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HomeMy WebLinkAbout100725-07.1 TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT1 MEMO From the desk of . . . Tai J. Williams, Town Manager October 7, 2025 To: Mayor and Town Council Subject: September Town Manager’s Update The month of September was shaped by preparation, progress on capital projects, community connection, and continued focus on public safety: 1.Preparation: Across the organization, work focused on readiness - from creek cleaning and fire drills to the closeout of FEMA storm recovery documentation, audit preparation, and winterization projects. These efforts ensure Danville is well- positioned heading into fall. 2.Progress on Capital Projects: From gearing up for construction on Diablo Road Trail to the advancement of major capital projects like the Sycamore Valley Road Improvements and the Town Green & Arts District Pavilion, September marked important steps forward in refining Danville’s built environment. 3.Community Connection: September was filled with opportunities for residents to come together — from two downtown car shows to the Senior Variety Show, adult sports leagues, the upcoming Scarecrow Stroll and supporting the San Ramon Valley High School Homecoming Parade, Danville continues to demonstrate that connection is the heart of community life. 4.E-Bike Safety Initiatives: The Town continues to advance its E-Bike Action Plan through education, enforcement, commission review, and regional collaboration consistent with Town Council direction at its July 8th Study Session. 2 DEPARTMENT UPDATES Administration & Finance Finance • Preparing to close FY 2024/25. • Auditors conducted virtual fieldwork the week of September 22. Information Technology • Developing a new visual dashboard for departments to report and display performance data. • Initiated workstation upgrades to Windows 11. General Government Community Engagement • Maintained direct and transparent outreach through Town Talks, social media, and multilingual newsletters. • Achieved the highest Instagram follower count among Tri-Valley agencies and similarly sized Bay Area cities with more than 13,000 followers. • Town Talks engagement site has received more than 60,000 visits since 2022, including 2,000 visits in September 2025 alone. • Produced a quarterly print newsletter mailed to more than 19,000 homes. • Distributed targeted interest email newsletters across a variety of topics, with a subscriber base of 8,000+ (many subscribed to multiple lists). • Email newsletters maintain a 59% average open rate and 70% engagement rate. • Continued to present information across platforms so residents have vital information at their fingertips. E-Bike Safety Update • Commission Reviews: At its September 10 meeting, the Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission (PRAC) recommended restricting e-bike and e-scooter use to paved trails in parks and adopting a 15-mph speed limit. The Bicycle Advisory Commission (BAC) discussed whether to extend the current downtown sidewalk ban into residential areas. While no recommendation was made, members supported further study. Both commissions’ input will be forwarded to the Town Council once complete. • Regional Coordination: On September 12, the Town convened a multi-agency E- Bike Safety Working Group with representatives from cities, schools, and state 3 partners. Participants shared common challenges - from enforcement and education gaps to the limits of local authority - and agreed that statewide legislative change will be necessary for lasting impact. (See Attachment A.). • School-based Registration: While school-linked registration remains a promising tool to deliver rider education, it has not yet gained traction. The Town remains open to collaboration and will continue outreach and enforcement in the meantime. • Ongoing Outreach: Education efforts continue through the “Not My Kid” campaign, school safety visits, and a planned e-bike education booth at the October 25 Street Smarts Bike Festival (Iron Horse Middle School, 10 AM–2 PM). • Recent Enforcement Action: Two juveniles riding electric motorbikes fled police after weaving through traffic and running a red light near Diablo Road. They were cited for reckless driving and their bikes were impounded for 30 days. The incident, shared on social media, received strong community support and sparked widespread discussion. Community responses praised the Police Department’s action and echoed ongoing concerns:  Safety First: “My parents have nearly been hit several times walking downtown.”  Support for Enforcement: “A good start to an ongoing problem.”  Parental Accountability: “Maybe now parents will stop buying them.”  E-Bike Culture & Risk: “They don’t have the judgment to behave... so the party’s over.” Economic Development & Community Events • Partnered on two successful September car shows: Hot Summer Sundays and Danville d’Elegance, each drawing thousands downtown. While the shows feature very different types of cars, both organizers reported successful events, with thousands of attendees strolling through Downtown Danville. • Annual Scarecrow Stroll begins October 10 with nearly 50 businesses participating (up from 28 in 2024). Through November 10, businesses will display a scarecrow and compete against other businesses as visitors cast their votes. Last year, we hosted a total of 28 scarecrows, and this year, we have 36 just in the Downtown “stroll” area. • The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce held the second in a series of business workshops sponsored by the Town. The topic was Marketing, and more than 25 people attended the August 27 event at the Town Offices. The next workshop, “Demystifying AI,” is October 29. 4 Emergency Preparedness & Response • Participated in FEMA closeout meeting for 2022/23 winter storms; additional documentation requested by CalOES. • Conducted Town Offices fire drill on September 10. • Attended County MAC meetings (9/3 and 10/1), EBRPD Hazard Mitigation Planning (9/4), Med Health Preparedness (9/24). • County Emergency Managers meeting scheduled for October 16. • Monthly coordination with PG&E ongoing. State Legislative Update The 2025 Legislative Session officially ended on September 13. At the start of the year, 2,350 bills were introduced, with approximately 800 passing through the legislative process and forwarded to the Governor. Governor Newsom has until October 12 to sign or veto the final batch of bills. Those signed are chaptered into law by the Secretary of State and, unless otherwise specified, will take effect on January 1, 2026. Key outcomes and issues of note: • State Budget: A $321.1 billion budget was adopted to close a $12 billion deficit using borrowing, reserves, and fund shifts. • SB 130 (Housing Policy Trailer Bill): Extends SB 330 permanently, codifies CEQA streamlining for infill projects, pauses new local residential standards for six years, and modifies wage rules for streamlined development. • Transportation: Gas-tax revenues, which fund local road repairs, are shrinking as more people drive electric vehicles. The state hasn’t solved this yet, so we’ll need to plan for flat or declining road funds. The Legislature will hold regional roundtables to explore long-term funding alternatives. • Infrastructure & Climate: Anticipated new investments in water, energy, and climate resilience, paired with new mandates on cities related to greenhouse gas reduction and clean fleet transition. • Local Government Impact: State continues to expand influence over housing decisions while small, higher-income communities like Danville face barriers accessing competitive funding streams. 5 Development Services Building Division • Nova Development (375 W. El Pintado): 50-unit senior housing project by Diamond Construction; model homes under construction. • Walnut Apartments (3020 Fostoria Way): 43-unit affordable housing project by The Pacific Company; building permits issued. • The Orchard (3020 Fostoria Way): 124-unit townhome development by Trumark Homes; first eight units under building review and will be model homes for sale. Transportation Division • Brookside Drive NTMP Drive (between Paraiso Drive and Sycamore Valley Road): Final stages of completion; new speed limit signs, radar displays, and pavement markings to be implemented in November. • TRAFFIX School Bus Program: Added an eighth school bus to serve Monte Vista High School. Planning Division • The Lanes (200 Boone Court): SB 330 application for 47 three-story townhomes and two junior ADUs on a 1.62-acre parcel by the Address Company. • Martin Hills Ranch (Elworthy East): 20-unit single-family project on 100 acres by Bates Stringer Martin Hills Ranch, LLC; Draft EIR under review. • Evergreen Estates (2570 Camino Tassajara/45 Sherburne Hills Rd): 18-unit single- family project with 18 ADUs; Draft Environmental Impact Report is currently under technical review. Capital Improvements / Engineering • Iron Horse Trail Crossing Improvements (C-607): Construction of raised crosswalks, high-visibility signage, markings, and drainage improvements at three crossings on Paraiso Drive, El Capitan Drive, and Greenbrook Drive. Design complete; project will go to bid November 2025. • Traffic Management Program (C-305): Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) which emit high-intensity amber LED flashes enhancing visibility at crosswalks. The project includes five Iron Horse Trail Regional Trail Crossings: Prospect Avenue, Linda Mesa, Love Lane, Del Amigo Road, and Hartford Avenue, plus two school-area crosswalks at Railroad Avenue/Love Lane (San Ramon Valley High School) and Stone Valley Road/Monte Sereno (Monte Vista High School). Once completed, all Iron Horse Trail Crossings in Town will 6 have RRFB’s or full traffic control signals. Equipment installation begins October 2025. • Sycamore Valley Road Improvements (C-635): Provides a new surface on Sycamore Valley Road from Camino Ramon to Camino Tassajara. The overall scope of the project includes dig out repairs and an overlay, replacement of green bike lane striping, the addition of Class II buffered bike lanes and ADA curb ramps. 90% design review complete; construction anticipated summer 2026. Project includes resurfacing, bike lanes, and ADA curb ramps. • Town Green & Arts District Pavilion (B-628) and Town Studio Maker Space (B-629): two high-priority projects identified in the Parks, Recreation and Arts Strategic Plan. The pavilion will replace the existing bandstand with an open-air structure designed for community events, performances and gatherings. The Town Studio is intended to be a flexible space for community gathering, recreation programming, and arts and culture. Design phase complete; projects in building review. Construction projected spring/summer 2026. • Diablo Road Trail (C-055): Construction of a .09-mile trail that connects the Barbara Hale Trail eastward towards Mt. Diablo State Park to a new 0.7 mile-path to the east constructed as part of the Magee Preserve Development. The trail represents the final link between Danville and Mt. Diablo State Park. The project includes a new high intensity activated crosswalk signal, known as a HAWK signal, that will be installed at Diablo Road and Fairway Drive. This pedestrian activated signal will help users safely cross the road by stopping traffic when needed. Construction scheduled to be underway on 0.9-mile connection to Magee Preserve and Mt. Diablo State Park, including a HAWK signal at Diablo/Fairway. Maintenance Services • Began AB 1572 “non-functional” turf conversion with initial prep along Tassajara Lane/Sherburne Hills for replacement with rose bushes. • Danville South Park Playground: Design approved by PRAC; contract scheduled for Council review in October. • Winter Preparation: Creek cleaning efforts nearly complete. • Veterans Memorial Building: Prep work underway for October repainting. • 9/11 Event: Supported Oak Hill Park ceremony, including site prep and logistics. • Osage Station Park: Contract finalized to repair and seal playground surface, requiring 2–3 day closure. Police & Emergency Services • Participated in multiple community events including National Night Out (8/5), first-day-of-school patrols (8/13), Coffee with the Cops (8/28), and Hot Summer Sundays Car Show (9/7). • Approximately six Danville Police Department staff participated in the 9/11 event at Oak hill, including staff participating in the Honor Guard. Additionally, gained 7 the support of County Sheriff for the event. Supported 9/11 event at Oak Hill Park with staff and Honor Guard participation. • Activity (August 2025): o 2,603 calls for service o 680 citations o 134 crime reports o 15 accident reports o 44 arrests (10 DUIs) o 153 traffic warnings Recreation, Arts & Community Services • Seniors: o 27 seniors enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food and friendship at the Afternoon Mingle on Tuesday, September 16. o Celebrated National Guacamole Day with guacamole themed snacks. o 26 seniors are registered for the Rubino Estates Winery trip scheduled for September 25. They’ll enjoy Livermore Valley views while savoring five exquisite wine tastings paired with a gourmet charcuterie board. o Annual Senior Variety Show took place on September 13 at the Village Theatre; sold-out event featured 15 amazing acts with a total of 55 talented performers. • Sports: Fall adult leagues off to a strong start with o 60 teams are registered for bocce. o 6 teams are registered for Monday night softball and a record 10 teams registered for Thursday night softball. o The 5x5 basketball league is currently at capacity with 6 teams. • Youth: Registration for Junior Warriors is off to a great start ~300 registrations • Teens: Teen Centers at Los Cerros, Charlotte Wood and Diablo Vista Middle Schools opened September 2 for the 2025-2026 school year. Across all three centers, about 70 students from 6th-8th grade are enrolled for the fall session. • Kids Night Out: So far, 23 participants are registered for Kids Night Out scheduled for September 26. • Events: Village Theatre hosted four rentals including The Hairy Ape production by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation; final Music at the Plaza concert on September 6. • Facilities: An active month with 55 picnic rentals, 23 bocce/tennis rentals, and 20 indoor rentals kept Town facilities busy. 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 E-BIKE SAFETY | WORKING GROUP Kick Off Meeting NOTES Date: September 12, 2025 | Danville Community Room Agencies Represented: Danville (Lead Agency), Brentwood, Concord, Contra Costa County, East Bay Regional Park District, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Lafayette School District, Livermore, Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, Orinda, San Ramon, SRV Council of PTA Presidents, SRVUSD, SRVFPD, Walnut Creek; State representatives: Office of Assemblymember RBK, Office of Senator Tim Grayson AGENDA 1. Welcome & Framing the Conversation • Lead Agency noted that while every community is grappling with youth e-bike safety, approaches are fragmented. • Context factors driving urgency: o The Mineta Transportation Institute’s statewide study is expected soon. o Council, commissions, and community members have been elevating concerns. o Patchwork of local responses risks confusion, limited impact, and potential backlash. • Goal for the meeting: coordinate education, enforcement, and advocacy strategies so cities and schools can act consistently and speak with a stronger collective voice. 2. Roundtable Introductions and Concerns Raised Participants introduced themselves by agency and shared their community’s most pressing e-bike challenge (attendee list attached). Most Common Concern/Challenge: Enforcement • Officers can’t always stop kids who purposefully evade contact, and it’s unsafe (for both the child and the public) for officers to chase reckless evading riders • It’s very difficult to distinguish the bike classification or rider age from a distance, so there is focus on the CVC violation (running a stop sign, etc.) • We focus enforcement energy on the behavior (“behavior over batteries”) • No one really wants to arrest a 12-year-old. Legislative Ambiguity • Parents are buying e-bikes but have no idea what the law requires. • The kids who most need training are the least likely to sign up for it. Page | 2 Education Gaps • Parents are buying e-bikes but have no idea what the law requires. • The kids who most need training are the least likely to sign up for it. • Our outreach is missing families who aren’t already plugged into PTAs or school communications. 3. Roundtable Discussion by Topic EDUCATION & OUTREACH Discussion Points • Discussion of school-based registration tied to mandatory safety training. • Parent education campaigns through PTAs and school newsletters. • Pop-up safety fairs in partnership with local bike shops or advocacy groups. • Peer-led outreach: high schoolers teaching middle schoolers. • Need to engage families in elementary schools about e-bike laws and safety training before they reach middle school. Quotes • “If we connect registration with training at the school level, we’ll reach kids before the accidents happen.” • “Parents don’t know where to start—PTAs can be a bridge.” • “Peer-led campaigns stick; kids listen to other kids more than they listen to us.” ENFORCEMENT & ORDINANCE STRATEGIES Discussion Points • Use of admin citations for minors as a mechanism to deliver education. • Strain on police resources; need for shared standards across cities. • School is where many kids are headed; limiting illegal e-bike/e-scooter use to schools can help reduce reckless riding during the busiest times of day. • Limitations by the California Vehicle Code (CVC) on what can be imposed locally. Quotes • “If we connect registration with training at the school level, we’ll reach kids before the accidents happen.” • “Parents don’t know where to start - PTAs can be a bridge.” • “Peer-led campaigns stick; kids listen to other kids more than they listen to us.” LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY Discussion Points • Regional alignment before the 2026 legislative session. Page | 3 • Possible support for statewide age restrictions and identifying markers for different classes of e-bikes. • Mandatory training requirements tied to permits. • Lessons from Marin County’s AB 1778 pilot. • Importance of engaging state reps early (Senator, Assemblymember, etc.). 4. Next Steps • Schedule next meetings (late fall 2025) as a series of Break Out Groups on specific topics, to which anyone in Working Group is invited to attend. • Explore short-term collective actions: Education & Outreach o Danville will share content and graphics for the “Not My Kid” Campaign (danvilletowntalks.org/notmykid). o Danville to develop an e-bike education pop-up event o Town to work with SRVUSD to reach families of “littles” in elementary school (who may purchase an e-bike/e-scooter in a few years). o PTA to consider different approaches to engage “hard to reach” families. Enforcement & Ordinance Strategies o Danville will pursue crafting an administrative citation program o Cities with ordinance updates to share with the rest. Legislative & Advocac7 o Explore partnership with Tri-Valley Cities o Evaluate how amendments to proposed legislation in progress (e.g., SB 455) could address group needs.