Aug 29 2020
Thursday, Sept 3rd 6 pm Citizens May Ask a Question about the Proposed Climate Action Building Code Modifications, Reach Codes.
Sign in to the ZOOM platform (see instruction below) to follow the meeting.
To Ask a Question, click the “Raise Your Hand” button.
City Announcement:
City of Piedmont staff will host a virtual Town Hall on September 3rd at 6:00 p.m. to provide an opportunity for Piedmont residents to learn more about the proposed Reach Codes.
During and since the Council’s consideration of the Reach Codes on July 20th several questions have been raised. The Town Hall will provide an opportunity for those questions to be answered. Following a short presentation addressing some of the issues, a panel will provide responses to questions submitted by attendees.
Residents can view the screening by tuning to KCOM TV, Comcast channel 27 or AT&T channel 99. Residents can watch on the Zoom platform by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84001381498
Please visit the City website to find more information on the City’s Climate Action program and the proposed Reach Codes. On the Reach Codes webpage you will find links to several documents, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Reach Codes that was updated on August 20th.
Sincerely,
Kevin Jackson, AICP, Planning & Building Director
City of Piedmont, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611
Tel: (510) 420-3039, Fax: (510) 658-3167
Aug 29 2020
The Piedmont Police Department will begin accepting Text to 911 calls throughout Piedmont on August 31, 2020.
Calling 911 is faster and more reliable in an emergency. Text messages can take longer to send and receive. Location accuracy varies by carrier and should not be relied upon. You should include your location, street address including city in your text.
Text to–911 should only be used in an emergency when placing a call is not possible.
Only use text 911 as a last resort.
“Call if you can; Text if you can’t.”
No language interpretation currently exists.
Text messages can take longer to send/receive.
READ INSTRUCTIONS HERE >PCA Text to 911 Flyer 8.27.20
Aug 24 2020
Piedmont voters will decide on November 3 two ballot measures taxing Piedmont properties. Both measures were approved for the ballot and are supported by the Piedmont City Council. There is official opposition to both ballot measures. The two measures will be located near the end of Piedmont ballots.
The arguments for and against the measures are linked below.
Each measure has an analysis by Piedmont’s attorney linked below.
Measure TT increases the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) on the sale of Piedmont residences to fund general City purposes.
Measure UU is a bond to fund the reconstruction of the Piedmont Municipal Pool and build new associated facilities.
Measure TT – Transfer Tax Increase on Real Property Sales
Measure UU – Pool Construction Bonds
Aug 24 2020
Piedmont Fire Department to Screen Award-Winning Documentary “Wilder than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future” on KCOM and Zoom on Monday, August 31st at 6:00 p.m.
The Piedmont Fire Department will host a screening of the award-winning documentary “Wilder than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future on KCOM and Zoom on Monday, August 31st at 6:00 p.m. followed by a panel discussion on wildfire preparation and disaster preparedness.
Wilder than Wild is a one-hour documentary that reveals how fire suppression and climate change have exposed western landscapes to large, high intensity wildfires. The film goes on to explore strategies that are being developed to help mitigate the impact of these fires
The City of Piedmont wants to build community awareness about mitigation strategies in this new age of wildfire. The screening is part of a larger effort by the City to engage the community in conversations about the future of wildfire, specifically in an urban setting. A panel featuring Kevin White, the film’s director/producer, and Fire Chief Bret Black will follow the screening.
Residents can view the screening by tuning to KCOM TV, Comcast channel 27 or AT&T channel 99. Residents can watch on the Zoom platform by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84429317342
READ the announcement > 2020-08-24 PFD to Screen Wilder than Wild Documentary on August 31st
Aug 22 2020
Alameda County Issued Revised Shelter in Place Order –
Piedmont to Consider Whether Pool Reopening is Practicable –
On Friday evening, August 21st, the Alameda County Health Official issued a revised Shelter in Place order, which, effective August 28th, allows the reopening of outdoor pools, permission for outdoor personal care services, and permission for outdoor tasting at wineries. A summary of the order is available on the County’s web site.
As this is the first guidance issued by Alameda County for the reopening of pools, the City will spend the next two weeks determining whether the conditions imposed by the order can be applied in a way that makes sense to reopen the Piedmont Community Pool. Staff had previously developed reopening frameworks based upon guidance from other health jurisdictions. The City understands the importance of the pool to the community and will examine whether reopening under the requirements imposed by the order is practicable. It is likely that a decision on whether to reopen the Piedmont Community Pool will be considered by the City Council at its meeting of September 8th. –
August 22, 2020 – Press Release
Contact: John O. Tulloch (510) 420-3041 jtulloch@piedmont.ca.gov
Aug 19 2020
Most Dangerous Particulates Are Not the Obvious Eye Irritants –
Many Piedmonters avoid air conditioning and follow the advice of the State and PG&E to open windows overnight to cool their homes. This natural cooling method has worked for months, but on the morning of August 19, they found the air flow had admitted unwanted pollution into their homes and scurried to close their houses against the dangerous smoke.
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Piedmonters woke up on August 19 to very smoky air from regional fires.
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Local Piedmont indoor measurements at 7am on Wednesday were between 099 & 102 μg/m3 particulates less than 2.5 microns. (Normally, it is 000 to 005.)
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EPA established Particulate Matter (PM) standards that specifically addressed particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). The annual standard was set 2012 at 12 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), based on the 3-year average of annual mean PM2.5 concentrations.
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The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Fine particles (PM2.5) pose the greatest health risk. These fine particles can get deep into lungs and some may even get into the bloodstream. Exposure to these particles can affect a person’s lungs and cardiovascular effects including cardiac arrhythmias. Children, people with asthma, and older adults are the most likely to adverse health effects. The California Air Resources Board reported: “children and infants are susceptible to harm from inhaling pollutants such as PM because they inhale more air per pound of body weight than do adults – they breathe faster, spend more time outdoors and have smaller body sizes. In addition, children’s immature immune systems may cause them to be more susceptible to PM than healthy adults.”
Obvious smoke irritation to eyes, etc. is from the less dangerous larger pollution particles.
Coarse particles (PM10-2.5) are of less concern, although they can irritate a person’s eyes, nose, and throat. Air purifiers with HEPA filters capture coarse particles (but may not reduce the most dangerous smaller particles) and can relieve obvious eye and throat irritation.
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On Wednesday, August 19 at 8:30 pm the 10 minute average PM2.5 at EPA’s central Piedmont monitor was 154.
See current outdoor EPA AQI graph from central Piedmont monitor here.
Aug 18 2020
Click the link below and then click on individual City Council and School Board candidates’ names to read their statements to be printed in the official 2020 Election Voter Information Guide.
https://piedmont.ca.gov/services___departments/city_clerk/elections/november_3_2020_general_municipal_election/2020_candidate_list
Aug 17 2020
Voluntary Electricity Conservation to Reduce Blackouts
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) issued a statewide Flex Alert, a call for voluntary electricity conservation through Wednesday, August 19, 3-10 p.m. each day.
ISO suggests simple actions to reduce energy consumption:
- Set your thermostat to 78° or higher between 3 and 10 P.M.
- Do not use major electric appliances between 3 and 10 P.M.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and electric appliances
The California Independent System Operator.manages 80% of California’s electric flow. High temperatures have resulted in spikes related to air-conditioning demand.
Check the ISO current power outlook here.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is highlighting ways Californians can conserve energy this week to avoid temporary energy service interruptions. Cal OES is also encouraging all Californians to take steps now to prepare themselves and their families should a temporary service disruption occur.
