1945-09-04 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY CF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 4., 1945
The meeting convened at 8:00 P. E. with President Branscheid presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and President
Branscheid, (4), were noted, present. Absent: Counci man Osborn, (1).
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held August 21, 1945, were approved.
as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION-:
2. v/-
An Award. of Merit was presented to the City of Alameda by the East Bay
Chapter of the National Safety Council for the best Safety Record. in the Muni- •
cipal Group of the Inter-Fleet Safety Contest which had been held from March 1,
to June 30, 1945.
Councilman Howe stated that Councilman Sweeney and he had attended the dinner
meeting held August 29, at which this award was made and, they were both highly
pleased with the showing that the Alameda drivers had made during the contest
period.
The President stated that he was very gratified at the Citys having won this
award and hoped it would encourage the drivers to continue their efforts along
this line and bring our safety record to an even higher point.
From the National Housing Agency, relative to the disposal of permanent and
temporary Federally-owned war housing in the City of Alameda and requesting the
appointment of a committee to meet with representatives of certain Government
Agencies to discuss the problem.
The communication was read and President Branscheid. referred to the agreement
between the City and the Federal Government providing that this housing would be
disposed of within six months after the termination of the war and pointed out
that the Government is now asking us to be ready to advise it of our wishes in
the matter.
As to the appointment of the committee requested. by the National Housing Agency
for the purpose of dealing with the Government in this matter, President Branscheid
stated that the City Manager had suggested that the present Housing Authority of
the City of Alameda would be best able to handle this assignment inasmuch as it
bus gone through the construction period. and has taken care of all the details of
the running of the housing projects with the Government.
Councilman Sweeney moved that in line with the recommendation of the City Manager
the Alameda Housing Authority be appointed to act as a committee to confer with
the Government in the matter of disposing of permanent and temporary Federally-
owned housing in the City of Alameda. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe
and unanimously carried.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
4. Mr. Frank Gottstein addressed the Council concerning several phases of trans-
portation - pointing out that much delay is caused in the Posey Tube when a car is
stalled for any reason, by the fact that the County-owned tow car is parked at 13th
and Madison Streets rather than at the mouth of the Tube where it would be available
for pulling cars out of the Tube.
He also offered the suggestion that if we were not able to get the proper transpor-
tation service from. the Kay System now that war is over and materials should shortly .
become available, we should acquire some of the large Government-Owned buses and go
into the transportation business ourselves.
He also suggested. that the matter of running explosives .through the Tube by the
Government be investigated and brought to a prompt stop.
ide called attention, further, to the fact that the "No Left Turn" si gns on Harrison
Street - at 6th and 8th Streets - in Oakland, are not properly taken care of inas-
much as they were primarily designed for use during peak hours, but as a matter of
fact, are left standing in the intersections through all hours of the day and many
Limes overnight.
President Branscheid thanked Yr. Gottstein for his remarks and stated that the
various complaints expressed would be investigated.
5. Mrs. Ruth Manning, Counsellor Coordinator at the Naval Air Station, addressed
the Council on the matter of continuing the operation of the Child Care Centers in
the housing projects. Her appearance was prompted by the fact that notice has
been served by the Federal Government that this program would be terminated as
of October 20, 1945.
Mrs. Manning stated she was in the process of conducting a survey to determine how
badly this program is needed and stated that as far as the survey has gone, it has
shown a definite need for this service so long as the housing projects remain open
and so long as the children remain here. She urged the Council to do something
about having the centers continued.
President Branscheid assured her that while the Council is very much concerned
over the proposed closing of the child centers, the matter is really a Federal
Government responsibility. He stated, however, that the Council would be very
glad to go into the matter to see what can be done and to support the movement
to have them retained.
Councilman Jones thereupon moved that the City Manager be directed. to write to
the proper authorities, on behalf of the City Council, pointing out the existing
conditions and urgently requesting that operation of the Child Care Centers be
continued and also, incidently, the recreational program, and to further ask that
the Lanham Act funds be not withheld from these programs. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Howe and unanimously carried.
Councilman. Jones then suggested that the matters of the continuation of the Child
Care Centers and the recreational program be approached separately in case it was
decided to abandon one program, it would not necessarily mean that both would be
stopped.
The City Manager stated that while he was in Washington in June, the recreational
program was held up, the attitude of the officials being that there was no longer
a need for any of these programs.
The West Coast was the only section of the country effected by this move and the
continuance of the program in the face of their decision to close it out pre-
sented a very stiff proposition and .he expressed some doubt as to whether or not
they could be brought to a reconsideration under their present attitude.
OPENING OF BIDS:
6. No bids were received for the furnishing of one Pick Up Truck for the Street
Department, in accordance with Specifications and Provisions therefor No. MS 9-4-8.
Thereupon Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager be authorized to purchase this
truck in the open market. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and
President Branscheid, (4) . Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn , (1).
No bids were received for the furnishing of three new 1945 Two-Door and/or
Four-Door Sedans for the Police Department, in accordance with, Specifications
and Provisions therefor, No. MS 9-45-9.
Thereupon Councilman Howe moved the City Manager be authorized to purchase these
automobiles in the open market. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney
and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4) . Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn,
(1).
REPORTS OF COLTMITTEES:
From the Mayor, City Manager and Auditor, reporting on the Count of Honey
held. August 22,-1945, showing there was the sum of $1,854,176.65 which, according
to the Auditor's records, should have at that time been in the City Treasury.
Councilman Jones moved the report be accepted and, ordered filed. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Howe and unanimously carried.
9. From the City Manager, recommending the acceptance of work performed under
contract for the resurfacing of Gibbons Drive, in accordance with Plans and.
Specifications No. PW 6-45-4.
Councilman Jones moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved and the
specified work accepted. The motion was seconded. by Councilman. Howe and unani-
mously carried.
10. From G. A. Baxter, Secretary of the Public Utilities Board, requesting that
Yr. Charles M. Romanowitz, member of the Board, be granted permission to leave
the State of California for a period. of thirty days, commencing September 7, 1945.
Councilman Howe moved that Charles M. Romanowitz member of the Public Utilities
Board, be branted a thirty-day leave of absence beginning September 7, 1945.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney . and unanimously carried.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE':
11. Councilman. Howe introduced the following . ordinance, after which it was laid
over under provision of law and the Charter:
"Ordinance No.
New Series
An Ordinance Fixing the Rate and Levying a Tax on All
Real and Personal Property in the City of Alameda for
the 45-46 and Apportioning the Same Among
the Several Funds of the City."
RESOLUTIONS:
12. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved i
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3208
Approving and Adopting a Budget for the Fiscal Year
1945-46; Appropriating. Certain Moneys for the Expendi-
tures Provided in Said Budget for Said Fiscal Year;
and Ratifying Certain. lixpenditures Heretofore Made."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). There-
upon the declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption and also that this meeting of the Council be adjourned in memory of
Norvin J. Green:
"Resolution No. 3209
Expressing to the Family of Norvin J. Green, a Former
City Employee, the Appreciation of the City of Alameda
of his Long and Faithful Service and Extending the
Sympathy of the Council in his recent Death.
"WHEREAS, NORVIN J. GREEN, a former employee of the City
of Alameda, passed out of this life on the 22nd day of August 1945;
and
"WHEREAS, the said NORVIN J. GREEN did, Curing his life-
time, render to the City of Alameda faithful and loyal service
extending over a period of twenty-two years;
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA, that for and on behalf of the people of the City
of Alameda. it does hereby express to the family of the said
NORVIN J. GREEN the warm appreciation of the City for the service
so well performed and its deep sympathy in this time of their
bereavement; and
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread
in full upon the minutes of this meeting and that a copy thereof
be forwarded to the family of the deceased as a testimonial of
the high esteem in which his memory is held by the City of Alamed
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on
roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney
and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved
its adoption:
"Resolution No. 3210
Authorizing Deposit of Public Funds in Active and
Inactive Deposits in Certain Banks."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney
and president Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
1)
15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved
its adoption:
"Resolution No. 3211
Authorizing Giving of Notice of Intention Not to
Renew Lease Between the Roman Catholic Archbishop
of San Francisco and the City of Alameda."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3212
Authorizing City Manager to Request the Board of
Supervisors of the County of Alameda to Assign to
the City of Alameda the Sum of V20,000."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded. by Councilman Sweeney and on
roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: (4). Noes: None. Absent:
Councilman Osborn, (1). Thereupon the President declared. said resolution duly
adopted and passed.
17. The following resolution wasintroduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3213
Creating Five Additional Positions of Senior Civil
Engineer in the Street Department of the City of
Alameda."
The motion to adopt said resolution was-seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and.
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
18. "Ordinance No. 876,
New Series
An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 783, New Series."
Councilman Howe moved the ordinance be adopted as read- The motion was seconded
by Councilman Sweeney and, on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes:
Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
FILING:
19. Financial statement - Goodell, Byers Henry - Bureau of Electricity,
as at July 31, 1945.
20. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - City of Alameda, for
fiscal year ending Tune 30, 1945.
21. Auditor's Balance Sheet - Month ending August 31, 1945.
22. Notice of Termination of Lease - Between City of Alameda and Roman
Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco, re ground rental for
auxiliary fire equipment - Fountain and Van Buren Streets.
ADJOURNMENT:
23. There being no further business to transact, the Council adjourned in memory
of Nor/in T. Green, former City employee - to assemble in regular session on
Tuesday evening, September 18, 1945, at 8:00 P. N.
Respectfully submitted,
City Clerk