1946-04-02 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR TEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF 'HIE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, .APRIL 2, 1946
The meeting convened at 8:00 P. M. with President Branscheid presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President
Branscheid, (5) , were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held March 19, 1946, were approved as
transcribed.
2. President Branscheid noted the presence of a group from the Alameda Junior
Chamber of Commerce and welcomed it to the meeting with an expression of the
gratification of the Council for the interest being taken by this group in the
City Government.
Also present were two visitors from San Francisco - Mr. Don Fazacherly of the
Junior Chamber of Commerce of that City and Supervisor Chester McPhee of the City
and County of San Francisco, who were extended greetings by the Mayor on behalf
of the City.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
3. From the Alameda Women's Improvement Club Inc., expressing its keen interest
in the progress being made concerning the Washington Park project as a War Memorial
for the City of Alameda.
At this point President Branscheid called upon the City Manager for a progress re-
port on the plans for a living war memorial of the City of Alameda.
Mr. McMillan reported that in line with the request of the Council, he had en-
deavored to contact consulting engineers who would be able to undertake this type
of work and being unable to find anybody in that field, a position of landscape
engineer was created within the City and a highly experienced engineer selected to
fill the position. He stated that this man has been working very diligently and
that he has every expectation of being able to furnish the Council with cost esti-
mates of the entire contemplated project within the next two or three weeks.
He stated that some question as to the scope of the work has been raised by the
possibility of the Maritime School closing, pointing out that if this should happen,
it will make available additional lands which will fit into the proposed project
and greatly enhance its possibilities.
President Branscheid thanked the City Manager for his report and stated that he
wished the residents of the City to know that this matter is being actively worked
on and that some definite statement should be available within a very short time.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
4. Mr. Frank Gottstein addressed the Council, stating that in his opinion there
should be an exhaustive traffic investigation of Posey Tube. He stated that he
would like, to have the Council request the Oakland City Council to make a survey
of right-hand turns out of the Tube at 6th Street, south on Alice Street and west
on 4th Street, with a view to making 4th Street a one-way highway to the point
where the traffic can be diverted back into 7th Street west of Broadway.
He requested that some study be made of the possibility of having the east and
buses use Park Street Bridge instead of going through the Tube and requested that
the present ordinance fixing the minimum speed at which traffic moves through the
Tube be strictly enforced; also, that oil trucks and trucks carrying explosives
be barred from the Tube and that the tow truck provided by the County for use in
the Tube be kept at the Tube at all times.
BEARINGS:
5' matter of an appeal of the Alameda South Shore Land Company, from the de-
cision of the City Planning Board denying its petition for the reclassification of
certain tidelands off of Bay Farm Island from "A" One-Family Dwelling District to
”G” and uH” Industrial Districts.
The Clerk read a letter from the City Planning Board, transmitting its recommenda-
tion that the petition for rezoning, requested in this matter, be denied and also
read a communication from the Alameda Chamber of Commerce in which that Body set
forth its position as being definitely in favor of the rezoning for industrial
purposes.
President Branscheid stated that the hearing was now open and he would be glad
to hear anybody who had anything to say in, the matter.
Mr. James Moore, Engineer for the petitioner, presented a drawing of the pro-
posed industrial development and explained its several features, as well as the
general plan of operation contemplated. He then presented to the Council Mr.
Charles Beardsley, one of the officers of the Alameda South Shore Land Company,
who addressed the Council and stated that, in his opinion, the issue is not:one
of industry against housing - but rather, industry or nothing, pointing out that
while the petitioner in this matter is willing to go ahead and develop the land
for industrial use, there is no possible chance of anybody doing anything with
the property as a residential site. He stated that the industrial development
of this property would provide additional tax revenue for the City and employ-
ment and payrolls for the residents of Alameda.
A representative of the Junior Chamber of Commerce stated to the Council that his
personal opinion was that the property should be retained as residential sites
for returning veterans, but that the viewpoint of the Junior Chamber of Commerce
was that nothing should be done by the Council in either direction until it had
made a thorough and exhaustive study of engineering reports and all other data
bearing on the situation.
At this point Councilman Jones stated that inasmuch as the Council has had no
opportunity to go into the merits or demerits of the requested rezoning, he con-
sidered it advisable to afford the Council an opportunity of studying the engi-
neers' reports and also the arguments laid before it by the speakers this even-
ing. He thereupon moved that the hearing in this matter be continued until the
next meeting of the Council, in order that the Council might have an opportunity
to study the reports submitted by Mr. James, as well as arguments advanced by
Mr. Moore and Mr. Beardsley. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney.
Speaking on the question, Mr. Roger Leidy stated that as a representative of
some of the property owners on Bay Farm Island, he would like to point out that
for many years past, the residents of Bay Farm Island have been seeking a means
of having their property protected by the construction of a proper seawall; that
nothing has come of their efforts and they have been impelled to the conclusion
that they can do nothing themselves but must depend upon outside capital to make
the necessary investment for the protection of their property. He stated that
if the seawall contemplated by the petitioner in this matter were constructed,
there would immediately become available for homesites on the Island some 300
acres, aside from the property owned by the petitioner, but that its availa-
bility as homesites would depend entirely upon the construction of this seawall
as a protection against any future flooding of the property. He therefore
strongly urged that the rezoning petition be favorably considered.
The President of the Alameda Junior Chamber of Commerce stated that the position
of his organization was that a thorough study and investigation of the entire
matter should be made before any decision is reached by the Council.
At this point, President Branscheid put the question and the motion was carried.
OPENING OF BIDS:
6. v7
Bids were presented and read for the project of the reconstruction of Encinal
Avenue and improvement of other streets, in accordance with Specifications, Spe-
cial Provisions and Plans therefor, No. PW 3-46-2, as follows:
From East Bay Construction Co. $139,448.75
Accompanied by a bid bond in amount of 14,000.00
From Lee J. Immel 139,751.00
Accompanied by certified check in amount of 15,000.00
From Ransome Company
Accompanied by a bid bond in amount of
169,202.50
17,000.00
These bids were referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for further study,
report and recommendation.
71/ A bid was presented and read from Royal R. Randall for the project of con-
structing a Fire Drill Tower on Bay Farm Island, in accordance with Specifications,
Special Provisions and. Plans therefor, No. PW 3-46-3, in the total amount of
g22,473. This bid was accompanied by a check in the amount of $2,250.
The matter was referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for further study,
report and recommendation.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
8. The City Manager reported on his attendance at a meeting of the Board of Su-
pervisors of the City and County of San Francisco to consider the appropriation
of ”71500. for a study of a proposed second San Francisco Bay Bridge. He stated
that the meeting developed into a liberal discussion of the Reber Plan and that
the San Francisco Supervisors are in favor of this plan as modified. He stated
that the development of chief interest to the City of Alameda was that the Super-
visors of the City and County of San Francisco, the Supervisors of Alameda County,
the Toll Bridge Authority and the State Highway Commission representatives were
all in accord that wherever a bridge is built, Alameda will not be the forgotten
City and that there will be a direct means of access to the bridge afforded this
City.
He expressed his gratitude to Supervisor McPhee for the very fine support of the
San Francisco Supervisors in this matter.
At this point, President Branscheid called upon Supervisor McPhee, who extended
to the Council the greetings and compliments of the Mayor and. Supervisors of the
City and County of San Francisco. He stated that the matter of a second Bay cross-
ing is one of vital importance to all communities around the Bay in view of the
present population increase and stated that the Supervisors of San Francisco are
not sold on the Reber Plan or any modification of it. He stated that the sole de-
sire of the Board is to see that some program is developed and started immediately
and that San Francisco itself is seeking nothing in working out the plan to be
adopted. He stated whatever plan is best for the entire area is the one San Fran-
cisco would like to see adopted and invited the cooperation of the Council of the
City of Alameda along those lines.
President Branscheid stated that the City of Alameda will gladly cooperate to the
fullest possible extent in this matter inasmuch as it is one of vital interest to
the welfare and future development of the City.
9. The City Manager stated that he would like to make a report of his investiga-
tion of the possibility of securing traffic engineers to make a study of he trans-
portation problem in the City of Alameda, pointing out that the report could not
be final but would be merely a report of progress. He stated that he had inter-
viewed all the traffic engineers available and that while he had proposals before
him he would require a little more time for a study and final recommendation as to
which of the several men in prospect should be retained for this purpose. He
stated that he had interviewed six engineers who are considered to be competent
to make a study of this nature and that at the next meeting of the Council he
should be in position to make his final recommendation.
President Branscheid stated that while the City Manager's report was of necessity
a progress report, it does indicate that the Council is actively at work on this
matter and he wished to assure the transportation committee that it is the earnest
desire of the Council to get this matter going as quickly as possible.
10. From the City Manager, recommending that The Gamewell Company be awarded
contract for furnishing 101 fire alarm boxes and certain other equipment in
accordance with Specifications and Provisions No. MS 3-46-2, at its bid price
of .15,863.45, and also that the sum of 20,000. be transferred from the Capital
Outlays Fund to a "Fire Alarm System" Fund.
Councilman Howe moved the recommendation of the City Manager be accepted and that
contract as specified above be awarded to The Gamewell Company. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Tones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes:
Councilmen Howe, Tones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes:
None. Absent: None.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:
11. 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 Adding a New Section Numbered 10-1410
to Article 4, Chapter 1, Title X, of the Alameda
Municipal Code, Relating to House Movers and Removal
of Buildings."
NEW BUSINESS:
12. President Branscheid stated that it has been the policy of the City Adminis-
tration for some years past to provide its employees in the Police and Fire De-
partments with every possible opportunity of enhancing their knowledge and train-
ing through study and schooling, and that Sgt. Robert Carroll had just completed
a course in Municipal Police Administration in a school conducted under the
supervision of the International City Managers' Association.
The President thereupon presented to Sgt. Carroll a Certificate of Award by the
School and extended congratulations on his fine work in the department.
13. President Branscheid also observed that Captain William Fink of the Fire De-
partment has completed 25 years of service in the City's employment and that he is
about to retire. On behalf of the Council, he extended to Captain Fink the grati-
tude of the City for the splendid work he has done over this long period of time
and expressed the wishes of the Council for his future well-being.
RESOLUTIONS:
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3291
Adopting Specifications for Furnishing One (1) New
1946 Two-Door Sedan and/or Four-Door Sedan to the
City of Alameda, Calling for Bids and Directing the
City Clerk to Advertise the Same."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney
and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon the Presi-
dent declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3292
Transferring $150.00 from Expense Account No. 25-d
to Capital Account No. 125-a (Personnel Department)."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the president declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3293
Creating a Special Fire Alarm System Fund and
Transferring $20,000.00 from Capital Outlays
Fund Thereto."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Tones, Osborn,
sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
FILING:
17. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - Bureau of Electricity,
as at February 28, 1946.
18. Specifications - No. MS 4-46-3 - Sedan for Police Department.
19. Auditor's Balance Sheet - Month ending March 31, 1946.
BILLS:
20. An itemized List of Claims against some of the departments of the City of
Alameda in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the Council at this
meeting: General Department, $145.; Initiative Relief Fund, $24.
Councilman Howe moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with
the City Clerk on April 2, 1946, and presented 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 Howe, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney
and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
21. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council
adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, April 16, 1946,
at 8:00 P. M.
Respectful
tted,
y Clerk