| | Published August 21st, 2019
| Many 2019 town council goals achieved mid-year in Moraga
| | | By Vera Kochan | | |
Moraga is bouncing back this year, shaking off the doldrums that took hold of the town beginning in 2016. The two biggest culprits, the closure of the Canyon Bridge and the first Rheem sinkhole, set the town's finances into a tailspin. However, with the diligence of all the town's departments along with their guidance and recommendations given to the town council, Moraga's much needed facelift is beginning to take shape.
The new Moraga Mobile app has, as of mid-July, reported over 650 downloads and achieved 225 resolved issues since its inception in April. According to Town Manager Cynthia Battenberg, "We've heard that the public finds it easy to use and appreciates the town's responsiveness."
The implementation of the Storm Drain System Operations and Maintenance Program has gone through inspections, been mapped and the findings will be presented to the town council in September.
The first meeting of the Moraga Center Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee has taken place and Battenberg stated, "I am looking forward to the September 4 and 19 meetings when we will be discussing the design scenarios and visual simulations."
The Canyon Bridge reimbursement of $2.43 million has been received with an additional $230,000 on track for receipt at fiscal year end. The amount of $265,000 from Caltrans is still pending.
Measure K improvements to the town's streets and roads are happening in many areas of Moraga. Battenberg said, "The surface seal treatment that is being completed this year is the most cost effective treatment and given the Moraga Way, Canyon/Camino Pablo, and Moraga Road/Alta Mesa projects, the town is resurfacing 34 different street locations this summer." She added, "This is approximately 5.75 centerline miles, a little over 10 percent of all 56 miles of town streets."
Emergency Evacuation Drills conducted in Lamorinda, with resident cooperation, acknowledged the threat of wildfires to the area with many lessons learned. To further citizen awareness and preparedness Lamorinda's CERT, police and fire departments have conducted workshops, safety meetings and have even mailed out the yellow Lamorinda Guide to Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation to help citizens get through the approaching fire season.
The implementation of a town-operated After School Enrichment Program begins this fall at the Hacienda de las Flores. Improvements to the Casita, thanks to the $120,000 donation from the Hacienda Foundation of Moraga, are wrapping up with a ceremony to mark the occasion.
In conjunction with the town's Climate Action Plan, electric vehicle charging stations are on track for installation by year's end. Hydration stations have been installed at the town offices and council chambers, with one on the way at the Moraga Commons skate park. Lighting upgrades to four town facilities are also in the works.
"We are busy continuing to work on the Town Council and Community Goals for 2019," Battenberg said, "and appreciate the support of the community." |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA