PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday, January 5, 2026
A Regular Session of the Piedmont City Council in the City Hall Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, was held on January 5, 2026. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on December 31, 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, Councilmember Lorrel Plimier, and Councilmember Tom Ramsey
Absent: None
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, Deputy City Attorney Deepa Sharma, Communications Program Manager Echa Schneider, Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, Fire Chief Dave Brannigan, Recreation Director Chelle Putzer, and City Clerk Anna Brown
PUBLIC FORUM Public Comment was received from:
Don Chandler spoke on the need for an Emergency Services Building and provided printed information regarding project management .
PRESENTATIONS Proclamation presented to City Attorney Michelle Marchetta Kenyon in honor of her service to the City of Piedmont
Public Comment was received from:
Former City Clerk John Tulloch, Former City Administrators Sara Lillevand and Paul Benoit, Former Mayors Bob McBain, Teddy Gray King, and Margaret Fujioka, and Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson. A written comment from former Mayor Jen Cavenaugh was read into the record.
Ms. Kenyon accepted the proclamation and shared words of appreciation for her time with the present and past City Council members, her colleagues, and the community of Piedmont.
CONSENT CALENDAR The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
Meeting Minutes Approval of the Minutes for the City Council meeting of 12/15/2025 City Council
Liaison
Appointments
Approval of Council Liaison Assignments for January 5, 2026 – December 31, 2026
(0085)
Approval of FY
2025-26 Street
Approval of Award of Contract for the FY 2025-26 Street Tree Pruning Project to Califa Tree Care in the Amount of $121, 575, Approving an City Council Minutes
January 5, 2026
Tree Pruning
Project Contract
Overall Construction Budget of $133,733, and a Determination that the Project is Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act (0045)
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution 1-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts Consent Calendar Items 1-3.
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:
Appointment of
Deepa Sharma
as City Attorney
and Amendment
to Legal
Services
Agreement with
Burke,
Williams, &
Sorensen
City Administrator Rosanne Bayon Moore reviewed the consideration of the appointment and amendment to the Legal Services Agreement with Burke, Williams, & Sorensen.
Public Comment was received from John Tulloch, who spoke in support of the appointment and recalled his positive professional experience working alongside Ms. Sharma during his tenure as City Clerk.
Council expressed their confidence in Ms. Sharma and looked forward to working with her.
Resolution 2-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council appoints Deepa Sharma as City Attorney and approves a Second Amendment to Agreement Between the City of Piedmont and Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP.
Moved by Long, Seconded by Plimier
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: None
(0260)
City Attorney Sharma expressed her gratitude and excitement for the appointment.
Appointment to the
Recreation
Commission
City Clerk Anna Brown presented the application for Council’s consideration for an appointment to the Recreation Commission to fill in the resignation of a seated Recreation Commissioner.
There was no Public Comment received.
Mayor Andersen thanked the former Recreation Commissioner Jenny Feinberg for her service.
Resolution 3-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council appoints Paul Jahn to the Recreation Commission for a term ending March 31, 2028.
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Plimier
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: None
(0085)
City Council Minutes
January 5, 2026
Consideration of the
List of Special Event
Signage within the
Public Right of Way
for Year 2026
Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales presented the list of events for which signage can be displayed in the right-of-way within the guidelines posted on the Public Works webpage.
City Council asked how the process went during the first year of guidelines being in effect.
Director Gonzales responded that generally everyone wants to comply, and education on the guidelines will continue, but that it went well overall.
Council expressed appreciation for the clarity and structure that this policy has brought.
Resolution 4-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council approves a First Amendment to Employment Agreement Between the City of Piedmont and Rosanna Bayon Moore.
Moved by Long, Seconded by McCarthy
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: None
(0750-0655)
Consideration of
Overall Project
Budget for Dearing
Memorial Project
and Contract with
Hood Design Studio
City Administrator Bayon Moore recalled this project stems from the City Council's 2020 commitment to reckoning with Piedmont's past and the 2022 direction to develop a physical memorial to the Dearing family. She explained the preliminary design concept, called the "Dearing Portal," uses elements of a home, doorway, window, and mailbox to evoke what the Dearing family lost.
Public Works Director Gonzales detailed the unique procurement approach required for this art installation, noting that standard city procurement policies are not designed for such projects, and as such, the city may benefit from Hood Design Studio’s previous experience with managing fabrication services. He reviewed the scope of the project and what it includes and excludes, noting that the exact location within Triangle Park was still being determined. He confirmed the project must preserve all trees in the grove area, and be visible from the street.
City Attorney Deepa Sharma and environmental consultant LSA confirmed the project qualifies for multiple CEQA exemptions. Also noted was the Piedmont Beautification Foundation fundraising effort of $30,000 to offset city costs.
The Council briefly reviewed the various constraints to moving forward with this project earlier and expressed appreciation for the effort to bring the project to fruition.
Resolution 5-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council approves an Overall Project Budget of $417,250 for the Sidney and Irene Dearing Memorial Project; City Administrator Authorization to Negotiate and Execute Contract Amendments with Hood Design Studio for Final Design & Engineering Services and Fabrication, Delivery & Installation; and Determination that the Project is Exempt under California Environmental Quality Act City Council Minutes
January 5, 2026
Moved by Plimier, Seconded by McCarthy
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Letter of
Understanding with
the City of Oakland
for Library Services
for Fiscal Years
2026-2028
City Administrator Bayon Moore presented a three-year Letter of Understanding with Oakland for library services, including a one-time 3% increase to $360,985 annually. She recalled the relationship with the Oakland Public Library dating back to 1918 and noted there had been no increases in payment for services in the last eighteen years. The proposed three-year LOU includes a one-time 3% increase to $360,985 annually, providing Piedmont residents with the same library privileges as Oakland residents.
Public Comment was received from John Tulloch, who spoke in support of the library agreement, emphasizing the century-long relationship and Oakland Public Library's role as a regional resource, also noting the value and importance of maintaining good relations with Oakland.
Council members discussed the need for better metrics and community input for future agreements.
Resolution 6-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council approves authorization for the City Administrator to Execute a Letter of Understanding (LOU) with the City of Oakland for Library Services for Fiscal Years 2026-28 with a one-time increase of 3% for a Total Amount of $360,985
Moved by McCarthy, Seconded by Ramsey
Ayes: Andersen, Long, McCarthy, Plimier, and Ramsey
Abstain: None
Absent: None
REPORTS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Plimier announced a Planning Commission meeting on January 12 at 5:30 p.m. where they will hold a study session on study session on subdivision standards and small lot development.
Councilmember Ramsey thanked the Public Works and Fire Department and all those who worked during the recent storms.
Councilmember Long recognized the Recreation Department for another successful Noon Years Eve celebration, and announced the Piedmont Garden Club will present Living with Wildfire on January 21 at Community Hall from 9:30 am – 11:30 am. The program will focus on increasing local wildfire preparedness and awareness. Guest speakers will be Piedmont Fire Chief Dave Brannigan and acclaimed photographer and garden expert Saxon Holt.
Vice Mayor McCarthy announced that as representative to League of California Cities, she was reappointed to the Environmental Policy Committee.
Mayor Smegal Andersen thanked the Recreation department for hosting holiday activities including Lights Up, Surfs Up Santa, and Donuts and Dreidels.
City Council Minutes
January 5, 2026
Mayor Smegal Andersen provided a brief status update on the pool, stating that the commissioning process continues and that the project continues to be a top priority for the city.
Vice Mayor McCarthy thanked Mayor Andersen for the words of comfort she spoke at the Hanukkah celebration and lighting of the menorah, which was especially difficult because of the recent tragedy in Australia.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Mayor Smegal Andersen adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m.