Difference Between Types of Exemptions- 

Dear Editor:

The supporters of Measure A are incorrectly characterizing one of the points made by the opponents of this proposal. The Proponent ballot rebuttal to the Measure A opponent argument states:  “The opponents simply have their facts wrong.  Low-income seniors are exempt from Measure A.”  The Argument Against Measure A makes this point:  “Piedmont does not have a senior exemption and this must be included. The proposed SSI (Supplemental Security Income) exemption for low-income seniors is meaningless in Piedmont.”

There is a substantial difference between a senior exemption and a low-income senior exemption.  In our region alone there are at least 35 school districts with age 65-only qualification for 100% senior exemption; the age 65 only qualification is common and most school districts use this straightforward qualification. Piedmont is 3^rd in the top 10 list of California school districts by Academic Performance Index (API) and only Piedmont does not offer an Age 65 senior exemption if a school tax is present. The details for these two points are contained at http://tiny.cc/36xyqw.

Local school districts define “very low income” using Federal classifications and on a very different basis from what the proponents feel is right for Piedmont:

• Berkeley USD:  household income below $37,400.
• Moraga SD:  household income below $32,350 to $49,850, depending on household size.
• Oakland USD:  household income below $31,250 to $58,950, depending on household size.
• Orinda Union SD:  household income below $46,150 to $60,950, depending on household size.

 Regarding Piedmont’s SSI qualification as a senior exemption, regardless of even the extremely low income levels of SSI, a person is not eligible if resources exceed $2,000 (exclusive of residence and car). The high cost of living in Piedmont virtually ensures any senior with a home will not qualify for SSI. The reality is that there is no meaningful senior exemption with Measure A.

To reiterate the closing statement of the Opponents to Measure A:  “Vote NO on Measure A. Instead, let us vote for a tax in November that is equitable, has genuine citizen oversight, and a meaningful senior exemption.”

Thank you,

Jim McCrea,  Piedmont Resident

Editors’ Note:  The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Piedmont Civic Association.

Fewer Fires But Firefighter Costs Keep Rising – 

National Public Radio (NPR) reported on the community issues surrounding pensions of the Contra Costa County Fire Department after voters turned down a ballot measure asking for additional tax funding.  See article.

The Piedmont League of Women Voters (LWV) will hold a forum in City Hall for representatives of the pro and con sides of the proposed $2,406 per year for 8 years Measure A School Tax.

Editors’ Note:  The Piedmont League of Women Voters  has endorsed the School Tax, Measure A.

The Piedmont Civic Association is a non-partisan organization and does not support or oppose ballot measures or candidates. 

Following is the LWV announcement.

LWV Piedmont Election Forum

Measure A – School Parcel Tax: Pros and Cons

The League of Women Voters of Piedmont will host an election forum in advance of the March 5, 2013 special election in Piedmont.  Measure A, the Piedmont Unified School District parcel tax measure, is the only item on the ballot. The forum will take place on Thursday, February 7, 2013, from 7:30-8:45pm at City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue in Piedmont.  Panelists Doug Ireland and Jonathan Davis, replacing Katie Korotzer, will present the argument for Measure A, with Tom Clark and Rick Schiller presenting the argument against.  Audience members are invited to submit questions for the panel.  Jan Zovickian will serve as moderator for the evening. The community is cordially invited to attend and learn more about the school parcel tax. Those unable to attend are invited to view a simulcast of the event on KCOM-TV, channel 27.

Piedmont resident Rick Schiller compares high-scoring California school districts API scores, school parcel tax and exemptions for property owners 65 or older.

Top Ten California School Districts by Academic Performance Index (API). All have Age 65 only to qualify 100% Senior Exemption except Piedmont.

35 Regional School Districts have age 65 Senior Exemption

Local Schools with age 65 Senior Exemption and “very low income” Verification

 Berkeley USD –below $37,400 per household to qualify

Moraga School District – below $32,250 to $49,850 depending on household size to qualify

Oakland USD – below $31,250 – $58,950 depending on household size to qualify

Orinda Union SD – below $46,150 to $60,950 depending on household size to qualify

 The Federal poverty definition for a single person is below $11,170

 Piedmont’s “low-income” Senior Exemption defined as SSI “qualified”

Disqualified above SSI $730 monthly / $8,760 annual unearned income limit Disqualified from SSI if resources exceed $2,000

Editors’ Note:  The chart is the research product of the author and not the work of the Piedmont Civic Association.

Letters to PCA Support Measure A on March Ballot – 

Dear Editor,

The Piedmont Recreation Commission will be considering Piedmont Community Pool budget, fees and schedules for the period May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 at a public hearing on Wednesday, January 30, at 7:30pm in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.

Two more home invasions in Piedmont -Sturdy front door and locks advised

On Monday, January 21, 2013 at 6:12 a.m., Piedmont Police received a report that unknown person(s) rang the doorbell of a home in the 100 block of Estates Drive at about 6 a.m. There was no description of the person(s).
At 6:20 a.m., Piedmont Police received a report that three tall black male adults, in their early to mid-20’s, wearing dark clothing and bandanas over their faces had kicked in the front door of another home in the 100 block of Estates Drive. One suspect with a short barreled rifle or shotgun confronted one resident in the home. Another suspect with a semi-auto handgun confronted the other resident. Both residents were told to “lay down” while the suspects ransacked the home. Suspects looked for and asked about money, which was not available. Suspects took change, a computer monitor and a small jewelry box.

Oakland Police officers  in the Estates Drive area were contacted.  They advised Piedmont officers that they were searching for subjects fitting the description of the robbery suspects because of a suspicious persons call in Oakland near the Piedmont border.

At 6:53 a.m., while officers were still investigating the home invasion robbery on Estates Drive, Piedmont Police received a report from a resident in the unit block of Arroyo Avenue — on the opposite side of Piedmont from Estates Drive– that three to five black male adults in their early to mid-20’s had kicked in the front door of the residence. Most suspects were described as thin, one as heavy set. One adult resident was confronted by a suspect who was armed with a hand gun. This resident screamed and was punched by the suspect, and forced to the floor. One additional suspect was armed with a short barreled rifle or shotgun. Another suspect locked the other resident in the basement when he tried to come upstairs to assist. The suspects ransacked the home, attempting to take computer and video equipment. They attempted to remove a safe.  The other victim escaped the basement and went to a neighbor to call the police. A black female adult suspect waiting in a silver or gray, newer-style full-size SUV, similar to a Suburban with left front damage, apparently called the suspects in the home by cell phone. The suspects fled the home. When the first victim tried to follow, a suspect fired a shot toward the residence. This shot passed through the glass of a front window of the residence before exiting through a rear window to the outside.

Previous home invasions occurred in Piedmont on the evening of January 7 in the 100 block of Indian Road  and the evening of December 12 in the 100 block of  Scenic Avenue.  These types of crimes are also on the rise in nearby communities. Piedmont Police are working cooperatively with robbery investigators throughout Alameda County.  Residents are encouraged to check the quality of their door and window locks, ensure they have ample motion sensor lighting on their homes, consider an alarm system, and to report suspicious activities to the police immediately. If all of this fails to discourage criminals and you are the victim of an armed crime, do not risk the safety of yourself or your family members. When the criminals have left the area, immediately phone 9-1-1 to request assistance.

If you have any information that may help investigators identify these suspects or if you would like to sponsor a neighborhood watch meeting to help keep residents informed and involved, please call Detective George Phifer at (510) 420-3013.

Staff presentation to Council prior to public input on potential East Wing uses-

With numerous community ideas on the future use of the East Wing of 801 Magnolia Avenue and statements by community leaders urging community hearings to solicit input on its possible uses, City Administrator Geoffrey Grote, will be proposing a single vision for this space to the City Council on Tuesday, January 22:   use as a childcare facility.

Recreation Director Mark Delventhal will present an “Introduction of the concept of the use of un-leased portion (east wing) of 801 Magnolia Avenue as a child care facility/recreation program site.”  The proposal was prepared at the direction of Grote: “Regarding the long-term use, I have asked Mark Delventhal to begin the process of assessing the suitability of this room for use as a pre-school child care site.”

The staff report states that the Tuesday Council meeting “…will involve no actions other than a decision by the City Council to move forward with consideration of how best to use this valuable City asset.”  This type of agenda item generally involves receiving “direction” from the Council.  Direction may include allowing staff to proceed with detailed estimates, develop a program plan, and/or begin using the space – or waiting to receive community input on uses.

As recently as January, 2012, during the City Council election campaign, current City Council members supported gathering public input on possible uses of the East Wing of 801 Magnolia.

Council Member Fujioka noted “I support public hearings whenever policy decisions are made regarding the use of public property, and that would include 801 Magnolia . . . .”

Council candidate Robert McBain promised “I support public hearings regarding the potential development of city assets . . . Regarding 801 Magnolia, the efforts by the Piedmont Center for the Arts have been successful and constructive.  Let’s review realistic alternatives for the east wing and the financial resources required to make use of that facility. In general, we need to provide thorough hearings and seek judicious understanding of the uses of our limited city facilities.”

Earlier, in May of 2011, various Capital Improvement Project Committee members expressed their desire for public input on the space following a tour of the space with Mark Delventhal when they heard his thoughts on an “18-place” childcare program.  A PCA article reported:

“A number of [CIP] Committee members wished to solicit public input . . . mentioning the variety of public uses which had been identified during General Plan discussions 3 to 4 years ago, including a teen study/recreation center and a co-op reading room. 

“The Committee Chair, and liaison with the Recreation Commission, Leesy Taggart, noted that a number of significant projects were being undertaken in Piedmont for kids and that there were adults and other groups in Piedmont, as well. 

“CIP Member Ryan Gilbert pointed out that, while the community is looking forward to the new Piedmont Center for the Arts, there had been little opportunity for public input on the use of the space prior to the Council’s decision.”

“On the tour, a member of the public raised the issue of fairness of using the sole available public space in Piedmont to benefit 18 children out of 10,500 residents.”

At a subsequent City Council hearing discussing CIP recommendations for the Magnolia property, the Council declined to expend $75,000 to develop a design for the East Wing limited to a particular use.  Chairman of the CIP Committee, Leesy Taggart noted at that time:

“the [CIP] committee’s recommendation for a proposed examination of possible uses of the education wing is intended to be a full-range evaluation of all options and not be tied to any particular type of future use or user group.”  (See August 1, 2011 minutes at p. 3.)

The Piedmont Arts Center, with a successful first year under its belt (see article), is one group that has expressed interest in renovating the East Wing for use by multiple Piedmont community groups as an intimate gathering space or “reading room,” as well as some expanded Arts Center activities.   Arts Center President Nancy Lehrkind confirms that her organization previously completed $29,000 of work on the East Wing for ADA-compliant bathrooms which serve the entire building, has $15,000 reserved to provide ADA access to those bathrooms, and she anticipates an additional $22,000 would complete East Wing interior renovations, part of which is on hand and part which could be raised.  The space “could be open within 60 days as a multi-use space for the enjoyment of the entire Piedmont community,” according to Lehrkind.  The many community visions for the East Wing space are discussed in the PCA article:  A Piedmont Place for You!).

The staff proposal submitted by Delventhal states that, “…child care will likely be the recommended use…. Staff intends to recommend  that improvements to Area C be done to accommodate child care … “.  The childcare would provide “22 placements,” which could represent, for instance, 7 children 3 times per week, or 11 children 2 times per week.  The report describes this use as for “the community,” but the childcare spots will go to a few lucky residents or a few lucky staff members (who utilize child-care programs on an equal basis with Piedmont families).   In the past, staff has complained about the substantial distance between City Hall and child care for young children at the Community Hall.  Children of staff are provided with free childcare through Schoolmates, but details on whether Schoolmates will run the proposed new pre-school program, expanding the free childcare benefit to younger children as well, are not included in the staff report.

The Piedmont Recreation Department currently offers a number of child-care programs and activities, including Tiddly-Winks, Piedmont Cooperative Play School, numerous summer activity camps, after-school enrichment classes, swim lesson and more, but Delventhal states there is still unmet need.

Specialized plumbing has recently been installed in the East Wing at the direction of City staff to accommodate “child-sized” toilets.

Use of the space as a senior/adult center has been mentioned in the past, potentially paid for with a portion of Piedmont’s allocation of East Bay Regional Park bond funds approved by voters of Measure WW. Under the measure, senior centers with programs and activities for adults and seniors are an allowed use of the funding for capital improvements.  Piedmont’s allocation amounts to over $500,000, which may be used to fund more than one project.  The Center still requires a lift or ramp to access the public restrooms and East Wing rooms, and the Arts Center has $15,000 reserved to pay for it.  

Unlike all other cities in Alameda County, Piedmont does not have a senior center, although the City is known for its high percentage of senior residents:  Piedmont households without school-aged children are approximately 50% of the community.    As noted at the May 2011 Capital Improvement Projects meeting, Piedmont recreational programs  have emphasized youth activities in recent years, rather than activities for Piedmont’s adult and senior population.  Senior Centers contribute to the California state goal of encouraging “Aging in Place”.

 LINK:  see prior PCA article:  A Piedmont Place for You! to review various community suggestions for the East Wing of 801 Magnolia.

801 Magnolia after renovations by Piedmont Arts Center

• 

  801 Magnoilia Prior to Renovations

The East Wing (currently contains City storage items)

City Records Stored in the East Wing

Old financial records stored in the East Wing

West Wing Performance Hall after Renovations

An enjoyable gathering

The East Wing (existing layout)

West Wing – mid renovations

A Piedmont Gathering Place

Rotted Windows Prior to Renovation

New community asset receives 10,200 visits –

Since opening its doors in September 2011, Piedmont adults and children have made more than 10,200 visits to various musical and theater performances, art exhibits, classes and activities at the Piedmont Art Center during its debut year.

Nancy Lehrkind, President of the Arts Center, enthusiastically notes, “Our design was for an arts organization, which would grow organically out of community need and usage.  Clearly there is demand for a full-on Arts Center in Piedmont.  We have recently formed the Piedmont Players acting troupe and will be producing two nights of plays in April.  The Center has also acquired a wonderful film projector and will be sponsoring a community film series, as well as hosting a screening from Colin Trevorrow (Piedmont grad) on his award-winning film.  More and more community members realize they have their own Arts Center and can use it for whatever artistic purposes they dream up!”

Lehrkind stated that Piedmont Art Center events and activities over the past year have included:

• Authors Series and Speakers series
  • authors such as Nate Verkus and Anna Quindlan attended by more than 290 adults
  • speakers such as U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich, Peter Doctor, Pixar Animator and Film Director, and Steve Ellis, Bain and Company worldwide director, attended by more than 240 people
    
• Weekly theatrical and musical performances
  • average attendance of 70 people for a total of 3,640 people
• Art Gallery Exhibits every 2 weeks and Artists’ Receptions twice a month
  • average 25 visitors (open 3 afternoons per week), for a total of 650 people
  • average 80 visitors to the twice a month Artists’ Reception, for a total of 2,000 people
• Ongoing Children’s Theater and Singing Classes
  • 5 classes per week from September through June  (including Saturday) for 20 children
  • 3 performances with 200 in attendance
• Summer Camps utilized by 100 children
  • 2 different summer camps (one of which had a waiting list)
  • 3 performances of Annie by the children’s theatre group with over 275 adults attending.
• Special Events and Activities
  • Artisanal Brewing Competition attracted 170 people
  • Ann Martin counseling services
  • Periodic Writing Class

The non-profit Piedmont Arts Center was granted a 10-year lease of the West Wing of 801 Magnolia for $1 per year, based on its agreement to renovate the deteriorated West Wing space.  Under its agreement, the Arts Center has provided interior paint, carpeting, installed 12 new double-paned windows, installed extensive drainage under and around the building ($10,000), performed seismic work and asbestos abatement, added air conditioning, and new electrical and plumbing for the West Wing, as well as installing a new furnace and ducting, and refurbishing wood floors. In addition, it has provided new landscaping, a new roof over the West Wing, and exterior paint for the entire building.  In the East Wing, the Arts Center installed an interior fire wall and ADA-compliant bathrooms, which serves the entire building.

To date, the total investment by the Arts Center in Magnolia property renovations and improvements total $136,000, funded through a combination of private donations and capital contributions provided by the Arts Center founders.  An additional $30,000 was spent to bring the East Wing bathrooms up to code, and the Arts Center anticipates spending a further $15,000 shortly to install an ADA compliant ramp or lift in the East Wing.  The City of Piedmont has paid for the replacement of sewer lines under the building.

All who pass the building at Magnolia and Bonita Avenue have noticed the dramatic changes in the city-owned property.  In addition to the freshly painted exterior, the lawn has been replaced with  lovely, well-maintained  landscaping.  The Arts Center paid Cleary Brothers to demolish and remove all old trees, remove shrubs, remove sod, prepare the soil, and install new sod, while the City provided 10 Cape Magnolia trees, 2 Dogwood trees, and 5 espalier plants for the patios.  In-ground lighting was provided by the Arts Center, and rear benches and other improvements added through more than 7 Eagle Scout and Boy Scout projects.  The City has generously continued to provide additional plant materials, garden improvements and landscape maintenance, making the property an attractive addition to the Piedmont Civic Center.  The City also provides trash service and building maintenance to 801 Magnolia.  (Trash service is generally provided to all city buildings without separate charge under standard city garbage franchise agreements.)

801 Magnolia after Renovations

Front entrance to 801 Magnolia before renovations

Rotted windows prior to renovation

The life and teachings of Dr. King will be commemorated in a program at the Piedmont Community Hall in Piedmont Main Park on Monday, January 21 from 11:30am to 2:30pm.

The public is invited, and the organizers encourage the public to “Feel free to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share that reflects your family heritage.”