Mar 4 2016
On rainy Friday, March 4th, the City Council, participating City staff and contractors gathered for the ribbon-cutting to re-open the Community Hall after two months of renovations.
City Administrator Paul Benoit supplied the ribbon cutting scissors.
Mayor Margaret Fujioka cutting the ribbon.
Council member Bob McBain looking at the new flooring.
Festive celebratory buffet
New drinking fountain
New floor
New wall sconces
Feb 29 2016
An Opportunity to Serve Your Community!
Vacancies on Piedmont’s commissions and committees offer an excellent opportunity for Piedmonters to get involved in Piedmont activities important to the ongoing success and quality of the City. These citizen volunteer positions allow individuals to use their abilities on a wide range of subjects. Being on a commission or committee engages a person in a high level of civic involvement.
Each commission has a special role in making decisions and advising the City Council. A full term on a commission last for 3 years with a two term limit. Positions without an incumbent are ready opportunities for new participants.
Interested residents may download the Application for Appointive Vacancy. Applications are due to City Hall on or before the deadline of Thursday, March 17, 2016.
| Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee |
3 Vacancies |
3 Incumbents |
| CIP Review Committee |
1 Vacancy |
0 Incumbents |
| Civil Service Commission |
2 Vacancies |
2 Incumbents |
| Park Commission |
3 Vacancies |
2 Incumbents |
| Planning Commission |
3 Vacancies |
3 Incumbents |
| Public Safety Committee |
2 Vacancies |
2 Incumbents |
| Recreation Commission |
3 Vacancies |
0 Incumbents |
Interviews with the City Council for these positions will be scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2016. No appointments will be made without a Council interview.
Feb 7 2016
At the February 3, 2016 Park Commission meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Subcommittee Report recommendations along with the new off leash map, while asking that additional off leash space be incorporated in the area under the trees near Dracena Avenue. Some Commissioners expressed interest in revising the plan to improve the wooded seating area and the ivy area adjacent to the benches to become off leash. Staff was asked to devise a plan to accommodate this issue.
The lawn loop would be 50/50 on leash and off leash.
At the start of the meeting, Commissioner Jonathan Levine gave a summary of the Subcommittee report and Chairwoman Patty Siskind told speakers that their questions would be compiled during the public portion of the meeting and answered after the public portion was closed. There were no direct exchanges with Commissioners.
Based on Commissioner Levine’s comments, the basis for the new plan is an error in the City Code that describes the current off leash areas of the park. According to the Commissioner, the code says that the off leash area is the “pathway” from Arutna to Dracena, that means there is one linear off leash trail, the ravine or lower trial, that runs from Dracena to Artuna. Therefore, he concluded that the current off leash trails designated by city signage are not in compliance with city code and are invalid. Commissioner Levine also said that the Piedmont Animal Control officer indicated the dog run signs were wrong. He did not address a question about how a Council-approved 2000 modification to the City Code that adopted the current trail designations related to the subcommittee’s finding on the City Code.
A major determinant of support for the recommendation by Commissioners seems to be the need to establish a buffer zone for the Dracena Avenue neighbors, a concept neighbors stated was the basis for the 1993 consensus that established the current trail designations. Minutes from the 1993 Park Commission hearings contain no reference to this concept.
Neighbors have been concerned that the grassy area will be overrun by off leash dogs leaving only dirt and dog messes. Others expressed a desire for the area to continue to be available for free play by children.
Most speakers asked that the current lawn loop remain off leash, some citing that this flat area is the only off leash trail in Piedmont on which they can walk their dogs.
Others were concerned that the reduction of the off leash area around the seating area will impact the socialization that occurs there. Several asked that hours remain as they are or possibly be extended citing their work schedules.
Many speakers criticized the staff analysis claim that 31% of Piedmont parks are off leash dog areas. For instance, Blair Park was included, ramping up the percentage, although the park is little used and is unfenced along Moraga Avenue. Commissioner Levine acknowledged that this analysis was not a factor in his decision.
The Park Commission proposed changes to the Dracena Park dog area:
- Addition of an OFF-leash 10-20 foot swath of lawn from the oak tree to the pathway leading to the seating area.
- A stone wall to define the transition from OFF to ON leash lawn (CHANGE).
- OFF-leash allowed on the pathways leading to the lawn from Artuna (NO CHANGE).
- ON-leash required for dogs entering from Blair Avenue and passing through to the seating area and visa versa.
- The lawn loop will be 50/50 OFF and ON leash, the section nearest Dracena Avenue will be ON leash, the lower portion OFF leash.
- Gates at two points along the loop to define the transitions.
- Owners not allowed to walk their dog OFF leash entirely around the loop. (reduced OFF-leash area around the seating area in the woods.)
- All understory from the pathway to Dracena Avenue ON leash – no dogs in the ivy.
- Benches turned around to face the woods.
- Reduced hours of use – 7:00am – 8:00pm on weekdays, 8:00am – 8:00pm weekends
- Possible addition of dog fountain.
Recommendations are predicated on the conclusion that:
- Current OFF leash area and signage as defined in City Code is incorrect
- Piedmont Parks are 31% OFF-lease to dogs already. That number is arrived at by adding up all the off-leash areas in Linda, Piedmont, Dracena and Blair parks, irregardless of slope. In particular, Blair Park is considered 100% acceptable as an OFF-leash dog run.
Staff did know when the City Council would take up the Park Commission’s recommendations.
Read the staff report and committee recommendations here.
Feb 6 2016
Meeting on City capital expenditures
CIP Review Committee Agenda for Monday, February 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Conference Room, 120 Vista Avenue
How the City spends its available capital dollars is considered by the CIP Review Committee composed of:
Ryan Gilbert – Term Expires 6/16
Susan Herrick – Term Expires 6/18
Bobbe Stehr – Term Expires 6/17
Jamie Totsubo – Term Expires 6/17
President of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF) Deborah Van Nest
Park Commission Chair Patty Siskind
Recreation Commission Chair Stephen Mills
Agenda:
- 1. Introduction of Committee Members and Election of Chair
- 2. Presentation by Councilmember Bob McBain on the Current and Future Direction of the CIP Review Committee
- 3. Review of Proposed Work Schedule for the CIP Review Committee for Fiscal Year 2016-2017
- 4. Review of Solicitation Methods for Public Input on Potential CIP Projects
- 5. Presentation on Current CIP Projects and CIP Wish List
The meeting is open to the public for participation. No broadcast or recording of the meeting will be available. Meeting materials can be obtained at the meeting or potentially prior to the meeting by contacting the City.
Feb 6 2016
The Piedmont City / School Liaison Committee will consider topical subjects impacting both the City and School District. Consensus is frequently reached in an open exchange of information. Decisions are not finalized during the meeting, as they must be referred to the appropriate elected body for action. Individuals interested in the subjects can participate at the meeting.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
4:00 p.m.
City Hall Conference Room, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA
The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will not be broadcast or recorded for future viewing. Agenda:
- 1. Update on the PUSD Facilities Master Planning Process
- 2. Discussion of City Parcel Tax on the June 7 Presidential Primary Election Ballot
- 3. Discussion of Pick-Up / Drop-Off Zone at High School and Middle School
- 4. Discussion of Plans for Full Day Kindergarten and its Impact to Schoolmates and Opportunities for Cooperation
Materials for the meeting have not been publicly disseminated, however they can be obtained at the meeting or prior to the meeting through the City or the Piedmont Unified School District.
