April 6, 2020 report to the Piedmont City Council on the COVID-19 impacts to the city.

Report on the Impacts of the COVID 19 Emergency on the City of Piedmont

Piedmont is in flower everywhere with myriad blossoms from wisteria, camellias and dozens of other species littering steep garden pathways and public sidewalks.  If allowed to remain and rot, they will become slippery slimy threats to the safety of pedestrians out for their brief daily walk.

The City of Piedmont definition of Essential Gardening Services includes amongst other tasks, weed and debris removal for fire safety, clearing debris and installing measures for erosion control, and irrigation maintenance for water conservation.

The Parks Division continues to work with Terra Landscaping in repurposing their efforts to concentrate on only essential services, which includes amongst other tasks, working with the fire department on weed and debris removal for fire safety, clearing debris and installing measures for erosion control, and irrigation maintenance for water conservation.

April 6, 2020,  Sara Lillevand, City Administrator
Report on the Impacts of the COVID 19 Emergency on the City of Piedmont

The Alameda County March 31, 2020 Order allows tree trimming to prevent a dangerous situation and limits gardening as follows:

xiii. Arborists, landscapers, gardeners, and similar service professionals, but only to the limited extent necessary to maintain the habitability, sanitation, operation of businesses or residences, or the safety of residents, employees, or the public (such as fire safety or tree trimming to prevent a dangerous condition), and not for cosmetic or other purposes (such as upkeep);  Alameda County Order

The City of Piedmont will implement on April 2 Alameda County’s new health order.

While we are all encouraged to continue to support restaurants  and other local businesses forced to close to avoid social congregating, gardeners who work in social isolation are now under the following limitations by Alameda County:

xiii. Arborists, landscapers, gardeners, and similar service professionals, but only to the limited extent necessary to maintain the habitability, sanitation, operation of businesses or residences, or the safety of residents, employees, or the public (such as fire safety or tree trimming to prevent a dangerous condition), and not for cosmetic or other purposes (such as upkeep);  Alameda County Order

• If landscaping needs are necessary to protect safety and sanitation, please distance yourself at least six feet from the landscaper.

Home construction and remodeling projects are also limited and new home construction and remodeling projects are prohibited:

Residential renovation projects of any kind that are currently underway may continue if necessary to a safe, sanitary, and functional home. Likewise, residential remodeling projects that are partly completed may continue if delaying completion would pose a safety, security, or sanitation risk to residents or impact the habitability of the residence.   Alameda County Order

Presumably, the City will cease issuing Building Permits and will issue Stop Work orders to all current home remodeling projects that are less than essential for safety and sanitation.

The City of Piedmont closed all of its parks effective April 1, 2020, until further notice.

March 31, 2020

ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER EXTENDS
SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER TO MAY 3, 2020
CITY PARKS TO CLOSE EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2020

On March 31, the Alameda County Health Officer extended its shelter in place order for Alameda County residents through May 3, 2020 and strengthened, clarified, and extended the previous order issued on March 16, 2020.

The new order is available on the Alameda County Public Health Department’s website at http://www.acphd.org/media/563688/health…. A summary of changes between the prior order and the updated order is available at http://www.acphd.org/media/563713/summar…, and a Frequently Asked Questions document is available at https://covid-19.acgov.org/index.page.

This revised order makes changes to several important items, including:
• Closing of parks and recreation spaces
• Restricted ongoing commercial and residential construction
• Restricted ongoing commercial and residential landscaping services

Pursuant to the County Order, the City of Piedmont will close all of its parks effective April 1, 2020, until further notice.

The City of Piedmont will have updated information available on its website by Thursday, April 2nd detailing how these changes will affect the Piedmont community. The City asks residents to be patient as the city works to implement the County’s new order.

WE OWE IT TO EACH OTHER TO STAY HOME and are required by the State of California and Alameda County to do so. The best thing we can do for the community and each other is to comply with the order to shelter in place at our homes.

Please visit the City of Piedmont’s COVID-19 webpage for the most up to date information on the City’s response to COVID-19 as well as how the orders affect Piedmonters.

For more information on Covid-19, please see: Centers for Disease Control, California Coronavirus Response and the Alameda County Public Health Department

Numerous commission and committee meetings have been either cancelled or postponed in April 2020 because of the COVID-19 virus. The City Council and Planning Commission will hold “virtual” meetings. Details on public participation will be forthcoming when agendas are posted. 

READ the notice > 2020-04 Notice of Regular Meetings – Scanned.

Effective March 26, 2020, the City of Piedmont has closed Hampton Park (Piedmont Sports Field) until further notice due to community members continuing to gather in violation of both the letter and the spirit of the shelter-in-place orders which have been issued by the county and state.

In order to protect yourselves and the community as a whole, community members must stay home except for absolutely essential needs. While fresh air and exercise are necessary for mental and physical health, please undertake these activities in a way that complies with the spirit of the orders.

John Tulloch, City Clerk, 510-420-3040 

In response to the Shelter in Place Orders from the State of California and the County of Alameda, the City of Piedmont has extended the deadline for Commission and Committee applications until Friday, April 10th. This extension will allow residents who have been working to adjust their lives to shelter in place additional time to complete and submit applications to serve on city Commissions and Committees.

Interested residents may view the Commission Description of Duties, download the Application for Appointive Vacancy, and/or apply online on the City’s web site at https://piedmont.ca.gov.

Applications are due to City Hall on or before the EXTENDED DEADLINE of Friday, April 10th .

Interviews with the City Council for these positions will be scheduled for a later date. Applicants will be notified of the interview date once it is set. No appointments will be made without a Council interview.

Links to information and forms are below:

Notice of Appointive Vacancies 2020

Commission Description of Duties 2020-02-14

Commission Application 2020 (Fillable)

2020-02-14 Volunteers for Commissions

Volunteers are needed on the following Commissions/Committees, and other positions:

Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee, CIP Review Committee, Civil Service Commission, Park Commission,  Planning Commission, Public Safety Committee, Recreation Commission, Mosquito Abatement Representative, Parking Hearing Officer. 

Contact: City Clerk John O. Tulloch (510) 420-3040

Piedmont CIP Review Committee Behind-the-Scenes Tours of City Facilities Postponed –

TO CHECK FOR RESCHEDULED MEETINGS CONTACT:

Nancy Kent, Parks & Project Manager, via email at nkent@piedmont.ca.gov or phone at (510) 420-3064.

The CIP Review Committee tours scheduled for Saturday, March 21, to discuss Piedmont’s Essential Services buildings, and Saturday, April 4, to discuss the state of recreation related infrastructure, are postponed.

The City will offer the CIP Review Committee and members of the public rescheduled tours of the current facilities to better understand the challenges and limitations of the City’s aging infrastructure.

The dates for the rescheduled tours have not been determined at this time.

—– MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC —-

Over the next six weeks, Piedmont’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Review Committee will host three Saturday meetings with behind-the-scenes tours of City facilities not often seen by members of the public (POSTPONED).  There will also be six discussion/decision meetings.  See schedule below.

Tours and meetings are not broadcast, however they are open to public participation.

*Resident proposals are due March 23, 2020. Forms and instructions can be found on the City website: https://piedmont.ca.gov/government/city_news___notifications/cip_resident_proposals_sought

In addition to the customary tour of resident proposals on April 25 , the CIP Review Committee will hold two additional Saturday (POSTPONED) meetings with comprehensive tours to provide the community with a better and broader understanding of the City’s aging public infrastructure.

On Saturday, March 21, (POSTPONED) the CIP Review Committee will meet at 9:00 am in the Police Department Conference Room to discuss Piedmont’s Essential Services buildings which include the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

After Police Chief Jeremy Bowers and Fire Chief Bret Black make presentations and answer questions from the CIP Review Committee, there will be group tours of both the Police and Fire Departments as well as the basement of City Hall.

Please note that the meetings and tours are geared toward residents age 16 and older, and are not to be confused with a Piedmont Fire Department Open House.

On Saturday, April 4, (POSTPONED) the CIP Review Committee will meet at the Recreation Department at 9:00 am to discuss the state of recreation related infrastructure including the Piedmont Community Pool, the Recreation Department building, Veterans Hall, Linda Beach Park and Coaches Field.

After a brief summary presentation, the CIP Review Committee and members of the public will have the opportunity to explore the current facilities to better understand the challenges and limitations of the City’s aging infrastructure.

The City of Piedmont and the CIP Review Committee encourage residents to participate in this rare opportunity and hope that the meetings and tours are well-attended by members of the public.

If you have questions regarding the CIP tours or meeting schedule, please contact Nancy Kent, Parks & Project Manager, via email at nkent@piedmont.ca.gov or phone at (510) 420-3064.

2020 CIP Review Committee Schedule

Tue 3/10 7:00 pm (COMPLETED) Regular Meeting PPD EOC 403 Highland Avenue Public Safety

Sat 3/21 9:00 am (POSTPONED) Regular Meeting PPD EOC 403 Highland Avenue and Essential Services Community Tours

Tue 3/24 7:00 pm (CANCELLED) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Recreation Facilities Conference Room

Tue 3/31 7:00 pm (CANCELLED) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Resident Proposals Conference Room

Sat 4/4 9:00 am (POSTPONED) Regular Meeting PRD 358 Hillside Avenue and Recreation Related Community Tours Schedule:

• 9:15 am PRD Rec Dept. Attic to Basement – 358 Hillside Avenue
• 9:45 am Piedmont Community Pool – 777 Magnolia Avenue
• 10:30 am Veterans Hall – 401 Highland Avenue
• 11:15 am Linda Beach Park – 400 Linda Avenue
• 12 Noon Coaches Field – 898 Red Rock Road

Tue 4/7 7:00 pm (CONTINUING) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Resident Proposals Conference Room

Tue 4/21 7:00 pm (CONTINUING) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Conference Room

Sat 4/25 9:00 am (CONTINUING) Regular Meeting and Tour Details TBA

Members of the public can continue to remain informed regarding mass gatherings by reviewing California Department of Health’s Guidance on Mass Gatherings. The City is asking members of the public to considering these Steps to Prevent Illness when deciding whether to attend any City meeting.

CIP Review Committee Seeks Resident Proposals