Jul 25 2016

AirBNB Home on Sharon Avenue Robbed by Imposter

Piedmont Police captured ELISEL JESUS NAVARRO
Hispanic male, 18 years old, 5’10”, 160 lbs., a resident of Hayward for fraudulently using a false identity to rent and steal property from an AirBNB home* on Sharon Avenue in Piedmont.

Press release is below:

DATE: July 25, 2016

On July 23, 2016, at 11:20 a.m., the Piedmont Police Department was notified of a possible fraudulent transaction utilizing AirBNB for a residence in the 0-100 block of Sharon Avenue, Piedmont.

The victim reported a subject, later identified as ELISEL NAVARRO, had used stolen personal identifying information to fraudulently rent out the victim’s residence. The victim provided NAVARRO with access to the residence keys prior to approval from AirBNB. The victim requested police assistance after being notified by AirBNB of reservation denial.

Piedmont Police observed NAVARRO throwing a bag of stolen jewelry out of the victim’s residence window. NAVARRO then attempted to flee upon seeing the police but was captured a short distance away. NAVARRO was found in possession of stolen property from a reported auto burglary that occurred in San Ramon the previous day. NAVARRO was interviewed and told officers he had knowingly purchased the personal identifying information of another person to fraudulently use in his attempt through AirBNB.

NAVARRO was booked for burglary, forgery/fraud, possession of methamphetamine, and resisting arrest.

NAVARRO has prior arrests in Alameda County for residential burglary, auto theft, and drugs.

Anyone with information regarding this case or the suspect are asked to contact Detective Robert Coffey at (510) 420-3010.

*Editors’ Note:  The Piedmont Planning Commission recommended to the City Council in 2015 that rentals such as AirBNB not be permitted in Piedmont.  The Piedmont City Council scheduled consideration of an ordinance concerning the rentals for September 2015, however, the Council delayed action on the matter, and has yet to adopt an ordinance. 

Currently, AirBNB like rentals are not considered compliant with Piedmont ordinances.  No announcements have been provided on when further consideration of the matter will be undertaken by the City Council.  When consideration is announced, it will be published on this PCA website. 

Jul 15 2016

All Way Stop Signs Proposed at 10 Piedmont Intersections

Crosswalks and Stop Signs on the Agenda

A proposal to improve public safety at Piedmont “known problematic intersections” will be presented at the City Council meeting on Monday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m..  The Council will consider the installation of crosswalks and “All Way Stop Signs” at 10 Piedmont intersections to improve pedestrian and traffic safety. In some cases neighbors have been asking for these safety measures for years. The 10 proposed intersections are considered the highest priority and were vetted by the Police Department and the Public Works Department.

The intersections with significant pedestrian and traffic conflicts are:

  • Magnolia, Nova and Wildwood Avenues
  • Magnolia and Park View Avenues
  • Magnolia and Jerome Avenues
  • Magnolia and El Cerrito Avenues
  • Wildwood and Prospect Avenues
  • Wildwood and Highland Avenues
  • Mountain and Dormidera Avenues
  • Hampton Road and Sea View Avenue
  • Hampton Road and Glen Alpine Road
  • Blair and Scenic Avenues

The total expense is estimated at $55,857, including a 15% contingency to be funded by Measure B and BB funds. Read the staff report here.

Written comments should be directed to the City Council, c/o Piedmont City Clerk, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611 or by email to:jtulloch@ci.piedmont.ca.us.

Jul 5 2016

Kingston, Rose, Linda Median Triangle Approved by the City Council

After many years of planning and community participation, the Piedmont City Council approved the construction and implementation of the long awaited traffic, pedestrian safety and beautification project at Linda, Rose and Kingston Avenues.  Ray’s Electric, a misnomer for the construction company, was awarded the contract to fully construct the project with hardscape, electrical work, plantings, and irrigation. Former Mayor Craig Lundin of Tree Sculpture is donating trees for the project.  The total cost authorized is $ 283,594.

Residents involved in the project development and fundraising gave a round of applause to the Council for their foresight and approval of the project at a Piedmont entry providing both safety and beauty.

Read the prior PCA article for details on the project here. <

Jul 3 2016

$283,594 Current Construction Estimate for Kingston Linda Rose Triangle

Council Asked to Authorize Contract with Ray’s Electric

The Kingston-Linda-Rose Triangle is on the City Council July 5 agenda.  The Council will receive a report recommending authorization of a contract with Ray’s Electric for their “base bid of $207,362. ” Three ornamental street lamps will be a feature of the Triangle.

The Capital Improvement Project Review Committee stated in their June 2016 recommendation to the City Council the following:

Linda/Kingston Triangle: $175,000 (As proposed by the CIP Review Committee)

This project was conceived many years ago and began to gain traction with the increased neighborhood involvement in 2013. The execution of this project will benefit the local residents and the City of Piedmont in many ways. It will foster increased safety for pedestrians, help mitigate traffic speed, increase awareness of drivers, remove unnecessary paving, and create an improved gateway into Piedmont. It should be noted that this project is the focus of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation’s spring fundraising efforts, thus promoting another public/private partnership for improvements that benefit the residents of Piedmont.

The Linda-Kingston Neighborhood has pledged $4,610, Piedmont Garden Club has pledged $2,000, and the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF) has pledged a total of $31,305 toward the current estimated construction budget for the Triangle of $283,594.

  • CIP Fund: $ 140,650 
  • Measure B Bike/Ped (Fund #131): $ 65,689
  • Gas Tax Fund (Fund #121): $ 39,340
  • Private Pledges: $ 37,915
  • Total Available Funding $ 283,594

The project provides a pedestrian triangle for pedestrians crossing from the City of Oakland side of the intersection to Piedmont along the southwest side in order to approximate the short pedestrian crossings across Rose and Kingston Avenues on the northeast side of Linda Avenue. It is hoped to also auto traffic.  The traffic study by traffic engineer consultant Kittelson & Associates, Inc. “made a stronger justification for the installation of “stops” at each intersection where there currently were none.” Following extensive Piedmont staff coordination with the City of Oakland, Stops were installed in October 2015.

The “current estimated construction budget ” in the staff report does not include the scope of services, leaving it unclear who will provide the masonry work, the landscaping and installation of the irrigation system.

The expense of the staff time devoted thus far and continuing is not included in the project budget presented.  For example, extensive staff negotiations with the City of Oakland and the new Parks and Projects Manager developed the Final Landscape Plan and  is coordinating “the design of the irrigation system with our consultant…”

Read the staff report here.

Read the Kittelson & Associates, Inc Kingston-Linda-Rose Triangle report here.

May 26 2016

Priorities: Coaches Field, Beach Tot Lot, Community Hall, Oakland Avenue Bridge, Highland Strip, Blair Park, Etc. Capital Improvement Projects – Committee Report for 2016 -17 Budget

Report listing priorities presented by the Capital Improvement Projects Review (CIP) Committee to the City Council at their Budget Workshop on May 21, 2016  for potential funding. –

2016-2017 Capital Improvement Projects Committee  – Bobbe Stehr, Chairman

The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) committee reconvened in February 2016 to begin work on project recommendations to the City Council regarding community needs and desires for new capital projects for the 2016-2017 budget cycle. At our first meeting, City Manager Paul Benoit and Councilman Bob McBain discussed the current and future direction of the committee’s responsibilities and the committee’s outreach efforts to compile a list of new capital projects that would be considered by the Council as funding opportunities became available, whether through City funding sources or grants.

After considerable discussion by the committee members, we recognized that under the new direction of the City Council, our responsibility was to conduct an extensive outreach process, inviting participation by individuals, citizen groups, commissions and City staff. The process included an on- line proposal form on the City’s website. The Committee also developed a list of criteria to be used for evaluating all proposed projects and provide specific conclusions with recommendations for future planning.

Under this new direction, the committee reviewed all new proposals; projects submitted through the on-line proposal form as well as long standing projects that have remained on the list. We considered all public comments and staff evaluations. All of our meetings were noticed to the public and our on-site tour of the proposed project locations occurred on May 7, 2016.

Our criteria for evaluating and recommending potential projects included such factors as wide benefit to the community, public safety, broad public support, and protecting and enhancing community assets. The committee also considered whether projects had funding options from public and private partnerships, revenue generating potential, expanded recreational opportunities and/or tied into the Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan.

We have listed every proposed project in priority order. There were four proposals that we concluded were actually not CIP projects, which we referred to the proper departments and have included those in the addendum.

We would like to express our gratitude for the initial guidance provided by City Administrator, Paul Benoit and Councilman Bob McBain; vital assistance from Parks & Projects Manager, Nancy Kent; very thoughtful and perceptive understanding of Piedmont’s extensive recreation needs by Recreation Director, Sara Lillivand and insights provided by our City Council liaison, Jeff Wieler.

Project recommendations listed in order of priority with estimated costs:

1. Coaches Field Master Plan $50,000

The goal of the master plan would be to assess the possibility of expanding the playfield area to maximize the use where a larger field would meet more demand; define the technical needs associated with artificial turf; research “dark sky” directional lighting to extend use time; and address the serious parking shortage.

Believing that it is more efficient to work with an existing facility and because this field is heavily used by several sports, expansion to a regulation under 14-sized soccer field would allow concurrent practice by more than one team at a time.

This field does provide some revenue-generation and does have public interest for cooperative private funding. It would also allow for more “home team” use and spirit.

2. Beach Tot Lot/ADA Compliant Howard Ave Entrance and Restroom Facilities Master Plan $30,000

The goal of the master plan would be to review existing facilities, solicit community input and propose a new layout for improved recreational opportunities at the existing Tot Lot area and the unused space around the restroom facilities, and the space between the Oakland Ave Bridge and the Beach Playfield.

The current Tot Lot is used heavily by residents and the City recognizes the need to maintain tot lot facilities for the neighborhood. In its current location and configuration, the tot lot is unsafe with an unguarded retaining wall and outdated play equipment. An overall study of the most efficient use of the space now occupied by the Tot Lot and its situation with the tennis court, playfield and restrooms, plus access to and from each component would improve the flow and maximize the future use of the area.

The Recreation Director has requested that the Tot Lot not be looked at in isolation, but incorporated into an overall, long-range vision for the area, which may include relocation to the other side of the playfield. This would put the play area closer to the existing restrooms and eliminate the sand creep onto the tennis courts.

Additionally, with the completion of the new townhouses at 408 Linda Ave, it would be a great opportunity for the City to improve the use, aesthetics and functionality of the area between the Oakland Ave Bridge and Linda Beach Field.

In the current budget, Public Works is in the planning stage for the ADA access from Howard Ave and the City is currently reviewing all play structures in the City for safety compliance as well as a schedule for play equipment replacement. This is the time for a Master Plan for this area.

3. Piedmont Community Hall – Entry Court Renovation, $200,000 – $300,000

Parking and ADA access are the urgent needs for this facility and a top priority for the Recreation Department. The recommendation is to enhance the entry court for ceremonial and civic events with decorative paving and improved event lighting. The plan would redirect service vehicles to the edge of the turnaround and relocate the trash area, eliminating the need for heavy trucks to cross the entry court. 2

Currently the City Engineer is working on a survey of the parking possibilities and ADA access. If feasible, the committee recommends that the entry court be upgraded sooner rather than later.

4. Piedmont Community Hall – Rear Balcony and Amphitheater Architectural Master Plan $50,000

Because the Community Hall is in full use nearly daily, an architectural master plan would study and propose enhancements that would improve use, circulation and revenue generation.

Expanding the terraces and rear balcony of Community Hall over enlarged space beneath, would greatly improve the rental opportunities and community programs use with the inclusion of indoor/outdoor access.

Relocating the pre-school facilities to a more easily accessible location would free the lower level of the Hall and provide space for concurrent facility use, better storage and increased rental revenues.

The Amphitheater currently is over impacted and underutilized. An upgrade to permeable paving with current water catchment technology would be both environmentally smart and revitalize the overall area. Relocating the bleachers and access from both stories of the Hall to the amphitheater would connect this space to the interior spaces for better flow and function.

Community Hall is a perfect venue for public/private funding.

5. Oakland Avenue Bridge – Complete the String of Lights $40,000

This is a new proposal by William Blackwell who has done extensive research on both the engineering requirements to add two new light standards, suppliers for exact matches to the existing light standards and the infill string of lights. This definitely qualifies as a stand-alone project to revive what was once a stately entrance to the City of Piedmont.

This is a project that would attract private funding from several sources.

Both Mr. Blackwell and the CIP committee independently came to the same conclusion while on site at the bridge. The Oakland Avenue Bridge is in dire need of some safety improvements. Crossing Oakland Avenue at the crosswalks at both ends of the bridge on the way to or from the Beach playfield area is hazardous.

The CIP committee suggests that the safety issues be included in the future implementation of the Bike/Pedestrian Plan or as part of the Master Plan for the Beach Playfield project.

6. Highland Strip $200,000

Because of the recent wet winter, momentum has stalled for a drought tolerant and native garden to replace the lawn at the intersection of Sheridan Avenue and Highland Avenue. There were regional interests to fund parts of this project, however, much more education and outreach appears to be needed.

7. Dracena Park: Upper Park Master Plan, Ravine Lighting and Pathway improvements $30,000 – $75,000

Proposed by Garrett Keating, Daniel Stein and John Lambert, the three elements were considered individually.

A Master Plan for Upper Dracena Park, especially one that can be implemented incrementally, could be valuable, however, the CIP Committee would need further direction from the Park Commission and we suggested that the proposal be presented to the Park Commission.

Pathway lighting within City parks has been discussed over the years and current policy is not to have artificial lighting from dusk to dawn at most locations.

The request to repair the sidewalk along Dracena Avenue, add handrails and clearly marked crosswalk painting at the intersection of Park Way and Dracena Avenue have been referred to Public Works Maintenance Department.

8. Blair Park: Split Rail Fence, Additional Trees, Parking Lot $65,000 – $100,000

Two separate proposals were reviewed together: Marge Blackwell proposed a split-rail fence along Moraga Avenue for the length of the park and additional planting within the park; Melanie Robertson proposed new trees along Moraga Avenue and a small parking lot for park users.

A split rail fence could be a charming addition and more trees in a park would be wonderful. However, the site does not currently have any water supply that would be needed to irrigate new landscaping and the estimated cost of a new water meter is $65,000. In addition, the City is in the process of having the park’s boundaries surveyed and the CIP committee concluded that any project in Blair Park should be put on hold for the present and would likely need to be considered by the Park Commission at some future date.

ADDENDUM TO CIP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2016-2017:

Two proposals submitted by Paul Lettieri and Tom Gandesberg requested repaving for safety and bike access. These were referred to the Public Works Maintenance Department and are currently being implemented.

Tom Gandesberg also suggested better irrigation for the median in the 300 block of San Carlos Avenue. Again, this location is currently being upgraded to a more water efficient irrigation system as part of the City’s cyclical review of medians,

Bob Kunselman proposed a new License Plate Reader on Trestle Glen Road. Parks and Projects Manager, Nancy Kent contacted Police Chief Rikki Goede for guidance on this. Chief Goede contacted Mr. Gandesberg and provided the CIP committee with her determination.

I wrote a thank you letter to each person who proposed a project, stating the CIP committee’s appreciation for their suggestions and informing them of the status of each proposal.

Bobbe Stehr, Chair of CIP Committee

_______________________

Recordings  and minutes of the CIP meetings are not available, as no recordings or minutes were produced.

Residents interested in providing input to the Council on Budget priorities may send emails to John Tulloch, City Clerk:

jtulloch@piedmont.ci.ca.us

Next Council consideration of the 2016-17 Budget is June 6, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. City Hall.  The Council meeting will be recorded and broadcast.

____________

Members of the CIP Committee are:

Michael Henn

Susan Herrick

Bobbe Stehr, Chair

Jamie Totsubo

PBF (Piedmont Beautification Foundation)      Representative – Deborah Van Nest

Representative of Recreation Commission

Representative of Park Commission 

Council Liaison: Jeff Wieler (H) 428-1648
Staff Liaisons: Chester Nakahara (W) 420-3061 & Nancy Kent (W) 420-3064

May 23 2016

Public Safety Committee: Thursday, May 26

The next meeting of the Piedmont Public Safety Committee is on Thursday, May 26 in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 5:30 pm.

On the agenda:

  • Approval of 3/31/16 minutes
  • Introduction of New PSC members Lori Elefant and Lynne Wright
  • Confirm PSC Meeting schedule
  • Update on AC Alert/(Everbridge) Emergency Notification System Transition
  • Update on Ace Hardware initiative
  • Review of Fire Extinguisher Training event
  • Update on presentation of PSC Annual Report to City Council
  • School Liaison update
  • Discussion of Distribution of  Get Ready, Piedmont Guides and Checklists
  • Discussion of Promotion of Neighborhood meetings
  • Discussion of October Fire Department Open House/Earthquake awareness event
  • Discussion of 1st quarter Crime Report

All members of the public can speak to items on the agenda or bring up a new issue or idea under Public Forum.  The meeting will not be broadcast on KCOM or the city’s website.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DRAFT – Abreviated 
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
for Thursday March 31, 2016

Chairman Shaffer called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

Committee Members: Scott Fitzgerrell, Ryan Gilbert, Garrett Keating, Sue Lin, Andrea Swenson, Lyman Shaffer, Police Chief Rikki Goede, Fire Chief Bud McLaren.

Absent: Michael Gardner
There were no speakers for the public forum.

 

Chairman Shaffer introduced Mary Beth Russell of Dudley Avenue who brought forth an idea to partner with Ace Hardware to allow residents to purchase disaster supplies for their homes. Ms. Russell, indicated that she, along with Mr. Shaffer, and Chief McLaren went to Ace Hardware to seek assistance with putting together a disaster kit that residents could purchase, indicating that Ace was generous enough to offer a 20% discount on the supplies needed for a grab- and-go bag. Mr. Shaffer indicated that he worked with with the Piedmont Post to create a piece that would contain a list of the supplies needed for a grab and go kit. The committee thanked Ms. Russell for the suggestion and her work on implementing it.

Chief of Police Rikki Goede announced that crime had decreased by 7%, representing an annual decrease for the third year in a row. She stated burglaries had decreased by 36% but reminded the Council that larceny crimes were the biggest issue. She highlighted the benefits of using Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPRs) and a watchfull citizenry. She discussed actions that residents and companies can take to deter property crimes. She also indicated that the City was working with contractors to help reduce thefts from construction sites. Chief Goede commended the work of the Department’s officers, detectives and dispatchers.

Chief Goede updated the committee on the transition of emergency notifications from CodeRed to the countywide AC Alert System. She indicated that the cost for the first year of the new system was being covered by grant funding and that there is likely grant funding secured for the second year. She advised all residents to sign up for the new system, and explained some of the benefits of the new system. She described the efforts to get residents to sign up for the AC Alert system, including coordination with the Piedmont Unified School District, a flyer in garbage bills, and a public service announcement on KCOM.

Chief McLaren advised the Committee that the City Council approved the updated Emergency Operations Plan in February. He described the substance of the plan and the annexes that remained to be completed. He discussed the nature of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), how information will come from the parts of the City to the EOC and how the City’s need will be transmitted to the county and the state.

Chairman Shaffer reviewed the type and number of Neighborhood Public Safety meetings held so far in 2016 as well as meetings scheduled for later in the year. He described the outreach made to the community to generate interest in having a meeting in their neighborhood, including to neighborhoods that have met in the past.

The Committee discussed the outreach regarding the Map Your Neighborhood program and that additional outreach is needed.

Chairman Shaffer advised the committee that the updated “Get Ready, Piedmont!” guide had been printed and was being distributed to residents. He thanked Committee Member Scott Fitzgerrell for his work in designing the guide. He stated that 500 copies were printed and that they were available in the Fire Department. The Committee discussed possible funding for additional printings of the guide and advised the Committee that the Piedmont Citizens Task Force Against crime had donated $5,000 to fund the printing of the guides.

The Committee discussed a request by a local realtor to distribute the checklists to her approximately 200 customers in Piedmont. The Committee agreed that if the realtors are willing to pay for the printing of the checklists, it would be an excellent method of distribution into Piedmont homes.

Chairman Shaffer discussed the submission of the Committee’s annual report to the City Council with the Committee. He indicated that this year’s report would follow the same format as last year in describing the Committee’s work over the past year. The Committee requested that the report mention the large amount of work done to prepare the “Get Ready, Piedmont!” guide and checklist be specifically included in the report. By consensus, the Committee thanked Chairman Shaffer for preparing the report and approved of its submittal to the Council.

Chief McLaren indicated that following the Committee’s discussion at its last meeting, there would not be a Fire Department Open House. In its place, the Fire Department will host fire extinguisher training for residents on Saturday, May 14th. The training will be open to all residents and will involve using simulated fire extinguishers and training on the type and size of extinguishers that are appropriate for homes.

Committee Member Garrett Keating indicated that he had reached out to Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson regarding the biannual earthquake fair that is held by the County. Unfortunately, he found out that the fair was not being held this year. The Committee indicated its interest in hosting the countywide fair in 2017 but needed more information on the scope and resource requirements .

The Committee discussed an event in the fall of 2016 to be held in October on a date close to the annual Great Shake Out. The Committee advocated starting small. It was suggested that it could be a way of bringing together the work that the Committee has been doing over the year. Outreach to organized neighborhoods, including suggesting that they conduct their annual drill on the same date of the event, will be discussed at a future meeting.

The Fire Department will work to have information and vendors available to residents at the event. The Committee stressed its desire to have the event be a one stop event where residents could learn about disaster preparedness as well as purchase supplies to prepare themselves.

Chairman Shaffer adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.

 

May 20 2016

News on Piedmont Parcel Tax Measure F and State Senate Race

June 7 –  Piedmont Parcel Tax Election – Measure F and local matters.

Editor of East Bay Times (former Oakland Tribune) says “NO” to Piedmont Parcel Tax Measure F.

Click below to read the recommendation from the East Bay Times:

http://www.eastbaytimes.com/my-town/ci_29873551/editorial-no-piedmont-oakley-parcel-taxes-yes-fremont

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

League of Women Voters Forum reported by the Mercury News:

Click below to read the report:

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_29880540/piedmont-muni-services-tax-before-voters

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

View the entire Piedmont League of Women Voters Forum:  State Senate Candidates, Measure AA and Piedmont Measure F > here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editors’ Note: The Piedmont Civic Association does not support or oppose candidates for public office or ballot measures.  Pro or con opinions and articles on ballot items can be submitted via email for publication by clicking below:

editors@piedmontcivic.org

Personal attacks are not published. 
May 18 2016

Where Do My Taxes Go? City 2016-17 Budget

Attend the Saturday, May 21, Council Budget Work Session and learn how your taxes are spent.

The public is invited to attend the Work Shop and speak to the City Council about spending priorities for the city in the coming year. 

Saturday, May 21st – 9:00 a.m.

The Budget Work Shop will be held in the Emergency Operations Center in the Police Department at 408 Highland.

The Piedmont City Council will consider the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 at three separate meetings.

Those attending will hear briefings from departments heads – Police Chief, Fire Chief, Recreation Director, etc. These presentations will be preceded by City Administrator Paul Benoit introduction. Council members will have an opportunity to make inquiries about the budget in the relaxed setting.

Public participants may also make inquiries at the Work Session and can observe the inner workings of the budget process.  

There will be no broadcasts of the Work Session.  

Spending priorities, revenue projections, and planned expenditures are rarely changed after the Budget Work Session.

Click to visit the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget page, where all sections of the budget are available for download.

Two required Public Hearings regarding the proposed budget and the levy of the Municipal Services Tax and the Sewer Tax will be held during the regularly scheduled City Council meetings on:

June 6 and June 20, 2016.  

For questions on contents of the budget, please contact Interim Finance Director Jim O’Leary via email at joleary@ci.piedmont.ca.us or by phone at 420-3045 with any questions.

If you wish to write to the City Council regarding the Budget, please address your letter to City Council, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, 94611 or send an email to the City Clerk at cityclerk@ci.piedmont.ca.us , who will forward your comments to the Council.

2016-2017 Proposed Budget   <

May 13 2016

Public Safety Report, More Speed Indicator Signs, Solar Panels for City, Providers of Clean Energy, Compensation for Kiran Bawa New Finance Director: May 16

The May 16,2016 Council meeting includes public safety and energy savings, more speed indicator signs, new Finance Director Kiran Bawa’s compensation.

Click on the following staff reports for agenda details:

05/16/16 –  Receipt of 2015-2016 Annual Report from the Public Safety Committee

05/16/16 – Consideration of the Purchase of Additional Speed Indicator Signs from All Traffic Solutions

05/16/16 – Receipt of a Report on the Installation of Solar on Municipal Facilities and Possible Direction to Staff on Next Steps

05/16/16 – Consideration of Actions Related to the Authorization of Additional Property Assisted Clean Energy Providers to Operate within the City

05/16/16 – Consideration of the Appointment of Kiran Bawa as Finance Director Effective May 18, 2016 and Approval of a Salary and Benefit Resolution

The May 16, 2016 Council meeting will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers.  The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. The meeting will be broadcast live on Cable Channel 27 and from the City website under online videos. Recordings will be made of the meeting for future viewing. 

May 13 2016

Witter Field Access Lights Wanted for Safety, Lorita Avenue Trees, Interview with Nancy Kent

On May 4, 2016, I attended the Piedmont Park Commission meeting held in the City Council Chambers within City Hall. As soon as the conversation among the Commissioners tapered off, Chairperson Jamie Totsubo called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Everyone stood solemnly. Briefly remembering elementary school blackboards and the faded 1970s American flag half furled on a stick, I joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Beginning the meeting were seniors from Piedmont High School, speaking during the Public Forum. The Commissioners were particularly attentive, half bemused at civic duty incentivized with gradebook points, but all genuinely wished to hear proposals.

In a terse forty­ five second speech, Alex Chueh and I proposed to add lights around the softball field near the dog park ramp by Wildwood Elementary School. Alex introduced the two of us and briefly outlined the possible locations for a new electric light, similar to the new white lamps replacing flickering orange sodium flames. Explaining the need for lights, I mentioned that students often return in the dark after sports practices as they walked near the park’s exit, especially when Daylight Savings Time ends. Some Commissioners nodded at the mention of students and Daylight Savings.

After answering a few questions, we exchanged the podium with Kalen Davison, also a senior, who proposed that the nets at the Beach tennis courts be raised to regulation height. Following Davison, PHS seniors Kaelli Thiel and Madison Tenney suggested adding a water fountain to Dracena Park.

Once Public Forum ended, Chair Totsubo introduced the main item on the agenda ­ the Lorita Avenue tree debate. As each speaker rose, the slight silence before speaking gave the otherwise commonplace topic the atmosphere of a performance.

First, residents Maggie and Lannie Spencer explained how ginkgo trees could replace the agapanthus flowers at the end of the cul­ de ­sac, emphasizing that they did not want “total uniformity” as to tree choice. Anne Hall, another resident, added that the trees should not develop potentially problematic roots ­and reminisced that she was quite young when the great trees were planted.

Suddenly remembering Twelfth Night ­ “when I was a little tiny boy…” I remembered a story about the pine tree my dad planted outside his lawn when he was very young, and how it still flourishes, a rare pine tree in that stretch of Indiana, a tree with significance as part of his Chinese name.

As the main item stretched into the 6:00 p.m. hour, some others suggested crepe myrtle at the end of the street, instead of trees. PHS Senior Devan Joseph, also a Lorita resident, succinctly supported planting ginkgo trees, “to make the whole cul­ de ­sac aesthetically pleasing.”

After Joseph’s speech, the discussion’s direction shifted and­ most of the speakers began to favor the trees.

Perhaps from my own experience, when a younger person speaks among many adults, somehow, the adults subconsciously agree with the youth, as a reflection of themselves. But without too much philosophy, once resident Andrew Coleman agreed to water the plants efficiently in this State of drought, the Commission seemed to be convinced.

Public Works Supervisor Dave Frankel spoke briefly about the botanical upsides of male ginkgo plants, including their slow growth rates, particularly in the Bay Area clay soil, and the lack of smelly fruits. Soothing as popular educational PBS shows, the tree lecture was the final piece of information needed to convince the Commission.

All Commission members, ­ Betsy Goodman, Jim Horner, Jonathan Levine, John Lehanan, Brian Mahany, Patty Siskind, and Chair Jamie Totsubo ­ approved the motion for new trees.

For the next hour, the commission addressed ongoing updates, including the Linda Kingston Triangle power from PG&E, and updates on Hampton Park. To lighten the detail ­heavy presentation, Chair Totsubo suddenly asked for recognition of the East Bay Garden Club’s Arbor Day celebration, and the PHS Jazz Band’s performance. A vague comment about students sent all but the PHS seniors into long laughter. At around 6:50 p.m., the meeting adjourned.

Interview with Nancy Kent, Parks and Projects Manager

At the end, Alex and I interviewed Nancy Kent, the staff liaison for the Commission. She spoke on how she began work with the City in a volunteer function, and through her voluntary role, she naturally transitioned into City government. Briefly outlining her concerns about water conservation, she highlighted the Commission’s role in Piedmont’s xeriscaping and rainwater reusal.

Kent ending by explaining to us the importance of local government in even the smallest issues, I noticed that everything ­ from the largest policy issues in Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court ­ to even the swimming pool debates in Piedmont ­ can profoundly impact most people’s lives. Policy and politics often have less of an impact than the daily issues people debated in the Park Commission. We are lucky to be able to determine government at every level, through public discussion and debate.

Sam Cheng, Piedmont High School Senior

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