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1952-03-18 Regular CC Minutes191 REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL 01? THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 18, The meeting convened at 8:00 o'clock P. M. with President Osborn presiding. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4), were noted present. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held March 4, 1952, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICAT ONS: 2. From the District Public Works Office, Twelfth Naval District, requesting the sale to the Navy, by the City, of certain parcel comprising .198 acre of land at the northeast corner of Grand Street and Clement Avenue. This is presently leased to the Navy under Contract NOy(R)-44581. Councilman Anderson stated the City has certain negotiations pending with other Departments of the Navy for the reimbursement of its proportionate share of the cost of certain sewer installations and suggested that this matter be referred to the City Manager with the request that he notify the Navy the City has these negotiations going on and Alameda is interested in having thatmatter settled before entering into other negotiations for the sale of any property. President Osborn asked the City Manager to communicate with the Navy on this point. It was so ordered. 3. From Reginald H. Creese, submitting his application for a Permit to Operate a News Vending Stand in the Sidewalk Area of the City of Alameda - to be located on the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Webster Street. The application was referred to the City Manager for his report to the Council at the next meeting. f ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 4. / Mr. Frank Gottstein addressed the Council, about the traffic congestion on Webster Street, brought about by the double parking of trucks unloading at the business houses. He remarked there was property available at the rear of some of the stores for off-street parking, which should be utilized. He also pointed out that due to parking at the northeast corner of Lincoln Avenue and Webster Street, the busses have to stop in the middle of the street for,passengers to board. There is a red zone there, but it is not observed. He said the City should be more strict in enforcing parking regulations. President Osborn asked the City Manager to investigate these conditions. HEARINGS: 5.v7 A letter was read from Rev. W. J. Cherry and Rev. Alfred Wm. Cobb, submitting their appeal from the decision of the City Planning Board to deny their application to allow two large signs to be erected in the front yard area of their Bible Hall situated at 461 Marshall Way. Both gentlemen appeared to explain their request. They presented pictures showing the signs they wanted to erect and the locations thereof on the property. In response to President Osborn's inquiry, it was stated the over-all dimensions of the signs are 7 feet by 21 feet, which when placed 1i feet from the ground, would make the total height 8i feet. President Osborn pointed out that, according to the ordinance, and upon advice of the City Attorney, no signs larger than 6 square feet can be allowed in a residential area. Also, it was brought out that the maximum height of fences is 4 feet at the front and 6 feet at the rear of any property. Councilman Sweeney stated the Council cannot forget that if it were to allow these signs, it would be setting a precedent. He said the City has a specific ordinance definitely limiting the size of signs and he was in favor of adhering to the regu- lations as they now stand. Councilman Anderson stated that, according to the pictures, there is a fence along the back of the property which looks to be about 7 feet in height. He felt that if the fence is a legal height, the petitioners could paint their sign on the fence. He stated he also felt the Council should allow the erection of one sign, since it is very little more than the height of the fence. 192 Councilman Branscheid stated the matter should be continued to the next meeting of the Council for further study and to allow the members to contact the people in the neighborhood. He made a motion to this effect, which was seconded by Councilman Sweeney. Councilman Anderson asked if there had been any opposition to the requested adjustment to allow the signs. Rev. Cherry answered there was one man who had objected. The question was then put and the motion was carried unanimously. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 6.,1 From the City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to Morris Landy Motors for furnishing seven new, 1952 Model, Two-door Sedans to the Police Department, at the net price of 6,158.14. Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager's recommendation be adopted; that contract be awarded to this firm for furnishing the specified equipment and the bid checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). 7. From B. E. Jost, Auditor, submitting a letter enumerating the advantages of the National Qlass "31" Accounting Machine over that of the competitive bidder's machine. He pointed out, further, that delivery of the National Machine can be made before June 1, 1952, which is important in making a smooth change-over in the accounting system at the start of the ensuing fiscal year. Councilman Anderson moved the report and recommendation of Auditor Jost be accepted; that contract be awarded to The National Cash Register Company for furnishing the specified accounting machine and the check be returned to the unsuccessful bidder. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney. Councilman Anderson explained that he had made a trip with Auditor Jost, Deputy Auditor Brown and Deputy Treasurer Crabb to Santa Rosa where a National Machine is used in the Auditor's Department. He stated their investigation convinced him that it would be wise_to spend the ,additional $1,400. difference in price between the two machines to get one that could do the job right, including the tax roll. He stated he had talked with the Santa Rosa Auditor and was informed that the machine could do everything the City required and he was very well satisfied. Councilman Branscheid stated it has been pointed out what the National Machine could do and he asked if the Burroughs machine could not do the same. He questioned the expenditure of, the larger sum. Councilman Anderson said the specifications called for a machine that would do the work of the City in the Auditor's Office. He said the Burroughs machine would not put out the tax bills. Mr. Green, a representative of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, stated that the majority of the cities in the State use his machine. He stated that had the specifications called for tax writing equipment, his Company would have bid on a different type of machine, which could be furnished at a price of $400. higher than the model bid on. Mr. Lennon of the National Cash Register Company stated the model his bid covered had been out only about two years and it was being represented more and more in municipal offices. He pointed out the second time the specifications were drawn up they were based on the job needs. Upon inquiry, City Manager Froerer stated there was no requirement in the Speci- fications for tax roll performance. The question was called for and the motion carried on the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Sweeney and President Osborn, (3). Noes: Councilman Branscheid, (1). Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). 8. 4. From the City Manager, recommending that an additional thirty-day extension of time be granted to Gallagher and Burk, Inc. in which to complete their work on the construction of the Traffic Channel at Fernside Boulevard. Councilman Branscheid moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved and the requested extension of time be granted to Gallagher and Burk, Inc. for completion of this project. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. 9. ' From the City Manager, recommending that Policewoman Florence Haig be granted permission to attend the Third Annual Ponference of the California State Juvenile Officers Association, tobe held in Hpllywood, on April2, 3 and 4, 1952, and the sum of $75. be appropriated for this purpose. Councilman Anderson moved the City Manager's recommendation be adopted; that Mrs. Haig be authorized to attend the designated Conference and $75. be appropriated to defray her expenses. The motionnwas seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). 10. From the City Manager, recommending that an additional twenty-two-day exten- sion of time be granted to John H. McCosker, Inc. in which to complete the work of repaving and expansion of the City Hall Parking Lot. Councilman Branscheid moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that the extension of time of twenty-two days be granted to this firm for the specified project. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. 11v: From the Pension Committee of the Alameda Police and Firemen, inquiring with regard to the result of Mr. England's actuarial study and requesting that the Committee meet with the Council to discuss this subject. President asked the City Clerk to respond to the communication, informing the Committee that the report of the actuaries is about to become available to the City Council and a meeting will be called with the members of the Police and Fire Pension Committee as soon as the Council has had an opportunity to analyze Mr. Englend's report and such meeting_can be arranged. 12: From the City Manager, reporting that all work in connection with the construction of three Temporary Equipment Shelters has been completed to the satisfaction of the Engineering Department. He recommended the work be accepted and the Notice of Completion be ordered filed. Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager's recommendation be followed; that the work on this project be accepted and the Notice of Completion be filed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Branscheid and unanimously carried. 13:/ From the City Manager, recommending that a thirty-day extension of time be granted to McGuire and Hester for completion of their work on the construction of Unit I, 1951 Bond Issue Sewers. Councilman Ande McGuire and Hes construction of and unanimously rson moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted; that ter be.granted a thirty-day_extension of time in which to complete this project. The motion was seconded by Councilman Branscheid carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 14. Continued from the last meeting was the matter of the Planning Board's recommendation to deny the petition from Mrs. Clara E. Weisenhaus for the_ reclassification of her property at 2156 Buena Vista Avenue. She had requested a rezoning from the "B" Two-to-Four Family Dwelling District to the "C" Multiple Dwelling District in order that her premises might be enlarged to establish a sanitarium. President Osborn stated he had visited this property and he understands Mrs. Weisenhaus contemplates the purchase of other property which would be in the proper zone for the type of enterprise she wants to operate. Councilman Branscheid stated it is the prerogative of the Council to decide what an individual is going to do or what night be done in a given district. He said he felt the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance should determine the basis, on which any action is taken. He thereupon moved the recommendation of the Planning Board be sustained and the petition to reclassify be denied. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. RESOLUTIONS: 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Branscheid, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4557 Adopting Specifications for Operating a Refreshment Concession in the Restaurant Located in the Alameda Municipal Golf Course Club House and at the Refresh- ment Stand at the Twelfth Tee on the Municipal Golf Course, for the Period Ending June 30, 1954, 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, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes; None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: 194 "Resolution No. 4558 Accepting Grant of Easement from Helen Ratto, Lena Cotella, Colomba Parodi and George_A. Tesio, for Sewer Purposes, and Consenting to the . Recordation Thereof." The motion to adopt said re on roll call carried by the Branscheid, Sweeney and Pre man Jones, (1). Thereupon and passed., solution was seconded by Councilman Branscheid and following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, sident Osborn, (4), Noes: None. Absent: Council- the President declared said resolution duly adopted 17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4559 Adopting Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans for the Temporary Realignment of Central Avenue at Fourth Street, Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes: _None. Thereupon the President declared_said resolution by Councilman Sweeney and on Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). duly adopted and passed. 18. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4560 Accepting Deed From Alameda Unified. School District of Real Property at Third Street and _Central Avenue and Consenting to the Recordation Thereof.". The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). Thereupon the President declared,said resolution duly adopted and passed. ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE: 19. "Ordinance No. 1057, New Series An Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of a Lease of Certain Real Property to Alameda= Boys' Club, Inc., and Approving the Form and Terms of Said Lease.". Councilman Branscheid moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by. Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). 20. "Ordinance No. 1058, New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Subdivision (42) to Section 17-432 Thereof, Relating to Stop Intersections, and by Amending Subdivision (5) of Section 17-431, Relating to Through Highways." Councilman Sweeney moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Branscheid and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). FILING: 21. Specifications - No. MS 3-52-3 - For Operating Refreshment Concession in Club House at Municipal Golf...Course. 22. Specifications - No. PW 3-52-4 - For Project of Temporary Realignment of Central Avenue at Fourth Street., 23. Auditor's Report - From,July 1,. 1951, through February 29, 1952. 24. Financial Statement - Middleton, Hiller & Hackleman - Bureau of Electricity, as of January 31, 1952. BILLS: 25. An itemized List of Claims against the Departments thereof, in the total amounts as Council at this time: General Departments, City of Alameda and the several follows, was presented to the City $8,698.22; Civil Defense Department $2,296.87; Police Department, $2,761.91; Fire Department, $1,788.79; HealthDepartment, $904.01; Street Department, $4,672.40; First Aid Depart- ment, $218.21; Recreatio/vDepartment, $677.65; Park Department, $4,230.24; Golf Course Department, $1,525.19; Social Service Department, $11.78; Parking Meter Department, $58.88; Store Department, 43669.86; pound Department, $88.42; Civil Service Department, $15.00; Traffic Safety Fund, $582.95; 1951 Bond Issue Sewer Fund, $83.83; Gas Tax No. 1 Fund, $2,618.06; Gas Tax No. 2,Fund, 4398.44; Engineering Department Deposit,Fund,460.00. Councilman Sweeney moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on March 18, 1952, and submitted to the Council at this time, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Branscheid and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Branscheid, Sweeney and President Osborn, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). 26. At this time, President Osborn inquired if there were any further oral communications. There was no response. ADJOURNMENT: 27. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned - to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, April 1, 1952, at 8:00 o'clock. Respectfully submitted,