Letter from Piedmont Chief of Police –
The death of George Floyd at the hands of four officers of the Minneapolis Police Department has left me saddened for Floyd’s family, disgusted by the actions and inactions of the involved officers, and compelled to communicate to our community about how your police department is viewing this affront to justice.
In the days that have followed I have had conversations with various staff that have started with, “Have you seen the video of what the Minneapolis police officers did to that man?” In each case the response has been strikingly consistent and made up of revulsion and a feeling of dishonor for how this latest act subverts police community relations in general as well as specific concern for how it may affect some in our own community.
I can tell the community that all of our officers participate in rigorous training on appropriate use of force and we have policies and procedures designed and implemented to prevent the exact kind of horrific event that occurred in Minneapolis and has occurred elsewhere in this country. While training, policies and procedure are important, what is most salient is humanity, sanctity of life, and the duty for an officer to intercede. These are the discussions we are having during our Department briefings. The Piedmont Police Department is taking this horrible event, as we have with past events, to have hard conversations, look inwardly and continue our commitment to the prevention of such acts here.
I value accessibility to the community and even in our current times we have found ways to connect as a community. Should someone have the desire to talk about this most recent tragedy in Minneapolis, or the larger issues it represents, please reach out to me.
Jeremy Bowers
Chief of Police
Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 3:00 p.m.
Consideration of 2020 – 2021 Piedmont Budget
Via Teleconference
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88326534001
Members of the public may comment on agenda items. See details on agenda linked below:
2020-05-27 Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee
Go to Zoom to view Piedmont policy makers being selected by the City Council at the Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84991118184
Candidates for the following appointments will be interviewed:
Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee, CIP Review Committee, Civil Service Commission, Park Commission, Planning Commission, Public Safety Committee, Recreation Commission, Mosquito Abatement Representative, Parking Hearing Officer.
COVID -19 policies have opened an opportunity for Piedmonters to see and hear first hand how and who is selected to serve on Piedmont appointed bodies from the Planning Commission to the Recreation Commission and so forth.
It has been the long held practice by Piedmont officials not to publish applicants’ names or announce appointee’s names until the individuals have been notified by the City Clerk of their appointment. However, if you watch the interview process on Zoom you will know the names of applicants and appointees, pending Council selection.
Although not a secret process, candidates have generally been asked to leave the Council meeting as other competing candidates are interviewed. Staff members and the public could always be present during the interviews. Staff members often play a role in who is selected by offering information on the candidates. All candidates are required to be interviewed by the City Council to qualify for appointment.
Volunteers interested in being appointed now or in the future will find the process informative as questions are posed and answers given.
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There is no staff report to support the Agenda of the Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The public can view and make comments. For details on participation or viewing, click below:
5/26/20 council-special-agenda.pdf5-26 (Special)
The March 16 Shelter at Home order in Alameda County caused an immediate decrease in crime in Oakland, especially in residential burglaries, according to study of daily crime statistics in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Oakland by the Public Policy Institute of California. (Read report here). The Piedmont crime blotter appears to show a similar decrease.
“Comparing the average weekly number of reported crimes in February to the number reported for the last week in March shows an overall drop from about 6,150 to 3,620—a decrease of 41%. Declines have been particularly large in the two Bay Area cities: about 69% in Oakland and around 55% in San Francisco.
Overall reports of violent crime dropped from a weekly average of about 1,880 in February to about 1,360 in the last week of March—a 28% decrease. Oakland experienced the most dramatic drop—from about 200 to 70. The number of reported assaults dropped from 1,430 to around 1,100 (22%). The overall decrease in robberies—from about 350 to 260—was driven largely by the Bay Area. … a slight increase in reported commercial burglaries across all four cities suggests that burglars may be shifting from residential to commercial targets now that so many people are at home at all times of day.” Analysis by Public Policy Institute of California
READ the City Council COVID -19 EMERGENCY ORDER Confirmation of Emergency Order #2020-01
Special Council Meeting to discuss Piedmont’s finances: taxes, fees, revenues, fund balances, and future expenditures.
Saturday, May 16, 2020, 9 a.m.
Pleas for greater access to budget meetings have been assisted by COVID-19 rules. The City instructs:
Citizens may download the Zoom application to a computer or smartphone and become familiar with how to utilize this tool before the meeting.
For decades, the Piedmont City Council has met away from cameras to discuss how Piedmont’s money will be managed. Interested residents have gone to a conference room in the Police Department to hear from Piedmont’s department heads on proposed expenditures. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the Council will have a virtual meeting presenting an opportunity for anyone to learn first hand from home or office how Piedmont’s money is planned to be disbursed. Capital projects, fees, and taxes are also going to be considered.
During the budget session, each department head presents the reasons they are requesting funding. The Council and participants can ask questions during the process.
See the agenda linked below to learn how to participate during the Special Saturday, May 16 Meeting.
City Council Agenda 2020-05-16 (Special)
Agenda:
1. Overview of the Proposed FY 2020-2021 Budget by the City Administrator
2. Review of Departmental Budgets for FY 2020-2021
a. Administration and KCOM
b. Public Works c. Planning & Building
d. Recreation
e. Police
f. Fire
g. Non-Departmental and Other Funds Budgets
Below are the proposed budget documents to be considered by the City Council for the fiscal year which runs from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
- Administration Department & KCOM
- Public Works Department
- Planning & Building Department
- Recreation Department
- Police Department
- Fire Department
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 email 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.
City Council Agenda 2020-05-16 (Special)
For the first time since its inception in 1965, the City of Piedmont will not hold the annual 4th of July Parade and party in the park due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
As disappointing as this is, the City recognizes that the most important thing right now is to keep the community safe and healthy. Because of the nature of the parade and party in the park, social distancing measures would not be possible to achieve, let alone enforce, during this event.
“Piedmont’s 4th of July celebrations are designed to bring the community together to celebrate Independence Day,” said City Administrator Sara Lillevand. “Unfortunately, given the intent of the shelter-in-place orders, holding a community celebration attended by thousands of Piedmonters and guests would not be a wise choice.”
The annual event is an all hands day for the City’s essential workers, including police officers, firefighters, and the public works crew, as they work in and amongst Piedmonters to keep the streets and parks safe and clean.
The City has been working to keep our responders healthy so our public safety department can continue to be fully staffed, and respond to Piedmonters in times of need. Placing the City’s first responders in large crowds on this day would not facilitate this goal.
Additionally, 4th of July block parties, which are a Piedmont tradition, will not be permitted. The City will not issue any street closure permits at this time for 4th of July activities. If State and County guidelines relative to gatherings change significantly, we will reconsider street closures.
FRONT YARD DECORATIONS THIS YEAR
We know Independence Day is important to our community. Residents are encouraged to share their spirit by decorating their front yard this year in the theme “Celebrate in Place.”
Awards will be given for best front yard décor. More information will be announced by the end of the month. The Highland Cup, and Saucer Spoon will be awarded to the houses with the best decorations!
KCOM TV will also be putting together a retrospective video about the parade and party in the park. Resident submissions of photos are welcome. More information on how to contribute will be put out later this week.
We want to thank our community for their cooperation and efforts in keeping Piedmont safe.
City of Piedmont
Bond Measure on November 2020 Ballot ?
Community participation in setting priorities ?
The Piedmont Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee (BAFPC) has recently been charged by the Piedmont City Council with coming up with ways to fund Piedmont public projects.
According to public comments, funding is possibly a bond measure for the November 3, 2020 Piedmont ballot. The Council will need to make a decision on placing a bond measure on the November ballot no later than August.
To date, there have been no public meetings or surveys to determine the list of desired projects which Piedmonters would favor.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have already been spent by the City Council on consultants and staff work proposing and planning special recreation projects. Recreation projects have focused on a new Municipal Pool and Aquatic Center, Linda Beach Park play areas, and Coaches Field. Other city facilities are also on a priority list.
Very recently, 20th century Fire and Police facilities and readiness have been added to the Council list of possible projects needing funding sources. Public input has not been solicited on these projects.
Infrastructure improvements to roadways, sidewalks, curbs and gutters and undergrounding of overhead wires are not listed on the City Council priority list for funding.
Where is the money going to come from?
BAFPC to advise the City Council on funding sources.
For the first time, at-home citizens will be able to view and participate in the BAFPC deliberations and recommendations. Typically, the meetings have been held away from cameras with no minutes produced of the meetings. The BAFPC Chair generally writes the Committee recommendations that are forwarded to the City Council.
The Committee advises on tax levies, bond measures, financial planning, and budgetary matters. See items listed on the May 7, 2020 meeting agenda below.
Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee Thursday, May 7, 2020 7:00 p.m. Via Teleconference
Members of the public can participate in the meeting by:
Computer or smart phone: Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88058053315
Telephone: Dial (669) 900-9128 and enter webinar/meeting number 880-5805-3315
Full meeting agenda and participation details click below:
2020-05-07 Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee.
Back-up documentation and staff reports for the agenda have not been publicly disseminated.
Relevant prior staff report:
42020Consideration of Actions Related to the Planning Process for Possible City Facility Renovation Projects
COVID -19 ORDERS RELAXED IN PIEDMONT
LANDSCAPING, CONSTRUCTION, PARKS, AND OFF LEASH AREAS
READ PIEDMONT’S NEW REQUIREMENTS > 2020-05-01 COVID-19 Shelter In Place Order Update
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