2001-03-06 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- -MARCH 6, 2001- -7:30 P.M.
Mayor Appezzato convened the Regular Meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Councilmember Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Clark
Flesher, First Baptist Church, gave the Invocation.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, DeWitt, Johnson,
Kerr and Mayor Appezzato - 5.
Absent: None.
AGENDA CHANGES
None.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(01 -108) Presentation by Alameda County Transportation Authority
(ACTA) thanking the City of Alameda for its efforts in the
successful passage of Measure B Reauthorization and status report
on its implementation.
Christine Monsen, Executive Director ACTA, thanked the Mayor and
City Council for supporting Measure B Reauthorization and presented
plaques for the Mayor and the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Appezzato announced the recommendation to authorize the City
Manager to negotiate an Amendment to extend Agreement for
Alameda /Oakland Ferry Services and authorize Fare Increase
[paragraph no. 01 -1111 was removed from the Consent Calender for
discussion.
Councilmember Kerr moved approval of the remainder of the Consent
Calender.
Vice Mayor DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote - 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an
asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]
( *01 -109) Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held on
February 20, 2001. Approved.
( *01 -110) Recommendation to award Contract in the amount of
$112,990 to Dennis M. Owens Architecture for Mastick Senior Center
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Design and Construction
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Management Services, No. P.W. 10- 00 -17. Accepted.
(01 -111) Recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate
an Amendment to extend Agreement for Alameda /Oakland Ferry Services
and authorize Fare Increase.
The Deputy Public Works Director stated the Ferry Agreement allows
for four 1 -year extensions; extending the term of the Agreement
requires review of fares, subsidies and services levels; outlined
changes to the Agreement as follows: 1) $0.25 fare increase; 2)
$621,000 subsidy increase; 3) performance -base incentives added; 4)
service to Pac Bell Park added; and 5) fare increases capped and
can occur only every other year.
Mayor Appezzato inquired whether the monthly pass for commuters is
increasing $0.125 per direction and $0.25 round trip.
The Deputy Public Works Director responded in the affirmative;
stated riders requested a lower fare increase for commuter passes
and the amount [of increase] was adjusted [lowered].
Jon Spangler, Bike Alameda, stated Bike Alameda supports Contract
extension and the slight fare increase; hopefully, ferry propulsion
system will pollute less in the future.
Mayor Appezzato noted solar - powered ferries are being reviewed.
David Singlestad, Alameda, stated the subsidy should be in a
separate account than the operating funds.
The Deputy Public Works Director responded the accounts are kept
separate.
Mr. Singlestad stated many commuters only take the ferry several
times a week and use discount books other than monthly passes.
Mayor Appezzato requested staff to review whether a discount could
be applied if commuters purchase monthly passes and do not use all
of the tickets during the month.
W. Graham Claytor, Alameda Commuters Club, submitted a copy of a
petition signed by riders; reviewed increases since 1998; stated AC
Transit and BART have not raised rates; that he supports the
Contract, however, he questions whether the fare increase is
necessary; stated Blue & Gold's performa shows a growth of 50,
which is $50,000 over projections; discounts should be applied to
all ticket books; the concession service, which previously
generated revenues, was sold; mechanical cost allocations should be
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reviewed; Blue & Gold no longer has to pay a bus subsidy.
In response to Mr. Claytor's comments, the Deputy Public Works
Director stated the 5% performa increase probably will not occur
again; the increase occurred due to the new service to Pac Bell
Park and the fuel price increase, which effected driving habits;
sale of the concession stand has resulted in an increase in
revenue; previously, concession was operating at a loss; a new
vessel will be brought on board; back up vessel maintenance is
included in costs; the bus subsidy was removed two years ago.
Mayor Appezzato inquired when the new boat would be in service, to
which the Deputy Public Works Director responded in October.
In response to Mayor Appezzato's inquiry regarding the capacity of
the new vessel, the Deputy Public Works Director stated it is a 350
passenger vessel.
Mayor Appezzato noted that he invited the Water Transit Authority
to go for a ride on the new vessel.
Councilmember Daysog inquired how much more money is spent on gas
due to the increased price, to which the Deputy Public Works
Director responded $80,000.
Councilmember Kerr requested an update on the storage of diesel
fuel at Alameda Point.
The Deputy Public Works Director responded the storage is not in
place yet; the City has the funds; Harbor Bay Maritime is
administering the grant; staff is working to resolve liability
issues; the storage should be available in nine months.
Councilmember Kerr inquired whether Blue & Gold could also fuel at
Alameda Point, to which the Public Works Director responded in the
affirmative.
Councilmember Kerr further inquired whether fueling at Alameda
Point would realize a cost savings for Blue & Gold, to which the
Deputy Public Works Director responded a cost savings would be
likely.
Councilmember Johnson inquired how many people use monthly passes.
Pip Ellis, Blue & Gold Fleet, responded that she did not have the
specific number; the 20- ticket book is the most popular commute
book; in response to commuters' request for less of an impact [from
fare increase], Blue & Gold discounted the 40- ticket book; rather
than $5.00 per way, the 40- ticket costs $3.25 per way.
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Councilmember Johnson inquired how many riders use the Pac Bell
Park service.
Mr. Ellis responded 29,000 people were carried for weeknight games
last year.
In response to Councilmember Johnson's inquiry regarding revenue
from Pac Bell Park service, Ms. Ellis responded the service was
cost efficient; ballpark patrons were picked up after commuters
were dropped off and only resulted in one hour of overtime.
Councilmember Johnson stated advertising on the exterior of the
boat was considered in the past; inquired whether advertising
inside the boat has been considered.
Ms. Ellis responded it was considered; the agent was not interested
in advertising inside because it would not have the same exposure
as external shrink wrap [advertising]; the Port of San Francisco
has an ordinance prohibiting external shrink wrap; the City of
Vallejo is requesting the matter be reviewed by the City- and Port
of San Francisco.
Councilmember Johnson requested interior advertising be reviewed.
Ms. Ellis stated other ferry services have multiple fare increases
annually; Blue & Gold is an efficient operator and has a lower
subsidy, per passenger mile, than other operators; the maintenance
shop is lean and has low overhead costs.
Councilmember Johnson moved approval of the staff recommendation
[authorize amendment to extend Contract and $0.25 standard fare
increase effective July 1, 2001]; requested the issue of
advertising be reviewed.
Councilmember Daysog stated Blue & Gold has been diligent in
holding down costs; inflation should be considered when discussing
the $0.25 fare increase; outlined inflation rates and calculations.
Councilmember Kerr seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Vice Mayor DeWitt stated that he would vote
against the staff recommendation; 18 months ago, Council selected
Blue & Gold over another provider; that he did not support Blue &
Gold; fare increases could have been avoided by choosing the other
operator; fare increases are a burden on the ridership.
Councilmember Johnson stated there will always be [fare] increases;
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other ferry service providers have increased fares and have greater
subsidies.
Councilmember Kerr stated BART has overdue maintenance in million
or billions of dollars; boats must be maintained; that she voted
against Blue & Gold, however, she is pleased with the job they have
done.
Mayor Appezzato stated the monthly pass is $3.25 per way; there is
free parking; compared ferry ticket costs with BART and buses;
stated only two cities in Alameda County have ferries; ferries have
to fight for funding; the Water Transit Authority is working to get
more boats and docks for ferries; outlined other programs which
need funding.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following
voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Daysog, Johnson, Kerr and Mayor
Appezzato - 4. Noes: Vice Mayor DeWitt - 1.
(01 -112) Recommendation to authorize the installation of an All -
Way Stop Control at the intersection of San Jose Avenue and
Lafayette Street. Accepted.
(01 -113) Resolution No. 13320, "Authorizing an Advance of Funds
from the Golf Course Enterprise Account to the Alameda Reuse and
Redevelopment Authority Fund." Adopted.
(01 -114) Ratified bills in the amount of $2,867,652.50.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON- AGENDA
(01 -115) Guy Smith, Alameda, submitted a proposal to change
Alameda Municipal Code Section 4 -10.3, Noise Measurement Criteria;
stated Code Section 4 -10.3 measures decibels using weighting
measure A, which are frequencies 500 hertz and above; the problem
is bass [noise] bleeds through walls due to the physics of sound
and the way houses are built; that he recommends the statute be
reviewed and a different weighting method be used; a method which
is commonly used is weighting C, which measures all frequencies
down to 32 hertz; reviewed chart comparing weighting A and
weighting C measurements taken across the street from the Island
Paradise Club; urged Council to review the statute and adopt
weighting C as the criteria for measurement.
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Mayor Appezzato requested the City Manager to review the matter;
stated the City should deal with any violations of the law.
(01 -116) Jean Sweeney, Alameda, stated supporters of the Alameda
Beltline Railroad Yard [Open Space] Proposition traveled to
Sacramento February 5 to attend a convention with Rails to Trails
and Trust for Public Lands and discuss money available for urban
open space; the supporters will visit the Presidio [San Francisco]
this Friday to review ways to obtain money for open space;
supporters are also learning how to apply for grants.
(01 -117) Katy Muzikar, Alameda High School Student, stated the
intersection of Walnut Street and Central Avenue is the only corner
of Alameda High School which does not have a stop light; suggested
a [four -way] stop sign be installed for the safety and convenience
of pedestrians and drivers; stated the corner is mass chaos at
lunch and after school; students cross the street without looking
both ways; cars and students often try to cross the intersection at
the same time; during the current school year, there have been two
accidents at said corner; cars turning onto Walnut Street often
cause a backup; traffic on Walnut Street tries to shoot across
Central Avenue; a four -way stop sign would make traffic flow easier
and safer.
Mayor Appezzato requested the City Manager and Public Works
Director to have the Transportation Advisory Committee review the
matter.
(01 -118) Joellen Spencer, BANANAS, stated BANANAS is a State -
funded agency which helps parents and child care providers in
northern Alameda County; BANANAS administers the Community
Development Block Grant child care vendor program in the City of
Alameda; the future of Woodstock Child Care Development Center is
of concern; March 13th the Alameda School Board will decide whether
to continue the Woodstock contract with the State Department of
Education for another year; Woodstock has served families in
Alameda for 58 years; if the program is gone, 196 children would
lose child care services as of July 1; there is not another program
waiting in the wings to step in and pick up the contract; 141
Alameda families would lose child care subsidies; parents might
have to go back on welfare or leave Alameda; Woodstock is the only
subsidized child care center in the City of Alameda; urged the City
Manager, Mayor and Councilmembers to contact the offices of
[Senator] Don Perata, [Assemblywoman] Wilma Chan and [State
Superintendent of Public Instruction] Delaine Eastin to express
concern and request special consideration for the program; further
stated the [Alameda Unified School] District lost $3 Million when
the Navy Base closed and does not have funds to support the
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program.
Mayor Appezzato stated the issue has been addressed by a
subcommittee of the City Council; that he will do his best to
discuss the matter with representatives in Sacramento.
(01 -119) Jon Spangler, Alameda, stated Alameda needs to find ways
to fund things which are important, e.g. teachers salaries,
Woodstock school, affordable housing, improved transit facilities
and a new library; although it may not be the case with the current
Council, historically, decisions have been made behind closed
doors; Thursday night there will be an open house to discuss the
Tinker Avenue final plan; use of the word final pushed peoples
buttons about historic mistrust; everyone in City government should
be accessible and appear to be accessible; the original four Tinker
Avenue extension options were going to cost around $20 Million; the
traffic engineer consultant for the Webster Renaissance Project
thought of a new way to look at the Tinker Avenue interchange; the
current preferred alternative, which will cost $13,000 to $16,000,
is a direct result of creative community involvement.
Councilmember Kerr stated the information on Tinker Avenue
extension is available on her website.
Mayor Appezzato stated there have been many open houses on Tinker
Avenue extension; no decision will be made at the open house.
Councilmember Johnson stated the
[than in the past] and is making
involvement and input.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
City has had more public meetings
every effort to increase public
(01 -120) Councilmember Daysog stated that Mayor Appezzato
requested information on distributed power; there should also be a
discussion on the status of cable television; the public should be
aware; AP &T is a huge asset.
The City Manager stated staff is following up with the Mayor's
request for a report; the report will be expanded to include the
additional item(s) identified by Councilmember Daysog; Council
should consider holding a work shop to address the matter; a
substantial amount of investment is needed for distributed
generation.
(01 -121) Councilmember Daysog stated that he agrees with the
BANANAS representative's concerns about Woodstock child care
development center; the matter was raised at the Annual Joint
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Meeting between the City Council and Social Service Human Relations
Board; Councilmembers will try to help the School District.
Mayor Appezzato stated that as long as there was no Council
objection, Councilmembers Johnson and Daysog will serve as a
subcommittee working with the School Board to address issues, such
as the Woodstock center and crossing guards.
(01 -122) Councilmember Johnson announced that Edison School
teachers and students are holding a benefit to raise money for the
Midway Shelter on Saturday [March 10] at the Kofman Auditorium.
(01 -123) Councilmember Johnson announced that the Alameda
Education Foundation's Gunther Gates Memorial Concert will be held
in the Kofman Auditorium on March 22.
(01 -124) Councilmember Kerr requested an update on Mastick Senior
Center escrow; stated the City has prepared all documents, however,
the School District has not completed paperwork.
The City Manager stated an Off Agenda Report will be provided.
(01 -125) Councilmember Kerr stated that she takes offense to
comments that the City of Alameda does not do anything for
affordable housing; about a year ago a survey was completed; one
out of every ten - and -a -half dwelling units is subsidized; one out
of every six rental units is subsidized; the City has the second
highest subsidized dwelling unit per capita ratio in Alameda
County.
(01 -126) Mayor Appezzato stated there will be an open house on
Tinker Avenue extension on Thursday; one -third of the City is in a
redevelopment zone and should be responsibly developed; the
Catellus Project has a potential to develop 160 acres; a master
developer will develop 800 acres at Alameda Point; that he supports
City staff; hopefully, the [Tinker Avenue] open house will be
informative; if the open house is not sufficient, another will be
held.
(01 -127) Mayor Appezzato stated there was an earthquake in Seattle
[Washington] ; the community should be reoriented on earthquake
preparedness; an individual suggested homes be inspected on a
voluntary basis, e.g. City staff check water heaters; questioned
whether the City could afford inspections; requested a 10- minute
presentation to address what the City can do to help individual
homeowners.
The City Manager stated staff could schedule a presentation in the
near future; an earthquake preparedness brochure is available
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throughout the City and could be posted on the City's website.
(01 -128) Mayor Appezzato stated a company is reviewing [cellular]
antennas in the community; people complain that cellular phones do
not work in Alameda; maybe the City can build antennas and make
money at the same time.
(01 -129) Mayor Appezzato announced that he will represent the City
of Alameda and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Jerusalem; there
will be about eight Mayors in attendance, including those from: El
Paso, Texas; Knoxville, Tennessee; Augusta, Georgia; Boise, Idaho;
and New Orleans, Louisiana; nine Russian Mayors and Mayors from 60
to 70 countries will also attend; there will be no expense to the
citizens of Alameda; the Mayors will be guests of the State of
Israel for eight days; that he will represent the Jewish community
of the City of Alameda.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Appezzato adjourned the
Regular Meeting at 8:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane B. Felsch, CMC
City Clerk
The Agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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