[0:06] show

[0:26] everyone.

[0:29] Oh, no. We called on. That's what I

[0:32] touch.

[0:34] >> No.

[0:38] » Thank you. Thank you.

[0:49] » We'll begin in two minutes.

[1:27] Thank you.

[1:57] Pledge of Allegiance.

[1:59] We have pledge of allegiance.

[2:02] We have uh a number of candidates and I

[2:05] think continuing uh members of the

[2:07] Moraga uh involvement youth involvement

[2:10] committee. If you guys could lead us in

[2:12] the pledge of allegiance that would be

[2:13] wonderful

[2:18] » collectively of course

[2:22] » I pledge algiance to the flag of the

[2:25] United States of America and to the

[2:28] republic for which it stands. One nation

[2:31] under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[2:35] justice for all.

[2:41] » Thank you greatly. We have no

[2:43] presentations tonight. And then this

[2:46] takes us on to public communication.

[2:48] This time is reserved for those in the

[2:50] audience who wish to address the town

[2:52] council on items that are not on this

[2:54] agenda. You will have up to three

[2:57] minutes to make your comments.

[2:59] The council cannot discuss details or

[3:01] vote on items not on the agenda. If

[3:04] appropriate, your concerns may be

[3:07] referred to the town manager for a brief

[3:09] comment or for further review.

[3:12] Note that public uh input pertaining to

[3:16] a specific item on the agenda may be

[3:18] made during consideration of of that

[3:20] item.

[3:22] I have one card for public comment and

[3:26] that is Steve Danzinger

[3:29] representing the UC Master Gardeners.

[3:32] >> Hey. Uh, hi. Hi. Uh, Mayor Walliki,

[3:36] members of the council. I'm Steve

[3:37] Danziger. Um, I'm representing UC Master

[3:40] Gardeners today and I'm here to tell you

[3:42] about an exciting program that's going

[3:44] to happen uh in a Moraga. who probably

[3:46] heard about it already, but um we're

[3:48] going to be um partnering with MOFD and

[3:51] we're going to um landscape uh Fire Wise

[3:54] Landscape Station 42 on Maraga Road. Um

[3:58] and we approved it uh the MOFD board

[4:01] approved it on August 20th and we made a

[4:03] formal presentation at that meeting. So

[4:06] um I'm here today just to let you know

[4:09] about the project coming. I think it'll

[4:10] be a great project and that's a very

[4:12] visible location. Um we we made the the

[4:16] formal presentation on August 20th and

[4:18] it's available if you want to see it on

[4:20] our website maf.org.

[4:23] Um but if you would like us to come back

[4:24] at your next meeting, you can talk with

[4:27] Scott or or whatever you want to do. If

[4:28] you want us to come back and make that

[4:30] same presentation to you to show to show

[4:33] you the plans, a draft plan and a little

[4:35] bit more about the program, we'd be

[4:37] happy to do that. Um we're having our

[4:39] first meeting on Friday um at the site.

[4:41] We have a good group of local master

[4:44] gardeners. Um and um we're also

[4:47] partnering with uh some other groups. Uh

[4:49] East Bay Mud has already told us that

[4:51] they're going to be interested in um

[4:53] taking care of the irrigation there.

[4:55] They don't do the irrigation, but

[4:57] they'll be giving us some money

[4:58] hopefully. Uh and MOFD did uh fund this

[5:01] project for $5,000 to get us started.

[5:04] Um, we're going to be going into the

[5:06] community, um, local hardware stores,

[5:08] nurseries, uh, and landscape suppliers

[5:11] and asking them for donations as well.

[5:14] Um, and so, you know, I'm just here to

[5:16] tell you about it and I I hope to come

[5:18] back and maybe talk about it some more

[5:20] with you. Um, I think it's going to be a

[5:22] great project as a bunch of people who

[5:24] are really excited about it. Uh, we've

[5:26] spoken to, uh, the Moraga Garden Club as

[5:29] well. uh they're interested though um

[5:32] they don't know how much physical work

[5:34] they can put in but certainly you know

[5:36] picking out some weeds and things and I

[5:38] just want to tell you one of the big

[5:39] components in any UC master gardener

[5:41] approved project which this is is an

[5:44] educational component and that's how it

[5:46] qualifies and so we will be doing um

[5:48] educational classes out there um we have

[5:51] to do them at least quarterly and so

[5:52] we're going to do it at least quarterly

[5:55] um which will be um to uh disseminate

[5:58] information on um firewise gardening uh

[6:01] firewise landscaping to to the public.

[6:04] Um we hope to have um different types of

[6:07] landscaping out there. Probably I'm

[6:09] thinking about one um native plant area,

[6:12] one that's probably going to be

[6:13] Mediterranean and native plants and

[6:15] maybe one mostly hardscape. And plus

[6:17] we're going to showcase um different

[6:19] types of like paving stones and perhaps

[6:22] some uh nonwood uh gates uh on the

[6:26] project as well. So, I'm just here to

[6:28] tell you about it and uh you'll be

[6:30] hearing more about it and hopefully

[6:31] you'll you'll come by when you know when

[6:33] we start going and and take a look. So,

[6:36] >> town manager, may we try to schedule

[6:38] that for a future meeting once uh a a

[6:42] plan is is well enough to

[6:44] >> you know how to get a hold of me. You

[6:45] can get a hold of me and real quick

[6:47] comment.

[6:48] >> Yeah, comment question. Um, one thing

[6:50] that, you know, I'm as a de diyer, I

[6:55] tend to like watching YouTube clips to

[6:59] show me how to do a variety of things

[7:01] around my property. And I'm just

[7:04] wondering if y'all had considered doing

[7:06] either a YouTube clip or Tik Tok series

[7:10] on the development of um this landscape

[7:14] so that people could use it uh for tips

[7:17] on how to make their uh their yards more

[7:20] firewise.

[7:21] >> Well, we're having our initial meeting

[7:22] on Friday at the station uh with the

[7:25] other master gardeners. I can bring it

[7:27] up.

[7:28] I'm probably not the techie guy to do

[7:30] that, but maybe there's someone in our

[7:31] group. Um, as master gardeners, I'll

[7:34] just tell you that I have um I partner

[7:36] with another person and we've made we've

[7:38] spoken to um we started during the

[7:41] pandemic. So, we've probably made this

[7:43] presentation to over 2,000 people right

[7:45] now and we do home hardening and uh

[7:48] firewise landscaping and so that's

[7:50] available on the uh UC Master Gardener

[7:53] YouTube station at all times. But that's

[7:55] a good idea and I'll I'll bring it up on

[7:57] Friday and see if see if there's any

[7:59] interest.

[8:00] >> Steve, thank you so much. And I would

[8:01] also note to thank uh Steve Danzinger

[8:04] here for as a long-term member of the

[8:08] Moraga Rinda Fire District Board.

[8:10] >> Thank you. Okay. Thank you.

[8:12] >> Thank you.

[8:14] >> Okay. Are there any other public

[8:17] comments?

[8:19] I see no hands. So that moves on to

[8:23] adoption of the meeting agenda. Do I

[8:25] have a motion to adopt the meeting

[8:26] agenda?

[8:27] >> I move that we adopt the meeting agenda

[8:30] uh and follow through on staff's

[8:33] recommendation to pull item 9B

[8:36] um for the item to be uh considered at a

[8:39] future date uncertainty.

[8:40] >> Okay. Yeah, we'll we'll we'll do that at

[8:42] that point.

[8:42] >> Okay.

[8:43] >> Um is there a second to just approve the

[8:47] agenda?

[8:47] >> Second.

[8:49] >> All those in favor? I

[8:50] >> I

[8:52] >> The motion passes unanimously. That

[8:54] moves us on therefore to the consent

[8:57] agenda. And there are three items on the

[9:00] consent agenda. Um

[9:05] are there any items to be removed from

[9:07] the consent agenda? Any proposals?

[9:11] >> Yes, vice mayor. I'd like to approve or

[9:14] remove item 6.3

[9:17] um just for a staff discussion on the

[9:20] record of what this is.

[9:23] >> Okay. Any other to be moved

[9:25] >> there to be removed? If not, um is there

[9:30] a motion to approve 6.1 and 6.2?

[9:33] >> So moved.

[9:34] >> Is there a second?

[9:36] >> Second.

[9:37] >> Mr. Mayor, we need public comment before

[9:38] the vote.

[9:39] >> Yes. Thank you.

[9:41] Are there any public comments on items

[9:43] 6.1 and 6.2 of the consent agenda? 6.1

[9:48] being to receive accounts payable claims

[9:51] for the term of August 1st to August

[9:54] 29th of 2025.

[9:58] I see no hands. The second item is

[10:02] approval of minutes for the August 27th,

[10:04] 2025 regular meeting of the Maraga Town

[10:07] Council. Are there any public comments?

[10:09] I see no hands. So, let's move on to

[10:12] item 6.3.

[10:14] >> We can take a look on 6.1 and 6.2.

[10:18] >> You have a motion and a second on the

[10:19] floor.

[10:19] >> We have a motion and a second. Thank

[10:21] you.

[10:24] » All those in favor, please say I.

[10:26] >> I.

[10:26] Opposed or abstensions? It passes

[10:29] unanimously.

[10:31] Let's move on to 6.3.

[10:33] Vice Mayor, floor is yours.

[10:35] >> Um, yes. I I just would like staff to

[10:38] discuss exactly what this is and why it

[10:40] was necessary.

[10:45] » Good evening, Nate Lavine, senior

[10:47] engineer at Town Maraga. Um, yeah, great

[10:49] question. We have been working with P

[10:52] Gen on this project for a handful of

[10:54] years. It came from a planned

[10:56] improvement that they were conducting on

[10:58] Country Club and some of the minor

[11:01] residential streets um to the north, you

[11:03] know, past basically it's north of um

[11:05] where canyon splits off of uh Moraga

[11:09] Road, so up going up Country Club and so

[11:11] forth. uh as part of the agreement that

[11:14] we initially fell with um P Gen for

[11:17] their encroachment permit which is

[11:18] required whenever they do work they had

[11:20] some uh additional restoration

[11:22] requirements because those streets were

[11:24] under what's called paving moratorum

[11:26] meaning we had recently expended effort

[11:28] and money to repave and upgrade those

[11:31] streets. Unfortunately, their project

[11:32] didn't come in prior to that. So they

[11:34] had to cut up the street again to add in

[11:37] their required infrastructure. And then

[11:39] we have additional requirements for the

[11:41] restoration. They completed their work

[11:44] in multiple phases. Um after kind of the

[11:47] second phase, they did a lot of the

[11:48] trenching is what it's called. Um and we

[11:50] went out there and looked and said,

[11:51] "Okay, the road's in really great

[11:53] condition. They didn't leave any gaps or

[11:55] issues that were going to be maintenance

[11:57] problems. And then they were moving on

[11:58] to what was phase three, which was a

[12:00] microsurfacing or like a slurry coat

[12:02] that goes on top of the roadway. We

[12:05] reviewed it and said, you know, sure,

[12:07] this could you could do this, but it

[12:09] doesn't improve the road quality or

[12:11] extend the useful life cycle. And we

[12:13] decided that actually it would be better

[12:15] if we received a buyout or a payment

[12:18] from P Gen for the cost for that

[12:20] microsurfacing. So that way we could

[12:22] defer it to when it's more useful and

[12:24] more needed. So instead of just having P

[12:26] Gen spend money, we um took that effort

[12:29] and are recouping it for a future effort

[12:31] and future paving projects that we would

[12:33] then be able to utilize when it's

[12:35] required or more necessary.

[12:36] >> So to be clear, will the area that's

[12:39] being ripped up that was just repaved be

[12:42] restored? What uh what condition will it

[12:45] be in once once P Gen is is done with

[12:47] their work?

[12:47] >> So it's it's been restored, so to speak.

[12:51] um they're required to do what's called

[12:53] a a large T- cut. It's either 2 feet or

[12:55] 4 feet past their trench, which is

[12:57] building back really good material so

[12:59] that way there's no um basically divots

[13:02] or or potholes that would form from

[13:04] something like that. So the roadway is

[13:06] in great shape as far as that goes

[13:08] structurally. And then from

[13:09] aesthetically, which is not, you know,

[13:11] really our focus, but something we do

[13:12] consider. It doesn't look like you have

[13:14] a bunch of checkers out there, which is

[13:16] the concern because that, you know, that

[13:17] can be frustrating, especially when the

[13:19] road is is more or less fresh or virgin

[13:22] as they call it.

[13:23] >> And last question. So, you mentioned

[13:24] that this stretch of road um was

[13:27] currently under a roadway moratorum. Um

[13:30] I'm just wondering is we're doing a lot

[13:33] of road projects. Do all of those uh

[13:35] projects once completed have a similar

[13:38] moratorum which would then if a utility

[13:40] or somebody else had to rip it up draw

[13:42] this kind of fee and if so how long does

[13:45] that moratorium go for?

[13:46] >> The moratoriums range based on the type

[13:48] of street arterials uh and collector

[13:51] streets have a longer moratorum where

[13:53] residential streets have a shorter

[13:55] moratorium. It's something we are always

[13:57] reviewing whenever we get for example P

[13:59] Gen is doing a project in the Campell

[14:01] Lindo neighborhood right now. those

[14:02] streets are under moratorium. We took a

[14:04] similar approach to kind of negotiate

[14:06] the right type of restoration that's the

[14:08] most beneficial for the town as well as

[14:10] the residents in the area. So this is

[14:12] something we're always looking at in the

[14:15] future. We work as much as we can with P

[14:18] Gen Eastbay MUD so they're aware of our

[14:20] paving program. They try to get their

[14:23] projects in before our paving project.

[14:26] It's not something we can force them to

[14:28] do and they aren't always obligated. Um,

[14:31] so then things like this happen, we go

[14:33] through an exception, we go through an

[14:34] encroachment permit, it all gets

[14:36] documented and then we ensure that we

[14:38] get the best product and the most useful

[14:40] product for the town and the residents

[14:41] as a result.

[14:42] >> Thank you.

[14:44] >> Other questions or comments from town

[14:46] council members?

[14:49] I'm seeing no nothing from up here. Any uh comments or questions from the

[14:57] public?

[14:58] I'm seeing no hands. Um, is there a

[15:02] motion therefore?

[15:05] » I move

[15:08] uh item 6.3

[15:11] >> to be approved as

[15:13] >> approved to authorize the town manager

[15:15] to execute a pavement restoration

[15:18] >> release agreement with PG

[15:20] >> as proposed.

[15:21] >> Um, is there a second?

[15:24] >> I'll second.

[15:25] >> All those in favor say I. I I

[15:29] there's no one to oppose, so it passes

[15:31] unanimously.

[15:34] That takes us on to announcements and

[15:36] reports on activities.

[15:39] Brian, would you like to kick this off?

[15:42] >> Sure. Um I had two meetings. Um, one was

[15:46] with um one of the upper management of

[15:51] NGO um regarding the GAD um item that

[15:57] was on the agenda several months ago. It

[15:59] was more of an introduction for me. I

[16:00] had not met him before and uh he just

[16:04] gave me some perspective on the

[16:05] discussion that we had. Uh Yuri, I'm

[16:09] going to butcher his last name, but

[16:10] >> Elu.

[16:11] >> Elahu. Yes. Thanks, Mayor. And then I

[16:15] also uh was able to take a tour of the

[16:19] um item that we're going to continue

[16:20] later, I think. Uh the Bowlinger Canyon

[16:23] Emergency Evacuation Route. Um I was

[16:26] given a tour by former council member

[16:28] and mayor Teresa Oneda and Suzanne

[16:31] Jones, and we walked uh pretty much the

[16:34] entire route all the way to the staging

[16:36] area in San Ramon.

[16:39] Oh,

[16:42] >> Graeme.

[16:43] >> Um,

[16:44] >> thank you.

[16:45] Brian. Um, I think my only

[16:47] other um announcement would be had a

[16:50] similar tour of said area um number of

[16:54] weeks ago um also with Susan Jones, uh

[16:57] former mayor Theresa Naida, and former

[17:00] um council member Dave Shapiro.

[17:03] >> Thank you, Vice Mayor.

[17:06] I think I may be announcing that I'm the

[17:08] only member of the council and including

[17:10] the uh the town manager that has yet to

[17:12] actually uh hike this trail. So

[17:15] hopefully I'll uh my schedule line will

[17:17] be able to get that taken care of in

[17:20] short order. Um that said, I want to

[17:23] make a comment that's on a more serious

[17:26] uh note. The assassination today of

[17:29] conservative political activist Charlie

[17:31] Kirk serves as a stark reminder of the

[17:34] urgent need to foster a culture of

[17:37] respect and understanding regardless of

[17:39] our differing political viewpoints. I

[17:42] urge our leaders in particular to

[17:45] champion efforts that promote unity,

[17:48] empathy, and a commitment to peaceful

[17:50] discourse. Together we can build a more

[17:53] respectful and inclusive society for

[17:55] everyone. My condolences to the Kirk

[17:58] family. Thank you.

[18:00] >> Thank you. I I directionally I agree.

[18:04] There's there's no question.

[18:09] So I would like to primarily talk

[18:11] tonight uh on

[18:14] the subject of uh organization and

[18:17] recent efforts regarding

[18:20] uh the organization is entitled

[18:22] sustainable contracasta

[18:24] and uh we've been a a member of their

[18:27] network uh since about 2020

[18:30] and it's got a very broad focus

[18:34] regarding s you know sustainable living

[18:36] works with a wide range of organizations

[18:39] and people. We pay an annual fee to this

[18:43] organization

[18:45] and um it it has a competition between

[18:51] cities

[18:53] in terms of how well they're doing in uh

[18:56] achieving in in improving on

[18:59] sustainability.

[19:00] And so far uh this challenge has

[19:03] included over 6,000 households.

[19:06] Uh it increased again by almost 300 last

[19:10] year. Uh saved 180 tons of CO2 with

[19:14] 11,000 gallons of gas and um

[19:19] you know and $17,000.

[19:22] The city leaderboard in position number

[19:24] one is Moraga with points and they give

[19:27] points for each each activity that is

[19:30] accomplished. Um approximately 1 million

[19:33] or 1,250

[19:35] points. Second place is Arinda 991,000

[19:40] points. Then comes Martinez at about

[19:43] 800,000 W Creek about 650,000.

[19:46] Antioch 50 uh almost 600,000 and

[19:49] Lafayette 550,000. So, um, you know, we

[19:54] should be honored that we're number one.

[19:56] Now, I'd like to say it's because of

[19:57] what I do and all the adults, but it's primarily Camp Belinda High School.

[20:02] The the the you guys at Campo High are

[20:05] really gung-ho about this subject, and I

[20:07] really commend that commend the high

[20:10] school for that. And, you know, for the

[20:12] town council members, if you're not

[20:14] familiar with it, we can get you that

[20:16] the website so you can uh learn about

[20:18] this activity. Um and and it is per

[20:22] pertinent

[20:24] in the not too distant future. We're

[20:25] going to be talking about climate action

[20:27] plan and there's there's definitely a

[20:29] nexus between that. Um I also note that

[20:34] next week on September 17th

[20:37] uh so they are holding their 17th annual

[20:41] awards gayla from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in

[20:44] Pleasant Hill. And as a network member,

[20:47] we get three tickets

[20:50] and I'm going to attend. So there are

[20:52] two other available tickets. Um and a a

[20:56] citizen of Moraga, Marty Marty Roach, is

[21:00] going to receive one of the awards that

[21:02] evening. So, um,

[21:06] if anyone else any

[21:07] >> year of the date,

[21:09] >> uh, September 17th,

[21:11] which is, uh, I think a week from today,

[21:15] >> I will be

[21:17] >> any any takers,

[21:20] you're out of town.

[21:23] >> Let me get back to you.

[21:24] >> Sure. Thank you.

[21:26] So, we we may have another ticket to uh

[21:30] Are you do you have a dinner

[21:32] arrangements yet for that evening, town

[21:33] manager?

[21:34] >> I think Denise and I will arm wrestle

[21:36] and the loser has to go.

[21:39] >> Oh, come on now. Uh okay. So, um that

[21:43] takes us on to the task manager. Do you

[21:46] have any comments input at this point?

[21:51] » I'll go.

[21:52] >> No.

[21:53] >> Later,

[21:53] >> I'll go.

[21:54] >> Okay. Do you have any?

[21:55] >> Oh, you'll go.

[21:56] >> Oh, okay. Do I have

[21:57] >> Oh, comments for report.

[21:59] >> No, I'll do at the end of the meeting.

[22:00] Thank you.

[22:00] >> Okay. So, uh that takes us on to public

[22:04] hearings. We have none. Takes us on to

[22:07] therefore department reports. And item

[22:10] 9A is swearing in of the new Moraga

[22:13] Youth Involvement Committee.

[22:16] Mayor, is there is there a report?

[22:20] >> There is. Um good evening, mayor and

[22:23] members of the town council. My name is

[22:25] Jasmine Bateson. I'm the recreation

[22:27] manager and this will be my eighth term

[22:30] serving as the staff adviser to the

[22:32] Moraga Youth Involvement Committee. Um

[22:34] I'm here tonight recommending 21

[22:37] applicants which were included in your

[22:39] agenda packet to the to be appointed to

[22:41] the youth involvement committee, 13 of

[22:43] whom are here tonight. Um,

[22:47] just as kind of an overview, the Moraga

[22:49] Youth Involvement Committee is a space

[22:51] for Moraga youth in grades 7th through

[22:54] 12th um to learn about civic engagement,

[22:58] advise on youth needs, and volunteer in

[23:01] their community. Um, this year we

[23:03] received 34 applications to serve on

[23:07] this committee. Um, and those who are

[23:10] not being recommended for appointment

[23:12] have been invited to attend committee

[23:14] meetings, participate during public

[23:16] comments, and contribute to agenda

[23:18] discussions as non- voting participants.

[23:21] So, the 21 here tonight are being

[23:23] recommended as the voting uh members of

[23:25] the committee. Um, each applicant was

[23:27] interviewed individually to assess their

[23:30] interest, availability, um, and

[23:33] potential contribution.

[23:35] The group I'm recommending brings

[23:37] diverse perspectives, interests, and

[23:39] experience, and together they will

[23:42] provide a strong collective voice as

[23:44] Moraga's youth. Um, over the years, the

[23:47] Moraga Involvement Committee has made

[23:49] meaningful contributions to this

[23:51] community. Each year, members volunteer

[23:54] and support town events such as the

[23:57] treelighting ceremony, breakfast with

[24:00] Santa, and our a and the recreation

[24:02] department's annual spring tea party.

[24:05] Past committees have also taken the lead

[24:07] in hosting their own community events,

[24:10] often in collaboration with other youth

[24:12] committees um with within Larinda. Um,

[24:16] some of the highlights over the last few

[24:18] years include a spring fest with a

[24:20] cultural fair that was hosted at Moraga

[24:22] Commons in 20

[24:25] 22. Um, a battle of the bands supporting

[24:29] suicide awareness that was held in

[24:32] Lafayette and a social pickle ball

[24:34] tournament in collaboration with the

[24:36] Arinda Teen Advisory Committee. In

[24:38] addition, the committee has partnered

[24:40] with local nonprofit organizations to

[24:42] address community needs from organizing

[24:44] coat drives, towel drives to creating

[24:47] holiday cards for youth and hospice

[24:49] care. And so, these are just a few

[24:52] examples. These all stem from the

[24:54] passions of the youth within this

[24:56] community. Um, but I'd like to take a

[24:59] few minutes to invite both a new

[25:01] applicant and returning applicant to the

[25:04] podium tonight. um just to share about

[25:06] their experience and hopes for the year.

[25:08] Um so Ria, if you'd come up first,

[25:11] please.

[25:15] Hello, my name is Ria Shaw. I'm a junior

[25:19] oh at Camp Belindo High School. Um, this

[25:22] I've served on NYC for the past two

[25:25] years and it's really taught me a lot

[25:27] about leadership and also about the

[25:29] Moraga community as a whole through

[25:31] volunteering events which I was able to

[25:33] see what Moraga really does and how we

[25:36] involve all ages of the community into

[25:39] um supporting one another and really

[25:42] just yeah uplifting one another. Um,

[25:46] Moraga has also taught me a lot about

[25:48] how to be confident when speaking to an

[25:50] audience like I'm doing now. Um, and

[25:52] also among my peers, I've really learned

[25:55] and grown through the NYC community, uh,

[25:59] NYC committee. My first year, I was very

[26:01] shy and I didn't talk a lot. And last

[26:03] year, um, I was subcommittee chair for

[26:06] an event that we're trying to get done

[26:08] this year. Um, I'm really looking

[26:10] forward to supporting mental health

[26:12] awareness this year. I feel it's very

[26:14] important to me and I would love to

[26:17] uplift the youth of Lamarinda um and

[26:20] supporting their mental health along

[26:22] with the sustainability that we have

[26:24] continued to do. Thank you.

[26:26] >> Thank you.

[26:30] » All right. And Alex, if you'll come up

[26:32] to the podium.

[26:38] » Hello. My name is Alex Martinez Deaz.

[26:40] I'm in ninth grade or a freshman in Camp

[26:43] Lindo right over there. Um, for this

[26:47] year, I'm really excited to be able to

[26:50] join MYIC as I can volunteer for many of

[26:55] the events that may help my community,

[26:58] my peers, and also my school over here.

[27:02] Um, I mean, I just really enjoy trying

[27:07] to uplift the community and I also enjoy

[27:12] these um,

[27:15] community meetings to understand what's

[27:17] happening within Moraga and also the

[27:20] smaller things that happen.

[27:23] Thank you so much.

[27:25] >> Thank you so much.

[27:29] Thanks, Ria and Alex. I appreciate it.

[27:33] Um, I think that while brief, these

[27:36] perspectives um really show kind of a

[27:39] broad range of what all of these young

[27:42] people behind me represent

[27:44] um and their commitment to serving

[27:46] Moraga. Um it is wonderful that 13 of 21

[27:50] are actually here tonight um while many

[27:52] of them have e other extracurricular um

[27:56] commitments as well. Um, so this evening

[27:59] I'm recommending that these 21 youth be

[28:01] appointed to the youth involvement

[28:03] committee for the 2025 2026 term um and

[28:09] receive the oath of office.

[28:12] >> Thank you. Before we go to that, are

[28:15] there any comments by council members?

[28:18] >> I have a few questions.

[28:21] How many of the 21 are returnees?

[28:24] There are 11 returnees.

[28:27] >> And how did we land on 21?

[28:31] >> The bylaws indicate 21. So beyond that,

[28:35] >> somebody created the bylaws.

[28:38] >> I would imagine that 21 it's going to be

[28:41] um

[28:44] you'll be more successful in achieving a

[28:46] quorum of young people.

[28:50] >> Enough said.

[28:55] No questions,

[28:56] >> Vice Mayor.

[28:58] >> Uh, questions and comments, right?

[29:00] >> Fine. Absolutely.

[29:01] >> So, I want to thank you all for uh being

[29:04] willing to volunteer for your community.

[29:07] As I'm sure you know, Moraga is a

[29:09] community that depends on volunteers.

[29:12] Everyone that's sitting up here um

[29:14] across from you, we're all volunteers.

[29:17] uh our commissions are uh our

[29:20] volunteers, even our gardening on some

[29:23] of our traffic medians are done by

[29:25] volunteers. So, I'm hoping that this is

[29:28] for you really the start of being able

[29:31] to go out and do volunteer activities,

[29:34] not just for our community, but for our

[29:37] society. Um the things that we're doing

[29:40] here, these are things that you can do,

[29:42] too, if you if you're crazy enough to

[29:43] want to do it. Um and but I do thank you

[29:46] all for uh coming forward. One thing

[29:49] that I would say and now also rub it in

[29:51] for the town manager um that uh the

[29:54] holiday tree lighting this year is

[29:57] likely to also be a holiday tree and

[30:01] manora lighting as soon as the town

[30:03] manager gets the application off. Um

[30:07] I told you I was going to rip on you.

[30:08] >> Send a note to the rabbit.

[30:10] >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Um, so maybe we need

[30:13] to rename it to just holiday lighting. I

[30:16] don't know. Whatever. Whatever is punchy

[30:18] and fits on a poster. Thank you.

[30:22] >> Thank you. I think

[30:25] >> um it's my honor to read uh a statement

[30:29] from uh council member Lisa Majio who uh

[30:34] is one of the adviserss for the uh

[30:38] committee and but cannot attend tonight.

[30:41] So her statement goes as follows.

[30:44] Congratulations to each of you on your

[30:46] appointment to the Moraga Youth

[30:48] Involvement Committee. I'm sorry I

[30:50] cannot be with you this evening, but

[30:52] please know how proud and grateful we

[30:55] are for your commitment to civil civic

[30:58] engagement. Your voices bring the

[31:01] invaluable perspective of our

[31:03] community's youth, reminding us of the

[31:06] importance of including your generation

[31:09] in shaping Moraga's future. The time and

[31:11] energy you devote to volunteer projects

[31:14] makes a real difference for everyone who

[31:17] lives and works here and we deeply value

[31:20] the insight and enthusiasm you

[31:23] contribute.

[31:25] Personally, I echo those comments and those are the other comments of my

[31:30] co-consil members. Um I uh I did review

[31:34] the agendas for the committee from last

[31:37] year. I was really very impressed by the

[31:41] uh the depth and the breadth of the

[31:43] activities including and especially

[31:45] working with uh youth from um Arunda and Lafayette. Um and I do have a

[31:55] question. There is a note about the

[31:59] California Association of Student

[32:01] Councils regional cabinet applications.

[32:05] Can can someone explain that to me how

[32:07] that that that is connected with the committee?

[32:14] » It's not directly connected to the

[32:16] committee.

[32:17] >> Um that application comes out annually

[32:20] and is shared as an an additional

[32:23] opportunity for committee members.

[32:25] >> Thank you. I saw that in the one of the

[32:27] agendas and wanted to understand it. My final comment um besides saying thank

[32:33] you is um I see from the agendas that

[32:37] tomorrow night you're going to be

[32:38] dealing with some administrative issues

[32:41] um bylaws, election of officers, uh

[32:44] committees, objectives, goals for the 25

[32:47] 26 term. sounds like some of the things

[32:49] that we do annually uh and volunteer

[32:52] opportunities but also review of the

[32:55] Brown Act and pol parliamentary

[32:57] procedures and and the Brown Act is a

[33:00] very interesting act. Uh it's been

[33:02] around for a while and an indication of

[33:05] how long it's been around is that it was

[33:07] enacted the same year I was born. So

[33:10] that was

[33:12] it survived a long time.

[33:15] Are we going to do an official uh oath

[33:17] of office? And how do we handle the um

[33:20] other um attendees who or members who

[33:24] could not attend tonight? Will they have

[33:26] a separate oath? They'll come into your

[33:28] office. I guess

[33:29] >> I can actually give Jasmine the papers

[33:32] that all of the members need to sign and

[33:34] we'll have them sign it.

[33:35] >> Okay. Thank you. And my understanding is

[33:37] that the minimum number is 13. So it's

[33:40] somewhere between 13 and 21. Yeah. Okay.

[33:43] M

[33:45] Do you have to perform the oath

[33:46] yourself?

[33:47] >> I think we have the the clerk does.

[33:51] >> Mr. Mayor, we should take public comment

[33:53] before we take a motion to appoint.

[33:54] >> Thank you for the reminder.

[33:58] Is there any public comment on this item

[34:01] tonight?

[34:04] Parents?

[34:07] Okay. I see no public comments. So,

[34:10] let's move on and we turn it over to you

[34:13] for that.

[34:14] or we point. I

[34:16] >> think we need a vote and a second point

[34:20] and then um once the appointment is

[34:22] supported by a majority of the council,

[34:25] then um the clerk can swear the members

[34:27] that are present in Okay.

[34:29] >> Um and for the record, can we get a

[34:31] listing of the names so that it's clear

[34:33] what the names are? Uh can you

[34:35] >> in the attachment? It might be easier

[34:37] for Jasmine to read them out and then

[34:39] council members can say as indicated by

[34:42] staff

[34:42] >> collectively or

[34:43] >> Yes, I think so.

[34:44] >> As you can see, this is not rehearsed.

[34:47] >> 21.

[34:48] >> So, do you want the motion first and

[34:50] then she fills in the 21 or how how does

[34:52] it seem to work?

[34:54] I I move that we will appoint the

[34:58] members of the Moraga Youth Involvement

[35:00] Committee who are will now be named

[35:05] Kaiden Bronson, Zaden Bronson, Finley

[35:10] Catel, Alana Chu, Ellie Cook, Vivian

[35:15] Dunn, Olivia Ing, Isabella Fung, Axel

[35:21] Harkavi,

[35:22] Kyla,

[35:25] Sorry, that's Kayla. IP, Sophie Lou,

[35:28] William Ma, Max Martinez, Deaz, Alex

[35:33] Martinez, Deaz, Haley Plantinga, Julian

[35:38] Papov, Ria Shaw, Zahin Shaw, Kish

[35:43] Shrievasta, Laura Winski, and Caitlyn

[35:47] Ye.

[35:51] » Thank you.

[35:52] Is there a second to that motion?

[35:55] >> Second.

[35:58] >> All those in favor?

[36:00] >> I I It passes unanimously.

[36:03] >> Now we can do photos.

[36:05] >> Oh, we we have to do

[36:06] >> Oh, yeah. The oath.

[36:09] >> Oh, if you could stand facing me in

[36:12] front of the dis. So, in a line. Can

[36:15] >> we get out of the way?

[36:16] >> Nope. You're fine.

[36:25] Okay. So, I'm going to start this just a

[36:28] little uh instruction. I'm going to

[36:30] start by saying I state your name. Say

[36:33] your name. Don't don't you'll repeat

[36:35] after me, but when I say state your

[36:37] name, say your actual name.

[36:40] Okay. If everybody will raise their

[36:41] right hand.

[36:44] Okay? And repeat after me. I state your

[36:47] name.

[36:48] >> I

[36:50] do solemnly swear

[36:52] >> do solemnly swear

[36:54] >> that I will support and defend

[36:58] >> the Constitution of the United States

[37:03] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[37:05] California

[37:06] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[37:07] California

[37:08] >> against all enemies

[37:12] >> foreign and domestic

[37:15] >> that I will bear true faith and

[37:17] allegiance

[37:18] >> that I will will bear true faith and

[37:20] allegiance

[37:21] >> to the Constitution of the United States

[37:25] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[37:27] California.

[37:28] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[37:30] California.

[37:31] >> That I take this obligation freely

[37:36] >> and without any mental reservation

[37:41] >> or purpose of evasion.

[37:45] >> And that I will well and faithfully and

[37:48] I will well and faithfully

[37:50] >> discharge the duties

[37:53] >> that I am about to enter.

[37:57] >> Congratulations.

[37:59] You're done.

[38:09] » Does it work better to be up here or in

[38:11] front?

[38:15] down there.

[38:18] >> Well, we will be direct.

[38:20] >> Okay.

[38:23] » Where would you like to be?

[38:24] >> Um, just kind of interspersed.

[38:27] >> Okay.

[38:34] >> Three down.

[38:38] >> I'm just trying to get everybody like

[38:39] kind of squished. I don't get this

[38:54] Okay, you're good. Thank

[38:55] >> you.

[39:39] Yeah.

[39:40] I've got my

[39:49] » good night all. Thank you so much for

[39:52] coming

[39:54] and participating.

[39:59] » Okay,

[40:02] we're going to move our

[40:04] We better get the uh town manager in the

[40:06] seat.

[40:10] 6:30.

[40:12] >> Mhm.

[40:16] » Okay.

[40:19] So, that completes item 9A. We now move

[40:23] on to 9B, which is the feasibility study

[40:26] to use Ballinger Canyon Road as an

[40:28] emergency evacuation route.

[40:33] Town Manager, is there a

[40:36] report on this item?

[40:41] » Mr. Mayor, members of the council, uh,

[40:43] as indicated on the revised agenda,

[40:45] staff at this time is recommending that

[40:47] this item be continued to a date to be

[40:49] determined.

[40:51] So, no report, just that.

[40:53] >> So, there's no no report.

[40:55] >> That's correct.

[40:56] >> Are there any So, let's go through this.

[40:59] Are there any questions by members of

[41:02] the town council on this?

[41:07] Okay.

[41:08] And are there any public comments on

[41:10] this? No.

[41:15] Any comments then by town council

[41:18] members? No. So I'm ready for a motion.

[41:24] And

[41:25] >> I'll move that item 9B be continued to a

[41:28] date uncertain.

[41:30] >> Second.

[41:31] >> All those in favor?

[41:33] >> I.

[41:36] >> Motion carries.

[41:39] » That moves us on to item

[41:42] 10, which is count council member

[41:44] request for future agenda items.

[41:47] Are there any requests for future agenda

[41:49] items?

[41:52] >> I'd like to talk about this for just a

[41:53] minute. um future agenda items. Um it's

[41:58] addressed in in section 6.1.10 10 of the

[42:02] protocols

[42:04] which sort of um goes through this this

[42:08] process. And you know, I want to preface

[42:11] this by saying that this item

[42:16] um has been well, it is our opportunity

[42:20] as a group to proactively raise an issue

[42:28] >> or some

[42:30] suggested recommend or action

[42:33] potentially.

[42:34] It's the only the only opportunity for

[42:36] us to do that as a group.

[42:39] And um it in theory is a great

[42:44] opportunity for us, but I got to tell

[42:46] you historically it hasn't necessarily

[42:49] worked very well for a number of reasons

[42:51] including

[42:53] just personalities and and a range of

[42:57] reasons. So at some part point oh

[43:00] probably 10 five years ago or so maybe a

[43:04] year longer um we

[43:09] adjusted it and set some expectations

[43:11] for this and that's what's what's given

[43:14] here in in the protocols

[43:17] and the first pro paragraph basically

[43:20] says or sort of sets the the the frame

[43:23] but it says the first thing town council

[43:25] members should do is get together with

[43:27] the town manager and see if the town

[43:31] manager can agree

[43:33] does agree that it ought to be put on

[43:35] the agenda. And then if the town manager

[43:39] agrees, it gets put on the agenda and

[43:41] gets handled like any agenda item. If

[43:44] the town manager doesn't agree, well

[43:47] then it it gives three options for how

[43:51] to pursue this as part of this future

[43:54] agenda item. and one is to request to

[43:58] place the matter as a discussion item at

[44:00] a future agenda item meeting, excuse me,

[44:03] future meeting, thus allowing the town

[44:05] council to discuss whether the issue

[44:08] warrants further exploration with staff

[44:10] resources. This is that option of it's

[44:14] an idea and rather than try to get the staff to really do substantial work

[44:20] on it, you have a discussion. Maybe that

[44:23] discussion lasts for 10 minutes. Maybe

[44:24] it lasts for 25 minutes. It may well be

[44:27] that this town council says, "No, this is this isn't worth it." Or they

[44:31] may say collectively, "You know what? We

[44:33] ought to we ought to pursue this to in

[44:35] some way, shape, or form." And staff,

[44:37] could you please? That's item number

[44:39] two. Place the matter as an agenda item

[44:43] in a a future meeting with limited staff

[44:46] report and resources. So that's the

[44:49] second option

[44:51] proposing such as a group and the third

[44:54] one is to basically do the same place

[44:56] the matter on an agenda item for the

[44:58] future meeting with full staff report

[44:59] and resources. So that's that's sort of

[45:02] the the communication

[45:04] and what we

[45:08] set as a sort of a expectation

[45:12] was that if if one of the town council

[45:14] members proposes just an uh something

[45:18] that they want to discuss is to be

[45:20] liberal in allowing it recognizing that

[45:24] this is the only opportunity to um raise

[45:28] an issue. I I I I don't want to take it

[45:30] any any any further than that tonight.

[45:32] just that uh I hope that um in the

[45:35] future if if I I raise an issue um just

[45:40] for discussion and and

[45:42] I'll I'll honestly I I'll tell you that

[45:46] I think that there may be opportunities

[45:47] with regard to um

[45:52] wildfire safety that may warrant us

[45:56] not within the cycle of setting goals

[45:58] and priorities but outside of that that

[46:00] cycle that may warrant aren't

[46:03] consideration by the group because we

[46:05] are really dealing with a change here.

[46:08] Okay,

[46:10] that's all I got. Okay, good. Thank you

[46:13] for listening to me. Um,

[46:19] now I think that takes us on to uh town

[46:21] manager reports. Wait a minute, let me

[46:24] make sure.

[46:27] Informational items. Are there

[46:28] anyformational items?

[46:31] Um, Mr. Mayor, members of the council,

[46:35] the next I had no followup from tonight

[46:38] other than when Mr. Danzer was

[46:40] presenting and I did chat with him a

[46:42] little bit. So, we'll definitely put

[46:44] that on an upcoming agenda when he can

[46:45] come in and and and talk to the council

[46:48] and the community to talk about what's

[46:49] going on with fire station 42. I I I've

[46:52] had a couple conversations with our fire

[46:54] chief about that. So, we're working very

[46:55] closely to

[46:57] um make it attractive out there and also

[46:59] lead by example. We're very grateful

[47:02] that they're finally going to do

[47:03] something with a dirt patch in the front

[47:05] that everybody sees every day. Um okay,

[47:08] so the next meeting of the council will

[47:11] be on September 24th. relatively light

[47:13] agenda and if time if we have enough

[47:17] information we may be placing on the

[47:19] agenda the Camino Pablo uh subdivision

[47:22] for um a small number of homes in south

[47:25] part of the community. If if we know the

[47:28] date of when it's going to go to the

[47:30] county board of supervisors then we'll put it on the agenda for the

[47:34] council if you want to convey any

[47:36] comments to the board. Um, I've been

[47:38] asked by by more than one council member

[47:40] if we would do that. I think we even

[47:42] said we would look at that at a council

[47:44] meeting. Okay. So, we we'll try for the

[47:47] 24th if we're ready. If not, it'll be at

[47:48] a date that works. We've been told it

[47:50] might come to the supervisors as soon as

[47:53] October or November. So, we want to make

[47:55] sure we have enough time to get your

[47:57] input if if you have any.

[48:01] Um, that

[48:04] we have a few few other items. all the

[48:05] food food trucks issue timely issue um

[48:08] because some questions been raised about

[48:10] the food truck that's moving around here

[48:12] on on RE. So, we were directed by the

[48:15] council to come back with um a potential

[48:18] ordinance or policy on the food trucks

[48:20] regulation issue. So, we will do that

[48:22] maybe as soon as the 24th. If not, then

[48:25] it'll be in October or November. Hey,

[48:28] with respect to some exciting things

[48:29] that are coming up. Oh, exciting

[48:31] announcements. So, today St. St. Mary's

[48:33] College announced that they will be

[48:35] bringing division one aquatic sports for

[48:39] men and women to the college. This is a big deal while why while other

[48:45] colleges are cutting back on swimming

[48:47] and stuff, we're going to be diving into

[48:50] it.

[48:52] >> So, it'll be um a water pool and

[48:54] swimming

[48:56] >> starting next year.

[48:57] >> Just a quick question. Will that require

[48:59] any modification of their existing um

[49:02] sporting facilities like expansion?

[49:05] >> Yeah, not not initially. So, the devil

[49:07] is in the details. I haven't seen the

[49:09] media release. I I know they made their

[49:11] presentation today. I was looking for

[49:12] it. I didn't find anything. So, we'll

[49:14] have more information and we'll likely

[49:16] have somebody from the college, if not

[49:18] Dr. Thompson himself, the president of

[49:20] the college, come here and just say

[49:21] something at the beginning of a meeting.

[49:23] But, I thought I'd tell you now because

[49:24] it it was made public uh today. Maybe

[49:27] there'll be a newspaper story tomorrow

[49:29] about it or or coming up. So, it's

[49:31] really really exciting. The

[49:33] >> or the mayor could also ask him tomorrow

[49:35] at the Kuanas meeting.

[49:36] >> Yeah. Dr. Thompson is the uh speaker

[49:38] tomorrow at Kuanas for those who would

[49:40] like to attend and he's going to talk

[49:41] about this. Uh to answer the question

[49:43] though, for the first couple years uh

[49:46] because the the college president did

[49:48] meet with the mayor and I about a week

[49:50] or so ago and made us aware of this.

[49:52] They will uh likely use the pool at Camp

[49:54] Oolindo or other places for practicing.

[49:57] They do have a pool on campus. It's not

[49:59] quite the right size. So, for the first

[50:02] couple years, they'll be playing all

[50:03] away games.

[50:05] >> And if they for home games, if they have

[50:07] any, maybe they'll be at the high school

[50:09] or somewhere. I I we don't know.

[50:11] >> Yeah.

[50:12] >> Um they have to figure it out.

[50:14] >> This is this really exciting. So,

[50:16] college president is new. He's been here

[50:17] a year. He's doing his best to grow the

[50:20] enrollment. were suffering. We were

[50:22] suffering from declining enrollment but

[50:23] enrollments are up this year by by 6%.

[50:26] They also started a nursing program.

[50:28] This is the first uh semester of that

[50:31] like small number 2025 students but that

[50:34] number is expected to grow and they're

[50:36] doing some other things academically and

[50:38] athletically. They're starting to do

[50:40] work on the um the ball field lights,

[50:42] the baseball field lights, then the work

[50:44] on the softball field and then the

[50:46] football stadium. They're also working

[50:49] on doing upgrades to the library, the

[50:52] rugby clubhouse, and and so on. But I'm

[50:55] making the uh the town attorney nervous

[50:57] because this is not on the agenda.

[50:59] >> Okay. Um

[51:01] yeah. Um

[51:04] the pair wine festival is coming up on

[51:06] September 27th

[51:08] and there's just a lot of great things

[51:10] that that are happening over the next

[51:11] couple months. So that's the town

[51:13] manager update.

[51:14] >> Sorry, another followup. Um, did we have

[51:17] any followup on I know at the last

[51:18] meeting we raised the question over

[51:20] whether or not we could have a free

[51:21] speech table for council members

[51:24] potentially to cycle through uh adjacent

[51:27] to the Moraga booth.

[51:29] >> Free speech

[51:30] >> since we can't uh have a table at the

[51:33] farmers market.

[51:34] >> They want it at the pair festival.

[51:36] >> Oh yeah, you could. Yeah, you could do

[51:37] that. We'll just do it.

[51:39] >> So my my request I know it's not

[51:42] >> we mean for the council members to to be

[51:44] present. We'll have to decide. We can

[51:46] >> Yeah, it's our event. We can do that

[51:47] >> time. But

[51:48] >> no, that's right.

[51:50] >> Yeah.

[51:51] I would be available during that

[51:53] period.

[51:54] >> And I think I can do probably the

[51:56] morning before my kids go.

[51:58] >> We we we need to and of course that's

[52:01] just a couple weeks away. Uh need to

[52:04] decide what we're going to put at the

[52:06] table.

[52:08] >> Sounds good.

[52:09] >> Right. So

[52:10] >> committee subcommittee for that. Uh, can

[52:12] we? Sure.

[52:15] I think so.

[52:17] >> Not right now.

[52:18] >> Yeah. I was just gonna say, do we have

[52:19] to do we have to make a motion?

[52:21] >> Uh, the town manager will work on that

[52:23] outside of the meeting.

[52:24] >> Yeah, because we we have booths there

[52:26] and so on if if council members want to

[52:28] be there and just answer questions,

[52:30] whatever. Be careful about free speech.

[52:32] The way you labeled that, but it'll be

[52:34] there for information.

[52:34] >> Can we have the town council members

[52:36] there is basically the cleaner question?

[52:38] >> The answer is yes, and we'll take care

[52:39] of the details. Maybe we can work on

[52:41] whether we need a separate booth or we

[52:43] just, you know, stand at the booth with

[52:46] a big

[52:46] >> we'll make it work.

[52:47] >> Big hat on that says, you know, never

[52:50] mind.

[52:51] >> My my thinking is it should probably be

[52:53] a separate table because individually we

[52:54] can't speak for the town.

[52:56] >> Y

[52:57] >> it's it will not be a problem.

[52:59] >> Okay,

[52:59] >> good. Thank you. So, if there's nothing

[53:03] else,

[53:05] this may be a record. Um, town council's

[53:08] uh next regularly scheduled public

[53:10] meeting will be September 24th. Thank

[53:13] you. This concludes our September 10th

[53:15] town council meeting.

[53:19] » Thank you. I think I can actually make

[53:21] dinner time.

[53:22] >> Good.

Town Council Meeting - September 10, 2025

Transcript