City Council - Jan 14, 2026 - Meeting

Moraga's City Council kicked off 2026 by putting its money where its strategic plan is—allocating year-end funds to revenue studies, infrastructure reserves, and a new economic development consultant while modernizing how the Town buys goods and services. The meeting also surfaced a simmering tension: residents frustrated over a County-approved hillside subdivision learned the Town has no formal role in the project, despite their appeals for local action.

• Town hires Kosmont Companies to jumpstart economic development, with quarterly progress reports required.

• Purchasing rules overhauled: higher spending thresholds, streamlined bidding, and policy-based flexibility replace decades-old ordinance.

• $200,000+ from unassigned fund balance directed to revenue study, asset replacement, and organizational assessment.

• Building Code update adopted; wildfire interface and fire code sections to follow after fire district acts.

• Donated cement lions and mirror ball approved for public display at library and Hacienda de las Flores.

• Residents urge Town action on South Camino Pablo subdivision; Town Manager clarifies no jurisdiction remains.

• SB 707 Brown Act changes previewed: new remote-participation mandates may bring unfunded costs.

Economic Development Gets a Professional Push

Why it matters: For years, Moraga's commercial centers have struggled with vacancies and limited foot traffic. The Council's contract with Kosmont Companies marks its most concrete step yet toward reversing that trend—bringing in outside expertise to court tenants, advise on infill housing, and negotiate public-private deals.

State of play: Town Manager Scott Mitnick framed the hire as essential to implementing the Town's recently adopted economic development strategy. Larry Kosmont, founder of Kosmont Companies, told the Council his firm takes a transactional, property-by-property approach—working with landlords, brokers, and retailers rather than relying solely on broad marketing.

"These aren't easy things to do. There is no one way to do them," Kosmont said.

The other side: Two local business owners offered supportive but cautionary testimony. The owner of La Chamba Taqueria backed the consultant hire but urged the Council to consider small businesses and warned about formula retail impacts. Bill Snyder of Moraga Hardware & Lumber questioned consultant costs and locality, asking for transparency and Chamber of Commerce involvement.

Decisions: The Council approved the contract unanimously (5-0) and added a requirement for quarterly updates—a direct response to members' interest in tracking progress and holding the consultant accountable.

Mayor Kerry Hillis offered an impassioned explanation for the decision: "I want to start out by just saying I love Moraga."

What's next: Staff will return with quarterly reports on Kosmont's progress. Residents and business owners can expect more detailed updates on tenant recruitment, infill housing opportunities, and commercial revitalization strategies throughout 2026.

Purchasing Overhaul: More Flexibility, Same Transparency

Why it matters: The Town's purchasing ordinance dated back decades, with thresholds and procedures that no longer matched modern costs or best practices. The update gives staff more latitude to buy efficiently while keeping competitive bidding and Council oversight for larger contracts.

State of play: Administrative Services Director Katie Bruner walked the Council through the changes: higher dollar limits for informal and formal bids, streamlined procedures, and a shift to policy-based rules that can be updated without returning to ordinance. The new policy takes effect March 1, 2026.

Vice Mayor Brian Dolan praised the approach: "and doing an ordinance is just a bloody waste of everybody's time."

Council Member Lisa Maglio added, "I would just like to state that I agree strongly, strongly with Vice Mayor Dolan's comments."

Decisions: The Council waived the first reading, introduced the ordinance by title only, and adopted the revised purchasing policy unanimously by roll call vote (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). All five members—Vice Mayor Dolan, Council Member Maglio, Mayor Hillis, Council Member Graham Thiel, and Council Member Steve Woehleke—voted yes.

What's next: Staff will implement the new policy March 1, 2026. The ordinance returns for a second reading and final adoption at a future meeting.

Unassigned Fund Balance: Dollars Directed to Long-Term Priorities

Why it matters: One-time funds from the prior fiscal year's unassigned balance are being channeled into projects that could shape the Town's fiscal and organizational future—revenue diversification, infrastructure reserves, and outside expertise.

State of play: Bruner presented the resolution, which allocates funds to a revenue study, the asset replacement fund, economic development/land use consulting, and the organizational assessment approved earlier in the meeting.

Decisions: Council Member Maglio moved, Vice Mayor Dolan seconded, and the resolution passed unanimously (5-0).

What's next: Staff will return with recommendations from the revenue study and organizational assessment later in 2026.

Organizational Assessment: Efficiency, Not Expansion

Why it matters: With just 42 employees, Moraga runs lean. The Council-approved assessment by MRG Consulting is designed to find efficiencies and align staff work with Council goals—not to expand services or headcount.

State of play: Council Member Woehleke pulled the item from consent to ask clarifying questions. Bruner emphasized the intent: "We are not looking to expand services, we're not looking to expand staffing."

Mitnick added context: "We're a very lean machine here with 42 employees."

Woehleke voiced support: "I totally support that. Periodically, organizations need to reassess."

Decisions: Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

What's next: MRG will conduct the assessment; staff will present recommendations to the Council after executive team review.

Building Code Update Adopted; Fire Code to Follow

Why it matters: Updating the Town's building code ensures local standards align with state requirements for health, safety, energy efficiency, and habitability.

State of play: Planning Director Sonia Urzua explained that the ordinance updates Chapter 15.04. She clarified, "Part seven of the Wildlife Wildland Urban Interface Code and Part nine of the Fire Code are not part of this action item"—those will return after the Moraga-Orinda Fire District acts.

Council Member Thiel summarized the rationale: "the majority of them are for health, safety, habitability, energy efficiency."

Decisions: The Council waived the second reading and adopted the ordinance unanimously (5-0).

What's next: WUI and Fire Code updates will return for Council action after the fire district completes its process.

South Camino Pablo: Residents Seek Action, Town Clarifies Limits

Why it matters: A County-approved residential subdivision on South Camino Pablo has drawn sustained opposition from Moraga residents concerned about fire safety, traffic, and environmental impacts. But the Town has no formal role in a project approved by Contra Costa County.

State of play: Multiple residents urged the Council to hold a public forum and revisit the project's impacts. Katherine Brown requested a forum and raised concerns about "fire safety, traffic, environmental impacts, and legal questions." Philip Trangali thanked the Town for past oversight but criticized the shift to County authority. Ralph Osterling opposed the development's traffic and fire risks near schools, and Jackie Cabasso argued the project undermines Moraga's mission and urged focus on affordable, sustainable housing.

Mitnick responded directly: "There's no role for the town of Moraga on this topic." He explained that appeals windows have closed and the County is the lead agency.

Decisions: No formal action taken; the item was informational only.

What's next: Residents seeking further engagement will need to direct concerns to Contra Costa County or pursue other avenues.

SB 707: New Teleconferencing Mandates Previewed

Why it matters: State legislation (SB 707) requires eligible legislative bodies to offer two-way remote participation, captioning, disruption policies, and potentially translation—an unfunded mandate that could strain small-town budgets.

State of play: Assistant Town Attorney Denise Bazzano outlined the new requirements. Mitnick acknowledged potential cost impacts: "Not exactly, but it may not be cheap."

Decisions: Informational item; no vote required.

What's next: Staff will return with implementation plans and cost estimates.

Public Art: Lions and a Mirror Ball Find New Homes

Why it matters: Donated public art adds character to civic spaces—but placement decisions can spark debate about aesthetics and community identity.

State of play: Holly Hartz, Chair of the Art in Public Spaces Committee, presented two donations: cement lions and a mirror ball. "The first for the cement lions, which have been donated to the town," she explained, recommending placement at the library and Hacienda de las Flores.

Council Member Maglio supported the effort. Mayor Hillis noted, "And taste in art can be incredibly diverse."

Decisions: Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

What's next: Staff will coordinate placement of the sculptures.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar items 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 6.6 approved unanimously. Items 6.4 and 6.5 were pulled for discussion.

• Council reports: Mayor Hillis thanked residents who attended her first "coffee with the mayor" event and highlighted community activities including a menorah lighting and SWAT meeting.

• Committee assignments: The Mayor presented proposed Council assignments to committees, commissions, and boards; the item will return on consent for formal acceptance.

• Future agenda items: Council approved bringing back a discussion on municipal branding.

• Code enforcement concern: Ron Schumacher, owner of Moraga Motors, objected to code enforcement limiting RV work and storage, asking for a code amendment to support local businesses.

• St. Mary's College update: President Roger Thompson congratulated the Mayor and praised Town–College partnership, noting progress on stadium lights and community events.

What to Watch

The Kosmont contract and quarterly reporting structure will be an early test of whether outside expertise can translate into visible progress on commercial vacancies and infill housing. The organizational assessment and revenue study could reshape how the Town allocates staff and resources. And as SB 707 implementation costs come into focus, expect debate over how much to invest in remote-participation technology—and who should pay for it.