March 18, 2020

Dear Fellow Piedmonters:

This is an unprecedented time in our lives. It is imperative that we work together as a community to try and keep our residents from contracting (Coronavirus) COVID-19.   As Mayor of Piedmont, I implore each and every one of you to follow the Alameda County guidelines to shelter in place, and only leave your homes for essential needs – groceries, pharmacy, gas, banking, and of course walking your furry housemates.

We know Piedmont is a social place, but we ask that all residents, no matter what age, practice social distancing and avoid gathering for social purposes. This is also true at our dog parks and includes distancing your pets. It is not rude to stand 6 feet away, it is the most polite and thoughtful thing you can do for the next three weeks.

This virus is not obvious. It is spreading throughout Alameda County and likely already spreading within Piedmont. It is possible to be contagious without symptoms. Our job as responsible citizens is to do everything in our power to slow down the spread of this virus so we do not overwhelm our healthcare system.

We have many seniors living in our community. Please look out for your neighbors as you would during any emergency. And if you are older than 60 years or have underlying health conditions, please ask someone else to help you take care of your essential needs.

Our city staff is working hard to keep our City website up to date with information and resources and of course our Police and Fire Departments are fully staffed and working to respond to any emergency calls. We need to keep our first responders safe and healthy as well.

You should also have confidence in your neighbors. We are a community of smart, resourceful and compassionate people. With those collective strengths, I am confident we will persevere and meet the challenges in the days ahead.

If we look out for one another, and prioritize our collective health, together we will get through this, one day at a time.

Sincerely,

CITY OF PIEDMONT

Mayor Robert McBain

Click below to read signed letter:

McBain- Letter from the Mayor to the Community – Covid19

The Piedmont Unified School Board will hold a Remote Meeting to discuss emergency actions.  For Agenda details, participation, and observation opportunities go to:

https://agendaonline.net/public/Meeting.aspx?AgencyID=1241&MeetingID=77619&AgencyTypeID=1&IsArchived=False

Read Emergency Measures Agenda item below :

V_A_Resolution20201920EmergencyActionsByTheSuperintendentOfSchools_0

PIEDMONTERS ORDERED TO SHELTER IN PLACE FOR 3 WEEKS

Numbers to call at end of article.

Updated 03-17-2020

Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan joined six other Bay Area public health jurisdictions to issue a mandatory health order for all Alameda County residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and preserve critical health care capacity across the region.

Without this restrictive action, our healthcare systems may become overwhelmed. The mandatory Health Order directs residents to shelter at home for three weeks beginning March 17 for three weeks.

The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs. The guidance comes after substantial input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and best practices from other health officials around the world.Refer to the Alameda County Public Health Department for the full text of the Order

New! Please do not call the Piedmont Police Department to report possible violations of the “Shelter In Place Order”.  Officers will conduct routine patrol to ensure general public safety and will address any compliance issues with the “Shelter In Place Order” that are observed.

We need to ensure our public safety services do not get saturated with non-critical requests or non-emergent inquires.  In addition to contacting your personal physician, the following advice phone numbers are being provided as a resource for general health information.

Alta Bates Berkeley and Alta Bates Summit 24 hr line:
1-800-224-0336

Kaiser Oakland 24 hr lines:
Adult Medicine: 1-510-752-1190
OB/GYN: 1-510-752-1080
Pediatrics: 1-510-752-1200

Highland Hospital Call Center:
1-510-437-8500

Recreation, CIP, Public Safety, Special City Council –

Click below to read the meeting cancellations:

2020-03 Notice of Regular Meetings – Revised

The City Council Meeting scheduled for March 16th starting at 7:30 p.m. City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA will go forward as scheduled at this time.

READ ADVISORY > 2020-03-15 Covid 19 Advisory Notice Regarding Public Meetings

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) ADVISORY NOTICE

The Alameda County Public Health Department has advised that non-essential gatherings should be canceled, postponed, or done remotely. Additional information is available at http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx. This meeting is necessary so that the City can continue to conduct its business and is considered an essential gathering. The public may still attend the meeting in person. However, the City is asking members of the public to consider these Steps to Prevent Illness when deciding whether to attend this meeting. The City is asking members of the public to follow the California Department of Health’s Guidance on Mass Gatherings when deciding whether to attend this meeting. Please note that social distancing measures will be observed. As always, the public may submit public comments in advance and may view the meeting from home.

Below is information on how to watch the meeting via cable and/or live stream and how to send in public comments that will be part of the public record.

How to Watch the Meeting:

1) Cable TV Broadcast on KCOM Channel 27 or AT&T Universe Channel 99

2) Livestream online at: https://piedmont.ca.gov/services___departments/kcomtv/live_content_and_video_archive

How to Submit Public Comments:

Comments submitted by 5:00 p.m. prior to the commencement of the meeting will be presented to the City Council and included in the public record for the meeting. Comments can be submitted by email to cityclerk@piedmont.ca.gov or in person at City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.

Note: If the Alameda County Public Health Department changes their recommendations relating to gatherings, the format of this meeting may be altered or the meeting may be cancelled. You may check on the status of the meeting by visiting the City’s website: https://piedmont.ca.gov/

Agenda:

Consent Calendar

1. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for 02/18/2020

2. 2nd Reading of Ord. 748 N.S. – Adoption of the 2019 California Code of Regulations; Title 24; and Reorganization and Amendments to Chapters 5, and 8 of City Code 07052nd Reading of Ord. 748 N.S. – Adoption of the 2019 California Code of Regulations; Title 24; and Reorganization and Amendments to Chapters 5, and 8 of City Code

3. Introduction and 1st Reading of Ord. 749 N.S.– Amending Chapters 1 and 6 of the City Code to Designate the Planning Commission as the Appeal Body for Violations Involving Building Standard or State Housing Law 0705 http://piedmont.hosted.civiclive.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=16537060

Public Forum This is an opportunity for members of the audience to speak on an item not on the agenda.

Regular Agenda

4. Consideration of the Acceptance of the 2018-2019 Audited Financial Statements 0100 http://piedmont.hosted.civiclive.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=16537071

5. Receipt of the 2015 and 2019 Housing and Community Development Department Annual Reports 0775 PCA 2019 PC Report – Annual Housing Progress Report 3-09-2020

6. Consideration of the Award of the 2020 Priority Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project 0045, 0935 http://piedmont.hosted.civiclive.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=16537067

READ  THE FULL AGENDA BELOW:

3:16:2020 council-current-agenda (1)

Piedmont CIP Review Committee Behind-the-Scenes Tours of City Facilities Postponed –

TO CHECK FOR RESCHEDULED MEETINGS CONTACT:

Nancy Kent, Parks & Project Manager, via email at nkent@piedmont.ca.gov or phone at (510) 420-3064.

The CIP Review Committee tours scheduled for Saturday, March 21, to discuss Piedmont’s Essential Services buildings, and Saturday, April 4, to discuss the state of recreation related infrastructure, are postponed.

The City will offer the CIP Review Committee and members of the public rescheduled tours of the current facilities to better understand the challenges and limitations of the City’s aging infrastructure.

The dates for the rescheduled tours have not been determined at this time.

—– MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC —-

Over the next six weeks, Piedmont’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Review Committee will host three Saturday meetings with behind-the-scenes tours of City facilities not often seen by members of the public (POSTPONED).  There will also be six discussion/decision meetings.  See schedule below.

Tours and meetings are not broadcast, however they are open to public participation.

*Resident proposals are due March 23, 2020. Forms and instructions can be found on the City website: https://piedmont.ca.gov/government/city_news___notifications/cip_resident_proposals_sought

In addition to the customary tour of resident proposals on April 25 , the CIP Review Committee will hold two additional Saturday (POSTPONED) meetings with comprehensive tours to provide the community with a better and broader understanding of the City’s aging public infrastructure.

On Saturday, March 21, (POSTPONED) the CIP Review Committee will meet at 9:00 am in the Police Department Conference Room to discuss Piedmont’s Essential Services buildings which include the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

After Police Chief Jeremy Bowers and Fire Chief Bret Black make presentations and answer questions from the CIP Review Committee, there will be group tours of both the Police and Fire Departments as well as the basement of City Hall.

Please note that the meetings and tours are geared toward residents age 16 and older, and are not to be confused with a Piedmont Fire Department Open House.

On Saturday, April 4, (POSTPONED) the CIP Review Committee will meet at the Recreation Department at 9:00 am to discuss the state of recreation related infrastructure including the Piedmont Community Pool, the Recreation Department building, Veterans Hall, Linda Beach Park and Coaches Field.

After a brief summary presentation, the CIP Review Committee and members of the public will have the opportunity to explore the current facilities to better understand the challenges and limitations of the City’s aging infrastructure.

The City of Piedmont and the CIP Review Committee encourage residents to participate in this rare opportunity and hope that the meetings and tours are well-attended by members of the public.

If you have questions regarding the CIP tours or meeting schedule, please contact Nancy Kent, Parks & Project Manager, via email at nkent@piedmont.ca.gov or phone at (510) 420-3064.

2020 CIP Review Committee Schedule

Tue 3/10 7:00 pm (COMPLETED) Regular Meeting PPD EOC 403 Highland Avenue Public Safety

Sat 3/21 9:00 am (POSTPONED) Regular Meeting PPD EOC 403 Highland Avenue and Essential Services Community Tours

Tue 3/24 7:00 pm (CANCELLED) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Recreation Facilities Conference Room

Tue 3/31 7:00 pm (CANCELLED) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Resident Proposals Conference Room

Sat 4/4 9:00 am (POSTPONED) Regular Meeting PRD 358 Hillside Avenue and Recreation Related Community Tours Schedule:

• 9:15 am PRD Rec Dept. Attic to Basement – 358 Hillside Avenue
• 9:45 am Piedmont Community Pool – 777 Magnolia Avenue
• 10:30 am Veterans Hall – 401 Highland Avenue
• 11:15 am Linda Beach Park – 400 Linda Avenue
• 12 Noon Coaches Field – 898 Red Rock Road

Tue 4/7 7:00 pm (CONTINUING) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Resident Proposals Conference Room

Tue 4/21 7:00 pm (CONTINUING) Regular Meeting City Hall 120 Vista Avenue Conference Room

Sat 4/25 9:00 am (CONTINUING) Regular Meeting and Tour Details TBA

Members of the public can continue to remain informed regarding mass gatherings by reviewing California Department of Health’s Guidance on Mass Gatherings. The City is asking members of the public to considering these Steps to Prevent Illness when deciding whether to attend any City meeting.

“Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order ensuring California public school districts retain state funding even in the event of physical closure.”

MARCH 13, 2020: This afternoon, the Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education unanimously passed the following motion: “PUSD Board of Education moves to close school facilities for non-essential functions, suspend in-classroom instruction, and dismiss all PUSD students beginning March 16 through March 27, 2020 in order to:

• 1. Slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state and in our community, reduce the number of people infected, and protect those who are most vulnerable to severe illness.
• 2. Plan and prepare for continuity of educational services during a pandemic that may last for an extended period of time. With the expectation that teachers continue to provide a continuity of education through distance learning, actively engage in communications with administration, colleagues, families, and students; and that staff necessary for essential district-wide services/operations continue with their responsibilities either at a school site/district office or virtually (if applicable).

” With this decision, beginning March 16, 2020 all school site facilities are closed to students and the general public. All extra-curricular activities, including athletics, instrumental, vocal, dance, and dramatic productions are also cancelled. Additionally, all school site facilities rentals by the public are cancelled.

During this time, district leaders will coordinate with county health officials, the Alameda County Public Health Department, and California Department of Education to determine if returning on March 30th is advisable.

Continuity of Education School site educators are developing plans to deliver a continuity of education for students district-wide. Distance learning will be utilized, so we expect students and families to monitor email, Infinite Campus, and Schoology regularly for homework/learning activities, important updates, and messages from teachers and the administration.

Our goal is to begin communicating distance learning opportunities in the afternoon on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. These communications, including expectations and specific learning opportunities will arrive directly from site educators and the administration.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE BY CLICKING BELOW:

Press Release – SCHOOL FACILITY CLOSURE 03-16- TO 3-27-20

Randall Booker, School Superintendent