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1945-02-20 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 20, ------- 1945 -The meeting convened at 8:00 P. M. with President Godfrey presiding. ROLL CALL: Theroll was called and Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 1. The minutes of the regular meeting held February 6, 1945, were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: v/ 2. From Assemblyman Randal F. Dickey, advising of the introduction of the Sales Tax-Postwar Construction Bill, authored by him, which provides that when the sales tax reverts to 3/0, 1/2 cent will be allocated for postwar construction on a match- ing basis with Cities and Counties. President Godfrey asked the City Manager if he had any comment to make with regard to this communication. Mr. McMillan stated this was a very fine piece of legisla- tion and one that would be of great help to all cities in the postwar period. He felt that the Council should support Assemblyman Dickey in this matter and go on record to that effect. President Godfrey stated that if there were no objections, the matter would be handled by acknowledging Mr. Dickey's letter and assuring him of our appreciation of his efforts and also informing him that the Council of the City of Alameda is heartily in favor of this Bill and desires that he follow it through to the best of his ability. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 3. From F. J. Croll, Redemption Clerk, requesting permission to cancel certain Interest Coupons, redeemable in 1915 and 1916, still standing open on the City books. The matter was referred to "Resolutions." 4. From the City Manager, recommending that contract for furnishing one new Tractor Loader to the City for use in the Street Department, in accordance with Specifications and Provisions No. MS 1-45-1, be awarded to Industrial Equipment Company at its bid price of $2,072.72 Councilman Jones moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved; that contract for the above Tractor Loader be awarded to the firm specified and that check be returned to the unsuccessful bidder. The motion was seconded by Council- man Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 5. From the City Manager, requesting permission to attend Conference of the City Managers+ Section of the League of California Cities, to be held in Los Angeles, February 22 to 24, and also that a sum of $75. be authorized to defray- his expenses. Councilman Branscheid moved the request of the City Manager be granted; that he be authorized to attend the above mentioned conference and that $75. be allowed to pay his expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilman Branscheid, Howe, Tones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None, 6: From the City Clerk, recommending that compensation for election officers be fixed at the rates of $7. for Judges and Clerks and $8. for Inspectors in the forthcoming General Municipal Election, to be held March 13, 1945. Councilman Jones moved the recommendation of the City Clerk be adopted and that the election board officers be paid as designated above. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Coun- cilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent; None. 7:' Councilman Howe reported verbally that Councilman Jones and he, as a committee appointed by the Mayor, had recently attended a meeting in Berkeley to discuss with other committee members of East Bay cities, the matter of having a survey made by r r Army Engineers for an airport site in the City of Berkeley. He stated there was to be a meeting on March 9, with the Army Engineers at which time an effort will be made to convince the engineers that such a survey should be made and that our City Manager, together with a representative of the local Chamber of Commerce would also attend this meeting. Councilman Howe pointed out that the City of Alameda is not in any way obligating itself in this matter but is simply giving the City of Berkeley its moral support at the scheduled hearing. President Godfrey stated that it was his understanding that we are being asked by the City of Berkeley to give our support in the matter of having a survey made and that what will be determined and what further action will be taken on such findings is something with which we are not directly concerned. The matter was then referred to "Resolutions." 8. The City Manager stated he had received a letter from the Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pacific, advising that the classification of the City of Alameda has been reduced from Class 4 to Class 3 with regard to fire insurance premiums and highlighted the report with the fact that this change of classifi- cation would result in a saving of approximately $65,000. per year in fire insur- ance premiums to the people of Alameda. Mr. McMillan pointed out that this accomplishment was made possible only through the closest cooperation of the several departments of the City - the Building Inspector, Bureau of Electricity, Police Department and principally the Fire Department - with the assistance of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, and that he considered it the more note- worthy in view of the fact that it was achieved under wartime conditions and in the face of an unprecedented increase of population within the City. He stated that Alameda is the only Class 3 City on the east side of San Francisco Bay. President Godfrey stated that this report was one of the most gratifying that could have been brought to the Council as it represents a tremendous accomplish- ment. He commended the City Manager for his cooperation and for the manner in which he had coordinated the several factors which brought about this new classi- fication. NEW BUSINESS: 9. Councilman Branscheid called the attention of the Council to the matter of a piece of property east of the Estuary and north of Bethlehem-Alameda Shipyard, which has been tax delinquent for some time and stated that investigation shows this land presents possibilities for the construction of a yacht harbor and boat- ing facilities and that in his opinion there is presented to the City an oppor- tunity to acquire a very valuable piece of property. Councilman Branscheid then moved the City Manager be instructed to start negotiations toward the purchase or acquisition of this property and report to the Council as to what can be done in this direction. In seconding the motion, Councilman Osborn stated that while the City has contem- plated many postwar projects, he felt the construction of a yacht harbor and park such as might be built on the property in question would be one of the finest projects to which the Council could give serious consideration. He further pointed out that it has been suggested that the City erect some form of memorial to the Alameda boys who have lain down their lives in the present war and that he believed a yacht harbor and park would be a fitting and lasting memorial. President Godfrey commented that this matter was very interesting to him and asked concerning the location of the property. Councilman Branscheid pointed out the exact location on the map and a general discussion was had by the Council members concerning the area, accessibility, etcetera. President Godfrey then invited members of the audience who might be interested in this subject to address the Council. Mr. John Morris of the Aeolian Yacht Club stated he thought it would be a very fine thing for the City to have some part of its waterfront devoted to beauty, sports and cultural development and cited San Francisco and certain eastern cities as to the improvement of their waterfront areas for beauty. He said he had had this particular land surveyed for an oil company that wanted to purchase it but it was turned down by this company and others by reason of the nature of the sub- soil which would necessitate piling for from ninety to one hundred twenty feet. As to the dry land, he stated that while it looks good, it has no weight carrying capacity and from that point of view the City of Alameda would not be losing any- thing by devoting the property to a beautifying use rather than a commercial one. Mr. Morris commented on the desirability of this property as a site for a yacht harbor and park and said he could assure the City of between one hundred and one hundred twenty renters who will pay from $5. to $15. per month. He further assured the Council that the Aeolian Yacht Club would cooperate in every possible way in furthering this project. Mr. Lee Cavanaugh, President of the Alameda Boating Club, stated that while his Club had been deprived by the Navy of its facilities for the duration, it expects to have a club house along the Estuary and would be happy to move into the City Yacht Harbor if the City should take over the property now being disucssed. Mr. Thomas Bolger, ViceCommodore of the Aeolian Yacht Club stated that the City could be almost certain of having no less than three hundred boats in the yacht harbor - these boats now being in Oakland, Berkeley and other places where con- ditions are unfavorable for a yacht harbor.. He stated that the property under consideration was no doubt one of the best locations on the Bay. President Godfrey remarked that in the nearly ten years that he had been on the Council this question of a yacht harbor has had a lot of work done on it and that the Council has been stymied one time after another by one condition or another. He stated he was heartily in favor of the movement and that if the motion prevailed, the City Manager would follow through and it will soon be known whether or not the City can go ahead with the project. He thereupon put the question and the motion carried unanimously. 10. Councilman Jones presented the matter of a request from the Bay Farm Island residents for playground facilities on the Island. He pointed out that the children over there have no playground at the present time - the nearest one being Krusi Park. He read a written report from Otto Rittler, Superintendent of City Recreation, who had made an investigation to ascertain if any land was available on the Island for this purpose and reported on a piece of land which could be purchased. Councilman Jones said he questioned whether or not the City.wanted to buy any property and moved that the City Manager be instructed to investigate the matter to determine where the City could lease property and the nature and extent of improvements necessary to be put in. The motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried. RESOLUTIONS: 11. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3093 Calling General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Alameda on March 13, 1945; Establishing Elec- tion Precincts; Fixing Number of Election Officers on the Board of Election for Each Precinct: And Fixing Compensation of Election Officers." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Jones and on roll call carried by the ;following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon President Godfrey declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 12. The following resolution was introduced by. Councilman Howe, who moved its adoption "Resolution No. 3094 Designating Polling Places and Appointing Election Officers for General Municipal Election." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon President, Godfrey declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Branscheid, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3095 Transferring $20.00 from Interest and Redemption Fund, Bond Issue No. 7, to General Fund." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon President Godfrey declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3096 Transferring Funds from Budget Account 70 -b to Budget Account 132 -a." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Thereupon President Godfrey declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. 15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its adoption: "Resolution No. 3097 Endorsing Plan for Making Survey of Proposed Site for a Class 5 Airport." The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Branscheid and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. There- upon President Godfrey declared said resolution duly adopted and passed. Councilman Jones suggested a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Mayor of the City of Berkeley. The City Clerk was instructed to do so. ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE: 16. "Ordinance No. 868, New Series An Ordinance Amending Section 17 -432 of Article 3, Chapter 4, Title XVII of the Alameda Municipal Code, by Adding Subdivisions (18) and (19) Thereto." Councilman Branscheid moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5) . Noes: None. Absent: None. 17. "Ordinance No. 869, New Series An Ordinance Reclassifying Property by Adding Section 27 to Ordinance No. 725, New Series." Councilman Osborn moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. BILIS : 18. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several de- partments thereof in the total amounts as follows was presented to the Council at this meeting: General Departments, $15,555.75; Civilian Defense Department, $499.12; Police Department, $2,034.44; Civil Service Department, $48.39; Pound Department, $122.68; Fire Department, $1,127.84; Health Department, $570.06; Street Department, $1,334.88; Recreation Department, $118.62; Federal Recreation Facilities, $370.91; Park Department, $447.52; Golf Course Department, $620.21; Store Department, $667.79; Social Service De- partment $116.59; Initiative Relief Fund, $40.00; Street Improvement Fund, 1,555.78; Gas Tax No. 1 Fund, $2,002.90 and East Bay Municipal Utility Dis- trict Fund, $2,525.56. Councilman Branscheid moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on February 20, 1945, 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 Branscheid, Howe, Jones, Osborn and President Godfrey, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. FILING: 19. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - City of Alameda, as of January 31, 1945. ADJOURNMENT: 20. There being no further business to transact, the Council adjourned to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, March 6, 1945, at 8:00 P. M. Respectful i 0 l if Clerk itted,