Loading...
1946-12-17 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD-TUESDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 17 _ 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 meeting held December 3, 1946, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 2. From Heafey-Moore Co., requesting a fifteen-day extension of time for comple- tion of the project of the construction of Maitland Drive, under contract with the City. Councilman Howe moved the extension of tlme be granted as requested. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and carried. 3. From Key System, with regard to the cleaning of the buses on the Alameda run. The letter was ordered filed. OPENING OF BIDS: 4' bid was received for the project of constructing standard culverts in the City during the remainder of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1947, in accordance with Specifications, Special Provisions and Plans No.. PW 12-46-11, as follows: From Gallagher & Burke $12,264. Accompanied by certified check in amount of 1,500. The bid was referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for further study and recommendation. PORTS OF COMMITTEES: President Branscheid made a verbal report on the organization of the Bicycle Traffic Court for juveniles, stating that he had attended the installation of the first officers of the Court, which proved to be a very interesting affair. He expressed the opinion that this Court will do much toward solving many of the problems of bicycle operation in the City. RESOLUTIONS: 6. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3442 Providing for Extra Compensation for James M. Dunn, Senior Civil Engineer, for City Service Performed During Vacation Period." 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. 7. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3443 Adopting Specifications for Operating Refreshment Concession in Washington Park, Lincoln Park and Krusi Park for the Period Commencing January 1, 1947, and Ending December 31, 1947, Calling for Bids and Directing City Clerk to Advertise 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 Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent:. None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 8. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3444 Authorizing the City Attorney of the City of Alameda to File Stipulation for Final Judgment in re United States of America vs. Certain Areas of Land in the City of Alameda, et al." Following the introduction of this resolution, Councilman Jones suggested the City Manager be requested to explain this matter, as well as the following resolution to be offered at this meeting. Mr. McMillan explained that this resolution refers to the development known as Makassar Straits Village, stating that this property was originally owned by The Regents of the University of California and was taken over by the Federal Govern- ment for Naval Housing use. The City owns certain easements over this property but has no further interest therein. The easements are being retained and this stipulation merely provides that the City has no interest in the property beyond these easements. 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. 9. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Sweeney, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3445 Authorizing Execution of Agreement with Alaska Packers Association, a California Corporation, in Connection with an Easement for a Private Road; Accepting Conveyance of Said Easement 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 was duly adopted and passed. At this point, Assemblyman Randal F. Dickey entered the Council Chamber. He was welcomed by President Branscheid and invited to take a seat on the rostrum. Mr. McMillan explained that the agreement referred to in the above resolution conveys to the City of Alameda an easement for fire protection around the building of the Kieckhefer Company. The Alaska Packers Association has agreed to open this street and keep it open for this and other security purposes and the right of way will be maintained by the Association. 10. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3446 Determining the Maximum Parking Time to be Allowed in Various Parts of Parking Meter Zones Established by Ordinance No. 903, New Series." 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, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent:. None. Thereupon the President declared said resolution was duly adopted and passed. Mr. McMillan stated that in the ordinance as it presently exists, provision is made for setting up, by resolution, "a specific parking time limit on various portions of the streets in the City. 11. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3447 Declaring Result of Special Municipal Election Held in the City of Alameda on November 5, 1946." 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 was duly adopted and passed. ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE: 12. "Ordinance No. 904, New Series An Ordinance Amending the Uniform Building Code of the City of Alameda Adopted by Ordinance No. 898, New Series." Councilman Jones moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Coun- cilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 13. "Ordinance No. 905, New Series An Ordinance Reclassifying Property by Adding Section No. 36 to Ordinance No. 725, New Series.' Councilman Howe moved the ordinance be adopted as read. 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. FILING: 14. Specifications - Refreshment Concessions in Parks. 15. Auditor's Balance Sheet - Month Ending November 30, 1946. 16. Annual Report - Library Board. 17. Agreement - Between City and Alaska Packers Association re Easement for Private Road. BILLS : 18. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several depart- ments thereof, in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the Council at this meeting: General Departments, $8,727.31; Police Department, $3,152.92; Civil Service Department, $16.20• Pound Department, $70.71; Fire Department, $2,128.88; Health Department, Q493.70; Street Department, $2,530.98; Recreation Department, $174.67; Golf Course Department, $1,968.32; Store Department, $888.72; Park Department, $1,140.42; Social Service Department, $52.58; Gas Tax No. 1 Fund, $11,690.45; Encinal Avenue Improvement Fund, $969.96; Special Street Lighting Fund, $1,076.20; East Bay Municipal Utility District Fund, $5,938.99; Veterans Federal Training Fund, $158.; Planning and Engineering Survey Fund, $850.33. Councilman Howe moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on December 17, 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. 191'1 At this time, Councilman Sweeney suggested to the President that some atten- tion be given to the matter of heating the Council Chamber for future meetings. 20. Branscheid, commenting on the presence of Assemblyman Randal F. Dickey, stated that Assemblyman Dickey was here this evening because of the fact that the City is constantly meeting with problems which tie in with the State Legislature and Federal Government and that it was the belief of the Council that a very close relationship should exist between it and the representatives of the State with whom the City has dealings. He stated that while Senator Breed might not be able to be present this evening, Assemblyman Dickey was present and he would be asked several questions as to what the City may reasonably expect in the matter of State assistance in meeting its street needs and requirements. President Branscheid suggested that the City Manager propose some of these ques- tions and open up the discussion. At this point, Senator Breed entered the Council Chamber and was invited to a seat on the rostrum. President Branscheid explained to him that the meeting was being turned over to Mr. McMillan for the proposal of questions to be discussed. Prefacing his questions and statements, Mr. McMillan remarked that in his dealings with the State Legislators over a period of twenty -five years or more, he has never found a better group of men with which to work than those who represent this district. He stated that they have cooperated fully every time they have been called upon. Mr. McMillan cited the great increase in population of the City and the lack of a corresponding growth in its financial resources, pointing out that while the assessed valuation increased only 10 %, the population increase was in excess of 149%. He pointed out, further, that the Federal Government now has under its con- trol 56% of the high lands of the City and the Veterans' exemptions and exemptions to charitable institutions have left only 36% of the City's assessed valuation paying taxes. With this increase in population and the further fact that only 15% of the people working along the waterfront of Alameda were residents of the City, the transpor- tation problem became very acute and the Federal Government was asked to use its funds in building a Federal road and making the necessary survey. He stated that it was the feeling of the City of Alameda that this particular road should have been on the State Highway System, pointing out that Alameda handles 25% of the shipping from this side of the Bay and that 75% of that shipping moves in trucks over the streets of the City and that for this reason our streets are of major importance to the State because this shipping goes out into world trade. He stated that the people of Alameda were penalized during the war for the slow- up in going through Posey Tube, indicating that all of those who were habitually going through the Tube were given an extra allowance of gasoline on which a total of $400,000. was paid in taxes. He cited several instances in which construc- tions of this type had been made by the State in Southern California, but pointed out that while the Collier Committee thinks the Tube should be built, it has done nothing about it in the way of making concrete recommendations as to how its con- struction can be accomplished. Mr. McMillan then touched upon the possibility of the authority of the Toll Bridge Authority to build a second Tube; also upon the proposed new San Francisco Bay Bridge. He also emphasized the importance to the City of Alameda of having the Legislators take steps to extend the special census bill upon the expiration of the present measure. Following the City Manager's presentation of the City's problems, Senator Breed and Assemblyman Dickey discussed the individual items in that presentation with the Council and offered suggestions and recommendations as to how these matters could best be presented to the Legislature. Following the disposition of these over -all matters, Mr. McMillan suggested that there was one further question which has come up in several instances to harass City Officials, which was the subject of antra -State prisoners and a query as to whether or not this expense should be borneby the City or County. The City Attorney cited the Code section, stating that this section leaves the matter very much in doubt. Assemblyman Dickey stated that if Mr. Whitney would write him a letter on the subject, he would have an amendment to the Code section covering this matter prepared. Mr. McMillan brought up the question of Nursing Homes, pointing out that the new bill on this subject classifies all Nursing Homes as Hospitals and requires in their construction and equipment everything required of a hospital. He stated that this bill is in conflict with our City ordinance which does not require con- crete fire resistive structures as long as other requirements are met and stated that requirements of this type will drive these people out of the cities and into the county where they will be visited only once per annum by the State Inspectors. Assemblyman Dickey concurred in the City Manager's views that the law should be amended to eliminate from its requirements all cities having ordinances covering this type of business and letting cities that do not have such ordinances follow the State law. At this point, Mr. Frank Gottstein stated he would like to ask a question of the Legislators as follows: Is it possible to put in a bill to compel the Toll Bridge Authority to fulfill its obligation of providing the City of Alameda with a direct connection to the San Francisco Bay Bridge as originally set out in the plans for the Bridge. He stated that he felt the people of Alameda have a suit against the State and the Toll Bridge Authority. He related certain facts in connection with the plans of the Bridge; the abandonment of the ferry system and the difficulty of getting through Posey Tube. In answer to this question, Assemblyman Dickey stated that if the facts as pre- sented by Mr. Gottstein were true, what should have been done in each session of the Legislature was to write the representative of this district and lay before him all these facts, with which he might not have been familiar, and ask him to check them. He would then have been in a position to advise what steps could be taken at this late hour. He stated that it would be impossible for him to answer Mr. Gottstein's question at this time because of the fact that he is not familiar with the subject as presented by Mr. Gottstein. He pointed out that the Legisla- ture employs Counsel to prepare its bills and that if there is any legal matter pertaining to the Bridge, your Legislator could submit the legal facts to the Attorney General and could obtain a legal opinion on all those, points. He sug- gested that if Mr. Gottstein cared to write him, outlining in full all the per- tinent facts bearing on this situation, he would be glad to look into the matter for him. President Branscheid thanked Senator Breed and Assemblyman Dickey for being present and discussing these matters with the Council and assured them of the City's appreciation of their past cooperation and efforts in its behalf. 21. At this point, some person in the audience asked when the parking meters are going into operation officially. President Branscheid replied that the City will start on the 20th on the educa- tional program, stating that the people will be given warning tickets for two weeks and then the meters will go into operation officially at the end of that time. He stated that our regular parking ordinance will be in effect until the parking meter ordinance becomes effective. ADJOURNMENT: 21. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, January 7, 1947, at 8:00 o'clock. Respectfu li ,ueiitted, ity Clerk 411