1968-07-16 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING JULY 16, 1968
The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President McCall presiding. The Pledge of Alle-
giance was led by Councilman Isaacs and was followed by an inspiring Invocation delivered by The
Reverend Mr. Harold Petroelje, Pastor of First Christian Reformed Church.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Fore, Isaacs, La Croix, Jr., Levy and President McCall, (5),
were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held July 2, 1968, were approved as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
2. From Bay Farm Island Reclamation District No. 2105, signed by Mr. Bruce T. Mitchell, Secretary,
requesting approval of Warrant No. 146 in the amount of 5474,385.92 in payment for certain dredging
work.
The matter was referred to "Resolutions".
3.v' From Captive Nations Committee, Northern California, signed by Mr. Dalegor W. Suchecki, President,
requesting permission to speak in favor of having a Proclamation issued for Captive Nations Week.
It developed that Mr. Suchecki did not make an appearance at the meeting. Therefore, the letter was
merely filed.
HEARINGS:
417 The Matter was called up concerning the Appeal from the decision of the Planning Board to deny a
variance to allow an encroachment of fifteen feet into the required fifteen-foot rear yard area at
925-929 Central Avenue. The Appeal was filed by Whitney & Hanson, Attorneys, on behalf of Mr. Watson L.
Butcher.
The Clerk stated the interested parties had been notified that the Hearing on this matter would be held
at this time and place. Further, copies of the minutes of the Planning Board meeting at which this
question was given consideration had been sent to the Councilmen for their information.
City Attorney Cunningham stated the issue before the Council was whether or not the actions of the
Planning Board under Section 11-161 (c) and (e) of the Alameda Municipal Code, should be affirmed,
modified or reversed.
Upon request, Mr. Robert Venable, Assistant Planning Director, reviewed the history of this case. He
referred to a drawing which showed an alternate location for the carports on these adjoining properties
which would satisfy the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Venable also referred to the memoran-
dum dated July 11, 1968, giving details of the matter - copies of both having been sent to the Council-
men for their information.
The President called for proponents of the question and Mr. Stanley D. Whitney, Attorney, submitted
his arguments in favor of the existing location of the carports. He pointed up the principal reason
was the demolition of some old sheds and the erection of covered protection for automobiles. Further,
he emphasized this greatly improved the appearance of the property, it took the cars off the street
and the neighbors approved.
Upon inquiry for any opponents to the matter, there was no response. The President then declared the
Hearing closed.
Following some questions on the subject, Councilman Levy moved the decision of the Planning Board be
reversed and the Appeal be granted to allow the requested variance - with the understanding that the
penalty fee for a Building Permit be imposed.
Mr. Cunningham called attention to certain conditions the Staff had recommended - (1) that the struc-
ture meet all Building Code regulations and (2) that the drainage of the lot be directed to the front
portion of the property and comply with all requirements of the City Engineer and the Building
Department.
Councilman Levy amended his motion to include the two conditions specified. The motion was seconded
by Councilman La Croix and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None.
Absent: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
5. President McCall presented a detailed report on the "job" situation which had been requested by
a group of students at the last meeting of the Council. A list of twenty-six names of teen-agers who
were in need of work had been given to President McCall at that time. He stated he had fully dis-
cussed this matter with Mr. John Hoobyar, Coordinator of Vocational Education of the Alameda Unified
School District, and also with the private contractors of the Del Webb Corporation. He submitted sta-
tistics of the number of students who had been placed in the several types of "Operation Summer Time"
- Youth Employment.
The President emphasized that these programs were financed by Federal Aid and were not under the juris-
diction of the City Council. Further, certain criteria and rules were established for all to follow.
Mr. Cleveland Smith, Makassar Straits Village, was the spokesman for the several students who were
present to again blatantly demand further help in finding jobs for a number of those on the "list"
who had not yet been placed. He was advised to have those who had not done so, file applications
with the proper party at the School Administration Office.
NEW BUSINESS:
6: President McCall spoke of his attendance at a meeting of the Port of Oakland, upon the personal
invitation of Mr. Peter Tripp. He felt the Cities of Oakland and Alameda had several interests and
problems in common and they should work together to achieve mutually satisfactory results. He said
the Board of Port Commissioners had indicated its interest in meeting with the Alameda City Council
for discussion of several matters of mutual concern - among which was the current application of
Todd Shipyards Corporation for permission to dredge and construct a floating drydock in a certain
area of the Inner Harbor.
RESOLUTIONS:
7. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Levy, who moved its adoption:
'Resolution No. 7360
Approving Warrant No. 146 of Board of Trustees of Reclamation District
No. 2105." (5474,385.92)
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Isaacs and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Four. Noes: Councilman La Croix, (1). Absent: None.
8. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman La Croix, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 7361
Adopting Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans for Construction of
Arch Culverts at the Intersection of Alameda Avenue and Chestnut Street,
Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Levy and on roll call carried by the
following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
The President declared the foregoing Resolutions adopted.
BITJS:
9. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the Departments thereof, in the total
amount of 572,128.96, 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
July 16, 1968, and presented to the City Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. The motion
was seconded by Councilman La Croix and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five.
Noes: None. Absent: None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, GENERAL:
10. The following students vociferously addressed the Council in their usual harangue and demand for
further aid in finding jobs for about ten of the students on the "list" submitted at the last meeting
who had not yet been given work: Dennis Lyons, 203 -C Singleton Avenue; Deborah Lewis, 113 Bach
Street; and one other who had not identified himself.
11. Mr. Robert Hyser, 2425 Clement Avenue, suggested these students should consult "Youth Power ",
which was an organization recently created. He felt it could help these students get some kind of
work.
12. Mr. James Crawley, 1233 Pease Court, was again present to reiterate his complaint that the Police
Department did not have sufficient patrolling done in his area. He contended there was constant
trouble with the neighbors who parked in front of his driveway and he had to call the Police.
The President stated he would ask the City Manager to review this situation further.
13. Mr. William S. Godfrey, 1235 Hawthorne Street, Chairman of the Housing Authority of the City of
Alameda, reported the Court had upheld the original ruling that Estuary Housing Project had been
placed in receivership so no new families could move into these units as the Housing Authority
relocated the various families. He stated thirty -three families had actually been moved from Estuary.
The principal problem in this program was the need for more three - bedroom units due to the number of
large families concerned. This slowed down the evacuation schedule until certain adjoining units
could be remodeled and converted into larger apartments to accommodate these large families.
In response to a question, Mr. Godfrey replied that the Housing Authority was willing and ready to
help families find living quarters anywhere in the City of Alameda if so requested.
He also referred to the 'Relocation Officer" which was a position authorized under Section 23 of the
Federal Program and stated the "Authority" would not employ such Officer until it knew it was to
receive the Federal Funds. He explained that, even if these Section 23 Funds were not forthcoming,
the Authority would eventually employ this Officer - but he would then have somewhat different quali-
fications. Mr. Godfrey also stated the application for Section 23 Funds had already been filed and
the next step in the procedure was to make a survey of the City to determine the percentage of rents.
A sampling was in progress.
The Council conveyed its congratulations and appreciation to Mr. Godfrey and the other members of the
Housing Authority for the noteworthy job they had done in such a very short while.
14' Frank A. Gottstein, 731 Haight Avenue, referred to the current washing of the Posey Tubes
which was causing considerable congestion due to the poor handling of traffic while this project was
going on. He suggested a Police Officer should control the merging of the several lanes of traffic
as they approached the Tubes so they would alternate in entering the Tube instead of having the
existing "free-for-all".
Mr. Gottstein also registered a complaint against his neighbor who had sometime ago installed an inade-
quate drain for his driveway which allowed rainwater to flow into his property and also across the
public sidewalk. He felt this was in violation of the Plumbing Code. He inquired what the City was
going to do about this situation, which he claimed was illegal.
Assurance was given Mr. Gottstein that the matter would be investigated and a report made ready for
the next regular meeting of the Council.
ANNUAL MEETING OF BOARD OF EQUALIZATION:
15. Councilman Levy moved the City Council then proceed to sit as a Board of Equalization. The motion
was seconded by Councilman La Croix and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five.
Noes: None. Absent: None.
Due to the absence of the required Affidavit of Publication of the Notice of Completion of the Local
Roll - and of this meeting, the President continued the Board of Equalization meeting until 7:30
o'clock Tuesday evening, July 30, 1968.
FILING:
16. Auditor's Financial Statement - City of Alameda as at June 30, 1968 - Verified by Hackleman,
Larzelere, McKenna & von Kaschnitz.
17. Specifications No. PW 7-68-20 - Constructing Arch Culverts at Alameda Avenue and Chestnut Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
18. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned - to assemble
in regular session on Tuesday evening, August 6, 1968, at 7:30 o'clock.
Respectfully submitted,