PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 8, 2026
A Special and Regular Session of the Piedmont City Council was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in the City Hall Council Chambers at 120 Vista Avenue. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on September 3, 2026.
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 no reportable action from the Closed Session.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen, Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy, Councilmember Jennifer Long, Councilmember Lorrel Plimier, and Councilmember Tom Ramsey
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, Acting City Attorney Karen Murphy, Police Chief Frederick Shavies, Fire Chief Dave Brannigan, Communications Officer Echa Schneider, Interim Public Works Director Rich Cunningham. Planning and Building Director Leslie Mendez, Parks and Project Manager Nancy Kent, Finance Director Kiran Bawa, and City Clerk Anna Brown
PRESENTATIONS
Hispanic Heritage
Month Proclamation
Students
Mayor Andersen presented the proclamation to Joaquin Fiero, member of Piedmont High School’s Affinity Mentorship Program. Mr. Fiero, and students from Piedmont Middle School and Havens Elementary School expressed gratitude for the recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and the Hispanic community in Piedmont.
Sidekicks Day Mayor Andersen presented the proclamation to Eva Phalen, Recreation Supervisor. Comments were provided by Karen Booth, mother of Sidekick volunteer Madeline Booth, and Sidekick volunteer Asher Dolid.
PUBLIC FORUM Public Comment was received from:
Dimitri Magganas, resident, commented on the Oakland commercial real estate discounted loan sales.
CONSENT CALENDAR The following items were considered under one vote by the Council:
Approval of Minutes Approval of the Minutes for the City Council meeting held on August 17, 2026.
Resolution No. 61-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council Adopts Consent Calendar Item 1 Moved by: Vice Mayor McCarthy
Seconded by: Councilmember Long
Ayes: Unanimous
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
2 REGULAR AGENDA The Council considered the following items of regular business:
Presentation on the
State of AC Transit
Public Hearing
Consideration of
Approval of First
Reading of
Ordinance 793 N.S.
Amending Chapter
4 of the Piedmont
City Code –
Animals
AC Transit representatives Paul Kincaid, Ryan Lau, and Owen Goetze gave a presentation on the future state of public transit in the bay area, highlighting the fiscal situation should the transit measure fail on the November 2026 ballot.
The presentation stressed the importance of AC transit in the life of Piedmont residents and the greater Bay Area and the current budget challenges that will impact the bus network without a long-term solution. He noted the impact of deficit projections to service across the East Bay, especially the pending fiscal cliff and further service reductions as well as layoffs beyond the $9 million in trimming actions that were executed in 2025, and also noted the state bridge loan acquired to close the AC Transit budget gap for 2026 only.
Kincaid stated the regional transit measure on the November 2026 ballot was to approve a 14-year $0.005 sales tax in the Bay Area or $0.01 in San Francisco. He reviewed the impact of the worst-case scenario contingency plan on the network service lines if long-term funding is not secured by December 2026, and noted the Notice of a Public Hearing that will be held on October 14, 2026, at which formal public comment will be received.
Paul Kincaid requested that Council members and meeting attendees spread the word in their communities of the pending cuts as well as the impact to the residents and economy of Piedmont in the East Bay.
There was no Public Comment received.
As this report was informational only, no action was required by Council.
Chief Frederick Shavies shared Chapter 4 of the Piedmont City Code – Animals, reviewed context for the changes, and summarized the proposed adjustments.
Councilmember Lorrel Plimier highlighted portions of the code where further revisions should be considered prior to the second reading and adoption.
Councilmember Tom Ramsey inquired if Piedmont rules and definitions regarding animals differ from other jurisdictions and whether the amendments and revisions would facilitate enforcement.
Chief Frederick Shavies commented on the comprehensive nature of the Piedmont code and confirmed that the adjustments would provide clarity for all parties involved, especially those in the hearing process.
There was no Public Comment received.
Acting City Attorney Karen Murphy confirmed that, as per the City of Piedmont’s Charter, changes can be made between the first and second readings.
Resolution No. 62-2026
RESOLVED that the City Council Approves the first reading of Ordinance No. 793 N.S. Amending Chapter 4 of the Piedmont City Code – Animals, as amended by the comments discussed and agreed.
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
3 Information Report
on Summer
Statistics from the
Piedmont
Recreation
Department
Moved by Councilmember Plimier
Seconded by Councilmember Ramsey
Ayes: Unanimous
Recreation Director Chelle Putzer provided a comprehensive overview of the 2026 summer program delivery, pool opening, and development of the fall, 2026 services. Items highlighted include summer camps, in-house camps, and programs, Sidekicks camp, summer pool and programs, pool pass sales, rentals, and events, youth and adult sport, Schoolmates and preparation for pre-school, and key takeaways of the season. The Council commended the PRD team for the significant effort made to provide a substantial amount of summer programs and events for the community.
As this report was informational only, no action was required by Council.
REPORTS AND Councilmember Long announced community events including the 25th ANNOUNCEMENTS Anniversary Ceremony for 9/11, upcoming Food Truck Fridays, Piedmont Cup Cardboard Boat Races, New Family Night, Annual Coffee, Cars & Cops, and the annual Harvest Festival
Councilmember Plimier announced the StopWaste event Edible Perennials and Building Health Soil, to be held on September 19, 2026
Councilmember Plimier requested a future agenda item to discuss the installation of bike racks at City Hall.
Mayor Andersen announced a community screening and panel Q&A of documentary AI: Will it Save or End the World at the Alan Harvey Theater, Piedmont High School, 6:30 p.m. on September 26, 2026, as well as the upcoming Octoberfest and Turkey Trot.
Mayor Andersen noted that the next City Council meeting will be held on September 22, 2026, due to the Yom Kippur holiday on September 21, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Andersen adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. in memory of all those whose lives ended and were impacted by September 11, 2001, and in honor of the first responders.