Feb 27 2021

OPINION: Without Resident Approval Reach Codes Limit Energy Sources

Dear Members of the Piedmont City Council,,

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I was just alerted by my neighbor, Sylvia Fones, that Piedmont has evidently adopted something called Reach Codes.  I just now discovered that these are local building energy requirements that go beyond those of the state.    How has this happened?   I am reasonably well informed but have never even heard of this.  Moreover, there was apparently some survey done of the residents concerning adoption of these codes and no one I know had even heard of it, so were definitely not included in the survey.   Sounds to me like a deliberate concealing of this effort from the public.
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This is appalling to me.  This affects every resident.  How can a relatively tiny number of residents  (384 out of 11000) be allowed to provide a distorted consensus of opinion for an entire city?
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There are two issues that are very alarming.
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1) Given the small pool of participants in the survey, there apparently was an effort underway to get this concept adopted without proper input from the residents.  Where  is the democratic process?  How is a tiny cadre of “activists” able to railroad this through without even the knowledge of the whole town, much less its consent?
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2) The end result from a cursory examination of the Reach Codes issue seems to be a limiting of our energy sources, under the guise of some goal that is definitely controversial.  Of all things that require investigation and accumulated knowledge before coming to a decision, this is certainly a prime example.
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Energy is a huge and complicated issue.  Why would we ever want to limit our energy resources?  After witnessing the calamity that just befell Texas and its inhabitants, how can we possibly start down a path like this?
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Sincerely,
Joan Maxwell
Piedmont Resident
Editors Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Feb 23 2021

City Seeks Volunteers for Commissions & Committees

Do you have the time and interest in volunteering for the City of Piedmont ?

Deadline: Wednesday, March 17, 2021

The City of Piedmont is looking for a few talented volunteers for vacancies on commissions and committees. Interested residents may view [also linked below] the Commission Description of Duties, download the Application for Appointive Vacancy, and/or apply online on the City’s web site at https://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/. 

Applications are due to City Hall on or before the deadline of Wednesday, March 17th.

Interviews with the City Council for these positions will be scheduled for the evenings of Monday, March 22nd and Monday, March 29th. Applicants will be notified of their interview date after the application period closes. No appointments will be made without a Council interview.  All interviews will be virtual. 

The vacancies are as follows:

Commission / Committee No. of
Vacancies		 No. of Incumbents
Eligible for Reappointment
Budget Advisory and Financial
Planning Committee		  2 1
CIP Review Committee 1 0
Civil Service Committee 2 1
Housing Advisory Committee 4 or 6 0
Park Commission 2 2
Planning Commission 2 2
Police & Fire Pension Board &
City Investment Subcommittee		 1 1
Public Safety Committee 2 1
Recreation Commission 2 0

Commission and Committee Descriptions of Duties 2021-02-17

Commission and Committee Fillable Application 2021

Notice and Procedural Details of Appointive Vacancies 2021

Residents with questions are invited to contact the City Clerk’s office at (510) 420-3040.

2021-02-23 Volunteers for Commissions-Committees

Feb 22 2021

Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee Master Plan Development

If you would like to watch the latest Piedmont Safer Streets community workshop, please check out a recording of that meeting here.
On February 11, 2021, the Piedmont Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) held a public meeting on the results of the community engagement, including the Piedmont Safer Streets Survey and Map virtual exercise. Both virtual events were to help update the Piedmont Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
You can read the entire report and all the comments received on-line at these links. For more information, please visit www.piedmontsaferstreets.org
As an example of the valuable public input received, Piedmont residents answered the question, “Can on-street parking be eliminated?” See the answers in the graph below.
The next PBAC (Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee) virtual meeting will be held on April 8, 2021 at 5:30 pm. For more information, contact Gopika Nair at gnair@piedmont.ca.gov
Feb 9 2021

Piedmont Safer Streets Report Finds Almost All Citizens Walking During Pandemic

Here’s what you told us!

The City recently gathered input from residents on the needs and challenges around walking, biking and traffic safety in Piedmont. A report summarizing the key issues and themes raised by the community, and also listing all the comments received in writing, is available on the Documents page of the project website.

Using this input, the project team is now starting to develop the recommendations for the Piedmont Safer Streets plan. Stay tuned for an update on the recommendations in about two months’ time.

Next Ped/Bike Advisory Committee meeting this Thursday

The next (virtual) meeting of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) is this Thursday, February 11, 2021, starting at 5:30 pm. Click for the > agenda and for information about logging on to the meeting (do note that the City’s website is currently having technical difficulties).

For questions about the PBAC, contact Gopika Nair (City of Piedmont) at gnair@piedmont.ca.gov or at (510) 420-3054.

Questions or comments?

For questions or comments about the Piedmont Safer Streets project, visit the project website or contact Gopika Nair at SaferStreets@Piedmont.ca.gov or at (510) 420-3054.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee was created by the City Council on August 17, 2020 to assist in the update of the City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan process. The Committee will review and provide feedback on draft documents prepared throughout the PBMP update process, including the draft plan itself; and more generally, will provide input and guidance on the development and conduct of all tasks under the update process. Click to read the resolution establishing the committee.

For more information on the update of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, please see the Piedmont Safer Streets web site.

Committee Roster –

  • Sofia Barandiaran
  • Siddarth Bhatia
  • Eugene Brown, Jr.
  • Katie DeWitt
  • Audrey Edel
  • Brett Hondorp
  • Hugh Louch
  • Thomas Reicher
  • Kristin Robrock

Staff Liaison: Gopika Nair | gnair@piedmont.ca.gov | (510) 420-3050

Feb 9 2021

Housing the Homeless in the Time of COVID-19

  Margot Kushel, MD, the Director of the UCSF Center of Vulnerable Populations and the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at ZSFG, will present her latest research on solutions to “Housing the Homeless in the Time of COVID-19”. Her research aims to prevent and end homelessness and mitigate the effects of housing instability on healthcare outcomes. Dr. Kushel works with diverse stakeholders to implement programmatic and policy changes based on her research. She is the primary investigator of several multi-year studies on homeless populations in the Bay Area from 2012 to the present. 
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This program is presented by The League of Women Voters of Piedmont. It will take place on Tuesday,  March 2 from 4-5 PM. Here is our YouTube link  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3v60XGmr13V_9WaYj6qUJg/featured or click link to register and get the Zoom information on our website.  Dr. Kushel will answer audience members questions from 4:30 – 5:00 pm.  The program is free and open to the public
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Margot Kushel, MD is a Professor of Medicine at University of California San Francisco, Division Chief and Director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, and Director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She is a practicing general internist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Margot’s research examines the causes and consequences of homelessness and housing instability, with the goal of preventing and ending homelessness and ameliorating the effects of homelessness on health. She speaks at a local, state and national level about homelessness, and provides testimony to legislative bodies. She received her AB from Harvard College, her MD from Yale and completed residency, chief residency and fellowship in internal medicine at UCSF. 
Jan 5 2021

Fire Chief Recruitment Qualifications

Fire Chief, City of Piedmont, California

Announcement:

Piedmont is a city of approximately 11,000 nestled in the beautiful East Bay Hills, overlooking San Francisco.  Within Piedmont’s 1.8 square-mile area that is almost entirely zoned for single-family residential use, you will find five city parks and numerous landscaped areas which offer wooded paths, tennis courts, children’s playgrounds and picnic facilities.  Piedmont is known for its urban forests of redwood groves and small town charm where it’s citizens treat city employees as valued members of the community.

Piedmont residents hold the all risk ALS Fire Department in high regard, and firefighters go the extra mile by providing concierge service to the residents.  The Department has provided ambulance services for nearly 90 years and is one of only four cities in Alameda County that provide paramedic transport services.

The Fire Chief oversees one part-time finance assistant and 24 line staff.  The projected fiscal year 2020/21 departmental budget is $6.9 million.

This position requires the equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in fire science, fire administration, or a related field and three years of command or supervisory experience in the fire service.  A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is desired.

The current salary is $204,936 with excellent benefits ((CalPERS 2% @ 50, three-year average benefit calculation (Classic) with only a 9% employee contribution rate; and 2.7% @ 57) and for new employees)) and an annual uniform allowance of $1,200.

Also, children of full-time employees are eligible to attend the Skipping Stones program (toddler age) and Schoolmates (K-5) program at no charge as well as the Piedmont Unified School District where 95% of high school graduates move on to College.

To apply for this exciting career opportunity, please visit our website at:

Peckham & McKenney

www.peckhamandmckenney.com

Salary Top: $204,936

Negotiable/DOQ: Yes

Phone: 866-912-1919

Apply By: Jan 19, 2021

Please do not hesitate to contact Phil McKenney toll-free at (866) 912-1919 if you have any questions regarding this position or recruitment process.  Resumes will be acknowledged within 2 business days.

Dec 6 2020

Safer Streets and Sidewalks: Weds., Dec. 9. 6:00 PM

To make our streets safer for everyone, the City is preparing the Piedmont Safer Streets Plan. This new plan will update the City’s original Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2014), while including an additional focus on broader traffic safety.

This month and next, there are three special opportunities to give us your input on needs and concerns regarding walking, biking and traffic safety:

  • Community workshop (on Zoom), on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 6 pm. Save the date for a lively discussion. The details will be posted on the link as the date approaches.  Zoom link –
  • https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81375581911
  • Online survey. Anyone who responds will be eligible to win one of three $50 gift cards for Mulberry’s Market. The survey will close on Sunday, December 20, 2020.
  • Pinnable map. Pin your comments on our map–and get another chance to win a Mulberry’s Market gift card. The map will also close on Sunday, December 20, 2020.

2014 Plan > http://piedmont.hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Government/Projects/Pedestrian%20and%20Bicycle%20Master%20Plan/final_PBMP_2014-11-03.pdf

For questions about Piedmont Safer Streets, contact Gopika Nair (City staff liaison), at SaferStreets@Piedmont.ca.gov or at (510) 420-3054.

1292020Community Workshop Invite

Dec 1 2020

Police Plans, Mental Health Responses, COVID-19, Cameras, and more: Thurs., Dec. 3

– Piedmont Public Safety Committee Meeting – 5:30 PM, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 –

Piedmonters now have a greater opportunity to learn more about public safety in Piedmont.

For years, Piedmonters could not observe from their homes and computers the Piedmont Public Safety Committee, however because of COVID-19 restrictions and the implementation of virtual meetings, anyone can observe and participate in the important discussions held by the committee.  According to a City source, the meetings are not recorded, because “they have never been recorded or broadcast.”

For information on observing and participating in the Dec. 3rd meeting, click the agenda link below:

PSC Agenda 2020-12-03

Zoom link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82492285610

1. Introduction of Interim Fire Chief Michael Despain

2. Approval of Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes for 9/24/2020

Public Safety 2020-09-24 DRAFT MINUTES 

3. Update on Police Department Strategic Plan

4. Update on Police Department Mental Health Call Response

5. Update on Public Safety Cameras

6. Introduction to Inside PPD

7. Report on COPS Funding

8. Update on COVID 19 & Health Order Compliance

9. Update on Get Ready Piedmont/Map Your Neighborhood

10. Consideration of 2021 Meeting Schedule

Editors Note: Written back-up information for the agenda items was not provided. 
Nov 10 2020

Barriers to Piedmont Health Walkers

Piedmont pedestrians raise safety issues when walking for exercise and recreation.

Sidewalk blocked by vehicle parking violation.

 

Walking is a simple healthful exercise especially recommended during the COVID – 19 pandemic.  Not only medically beneficial, but a stress reliever for those reacting to cabin fever.  Regrettably, in Piedmont there are safety challenges to pedestrians.  While the City has prohibited parking vehicles on sidewalks, the police rarely enforce the prohibition.  Seniors, toddlers, baby carriages, wheelchair bound, all are too often forced into competition with vehicular traffic in the streets.  As rainy season approaches, this will be an increasingly dangerous situation for the many health walkers trying to use Piedmont sidewalks on a daily basis.

Attractive crosswalk painted patterns (see illustration below) improve street appearance while providing additional protection to pedestrians crossing busy intersections.

Piedmont women in particular choose walking as their daily exercise under the current constrained conditions since bicycling and swimming do not build bone density, a prime consideration.

Cyclists are prone to weak bones. Read more here.

“A cohort of female Olympic swimmers had lower bone mineral density measurements at all sites when compared with non-aquatic elite athletes, suggesting that weight-bearing or strength activities out of water could be incorporated into training to improve bone health, according to findings published in Bone.”   Healio News July 09, 2019  Read more here   Bone Journal articles here

Piedmont walkers are also keenly aware of hazardous sidewalks with cracks and upliftings.  It has been noted that in certain areas of Piedmont sidewalk corrections have never occurred.  Walkers are often forced into the street to find a level walking surface creating a danger for vehicles and themselves.  Piedmont streets are on a comprehensive pavement management schedule.  No such program is known for Piedmont sidewalks.

It has been suggested that vehicles should be allowed to park on only one side of narrow streets to allow pedestrians, vehicles, and bicycles safe passage.

Photos showing common vehicle violations.

Attractive pedestrian crosswalk pattern more visible to cars.

Nov 9 2020

Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan Meeting Thurs. Nov. 12

Meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2020

Regular Agenda:

1. Presentation of Planning Context Report for Piedmont Safer Streets (PSS) Project

2. Discussion of Community Engagement Workshop Format and Content

3. Discussion of Publicizing the Public Engagement Activities for PSS Project

4. Presentation of Proposed Improvements to the Intersection of Grand Avenue and Lower Grand Avenue and Installation of Other Bicycle Features on Grand Avenue

Prior minutes are not on the agenda.

For instructions on how to participate in this remote teleconferenced meeting, click the link below.

PBAC Agenda 2020-11-12

Documents to be considered:

#1 – PSS_planning context report_admin draft

#4 – Grand Lower Grand Striping Exhibit

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