1991-02-11 Special CC Minutes35
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE ALAMEDA CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 11, 1991
The meeting convened at 6:07 p.m., with President Corica presiding.
ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia, Thomas,
Withrow and President Corica - 5.
Absent: None
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
91-087 From Public Works Director recommending authorization to
award contract to Champion Motor Coach, Inc. for procurement of
Alameda - BART Shuttle Vehicles (CIP 89-13).
Councilmember Camicia moved the recommendation. Councilmember
Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
President Corica stated the City Attorney had advised that the
Resolution certifying the Final EIR should be taken out of order
and considered before the hearing.
Councilmember Camicia so moved. Councilmember Withrow seconded the
motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
91-088 Resolution No. 12070 "Certifying the Final Environmental
Impact Report pertaining to Proposed New Main Library to be
constructed at the Linoaks Motel site." Adopted.
Councilmember Camicia moved adoption of the resolution.
Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by
unanimous voice vote - 5.
HEARINGS
91-089 Consideration of certifying New Alameda Library Project
Budget, local matching funding commitment, supplemental funds, and
the application for funds from the Library Construction and
Renovation Bond Act Fund of 1988 (Proposition 85), approving the
project and recording of the State's interest in the title of
record for the proposed site.
President Corica explained the procedure of the hearing.
The public portion of the hearing was opened.
On the call for proponents and opponents, the following persons
spoke:
Judy Pollard, 920 Grand Street, Committee to Retain the Carnegie
Library, requested Council reverse the course of the project;
stated the Carnegie Building adds grace and character to the
community, but the proposed Library is hard and industrial looking,
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will cause a loss of housing the City must provide; and noted
economic conditions have worsened.
David Plummer, 1401 High Street, Committee to Retain Carnegie
Library, noted mistakes and omissions are in the final application
for funds; Page 10, Site, states "although a prime Civic Center
site, there is no room for expansion," yet the Children's Library
lot easily allows for a 28,831 sq.ft. addition; omissions include
cost of Carnegie rehab, and a plan by Committee to Retain Carnegie
Library with a wing allowing 41,281 sq.ft. for $6,500,000, on City
owned land; included, was an awkward plan showing removal of
adjoining houses.
Robert Brewer, 2045 Buena Vista Avenue, stated, to rehabilitate the
Carnegie Building, structural costs will increase because the
building was unfixable and only by including it under the State
Historic Building Code, was it considered fixable; alternatives
for interior functional, usable space have not been shown; the
Carnegie needs saving; Council has the vision to provide the new
library, and he urged Council vote for the resolution.
Helen Dodt, 1723 Chapin Street, stated she loves old buildings, but
favors going into the future with a modern building to suit the
needs of the coming generation; and urged Council continue with
the progress made towards a new library.
Theony Condos, 811 Central Avenue, stated the Proposition 85
application and supporting materials have the unanimous support of
the Library Board; and on behalf of the Library Board, she urged
Council to approve the resolution.
Elizabeth Rogers, Alameda, stated she favors the resolution, the
City deserves a functional Library, tearing down the Children's
Library cannot provide a facility with expansion for the future;
understands concerns about adequate funds; the City needsto start
fresh for a modern library, agrees with concern about preservation
of the Carnegie Building.
Larold Schulz, 1074 Jost Lane, stated the Carnegie cannot be
renovated in a way that would be usable for a comprehensive library
building the City needs, a community center with meetings and
courses taught, comfortable, with good working conditions; and
requested Council support the resolution and obtain a library
because the City deserves and needs it.
The public portion of the hearing was closed.
91-090 Resolution No. 12071 "Certifying New Alameda Library
Project Budget, local matching funding commitment, supplemental
funds, and the application for funds from the Library Construction
and Renovation Bond Act Fund of 1988 (Proposition 85), approving
the project and recording of the State's interest in the title of
record for the proposed site." Adopted.
Councilmember Camicia stated there has been talking and rumor about
opposing the application; he had concerns and doubts but progress
has been made and he hopes opponents will let the matter go;
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31
Council has chosen the direction; he will commit that nothing will
happen to the Carnegie; and the plan [for a new Library] deserves
a chance.
Councilmember Camicia moved the resolution.
President Corica stated he has been through the issue for a long
time, and with prior Councils; no one can say that not enough time
or public hearings were devoted to the matter; the Library
Committee worked diligently; he agrees with all the Site Committee
is trying to do, and the ideals and goals; the Carnegie Building
will be made safer and kept as a historic building; Council is
trying to save money by obtaining a grant; children should be
given the best, particularly in education.
Councilmember Thomas stated many sites were reviewed, the Linoaks
site was suggested by Hadi Monsef at least three years ago; Andrew
Carnegie's donation to the community many years ago should not
control the destiny of library facilities for children in the
future; the Carnegie can retain historic collections, house the
Historic Museum, serve as extension of City Hall, and be a meeting
room for groups of people where artifacts can be seen, and that is
what she would commit to doing.
Councilman Arnerich stated when he first came on Council, a meeting
with the Library Board was held and 28 sites were considered;
Council has stated the Carnegie Building will be retained; he read
of a letter from the Carnegie Foundation in 1960, stating it was
not Mr. Carnegie's policy to make conditions other than providing
a suitable site and maintenance; the Committee and the City have
worked hard; progressive people think for the future and the
children; libraries are changing; Council will be watching costs;
it would be foolish to not take grant monies voters have voted for.
Councilmember Withrow stated he is on record as being strongly in
favor of retaining the Carnegie as a building, historic monument,
within the City, in favor of improving library services within the
City; some decisions are difficult, this one is not, and he
strongly supports the proposal; and seconded the motion.
The motion [to adopt the resolution] was carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
t
atricia Cilb-ieath
Deputy City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in advance in accordance
with the Brown Act.
February 11, 1991