City Council Regular - December 16, 2025
A.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Darlene Gee, Cara Hoxie, Janet Riley
Vice Mayor Brandyn Iverson, Mayor Latika Malkani
B.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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
Introduce Amalie Zahradnickova, Tabor Visiting Student and Recognize the Acalanes School District and Miramonte High School for their Educational Support
D.2
Mayor's Award of Excellence - Moraga Orinda Fire District
D.3
Mayor's Award of Excellence - Orinda Tabor Sister City Foundation
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
Approval of City Council Minutes
1. Staff Report - City Council Minutes 121625.pdf
2. Attachment A - City Council Minutes of December 2, 2025.pdf The City Council will consider approval of the Minutes from the December 2, 2025, Meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve City Council Minutes of December 2, 2025.
F.2
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit Report and other compliance reports
1. Staff Report FY 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit Report and other compliance reports.pdf
2. Attachment A - TDA Financial Statements for FY 2024-25.pdf
3. Attachment B - Report on Appropriations Limit for FY 2025-26.pdf
4. Attachment C - Report on Internal Control for FY 2024-25.pdf
5. Attachment D - Auditor's Communication for FY 2024-25.pdf The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), which contains the Auditor’s Opinion, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, is complete and ready for City Council acceptance. The auditors have given the City an unmodified or “clean” opinion on the ACFR. This is shown as the Independent Auditors’ Opinion letter in the audit report. In addition to the ACFR, there are four other compliance reports being presented for acceptance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); Transportation Development Act Funds Report (TDA); Appropriations Limit Report; Report on Internal Controls (ROIC); and Required Communication for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025.
F.3
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Development Impact Fee (AB 1600) Report
1. Staff Report FY 2024-25 Developer Impact Fee (AB 1600) Report.pdf
2. Attachment A- FY 2024-25 Developer Impact Fee Report.pdf
3. Attachment B - Resolution 66-25.pdf
State law requires the City to review and report on an annual basis the status of development fees collected to finance public improvements. The Annual Report, which is shown as an attachment to this staff report (Attachment A), complies with the requirements of the Mitigation Fee Act.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution 66-25 Accepting the FY 2024-25 Development Impact Fee Report and Make Findings Regarding the Continuing Need for Unexpended Balances of Development Impact Fees as of June 30, 2025.
F.4
Local Agency Special Tax and Bond Accountability Act (SB 165) Report FY 2024-25
1. Staff Report - Local Agency Special Tax and Bond Accountability Act (SB 165) Report FY 2024-25.pdf
2. Attachment A - City of Orinda Road Library Tax Report FY 2024-25.pdf
3. Attachment B - City of Orinda Road 2014 Bonds Report FY 2024-25.pdf
4. Attachment C - City of Orinda Road 2016 Bonds Report FY 2024-25.pdf To be in compliance with the Local Agency Special Tax and Bond Accountability Act (Government Code Sections 50075.3 and 53411 of the State of California), City Council must accept and file the reports for the Local Agency Special Taxes for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the Special Tax and Accountability Act Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025.
F.5
Introduction of Ordinance - Changes to the Orinda Municipal Code to Reflect 2025 California Building Code Update
1. Staff Report - 2025 California Building Code Public Hearing.pdf
2. Attachment A - Ordinance 25-07 with Appendix A (2025 Building Code adoption with modifications).pdf
3. Attachment B - Draft Resolution 63-25 with Appendices A and B (Findings in Support of Changes, Additions, and Deletions to Statewide Building Standards Code).pdf
4. Attachment C - Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Ordinance No. 2025-19.pdf The City Council will consider the introduction of Ordinance 25-07 to change the Orinda Municipal Code related to the 2025 edition of various State code sections. Additionally, the City Council will review Resolution 63-25, adopting Contra Costa County’s Findings in Support of Changes, Additions and Deletions to Statewide Building Standards Code and introducing the City’s findings regarding the need for modifications to the California Green Building Standards Code, which find that the modifications to the Building Codes are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions and which are in conformance with the requirements of State Assembly Bill 130.
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduce Ordinance 25-07, which includes a determination that it is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), waiving a full reading.
F.6
Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements Project (Project No. 5019) Design Approval and Construction Contract
1. Staff Report- Award Camino Pablo Median Landscape Project No. 5019.pdf
2. Attachment A - Camino Pablo Plan.pdf
The City Council will consider approving a design and awarding a construction contract to Marina Landscape, Inc. for the Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements Project (Project No. 5019). Developed to enhance evacuation efficiency and emergency vehicle access along one of Orinda’s primary emergency routes, the Project includes two new median openings, updated irrigation, landscaping, traffic safety improvements, and installation of a Qwick Kurb delineat ion s
y
stem
.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the design for the Camino Pablo Median Landscape Improvements (Project No. 5019) and 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 .
G.
PUBLIC HEARING
H.
POLICY MATTERS
H.1
Proposed Solid Waste Rate Adjustments for Orinda Residential and Commercial Customers for March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027
1. Staff Report - Solid Waste Rate Adjustment for Rate Year 26-27.pdf
2. Attachment A - RecycleSmart's Summary of Orinda Rates - Rate Year 12.pdf
3. Attachment B - HF&H Refuse Vehicle Street Maintenance Cost Analysis.pdf The City Council will review, discuss, and receive public input on the proposed solid waste rate adjustments in order to provide input to the City’s two representatives, Councilmembers Gee and Riley, who serve on the RecycleSmart Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors, for consideration of rate adjustments to be effective March 1, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review, discuss, and receive public input on the proposed solid waste rate adjustments.
H.2
Selection of Mayor for a Term Beginning December 2025 through December 2026
H.3
Selection of Vice Mayor for a Term Beginning December 2025 through December 2026
H.4
Oath of Office to New Mayor and Vice Mayor
H.5
Acknowledge Service to the Community of Outgoing Mayor Latika Malkani
I.
COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
J.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
K.
MATTERS INITIATED
L.
ADJOURNMENT (Refreshments in Library Art Gallery Immediately Following Meeting.) Please visit the City's website at www.cityoforinda.gov to view the City Council Meeting 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.gov. 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 available on the City's website at www.cityoforinda.gov ~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 discetion. 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.gov. Unless otherwise noted, City Council actions include a determination that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply. ~Accessible Public Meetings~
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.