On May 7, the Piedmont City Council unanimously voted to rescind its approval of the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) project to develop Blair Park into a youth sports fields complex.  Residents speaking at the hearing from a variety of Piedmont neighborhoods raised questions regarding the previous approval process, need for play fields, the future of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and the delay in public disclosure of billing disputes with the PRFO. > Click to read more…

Bills submitted by City to PRFO result in end of partnership –

After being presented with an unexpectedly high bill from the City for reimbursement, Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) requested that the City share in future Blair Park costs.  Since “the City Council and City Administrator had taken the position that all project costs, would, of necessity, be borne by PRFO”, this has led to a joint request from PRFO and City Administrator to rescind the project.  The request will be considered on May 7 by the City Council at their regular meeting starting at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers. The meeting will be televised via KCOM and the internet.

The staff report noted that an additional $246,000 in staff time has been devoted to Blair Park matters, but is not claimed as reimbursable.  The estimate is based on good faith estimates, rather than time sheets.  See Staff Report on a resolution rescinding the 12/05/11 approval of Blair Park

> Click to read more…

In a turn around on the proposed development of a sports field in Blair Park the Piedmont Recreation Facilities  Organization (PRFO) and the Piedmont City Administrator, on April 27, 2012, jointly released the following press release:

City Administrator and PRFO Recommend Blair Park Element of Moraga Canyon Sports Fields Project Be Withdrawn > Click to read more…

On Wednesday, April 25,  a fundraiser at the Piedmont Community Hall was held by Friends of Moraga Canyon (FOMC), a non-profit organization working toward the preservation of Blair Park.  At the event guests were given an answer to the party’s theme, “What’s Up With Blair Park?”. > Click to read more…

Moraga Avenue was re-opened Saturday, April 14 around 6 p.m.  – pictures below

 A landslide and downed power lines and trees closed Moraga Avenue between the eastern city limit with Oakland and Red Rock Rd. (also known as Coaches Field) at approximately 7:00 AM on the morning of Friday, April 13th.

It took longer than anticipated to de-energize the power lines and remove the trees and other plant debris that were dislodged as a result of the slide. This process was made more difficult by the grade of the slope and the electrical, telephone and cable wires that remained in place. PG&E has restored power to affected residents.

The City has remove the debris from Moraga Avenue after assuring that the slope above the street was stabilized. As the slide came from private property, the City Engineer coordinated with the property owner to minimize the possibility of additional debris falling on to Moraga Avenue as well as limiting as much as possible damage to private property. Once the hillside was stabilized and the City determined that no further damage was likely to occur by the removal of the debris, the roadway was cleared and reopened.

The debris has been placed in Blair Park on a temporary basis.  Public Works Director Chester Nakahara and City Clerk John Tulloch were seen late Saturday afternoon overseeing the work and directing traffic.

  Also see Patch article.

Residents may request to be on the email list for future public safety dispatches from the City of Piedmont at publicsafetydispatches@ci.piedmont.ca.us

Lawsuit Discussions Continued to May 18 –

An agreement has been reached between Piedmont and the city of Oakland to extend the deadline  for Oakland’s legal action against Piedmont until May 18, regarding construction of a sports complex in Blair Park.  > Click to read more…

No Permits, Approvals or Administrative Work Allowed Until May –

Friends of Moraga Canyon (FOMC), the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization, Blair Park LLC, and the City of Piedmont, have agreed to a 60-day delay in proceeding with FOMC’s challenge of the adequacy of environmental impact report for the Moraga Canyon Sports Field project in Piedmont’s Blair Park.  The 60-day stay was entered by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo on  March 6, 2012. > Click to read more…

Letter to Oakland City Council Supports Lawsuit to Save Moraga Canyon –

Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to the Oakland City Council and provided to PCA by the Northern Alameda County Sierra Club. > Click to read more…

Proposed “Flexibility” in Professional Verification of Pole Placement –

At its upcoming meeting on Monday, March 12, 2012, the Piedmont Planning Commission will consider changes to the current policy on construction of story poles prior to Commission review of proposed projects.  > Click to read more…

Piedmont, Oakland and PRFO Agree to Continue to Negotiate –

A consent item on  the agenda of the February 21st Piedmont City Council meeting authorizes the City Attorney to extend the “tolling agreement” with the City of Oakland regarding the Moraga Canyon Sports Fields Project until March 26, 2012.   Oakland has unresolved concerns about the “final” plans proposed by Piedmont Recreation Facilities Organization (PRFO.)  The purpose of the extension is to allow more time for PRFO, Piedmont, and Oakland to meet and discuss issues.

The Cities of Piedmont and Oakland and the P.R.F.O. have entered into a Tolling Agreement which allows the parties to negotiate issues in connection with the Moraga Canyon Sport Field Project without the necessity of the City of Oakland filing a lawsuit. The current Tolling Agreement expires on February 24, 2012. Given scheduling complications, the parties need additional time to conduct discussion. The extension of the Tolling Agreement would be for one (1) month. Both Oakland and P.R.F.O. are in agreement.

Tom Curry, Piedmont City Attorney