Survey focuses on user satisfaction with Piedmont Recreation Department programs.

The Piedmont Recreation Department (PRD) has released a 75 page report on community satisfaction with the programs and facilities. Families with school age children represented approximately 700 of the 994 respondents. More than 25% of the respondents are not residents of Piedmont.  The report notes that many non-residents feel PRD should “serve the whole community, not just Piedmont.” The survey method did not prevent multiple responses from the same household.

Many new programs were suggested for adults, including seniors, to address a perceived lack: field trips, a community garden, passive recreation, book clubs, Senior Day, Bocce. However, 22% of respondents felt no additional programs are necessary.

Preschool programs are very popular with users.

Virtually all (94%) users of the PRD preschool programs are somewhat or very satisfied with the programs.

The Community Pool was the only PRD facility addressed by the survey.

The Piedmont Community Pool currently has over 200 pass holders, providing 57% of the pool revenue. According to Figure 4 of the report, 83% of current pass holders are “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to renew their passes, higher than a number of private Bay Area clubs. A sizable majority (68%) of Community Pool users who responded to the survey are satisfied with it.

Read the complete report here.

Piedmont students are required to have current immunizations on file with PUSD prior to August 17.

On Tuesday, June 30, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the California legislature Bill 277, mandating vaccinations for all schoolchildren regardless of their parents’ personal or religious beliefs.

In explaining his support, Brown wrote, “After carefully reviewing the materials and arguments that have been presented, I have decided to sign this bill. The science is clear that vaccines dramatically protect children against a number of infectious and dangerous diseases. While it’s true that no medical interventions are without risk, the evidence shows that immunization powerfully benefits and protects the community.”

While the personal and religious beliefs exemption has been eliminated, a physician may exempt a child with a family medical history related to a particular vaccine.

Time for Immunizations Between Summer Fun and Vacations?

The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) is reviewing the immunization records of all students this month. By July 15 parents should receive a letter notifying them if their students lack any required immunizations.  Documentation any missing current immunizations will be required prior to August 17. Students who are not up to date will not receive their class schedules and can not attend school until their immunization records are complete and up to date.

PUSD nurses, Joan Edelstein or Tola Williams can be reached at 594-2751 or by email (jedelstein@piedmont.k12.ca.us or awilliams@piedmont.k12.ca.us).

The Piedmont Unified School District’s Board of Education unanimously endorsed SB 277 (Resolution 15-2014-15) on June 10, 2015.  SB277 is intended to increase vaccination rates in schools and protect community immunity against sometimes deadly diseases by eliminating the personal belief exemption (PBE) from school immunization requirements.

On Thursday, June 25, California legislature passed Senate Bill 277, which mandates vaccinations for all schoolchildren regardless of their parents’ personal or religious beliefs, on a 46-to-30 vote. On Monday, June 29 the Senate will again vote its approval of the bill in its final form and send it to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature.

– The public hearing will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 1:15 p.m. in the EBMUD Board Room, 375 11th Street, Oakland. –

If approved, the new rates and the drought surcharge would take effect July 1, 2015. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has declared a Stage 4 critical drought and set a community-wide goal of 20% water use reduction, 
compared to 2013 water consumption.

An 8% rate increase would begin July 1, if approved by the Board following the hearing. EBMUD water rates increased 9.75 percent beginning July 1, 2013, and increased again on July 1, 2014 by 9.5 percent. EBMUD reports most of its customers have cut back their water use significantly, resulting in the need to continue to increase rates to cover fixed costs.

As of April 15, 2015, single family residential customers are expected to limit indoor water consumption to 35 gallons per person per day. This is challenging many customers since the estimated daily water flow per person even with energy flow toilets, faucets and shower heads exceeds the goal without including laundry or the use of a dishwasher:

10 gallons  = 6 flushes of a low flow toilet

10 gallons  = 1 five minute low flow shower

80 gallons = twenty minutes of low flow sink faucet for hand-washing, teeth brushing, cooking and food/pots/dishes rinsing or washing by hand.

Citizens can direct questions to www.ebmud.com for more information related to the proposed fees.  Phone 1-866-403-2683.

Fee increase protests must be in writing and sent to EBMUD  at:

EBMUD, MS 218, PO Box 24055, Oakland, CA 94623-1055.

Marguerite Young is Piedmont’s Ward 3 representative on the EBMUD Board of Directors.

Mandatory outdoor watering rules:

• Strict limits on frequency: no more than two non-consecutive days per week 
with no runoff.
• Strict limits on times: only before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• No watering allowed within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.
• No watering of ornamental turf on public street medians allowed.
• No washing of driveways and sidewalks; except as needed for health and safety.
• Use only hoses with shutoff nozzles to wash vehicles.
• Turn off fountains or decorative water features unless the water is recirculated.

Read the proposed new rates and excessive use penalties.

Related articles:

EBMUD Excessive Water Use Penalties Hitting Houses But Not Apartment Buildings

California Drought: Will Piedmont Wells be Managed?

Piedmont’s Board of Education will present our next Superintendent of schools at its next regular meeting on March 25, at 6:00 pm in the City Chambers. I do not know who the appointee is, but I want to welcome him/her. I am sure that our entire community will rally to support him/her for the benefits of all our students.

Bernard Pech

Editors’ Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Shahan Soghikian wrote the following opinion on the search for a new Superintendent of the Piedmont Unified School District:

“We owe our children the opportunity to learn in an open, dynamic environment unconstrained by the target of any one learning approach or pre-determined future. They will be artists, scientists, technologists, doctors, writers, athletes, philanthropists or zookeepers because they are inspired by what they learn, who instructs them and their own discovery process in the world. Whether they go to an Ivy League or community college, they need to find their own path. Let’s first and foremost select a great leader who understands the breadth of our community and the wide range of opportunities our children may choose to pursue. Let’s inspire them to learn by creating compelling curriculum led by energetic, forward thinking teachers. Let’s teach them how to think critically, make a good argument, write a compelling statement, and be good collaborators through group projects and team sports & activities. We have the good fortune of being in a community with amazing parents who volunteer their time in many different way to support and build programs embraced by the school district. Let’s all work to insure this open, supportive and collaborative environment continues to be fostered by the new superintendent. Let’s focus on selecting someone with a proven skill set in these areas, not by where they went to school, what they studied or their own personal areas of interest. The world is much bigger than that.”

Editors’ Note:  The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Piedmont Civic Association.

– Piedmonters miss their late afternoon mail pickup. –

For a number of residents of Piedmont, the elimination of the 5 p.m. mail pickup at the drive up mailboxes on Highland Way was a shock on April 15 as they tried to mail their tax returns. The pickup there was 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on Saturday. Beginning this month, April, the last pick up is 12 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For all but the Vista Avenue mailbox in front of City Hall, which has a 4 p.m. pickup, there are no mailbox pickups in Piedmont later than 1 p.m., and most Piedmont mailbox pickups are even earlier. Outside Piedmont, the  latest mailbox pickup is at 8:30 p.m. near the West Oakland BART station at 1675 7th West Oakland.

Piedmont mailbox locations:

300  Highland Ave. between Oakland Ave. and the bus stop

370  Highland Way behind Wells Fargo-the only “drive-up” mailboxes

55 Crocker Ave. at one end of the Hall Fenway

39 La Salle Ave. at St. James

104 Monticello Ave. at Ramona

902 Rose Ave. at Linda Ave.

120 Vista Ave. in front of City Hall

How well do the mailboxes in Piedmont serve residents following the elimination of afternoon pickup service at most locations?

1.  How many days per week do you use a Piedmont mailbox?  (1-6)

2.  Do you usually post mail in the afternoon or the morning?

3.  Will the elimination of a 5 p.m. pickup be detrimental to you or your family?

4.  Will the elimination of afternoon pickup at Highland Way be detrimental to you or your family?

5.  Which mailbox do you use more often – the mailbox at Highland Way or at Vista Avenue in front of City Hall ?

6.  Does a 4 p.m. pickup in front of City Hall serve your mailing needs just as well as 5 p.m.?

7.  Would you prefer the last (4 p.m.) Piedmont pickup to be located at the walk-up Vista Avenue mailbox or at the Highland Way mailboxes which include “drive-up” access?

8.  Do you believe there is adequate parking to be able to conveniently use the mailbox at Vista Avenue (which currently does not provide “drive-up” access)?

Let the City Council know if you need US Postal Service adjustments:

Margaret Fujioka, Mayor	mfujioka@ci.piedmont.ca.us	(510) 463-7821
Jeff Wieler, Vice Mayor	jwieler@ci.piedmont.ca.us	(510) 428-1648
Teddy Gray King	tking@ci.piedmont.ca.us	(510) 450-0890
Robert McBain	rmcbain@ci.piedmont.ca.us	(510) 547-0597
Tim Rood	trood@ci.piedmont.ca.us	(510) 239-7663

To allow readers to revisit a subject, the Piedmont Civic Association (PCA) website maintains previously published articles, opinions and comments.

If you have an interest in a particular subject, you can research it by going to SEARCH and typing in the subject.  COMMENTS are published at the end of OPINIONS and ARTICLES.  Readers can return at any time to an article and read submitted comments.

Additionally, if readers have corrections or additional information to contribute, they can submit the information at the end of an article in the comment section or send the information directly to the PCA email site at: www.editors@piedmontcivic.org.

Articles, photos, videos, and opinions can also be sent  to www.editors@piedmontcivic.org.

PARTICIPATION IN THE PIEDMONT CIVIC ASSOCIATION:

The Piedmont Civic Association (PCA) is open to all Piedmonters. There is no charge to become a participant or subscriber.  The newsletter, when published, is automatically sent to all email subscribers.

Not receiving timely updates by email?  Found on the left side of the home page under PCA  is the Click here to receive updates by email  link where readers can subscribe or click the above link.  All subscribers names and email addresses are strictly private and are not disseminated. 

Want to volunteer? The PCA newsletter is produced without any advertisements by volunteers. Anyone who is interested in becoming more involved with the activities of PCA is invited to email their interest to www.editors@piedmontcivic.org.

The following is the City’s press release:

In a letter to the City Council and City Administrator dated November 19th, Recreation Director Mark Delventhal announced his retirement effective December 27, 2013.

Mr. Delventhal was appointed Recrecation Director by the City Council in May of 1983 and has served for over 30 years in this position. Prior to serving as Recreation Director, Mr. Delventhal served as a Recreation Supervisor and also as a part time employee for a total of fifteen
additional years with the department.

In the letter announcing his retirement, Mr. Delventhal expressed his gratitude to current and previous members of the City Council, the City Administrator, and City staff, especially those at the Recreation Department. On the topic of his years of service in Piedmont, Mr. Delventhal wrote, “… public service in Piedmont is not a job or a duty or a profession, it is a calling, a noble and caring endeavor.”

“The City of Piedmont has benefitted tremendously from Mr. Delventhal’s years as Recreation Director,” said City Administrator Geoffrey L. Grote. “The high quality programs put on over the years by the Recreation Department are a testament to Mark’s dedication to public service and to the residents of this City.”

For further information contact City Clerk John O. Tulloch at (510) 420-3040

New community asset receives 10,200 visits –

Since opening its doors in September 2011, Piedmont adults and children have made more than 10,200 visits to various musical and theater performances, art exhibits, classes and activities at the Piedmont Art Center during its debut year.

Nancy Lehrkind, President of the Arts Center, enthusiastically notes, “Our design was for an arts organization, which would grow organically out of community need and usage.  Clearly there is demand for a full-on Arts Center in Piedmont.  We have recently formed the Piedmont Players acting troupe and will be producing two nights of plays in April.  The Center has also acquired a wonderful film projector and will be sponsoring a community film series, as well as hosting a screening from Colin Trevorrow (Piedmont grad) on his award-winning film.  More and more community members realize they have their own Arts Center and can use it for whatever artistic purposes they dream up!”

Lehrkind stated that Piedmont Art Center events and activities over the past year have included:

• Authors Series and Speakers series
  • authors such as Nate Verkus and Anna Quindlan attended by more than 290 adults
  • speakers such as U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich, Peter Doctor, Pixar Animator and Film Director, and Steve Ellis, Bain and Company worldwide director, attended by more than 240 people
    
• Weekly theatrical and musical performances
  • average attendance of 70 people for a total of 3,640 people
• Art Gallery Exhibits every 2 weeks and Artists’ Receptions twice a month
  • average 25 visitors (open 3 afternoons per week), for a total of 650 people
  • average 80 visitors to the twice a month Artists’ Reception, for a total of 2,000 people
• Ongoing Children’s Theater and Singing Classes
  • 5 classes per week from September through June  (including Saturday) for 20 children
  • 3 performances with 200 in attendance
• Summer Camps utilized by 100 children
  • 2 different summer camps (one of which had a waiting list)
  • 3 performances of Annie by the children’s theatre group with over 275 adults attending.
• Special Events and Activities
  • Artisanal Brewing Competition attracted 170 people
  • Ann Martin counseling services
  • Periodic Writing Class

The non-profit Piedmont Arts Center was granted a 10-year lease of the West Wing of 801 Magnolia for $1 per year, based on its agreement to renovate the deteriorated West Wing space.  Under its agreement, the Arts Center has provided interior paint, carpeting, installed 12 new double-paned windows, installed extensive drainage under and around the building ($10,000), performed seismic work and asbestos abatement, added air conditioning, and new electrical and plumbing for the West Wing, as well as installing a new furnace and ducting, and refurbishing wood floors. In addition, it has provided new landscaping, a new roof over the West Wing, and exterior paint for the entire building.  In the East Wing, the Arts Center installed an interior fire wall and ADA-compliant bathrooms, which serves the entire building.

To date, the total investment by the Arts Center in Magnolia property renovations and improvements total $136,000, funded through a combination of private donations and capital contributions provided by the Arts Center founders.  An additional $30,000 was spent to bring the East Wing bathrooms up to code, and the Arts Center anticipates spending a further $15,000 shortly to install an ADA compliant ramp or lift in the East Wing.  The City of Piedmont has paid for the replacement of sewer lines under the building.

All who pass the building at Magnolia and Bonita Avenue have noticed the dramatic changes in the city-owned property.  In addition to the freshly painted exterior, the lawn has been replaced with  lovely, well-maintained  landscaping.  The Arts Center paid Cleary Brothers to demolish and remove all old trees, remove shrubs, remove sod, prepare the soil, and install new sod, while the City provided 10 Cape Magnolia trees, 2 Dogwood trees, and 5 espalier plants for the patios.  In-ground lighting was provided by the Arts Center, and rear benches and other improvements added through more than 7 Eagle Scout and Boy Scout projects.  The City has generously continued to provide additional plant materials, garden improvements and landscape maintenance, making the property an attractive addition to the Piedmont Civic Center.  The City also provides trash service and building maintenance to 801 Magnolia.  (Trash service is generally provided to all city buildings without separate charge under standard city garbage franchise agreements.)

801 Magnolia after Renovations

Front entrance to 801 Magnolia before renovations

Rotted windows prior to renovation