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1994-03-17 Special CC Minutes
MINUTESOFTHESPECIALMEETINGOFTHEALAMEDACITYCOUNCIL MARCH 17,1994 Themeetingwasconvenedat7:45 p.m.,withPresidentwithrow presiding. ROLLCALL-Present:CouncilmembersAppezzato,Lucas,Rothand Presidentwithrow-4. Absent:CouncilmanArnerich-1. AnnouncementofClosedSessionAction 94-155 PresidentwithrowannouncedthatCounciladjournedto ClosedSessioninaSpecialMeetingat7:00p.m.toconsider: PendingLitigation,CityofAlamedav.ToddShipyardspursuantto Subsection(a)ofGovernmentCodesection 54956.9 oftheBrownAct: CouncilapprovedexecutionofanAmendedStipulationandJudgment; InitiationofLitigation,pursuanttoSubsection(c)ofGovernment Codesection 54956.9 oftheBrownAct:Noactionwastaken. Agenda 94-156 ReportfromtheChamberofCommerce'sAdHocCommittee concerningtheformationofaChambersubsidiary,anon-profit corporationforthedevelopmentofadvancedtechnology,andaction thereon,ifdesired. GregBeattie,President,AlamedaChamberofCommerce,statedthe projectpresentsanexcellentopportunityforeconomicgrowthand tocounter-balancejoblossthroughbaseclosure;fromdiscussions withGaryGlenn,Massachusetts,Alamedansgatheredtogether,a conceptdeveloped,anAdHocCommitteewasformed,andthe preliminaryreportfromtheCommitteeispresentedtoCouncil; acquisitionoflandhasbeendiscussedwithNAS.HeurgedCouncil tosupportthepersonsandorganizationsinvolvedintheprojectin anefforttoprovideanearlysolutiontostemeconomichardships duetobaseclosure. BillGarvine,ExecutiveDirector,AlamedaChamberofCommerce, statedtimingiscrucialtotheproject;fourChamberMembers,at theirownexpense,visitedtheMassachusettsBiotechnologyResearch Institute(MBRI),Worcester,Massachusetts,themodelusedto developaninitialconcept;describedgrowthofaresearchand developmentfirmandnotedtheownerhasofferedtoactasan informaladvisortoAlameda;addressedmotivationofworkersand students;discussedadvantagesofworkingtogetherwith Massachusetts,e.g.idealpositioningfortiestoEuropeanand PacificRimmarkets;encouragedCounciltoallowtheCommunity SpecialMeeting,AlamedaCityCouncil March17,1994 DevelopmentDepartment'ssynopsisoftheChamber'sconceptpaper includingrecommendation,torepresentChamberefforts,intentions, goalsandobjectives;anddiscussedpossiblesites,noting Chamber'spreliminarystudyindicatestheconceptdevelopmentwould bebestservedbyCouncil'sendorsementofcontinuedCityand Chambereffortstosecureano-orminimum-costlandtransferof theNavalSupplyCenterpropertytotheCity,whichwould facilitatetheprojectandassistingeneratingfederallegislation authorizingparallelseedfunding;ifthetransferweresuccessful, theWorcestermodelcouldbemostcloselyduplicatedonafast track,minimum-costschedule;processandnegotiationneedtobegin immediately,however,itdoesnotbindtheCityinanyway. InresponsetocouncilmemberAppezzato,Mr.Garvinestatedthenon- profitcorporationisstillintheconcept;however,askingfor approvalatthistimeispremature. GaryGlenn,MassachusettsCenterforExcellence,Boston, Massachusetts,statedtheGovernorofMassachusettscalledpersons involvedineconomicdevelopmenttogether;explainedfederal fundingofMassachusettswouldbedecliningbecausesomuchfunding wasfromdefensearea,theCommonwealthissmall,andalliancesand partnershipswithotherstateswerenecessary;hisorganizationhad amandatetohelpMassachusettsdevelopnewindustriesinmarine science,biotechnology,polymerscienceandmicroelectronics; successfulallianceswereformedregardingmarinesciencecompanies enablingcompetitionintheworldmarket,andaprojectwith CaliforniaandVermonttotestnewapproachestowaterquality;the CityofSanFranciscohasagreedtoinstallaunitintheir treatmentplanttotestwastewater;bothprojectshavefederal funding;Massachusettshaslargemilitarybasesclosingorchanging orientation;hehopesaprojectcanbeworkedouttobenefitboth CaliforniaandMassachusetts.Heprovidedaslidepresentationof abiotechnologyindustrialpark. Mr.GlennnotedtheLegislatureofMassachusettscreatedaCenters ofExcellenceCorporationasaquasipublic/Statecorporationin 1986anddesignatedareastheywantedthecorporationtoworkon; bothMassachusettsandCaliforniahaveleadingacademicand researchinstitutionswhicharethesourceofdiscoveriesforthe biotechnologyindustry;theprojectincludesagrantsprogramfor universitiesandcompanies,aninformationprogramtopromotethe biotechindustry,andscienceindustries;sponsorssymposia,and nationalandinternationalnetworking.Hedisplayedapartiallist ofprimaryfederalgovernmentagenciessupportingbiotechnology; statedtheWorcesterexperienceisamodel;anadditional industrialparkisinLexington,modeledonWorcester,andaschool calledMinutemanTech;andstatedthat"weinMassachusetts"are eagertoworkwithAlamedans. InresponsetoCouncilmemberAppezzato,Mr.Glennstatedheworks SpecialMeeting,AlamedaCityCouncil March17,1994 foraMassachusettsFoundationwhichisastate-createdquasi publiccorporationandthefundingcomesfromthestateandthe federalgovernment;heisnotastateemployee,heisanemployee oftheBoardoftheFoundation,theBoardisappointedbythe Governor;andtheselectionofthenon-profitcorporationwas througharequest-for-proposalprocess. Mr.Garvinestated,toconcludetheChamberpresentation,hewished tothankCouncil;therequestisthatCouncilendorsefurther explorationanddevelopmentofAlamedaadvancedtechnologyconcept bydirectingstafftoworkwithChambertoward1)creationof successfulminimumrisklandacquisitionstrategyanditsspeedy implementation;and2)acquiringsubstantialamountofplanningand start-upcapitalviafederallegislativeprocess,andtodevelop andpresentacomprehensivest.ructuralandoperationalbusiness planfortheconcept. DonRoberts,Alameda,statedheagreedwiththeconceptentirely; listedconcerns,e.g.,theprocessshouldbecompetitiveand includesalaryoftopofficers;commendedAdHocCommitteebut believesthenamescouldbeapoliticalactiongroup;more specificityofwhatareasofthecitythenon-profitcorporation wouldbeworkingin,shouldbeincluded. NeilPatrickSweeney,Alameda,statedsuchmatters[astheconcept] shouldgothroughBRAGchannels;hehopesU.C.ResearchandKaiser Hospitalwillcomein[toAlameda];andheappreciatesthe informationprovidedontheconcept. DianeColer-Dark,Alameda,applaudedChamberofCommercefor followinguponMassachusetts[project];statedprojectcouldbe greatopportunityforthecity;isconcernedstaffrecommendation istoendorseCommitteeformationofanon-profitcorporation; hopesCouncilwillendorseconceptandfurthercooperationof Chamberandcitytocontinuegatheringinformationandworkingwith Massachusetts;andnotedalternativestonon-profitcorporation. LarrySchulz,Alameda,statedheisexcitedabouttheconceptwhich hebelieveswouldenhancethecommunity,economiclife,educational aspectsandhousingconditions;notedsuccessofKentState Universityresearchdevelopmentpark,andbelievesthatcould happeninAlameda. Mr.GarvinestatedCouncilcanfacilitatetheChamber'scontinued exploration,workingwithCitystaff,1)tosecurethetransferof theAlamedaannexoftheNavalSupplyCentertothecityforan advancedtechnologycenter;2)acquireasubstantialamountof start-upfundingforthisconceptviafederalgovernment legislativeappropriationsinpartnershipwithMassachusetts;and 3)theChamberwouldliketo,basedonCouncil'sconceptualsupport tonight,startimmediatelytodevelopacomprehensiveoperational SpecialMeeting,AlamedaCityCouncil March17,1994 andstructuralbusinessdevelopmentplan,modeledonthe MassachusettsBiotechnologyResearchInstitutebutcustomizedto Alameda'suniquecircumstancesandobligations;thesenseof urgencyisbecauseofafast-tracktimeline;ifthelandis declaredsurplusandenterstheprocess,itwouldcausethis projecttoundergogreatdelayswhichwoulddestroyit. InresponsetoCouncilmemberAppezzato,Mr.Garvinestatedthenon- profitcorporationhasnotbeenruledoutbutitispremature withoutacomprehensivebusinessplan. RespondingtocouncilmemberAppezzato'squestionconcerninghow excitingthisconceptiscomparedtoUCSFandScienceCity, ReverendSchulzstatedtheyallenhanceeachother;theconcept couldgoonwithoutUSCFbutUCSFwouldmakeitbetter;Science Cityisinterestingalthoughhequestionsfinancing;this[current] conceptcouldbeginby1995,theotherswouldbelater. GaryThomas,ChamberAdHocCommitteeMember,statedtheproperty isnotpartof,anddoesnotcomeunder,theBRAGprocess;the CommitteemetwiththeNavyandCongressmanDellums' representative;andthoseofficesweresupportive;theconcept includesanot-for-profitcorporationtooperateit,andhasgreat potentialforthecitytodosomethingquickly;legislationwould bemodeledafterthelegislationthatprovidedpropertytothePort ofOaklandfromtheNavalSupplyCenter,Oakland;seedmoneyis neededforthebusinessplan,tomarkettheproject,obtainprivate financingandthatiswhyanot-for-profitcorporationisneeded. PresidentwithrowstatedtheChamberandindividualswhocommitted energiesandtheirfundstopursueaprojectthatiswithinthe valuesoftheCityshouldbecommended;thetimingisperfect;we needsomethingthatwillwinandliftthemoraleoftheCity; somethingmustbedonequicklybeforetheNavypullsout;thisis anopportunityfortheCitytopulltogetherandpursuesomething smallenoughandtangibleenoughtowork;hedoesnotseea downsideriskanddoesseeupsidepotential;notonlyfromAlameda impactthatwillcarryovertotheEastBayandalliancesinterms ofbusinessesinMassachusettsandthisareaworkingtogetherto takeonamarketpositionintheworld;hebelievesthatiswhere thefutureis;thankedtheChamberofCommerce,allpersonswho participated,andMr.Glenn;andstatedhehopesCouncilwill endorsetheprojectandprovidebackingfortheprogram. ViceMayorRothstatedheendorsesconceptiisgladCouncilhelped Chamberwithfundingandinstructedittodoeconomicdevelopment; thisisanoutstandingjob;heagreeswithMayorwithrowthatthis isanopportunitythatmaynotcomealongagain,andparticularly thetransferringofpropertysimilartothePortofOakland transfer;ScienceCity,UCSF,orwhateverelseisachievedonNAS willcomplementitandprovideawiderangeofjobsforcitizens; SpecialMeeting,AlamedaCityCouncil March17,1994 andhemovedtoaccepttherecommendationasstatedbyMr.Garvine. councilmemberLucassecondedthemotion;andstatedunder discussion,thatshefullysupportstheproposal;itwould complementhigh-techindustriesalreadyintheCity;wemustbea partofthenationalandinternationalscene;believesCbuncil wouldbeservingthecitizenswellbygoingalongwiththis proposal;shewouldliketoseethisasanAlamedacorporation; doesnotwantothers,whomightbeworkingfortheirownbenefits, tellingtheCitywhattodo;itisveryimportanttohavethisas anAlamedaorganization. councilmemberAppezzatostatedhehasproblems;aretheindividuals onAdHocCommitteerepresentingthemselvesorcompanies,e.g.,is MarciaJohnsonrepresentingDoricDevelopmentInc.orherself,Rich SherrattrepresentingPacificFinancialorhimself;Mr.GaryThomas representinghimself,hiscompanyorthePlanningBoard. Mr.GarvinerepliedtheChamberisamembershipassociationand eachindividualisadditionally,andasaprerequisite,amemberof theChamber;withfewexceptions,peoplejoinundertheirbusiness orprofessionalorganization,insomecasesaspublicofficials. councilmemberAppezzatofurtherquestionedMr.Garvineconcerning ReverendSchulz,the"drivingforce"behindtheAdHocCommittee, whowasthearchitectandwhorecommendedthenames;howmany meetingswereheldoverthelasttwoorthreemonths;ifpersonson theAdHoccommitteewouldbeapartofthecorporation, participateasofficers,orbeinvolvedwiththemasterdevelopment oftheland. Mr.Garvinerepliedtoeachquestion,andstatedhisrecommendation didnotincludeformationofanyspecificnon-profitcorporation; becauseofthesuccessstory[ofMassachusetts],thereisagreat chancethatwouldbetheappropriatemodel;itwouldbeguesswork andinappropriateforhimtospeculatewhomightsitingovernance althoughhewouldechoCouncilmemberLucas'sperspectivethatit shouldbeagroupofAlamedans. councilmemberAppezzatonotedhehasnoproblemwiththeChamber gettinginvolved[intheproject],andquestioned,ifCommittee membersareinvolvedinthenon-profitcorporation,and development,howcouldweensureagainstconflictofinterest. Mr.GarvinerepliedCouncilandCitystaffwouldbereliedonto ensureconflictofinterestquestionsareansweredappropriately. councilmemberAppezzatostatedhewouldbewatchfulonconflictof interest;questionedMr.Garvineconcerninge.g.,extentofinput intoproposalbyCityManager,CityAttorney,BaseConversion ProjectDirectorandBRAG,inquiredconcerningfinancing,federal SpecialMeeting,AlamedaCityCouncil March17,1994 funding,businessplan;andstatedhewillbelookingfor,inthe future:thebudget,businessplan,inputfromBaseConversion ProjectDirectorandBRAG,andhowtheybelievethiswillaffect NASreuse,assessmentofaffectuponScienceCity,UCSFandACET [AlamedaCenterEnvironmentalTechnology],researchwhynon-profit corporationisnecessaryandwhycitycannottakelead, corporation'smasterdeveloperanditsoperation;hewantstobe sureofbenefittocitizensandthatmatterisagendizedfora RegularCouncilMeeting. Mr.Garvinestatedwewilldoourbesttoaccommodateeachand everyrequest. viceMayorRothrequestedfortherecordthathismotionbereadas Mr.Garvinehadstatedit. Mr.GarvinestatedtherequestwasthatCouncilendorsethefurther explorationanddevelopmentandtheAlamedaAdvancedTechnology Conceptbydirectingcitystaffto1)workwiththeChambertoward thecreationofasuccessfulminimumrisklandacquisitionstrategy anditsspeedimplementation,2)workwiththeChambertoward acquiringasubstantialamountofplanningandstart-upcapitalvia federallegislativeappropriation,and3)workwiththeChamberto developandpresentacomprehensivestructuralandoperational businessplanfortheconcept. RichSherratt,Alameda,statedheagreedwithmostquestionsasked, buttakesexceptiontothemannerofaddressingsomepeopleonthe AdHocCommittee,asmanyareleadingrepresentativesinbusiness andcommerce;hehasaninterestbecausehehasgrownchildren,and grandchildrenintheCity. Themotioncarriedbythefollowingvoicevote:Ayes: CouncilmembersAppezzato,Lucas,RothandPresidentwithrow-4. Nayes:None.Absent:CouncilmanArnerich-1. Presidentwithrowthankedeveryonewhoattended,stated appreciationfortheChambertakingthelead,andcitystaff. 94-157 ReportfromCityAttorneyRegardingBrownActAmendments. TheCityAttorneyreviewedtheBrownActAmendmentseffectiveApril 1,1994. RespondingtoaquestionfromViceMayorRoth,theCityAttorney discussedthequestionofprocedureifajudgeshouldrulethat certaininformationisnottobemadepublic. InresponsetoaquestionfromDonRobertsregardingretroactivity onmakingdecisionspublic,thecityAttorneystated[the amendments]applytodecisionsafterApril1,1994. SpecialMeeting,AlamedaCityCouncil March17,1994 councilCommunications.(CommunicationsfromCouncil) 94-158ViceMayorRothcommentedthathedidnotlike CouncilmemberAppezzato'sremarkoncityCouncilrubberstamping [duringdicussionconcerningAdHocCommitteeproposal]. CouncilmemberLucasandPresidentWithrowconcurred. Adjournment PresidentWithrowadjournedthemeetingat9:50p.m. Respectfullysubmitted, 0tzw ~,~~LDtriNEB.FELSCH,CMC CityClerk Theagendaforthismeetingwasposted72hoursinadvance. SpecialMeeting,AlamedaCityCouncil March17,1994