City of Orinda est 1985
 O rinda Outlook 

For the week of September 19, 2016

       By City Manager  

      Janet S. Keeter


Public Works and Engineering Services
 
Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission (CIOC) - September 14, 2016 meeting

Good news! We are making great progress on rehabilitating our residential roads with the 2012 Measure L Half Cent sales tax and the initial $20 million Measure J Bond. In 2014, the Citywide average pavement condition index was 48 (PCI - rating of quality of pavement condition; 0 being gravel - 100 being brand new road), which was considered among the bottom five agencies throughout the entire Bay Area. At the conclusion of our current paving project in 2016, our average projected PCI will be 65, which is considered in the "Good" category.
 
With the recent voter approval this past June of $25 million for the 2016 Measure L Bond, City staff and the Citizens' Infrastructure Oversight Commission (CIOC) began analyzing funding scenarios and work plans for the acceleration and expansion of the road pavement repairs to roughly $11 million per year (construction cost) from about $6 million per year at our current schedule. It is anticipated based on current funding/cost projections that all residential roads will be repaired by the Year 2020. All residential roads will be in the "Very Good" category, with no deferred maintenance costs. The average PCI for the City road network is projected to be 87.
 
In March 2016, the City Council approved the updated Road and Drainage Repairs Plan which included the recently approved Phase 3 funding ($25 million Bond) and additional Phase 4 funding ($22 million Bond/Parcel Tax) in 2018.

City Staff is cautiously optimistic and is currently projecting a net savings of $5 million due to a combination of:

1) projected lower unit prices based on the 2015 and 2016 construction contracts which included low oil prices and savings from the economy of scale of our large project;

2) accelerating the rehabilitation work to be done faster than originally scheduled; and

3) actual net savings on the bids from 2016 Paving project. The following is a breakdown of the estimated budget for the original $47 million in repairs
 
Item
Estimated Cost
Revised Est. Cost
Repair all residential roads
$23 million
$18 million ($5 million lower)
Repair all arterials/collectors
$  6 million
$  6 million (same)
Drainage Repair Set Aside
$14 million  
$14 million (same)
10% Contingency
$  4 Million
$  4 million (same)
Total
$47 Million
$42 Million
 
It is still very early, but we can be cautiously optimistic that we are on the right track with the implementation of our Road and Drainage Repairs Plan. However, if oil prices rise dramatically, relocation of utilities delay our paving work, or we encounter more difficult drainage issues; then the projected net savings and our contingency could evaporate very quickly. The Road and Drainage Repairs Plan is updated on an annual basis and the CIOC will work with staff to adjust the course as needed.

At the next CIOC meeting, staff is planning to present a list of proposed streets to be rehabilitated in 2018 and 2019, which should include all remaining residential roads. Once the CIOC has recommended the street list, it will be presented to the City Council for approval and then staff will begin soliciting for design services.

20 16 Annual and Measure J & L Pavement Rehabilitation Project
The City's Measure L and J Program is funded each year through a combination of .5% Sales Tax (Measure L) and bond (Measure J) funds. The scope of work for this program consists of repairing/reconstructing the worst most used residential streets and the associated drainage pipes under the roadways. For information and a list of streets scheduled for repair in 2016. Click Here 
This week contractor Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. placed asphalt concrete (AC) and started raising utility valve/manhole covers to roadway surface level (raising utilities) along Donna Maria Way and Rita Way. The contractor also completed raising utilities along Descanso Drive and Whitehall Drive; and continued raising utilities and setting and adjusting survey monuments along La Cresta Drive, Altamount Drive and Lost Valley Drive.
The contractor applied Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) treatment to Cedar Lane, Keith Drive, Alice Lane, Goodfellow Drive, Greenwood Court and Hall Drive. In FDR, the contractor pulverizes and mixes the old asphalt and base materials with cement and water, and compacts to produce a strong, durable base. As a surface material, the contractor places asphalt concrete (AC).  The contractor also performed minor concrete replacement along Moraga Via and Sally Ann Road.
Next week, the contractor will continue raising utilities along Donna Maria Way, Rita Way, La Cresta Drive, Altamount Drive and Lost Valley Drive. They also will place AC along Cedar Lane, Keith Drive, Alice Lane, Goodfellow Drive, Greenwood Court and Hall Drive. Moraga Via and Sally Ann Road will be FDR treated.
In addition, the contractor will replace storm drain pipes and minor concrete along Estates Drive, Candlestick Road, Oakwood Road and Warford Terrace; and will sawcut and demolish concrete at localized areas on Charles Hill Circle.
North Lane Storm Water Mitigation Project

This project consists of the installation of approximately 1,300 feet of 60-inch reinforced concrete storm drain pipe and create an outfall structure at San Pablo Creek. The storm drain bypass project is comprised of approximately 900 linear feet of 60-inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) open trench installation under the length of North Lane; and from the foot of North Lane, approximately 320 linear feet of 60-inch RCP that will be jacked and bored under Camino Pablo. An additional 80 linear feet of 60-inch RCP jacking pipe will connect to a new outfall structure upstream from the existing outfall on San Pablo Creek. The newly constructed storm drain system will also include construction of debris racks, headwalls, and inlet structures at the upstream end, manholes, connection to existing lateral storm drain pipes, fence reinstallation, and pavement repair, among other elements. Construction of this project began on June 27, 2016 and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2016.
Upon completion of the project, the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (CCCSD) will replace a main sewer pipe along the upper portion of North Lane. This work will take two (2) to three (3) weeks. Once the sewer pipe replacement CCCSD project is finalized, the City of Orinda will pave North Lane as part of the 2016 Annual and Measures J & L Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
This week the contractor Bay Cities Paving & Grading Inc. continued the placement and connection of electrical conduits for the EBMUD's water treatment plant. At San Pablo Creek, the contractor continued curing the wingwalls of the outfall structure.
Also this week, the contractor continued trenching activities along North Lane. The contractor installed the third manhole, out of five that will be installed along North Lane. On North Lane, the contractor has encountered differing site conditions that have impacted negatively the production of trenching activities. City engineering staff and construction management team are monitoring this situation.
Next week, at the EBMUD's water treatment plant, the contractor will replace concrete curbs and chain link fences and initiate the placement of asphalt in the area where they backfilled the launching pit. The contractor will also continue curing the wingwalls of the outfall structure at San Pablo Creek and trenching along North Lane.
BART - Downtown Access Ramp & Lighting Project

Bids were received on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 for the BART - Downtown Access Ramp    and Lighting project. City staff received two (2) bids, and the apparent low bidder was Alta Engineering Group, Inc. with a bid of $802,880.  The other bidder was Ray's Electric with a bid of $950,496. The bids for this project were above the engineer's estimate, so City staff will evaluate the bids for potential cost savings and will look into additional funding opportunities.

Santa Maria Park & Ride Lot Stabilization Project

At the August 2, 2016 City Council meeting, Council awarded the project to Freethy Excavating. Freethy was the low bidder with a contract amount of $219,610 of the two (2) contractors who submitted bids for the project. The construction work will include stabilizing a portion of the Park & Ride lot on Santa Maria Way by installing 2-foot diameter concrete piers, installing a new storm drain to redirect runoff from the hillside to the storm drain system, and reconstructing the portion of the parking lot affected by this work. Construction will begin at the end of September.
 


For more information and to complete the forms needed to enter the contest,
Click Here!

Upcoming Council and Committee Meeting Schedules
 
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC)
Monday, September 19, 2016, 7:00pm
Sarge Littlehale Community Room, City Hall
22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
Click Here for Materials

 Historical Landmarks Committee
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 3:00pm
Community Center Room 7
28 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563  
 
City Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 7:00pm
Library Auditorium, Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563

Finance Advisory Committee
Wednesday, September 28, 2016, 6:00pm
Sarge Littlehale Community Room, City Hall
22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA  94563 

 Click Here for Additional Information
Office of the City Clerk

CITY OF ORINDA OFFICIAL CANDIDATES
TO FILL TWO SEATS ON THE ORINDA CITY COUNCIL
 
There are two seats for the office of Council Member to be voted on
at the
November 8, 2016 General Municipal Election.
 
The following individuals have been nominated and have qualified to be on the ballot:
 
Linda Delehunt
Ballot Designation:  Business Person
 
Darlene K. Gee
Ballot Designation:  Appointed Councilmember/Engineer
 
Bruce R. London
Ballot Designation:  Retired Medical Doctor
 
Inga Miller
Ballot Designation:  Attorney/Business Owner
 
Contact Sherry M. Kelly, Interim City Clerk, at (925) 253.4221 or at
skelly@cityoforinda.org  for additional information.
Parking Study Results to be presented to the Orinda City Council


TJKM, the traffic engineering firm hired by the city to prepare a parking study
will present their findings and recommendations of the
Orinda Downtown and Affected Neighborhoods Parking Study to the
City Council on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.  The meeting will begin at 7:00pm

The meeting materials will be available by Friday, September 30, 2016 at 5:00pm.
 If you would like to be notified when the Council meeting materials are available,
Click Here and sign up for City Council meeting Email Alerts.

If you have questions, contact Tonya Gilmore at tgilmore@cityoforinda.org.
 
Crime Statistics September 11, 2016  - September 11, 2016 
Calls for Service
911 HANGUP 1 PETTY THEFT FROM VEHICLE 1
ACCIDENT 5 PUBLIC ASSEMBLY CHECK 1
ALARM FALSE 22 PUBLIC NUISANCE 1
CIVIL 4 RECKLESS DRIVING 5
CVC MOVING DETAIL 25 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 1
CVC NON MOVING DETAIL 10 SCHOOL ASSEMBLY CHECK 11
DUI MISDEMEANOR 1 SECURITY CHECK 6
FORGERY 1 SERVICE TO CITIZEN 21
HIT AND RUN MISDEMEANOR 1 SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES 1
IDENTITY THEFT 1 SUSPICIOUS PERSON STOP 2
LOUD NOISE 2 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE STOP 3
OCCUPIED STALLED VEHICLE 1 SUSPICIOUS SUBJECT 1
ORDINANCE VIOLATION 2 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE 4
OUTSIDE ASSIST 3 UNCONTROLLABLE JUVENILE 1
PARKING DETAIL 25 VACATION HOUSE CHECK 9
PATROL REQUEST 3 VANDALISM 1
PETTY THEFT FROM BUILDING 1 WELFARE CHECK 2
Arrests
DUI MISD 2 PETTY THEFT FROM BUILDING 1
       
For Information on Crime locations visit www.crimereports.com and type in Orinda
 


Planning Department    
 
PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATES
ACTION TAKEN AT SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 MEETING
 
CONTINUED PUBIC HEARINGS:
6 Sleepy Hollow Court - A continued public hearing was held to consider Design Review, Elevated Deck and Exception Permit applications to allow a 1,522 square foot addition that encroaches a maximum of 10' into a creek setback and a 643 square foot elevated deck to an existing 4,009 square foot home.
ACTION: The project was approved and the Statement of Official Action was adopted.
 
34 Charles Hill Circle - A continued public hearing was held to consider Design Review, Elevated Deck and Tree Removal Permit applications for a new multi-level, 5,626 adjusted square-foot (6,026 gross) single-family residence on a 54,191 square-foot lot.
ACTION: The project was approved and the Statement of Official Action was adopted.
 
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2 Theatre Square - A public hearing was held to consider design review to replace awnings and repaint the Theatre Square building. The historic theatre and bank would be repainted in their current (original) colors per the Crossroads Project Development Agreement. New colors would be used for the non-historic portion of the building.
ACTION: The project was approved and the Statement of Official Action was adopted.
 
PROJECT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED:
19 La Encinal - Design Review application for 1,739 square foot new home on a vacant lot. A 3,337 square foot home was previously approved by Planning Commission for this lot, but that design review approval has expired.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR UPDATES:
501 Moraga Way - A Temporary Event Permit allowing the applicant to hold the Annual Middle Eastern Festival on the grounds of St. John Orthodox Church. The Festival will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with set-up on Friday, September 23 and clean-up on Sunday, September 25.
 
43 Oakwood Road - Elevated Deck Permit to allow the construction of a 624 square foot elevated deck and 216 square foot walkway to replace an existing 242 square foot elevated deck. The deck is located approximately 160 feet away from the nearest home.
 
30 Santa Maria Way - Application for a Tree Removal Permit to remove five (5) Coast Live Oak trees located along the western parking lot.
 
2 Berkeley Avenue - Application for Elevated Deck & Exception Permits to expand the existing 440 square foot elevated deck to a 569 square foot elevated deck with a 180 square foot sunroom. An Exception Permit is required because the structures are proposed to be 1'-5" to 19'-8" from the edge of pavement.

Contra Costa County Libraries to host life science themed community events

The interactive, science-based festival includes presenters, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The events are free and open to library guests of all ages.
Guests include the Oakland Zoo with some animals to help library patrons learn about animal senses and body parts. The Aquarium of the Bay is bringing a touch tank where guests will be able to reach in and touch the invertebrates. And the Insect Lab will allow patrons to touch, hold and learn about some creepy, crawly friends.
Guests will enjoy hands-on activities like DNA extraction kits with Bio-Rad, leaf rubbing, dissecting owl pellets, building bird houses and making clay fossils.
"Libraries are places to read and to learn beyond the pages of a book," said Pittsburg Community Library Manager Ginny Golden. "Many of our library events are interactive and engage all five senses for a more complete learning experience."
This year the Contra Costa County Library is celebrating a Year of STEAM. Programming at all 26 library locations across the county is focused on engaging students and library visitors in new, fun activities designed to introduce them to science, technology, engineering, art and math.
As part of the celebration this fall, the Contra Costa County Library is hosting three Exploration Stations at library branches around the county. Each will have a different theme.
Exploration Station #1
Saturday, September 17
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Pittsburg Library
80 Power Avenue
Theme: Life Science

Exploration Station #2
Saturday, October 22
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way
Theme: Rad tech
Learn about flying drones, building robots and virtual reality.
Exploration Station #3
Saturday, November 19
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Hercules Library
109 Civic Drive
Theme: Earth and space science
Look at the sun through a solar telescope, pan for gold and make your own space helmet.
To learn more about the Exploration Stations and the Year of STEAM, please visit http://ccclib.org/steam/ .
For general questions about the event, please call the Pittsburg Library at (925) 427-8390.
Parks and Recreation
 
Orinda Youth Association Fall Sports Update
This past Saturday marked the start of the 2016 Orinda Youth Association (OYA) Fall Soccer League. After weeks of preparation, players finally put their skills to the test during game play. This year there are 70 teams in divisions U5 through U14, consisting of 750 players. OYA seeks to teach youth, ages 4 through 13, the fundamentals of each sport while developing them as players and kind, supportive and courageous youth, in a fun and safe environment. The OYA Fall Soccer League runs through November 5.
 
Register Now for Basketball
Registration is now open for OYA Basketball. Teams are crea ted in early December and the league runs January 2 through March 11. Register your child today to take advantage of the early registration fees and to ensure that your child gets a spot in the league.
 
Developmental League
This basketball program, for kindergartners through first grade, is designed to introduce young players to the fundamentals of the sport in a team environment through drill work then a short scrimmage vs. another team. Each week consists of a 30-minute practice followed by a 30-minute game on Saturday mornings. New this year, scrimmages will be played 3 vs. 3. These small-sided games will give each player more touches, giving them more opportunities to develop their skills.
Early registration, received by November 7: $165 (R)/$170 (NR)
Registration received on November 8 or later: $190 (R)/$217 (NR)
 
Youth Basketball League
This recreational league, for grades second through fifth, exposes players to the fundamentals of basketball and allows players to hone their skills. Players learn the game of basketball in a fun, fast-paced, team-oriented, and positive environment. Teams have one practice and one game per-week for eight weeks. All players participate at least half of every game.
Early registration, received by November 7: $160 (R)/$184 (NR)
Registration received on November 8 or later: $185 (R)/$212 (NR)
Downtown Planning Options and Community Engagement

At the September 6, 2016 meeting of the City Council, Planning Director Drummond Buckley presented a report outlining downtown planning options and community engagement strategies. 

The meeting was well attended, with a standing-room-only crowd and approximately 30 speakers.  In addition, we received approximately 120 pieces of correspondence from members of the public.

After receiving the report, listening to public testimony and asking questions of staff, the City Council directed staff to return at a future City Council meeting with the following:

1.   A more detailed strategy to engage downtown property owners.

2.   Regarding a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) option from the nonprofit ULI:
      a)  Present suggested questions or issues that ULI could address as part of the TAP process
       b)  Bring a representative from ULI to answer questions from the City Council

3.   Provide additional information regarding the potential services of Main Street America  as it pertains to downtown planning.

4.   Identify potential grant sources for revitalization of San Pablo Creek.
    For more information, the following items are available online:
  1. Background Planning Documents.
We have not scheduled the next meeting date but will ensure that
the information is announced when the date has been confirmed.   
Orinda Farmers Market
Morning Market & Music - Saturdays 9:00am - 1:00pm
Janet Keeter
City Manager
  
We would like to hear from you!
Send your comments or questions to:
or call 925-253-4291