1989-11-14 Special CC Minutes341
SPECIAL MEEllmi or THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
NOVEMBER 14, 1989
The meeting convened at 6:04 p.m. with President Corica
presiding.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia, Withrow, and
and President Corica - 4.
[Councilmember Camicia arrived at 6:10 p.m.]
Councilmember Thomas - 1.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
89-869 From Public Works Director regarding Ferry Terminal
Facility Funding Sources.
The Public Works Director explained the background of the matter,
noting that Caltrans stated grant monies, Transit Capital
Improvement Grants, cannot be expended for any work done prior to
allocation of grant monies, and allocations will occur in June,
1990; 'and staff recommends expediting the required planning and
permit processes and have the project ready by June.
President Corica commented he attended a meeting with Secretary of
Transportation Skinner who indicated that there would be no
funding for the terminal, although he would attempt to extend the
emergency period beyond January, 1991.
Robert DeCelle, Alameda, stated he hopes Council will adopt a
motion that will do away with the permit processes so that the
program can move ahead quickly, as this would be in the interest
of the City of Alameda.
[Councilmember Camicia arrived and was seated at the dais.]
John Scott Graham, 1728 Tregloan Court, stated he is opposed to
rushing through the permit process; and would like a permit for a
snack bar held back until there are better sanitation facilities.
John Beery, John Beery Associates, 1257 St. Charles, stated he
does not want to bypass anything but wants to provide what is
needed with approval of the Planning Board and staff to make the
ferry seem permanent; the proposal is to erect a structure which
resembles a carport with a roof and placing two portable buildings
underneath, one for bathrooms and one for hot coffee and
doughnuts; Alameda is the fastest growing ferry service and has
higher participation than Richmond and Berkeley; an alternate
means of transportation must be provided for Alamedans; in an
emergency situation, the ferry service would be already
established; the ferry service needs to be developed or it will
die; the overall plan is the important one, putting the shelter
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342
up is the first step, second, keeping a good operator; public
transportation must be used so it is not necessary to have a large
parking lot; and the only way to succeed in this project is to
make it a priority.
President Corica stated he agrees with Mr. Beery, except that he
does not agree with proceeding further before the emergency
situation is over; the parking lot was built with emergency
money; he would not like anyone believing Alameda has taken
advantage of the emergency situation to build an elaborate
structure.
The City Manager stated that if the shelter structure is built
now, it will not be eligible for a grant under the program being
considered; it would need to be done solely by Mr. Beery at his
expense; there is a ferry terminal in his development plan in
that general vicinity; he would need to apply for building
permits and make sure it is, generally, as shown in his
development plan; and believes what Mr. Beery wants is
permission to go ahead and build it concurrently with Council's
review, or to have the permit process expedited.
Mr. Beery stated he would be willing to front the money to get
the project going; believes there can be a cooperative program;
what he wants is for Council to make a commitment as he has made a
commitment that the project is important, and to find a way to
work together to provide a service for everyone.
President Corica stated he agrees completely but he is concerned
with the timing of the terminal plan.
Councilmember Camicia inquired if Crowley is committed to continue
after subsidies are exhausted.
Mr. Beery stated he perceives, as a developer, if the service is
profitable, and a serious passenger load is built up, the ferry
service can be put out for bid ; Crowley is a major tenant in
Alameda and he believes more commitments can be obtained from
him.
President Corica stated that at the meeting with Secretary
Skinner, the Mayor of San Francisco and Rod Diridon of the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission were supportive of the
Alameda ferry service; if the service is to be permanent, a
meeting should be scheduled with Mr. Diridon and Caltrans to
inform them the City is committed to a permanent ferry; and he
would be happy to see re-routing of shuttles, to connect with the
ferry system.
President Corica stated he believes there is a commitment from
Council, however, the project should be held off until the
emergency is over.
Mr. Beery stated if the project were started immediately, he
could start ordering and processing things through staff and the
Board, and make it in three months.
November 14, 1989
343
Councilmember Camicia so moved and Councilmember Withrow seconded
the motion.
The Public Works Director stated he would like to clarify the
financing.
Mr. Beery stated he will absorb all the costs now through the
permit process, and will work out an agreement that is
satisfactory to the Council and that allows him to go to the next
step.
Councilmember Withrow stated he does not see the City being at
risk either in terms of image or financially and his second on the
motion "would be restricted to the processing timeframes, making
the commitment within those agencies of the City to get the
paperwork accomplished to find out what we would want if we had
the money, up to that point, but not committing the City of
Alameda to financially providing any funds."
The City Attorney stated as a reminder, that at the last City
Council Meeting there was a report by the Planning Director which
contained approximately ten conditions which he requested be
included; and suggested Council include those basic protections
for the City.
Councilmember Camicia stated his motion was to identify a staff
member to work with Mr. Beery.
Councilmember Withrow suggested the motion be expanded to state
that the City will not a) commit money or b) be exposed to a risk
of it costing money.
President Corica suggested incorporation of the Planning
Director's request [to include the ten conditions), and advised
not to cut corners.
The City Attorney stated apparently at this point construction is
not being considered, and will pass on the issue.
Councilmember Camicia stated corners should be cut because the
project is about to be lost; Oakland is far ahead in terms of
marketing, making their ferry service permanent, and in money
commitment, and Council must not lose sight of the competitive
situation, if the Alameda ferry system is to be maintained.
Mr. Beery stated the City would be primarily helping process the
building permit and plans which will aid in getting a grant; if
the grant does not come through, the terminal will not be built or
he will build it; and he will incur all costs up until the
construction, and the City will not be liable for any of it.
President Corica stated Council is behind Mr. Beery and will
provide a staff member, although he is not sure Mr. Beery should
be the sole person to determine fee charges.
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344
The City Manager stated the Public Works Director would be in the
best position to expedite matters.
President Corica stated he would also be in the best position to
obtain the grant if possible.
President Corica inquired if Mr. Beery had any problem with the
Planning Director's conditions, to which Mr. Beery replied he had
no problem other than the inference that the developer is avoiding
Planning and he is not going to do that.
President Corica stated if that is all incorporated into the
motion, call for the question.
The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote - 4.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION
89-870 President Corica, at 7:03 p.m, adjourned the meeting to
Closed Session to consider:
a) 1082 Pension Improvement Committee, pursuant to Subsection
of Government Code Section 54957.6 of the Brown Act.
(a)
b) Pending Litigation between the City of Alameda and the Port of
Oakland, pursuant to Subsection (b) of Section 54956.9 of the
Brown Act.
[President Corica announced the actions taken during the Closed
Session, as follows: Regarding the 1082 Pension Improvement
Committee, the matter was discussed but no action was taken;
regarding Pending Litigation between the City of Alameda and the
Port of Oakland, the status of the matter was discussed; these
actions were also announced at the Regular Meeting of the City
Council held November 21, 1989.]
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council,
President Corica adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
DIANE B. FELSCH, CMC
City Clerk
The agenda for the meeting was posted in accordance with the
Brown Act.
November 14, 1989