April 6, 2015 City Council Meeting Report

by Piedmont High School Student, Anton Orban

On April 6th, I attended a routine City Council Meeting held within the Piedmont City Hall’s Council Chambers. These meetings commonly occur on the first and third Mondays of each month. The matters disclosed and discussed in this meeting were the consideration of an application for a ‘Conditional Use Permit’ for the Zion Lutheran Church as recommended by the City’s Planning Commission, the consideration for a street closure to permit the local Recreation Department to hold their first Annual Family Triathlon on May 16th, and the Regional Housing Needs Assessment Allocation Progress Informational Update.

Mayor Margaret Fujioka opened the meeting, following ceremonial City Council practices and the approval of Councilman Tim Rood to serve as the City’s Representative to the Alameda County Community Choice Aggregation Steering Committee and to proclaim April 6th K.C. Oakley Day within the City of Piedmont for the young local skier’s notable feats on and off the pitch.

Prior to the Mayor’s Presentation of Proclamation to K.C. Oakley, however, during Public Forum, citizens spoke of distressing matters. Dr. Julia Walsh, brought forth a plea for the city to “divest from fossil fuels” and no longer invest in fossil fuel corporations along with CALPERS, a pension fund which the city belongs to.

Upon being interviewed, Dr. Walsh revealed her credentials as a credible source to this matter as she is a Professor of Public Health at UC Berkeley. The twenty year Piedmont resident later assured the Council members that divestment posed no financial risk and expressed both to the Council and in my interview of her that she will gladly assist the City to transition away from supporting energy companies as she has done for several other local communities, including Sonoma.

Vice Mayor Jeff Wieler objected to the plea to divest on the basis that “Piedmont has never engaged in as large of an initiative.” However, Mayor Fujioka countered his objection, responding that the issue would be discussed in greater detail at another upcoming Council meeting.

I find that Dr. Walsh’s demand for divestment is warranted as energy companies in the United States profit off of the further degradation of the environment. Although I am not well versed in the City of Piedmont’s involvement with fossil fuel corporations, I find that corporate bodies should not be supported by communities such as our own, if their profiteering is detrimental to the environment of our community’s welfare.

Another important highlight of the meeting, included the Informational Report on Piedmont’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation progress. According to a report given by Paul Benoit, City Administrator, Piedmont ranked highest in compliance for the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) progress of Alameda County jurisdictions from 2007 to 2014, with an impressive 98% compliance when juxtaposed with surrounding communities. Benoit expressed to those attending, alongside Kate Black, Planning Director, that Piedmont is moving to increase its number of second unit housing to sixty as it would help us meet the regions’ quota of middle-low income housing units.

Councilmen Tim Rood and Robert McBain both complimented the progress, though McBain urged those attending the meeting that Piedmont is complying with the program because it is the morally correct thing to do. However, I felt skeptical of this good intention.

Though many Piedmont public officials may want to comply with this program out of the goodness of their hearts, Piedmont is an affluent community where people are more interested in their property value than in helping people of lesser economic standing to be included in our community. I believe that we are complying with the county’s new housing mandate in order to qualify for Federal grants, that we would be exempt from applying to if we had not obliged with RHNA.

The meeting was adjourned after announcements were made about Governor Brown’s statute for California residents to reduce 25% of their water use and the worsening drought in California. This deviation to the agenda was largely thanks to Tucker Johnson, a Piedmont High School student, who spoke of the community’s need for drought awareness and education. Fortunately for Tucker, Piedmont and those of the community anticipated his request  by already planning a Water Conservation Showcase to be held on April 22rd including  the Piedmont Fire Department. Councilman Tim Rood informed everyone of the educational event also informing potential attendees that food will be present at the event should the topic of water conservation famish listeners.

Another interesting announcement made before the Council meeting was adjourned, Mayor Fujioka stated that Piedmont will be the recipient of $871,000 administered by the Alameda County Transportation Commission to improve transportation in Piedmont, thanks to those who voted on Measures B and BB. If you thought Piedmont already had nice sidewalks and streets, think again, because Piedmont will soon get another facelift to facilitate traffic and transportation. Though no notice was given, it is imminent that construction notices will be given at future City Council meetings.

                                       Anton Orban

Editors’ Note: Opinions expressed  in the two articles are those of the authors.

Calling all elementary school students to get your bike ready!

On Saturday, April 18, the Piedmont Police Department and Piedmont Explorer Post 911 are jointly sponsoring an Earth Day Bike Rodeo from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at Beach School, 100 Lake Avenue. All elementary school boys and girls are invited to try the exciting bike obstacle course to win prizes, and get bike safety tips, and free bike tune ups!

More information from Piedmont’s Boy Scout Council.

On Saturday, April 11, 2015, the City of Piedmont will be paving Moraga Avenue between Pala Avenue and the eastern City Limit with Oakland.

The work will begin at 8:00 a.m. and should be completed in a single day. 

 This work, which will include the filling of potholes and replacing temporary patches, is the final step in the sewer construction that has been going on for several weeks. Due to the logistics of working in a busy street, it will be necessary to have traffic control measures around the work areas with traffic delays and disruptions on Moraga Avenue during this work. Please follow the instructions of the signs and flagmen present.

Your awareness, cooperation, and patience is appreciated.  If you have any questions related to this matter, or would like the City to be aware of any special circumstances, please call Chester Nakahara, Director of Public Works at (510) 420-3061 or email him at cnakahara@ci.piedmont.ca.us.

At a special meeting on March 31, 2015, the City Council made appointments to fill vacancies on commissions and committees. Drawing on the talents of fourteen applicants for nine vacancies, the Piedmont City Council made the following appointments:

CIP Review Committee

Susan Herrick

Civil Service Commission

Sandra Rappaport

Patricia Forsyth

Park Commission

Jonathan Levine

Jamie Totsubo

Planning Commission

Susan Ode

Public Safety Committee

Ryan Gilbert

Garrett Keating

Recreation Commission

Steve Roland

April 6, 2015

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 at City Hall for volunteer positions on Piedmont commissions and committees.

Read prior PCA article for details. <

 Here is an opportunity for Piedmont residents to identify new capital projects in the community.

There is $407,000 in the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Fund available for projects.

Residents may notice areas that need capital funding such as hazardous intersections and medians, needed plantings, protective pedestrian fencing, additional recreation facilities, accomodations for elderly persons, ways to save water, pool improvements, Community Hall Plaza, or any desired public project. 

“The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Committee is soliciting proposals for new city projects which would enhance our community. Ideas submitted by individuals, community organizations and City Staff are all considered. If you have a great idea, the committee would like to hear from you.”

The Capital Improvement Projects Committee (CIP) will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Click to read the agenda.  This meeting is open to the public. The meeting will not be broadcast and written minutes are not kept.  The March 26th agenda calls for City Staff CIP Presentations [Various Departments], Review of Proposed Work Schedule and CIP Tour, and a Review of New Citizen Proposal Form.

The Capital Improvement Project Committee (CIP) will be receiving public proposals for desired capital projects. Projects can be simple or complex.  Those proposing projects need not have complete information, such as funding.  The more a project proposal details a need, the more likely the project will be added to a consideration list by the CIP Committee for referral to the City Council.

The Citizen Proposal Form does not list a deadline for submitting a citizen proposals, yet all proposals should be submitted promptly to the Department of Public Works for consideration by the CIP Committee. The tour and identification of projects are expected sometime in April.

Completed forms should be returned to the Department of Public Works, 120 Vista Avenue. If you have questions regarding the CIP process and proposals, please contact Mark Feldkamp, Parks & Project Manager, at (510) 420-3064.

Click > for the proposal form.

“It is not necessary to complete all of the information on this form; general project descriptions, project justification and estimates of costs are the basic items required [as feasible]. Additionally, it is helpful to suggest a potential funding source. City staff will contact you to discuss the recommended project in more detail. The City of Piedmont appreciates your participation in this process.”

The members of the CIP Committee are:

MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL (4):  John Cooper (Chair), Ryan Gilbert, Bobbe Stehr (Former Planning Commissioner) and Jamie Totsubo (Park Commissioner)

PIEDMONT GARDEN CLUB’S PIEDMONT BEAUTIFICATION FOUNDATION APPOINTEE (1): Deborah Van Nest  (President of the Beautification Foundation)

PARK COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE (1): Sue Herrick (Chair of the Park Commission)

RECREATION COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE (1): Nick Levinson (Chair of the Recreation Commission)

COUNCIL LIAISON, as observer: Vice Mayor Jeff Wieler, alternate Councilmember Teddy King

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

STAFF LIAISONS: Chester Nakahara (W) 420-3061 & Mark Feldkamp (W) 420-3064.

Piedmont’s Public Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue.

The agenda includes:

Preparation of the annual report to the City Council

Fire Department Open House

Report on the number of neighborhood meetings

Report on the Disaster Preparedness Group

City Emergency Plan

School Liaison Activities

Read the complete agenda. The public is welcome to attend and address issues of interest.  This meeting will not be broadcast.

Minutes of January 8, 2015 meeting.

City seeks volunteers for commissions and committees with a deadline of Wednesday, March 25th by 5:00 p.m. –

Council Meeting Report by High School Student Jackson Roberts – 

        The Piedmont City Council meeting of March 2, 2015 was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7 p.m. sharp.  The Council, which meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, was beginning a meeting unlike any it had ever conducted, with Mayor Margaret Fujioka’s first-ever State of the City Address set to take place.

        First, there was time set aside for Public Forum.  This is a time during which members of the audience are allowed to approach the Council with any issues not marked on the agenda.  Only one speaker, Jackson Roberts, took the stand.  He addressed issues concerning public safety stemming from the speed of traffic at the intersection of Jerome and El Cerrito Avenue near the Witter Field parking lot.

        The Public Forum was then closed and the State of the City address began with Fujioka acknowledging Piedmont city employees, residents, and even former mayors for their contributions to the city’s overall health in 2014.  The challenge, Fujioka then said, was maintaining in 2015 the success the city incurred in the previous year.

        Fujioka then spoke about the objectives the Council had prioritized in 2014, namely public safety, technology, fiscal health and improving infrastructure, and the steps that had been taken in each of these areas.  Concerning public safety, Fujioka credited the city’s new license plate readers with aiding in the city’s crime management, and pointed out that crime had decreased 24% in 2014 from 2013, and that the solve rate had increased from 36% to 44%.  She also discussed the city’s new emphasis on disaster preparedness, including CodeRED, a new text and email system meant to notify residents of emergencies.  CodeRED also serves as an example of the new era of technological advancement the city is moving toward, with the objective of increasing efficiency in everything the city undertakes.

        Fujioka then spoke proudly of the city’s strong finances, attributing the successes, in part, to the Parcel Tax, for its $1.6 million per year that goes toward maintaining city services, and to the system sharing of pensions and employee benefits among residents.  With the city’s expenses in line with its revenues, Fujioka pointed out a number of goals the city was set to accomplish in 2015, such as improving the grass in public parks, upgrading city sewers and the completion of a new sidewalk connecting Mountain Avenue to Blair Avenue.

        Fujioka also addressed the steps the city had taken to improve its aging infrastructure, pointing to an anticipated $500,000 expenditure to improve Hampton Field, the participation in the impending East Bay Community Choice Aggregation to meet the area’s greenhouse gas goal’s, the new Pedestrian and Biking Master Plan, the adoption of an anti-smoking ordinance, and the implementation of LED lights throughout the city.

        Lastly, Fujioka made several additional acknowledgements, including the School District’s Holiday Book Drive, which raised 900 books in total, the leadership of women in key city government positions, including Council member Teddy King and Police Chief Rikki Goede, and several former mayors.  She called each of the former mayors, including Michael Bruck, Valerie Matzger, Skip Rhodes and John Chiang, to the front of the room to receive a small gift and take a photo.  With the State of the City Address marking the final item on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Jackson Roberts

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

– Council Members heard about their Responsibilities and Roles in Disasters –

Local governments in California are responsible for providing emergency operations and response to protect the health and safety of citizens, and preserve lives, property and the environment from the effects of disasters. On Saturday, February 28 at 10 a.m. the City Council met in the Emergency Operation Center in the Police Department to learn about the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). SEMS can be activated for small emergencies, but is primarily intended for major disasters. It is mandated by the California Emergency Services Act, Government code 8607.  Read the code.  The emergency management training was presented by Neal T. O’Haire of Howell Consulting.

The City of Piedmont is charged with the responsibility of providing a disaster response and recovery plan that will enable the public and local business to return to normal following a major emergency or disaster.

SEMS components include: Incident Command System, Inter-agency Coordination, and Master mutual aid. SEMS operates at five levels, from the state to the incident. Communication between the levels is by runner and land-line phone, as well as higher technology means if they survive the disaster.

Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)

SEMS is the system required by Government Code §8607 (a) for managing response to multi-agency and multi-jurisdiction emergencies in California. SEMS provides for a multiple level emergency response organization and is intended to structure and facilitate the flow of emergency information and resources within and between the organizational levels. The SEMS system was created in response to the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire.

“There are five organizational/ response levels in SEMS:

1. Field Response: The field response level is where emergency response personnel and resources, under the command of an appropriate authority, carry out tactical decisions and activations in direct response to an incident or threat. This is the incident level- where the emergency response begins. SEMS regulations require the use of ICS at this level of an incident.
2. Local Government Level: Local governments include cities, counties, and special districts. Local governments manage and coordinate the overall emergency response and recovery activities between emergency agencies within their jurisdiction. This is the first coordination level above the Field Response. Local governments are required to use SEMS when their emergency operations center is activated or a local emergency is declared.
3. Operational Area: The Operational Area manages and/or coordinates information, resources, and priorities among local governments and serves as the link between the local government level and the regional level. At this level, the governing bodies are required in SEMS to reach consensus on how resources will be allocated in a major crisis affecting multiple jurisdictions or agencies. All member jurisdictions and agencies have equal influence in establishing priorities and formulating decisions.
4. Regional: Because of its size and geography, the state has been divided into six mutual aid regions, all with operating Emergency Operations Centers (EOC’s). The Regions EOC’s prioritize requests and provide support to the Operational Areas in their Regions. This is to provide for more effective application and coordination of mutual aid and other related activities.
5. State: The state level is located in Sacramento at the Office of Emergency Services (OES) headquarters. OES manages state resources in response to the emergency needs of the other levels. The state also serves as the coordination and communication link between the state and the federal disaster response system.”

SECTION 2.13 EMERGENCY ORDINANCES To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property or the public peace, the City Council may adopt one or more emergency ordinances, but such ordinances may not levy taxes; grant, renew or extend a franchise; or authorize the borrowing of money in excess of twenty five percent (25%) of the tax receipts from the previous fiscal year. An emergency ordinance shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances generally, except that it shall be plainly designated as an emergency ordinance and shall contain, after the enacting clause, a declaration stating that an emergency exists and describing it in clear and specific terms. An emergency ordinance may be adopted with or without amendment or rejected at the meeting which it is introduced, but the affirmative vote of at least four (4) Councilmembers shall be required for adoption. After its adoption, the ordinance shall be posted as prescribed for other adopted ordinances. It shall become effective upon adoption or at such later time as it may specify. Every emergency ordinance, except an emergency appropriation, shall automatically stand repealed as of the 61st day following the date on which it was adopted, but this shall not prevent re-enactment of the ordinance in the manner specified in this section if the emergency still exists. An emergency ordinance may also be repealed by adoption of a repealing ordinance in the same manner specified in this section for adoption of emergency ordinances.