The public is invited to the City of Piedmont annual Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday, April 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Community Hall and Teahouse in Piedmont Main Park on Highland Avenue.

Call for Nominations for the annual Piedmont Civic Volunteer of the Year –

Do you know a Piedmonter who has made significant cultural, political, health, safety, environmental, recreational, and/or social contributions that have enriched the community?

Nomination form <

Submit your nomination by Friday, May 6 to the Office of the City Clerk, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont or via email to cityclerk@ci.piedmont.ca.us .  Questions: Call 510/420-3040.

“This award provides an excellent opportunity for the City to formally recognize and express appreciation to an individual for his or her contribution to making Piedmont a better place,” said Mayor Margaret Fujioka. “It is my hope that this award will inspire others to volunteer for the greater good of our community now and in the future.”

The 2016 Piedmont Civic Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented at the City of Piedmont Volunteer Recognition Ceremony where those who serve on City Commissions and Committees and the winners of the annual Betty C. Howard Award for services to the Piedmont Recreation Department will be recognized. The Recognition Ceremony will be held at the Piedmont Community Hall in late May.

The Piedmont Civic Volunteer of the Year Awardee will be chosen by the Mayor and a selection committee. Volunteer efforts during the 12-month period commencing January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, will be considered.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AMOUNT OF SCHOOL TAX LEVY

The Board of Education will discuss the option to continue the levy at its current rate or to increase the levy up to the statutory level of $2,553.26 per parcel, which represents a 2% increase from the current rate of $2,503.20 per parcel.

 The first of two public hearings is on April 27.

In compliance with Government Code Section 6061 and ballot language, the Board of Education will hold a public hearing and take action on the levy of Measure A for the 2016-17 fiscal year at the Board meeting of April 27, 2016 starting at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, California. The public is invited to provide comment at the Board meeting or by email to the Board of Education at aswenson@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

Randall Booker, Superintendent

The Board will discuss and receive public input regarding the proposed levy of the school support tax for 2016-17. 

The Board will take action on any levy after the second public hearing.

The required second Public Hearing on the parcel tax levy will take place on May 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. 

The public is invited to provide comments at the Board meetings or to the Board by email addressed to the Board at aswenson@piedmont.k12.ca.us and received prior to the second public hearing on May 11.  All information sent to the Board becomes public information.

Background information provided by the District:

 VII_A_1BackgroundPublicHearingOnParcelTax

VII_A_2SupportTaxSubcommitteeReportToBoard

 VII_A_3ExhibitAMeasureATaxLevy

VII_A_4ExhibitBMeasureATaxLevy

VII_A_5ExhibitCMeasureA SubcommitteeTableOfReserveProjections_

The meeting and hearing will be broadcast live

April 27, 2016 starting at 7:00 p.m

 on Cable Channel 27 and via the City website under videos. 

Resident Opinions Sought on Building Energy Savings Ordinance –

The City of Piedmont is conducting an on-line survey  < in order to seek public opinion on the potential thresholds and regulations of an ordinance, and whether or not the community would support requiring basic energy efficiency improvements as a result of the assessment.

Resident Surveys < must be completed by Friday, May 6th at 5:00p.m. 

Piedmont is looking at regulations and ordinances of the City of Berkeley <:

City of Berkeley Building Energy Savings Ordinance (BESO) Overview:

“BESO requires building owners and homeowners to complete comprehensive energy assessments to uncover energy saving opportunities. The assessments are conducted by registered energy assessors who provide tailored recommendations on how to save energy and link building owners to incentives for energy efficiency upgrade projects. Energy efficiency improvements are voluntary and encouraged. BESO is required prior to sale of a house or whole building, except for large buildings over 25,000 square feet and on a phased-in schedule for all buildings, except houses. BESO is required regardless of RECO or CECO compliance status.”

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Primary Election Dates for June 7, 2016 Election:

April 28 – Voter Information Pamphlets mailed to registered voters

May 9 – 8:30 a.m. – Vote By Mail Ballots Mailed and Early Voting at County Registrar of Voters Office

May 23 – 5:00 p.m. – Last day to register to vote – Registrar of Voters Office

May 31 – 5:00 p.m. – Last day to request a vote by mail ballot – County Registrar of Voters Office.

Where To Register To Vote

Voter registration forms are available at the Registrar of Voters Office located in the Alameda County Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street, Room G-1, Oakland, California 94612. Forms are also available at all offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles, all city clerks offices (including Piedmont’s at 120 Vista Avenue, City Hall), public libraries and post offices. Persons may also call the Registrar of Voters at (510) 267-8683 or the Secretary of State at 1 (800) 345-VOTE and a registration form will be mailed to you.

Online Voter Registration

You can apply to register to vote right now by filling in the online application on Secretary of State’s website. If you have any questions, visit Frequently Asked Questions, contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at (800) 345-8683.

Qualifications To Register And Vote In California

A person entitled to register to vote must be:

• A U.S. citizen,
• A resident of California,
• Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony,
• At least 18 years of age on the date of the next election.  
  (A person may register to vote at age 16; but will not be eligible to vote until the age of 18)
• California law denies the right to vote to persons who have been determined mentally incompetent.

The Voter Registration Deadline:

May 23 – 5:00 p.m.

The voter registration deadline is always 15 days before an election, but please be advised that voters who register after the 29th day before an election may not receive a sample ballot due to the short turn-around time for mailing. However, voters should receive notice of the location of their polling place in the mail.

April 6th Park Commission Meeting

At 5:30 pm on April 6th, 2016, the City of Piedmont’s Park Commission began their monthly meeting. The Park Commission is tasked with evaluating and recommending improvements to the City’s public parks and street trees to the city council. They meet the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 at Piedmont’s City Hall.

The meeting began with the presentation of a donation from the Piedmont Garden Club. The Garden Club works to beautify the natural environment of Piedmont and the surrounding area and their donation reflects the Park Commission’s commitment to promoting Piedmont’s outdoor spaces.

Two new members of the Park Commission, Jim Horner and Brian Mahany, were introduced. Both had backgrounds in construction and architecture, making them well suited to sit on the Park Commission. A new Park Commission Chair and Vice Chairpersons were elected in a quick and smooth example of democracy at work.  Jamie Totsubo, a longtime member of the Park Commission, became the new Park Commission Chair.

The new Chair was immediately tested in her first Public Hearing in the position. A resident who lived at 93 Sea View Avenue had submitted a request to remove four London Plane trees from the street in front of her house. The resident claimed that the tree roots caused displacement of the sidewalk, causing a public hazard to pedestrians. The tree roots had grown so far as to reach into her basement/foundation area and contribute to water seepage and flooding into these areas. This flooding, besides causing water damage, also caused ground soil to slide which undermined her foundations. The branches of the trees were depositing leaves and tree fruit onto her roof, clogging her gutters and causing roof damage when branches break and fall onto her roof.

The resident rose during the forum and spoke at length on the problem, showing photographs and documents to support her claims. Once she finished and sat back down the Park Commission revealed they had contracted a botanist to examine the four mentioned trees. The botanist’s report showed that the four trees are healthy and growing well.

The Park Commission presented letters from four neighbors of the resident who all wanted the trees to stay, saying that the ambiance of the neighborhood would be ruined with the removal of the four large trees. The Park Commission expressed similar sentiments, saying that although the trees could be problematic, they were worth it. They agreed that the roots were an issue and that the sidewalk displacement was a pedestrian hazard that had to be addressed. They agreed to look into repaving the sidewalk and installing a root block to prevent the roots from causing any more damage. They did not propose removing the four trees however.

The resident disagreed with her neighbors and the Park Commission over the ambiance provided by the trees. She began speaking out against the trees again, sparking a heated confrontation where Chair Jamie Totsubo struggled to maintain order in the meeting room. Totsubo after the meeting stated, “It’s not usually like this, the Park Commission is normally a very reserved place. Sometimes it’s hard to please the community and individual residents at the same time.” Finally the Park Commission unanimously passed a motion to repave the sidewalk and install a root block. No member of the Commission proposed removing the trees entirely.

Jamie Totsubo was the Park Commissioner responsible for coordinating Arbor Day Festivities. Occurring on April 27th at 5 p.m., Arbor Day activities are to take place in the Piedmont Park Tea Garden. A large maple tree will be installed in a planter box already built for it. There will be refreshments and appetizers and attendees will listen to Bill McNamara, a scientist who specializes in endangered species, speak. The Piedmont Jazz Band will play during the event and the Piedmont High School AP Environmental Science class will give a presentation. The winners of the logo contest for Arbor Day were announced and two Piedmont High students were the first place and runner up.

Everett Ellis, Piedmont High School Senior

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

The entire Hampton Field project will move forward, if the Council approves Hampton Park Improvements Budget of $1,978,760.

City Administrator Paul Benoit in his April 18, 2016 staff report asks the City Council to approve a budget of $1,978,760 for Hampton Park Improvements and authorize him to sign a construction contract in the amount $1,573,435.50 with low bidder Suarez and Munoz to complete the plan for the park. (See plan of park facilities here.)

The City Council approved the Hampton Park Improvements Master Plan on June 2, 2008. The project was then sidelined due to budgetary constraints. On March 3, 2014, the Council awarded a $134,238 contract to William Harris, Harris Design for plans for phasing the project or, alternatively, completing the entire project at one time. Read the City Administrator’s Report here.

The focus has been on refurbishment of the hardscape surfaces for tennis, basketball and handball as well as drainage improvements (Phase I).  Hazardous conditions on the tennis courts, significant maintenance of the play field during and following wet weather, soil wash out onto nearby roadways, and other issues have been a concern. Measure WW, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Local Grant Funds, in the amount $507,325 were previously approved for the project. To complete the entire project, Phase I and II, the estimated cost is $1,978,761. The City will add $1,471,435 using various pots of City money and donations.

Funding Sources for the $1,978,761 Hampton Park Project:

• EBRPD Measure WW Funds: $ 507,325
• Private Donations & Commitments $ 303,254
• City Athletic Facility Preservation Fund: $ 200,000
• Harris Engineers Settlement: $ 417,000 (undergrounding)
• City Facilities Maintenance Fund: $ 275,591
• City General Fund: $ 275,591

City Sources = $1,168,182

Private Donations & Commitments = $ 303,254

EBRPD Measure WW Funds = $ 507,325

Read the City Administrator’s April 18, 2016 Report here.

Read the City Administrator’s January 4, 2016 Report here.

Agreement with Harris Design [separate from Harris Associates] in the amount of $134,238 was previously approved and expended by the City.

Read about Piedmont’s Risk Management Policy & Procedures for Major Capital Improvement Projects

The Council meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live via Cable Channel 27 and live streamed on the City website – “videos.”  The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue.