PIEDMONT — Keeping stormwater clean was top of mind for the City Council at their Jan. 6 meeting.
The council voted 3-0, with members Tim Rood and Betsy Andersen absent, to approve spending up to $83,868 to engage the services of Kimley Horn to provide technical support, project management and implementation of the green infrastructure plan for the city.
Public Works Director Chester Nakahara explained that there are complex regulatory requirements mandated by the Alameda Countywide Water Program and a Municipal Regional Permit. The general idea is to keep stormwater runoff free of trash or other debris as it travels to creeks, waterways and ultimately San Francisco Bay. Nakahara pointed out that there are 15 capture devices around town to do just that. The city may add more.
“Our debris is mostly leaves. There are 7,000 street trees in Piedmont,” Nakahara said. “Piedmonters are generally good about not throwing trash in the street.”
Resident Rick Schiller said the project “needs to accomplish multiple goals.”
Former Councilman Garrett Keating said the council should be sure to include the city’s bicycle and pedestrian master plan in the analysis, as well as green infrastructure (“GI”) projects, which are those involving water runoff being directed toward landscaped triangles, medians or other greenscapes in the city. Project manager Marcy Kamerath assured the council that her firm would take all aspects of stormwater management into account.
In other business, Steve Roland, chair of the recreation commission, reported on the “incredible success of pickleball in town, with 180 interested players.
“It’s not only a sport but a social outlet, especially for seniors. But every age group is playing. There are groups of people waiting their turn to play at every game,” Roland said.
Using city tennis courts for pickleball was on an eight-month trial period. The recreation commission recommended permanence, and the council agreed in a 3-0 vote. There have been no problems with noise from the games or conflicts with tennis players who use the same courts, Roland said.
As it stands, play is allowed at Hampton Field tennis courts Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.; Linda Beach tennis courts Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with weekend play at the Piedmont Middle School sports courts Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Pickleball enthusiasts hope that play at the middle school courts could be expanded to include weekdays after school and school holidays.
“I played my first game, and it is really fun,” Councilwoman Teddy King said.
