Published January 22nd, 2020
No change in Orinda committees and commissions
By Sora O'Doherty
Following the reduction in the number of members of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee in late 2019, Orinda staff recommended to the city council that other changes could be made to the city's committees and commissions in order to streamline operations. For example, staff suggested, the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and the Citizens Infrastructure Oversight Commission could be combined into one public works commission. However, when suggested to those groups, they were unanimously opposed to the proposition. Additional negative feedback was received from the Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee.
At the Jan. 7 city council meeting, several members of the Art in Public Places Committee spoke out against any changes to that committee. Ted Urban, who has been involved in the committee since its inception 12 years ago, cited the need for continuity of thought on ongoing projects, and suggested that, while he supports monthly meetings, any reduction should result in no fewer than quarterly meetings. Mayor Darlene Gee complimented the APPC on their "tremendous passion" and added that the CIOC is not staffed up to do aesthetic work. Vice Mayor Amy Worth noted that without the APPC Orinda would not have "the magnificent art we have." Richard Weston wrote to the city council in support of the APPC, concluding "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and the council agreed.
Orinda is currently seeking resident volunteers for various committees and commissions, including the APPC. (See box on this Page.)

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