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1960-09-08 Regular CC Minutes2.64 ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD THURSDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 8, 1960 The meeting convened at 11:30 o'clock a.m. with President McCall presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Freeman. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Collischonn, Freeman, Petersen, Schacht and President McCall, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Mr. G. N. Pope, 1820 Bay Street, stated he did not think the proposed legislation concerning the duty week of the Firemen has a place in the City Charter. He also felt the question is not of such great urgency that hurried action should be taken in order to certify it for the ballot at the coming General Election in November. He said he believes the attempt to place this measure on the heavy ballot at this time is an imposition both on the citizens and the Council because it is a question which the electorate should have more time to study before making a decision. Mr. Pope pointed out the question of whether or not this issue should be included on a ballot as a Charter amendment should be decided by the citizens, themselves, by the signing of the necessary petitions - not by the Council, itself. RESOLUTIONS: 2: "Resolution No. 3. Proposing a Charter Amendment on the Motion of the City Council; Calling a Special Municipal Charter Amendthent Election in the City of Alameda for the Purpose of Submitting to the Electors of Said City a Proposal to Amend the Charter of the City of Alameda, Viz: By Adding Section 22-12 to Article XXII Thereof, Relating to Hours of Work for Certain Uniformed Personnel of the Fire Department of the City of Alameda; Fixing Date of Said Election; The Manner of Holding Same and Providing Notice Thereof; and Consolidating Said Special Municipal Charter Amendment Election With the General Election of the State of California to be Held on Tuesday, Novem- ber 8, 1960." "Resolution No. Resolution of the Council of the City of Alameda Stating and Requesting Consolidation of a Special Municipal Charter Amendment Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 8, 1960, with the General Election of the State of California to be Held on Tuesday, November 8, 1960." Mr. Weller submitted the results of the review to date of the duty week of Fire Departments throughout the State which pointed up the fact that these schedules vary from eighty-four to forty hours per week. He felt it would be difficult to find any basis on which to determine that a fifty-six-hour duty week is average. He agreed there is a very perceptible trend toward the reduction of the duty week of Firemen and, eventually, it may well be that said fifty-six hours will be common. He stated this kind of legislation does not belong in the City Charter and, further- more, the question should not be the subject of a popular vote on any basis. The Charter now clearly states that the Council has the duty and the authority to set the hours of employment, the wages and the general working conditions for all employees. It is a proper responsibility for the elected representatives of the people and he felt it should always remain so. Mr. Weller explained the two proposed Charter amendments which have been drafted by the City Attorney, in consultation with Mr. Crown, Attorney for the Firemen's Asso- ciation, - one, to become effective July 1, 1961, reducing the hours from 67.2 to fifty-six per week and the other, with the same ultimate result, to become effective over a three-year period. He submitted details of the proposals with regard to the estimated number of additional firemen, salary costs and reorganization of the Department. There is some reason, Mr. Weller thought, to consider that the present 67.2-hour duty week ought to be carefully reviewed and an affirmative recommendation made by the Council in connection with whether or not it should be reduced. He said he would "guess" that this duty week is above the average in comparable communities, and he would think the Council might want to consider that kind of review for a determina- tion of whatever duty week it deems proper at the time it had all information on the subject before it. The President stated he would like to have more specific information on all phases of the situation before he took any definite action. He felt, however, the Council = has a responsibility to refer this question to the Civil Service Board for its review, with a time limit being set for its report and recommendation to the City Council by, possibly, October 4, 1960. Be said the Council would then be in a position to take some type of action and he thereupon asked the pleasure of the Council in this respect. Councilman Collischonn stated he did not think there is any urgency in resolving this question - the requested effective date is July, 1961. Therefore, he felt the necessary information would be forthcoming in due course. He stated he is not in favor of plac- ing this question on the ballot as he felt the adoption of a resolution by the Council is the proper procedure to follow. Councilman Petersen stated he thought it would be inadvisable to set a time limit on a study of this nature. He agreed that the personnel involved should have an answer before the next budget is prepared. Be said he wanted to make a suggestion which has been discussed and with which the City Manager is familiar - the possibility of the creation of a Public Safety Department. He believes the Council should have some information relative to an operation of this type which might be effected at, perhaps, a saving rather than an added expense to the City. Councilman Petersen pointed out this setup is being carried out in some other cities and he felt the idea should be given study by the City Manager. Councilman Collischonn concurred that such a survey should be made so the Council would know the facts concerning said plan in order to determine its feasibility. Councilman Schacht stated he did not think the Council should ask Mr. Weller or the Civil Service Board to make any policy decisions for it. Be said he had no objection to a study being made by the Board but it should merely submit its findings to the Council. He also agreed the Council should not attempt to place the question of the Firemen's duty week on the ballot at the November Election. At this point, Mr. Crown admitted it was obvious the Council was not in favor of certi- fying this question for the ballot at the coming Election. He said, therefore, he would request, on behalf of the Firemen's Association, that this issue be directed to the Civil Service Board for its study and submission of all data for the Council's information. Be felt, however, that a definite time limit should be set within which period such report should be made to the Council. Councilman Schacht thereupon moved the Council request the Civil Service Board to secure all pertinent information regarding the proposed consideration by the Council of the duty hours of the Alameda Fire Department - that the Personnel Director, City Manager, City Attorney and Fire Chief be of every aid to the Board - and the Board return to the Council as of January 15, 1961, its findings as of that time. Further, that the two resolutions as set forth on the agenda be dropped therefrom. A lengthy discussion was then had about the "deadline date" to be set. Both Mr. Weller and Mr. Crown spoke in explanation of the several factors which would be adversely affected by the date of January 15, I961. Councilman Schacht then amended his motion to stipulate that the Board return its find- ings to the Council by November 1, 1960. The motion was seconded by Councilman Collischonn and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None. 4. Prior to adjournment, President McCall announced that arrangements have been made for the United States Marine Corps and Band to present a Sunset Review next Tuesday evening, September 13, 1960, at the South Shore Shopping Center area, at 6:30 o'clock. Also, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps from Hawaii, which is in this vicinity taking part in the Pacific Festival, will put on three exhibitions in Alameda that same date, as follows: At 12:00 o'clock noon, Lincoln Avenue and Webster Street; at 3:30 o"clock p.m., Central Avenue between Park Street and Park Avenue; and at 6:30 o'clock p.m^ at the South Shore Center, prior to the Sunset Review. Be urged that all City Officials and friends plan to attend. ADJOURNMENT: 5. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned - to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, September 20, 1960, at 7:30 o'clock. Respectfully Subm' ed, ° City rk ��