Feb 17 2016

Photos of Newly Renovated City Hall Entry

Entrance to City Hall and Council Chambers renovated – 

On May 18, 2015, the City Council unanimously approved $62,000 for millwork and carpentry by Mueller/Nicholls as phase I of the City Hall Entry Renovation Project. The complete design plan, estimated to cost $100,000 was approved by the Council on April 20, 2015. The funds would largely be drawn from the City’s Facilities Maintenance Fund in order to improve the “aesthetics, circulation, and functionality of the entrance hallway”.

IMG_2897 City Hall door 116

Entrance to Piedmont City Hall at 120 Vista Avenue

216 City Hall Front Door IMG_3083

New sign and Piedmont seal over the entrance to City Hall.

216 Video screen in entry wayIMG_3080

City Hall entry with new video monitor and cabinetry

216 City Hall videos in Entry IMG_3075

Video monitor showing historic Piedmont home

216 Entry to Council Chambers IMG_3076

Entry to Council Chambers and plaque listing all Piedmont mayors and council members

IMG_2901 Mayors and Council Members 116 Plaque

Plaque listing all mayors and council members

IMG_2900 Council Members 116 Photo

Photograph in entry to Council Chambers picturing the current City Council:

Council Member Teddy King, Vice Mayor Jeff Wieler, Mayor Margaret Fujioka, Council Member Bob McBain and Council Member Tim Rood. 

Feb 17 2016

New Beach Playfield Use Restrictions Considered

Recreation Commission to Discuss Temporary Changes to Beach Playfield Use Restrictions

The Piedmont Recreation Commission will consider a recommendation to the City Council to make temporary changes to use restrictions for Beach Playfield on

Wednesday, February 24, at 7:30 pm

in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont. These temporary changes would accommodate sports and other programs displaced by construction at Hampton Field.

Hampton Field is likely to be closed for construction from June 2016 to February 2017.

Closure of Hampton Field will have significant impact on Recreation and youth sport club programming due to the limited available field space in Piedmont. Hampton Field is one of three City owned sports fields in Piedmont.

The current use restrictions for Beach Playfield are as follows:

 No scheduled use on Sundays.

 Saturday use for soccer is allowed between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

 Baseball and softball games are allowed to take place between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

 Field lighting can be operated until 9:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for no more than sixteen (16) weeks per year for soccer only.

You are invited to attend the Recreation Commission meeting and express your opinion. 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.

You may write your opinion and address the response to the Recreation Commission c/o Piedmont Recreation Department, 358 Hillside Avenue, Piedmont CA 94611 or send an e-mail to slillevand@ci.piedmont.ca.us .

For further information, contact Recreation Director, Sara Lillevand, at (510) 420-3073.

Feb 17 2016

OPINION: Emphasize S.T.E.A.M. in School Facilities Plan

The following letter was sent to the Piedmont Unified School District Board on Feb 8, 2016.

PUSD Master Facilities Plan.

To the School Board,

We are writing in strong support of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) focused modernization at Piedmont High and Piedmont Middle School to be prioritized in the PUSD Master Plan and funded by a November 2016 bond measure.

Piedmont Makers is a 501(c)(3) non­profit parent support group focused on S.T.E.A.M. education advocacy in town. Our group is relatively new (we formed in January 2014) but we have been quite active in creating monthly K­12 Makerspace events at the Piedmont Middle School shop, monthly Tech Social community gatherings, and organizing the yearly K­12 Piedmont School Maker Faire, among other activities.
 `
Our board is made up of Piedmont parents with students in the elementary, middle, and high schools who have come here to build our careers as engineers, designers, entrepreneurs, investors, artists, and architects on the doorstep of Silicon Valley because we believe it is the best place in the world to create. We in turn moved to Piedmont because we felt it was the best community in the Bay Area to raise our families and educate our children in the public schools.
 `
The need for better S.T.E.A.M. education to prepare students for 21st century careers is clear. Local companies that are driving the global economy like Apple, Pixar, Google, and Tesla are built upon the intersection of S.T.E.A.M. disciplines to create incredible products, movies, apps, cars, and more. It is exciting to see Piedmont educators already teaching across S.T.E.A.M. disciplines today with project­driven courses like Mr. Saville’s Maker elective at Piedmont Middle School and Mrs. Chamberlain’s Physics of Alternative Energy at Piedmont High School. But we need to do more. We need to give our teachers and students best ­in­ class facilities to put our children in the best position to succeed in an economy that is is increasingly S.T.E.A.M.­ driven.
 `
With two years of experience running S.T.E.A.M. programs in Piedmont, we can confidently say the demand for more S.T.E.A.M. educational activities is strong. Recent Friday night Tech Social events like Learning Minecraft Mods and Learning Animation (led by a Pixar Piedmont parent) attracted on average 100 students & parents. Recent Sunday Makerspace events like 3D Printing! and Learn to Solder have sold out all available seats in the Piedmont Middle School shop. Our 2015 School Maker Faire attracted over 80 student, teacher, and community Makers to exhibit their projects to nearly 1,000 attendees.
 `
We ask the district and the school committee to be bold. Much as Piedmont led California in the adoption of K­12 Computer Science standards two year ago, we ask the school board to again lead to bring our secondary school facilities into the 21st century. We cannot continue the outdated education models that keeps art separate from science, and makerspaces separate from computer labs. The emerging Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) clearly call for creating more flexible spaces to encourage interaction between disciplines and can withstand more messy, creative activities. We need new facilities that support building the skills in our students that we see every day in our jobs ­­ artists collaborating with scientists, entrepreneurs pitching ideas, engineers working with designers, and more.
 `
Imagine if the gateway to the Piedmont High School campus were a new S.T.E.A.M. building that combined disciplines, facilitated project-­based learning, and inspired our students to create.  What a gift to Piedmont that would be.
 `
Thank you for your consideration,
 `
Piedmont Makers Board of Directors:
David Ragones, President, Beach Parent. Bryan Cantrill, Secretary, Beach Parent. Ayyana Chakravartula, Treasurer, VP Tech Social, Wildwood Parent. Patrick Collins, VP School Maker Faire, Beach Parent. Jane Lin, VP Makerspace, Beach Parent. Sally Aldridge, VP Makerspace, PMS Rep Wildwood, PMS Parent. Wendi Sue, VP Makerspace, Wildwood Parent. Dion Lim, VP Tech Social, PMS Parent. Noelle Filippenko, VP Tech Social, Havens Parent alumni. Kurt Fleischer, VP Mentorship, Beach, PHS Parent. Jason Meil, VP Art & Design, Havens, PMS Parent. Larraine Seiden, VP Art & Design, Havens Parent. Vince Monical, PHS Rep, PHS Parent.
Editors’ Note:  Opinions expressed are those of the authors.
Feb 13 2016

Increased Appropriations, 2015 Crime Report, Settlement with Engineers Harris and Associates: Council Tuesday, Feb. 16

Honoring President’s Day and delaying their meeting one day, the City Council will convene on Tuesday, February 16 at 7 p.m. in a Closed Session with legal counsel in the City Hall Conference Room to discuss litigation concerning Harris & Associates, the engineering firm instrumental in the failed and costly private underground utility district.

At 7:30 p.m. the City Council will begin its Open Session in the Council Chambers, with the Consent Calendar:  approve Council liaison assignments, approve catastrophic leave donations for Firefighter David Abernethy, and authorize a settlement with Harris and Associates in the amount $417,000.

Next the Council will take up its regular agenda, including the 2014-15 Audit Report, 2015 Piedmont Crime Report, Police Computer Upgrade in the amount $426,205, Emergency Operations Plan Update, Midyear Fiscal 2015-16 Report, and Midyear Appropriations increasing budgeted expenditures by $964, 250.

The meeting is open to the public, broadcast live.  A copy of the meeting will be retained in the city’s archives.

Read the agenda.

Staff reports:

Council liaison assignments for 2016

Catastrophic leave donation

Settlement agreement with engineers Harris & Associates

Audit Report

Year End Crime Report

Dispatch Software Purchase

Emergency Operations Plan

Mid-year Financial Report

Mid-year Additional Appropriations 

Feb 7 2016

School Facilities Master Plan to be Finalized Wed. Feb. 10

School capital improvement program to be considered by Board of Education.

At the Piedmont Unified School District Board meeting Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, the Board will consider finalizing a School Facilities Master Plan. Funding sources and the total cost are not known at this time.

The Facilities Master Plan process combines the goals of PUSD’s Education Specifications and the information collected by the design team (including facility assessments) into a comprehensive plan for the schools of the Piedmont Unified School District. District staff and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects will present the PUSD Facilities Master Plan for review by the Board of Education.

The meeting will be broadcast live on Cable Channel 27 and on the City website.  The meeting is open for public participation.

MODERNIZATION

The Facilities Master Plan process combines the goals of PUSD’s Education Specifications and the information collected by the design team (including facility assessments) into a comprehensive plan for the schools of the Piedmont Unified School District. The main product of the facility needs assessment and Facilities Master Plan is a detailed proposal for renovations and/or additions to be made at each school campus.

The facilities master planning process takes into account all of the information on the District’s facilities, the needs and desires of faculty, staff and the community and projections about future District needs and creates a comprehensive plan for each campus that addresses these issues. The plan looks at issues holistically and creatively to find unique and inventive solutions that fit the specific needs of each campus and community.

The final Facilities Master Plan document provides a clear narrative and graphic summary of the proposed facilities improvements for each campus and also provides the detailed information necessary to successfully plan and implement the improvements.

View the proposed plan here.

Feb 7 2016

Dog Rules Proposed for Dracena Park

At the February 3, 2016  Park Commission meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Subcommittee Report recommendations along with the new off leash map, while asking that additional off leash space be incorporated in the area under the trees near Dracena Avenue.   Some Commissioners expressed interest in revising the plan to improve the wooded seating area and the ivy area adjacent to the benches to become off leash.  Staff was asked to devise a plan to accommodate this issue.

The lawn loop would be 50/50 on leash and off leash.

At the start of the meeting, Commissioner Jonathan Levine gave a summary of the Subcommittee report and Chairwoman Patty Siskind told speakers that their questions would be compiled during the public portion of the meeting and answered after the public portion was closed.  There were no direct exchanges with Commissioners.

Based on Commissioner Levine’s comments, the basis for the new plan is an error in the City Code that describes the current off leash areas of the park.  According to the Commissioner, the code says that the off leash area is the “pathway” from Arutna to Dracena,  that means there is one linear off leash trail, the ravine or lower trial, that runs from Dracena to Artuna.  Therefore, he concluded that the current off leash trails designated by city signage are not in compliance with city code and are invalid.   Commissioner Levine also said that the Piedmont Animal Control officer indicated the dog run signs were wrong. He did not address a question about how a Council-approved 2000 modification to the City Code that adopted the current trail designations related to the subcommittee’s finding on the City Code.

A major determinant of support for the recommendation by Commissioners seems to be the need to establish a buffer zone for the Dracena Avenue neighbors, a concept neighbors stated was the basis for the 1993 consensus that established the current trail designations. Minutes from the 1993 Park Commission hearings contain no reference to this concept.

Neighbors have been concerned that the grassy area will be overrun by off leash dogs leaving only dirt and dog messes.  Others expressed a desire for the area to continue to be available for free play by children.

Most speakers asked that the current lawn loop remain off leash, some citing that this flat area is the only off leash trail in Piedmont on which they can walk their dogs. 
Others were concerned that the reduction of the off leash area around the seating area will impact the socialization that occurs there.  Several asked that hours remain as they are or possibly be extended citing their work schedules.
Many speakers criticized the staff analysis claim that 31% of Piedmont parks are off leash dog areas. For instance, Blair Park was included, ramping up the percentage, although the park is little used and is unfenced along Moraga Avenue.  Commissioner Levine acknowledged that this analysis was not a factor in his decision.

 

The Park Commission proposed changes to the Dracena Park dog area:

  • Addition of an OFF-leash 10-20 foot swath of lawn from the oak tree to the pathway leading to the seating area.
  • A stone wall to define the transition from OFF to ON leash lawn (CHANGE).
  • OFF-leash allowed on the pathways leading to the lawn from Artuna (NO CHANGE).
  •  ON-leash required for dogs entering from Blair Avenue and passing through to the seating area and visa versa.
  • The lawn loop will be 50/50 OFF and ON leash, the section nearest Dracena Avenue will be ON leash, the lower portion OFF leash.
  • Gates at two points along the loop to define the transitions.
  • Owners not allowed to walk their dog OFF leash entirely around the loop.  (reduced OFF-leash area around the seating area in the woods.)
  • All understory from the pathway to Dracena Avenue ON leash – no dogs in the ivy.
  • Benches turned around to face the woods.
  • Reduced hours of use – 7:00am – 8:00pm on weekdays, 8:00am – 8:00pm weekends
  • Possible addition of dog fountain.
 Recommendations are predicated on the conclusion that:
  • Current OFF leash area and signage as defined in City Code is incorrect
  • Piedmont Parks are 31% OFF-lease to dogs already. That number is arrived at by adding up all the off-leash areas in Linda, Piedmont, Dracena and Blair parks, irregardless of slope. In particular, Blair Park is considered 100% acceptable as an OFF-leash dog run.

Staff did know when the City Council would take up the Park Commission’s recommendations.

Send questions and comments to Nancy Kent, City Park and Projects Manager, nkent@ci.piedmont.ca.us  or to the City Council via City Clerk John Tulloch at jtulloch@ci.piedmont.ca.us.

 Read the staff report and committee recommendations here.

Feb 7 2016

Piedmont Art Center Theater: Other Desert Cities

Piedmont Players Presents:


  February 26th through March 6th

Performances – Friday, Saturday & Sunday

(Fri 2/26 & Sat 2/27 @ 8pm, Sun 2/28 @ 7 PM, Fri Mar 4 & Sat Mar 5 @ 8pm and Sun Mar 6 @ 2pm & 7pm)

 Piedmont Center for the Arts

801 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611

“Other Desert Cities” tells the story of the fictional Wyeth family — a clan led at the top by a mother and father highly regarded in old Hollywood circles and admired by Republicans for their service to and friendship with Ronald and Nancy Reagan in their heyday. The play explores the dark family secrets that threaten to destroy external and internal perceptions about the life the members lead.

Family drama is well-traversed territory, but Baitz has laced the story with humor and wit, political commentary (setting it in 2004 after the Iraq War is underway), sharp dialogue and an affecting premise: The grown daughter, Brooke, a writer who has suffered a nervous breakdown, has just written a memoir about her life, her parents and their role in the tragic loss of her brother. But she has not told her parents, Polly and Lyman, of her plans to publish the memoir until the publication date nears while on a Christmas visit back home.

Director: Michael French

Directors Carter Dunlap & Nancy Lehrkind

CAST:

Polly: Mary Gibboney

Lyman:  Lawrence Hecht *

Silda: Laura Long *

Brooke: Sarah Nowicki

Trip:  Joshua Selesnick

* member of Actors Equity Association –  AEA 

For tickets go online: www.ticketpeak.com/piedmontplayers

More information, Please visit

Piedmont Players website: www.piedmontplayers.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1733651320201700/

Piedmont Center for the Arts is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation.

Feb 7 2016

California Higher Public Education Study: LWV Feb. 24

Open to the public!

League of Women Voters of Piedmont

Study on California Public Higher Education

Wednesday, February 24, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

131 La Salle Avenue, Piedmont

The League of Women Voters of Piedmont invites the community to participate in a lively discussion and study of public higher education in California. The program will focus on crucial questions the state faces concerning equitable access and excellence for UC, Cal State and community colleges.

California’s disinvestment in public higher education has shifted costs to students and families, limiting access at a time when demographic and economic changes call for more four year graduates. The Master Plan currently limits UC admission to the top 12.5% of high school graduates and Cal State to the top 33%.

With background material provided by the League of Women Voters of California, the meeting will formulate the local chapter’s position on consensus questions.

Combined with responses from all state chapters, this will generate significant clout for the League of Women Voters of California on state policies and ballot measures affecting higher public education.

To RSVP and review background material for the event, please contact Dale Marshall at dalermarshall@comcast.net.

Other members of the study committee are: Mary Ann Benson, Claudia Harrison, Tam Hege, Susan Penrod and Andrea Swenson.

Feb 6 2016

City Capital Improvement Program: Monday, Feb. 8

Meeting on City capital expenditures

CIP Review Committee Agenda for Monday, February 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Conference Room, 120 Vista Avenue

How the City spends its available capital dollars is considered by the CIP Review Committee composed of:

Ryan Gilbert – Term Expires 6/16

Susan Herrick – Term Expires 6/18

Bobbe Stehr – Term Expires 6/17

Jamie Totsubo – Term Expires 6/17

President of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF) Deborah Van Nest

Park Commission Chair Patty Siskind

Recreation Commission Chair Stephen Mills

Agenda:

  • 1. Introduction of Committee Members and Election of Chair
  • 2. Presentation by Councilmember Bob McBain on the Current and Future Direction of the CIP Review Committee
  • 3. Review of Proposed Work Schedule for the CIP Review Committee for Fiscal Year 2016-2017
  • 4. Review of Solicitation Methods for Public Input on Potential CIP Projects
  • 5. Presentation on Current CIP Projects and CIP Wish List

The meeting is open to the public for participation.  No broadcast or recording of the meeting will be available.  Meeting materials can be obtained at the meeting or potentially prior to the meeting by contacting the City.

Feb 6 2016

Planning Commission: Undergrounding of Utilities near 408 Linda Avenue Removed from Agenda and Project Reviews for Annual City Design Awards

The developers of the 408 Linda Avenue condominium project have asked that their request to eliminate utility undergrounding of overhead utilities serving the properties across Linda Avenue not be considered at the Monday, February 8, 2016, the Planning Commission meeting.  The condominiums are under construction on the site of the former PG&E building site next to the Oakland Avenue bridge.  In the past, the issue has proven to be controversial.

The agenda had listed the item as:

MINOR AMENDMENT TO A VESTING TENTATIVE MAP

408 Linda Avenue

“An application for Minor Amendments to an Approved Tentative Map has been submitted by Piedmont Station LLC, project developers of the Piedmont Station Townhouse development proposed at 408 Linda Avenue (the site of a former PG&E Substation). The Application seeks to modify the utility plan of the approved Vesting Tentative Map so that overhead utilities serving the properties across Linda Avenue remain in place on the project’s Linda Avenue street frontage, and to modify Condition SUB-5 placed on the approval of Vesting Tentative Map (Application #11-0062).”

The Planning Commission meeting is an open public meeting and broadcast live on Cable Channel 27 and live streamed on the City website.

The Planning Commission annually presents design awards to selected projects constructed during the prior year.

The Regular Session  of the Commission will start at 5 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and will be suspended for a “Special Session,” open to the public, in the City Hall Conference Room at approximately 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. during the time when the Commission takes their dinner break. During their break, the Commission will review projects completed in 2015 for the City’s annual Design Awards program, and will select winners for the March 14th Design Awards Presentation and Reception.

The “Special Session” will not be recorded or broadcast.  The Regular Session will resume immediately after the Special Session dinner break.

 

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