From the City of Piedmont – 

I am writing today to inform you that Piedmont City Council will receive an informational update on public engagement efforts related to the proposed amendments –Reach Codes– to the state’s Building Standards Code on TUESDAY, January 19^th. This will include a presentation of the results of a random-sample survey conducted in November and December 2020, which evaluated residents’ opinions about the draft Reach Codes.

TUESDAY, JAN. 19, AGENDA AND PARTICIPATION INFORMATION HERE.

Unless otherwise directed by the Council, staff intends to bring forward the second reading of the Reach Codes at the February 1^st City Council meeting.

To learn more about the proposed Reach Codes, see the “background” section below, or follow the link in the “more information” section. The goal of these amendments is to reduce building natural gas use in accordance with Climate Action Plan goals and to create opportunities for residents to save energy and money.

The TUESDAY, January 19, 2021 City Council meeting agenda is posted on the City website at www.piedmont.ca.gov. Members of the public are encouraged to participate by submitting comments and attending the Council meeting. Comments regarding the proposed code amendments may be sent to the City Council via email to: citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov.

To send comments via U.S. Mail, please use the following address: Piedmont City Council c/o City Clerk, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611. The City Council meeting, including this issue, will be televised on KCOM-TV, Channel 27, and the City’s government access TV station.

If you have questions about the proposed ordinances and policy, please contact Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson by email at kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov. Any correspondence sent to the City will be considered a public record.

Best regards,

Alyssa Dykman

Sustainability Program Manager

Reach Codes Background:

Piedmont’s Climate Action Plan 2.0 calls for the community to reduce its in-territory emissions 80% between 2005 and 2050; much of this reduction must come from reduced natural gas use in buildings – by insulating homes better, and by switching out gas appliances for electric appliances powered by renewable energy.

Over the past year, City staff has been developing proposed local amendments to the California Building Standards Code—Reach Codes—that will help the community make progress towards these goals, while creating opportunities for residents to save energy and money. City staff has done extensive public outreach, including public outreach meetings, public opinion surveys, and the development of a frequently asked question (FAQ) page, to ensure the developed proposals are best tailored to Piedmont’s needs. The resulting recommended amendments are as follows:

• Newly constructed low-rise residential buildings, including new detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), must use all electric building appliances.
• Projects proposing an entire new upper level on a low-rise residential building, or that increase a low-rise residential building’s total roof area by 30% or more, are required to install solar panels on their roof.
• A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $25,000 or more, will require the applicant to choose one item from a list of energy efficient insulation or heating system electrification improvements to include in the renovation. A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $100,000 or more will require the applicant to choose two items.
• An application for an electrical panel upgrade must include capacity in the panel to accommodate future electrification of all appliances in the residence.
• An application for a kitchen or laundry area renovation must include electrical outlets for future appliance installation.
• At point of listing for sale of a property, a report from a Home Energy Audit or Home Energy Score (homeowner’s choice) must be provided to potential buyers and submitted to the City – unless the residential building was constructed in the past 10 years.

For more information, see:

• The City news item on the proposed code changes, which includes a more detailed summary and links to: a full list of proposed code amendments and policy changes, summaries of outreach events and survey results, FAQs about the proposed reach codes, and several cost-effectiveness studies that support the proposed code changes:

•  https://piedmont.ca.gov/government/city_news___notifications/reach_codes

• 1:19:2021 Presentation Regarding Public Outreach Efforts and Results Regarding the Proposed Implementation of Reach Codes

The City has received questions regarding COVID-19 vaccines and their availability. The Alameda County Public Health Department has information about how and when vaccines will be made available, and we encourage you to take a look at their website at https://covid-19.acgov.org/vaccines. There you will find information regarding local and state planning, including the phases of implementation. You may also signup to get notified when it’s your turn for vaccination.

Remember, the Alameda County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage is dedicated to Alameda County specific information regarding the coronavirus. The State of California also has statewide information at https://covid19.ca.gov/. 

City of Piedmont

Editor’s Note: the Alameda County Resident Vaccine Notification Form will provide the County with information and is available at the following site:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/44974350ffd14f288b03b029f2486ba8

Dear Council members,

We understand that the City Council will discuss renewal of the lease for the Piedmont Center for the Arts in the next few weeks. I’m writing to support renewal of the lease, preserving this important treasure for the City and its neighbors.

We live on a split lot, paying property taxes to both Oakland and Piedmont. Over the past few years we have enjoyed musical concerts, plays and art exhibits at the Center and sincerely hope that, once the Covid crisis has abated, we can return for future programs.

We have enjoyed many enriching performances in the short time the prestigious Piedmont Center for the Arts has been part of this small community.

I’m writing to add our voices strongly urging the Council to renew the PCA lease so it can continue to bring high quality art and culture to Piedmont. We have a treasure right here in our backyard which we must protect.

Sincerely
Mary and Andrew Moyce

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My name is Valerie Corvin and I am a co-founder of the Piedmont Center for the Arts. I recently stepped down from the PCA Board to pursue other endeavors, but I served 9 years as program director, visual art program director, and juried art show administrator.

As a board member and with no paid staff, I have put in countless hours at all hours of the day and night to help PCA grow into the City of Piedmont treasure that it is. The people of Piedmont love PCA. I have been thanked probably a thousand times by people who have attended events at the Center. Resident truly appreciate having an arts center as part the offerings of City of the Piedmont. It ranks up there along with the school system and our well-run town.

PCA is a selling point used by many realtors why one should choose to live in our town. I have been told it is one of the top 5 selling points of Piedmont cited by realtors. PCA is now part of the fabric of this town.

Now is the time to have civil dialogue and find ways for the City and the Center to work together for the benefit for all citizens of Piedmont.

I believe that members of the PCA Board are more than ready to work with the City to create policy and accessibility to the building to support the needs of interested groups. PCA has been a good tenant and is willing to continue to be a good team player with the City. The arts are important part of our society and add an important dimension to our lives. Please renew the PCA lease.

Thank you.

Valerie Corvin, Piedmont Resident and Co-Founder of Arts Center

Monday, January 18, 2021 – Virtual MLK Celebration 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.  Click on announcement and see  letter below to engage.  Zoom meetings are listed below:

24th Annual 2021 Piedmont MLK Celebration – January 18, 2021 @ 11 am-12:30 pm

Martin Luther King’s “Where Do We Go from Here” speech challenges us to look at the big picture when it comes to racial and economic justice. To see beyond what is immediately within view and identify root causes. “We are called upon to help the discouraged beggars in life’s marketplace,” King said. “But one day we must come to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.” 

Reimagining a society shaped at the intersection of power, love and justice is the focus of Piedmont’s 24th annual MLK Day Celebration. More than 50 years later, King’s exhaustive list of challenges to be dissatisfied with in America—insular wealth and desperate poverty, inadequate housing, segregated schools, to name a few—still exist today. Each of us has the power to step up and take action to create change. “[T]here is a creative force in this universe working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.” We are the power. 

This year’s program, co-sponsored by PADC and the City of Piedmont, will feature stirring performances by traditional Native American flutist Vince Redhouse and Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company. Speakers will include Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Stanford Professor and King Institute Director Clayborne Carson; and filmmaker and World Trust Founder Shakti Butler. Visit www.padc.info to register for this free event. 

And new to the celebration this year are community education workshops! In partnership with local organizations, and PHS/MHS students and alums, PADC is co-sponsoring a series of engaging and participatory workshops. You are invited to attend any or all of these discussions. Zoom or registration links are located on www.padc.info

Piedmont Racial Equity Campaign presents: 

“Nice White Parents: A Podcast Community Discussion”

Join us for a book club-type discussion based on the NYT podcast to glean lessons learned and spark insights that we can apply to Piedmont Schools. We recommend you listen to at least one episode in the five-part series ahead of time to maximize your engagement and experience in our discussion. We will think together about these big-idea questions from the podcast creators, with an eye toward our Piedmont Schools: What should be the goal of public education, and why? What does it mean for schools to be truly integrated? Who benefits from integration, and in what ways? Why do you think every child in the United States does not have access to a quality education? What can we do to change that inequality?

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

To RSVP, click here.

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83180755288#success

Piedmont for Oakland Public Schools (POPS) presents: 

“Is Segregation Still Alive in Schools?”

During the event, we will break down the story told during the podcast to discuss racial segregation in U.S. education. We will supplement the discussion with excerpts from Coretta Scott King to honor her work and pose further questions about educational equity. To prepare the event, we are asking everyone to listen to part one of a podcast from “This American Life.”

2 pm to 3 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://ucla.zoom.us/j/98013263305

PHS / MHS Black Student Union (BSU) presents:

“Black Youth: Reflections on the Legacy of Dr. King”

A brief video in which members of the BSU address current events and MLK Day will be followed by a conversation on the way forward.

3 pm to 4 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6318924240

Podcast Host Aksumawi Turner (PHS 2009) presents: 

“Perspectives on Power and  Love: An MLK Roundtable”

In his speech “Where Do We Go From Here,” Dr. King notes that “power without love is reckless and abusive and love without power is sentimental and anemic.” Measured balance between the two are the foundation for meaningful change. Our panel talks about what this means today. 

5 pm to 6 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://procore.zoom.us/j.99311564624

Run by one group or a fully utilized community center?

Madam Mayor and Council Members

My comment on 801 Magnolia Avenue is that it is seems premature to sign a long-term renewal lease.  There seems to be a false choice being discussed – it is not an art center or no art center, but a choice between only a very much part-time art center run by one group and a more fully utilized community center with more options and activities.

The PCA may be the right option. However,  there are quite possibly other opportunities to also utilize the facility.  I walk past the center on a regular basis, and it seems to be very under utilized (yes, pre-Covid) – it does not seem to quite be the viable and thriving arts venue some describe, nor a diverse program and artist venue, as indicated in the staff report.

In summary it has not been a thriving community or art center, thus I think we could possibly have an art center as well as a broader community center with more diverse uses.  I hope  that some options and broad community input can be solicited before the building is locked up with one user for another seven or ten years.

I looked over the staff report and noticed a couple things:  the list of something like 280 activities seems like a lot but that is actually less than one activity per day (some it seems at an hour or two);d looking over their calendar from 2019 it seems like there are many, many hours when the center is not used.  And, the audience for many of activities at the Center seem to be focused primarily on one particular demographic of interests.  Next the lease terms for non PCA activities, such as City activities seems very constrained and not conducive to any regular scheduled activities – and third it seems that the City staff did not discuss any alternatives in the report – the ‘as compared to what’ question is not addressed.

As an aside, most of you know me for something different, but I am also actually an artist and active in parts of the East Bay art community. There are many many artists in our broader community  – and thus, there are plenty of artists, with diverse backgrounds and art, out there that could be utilizing the space for more than an event or two every few days.

I also raise my points because I have felt for a long time that there is a significant need in the City for indoor community space activities – particularly for seniors and youth – such as via a youth and./or senior center, e.g. similar to the senior centers in Berkeley. I also always thought that 801 Magnolia would be a good option for those uses. Perhaps our highly capable Rec Dept can run 801 and likely way more fully utilize it – including allowing PCA to have its activities via a long-term agreement.   This is just one option that can be explored.

In summary, please consider both an art center with alternatives that include much fuller use of the building, before signing a long-term lease, with a constrained termination clause, that seems to limit the building’s use and basically puts control in the hands of just one group, as altruistic as they may be.

Thank you.

Steven Schiller, Piedmont Resident

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

The City has received the following letters urging renewal of the $1 a year lease of 801 Magnolia Avenue for both commercial and Arts Center use.

Dear Ms. Mayor and City Council Members:

I have been so proud of our town for using a piece of property long neglected for such a constructive use as the Piedmont Center for the arts. It has been amazing how beautifully it has grown into a class theater, music performance  and artist venue.

I was surprised to learn that there is some question about its continuing in the current use. I do hope it will continue so that we may enjoy more of the art, music  and theater in the future.

Thank you.  It’s a good life!
Beth DeAtley, Piedmont Resident

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Dear City Council,

Music, drama, art, right in the center of Piedmont.  How lucky we are that we, and our children, can see the Piedmont Chamber Music Festival, plays performed and directed by local residents, and art by Michael Stehr and others.  The Piedmont Center for the Arts has become a beloved and necessary addition to our vibrant community.

After this dark time in our country’s history we need the joy and hope that the arts can bring.  May the Piedmont Center for the Arts continue to be a bright light in our community.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Ann Benson, Oakland Resident

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