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2000-08-15 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY - - AUGUST 15, 2000 - - 7:30 P.M. Mayor Appezzato convened the Regular Meeting at 8:19 p.m. Vice Mayor Daysog led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Dave Nederhood, Alameda Christian Reformed 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 (00 -456) Proclamation Recognizing and Expressing the City's Appreciation to the Census 2000 Complete Count Task Force Community Partners. Mayor Appezzato read the Proclamation and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Vice Mayor Daysog, Task Force Co- Chair. Vice Mayor Daysog presented Certificates of Appreciation to Steve Cohen, AT &T Cable; Mariano Juaco, Alameda Multi - Cultural Center; Paula McCloskey, Alameda Chamber of Commerce; Susan Fuller, Alameda Journal; Georg Oliver, Alameda NAACP; Arnold Fong, Organization of Alameda Asians; and Wil Cabrera and Jeffrey Devers, College of Alameda. Vice Mayor Daysog presented the Proclamation to Lia Bolden of the U.S. Census Bureau. (00 -457) Presentation by East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Doug Siden providing an update on the District. Doug Siden gave a brief overview of District projects: Alameda dog exercise area; Friday night concerts at the Cove; sand castle and sculpture contest at Crown Memorial Beach; sand re- distribution at Crown Memorial Beach; youth day camps at regional parks; new programs for seniors; planning for the Bay Trail at Alameda Point; new Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Park in Fremont; dedication of Camp Arroyo in Livermore; and future District Ballot Measures in 2002 and 2004. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Appezzato announced the Resolution recognizing Recreation and Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 1 August 15, 2000 Park Director Sherry McCarthy's contributions [paragraph no. 00- 462] was removed from the Consent Calender for discussion. Councilmember DeWitt moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calender. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.] ( *00 -458) Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held on August 1, 2000. Approved ( *00 -459) Recommendation to accept Quarterly Sales Tax Report for the First Quarter of 2000. Accepted. ( *00 -460) Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications and authorize Call for Bids for Jackson Park Renovation, Phase 1, No. P.W. 05- 00 -10. Accepted. ( *00 -461) Resolution No. 13264, "Setting a Hearing Date for Consideration of Vacation of Market Street at Madison Street." Adopted. (00 -462) Resolution No. 13265, "Recognizing Recreation and Park Director Sherry McCarthy's Contributions to the City of Alameda." Adopted. Councilmember Johnson moved adoption of the Resolution. Councilmember Kerr seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. Mayor Appezzato read the Resolution. Councilmember DeWitt thanked Sherry McCarthy for her efforts to rename Buena Vista Park to Littlejohn Park. Councilmember Johnson stated the Recreation Programs are as good as when she participated; thanked Sherry McCarthy for maintaining traditions. Vice Mayor Daysog thanked Sherry for continuing tree - filled parks throughout neighborhoods in Alameda. Councilmember Kerr stated when the School District first allowed the City to use Mastick as a senior center, it was a wreck; anyone less than Sherry McCarthy would not have taken on the project. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 2 August 15, 2000 Mayor Appezzato thanked Sherry for her many contributions; stated there is an annual Run for the Parks; inquired whether an annual bicycle ride for the parks could be started; suggested it be on a Sunday and riders travel from park to park or around the Island; requested staff review the matter. The City Manager stated the Acting Recreation and Parks Director was present and could consider the matter. The Acting Recreation and Parks Director stated staff could review the matter and seek input; the event possibly could take place in the next ten to twelve months. Councilmember Kerr suggested the Bike Coalition be contacted. ( *00 -463) Ratified bills in the amount of $ 1,402,390.00. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (00 -464) Resolution No. 13266, "Appointing Ann P. Zukoski as a Member of the Social Service Human Relations Board." Adopted. Vice Mayor Daysog moved adoption of the Resolution. Councilmember DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Zukoski. (00 -465) Resolution No. 13267, "Appointing Stephen J. Winton -Henry as a Member of the Social Service Human Relations Board." Adopted. Vice Mayor Daysog moved adoption of the Resolution. Councilmember Kerr seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Winton- Henry. (00 -466) Review of Association of Bay Area Governments' Regional Housing Needs Determination 1999 -2006, Third Official Release of Preliminary Numbers. Peggy Doherty, Alameda, stated that many people who participated in the discussion on May 31, 2000, left feeling discouraged and dejected; however, there was a ray of hope because Council spoke of concern for affordable housing; if Council approves the proposed letter to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) tonight, hopes will be dashed again; the City has projected it will create Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 3 August 15, 2000 more than 5,000 new jobs by 2006; inquired how the City proposed to house the people who took those jobs; stated competition for limited housing would be further stretched, and traffic further congested by commuters; the need for Alameda to amend its General Plan to accommodate additional housing does not seem to be a legitimate excuse to repudiate ABAG's goals; the City already stated it cannot meet the goals; however, it is very early in the game to be sure of that, especially since ABAG's goals are not legally binding and the City is not required to make a commitment; the City is requested to integrate the numbers into an updated Housing Element, and to adopt goals and policies that are consistent with the numbers; the most that can be expected is a good faith effort to meet the goals over the next six years; Council should accept the goals in good faith and proceed with planning, including efforts to house the City's current and future workforce. Mayor Appezzato stated the Planning Board approved the proposed letter to ABAG; inquired whether the letter could include items about tidelands; stated ABAG should be informed that fifty to seventy percent of the [former] Base is tidelands and that the City cannot put housing on tidelands. The City Attorney responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Kerr concurred with Mayor Appezzato's suggestion. Mayor Appezzato stated the build out of Alameda should be stressed also; housing can be built only on the northern waterfront and at the [former] Base [Alameda Point]. Councilmember Kerr stated approximately 14,000 jobs were lost due to Base closure; ABAG's numbers assigned to various cities are based on job generation; both the loss of jobs and the inability to proceed with proposed development(s) until transit solutions are in place, should be stressed in the [proposed] letter to ABAG. Mayor Appezzato stated the City can only develop to a certain level without a new crossing; there are thousands of people not working at the [former] Base and vacant houses, and questioned the [suggested volume of] traffic. Councilmember Johnson stated that Alameda recommended ABAG follow its staff's recommendation to incorporate jobs and housing ratio(s) into the factors, and give consideration to communities who had lost large numbers of jobs due to Base closure; ABAG did not accept the recommendation; Alameda is double hit: 1)the City is an island, and 2) Alameda is creating new jobs to catch up to where it Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 4 August 15, 2000 was, as reflected by its housing requirement. Councilmember Johnson further stated that Alameda needs to be represented on ABAG's Executive Board. Mayor Appezzato stated Council should recommend that either he and /or Councilmember Johnson serve on the Executive Board. The City Manager noted said recommendation. Councilmember Kerr expressed support for Mayor Appezzato's recommendation; commented through the Clayton Guyton Lawsuit, Alameda found ABAG goals become Court Orders. Vice Mayor Daysog stated that he is discouraged and angry about the regional housing crisis; he is more discouraged and angry that ABAG does not recognize the special challenges the City has right now, particularly in regard to military base closure and the limited number of egresses and ingresses; Alameda needs a fair share number of housing units; questioned ABAG's methodology; stated Alameda is trying hard to meet its housing requirements; Alameda needs a fair number by which it can measure progress. Mayor Appezzato stated the question is not affordable housing, but process. Councilmember DeWitt stated the ABAG plan projects a great deal more development in Alameda; the City will not be able to build out; if Alameda cannot make [ABAG's] numbers, it should not agree to them; Alameda was sued [Clayton Guyton Lawsuit] for promises to build housing; the City should not agree to ABAG's projection of 2,162 [dwelling] units. Councilmember DeWitt moved approval of the staff recommendation and [acceptance of the] comments pertaining to representation on the ABAG Executive Board. Councilmember Kerr seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Kerr compared ABAG allocations for the cities of Albany, San Leandro and Alameda, and stated there is something seriously wrong with ABAG's numbers. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. (00 -467) Ordinance No. 2843, "Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Section 2 -64 (Leases of City Property to Telecommunications Companies) to Article V (Administrative Procedures and Policies) of Chapter II (Administration), Thereof, Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 5 August 15, 2000 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Leases of City Property with Telecommunications Companies for the Installation of Telecommunications Equipment or Facilities on City Property in Accordance with the Terms and Conditions Stated in this Ordinance." Finally passed. Len Grzanka, Alameda, stated the matter before Council is final passage of an ordinance which has been substantially rewritten, changed and added to, since the first passage [introduction of ordinance]; if the Council takes action tonight, the extent of changes made to the first ordinance should necessitate first passage [introduction of ordinance]; that he objects to the ordinance being finally passed because the ordinance is considerably different from the original [introduced] ordinance. Mr. Grzanka further stated [Section 3 -10 of the] City Charter states "no real property of the City shall be leased for a period in excess of one year or sold, except upon the affirmative vote of four members of the Council "; when the Charter was adopted, the voters required four votes and that leases scrutinized [by Council]; the City Charter cannot be amended by an ordinance, the voters must amend it; the ordinance before the City Council tonight is not a lease, it is a delegation of authority to the City Manager, which the Charter limits specifically to the City Council; the City Charter states Council must pass leases by ordinance; the City Manager is not authorized by the City Charter to negotiate or sign leases, therefore the ordinance is illegal; the only way to delegate the authority to the City Manager is by a voter - approved Charter Amendment; suggested rather than trying to delegate the authority through an ordinance, a measure be placed on the November ballot authorizing a Charter revision allowing the City Manager to negotiate leases; stated the City Council should not pass this ordinance, which flies in the face of the City Charter. Mayor Appezzato inquired of the City Attorney whether the changes were minor and did not change the substance of [the ordinance]. The City Attorney responded in the affirmative; cited City of Alameda Resolution No. 12567, Section 1(d); stated a full text of an ordinance is not required until final passage; technically, under that section an ordinance could be adopted without a motion or a vote; staff does this with an abundance of caution, in order to provide the citizens with the full text of an introduction [of ordinance]; if staff did not have a document for Council at introduction, staff could provide a document for final passage; therefore, this ordinance is well within the parameters established by Council's resolution. Vice Mayor Daysog moved final passage of the ordinance. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 6 August 15, 2000 Councilmember DeWitt seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Kerr stated that the proposed ordinance limits the construction of new structures to less than 200 square feet; inquired whether there was a limit on the amount of land that could be leased. Public Works Coordinator Rudloff companies' equipment varies in actually surrounds the site is matches the site [size]. stated the public communications size; normally, the land that rented, so that building size Councilmember Kerr stated the Public Works Coordinator's answer is that there is no limit on the land. The City Manager responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Johnson stated that she had received a telephone call from a Public Utilities Board Member who expressed concern in regard to the matter of conflict; she had responded [to the PUB Member] in the event of a conflict due to the City and AP &T entering into or negotiating a lease, she would expect the matter to be addressed by the City Council. In response to Councilmember Johnson's comments, the City Attorney stated Council could so direct [conflict be brought to the City Council]; however, there was no legal conflict. Councilmember Johnson stated a directive was not necessary, however, there could be a possibility [conflict]. City Attorney Korade stated Council could provide a directive which would be added to the ordinance: "ordinance will not apply to leases involving the Public Utilities Board ". Councilmember Johnson stated there was no need for a directive; however, it should be made clear there is a possibility [of conflict]; and, in that event, the matter could be brought before the City Council. The City Manager stated there is no conflict; however, to avoid any appearance of conflict, staff could incorporate said directive into the leases. Mayor Appezzato stated that he was comfortable with authorizing the City Manager to act. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 7 August 15, 2000 Councilmember Johnson stated the ordinance does not change the Council's ability to address said leases. City Attorney Korade responded it was permissive for the City Council to address said leases. Councilmember Kerr requested the motion be amended to limit the land area to 400 square feet. The City Attorney stated the amendment could be added Section C, New Structures: The lease shall limit the construction of any new ancillary structure(s) to less than 200 square feet, and lease of land to 400 square feet. Councilmember DeWitt and Vice Mayor DeWitt accepted said amendment. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 8 August 15, 2000 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON- AGENDA (00 -468) Len Grzanka, Alameda, stated that he a Point of Information; the Ordinance the City [Agenda Item #5 -D] states: "The City Council of hereby declares that it would have passed this section, subsection, sentences, clauses and phr� be invalid or unconstitutional;" through its Ordinance declares itself to be invalid. would like to raise Council just passed the City of Alameda ordinance, and each ases are declared to own language, the (00 -469) John Fee, Alameda, commented on business opportunities in the City. (00 -470) Bill Smith, Alameda, commented on housing in the City of Alameda. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS (00 -471) Councilmember DeWitt requested a route map be printed on the weekends of the Run for the Parks and the Art & Wine Festival; stated there should be a notice in the newspaper prior to the events next year. (00 -472) Councilmember Johnson stated Doc Harrington Park does not have lights; people hang out in the park after dark and there has been vandalism; requested the City to review whether or not lighting should be installed; stated staff should check whether residents in the area favor lighting. The City Manager stated there is a soccer field, restrooms, and small area with play equipment; staff can review the matter and work with the neighborhood. (00 -473) Vice Mayor Daysog stated there are requests for a One - Stop Permit Center; requested an Off Agenda Report on the status of the One -Stop Permit Center, including when the Center might be implemented; stated the Economic Development Commission is working on the matter through the Business Retention Committee. The City Manager stated staff has been working on said project for about one year; an update will be provided. (00 -474) Vice Mayor Daysog stated the City has materials to assist residents with going through the permit process; inquired whether materials could be compiled, including permit processing, recycling, etc.; stated the handbook on how to work with City government could be divided into substantive sections, e.g. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 9 August 15, 2000 residential, recycling. The City Manager inquired whether the purpose would be to provide copies to the City Council or members of the community. Vice Mayor Daysog responded the City Council could use it as a reference, at first, and discuss future uses. (00 -475) Vice Mayor Daysog requested all the local rules regulating the sale of guns in the City of Alameda be provided to the City Council. The City Manager stated the City Attorney, Police Department and Planning Department could put together said information. (00 -476) Vice Mayor Daysog requested an update on the Housing Forum. The City Manager stated an Off Agenda Report would be provided in the next thirty days. (00 -477) Vice Mayor Daysog requested a status report on the recycling program in Alameda, particularly issues regarding default and non - payment of bills. The City Manager stated an Off Agenda Report would be provided. (00 -478) Councilmember Kerr requested an update on the City's status with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge; stated there have been extensive negotiations over a couple of years; inquired whether an agreement was signed. Mayor Appezzato suggested an Off Agenda Report be provided. The City Manager stated the last issue in dispute was related to off -site predator management control; an Off Agenda Report would be provided. (00 -479) Consideration of Mayor's nominations (3) for appointment to the Economic Development Commission. Mayor Appezzato nominated Douglas DeHann, Community -at -Large incumbent; Frank Matarrese, Manufacturing /Industrial incumbent, and Gail Wetzork for the Community -at -Large seat on the Economic Development Commission. Economic Development Manager note. City Attorney prepare Resolutions of Appointment. Clerk notify nominees. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 10 August 15, 2000 (00 -480) Consideration of Mayor's nominations (2) for appointment to the Golf Commission. Mayor Appezzato nominated incumbent Anthony J. Corica for reappointment, and Sandre R. Swanson for appointment to the Golf Commission. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Appezzato adjourned the Regular Meeting at 9:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane B. Felsch, CMC City Clerk The Agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 1 1 August 15, 2000