Capital Improvement Projects Recommendation Highlights:

• $1.1 million for artificial turf and lights at Coaches Playfield (85% of available funding)

• $200,000 split among 4 other projects.

• Public input on use of remaining half of church building – 801 Magnolia

> Click to read more…

Mid-year cuts or additional deferrals to the Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) budget may be necessary if state-wide tax extensions are not passed, the PUSD administration advised the Board of Education at its May 25 meeting.   Current State funding levels will require the PUSD to address a $1 million shortfall in its 3-year budget plan. > Click to read more…

A Report from the Chair of the 2011 Municipal Tax Review Committee,  Michael Rancer

At its May 25 meeting, the Municipal Tax Review Committee began examining possible revenue and expenditure growth trends for the next 5 to 7 years.  The committee has determined, based on data from the past 30 years, that revenue changes from year to year can be very volatile and therefore unpredictable, though longer term trends tend to even out the year to year fluctuation somewhat.  Still, it is not possible to precisely predict most of the city’s revenues sources from one year to the next.

Expenditure trends are much more predictable, and also more under city control.  > Click to read more…

The Letterman Trip

by Larry Kelley

Located on 54^th and Broadway in Manhattan, Dave Letterman’s Late Nite Show emanates from the former home of the Ed Sullivan Theater. When I was the age of today’s Piedmont bird callers, most American families gathered around their television sets on Sunday nights wanting to > Click to read more…

On June 1 the Piedmont Park Commission meeting will start with a tour at 5 pm of the Japanese Tea House to view the recently renovated building and new deck.   The Commission will then go to City Hall for the completion of their agenda at the regularly scheduled time of 5:30 pm.   Some items on the agenda are the following:

• Update on the CIP Committee’s recommendations to City Council at the May 21, 2011 budget hearing. (See prior CIP narrative, spreadsheet and staff’s wish list for possible projects here.)
  
• Update on the Moraga Canyon Sports Fields Project
• Update on the possible use of goats for weed abatement in Piedmont open spaces.

• PUSD may look at mid-year cuts or additional deferrals
• MOU between PUSD and the Association of Piedmont Administrators (APSA) Approved
• Facilities Use and Fees – Witter Field, etc.
  
• Applications Solicited for Citizens’ Oversight Committee

And more – read the full report from June Monach > Click to read more…

A reassuring message to the community from Piedmont Unified School District Superintendent concerning assault which occurred on school property. > Click to read more…

Police Chief John Hunt announces an arrest of burglary suspects shortly before a resident returns home – with the help of an alert neighbor. > Click to read more…

The following provides highlights from the May 21,2011 Piedmont City Council Budget Workshop (not intended to be a complete summary).  Due to a shortage of time at the workshop, the Administrative/KCOM budget was not presented and will be discussed on June 6th at the regular City Council meeting. All statements refer to Fiscal Year 2011-12, unless otherwise noted.

The FY 11-12 Proposed Budget will receive further Council consideration and provide an opportunity for the public to participate on June 6. Final approval is expected on June 20, 2011.

Revenues

Piedmont’s Property Tax and Parcel Tax revenue will continue to remain relatively constant, as has been the case throughout recent difficult years, generating approximately $9 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

After dropping in FY 08-09 and 09-10, the Real Property Transfer Tax has recovered in FY 10-11.  It is expected to remain steady at $2.5 million.

The total proposed budget is $21.6 million.  Proposed expenditures exceed revenues by $142,000. > Click to read more…

The Piedmont Unified School District is seeking new members for openings on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the Seismic Safety Bond Program for Piedmont schools.  The position will start September, 2011. The deadline for submitting an application is July 14, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.

Links: Current Members, Charge and purpose of the Committee; Committee webpage.