1946-07-16 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING JULY 16, - 1946
The meeting convened at 9:45 P. M. with President Branscheid presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called. and. Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn and. President Brans-
cheid, (4), were noted present. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
MINUTES:
1. , The minutes of the regular meeting held. July 2, 1946, . were approved a
transcribed.
WRITThThT COIF ONS :
2. From Mr. Grahame H. Hardy, 1416 Ninth Street, requesting that action be taken
by the City of Alameda with regard to rental control.
After the communication had been read, President Branscheid stated that if there
were no objections, a discussion of the rental control situation would be held
later on in the meeting.
From the Honorable Fitch Robertson, Mayor of the City of Berkeley, suggest-
ing the formation of a Transportation Committee, composed of representatives of
the eleven East Bay Cities served by Key System, to deal with Key System on the
present needs and future development of transportation in this area.
President Branscheid stated that he had had a talk with Mayor Robertson concern-
ing this matter and recommended that some action be taken by the Council to
cooperate with the City of Berkeley to get the suggested Committee started. He
stated he would be glad to appoint somebody to act as Alameda? s representative if
the Council would give him permission to do so.
Councilman Jones moved the Mayor be given authority to appoint a person of his
own selection to serve on the suggested Committee with the representatives of the
other East Bay Cities. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and carried.
41 From the Alameda Citizens Transportation Association, on the subject of Key
Systemts contemplated change from street cars to busses on College and. Alcatraz
Avenues in Berkeley.
City Manager McMillan stated that the Association had had the meeting with the Key
System, which was mentioned in the letter, and the only item he had to report on
was the fact that he had had a meeting with the Key System officials and worked
out a system of transportation for the Estuary and Encinal Housing Projects, which
plan would be submitted to the Railroad Commission for its approval.
Concerning the substitution of busses for trolley cars on the College and Alcatraz
lines, Mr. McMillan stated that it is his belief that the Key System intends to
substitute gasoline busses for the present electric cars but that the busses would
be of a smaller type which would not be suitable for augmenting the service in
Alameda. He recommended that this letter be placed on file and referred to the
person appointed to serve with the general Transportation Committee suggested by
Mayor Robertson of Berkeley.
In this connection, Mr. McMillan said that in the matter of the substitution of
busses for electric cars, the Key System had asked an ex parte hearing before the
Railroad Commission, but indicated that the Commission would probably ask that
open hearings be held on this question.
On the over-all transportation subject, Mr. McMillan stated that the Railroad Com-
mission is taking a vacation during the month of July and the hearing on the in-
crease in rates will not be set until after the opening session in August, and the
date determined upon at that time will be one which will give all interested par-
ties sufficient opportunity to make full preparation for a presentation of their
protests before the Commission.
The President thereupon ordered the communication filed.
Councilman Jones stated he had been informed that the City of Richmond has filed a
protest against the substitution of busses for street cars on the two lines named,
basing its protest on the grounds that the busses to be used on these lines should
be placed in service in Richmond inasmuch as these lines mentioned presently have
trolley car transportation.
5. Copy of a resolution adopted by the Central Labor Council of Alameda County
was presented, in which that Body placed itself on record as opposing the levying
of a sales tax by cities and counties.
The copy of the resolution was ordered filed.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
6. Councilman Jones moved that in order that other business on the calendar
might be disposed of with dispatch, uOral Communications" be placed at the foot
of the agenda, which would also allow a proper amount of time for a discussion
of the rental control matter. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and
carried.
HEARINGS:
7' the matter of the Abatement of a Nuisance at premises known as 2044 Alameda
Avenue, on which property is situated a dilapidated building which Building Inspec-
tor Rogers has condemned as a public nuisance.
City Manager McMillan asked that this matter be put over until the next meeting of
the Council as the nuisance complained of is now under process of being abated and
that by the date of the next meeting it can probably be reported on as having been
entirely cleared up. He stated he felt, however, that the Council should retain
control of the situation by allowing the matter to remain open.
councilman Osborn thereupon moved that this matter be laid over to the next regular
meeting of the Council to be held August 6, 1946. The motion was seconded by Coun-
cilman Jones and carried.
OPENING OF BIDS:
8: Bids were presented and read for the furnishing of Crusher Run Base, in accord-
ance with Specifications and Provisions No. NS 7-4 -8, as follows:
From Heafey-Moore Company - - - - - - -
Accompanied by certified check in amount of
From Thomas L. Walsh and. Rodger Reed - - -
Accompanied by cashier's check in amount of
Cf, ,2.15 per ton
600.00
e 2.15 per ton
500.00
The bids were referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for further study and
report.
REPORTS OF. COTiTTITILES:
9:/ From Fire Chief Lane, transmitting a letter of appreciation, signed by all
members of the Fire Department, thanking the Council for the recent increase in
pay granted them.
The letter was ordered filed.
10Y From Police Chief Doran, listing articles now in possession of the City Trea-
surer as lost, stolen or unclaimed property.
The matter was referred to uResolutions.0
11: From City Engineer Froerer, requesting Council approval of Specifications,
Special Provisions and. Plans for the Bay Farm Island Sewer System.
At the request of Councilman Jones, the City Engineer explained the reasons for
asking for approval of these plans and specifications, stating that they would
have to be approved before further Federal funds for the completion of the project
would be forthcoming. He stated, however, that the City was not prepared to go
ahead with the work at the present time and that therefore, the project should not
be opened for bids.
Councilman Osborn thereupon moved that the Council approve the plans as submitted
by the City Engineer. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call
carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn and President
Branschejd, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
12: Mr. McMillan reported on the accuisition of property for a parking space for
the Veterans' 1,Temorial Building, stating that the City is now negotiating for
property to the east and north of the building but that certain complications in
the way of mortgages on one of the parcels have arisen and the matter is not yet
ready for submission, and therefore asked that the matter be laid over. He stated
further that the property on the west side of Walnut Street which has been under
contemplation will not be usable by the City for this purpose.
President Branscheid ordered that this matter be laid over until the next regular
meeting of the Council.
RESOLUTIONS:
13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3351
Cancelling City Taxes on Property of the United
States of America.11
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3352
Authorizing City Treasurer to Dispose of Lost, Stolen
or Unclaimed Property."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe,. Jones, Osborn and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3353
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3354
Approving and Endorsing the Plan Developed by East
Bay Municipal Utility District for Sewage Disposal
in East Bay Cities."
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 and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
In connection with this resolution, President Branscheid stated that he felt
everybody should be greatly pleased with the progress being made toward the com-
pletion of a sewage disposal plan, pointing out that prior to the war there was
great concern about this problem, with very little progress being made toward its
solution - but that since the war, excellent progress is being made. He stated
that the surveys have all been made and that it now becomes the duty of every
person interested in public health to get behind this project and do everything
possible to see that it goes over when it comes up on the ballot. He pointed out
that consummation of this disposal plan would eliminate the many disadvantages we
have endured for many years and would make available the water around the Island
Adopting Specifications for Furnishing Four (4) New
194 or 1947 Four-Door Sedans and/or Two-Door Sedans
to the City of Alameda, Calling for Bids and Directing
the City Clerk to Advertise the Same."
for swimming and beach purposes.
Councilman Osborn spoke briefly on the subject, emphasizing that this sewage dis-
posal problem is one that has to be met either by the interested cities themselves
or by the State Department of Health, which latter body has expressed its deter-
mination to have this situation cleared up if it has to step into the picture and
do it for the cities, at their expense. He urged that everybody get out and work
to the end that the required number of votes will be cast approving the plan and
expressed his opinion that it would be handled muchmore satisfactorily by the
East Bay Municipal Utility District than it would be under State supervision.
17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3355
Authorizing Execution of Contract with Alameda Chamber
of Commerce for Advertising for the Fiscal Year Ending
June 30, 1947, and Appropriating $3,000. for Such Purposes."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman ,Tones and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
18. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3356
Authorizing Filing of Disclaimer in Condemnation
Action Instituted by the United States of America."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, ,Tones, Osborn and
President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
19.
"Ordinance No. 897,
New Series
An Ordinance Au thorizing the Surrender and. Cancellation
of Leases between City of Alameda and United. Engineering
Company, a Corporation; and
Authorizing Leasing Certain
Tide and Submerged Lands to United Engineering Company,
a Corporation; Approving the Form and Terms of Said
Lease and Authorizing Execution Thereof."
Councilman Osborn moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was secon-
ded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes:
Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
At the request of Councilman Jones, the purposes of this ordinance and the ad-
vantages accruing to the City through its passage were explained by City Manager
McLrillan.
At this point the meeting was referred back to "Oral Communications."
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
20 President Branscheid stated that the Council would now go into the matter
of rental control and requested the City Manager to make a report of nis findings
concerning this situation.
Mr. McMillan stated that at the request, of the Council he had compiled all avail-
able data concerning the rental increase situation in Alameda. He stated that up
to the present time, by using every method available for gathering this informa-
tion and considering all communications received on the subject, he could report
on twenty separate locations throughout the City that have been the sources of
complaints. He stated that one of these is the Casa Blanca Apartments, the letter
of protest in that particular case bearing twenty signatures. He pointed out,
however, that there is nothing in the petition accompanying the communication to
indicate that the rental increases have been in this particular building. He
stated that his information was to the effect that the average increase in the
Casa Blanca is in the neighborhood of twenty-five per cent.
As to the over-all picture, he stated that the increases in Alameda do not begin
) to compare in number with those in Oakland. He pointed out that there are several
cases of drastic increases in Alameda but that in most of these cases the notice
of increase in rental has been accompanied by a notice of eviction, the conclusion
being that the rent has been increased for the obvious purpose of getting the
tenants off of the premises.
At the conclusion of the City Manager's report on the situation, President Brans-
cheid invited comments from the audience.
Hr. John B. Feretti responded, stating that he is the owner of several houses in
the City and that most of his tenants had been in them a great number of years -
some, as many as twenty-five years. He stated that he hadnot raised the rent
of any of his properties and had no intention of doing so while the present tenants
remained, but he pointed out that, in view of the fact that he is renting six-room
houses for $25. and 30. per month, if the present tenants should move out, he felt
he should be permitted to increase hia rentals in a reasonable amount. At the
present rentals, he stated he cannot afford to properly maintain the buildings
because of the high cost of labor of all types. In conclusion, he stated it
was his belief that whatever the Council might do in this matter, it should not
make a cast iron law, throwing the good landlords in with the bad.
Mr. Frank Gottstein spoke on the subject, expressing the hope that the Council
would not pass any ordinance on this subject and offered the opinion that the
exorbitant raises in rentals are for the purpose of getting rid of undesirable
tenants.
Mr. Jack Collins, tenant in the Casa Blanca Apartments addressed the Council,
outlining the situation obtaining in that building.
Mr. W. H. Robinson, President of the Alameda County Apartment House Association,
addressed the Council, stating that if the Council felt itself justified in pass-
ing a rental control ordinance, it would be entirely satisfactory to the Asso-
ciation and that it would back up the Council in whatever was done. He stated
that this Association has been requesting of its members that they not increase
rentals in excess of fifteen per cent and offered his opinion that in some cases
this would be too much and in others, not enough.
Mr. C. C. Howard also addressed the Council, offering it as his opinion that this
was not a matter for legislation but a matter of people getting along together
and dealing fairly with each other.
There being no further comments from the audience, President Branscheid summarized
the matter by stating that it is the duty of the Council to take some action in
any situation where action is required and that this Council would hold itself in
readiness to act in the event any definite emergency might arise. He stated that
the State of California definitely has under consideration the enactment of a
statute covering this situation, or that the Federal Government may take some
steps - but that the Council would be ready to enact such legislation for the
protection of the tenants as well as property owners, if conditions might war-
rant it. He emphasized that the Council definitely will not permit a run-away
situation to arise.
Councilman Jones stated that he thought it would be well to assure the people
that the contemplated City ordinance will be taken up for consideration not
later than July 30, so that residents of this City will not be subject to evic-
tion pending action by the State. He pointed out that the ordinance under con-
sideration at the present time will expire on August 31, 1946, and that it would
be merely a stop-gap piece of legislation pending action by the State or Federal
Government.
FILING:
21. Auditor's Balance Sheet - month ending June 30, 1946.
22. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - City of Alameda,
as of June 30, 1946.
23. Specifications - For furnishing four Sedans to Police Departnent.
24. Specifications - Special Provisions and Plans - Bay Farm Island
Sewer System.
BILLS:
25. An itemized. List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several
departments thereof in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the
Council at this time: General Departments, $5,966:94; Police Department,
$1,001.75; Civil Service Department, $82.82; Fire Department, $291.24;
Street Department, $762.21; Health Department, $167.69; Recreation Depart-
ment, $314.46; Park Department, 8682.37; Golf Course Department, $480.51;
Store Department, $173.03; Social Service Department, $20.47; Gas Tax No.
1 Fund, $250.; Fire Drill Tower Fund, $1,146.; Police & Fire Pension Fund,
$15.
Councilman Howe moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the
City Clerk on July 16, 1946, and presented to the Council at this meeting, 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 and Presi-
dent Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
At this point, City Manager McMillan asked that the meeting be referred back to
"Reports of Committees."
REPORTS OF C OMMI TTEES :
/ v/
20. Mr. McMillan stated that the bids received for furnishing Crusher Run Base
were identical in price and that both bidders are known to the City Engineer.
He stated that one of the bidders is an Alameda firm and it would be his recom-
mendation that the contract be awarded to the Alameda bidders, Thomas L. Walsh
and. Rodger Reed.
Councilman Osborn thereupon moved the recommendation of the City Manager be
adopted; that contract be awarded to the above mentioned co-partners and
check be returned to the unsuccessful bidder. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes:
Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Sweeney, (1).
Councilman Osborn stated that he was heartily in accord with the recommendation
of the City Manager and glad to see the business going to Alameda men and hoped
that in the future every attempt would be made to place City business with
Alameda residents.
ADJOURNMENT:
27. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Counci
adjourned to assemble in adjourned regular session on Tuesday evening, July
30, 1946, at 8:00 o'clock.
Respectfully sUbmitted,
6 C.. y Clerk