The entire Hampton Field project will move forward, if the Council approves Hampton Park Improvements Budget of $1,978,760.

City Administrator Paul Benoit in his April 18, 2016 staff report asks the City Council to approve a budget of $1,978,760 for Hampton Park Improvements and authorize him to sign a construction contract in the amount $1,573,435.50 with low bidder Suarez and Munoz to complete the plan for the park. (See plan of park facilities here.)

The City Council approved the Hampton Park Improvements Master Plan on June 2, 2008. The project was then sidelined due to budgetary constraints. On March 3, 2014, the Council awarded a $134,238 contract to William Harris, Harris Design for plans for phasing the project or, alternatively, completing the entire project at one time. Read the City Administrator’s Report here.

The focus has been on refurbishment of the hardscape surfaces for tennis, basketball and handball as well as drainage improvements (Phase I).  Hazardous conditions on the tennis courts, significant maintenance of the play field during and following wet weather, soil wash out onto nearby roadways, and other issues have been a concern. Measure WW, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Local Grant Funds, in the amount $507,325 were previously approved for the project. To complete the entire project, Phase I and II, the estimated cost is $1,978,761. The City will add $1,471,435 using various pots of City money and donations.

Funding Sources for the $1,978,761 Hampton Park Project:

• EBRPD Measure WW Funds: $ 507,325
• Private Donations & Commitments $ 303,254
• City Athletic Facility Preservation Fund: $ 200,000
• Harris Engineers Settlement: $ 417,000 (undergrounding)
• City Facilities Maintenance Fund: $ 275,591
• City General Fund: $ 275,591

City Sources = $1,168,182

Private Donations & Commitments = $ 303,254

EBRPD Measure WW Funds = $ 507,325

Read the City Administrator’s April 18, 2016 Report here.

Read the City Administrator’s January 4, 2016 Report here.

Agreement with Harris Design [separate from Harris Associates] in the amount of $134,238 was previously approved and expended by the City.

Read about Piedmont’s Risk Management Policy & Procedures for Major Capital Improvement Projects

The Council meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live via Cable Channel 27 and live streamed on the City website – “videos.”  The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue. 

City Parcel Tax Measure F awaits Piedmont voters’ decision.

Piedmont will hold a Special Election on June 7, 2016, at the California Primary Election.  Statements in support and opposition are printed below. Prior to the election, this information can also be found in the Voter’s Information Pamphlet sent to every voter’s home address.

Support for Measure F:

Measure F provides funding to maintain Piedmont’s excellent public services.  This is not a new tax.   For the past 36 years, Piedmont voters have approved the Municipal Services Tax (“the Parcel Tax’).  The Parcel Tax is indispensable to maintaining the quality services Piedmont residents appreciate.    These services include responsive police and fire, attractive parks and robust recreational programs.  Our City looks and works as well as it does because of the Parcel Tax.   The Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee (“BAFPC”) recommends that the Parcel Tax be renewed and increased by approximately $150 per parcel.   The BAFPC said, “The continuation of the Parcel Tax at least at its current level is critical for the City to continue to provide the services that Piedmont residents enjoy today.”    The BAFPC added, “The committee believes the City is still significantly underfunding its facilities maintenance and replacements needs.”  To meet these needs, the Parcel Tax should be increased.  The Parcel Tax was last increased in 2004. Piedmont needs to address long‐standing deferred maintenance of its facilities and update the City’s aging infrastructure. The City must take on projects like replacing old wiring in the police and fire stations.   Our technology infrastructure is antiquated, unreliable and insufficient for the 21st century.   This isn’t about new facilities.  This isn’t about increasing staff or benefits.  This is about plumbing, roofs, safety and electrical.  This is about the nuts and bolts of the City.  We must act  now to make repairs and improvements to ensure the City can support its residents. Many recommendations of the 2011 Municipal Tax Review Committee were implemented that strengthened City’s finances, controlled costs and addressed long‐term liabilities.    Now we need to follow the BAFPC recommendations and invest in Piedmont’s facilities.  Unanimously approved by the Piedmont City Council.  Vote Yes on F.     

Signed by:

John Y. Chiang, Former Mayor

Bill Hosler, Chair, Budget and Financial Planning Committee

Valerie Matzger, Former Mayor

Andrea Swenson, President, PUSD Board of Education

Jeff Wieler, Vice Mayor

Opposition to Measure F:

This proposition not simply a renewal of Piedmont’s Municipal Services Special Tax, it adds a 30% increase. The need for such a dramatic increase has not been substantiated by the City Council nor by the Budget Advisory Financial Planning Committee’s report. That report severely underestimates expected revenue from property transfer taxes and the post-transfer reassessments which will continue to increase property tax revenue. Piedmont’s rising property values assure rising tax revenues. There is no need to raise taxes at this time. The report actually admits that it discounted the facts that (1) retirement of the City pension “side fund” debt in FY 2020 will free up additional cash resources to cover projected increased expenses, and (2) the significantly over-funded Police and Fire Pension Fund can be rededicated to Other Post-Employment Benefits expenses. Raising our parcel tax is unjustified. Even if the unlikely pessimistic revenue estimates turn out to be true, Piedmont’s Reserve Fund, currently funded near its legal limit, can make up the difference until a truly justified parcel tax measure goes before the voters. This proposition implies that without passage, municipal services would be reduced. Yet, it fails to detail how much new tax revenue would go to facility maintenance, how much to pension liabilities, and how much to unspecified services, compared to the current budget. Piedmont has one of the highest tax rates in the state. The current tax continues until June, 2017. At this time, there is no need to scare Piedmonters with service reduction. Vote against this proposition now, so that a more reasonable and justified parcel tax measure can be considered next time.

Signed by:

Bruce Joffe, Piedmont Resident

Rick Schiller, Piedmont Resident

Support for Measure F Rebuttal:

The Parcel Tax opponents are wrong and miss the point. The 7 year projections show property tax revenue growing at the same pace as the last 10 years. Transfer tax has always been volatile. The 2011 MTRC recommended against projecting a growing transfer tax and this year transfer taxes are running 30% behind last year through February. Opponents are betting that real estate prices will continue to increase and that large numbers of homes continue to sell. This is unsupportable given history and an irresponsible way to plan for the future. The City Council took important steps to improve the City’s financial condition: refinancing the sidefund, establishing prudent reserves and managing expenses. The opponents misrepresent the BAFPC report, arguing that sufficient funds are available to maintain services and make needed investments in the City’s infrastructure. This isn’t true. The shortfall is significant and growing. The BAFPC, and prior tax committees, strongly recommended the City reduce this shortfall and take immediate steps to address the City’s aged infrastructure in a planned and affordable manner. BART’s recent problems show the impact of deferred maintenance, obsolescence and making patch work fixes. Piedmont must avoid those problems. City services will be degraded and unreliable without renewed investment in the city’s infrastructure. These aren’t scare tactics. This is just about basic arithmetic and what it takes to repair and maintain Piedmont. And the 30%: that’s about $150 per parcel. This is an investment in your City and its future. 

Signed by: 

John Y. Chiang, Former Mayor

Bill Hosler, Chair, Budget and Financial Planning Committee

Teddy King, Councilmember

Andrea Swenson, President, PUSD Board of Education

Tim Rood, Councilmember

Opposition to Measure F Rebuttal:

An honest proposition would inform the voter of a tax increase. Measure F masquerades as a simple renewal, but contains a 30% increase. To justify this tax increase the City underestimates new revenue coming into Piedmont from ever increasing tax reassessments. And growth rates in the transfer tax are well above what the BAFPC projects. The BAFPC estimates the transfer tax at $2.8M but the last two years are $3.9M and $4M. And this spring the average Piedmont sale price is $2.75M indicating a record revenue season is again likely. This healthy revenue stream is back-stopped by a City $4.5M reserve, Pension funds with a $10M surplus, and the Facilities Maintenance Fund at $1.94M. In 2010 reserves were 13%. In 2015 they are 21%. The 2011 Municipal Tax Review Committee recommended the city undertake long-term financial planning and facilities maintenance, streamline city services, and cap employee and retiree benefit levels. Instead Measure F increases taxes and spending on facilities without having the other goals in place. Rather than asking for a tax, the City should continue to press for increased cost sharing and capping of employee benefits costs in this summer’s contract negotiations. We support improving Piedmont’s facilities but Piedmont’s taxes are among the State’s highest. Let’s not add an unneeded increase to the tax burden of young families and seniors. Vote NO on Measure F.

Signed by:

Garrett Keating, Former City Councilman

Kathleen Quenneville, Piedmont Resident

Jim McCrea, Piedmont Resident

Impartial Analysis of Measure F

by City Attorney 

Measure F proposes to adopt an Ordinance that amends Chapter 20B of the Piedmont Municipal Code authorizing the collection of a Municipal Services Tax (“Tax”), which has been collected in the City of Piedmont since 1981. Revenue from the Tax goes to the City’s General Fund and is used to finance Municipal Services such as police and fire protection, street maintenance, building regulations, library services, recreation, parks maintenance, planning, and public works. The current Tax will expire on June 30, 2017. Measure F authorizes the continuation of the Tax until June 30, 2021, and proposes to increase the maximum Tax rate in accordance with the rate schedule set forth in Section 20B.4 of the proposed Ordinance. The maximum Tax rate will vary by parcel depending on parcel size and the nature of use (i.e., residential/commercial). Measure F would correspondingly increase the appropriations limit under Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. Pursuant to Measure F, the City can only levy the Tax if in any fiscal year the City Council determines that municipal services are necessary for the public good, and that the cost of providing such services will exceed the amount of funds generated from revenue sources other than the Tax. The Tax collected during that tax year, if any, may not exceed the maximum Tax rate established in the Ordinance. Under Measure F the maximum Tax rate will be adjusted on an annual basis by an amount equal to the percentage increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California area, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Measure F authorizes the Tax to be collected by the Tax Collector of the County of Alameda.

A “Yes” vote on Measure F means the voter is in favor of continuing the existing tax with the proposed increase.

A “No” vote on Measure F means the voter is opposed and the tax would no longer be collected.

Two-thirds (66%) of the qualified voters casting a vote must vote “yes” for Measure F to pass. Measure F, or any provision thereof, may only be amended or repealed by approval of a two-thirds majority of the voters voting on the proposition at any initiative or referendum election. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure F. The full text of Measure F is printed in the Voter’s Information Pamphlet and is also available on the City of Piedmont’s website at: http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us.

Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, City Attorney

Additional Measure F information from the City can be found here.

Editors’ Note:  The Piedmont Civic Association does not support or oppose ballot measures or candidates for public office. 

The Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Review Committee will meet in the City Hall Conference Room on Tuesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. The meeting will not be broadcast or recorded, but is open to the public.

The CIP Review Committee is composed of seven members, 4 appointed by the City Council, chairs of both the Recreation and Park Commission, plus the current President of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation, a private organization benefiting Piedmont.  The City Council recently appointed Michael Henn to the Committee.

The Committee  makes recommendations to the City Council on Piedmont’s major improvement projects. Citizens may propose projects on a Proposal Form, < available here or from City Hall. Project proposals for this cycle closed March 25.  Many past projects have originated from the City staff and the Piedmont Beautification Foundation.

April 5 CIP agenda:

• Update on recreation projects
• Review of Citizen Proposals for CIP
• Review of preliminary CIP wish lists and project budgets

Supporting information and lists of proposals have not been publicly provided.  Information will be made available at the meeting along with staff presentations on the various proposals.  Final approval of projects is dependent on available funding and will be acted upon by the City Council by June with consideration of the annual City Budget.

Do you have a project for Piedmont?

CIP Committee Seeks Resident Proposals and Participation

Deadline for proposals: March. 25th – 5:00 p.m. City Hall

Following reports and statements by the Mayor and Council members at the Council meeting, 7 p.m., Monday, March 7, in the Council Chambers, there will be a reception to celebrate the refurbished City Hall and Council Chamber entry.

On May 18, 2015, the City Council unanimously approved $62,000 for millwork and carpentry by Mueller/Nicholls as phase I of the City Hall Entry Renovation Project. The complete design plan, estimated to cost $100,000 was approved by the Council on April 20, 2015. The funds were largely drawn from the City’s Facilities Maintenance Fund augmented by donations to improve the “aesthetics, circulation, and functionality of the entrance hallway.”

City to Re-Open Community Hall After Two Months of Renovations, Friday, March 4, 2016 – 4:00 p.m.

On Friday, March 4th, the City of Piedmont will re-open the Community Hall after two months of renovations.

The ribbon cutting will be held at 4:00 p.m.

After a two month closure for significant renovations to the main hall, the Community Hall will re-open on Friday with a new floor, new light fixtures, fresh paint, and accessible restrooms. The Piedmont Community Hall is one of the most well used buildings in Piedmont and is scheduled for use nearly every day of the year.

In 2015, 89 wedding receptions took place at Community Hall along with countless other community events and Recreation Department programs. The Community Hall is booked more than a year in advance for weekend events and so it required 18 months of advanced planning to take this building off-line for much needed renovations.

The centerpiece of the project was a full replacement of the herringbone hardwood floor. The previous floor was installed in 1991 when the Community Hall underwent an extensive renovation. It lasted 24 years, which is outstanding performance for a veneered floor. Due to the constant use, the existing hardwood flooring in the main hall had reached the end of its useful life.

Taking advantage of the hall’s closure, crews also renovated the main level restrooms, which were made accessible for persons with disabilities. In addition, new light fixtures were installed in the main hall, the foyer, and bathrooms. The public areas of the Hall also received a fresh coat of paint.

The project was a collaboration between the Recreation and Public Works Departments. Recreation Supervisor Marissa Clavin and Plans Examiner Craig Griffin worked with their departments to create a construction timeline that ensured that all work was completed within the two month closure window. The construction schedule also accommodated the safety and comfort of the three preschool programs that run every weekday morning in the lower level of the Community Hall.

Contacts for further information:

Recreation Director Sara Lillevand – 420-3070

Public Works Director Chester Nakahara – 420-3050

An Opportunity to Serve Your Community!

Vacancies on Piedmont’s commissions and committees offer an excellent opportunity for Piedmonters to get involved in Piedmont activities important to the ongoing success and quality of the City.  These citizen volunteer positions allow individuals to use their abilities on a wide range of subjects.  Being on a commission or committee engages a person in a high level of civic involvement.

Each commission has a special role in making decisions and advising the City Council.  A full term on a commission last for 3 years with a two term limit.  Positions without an incumbent are ready opportunities for new participants.

Interested residents may download the Application for Appointive Vacancy. Applications are due to City Hall on or before the deadline of Thursday, March 17, 2016.

Interviews with the City Council for these positions will be scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2016. No appointments will be made without a Council interview.