2013-11-19 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- -NOVEMBER 19, 2013- -7:00 P.M.
Mayor Gilmore convened the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Chen, Daysog, Ezzy Ashcraft, Tam
and Mayor Gilmore – 5.
Absent: None.
AGENDA CHANGES
None.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY & ANNOUNCEMENTS
(13-525) Presentation on Household Hazardous Waste Program Improvements and
Proposed Fee Increase.
Gary Wolff, Executive Director, Stop Waste, gave a Power Point presentation.
Councilmember Tam stated that she is the City’s representative for Stop Waste.org;
thanked Mr. Wolff for the presentation; stated sites will accept e-waste.
Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired how rental property owners not living in Alameda
County are identified at dump sites.
Mr. Wolff responded the property owner can register as a small-quantity business
operating a residential property to not incur additional charges.
Councilmember Chen inquired how the maximum fee is adjusted through property tax
collection.
Mr. Wolff responded a fee audit is done on all applicable parcels each August; stated if
there is more revenue than anticipated, the County adjusts the fee level for the
subsequent year.
(13-526) Presentation on the Status of Alameda Point.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point gave a brief presentation.
Councilmember Daysog inquired what distinguishes the various zones in the Enterprise
Zone.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point responded E1 focuses on employment
uses, major campus users, and noise or smell impacts such as Peet’s Roasting; E2
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November 19, 2013 1
recognizes the need to have transitions between districts; no heavy industrial uses
would be near town center but not close to residential; E3 would have buffering uses
such as offices or retail; E4 has highly restricted uses because of the Tidelands
designation.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
(13-527) Joe Van Winkle, Alameda; Gretchen Lipow, Friends of the Cove (Crown
Beach); Tom Charron, Friends of Crown Beach; and Eugenie Thomson, Friends of
Crown Beach, discussed the zoning at Neptune Point and the possibility of moving
forward with a ballot measure.
(13-528) Kurt Peterson, Alameda, discussed the impacts of airport noise.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Gilmore announced that the resolution establishing the Annual Meter Holiday
[paragraph no. 13-531] and the ordinance amending various sections of the Municipal
Code [paragraph no. 13-533] were removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Councilmember Tam moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote
– 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph
number.]
(*13-529) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meeting Held on October 15,
2013; the Special City Council Meeting Held on October 29, 2013; and the Special City
Council Meeting Held on November 2, 2013. Approved.
(*13-530) Ratified bills in the amount of $2,106,220.39.
(13-531) Resolution No. 14870, “Adoption of Resolution to Establish the Annual “Meter
Holiday” to Provide Free All-Day Parking at Metered Spaces for the Park Street and
West Alameda Business Districts on all Saturdays between Thanksgiving and New
Year’s Day”. Adopted.
The Assistant City Manager gave a brief presentation outlining a proposed amendment
to the resolution: to revise the dates to Friday, November 29th and all Saturdays in
December.
Expressed support for the revised resolution: Robb Ratto, Park Street Business
Association (PSBA).
Councilmember Daysog thanked Mr. Ratto for his comments.
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Councilmember Daysog moved adoption of the resolution as amended.
Councilmember Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote – 5.
(*13-532) Ordinance No. 3081, “Approving a Lease and Authorizing the City Manager to
Execute Documents Necessary to Implement the Terms of a Lease Amendment with
Turn Key Show Productions, for Two Years in Building 459 Located at 101 West Tower
Avenue at Alameda Point.” Finally passed.
(13-533) Ordinance No. 3082, “Amending Various Sections of the Municipal Code to
Allow Portable Freestanding Signs Under Certain Conditions, Including Sections 30-6.7
Signs Exempt, 30-6.9 Prohibited Signs, 6-3.2 Advertising Prohibited or Restricted, and
22-21.5 Obstruction of Sidewalk by Boxes and Other Objects.” Finally passed.
Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she does not think Alameda’s ordinance is ready;
she is concerned about enforcement issues and would like to revise the Code, using the
City of Portland, Oregon as model; provided a handout of Oregon’s sign registration
form; stated that she also researched the City of San Jose’s sign ordinance; San Jose is
more auto-oriented and signs can be 20 feet high, which is not the case in Alameda;
Alameda’s signs are everywhere in all conditions; recommended continuing the item to
a later date to review proposed changes.
Discussed smoking ordinance signage: Jon Spangler, Alameda.
Urged the ordinance be adopted as presented: Robb Ratto, PSBA.
Councilmember Chen noted Portland’s population is over 600,000 and San Jose’s
population is over one million with more business districts; Alameda’s sign ordinance
suffices to manage the size of the business district; that he supports the ordinance as
written.
Councilmember Daysog moved final passage of the ordinance.
Councilmember Tam seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Chen, Daysog, Tam and Mayor Gilmore – 4. Noes: Vice Mayor
Ezzy Ashcraft – 1.
(*13-534) Summary: Ordinance adopts new technical building and fire regulations
consistent with the California Building Standards Code.
Ordinance No. 3083, “Amending the Alameda Municipal Code to (A) Amend Chapter
XIII (Building and Housing) by Repealing Article I (Uniform Codes Relating to Building,
Housing and Technical Codes) in its Entirety and Adding a New Article I (Uniform
Codes Relating to Building, Housing and Technical Codes) to Adopt the current version
of the California Building Code, the current version of the California Residential Code,
the current version of the California Historical Building Code, the current version of the
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November 19, 2013 3
California Electrical Code, the current version of the California Plumbing Code, the
current version of the California Mechanical Code, the current version of the California
Energy Code, the current version of the California Green Building Standards Code, the
1997 Uniform Housing Code, and the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Code for the
Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, Amending Article IV by repealing Sections 13-12
and 13-13 in their Entirety and Retitling Article IV “Vacant Buildings” and (B) Amend
Chapter XV (Fire Prevention) by Repealing Section 15-1 in its Entirety and by Adding a
New Section 15-1 to Adopt the current version of the Edition of the California Fire
Code.” Finally passed.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(13-535) Resolution No. 14871, “Appointing Elizabeth Wong as a Member of the Youth
Advisory Commission.” Adopted.
Councilmember Tam moved adoption of the resolution.
Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote –
5.
(13-536) Receive Final Report Presentation and Recommendations from the City of
Alameda’s America’s Cup Ad Hoc Committee.
Christopher Seiwald, Ad Hoc Committee Chair, gave a Power Point presentation.
Mayor Gilmore thanked Mr. Seiwald and the committee; stated the committee exceeded
the expectations of the Council; hopefully San Francisco will be selected again.
(13-537) Recommendation to Enter into Phase 2 of the Alameda County Mandatory
Commercial Recycling Ordinance.
The Public Works Administrative Services Manager gave a Power Point presentation.
Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the ordinance is effective January 2014 with an
enforcement date of January 2015; inquired what would happen if a violation takes
place in between the dates.
The Public Works Administrative Services Manager responded a violation letter would
be sent; penalties can be enforced after January 2015, but not before.
Vie Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft noted Alameda County Industries (ACI) expressed concern
over revenue loss.
The Public Works Administrative Services Manager stated more recycling and
composting means less goes into solid waste, posing a revenue challenge for ACI; a
comparable study done in Livermore showed a 1% to 2% rate increase in June of 2016.
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Councilmember Chen inquired if the City would be out of compliance with state
recycling law Assembly Bill (AB) 32 and AB 341 if it opts out of Phase 2.
The Public Works Administrative Services Manager responded Phase 1 helps keep the
City in compliance with State mandates; deferred Councilmember Chen’s inquiry
regarding Phase 2 to the City Attorney.
The City Attorney responded complying with the State recycling goals is a Council
decision.
Stated some businesses are already complying with Phase 2; stated greater
participation is needed: Donna Layburn, Marketplace.
Stated the City is ready for Phase 2; enforcement will bring remaining businesses on
board: Jessica Robinson, Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda and Miss
Alameda Says Compost.
Stated the PSBA Board voted unanimously to enter into Phase 2: Robb Ratto, PSBA.
Councilmember Tam moved approval of the staff recommendation.
Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote
– 5.
(13-538) Recommendation to (1) Provide Comments on Revised Draft Master
Infrastructure Plan for Alameda Point; and (2) Presentation on Sea-Level Rise
Protection Strategy for Alameda Point included in Draft Master Infrastructure Plan.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point gave a Power Point presentation.
Randy Rentschler, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, provided a regional
perspective on sea-level rise.
Councilmember Tam inquired if land use and risk management considerations are
included.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point responded in the affirmative; stated there
is enough right-of-way to build a higher levy and create a set-back to protect land uses
sufficiently from the potential of sea-level rise.
Councilmember Tam inquired how Alameda would balance infrastructure costs and the
planning horizons associated with sea-level rise.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point responded the median projection of an 18”
sea level rise goes to 2066 and 24” to 2081; stated the City is essentially buying an
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November 19, 2013 5
insurance policy; the Council has to decide what to pay up front versus over time; a
financing mechanism will be put in place so the City has the ability to adapt any sea-
level rise over time; staff recommends meeting 24” combined with 18” in the fill areas.
Councilmember Tam stated the City has to make an investment through revenues;
bonds are typically 30 years, not 50 or 100; Alameda would be constrained by
projections and by funding mechanisms.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point stated there are different ways to finance
the improvements, including: 1) using sale proceeds from land purchases pay for the
infrastructure; 2) Community Facilities Districts (CFD) could collect assessments from
properties; 3) requiring developers to pay an impact fee; and 4) grants leveraged from
regional, State, and federal funds.
In response to Mayor Gilmore’s inquiry regarding risks, the Chief Operating Officer –
Alameda Point stated staff proposes meeting 24” and keeping the 18” in the
development area; the strategy allows development to occur with using just fill up to
meet 18”; funds would be collected from all the development to reach the 24” levy as
soon as possible; the 24” approach for the entire property is part of the initial strategy,
without holding up initial phases by waiting until the levy is built.
Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired if the Veterans Administration (VA) will contribute to
the Geologic Hazard Abatement District for its clinic and columbarium in the Northwest
Territories.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point responded in the negative; stated the VA
will be protecting their own site for sea level rise, raising the grade of their property to
protect to 55”.
Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated bringing fill material by barge is preferable, instead of
by truck.
Councilmember Daysog stated alternatives should be included in the event of change.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point stated there will be long term
infrastructure to suit the needs.
Councilmember Chen inquired the cost of a 18” berm plus a 6” curb on top versus a 24”
levy.
The Chief Operating Officer – Alameda Point responded the cost to add 6” to 18” areas
that do not require a levy is marginal; stated the real expense is turning the 24” areas
into a levy.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether the cost of the levy is amortized or allocated over
the acreage which benefits or the entire site.
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Angelo Obertello, Carlson, Barbee & Gibson Engineering (CBG), responded the
development areas are considered by site; the reuse areas have potential for different
projects; the fee would be collected for the entire reuse area to pay for a portion of the
levy.
Councilmember Daysog inquired about the proposed truck route east of Alameda Point.
Mr. Obertello responded CBG incorporated the necessary updates to the Transportation
Element for Alameda Point to reflect the current proposed street grid system and
maintained the existing Transportation Element which has already been approved and
adopted for the remainder of Alameda.
Mayor Gilmore stated there should be generation equity; each development should pay
its fair share of infrastructure cost.
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
None.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
None.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(13-540) Councilmember Tam announced that she attended the League of CA Cities
League Leaders workshop on November 7 – 8; reported that dues are not going up and
that the group adopted three strategic goals to respond to growing community needs.
Mayor Gilmore inquired if there is a Statewide Ballot initiative for pension reform.
Councilmember Tam responded the matter was discussed, but the League is more
focused on maintaining CalPERS oversight.
(13-541) Councilmember Daysog suggested posting a link to the Red Cross for
Philippines relief efforts on the City’s website.
ADJOURNMENT
(13-542) There being no further business, Mayor Gilmore adjourned the meeting in
memory of victims of natural disasters at 10:16 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.
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