–  Public Workshop: How to Make Walking and Biking in Piedmont Safer and Easier – 

All are invited to attend and participate in the City Workshop on the New Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan Wednesday, October 30 , 7-8:30 pm at the Piedmont Community Hall.  The meeting will give citizens the chance to express their concerns about pedestrian and bicycle safety. This is the “needs assessment” phase of the planning project.

The City of Piedmont Planning Commission will host a public workshop on the recently launched process to develop Piedmont’s first Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (PBMP). The purpose of the workshop is to hear from members of the community about the needs and concerns of pedestrians and cyclists in Piedmont; the obstacles and challenges to walking and biking in our city; and the public’s ideas for making walking and biking in Piedmont safer and easier. The input will be used to develop and prioritize recommended improvements throughout the city.

 “This workshop is one of the most important opportunities for
members of the public to find out more about the plan, and provide comments on how we can identify existing problems and arrive at solutions to make walking and biking in Piedmont safer and more convenient. The input will be used to develop and prioritize recommended physical improvements throughout the city.”  Kate Black, City Planner

In order to hear from as many people as possible, the City has also developed an online survey on the same subject (www.surveymonkey.com/s/WalkBikePiedmont). Everyone who responds to the survey will be eligible to win one of three donated $25 gift cards for Mulberry’s Market (courtesy of the City’s consultant on the PBMP). The survey will remain open through November 16, 2013.

People are also encouraged to email any additional thoughts and comments on the needs and challenges to walking and biking in Piedmont to Kate Black, City Planner, at kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us.

In the meantime, the City is wrapping up an “existing conditions” report for the PBMP. This background report summarizes existing local conditions and issues relevant to walking and biking in Piedmont. It covers such topics as the city’s street network, key destinations around the city, facilities for walking and biking, and collision statistics.

The report will be made available to the public for review and comment once it has been finalized. The PBMP is being funded entirely through a grant from the Alameda County Transportation Commission (CTC; www.alamedactc.org) and through the City’s existing funds for pedestrian and bicycle improvements (pass-through Measure B funds), also distributed by the Alameda CTC.

For more information about the PBMP, contact Kate Black at kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us or at (510) 420- 3063

– The Piedmont Center for the Arts’ First Annual Juried Art Show – 

The exhibition entitled “Return to Simplicity”  includes thirty-three Bay Area artists chosen by Juror René de Guzman, Oakland Museum of California Senior Curator of Art. The exhibit will be on display November 2-December 1 at 801 Magnolia Avenue, in the Piedmont Center for the Arts.  Gallery hours are 12 noon – 3 p.m.   Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except closed Friday, November 29).

The Opening Reception will be held on Friday, November 1, 6:00 – 9:00 pm.  Juror René de Guzman selected an array of paintings, mixed media, collage, drawings, photographs, prints, watercolors, gouache and assembled objects from more than 600 entries. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three artists through the generosity of the Thornborrow Memorial Trust.

List of Juried Art Show Artists

Irfan Akbar

Jizell Albright – Honorable Mention

Julie Alland

Elizabeth Bennett

Mark Brown

Laurie Chase

Bill Christensen

Leslie Claxton – Honorable Mention

Arielle Coupe – Honorable Mention

Pat Hayashi

Sonja Hinrichsen – First Place

Meiru Huang

Becky Johnson – Honorable Mention

Carter Johnston

Nancy Klehr

Ruth Koch

Zin Lim

Ellen Little – Honorable Mention

Monica Lowe – Honorable Mention

Mallory Lynch – Honorable Mention

Elaine Michaud

Ralph Moon

Leslie Morgan

Janet Norris

G B Paulding

Michele Pred

Michele Ramirez

Ari Salomon – Second Place

Rita Sklar

Blayre Stiller

Denise Tarantino – Third Place

Dwight Yassany

Mitsu Yoshikawa

For more information contact the links below:

Gallery Website: www.piedmontcenterforthearts.org

Gallery Contact: info@piedmontcenterforthearts.org

#  #  #

– Have a suggestion for the teacher or school support staff contracts? –

The Piedmont Unified School District will soon begin the negotiation process with represented employee groups:  Association of Piedmont Teachers (APT) representing certificated employees (teachers) and California School Employees Association (CSEA) representing classified employees in the District. Current collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) for both groups are in place through June 30, 2104.

Residents, parents, students, and interested individuals may submit ideas to the School Superintendent chubbard@piedmont.k12.ca.us  The current agreements can be viewed at:

 Teacher/Certified Employees Contract:  http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/forms/jobs/certificated_contract.pdf

Support staff/Classified Employees Contract: http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/forms/jobs/classified_contract.pdf

Suggestions mentioned by parents:

– Teachers should be required to regularly post homework assignments using a uniform format on the District website.

– Teachers should be required to make themselves available to students or parents either 30 minutes before or after school approximately three days per week.

Below is the Board of Education Staff report~~~~~~~~~~

TO: Board of Education
FROM: Constance Hubbard, Superintendent
Michael Brady, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Randall Booker, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services
SUBJECT: NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS AND TIMELINE INVITATION TO PUBLIC TO PROVIDE INPUT PRIOR TO OFFICIAL START OF NEGOTIATIONS
______________________________________________________
I. SUPPORT INFORMATION
The District has Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) with two employee
groups. The Association of Piedmont Teachers (APT) represents certificated
employees and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) represents classified employees in the District. Current CBAs for both groups are in place through June 30, 2104 with no open articles.

The collective bargaining process includes the opportunity for the public to
comment on any issues that are covered by the CBA. The CBAs are posted on the District website at: www.piedmont.k12.ca.us . The community may send input to the Superintendent at chubbard@piedmont.k12.ca.us on any portion of either agreement.

As part of the process, the articles to be opened for discussion must be “sunshined” at a public hearing at a Regular Board meeting to provide an opportunity for public comment for the Board to consider in providing direction to the negotiating team for the District. Since all articles are open, the Board is seeking input as to which articles to include as part of the bargaining process this year. Although all articles are open for negotiation, it is customary to identify only those articles that either or both groups want to concentrate on and to identify the remaining articles as “closed.” The issues of compensation (salary and benefits) are considered automatic to be addressed in the bargaining process.

We have a tradition of using Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) for negotiations in the District. The IBB process allows all parties to keep the focus on interests and not on positions or individuals. It has allowed us to work together through these difficult economic times by keeping the interests of students in the forefront. The employees have not had an increase in the salary schedule and have agreed to limits on the District contributions toward health care, which has allowed us to maintain programs for students during the economic crisis that began in 2008-09.

The Board and employees groups are in the process of identifying the articles to be addressed for negotiations. Once identified, the articles will be sunshined and the public will have the opportunity to comment.

The community is invited to provide feedback to the Board as to issues and articles to be addressed in this year’s negotiations prior to the sunshining process.

Feedback needs to be received by November 6, 2013 for consideration by the Board in the determination of the articles to be addressed as part of the Association of Piedmont Teachers negotiations and by November 30, 2013 to be considered as part of the CSEA negotiations.

The sunshine process for APT is scheduled to begin on November 13, 2013, so that negotiations can begin in December. The public has the opportunity to comment on articles opened as part of the sunshine process.

II. RECOMMENDATION: REVIEW AND DISCUSSION (Consideration by Board of Education at October 23 meeting)

– The City Council will consider a range of issues during their Monday, October 21, meeting. –

In an atypically detailed description,  the Closed Session segment of the meeting’s agenda includes two subjects. The first item, U.S. v. City of Alameda, et al, was previously discussed in closed session by the City Council on June 21, 2010, September 7, 2010, January18, 2011, and July 1, 2013. The second closed session item is labor negotiations with Janae Novotny representing the City in bargaining with SEIU Local 1021, Childcare, Professional/Technical, Confidential, Mid Management (Police Captain, City Planner, Parks & Project Manager, Building Official).

The regular agenda begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue. The meeting includes:

– Update on Alameda County Waste Management Authority’s Household Hazardous
Waste Service Fee options and possible direction on the City’s position on said options

– Update on the City’s participation in the Mandatory Recycling Ordinance approved by the
Alameda County Waste Management Authority

– Update on the Pool operations

– Nominations Open for City Council and School Board –

November 8th Deadline for completion of nomination papers –

Are you interested in becoming an elected official in Piedmont? Candidates must follow specific procedures including filing nomination papers with voter signatures by November 8, 2013. 

The City of Piedmont will hold its regular Municipal Election on February 4, 2014. The nomination period for the three vacancies on the Piedmont City Council and two vacancies on the Board of Education opened on Monday, October 14. The deadline for filing papers is November 8, 2013. There is no cost to candidates to file for election. However, candidates pay for the printing of their statements in the sample ballot. On October 7, the Piedmont City Council estimated that cost for each candidate statement will be about $900. The statements are limited to 200 words for each candidate. Campaign expenses typically include posters, mailings and advertising. 

The City Council and Board of Education are Piedmont’s two elected bodies and guide the operation of City government and the Piedmont Unified School District respectively. Members of these bodies may serve a maximum of 2 four-year terms.

Potential candidates should go promptly to City Hall to obtain papers and information pertaining to the February 2014 Municipal Election.

Required documents must be filed by 5 pm November 8.

The California Elections Code requires that nomination papers be issued in person to the prospective candidate at City Hall. For detailed information on filing call City Clerk John Tulloch at 510-420-3040 or go to City Hall during normal business hours.

The City has issued the following:

The City of Piedmont is deeply saddened to announce the passing of City Attorney Thomas R. Curry on October 12, 2013.  Mr. Curry succumbed to an illness he had been fighting for some time.  Mr. Curry was appointed City Attorney of Piedmont by the City Council on July 6, 2010. Including his tenure with Piedmont, Mr. Curry had over 38 years in municipal law in both large and small cities.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek.

Mr. Curry was appointed when City Attorney George Peyton retired.

Obituary.

– Re-subdivision of property, reasonable accommodation for the disabled, Conditional Use Permit permanence, mixed use in the Commercial Zone, parking requirements for Second Units, very low to low income requirements, multiple unit housing, parcel size requirements, etc. – 

On Monday, October 14, 2013, the Planning Commission will hold a hearing late in the meeting to consider potential changes to the City’s Zoning Code. The proposed changes are intended to facilitate increased housing density, clarify definitions, implement requirements by the State or Federal government, and reduce ambiguities.

The meeting agenda starts at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall. The zoning changes will be considered last in the meeting after all other items.  The Planning Commission will take a dinner break at 6:30 p.m., The time of the hearing on the numerous proposed changes to the City Zoning Code Chapter 17 is unknown. The Chapter 17 zoning changes are under Item #13. 

RE-SUBDIVISION OF PROPERTY:

All parcels in Piedmont are subdivided.  Changes in boundary lines are considered a re-subdivision.  Currently, to build on a substandard lot requires a variance approved by the Planning Commission. The proposed changes appear to dismiss the 10,000 and 20,000 square foot requirements in the Residential (A) and Estate (E) zones and negate voter approved requirements because of conflicting language.   The current Zone E minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet is proposed to be eliminated in Section 17.9.2 of the City Code. The explanation offered for this change is the need to be consistent with the reduction in residential subdivision lot size to a minimum of 8,000 square feet in proposed Section 17.10.2 applying to Piedmont’s Zone A (Residential Zone). However, in the existing Section 17.14.2 the required minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet in Zone E is not eliminated, leading to some confusion.

In Zones A (Residential),  C (Multiple Family) and D (Commercial) the minimum lot size is eliminated for single family residences (17.5.2, 17.7.2 and 17.8.2 ). The stated explanation is to eliminate the perceived need to obtain a variance to build a single-family residence on a lot with fewer than 10,000 square feet and to simplify the language of the Code.

The Piedmont Charter states:

“SECTION 9.02 ZONING SYSTEM

The City of Piedmont is primarily a residential city, and the City Council shall have power to establish a zoning system within the City as may in its judgement be most beneficial. The Council may classify and reclassify the zones established, but no existing zones shall be reduced or enlarged with respect to size or area, and no zones shall be reclassified without submitting the question to a vote at a general or special election. No zone shall be reduced or enlarged and no zones reclassified unless a majority of the voters voting upon the same shall vote in favor hereof; provided that any property which is zoned for uses other than or in addition to a single family dwelling may be voluntarily rezoned by the owners thereof filing a written document executed by all of the owners thereof under penalty of perjury stating that the only use on such property shall be a single-family dwelling, and such rezoning shall not require a vote of the electors as set forth above. (Emphasis added.)”

PROPOSED LANGUAGE: 17.5.2: Permitted Uses. The following principal uses are allowed as permitted uses in Zone A: (a) Single-family residences on a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet, together with accessory structures located on the same lot or parcel of land, subject to the provisions of the City Charter, this, and other sections of the City Code. 

(Strike outs are eliminations in  proposed code language.)

Staff Report notes = Purposes: 1) to eliminate a perceived need to obtain a variance to build a single-family residence on a lot with fewer than 10,000 square feet; and 2) to remove unnecessary and archaic language. 

Similar elimination language referring to the City Charter  also applies to other zones.

Eliminating the language mentioning the City Charter or changing square footage requirements for the zones has not been accompanied by a staff ballot measure recommendation.

The proposed changes to Chapter 17 of the City Code will allow re-subdivision of an existing single family lot if there is a lot in the neighborhood below the current minimum standards.  A lot that is 16,000 square feet (or more) with 120 feet (or more) of frontage on a public or private street may be re-subdivided into two lots (or more) if it is within 500 feet of a lot containing 8,000 square feet or less and a lot with frontage that is 60 feet or less.  The neighboring substandard frontage and lot area may be in two different lots. That is, within 500 feet in any direction there can be a lot that is more than 8,000 square feet with a frontage of less than 60 feet and a different lot that is less than 8,000 square feet and has a frontage of more than 60 feet.

Each re-subdivision puts more lots within 500 feet of qualification. The areas of Piedmont that would be excluded from potential re-subdivision under the proposed revisions to Section 17.10.2 and 17.10.3 are those with lots of less than 16,000 square feet or less than 120 feet of frontage. 

COMMERCIAL ZONE (D) TO INCLUDE MIXED USE PROVISION AND MULTIFAMILY ZONE  DENSITY(C):

It is envisioned that over time, as commercial properties redevelop, the new provisions would create economic opportunities to allow the inclusion of housing. An example of this is the Grand Avenue Shell station, which could be redeveloped with ground floor retail and upper level housing. To encourage mixed commercial/residential developments, fees for mixed use projects would be reduced as much as the fees for affordable housing.

Section 17.2.43B: Mixed Use Commercial/Residential. Mixed Use Commercial/Residential means a development that combines commercial and residential uses and having both (a) ground floor retail, office or service commercial uses which will primarily serve City residents; and (b) a multiple dwelling at a minimum density of one dwelling unit per each 3,600 square feet of lot area, but not exceeding one dwelling unit per each 2,000 square feet of lot area. This establishes a minimum 12 units per net acre. The stated purpose is to provide clarity that single-family residences with a second unit are not considered or regulated as multiple dwellings.

The Planning Commission at the September 30 meeting wanted “different regulatory/development standards for the City’s Grand Avenue commercial district from that of the Civic Center commercial zone to reflect the fact that the Grand Avenue district is more “regional” in character than the Civic Center. ”  The Commission also wanted to allow senior housing development in Zone D (commercial zone)

To encourage multifamily housing in both zones, structure coverage limit is proposed to increase from 25 percent to 50 percent in Zone D and from 40 percent to 50 percent in Zone C.  A minimum density of 12 units per net acre is proposed for new multifamily and mixed use developments.

SMALL HOUSING UNITS: 

Units of 700 square feet or less need only provide one covered parking space instead of the current two covered parking spaces.

AFFORDABLE UNITS:

The proposal for Section 17.2.2B: Affordable Unit. “Affordable Unit” means a dwelling unit for sale or rent that meets the California State Department of Housing and Community Development standards of income eligibility and affordable rent levels for Alameda County. (Health and Safety Code sections 50052.5(h) and 50053.)

PERMANENCE OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS ZONE D:

Laws require that a Conditional Use Permit runs with the property making a breach of the original conditions approved by the City Council the only mechanism for revoking a CUP, unlike the current practice of routine reconsideration of a CUP.

RETENTION OF SMALLER HOUSES:

To provide a diversity of housing stock available, a new provision in Chapter 17 17.22.4(b) will discourage applications for a variance for floor area ratio for residences of 1,800 square feet or less.  The purpose of the provision is to give direction to staff with the intent of maintaining smaller homes or cottages for first time home buyers and housing for seniors desiring smaller homes. Many smaller homes in Piedmont have been changed from two-bedrooms with one bath houses of one story to three-bedrooms, two bath, two story houses.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION (17.2.59B):

“Reasonable Accommodation” means providing disabled persons flexibility in the application of land use and zoning regulations and procedures, or even waiving certain requirements, when necessary to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities. It may include such things as yard area modifications for ramps, handrails or other such accessibility improvements; hardscape additions, such as widened driveways, parking area or walkways; building additions for accessibility; tree removal; or reduced off-street parking where the disability clearly limits the number of people operating vehicles. Reasonable accommodation does not include an accommodation which would (1) impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city or (2) require a fundamental alteration in the nature of the city’s land use and zoning program. (Govt. Code § 12927(c)(1),  1. and § 12955(l); 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B); 28 C.F.R. § 35.150 (a)(3).)

There are many other items under consideration not mentioned in this article – bicycle racks, cameras used for surveillance, temporary shelters, etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Commission will hear comments from the public on the proposed changes and make their own comments.  The Commission may continue consideration of the proposed revisions to a future meeting or they may finalize recommendations to the City Council, in which case future hearings by the City Council will be scheduled.

First and second readings of the proposed code amendments are required by the City Council. Should the Commission take action to recommend approval of the Code Changes at this October 14th meeting, the recommendation will likely be heard at the November 18, 2013 City Council meeting.

Draft minutes of the September 30 Planning Commission meeting describing previous considerations of the changes.

Staff report prepared for September 30 meeting.

Staff report on changes to Chapter 17 for the October 14 meeting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier in the meeting starting at 5:00 p.m., the Planning Commission will be given a presentation on the consultant Barry J. Miller’s proposed scope of work and scheduled work on the Housing Element of the Piedmont General Plan to be completed prior to the January 31, 2015 State deadline.  This agreement is for the 2015 -2022 Housing Element update, the next seven year period mandated by the State.  This agenda item is considered a public hearing open for public input.  

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and express their opinions and ideas.  The meeting will be broadcast on KCOM, cable 27 and streamed live on the City’s website. To view the meeting via the internet go to  www.ci.piedmont.ca.us. On the right hand side of the City’s website homepage under the “City Council” heading, click on the “Online Video” link, then scroll down under the “Sections on this Page” heading, click on the “Planning Commission” link, then on the “October 14, 2013”, click on the “Video” or “In Progress” link, and scroll down to Agenda #13 and start watching!

Email comments to kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us and they will be forwarded to the Planning Commissioners and the City Council.  Contact Kate Black, City Planner, with questions and comments at 510-420-3050 or kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us.

– BART continues to run Friday through Sunday October 13.-

You can receive timely BART strike information through BART notifications. With riders in limbo not knowing if a BART strike will occur Monday, BART has established a method for riders to be alerted to a strike.  Sign up for BART email alerts by clicking below: http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2013/news20130617.aspx

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The Governor’s 60-day cooling-off period came to an end at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, October 10.  At 11:45 pm Thursday, the unions emerged from negotiations to give a 72-hour strike notice. If no contract is agreed by Sunday evening, the unions will strike Monday morning. Both sides agreed to continue negotiating for an additional three days through 11:59 pm Sunday. All week BART unions spoke of a strike. Antonette Bryant, President of Amalgamated Transit Union 1555 (ATU) said, “The fact is our members are ready to go on strike, if we don’t get the deal that they are deserving.”

Last week, BART management offered pay increases of 10.25 %, new 4% employee pension contributions, and a four year contract.  The ATU and SEIU  unions were asking for a pay increase of 18.4% and a three year contract. Due to a blackout imposed by the mediators, current offers and counter offers have not been made public.

According to the Mercury News:
“Workers do not contribute toward their pensions and pay $92 a month toward health care regardless of how many dependents they have.

Workers have agreed to pay more toward their benefits, but say they deserve a raise because they have not received a meaningful pay increase in more than four years, even as BART’s rider and tax revenues have soared to record levels. But management says its needs to keep employee costs under control as it tries to buy rail cars and make billions of dollars of upgrades to expand service and keep the 40-year-old system running adequately.”

Updated 10/11/13

– The City Council considers mosquito abatement, City Administrator search, new Police management position, bonds to pay off the CalPERS side fund, February 4, 2014 City election, and ballot arguments regarding the bond measure. – 

The Monday, October 7 , City Council meeting will start at 7:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue.

Regular Agenda:

– Oral presentation on Alameda County Mosquito Abatement

– Hearing on the criteria (education, experience, etc) for a new City Administrator.  The staff report includes advertised compensation for the new City Administrator including pension, health and welfare, etc.

You are invited to attend this meeting to express your thoughts on the experience, education, and qualities desired in the new City Administrator. The Council also encourages those who cannot attend the meeting to submit comments via email or in writing.

You may send email to jtulloch@ci.piedmont.ca.us or via U.S. Mail to the Piedmont City Council, c/o City Clerk, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611.

– Police Support Services Manager employment resolution –  This is a new position in the Police Department to assist in administrative matters as recommended by the Police Chief.

– Second reading of an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of bonds – Report describes the ballot measure to pay off the CalPERS side fund, a pension obligation.

– Resolution calling for the February 4, 2014 City election, the shared costs to be charged to candidates for City Council and School Board and the City CalPERS side fund bond measure

Nomination papers for prospective candidates for this election will be available from the City Clerk beginning October 14, 2013 and must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 2013, unless an eligible incumbent fails to file, in which case the deadline is extended to November 12, 2013.

There are 3 seats up for election on the City Council and 2 seats on the Board of Education.

– Direct argument and rebuttal argument for the CalPERS refinance bond measure for the February 4 ballot

– The Consent Agenda at the beginning of the meeting includes escheatment of $2,588.16 in unclaimed funds and approval of November 28 street closures for the annual Turkey Trot fundraiser.

See the entire agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The public is welcome to attend the meeting in the Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue. This meeting will be televised live on KCOM-TV, Channel 27, the City’s government TV station and will be available through streaming video on the City’s web site www.ci.piedmont.ca.us.

– Hopes and ideas to shape up the landscape of long neglected Blair Park drew a number of speakers at the Piedmont Park  Commission meeting on October 2^nd. –

The Commission first heard presentations by Bob Birkeland, landscape architect of Restoration Design Group (RDG) and arborist Jim Clarke of HortScience, Inc., the two firms collaborating on a landscape design plan for Blair Park. Birkeland and Clarke outlined their initial assessments of the park’s potential, its constraints, and the condition of many of its trees.

Among their conclusions: 41 of the 54 Monterey pines bordering Moraga Ave. are in poor condition and should be removed.  Lack of irrigation in the park is the key limiting factor to existing trees and to establishing new, drought-tolerant species. (Birkeland explained that Cemetery Creek is diverted into a culvert buried 22 feet below the park’s landfill.) The coast live oaks and California bay tree should be pruned, ivy vines should be severed at the base of tree trunks, and blackberry and ivy will require repeated control.

Audience members then described their concepts for improving Blair Park and what the park means to them.   Scenic Avenue resident Morissa Sherman, who makes award-winning plum and blackberry jams from Blair Park, said she hopes the park’s fruit trees will be retained. She also described her love of watching the park’s wildlife, from red-tailed hawks to foxes.  Peggy Esposito, who has lived on Moraga Avenue for 35 years, said she chose to live there because it was near an undeveloped area and to her the park “is much more than a gateway to Piedmont.” She proposed creating a bio-swale for park irrigation. She also told the Commission the Monterey pines were planted in the early 1970’s by students working one summer for Piedmont and that the trees were not what the City had ordered but were planted anyhow.

Piedmont resident Sinan Sabuncuoglu said, “Blair Park gives us a chance for a new way of stewarding the environment – to preserve and restore the rich ecology.” He suggested “involving everyone in planning a Bay-friendly landscape” possibly with community gardens and a plan that evolves over time with amenities such as a par course, bike path, bocce ball and horseshoes.  Scenic Avenue resident and former Piedmont Mayor Al Peters noted that the park is “a major, welcoming entryway to the City” and he said the tall story poles that were erected two years ago for the sports fields proposed by Piedmont Recreation Facilities Organization, should be removed. He also commented on the live oaks on the park’s hillside that are being killed by overgrowing ivy vines and said “I want the City to properly maintain the oak forest.”

The Park Commissioners expressed their agreement with the speakers and support for maintaining the park.  Commissioner Nancy Kent said she sees the need to assess the trees on the hillside slope and would like to enhance the slope for wildlife.  Commissioner Patty Siskind said, “I think everyone wants to improve the park, and it will definitely be pursued.”  She and Commissioner Anian Tunney were  concerned about the cost and source of irrigation.  Birkeland said there are number of possibilities, such as having a water truck drive across the street from the Corporation Yard. Commissioner Mary Geong said she was glad to hear that Friends of Moraga Canyon is willing to raise funds to help pay for park improvements, as one speaker had indicated. Commission Chair John Lenahan concluded, “We need to maintain the park. We will have a different and hopefully better Blair Park.”

A proposed landscape improvement plan for Blair Park is scheduled to be presented by RDG and HortScience at the December 12, 2013 meeting of the Park Commission.