Park Commission Meeting

PIEDMONT PARK COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, March 6, 2024 A Regular Session of the Piedmont Park Commission was held on March 6, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chambers at 120 Vista Avenue. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2(a), the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on March 1, 2024. CALL TO ORDER Chair Smegal called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Jack Fischrup, Barbara Giuffre, Arden Hall, David Johnson, Kimberly Moses, Sharon Shoshani, Tom Smegal Staff: Director of Public Works David Gonzales, Parks & Project Manager Nancy Kent, and Public Works Supervisor Nick Millosovich PUBLIC FORUM There was no Public Testimony on the matter. CEREMONIAL Patty Siskind, the Civic’s Project Chair of the Piedmont Garden Club, presented their $5000 donation for 2024 that will be combine with the 2020 donation for a total of $10,000 for the native plantings at the Piedmont Fire Department and Veteran’s Hall. REGULAR AGENDA The Commission considered the following items of regular business. Minutes Resolved, that the Park Commission approves the meeting minutes of February 7, 2024. Moved by Moses Seconded by Giuffre Ayes: Fischrup, Giuffre, Hall, Johnson, Moses, Shoshani, Smegal Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None Update on Sustainability and Stewardship for Piedmont Parks Chair Smegal stated the Commission has been requesting some discussion of park policies regarding stewardship and sustainability. He thanked Ms. Kent and staff for preparing the draft framework. Ms. Kent stated staff researched local options for a sustainability and stewardship framework including reviewing the eight principles developed by ReScape. These principles encourage acting locally and using resources specifically developed for California landscapes. The framework would adapt the ReScape principles for Piedmont parks and open spaces which includes. 44 acres of parks , medians, triangles, and civic facilities. The ReScape principles of regenerative landscapes include acting locally, reducing waste, nurturing soil, sequester carbon, save water, conserve energy, protect water, air, and land, and create habitat. The Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions pertaining to transitioning landscapes for future climates, to define act locally and plant diversity, reduction of turf, opportunities for more plantings, the advantages of using developed framework, best practices, opportunities for young

Park Commission Minutes March 6, 2024 residents, plantings for species, planting strips, awards, and identifying species and habitats. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Consideration of Appointing Members to the Subcommittee for the Purpose of Drafting an Annual Report to City Council Chair Smegal stated that a subcommittee will draft an annual report to submit to City Council. Mr. Gonzales stated that the schedule for the report is flexible and should reflect the needs of the entire body. Review of the report may take several meetings to review. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions. The subcommittee will consist of Commissioners Hall, Giuffre, and Smegal.. Resolved, that the Park Commission approves the subcommittee for drafting an annual report to City Council. Moved by Shoshani Seconded by Johnson Ayes: Fischrup, Giuffre, Hall, Johnson, Moses, Shoshani, Smegal Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None Consideration on a Replacement Tree for the Traffic Island at Mountain and Bellevue Avenues Ms. Kent stated that the replacement tree being considered for the traffic island at Mountain and Bellevue Avenues is an island oak tree. A flyer was distributed to the neighborhood for comments. One positive response was received that thanked the City for considering replacing the removed tree. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions. Resolved, that the Park Commission approves the island oak tree for the traffic island at Mountain and Bellevue Avenues. Moved by Giuffre Seconded by Hall Ayes: Fischrup, Giuffre, Hall, Johnson, Moses, Shoshani, Smegal Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None Update on Riparian Plant Donation and Opportunities for Bushy Dell Creek Planting Commissioner Moses stated that the riparian plants will be planted on March 14, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. If not completed in that timeframe, then it will continue on the same day, starting at 1:30 p.m., as well as again on the morning of March 15, 2024. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions. Update on Opportunities to Memorialize the Sidney and Irene Dearing Mr. Gonzalez stated that they had a preliminary review of one design concept and another design concept will be delivered soon, for the opportunities to memorialize the Sidney and Irene Dearing Family history.

Park Commission Minutes March 6, 2024 Family History at the Triangle Park at the Intersection of Magnolia and Wildwood Avenues There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions. Arbor and Earth Day 2024 Update Commissioner Shoshani presented two draft posters for Arbor and Earth Day. Volunteers will be needed. Ms. Kent stated Arbor and Earth Day will be celebrated on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Community Hall. The event is scheduled from 3- 6:00 p.m. There will a raffle, face painting and free popcorn. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions. Update on Heritage Tree Nominations for 2024 Ms. Kent stated that the Heritage Tree map has been updated. The nomination form is available on the website and can be filled out online and submitted. The nominated trees have to be public trees. The due date for nominations is March 22, 2024. Park Commissioners can nominate trees. At the April 2024 meeting, the Park Commission will vote on the nominations, and will be announced at Arbor Day. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions. City Park Projects Update Ms. Kent reminded the Commission that the Linda Off Leash Dog Park is still closed because the hillside is not safe for park users. The status of the park’s closure is posted on the City’s website. Ms. Kent stated the Dracena Park ADA ramp project is almost complete. The final asphalt path will be completed soon and then the benches will be installed. Ms. Kent stated that Crocker Park ADA Improvements bids have been awarded. Construction will start in April. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions about the projects discussed. Mr. Gonzales noted that there were 16 bids received for the Crocker Park ADA Improvements project. He expressed that P G & E is under court order to be more aggressive with street tree trimming around power lines. They do not have the same level of care that Piedmont would like. There is limited flexibility for Piedmont to regulate PG &E line clearing of city street trees. Monthly Maintenance Report Public Works Supervisor Nick Millosovich stated the relationship with P G & E is troubling and trying, It’s been a wet weather mode for the crew for the past two months. The wet weather brought additional tree casualties. On February 23, 2024, there were high winds in town and a private tree fell and blocked the road. The road was closed from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. There were seven trees planted over the past month. Professional Tree Service has

Park Commission Minutes March 6, 2024 completed the tree pruning contract along with the removals. There was one complaint while pruning trees because they wanted their trees topped for a view. There was vandalism at Dracena Park, and police were notified. There was no Public Testimony on the matter. Commissioners asked questions and made suggestions about the projects discussed. REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Kent stated that new commissioners come on board on April and a new chair could be elected. The Heritage Trees will be announced during the April meeting. There should be some discussion about the Bridge in Piedmont Park. There can’t be a separate agenda circulated between commissioners. It was suggested that at the end of every meeting a commissioner could state what upcoming topics should be discussed. Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Smegal adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.

City of Piedmont Park Commission Agenda Wednesday, March 6, 2024 5:30 p.m. City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA Call to Order Public Forum This is an opportunity for members of the audience to speak on an item not on the agenda. Ceremonial Piedmont Garden Clubs Civic Projects Donation for Native Plantings at Piedmont Fire Department and Veteran’s Hall Regular Agenda 1. Approval of Park Commission Minutes for February 2024 2. Update on Sustainability and Stewardship for Piedmont Parks 3. Consideration of Appointing Members to the Subcommittee for the Purpose of Drafting an Annual Report to City Council 4. Consideration on a Replacement Tree for the Traffic Island at Mountain and Bellevue Avenues 5. Update on Riparian Plant Donation and Opportunities for Bushy Dell Creek Planting 6. Update on Opportunities to Memorialize the Sidney and Irene Dearing Family History at the Triangle Park at the Intersection of Magnolia and Wildwood Avenues 7. Update on Arbor and Earth Day 2024 8. Update On Heritage Tree Nominations for 2024 9. Update on City Park Projects a. Linda Off Leash Dog Park Temporary Closure b. Dracena Park ADA Ramp Construction Project and Drought Related Tree Removals and Replanting c. Crocker Park ADA Improvements and Pine Removal 10. Monthly Maintenance Report: Park, Open Space, and Street Tree Update for the Month of February 2023

Announcements, old business and consideration of future agenda items Adjourn Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Park Commission are available for public inspection in the Public Works Department during normal business hours. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (510) 420-3040. Notification at least two business days preceding the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II] In accordance with G.C. Sec. 54954.2(a) this notice and agenda were posted on the City Hall bulletin board and also in the Piedmont Police Department on March 1, 2024.