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2020-01-21 Regular CC MinutesRegular Meeting Alameda City Council January 21, 2020 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY- - JANUARY 21, 2020- -7:00 P.M. Acting Mayor Knox White convened the meeting at 7:58 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Knox White, Oddie, Vella, and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft – 5. [Note: Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft was present via teleconference from The Capital Hilton, 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.] Absent: None. AGENDA CHANGES None. PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (20-036) Proclamation Declaring January 21, 2020 as Janet Magleby Day in the City of Alameda. Acting Mayor Knox White read the proclamation and presented it to Ms. Magleby. Ms. Magleby made brief comments. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA (20-037) Maria Gallo, Alameda, discussed traffic calming in the Fernside neighborhood. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Oddie moved approval of the Consent Calendar. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; Knox White: Aye and Chair Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes – 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.] (*20-038) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings Held on December 17, 2019 and the Special City Council Meeting Held on December 18, 2019. Approved. (*20-039) Ratified bills in the amount of $3,626,023.47. (*20-040) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 21, 2020 2 with Tetra Tech, Inc. for Post Construction Project Closeout and Second Amendments to Agreements with BKF Engineers and Park Engineering, for the Cross Alameda Trail (Main Street to Constitution Way) Project, in a Cumulative Amount Not to Exceed $145,633. Accepted. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (20-041) Recommendation to Accept the Alameda Free Library Strategic Plan, 2020- 2025. The Library Director made brief comments. Ruth Metz, Ruth Metz Associates, gave a Power Point presentation. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether there will be expansion of the West End branch library. The Library Director responded the property is land -locked and the surrounding properties are privately owned; stated the walls cannot be pushed outward; the West End branch library was renovated in 2010; a larger library presence is needed as Alameda Point develops; the goal is to establish a library branch at Alameda Point; noted the West End branch could be repurposed into something else or become the new seed and tool library; the building can always be found useful by the library program; physical expansion of the building is not possible. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether expansion of operation hours and activities would be possible. The Library Director responded in the affirmative; stated there is no way to install sound barriers within the building; many programs are hosted after-hours as to not disturb patrons wishing to participate in quiet activities; a goal is to increase operating hours at all three library branches; increasing hours will return during the budget process due to expansion of staffing needs. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated library use continues to grow and expand; the library has remained relevant during changing times. Acting Mayor Knox White inquired whether the tracking of visits only includes web visits or visits to the reference desk, to which the Library Director responded all web visits. Acting Mayor Knox White stated moving the library catalog to Alameda Point at a larger building could yield a different structure for the West End branch. The Library Director stated there is the possibility to move the West End branch to Alameda Point; there is the possibility to build a brand new branch; in order to establish Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 21, 2020 3 a presence, outreach is possible in the form of something similar to Amazon lockers for book rentals. Acting Mayor Knox White noted Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) has a similar vending machine; expressed concern for the Bay Farm Island branch library which has not grown or expanded in thirty years and does not have plans to grow. The Library Director stated the branch is very small; expansion possibilities were reviewed in 2008; residents desired expansion of the branch; the branch expansion would be negotiated with Recreation and Parks Department; it is possible to expand the property footprint. Discussed the Friends of the Alameda Free Library working with the City, community and Alameda Library to realize the vision and mission to raise funding and support programs: Karen Butter, Friends of the Alameda Free Library. Councilmember Oddie inquired how the strategic plan document will be used going forward; stated the budget is coming in the near future; expressed concern for the strategic plan not being utilized. The Library Director responded development would not occur overnight; stated a current needs assessment should be completed; as the plan moves forward, the needs assessment will be completed; a potential savings account would be created for capital projects specific to the library; as the budget approaches, expansion of hours will be discussed; a short form of the strategic plan exists that will be used for talking points; the short form will be available on the library website to showcase current updates. Councilmember Oddie stated the strategic plan needs to be placed on the list of potential community impacts for development; noted the library budget asks have been minimal; urged the library program to ask for needed funding; expressed support for the seed lending library; stated that he receives many compliments when he wears an Alameda library shirt. Councilmember Daysog stated the West End library is a jewel with potential; the main branch is also a beautiful building. The Library Director stated the West End building is very nice, but many people do not go inside; the library program would like to expand services, but needs the operating hours to do so. Councilmember Vella stated libraries enable parents and caregivers to give children the ability to grow and develop; many families are unable to have a robust library at home; public libraries allow access for all families; expressed support for an increase in hours to be included in the budget proposal especially for satellite branches like the West End; stated the West End branch is very accessible; libraries are places where many kids Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 21, 2020 4 make friends; people go to libraries for a sense of community and a shared love of reading; there is something magical about seeing kids get excited about reading; many community members use access to computers and other amenities at the library ; expressed support for the savings account and the tool share option. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for the plan; stated the library is similar to a book club for young ones; the library is a place to connect and build community; expressed support for the library program and for extending hours. Acting Mayor Knox White stated the library is a fantastic place; libraries help children as well as the unhoused; noted the library does experience challenges; questioned the next steps for the strategic plan; expressed support for upcoming planning documents; expressed support for communicating updates to the library program. Councilmember Daysog moved approval of accepting the Strategic Plan. Councilmember Vella seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; Knox White: Aye and Chair Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes – 5. (20-042) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a 60 -Year Lease Agreement with the Alameda Unified School District for a City Aquatic Center at the Existing Swim Center Site at Alameda High School; and (20-042 A) Resolution No. 15630, “Approving a Real Property Lease Agreement with the Alameda Unified School District.” Adopted. The Recreation and Parks Director gave a brief presentation, including outlining terms in the final lease. Councilmember Daysog expressed appreciation for the subcommittee; stated the community will be excited for the aquatic center; expressed support for the item. Councilmember Oddie stated although there are two separate entities, the goal of working together to find funding for operations and maintenance should remain. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated communication is key; the aquatic center is an exciting project; work should begin as soon as possible; expressed support for moving forward. Acting Mayor Knox White stated agreement language has been left flexible to anticipate working together; expressed support for the item. Councilmember Daysog moved approval of the staff recommendation. Councilmember Vella seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 21, 2020 5 Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; Knox White: Aye and Chair Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes – 5. CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS (20-043) The City Manager announced January 26th is the last day to input data on the City’s interactive walking and biking map and Centro Legal is providing regular drop-in hours at Mastick Senior Center. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA None. COUNCIL REFERRALS None. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS (20-044) Councilmember Daysog made an announcement about a Noise Forum meeting and an update from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (20-045) Councilmember Oddie made an announcement regarding an upcoming Stopwaste meeting and Alameda’s Restaurant Week. (20-046) Councilmember Vella announced that she would be attending a Lead Abatement and a League of California Cities Housing Policy meeting. (20-047) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft announced that she is in Washington DC to attend the Mayors Conference; in addition, she would also be meeting with Veterans Association, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Senator Feinstein’s and Assemblymember Lee’s offices. (20-048) Acting Mayor Knox White made an announcement regarding the Inter Agency Liaison Committee meeting with AC Transit, a Martin Luther King event held at City Hall and a Planning Board meeting to discuss Measure A. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Acting Mayor Knox White adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 21, 2020 6 Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.