Putting off your deep watering could be costly – 

EBMUD water rates will increase 9.75 percent beginning July 1, 2013, and increase again on July 1, 2014 by 9.5 percent. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board of Directors approved the rate increases immediately following their public hearing on June 11, 2013.  By the time of the decision, 167 letters opposing the rate hike were received.

The increases are necessitated by several reductions in expected revenues and ongoing maintenance expenses. Conservation of water usage by EBMUD customers, who are using 20% less water, has reduced revenues.  The decline in new developments in the District’s geographical area has led to an 80% decline in charges for new service.  Another factor contributing to the increased rates is the need to maintain EBMUD 4200 miles of water pipes, half of which are 50 years old or older.  Under the newly approved FY 2014 and FY 2015 budgets, ten miles of pipe will be replaced each year instead of the previous rate of 8 miles per year.

EBMUD Amended Proposed Budget

EBMUD General Manager’s Presentation

Piedmont’s EBMUD representative:  Katy Foulkes   kfoulkes@ebmud.com.

Council member Garrett Keating Disputes Piedmontage Article –

Last month’s Piedmontage (Piedmont Post column by Council member Jeff Weiler) compared the solid waste JPA (Joint Powers Authority)  that Piedmont is a
 member of to the social service JPA, JCAP (Associated Community Action Program)  that became insolvent some months 
ago.  That’s like comparing Councilmember Jeff Wieler to Andrew Weiner, the
congressman who disgraced himself on Facebook.  StopWaste is in no way like
 JCAP, especially so in that Piedmont sends council and staff to monthly 
meetings of StopWaste, an oversight function apparently not carried out with
JCAP.  And StopWaste administrative staff did not act unilaterally in
approving the benchmark fee for conducting annual waste audits. As the Piedmont representative to the Board, I and a solid majority approved this
 fee.  The benchmarking fee is a $2/year fee that will be used to analyze
 waste going to the landfill to determine what recyclable materials are being
 disposed of improperly.  After the first year, residents can opt out of the
 fee.  In Piedmont¹s case, recommendations of the Environmental Task Force
 and the Climate Action Plan call for increasing the city¹s landfill 
diversion rate (currently at 69%) and utilizing public outreach efforts to
 do so.  Hard to do that without information on Piedmont¹s waste stream and
though dirty work, someone has to do it.

A fee increase currently before the StopWaste board has to do with the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program.  Several HHW facilities operate around the county and accept paint, pesticide, batteries and other hazardous chemicals from the public at no charge.   The facilities are supported by a fee on landfill tonnage but as the economy has slowed, revenue to this 
program has declined, and StopWaste has brought several proposals to the
 Board, some calling for a fee increase, others reducing the extent of the
service.  The recommendation of StopWaste staff is to attach $5/year fee to 
the property tax bill of county residents to maintain the current service 
level. Piedmonters interested in this issue should follow City Council over
the next several meetings as this matter is discussed.

Garrett Keating, Piedmont City Council member

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

Applications to the Recycling Board due June 14 –

OAKLAND – The Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board has two vacancies, one in the category of “an Environmental Educator employed as such on a full-time basis” and another in the category of “a representative of the recyclable materials processing industry.” The appointees must live in Alameda County. Appointment terms are two years, and Board Members are eligible for re-appointment to one additional two-year term.

The Recycling Board administers the voter-approved Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative, which levies an $8.23 per ton landfill disposal fee that generates approximately $8.0 million per year for waste reduction and recycling programs in Alameda County. Fifty percent of the money is returned to local jurisdictions on a per-capita basis. The balance is appropriated by the Board for countywide source reduction and recycling programs, public education, recycled product procurement, market development and grants to community organizations.

To be considered for appointment to the Recycling Board as “an Environmental Educator employed as such on a full-time basis” or “a representative of the recyclable materials processing industry,” please submit a resume and cover letter stating qualifications to: Kevin Jenkins, 1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 – Oakland, CA 94612, faxed to 510-271-5151 or emailed toKevin.jenkins@acgov.org with the subject line “Recycling Board Vacancy.” The deadline for application is June 14th, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Minority and female candidates are urged to apply.

Questions regarding the application process may be addressed to Kevin Jenkins at 510-268-5376.

Questions regarding the Recycling Board may be addressed to Tom Padia or Gary Wolff at(510) 891-6500 or email at tpadia@stopwaste.org or gwolff@stopwaste.org.

About The Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board 

The Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board (Recycling Board) was created by the voters of Alameda County through passage of Measure D, the Alameda County Waste Reduction and Recycling Act of 1990.  Statutory authority for the Board resides as part of the Alameda County Charter.  Staff for the Recycling Board is provided by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, and legal counsel is provided through the Alameda County Counsel’s Office.  The Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board and the Alameda County Waste Management Authority operate jointly as one public agency under the name StopWaste.Org.

The Recycling Board is comprised of 11 members:

• Five members are elected public officials appointed by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority from among its Board of Directors.

• Six members are appointed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.  Appointees must reside in the county and be a representative of a particular constituency, as specified in the Act.

Pursuant to the county charter, the Recycling Board established a goal of reducing the waste stream going to landfill by 75 percent and beyond (using 1990 as a base year) and is mandated by law to provide:

1. Countywide programs for source reduction; recycled product market development; and grants to non-profit organizations engaged in waste reduction activities.
2. A recycled product purchase preference program within Alameda County government.
3. Allocation of 50 percent of funds received for continuation and expansion of municipal recycling programs, which must include curbside pickup of recyclable materials and a commercial recycling program.

Recycling Board programs are funded by an $8.23/ton landfill disposal surcharge collected at landfills in the unincorporated portion of Alameda County (Altamont Landfill and Vasco Road Landfill).

The Recycling Board normally meets on the second Thursday of each month. Board members are paid $100 per meeting.

 

Seniors/Adults or Child Care Use Discussed – 

The May 6th City Council meeting engendered long deliberations and lively public participation — but no final decision  —  on the use of the east wing of the city-owned building at 801 Magnolia Avenue.  Currently, the west wing and some of the east wing houses the Piedmont Center for the Arts.

The Arts Center has proposed, at no cost to the City, to provide improvements and management of the facility and to continue with their goal of providing art-focused activities, along with a regular time for seniors to use the facility twice a week, a place for Piedmont historical records, arts programs, and an ability to accommodate diverse interests.

Two other proposals were made.  One could be combined with the Arts Center usage and the other dealt primarily with children and required extensive equipment.

City Recreation Director Mark Delventhal and City Administrator Geoff Grote strongly recommended that the City retain usage of the facility rather than relinquishing it to the Arts Center.  They envisioned the space for child care and made available for other purposes when not in use for child care.  Delventhal acknowledged that transforming the room for other purposes would likely require a janitor, for instance, to roll up rugs, move furnishings, and child equipment.   It was pointed out by speakers that a child care program conflicts with the current use of the Arts Center and questioned the joint use of restrooms and other features of the building.

Residents Hedi Gerken, Margie Bowman, and Bob Cheatham stated it was time for the City to consider adults in their programing, noting their need for a place to gather and be with contemporaries.  Delventhal acknowledged the need in stating the once a month program dedicated to seniors had high usage of approximately 70 participants.

Nancy Lehrkind, President of the Board of the Piedmont Center for the Arts, presented the Arts Center’s offer to pay for all needed improvements, including windows, flooring, cabinets, furnishings, paint, and a new  sink, estimated at $25,000.  Additionally, the Arts Center would provide management and scheduling of the facility at no cost to the City. The highly successful Center has drawn over 10,000 to its events.  Lehrkind, although  initially requesting a concurrent lease with the use of the west wing, was amenable to a trial period of approximately 3 years, to permit amortization of improvement expenses.  The Arts Center has already invested approximately $125,000 to reroof, replace windows, paint, remodel restrooms, landscaping, and make other improvements to the previously neglected building.

Council member Garrett Keating during prior Council consideration had requested staff to provide specific numbers on the cost of the City’s proposed child care plan, but none were provided.  The costs to the City were loosely estimated at $125,000 to $150,000.  The number of children served would be in the range of 20 – 30.

Council member Jeff Weiler wanted to know if the Arts Center had complied with its current lease.  Grote stated the lift for disabled access to the rest rooms had not been installed.  Lehrkind, surprised at the question, informed the Council the installation had been held off by staff pending a decision by the Council’s on how to use the east wing. In February she had presented plans and specifics, requesting these be provided to the Council.  The Arts Center has reserved funding to fully comply with providing the needed restroom access via a lift or a ramp.

Weiler, who has a disability, spoke of the importance of having disabled restroom access in the building. The Americans with Disability Act requires access in new or  remodeled public facilities.

Because of the high demand for use of the space and conflicting opinions, the Council attempted to reconcile proposals by asking the staff to meet with the Arts Center leadership and attempt to work out a plan to satisfy both the City’s and the Arts Center’s concerns.   Action on the matter was deferred until further information is available.

Piedmont Joins in East Bay Bicycle Coalition Bike to Work Day 

Mayor John Chiang has issued a proclamation declaring May 9, 2013  Bike to Work Day in Piedmont.  He invites Piedmonters to join him as he leads a pedal pool from Piedmont City Hall to downtown Oakland.  (see schedule below)

Morning and afternoon energizer stations will be set up to offer free coffee, snacks and other goodies. Cyclists also will be treated to special parties, discounts, free bike repairs and other happenings in neighborhoods across the Bay Area.  Piedmont bicyclists can meet and receive encouragement at the “Energizer Station” at Ace Hardware, 1221 Grand Avenue, where bikers will be offered refreshments and “goodie bags” by Scott Donahue and the Connect Green Transportation Group.

Between 6:00 am and 11:00 am bicyclists will ride free on the ferry from Jack London Square, Broadway and Embarcadero.

Piedmont recreational and commuter bicyclists have  options for riding with City elected officials:

7:30 a.m. Mayor John Chiang will leave from City Hall (120 Vista) heading to the Energizer Station at Ace Hardware (1221 Grand)

7:45 a.m. Mayor Chiang, Tim Rood, and others from Piedmont Connect’s Green Transportation group will leave  Ace Hardware, heading to the Grand Lake Theater (3200 Grand), where they will join a “pedal pool” of Oakland elected officials and other bikers.

7:55 a.m. Pedal pool leaves Grand Lake Theater, heading to Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland.

8:15 a.m. Arrive at Ogawa Plaza to fanfare, pancakes!

7: 00 a.m.  Councilmember Garrett Keating will depart from the corner of Highland Avenue and Moraga Avenue, riding east to meet the Montclair pedal group at Wheels of Justice Cyclery, 2042 Mountain Blvd.  The Montclair group will bike down Park Boulevard, Lakeshore Avenue and meet at Grand Lake Theater.  Park Boulevard, which borders several blocks of Piedmont, is a designated Oakland bike route and is proposed as an element of Piedmont’s bicycle/pedestrian master plan, as is Moraga Avenue, a busy street through Piedmont.   Questions about the Montclair route can be addressed to (510-566-1481) or gkeating@ci.piedmont.ca.us .

5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Old Oakland, 9th and Broadway, DJ Olga T spinning tunes, Dance Party with Planet Booty, raise a glass to your fellow bicyclists and games: Berlin Style Ping-Pong; Four Square; Pinball Parlour; bike games Slow Roll and Bike Sumo

The first celebration of Bike to Work Day was organized by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition at Oakland City Hall in 1994. This year many East Bay schools are participating in Bike to School Day.The San Francisco, East Bay and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalitions encourage commuters to leave their cars at home and join tens of thousands of their fellow Bay Area residents in biking to work.

Three topical issues will be taken up by the City Council on Monday, May 6, 2013: proposed installation of License Plate Readers (LPR) at 15 Piedmont access points; a public hearing on the use of the east wing of the city-owned building at 801 Magnolia Ave.; and an initial presentation of the City budget for fiscal year 2013-14.  The public meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Piedmont City Hall.  The meeting will be televised and made available through the internet.

License Plate Readers

Police Chief Ricki Goode is recommending that License Plate Readers be installed by 3M Company at 15 intersections around the City for a cost of $673,274. Acknowledging that “cost may still be a prohibitive factor,” Chief Goode ranked the 15 intersections (without naming them) in order of her priority, and has asked the Council for direction on future steps to take.

It is unlikely the Council will take any action Monday night, as a joint meeting of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Review Committee and the Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee has been set for Thursday, May 9, in the Council Chambers to consider potential funding of the License Plate Readers. The committees will make a recommendation to the City Council.

Staff report and letters to the Council.

801 Magnolia Avenue – East Wing – Former Sunday School Section – Public Hearing

A lengthy staff report explains the tug of war that has emerged over use of the currently empty wing of 801 Magnolia Avenue, adjacent to the popular Piedmont Center for the Arts.   In January, Recreation Director Mark Delventhal proposed creating a child-care center for youngsters in the space.  After Piedmont senior citizens spoke up regarding the lack of meeting and social activity space for their age group, Delventhal modified his plan to the extent that his current staff report states that proposed design improvements will allow the room “to be as flexible as possible. Child care today, a community meeting tonight, adult exercise, reading room, seniors area, or whatever in the future.”

At the same time, the Arts Center has come forth with its own proposal for the space, including paying in full for all renovation, operation costs and insurance.  Other plans for the room have also been submitted.

If licensing and other requirements are met, home child care is legal in Piedmont.

Staff Proposal

Piedmont Center for the Arts Proposal

Makers Proposal

Salzer Proposal

Residents Comments

The final agenda item, the Fy 2013-14 Piedmont Budget, will be presented at the meeting, and an online link to the document will be activated after the meeting.  There is no information available on the budget at this point.

Agenda 

Ridership is up along with fare revenues – Board decides to study reducing fares –

In a reversal of a proposed  15-cent hike in AC Transit local fares, the AC Transit Board has decided to maintain the current $2.10 fare.

The Board also directed a study be made on reducing the fare to $2.00 per ride, eliminating transfers, and replacing them with day and week passes.

Board discussion included the possibility of increasing Transbay service in response to BART higher fares and crowded trains. A public hearing will be held before any changes are adopted.

AC Transit has struggled for decades with balancing service needs with limited revenue.  Recently, however, ridership has increased resulting in higher revenues to support operations.  The increase in ridership has been attributed to an improved economy.

Comments may be sent to Piedmont’s elected representative on the AC Transit Board of Directors, Greg Harper at:

Email: gharper@actransit.org
Telephone: (510) 891-7145
Fax: (510) 891-4705

More information on AC Transit:

Fares and Passes: http://www.actransit.org/rider-info/fares-tickets-passes/

KTVU report: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/ac-transit-considers-lowering-fares-increase-rider/nWtDP/

Description of AC Transit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_Transit 

Childcare Facility Or Adults’ Room of Their Own?

The use of the Piedmont Arts Center east wing use will be considered at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2013, by the City Council.  The Piedmont Recreation Department has proposed use of the former Sunday School section of 801 Magnolia Avenue as a childcare facility.  Objections to that use induced the City Council to allow time for proposals other than the City’s childcare proposal.  Objections to the childcare facility appeared to center around incompatibility of use and need for an adult facility. > Click to read more…

Burglaries, Robberies and Car Thefts –

At the City Council meeting on Monday, April 15, 2013, 7:30 p.m., in City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Police Chief Rikki Goede will give a quarterly report on crime in Piedmont. Click to see the report.  Crime climbed during the first 3 months of 2013 compared to 2012. > Click to read more…