LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Sinkhole team receives Orinda mayor's Award of Excellence


Sinkhole team honored at Dec. 5 Orinda City Council meeting. Photo Sora O'Doherty

In recognition of the tremendous amount of work, including many hours of overtime, put in by the staff charged with the physical and legal solutions to the Miner Road sinkhole, outgoing Mayor Eve Phillips dedicated her Award of Excellence to the city's sinkhole team. Receiving the honor were: Senior Administrative Assistant Cynthia Casey; Senior Civil Engineer Jason Chen; Facilities and Parks Supervisor Steve Ecklund; Public Works Inspector Tod Fierner; Director of Public Works Larry Theis; and attorney Osa Wolff.

Phillips spoke to the hard work and dedication of the staff members, who managed to achieve the repair of the sinkhole and the reopening of the road in a very short six months. Although the repairs have been successfully completed, the work continues as staff navigate the complex process of trying to obtain reimbursement for the funds expended on the repairs from the federal government.