The Orinda City Council selected a new mayor and vice mayor according to its custom on Dec. 16, 2025. Before the selection, outgoing Mayor Latika Malkani announced that she was giving Awards of Excellence to the Moraga-Orinda Fire District and to the Orinda Tabor Sister City Foundation.
    Vice Mayor Brandyn Iverson was unanimously selected to serve as Mayor for 2026. Iverson was the second highest vote getter after Malkani when they were elected to the council in 2022. Prior to being elected to the city council, Iverson served two terms on the Orinda Planning Commission. Iverson’s city council term will expire in December.

    Council member Darlene Gee was unanimously selected as Vice Mayor.  Gee, who has served as mayor in 2020 and 2024, was originally appointed to the council to fill the vacancy left by Steve Glazer in 2015 when he was elected to the State Senate. She was the top vote-getter when she was reelected to the council for the third time in 2024.

    State and local officials praised outgoing mayor Malkani, and the council honored her with a proclamation.  Before leaving her post as mayor, Malkani announced her Mayor’s Awards of Excellence for 2025. Malkani acknowledged that Orinda is home to many incredible organizations that contribute greatly to our community's vitality, each of which is deserving of this recognition.

    In recognizing MOFD, Malkani noted, “This past year the collaboration between the city and MOFD has been particularly strong,” She thanked City Manager Linda Smith, MOFD Chief Jeff Issacs, the entire board of MOFD, and all of MOFD's leadership for their dedication. “Our joint efforts in disaster readiness have reached new heights,” she said. 

    The outgoing mayor added that the partnership now also extends to the training of new hires, with both Orinda Police Department and MOFD personnel receiving onboarding that enhances their understanding of operational roles during incidents and fosters inter-agency communication.

    One feature of MOFD's commitment to readiness and professionalism specifically cited by Malkani was a move to the dedicated and fully staffed ambulance service, no longer relying on fire-fighter emergency medical personnel. She also announced an upcoming project, OrindaReady.com, which will launch soon, she said.

    Malkani also said that MOFD has exceeded expectations in the critical area of wildfire mitigation, including fuel and working with the city and local organizations such as Fire Safe Moraga Orinda.

    Chief Issacs, directors, and other staff expressed their gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the honor and privilege of serving and working with city staff and council members. They also highlighted the leadership of city manager Smith and the proactive efforts of the city, including spending real resources to make important improvements. Deputy Chief Lucas Lambert was also recognized for his contributions.

    MOFD Directors Steve Danziger, Craig Jorgens, and Michael Romer each shared their appreciation for the collaborative relationship, the proactive nature of the city, and the importance of continued efforts in education, home hardening, and defensible space.

    Malkani then presented her second mayor's award of excellence to the Orinda Tabor Sister City Foundation. For 26 years, Orinda has been the sister city of Tabor, a city in the Czech Republic about an hour's train ride from Prague. 

    Over the years Orinda families have hosted many visiting students from Tabor who spend a semester attending Miramonte High School and experiencing American teenage life while living with a host family. The Tabor Sister City Foundation coordinates all aspects of this exchange, including overseeing a highly competitive selection process.

    Other aspects of the Foundation that Malkani highlighted included partnering with the city to host the annual gingerbread house decorating contest at the Winterfest, and playing a key role in forming and sustaining the Sister Cities International Northern California chapter.

    Malkani visited Tabor as a part of the Orinda delegation to the annual Tabor meetings, an annual event honoring the history of the city. She recalled the warmth and friendship extended across the globe. Malkani thanked all the school administrators, volunteers, host families, and council members who have hosted families for their contributions.

    Cheryl Cechvala, the newest member of the organization, shared that it has been an honor to work with the foundation's leaders and praised the impressive students in the exchange program. She encouraged anyone interested in learning more to reach out, emphasizing that being a host family is a rewarding experience.

    Slavka Ruzicka, the foundation's vice chair, reflected on her years with the organization, describing the growth of the foundation and its participation in Tabor events. She invited anyone visiting Prague or nearby areas to visit Tabor, highlighting its historical significance and welcoming atmosphere.