Have you responded to the Recreation Department survey?

The Piedmont Recreation Department (PRD) is seeking broad-based community input on current and future programming. The PRD is seeking feedback from ALL community members, regardless of whether you currently participate in PRD activities.

The following is an announcement from Friends of Moraga Canyon:

Friends of Moraga Canyon will hold two more Community Work Days to pull weeds and strip ivy off of oak trees in Blair Park on Saturday, April 4, and Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to Noon, in Piedmont’s Blair Park. Everyone over age 12 is welcome. Wear work gloves, and bring clippers and rakes if you have them.

Refreshments provided. Great exercise and good fun!

Ivy growing on an oak tree in Blair Park

AC Transit General Manager David Armijo resigned abruptly after serving the transit agency for three years.  A majority of the Board members evidently had come to the conclusion he should be terminated.  His resignation preempted a possible termination. 

AC Transit over the years had rarely had a general manager with full transit expertise.  Numerous riders and taxpayers had been pleased with Armijo’s significant results in balancing budgets, improving and increasing bus service, all while setting aside reserves.

Armijo described his job at AC Transit as “one of the most satisfying of any of the positions I have held during my 30-year career in transit.”

Being a personnel matter, disclosure of the Board’s displeasure with Armijo was not made public; however, Piedmont’s representative on the Board, Greg Harper publicly stated he did not agree with the majority.

For more information on the General Manager’s resignation, click on the following links:

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/SevenDays/archives/2015/03/26/ac-transit-gm-quits

Opinion: Calls for an appointed Board of Directors >  http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/ci_27589446/guest-commentary-ac-transit-desperate-needs-an-appointed

https://www.enotrans.org/eno-brief/in-the-spotlight-david-armijo

http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_27816922/ac-transit-search-new-gm-set

http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Wild-management-ride-at-troubled-AC-transit-6164583.php

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/David-Armijo-chosen-general-manager-of-AC-Transit-3229435.php

New water use limits on lawns, hotels and restaurants became law March 27, 2015. – 

The California State Water Resources Control Board announced continuation of 2014 water use restrictions and added new regulations on March 17, which following 10 days review by the State Office of Administrative Law became effective March 27. One new restriction will prove problematic for Piedmonters who set their watering system to water two days per week, as watering is prohibited when there is a very brief shower of a small fraction of an inch of precipitation.  Watering can resume after 48 hours have elapsed from the time of the precipitation.

New restrictions affecting urban and suburban homeowners:

– Prohibit outdoor landscape watering within 48 hours of measurable precipitation.

– Require cities, counties, water districts and private companies to limit lawn watering to two days a week if they aren’t already limiting lawn and landscape watering to a certain number of days a week. The rule applies to the 411 water providers with more than 3,000 customers in California, which covers more than 95 percent of the state’s population.

Read the complete announcement.

The Water Resources Control Board focused on landscaping and outdoor cleaning in urban and suburban communities, estimating that outdoor irrigation makes up 44 percent of water use in metropolitan areas. However, if water providers are currently limiting the number of watering days in the week, up to even three, four, five or six days, those rules may remain in effect, without further restrictions. In other words, those water providers that have imposed the most generous water use limitations are rewarded with the greatest flexibility. The rule applies to all of the 411 water providers with more than 3,000 customers in California. (Water providers with fewer than 3,000 customers are not subject to the water conservation requirements.)

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) already limits lawn watering to two days a week by its customers in Alameda County, including Piedmont, and Contra Costa County with the strictest watering limits in the Bay Area. In contrast, the San Jose Water Company, which provides water to one million residents, limits outdoor watering to three 0r four days per week, (on odd or even dates, by street address). San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and people served by San Jose’s city water department do not have day-of-the-week restrictions.

Reaffirmed – 2014 State Water Resources Control Board restrictions on urban and suburban communities prohibition of:

• Run-off from landscape watering onto adjacent property, sidewalks or streets.
• Washing sidewalks and driveways with drinking water. (Recycled water is permitted.)
• Using a hose to wash a vehicle unless the hose has a shut-off nozzle.
• Using drinking water in an ornamental fountain unless the water is recirculated.

Power-washing of sidewalks, streets and buildings is still exempted.

Drought emergency reminds residents they are not the most intensive water users. –

While agriculture uses 75% of the state’s water, the California State Water Resources Control Board has focused water use restrictions on urban and suburban areas.  In a recent editorial the San Diego Union-Tribune criticized the State Water Resources Control Board’s meager and ineffective regulation of groundwater pumping and high water consuming agricultural crops.

“… groundwater is being pumped so rapidly for agriculture in the Central Valley that the land in some areas is literally sinking at the rate of a foot or more per year. Should we really be growing water-intensive crops like almonds and rice in drought-prone California? The Legislature last year finally enacted a package of bills intended to end the state’s pump-as-you-please groundwater policy. But it merely requires local water agencies to develop groundwater management plans.”

Many parents and teachers are already familiar with the next Piedmont Unified School District Superintendent –

At their March 25, 2015 meeting, the Piedmont Board of Education announced their selection of Randall “Randy” Booker to be Piedmont’s new Superintendent of Schools.  Randy Booker currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, and was previously the Principal at Piedmont High School.

Booker will assume the position of  Superintendent on July 1, 2015. His salary will be $212,000 per year plus the same benefits provided to other District employees.

Board President Andrea Swenson detailed the exhaustive selection process and numerous interviews leading to the Board’s “clear choice” of Booker.  In the Council Chambers filled with teachers, parents, Council members and others, the Booker announcement was received with loud and prolonged applause.

Booker spoke briefly, noting his appreciation for being selected and welcoming the opportunity ahead of him.  He told of wanting to keep moving forward with District progress and his desire to increase communication with the community, teachers, and students.

Randall Booker

Below is the District Press Release:

PIEDMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

From the Board of Education

760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA  94611

Piedmont’s Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of the next Superintendent of schools, Randall Booker. Randy Booker currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, and previously served as Principal at Piedmont High School. Mr. Booker will begin serving as Superintendent starting on July 1, 2015.

The process of selecting the next Superintendent was truly a community effort. The Board of Education is grateful to all of the over 400 students, parents, educators, administrators, and community members who contributed their ideas and opinions to the search process. Their input was an invaluable guide for the Board in the process to reaching a unanimous agreement on this appointment.

This input indicated that the next Superintendent must have a clear vision of how to build on Piedmont’s legacy of educational excellence, and the proven skills and experience to implement effective change. The input also provided a blueprint for the role of the Superintendent: to listen to and effectively represent the interests of all constituents; to foster a positive professional climate of mutual trust and respect among staff and administrators; to recruit and retain highly qualified personnel; and to effectively plan and manage the long-term financial health of the District.

The Board conducted a nation-wide search and received 45 applications for the Superintendent position that included several exceptional applicants. The Board interviewed seven candidates, and conducted additional interviews with three finalists. The Board sought the most qualified candidate who is the best match for this District. After a thorough search and selection process, and in consideration of substantial input received from the community, the Board unanimously concluded that the clear choice for Piedmont is Randall Booker. The Board found that Mr. Booker has a unique combination of experience, skills, and values that will serve and enhance opportunities for all of our students. Also, the Board was impressed with Randy’s dedication to listen to all viewpoints, solve problems, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders. It is not surprising that Mr. Booker is already well-known and well-respected among many in the Piedmont community.

Mr. Booker’s vision as Superintendent for the Piedmont schools includes:

• A renewed, broad, and inclusive community engagement concerning District goals and priorities, including dialogue with students, parents, educators, and staff.
• An exemplary 21^st century education that is rigorously inquiry-driven, learner-centered, and sensitive to the social/emotional needs of our students.
• A relevant and coordinated professional learning plan, across all educational programs, designed to foster a growth mindset that builds capacity in each of our educators.
• A comprehensive facilities review that addresses the need for updated, flexible learning spaces and needed improvements to the appearance of District facilities and grounds.
• A Local Control Accountability Plan that strategically directs educational program and promotes a balanced budget through the continued partnerships of our community and educators.

The Board is grateful to all who contributed their ideas and opinions to the search process, and helped guide the Board in making this appointment. Randall Booker will succeed Superintendent Constance Hubbard, who has served as Piedmont’s Superintendent for more than 12 years. Some of Connie’s most notable accomplishments include: attracting, retaining and developing outstanding educators and staff; shepherding the District through an unprecedented State-wide educational funding crisis; modernizing technology infrastructure; and completing, on time and on budget, seismic safety improvements to all school facilities.

Learn more about Booker.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 at City Hall for volunteer positions on Piedmont commissions and committees.

Read prior PCA article for details. <

 Here is an opportunity for Piedmont residents to identify new capital projects in the community.

There is $407,000 in the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Fund available for projects.

Residents may notice areas that need capital funding such as hazardous intersections and medians, needed plantings, protective pedestrian fencing, additional recreation facilities, accomodations for elderly persons, ways to save water, pool improvements, Community Hall Plaza, or any desired public project. 

“The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Committee is soliciting proposals for new city projects which would enhance our community. Ideas submitted by individuals, community organizations and City Staff are all considered. If you have a great idea, the committee would like to hear from you.”

The Capital Improvement Projects Committee (CIP) will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Click to read the agenda.  This meeting is open to the public. The meeting will not be broadcast and written minutes are not kept.  The March 26th agenda calls for City Staff CIP Presentations [Various Departments], Review of Proposed Work Schedule and CIP Tour, and a Review of New Citizen Proposal Form.

The Capital Improvement Project Committee (CIP) will be receiving public proposals for desired capital projects. Projects can be simple or complex.  Those proposing projects need not have complete information, such as funding.  The more a project proposal details a need, the more likely the project will be added to a consideration list by the CIP Committee for referral to the City Council.

The Citizen Proposal Form does not list a deadline for submitting a citizen proposals, yet all proposals should be submitted promptly to the Department of Public Works for consideration by the CIP Committee. The tour and identification of projects are expected sometime in April.

Completed forms should be returned to the Department of Public Works, 120 Vista Avenue. If you have questions regarding the CIP process and proposals, please contact Mark Feldkamp, Parks & Project Manager, at (510) 420-3064.

Click > for the proposal form.

“It is not necessary to complete all of the information on this form; general project descriptions, project justification and estimates of costs are the basic items required [as feasible]. Additionally, it is helpful to suggest a potential funding source. City staff will contact you to discuss the recommended project in more detail. The City of Piedmont appreciates your participation in this process.”

The members of the CIP Committee are:

MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL (4):  John Cooper (Chair), Ryan Gilbert, Bobbe Stehr (Former Planning Commissioner) and Jamie Totsubo (Park Commissioner)

PIEDMONT GARDEN CLUB’S PIEDMONT BEAUTIFICATION FOUNDATION APPOINTEE (1): Deborah Van Nest  (President of the Beautification Foundation)

PARK COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE (1): Sue Herrick (Chair of the Park Commission)

RECREATION COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE (1): Nick Levinson (Chair of the Recreation Commission)

COUNCIL LIAISON, as observer: Vice Mayor Jeff Wieler, alternate Councilmember Teddy King

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

STAFF LIAISONS: Chester Nakahara (W) 420-3061 & Mark Feldkamp (W) 420-3064.

Piedmont’s Public Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue.

The agenda includes:

Preparation of the annual report to the City Council

Fire Department Open House

Report on the number of neighborhood meetings

Report on the Disaster Preparedness Group

City Emergency Plan

School Liaison Activities

Read the complete agenda. The public is welcome to attend and address issues of interest.  This meeting will not be broadcast.

Minutes of January 8, 2015 meeting.

Piedmont’s Board of Education will present our next Superintendent of schools at its next regular meeting on March 25, at 6:00 pm in the City Chambers. I do not know who the appointee is, but I want to welcome him/her. I am sure that our entire community will rally to support him/her for the benefits of all our students.

Bernard Pech

Editors’ Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.