1911-03-13 Regular CC MinutesMarch 13th, 1911.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OFAIMDA
MONDAY, MARCH 13TH, 1911.
Meeting was called to order by Council-president Bullock.
The roll was called and Councilmen Christensen, Hammond, Spence, 711s, Probst and
Bullock, (6) were noted present and Councilmen Walker, Krumb and Fisher (3) absent.
The Clerk read the Mayor's call for the meeting which was for the purpose of con-
sidering matters pertaining to the leasing by the United States Government of property
bordering the Oakland Estuary and Tidal Canal. Ordered filed.
The Clerk presented a certificate showing that the Councilmen had been properly
notified of the call for the meeting. Ordered filed.
Mr. Krunb arrived and was noted present.
The Clerk read a communication from the Alameda Harbor Commission as follows:-
Alameda, Cal. March 9, 1911. Honorable Mayor and Council of the City of
Alameda, Alameda, California. Gentlemen:-
1‘e have a contrmnication from your City Clerk, dated March 0th, enclosing a
letter dated Feb. 28, 1911, from Colonel Biddle in reference to the leasing of water
front along the Tidal Canal.
This matter irnrresses us as being of considerable importance to the Cities of
Alameda and Oakland, and we think that their interests should be considered in the
premises. It is greatly to the interest of the cities referred to that industries
of all kinds should be developed along both sides of the Tidal Canal, and that parties
intending to go into the manufacturing business or the shipping business should be
encouraged to come there and invest their money, and increase the value of the pro-
perty in the cities, and also the population thereof. To this end, we would. suggest:
1. Taking into consideration that a very small part of the property referred
to is occupied and in use, any rentals charged for the time being shall be as low
as possible; it would be better if they were merely nominal, to the end that industires
be encouraged to develop along the Tidal Canal, instead of being discouraged.
2. The proposition of leasing land to the highest bidder seems especially objection-
able, in so far as it refers to land which has been developed at the expense pf private
owners with the consent of the United States Government. The strip owned by the
Government is very narrow, and it seems that any proposition to lease wharves or other
improvements built by private owners amounts to an invitation for unscrupulous persons
to attempt to levy blackmail upon the developers of the property. Looked at broadly,
the amount of money that can possible be derived from the leaseholds proposed can be
of very small moment to the U. 2. Government. On the other hand, the development of
business, under favorable lines, is of great importance. It is hard to see how anybody
could establish a new business on the land referred to, if, at any time in the future,
the Government might place said business at the mercy of unscrupulous parties by
advertising for leases, not only on the Government land, but covering improvements
placed on the water front by enterprises. It should be taken into consideration that
the improvements already made and those expected to be made are not be public corpora-
tions or by monopolies, but by ordinary business.
3. It is respectfully submitted that it is manifestly proper that the City of
March 13, 1911.
submitted Alameda Harbor Commission, H. Krusi, Chairman.
Mr. Hammond moved that the Council approve and endorse the same and that a Resolu-
tion be drafted embodying the recommendations contained in the same; that a copy be
sent to Lieutenant Colonel Piddle of the Engineering Corps of the United States Army and
also to the Mayor of Oakland, seconded by Mr. Christensen and carried, thereupon Mr.
Hammond. offered the following Fesolution and moved its adoption:-
WHEREAS, the City of Alameda is interested in the proposed leasing of the narrow
U; S. Government strip along the Tidal Canal, being the owner of the adjacent property
from Park Street to Fruitvale Avenue, on the south side thereof,
RESOLVED, That it requests the Ti. S. Government to investigate its right to
charge any sum whatsoever from the adjacent property owners for leasing said land. The
City of Alameda is advised that when the U. S. Government condemned said land it was for
the purpose of building a Tidal Canal therein and not as a commercial proposition; and
that the fact that the canal did not quite' occupy the entire land condemned should not
militate against the adjacent owners. The proposition is of the same nature as if the
City of Alameda should purchase land for a street, and then build, the said street narrow-
er than the land purchased and thereafter charge property owners for the right to get
from their property to the street.
We are advised that much of the property condemned for this canal was procured at
a low price on account of the advantage to the balance of said prorerty, due to fronting
on the canal.
Mr. Christensen seconded the Reolution and it was passed and adopted by the follow-
ing vote: Ayes:Councilmen Christensen, Krumh, Hammond Spence, Ells, Probst and Bullock,
(7). Noes:None. Absent:Councilmen Walker and Fisher, (2).
There being no further business to transact the Council adjourned.
Clerk.