Piedmont Civic Association – Piedmont, California

May 10 2020

OPINION: City Bond Measure: Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee

Finally, a televised Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee (BAFPC)!

Most residents know little of this committee, but it is the source for all tax increases for the city.

BAFPC was recently directed by the City Council to develop funding proposals for major upgrades to city facilities. Three quick observations from the meeting on May 7, 2020:

– scenarios of $30, 45 and 70M bond initiatives are being studied

– apparently the community can live with “15 basis points” (0.15%) of bond indebtedness which translates to either the School District or City issuing $60M bond indebtedness every 5 years. The size of the city proposal could impinge on the District’s ability to issue bonds in 5 years. City staff will be reaching out to District officials to discuss this.

– Chair Bill Hosler offered a quick estimate – with 4,000 parcels in town, an equitable parcel tax of $1,000 per parcel for 10 years would raise $47M. I don’t recall if that was through issuance of bonds or just accumulated funds.

Hopefully, this Zoom meeting will be posted on the City website so residents can watch. Next BAFPC meeting is May 21 where a final recommendation to the City Council will likely be made.

Garrett Keating, Former Piedmont Councilmember

Editors’ Note: Above is a comment on the post “First Time Piedmont Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee Can Be Publicly Viewed from Home or Office.”

https://www.piedmontcivic.org/2020/05/06/first-time-piedmont-budget-advisory-and-financial-planning-committee-can-be-publicly-viewed-from-home-or-office/

No recording of the BAFPC Zoom meeting was found on the city website.

May 6 2020

First Time Piedmont Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee Can Be Publicly Viewed from Home or Office

Bond Measure on November 2020 Ballot ?

Community participation in setting priorities ?

The Piedmont Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee (BAFPC) has recently been charged by the Piedmont City Council with coming up with ways to fund Piedmont public projects.

According to public comments, funding is possibly a bond measure for the November 3, 2020 Piedmont ballot. The Council will need to make a decision on placing a bond measure on the November ballot no later than August.

To date, there have been no public meetings or surveys to determine the list of desired projects which Piedmonters would favor.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars have already been spent by the City Council on consultants and staff work proposing and planning special recreation projects. Recreation projects have focused on a new Municipal Pool and Aquatic Center, Linda Beach Park play areas, and Coaches Field. Other city facilities are also on a priority list.

Very recently, 20th century Fire and Police facilities and readiness have been added to the Council list of possible projects needing funding sources. Public input has not been solicited on these projects.

Infrastructure improvements to roadways, sidewalks, curbs and gutters and undergrounding of overhead wires are not listed on the City Council priority list for funding.

Where is the money going to come from?

BAFPC to advise the City Council on funding sources.

For the first time, at-home citizens will be able to view and participate in the BAFPC deliberations and recommendations. Typically, the meetings have been held away from cameras with no minutes produced of the meetings. The BAFPC Chair generally writes the Committee recommendations that are forwarded to the City Council.

The Committee advises on tax levies, bond measures, financial planning, and budgetary matters. See items listed on the May 7, 2020 meeting agenda below.

Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee Thursday, May 7, 2020 7:00 p.m. Via Teleconference

Members of the public can participate in the meeting by:

Computer or smart phone: Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88058053315

Telephone: Dial (669) 900-9128 and enter webinar/meeting number 880-5805-3315

Full meeting agenda and participation details click below:

2020-05-07 Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee.

Back-up documentation and staff reports for the agenda have not been publicly disseminated.

Relevant prior staff report:

42020Consideration of Actions Related to the Planning Process for Possible City Facility Renovation Projects

Apr 29 2020

Who is Running for the Piedmont City Council This November ?

Two Council seats are on the November 2020 Piedmont ballot.

Piedmont will hold a City Council election on November 3, 2020 at the California General Election (Presidential Election).

Candidacy Preparation

Mayor Robert “Bob” McBain having served two terms on the City Council will be “termed out” according to the Piedmont City Charter, and he cannot remain on the City Council or seek re-election. His retirement leaves an entirely open seat for a new council member.

An additional seat is also up at the 2020 election. Council member Jennifer Cavenaugh will have served one four year term and is eligible to seek a second four year Council term on November 3.

Citizens of Piedmont interested in serving on the Piedmont City Council can consider their qualifications, support, and willingness to serve for a four year term on the Piedmont City Council.

Serving as a member of the City Council is a volunteer position without compensation. Only authorized expenses and travel are provided for the council members. Time spent on city matters varies tremendously by council members. The time expended may average between 5 to 40 hours per week depending on current issues and council member efforts.

Usually, there are 2 to 3 scheduled public meetings per month with outside meetings adding considerably to council member schedules. Council members also field resident inquiries and comments.

Campaign election committees generally form prior to or during the summer of an election year. Public facilities, including City owned addresses and property, may not be used for campaign purposes.

Candidate filings will begin in Piedmont City Hall July 2020 and end in August. For detailed and specific information on candidacy requirements and dates, contact:

City Clerk John Tulloch at 510/420-3040.

Piedmont City Charter:

ARTICLE VIII. Elections SECTION 8.01 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS General Municipal elections for the election of officers and for such other purposes as the City Council may proscribe, shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even numbered years. (Charter Amendment 11/04/2014)

Editors’ Note: PCA does not support or oppose candidates for public office or ballot measures.

Apr 18 2020

City Council: Significant New Funding Source for Improvements to Selected City Facilities, Recreation, Police and Fire

Does COVID-19 change Piedmont’s priorities for spending?

Are Piedmonters interested in taxing themselves further for additional city expenditures?

Year after year, Piedmont taxpayers have generously approved bond measures for school facilities and parcel taxes for school and city operations. Currently, there are no voter approved city bonds.

The Piedmont City Council’s long list of capital projects for new expenditures without sufficient funding include extensive new and revised recreation facilities, the municipal pool, playgrounds, etc. Also on the list are improvements to City Hall, Police Department, Fire Department and other municipal facilities. Not on the list for improvements are streets, sidewalks and undergrounding of utility wires.

Streets and Sidewalks:

During COVID-19 restrictions, many Piedmonters are walking or running on Piedmont’s streets and sidewalks to get exercise and recreate. One cannot help but notice the many cracked, lifted, eroded, and dangerous sidewalks in the city. Many streets have faulty pavement and have not been repaved in decades. Curbs and gutters on numerous streets have lacked care, thus leaving pools of water and uneven surfaces.

Most funding for Piedmont sidewalks and street resurfacing comes from outside sources.

The City of Piedmont is charged with and oversees the maintenance of the city’s streets and sidewalks. The city owns Piedmont’s beautiful street trees and is responsible for damage caused by these trees to sidewalks and gutters. Property owners are not allowed to trim or remove street trees. Changes by residents to sidewalks and gutters require city permits.

Street Infrastructure Maintenance & Replacement

“The City’s FY 2019-20 budget for street infrastructure maintenance and replacement is $1.4 million. Funding sources include Measure B, Measure BB, Measure F, and the Gas Tax, which also now includes funds from SB-1 that was recently approved by the state legislature. The majority of available funding is dedicated to street resurfacing and sidewalk repair work, with the balance dedicated to important sub-categories such as the implementation of projects prioritized by the approved Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan, and those related to the Complete Streets program.” Piedmont 2019-20 Budget

Undergrounding of Utility Wires:

Most areas in Piedmont do not utility wires placed underground, yet undergrounding of utilities has been deemed an important mechanism for providing safety during fires and earthquakes. Undergrounding is also considered a highly desired aesthetic improvement to Piedmont. No money is set aside in the Piedmont budget for undergrounding projects.

Consultant for City Selected Projects

Currently, the Council is looking toward a city bond measure to finance either partially or totally their long list of selected improvements or changes to city facilities including the Municipal Pool, Playfields, city facilities – police, fire departments, etc. Streets, sidewalks and underground utilities are not on the city list.

An expenditure of $50,000 to hire a consultant related to the Planning Process for Possible City Facility Renovation Projects will be undertaken at the April 20, 2020, City Council meeting. Public outreach would be part of the process.

——-

Due to the COVID 19 Stay at Home order, the April 20 Council meeting will be a virtual meeting, and as such will only be available online. Piedmonters can participate via the online connections as described on the agenda below:

4202020 council-current-agenda (1)

READ the staff report below to see the select list of projects identified and proposed process.

42020Consideration of Actions Related to the Planning Process for Possible City Facility Renovation Projects

Want to make a comment or suggestion to the City Council prior to the meeting?

Address your comments to the City Council as a whole:

cityclerk@piedmont.ca.gov

OR

Address your comments to individual councilmembers:

http://piedmont.hosted.civiclive.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=13659823&pageId=15698089

Mar 8 2020

CIP Police and Fire Departments Tour Tuesday, March 10 to View Capital Needs

CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) Review Committee –

Tuesday, March 10, 2020 – 7:00 p.m.

Emergency Operations Center, 403 Highland Avenue, Piedmont

Open to public participation.

— Agenda for March 10 Meeting —

Public Forum: This is an opportunity for members of the audience to speak on an item not on the agenda. The 10 minute period will be divided evenly between those wishing to address the Committee.

Regular Agenda

1. Review of Work Schedule for the CIP Review Committee for Fiscal Year 2020-2021

2. Presentation on Public Safety Facilities by the Fire Chief and Police Chief

3. Tour of Police Department and Fire Department Facilities

Announcements, old business and consideration of future agenda item

______________

CIP Review Committee

The CIP Review Committee makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the expenditure of the capital budget (construction, repair, or rehabilitation of city facilities).

Roster

Michael Henn
Susan Herrick
John Lenahan
Bobbe Stehr
Patty Siskind | Piedmont Beautification Foundation Representative
Jim Horner | Park Commission Representative
Conna McCarthy | Recreation Commission Representative

Mar 3 2020

Early Voting Returns Indicate City Parcel Tax Measure T Will Be Readily Approved

At 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters reported the following early voting results:

YES = 1,379 78.62 % NO = 375 21.38 %

For approval 66.66 % of those voting on Measure T must vote Yes.

Measure T supports the cost of providing City of Piedmont services.

Feb 24 2020

ELECTION: Piedmont Parcel Tax Vote March 3 Presidential Primary Election

Time to cast a vote on Piedmont parcel tax Measure T.

The Piedmont City Council has placed before Piedmont voters a parcel tax, Measure T, at the Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election to “essentially renew” Piedmont’s long standing parcel tax. The current parcel tax expires June 30, 2021.

Approval of Measure T requires 2/3rds approval by those voting on the measure. Full text of Measure T proposed rates and ordinance are found at the end of each Alameda County Voter Information Guide. Measure T is on the last page of ballots.

The following determinations were made by the City Council:

Tax will be for a limited 4 year term allowing voter check on spending.
Language remained the same as prior ballot measures to “Essentially keep the tax the same as current.”
Only developed parcels are to be taxed. Empty vacant lots are not taxed. Empty parcels adjoining developed parcels are not taxed.
Tax to “single family” parcels is based on the square footage of the parcels with larger parcels paying more.
No additional tax is added when two or more residences occupy a “single family” zoned parcel.
Piedmont needs to pay for underfunded pension benefits and facility maintenance.
Approximately 300 properties straddle the border of Oakland and Piedmont. If the house is on both sides of the border, the owner pays both Oakland & Piedmont Municipal Services Tax.

Measure T is a Municipal Services Special Tax and the ballot measure stipulates that funds shall be used for these services:

police and fire protection,
street maintenance,
building regulations,
library services,
recreation,
parks maintenance,
planning and public works

Tax measure proceeds will be deposited into the Piedmont General Fund. There is no differentiated record of how the Special Municipal Services Tax have been spent in prior years.

Piedmont was one of the first cities in California to go before voters following approval of Proposition 13 in 1978 limiting the taxing ability of school, cities, counties, and special districts to raise taxes beyond their 1978 level while allowing an annual 2% increase without gaining approval by 2/3rd of the voters.

Voters can go to their assigned polling location on Tuesday, March 3 and cast their ballot, or if having received a ballot in the mail can place their ballot in the Alameda County ballot box located in central Piedmont near the Wells Fargo Bank, or simply place their ballot in any regular mailbox. Postage is not required on mailed ballots.

Editors Note: PCA does not support or oppose ballot measures.

Feb 23 2020

Is a Bond Measure in the Future for Piedmont Facilities?

Committee to consider ways to fund Piedmont facilities.

Extensive plans for the Piedmont Municipal Pool, Coaches Field, Linda Beach Park, and other facilities have been undertaken by the city. A method of funding the millions of dollars necessary to move the projects forward is under consideration at the:

Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee, Thursday, February 27, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Emergency Operations Center, 403 Highland Avenue, Piedmont, CA

The meetings are never broadcast and minutes are not kept of the meetings. Members of the Committee do not file conflict of interest statements.

AGENDA:

Public Forum This is an opportunity for members of the audience to speak on an item not on the agenda. The 10 minute period will be divided evenly between those wishing to address the Committee.

Regular Agenda
1. Review of FY 2019-20 Mid-Year Fiscal Report
2. Discussion of Potential Financing Options for Improvement of City Facilities
3. Consideration of Scheduling Future Meetings

As of this publication, no materials related to an item on the agenda of the Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee meeting have been publicly made available.

Feb 20 2020

OPINION: Time to Renew the Parcel Tax in Piedmont

Newcomers may not know it, but when Prop 13 wiped out the local tax base years ago, Piedmont and other cities voted in parcel taxes, based on lot size, to make up the difference. The parcel tax raises $2.2M, about 10% of the annual budget. Technically it’s called the Municipal Services Special Tax and the ballot measure stipulates that it shall be used for these services:

police and fire protection,
street maintenance,
building regulations,
library services,
recreation,
parks maintenance,
planning and public works

So, don’t tune out the March Primary election waiting for anybody in November.

Vote for Measure T.

Garrett Keating, Former Piedmont City Council Member

Feb 4 2020

Election Forum – February 11 – City Hall 7 – 8:30 pm

League of Women Voters of Piedmont Election Forum

Candidates for Alameda County Offices

Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Piedmont City Council Chamber Chambers – 120 Vista Ave. Piedmont, CA 94611

The League of Women Voters of Piedmont will host a Candidates Forum on February 11, 2020 in advance of the upcoming March 3 election. The event will be held in the Council Chambers at Piedmont City Hall and focus on candidates running for Alameda County Offices. This event is co-sponsored by the Bay Area, Oakland, Berkeley, Albany & Emeryville Leagues of Women Voters. The forum will include candidates for the following races:

 Alameda County Superior Court, Seat 2: Elena Condes, Mark Fickes, and Lilla Julia Szelenyi.

 15th Assembly District: Sarah Brink, Jeanne M. Solnorda, and Buffy Wicks. (Ms. Wicks is likely unable to attend; the League has invited her to submit a written statement.)

 Alameda County Supervisor, District 5: Keith Carson and Nick Pilch.

The community is cordially invited to attend this event.

The forum is designed to provide voters with an opportunity to hear from candidates and pose questions. The program will be simulcast on KCOM-TV, channel 27 and be made available for streaming. KCOM viewers are invited to submit questions during the forum by emailing lwvpiedmont@gmail.com.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to promote active and informed democratic participation. Visit www.lwvpiedmont.org for more information.

Piedmont League of Women Voters

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Local Events

Finally, a televised Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee (BAFPC)!

Most residents know little of this committee, but it is the source for all tax increases for the city.