The Oakland Branch Library on 40th Street remains open on a month-to-month basis for now. In its June 2011 decision, Oakland’s City Council approved a budget for the 2011-2013 fiscal years that suggested all Oakland Public branch libraries would remain open. Piedmont Avenue neighbors hoped that included the branch library on Piedmont Avenue. See hours of all Oakland libraries. > Click to read more…
And Unexpected Construction Costs –
The Beach School construction project remains on schedule to be completed by August 1, 2012, despite running into costly obstacles, including the need for a new roof. On the brighter side, $8 million in State matching funds have finally been confirmed and will be in hand before the end of February, eliminating the need to borrow these monies and incur finance charges. > Click to read more…
Off-street parking space would not be required for new low income second units –
The Planning Commission will continue discussions on a new second unit ordinance at its meeting on Monday, February 13. The new law would permit a second unit on any residential parcel in Piedmont without off-street parking as long as low-income rent and size restrictions are met. Sufficient on-street parking would be necessary in the general vicinity of the location, but not necessarily in front of the house. A variance would no longer be necessary.
Opponent of Sewer Surcharge (Measure A) Supports Future Good Governance and Financial Accountability:
I am grateful that Piedmonters voted down Measure A and, in doing so, posted a clear message that any future parcel tax will be a referendum on good governance, financial accountability and honesty. The Piedmont Post chose to attack me personally and disguised its editorial bias as news articles instead of using its widely read community forum to inform voters of both sides of the sewer tax issue. Instead of posting the careful investigation Tom Clark and I undertook, including direct communication with the EPA, our letters and my LWV Forum comments were grossly misstated, and neither of us was directly contacted by the Post.
I am grateful to Tom Clark, with his many years of public sector legal experience, for his invaluable contribution. MTRC member Ryan Gilbert deserves special recognition for critically looking at the complete picture and then opposing Measure A.
Perhaps our City Staff can also benefit from some of the investigation done, both by opponents and the careful piedmontcivic.org investigation into the sewer fund and related issues. Regardless of the failure of this unneeded tax, Piedmonters can be proud of continuing to do the right thing environmentally with our aggressive compliance program, due to be enacted July 15, 2012, both for EPA requirements and residential sewer lateral testing and replacement. By a 1993 EPA order, we were required to replace 48% of our mainline sewer, the leakiest sections, by 2014. By 2010 we had replaced 60%. The often heard “we are in the lead” is a reality other cities wish they could follow.
I am optimistic we can have an honest and transparent dialogue on future issues, especially those that are of financial concern. Using tax dollars judiciously means more resources for us to enjoy in this wonderful city.
Rick Schiller
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Piedmont Civic Association.
Regarding the Piedmont Post‘s coverage of election results: “With friends at the Post, who needs enemies!”
Dear Editors:
Chucking City Council candidate Tim Rood’s photo to the back page of the election coverage and cropping his supporters out is an all time low. I could see it if Tim Rood had the nasty habit of > Click to read more…
Discussion of fees and finances –
A second hearing/workshop concerning the Piedmont Community Pool will be held by the Piedmont Recreation Commission on Wednesday, February 15, at the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, beginning at 7:30pm.
The pool has been under management of the City of Piedmont Recreation Department since July 1, 2011.
The Piedmont School District’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC), led by Chair Ken Jensen, will finalize its comparative charts and recommendation on the school parcel tax levy for FY 2012-13 at its meeting on Friday, February 10 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. See CAC Agenda 2-10-12. > Click to read more…
UPDATED 2/10/12 as of 9 a.m. – final results not yet available Piedmont’s precinct 281300 was randomly selected as the precinct to be manually counted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters for comparison with the unofficial computer count. Results of the recount will be known on Friday, February 10, or Tuesday, February 14. At that time the election results will become final, assuming there is no challenge. State law requires the random precinct manual recount and official certification by the County. Once certified the City Council will vote to accept the election results.
Of the 8,175 registered voters in Piedmont, 4,172 cast a ballot presenting a 51.01% voter turn out by mail or at the polls. All numbers have been updated as of February 8 at 3:54 p.m.
Unofficial results on the Alameda County website election page show:
In the City Council race, the incumbent Margaret Fujioka made a strong showing of 39.48%. This compared to 30.45% and 30.07% for Bob McBain and Tim Rood, respectively.
In the tight race for second place, the City of Piedmont election page shows that half of Piedmont’s precincts were won by Rood and half won by McBain. McBain received 26 more votes overall than Rood, securing the second council seat if unofficial results hold through the final election results. Rood was strong in the northern and western portions of town (precincts 280700, 280100, and 281600) while McBain came to the fore in the eastern and southern areas (precincts 280500, 281300, 28100).
In the School Board race, Pearson led with 32.27% of the vote overall, followed closely by Andrea Swenson with 29.10% and Rick Raushenbush with 24.23%. Jon Elliott received 12.99% of the vote and Nancy “Sunny” Bostrum 1.41%. Results were consistent throughout all precincts. Pearson, Swenson and Raushenbush won the 3 available seats, if unofficial results hold through the final election results.
The Measure A vote on the Sewer Surcharge Tax was split evenly – no = 49.35% and yes = 50.65%, and therefore failed, as any parcel tax requires 66 & 2/3’s% voter approval for passage.
Unofficial results, which include “Vote-By-Mail Ballots” handed in on election day, are presented in these February 8 updated numbers. The City of Piedmont has posted the updated results on their website.
The Piedmont Civic Association commends all of the candidates, campaign workers, and voters who participated in the February 7 election. The wealth of sincere, decent candidates resulted in a vibrant, productive and issue-oriented discussion.
Voting ends on February 7th at 8 pm. Read what the candidates have said on the issues:
Also review the January 12th Candidates Forum, now on the City website under “Other Public Forums“.
Voting ends on February 7, at 8 pm. Read what the candidates have to say on the issues:
Fire Department Staffing Study
Public Input on Public Facilities
Also review the January 12th Candidates Forum, now on the City website under “Other Public Forums”.
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