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1987-07-29 Special CC Minutes210 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD WEDNESDAY JULY 29, 1987 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. with President Corica-presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Haugner. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Camicia, Haugner, Monsef, Thomas and President Corica - 5. (Councilmember Monsef arrived at 8:25 p.m.) President Corica stated Councilmember Haugner requested time to make a statement. Councilmember Haugner quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson and stated that each of the Councilmembers want the best for Alameda and she does not want acrimony nor intimidation. RESOLUTIONS 87-550 Approving and adopting an Operating Budget and Capital Improvements/Gas Tax budget for the fiscal years 1987-88 and 1988-89, and appropriating certain moneys for the expenditures provided in said budgets for said fiscal years and amending the Management and Confidential Employee Group salary resolution. Tom White, President, Alameda Chamber of Commerce, addressed the $25,000 for the Chamber of Commerce in the budget; stated other cities support Chambers of Commerce, and noted the high amounts being allocated by many nearby cities to their Chambers; stated the Chamber serves the City in many ways, and supports the business community which in turn provides business taxes for the City. Mike D'Orazi, President, Alameda Firefighters Association, stated that the Association members were very distressed that their appearance before Council was viewed as intimidation; that it was only intended to be an expression of their concern for the safety of Alameda and an attempt to provide more information as was requested; and urged Council to review the matter carefully. Charles Tillman, 1425 Roosevelt Drive, stated that he believed the budget should be finalized at the last meeting in September to allow time for Council to review the actual figures that will be available at that time; John Scott Graham, 1728 Tregloan Court, asked if there can be sharing of the Police and Fire Departments to finance emergency matters, to which President Corica responded that Council is present to find financial allocation available from any and/or all departments Councilmember Thomas stated she would like three firefighters hired in the interim while a study is being made; stated $63,000 is a great deal of money for a risk manager; believes there can be a 21.1. five percent cut for supplies in some departments, funding a fireman is more important than funding $25,000 for the Chamber of Commerce, Canine Program could be funded from special Police Department budget instead of General Fund; noted several other items; stated her first preference to fund the firefighter is Chief Quarante's suggested increase of apartment house inspection fees which would increase $60,000 in revenue, follow-up inspection is needed after new construction is done and fee could be charged for that, and the unappropriated revenues could be used. President Corica commented regarding the Fire Department, that the $25,000 allocated for a study, plus an additional $18,000, could be moved to fund a firefighter to provide three this year, and with proposed 3 next year, it would total six, and would allow people to be more comfortable, and is not that much more of a compromise. Councilmember Camicia stated he felt very comfortable with the present number of firefighters, that the budget should look to future goals rather than taking a view of concern about 2 more firemen or supplies; believes the City is in good shape, and that 2 firefighters can be added now, 2 next year, and 2 later. Councilmember Haugner agreed with Councilmember Thomas that safety comes before a risk manager, but believes that a risk manager is important, that many local cities have risk managers, and that it would be dangerous to not have a risk manager. President Corica stated with regard to the future, the City has been running very well, money for risk manager could be used to repair sidewalks which causes the greatest amount of lawsuits against the City, but if a risk manager is to be hired, he would like it to be on a trial basis to the end of the year and review how much has been saved for the City. Councilmember Haugner made a motion to hire a risk manager. Councilmember Camicia seconded with the stipulation that a review be made half way through or at the end of the budget period to see the benefits. Councilmember Haugner stated that was acceptable. The vote on the motion was as follows: Ayes: Councilmembers Camicia and Haugner - 2. Noes: Councilmember Thomas and President Corica - 2. Absent: Councilmember Monsef - 1. Councilmember Thomas stated she would have voted for the risk manager if there had been another firefighter granted. President Corica stated the additional firefighter is a very important issue, believes residents would be much more safe and satisfied if there could be adequate firefighters,stated the City has the capability of adding another; that Fire Department heads have been with the City a very long time, the department is functioning very well, and their recommendation should be accepted. Councilmember Camicia stated he is not sure the City has the money; that the department is doing very well, does not believe another 212 firefighter is necessary, believes only 2 should be added at this time; that the study is important, and other departments should not be cut for an additional firefighter. President Corica stated his proposal is to take the money from the risk manager position and the $25,000 study, both of which are new items, and this would not cut any departments. Councilmember Camicia stated the study is very important; that he would like strategic planning that Councilmember Monsef has talked about. President Corica stated that the Fire Department is known to be running very well and asked why a study should not be made for each and every department, to which Councilmember Camicia stated he would like to see a strategic plan for the community. Councilmember Thomas stated she is concerned about the possibility of an arbitrator coming in four months saying the City needs 12 people and must add them or give up the ambulance program and the City would lose $270,000 in revenue; believes City is expanding medical services, union has concerns and have asked to go back to Meet and Confer, there are three shifts and that is why the figure 3 is prominent in her mind; and asked if Council would be amenable to raising apartment house inspection fees to hire a third firefighter. Councilmember Camicia stated Council is not at the point where it has decided a third person is needed. Councilmember Thomas noted the report states the times the engine has been out of service for lack of personnel. President Corica stated Council is in a position to do something that would be beneficial without costing the departments anything. Councilmember Thomas requested the Finance Director state what the increase of inspection fees would produce. The Finance Director stated that $5 per unit would generate at least $60,000. Councilmember Thomas made a motion to increase apartment house inspection fees, hire the third firefighter, hire a risk manager for proposed salary and review both at the end of the year, and to determine through study or review how effective the risk manager is and where the fire department stands regarding personnel. Councilmember Haugner clarified the motion, and inquired if Mrs. Thomas was referring to the professional study. 213 Councilmember Thomas stated if it is funded, she will agree to it, though she would like to study all departments. President Corica stated if $60,000 would come from inspection fees the firefighter position is funded through that; that he is not sure the risk manager is needed but if that is what it will take to get the firefighter, and as long as that position will be evaluated at the end of the year, he will agree to it. The motion failed for lack of a second. Councilmember Camicia stated he believes in a two year budget as opposed to a one-year budget. President Corica stated the one-year budget is all that can be made and that the appropriations for the City must be done on an annual basis; that one year is actual and the second year is a plan. Councilmember Camicia stated he is most concerned about the budget and he is not sure that the Canine Program fits. Councilmember Haugner stated she and Councilmember Thomas have looked into the program; believes there are people within the police department that are willing to work with the Canine program which is essential, and moved that the Canine Program be recognized as a part of the budget. Councilmember Thomas seconded the motion and it was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Thomas, Haugner and President Corica - 3. Noes: Councilmember Camicia - 1. Absent: Councilmember Monsef - 1. Councilmember Thomas stated she had received a letter from Alamedans with Housing Opportunities Provided Equally (H.O.P.E.) which stated that they had been substantially cut by the City and inquired how their budget was cut, and who recommended it. The Community Development Director stated that in the adoption of the projected use of funds for the next year, the funds were shifted among program components all run by H.O.P.E., so that the net amount to H.O.P.E. was roughly the same but less than they requested overall. Councilmember Thomas asked clarification that they were not cut from what they received last year, just a cut from what they requested, to which the Community Development Director responded that is correct. Councilmember Thomas inquired if staff or Council recommended it, to which the Community Development Director replied it was reflected in the staff recommendation which was published in the newspaper. 214 In response to Councilmember Thomas's inquiry about when the actual expenditures and such items as gas tax revenues will be recieved, the City Manager replied the Program Performance Review will be submitted to Council in September and will refer to fiscal year 1986-87. President Corica stated he would like Council to wait until Councilmember Monsef arrives to vote on the budget, and added that Councilmember Monsef also would like to address Item No. 3 (87-552), and therefore would consider Item No. 4 (See 87-551) at this time. Paragraph 87-550 discussion continued following 87-551. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 87-551 Amending the Alameda Municipal Code, Article 2 of Chapter 4, Title II thereof to establish a Community Preservation Department and delete the Community Development Department. President Corica stated he does not like to see this type of change but that, apparently, it is an administrative move, to which the City Manager responded that is correct. Councilmember Haugner inquired what the department is called in other cities, to which the City Manager responded that they are sometimes called Planning Departments but often called Community Development Departments. [Councilmember Monsef entered and took his seat with the Council.] Councilmember Camicia made a motion to keep the name as the Community Development Department. Councilmember Thomas seconded the motion and it was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. President Corica announced that Council would continue with discussion of Item No. 2 (87-550) budget matter. RETURN TO AGENDA ITEM NO. 2 (PARAGRAPH 87-550) For the benefit of Councilmember Monsef, Councilmember Thomas reiterated her motion to increase apartment house fees $5 per unit in order to hire a third firefighter, hire a risk manager, provide a study at end of year, and review by Council of the risk manager. President Corica noted $60,000 generated by additional fees would pay for more than the firefighter which would require $43,000. Councilmember Monsef stated his concern is to look at the administration of the department to see if cuts are justified. 2 Councilmember Camicia made a motion to adopt the budget. Councilmember Haugner seconded the motion. The City Manager clarified that would include the Canine Unit, the Risk Manager, a movement of the dollars for the library electrical system main building. Councilmember Thomas inquired if it is proper to review the risk manager after it has failed as a motion. Councilmember Haugner stated the motion on the floor would need to be removed, to which President Corica noted that the risk manager item had been considered separately just as the firefighter item was considered separately. The City Attorney stated that according to the City Charter, it takes three votes to pass or fail something. Mr. Tillman stated under Roberts Rules of Order this is reconsideration. The City Attorney stated the City Charter specifies three votes to take any action and the Council policy on a 2-2 vote has been to put it on the next agenda. Councilmember Camicia stated if that has been the policy, then he wanted to make sure Council would not be talking about the risk manager at the next meeting. The City Manager stated the resolution contained the risk manager, there was no action to remove it, and there was no action to add a firefighter, therefore the motion would be to approve the resolution to adopt the budget. Councilmember Thomas stated that one item she has brought up is that the 1988-89 budget contains an additional $25,000 for the Chamber of Commerce not previously authorized by Council; that the authorization is only for the period through 1987-88 fiscal year. The City Manager said he was recommending it. President Corica stated that money could have been better spent on public safety. Councilmember Monsef stated he would like to amend the motion to eliminate the $25,000 for the Chamber of Commerce in the 1988-89 budget, and Council can consider an allocation in the future. Councilmember Camicia accepted the amendment on condition he agrees to review the subject next year. Councilmember Monsef agreed to that addition to the motion, as did Councilmember Haugner. 6 President Corica stated the first move would be to not adopt the budget, come back and amend it and then bring it back and adopt it. On the call for the vote, the motion was carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Camicia, and Haugner - 2. Noes: Councilmembers Thomas, Monsef and President Corica - 3. Councilmember Monsef made a motion for acceptance of the proposed budget with elimination of the $25,000 for the Chamber of Commerce from the 1988 -89 budget. Councilmember Haugner seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Camicia, Haugner, Monsef and President Corica - 4. Noes: Councilmember Thomas - 1. Absent: None. 87 -552 Resolution in support of homeporting of the U.S.S. Missouri. Councilmember Camicia stated he will abstain on the item as he has been investigating the matter and will continue to do so. Laurence Padway, 2911 Lincoln Avenue, requested Council defer consideration of the matter until there is further information on homeporting and there are questions he believes need to be addressed; and that maybe there will be nuclear weapons transported through the tube. President Corica noted it has been stated that the tube is not going to be one of the avenues used for transport of munitions. Councilmember Camicia stated he saw a report that said that the munitions would not be transported on the bridges. Mary Johnson, 148 Santa Clara Avenue, stated there are toxic fumes from the base, not enough housing, and that military personnel buy products on the base and do not bring a lot of business into the area. Charles Tillman, 2415 Roosevelt Drive, stated there can possibly be an accident at the Naval Air Station (NAS) but not by negligence or to the extent people are talking about; that he has worked in a nuclear plant, and believes a disservice is being done to the Navy; that there are hazards of having explosives in any base; vote, and if there is any complaint of anything that has occurred with the NAS, the NAS is most cooperative of any business in the City, and urged Council endorse the resolution. Joel Voylsteke, 600 Sand Hook Isle, urged Council vote yes on the issue; believes the Navy has been a great help over the years; and has a safety record; and that it is now time to help the Navy. 217 Walter Curwin, 1507 Gibbons Drive, stated the advantages of homeporting far outweigh disadvantages being voiced, and urged support for homeporting. John Scott Graham, 1728 Tregloan, said homeporting is not acceptable to him because there is not enough housing. Dick Young, 1119 Holly, former Chief of Police, stated the decision to base various ships in various locations is wise, Bay Area is one of few bases that can handle homeporting; is not concerned about ammunition transportation as he has known transportation route since he came to the City, has personally known Commanding Officers at base and on ships and not one is concerned about safety because they take all precautions they can, housing is always a problem when military are stationed close by; homeporting is good for the City and shows the Navy that the City is happy to have them; and encouraged Council to endorse the resolution unanimously. Leida Padway, 2911 Lincoln Avenue, is against transporting weapons because she is a concerned mother; stated the Navy may be good to Alameda but does not want them transporting any more dangerous products through the town; and believes Council should have more information. Councilmember Camicia requested Council wait 2 or 3 weeks; stated he is abstaining because he has not had an opportunity to read certain studies, wants to read more on the disposition of hazardous waste and look into NAS infractions regarding the matter; and wants to talk to Cal-Trans regarding truckers and to the police department regarding transportation. Councilmember Haugner stated she does not believe she has had enough time to get sufficient information on the matter, and does not believe there has been enough time for response from the public, that she thought many people would be present; and that other cities have not yet addressed the matter. Councilmember Monsef stated he talked to Admiral Toney today, has been assured by the Navy that basically the material and supplies transportation are by barge, and only in case of necessity or shortfall are trucks used; that there are truck routes through the City, not the tube, it is controlled by the California Highway Patrol; and no additional trucks will be added; he therefore sees no adverse impact to the City; and is convinced that by voting yes, he is in no way jeopardizing the City of Alameda. Councilmember Thomas stated she called the Fire Department today, talked to Lieutenant in Fire Prevention about transportation; that he, as a former dangerous-cargo handler in the military, stated nuclear warheads and related ammunition will not detonate, but a gasoline tanker on impact has potential for a great explosion, that liquified petroleum used in gas barbecues can blow a truck 4 or 5 218 miles; she stated that more attention should be paid to these items that have greater potential for danger to Alameda; that people on ships are husbands, fathers and sons, and if they are asked to risk their lives, the City should allow Highway Patrol-approved trucks, though none of those trucks, or gasoline or liquid petroleum trucks should go in peak hours. Councilmember Monsef made a motion to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Thomas seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Thomas, Monsef and President Corica - 3. Noes: Councilmembers Camicia and Haugner - 2. Absent: None. President Corica adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. 87-553 Councilmember Camicia suggested Council go on a retreat as some other Councils do. Councilmember Haugner stated that City of Oakland does it every six months and invites the press and does it with a facilitator. President Corica stated his initial reaction is that he is wary of breaching the Brown Act but he will consider the matter. 87-554 Councilmember Camicia stated that a suggestion was made at last Saturday's town meeting, which Congressman Stark attended, that Mayor Wilson and President Corica work together and provide a plan regarding mutual noise and safety problems. President Corica stated he was present, heard it, talked to someone at the meeting, and plans to do that; that it hasn't worked before, but will try again. Mr. Tillman stated Council was off the agenda and if matters are to be discussed they should be agendized. President Corica stated the meeting is adjourned. (9:50 p.m.) Respectfully submitted, /x ct DIANE B. FELSCH City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted 24 hours in advance in accordance with the Brown Act.