A resident said sewer construction on Orleans Drive has repeatedly blocked emergency access and could destabilize a nearby hillside, and she asked the city to take immediate steps to protect residents and property.

At public comment, Anne Torabini described repeated incidents in which ambulances and fire crews could not reach homes because of illegally parked cars and contractor equipment. “We have a man at the end of the street who is on oxygen…we were promised that the city would monitor parking,” Torabini said. "In both cases, the ambulance and the fire trucks could not get down our street. They had to walk to the houses."

Why it matters: blocked emergency access creates an immediate risk to life and safety, and Torabini also said construction‑related water flow toward a damaged drain and a nearby slope could increase the chance of a slide if leaks are not shut off quickly.

Torabini told the council she met city staff and contractors the prior Wednesday and was told the city would monitor parking, but that monitoring had not prevented two subsequent incidents in which emergency vehicles could not pass. She said contractors were not following agreed‑upon parking restrictions and parked equipment “on the other side,” leaving the roadway impassable. She asked the city to intervene to ensure parking is monitored and enforced.

Torabini also raised geotechnical concerns at the end of Orleans Drive where a hillside sits about 50 feet from trenching and where a long‑reported damaged drain empties into the slope. She said past breaks have caused water to run toward the end of the street and down the hill; contractors’ current trenching is in the middle of the street and, combined with the local topography, would direct leaking water toward the hillside. Torabini said East Bay MUD historically took an hour or more to shut off water when breaks occurred, and asked whether firefighters could be trained to turn off water at critical valves during emergencies.

Mayor Sisai acknowledged the concern and told Torabini city staff had her contact information and would follow up directly after the meeting.

Ending: The city confirmed staff would follow up with the resident; no formal council action was recorded during the meeting and residents may expect a direct staff response and possible on‑site review.