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2005-05-03 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY - - MAY 3, 2005 - -7:30 P.M. Mayor Johnson convened the regular meeting at 9:29 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, deHaan, Gilmore, Matarrese and Mayor Johnson - 5. Absent: None. AGENDA CHANGES (05 -196) Mayor Johnson addressed the Resolutions Members of the Golf Commission [paragraph no. 05 -207, 207B] after Special Orders of the Day. Appointing 05 -207A, 05- PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (05 -197) Proclamation declaring May as "Older Americans Month." Mayor Johnson read and presented the proclamation to Don Oransky, President, Mastick Advisory Board. Mr. Oransky thanked the Council for the proclamation. (05 -198) Update on the new main library project. The Project Manager gave a brief project update. Vice Mayor Gilmore commended the Project Manager and staff for keeping the project running smoothly by putting out many fires daily. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Matarrese moved approval of the Consent Calendar. Vice Mayor Gilmore seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. [Items so adopted or enacted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.] ( *05 -199) Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held on April 19, 2005; and the Special City Council Meeting held on April 21, 2005. Approved. ( *05 -200) Ratified bills in the amount of $ 2,201,788.60. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 1 May 3, 2005 ( *05 -201) Recommendation to authorize Call for Bids for Legal Advertising for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2006. Accepted. ( *05 -202) Recommendation to accept the Quarterly Investment Report for period ending March 31, 2005. Accepted. ( *05 -203) Recommendation to accept the Quarterly Financial Report for the period ending March 31, 2005 and approve third quarter budget adjustments. Accepted. ( *05 -204) Recommendation to set Hearing to establish Proposition 4 Limit for Fiscal Year 2005 -06 for May 17, 2005. Accepted. ( *05 -205) Recommendation to accept the work of SpenCon Construction, Inc., for Repair of Portland Cement, Concrete Sidewalk, Curb, Gutter, Driveway and Minor Street Patching Phase 5, Fiscal Year 2004 -05, No. P.W. 08- 04 -08. Accepted. ( *05 -206) Recommendation to approve an Agreement with Alameda County to continue participation in the Alameda HOME Consortium and authorize the Acting City Manager to negotiate and execute necessary documents. Accepted. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (05 -207) Resolution No. 13836, "Appointing Ray A. Gaul as a Member of the Golf Commission." Adopted. (05 -207A) Resolution No. 13837, "Appointing Bill T. Schmitz as a Member of the Golf Commission." Adopted. (05 -207B) Resolution No. 13838, "Appointing Jane Sullwold as a Member of the Golf Commission." Adopted. Vice Mayor Gilmore moved adoption of the resolutions. Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The City Clerk administered the Oath and presented certificates of appointment to the Golf Commission members. (05 -208) Ordina Property within No. 1277, N.S., C -C (Community Located at 2507 .ce No. 2940, "Reclassifying and Rezoning Certain the City of Alameda by Amending Zoning Ordinance from R -5 (General Residential) Zoning District to Commercial) Zoning District, for that Property Central Avenue at Everett Street." Finally passed. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 2 May 3, 2005 Councilmember Daysog moved final passage of the ordinance. Councilmember deHaan seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous voice vote -5. (05 -209) Recommendation to accept the West Alameda Neighborhood Improvement Concept Plan. The Community Programs and Housing Division Manager gave a Power Point presentation on the Plan. Mayor Johnson stated the Plan would make important changes to the area; requested staff to review ways to accelerate the Plan; stated that a member of the Housing Task Force Committee recommended that the Committee review the Plan, provide input, and delay the vote. Councilmember deHaan stated End is important because of and Girls' Club brings posi are important; he is always the Transportation Commissio more detail on the sources stated that he has no probl, Plan; inquired whether the that the quality of life at the West the high population density; the Boys' ive steps to the area; funding sources concerned with transportation issues; needs to be engaged; requested to see of estimates for varied activities; m with delaying the acceptance of the lan could be delayed. The Community Programs and Housing Division Manager responded there has been an extensive public comment process; the draft plan was presented at a community meeting in February; Board and Commission input has been requested; there is no problem in delaying the acceptance; acceptance of the conceptual Plan is requested; different components would be brought back to Council at various times. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether the short -term, simple projects could be accomplished quickly. The Community Programs and Housing Division Manager responded in the affirmative; stated there is funding available for planting additional trees on an infill basis, and installation of trash receptacles at the Webster Street and Poggi Street corridor. Mayor Johnson inquired whether the trash receptacles would be selected by Public works. The Community Programs and Housing Division Manager responded that BMS Design would select the trash receptacles; BMS Deign is familiar with materials and installations throughout the City; Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 3 May 3, 2005 connection is critical to Webster Street, the Bayport property, and Alameda Point. Councilmember Daysog stated that he does not see the Plan as West Alameda, but as the Woodstock /Buena Vista corridor; more could be done south of Pacific Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. Councilmember deHaan concurred with Councilmember Daysog; stated the West End is reaching passed Webster Street. The Community Programs and Housing Division Manager stated that another name could be used. Jon Spangler, Alameda, stated that the Plan is great; suggested purchasing the property between Main Street and Webster Street on Appezzato Parkway; stated that he hopes that there will be Class 2 bike lanes on the Marshall /Lincoln /Pacific Avenue section; urged acceptance of the Plan. Vice Mayor Gilmore stated that she is not in favor of the Housing Task Force Committee reviewing the Plan; there has been extensive public input; the Plan is only conceptual; there will be further opportunity for public input; the Council's charge to the Housing Task Force Committee was to specifically review ways to prevent mass evictions and tackle affordable housing within 60 days; the Task Force needs to remain focused in order to meet the deadline. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he was in favor of delaying acceptance of the Plan until the Housing Task Force Committee report is received; the Committee's and recommendations would be important to shaping the concept within the Plan; the street trees and trash cans should be equitably distributed throughout the City; the high density apartment buildings and the Harbor Island Apartments are critical to the improvement of the census tract. Councilmember Daysog stated that he would support having the Task Force review the Plan if there are community meetings with adjacent neighborhoods to ensure that the Plan includes all of the West End. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether Councilmember Daysog's suggestion was to expand the overall scope of the Plan, to which Councilmember Daysog responded in the affirmative. Mayor Johnson inquired why the census tract was selected and why the Plan was not broader. The Community Programs and Housing Division Manager responded the census tract has the highest concentration of minorities and low Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 4 May 3, 2005 income; the priority was to work with residents to bring more services into the neighborhood using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; residents voiced concern about not being able to walk freely through the neighborhood because of the Harbor Island Apartment and Chipman Middle School; the area to the south is not a low to moderate income neighborhood. Councilmember Daysog stated the identify City resources that neighborhoods; the sidewalks are on Santa Clara Avenue is odd. Plan could be used as a tool to could be used to improve in horrible condition; the paving Mayor Johnson stated the name of the Plan can be changed to be more specific; there are sidewalk, street, tree, and lighting issues everywhere in the City; there is nothing more odd than the paving on Gibbons Drive; increased sidewalk maintenance funding and more aggressive repair schedules need to be reviewed; CDBG funds could not be used if the Plan was expanded and could result in a thirty - year Plan instead of a ten -year Plan; that she does not have a problem with delaying acceptance until the Housing Task Force Committee report is received; suggested direction be provided to rename the Plan. Councilmember deHaan stated expanding the scope cannot be done with the existing funding; the West End could be reviewed further at a later date; that he is uncertain what the impact would be in deferring acceptance until after the Housing Task Force Committee review. Mayor Johnson inquired whether there are projects that are ready to move forward; stated the Plan could be accepted with direction to bring the matter back to Council after receiving the Housing Task Force Committee report. The Community Programs and Housing Division Manager responded that tree, trash can, and bus shelter locations could begin to be determined; staff could synchronize with the Housing Task Force Committee and report back to Council; the Plan provides a vision of the future and encourages residents to participate and not allow development which might become an impediment to the implementation of the Plan. Mayor Johnson requested staff to review ways to accelerate the Plan. The Acting City Manager stated that Council could accept the Plan with the caveat that the Plan be brought back to Council; the Plan is dynamic; there needs to be equality in the Public Works Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 5 May 3, 2005 infrastructure and repairs; Public Works would provide an infrastructure report at the next City Council Meeting; Council would receive a model showing the performance of the budget over a period of ten years in late July or early August; reports will outline what needs to be done to correct problems; funding recommendations can be discussed. Councilmember Daysog stated that he would not be on the Council if not for the support of residents south of Pacific Avenue and Lincoln Avenue; many people needed to sell their homes with the Base closure; the neighborhood faces a lot of development; Council would be missing an opportunity if there is no coordination with activities occurring north of Pacific Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. Councilmember Matarrese moved approval of accepting the Plan, modifying the title to reflect the Plan's intent to target the most needy census tract in the City and requiring that the Plan return to Council coinciding with the Task Force report to revise concepts in the Plan if needed. Councilmember deHaan stated that there is $500,000 in resources that can go towards activities right away; going forward and accepting the Plan is prudent; the elements within the first and third year are very straightforward. Councilmember deHaan seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor Johnson stated that she is very concerned with the infrastructure everywhere in Alameda; the sidewalks and streets are not in the same condition as a few years ago; Council needs to address the issues and set priorities on the infrastructure deficit. Councilmember Daysog stated re- designating the name is important; he is fine with remaining north of Pacific Avenue and Lincoln Avenue if the Plan is not opened up to Harbor Island Task Force. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON- AGENDA (05 -210) Wilbur Richards, Alameda, complimented the Council on the quality of City services. (05 -211) Michael John Torrey, Alameda, stated the President is proposing to put oil refineries on closed military bases, which should not occur in Alameda. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 6 May 3, 2005 (05 -212) Rob Siltanen, Alameda, submitted a letter requesting that the Alameda Point vision include sensible traffic solutions, middle class housing, and a small town Alameda feel. (05 -213) Jon Spangler, Cross Alameda Trail Steering Committee, stated that Saturday, June 4, is National Trails Day; there will be a trail walk between Main Street and Webster Street. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS (05 -214) Vice Mayor Gilmore stated that she and Councilmember deHaan attended the Association of Bay Area Government conference regarding casinos last week; there appears to be a one size fits all negotiation strategy; there is no recognition of the obvious differences between urban and rural casinos; the Governor's negotiator promised that the Governor would take a hard look at Indian tribes looking to have land restored; the negotiator was not aware of anything pertaining to the Koi proposal on Swan Way; stated tribal lobbying efforts have not made it all the way up the ladder. (05 -215) Councilmember Matarrese stated that there is a special June election for a Measure A parcel tax; the tax would allow the School District to extend the current parcel tax; requested that Council give direction to place the matter on the next City Council meeting agenda; stated there is a gap in School District funding; a County Financial Advisor would be required if the School District slips into financial disarray; the City does not need a County person advising how money is spent. (05 -216) Councilmember deHaan stated that he is concerned that the reservation shopping battle has just begun; some cities want to move forward with casinos because of economic woes. (05 -217) Councilmember deHaan requested staff to review costs and funding sources to centralize City administration, particularly the Public Works and Development Services Departments. Mayor Johnson stated that she would support the idea. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he assumed that the matter would be addressed with the budget and the ten -year outlook. (05 -218) Mayor Johnson requested that the Recreation Commission matter [expansion of Commission size] be placed on the next City Council Meeting agenda. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 7 May 3, 2005 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the Regular Meeting at 10:38 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 8 May 3, 2005