Dogs: Leash Laws, Dracena Signage, Upper Dracena Lawn Improvements, Budget for Projects, Dog Walkers to be Eyes and Ears for Police –

On the Monday, April 16, 2018 Council agenda for the meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. are two items involving Dracena Park and dog policies. The meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 27 and from the Piedmont website under videos. 

04/16/18 -Consideration of Dracena Park Signage & Upper Lawn Improvements and Establishment of a Budget for the Project

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 741 N.S. Updating Leash Law Provisions, Clarifying Off Leash Areas, and Updating Outdated Provisions

Garrett Keating publicized the following information:

DOG OWNERS: 1. Dracena Park Signage and Off-Leash Area: Parks Department will be presenting the final design for the off-leash area on the Dracena Park upper lawn that Council approved 2 years ago in response to Milo’s petition. Staff has proposed incorporating a bioswale into the design that substantially reduces the off-leash area approved in the initial concept. Adequate area for off-leash dog play was the intent of the initial concept so it will be important for dog owners to comment on the final design. Contact Parks and Projects Manager Nancy Kent at nkent@piedmont.ca.gov (510) 420-3064 2. Leash Law Update: Council directed the Police Department to review leash law rules in all city parks. Penalties, hours of use and other dog rules may be changed. Contact Chief Jeremy Bowers for more information. jbowers@piedmontpd.org (510) 420-3011

Dog Walker Watch program to convert Dog Walkers to be Eyes and Ears for Police

The Piedmont Police Department hosted a Dog Walker Watch information meeting at the Linda Dog Park on Saturday, April 14th at noon. Piedmont’s Dog Walker Watch program is designed to educate dog walkers on how to serve as extra eyes and ears for law enforcement.

On Monday, April 16, 2018, 7:30 p.m., the Piedmont City Council will consider revisions to City Code Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use to permit short-term rentals.  Read the agenda here.  Read the staff report here.

  The recommended ordinance regulates short-term rentals within the following parameters:

1. Both hosted (rooms within a home) and non-hosted (the entire home) short-term rentals are permitted.
2. In order to operate a short-term rental, a resident must seek and gain City approval for a permit to do so. The resident who has gained a permit from the City to operate a short-term rental is referred to henceforth as a short-term rental permittee.

• The application is reviewed and acted upon by the Director of Planning or the Director’s designee.
• The permit is valid for up to one year, until December 31 of the year issued, and may be renewed annually by means of a renewal application.

1. A short-term rental permit application and renewal applications shall be subject to a fee established by the City Council.
2. The dwelling unit being used as a short-term rental, whether hosted or non-hosted, must be the primary residence of the permittee.
3. The short-term rental must be rented for a minimum of two consecutive nights and may not be rented more than 60 days in a calendar year.
4. A short-term rental permit applicant who is a tenant must gain the consent of the property owner to use the dwelling unit as a short-term rental.
5. The following dwelling units are prohibited from being used as a short-term rental:

• Accessory dwelling units, both permitted and unintended; and
• Multi-family dwelling units (i.e. apartments).

1. The permittee is required to do the following:

• Pay an annual business license tax under City Code Chapter 10.
• Maintain general liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 during the term of the short-term rental permit.
• Provide his or her contact information to the city, and update any change before renting the property.
• Provide the dwelling or rooms serving as a short-term rental a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, and adequate egress.
• Provide the short-term guest both electronically before the stay and in print during the stay the following information:

o   The short-term rental permittee’s contact information;

o   A diagram of exits, fire extinguisher locations, and fire and police contact numbers;

o   The city’s noise regulations (sections 12.8 – 12.12);

o   The city’s smoking ordinance (chapter 12, article II); and

o   The city’s garbage and recycling guidelines.

Enforcement includes the ability of the City Council to establish fines by resolution.

The  April 16, 2018, Council meeting will be held in City Hall starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be live broadcasts on Channel 27 and on the City website listed under videos.

Read the full agenda HERE.

CLICK ON ITEMS BELOW TO READ THE STAFF REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL: 

04/16/18 – Approval of Resolutions Allocating Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funds for the Oakland Avenue Bridge Railing Pedestrian Safety Project and Allocating SB 1 Funds to Magnolia Avenue Paving

04/16/18 -Approval of a Resolution Establishing the Pension Rate Stabilization Fund with Public Agency Retirement Services  Council will allocate $2 million to the Fund. 

04/16/18 -Approval of Resolutions Taking Positions on State Legislative Items and Propositions

a. Endorsing Proposition 69 & Supporting SB 1 – Transportation Funding

b. Endorsing Senate Bill 3 –Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond

c. Endorsing SB 5 – Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, & Outdoor Access Bond

d. Opposing Senate Bill 827 – Planning and Zoning: Transit-Rich Housing Bonus

04/16/18 -Appointment of Yildiz Duransoy as the Planning Commission Alternate for a Term Ending March 31, 2019   City Administrator Recommendation on individual to be appointed by the Council 

04/16/18 -Consideration of Employment Resolutions for the Following Unrepresented Labor Groups for the Period of 07/01/17 through 06/30/2020:  

Compensation packages for employee groups listed:

a. Confidential Employees

b. Professional, Technical & Supervisory Employees

c. Recreation/Childcare Employees

d. Mid-Management Employees (Parks & Project Manager; Building Official, Police Captain; and Police Support Services Commander)

e. Management Employees (City Clerk, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Planning Director, Police Chief, Public Works Director, and Recreation Director)

04/16/18 -Consideration of an Updated Investment Policy

04/16/18 -Presentation from Piedmont Council, Boy Scouts of America

04/16/18 -Consideration of Dracena Park Signage & Upper Lawn Improvements and Establishment of a Budget for the Project

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 741 N.S. Updating Leash Law Provisions, Clarifying Off Leash Areas, and Updating Outdated Provisions

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 742 N.S. Amending Chapter 17 – Planning and Land Use of the City Code Regarding Short Term Rentals

04/16/18 -Consideration of an Amendment to the Policy Allowing for Residents with Certain Physical Limitations to Receive “On-Premisis” (Backyard) Service at Curbside Rates

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 743 N.S. Making Technical Corrections to Chapter 17 – Planning and Land Use

City takes on work largely covered by prior contract with Republic Services waste management. 

On March 27, 2018, the City of Piedmont issued a Request for Proposals for waste diversion education and outreach. The selected consultant will develop and manage an educational campaign in order to reduce the amount of waste generated in the City. Responses are due no later than May 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. The selected consultant will have demonstrated experience in creating and managing campaigns for local jurisdictions.

1. SUBMITTAL OF THE STATEMENT OF WORK: The Statement of Work shall be submitted using Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) to Chris Yeager via cyeager@piedmont.ca.gov by no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018.

Waste Diversion Education and Outreach Request for Proposals – March 27, 2018

The Piedmont Park Commission will decide which tree or trees will be selected for 2018 Piedmont Heritage status on April 4, 2018, 5:30 p.m. City Hall. The meeting will also include introduction of new Park Commissioner Amber Brumfiel, election of Chair and Vice Chair of the Park Commission, Park Commission Minutes for March 7, 2018,  Report on the Preferred Option for the Linda Beach Master Plan, Update on Arbor Day 2018, Update on Spring Planting Projects, and Monthly Maintenance Report: Park, Open Space and Street Tree Update for the Month of March 2018. 

The meeting will be broadcast live. 

See photos below of the public property trees to be considered as Heritage Trees (scroll to p. 8) and also read the latest information on Linda Beach Park options  > Park Commission Agenda – April 4, 2018 – Final Complete

The Piedmont City Council decided to cancel their first regular meeting in April.

View the City meetings in April > 2018-04 Notice of Regular Meetings.

The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Review Committee meetings will be held off air away from cameras in the City Hall Conference Room.  The other meetings will be broadcast live and archived. 

There will be a special meeting of the City Council on April 30, 2018. 

Meetings on Linda Beach Master Plan Options are scheduled as follows:

PARK COMMISSION: Wednesday, April 4,  5:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.

CITY COUNCIL:  Monday, May 7,  7:30 p.m. Council Chambers, , 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.

> staff report and view of the conceptual plan.

The government body which met on Wednesday, March 21, 2018,  at 7:30 p.m. was the Piedmont Recreation Commission discussing the future of Beach Play Field. The contract to design the new field complex was given to GroundWorks Office, who proved their creativity, collaborative approach, and vision of Piedmont needs.

Groundworks employee Sarah Keshell presented the 35% in progress plan for the new Beach Play Field to the Recreation Commission. Groundworks said they conducted an online survey which received about 200 responses. They also met with community members to come up with important additions to the new play field. Things that were pointed out included “Tot lot valued by the community, no place to watch sports, add restrooms at north end, and make tennis courts regulation size.”

After hearing all the community feedback, Groundworks’ Will Smith presented the in progress plan which included 2 new building complexes, a skate park on the south end of the park (next to the Oakland Avenue Bridge), an area to eat lunch next to the existing redwood trees, which will be preserved, expanded tennis courts to meet regulation size, and an “Art Plaza” which will bring color to the new Beach Play Field.

Near the end of the meeting, community members addressed problems such as safety for the children crossing Oakland Avenue coming to play.  Another major issue is the noise from the skate park which will affect the recently built townhouses and nearby neighbors on Greenbank Avenue.

The neighbors are tired of monitoring the field and new amenities will cause teenagers to come out and party, creating a lot of unwanted noise.

I think it would be easy to fix these issues by adding a speed radar next to the Oakland Avenue crosswalk, and more illuminating colors to get drivers’ attention. To solve the noise, adding sound walls with art on them is an easy solution and locking up the area at night will keep out unwanted visitors. Additionally, I interviewed a  group of young skaters. They said they were kicked out of all the skate spots and adding the new skate park is a good idea. They urged the Recreation Commission to have a professional skate park designer come to help because “it really makes a difference, especially to make it for all age levels.”

In conclusion, the Recreation Commission is very excited to see the project continue and enjoyed the presentation. Moving forward they will focus on dealing with sound issues and safety for the children.

By Jason Finkel, Piedmont High School Senior

Editors Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author. 

At a special meeting on March 15, 2018, the City Council interviewed applicants and made appointments to fill vacancies on City Commissions and Committees.  Official Commissions and Committees are created by Council ordinance defining their function, powers, jurisdiction.  The Commission and Committee members’ attendance requirements, term length and limit are established by the Piedmont City Charter.

Drawing on the talents of twenty two applicants for thirteen vacancies, the Piedmont City Council made the following appointments:

• Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee: Bill Hosler,  Michael Reese
• CIP Review Committees: Sue Herrick
• Civil Service Commission:  Sandra Rappaport, Michael Reese
• Park Commission: Amber Brumfiel, Patty Dunlap
• Parking Hearing Officer: Susan Ode
• Planning Commission: Allison Allessio
• Police & Fire Pension Board: Andrew Wendel
• Public Safety Committee: Jeffrey Horner, Garrett Keating
• Recreation Commission: Steve Roland

Some appointees are new, others have previously served.

Tennis courts, pickleball, tot lot, skate park, picnic area and more….

A meeting of the Piedmont Recreation Commission will be held on Wednesday, March 21.  Residents are invited to attend the meeting in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue at 7:30 p.m.

The agenda for the March 21 meeting will include a “Report on the Preferred Option for the Linda Beach Master Plan and Consideration of a Recommendation to the City Council on Next Steps..” 

READ January draft minutes, VIEW Linda Beach design concept drawing   > March Recreation Commission Meeting Packet