PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Special and Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday, August 18, 2025 A Special and Regular Session of the Piedmont City Council in the City Hall Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, was held on August 18, 2025. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on August 14, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Smegal Andersen called the Regular Session meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and noted that Closed Session Item A will be reconvened at the end of the Regular Meeting and no reportable action from Closed Session Item B.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen, Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy, Councilmember Lorrel Plimier, and Councilmember Tom Ramsey
Absent: Councilmember Jennifer Long
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, Deputy City Attorney Deepa Sharma, Planning and Building Director Kevin Jackson, Police Chief Frederick Shavies II, Fire Chief Dave Brannigan, Finance Director Kiran Bawa, Recreation Director Chelle Putzer, and City Clerk Anna Brown PUBLIC FORUM Public Comment was received from:
Tonia Rapoza provided her background and noted her contributions and experiences as a member of the Piedmont City staff.
Rick Schiller expressed gratitude to staff and Council for the improvements made to the dedicated pickleball courts.
PRESENTATIONS Mayor Andersen read a proclamation recognizing Teens Sidekick Day and presented it to Recreation Program Manager Eva Phalen.
Comments were provided by Recreation Program Manager Eva Phalen, Teen Sidekick Natalie Ghielmetti, and parent Sarah Karlinsky.
CONSENT CALENDAR The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
Meeting Minutes Approval of the Minutes for the City Council meeting of 08/04/2025 with a minor correction requested by Mayor Andersen to change the word consultant to contractor.
Approval of Second
Reading of Ordinance
No. 782 N.S.
Approval of Second Reading of Ordinance 782 N.S. Amending Chapter 17 and Chapter 19 of the Piedmont City Code to Regulate Subdivisions and Housing Developments Pursuant to SB 9 and SB 1123, and additional amendments relating to the Solar Rights Act (Recommended CEQA Action: GP Amendment - Consistent with Housing Element
Implementation EIR (SCH 2022020362); Ordinance 782 N.S. - Exempt under CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3), 15378)
(0705)
Approval Requesting
& Authorizing a Tax
Approval of Resolution Requesting and Authorizing the County of Alameda to Levy a Tax on All Real and Personal Property in the City of Piedmont as a Voter Approved Levy for the General Obligation Bonds Issued Pursuant City Council Minutes
August 18, 2025
on All Real &
Personal Property
to a General Election Held November 3, 2020, for the Piedmont Community Pool
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, voters of the City of Piedmont passed Measure UU, authorizing the issuance of bonds in the amount not to exceed $19,500,000 (the “the Bonds”) to finance the costs of municipal improvement projects of the City to prevent the permanent closure of, and replace, the Piedmont Community Pool, and to make improvements to adjacent areas (the “Improvements”), and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 762 N.S., approved by the City Council on September 7, 2021, authorized and directed the sale of not to exceed $19,500,000 aggregate principal amount of City of Piedmont, California.
General Obligation Bonds; and the levying of an ad valorem tax; and WHEREAS, for the purpose of paying the principal of and interest on the Bonds, the City of Piedmont must authorize the County of Alameda to levy and collect annually each year an ad valorem tax in an amount sufficient to pay principal and interest of the bonds; and
WHEREAS, Measure UU estimated the maximum tax rate to be $26.20 per $100,000 of assessed valuation over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, the required tax rate for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is $20.20 per $100,000 of assessed valuation for secured property;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Piedmont hereby authorizes the County of Alameda to levy a tax on all real and personal property in the City of Piedmont as a voter-approved levy for the General Obligation Bonds Issued pursuant to the General Election held November 3, 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Piedmont that the debt service for the $19,500,000 General Obligation Bonds will be paid from a tax levy on all secured property in Piedmont of $20.20 per $100,000 of assessed value and all unsecured property in Piedmont of $21.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2025-26. (1030)
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 44-2025
RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts Consent Calendar Items 1 – 3 with a correction to the minutes as noted.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Plimier
Ayes: Andersen, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: Long
REGULAR AGENDA The Council considered the following items of regular business:
Public Hearing for 139
Lexford Road
Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson presented the consideration of a resolution rescinding City Council Resolution 18-2024 and approval of design review permit for 139 Lexford Road (DRPC2023-018) with the applicant’s requested amended conditions of approval and finding the City Council Minutes
August 18, 2025
project exempt under CEQA. Staff recommended Council adoption and approval subject to 37 conditions of approval and new conditions related to environmental assessments and conformance with recent General Plan amendments.
Council sought clarification on the CEQA exemption and design changes and confirmed that the amended conditions were requested by the applicant.
Public Comment was received from:
Willis Yu, applicant, expressed optimism and excitement for the project, thanked staff for their time, and extended an open mind to accommodating the needs of the City and neighbors.
Resolution 45-2025
RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts the resolution Rescinding City Council Resolution 18-2024 and Approval of Design Review Permit for 139 Lexford Road (DRPC2023-018) with Applicant’s Requested Amended Conditions of Approval and Finding the Project Exempt Under CEQA, hereto incorporated as Attachment A.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Ramsey
Ayes: Andersen, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: Long
(0775)
Consideration to
Authorize a Grant
Application for the
Moraga Avenue
Pedestrian Safety
Project
City Engineer John Wanger presented a consideration of a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to execute a grant application with Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) Comprehensive Investment Plan (CIP) Grant Funds in the amount of $748,000 for the Moraga Avenue Pedestrian Safety Project. He outlined the grant application background, funding and timing details, project sites on a Moraga Avenue map and additional imaging and illustrations to explain proposed plans at Ramona Avenue, Highland Avenue, Mesa Avenue, and Red Rock Road, and issues to be addressed relative to parking and Moraga Canyon Specific Plan considerations.
In response to Council questions, Wanger confirmed this was in alignment with the Safer Streets Plan and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and addressed concerns from Moraga Avenue residents regarding pedestrian and cyclist safety. He confirmed that as part of the final design, mitigation efforts would be considered regarding possible impact to parking spaces on Moraga Ave. He also addressed options to notice users of Moraga Avenue about the project. Councilmember Ramsey commended Public Works Director Gonzales for his efforts towards this initiative.
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 43-2025
RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the City Administrator to execute a grant agreement with Alameda County Transportation Commission and any associated documentation for the Moraga Avenue Pedestrian Safety Project.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Ramsey
Ayes: Andersen, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: Long
City Council Minutes
August 18, 2025
(0525)
REPORTS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Plimier announced a Planning and Building Department open house on August 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building.
Councilmember Ramsey announced that Police Chief Frederick Shavies II will be joining the Walking on Wednesday group and upcoming Cop on the Block events.
Vice Mayor McCarthy reported on a meeting with Alameda Transportation Commission, Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) Board, and ACTransit regarding the service line.
Mayor Smegal Andersen thanked attendees of National Night Out.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Mayor Smegal Andersen adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.