1945-11-06 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING) NOVEMBER 6, - 1945
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 adjourned regular. meeting held October 23, 1945, were
approved as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
2: From the County of Alameda Planning Commission, notifying the City of Alameda
that changes in the "Beach and Shoreline Plan of Alameda County" as suggested by
the City Council had been approved and the original map corrected accordingly.
The communication was ordered filed.
3. Two letters were presented from Congressman George P. Miller, attached to one
of which was a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. A. C. Carrington, President of
the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, all concerning the necessity of procuring a new
Post Office building in the City of Alameda.
Mr. McMillan supplemented the reading of these communications by stating that In-
spector W. E. Mouser of the Post Office Department had been in touch with him
concerning the Alameda Post Office situation and that he had been given certain
relevant information bearing on the matter of the City's population.
4: From The Ministerial Association of Alameda, protesting against the opening
of a bar at Haight Avenue and Webster Street, by reason of the proximity of that
location to Church premises at 710 Haight Avenue. In connection with this matter,
a communication was also read from the First Christian Reformed Church which is
situated at the address mentioned.
Councilman Jones stated that, in his opinion, there was considerable merit to the
protests of the Church and that he felt the Council should, through the City
Manager, direct a letter to the State Board of Equalization indicating to that
body that the Council is in full sympathy with the objections raised and the City,
too, would regret to have permission granted for the opening of a bar on the
premises designated.
Councilman Jones thereupon moved the City Manager be instructed to write such a
letter to the State Board of Equalization. The motion was seconded by Council-
man Howe and unanimously carried.
5. From Mr. Frank Gottstein, urging that immediate steps be taken to procure
another tube, paralleling the Posey Tube, and suggesting that the tube issue be
placed. on the ballot of the next election of the County of Alameda.
President Branscheid told Mr. Gottstein that he thought the suggestions outlined
in his letter were very good but that a little later on in this meeting there
will be a further report on the tube situation and thereupon referred the com-
munication to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
6: Mr. Gottstein addressed the Council, discussing at length the matter set
forth in his written communication just read.
President Branscheid responded, stating that on the tube situation, matters have
progressed very satisfactorily up to the present time and that the Council is
thinking very seriously of sending Mr. McMillan to Washington, D. C. to follow
through on it with the hope that he will be able to put the matter through right
now.
Mr. McMillan stated that the proposed route of the contemplated tube is on Army
property, which we cannot condemn. The other suggested location would be on the
Maritime Commission property, the Bethlehem-Alameda Shipyard. The matter has
finally been worked out to the point where the Army recommends that the tube be
built through that Yard. The Maritime Commission has approved it but the State
says it will take from ten to twelve months to complete the plans.
In view of this statement, the Army is now recommending that the Army Engineers
take over the whole matter and complete it.
The City Manager stated that all reports bearing on the situation are now in
Washington and that everything is all set at that point. He pointed out that
if money for the construction of the tube were available right now, it would
still be impossible to proceed with the work because we cannot condemn Govern-
ment land.
7/ Mr. Gottstein again addressed the Council, bringing up the subject of
transbay transportation and stating that he had made a check on the report that
buses starting from the east end of the City arrived at Park Street only half
loaded. He said he believed this was probably due to the fact that the buses
were now operating under a fifteen-minute headway - his conclusion being that
the service is probably too good and that it should be put back on the one-half
hour schedule, with the buses routed over Park Street Bridge.
At this point, Councilman Sweeney asked if the City Manager could give a progress
report on the transportation situation and the City Manager read a letter recently
received from the Key System with regard to improvements made in transportation
in and out of Alameda, showing the addition of new schedules and the reduction of
headway on some lines which should result in a considerable speeding up of bus
service.
He stated that his conference which was to have been held with the officials of
the Rey System had not been held for various reasons but that he hoped they would
be able to arrange such a meeting within the very near future.
Councilman Sweeney stated that he assumed we would have a report on the question
of routing the east end buses over the Park Street Bridge following the conference
and the City Manager stated that he would have something to report on the matter
at that time.
OPENING OF BIDS:
Upon being informed by the City Clerk that no bids had been received for the
project of constructing and painting a wood frame Equipment Shelter Building at
the Corporation Yard, in accordance with Specifications, Special Provisions and
Plans, No. PW 10-45-6, the City Manager suggested that if it meet with the approval
of the Council, he would like to have permission to go into the open market and
get a contractor to build the Shelter Building. He pointed out that the City's
men cannot be used for this purpose if the City services are to be properly main-
tained.
Upon inquiry, the City Engineer stated that the estimated cost of the construction
would be $4,500.
Councilman Sweeney thereupon moved the City Manager be authorized to go into the
open market and procure a contractor to construct the desired building. The mo-
tion 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.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
9. The President stated that the Council had before it the recommendation of
the City Manager that the City Attorney be authorized to attend a Conference of
City Attorneys to be held in Washington, D. C. during the first week in December,
1945, and that a sum not to exceed $500. be allowed for his expenses.
Councilman Howe moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved and the
City Attorney be authorized to attend the above conference and that an amount
not to exceed $500. be appropriated for his expenses. 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.
10. Councilman Osborn moved the City Manager be authorized to attend the meeting
of the American Municipal Association to be held in Chicago, Illinois, on November
15, 1945, and also to extend his trip to Washington, D. C. in an endeavor to hasten
the construction of the new tube and that a sum of not to exceed $500. be appro-
priated to cover his expenses. The motion was seconded by Councilman Sweeney and
on roll call carried by the followin vote. Ayes: Councilmen Howe, Jones, Osborn,
Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
EW BUSINESS:
11' matter of entering into a Fleet Owners' Agreement with the Ford. Motor
Company was introduced at this time and the City Manager explained that the exe-
cution of this agreement by the City would entitle it to a reduced price for
equipment purchased from the Ford Motor Company in the event twenty cars were
purchased during any calendar year, pointing out, however, that it did not obli-
gate the City to buy twenty cars - or any cars.
Councilman Howe moved the City Manager be authorized to enter into this agree-
ment on behalf of the City. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jones and
unanimously carried.
121/ President Branscheid stated he had for presentation to Sgt. H. D. Manbert
of the Police Department, a certificate issued by the International City Managers'
Association, evidencing the highly satisfactory manner in which he completed a
course in municipal police administration. He stated that the Council is very
gratified that Sgt. Manbert had taken such interest in his work and thereupon
presented him with the certificate.
Sgt. Manbert responded by stating that he was very happy to receive the certifi-
cate and was also very grateful for the privilege of having been allowed to take
this course and felt that the knowledge gained would be of considerable benefit.
RESOLUTIONS:
13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
'Resolution No. 3246
Approving Form and. Authorizing Execution of Contract
With the County of Alameda for the Examination of
Tuberculosis Contact Cases."
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). N oes: None. Absent: None. There-
upon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Osborn, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3247
A Resolution of Appreciation of Services Rendered
by the "Citizens Doolittle Committee."
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.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
15. "Ordinance No. 882,
New Series
An Ordinance Amending Section 14-221 of Article 2 of
Chapter 2, Title XIV , of the Alameda Municipal Code,
Relating to Prohibition of the Operation or Maintenance
of Certain Businesses Within Certain Portions of Fire
Zone No. 1 of the Fire District."
Councilman Sweeney 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.
16. "Ordinance No.
New Series
An Ordinance Amending Section 17-432 of the Alameda
Municipal Code by Adding Subdivision (20) Thereto."
Councilman Jones moved that action on this ordinance be postponed pending an
investigation by the Police Department by reason of certain differences of
opinion regarding the advisability of passing this particular ordinance. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Osborn and unanimously carried.
17. "Ordinance No. 883,
New Series
An Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by
Adding a New Section 17-335 Thereto."
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 Howe, Jones, Osborn, Sweeney and President Branscheid, (5).
Noes: None. Absent: None.
18. "Ordinance No.
New Series
An Ordinance Amending Section 10 of Ordinance No.
642, New Series, Entitled "An Ordinance Establishing
and. Regulating the Civil Service System of the City
of Alameda."
Councilman Osborn moved the passage of this ordinance be held up until the first
meeting in January, 1946, due to certain conditions which would make it advan-
tageous to consider it at that time.
Upon inquiry by the President, the City Manager explained the reason ror holding
up the passage of this ordinance, stating that it has become apparent that some
City emergency jobs will not be eompleted before the end of the year and it would
be inadvisable to have some of the temporary employees come within the six-months'
probationary period.
The President then put the motion and it was unanimously carried.
FILING:
19. Auditor's Balance Sheet - Month ending October 31, 1945.
20. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers 6; Henry - City of Alameda,
as at September 30, 1945.
21. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - Bureau of Electricity,
as at September 30, 1945.
ADJOURNMENT:
22. There being no further business to transact, the Council adjourned to assemble
in regular session on Tuesday evening, November 20, 1945, at 8:00 P. M.
At this time, Officer Cheeley of the Police Department showed several reels of
motion pictures - one subject being the safe use of bicycles and the other devoted
to the story of the Alameda Civilian Defense program.
Respec f 'ubmitted,
•
ity Clerk
2 la