1951-01-16 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING JANUARY 16 - - - - - - 1951
The meeting convened at 8 :00 o'clock P. M. with President Branscheid presiding.
ROLL CALL:
roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and Presi-
dent Branscheid, (5), were noted present,. Absent:. None._
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held January 2, 1951, were approved as
transcribed.
2 At this point, President Branscheid stated he would deviate from the regular
order of business for the purpose of presenting Certificates of Completion to
numerous members of the City force who have recently completed certain courses in
arboriculture and supervision and management.
The President pointed up the fact that the hours consumed by these courses were all
on the employees' off -time - demonstrating a very wholesome interest in their work
and a desire to advance themselves in the City employment.
The President thereupon presented each of the graduates a Certificate and extended
to them the congratulations of the Council for their interest in their work.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
3`. Following the presentation of the Certificates, President Branscheid stated
there was on hand this evening.a letter from the Office of the Commander, Western
Sea Frontier, commending one of the City Departments for its efficiency.
The Clerk was requested to read the letter and the President asked Chief Lane, who
was in the audience, to convey to his Department the appreciation of the Council
and the congratulations of the Western_Sea Frontier.
4: From Fernside Home Owners Association, requesting the installation of new over-
head electroliers on Gibbons Drive, from Central Avenue to Fernside Boulevard.
Councilman Jones pointed out that the Council has been operating under a program of
installing new electroliers on those streets within the City where traffic has been
the most dense, but that the program has now reached a point where the requirements
for funds and a probable lack of materials would seem to make it impossible to
meet the request of the Fernside Home Owners Association at the present time.
He stated that it was his feeling the Association should be informed to this effect
and further, that the matter would be considered when conditions have made it possi-
ble to proceed with the program.
5 From the Southern Pacific Company, reporting on its negotiations with the Ala-
meda Belt Line with regard to procuring trackage rights, in connection with the
matter of the removal of its tracks on Lincoln Avenue.
Councilman Jones stated that, in his opinion, the tenor of this communication is
very encouraging as it seemed to indicate that the two railroad companies are mak-
ing some progress. He opined the City Attorney should add this communication to
his file on the subject and, following the January date mentioned in the letter as
the date for the completion of the figures relative to additional switching charges
which might be due the Alameda Belt Line from the Southern Pacific Company, he should
pursue the matter further and endeavor to bring it to a determination.
Councilman Jones suggested this be done - and in the absence of any objections from
other members of the Council, the President made an order to this effect.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
6 Mrs. Hugh Roach addressed the Council, stating it has been brought to her at-
tention that the option held by Johnson, Drake & Piper, Inc. on property on Bay
Farm Island has not been taken up and she wished to know how this would affect the
recent rezoning of the property - pointing out that it had been rezoned for a spe-
cific purpose and she wondered what would now become of the rezoning in the event
the option were not exercised.
President Branscheid inquired of the City Attorney as to this question and Mr.
Whitney stated the rezoning would remain unchanged despite the fact that the
option might not be exercised.
Mr. Richard Thunder, realtor, who was in the audience, informed the Council that
the option mentioned by Mrs. Roach does not expire until February 1, and therefore
the time has not run out.
Councilman Anderson stated he had had a conversation with Mr. Burt Henry, Vice
President of Johnson, Drake & Piper, Inc. and had been told by Mr. Henry there
are twenty -five or thirty pages of plans already drawn and that, in his opinion,
the company had no doubt about following through on the project.
OPENING OF BIDS
71G Bids were received and read for furnishing an Automotive Ladder Truck Assembly
for use in the Fire Department, in accordance with Specifications and. Provisions
therefor, No. MS 1 -51 -1, as follows:
From White Truck Sales - - - - $10,186.40
Accompanied by certified check in amount of - - - - 1,018.64
From P. E. Van Pelt, Inc. - - - - 9,070.71
Accompanied by cashier's check in amount of - - - - 907.10
From Coast Manufacturers - - - - 12,850.28
Accompanied by certified check in amount of - - - - 1,285.03
8./ One bid was received and read from Herbert M. Watson, for furnishing one Main
Radio Station Transmitter on 155.61 Megacycles, with Accessories, at the bid price
of $2,670.27 -.in accordance with Specifications and Provisions therefor, No.
MS 1 -51 -2. The bid was accompanied by a certified check in the amount of $300.
The bids were referred to the City Manager for study and recommendation.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
9. From the City Manager, recommending that three members of the Engineering De-
partment be authorized to attend the Third Conference on Street and_Highway Prob-
lems, to be held by the Institute of Transportation and Traffic Engineering, at
Berkeley from January 24, to 26, 1951, and a sum of $25.. be appropriated for this
purpose.
Councilman Jones moved the City Manager's recommendation be followed:: that three
engineers be authorized to attend the specified Conference and the sum of $25. be
appropriated to cover their expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn
and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones,
Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5) . Noes: None. Absent: None.
10 From the City Manager, recommending that Police Officer Claud Grout be au-
thorized to attend a course in Peace Officers' Traffic Training at Berkeley, from
January 29, to February 9, 1951, and a sum of r.$50. be appropriated for such purpose.
Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that Officer
be authorized to attend the designated course and the sum of $50. be appro-
priated for his expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on
roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent None.
11. From the Civil Service Board, transmitting its "Resolution Excepting the Posi-
tion of Coordinator of Civil Defense from Civil Service," as recently requested by
the Council.
The resolution was ordered filed.
12. Attorney Whitney stated he wished to present a matter in connection with
the proposed bond issue for the installation of sewage disposal lines and pointed
out that, relative to the bond issue, it is going to be necessary to have the cer-
tification of some reputable firm of bond attorneys as to the legality of the pro-
ceedings leading up to the issuance of the bonds.
He suggested the firm of Orrick, Dahlquist, Neff & Herrington of San Francisco be
associated with the City Attorney's office for the purpose of supervising the pre-
election proceedings and certifying to their legality. He stated this firm has
offered to perform this work for the sum of 2,320. - or. 2.00 per bond to be issued.
Councilman Anderson moved the recommendation of the City Attorney be followed and
that he be authorized to make the necessary arrangements with the firm of Orrick,
Dahlquist, Neff & Herrington for the performance of the necessary service. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Jones.
Councilman Sweeney observed that it was his understanding that this firm has an out-
standing reputation in this field. Mr. Whitney agreed they do have a fine reputa-
tion as bond attorneys.
The question was then put and the motion was carried on the following vote. Ayes:
Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes:
None. Absent : None.,
Councilman Jones suggested the hypothetical case of this matter failing to appear
on the ballot through some unforeseen circumstance, and queried as to whether or
not the engagement of this firm's services would involve payment of the stipulated
fee at this point.
Mr. Whitney stated that, according to the letter from the attorneys, they would re-
ceive compensation if and when the bonds are sold, or if the election does not carry
they will receive a fee of $500. at the time the election returns are canvassed. He
stated that under the condition suggested by Councilman Jones, they would probably
be entitled to the reasonable value of their services up,to that time - but he could
not conceive of this amount equaling or exceeding $500.
INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCES r
13. Councilman Sweeney introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid
over under provision of law and the Charter:
RESOLUTIONS:
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osbo
adoption:
"Ordinance No.
New Series
Amending Article 4, Chapter 2, Title XVII of the
Alameda Municipal Code, Relating to Left.Turns."
"Resolution No. 4302
who moved its
Resolution Determining That the Public Interest and
Necessity Demand the Acquisition, Construction and
Completion _by the City of Alameda of the Following
Municipal Improvement, to -wit: MunicipalrSewage
System Improvement; Determining That the Acquisition,
Construction and Completion of Said Municipal Im-
provement is Necessary and Convenient to Carry..0ut
the Objects, Purposes and Powers of Said City; and
Determining That the Cost of Said Municipal Improve-
ment Will Require an Expenditure Greater Than the
Amount Allowed Therefor by the Annual Tax,Levy,rr
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
In discussing this resolution, President Branscheid reviewed the history of sewage
disposal in the City of Alameda, stating that under the bond issue voted in 1946,
the cities within the Sewage Disposal District formed in 1944, have the responsi-
bility of operating the storm and sanitary sewers. This situation has come about
through the suggestions of the State Board of Health, and the Water Pollution Board.
He stated the Disposal Plant itself is near completion and that construction of the
Alameda Interceptor is now going on and it is therefore necessary for the City to
do its part and complete the required separation - and in order to perform this
work it must be properly financed.
He suggested it is a matter of very grave concern to the people of Alameda and ex-
pressed the hope that the matter of the bond issue which will appear on the March
13 ballot might go over in good style.
He asked for the cooperation of the people of the City of Alameda in getting behind
this issue and in assuring its passage.
Councilman Jones stated that the policy the Council is adopting is that in an in-
stallation such as a sewer, the expense should not be borne alone by the present
generation and that by bonding such an installation, the cost will be spread equi-
tably among all those who will use the facilities. He pointed out that as to im-
provements of comparatively shorter life, the City is operating on a pay -as- you -go
basis, but that in a case such as the present one, future generations must bear a
portion of the cost.
He pointed out that to try to take care of the expense of this installation out of
tax money would make it necessary to raise the tax rate to an unreasonable point.
Councilman Anderson suggested that if the people do not vote these bonds, the State
of California, under the Water Pollution Board, will have the right to step in and
perform the work and charge the City of Alameda with the cost thereof. He pointed
out that when the voters go to the polls on March 13, they will be voting on the
question as to whether they will pay the expense of this installation through a
bond issue running over a period of years, or on a bill from the State of California,
payable in a lump sum.
15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
491
"Resolution No. 4303
Memorializing the Governor of the State of California,
The California Toll Bridge Authority, The Assembly
Interim Fact - Finding. Committee on Tideland Reclamation,
Related .Traffic Problems and Transbay Crossings, The
California Congressional Delegation and the State,
Senators and Assemblymen of the Nine Bay Area Counties
in the Matter of Immediately Undertaking the Study of
the Proposed Master Plan of Crossings for the San
Francisco Bay Area."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 4304
Creating the Position of "Junior Typist - Clerk"
in the Civil Defense Department of the City of
Alameda, Prescribing the Duties and Fixing the
Salary Thereof."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 4305
Transferring $p600.00 from Expense Account 42 -a
to Capital Account 142 -f of the Health Department."
Councilman Jones asked for an explanation of this matter and Mr. Froerer stated
this additional amount is necessary to complete the installation Qf the X -Ray room
at the Health Center Building, and this transfer was one from a salary item which
would not be used to the Capital Expense Account.
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared :said resolution duly adopted and passed._
18. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 4306
In Memoriam to Charles A. Beveridge.
"WITH PROFOUND SORROW, the Council of the City of Alameda
records the untimely death of one of its faithful employees,
CHARLES A. BEVERIDGE, who had served the citizens of this City
most diligently as a member of the Alameda Police Department
since June of 1943.
"WHEREAS, PATROLMAN BEVERIDGE was held in high esteem by
his fellow officers for his friendliness and spirit of coopera-
tion and was admired for his efficient performance of his duties;
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, in recognition of
the service rendered by Patrolman Beveridge, the Council of the
City of Alameda hereby expresses its sense of personal loss and
its sincere gratitude for the privilege of having had such a
loyal and conscientious person in the employ of the City.
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread in
full upon the minutes of.this meeting, and that a copy thereof
be transmitted to the family of Patrolman Beveridge, that it may
extend to its members a sincere expression. of sympathy and con-
dolence; and
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when this meeting of the
Council of the City of Alameda adjourns it shall do so in
respect to the memory of CHARLES A. BEVERIDGE."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
19. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 4307
Adopting Specifications for Furnishing Ten (10) New
1951 Two -Door Sedan Automobiles to the City,of,_.
Alameda for the Police Department, Calling for Bids
and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones, who observed
that provision has been made for this purchase in the current budget and it is,
therefore, not an unanticipated expenditure so far as the Council is concerned.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson,
Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
Thereupon the President declared said. resolution duly adopted and passed.
FILING:
20. Auditor's Quarterly Report - As of December 31, 1950.
21. Specifications - No. MS 1 -51 -3 - For furnishing ten Automobiles
to the Police Department.
BILLS:
22. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several Depart-
ments thereof, in the total amounts as follows, was submitted to the Council at
this meeting: $10,966.91; Police Department, $1,803.71; Fire Department,
$1,208.52; Street Department, $2,689.39; Health Department,. $1,184.07; First
Aid Department, $205.70; Recreation Department, $309.50; Park Department,
$1,337.54; Golf Course Department, $795.04; Social Service Department, $29.08;
Store Department, $1,838.04• Pound Department, $53.68; Civil Service Department
118.67; Parking Meters, $9.05; East Bay Municipal Utility District Fund,
$2,030.08; Gas Tax No. 1 Fund, $74.43; Gas Tax No. 2 Fund $4,218.17; Traffic
Safety Fund, $611.46; Engineering Department Deposit Fund, $619.42• City Hall
Elevator Modernization Fund, $2,547.54; Civil Defense rDepartment, $945.09.
Councilman Jones moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the
City Clerk on January 16, 1951, and presented to the Council at this time, be al-
lowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call
carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney
and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.,
ADJOURNMENT:
23. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council
adjourned in respect to the memory of CHARLES A. BEVERIDGE - to assemble in
adjourned regular session on Tuesday evening, January 30, 1951, at 8 :00 o'clock.
Respectful
Clerk
••• •. Body of Resolution No. 4302, as title appears on Page 491
"BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the CITY OF ALAMEDA,
as follows:
Section 1. That the public interest and necessity demand
the acquisition, construction and completion by the City of Alameda
of the following municipal improvement, to- wit :.
Improvement of the Municipal sewage system, including
separation of storm water and sanitary sewer systems,
connection of sanitary sewer system to East Bay Muni-
cipal Utility District Alameda Interceptor, new storm
water and sanitary sewer lateral and main lines, re-
connection of existing sewer lines, pumps, pipes, man-
holes, catch basins, connections, equipment, lands,
easements, rights-of-way and other works, property or
structures necessary or convenient for the improvement
of the municipal sewage system of the City of Alameda.
194
Section 2. That the acquisition, construction and
completion of said municipal improvement is necessary and
convenient to carry out the objects, purposes and powers of
said City.
Section 3. That the cost of the acquisition, con-
struction and completion of said municipal improvement is and
will be too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual in-
come and revenue of said City and that said municipal improve-
ment will require an expenditure greater than the amount
allowed therefor by the annual tax levy and that said City
should incur a bonded indebtedness therefor.
Passed and adopted this 16th day of January, 1951,
by the following vote.
AYES: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney
and President Branscheid, (5).
ATTEST:
NOES None.
ABSENT: None.
J. P. CLARK
,City Clerk"
W. J. BRANSCHEID
or of the City of-Alameda,
California