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2010-11-03 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY- - NOVEMBER 3. 2010- -7:01 P.M. Mayor Johnson convened the meeting at 8:26 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers deHaan, Gilmore, Matarrese, Tam and Mayor Johnson — 5. Absent: None. AGENDA CHANGES •C7iT� PROCLAMATIONS. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY & ANNOUNCEMENTS None. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Johnson announced that the Minutes [paragraph no. 10 -526]; the Agreement with Gates + Associates [paragraph no. 10- 528]; and the Second Contract Amendment with Suarez and Munoz Construction [paragraph no. 10 -529] were removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Councilmember Matarrese moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote — 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.] (10 -526) Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of October 13, 2010; and the Special and Regular City Council Meetings of October 19, 2010. Approved. Councilmember Tam stated the October 19, 2010 minutes note that the Public Employee Evaluation item was cancelled; inquired whether the matter would be rescheduled, to which Mayor Johnson responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Matarrese moved approval of the October 13th minutes. Councilmember Gilmore seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote — 5. Councilmember Matarrese moved approval of the October 19th minutes. Vice Mayor deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice vote: Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 1 November 3, 2010 Ayes: Councilmembers deHaan, Matarrese and Mayor Johnson — 3. Abstentions: Councilmembers Gilmore and Tam — 2. ( *10 -527) Ratified bills in the amount of $2,493,347.67. (10 -528) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement in the Amount of $284,800 with Gates + Associates for an Urban Greening Plan, including a Parks Master Plan. In response to Vice Mayor deHaan's inquiry, the Interim City Manager stated the Urban Greening Planning Grant totals $250,000; $140,000 would be budgeted for a Parks Master Plan; staff recommends augmenting an Urban Farm and Garden Plan. Vice Mayor deHaan inquired why $7,800 would need to be taken from the Golf Enterprise Fund. The Deputy City Manager — Development Services responded the money would pay for Gates + Associates to look at a tree palate for the Golf Course. Councilmember Gilmore stated that she is uncomfortable spending $140,000 from the General Fund when swimming pool upgrade costs are unknown; the pools are a must have. The Recreation and Park Director stated the Emma Hood swimming pool is up and running; now, efforts are focusing on a solution for the Encinal swimming pool. Mayor Johnson stated the Urban Greening Plan and swimming pool issues have never been an either or situation. The Interim City Manager stated $140,000 would not solve the swimming pool problems; a Park Master Plan has become compelling because the City has so many disparate parks and facilities; a Park Master Plan would calculate an impact fee for new development; the Urban Greening Plan is a compelling document; inventory needs to be done to ensure the best use of property. Councilmember Gilmore stated that she understands the total budget for the swimming pools could exceed millions of dollars; her concern is that the City does not know how much it will cost to get to a stop -gap measure for opening and using the Encinal swimming pool until a long -term solution is found; that she does not have a problem completing the $284,800 Parks Master Plan but has concerns regarding the Farmer D and Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP) items; she considers the two items as "nice to have ". Mayor Johnson inquired whether the Farmer D item includes growing trees for street tree inventory. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 2 November 3, 2010 The Interim City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated the Farmer D item would also include using some of the existing, vacant, undeveloped park land for community gardens. The Deputy City Manager — Development Services stated the Urban Greening Plan grant cannot be just for a Park Master Plan; the urban agricultural component plays an integral part in receiving the grant. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether there is one -time money in excess of $1 million to for field turf. The Interim City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated the aggregate amount is $3 million. Councilmember Matarrese stated including the $140,000 would be a good idea to get things going; the $3 million is a buffer; having a tree farm is a benefit; the Littlejohn Park redwood trees purchased from an outside vendor are smaller than those that came from the Alameda Point Collaborative nursery. The Interim City Manager stated swimming pool repairs are not going to be paid solely by the City. Vice Mayor deHaan inquired how Kemper Sports would be involved with the landscape planning. The Interim City Manager responded the Golf Course is a recreational facility and an Enterprise Fund; stated the City is in negotiations with Kemper Sports; staff could look for other ways to come up with $7,800 if Council does not want the money to come out of the Golf Enterprise Fund. Vice Mayor deHaan inquired whether part of the Kemper negotiations would include landscape planning, to which the Interim City Manager responded in the affirmative. Mayor Johnson stated the landscape planning cost should be paid out of the Golf Enterprise Fund and reimbursed by Kemper Sports. Councilmember Tam inquired whether the Golf Commission has been consulted on the matter, to which the Golf Commission Chair responded in the negative. Councilmember Tam stated Council assumes that Kemper Sports would take over landscape planning which includes the storm water management problem and identifying a tree palate that could use recycled water. The Recreation and Park Director stated said items would be included in negotiations now; the current tree palate cannot use recycled water. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 3 November 3, 2010 Vice Mayor deHaan stated this summer, the trees survived with recycled water; the recycled water is a better quality. In Response to Councilmember Tam's comments regarding the plan helping the School District prioritize, the Interim City Manager stated later on tonight, Council will have an opportunity to discuss approving a Joint Use Agreement [paragraph no. 10 -536] including School District property and recreational parks and facilities could be discussed. Councilmember Gilmore stated swimming pools should be part of the Master Plan if the City is going to have responsibility for pools. The Interim City Manager stated the Master Plan could be amended to augment School District facilities. Speaker: Jane Sullwold, Golf Commission. Mayor Johnson inquired whether adding [Golf Course] landscape planning now would be cost effective, to which the Interim City Manager responded in the affirmative. Mayor Johnson stated the City could negotiate reimbursement with Kemper Sports. The Interim City Manager stated [Golf Course] landscape planning has been included because staff would like to expand the tree inventory. Vice Mayor deHaan stated Golf Course trees were assessed; inquired whether the proposed landscape planning would not be folded into the overall tree philosophy. The Interim City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated the project is vital; the Golf Course portion could be taken out in order to not hold up the Plan. Mayor Johnson stated going forward makes sense; reimbursing the City [for $7,800] could be part of the Kemper Sports negotiations. Councilmember Tam stated that she is hearing two conflicting factual statements: 1) Kemper Sports is already providing reports to the Golf Commission and has a landscaping plan, and 2) Kemper Sports is not doing so now and the City would have to negotiate; the City would save some money by taking $7,800 out of the Golf Enterprise Fund to help fund the Plan. The Recreation and Park Director stated Kemper Sports is performing a general review of the trees to see which trees are diseased; there is no comprehensive, concerted effort to develop a tree palate. Vice Mayor deHaan stated that he would prefer to take out the $7,800 and move forward; the landscaping plan could be included as part of Kemper Sports negotiations. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 4 November 3, 2010 Mayor Johnson stated the $7,800 could be added as a requirement to Kemper Sports' obligations if the City negotiates a long -term lease; otherwise, the City would have to hire someone else at a higher price. Councilmember Matarrese inquired where the $140,000 would come from, to which the Interim City Manager responded the Park Administration Program of the General Fund. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether the Park Administration budget includes consulting services, to which the Interim City Manager responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Matarrese moved approval of the staff recommendation with an amendment to not have the $7,800 come from the Golf Course fund. Councilmember Tam stated that she can support the motion; inquired whether the total Contract amount would be $276,900. The Deputy City Manager — Administrative Services responded the Contract amount would stay the same; the funding source would be different. Vice Mayor deHaan seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether she is hearing that the Contract amount would be $284,800. Councilmember Tam responded the contract amount would be $284,800; the Golf Enterprise Fund would not be touched. Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether the motion is to approve the $397,800 [total budget for the Urban Greening Plan] or $284,800. Councilmember Matarrese clarified that the motion is approval of appropriating $397,800 for all three components, having the $7,800 come from someplace other than the Golf Enterprise Fund, and obtaining $7,800 reimbursement from Kemper Sports. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers deHaan, Matarrese and Mayor Johnson — 3. Noes: Councilmembers Gilmore and Tam — 2. (10 -529) Recommendation to Approve a Second Contract Amendment in the Amount of $110,000 to Suarez and Munoz Construction, Inc. for the Webster Street/Wilver "Willie" Stargell Avenue Intersection Project — Landscape & Irrigation Improvements, No. P.W. 06- 09 -18. The City Engineer reviewed items noted in an email from Bike Alameda. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 5 November 3, 2010 Councilmember Gilmore stated the Plans and Specifications seem to be different than what has been constructed; inquired whether the source of the discrepancy has been discovered and what has been done to ensure that the situation does not happen again. The City Engineer responded costs were less because the contractor is a landscape and concrete contractor; stated the bicycle paths meet Caltrans' standard, which is an eight —foot paved pathway with two -foot shoulders on each side; the bicycle paths do not meet what Bike Alameda expected. Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether the ten -foot paved pathway was in the Plans and Specifications. The City Engineer responded in the negative; stated the design engineer interpreted the bicycle path as a eight -foot paved pathway with two -foot shoulders on each side. Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether staff would be more specific in the future. The City Engineer responded staff and the consultant reached out to many stakeholders; stated Caltrans has standards regarding travel lanes and medium width; Bike Alameda wanted a bicycle lane and pedestrian path; Mariner Square Loop was looking at access to their facility; Catellus was looking at turn pockets; in the future, staff needs to review all stakeholder requests to ensure that everything is checked off; the Fifth Street bicycle lane cannot go down to Webster Street; staff feels people would be placed in a dangerous situation; Caltrans does not allow bicycle lanes down Webster Street; staff is looking into having a bicycle path down Neptune Park in the future. Vice Mayor deHaan stated light stanchions sit outside the eight -foot pathway; extending the pathway by two feet would not provide full usage because the light stanchions would be in the middle. The City Engineer stated the City cannot go toward Caltrans property because Caltrans has a separation requirement between any pedestrian or bicycle facility and roadways; originally, lights were in the landscape strips and needed to be moved because of a large storm drain line; some areas would be ten -feet wide; other areas would be nine and a half feet wide; the concrete pad would be level. Mayor Johnson inquired whether light poles would be in the middle of the bike paths, to which the City Engineer responded in the negative. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether the City has a ten -foot standard. The City Engineer responded in the negative; stated the City uses the Caltrans' standard. Councilmember Matarrese inquired what would be the cost for widening the path to ten feet, to which the City Engineer responded approximately $20,000. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 6 November 3, 2010 The Public Works Director stated right now, the path is eight feet wide with a two -foot shoulder; Bike Alameda wants o widen the path; Caltrans has agreed to allow widening the path by two feet but will not allow the path to be designated as a combination bike /pedestrian path; five locations would have a nine and a half foot wide path. Councilmember Gilmore stated pedestrian and bicyclist safety is the main reason for widening the existing bicycle /pedestrian path. The Public Works Director stated staff could come back at the next Council meeting with the Bicycle Master Plan; after adoption, staff would meet with the Transportation Commission and Bike Alameda; any standard deviations would be provided to the Transportation Commission and Bike Alameda before coming back to Council. Speaker: Jon Spangler, Alameda. Vice Mayor deHaan moved approval of the staff recommendation. Councilmember Gilmore seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote — 5. ( *10 -530) Recommendation to Adopt Plans and Specifications and Authorize a Call for Bids for the City Elevator Maintenance and Repairs, No. P. W. 10- 10 -28. Accepted. ( *10 -531) Resolution No. 14503, "Ratifying Award of a Contract Pursuant to Section 3- 15.2 of the Alameda City Charter in the Amount of $223,100, Including Contingencies, to Mountain Cascade to Pipeburst Existing 14 Inch VCP Storm Drain Pipe and Replace with a 16 Inch HDPE Pipe on Eighth Street, Between Pacific Avenue and Lincoln Avenue." Adopted. ( *10 -532) Ordinance No. 3024, "Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Subsection 23 -8 (Encroachments Upon Public Property Prohibited)." Finally passed. CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS (10 -533) Address Questions from the September 21, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting Regarding Alameda Fire Department's Emergency Medical Service Delivery. The Acting Fire Chief gave a brief presentation. Mayor Johnson inquired what is the transport cost, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded $1,700; continued the presentation. Councilmember Gilmore inquired how many firefighters would be on duty every day now versus contracting out. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 7 November 3, 2010 The Acting Fire Chief responded twenty -four firefighters; stated the minimum would be eighteen. Councilmember Gilmore inquired how response times and requests for mutual aid would be affected if AILS service was not provided and staff decreased. The Acting Fire Chief responded tactics and strategy would need to be adjusted; stated dropping to 18 firefighters could provide more risk; the City would need to rely more heavily on mutual aid. Councilmember Gilmore inquired how many firefighters are dispatched when a call comes in, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded eighteen. Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether only one call would be able to be handled at a time, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded in the affirmative; continued the presentation. Vice Mayor deHaan inquired what is the delta between staffing eighteen firefighters versus twenty -four firefighters, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded ambulance staffing; continued the presentation. Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether the Fire Department has an average, actual response time, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded internal standards are eight minutes for the ambulance and five minutes for first responders. Mayor Johnson inquired where a stroke patient would be transported to, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded County protocol requires cardiovascular or stroke patients to be transported to Alameda Hospital first. Mayor Johnson inquired whether Alameda Hospital is a stroke center, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded in the negative. Mayor Johnson inquired where other communities send stroke patients, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded certified stroke centers. Councilmember Tam stated when she was on the Hospital Board, the County policy was to take cardiovascular patients to the closest facility that has an emergency room; stroke patients are stabilized first and then transported to an emergency center. Mayor Johnson stated seconds count; the longer a patient goes without proper care, the worse the damage; unfortunately, the protocol for Alameda residents is to go to Alameda Hospital for stabilization and then a stroke center; Alameda County establishes the protocol; inquired whether there are designated cardiac centers, to which the Acting Fire Chief responding Summit Hospital is a designed cardiac center. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether cardiac patients need to go to Alameda Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 8 November 3, 2010 Hospital first. The Acting Fire Chief responded in the negative; stated paramedics have twelve lead monitors; the monitors are connected to a cellular phone and goes directly to Summit Hospital; a doctor reads the AKG and determines whether the patient needs to be transported to Summit Hospital immediately for intervention. Mayor Johnson requested a presentation on EMS protocols [transport]. Vice Mayor deHaan stated Alameda Hospital might be the fastest transport if there is traffic. The Acting Fire Chief stated people could request to be taken to a stroke center. Mayor Johnson stated people are not aware of the option. Councilmember Matarrese stated someone told him that a stroke patient could request to be taken to a stroke center, but paramedics will take the stroke patient to Alameda Hospital; the issue needs to be clarified; the protocol might need to be changed if it is not in the best interest of the people of Alameda. Mayor Johnson suggested having someone from the County Health Care District at a future presentation. Vice Mayor deHaan inquired whether paramedics ask a stroke victim where they would like to be transported, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded the policy is not set by the Fire Department. Mayor Johnson inquired whether stroke victims are advised that they are not being transported to a stroke center. The Acting Fire Chief responded the Fire Department is bound by policy to take stroke victims to Alameda Hospital; stated stroke victims are asked which hospital they want to be transported to; adult trauma patients are transported to Highland Hospital; child trauma patients are transported to Children's Hospital. The Interim City Manager stated staff could provide a chart classifying ALS calls. The Acting Fire Chief continued the presentation. Councilmember Gilmore stated that she recalls hiring an outside consultant to do a study of the Fire Department; inquired what happened to the study. The Interim City Manager responded the outside consultant stopped short of a draft because he was unable to complete the report and recommended not going forward until the County was able to provide detailed information on how the $830,000 would be Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 9 November 3, 2010 allocated and how the Health Services Agency management would change. Councilmember Tam left the dais at 9:50 p.m. and returned at 9:53 p.m. (10 -534) Receive a Report on Paramedics Plus Value Added Equipment and Services for Alameda County Advanced Life Support First Responders. The Acting Fire Chief gave a brief presentation. Mayor Johnson inquired whether Paramedics Plus would supply the Fire Department with medications, to which the Acting Fire Chief responded Paramedics Plus would provide medical supplies, not medications. Mayor Johnson stated providing medications on a Countywide basis would make sense. Vice Mayor deHaan inquired whether the Fire Department has defibrillators The Acting Fire Chief responded the Fire Department has twelve defibrillators; Paramedics Plus would be responsible for replacing defibrillators. Councilmember Tam stated Alameda's paramedics have a lot to be proud of in terms of response times; requested that the Interim City Manager advise what are the next steps on the annexation and assessment process. The Interim City Manager stated a Closed Session has been scheduled to discuss the issues; a draft contract has been finalized from a business standpoint; the legal parts are now being reviewed; assuming Council approval, the goal would be to move expeditiously in order to place the matter on the tax rolls in August for the subsequent year. Councilmember Tam inquired whether the process is to get a contract finalized, assuming that there will be a Closed Session on November 16th; the October 19, 2010 minutes reflect that questions were raised on the amount of cost associated with the use of the trauma center and $140,000 first responder credit. The Interim City Manager stated the $857,000 is the annual assessment for the City's overhead share of the EMS agency and its proportionate share of the trauma centers; the County committed to taking the credit for first responder engines and applying the amount to the past, accrued deficit. Mayor Johnson stated the County is applying the credit to the arrears. Councilmember Tam stated the deal is great. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 10 November 3, 2010 The Acting Fire Chief stated payment would take fifteen years and would be interest free. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON - AGENDA None. COUNCIL REFERRALS None. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS (10 -535) Consideration of Mayor's Nominations for Appointment to the Commission on Disability Issues, Economic Development Commission (EDC) and Planning Board. Mayor Johnson nominated Susan Deutsch for appointment to the Commission on Disability Issues; and nominated Sim "Kame" Richards, Marine/Waterfront seat, and Robert Robillard, Retail /Commercial seat for appointment to the EDC. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 10:17 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 11 November 3, 2010