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1946-09-03 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD .TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1946 The meeting convened at 8:00 P. M. with President Branscheid presiding. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and. Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and President Brans- cheid, (4), were noted present. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held August 20, 1946, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 2. From State Compensation Insurance Fund, notifying the City of the application of a credit of 29% to rates shown in policy - this credit being made by reason of City's excellent loss record. The communication was ordered filed. 3 From the City of Oakland, concerning the routing of north bound Posey Tube traffic. Mr. Frank Gottstein, in commenting on the communication, stated there were many fallacies in the contents of the letter and pointed them out to the Council. 4 From the following, protesting against the levying of a City sales tax: Alameda Bootery, United Association of Journeymen Plumbers and Steam Fitters, Franck's and Betty and Ann Dress Shop. In addition to expressing opposition to the proposed sales tax, Park Liquors also protested against the installation of parking meters. All of these communications were ordered filed, until such time as the matter of a local sales tax is officially before the Council. 5. From Oakland Medical Building Corporation, concerning disposition of uS onehenge” property. Following the reading of this communication, Councilman Jones suggested that it be referred to the City Attorney for his reply. There being no objections, the Presi- dent acted in accordance with the suggestion. ,v be From the Port of Oakland, Board of Port Commissioners, with regard to the opening of Doolittle Drive on Bay Farm Island - leading from. Alameda to the United States Navy Base at Oakland Municipal Airport in order that Alameda may have a direct connection with the airport and with the highways leading to San Leandro, Hayward and San Jose. president Branscheid commented on this communication, stating that he was very glad to see that some action is going to be taken on this matter as it will provide a necessary connection and give the City of Alameda direct access to the Oakland Airport. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: yr 7. Mr. Gottstein addressed the Council on the matter of the improvement of traffic control at the Alameda Portal of the Tube, suggesting that the installation of a signal system at this point might be helpful in expediting traffic, particularly at peak hours. In response to Mr. Gottstein's remarks, the City Manager stated that the Bureau of Electricity had been working on this matter for some time but had not yet been suc- cessful in finding the proper solution - their opinion being, however, that auto- matic counters would be the answer. He pointed out that the installation of such a system had been badly delayed by the difficulty experienced in obtaining the ma- terials with which to do the work, but stated they are hoping they will be able to go ahead with it at an early date. HEARINGS: 8: In the matter of an appeal by Dr. Jos. B. Enos from the ruling of the City Plan- ning Board, denying his application for an adjustment to permit maintenance of his hotel sign in the front yard area of premises at 1830 Santa Clara Avenue. Dr. Enos appeared before the Council in this matter and outlined his problem, stat- ing that the sign in front of his hotel is so far back from the sidewalk and so badly obstructed from both sides of the property that it is not readily visible to passersby and in fact, cannot, without difficulty, be seen by persons actually looking for it. He stated he is having vacancies in the hotel all the time ana believed that if he were permitted to move the sign out to a point in the front yard where it would be more easily seen, these vacancies would be filled, to the advantage of both himself and people looking for hotel accommodations. Mr. White, gardener at the hotel, addressed the Council in this connection, re- iterating Dr. Enos! remarks and commenting chiefly upon the cleanliness of the hotel and the low rates offered the people. Councilman Sweeney moved the matter be turned over to the City Manager for further investigation and report to the Council at its next meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and carried. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 9. From the Mayor, City Manager and Auditor, reporting on the Count of Money held August 21, 1946, showing there was $2,183,859.66 in the City Treasury, the sum which according to the Auditor's records, should have at that time been under, control of the Treasurer. The report was ordered filed. 10✓ From the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda, requesting the extension of both the City Public Recreation Program and normal public library service to the housing projects. Councilman Sweeney moved this matter be referred to the City Manager for investi- gation and report. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and carried. 11: From the City Manager, recommending that Judge Daniel H. Knox be granted permission to attend the conference of Justices! and Constables! Association of California, October 10 -12, 1946, at Hotel Miramar, Santa Monica, and that a sum not to exceed $ 75. be appropriated for his expenses. Councilman Howe moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved; that Judge Knox be permitted to attend the specified conference and the sum of $75. be appropriated to cover his expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). 12. From the City manager, recommending that Otto Rittler, Superintendent of Recreation, be granted permission to attend the Regional Conference of National Recreation Association, October 1 to 5, 1946, at Santa Barbara, and that a sum not to exceed $100. be appropriated to defray his expenses. Councilman Jones moved the recommendation of the City Manager be accepted; that Otto Rittler be permitted to attend the designated conference and the sum of $100. be appropriated to cover his expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Tones, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4) . Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1) . 13 At the suggestion of Councilman Jones, the City Manager reported on the matter of parking meters, outlining the comprehensive survey that had been made of this subject throughout the country. Mr. McMillan also related the nature of the demon- stration which had been made locally by representatives of the more prominent types of parking meters and stated there was one more meter which the cities of Alameda and Berkeley wished to investigate further before coming to any definite decision. This was in connection with the twin meter which carries two meters on one pole and, in the opinion of the City Manager, would eliminate cluttering up the side- walk line with more than the necessary number of meter poles. He stated that the survey for the need of parking meters made at this time shows that the City of Alameda would have 602 meters installed; 375 being placed on Park Street, 164 on Webster Street and the balance distributed over the remainder of the shopping districts of the City. He suggested that he be authorized to start the preparation of specifications, leaving them more or less open in order to ob- tain the best possible prices on the several types of meters. Whereupon Councilman Sweeney moved the City Manager be authorized to prepare park- ing meter specifications along the lines suggested. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and carried. Upon inquiry as to just when it is estimated the meters could be installed and in operation, the City Manager stated that he was quite certain they could be in operation by the first of the year, or probably sooner. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 14: The City Manager reported that he had had a meeting with a sub- committee of the Veterans' Committee concerning a parking space for the Veterans' Memorial Building and that they were in agreement with the Council that the provision of such limited parking space as could be made available by the acquisition of ad- jacent property would be of no appreciable benefit. He pointed out that while the lots would accommodate 35 cars and cost in the neighborhood of $5,000., this would not be adequate parking space for the several thousand veterans now using the building. The matter was taken under consideration by the sub - committee and will be referred to the Committee of the Whole, from which the City Manager will shortly receive a report. NEW BUSINESS: 15. President Branscheid inquired of the City Engineer as to the methods used in the cleaning of Park and Webster Streets, stating that he had been the re- cipient lately of several complaints concerning the condition of these streets. Mr. Froerer stated there is a man employed constantly on each of these streets - six days per week - and that daily, for five days in the week, all trash cans, culvert openings and gutters are cleaned out by the patrol trucks. He stated further that during the summer season the two streets mentioned have been washed down at about two-week intervals and, in his opinion, this treatment should re- sult in fairly clean streets. The President inquired whether a high pressure wagon going down the streets each night would not keep them in better condition and Mr. Froerer stated he thought this would be of no appreciable help because of the nature of the debris and the fact that there are cars constantly parked along:: the curbs. President Branscheid also expressed himself on the matter of the local merchants sweeping out their stores into the gutters and stated he believed very definitely that something should be done to secure the cooperation of the merchants in this respect. 16, City Manager reported that the Alameda Shriners Club has asked for permit to have a parade beginning on Park Street at Eagle Avenue, thence south to Central Avenue and west on Central Avenue to Walnut Street on Saturday evening, September 14, 1946, at 7 :30 o'clock. This organization has also extended an in- vitation to all City officials to be its guests on . this occasion. RESOLUTIONS: 17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3374 Approving Form and Authorizing Execution of Contract with the County of Alameda for the Examination of Tuberculosis Contact Cases." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4) . Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1) . Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 18. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3375 Creating.a Special Fund to be Known as "Veterans Federal Training Fund." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Tones, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. The City Manager explained the purpose of this resolution by stating that under the Veterans' Training Program funds are provided for the purchase of certain equipment for police officers, firemen and linemen; that the money is sent to the City and the City pays the veterans and when the veterans leave the employ of the City, the equipment becomes the property of the City. For these reasons it is felt that it would be advantageous to have this particular fund set up as it will greatly expedite the work of the Federal Auditors in checking the account. He specifically pointed out that this will not involve the expenditure of any City money. 19. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its adoption; "Resolution No. 3376 Adopting Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans for Improvement of Maitland Drive from Easterly City Limits to Bay Farm Island Bridge." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. At the request of Councilman Sweeney, the City Manager explained the purpose of this resolution, stating that Maitland Drive from Bay Farm Island Bridge to the Oakland Airport is one of the roads which comes under the war damaged streets act and that it has been accepted by the Federal Government as such. He stated that in going over the road with the engineers for the Government, they will accept complete responsibility for the damage on certain portions of the road and on other portions, only a part of the damage will be met by them. In the final analysis, the cost of the improvement will be split 40% to the Federal Government and 60% to the City and that the estimated cost of the total improve- ment is about $18,000. He pointed out that the street is in such condition now that another winter would do great damage and increase the ultimate cost of put- ting it in proper shape, but that the expenditure of this money at the present time will hold the road this winter and make it a permanent road. He emphasized the fact that the road will eventually have to be improved and that this is the time to do it. FILING: 20. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Co. - Bureau of Electricity - Month ending July 31, 1946 21. Auditor's Balance Sheet - Month ending August 31, 1946. 22. Specifications - No. PW 9 -46 -7 - Improvement of Maitland Drive. 23. Agreement - Between City and County - Examination of Tuberculosis Contact Cases. BILLS: 24. An itemized List of Claims against the General Departments of the City of Alameda in the total amount of $318.92, was presented to the Council at this meeting. Councilman Howe moved the bill as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on September 3, 1946, and presented at this time, be allowed and paid. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the fol- lowing vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). 25. At this Council time Enterprises, Council then point, Councilman Jones moved the meeting be recessed to permit the to consider a resolution concerning a proposed agreement with Roberts Inc. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and carried. The recessed for one hour, at the end of which time the meeting reconvened. The President stated that it had been decided that this matter required further consideration and it would therefore be put over until the next meeting of the Council. 26: Councilman Howe called the attention of the Council to the splendid manner in which police Officer George Rasmussen had handled the apprehension of a bank bandit recentl y loose in Alameda, his participation having finally lead to the man's arrest. Councilman Tones moved the Council go on record as commending Officer Rasmussen for his bravery and fine police work. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and carried. President Branscheid stated that Alameda has every right to be very proud of its police Department, pointing out that while this particular incident is somewhat spectacular, the daily routine of the Police Department is filled with examples of fine police work. ADJOURNMENT: 27. There being no further business to come before the meeting, Councilman Jones moved the Council adjourn to assemble in adjourned regular meeting on Thursday evening, September 12, 1946, at 8 :00 o'clock. The motion was seconded by Council- man Sweeney and carried.