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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.1 TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT 1 MEMO From the desk of . . . Tai J. Williams, Town Manager September 1, 2025 To: Mayor and Town Council Subject: September Town Manager’s Update The month of August 2025 was marked by progress, preparation, and participation. Three themes stood out: 1. Community Celebrations and Events: Summer concluded with strong participation across camps, concerts, and cultural programming, including nearly 3,700 youth enrolled in camps and more than 1,800 in aquatics. The final Music in the Park drew 1,000 attendees, while Music in the Plaza and the Village Theatre showcased diverse performances that brought residents downtown and strengthened community connections. The annual National Night Out involved all Town Council members, Police personnel and volunteers, and Town staff, covering 14 neighborhoods and facilitating meaningful one-on-one interactions. At one gathering, a resident shared with the Police Chief her lasting gratitude for an officer who had accompanied her to San Ramon Regional Medical Center after she learned her husband had passed from a heart attack during his evening walk. She recalled how deeply it mattered that the officer not only escorted her but also stayed by her side for more than three hours at the hospital, providing comfort and support. Stories like this remind us that connection is built one person at a time. 2. Advancing E-Bike Safety Action Plan: Consistent with Council’s direction at the July 8, 2025, Study Session, staff is advancing a coordinated action plan (Attachment A) to address growing concerns about youth e-bike safety. The plan emphasizes actions the Town can take now while laying the groundwork for longer-term legislative change. 2 E-bike education efforts have gained traction through the Not My Kid campaign and increased police outreach at schools and back-to-school nights. Danville Police are visiting elementary and middle schools to ensure administrators understand current e-bike and e-scooter laws, particularly which devices are legal for riders under 16. Police are also continuing enforcement of observable reckless riding behavior, particularly along routes to and from school. The goal is to promote consistent messaging across campuses, support school leaders in encouraging safe and lawful travel, and deter unsafe practices. To date, officers have visited six elementary schools, three middle schools, and participated in the August 26 Street Smarts Assembly. Principals have been receptive and willing to help, and the Town’s goal is full participation from all school sites. 3. Investing in Infrastructure and Organization: August saw tangible infrastructure improvements, from fiber connections that increased network speed 100-fold to continued construction at Diablo Vista Park Playground and pond maintenance at Sycamore Valley Park. Internally, Human Resources advanced several recruitments, held a Wellness Fair, and continued preparations for fall training, underscoring the Town’s commitment to keeping technical skills current and staff capable of performing at the highest level while supporting organizational capacity and employee well-being. The month also brought a significant leadership milestone with the promotion of Dave Casteel to Assistant Town Manager. A true example of Danville’s “homegrown talent,” Dave joined the organization in 2006 and has served in Code Enforcement, Planning, and most recently as Maintenance Services Director. Dave will continue to oversee Maintenance Services while taking on expanded leadership responsibilities, reflecting both his individual commitment to professional growth and the Town’s strength in cultivating talent from within. The sections that follow provide departmental highlights in August 2025. 3 DEPARTMENT UPDATES Administrative Services Finance The Finance Division is focused on closing the books for FY 2024/25 and preparing for the audit and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This work is concurrent with ongoing monitoring of revenue trends, particularly in property tax, sales tax, and LLAD funding, in line with the Town’s ten-year fiscal sustainability strategy. Information Technology • Fiber Optic Cable Interconnect: Traffic signals and four major Town facilities (Community Center, Village Theatre, Town Meeting Hall, Veterans Memorial Building) were connected to the new fiber network, increasing internal speeds 100- fold and internet bandwidth tenfold. The upgrade will also save approximately $1,400 per month once legacy AT&T circuits are canceled. • Security Cameras: Replacements and upgrades were made at the Community Center, Library, Town Offices, and Police Department parking lot. • Help Desk: 169 service requests were processed in August. Human Resources Successfully filled the Civil Engineering Associate, Recreation Program Supervisor, and Human Resource Technician positions. Now recruiting two Recreation Administrative Assistants, Public Works Inspector, and temporary staff for middle school Teen Centers and Kids Night Out staff. Community Outreach • E-Bike Safety Videos: Filming is completed for a new Town Talks with the Mayor video series focused on e-bikes, with segments on education, enforcement, and liability. • E-Bike Portal and Not My Kid Campaign: Launched on Danville Town Talks and received 950+ views in August, including positive feedback from other jurisdictions who wish to participate in this effort on a subregional basis. • ADA Title II Compliance: Town is preparing for the 2027 deadline to meet ADA Title II, which requires state and local governments to ensure equal access to all programs, services, and activities for individuals with disabilities. Current efforts focus on 4 website and content accessibility, including reviewing and updating the Town’s website structure, documents, videos, and images - expected to be a long and unfunded process. Development Services Transportation • Iron Horse Trail Crossings (CIP 305): Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) equipment expected to arrive by end of August, with installation scheduled through County Signal Maintenance. • Diablo Road Trail (CIP C-055): In contract phase. • Back to School: TRAFFIX school bus program added a new bus at Monte Vista High School; Town staff supported circulation monitoring at several campuses. • Street Smarts Program: Assemblies scheduled at all elementary, middle, and high schools by November, all with e-bike safety components. Planning • Danville Village Apartments (Town & Country): Blake Griggs Properties submitted a formal application to redevelop a portion of The Village Shopping Center (107 Town & Country Drive) as a 200-unit apartment development. A notification of the submitted application has been sent to all property owners within 750 feet of the project site, which includes a QR code that directs individuals to more information about the project at: https://danvilletowntalks.org/private-land-development • Community Presbyterian Church: Application for campus expansion (youth ministry building, parking, soccer and basketball facilities, new sanctuary entry) with residential development (52 townhomes, including 15 with ADUs). • Danville Bowl: The Address Company’s application submittal for the development of 49 townhomes has now been deemed complete. This initiating the statutory review period – set by SB 330 - during which the Town must take action within 90 days and may hold no more than five public hearings (including DRB meetings). • Mission Development: Administrative Draft EIR submitted for the proposed development of 18 single-family homes and 18 ADUs. • Martin Hills Ranch (Elworthy East): Administrative Draft EIR submitted for the proposed development of 20 single-family homes. 5 • Current Construction Activity: Trumark Homes submitted first building plans (6 townhomes to serve as models for the 124-unit development). The Ivy Project advanced with a remediation plan and pre-submittal meeting. Capital Improvements • Diablo Vista Park Playground Replacement: Ongoing construction with new concrete pours for the picnic area and walkways, irrigation infrastructure, eight new tree plantings, and delivery of exercise equipment. Economic Development & Community Events • Scarecrow Stroll: Business registrations opened; displays will run October 10– November 10. • Car Shows: Preparations underway for Hot Summer Sundays (September 7) and Danville Concours d’Elegance (September 21). • Business Workshops: First Town-sponsored workshop on Business Planning drew 20 participants on August 27. Next marketing workshop is scheduled for September 24. Maintenance Services • Drained and cleaned Sycamore Valley Park pond. • Initiated preliminary design for Danville South Park playground replacement. • Installed Eugene O’Neill banners on behalf of the foundation. • Renovated Town Meeting Hall rear area with new bark mulch. • Restored Diablo/Hartz intersection landscaping to DMP standards. • Replaced irrigation pump along El Cerro Boulevard. Police & Emergency Services • Activity (July 2025): 2,596 calls for service, 781 citations, 148 crime reports, seven accident reports, and 42 arrests (10 DUIs). • Volunteers in Patrol (VI): Conducted 22 patrols totaling 74 hours; completed 131 vacation house checks; visited 378 residential and 283 commercial areas. 6 • Back to School: Police were present at all campuses on opening day and participated in multiple back-to-school nights with safety information. Chief Rossberg visited several schools to discuss e-bike and e-scooter safety, with more visits scheduled. • National Night Out: Participated at 14 neighborhood sites on August 5. • Emergency Preparedness o Meetings & Trainings: Participated in the August 15 Citizen Corps Council meeting, discussing new evacuation route signage (eight signs to be installed in Danville), and attended Care and Shelter training (August 26). o County OES: Coordinated on August 21 with County OES regarding state evacuation planning guidelines. o Event Planning and Support: Planning underway for September fire drill at Town Offices, Safety Committee meeting, MAC meeting, EBMUD hazard mitigation meeting, and Medical Health Preparedness Coalition meeting. Recreation, Arts & Community Services • Facility Rentals: 79 picnic rentals, 8 tennis court rentals, and 22 indoor facility rentals. • Adult Leagues: 80 teams participated in bocce, basketball, and softball. • Camps & Aquatics: Concluded a nine-week summer program with approximately 3,670 children in camps and 1,886 in aquatics. • Family Campout: Held August 2 at Mount Diablo State Park with 39 children and parents participating. • Art in Miniature: Current juried exhibition continues with 15 pieces sold. • Village Theatre: Hosted second Student Film Festival (seven films, 100 attendees); Merry Wives of Windsor by SPARC Theater drew 483 ticket sales; stand-up comedy rental scheduled for August 30. • Music in the Park: Final summer concert on August 9 drew 1,000 attendees for Maroon Vibes. • Music in the Plaza: Continued with strong attendance at Prospect Park Plaza. 7 • Senior Center: Buzz Sessions drew over 50 participants; 28 seniors attended a sold-out historic walk and lunch on August 13. • Morning Mingle: Final summer session scheduled for August 26 with 24 registered. 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. ATTACHMENT A Page | 1 Town of Danville E-BIKE SAFETY | ACTION PLAN Updated: August 26, 2025 At its public Study Session on July 8, 2025, Town Council directed staff to advance a coordinated action plan to address growing concerns about youth-related e-bike safety. The plan focuses on what the Town can act on now, while also laying groundwork for comprehensive longer-term legislative change. SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TO DATE Community Outreach The objective is to provide clear, accessible information about the different classes of e-bikes and the legal requirements for each, focusing on what younger riders can and cannot operate under state law. The campaign aims to build awareness among students, parents, and the broader community to support informed decision-making, promote safe riding habits, and reduce the risks associated with misuse of high-speed e-devices in shared public spaces. 1. Public Awareness Campaign In addition to the numerous newsletter articles and social media posts on this topic, the Town has also produced: • “Not My Kid” campaign: danvilletowntalks.org/notmykid • Mayor’s “E-Bike Basics” video series (also on danvilletowntalks.org) • E-Bike laws & safety page: danville.ca.gov/ebikes The School District has shared the Town’s safety messaging through its back-to-school communication channels. 2. School Site Visits Danville Police are visiting both elementary and middle schools to ensure administrators understand current e-bike and e-scooter laws - particularly which devices are legal for children under 16. The goal is to promote consistent messaging across campuses and support school leaders in encouraging safe and lawful travel behavior. To date, officers have visited six elementary schools, three middle schools, and participated in the August 26th Street Smarts Assembly. Most principals have been receptive and Page | 2 willing to help educate students and parents. The Town’s goal is to secure full participation from all school sites. 3. E-Bike Safety Checks The Police Department is preparing to launch “E-Bike Safety Check” pop-up events in the upcoming months. These mobile stations are envisioned to be placed in high-traffic areas where youth congregate (parks, schools, and downtown) to offer hands-on guidance for families on how to assess whether a child’s e-bike is legal and safe to ride. Promotion and coordination support will come from Town staff. Any support from other agencies – including the SRVUSD or PTA - would be extremely welcomed. E-Bike Safety Education The Town’s education efforts are focused on the riders most at risk: youth who often lack the training, maturity, or awareness to operate high-speed devices safely in shared public spaces. These efforts aim to deliver clear, consistent safety education through two main approaches: 4. Education Through E-Bike Registration at School Danville has proposed a partnership with SRVUSD to implement a school-based E-Bike Safety & Registration Program, modeled after successful efforts in Lafayette, Marin, and other California communities. The goal of the registration requirement is to ensure that students receive basic e-bike safety education. Key elements include: • A campus permit requirement for students who ride e-bikes or scooters to school • Completion of a basic safety course as a condition for permit issuance The Danville Police Department has offered to lead implementation, including safety instruction, basic compliance checks, and support with logistics. 5. Education Through Administrative Citation The Town is also exploring the use of its administrative citation process as a tool to support education, modeled after a program in place in Irvine for the past decade. Similar to how traffic citations offer the option of attending traffic school, recipients of an e-bike citation would be offered the opportunity to attend an e-bike safety class conducted by the Danville Police Department. Page | 3 If they choose not to participate, the citation would proceed through the court process. The desired goal is to involve both the child and at least one parent or guardian in the class, reinforcing the core intent of the program to educate and promote safer riding behavior - reinforcing safety as a shared value. 6. Enforcement Danville Police continue to enforce existing laws through warnings, vehicle code citations, and impoundments. Violations could include: • Observable California Vehicle Code (CVC) violations • Reckless or evasive riding, including failure to stop for police and dangerous maneuvers in shared spaces • Destruction of public property, such as damage to turf fields or landscaping from stunt riding or skidding It’s important to note that enforcement remains challenging. Many young riders exhibit the same reckless behavior when approached by officers and many flee through crowded sidewalks, parks, or commercial areas - often making pursuit unsafe or impractical. These evasive actions highlight the limits of enforcement alone and underscore the need for broader prevention and education efforts. 7. Local Ordinance Review Both Commissions have engaged in thoughtful discussions about whether updates to existing ordinances are warranted based on safety concerns and observed rider behavior. • Bicycle Advisory Commission began evaluating regulations related to e-bike use on sidewalks at its July 23 meeting. The review is ongoing, and no formal recommendation has been made. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2025. • Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission reviewed the Town’s ordinance governing e- bike use in parks and trails at its July 9 and August 13 meetings. Commissioners expressed concern about reckless riding, particularly on fields and in parks near schools. After extensive discussion, many commissioners indicated a preliminary leaning toward prohibiting e-bikes in parks and fields, with potential variations by e- bike classification. Their next scheduled meeting is September 10, 2025. Page | 4 8. Regional Coordination: E-Bike Safety Working Group Danville is convening a regional, staff-level working group to address youth e-bike safety through shared learning, local coordination, and aligned action. The meeting will include: a. A focused overview of the issue and local tools currently in use b. Interactive breakout discussions on shared priorities c. Report-outs and actionable next steps Breakout sessions will center on: • Education and public outreach • School-based e-bike safety and registration programs • Legislative advocacy to address gaps in current law The goal is to align on pain points, exchange best practices, and begin building a coalition around practical, community-informed solutions to amplify local impact. Legislative Advocacy 9. State Legislation The Town is interest in pursuing a state-level strategy focused on strengthening governance around youth e-bike safety. The intent is to support more consistent, enforceable standards that promote public safety (particularly for young riders) while preserving access to affordable micromobility options. To date: • Initial discussions have been held with State Senator Tim Grayson’s office; and • Initiated discussions and shared local concerns with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s office 10. County-Level Support • Town staff is coordinating with Supervisor Candace Andersen’s office to advance shared goals related to youth e-bike safety, particularly with the Working Group. • Staff has initiated a conversation with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to align priorities, as CCTA explores forming a regional committee to develop a countywide e-bike policy.