1944-12-05 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 5, - - - - - - - 1944
The meeting convened at 8:00 p. m. with President Godfrey presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones and President
Godfrey, (4), were noted present. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held November 21, 1944, were approved
as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
2f From the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, requesting the Council
to appoint a Trustee representing the City of Alameda, to serve on its Board of
Directors vice Loreme R. Beatie whose term expires January 2, 1945,
There being no objections, action on this matter was put over until the next
regular meeting of the Council.
3. From the United States Naval Air Station, enclosing copies of a Revocable
Permit to be executed by the City, granting to the City of Alameda the use of a
twenty -nine foot strip of land on the north side of Atlantic Avenue between Main
and Webster Streets for the widening of Atlantic Avenue.
The matter was referred to ”Resolutions."
4✓ From the Alameda Improvement Club, concerning certain phases of bus transbay
transportation and the moving of the Mastick stop from Eighth Street on the Lin-
coln Avenue line back to its old location to provide shelter for the commuters.
Councilman Jones commented on this matter with particular reference to the present
location of the Mastick stop, stating that this stop had been moved by the Key
System to its present location from the location referred to in the Improvement
Club's letter at the request of the Council after an investigation suggested by
the Improvement Club itself and he suggested that the matter be referred to the
Key System for its action.
Commenting on transportation matters in general, Councilman Tones stated he be-
lieved that the people of Alameda are probably unaware of the amount of work done
by the Council in the matter of local and transbay transportation, outlining at
some length the activities of the Council this direction. He asked the President
to call upon the City Manager for further report on the efforts which have been
made and are being made by the Council to bring about an improved transportation
situation.
The President thereupon called on the City Manager and Mr. McMillan outlined at
length and in detail the various factors involved in the transportation problem
and the work done by the City Council in its efforts to effect a solution.
The President stated he felt that possibly the Council has not given as much
publicity to this subject as it should have and remarked that the Council has
always welcomed any suggestions or constructive criticism concerning the problem.
President Godfrey requested the City Manager to reply to this communication of
the Alameda Improvement Club in as great detail as possible and suggested that
he outline in his response the activities of the Council in the matter of trans-
portation.
Mr. E. R. Sanford, President of the Alameda Improvement Club, responded to the
President's remarks with the suggestion that the Times -Star be given a copy of
the City Manager's report in order that it might be given proper publicity, his
belief being that the people of Alameda are totally unaware of what the Council
has been doing along this line.
5; From the Alameda Improvement Club, suggesting the Council give consideration
to the erection of an appropriate monument in memoriam to the boys of Alameda who
have lost their lives in the present world war.
This matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole for further study.
OPENING OF BIDS:
6. Upon being informed that no bids had been received for the sale to the City
of one new 1942 Business Coupe, the President requested the pleasure of the
Council with regard to the matter.
Councilman Branscheid moved the City Manager be instructed to purchase this
vehicle in the open market. The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on
roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe,
Jones and President Godfrey, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
7. From the Mayor, City Manager and Auditor, submitting their report on the
Count of Money, held November 22, 1944, which showed there was the sum of
$1,447,148.81 in the City Treasury, the correct amount according to the Auditor's
books.
The report was accepted and ordered filed.
From Mayor Godfrey, nominating Mr. E. R. Sanford as a member of the War Hous-
ing Center Committee to represent the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda,
for the remainder of the term expiring June 15, 1945.
Councilman Jones moved the nomination submitted by Mayor Godfrey be approved and.
E. R. Sanford be appointed as a member of the War Housing Center Committee as
specified above. The motion was seconded by Councilman Branscheid and unanimously
carried.
9. the City Attorney, with regard to damages sustained by Fire Engine and
Pump Unit No. 4 caused by a collision with a Navy Truck on December 15, 1943, and
recommendin that he be authorized to file claim against the Navy Department for
the sum of 1,000. and releasing all excess amounts.
Councilman Branscheid commented on this matter, stating that because of the prob-
able long delay which Congressional action would entail, it was his opinion that
the City would profit by accepting the sum of :$1,000. in full settlement of its
claim against the Government and therefore moved that the City Attorney's recom-
mendation be adopted and he be authorized to file a claim on behalf of the City in
the amount of $1,000., releasing all amounts in excess thereof. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes:
Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones and President Godfrey, (4). Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
10. The matter of the request from Mr. George W. Coupe to move a dwelling known
as 707 Haight Avenue to a lot situated on the southeast corner of Chapin Street
and Pacific Avenue, which was originally presented to the Council at its meeting
held November 21, 1944, was again brought up.
A letter pertinent to the request was read from Mr. Rogers, Building Inspector,
as was also another communication from Mr. Coupe.
The City Manager stated that in view of Mr. Coupe's written statements with regard
to contemplated alterations and repairs to the dwelling and his willingness to
post a bond guaranteeing the prompt performance of work outlined, he would recom-
ment that the permit to move the house be granted.
Mr. Coupe was present and addressed the Council at the invitation of the President.
He outlined his plans for the remodeling of the structure and stated that the work
would be properly and promptly done.
Councilman Jones then moved the permit be granted, subject to the posting of a bond
covering faithful performance of the work as stipulated and subject, further, to
compliance with the ordinances of the City regulating house moving. The motion
was seconded by Councilman Howe and unanimously carried.
+SOLUTIONS:
11. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Branscheid, who moved
its adoption:
"Resolution No. 3064
Appointing City Attorney."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call
carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones and Presi-
dent Godfrey, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). Thereupon the
President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
12. At this point, the City Attorney requested that he be authorized by the Council
to employ special legal counsel to assist in clearing up pending litigation.
Councilman Jones moved the City Attorney be authorized to employ special legal
counsel to undertake the work outlined by the City Attorney.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll call carried by the follow-
ing vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones and President Godfrey, (4).
Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
13. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Branscheid, who moved
its adoption:
"Resolution No. 3065
Adopting Specifications and Provisions for Painting
and Decorating Interior of City Hall."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones and
President Godfrey, (4). Noes: None. Absent:. Councilman Osborn, (1). Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
14. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3066
Adopting Specifications for Operating Refreshment
Concession in Washington Park and Lincoln Park for
the Period Commencing January 1, 1945 and Ending
December 31, 1945."
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 and
President Godfrey, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1). Thereupon
the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
15. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Jones, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3067
Fixing Salary of Position of City Attorney."
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 and President Godfrey, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
Thereupon the President Declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
16. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Howe, who moved its
adoption:
"Resolution No. 3068
Rescinding Resolution No. 3060."
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
and President Godfrey, (4) . Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1) .
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
17. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Branscheid, who moved
its adoption:
"Resolution No. 3069
Accepting an Indeterminate Revocable Permit from the
United States of America to Use a 29 Foot Strip of
Land Comprising a Part of the Naval Air Station for
Widening Atlantic Avenue; and Authorizing the Mayor
to Execute Said Permit on Behalf of the City of Alameda."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman Howe and on roll
call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones
and President Godfrey, (4). Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
Thereupon the President declared said resolution duly adopted and passed.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
18.
"Ordinance No. 86
New Series
An Ordinance Repealing Article 3 of Chapter 1, Title X
of the Alameda Municipal Code and Adding Articles 3, 4
and 5 to Chapter 1, Title X of Said Code Relating to
House Movers and Removal and Relocation of Buildings."
Councilman Branscheid moved the ordinance be adopted as read by title only. The
motion was seconded by Councilman_ Jones and on roll call carried by the following
vote. Ayes: Councilmen Branscheid, Howe, Jones and President Godfrey, (4).
Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Osborn, (1).
FILING:
19. Auditor's Balance Sheet - as of November 30, 1944.
20. Financial Statement - Goodell, Byers & Henry - Bureau of Electricity,
as at October 30, 1944.
21. Specifications - For project of Painting and Decorating Interior
of City Hall, No. PW 12- 44 -11.
22. Specifications - Concession at Washington and Lincoln Parks.,
23 At this point the City Manager requested that he be permitted to take his
annual two weeks' vacation between the date of this meeting and the end of the
present year.
Councilman Jones moved the City Manager's request be granted and that he be al-
lowed to take his vacation as specified. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Howe and unanimously carried.
24. Councilman Jones spoke of the death of Mr. J. T. Gray, stating that he felt
it regrettable that the Council is not kept informed in these matters so it can
give them proper recognition. He suggested that the City Clerk be instructed to
send a letter to the family of the deceased employee, expressing the sympathy of
the Council.
Following a discussion of the matter in general, Councilman Jones moved the Per-
sonnel Department be instructed to notify the City Clerk of the death of any City
employee and that the City Clerk thereupon prepare a suitable resolution for
Council action. The motion was seconded by Councilman Branscheid and unanimously
carried.
The City Clerk was then requested by the President to forward the letter of con -
dolance suggested by Councilman Jones.
25: Councilman Branscheid stated he had noticed in the papers that the Federal
Government had voted money for the erection of a pedestrian underpass in the City
of Stockton and inquired if anything is being done toward the correction of the
hazardous situation at the railroad crossing on 23rd Avenue near East 12th Street.
The City Manager stated that some time ago the City of Oakland undertook to do
something about this crossing but that nothing came of it. He further explained
that neither this road nor any other roads leading into Alameda are included in
the State Highway System and therefore are not in the Federal Aid Highways and no
Federal Funds can be given toward remedying this condition until such time as the
road is taken into the State Highway System and thence into the Federal Aid System.
He also stated that the City of Alameda is in a peculiar position in that no road
in the City is in the State Highway System.
Councilman Branscheid stated he believed something should be done about getting
some of our Alameda roads into the State Highway System and the City Manager sug-
gested that at the proper time he be authorized to attend the meetings of the
State Highway Commission in order to place himself in touch with the situation
so that a proper presentation of Alameda's problem may be made.
ADJOURNMENT:
26. There being no further business to transact, the Council adjourned to assemble
in regular session on Tuesday evening, December 19, 1944.
Respectfully - Omitted,
y Clerk