1993-03-05 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ALAMEDA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 5. 1993
The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m., with President Withrow
presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember
Appezzato.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Appezzato, Lucas, Roth
and President Withrow - 4.
Absent: Councilman Arnerich - 1.
93-122 Report from the Public Works Director and the Community
Development Director Recommending Consideration of, and Action on,
Alternative Methods to Support an Alameda Location for UCSF by
Funding Participation in Start-up Costs of a Water Shuttle Service
Demonstration Project.
Tim Hoppen, Executive Vice President, Harbor Bay Isle Associates,
and the Doric Group, shared historical perspective of subject
matter, and addressed issues, concerns and questions raised during
the past few weeks; noted areas competing for occupancy by UCSF,
and related efforts.
Stephen K. Brimhall, Vice President, Harbor Bay Associates;
President, Harbor Bay Maritime, pointed out on wall exhibit
locations of UCSF in San Francisco; shuttle system route which ties
locations together and could tie in with ferry at China Basin.
Mr. Happen further noted time, money and efforts expended by Harbor
Bay Maritime including working with vessel builder, and with Port
of San Francisco concerning docking facility; Maratriton
Investments, Inc., entered into agreement with us to assist with
acquisition of vessel and construction of facility; reviewed
efforts of County Economic Development Advisory Board [EDAB].
Mr. Brimhall stated the lease of Berlex is the next step;
addressed traffic mitigations e.g., vanpools, flex-time; in-lieu
fees; bio-medical industry; and urged Council consider making a
loan and apply for the operation of the ferry system; make it broad
enough to permit continuing to seek other public agencies, and/or.
private [investors], if necessary.
In response to Councilmember Lucas's inquiry concerning square
footage permitted to building in HBI, and employees, Mr. Brimhall
replied the Development Agreement allows 5 to 5.5 million square
feet; and estimated, if the UC campus did not come, that footage
would permit 15,000 to 20,000 total employees; UCSF campus would
perhaps require three to four thousand less employees because of
lesser density.
In response to Councilmember Appezzato, Mr. Brimhall replied the
ferry is a marketing effort; a high-speed link is important to
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transport professors between UCSF locations; ultimately if UCSF
locates in Alameda, they will take over the system.
William Garvine, Executive Director, Alameda Chamber of Commerce,
urged Council to support the loaned use of TIF monies for the
operation of a UCSF demonstration ferry; stated this is first step,
and is important to provide for Alameda and other East Bay youth.
Councilmember Appezzato stated he does not know anyone who is
opposed to UCSF coming to Alameda.
Dom Dicolen, Alameda, stated jobs will be generated and a ferry
could also be standby in case of calamity as in Loma Prieta
earthquake.
Claude Hutchison, Oakland, stated he is former regent of University
of California; Past-President California Bankers Association, and
addressed Council concerning economic development as it relates to
proposal, and the importance of jobs.
In response to President Withrow, Mr. Hutchison stated his
experience with Harbor Bay Isle is that his bank financed some
residential construction within the last 18 months and the loan was
paid off on schedule; in concept his sense is, that to have a
modest lien on a great number of lots with a high probability of
being developed and sold, Council would have a sound proposition.
In response to Councilmember Appezzato, Mr. Hutchison, stated the
nation's banks are operating with very stringent regulatory
requirements, this [situation] probably falls outside the norm of
what could be reasonably financed in the period of time that is
available to City, and probably calls for a public/private
partnership; concerning private investors, it is not clear to him
if the rate of return is high enough; he believes public funds are
being requested as seed capital and hopefully over time the
community will reap higher sales taxes, and other attributes that
come from economic development.
Responding to Councilmember Lucas concerning a benefit of having
UCSF over having other businesses at the Business Park, Mr.
Hutchison replied if Council can capture UCSF, he cannot think of
a finer tenant in terms of setting the tone and tenor for the Park
and also being a magnet for attracting peripheral businesses.
Matthew Herman, Alameda, read a letter from former Councilmember
Joseph Camicia encouraging Council to do everything possible to
bring UCSF to Alameda.
Don Roberts, Alameda, stated he supports the idea of having UCSF
come to Alameda but has reservations about the process by which
that effort will take place.
Jay de los Reyes, Alameda, stated he is former President of
Filipino Americans of Alameda; UCSF facilities in Alameda would be
March 5, 1993
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a source of many new jobs; urged Council support loan and
demonstrate Alameda's commitment.
Shirley Cummins, Alameda, stated her skepticism is out-weighed by
the positive side of this matter for minorities; the money should
come from General Fund if necessary; wealthy people should help;
and Ron Cowan should be given credit for being a visionary.
Neil P. Sweeney, Alameda, requested Council vote affirmatively for
the ordinance [93-123 for Special Assessment Improvement Procedures
Law].
Roger Stone, San Lorenzo, stated unemployment dropped nationwide
.1%; in California, it rose 3%; and urged Council vote in favor of
this [proposal] as it would create construction and other jobs.
John Barni, Sr., Alameda, stated he is in favor of UCSF coming to
Alameda; is not in favor of the method of financing being proposed.
Greg Beattie, Alameda, Chamber of Commerce, stated a decision must
be made if an active approach is to be taken in building a future
for a business community that will help everyone; Ron Cowan has
created an opportunity for Alameda, there is no time to lose and he
hopes Council will vote in favor of proposal.
Mia Bozarth, Alameda, stated UCSF will be a responsible tenant and
will bring jobs and money to Alameda; the ferry will transport
people without jamming streets with traffic; [City] should provide
the $400,000 and be supportive.
Charles Risso, Alameda, stated the City should do whatever is
necessary to attract UCSF; Alameda needs UCSF; the majority of
Alamedans want a ferry agreement and want UCSF.
Reverend Lawrence VanHook, Alameda, stated a main concern is
creation of jobs; and inquired if only Harbor Bay Isle and
professors can ride the ferry.
The City Manager responded the ferry is for people from UCSF, if
there is additional room, others can ride; at some point it could
become a public ferry.
Reverend VanHook stated UCSF would be a valuable asset; perhaps an
apprenticeship program could be started in the Alameda Unified
School District that can possibly funnel juniors and seniors to the
laboratory; wants UCSF to come to Alameda not Oakland, and wants to
work with surrounding communities concerning jobs.
Clayton Guyton, Alameda, stated he would like to see UCSF come to
East Bay; the resources for jobs are enormous; Oakland is entering
into this process but we do not want the communities, and
particularly the African-Americans, of Oakland and Alameda split
over the issue; perhaps a procedure could be addressed to capture
the jobs so the African-American communities in Alameda, Oakland,
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66
and other cities can work to bring UCSF to the East Bay, and he
would like to see it come to Alameda.
Paul Cobb, Oakland, African-American Neighborhood Council, stated
he was invited by citizens of Alameda; has been in discussions with
Alamedans to show them how to draft an employment agreement with
the City, if Council is successful in bringing in UCSF; Oakland is
a friendly competitor; EDAB passed a motion unanimously to support
Oakland's bid; he encouraged mutual regionalism, working together
on congestion management, airport, and bridges in a spirit of
friendship; he intends to work with citizens to assist them to
develop jobs for all who live in this area.
Harold Griego, Alameda, stated he would like to know if money is
coming from the General Fund [for the ferry].
The City Manager responded the money does not come from the General
Fund; it comes from Transportation Improvement Fund and the source
of those funds are Construction Improvement Taxes charged against
the developer.
Mr. Greigo stated he would be against loans made from the
taxpayers' money; also thinks we need jobs for Alameda.
Dennis Green, Alameda, stated the initial ferry is a demonstration
project; UCSF attempted to expand in San Francisco, met obstacles,
and is watching for a demonstration of support and an understanding
of their need for a high-speed ferry; requested Council support
effort to bring UCSF not only with words but with deeds.
Vice Mayor Roth stated he requested Harbor Bay presentation be
given Council; he understands the need for UCSF to tie all their
locations together; Alameda has subsidized many businesses, about
13 or 14 million dollars in loans and grants since 1984; in this
case, we [City] have security; there are many more positives than
negatives; if we do not bring in UCSF now, we never will; and he
will support this [proposal].
Councilmember Lucas stated she agrees with Vice Mayor Roth; the
issue is: do we want UCSF campus here or not; Council said it wants
UCSF, community supports attracting the campus; jobs are needed;
she would like the money loaned to UCSF, however, the City must
work with the developer; the campus would benefit the community;
since the only vehicle of attracting that campus is to work with
Harbor Bay Isle developer and assist with funding ferry service,
that is what Council must do; and she will support this action.
Councilmember Appezzato stated the entire issue has been somewhat
confusing and full of uncertainties; he fully supports UCSF coming
to Alameda; reviewed the background of discussions of Council;
stated some persons do not believe anyone can travel from San
Francisco to Harbor Bay at sixty knots on a consistent basis in
thirty minutes; stated whether loan is really developer's money,
public money or taxpayer money confuses the general public; we are
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rt
as responsible for these funds as other public monies; we have no
idea of credit worthiness, nor what equity remains in property of
Harbor Bay; he would not invest his own personal money in this
project therefore, he cannot invest the money of the citizens of
Alameda; to UCSF, he says welcome; to Doric Development, good luck
in effort to bring UCSF to Alameda; he supports the effort but not
the loan of public monies; and will vote no on this loan agreement,
however, he votes yes on UCSF.
President Withrow stated he believes the whole retinue of benefits
has been laid out this evening; however, he would like to respond
to Councilmember Appezzato because he believes the [comments] are
germaine to some of the issues faced with EDAB; a tremendous number
of jobs are being lost from California and from Alameda County; and
one of the terms Councilmember Appezzato used capsulizes an issue
that has bothered him for some time - the statement that he would
welcome UCSF in Alameda; he appreciates that [comment], however,
it strikes at what we are doing here and that is to step out, sell,
market and recruit to bring businesses into our area; that is the
only way we can succeed; and he hopes Council will send a strong
signal to UCSF as well as any other business activity that would
like to come to Alameda, that there would be a favorable
job/business relationship available to them."
Councilmember Lucas moved the [staff report, dated March 4, 1993,
and] recommendation. Vice Mayor Roth seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Vice Mayor Roth stated City security places the
City above the first mortgage holder; that is an advantage a
private individual or bank does not have and is one of the reasons
the City can make the loan where a private individual could not.
President Withrow stated that is a good point.
The motion carried by the following voice vote: Ayes:
Councilmembers Lucas, Roth and President Withrow - 3. Noes:
Councilmember Appezzato - 1. Absent: Councilman Arnerich - 1.
93-123 Ordinance No. , N.S. "Amending the Alameda Municipal
Code by Adding Article VI (The City of Alameda Improvement
Procedure Code) to Chapter III (Finance and Taxation) Thereof,
Providing for the City of Alameda Special Assessment Improvement
Procedures Law, Including General Provisions and Definitions,
Powers and Procedures for the Purpose of Providing Financing for
Specified Purposes, and Certain Other Supplemental Provisions.
(Continued from Regular Council Meeting of March 2, 1993)
Vice Mayor Roth moved introduction of the ordinance. Councilmember
Lucas seconded the motion which was carried by the following voice
vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Lucas, Roth and President Withrow - 3.
Noes: Councilmember Appezzato - 1. Absent: Councilman Arnerich -
1.
March 5, 1993
ADJOURNMENT
President Withrow adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
4,14X,C.
(-//-
DINE B. FELSCH, CMC
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted 72 hours in advance.
March 5, 1993