1969-01-16 Special CC MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD THURSDAY AFTERNOON JANUARY 16, 1969
The meeting convened at 2:00 o'clock p.m. with President McCall presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Fore, Isaacs, La Croix, Jr., Levy and President McCall, (5),
were noted present. Absent: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Receipt of the Notice, and Agenda of this special meeting had been acknowledged by the several
Councilmen and was on file. The purpose of the session was to discuss and consider the following
items: (1) Status of the new Alameda Post Office; (2) Fruitvale Bridge replacement; (3) Any
surplus City property; (4) Business districts improvements; (5) Public information program.
Also, to take action on any of these matters if so desired.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The matter of the proposed new Post Office for City of Alameda was broached. The President
called upon City Manager Weller, who stated he had not received any information whatsoever from the
Postal Department for the past six or eight months.
The President then reported that he had been informed that the Postal Authorities were still interested
in the same site on Webb Avenue, running through from Park to Everett Streets.
During the discussion it was brought out that the City Council should be kept informed on the subject
by the Federal Department in order that pertinent information might be made available to the business
interests and citizens of Alameda.
Some dissatisfaction was expressed with the lack of contact by the Postal Authorities. The fact had
also been pointed up that the City had submitted several alternate sites for consideration by the Post
Office Department which had apparently been ignored.
Councilman La Croix then moved the City Council ask the City Manager to request from the proper source
a complete review and report of the proposed new Post Office Building and Site in the City of Alameda.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Isaacs and unanimously carried.
3. v- The next subject for discussion was that of replacing the Fruitvale Bridge. This matter had been
under periodic consideration during the past approximately twenty-five years.
Upon request, Mr. Weller stated that to the best of his knowledge there had been absolutely no change
in the thinking or position of any Agency involved in the replacement of this Bridge. He stated it
had always been agreed the Federal Government would replace the Fruitvale Bridge with a two-lane Bridge
provided the local interests - at least, City of Alameda, County of Alameda, City of Oakland and pos-
sibly, Port of Oakland - would agree to provide funds to pay the cost of relocation of the utility lines
and, thereafter, maintain, operate and replace both the vehicular and railroad Bridges. He also ampha-
sized that the planning money had been approved for many years. The City had time and again reiterated
its position that it cannot legally expend any public funds for the benefit of a private party, i.e.,
the Railroad.
During the course of the detailed and prolonged discussion of this entire matter and its many ramifica-
tions, frequent reference was made to the files of both the City Manager and the City Attorney and
explanations were offered for various actions taken at some of the many meetings held from time to time.
City Engineer Hanna was asked to report on his attendance at a recent meeting on this subject, to which,
unfortunately, no official representative of the City had been invited. Mr. Hanna felt it had been
indicated by a representative of the U. S. Corps of Engineers that the replacement of this old Bridge
was closer to reality than ever before.
Councilman La Croix eventually moved the Council go on record that the City desires the construction
of .a new two-lane Bridge and, if possible, that the design concept of this Bridge be adequate to allow
enlargement of said Bridge to four lanes when necessary. Councilman Fore seconded the motion.
Speaking on the question, it was the opinion of Councilman Isaacs that this action be withheld pending
receipt of definite information as suggested by the City Manager that the City Engineer meet with the
District Engineer of the U. S. 'Corps of Engineers to ascertain if a four-lane Bridge can be developed
from the original two-lane construction.
Further discussion ensued - after which Councilman La Croix withdrew his motion - with the consent of
his second, Councilman Fore. It was felt this information could be available before the next regular
meeting of the Council and that appropriate action could then be taken at that time.
4.7 Discussion was then had on any possible surplus City property. Councilman Isaacs cited several
areas of City property which he felt could properly be disposed of and returned to the City Tax Rolls
if and when it had actually been established that any of them were not going to be needed for public
use.
It was suggested an inventory of City-owned property be furnished the Councilmen for their information.
Mr. Weller pointed out that if any parcels of City property were to be sold, the use of the money
received therefor was, by law, greatly restricted - and much of it would have to be placed in the
Gasoline Tax Fund.
The City Manager then reported that several pieces of property had recently been vacated by certain
City Departments but were being - or planned to be - used by other City Agencies or for community
activities. For instance, the former Bureau of Electricity Plant at Park Street and Otis Drive was
being used by the Recreation Department and the Housing Authority. The old Webb Avenue Fire Station,
now vacant, was expected to be used for a Youth Center-Coffee House.
It was emphasized that the City should develop any of its land or dispose of it in order to restore
said property to the City Tax Rolls.
With regard to a certain parcel on Willow Street and Otis Drive, the City Manager was to investigate
and ascertain if the City could gain anything in negotiation with Utah Construction & Mining Co.
ADJOURNMENT:
5. In view of the lateness of the hour, it was determined that the other two items listed on the
agenda would be laid over to another meeting. Therefore, the Council adjourned at this time - to
assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, January 21, 1969, at 7:30 o'clock.
Respectfully submitted,