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2007-04-03 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY- -APRIL 3, 2007- -7:30 P.M. Mayor Johnson convened the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:01 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers deHaan, Gilmore, Matarrese, Tam, and Mayor Johnson - 5. Absent: None. AGENDA CHANGES (07 -142) Mayor Johnson announced that the recommendation to award Vehicle Tow Contract [paragraph no. 07 -151] was removed from the agenda. PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (07 -143) Proclamation honoring Tony Aiello upon his retirement from St. Joseph Notre Dame High School. Mayor Johnson read and presented the proclamation to Tony Aiello. Mr. Aiello thanked Council for the proclamation; stated St. Joseph Notre Dame High School has been part of the community for 125 years; he hopes that the close relationship will continue. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Johnson announced that the recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications [paragraph no. 07 -146] and recommendation to appropriate $12,400 [paragraph no. 07 -150] were removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Vice Mayor Tam moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.] ( *07 -144) Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting held on March 15, 2007; and the Special and Regular City Council Meetings held on March 20, 2007. Approved. ( *07 -145) Ratified bills in the amount of $7,184,337.90. (07 -146) Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications and Regular Meeting 1 Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 authorize Call for Bids for Godfrey Park Play Field Renovations, No. P.W. 03- 07 -06. David Kirwin, Alameda, questioned who would benefit from the proposed changes; stated the trees provide shade to soccer spectators; upgrading play structure equipment is more important than field renovations. Mayor Johnson requested clarification on field space. The Recreation and Park Director stated that the Godfrey Park reconfiguration would benefit the entire sports community; the Field Advisory Committee was very active in the selected design; the new design would provide more usable, smaller fields and a full size outfield; the field has a severe gofer problem; playtime is limited because of the old irrigation system. Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether the proposed renovation is part of the Turf Management Plan. The Recreation and Park Director responded in the affirmative; stated the renovation is scheduled for the summer; Ritter Park is scheduled for the fall and Woodstock Park would be next. Councilmember deHaan requested information on tree removal and area expansion. The Recreation and Park Director responded the Field Advisory Committee felt more soccer space would be provided by flipping the fields; stated all removed trees would be replaced. Councilmember deHaan inquired what type of trees would be planted, to which the Recreation and Park Director responded that he did not know. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he would like to see a timeline for playground equipment replacement; tree replacement should be aggressive with sufficient biomass. The Recreation and Park Director stated staff would work with the Design Engineering team. Councilmember Matarrese stated that the public should be informed when the play structure is replaced; the field is pocked from gofers. Mayor Johnson stated that she is surprised the field is being used. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 The Recreation and Park Director stated the field has not been used since Bayport opened. Councilmember Gilmore stated that the grass is brown at Bayport. The Recreation and Park Director stated the grass was cut twice because of the length; the top layer is dead grass. Mayor Johnson inquired whether Godfrey Park would have a raised pitching mound, to which the Recreation and Park Director responded in the affirmative. Mayor Johnson stated that two raised pitching mounds were removed from Krusi Park. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether the bleachers would be relocated, to which the Recreation and Park Director responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Matarrese moved approval of the staff recommendation with the conditions that: 1) a playground equipment replacement timeline be provided and 2) trees be replaced with a greater than one -to -one ratio. Vice Mayor Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. ( *07 -147) Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications and authorize Call for Bids for Replacement of Curb, Gutter, and Related Improvements to address Street Ponding Citywide, No. P.W. 02- 07 -04. ( *07 -148) Recommendation to appropriate $55,000 in Measure B funds and award a Contract in the amount of $231,000, including contingencies, to Republic Intelligent Transportation, Inc. for the In- Pavement Crosswalk Lights at various locations, No. P.W. 07 -04- 07. ( *07 -149) Recommendation to appropriate $8,200 in Measure B funds and award a Contract in the amount of $82,400, including contingencies, to Republic Intelligent Transportation, Inc., for the In- Pavement Crosswalk Lights at Eighth Street and Taylor Avenue, No. P.W. 05- 05 -04. (07 -150) Recommendation to appropriate $12,400 in Measure B Funds and award a Contract in the amount of $136,400, including contingencies, to Cal -West Lighting and Signal Maintenance, Inc. for Installation of Countdown Pedestrian Signal Head and Audible Pedestrian Signal, No. P.W. 01- 07 -01. Regular Meeting 3 Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 Richard Neveln, Alameda, stated that he hopes the corner of Park Street and Buena Vista Avenue is in the plan; two bus lines cross the critical intersection. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether said intersection is on the list. The City Engineer responded she does not have the list with her; stated the intersection is probably included. Mayor Johnson stated the Park Street and Buena Vista Avenue corner should be on the list. Councilmember deHaan moved approval of the staff recommendation. Vice Mayor Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. (07 -151) Recommendation to award Vehicle Tow Contract to Ken Betts Towing. Removed from the agenda. ( *07 -152) Resolution No. 14079, "Authorizing the Destruction of Specified Unnecessary Records of the Human Resources Department." Adopted. ( *07 -153) Resolution No. 14080, "Adopting a Policy for Naming City Property, Facilities, and Streets." Adopted. ( *07 -154) Ordinance No. 2964, "Amending the Lease Agreement Dated January 31, 1991, Between the City of Alameda (Lessor) and the Alameda Food Bank (Lessee) for Real Property Located at 1900 Thau Way." Finally passed. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (07 -155) Recommendation to accept proposed bus shelter design standards for all future installations in the City of Alameda. The City Engineer provided a brief report. Proponents (In favor of bus shelter standards) : Greg Harper, AC Transit; Richard Neveln, Alameda; Michael John Torrey, Alameda; Susan Decker, Alameda Transit Advocates; David Kirwin, Alameda. Following Mr. Harper's comments, Mayor Johnson inquired whether the shelter design considered next bus readers. Regular Meeting 4 Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 The City Engineer responded accommodating next bus readers would not be a problem if electricity were added. Vice Mayor Tam inquired whether solar power is a possibility. The City Engineer responded she would look into the matter. Mayor Johnson inquired whether the shelter design provides weather protection. The City Engineer responded weather protection could be provided; stated sidewalk width and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access would need to be considered. Councilmember deHaan stated that Bayport bus shelters are the worst and provide only two seats; the City's bus shelters provide three seats; adequate seating should be provided; shelters should be advertisement free. The City Engineer stated advertisement was not included in the standard because of previous discussions. Councilmember deHaan stated that Alamedans for Responsible Transit Shelters (ARTS) requested that a provision be added so that continued bus shelter funding would be possible. The City Engineer stated the current shelters are the shelters provided by ARTS; steel or metal might not be available. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he likes the design criteria; maintenance bleeds into installation and operation; the criteria should state that the first choice is for the most durable shelters with the least maintenance; durability and simplicity should be ranked high. The City Engineer stated durability and maintenance could be included. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether a maintenance budget would be included when the next bus shelters are installed. The City Engineer responded the budget report would address the need for an increase if the current maintenance budget is not sufficient. Councilmember Gilmore stated that she was impressed with the survey; the survey was very comprehensive; she was pleasantly surprised at the number of responses; the website should be kept in Regular Meeting Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 mind when doing other surveys. The City Engineer stated credit needs to be given to the Transportation Commission; bus riders were given an option to obtain a hard copy of the report or use the website; impacted communities were targeted. Vice Mayor Tam commended the Transportation Commission and staff; stated twenty -two potential sites are listed on the survey; inquired whether a criteria would be used to determine bus shelter locations. The City Engineer responded twenty -four high priority locations were previously identified by Council. Vice Mayor Tam inquired whether the locations were based on ridership, to which the City Engineer responded in the affirmative. Mayor Johnson stated the list should be periodically reviewed by the Transportation Commission or Council if ridership changes. Councilmember Gilmore moved approval of the staff recommendation. Vice Mayor Tam seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor Johnson stated she that likes Councilmember Matarrese's suggestion regarding durability and maintenance. Councilmember Gilmore amended the motion to include that priority be given to shelters with the highest durability and least amount of maintenance. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. (07 -156) Public Hearing to consider an appeal of a Planning Board decision to deny Planned Development (PD -05 -0002) for 2241 and 2243 Clement Avenue (Boatworks Project); and (07 -156A) Resolution No. Resolution PB -07 -03 Denying 2241 and 2243 Clement Avenue 14081, "Upholding Planning Board Planned Development (PD -05 -0002) for (Boatworks Project)." Adopted. The Planning Services Manager provided a brief presentation. Mayor Johnson opened the public portion of the hearing. Proponent (In favor of appeal) : Robert McGillis, Philip Banta Associates. Regular Meeting 6 Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 Opponents: (Not in favor of appeal) : Joseph Woodward, Estuary Park Action Committee (EPAC) ; Dorothy Freeman, EPAC (provided comments); Virginia Dofflemyer, EPAC; Rebecca Redfield, EPAC. There being no further speakers, Mayor Johnson closed the public portion of the hearing. Vice Mayor Tam stated that 4.8 acres were rezoned for residential use; inquired whether the remaining 4.6 acres would be part of the MU -5 Specified Mixed Use Area envisioned for the ten -acre Estuary Park along the northwestern waterfront. The Planning Services Manager responded the vision is for continuous shoreline access along the entire northern waterfront; stated larger, active waterfront parks would be along the waterfront trail; the ten -acre Estuary Park is part of the 1991 General Plan; a portion [of the park] could be on the northern end of the site. Vice Mayor Tam inquired whether the Applicant was aware of the plans. The Planning Services Manager responded the Applicant was aware of the rezoning that occurred in December 2006; stated that he is not sure whether the Applicant was aware of the Estuary Park concept adopted as part of the 1991 General Plan. Councilmember Matarrese stated that the project does not conform with the General Plan; the rezoning last fall was to implement the General Plan. Councilmember Matarrese moved adoption of the resolution to uphold the Planning Board's decision and deny the appeal. Councilmember deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. Councilmember deHaan requested an update on the implementation of a Task Force to address the Estuary and Beltline Parks. The City Manager stated an update would be provided. Councilmember deHaan requested that funding options be provided also. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON- AGENDA Regular Meeting Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 (07 -157) Michael Krueger, Alameda, stated that bus shelter maintenance has improved; thanked the Public Works Department for all the hard work. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS (07 -158) Mayor Johnson introduced Interim Fire Chief Jim Reed. The Interim Fire Chief stated it is a pleasure to serve the City of Alameda. (07 -159) Vice Mayor Tam requested a status report on the City Treasurer and County Auditor meeting to review of the City's investment policy. (07 -160) Vice Mayor Tam stated that she attended the Lobby Day session with the Alamedan's for Better Schools on March 28 in Sacramento; she met with Senator Perata's staff; she and Mayor Johnson were able to talk to Senator Torlakson regarding funding equalizations for schools, which is a high priority for the Legislature; there appears to be bipartisan support on the part of Assemblyman Guy Houston to advance legislation to address equalization issues. (07 -161) Councilmember deHaan stated that the Alameda Towne Centre Old Navy grand opening would be on Thursday. (07 -162) Councilmember deHaan requested a Council review of the Planning Board's decision to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to address Measure A. The City Manager stated that Council could request a review of the Planning Board decision within ten days; the matter would need to come back within the next three Council meetings; the action would be suspended in the meantime. Mayor Johnson inquired when the matter would come back to Council, to which the City Manager responded in May. (07 -163) Councilmember Matarrese stated that he requested the City Manager to review the Governor's budget and the affect on public transportation, particularly AC Transit; discussions have involved cutting operational funds to transit districts; he would like Council to deliberate on whether to consider a resolution to make sure AC Transit is fully funded. Mayor Johnson inquired whether the matter is on a fast timeframe. Regular Meeting 8 Alameda City Council April 3, 2007 The City Manager responded that there would be a [State] budget revision in May. Mayor Johnson requested that Council be consider a resolution at the next meeting. (07 -164) Mayor Johnson requested a status report on Mount Trashmore; stated methane pipes are still present. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he received information from the Public works Director on the matter; venting is needed for ten to fifteen more years. (07 -165) Councilmember Gilmore stated Public Works provided a report outlining ways to make the Webster Tube crossing easier for bicyclists; requested an update on whether the space between the Tube is a feasible option. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the Regular Meeting at 9:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council April 3, 2007