The Piedmont Unified School District has determined that the work on the new STEAM building at Piedmont High School is an essential government function and work will continue on this project, over which the City has no jurisdiction.
April 6, 2020, Sara Lillevand, City Administrator
Report on the Impacts of the COVID 19 Emergency on the City of Piedmont
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
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ADU applications that comply with a new binding ordinance will be approved by city staff without neighbor notification or public participation. ADUs will be approved “by right.” Parking, privacy, and views will not be allowed to be considered.
Planning Director Kevin Jackson and City Attorney Michelle Kenyon acknowledged that it had been difficult to determine the ramifications of the various State laws and their impact on Piedmont’s proposed ordinances.
Numerous outstanding issues remain: safety requirements including street width and existing parking, driveway widths, fire safety, distance from a bus stop by foot, clarity on design review requirements, landscaping, enlargements to garages on the property line, risks of waiting to approve an ADU ordinance until information is provided by the state, deed restrictions, opaque window requirements, balconies, etc.
The Council supports increased Piedmont density by adding more ADUs approved by staff. There will be no public notice or consideration by the Planning Commission on conforming ADUs. Higher and taller ADUs over 16 feet were also sought by the Council.
The Council seeks to meet regional housing needs, especially for below market rate housing, through increased ADUs. The Planning Department was praised for their efforts.
City Planning Consultant Michael Henn of Piedmont spoke to the Council on January 21 asking for a more considered approach on the ADU ordinance by awaiting the California Department of Housing and Community Development guidelines assisting cities on ordinances regarding ADUs.
Henn carefully explained his approval of ADUs and his prior role drafting ordinances. He recommended a delay in ordinance approval by the Council pending further information on what other cities are approving for appropriate Piedmont ADUs.
Below is the Henn letter sent to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Greetings,
I am a city planning consultant in the East Bay. I am following the creation of local ADU ordinances. I have been told that HCD is preparing new guidelines to assist cities with AB 68& 881& SB 13.
If so, when do you expect them to be available?
Thanks,
Michael Henn, AICP
Piedmont CAMike,
Attached you will find our guidance memo. We are working on an ADU booklet (similar to the previous HCD ADU Booklet), which will have a sample ordinance, a summary of the recent legislation, and an FAQ section. Expect that booklet out in the next month or so. In the meantime, feel free to send in any questions you may have. Thanks!
- Jose
READ Information from Housing and Community Development > ADU TA AB 881 others 01-10-20
Despite the long processes to amend ordinances, the Council did not want to delay the ordinance. There appeared to be no consideration of how other small cities were dealing with ADU requirements.
Chelle Putzer new Recreation Director
Following a rigorous recruitment process, the City Council has selected Chelle Putzer as Recreation Director of the City of Piedmont.
Ms. Putzer was chosen unanimously by the Council from a field of 48 candidates. Her formal appointment will be considered at the City Council meeting of November 4, 2019. This selection follows interviews of six highly qualified candidates by a panel of staff and residents and the City Administrator. Following that process, the candidate field was narrowed to two, who were then interviewed by the full City Council. Ms. Putzer’s selection by the City Council was unanimous and all agreed that she will be a great asset to the community and the Recreation Department.
Ms. Putzer holds a Bachelor of Science in Health & Sport Sciences from the University of Oklahoma. For nearly six years, she has served as Recreation and Community Services Director for the City of Albany. Prior to this, she spent an additional ten years in Albany as a Recreation & Community Services Manager and Supervisor. She has also served as head softball coach at St. Mary’s College, assistant softball coach at San Jose State University, and a volunteer assistant softball coach at Stanford University.
“We are very excited to have Ms. Putzer join the Piedmont Recreation team,” said Mayor Robert McBain. “Her great experience and proven track record of leadership will help our Recreation Department continue to provide excellent programming for all ages.”
“Chelle will be a tremendous addition to the City team and will no doubt be a strong leader for the Recreation Department,” said City Administrator Sara Lillevand. “Her experience and success as the director in Albany, another small city in Alameda County, will translate well to Piedmont. I also want to recognize the commitment and significant efforts of Interim Recreation Director Erin Rivera who will remain in that role until Chelle begins in December. Erin has been and will continue to be an integral part of PRD’s leadership throughout the transition and beyond.”
“I am honored and excited to have been selected as Piedmont’s Recreation Director,” Ms. Putzer said. “I am looking forward to serving in such a wonderful, engaged and supportive community and joining Piedmont’s outstanding Recreation Department.”
Pacific Gas and Electric Company has confirmed their intent to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) which will include portions of Piedmont as early as Wednesday, October 9th at 12:00 Noon and could last for up to 5 days. Other power outages may occur as a result of this wind event. All Piedmonters are advised to be prepared for power outages during this wind event, which may or may not be proactive Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
Based upon information provided by PG&E it appears that all or portions on the following streets in Piedmont will most likely be included in this PSPS:
Blair Avenue
Blair Place,
Calvert Court
Cambrian Avenue
Cavanagh Court
Cavendish Lane
Crest Road
Croydon Circle
Estates Drive
Farragut Avenue
Glen Alpine Road
Hampton Road
Huntleigh Road
Indian Road
King Avenue
La Salle Avenue
Lexford Road
Marlborough Court
Sandringham Place
Sandringham Road
Sea View Avenue
Selborne Drive
Somerset Road
Sotelo Avenue
St. James Circle
St. James Drive
St. James Place
Trestle Glen Road
Tyson Circle
Valant Place
It is probable that electricity to all residences, businesses, schools, mobile phone towers, and public facilities in the affected area may be turned off. The City of Piedmont has no additional details as to whether individual homes or businesses will be affected by the PSPS. Piedmonters are among the up to 750,000 PG&E customers in 32 counties who will be affected by this event.
PG&E will attempt to alert affected customers through calls and texts messages just before power is shut off. They will also use their web site and social media channels to provide information and will keep local news and radio outlets informed and updated.
Residents and businesses who are enrolled in East Bay Community Energy will be affected by these Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
The City of Piedmont has plans in place to ensure that emergency services and public safety are maintained during a Public Safety Power Shutoff, but affected residents will need to be self-reliant for a period of time.
For more information on how to be prepared for emergencies, please see the Public Safety Committee’s Get Ready, Piedmont brochure.
>PCA 1019 get-ready-piedmont
During a Public Safety Power Shutoff, please call 911 to report any emergencies which occur. Please hold non-emergency calls until after the after the PSPS event has concluded.
If Measure G and H are approved, a homeowner with 2,000 square footage of habitable space will pay $2,763 base tax plus 2,000 multiplied by 25 cents equaling $500 for a total of $3,263, rather than the current yearly base rate of $2,763 per parcel.
The Piedmont Board of Education is asking Piedmont voters to support (“Measure G”) on November 5, 2019 the renewal of its existing parcel tax to maintain current programs starting at the $2,763 rate with a potential 2% annual increase. In a separate measure (“Measure H”) voters are asked for an additional amount ($0.25 per square foot of habitable square footage / building improvements – on a parcel.)
If both G and H Measures pass, rates will vary tremendously per parcel on the additional tax with the largest square footage homeowners paying up to $6,568 per year.
Registered Piedmont voters have received a Voter Information Guide in the mail that details the election. The election is a stand alone special election exclusively related to the Piedmont Unified School District. The current parcel tax does not expire until June 2021. The two proposals, if approved, will take effect in 2020.
Residents have been canvassed by volunteer supporters to determine individuals voting preferences – yes or no. Individuals stating they are in support of the ballot measures can expect reminders to vote in the November 5, 2019 Election. Those who have voiced opposition or no preference to the ballot measures should not expect to receive a reminder to vote on the November 5 ballot measures.
Explanations and the rationale for supporting the school parcel tax proposals can be found in the Voter Information Guide. No argument was filed against the measures in the Voter Information Guide.
Answer: It is our understanding that those previously receiving their ballot in the mail will continue to receive their ballot without reapplying. If for any reason, a voter does not timely receive their ballot in the mail, the voter can vote in person at their polling location listed on the back of the Voter Information Guide or any polling location.
“Vote by mail allows voters to cast a ballot without going to a polling place. If a registered voter has applied to vote by mail, the Registrar’s office mails a ballot to the registered address of the voter beginning 29 days before an election. The voter votes the ballot and returns it to the election office by mail. The voter can also return it in person to the office or to any polling place on Election Day to be counted. Any voter can apply to vote by mail permanently in every election.” Registrar of Voters
Answer: Deduction of state and local taxes are each year limited to a maximum deduction of $10,000 per single or married couple on Federal income tax returns. Many Piedmonters will likely not be able to deduct the school parcel tax in additional to their state income taxes.
Answer: To be approved, each ballot measure requires approval by 2/3 rds or 66 2/3rds of the voters voting on the measures. If voters approve Measure G, but not Measure H at the November 5 Election, the School Board will likely accept that voters did not want additional funding beyond the base amount of Measure G. However, if both measures are rejected by voters, it is assumed that the School Board will return with a different measure to achieve voter support prior to the 2021 expiration of the current school parcel tax, Measure A.
Answer: No. The School Board was informed that many other school districts have an exemption or tax reduction for senior homeowner taxpayers; however, in calculating the result of reducing or eliminating the tax for seniors and given the significant number of seniors residing in Piedmont, a determination was made that insufficient funds would be derived from the tax to produce adequate funds to support School District needs. Additionally, the School Board noted that property values related to excellent schools benefited all Piedmont property owners whether seniors or not.
Answer: The number varies but all city and school employees are allowed to send their children to the Piedmont schools. Additionally, the Piedmont Millennium High School has a significant number of students residing outside of Piedmont. A recent need for more students to maintain the budgeted amount derived from the California state contribution of approximately $8,500 resulted in an invitation to residents’ grandchildren and others from outside of Piedmont to fill specific slots in certain grades. About 18 additional non-resident students were added to the student population for the 2019-2020 school year.
Answer: Measure H provides funding beyond the basic budgetary needs of the District. Measure H was proposed as a way to increase funding for school teachers and other purposes identified by the School Board.
Answer: An Alameda County Ballot Box where voters can drop their no postage ballot will be at the corner of Highland and Highland Way, next to the mailboxes, near Wells Fargo Bank in central Piedmont. Voters can also mail their ballot as stated on their envelope. When mailed, the envelope requires no postal stamps. Voters can also turn in their ballot to officials at their regular voting location noted on the back of their Voter Information Guide or any polling location.
Answer: No. The School District and the City of Piedmont have separate revenues, separate budgets, and separate governance. Piedmont property owners pay separately for the schools and the city The funds are not commingled. Property owners can see the distinct taxation for the schools and the city on their recent Alameda County property tax statement.
Editors Note: PCA does not support or oppose any ballot measures.
Updated 10/14/2019
Finding that repeated validation of approved application is costly and time consuming for Piedmont staff, the City has decided to follow other cities lead and go to an honor system after initial approval of backyard refuse service.
The policy has the following provisions:
1.The applicant must complete and submit an application form.
2.With the initial application, the applicant must submit a doctor’s certification or a current California disability parking placard.
3.As a component of the application, the applicant must verify that there are no able-bodied residents or caretakers in the household that can move the carts to the curb.
4.There is no application fee.
5.The exemption must be renewed annually, and the City will provide an annual reminder of the renewal requirement.
6.City staff provides a list of approved applicants to Republic Services.
Staff has found that the annual renewal requirement is not necessary.
Read the report below for more details.
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