Piedmont Civic Association – Piedmont, California » Piedmont COVID 19 Updates, Limitations, and Available City Services

Apr 8 2020

Piedmont COVID 19 Updates, Limitations, and Available City Services

SHELTER IN PLACE CONSTRUCTION &

LANDSCAPING RESTRICTIONS

Building & Construction Restrictions

The Planning & Building Department offices in Piedmont City Hall are closed to the public. Most services are being provided through email and telephone communications, and the submission of electronic documents.

Building Permit applications will be accepted, reviewed and approved if they meet Building Code requirements, but permits will not be issued.

In compliance with the Alameda County Health Officer issued Order 20-04 Dated March 31, 2020, all residential construction in the City of Piedmont must now be halted until May 4th, 2020. The directives of the Order do allow for limited work on existing projects to bring them to minimal standards of habitability. Please refer to the Notice of Order to Cease Construction.

Building site inspections are limited to those projects necessary to bring the project to minimum standards of habitability and carried out with strict social distancing requirements. Inspections by video and/or photographs are the standard.

For question regarding the construction restrictions under the new order, or to report a suspected violation, please contact the Building Official, Craig Griffin, at cgriffin@piedmont.ca.gov or call 1 (510) 420-3051.

Landscaping Restrictions

The Alameda County Health Officer’s Order 20-04 Dated March 31, 2020 states: “arborists, landscapers, gardeners, and similar service professionals, are considered essential only to the limited extent necessary to maintain the habitability, sanitation, operation of businesses or residences, or the safety of residents, employees, or the public (such as fire safety or tree trimming to prevent a dangerous condition), and not for cosmetic or other purposes (such as upkeep)” This means landscaping and gardening for cosmetic or upkeep purposes is prohibited.

It is, however, permissible to take specific measures of vegetation management to reduce fire hazards around your home. Section 13. f. xiii. of the Order states: “Only to the extent necessary, residents may perform or retain professional services to specifically improve the fire safety adjacent to their residences.”

Alameda County Health Department Shelter at Home FAQs

Piedmonters Frequently Asked Questions

LANDSCAPING WORK DURING COVID-19:

FIRE PREVENTION

Get Ahead of Fire Season

While routine landscaping is not allowed during the Shelter in Place Order, you can take specific measures of vegetation management to reduce fire hazards around your home. Section 13. f. xiii. of the Order states “Only to the extent necessary, residents may perform or retain professional services to specifically improve the fire safety adjacent to their residences.” The Fire Department has provided guidelines for specific measures that may be taken by residents to reduce fire hazards around the home, click on the Zones above for details.

TEMPORARY SOLID WASTE COLLECTION CHANGES

Due to the COVID pandemic, Republic Services will temporarily discontinue certain services in order to protect the health of its workforce. Collection of waste materials contained in wheeled carts (including those collected through on-premises service) and bins will remain uninterrupted. Recyclable materials and Organic waste will continue to be collected, but only if they are contained in the blue Recyclables Cart and green Organics Cart. Bulky Waste collection service is discontinued during the shelter-in-place order. Residents are still permitted to place batteries and CFLs in plastic bags and place on top of their garbage cans for collection at this time.

Additional recycling and organic carts can be requested at no additional cost by contacting Republic Services.

See Temporarily Discontinued Solid Waste Collection Services notice.

Republic Services of Piedmont contact information: (800) 320-8077 http://local.republicservices.com/site/piedmont-ca

CLOTH FACE COVERINGS RECOMMENDED

Cloth face coverings, when combined with physical distancing and hand washing, may prevent transmission of coronavirus to others when leaving the house for essential activities.

Bay Area health officials are recommending residents cover their nose and mouth with cloth when leaving home for essential travel such as to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits. This regional recommendation aligns with new guidance from the California Department of Public Health (California Department of Public Health website).

The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. For example, bandanas, fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable. Fabric covers and bandanas can be washed and used again. Please do not use N-95 masks, as it helps preserve supply for health care workers who need the additional protection that these masks provide.

“While there is no replacing the important role of physical distancing and handwashing, wearing face coverings is one more tool to prevent the spread of this virus in our community,” said Dr. Erica Pan, Alameda County Health Officer.

See the full Alameda County Public Health Department Press Release

PROPERTY TAX LATE PAYMENT PENALTY WAIVER

If you have experienced hardships caused by the corona virus and the shelter-in-place order in relation to payment of property tax, please see the press release from the Alameda County Tax Collector for more information about penalty waivers for eligible taxpayers.

PIEDMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT

Domestic Violence

People who are surviving violence in their relationships and families may be experiencing increased isolation and danger caused by social distancing measures during the Coronavirus pandemic. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and need immediate help please call (510) 420-3000. If you are in danger, call 911. The Alameda County Family Justice Center also has resources available.

Below are links to those resources:

http://www.acfjc.org/get_help

http://www.acfjc.org/resource_library/domestic_violence

For a list of 24 hour crisis lines:

http://www.acfjc.org/resource_library/law_enforcement_resources/domestic_violence_shelters

PIEDMONT RECREATION DEPARTMENT

PRD Digital Bunny Blast

We were kind of sad that our annual Bunny Blast event was cancelled this year so we decided to bring it to you virtually! Introducing Bunny Blast to your computer! We’ve compiled a library of fun games and at-home crafts to help us all celebrate Spring and bunnies while at home.

Check out our egg-cellent PRD Digital Bunny Blast Event page

EVICTION MORATORIUM

Piedmonters who have seen their ability to pay their rent diminished due to the COVID 19 shelter in place orders have been afforded some protection by the state. On March 27th, the Governor issued an executive order which delays eviction proceedings for tenants who cannot pay rent due to COVID-related loss of income, so long as certain conditions are met:

Tenants must have been in good standing with their landlord prior to the effective date of the order;
Tenants must notify their landlords of their inability to pay within seven days of the rent being due;
Tenants must retain documentation to prove that nonpayment has been caused by specified COVID-19 impacts.

The Executive Order will remain in effect through May 31, 2020.

In addition, the Judicial Council of California has issued an emergency rule freezing the issuance of summons and the entry of judgements in eviction cases, unless necessary to protect public health and safety, until 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted. The Alameda County Superior Court has announced its closure through at least May 1, 2020. At this time, no civil filings, including eviction proceedings, are being accepted. The Alameda County Sheriff has also announced that it will not be serving any eviction orders while the shelter in place orders are in effect.

Piedmonters who need information or referral to services regarding rental issues are encouraged to call 211.

STAY HOME. SAVE LIVES. CHECK-IN.

The Governor has announced a new campaign urging Californians to help combat social isolation and food insecurity among Californians who are over the age of 65—a community that is uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19. The Governor also announced the creation of a statewide hotline 1 (833) 544-2374 in coordination with the non-profit local 2-1-1 systems, so that Californians have a one-stop shop to answer their questions and get assistance during this crisis. This line is staffed by professionals 24/7.

Check-in on 5 Seniors today! Check-in, make sure they have everything they need (food, supplies, medicines) and help them feel connected and not isolated from the rest of the world! Call, text, knock on the door and safely socially distance from them or talk through windows.

Visit the City’s website for more ways you can help our community

CITY SERVICES DURING COVID-19

In accordance with the County Shelter-in-Place Order, and with the health and well-being of Piedmont residents and City employees in mind, Piedmont will continue to provide essential services to our residents while allowing people to remain sheltered in place at home and maintain social distancing.

Many of you have asked how to reach City Departments for continued services. Below are resources that we will continue to update as information comes available. For service from City Departments, please use the main numbers below.

Police, Fire & Essential Public Works Infrastructure Services will Remain in Operation: Emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, and law enforcement personnel, and others who need to perform essential services are exempt from the Shelter in Place Order. Our first responders are on the job prioritizing the health and safety of the community. ONLY in the event of an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Planning & Building will continue to accept and process planning and building permit applications. However, these essential services will be executed in conformance with social distancing requirements as defined by the Alameda County Department of Health.

What this means:

Planning & Building Department offices in Piedmont City Hall are closed to the public. Most services are being provided through email and telephone communications, and the submission of electronic documents. Refer to the Staff Directory, and the Planning & Building Home Page for more information.

Building Permit applications will be reviewed and approved if they meet Building Code requirements, but permits will not be issued.

Building site inspections are limited to those projects necessary to bring the project to minimum standards of habitability and carried out with strict social distancing requirements. Inspections by video and/or photographs are the standard.

City Hall is closed. Service counters in City Hall are switching to online/phone access only.

Public Works Department: (510) 420-3050 | nfinley@piedmont.ca.gov
Recreation Department: (510) 420-3070 | prd@piedmont.ca.gov
Administration: (510) 420-3040 | cityclerk@piedmont.ca.gov
Planning & Building Department: (510) 420-3050 | ondutyplanner@piedmont.ca.gov
Police Department: (510) 420-3000 (Non-emergency), Emergencies call 911

STAY CONNECTED & INFORMED

The City of Piedmont wants to keep you up to date on the COVID-19 situation and what is happening in Piedmont. We are posting information to our social media sites, the City website and the COVID-19 Update email. Here are the ways we are sending out information and we encourage you to connect with us and stay informed!