Orinda council adopts updated policies, approves 2026 meeting calendar and appoints labor negotiators

The Orinda City Council on Sept. 2 unanimously adopted a revised City Council Policies and Procedures Manual, approved its regular meeting schedule for calendar year 2026 with the addition of a Jan. 13, 2026 meeting, and appointed two council members to serve as labor negotiators for the city manager contract.

The council approved Resolution No. 50-24, adopting the updated policies and procedures manual after a staff presentation and brief council discussion. Council Member Gee praised the staff report as "very clear and comprehensive" and said the changes were "well thought out and well explained." The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Council members next reviewed the draft meeting calendar for 2026. Staff noted a typographical error for 2025 in the draft and outlined options for January scheduling around the election cycle. After discussion about the December–January gap in meetings and council members’ scheduling conflicts, the council agreed to add a regular meeting on Jan. 13, 2026 (to be canceled if not needed) and adopted the calendar as amended by unanimous vote.

On the appointment of negotiators for the city manager position, the council selected Council Member Gee and Council Member Riley to meet with the city manager on labor negotiation matters and potential contract amendments. The council voted unanimously to confirm the appointments.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 50-24 — Adopt City Council Policies and Procedures Manual: Passed unanimously (5–0). Council Members voting yes: Council Member Gee; Council Member Hoxie; Council Member Riley; Vice Mayor Iverson; Mayor Malcani.

- Meeting schedule for calendar year 2026 (as amended to add a Jan. 13, 2026 regular meeting): Passed unanimously (5–0). Council Members voting yes: Council Member Gee; Council Member Hoxie; Council Member Riley; Vice Mayor Iverson; Mayor Malcani.

- Selection of labor negotiators for the city manager position (appoint Council Member Gee and Council Member Riley): Passed unanimously (5–0). Council Members voting yes: Council Member Gee; Council Member Hoxie; Council Member Riley; Vice Mayor Iverson; Mayor Malcani.

Background and context

Staff told the council the policies-and-procedures review is an annual item; this year's update was described as slightly more extensive than in prior years. Council discussion on the manual was limited; one item council members said they planned to revisit in the future was the manual’s default procedure for continuing meetings past 10 p.m., including whether to extend the time to 10:30 p.m. in some cases. The adopted resolution incorporated the staff-recommended amendment noted in the staff report.

On the meeting schedule, staff proposed adjustments to accommodate holidays and the election cycle, including the option of a Monday meeting during an election week or an earlier start time for a Tuesday meeting. Council members discussed scheduling preferences, potential conflicts with spring break and regional meetings, and agreed to place Jan. 13, 2026 on the calendar as an extra regular meeting that can be canceled if not needed.

Regarding the labor-negotiator appointments, the council was asked to name two members to meet with the city manager on any contract discussions or amendments. Council Members Gee and Riley volunteered and were confirmed by unanimous vote.

Closing

All three actions passed without opposition. Council members thanked staff — including the city clerk, city manager and city attorney — for their work on the manual and the schedule.