Jun 7 2016

SCHOOLS: New Bonds, Budget, Food Allergies, and Election

On Wednesday, June 8, the Piedmont Unified School District Board, will meet starting at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, to consider: a  new Bond Measure for the schools, the budget, food allergies, and the November Election of 3 school board members including one open seat.  The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live on Cable Channel 27 and the City website under 0n-line videos.  Recordings will be made of the proceedings.

The link to the agenda is here.

Jun 4 2016

NEW: Council Members, School Board Members, and Ballot Measures on November Election

It is time to prepare for 2016 November Election!

All ballot measures and candidates for the Piedmont City Council and the Piedmont Unified School District board need to adhere to the November 8, 2016 General Election timeline.

OPEN SEATS 

The Council and School Board each have an open seat because a member is termed out and cannot seek re-election.  On the Council, Margaret Fujioka will retire and on the School Board Rick Raushenbush will retire. 

Candidates seeking election to the City Council or School Board can file papers beginning July 18 and ending August 12, 2016.

BALLOT MEASURES

“Should the Council wish to place a measure on the November ballot, there would be little additional charge to do so.”

“Should the Council wish to place a measure on the November ballot, two readings of the ordinance placing said measure on the ballot must occur prior to requesting the services of the County to conduct the election, which must occur on or before August 12, 2016. Therefore, the Council would need to conduct the first reading of an ordinance no later than July 18th and the second reading no later than August 1st in order to meet the deadline.”

The cost of the November election will either be borne completely by the City or divided between the City and the School District, if they have a competitive election.

As previously quoted by the Registrar of Voters, the cost for this election will be between $4 and $6 per registered voter in Piedmont, which number approximately 8,300.

Timeline for the November 8, 2016 Election:

  • Deadline to Publish or Post Notice of Election: July 18, 2016
  • Nomination for Candidates Period: July 18 – August 12, 2016 
  • Deadline for Ballot Measures: August 12, 2016
  • Deadline for Direct Arguments on Ballot Measures: August 19, 2016
  • Deadline for Rebuttal Arguments on Ballot Measures: August 26, 2016
  • Last Day to Register to Vote: October 24, 2016
  • Early Voting at the Registrar of Voters’ Office October 10 – November 8, 2016
  • Election Day November 8, 2016
  • Read the Staff report here. 
  • Read the Agenda for the June 6 Council meeting here.
Jun 4 2016

New Garbage Rates, Budget Issues, Next Election, and New Capital Improvement Projects: June 6

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. the City Council will take up its regular agenda in the Council Chambers.  Agenda items include: (Click on items to read the reports.)

06/06/16 – Receipt of a Report on the Timeline for the November 8, 2016 Regular Municipal Election

06/06/16 – Receipt of a Report on the 2016 Annual Adjustment to Trash, Greenwaste and Recycling Service Rates 

06/06/16 – PUBLIC HEARING Regarding the Proposed Budget and Fee Proposals for FY 16-17 and the Levy of the Municipal Services Tax and Sewer Tax

a. Presentation of Report from the Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee

b. Report on the FY 16-17 Budget Proposal 

06/06/16 – Consideration of Direction to Staff Regarding the Inclusion of Projects Recommended by the CIP Review Committee in the FY 16-17 Budget Proposal

The public may comment on any agenda item during the meeting or on a non-agenda item during the Public Forum. You may choose to write comments to the Piedmont City Council, c/o City Clerk, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611 or send an email to: >  jtulloch@ci.piedmont.ca.us. All comments submitted will become part of the public record and may be posted to the City’s website.

The meeting, open to the public, will be broadcast live, and recorded.  Go to Cable Channel 27 and the City website under videos to view the meeting. 

Read the full agenda here.

Jun 4 2016

Aquatics Master Plan Meeting: Monday, June 6: Next Steps

  • Review of Resident Feedback Received at May 24th Aquatics Community Meeting
  • Discussion Regarding Preparation of Aquatics Master Plan

Aquatics Master Plan Steering Committee: Monday, June 6, 2016, 9:00 a.m., City Hall Conference Room, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont 

Public Meeting with no broadcasts or recordings.

Jun 1 2016

VOTE: Piedmont Measure F Attracts Attention from Publications

The East Bay Express Editors recommend a “No” vote on Measure F and wrote:

“The City of Piedmont hopes to re-up an existing municipal tax, which expires next year, with Measure F. The plan is to increase parcel taxes in the city for four years, so as to defray the costs of police, fire, paramedics, and parks and public places. The tax requires two-thirds of voters’ approval. The catch is that Measure F is also a thirty percent increase over the existing parcel tax — a detail that the Piedmont city attorney just so happened to gloss over in its impartial analysis for voters. The Express urges a no vote on this flawed tax.”

Read the complete editorial here.

The East Bay Times recommends a “No” vote on Measure F and wrote:

“Piedmont Measure F: NO

Piedmont’s Measure F would increase that city’s parcel tax by 30 percent. But the ballot language doesn’t mention an increase. And City Attorney Michelle Marchetta Kenyon’s “impartial analysis” does not provide the magnitude of the hike.
That’s inexcusable.
 In material mailed to voters, the 30 percent figure is finally found in the opponents’ ballot arguments. We verified it with other city documents.
…

The ballot wording states that Measure F is needed to prevent the loss of “essential” city services. But the city’s own financial forecasts don’t support that, although there are concerns about the city’s backlog of deferred maintenance.

The current parcel tax doesn’t expire until next year. If city officials believe it must be increased, we suggest trying again in November with a transparent ballot measure.”

Read the complete editorial here

~~~~~~~~~~

The Piedmont League of Women Voters Forum on Measure F as reported by the Mercury News:

Read the report here:

___________

View the entire broadcast of the Piedmont League of Women Voters Forum:  State Senate Candidates, Measure AA and Piedmont Measure F > here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

June 7, Tuesday, Election Day is the last day to vote in the California Primary Election.

For holders of a VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT,  your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters no later than three (3) days after Election Day.  You may also turn in your ballot by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, June 7, at any Alameda County polling location, including Piedmont’s, or into the drop-off box in Piedmont behind the Wells Fargo Bank on Highland Way any day when the drop-off box remains in place.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Editors’ Note: The Piedmont Civic Association does not support or oppose candidates for public office or ballot measures.  Pro and con opinions and articles on ballot items are welcomed and can be submitted via email for publication by clicking below:

editors@piedmontcivic.org

Personal attacks will not be published.
Jun 1 2016

SCHOOLS: Voters Tested for Support of an Additional School Bond

Learn more about a survey the Piedmont Unified School District commissioned to find out if Piedmont voters would support a new local school bond measure, possibly in November 2016, to improve school facilities.  The survey is called Bond Feasibility Survey. The conclusion from the survey was that 70% of voters in Piedmont would support a new and additional school bond ballot measure.

“Is a bond measure to repair and improve Piedmont schools feasible for the November 2016 ballot?   Yes.”

“Voters have an exceptionally positive opinion of the quality of education provided by the Piedmont Unified School District and they consider maintaining the quality of education in local public schools to be the most important issue facing the community—more important than maintaining local streets and roads, protecting the environment, preventing local tax increases, and other benchmark issues. These sentiments translate into strong natural support (70%) for a $65 million bond to repair and modernize aging classrooms and school facilities including repairing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and electrical systems, improve student safety, campus security, and access for the disabled, and acquire, renovate, construct and equip classrooms, facilities, science labs, and technology to support advanced programs in math, science, engineering, arts and technology.

“The results of this study suggest that, if structured appropriately and combined with an effective public education effort and independent campaign, the proposed school bond measure has a good chance of passage if placed on the November ballot. Having stated that a bond measure is feasible, it is important to note that a recommendation to place a measure on the ballot comes with several qualifications and conditions. Indeed, although the results are promising, all revenue measures must overcome challenges prior to being successful. The proposed measure is no exception.”

Read the complete survey – methodology, questions posed to potential voters, and conclusions  here.

May 30 2016

PARK COMMISSION: Activities and Reports, June 1

Park Commission Agenda Wednesday, June 1, 2016, 5:30 p.m. City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont. The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast.

~~~~~~~~ AGENDA ~~~~~~~~

  1. Approval of Park Commission Meeting Minutes May 4, 2016*See below.
  2. Update on the CIP Committee Report to City Council May 21, 2016* See below.
  3. Update on Trident Maple Planting for Piedmont Park
  4. Update on the Hampton Park Master Plan
  5. Update on Linda Kingston Triangle
  6. Monthly Maintenance Report: Park, Open Space and Street Tree Update for the Month of May

Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Park Commission are available for public inspection in the Public Works Department during normal business hours.

Update on the CIP Committee Report to City Council May 21, 2016

The CIP Committee is a committee appointed by the City Council and consists of four members from the general public, the chairs of the City’s Park and Recreation Commissions and the chair of Piedmont Beautification Foundation. At their first meeting, City Administrator Paul Benoit and Councilman Bob McBain discussed the current and future direction of the committee’s responsibilities and the committee’s outreach efforts to compile a list of new capital projects that would be considered by the Council as funding opportunities became available, whether through City funding sources or grants.

The Committee reconvened in February 2016 with Bobbe Stehr as the Chairperson and held (5) publicly noticed meetings with a tour of proposed CIP sites on May 7, 2016. The committee conducted extensive outreach process, inviting participation by individuals, citizen groups, commissioners and City staff. The process included an on-line proposal form on the City’s website. The Committee also developed a list of criteria used to evaluate all proposed projects and provide specific conclusions with recommendations for future planning.

The final report was presented to the City Council during their budget workshop on May 21, 2016.

The following is a brief summary of the project recommendations for the top five projects, listed in order of priority with estimated costs.

1. Coaches Field Master Plan $50,000:
• The goal of the master plan would be to assess the options for expanding the playfield area to include an under 14 -sized soccer field, study the options for artificial turf and the technical requirements for drainage, and research “dark sky” LED field lighting

2. Beach Tot Lot/ ADA Compliant Howard Ave. Entrance and Restroom Facilities: Master Plan $30,000.
• The goal of the master plan would be to review existing facilities, solicit community input and propose a new layout for improved recreational opportunities at the existing Tot Lot area, the unused area around the restroom facilities, and the space between the Oakland Ave. Bridge and Beach playfield.

3. Piedmont Community Hall: Entry Court Renovations $200,00-300,000
• New improvements would include enhancement to the entry court for ceremonial and civic events, improved event lighting, revised and expanded parking and ADA access.

4. Piedmont Community Hall: Rear Balcony and Amphitheater Architectural Master Plan $50,000
• The goal of the architectural master plan would be to study existing uses and recommend options for the building which would include expanding the terraces and rear balcony and renovating the amphitheater. Building and landscape renovations would improve the rental opportunities and expand options for community use.

5. Oakland Avenue Bridge- Complete the String of Lights $40,000.

  • A proposal was submitted by, Wm. Blackwell, to add two new light standards, matching existing light standards and infill the string of lights on both sides of the bridge.
  • The CIP committee also suggested that the safety issues on the bridge and pedestrian crossing be included in the future implementation of the Bike/Pedestrian Plan or as part of the Master Plan for the Beach Playfield project.

~~~~  DRAFT – ABBREVIATED PIEDMONT PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES of Wednesday, May 4, 2016 ~~~~~~~~

Chairperson Totsubo called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.  Present: Chairperson Jamie Totsubo; Vice Chairperson Jonathan Levine; Commissioners Betsy Goodman, Jim Horner, John Lenahan, Brian Mahany and Patty Siskind

Staff Present: Parks and Project Manager Nancy Kent, Public Works Supervisor Dave Frankel and Public Works Director Chester Nakahara

Also Present: Councilmember Robert McBain

Alex Chueh, Senior at Piedmont High School requested there be 1 or 2 lights around the dog park, specifically around the softball field.

Samuel Cheng, Senior at Piedmont High School, echoed the previous speaker’s request and also suggested lights leading up to Wildwood Avenue, as there are many people coming back from sports and they must walk in darkness.

Kalen Davison, Senior at Piedmont High School spoke regarding the tennis courts at Beach School, specifically the nets. He said the nets are well below the regulation height and considering they are used by many people, he asked that they be checked every few months.

Kaelli Thiel and Madison Tenney proposed installing a drinking fountain at the dog run at Dracena Park.

Parks and Project Manager Nancy Kent presented a request from residents near Lorita Ave Tree Planting Request on Lorita Avenue to add additional street trees and remove acacia trees on the street. Ms Kent also provided information on a 2012 petition from a resident at 32 Lorita Avenue asking the City to plant street trees along the end of Lorita Avenue.

The Park Commission heard this request and also heard from adjacent neighbors. Originally in the strip there were American Elm trees planted and residents at 208 Ramona received permission to remove them, but there was significant sucker growth afterwards. The City in managing that created a hedge of elm suckers. Those suckers were damaging properties on Ramona and the City removed the elms and replaced the planting area with low Agapanthus.

In 2012, after review by Commissioners, the end results were that several Commissioners were going to research drought-tolerant shrubs in lieu of planting street trees or possibly a Bay Friendly landscape installation and at that point there was no additional action taken except that the Agapanthus were installed.

Since that time, the fence which residents did not like at the end of Lorita had been replaced and the Agapanthus has been watered by one of the adjacent neighbors. Before the Commission today is a petition to have the City review existing street trees which are Ginkgoes and determine whether they can infill as well as remove the Agapanthus and put street trees in that strip.

Staff was on site talking with neighbors and held an informal meeting with the owner of 36 Monticello who volunteered to pay for 5 new street trees on the Lorita frontage of his property. Even though the petition did not include this address, since it takes up half of that side of Lorita Avenue, the Commission can consider whether it wants to accept the donation of 5 street trees and install them.

Regarding the existing number of trees, Ms. Kent stated on the east side of the street approximately every home could handle 2 trees which is the existing pattern.

Staff has also received additional correspondence, one from a resident at 28 Lorita Avenue with a pledge to water anything that is planted in the non- irrigated replacement strip. Also in the packet are two resident letters whose rear yard borders on the end of Lorita and they sent comments with concerns that if street trees were planted at the end of the street, it would add shade to their rear yard. They asked that plant materials be installed that would only rise to the height of the fence.

Staff suggested a substitution in the packet and said several residents are present to speak.

Public testimony was received from:.

Maggie Spencer, Devan Joseph, Andrew Coleman, and Patricia Makinen voiced their support for the petition. They stated their belief that the addition of new trees and removal of acacia trees to Lorita Avenue will beautify the street and give it more of a neighborhood feeling.

Ann Hall, 208 Ramona Avenue, voiced concern about the planting of new trees due to issues with backyard sunlight and root infiltration. She stated her familiarity with a dwarf crape myrtle which would be great and believes they would be watered, but she asked that no trees be planted which would affect the integrity of their property.

The Commission discussed the request, focusing on whether ginkgos are the appropriate tree for the area and how the trees would grow. After discussion, the consensus was reached that Ginkgo was the appropriate tree for the area due to the existing ginkgos on the block and the propensity of this type of tree to remain small when planted in a confined space.

Through this discussion, the Commission came to a consensus that the developer would be allowed to purchase street trees with Ginkgo trees and replace the Agapanthus with dwarf Crepe Myrtles which is what residents want.

Resolved, that the Park Commission approves the request by the petitioners to plant new Ginkgo trees along the street in locations and quantities to be determined by staff and residents; that staff work with residents to determine what existing trees need replacement and that staff work with residents of Lorita and Ramona to determine what planting is appropriate for the fence at the end of the cul-de-sac as long as it is not a tall tree; and that the Commission accept the offer of the developer at 36 Monticello to donate 5 Ginkgo trees.  Moved by Levine, Seconded by Siskind Ayes: Goodman, Horner, Lenahan, Levine, Totsubo, Mahany and Siskind Noes: None

Linda Kingston Triangle Parks and Project Manager Nancy Kent gave the following update:

Trident Maple Planting in Piedmont Park

Hampton Park Master

  • Working drawings which include irrigation are now being reviewed by the City Engineer who is putting together the bid package. The drawings will go out to bid in mid-May.
  • The City has been working with its maintenance staff, as this is the City’s kick-off project for their first SMART controller and they are looking at switching as many controllers out as possible. The new controllers have rain sensors, relate to the evapo-transportation rate and also allow maintenance staff to have remote accessibility.  Public Works Director Chester Nakahara stated they expect to have the bid out in May giving the contractors 4 weeks for the bid period and then awarding the bid. The bulk of the construction work should be done before school starts and while they are beholden to EBMUD and PG&E, the idea is to get the hardscape done, traffic patterns established and striping done in the area by the start of school and thereafter begin with planting and infill.
  • Parks and Project Manager Nancy Kent gave the following update:

• East Bay Garden Club has made a donation to the City to offset the cost of a new Trident Maple tree planted in the Main Park. This will commemorate their 30th anniversary. They have secured the maple tree which is at the Corporation yard. The ceremony date is May 24th and ceremonial planting will be at 10AM.

Public Works Director Chester Nakahara provided the following update:   Plan Update [Hampton Field]:

At its meeting of April 18th, the City Council awarded the project to Suarez and Munoz out of Hayward and the total bid price was $1,573,435.50. He noted an incredible amount of private donations have been received which now exceed $350,000. There have been continued pledges from various people to continue fundraising through the construction period and afterwards.

  • The contractor has been responsive, they are scheduling a pre-construction meeting in the next couple of weeks with the goal to start on June 13th which is the Monday after school lets out.
  • Work around the Piedmont Playschool will start first with the idea that when school comes back in session on August 16th they will have access and use of their yard area.
  • Further updates can be provided once the work begins.

Commissioner Goodman provided the following update:

  • Arbor Day was celebrated on April 26th at the Piedmont Community Hall with 150-175 people in attendance.
  • The Piedmont High School Jazz Band performed and guest speaker Bill McNamara, Director of Quarry Hill Botanical Gardens in Glen Ellen, showed slides and spoke of his travels to China where he would look for seeds of endangered plants which were planted in Quarry Hill and they created one of the largest collections of wild collected Asian plants in the world.
  • Emily Phillips was honored as the winner of the Arbor Day Logo Contest by creating a logo using the Piedmont Etc.
  • The closing event of the evening was acknowledgement of the newly planted Japanese Maple tree at the Japanese Tea House. The tree was donated by the Anderson family in memory of late Pete Anderson.  Chair Totsubo thanked Commissioner Lenahan for his public relations work and recruiting the jazz band to play at the event.
  • Commissioner Siskind recognized the AP Environmental Science class which had 6 exhibits.
  • Councilmember McBain thanked everybody for their hard work to put on the Arbor Day celebration.
  • Former Park Commission members commented on how much this event has grown from a fairly modest kids related event to becoming a great community event, who think this event is very rewarding and speaks well for Piedmont.The Commission thanked all the volunteers and City Staff who worked to create such a wonderful event.Park, Open Space and Street Tree Update for the Month of April: Public Works Supervisor Dave Frankel provided the following highlights, Arbor Day and Monthly Maintenance Report
    • Preparing the park for Arbor Day took most of the efforts of their department this past month.
    • Staff trimmed all hedges that surround the Tea House and Community Center, trimmed up and dead wooded all trees, prepared the new Arbor Day tree planting site by excavating down deep enough to plan the new 6,000 lb., 5 foot box tree. There was a massive block of roots they discovered at the 3 foot level and they worked for one day to remove the rest of the stump by hand, with 3 wheel barrels worth of roots.’
    • They were lucky to have the crane work donated by Professional Tree to the City of Piedmont. It saved them thousands in cost but he also recognized the owner, Brian Fenske who was at the controls. He is one of the most experienced, qualified operators and is extremely good at his craft.
  • After the tree was safely in place, they began landscaping around it. Staff installed about 1 1⁄2 tons of boulders, making sure they were placed in such a way that the overall feel of the Tea House was maintained.
  • Staff planted over 100 plants which he briefly described and they topped off the entire Tea House area with 20 yards of fresh mulch.
  • They were extremely happy with the outcome and his staff received numerous compliments.
  • He thanked the Anderson family for their generous donation as a memorial for long-time resident Pete Anderson.
  • They have begun the street tree reforestation project on Warfield. Last month all diseased and over-matured trees were removed. All of the concrete sidewalks were removed adjacent to those trees and stumps which allowed them more access to grind them out.
  • Sidewalk scallops were formed around the tree planting sites to allow a wider planting space and the concrete sidewalk was just finished being poured back today so all concrete work is done.
  • They expect to follow with planting the crape myrtle trees by the end of the week and will report back next month with a follow-up on this project.
  • They are continuing to solicit bids for some large tree removals in their park system. At Crocker Park, 2 large Canary Island Pine trees need to be removed.
  • Dracena Park has a large half dead Monterey Pine tree that sits up by the quarry and there is also a group of Acacia trees that need to be removed.
  • Grand Avenue median has a big dead Monterey Pine tree in it and staff will solicit bids to have this work done shortly.
  • They are also in the process of vetting out their new SMART irrigation controllers. They will allow the City to use water much more efficiently and have the ability to react to real time weather data; they have rain sensors and the ability to manage the entire system through the Internet, IPads, phones and computers.
  • They have taken one supplier out in the field to evaluate the technical signal challenges that Piedmont’s topography can create. Another field trip is scheduled this Friday and they will report back on this at the next meeting.
  • Those with newly planted street trees in parking strips, now is the time to use gator bags to water the trees.
  • Commissioner Horner asked if after tree removals, was it routine for maintenance staff to replant trees. Mr. Frankel said they typically replant street trees. For larger street trees like those in Crocker Park, they most likely would consider a different species and bring the matter to the Park Commission.Ms. Kent confirmed that most removed trees are the result of the drought and Mr. Frankel agreed and said most are Monterey Pine and Canary Island Pine trees.

Due to a lack of quorum, the July 6th meeting would be cancelled. There being no further business, Chairperson Totsubo adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m.

Comments for the Park Commissioners can be sent via: nkent@piedmont.ci.ca.us

May 30 2016

CITY: Consideration of Financial Projections in FY 2016 2017 Budget

Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee (BAFPC) will meet on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the EOC Room – Police Department, 403 Highland Ave, Piedmont to act on:

Consideration of the Committee’s Report to the Council Regarding the Financial Projections Contained in the Proposed FY 16-17 Budget

The meeting is open to public participation and observation. Minutes and recordings are not kept of the meetings.  No broadcast is made of the meetings.  Meeting materials are not disseminated publicly prior to the meetings. 

The BAFPC is charged with advising the City Council on the budget and financial planning. 

Materials related to an item on the agenda submitted to the Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee are available for public inspection in the Finance Department during normal business hours.

For further information contact City Administrator, Paul Benoit at pbenoit@piedmont.ci.ca.us  or 420-3040. 

May 30 2016

SCHOOL: Budget Committee Deals with Controversy

Report on Budget Advisory Committee Meeting of May 19th 

Matters became heated at the Piedmont Unified School District’s (PUSD) Budget Advisory Committee meeting on May 19th. The Committee meets approximately once a month in the School District Offices.

The meeting started off with the Piedmont School District Business Services official, Song Chin­-Bendib reviewing the PUSD budget. When asked why she was there, she replied with a friendly, “It’s my job.”

Song was surprised that the tax revenue was less than projected to be in January. She showed her support for California Proposition 30.  She said that some areas of government do not support extending the proposition.

Song Chin­-Bendib expressed how important budget reports are. She noticed a trend in her reports where the ending balance is going down. When asked further about the budget, she said that 35% of the budget is paid by the Parent’s Club and Parcel Tax, and that 85% of the budget goes to personnel and staff, and 15% towards utilities.

Within the State budget, there are “rainy day funds”, which could be used to help school districts.  Song closed off her budget statement showing the trend changes the budget projections saying, “A lot of things can happen in 6 months.”

After Song Chin­-Bendib, the Committee transitioned to citizen statements; a Piedmont resident named William Blackwell spoke. He started off talking about the Piedmont school parcel tax, which is a flat tax of approximately $2,600 per year per parcel.   The school parcel tax, called Measure A, was passed three years ago by Piedmont voters.  The tax created no exemptions for Piedmont citizens to not pay the tax except for those on SSI.

Blackwell stated he noticed that 43 parcels in Piedmont were not paying the school tax, which he claimed is not legal. Out of 43 parcels, two are exempt from the tax under SSI.  Out of the remaining 41, 30 are double parcels. A double parcel means that there is one house on two parcels, and the property is taxed for only one parcel.

Blackwell further noted that the shocking thing is that 11 of the 43 are single parcels on individual properties not paying the Piedmont school parcel tax, some owned by religious entities.

“The Piedmont parcel tax issue is an ongoing issue.He was then cut off by a lady on the Committee who asked if he was a tax attorney. She then asked, “What’s keeping Piedmont from getting the money?”  Mr. Blackwell replied, “This issue is not being settled by who it should be settled by.” She did not believe his claim. Mr. Blackwell stated that she is supporting the parcel tax law being broken, which she answered with, “I’m offended you’re accusing me of breaking the law.”

The argument went forth for a couple of more minutes, until it was cut short by Song Chin­-Bendib. The meeting as a whole was then adjourned, but Mr. Blackwell stayed behind to talk a little more, with no interruptions. He said that exempting the church ­owned parcels may be a violation of the Separation of Church and State doctrine, that prohibits local government support for religion.

According to Blackwell, June 30th is the deadline for ending the unlawful exemptions to the school tax, and he is curious to see if there will be a change for next year. Terminating these “illegal exemptions” would add another $326,000 to the budget, which could be very impactful on the long term. When asked about how Mr. Blackwell came across this shocking trend, he said “I’m not a lawyer, but I can read.”

By Landon Campbell, Piedmont High School Senior

Editor’s Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.

May 26 2016

NEW Options for VOTE BY MAIL – June 7 Voting – Ballot Drop Box Added in Piedmont

Drop your unstamped Ballot in the new Ballot Drop Box added to the center of Piedmont next to the mailboxes and library book drop box on Highland Way.

Ballot Drop Box

Ballot Drop Box on Highland Way in the Center of Piedmont

Ballot Drop Box

Ballot Drop Box on Highland Way

June 7, 2016 – Last Day to Vote

Submitting Stamped Ballots Through the US Postal Service:

Vote-by-Mail Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Registrar of Voters office no later than 3 days after Election Day.

Submitting Ballots Without Postage:

Vote-by-Mail voters who do not want to mail in their ballot can DROP their voted ballots in the 24-hour outdoor Ballot  drop-off box in Piedmont behind the Wells Fargo Bank on Highland Way.  (Ballot Box is pictured in the photos above.)

Other 24-hour outdoor Ballot  drop-off boxes are in downtown Oakland at the corner of 12th Street and Oak Street or at the ramp at 1225 Fallon Street.  There is also a Ballot drop-off box inside the courthouse next to the Sheriff’s check-in station, Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm.

Deliver in Person:

On Election Day, June 7, Ballots may be dropped off at any polling place in Piedmont or Alameda County from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Vote-by-Mail Ballots may currently be delivered in person to the Registrar of Voters Office 1225 Fallon Street during business hours; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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