1963-01-12 Special CC MinutesADJOURNED SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD SATURDAY JANUARY l2 1963
The meeting convened at 9:15 o'clock a.m. with President Collischonn presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Godfrey, McCall, Rose, Schacht and President Collischonn,
(5), were noted present. Absent: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The Clerk called the Council's attention to a communication dated January 10, 1983, from the,
Alameda Junior Chamber of Commerce, signed by Mr. C. Richard Bartalini, President, concerning its
study of the proposed Charter and recommending that the City Council not attempt to complete its
evaluation of the proposed Charter by the deadline necessary to have it placed on the ballot for
the March 12 Election.
Copies of said letter had been distributed to the Councilmen for their full information.
The Council then proceeded to review the remaining sections of the proposed revised Charter, with
the Clerk reading each section, beginning with Section 607, on which there was a question for dis-
cussion, although it had already been read.
Once more, the City Manager and the City Attorney submitted explanations, and discussions were had,
on each section when questions were raised or suggestions presented. Mr. George Backlemao, Certified
Public Accountant, the independent auditor for the City, also explained certain financial procedures.
Mr. G. N. Pope, 1820 Bay Street, and Mr. Norman Jachens, 1349 Weber Street, also expressed their
views on several sections.
Section 612 - concerning requirements for calling for bide in making certain purchases or entering
into contracts - Councilman Schacht said he believed a minimum amount should be retained in the
Charter.
Section 615 - In speaking on this section, Mr. 8ackleman pointed out that the Advisory Committee'
would like to further review this item. It was agreed that this section would be referred back to
the Committee.
It was also determined that Sections 700 and 701, concerning personnel, would be referred back to
the Committee. It had been suggested that Section 701 be deleted from the proposed Charter and it
was felt that the Committee might well consult with the particular departments affected to ascertain
their thinking in this respect.,
Under Article VIII - "Elections" - Councilman Schacht urged that the election provisions as set forth
in the current Charter be retained. He recommended this entire Article be referred back to the
Committee.
Under Article Ix - "General Provisions" - After considerable discussion, Sections 905, 906, 907 and
909 were referred back to the Committee for further consideration.
In the course of the deliberations during, the meeting, the President invited Councilman Schacht to
submit a minority report to the Advisory Committee on those certain sections of the proposed Charter
about which he did not agree with the Committee recommendations or the thinking of the majority of
the Council. He also requested Councilman Schacht to transmit written copies of his report to the
other members of the Council for their information.
The President stated it was now obvious that the Council did not intend to place the proposed Charter
on the ballot for the March Election and it was the decision of the Council to refer this revised
Charter draft back to the Committee with certain recommendations which had been made. Be indicated
the Council would like to have the Committee review the document in conjunction with the suggestions
offered and, also, to meet with representatives of the Boards, Commissions and the City Officials
to explain those sections which affect them. Further, if the Committee believed that alternative-
measures should be placed on the ballot of a subsequent election, it should make such recommenda-
tions. Be referred particularly to the questions of an "elective Mayor", "retain elective Auditor
and Treasurer" or have an "appointed Finance Director" - or any other matters which might be suitable
for a choice by the people.
Mr. 8. J. Kihn, Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Charter Revision, was then called upon.
He stated the Committee would give serious consideration to any minority report or other suggestions
made. Be inquired if the Committee wnuld receive a memorandum covering specific sections on which
there were recommended changes or requests for further review.
Mr. Weller replied that this would be the case. He also suggested the Committee might wish to listen
to the verbatim records of the several meetings of the Council on this matter in order to ascertain
the precise thinking of the Council and others who presented their ideas.
Mr. Kihn assured the Council that as soon as all data was ready and he was so informed, he would
arrange for his Committee meetings to take these items under consideration, as suggested.
On behalf of the Council, the President commended the Committee for its diligent study of the exist-
ing Charter and for the time and effort expended in producing the excellent revised draft which had
been presented.
2. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned - to assemble
in regular session on Tuesday evening, January 15, 1963, at 7:30 o'clock.
Respectfully submitted,