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1949-05-03 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAD!EDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 3 1949 The meeting convened at 8 :00 o'clock P. M. with President Branscheid presiding. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4), were noted present. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held April 19, 1949, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 2. From J. Henry Harris, requesting a sixty -day extension of time from May 1, within which to repair damage to the light poles on the tennis courts at Long- fellow Park. Councilman Osborn moved the extension of time be granted as requested. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. 3 From Ford E. Samuel, Postmaster, requesting that the name of "Park Avenue" be changed to avoid confusion and delay in the delivery of mail due to the similarity of the name with "Park Street ". Enclosed with this communication were letters of endorsement for this change from the Western Union Telegraph Company, Railway Ex- press Agency, United Parcel Service and Alameda Chamber of Commerce. Councilman Osborn observed that without question there is a lot of merit to the communication from the Postmaster and practically everyone knows there is a great deal of confusion and misdirected mail resulting from the similarity of the names of these two streets. He stated he felt it was time some consideration be given this matter and thereupon moved the City Manager be requested to look into the matter with a view to making a survey to ascertain the best remedy for the situa- tion and that he be requested to report his findings to the Council at the earli- est possible date. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and unanimously carried. At this point, Mr. Frank Gottstein was given permission to address the Council and spoke on the similarity of names of Park Street and Park Avenue, pointing out that the same thing is now being done in connection with the name of "Lincoln Way" which connects up with "Lincoln Avenue." He suggested the wise thing to do would be to change the name of "Lincoln Way" right now before construction is undertaken. President Branscheid assured Mr. Gottstein this matter would be fully considered and the name of "Lincoln Way" would be changed. 4:/ From John F. O'Brien, Attorney for John Strathmen, owner and operator of the "Snug Harbor ", 24082 Lincoln Avenue, requesting the Council's consideration of the transfer from Oakland to Alameda of an on -sale liquor license to be used in this tavern. President Branscheid stated that as far as the Council is concerned, it has estab- lished the policy of opposing any additional on -sale hard liquor licenses within the City of Alameda. He pointed out, however, that these questions come to the Council through the State Board of Equalization and it has been the policy of that Board to contact the Council before any action is taken on any particular request. He observed that unless there is a change in policy contemplated, it might be well to advise Mr. O'Brien just what that policy is, stating that if the request comes before the Council officially from the State Board of Equalization, it will be opposed. Councilman Anderson stated the situation appears to be that Mr. Strathmen has an opportunity to purchase a hard liquor license out of the City of Alameda and would thereupon desire to transfer it into this City. The policy of the Council to op- pose any increase in the number of licenses in the City of Alameda having been established, Councilman Anderson stated he felt Mr. O'Brien should be notified, over the signature of the President of the Council, just what the policy of the City is, so that with this information, he may be able to determine whether or not he wishes to purchase the license. Councilman Anderson thereupon moved the Presi- dent of the Council inform Mr. O'Brien concerning the attitude of the Council in the matter of additional hard liquor licenses in the City. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 5. Mr. Frank Gottstein started to address the Council on the matter of the press- ing need for an additional tube under the Estuary, but abruptly closed his remarks when he was informed by President Branscheid that surveys are now in progress pre- liminary to the actual construction of the tube. REPORTS OF COPMITTEES; 6.. From Public Utilities Board, requesting the Council to approve Mr. Rix hTaurer's absence from the State for a period of two weeks, commencing April 24, 1949. Councilman Anderson moved the request be granted and Mr. Maurer's absence be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried. 7 From Alameda Centennial Committee, recommending that no outside commercial at- tractions be authorized in the City of Alameda during the week of the Celebration. Councilman Sweeney moved the Council establish it as a policy that no outside com- mercial attractions will be authorized to operate in Alameda during the week of the Celebration. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and unanimously carried. 8 From the City Planning Board, recommending the reclassification of certain property known as 449 -451 Lincoln Avenue, running through to the pro osed "Lincoln Way" - being more specifically described in the petition - from the A-1" One- Family Dwelling District, to the "B" Two -to -Four Family Dwelling District. Councilman Anderson moved the adoption of the City Planning Board's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried. The matter was then referred to "Introduction of Ordinances." From the City 4.5O, forthat thecontract project of maki awarded improvementsr and to Pacific Avenue, Lincoln Way and Lincoln Avenue, from Main to Eighth Streets, in accordance with Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans No. P'JJ 11- 48 -15. Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted; that con- tract be awarded to the designated firm for the specified project and that the bid check be returned to the unsuccessful bidder. The motion was seconded by Council- man Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). 10: From the Board of Trustees of the Alameda Free Library, making certain recom- mendations concerning the remodeling of the Library building for use of the Alameda Historical Society. Councilman Osborn moved this matter be referred to the City Manager for study and recommendation, as well as for the preparation of the estimate of cost. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and carried. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: 11. Councilman Sweeney introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under provision of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Reclassifying Property by Adding Section 47 to Ordinance No. 725, New Series. 12. Councilman Anderson introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under provision: of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Subdivision 22 to Sec. 17 -342, Relating to Two -Hour Parking." 13. Councilman Osborn introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under provision of law and the Charter: "Ordinance No. New Series An Ordinance Changing the Name of "Pearl Court" to "Janis Circle. NEW BUSINESS: 14. Under this heading, President Branscheid stated that the City has long been interested in acquiring a piece of property on Lincoln Avenue which abuts on the City's parking lot. He stated that an offer of 07,000. for the property was made and has been accepted. He suggested it would be in order to instruct the City Manager to request the City Attorney to acquire an option on the property and proceed with a search of the title. Councilman Osborn thereupon moved the City Attorney be authorized to take a ninety- day option on the property at the purchase price of $7,000. and he be instructed to immediately proceed with the search of title. The motion was seconded by Coun- cilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). RESOLUTIONS: 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution INTo. 4003 Accepting Conveyance from Ernest S. Bowmer and Effie G. Bowmer, His Wife, and Emily, "E. MacKenzie (Married). of Certain Real Property and Consenting to the Recordation Thereof." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Anderson, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4004 Adopting Specifications for Furnishing Cne New 1949 Four -Door Sedan to the City of Alameda_ for the Chief of Police, Calling for Bids and Di- recting City Clerk to Advertise Same." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 17. The following resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4005 Transferring $3,000. from the Cash Basis Fund to Miscellaneous .General Ex ense Account No ;70-1 (Flag Day and Centennial)." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes:, None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.. ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE: 18. "Ordinance No. 964, New Series An Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition of Certain Real Property for Street and Highway Purposes." Councilman Osborn moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. .Ayes: Coun- cilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). 19. "Ordinance No. 965, New Series An Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition of Certain Real Property for Street and Highway Purposes." Councilman Anderson moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Coun- cilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Bransche id, (4) . Noes: _ None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). FILING: 20. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Co. - Bureau of Electricity, as at March 31, 1949. 21. Specifications - No. MS 4-49-4 - For furnishing one new 1949 Sedan for the Chief of Police. 22. Auditor's Balance Sheet - For month ending April 30, 1949. BILLS: 23. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and several of the departments thereof, in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the Council at this meeting: General Departments, $327.22; Gas Tax No. 2 Fund, $12,000.; Bay Farm Island Sewer Assessment District Project No. 1 Fund, $33,435.77; McKinley Park Restoration Fund, $457.92; Bay Farm Island Sewer Fund, $10,961.91. Councilman Osborn moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on May 3, 1949, and submitted to the Council at this time, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Jones, (1). ADJOURNMENT: 24. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned, to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, May 17, 1949, at 8:00 o'clock. 247