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1953-07-14 Special CC MinutesROL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENINC JULY 14, - - 1953 The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock P. M. with President Sweeney presiding. CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, and President Sweeney, (5), were noted present. Absent: None, The Clerk read the Call and Notice of Special Meeting, setting forth the purpose therefor and stated the Affidavit of Service, signed by Officer V. Lilley, was on file. 1. President Sweeney stated he had received a letter from the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, dated July 10, which he instructed the Clerk to read. The communication recommended the City Council cooperate with the Bay Crossings Committee of the East Bay Communities, in support of a Bridge Program, which will provide that an Alameda Oakland Tube be given priority. 2. President Sweeney stated he understood another communication had been received which he asked the Clerk to read. This letter was from the Bay Farm Island Improve- ment League, dated July 13, in which it was stated its Board had unanimously voted to urge the City Council to take a firm stand in support of the Southern Crossing and the Dolwig Bill. RESOLUTIONS: 3. Councilman Jones stated that the Council has not yet seen the draft of a reso- lution he had asked the City Attorney to draw up, which set forth his opinion in this matter. He read the resolution in full, which concluded as follows: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Alameda deems it in the best interests of the citizens of this community that its approval of the Southern Cross- ing as set forth in Assembly Bill 2543 be not given until the Council has opportunity to examine and study the loca- tion of such crossing as finally determined." Councilman Jones stated he was submitting this resolution merely as a basis for discussion, pointing out that he realized the language of the resolution is subject to change in any way which might be deemed advisable. He pointed out the Council had received maps showing the location and route of the proposed southern crossing and he also indicated on the wall map the route as indi- cated in the Dolwig Bill. He stated he wanted it understood by the other members of the Council and those in the audience, that he was not opposed to the southern crossing but he was afraid there would be certain chances made in the location due. to a number of factors, principally that of finances. He felt the people living in the west end of Alameda would not travel the extra distance to go around by the southern crossing route, as nailaid out, to get to San Francisco. He mentioned that the engineering studies have yet to be made and he felt there will eventually be an entirely different plan after factual information information has been learned as to how many people the southern crossing will serve. He said the Council is anxious to ascertain that Alameda gets the best deal possible to be made in the plan as finally adopted. He pointed out the City would want to know what the toll is going to be and he ventured the prediction that, irrespective of how the Council feels, he did not think the final plan will look like this, in suite of the drawing now shown in in accordance with the provisions of the Dolwig Bill. He mentioned that the City of Oakland is still anxious to have a second Bay bridge, but it does not feel the Southern Crossing is the proper route. Councilman McCall spoke strongly in favor of the Southern Crossing, emphasizing by use of maps that the proposed route is the logical one - from Army Street in San Francisco to Kilkenny Road on Bay Farm Island, via the so-called Fish-Hook route along the south shore of Alameda. He stated Alameda has been trying to develop its south shore - the present sea-wall being dilapidated - and he pointed out the Master Plan of Shoreline Development was approved in 19L5. He said he was thinking of the over-all picture of Bay Farm Island and emphasized that the Dolwig Bill sets forth definite provisions and the City is going to have to wait for another Tube. He stated he went on record as being in favor of the Southern Crossing, Councilman Moresi stated she would like to definitely go on record as being in favor of the Southern Crossing. She said she appreciates the fact that the ap- proaches are very indefinite because the engineering studies have not been completed but she felt that the Southern Crossing is a big step forward for Alameda. She pointed out that the costs will be great but said that she had great confidence in the State Highway Division and the Engineers and felt they will work out some feasible plan which will be advantageous to southern Alameda County, and arrive at something which will be within the cost of the bonding of the bridges. She said, now that Congress has resolved the issue of extending the tolls to finance the construction of just two bridges, and would not let it go along the way San Fran- cisco wanted it, as a political football, there will be a Southern Crossing and a parallel bridge to relieve the congestion on the other side. She felt the Council should gamble this time and support the Southern Crossing. Councilman Anderson stated he thought the Southern Crossing is advantageous to Alameda and it should go to Bay Farm Island. Also, as against the last time the Council met and discussed this subject, the main point which is included in Council- man Jones' resolution, is that it states Alameda's position of being will to go along with the construction of one additional Bay crossing. He said he felt the other points raised by the Council probably will be worked out to the best interests of all concerned. He said. Alameda, a City of about 70,000 population, wants another Tube, the cost of which will be a large exnenditure from the State's standpoint. He pointed out that in the State Legislature our representative is an Assemblyman whose district includes not only Alameda but part of Oakland, Alameda is small compared to other East Bay Cities, but felt however, that by joining forces and working harmoniously here Alameda stands to receive help over a period of time, rather than if the City attempted to work alone. He stated he is wholeheartedly in favor of endorsing the Southern Crossing, particularly as going from San Francisco to Bay Farm Island. He said that, in making the endorsement of the Southern Crossing the CitN Council should not let down the East Bay Cities with whom Alameda has come to an agreement covering a seven-point highway progrem whereby the East Bay Cities mutually agreed that the No. 1 project is the second Tube. He said he did not want the Council's endorsement of a Southern Crossing to be interpreted as a repudiation of the agreement made between the East Bay Cities. He pointed out that, in approving the Southern Crossing, the City will have to gamble as to just how it will work out, but since this plan is included in a law of the State of California, he felt it will be built. Councilman Jones stated it is not his intention to give an unqualified endorsement of the Southern Crossing. He explained his resolution is based on the No. 1 need for Alameda - a second Tube - and he simply wants the City to indicate that it gives its annroval to any plan which will insure this. Councilman Anderson stated that, so far as he is concerned he is perfectly willing to endorse the Dolwig Bill as it stands now - and any adjustments necessary will come later. Councilman McCall pointed out the City would be endorsing a law whicb spectfically provides for the construction. of a second Tube. Relinquishing the Chair to Vice President Anderson, Mayor Sweeney stated the City has before it a Bill which has been passed by the State Legislature and it calls for a second Tube. He stated the Council has been harassed on the matter of the Tube and he strongly felt the Bill should be endorsed. as a matter of policy for the City. At this point, Councilman McCall stated he had a resolution he would like to submit for consideration and asked that the Clerk read it, which was done. This contained an endorsement of the Dolwig Bill. Councilman Jones asked if it would be possible to redraft the last paragraph of the resolution. submitted by him, wording it to the effect that the Council endorsed "in principle" the provisions of the Dolwig Bill, Councilman. McCall stated he wants to endorse the Dolwig Bill in full not just "in principle", but in the full knowledge of accepting its provisions and with the thought of assisting in any way in promoting this Crossing. Upon Councilman McCall's suggestion, City. Manager Froerer was called upon to express his opinion. He stated great care should be exercised to incorporate precise language in the resolution which would exactly set forth the City's position in the matter. He suggested the City endorse the Bill. with the right to review and examine ultimate designs or plans that go into the construction of this Crossing. He stated he also believed that, with due respect to the East Bay communities with whom. the City has been working. Alameda should. endorse the construction of a third Crossing - pointing out that the Dolwig Bill did include the construction of two Crossings. President Sweeney asked if a satisfactory resolution could. be drafted from the two submitted, in order that action can be taken at this meeting. Mr. Froerer stated he would draw up a resolution, incorporating the desirable points contained in the two already read. President Sweeney declared a short recess for the preparation of such a resolution. Upon reconvening, Mr. Froerer read the following Resolution: esolution No. 4809 RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH THE POLICY OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA IN THE NATTER OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY CROSSINGS. tWIT�REAS, the construction of additional bay crossings is of vital importance to the San Francisco Bay Area and the communities therein; and 'WHEREAS, there has been a long delay in the commencement of construction because of controversies over the location of the Second Bay Crossing and its approaches; and 'WHEREAS, the construction of an additional tube parallel to the Posey Tube under the Estuary, connecting the Cities of Alameda and Oakland, will correct the most aggravated deficiency in the California State Highway System, and the second tube being the most sorely needed improvement in the City of Alameda; and 'WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 2543, commonly known as the Dolwig hill, which was cosponsored by Assemblyman Randal F. Dickey of the City of Alameda, was passed by the State Legislature and has become law of the State of California; and 'WHEREAS, said Assembly Bill 25113 contains in its provisions the construction of a parallel tube in the approaches to the Southern Crossing and sets forth the location of the Southern Crossing as being from Third and Army Streets in the City and County of San Francisco and Bay Farm Island southerly from the Intersection of County Road and Kilkenny Road, with the provision that the route of the Southern Crossing may be changed under certain conditions; and 'WHEREAS, the precise location of the Southern Crossing is of utmost importance to the City of Alameda; 'NOV, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Alameda does hereby endorse the building of a southern crossing between San Francisco and the East Bay area between the points prescribed by said Dolwig Bill, on condition, however, that a second tube between the Cities of Oakland and Alameda shall be built and also on further condition that the easterly terminus of said second bay crossing shall be placed at a point meeting with the approval of the City of Alameda; and 'BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Alameda earnestly urges the San Francisco Bay Area communities to unite their efforts in order that the construction of a sourherr crossing may be commenced in the immediate future; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Alameda wishes to express its appreciation to the Honorable Randal F. Dickey for his efforts in the interests of this City to have Assembly Bill 2543 enacted into law; and 'BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Alameda solicits the aid of all Bay Area Communities, State Agencies and Federal government to support it in having construction on the second tube commenced immediately, and financed from Lolls on the existing bridge, which was made possible under the law by the enactment of Assembly Bill 25/L3; and 'BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we —ecognize the necessity of a third bay crossing in the immediate vicinity and north of the present San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge and we urge that proper proceedings be had to the end thnt the construction of a third San Francisco Bay crossing north of the present San Francisco Bay Bridge be constructed.' Councilman Anderson stated the resolution as revised adequately covers the points the Council has in mind and he moved it be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Roresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None, Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. Councilman Jones explained that he voted "Yes" for the sake of unanimity, although the resolution constitutes a reversal of his previously stated position in the matter. BILLS: 4. A claim against the City of Alameda, payable to the State of California for gasoline storage tax, in the amount of '1:p45. 6, was submitted to the Council at this meeting. A certification from the City Manager accompanied the claim. Councilman Anderson moved the bill filed with the City Clerk on July 111, and sub- mitted to the Council at this time, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Moresi and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Council- men Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. ADJOURNMENT: 5. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, July 21, 1953, at 8:00 olclock. Respectfully suhrnitted, x Clerk + g g