1949-02-01 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL CF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 1, 1949
The meeting convened at 8:00 P. Y. with President Branscheid presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and Presi-
dent Branscheid, (5), wore noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held January 18, 1949, were approved as
transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
From Rabbi Gunther G. Gates of Temple Israel, requesting permission for his
congregation to plant one or two trees or shrubs in one of the City parks in com-
memoration of the "New Year of the Trees."
Councilman Jones stated he felt the Council had no objection to this request being
granted, but suggested that it be explained to Rabbi Gates that it ls the policy r,f
the Council not to permit such planting of trees where there is any intention of
dedicating them to individuals or institutions and placing plaques or markers on or
near the trees.
He moved the request be granted and that the City Manager be authorized to supervise
the planting to see that it is carried out in accordance with the policy heretofore
stated. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried.
From California Centennials Commission, in response to the City's request to
place Alameda on the itinerary of the Historical Caravan, stating that the caravan
will be in Ventura on June 12, traveling northward on a master itinerary and that
Alameda will be informed well in advance of its arrival in this City.
President Branscheid called on Councilman Sweeney for an expression regarding the
communication. He stated that while it had been the wish of the Flag Day Committee
to have the caravan in Alameda in connection with its Flag Day Ceremony, not much
could be done about it in viev, of the itinerary already mapped out. He stated,
however, that it would be very gratifying to have the caravan in the City at any
time during the year.
President Branscheid thereupon ordered the communication filed.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
4. From the Alameda Municipal Civil Service Employees Association, submitting for
the Council's consideration, certain proposed amendments to the Alameda Municipal
Code concerning employees' vacation, leave.
Councilman Jones observed that this communication deals with a subject requiring very
careful study on the part of the Council and suggested the City Manager and Person-
nel Department examine the proposed amendments very carefully to determine their
effect on the City. He thereupon moved this matter be referred to the City Manager,
with the request that he study the situation in conjunction with the Personnel De-
partment and Bureau of Electricity and render a report. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried.
5' the City Manager, recommending that Mark Hanna, Senior Civil Engineer, be
authorized to attend the First Western Institute for Traffic Training, at the Uni-
versity of California, from February 7, to 11, 1949, and that ,a sum not to exceed
°;26. be appropriated for his expenses.
Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted; that the
specified engineer attend this Institute and 26. be allowed for his expenses. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and en roll call carried by the following
vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid,
(5). Noes None. Absent : None.
6. From the City Manager, recommending that Neil Clark, Administrative Assistant
be authorized to take the University of California Extension Course "Real Estate
Law" and that the sum of 125.55 be appropriated for this purpose.
Councilman Jones moved the City Manager's recommendation be followed; that the Ad-
ministrative Assistant be allowed to take the designated course and the sum of
25.55 be allowed 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.
7. From the City Manager, recommending that William Sousa of the Alameda Municipal
Golf Course be authorized to attend the National Greenskeepers Association of
America, to be held in Los Angeles from February 7, through the llth, 1949, and that
a sum not to exceed 75. be appropriated for this purpose.
Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager's recommendation be adopted; that Mr. Sousa
be permitted to attend this meeting and that 75. be allowed for his expenses. The
motion 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.
8. From the City Manager, submitting a sketch showing the location of the build-
ings on the lots in the block bounded by Pearl Street, Broadway, Eagle and Clement
}
Avenues, for study in connection with the recommendation of the City Planning Board
to reclassify certain portions of the west side of Pearl Street and the north side
of Eagle Avenue, from the "A" Dwelling District to the "B" Two-to-Four Family
Dwelling District.
This matter was referred to "Ordinances for Passage."
9Y From the City Manager, reporting on the matter of dogs creating a nuisance in
Franklin Park - stating that steps have been taken to enforce the provisions of
the Alameda Municipal Code which require that dogs in parks be on a leash. With
regard to the lighting of the playground area in this park, he stated that arrange-
ments have been made with the Bureau of Electricity to install proper illumination
at this spot in the very near future.
The communication was ordered filed.
10: From the City Manager, reporting on the traffic situation at the intersection
of Fernside Boulevard and High Street in connection with the suggested plan for
channelization at this location. He stated both the Chief of Police and Mr. Simmons
of the State Highway Department disapprove of this idea, but both agree that the
painting of traffic lines at this intersection would prove effective. He stated,
therefore, that the lines have been painted and he recommended against channeliza-
tion.
At the request of President Branscheid, the City Manager explained in detail the
location of the traffic lines which have been painted in this intersection and
the communication was then ordered filed.
11. From the City Planning Board, recommending the reclassification of property
known as 2412-2414 and 2416 Eagle Avenue, from the "B" Two-to-Four Family Dwelling
District, to the "G" Light Industrial District.
The matter was referred to "Introduction of Ordinances."
12. From the Deputy City Attorney, requesting permission to dismiss action, in a
claim of the City against A. C. Wolff, Land Mill &- Lumber Company, et al, for
unsecured personal property taxes in the amount of 'i79.04
Councilman Anderson moved permission be granted the Deputy City Attorney to proceed
with the dismissal of this action as requested. The motion was seconded by Coun-
cilman Jones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen
Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and. President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None.
Absent: None.
13. From the Deputy City Attorney, requesting authority to accept settlement In
full and dismiss action in the City's claim against James A. Sullivan, the Key
System Transit Lines and others, in connection with damage to an electrolier in
the amount of 410.62.
Councilman Osborn moved permission be grated the Deputy City Attorney to proceed
with acceptance of settlement and dismissal of action in this case, as requested.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the fol-
lowing vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President
Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
INTRO=
ION OF ORDINANCES:
14. Councilman Sweeney introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid
over under provision of law and the Charter:
"Ordinance No.
New Series
An Ordinance Reclassifying Property by Adding
Section 45 to Ordinance No. 725, New Series.
207
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
/
15. The matter of the proposed Master Plan for the development of Bay Farm Island
as submitted by the City Planning Board, was called up.
Councilman Jones referred to a meeting the Mayor, City Manager and members of the
City Planning Board had with Mr. Tilton and the representatives of owners of property
on Bay Farm Island since the last meeting of the Council, at which tine negotiations
for the preparation of a tentative plan were carried out.
He thereupon moved the City Planning Board be authorized to engage Mr. L. Deming
Tilton, Planning Consultant, to prepare and submit a tentative Master Plan of Bay
Farm Island, showing in a general way the suggested lay-out. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Sweeney and carried.
There was some discussion as to the probable cost of the preparation of this plan
and Councilman Jones moved that Mr. Tilton be engaged by the City P7anning Board
to complete the plan at a sum of not to exceed ;500. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Coun-
cilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes:
None. Absent: None.
RESOLUTION :
16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its
adoption:
Resolution No. 3935
Ordering Reduction of Assessments - Bar Farrn
Island Sewer Assessment Project Ye. 1.
Councilman Jones requested that the City Manager explain the reasons for the reduc-
tion In the assessments. Mr. Froerer stated the reduction was made possible by
economies in the engineering of the project and, as agreed with the property owners
at the time the ilesolution of Intention was under discussion, any reduction in cost
which might be effected was to be reflected in the final assessments to the property
owners and the resulting difference was to be refunded to those who had paid the
assessments.
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 Sweeney, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3936
Authorizing Execution of Lease between Kofman
Land Company, Inc., a Corporation, and City of
Alameda of Two Rooms in a Building Known as
Times-Star Building."
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.
President Branscheid commented on this matter, stating that this lease was neces-
sary because of the overcrowded condition of the City Hall and the impossibility
of accommodating the Deputy District Attorney in this building.
18. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3937
Creating and Establishing the Position of "Senior
Stenographer-Clerk" in the City Hall Department of
the City of Alameda, Prescribing the Duties and
Fixing the Salary 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.
19. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
20S
Resolution No. 3938
Transferring $2,500. from Contingent Fund 70-b to
Capital Account 139-b and Expense Accounts 30-1
and 30-k. (Re Deputy District Attorney Offices) ."
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 Branscheid declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
20. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3939
Consenting to Sublease to Todd Shipyards Corporation,
a New York Corporation, of Real Property Held Under
Lease Between the City of Alameda and United Engineer-
ing Company, a Corporation."
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.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
21.
"Ordinance No. 957,
New Series
An Ordinance Reclassifying Property by Adding
Section 44 to Ordinance No. 725, New Series.
Councilman Anderson moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Coun-
cilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None.
Absent: None.
FILING:
22. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Co. - Bureau of Electricity,
as of December, 1948.,
23. Lease - Between City and Kofman Land Company, Inc., for offices of
Deputy District Attorney.
24. Auditor's Balance Sheet - Month of January, 1949.
BILLS;
25. An itemized List of Claims against several of the Departments of the City of
Alameda, in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the City Council at
this meeting. General Departments, $131.14; Store Department, 40.45; Bay
Farm Island Sewer Assessment District Project No, 1, 1,049.77.
Councilman Jones moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the
City Clerk on February 1, 1949, and presented 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.
ADJOURNMENT:
25. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council ad-
journed to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, February 15, 1949, at
8:00 o'clock.
Respect itted,
y Clerk