New way to dial and new area code for new service in Piedmont.
The 510 area code was created in 1991 when Alameda and Contra Costa counties were split off from the 415 area code. The 510 area code was split again when the 925 area code was split off in 1998. The area served by the 510 area code comprises the western portions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Each of these divisions were made because the original area code was running out of assignable numbers.
With the proliferation of mobile computing and telephony devices, each requiring its own telephone number, the 510 area code is again projected to shortly run out of numbers.
Rather than geographically separating area codes, the current practice is to overlay a new area code over an existing one. The overlay of one area code onto another allows existing numbers to remain the same, while providing additional numbers for future assignment.
Overlaying a new area code onto another will require residents to change their dialing habits, both on landline and mobile phones.
Effective June 22, 2019, residents will not be able to simply dial seven digits to make a local telephone call.
Calls to 911 will not be affected in any way. Both landline and mobile phones will still be able to call 911 without any having to dial any additional digits.
Landline users will have to dial eleven digits to make a local call. For example, to reach City Hall, a resident will need to dial 1 (510) 420-3040.
Mobile phone users will have to dial either eleven digits, similar to a landline, or ten digits, (510) 420-3040.Residents with devices that are preprogrammed to call a telephone number, such as medical and security monitoring systems, gates, call forwarding services, and or voicemail services should contact their provider to ensure that their systems have been updated before the mandatory ten or eleven digit dialing comes in to effect.
Beginning on July 22, 2019, the new 341 area code will become effective. On that date, new telephone lines and/or mobile services may be assigned to the new 341 area code.
The City of Piedmont will provide residents with information on this change using the City website, social media, and other channels.
For more information contact the Piedmont City Clerk at 420-3040.
City Administrator Paul Benoit describes Piedmont’s financial state.
“Piedmont’s financial position, year over year, can be described as ‘STABLE’ at best.”
Maintaining stability requires significant discipline and focus and we have done a good job of it. In recent years we have been working hard to look beyond simply maintaining stable services, and have been exploring opportunities to meet the needs of the future and to improve both the quality and delivery of services. Piedmont is facing, and will continue to face, significant and costly challenges that will need to be addressed – and most are related to the condition of public facilities and infrastructure.
Relative to the City Budget and our ability to make needed investments, it is important to recognize that Piedmont’s General Fund is dominated by property-related taxes, which make up nearly 70% of total revenue. Property based taxes are fairly predictable, with the exception of the Real Estate Transfer Tax.
Because City revenue is derived primarily from property related taxes we are able to make long-term budget projections with a good degree of confidence; additionally, it limits our exposure to the risks associated with significant swings in revenue, such as those experienced by cities heavily reliant on sales taxes.
On the downside we have little ability to increase revenue to the City’s General Fund in any meaningful way — absent voter-approved increases in the rate of the Municipal Services Special Tax, also known as the Parcel Tax, or in the Transfer Tax.
For these reasons, we very purposely:
focus on the delivery of basic services and core programs;
budget carefully and conservatively; and
work diligently to safeguard our financial position by mitigating, to the extent possible, the impact of rising expenses which the City has little control over – particularly CalPERS related benefit costs which constitute an unfunded liability of just over $25 million.
On this latter point, the Council has proactively established a program of pension cost-sharing with employees and has curtailed retiree medical benefits for new hires. These two initiatives, taken together, slowed the growth rate of our Underfunded Liabilities and will save the City millions of dollars in benefit-related expenses over the years to come.
Another significant action to buffer the effects of rising pension costs was the establishment of a Pension Rate Stabilization Fund, also known as a Section 115 Irrevocable Trust Fund, with the Public Agency Retirement Services – or PARS.
To date, the City Council has approved a total transfer of $2.75 million to PARS from the General Fund. One key benefit of this initiative is that funds deposited with PARS may achieve higher earnings due to less restrictive investment policies than apply to City funds invested in Local Agency Investment Fund.
As a result of the CalPERS decision to reduce the planned rate of return (Discount Rate), the City’s annual pension contributions are projected to increase from the current $2.2 million (7.5% of City revenue) to $5.5 million (13.3 % of City revenue) by 2029. This equates to a cost increase of approximately 132%, while City revenue over this same 10 year period is estimated to increase by only 35%.
As soon as 2023, and potentially continuing through 2031, the increase in mandatory pension contributions is projected to result in General Fund expenses exceeding revenue. When we face these net-negative revenue years, the City will be in a position to stabilize the General Fund by drawing down on its PARS account to pay pension costs.
Overall, prior City Councils and the current Council, working together with staff, have applied wisdom in managing the City’s limited financial resources. Piedmont now has a modest Reserve of just under $5 million, which represents 17% of our operating budget. Absent a catastrophic event, that amount should be of significant help in responding to an emergency or addressing unforeseen circumstances.
While there are no established policies to guide what constitutes “reasonable”, the reserve for the City of Piedmont is restricted by the City Charter to no more than 25% of the Operating Budget.
To put our City’s reserve in perspective, at the end of last fiscal year Emeryville, with a population similar to Piedmont’s, maintained a reserve of $30.3 million, which equates to approximately 76% of their General Fund; Albany’s was $8.8 million, which is 45% of their General Fund; Berkeley had a reserve of $84 million or 55% of their General Fund; and Oakland’s was approximately $150 million or 24% of their General Fund.
In addition to maintaining a modest reserve, the City has been making consistent, long-needed transfers to the Facilities Maintenance and Equipment Replacement Funds, and has also made much needed investments in our IT Systems, with a goal of bringing our use of technology into the modern era.
At the start of this Fiscal Year the Equipment Replacement Fund is projected to have a balance of $2.75 million – which, assuming we continue to make the planned annual transfers from the General Fund, should be sufficient to address the schedule for equipment replacement into the future.
The Facilities Maintenance Fund is projected to have a balance at the start of the year of only $4.8 million. This amount is far short of what is required to address accessibility, life-safety, life- cycle, and efficiency issues of our city’s facilities and property.
Piedmont’s facilities, like so many of the homes in Piedmont, are old and expensive to maintain. While aesthetically pleasing, most of our facilities are in need of significant repair and renovation.
On the whole, our community facilities and infrastructure have been kept largely functional, but it is time to devote the attention and investment necessary to meet community needs, let alone current safety or accessibility standards.
Miles of sidewalks and pathways are in poor condition, and our City Engineer has estimated that we could spend on the order of $11 million on sidewalk and trail repair alone.
To keep the Pavement Condition Index of our streets from deteriorating will require an estimated annual paving expenditure of approximately $1.5 million – up from the current $1 million – and this is assuming a competitive bid environment. As you know, the Engineer’s estimate for the repaving of Magnolia Avenue was $1.3 million. The sole bid submitted was for $1.7 million. So, the estimated $1.5 million required to maintain the condition of our streets could actually have increased to $2 million or more.
The Veterans Hall and Recreation Building are virtually in the same condition and configuration as when they were originally built 50 to 100 years ago. Bringing them to where they should be would require an estimated investment of $6 to 7 million.
The Community Pool cannot remain open much longer without substantial investment. While short-term fixes may postpone the eventual closing, safety issues are significant and the pool is losing an estimated 1 million gallons of water per year via unidentified leaks. Based on the recently completed Aquatics Master Plan, the cost of a modern and safe facility that meets community needs is estimated at between $12 million and $15 million.
Our beloved City Hall has significant needs rarely seen by the public. Low, open ceilings with exposed wires, water intrusion during storms, fire safety and accessibility issues are just a few of the problems.
At times, I hear comments asserting that the City does not have the space needed to support our programs. The fact is we have the “space”. We just need to make the investment needed to address the efficiency, functionality and accessibility issues that limit program opportunities as well as use by staff, the very young, and seniors.
The bottom line fact is that many of our facilities and amenities are inefficient, have significant condition issues limiting usage, and are not where they should be relative to life, safety, and accessibility standards – let alone to where they should be for a community like Piedmont.
Like the School District’s initiatives to invest in modernizing the Elementary Schools and High School to meet 21st Century needs, it is time to apply a similar focus to improving our City facilities and infrastructure.
In recent years, under the leadership of the City Council and with the support of city staff, there has been the political and organizational will to take a fresh and realistic look at our facilities and systems and to make the initial investment needed to develop a clear understanding of the issues and the opportunities for improvement.
While we have been doing the work necessary to develop that understanding—- the reality is that the City’s financial position, in the best of times, will only support an incremental approach to completing the work that needs to be done.
Unfortunately, for many facilities, an incremental approach will not get us to where we need to be.
To summarize:
Maintaining the current condition of our street paving, addressing unsafe sidewalks and pathways, and implementing priority pedestrian and bicycle safety projects will cost an estimated $23 million.
Factoring in the Recreation Building and the basement of City Hall adds up to $7 million. To address the pool and Veterans Hall, add another $17 million. Linda Beach Park improvements are estimated to cost $7 million. Improving Coaches Field could cost up to $4 million. All together these projects total $58 million.
Looking to the future, barring a natural disaster, bringing our facilities and civic infrastructure into the 21st century will be the City’s biggest challenge and greatest opportunity for the betterment of the Piedmont community.
With attention and investment our facilities can continue to serve the community for another 100 years. Doing what has to be done will take time, focus, persistence, vision and leadership. To our good fortune, we have all the right people in place, with the right mix of vision and talent, to meet these challenges.
Paul Benoit, Piedmont City Administrator
Editors Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Piedmont School District contracted Dr. Timothy McClarney of True North Research for a Tax Survey and the results were presented April 24. Plainly taxpayers are more receptive to a square foot tax of building than the current flat rate levy. Dr. McLarney’s survey report states on p.18: “More tax rate sensitivity for flat rate / less tax rate sensitivity for square foot version.” Dr. McLarney confirmed this verbally.
On p. 7 the survey shows a preliminary voter test with no ballot arguments presented. The survey polled a $3,056 flat rate and a $1.25 square foot tax; both garnered favorable 73-74% definite/probable approval. However this was not an equivalent comparison. $3,056 is a 15% increase over the current $2,656 flat tax. The $1.25 tax generates 25% more revenue than the current flat tax. This is revealed in the May 8 Staff Report which shows that the current $2,656 generates $10.4 million, and that an additional tax of 25 cents per square foot will generate $2.6 million, a 25% increase, for a total of $13 million.
Conclusively, the Final Ballot test is shown on pages 15-17. The Final shows definite/probable votes after all positive and negative ballot arguments are presented within a 5% margin of error. The 25% revenue increase of $1.25 square foot received a 73.5% approval. The 15% increase flat rate of $3,056 received a 62.1% approval on the poll. 66.67% would be needed to pass. Unquestionably a $1.15 square foot tax, equivalent to the $3,056 tax, would poll higher than 73.5%.
Piedmont taxpayers have generously supported our schools and the School Board will now hopefully respect the wishes of voters by placing a single $1.15 square foot tax building tax before voters for virtually certain approval.
Although not listed, as such, on the agenda, the public will have a right to address the Council at their two meetings agendized for interviews and selection of Piedmont’s new City Administrator. The Council will adjourn to Closed Sessions after hearing from any public speakers addressing the appointment.
Public discussions have not been held at Council meetings regarding the qualifications of a new City Administrator, who will be replacing retiring City Administrator Paul Benoit. Voters recently approved Piedmont City Charter change providing the City Administrator with sole authority over retention of Piedmont employees including the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Finance Director, Public Works Director, etc.
Special City Council Meetings
Thursday, May 16, 2019 8:15 a.m.
Friday, May 17, 2019 11:30 a.m.
City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA
Agenda:
Call to Order Adjourn to a Closed Session in the Conference Room
a. Public Employee Appointment – Interview of Applicants (Government Code Sec. 54957) Title: City Administrator
For additional information, contact the Piedmont City Clerk at 420-3040.
On Saturday, May 18, at 10:00 a.m., the Public Works Department will host a walk on Magnolia Avenue to discuss the 47 liquidambar trees which are slated to be removed as a part of the 2018 Pavement Project.
The walk will begin at 10:00 am at the intersection of Hillside and Magnolia Avenues and will move down the length of the street. Neighbors and interested residents are invited to attend and join in conversation with city staff, the City Engineer, and the independent arborist who evaluated the trees.
When approving the 2018 Pavement Project, the City Council directed staff to, “…work with neighbors on Magnolia Avenue who are impacted by street tree removal to consider whether engineering and/or other accommodations can be made to preserve additional trees on this street.” This walk-through is being conducted to provide neighbors with an opportunity to share their feedback, which will be reviewed by staff and the City Engineer.
Below is a plan that identifies the trees reviewed in the arborist report and the trees proposed to be removed.
For further information, contact Director of Public Works Chester Nakahara at 420-3061 or via email at cnakahara@piedmont.ca.gov.
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READ the detailed staff and Arborist report on tree removal for Magnolia Avenue by clicking below:
Saturdays 10am – 1pm at the Piedmont Middle School (PMS) badminton courts (PMS requires registration + $25 fee to May 25. Call PRD at 420-3070)
Sunday 2:00 to 4:00 Linda-Beach tennis courts
– Piedmont Rec Dept staff will set up/tear down nets. – Play must stop at the times indicated. – Be sure to use only Rec Dept approved paddles and the City supplied Onix type balls. Do not use hard Dura-fast type balls. – Paddles are provided for beginners as well as an introduction to the game. – The Hampton Courts are in excellent condition, the Linda-Beach Courts are in very good condition and the PMS asphalt courts have multiple issues. – Always yell “Ball on” if a ball enters your court or you hit into another court. Stop play and return the ball. Safety first.
There is no fee required except for Saturdays at the Middle School. Email r_schiller@comcast.net to be added to the Piedmont pickleball google group.
For additional information, contact the Piedmont Recreation Department at 420 – 3070.
CIP Recommendations: Yes to improvements for Piedmont Middle School courts for pickleball usage, license plate readers at all Piedmont entrances, drinking fountain in Piedmont Main Park for dogs and people – No to Blair Park and Witter Field improvements.
The CIP Review Committee recommendations will be discussed as part of the Piedmont Proposed FY 19-20 Budget Presentation and Workshop Saturday, May 11, 9 am Piedmont Police Department Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
CIP Review Committee recommendations with respect to the 9 new 2019-20 resident proposals can be summarized as follows:
The following 3 proposals can move forward with City Council support:
-Renovation of PMS Hard-courts -Installation of ALPRs at Piedmont Entrances -Installation of a drinking fountain (for humans and dogs) in Piedmont Park
The following 3 proposals are recommended as meritorious but requiring additional study from public safety and/or public works:
-Two related Wildwood Gardens proposals -Development of a landscape triangle at Blair and Calvert Court
The following 3 proposals are determined to need direction from City Council:
– Blair Park proposals for donated fencing and parking improvements
– Two related Witter Field proposals
READ the agenda below for the Council Budget Work Session when the Council will consider all CIP proposals and department budgets:
Minutes, broadcasts, and recordings were not made of any of the CIP Review meetings. Staff reports were not publicized.
Recordings and broadcast will not be made of the Saturday, May 11, 2019 Council Budget Workshop held at 403 Highland Avenue in the Emergency Operations Center of the Piedmont Police Department. The public is welcome to attend and participate.
Piedmont Proposed FY 19-20 Budget Presentation and Workshop Saturday, May 11, 9 am Piedmont Police Department Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Those interested in participating in City of Piedmont expenditures, taxation, and priorities should find the less formal Budget Workshop meeting informative and an opportunity. The Workshop is where the work is largely done. Public participation is allowed. The Workshop will not be broadcast or recorded making physical presence a necessity to hear first hand the discussions.
Proposed budget and the levy of the Municipal Services Tax and the Sewer Tax.
The Saturday Work Session will be held in the Police Department EOC – 403 Highland Avenue on May 11, 2019 beginning at 9 am.
At the workshop, the City Administrator and Department Heads will present their proposed budgets for the coming fiscal year starting on July 1, 2019. The public and Council can ask questions and present ideas regarding proposals.
The Piedmont City Council will consider the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 at three separate meetings. The first is the Budget Workshop on May 11 when most questions and issues are resolved prior to formal budget consideration at the two following Public Hearings regarding the proposed budget and the levy of the Municipal Services Tax and the Sewer Tax.
Two Public Hearings will be held during regularly scheduled City Council meetings on May 20 and June 3, 2019. Many times there is little discussion on the budget at the Public Hearings. The regular Council meetings will be broadcast and recorded.
The public is invited to attend these meetings and speak to the City Council about spending priorities for the city in the coming year. Click to visit the 2019-2020 Proposed Budget page, where all sections of the budget are available for download.
For questions on contents of the budget, please contact Finance Director Michael Szczech via email at mszczech@piedmont.ca.gov or by phone at (510) 420-3045.
If you wish to write to the Council regarding the budget, please send an e-mail to the City Council at citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov or send a letter via U.S. Mail to Piedmont City Council, c/o City Clerk’s Office, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, 94611.
