1945-04-17 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 17, - - 1945
The meeting convened at 8:00 P. M. with Vice President Branscheid presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and Vice
President Branscheid, (5), were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the adjourned regular meeting held April 9, 1945, were ap-
proved as transcribed.
REORGANIZATION OF COUNCIL:
2" President Branscheid noted the presence of Councilman Sweeney sitting
as a member for the first time and said the Council was looking forward to a
great deal of cooperation and support from him and that he was very welcome as
a member of the Council, to which remarks Councilman Sweeney responded with thanks.
Vice President Branscheid announced that the meeting would now proceed to a re-
organization of the Council by the selection of a Mayor and President of the
Council and a Vice President of the Council and asked for a motion selecting a
member of the Council for the office of Mayor and President.
Councilman Howe moved that Councilman Branscheid be selected as President of the
Council and Mayor of the City of Alameda. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Sweeney. Vice President Branscheid requested Councilman Jones to put the motion,
which was voted upon by roll call with the following results: Ayes: Councilmen
Howe, Jones, Osborn and Sweeney, (4). Noes: None. Not. Voting: Vice President
Branscheid, (1). Absent: None. Councilman Jones thereupon declared Councilman
Branscheid President of the Council and Mayor of the City of Alameda. The City
Clerk then administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Branscheid.
President Branscheid expressed his appreciation of the confidence of the Council
in selecting him as its President and voiced the wish that his conduct of the
office would justify the trust placed in him.
President Branscheid then called for a motion selecting a Vice President of
the Council and Councilman Jones moved that Councilman Howe be selected for this
office, which motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and on roll call carried
by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President
Branscheid, (4). Noes: None. Not Voting: Councilman Howe, (1). Absent: None.
President Branscheid then declared Councilman Howe Vice President of the Council.
Councilman Howe expressed his appreciation of the honor conferred upon him and
stated that it would be his purpose to fulfill the duties of the office to the
best of his ability. The Oath of Office was then administered to Vice President
Howe by the City Clerk.
4'( President Branscheid commented on the fine attendance at the meeting and ex-
pressed the hope that this was a sign the people of Alameda were commencing to
take a little interest in the proceedings of the Council. He introduced to the
audience the members of the Council and other officials present.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
v?
5. Mr. Frank Gottstein stated he was very happy to know that the Council had
named a park in honor of our retiring Mayor, Milton C. Godfrey, because he knew
no one who more richly deserved this honor. He highly commended the impartial
attitude of Mayor Godfrey toward all persons appearing before the Council during
his term of office.
6." Mr. Gottstein also brought up again a matter which he had presented to the
Council some few weeks ago, concerning the lengthening of the loading zone for
buses at Lincoln Avenue and Webster Street to afford better accommodations for
the San Francisco buses stopping at that point to take on passengers.
President Branscheid thanked Mr. Gottstein for his remarks and stated that con-
cerning the traffic problem, it is being studied continuously and while he did
not know if anything had been done regarding the loading zone at Lincoln Avenue
and Webster Street, he was certain the strip at Santa Clara Avenue and Webster
Street had been lengthened to afford better accommodations for the buses.
He stated that Mr. Gottstein's remarks regarding Mr. Godfrey were very much to
the point and much appreciated and thereupon called upon Mr. Godfrey for a few
remarks.
Mr. Godfrey stated he greatly appreciated the sentiments expressed by Mr. Gottstein
and President Branscheid and thanked them for their words of commendation. He
said there was one thing he had not been able to accomplish during his term of
office, which was to have the opportunity of presenting the key to the City to
someone, remarking that as far as he knew, there is no key to the City, but that
he would like to make up for that by presenting to Mayor Branscheid the key to
the Mayor's office, which he did.
OPENING OF BIDS:
7. Bids were presented and read for the project of painting the interior and
exterior of the Health Center Building and Garage, in accordance with Specifica-
tions and Provisions No. PW 4-45-1, as follows:
From Allied Painters & Decorators
Accompanied by certified check in amount of
From John E. Branagh
Accompanied by certified check in amount of -
From Pacific Painting & Decorating
Accompanied by certified check in amount of
$2,206.
225.
3,131.
350.
3,960.
400.
These bids were referred to the City Manager and City Engineer for study and
recommendation.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
8( The President called upon the City Engineer for his report on the status:of
the sidewalk matter on Calhoun Street. Mr. Froerer stated that the owner of the
property has employed a contractor who has now taken out a permit to perform the
work.
9. From the City Engineer, addressed to the City Manager, recommending repair
of roof on Armory Building at Washington Park, for the approximate cost of $300.
Councilman Jones moved the work on the Armory Building roof be authorized in
accordance with specifications set forth in the City Engineer's recommendation
to the City Manager. 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.
NEW BUSINESS:
10. President Branscheid called upon the City Manager for a report on the matter
of bicycle parking.
Mr. McMillan stated that an investigation as to the need for parking spaces for
bicycles has been completed by a committee composed of the Police and Fire Chiefs
and the City Engineer, which committee recommends that the City construct bicycle
racks in approximately fifty locations throughout the City. He stated that some
of these locations would be on private property in which case the owners of the
property would be called upon to stand the expense of constructing the racks.
He explained that the expense of construction and installation would approximate
$500.
The City Manager further outlined a plan which is being followed by some cities
down the peninsula which have ordinances requiring that all bicycles be placed
in racks and not left on the sidewalks. In the event of non-compliance, the
bicycles are picked up and held by the Police Department for periods of from one
day to a week, depending upon the number of offenses. However, he stated that
he would not recommend the passage of such an ordinance in Alameda at this time
but would appreciate it very much if the Council would authorize him to proceed
with the construction of bicycle racks in accordance with the recommendation of
the committee.
Councilman Osborn moved the recommendation of the committee be followed and that
permission be given for the expenditure of not to exceed $500. for the construc-
tion and installation of bicycle racks throughout the City. 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.
RESOLUTIONS:
11. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3116
Fixing the Day, Hour and Place for the Hearing and Passing
Upon the Report of the Superintendent of Streets, No. 1,
of the Cost of Repair of Certain Defective Conditions, And
Any Objections or Protests Thereto."
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
President Branscheid declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
12. "Ordinance No. 873,
New Series
An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of an Agreement
for Sale, With the County of Alameda, for the Pur-
chase of Certain Lands for Municipal Purposes."
Councilman Osborn moved the ordinance be adopted as read. The motion 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.
FILING:
13. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - City of Alameda,
as of March 31, 1945.
BILLS:
14. An itemized List of Claims against the City of Alameda and the several
departments thereof in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the
Council at this meeting: General Departments, $12,768.91; Civilian Defense
Department, $359.46; Police Department, $4,177.11; Civil Service Depart-
ment, $87.17; Pound. Department, $58.78; Fire Department, $1,673.35;
Street Department, $2,593.95; Health Department, $465.85; Recreation
Department, $1,321.32; Federal Recreation Facilities, $421.48; Park
Department, $735.46; Golf Course Department, $911.25; Store Department,
,425.51; Social Service Department, $177.91; Initiative Relief Fund,
27.50; Street Improvement Fund, $1,333.53 and East Bay Municipal Utility
District Fund, $2,447.54.
Councilman Howe moved the bills as itemized in the List of Claims filed with
the City Clerk on April 17, 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 Howe, Jones,
Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
15. Councilman Osborn rose at this point to comment on the death of our late
President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, He said, "We have lost a President who has
been outstanding in the hearts and minds of the people of America for a number
of years and his passing should command some token of respect on the part of
this Council." He thereupon moved the meeting be adjourned in respect to the
memory of our late President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Howe and unanimously carried.
There being no further business to transact, the Council then adjourned in
respect to the memory of the late President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to assemble
in regular session on Tuesday evening, May 1, 1945, at 8:00 P. M.
Respectf 11 subpitted,
7
City Clerk