City Council Regular - March 03, 2026
A.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Cara Hoxie, Latika Malkani, Janet Riley Vice Mayor Darlene Gee, Mayor Brandyn Iverson
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 New Employees - Cole Haselip, Assistant to the City Manager and Estela Ramirez, Management Analyst
D.2
Certificate of Recognition - American Red Cross Month
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 for Approval at 030326 Meeting.pdf
2. Attachment A - City Council Minutes of February 17, 2026 - 5pm Study Session.pdf
3. Attachment B - City Council Minutes of February 17, 2026 Regular Meeting.pdf The City Council will consider approval of the Meeting Minutes of:
February 17, 2026, 5 p.m. Study Session
February 17, 2026, Regular Meeting
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve City Council Minutes of:
February 17, 2026, 5 p.m. Study Session
February 17, 2026, Regular Meeting
F.2
Repeal and Replace the City of Orinda’s Municipal Code Chapter 8.20, Fire Safety, with this Chapter that Reflects the City’s Ratification of MOFD Ordinances 26-01 and 26-02
1. Staff Report - 2025 Fire Code Update.pdf
2. Attachment A - MOFD Ordinance 26-01 (California Fire Code, International Fire Code).pdf
3. Attachment B - MOFD Ordinance 26-02 (California Wildland-Urban Interface Code).pdf
4. Attachment C - City Council Resolution 11-26 Ratifying MOFD Ord 26-01.pdf
5. Attachment D - City Council Resolution 12-26 Ratifing MOFD Ord 26-02.pdf
6. Attachment E - Orinda City Council Ordinance 26-04 Repealing and Replacing Municipal Code Chapter 8.20, “Fire Safety”.pdf
7. Attachment F - January 21, 2026 Staff Report re MOFD Ordinance 26-01 Adopting Fire Code.pdf
8. Attachment G - January 21, 2026 Staff Report re MOFD Ordinance 26-01 Adopting Wildland-Urban Interface Code.pdf The City Council will consider ratification of Moraga-Orinda Fire District (“MOFD”) Ordinances 26-01 and 26-02. These ordinances adopt the 2025 California Fire Code and, by reference, the 2024 International Fire Code, and the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and modifications to those codes to reflect local conditions with associated findings. The City Council will also consider the introduction of City of Orinda Ordinance 26-04 to repeal and replace the City of Orinda’s Municipal Code Chapter 8.20, “Fire Safety,” with a version of this Chapter that reflects the City’s ratification of MOFD Ordinances 26-01 and 26-02.
RECOMMENDATION:
Take the following actions:
Adopt Resolution 11-26 ratifying MOFD Ordinance 26-01, which adopts the 2025 California Fire Code and, by reference, the 2024 International Fire Code, and makes modifications to those codes to reflect local conditions, and includes MOFD’s Findings of Fact that the proposed amendments are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions.
Adopt Resolution 12-26 ratifying MOFD Ordinance 26-02, which adopts the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and makes modifications to those codes to reflect local conditions and includes MOFD’s Findings of Fact that the proposed amendments are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions.
Introduce Ordinance 26-04 to repeal and replace the City of Orinda’s Municipal Code Chapter 8.20, Fire Safety, with an updated version of this Chapter that reflects the City’s ratification of MOFD Ordinances 26-01 and 26-02, waiving a full reading of the text.
F.3
Municipal Pooling Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
1. Staff Report - Municipal Pooling Authority Joint Powers Agreement.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 14-26 Approving MPA JPA Agreement Amendment.pdf
3. Attachment B - Amended and Restated Municipal Pooling Authority Joint Powers Agreement.pdf
4. Attachment C - Redline Version of Amended and Restated Municipal Pooling Authority Joint Powers Agreement.pdf The City Council will consider Resolution 14-26 to approve the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) with the Municipal Pooling Authority. The Authority is updated portions of its Agreement to reflect recently reviewed revisions, both substantive and minor in nature.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution 14-26 Approving the Amended and Restated Municipal Pooling Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for providing Property, Workers' Compensation, Public Liability, and Other Insurance Coverages.
F.4
Budget Increase for Off-leash Dog Park Project (CIP #5024)
1. Staff Report - Dog Park Supplemental funding 3-3-2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Location Map.pdf
3. Attachment B - Fence Layout - Dog Park.pdf
4. Attachment C - Budget Change Form #011-26.pdf
The City Council will consider a budget increase for CIP #5024 in order to fund the improvements associated with installing fencing at Orinda Oaks Park and Open Space. The current CIP budget for this project is $45,000, and therefore supplemental budget of $28,000 is needed in order to build the project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Budget Change Form #011-26, appropriating $28,000 from Fund 700 for the Dog Park Project.
G.
PUBLIC HEARING
H.
POLICY MATTERS
H.1
City of Orinda 2026 Legislative Platform
1. Staff Report - City of Orinda 2026 Legislative Platform 030326 .pdf
2. Attachment A - 2026 Legislative Platform - Clean.pdf
3. Attachment B - 2026 Legislative Platform - Redlined.pdf The City Council will consider the proposed 2026 Legislative Platform. The Platform is consistent with the adopted 2025 Platform with some refinements and reorganization of information within the document itself. The Guiding Principles and the Public Policy Priority Categories remain the same.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the City’s 2026 Legislative Platform.
H.2
Infrastructure Committee Report of Activities, Including Framework for Acceptance of Private Roads
1. Staff Report - Infrastructure Committee Report .pdf
2. Attachment A - Infrastructure Committee Work Plan.pdf
3. Attachment B - Resolution 59-18.pdf
The City Council will receive a report from the Infrastructure Committee on its work plan efforts, including a framework for revisions to the City’s Private Road acceptance policy. The Infrastructure Committee is seeking direction on the proposed framework before its next meeting later this month.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive update from the Infrastructure Committee and provide feedback on the framework.
H.3
Housing Law Senate Bill 1123 Study Session
1. Staff Report - Housing Law Senate Bill 1123 Study Session - Senate Bill 1123 03032026.pdf The State of California recently expanded the Starter Home Revitalization Act (Government Code § 66499.41 and § 65852.28) through SB 1123 and AB 130, mandating ministerial approval for subdivisions of up to 10 units on eligible vacant single-family parcels. Because state law explicitly grants local agencies the authority to determine whether Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are permitted on these newly created small-lot parcels, and also grants local agencies the authority to determine whether an SB 9 lot split may occur on a parcel previously subdivided through the Starter Home Revitalization Act, this report outlines the baseline developmental requirements of the Act, provides an overview of other relevant state laws that have impacted single family residential development in Orinda, and requests that the City Council provide direction on options to establish local regulations for future ADU entitlements or SB 9 lot splits on parcels created through Government Code § 66499.41 subdivisions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive this report and provide policy direction
regarding
the preferred approach to parcels subdivided
pursuant to
the amended Starter Home Revitalization Act
regarding
a) allowing or disallowing ADUs and JADUs, and b) disallowing further ministerial subdivision pursuant to
urban lot splits (Government Code § 66499.41).
H.4
Discussion Regarding Possible Joint Meeting with Town of Moraga and Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District
1. Staff Report - Discussion Regarding Joint Tri-Agency Meeting.pdf The City Council will discuss the possibility of a joint meeting with the Town of Moraga and the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District. This was a Matters Initiated
from the February 3, 2026, City Council meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction to Staff.
I.
COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
J.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
K.
MATTERS INITIATED
L.
ADJOURNMENT
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.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.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 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~
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.