The Orinda City Council will vote Tuesday, July 21, on a $505,400 contract extension for wildfire evacuation planning and consider adopting a new citywide Emergency Operations Plan.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Orinda Library Auditorium.
The five-member council, led by Mayor Brandyn Iverson, will consider extending the city's contract with Ladris Technologies for two more years at $252,700 per year, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount to $505,400. The extension, listed under Resolution No. 56-26, would keep the firm's wildfire scenario modeling and evacuation planning services running through August 29, 2028.
Ladris powers OrindaReady.com, the preparedness platform the city launched in January 2026 with more than 100 publicly available evacuation scenarios. The platform also includes ember-casting models that show how fires spread during extreme wind events, according to a city news flash.
"When it comes to emergency preparedness, waiting until there's an ongoing wildfire or evacuation is too late," City Manager Linda Smith said in a January 14 press release announcing the platform's launch.
At the same meeting, the council will hold a public hearing on the 2026 Emergency Operations Plan, an all-hazards document covering wildfires, earthquakes, severe weather, utility disruptions, and hazardous materials incidents. Adoption would come via Resolution No. 58-26.
Housing and zoning changes
On the consent calendar, the council will vote to adopt Ordinance 26-05, which amends the city's subdivision and zoning codes to set state-authorized limitations on parcels created under California's Starter Home Revitalization Act. The ordinance was introduced at the July 7 meeting. The state law requires cities to ministerially approve small housing projects of up to 10 units on urban lots under five acres zoned for multifamily use, though fire hazard zones are ineligible.
Downtown facade grants
A public hearing will also cover Ordinance No. 26-07, which would streamline permitting for businesses approved under the city's Pilot Facade Improvement Program. The ordinance would exempt those projects from Planning Commission design review, sign permits, tree removal permits, and outdoor dining permits while keeping building, fire, and accessibility requirements in place.
The program, established June 9 via Resolution No. 35-26, offers grants of up to $10,000 for smaller projects and up to $30,000 for larger ones, with $75,000 allocated to the one-year pilot. The Planning Commission recommended adoption on Tuesday, July 14.
Other items
The council will consider spending $179,500 from the Fleet Replacement Fund to replace two aging police patrol vehicles. Orinda contracts with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office for police services but owns the fleet. The council will also formally introduce Officer Taliaferro to the public and recognize Aiden Meng, a National Spelling Bee finalist.
Vice Mayor Darlene Gee will participate by teleconference from La Quinta, California.
How to weigh in
Residents can attend in person at 26 Orinda Way, join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 810 2271 2723), call in at 669-900-6833, or watch on the city's YouTube channel. Written comments must reach [email protected] or City Hall at 22 Orinda Way by 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Speakers at the meeting get three minutes per agenda item.
