Question 1

The Canyon Road Bridge Came in "Under Budget""

Accepted Answer

False.
 
The initial budget for the bridge (early 2013) WAS $3.2 million (MM)
Staff required additional funding to $4.8MM in 2015
Staff required additional funding to $7.2MM in mid 2018
Staff required additional funding to $9.2MM in late 2018
Staff required additional funding to $9.7MM in 2019
Staff required additional funding to $11.6MM in 2020
Staff required additional funding to $12.1MM in mid 2021
Staff required additional funding to $12.8MM in late 2021
 
As of January 2022, hundreds of thousands of dollars and several months worth of environmental remediation work still remains (replanting banks, etc), so additional funding requests/requirements are still possible.
 
Stories here,(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/canyon-bridge-exceeds-original-budget-by-9-6-million) here (https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2018/10/04/breaking-permanent-canyon-road-bridge-now-3x-original-estimate)and here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2017/11/04/another-1234388-please-i-goofed-again)

Question 2

Town's Fire Abatement Failures: Due to Weather

Accepted Answer

During the 12/8/21 Town Council meeting, the Town Manager stated "there has been some mention of fire abatement work" for the Town's "hundreds of acres of land" and attributed abatement delays to rain in late October.
 
The statement is false and misleading.
 
Fire abatement was required to be completed by mid-May, the Town received several violation courtesy notices from the fire district during the summer, and then ultimately received six official citations in November for its continued failure to conduct required fire abatement on its properties.
 
In addition, the Town was well aware of abatement requirements and deadlines; it earlier this year had reviewed, endorsed and approved fire code updates that specifically set forth abatement requirements and their associated deadlines.
 
The Town Manager's comments were in response to a resident complaint about the Town's failure to adhere to the ordinance it had approved and for ignoring courtesy notices from the fire district. The Town Manager's comments failed to acknowledge the citations the Town received and implied that the current remedial, citation-driven fire abatement work was being done in the ordinary course of business, with any delays attributable to weather.
 
A casual viewer easily would be misled by this spin and obfuscation. Indeed, it was effective enough for one councilmember to commend the Town staff for its commitment to fire abatement which remained unfulfilled almost seven months past the legal deadline.
 
It wasn't effective enough to escape our fact check. Fail.
 
Our story on this is here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/town-cited-six-times-for-fire-abatement-violations)

Question 3

On noise limits and concerns at the Hacienda: Neither Lafayette nor Orinda have outdoor event venues or detailed, specific or applicable noise ordinances"

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
Both have detailed noise regulations; Orinda's specifically calls out amplified sound and outdoor events.
 
Click here (https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/comments-set-off-firestorm-as-council-approves-hacienda-lease)for the story.

Question 4

The Town Has Submitted Required Water Conservation Reports to the State Since 2015

Accepted Answer

In its staff reports for recent Planning Commission and Town Council meetings during which both were reviewing and being asked to approve a revised water conservation ordinance, Town staff referenced State legislation and stated it has been submitting required reports since 2015.
 
Those statements are false.
 
According to the State's Department of Water Resources website and a non-profit environmental watchdog group, the Town hadn't submitted any reports until 2020 at the earliest.
 
Our story is here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/staff-repeatedly-claims-town-submitted-state-required-reports-since-2015-it-didn-t)

Question 5

"We are at the end of the life of all of our storm drain systems.""

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
The 2015 Master Storm Drain Study says the "condition of the storm drain system in Moraga is very good."
 
Click here (https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2017/12/11/Fact-Check-Storm-Drains-1-of-5)for the article.

Question 6

The Town Council Chambers cost $1,177,800 to acquire and renovate."

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
The total cost nears $2,400,000. The town's answer omits the cost of purchasing the real estate itself for approximately $1.2MM.
 
Article here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2017/12/12/Fact-Check-Council-Chambers-2-of-5)

Question 7

"The revenue enhancement committee determined the town does not have a spending problem.""

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
The committee report specifically indicates it did not analyze spending. At all.
 
Click here f(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2017/12/13/Fact-Check-pending-Problems-3-of-5)or article.

Question 8

"Roundabouts are grant funded.""

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
Over $200,000 of town money has been spent on roundabout studies."
 
Story here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2017/08/09/Fact-Check-Fiscal-Emergency)

Question 9

"We're actually saving money with interim employees because we don't have to pay benefits or CalPERS retirement.""

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
The hourly rates being paid to interim employees include benefits and CalPERS retirement costs.
 
Article here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2017/12/14/Fact-Check-avings-from-Interim-Employees-5-of-5-in-a-series)

Question 10

"Check the town website for the real facts.""

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
0-for-5 on our initial fact check series speaks for itself, no?
 
Article here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2017/12/15/Fact-Check-Bonus-Round)

Question 11

The town needs another $155,000/year in taxes for EPA clean water compliance, in addition to $250,000/year it already receives."

Accepted Answer

FALSE.
 
The town only spends 10%-25% of existing EPA clean water money on its intended purpose.
 
Article here.(https://www.smartmoraga.com/single-post/2018/03/05/Town-Spends-Little-of-Existing-250000year-Clean-Water-Tax-Wants-60-More)

Fact Checks

Fact check

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