1993-07-14 Special CC Minutes271
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ALAMEDA CITY COUNCIL
JULY 14. 1993
The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. with President Withrow
presiding. Councilmember Lucas led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Appezzato, Arnerich,
Lucas, Roth and President Withrow - 5.
Absent: None.
93-408 Formation of Naval Air Station Strategic Planning
Committee and Method of Appointing Members.
Mayor Withrow stated the intent of the Council Meeting is to
discuss the organizational structure and process for public
participation; he hopes to ensure the organization is broad-based,
and that everyone who wishes to participate is given the
opportunity to do so; and he expects this City to be a model of
successful conversion for others to follow.
Mayor Withrow stated the Vice Mayor has made an excellent proposal,
included in the meeting packet; the staff and Base Committee's
proposals also have merit.
Larry Wagner, Alameda, thanked Council for privilege of working on
Base Retention Committee; expressed need for full-time advisory
staff concerning base conversion; retraining of employees,
participation of labor unions, and funding for employees.
Bob Flaherty, Alameda, P-,:esident, Townhouse Association of Ballena
Bay; Yacht Club Treasurer; noted he is interested in joining Task
Force to contribute expertise in industry and how to compete with
the Pacific Rim; and would like to represent Ballena Bay area which
is also affected by Base Closure.
Neil Patrick Sweeney, Alameda, recommended creation of
international environmental toxic cleanup training center or
university on the NAS property.
Jerry Ghiselli, Alameda, thanked Council for efforts to retain NAS;
stated Alameda gave the best presentation for retention; people who
work for him at NAS will need jobs, and there must be a program for
them; suggesteu keeping committees to a minimum for greater
efficiency.
Del Blaylock, Alameda, agreed with Mr. Ghiselli on limiting
committees; and urged Council monitor jobs assigned, choose
individuals that can do the job, and aggressively pursue the best
for the City.
Douglas DeHaan, Alameda, addressed immediate impact on employees;
stated City must put together the most aggressive front possible,
July 14, 1993
27 2
provide full-time City staff; people trying to do studies will not
reach displaced individuals; City must be cognizant of other
bureaucracies trying to dictate Alameda's direction, move quickly,
and be very strong.
President Withrow stated appreciation for Mr. DeHaan's leadership
and the time he has committed.
Chuck Corica, former Alameda Mayor, commented on Navy Base
meetings, and money expended by Navy Base Committee; stated he
hopes new Committee can provide NAS persons first preference when
jobs are available; Navy personnel have continually helped the
City, working on e.g., fishing piers, Lincoln School pond; thanked
Council for forming Navy Base Committee and commended participants.
President Withrow thanked Mr. Corica for his efforts in continuing
to lead in the City.
Larry Wagner, Alameda, stated Council should contact NAS and NADEP
to obtain counseling for workers; in light of violence in work
places, an adequate mental health program should be provided.
Mayor Withrow stated, in reply to Mr. Wagner, that he will request
the Navy to provide its employees, and their families, with
counseling.
Larry A. Wilson, Alameda, stated the two main facilities at NAS are
air and sea; Alameda should establish a port commission to oversee
development, keep the area as a whole and not portion it out
piecemeal; and the port commission would take direction from
Council.
President Withrow called for further speakers, and seeing none,
closed the public portion of the discussion.
Councilmember Lucas commended Navy Base Committee Members present;
believes need for counseling noted by Mr. Wagner, must be
addressed.
Councilmember Appezzato suggested the 1975 Goals Study, the General
Plan, and Roma Study be considered in conversion planning.
Vice Mayor Roth reviewed his recommendation for committee
structure; stated both residents and non-residents should serve,
and outsiue agencies should serve on subcommittees of their choice;
suggested advisory group called Base Reuse Advisory Group [BRAG);
reviewed each of the proposals for ten subcommittees, and the
nominating groups; stated Council should nominate the chairs for
the Outreach and Environment Subcommittees.
Councilman Arnerich suggested the title of "Alameda Vision
Unlimited" for Citizens' Advisory Body, and urged the City to get
control of the Base property as quickly as possible; and commented
on what he envisions for the area, e.g., additional tunnels, a
July 14, 1993
port, cruise liners, splendid homes, airport.
Councilmember Lucas stated the City must act immediately; Base
employees must be taken care of; staff positions funded; Council
meet next week to finalize matters, and meet frequently to act on
recommendations.
Councilmember Appezzato presented a detailed proposal for a 10-to
15-member executive committee which would represent a cross-section
of Alamedans and, following a few meetings, would recommend
structure, number of subcommittees, review applications and assign
persons to subcommittees with Council approval.
Vice Mayor Roth stated Council must design the committee's
structure and staff come back with sub-committees' functions.
Councilmember Lucas stated Councilmember Appezzato's proposals were
good, however in view of time pressures, Vice Mayor Roth's proposal
makes a lot of sense; and supported it.
Mayor Withrow stated the City Council should meet with advisory
committee once a week.
Councilmember Appezzato further discussed his concerns and
proposal, including funding for additional staff; stated he likes
Councilman Arnerich's idea to acquire NAS land [expressed at a
prior meeting] and suggested Senators Feinstein and Boxer and
Congressman Dellums introduce a bill which would return the Base
Property to Alameda for $1.00.
Vice Mayor Roth made a motion that Council form a Base Reuse
Advisory Group and 10 sub-committees, as submitted; and staff
report back with goals and objectives for sub-committees.
Councilmember Lucas seconded the motion.
Councilman Arnerich stated he would like a 15-member committee and
each Councilmember nominate three people; the committee select sub-
committees and work with staff; and the advisory committee meet
with Council once a week.
Following further discussion, Mayor Withrow stated the process
calls for the Advisory Group to go through applications, select,
and interview; and Council to approve.
Councilman Arnerich offered a substitute motion that each
Councilmember nominate three persons, as he outlined earlier, for
a total of 15; that committee would, as Councilmember Appezzato
stated, obtain people for staff and other Subcommittees and report
back to Council with their findings.
Councilmember Appezzato seconded the motion which failed by the
following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Appezzato and Arnerich
- 2. Nayes: Councilmembers Roth, Lucas, and President Withrow - 3.
Absent: None.
July 14, 1993
7 4
Vice Mayor Roth restated his motion: "we form a Base Reuse
Advisory Group that's made up of Chairmen of subcommittees, of the
10 sub-committees listed, that are selected by the nominating
groups and that we ratify."
Councilmember Appezzato stated the proposal is too complex and
cumbersome.
Councilman Arnerich agreed and stated he believes proposal is
weighted in favor of many groups, and he cannot support it.
The motion carried by the following voice vote: Ayes:
Councilmembers Lucas, Roth and President Withrow - 3. Nayes:
Councilmembers Appezzato and Arnerich - 2. Absent: None.
Councilmembers Appezzato and Arnerich each stated they will give
full support to the proposal as moved.
President Withrow stated he liked Councilmember Appezzato's
proposal, and requested staff develop a letter to Senators Boxer
and Feinstein and Congressman Dellums, that will request that the
NAS property be deeded back for one dollar.
Following discussion on scheduling a meeting to finalize issues,
President Withrow adjourned the meeting to July 20th.
ADJOURNMENT
President Withrow adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
DIANE B. FELSCH, CMC
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in advance in accordance
with the Brown Act.
July 14, 1993