Letter to the City Administrator on Proposed Roundabouts for Blair Park/Moraga Canyon

Re: Conventional Roundabouts and Mini-Roundabouts

Dear Mr. Grote,

At the February 24th Planning Commission meeting for the Moraga Canyon Sports Field Project, PRFO Architect Clarence Mamuyac and traffic Engineer Michael Moule misrepresented their new “traffic calming” design solutions for Moraga Avenue-as a “Conventional Roundabout”.   All dialogue & PRFO slide show photos were only of “large” Conventional Roundabouts. > Click to read more…

Piedmont Community Church Forum on “Piedmont Goes Green,” co-sponsored by PCC’s newly forming Green Team and Piedmont CONNECT.  Sunday March 13, 5:00-6:30 p.m., in the Chapel at PCC’s Christian Education Building (400 Highland Avenue, across Highland Way from Valero and up the steps).  CONNECT members will be presenting on topics that include: The Culture of Re-use, Planning for Zero-Waste Events, Sustainable Gardening, and our Electricity Monitoring Project. Interfaith Power and Light will also give a  presentation at the forum.

“Now’s the Time! Local Resources to Improve Your Home Energy Efficiency,” co-sponsored by the City of Piedmont, Piedmont CONNECT, and the League of Women Voters of Piedmont.  Tuesday March 29 at 7 p.m. at the Piedmont Veterans Hall – 401 Highland Avenue.  Could you use help acting on your intentions to lower your household’s energy use?  Come find out about three local resources that offer concrete ways to get started:  Energy Upgrade California in Alameda County (rebates, incentives and other resources for home energy efficiency improvements), California Youth Energy Services (simple energy audits and help switching out light bulbs and other basic steps), and Piedmont CONNECT’s electricity monitoring project (community members joining together to become more knowledgeable about our electricity use, collectively reducing our greenhouse gas emissions).

Highlights from the March 9, 2011 Board Meeting submitted by June Monach, Board of Education Trustee

Key Agenda Items:

• Board Votes 5-0 to Approve 3-Year Contract Agreement Between Teachers and School District
• Board Votes 5-0 to Approve Particular Kinds of Services (PKS) List for Employment Notification Process
• Board Votes 5-0 for Positive Certification of District’s Ability to Meet Financial Obligations 2010/11 – 2012/13 > Click to read more…

A Letter on the Absence of a Council Vote on Termination of Swim Club Negotiations:

March 7, 2011

Dear Council Members,

The approved minutes of the Feb. 7 Council meeting state that “the Council directed the City Administrator to terminate negotiations with the Piedmont Swim Club regarding the lease of City property at 777 Magnolia Avenue and begin the process for the City to assume pool operation.”

However, there is no record of a resolution or a vote on the issue, which was noticed as an informational item only. > Click to read more…

At the March 7, 2011, Piedmont City Council meeting the concept of turning the former Christian Science Church into a cultural arts center was considered.  A number of supporters of the concept presented information on how the building might be used and how it could be brought up to a safe, usable condition.

There was concern about the current state of disrepair from the roof to the structural support of the building.  The City had planned to tear down the Church under a master plan to develop the Civic Center with a large underground parking garage, Olympic size pool, and adjacent offices and shops. This plan halted repairs to the building.   In the picture below is an example of the peeling paint and cracked windows. > Click to read more…

The former Christian Science Church next to Piedmont City Hall at 801 Magnolia is being eyed by a non-profit organization for a variety of cultural events and activities.  The City purchased the property from the church in 2003 but has used it sparingly because of structural and maintenance problems.  In recent years it has fallen into disrepair.

A newly formed organization, Piedmont Center For the Arts, Inc., has offered to make some of the needed repairs in exchange for free use of the property.

Resident Timothy Rood has written a letter to the Council asking for consistent application of lease terms: > Click to read more…

A Letter urging consistent treatment of leases under City policy

Dear City Council Members,

I see that Mr. Grote has recommended you consider a no-rent 10-year lease proposal from a private organization for exclusive use of the City-owned property at 801 Magnolia. > Click to read more…

Survey Results and Video from the February 16 Forum on Public Education Funding:

On Wednesday, February 16 the Piedmont League of Voters, the Piedmont Educational Foundation, and the Piedmont Civic Association co-sponsored an educational funding forum, “Make Resources Count.”

A panel composed of Oakland School Superintendent Tony Smith, Piedmont Education Board Members Ray Gadbois and June Monach, together with Pedro Rosado from State Senator Loni Hancock’s Oakland office discussed the topic of public school funding and how to make resources count in the current budget crisis.  (Since Senator Hancock was delayed in a State budget hearing in Sacramento, her district representative, Pedro Rosado, took her place on the panel.)

The Forum addressed the potential impacts of the Governor’s budget proposal and a possible tax ballot measure on the Oakland and Piedmont school districts funding.   > Click to read more…

Highlights from the March 3, 2011 Special Board Meeting submitted by June Monach, Board of Education Trustee

Key Agenda Topic: Tentative Contract Agreement > Click to read more…

The Piedmont Recreation Department has announced plans for the “Piedmont Relays,” the annual track and field meet for kids.  The meet will take place on Monday, April 25th from 2:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Witter Field.  The children from Beach, Havens, and Wildwood are invited to attend and the meet is for grade levels 3 to 5.  The meet events consist of a relay race, sprint race, distance run, turbo javelin throw, shot put, long jump and high jump.  Plus, new this year will be a hurdles race.  Registration forms for signing up for the meet are available at > Click to read more…