Published February 6th, 2019
Moraga's town goals and public suggestions for 2019
By Vera Kochan
While Moraga's council members and supporting departments have many goals for 2019, the public also gave voice to a few concerns for the upcoming year during the Jan. 23 town council meeting.
Many of the following goals were once hot button topics during Moraga's recent council member elections: Open communications between town staff, business applicants and landowners or developers to avoid hold-up of projects; complete the Moraga Center Specific Plan Implementation Project; open up leasing potential for a possible restaurant or other commercial business at Hacienda de las Flores; continue to have the Moraga Police Department work with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District regarding emergency preparedness evacuation plans, routes and temporary refuge areas; and improve fiscal spending by examining all town expenditures and identify areas for potential savings. Other desires included completing the Surface Seal Project of rubberized cape seal treatment on selected roads; pursuing the Canyon Road Temporary Bridge reimbursement from the Federal Highway Administration; examining increasing traffic congestion in Lamorinda; and maintaining transparency.
During the public comment portion, Bob Fritzky, president of the Moraga Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of making the town easier to work with in order to keep old businesses and attract new ones. He also proposed working with Saint Mary's College grad students to create a Small Business Catalyst Program, whereby students would help small businesses for free.
Other suggestions from the public included implementing a Community Emergency Response Team program that would help the town be self-sufficient for at least a week in the event of a natural disaster; opening town offices from Monday through Friday to make Moraga easier to work with; and using any available funds to preserve open space.
Brent Meyers, on behalf of SMARTMoraga, suggested adding several oversight functions to the town.
With each new year come new year resolutions, and with it the hope that the community will continue to work together to make life better in Moraga.

Reach the reporter at:

back
Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA