Loading...
1950-11-21 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING NOVEMBER 21 The meeting convened at 8:00 o'clock P. M. with President Branscheid presiding. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held November 8, 1950, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 2/ From the Board of Supervisors, County of Alameda, concerning the fixing of the judicial districts in the County under the law requiring the reorganization of Inferior Courts Councilman Jones commented that this letter appears not to require any immediate answer although it deals with a very important subject. He suggested that it would be impossible for the Council to make any definite decision on the matter this even- ing and therefore moved that it be referred to the Committee of the Whole. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. 3. From the Southern Pacific Company, with regard to the removal of its tracks on Lincoln Avenue, and stating that negotiations are under way between the Company and the Alameda Belt Line to secure trackage rights over that line. President Branscheid suggested that the matter referred to in this letter from the Southern Pacific Company was one of the things that is prolonging the final action on the matter. He stated he felt the City should pursue the matter a little more strenuously in view of the pressure being exerted by the local people who, he said, want the freight tracks removed. President Branscheid stated it was the problem of the Council to get the matter ad- justed as soon as possible and get the desired improvements in. Councilman Sweeney observed that, by its own admission, the Southern Pacific Company is trying to work out some deal with the Belt Line and suggested this shows some progress toward a solution of the problem.. Councilman Jones offered the suggestion that it might be in order to have the City Attorney write another letter to the Southern Pacific Company and ask it when it anticipates that some further action might be forthcoming. He suggested that as long as the Company has given the City the lead, the City might as well pursue it further as this action might cause the Company to think a little more about the situation. President Branscheid suggested it might be well to ask the Company where the nego- tiations stand at the present time and thereupon requested the City Attorney to write a letter along the suggested lines. Mr. Frank Gottstein entered the discussion at this point, and suggested that it would be a good idea to threaten to revoke all spur track permits where the people are served by both the Southern Pacific Company and the Alameda Belt Line. Councilman Anderson stated he felt that the Belt Line, as well as the Southern Pacific Company should be written in this matter to find out where the situation stands as to the Southern Pacific Company acquiring trackage rights over the Belt Line and suggested the City Manager, as one of the Directors of the Alameda Belt Line, would be in a good position to get this information. He suggested, further, that the next thing would be to make a survey of the revocable permits and to what extent the revocation of such permits would injure the Southern Pacific Company or private industries. OPENING OF BIDS: 4' were submitted and read for the project of the Installation of a Storm Water Extension on Liberty Avenue, Easterly of Garfield Avenue Extension, in accord- ance with Specifications, Special Provisicns and Plans therefor, No. PW 10-50-35, as follows: From Kevry Construction, Inc. ------------- 4,382.00 Accompanied by a Proposal Bond ; 1 - i 3,272.00 Accompanied by a Proposal Bond ) ' i ) From McGuire and Hester From Martin Murphy Accompanied by certified check in amount of 8,285.00 1,000.00 The bids were referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for study and recom- mendation. 1 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 5: From the City Planning Board, transmitting its Resolution No. 20 which approved and adopted the Council's recommendation that Section 4 of the Bay Farm Island Mas- ter Plan be amended to the effect that streets of minor importance be not less than 32 feet wide. Councilman Jones moved this matter be set for public hearing at the conclusion of the Council meeting to be held December 19. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and unanimously carried. we 6. From the City Manager, recommending that City Engineer Maynard be authorized to attend the Ca1ifornia Traffic Safety Conference, to be held at Sacramento, December 7 and 8, 1950, and a sum not to exceed AO. be appropriated for this purpose. Councilman Anderson moved the City Manager's recommendation be adopted; that Mr. Maynard be authorized to attend the specified Conference and the sum of ',i$40. be appropriated for his 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: Tone. 7 From the City Manager, reporting on the request of the Alameda Christian Gram- mar School for permission to install additional fences, over the regulation height, around the premises, and recommending that the request be granted. Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager's recommendation be followed; that per- mission be granted to the designated school to install the fences as requested. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. 8. From the City Manager, requesting authority to dispose of approximately 15 tons of miscellaneous junk now stored at the Corporation Yard and at the City Nursery, which is of no further use to the City. Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager's request be granted and he be authorized to dispose of the junk as itemized. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and unanimously carried. 9. From the City Manager, stating the work in connection with the project of re- constructing San Jose Avenue, between Chestnut and High Streets, has been satis- factorily finished and recommending that the Notice of Completion be ordered filed. Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager's recommendation be followed: that the work on the specified project be accepted and the Notice of Completion be ordered filed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. 10. From the City Manager, requesting permission to dispose of a damaged 1939 Chevrolet Coupe used by the Health Department, for the highest price obtainable, as it would not be advisable to spend the '200. necessary to repair the automobile. Councilman Anderson moved the City Manager's request be granted and he be authorized to sell this car. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and unanimously carried. NEW BUSINESS: ,/ 11. Councilman Jones stated he felt it necessary to call attention to the fact that the Council was not likely to have a quorum present on December 5, inasmuch as two of the members will be in Washington, D. C. at that time and he, himself, will be out of the City on private business, and therefore, it will be necessary to postpone the next regular meeting scheduled for that night, to December 12, at which time there will be a quorum present and, business can be legally transacted. Councilman Anderson moved the meeting of December 5, be adjourned and held on De- cember 12. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. RESOLUTIONS; 12. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4267 Accepting Grant of Easement from Alameda Unified School District in Certain Real Property, for Sewer Purposes, 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, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. , 13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4268 Approving Second Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement for Expenditure of Gas Tax Allocation for Major City Streets and Authorizing Execution 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. 14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4269 Recommending that Action be Taken to Work Out a Solution of the San Francisco Bay Crossings Problem." 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. 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4270 Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with the State of California for Federal Allocations to Local Public Health Agencies for the Fiscal Year July 1, 1950 -- June 30, 1951." 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. 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4271 Resolution Requesting Transfer of Temporary Housing Pursuant to Title VI of the Lanham Act." 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. Councilman Sweeney asked for an explanation of this matter. City Manager Froerer stated this matter has been under consideration by the Housing Authority for several months with the idea that if any transfer were made it would be made to the Housing Authority. He stated that last July the President made a freeze of any such transfers, but un- der Public Law No. 475, it is necessary that if a City or Authority wishes to make a request for transfer, it must be made before December 31, 1950. He explained that it merely amounts to an option to accept or reject a transfer _of temporary housing to the City. Mr. Froerer pointed out that the Housing Authority originally conducted the nego- tiations but upon a study of the State Law creating the Housing Authority, it was felt the City would not be able to participate in any profits if the Housing Authority was the transferee and therefore, the transfer is being made in the name of the City. President Branscheid stated the City's only interest is to see this housing disposed of in an orderly fashion and for this reason, the situation is being watched very closely and this application appears to be the best means of keeping track of what is going on. 17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its adoption: "Resolution. No. 4272 Authorizing Attendance of Mayor W. J. Branscheid and Councilman Frank P. Osborn at the. American Municipal Association Conference at Washington, D. C., and Appropriating ,1,000.00 to Defray Their Expenses." 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 and Sweeney, (4)• roes: one Not. Voting: President Branscheid, (1). Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. Councilman Jones stated he would like to point out that the delegates on this trip are going to cover other matters also - such as housing, the second tube, etcetera. Councilman Sweeney supplemented Councilman Jones' remarks by stating that President Branscheid and Councilman Osborn would contact the various agencies on matters of vital interest to the City. Councilman Osborn stated he would like to point out that he and the Mayor hope ap- pointments will be made with the Defense Department, with regard to a Second Tube under the Estuary: also, they hope an appointment will be made with the Public Hous- ing Administration with a view to having the Government reinstate the recreation program in the temporary housing, and finally, he stated, he hopes they will be able to contact the Bureau in charge of Wage and Price Controls, with a view to discuss- ing the possibility of a freeze being placed on wages and prices in order that these matters may be anticipated in connection with the operation of the City of Alameda. President Branscheid discussed the program of the forthcoming Congress of the Ameri- can Municipal Association at some length, stating that two of the most important matters to come before the group will be those of sewage disposal and financing of the sale of bonds. Also to be discussed will be the matters of off-street parking and parking in general as a means of caring for the congestion of City highways. Councilman Sweeney stated he felt the matter of Civilian Defense is very important and inasmuch as the League of California Cities Convention presented the State pic- ture very well, and we already have the County set-up, as well as the City situation and it might be well to have the Federal attitude. President Branscheid suggested that on their return from Washington it would be well if a full report were made on the trip and the results obtained therefrom. 18. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4273 Increasing Salaries and Rates of Compensation of Officers and Employees of the City of Alameda." Councilman Jones stated the Council has felt that current conditions are such that they have to recognize the cost of living increase and this action is taken to place the Alameda employees in line with other similar occupations. President Branscheid stated it must be recognized that the cost of living has in- creased and in view of this, the Council wishes to be fair and to make the necessary adjustments at this time. Councilman Jones asked that the resolution be read, following which he seconded the motion for its adoption and it was carried on 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. ORDINANCES FOR PAS AGE: 19. "Ordinance No. 1013, New Series An Ordinance Reclassifying Property by Addin Section 61 to Ordinance No. 725, New Series. Councilman Anderson moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Coun- cilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and. President Branscheid, (5). Noes None. Absent: None. 20. "Ordinance No. 1014, New Series An Ordinance Reclassifying Property by Addin Section 62 to Ordinance No. 725, New Series. Councilman Sweeney moved the ordinance be adopted as read. 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.. FILING: 21. Grant of Easement - From Alameda Unified School District. 22. Memorandum of Agreement - Between State and City - For Expenditure of Gas Tax Allocation for Major City Streets. 23. Contract for Federal Allocations to Local Public Health Agencies. BILLS: 24. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several Depart- ments thereof, in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the City Council at this meeting: General Departments, $15,634.57: Police Department, Q2,648.09: Fire Department, $1,247.82; Health Department, $1,029.70; ,First Aid Department, $101.21; Street Department, $2,709.74; Recreation Department, $709.39; Park Department, $2,563.59; Golf Course Department, $1,082.64; Store Department, $1,703.85; Social Service Department, $69.93; Civil Defense Department, $1,821.82; Pound Department, $56.70; Gas Tax No. 1 Fund, $64.70; Traffic Safety Fund, $939.53; Gas Tax No. 2 Fund, $279.41; East Bay Municipal Utility District Fund, $ 030.08; Health Center Garage Construction Fund, $1,543.50. Councilman Jones moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on November 21, 1950, and submitted to the Council at this time, be allowed 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.. 25. At this time, Councilman Jones cited the fact that within the past week the City of Alameda has lost one of its greatest citizens, a former City Councilman, Major Charles Lee Tilden, and stated it seemed appropriate to him that a resolution be drafted in memoriam because of the great influence which Major Tilden had in shaping the history of the City of Alameda. He suggested, also, that this meeting adjourn in respect to his memory. He thereupon moved the City Clerk be requested to prepare a suitable resolution conveying the sentiments of the Council with respect to the passing of Major Tilden. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. ADJOURNMENT: 26. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council ad- journed in respect to the memory of Major Charles Lee Tilden - to assemble in adjourned regular meeting on Tuesday evening, December12, 1950, at 8:00 o'clock. Respect ul bmitted, ty Clerk ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5), were noted present. Absent; None.