PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday, October 2, 2023
A Regular Session of the Piedmont City Council in the City Hall Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, was held on October 2, 2023. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on September 28, 2023.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Cavenaugh called the Regular Session meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Jennifer Cavenaugh, Vice Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen and Councilmembers Jennifer Long, Conna McCarthy, and Tom Ramsey Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, City Attorney Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, Police Chief Jeremy Bowers, Communications Program Manager Echa Schneider, and Deputy City Clerk Lisa Argue PUBLIC FORUM There was no Public Comment received.
CONSENT CALENDAR The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
Minutes Approval of City Council Minutes for 09/18/2023 Piedmont Pedestrian
Safety Project
Funding Agreement
and Grant Funds
Approval of Acceptance of Grant Funds in the Amount of $500,000 and Authorization of the City Administrator to Sign the Project Funding Agreement with the Alameda County Transportation Commission for the Piedmont Pedestrian Safety Project
(0525, 1060)
Agreement for AsNeeded City
Engineering Services
Approval of an Agreement with Coastland Engineering for As-Needed City Engineering Services
(0045)
Approval of New Job
Classifications
Approval of New Job Classification for Aquatics Supervisor, and Updated Job Classifications for City Clerk, Communications Program Manager, and Video Communications Specialist / Television Station Manager (0750)
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 60-2023
Motion to approve Items 1, 3, and 4 of the Consent Calendar as presented.
Moved by Andersen, Seconded by McCarthy
Ayes: Andersen, Cavenaugh, McCarthy, Long, Ramsey
Noes: None
Resolution 60a-2023
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING FUNDS FROM THE ALAMEDA
COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FOR THE PIEDMONT
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROJECT
WHEREAS, Alameda County Transportation Commission (“Alameda CTC”) administers funding programs consisting of 2000 Measure B, 2010 Vehicle Registration Fee, 2014 Measure BB, CMA-TIP, and Transportation City Council Minutes
October 2, 2023
Fund for Clean Air Programs for projects and programs that benefit the Alameda County transportation system, and such funding is collectively defined as and shall be referenced herein as the “Alameda CTC Administered Funds”; and
WHEREAS, CITY OF PIEDMONT (“City”) submitted a funding
application to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (“Alameda CTC”) requesting $500,000 funding for the PIEDMONT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROJECT (“Project”) from the Alameda CTC’s programming and allocation process of Alameda CTC’s administered fund sources; and WHEREAS, the project proposes to install enhanced pedestrian crossings at the intersections of Grand Avenue/Greenbank Avenue and Grand Avenue/Linda Avenue. The project includes installation of bulb-outs at each of the corners of both intersections; high visibility crosswalks; new pedestrian ramps and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs); and WHEREAS, Alameda CTC awarded $500,000 in Alameda CTC
Administered Funds for the implementation and delivery of the project to the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Piedmont does hereby resolve, declare, determine, and order as follows:
SECTION 1. The City of Piedmont agrees to accept the award of $500,000 in Alameda CTC Administered Funds.
SECTION 2. The City Council, by adopting this resolution, does hereby state that:
1. The City will provide $87,000 in matching funds; and
2. The City understands that the amount of Alameda CTC Administered Funds funding for the project is capped at the amount awarded by Alameda CTC, and that any cost increases will be funded through other means by the City, and will not to be funded with additional Alameda CTC Administered Funds; and
3. The Project will be implemented as described in the application, Agreement, and in this resolution; and
4. The City and the Project will comply with the requirements as set forth in the Agreement.
SECTION 3. The City Administrator is authorized to execute a funding Agreement with Alameda CTC for Alameda CTC Administered Funds awarded to the Project as referenced in this resolution.
Moved by Andersen, Seconded by McCarthy
Ayes: Andersen, Cavenaugh, McCarthy, Long, Ramsey
Noes: None
REGULAR AGENDA The Council considered the following items of regular business:
1st Reading of
Ordinance 770
Introduction and 1st Reading of Ordinance 770 Approving the Borrowing of Funds from East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) to Finance the Electrification of the Piedmont Community Pool Project, and Approval of an Electricity Services Agreement.
City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore noted that the action item is an ordinance and a request to authorize a finance agreement for $750,000 with zero percent interest over a 15-year term and payments coordinated with the City Council Minutes
October 2, 2023
existing utility bill at 777 Magnolia Avenue to support the electrification of the Piedmont Community Pool.
The Council acknowledged and thanked everyone involved in this effort.
Alex DiGiorgio, EBCE Public Engagement Manager, expressed excitement for the partnership and replicating it in other areas.
There was Public Comment from:
Indira Balkissoon and Margaret Ovenden (via Zoom), both of whom spoke in favor of approving borrowed funds from EBCE and thanked the City and the Council for being forward-thinking regarding climate action.
Ordinance #770 N.S.
Motion #1: Approve the first reading and introduction of Ordinance 770 N.S. approving the borrowing of funds from East Bay Community Energy to finance the electrification of the Piedmont Community Pool Project Moved by Andersen, Seconded by McCarthy
Ayes: Andersen, Cavenaugh, McCarthy, Long, Ramsey
Noes: None
(0705)
Motion #2: Approve the Electricity Services Agreement with East Bay Community Energy for borrowing funds to finance the electrification of the Piedmont Community Pool Project in the amount of $750,000 Moved by Andersen, Seconded by McCarthy
Ayes: Andersen, Cavenaugh, McCarthy, Long, Ramsey
Noes: None
(0705)
Motion #3: Find the proposed actions exempt from CEQA guidelines sections 15061 (b) (3) and 15308
Moved by Andersen, Seconded by McCarthy
Ayes: Andersen, Cavenaugh, McCarthy, Long, Ramsey
Noes: None
(0705)
Acceptance of the
2023/24 State of
California Citizens
Option for Public
Safety Grant and
Expenditure Plan for
Enforcement Services
Approval
Accepting the 2023/24 California Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant in the amount of $100,000 as allocated in the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA) for the Piedmont Police Department and approve the expenditure plan to purchase items or services supporting frontline law enforcement services.
City Administrator Bayon Moore introduced the item and directed the Council to page two of the staff report for a description of the proposed future items.
Chief of Police Jeremy Bowers reviewed the COPS grant fund background, funding forecasting for fiscal year 2023-24, carry-forward amount, and total funds available of $604,527, and past expenditures and proposed eligible activities for Council consideration for staffing, technology and software, and police department facilities.
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 61-2023
City Council Minutes
October 2, 2023
Motion made to accept the recommendation as outlined in the staff report.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Long
Ayes: Andersen, Cavenaugh, McCarthy, Long, Ramsey
Noes: None
(0088, 0785)
Second Amendment to
the Memorandum of
Understanding for
Handling Critical
Incidents
Consideration of Approval of the Second Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for Handling Critical Incidents
The item was introduced by Ms. Bayon Moore and then turned over to Police Chief Bowers who clarified the purpose and function of the MOU, and reviewed the December 31, 2023 expiration, the amendment extension until December 31, 2024, agreement terms, and an example in Albany where the MOU was used.
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 62-2023
Motion made to approve the item as recommended.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Ramsey
Ayes: Andersen, Cavenaugh, McCarthy, Long, Ramsey
Noes: None
(0045)
REPORTS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Long announced that a survey regarding the Moraga Specific Plan is available on www.piedmontishome.org, and that a community workshop will take place on November 30 at 7 p.m.
Councilmember Ramsey proposed a future agenda item to discuss the role and priority of the Sustainability Program Manager support position. With enough Council support, staff agreed to agendize the subject.
Councilmember McCarthy announced the next Public Safety meeting on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m., the Cops on the Block October series, and the availability of the police department safety communication survey.
Vice Mayor Andersen announced the Strategic Plan Engagement sessions listed in the Piedmont Pulse and Wildwood Dad’s Club Pumpkin Patch open until October 29.
Mayor Cavenaugh recognized the volunteers and staff who helped with last weekend’s community events. She announced Try It Out Tuesday hosted by the Recreation Department and the launch of the school district’s annual giving campaign.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Major Cavenaugh adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.