1971-07-13 Regular CC Minutes271
ADJOURNED REGULAR. MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY JULY 13, 1971
The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President La Croix presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Fore, Levy, Longaker, McCall and President La Croix, Jr., (5),
were noted present. Absent: None.
1. Councilman Levy moved the City Council retire to an executive session in the Conference Room for
discussion of certain areas of the personnel question. Councilman McCall seconded the motion which on
roll call carried unanimously.
At 8:00 o'clock p.m., having concluded this portion of its deliberations, the Council reconvened in the
Council Chamber.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2. City Manager Weller, on request, made his annual presentation of the Recommended Budget for the
City for the ensuing fiscal year, as submitted to the Council in summary on June 15, 1971. He said the
preparation of this budget had been the most difficult he had ever contended with, largely because of the
financial difficulties of Alameda and almost every other city in the State.
Mr. Weller said the attempt had been made to reduce expenditures to the maximum possible. One difficulty
had been that the City had been compelled last year by reason of the pattern established in other public
agencies to grant split salary adjustments, part in July and part in January, and this had set up a finan-
cial picture for a substantial increase on a full -year basis. He then, by charts, graphs, tabulations
and recapitulations, projected on the screen for the visual information of all, showed the organization
of the City and facts and figures as set forth in detail by category, particularly indicating budgets in
which there were substantial changes. He pointed out that no additional personnel was being proposed and
all departments would be required to retain any vacancies which might occur as long as possible, in terms
of maintaining reasonable service levels, also that the organization chart indicated the Charter amendment
calling for an elected Mayor and the Council budget reflected the salary provided for that office by the
vote of the electorate. He commented that the Chamber of Commerce had requested an increase in its allow-
ance of about $500 and that he had informed its officers that he would recommend to the Council that this
addition be granted.
Mr. Weller said the figures were not available at the present time to state accurately the effect of the
budget on the tax rate for fiscal year 1971 -1972. He said, assuming approval by the Council of the recom-
mended employee salary increases and benefits on the basis of agreements with the Police and Employees'
Associations and assuming that a similar pattern of agreement would prevail in the case of the Fire Depart-
ment personnel, he would estimate that it would be possible to balance the budget with an increase of
between eight and twelve cents per $100 valuation, depending on the final assessment figures.
President La Croix thanked Mr. Weller for his interesting and informative explanation. He expressed
amazement that the number of City personnel had increased only from 367 to 405 since 1960, in spite of the
influx of population and increased required services and facilities accompanying those services. He
requested that the Council discuss further personnel matters in an executive session, after which it was
hoped it could take the necessary action to approve the employee salaries and benefits which had been
negotiated with the various employee organizations and their representatives and to adopt the tentative
budget.
Councilman Fore moved the Council go into executive session for its further deliberations. Councilman
McCall seconded the motion which on roll call carried unanimously.
After lengthy discussion and consideration of various aspects of the personnel question, Councilman Levy
moved a salary increase of 5% be granted to Department Heads, the City Manager and the Assistant City
Manager, and that an increase of 7% be granted to the Assistant Fire Chiefs. Councilman Longaker seconded
the motion which carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
RESOLUTIONS:
3. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Longaker, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7806
Designating the Number of and Providing for the Compensation of Certain
Officers and Other Employees of the City of Alameda."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman McCall and carried on the following roll
call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
4. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Levy, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7807
Approving and Adopting the Tentative Budget of the City of Alameda
for the Fiscal Year 1971 - 1972." ($8,443,680)
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman McCall and carried on the following roll
call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
The President declared the foregoing resolutions adopted.
President La Croix expressed to Mr. Weller, Mr. Goss, other members of the staff and representatives of
the employee organizations appreciation for the manner in which the "meet and confer" sessions had been
approached. He said the problem had not been an easy one as the City did not find itself in the best
possible position with regard to revenue. He said he felt the budget just adopted would uphold the best
interests of the employees, the residents and the services of the City of Alameda.
Councilman Longaker said he would like to personally and publicly express his appreciation to Mr. Goss
for the splendid job he had done in employee negotiations. Mr. Weller and Councilman Fore added commenda-
tory remarks. President La Croix stated he felt that Alameda was blessed with dedicated people in public
service and he hoped to see this attitude continue in the City.
Councilman Levy stated he felt the "package" which had been passed at this meeting was a very fair one
for the City employees and the administration and also for the taxpayers. He pointed out the Council was
trying to do the best it could for everyone concerned.
It was decided that the Council should meet to consider the salary and benefit negotiations still in
progress with the Fire Department employees. Councilman Fore moved the Council meet in adjourned regular
session on Thursday, July 15, 1971, at 6:00 o'clock p.m., for this purpose. Councilman McCall seconded
the motion which carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
5. Mr. Orvel Berg, President of the Alameda Municipal Employees Association, expressed the appreciation
of the members of the organization for the action of the Council and to Messrs. Weller and Goss as the
City's representatives in the "meet and confer" sessions.
ADJOURNMENT:
6. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned, to assemble in
adjourned regular session on Thursday, July 15, 1971, at 6:00 o'clock p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
City Clerk