1953-11-03 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 3, 1953
The meeting convened at 8 :15 o'clock P. M. with President Sweeney presiding.
ROLL CALL:
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 adjourned regular meeting held October 27, 1953, were
approved as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
2'. From Kent & Hass, Architects, setting forth its proposal for Architectural and
Engineering services in connection with the improvements at Krusi and Lincoln Parks
as follows: To develop in detail a site and use plan for Krusi Park, locating the
various facilities, structures, paths, planting areas, fences, etcetera, for the
sum of $750. and for complete Architectural and Engineering services for any struc-
tures which may be required for either Krusi or Lincoln Parks the fee will be 8 per-
cent of the contract price of said structures.
Councilman Jones moved the City Manager be authorized to proceed with negotiations
to have this work done. 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.
`f
3. Councilman Jones inquired if the City Manager had any further information
concerning the proposed closing of the Alameda Maritime Training School.
City Manager Froerer answered that, upon instructions from the Council at its last
meeting, letters have been sent, together with copies of the resolution, to Senators
William Knowland and Thomas Kuchel and Congressmen George Miller and John Allen,
Also, letters and copies of the resolution have been sent to all East Bay Cities
and San Francisco and the Chambers of Commerce thereof and to the Alameda County
Board of Supervisors, soliciting their support of the City's desire to keep this
School open.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
L:r Mr. Frank Gottstein vociferously protested against the increased tax rate, the
expense of having held a special bond election this year, the proposed construction
of two swimming pools and the lack of action with regard to the removal of the tracks
on Lincoln Avenue.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
5. From Mrs. William D, Phelan, tendering
Service Board because of her husband having
President Sweeney stated the City is losing
sorry they have to move away.
her resignation as a member of the Social
taken a new position in New York City.
two very valuable citizens and he was
Councilman Jones moved the Council accept the resignation with regret and a letter
of appreciation be written to Mrs. Phelan for her services. 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.
6 From Mr. Earl D. Garber, submitting his resignation as a Commissioner of the
Housing Authority of the City of Alameda, effective as of October 10, 1953, due to
pressure of personal business.
President Sweeney stated Mr. Garber has been very active on this Commission and he
was sorry to receive his resignation.
Councilman Anderson moved the resignation be accepted with regret and a letter of
thanks be written to Mr. Garber for his fine service. 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, M. Noes: None. Absent:
None,
7. From the City Planning Board, deploring the unsanitary and obnoxious condition
of the trailer court located immediately east of the dead ends of Brush, Spruce and
Cypress Streets and recommending the Council take steps to abolish the trailer court
in question on these grounds and in view of the fact that the neighborhood adjacent
thereto is in the process of development and improvement.
Councilman Jones stated the recommendation of the Board should be referred to the
City Manager for investigation and appropriate action. He pointed out the Council
46d
has already found an unsatisfactory condition existing there and a letter has been
written on behalf of the Council to the Housing Authority, requesting it to investi-
gate. He thereupon moved the City Manager be requested to follow through on this
matter to bring about action requested in the previous letter. The motion was
seconded by Councilman McCall and unanimously carried.
8. the City Attorney, reporting on the matter of a petition from several pet
shop owners in the City requesting that certain provisions of the Alameda Municipal
Code be amended to permit the keeping of pets for purposes of sale on such premises.
The section in question pertains to the barking and howling of dogs. Mr. Clark
suggested that Section 9 -141 of the Alameda Municipal Code be amended to provide
that it shall not be applicable to the operators of duly licensed pet shops in the
City of Alameda, provided such operators use due diligence in confining the noise
making proclivities of such dogs to a minimum and he stated he had prepared an
ordinance to effect the suggested amendment.
The matter was referred to "Introduction of Ordinances ".
9. From the City Manager, submitting a report entitled, "Traffic Study Relating
to Congestion of Motor Vehicles on Webster Street, Atlantic Avenue and Other Streets
in the City of Alameda ".
President Sweeney stated this report is a masterpiece and he felt everyone should
have an opportunity to study it as it is a very thorough report. He said it was the
result of cooperation of the Police and Engineering Departments and the City Manager
and it represented money well spent. He commended the City Manager for a job well
done and ordered the report filed.
Mr. Froerer stated the entire credit for this report and any results which would be
effected therefrom go to the Police and Engineering Departments and Neil Clark,
Administrative Assistant.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:
10:' 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
Amending Section 10 -2318 Thereof, Relating to Fees
For Permits and Inspections. (Electrical)
Mr. Bert Mansfield, Electrical Contractor, stated he was opposed to this ordinance
because he felt there was no need for the raise in rates.
It was explained that a committee representing several cities had been studying this
matter for some time and the increased rates were in line with its findings. The
local rates have been ridiculously low in comparison with those of other cities.
Mr. Froerer read a letter from Mr. Glen Baxter, General Manager of the Bureau of
Electricity, in which it was set forth that the amount collected for fees was
exceeded by the cost of the inspections made.
President Sweeney explained to Mr. Mansfield that the ordinance is merely being
introduced this evening and its adoption will not be voted upon until the next
meeting, to be held November 17.
11. Councilman Moresi 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 Section 9 -111 Thereof, Relating to Dogs."
12. Councilman Anderson introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid
over under provision of law and the Charter:
"Ordinance No.
New Series
An Ordinance Amending Sections 3 -1012, 3- 10115, 3 -1023
and 3 -1026 of the Alameda Municipal Code Relating to
Sales Tax and Use Tax."
City Attorney Clark explained that the sales and use tax ordinances of Alameda are
based very largely on, and follow the pattern of, the sales and use tax laws of the
State of California. Therefore, every odd numbered year or whenever the Legislature
meets and when amendments are made, it becomes necessary for Alameda to amend its
ordinances so the City law will be effective on the same date as the State law.
These amendments relate entirely to certain procedures and definitions and do not
effect, in any way, the levying or collection of taxes.
RESOLUTIONS:
13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 4846
Creating and Establishing One (1) Additional Position
of Police Sergeant in the Police Department of the
City of Alameda."
The motion to adopt said resolution 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. Thereupon the
President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 4847
Appointing Commissioner of the Housing Authority of
the City of Alameda." (Frederick W. Zecher)
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.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
15. "Ordinance No. 1099
New Series
An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by
Amending Section 7 -1114 Thereof, Relating to Self
Insurance by Operators of Vehicles for Hire."
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.
FILING:
16. Financial Statement - Middleton, Suman & Hackleman - Bureau of Electricity,
as of September 30, 1953.
17. Traffic Study Relating to Congestion of Motor Vehicles on Webster Street,
Atlantic Avenue and Other Streets in the City of Alameda.
BILLS:
18. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several
Departments thereof, in the total amount of $50952.60, 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 November 3, 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:
19. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned -
to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, November 17, 1953, at 8 :00 o'clock.
Respectfully submitted,
,y Clerk