A few Piedmonters tried the new nighttime bus service to Piedmont from BART in its first two weeks of service.  One rider described it as a “private limousine” when there were no other passengers. At the end of the second week, use picked up.  According to a Piedmont couple returning from an evening at the San Francisco Ballet at the end of the second week, there were eight passengers on the 10:30 p.m. bus from BART’s 12th Street Oakland City Center station. To the couple’s surprise, they were at home at the same time they normally arrive when driving from the Rockridge BART station parking lot.

The new Bus 33 nighttime service to Piedmont from BART and downtown Oakland restaurants and theaters will allow Piedmonters to enjoy cultural events and entertainment car-free and return home until midnight Monday through Saturday and until 11 p.m. on Sunday.

See Bus 33 map & schedules > here.

Has the Piedmont Climate Action Plan Task Force ridden the new Bus 33 yet?

Read about the new bus service to Piedmont > here.

Changes impact Second Units that are now called Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Governor Jerry Brown signed into law changes to Government Code Section 65852.2 (see below) in September 2016 materially limiting parking requirements for the development of Second Units and further enhancing ministerial approval of building permits, bypassing the community and its elected representatives. Piedmont’s ADU code has grown awkwardly with additions in 2003 and 2016 piled on top of the 1983 original language, resulting in numerous contradictions and conflicts.

When Piedmont’s Chapter 17 was recently (March 2017) approved by the City Council and Planning Commission, there was no indication in the volume of documents informing either the Council or Commission that the action they were taking would be impacted by the already in effect (January 2017) State law Government Code Section 65852.2. 

The new staff proposal is to revise the revised April 2017 Chapter 17 zoning laws which relaxed building requirements such as setbacks, lot size, parking requirements facilitating additional housing within existing houses and structures. 

Residents vary in their opinions regarding housing expansion in Piedmont through Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)/ Second Units.  Many like the changes as a way to stay in their homes as they age or add income through rentals plus allowing Piedmont to meet regional housing needs.  Others question the unassessed and unevaluated impact on public services, neighborhood quality, density, parking needs, community support, and traffic impacts. 

65852.2 includes permission for cities:

… a local agency may require an applicant for a permit issued pursuant to this subdivision to be an owner-occupant or that the property be used for rentals of terms longer than 30 days.

Piedmont’s proposed code states:

Parking. When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit, any required replacement parking spaces may be located in any configuration on the lot. (Gov’t. Code §65852.2 (a)(1)(D)(xi).)

[No setback is required for an existing garage.]

b. Setbacks. No setback is required for an existing garage that is converted to an accessory dwelling unit. If an accessory dwelling unit is constructed above an existing garage, the minimum setback is five feet from the side and rear lot line. (Gov’t. Code §65852.2 (a)(1)(D)

(7).)3. Owner occupancy. Except for an exempt accessory dwelling unit, the owner of an accessory dwelling unit must occupy either the primary unit or the accessory dwelling unit, if both units are used for habitation. The owner must record with the County Recorder a declaration of restrictions, in a form provided by the city.

 Staff is given authority by state law to make decisions on projects without public input or notification.

QUESTIONS:

• Will the City have to add more staffing to oversee affordable unit compliance?
• Some City’s require affordable units to remain affordable for 20 years rather than Piedmont’s term of 10 years. Why did Piedmont pick a 10 year term for affordability?.
• Once a unit no longer falls into the affordable category will the forgiven parking requirement continue to be forgiven or will existing units have to return for a new permit level?
• Does the City have adequate public services for increased demands – street widths, parking needs, public safety, and city staffing?
• Will Piedmont taxpayers be required to pay more for the increase in public services or will the new units be taxed to cover expenses?
• How many ADU units are projected in Piedmont?
• How will the units be taxed ?
• Why wasn’t the Council and public informed  of the upcoming changes based on State Law 65852.2 before approval of the redoing of Chapter 17  by the Council and Planning Commission that lessened parking requirements for existing properties, such as parking sizes, covered parking requirements, allowing tandem parking, etc.. ?
• If a garage is removed, must the existing house meet their parking requirements?
• Can an accessory structure be built on the property line and then converted to an ADU?
• What measures will the City use to identify traffic or safety when applications are presented?
• If there is no notice procedure, how is a neighbor to know if an application has been filed or how to appeal a decision?
• How will the City know when a neighborhood is overly impacted with additional traffic issues from ADUs?
• What will the application and permit fees be for an ADU?
• What has happened to Piedmont’s covered parking requirements?
• Will ADUs be reappraised for County property tax purposes?
• Since the School District only taxes parcels, does this mean ADUs will not be taxed for School Bond measures and voter approved extra property taxes?
• Did the City Council take a position on State Law 65852.2 when it was being considered by the legislators and governor?

_______________________________________________

City Planning Department announcement:

Planning Commission to Discuss Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE REVISING THE REGULATIONS FORACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN CITY CODE CHAPTER 17

The Commission will hold a hearing to consider an ordinance to revise City Code Chapter 17 regarding the regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The proposed revisions are in response to the changes to Government Code Section 65852.2 resulting from the enactment of Assembly Bill 2299 and Senate Bill 1069. These changes limit a local jurisdiction’s ability to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as Second Units. The provisions affected by the changes to State law include, but are not limited to, off-street parking requirements, unit size limitations, and application approval timelines. The State laws permit cities to adopt ADU ordinances as long as the ordinance is consistent with the State laws and imposes certain local standards. The Commission may take action to make a recommendation of adoption to the City Council. The proposed amendments do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA, and therefore are exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines, 14 Cal. Code of Regulations section 15378.

Mon., Apr. 10th – 5:00PM

[ADU’s will be considered at the beginning of the meeting]  held in the
City Council Chambers – City Hall

The meeting will be broadcast on Cable Channel 27 and from the City website under videos.

Read the full staff report, which includes the proposed ordinance at the end.  Click > here.

_________________________________________

The January 2017 State law controlling second units/ ADUs is below:

65852.2.   (a) (1) A local agency may, by ordinance, provide for the creation of accessory dwelling units in single-family and multifamily residential zones. The ordinance shall do all of the following:

(A) Designate areas within the jurisdiction of the local agency where accessory dwelling units may be permitted. The designation of areas may be based on criteria, that may include, but are not limited to, the adequacy of water and sewer services and the impact of accessory dwelling units on traffic flow and public safety.

(B) (i) Impose standards on accessory dwelling units that include, but are not limited to, parking, height, setback, lot coverage, landscape, architectural review, maximum size of a unit, and standards that prevent adverse impacts on any real property that is listed in the California Register of Historic Places.

(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), a local agency may reduce or eliminate parking requirements for any accessory dwelling unit located within its jurisdiction.

(C) Provide that accessory dwelling units do not exceed the allowable density for the lot upon which the accessory dwelling unit is located, and that accessory dwelling units are a residential use that is consistent with the existing general plan and zoning designation for the lot.

(D) Require the accessory dwelling units to comply with all of the following:

(i) The unit is not intended for sale separate from the primary residence and may be rented.

(ii) The lot is zoned for single-family or multifamily use and contains an existing, single-family dwelling.

(iii) The accessory dwelling unit is either attached to the existing dwelling or located within the living area of the existing dwelling or detached from the existing dwelling and located on the same lot as the existing dwelling.

(iv) The increased floor area of an attached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 50 percent of the existing living area, with a maximum increase in floor area of 1,200 square feet.

(v) The total area of floorspace for a detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 1,200 square feet.

(vi) No passageway shall be required in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.

(vii) No setback shall be required for an existing garage that is converted to a accessory dwelling unit, and a setback of no more than five feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be required for an accessory dwelling unit that is constructed above a garage.

(viii) Local building code requirements that apply to detached dwellings, as appropriate.

(ix) Approval by the local health officer where a private sewage disposal system is being used, if required.

(x) (I) Parking requirements for accessory dwelling units shall not exceed one parking space per unit or per bedroom. These spaces may be provided as tandem parking on an existing driveway.

(II) Off­street parking shall be permitted in setback areas in locations determined by the local agency or through tandem parking, unless specific findings are made that parking in setback areas or tandem parking is not feasible based upon specific site or regional topographical or fire and life safety conditions, or that it is not permitted anywhere else in the jurisdiction.

(III) This clause shall not apply to a unit that is described in subdivision (d).

(xi) When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit, and the local agency requires that those off­street parking spaces be replaced, the replacement spaces may be located in any configuration on the same lot as the accessory dwelling unit, including, but not limited to, as covered spaces, uncovered spaces, or tandem spaces, or by the use of mechanical automobile parking lifts. This clause shall not apply to a unit that is described in subdivision (d).

(2) The ordinance shall not be considered in the application of any local ordinance, policy, or program to limit residential growth.

(3) When a local agency receives its first application on or after July 1, 2003, for a permit pursuant to this subdivision, the application shall be considered ministerially without discretionary review or a hearing, notwithstanding Section 65901 or 65906 or any local ordinance regulating the issuance of variances or special use permits, within 120 days after receiving the application. A local agency may charge a fee to reimburse it for costs that it incurs as a result of amendments to this paragraph enacted during the 2001–02 Regular Session of the Legislature, including the costs of adopting or amending any ordinance that provides for the creation of an accessory dwelling unit.

(4) An existing ordinance governing the creation of an accessory dwelling unit by a local agency or an accessory dwelling ordinance adopted by a local agency subsequent to the effective date of the act adding this paragraph shall provide an approval process that includes only ministerial provisions for the approval of accessory dwelling units and shall not include any discretionary processes, provisions, or requirements for those units, except as otherwise provided in this subdivision. In the event that a local agency has an existing accessory dwelling unit ordinance that fails to meet the requirements of this subdivision, that ordinance shall be null and void upon the effective date of the act adding this paragraph and that agency shall thereafter apply the standards established in this subdivision for the approval of accessory dwelling units, unless and until the agency adopts an ordinance that complies with this section.

(5) No other local ordinance, policy, or regulation shall be the basis for the denial of a building permit or a use permit under this subdivision.

(6) This subdivision establishes the maximum standards that local agencies shall use to evaluate a proposed accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for residential use that contains an existing single-family dwelling. No additional standards, other than those provided in this subdivision, shall be utilized or imposed, except that a local agency may require an applicant for a permit issued pursuant to this subdivision to be an owner-occupant or that the property be used for rentals of terms longer than 30 days.

(7) A local agency may amend its zoning ordinance or general plan to incorporate the policies, procedures, or other provisions applicable to the creation of an accessory dwelling unit if these provisions are consistent with the limitations of this subdivision.

(8) An accessory dwelling unit that conforms to this subdivision shall be deemed to be an accessory use or an accessory building and shall not be considered to exceed the allowable density for the lot upon which it is located, and shall be deemed to be a residential use that is consistent with the existing general plan and zoning designations for the lot. The accessory dwelling unit shall not be considered in the application of any local ordinance, policy, or program to limit residential growth.

(b) When a local agency that has not adopted an ordinance governing accessory dwelling units in accordance with subdivision (a) receives its first application on or after July 1, 1983, for a permit to create an accessory dwelling unit pursuant to this subdivision, the local agency shall accept the application and approve or disapprove the application ministerially without discretionary review pursuant to subdivision (a) within 120 days after receiving the application.

(c) A local agency may establish minimum and maximum unit size requirements for both attached and detached accessory dwelling units. No minimum or maximum size for an accessory dwelling unit, or size based upon a percentage of the existing dwelling, shall be established by ordinance for either attached or detached dwellings that does not permit at least an efficiency unit to be constructed in compliance with local development standards. Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a local agency, whether or not it has adopted an ordinance governing accessory dwelling units in accordance with subdivision (a), shall not impose parking standards for an accessory dwelling unit in any of the following instances:

(1) The accessory dwelling unit is located within one-half mile of public transit.

(2) The accessory dwelling unit is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.

(3) The accessory dwelling unit is part of the existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure.

(4) When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the accessory dwelling unit.

(5) When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the accessory dwelling unit.

(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, a local agency shall ministerially approve an application for a building permit to create within a single-family residential zone one accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot if the unit is contained within the existing space of a single-family residence or accessory structure, has independent exterior access from the existing residence, and the side and rear setbacks are sufficient for fire safety. Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence.

(f) (1) Fees charged for the construction of accessory dwelling units shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 66000) and Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 66012).

(2) Accessory dwelling units shall not be considered new residential uses for the purposes of calculating local agency connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer service.

(A) For an accessory dwelling unit described in subdivision (e), a local agency shall not require the applicant to install a new or separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility or impose a related connection fee or capacity charge.

(B) For an accessory dwelling unit that is not described in subdivision (e), a local agency may require a new or separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility. Consistent with Section 66013, the connection may be subject to a connection fee or capacity charge that shall be proportionate to the burden of the proposed accessory dwelling unit, based upon either its size or the number of its plumbing fixtures, upon the water or sewer system. This fee or charge shall not exceed the reasonable cost of providing this service.

(g) This section does not limit the authority of local agencies to adopt less restrictive requirements for the creation of an accessory dwelling unit.

(h) Local agencies shall submit a copy of the ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Department of Housing and Community Development within 60 days after adoption.

(i) As used in this section, the following terms mean:

(1) “Living area” means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit including basements and attics but does not include a garage or any accessory structure.

(2) “Local agency” means a city, county, or city and county, whether general law or chartered.

(3) For purposes of this section, “neighborhood” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 65589.5.

(4) “Accessory dwelling unit” means an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family dwelling is situated. An accessory dwelling unit also includes the following:

(A) An efficiency unit, as defined in Section 17958.1 of Health and Safety Code.

(B) A manufactured home, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code.

(5) “Passageway” means a pathway that is unobstructed clear to the sky and extends from a street to one entrance of the accessory dwelling unit.

(j) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or in any way alter or lessen the effect or application of the California Coastal Act (Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) of the Public Resources Code), except that the local government shall not be required to hold public hearings for coastal development permit applications for accessory dwelling units.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 735, Sec. 1.5. Effective January 1, 2017.)

During the town hall meetings the School District will ask the community to consider questions such as:

•  What do you like/dislike about each concept design?
•  Which of these concept designs best meet our educational goals and priorities?

•  Do you have another concept design that fits within the constraints of the budget, site topography, etc.?
  A short video that provides an overview of three concept designs for new high school STEAM facilities can be viewed here > https://youtu.be/lOhWHostJYc  
• More detailed information about each of the three concept designs can be viewed here >https://goo.gl/WkfFfe  
• Additional town hall meetings will be held next year to discuss elementary school classrooms;
• The three upcoming town hall meetings will focus specifically on concept designs for the high school.Those who can’t attend one of the three town hall meetings can go to the Measure H1 website — > www.measureh1.org — to learn about and provide comment on the concept designs.
• Community feedback on the concept designs will also be accepted at the Piedmont School Maker Faire on April 23, 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at Piedmont High School.
• “The District’s paramount goal is to provide an extraordinary education that prepares students for higher education and careers, and STEAM education is at the forefront of these efforts.  STEAM courses emphasize critical reasoning, computational thinking, and skills to articulate and defend ideas. These skills are essential for nearly every career in today’s economy and, regardless of future education and careers, these skills are essential for life in the digital age. “With voter approval of Measure H1, the District looks forward to modernizing labs and other infrastructure to support robust STEAM education, now and in the future,” said Superintendent Booker.”
  

  $66 M Bond funds may be used to:

•  Construct new high school facilities to support instruction of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (“STEAM”).
•  Renovate or replace school facilities to support student learning and upgrade antiquated mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems.
•  Add elementary classrooms for extended-day kindergarten.
•  Implement energy-efficiency measures to reduce operating expenses and mitigate environmental impacts.
•  Enhance campus security across all campuses.

Comments may be sent to the School Board by going to >  http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/board-of-education/members/

 

Piedmont bus service extends later on weekdays and Saturdays – going to BART stations, downtown Oakland and Montclair.

>#33 Bus Line Replaces the #11 Bus Line

Piedmont’s new bus service has extended evening service with the last AC Transit Bus #33 departing at 10pm from Highland Way (Piedmont Civic Center) and with the last trip returning to Piedmont on Highland Way arriving at 11:53 pm on weekdays and Saturdays. More frequent service will be provided during commuting hours. On Sundays and holidays, the last trip to Piedmont will end an hour earlier.

See the complete new bus #33 schedule and route > here.

An early morning and afternoon weekday only loop from Highland Way to Inverleith Terrace and Estates Drive and back to Highland Way serves the Civic Center schools and others.

 New later evening and more frequent bus service supports Piedmont’s Climate Action Plan –

Piedmonters are encouraged to use the newly expanded bus schedule on the #33, which represents a significant component of the Piedmont Climate Action Plan.

~~~~~~~~

Oakland Running Festival on Sunday will disrupt driving and bus service –

On Sunday, April 2, a number of Oakland streets will be closed from 6am to 3pm for the Oakland Running Festival, causing disruption to bus service including Bus #33.  Piedmont bus service between Highland Way and the 19th and 12th Street BART stations will continue during the Festival. However, there will be no service to Montclair.  See AC Transit for disruption and detour information about other parts of the Bus # 33 route.

Mark your calendar for the fun Grand Opening of Piedmont’s own thrift store: April 1st at 3411 Lakeshore Avenue. (between Shakewell and Greetings stores). And feel good shopping as proceeds from store sales support Piedmont’s K-12 schools.  

Opening Day is Saturday, April 1 –  11am – 6pm 

 Dress Best for Less

MAP >3411 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland, CA  

 Regular store hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 11am-6pm

Great Items For Sale and Opening Week Raffle Prizes 

“We’ve stocked the racks with some beautiful designer and other high quality pieces for men and women and great kids items: clothes, books and toys… all at a fraction of retail. And through the first week, shoppers will receive a raffle ticket (no purchase necessary) for one of three great prizes: an American Girl bundle, A Stella and Dot clutch and necklace or a Summer tote stocked with a beach toy, books, and a towel to get you set for the sunshine. Winners will be chosen on Saturday April 8th, and need not be present to win.”

Join the Mailing List to Stay Informed

Sign up for Dress Best for Less mailing list to receive more information.

Contact: Dress Best for Less –   510-658-8525    shopdbfl@gmail.com   dressbestforless.org/

~~~~~  Donations  ~~~~~

Donations can be delivered to the Dress Best for Less store on Lakeshore Avenue or to the Carriage House in Piedmont at the corner of Bonita and Magnolia Avenues.  The long standing Carriage House location has a secure bin in which donations can be deposited at anytime. 

Entire DBFL Store on Sale – 75% Off!

Where

Dress Best for Less
3861 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Shop the Dress Best for Less store on Piedmont Avenue the rest of March for amazing deals. The entire store is now 75% off. Shop for women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, books, CDs, DVDs, home decor and more. Already great prices will be even better.

Proceeds support school programs for the Piedmont K-12 schools.

Spring Cleaning?

Mark Your Calendar:

  Grand Opening of new Dress Best for Less store

Saturday, April 1

at 3411 Lakeshore Avenue

Think of Dress Best for Less for your gently used, high quality donations. Volunteers are hoping to stock the new store at 3411 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland with the best of the best including designer clothing, purses, jewelry and fine home goods. Your quality donations help sales with the proceeds passed on to Piedmont schools.

Donations may be dropped off in Piedmont at the Carriage House (DBFL) next to the pool, across from the Arts Center and High School at Magnolia and Bonita Avenues.  A secure bin is now available for donations at all times.

Piedmont’s AC Transit bus #11 “Piedmont to Fruitvale Avenue” has long been the core transit service for Piedmont with 123 bus stops connecting with Piedmont stops to major destinations including four BART stations in Oakland. For example, the #11 bus linked City Hall, high schools, middle school, recreation programs, Havens School, banks, and other Civic Center sites with Grand Avenue, Whole Foods, several churches, Kaiser Center, Broadway, Lake Merritt, Highland Hospital, Dimond Library, and Fruitvale. Additionally, caregivers, nannies, maids, commuters, and others have relied on the service from International Boulevard, 14th Avenue, and Fruitvale to Piedmont.

Bus #11 will be eliminated on March 26, 2017.

AC Transit indicates that the new line #33 will replace part of the route of the terminated Bus 11, but it does not connect Piedmont with Lake Merritt BART or the Fruitvale area. Bus #18 will serve Lake Merritt BART from Broadway via 7th and 8th streets.

The new line Bus #96 will connect Oakland’s 12th Street with the Dimond district.

Bus line #33 will operate in a “U” pattern from Piedmont’s Civic Center to its end at Medou Place in Montclair. It will operate on Highland Avenue, Oakland Avenue, Harrison Street, passing Kaiser Center, connecting to two BART stations in downtown Oakland before heading to Montclair.  Since the route typically takes 40 minutes from Highland Avenue in Piedmont to Medou Place in Montclair, this will not be an efficient way to reach Montclair Village.  The new bus line #33 schedules to be posted at Piedmont bus stops may confuse riders, since the destination is listed as Montclair, whereas people riding bus #11 have been heading in a different direction, toward downtown Oakland and beyond. (Online schedules for line # 33 expected soon.)

For further information go to > http://www.actransit.org/customer/contact-us/#Travel

Proposed changes to the future waste collection contract include: variable optional charge for backyard pickup (except for disabled customers), trash collection to start at 6 am,  Large Item Collection pickups for multi-family dwelling residents, hazardous waste collection events at an additional fee.  Citizens are invited to comment on the RFP by March 31, before it is distributed on April 11. [Read RFP Here.)

Announcement:

The City of Piedmont is seeking comment on the Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) and Draft Franchise Agreement (FA) for solid waste collection services from members of the community. This opportunity to comment is extended to better inform the City of the community’s needs and desires for solid waste collection services prior to the issuance of the RFP.

Please note that these documents are still under review by the City Attorney and City staff. Staff will make changes to the documents and address comments as they are submitted, leading up to the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, April 3rd. At that meeting, the City Council will be asked to consider approval of the RFP package, which, if approved, will be released on Monday, April 10th.

What Is Included in the RFP Package?

• RFP Document describing the solid waste collection services sought for the City of Piedmont;
• Draft Franchise Agreement for solid waste collection services in the City of Piedmont; and
• Other RFP Attachments, including specified forms bidders must fill out and submit with their proposal, in addition to informational documents bidders are to review.

Potential Changes Under Consideration

• Curbside vs backyard solid waste collection service offerings (RFP, Section 3.2);

  • Curbside collection will be the new standard method of service;
  • Backyard collection will remain a service option for customers who wish to “opt-in;”
  • The additional cost for backyard collection will be a function of cart elevation (change in grade level) and distance from the curb to cover the cost of additional labor related to providing such service;

• Additional recycling and organics carts to be provided at an additional cost (RFP, Section 3.2);

• Disabled customers unable to place carts at the curb for collection will receive backyard service and pay the standard curbside rate. Proof of disability must be provided (RFP, Section 3.2);

• Cell phones and CFL bulbs may be placed on top of carts along with batteries for collection (these items must be enclosed in a transparent plastic bag) (RFP, Section 3.2);

• On-call, door-to-door household hazardous waste pickup service or periodic household hazardous waste collection events may be proposed, if companies wish. Such services will be proposed at an additional fee not included in the rates proposed (RFP, Section 3.6);

• Multi-family dwelling residents will now receive Large Item Collection pickups (RFP, Section 3.3); and

• Collection start time to be earlier, beginning at 6am rather than 7am, to alleviate traffic concerns (RFP, Section 3.9).

  • DRAFT Request For Proposals Dated March 13, 2017
  • Attachment A – DRAFT Collection Services Agreement
  • Attachment B – DRAFT RFP Proposal Forms A-L
  • Attachment C – DRAFT RFP Proposal Forms K
  • Attachment D – Example RRI Calculator
  • Attachment E – Existing Contract with Richmond Sanitary Service
  • Attachment F – Alameda County Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for Waste Management
  • Attachment G – Alameda County Integrated Waste Management Plan
  • Attachment H – ACWMA Ordinance Prohibiting the Disposal of Certain Items in Alameda County Landfills
  • Attachment I – ACWMA Mandatory Recycling Ordinance
  • Attachment J – Chapter 9 of the Piedmont City Code

  How to Submit Your Comments

  Please submit your comments no later than March 31st regarding the potential changes to solid waste collection services to the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@ci.piedmont.ca.us or via US Mail to City Clerk’s Office, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611.

  Residents with questions are encouraged to contact Associate Planner Jennifer Gavin at jgavin@ci.piedmont.ca.us or via phone at (510) 420-3050.

Report showed an increase of School District revenue by $378,166, or nearly one percent of the total $39,253,395 District Budget revenue taken in during the period.  Tax exempt parcels raised once more as a funding issue.   

The PUSD Budget Advisory Committee met on Thursday, March 2, at the School District offices to review their second Interim Budget Report for the 2016-2017 PUSD budget.  Those in attendance included three PHS students, five district-affiliated persons, not including the presenter, Assistant Superintendent Song Chin Bendib, and one private citizen.

    The purpose of the meeting was to understand the District’s finances, and how they have changed recently, and how they will continue to change over the next few years.  The second interim report showed an increase of District revenue by $378,166, or nearly one percent of the total $39,253,395 Budget revenue taken in during the period.  Of this increase, nearly 60% percent came from fees or donations paid to the District for programs such as sports teams, field trips, PAINTS, CHIME, and other similar groups.  This income can only be reported after it is collected by the District, and, according to Bendib, cannot be used to offset other District costs, or saved in the General Fund.  The remaining 40% percent of revenue increases came from the State of California, in the form of one hundred nine thousand dollars of aid.  Expenditures grew by $369,689 in the same interim period, a smaller amount than the increase due to specialty payment revenue.  This reduced the District’s previous interim deficit of $869,467 to $860,990 in the second interim budget review.

Spending for books and materials increased nearly eight percent, or about $80,000, in the second, or mid school-year, interim.  Maintenance and services costs increased by nearly $200,000 during the period, an increase that Bendib attributed to so-called “discretionary spending” of the income from athletic, arts, and field trip donations.  Bendib indicated that neither the increases in maintenance expenditures, nor those on books and materials reflected long-term growth of expenditures.  The increase in income in the period, however, did not reflect a reliable increase or a growth trend either.

The author wonders why spending increased for books and materials in the middle of the school-year, surmising that most textbooks and materials are purchased at the beginning of the school-year or over the summer.  Additionally, the author believes that the income for special-interest programs like arts and athletics should not be added to the same data used to compute changes in the General Fund, especially if said income cannot be used for general spending, and represents reliable growth in neither revenues nor expenditures.

Further increase in expenditures resulted from PUSD staff that changed health insurance status.  The District, instead of paying a two thousand dollar adjustment to staff who paid for their own health insurance or received insurance through a spouse’s employment, must now pay around $7,000, for an individual, to provide full health insurance.  This puts the District’s health insurance payments on par with the most expensive insurance available in Alameda County, according to “Health Insurance Companies and Plan Rates for 2016,” a report by government-established marketplace, Covered California.

The outlook for the next few years was then presented.  The District is required to have a reserve of 3% of its projected budget every year.  For the 2016-2017 budget, there is a projected reserve of almost 4%, but for the following two years, that is the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 budgets, the projected reserves fall short at 2.7% and 1% respectively.  This is due to a decreased outlook, by $465,000, for state LCFF funding.  This amount of funding has yet to be finalized by the governor in his May revise of California’s budget.

PMS teacher Annie Holland asked a question to make sure that the numbers shown in the meeting did not indicate, or would not be seen to indicate, an increase in teacher salaries.

Private citizen William Blackwell asked that the Committee look into parcel tax exemptions.  He stated the the number of parcels in Piedmont multiplied by the flat parcel tax per parcel amounted to more than the parcel tax revenue reported by the district.  The gap, according to him, is nearly $114,000 dollars per year, and is caused by unlawful exemptions to the tax claimed by some parcel owners.  Blackwell said that several lawyers have looked into this and agree with him, including a former PUSD School Board member.  Bendib responded that the District has looked into the issue and that the District’s lawyers have advised that there is nothing illegal about the exemptions.

When asked if he learned anything from the meeting, he responded that he has attended PUSD Budget Advisory Committee meetings for four years trying to get the District to claim the money that he purports is owed to the District.  He said “I’ve heard almost the same presentation every year,” Blackwell says.  He claims that “there is a discrepancy [of] about forty-four parcels… that should be paying the taxes [and are] not.”

Blackwell also believes that paying for maintenance of current buildings using H1 Bond money will make maintenance more expensive in the long run.  He would like to see “a mandatory set-aside for maintenance every year… [that] would not be kicked down the road.”  Blackwell is disappointed by the District’s lack of action on the issue and plans to meet with Superintendent Randall Booker and other PUSD officials to discuss the issue.

by Grady Wetherbee, Piedmont High School Senior

Editors Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.