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1949-11-01 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 1, - 1949 The meeting convened at 8 :00 o'clock P. M. with President Branscheid presiding. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osbo dent Branscheid, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held October 18, 1949, were approved as transcribed. Sweeney and Presi- ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 2 Mr. Ben Kopf addressed the Council on the matter of the cost of installing sewer connections, pointing out that at one time the cost was $30., which price was gradually increased until the cost became $50., and that some months ago, under the terms of an ordinance enacted by the Council, a deposit of $p200. is now required - the work is done by the City force and any difference between the cost of the work and the amount of the deposit is refunded to the person making the deposit. He stated that in the past it required two men to put in a sewer connection but now the City sends out a whole crew and an engineer, which runs up the cost to the point where it becomes exorbitant. President Branscheid asked the City Manager to comment on this subject, and Mr. Froerer stated that at the old price, which Mr. Kopf has mentioned, the City was experiencing a loss on every installation made, and in recognition of the advancing cost of labor and materials, the present ordinance was enacted in order that the City might break even on sewer installation connections. Mr. Froerer stated there were many reasons why this type of work should be done by the City, chief among them is that after the work is installed there is a period of time before the pave- ment can be replaced and the City furnishes the barricades, makes the back fill, etcetera - which part of the work cannot conveniently be handled by the sewer con- tractor. He stated that under the existing ordinance the contractor is required to pay the City just exactly what the work has cost the City. Councilman Sweeney stated that five or six plumbing contractors in the City have spoken to him about this matter, stating that the cost of the work is way out of line. He stated he would get the figures on some jobs and they can be checked. Mr. J. J. Grodem also spoke on the matter, stating that a fifteen -foot sewer con - nection.at 2258 Buena Vista Avenue cost him `173. which, he claimed, was a very high price. Mr. John Ward stated that the installation of a connection at San Jose Avenue and Oak Street had cost him 185. for twenty -two and one-half feet. Councilman Jones stated he thought it should be explained that before this ordi- nance was passed the City was losing $30. to $40. on every installation, but that his recollection was that the proper charge would be in the neighborhood of $90. President Branscheid stated that in view of the many factors involved, it will be necessary to check into the matter very thoroughly before any conclusion can be reached as to the fairness of the existing ordinance. OPENING OF BIDS: 3. Bids were submitted and read for furnishing one new, latest model, 3/4 Ton Pick -Up Truck with Canopy, for use in the Street Department, in accordance with Specifications and Provisions No. MS 10- 49 -11, as follows: From International Harvester Co. $1,384.18 Accompanied by certified check in amount of - - - 150.00 From Garland Chevrolet Co. Accompanied by certified check in amount of - From Cochran and Celli 1,483.75 148.37 399.77 Accompanied by certified check in amount of - - - 140.00 From Jack Erwin Motors Accompanied by certified check in amount of From Morris Landy Motors 1,481.14 150.00 1,493.86 Accompanied by cashier's check in amount of - - - 149.39 The bids were referred to the City Manager for examination and recommendation. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 4`. From the City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to McGuire and Hester, the low bidder, for the project of installing a Storm Sewer on the East side of -Peach Street, at Washington Street, at the bid price of $1,980. This is to be in accordance with Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans therefor, No. PW 10-49-17. Councilman Anderson moved the City Manager's recommendation be adopted; that con- tract be awarded to the specified low bidder at the price quoted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 5. From the City Manager, recommending that permission be granted to Tom Ray, Jr. to retain a recently erected fence, ten feet in height, along the west property line of the premises known as 1927 Park Street, where a used car lot has been newly established. Permission was recommended subject to the condition that the fence not be used for advertising or a signboard, as it does not comply with the bill- board ordinance. Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager's recommendation be followed; that per- mission be granted to retain the fence at the present height, provided it is not used for advertising or as a signboard. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried. NEW BUSINESS: 6. A communication from The International City Manager's Association was read, commending in high terms the work done by Mr. Richard F. Lovejoy, Chief Designing Engineer of the City, in the completion of a correspondence course in Municipal Public Works Administration. Mr. Lovejoy was thereupon presented with a certificate and was congratulated by the Mayor and Council upon his successful completion of the course and the spirit which impelled him to take it. Mr. Lovejoy expressed his appreciation of the opportunity for making this study. 7. Councilman Jones stated that Mr. Froerer, a Director of the Public Works Asso- ciation, contemplated attending the Conference of that organization to be held in Chicago, Illinois, from November 4 through 7, 1949 and he desired permission to leave the State for that period of time. Councilman Osborn moved that permission be granted to City Manager Froerer to leave the State of California for the period designated. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and unanimously carried. At this point in the meeting, President Branscheid surrended the Chair to Vice President Jones, by reason of his inability to carry on due to an aggravated condi- tion of a sore throat. RESOLUTIONS: 8. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4097 Accepting Conveyance from Alaska Packers Association, a Corporation, of Easements in Certain Real Property for Electric Power Conduit Purposes, 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, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Vice President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 9. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4098 Transferring $97,035.84 from the In Lieu Tax Fund to the General Fund." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Vice President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 10. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4099 Authorizing City Manager to Make Second Supplemental Application to State Director of Finance on Behalf of the 1Cty of Alameda for State Assistance in Defraying Cost of Construction of the Bay Farm Island Sewer System (Project No. 20-6)." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Vice President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 11. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4100 Authorizing City Manager to Make Supplemental Application to State Director of Finance on Behalf of the City of Alameda for State Assistance in Defraying Cost of Construction of the Atlantic Avenue Sanitary Sewer (Project No. 20-7)." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Vice President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 12. Councilman Anderson moved that a resolution be prepared in memoriam to Father Praught, and thereupon moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4101 In Memoriam of the Reverend James Bernard Praught." "WITH DEEP SORROW, the Council of the City of Alameda records the death of one of its loyal and most influential citizens, REV. JAMES BERNARD PRAUGHT, retired Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, who for more than thirty years devoted his every effort to the benefit of his parish and the best interests of the City of Alameda; "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, in recognition of his deep interest and his manifest leadership in establishing the present Church edifice and the grammar and high schools conducted in conjunction therewith, the Council of the City of Alameda hereby expresses its sense of personal loss and its sincere grati- tude for the very worthwhile influence he exerted for the improve- ment of the community during his many years of active participa- tion in Church and Civic affairs. "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread in full upon the minutes of this meeting, and when this meeting of the Council of the City of Alameda adjourns, it shall do so in respect to the memory of THE REVEREND JAMES BERNARD PRAUGHT." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Vice President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 13. Councilman Osborn moved that a resolution also be prepared in memoriam to L. Deming Tilton, Planning Consultant, and thereupon moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 4102 In Memoriam of L. Deming Tilton. "WITH DEEP SORROW, the Council of the City of Alameda records the death of L. DEMING TILTON, Planning Consultant, who had been employed for some time to advise the City in its many planning projects scheduled for development in the near future. "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, in recognition of Mr. Tilton's fine reputation as an outstanding man in the field of planning and the genuine interest he took in the City's planning problems, the Council of the City of Alameda hereby expresses its sense of personal loss and its sincere gratitude for the great effort and help he exerted in promoting plans for the future de- velopment of the City. "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread in full upon the minutes of this meeting, and that a copy thereof be transmitted to the family of Mr. Tilton, that it may extend to its members a heartfelt expression of sympathy and condolence; and "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that when this meeting of the Council of the City of Alameda adjourns, it shall do so in respect to the memory of L. DEMING TILTON." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Anderson and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Vice President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. FILING: 14. Financial Statement - George B. Middleton & Co. - City of Alameda, as of September 30, 1949. 15. Financial Statement George B. Middleton Co. - Bureau of Electricity, as of September 30, 1949. 16. Grant of Easement - From Alaska Packers Association, re Electric Power Conduit. 17. Auditor's Monthly Balance Sheet - Month ending October 31, 1949. BILLS: 18. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and some of the departments thereof, in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the City Council at this meeting: General Departments, $6,239.17; Police Department, $40.31; Washington Park Storm Sewer Fund, $452.50; Health Department, $421.85; McKinley Park Restoration Fund, 82,870.21; Library Remodeling Fund, 1, 601.44; Gas Tax No. 2 Fund, . 36, 152.67. Councilman Anderson moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on November 1, 1949, and submitted to the Council at this time, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Anderson, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Prior to adjournment, Vice President Jones inquired if anybody wished to address the Council, and there was no response. ADJOURNMENT: 19. Councilman Osborn moved the meeting adjourn in respect to the memory of Reverend James Bernard Praught and Mr. L. Deming Tilton. The motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson and the Council adjourned accordingly, to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, November 15, 1949, at 8:00 o'clock.