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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070125-07.1 TM ReportFrom the deskof .. . Tai 1. Williams, Town 51/tanager June 30, 2025 To: Mayor and Town Council Subject: June Town Manager's Update MEMO The month of June was focused more on big picture matters and less on the details. Highlights included: • 2025/26 Operating Budget and CIP: While the successful formation of the new LLAD has rightfully received much attention, it's worth noting that the Town also adopted its Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program for the upcoming fiscal year. The adoption of these two foundational documents reflects thoughtful, forward- looking planning in the face of growing fiscal challenges. Rising costs for contract services, utilities, insurance, and local infrastructure maintenance continue to pressure available resources. The budget process created space for meaningful discussion about these realities and positioned the Council and staff to continue exploring new approaches that meet community expectations while preserving long- term sustainability. • Transitions and Leadership Culture: With Joe's retirement at the end of June, I've stepped into the role of Town Manager and am now focused on building the next chapter of our leadership culture. This comes at a time of considerable transition: half of our Department Directors are either brand new or relatively new to their roles, and among our key deputies and senior leaders, nearly all are stepping into their expanded responsibilities. Joe often noted that a single change on the Town Council effectively creates a new Council. The same holds true for our leadership team. Our collective opportunity now is to define how we show up together, how we lead, and how we align. To support this, our "Expanded Executive Team" - including Department Directors, key deputies, and other senior leaders - will participate in a full-day team development workshop on July 16 (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). 1 DEPARTMENT UPDATES General Government Legislative • State Budget: On June 27, the Governor and Legislature reached agreement on a $321.1 billion state budget. The Governor signed the main budget bill, contingent on legislative action to accelerate housing and infrastructure development. To close the $12 billion deficit, the budget relies on borrowing, reserve funds, and funding shifts - reflecting legislative resistance to the Governor's proposed cuts while largely preserving state programs. Long-term structural shortfalls remain unaddressed. • SB 130 - Housing Policy Trailer Bill: Now under legislative consideration, SB 130 consolidates provisions from over two dozen housing bills into a single package. Key components include: o Eliminating the 2034 sunset of the Housing Crisis Act (SB 330), thereby making streamlined housing approvals permanent. o Codifying CEQA streamlining for infill housing projects (from AB 609). o Imposing a six-year moratorium on new or amended local residential building standards (from AB 306), intended to reduce regulatory barriers to housing. Establishing a wage floor below prevailing wage for certain streamlined projects. • Declining Gas Tax Revenue: In response to falling gas tax revenues, state legislators will launch a series of regional transportation funding roundtables beginning July 17 to explore long-term funding solutions. Economic Development & Community Events Summer events season is underway, and the Town is supporting a number of events focused on boosting foot traffic Downtown. • Annual Lions Club Restaurant Walk was a sold -out affair on June 3 • Shop, Sip 'n' Stroll (Danville Area Chamber of Commerce) was held on June 12 with 250 attendees. • This weekend is the 50th annual Kiwanis Danville 4th of July Parade. Our community events, maintenance services, and police department teams have been collaborating on enhanced safety procedures with the organizers. Also, we will have a banner toward the front of the parade, acknowledging the Town as co -hosts. 2 • Farmers' Market: We are pleased to share that the vendor spaces have been completely full at least once recently, signaling a busy summer season. Also, the Merchant at the Market program managed by the Town has had at least one business at the market for nearly 3 months, and many weekends both spaces were full. The focus on Danville businesses and extra promotion is having great results. • Destination Marketing: As a follow-up to Council direction at the May 20 study session, we are initiating a request for proposals for destination marketing services. We estimate the potential budget for developing a campaign and making media buys to be approximately $50,000, and will report the results of the RFP to Council in August. Police & Emergency Services • May 2025 Activity: Danville officers responded to 2395 calls for service, issued 598 citations, wrote 126 crime reports, and took five accident reports. 88 vehicle stops were coded out as traffic warnings. Of the 20 arrests, five were DUI arrests. • Spring 2025 Citizen Academy: Our spring Citizen's Academy concluded on May 28. The Police Department recognized 17 new police academy graduates. • Staffing o New Administrative Lieutenant, John Rock has replaced Lt Heather Transue, who rotated back to County. o Alica Lang started June 2, 2025 and filled the role as PD's Administrative Assistant. o Part-time police assistant, Ashley Bennigson was to replace prior employee Jorge Villasenor. o Officer Tyler Hart was promoted to Sergeant and rotated back to County.. • Police Outreach: o Police staff visited Valley Parent preschool and talked with over 100 kids. o Three (3) John Baldwin kindergarten tours came to the Police Department, with cumulatively 65+/- kids visiting the Police Department. o PD staff participated in Recess with the Cops - St. Isidore 5/29/25 • Danville Volunteers in Patrol (VIPS): Donated 197.50 hours in May. Services they provide included vacation house checks, Citizen academy support, and supported a booth at 'Bike to Work' day with the Transportation team on May 15, 2025. • Emergency Preparedness o Town Council approved the updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan on May 20 and the resolution was sent to FEMA for final approval. 3 o Our appeal on the Front Street Creekbank Stabilization Project continues to be pending before FEMA, with $1.4 million in funding at stake. o Emergency response planning for the July 4th Parade was undertaken. Administrative Services Finance • 2025/26 Budget and CIP - Finance is completing work on the final 2025/26 Budget and CIP which will come to Council on June 17. Owing to passage of the new LLAD and EBMUDs exorbitant rate increase, there are a few more changes to the draft than would be the case in a typical year. • Business License - Business license renewals for FY 25-26 were mailed the week of May 26-30. • 2024/25 ACFR - Work begins to close the books for 2024/25 and prepare for the annual ACFR beginning of July. • GFOA Recognition - Finance was once again honored by the Government Finance Officers Association for the 2023/24 ACFR. Development Services Building • Woodside Estates by Ponderosa Homes - This 9 -lot single family subdivision on Camino Tassajara (near Woodside Drive) has started construction, with the first 3 lots having been issued permits. • Magee Preserve (Davidon) - Building permits have been issued for the final 14 homes (of the total of 69). Construction is currently in the foundation stage. • 600 Hartz Avenue (The Address Company) - Final inspections have been completed for the individual condominium units and the building shells for the commercial space. We are now awaiting submittal of the T.I.s for the commercial space. • 375 West El Pintado (Diamond Construction) - The 50 unit senior housing project continues to be in the framing phase of construction. • 3020 Fostoria Way/Borel (Trumark Homes and The Pacific Company) - The site is approved for 167 units, including 124 townhomes (Trumark) and 43 affordable apartments (Pacific Company). Building permits have been approved for the 43 apartments; 4 plans currently undergoing review for the 124 townhomes. Both builders are planning to begin construction this year. Planning • Borel Property: Building permits have been issued to Pacific West Company to begin construction on the 44 -unit apartment portion of the development. • Community Presbyterian Church: We received an application from the for a land use permit and development plan for expansion of the church campus including new soccer field, new youth ministry building and expansion of main sanctuary room. • Sloat Garden Center - 828 Diablo Rd - "The Ivy" (Oakmont Homes): This SB 330 project proposes a 105 unit assisted living and memory care facility. The developer has invoked state density bonus. The project was approved by the Planning Commission on May 27 and was subsequently appealed to Town Council. Tentative hearing date for the appeal will be July 1. • Danville Village (Town & Country) (Blake/Griggs): A preliminary application has been submitted for a 200 -unit apartment development. No project timeline at this point as SB 330 shot clock hasn't started yet. The project is undergoing staff review prior to being scheduled for DRB review. • Elworthy East property (Stringer Properties) - "Martin Hills Ranch": This is an application to develop 19 single family homes on the 100 -acre Elworthy East property, located at the end of Borica Drive and Como Way. The application is still in the draft EIR phase. • Evergreen Estates (Misson Properties): This is an application to develop 18 lots on a 19.44 acre site, at 45 Sherburne Hills Road. All 18 lots would include ADUs. The application is still in the draft EIR phase. • Danville Bowl (The Address Company): Very preliminary discussions with the developer who wants to develop a 3 story, 48 unit townhouse project (2 stories over parking) at a density of 30 du/ac. Capital Improvement Program • Capital Projects Staffing: Recruitment is underway for a Civil Engineering Associate - Project Manager to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Guillermo Santolaya. • Diablo Vista Park Playground (CIP B-560): Demolition is complete and grading is now underway as part of the playground replacement project at Diablo Vista Park. 5 • Vegetation Management: PG&E is conducting annual vegetation management throughout the community, including tree trimming around power lines at various locations. • Crow Canyon/Camino Tassajara Soundwall: Construction is ahead of schedule, with 11 of 14 soundwall segments completed. The project is progressing faster than the originally estimated 45 -day timeline. • San Ramon Valley Blvd. Rehabilitation (CIP-600): The capital project is complete. Follow- up work on raising an EBMUD air vent cover in the intersection, located in the southbound to eastbound number one left turn lane, is underway. • Pavement Overlay Project (C-610): Paving work is complete. Staff is following up with the contractor to address issues related to asphalt emulsion that were tracked onto green bike stenciling and lane markings. Maintenance Services • Pride flag was installed at the Library following the June 3 Town Council meeting. • All Wars Memorial enhancement project started on June 9. This project is being coordinated and funded by the Vets, and Town is helping to facilitate where possible. • Ladder -style crosswalks was installed at the Prospect and Linda Mesa intersections on June 17, allowing them consistent with the three other Downtown Master Plan intersections and further enhancing the safety of these areas. Work began at approximately 4:00 am to minimize any impact on traffic. • Thermoplastic crosswalks at the Danville Blvd/E1 Cerro intersection will be re -done the week of June 23. • Sidewalk inspections and repairs are being completed throughout the Downtown in advance of the Parade. • Veterans Memorial Building: Solar panel repairs were completed to restore functionality. The new equipment also now allows the Town to monitor the system online, which we had not previously been able to do. • Extensive tree pruning of the median trees along Camino Tassajara was completed, ensuring proper clearance over the street. 6 • Department of Fish and Wildlife - Routine Maintenance Permit: After three years of effort, staff successfully negotiated with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to revise the start date of the Town's routine maintenance permit from January 2022 to 2025. This adjustment extends the permit window and provides an additional three years before the renewal process must begin again. • Roadside Landscape Maintenance Contract: Staff met with the Town's new Roadside Landscape Maintenance contractor in preparation for the contract start date of July 1. The selected contractor, Frank and Grossman, currently provides maintenance services for the Town's parks. • Support for Summer Camp Season: With the summer camp season underway, Maintenance Services staff are providing support where needed, including oversight of the custodial contract to ensure additional cleaning is in place. Recreation, Arts & Community Services • Seasonal Staff Training: During the week of June 9, approximately 130 part-time seasonal employees — including 70 summer camp staff and 60 lifeguards and swim instructors — participated in staff training in preparation for a busy summer season. • Teen Centers: The Teen Centers at Charlotte Wood, Diablo Vista, and Los Cerros Middle Schools concluded the school year with a combined total of 172 registered participants across the fall, winter, and spring sessions. • Adult Sports Leagues: The summer bocce league begins the week of June 23, with 58 teams registered. Summer softball launched the week of June 16, with six teams playing on Monday nights and eight teams on Thursday nights. • Facility Rentals: Facility usage remains strong. In June, Danville venues hosted 23 indoor rentals generating $54,570.32 in revenue. An additional 14 tennis permits produced $3,002.95, and 71 picnic rentals generated $10,608.99. • Senior Center - Game Room: The Danville Senior Center officially opened its new Game Room, now offering a diverse collection of games for up to eight players at a time. • Senior Center - Excursion: On June 15, a sold -out trip to A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical was enjoyed by 25 participants, who experienced the powerful story of Diamond's rise from Brooklyn to stardom. • Senior Center - Buzz Sessions: A series of educational sessions were hosted throughout the month: 7 o What Should I Do Before Something Happens to Me (June 3) drew 24 participants for a presentation on end -of -life planning. o The annual Travel Show (June 10) introduced 18 attendees to the 2025 travel calendar with practical advice on insurance, logistics, and international travel. o As of mid-June, 20 participants were registered for the Senior Housing Options session scheduled for June 24. • Moonlight Movies: The Town's summer movie series kicked off June 13 with a screening of Tarzan. Approximately 70 attendees enjoyed the film, along with free popcorn, face painting, and pre -show trivia. • Village Theatre Performances: The Village Theatre remained active with a variety of performances, including a youth production of Matilda, an Irish dance recital, an Indian solo performance, and a concert by tribute band Ronstadt Revolution. • Kidchella: The first Kidchella of the season took place June 18 at the Town Green and featured Caribbean -style music by Asheba. Approximately 100 people attended and participated in crafts and story time offered in partnership with the Danville Library. • Music in the Park: The summer Music in the Park series begins June 21 at Oak Hill Park with a performance by The RPM Band. • Prospect Park Plaza Music: Casual performances continued at Prospect Park Plaza, including Rolando Morales on June 14 and James Funk scheduled for June 28, providing a festive atmosphere for weekend shoppers and diners. • Art in Miniature Exhibition: The 15th annual Art in Miniature juried gallery exhibition opens July 12 and features 95 selected works from local, national, and international artists — including one from South Africa. That's all for now. Please feel free to contact me and let me know if you have any questions about anything covered in this memo. 8