Loading...
1948-04-20 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF TEE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 20, --------- 1948 The meeting convened at 8:00 F. M. with President Branscheid presiding. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held April 6, 1948, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 2. From Andrew Servente, 2614 Cabrillo Street, San Francisco, requesting a refund of 16.40 which he had paid in error for taxes of Elizabeth G. Corley. The matter was referred to the City Attorney, with the request that he submit a written opinion at the next meeting of the Council. 3: a letter was presented and read from the Alameda Tennis Club, inquiring as to what plans the City has contemplated with respect to tennis courts, dressing room, locker and shower facilities. Councilman Osborn stated he was very much in favor of making some means available to alleviate the conditions cited in this letter and would like to have some steps taken in this direction in the very near future, if it is found to be at all possi- ble. He thereupon moved the letter be referred to the City Manager, with the re- quest that he make a survey to determine what can be done in this situation and report back to the Council. In seconding the motion, Councilman Sweeney observed that he was in entire accord with Councilman Osborn's reaction to this letter and it was his feeling that the matter should be followed through and the situation remedied if possible. The motion was then carried unanimously. 4. From Alameda Commuters' Golf Tournament, concerning the finals to be played on Alameda Municipal Golf Links, Sunday, May 2, 1948, and inviting the Council to be present. President Branscheid requested the Clerk to inform Mr. Alec R. Cranston, Chairman of this affair, that the Council will be represented on the occasion mentioned and that he will be later notified as to who will be in attendance. 5:( The Clerk noted a written communication from Messrs. Randal F. Dickey and Frederick M. Van Sicklen, Attorneys, representing the Alameda City Garbage Associa- tion, and suggested that inasmuch as Mr. Dickey expected to be present at the meet- ing shortly after 8:30 o'clock, it might be well to hold up the reading of this communication until he had arrived. The City Manager stated that Mr. Van Sicklen was present and would probably wish to present the matter. Mr. Van Sicklen thereupon addressed the Council, reviewing the contents of the communication and outlining the reasons behind the request for an increase in garbage collection rates. Following Mr. Van Sicklen's remarks, the Clerk was requested to read the communi- cation to the Council, which was done. Councilman Anderson stated it was his feeling that before the Council granted an increase to the Garbage Association of approximately 465,000. per year, it should have the right to inspect the books and financial statements of the Garbage Asso- ciation in order that any action which the Council might decide to take would be based entirely on factual considerations. Councilman Jones queried if a report prepared by the Association's Certified Public Accountants would be satisfactory, observing that the books of the Association would be practically meaningless to anyone except a Certified Public Accountant and that following the submission of this report, the City Auditors could then go over the figures of the Certified Public Accountants to satisfy the Council that the statement is a correct one. Councilman Anderson stated that, in his opinion, this would not be satisfactory. He felt the City of Alameda should put its own auditors on the books to compile the statement to be considered by the Council in reaching a decision in this matter. He pointed out there were many factors to be considered in arriving at such a de- cision - an important one being as to whether or not the increase, if granted, should be 50%, or something less. He stated also that, in his opinion, some study should be made of the trend of utility rates during the past 20 years and pointed out that while there has been a great increase in the population of the City, there has been no increase in the mileage to be traveled by the garbage trucks - which means more business for the same distance traveled. Referring to the matter of Social Security and Unemployment Insurance, Councilman Anderson pointed out that the garbagemen own their own business and are therefore not entitled to those benefits. He thereupon moved that before any further con- sideration be given this matter, the books of the Association be made available to the auditors of the City for the purpose of compiling a financial statement to assist the Council in arriving at a determination in this matter. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn. There followed a general discussion of the matter. Councilman Jones stated it was not clear in his mind whether or not the motion contemplated having the City Auditors do this work or if the intent was to have the City Auditors go over such reports as might be furnished by the Association's Certified Public Account- ants. Councilman Osborn stated that it was his understanding that the Association would make up and submit a financial statement which would in turn be audited by the City Auditors. Councilman Anderson said this was not what he had in mind at all. What he was suggesting was that the books of the Garbage Association should be available to an auditor employed by the City and in such case the Council would not be re- ceiving a prepared statement from them but would have its own representative make its own investigation. He pointed out that thisis the usual procedure in other cases where the public is affected and where a monopoly has been granted. He stated further that while the same result might be accomplished either way, it was his feeling that the Council has been elected to represent the people of the City of Alameda and therefore, it is only reasonable that it should make its own investigation and not make an investigation of a report made by an in- terested party. He observed further, the expense of preparing such a report should be borne by the City. At this point, the discussion having come to a close, President Branscheid asked Councilman Anderson to restate the motion, suggesting that Councilman Osborn withdraw his second, which was agreed to. Councilman Anderson thereupon made the following motion: For the purpose of further consideration of the request made by Messrs. Dickey and Van Sicklen, on behalf of Alameda City Garbage Association, the financial records and statements of the Association be made available for an audit by the auditors of the City of Alameda following the submission of the complete Certified Public Accountants' financial statement of the Association. Councilman Osborn suggested that the motion inferred the possibility of the sub- mission of a statement which might not be judged authentic. Councilman Anderson stated that no such inference should be drawn from the motion pointing out that between auditors there might be different ways of interpreting the same figures and that if the City Auditors are to make an audit, they should have the same figures before them as the auditors of the Association had when their report was compiled. The motion was thereupon seconded by Councilman Sweeney and carried unanimously. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ed. S. Agnew addressed the Council on behalf of the American Red Cross requesting the Council to interest itself in adopting a resolution regarding the operation of the former United States Employment Office in Alameda, now operated by the State. He stated that by reason of the absence of a cash pay off station in the City of Alameda, for the convenience of applicants for unemployment re- lief, residents of Alameda seeking this type of relief are compelled to wait from three and one-half to four weeks for their checks and that when the checks are sent from Sacramento, they are delivered to the Oakland office and the applicants have to go to Oakland to get their checks and cash them there. He stated that while the applicants are waiting this length of time for their checks they call upon the Red Cross for help and the Red Cross has been advancing them money to tide them over this delay. He stated, however, it cannot continue to do this because of the shortage of funds and the only solution, as far as it can see, is that a cash pay off station be set up in the local employment office. He pointed out that where such cash pay off stations are established, relief payments are made within a matter of a week or ten days. If this situation were to obtain in Alameda, it would relieve the Red Cross of a burden which it is no longer able to carry. Following a detailed discussion of this matter, Councilman Jones stated he saw no reason for going through the formality of a resolution at some future meeting 5U of the Council, suggesting that in lieu of such a resolution, the Council at this time request the City Manager to investigate the entire situation and take the appropriate action to correct this condition. He pointed out that a resolution would probably receive less attention than a direct appeal from the City Manager on behalf of the Council. He thereupon moved the matter be handled in this fashion. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and carried unanimously. OPENING OF BIDS: 7/ One bid was presented and read from Herbert M. Watson for furnishing 12 Fre- quency Modulated Mobile Radio Units in 152-162 m. c. Band for Police and Fire De- partment Vehicles at his price of p6,457.50, in accordance with Specifications and Provisions therefor, No. MS 4-48-6. A certified check in the amount of $650. accompanied the bid. The bid was referred to the City Manager for study and report. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 8. From the City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to Heafey-Moore Co. for the project of the realignment and reconstruction of intersection of Buena Vista Avenue and Everett Street at its bid price of $15,511.10. Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted; that con- tract be awarded to Heafey-Moore Co. for the specified project and that checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. 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. 9. From the City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to Garland Chev- rolet Co. for furnishing one new 1948 Dump Truck to the Golf Course Department, at its bid price of $2,060.61. Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that con- tract be awarded to this firm for furnishing the truck mentioned and the check be returned to the unsuccessful bidder. 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. 10, From the City Manager, recommending that certain funds in the amount of $9,170. within the Health Department Budget be transferred from Expense Account 42-a for salaries, to various Capital Accounts, for the purchase of department equipment and automobiles. This matter was referred to "Resolutions." 11, From the City Manager, recommending that Mrs. Phyllis McCoskey be allowed to attend a meeting of Social Welfare Workers of the State of California to be held at Long Beach, from May 23, to 27, 1948, and that $125. be appropriated for her expenses. Councilman Jones moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that Mrs. McCoskey be authorized to attend the meeting mentioned and a sum not to exceed 425. be appropriated for the expenses of the trip. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Coun- cilman Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and. President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 12'; From the City Manager, recommending the acceptance and filing of Notice of Completion in connection with the project for the construction of the Webster Street Storm Water Disposal System, under contract to Murphy and McNair. Councilman Anderson moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that the work be accepted and Notice of Completion be filed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. 13. From City Engineer Froerer, concerning his requests to the State Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, for the installation of traffic signals at the intersections of Webster Street and. Central Avenue and Ninth Street and Cen- tral Avenue, and informing the Council that in both cases the Department had ad- vised him there is not sufficient traffic for the installation of signal systems. Following the reading of these communications, Councilman Sweeney inquired if the matter could be resubmitted when the minimum requirements as to traffic, etcetera, have been met and he was assured this could be done. President Branscheid observed that late in the afternoon when the personnel of the industrial plants is released, the traffic on Santa Clara and Central Avenues is very heavy and travels without any regard whatsoever for the safety of pedestrians. He compared this local condition with that obtaining in southern California, point- ing up the fact that in the south, the automobile traffic stops for all pedestrians at all intersections. He offered the opinion that it will be necessary for the City to put on some kind of campaign of education because of the already intolerable con- ditions which are growing worse, and deplored the fact that the State is apparently unwilling to cooperate with the City in straightening out the situation. Councilman Jones asked if the City could put in its own stop signs and President Branscheid stated that Central Avenue is now designated as a State Highway and no encroachments can be made on the Highway without permission of the State Highway Commission, which has certain standards that it seems must be met. Councilman Jones suggested this matter be placed in the hands of the Police Depart- ment, with instructions to have this situation corrected by the use of whatever means may be found necessary. President Branscheid stated that if it is agreeable, the matter would be placed in the hands of the City Manager with the request that he in turn take it up with the Police Department. 13. From the City Planning Board, submitting the Reports prepared by Harland Bar- tholomew and Associates on "Transit Facilities and Mass Transportation" and "Free- ways and Major Streets", with their respective addenda and certifications, and recommending their adoption. Following the reading of this communication, President Branscheid observed that, the plans having been adopted by the Planning Board, the next step is for the Council to set a date for a public hearing for a final decision on the matter of the adoption or rejection of the plans. He stated also that the portion of the Master Plan con- cerning "Street and Off-Street Parking" is before the Council, having been adopted by the Planning Board sometime ago. Councilman Sweeney observed that the public hearing is required by law and therefore moved the Council hold a public hearing on the matter of the adoption of those por- tions of the Master Plan dealing with "Street and Off-Street Parking" and "Transit Facilities and Mass Transportation" on the evening of May 4, 1948, at the hour of 8:30 F. M., in the Council Chamber of the City Hall. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and unanimously carried. President Branscheid instructed the City Clerk to make due publication of the Notice of Public Hearing. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: 14. Councilman Jones 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 Sections 3-5416 and 3-5417 of Article 4, Chapter 5, Title III, Thereof." The City Manager briefly explained this ordinance, stating that it was to bring the City's tax penalties in line with the County penalties which are fixed by State law. 15. 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 Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Section 17-571 of Article 7, Chapter 5, Title XVII Thereof, Relating to One-Way Streets." Mr. McMillan also explained this ordinance, pointing out it is the desire of the Police Department to have Post Office Court and Times Way made one-way thoroughfares in order to correct a bad condition existing in each. RESOLUTIONS: 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3702 Transferring $9,170. from Health Department Expense Account No. 42-a (Salaries) to Sundry Health Depart- ment Capital Accounts." 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. 17( The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption; "Resolution No. 3703 Endorsing a Favorable Vote on the City of Alameda School Bonds at the Election to be Held June 1, 1948." 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. Following the adoption of this resolution, Councilman Sweeney inquired as to whether or not it would be possible for the City vehicles to carry signs urging a favorable vote on the school bonds. The matter being referred to the City Attorney, he stated that, in his opinion, there would be no objection to this. Councilman Osborn observed that he thought this procedure would be approved by everyone interested in the bond election and he felt that anything that can be done to help in the passage of this bond issue should be done. Councilman Sweeney thereupon moved that all City owned vehicles carry such signs. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson. President Branscheid stated there was no question but what the City is in dire need of additional school facilities and that there is nothing quite as essential as this and therefore the Council should do all it can to assure the success of the additional school facilities program. The motion was then carried. 18. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3704 Adopting Specifications for Furnishing Three (3) New 1948 Two-Door Sedans and/or Business Coupes to the City of Alameda for the Health Department, Calling for Bids and Directing the City Clerk to Advertise the Same. 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. FILING: 19. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Co. - City of Alameda, as at March 31, 1948. 20. Specifications - No. MS 4-48-7 - For Furnishing 3 Automobiles for the Health Department. BILLS: 21. 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 Department, $7,927.82; Civil Service Department, $64.05; Police Department, 51,758.92; Fire Department, 52,411.66; Street Department, 43,759.44; Pound Department, $59.64; Health Department, 54,015.21; First Aid Department, 5226.79; Recreation Department, 798.08; Park Department, 52,278.47; Golf Course Department, 4937.51; Store Department, 51,210.90; Social Service Department, 587.11; Traffic Safety Fund, 44,002.65; Parking Meters Fund, 53.70; Webster Street Storm Sewer Fund, 5261.71; East Bay Muni- cipal Utility District Fund, $1,994.; Bay Farm Island Sewer Fund, 53.91; Otis Drive Sewer Fund, 41,444.37; Park Street Sewer Fund, $2,807.06; Gas Tax No. 1 Fund, 585.36; Gas Tax No. 2 Fund, 422,922.54; Special Street Lighting Fund, 59,996.62; Special Street Lighting Fund, 53,182.04; Special Street Lighting Fund, 53,120.51. Councilman Jones moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on April 20, 1948, and presented to the Council at this time, be allowed • and paid. 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. ADJOURNMENT: 22. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council ad- journed to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, May 4, 1948, at 8:00 olclock. Respectfully *.tted, "-„ y Clerk