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1953-09-15 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 15, - - - - - - 1953 The meeting convened at 8 :10 o'clock P. M. with President Sweeney presiding. ROLL GALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held September 1, and the adjourned regular meeting held September 2, 1953, were approved as transcribed. OPENING OF BIDS: 21// One bid was received and read from Shields, Harper & Co., for the project of furnishing and Installing a Hydraulic Hoist and Air Compressor at the Corporation Yard, in accordance with Specifications and Special Provisions therefor, No. PW 9 -53 -11 - at the price of ti2,396.02. The bid was accompanied by a certified check in the amount of 4"239.60. The bid was referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for study and recommenda- tion. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 3'. From the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by a copy of its Resolution No. 5401, informing the Council that its Board of Directors has authorized Mr. Stanley D. Whitney, Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, to represent the Chamber at the Navy Hearing to be held in Washington, D. C. on September 17, 1953. Councilman Jones suggested comment be deferred until the matter of this Hearing came up under "Reports of Committees ". ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. A. Hubbard Moffitt, Jr. stated he would like to address the Council at this time on the above matter because he had to leave to attend a meeting of the Board of Education. He emphasized that he was appearing as a taxpayer and was becoming in- creasingly alarmed by the headlines which appeared in a newspaper last night about the proposal to send delegates to Washington for the Navy Hearing this Thursday concerning the southern crossing. He said he is fearful that, if the City proceeds to send delegates to Washington, the action may be misconstrued to the detriment of the Alameda Naval Air Station. He pointed out many people have worked long and hard to establish this Station as one of the largest such installations. He pointed out that over 11,000,000. have been spent on equipment and facilities; 800,500 civilian personnel is employed there and the military personnel must exceed that number. The Navy desires to continue the seaplane activities; they are concentrated at the Alameda Naval Air Station and these seadrome activities are vital to this Station and are wrapped up with the most important thing in Alameda. He pointed out this Station is the principal business here - one -third of the people who work there live in this City. He felt that every support and consideration is not being given the City's principal business - the future of Naval Aviation is at stake. He said that here is created the best seadrome area on the West Coast - the best facilities are avail- able to maintain and operate these activities and now there is an opportunity to support this activity or to curtail it. He stressed that National Defense is a big business and, even though there is a "truce" in Korea, it is important that this City should do everything it can to protect, support and enlarge the seaplane activities. Seadromes are an intelligent part of Navy planning for the West Coast. He said that, unless this Body is prepared to take a very positive stand in support of Navy interests, it should take no part at all. He also stated that, at no time has the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce discussed the matter. He said he could not see any profitable use in sending representatives to Washington, D. C. He felt someone in this City should stand up and support its major business - and that is the Naval Air Station and its activities - regardless of whether or not other cities take any interest. Councilman Jones stated that, in the first place, the accounts appearing in the news- paper were entirely premature - end, at the Executive Session this evening, the matter was discussed and the proper part the City's representatives would play was very definitely stated by all members of the Council - the representatives would have to be very much limited in the scope of their authority. The resolutions state exactly what the Council stands for in the adoption of plans for a southern crossing - a certain clause therein takes into consideration that there might be some change in the actual location. He felt Alameda must be represented, not necessarily from the standpoint of opposing or supporting the Navy, but to safeguard the interests of the City and its representatives are being sent to Washington to act more or less as 44' policemen to make sure that no agreements are reached that would impair the best interests of Alameda. The Council has indicated that it is in favor of the southern crossing with a terminus on Bay Farm Island and it does not particularly care where the San Francisco terminus is just so long as Alameda gets another Tube. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 4. From the City Manager, with regard to the Navy Hearing to be held in Washington, D. C. on September 17, 1953 - concerning a permit for the construction of the Southern Crossing as set forth in. the Dolwig Bill. It was suggested that, if City representa- tion be found desirable by the Council, Stanley D. Whitney be appointed as Special Counsel for the City, without compensation, and that he and the City Manager be authorized to attend the Hearing and a sum not to exceed 900. be appropriated for this purpose. President Sweeney called upon the City Manager to explain the situation. Mr. Froerer stated the City of Alameda has passed two resolutions concerning this matter - No. 4815 was presented before a Hearing at the Army Base in Oakland on August 17, which urged, and requested the issuance of a permit as requested by the State Highway Depart- ment. The first presentation before the Secretary of Navy would be that the Alameda City Council has requested and urged that such permit be granted. The second item is that of the support of Alameda for Resolution No. 4809, which sets forth the policy of the Council in the matter of the construction of a Southern Crossing. In this resolution the City states it is fully in accord with the Dolwig Bill, but it recognizes that it might be necessary to change the location from that specifically set forth in the Dolwig Bill. The representatives have the authority to make a presentation which is to sustain the Council in the matter of the resolutions; to urge that a decision be made on the, Southern Crossing; that something be done and that it get under way with the hope that it will lead to the construction of a second tube. In response to Mr. Moffitt's further protest about the expense of sending representa- tives to Washington, Councilman Jones stated that both Oakland and Richmond have deemed it necessary to have representation in Washington. He said this proposal very intimately concerns Alameda because it is one terminal point of the proposed bridge. He stated he doubted very much if the City will gain any positive advantage, but it . will gain the advantage of being there to avoid any adverse situation which might arise. Mr. Frank Gottstein stated he was very much surprised at Mr. Moffitt's statements - he felt the City should oppose any proposed seadromes in this area. Mr. Lochial King of Bayo Vista Avenue stated he was formerly, for many years, a member of the. City Planning Board and wanted to speak of the terminal of the proposed bridge being on Bay Farm Island, with no provision for any way leading into the west end of Alameda. He felt there is no reason why a way could not be provided to reach the west end by a quicker route than by going to Bay Farm Island, which will benefit only those living in the east end. He thought it very important to design some more adequate means to serve that section of the City. Councilman Anderson stated that engineering studies of the southern crossing have only been made from the San Francisco side as far east as the southerly prolongation of Fifth Street in Alameda. He pointed out the Dolwig Bill outlines the procedure for Bay Farm Island and that money will be appropriated for an engineering survey from the southerly prolongation of Fifth Street to Bay Farm Island and further plans will be the result of these engineering surveys. He said Alameda will enter the picture at that time. He agreed that for the people in Alameda to have to go all the way to one end of the City and then back again is not logical and the Council is cognizant of this fact, but will await the results of the engineering reports which, when completed, should be to the best interests of the people that the bridge will serve. President Sweeney stated he felt the City is justified in sending representatives to Washington, pointing out that, if the Council is to represent the people, it wants to be represented at whatever place the meeting is to be held. Councilman Jones stated he wanted to define the meaning of the term "Special Counsel ". Ordinarily it would be assumed that the City Attorney would represent the City at such a Hearing - but, Mr. Clark must appear at a Hearing in Sacramento concerning the second tube which is to be at the same time as the Hearing in Washington. There- fore, it was concluded that Mr. Whitney would be authorized as the Special Counsel and he will appear in Washington in the dual role of representing both the City and the Chamber of Commerce. He thereupon moved that the City Council authorize the appropriation of a sum not to exceed 4900. to defray the expenses of the City Manager and Mr. Stanley D. Whitney to represent the City at the Navy Hearing in Washington on Thursday, September 17, 1953 - that it will also be their purpose to represent the City within the confines of Resolutions Nos. 4809 and 4815, which have been passed by the City Council - that they, in effect, have been designated as interested observers to see what is going on and to ascertain that the City's in- terests are properly protected - it is not their purpose to give support or render opposition to the Navy with regard to its acquiring seadromes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Moresi and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney., (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Councilman McCall stated there might be some question as to why Assemblyman Randal F. Dickey was not going to Washington with these representatives and he thought it should be explained that the City is being represented at an important Hearing before the State Highway Commission in Sacramento at the same time and the Council wants the best people it can get to be there when the matter of the construction of a second Tube is discussed. He pointed out that, with Mr. Dickey's connections in Sacramento, he can be of great benefit to the City. 5. From the City Manager, recommending permission be granted to Mr. Forrest V. Routt, Executive Secretary of the Civil Service Board, to attend the Annual Con- ference on Public Personnel Administration, held by the Civil Service Assembly of United States and Canada, in Los Angeles, from October 4, through October 9, 1953 and, '150. be appropriated for this purpose. Councilman Anderson moved the City Manager's recommendation be adopted; that Mr. Routt be permitted to attend the specified Conference and 8150. be appropriated for his expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and Presi- dent Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 6 ✓ From the City Manager, recommending Mr. E. H. Rogers, Building Inspector, be granted authorization to attend the Annual Convention of. the Pacific Coast Building Officials Conference, to be held in Pasadena, from October 6, through October 9, 1953 - and p150. be appropriated for this purpose. Councilman Jones moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that Mr. Rogers be authorized to attend the designated Convention and the sum of x;150. be appropriated for his expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman Moresi and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 7 From the City Manager, recommending contract be awarded to James Hill and Company, Inc., the low bidder, for furnishing 33 Chrome Arm Chairs to the Fire Department at the quoted price of $1,461.57. Councilman Anderson moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted; that the contract be awarded to this firm for furnishing these Chairs and the bid checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 8:1 From the City Manager, recommending that Miss Audrey Heseman, Playground Director at Washington Park, and Miss Beatrice Rowney, Supervisor of Special Activities, be authorized to attend the Tenth Annual Conference of the Northern California Youth Council, to be held in Pacific Grove, from October 2 to 4, 1953 - that 824. be appropriated for this purpose and a City automobile be used for trans- portation. Councilman Moresi stated she wanted to go on record as commending Miss Rowney for her planning work in connection with the summer Day -Camp Program which was such a very worth while activity and of such great benefit to so many children. She moved the City Manager's recommendation be followed and these two members of the Recreation Department be authorized to attend the Conference; that 824. be appro- priated for their expenses and the use of a City car be allowed for their trans- portation. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 9. From the Recreation Commission, with regard to the City's employment of a Planning Consultant, and requesting that the Commission be included in the consul- tation and examination of any community recreation planning. Councilman Jones moved the communication be referred to the City Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and unanimously carried. 10. From Marshall S. Pease, President of the City Planning Board, addressed to the Mayor, requesting that his resignation dated July 30, 1953, as a member of the Board, be withdrawn from consideration. Mr. E. W. Paterson addressed the Council, congratulating it on the proposed employ- ment of a Planning Consultant, who, he felt, was really needed in the City. He also went on to register a complaint with regard to certain actions taken by the Planning Board which he believed were inconsistent. There followed a lengthy discussion of the Zoning Ordinance provisions and policy of the Planning Board with regard to setback requirements. Councilman Jones stated Mr. Pease' resignation had been tabled with the intent that it would not be accepted and he inquired as to the proper action to take now. City Attorney Clark replied that the procedure would be to take the matter off the table and then act on Mr. Pease' latest request that his resignation be withdrawn. Councilman McCall moved that Mr. Pease' resignation be taken off the table. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Councilman McCall thereupon moved that the Council not accept Mr. Pease' resignation. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: 11. Councilman McCall introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under provision of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Thereto a New Section, to be Numbered 18 -212, Relating to False Calls or Reports for Police Help or Protection." 12. Councilman Jones introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under provision of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Sections 17 -271 and 17 -281 and by Repealing Section 17 -291 Thereof, Relating to Crosswalks or Pedestrian Lanes." 13. this point President Sweeney stated he would refer the meeting to "Oral Communications" again. He said he wanted to bring up the subject of the transporta- tion situation with regard to the Key System strike. He stated the City has been represented at every meeting which has been held by the eleven East Bay Cities on this matter and the City is fully aware of what has been going on. He called upon Mr. P. W. Barnard to present his ideas on this situation. Mr. Barnard stated there is a regulatory Body - the Public Utilities Commission - which has jurisdiction over all public utilities, including Key System Transit Lines. As it now stands, however, the Commission is not in a position by law to force any conclusions. It is probably true, and perhaps it will have to be admitted, that Key System is not in a position, under present operations, to take on additional expenses such as wage increases, particularly unless it has a rate increase. Right there is where the public should act. He pointed out the State Public Utilities Commission has able, qualified and competent engineers - they are on the staff in San Francisco - and the cities or the public should make a request upon the Commission to have those engineers make an immediate and quick survey of the service as presently provided on the schedules and, thereafter, recommend operating the economies through which it would be possible for Key System to save enough money to absorb this increase the men are demanding and to which they are probably entitled. He felt these engineers, in making their report, would show what it is that could be eliminated and the savings that would result from such elimination. If that "saving" figure closely approximates the cost of the wage increases, you get the Key System where it has to run. He said his suggestion is not a radical move - there are industries all over the Country which get into the position where something is wrong between their income and expenses and they call in consulting engineers to go through their opera- tions and thereafter recommend what should be done to bring the two figures closer together - and that would be the case with the Key. System. He stated that Key System now has a "quarterback" - the National City Lines - calling the plays and during this period since the National City Lines has been doing this, the Key System has gone into a lot of service which, he felt, could be curtailed - and the extent of those curtailments might well be the sum of money necessary to get transportation flowing again. He felt the Public Utilities Commission should be called to make such an investigation because that is the very function it is supposed to perform and where it has complete jurisdiction. He thought great economies could be made to some extent. His first thought on a source of economy is that Key System should not be made to provide daily bus service all day long from the East Bay Cities to San Francisco and return. He agreed they certainly should operate such service from the early morning hours to 9:00 o'clock a.m. and. from 4:00 o'clock P. M. to 6:00 o'clock P. M. - but during the interim between 9:00 o'clock a.m. and 4:00 o'clock P. M. there are many busses which could be eliminated. He thought the people should take a regular local bus from Alameda between 9:00 o'clock a.m. to 4:00 o'clock P. M. and transfer at 12th and Broadway in Oakland to the presently operated trains. He concluded by stating the public should insist upon an investigation by Public Utilities Commission Engineers as they have all the data available. President Sweeney thanked Mr. Barnard for submitting his ideas on the transportation problem. He asked the pleasure of the Council with regard to writing a letter to the East Bay Transit Committee with the recommendation that, if feasible, it request the Public Utilities Commission to have its engineers investigate certain suggested economies which might be effected in bus operation. Councilman Jones stated he would not like to go on record as endorsing this program. He felt the City had worked too hard to build up transportation service rather than curtail it. He thought these proposals would not, in any way, assist in settling the present strike. He felt the Cities must demand the very best transportation service. He said an advantage would be gained if the people were encouraged to use public transportation instead of their own automobiles. He pointed out the Cities' efforts must be to place such legislation into effect, with the help of the members of the Legislature, so that public utilities operating in the State of California cannot impair public interest. If the City were to see that a law was passed which would prohibit a public utility from striking and provide that any controversies must be submitted to arbitration and also, if the negotiations failed, that some conciliators would take over, it would prevent this kind of situation. He reiterated that he would not want to submit any proposal that would lead to a decrease in the City's transportation service. Councilman Moresi stated curtailment of outlying communities' service should not be permitted. Mr. Barnard stated a rate increase can be avoided by making certain investigations to effect economies which will then not justify a rate increase. RESOLUTIONS: 14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4828 Appointing an Acting City Manager, in the Absence of the City Manager." (J. P. Clark) The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4829 Memorializing the California State Highway Commission in the Matter of Including Within Its Construction Program for Fiscal Year 1954 -1955 a Second Estuary Tube Connecting the Cities of Alameda and Oakland." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4830 Transferring "900.00 from the Unappropriated Reserve Fund to Account 101.210 to Cover Expenses of City Manager and Special Counsel on Trip to Washington, D. C. in Connection with Hearing Before the United States Navy Department in the Matter of the Location of the Proposed Southern Crossing." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Moresi and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman McCall, who moved its adoption: 447 "Resolution No. 4831 Adopting Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans for Construction of Culverts at Lincoln Avenue and Benton Street, Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE: 18. "Ordinance No. 1095, New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Sections 17 -231 and 17 -232 Thereof, Relating to U Turns." Councilman Anderson moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Council- men Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 19. "Ordinance,No. 1096, New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Subdivision (16) to Section 17-333, Relating to All Time No Parking." Councilman Anderson moved the ordinance be adopted as read. 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. FILIN 20. Financial Statement - Middleton, Suman & Hackleman - Bureau of Electricity, as of July 31, 1953. 21. Specifications - No. PW 9 -53 -10 - Project of Culvert Construction at Lincoln Avenue and Benton Street. 22. Auditor's Financial Report - Middleton, Suman & Hackleman - Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1953. 23. Auditor's Financial Statement - Middleton, Suman & Hackleman - Month of August, 1953. BILLS: 24.. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several Depart- ments thereof, in the total amount of $13,316.49, was submitted to the Council at this meeting. The List was accompanied by a certification from the City Manager that the Claims shown were correct. Councilman Anderson moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on September 15, 1953, and submitted to the Council at this time, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, McCall, Moresi and President Sweeney, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. ADJOURNMENT: 25. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned - to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening,October 6, 1953, at 8 :00 o'clock. Respectfully submitted,