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1940-03-19 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 19, - - 1940 The meeting convened at 8:00 o'clock P. M. with President Weichhart presiding. ROLL CALL: 1. The roll was called and Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and Presi- dent Weichhart, (5), were noted present. Absent: None. MINUTES: 2. The minutes of the regular meeting of March 5, 1940 were approved as transcribed. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: From the West End Merchants Association, urging the Council to expedite completion and passage of the new zoning plan which is now under consideration and assuring the Council of the Association's confidence and support in this important matter. The City Attorney told the Council what progress has been made toward bringing this plan and the attendant zoning ordinance to its present point of completion; estimating it would be two or three weeks before the ordinance would be entirely finished and it would be approximately two or three months before the new plan and ordinance could be in operation. Public meetings will be held., however, before the survey and ordinance are approved by the Council. The Mayor requested the City Clerk to send a reply to the West End Merchants Associa- tion, giving the information as stated by the City Attorney and assuring the Associa- tion of a speedy adoption of the plan. There being no objections, the communication from the West End Merchants Association was ordered filed. Councilman Morris stated at this time he thought it would be advisable for the Council to meet with the Planning Board when final discussions of the new zoning plan and or- dinance were held. 4. From the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, with attached resolution ex- pressing the Labor Council's belief in the substitution of transportation service by the Key System for the Interurban Electric Railway Railways Company's present service between San Francisco and the East Bay Cities. The Labor Council deems it distinctly in the public interest and resolves to endorse and approve the applications filed by the Key System and urges all support be given to Division 192 of the Amalgamated Asso- ciation of Street, Electric Railway and Motor Coach Employees of America as well as the Key System itself. Councilman Morris stated he believed it would be inadvisable to advocate the instiga- tion of any particular transportation system for Alameda, believing it would be well to follow the example of representatives of railroad labor at a mass meeting held in Oakland Auditorium on March 18, 1940, in which all civic organizations were urged to extend every cooperation with and in support of the Railroad Commission which would aid in the Commission's decision for a transportation system satisfactory to all East Bay Cities. Councilman Godfrey then moved that the communication be filed, seconded by Councilman Morris and so ordered. J 5. From the Reverent Observance of Good Friday Committee, requesting the Council to pass a resolution authorizing the closing of all City Departments where practicable, between the hours of 12:00 o'clock noon and 3 :00 o'clock P. M., permitting employees to attend church services. Mayor Weichhart stated he had issued a proclamation on this subject to the newspapers. The communication was ordered filed. The City Manager stated the City. Hall closed in the past between 12:00 o'clock noon and 3 :00 o'clock P. M. on Good Friday and the custom would be continued this year. 6. From Miss Frances Chipman, protesting the recommendation of the City Planning Board that the Council deny the petition for reclassification of property known as 1270 Weber Street to permit demolishing the present old residence and erecting a three - family dwelling. As this matter is to be discussed under "Reports of Committees ", Councilman Maurer suggested consideration of the communication be deferred until that time, and it was so ordered. 7. From the Southshore Gardens, Inc., regarding a project formerly begun by Mr. Harry Bartell of the construction of an apartment house on Broadway, three hundred feet south of San Nose Avenue, in which is requested an additional extension of thirty days' time before the work must be begun. Mr. Hofstetter addressed the Council in explanation of the request. Mr. Godfrey moved that a further extension of thirty days' time be granted to South - shore Gardens, Inc., in which to commence construction of their proposed apartment project, seconded by Councilman Carrington, and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 0 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 8. The City Manager informed the Council his investigation of the advisability and feasibility of securing a portion of the Neptune Beach property, which includes the swimming pool, for municipal use is still under way. It appears it will be several weeks before any definite report can be made on the situation. Mr. Frank Gottstein addressed the Council regarding transportation and asked that the Council reconsider the request contained in the report of the Alameda Transporta- tion League which advocates the operation of a municipally owned ferry system between San Francisco and Alameda. Mr. J. R. T. Montin also spoke before the Council, urging the Council to take a definite stand for good transportation for Alameda. Councilman Morris replied to Mr. Montin saying again he did not believe it advisable at this time for the Council to make any definite request as to the form or method of transportation for Alameda, but that the Council should make every effort to cooperate with the Railroad Commission in this transportation situation, as the Railroad Commis- sion will give the final decision regarding future transportation in Alameda. The City Manager also stated that he expects to have weekly conferences with the Rail- road Commission and he is confident the Commission will make no final decisions without consulting the City officials and citizens of the various communities involved. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: 10. From the City Manager, regarding junk which has accumulated at the Golf Course and Corporation Yard and stating he had received prices for this junk as follows: $50.00 from J. Franche and $25.00 from J. Kahn. It is the City Manager's recommendation that this junk be sold to J. Franche for the sum of $50.00. Councilman Godfrey moved the recommendation of the City Manager be approved, seconded by Councilman Carrington and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 11. From the City Manager, notifying the Council that the City Planning Board had approved the preliminary lay -out plan for improvement of Longfellow Park and recom- mending this lay -out also be approved by the Council. On motion made by Councilman Maurer, seconded by Councilman Morris, the recommendation of the City Manager was on roll call adopted by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 12. From the City Manager, notifying the Council of approval by the City Planning Board of the preliminary lay -out for the improvement of Krusi Park and also the pre- liminary plan of the proposed building to be erected in this park and recommending the Council also approve these plans. On motion of Councilman Morris, seconded by Council- man Carrington, the recommendation of the City Manager was on roll call adopted by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 13. From the City Manager, recommending that contract be awarded to The California Wire Cloth Corporation for the construction of galvanized chain link fence in public parks and playgrounds. Bids for this fence were referred to the City Manager at the meeting of the Council held March 5, 1940. Councilman Maurer moved, seconded by Councilman Carrington, that the City Manager's recommendation be approved; that con - tract be awarded to The California Wire Cloth Corporation for construction of fence referred to, and checks be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. On roll call the motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. At this point the City Manager asked to be excused from the meeting which request was unanimously granted. 14. From the City Planning Board, recommending, denial of petition for reclassification of 1270 Weber Street from Residential District, Class 1 to Residential District, Class 1 3/4, for the purpose of permitting the erection of a three - family dwelling after the present old structure has been demolished. Mrs. Carol Hamilton, joint petitioner with Miss Frances Chipman, addressed the Council in behalf of the reclassification, as did Miss Van Landringham. Councilman Morris suggested the Council meet jointly with the City Planning Board to further discuss this matter.* Councilman Maurer stated he believed a joint meeting was the only proper procedure, knowing the amount of time the Planning Board had spent in discussion of this situation before rendering a decision and recommendation and he would like to have a full knowledge of the Planning Board's opinions, as he would at this time be disposed to agree to the proposed improvement. Councilman Morris stated he also felt he would be in favor of granting the petition as requested, but thought the matter should be further discussed owing to the arguments presented at this meeting. Councilman Morris then moved that a meeting be arranged jointly with the City Planning Board, to be held Wednesday evening, March 27, 1940, for the purpose of further considera- tion of this application for reclassification. The motion was seconded by Councilman Maurer. At this point, Councilman Godfrey said he believed the proper procedure would be to re- fer the whole matter back to the City Planning Board for re- hearing. Councilman Morris then amended his motion; that the petition for reclassification of property known as 1270 Weber Street from Residential District, Class 1, to Residential District, Class 1 3/4, be referred back to the City Planning Board for re- hearing. The motion was seconded by Councilman Maurer and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: *Councilman Godfrey questioned the advisability of a joint meeting as the Planning Board had no doubt considered this matter very thoroughly and the applicant, Mrs. Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Mayor Weichhart requested a meeting of the Council, sitting as "Committee of the Whole", and the members of the Planning Board be arranged for the next regular meeting of the City Planning Board, Wednesday evening, March 27, 1940. 1. From the City Planning Board, recommending that a temporary revocable permit be granted to Mr. R. Archinal to conduct a typewriter business from his residence, 1224 High Street, with the express provision that servicing of typewriters be permitted but no actual sale of typewriters allowed on the premises and no erection of signs. The taking of orders for the sale of typewriters, however, is permissible. Councilman Carrington moved that the recommendation of the City Planning Board be approved, seconded by Councilman Maurer and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. lb. From the City Planning Board, recommending that the petition for the reclassifica- tion of property known as 1829 Santa Clara Avenue from Residential District, Class 1, to Residential District, Class 1 3/4, be granted for the purpose of remodeling the present structure into a four-family dwelling. Councilman Morris moved, seconded by Godfrey, that the recommendation of the City Planning Board be adopted and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 14. From the City Planning Board, recommending that a temporary revocable permit be granted to Mrs. C. W. Turner to sell homemade baked beans from the premises known as 813 Pacific Avenue. Councilman Godfrey moved that the recommendation of the City Plan- ning Board be adopted, seconded by Councilman Morris and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 18. From the City Planning Board, recommending an ordinance be passed prohibiting gaso- line service stations within three hundred feet of any public school property in the City of Alameda. Councilman Carrington suggested this matter be referred to the Com- mittee of the Whole and it was so ordered. ORDINANCES INTRODUCED: 19. Councilman Carrington introduced the following ordinance, after which it was laid over under provision of law and the Carter: "Ordinance No. New Series RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY (Known as 1829 Santa Clara Avenue) ." NEW BUSI iESJ : 20. Councilman Maurer called attention to the practice of automobiles passing passenger trains when standing at stations, stating he has noticed repeatedly automobiles do not slow down when trains approach the station stops and questioned if a city ordinance is not being violated. Councilman Maurer was advised this traffic rule was a State regula- tion. The City Clerk was requested to call this situation to the attention of the proper city officials. 21. Councilman Godfrey questioned the advisability of having "Oral Communications" in its present place in the order of business of Council procedure, stating frequently per- sons addressed the Council under "Oral Communications" on topics which were scheduled to be taken up at Council meetings later on under "Written Communications" or "Reports of Committees". Councilman Godfrey was questioning the advisability of putting "Oral Communications" farther down in the order of Council business. Councilman Godfrey was informed this change could be made by ordinance which would amend the present provision under the Municipal Code. Councilman Godfrey stated he would give the matter more thought before considering amending the Code. ORDINANCES PASSED: 22. "Ordinance No. 708 New Series AMENDING SECTION 1-225 OF THE ALAMEDA , ,. MUNICIPAL CODE." Councilman Godfrey moved that the ordinance as read, be adopted, seconded by Councilman Carrington and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. FILING: 23. Notice of Annual Meeting - Alameda Belt Line. 24. Notice of Hearing - Application of Pacific Gas & Electric Company re franchise before Railroad Commission of State of California. 25. Financial Statement - Goodell & Henry - as of February 29, 1940. BILLS: 26. 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 City Council: General Departments, $4,841.09; Police Department $467.69; Pound Department 3117.22; Fire Department, $493.83; Street Department, $832.13; Health Department, $233.18; Recreation Department, $51.81; Park Department, $354.94; Golf Course Department, $668.73; Store Department, $165.19; Social Service Department, $72.97; Initiative Relief Fund, 9116.75; Street Improvement Fund, $262.94; East Bay Municipal Utility District Fund, $654.57. Councilman Maurer moved, seconded by Councilman Carrington, that the claims and bills against the City in the amounts listed and itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City Clerk on March 19, 1940, and presented to the Council at this meeting, be allowed and paid. On roll call the motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. 27. There being no further business to transact, Councilman Maurer moved the Council adjourn to meet in adjourned regular session on Thursday afternoon, March 28, 1940 at 5:15 o'clock P. M. The motion was seconded by Councilman Carrington and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Councilmen Carrington, Godfrey, Maurer, Morris and President Weichhart, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None. Respectfully subm City Clerk.