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1991-01-02 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA JANUARY 2, 1991 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m., (at the conclusion of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners' Meeting) with President Corica presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Thomas. Reverend Doug Henderson gave the invocation. ANNOUNCEMENT BY MAYOR OF CLOSED SESSION ACTION Mayor Corica announced that, prior to the regular meeting, Council adjourned to Closed Session and took the following action: 91-001 Labor Relations, pursuant to Subsection (a) of Government Code Section 54957.6 of the Brown Act: Council is waiting for another report and scheduled a Special Meeting for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, 1991. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia, Thomas, Withrow, and President Corica - 5. Absent: None. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Thomas stated she would vote No on *91-008, Bills. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote -5 [with the exception of Councilmember Thomas's No vote on *9].-008, Bills. Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS *91-002 From City Manager requesting reimbursement to Mayor of expenses incurred in conjunction with December 9, 1990, trip to Washington, D.C. Accepted. *91-003 From Public Works Director recommending adoption of plans and specifications and calling for bids for Landscape Improvement Plans, Alameda Shoreline Park, Tracts 3905 and 4500, Phase 3B, No. P.W. 1-90-02. Accepted. *91-004 From Public Works Director recommending acceptance of work by Gallagher & Burk, Inc., for the construction of Catalina Avenue Widening, Fontana Drive to Fir Place, No. P.W. 11-89-22. Accepted. January 2, 1991 2 RESOLUTIONS *91 -005 Resolution No. 12057. "Ordering the Vacation of a Storm Drain Easement within Lot 84, Tract 6198 (Neighborhood 'D', Village V, Harbor Bay Isle)." Adopted. FINAL PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES *91 -006 Ordinance No. 2522, N.S. "Rescission of Ordinance No. 2518, N.S., Approving Agreement with Alameda Unified School District for the Transfer of a Portion of Alameda Avenue, west of Oak Street." Adopted. *91 -007 Ordinance No. 2523, N.S. "Approving Agreement with Alameda Unified School District for the Transfer of a Portion of Alameda Avenue, west of Oak Street, without cost." Adopted. BILLS *91 -008 Bills, certified by the City Manager as true and correct, were ratified in the amount of $2,318,324.73. MINUTES Councilman Arnerich moved approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of December 18, 1990. Councilmember Camicia seconded the motion which was passed by unanimous voice vote - 5. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 91 -009 From John Barni, Jr., Alameda, suggesting consideration of an ordinance prohibiting pets on City property. Councilman Arnerich stated [moved] he sees no reason to do anything but accept the letter and sees no reason for change. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 91 -010 From Jim Anthony, Alameda, requesting an amendment to Section 9 -161 of the Alameda Municipal Code to allow residents to keep pet pigs. Jim Anthony, 1013 Broadway, stated his request is for pet potbelly pigs that are clean animals, weigh 40 to 50 pounds and are not as large as domestic pigs; and it should not be necessary to tell children they cannot keep their pet pigs. Councilman Arnerich stated he does not believe there should be livestock in an urban area, nor should there be a change in the law; and he will vote to uphold Police Chief's recommendation. Councilmember Withrow inquired if there are a number of potbellied January 2, 1991 3 pigs in the City, to which the Chief of Police responded he is not aware of any other pigs in the City. Councilmember Withrow moved to accept the communication and support and uphold the recommendation of the Chief of Police [to continue current regulations]. Councilmember Camicia seconded the motion. Councilmember Thomas remarked keeping pigs in the City is unfair to the animals; perhaps the School District has a place at Lincoln School, where there is a wild bird area, that livestock can be kept for children to view. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 91 -011 From Gregory L. Beattie, Board of Directors, Alameda Historical Museum, requesting financial assistance from the City. President Corica commented that, when negotiations were being held between the City and the School District, [regarding Alameda Avenue], the extension of the Museum lease was discussed; the City was planning to pay for two years with credit to be applied to Mastick Senior Center, Board Members Barbara Rasmussen and Sam Huie, and Superintendent Searles were comfortable with the arrangement until they talked to the rest of the Board and then pulled back; the City can help the Museum but he would like to see what the School District does before going ahead; perhaps the matter can be addressed at the next meeting. Gregory Beattie, President, Alameda Historical Museum, 1327 Oak Street, stated the issue is that fiduciaries of the Museum are trying to locate the Museum in an appropriate space; much time has been spent looking at spaces; a $5000 feasibility study regarding the Post Office Building was made; and all was done by a volunteer organization; the final decision was to try to obtain a five -year lease for the Masonic Building; and he would like to know what commitment Council can make; the volunteer organization needs to know it is supported by City government. Elizabeth Roth, Alameda, agreed with Mr. Beattie; and stated she would like to see the City support the Museum. Philip Gravem, 1344 Sherman Street, stated the Museum has struggled valiantly for forty years to preserve the unique history and artifacts, and now needs to have Council and the citizens show by actions their pride in Alameda's heritage. Donna Gravem, 1344 Sherman Street, cities are worried about keeping like Alameda's helps to do that; the opportunity for the Museum innovative programs for children. Alameda Historical Museum, stated a sense of community, and a Museum and she hopes Council will allow to provide more educational and George Gunn, Curator of Museum, 1327 Oak Street, stated the Museum was founded in 1948, Museum service has been free for forty years, with no City support; children need to learn about the roots of the community, and can learn from the objects in the collection; an January 2, 1991 4 appropriate setting for the collection, and the City's support, are needed. Barbara Rasmussen, Board of Education, Alameda Unified School District, 2200 Central, stated the District has provided space, below market rate, for the Museum for the last ten years, has agreed to pay for three years at a new location; and added that the Museum is an asset to the community. Councilman Arnerich inquired if an agreement [to provide payment of rent for two years for the Museum] should be made and if cost figures are available; and the City Manager responded Council can call for an Agreement to be drafted by staff and, following the School District meeting on Tuesday, January 1, 1991, further information can be provided and costs estimated. Councilman Arnerich moved acceptance of Mr. Beattie's letter, and direction to the City Manager to draft an agreement containing all financial conditions, and report back at the next regular Council Meeting. Councilmember Camicia clarified with Councilman Arnerich that his motion presupposes that the School District will make a positive decision before that time. Councilman Arnerich agreed and noted it is his understanding the School District is committed for three years. Councilmember Withrow suggested the City Manager put together the Business Plan of. the Museum so that Council can see what it may be called upon to invest , and so that it will be a matter of record; and inquired if that would be an agreeable modification. Councilman Arnerich agreed. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion. To Councilmember Thomas's inquiry regarding a Museum Business Plan, Mr. Beattie stated the Museum has a Business Plan and a copy of the Plan will be provided to the City Manager. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote - 5. Gerhard Degemann, Historic Alameda High School Foundation, 2200 Central Avenue, stated the matter is urgent because the School District would like to amend the lease with the Alameda Historic High School Foundation; and time is of the essence. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 91 -012 From Planning Director regarding request from Grand Marina that an unnamed stub street leading off the western end of Fortmann Way be named Alaska Packer Place. President Corica stated the name appears appropriate because many citizens remember when the Alaska Packer Fleet was at that location, and when "Treasure Island" was filmed there. January 2, 1991 Councilmember Camicia moved acceptance of the report. Councilman Arnerich seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 91 -013 From Public Works Director regarding potential solutions to the flooding problem on Regent Street south of Clay Street. Councilmember Withrow moved acceptance of the report and recommendation. Councilmember Thomas seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The City Manager noted two proposals were made by staff; since Council approved allowing staff to proceed with the most beneficial routing design, staff will use the Regent Street approach. NEW BUSINESS 91 -014 Councilmember Thomas stated comments and calls have been received regarding the Food Bank; trying to find a place for the Food Bank has been an ongoing process for years, it takes a long time to find a new home, adjust, and obtain grants and funding when in place; in view of that, the Assistant City Manager wrote a memo concerning the Food Bank and a five -year lease period with a one -year notice of intent to terminate; she believes the [one -year notice] time is not sufficient in view of the length of time it has taken the Food Bank to find a new place; she would like to see that come back to Council for whatever is needed for Council to make a policy decision to find a permanent home for the Food Bank. 91 -015 Councilmember Thomas requested adjournment in memory of Jennifer Olson, and a suggestion from Fire Department of a way to honor Jennifer. 91 -016 Councilman Arnerich requested a report from the City Manager on January 15, 1991 agenda, regarding what savings could be realized and if it is possible without violating any contract, to defer raises due to department heads and confidential employees, until the recession is over or there is assurance that revenues will not be dwindling. Councilmember Camicia stated that, to him, merit raises are the most important part of the package, and inquired if Councilman Arnerich wants to keep the concept and just defer for the time being. Councilman Arnerich responded the concept is good, he wants to know if the raises can be deferred; raises were discussed in Meet and Confer and he wants to be sure no contracts have been violated and that the matter can be handled in an appropriate manner; and further clarified with the City Manager that he would like to know what the savings would be for deferring raises for department heads only, for confidential employees only, and the total. 91 -017 Councilman Arnerich commended the Fire Department for starting a fund in honor of Jennifer Olson, and noted several thousand dollars have already been donated. January 2, 1991 6 ADJOURNMENT 91-018 President Corica requested the City Manager provide a resolution at the next Council Meeting in honor of Jennifer Olson; and adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m., in her memory. Respectfully submitted, / %'-- DIANE B. FELSCH, CMC City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in advance in accordance with the Brown Act. January 2, 1991