Live Coverage: City Council Holds Budget Hearing

Piedmont City Council and city officials met Monday, June 6. Live coverage of the five agenda items and discussion follows, with emphasis on the city's first budget hearing. 

Following a , the Piedmont City Council will focus its budget hearing tonight, June 6, on two proposed tax increases: the municipal services tax and the municipal sewer tax. 

7:40 p.m. Councilwoman Margaret Fujioka is absent. The council approved the minutes from the last meeting on May 16 and the budget discussion on May 21.

8:05 p.m. The council approved and adopted the updated Housing Element as outlined in item 2 on the agenda. 

In the public comment period, George Childs called the state's requirement for Piedmont to provide for a variety of housing needs an "absurd process" and "another unfunded mandate."

"[The state is] demanding that we do something that, while it may not be impossible to accomplish, certainly is going to be difficult and could possibly degrade community standards," said Childs. "This from a state that cannot fulfill its own obligations. This is not a state that I care to support."

[See for more details.]

8:35 p.m. The council is discussing item 3: Consideration of a for the Piedmont Community Pool, which includes limited Sunday access. Councilman Garrett Keating is concerned that working families will not be able to use the pool Monday through Thursday due to a proposal to close the gate to non-season pass holders at 6 p.m. Keating recommends that the time frame be extended to 7 p.m.

Mark Delventhal, director of recreation, suggests that the council consider this change. Vice Mayor John Chiang is concerned about the impact on season pass holders.

8:47 p.m. The council approved exhibit one of the pool free schedule, with possible changes in the future depending on use. 

The pool will be open to daily guests Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a cost of $10 per adult and $5 per child. Seasonal passes will be required all other times, with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays when pool capacity is less than 75 percent. The cost on Fridays and Saturdays will be $15 per adult and $7.50 per child.

"You have the flexibility to make minor tweaks," Chiang told Delventhal.

8:55 p.m. The council approved the ABAG Fire Hazard Mitigation Plan as outlined in item 4: Consideration of the resolution to approve the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Fire Hazard Mitigation Plan.

8:57 p.m. The council began a public hearing regarding the proposed budget and fee proposals for FY 11-12 and the levy of the Municipal Services Tax and Sewer Tax.

Finance Director Mark Bichsel says the sewer tax will need to be raised due to EPA compliance costs. 

9:15 p.m. The council is considering the administrative budget. Included in costs is a $61,000 fee to purchase a new business license software program from a vendor who already works with the city. The software would allow Piedmont to issue business licenses to anyone wanting to do business in the city. Previously, the city has been a "test bed" for its business license software and therefore has not had to pay.

9:23 p.m. Interim City Clerk John Tulloch explained to the council that $55,000 has been budgeted for the election in February 2012. The total cost could be less if there are contested elections for the school board, which would require the school board to pay a share of its election fees.

9:47 p.m. Vice Mayor John Chiang is going through his list of questions regarding the budget. Answers indicate that a draft proposal will soon be brought forward concerning the city and school district's reserve plans.

10:00 p.m. Chiang asked whether or not there would be any opportunity to increase the fees at the Tea House. Bischel responded that his department would discuss increasing fees, both for the Tea House and in any other areas that have not been recently modified. 

10:09 p.m. George Childs addressed the council again, this time opposing the escalation of the municipal services tax. Mayor Dean Barbieri responded: "We're talking about 50 cents a month. I just want people to know that."

Childs also opposed the escalation of the municipal sewer tax. The new tax scale is available here.

10:15 p.m. The council will consider approving the budget at the next hearing. "We're not going to go through each item again," said Barbieri. The public will, however, have a final opportunity to comment on the budget proposal for FY 2011-12.

10:22 p.m. The meeting is adjourned. There has been no action on the budget this evening. 

The next budget hearing will take place Monday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.