Join the Unity in Community, a fun and engaging festival focused on building empathy and taking action to support a more inclusive community.

Organized by Piedmont & Millennium High Schools students, with support from PADC (Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee), the festival will features youth-led booths and performances, hands-on activities ranging from kid-friendly arts and crafts games to stations dedicated for letter-writing to Congress members.

There will be food trucks, fun and learning for all ages. Show your support for building a more inclusive Piedmont and come join the fun.

When

Sunday, April 22, 1-3 p.m.

Where

Piedmont Community Hall & Park 
711 Highland Ave 
Piedmont, CA 94611

Contact

Jill Lindenbaum 
415/572-3433 
jill.lindenbaum@gmail.com 
www.padc.info 

School Board Continues Efforts Towards Inclusion and Empathy

At the School Board Meeting on March 28th, Board members discussed continuing efforts towards inclusion and appreciating diversity, among smaller topic. As a member of the audience I was struck by how deeply the board cared about all members of the community. The PUSD School Board meets twice a month, functioning as a communicator between the community and the schools for the interest of Piedmont Unified School District. This was one of the shorter meetings, because the board had few topics to cover. During the first part of the meeting, representatives shared out on various events taking place in the schools.

The meeting opened with a representative from Piedmont Education Foundation telling the board about the upcoming Spring Fling fundraising event, which is in May. The event is hoping to raise more than $40,000 for the schools. This money is an important part of the PUSD Budget.

Student representative Anna Goldberg, a Senior at the high school, discussed student perspective of the past few weeks. She highlighted the drama of the senior class receiving college decisions and the uplifting event “Let’s talk Too,” which included an acting presentation and discussion forums. Next the meeting opened up to the informal speaking section.

Nathan Horst and Anders Bjork spoke about the rising popularity of Piedmont Mountain Biking team. The team is a group of 10 High Schoolers who ride and race for the NorCal High School Cycling League. The sport is co-ed and, according to Bjork, exceptionally inclusive and healthy. Horst postulated the questions of school PE credit, recognition by the Board, and receiving legitimacy such that other sports cannot oppose the growth of the group.

Eva Hunter, another senior, urged the board to try to find a female sports director to fill the spot left by Vic Acuna. The current lack of a sports director has been an issue for many students, and the board is trying to fill the vacancy. I agree with Hunter that Piedmont has a high capacity of extremely talented female athletes, making it a good idea to hire a female sports director. This level of support would boost up the athletics.

Next, Cheryl Wozniak and Irma Muñoz discussed “Let’s Talk Too,” the assembly which was held on Tuesday, March 27. The pair was enthusiastic about this event, which aimed to tackle issues of diversity through both a panel of relevant stories and discussion forums. With student perspectives from high schoolers Noah and Casey, actors in the story-sharing part of the event, it was clear that this attempt to educate students went well. In particular the students emphasized the success of including all of the relevant stories, which were acquired through a survey of students asking about stories. Another student, Laura, celebrated the success of the discussion portion of the day, which enabled students to talk about the issues at question, even when uncomfortable. In particular, the division into 30 person discussion forums helped people engage in meaningful conversation.

Before the meeting, I had spoken with Irma Muñoz, one of two Piedmont High School Vice Principals, about her role at the meeting. She told me that she was planning to brief the Board about the progress towards inclusion and appreciating diversity through “Let’s Talk Too.” As the administrator with the most involvement in this event, she was excited to share the positive reception by students and discuss future possibilities. She simply wanted to inform the Board of the event and its success from the perspective of administration.

Shannon, the Millennium High School Principal, agreed with the previous presenters; Let’s Talk Too was a major success and good step towards the future. She also emphasized the importance of empathy in education.

Board member Sarah Pearson shared her enjoyment and admiration of the assembly, which she observed to be “incredibly effective.” As an audience member at this event, I shared in Pearson’s optimism. Let’s talk Too really enabled meaningful discussion because it was honest, straightforward, and expected much from students. It seems that most of the students fully engaged in the discussion and got a lot from it.

Board member Cory Smegal reinforced the idea that such assemblies and events provide the tools to further discuss issues, and echoed Muñoz’s earlier idea that Tuesday’s success was built on three previous events over the past few semesters. According to Smegal, results will ripple through the community, helping to build more inclusion and acceptance.

The next speaker took the meeting to a different topic; he spoke about a modification to the Piedmont Adult School curriculum. Piedmont adult school wanted to make modification for graduation standards so that when students have fewer than 10 credits remaining to graduate and a serious event prevents them earning the last credits, the student can still graduate. This 10 credit flexibility still keeps the graduate above state requirements. The Board voted to support the modification.

Superintendent Randall Booker spoke about allowing CLAD to approve non-certified educators when qualified. The Board voted to allow certain well-qualified educators this opportunity. Next Booker brought the idea of the green energy agreement to the table. PUSD schools currently purchase their electricity from PG&E, but this act would change the provider to a group of clean-energy producers. The Board approved of this motion for coming years, delighted by the sustainability and cheaper prices.

Overall, it was an optimistic meeting, where the Board heard about the progress made towards inclusion, opportunities in clean energy, enabling greater access to high school graduation through the adult school, and athletic possibilities.

This meeting made me feel that the students at Piedmont schools are in good hands of the School Board, and owe much to this group’s diligent work on their behalf.

by Anders Bjork, Piedmont High School Senior

Editors Note:  Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Let’s Talk About Our Future Towards Equity

While the School Board meeting on March 28th only lasted 56 minutes, students along with faculty primarily discussed the wellbeing of our District’s campuses.

Anna Goldberg, Piedmont High School’s ASB Vice President, updated the School Board on the current activities that recently took place at the High School. These topics included the Lie-In, college admittance, spring break and the Mexico trip, “Lets Talk Too!”, along with career day.

During the Open Forum, Anders and I talked briefly about the Piedmont mountain biking team. We have both been participating in the sport for all four years of high school and have seen the team grow from two people to more than eleven students at the High School. Before we head off to college, we are trying to grow awareness about the sport, along with starting the conversation of gaining more support from the School District. Eva Hunter followed our statements and discussed Piedmont’s emphasis on male-sports, and how having a female Athletic Director could help shift the focus.

Ms. Muñoz, Piedmont High School’s Assistant Principal, introduced the subject of the “Lets Talk Too!,” diversity, equity, and social justice assembly. According to Muñoz, the event that occurred on March 27th at the High School allowed space for “student voice and student dialog, and was designed in response to feedback from students that they wanted the opportunity to engage and hear from each other.” Noah, a student at Millennium High School, along with Piedmont High School students, Casey and Laura, discussed their personal takeaways from the event. Shannon Overturf, Millennium High School’s principal, followed the student opinions with a conversation about the impact of the event.

Michael Brady discussed a first reading for a revised Board policy on Adult Education graduation requirements, BP 6200. The independent program started in 2006 allowing adults to receive a diploma, and since then has served 1,300 adults from in and around Piedmont. The Adult School currently requires 150.5 credits to graduate, which “vastly exceeds State ED code” according to Brady. Unfortunately, sometimes life gets in the way of finishing the credits required, such as an illness, loss of job or relative, etc. The proposed amendment would allow someone in a rare case to be exempt from finishing the credits if within 10 credits from graduating.

No action took place at this meeting, yet further discussion was added to the consent calendar. I believe this is very important to approve since many of the students in the program already have had a difficult life either coming from backgrounds of being homeless, or having previously been incarcerated, according to Brady. Although this would only be used in rare circumstances, it allows students a piece of mind in an unforeseen event, especially when they have met or exceeded State ED code.

Randy Booker, Superintendent,  then discussed the yearly approval for the Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators which allows the District the flexibility to issue emergency credentials. This is only used if the District can’t find a replacement, but a teacher has a Masters Degree for a certain field, however are lacking a teachers credential. This allows the District to issue an emergency credential for short terms. This was passed by Board Members Cory Smegal, Sarah Pearson, and Andrea Swenson.

Before the School Board meeting started, I interviewed Heather Frank, the Executive Director of the Piedmont Educational Foundation. Her primary job is to raise money for the District. Although she arrived with no specific concerns, she had a particular interest in hearing the Art Hecht Award Recipient, however, this was removed from the agenda for this meeting, and postponed to May 9th. She did speak during the meeting by updating the School Board on what’s been happening at the Piedmont Educational Foundation with the upcoming Spring Fling fundraiser. Lastly, she stated that she “appreciates hearing from the students who get up and talk about some of their concerns, and learning about the various policy changes and updates.”

The School Board meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The focus of each meeting changes based on current events and proposed policy changes, but the purpose of every meeting is to allow a space where the Board and community can communicate with each other about the city and schools. The number of people in attendance also depends on whether there is a hot topic, according to Frank.

by Nathan Horst, Piedmont High School Senior

Editors Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.

 Proposed Wireless Towers in the public right-of-way have been controversial.

The Recreation Commission will meet on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont. This meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 27 or from the City of Piedmont website under videos. 

Agenda:

1.  Election of Chair and Vice Chair

2.  Approval of Recreation Commission Minutes December 20, 2017 and March 21, 2018

3.  Director’s Report

4.  Consideration of the Betty C. Howard Award for 2017

5.  Update on Linda Beach Master Plan

6.  Update on Capital Improvement Projects Review Committee (CIP)

7.  Update on Facility Master Planning

“Ms. Lillevand discussed the possible bond measure language included in the survey. She indicated that 53% of respondents were supportive of a possible bond measure at this time, but that this level of support falls short of the super majority required to pass a bond. She indicated that respondents were asked about different bond amounts, but that support levels remained the same for a $15 million or $20 million bond. She relayed Mr. Metz’s conclusion that respondents did not see the upgrades to the pool or recreational facilities as an urgent matter.

“Ms. Lillevand relayed that following receipt of this information, Council directed staff to reconvene the ad-hoc subcommittee of Councilmember Andersen and Mayor McBain to work with staff on possible public outreach and education initiatives. She also indicated that staff is working to obtain a professional opinion on the usable lifespan of the existing facility as well as what would happen in the event of a major failure at the pool.”

Celebration of Arbor Day in Piedmont will include introduction of Piedmont’s Heritage Trees for 2018.

Arbor Day Program will be at Piedmont Main Park in the Community Center between and 5 – 7 p.m., Thursday, April 19.  The entire community is invited to join in the festive occasion that will include beverages, music, recognition of the Day and information on the importance of trees to the planet and Piedmont. 

To view the flyer with names of numerous participants and contributors,  click the link below:

PCA Flyer_ArborDay_4_10_18

Dogs: Leash Laws, Dracena Signage, Upper Dracena Lawn Improvements, Budget for Projects, Dog Walkers to be Eyes and Ears for Police –

On the Monday, April 16, 2018 Council agenda for the meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. are two items involving Dracena Park and dog policies. The meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 27 and from the Piedmont website under videos. 

04/16/18 -Consideration of Dracena Park Signage & Upper Lawn Improvements and Establishment of a Budget for the Project

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 741 N.S. Updating Leash Law Provisions, Clarifying Off Leash Areas, and Updating Outdated Provisions

Garrett Keating publicized the following information:

DOG OWNERS: 1. Dracena Park Signage and Off-Leash Area: Parks Department will be presenting the final design for the off-leash area on the Dracena Park upper lawn that Council approved 2 years ago in response to Milo’s petition. Staff has proposed incorporating a bioswale into the design that substantially reduces the off-leash area approved in the initial concept. Adequate area for off-leash dog play was the intent of the initial concept so it will be important for dog owners to comment on the final design. Contact Parks and Projects Manager Nancy Kent at nkent@piedmont.ca.gov (510) 420-3064 2. Leash Law Update: Council directed the Police Department to review leash law rules in all city parks. Penalties, hours of use and other dog rules may be changed. Contact Chief Jeremy Bowers for more information. jbowers@piedmontpd.org (510) 420-3011

Dog Walker Watch program to convert Dog Walkers to be Eyes and Ears for Police

The Piedmont Police Department hosted a Dog Walker Watch information meeting at the Linda Dog Park on Saturday, April 14th at noon. Piedmont’s Dog Walker Watch program is designed to educate dog walkers on how to serve as extra eyes and ears for law enforcement.

On Monday, April 16, 2018, 7:30 p.m., the Piedmont City Council will consider revisions to City Code Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use to permit short-term rentals.  Read the agenda here.  Read the staff report here.

  The recommended ordinance regulates short-term rentals within the following parameters:

1. Both hosted (rooms within a home) and non-hosted (the entire home) short-term rentals are permitted.
2. In order to operate a short-term rental, a resident must seek and gain City approval for a permit to do so. The resident who has gained a permit from the City to operate a short-term rental is referred to henceforth as a short-term rental permittee.

• The application is reviewed and acted upon by the Director of Planning or the Director’s designee.
• The permit is valid for up to one year, until December 31 of the year issued, and may be renewed annually by means of a renewal application.

1. A short-term rental permit application and renewal applications shall be subject to a fee established by the City Council.
2. The dwelling unit being used as a short-term rental, whether hosted or non-hosted, must be the primary residence of the permittee.
3. The short-term rental must be rented for a minimum of two consecutive nights and may not be rented more than 60 days in a calendar year.
4. A short-term rental permit applicant who is a tenant must gain the consent of the property owner to use the dwelling unit as a short-term rental.
5. The following dwelling units are prohibited from being used as a short-term rental:

• Accessory dwelling units, both permitted and unintended; and
• Multi-family dwelling units (i.e. apartments).

1. The permittee is required to do the following:

• Pay an annual business license tax under City Code Chapter 10.
• Maintain general liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 during the term of the short-term rental permit.
• Provide his or her contact information to the city, and update any change before renting the property.
• Provide the dwelling or rooms serving as a short-term rental a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, and adequate egress.
• Provide the short-term guest both electronically before the stay and in print during the stay the following information:

o   The short-term rental permittee’s contact information;

o   A diagram of exits, fire extinguisher locations, and fire and police contact numbers;

o   The city’s noise regulations (sections 12.8 – 12.12);

o   The city’s smoking ordinance (chapter 12, article II); and

o   The city’s garbage and recycling guidelines.

Enforcement includes the ability of the City Council to establish fines by resolution.

The  April 16, 2018, Council meeting will be held in City Hall starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be live broadcasts on Channel 27 and on the City website listed under videos.

Read the full agenda HERE.

CLICK ON ITEMS BELOW TO READ THE STAFF REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL: 

04/16/18 – Approval of Resolutions Allocating Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funds for the Oakland Avenue Bridge Railing Pedestrian Safety Project and Allocating SB 1 Funds to Magnolia Avenue Paving

04/16/18 -Approval of a Resolution Establishing the Pension Rate Stabilization Fund with Public Agency Retirement Services  Council will allocate $2 million to the Fund. 

04/16/18 -Approval of Resolutions Taking Positions on State Legislative Items and Propositions

a. Endorsing Proposition 69 & Supporting SB 1 – Transportation Funding

b. Endorsing Senate Bill 3 –Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond

c. Endorsing SB 5 – Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, & Outdoor Access Bond

d. Opposing Senate Bill 827 – Planning and Zoning: Transit-Rich Housing Bonus

04/16/18 -Appointment of Yildiz Duransoy as the Planning Commission Alternate for a Term Ending March 31, 2019   City Administrator Recommendation on individual to be appointed by the Council 

04/16/18 -Consideration of Employment Resolutions for the Following Unrepresented Labor Groups for the Period of 07/01/17 through 06/30/2020:  

Compensation packages for employee groups listed:

a. Confidential Employees

b. Professional, Technical & Supervisory Employees

c. Recreation/Childcare Employees

d. Mid-Management Employees (Parks & Project Manager; Building Official, Police Captain; and Police Support Services Commander)

e. Management Employees (City Clerk, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Planning Director, Police Chief, Public Works Director, and Recreation Director)

04/16/18 -Consideration of an Updated Investment Policy

04/16/18 -Presentation from Piedmont Council, Boy Scouts of America

04/16/18 -Consideration of Dracena Park Signage & Upper Lawn Improvements and Establishment of a Budget for the Project

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 741 N.S. Updating Leash Law Provisions, Clarifying Off Leash Areas, and Updating Outdated Provisions

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 742 N.S. Amending Chapter 17 – Planning and Land Use of the City Code Regarding Short Term Rentals

04/16/18 -Consideration of an Amendment to the Policy Allowing for Residents with Certain Physical Limitations to Receive “On-Premisis” (Backyard) Service at Curbside Rates

04/16/18 -Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 743 N.S. Making Technical Corrections to Chapter 17 – Planning and Land Use

Piedmonters ususally find out when they remodel their homes or their neighbors make changes to their homes how important Chapter 17 is to them. 

Few Piedmonters ever participate by attending meetings or writing letters about land use and planning issues until it impacts them. No sooner had Piedmont Chapter 17 undergone massive changes and revisions, when new changes and revisions are proposed. Once more there has been little general public participation in the considerations.

At its regular meeting on Monday, April 16, 2018, 7:30 p.m., the Piedmont City Council will consider an ordinance adopting revisions to City Code Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use, to implement various technical refinements and corrections.

There are a number of items of concern: 

Proposed language: ” Zoning Map Amendment Publish notice in newspaper of general circulation within the City.”Subject to section 17.62.030, subsections A and C.”

Changing the Zoning Map is required by the City Charter  to go on a Piedmont ballot, yet the City Charter is not recognized in the language change. The new language is in conflict with the City Charter of requiring voter approval for items placed on a ballot always require public information to be provided to voters prior to an election.  

The agenda for the City Council meeting and the staff report for this agenda item are available through the City’s website or at City Hall.

In sum, the ordinance under consideration includes various recommended technical corrections and refinements throughout City Code Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use. After staff  implemented the comprehensive update to City Code Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use, which went into effect on April 19, 2017, a number of inconsistencies and minor errors have revealed themselves. In addition, putting the regulations into practice has revealed the need for the refinement of a few sections and subsections to add clarity. This is expected with such a comprehensive update.

The recommended refinements address the following issues:

Parking space size and specifications

Requiring 12 inches between the side of a parking space and the nearest wall or similar obstruction so that drivers and passengers have adequate room to maneuver into and out of a car parked in a garage or carport.

Planning Department explanation: “The minimum parking space dimensions are: 8-1/2 feet x 18 feet, or 7-1/2 feet x 15 feet for compact car. A minimum 1-foot clearance must be provided between the length side of a parking space and the nearest wall or similar obstruction.”

SECTION 8 AMENDMENT OF SUBSECTION 17.38.060.B.5.a Subsection 17.38.060.B.5.a of the City Code is amended to read as follows: “a. Parking. When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or converted to an accessory dwelling unit, any required replacement parking spaces may be located in any configuration on the lot except that the spaces may not be located within the 20-foot street setback. (Gov’t. Code §65852.2 (a)(1)(D)(xi).)”

When the prior revisions were approved by the City Council, concern over more cars forced onto Piedmont’s streets already lined with parked cars, drew opposition regarding the reduction in parking size requirements. The Planning Department anticipates smaller vehicles in Piedmont and thus recommended the reduced size, which has presented problems.  It is unknown if the new 1-foot clearance will be sufficient to avoid adding more cars on Piedmont streets.  

Sign Design Review Permit

Reinstituting a design review permit and design standards specific to signs on private nonresidential properties.

Parking requirements related to Accessory Dwelling Units

Making Piedmont’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance consistent with state laws by deleting the prohibition of replacement parking spaces within the 20-foot street yard setback. The City may require replacement parking for the primary dwelling when a garage or carport is demolished for or converted to an Accessory Dwelling Unit.

The scheduling of City Council hearings after a Planning Commission recommendation

Allowing for expeditious processing and thorough preparation in response to appeals, appeals are to be scheduled at least 45 days after the filing of an appeal but all other matters are to be scheduled for the next available regular City Council meeting.

PROPOSED CHANGE: “If this chapter requires a City Council hearing, the hearing will be scheduled for the next available regular City Council meeting unless the hearing is for an appeal, in which case the hearing will be scheduled at least 45 calendar days after the filing of an appeal of the Planning Commission recommendation.”

The “all other matters” issue scheduled for “the next available regular City Council meeting” arose recently in December after the City Council took up a sublease of public property within 7 days following a hearing by the Planning Commission made a recommendation regarding a Conditional Use Permit.  A number of residents stated the matter had not been sufficiently noticed in a newspaper to allow the public time to learn about the sublease and fully participate.  Some Piedmonters accused the City of avoiding public involvement during the busy holiday season due to a lack of desire for public input.  The proposed change would legislate fast action on public issues and a potential continuation of exclusion on important matters like a Conditional Use Permit that changes the use of a property.

The definition of Floor Area

Clarifying what areas within a building’s envelope are considered floor area and would be subject to the floor area ratio limits so that new additions to buildings do not circumvent the City’s regulatory goals of limiting the bulk of a house in relation to the size of the lot and encouraging development within the existing envelope.

PROPOSED CHANGE REASONS: In order to encourage development within the existing building envelope instead of building outwards or upwards, the floor area ratio standard is not applied to finishing an area into habitable space if: (1) there is no expansion of the exterior building envelope; and (2) the owner has not obtained a final inspection within the prior three years on a building permit issued for an expansion of the building envelope. 

There is no mention of digging down below grade.

The Planning Department states, “Recognizing that the proposed revisions are improvements to Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval at its regular meeting of March 12, 2018. The Commission felt that the changes would eliminate inconsistencies, clarify the regulations for the benefit of property owners and their design professionals, and would better meet the goals of the City’s General Plan.”

Written comments may be submitted to the City Council via email at citycouncil@ci.piedmont.ca.us or via US Mail addressed to City Clerk John Tulloch at 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611.

Read the staff report.

If you have any questions related to the information provided in the staff report, please contact Kevin Jackson, Planning Director, at (510) 420-3039 orkjackson@piedmont.ca.us.