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1941-01-21 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF TH COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 21, 1941 The meeting convened at 8:01 o'clock P. M. with President Weichhart presiding. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held January 7, 1941, were approved as trans- cribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: A communication was presented from Messrs. Wynn Meredith, F. C. Stratford, Robert E. Christy, S. C. Wright, Albert C. Agnew and Mrs. Mildred Anderson, regarding another highway connection between Alameda and Oakland, and urging the City Council to declare itself in favor of a high level bascule bridge over the Estuary in preference to a second tube and stating their reasons therefor. As a copy of this letter had been sent to each member of the Council for perusal,—the communication was not read. Councilman Morris said that statements had been carried by various newspapers indicat- ing City Officials are of the opinion the United States Government would not grant a permit for a bridge over the Estuary and this erroneous impression no doubt caused the writers of this communication to feel as they do about the matter. The City of Ala- meda has requested that a new highway connection between Oakland and Alameda be pro- vided and has not specified or requested either a bridge or a tube. The City Manager offered, if it is the Council's wish, to send a letter to the writers of this communication, informing them just what has been done with regard to furnish- ing the Government with all available data on this proposed project and what the Council's attitude has been in the matter. Councilman Godfrey then moved the City Manager be requested to write such a letter in behalf of the City Council, acknowledging the communication and explaining what action has been taken with regard to the City's request for a highway connection across the Estuary, stating the Council's attitude in seeking some sort of connection and that the Council has not specified its preference for either a bridge or a tube. Also, that the writers of the above referred to communication be furnished copies of the resolution adopted by this Council, the Oakland City Council and the Board of Super- visors, pertaining to this matter. The motion was seconded by Councilman Morris and unanimously carried. 3. From the Alameda Improvement Club, enclosing copy of Assembly Bill No. 283, intro- duced by the Honorable Randal F. Dickey, Assemblyman from Alameda, which calls for an appropriation of $75,000. for a new Armory in Alameda and urging that the Council en- dorse this project. Mr. E. R. Sanford, President of the Alameda Improvement Club, addressed the Council on this subject. After discussion, Councilman Maurer moved the Council endorse this project and that a letter be written to that effect, notifying the proper authorities. The motion was seconded by Councilman Carrington and unanimously carried. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: V 4. The City Manager reported that on January 20, 1941, the Inter-Urban Electric Railway Company had started to remove the overhead wires along Fernside Boulevard and Encinal Avenue and as soon as they are removed the poles will be taken out of the center of the street. This program will be continued as rapidly as the weather will permit. The work will start at Pearl Street and Fernside Boulevard and continue west to Pacific Avenue Junction. As soon as the City requests, the tracks will be torn out. v 5. After a thorough examination of the stretch of roadway between the points re- ferred to above, it does not seem advisable to have the former road bed in the center of the street patched by the Southern Pacific Company for a width including two feet on each side of the tracks. It is believed more advantageous to repave the entire street from curb to curb and it is the belief of the City Manager and the City Engineer that this work can be done with the one-quarter cent gas tax money which will be avail- able, the amount which the Southern Pacific Company is obligated to spend for paving the center of the street and with a possible slight increase in the tax rate. That, however, has not as yet been definitely determined. Councilman Godfrey moved the City Manager continue to make his investigation in this regard and draw up the necessary estimates and proceed along the lines suggested. The motion was seconded by Councilman Maurer and unanimously carried. 6. Councilman Morris stated that during the past two years a great deal of unfavor- able comment and publicity has arisen regarding the transportation situation between San Francisco and Alameda. It is his belief a thought should now be expressed that if the people of Alameda really want to help themselves and property values it might be wise for them to as loudly commend our new transportation system as they formerly condemned the old system. He said he hoped the newspapers would give them some publicity. 7. The City Manager suggested it might be desirable that the Council send a letter to the Key System complimenting it on the splendid effort it has made in providing a satisfactory transportation system up to this time. Councilman Godfrey stated he believed the Key System should be given definite praise for the satisfactory service it has endeavored to give. Councilman Morris then moved the City Manager be requested to communicate with the Key System, commending it for the splendid service and cooperation given and urging it to continue its good service and when it is possible, to extend the through ser- vice during the middle of the day. The motion was seconded by Councilman Carrington and unanimously carried. VI 8. A general discussion was then held regarding congestion of traffic in Posey Tube, parking on Harrison Street, Oakland, and the probability of Alameda experiencing even more efficient transportation service in the near future, due to the proposed new highway construction in Oakland. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 9. From the City Manager, requesting authorization from the Council to attend the mid-winter meeting of the City Managers' Section of the League of California Cities, to be held in Visalia, February 20, 21 and 22, 1941, and an appropriation of a sum not to exceed $50. for his expenses. Councilman Carrington moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved, seconded by Councilman Godfrey and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5) . Noes: None, Absent: None. VI 10. From the City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to P. E. Van Pelt of Oakdale, on his Proposition No. 1, for furnishing a combination pumping engine to the City of Alameda, at the bid price of $9,125.80. Councilman Godfrey moved the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that contract be awarded to P. E. Van Pelt for furnishing to the City this combination pumping en- gine at the bid price of $9,125.80 and checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. The motionwas seconded by Councilman Maurer and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 11. From the City Manager, recommending contract be awarded to Bean and Cavanaugh for furnishing one DeSoto Sedan to the City of Alameda for use in the Fire Department, at the price of $875., this being the best bid submitted for this equipment at the regular meeting held. January 7, 1941. Councilman Maurer moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved and the checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. The motion was seconded by Councilman Carrington and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None, Absent: None, UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 12. Councilman Godfrey referred back to "Oral Communications" regarding new bus trans- portation system and moved that a communication be also sent to the Council of the City of Oakland, commending it on the cooperation and manner in which traffic has been handled at this time when the new bus system is endeavoring to establish excellent service. The motion was seconded by Councilman Morris and unanimously carried. 13. Councilman Carrington stated he believed it would be advisable for the City to make a survey on the practicability of installing street signs, indicating names of streets that do not cut across the main arteries in the Fernside District, it being very difficult to locate these streets at night. The City Manager stated he would investigate the matter. 1 . Councilman Godfrey requested the City Manager to look into the desirability of painting white lines on streets where the buses make turns to indicate the scope of the turn taken by the buses. After the City Manager explained what he and the City Engineer had in mind regarding such indications, he stated he would make further investigation. 15. Councilman Carrington inquired about what report could be made with regard to right hand turns into traffic against the red signal on Park Street. He was informed by the City Manager there was nothing definite in this regard as yet. RESOLUTIONS: 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Godfrey, who moved its adoption: "RESOLUTION NO. 2557 Authorizing Execution and. Filing on Behalf of the City of Alameda of a Disclaimer in the Case of R. B. Bernard, Plaintiff vs. Mary McLachlan, W. C. McLachlan, City of Alameda, a Muni- cipal Corporation, et al., Defendants, No. 160243 in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of Alameda." This resolution was accompanied by a letter of explanation from the City Attorney, which was read. The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Morris and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Mayor de- clared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 17. At this point the City Manager stated he would like to refer back to "Reports of Committees" and recommend that the request for a gratuitous license from Nathan Samit to sell floor coverings in the City of Alameda, be granted. Mr. Samit is a World War Veteran and his request meets with all the requirements of the law with regard to issuing gratuitous licenses. Councilman Carrington moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved, seconded by Councilman Morris and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5) . Noes: None. Absent: None, ORDINANCES PASSED: 18. "Ordinance No. 741 New Series Repealing '''ection 12-121 of Article 2, Chapter 1, Title XII of the Alameda Municipal Code; Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding to Article 2, Chapter 1, Title XII Thereof, Sections Numbered 12-121, 12-122 and 12-123, Regulating the Distribution of Handbills." Councilman Carrington moved the ordinance as read be adopted, seconded by Councilman Morris and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5) . Noes: None. Absent: None. 19. "Ordinance No. 742 New Series An Ordinance Repealing Sections 12-124, 12-125 and 12-126 of Article 2, Chapter 1, Title XII of the Alameda Municipal Code; Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding to Article 2, Chapter 1, Title XII Thereof Four New Sections Numbered 12-124, 12-125, 12-126 and 12-127, Regulating the Distribution of Handbills." Councilman Carrington moved the ordinance as read be adopted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Morris and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Council men Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None, FILING: 20. Financial Statement - City of Alameda - Goodell & Henry - As of Decenber, 1940. 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: General Departments, $6,900.30; Police Department, $2,080.20; Civil Service Depart- ment, $5.98; Pound Department, $294.53; Fire Department, $546.92; Street Department, $805.49; Health Department, $211.05; Recreation Department, $121.68; Park Depart- ment, $497.73; Golf Course Department, (:089.84; Store Department, $204.12; Social Service Department, $82.53; Initiative Relief Fund, $33.00; Street Improvement Fund, $57.40; Gas Tax Fund, No. 2, $33.65; East Bay Municipal Utility District, $2,313.20. Councilman Godfrey moved the bills and claims against the City in the amounts listed and itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on January 21, 1941, and presented to the Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Maurer and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5) . Noes: None. Absent: None. 22. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, February 4, 1941, at 8:00 o'clock P. M. R (22 R pectful y sub itted, irUmx-0—. City Clerk.