Council relents and removes the language change in the  proposed Special Municipal Parcel Tax Ordinance to be voted on at the March 3, 2020, Primary Election.

On December 2, 2019, Piedmont’s contract City Attorney, Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, continued to maintain her opinion that the proposed language change was not substantive.  Her opinion was disagreed with by many in Piedmont.

Vice Mayor Teddy King noted her concern over changing the language if the result was the same, for it added voter confusion. She stated many residents had stated the change from INCLUDING  to MAY INCLUDE was substantive.

Speakers Hedi Gerken, Kathleen Quenneville, and Liane Campodonico agreed with King, that the language should not be changed, while voicing it would be a substantive change allowing services to be dropped by the Council.  The Council had also received opposition to the language change by  emails, letters, and comments.

Council member Betsy Andersen, an attorney, stated she had proposed the change to clarify language, but withdrew her proposal upon believing flexible options would be available, and there would be no guarantee of funding for the named services.  

Questions were raised as to whether or not the 9 listed service items would be funded, if funds were available.  The answer appeared unclear. Some had  assumed that the parcel tax funds were delineated as a funding source for specific services; however, it has been Council practice during their May budget sessions to pool funds rather than specifically assigning the parcel taxes to specific services. During the budget sessions, the Council makes a determination on whether or not the parcel tax needs to be levied to support city services.

Services named in the ordinance are:

• police and fire protection,
• street maintenance,
• building regulations,
• library services,
• recreation,
• parks maintenance,
• planning and public works
• and similar services.

The Special Election for the parcel tax will held on March 3, 2020. Mayor Bob McBain and Council member Jennifer Cavenaugh will write the supporting arguments in the “Voter Information Guide.”  

Opposition arguments for the “Voter Information Guide” are due to the City Clerk on December 13, 2019, with rebuttals due on December 20, 2019.  For specific information contact the City Clerk, John Tulloch at 510/420-3040. 

Click > Notice of Election – 2020 Special Municipal – Measure for official ballot language and election protocols.

“Agenda Insight” to be presented before December 2, 2019 City Council meeting:

Item 3, the first item on tonight’s regular agenda, is the second reading of Ordinance 746 N.S. to renew the Municipal Services special Tax for 4 years effective July 1, 2021, and to place this before voters in a special election on March 3,2020, consolidated with the California Presidential Primary on that date….

Although most aspects of this renewal reflect no change, there is a word change that appears to have an impact. The wording of the present parcel tax says, “If in any fiscal year the City Council shall determine that municipal services INCLUDING but not limited to…” and then it names 9 services which must be included in general fund expenditures, with support from the parcel tax if other city income isn’t sufficient to cover them.

At the first reading of this ordinance, last meeting, that language was changed to, “municipal services which MAY INCLUDE but are not limited to..” and then lists the same 9 services. The staff report calls this a non-substantive change, but many people read it as a very substantive change because it gives Council the flexibility to remove any service from this list. The 9 services are police, fire, street maintenance, building regulations, library, recreation, parks maintenance, planning, and public works.

If the Council wants to put this on the March ballot, they must pass the second reading tonight because they are up against a deadline for submitting the final ballot language to the Registrar of Voters…..

Item 4 is consideration of a resolution approving procedural details for the Special Election of March 3… Of particular interest to voters, this item also sets the 75 word ballot question to read, “Shall Ordinance 746 N.S. which maintains essential police, fire, and paramedic services, prevents the reduction in maintenance of City parks, greenspaces and other public areas, and prevents the loss of recreational and other public services, by renewing the City of Piedmont’s expiring parcel tax for four years… be adopted?”

….Interestingly enough, this ballot language is almost the same language we voted on in 2016, so all 9 services were not mentioned last time around either. However, in both 2016 and 2020, it is the language of the resolution we are voting on, not the 75-word summary, and the language of the resolution has changed.

Ann Chandler, Piedmont Resident

Maybe the Piedmont Police Department Has Them?

 The Piedmont Police Department has a box where all those lost keys are collected. The Police Department collects and keeps them for up to 6 months.  So if you have recently misplaced your keys, you can contact the police or drop by to see if they have ever been turned in.

Contact dispatch 510-420-3000.

ADVISORY: PG&E cancelled its planned Public Safety Power Shutoff for Piedmont. At this point, PG&E indicated that it has no additional PSPS events planned for Alameda County in the near term. Water pumping problems will no longer be potentially affecting Piedmont.

PG&E informs the City that all customers affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff in Piedmont have been restored. If your power is still out, please contact PG&E at (800) 743-5000.  10/30/19

______________________________Updated 10/30/19

 

ADVISORY: Power remains off in portions of Piedmont due to PSPS.

PG&E has said that, assuming weather goes as forecast, restoration efforts will begin tomorrow morning, Monday 10/28. PG&E must visually inspect all of their lines before they are re-energized, so it could take up to 48 hours to complete the work.

Due to the winds, high fire danger remains a threat, so outdoor flames and fires in fireplaces are strongly discouraged. The winds are predicted to subside overnight, but freshen again Tuesday morning, so please remain vigilant and call 911 if you see any fire.

Parts of Piedmont To Be Affected Delayed

ADVISORY: PG&E will be operating two Community Resource Centers near Piedmont for residents to charge phones, cool off, and ask questions of PG&E employees.  There will be one in Oakland at Merritt College at 12500 Campus Drive.  The other will be in Berkeley at the UC Berkeley Clark Kerr Southwest Parking Lot 1 on Tanglewood Road.

These PG&E Community Resource Centers will be open from 8AM to 6PM or later.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has confirmed their intent to conduct a Public Safety
Power Shutoff (PSPS) which will include portions of Piedmont as early as Saturday,
October 26th delayed until  7:00 p.m. Other power outages are likely to occur as a result of this wind event.

(As of  3:20 p.m. 10/26/19)

All Piedmonters are advised to be prepared for power outages during this wind event and Red Flag Warning, which may or may not be proactive Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Based upon information provided by PG&E it appears that many areas in Piedmont will be affected by the PSPS.

ADVISORY: PG&E has advised the City of Piedmont that there is a power outage in Piedmont and Montclair affecting approximately 2600 customers. We do not believe it is related to the Public Safety Power Shutoff, scheduled for later tonight.

READ CITY NOTICES BY CLICKING BELOW:

>2019-10-26 Public Safety Power Shutoff #1

>PCA 2019-10-26 Red Flag Fire Warning

You can check to read the latest updated shut off information for your address by clicking below:

Check shut off information for your address > HERE. <

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ADVISORY: PG&E will make the decision as to whether it will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff in Piedmont on Saturday Morning, 10/26. If they choose to implement a PSPS, power would most likely be shut down Saturday Evening. Piedmont will provide additional information when it becomes available.