1968-03-19 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING MARCH 19, 1968
The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President McCall presiding. The Pledge of Alle-
giance was led by Councilman Levy and was followed by an inspiring Invocation delivered by The
Reverend Mr. Laurence T. Nutting, Pastor of Court Street Methodist Church.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Bartley, Fore, La Croix, Jr., Levy and President McCall, (5),
were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held March 5, and the special meeting held March 13, 1968,
were approved as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
2:7 From Mr. L. O. Merrick, 1311 Wayne Court, submitting the question of "fairness" to require dog
owners to pay an annual license fee without requiring cat owners to pay a like fee.
The communication was ordered filed.
3. From Bay Farm Island Improvement League, signed by Mr. Robert E. DeCelle, President, stating its
desire to present a petition concerning the condemnation proceedings by the City of Oakland against
certain properties in the City of Alameda.
President McCall stated the matter would be submitted under "Oral Communications".
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, AGENDA:
4. Mr. Robert E. DeCelle, 276 Beach Road, addressed the Council at length with regard to the con-
demnation proceedings instituted by the Port of Oakland against certain properties in the vicinity of
Metropolitan Oakland International Airport for clear zone easements. Mr. DeCelle presented a petition
signed by four hundred thirty residents of Bay Farm Island requesting the City Council to assist them
in these proceedings.
Upon request, City Attorney Cunningham explained the legal procedures involved. He had al so reported
on the subject in his memorandum to the Council dated March 18, 1968. His recommendation was that
there was no legal justification for the City Council to intervene in the pending litigation.
Mr. Glenn Plymate, Oakland Airport Manager, and Mr. John E. Nolan, Deputy Attorney for Port of Oakland,
were present and answered questions.
The noise and vibration factors and the violation of proper flight patterns from Oakland Airport Jets
were questioned and discussed. The President stated the City Council was willing to take these prob-
lems before the Federal Aviation Agency in Washington, D. C., if necessary. He also assured the large
audience of Bay Farm Island residents that the entire matter was to be referred to the City Manager
and the City Attorney for complete review, study and report.
5. At this point, President McCall introduced and welcomed Mrs. Richard Diament, who was accompanied
by several Girl Scout Cadets of Troop No. 1042. They were present on their challenge of active citi-
zenship to observe their City Government.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
6.v From City Manager, reporting all work satisfactorily completed on the project of Culvert Construc-
tion on Oak Street at Times Way - recommending it be accepted and the Notice of Completion be ordered
filed.
Councilman Bartley moved the recommendation be followed; that the work on the designated project be
accepted and the Notice of Completion be filed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Levy and carried
on the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
7/ From City Manager, recommending contract be awarded to Ransome Company, low bidder, for the project
of Widening and Reconstructing Buena Vista Avenue from Poggi Street to five hundred feet west of Webster
Street, at the total cost of 50,053.20.
Councilman La Croix moved the recommendation be approved; that contract be awarded to the firm indi-
cated for the specified project at the price quoted. Councilman Fore seconded the motion which carried
on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
8. Resolution No. 564, adopted by the Planning Board at its meeting held March 11, 1968, was presented
for the Councills consideration. This concerned the proposed sale of certain real property in the
vicinity of Posey Tube Portal at public auction by the County of Alameda. The Board's recommendation
was contained therein that (1) said property be withheld from public sale at this time - or (2) if said
property could not be withheld, the City of Alameda enter into an agreement with the County of Alameda
to purchase said property.
Councilman La Croix moved the recommendations of the Planning Board be followed. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Levy.
Speaking on the question, and upon request of the President, Mr. Cunningham reviewed the circumstances
pertaining to this case. Further, upon request of Councilman La Croix, Planning Director Johnson
clarified the situation by emphasizing that the Government Code requires the findings of the Planning
Board to be submitted to the City Council by such a resolution. He distributed scale sketches of the
area involved for the information of the Councilmen and proceeded to explain the advantages of acquir-
ing this parcel of approximately one and two - tenths acres. Mr. Johnson pointed up that the Planning
Consultants also had recommended that said property remain in public ownership.
A great deal of discussion ensued on this subject and its ramifications. City Manager Weller
expressed his opposition to the acquisition of said property merely on the basis that it might be
needed at some future date. It was the consensus that it would be advisable to request the County
to withdraw this parcel from public sale at this time in order to give the Council opportunity for
further deliberation.
Councilman Bartley said he definitely believed there was a public need to acquire this property, as
it world give the City much more flexibility in taking care of its access requirements in this area.
Mr. Weller summarized the Council's thinking to the effect that Resolution No. 564 of the Planning
Board would be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County with a covering letter which
would indicate the City would prefer that the property in question be retained by the County for the
present - primarily because of the incomplete stage of the survey being made by the City's Planning
Consultants, Daniel, Mann, Johnson and Mendenhall. Further, if the County were unable to hold said
parcel, the City would appreciate prompt notification to this effect. This, then, would give the
City an opportunity to negotiate for its acquisition.
With this understanding and concurrence by all, the question was put and the motion carried on the
following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
The City Manager was instructed to so proceed.
9. From City Manager, requesting authorization under provisions of Section 3 -15 of the City Charter
to purchase in the open market two one -inch Fire Alarm Tape Registers, a Register Table and two Take -
up Reels for the new Fire Station.
Councilman Bartley moved the request be granted and authorization be given to make these purchases
in the open market at the best prices possible. Councilman Fore seconded the motion which carried
on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
10: From City Manager, concerning a failure in the underground asbestos conduit for the Gamewell
Fire Alarm System. It was recommended authorization be given to expend certain monies from the Con-
tingency Fund, under provisions of Section 3 -15 of the City Charter, in order that the Bureau of
Electricity might proceed to replace said conduit and cable.
Mr. Weller verbally explained that the expense of this emergency project was going to exceed the
original estimate and the cost of the work would be charged to both the Contingency Fund and the
Capital Outlay Project for construction of the new Fire Station.
Councilman La Croix moved the recommendation be adopted; that the City Manager be authorized to
have the "Bureau" proceed with said project. Councilman Bartley seconded the motion which carried
on the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
11 /From From City Clerk, setting the date of Wednesday, April 10, 1968, until 5:00 o'clock p.m., as the
deadline for receipt of any arguments for or against the proposed Charter Amendment Measures and
Alternates which would be on the ballot for the Consolidated Primary Election June 4, 1968.
Councilman Levy moved the Clerk's report be accepted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bartley
and carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
12."° President McCall reported that he had attended the meeting of Mayors recently held in the office
of Mayor Alioto of San Francisco. This concerned the question of how best to solve the financial
difficulties of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District. He announced there was to be another meeting
this Thursday, March 21, in Martinez, covering the same problem. More specific information was to be
available at that time.
RESOLUTIONS:
13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Bartley, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7296
Cancelling City Taxes on Property Acquired by the United States Government
for Public Purposes." (Navy Housing in West End)
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Levy and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman La Croix, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7297
Adopting Specifications for Furnishing to the City of Alameda One (1) New,
Latest Model Three-Wheel Gasoline Vehicle for Park Department, Calling for
Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Fore and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman La Croix, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7298
Adopting Specifications for Furnishing to the City of Alameda Three (3)
New, 1968 Four-Door Sedans for Police Department, Calling for Bids and
Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Fore and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman La Croix, who moved its adoption:
Taesolution No. 7299
Adopting Specifications for Furnishing to the City of Alameda Communications
Recording Equipment for Fire Department, Calling for Bids and Directing City
Clerk to Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Fore and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman La Croix, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7300
Adopting Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans for Pavement Extension
and Resurfacing at the Fire Drill Tower on Bay Farm Island, Calling for Bids
and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Fore and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
18:1 The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Fore, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7301
Appointing Member of the Civil Service Board." (Lawrence Stickney)
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman La Croix and on roll call carried by
the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
19. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Bartley, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7302
Granting Peralta Junior College District Revocable Permit to Use City-Owned
Real Property for Landscaping Purposes (Portion of Northwest Corner Atlantic
Avenue and Webster Street)."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Levy and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
20. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman La Croix, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7303
Appointing Members of Alameda Committee for Low-Cost Housing." (Clarence
Gilmore, Noah Groves, Thayer Hall, Mrs. Lynn Jones, C. W. Moore, Ray Moser,
Howard K. Palmer, Herbert Robles and Eleanor Tattersall)
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Fore and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
The President then declared all of the foregoing Resolutions adopted.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:
21. Councilman Bartley moved the following ordinance be introduced at this time, after which it would
be laid over under provision of law and the Charter. Councilman Levy seconded the motion which car-
ried on the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
"Ordinance No.
New Series
An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions of the Alameda Municipal Code Relating
to Traffic Regulations."
BILLS:
22. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the Departments thereof, in the total
amount of 76,590.81, was presented to the Council at this meeting.
The List was accompanied by certification from the City Manager that the Claims shown were correct.
Councilman Bartley moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on
March 19, 1968, and presented to the City Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. The motion
was seconded by Councilman La Croix and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five.
Noes: None. Absent: None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, GENERAL:
23/ Mr. Frank A. Gottstein, 731 Haight Avenue, expressed his views with regard to the salaries pro-
posed for the Mayor and the Councilmen in the measures to be placed on the State Primary 'Election in
June, 1968. He felt fifty dollars per meeting would be an adequate compensation when the Councilman
attended a meeting. If the official did not attend a meeting, he would not get paid. The Mayor
should receive one hundred dollars per meeting. Mr. Gottstein believed this was sufficient "salary"
to start with - compared to what they were receiving presently.
Mr. Gottstein also registered his disapproval of the flight patterns of aeroplanes which took the
aircraft over the City too much and too often and caused a great noise nuisance.
FILING:
24. Specifications No
25. Specifications No
26. Specifications No
27. Specifications No
Farm Island.
ADJOURNMENT:
• MB 3-68-7 - Three-Wheel Vehicle for the Park Department.
• MB 3-68-8 - Three Four-Door Sedans for the Police Department.
• MB 3-68-9 - Communications Recording Equipment for the Fire Department.
.
PW 3-68-6 - Pavement Extension and Resurfacing at Fire Drill Tower, Bay
28. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned - to assemble
in regular session on Tuesday evening, April 2, 1968, at 7:30 olclock.
Respectfully submitted,