Earlier this month, President Patty Dunlap of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation welcomed a full room of Trustees and Advisors to the first meeting of the new Board. Dunlap is serving her third year as president — a distinction not seen at PBF since Barbara Magee served three years, from 1987 to 1990. With so many projects underway, PBF had simply too many irons in the fire to make a leadership change.
Indeed, since the new Board took office on July 1, it has already been a busy summer for PBF. The Spring Campaign for the Nature Play Area in Piedmont Park has proved extremely popular with Piedmonters. Work is well underway at the main park Tot Lot, where the Nature Play Area will be installed, and preparations have begun for the return of the swings, which will be installed as the result of an earlier PBF project.
More than $70,000 has already been contributed to the Nature Play Area, and publicity about the project throughout the summer has kept donations coming in. It is certainly not too late to help make the project a spectacular success, and additional contributions are greatly appreciated.
PBF is in its 62nd year of initiating and supporting projects for the safety, sustainability, and beautification of Piedmont. The organization has eight Trustees, three from the City of Piedmont, including the Mayor, the Vice Mayor, and the Chair of the Park Commission, and five from the Piedmont Garden Club. In addition, there are 29 Advisors this year, including representatives from four other garden clubs in Piedmont: Hoe and Hope; Highlanders Garden Club; East Bay Garden Club and Home Gardeners.
Measure GG
The first item of business at the PBF meeting was consideration of the Measure GG Transfer Tax. Former Mayor Bob McBain, Chair of the Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee explained the measure; the tax is a one-time tax applicable only to the transfer of real estate. The Committee has unanimously recommended a modest tax increase to bring Piedmont’s transfer tax more in line with those of other East Bay jurisdictions.
After a thorough discussion of the proposal, the Trustees unanimously voted that PBF endorse the measure and recommend a YES vote on November 3.
Bringing Back a Piedmont Tradition
The other important item on the agenda was consideration of a principal focus for PBF’s Fall campaign.
Nancy Kent, Piedmont’s Parks and Projects Manager, outlined several city needs, prompting Vice President Marilyn Weber to propose reviving PBF’s original Holiday Greeting Fund. Under the initiative, community members donate to PBF – honoring friends and neighbors – with proceeds funding city projects throughout the year. The Trustees unanimously approved the proposal, and details for the campaign will be highlighted in the fall brochure arriving this November. Donor names and accompanying tributes will be published in early 2027.
Support PBF
Contributions to PBF may be made at any time through the PBF website, or by mail:
Piedmont Beautification Foundation
Piedmont City Hall
120 Vista Ave.
Piedmont, CA 94611