2011-02-01 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY -- FEBRUARY 1, 2011 - -7:00 P.M.
Mayor Gilmore convened the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Bonta, deHaan, Tam and Mayor
Gilmore — 4.
Absent: Councilmember Johnson — 1.
AGENDA CHANGES
None.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON - AGENDA
(11 -049) Michael John Torrey, Alameda, presented a plaque to Mayor Gilmore.
(11 -050) Jenny Lee, Oakland, discussed problems with her use of the Library and
submitted information.
(11 -051) Kathy Moehring, Alameda, discussed the West Alameda Business Association
cutting the Executive Director position.
(11 -052) Adam Gillitt, Alameda, discussed correspondence received from the City
Attorney's office being posted to a blog.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Gilmore announced that the Bills [paragraph no. 11 -0541 and the Resolution
Opposing the Governor's Proposal [paragraph no. 11 -0591 were removed from the
Consent Calendar for discussion.
Councilmember deHaan moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar.
Vice Mayor Bonta seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote — 4.
[Absent: Councilmember Johnson — 1.] [Note: Mayor Gilmore abstained from voting on
the Minutes.] [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the
paragraph number.]
(`11 -053) Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on January 18, 2011.
Approved.
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Mayor Gilmore abstained from voting on the Minutes.
(11 -054) Ratified bills in the amount of $4,964,627.05.
The speaker withdrew his speaker slip.
Councilmember Tam moved approval of the bills.
Vice Mayor Bonta seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote — 4.
[Absent: Councilmember Johnson — 1.]
(`11 -055) Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $234,000 to
Columbia Electric, Authorize a Twenty Percent Contingency to Implement the
Woodstock to Webster Street Neighborhood Improvement Project, and Authorize the
Acting City Manager to Execute the Contract and Related Documents. Accepted.
(`11 -056) Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $185,831, including
Contingencies, to Waterworks Engineers for the Preparation of Engineering Documents
for the Upgrade of the City of Alameda Sewer Pump Stations, Phase 3: Bay Farm
Island Pump Station Rehabilitation, No. P.W. 12- 10 -35. Accepted.
(`11 -057) Resolution No. 14547, "Appointing an Engineer and an Attorney for Island
City Landscaping and Lighting District 84 -2. Adopted.
(`11 -058) Resolution No. 14548, "Appointing an Engineer and an Attorney for
Maintenance Assessment District 01 -1 (Marina Cove)." Adopted.
(11 -059) Resolution No. 14549, "Opposing the Governor's Proposal to Abolish
Redevelopment Agencies in California." Adopted.
The Deputy City Manager — Development Services gave a brief presentation.
Councilmember Tam requested staff to address whether schools would benefit if
redevelopment funds were not preserved.
The Deputy City Manager — Development Services stated currently, funding is based
upon attendance; there is no direct relationship between property tax generated and
how much money schools receive.
Councilmember Tam stated the 2010 budget reflects that the State took $2 million; the
School District indicated it receives less money from the State; School Board Member
Mike McMahon stated the State would have given the School District less money if the
City gave the School District funding for the Woodstock Child Redevelopment Program.
The Acting City Manager stated the State would have withdrawn a proportionate
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amount of funding to the School District if the City was able to give the School District
money for the Woodstock Child Redevelopment Program.
Speaker: Trish Herrera Spencer, Alameda; Gretchen Lipow, Alameda (submitted
handout); Robb Ratto, PSBA; and Ashley Jones, Alameda.
Mayor Gilmore requested that redevelopment information be posted on the City's
website.
Councilmember deHaan stated many funding streams and programs are in question at
this time; mandated programs are fighting against social programs; the City has
paramount projects moving forward; SunCal wanted $200 million for infrastructure to
come from bonding.
Councilmember Tam stated that she and the Acting City Manager attended a briefing
with Senator Loni Hancock and State Treasurer Bill Lockyer; the dire strait of the State's
budget was discussed; the State budget will be in a downward spiral without job
creation; the City is trying to position itself to attract the America's Cup, create
infrastructure, and be competitive for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
project; pitting one major important cause against another is unfortunate; Council is very
supportive of the School District.
Councilmember Tam moved adoption of the resolution.
Vice Mayor Bonta seconded the motion, with the caveat to add language regarding the
State's budget difficulty and some expression of support for exploring appropriate ways
to resolve the issue.
Under discussion, Mayor Gilmore stated the Governor used redevelopment successfully
in Oakland; proposing such a drastic cut is a little disingenuous.
Councilmember deHaan stated the climate is not getting better; the City cannot afford to
lose the momentum.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote — 4. [Absent:
Councilmember Johnson — 1.]
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(11 -060) Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of Ordinance Amending Sections 30 -6,
30 -36, and 30 -37 of the Alameda Municipal Code to Improve the Design Review and
Sign Ordinance Provisions for the City of Alameda. Introduced.
The Planning Services Manager gave a brief presentation.
Speaker: Chris Buckley, Alameda Architectural Preservation Society (AAPS)
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Mayor Gilmore stated the window picture handout would be extremely useful.
Councilmember deHaan inquired how many AAPS recommendations have been
incorporated in the ordinance, to which the Planning Services Manager responded all.
Councilmember deHaan inquired whether the suggested indexing would be worthwhile.
The Planning Services Manager responded the Guide to Residential Design needs an
overhaul; stated staff would ensure internal consistency between the Guide and the
ordinance.
Vice Mayor Bonta inquired whether staff disagrees with anything recommended by
AAPS.
The Planning Services Manager responded staff needs to study the Secretary of Interior
Standards section regarding the window replacement handout; stated a historic building
would be held to a different standard; the Secretary of Interior Standards is an
interesting document and is Statewide; an addition to a historic building should not look
original so as not to create false historicism; the question is whether a bungalow window
replacement designed to look the same would be considered false historicism.
Councilmember deHaan stated garages couldn't mimic historical architecture.
Councilmember Tam stated some people do not think there is enough outreach to the
realty community or to people who speak a second language; inquired how information
could be provided.
The Planning Services Manager responded the Building Official provides newspaper
articles; stated that he could co -write articles on things to consider when buying a home
and on architectural preservation; effectively communicating in another language is very
challenging.
Councilmember Tam stated ethnic media, such as the World Journal, would be happy
to translate the article in a different language.
The Planning Services Manager stated staff would look into the matter.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated posting handouts in different languages on the website would
be helpful; making the experience more pleasant, less time consuming, and simpler
would be good; staff should continue to find ways to improve the experience.
The Planning Services Manager stated staff is starting to provide one -page handouts.
Mayor Gilmore stated packets should be sent to large realty companies; staff should
talk to head brokers because realty companies often have agents who specialize in
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older homes.
The Planning Services Manager stated the Community Development Department has a
Customer Service Improvement Committee that is in the loop and can help.
Councilmember Tam moved introduction of the ordinance, with changes suggested by
AAPS.
Councilmember deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote —
4. [Absent: Councilmember Johnson — 1.]
(11 -061) Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding
Section 3 -7 at Article I, (Finance) of Chapter III (Finance and Taxation), Regulating
Holders of State Video Franchises. Introduced.
The Public Works Director gave a presentation.
Mayor Gilmore inquired whether funds could be used to upgrade the Chamber's audio
equipment, to which the Public Works Director responded staff is looking into the
matter.
The Acting City Manager stated the City Clerk's Office is putting forth a request to do
some significant audio /visual upgrades; band -aids are not working.
Councilmember Tam moved introduction of the ordinance.
Vice Mayor seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote — 4. [Absent:
Councilmember Johnson — 1.]
Vice Mayor deHaan stated AT &T is starting to provide Internet services.
The Acting City Manager stated staff has a conference call scheduled tomorrow with
AT &T to discuss broadcasting the public channel.
The Public Works Director stated the City has received its first franchise check from
AT &T in the amount of $200.
Councilmember deHaan stated Comcast has a local studio in Hayward; having AT &T
provide a local studio would be nice.
The Public Works Director stated the State issues franchises; providing a local studio is
no longer required.
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
(11 -062) Overview of SB 375, the Regional Sustainable Communities Strategy and the
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Opportunities for Involvement by the City of Alameda
The Planning Services Manager gave an overview of the regional process.
Councilmember Tam stated SB 375 has become a very controversial issue with the
League of California Cities; inquired how the City would meet regional goals and
obligations under the Sustainable Communities Strategy in light of the status of
Alameda Point; stated the City does not have a certified Housing Element.
The Planning Services Manager responded Alameda Point and regional planning efforts
are happening simultaneously; stated planning Alameda Point will be easier once the
State regional housing numbers come out; Alameda Landing is entitled; the Northern
Waterfront is more difficult to predict; Alameda Point is the big issue; all processes are
in the same timeframe.
Mayor Gilmore stated the City has always felt that the Association of Bay Area
Government's (ABAG's) obligated number has been disjointed; the new process allows
more input.
The Planning Services Manager concurred with Mayor Gilmore; stated Oakland
understands how housing in Alameda would affect its transportation system.
Mayor Gilmore inquired when the City's next Housing Element would be due, assuming
the process stays on schedule.
The Planning Services Manager responded that he is not sure; stated the current cycle
is for 2007 -2014; the City will not know its allocation until late 2012 or early 2013 and
cannot start the process without knowing said allocation.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated the City has a current allocation but does not have a certified
Housing Element; having a certified Housing Element should be a priority.
The Planning Services Manager stated the Planning Board has requested a status
report; a draft Housing Element has been prepared and has been sent to the State.
Councilmember deHaan inquired whether ABAG came back with a modified position.
The Planning Services Manager responded the housing allocation for the current cycle
is approximately 2,000 units which is about as aggressive as the last cycle; stated the
number of units is not the tough issue; the issue is affordability; 1,000 of the 2,000 units
have to be affordable; the change between the 1993 Housing Element and the current
Housing Element is that the State assumes affordability would be possible with 30 units;
by nature, high density housing is affordable.
Councilmember deHaan stated 2,000 homes is not that aggressive considering the
Northern Waterfront, Alameda Point, and Alameda Landing.
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The Deputy City Manager — Development Services stated the 2,000 units is for 2007-
2014.
The Planning Services Manager stated the City has always been able to show that it
has land; affordability is the issue.
Councilmember deHaan inquired whether all County cities are seated and participating
in the new process, to that the Planning Services Manager responded in the affirmative.
(11 -063) Presentation on Redevelopment Funding
The Deputy City Manager — Development Services gave a brief presentation.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON - AGENDA
O❑m
COUNCIL REFERRALS
None.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(11 -064) Consideration of Mayor's Nomination for Appointment to the Planning Board.
Mayor Gilmore nominated Charles Patrick Wallis for appointment to the Planning Board.
(11 -065) Mayor Gilmore gave a report on her trip to Washington D.C. to attend the U.S.
Conference of Mayors.
(11 -066) Councilmember Tam gave a report on the Environmental Quality Policy
Committee, the ABAG presentation on the 50th anniversary, the League of California
Cities East Bay Division meeting, and a briefing given by Senator Loni Hancock and
California Treasurer Bill Lockyer.
ADJOURNMENT
(11 -067) There being no further business, Mayor Gilmore adjourned the meeting in
memory of former School Board Member Berresford Bingham at 10:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
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The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
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