Council Meeting: Preparation for Parcel Tax Renewal
PERS Contract, Sewer Rehabilitation Project, Tax Renewal, Ballot Arguments, KCOM Funding
The City Council on Monday, July 2, 2012, will continue to consider in closed session pending litigation in the matter of Friends of Moraga Canyon v. City of Piedmont and potential litigation on Blair Park.
At the 7:30 p.m. meeting the Council will begin the official process to place the renewal of the City parcel tax on the November 6, 2012 ballot. The required proposed ordinance is essentially the same as the current tax and provides for 4 years of taxation between 2013 and 2017 with Council approval an annual increase up to 4% based on inflation criteria. If approved by 2/3rds of those voting on the measure, funds would go toward City services. This year the current parcel tax generated approximately $1,550,000. It expires on June 30, 2013.
The Council will also consider procedures for an argument supporting the parcel tax measure and any rebuttal to an argument filed against the parcel tax renewal. The failed February 2012 Sewer Surcharge Tax argument drew questions regarding participation by a majority of the Council outside of the public process.
KCOM funding will be changed in the future according to State legislation. The Council will consider an ordinance on video franchising.
A revised CalPERS (California Public Employee Retirement System) contract for miscellaneous employees will be considered. The revision reduces retirement compensation for new employees from 3% at age 60 based on their highest year of compensation to 2% at age 60 based on the average of their three highest years of compensation. This change has been approved by the bargaining unit and the City Council.
The City will rehabilitate the High School and Middle School sanitary sewer mains. To accomplish this, the staff proposes an agreement with J. Howard Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $65,960. The construction budget for the project is set at $103,470.
Other agenda items include: Community Development Block Grant for disabled access to Beach recreational facilities, Alameda Clean Water Program participation with a 15 year term, and a contract with Coastland Engineers to become Piedmont’s City Engineer, per the City Charter.
View the full agenda and staff reports here.
