANAGER
Randall has 36 years of experience in civil engineering, with an emphasis in providing staff augmentation services to municipal agencies. Randall has acted as an extension of staff for some of the most prestigious agencies in California, including the City of Oceanside, California High-Speed Rail Authority, Dublin San Ramon Services District, and the City of Los Angeles. Randall’s expertise in roadway design is unparalleled, having delivered exceptional results on a variety of projects, including large annual citywide overlay and slurry seal programs, arterial rehabilitation and reconstruction projects, and roadway widening and beautification projects. He has also served as a construction inspector on capital improvement projects and as an assistant resident engineer on Caltrans highway projects. This translates well to his practical and constructible designs, ensuring that your projects will meet budget, schedule, and quality standards.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Yorba Linda, Citywide Slurry Pavement Rehabilitation Program. Senior Project Engineer. The primary focus was on the residential streets, collector streets, and low volume arterial streets. The projects consist of crack sealing and restriping and a combination of either thin pavement overlays or slurry seals. The recommended slurry seal streets and streets to receive an AC overlay were clearly delineated on a street quantity list and plan view map exhibits. Typical street sections were prepared for the various resurfacing conditions and detailed the roadway widths, overlay depth(s), and edge grinding details. A street list also clearly listed an inventory of all quantities. • City of Oceanside, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Projects. Project Manager. As part of on-call staff augmentation services, Harris has provided program and project management services for the City of Oceanside Development Services Department.
The Team’s role has primarily been related to planning for and delivering of the City’s annual roadway repair and rehabilitation programs. Harris staff performed two updates to the City’s Pavement Management Program (PMP) and delivered six consecutive annual Slurry Seal and Overlay programs for the City. Harris also managed and delivered other projects to support the CIP program, including park and playground improvements; utility undergrounding; concrete repair and ADA improvements; medians; pipeline projects; and others.
• City of Tustin, Annual Pavement Rehabilitation (On-Call). Project Manager. Randall has provided design services for the City’s annual pavement rehabilitation projects since 2003. Services included development of PS&E and a thorough field review of the candidate streets to confirm that the existing pavement conditions were consistent with the recommendations found in the City-provided PMS report. Harris worked closely with City staff reviewing available budgets and recommended which streets required base repairs only and which streets would require base repairs and overlays.
Harris provided the replacement pavement section depths (usually 5 inches) and overlay depths (usually 1.5 to 2 inches for residential streets). Base repair locations were shown on City quad maps with each location called out by a corresponding letter. A quantity matrix was prepared relating the corresponding letter to field measures and marked quantity. For streets receiving overlays, Harris prepared 40 scale plans showing treatment types and thicknesses, base repair areas, grinding limits, replacement striping and adjustment of manhole and water valve covers. These projects also included replacement of failing curb and gutter and nonconforming access ramps. The City’s annual construction budget for these projects has ranged from $600,000 to $1.4 million.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 46
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes vii
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering
REGISTRATION
Engineer-In-Training, CA (EIT)
Luella Gabriel, EIT
PAVEMENT ENGINEERING SPECIALIST
Luella has nearly 30 years of civil engineering experience, which includes paving, utility undergrounding design and coordination, grading, drainage, stormwater treatment, slope stabilization, site layout, and pipe design. She is skilled in Civil 3D design and has extensive experience in civil computer programs such as StormCAD and FlowMaster. Her experience includes serving as Project Manager/Project Engineer for more than 30 roadway, utility and related infrastructure projects for Bay Area agencies, counties, and municipalities. Luella has helped to improve infrastructure and transportation deficiencies for both municipal and private entities. Her commitment to respond to client needs and ability to meet expectations have helped her become a successful project engineer and manager. Through these efforts she continues to provide confidence to her clients, which supports why she retains customers and receives repeat business over the years.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Cotati, 5-Year Street Pavement Preservation Capital Improvement Program, Project Manager. Harris developed the 5-Year CIP Program using the City’s 2017 Pavement Management Program (PMP) by Capitol Asset & Pavement Services (CAPS) and StreetSaver® to optimize the City’s dollars in preserving streets from 2018 to 2022.
A pavement testing consultant was added after the first year to recommend the most appropriate pavement maintenance treatment for each street. Luella managed the team to provide Streetsaver work plans and incorporate them into the city’s Paving CIP Report. She presented the report at the city council meeting and secured engineering design services for the Year 1 Pavement project.
• City of Richmond, Pavement Rehabilitation and Curb Ramps. Project Engineer.
During street design, the City realized that curb ramps must be in compliance with ADA requirements, and this large project quickly evolved into a fast-track project.
Harris prepared the bid documents for the installation of 575 ADA-compliant curb ramps located along 37 streets. Both new and reconstructed curb ramps were needed to bring these streets into compliance with ADA requirements. Luella was part of the Harris team that completed all field work, design, and plans within two months in order to meet the City’s construction schedule and advertise the project for bid. • Town of Tiburon, Mar West Street Rehabilitation. Project Engineer. This project included the construction of street rehabilitation between Esperanza and Paradise Drive. Harris finalized construction documents which included: rehabilitation of street pavement along Mar West between Tiburon Boulevard and Paradise Drive; remediation of approximately 240 LF of hillside settlement located along Mar West; construction of a 4-foot wide asphalt concrete path, which will run parallel with and adjacent to Mar West Street; and adjusting the street grades at the Tiburon Peninsula Club to conform to the recently constructed curb and gutter. Luella was responsible for the pavement rehabilitation design of this federally-funded street rehabilitation and prepared the PS&Es. • Mill Valley, Downtown Paving Sidewalk Utility Project. Project Manager. The primary purpose of this project is to rehabilitate the aging roadways, upgrade the sanitary sewer system and improve circulation and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles through the downtown district while preserving Mill Valley’s unique, small European village character. This project has been broken up into three phases to allow the City to have the available funding for each phase of the project. Luella managed the project for Phase 2 & 3 and worked closely with City staff to verify all original and added scope items were tracked through construction. Public outreach efforts were done in a timely manner, informing the community with progress updates and allowing community participation to provide feedback.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 47
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes viii
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering
REGISTRATION
Professional Civil Engineer, CA (PE)
CERTIFICATIONS
Construction Manager-in-Training
(CMIT), CMCI
Envision Sustainability Professional
(ENV SP), ISI
Ka Chow, PE, CMIT, ENV SP
SR. PROJECT ENGINEER
Ka specializes in sanitary sewer design, pipeline improvements, and manhole rehabilitation. His most significant work includes major citywide sewer rehabilitation programs that utilize trenchless methods such as pipe bursting, pilot tube guided auger boring, horizontal directional drilling, CIPP, and slip lining, in addition to open cut and remove and replace. Ka provides DSDC by responding to requests for information, reviewing contractor submittal, and preparing construction documents.
His responsibilities include site investigations, drafting plans, profiles and exhibits with AutoCAD Civil 3D, preparing quantity takeoffs and cost estimates, performing closedcircuit television evaluations, and analysis of designs. Ka developed and implemented a combination of procedures with Excel VBA and Bluebeam to efficiently tackle quantity takeoffs and cost estimation. The development of this method promotes quicker completion of quantities and cost estimates, which enables him to spend the time saved into backchecking and providing higher quality deliverables.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• Town of Moraga, Pavement Reconstruction FY22/23. Project Engineer. Ka serves as Project Engineer for this two-phase street rehabilitation project, which targets all Town streets with a PCI of 50 or lower. He leads design efforts for Full-Depth Reclamation and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayer (SAMI) treatments across more than 35,000 linear feet of roadway and coordinates the integration of ADA-compliant curb ramps and localized storm drain improvements within the paving limits. Phase 1 design is complete, and Phase 2 is currently in progress. • City of Concord, Willow Pass Road Repaving & Safe Route to Transit Improvements.
Design Engineer. Ka assisted in the design of ADA-compliant curb ramp, sidewalks, and bulbouts. Ka also drafted construction drawings and identified pavement rehabilitation options, utility frames adjustments, and striping layout for cycle tracks.
He also executed quantity take-offs and completed project cost estimates. The project improved safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, improved vehicular safety and ride quality, improved accessibility for wheelchair users and the visually impaired, and improved drainage and storm water management for the area. • City of Richmond, 37th Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements. Project Engineer. This project involved reducing the roadway from four to three travel lanes (road diet), re-striping, reconstruction of curb ramps and installation of new curb ramps, bulb-outs for traffic calming, signal modifications, and improving pedestrian push buttons. The Harris Team provided field investigations, PS&E preparation and federal funding authorization assistance, bid period services and DSDC. Ka prepared the PS&E, ROW certification, Request Authorization for Construction (E76) and calculated the DBE goals for the project. The City minimized design cost by utilizing the Caltrans Standard Detail for the design of new curb ramps. Through Harris’ recommendations, the City minimized design cost by utilizing the Caltrans Standard Detail for the design of new curb ramps.
• City of Dublin, Tassajara Road Overlay. Design Engineer. Harris prepared PS&E for the overlay of Tassajara Road from north of I-580 to North Dublin Ranch Drive. The scope of work included design of curb ramps, striping modifications, and a two-inch rubberized hot mixed asphalt overlay. Special care was taken of cross-slopes to make sure new slopes were not exacerbated by the work. Ka prepared the PS&E and the Caltrans’ encroachment permit application. Design was completed in a timely fashion to meet construction schedule in the summer so as to coordinate its schedule with a proposed culvert replacement which closed a portion of Tassajara Road and minimized traffic during construction.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 48
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes ix
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering
REGISTRATION
Engineer-In-Training, CA (EIT)
Christian Mercado, EIT
SR. PROJECT ENGINEER
Christian has 13 years of experience in civil engineering design which consists of projects involving residential development improvement plans, roadway rehabilitation, complete streets, streetscape improvements, utility design (storm drain and sanitary sewer), grading and drainage improvements, and stormwater control plans and treatment. He prepares reports, hydrology and hydraulics calculations and reports, and generates quantities and cost estimates. He provides engineering design services and construction support services to various public agencies and private consultants within the Central Coast area.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Watsonville, Pavement Program Manager. Project Engineer. Harris is serving as the Pavement Program Manager for the City of Watsonville under a multi-year, Measure R–funded contract. The program oversees pavement planning, PS&E delivery, and construction coordination to advance annual pavement maintenance and rehabilitation projects. Christian supports the program by coordinating schedules, assisting with PS&E development, and providing engineering support during construction, including review of contractor submittals and field inquiries. The Harris team continues to collaborate closely with City staff to maintain project momentum and deliver timely progress updates to Council.
• City of Gonzales, Gloria - Iverson - Johnson Canyon. Project Engineer. Harris provided pavement rehabilitation design services for five miles of roadway along Gloria Road, Iverson Road, and Johnson Canyon Road. This project included replacing various culverts within the project alignment with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and widening the existing 24- foot wide roadway, where feasible, by two to six feet on each side to construct paved shoulders within an agricultural corridor. In addition to widening the roadway, approximately 500 feet of Johnson Canyon Road between the Johnson Canyon Sanitary Landfill and the private gate to the east received overlay treatment. The selected rehabilitation technique, Full-Depth Reclamation with Cement (FDR-C), was a cost-effective, long-lasting greener alternative to traditional removal and replacement techniques. The FDR construction approach provided a strong base to the new Hot Mix Asphalt wearing course, with a 20-year roadway design life. • City of Seaside, 2019-2020 Seaside Pavement Rehabilitation Project, Phase 2. Project Engineer. his project included pavement rehabilitation of four major streets in City of Seaside, involving slurry seal, crack seal, and base failure repairs. In addition, the project included the removal and replacement of curb, gutter and sidewalk, as well as striping of rehabilitated streets. Christian was responsible for completing the field work, which included analyzing striping conditions, identifying areas where curb and gutter required replacement, obtaining existing storm drain invert elevations, and acquiring other pertinent existing utility information. Overall, this project addressed many of the roadway deficiencies and ADA compliance issues for the City. This project has served as a template for how the City will rehabilitate roadways and how they plan to incorporate ADA within the paths of travel.
• City of Salinas, Williams Road Complete Street Improvement Project. Project Engineer.
Christian served as the lead designer for the Williams Road Complete Street Improvement Project. The design included a 0.6 mile stretch of Williams Road to address traffic and pedestrian safety, ADA compliance upgrades, pavement improvements, and utility undergrounding. The project also included street beautification, significant public outreach, and Rule 20A funding. Christian completed the hydrology calculations, assisted with development of the PS&E, and coordinated efforts with the City of Salinas staff. The design included constructing curb bulb-outs at various intersections to mitigate traffic and provide safer pedestrian crossings to the community.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 49
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes x
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering
AS, Engineering
REGISTRATION
Engineer-In-Training, CA (EIT)
CERTIFICATIONS
Construction Manager-in-Training
(CMIT), CMCI
OSHA 10-Hour Construction, Univ
of So Florida
Chris Marinez-Cahue, CMIT, EIT
PROJECT ENGINEER
Chris has more than five years of experience in developing plans, specifications, and engineering estimates (PS&E) and providing design services during construction for public works projects. He also has extensive experience in CAD Civil 3D design software including design in roadway improvements, ADA ramp upgrades, storm drain and sanitary sewer improvements. In addition to utilizing CAD software, Chris has made precise calculations to support street and roadway design, hydraulics, and surveying, and has successfully executed plans from start to completion. He has also supported the construction management teams with document control, change order management, and quality assurance.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Benicia, 2024 Pavement Preservation Project. Harris was selected to complete pavement treatments along Rose Drive and East 2nd Street, as well as implement HSIP improvements at a key intersection. The project aimed to enhance pedestrian safety and mobility through various upgrades, including the installation of curb extensions to reduce pedestrian crossing lengths and the construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps. In addition, striping improvements were made to incorporate Type II bike lanes, improving the roadway for both cyclists and pedestrians. The project was partially funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant. Chris was tasked with completing the roadway design, including the ADA curb ramp designs and striping improvements, ensuring all aspects met required standards for safety and accessibility. His work on the project helped streamline the design process, contributing to the timely and effective implementation of the safety enhancements.
Chris’ contributions were key in meeting the project’s objectives, delivering highquality improvements that promoted safer pedestrian and cycling experiences while adhering to HSIP guidelines and budget constraints.
• City of Seaside, 2019-2020 Seaside Pavement Rehabilitation Project, Phase 2. Design Engineer. he project included pavement rehabilitation of four major streets in the City of Seaside, comprising approximately 64,000 SY of slurry seal, crack seal, and base failure repairs. In addition, the project included the removal and replacement of approximately 2,000 SF of curb and gutter and sidewalk. Finally, the project included striping of all streets that were rehabilitated as part of this project. Chris’ responsibilities included supporting the design lead with sidewalk, bulb-out extension, and ADA curb ramp design. Chris also provided support in delivering the plans, specifications, and the engineer’s estimate. In addition, Chris supported with design services during construction and the construction management team with quality assurance, change order reviews, record keeping, and project close-out. • County of Monterey, CSA 25 Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvements.
Design Engineer. The County of Monterey requested engineering design services from Harris to develop engineering plans identifying pavement improvements for District 5-County Service Area (CSA #25), which is located within the Carmel Valley Golf and Country Club. CSA #25 is comprised of approximately 15,000 LF of roadway with PCI’s ranging from 8.6 to 25. Harris also performed drainage studies at nine (9) cul-de-sacs to identify ponding issues and proposed new storm drain improvements.
Chris’ responsibilities included supporting the design team with roadway design, roadway grading, and striping. In addition, Chris performed a drainage analysis using CAD Hydraflow tools and developed a drainage analysis memo. Chris also supported the project manager with the delivery of the plans, specifications, and the engineer’s estimate.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 50
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes xi
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering
REGISTRATION
Engineer-in-Training, CA (EIT)
Lou Her, EIT
PROJECT ENGINEER
Lou has over 10 years of experience in designing and preparing plans, specifications, and estimates for highways, freeways, and transportation facilities. Her expertise covers various crucial aspects of transportation infrastructure, making her a valuable addition to any project that requires careful planning and execution. Lou has made successful contributions to a variety of significant projects, including emergency landslide repairs, levee modifications, and improvements to roadway infrastructure. She has a proven track record in managing complex design changes, working with multidisciplinary teams, and delivering high-quality civil engineering solutions. Her proficiency in hydrology and hydraulic analysis, as well as her ability to handle design changes under high demand, aligns with the requirements of large-scale civil projects. Lou has designed and delivered plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for the California Department of Transportation, Department of Water Resources, Santa Clara Valley Water District, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and more. Lou is also a reservist with the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps and is responsible for the operations of 500 Reserve Sailors.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• Town of Moraga, Pavement Reconstruction FY22/23. Design Engineer. Lou supports the design of this two-phase street rehabilitation project, which targets all Town streets with a PCI of 50 or lower. Her responsibilities include developing plans for Full-Depth Reclamation and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayer (SAMI) treatments across more than 35,000 linear feet of roadway, designing ADA-compliant curb ramps, and incorporating localized storm drain improvements within the paving limits. Phase 1 design is complete, and Phase 2 is currently in progress. • Monterey-Salinas Transit District, Bus Stop Design. Design Engineer. This project aimed to enhance public transit services in South Monterey County by designing new bus stops in support of Monterey-Salinas Transit’s (MST) expanded routes and circulator services. Lou contributed to the design and development of bus stop plans in alignment with MST’s Designing for Transit Guidelines. She played a key role in supporting the implementation of new bus stops for fixed route public transit circulator services in the Cities of Soledad, Greenfield, and Gonzales. Additionally, Lou assisted in the realignment of Line 23 (King City to Salinas service) as part of Priority Phase 1 improvement and collaborated on design elements to provide timely execution of Priority Phase 2 improvements. Lou provided technical expertise in creating functional and accessible bus stop designs to improve transit services within South Monterey County.
• United States Army Corps of Engineers, Whittier Narrows Rosemead Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue Relocations and Whittier Narrows Phase II Utilities Relocation.
Civil Designer. Lou managed the project plans and specifications. With her roadway background, she reviewed and provided feedback on the roadway and stage construction plans and specifications. She designed and modeled the temporary ramp for construction access from the dam crest to the construction staging area. She also modeled the filter blanket for the water and sewer utilities. Her responsibilities included plan preparation, quantities, and cost coordination with disciplines and with the client and writing specifications.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 51
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes xii
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering
Andrea Salazar
DESIGN ENGINEER
Andrea is a civil design engineer with experience supporting municipal infrastructure and roadway improvement projects throughout California. Her work includes preparing plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for pavement rehabilitation, ADA accessibility upgrades, and complete streets improvements. She is skilled in developing base maps and plan sheets in AutoCAD Civil 3D, performing quantity takeoffs, and assisting with field data collection and site verification. Andrea’s experience collaborating with city staff, contractors, and arborists during both design and construction phases enables her to deliver accurate, constructible design documents that address site conditions and community needs.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Richmond, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Miscellaneous Sidewalk Rehab Project. Design Engineer. The City of Richmond created this project to rehabilitate approximately 300 locations of sidewalks and other minor concrete areas throughout the city to minimize number of safety hazards either caused by trees or age in concrete and meeting ADA requirements. Andrea helped create base lines in AutoCAD Civil 3d for locations with severe and moderate damages, created plan sheets, attended pre- and post- construction meetings in the field with City officials and contractors, attended field walks with arborist to further analyze sidewalk damages caused by trees, and produced quantity estimates for each work order. • City of Huntington Beach, Complete Streets Design Services for Bushard Street, Adams Avenue to Brookhurst Avenue and Newland Street, Adams Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway. Design Engineer. The City of Huntington Beach initiated a need for sustainable and safe transportation infrastructure for the following streets of Newland Street and Bushard Street to maximize bicycle safety, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall user experience. Andrea assisted in creating topographic base maps on AutoCAD Civil 3D, as well as utility mapping for Newland Street. • City of Vallejo, Curb Ramp Improvement for NCE. Design and Field Engineer. The City of Vallejo awarded NCE a paving contract to maintain and rehabilitate their streets with cape seal and mill and overlay treatments which also implemented curb ramp upgrades to meet ADA standards. Andrea collected field data of approximately 180 existing curb ramps and designed base lines for proposed curb ramps.
• City of Gonzales, Roadway Rehabilitation Program. Design Engineer. Harris is providing civil engineering services for the preparation of plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) for the pavement reconstruction of 4th Street from Belden Street to Alta (Minor) Street and Alta (Minor) Street from 4th Street to 5th Street. Andrea supports the design team by preparing plan sheets, and utility mapping for 4th Street and Alta Minor Street.
• Town of Moraga, FY 22/23 Pavement Reconstruction. Design Engineer. Harris is providing design services for this two-phase project to rehabilitate all Town streets with a PCI of 50 or lower. The work includes Full-Depth Reclamation and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayer (SAMI) treatments for more than 35,000 linear feet of pavement, along with ADA-compliant curb ramp upgrades and localized storm drain improvements. Andrea supports the team by preparing plan sheets, assisting with pavement design calculations regarding concrete and striping quantities. The team has completed the design for Phase 1 and is advancing Phase 2.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 52
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #5 Resumes xiii
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering (currently in
progress)
Ryan Tan
DESIGN ENGINEER
Ryan supports the Harris team on a variety of municipal infrastructure projects focused on pavement rehabilitation, ADA accessibility, and pedestrian safety improvements. He contributes to the preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for citywide paving and sidewalk programs, assisting with plan production, quantity calculations, and design detailing. Ryan’s experience includes supporting the design of intersection safety enhancements, street reconstruction projects, and citywide concrete improvement programs across California.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• City of Soledad, HSIP Cycle 10 Safety IP. Design Engineer. Harris is providing design services for safety improvements at five intersections under the City’s HSIP Cycle 10 program. The project includes enhancements such as high-visibility crosswalks, concrete bulb-outs, and ADA-compliant curb ramps. To address budget constraints and minimize construction impacts, the Harris team revised the original design to deliver effective safety upgrades within available funding. Ryan supports the design team by preparing plan sheets, refining intersection layouts, and coordinating ADA and pedestrian improvement details.
• Town of Moraga, FY 22/23 Pavement Reconstruction. Design Engineer. Harris is providing design services for this two-phase project to rehabilitate all Town streets with a PCI of 50 or lower. The work includes Full-Depth Reclamation and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayer (SAMI) treatments for more than 35,000 linear feet of pavement, along with ADA-compliant curb ramp upgrades and localized storm drain improvements. Ryan supported the team preparing construction documents for digout repair locations, preparing plans sheets and coordinating ADA standards for curb ramp details. The team has completed the design for Phase 1 and is advancing Phase 2. • City of Richmond, Citywide Concrete Improvements. Design Engineer. Harris is providing design services for localized sidewalk rehabilitation improvements throughout the City. The scope includes field research, design development, preparation of construction documents and work orders, and construction support services. Ryan supports the project by preparing plan sheets, assisting with curb ramp and sidewalk design, and coordinating design details with existing field conditions. • City of Cotati, 2026 Pavement Preservation. Design Engineer. Harris is providing civil engineering design services for the City’s 2026 Pavement Preservation Project, part of the 5-Year CIP Paving Program. The project includes pavement preservation for 22 street segments, with treatments such as slurry seal, crack seal, and localized digout repairs totaling more than 18,000 linear feet of roadway. Harris is responsible for field investigation, data collection, and preparation of 90% and final PS&E packages, including cost estimates and construction specifications. Ryan supports the project by conducting field measurements, preparing plan sheets and quantity takeoffs, and assisting with cost estimating and PS&E documentation.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 53
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 12 Exhibit B
Proposal Cost, Detail Labor and Fee Breakdown
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 54
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual F.2.b
Packet Pg. 55
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual 13 Exhibit C
Evidence of Insurance: Certificates, Endorsements and Policy Language (pages attached)
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 56
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual Harris & Associates, Inc. TAB #6 Acknowledgment of City Consultant Agreement & Certification of Insurance Requirements 10
OF INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
HARRIS CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
INSR ADDL SUBR LTR INSR WVD
DATE (MM/DD/YYYY)
PRODUCER CONTACT
NAME:
PHONE FAX (A/C, No, Ext): (A/C, No):
E-MAIL
ADDRESS:
INSURER A :
INSURED INSURER B :
INSURER C :
INSURER D :
INSURER E :
INSURER F :
POLICY NUMBER POLICY EFF POLICY EXP TYPE OF INSURANCE (MM/DD/YYYY) (MM/DD/YYYY) LIMITS
COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY
AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY
UMBRELLA LIAB
EXCESS LIAB
WORKERS COMPENSATION
AND EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS / LOCATIONS / VEHICLES (ACORD 101, Additional Remarks Schedule, may be attached if more space is required)
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
INSURER(S) AFFORDING COVERAGE NAIC #
Y / N
N / A
(Mandatory in NH)
ANY PROPRIETOR/PARTNER/EXECUTIVE
OFFICER/MEMBER EXCLUDED?
EACH OCCURRENCE $
DAMAGE TO RENTED CLAIMS-MADE OCCUR PREMISES (Ea occurrence) $ MED EXP (Any one person) $
PERSONAL & ADV INJURY $
GEN'L AGGREGATE LIMIT APPLIES PER: GENERAL AGGREGATE $
PRODUCTS - COMP/OP AGG $
$
PROOTHER:
JECT LOC
COMBINED SINGLE LIMIT
(Ea accident) $
ANY AUTO BODILY INJURY (Per person) $
OWNED SCHEDULED BODILY INJURY (Per accident) $ AUTOS ONLY AUTOS
AUTOS ONLY
HIRED PROPERTY DAMAGE $ AUTOS ONLY (Per accident)
$
OCCUR EACH OCCURRENCE $
CLAIMS-MADE AGGREGATE $
DED RETENTION $ $
PER OTH- STATUTE ER
E.L. EACH ACCIDENT $
E.L. DISEASE - EA EMPLOYEE $
If yes, describe under
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS below E.L. DISEASE - POLICY LIMIT $ POLICY
NON-OWNED
SHOULD ANY OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED POLICIES BE CANCELLED BEFORE
THE EXPIRATION DATE THEREOF, NOTICE WILL BE DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY PROVISIONS.
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE POLICIES OF INSURANCE LISTED BELOW HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE INSURED NAMED ABOVE FOR THE POLICY PERIOD INDICATED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REQUIREMENT, TERM OR CONDITION OF ANY CONTRACT OR OTHER DOCUMENT WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THIS
CERTIFICATE MAY BE ISSUED OR MAY PERTAIN, THE INSURANCE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE TERMS, EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH POLICIES. LIMITS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY PAID CLAIMS.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION ONLY AND CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER. THIS
CERTIFICATE DOES NOT AFFIRMATIVELY OR NEGATIVELY AMEND, EXTEND OR ALTER THE COVERAGE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES BELOW. THIS CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE ISSUING INSURER(S), AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR PRODUCER, AND THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER.
IMPORTANT: If the certificate holder is an ADDITIONAL INSURED, the policy(ies) must have ADDITIONAL INSURED provisions or be endorsed.
If SUBROGATION IS WAIVED, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, certain policies may require an endorsement. A statement on this certificate does not confer any rights to the certificate holder in lieu of such endorsement(s).
COVERAGES CERTIFICATE NUMBER: REVISION NUMBER:
CERTIFICATE HOLDER CANCELLATION
© 1988-2015 ACORD CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
ACORD 25 (2016/03) The ACORD name and logo are registered marks of ACORD
ACORDTM CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE
Continental Insurance Company
American Casualty Company of Reading PA
Allied World Surplus Lines Insurance Co
8/01/2025
USI Insurance Services, LLC
Lic # OG11911
10940 White Rock Rd 2nd Fl
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Lindsay Murphey
[email protected]
Harris & Associates, Inc.
1401 Willow Pass Rd Ste 500
Concord, CA 94520-7964
35289
20427
24319
A X
X
X Ded: $0
X X
7092556540 08/01/2025 08/01/2026 2,000,000
1,000,000
15,000
2,000,000
4,000,000
4,000,000
B
X
X X
BUA7092547367 08/01/2025 08/01/2026 1,000,000
A
X
X
X $10,000
7092552522 08/01/2025 08/01/2026 10,000,000
10,000,000
B
N
7092555985 08/01/2025 08/01/2026 X
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
C Prof/Poll Liab
Claims-Made
03147924 08/01/2025 08/01/2026 $5,000,000 Each Claim
$10,000,000 Aggregate
Ded: $500,000
Evidence of Insurance.
For Insured's Purposes Only
1 of 1
#S50344223/M50327685
Client#: 2039770 HARRIASS5
TABZP
CONTRACT TERMS ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Please see our cover letter for Harris’ statement.
F.2.b
Packet Pg. 57
Attachment: Harris & Associates Professional Services Contract (including Proposal) (3753 : Award of Prof. Services 2025/2026 Annual City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.3
Date: November 18, 2025
Department:
Public Works and
Engineering Services
AGENDA TITLE: Accept Work and Contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. for the 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project (City Project No. 4178) RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 60-25, Accepting the Work and Contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. for the 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project and Increase in the Contract Contingency to 14%.
BACKGROUND:
The 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project (City Project No. 4178) included a series of pavement treatments such as preventive maintenance, base failure repairs, microsurfacing, cape sealing, traffic striping, and storm drain lining across 35 street locations, totaling approximately 11.5 miles of maintenance and improvements.
On April 7, 2025, the City Council awarded the construction contract to Radius Earthwork, Inc. of Campbell, California, in the amount of $2,587,570.02 and authorized a 12.5% contingency for a potential contract value of $2,911,016.27.
DISCUSSION:
A Notice to Proceed was issued to the Contractor on June 2, 2025, and the work was substantially completed on August 25, 2025, in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. The Contractor successfully completed the project within the allotted 60 working days, and no liquidated damages were assessed.
During construction, eight Contract Change Orders (CCOs) were necessary. The cumulative effect of these CCOs, including necessary quantity adjustments to various bid items, resulted in a final total contract amount of $2,944,404.64.
While the project generally proceeded as planned, unforeseen increased pavement deterioration and other urgent pavement repairs were observed in the field, which resulted in additional change orders, resulting in an increase of 1.15%, or $33,388.37, above the previously authorized contingency amount but still within the CIP project budget.
To accommodate this additional work and quantity adjustments required for project closeout, Staff recommends increasing the authorized construction contingency from 12.5% ($323,447) to 14% ($356,835) and thereby authorizing the City Manager to sign the final balancing change order. This proposed increase remains consistent with standard public works construction practices, where a 15% contingency is typically considered appropriate for projects of this scale and complexity to account for unforeseen field conditions.
F.3
Packet Pg. 58
There is no impact on the overall project budget, as sufficient funds are available within the existing appropriation to cover the additional cost.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The following is a summary of the Project Construction costs:
Contract Base Bid Plus Alternate 1 & 2 $2,585,776.02
Change orders #1- 8 & final balancing change order 358,628.62 Revised Contract Amount $2,944,404.64
Project #4178 is included in the approved Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and has sufficient budget to fully cover the proposed contract expenditure. Total anticipated expenditures for the project (including design and construction management) are $3,297,933 and the total project budget allocation is $3,328,259, which includes funding from various sources, as summarized below.
Funding Sources Fiscal Year(s) Budgeted Amount
Gas Tax (Fund #200) 2025-26 $1,620,000
CCTA Return to Source (Fund #330) 2025-26 $400,000
Road Maintenance fee (Fund #335) 2024-25 &
2025-26 $593,259
Capital Improvement (Fund #700) 2025-26 $715,000
Total Project Budget: $3,328,259
NEXT STEPS:
Upon City Council approval, the City Engineer or Public Works Director will sign the Notice of Completion (Attachment B), and the City Clerk will record it with Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s office. Retention (5% of the contract value) will be released in accordance with the contract documents and the Public Contract Code.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution 60-25 Accepting Work and Contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. as Complete for the 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project and Increase the Contract Contigency to 14%
B. Notice of Completion
Respectfully Submitted by:
Scott Christie
Public Works Director
F.3
Packet Pg. 59
Prepared By: Ha Nguyen, Senior Engineer
Approved by:
F.3
Packet Pg. 60
RESOLUTION NO. 60-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORINDA
ACCEPTING THE WORK AND CONTRACT WITH RADIUS EARTHWORK, INC.
AS COMPLETE FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT (CITY PROJECT NO. 4178) AND INCREASING THE CONTRACT CONTINGENCY TO 14%
WHEREAS, on April 7, 2025, the City Council of the City of Orinda awarded a construction contract to Radius Earthwork, Inc. in the amount of $2,587,570.02, for the 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project (City Project No. 4178); and WHEREAS, the project provided pavement maintenance and rehabilitation on 35 streets totaling 11.5 miles, with related repairs and improvements; and WHEREAS, construction began on June 2, 2025, and was substantially completed on August 25, 2025, within the contract duration of 60 working days and in accordance with the approved plans, specifications, and contract documents; and WHEREAS, the final contract amount including contract change orders and quantity adjustments was $2,944,404.64, which was slightly over the contract contingency, but within the approved Project budget; and WHEREAS, a change to the contingency amount is necessary to cover the increase in costs to the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Works has recommended that the work be accepted as complete.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Orinda hereby accepts work and contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. under the terms and conditions of the above-referenced construction contract documents.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Orinda hereby increases the contract contingency to 14% and authorizes City Manager to execute a final balancing contract change order.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Orinda at a regular meeting on November 18, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Latika Malkani, Mayor
ATTEST:
F.3.a
Packet Pg. 61
Attachment: Resolution 60-25 Accepting Work and Contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. as Complete for the 2024 Annual Pavement Sheri Smith
, City Clerk
F.3.a
Packet Pg. 62
Attachment: Resolution 60-25 Accepting Work and Contract with Radius Earthwork, Inc. as Complete for the 2024 Annual Pavement
RECORDING REQUESTED BY AND
WHEN RECORDED, RETURN TO:
City Clerk/Public Works Dept.
City of Orinda
22 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA 94563
NO FEE DOCUMENT
(Government Code section 27383)
TITLE:
Notice of Completion for
2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project (City Project No. 4178) (Contractor: Radius Earthwork, Inc.)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the undersigned, those certain improvements, to wit:
2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project (City Project No. 4178), on various streets throughout Orinda.
Project location is in the City of Orinda, Contra Costa County, California:
Property Owner: Interest in Property or Right of Way is owned by City of Orinda (a municipal corporation, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda CA 94563) as right-of-way.
The contract which has heretofore been let to Radius Earthwork, Inc. and which contract was filed for record in the City Clerk’s office in the City of Orinda, Contra Costa County, California, was completed in accordance with the plans and specifications, and the work was completed and accepted by the City of Orinda, on 11/18/2025
Information pertaining to the estimate of cost, names of bidders with prices bid, changes in adopted and approved plans and specifications, and the total cost of work is on file at the City Clerks’ office of the City of Orinda.
CITY OF ORINDA,
a municipal corporation
Date: ________________ By: ____________________________________ Scott Christie, PW Director
City of Orinda
22 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA 94563
I hereby certify, under penalty of perjury, that the above Notice of Completion was duly accepted by the City Council of the City of Orinda at a regular meeting thereof held on 11/18/2025. ______________________________
Sheri Smith, City Clerk
F.3.b
Packet Pg. 63
Attachment: Notice of Completion (3742 : Accept 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project) City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.4
Date: November 18, 2025
Department:
Public Works and
Engineering Services
AGENDA TITLE: Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements Project (Project No. 5019) - Design Approval and Construction Contract
RECOMMENDATION:
Take the following actions:
1) Approve the design for the Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements (Project No. 5019).
2) Award the construction contract to Marina Landscape, Inc. of Orange, California, in the amount of $202,085 and authorize the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 15% ($30,315). The total authorized amount, including contingency, is $232,400.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the General Plan Safety Element update, the City of Orinda prepared an Evacuation Analysis Report, published in January 2023, to improve safety and efficiency during large-scale emergencies such as wildfires. Camino Pablo, one of Orinda’s primary north–south arterials, serves as a critical evacuation route providing direct access to State Route 24.
To enhance emergency response and public safety, the Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements Project was developed with the primary goal of improving evacuation efficiency and emergency vehicle access along this corridor. The Project’s key safety feature includes the construction of two new median openings strategically located to facilitate emergency vehicle movement and provide additional public egress options during an evacuation.
In addition to the new median openings, the Project includes removal of existing landscaping and irrigation components, installation of a new irrigation system, planting of drought-tolerant shrubs, paving improvements, and installation of a “Qwick Kurb” Delineation System to enhance traffic safety and channelization. These improvements are designed to complement the emergency access upgrades while maintaining the visual and environmental quality of the Camino Pablo corridor.
The Orinda Garden Club, a major stakeholder and donor, collaborated with City staff to ensure the new landscape design aligns with existing median plantings and the proposed Crossroads Plaza landscape concept. Because the project is located entirely within Caltrans right-of-way, an encroachment permit was required and has been F.4
Packet Pg. 64
obtained. Caltrans has reviewed and approved the project for construction, confirming compliance with state standards and long-term corridor management objectives.
Overall, the Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements Project integrates emergency access, traffic safety, and landscape enhancements into a coordinated effort that strengthens Orinda’s emergency preparedness while preserving the aesthetic character of one of its most visible corridors.
DISCUSSION:
Approval of Project Design
City Council approval of the construction plans (Attachment A) is recommended, in accordance with design immunity defense requirements listed under California Government Code Section 830.6.
Bid Evaluation
The Project was advertised for bids on September 25, 2025, with an Engineer’s Estimate of $175,000.
On October 28, 2025, the City received one bid for the construction contract from Marina Landscape, Inc. in the amount of $202,085. Staff determined the submission to be complete and responsive.
Staff reviewed the bid and determined that Marina Landscape, Inc. is the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Marina Landscape, Inc., headquartered in Orange, California, with a satellite office in Lathrop, California has been verified through reference checks and is deemed fully qualified to perform the work. Staff, therefore, recommends awarding the construction contract to Marina Landscape, Inc. in the amount of $202,085.
Contingency and Change Orders
A 15% contingency ($30,315) is recommended to accommodate potential changes in quantities or unforeseen field conditions. Any change orders will be administratively approved by the City Manager, provided that the cumulative total does not exceed the authorized contingency amount.
The total authorized Project amount, including bid and contingency, is $232,400. The contingency funds will be used only as necessary and based on documented and justified changes during construction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost for the construction contract with Marina Landscape, Inc., including a 15% contingency, is $232,400. Sufficient funds exist in the current budget for the subject Project, as shown below
F.4
Packet Pg. 65
Funding Source Fiscal Year(s) Budgeted Amount
4420-Donations (Orinda Garden Club) 25/26 $80,000
Capital Improvement (Fund #700) 24/25 & 25/26 $215,000
Total: $295,000
NEXT STEPS:
Upon approval of the contract award, Staff will route the contract for signatures.
Construction is anticipated to begin in January 2026, with an expected completion date of April 2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Weblink to: Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvement Plan Respectfully Submitted by:
Scott Christie
Public Works Director
Prepared By: Ha Nguyen, Senior Engineer
Approved by:
F.4
Packet Pg. 66
City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.5
Date: November 18, 2025
Department: City Council
AGENDA TITLE: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcement Services RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and approve the Budget Change Form #007-
26. BACKGROUND:
The Planning Department holds the primary responsibility for enforcing the Orinda Municipal Code, ensuring that the City’s land use and development standards are upheld. In carrying out this responsibility, the Department achieves compliance through cooperation and education, working closely with property owners to resolve issues whenever possible before resorting to formal enforcement measures. This collaborative approach is currently managed by the planners, who respond to complaints submitted by community members. When a potential violation is identified, planners investigate the matter, verify whether a violation of the municipal code or building code has occurred, and, if necessary, initiate the noticing process. Through these notices, property owners are formally informed of the violation and provided with clear guidance on the steps required to bring their property into compliance.
DISCUSSION:
On September 10, 2025, staff issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide professional services in support of the Planning Department. The RFQ, which closed on October 9, 2025, specifically requested consultant expertise in code enforcement, as well as other professional planning tasks to supplement existing Staff resources. In response, seven firms submitted qualifications across a range of planning services. These submittals are being reviewed to establish an On-Call Professional Services Vendor List that will allow the City to engage specialized support as needed.
Considering the recent increase in code enforcement complaints, the need to manage and investigate active case files, and the transition to a new case management system, Staff identified 4LEAF, Inc. as a particularly strong consulting firm. The firm has demonstrated extensive experience in investigative practices, including the ability to substantiate complaints and carry out proper notice procedures to ensure timely resolution of violations. In addition to direct enforcement services, 4LEAF, Inc. brings expertise in refining municipal code enforcement standards and protocols, ensuring that best practices are consistently applied. Among the seven respondents, 4LEAF, Inc. distinguished itself as the most knowledgeable and responsive to the City’s planning and code enforcement needs.
F.5
Packet Pg. 67
4LEAF, Inc. employs personnel with subject matter expertise who are certified through the International Code Council (ICC) as well as other accredited training programs. Staff determined that 4LEAF, Inc. possesses a high level of experience in supporting the Orinda Planning Department with municipal code compliance. Their services will assist in bringing the department current with case documentation, verifying violations and complaints, and implementing updates to the City’s software system. Following a thorough review of the firm’s qualifications and discussions with their team, and with acceptance of the City’s standard professional services contract, Staff recommends that the City Council approve an agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $113,000, based on time-and-materials billing.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon approval, the Agreement will be executed by the City Manager.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The maximum amount is not to exceed $113,000. Approval of Budget Change Form #007-26 will appropriate funding from the General Fund which has adequate resources available for this purpose.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda
B. Budget Change Form #007-26
Respectfully Submitted by:
Lashun Cross
Planning Director
Prepared By: Lashun Cross, Planning Director
Approved by:
F.5
Packet Pg. 68
F.5.a
Packet Pg. 69
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 70
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 71
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 72
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 73
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 74
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 75
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 76
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 77
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 78
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 79
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 80
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 81
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 82
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 83
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) F.5.a
Packet Pg. 84
Attachment: Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. and the City of Orinda (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services)
CITY OF ORINDA
BUDGET CHANGE FORM FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
Funds Originally Appropriated as Part of 2025-26 and 2026-27 Biennial Budget Adopted on June 3, 2025
CHANGE FORM # 007-26
New Appropriations (City CouncilApproval Required): Budget Transfers:
X From Un-Appropriated Reserves From Budgeted Contingent Reserve (Approval Req’d) __ _ Reduction To Adopted Budget
GENERAL FUND
New Revenue ONLY
Between Departments (City Council Approval Req’d)
Other:
BUDGET ACCOUNT
(Revenue / Expense)
INCREASE
AMOUNT
DECREASE
AMOUNT
INCREASE OF BUDGETED EXPENSE IN FY 2025-26:
100-55-55-7180
GENERAL FUND/ PLANNING DEPARTMENT / CURRENT PLANNING /
CONSULTING SERVICES
$113,000
As Presented at the City Council Meeting on November 18, 2025 #################(Finance Use Only)###################
Posted By: Date:
REASON FOR BUDGET CHANGE ENTRY: Approve Contract with 4LEAF, Inc, for Code Enforcement Services.
F.5.b
Packet Pg. 85
Attachment: Budget Change Form #007-26 (3755 : Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Code Enforcment Services) City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.6
Date: November 18, 2025
Department:
Public Works and
Engineering Services
AGENDA TITLE: Amend Resolution 51-25 - Musco Sports Lighting, LLC (CIP 4195) and Related Budget Change
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution 64-25 Amending Resolution 51-25 to Correct the Amount of the Contract with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC to Retrofit Lighting for Wilder Sports Fields, CIP Project #4195, and approve the Budget Change.
BACKGROUND:
At their November 3, 2025, meeting, City Council approved 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.
DISCUSSION:
The Staff Report from the November 3, 2025, meeting provides details on the Project. (Attachment C)
The contract cost included in Resolution 51-25 (Attachment D) was based on an amount of $297,345. Musco has advised us that the applicable sales tax was unfortunately not included in that amount, and therefore Staff needs to amend the Resolution (and the associated change order authority), as well as a new Budget Change to reflect the increase in cost.
With the sales tax added, the project cost is $320,589. Additionally, as in the previous action, the City Manager is requesting change order authority of 10% of the contract value ($32,059), if justified by changed conditions. If the contingency is fully utilized, the maximum value of the contract would be $352,648. The new Budget Change (Form #006-26) (Attachment B) would appropriate an additional $52,648 from Fund 341 (Field Maintenance Surcharge) for CIP Project #4195.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff will route the standard construction contract for signature by the City Manager and Musco for $320,589. There is an estimated eight-to-10-week materials delivery window and three-day construction schedule to follow.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As noted above, a supplemental appropriation of $52,648 in Fund 341 for CIP project #4195 will be processed (Budget Change Form #006-26) to provide adequate resources to cover the potential cost of this contract and any related contingencies. Any unused funds would be returned to fund balance (Fund 341).
F.6
Packet Pg. 86
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution 64-25 Amending Resolution 51-25 to Correct the Amount of the Contract with Musco Sports Lighting (CIP Project #4195)
B. Budget Change Form #006-26
C. November 3, 2025 Staff Report
D. Resolution 51-25
E. Musco Proposal 11-4-2025
Respectfully Submitted by:
Scott Christie
Public Works Director
Prepared By: Scott Christie, Public Works Director
Approved by:
F.6
Packet Pg. 87
RESOLUTION NO. 64-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORINDA
AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 51-25
TO CORRECT THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT WITH MUSCO SPORTS LIGHTING, LLC TO RETROFIT LIGHTING FOR WILDER SPORTS FIELDS, CIP PROJECT #4195 WHEREAS, at their November 3, 2025, meeting, the Orinda City Council approved Resolution No. 51-25, Adopting Required Findings and Approving a Contract with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC to Retrofit Lighting for Wilder Sports Fields, CIP Project #4195; and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 51-25 also authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC for energy conservation services for the City facilities as defined by the Energy Services Contract, in an amount not to exceed $297,345; and
WHEREAS, City staff subsequently discovered that the applicable sales tax was not included in the approved amount ($297,345) and that the contract amount should be $320,589, which includes the sales tax.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Orinda hereby amends Resolution No. 51-25 to correct the amount of the contract with Musco Lighting LLC to Retrofit Lighting for Wilder Sports Fields, CIP Project #4195 as $320,589.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is authorized to approve change orders up to 10% of the contract value ($32,059) if justified by changed conditions.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Orinda at a regular meeting of the Council held on November 18, 2025 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Latika Malkani, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk
F.6.a
Packet Pg. 88
Attachment: Resolution 64-25 Amending Resolution 51-25 to Correct the Amount of the Contract with Musco Sports Lighting (CIP Project
CITY OF ORINDA
BUDGET CHANGE FORM FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
Funds Originally Appropriated as Part of 2025-26 and 2026-27 Biennial Budget Adopted on June 3, 2025
CHANGE FORM # 006-26
New Appropriations (City Council Approval Required): Budget Transfers:
X From Un-Appropriated Reserves From Budgeted Contingent Reserve (Approval Req’d) __ _ Reduction To Adopted Budget
GENERAL FUND
New Revenue ONLY
Between Departments (City Council Approval Req’d)
Other:
BUDGET ACCOUNT
(Revenue / Expense)
INCREASE
AMOUNT
DECREASE
AMOUNT
INCREASE OF BUDGETED EXPENSE IN FY 2025-26:
341-00-00-7127-4195
FIELD MAINTENANCE SURCHARGE FUND/ NO DEPARTMENT / NO
PROGRAM / CONSTRUCTION COSTS / LIGHTING RETROFIT WILDER FD 1&2
$52,648
As Presented at the City Council Meeting on November 18, 2025 #################(Finance Use Only)###################
Posted By: Date:
REASON FOR BUDGET CHANGE ENTRY: Approve Contract with MUSCO Lighting, including applicable sales taxes, increasing the contract value and contingencies by $52,648 to a total contract amount of up to $320,589.
F.6.b
Packet Pg. 89
Attachment: Budget Change Form #006-26 (3760 : Amendment to Resolution 51-25 - Musco Energy Contract) City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.4
Date: November 3, 2025
Department:
Public Works and
Engineering Services
AGENDA TITLE: 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.
BACKGROUND:
The City currently operates two sports fields at the Wilder sports complex with stadium lighting. This stadium lighting includes six poles with 84 fixtures to illuminate the fields for nighttime use. The current metal halide lighting is energy intensive, and CIP Project #4195 was established to retrofit with energy efficient LED (light emitting diode) lamps.
DISCUSSION:
Based on review of PG&E billing over the last 12 months, the average annual energy cost for the Wilder Sports Complex lighting (Fields #1 and #2) is estimated to be $85,000. By retrofitting the fixtures with LED lamps, the energy consumption is estimated to drop by 50%, saving the City approximately $42,500 per year in energy costs – a savings of approximately $425,000 over the next 10 years. City staff obtained a proposal (Attachment B) from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC for an amount of $297,345.
By retrofitting, other savings would also be achieved since LED lamps would last much longer than the existing metal halide lamps. Over the last two years, the City has spent over $13,000 on replacement bulbs. This purchase contract will also include a 10-year warranty covering all materials and on-site labor. Based on energy savings alone, this expenditure would yield a seven-year return on investment. Based on energy savings plus savings on metal halide replacement bulbs, the return on investment drops to six years.
The retrofitting of the sports lights requires a contractor to furnish and install the LED fixtures, and is considered a public works project, which would normally require competitive bidding. However, California Government Code Section 4217.10 to 4217.18 authorizes the City Council to enter into an Energy Services Contract for the implementation of energy related improvements if the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City to enter into such Energy Service Contract and that the anticipated cost to the City for retrofitting the lights will be less than the anticipated marginal cost to the City of electrical or other energy that would have been consumed F.6.c
Packet Pg. 90
Attachment: November 3, 2025 Staff Report (3760 : Amendment to Resolution 51-25 - Musco Energy Contract) by the City absent of such retrofit. As noted above, the cost of the proposed contract, $297,345, would be less than the cost of the electricity saved after a seven-year period.
With respect to CEQA guidelines, as noted in the proposed Resolution, the project is Categorically Exempt under section 15301, class 1 (existing facilities), and a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County Clerk.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff will route the standard construction contract for signature by the City Manager and Musco for $297,345, with an eight-week materials delivery window and three-day construction schedule to follow.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP project #4195 is currently budgeted for $300,000, sufficient funding for the subject contract.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. 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 B. Musco Proposal
Respectfully Submitted by:
Scott Christie
Public Works Director
Prepared By: Scott Christie, Public Works Director
Approved by:
F.6.c
Packet Pg. 91
Attachment: November 3, 2025 Staff Report (3760 : Amendment to Resolution 51-25 - Musco Energy Contract) RESOLUTION NO. 51-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORINDA
ADOPTING REQUIRED FINDINGS AND APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH MUSCO
SPORTS LIGHTING, LLC TO RETROFIT LIGHTING FOR WILDER SPORTS FIELDS, CIP PROJECT #4195
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 4217.10 to 4217.18, authorizes the City Council to enter into an Energy Services Contract for the implementation of energy related improvements if the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City to enter into such Energy Service Contract and that the anticipated cost to the City for thermal or electrical energy or conservation services provided by Musco Sports Lighting, LLC (Musco) under the contract will be less than the anticipated marginal cost to the City of thermal, electrical, or other energy that would have been consumed by the City absent of those purchases; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Energy Services Contract by and between the City and Musco for the implementation of certain energy measures whose cost to the City for such thermal or electrical energy or conservation services provided under the Energy Service Contract is anticipated to be less than the anticipated marginal cost to the City of thermal, electrical, or other energy that would have been consumed by the City absent of the implementation of the improvements under the Energy Service Contract; and WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2025/26 CIP Project #4195 has approved funding of $300,000 to retrofit the existing metal halide lighting at Wilder Sports Fields #1 and #2 to LED (light emitting diode); and
WHEREAS, Staff has received a proposal from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC (Musco) to retrofit said lighting, for $297,345; and
WHEREAS, the proposed contract is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (existing facilities) in that it involves minor alterations to existing sports fields lights with negligible or no expansion of use;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Orinda resolves as follows:
1. The forgoing recitals are true and correct.
2. This resolution was adopted following a public hearing at a regularly scheduled meeting for the City Council, for which public notice was given as of October 20, 2025.
3. Pursuant to Government Code section 4217.12, and based on all available information, including the cost savings analysis set forth in the staff report, the City Council hereby determines that (a) the anticipated cost to the City for the energy conservation facilities will be less than the anticipated marginal costs to the City of thermal, electrical, or other energy that would have been consumed by the City in the absence of such improvements, and (b) that it is in the best interest of the City to enter into the proposed contract with Musco.
F.6.d
Packet Pg. 92
Attachment: Resolution 51-25 (3760 : Amendment to Resolution 51-25 - Musco Energy Contract)
4. The City Council authorizes the City Manager to enter into the proposed contract with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC for energy conservation services for the City facilities as defined by the Energy Services Contract, in an amount not to exceed $297,345.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Orinda at a regular meeting of the Council held on November 3, 2025 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Gee, Hoxie, Iverson, Malkani, Riley NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
______________________
Latika Malkani, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________
Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk
F.6.d
Packet Pg. 93
Attachment: Resolution 51-25 (3760 : Amendment to Resolution 51-25 - Musco Energy Contract) Quote
2016, 2025 Musco Sports Lighting, LLC • M-2168-enUS-17
1 of 2
Date: 11/4/2025 Wilder Sports Fields Retrofit
Expiration date: 12/31/25 Project#211360
Sourcewell
Master Project: 199030, Contract Number: 041123-MSL, Expiration: 06/16/2027 Category: Sports lighting with related supplies and services All purchase orders should note the following:
Sourcewell Purchase – Contract Number: 041123-MSL
Quotation Price – Materials Delivered to Job Site and Installation Materials...................................................................................... $ 241,165.00 Installation ..................................................................................... $ 56,180.00 Estimated Sales Taxes (9.75%) ....................................................... $ 23,514.00 TOTAL........................................................................................... $ 320,589.00 Quote is confidential. Pricing and lead times are effective for 30 days only. Prices are subject to change if the order is not released within 60 days from the date of the purchase.
QuickFit™ System Upgrade including Installation
Guaranteed Lighting Performance
• Equal to original design values
• Improved glare control over existing system
• Cuts energy by approximately 50% Qualifies for DLC for utility rebate programs • BallTracker® technology – targeted light, optimizing visibility of the ball in play with no glare in the players typical line-of-sight
System Description
• Fixture for Fixture swap
• Enhanced Corrosion protection
Control Systems and Services
• Controls available as an adder option
Show-Light® Entertainment System with Control-Link® Control and Monitoring • Not available as an adder
Operation and Warranty Services
• Comprehensive 10-year warranty covering all matreials and onsite labor – eliminates 100% of maintenance costs • Warranty starts the date of shipment
Responsibilities of Buyer
• Confirm pole or luminaire locations, supply voltage and phase required for lighting system prior to production • Provide electrical design and materials for electrical distribution system • Buyer is responsible for getting electrical power to the site, coordination with the utility, and power company fees Payment Terms
Final payment terms are subject to approval by Musco credit department. Final payment shall not be withheld by Buyer on account of delays beyond the control of Musco.
Email or fax a copy of the Purchase Order to Musco Sports Lighting, LLC:
Musco Sports Lighting, LLC
Attn: Musco Contracts
F.6.e
Packet Pg. 94
Attachment: Musco Proposal 11-4-2025 (3760 : Amendment to Resolution 51-25 - Musco Energy Contract) Quote
2016, 2025 Musco Sports Lighting, LLC • M-2168-enUS-17
2 of 2
Fax: 800-734-6402
Email: [email protected]
All Purchase orders should note the following:
Sourcewell Purchase – Contract Number: 041123-MSL
Delivery Timing
8 - 10 weeks for delivery of materials to the job site from the time of order, submittal approval, and confirmation of order details including voltage, phase, and pole/luminaire locations.
Notes
Quote is based on following conditions:
• Shipment of entire project together to one location.
• Voltage and phase system requirements to be confirmed. • Structural code and wind speed = 2022 CBC, 95 mi/h, Exposure C, Importance Factor 1.0. • Due to the built-in custom light control per luminaire, pole or luminaire locations need to be confirmed prior to production. Changes to pole or luminaire locations after the product is sent to production could result in additional charges.
• Standard soil conditions – rock, bottomless, wet, or unsuitable soil may require additional engineering, special installation methods and additional cost.
Thank you for considering Musco for your lighting needs. Please contact me with any questions or if you need additional details.
Jasen Deniz
CA Sales Representative
Musco Sports Lighting, LLC
Phone: 530-812-0-7022
E-mail: [email protected]
F.6.e
Packet Pg. 95
Attachment: Musco Proposal 11-4-2025 (3760 : Amendment to Resolution 51-25 - Musco Energy Contract) City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.7
Date: November 18, 2025
Department: Administration
AGENDA TITLE: Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - Approve the 2026 Framework RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Lamorinda Legislative Coalition Framework for 2026.
BACKGROUND:
In June 2024, the City of Orinda engaged Townsend Public Affairs to provide legislative advocacy services.
On January 7, 2025, the Orinda City Council adopted its first Legislative Platform. A Legislative Platform includes goals, strategies, and priorities for organizing the City’s legislative advocacy efforts.
The Platform identifies specific Public Policy Priorities for the following categories:
1. Administration Services
2. Climate and Environment
3. Community and Economic Development
4. Local Government Finance
5. Parks and Community Services
6. Public Safety and Public Health
7. Public Works
Recognizing that many issues extend beyond individual municipal boundaries, earlier this year, the city councils of Lafayette, Orinda, and Moraga held a joint discussion to explore the potential benefits of regional collaboration in state and federal advocacy.
Interest was expressed in forming a regional advocacy coalition to more effectively represent shared community priorities.
On July 15, the City Council authorized the City Manager to finalize and execute an agreement for regional advocacy services with Townsend Public Affairs, in partnership with the City of Lafayette and the Town of Moraga. Following this authorization, the city managers from the three jurisdictions worked collaboratively with Townsend Public Affairs to prepare the Lamorinda Legislative Framework (Framework). The draft Framework was subsequently reviewed and refined by the three mayors.
DISCUSSION:
F.7
Packet Pg. 96
The Lamorinda Legislative Coalition’s Framework will provide a unified platform for coordinated advocacy on state and federal policies that advance regional priorities. Key benefits of this collaborative approach include:
▪ Amplified Voice: Speaking with a collective voice enhances the region’s influence in state and federal decision-making.
▪ Shared Goals: The coalition will focus on common priorities such as transportation, infrastructure, and public safety.
▪ Improved Outcomes: Coordinated advocacy increases the likelihood of securing funding, influencing legislation, and shaping regulations that support the wellbeing of Lamorinda residents, businesses, and visitors.
Legislative Framework and Process
For its first year, the Framework identifies five regional priority areas of mutual interest and importance:
1. Transportation and Related Infrastructure
2. Disaster Preparedness and Wildfire Readiness
3. Accessible Property Insurance
4. Housing
5. Fiscal Sustainability
Under this partnership, the three mayors or their designees will meet periodically to review and discuss legislation of mutual interest, determine joint positions based on the Framework, and forward joint letters of support or opposition to the Legislature on behalf of the three jurisdictions. The coalition will also identify and pursue potential funding opportunities for regional initiatives or specific projects, which would then be presented to each City Council for consideration and approval.
For legislative matters that are not of mutual interest or not included in the Framework, or where consensus among the jurisdictions cannot be reached, Orinda’s existing process will continue, and the City Manager will rely on the City’s adopted Legislative Platform.
Each of the Lamorinda jurisdictions handles legislative matters differently. The intent of this new framework is not to significantly add meetings or increase staff workload, but to establish a more efficient process for addressing issues of regional significance while preserving each jurisdiction’s ability to focus on its local priorities.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon approval of the Framework, Staff will review and, if necessary, update both the City’s Legislative Platform and the agreement with Townsend Public Affairs to align the scope of services with this new regional advocacy approach.
FISCAL IMPACT:
F.7
Packet Pg. 97
None associated with the approval of the Framework.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - 2026 Legislative Framework Respectfully Submitted by:
Linda Smith
City Manager
Prepared By: Linda Smith, City Manager
Approved by:
F.7
Packet Pg. 98
1 Lamorinda Legislative Coalition
Legislative Framework
(As of November 2025)
Purpose
The City of Lafayette, City of Orinda, and Town of Moraga value the opportunity to work together on regional issues of mutual interest. The Lamorinda Legislative Coalition is a partnership focused on coordinating legislative advocacy efforts on matters of shared concern. This partnership seeks to amplify the collective voice of the region, bring collective advocacy to state and federal issues impacting the community, and result in coordinated legislative and regulatory efforts which will benefit the residents, businesses, and visitors of the region.
Framework
While the Legislative Coalition will work on issues of regional importance, it is acknowledged that each municipality has its own needs and priorities. As such, the Legislative Coalition will focus on issues of mutual interest where unanimous agreement exists.
Toward the end of each calendar year, the Coalition will develop agreed-upon priorities for the upcoming calendar year. Priorities may include federal policy, state policy, regulatory issues, regional projects, and/or other priorities identified, and agreed upon, by the Coalition. The members of the Coalition will meet on a regular basis throughout the year to advance the priorities within this framework.
Focus Areas
Transportation and Related Infrastructure
The Lamorinda region is subject to some of the heaviest freeway traffic volume and commute times in the Bay Area, which also leads to significant traffic on local surface streets as commuters pursue alternatives through the Lamorinda communities. While Lafayette and Orinda both have downtown BART stations that provide regional transit options for residents, this also impacts local roadway and parking infrastructure.
A key objective of the Lamorinda region is to reduce congestion on local roads and freeways, as well as to enhance the safety of local roads for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. The Coalition looks to encourage and support federal and state actions that invest in local public infrastructure projects, with regional benefits, as well as policies in the following areas:
• Complete streets to ensure roadways are safe and accessible for all users. • Promote alternative modes of travel, including additional development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
• Increase safety for all users of roadways, including vehicles, e-bikes, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
F.7.a
Packet Pg. 99
Attachment: Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - 2026 Legislative Framework (3767 : Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - Approve the 2026 2 • Obtain capital improvement project investments for dedicated evacuation routes and projects that increase the ingress and egress opportunities for congested neighborhoods during emergency situations.
• Expand local transit, micro-transit, school bus services, and emerging transit opportunities.
• Increase investment in maintenance and rehabilitation of aging transportation infrastructure.
Disaster Preparedness and Wildfire Readiness
California has experienced a rise in both the number and severity of wildfires. Portions of the Lamorinda region, with its wildland-urban interface, have been identified as an area at “very high risk” for potential wildfire activity. Additionally, the region is located in a “Wildland Urban Interface Area” that is susceptible to seismic activity and climate change related disasters, including highheat events and flooding.
Given the potential for significant natural disasters, it is vitally important that the Lamorinda region work together, as well as with regional fire protection agencies, to ensure that residents and businesses are protected and prepared to respond in the event they do occur. In order to ensure the highest level of wildfire readiness and disaster preparedness, the Coalition will actively engage in the following policy areas:
• Ensure adequate resources are made available to local agencies for disaster preparedness and evacuation planning.
• Support policies and resources to encourage broad development of defensible space surrounding structures within high fire hazard areas and areas at high risk for wildfires, including both individual structures and communitywide efforts. • Develop and implement natural disaster early warning systems. • Support wildfire mitigation activities, vegetation management, fire suppression, and hazardous materials mitigation.
• Pursue resources for resiliency projects (such as battery backups, cameras, and satellite imaging) for use during emergency situations or power shut-off events.
Accessible Property Insurance
In response to the increased wildfire activity throughout the State, private property insurance companies have significantly reduced the number of fire insurance policies issued in the Lamorinda region. In many instances, these companies have stopped offering property (fire) insurance altogether. Lamorinda residents, businesses, and property owners have been significantly impacted by these coverage changes. As a result, a large number of property owners have had to rely on the State of California “Fair Access to Insurance Requirements” (FAIR) Plan, which has become the insurer of last resort.
F.7.a
Packet Pg. 100 Attachment: Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - 2026 Legislative Framework (3767 : Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - Approve the 2026 3 Going forward it will be vitally important that residents and businesses have access to adequate and affordable options for insuring their properties in the event of an emergency. To that end, the Coalition will engage in the following policy areas:
• Advocate for a regulatory structure that encourages private insurers to offer policies to properties located in high fire hazard areas.
• Advocate for policies that require insurers to recognize home hardening and maintenance efforts in the calculation of individual insurance rates. • Advocate for policies and funding options that ensure the long-term viability and solvency of the State of California FAIR Plan.
• Advocate for policies that promote timely, and complete, payout for claims resulting from natural disasters.
Housing
California in general, and the Bay Area in particular, have some of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. The increasing cost of housing (for both rental and home ownership units) has significantly impacted the Lamorinda region. As a result, it is vital that our communities maintain housing opportunities for individuals and families across all income ranges. The Coalition supports balanced solutions which consider housing availability, jobs, transportation, and climate change together and seeks to support, promote, protect, and increase affordability in the region’s housing stock to comply with each municipality’s State-required “Regional Housing Needs Assessment” (RHNA) target numbers. The Coalition aims to work with federal, state, and regional partners to provide funding for affordable housing through a variety of programs and options and to work to address impediments to providing housing units at the RHNA required very low-, low-, and moderate-income levels. Additionally, the Coalition will engage in policies that:
• Promote a balance of housing and employment opportunities in all communities. • Encourage the development of a broad range of housing opportunities, including local workforce housing, multifamily housing, single family housing, and condominiums. • Establish a recurring source of state revenue available to fund affordable housing, as well as the infrastructure needed to support such development. • Address impediments to the development of affordable housing, including legal issues, permit fees, and availability of insurance.
• Update the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process to recognize all forms of housing, including college faculty/student housing, assisted living facilities, and the modernization of existing underutilized housing.
• Recognize and ensure consistency with various local, regional, and state planning and development requirements.
• Provide opportunities for local agencies to review housing development to ensure consistency with approved local planning and development objectives.
F.7.a
Packet Pg. 101 Attachment: Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - 2026 Legislative Framework (3767 : Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - Approve the 2026 4 Fiscal Sustainability
Fiscal sustainability is fundamental to the long-term stability, effectiveness, and viability of all levels of government. The Coalition is committed to advocating for policies that safeguard local government revenues, prevent the imposition of unfunded mandates, and uphold financial sustainability. As such, the Coalition will engage in policies that seek to:
• Ensure maximum flexibility in determining local funding sources to advance local community priorities (such as development impact fees). • Advance the return of e-commerce and online sales tax revenue to the local jurisdiction in which the buyer resides.
• Advocate for the identification and allocation of state and federal resources to carry out mandated policies and actions at the local level.
F.7.a
Packet Pg. 102 Attachment: Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - 2026 Legislative Framework (3767 : Lamorinda Legislative Coalition - Approve the 2026 City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: F.8
Date: November 18, 2025
Department: Finance
AGENDA TITLE: Amendment to Employment Agreement - City Manager RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution 65-25, Approving the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the City of Orinda and Linda Smith.
BACKGROUND:
California Government Code section 54953(c)(3) establishes requirements for the adoption of salary and compensation adjustments for local agency executives. The information in this report conforms with the requirements of the Government Code. Prior to taking final action, the City Council must orally report a summary of a recommendation for final action. This must be done during the open meeting in which the final action is to be taken.
The City Council adopted Resolution 32-24 on July 16, 2024, approving an Employment Agreement with Linda Smith to serve as the City of Orinda’s City Manager beginning October 14, 2024.
Section 3C of the Agreement includes the provisions for changes to compensation, including that compensation shall be reviewed after completing one full year of employment and receiving a satisfactory performance by the City Council. The Agreement says that the City Council shall consider a not to exceed amount of three percent (3%), unless the City Council determined a higher increase is “both fiscally responsible and is warranted in recognition of the City Manager’s accomplishments.” At its September 2, 2025, meeting, the City Council appointed Councilmembers Gee and Riley as Labor Negotiators with the City Manager. The discussion items in this report reflect the feedback of the Labor Negotiators.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council conducted a performance review of the City Manager on November 3, 2025, and performance objectives were discussed. The Labor Negotiators, after consultation with the City Council in closed session, are recommending a four percent (4%) adjustment to base salary, consistent with the compensation adjustments provided to the City Attorney and to City employees. Additionally, they are recommending an annual increase of 20 hours to Administrative Leave, moving from 80 to 100 hours. This is in recognition of the numerous after-hours meetings attended by the City Manager.
No other changes are being considered.
F.8
Packet Pg. 103
NEXT STEPS:
Should the City Council approve the changes as recommended by Councilmembers Gee and Riley, the effective date for the amendment would coincide with the next payroll period (effective November 29, 2025).
FISCAL IMPACT:
The base salary for the City Manager would be $280,805.00 per year. The annualized, new cost to the City is $12,684.83. This includes:
• 4% salary adjustment $10,800.20
• Increased contributions to MissionSquare 401(a) Plan $ 1,728.03 • Increased Medicare payroll taxes of $ 156.60
The FY 2025-2026 budget for the increase to the City Manager salary is sufficient to cover the proposed adjustment. The increase in future costs resulting from this amendment will be incorporated into future operating budgets as appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution 65-25 Approving the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Linda Smith
B. Exhibit A to the Resolution - First Amendment to Employment Agreement Respectfully Submitted by:
Douglas Alessio
Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Sheri Smith, City Clerk
Approved by:
F.8
Packet Pg. 104
RESOLUTION NO. 65-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORINDA
APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH
LINDA SMITH, CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, the City of Orinda and Linda Smith (“City Manager”) entered into an Employment Agreement, effective as of October 14, 2024, which was approved by the City Council on July 16, 2024, by Resolution 32-24 (“Employment Agreement”), to provide for employment as City Manager of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager Employment Agreement specifies that the employee’s salary will be reviewed annually to determine whether a salary adjustment is warranted based on performance; and
WHEREAS, a Performance Evaluation of the City Manager was recently completed by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that a 4% increase in salary and 20 additional hours of Administrative Leave is fiscally responsible and is warranted in recognition of the City Manager’s accomplishments, per the Employment Agreement; and WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to enter into a First Amendment to the Employment Agreement to increase the City Manager’s annual salary by 4% and the additional 20 hours of Administrative Leave, effective as of November 29, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Orinda does hereby approve the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Linda Smith with any minor revisions as approved by legal counsel.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Orinda at a regular meeting of the Council held on November 18, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Latika Malkani, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk
F.8.a
Packet Pg. 105 Attachment: Resolution 65-25 Approving the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Linda Smith (3768 : Amendment to FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR LINDA SMITH 1
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
between
CITY OF ORINDA AND LINDA SMITH
(Effective November 29, 2025)
1. PARTIES AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
The parties to this First Amendment to Employment Agreement (“First Amendment”) are the City of Orinda (“CITY”) and Linda Smith D’Ambrosio (“Employee”), and the effective date of this First Amendment shall be November 29, 2025 (“Effective Date”). CITY and EMPLOYEE shall be collectively referred to as “parties”.
2. PURPOSE
The parties have previously entered into an Employment Agreement between CITY and EMPLOYEE (“Employment Agreement”) effective beginning October 14, 2024. The parties now wish to amend the Employment Agreement to modify EMPLOYEE’s compensation and administrative leave as follows:
3. AMENDMENTS
Section 3.A. of the Employment Agreement entitled “COMPENSATION AND HOURS” is hereby amended as follows:
3. COMPENSATION AND HOURS
The City agrees to compensate Employee for her services as City Manager as follows:
A. “As of the effective date, Employee’s base salary will be $280,805 per year, which will be paid according to the City’s regular payroll periods, policies, and practices, except as modified by the specific terms of the Agreement. The City will review Employee’s salary not later than November 1, 2026 to determine whether a salary adjustment is warranted based on the City’s fiscal position and performance. Employee shall assure that this review item is placed on an open session agenda for Council consideration.” F.8.b
Packet Pg. 106 Attachment: Exhibit A to the Resolution - First Amendment to Employment Agreement (3768 : Amendment to Employment Agreement - City FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR LINDA SMITH 2 i. “It is recognized that Employee must devote a great deal of time to the business of the City outside of the customary office hours, and to that end, the Employee’s schedule of work each day and week shall vary in accordance with the work required to be performed. The parties agree that Employee’s critical leadership duties are best provided onsite and in person during the City’ regular business hours, except when Employee is attending offsite meetings for City business. Employee will perform 80 or more hours of work per two-week pay period, or Employee will otherwise account for at least 80 hours per two-week pay period as non-work time, such as use of general leave or other applicable paid time off category (or if paid time off is not available, as unpaid leave), in compliance with the City’s attendance accounting requirements for hours of absence from work. (29 C.F.R. 541.710).” Section 4.I. of the Employment Agreement entitled “ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE” is hereby amended as follows, which replaces Section 4.I. of the October 14, 2024 Employment Agreement in its entirety:
I. Administrative Leave. Employee receives administrative leave of 100 hours each fiscal year effective the date of the First Amendment (20 additional hours for use in FY 25-26).
Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this First Amendment, the remaining terms and obligations set forth in the Employment Agreement between the CITY and EMPLOYEE shall remain in full force and effect.
This First Amendment shall be effective as of November 29, 2025, regardless of when executed by the parties.
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES:
___________________________ ________________________
Latika Malkani, Mayor Linda Smith D’Ambrosio, Employee
City of Orinda
F.8.b
Packet Pg. 107 Attachment: Exhibit A to the Resolution - First Amendment to Employment Agreement (3768 : Amendment to Employment Agreement - City FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR LINDA SMITH 3 ATTEST:
__________________________
Sheri Marie Smith
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________
Deanna Mouser
Employment Counsel for City
F.8.b
Packet Pg. 108 Attachment: Exhibit A to the Resolution - First Amendment to Employment Agreement (3768 : Amendment to Employment Agreement - City City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: G.1
Date: November 18, 2025
Department: Finance
AGENDA TITLE: Public Hearing for Approval of the Issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Public Finance Authority for the Senior Housing Project Located at 15 Irwin Way
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution 58-25 Approving the Issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Public Finance Authority in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $15,000,000 for the Purpose of Financing or Refinancing the Acquisition and Construction of Vista Verde Senior Housing and Certain Other Matters Relating Thereto.
BACKGROUND:
UrbanCore Development, a consultant to the Orinda Senior Housing Foundation (the “Borrower”), has requested that the California Public Finance Authority (CalPFA) serve as the issuer of tax-exempt revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $15,000,000. The proceeds of the bonds will be used for the acquisition, construction, improvement, and equipping of a 53-unit affordable multifamily rental housing facility to be owned and operated by the Borrower and located at 15 Irwin Way, in the City of Orinda, generally known as Vista Verde Senior Housing.
The public hearing for the item was initially scheduled for October 7, 2025, and was continued to a date certain of November 18, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council has been asked to conduct a public hearing pursuant to the federal Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA). TEFRA requires that a public hearing be held by the governing body of a jurisdiction in which the project to be financed with tax-exempt financing is located, and that the governing body approve the proposed financing.
UrbanCore Development proposes to obtain tax exempt financing in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 through the California Public Finance Authority (CalPFA), a joint powers authority formed to assist local governments, non-profit organizations, and businesses with the issuance of both taxable and tax-exempt debt.
About CalPFA
CalPFA is a political subdivision of the state of California established under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act for the purpose of issuing tax-exempt and taxable conduit bonds for public and private entities throughout California.
G.1
Packet Pg. 109
CalPFA was created on May 12, 2015 to assist local governments, non-profit organizations and businesses with the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt financing to promote economic, cultural, and community development opportunities that create temporary and permanent jobs, affordable housing, community infrastructure and improve the overall quality of life in local communities. The City of Orinda is not a member of CalPFA and does not need to join the authority to authorize any actions when the Borrower is a non-profit entity.
CalPFA is authorized to issue bonds to promote economic development and public benefit. It has issued over $1.4 billion of bonds for more than 40 jurisdictions within the State of California.
The Bonds to be issued by CalPFA for the Vista Verde Senior Housing Project (Project) will be the sole responsibility of the Borrower, and the City will have no financial, legal, moral obligation, liability or responsibility for the Project or the repayment of the Bonds for the financing of the Project. All financing documents with respect to the issuance of the Bonds will contain clear disclaimers that the Bonds are not obligations of the City but are to be paid for solely from funds provided by the Borrower.
For all or a portion of the bonds for the Project to qualify as tax-exempt financing, the local agency with jurisdiction of the proposed area must conduct a public hearing (the TEFRA Hearing) providing community members an opportunity to speak in favor of or against the use of tax-exempt bonds for the financing of the Project. Prior to such TEFRA Hearing, reasonable notice must be provided to the members of the community.
A Notice of Public Hearing was published on September 26, 2025 (Attachment B).
The TEFRA Hearing is procedural in nature, and the City Council is not being asked to make any specific findings or determinations in order to approve the proposed bonds.
The City Council should consider public comments and whether there would be a public benefit from the issuance of the bonds. For example, the City Council could approve issuance of the bonds because they:
• Will help to fund a project that has already secured the necessary land use approvals from the City and has been identified in the City’s 6th Housing Element cycle to help meet the City’s regional housing needs allocation (RHNA); • Will help to develop senior affordable housing in the City; and • Will help with creating more diverse housing opportunities in the City.
The Council should follow its typical public hearing procedure:
1. Item called by presiding officer.
2. Presiding officer (or City Attorney) reviews order of procedure for public hearing.
3. Presiding officer (or City Attorney) reviews City’s ex parte rules.
4. Councilmembers disclose any ex parte communications and site visits occurring outside the public hearing relating to the subject of the hearing
5. Staff summarizes the staff report and issues before the Council.
6. Questions from the Council to Staff.
G.1
Packet Pg. 110
7. Applicant/Borrower (Orinda Senior Housing Foundation) comment (up to 15 minutes, a portion of which may be reserved for rebuttal and/or concluding remarks)
8. Public comment (3 minutes per speaker).
9. Applicant/Borrower rebuttal and/or concluding remarks (if time reserved from 15 minutes)
10.Presiding officer declares public hearing closed and the matter is then before the Council for deliberation and decision.
NEXT STEPS:
Outside of holding the TEFRA hearing and adopting the required resolution, no other participation or activity of the City or the City Council with respect to the issuance of the Bonds will be required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As noted above, the bonds will be issued by CalPFA for the Vista Verde Senior Housing Project. Those bonds will be the sole responsibility of the Borrower, and the City will have no financial, legal, moral obligation, liability or other responsibility for the Project or the repayment of the bonds for the financing of the Project.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution 58-25
B. Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 Respectfully Submitted by:
Douglas Alessio
Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Sheri Smith, City Clerk
Approved by:
G.1
Packet Pg. 111
RESOLUTION NO. 58-25
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORINDA
APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY QUALIFIED 501(C)(3) BONDS IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $15,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING OR REFINANCING THE
ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT AND EQUIPPING OF VISTA
VERDE SENIOR HOUSING AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING
THERETO
WHEREAS, Orinda Senior Housing Foundation, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation (the “Borrower”) has requested that the California Public Finance Authority (the “Authority”) adopt a plan of financing providing for the issuance of qualified 501(c)(3) bonds as defined in Section 145 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) in one or more series issued from time to time, including bonds issued to refund such qualified 501(c)(3) bonds in one or more series from time to time, and at no time to exceed $15,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (the “Bonds”), to finance or refinance the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping of a senior multifamily rental housing project located at 15 Irwin Way, Orinda, California (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City (the “City Council”) is the elected legislative body of the City and is one of the “applicable elected representatives” required to approve the issuance of the Bonds under Section 147(f) of the Code; and WHEREAS, the Authority has requested that the City Council approve the issuance of the Bonds by the Authority to satisfy the public approval requirement of Section 147(f) of the Code; and
WHEREAS, the City of Orinda is not a member of the Authority and does not need to become a member to approve the issuance of qualified 501(c)(3) bonds; and WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the request and report and has determined that there are public benefits derived from the bond approval, including the funding necessary to meet the City’s housing obligations as part of the 6th Cycle Housing Element, the need for additional, affordable senior housing in the City of Orinda and the creation of more diverse housing opportunities in the City; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Code, the City Council has, following notice duly given, held a public hearing regarding the issuance of the Bonds, and now desires to approve the issuance of the Bonds by the Authority; and WHEREAS, the public hearing was held on November 18, 2025, and an opportunity was provided for interested persons to express their views on the issuance of the Bonds and on the nature and location of the Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Orinda as follows:
G.1.a
Packet Pg. 112 Attachment: Resolution 58-25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) Section 1. The foregoing resolutions are true and correct.
Section 2. The City Council hereby approves the issuance of the Bonds by the Authority. It is the purpose and intent of the City Council that this resolution constitutes approval of the issuance of the Bonds by the Authority, for the purposes of (a) Section 147(f) of the Code by the applicable elected representative of the governmental unit having jurisdiction over the area in which the Project is located.
Section 3. The issuance of the Bonds shall be subject to the approval of the Authority of all financing documents relating thereto to which the Authority is a party.
The City shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever with respect to the Bonds.
Section 4. The adoption of this Resolution shall not obligate the City or any department thereof to (i) provide any financing to acquire or construct the Project or any refinancing of the Project; (ii) approve any application or request for or take any other action in connection with any planning approval, permit or other action necessary for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation or operation of the Project; (iii) make any contribution or advance any funds whatsoever to the Authority; or (iv) take any further action with respect to the Authority or its membership therein.
Section 5. The officers of the City are hereby authorized and directed, jointly and severally, to do any and all things and to execute and deliver any and all documents which they deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out, give effect to and comply with the terms and intent of this resolution and the financing transaction approved hereby.
Section 6. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Orinda this 18th day of November, 2025.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Attest:
By:__________________________
City Clerk
G.1.a
Packet Pg. 113 Attachment: Resolution 58-25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 114 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 115 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 116 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 117 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 118 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 119 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 120 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 121 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 122 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 123 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) G.1.b
Packet Pg. 124 Attachment: Vista Verde Project Correspondence Received between 10.18.25-11.11.25 (3765 : TEFRA Hearing Senior Housing) City Council
Staff Report
Agenda Item: H.1
Date: November 18, 2025
Department: Administration
AGENDA TITLE: Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act Amendments: Public Access, Remote Participation, and Language Accessibility Requirements RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the report regarding Senate Bill (SB) 707, recently signed into law, which enacts major amendments to the Ralph M. Brown Act effective January 1, 2026, and July 1, 2026. Provide direction regarding the potential implementation of remote meeting options for eligible advisory bodies.
BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 707 (Durazo) into law, enacting the most significant changes to the Brown Act in decades. This legislation introduces new accessibility and translation mandates for City Council meetings and expands options for teleconferencing by legislative and advisory bodies.
The new requirements will take effect in two phases:
• January 1, 2026: New teleconferencing flexibility provisions for legislative and advisory bodies.
• July 1, 2026: Expanded public access, two-way participation, captioning, and language-translation requirements for “eligible legislative bodies,” which includes the Orinda City Council.
Attachment A shows the detailed changes to the law.
Staff will summarize the major provisions of SB 707, identify anticipated impacts for the City of Orinda. Staff is already working to ensure the City is able to timely comply with the new mandates. This item is being presented to the City Council to receive input regarding how the Council would like to approach the new options.
DISCUSSION:
1. City Council Meeting Changes:
These provisions will apply directly to the Orinda City Council beginning July 1, 2026, and will include new requirements for:
• Two-way remote participation with audiovisual or telephonic access. This will end the Council’s indefinite suspension of remote public comment due to “Zoom bombing” concerns.
• Real-time captioning of audio-visual meetings. (currently available) • A broadcast-restoration policy with a one-hour recess requirement if access is lost.
H.1
Packet Pg. 125
• Agenda translation into any languages spoken by 20% or more of residents with limited English proficiency (does not apply in Orinda). • Community outreach efforts to engage historically underrepresented or nonEnglish speaking populations (Staff will ensure compliance with this requirement.)
2. Optional Changes for Advisory Bodies
SB 707 allows—but does not require—cities to use technology that would all members of Brown Act bodies (including the City Council) to attend a limited number of meetings annually for “just cause” from a remote location that is not noticed, open, and public.
The City Council may wish to provide direction to Staff regarding future availability of the “just cause” option for Council members and members of advisory bodies.
Separate from the “just cause” option, SB 707 also allows, but does not require, cities to extend remote meeting options to subsidiary or advisory bodies, such as commissions and committees, beginning January 1, 2026.
If the City chooses to do so, this would apply only to the Arts in Public Places Committee (APPC), Historic Landmarks Committee (HLC), Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), and the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC).
The Planning Commission would not be eligible because it is not purely advisory.
Likewise, SB 707 does not authorize Councilmembers to take full advantage of this option, so 2-by-2 Committees and Council Subcommittees are unlikely to see much benefit. Other bodies (e.g., Supplemental Sales Tax Oversight Commission, Finance Advisory Committee, Library Parcel Tax Oversight Committee) are excluded by SB 707 because they have primary subject matter jurisdiction over budgets and/or taxes/related spending proposals.
For those that are eligible the following meeting requirements are:
• One physical meeting location open to the public, with at least one staff member present.
• Members may participate remotely via a two-way audiovisual connection. • Teleconferencing option must be reauthorized every six months.
Pros:
• Increased accessibility.
• Possible increased participation and community engagement.
Cons:
• Additional technology and staffing needs.
• Increased administrative complexity.
Staff seeks Council guidance on whether to implement optional teleconferencing for eligible advisory bodies.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff will begin preparations in early 2026, focusing on:
H.1
Packet Pg. 126
• Any policy updates.
• Technology upgrades and staffing needs for hybrid meetings, if Council decides to implement this option.
• Training for Council, Commission/Committee members, and staff on any new procedures/requirements.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements
Respectfully Submitted by:
Linda Smith
City Manager
Prepared By: Sheri Smith, City Clerk
Approved by:
H.1
Packet Pg. 127
As Amends the Law Today
SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. (2025-2026) SECTION 1. Section 54952.2 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 89 of the Statutes of 2020, is amended to read:
54952.2. (a) As used in this chapter, “meeting” means any congregation of a majority of the members of a legislative body at the same time and location, including teleconference location as permitted by Section 54953, to hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body.
(b) (1) A majority of the members of a legislative body shall not, outside a meeting authorized by this chapter, use a series of communications of any kind, directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as preventing an employee or official of a local agency, from engaging in separate conversations or communications outside of a meeting authorized by this chapter with members of a legislative body in order to answer questions or provide information regarding a matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the local agency, if that person does not communicate to members of the legislative body the comments or position of any other member or members of the legislative body. (3) (A) Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as preventing a member of the legislative body from engaging in separate conversations or communications on an internet-based social media platform to answer questions, provide information to the public, or to solicit information from the public regarding a matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body provided that a majority of the members of the legislative body do not use the internet-based social media platform to discuss among themselves business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. A member of the legislative body shall not respond directly to any communication on an internet-based social media platform regarding a matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body that is made, posted, or shared by any other member of the legislative body.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, all of the following definitions shall apply:
(i) “Discuss among themselves” means communications made, posted, or shared on an internet-based social media platform between members of a legislative body, including comments or use of digital icons that express reactions to communications made by other members of the legislative body. (ii) “Internet-based social media platform” means an online service that is open and accessible to the public. (iii) “Open and accessible to the public” means that members of the general public have the ability to access and participate, free of charge, in the social media platform without the approval by the social media platform or a person or entity other than the social media platform, including any forum and chatroom, and cannot be blocked from doing so, except when the internet-based social media platform determines that an individual violated its protocols or rules.
(c) Nothing in this section shall impose the requirements of this chapter upon any of the following:
(1) Individual contacts or conversations between a member of a legislative body and any other person that do not violate subdivision (b).
Home Bill Information California Law Publications Other Resources My Subscriptions My Favorites 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 1/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 128 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (2) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at a conference or similar gathering open to the public that involves a discussion of issues of general interest to the public or to public agencies of the type represented by the legislative body, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, business of a specified nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the local agency. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to allow members of the public free admission to a conference or similar gathering at which the organizers have required other participants or registrants to pay fees or charges as a condition of attendance. (3) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and publicized meeting organized to address a topic of local community concern by a person or organization other than the local agency, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency.
(4) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and noticed meeting of another body of the local agency, or at an open and noticed meeting of a legislative body of another local agency, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled meeting, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency.
(5) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at a purely social or ceremonial occasion, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency. (6) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and noticed meeting of a standing committee of that body, provided that the members of the legislative body who are not members of the standing committee attend only as observers.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 2. Section 54952.2 of the Government Code, as added by Section 2 of Chapter 89 of the Statutes of 2020, is repealed.
54952.2. (a) As used in this chapter, “meeting” means any congregation of a majority of the members of a legislative body at the same time and location, including teleconference location as permitted by Section 54953, to hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body.
(b) (1) A majority of the members of a legislative body shall not, outside a meeting authorized by this chapter, use a series of communications of any kind, directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as preventing an employee or official of a local agency, from engaging in separate conversations or communications outside of a meeting authorized by this chapter with members of a legislative body in order to answer questions or provide information regarding a matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the local agency, if that person does not communicate to members of the legislative body the comments or position of any other member or members of the legislative body. (c) Nothing in this section shall impose the requirements of this chapter upon any of the following:
(1) Individual contacts or conversations between a member of a legislative body and any other person that do not violate subdivision (b).
(2) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at a conference or similar gathering open to the public that involves a discussion of issues of general interest to the public or to public agencies of the type represented by the legislative body, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, business of a specified nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the local agency. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to allow members of the public free admission to a conference or similar gathering at which the organizers have required other participants or registrants to pay fees or charges as a condition of attendance. (3) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and publicized meeting organized to address a topic of local community concern by a person or organization other than the local agency, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 2/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 129 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act program, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency.
(4) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and noticed meeting of another body of the local agency, or at an open and noticed meeting of a legislative body of another local agency, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled meeting, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency.
(5) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at a purely social or ceremonial occasion, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency. (6) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and noticed meeting of a standing committee of that body, provided that the members of the legislative body who are not members of the standing committee attend only as observers.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2026.
SEC. 3. Section 54952.7 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54952.7. A legislative body of a local agency may require that shall provide a copy of this chapter be given to each member of the legislative body and to any person elected or appointed to serve as a member of the legislative body who has not assumed the duties of office. An elected legislative body of a local agency may require that a copy of this chapter be given to each member of each legislative body all or a majority of whose members are appointed by or under the authority of the elected legislative body. a legislative body of the local agency.
SEC. 4. Section 54953 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 534 of the Statutes of 2023, is amended to read:
54953. (a) All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the legislative body of a local agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative body of a local agency may use teleconferencing for the benefit of the public and the legislative body of a local agency in connection with any meeting or proceeding authorized by law. The teleconferenced meeting or proceeding shall comply with all otherwise applicable requirements of this chapter and all otherwise applicable provisions of law relating to a specific type of meeting or proceeding.
(2) Teleconferencing, as authorized by this section, may be used for all purposes in connection with any meeting within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. If the legislative body of a local agency elects to use teleconferencing, the legislative body of a local agency shall comply with all of the following:
(A) All votes taken during a teleconferenced meeting shall be by rollcall. (B) The teleconferenced meetings shall be conducted in a manner that protects the statutory and constitutional rights of the parties or the public appearing before the legislative body of a local agency. (C) The legislative body shall give notice of the meeting and post agendas as otherwise required by this chapter. (D) The legislative body shall allow members of the public to access the meeting and the agenda shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the legislative body directly pursuant to Section 54954.3. (3) If the legislative body of a local agency elects to use teleconferencing, it shall post agendas at all teleconference locations. Each teleconference location shall be identified in the notice and agenda of the meeting or proceeding, and each teleconference location shall be accessible to the public. During the teleconference, at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body shall participate from locations within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, except as expressly provided in subdivisions (d) and (e). this chapter.
(4) The teleconferencing requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to remote participation described in subdivision (c).
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 3/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 130 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (c) (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a member of a legislative body with a disability from participating in any meeting of the legislative body by remote participation as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to any applicable law.
(2) A member of a legislative body participating in a meeting by remote participation pursuant to this subdivision shall do both of the following:
(A) The member shall participate through both audio and visual technology, except that any member with a disability, as defined in Section 12102 of Title 42 of the United States Code, may participate only through audio technology if a physical condition related to their disability results in a need to participate off camera. (B) The member shall disclose at the meeting before any action is taken, whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are present in the room at the remote location with the member, and the general nature of the member’s relationship with any of those individuals.
(3) Remote participation under this subdivision shall be treated as in-person attendance at the physical meeting location for all purposes, including any requirement that a quorum of the legislative body participate from any particular location. The provisions of subdivision (b) and Sections 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, inclusive, shall not apply to remote participation under this subdivision.
(c) (d) (1) No legislative body shall take action by secret ballot, whether preliminary or final. (2) The legislative body of a local agency shall publicly report any action taken and the vote or abstention on that action of each member present for the action.
(3) (A) Prior to taking final action, the legislative body shall orally report a summary of a recommendation for a final action on the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of a local agency executive, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3511.1, either of the following during the open meeting in which the final action is to be taken. This paragraph shall not affect the public’s right under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1) to inspect or copy records created or received in the process of developing the recommendation. taken:
(d) (i) (1) A Notwithstanding the provisions relating to a quorum in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), if a health authority conducts a teleconference meeting, members who are outside the jurisdiction of the authority may be counted toward the establishment of a quorum when participating in the teleconference if at least 50 percent of the number of members that would establish a quorum are present within the boundaries of the territory over which the authority exercises jurisdiction, and the health authority provides a teleconference number, and associated access codes, if any, that allows any person to call in to participate in the meeting and the number and access codes are identified in the notice and agenda of the meeting. local agency executive, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3511.1.
(2) (ii) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as discouraging health authority members from regularly meeting at a common physical site within the jurisdiction of the authority or from using teleconference locations within or near the jurisdiction of the authority. A teleconference meeting for which a quorum is established pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to all other requirements of this section. A department head or other similar administrative officer of the local agency.
(B) This paragraph shall not affect the public’s right under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1) to inspect or copy records created or received in the process of developing the recommendation.
(3) (e) For purposes of this subdivision, a health authority means any entity created pursuant to Sections 14018.7, 14087.31, 14087.35, 14087.36, 14087.38, and 14087.9605 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, any joint powers authority created pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 for the purpose of contracting pursuant to Section 14087.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and any advisory committee to a county-sponsored health plan licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code if the advisory committee has 12 or more members. section, both of the following definitions apply:
(e) (1) The legislative body of a local agency may use teleconferencing without complying with the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) if the legislative body complies with the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subdivision in either of the following circumstances:
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 4/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 131 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (A) The legislative body holds a meeting during a proclaimed state of emergency for the purpose of determining, by majority vote, whether as a result of the emergency, meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.
(B) The legislative body holds a meeting during a proclaimed state of emergency and has determined, by majority vote, pursuant to subparagraph (A), that, as a result of the emergency, meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees. (2) A legislative body that holds a meeting pursuant to this subdivision shall do all of the following:
(A) In each instance in which notice of the time of the teleconferenced meeting is otherwise given or the agenda for the meeting is otherwise posted, the legislative body shall also give notice of the means by which members of the public may access the meeting and offer public comment. The agenda shall identify and include an opportunity for all persons to attend via a call-in option or an internet-based service option. (B) In the event of a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting to members of the public using the call-in option or internet-based service option, or in the event of a disruption within the local agency’s control that prevents members of the public from offering public comments using the call-in option or internet-based service option, the legislative body shall take no further action on items appearing on the meeting agenda until public access to the meeting via the call-in option or internet-based service option is restored.
Actions taken on agenda items during a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting may be challenged pursuant to Section 54960.1.
(C) The legislative body shall not require public comments to be submitted in advance of the meeting and must provide an opportunity for the public to address the legislative body and offer comment in real time. (D) Notwithstanding Section 54953.3, an individual desiring to provide public comment through the use of an internet website, or other online platform, not under the control of the local legislative body, that requires registration to log in to a teleconference may be required to register as required by the third-party internet website or online platform to participate.
(E) (i) A legislative body that provides a timed public comment period for each agenda item shall not close the public comment period for the agenda item, or the opportunity to register, pursuant to subparagraph (D), to provide public comment until that timed public comment period has elapsed. (ii) A legislative body that does not provide a timed public comment period, but takes public comment separately on each agenda item, shall allow a reasonable amount of time per agenda item to allow public members the opportunity to provide public comment, including time for members of the public to register pursuant to subparagraph (D), or otherwise be recognized for the purpose of providing public comment. (iii) A legislative body that provides a timed general public comment period that does not correspond to a specific agenda item shall not close the public comment period or the opportunity to register, pursuant to subparagraph (D), until the timed general public comment period has elapsed. (3) If a state of emergency remains active, in order to continue to teleconference without compliance with paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), the legislative body shall, not later than 45 days after teleconferencing for the first time pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), and every 45 days thereafter, make the following findings by majority vote:
(A) The legislative body has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency. (B) The state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person. (4) This subdivision shall not be construed to require the legislative body to provide a physical location from which the public may attend or comment.
(f) The legislative body shall have and implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving requests for reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, consistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and resolving any doubt in favor of accessibility. In each instance in which notice of the time of the meeting is otherwise given or the agenda for the meeting is otherwise posted, the legislative body shall also give notice of the procedure for receiving and resolving requests for accommodation. (g) The legislative body shall conduct meetings subject to this chapter consistent with applicable civil rights and nondiscrimination laws.
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 5/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 132 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (h) (1) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative body from providing the public with additional teleconference locations.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative body from providing the public with additional physical locations in which the public may observe and address the legislative body by electronic means. (i) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) “State of emergency” means a state of emergency proclaimed pursuant to Section 8625 of the California Emergency Services Act (Article 1 (commencing with Section 8550) of Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2). “Disability” means a physical disability or a mental disability as those terms are defined in Section 12926 and used in Section 12926.1, or a disability as defined in Section 12102 of Title 42 of the United States Code. (2) (A) “Teleconference” means a meeting of a legislative body, the members of which are in different locations, connected by electronic means, through either audio or video, or both. (j) (B) This section shall become operative January 1, 2026. Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), “teleconference” does not include one or more members watching or listening to a meeting via webcasting or any other similar electronic medium that does not permit members to interactively speak, discuss, or deliberate on matters.
(3) “Remote participation” means participation in a meeting by teleconference at a location other than any physical meeting location designated in the notice of the meeting.
SEC. 5. Section 54953.4 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.4. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that public access, including through translation of agendas as required by this section, is necessary for an informed populace. The Legislature encourages local agencies to adopt public access requirements that exceed the requirements of this chapter by translating additional languages, employing human translators, and conducting additional outreach. (b) (1) In addition to any other applicable requirements of this chapter, a meeting held by a eligible legislative body pursuant to this chapter shall comply with both of the following requirements:
(A) (i) (I) (ia) All open and public meetings shall include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform, except if adequate telephonic or internet service is not operational at the meeting location. If adequate telephonic or internet service is operational at the meeting location during only a portion of the meeting, the legislative body shall include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform during that portion of the meeting.
(ib) (Ia) On or before July 1, 2026, an eligible legislative body shall approve at a noticed public meeting in open session, not on the consent calendar, a policy regarding disruption of telephonic or internet service occurring during meetings subject to this sub-subclause. The policy shall address the procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event of disruption and the efforts that the eligible legislative body shall make to attempt to restore the service.
(Ib) If a disruption of telephonic or internet service that prevents members of the public from attending or observing the meeting via the two-way telephonic service or two-way audiovisual platform occurs during the meeting, the eligible legislative body shall recess the open session of the meeting for at least one hour and make a good faith attempt to restore the service. The eligible legislative body may meet in closed session during this period. The eligible legislative body shall not reconvene the open session of the meeting until at least one hour following the disruption, or until telephonic or internet service is restored, whichever is earlier. (Ic) Upon reconvening the open session, if telephonic or internet service has not been restored, the eligible legislative body shall adopt a finding by rollcall vote that good faith efforts to restore the telephonic or internet service have been made in accordance with the policy adopted pursuant to sub-sub-subclause (Ia) and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access. (II) Subclause (I) does not apply to a meeting that is held to do any of the following:
(ia) Attend a judicial or administrative proceeding to which the local agency is a party. (ib) Inspect real or personal property provided that the topic of the meeting is limited to items directly related to the real or personal property.
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 6/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 133 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (ic) Meet with elected or appointed officials of the United States or the State of California, solely to discuss a legislative or regulatory issue affecting the local agency and over which the federal or state officials have jurisdiction.
(id) Meet in or nearby a facility owned by the agency, provided that the topic of the meeting is limited to items directly related to the facility.
(ie) Meet in an emergency situation pursuant to Section 54956.5. (ii) If an eligible legislative body elects to provide a two-way audiovisual platform, the eligible legislative body shall publicly post and provide a call-in option, and activate any automatic captioning function during the meeting if an automatic captioning function is included with the two-way audiovisual platform. If an eligible legislative body does not elect to provide a two-way audiovisual platform, the eligible legislative body shall provide a two-way telephonic service for the public to participate in the meeting, pursuant to subclause (I). (B) (i) All open and public meetings for which attendance via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform is provided in accordance with paragraph (1) shall provide the public with an opportunity to provide public comment in accordance with Section 54954.3 via the two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform, and ensure the opportunity for the members of the public participating via a two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform to provide public comment with the same time allotment as a person attending a meeting in person.
(2) (A) An eligible legislative body shall reasonably assist members of the public who wish to translate a public meeting into any language or wish to receive interpretation provided by another member of the public, so long as the interpretation is not disrupting to the meeting, as defined in Section 54957.95. The eligible legislative body shall publicize instructions on how to request assistance under this subdivision. Assistance may include any of the following, as determined by the eligible legislative body:
(i) Arranging space for one or more interpreters at the meeting location. (ii) Allowing extra time during the meeting for interpretation to occur. (iii) Ensuring participants may utilize their personal equipment or reasonably access facilities for participants to access commercially available interpretation services.
(B) This section does not require an eligible legislative body to provide interpretation of any public meeting, however, an eligible legislative body may elect to provide interpretation of any public meeting. (C) The eligible legislative body is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any interpretation facilitated, assisted with, or provided under this subdivision. An action shall not be commenced or maintained against the eligible legislative body arising from the content or accuracy of any interpretation facilitated, assisted with, or provided under this subdivision.
(3) An eligible legislative body shall take the following actions to encourage residents, including those in underrepresented communities and non-English-speaking communities, to participate in public meetings:
(A) Have in place a system for electronically accepting and fulfilling requests for meeting agendas and documents pursuant to Section 54954.1 through email or through an integrated agenda management platform.
Information about how to make a request using this system shall be accessible through a prominent direct link posted on the primary internet website home page of the eligible legislative body. (B) (i) Create and maintain an accessible internet webpage dedicated to public meetings that includes, or provides a link to, all of the following information:
(I) A general explanation of the public meeting process for the eligible legislative body. (II) An explanation of the procedures for a member of the public to provide in-person or remote oral public comment during a public meeting or to submit written public comment. (III) A calendar of all public meeting dates with calendar listings that include the date, time, and location of each public meeting.
(IV) The agenda posted online pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 54954.2. 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 7/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 134 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (ii) The eligible legislative body shall include a link to the webpage required by subparagraph (A) on the home page of the eligible legislative body’s internet website. (C) (i) Make reasonable efforts, as determined by the legislative body, to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings, which may include, but are not limited to, all the following:
(I) Media organizations that provide news coverage in the jurisdiction of the eligible legislative body, including media organizations that serve non-English-speaking communities. (II) Good government, civil rights, civic engagement, neighborhood, and community group organizations, or similar organizations that are active in the jurisdiction of the eligible legislative body, including organizations active in non-English-speaking communities.
(ii) Legislative bodies shall have broad discretion in the choice of reasonable efforts they make under this subparagraph. No action shall be commenced or maintained against an eligible legislative body arising from failing to provide public meeting information to any specific group pursuant to this subparagraph. (c) (1) (A) The agenda for each meeting of an eligible legislative body shall be translated into all applicable languages, and each translation shall be posted in accordance with Section 54954.2. Each translation shall include instructions in the applicable language describing how to join the meeting by the telephonic or internetbased service option, including any requirements for registration for public comment. (B) The accessible internet webpage provided under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) shall be translated into all applicable languages, and each translation shall be accessible through a prominent direct link posted on the primary internet website home page of the eligible legislative body. (2) A translation made using a digital translation service shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1). (3) The eligible legislative body shall make available a physical location that is freely accessible to the public in reasonable proximity to the physical location in which the agenda and translations are posted as described in paragraph (1), and shall allow members of the public to post additional translations of the agenda in that location.
(4) The eligible legislative body is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any translation provided pursuant to this subdivision. No action shall be commenced or maintained against an eligible legislative body arising from the content, accuracy, posting, or removal of any translation provided by the eligible legislative body or posted by any person pursuant to this subdivision. (5) For the purposes of this section, the agenda does not include the entire agenda packet. (d) This section shall not be construed to affect or supersede any other applicable civil rights, nondiscrimination, or public access laws.
(e) For purposes of this section, all of the following definitions apply:
(1) (A) “Applicable languages” means languages, according to data from the most recent American Community Survey, spoken jointly by 20 percent or more of the applicable population, provided that 20 percent or more of the population that speaks that language in that city or county speaks English less than “very well.” (B) For the purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable population shall be determined as follows:
(i) For an eligible legislative body that is a city council or county board of supervisors, the applicable population shall be the population of the city or county.
(ii) For an eligible legislative body of a special district, the applicable population shall be either of the following, at the discretion of the board of directors of the special district:
(I) The population of the county with the greatest population within the boundaries of the special district. (II) The population of the service area of the special district, if the special district has the data to determine what languages spoken by the population within its service area meet the requirements of paragraph (A). (C) If more than three languages meet the criteria set forth in subparagraph (A), “applicable languages” shall mean the three languages described in subparagraph (A) that are spoken by the largest percentage of the population.
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 8/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 135 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (D) An eligible legislative body may elect to determine the applicable languages based upon a source other than the most recent American Community Survey if it makes a finding, based upon substantial evidence, that the other source provides equally or more reliable data for the territory over which the eligible legislative body exercises jurisdiction.
(2) “Eligible legislative body” means any of the following:
(A) A city council of a city with a population of 30,000 or more. (B) A county board of supervisors of a county, or city and county, with a population of 30,000 or more. (C) A city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 or more. (D) The board of directors of a special district that has an internet website and meets any of the following conditions:
(i) The boundaries of the special district include the entirety of a county with a population of 600,000 or more, and the special district has over 200 full-time equivalent employees. (ii) The special district has over 1,000 full-time equivalent employees. (iii) The special district has annual revenues, based on the most recent Financial Transaction Report data published by the California State Controller, that exceed four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000), adjusted annually for inflation commencing January 1, 2027, as measured by the percentage change in the California Consumer Price Index from January 1 of the prior year to January 1 of the current year, and the special district employs over 200 full-time equivalent employees.
(3) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means an online platform that provides participants with the ability to participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service. (4) “Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate. (f) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026. (g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 6. Section 54953.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54953.5. (a) Any person attending an open and public meeting of a legislative body of a local agency shall have the right to record the proceedings with an audio or video recorder or a still or motion picture camera in the absence of a reasonable finding by the legislative body of the local agency that the recording cannot continue without noise, illumination, or obstruction of view that constitutes, or would constitute, a persistent disruption of the proceedings.
(b) Any audio or video recording of an open and public meeting made for whatever purpose by or at the direction of the local agency shall be subject to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1), but, notwithstanding Section 34090, may be erased or destroyed 30 days after the recording. Any inspection of an audio or video recording shall be provided without charge on equipment made available by the local agency.
SEC. 7. Section 54953.7 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54953.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, legislative bodies of local agencies may impose requirements upon themselves which allow greater access to their meetings than prescribed by the minimal standards set forth in this chapter. In addition thereto, an elected legislative body of a local agency may impose such those requirements on those appointed legislative bodies of the local agency of which all or a majority of the members are appointed by or under the authority of the elected legislative body. agency.
SEC. 8. Section 54953.8 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8. (a) The legislative body of a local agency may use teleconferencing as authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 54953 without complying with the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 54953 in any of the circumstances described in Sections 54953.8.1 to 54953.8.7, inclusive. 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 9/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 136 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (b) A legislative body that holds a teleconference meeting pursuant to this section shall, in addition to any other applicable requirements of this chapter, comply with all of the following:
(1) The legislative body shall provide at least one of the following as a means by which the public may remotely hear and visually observe the meeting, and remotely address the legislative body:
(A) A two-way audiovisual platform.
(B) A two-way telephonic service and a live webcasting of the meeting. (2) In each instance in which notice of the time of the teleconference meeting held pursuant to this section is otherwise given or the agenda for the meeting is otherwise posted, the legislative body shall also give notice of the means by which members of the public may access the meeting and offer public comment. The agenda shall identify and include an opportunity for all persons to attend via a call-in option or an internet-based service option.
(3) In the event of a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting to members of the public using the call-in option or internet-based service option, or in the event of a disruption within the local agency’s control that prevents members of the public from offering public comments using the call-in option or internet-based service option, the legislative body shall take no further action on items appearing on the meeting agenda until public access to the meeting via the call-in option or internet-based service option is restored.
Actions taken on agenda items during a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting may be challenged pursuant to Section 54960.1.
(4) The legislative body shall not require public comments to be submitted in advance of the meeting and must provide an opportunity for the public to address the legislative body and offer comment in real time. (5) Notwithstanding Section 54953.3, an individual desiring to provide public comment through the use of an internet website, or other online platform, not under the control of the local legislative body, that requires registration to log in to a teleconference may be required to register as required by the third-party internet website or online platform to participate.
(6) (A) A legislative body that provides a timed public comment period for each agenda item shall not close the public comment period for the agenda item, or the opportunity to register, pursuant to paragraph (5), to provide public comment until that timed public comment period has elapsed. (B) A legislative body that does not provide a timed public comment period, but takes public comment separately on each agenda item, shall allow a reasonable amount of time per agenda item to allow public members the opportunity to provide public comment, including time for members of the public to register pursuant to paragraph (5), or otherwise be recognized for the purpose of providing public comment. (C) A legislative body that provides a timed general public comment period that does not correspond to a specific agenda item shall not close the public comment period or the opportunity to register, pursuant to paragraph (5), until the timed general public comment period has elapsed. (7) Any member of the legislative body who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location pursuant to this section and the specific provision of law that the member relied upon to permit their participation by teleconferencing shall be listed in the minutes of the meeting. (8) The legislative body shall have and implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving requests for reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, consistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and resolving any doubt in favor of accessibility. In each instance in which notice of the time of the meeting is otherwise given or the agenda for the meeting is otherwise posted, the legislative body shall also give notice of the procedure for receiving and resolving requests for accommodation. (9) The legislative body shall conduct meetings subject to this chapter consistent with applicable civil rights and nondiscrimination laws.
(c) A local agency shall identify and make available to legislative bodies a list of one or more meeting locations that may be available for use by the legislative bodies to conduct their meetings. (d) (1) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative body from providing the public with additional teleconference locations.
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 10/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 137 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative body from providing the public with additional physical locations in which the public may observe and address the legislative body by electronic means. (e) A member of a legislative body who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location pursuant to this section shall publicly disclose at the meeting before any action is taken whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are present in the room at the remote location with the member, and the general nature of the member’s relationship with those individuals.
(f) The teleconferencing provisions described in Section 54953 and Sections 54953.8.1 to 54953.8.7, inclusive, are cumulative. A legislative body may elect to use any teleconferencing provisions that are applicable to a meeting, regardless of whether any other teleconferencing provisions would also be applicable to that meeting. (g) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Remote location” means a location from which a member of a legislative body participates in a meeting pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b), other than any physical meeting location designated in the notice of the meeting. Remote locations need not be accessible to the public. (2) “Teleconference” means a meeting of a legislative body, the members of which are in different locations, connected by electronic means, through either audio or video, or both. (3) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means an online platform that provides participants with the ability to participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service. A two-way audiovisual platform may be structured to disable the use of video for the public participants. (4) “Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate. (5) “Webcasting” means a streaming video broadcast online or on television, using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners and viewers.
SEC. 9. Section 54953.8.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.1. (a) A health authority may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section. (b) Nothing in this section or Section 54953.8 shall be construed as discouraging health authority members from regularly meeting at a common physical site within the jurisdiction of the authority or from using teleconference locations within or near the jurisdiction of the authority. (c) For purposes of this section, a health authority means any entity created pursuant to Sections 14018.7, 14087.31, 14087.35, 14087.36, 14087.38, and 14087.9605 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, any joint powers authority created pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 for the purpose of contracting pursuant to Section 14087.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and any advisory committee to a county-sponsored health plan licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code if the advisory committee has 12 or more members.
SEC. 10. Section 54953.8.2 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.2. (a) A legislative body of a local agency may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8 during a proclaimed state of emergency or local emergency, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and the teleconferencing is used in either of the following circumstances:
(1) For the purpose of determining, by majority vote, whether as a result of the emergency, meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees. (2) After a determination described in paragraph (1) is made that, as a result of the emergency, meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees. (b) If the state of emergency or local emergency remains active, in order to continue to teleconference pursuant to this section, the legislative body shall, no later than 45 days after teleconferencing for the first time pursuant to this section, and every 45 days thereafter, make the following findings by majority vote:
(1) The legislative body has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency or local emergency. 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 11/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 138 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (2) The state of emergency or local emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person.
(c) This section shall not be construed to require the legislative body to provide a physical location from which the public may attend or comment.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 54953.8, a legislative body conducting a teleconference meeting pursuant to this section may elect to use a two-way telephonic service without a live webcasting of the meeting.
(e) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Local emergency” means a condition of extreme peril to persons or property proclaimed by the governing body of the local agency affected, in accordance with Section 8630 of the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2), as defined in Section 8680.9, or a local health emergency declared pursuant to Section 101080 of the Health and Safety Code. Local emergency, as used in this section, refers only to local emergencies in the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction.
(2) “State of emergency” means state of emergency proclaimed pursuant to Section 8625 of the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2).
SEC. 11. Section 54953.8.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.3. (a) A legislative body of a local agency may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8 if, during the teleconference meeting, at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body participates in person from a singular physical location clearly identified on the agenda, which location shall be open to the public and situated within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, provided that the legislative body complies with the requirements of Section 54953.8 and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) A member of the legislative body notifies the legislative body at the earliest opportunity possible, including at the start of a regular meeting, of their need to participate remotely for just cause, including a general description of the circumstances relating to their need to appear remotely at the given meeting. (2) The member shall participate through both audio and visual technology. (3) (A) The provisions of this subdivision shall not serve as a means for any member of a legislative body to participate in meetings of the legislative body solely by teleconference from a remote location for just cause for more than the following number of meetings, as applicable:
(i) Two meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets once per month or less. (ii) Five meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets twice per month. (iii) Seven meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets three or more times per month. (B) For the purpose of counting meetings attended by teleconference under this paragraph, a “meeting” shall be defined as any number of meetings of the legislative body of a local agency that begin on the same calendar day.
(b) The minutes for the meeting shall identify the specific provision in subdivision (c) that each member relied upon to participate remotely. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the member to disclose any medical diagnosis or disability, or any personal medical information that is otherwise exempt under existing law, including, but not limited to, the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 56) of Part 2.6 of Division 1 of the Civil Code).
(c) For purposes of this section, “just cause” means any of the following:
(1) Childcare or caregiving need of a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner that requires them to participate remotely. “Child,” “parent,” “grandparent,” “grandchild,” and “sibling” have the same meaning as those terms do in Section 12945.2.
(2) A contagious illness that prevents a member from attending in person. (3) A need related to a physical or mental condition that is not subject to subdivision (c) of Section 54953. 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 12/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 139 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (4) Travel while on official business of the legislative body or another state or local agency. (5) An immunocompromised child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the member that requires the member to participate remotely. (6) A physical or family medical emergency that prevents a member from attending in person. (7) Military service obligations that result in a member being unable to attend in person because they are serving under official written orders for active duty, drill, annual training, or any other duty required as a member of the California National Guard or a United States Military Reserve organization that requires the member to be at least 50 miles outside the boundaries of the local agency. (d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 12. Section 54953.8.4 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.4. (a) An eligible neighborhood council may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the following have occurred:
(1) (A) The city council for a city described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) considers whether to adopt a resolution to authorize eligible neighborhood councils to use teleconferencing as described in this section at an open and regular meeting.
(B) If the city council adopts a resolution described in subparagraph (A), an eligible neighborhood council may elect to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section if a majority of the eligible neighborhood council votes to do so. The eligible neighborhood council shall notify the city council if it elects to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section and its justification for doing so.
(C) Upon receiving notification from an eligible neighborhood council described in subparagraph (B), the city council may adopt a resolution to prohibit the eligible neighborhood council from using teleconferencing pursuant to this section.
(2) After completing the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), an eligible neighborhood council that holds a meeting pursuant to this subdivision shall do all of the following:
(A) At least a quorum of the members of the eligible neighborhood council shall participate from locations within the boundaries of the city in which the eligible neighborhood council is established. (B) At least once per year, at least a quorum of the members of the eligible neighborhood council shall participate in person from a singular physical location that is open to the public and within the boundaries of the eligible neighborhood council.
(3) If the meeting is during regular business hours of the offices of the city council member that represents the area that includes the eligible neighborhood council, the eligible neighborhood council shall provide a publicly accessible physical location from which the public may attend or comment, which shall be the offices of the city council member who represents the area where the eligible neighborhood council is located, unless the eligible neighborhood council identifies an alternative location. (4) If the meeting is outside regular business hours, the eligible neighborhood council shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate any member of the public that requests an accommodation to participate in the meeting. (b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Accommodation” means providing a publicly accessible physical location for the member of the public to participate from, providing access to technology necessary to participate in the meeting, or identifying locations or resources available that could provide the member of the public with an opportunity to participate in the meeting.
(2) “Eligible neighborhood council” means a neighborhood council that is an advisory body with the purpose to promote more citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs that is established pursuant to the charter of a city with a population of more than 3,000,000 people that is subject to this chapter.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 13. Section 54953.8.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 13/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 140 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act 54953.8.5. (a) An eligible community college student organization may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) An eligible community college student organization may only use teleconferencing as described in Section 54953.8 after all the following have occurred:
(A) The board of trustees for a community college district considers whether to adopt a resolution to authorize eligible community college student organizations to use teleconferencing as described in this section at an open and regular meeting.
(B) If the board of trustees for a community college district adopts a resolution described in subparagraph (A), an eligible community college student organization may elect to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section if a majority of the eligible community college student organization votes to do so. The eligible community college student organization shall notify the board of trustees if it elects to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section and its justification for doing so.
(C) Upon receiving notification from an eligible community college student organization as described in subparagraph (B), the board of trustees may adopt a resolution to prohibit the eligible community college student organization from using teleconferencing pursuant to this section. (D) (i) Except as specified in clause (ii), at least a quorum of the members of the eligible community college student organization shall participate from a singular physical location that is accessible to the public and is within the community college district in which the eligible community college student organization is established. (ii) The requirements described in clause (i) shall not apply to the California Online Community College. (iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of clause (i), a person may count toward the establishment of a quorum pursuant to clause (i) regardless of whether the person is participating at the in-person location of the meeting or remotely if the person meets any of the following criteria:
(I) The person is under 18 years of age.
(II) The person is incarcerated.
(III) The person is unable to disclose the location that they are participating from because of either of the following circumstances:
(ia) The person has been issued a protective court order, including, but not limited to, a domestic violence restraining order.
(ib) The person is participating in a program that has to remain confidential, including, but not limited to, an independent living program.
(IV) The person provides childcare or caregiving to a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner that requires them to participate remotely. For purposes of this subclause, “child,” “parent,” “grandparent,” “grandchild,” and “sibling” have the same meaning as those terms are defined in Section 12945.2.
(2) An eligible community college student organization that holds a meeting by teleconference as described in Section 54953.8 shall do the following, as applicable:
(A) (i) Except as specified in subparagraph (B), if the meeting is during regular business hours of the offices of the board of trustees of the community college district, the eligible community college student organization shall provide a publicly accessible physical location from which the public may attend or comment, which shall be the offices of the board of trustees of the community college district, unless the eligible community college student organization identifies an alternative location.
(ii) Except as specified in subparagraph (B), if the meeting is outside regular business hours, the eligible community college student organization shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate any member of the public that requests an accommodation to participate in the meeting. For the purposes of this subparagraph, “accommodation” means providing a publicly accessible physical location for the member of the public to participate from, providing access to technology necessary to participate in the meeting, or identifying locations 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 14/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 141 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act or resources available that could provide the member of the public with an opportunity to participate in the meeting.
(B) The requirements described in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the California Online Community College. (b) For purposes of this section, “eligible community college student organization” means a student body association organized pursuant to Section 76060 of the Education Code, or any other student-run community college organization that is required to comply with the meeting requirements of this chapter, that is in any community college recognized within the California Community Colleges system and includes the Student Senate for California Community Colleges.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 14. Section 54953.8.6 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.6. (a) An eligible subsidiary body may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) The eligible subsidiary body shall designate one physical meeting location within the boundaries of the legislative body that created the eligible subsidiary body where members of the subsidiary body who are not participating remotely shall be present and members of the public may physically attend, observe, hear, and participate in the meeting. At least one staff member of the eligible subsidiary body or the legislative body that created the eligible subsidiary body shall be present at the physical meeting location during the meeting. The eligible subsidiary body shall post the agenda at the physical meeting location, but need not post the agenda at a remote location.
(2) (A) A member of the eligible subsidiary body shall visibly appear on camera during the open portion of a meeting that is publicly accessible via the internet or other online platform, except if the member has a physical or mental condition not subject to subdivision (c) of Section 54953 that results in a need to participate off camera.
(B) The visual appearance of a member of the eligible subsidiary body on camera may cease only when the appearance would be technologically infeasible, including, but not limited to, when the member experiences a lack of reliable broadband or internet connectivity that would be remedied by joining without video. (C) If a member of the eligible subsidiary body does not appear on camera due to challenges with internet connectivity, the member shall announce the reason for their nonappearance prior to turning off their camera. (3) An elected official serving as a member of an eligible subsidiary body in their official capacity shall not participate in a meeting of the eligible subsidiary body by teleconferencing pursuant to this section unless the use of teleconferencing complies with the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 54953. (4) (A) In order to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section, the legislative body that established the eligible subsidiary body by charter, ordinance, resolution, or other formal action shall make the following findings by majority vote before the eligible subsidiary body uses teleconferencing pursuant to this section for the first time, and every six months thereafter:
(i) The legislative body has considered the circumstances of the eligible subsidiary body. (ii) Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body would enhance public access to meetings of the eligible subsidiary body, and the public has been made aware of the type of remote participation, including audio-visual or telephonic, that will be made available at a regularly scheduled meeting and has been provided the opportunity to comment at an in-person meeting of the legislative body authorizing the subsidiary body to meet entirely remotely.
(iii) Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body would promote the attraction, retention, and diversity of eligible subsidiary body members.
(B) (i) An eligible subsidiary body authorized to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section may request to present any recommendations it develops to the legislative body that created it. (ii) Upon receiving a request described in clause (i), the legislative body that created the subsidiary body shall hold a discussion at a regular meeting held within 60 days after the legislative body receives the request, or if the legislative body does not have another regular meeting scheduled within 60 days after the legislative body receives the request, at the next regular meeting after the request is received. 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 15/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 142 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (iii) The discussion required by clause (ii) shall not be placed on a consent calendar, but may be combined with the legislative body’s subsequent consideration of the findings described in subparagraph (A) for the following 12 months.
(iv) The legislative body shall not take any action on any recommendations included in the report of a subsidiary body until the next regular meeting of the legislative body following the discussion described in clause (ii). (C) After the legislative body makes the findings described in subparagraph (A), the eligible subsidiary body shall approve the use of teleconferencing by majority vote before using teleconference pursuant to this section. (D) The legislative body that created the eligible subsidiary body may elect to prohibit the eligible subsidiary body from using teleconferencing pursuant to this section at any time. (b) (1) For purposes of this section, “eligible subsidiary body” means a legislative body that meets all of the following:
(A) Is described in subdivision (b) of Section 54952.
(B) Serves exclusively in an advisory capacity.
(C) Is not authorized to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, or any other entitlements, grants, or allocations of funds.
(D) Does not have primary subject matter jurisdiction, as defined by the charter, an ordinance, a resolution, or any formal action of the legislative body that created the subsidiary body, that focuses on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, removing from, or restricting access to, materials available in public libraries, or taxes or related spending proposals.
(2) An eligible subsidiary body may include members who are elected officials, members who are not elected officials, or any combination thereof.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 15. Section 54953.8.7 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.7. (a) An eligible multijurisdictional body may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) The eligible multijurisdictional body has adopted a resolution that authorizes the eligible multijurisdictional body to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section at a regular meeting in open session. (2) At least a quorum of the members of the eligible multijurisdictional body shall participate from one or more physical locations that are open to the public and within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction.
(3) A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body who receives compensation for their service on the eligible multijurisdictional body shall participate from a physical location that is open to the public. For purposes of this paragraph, “compensation” does not include reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses. (4) A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body may participate from a remote location provided that:
(A) The eligible multijurisdictional body identifies each member of the eligible multijurisdictional body who plans to participate remotely in the agenda.
(B) The member shall participate through both audio and visual technology. (5) A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body shall not participate in a meeting remotely pursuant to this section, unless the location from which the member participates is more than 20 miles each way from any physical location of the meeting described in paragraph (2). (6) The provisions of this section shall not serve as a means for any member of a legislative body to participate in meetings of the legislative body solely by teleconference from a remote location for more than the following number of meetings, as applicable:
(A) Two meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets once per month or less. 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 16/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 143 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (B) Five meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets twice per month. (C) Seven meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets three or more times per month. (D) For the purpose of counting meetings attended by teleconference under this paragraph, a “meeting” shall be defined as any number of meetings of the legislative body of a local agency that begin on the same calendar day.
(b) For the purposes of this section, both of the following definitions apply:
(1) “Eligible multijurisdictional body” means a multijurisdictional board, commission, or advisory body of a multijurisdictional, cross-county agency, the membership of which board, commission, or advisory body is appointed, and the board, commission, or advisory body is otherwise subject to this chapter. (2) “Multijurisdictional” means either of the following:
(A) A legislative body that includes representatives from more than one county, city, city and county, or special district.
(B) A legislative body of a joint powers entity formed pursuant to an agreement entered into in accordance with Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 16. Section 54954.2 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 92 of Chapter 131 of the Statutes of 2023, is amended to read:
54954.2. (a) (1) At least 72 hours before a regular meeting, the legislative body of the local agency, or its designee, shall post an agenda that meets all of the following requirements:
(A) The agenda shall contain a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting, including items to be discussed in closed session. A brief general description of an item generally need not exceed 20 words.
(B) The agenda shall specify the time and location of the regular meeting and shall be posted in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public and on the local agency’s internet website, if the local agency has one.
(C) (i) If requested, the agenda shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. (a) (ii) (1) At least 72 hours before a regular meeting, the legislative body of the local agency, or its designee, shall post an agenda containing a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting, including items to be discussed in closed session. A brief general description of an item generally need not exceed 20 words. The agenda shall specify the time and location of the regular meeting and shall be posted in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public and on the local agency’s internet website, if the local agency has one. If requested, the agenda shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
Sec. 12132), and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. The agenda shall include information regarding how, to whom, and when a request for disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, may be made by a person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in the public meeting. (2) For a meeting occurring on and after January 1, 2019, of a legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state that has an internet website, the following provisions shall apply:
(A) An online posting of an agenda shall be posted on the primary internet website home page of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state that is accessible through a prominent, direct link to the current agenda. The direct link to the agenda shall not be in a contextual menu; however, a link in addition to the direct link to the agenda may be accessible through a contextual menu. (B) An online posting of an agenda, including, but not limited to, an agenda posted in an integrated agenda management platform, shall be posted in an open format that meets all of the following requirements:
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 17/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 144 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (i) Retrievable, downloadable, indexable, and electronically searchable by commonly used internet search applications.
(ii) Platform independent and machine readable.
(iii) Available to the public free of charge and without any restriction that would impede the reuse or redistribution of the agenda.
(C) A legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state that has an internet website and an integrated agenda management platform shall not be required to comply with subparagraph (A) if all of the following are met:
(i) A direct link to the integrated agenda management platform shall be posted on the primary internet website home page of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state. The direct link to the integrated agenda management platform shall not be in a contextual menu.
When a person clicks on the direct link to the integrated agenda management platform, the direct link shall take the person directly to an internet website with the agendas of the legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state. (ii) The integrated agenda management platform may contain the prior agendas of a legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state for all meetings occurring on or after January 1, 2019.
(iii) The current agenda of the legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state shall be the first agenda available at the top of the integrated agenda management platform.
(iv) All agendas posted in the integrated agenda management platform shall comply with the requirements in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (B).
(D) The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a political subdivision of a local agency that was established by the legislative body of the city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state.
(D) (E) For the purposes of this paragraph, both of the following definitions shall apply:
(i) (1) “Integrated agenda management platform” means an internet website of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state dedicated to providing the entirety of the agenda information for the legislative body of the city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state to the public. (ii) (2) “Legislative body” has the same meaning as that term is used in means a legislative body that meets the definition of subdivision (a) of Section 54952.
(E) The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a political subdivision of a local agency that was established by the legislative body of the city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state.
(3) No action or discussion shall be undertaken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, except that members of a legislative body or its staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights under Section 54954.3. In addition, on their own initiative or in response to questions posed by the public, a member of a legislative body or its staff may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a brief report on their own activities. Furthermore, a member of a legislative body, or the body itself, subject to rules or procedures of the legislative body, may provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information, request staff to report back to the body at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter, or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the legislative body may take action on items of business not appearing on the posted agenda under any of the conditions stated below. Prior to discussing any item pursuant to this subdivision, the legislative body shall publicly identify the item. (1) Upon a determination by a majority vote of the legislative body that an emergency situation exists, as defined in Section 54956.5.
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 18/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 145 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (2) Upon a determination by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative body present at the meeting, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present, that there is a need to take immediate action and that the need for action came to the attention of the local agency subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in subdivision (a). (3) The item was posted pursuant to subdivision (a) for a prior meeting of the legislative body occurring not more than five calendar days prior to the date action is taken on the item, and at the prior meeting the item was continued to the meeting at which action is being taken. (c) This section is necessary to implement and reasonably within the scope of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution.
(d) For purposes of subdivision (a), the requirement that the agenda be posted on the local agency’s internet website, if the local agency has one, shall only apply to a legislative body that meets either of the following standards:
(1) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952. (2) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (b) of Section 54952, if the members of the legislative body are compensated for their appearance, and if one or more of the members of the legislative body are also members of a legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952. (e) This section shall become operative January 1, 2026.
SEC. 17. Section 54954.3 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54954.3. (a) (1) Every agenda for regular meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body on any item of interest to the public, before or during the legislative body’s consideration of the item, that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body, provided that no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless the action is otherwise authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 54954.2. However, the agenda need not provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the legislative body on any item that has already been considered by a committee, composed exclusively of members of the legislative body, at a public meeting wherein all interested members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the committee on the item, before or during the committee’s consideration of the item, unless the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, as determined by the legislative body. Every notice for a special meeting shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body concerning any item that has been described in the notice for the meeting before or during consideration of that item. (2) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the agenda need not provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the legislative body on any item that has already been considered by a committee, composed exclusively of members of the legislative body, at a public meeting wherein all interested members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the committee on the item, before or during the committee’s consideration of the item.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if any of the following conditions are met:
(i) The item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, as determined by the legislative body.
(ii) When considering the item, a quorum of the committee members did not participate from a singular physical location, that was clearly identified on the agenda, open to the public, and situated within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction. (iii) The committee has primary subject matter jurisdiction, as defined by the charter, an ordinance, a resolution, or any formal action of the legislative body that created the subsidiary body, that focuses on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, removing from, or restricting access to, materials available in public libraries, or taxes or related spending proposals. This clause shall not apply to an item if the local agency has adopted a law applicable to the meeting of the committee at which the item that was considered prohibits the committee from placing a limit on the total amount of time for public comment on the item. (3) Every notice for a special meeting shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body concerning any item that has been described in the notice for the meeting before or during consideration of that item.
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 19/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 146 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (b) (1) The legislative body of a local agency may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that the intent of subdivision (a) is carried out, including, but not limited to, regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated for public testimony on particular issues and for each individual speaker. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), when the legislative body of a local agency limits time for public comment, the legislative body of a local agency shall provide at least twice the allotted time to a member of the public who utilizes a translator to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the legislative body of a local agency.
(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply if the legislative body of a local agency utilizes simultaneous translation equipment in a manner that allows the legislative body of a local agency to hear the translated public testimony simultaneously.
(c) The legislative body of a local agency shall not prohibit public criticism of the policies, procedures, programs, or services of the agency, or of the acts or omissions of the legislative body. Nothing in this subdivision shall confer any privilege or protection for expression beyond that otherwise provided by law.
SEC. 18. Section 54956 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54956. (a) (1) A special meeting may be called at any time by the presiding officer of the legislative body of a local agency, or by a majority of the members of the legislative body, by delivering written notice to each member of the legislative body and to each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station requesting notice in writing and posting a notice on the local agency’s Internet Web site, internet website, if the local agency has one. The notice shall be delivered personally or by any other means and shall be received at least 24 hours before the time of the meeting as specified in the notice. The call and notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted or discussed. No other business shall be considered at these meetings by the legislative body. The written notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the clerk or secretary of the legislative body a written waiver of notice. The waiver may be given by telegram. telephone or electronic mail. The written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes.
(2) The call and notice shall be posted at least 24 hours prior to the special meeting in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a legislative body shall not call a special meeting regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits, of the legislative body or of a local agency executive, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3511.1. However, this subdivision does not apply to a local agency calling a special meeting to discuss the local agency’s budget. (c) For purposes of subdivision (a), the requirement that the agenda be posted on the local agency’s Internet Web site, if the local agency has one, shall only apply to a legislative body that meets either of the following standards:
(1) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952. (2) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (b) of Section 54952, if the members of the legislative body are compensated for their appearance, and if one or more of the members of the legislative body are also members of a legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952.
SEC. 19. Section 54956.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54956.5. (a) For purposes of this section, “emergency situation” means both of the following:
(1) An emergency, which shall be defined as a work stoppage, crippling activity, or other activity that severely impairs public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members of the legislative body. (2) A dire emergency, which shall be defined as a crippling disaster, mass destruction, terrorist act, or threatened terrorist activity that poses peril so immediate and significant that requiring a legislative body to provide onehour notice before holding an emergency meeting under this section may endanger the public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members of the legislative body. (b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of an emergency situation involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or threatened disruption of public facilities, a legislative body may hold 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 20/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 147 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act an emergency meeting without complying with either the 24-hour notice requirement or the 24-hour posting requirement of Section 54956 or both of the notice and posting requirements. (2) Each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station that has requested notice of special meetings pursuant to Section 54956 shall be notified by the presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee thereof, one hour prior to the emergency meeting, or, in the case of a dire emergency, at or near the time that the presiding officer or designee notifies the members of the legislative body of the emergency meeting. (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the notice required by this paragraph shall be given by telephone and all telephone numbers provided in the most recent request of a newspaper or station for notification of special meetings shall be exhausted. In the event that telephone services are not functioning and the legislative body is not a school board, the functioning, the notice requirements of this paragraph shall be deemed waived, and the legislative body, or designee of the legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of the fact of the holding of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible. (B) For an emergency meeting held by a school board pursuant to this section, the presiding officer of the school board, legislative body, or designee thereof, may send the notifications required by this paragraph by email instead of by telephone, as provided in subparagraph (A), to all local newspapers of general circulation, and radio or television stations, that have requested those notifications by email, and all email addresses provided by representatives of those newspapers or stations shall be exhausted. In the event that internet services and telephone services are not functioning, the notice requirements of this paragraph shall be deemed waived, and the school board, legislative body, or designee of the school board, legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of the fact of the holding of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible. (c) During a meeting held pursuant to this section, the legislative body may meet in closed session pursuant to Section 54957 if agreed to by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative body present, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, by a unanimous vote of the members present. (d) All special meeting requirements, as prescribed in Section 54956 shall be applicable to a meeting called pursuant to this section, with the exception of the 24-hour notice requirement. (e) The minutes of a meeting called pursuant to this section, a list of persons who the presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee of the legislative body, notified or attempted to notify, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any actions taken at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of 10 days in a public place as soon after the meeting as possible.
SEC. 20. Section 54957.6 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.6. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a legislative body of a local agency may hold closed sessions with the local agency’s designated representatives regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of its represented and unrepresented employees, and, for represented employees, any other matter within the statutorily provided scope of representation. representation, subject to all of the following conditions:
However, (1) prior Prior to the closed session, the legislative body of the local agency shall hold an open and public session in which it identifies its designated representatives.
Closed (2) sessions of a legislative body of a local agency, as permitted in this section, The closed session shall be for the purpose of reviewing its position and instructing the local agency’s designated representatives.
Closed (3) sessions, as permitted in this section, The closed session may take place prior to and during consultations and discussions with representatives of employee organizations and unrepresented employees.
Closed (4) sessions Any closed session with the local agency’s designated representative regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits may include discussion of an agency’s available funds and funding priorities, but only insofar as these discussions relate to providing instructions to the local agency’s designated representative.
Closed (5) sessions held pursuant to this section The closed session shall not include final action on the proposed compensation of one or more unrepresented employees. 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 21/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 148 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act (6) For the purposes enumerated in this section, a legislative body of a local agency may also meet with a state conciliator who has intervened in the proceedings.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “employee” shall include an officer or an independent contractor who functions as an officer or an employee, but shall not include any elected official, member of a legislative body, or other independent contractors.
SEC. 21. Section 54957.9 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.9. In the event that any meeting is willfully interrupted by a group or groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of such the meeting unfeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are willfully interrupting the meeting, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and continue in session. Only matters appearing on the agenda may be considered in such a session. Representatives of the press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any session held pursuant to this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the legislative body from establishing a procedure for readmitting an individual or individuals not responsible for willfully disturbing the orderly conduct of the meeting.
SEC. 22. Section 54957.95 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.95. (a) (1) In addition to authority exercised pursuant to Sections 54954.3 and 54957.9, the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee may remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting, including any teleconferenced meeting. (2) Prior to removing an individual, the presiding member or their designee shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. The presiding member or their designee may then remove the individual if they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior. This paragraph does not apply to any behavior described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(b) As used in this section:
(1) “Disrupting” means engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, one of the following:
(A) A failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body pursuant to Section 54954.3 or any other law.
(B) Engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force. (2) “True threat of force” means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat.
SEC. 23. Section 54957.96 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54957.96. (a) The existing authority of a legislative body or its presiding officer to remove or limit participation by persons who engage in behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting, including existing limitations upon that authority, shall apply to members of the public participating in a meeting via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform. (b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means an online platform that provides participants with the ability to participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service. A two-way audiovisual platform may be structured to disable the use of video for the public participants. (2) “Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
SEC. 24. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 4 of this act, which amends Section 54953 of, Section 5 of this act, which adds Section 54953.4 to, Sections 8 to 15, inclusive, of this act, which add Sections 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, respectively, to, Section 19 of this act, which amends Section 54956.5 of, Section 22 of this act, which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Section 23 of this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the Government Code, impose a limitation on the public’s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public 11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 22/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 149 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
(a) This act is necessary to provide opportunities for public participation in meetings of specified public agencies and to promote the recruitment and retention of members of those agencies. (b) This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements allowing for greater public participation in meetings.
(c) This act is necessary to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect recent technological changes that can promote greater public access to local officials.
(d) The exclusively virtual nature of the California Online Community College presents unique barriers to the requirements for an in-person quorum, a physical location for public participation, and certain accommodations.
Participating students of the online community college come from all across the state and necessitating travel for these requirements would pose a significant and exclusionary barrier.
SEC. 25. The Legislature finds and declares that Sections 1 and 2 of this act, which amend and repeal Section 54952.2, respectively, of, Section 3 of this act, which amends Section 54952.7 of, Section 4 of this act, which amends Section 54953 of, Section 5 of this act, which adds Section 54953.4 to, Section 6 of this act, which amends Section 54953.5 of, Section 7 of this act, which amends Section 54953.7 of, Sections 8 to 15, inclusive, of this act, which add Sections 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, respectively, to, Section 16 of this act, which amends Section 54954.2 of, Section 17 of this act, which amends Section 54954.3 of, Section 18 of this act, which amends Section 54956 of, Section 19 of this act, which amends Section 54956.5 of, Section 20 of this act, which amends Section 54957.6 of, Section 21 of this act, which amends Section 54957.9 of, Section 22 of this act, which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Section 23 of this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the Government Code, further, within the meaning of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, the purposes of that constitutional section as it relates to the right of public access to the meetings of local public bodies or the writings of local public officials and local agencies. Pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, the Legislature makes the following findings:
(a) This act is necessary to provide opportunities for public participation in meetings of specified public agencies and to promote the recruitment and retention of members of those agencies. (b) This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements allowing for greater public participation in meetings.
(c) This act is necessary to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect recent technological changes that can promote greater public access to local officials.
(d) The exclusively virtual nature of the California Online Community College presents unique barriers to the requirements for an in-person quorum, a physical location for public participation, and certain accommodations.
Participating students of the online community college come from all across the state and necessitating travel for these requirements would pose a significant and exclusionary barrier.
SEC. 26. The Legislature finds and declares that adequate public access to meetings is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
Therefore, this bill would apply to all cities, including charter cities.
SEC. 27. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district under this act would result from a legislative mandate that is within the scope of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution.
11/4/25, 9:03 PM Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707&showamends=false 23/23 H.1.a
Packet Pg. 150 Attachment: Today's Law As Amended - SB-707 Open Meetings and Teleconference Requirements (3763 : Senate Bill (SB) 707 – Brown Act