22 ORINDA WAY, ORINDA, CA 94563
Communications Received from the Public
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 6, 2026
ITEM E..1 – ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY –
RECOGNITION OF THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF “HOW ORINDA WORKS” Name Pages
Nick Waranoff 1-2
ITEM E. 4 – ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY –
PRESENTATION ON THE COMMUNITY WARNING SYSTEM
Name Pages
PowerPoint Presentation 3-13
ITEM I.7 – CONSENT CALENDAR –
PROCLAMATION DECLARING OCTOBER 18-24, 2026, AS “UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK” Name Pages
Nick Waranoff 14
ITEM K.1 – ORINDA COMMUNITY PARK – PLAY AREA REPLACEMENT Name Pages
Justine Lam 15-18
Liz Carlson 19
Jessica Molloy 20
Katie Oblinsky 21
Sar Warner 22-23
Justine Lam 24-26
ITEM K.2 – PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES RELEVANT TO SB 1123 Name Pages
Nick Waranoff 27
From: Nick Waranoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 1:52 PM
To: Brandyn Iverson <[email protected]>; Darlene Gee <[email protected]>; Janet Riley <[email protected]>; Latika Malkani <[email protected]>; Cara Hoxie <[email protected]>
Cc: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Comment on agenda Oct. 6, 2026 Item E1 HOW
The HOW program was not as described. With the exception of session 2, which featured our excellent chief of police and excellent fire chief, the sessions did not explain How Orinda Works, but instead was a superficial PR event, supplemented by some ridiculous games.
Session 1 did not explain how the city council works, but instead we were subjected to an excessively passionate presentation from Mayor Iverson about how important it is to her personally to remake downtown Orinda, given her families involvement with development and own professional career as a developer and attorney for developers. During Q and A, she gave a misleading explanation of the almost always unanimous votes, failing to mention that the city manager discusses each agenda item with each council member before each council meeting - - a detail that only came out after I raised questions to the city manager.
There was no actual explanation of how to, for example, effectively communicate with the council on agenda items or to propose agenda items.
The real example that the way Orinda works is to be attracted to the latest shiny object was shown in practice. The first session was held at the community center and Pizza was served. But rather than order pizza from Village Pizza across the street, a long-standing brick and mortar local business that has served us for decades, including during the pandemic, Cole ordered the pizza from 8moose, a new business on the opposite side of town.
When I asked him why, his answer was that he had tasted it and liked it. May Iverson asked me not long ago why I believe that Orinda is unfriendly a business. This is just another example.
Session 2 began with a presentation by Cole about the emergency operations plan. He explained that it is an almost 500 page document that can be pulled off the shelf and consulted for reference in the event of an emergency. To his credit, he candidly acknowledged that the dependence of the emergency operations plan on staff returning to the city to staff the center, if the emergency occurs during non-working hours, is a "vulnerability." Session 3, with Parks and rec and public Works, delivered a lot of meaningless data and ended with an overlong quiz. Although public versus private roads and storm drains is an important current issue, no meaningful information was presented.
Session 4 was a walking tour at East Bay mud which I could not attend due to a lower body injury. I am told that food was delivered from Amaromo, an excellent restaurant that is located in Moraga. Knives were needed, but not provided.
The program could have been improved immeasurably with two minor changes. (1) provide a writing implement and paper so people could take notes.(2) provide a one page handout at each session with one or more QR codes containing links to webpages relevant to that session's program, such as how to send an email to the city Council (a question I am often asked), how to sign up for notice of city and MOFD agendas, how to sign up for NIxle and CWS alerts, how to report a pothole, the facilitators report from the Townhall on public roads and drains that was held prior to Covid and that contains a wealth of info, the tree, ordinance, and the like.
Many attendees came up to me to talk to me after each session at which I was present, to thank me for my contribution. I therefore recommend more dialog, not less.
Nick Waranoff
Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Community Warning System
Program Overview
Orinda City Council: October 6, 2026 | Presented By: Lorena Herrera, Community Warning Systems Manager The Community Warning System (CWS) is Contra Costa County’s all-hazards alert and warning system. During emergencies or disasters such as hazardous materials incidents, wildfires, severe weather, or other threats, CWS issues emergency alerts when there is an imminent threat to life or safety, and residents need to take protective action. Alerts provide clear, timely information so the community understands what to do and can respond quickly to stay safe. Through these efforts, the program empowers the community to BE READY. TAKE ACTION. STAY SAFE.
To empower the community to take informed action during emergencies through timely, accurate alerts, public education, and strong partnerships with local agencies.
Introduction
Mission
CWS Program Functions
CWS provides a coordinated, whole-community approach to alert and warning by:
Delivering timely, actionable alerts
Building public trust through outreach and education
Supporting public safety agency coordination
Integrating with the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Public Information functions
Conducting trainings and supporting exercises
Sustaining countywide alert and warning capabilities
24/7 Operations
Built-in redundancy
Routine testing and maintenance
Standardized countywide alerting process
Fully trained staff to issue accurate, timely alerts
Multiple alerting methods:
Sirens
Phone / Text / Email
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
NOAA Weather Radios
Website
Social media
CWS Alert Activation Process
Incident
IC Request CWS
Alert via CCCSO
Dispatch
Dispatch
contacts CWS
Duty Officer
CWS Calls IC to
confirm
critical details
for alert
CWS Sends
Alert to Public
CWS Notification Tools
Alert Template, Message Details, Message Design
Phone, Text, Facebook
Email
Website X WEA EAS,NOAA
Sent Alert
Sirens
Alert Creation
Type of Incident Protective Actions
Evacuation Orders
Evacuation Warnings
Fire
Register for the Community Warning System, the Official Emergency Alert Notification Authority for Contra Costa County
Hazardous Materials Incident
Law Enforcement Activity
Lockdown/Avoid the Area
Attempt to Locate At-risk
Missing Persons
Shelter in Place
In your area Registered for CWS Not registered for CWS
Imminent threat Wireless Emegency Alert
Limit Character Count
Additional Incident Alerts
Incident Dependent
Evacuation Order/Warning Wireless Emegency Alert
Limit Character Count
Shelter in Place Wireless Emegency Alert
Limit Character Count
Missing Persons/Avoid the Area Incident Dependent/None
Why Register for CWS?
Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Complete Profile
How to Register
Continue to advance system reliability and
redundancy
Strengthen public understanding of CWS
Boost registrations
Refine coordination with public safety partners
Enhance CWS Training Programs
Looking Ahead
Lorena Herrera | Community Warning Systems Manager
[email protected] | 925-655-0111
From: Nick Waranoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 1:44 PM
To: Brandyn Iverson <[email protected]>; Darlene Gee <[email protected]>; Janet Riley <[email protected]>; Cara Hoxie <[email protected]>; Latika Malkani <[email protected]>
Cc: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Comment on Agenda Oct. 6, 2026 Item I 7 - proclamation I object to the proclamation because it opposes constitutionally protected speech. Hate speech is constitutionally protected. https://www.fire.org/research-learn/hate-speechlegal Banning hate speech is wrong because the result is “inevitably silencing the dissent and dialogue that democracy requires.” (Id.)
Nick Waranoff
From: Justine Lam <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2026 5:51 PM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: October 6 City Council - Item K.1 - Playground design comments Dear City Clerk Fockler,
Please distribute the attached written comments and the Better Playgrounds for Orinda petition
(https://better-playgrounds-orinda.vercel.app) to the City Council and include them with the public comments for Item K.1, the playground design discussion.
I respectfully ask the Council to hold off on approving either current design as presented, direct staff to work with residents on a stronger third alternative, and bring the revised concept back for public review before a final decision, equipment order, or construction authorization.
Thank you,
Justine Lam
Orinda Resident
925.708.1033
Orinda City Council Item K.1 | written comments | October 6, 2026 Page 1
WRITTEN COMMENTS
Item K.1 - Orinda Community Park playground design discussion | October 6, 2026 To Mayor and Members of the Orinda City Council
From Justine Lam
Subject A stronger, community-informed third option for the playground Dear Mayor and Council Members,
Thank you for investing in the future of Orinda Community Park and for inviting community feedback. I support improving the playground, and I am asking the Council to take one constructive step before choosing either current design.
Please do not approve either current design as presented. Instead, please direct staff to work with residents on a stronger third alternative and bring the revised concept back for public review before equipment is ordered or construction is authorized.
The two concepts in the City's public survey are useful starting points. As presented, however, both rely heavily on rubber surfacing, plastic equipment, faux-wood finishes, and fencing, and neither includes a sandbox. A community-informed alternative could explore natural materials, varied terrain, wood and boulders, sand and water play, imaginative movement, shade, seating, clear sight lines, accessibility, durability, and meaningful play for toddlers, older children, caregivers, and children with different abilities.
I respectfully ask the Council to make the next steps explicit:
- Which design choices remain open for community input; - How resident feedback will be incorporated and what criteria staff will use; and - When the revised design will return for public review before a final decision.
This is not a request to delay improvement indefinitely. It is a request to make the improvement stronger and more reflective of Orinda's character and the families who will use the space.
Thank you for considering this request.
Justine Lam
925.708.1033 | [email protected]
Community petition reference: better-playgrounds-orinda.vercel.app The petition website's concept drawings are labeled as Google Gemini-generated visual prompts, not official City renderings. This written comment expresses the requested direction; it does not claim to speak for every petition signer.
Better Playgrounds for Orinda | prepared October 5, 2026 Page 1
BETTER PLAYGROUNDS FOR ORINDA
A printable copy of the community petition website
For the October 6, 2026 Orinda City Council meeting
LIVE PETITION COUNT: 40 NEIGHBORS | CAPTURED October 5, 2026 at 5:48 PM PDT Let's build a playground kids can grow into.
This positive petition asks the City to work with residents on a stronger, community-informed alternative before choosing either current design.
THE ASK: Give Orinda a stronger third option.
What the petition asks for
1 Hold off on approving either current design as presented.
Take the time to respond to the concerns families have raised. 2 Work with residents on a stronger third alternative.
Explore natural materials, imaginative play, accessibility, shade, seating, and multiple ages. 3 Bring the revised concept back for public review.
Give the community a meaningful opportunity to respond before a final decision.
Why this matters
Orinda has shared two current playground options with residents. As presented, both rely on rubber surfacing, plastic equipment, faux-wood finishes, and fencing, and neither includes a sandbox. The petition asks for a place that reflects the character of the community rather than simply installing a standardized package.
Better Playgrounds for Orinda | prepared October 5, 2026 Page 2 A stronger alternative could include natural materials, uneven terrain, custom wooden climbing structures, sand and water play, shade, seating, clear sight lines, accessibility, durability, safety, and meaningful play for different ages and abilities.
Current proposals and the requested
alternative
The City's public survey presents two design concepts for replacing the Orinda Community Park play area. The petition is not asking the City to stop improving the park; it is asking the City to consider a better, community-informed option before a final decision.
Concept A - Nature themed Concept B - Art Deco themed
Community design priorities
• Nature that invites play: wood, boulders, sand, water, texture, and room for imaginative play - not just equipment.
• More ages, more ways in: meaningful play for toddlers, bigger kids, caregivers, and children with different abilities.
• Comfort for grown-ups: shade, seating, clear sight lines, durable materials, and a setting that respects Orinda's character.
About the images
The visual concept drawings on the website were generated with Google Gemini. They are conversation starters, not official City renderings, commitments, or representations of an approved Orinda design.
Petition website details
The online petition collects names and ZIP codes, with optional addresses kept private. Comments are optional, reviewed before publication, and anonymous unless a writer explicitly chooses to share their name. No Google account is required.
Current petition count: 40 neighbors. Captured from the live petition website on October 5, 2026 at 5:48 PM PDT. This is a time-sensitive website value and may change. This print copy is a faithful summary of the live petition website, not an official City document.
Sources: better-playgrounds-orinda.vercel.app | surveymonkey.com/r/2BW5WS6 | cityoforinda.gov/610/Meeting-Agendas From: Liz Carlson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2026 7:07 PM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Orinda park thoughts as a mom of 3
Hi,
I am a mom of 3 under 5 in Orinda at 57 Charles Hill Rd, Orinda, CA 94563.
We have not been able to go to Orinda Park in few recent heatwaves because there is not enough shade.
My daughter who turns 2 tomorrow (why we won’t be able to attend the town meeting) needs a shaded sandbox and prefers big kid equipment she can try, but also safely get herself down from.
They have this at pleasant hill (shade and multi-age structures.) We like a mix of natural and man-made, and limited use of rubber or things that off-gas. The new rubber at moraga tot playground is stinky and hot. Sometimes a little is needed in areas where kids could jump down from. But natural is healthier.
This is my daughter at pleasant hill.
Thank you!
Elizabeth Carlson (Liz)
From: Jessica Molloy <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 8:45 AM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Orinda Park Design
Dear City Clerk Fockler,
I respectfully ask the Council to hold off on approving either current design as presented. I ask that the Council directs staff to work with residents on a stronger third alternative, and bring the revised concept back for public review before a final decision, equipment order, or construction authorization.
Thank you,
Jessica Molloy
Orinda Resident
6103496032
From: Katie Oblinsky <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 9:22 AM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Park update public comment
Dear City Clerk Fockler,
I respectfully ask the Council to hold off on approving either of the current designs as presented, to direct staff to work with residents on a stronger third alternative, and to bring the revised concept back for public review before a final decision, equipment order, or construction authorization.
Thank you,
Katie Oblinsky M.A., BCBA
Orinda Resident
484-888-2914
- - - - -Confidentiality notice: this email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient (s) and contains confidential and privileged information or otherwise protected by law. Any unauthorized review use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Thank you for your assistance. - - - -
From: Sar Warner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 11:17 AM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: October 6 City Council – Items K.1 and I.6 – Community Park playground comments
Dear City Clerk Fockler,
Please distribute the following written comments to the City Council and include them with the public comments for Item K.1 (Orinda Community Park Play Area Replacement) and Item I.6 (Orinda Community Park Project, CIP No. 4112).
Dear Mayor Iverson and Members of the City Council,
My name is Sar. I've lived in Orinda for six years and am the parent of a 5-year-old, and our family is at Orinda Community Park several times a week. I'm grateful the City is investing in the park, and because this is a once-in-a-generation decision for the heart of downtown, I respectfully ask the Council, in its feedback on Item K.1, to:
1. Hold off on approving either current design as presented.
2. Direct staff to work with residents on a stronger third alternative featuring natural materials, open-ended play, shade, and accessibility.
3. Bring the revised concept back for public review before a final decision, equipment order, or construction authorization.
Regarding Item I.6, I ask that the Council confirm before approval that this contract does not commit the City to either play area design or its materials, or pull the item from the consent calendar for discussion.
My reasons:
Limited community input. The survey asked residents to choose between two themes with comparable equipment and offered no way to choose neither. Many residents chose the "Nature Theme" because they want a natural playground, but as presented, both concepts rely on composite equipment, rubber surfacing, and fencing. No notice was posted at the playground itself, and many families who use it daily learned about the project only in the last few weeks.
Play value. Research on nature-based play spaces suggests that natural, open-ended environments support more imaginative, unstructured play than fixed equipment over large areas of safety surfacing. You can see this at the park today, where many kids prefer the "treehouse" above the tennis courts to the existing structures.
Materials and heat. Unshaded rubber surfacing can exceed 160°F in summer, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented burns to children's hands.
Accessibility doesn't require rubber everywhere: accessible routes can be paired with certified engineered wood fiber, a natural material that stays cooler and can meet ADA surfacing standards. The Outpost playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops shows how a design can be both natural and accessible.
Sand, shade, and water. Neither concept includes a sandbox, and Orinda has no free public water play despite summer temperatures over 100°F. Shade matters most of all for keeping play surfaces safe in summer.
Staff has said the project is at 30% design with materials not yet selected, so there is still time to get this right. Many neighbors share these concerns, as reflected in the Better Playgrounds for Orinda petition: https://better-playgrounds-orinda.vercel.app Thank you for your time and service to Orinda.
Sincerely,
Sar Warner
Orinda Resident
978-821-4551
From: Justine Lam <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 2:20 PM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: K1 agenda item petition pdf updated
Justine Lam/ 林邦珊
http://about.me/justinelam
Better Playgrounds for Orinda | prepared October 5, 2026 Page 1
BETTER PLAYGROUNDS FOR ORINDA
A printable copy of the community petition website
For the October 6, 2026 Orinda City Council meeting
LIVE PETITION COUNT: 106 NEIGHBORS | CAPTURED October 6, 2026 at 12:39 PM PDT Let's build a playground kids can grow into.
This positive petition asks the City to work with residents on a stronger, community-informed alternative before choosing either current design.
THE ASK: Give Orinda a stronger third option.
What the petition asks for
1 Hold off on approving either current design as presented.
Take the time to respond to the concerns families have raised. 2 Work with residents on a stronger third alternative.
Explore natural materials, imaginative play, accessibility, shade, seating, and multiple ages. 3 Bring the revised concept back for public review.
Give the community a meaningful opportunity to respond before a final decision.
Why this matters
Orinda has shared two current playground options with residents. As presented, both rely on rubber surfacing, plastic equipment, faux-wood finishes, and fencing, and neither includes a sandbox. The petition asks for a place that reflects the character of the community rather than simply installing a standardized package.
Better Playgrounds for Orinda | prepared October 5, 2026 Page 2 A stronger alternative could include natural materials, uneven terrain, custom wooden climbing structures, sand and water play, shade, seating, clear sight lines, accessibility, durability, safety, and meaningful play for different ages and abilities.
Current proposals and the requested
alternative
The City's public survey presents two design concepts for replacing the Orinda Community Park play area. The petition is not asking the City to stop improving the park; it is asking the City to consider a better, community-informed option before a final decision.
Concept A - Nature themed Concept B - Art Deco themed
Community design priorities
• Nature that invites play: wood, boulders, sand, water, texture, and room for imaginative play - not just equipment.
• More ages, more ways in: meaningful play for toddlers, bigger kids, caregivers, and children with different abilities.
• Comfort for grown-ups: shade, seating, clear sight lines, durable materials, and a setting that respects Orinda's character.
About the images
The visual concept drawings on the website were generated with Google Gemini. They are conversation starters, not official City renderings, commitments, or representations of an approved Orinda design.
Petition website details
The online petition collects names and ZIP codes, with optional addresses kept private. Comments are optional, reviewed before publication, and anonymous unless a writer explicitly chooses to share their name. No Google account is required.
Current petition count: 106 neighbors. Captured from the live petition website on October 6, 2026 at 12:39 PM PDT. This is a time-sensitive website value and may change. This print copy is a faithful summary of the live petition website, not an official City document.
Sources: better-playgrounds-orinda.vercel.app | surveymonkey.com/r/2BW5WS6 | cityoforinda.gov/610/Meeting-Agendas From: Nick Waranoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2026 4:29 PM
To: Brandyn Iverson <[email protected]>; Darlene Gee <[email protected]>; Janet Riley <[email protected]>; Cara Hoxie <[email protected]>; Latika Malkani <[email protected]>
Cc: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda Oct. 6, 2026 Item K 2 -- SB 1123
The record should reflect that I am the person who first suggested that the City exercise the discretion that this recent law confers upon it.
Nick Waranoff