1978-06-26 Special CC MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD MONDAY JUNE 26, 1978
The meeting convened at 7:00 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.
Receipt of the Notice and Agenda of this Special Meeting had been acknowledged
by the Councilmen and was on file. Purpose of the special session was for a discussion
of the 1978-79 Contingency Budget and action thereon, if desired.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of 1978-79 Contingency Budget, and action thereon, if desired.
Social Service (Social Service Human Relations Board)
Mrs. Darlene Banda, Chairman of the Board, referred to a letter she had prepared dealing
with the responsibilities performed by the Social Service secretary. In response to a
question from Councilman Sherratt, Mrs. Banda outlined several programs administered
by the Board, such as the Holiday Clearing Bureau.
Councilman Sherratt noted the Budget proposal would eliminate all costs related to this
Department and transfer the processing of charitable solicitations permits to the
Police Department. He suggested volunteers might provide secretarial service to the
Board.
Councilman Diament suggested the secretary position be transferred to the Police
Department to continue with the permit process and perform other duties which might
be assigned by that Department.
Board Members Lou Baca and Clarine Souza spoke in favor of retaining some secretarial
service to the Board.
Planning (Planning Board, Design Review Board)
Mrs. Rosalie McPherson, President of the Planning Board, reviewed comments made by the
Board concerning suggested budget cuts. She said they did not agree with a reduction
in hearings or meetings; they opposed the use of action minutes; they opposed daytime
meetings; they favored the elimination of staff participation in certain study groups;
they supported the idea that all applicants for permits should provide all appropriate
materials; they generally opposed elimination of certain Board functions to be taken
over by the Zoning Administrator; they supported a fee structure, but had not discussed
its contents. Mrs. McPherson made some personal comments about staff receiving
compensatory time for attendance at Board meetings. She also expressed her concerns
about fees affecting private homeowners and suggested they be lower than those fees
charged developers.
In response to a question from President Corica, Mrs. McPherson said the elimination
of the Planned Development ordinance would mean that less Planning staff would be
needed due to the fewer requirements of a lot and block type of development. There was
further discussion on the subject of continuing with the Planned Development system.
Board Member John Fenstermacher said he felt that although certain ideas for cutting
procedures in order to decrease expenditures might also increase citizen complaints,
it was important to most effectively utilize staff time, and perhaps the Planned
Development process could be terminated.
Board Member Michael Gorman said he favored use of action minutes; he opposed combining
Design Review and Planning Board hearings; he favored having developers pay all costs
of processing their construction applications; he favored retention of the Planned
Development process; and he suggested individual/private homeowners should pay less for
services from the Planning department than developers.
Board Member Joan Narahara suggested CETA personnel be used to transcribe the minutes
of the Board meetings and she opposed the use of action minutes. She said she agreed
with other speakers that developers should pay higher fees than private property owners.
Board Member Amey Stone said she favored the use of action minutes, and she favored the
fee schedule proposed for the Planning Department, with the exception that developers
should pay higher fees than private property owners.
Board Member Don Perata spoke about the necessity to cut back on expenses and increase
fees to support the activities of the Board.
Councilman Sherratt moved approval of the proposed fees for the Planning Department,
with the exception that single-family property owners pay one-half of the proposed
fees. On suggestion from Councilman Beckam, Councilman Sherratt amended his motion
to provide that single-family property owners pay one-quarter of the proposed fees,
and on the suggestion of Planning Director Patterson, he further amended the motion
to provide that there be no increase in the cost to a single-family property owner for
a Planned Development amendment. The motion was seconded by Councilman Diament, as
amended, and carried on unanimous voice vote.
Design Review Board
Board Member Joseph Cervelli said he felt the fees proposed, if applied only to commercial
developers, would make the Board self-supporting.
President Corica stated he favored eliminating the Design Review Board as an economy
measure, and because he felt it was an unnecessary extra layer of government.
Councilman Sherratt said he had doubts about the continuance of the Board, but felt
that perhaps it should continue for another year.
Board Member Janet Alcorn spoke in favor of retaining the Board. She also agreed that
commercial developers should pay appropriate fees for the services provided by staff and
the Board. She stated she felt the elimination of or a moratorium on the Board would
seriously affect attempts to produce a viable sign ordinance.
Board Member Robert Nicol suggested a one-year probation period for the Board to prove
it could become self-sufficient.
Mr. John Guthrie, CPA, spoke in favor of retention of the Board.
Mrs. Rosalie McPherson spoke in favor of retention of the Board, particularly due
to the current heavy workload.
Councilmen Sherratt and Beckam said they favored retaining the Board at least for
one year.
Mrs. Josephine Bixler spoke in favor of continuation of the Board.
Planning Director Patterson reported the Planning Board did not have professional design
experience and used the Design Review Board as their advisors.
Mrs. McPherson noted there would have to be several ordinances amended transferring
jurisdiction to the Planning Board of areas now covered by the Design Review Board
should the Council vote to place a moratorium on the Board.
Ms. Belinda Ray said she felt the Board should be retained since its function was to
help improve the community's image.
Mrs, Ina Ratto, I053 Island Drive, stated she felt the Board was very important to the
planning process. She suggested elimination of the Planned Development process for
residential development as a method of cost savings.
Councilman Tillman moved a one-year moratorium cn the Design Review Board, seconded
by Councilman Dfa0eOt. The motion failed to carry On the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilman Tillman and President Corica, (2). Noes: Councilmen Beckam,
Dfa08nt, and Sherratt, (3). Absent: None.
Councilman DidmeOt moved the Design Review Board be continued on a one-year probationary
basis and adoption of the proposed fee schedule. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Beckam and carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Five. Noes:
None. Absent: NoMe,
Recreation (Recreation Commission, Golf Commission)
Mrs. Gertrude Woods, Chairman of the Recreation Commission, stated they had not had an
opportunity to review the proposed fee schedule. She noted fees for Recreation were
very different from those previously discussed, since they were for activities that
were completely voluntary and extra. She expressed her concerns about the proposed cuts
in the Recreation and Parks budgets. In response to a question from Councilman Sherratt,
Mrs. Woods said she would prefer the summer programs to continue in their entirety,
with any cutbacks necessary occuring in the fall.
Commissioner Lance Russum suggested the following: (1) cutting costs by not having a
department secretary attend Commission meetings; (2) use of typists supplied through
the High School secretarial programs; and (3) eliminate the duplication of review by
the Planning Board of Recreation projects. He Stated he believed some definite guidelines
were needed on this latter suggestion.
Commissioner Arthur Roke said he felt a decrease in Parks and Recreation funding would
increase other expenses, such as Police protection. He agreed with the previous
speakers in favoring continuing the summer programs.
Commissioner Howard Brownson said he favored the policy that the Recreation Department
become self-supporting through user fees.
Recreation and Parks Director Mainland spoke in favor of instituting the fee schedule
as proposed in order to provide as many programs as possible. In response to a question
from Councilman Diament, Mr. Mainland said the fee schedule could be revised and
possibly provide a means to subsidize other programs. He was requested to present the
revised schedule at the adjourned regular meeting scheduled for July 27.
Councilman Sherratt moved the Recreation staff be instructed to apply for Federal
Land and Water Grant funds for the construction of the Shoreline Park, and to apply
for whatever other funds might be available, seconded by Councilman Beckam, and carried
on unanimous voice vote.
Golf Commission
Commission Chairman Edward Gingrich stated the Commission had intended to present a
revised fee schedule for some time, but had delayed until the surcharge was removed.
Commissioner Clifford Dutrow recommended equalizing fees on both Courses.
Commissioner Lloyd Albright also commented on the proposed fee schedule.
Councilman Diament said she felt the Council should support retention of all 18 members
of the maintenance staff at the Golf Course.
The Council requested the Golf Commission to present a completed fee schedule at the
meeting to be held on July 27.
Library (Library Board)
Mr. Robert Hudkins, President of the Library Board, and Mrs. Phyllis Moore, City
Librarian, spoke in favor of retaining the Library at the highest level of funding
possible.
Mrs. Moore reported on proposed legislation at the State level to provide funding for
municipal libraries. Councilman Sherratt moved the City Manager be directed to inform
State legislators of the Council's position in favor of such funding assistance, seconded
by Councilman Beckam, and carried on unanimous voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned at
12:00 o'clock midnight.
Respectfully submitted,
City Clerk