The city’s public works director and police chief told the City Council on Monday night that the project to upgrade the city’s emergency dispatch center was proceeding smoothly and was expected to be completed by June 2025. The renovation of the 911 dispatch center was identified by the City Council as one of its highest priorities and the best use for American Rescue Plan Act funding in October 2021. The center fields over 13,000 calls annually for police and fire services, the city said last year.
Design work for the relocated dispatch center began in 2022, and the City Council awarded a $1.8 million construction contract for the project in March 2024; construction started in June 2024. To date the city said approximately 3.1% of available contingency funds have been used as part of approved change order requests.
Councilmembers had no questions and only praise for the project. “We are delivering on those projects that were of community concern,” said Councilmember Conna McCarthy.
“We voted to use our federally-funded ARPA dollars to fund the nuts and bolts of this project — this is going to be transformative,” said Mayor Betsy Andersen.
“Keeping fully functional with no reduction in service to the community … is greatly appreciated,” said Councilmember Lorrel Plimier.
Councilmember Tom Ramsey applauded the city for mining for matching funds, notably $199,000 from the California Office of Emergency Services for “Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)” for a complete 911 call system.
“This is Piedmont at its best,” said Councilmember Jennifer Long, highlighting the teamwork and coordination between city departments during this project.
Police department celebrates a new hire and a promotion
In a badge-pinning ceremony prior to the construction update, Chief Jeremy Bowers introduced the department’s new support services commander, Brandy Marin-Morris, who took over from retired commander Lisa Douglas in October 2024. The role of support services commander is “one of the most essential positions in our organization,” said Bowers. “Commander Marin-Morris was the clear fit for the position,” he said. Marin-Morris came from the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo police department, leading their dispatch and records divisions.
Bowers next congratulated the department’s new dispatch supervisor, Mercedes Bolds, who started her career in Piedmont in 2009 as a part-timer, then moved to Emeryville, and returned to Piedmont in 2014 when a full-time position opened up. “She is one of our best dispatchers, who instills confidence in not only our police, but also our fire folks,” said Bowers.
“This position would not have been possible without passage of Measure F,” said Bowers. “We have added personnel and now can make sure that we are in the best position to continue to train and improve, which we did not have before,” said Bowers, who thanked the community for supporting the measure in March 2024.