1980-09-02 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 1980.
Convened at 7:00 o'clock p.m. with President Corica presiding. Pledge of Allegiance
was led by Councilman Tillman. The Invocation was given by Reverend Hodgkin of
Christ Church Parish (Episcopal).
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Diament, Sherratt, Stone, Tillman, and President
Corica - 5.
Absent: None.
MINUTES
Councilman Diament made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tillman, that the minutes
of the special Council meeting of July 30, 1980, and the regular Council meeting
of August 5, 1980, be approved as submitted; the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
CONSENT CALENDAR
President Corica announced that the two resolutions relative to Tract 4467 had been
withdrawn at the request of the developer. Councilman Sherratt made a motion, seconded
by Councilman Stone, that the resolutions not be agendized until a "letter of
commitment of financing" had been received. The motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
Councilman Sherratt made a motion, seconded by Councilman Diament, that the remaining
items on the Consent Calendar be adopted; the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5
Items so enacted, approved, or adopted will be so indicated by an asterisk ( *).
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
*80 -630 From Burton Crowell submitting status report on Patton Way. Accepted.
RESOLUTIONS
*80 -631 Resolution No. 9372, "Authorizing execution of agreement with Gary Brunault
for personal services (Engineering Services relating to the Harbor Bay Isle Project)."
Adopted.
BILLS
*80 -632 An Itemized List of Claims, certified by the City Manager as correct, was
approved in the amount of $136,963.77.
FILING
*80 -633 Personal services agreement with Gary Brunault relating to the Harbor Bay
Isle Project.
RETURN TO REGULAR AGENDA
September 2, 1980
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
80 -634 Joint Meeting of the Council and the Social Service Human Relations
Board.
ROLL CALL
Social Service Human Relations Board: Present: Board Members Blaisdell,
Fong, McDonald, Molina, Seaman, and President Baca - 6. Absent: Board
Members Manibusan, Pritchard and Souza - 3.
President Corica explained that a joint meeting is held annually in accordance
with provisions of a City ordinance and that the Board had submitted a priority
list of their annual work program.
Board Member Blaisdell recommended that a youth representative be appointed
to the Board and perhaps a Mayor's Committee for Youth established.
Councilman Sherratt suggested that when a vacancy occurs on the Board that
notices be posted at high schools in order to obtain applications for the
Council to consider for appointment as a youth representative. He referred
to the suggestion for a Mayor's Committee for Youth and stated he felt
when the revision to the Community Services Directory is done that the
Board could analyze the needs of the City and the resources available and
come back with a recommendation.
Board Members Pritchard and Manibusan noted present.
Councilman Tillman recommended the Navy have a liaison person to work with
the Social Service Human Relations Board to solve problems.
President Corica stated he would contact Captain Dalake at the Naval Air
Station regarding a liaison person.
Board Member Manibusan stated she had been contacted by young persons who
had been subjected to unfair employment practices such as being laid off
for no reason, unsanitary conditions, and sexual harassment and inquired
where such cases could be referred.
President Corica stated that until the Community Services Directory is completely
updated, the City Attorney could be contacted regarding such matters and refer
persons to the proper agency.
Board Member Molina suggested that the Housing Authority and Social Service
Human Relations Board exchange minutes of meetings in order to better assist
in areas of mutual concern.
Board Member Pritchard stated that other agencies were handling the "Toys
for Tots" and "Christmas Basket" programs although the Board was involved
last year and inquired how it would be handled this year.
The Assistant City Manager stated community based organizations had already
been contacted to get the program started for this year.
Councilman Sherratt stated the Social Service Human Relations Board could
act as liaison and provide assistance and advice without directly doing
the manpower work.
President Corica commended and thanked the Board for their good work this year.
September 2, 1980
The Joint Meeting of the Council and Social Service Human Relations Board adjourned
and the regular Council meeting reconvened at 7:40 p.m.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
80 -635 From Gast Realty, signed by Rudd Gast, requesting to build a new
lagoon wall at 2034 Clinton Avenue.
Councilman Sherratt made a motion, seconded by Councilman Stone, that the
matter be referred to City staff for a report and placed on the agenda of
September 16, 1980; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
80 -636 From Ponderosa Homes, signed by Alan McKean, requesting an extension
of time for an additional six months from September 9, 1980, to March 9,
1981, to complete all improvements in Tract 3645 and a reduction of bond from
$1,622,000 to $162,200.
President Corica stated he was opposed to reduction of the bond and extension
of time and that improvements should be completed in the time allotted and
the bond released at that time.
The City Engineer stated that his staff had pointed out additional work that
would be required to the developer and his recommendation was to reduce the
✓ bond to S250,000 and grant a time extension of one year to September 9, 1981,
He further stated that in the past it was customary for tract agreements to
be for a one -year period but henceforth he is requesting a more realistic
estimate of the length of time required to complete the job.
Russell Sisung, 221 Santa Clara Avenue, spoke in opposition to the reduction
in bond and extension of time to complete improvements.
Councilman Sherratt made a motion, seconded by Councilman Stone, that the
communication be accepted and the recommendation of the City Engineer to reduce
the bond to $250,000 and grant a time extension of one year to September 9, 1981,
be approved; the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmen
Diament, Sherratt, Stone, and Tillman - 4. Noes: President Corica - 1. Absent:
None.
APPEALS
80 -637 From Robert E. Brennan, 1441 Morton Street, appealing decision of Planning
Board in denying application for a Variance to convert a garage to a family
room.
The Acting Planning Director stated that the Planning Board had denied the
Variance and the property would be deficient in off - street parking due to
the conversion of the garage to a room and that the Board found no exceptional
circumstances to grant the variance.
Mr. Brennan spoke in support of granting the Variance and stated the room
was used as a workshop, not a family room, and that it was unusable as a garage
because of its location and small size.
Councilman Sherratt stated he opposed granting a Variance because it would
set a precedent and offered a motion that the decision of the Planning Board in
denying the Variance be upheld; the motion FAILED for lack of a second.
September 2, 1980
President Corica stated he also opposed granting the variance as it would set
a precedent, and he felt the City would receive a large number of similar
requests.
Councilman Tillman stated he would support granting this Variance inasmuch
as it improved the aesthetic appearance of the neighborhood.
Councilman Tillman made a motion, seconded by Councilman Stone, that the variance
be granted; the motion carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmen
Diament, Stone, and Tillman - 3. Noes: Councilman Sherratt and President
Corica - 2. Absent: None.
RESOLUTIONS
80 -638 Resolution No. 9374, "Awarding contract for coin collection of on and
off street parking meters within the City to Brinks, Inc., and authorizing
execution thereof."
Councilman Sherratt made a motion, seconded by Councilman Stone, that the
resolution be adopted; the motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Diament, Sherratt, Stone, Tillman, and President Corica - 5.
Noes: None. Absent: None.
80 -639 Resolution No. 9375, "Awarding contract for towing of private vehicles
within the City to Ted and Joe's Towing, and authorizing execution thereof."
Councilman Stone made a motion, seconded by Councilman Sherratt, that the
resolution be adopted; the motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Diament, Sherratt, Stone, Tillman, and President Corica -
5. Noes: None. Absent: None.
80 -640 Resolution No. 9376, "Fixing the rate and levying a tax on all real
and personal property in the City of Alameda for the Fiscal Year 1980 - 1981."
Councilman Diament made a motion, seconded by Councilman Sherratt, that the
resolution be adopted; the motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Diament, Sherratt, Stone, Tillman, and President Corica -
5. Noes: None. Absent: None.
80 -641 Resolution No. 9377, "Requesting consideration of amendments to the
Public Resources Code and to the State Guidelines for Environmental Impact
Reports."
Councilman Stone made a motion, seconded by Councilman Sherratt, that the
resolution be adopted; the motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Diament, Sherratt, Stone, Tillman, and President Corica -
5. Noes: None. Absent: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
80 -642 Consideration of appointment of member to Historical Advisory Commission.
President Corica nominated Gary Knecht for appointment to the Historical Advisory
Commission, seconded by Councilman Tillman; the nomination carried by unanimous
voice vote - 5.
September 2, 1980
NEW BUSINESS
80 -643 Discussion of procedures for conduct of Council meetings.
Councilman Stone stated that agendas are longer and business more complex
and recommended that speakers be required to fill out speaker's cards and
limited to speaking five minutes per agenda item, and that Council adjourn
at 11:00 p.m. unless a motion is passed to remain in session. She further
stated it would be helpful if staff would evaluate agenda items in terms
of time requirements.
Councilman Sherratt stated persons could sign up in advance by telephoning
the Office of City Clerk and that a spokesman for a group could be allowed
up to 15 minutes to speak.
The following persons spoke in opposition to the use of speaker sign -up cards:
Joseph Sullivan, 3221 Liberty Avenue
Helen Freeman, 831 Laurel Street
Diane Malik, 125 Central
Ina Ratto, 1053 Island Drive
Russell Sisung, 221 Santa Clara Avenue
Councilman Diament recommended that staff evaluate agenda items in terms of
time required, particularly hearings, as it might be beneficial to hold special
meetings for some items.
After considerable Council discussion, Councilman Sherratt made a motion as
follows: 1) To initiate speaker card sign up for agenda items with the under-
standing this may be done by a prior phone call to City Clerk; 2) That speakers
be limited to five minutes per agenda item and a spokesman for a group allowed
15 minutes; and 3) That the Council adjourn at 11:00 p.m. unless Council
consents to extend the time.
Councilman Diament seconded the motion and offered an amendment, accepted
by Councilman Sherratt, that these procedures be established on a six -month
trial basis and reviewed at the end of that time.
President Corica stated he was opposed to the use of speaker sign up and establish-
ing time limitations as he did not like to cut persons off when they were
speaking but he would agree with the 11:00 p.m. adjournment and that staff
evaluate time requirements for agenda items.
Upon call of the roll, the motion, as amended carried by the following roll
call vote: Ayes: Councilmen Diament, Sherratt, Stone, and Tillman - 4.
Noes: President Corica - 1. Absent: None.
80 -644 Councilman Diament made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tillman, that
the Council go on record endorsing the proposition which would place the issue
of the peripheral canal on the State ballot; the motion carried by unanimous
voice vote - 5.
80 -645 Councilman Diament noted the East Bay Division of League of California Cities
will hold a dinner at Goodman Hall on October 10, 1980, and Senator Cranston
will be the guest speaker.
September 2, 1980
80 -646 Councilman Diament noted the League of California Cities Convention
will be held in Los Angeles in October and a breakfast for Councils is
scheduled Tuesday morning of that week.
80 -647 Councilman Stone stated that Colonel Nisewaner had resigned from the
Ad Hoc Efficiency Committee and requested a phone call if anyone knew of
interested persons with computer expertise.
80 -648 Councilman Sherratt requested the Council mail boxes currently located
in the Police Administration Building be moved to the Council Office in City
Hall.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, GENERAL
80 -649 Joseph Sullivan, 3221 Liberty Avenue, stated he wished to express his
opposition to the use of speaker's cards for Council meetings again.
80 -650 Russell Susing, 221 Santa Clara Avenue, referred to the Patton Way status
report and inquired regarding the reference to the public hearing which will
cover both design and environmental review.
Councilman Tillman requested the City Manager to ask for more explicit information
regarding environmental reviews for Patton Way and to request Burton Crowell,
the Project Coordinator, to attend the Council meeting of September 16, 1980,
to further explain those matters.
80 -651 Diane Malik, 125 Central, stated she was concerned about the way blocks
are planned and felt there should be more pedestrian and bicycle access.
President Corica suggested she attend Planning Board meetings as new developments
go before the Planning Board first.
80 -652 Ina Ratto, 1053 Island Drive, stated she had not spoken when the appeal
for a variance to convert a garage to a room was heard as it was a Council
decision but that in the future she would request Council to consider more
seriously variances for these kinds of garage conversions as they contribute
to parking problems. She inquired whether there is an ordinance that prohibits
parking on lawns.
The Acting Planning Director stated thare is a provision in the Municipal Code
that prohibits such parking, and she would provide Mrs. Ratto a copy.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned
at 9:45 p.m., to assemble in regular session on Tuesday, September 16, 1980,
at 7:30 o'clock p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
DEEN SPEEGLE
City Clerk
September 2, 1980