Piedmont’s City Council will consider a resolution opposing Senate Bill 827 –

Senate Bill 827 could oblige Piedmont to offer a density bonus and/or a Floor Area Ratio of no less than 2.5 for lots with a maximum height limit of 45 feet, if a developer proposes to construct a specified percentage of units for very low, low-, or moderate-income households on a transit rich site.

The Piedmont staff report on Measure SB 827 states, in part:

“Known as the Transit Zoning Bill, SB 827 would replace local zoning regulations with looser state standards for the development of multi-family housing on parcels near a major transit stop or corridor. The bill would undermine Piedmont’s General Plan and Housing Element (certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development in 2014) by allowing the Legislature to transfer the power to determine local land development patterns throughout cities into the hands of land speculators and developers.”

City Staff & Consultant Negotiated Costly New Rates for Reduced Waste Removal Services –

Piedmonters have been receiving notices by mail from Republic Services, Piedmont’s waste disposal contractor, regarding the jump in waste and recycling service rates.  These higher rates are explained, in part, according to Republic Services in their letter, that “community leadership in environmental interests present unique operational challenges.”

The following information has been updated to inform residents that the May 15 deadline is for renewals rather than the initiation of disability exemptions for the new service fees starting on July 1, 2018. Qualifying residents are encouraged to apply promptly for a timely reduction in fees.

In concern for Piedmonters unable to move their cans to the curb, the following program is offered:

For the July 1, 2018 new service start, Piedmonters unable to move their cans to the curb may receive on-site pick up at the reduced rate, IF they promptly submit an application to the City and are approved.

  CLICK ON FORM BELOW:

 >Exemption from Curbside Placement Application

The initial launch of the disability exemption service is July 1, 2018 and customers who have been approved for the exemption prior to this date will enjoy the benefit starting on this date.

Residents may apply for the the disability exemption past May 15, as the City will accept applications for the exemptions at any time, however reduced fees are not retroactive.

The City will process the applications upon receipt and notify the contractor promptly once the application has been approved. The franchise agreement states that, “the contractor shall provide on-premise service on the next scheduled collection day, provided that the city has approved requested on-premises service and informed contractor in writing within 2 work days of the collection day.” [The City has not indicated how long it will take to process applications, hence qualifying applicants are encouraged to promptly submit their applications.]

The May 15 due date comes from the City Policy, which indicates that applications for the annual renewal of applications is May 15, unless the original application was filed within the past 9 months. Since time is required to process renewal applications, the May 15 due date for renewal applications is meant to ensure there is no break in service at the start of the next annual service term (July 1 – June 30). As noted in the Policy, by April 1 of each year staff will send customers with the disability exemption a reminder of the need to renew and information on how to do so.

Price Increases:

Beginning on July 1, 2018, prices for all services will increase. Single family residential prices are based on the size of the garbage cart. Each residential account includes unlimited recycling and organics carts. Carts used for on-premises (backyard) services are limited to a maximum size of 35 gallons. Additional garbage carts are available for an additional cost.

Curbside Collection:

• 20 Gallon Garbage Cart – $79.84 per month
• 35 Gallon Garbage Cart – $84.60 per month
• 65 Gallon Garbage Cart – $116.55 per month
• 95 Gallon Garbage Cart – $130.52 per month

On-Premises (Backyard) Collection:

• 20 Gallon Garbage Cart – $122.17 per month
• 35 Gallon Garbage Cart – $126.93 per month

Suggested Ways to Save on Your Garbage Bill:

• Reduce your garbage subscription levels by recycling and composting more and using a smaller waste cart.
• Switch to curbside services. On-premises (backyard) service is approximately $42 more per month.
• Use the annual prepayment discount. 1 year advanced payment results in the 12th month being free.
• Physically disabled customers with no able-bodied household members are eligible to receive on-premises service at curbside rates. An application must be completed and submitted with a doctor’s note or a copy of a valid California Disability Parking Placard. See below for details.

On-Premises Disability Discount

The Exemption from Curbside Placement of Garbage, Organics, and Recycling Carts policy was approved by the  City Council on December 4, 2017. The policy allows for single-family residential households consisting only of residents who are physically unable to move their trash and recycling carts to the curb each week to receive on-premises collection service of their waste, recycling, and organics carts at curbside rates.

The account holder must complete the > Exemption from Curbside Placement Application to the fullest extent and must provide a copy of a doctor’s certification or a current California Disability Parking Placard with the initial application. The account holder must verify that there are no able-bodied household members capable of moving the carts to the curb.

In order to continue to receive the discounted rate, the account holder must provide an updated doctors certification or current California Disability Parking Placard once a year to the City. In order to guarantee curbside rates for each subsequent year, provide the updated certification on or before May 15.

What do other cities pay?

Albany, CA has a ten year solid waste & recycling agreement in October 2011 giving seniors 62 years of age and older receive a 20% discount on service.  Disabled residents with an ongoing physical disability that prevents them from being able to wheel a cart curbside may qualify for an exemption to curbside service (carts will be serviced from location as designated by resident – typically side or backyard)

As of May 1, 2017 backyard residential pickup was an additional $15.21. Low waste generators receive monthly trash service (10 gallon) and recycle service (64 gallon) and weekly organics service (64 gallon) at the monthly rate of $15.25.  See the complete residential household monthly rates listed here.

Application form for on-premises-discount > HERE.

Information from City website > HERE.

 READ PRIOR PCA ARTICLE > HERE. and HERE

City takes on work largely covered by prior contract with Republic Services waste management. 

On March 27, 2018, the City of Piedmont issued a Request for Proposals for waste diversion education and outreach. The selected consultant will develop and manage an educational campaign in order to reduce the amount of waste generated in the City. Responses are due no later than May 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. The selected consultant will have demonstrated experience in creating and managing campaigns for local jurisdictions.

1. SUBMITTAL OF THE STATEMENT OF WORK: The Statement of Work shall be submitted using Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) to Chris Yeager via cyeager@piedmont.ca.gov by no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018.

Waste Diversion Education and Outreach Request for Proposals – March 27, 2018

April 11th Board of Education meeting in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue,  at 7:00 p.m, following a Closed session. 

The agenda is online here.

Can you offer help?

The Alameda County Grand Jury is looking for citizens who are willing to give their time to help good government. Alameda County Civil Grand Jurors are needed for 2018-2019.   

Alameda County Grand Jury recruiting deadline April 15.

http://www.acgov.org/grandjury/documents/App.pdf

Alameda County residents can also fulfill a civic duty by submitting a complaint to a Grand Jury. All complaints are confidential.  See below.

“Civil grand juries have been instrumental in rooting out waste and investigating city leaders suspected of breaching the public trust. Unlike criminal juries, civil grand juries do not deliberate the outcome of criminal defendants or convene for judicial trials. Recent grand juries in Alameda County have conducted investigations into possible misconduct of public officials and the operation of government agencies within Alameda County.

For example,

• In 2016, a civil grand jury investigated Fremont’s email retention policy, which prompted the City of Fremont to preserve emails for a two-year period instead of purging emails after one month periods.

• In 2016, the civil grand jury investigated complaints regarding the City of Oakland’s contracting process for awarding garbage collection contracts. The grand jury found that the city’s contracting process lacked transparency and that “franchise fees paid by the ratepayers were disproportionately higher than franchise fees paid to other Bay Area municipalities and special districts.”

• In 2014, the civil grand jury noted mismanagement of fire inspections in Oakland and recommended that the City of Oakland record liens against properties that fail to pay fire inspection fines.

California State Law requires that every county impanel a civil grand jury comprised of 19 residents to serve for one-year periods. Civil grand juries are responsible for examining county departments and public officials to determine whether improvements are needed.

The range of issues reviewed by grand juries include health care, education, pensions, and special districts. Civil grand juries also routinely inspect county jails and review issues pertaining to school districts.

Each year the grand jury reviews complaints from county residents to determine what to investigate. All complaints are maintained in confidence.

To serve on the Alameda County grand jury you must:

• Reside in Alameda County for at least one year on July 1st;

• Be at least 18 years old;

• Be able to commit 8 -10 hours per week, and occasionally more time if needed;

• Have an ability to work well with others.

• Commit to keeping all grand jury deliberations secret.

Civil Grand Jury

The civil grand jury acts as a “watch-dog” by investigating the workings and efficiencies of county and local governments. Past investigations have highlighted the failings of local officials in adequately scrutinizing the deal that returned the Raiders football team to Oakland – a deal which currently costs Oakland and Alameda County taxpayers in excess of $20 million every year; the failure of local school boards and county education officials in adequately overseeing the financial affairs of bankrupt school districts in Oakland and Emeryville; and exposed the county welfare agency’s complete failure to investigate welfare fraud, resulting in the district attorney assuming responsibility for those investigations and prosecutions – now numbering over 800 felony prosecutions each year.

The civil grand jury is also authorized to:

1. Inspect and audit books, records and financial expenditures to ensure the public that public funds are properly accounted for and spent.
2. Inspect books and records of special districts in Alameda County.
3. Examine books and records of non-profit agencies that have substantial contacts with county or local agencies.
4. Inquire into and inspect conditions of local jails and detention facilities.
5. Investigate charges of willful misconduct by public officials or employees.

The next grand jury term begins on July 1, 2018. In Alameda County, the deadline for applying for the 2018-2019 term is April 15, 2018. There is a particular need for applicants from Fremont, Hayward, Dublin, Livermore, Union City and Newark.

In addition to serving on the grand jury, you can fulfill your civic duty by submitting a complaint. All complaints are kept confidential.

Any person may complain to the Alameda County civil grand jury. The grand jury can only act on complaints dealing with a county department, any city within Alameda County, local agencies that operate within Alameda County (for example BART, EBMUD, AC Transit), and all school districts within Alameda County. The civil grand jury also considers complaints against public officials typically dealing with malfeasance in office. The civil grand jury cannot investigate complaints against state or federal agencies.

Since the activities of the civil grand jury are secret, complainants can be assured their identity will not be disclosed to anyone outside the grand jury.

Complaints made to the grand jury must be in writing and include the name, address and phone number of the complainant. The civil grand jury encourages people who wish to make a complaint to use the complaint form below.

To make your complaint:

1. Download the complaint form. (7kb)**
2. Complete the form.
3. Mail the completed form to the address listed in the form

How Do I Become A Civil Grand Juror?
Prospective civil grand jurors are nominated by judges of the Alameda County Superior Court. To be eligible for nomination, a citizen must first submit an application that may be obtained from the Alameda County jury commissioner. The qualifications required are: U.S. citizenship, residence in Alameda County for at least one year, and be at least 18 years of age, and have a sufficient knowledge of the English language. Convicted felons and those who have been discharged from service on a grand jury within one year are ineligible for grand jury service. Judges from the Superior Court then review the applications and the applicants’ backgrounds before conducting personal interviews of the applicants. Civil grand jurors are expected to attend grand jury meetings on average two days each week.

Once a sufficient number of citizens have been nominated, 25-30 names are selected as nominees. The nominees must equally represent each of the five supervisorial districts in Alameda County. At an official ceremony, 19 jurors are selected to serve for a one year term. At the discretion of the presiding judge, up to ten members of the prior grand jury may be held over for an additional year of grand jury service.

How to Obtain an Application

Call, Email or Write:

Cassie Barner
Grand Jury Recruitment
1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1104
Oakland, CA 94612
cassie.barner@acgov.org
510-208-9855

You can print the application from the link below and mail it to the address listed above.
Grand Jury Application: App.pdf (PDF – 110kb) *

For further information, Alameda County residents may contact Cassie Barner (510) 208-9855 or visit www.acgov.org/grandjury/juror.htm.

The Piedmont Park Commission will decide which tree or trees will be selected for 2018 Piedmont Heritage status on April 4, 2018, 5:30 p.m. City Hall. The meeting will also include introduction of new Park Commissioner Amber Brumfiel, election of Chair and Vice Chair of the Park Commission, Park Commission Minutes for March 7, 2018,  Report on the Preferred Option for the Linda Beach Master Plan, Update on Arbor Day 2018, Update on Spring Planting Projects, and Monthly Maintenance Report: Park, Open Space and Street Tree Update for the Month of March 2018. 

The meeting will be broadcast live. 

See photos below of the public property trees to be considered as Heritage Trees (scroll to p. 8) and also read the latest information on Linda Beach Park options  > Park Commission Agenda – April 4, 2018 – Final Complete

The Piedmont City Council decided to cancel their first regular meeting in April.

View the City meetings in April > 2018-04 Notice of Regular Meetings.

The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Review Committee meetings will be held off air away from cameras in the City Hall Conference Room.  The other meetings will be broadcast live and archived. 

There will be a special meeting of the City Council on April 30, 2018. 

PIEDMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Piedmont High School Principal Adam Littlefield announced the selection of John Trotman, Jr. as the new Piedmont High School Varsity Football Coach. 

Piedmont Unified School District is pleased to announce that John Trotman, Jr. has recently been named the new Piedmont High School Varsity Head Football Coach. John has extensive coaching experience, including serving as the Varsity Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Piedmont High School for the last three years.

During his 16 years as a football coach, Coach Trotman has served as the Varsity Head Football coach at both Albany High School and San Lorenzo High School and Varsity Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at San Leandro High School. He has also coached the Junior Varsity level at San Leandro High School.

 Coach Trotman offers the following statement, “Being the next head coach at Piedmont High School with its tremendous tradition will be a huge honor for me. In the past three years at PHS I have built a special bond with the young men in this program. The potential of this program is limitless based on the characteristics of the student athletes on the PHS campus. I believe I can successfully continue to grow this program into something that promotes community pride”.

Piedmont High School Principal Adam Littlefield adds, “We are excited to have Coach Trotman at the helm of our football program. His attitude, skills, and knowledge will be an asset to our community.”

Trotman replaces James Holan, who recently left the area for a coaching position at Simon Fraser University. Trotman is employed by Kaiser Permanente as an Enrollment Processor Team Lead.

March 30, 2018

Meetings on Linda Beach Master Plan Options are scheduled as follows:

PARK COMMISSION: Wednesday, April 4,  5:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.

CITY COUNCIL:  Monday, May 7,  7:30 p.m. Council Chambers, , 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.

> staff report and view of the conceptual plan.

The next meeting of the Piedmont Public Safety Committee will on March 29, Thursday, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. This meeting is open to the public.  It will not be broadcast.

The agenda includes updates on:

1.  Get Ready, Piedmont Guides and Checklist
2.  School Liaison Activities and Campus Safety Preparedness
3.  Crime Prevention/Community Outreach
4.  Neighborhood Meetings
5.  City Website
6.  Year End Crime Report
7.  Boy Scouts and Map Your Neighborhood Project
8.  Public Safety Cameras
9.  Planning for Public Safety Open House

Click to read the prior meeting draft minutes > Public Safety 2018-01-25 DRAFT

Committee Roster 

Council Liaison: Jen Cavenaugh (H) 428-1442

Chief of Police Jeremy Bowers (W) 420-3010
Fire Chief Bud McLaren (W) 420-3030

Andrea Swenson, School District Appointment

Lori Elefant

Jeffrey Horner

Garrett Keating

Chris Houlder

Gina Scialabba

Lynne Wright