1946-11-06 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF TH1 CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 6, - 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, (), were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held. October 15, 1946, were approved as
transcribed.
I'TRITTEN COHMUNICATIONS:
From the Southern Pacific Company, notifying the City that the Company is now
authorized to pay an additional sum of 2,619. toward the cost of construction of
the Broadway Storm Sewer.
The matter was referred to "Reports of Comnittees."
From the State Department of Public Works, concerning the matter of installing
directional signs to Alameda on approaches to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
The letter was ordered filed.
4. V
From the Alameda Citizens Transportation Committee, commending the City Coun-
cil on its efforts to bring about an improvement in tran bay transportation.
e communication was ordered filed.
5:7 From the War Department, United States Engineer Office, giving notice of a
public hearing on proposed modifications to San Francisco Bay Harbor lines.
The bulletin was ordered filed.
6' East Bay Construction Co., requesting an extension of twenty-one working
days to complete work covered by contract for the construction of Encinal Avenue.
Councilman Sweeney moved the East Bay Construction Co. be granted an extension of
time from November 2, to and including November 30, 1946, for the completion of
this project. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and carried.
V. From the State Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, with regard
to the development of National Airport Plan by cities and counties.
The communication was ordered filed.
8. From Alameda Belt Line, requesting permission to construct a track in and
across Grand Street, Eagle Avenue and Hibbard Street in the City of Alameda.
Councilman Osborn moved that inasmuch as this construction was to be undertaken
in an industrial zone, permission be granted as requested. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Sweeney and carried.
T( From Royal R. Randall, requesting an extension of sixty calendar days in
which to complete construction of the Fire Drill Tower on Bay Farm Island.
Councilman Osborn moved the time for the completion of this project be extended
to and including December 18, 1946. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Sweeney and carried.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
V ,
10. Mr. Frank Gottstein addressed the Council and referred to the newspaper
stories on the matter of the return of ferry boats or an additional approach to
the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, stating that he wanted to know if there
had been any response from State officials on the matter of the Bridge approach.
• At the suggestion of President Branscheid, Mr. Froerer answered Mr. Gottstein's
question, stating that as far as he knows there has been no response to the com-
munication sent by the City Manager, but that the City Manager has discussed
the subject further by telephone with certain State officials.
••
Mr. Gottstein stated he did not wish to comment any further on the matter in the
absence of the City manager.
REPCRTS OF COLEITTEES:
11 A communication from the City Manager was presented, requesting permission.
to be absent from the State for a period of approximately ten days, beginning
this date.
• Councilman Jones moved permission be granted the City Manager as requested. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and carried.
12V From the City Manager, receming that contract be awarded to A. J. Hopper
Company for the project of constructing a storm sewer along the east line of
Broadway-approximately, from the southern line of Eagle Avenue to the Estuary,
in accordance with Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans No. PW 8-46-
at its bid price of $15,352.70.
Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted; that con-
tract be awarded to said company for the project specified and that checks be
returned to the unsuccessful bidder. The motion 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.
13. Prom the City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to S. L. Chris-
tensen, Distributor for the biller Meters, for the furnishing and installing of
parking meters on Park and Webster Street- at the present time, at the lowest
bid price of 75.25 per meter.
Councilman TTowe moved the recommendation of the City Manager be accepted; that
contract be awarded to the above mentioned dealer for the parking meters as sti-
pulated and that bid check be returned to the unsuccessful bidder. 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).
Hoes: None. Absent: None.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:
14. 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 Amending the Alameda Municipal Code
by Adding to Chapter 5 of Title XII Thereof a New
Article, Numbered ,9, Regarding Illumination Within
Restaurants and. Taverns."
UNFINISHED EUSINESS:
i.5 Report of City Manager on the matter appealed from the ruling of the City
Planning Board granting a Use Permit to Elder and Owens, lessees of certain
Property situated at the foot of Broadway, owned by 6110 Southern Pacific Company.
Councilman Jones requested that the contents of the petition presented by the
Southern pacific Company to the City Planning Board be read, which was done by
the Clerk.
Mr. Elder was present and Councilman Osborn requested permission to ask him
several questions. Whether or not they had any intention of using the property
for the actual working of any equipment such as power machinery.
1Tr. Eider stated that this property was leased from the Southern Pacific Company
sometime ago and that they had requested the Planning Board to issue a temporary
use Permit and that while they had originally intended to store lumber only, they
had received permission from the Planning Board to also store on the property some
contractor's equipment. He said this would Probably be limited to one or two
trucks; that they had no need for any hoisting, equipment and that no unsightly
contractor's equipment would be placed on the premises. He pointed out that the
Property is right on the railroad tracks and that no residences can be built on it.
In response to a further ouestion from Councilman Osborn, IJr. Elder remarked that
sometime ago they had a gasoline power saw for cutting up some large timbers but
that they had no intention of operating any equipment on the lot if it is possible
to get along without using this portable gasoline saw. He further stated that they
had been referred to the Planning Board at the time they made their request of the
Building Department for a permit to erect a storage shed on this property and that
while it was their original intention to construct such a shed, they could get
along without one.
Councilman Osborn thereupon stated that in view of the statements made by Mr. Elder
with regard to the contemplated use of this property, he would move that the action
of the City Planning Board be sustained. The motion was seconded by Caincilman
Howe and carried.
Councilman Osborn stated that he wanted Messrs. Elder and Owens to realize that if
this permit were granted and should be cancelled at some future date, it may
cause them to suffer a loss in the event a building is erected.
Mr. E. R. Stewart, who spoke for those opposing the granting of this Use Permit
stated that the property is still in the "B" Dwelling District and he could not
understand why the Permit should be granted over their protest.
President Branscheid stated that an inspection of the property had been made by
all members of the Council and they had found that this property is close to a
loading dock and that while it may be in a residential district, it is not suitable
for building purposes. He stated further that the permit granted is on a temporary
basis only and that when the franchise of the Southern Pacific Company exnires the
permit will be revoked.
Fr. Stewart said he was hopeful that at no time in the future would the Council
permit any shed to be built on the property because that would detract very greatly
from the value of the surrounding residential holdings.
After some further discussion along these lines, Councilman Jones suggested that
the City Attorney could probably clarify the entire situation in a very few words.
At the request of the President, the City Attorney undertook to explain the matter.
He stated that it was his understanding that this permit is only for the storage
of lumber and equipment as specified by the Planning Board and that this is the
limitation of the use to which the property can be put and if any other use is
made of the premises, the permit can be revoked.
RESOLUTIONS:
16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3410
Authorizing City Manager to Make Application to
State Director of Finance on Behalf of the City
of Alameda for State Assistance in Defraying Cost
of Plans for Webster Street Improvement from Santa
Clara Avenue to Atlantic Avenue. (Project No. 47-16)."
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,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the president declared said. resolution duly adopted and passed.
17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3411
"Authorizing City Manager to Sell Surplus Materials."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Hove, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes : None. Absent: None. 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. 3412
Granting to the East Bay Municipal Utility District an
Easement for the Installation of a Fire Hydrant in
Proximity to the Fire Drill Tower on the Municipal
Golf Course."
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 Presi-
dent declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
19. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3413
Adopting Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans
for the Installation of Heating Facilities in the
Armory Building at Washington ,Park, Calling for Bids
and Directing the City Clerk to Advertise the Same."
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,
Sweeney and President i3ranscheid, Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
20. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3414
Increasing the Salary of the Position. of One Junior
Stenographer-Clerk in the City Manager's Office."
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 Tn-anscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
21. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3415
Accepting Conveyance from John C. Grantham and
Shirley A. Grantham, His Wife, of Certain Real
Property and Consenting to the Recordation Thereof."
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.
22. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3416
Appointing an Acting City Manager During the
Absence of the City :Manager."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn 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:
23. Auditor's Balance Sheet - month ending October 31, 1946.
24. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Co. - Bureau of Electricity,
month of September, 1940.
Specifications - No. PW 11-46-10 - Installation of Heating Facili-
ties in Armory Building, Washington Park.
BILLS:
26. An itemized List of Claims against the
departments thereof in the total. amounts as
at this meeting: General Departments, $20
$99.33; Gas Tax No. 1 Fund, '48,642.18;
$1,459.80; Fire Drill Tower Fund, $2,214.
City of Alameda and several of the
follows, was presented to the Council
93; Veterans Federal Training Fund,
Encinal Avenue Improvement Fund,
Councilman Howe moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the
City Clerk on November 6, 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, N. Noes: None. Absent: None.
AD JOUR= T:
27. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council
adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, Novauber 19, 1946,
at 8:00 P. M.
Respectfully matted