DRAFT
PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Special Budget Work Session Minutes for Monday, April 7, 2025 A Special Budget Work Session of the Piedmont City Council was held April 7, 2025, at the Piedmont Community Church at 400 Highland Avenue. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2(a) the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on April 3, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Smegal Andersen called the session to order at 4:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen, Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy and Councilmembers Jennifer Long, Lorrel Plimier, and Tom Ramsey.
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, City Clerk Anna Brown, Police Captain Chris Monahan, Fire Chief David Brannigan, Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson, Recreation Director Chelle Putzer, Acting Finance Director Lisa Malek-Zadeh, and Communication Program Manager Echa Schneider.
BUDGET OVERVIEW City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore reviewed the overarching goals developed during the previous budget cycle that guided City priorities, policies and operations and outlined the remaining pathway to budget adoption.
Interim Finance Director Lisa Malek-Zadeh provided a summary of the General Fund and reviewed projected revenues and expenditures.
City Administrator Bayon Moore reviewed the Council’s top five priorities identified for fiscal year 2024/25 and the approach to fiscal year 2025/26.
Department Heads highlighted budget items focused on the following categories:
• Transparency Improvements (City Clerk, Communications) • Community Programming (Recreation)
• Planning for Housing Diversity (Planning & Building)
• Public Safety (Fire & Police)
• Improvement of community facilities, assets and infrastructure (Public Works)
Additional discussion covered the following topics:
• 2026 election cycle opportunities
• Part-time Facilities Project Manager
• Business licensing
• Records management
• Enterprise Asset Management Software
• Major projects for fiscal year 2025/26
City Administrator Bayon Moore stated an additional budget study session will be held on April 21.
There was no public comment.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Smegal Andersen adjourned the special session at 5:57 p.m.
DRAFT
PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Special Budget Work Session Minutes for Monday, April 21, 2025 A Special Budget Work Session of the Piedmont City Council was held April 21, 2025, in the Clara Barton/Doris Murdock Room at the Piedmont Community Church at 400 Highland Avenue, Piedmont. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2(a) the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on April 17, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Smegal Andersen called the session to order at 4:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen, Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy and Councilmembers Jennifer Long, Lorrel Plimier, and Tom Ramsey.
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, City Clerk Anna Brown, Police Captain Jeremy Bowers, Fire Chief David Brannigan, Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson, Recreation Director Chelle Putzer, Acting Finance Director Lisa Malek-Zadeh, and Communication Program Manager Echa Schneider.
BUDGET OVERVIEW City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore reviewed the overarching goals including direction of the 2026 election cycle, review of capital projects, highlight of two major equipment purchases, and yhe development of Recreation Department knowledge.
The presentation included details of the election cycle ahead including library services and the tranfer tax considerations; a review of FY 2025-26 capital projects and FY 2025-26 equipment replacement. Also noted were recreation department general fund revenue, compilation of the recreation division and space needed for its programming, Piedmont Community Pool revenue projections, and impacts, as well as next steps. Staff responded to Council questions regarding the projects.
There was no public comment.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Smegal Andersen adjourned the special session at 5:45 p.m.
DRAFT
PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 21, 2025
A Regular Session of the Piedmont City Council in the City Hall Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, was held on April 21, 2025. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on April 17, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Smegal Andersen called the Regular Session meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and noted no reportable action on the closed sessions of 4/14/25 and 4/15/25.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen, Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy, Councilmember Jennifer Long, Councilmember Lorrel Plimier, Councilmember Tom Ramsey
Absent: None
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, Deputy City Attorney Deepa Sharma, Planning and Building Director Kevin Jackson, Fire Chief Dave Brannigan, Police Chief Jeremy Bowers, Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, Communications Program Manager Echa Schneider, and Deputy City Clerk Lisa Argue
PUBLIC FORUM Public Comment was received from:
Anian Tunney expressed concern for large, industrial real estate signs.
PRESENTATIONS Mayor Smegel Andersen read a proclamation recognizing the Piedmont High School Boys Soccer Team which was accepted by Coach Ben Russell.
CONSENT CALENDAR The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
Approval of
Ordinance No. 780
N.S.
Approval of Ordinance No. 780 N.S, Amending Section 3.4.2 and 3.4.4 of the Piedmont City Code to Remove Linda Park (within fenced off-leash area) as a Designated Off-Leash Area for Dogs
(0705)
Approval of Award of
Contract to Terra
Landscape
Approval of Award of a Contract for Professional Landscape Maintenance Services to Terra Landscape in the Amount of $423,075.72 for Fiscal Year 2025/2026, and a Finding that the Project is Categorically Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act (Section 15301) (0045)
Approval of Alerting
System Purchase and
Installation at the Fire
Station
Approval of the Purchase of US Digital Design, Honeywell G2 Fire Station Alerting System and Associated Installation in the Amount of $229,141.45 and Authorization of the City Administrator to Execute Related Agreements (0045)
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 15-2025
City Council Minutes
April 21, 2025
RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts Items 2 and 3 of the Consent Calendar.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Long
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Smegal Andersen pulled Agenda Item 1 for further discussion.
Public Comment was received from:
David Hsu, Phillip Peak, Helen Fahey, Michael Henn, Garrett Keating, Nick Goyhenetch, and Lana Tillis spoke in opposition to the closure and encouraged the Council to consider more options and increase transparency, offered solutions, and noted impacts to the community by closing the park.
Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales provided clarification and addressed questions from the Council. He noted informal and written communication with the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) that included the City’s remedial efforts and the Water Board’s request for a plan to remedy the topography and land usage.
Furthermore, he indicated that the off-leash use is inappropriate in this park area and confirmed that the Park Commission will be included in the park sustainability study scope to identify possible locations for a fenced, offleash dog area as part of the park system. He went on to relay challenges with the adjacent park, construction best management practices (BMPs) that are temporary and do not provide a permanent solution, estimated costs, the implications of an indefinite park closure, and noncompliance risks by opening the park without improvements. Mr. Gonzeles thought that all remedial options have been exhausted for this park to be compliant with the Water Board’s request, confirmed feedback received by experts that indicated this off-leash area is not compatible for this use and all parks should be evaluated for appropriateness, and provided the timing and sequencing of the park sustainability study and prioritization of a new fenced in, off-leach location.
Deputy City Attorney Deepa Sharma thought the Council is not overreacting by taking the matter seriously and noted the areas of exposure, daily fines, and strict liability violations under Federal law.
The Council acknowledged the desire for and value of community space and the duty to decide how to best move forward, noted a continued focus on the matter, and invited public participation in the process.
Resolution 16-2025
RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts Item 1 of the Consent Calendar.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Ramsey
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: None
REGULAR AGENDA The Council considered the following items of regular business:
Consideration of the
Civic Center Parking
Plan Modification
City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore introduced the item and Mr.
Gonzales, who presented for consideration the Civic Center Parking Plan modifications, background, maximum parking space configuration, and usages including a proposed pick-up and drop-off area at the Aquatics City Council Minutes
April 21, 2025
Center and pre-existing parking locations for Public Safety and at Piedmont High School (PHS), Millenium High School (MHS), and Piedmont Middle School (PMS). Members of the Council expressed support. Additional existing areas at Havens Elementary School on Highland Avenue, Vista Avenue, and Oakland Avenue prompted safety and congestion concerns from the Council and suggestions to simplify, consolidate, multi-use, and dual use spaces. Mr. Gonzales reviewed the permanent diagonal parking spaces at Highland at Sheridan, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible parking in the Civic Center areas, and options for time-limited parking. Discussion ensued between staff and Council about the allocation of time-limited parking spaces for visitors at points of interest.
Public Comment was received from:
Marcia Lane and Patsie Kao suggested multi-use options, reconfiguring the available space on the 300 block of Bonita and Hillside Avenues and offered further discussion to explore increased efficiencies. Students of PHS, Cary Ward and Aman Jajodia, expressed concern for congestion at PHS and suggested time gaps for allowed parking and school hours, an increased drop off zone size in front of Havens Elementary on Highland Avenue, using Bonita Avenue for ADA accommodations, and long-term parking hours for school students and staff. Owen Blanford and Oliver Greenbaum suggested options for parking around the pool to accommodate school-aged swimmers and ideas to increase parking density.
City staff clarified that more data is forthcoming, and Council expressed interest in exploring if Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) can absorb some parking, the swimming schedule, an expansion in the Civic Center for employee parking, prioritizing space versus assigning amounts, and time limited spaces and enforcement at the pool and schools, 801 Magnolia Avenue, and City and PUSD staff parking.
This was an informational item, so no action took place. (0271, 0735)
REPORTS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Plimier announced that the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan Draft is posted on the City’s website for public review and related public study sessions on April 28 and 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the PHS library and the Design and Sustainability Awards Gala on May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Community Hall.
Councilmember Ramsey announced a naming contest for two owls that live in Piedmont Park that will be announced on April 24 at 4 p.m. at Piedmont Community Hall.
Councilmember Long announced Arbor Day on April 24 and an opportunity to learn about wildfire safety from Fire Chief Dave Brannigan, the Piedmont Pop-Up Putt-Putt & Picnic in the Park on April 27 at 12 p.m. in the Community Hall parking lot, and the Play Life a Girl+ event on May 4 at 10 a.m. at Witter Field and registrations on Community Pass will qualify for a t-shirt.
Vice Mayor McCarthy attended the League of California Cities dinner with Fire Chief Brannigan regarding hazard mitigation and a policy committee meeting for the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
City Council Minutes
April 21, 2025
Mayor Smegel Andersen attended the Piedmont Food Fest on April 19 in Piedmont Park and thanked City staff and announced the City Volunteer Appreciation Reception on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Community Hall.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Mayor Smegal Andersen adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. in memory of Pope Francis.
PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 30, 2025
A Special Session of the Piedmont City Council was held Monday, April 30, 2025, at 800 Magnolia Ave. Piedmont, CA 94611. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2(a), the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on April 29, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Mayor Andersen called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Present: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen, Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy, and Councilmembers Jennifer Long, Tom Ramsey (arrived 6:00pm), and Lorrel Plimier Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, Police Chief Jeremy Bowers, Fire Chief David Brannigan, Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, Planning and Building Director Kevin Jackson, Recreation Director Chelle Putzer, City Clerk Anna Brown, BWS Attorney Karen Murphy, Senior Planner Pierce Macdonald, Communications Program Manager Echa Schneider, and Deputy City Clerk Lisa Argue
REGULAR AGENDA
Consideration of Actions
Related to the
Appointment of
Piedmont Finance
Director Kiran Bawa
City Administrator Bayon Moore presented the report with specific details of the appointment of Ms. Bawa as Finance Director. She reviewed the recruitment process and ultimate selection of Ms. Bawa from a pool of 43 applicants. Ms. Bawa’s experience was highlighted, with reference to the terms and conditions of employment in City Council Resolution No. 12-22, with a modest market adjustment increase to salary.
Resolution No. 17-2025
WHEREAS, the City Council approved Resolution 12-2022 on February 22, 2022, which set employment and compensation details for management employees for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, based upon this review, it is recommended that the Finance Director’s salary be adjusted by 2.04%, for an annual base salary of $218,220 which is consistent with the City’s practice of being within 3% of median of our comparable cities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Piedmont does hereby resolve, declare, determine, and order as follows:
1. Section 3.1.2 of Resolution 12-2022 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Finance Director
Effective 7/1/2021 $16,230
7/1/21 Effective 7/1/2022 $16,717
7/1/22 Effective 7/1/2023 $17,260
7/1/23 Effective 7 /1/2024 $17,821
7/1/24 Effective 6/30/2025 $18,185
2. In accordance with CalPERS Regulations, the City’s Public Pay Schedule will be updated to reflect the above.
3. RESOLVED, that the City Council appoints Kiran Bawa as Finance Director effective July 2, 2025, and approve a salary and benefit resolution.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Long
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier
Abstain: None
4. Absent: Ramsey
5. SPECIAL AGENDA The Council considered the following items of special business Study Session No. 2 of 2
of the Draft a Moraga
Canyon Specific Plan
The City Council received a presentation by consultants JZMK Partners on the following topics of the Draft Moraga Canyon Specific Plan:
• Circulation and Multi-Modal/Complete Streets Improvements • Site Design
• Building Design
• Architectural Styles
• Landscape Design
• Public Infrastructure
The council held a discussion on the specific plan options and phasing.
Public Testimony was provided by Marjorie Blackwell, Pam Hirtzer, Kathleen Hurley, Dara Birnbaum, Liz Lummis O’Neil, Patty Siskind, Garrett Keating, Vivian Mather, Peggy Esposito
ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:21pm
DRAFT
PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday, May 5, 2025
A Regular Session of the Piedmont City Council in the City Hall Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, was held on May 5, 2025. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on May 1, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Smegal Andersen called the Regular Session meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen, Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy, Councilmember Jennifer Long, and Councilmember Lorrel Plimier
Absent: Councilmember Tom Ramsey
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, Deputy City Attorney Deepa Sharma, Planning and Building Director Kevin Jackson, Fire Chief Dave Brannigan, Police Chief Jeremy Bowers, Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, Recreation Director Chelle Putzer, and City Clerk Anna Brown PUBLIC FORUM Public Comment was received from:
Daniel Sherman shared a public comment promoting Bike to School Day at Havens Elementary School.
PRESENTATIONS Mayor Smegal Andersen presented a proclamation to members of the Piedmont High School Asian Student Union for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
Mayor Smegal Andersen presented a proclamation to a member of the Piedmont High School Jewish Student Union for Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM).
Mayor Smegal Andersen presented a proclamation to employees of the City of Piedmont for Public Service Recognition Week.
CONSENT CALENDAR The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
Meeting Minutes Approval of the Minutes for the City Council Meetings of 4/7/2025 and 4/28/2025
Approval of Second
Reading of Ordinance
779 N.S.
Approval of the Second Reading of Ordinance 779 N.S. - Adopting Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance related to Signs (CEQA Review:
exempt under PRC Sec 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5)) (0705)
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 18-2025
RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts Consent Calendar Items 1 and 2.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Plimier
City Council Minutes
May 5, 2025
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, and Plimier
Abstain: None
Absent: Ramsey
REGULAR AGENDA The Council considered the following items of regular business:
Consideration of the
Civic Center Parking
Plan Modification
City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore reviewed the work priorities that included safety, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) inventory, visitors, and circulation. She thanked the Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) for collaborating with the City. Furthermore, she asked the Council to affirm the goal of increasing parking spaces and noted the approach if the answer is yes, quantity and placement of time-limited parking, addition and enlargement of pick up and drop off zones that can be converted to parking during off peak times, and quantity and placement of general employee designated parking for City and PUSD staff.
Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales presented the background, maximum parking space configuration, areas of safety, ADA compliant parking spaces, four additional electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces, 10 public safety fleet spaces, and features of the proposed plan. He furthered the maximum parking configuration features using a sample chart.
The Council posed questions that staff addressed.
Public Comment was received from:
Patsie Kao, Daniel Roberts, Marcia Lane, PUSD Superintendent Dr.
Jennifer Hawn, and Daniel Sherman expressed concern for safety, convenience, traffic impacts, more data, the burden to Bonita Avenue, dropdown and pick-up conversions, and traffic control volunteers and suggested the sir came method, a crossing plaza, and a middle island.
City Council held a robust discussion on the Civic Center Parking Plan.
Council posed additional questions to staff, PUSD Superintendent Dr.
Jennifer Hawn, PUSD Director of Facilities Pete Palmer, and Bonita Avenue resident, Marcia Lane.
Resolution 19-2025
Motion by Councilmember Plimier:
• Keep the drop off/pick up zone on Magnolia Avenue in front of Piedmont Middle School and Piedmont High School as a loading zone only, during school hours.
• Change five employee parking spaces on Bonita Avenue to two-hour time limited spaces.
• Replace undesignated spaces on Hillside Avenue with 10 employee parking spaces.
Amendment offered by Mayor Smegal Andersen:
• Change the employee parking space on Vista Avenue, near Mulberry’s Market, to a 30-minute parking space.
• Change two employee parking spaces near the preschool to short term parking for drop off/pick up during school hours only (for a total of 12 employee spaces removed).
Additional amendment offered by Councilmember Plimier:
City Council Minutes
May 5, 2025
• Increase employee parking on Hillside Avenue by three additional spaces for a total of 13 employee spaces on Hillside Avenue.
•
Moved by Plimier, Seconded by Andersen
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, and Plimier
Abstain: None
Absent: Ramsey
(0271, 0735)
Approval of Exception
to CalPERS Waiting
Period for a Retired
Annuitant and
Authorization for an
Employment
Agreement
Ms. Bayon Moore relayed a consideration of approval of an exception to the 180-Day California Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Waiting Period for a retired annuitant under Government Code section 7522.56 and 21224 and authorization to execute an employment agreement with Mike Szczech to fill a critical need in the Finance Department for the City of Piedmont while the City waits for the next Finance Director to assume the incoming role in early July.
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 20-2025
WHEREAS, in compliance with Government Code section 7522.56 the City of Piedmont (the “City”) must provide CalPERS this certification resolution when hiring a retiree before 180 days has passed since his or her retirement date; and
WHEREAS, Mike Szczech, retired from the City in the position of Finance Director, effective January 24, 2025; and
WHEREAS, section 7522.56 requires that post-retirement employment commence no earlier than 180 days after the retirement date, which is July 22, 2025, without this certification resolution; and
WHEREAS, section 7522.56 provides that this exception to the 180-day wait period shall not apply if the retiree accepts any retirement-related incentive; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, the City, and Mike Szczech certify that Mike Szczech has not and will not receive a Golden Handshake or any other retirement-related incentive; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby appoints Mike Szczech as a retired annuitant for the critical need of providing interim Finance Director duties for the City under Government Code section 21224, effective May 6, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the entire employment agreement between Mike Szczech and the City has been reviewed by the City Council and is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, no matters, issues, terms or conditions related to this employment and appointment have been or will be placed on a consent calendar; and
WHEREAS, the employment shall be limited to 960 hours per fiscal year for all CalPERS employers; and
City Council Minutes
May 5, 2025
WHEREAS, the compensation paid to retirees cannot be less than the minimum nor exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties, divided by 173.333 to equal the hourly rate; and
WHEREAS, Mike Szczech will be performing comparable duties as the Finance Director; and
WHEREAS, the base salary for this position is $17,821 per month and the hourly equivalent is $102.81, and
WHEREAS, the hourly rate paid to Mike Szczech will be $102.81; and WHEREAS, Mike Szczech has not and will not receive from the City any other benefit, incentive, compensation in lieu of benefit or other form of compensation in addition to this hourly pay rate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Piedmont does hereby resolve, declare, determine and order as follows:
1. The above recitals are correct and are incorporated into this resolution as findings of the City Council.
2. The nature of the appointment of Mike Szczech as described herein and detailed in the attached employment agreement (Exhibit A) as a retired annuitant or the critical need of providing interim Finance Director duties for the City beginning May 6, 2025.
3. The City Administrator is authorized to enter into the retired annuitant employment agreement with Mike Szczech
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Plimier
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, and Plimier
Abstain: None
Absent: Ramsey
(0045)
REPORTS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Plimier announced the Design and Sustainability Awards Gala hosted by the Planning Commission will be on May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Community Hall and StopWaste is hosting a free gardening workshop on May 10 at 11:30 a.m.
Councilmember Long announced a wildfire evacuation exercise on June 14 and acknowledged the Recreation Department and contributors of the PopUp Putt-Putt & Picnic in the Park event and fourth annual Play Like A Girl+ event.
Ms. Bayon Moore noted that the annual budget will be presented at the next City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Mayor Smegal Andersen adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m.