Grant-Funded Moraga Avenue Safety Project Wins Unanimous Council Approval
City Council • PiedmontSeptember 22, 2026
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Piedmont is moving ahead on long-sought pedestrian crossings along Moraga Avenue after bids came in well below the engineer's estimate and a county grant covered most of the cost. On Sept. 22, 2026, the City Council voted 5-0 to award the $785,533 contract to Terracon Inc. It also bought another year on the city's garbage contract, giving staff time to engage residents before a rate-sensitive decision.
- Moraga Avenue safety contract awarded 5-0, with about 85% of costs covered by a $655,750 county grant
- Bids beat an engineer's estimate above $1M; total project cost is about $860,000
- Republic Services franchise extension advances 5-0 on first reading, pushing expiration to June 30, 2029
- Garbage rates loom: the mayor expects affordability to be "concern number one" in community outreach
Moraga Crossings Clear the Final Hurdle
Why it matters: The project delivers safety upgrades at four Moraga Avenue intersections, including a 120-foot crossing at Monticello. A county grant pays most of the bill, so the city's share is relatively small.
The basics: The project traces back to the city's 2014 Ped/Bike Master Plan and the 2021 Piedmont Safer Streets Plan. Council found it exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guideline 15301, a Class 1 exemption that covers work on existing facilities.
Where things stand: Interim Public Works Director Rich Cunningham told the council the engineer's estimate topped $1 million, but bids came in aggressive. Total cost, including construction management, is about $860,000. The approved construction budget is $864,086, which includes a 10% contingency.
"$655,750 out of the $860,000 was a grant, not a loan," said Cunningham. The grant comes from the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
The design keeps the existing bike lane. It adds a landscaped, irrigated traffic island at Monticello and repaves a rough stretch of roadway. Construction is estimated at 16 weeks and is expected to start around October.
Council's questions: Councilmembers pressed staff on the number of bidders, phasing, traffic control and bike lane striping. On striping, Cunningham said staff will explore green paint. "The urban standard for bike lanes now is the green bars, which would be ideal," he said.
Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen flagged the Wildwood Dads Pumpkin Patch at Coaches Field in October as an event that will need construction coordination.
Asked why the crosshatched areas lack bollards, Cunningham said bollards are low-speed devices that would require guardrails at Moraga's speeds. "Bollards were not considered because they are a hazard," he said.
The community view: Resident Billy Rusteen, who lives nearby, backed the project. He cited children who cross Moraga daily, including 26 middle school flag football players. No one spoke in opposition.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmember Tom Ramsey moved approval, and Councilmember Jennifer Long seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0).
Families, students and cyclists who use the corridor gain safer crossings. Drivers should expect roughly four months of construction-related traffic control. Terracon Inc. secures a contract worth $785,533.
What's next: The city administrator is authorized to execute contract documents. City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore urged residents to weigh in on the next phase of street safety planning. "Our update to the Piedmont Safer Streets Plan is something that will be consuming a great deal of bandwidth in the coming months," she said.
Garbage Contract Gets a One-Year Runway
Why it matters: Residents have complained that waste collection is expensive. The extension delays a long-term hauler decision so staff can research options and engage the public first.
The basics: Piedmont's exclusive 10-year agreement with Richmond Sanitary Service, doing business as Republic Services, began July 1, 2018, and expires June 30, 2028. Ordinance 794-NS amends Ordinance 737-NS and extends the term one year, to June 30, 2029. Existing terms stay the same.
Where things stand: Sustainability Programs Manager Denise Erkin explained that Republic had until July 1, 2026, to offer a five-year extension. Staff instead proposed a one-year extension, citing transitions among Public Works staff. "Given these staff transitions, we're really at risk of not really being able to do the type of in-depth research," said Erkin.
Community engagement on rates, contract history and future options would begin in early 2027.
Council's concerns: Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy pressed for details on how engagement would work. "There's a sense that there is some confusion among our community members," she said.
Councilmember Lorrel Plimier urged staff to gather what other haulers, including Waste Management and Recology, can offer before outreach begins, so residents have that information up front. Councilmembers also asked why the request-for-proposals process takes so long.
The hauler's side of the ledger: Erkin outlined risks the industry faces. These include new recycling and organics regulations, among them a law effective Jan. 1, 2027, and the need for custom vehicles. "These are shareholder-driven businesses that need to show growth year over year," she said.
The other side: No one spoke during public comment. The mayor said written comments received before the meeting raised concerns that collection services are very expensive. "My guess is when we go out to speak to the community that affordability is going to be concern number one," said Mayor Andersen.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Vice Mayor McCarthy moved approval of the first reading and the first amendment to the agreement, and Councilmember Long seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0).
Republic keeps its exclusive franchise for an additional year on current terms. Ratepayers get a structured chance to shape the next contract. City staff gain breathing room during a period of turnover.
What's next: The second reading is planned for Oct. 5. Community engagement is slated for early 2027.
Minor Items
- Consent calendar passed 5-0: Council accepted the Bonita Avenue accessible parking and striping work and the Piedmont Park ADA improvements. It also approved a $164,740.64 Blue Ally contract for CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity.
- Animal ordinance adopted 5-0: Ordinance 793-NS amends Chapter 4 of the city code and takes effect in 30 days. Councilmember Plimier's proposal requiring dog-bite victims to report was not included.
- Hunger Action Month proclaimed: Jessica Montes of the Alameda County Community Food Bank said it serves almost 400 partner agencies. A St. Mary's volunteer described seniors forced to choose between food, gas and medicine.
- New staff introduced: The city welcomed assistant planner Carlina Rose, Climate Action Fellow Lisa Dmitrieva and full-time building inspector Michel Lagault.
- Civic calendar: A League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 29 features five candidates competing for three seats. The free Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo runs Nov. 15, 2–4 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Building.
Looking Ahead
Mayor Andersen asked whether the council can act on, or educate residents about, "the robust deer population in our community." That signals a possible future agenda item. Bayon Moore also announced that the community pool has earned LEED Silver certification.