Sep 1 2019
The Piedmont City Council met on Tuesday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue. The meeting was broadcast live on the City website and Cable Channel 27. Recordings of the meeting are available on the City website.
Regular Agenda
-
Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for 08/05/19
PCA Council minutes2019-08-05
-
Receipt of the 2nd Quarter Police Department Report from the Chief of Police
See crime statistics, maps, and programs in link below.
http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/staffreports/2019-09-03/crimereport2nd.pdf
-
Consideration of Authorization to Solicit Bids for Traffic Calming Measures at the Intersections of Greenbank & Oakland Avenues as well as Fairview & Grand Avenues
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/staffreports/2019-09-03/trafficcalming.pdf
-
Introduction of the City’s New Website
http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/staffreports/2019-09-03/newwebsite.pdf
Sep 1 2019
Piedmont Police Department advises keeping pet cats indoors:
As it is still peak season for wildlife, many coyotes have recently been spotted in both the upper and lower areas of Piedmont. Coyotes, while typically aloof, can display aggressive tendencies if their young are nearby. They are also carnivorous predators and tend to hunt smaller mammals which can include cats.
The Piedmont Police Department would like to remind everyone to always be aware of your surroundings. And to protect your feline pets, it is highly recommended to make your them indoor only pets, or bring your cats inside from dusk to dawn.
Piedmont Animal Control Officers are available to answer any questions at 510-420-3006.
Aug 27 2019
No Windows or Doors Were Forcefully Damaged to Remove the 180 pound Battery –
Prius owners are advised to avoid street parking overnight.
Battery thefts from Toyota Prius have been rising since 2015. On Thursday night, August 22 or early Friday, August 23 morning the 180 pound mid-mounted central battery pack was stolen from a 2017 Prius parked on Webster Street in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights. The owner discovered the theft on Friday, when leaving her apartment. The repair typically costs between $5,000 and $10,ooo according to a Toyota mechanic who is currently re-installing the battery pack in four other Prius models that suffered the same theft.
See photos and Read more here.
Aug 8 2019
A series of catalytic converter thefts have targeted Toyota Prius vehicles throughout the Bay Area. During an investigation by the Berkeley Police Department (BPD), detectives identified a suspect vehicle and placed an alert for other law enforcement agencies to stop and detain the vehicle if found.
On the afternoon of August 7th, the Piedmont Police Department spotted the vehicle – a white Nissan Pathfinder – having been alerted by the ALPR camera on Windsor Avenue. Piedmont PD officers detained the vehicle and its occupants on Highland Avenue, alerting detectives from the Berkeley PD, who came to Piedmont taking custody of the suspects.
After further investigation, detectives arrested two men on suspicion of grand theft, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools.
Arrested:
- Briana Nicole Crisp, Female, 37 years old, address unknown
- Mauricio Romeo Navarrete, Male, 47 years old, Oakland, CA
A reciprocating saw, a tool police believe was used to remove catalytic converters, was found in the suspects’ car.
The investigation into the theft of catalytic converters remains active. No catalytic converters were recovered, said Officer Byron White, a BPD spokesman.
There may be more suspects involved in these thefts. If anyone has any information about the investigation, please contact Berkeley PD’s Property Crimes Unit at 510/981-5737 or the Piedmont Police Department at 510/420-3000.
The catalytic converter is a part of a vehicle’s exhaust pipe that’s responsible for reducing emissions. It can be removed from under some cars in a matter of seconds.
Drivers of vulnerable Prius vehicles have been advised to park their vehicle in a garage or well-lit area whenever possible.
Aug 6 2019
Armed Robbery in Piedmont – UPDATE 8-6-2019
Two subjects believed to be responsible for two Piedmont August 4th robberies were taken into custody August 5, 2019.
On August 4, 2019, two armed robberies occurred in the City of Piedmont.
The first event occurred at approximately 9:10 p.m. when three juveniles, 14 years of age, were in the area of Bonita Avenue, near the tennis complex. The juveniles were approached from behind by three suspects. One of the suspects was armed with black handguns. The suspects demanded valuables including smartphones, cash and backpacks. After taking the items of value, the suspects fled in a vehicle described as a white sedan on Vista Avenue towards Highland Avenue. The suspects were all wearing hooded sweatshirts which were pulled down in an attempt to conceal their faces however the victims did describe the suspects as black males wearing dark clothing. The victims were not able to describe the driver of the vehicle.
The second event occurred about ten minutes after the first event, at 9:20pm, in the area of Seaview Avenue. The 15 year old victim was walking in the area when three suspects ran up to him and one of the suspects, grabbed and removed his backpack. The suspects then ran off and got into a waiting white car and fled on Sea View Avenue towards Mountain Avenue. The victim described one of the suspects who took his backpack as a black male wearing all black clothing and the other suspects as unknown race males also wearing dark clothing.
——————–
A vehicle matching the description of the involved car was stopped last night (8/5/19) by Oakland Police Department officers. Piedmont Detectives responded to the scene and were able to identify stolen items from both of the Piedmont robberies in the vehicle. Two subjects were taken into custody and booked at Santa Rita Jail for robbery and possession of stolen property. The subjects are believed to be responsible for two robberies that also occurred in Oakland that night.
S1-Angelo Garrett, age 20 from Hayward
S2-Parnell Walker, age 20 from Oakland
Piedmont Police Department thanks their partners at Oakland Police Department (OPD).
—————–
Anyone with information and/or inquiries related to this case are asked to please contact Detective John Lagios at (510) 420-3015.
Piedmont Police Department – 403 Highland Avenue ▪ Piedmont, CA 94611 ▪ Phone (510) 420-3000 ▪ Fax (510) 420-1121
Jul 22 2019
Public Safety Committee Agenda Thursday, July 25, 2019 5:30 p.m. City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA
The meeting will not be broadcast, however the meeting is open to the public. Minutes are kept of the meeting.
AGENDA: 7-25-19 PSC Agenda
Public Forum This is an opportunity for members of the audience to speak on an item not on the agenda. The 10 minute period will be divided evenly between those wishing to address the Committee.
1. Election of Chair Pro Tempore for July 25, 2019 Public Safety Committee Meeting
2. Approval of Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes for 3/5/19, 3/28/19, & 5/30/19Public Safety 2019-03-05 DRAFT Public Safety 2019-03-28 DRAFT Public Safety 2019-05-30 DRAFT
3. Update on ALPR & Public Safety Cameras
4. Update on PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)PG&E Public-Safety-Power-Shutoff-Fact-Sheet
5. Update on Police Department Social Media
6. Update on National Night Out – Tuesday, August 6 – For more information contact Sergeant Bolden at nbolden@piedmont.ca.gov
7. Update on Get Ready, Piedmont Guide http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/fire/docs/get-ready-piedmont.pdf
8. Update on Map Your Neighborhood Announcements, old business and consideration of future agenda items
Jul 21 2019
12 Remaining Beneficiaries –
The Piedmont Police & Fire Pension Board will meet Wednesday, July 24 at 4:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue. The meeting will not be broadcast, however it is open to the public. Minutes are kept of the meetings.
This board will continue as long as there are retirees or dependents who are covered by the old plan established prior to Piedmont entering CalPERS.
Board membership of five individuals includes representatives from both the Police and Fire Departments and one appointed position, typically Piedmont’s mayor. The Board meets quarterly and will continue as long as there are retirees or dependents who are covered by the discontinued plan.
For the last quarter, there were only 12 remaining beneficiaries of the Piedmont Police and Fire Pension fund. See Finance Director’s Memo 719.
“The representatives of Osterweis Capital Management reported April 24, 2019 on the Police Trust Fund Report and Fire Pension Fund which was valued at $12,773,842, which is up 9.65% for the quarter. They reported that the Other Post Employment Benefits Trust was valued at $8,576,719, which is up 10.32% for the quarter.”
Agenda:
1. Approval of minutes for 4/24/2019 Pension Board minutes 2019-04-24 DRAFT 719
2. Acceptance of Participant Report, summarizing benefits paid in the 4th Quarter of FY 18/19 and current number of beneficiaries Finance Director’s Memo 719
3. Acceptance of the 2nd Quarter 2019 Report of Pension Fund Investments by Osterweis Capital Management
4. Acceptance of the 2nd Quarter 2019 Report of Other Post Employment Benefits Investments by Osterweis Capital Management
For further information, contact:
Jul 16 2019
PG&E Warns EBMUD and Piedmont Customers of Planned Power Outages of 2 to 5 days –
PG&E may turn off electricity in designated areas when extreme fire danger conditions are forecasted (such as Red Flag Warnings, low humidity, high winds, and dry conditions). The specific areas and number of affected customers will depend on weather conditions and which circuits PG&E turns off for public safety. These precautions are called Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
EBMUD has an action plan should we lose power. While PSPS is focused on high fire-threat areas, outages may affect any of our water facilities. Outages are expected to last up to two days; depending on weather conditions and power restoration efforts, however, some outages may last longer.
A PSPS event could force EBMUD to switch to backup generators and pumps to power pumping plants, water treatment plants and other key facilities to keep water flowing, maintain storage and fire flow, and keep water distribution lines pressurized.
What can you do?
Before a PSPS event:
- Make sure your contact information is updated with EBMUD a1nd your local energy company.
- Store a minimum of two gallons of water per person per day, enough to last three to seven days, and don’t forget your pets. The more water you can store, the better.
- Identify your unique/critical water needs and plan ahead.
- Clear property of excess, dead and highly flammable vegetation. Trim grass and vegetation at least 30 feet around your home.
- If you have a backup generator, test it and ensure it’s ready to operate safely.
If you are affected by a PSPS event:
- Minimize water use during an event to leave as much water in the reservoirs as possible for firefighting.
- Shut off irrigation.
- Reduce indoor water use.
- Stay tuned; there will be ongoing updates available through social media, news media and on EBMUD’s website.After a PSPS event:
- Restock your water supplies
- Prepare for the next PSPS event
- Reset your irrigation controller while resetting other electronics to prevent overwatering
- Check regularly for updates from EBMUD and PG&E
