Residents' Rancho Laguna Concerns Put Parks Plan Timeline in Play

Two residents asked the Moraga Town Council on Oct. 14, 2026, to hold one more public meeting on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. By the end of the night, the council had voted to revisit that request Oct. 28. The town manager warned that adding a meeting would push the plan's Nov. 18 final vote. The council also heard the police chief defend the town's Flock license plate cameras, renewed its military equipment policy and steered a first-ever food truck permit framework.

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• Parks master plan check-in set for Oct. 28 after residents raised concerns about Rancho Laguna Park language; one council member voted no
• Flock data retention moving from 30 days to 7, police chief says, after residents object to the cameras
• Two corporals promoted to sergeant, restoring a rank cut during budget stress
• Food truck rules take shape: council favors a light-touch annual permit and a start-small approach
• Military equipment policy renewed; any larger beanbag system must return to council first

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Parks Plan Gets Another Look Before Final Vote

Why it matters: The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is set for a final council vote Nov. 18. Staff says one more public meeting would force that date to slip, so the council is weighing more process against a firm timeline.

Where things stand: During public comment, Ellery Jedlica and Kathy Brown asked for a town hall or another Parks and Recreation Commission meeting before the vote. They cited new language about Rancho Laguna Park, fire-zone concerns and confusion over who signs off on the final wording. Jedlica also cited the Stanford Woods Institute.

"I would like to request an extra gathering to be approved by the town council and town staff before the final vote," said Jedlica, a public commenter.

Brown, also a public commenter, said "the language around Rancho Laguna Park right now is pretty dangerous."

The Town Manager said the plan reflects two years of outreach and that the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the latest draft that Monday. "It is your prerogative should you want to do another meeting. Logistically, that would be complicated," the Town Manager said.

The mayor's position: Later in the meeting, Mayor Kerry Hillis addressed the dispute directly. "I do not support development at Rancho Laguna," said Mayor Hillis. He also noted that the council does not write staff reports.

Near the end of the night, Hillis moved to place an item on the Oct. 28 agenda on whether to hold another public meeting. "There is a desire for another touchpoint," he said.

The other side: Councilmember Steve Woehleke seconded the motion but signaled skepticism. "I want to have a compelling reason developed to do it," said Councilmember Woehleke.

Councilmember Graham Thiel backed the check-in. "I'll support what has been seconded for an agenda item to check in in 2 weeks' time," said Councilmember Thiel.

The Town Manager spelled out the cost of more process: "You need to push the final meeting past the 18th. We will not be ready."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The motion passed on a voice vote. At least one nay was heard, but the dissenting member was not identified. Approximate count: For: 3, Against: 1, Absent: 1 (Vice Mayor Brian Dolan). For residents near Rancho Laguna, the vote keeps the door open to another public forum. For staff, it adds uncertainty to a plan already through two years of outreach and a commission review.

What's next: The council will decide Oct. 28 whether to add a meeting. If it does, the Nov. 18 final vote will move later.

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Chief Defends Flock Cameras, Promotes Two Sergeants

Why it matters: License plate readers are drawing scrutiny across the region. Moraga's chief used his department update to put the town's rules on the record: who can see the data, how long it is kept and how searches are tracked.

Where things stand: In public comment, Ted Weber said many residents are irritated by Flock cameras, including one on Ream Boulevard. Police Chief John King responded that the town's own camera program began in 2017 and that two Flock cameras were added in 2025.

How the system works: King said enforcement requires verification. Every search needs a case number and leaves an audit trail. Data is currently deleted within 30 days.

King said data is shared only with California local and state agencies. "We do not share any of our data with any federal agencies," said Chief King, adding that out-of-state agencies also do not get access.

On retention, he said: "I think we're going to go with the 7-day rule with it."

Council and public questions: "So how many flock cameras is it? Just 2?" asked Councilmember Thiel, who also asked about locations and errors. King confirmed two Flock cameras. He cited homicide and robbery cases solved with the cameras, plus two vandalism arrests tied to about $10,000 in damage.

Theresa Onoda, a public commenter, relayed her daughter's concern and asked whether the data goes to the cloud. King said Flock data is held in the cloud and belongs to the town.

Promotions and the department picture: The council swore in Angela Lycos and Craig Walker, both promoted from corporal to sergeant. The sergeant rank had been downgraded to corporal during budget stress, and an outside organizational assessment recommended restoring it.

King's broader update covered:

• A department of 12 officers, including a reserve officer with 44 years of service
• Declining reported crime
• A roughly three-quarter-million-dollar radio replacement grant from the congressman's office
• A state cannabis tax DUI grant
• The end of a tobacco grant that had funded a school officer
• Scams in town, including one $4.1M loss

Woehleke thanked staff for their grant work. Thiel said he wanted to honor retiring Officer Will Davis.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken on the update. Privacy-minded residents get a shorter retention window and on-record limits on data sharing. Police keep a tool the chief credits with solving serious cases.

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Light-Touch Food Truck Rules Take Shape

Why it matters: The draft rules (Chapter 9.14) would, for the first time, require every food truck to register. That includes trucks at town events and private parties. The council must balance community events against restaurants and generator noise.

Where things stand: Planning Director Sonia Urzúa called the draft "a light-touch regulation as a starting point for your consideration." The Town Attorney said it is based primarily on Calistoga's ordinance.

The draft includes:

• Limits during school hours
• Setbacks from intersections and events
• Waste and idling rules
• An annual permit verifying county health, state tax and insurance compliance

Urzúa said the permit fee "would be just cost recovery and enforcement." She reported one vendor had expressed interest in operating in town.

The other side: Council members questioned both the need and the details.

• Woehleke raised concerns about private parties with only a driveway or a single parking spot. He also said trucks disadvantage small restaurant owners.
• Thiel asked what problem the town is solving. "We're not solving for dozens of unregulated trucks all over the place," said Councilmember Thiel.
• Councilmember Lisa Maglio favored a small, seasonal launch with one permit class. "Let's start small and try it," said Councilmember Maglio, who also suggested posting designated streets or areas for trucks.
• Hillis questioned the 5-minute idling limit. He wants hours that match local restaurants, input from food truck operators and a report after one year. "We don't want to make this overly onerous," said Mayor Hillis.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No motion was required, and no public comment was received. Staff will refine the permit structure, the treatment of private parties and the generator rules before returning. Restaurants, event organizers and prospective vendors all have a stake in the final version.

What's next: The ordinance will come back to the council in revised form.

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Military Equipment Policy Renewed Under AB 481

Why it matters: State law (Assembly Bill 481) requires police departments to report annually on military-style equipment and to get council approval of their use policy. Moraga's only covered item is a less-lethal shotgun that fires beanbag rounds. It was last deployed in 2022, without effect.

Where things stand: King flagged a possible larger 40mm beanbag system. He said such a system "would come back to this body for approval before we made any kind of purchase." He also described how use-of-force incidents are reviewed.

The other side: Weber objected to any upgrade and connected his concern to misuse of Flock data. "Introducing and proliferating stronger weapons into communities does lead to their use eventually," said Weber, a public commenter.

Thiel asked about disclosure beyond the annual report. King said any use is documented and would be reported.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Woehleke moved to accept the report and renew Policy 708, and Maglio seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition heard (For: 4, Against: 0, Absent: 1, Vice Mayor Dolan). Any purchase of a 40mm system now requires a separate council vote.

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Minor Items

• School Street extension study: The council awarded Kimley-Horn a federally funded contract of roughly $600,000 to study extending School Street toward St. Mary's Road and Moraga Road. Kimley-Horn ranked first of three proposals in a public RFP, and the study needs buy-in from landowners, including the Brisoni family. The vote was 4-0.
• Parks grant bid: The council authorized an application to the Prop 4-funded Statewide Parks Program, which offers $200,000 to $8.5M with no local match required. The likely target is a linear park near the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, estimated at about $5.7M, with the application due Dec. 17.
• Treasurer ordinance: The town manager can now appoint the town treasurer. The ordinance passed 4-0 despite Woehleke's concern that the role "needs to have a certain degree of independence."
• Assistant town manager: The council reclassified the administrative services director as assistant town manager. The position's salary range rises 10.8% to $209,208–$254,352, effective Oct. 18, formalizing Katie Bruner's role as de facto No. 2.
• Proclamations: The council recognized Bullying Prevention Month and United Against Hate Week (Oct. 18–24) and honored Wendell Baker of the Moraga iKind Project. Hillis shared that he is neurodivergent and has been bullied. He described "people calling me a Nazi or a terrorist, literally" after he recorded a public service announcement at residents' request.

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Looking Ahead

• Oct. 28: The council decides whether to add a Parks master plan meeting before the Nov. 18 final vote.
• Dec. 1: Wildfire safety projects must be identified for State Senator Tim Grayson's budget, Hillis said.
• Youth Ride Free: The program logged about 25,400 trips. Hillis is pushing for year-round funding through TransPAC and SWAT.
• Closed session: After the public meeting, the council met privately on the existing lawsuit Tunick v. Town of Moraga.