2015-07-16 Regular CC MinutesRegular Meeting
Alameda City Council
July 16, 2015 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY- -JULY 16, 2015- -7:00 P.M.
Mayor Spencer convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese,
Oddie and Mayor Spencer – 5.
Absent: None.
AGENDA CHANGES
None.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(15-449) Greenway Golf 2015 Annual Report on the Chuck Corica Golf Complex.
George Kelly, Greenway Golf, gave a Power Point presentation.
Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft commended Mr. Kelly.
Councilmember Daysog thanked Mr. Kelly for turning around the golf course.
Mayor Spencer noted the Golf Commission supported concession design plans at its
last meeting; stated progress is being made at the Golf Course.
(15-450) Alameda Museum 2015 Annual Report.
Dennis Evanosky gave a Power Point presentation and gave the Councilmembers a
copy of his book: Alameda: An Architectural Treasure Chest.
Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired what else needs to be done to before the
Meyers House can be rented, to which Mr. Evanosky responded the Carriage House
needs to be finished, something needs to be done to the lawn and other smaller things
need to be done, including the second garage and office.
Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft expressed concern over watering the lawns during the
drought.
Mr. Evanosky noted there is a well.
In response to Councilmember Oddie’s inquiry, Mr. Evanosky outlined the status of the
photograph project.
Councilmember Oddie stated that he would like to consider including money for the
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July 16, 2015 2
Museum when the Council addresses spending one time funds.
Councilmember Daysog stated the Museum is a unique local asset.
Vice Mayor Matarrese stated the Council needs to consider supporting the Museum on
an on-going basis, especially since the Museum houses City records.
Mayor Spencer encouraged Alamedans to visit the Musuem and Meyers House; stated
perhaps the City could provide support for the local match for the grant.
Mr. Evanosky discussed the grant; stated the project could also be funded by the
community if the Museum does not receive a grant.
Councilmember Oddie suggested Mr. Evanosky request support from the State
legislator.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote –
5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph
number.]
(*15-451) Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on June 11, 2015.
Approved.
(*15-452) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Chrisp Company for the Shore Line
Drive/Westline Drive/Broadway Bikeway Project. Accepted.
(*15-453) Recommendation to Accept the Work of National Plant Services Inc. for
Citywide Sewer Mains Video Inspection and Cleaning, Phase 7, No. P.W. 03-14-13.
Accepted.
(*15-454) Resolution No. 15065, “Amending the Alameda City Employees Association
(ACEA) Salary Schedule to Establish the Classifications of Park Maintenance
Foreperson and Park Maintenance Worker II.” Adopted.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(15-455) Recommendation to Accept the Police Department’s Draft Policy for the Taser
AXON Flex Body Cameras Prior to Deployment by the Police Department.
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July 16, 2015 3
The Police Chief gave a brief presentation.
Mayor Spencer requested staff to clarify the Council’s role.
The City Attorney stated the Police Chief would adopt the policy and is seeking Council
input on the policy tonight.
Vice Mayor Matarrese inquired whether videos would be subject to the Public Records
Act, to which the City Attorney responded in the affirmative.
Vice Mayor Matarrese inquired whether requests could be made similar to other police
records requests, to which the Police Chief responded in the affirmative.
Vice Mayor Matarrese suggested amending the section regarding accidental recordings
to preclude deletions until the mandated expiration to prevent accidental deletion of the
wrong file.
The Police Chief expressed concern over not being able to delete a prohibited recording
or restroom break which is accidentally recorded.
Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the requirement to have the Services
Division Commander approve deleting the file would prevent accidental deletion.
The Police Chief responded there are two layers of review; stated a Captain would
make the decision about whether or not to delete the recording.
Vice Mayor Matarrese inquired whether the Police Department current deletes written
reports, to which the Police Chief responded once a report is final, it is frozen and can
only be modified by a supplemental report.
Vice Mayor Matarrese inquired whether the same rule could be applied to not have a
video categorized as final until it is reviewed and approved.
The Police Chief responded a video could not be altered or modified; stated he would
review the suggestion.
Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft suggested there be an annual Council review similar to
the License Plate Readers policy; inquired whether Officers interviewing a victim of a
crime, such as rape, could be allowed not to record the conversation if the victim
requests it not be recorded, which is similar to the City of Fremont policy; further
inquired whether the same could be done for someone hesitant to provide information
on camera.
The Police Chief responded that he is comfortable adding the language in the Fremont
Policy regarding a victim in a vulnerable position; stated Officers are given discretion in
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July 16, 2015 4
the policy; that he does not want the policy to including too many specific incident types,
which could be confusing; noted audio recordings could be done instead of videos;
agreed to add a provision when someone does not want to be recorded providing
information.
Councilmember Daysog stated the Black Lives Matter movement is requesting that local
law enforcement wear body cameras; the City is making a significant investment to do
so.
Councilmember Oddie stated the policy strikes the right balance.
Mayor Spencer stated the Council unanimously voted to support the purchase of the
body cameras; discussed the additional documents which were provided to educate the
community; inquired how a request made under the California Public Records Act would
be handled.
The Police Chief responded his general response would be that the records are exempt
from disclosure because they are investigative records; discussed a recent lawsuit that
found license plate reader information, which is similar, is exempt from disclosure;
stated the policy allows the Police Chief to disclose videos if the release is beneficial to
the public; provided examples.
Mayor Spencer stated the Police Chief provides a reasonable explanation every time
she asks a question; requested an explanation of when the cameras would be
activated.
The Police Chief stated activation would not be mandatory and Officers would be given
discretion; noted recordings can go back 30 seconds when activated; stated
implementation will take time and training.
(15-456) Receive a Report from the Public Utilities Board (PUB) on Alameda Municipal
Power’s (AMP’s) Five-Year Strategic Plan, Capital Improvements and Financial Status.
The PUB Member Madeline Deaton gave a Power Point presentation and responded to
Council questions; the AMP General Manager also responded to questions.
Councilmember Daysog stated the PUB has a roadmap; residents and businesses
should feel confident.
Board Member Deaton encouraged Council to attend future PUB workshops.
In response to Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft’s inquiry, the AMP General Manager
stated the workshops would be in September and November.
Mayor Spencer stated Alamedans are interested in the presentations.
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July 16, 2015 5
(15-457) Presentation of Alameda Recreation and Parks Department Fiscal Year (FY)
2014-2015 Annual Report.
The Interim Recreation Director and Interim City Manager gave a Power Point
presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Spencer suggested lights be installed at the skate park.
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
(15-458) The Interim City Manager made a brief announcement about City Council
meeting dates.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
None.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
None.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(15-459) Councilmember Daysog made a brief announcement regarding the AC Transit
Liaison Subcommittee meeting.
(15-460) Vice Mayor Matarrese made a brief announcement regarding the kick off
meeting of the Council/East Bay Regional Park District Subcommittee.
(15-461) Councilmember Oddie made a brief announcement regarding the first meeting
of the Council/Alameda Health Care District Subcommittee; encouraged everyone to
attend the second annual Opera in the Park on August 16th.
(15-462) Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft made a brief announcement regarding a ribbon
cutting for a restaurant at Penumbra.
(15-463) Mayor Spencer announced that she would be attending a fundraiser to benefit
autism at Dragon Rouge on Saturday, the morning festivities for the Aids Walk in San
Francisco on Sunday and a Meals on Wheels fundraiser at Rock Wall on Sunday;
thanked the 4th of July Parade Committee; stated that she attended the change of
command ceremony at Coast Guard Island and a ceremony celebrating the 100th
anniversary of the Navy reserves on the USS Hornet.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Spencer adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.