Summer 2017
Town of
Danville NEWSLETTER
Message from the Town Council Welcome to the summer edition of the Danville Quarterly Newsletter! Summer is a great time to be in Danville, as we have many fine programs and events happening throughout the season. Whether you enjoy excellent live bands on stage in our Music in the Park events, want to learn more about the new Community Choice Energy program coming to Danville or want to know all about parking in Town, we’ve got you covered. In this newsletter, you can check out how parks make life better for our residents, as well as get updates on major projects like the I-680 Auxiliary Lanes project, $6 million Pavement Management Program or the green bike lanes on Camino Tassajara. See how our police are doing with the latest crime stats or get some tips on how to keep safe from residential burglaries. Many excellent programs are offered over the summer months. Check out the Junior Warriors Basketball program, or all of the amazing classes and events at the Danville Senior Center. There’s information for everyone, so take a look and see all that’s happening here in the Town of Danville.
Crews apply asphalt overlay as part of the Town’s Pavement Management Program
INSIDE
Danville’s Community Branding Campaign Launched
Danville Police Create “Exchange Zone”
High Energy Outdoor Fun: Music in the Park!
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Customers shop at a Danville business
Business License Renewal is Now Online
Getting a business license in Danville is an important first step to becoming a valued member of the local business community. The Town of Danville wants to make this process as efficient as possible and now offers businesses the ability to renew their business license online. In 2017, business license software used by the Town has been integrated with the EnerGov enterprise-wide permitting software suite. For businesses renewing their license this year, this will require a one-time online user registration.
Look for a guide on completing renewal this year at: danville.ca.gov/business
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Want to know more about how to renew? Look for an informational guide on completing a renewal this year in the mail or on the Town’s website: www.danville.ca.gov/business For more information, contact the Finance Division at (925) 314-3312.
Danville Joins Community Choice Energy Program In an effort to increase consumer choice, lower electricity rates for residents and businesses, and increase the use of renewable energy, the Town of Danville will be joining MCE Clean Energy’s Community Choice Energy (CCE) program later this year. CCE is a program that allows local governments to procure electricity for its residential and commercial customers while maintaining the existing provider, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), for customer billing, transmission, and distribution services. In 2016, the Town of Danville joined forces with several cities and the County of Contra Costa to conduct a feasibility study on CCE. In 2016, the cities of Lafayette and Walnut Creek joined MCE Clean Energy, and in the past few months, Contra Costa County, the Town of Moraga, and cities of Oakley, Pinole, and Concord decided to join the CCE program. The Town Council made its decision on May 2 after receiving feedback this year from residents who overwhelmingly supported CCE. MCE Clean Energy, established in 2010, serves dozens of communities in Contra Costa, Marin, Napa and Solano counties and has had a proven track record of securing a higher level of renewable energy while keeping rates low for consumers. More information about MCE Clean Energy will be unveiled to Danville residents and businesses this fall in advance of the program’s expected launch in 2018. For more information about the program, contact Administrative Services Director Nat Rojanasathira at (925) 314-3328.
MCE Project in Richmond
Live Locally: Danville’s Community Branding Campaign Launched After extensive focus group research and feedback from the business community, the Town has launched a new branding campaign to be used in event, project and retail promotion. The newly-adopted Community Marketing and Branding Plan includes logo graphics, color palettes, brand guidelines and specific marketing strategies to help foster economic vitality. The Marketing Plan identifies six ‘pillars’ that highlight Danville’s unique attributes. The six pillars are: • Historic • Small-town/Charming • Recreation/Outdoorsy
• Foodie-destination • Family-friendly • Arts-focused
Communicating these attributes should be the main goal of all of Danville’s marketing and messaging, for the Town as well as its partners including the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. Over the next several months, residents will see the new graphics rolled out in print publications and online media. The next issue of the Danville Quarterly Newsletter will reflect the new graphics and pillars that make Danville a great place to live locally. For more information about the Community Branding and Marketing Plan, contact Nat Rojanasathira at (925) 314-3328 or Jill Bergman at (925) 314-3369.
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Police Reaching Out to the Community
Recognizing the importance of the relationship between law enforcement and the community, the Danville Police Department is constantly looking at new ways to build better partnerships with residents and businesses. Being out in the community is key, and the Police Department works to increase their interactions with the community through programs like Coffee & Cocoa with the Cops, the Police Department Open House, National Night Out, and the Citizens Police Academy. Working with adult residents is only a part of the equation. It is equally important to forge relationships and understanding with youth as well. Police personnel do that by offering both middle and high school versions of the Citizens Police Academy, providing school resource officers to spend time on campus, and visiting all of the Town’s elementary and middle schools as part of the Recess with the Cops program. To learn more about these programs, or to invite an officer to take part in your next Neighborhood Watch or other service group meeting, contact the Danville Police Department at (925) 314-3700.
Danville Police reach out to the community through events like ‘Coffee and Cocoa with the Cops’
2016 CRIME STATS 365
Property Crimes
26%
lowest number since 1982
627 4
Cases Closed
% 45.9 closure rate
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Crimes Against Persons
50%
down 50% from 2011
25,418
Total Calls for Service
316
Traffic Accidents
37%
injury accidents down 37% since 2014
Top Calls for Service: False Alarms, Suspicious Vehicles, Suspicious Subjects
Park Watch: Help Protect Danville Parks from Vandalism In the warm weather months, Danville’s parks see greater use. The downside to the increased usage is a greater number of incidents of graffiti and vandalism. Every year, the Town’s Maintenance Services Department spends hundreds of staff hours and thousands of dollars responding to and repairing damage done to park amenities. Residents are asked to keep a watchful eye out and report any incidents of graffiti or vandalism. Reports can be made by calling the police non-emergency line at (925) 820-2144, contacting Maintenance Services at (925) 314-3450 or by using the Danville Connect App. When using the app, simply snap a picture with your smartphone and send the report to staff. Together we can help keep our parks looking beautiful and providing a safe and fun experience for the whole family! For more information, contact Maintenance Services at (925) 314-3450 or maintenance@danville.ca.gov.
Danville Police Create “Exchange Zone” The Danville Police Department have joined a growing trend of public safety agencies who offer an ‘Exchange Zone’ for residents to conduct transactions in a video-recorded space.
Earlier this summer, a safe zone was made available to residents at the upper parking lot of the Danville Town Offices and Police Department at 510 La Gonda Way. In the marked spaces, residents may handle business such as purchases made through classified ad websites like Craigslist. Besides taking place right outside police headquarters, the spaces are under constant video recording, helping provide some safety and assurance to would-be buyers. “Having the Exchange Zone should help prevent residents from being the victim of a robbery set up using a classified ads site,” said Police Chief Steve Simpkins. “This is another way we can help safeguard our community.” To learn more about the Exchange Zone, contact the Danville Police Department at (925) 314-3700.
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION
Burglars are hunters. Similar to traditional hunters, burglars stalk their prey at certain times and in specific locations. Protect your home from predators with knowledge and proactive measures. If a person comes seeking to “sell” something or looking for help, speak to them through a closed and locked door. Whether a person is pretending to be a solicitor, a utility worker or motorist in distress, do not allow access into your home.
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Consider an alarm system for your home.
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Consider a motionactivated camera system and lights. This can give the appearance the house is occupied.
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Make sure all locks on doors & windows in the home are functional.
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Lock your vehicle at night and remove valuables. Lock up or remove garage door remotes.
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Get to know your neighbors! Start a Neighborhood Watch group or have a block party on National Night Out.
Make sure landscaping is groomed, paying attention to tall hedges, and other items which could provide concealment at a door, window or gate.
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For more information, contact the Danville Police Department at (925) 314-3700.
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Enjoy Danville v
er
HEALTHY MOVEMENT: Adult Lap Swim, Cane-Do, dance classes, gymnastics, karate, jazzercise, Pilates, T’ai Chi, Yoga, Zumba
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In honor of July being National Parks Make Life Better Month we are inviting you to visit one of our beautiful Danville parks! Did you know that in California, 98% of families visit a park every day and 35% of Danville households participate in at least one organized recreation program at a park facility each year? In Danville, we have six main parks serving our community and many other pocket and school parks serving individual neighborhoods.
c a itive sp
FREE-TIME FUN: Acoustic concerts, Bridge, Capture the Flag, Day camps, Moonlight Movies, Music in the Parks, Open Gym, Preschool Performance series, senior bocce ball & barbeque, Special Events, Village Theatre & Art Gallery, Visual Arts classes.
Parks...
gathering e plac s
Regardless of location, parks feature opportunities to play, spend time in nature, and exercise. They are positive spaces for free-time fun, gathering places for socializing and learning, and are valued forever for the experiences they provide. The Town of Danville encourages all residents to recognize the benefits that parks and recreation provide. Celebrate summer by visiting a local park and finding how parks make life better for you!
n a t u re BEAUTY & SERENITY: Family Campouts at Oak Hill Park & Mt. Diablo State Park, Lend-A-Hand Day, Trail Mixers
pl a y SAFE, OUTDOOR SPACES: Baseball, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cheerleading, Flag Football, Dodgeball, Lacrosse, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
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Landscaping Plan Completed for I-680 Aux Lanes Project Drivers who travel along San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Camino Ramon are seeing more greenery as the landscaping portion of the I-680 Auxiliary Lanes, Segment 2 project was finally completed in May 2017. The Aux Lanes Project provided additional lanes along I-680 between Sycamore Valley Road and Crow Canyon. As part of the project, sound walls were reconstructed, requiring the removal of the existing landscaping in late 2012. The final phase of the project was the re-planting of landscaping along those areas. However, due to the worsening drought conditions, most of the planting had to be delayed. Following the wet winter, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority authorized the final phase of the project with the planting of ground cover, vines, trees and shrubs along the project corridor. The completed landscaping marks the official completion of the $34 million project that began in 2012 through a combination of local, sub-regional and state transportation dollars.
Landscaping is installed along Camino Ramon as part of the I-680 Auxiliary Lanes Project
Update on Downtown Parking Projects This summer visitors to Downtown Danville will see the first of several planned capital improvement projects underway that will add new parking spaces throughout the downtown. The Rose Street Parking Improvements Project began in June and consists of the construction of a 78-space surface parking lot at the northwest corner of Rose Street and East Linda Mesa Avenue. Beginning in late 2018, expect the expansion of the Village Theatre Municipal Parking Lot, 279 Front Street. The existing 71-space lot will increase to 200 spaces.
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Also in 2018, watch for the Sycamore Valley Park and Ride Expansion. This project will expand the existing 230-space lot to approximately 350 spaces and provide a new pedestrian and bicycle connection to the Iron Horse Trail. Finally, the San Ramon Valley High School Expansion project will provide 200 new oncampus parking spaces and is expected to be open for the 2019/20 school year. For information on the Rose Street Lot project or other future planned parking improvements, contact Senior Civil Engineer Steven Jones at (925) 314-3339 or sjones@danville.ca.gov.
GREEN BIKE LANES COMING TO CAMINO TASSAJARA New green bicycle lanes will adorn Camino Tassajara this summer, as part of the final piece of the 2016 SAFETEA-LU Repaving Project. Colored pavement within bike lanes is becoming a more widely utilized safety measure intended to increase the visibility of cyclists and raise awareness of potential conflict areas between cyclists and drivers.
Pavement Improvement Project Underway Some streets in Danville will be getting a facelift this summer as the annual Pavement Improvement Project gets underway. The project, which focuses on a number of streets in Town each year, will include replacing damaged asphalt, installing new ADA compliant sidewalk curb ramps, and repair of drainage issues. The work continues through the summer.
The Town’s first green bike lanes were installed last summer along Danville Boulevard, between El Cerro Boulevard and Railroad Avenue, as part of the 2016 Pavement Slurry Seal Project. Reaction to the lanes has been very positive, with many feeling it is a good step to improve safety for cyclists in Danville. Drivers benefit from the installation of green bike lanes too, as it raises awareness of the presence of bicycle facilities and reminds them to yield to cyclists when crossing through a potential area of conflict. For more information contact Traffic Engineering Associate Khoder Baydoun at (925) 314-3375. Green bike lane on Danville Boulevard
Are We Still in a Drought?
watering restrictions into their permanent rules. These include:
With the very wet winter and early spring, many residents are asking the question, “Are we still in a drought? Are there still restrictions in place?” The answer is that while Governor Brown announced an end to the 5-year drought, some restrictions remain in place.
• No watering of ornamental turf on public street medians
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), in anticipation that drought conditions could return, has folded some of their outdoor
• Hoses with shutoff nozzles must be used to wash vehicles
• No washing of driveways and sidewalks except as needed for health and safety
• Water features must use recirculated water • Use brooms or air blowers rather than power washing to clean hard surfaces The Town of Danville continues to adopt a cautious stance in regards to water usage. Park water features that do not feature an automatic shutoff will remain off for the foreseeable future. For more information on EBMUD water restrictions, go to www.ebmud.com.
Danville has 150 miles of paved roads. Each year, street conditions are evaluated and ranked using a process standard throughout California. Street repair locations are selected based on the individual street condition, as well as the overall condition of the surrounding neighborhood and any future infrastructure/ utility improvements that may take place within the coming three to five years. A total of 92 streets will be serviced during the course of the summer for an estimated cost of $5.6 million. The full list of streets to be repaired this summer can be found at www.danville.ca.gov/ pavement. For more information on the Pavement Improvement Project, contact Associate Civil Engineer Nader Salama at (925) 314-3348 or nsalama@danville.ca.gov.
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Hundreds of Danville residents enjoy movies under the stars at the Danville Town Green
Junior Warriors Program a Slam Dunk in Danville Does your young one have a passion for basketball? Here’s your chance to introduce them to the fundamentals through the Junior Warriors program. In partnership with the Warriors organization, the Town of Danville is excited to provide a fifth season of the Junior Warriors Youth Basketball recreational league. Junior Warriors offers league play for students in Kindergarten through High School. Weekly practices begin in early December and weekend games start in January. Each player receives a Junior Warriors jersey, headband, and certificate. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to make new friends in a fun and fastpaced environment. Registration is August 14, 2017 for residents and August 15, 2017 for non-residents. Register early, if possible, as this is a popular program that fills up fast. The Junior Warriors program depends on the support of volunteer coaches. Parents interested in coaching should e-mail the Recreation, Arts and Community Services Department at recreation@danville.ca.gov.
A Gathering Place for Veterans, Seniors and More: The Veterans Memorial Building Nestled in the heart of downtown Danville is the Veterans Memorial Building, a space that provides a place of learning, gathering, celebrating and exploring. Residents and employees in downtown businesses are encouraged to stop in and visit the Senior Center. Bustling with daily activity, the center provides classes and programs for adults 55 years of age and over. Offerings include exercise classes like aerobics or Tai Chi, arts classes, Spanish language classes and even ukulele. The Senior Center is a launching point for wonderful Bay Area day trips from museums and theaters, to outdoor experiences like the Point Reyes National Seashore. Discover your artistic side with an acrylic painting course or learn to play the ukulele. Enjoy monthly special events and weekly lecture series covering numerous topics related to social services, health, safety, and retirement options. Learn more about what is offered by reading the Silver Streak, Danville’s Senior Newsletter, available online at www.danville.ca.gov/seniors. For more information call (925) 314-3430 or email seniors@danville.ca.gov.
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Danville Quarterly Moonlight Movie Location: Town Green, 400 Front Street, Danville Movie-Related Crafts: 6:30 pm
June 9: Annie (PG, 1982 version)
(until movie
June 23: Sing (PG)
starts)
July 14: Beauty and the Beast (G, 1991 version)
Movie Start Time: Sunset (approximately 8:15 pm)
For more information visit www.danville.ca.gov/ calendar or call (925) 314-3400.
July 28: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (PG-13) August 11: Finding Dory (PG)
High Energy Outdoor Fun: Music in the Park!
Music in the Park, Danville’s popular outdoor concert series, returns for its 32nd summer season! Bring a blanket, a picnic, and the entire family to enjoy world-class musicians playing on four gorgeous Danville summer evenings. Music in the Park kicks off at Oak Hill Park July 8 with Country Rock favorites Rachel Steele & Road 88. If you’re a Boston fan, you won’t want to miss Long Time, California’s premier Boston tribute band, on July 22 at Oak Hill Park. Head downtown to visit the Town Green on August 5 for some Motown, R&B, and Blues with 3Day Weekend. On August 19, the season closes at Oak Hill Park with MANIA!, a fully costumed Beatles retrospective. With so many different styles of music, this concert series has something for everybody! All concerts are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., free to attend, and appropriate for all ages.
Music in the Park kicks off its 32nd Summer July 8
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Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Town of Danville 510 La Gonda Way Danville, CA 94526-1740
Danville, CA Permit 71
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Upcoming Special Events 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Tuesday, July 4 • 9:00 am–12:00 pm Downtown Danville Kick off Independence Day and cheer on the local bands, gymnasts, Scouts, and other community organizations.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Saturday, July 8 & 22, August 5 & 19 6:00–8:00 pm See Website for Location Enjoy a harmonious day of music and merriment with this free concert series.
HOT SUMMER NIGHTS CAR SHOW
Monday, September 4 • 9:00 am–3:00 pm Downtown Danville Discover treasures from local antique dealers and artists, grab a bite at downtown eateries, and enjoy live music and entertainment.
9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY Monday, September 11 • 5:30 pm Oak Hill Park Come join in the remembrance of 9/11.
DANVILLE D’ELEGANCE
Thursday, July 13 & August 10 4:00–9:00 pm Downtown Danville Enjoy classic cars, live music, dancing, food, and drinks in Downtown Danville.
Sunday, September 17 11:00 am–4:00 pm Downtown Danville Danville’s premier charitable event benefiting the Parkinson’s Institute.
MOONLIGHT MOVIES
THURSDAYS @ THE VT MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Friday, July 14 & 28, August 11 6:30–8:30 pm Crafts 8:30–10:30 pm Movie Danville Library Town Green Free family-friendly films in a picturesque outdoor setting under the stars.
ART & WINE STROLL
Thursday, August 17 • 6:00–9:00 pm Historic Downtown Enjoy an evening of art and libations.
OPENING RECEPTION FOR EXHIBIT IN THE ABSTRACT
Thursday, August 31 • 6:00–8:00 pm Village Theatre Art Gallery
EUGENE O’NEILL FESTIVAL
danville.ca.gov
DANVILLE ANTIQUES & ART FAIRE—RELICS ON RAILROAD
September 1–30 See Website for Location Immerse yourself in an American literary legend with this fortnight-long celebration.
Thursday, September 21 • 7:30 pm Village Theatre
LIVE WELL, AGE SMART— SENIOR RESOURCES FAIR
Friday, September 29 10:00 am–2:00 pm Danville Senior Center This free health fair will offer health screenings, fitness demonstrations, educational booths, and more in a friendly, welcoming environment.
RUN FOR EDUCATION
Sunday, October 1 • 8:00–9:00 am Osage Station Park A 5K Run/Family Fun Walk in San Ramon or a 10K that stretches from Osage Station Park in Danville to Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon.