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