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1963-12-03 Regular CC Minutes160 REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 3, 1963 The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President Godfrey presiding. The Pledge of Allegi- ance was led by Councilman La Croix and was followed by an inspiring Invocation delivered by The Reverend Father Paul F. Link, Assistant Pastor, St. Barnabas Church. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Freeman, La Croix, Jr., McCall, Rose and President Godfrey, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held November 19, 1963, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 2.`/ From Alameda Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, signed by Mr. W. F. Suman, President, con- cerning the traffic congestion on Park Street due to a bottleneck north of Park Street Bridge in the City of Oakland - and asking that the Council take whatever action feasible. Upon request, City Engineer Hanna explained that his department was studying the situation and if some feasible suggestion could be achieved it would be presented to the proper officials of the City of Oakland for their - consideration. Councilman Freeman stated she had skidded on the Park Street Bridge recently during a rainstorm and inquired how long it had been since the metal road bed of the Bridge had been treated with the non- skid material. Mr. Hanna said he would investigate this condition. The President then instructed the Clerk to acknowledge the "Chamber's" letter, informing it of the 3V From The Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, signed by Mr. C. G. Cady, Division Plant Manager, with regard to its purchase of a four - hundred -foot section of a certain conduit on the north side of Santa Clara Avenue, fronting properties from 2215 to 2245. This matter was referred to the City Manager and the City Engineer for their continued study and subsequent report. 4. At this time, President Godfrey stated that, upon the awful news of the assassination of Presi- dent John F. Kennedy, he had sent a telegram to Mrs. Kennedy expressing on behalf of the people of the City of Alameda their condolences in her bereavement. He also sent a telegram to President Lyndon B. Johnson assuring him of the loyalty and cooperation of the citizens of the City of Alameda. He said he had received a reply from President Johnson. Further, President Godfrey stated a tele- gram had been received from Alameda's Sister City, Lidingo, Sweden, expressing its concern for its friends in Alameda and the American people in this tragic event. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 5. Mr. G. N. Pope, 1820 Bay Street, spoke of the proposal to name some street in Alameda in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy, and suggested that if such be done, it should be a thorough- fare or something of importance. Mr. Pope submitted several questions about the Redevelopment project and was assured that he would have ample opportunity to learn about all details involved at the time of the public hearings on the matter. Councilman Freeman asked City Attorney Cunningham to procure copies of the 1963 revisions of the laws concerning Urban Redevelopment for the Council's information. 6. Mr. Frank Gottstein, 731 Haight Avenue, reiterated his complaints about the operation of the Posey Tubes, principally that a police officer should be assigned to control speeding or take care of emergencies which caused congestion. He also called attention to a broken fluorescent light fix- ture which had been "hanging" down for several days and which he felt was hazardous. In response to Councilman Freeman's question about maintenance responsibility in the Tubes, Mr. Hanna replied that there was a State crew on duty around the clock for this purpose. He explained that it operated the electrical equipment, the tow truck and maintenance in general. Mr. Gottstein suggested that the second "Posey" Tube should be named in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, ETCETERA: 7. From City Manager, recommending contract be awarded to Good Chevrolet, low bidder, for furnish- ing one Pick -up Truck for the Fire Department at the total net cost of $1,669. Councilman Rose moved the recommendation be adopted; that the contract be awarded to the designated firm for furnishing the specified truck at the price quoted. The motion was seconded by Councilman McCall and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 69 8. From City Manager, recommending contract be awarded to Good Chevrolet for furnishing one Compact Sedan for the Fire Department at the total net cost of $1,618., the lowest and best bid. Councilman La Croix moved the recommendation be accepted; that the contract be awarded to the firm indicated for furnishing said Sedan at the net cost quoted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Freeman and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 9. From City Manager, recommending contract be awarded to Gallagher & Burk, Inc., low bidder, for the project of Constructing Arch Culverts at Broadway and St. Margaret Court and at Peach and Fillmore Streets, at the total cost of $7,044.35. Councilman Freeman moved the recommendation be approved; that the contract be awarded to said firm for the specified project at the total cost quoted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rose and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 10." From City Manager, reporting that the work on the street improvements of the south half of Buena Vista Avenue west of Fifth Street have been satisfactorily completed - recommending said improvements be accepted and the contractor be released from his bond. Councilman McCall moved the recommendation be approved; that the designated street improvements be accepted and the contractor be released from his bond. The motion was seconded by Councilman Freeman and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: 11. Councilman Freeman introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under pro- vision of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Section 17 -435 to Article 3 of Chapter 4, Title XVII, Relating to Stop Signs at Inter- sections Controlled by Official Traffic Control Signals." UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 12. Councilman Freeman asked Mr. Cunningham for a written opinion on the effect of changing Ordi- nance No. 1148, New Series, or any part of it - how much the Council could change it or what the Coun- cil could do - inasmuch as the seven years had passed within which period certain rights and privi- leges were granted to Utah Construction & Mining Co. She stated she was concerned about what effects any actions the Council took now relative to Ordinance No. 1148, New Series, would have on the Fill Agreement in conjunction therewith. NEW BUSINESS: 13. Councilman McCall pointed out that it was the Council policy to display a picture of the Presi- dent of the United States in the Council Chamber. Therefore, in view of the fact that the City Attorney was to be in Washington, D. C., for a certain meeting the next day, he suggested Mr. Cunningham ask Congressman George Miller to procure a recent picture of President Johnson which would be suitable to hang in the Chamber. 14: The President broached the subject of the Christmas lighting on Thompson Avenue. He stated that the City Manager and he had discussed this matter with representatives of the residents in the Thompson Avenue area. He pointed out that through the years the cost of this seasonal project had increased to the point where it was felt the Council should establish a definite policy in the authorization of the expenditure of public funds for displays of this type. The President referred to a memorandum from the City Manager dated December 2, 1963, concerning this matter and outlining a basis for discussion of the financial participation of the City and the resi- dents in the area. Considerable discussion ensued on the several ramifications of the situation. The fundamental point was that any policy decision would be applicable City -wide where the same cir- cumstances existed. Messrs. Michael Grega, 3243 Fairview Avenue, Secretary of the Fernside- Thompson Avenue Home Owners Association, and Robert Glynn, 3231 Thompson Avenue, addressed the Council on behalf of the residents not only on Thompson Avenue itself but adjacent thereto. They pointed up the tradition which had been established by the Christmas lighting of Thompson Avenue and which they wished to continue and the Christmas spirit it enhanced for the benefit of, not only Alameda residents, but many visitors from the East Bay area as well. The consensus of the Council was that this was a very worthwhile seasonal project which was of great City interest. A detailed discussion was had of the costs involved in an effort to determine upon the extent to which the financial participation would be divided between the City and any others con- cerned in such a project. Councilman La Croix then made a motion that the Council adopt a policy which would establish the following procedure: (1) Lights will be installed only on public property where, in the opinion of the City, the display will be effective and will not be determental to the safety and convenience of the general public; (2) Lights, wires and any necessary conduit or other special equipment required must be donated by the individuals or organization sponsoring the program. However, the expense of maintaining and replacing these items will be borne by the City; (3) Erection and removal each year will be accomplished by the Bureau of Electricity personnel to insure safety and to minimize liability and the cost will be borne by the City; (4) Any such installations will be connected to the street lighting or other public system and the City will absorb the energy costs; (5) That the City Council as presently constituted recognizes Thompson Avenue, between High Street and Fernside Boulevard, as the official part of this thoroughfare in which the City Council participates with the residents in this Christmas lighting project. The motion was seconded by Councilman Freeman and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. RESOLUTIONS: 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Rose, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 6542 Adopting Specifications for Operating Refreshment Concession in Washington Park, Lincoln Park, Krusi Park, McKinley Park, Godfrey Park, and on South Shore Beach, for the Period. Commencing January 1, 1964, and Ending December 31, 1965, Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman McCall and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman La Croix, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 6543 Adopting Specifications for Furnishing to the City of Alameda Two (2) New, Latest Model, 2 Cubic -Yard Dump Trucks with Dual Rear Wheels, Complete with Hoist and Dump Body Installed, for the Street Department, Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise Same." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Freeman and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman McCall, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 6544 Amending Salary Resolution No. 6484 by Creating the New Position of Golf Course Ranger, in the Golf. Department, and Establishing the Salary Therefor." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Rose and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. The President then declared all of the foregoing resolutions adopted. FILING: 18. Specifications and Provisions No. MS 12 -63 -18 - For Operating Refreshment Concession in Parks and on South Shore Beach. 19. Specifications and Provisions No. MS 12 -63 -19 - For Furnishing Two Dump Trucks for Street Department. BILLS: 20. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the Departments thereof, in the total amount of $18,453.45, 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 McCall moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on December 3, 1963, and presented to the Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Freeman and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 21' At this point, Mr. Grega thanked the Council and other City officials for their consideration and action with regard to the Thompson Avenue Christmas lighting program. The President urged Mr. Grega to immediately contact the City Manager about getting the project underway in view of the proximity of Christmas. ADJOURNMENT: 22. At this point, the President called up the Council and the audience to stand for a moment of silence in respect to the memory of the late President John F. Kennedy. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council then adjourned - to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, December 17, 1963, at 7:30 o'clock. Respectfully submitted, Ci ty_Jerk