[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6104875,"mediaKeyId","2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe","parentId",2788371,"title","Council receives update on town energy‑generation microgrid project; library site faces constraints","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",4539000,"endMs",4874000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe&start=4539&end=4874","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe/thumbnail_4539000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104875/California/Council-receives-update-on-town-energygeneration-microgrid-project-library-site-faces-constraints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104875-7b69e11d22034afefced2dbb3fc61fc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870491&Signature=SLtj6Iq0-Z0TXAwCZF4qh8prG6qyNskGa2WN8QChSMV48Jm3hBIt0q0Bhgifxf1rVnPEAyWj58U12WulYt4HpqHUOe1AZaPrsDeezT4QUceZhKqfYIAhinFssKURG18aG-jhKE~qTzMmpoI7d0VoB9txcIujuiB1sn5WCbb4f2rxZAxxI1XYssCBHX6o7RlZkYHViq1UzRce9aSl2tS-ClGW3yBSIdlDleXsB1KyCtDN79kHRODRLQwrzHzV5XTOAVE~zmSw8iymAhj5KD1p44oRqVirKZIlmKOJ2AC82U2VJ7IR9mEYnNG3kfmLn-U8UnXuYxhUrV1C1G2xr2ChyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Moraga CA","date","2025-03-26T22:57:56Z","article","Town staff told the Moraga Town Council on March 26 that the town is preparing a request for proposals (RFP) for an energy‑generation “microgrid” intended to provide resilience to planned and unplanned power outages at municipal facilities.

Public Works Director and Town Engineer Sean Knapp described the project as a possible combination of rooftop and parking‑canopy solar, battery storage and backup generators. “This is a solar microgrid system, which is composed of, solar panels, could have a a backup generator, and it could have backup, power, power battery energy, storage,” Knapp said.

Knapp and consultant Larry Thiess said staff and the consultant Clean Coalition have completed site analyses for three town facilities — town hall/council chambers, the library and a town courtyard/emergency‑operations space — and are finalizing RFP language. Staff presented a planning assumption used for modeling: a notional cost of about $0.40 per kilowatt‑hour as a baseline for potential power‑purchase agreements and a 25‑year project horizon.

The council heard that the library parking lot is constrained by property and utility easements. Knapp said part of the front parking lot is on a parcel owned by Central Contra Costa Sanitary District and “they would not allow us to put canopies” that require foundations; another portion of the lot lies under PG&E high‑voltage lines that prohibit structures beneath them. Knapp also noted that mature redwood trees limit solar exposure on the library roof, and removing trees would trigger separate project decisions because the trees are on town property and influence roof maintenance and shading.

Staff said the RFP will allow proposers to offer either a town‑financed purchase or a developer‑owned power‑purchase agreement (PPA). Consultant Larry Thiess told the council the purchase‑price option could require upfront capital on the order of multiple millions of dollars (staff-level estimates were presented), while a PPA would let a developer own and operate the system and sell power to the town at a fixed price over the contract term. Thiess said the RFP financial scenarios include a generator‑only backup option (lower capital cost, estimated in the mid-six‑hundred‑thousand dollar range) and larger solar-plus-storage options with higher upfront cost.

Council members asked for several clarifications and next steps: include a rate‑of‑return analysis in the RFP evaluation metrics, keep generator‑only as an option, and present any library‑vs‑alternative‑site tradeoffs (staff said the Hacienda and other town sites had been considered previously but were excluded for technical or metering reasons). Staff said the RFP release is planned in the coming weeks with proposals due in a bid period through the summer and that council action on a selected proposer could come later in 2025 with construction possible in 2026–27.

No contract award was requested at the March 26 meeting; the item was an informational update and the council did not take a procurement vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Regular Meeting - March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff briefed the council on a planned solar microgrid project for town facilities, saying the town will issue an RFP this spring. The library site has limited canopy options because of a sanitary‑district easement, high‑voltage lines and large redwood trees; council asked staff to include rate‑of‑return analysis in RFP evaluation.","taxTitle","Moraga Town, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",70874,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104880,"Moraga council endorses Acalanes Union High School District Measure T parcel tax",657,3011000,3668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe&start=3011&end=3668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe/thumbnail_3011000.jpg","/articles/6104880/California/Moraga-council-endorses-Acalanes-Union-High-School-District-Measure-T-parcel-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104880-0aea30e7b1af926b7ca0837a4bd0f42f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870491&Signature=Mr1EFQVHeg8ltQxxQbmRd5P4N-va2ROlB-0UHwQOWd1q4aVh1Gl5Bnzo5kAnOHnDD6wQlmtFeguPYyx~VjTVmssB4n5H028R8i2RnyTBUXHRi426SA3FXbaeMxLKF4~RdfDPcTMKf~FpzoH9p3gAPDvn9bjo2Khmzt7oO9hhedEaw-BKYE9GkeO96tqEHAvmTRUxYoigX7GBkAKvuBU5kw8yH1BhySLwHTYh6idXRoA-yk0T7Lg8Yk2FUo4IaJMrpOa74kM8bS0b-dmeF01rbvrmtAJT2wE7K4IFJZRkcXee1PuHwVKUdjnXlp7eUe~ptYsxwquMm~SDUYWdykI70g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moraga Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution March 26 endorsing the Acalanes Union High School District’s proposed Measure T parcel tax, which the district says would begin at $130 per parcel, run for eight years and include an annual adjustment capped at 3 percent.

Town Manager Scott presented the item and summarized staff’s recommendation after the council requested further information at a prior meeting. He told the council the district is seeking roughly $4.5 million a year and is proposing a special election in May; staff said the cost of a special election would increase the district’s election expense from earlier estimates of $200,000–$250,000 to approximately $900,000.

Nancy Hayford, a board member of the Acalanes Union High School District and a Moraga resident, described the district’s funding shortfall: \"We received the lowest allocation by formula of any high school district in the state,\" she said, explaining the district's reliance on local and parcel tax revenue and noting the district’s existing parcel tax has been flat since 2010.

Hayford and staff described intended uses for parcel-tax proceeds across broad categories including attracting and retaining teachers, maintaining class sizes, updating technology, providing library services and academic counseling, and supporting career and college readiness. Hayford said parcel-tax money would not be used for district-office administrator salaries and benefits; the district also described continuation of an independent oversight committee to review parcel-tax expenditures.

Public commenters — including residents and a newly appointed planning commissioner — spoke in favor of the measure, saying local schools are an important community asset. Council members disclosed individual endorsements during deliberations and emphasized the community’s history of supporting its schools; they moved to adopt a council resolution in support of Measure T and added a signature line to the document so the mayor can sign on behalf of the council.

The resolution directs staff to transmit the council’s endorsement to the district; the council did not take any binding action on the ballot timing or the district’s decision to hold a special election.","The council adopted a resolution supporting Measure T, a proposed parcel tax by the Acalanes Union High School District, after hearing a district board member explain the district’s low per‑student funding and the parcel‑tax proposal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104883,"Council appoints three residents to Parks & Recreation Commission",1489,1448000,2937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe&start=1448&end=2937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe/thumbnail_1448000.jpg","/articles/6104883/California/Council-appoints-three-residents-to-Parks-Recreation-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104883-68c3606a5f79747de66130d54ab10a8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870491&Signature=kSmSTQKxasYwib4dUsBIjWO5qCxZgK3ludcku-GXR85fsTFWg5Yj3~4TKyGT~YxI1bSxHW~mF33Dg3s9SrzPo5zqVXlVXfzLHOqfwIee4Cde8k7Js2NoOh0q5tHYuk8gxK3nfzigiljfwfCicNYO7OY1GnCCz~a~qw5pbiUfLrYYH4wAKJrtot7MDU-ORvuvRYloBG~NJxyGNAZmF-6aGA5LemnalPLYc9Dg4VLOkt9M-ECQau7Tzeb8O59Qump7xYWgxzFiKg2-lWGXvbTByszaZGr0El30pwteMwe8lSz6pzQtcThY3zwnIVg45DF40kA0PfI6CtGkWV0eYqs-lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moraga Town Council on March 26 appointed three residents to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Following interviews with three candidates, the council voted unanimously to appoint Greg Crossley, John Panetta and Steve Smith to the commission. Mayor Wolecki moved the appointments and a council member seconded; council members voted in favor without recorded opposition.

Each candidate described a different set of qualifications during the interview: Crossley cited long-term volunteer service and interest in accessibility for playgrounds and trails; John Panetta described experience securing grant funding for local businesses and interest in grant-based park improvements and youth programs; and Steve Smith, a long‑time Moraga resident and retired contractor, emphasized hands-on facility experience and ongoing volunteer work on habitat projects such as owl boxes.

Council members said the three candidates bring complementary perspectives for work on a forthcoming parks and open-space master plan and assigned commission duties. The appointments fill three open positions; council directed staff to complete any required paperwork and notify new commissioners of orientation and meeting schedules.","After interviews the Moraga Town Council unanimously appointed Greg Crossley, John Panetta and Steve Smith to fill three open seats on the Parks and Recreation Commission.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104889,"Council awards contract for picnic‑area improvements at Rancho Laguna Park",134,521000,655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe&start=521&end=655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe/thumbnail_521000.jpg","/articles/6104889/California/Council-awards-contract-for-picnicarea-improvements-at-Rancho-Laguna-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104889-b443278890428863841d6b1f8ffc10d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870491&Signature=lQl1djdsPsF-XtZWhjC~2A~bzXrRU0dQwLPOXwRgAqDu7rxVX3WB3M14i9Vgtlud~QLcE4OhRTE2G2ie57SKCRC4ylf0Uw5BYUwLTnoVQvd8Il-Z7r9ZuXDnaYtpNeUIKdtYyGfaqGF1g9q7TTNFXgmBZLKYYkprjRuqFAhST4DDut0hSLQO~I2EtcYUHy-5~ALWUNBefQwPLQbsr00kkf3opBBHs9IfYwecbJ0U~zUBlysynQz74k~xXwb9iQh3zzZHrtRwRPQzB7ovEmdeemivwDEmrjdEy1H53ffKDmh5PoO5ZulNq2yIWfhGbdr9oE8oKcH4NkfJAPU9xJCkXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moraga Town Council voted March 26 to award a construction contract for picnic‑area improvements at Rancho Laguna Park.

Parks and Recreation Director Mackenzie Bridal described the work as replacing the current grassy picnic-area surface on the park’s north side with decomposed granite and adding a 2-by-4 border; she said the project will also fill a lip on the south side “to make it accessible.” \"The surfaces for the picnic area on the North Side is currently grass with the picnic tables, and it will be a DG, a decomposed granite surface,\" Bridal said.

Bridal said the south‑side reservable picnic area will be filled in so the ground is flush with the walkway and accessible to users. Council members characterized the change as “significant improvement over the current very, rough type of surface.”

During the consent discussion council members pulled item 6.3 for questions about scope and surfacing; after the presentation the council moved, seconded and approved the contract award as part of the pulled consent items. No public comments were offered on the item at the meeting.

Staff noted the work will replace grass with decomposed granite in the north picnic area and fill and grade the south side to remove the existing lip; the resolution before council authorized award of the construction contract and associated expenditures. A detailed schedule and contractor name were included in the staff packet but were not read into the record during the council discussion.","The council voted to award a construction contract to install new picnic tables and replace grass with decomposed granite surfacing in the reservable picnic areas at Rancho Laguna Park to improve accessibility and durability.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104894,"Moraga council approves switch to Granicus agenda-management system",166,348000,514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe&start=348&end=514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2788371-8fac2f972b49ba59e5b6dbb0c6f13ffe/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6104894/California/Moraga-council-approves-switch-to-Granicus-agenda-management-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104894-e98de99b9510ff1a06a02451d821eeca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870491&Signature=G9Hb8hD88dn49mASy96wEBklGXRnKu-~ffYEPhvrL3BVAbmIXz4Vu9kzIfj9LqFoHiA2FTp2IB40tVJf~065f3xqjAQ4SELSZeFLlvJ2RrB4t54bTupWEcqg7vfyCDmeB3LFLy7bY-wj7ZAZ7o6fi-vz6Zs46sG43DYj5OZ2rYisnvLkWV3Idgjycdvsjl-fzg1mq0iFliHV-MIkcTYwV8B5EXGgUxeToSu72JWNYTW2bU53lYz6i86p2TPgnaMBijQBJBgc4acdphO4xhsbtjs-gMv7pWMdHqHFVwBCracOiAprUHbTau83yenSHXaL6Ae7QSincLy-hHJIvcvBDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moraga Town Council on March 26 voted to add Granicus, a cloud-based agenda-management platform, to the town’s clerks and council workflow.

Town Clerk Amy Hevener said Granicus is “widely used, especially throughout the state of California. It has it's used by over 600 cities in California,” and told the council the town’s current practice of storing agenda packets on a shared drive “puts us at risk” if the server fails.

Hevener told the council Granicus would store agenda packets in the cloud, provide a consistent agenda-management workflow for staff, and give council members an app designed to read and annotate agenda packets on tablets. “It's really user friendly. It's really customizable,” she said.

Council members asked procedural and usability questions during the consent discussion before voting to approve item 6.2, which authorizes the town’s transition to Granicus. The consent item was moved, seconded and approved during the March 26 meeting.

Staff said Granicus will replace the town’s current shared-drive approach, provide built-in version control for agendas and reduce risk of packet loss in the event of server problems. No specific implementation date was provided in the staff presentation.

The vote to adopt item 6.2 was taken as part of the consent calendar; the council approved the pulled consent items 6.2 and 6.3 after brief discussion and public comment (none), with all members voting in favor on the motion to approve those pulled items.","The Moraga Town Council voted to approve use of Granicus for agenda management and digital packet storage, a cloud-based system town staff said will improve security and workflow over the current shared‑drive approach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council receives update on town energy‑generation microgrid project; library site faces constraints

Moraga council endorses Acalanes Union High School District Measure T parcel tax

Council appoints three residents to Parks & Recreation Commission

Council awards contract for picnic‑area improvements at Rancho Laguna Park

Moraga council approves switch to Granicus agenda-management system