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1971-05-18 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY MAY 18, 1971 The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President La Croix presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Longaker and was followed by an inspiring Invocation delivered by The Reverend Laverne Ames, Assistant Pastor of the Church of the Nazarene. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Fore, Levy, Longaker, McCall and President La Croix, Jr., (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held May 4, 1971, were approved as transcribed. 2. President La Croix recognized and welcomed Mr. A. T. Wiemken, Manager of the Alameda office of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, who had recently undergone surgery and had consequently been unable to attend recent meetings of the Council. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 3. ° From Mr. Donald J. Bell, 2970 Gibbons Drive, suggesting use of the Alameda High School buildings as a civic center complex. President La Croix said he found considerable merit in Mr. Bell's suggestions, and expressed appreciation for the time expended in submitting the letter. He remarked that Councilman McCall had presented the same idea in the past. Councilman McCall pointed out that many services could be centralized by such a move and expressed the thinking that when a committee is formed for study of the proposed civic center it should give this suggestion high priority. He said he felt there was only one other choice - to use the land available on the Estuary. The communication was to be acknowledged with thanks and referred to the file for consideration in site and location studies of the proposed complex. 4. From Mr. J. Forquer, 1620 Alameda Avenue, suggesting a direct tax be charged on rents. It was stated this was a good thought. However, a tax on rentals in lieu of property taxes was apparently proposed and it was explained there was no basis in law for so doing; the implied exemption of rental properties from ad valorem taxation was not authorized under the State Constitution. City Manager Weller was requested to reply to the letter with an explanation of the matter. 5. From Mr. P. G. Biano, 2036 San Jose Avenue, with regard to rental charges and possible rent controls. It was stated the letter apparently was in response to comments received from the Alameda Real Estate Board and it was directed that the communication be referred to that Agency for study. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: 6. `' From the City Manager, reporting all work satisfactorily completed on the project of Installing a Sprinkler System in Godfrey Park, recommending it be accepted and the Notice of Completion be ordered filed. Councilman Levy moved the recommendation be followed, that the work on the specified project be accepted and the Notice of Completion be filed. Councilman McCall seconded the motion which carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 7. From the City Manager, reporting all work satisfactorily completed on the project of Resurfacing Broadway from Shore Line Drive to Otis Drive, recommending it be accepted and the Notice of Completion be ordered filed. Councilman Fore moved the recommendation be approved, that the work on the designated project be accepted and the Notice of Completion be filed. Councilman Levy seconded the motion. Speaking on the question, Councilman McCall requested information on the type of paving material used on the project as the substance seemed to have holes which, he felt, might lift in rainy weather. City Engineer Hanna stated there were open- graded and tight surface mixes, each with its own character- istics and both very good. He said he would be glad to check the project. The question was put and the motion carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 8. From the City Manager, recommending public improvements in connection with Parcel Map No. 567 be accepted and the bond be released. The property involved was located on Shore Line Drive between Willow and Park Streets. Councilman Fore moved the recommendation be adopted, that public improvements in connection with said Parcel Map be accepted and the bond be released. Councilman McCall seconded the motion which carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 245 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 9. ' Councilman McCall said he had received questions recently on the proposed fishing pier and boat ramp on the South Shore. He said he had noted that the ramp at the north end of Grand Street was very well accepted and used, and recalled that the Wildlife Conservation Board had participated in its construction. He suggested that for minor cost on the part of the East Bay Regional Park District and the City, in cooperation with the State, the City could have a fishing pier and a public program. Councilman McCall requested that steps be taken by the City to open this subject again, suggesting a pier might even be placed at the Bay Farm Island Bridge temporarily. On request, City Attorney Cunningham said he agreed the Regional Park District, the controlling agency in the matter, was not cooperating to the extent promised. He said he felt the State Department of Parks and Recreation was ready to cooperate on the project. It was directed that a letter be sent to Mr. Richard Trudeau, General Manager of the East Bay Regional Park District, requesting information on the status of the proposed fishing pier and boat ramp in the City of Alameda and that a meeting be arranged, if necessary, with Councilman McCall, President La Croix and members of the City staff and officials of the District for discussion of the issue. NEW BUSINESS: 10. Councilman Fore said he had recently been traveling in his mobile home and had stopped at several State park and recreation areas where signs of "No Camping" were erected. He said he had observed that stopping in an automobile or sleeping on the beaches seemed to be permissible but stopping in a self- contained vehicle was apparently considered "camping" and was not permitted. Councilman Fore questioned the difference between "camping" and "parking" and said he felt the law should be clarified on the point. 11. President La Croix stated he had proposed a resolution for adoption to reappoint to the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda its present Chairman, Mr. Howard K. Palmer, Jr. He said he felt Mr. Palmer was a member of a good team which was doing a good job for the City. The meeting proceeded to "Resolutions". RESOLUTIONS: 12.1 The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Levy, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 7774 Appointing Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda." (Howard K. Palmer, Jr.) The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Longaker. Speaking on the question, Councilman McCall stated that, prior to voting on this resolution, he would like to have a full report from the Housing Authority on certain questions. He indicated interest in the impending suit by a builder in connection with bids on construction of the new units, cost of operation of the Authority and the amount of uncollectible rents. He said he could not understand why the Authority had not pushed the matter of having the County Welfare Department pass on to its office the portion of the welfare check of tenants covering the rent. The question was put and the motion carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Four. Noes: Council- man McCall, (1). Absent: None. At the request of President La Croix, Councilman McCall enumerated the following questions on which he wished to be informed and which the Housing Authority would be requested to answer: (1) the amount of uncollectibles as far as the Authority was concerned since the inception of the newly-constituted Authority; (2) the number and percentage of senior citizens in housing under the Authority administration who were old Alameda residents; and (3) the number of non-rated military personnel in housing and on the waiting list. Councilman McCall said he would like to see in writing the number of additional units which would be requested by the Authority, pointing out that proposals for further construction would have to be approved by vote of the people. The City Attorney was requested to submit the questions to the Housing Authority for report back to the Council at the earliest opportunity. Councilman Longaker suggested that the questions be directed to Mr. Robert Minton, the City's representative on the Welfare Investigating Team. President La Croix said he would be glad to take care of this. He complimented the Housing Authority again on the job it was doing and expressed the hope that the City could always take care of its less fortunate. 13. i The following resolution was introduced by Councilman McCall, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 7775 Appointing Member of the City Planning Board." (Mr. Robert E. McPeak) The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Longaker and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Fore, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 7776 Calling for Bids for Legal Advertising for the City of Alameda for the Fiscal Year 1971 - 1972." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Levy and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman McCall, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 7777 Adopting Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans for Painting and Decorating of Portions of the City Hall, Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Levy and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Longaker, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 7778 Granting Stephen M. Rice Revocable Sidewalk Encroachment Permit ('The Front Room', 1821 Webster Street, 7 by 32 inches)." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Fore and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. On request by Councilman Longaker, Mr. Cunningham explained that holders of this type of permit must furnish certificates of insurance protecting the City in connection with the encroachment. The President declared the foregoing resolutions adopted. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: 17. Councilman Fore introduced the following ordinance, after which it would be laid over under provision of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions of the Alameda Municipal Code Relating to Traffic Regulations." The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. BILLS: 18. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the Departments thereof, in the total amount of $98,180.87 was presented to the Council at this meeting. The List was accompanied by certification from the City Manager that the Claims shown were correct. Councilman Levy moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on May 18, 1971, and presented to the City Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, GENERAL: 19. Mr. John Barni, 1364 East Shore Drive, requested that Councilman McCall explain what he considered non -rated military personnel. Councilman McCall said he would include all ratings up to Chief Petty Officer. President La Croix suggested that Mr. Barni might attend the Authority meetings and present any questions he might have in this regard. Mr. Cunningham pointed out that State law requires the Housing Authority to assign priorities to the housing and military personnel are in the top three priorities. Councilman Longaker stated he had recently represented the City Council at the formal dedication of the motel units on the Naval Base, at which seventy - eight units were dedicated. He said the units were beautifully laid out and appointed and an enlisted man, his wife and children could now stay at this motel for thirty days at $8 per night while finding a home. 20. Mr. Frank Gottstein, 731 Haight Avenue, remarked that two former Mayors of the City had recently run for the office of Supervisor of the County of Alameda and a man who was strange to the City had been elected. Mr. Gottstein complained that the City now had additional telephone prefixes. He said he felt Councilman McCall should have watched this situation, which he understood was credited to unexpected growth. 247 Mr. Gottstein expressed the opinion that Councilman Fore had lost votes in his campaign for Mayor in the General Municipal Election held March 9, 1971, because he was in favor of the Southern Crossing and President La Croix had gained by his opposition to the "Crossing ". Mr. Gottstein said he felt the people should have a vote on whether there was to be a new City Hall. 21., Mrs. Lee -Ann Lane, 1425 Union Street, requested explanation as to the use of the $50,000 covered by the warrant on which Bay Farm Island Reclamation District No. 2105 had requested Council approval at a recent meeting, the total budgeted amount and the reason for the President's vote against the resolution thereon. President La Croix explained that he had always opposed the Bay Farm Island fill and, consequently, also the warrants. He said his vote in this particular case was a matter of being consistent. On request, Mr. Cunningham explained that the funds were used to pay current expenses. He said he did not have with him information as to the total amount but if Mrs. Lane would call at his office, consult the City Treasurer or the office of the Reclamation District, she could obtain the facts. He said the District had been established for an indefinite period and explained further its workings. Mrs. Lane expressed disappointment that the resolution reappointing Mr. Palmer to the Housing Authority had not been listed on the agenda as she would have objected strongly. She said she felt some new thinking was needed on the Authority. President La Croix suggested that Mrs. Lane also attend the meetings of the Housing Authority, where she would undoubtedly have the opportunity to voice her opinions. Mrs. Lane stated the winter quarter College of Alameda Sociology class had done a study of the people in public housing as to age groups, needs, wants, facilities, et cetera, and this would undoubtedly be avail- able to Councilman McCall, in connection with his inquiries. FILING: 22. Specifications No. PW 5 -71 -13 - Painting and Decorating Portions of City Hall. 23. President La Croix thanked those present for their attendance and interest. 24. Councilman Longaker moved the Council retire to an executive session for discussion of personnel matters and appointments to the various City Boards and Commissions. Councilman McCall seconded the motion which on roll call carried unanimously. After a five- minute recess, the Council re- assembled in Conference Room No. 303 for its deliberations. At the conclusion of the discussion of personnel matters, it was agreed that no action would be taken thereon at this meeting. 25. La Croix presented the resignation of Battalion Chief Waldo R. Williams from the Pension Board. Councilman McCall moved the resignation be accepted with regret. Councilman Fore seconded the motion which on roll call carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: 26. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned, to assemble in regular session on Tuesday, June 1, 1971, at 7:30 o'clock p.m. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk