Piedmont Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The baseline greenhouse gas report prepared for the city -GHG Report- shows that “stationary energy use by all sectors (residential, commercial and industrial activities) accounts for 49.9% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Piedmont” and that “the transportation sector is responsible for about 50% of Piedmont’s greenhouse gas emissions.” The report, however, does not address solid waste issues: “Piedmont also has recycling and composting measures in place; however, due to lack of data availability, the emissions impact of these practices is not included in this analysis.” Not surprisingly, the report notes that “the inventory also reveals the fact that in Piedmont, like most cities, the municipal government emissions represent a small percentage of community-wide emissions, in this case only 2.3%.” The announcement by the City of Berkeley that it will fund installation of solar systems should be something that Piedmont follows and adapts for its own residents. Also, Greenhouse Gas reduction should be a significant part of the discussion in the design and construction of the several large projects underway in the City (Civic Center, Hampton Field, Coaches Field) and by the School District (seismic repairs) and residential green building should be made a priority as well; with the City taking the lead in identifying opportunities for homeowners undergoing repair or expansion projects so that each homeowner doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel in order to take advantage of green-building opportunities.

Garbage Contract

The proposals from the three garbage firms vying for your dollars will be presented at the next City Council meeting this coming Monday, November 5, 2007.  The Council will be discussing the different criteria to be used to select the firm we go with – cost, recyclable programs offered, other options and may even decide on the firm that night.  This is  a 10-year contract, so speak now or forever (at least in the minds of my kids) hold your peace.  My vote would go to whichever firm’s proposal encourages/makes it easy for folks to recycle and compost more and produce less garbage.  Thanks to the heads-up from council-member Keating on this issue.

- Drew

Mulberry’s Market Update – Floor and Ceiling done; Equipment & Refrigeration coming 10/31/07

The Mulberry’s Market website construction updates now says this:  Our latest news is the new tin ceiling and the beautiful stained concrete flooring. We’re also receiving all the equipment and refrigeration on Halloween and the painting and tiling has begun! We have begun hiring our first employees, and our goal of opening by Thanksgiving of 2007 is seeming more and more real. We’ll post more updates here as they’re available, but in the meantime, feel free to ask us any questions at ideas@mulberrysmarket.com.

School Board Discusses Seismic Options

The October 24, 2007 School Board meeting focused on the Seismic Risk Reduction Program / Measure E.

This special report was prepared for PNN by Dana Serleth and Lillis Stern.

Havens Conceptual Design and Cost Estimate

History: Assessment of seismic risk at Havens has been completed by consultants. Three of the five buildings on the school campus require seismic strengthening; in addition, the school has significant accessibility issues as well as fire and life-safety issues which must be corrected in order to undertake the seismic strengthening work. Consultants have presented the school board with four options for correcting these deficiencies:

At the low end of the cost spectrum, two retrofit options have been presented, estimated to cost between $9.5* and $18.2M. (Although recent consultant board meeting comments indicate that true cost is closer to $17M at the low end.) The disadvantage of each of these is that they reduce already dear classroom space in order to create accessibility via ramps in the administrative building – further chopping up that space. The advantage of either is that they can be accomplished relatively quickly at relatively low cost.

At the other end of the cost spectrum, replacing the school in entirety is estimated to cost between $35 and $41.8M. The advantage to replacement is that a new school could be designed “from the ground up” to meet other current and future needs of Piedmont students, teachers and families, thereby eliminating pressure to make additional changes after earthquake safety needs are met. The disadvantages of this option include high cost and perception of deceit (some citizens may feel that Measure E funds should only be used to correct seismic deficiencies, and should not improve facilities beyond that point). At $41.8M, a new school at the Havens site would require 75% of Measure E Bond funds or raising additional funds, would take relatively longest to complete, and would accomplish more than Measure E intended.

Latest Proposal — Refined Hybrid Option: In the middle of the cost spectrum at $23M is a fourth option, the hybrid. It includes retrofitting classroom wings and rebuilding the center Administrative area of the school. The rebuilt area would be raised so that it is level with Oakland Avenue and with the wing currently housing kindergarten classes. This reduces the need for ramps, creates the opportunity to reconfigure administrative space, creates new flexible use spaces, and allows for enlarging classrooms 21 and 22 to the current state standard of 960 square feet. It also provides for a better flow from the entrance throughout the school. While all these “upgrades” result from better utilizing existing space, this alternative does not attempt to address all known current and potential future needs at the school site, so may not leverage Measure E funds to their fullest extent.

All of the proposed options correct the seismic and associated deficiencies identified to date. Some advantages of the Hybrid proposal in doing so are:

· Lower cost, less disruption, less time to complete compared to rebuild option

· No loss of classroom space to correct deficiencies, as in retrofit options

· Better flow of entrance area and throughout the school; more direct routes through the school

· Two enlarged (regulation size) classrooms

· Reconfigured administrative space, allowing for better space utilization

· 4 flexible spaces recovered by reorganizing flow and better use of space (these could be used for language resource, math resource, reading resource, counseling, special ed, art, science)

· New centralized entrance to the library

Some disadvantages of the Hybrid are:

· Higher cost, more time to complete, more disruption compared to simple retrofit options

· Less ability to consider and leverage dollars toward non-seismic and long term site needs as compared to rebuild option

· May be cost prohibitive as percent of Measure E funds available?

· New accessibility ramp required on Highland side of campus displaces covered lunch space on the First Grade playground

· Lose outside (playground) access to restrooms at north end of playground (in new build)

· Tire swing area and the orange play structure would be displaced and the level of this area raised to the level of the playground above and new building level (neutralized by budgeting funds for a replacement / reconfigured play structure)

· May be harder for parents with strollers to maneuver through campus on stairs in the main hallway (lift may not be available to parents).

Beach Conceptual Design and Cost Estimate

By contrast to Havens, there has been one concept designed to address all seismic and related deficiencies identified at Beach. All deficiencies can be corrected without changing the functional or architectural character of the school. Major proposed corrections include shear wall strengthening, a new ramp and handicapped parking at the entrance of the school, adding an elevator on the side of the Auditorium to access the stage and art room, and replacing the portable classroom building. Total cost of this work is estimated at $12.2M.

Maintenance Buildings Conceptual Design and Cost Estimate

The maintenance buildings need to be functional after an earthquake, so that maintenance staff has some place to do any work needed to repair other buildings. Currently, the buildings are severely deficient in terms of seismic and nonstructural hazards, fire and life safety as well as accessibility. Cost to mitigate deficiencies ranges from $1.7M to $2.7M, depending on whether a partial rebuild or full rebuild is undertaken.

Guidelines for Meaure E Project Decisions

In mid-November, the School Board will begin development of the Program Plan for Measure E funds. The plan will define the scope, sequence, and budget for each project to be included in the implementation phase of the Seismic Risk Reduction program. The Superintendent has prepared a seven page memo outlining the complex issues, options and impacts involved in planning for implementation. The Board’s goal is to agree by 11/15 on a set of guidelines for decision-making and priorities for development of the program plan. To that end, the Superintendent grouped the issues into 7 broad categories for purposes of discussion, and provided initial staff recommendations for each:

1. Safety

2. ADA + Fire & Life Safety

3. Budget and Funding (Measure E, State Modernization Funds, etc)

4. Building Usability Post-Quake

5. Instructional Program

6. Green Impact

7. Historic / Aesthetic Preservation

The full report is posted at the district’s Bond web site at: http://pusdbond.org/public/community.html (scroll down and click on Bond Measure E Discussion of Guidelines-Criteria. In addition, the Superintendent has presenting an overview of this information to Parent Clubs, site staffs, and in community meetings to gather information prior to School Board decisions. Individuals should communicate their interests through the district’s bond website: input@pusdbond.org.

Community Engagement

The Board is planning an interactive Community Workshop scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Piedmont Middle School multipurpose room, to gather input on the draft program implementation plan.

Havens Parents Club Meeting

The November 6, 2007 Havens Parents Club Meeting (and evening meeting) will review provide parents another opportunity to review the seismic mitigation options.

Park Commission Meeting – Hampton Field Renovation Plan

This just in from the city email notification list:

The Park Commission is scheduled hold a public meeting on the Hampton Field Renovation Plan at their Wednesday, November 7th meeting. For more details, please see the Park Commission agenda at:

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/committees/agendas/park_agenda.pdf

Also see the proposed plan and related documents on the Piedmont city website.

Curriculum Council Math Survey

The PUSD curriculum council is examining math this year. At this afternoon’s meeting there will be a presentation of the results of a survey comparing Piedmont’s offerings to those of comparable school districts. Here is the powerpoint to be presented: Presentation slides. And here is some additional material.

This information will no doubt spark some interesting discussion as Piedmont’s offerings and pathways appear much more restricted than the districts surveyed.

Congratulations Piedmonters You Own a Pool!

The current lease to the Piedmont Swim Club expires in June 30, 2008. PSC is currently considering a non-negotiated offer from the City of Piedmont to extend the lease for a period of 18 months, through December 2009. The lease extension is not advantageous to the members of PSC and I would be surprised if PSC accepts it. (PSC Board Letter) Among other reasons, the proposed extension is effectively a 1 year deal to PSC because no additional members are likely to be added from 7/1/09 to 12/31/09 and membership dues are paid in the Spring. Because the operation of the pool depends on member dues and because the City has rejected PSC proposals to raise revenue by selling memberships to Piedmont City and School District employees, charging the Piedmont Swim Team for its use of the pool and/or for a rent rebate, a one year lease simply doesn’t fit within any conceivable successful business operation model for the PSC.*

So, unless another arrangement can be worked out, the City of Piedmont will take over operation of the pool on July 1, 2008. (Maybe the 4^th of July Parade will be a pool party instead.)

The community has not voted to authorize the City to incur the costs necessary to operate the pool and now You Don’t Get To Vote On It!

There was a proposal before the City Council last Monday night to put the following non-binding resolution on the ballot: “Should the City of Piedmont consider use in the future of the City’s General Fund revenues to operate and maintain a community aquatics facility including a swimming pool suitable for use by high school and area competitive swim teams?” The City Council voted 3-2 to reject putting this matter on the ballot. I didn’t want to sit through the Ann Martin Center discussions, so I can’t tell you why you don’t get to vote on this. But I can tell you that it’s going to cost you some coin.

In his October 3, 2006 Staff report to the City Council, Mr. Grote reported that Sports Management Group estimated that the City’s operation of the pool could require a subsidy of $327,000. As I understand it the operating budget of the pool is approximately $650,000.00. PSC members’ dues are already paid up through June 30, 2008 so there will be no additional revenue to the PSC in 2008. And if the City takes operation of the pool on July 1, 2008 it will likely not be able to obtain significant revenue from operation of the pool and deferred maintenance costs may be high, so the figure of $327,000 is likely to be low for 2008.

The proposed Civic Center Master Plan will be unveiled tonight and it includes a larger new pool complex, refurbishing 801 Magnolia and a $4,000,000.00 parking structure. There is currently no real funding for such a plan. And even if there were, it would be years before a shovel hits the ground. PSC detractors have often blurred the discussion of the inadequacy of the facilities with the operation and management of the pool. But the City taking over operation of the pool does not in anyway guarantee that a new pool complex will be built soon. And, of course, a new pool complex would be even more expensive to operate and maintain.

 

The failure of the City Council to separate these issues adequately and their inaction with regard to extending the pool lease while the discussion of a new pool complex, its funding and its construction could be sorted out and the failure of the City Council to bring this issue before the voters has made the City’s operation of the pool – without voter approval – a virtual fait accompli. So there we are, stuck holding the bill, hoping for a new pool, but with no money to pay for it and several large capital projects (Coaches Field, Hampton Field, refurbishing 801 Magnolia, renovation of City Hall and KCOM, sewers) all vying for the same public funds. In the meantime, revenue from real estate transfer taxes will go down so the City will have lower revenue and Oh! there’s that whole $56,000,000 school thing going on … Drew * Note: I’m pretty sure that the PSC didn’t ask for this, but PUSD currently uses the facility for free. Will that continue when the City takes over operation?

Spring 2008 Baseball Sign-ups

Hot off the press wire!

Piedmont Baseball Foundation, your hometown baseball league, is excited to announce online registration for the Spring 2008 baseball season for ballplayers (girls and boys) from 5 to 14. Beginning on Monday, October 15, 2007 through November 6, 2007 Piedmont residents and P.U.S.D. students enjoy priority registration for the Spring 2008 baseball season.

Open registration begins on November 6, 2006 and continues through November 25, 2007. All registration is on a space-available basis.

To learn more about the Piedmont Baseball Foundation and to register for the Spring 2008 season visit http://www.piedmontbaseball.org/.

Raising Happy Kids

Piedmont parents Christine Carter McLaughlin and Kelly Corrigan together write the blog Half Full where they discuss the Science of Raising Happy Kids. Right now they’re featuring a video blogging project which Christine describes as being “born out of interest by parents who kept saying to me, ‘tell me again about that research — what kinds of praise helps kids embrace challenges? Do we have to eat dinner together every night? etc.’”

Christine is the Executive Director of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, “an interdisciplinary research center devoted to the scientific understanding of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior.”

Kelly is a newspaper columnist for the Piedmonter and the author of The Middle Place.

Mulberry’s Market is now hiring

Visit their website Mulberry’s Market for an application.