2011-01-18 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- - JANUARY 18. 2011- -7:00 P.M.
Acting Mayor Bonta convened the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers deHaan, Johnson, Tam and Acting
Mayor Bonta.
Absent: Mayor Gilmore — 1.
AGENDA CHANGES
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PROCLAMATIONS. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY & ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Acting Mayor Bonta announced that the Resolution Amending Resolution No. 12121
[paragraph no. 11 -034] was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Councilmember Johnson moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote — 4.
[Absent: Mayor Gilmore — 1.] [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk
preceding the paragraph number.]
( *11 -025) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings held on January 4,
2011. Approved.
( *11 -026) Ratified bills in the amount of $1,070,360.92.
( *11 -027) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Marine Express, Inc. for the Alameda
Harbor Bay Barge Replacement Project, No. P.W. 06- 09 -19. Accepted.
( *11 -028) Recommendation to Authorize the Acting City Manager to Enter into the
Second Amended and Restated Agreement for Maintenance and Management of the
Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal. Accepted.
( *11 -029) Recommendation to Authorize the Acting City Manager to Enter into the
Landing Rights Agreement License to Land at the Port of San Francisco Ferry
Terminals for Commuter, Excursion, and Other Ferry Services By and Between the City
and County of San Francisco Operating By and Through the San Francisco Port
Commission and the City of Alameda. Accepted.
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January 18, 2011
( *11 -030) Recommendation to Appoint Mr. Michael Krueger to the Oakland Chinatown
Advisory Committee. Accepted.
( *11 -031) Resolution No. 14541, "Authorizing the Acting City Manager to File an
Application for $62,500 in the Urban Forestry Grant Program Funding Through
Propositions 40 and 84 Entitled, "An Urban Forest for Every City," Appropriate $25,000
in General Funds as the Necessary Local Match, and Execute all Necessary
Documents." Adopted.
( *11 -032) Resolution No. 14542, "Approving an Agreement Between the City of
Alameda and the State of California's Department of Boating and Waterways to
Recover Costs for Dismantling and Disposing of Abandoned Watercraft." Adopted.
( *11 -033) Resolution No. 14543, "Fixing the Annual Salaries for the Auditor and
Treasurer Pursuant to the 2008 City Charter Amendment of Section 2 -4." Adopted.
(11-034) Resolution No. 14544, "Amending Resolution No. 12121 Setting the Order of
Business of City of Alameda City Council Meetings." Adopted.
Speakers: Adam Gillitt, Alameda; Jon Spangler, Alameda; and Michael John Torrey,
Alameda.
Councilmember deHaan stated individuals have stayed until 1:00 a.m. to get a point
across; Council would be willing to try the proposed change; nothing would be locked in
stone; the 15- minute idea is bothersome but doable.
Councilmember deHaan moved adoption of the resolution.
Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote
— 4. [Absent: Mayor Gilmore — 1.]
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
(11 -035) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Request for Qualifications for a
Second Campus
The Acting City Manager provided a handout and gave a brief presentation.
Councilmember Johnson inquired how the land transfer would be handled.
The Acting City Manager responded the City would enter into a long -term lease with a
purchase option under the current Lease in Furtherance of Conveyance (LIFOC).
Councilmember Johnson inquired whether staff has discussed the proposed use with
the Navy.
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January 18, 2011
The Acting City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated staff would discuss site
cleanup with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Environmental Consultant
thinks the Navy would be supportive; staff is hoping to get support letters from the Navy
and EPA.
In response to Councilmember Johnson's inquiry on whether the University of California
is considered a government entity for the purpose of conveyance from the federal
government, the Acting City Manager stated there would be a long -term lease with a
purchase open upon conveyance.
Councilmember Johnson stated staff should not consider the sale as a private land sale;
the City should almost be in the same position as Richmond.
The Acting City Manager stated staff would recommend a below market lease.
Councilmember deHaan stated thirteen years ago, the conveyance would have been a
federal conveyance; the area does not have any historical buildings and would be new
construction.
The Acting City Manager stated the area does not have environmental issues, is outside
the Tidelands Trust area, and does not include a wildlife buffer; the area is one of the
cleanest and easiest sites; the area would allow new construction and would be the best
proposal.
Councilmember deHaan inquired what is the size of the property.
The Acting City Manager responded that she does not know; stated a planner is putting
together site plans and different parking scenarios; staff is leaning toward having
surface parking for Phase 1 and then structured parking.
Councilmember deHaan stated job generation is key.
The Acting City Manager stated the proposal would be a golden opportunity for
Alameda Point as well as local business parks; staff is in the process of getting letters of
support from as many associations as possible.
Councilmember deHaan stated negative responses have not been received; positive
responses are important.
Councilmember Tam stated the opportunity is exciting and would provide benefits; the
Request for Qualification [RFQ) would provide a private developer; the campus is a
State and federal agency and would not generate property tax or sales tax; inquired
how tax increment would be achieved if the Governor does away with redevelopment
funding.
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January 18, 2011
The Acting City Manager responded property taxes would be generated by private
users of adjacent land; the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) site is a
federal site owned by the University of California and would not generate tax; using tax
increment as a financial incentive would be risky; a below market rent or land value
write down could be used as financial incentives; staff is looking into the possibility of
other tax revenues such as Utility User Tax rebates similar to the VF Outdoor project;
fee waivers and other business deals could be discussed in future negotiations.
Councilmember Johnson stated emphasizing that the City has land that would be
conveyed government to government to government is important; years ago, the land
would have been conveyed; adjacent properties would increase in value as well as
other parts of Alameda.
The Acting City Manager stated at some point, Alameda Point would receive an
economic development conveyance; the whole concept would be to generate jobs.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether staff is considering a federal -to- federal transfer
similar to that of the Veteran's Administration.
The Acting City Manager responded staff would recommend that the ARRA receive the
land and then the land could be conveyed to LBNL.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether the approach would be to use the LIFOC for a
long -term lease.
The Acting City Manager responded the City needs ensure long -term control over the
land through the LIFOC; stated the City would provide the land to LBNL at no cost after
receiving a conveyance agreement from the Navy; staff would recommend having the
City in the middle.
Councilmember deHaan stated Coast Guard housing has gone back to the federal
government; the City needs to control the land; adjacent properties are important;
Richmond is campaigning and making strong overtures; inquired whether Alameda is
doing the same.
The Acting City Manager responded Richmond has sent out press releases; stated the
City is placing more focus on making its response as competitive as possible; staff is
doing a detailed analysis of the other two sites to ensure Alameda is competitive.
Councilmember Johnson stated letters of support should be requested from business
associations, the School District, and College of Alameda.
The Acting City Manager stated draft letters have been sent to a number of
associations; that she has spoken to the Chamber of Commerce, Association of
Realtors, and business parks; everyone is interested in sending letters of support.
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January 18, 2011
Councilmember Johnson stated service clubs such as the Rotary and Kiwanis should
be included.
The Acting City Manager stated staff is discussing whether or not to bring the entire
response back to Council on February 15th, two weeks before the response is due which
would allow the response to be viewed by others.
Acting Mayor Bonta inquired whether adjacent areas would be appropriate for office,
laboratory, and business space.
The Acting City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated LBNL wants to ensure an
adequate buffer from residential neighborhoods; the yellow and red areas are more
contaminated and would not be zoned residential; mixed use might be a possibility.
Acting Mayor Bonta inquired whether quantifying possible financial benefits would be
possible.
The Acting City Manager responded not now; stated technology transfer studies could
be reviewed; the City could contract with a firm to calculate the impacts; staff could
perform some calculations but would not be comfortable in estimating future land value.
Councilmember deHaan inquired whether the RFQ dovetails with the going forward
process.
The Acting City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated LBNL wants to see a
commitment to a plan that would create a mixed -use environment; having the City keep
up with LBNL's planning process is important to ensure that LBNL would not be stuck
by themselves; the timeline is coming together.
Councilmember deHaan stated the RFQ is a golden opportunity; community support is
needed.
Speaker: Kathy Moehring, West Alameda Business Association.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS. NON - AGENDA
None.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
(11 -036) Consider Providing Detailed Information to the Public regarding the December
28, 2010 Special City Council Meeting and Clarifying the Process and Brown Act
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January 18, 2011
Compliance.
Acting Mayor Bonta read the January 13, 2011 press release on the matter.
Outside Counsel Edward Kreisberg, Meyers Nave, gave a brief presentation.
Councilmember deHaan gave a brief presentation.
Speakers: Red Wetherill, Alameda; Joan Konrad, Alameda (submitted handout);
Eugenie Thomson, Alameda (submitted handout); Michael Krueger, Alameda; Susan
Decker, Alameda; Gretchen Lipow, Alameda; Reyla Graber, Alameda; John Knox
White, Alameda; Nick Cabral, Alameda; John Piziali, Alameda; Dorothy Freeman,
Alameda; Kathy Moehring, Alameda; Richard Hausman, Alameda; Jim Oddie, Alameda;
Dan Wood, Alameda; Alan Pryor, Alameda; Roberta Schutes, Alameda; Honora
Murphy, Alameda; Frances Montel, Alameda; Barbara Kahn, Alameda; Michael John
Torrey, Alameda; Rosemary McNally, Alameda; Kate Quick, Alameda; David Burton,
Alameda; Domenick Weaver, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 689; Mike
Henneberry, Alameda; Adam Gillitt, Alameda; Carol Gottstein, Alameda; Jean
Sweeney, Alameda; Bill Gibbs, Alameda; and Jon Spangler, Alameda.
Councilmember deHaan stated Council was unanimous on one individual; what was
presented that evening was that an individual took a job with another jurisdiction which
left a lot of confusion for Council; Council tasked Legal Counsel to look at those
elements.
Mr. Kreisberg requested that Councilmember deHaan limit the amount that was said in
Closed Session.
Councilmember Johnson inquired when Outside Counsel would provide information to
Council.
Mr. Kreisberg responded that he would be happy to meet with Council in Closed
Session.
Councilmember Johnson stated that she would like the report to be in writing.
Acting Mayor Bonta stated utilizing the services of Meyers Nave was unanimous;
Council needs to move forward in a way that is not divisive.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(11 -037) Councilmember deHaan stated Council requested community input regarding
the City Manager selection process; information should be inclusive.
Acting Mayor Bonta inquired whether Councilmember deHaan has specific individuals in
mind for a broader committee.
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Councilmember deHaan responded a good cross section should be selected.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Acting Mayor Bonta adjourned the meeting at 9:50
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
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January 18, 2011