LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Outgoing committee members recognized, new ones appointed


From left: outgoing committee member Bobbie Landers, Mayor Inga Miller, and outgoing committee members Travis Blascheck-Miller and Jeffrey Lyon Photo Sora O'Doherty

The Orinda City Council on March 21 thanked outgoing committee and commission members and recognized their contribution to the city. Bobbie Landers was recognized for her service on the Historic Landmarks Committee, Bergen Kenny Woodbury for his service on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Travis Blascheck-Miller for service on the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and Jeffrey Lyon for serving on the Finance Advisory Committee.

Later in the meeting, the council decided to appoint three applicants on the basis of their applications, without interview. Longtime resident Natalie Fay was appointed to the Planning Commission, leaving one remaining vacancy to be filled. Fay is currently a board member of the Orinda Community Foundation and worked as a senior planner for the cities of Walnut Creek, Oakland and Berkeley.

The council also filled the two remaining vacancies on the Finance Advisory Committee by appointing Joan Kiekaefer and Wendy Wee. Kiekaefer, who holds a degree in economics from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA, had a 35-year career in banking and volunteers in various education-related positions in Orinda. She has lived in Orinda for 29 years.

Wee is the newest resident of Orinda at only a year and a quarter, but brings to the city close to 50 years of accounting and finance experience. She worked as the chief financial officer for Kindred Biosciences, Inc., but is retiring and wishes to volunteer and serve the community.

Council Member Brandyn Iverson commented that she was blown away by the candidates, whom she regards as fabulous. All three candidates were appointed by a unanimous decision of the council.

Anyone who wishes to serve on the Planning Commission should contact Orinda City Clerk Sheri Smith.