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1962-09-18 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 18, - - - - - - 1962 The meeting convened at 7;30 o'clock p.m. with President Collischonn presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Godfrey and was followed by an inspiring Invocation delivered by The Reverend Mr. Arthur Van De Zande, Pastor of Westside Baptist Church. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Godfrey, McCall, Rose, Schacht and President Collischonn, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held September 4, 1962, were approved as transcribed. RITTE COMMUNICATIONS: 2. From South Shore Land Co., signed by Mr. Charles T. Travers, Vice President, urging the Council to develop a definite plan for permanent sanitary facilities on the South Shore Beach. v, 3, From South Shore Investment Co., signed by Mr. John Anthony, concerning the temporary toilets on the South Shore Beach and urging the Council to develop a permanent plan to replace them before the next summer season. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letters. Councilman McCall expressed his opinion that the continued use of such temporary facilities during the summer season was not promoting the best interests of the City. He suggested the City Manager should investigate what the possibilities were with regard to the Regional Park District assuming some responsibility in the development of this beach. It was pointed out the City should not expend any large sum of money for permanent facilities in this area until it is known what the actual need will be and the proper locations in which to build them to give adequate service. It was agreed the City Manager should explore the situation with the Regional Park District. In response to inquiry, Mr. Weller stated the latest information he had was that the Division of Beaches and Parks would have a plan for the development of the Alameda Memorial State Beach which would ready during this fiscal year. 4, From Mrs. V. L. Smith, 2116 Encinal Avenue, (three letters dated September 11, 12, 13, 1962) concerning the problem of eliminating rats and stating she felt the condition could be remedied by controlled burning at the City Dump. It was developed that the Alameda County Health Department was checking into the matter and, upon notification of its findings, the City would meet with it and representatives of the Alameda Garbage Association to ascertain what steps could be taken to solve the problem. \/ 5,' From The Reverend Mr. Wilfred H. Hodgkin, Rector, and the Vestry of Christ Church, extending to the City Council, the City Department Heads and other interested members of the City Family, an invitation to attend the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of the new Christ Church. This signi- ficant service will be held at 3:30 o'clock p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 1962, and the Mayor has been asked to participate therein. The Clerk was directed to acknowledge the invitation and indicate that all members of the City Council planned to attend with pleasure. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 6,9 Mr. Frank Gottstein, 731 Haight Avenue, referred to the problems at the Garbage Dump and said he felt the matter should be given further research. He felt many things there could be salvaged if some „system were worked out for separate collections of garbage and "trash" and said that burning should be allowed. 7. Mr. G. N. Pope, 1820 Bay Street, spoke of the development of the South Shore Beach, contending that the City should use its own funds to proceed with this project without looking to other agencies for money. It was pointed out that the Regional Park District is supported by- all taxpayers under a special tax rate and the City, therefore, feels it would be entitled to some consideration in the improve- ment of this beach facility. HEARINGS: U. The matter was called up concerning the requested rezoning of properties known as 1805-1607 Oak Street from "R-6", Hotel-Apartment District to "C-M", Commercial-Manufacturing District - for the purpose of constructing a service station. Upon request of the petitioners at the Council meeting of August 21, 1962, the Hearing on this matter had been continued to this meeting. The Planning Board had recommended denial of the petition. Upon request, Mr. Schoenfeld, Planning Director, reviewed the situation - pointing up the fact that the proposed commercial use was not compatible with the predominantly residential district adjacent thereto west of Oak Street. Also, this zoning break might adversely affect the plans of the Park Centre Project since the commercial zone has been definitely established east of Oak Street. Further, the property itself is too small for service station development in line with the require- ments of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Way, Acting City Attorney, cited the criteria upon which the Council should base its decision in this matter. Upon the call for proponents, Mr. John Mitcheom, representing Leuck Realty, addressed the Council. Mr. Mitcheom stated that since the time the petition had been considered and acted upon by the Plan- ning Board, he had discussed the acquisition of two additional pieces of property adjoining the parcel in question which would then give an area of 14,500 square feet - rather than only 8,000 square feet. He proceeded to present his arguments in favor of the rezoning. However, it was explained that the Council could act only on the petition presently before it because of the publication of the Notice of Hearing thereon as originally submitted - and could not take into consideration the "expanded" boundaries of the area now requested to be rezoned. Upon inquiry, Mr. James McCaffery, Manager of the Douglas [8l Company, an affiliate of the Continental Oil Company, agreed that he was aware of the reason the Council had no authority to proceed in the matter at this time. Mr. Mitcheom stated he would withdraw his original petition and plan to submit another to the Plan- ning Board which would cover the larger parcel now contemplated to be rezoned - and the usual pro- cedure would follow. The President asked if there were any opponents to the question. There was no response and the President then declared the Hearing closed. Councilman Godfrey moved the Council approve the recommendation of the Planning Board and the petition as originally submitted be denied. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schacht and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. J y. Continued from the last meeting was the Matter of the proposed amendment to Sec. 11-14&7(j) of the Alameda Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) relating to the maximum permitted height of Fences, Hedges and Walls in the "R" Districts (corner lots). The Planning Board had recommended adoption of said amendment. Upon request, Mr. Schoenfeld explained in detail the circumstances involved which affect "key" lots due to the six-foot fences currently allowed along the side and rear lines of corner lots. He stated the Staff was in some- what of a quandary at times in arriving at the correct interpretation of these provisions. Be illustrated several alternative provisions by use of drawings displayed, and urged that some amend- ment be adopted which would clarify the present requirements, and a definite directive or policy could then be followed in all cases. A lengthy discussion was had on this subject and it appeared that the present attempt to correct one phase of the situation resulted in provisions which would adversely affect another feature of the matter or create other problems. It was agreed there was need for some compromise regulations in order to benefit owners of key lots and still not deprive owners of corner lots desired privacy in their rear yards. However, in spite of the time and thought given to resolving this problem by the Staff members, the Council felt no satisfactory solution had been presented and it was decided there was no point in continuing the Hearing on the matter at this time. Therefore, the President declared the Hearing closed. Councilman Godfrey moved the proposed amendment as originally submitted be denied. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rose and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five, Noes: None. Absent: None. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, ETCETERA: 2 10. From City Planning Board, signed by the Secretary, recommending the rezoning of various vSiptes" from "R-4" ,and "R-4-0" to "R-5" District - and one area from "D-4^' to m8-1" District, all as shown on the August, 1962 Map of the Planning Department. The properties are owned by Mr. C. A. Chapman - known as 600 Central Avenue and some adjoining parcels. The Hearing on this matter was set for the Council meeting to be held October 2, 1962. 11. From City Planning Board, signed by the Secretary, recommending approval of the Property Divi- sion Map, subject to the complete satisfaction of the City Engineer, covering the lot known as 1825 Buena Vista Avenue, owned by Mr. Vidus Klune. Councilman Godfrey moved the recommendation of the Board be adopted and the specified Property Divi- sion Map be approved under the designated condition. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. l2. From the Recreation Commission, signed by Mr. Terry LaCroix, Chairman, informing the Council of its consideration of the qualifications of various architects for the proposed Godfrey Park Club- house, as a preliminary step towards submitting a recommendation in this respect. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the communication and the President stated it was assumed that a recommendation for the hiring of an architect for this purpose would be forthcoming at the next meeting. 13. From City Manager, reporting all work satisfactorily completed on the project of Resurfacing Blanding Avenue from Park Street to Broadway - recommending it be accepted and the Notice of Comple- tion be ordered filed. Councilman Schacht moved the recommendation be adopted; that the work on the designated project be accepted and the Notice of Completion be filed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Godfrey and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. NEW BUSINESS: 14. The President referred to a memorandum from the City Manager, dated September 17, 1962, concern- ing an inquiry from Signal Oil Company about the City's reaction to selling a parcel of land at the intersection of Maitland Drive and County Road for development as a service station. It was agreed the City did not want to dispose of this property and the City Manager was instructed to so inform the interested party. RESOLUTIONS: 15. Presented for the Council's consideration and determination was the following entitled resolution: "Resolution of the Council of the City of Alameda Fixing the Rate and Levying a Tax on All Real and Personal Property in the City of Alameda for the Fiscal Year 1982-1963 and Apportioning the Same Among the Several Funds of the City." It was explained that three similar documents had been prepared - one setting the rate at $2.40, another at $2.44 and the third being left open. _ The President stated the Chair would entertain a motion to adopt the resolution to establish a tax rate of $2.44 for fiscal year 1962-I963. Councilman Schacht moved the adoption of said resolution fixing the rate at $2.44. Councilman Rose seconded the motion and stated he was doing so merely to bring the matter to a vote. Speaking on the question, each Councilman expressed his opinion on the fiscal condition of the City and his thinking about whether the tax rate should be set at $2.44 or at $2.40 for the current year. The question was put and the motion to adopt said resolution was lost on the following roll cull vote. Ayes: Councilman Schacht and President Collischonn, (2). Noes: Councilmen Godfrey, McCall and Rose, (3). Absent: None. Councilman Godfrey then moved the adoption of the following resolution, establishing the tax rate at $2.40 for fiscal year 1962-1963: "Resolution No. 6401 Resolution of the Council of the City of Alameda Fixing the Rate and Levying a Tax on All Real and Personal Property in the City of Alameda for the Fiscal Year 1982-1903 and Apportioning the Same Among the Several Funds of the City." ($2,40) The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call curried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Godfrey, McCall and Rose, (3). Noes: Councilman Schacht and President Collischonn, (2). Absent: None. l6. ' In connection with 'this subject, Councilman Rose referred to the differential of over two million dollars between the "City" and the "County" assessment valuations and stated he would definitely like to know when the City could reasonably expect to "catch up" with the County if it intends to do so. The City Manager was requested to ask the City Assessor for this information. v/ 17. At this time, Councilman McCall stated he felt some recognition should be given to The Reverend Father Alvin P. Wagner of Sc. Joseph's Catholic Church for the honor recently accorded him. He thereupon introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 6402 Resolution of the Council of the City of Alameda Congratulating The Reverend Father Alvin P. Wagner Upon His Appointment as Domestic Prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, with the Title of Right Reverend Monsignor." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Godfrey and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. The President declared the foregoing resolutions duly adopted. ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE: 18. "Ordinance No. 1410, New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Subdivision (30) to Section 17-333 Thereof, Relating to All Time and Limited No Parking." Councilman Schacht moved the ordinance be adopted as submitted. The motion was seconded by Council- man McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 19° "Ordinance No. 1411, New Series An Ordinance Amending Section 17-364^1 of the Alameda Municipal Code, Relating to the Establishment and Removal of Parking Meters, and Time Limits, in Parking Meter Zones." Councilman Rose moved the ordinance be adopted as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Godfrey and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. FILING: 20. Financial 'Statement - Bureau of Electricity, as at July 31, 1962 - Verified by 8acklemao & Larzelere. 21. Three Copies of Parking Meter Map Sets. 22. At this point, the President asked that the Council plan to meet next Tuesday, September 25, 1962, at 7:30 o'clock p.m. in the Council Chamber, Room 303, for an executive session to discuss personnel matters. BILLS: 23. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the Departments tbereof, in the total amount of $61,822.00, 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 Schacht moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on September 18, 1962, and presented to the City Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rose and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. ' ADJOURNMENT: 24. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned - to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, October 2, 1962, at 7:30 o'clock. Respectfully aubmi ,d, w 3t' Clerk