PIEDMONT TAXES, TURKEY TROT, WIRELESS SITES –

• Street Closures and City Staff Allocations for Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.  Street Use Permit for the Annual Turkey Trot Race Sponsored by PTT Thanksgiving Race, Inc.  See Map > HERE

• Consideration of Wireless Communication Facilities Permit Applications and Exceptions filed by Crown Castle NG West LLC and SureSite for sites PHS01 to PHS08 and PHS10 to PHS18 (Applications #19-0188) and License for Use of City-Owned Streetlights and Determining that the Applications are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 1127 4. Two council members, King and Andersen, cannot vote on all sites.  City Administrator Lillevand cannot participate in all site discussions. Staff report  > HERE

• Key features of the proposed WCF applications include:

  1. No underground equipment vaults, with fewer impacts to street trees
  2. Smaller, more compact radios and antennas
  3. No noise-generating equipment
  4. 10-inch diameter radome shrouds atop streetlight locations
  5. 14-inch diameter radome shrouds atop utility pole locations
  6. Trash receptacle equipment enclosure design (only at sites PHS01 and PHS03)
  7. Small side-mounted equipment enclosures on utility poles
  9. Encroachment permits for future maintenance work
  10. Radios 2203 and 8843, appropriately sized for the sites
  11. Power and communication cables concealed in 2-inch-wide risers

• Introduction and First Reading of Ord. 746 N.S. – Renewal of the Municipal Services Special Tax Effective July 1, 2021 and Placing the Measure Before the Voters 0435, 0705, 1030.  March tax election is to be selected. Staff report > HERE.

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City of Piedmont City Council Agenda Monday, November 18, 2019 6:30 p.m. – Special & Regular Meeting City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA Closed Session The City Council will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Emergency Operations Center, 403 Highland Avenue a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Govt. Code 54956.9) Name of Case: Crown Castle NG West, LLC v. City of Piedmont .

The City Council will convene its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Consent Calendar 1. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for 10/21/19 2. Approval of a Street Use Permit for the Annual Turkey Trot Race Sponsored by PTT Thanksgiving Race, Inc. 1000 Public Forum This is an opportunity for members of the audience to speak on an item not on the agenda. Special & Regular Session 3. Consideration of Wireless Communication Facilities Permit Applications and Exceptions filed by Crown Castle NG West LLC and SureSite for sites PHS01 to PHS08 and PHS10 to PHS18 (Applications #19-0188) and License for Use of City-Owned Streetlights and Determining that the Applications are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 1127 4. Introduction and First Reading of Ord. 746 N.S. – Renewal of the Municipal Services Special Tax Effective July 1, 2021 and Placing the Measure Before the Voters 0435, 0705, 1030

For more information, contact the City Clerk at 510/420-3040.

ADVISORY: PG&E cancelled its planned Public Safety Power Shutoff for Piedmont. At this point, PG&E indicated that it has no additional PSPS events planned for Alameda County in the near term. Water pumping problems will no longer be potentially affecting Piedmont.

PG&E informs the City that all customers affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff in Piedmont have been restored. If your power is still out, please contact PG&E at (800) 743-5000.  10/30/19

______________________________Updated 10/30/19

 

City Event to Showcase Piedmont Climate Challenge with “Ice on Fire” Film Screening

           “Ice on Fire,” an inspiring and stunning new documentary on climate change, will be featured at a free, city-wide event Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, to showcase the Piedmont Climate Challenge.  The event, to be held at the Piedmont Community Hall from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., is co-sponsored by the city of Piedmont, Piedmont Connect, and the Piedmont League of Women Voters.

The Piedmont Climate Challenge is a six-month, friendly competition launched in October to encourage Piedmont residents to take actions to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Challenge website,  

> www.piedmontclimatechallenge.org,

 illustrates dozens of ways to reduce GHG at home, from simple and easy changes such as walking more and switching to LED lightbulbs, to more complex measures such as installing solar panels or a heat pump.

Piedmont residents are demonstrating strong interest in reducing their carbon footprint. Since the launch of the Challenge at Harvest Festival, nearly 100 residents have already signed up and are earning points for their teams, neighborhoods and community groups by taking climate action at home.

The Nov. 7 event is designed for participants to drop in for any part of the program that suits their schedule:

6 to 7 p.m.:  Delicious food for purchase from The Helping Food Truck and free refreshments;  time to mingle and learn about the Challenge.

7 p.m. Brief introductions by Piedmont Mayor Bob McBain, Connect Chair Susan Miller-Davis, and City staff;

7:10 to 8 p.m.:  Screening of the first half of “Ice on Fire,” produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio.

8 to 8:30 p.m.: More time for refreshments, mingling. and learning about the Challenge.

To attend the event, please register at piedmontclimatechallenge.splashthat.com or simply stop by!

City staff, as well as friends and neighbors who are serving as Climate Challenge “Ambassadors” will be on hand to talk about the Challenge, demo the website, and help residents sign up.

Piedmont has set a long-term goal to reduce the city’s overall greenhouse gases (GHG) by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.  Since 80% of the city’s GHG emissions come from households — primarily transportation and home energy use — residents are crucial in reaching the goal.  The city’s short-term goal for the six-month Climate Challenge is to reduce GHG emissions by 1 million lbs., which can be achieved if 200 Piedmont households each reduce their GHG by 5,000 lbs.

Piedmont Connect Ambassadors include Sally Baack, Jonathan Becker, Liz Behrens,  Marj Blackwell , Moira Chapman,  Kara Christenson,  Jeff Dorman,  Debi Fitzgerrell ,  Claudia Harrison, Garrett Keating,  Judy Kelly, Ronna Kelly, Hugh Louch,  Samantha Miller,  Susan Miller-Davis, Margaret Ovenden,  Jina Saikia,  Julia Walsh, and Tom Webster.

Click announcement to enlarge.

The Piedmont City Council will meet on Monday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue. The meeting will be broadcast live on the City website and Cable Channel 27.  Recordings of the meetings are available on the City website.

Ceremonial Items

Presentation of Proclamation Regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Presentation of Proclamation Regarding Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Regular Agenda

1. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for 09/03/19 and 09/16/19
2. PUBLIC HEARING Regarding an Appeal of the Planning Commission’s Decision to Deny an Application for a Design Review Permit for an Accessory Structure at 89 Maxwelton Road (Read staff report)   Staff recommends that the Council overrule the Planning Commission’s denial of a design review permit for a new accessory unit.
3. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Administrator to Sign an Agreement with East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) for Cost Sharing Associated with Pavement Restoration on Sunnyside, Olive, and Oakland Avenues   (Read staff report.)  The City’s maximum share includes the base amount of $152,251, as well as a contingency amount of an additional 10% to cover any potential unanticipated overruns, bringing the total maximum amount to $167,476.  The paving is in connection with the pipeline replacement project.  EBMUD is scheduled to begin this project on 10/21/19 at 7am on Sunnyside, Oakland and Olive Ave.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, the Piedmont Planning Commission, City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue, will consider applications for Wireless Communication Facilities permits submitted by Crown Castle NG West LLC and Suresite Development, each application with project number #19-0188. The Commission will consider applications for sites 10 to 18.

Click on map for enlargement.

By October 11, 2019, all power had been restored to Piedmont properties.  Many Piedmonters did not see the need for the shut off, others who had endured devastating fires in the past welcomed the precaution.   Most of Piedmont did not have a loss of power.  Properties at a  higher elevation were impacted by the shut off.

Some vigorous complaints came from those not losing power.  Their electricity was on, but Comcast/ Xfinity services were off  – no television, internet, or phones.  Comcast offered no explanation as to why their service was eliminated in areas that continued to have power.

The power shut off event provided a significant indication of what could happen during a major earthquake or other emergencies.  Piedmonters filled their bathtubs with water, readied their grab and go bags, and found ways to light the darkness.

HELP FOR ALL PIEDMONTERS

Piedmont’s Emergency Preparedness Committee has produced an extremely useful brochure, Get Ready! Piedmont, to inform Piedmonters about advantageous actions related to emergencies.

The handbook is linked below and can also be obtained in hard copy through the Piedmont Fire Department.

https://piedmont.ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Front%20Page%20Items/get-ready-piedmont.pdf

City of Piedmont
Park Commission Agenda
Wednesday, October 2, 2019

5:30 p.m.

City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA

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 Commission.

Regular Agenda:

Reports and Draft Minutes>Park Commission Agenda-Oct. 2, 2019-FINAL

1. Approval of Park Commission Minutes for September 4, 2019
2. Consideration of a Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Proposed Green Infrastructure Plan
3. Update on Recycling and Composting Efforts at the Harvest Festival
4. Update on Preliminary Design for the Heritage Tree Signage
5. Update on Lower Grand Median Landscaping Improvements
6. Monthly Maintenance Report: Park, Open Space, and Street Tree Update for the Month of September 2019

The meeting will be broadcast live from the City of Piedmont website under videos of the Park Commission and also on Cable Channel 27.  A recording of the meeting will be archived and available for future public viewing.

City, Piedmont Connect launch Piedmont Climate Challenge

As demonstrators of all ages took to the streets around the world last week to call for action on climate change, the city of Piedmont has launched a new tool to empower local residents to reduce their own impact on the planet.

The Piedmont Climate Challenge uses a fun and simple website to create a friendly competition among residents to explore solutions, take actions and earn points for reducing their household’s greenhouse gas emissions. Households can share points with a team, neighborhood and community group to win prizes and bragging rights.

Nearly 40 households have already signed up for the Challenge since its launch at the Harvest Festival Sunday, Sept. 30. The Challenge will run now through March, followed by an awards celebration in April to recognize the teams who took the most action and earned the most points. So far, the top-performing community group is Beach Elementary School.

The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can start racking up points!

The Challenge is easy to join. Visit www.piedmontclimatechallenge.org. It takes about 15 minutes to create an account for your household, join your neighborhood and complete your profile.

Once you have a profile, you can visit your dashboard to start or join a team (10 or fewer friends or neighbors) or join a community group. You’ll earn extra points by starting a team and recruiting friends and neighbors. Hosting a casual party is a great way to get started, and Piedmont Connect can arrange for a volunteer Ambassador to join you to demo the Challenge site and features.

Sign up today at www.piedmontclimatechallenge.org!

Starting in the next week or two, be on the lookout for student Green Club members from Piedmont and Millennium High School who will be canvassing their neighborhoods to sign up households for the Challenge. Over the next month, they will be joined by students in the AP Environmental Science class and members of the Piedmont Community Service Crew. The Piedmont Middle School Green Team will join the effort by educating and motivating Tri-School elementary students at assemblies to introduce the Challenge site to their families.

Marjorie Blackwell, Piedmont Resident

Click below to read the full Street Sweeping schedule.

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Government/Departments/Public%20Works/street_sweeping.pdf