Loading...
1944-12-19 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 19, - - - - - - - 1944 The meeting convened at 8:00 p. m. with President Godfrey presiding. ROLL 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 5, 1944., were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 2'f From Mr. L. J. Gersdorf of the United States Navy, requesting refund of City and County personal property tax in the total amount of ,$2.47 which he paid in July of this year, on the basis that servicemen are exempted from this tax by Public Act No. 415. Following the reading of this communication, the President called upon the City Attorney for a ruling on the question of the City's position with reference to the requested refund. The City Attorney pointed out that claim is made for a refund by the City of taxes collected for the County and that the letter does not put the claimant in line for a refund of City taxes collected by reason of the absence of information placing him within the purview of the act referred to in the letter. He stated that in his opinion the claim should not be recognized by the Council. The President stated that if there were no objections, he would instruct the City Attorney to write the claimant setting forth the matter as outlined in his ruling and stating that in view of his findings the Council feels Mr. Gersdorf has no claim against the City for any refund. 3. From H. C. Pratt, Major General, U. S. Army, Commanding General, Western Defense Command - Public Proclamation No. 21, dated December 17, 1944 - relative to the return of persons of Japanese ancestry to those areas of the Western De- fense Command from which they were heretofore excluded. No Council action was taken on this matter and the Proclamation was ordered filed. OPENING OF BIDS: Bids were opened and read for the project of painting and decorating the in- terior of the City Hall, in accordance with Specifications and Provisions therefor No. PW 12- 44 -11, as follows: From Allied Painters & Decorators Accompanied by certified check in amount of From Grove Painting and Decorating Co. Accompanied by certified check in amount of From Pacific Painting & Decorating Accompanied by certified check in amount of $5,901. 590. 5,985.50 613. 3,252. 330. These bids were referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for study and recommendation. 5, Bid was presented and read from Mr. Louis A. Alexander, 3406 - 35th Avenue, Oakland, for operating the refreshment concessions in Washington and Lincoln Parks, for the period from January 1, to December 31, 1945, in the total amount of $810. His bid was accompanied by a cashier's check in the amount of $81. The City Manager recommended contract for operating the above concessions for the period specified be awarded to Mr. Alexander. On motion of Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Branscheid, recommendation of the City Manager was approved; contract for the operation of concessions as designated above was awarded to Louis A. Alexander at his bid price of $81. con- tingent upon his satisfying the conditions necessary to the execution of the contract. The motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5 ). Noes: None. Absent: None. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 6� From the City Manager, recommending acceptance of performance of work in con- nection with contract for painting Fire Station No. 2 by Grove Painting and Decorating Company. His letter was accompanied by a similar recommendation from the City Engineer. Councilman Branscheid moved the recommendation of the City Manager be adopted and contract for painting Fire Station No. 2 be accepted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried. From the City Attorney, recommending he be authorized to file a Disclaimer in that certain action entitled, "United. States of America, Plaintiff, vs. 0.336 Acre of land, more or less, etc., County of Alameda, etal., Defendants, No. 23431-R." This matter was referred to "Resolutions." UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The matter of the appointment of a Trustee to represent the City of Alameda on the Board of Trustees of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, for the term beginning January 2, 1945, and ending January 2, 1947. Referred to "Resolutions." NEW BUSINESS: 8:' The President stated he had a letter from the Alameda Youth Coordinating Council, requesting City participation in the financing of the present undertaking of the Coordinating Council in establishing its Youth Center. He suggested the letter be referred to the City Attorney and City Manager with the request that they advise the Council at the earliest possible moment as to the legal possibili- ties of the City participating financially in this project, and the matter be re- ferred to the Committee of the Whole for study. This action being agreed upon by the members of the Council, the order was so made. 9. President Godfrey called up for discussion a letter addressed to the City Manager by the Chief of Police, relative to the blanketing in of certain members of the Auxiliary Police as police reserves and, setting up the budget required to carry this plan through. Requested by the President to discuss this matter for the benefit of the Council, the City Manager explained that if these men were put on as reserve patrolmen they could be assigned to regular beats, thereby increasing the City's police force by some 52 men. He stated these reserves would work approximately four hours per week during the hours from 8 to 12 p. m., accompanying our regular police officers and thus giving the City that much more badly needed police protection. Mr. McMillan stated he was heartily in favor of the plan and hoped for its favorable consideration by the Council. Councilman Branscheid commented that this was a long step in the right direction and moved the Council appropriate the sum of $2,937. to carry the budget outlined in the letter from Chief Doran; that this budget be set out in the minutes of this meeting and the City Manager be authorized to put this plan into effect and to work out all details. The motion 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. The itemized budget in connection with the above plan is as follows: * 20 ea. * 20 ea. * 20 ea. 45 prs. 45 ea. 45 ea. 45 ea. 45 sets 8 ea. 8 ea. 8 prs. .38 caliber Colt Revolvers 0 Sam Brown Belts and Holsters Peerless Handcuffs Police Uniform Trousers Police Uniform Shirts Police Uniform Caps Police Uniform Ties Reserve Police Stars & Ornaments 5.00 State Compensation for 45 Men 9.00 Raincoats 8.00 Covers for Caps .50 Rubber Boots 3.00 $35.00 11.00 13.00 15.00 3.50 3.65 .85 $700.00 220.00 260.00 675.00 157.40 164.25 38.25 225.00 405.00 64.00 4.00 24.00 TOTAL - $2,937.00 10. Councilman Jones commented on the report of the traffic check and survey made by Robert.A. Worden and Charles Back of the Civilian Defense and Engineering De- partments, respectively, and requested that the minutes show this report has been received by the Council and the Council highly commends these men for the splendid work done. Councilman Jones suggested that the President call upon Mr. McMillan to highlightthe outstanding features of the report in order that the City might know what the Council is doing in its efforts to work out a solution to the transportation situation. Mr. McMillan responded by stating that last year a survey was made of the sche- dules maintained by the Key System and the operation of the buses on those sche- dules. Following our survey, the Railroad Commission made an additional check. With the Railroad Commission's report before it, the Council met with the Key System and approved a revised schedule submitted by the Key System with the pro- vision that this schedule would be adhered to. In the present survey, which is the subject of this report and which was made on the dates of December 1 4 and 5, the purpose was to check to determine whether or not the schedules as adopted were being maintained. Men were stationed at the Fremont Street Terminal in San Francisco to check the situation at the peak even- ing hours, this being the spot from which most of the complaints came. The ar- rival time of the buses, the numbers of the buses and their layover time at this point are recorded in the report. The men then took the same conditions, using the morning hours and checked the service from High Street and Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, on both the "T" and "W" lines, reporting on the layover time and whether or not the buses operated on schedule. At this point the City Manager read several excerpts from the report to show the nature of the check made and the scope of information obtained thereby. He stated that in making this survey our men followed exactly the procedure adopted by the Railroad Commission in its survey and made their checks at the same points and during the same hours. He further explained that information obtained through this survey will be checked with the Key System, who will be asked to explain why the service as set up in the adopted schedules is not being maintained. The City Manager stated that another matter was developed through this survey, namely that of determining the proportionate share of buses allocated to Alameda service as compared to the entire population served by the Key System bus lines. This check was made at the mouth of the Posey Tube and shows that with the number of buses available to the Key System, Alameda has in its service considerably more than its proportionate share of buses in operation. Upon being informed of this most recent traffic check, the Railroad. Commission be- lieves that it can use some of the information obtained in a conference to be held by it with the Key System during the present week. The City Manager stated that the survey was made entirely with our own personnel and without knowledge on the part of any interested parties that it was being made. v/ 11. The City Manager introduced the matter of the new Fruitvale Avenue Bridge over the Estuary, noting that on December 21 the War Department will hold a hearing in San Francisco on this proposed bridge which will replace the present bridge and will be erected alongside of same to the west. He stated that so far as could be determined now the only objection to the new bridge as designed is that it calls for a 24-foot 8-inch roadway between curbs - two traffic lanes of 12 feet 4 inches each. He remarked that he believed it was perhaps the wrong thing to design the struc- ture for the purpose this one is supposed to serve with such a narrow roadway and suggested that at the hearing before the Board of Army Engineers the City of Ala- meda should request that the roadway of this bridge be widened. President Godfrey stated it would seem this roadway will be entirely inadequate in view of what might reasonably be expected in the way of traffic over the bridge. The City Manager developed the subject of future traffic on the bridge by outlining the plan for a direct highway route from Park Street and Lincoln Avenue to the bridge by utilizing the present right of way of the Southern Pacific Company, the franchise to which will expire in 1949. He stated this would make one of the finest boulevards in the City and that with the extension of Fernside Boulevard to the Bay Farm Island. Bridge and the acquisition of an access road over the Island to the Eastshore Highway, vehicular traffic over the bridge would warrant the expenditure at this time of sufficient money to provide an adequate roadway to handle it. The City Manager stated he would like to have an expression of the Council as to the width of roadway which might be deemed satisfactory. Councilman Osborn stated that in view of the criticism regarding Posey Tube and its inadequacy, he felt it would be proper for the Council, through the City Mana- ger, to make a protest against the building of this bridge with such a narrow roadway, it being inadequate to care for the traffic that may be expected to pass over it. Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager be instructed to inform the Army Engineers that the City Council believes the roadway of the proposed bridge is too narrow to care for the best interests of the area to be served. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones. Speaking on the question, Councilman Branscheid stated he felt that if there were to be a protest as to the roadway being too narrow, there should be some suggestion made as to what is desired instead of the now proposed roadway. Councilman Jones said he felt this matter should be left to the discretion of the City Manager, as an engineer and one knowing what is going to be necessary, and that he should be permitted to work out the best arrangement possible. Mr. McMillan said he thought it should definitely be a four-lane bridge and that we should ask for such, having the future in mind - or such construction of the bridge that the additional two lanes could be added at some future time without too much expense. The President then put the question and the motion was unanimously carried. RESOLUTIONS: 12. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Branscheid, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3070 Authorizing Filing of Disclaimer in Eminent Domain Action Instituted by the United States of America." 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 Godfre YI (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3071 Appointing Carl Froerer on Board of Trustees of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District." The motion to adopt said resolution 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. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3072 Authorizing the Mayor of the City of Alameda to Sign Substitution of Attorney." 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. There- upon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Branscheid, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3073 Adopting Specifications for Furnishing Seven(7) Two-Door Sedans and/or Four-Door Sedans to the City of Alameda, Calling for Bids and Directing the City Clerk to Adver- tise the Same." 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. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 16' Jones suggested that the Council go on record as being highly gratified with the fine work performed by the employees of the City during the past year in spite of wartime conditions and the restrictions and obstacles aris- ing therefrom and extending to the employees its high commendation for the results attained, and expressed the wish that the forthcoming new year might be a bright and prosperous one for all. FILING: 17. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - City of Alameda, as of November 30, 1944. 18. Financial Report - Goodell, Byers & Henry - City of Alameda Police and Fire Pension Fund, as at June 30, 1944. 19. Specifications - No. MS 12-44-10, for furnishing Seven Sedans to the City of Alameda for the Police Department. BILLS: 20. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several departments thereof in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the Council at this time. General Departments, $12,042.30; Civilian Defense Department, $149.71; Police Department, $996.42; Civil Service Department, $40.; Pound Department, $93.57; Fire Department, $1,640.24; Street Department, $1,276.49; Health Department $383.75; Recreation Department, $187.88; Federal Recreation Facilities, $173.92; Park Department, $631.93; Golf Course Department, $473.20; Store Department, $116.90; Social Service Department, $177.52; Initiative Relief Fund, $42.; Street Improvement Fund, $2,520.81; East Bay Municipal Utility District Fund, $4,786.13. Councilman Branscheid moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on December 19, 1944, 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 21. There being no further business:to transact, the Council adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, January 2, 1945.