Piedmont Civic Association – Piedmont, California

Jun 1 2013

Track Federal Government Spending With Your Phone

App to Track Federal Government Spending in your State and zip code –

Ever wonder who’s getting federal dollars in your area? Now you can find out. The new app lets you enter your zip code and see a searchable spreadsheet of federal and state spending in your area. This free app is on Apple and Droid platforms as of March 2013. It provides taxpayers with 12 years of federal spending. The website at openthebooks.com also offers information on public employee salaries.

The following excerpt is from a May 28, 2013 article by Adam Anrzejewski in The Wall Street Journal:

With the United States drowning in runaway spending and debt now nearing $17 trillion, Americans might like to know where Uncle Sam is stashing their cash. Now they can. As long as you have the Web or a smartphone, you can track federal spending down to your own neighborhood.

May 29 2013

OPINION: Mountain View Cemetery Draining Its Ponds

Mountain View Cemetery is currently draining their ponds in order to provide irrigation water on their grounds. This is an annual late-Spring /early Summer occurrence, always shocking to witness.

May 27, 2013

The photographs show west-looking views of Reservoir #2. The first picture was taken on December 27, 2012, when the pond was full. The second picture was taken on May 27, 2013, as the volume of the pond has been depleted to less than 10% of its full volume.

When the last drop of available water has been sucked from the ponds, the Cemetery switches over to buying water from EBMUD. Thus, the equation is to trade a full pond for perhaps 3 or 4 weeks worth of irrigation water. The result is a loss of habitat for wildlife that resides or visits the ponds. The devastation of animal life in the ponds (amphibians, fish, turtles) goes beyond the injury associated just with the loss of water volume. The water life that survives the initial shock of water depletion, is further picked off by visiting herons, who can easily hunt the shallow water.

The Cemetery might believe that it’s free to do whatever it wants with this water resource to which it happens to have access, and the Cemetery also understandably places a high priority on the business of being a cemetery. However, at a certain point, a broader public policy question is also apparent regarding massive consumption of water for the cosmetic purpose of having green lawns at the expense of the health of the watershed as a whole, and the impact of industrial style water management on wildlife habitat.

One wonders whether the Cemetery management gives any thought at all to being a good steward of the water-based habitat and the water traversing their grounds. One wonders how responsible and transparent the Cemetery’s handling of water is. Cemeteries are exempt from some of the California State Regulations regarding water resources, but not all. For example, Cemeteries are required to maintain a “Water Efficient Worksheet”, and are subject to Water Audits that attend to preventing water wastage, by way of leaking pipes, for example.

One may also wonder about the Cemetery’s general plans for the ponds and particularly, the eastern-most wetland area that abuts against Coaches Field, an area that has already been ravaged by Cemetery practices.

People interested in the status of the Cemetery Ponds should go by, and have a look.

David Cohen, PhD

Mountain View Cemetery site http://www.mountainview-cemetery.com/

Editors’ Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Piedmont Civic Association.

May 29 2013

New School Principals and Assistant Principals

Piedmont School District announces big changes in school leadership for 2013/14-

Piedmont Middle School will have a new principal, Ryan Fletcher, who comes from the Palo Alto School District. Assistant Middle School principal will be Karyn Shipp, who is currently an Assistant Principal at the High School.

Piedmont High School’s new principal will be Brent Daniels. Eric Mapes will be Assistant Principal. He is currently Assistant Principal at the Middle School.

May 29 2013

Process for School Tax Exemption Announced

PIEDMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2013

Application Process for Taxpayer Exemption from
School Support Tax for 2013-14 Fiscal Year

(Applicant must receive SSI/Disability) On March 5, 2013, voters in Piedmont passed Measure A which establishes a School Support Tax. This allows the possibility of exemption for those homeowners who reside on their property and qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Homeowners interested in applying for an exemption must apply in person or by mail to the Office of the Superintendent, Piedmont Unified School District, 760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611. To apply, homeowners must submit proof of their SSI determination in the form of their annual notification of eligibility sent by the Social Security Administration. The deadline for application for the 2013-14 fiscal year is 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 1, 2013. For any questions regarding this process, please contact the Assistant to the School Superintendent at 510-594-2614.

The language of Measure A, Administration of Tax, Section(d) Parcel Tax
Exemptions reads as follows:

Homeowners who are residing on their property and qualify for
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be exempt. This could
apply to adults who are blind or otherwise disabled, with limited
income and resources, as well as to people 65 years of age and
older without disabilities who meet the income limits prescribed by
SSI. Individuals seeking such exemption must submit an application
to the District, including proof that the individual has been
determined to be eligible for SSI by the Social Security
Administration, on or before July 1 of each tax year. The District
shall provide a list to the Tax Collector on an annual basis, on or
before a date established by the Tax Collector of each year, of the
parcels which the District has approved for the SSI Exemption, as
described herein.

The amount of the School Support Tax is $2,406 per parcel regardless of zone. Applications must filed in a timely manner on or before July 1 of each tax year. According to public comments regarding the March 2013 Measure A election, few homeowners in Piedmont will qualify for the exemption.

May 29 2013

Results from May 24 and 25 Police Checkpoint

The Piedmont Police Department made no DUI arrests at its weekend checkpoint on the 1200 block of Grand Avenue near Ace Hardware. The checkpoint took place Friday, May 24, starting at 7:30 p.m. and ended at 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Following is the Police Department report:

At the multi-jurisdictional Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint on May 24, 2013, officers screened five hundred and nineteen (519) vehicles, interviewed twenty-five (25) drivers, conducted eight (8) field sobriety evaluations and arrested (0) no drivers on suspicion of DUI. Four (4) drivers were issued citations for not being properly licensed to drive and no (0) vehicles were towed.

For further information, contact Sergeant Michael Munoz at (510) 420-3017.

May 26 2013

City Budget Advisory Committee: May 29

Each year Piedmont’s City Council is required to approve a budget by the end of June. The Piedmont Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee (BAFPC) has been busy finalizing their report and recommendations to the City Council. The committee members are Mary Geong, Steven Hollis, Bill Hosler, Tom Lehrkind, and Tim Rood with Mayor John Chiang serving as City Council Liaison.

On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 7:00 p.m., in the Police Department Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 408 Highland Avenue, the BAFPC will hold their next meeting. At its previous meetings, the BAFPC has analyzed the Sewer Fund, capital expenditures, retiree benefits, revised financing of the CalPERS side fund, license plate readers, and many other items. The meetings are not broadcast nor recorded, however the public can attend the meetings and participate.

The City Council will hold their first public hearing on the FY 2013-14 Budget during their regular meeting on June 3 in the Council Chamber.

For more information contact the City’s Finance Director Erick Cheung, CPA echeung@ci.piedmont.ca.us, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611, or Phone: (510)420-3045.

Written comments to the BAFPC may be sent to echeung@ci.piedmont.ca.us or 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611. Written comments to both the BAFPC and the City Council may be sent via City Clerk John Tulloch at jtulloch@ci.piedmont.ca.us or mailed to 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611.

Click here to view the proposed budget.

May 23 2013

Daniels New High School Principal

Burlingame High School’s Assistant Principal is coming to Piedmont –

Brent Daniels Piedmont High School’s new Principal

On May 22, 2013, the Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education announced the appointment of Brent Daniels as the new principal of Piedmont High School. The following is the District’s press release:

The selection process included input from a large interview panel of representative stakeholders ‐ Piedmont High School staff, students, parents, and administrators; and additional interviews and reference checks with the Cabinet; the Superintendent, Ms. Constance Hubbard; and the PUSD Board of Education.

Mr.Daniels brings twenty‐one years of Bay Area educator experience to Piedmont High School. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at Burlingame High School, San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD), and is a doctoral candidate in UC Berkeley’s Leadership for Educational Equity Program (LEEP).

Over the past ten years, his SMUHSD administrator roles have included Assistant Principal of Instructional Services; Administrator on Special Assignment; Administrator In‐Charge; and Assistant Principal of Student Services.

Prior to administration, Mr.Daniels taught for eleven years, primarily in Bay Area High Schools, in the subject areas of Biology, Physical Education and Physical Science. He also coached Varsity Boy’s Basketball and led his alma mater, El Cerrito High School, to a North Coast Section (NCS) Division III Championship.

Mr.Daniels earned a Master’s Degree in Education from UC Berkeley’s Principal Leadership Institute (PLI). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from UC Berkeley. Mr.Daniels is the son of retired East Bay school principals, and has two sons in college and a daughter in high school.

While his position officially begins on July 1st, this early appointment will allow for a smooth transitional period with students, staff, and parents. PUSD is delighted to welcome Mr. Brent Daniels to our community of learners.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Piedmont High School

The Piedmont High School community is located in Piedmont, a city of about 10,000 residents nestled in the hills above the San Francisco Bay Area. With approximately 750 students and 53 teachers, PHS has a high academic performance record. The outstanding staff provides a remarkable education and learning environment for all students. The 2012 API was 917, meeting all of its growth targets and APR criteria. The residents of Piedmont demonstrate a strong sense of community and are committed to maintaining and enhancing educational programs, services and school facilities. Parent participation in school activities is extensive; parents and community members have developed a variety of support organizations that work collaboratively with staff to support the needs of the school system.

Brent Daniels and his daughter, Kimiko.

Click for more information on Piedmont High School.

Photos: Patch and Highlander

May 23 2013

Piedmont’s 48th Annual Bird Calling Contest Winners Online

David Letterman hosted the winners of Piedmont High School Bird Calling contest. If you missed the contest or the David Letterman show, see the winners by clicking below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTfoHjWYMwY&feature=youtu.be

May 22 2013

School Budget Advisory Committee Meeting: May 23

Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Governor’s May Budget Revise, and Shaping Our Future are on the agenda.

The Budget Advisory Committee meeting will be held Thursday, May 23, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. in the Piedmont Unified School District Office Board Room at 760 Magnolia Avenue. The Budget Advisory Committee is under the direction of the Superintendent. The members of the Committee have not been announced. There will be no broadcast of the meeting, but the public may attend and participate in the meeting.

The Measure A School Support Tax Subcommittee members will be selected from the Budget Advisory Committee members. According to the tax measure, the Subcommittee is responsible for advising the School Board annually on the need for levying the Measure A parcel tax.

If an additional meeting is deemed necessary, it will be held on June 6 at the same time and location.

“The Program/ Budget Advisory Committee is a standing committee with representatives from all stakeholders in the District. Its purpose is to review the District’s Budget, share the information with constituent groups and generate recommendations for Board consideration in the Budget development process. Members will be asked to serve in rotation for a one to two year cycle. Responsibilities will include attendance at meetings and sharing of information with their representative group and to represent the interests of all programs and services for the District as a whole.

The Budget is fluid and therefore under constant “revision” as revenues and expenditures are clarified. The Program/Budget Advisory Committee is a vehicle to disseminate information to as many parents, students, staff and community members as possible. The Committee is advisory in nature and will not have decision-making responsibilities.”

For further information or comments contact:

Superintendent Constance Hubbard, chubbard@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Sandy Spiker, Adm. Asst. to Supt., sspiker@piedmont.k12.ca.us, 594-2614

~~~~~~~~~~

School Board Members:

Richard (Rick) Raushenbush, President, rraushenbush@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Andrea Swenson, Vice President, aswenson@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Sarah Pearson, spearson@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Ray Gadbois, rgadbois@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Roy Tolles (E. Leroy), rtolles@piedmont.k12.ca.us

May 20 2013

Budget, Sewer Fund, CalPERS, 5 Year Projections, Long Term Retiree Benefits

Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee (BAFPC) -Tuesday, May 21

The BAFPC will continue its assessment of financial direction and strategies for Piedmont’s financial future at its Tuesday meeting, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Police Department, Emergency Operations Center, 403 Highland Avenue, Piedmont.

The Sewer Fund, although currently funded, shows long term deficits to cover replacement of more than 30% of the remaining sanitary sewer pipes. Additionally, the City draws money from the Sewer Fund to maintain storm drains, which is done by Public Works staff. Piedmont is in compliance with Federal refurbishing requirements at this time. Financing to complete all sanitary sewer improvements, while continuing to use funds for storm drains, is under study and will be considered in detail by the BAFPC prior to their recommendation to the City Council.

Refinancing of the CalPERS Side Fund either with low-interest pension obligation bonds or a loan from a private institution is being recommended to the City Council by the BAFPC in an effort to reduce Piedmont’s current 7% interest payments to CalPERS for the City’s pension obligations.

With the upturn in Piedmont’s revenues, primarily from real estate sales and new valuations, the FY 2013-14 budget looks balanced while allowing funding of long term maintenance needs. The BAFPC examination of 5 year projections will look at current and 5 year revenues and expenses.

Long term retiree pensions and health benefits weigh heavily on the City’s ongoing obligations. The Committee is expected to recommend a viable course to the City Council.

The BAFPC provides an important part in recommending direction for Piedmont finances. Broadcasting on KCOM, live streaming via the City website, or recording of the meeting is not available. The meeting is open to the public.

Regular Agenda

1. Review the Committee’s Sewer Fund Projections

2. Approve the Committee’s recommendation to City Council on refinancing the CalPERS Side Fund

3. Review the Committee’s recommendation on the Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget & 5 year projections

4. Discuss Long Term Pension and Retiree Healthcare costs

Members of the BAFPC are:

Mary Geong, Steven Hollis, Bill Hosler, Tom Lehrkind, Tim Rood

Council Liaison: John Chiang (H) 655-2959

Comments to the BAFPC may be sent via City Clerk John Tulloch at jtulloch@ci.piedmont.ca.us

Current Topics

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Contact Piedmont Officials and more

Local Events

Track Federal Government Spending With Your Phone

OPINION: Mountain View Cemetery Draining Its Ponds

May 27, 2013

New School Principals and Assistant Principals

Process for School Tax Exemption Announced

Results from May 24 and 25 Police Checkpoint

City Budget Advisory Committee: May 29

Daniels New High School Principal

Photos: Patch and Highlander

Piedmont’s 48th Annual Bird Calling Contest Winners Online

School Budget Advisory Committee Meeting: May 23

Budget, Sewer Fund, CalPERS, 5 Year Projections, Long Term Retiree Benefits