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1945-01-02 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 2, 1945 The meeting convened at 8:00 p. m. with President Godfrey presiding. ROT:T. CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held December 19, 1944, were approved as transcribed. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 2: Mr. Frank Gottstein presented the matter of the need of a sidewalk on the west side of Webster Street across the marsh, stating that during the rainy sea- son pedestrians are compelled to walk out in the roadway because of the muddy condition of the dirt pathway inside the curb and pointing out the hazard of this situation. He stated the Housing Authority should be contacted in this matter inasmuch as the majority of the pedestrians are persons living in the housing projects. The President inquired of the City Manager whether anything of this sort was in contemplation and Mr. McMillan replied that Mr. Gottstein's bringing up this subject was a peculiar coincidence as during the past week he had requested the City Engineer to get in touch with the University of California which owns most of the abutting property, to see what could be done about the construction of a sidewalk. President Godfrey stated he had noted this condition while crossing the marsh with Councilman Howe last week and had decided something should be done concern- ing it. 3' City Manager stated that Pacific Painting and Decorating Company of Oakland was the low bidder on the project of painting the interior of the City Hall, that this company had been thoroughly investigated as to its financial standing and its ability to perform the work and had been found to be entirely satisfactory and he therefore recommended the contract be awarded to it. Councilman Branscheid moved the recommendation of the City Manager be accepted; that contract be awarded to the above mentioned company at its bid price of 03,252. 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 Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and. President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. OPENING OF BIDS: 4' being informed by the City Clerk that no bids had been received for the furnishing of seven two and/or four-door sedans to the City for the Police Depart- ment, President Godfrey inquired of the City Manager if the cars were obtainable in the open market. The City Manager stated he knew where the City could get four of the automobiles and said he would like to have permission of the Council to purchase the seven cars if available. Councilman Branscheid moved the City Manager be authorized to purchase the cars in the open market. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 5:/ From Mrs. Phyllis McCoskey, Secretary of Alameda Public Health Study Committee outlining plans for an extension of bedside nursing care in the City and recommend- ing the Council request the Alameda War Chest to consider allocating the sum of 2,500. to defray expenses of such operations for the period of one year. The President stated the City of Alameda Public Health Study Committee had been appointed by the Council to undertake the study of the subject matter of the let- ter just read and he felt the recommendation made by the Committee should be fol- lowed through. Councilman Jones moved the recommendation of the Committee be adopted; that the Council request the Alameda War Chest to make an allocation of the funds required. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and unanimously carried. 6. From Mayor Godfrey, nominating Mr. Frank McClintock, 2963 Gibbons Drive, to the office of member of Public Utilities Board of the City of Alameda to serve the unexpired term of Thomas J. Craig, resigned - which term will expire June 30, 1947. The matter was referred to "Resolutions." 7Y From the City Attorney, concerning the legality of the City participating financially in the establishment of "Jive Inn" - a youth center - by the Alameda Youth Coordinating Council. This matter had been referred to him for a ruling at the last regular meeting of the Council held December 19, 1944. President Godfrey inquired of the City Attorney if he had anything to add to his letter. Mr. Whitney replied there was not much, if anything, to be added inasmuch as the contemplated use of the moneys would constitute the expenditure of City funds for a private enterprise and that, despite the fact that the purpose was a laudable one and should be supported, City moneys could not be spent to carry on the project as presently set up. Councilman Jones asked how extensively the City Attorney had investigated similar enterprises in other cities and stated he would like to know in what way the local set up differs from those in other municipalities which he had heard were being carried on. Mr. Whitney said he had checked with Mr. Fernhoff, City Attorney of Oakland, who concurred in his opinion in the matter. He stated further that if the City were to take the project over and operate it as a part of the City's recreational ac- tivities that would be legal and authorized but that, without control of the use of the moneys and without a voice in the operation of the project, the City's par- ticipation financially would obviously be unsound. The President invited. Mr. William Cox, member of the Alameda Youth Coordinating Council, to speak on the subject. Mr. Cox stated that no doubt Mr. Whitney's conclusion was technically correct and said that while the City of Grass Valley is participating in the expenses of the operation of the Youth Center - without having any voice in the management - they are possibly violating the letter of the law. Mr. Cox stated the Coordinating Council needs help and suggested that possibly a committee appointed by the City Council could meet with the Coordinat- ing Council and work out a satisfactory plan. He said there was no objection tothe Recreation Department as such, but that the youth of the City want to operate the Center themselves, pointing out that in most cities the Parent-Teachers' Association and other organizarions are working the matter out because the youth want it under proper supervision, but they also want a voice in who is going to be the supervisor. Mr. Cox against suggested that a committee composed perhaps of the City Manager and City Attorney could work out something with the Coordinating Council but re- iterated that the Recreation Department does not appeal to the youth in most cities in this type of activity. He said he felt, however, that it might be possible to get a suitable supervisor from the Recreation Department. President Godfrey stated the Council is entirely sympathetic to the idea of a Youth Center and approves the suggestion that a committee from the Coordinating Council be delegated to meet with the City Manager, City Attorney and possibly himself to ascertain if some revision of the present plans can be accomplished which can bring the City of Alameda into the picture in such a way that it could legally participate financially in the operation of the Youth Center. The President requested the City Clerk to respond to the letter received from Mrs. H. M. Coffey, President of the Alameda Youth Coordinating Council, incorporating the opinion rendered by the City Attorney. 8 From the City Manager and Chief of Police, submitting an Affidavit stating that all moneys expended out of the Police Secret Fund during the period from July 1, to December 31, 1944, had been in the manner provided by the Charter of the City of Alameda. The Affidavit was ordered filed. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: 9. Councilman Branscheid introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under provision of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 673, New Series, Entitled "An Ordinance Establishing a Retirement, Pension and Insurance System for Officers and Employees of the City of Alameda." RESOLUTIONS: 10. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3074 Fixing Salary of Office and Position of Deputy City Attorney." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 11. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3075 Authorizing Reimbursement of Deputy City Treasurer at Rate of Five Cents a Mile for Actual Operating Expense of an Automobile Owned by Him While on Routine City Business." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 12. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3076 Appointing Member of Public Utilities Board." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Branscheid—and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. FILING: 13. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - Bureau of Electricity, as of November 30, 1944. BILLS: 14. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several depart- ments thereof in the total amounts as follows were presented to the Council at this time: General Departments, $33.72 and Health Department, $1,411.96. Councilman Branscheid moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on January 2, 1945, and presented to the Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. ADJOURNMENT: 15. There being no further business to transact, the Council adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, January 16, 1945, at 8:00 p. m. Respectful d? itted, 01011° City Clerk