1978-06-27 Regular CC MinutesADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY JUNE 27, 1978
The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President Corica presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Beckam, Diament, Sherratt, Tillman, and
President Corica, (5) were noted present. Absent: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of 1978-79 Contingency Budget. (Supplemental Memos Nos. 6 and 8)
The Council agreed to hear first from the Recreation Commission and the Golf
Commission relating to their proposed fee schedules.
Mr. Grant Mainland explained the Recreation Department proposal. Councilman Tillman
requested a record be kept showing a comparison of the 1978 to 1977 enrollment
figures.
Councilman Sherratt moved adoption of the proposed fee schedule, seconded by
Councilman Diament, and carried on uannimous voice vote.
Commissioner Clifford Dutrow presented the proposed fee schedule for the Golf Course.
He explained the four-step plan for fees.
Councilman Tillman moved adoption of the proposed fee schedule, seconded by
Councilman Sherratt, and carried on unanimous voice vote.
There being no objection, the meeting proceded to "Introduction of Ordinances."
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:
2. "Ordinance No.
New Series
Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Repealing
Section 3-1318 of Article 1, Chapter 13, Title III
Thereof Relating to Use of Tax Money Collected
Pursuant to the Residential Dwelling Unit Tax."
In response to a question from President Corica, City Attorney Stroud explained the
City's commitment to construction of the Shoreline Park on Bay Farm Island. He said
the City had one year from issuance of the 700th building permit of the Harbor Bay
Isle development to construct the park. He stated, if the ordinance was passed, the
budget should indicate that the funds collected from the first 700 building permits
would be held separately to satisfy the contract.
City Manager Goss recommended passage of the ordinance to allow the funds to be put
in the General Fund, in a separate account, and further decisions on their use
be delayed until it was known whether the Federal Land and Water grant authorized
by the Council had been approved.
President Corica suggested it be reflected in the minutes that the funds collected
from the first 700 building permits would be set aside to satisfy the contractual
obligation, and the rest of the funds collected could then be used for general
operations.
City Attorney Stroud said the use of the money should be designated in the City's
budget, and that this action would sufficiently designate the use of the funds.
Ms. Leora Feeney, 1330 8th Street, spoke in opposition to passage of the ordinance.
She said she felt funds from the dwelling unit tax should be used exclusively to
alleviate the impact of the Harbor Bay Isle development on the rest of the
community, through recreational and transit uses.
Mr. James Dddis, attorney for Harbor Bay Isle Associates, stated it was his opinion
passage of the ordinance would be in violation of the agreement between the City
and HBI.
There was further discussion on the ramifications of passage of the ordinance with
respect to the agreements with HBI and with the Bay Conservation and Development
Commission, and the possibility of using the funds for general recreational purposes.
Councilman Tillman moved introduction and passage of the proposed ordinance, seconded
by Councilman Diament.
On the question, Mr. Michael Grappo, 1505 Broadway, expressed his concerns with
any special considerations being given to HBI.
Mr. Oscar Barry of Harbor Bay Isle Associates urged the Council not to pass the
proposed ordinance. He said future discussions on the completion of Village 5
may involve this same issue, and he alleged certain implied commitments between the
City and HBI for future uses on Bay Farm island of the funds derived from the
dwelling unit tax.
City Attorney Stroud stated the City did not commit any of the funds for use in
Village 5 otnake any such implied commitments.
On a call for the question, the motion to adopt the above ordinance failed to carry
on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Two. Noes: Councilmen Beckam, Sherratt, and
Tillman, (3). Absent: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
3. Public Utilities Board
Mr. Jack Shepard, General Manager of the Bureau of Electricity, explained the allocation
of the Bureau's budget. He also discussed the possible implementation of a lifeline
rate. Councilman Beckam asked for a bar graph showing a comparison of usage based on
the present rate structure and the lifeline rate.
There was a discussion of the amount of money the Bureau would be able to transfer to
the City during fiscal year 1978 -79. Mr. Shepard indicated the amount would not
differ significantly from the preceding year.
4. President Corica announced at this time that the public hearing on the High
Street truck route, originally scheduled for July 5, 1978, would be postponed
to the meeting of August 1, 1978.
5. Engineering
City Manager Goss commented on the nroposed Budget for the City. He noted the exact
amount to be allocated from State surplus was not yet known. He also reported the
proposal for the State to supply funds for the Library under a $3 local/$1 State
program had been eliminated from consideration.
Mr. Goss then commented on the seven budgets supervised by the Engineering Department,
noting the amounts of proposed cutbacks.
President Corica suggested the City remain a member of the Alameda County Solid Waste
Management Authority, the Alameda County Health Agency, the Alameda County Mayors'
Conference, the League of California Cities, the East Bay Division of the League of
California Cities, the U. S. Conference of Mayors, and the Association of Bay Area
Governments. Councilman Diament suggested using the Contingency Fund to pay dues to
these associations. Following a brief discussion on the amount of money involved in
memberships, Councilman Sherratt moved the Council approve payment of dues to ABAG,
the League of California Cities, the Alameda County Health Agency, the Alameda County
Mayors' Conference, and the Alameda County Solid Waste Management Authority, seconded
by Councilman Diament, carried on unanimous voice vote.
In response to a question from President Corica, City Engineer Hanna enumerated the
various proposed cutbacks in the Engineering Department, including reducing street
lighting and reduction of personnel in street sweeping, tree trimming, various
maintenance crews, and the pound.
6. Administration (City Attorney, City Manager, City Clerk, Personnel, Auditor,
Treasurer, Purchasing)
Mr. Goss spoke about non-departmental budgets, including pensions, retirement, bonds,
contingency, and insurance. He noted these budgets, combined, amounted to about 32%
of the total proposed budget. He then commented on the various departmental budgets
in administration, outlining proposed cuts in each department.
In response to a question from Councilman Tillman, Assistant City Manager Creagh
explained the City's costs and possible reduction in those costs with respect to
Worker's Compensation and Liability Insurance coverage.
Councilman Tillman asked if compensation was received for the services provided by
the City Attorney to the Bureau of Electricity. City Manager Goss replied the Public
Utilities Board felt these were reflected in the annual dividend paid to the City.
7. Fire
As introduction, Mr. Goss stated the provisions for distribution of the State surplus
required that funds distributed be used first for police and fire services and that
levels of service not be reduced below the 1977-78 levels, although reductions in
terms of increasing efficiency would be permitted. He then outlined the cutbacks
proposed for the Fire Department.
Fire Chief Ernest Servente explained the general operations of the Department and the
functions of various personnel. Chief Servente responded to questions from the Council
about service levels. He invited the members of the Council to attend the morning
meetings of Department staff.
8. Police
Mr. Goss outlined cutbacks proposed for this Department, including not funding a
Captain's position for a half year, and elimination of the Crossing Guards program.
Chief of Police Richard Young explained the general operations of the Department and
the functions of various personnel. In response tc4a question from Councilman Beckam,
Chief Young stated in the past the Department had experienced more mechanical trouble
with intermediate type vehicles than with the cars they were presently using, and
which were purchased through the State Purchasing Department. He further reported the
use of smaller cars presented problems with prisoner transportation.
Mrs. Alice White, 1528 Pacific Avenue, spoke in favor of retention of the Crossing
Guard program.
9. Councilman Beckam requested preparation of an ordinance repealing the Real
Property Conveyance Tax and that such ordinance be place on the agenda for the
next regular meeting.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:
10. "Ordinance No. 1929,
New Series
Amending the Alameda Municipal Code, Uniform
Fire Code, Uniform Building Code and Plumbing
Code by Amending and/or Establishing Certain
Fees and Charges."
Councilman Sherratt moved introduction and passage of said ordinance, seconded by
Councilman Tillman, and carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Five.
Noes: None. Absent: None.
11. "Ordinance No. 1930,
New Series
Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending
the Title of Section 6-223, and by Adding Article
3 to Chapter 2 of Title VI Relating to Sewer
Connection Fees."
Councilman Diament moved introduction and passage of said ordinance, seconded by
Councilman Tillman, and carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Five.
Noes: None. Absent: None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
12. Mr. Tony Shomon, 1819 Harvard Drive, suggested methods for measuring effectiveness
of budgetary operations.
13. Mr. Richard Persoff, a member of the Ad Hoc Efficiency Committee, reported their
next objective was to work with the Bureau of Electricity and the Fire Department,
following which they would report to the Council.
14. Councilman Beckam complimented the City Manager and his staff on their
preparation of the proposed budget and suggested the Council approve it, with
the changes which had been suggested. Following a brief discussion, Councilman
Beckam moved approval of the proposed tentative budget, together with the fee
schedules previously approved, seconded by Councilman Tillman, and carried on unanimous
voice vote.
15. Mr. Arch Woodliff, 302 Laguna Vista, questioned the City's insurance program.
16. President Corica suggested removing the funding from the positions of Assistant
City Manager, Assistant Planning Director, Assistant Recreation Director, Senior
Personnel Analyst, and the Senior Typist Clerk in the City Manager's Office.
Councilman Tillman moved the position of Assistant City Manager not be funded,
seconded by Councilman Diament. The motion failed to carry on the following roll
call vote: Ayes: President Corica, (1). Noes: Councilmen Beckam, Diament, Sherratt,
and Tillman, (4). Absent: None.
Councilman Tillman moved the position of Assistant Planning Director not be funded,
seconded by Councilman Diament. The motion failed to carry on the following roll
call vote: Ayes: Councilman Tillman and President Corica, (2). Noes: Councilmen
Beckam, Diament, and Sherratt, (3). Absent: None.
Councilman Tillman moved the position of Assistant Recreation Director not be funded,
seconded by Councilman Diament. The motion failed to carry on the following roll
call vote: Ayes: Councilman Tillman and President Corica, ( 2). Noes:
Councilmen Beckam, Diament, and Sherratt, (3). Absent: None.
Councilman Tillman moved the position of Senior Personnel Analyst not be funded,
seconded by Councilman Diament. The motion carried on the following roll call
vote: Ayes: Councilmen Diament and Tillman and President Corica, (3). Noes:
Councilmen Beckam and Sherratt, (2). Absent: None.
Councilman Tillman moved the position of Senior Typist Clerk in the City Manager's
Office not be funded, seconded by Councilman Diament. The motion failed to carry
on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilman Tillman and President Corica, (2).
Noes: Councilmen Beckam, Diament, and Sherratt, (3). Absent: None.
Councilman Sherratt moved approval of the Tentative Budget, as amended. Councilman
Diament suggested the motion be amended to provide that the position of Social
Service Secretary not be deleted, but moved to another department. Councilman
Sherratt agreed to the amendment; the motion was seconded, as amended, by Councilman
Diament. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Five. Noes:
Noen. Absent: None.
On suggestion from City Manager Goss, Councilman Sherratt moved the remaining three
positions in the Personnel Department be funded at full time status, seconded
by Councilman Diament, and carried on unanimous voice vote.
17. City Auditor-Assessor Raymond Martin requested clarification of the status of
the Real Property Conveyance Tax. He reported the County would not be able to
start collecting the funds until August 1.
ADJOURNMENT:
18. Councilman Diament moved the Council retire to Executive Session for the purpose
of discussion of personnel (meet and confer) and litigation matters, seconded by
Councilman Sherratt and carried on unanimous voice vote. At the conclusion of
discussion, Councilman Sherratt moved the Council reconvene to adjourned regular
session, seconded by Councilman Diament and carried on unanimous voice vote.
Councilman Sherratt moved the position of Senior Personnel Analyst be funded and
the budget proposed for the Personnel Department in the Tentative Budget be approved
as proposed, seconded by Councilman Tillman, and carried on unanimous voice vote.
19. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council
adjourned at 12:45 a.m., to meet in regular session on July 5, 1978, at
7:30 o'clock p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel M. Ottosen
City Clerk