1956-03-06 Regular CC Minutes0
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, 1956
The meeting convened at 8 :05 o'clock P. M. with President Kranelly presiding.
The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Councilman Moresi. The Reverend John L.
Douglas, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, was then called upon and delivered
a beautifully thoughtful invocation for Divine Blessing upon and Guidance to
all leaders in government, from the highest position in the land to the lowest.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi and President
Kranelly, (5), were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the Regular meeting held February 21, the Adjourned Regular
meeting of February 23, and the Special meeting of February 24, 1956, were approved
as transcribed.
OPENING OF BIDS:
2. Two sets of bids were opened and read for Furnishing to the City Nine New
1956 latest model four -door Sedans for the Police Department, in accordance with
Specifications and Provisions therefor, No. MS 2 -56 -2, as follows:
From Good Chevrolet, 6 cylinder 410,072.10
Alternate: Add for automatic transmission 1,232.91
8 cylinder 10,924.94
Alternate: Add for automatic transmission - - - - - - 1,232.91
Accompanied by Certified Check in amount of 1,215.76
From Morris Landy Motors, 6 cylinder $10,223.72
Alternate: Add for automatic transmission 1,233.81
Accompanied by Cashier's Check in amount of 1,145.75
8 cylinder 11,047.01
Alternate: Add for automatic transmission 1,233.81
Accompanied by Cashier's Check in amount of 1,228.08
3' Three bids were opened and read for Furnishing to the City Thirty -nine Single
Pendent Type Lighting Standards with Luminaires, in accordance with Specifications
and Provisions No. MS 2 -56 -3, as follows:
From Taper Tube Pole Co.
Accompanied by Certified Check in amount of
From General Electric Supply Co.
Accompanied by Certified Check in amount of
4,920.42
500.00
4,015.79
401.58
From Westinghouse Electric Supply Company 3,963.17
Accompanied by Bid Bond
All the above bids were referred to the City Manager for review and recommendation.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
4. A petition was read from twenty residents on Clay and Pearl Streets, requesting
that the 2600 block of Clay Street be resurfaced. The petition stated that the
situation has reached a point where, in the interests of safety, preservation and
appearance, definite priority seems advisable in the reconditioning of this street.
President Kranelly stated the Council has been assured that this section is in the
plans for resurfacing work during the month of. April or May. The Acting City Manager
was requested to write the petitioners to inform them of this fact.
5. A letter was read from the Alameda Historical Society, signed by Joseph F.
Durein, President. This letter submitted a resolution of that Society requesting
the assistance of the Council in obtaining a suitable building to house the
collection of historical material this group is accumulating. The resolution also
establishes the Society as an agency for a potential museum for the City of Alameda.
President nranelly thanked the Historical Society, on behalf of the Council, for
its letter. He then requested the Acting City Manager to direct a letter to the
Society requesting more information as to the amount of space and the facilities
to be required, that a report may be made to the Council before further action is
taken.
6` A letter was read from Mr. Warren T. Isaacs, 1301 Fernside Boulevard, which
expressed appreciation of the Council's decision to order the removal of the old
arks on the east shore of the City.
The President requested that this letter be acknowledged with thanks and be referred
to the file on this subject.
A letter was read from Mrs. Hazel DeLong, 816 -B Peach Street, requesting an
extension of time, to April 15, 1956, in which to vacate her home. The family
now occupies Arks Nos. 18 and 19.
President Kranelly thanked Mrs. DeLong for her cordial letter and stated the time
required for the City Engineering Department to prepare for the demolition of
these properties will undoubtedly be at least until April 15. Therefore, no time
extension will be necessary in this case.
The Acting City Manager was requested to so advise Mrs. DeLong.
A communication was read from the Reverend Robert Schambach, Manager of the
A. A. Allen Revivals, Inc., of Dallas, Texas. This letter requested permission
from the City to erect a tent 120' x 280' for the purpose of religious services,
as well as another tent 50' x 120' for a grayer tent. The meetings are scheduled
to be held from March 28 through April 22 at the Bethlehem Shipyard parking lot.
President Kranelly stated the Council has elected to refer this request to the
Acting City Manager and the City Attorney for further investigation and report
back to the Council.
9 A communication was read from the Alameda Realty, signed by Lowell H. Duggan,
requesting a time extension to March 15, 1957, for completion of the required
improvements on Tract No. 1250, in accordance with agreement dated March 15, 1955,
between Abraham and Sara Kofman, the owners, and the City.
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10. In this connection, a letter was also read from United Pacific Insurance
Company, furnishing the bond in this transaction, which concurs with the above
request for time extension.
Councilman Hove moved that the requested extension of time to March 15, 1957,
be granted for completion of the required improvements on Tract No. 1250. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Moresi and unanimously carried.
11. A letter was read from Mrs. J. Benton Coffman, 2846 Santa Clara Avenue,
referring to an omission in the transcription of minutes of the meeting held
February 7, 1956, and proposing that a revision be made to include such omission.
This concerned two questions asked by Mrs. Coffman during the "Oral Communications"
at the stated meeting, (1) pertaining to a report under discussion in the community
to the effect that the Council had engaged a part -time City Attorney, for full -time
pay, and (2) inquiring as to the amount of the monthly salary paid the City
Attorney.
Mrs. Coffman stated in her letter that the clear and concise explanation given her
by Vice Mayor McCall at the February 7 meeting, she felt, was a pertinent matter
of public interest and proposed that a revision be made in the minutes to include
the questions and answers as given.
Councilman Moresi moved that this revision be made. The motion was seconded by
Councilman McCall and unanimously carried.
At the meeting of February 7, in response to Mrs. Coffman's inquiry as to whether
or not it is true that the City has hired a part -time City Attorney and is paying
him a full -time salary, Vice President McCall replied that it is true. In answer
to her query as to how much the salary is, Vice President McCall stated it is 0855.
He went on to explain that the City has been advertising in the publication of the
League of California Cities, newspapers and by other means, but so far there have
been no applicants. He pointed out the City must have a City Attorney and it is
hoped that very soon there will be some response to the City's call.
12. A communication was read from Utah Construction Company, with reference to
petition filed by certain landowners for exclusion of their lands from Reclamation
District No. 2087.
The letter stated that the Water Code of the State of California, Section 53636,
provides the City Council shall deny an exclusion petition if the owners of ten per
cent of the land in the District file written objections to the withdrawal of land
from the District. Utah Construction Company is the owner of approximately 96 per
cent of the land and, by the letter, waived its statutory right to object to the
exclusion petition.
This letter was referred to the hearing on this subject, later in the meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
13. Mr. Frank Gottstein rose and spoke again on the subject he had mentioned at a
recent meeting concerning an accident where a private ambulance had been called
rather than to use the stand -by vehicle.
Mr. Gottstein felt that a time such as the present when bids are being secured
on police automobiles would seem a good opportunity to include a station wagon in
the fleet of the Police Department.
Councilman McCall remarked that the Council feels Mr. Gottstein has come up with
some very good ideas from time to time, and when they have been good economy -
wise the Council has endeavored to f ollow them up. An ambulance had been consid-
ered in the current fiscal year budget but the Council, feeling this was quite a
large expenditure and being very conscious of its responsibility as to the tax
rate of the community, had decided that 0750. would rejuvenate the present ambu-
lance, that a new one could be purchased next year and the old one would then become
the stand -by.
With reference to Mr. Gottstein's suggestion that a station wagon should have been
included in the bids being read this evening, Councilman McCall countered that the
Council has to know an expenditure of City funds is justified. The Council will do
everything it can to remedy this situation, but there has been no opportunity to
prepare to include a vehicle of this kind with this evening's bids.
Also, in line with Mr. Gottstein's remarks as to the lack of sufficient ambulance
protection in the event of any large scale emergency, Councilman McCall pointed out
it has been proved that the "military" moves in pretty quickly at such times and it
does not seem reasonable that we would not receive help in a case of such need.
14. Mr. Gottstein then spoke of the condition of Webster Street from the Segregation
Line to the Tube. During the recent storms the water had backed up into the street.
He felt the elevation of the street should be higher and that a recommendation should
be made to the State that this be done when the new Tube is constructed.
Upon request, City Engineer Mark J. Hanna said the State always accepts the
recommendations of the City in such matters and is quite considerate: he felt the
State would be receptive to a request of this kind.
President Kranelly assured Mr. Gottstein that this matter would be followed up and
this recommendation made.
15. Miss Loma Petersen, 1213 St. Charles Street rose and commented that if the
A. A. Allen religious services for which a permit was requested earlier in the
meeting are as popular as the last session of this kind which used the Bethlehem
Shipyard parking lot, she hoped the Oakland Police Department would be requested
to route traffic on the Oakland side of the Tube so that Alameda commuters coming
from San Francisco would not be inconvenienced as they were on the previous occasion.
Also, Miss Petersen added as a San Francisco commuter for many years, she felt the
Oakland Police Department had never worked out the traffic problem on the Oakland
side of the Tube to adequately serve people traveling from Alameda to Oakland by
this route.
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16. Secondly, Miss Petersen inquired as to the status of the approval by the
Council of Demand Warrants of Reclamation District No. 2087, Which has been pending
under "Unfinished Business ".
President Kranelly thanked Miss Petersen for her comments, and stated the opinion
of the Attorney General in the matter of the Warrants has been held up for reasons
unknown to the Council. However, the matter of the Demand Warrants is being
referred to "Resolutions".
17. Mr. Lowell Mell, principal of Encinal High School, rose and thanked the Council,
on behalf of the petitioners for the resurfacing of Clay Street, for its prompt
action.
HEARINGS:
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18. The matter was called up for hearing concerning the Petition of Certain
Landowners Within Reclamation District No. 2D 87 for Exclusion of Their Lands from
the District. Affidavits of Mailing and of Publication, as required by.. the Water
Code of the State of California, are on file in the office of the City Clerk.
A stenotype operator was present to officially record the proceedings on this
matter and the transcript thereof is, by reference, hereby made a part of these
minutes.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
19. From the Acting City Manager, recommending that Mrs. Virginia Laue, Public
Health Laboratory Technician, be permitted to attend the Seventh Annual Institute
for Public Health Laboratory Directors, to be held at Asilomar, Pacific Grove, on
April 6,7 and 8, 1956, and that 025. be appropriated for expenses.
Councilman McCall moved that the recommendation of the Acting City Manager be
accepted, that Mrs. Laue be permitted to attend the specified Institute on the dates
named, and that 025. be appropriated for the purpose. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Haag and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Council-
men Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent:
None.
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20. From the Mayor, Acting City Manager and City Auditor, submitting their report
on the Count of Money, showing the amount of $4,620,445.23 in the City Treasury as
of February 29, 1956.
The letter was noted and ordered filed.
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21. From the City Planning Board, submitting for the Council's consideration copy
of its Resolution No. 25, "Recommending to City Council Policy Pertaining to
Certain Portions of Major Streets and Highways, as Included in Alameda Master Plan".
The resolution submitted was read. President Kranelly commented that a delegation
from the City of Alameda will be in Sacramento on March 7 to consult with State
officials on this subject.
The letter and resolution were then referred to the "Master Plan" file.
22. From the Acting City Manager, submitting his report on a recent incident in-
volving delay in ambulance service.
This incident was that where a small boy was injured and a private ambulance
arrived at the scene considerably after the Police and Fire Department automobiles
reached the spot. Investigation showed that the regular City ambulance was out on
another emergency call at the time and the stand-by vehicle was considered unsuit-
able in a case of this kind because of its poor mechanical condition and its hard-
riding qualities.
President Kranelly stated the Council has instructed the Acting City Manager to
direct that both vehicles be brought up to working standard in the shortest possi-
ble time. Also, it has been ordered that at any time the No. 1 ambulance is out on
call, the second one be readied, to be available for immediate use.
The President also reiterated the remarks of Vice Mayor McCall on the subject of the
purchase of a new ambulance, as included under "Oral Communications". He added it
is the feeling of the Council that on the occasion of the accident being discussed,
the private ambulance reached the scene in as short a time as could have been
expected. The Council is very aware of the condition and steps will be taken to see
that this situation is improved.
The letter and report were then referred to the file on the subject.
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23. From the Acting City Manager, recommending that the contract be awarded to
McMackin Painting Co., San Francisco, for the project of Painting and Decorating
the City Manager's Offices, at their low-bid price of 4830.
Councilman Hove moved that the recommendation of the Acting City Manager be adopted;
that this award be made to the McMackin Painting Co. at the specified bid price,
and that bid bonds and checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. The motion
was seconded by Councilman Moresi and on roll call carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi and President Kranelly, (5). Noes:
None, Absent: None.
24'1. From Miss Mildred S. Meyers, member of the City Planning Board, requesting
permission to be absent from the State for the period from mid-March to mid-June,
1956, on a trip to Europe.
Councilman Moresi moved that the requested permission be granted Miss Meyers, with
the sincere wish that the trip will be a "lovely" one. The motion was seconded
by Councilman McCall and unanimously carried.
25. From the Acting City Manager, recommending that a time extension of ninety
calendar days be granted Wulfert Co., Inc., the contractor on the project of
Furnishing and Erecting Chain Link Fences for the New Municipal Golf Course.
This is for the reason that a portion of the land near where these fences will be
built is currently being raised by filling with Oakland City garbage so that the
area will drain properly. It is not advisable to construct the fences here until
this operation has been completed and the fill is properly covered.
Councilman McCall moved that this time extension be allowed as recommended. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Haag and unanimously carried.
26. From the Acting City Manager, recommending that a thirty-day time extension
be granted Western Pump Co., Ltd., to complete the contract on the project of
Furnishing and Installing a Turbine Pump for the New Well at the New Municipal Golf
Course.
This company has met with delays because of the heavy rains. It is necessary for
the City to construct a gravelled road to the well site over which heavy equipment
may travel, and it has not been economically practical to do this with the earth
as soft as it is.
Councilman Haag moved that the recommendation of the Acting City Manager be
followed, and the time extension of thirty days be granted for completion of this
project. The motion was seconded by Councilman Hove and unanimously carried.
27. From the Acting City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to Taper
Tube Pole Co., for Furnishing Forty -two Fluorescent Luminaires complete with
Ballasts and Poles but excluding Lamps, at their low -bid price of 415,896.75.
Councilman Hove moved the recommendation of the Acting City Manager be adopted;
that this contract be awarded to the subject company at the bid price stated and
the bid bonds and checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Moresi and on roll call carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi and President Kranelly, (5) . Noes:
None. Absent: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
28. The matter was again submitted regarding approval by the Council of certain
Demand Warrants of Reclamation District No. 2087, in the amounts of 0371,495.81,
0206,879.54, 05,000., 010,000. and 0224,258.83.
This matter was referred to "Resolutions ".
RESOLUTIONS:
29. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Moresi, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 5270
Authorizing the Making of an Order Approving
Petition for Exclusion of Lands from Reclama-
tion District No. 2087."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi
and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President
declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
30. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman McCall, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 5271
Adopting Specifications for Furnishing to the
City of Alameda Blanket Bond Coverage (Surety
Association Form Revised 1950 or Equal), Call-
ing for Bids and Directing City Clerk to
Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Haag and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi
and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President
declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
31. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Haag, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 5272
Adopting Specifications Special Provisions
and Plans for Exterior Painting and Decorating
of Fire Station No. 1 and Fire Station No. 2,
Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to
Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Hove and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi
and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President
declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
32. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Hove, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 5273
Amending Salary Resolution No. 5134 by
Creating the Position of 'Acting City
Manager', and Fixing the Salary Thereof."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Moresi and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi
and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President
declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
33. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Moresi, who moved its
adoption:
Resolution No. 5274
Approving Warrants of Board of Trustees
of Reclamation District No. 2087."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall,.
and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President
declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
34. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman McCall, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 5275
Declaring Public Interest and Necessity
Require the Acquisition of Certain Land
for Public Off- Street Parking Purposes,
(Bank of America)."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Haag and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen -Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi
and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President
declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
35. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Haag, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 5276
Declaring Public Interest and Necessity
Require the Acquisition of Certain Land
for Public Off- Street Parking Purposes,
(Hall)."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Hove and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi
and President Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President
declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
FILING:
36. Specifications No. MS 3 -56 -4 for Furnishing to the City Blanket Bond Coverage
(Surety Association Form Revised 1950 or equal).
37. Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans - No. PW 3 -56 -2 - for Exterior
Painting and Decorating of Fire Station No. 1 and Fire Station No. 2.
BILLS:
38. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the Departmentsthere-
of, in the total amount of y 37,062.43, was submitted to the Council at this meeting.
The list was accompanied by certification from the City Manager that the Claims shown
were correct.
Councilman McCall moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the
City Clerk on March 6, 1956, and submitted to the Council at this time, be allowed
and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Haag and on roll call carried by
the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Haag, Hove, McCall, Moresi and President
Kranelly, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
39. Before adjournment, President Kranelly expressed the pleasure of the Council
at seeing so many people in the audience, mentioning particularly that a delegation
was present from the Junior Chamber, as well as the Alameda Chamber of Commerce.
ADJOURNMENT:
40. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned
to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, March 20, 1956, at 8:00 o'clock.
Respectfully submitted,
Deputy City Clerk