1937-04-06 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF TEE CITY OF A LAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 6th 1937
The meeting convened at 8 o'clock P.M. with President Eschen presiding.
The roll was called, and Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and Pres-
ident Eschen, (5), were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the regular meeting of March 16th, of the adjourned regular meeting
of March 17th and of the adjourned regular meeting of March 25th, 1937, were approved
as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
vi 1. A communication was presented from the City of Cleveland, again requesting that
the Council pass a resolution approving the passage of the Wagner-Steagall Low Rent
Housing Bill. The communication was referred to the Committee of the Whole.
12. From the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, requesting that a survey map be compiled
showing available industrial sites in Alameda. The Council was informed by the City
Manager that an application had been made for a W.P.A. project to complete this work,
and that the application had been allowed.
/3. From Ford E. Samuel, Postmaster, informing the Council that the First Assistant
Postmaster General had requested the Chief Inspector to detail a group of Post Office
Inspectors for the purpose of making a survey for a Branch Post Office in the West End
of-Alameda. The communication was ordered filed.
4. From the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, the San Francisco Bay Area
District Council No. 2, and Northern California Newspaper Guild, accompanied by
similar resolutions protesting the action of the Police Departments of Oakland and
Alameda in controlling picketing at the California Packing Corporation warehouse.
The communications were ordered filed.
i 5. A petition from residents of Bay Farm Island, calling attention to the unsani-
tary condition of drainage sewers on Bay Farm Island, The City Attorney reported on
the origin of the sewers and the dissolution of the Reclamation District under the
jurisdiction of which they were installed, and the City Manager reported on the con-
dition of the sewers and gave an estimate of what *ould be the approximate cost to
the property owners to install new sewers and provide for the disposal of the sewerage,
Pointing out that none of the streets on the Island had been accepted by the City,
with the exception of Maitland Drive which contains no sewer. After the Council had
been addressed by Mr. Oscar Gaunt in behalf of the residents, a motion by Councilman
Calcutt, seconded by Councilman Maurer, was unanimously carried that the City Manager,
the City Engineer and the City Attorney meet with a committee to be appointed by the
property owners in an effort to find some solution of the situation.
q/6. From the West End Merchants Association, recommending the proposed Alameda lateral
to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, and expressing thanks to the Council for the
progress so far made. The communication was ordered filed.
i7. From the North Side Protective Club,-requesting permission to use the Council
Chambers on. Monday evening, April 12th, for a public meeting to be held at 8 o'clock
P.M. On motion of Councilman Morris, seconded by Councilman Maurer and unanimously
carried, the permission was granted.
8. From the Boy Scouts of America, requesting an appropriation of $75.00 to help
defray expense of a trip to Washington D.C., to participate in a National Jamboree.
The communication was referred to the City Attorney and the Committee of the Whole.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
9. Mr. Frank Gottstein addressed the Council in reference to flooding of Webster Street
during the recent heavy rain storm.
HEARINGS:
/10. The recommendation of the Building Inspector concerning the passing of a resolution
declaring the old house at 1439 Morton Street a public nuisance, which had come before
the Council at previous meetings, was again presented. On motion of Councilman Maurer,
seconded by Councilman Weichhart and unanimously carried, action was postponed until
the regular meeting of the Council to be held May 4th, 1937.
OPENING OF BIDS:
11. Bids were opened on alterations and additions to Alameda City Hall; as follows:
Geo. Swanstrom • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .• • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • •
$ 3192.00
Accompanied by certified check in amount of 000.00
W. G. Thornally •••••—••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4370.00
Accompanied by certified check in amount of 000.00
David Nordstrom ..................................... cb' 4820.00
Accompanied by certified check in amount of 500.00
Villadsen Brothers, Incorporated, .........•...••.•.•••.• 5920.00
Accompanied by certified check in amount of 000.00
After the bids had been referred to the City Manager, the City Engineer and the Archi-
tect, Mr, Carl Werner, the City Manager requested that action be deferred until the
regular meeting of the Council of April 20th, 1937. On motion of Councilman Morris, second
ed by Councilman Weichhart and unanimously carried, the request of the City Manager was
granted.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
i12. From the City Manager, recommending that Lincoln Avenue be made an arterial between
Park Street and Gibbons Drive, and that the necessary ordinance be passed. On motion
of Councilman Calcutt, seconded by Councilman Maurer the recommendation was,on roll call,
adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Weichhart and President
Eschen, (4). Noes: Councilman Morris, (1). Absent: None.
13. From the City Manager, quoting a letter from the State Department of Public Works,
declining to place a Neon sign at the beginning of the ramp of the San Francisco-Oakland
Bay Bridge directing traffic to Alameda, but stating that a sign had been ordered to
be placed at the end of the Off ramp and one at the 8th Street intersection. The com-
munication was ordered filed.
4 14. From the City Manager, recommending that in the preparation of the budget for the
year 1937-1938 consideration be given to the request of the Board of Police_and Fire
Commissioners that the entrance salary of the Fire Department be raised to a60.00 per
month for the first year, and that the maximum salary be paid for the second and subse-
quent years. On motion of Councilman Maurer, seconded by Councilman Weichhart the
recommendation was unanimously adopted:
15. From the City Manager, informing the Council that he was in communication with
various property owners who would be affected by the running of a roadway from the
Southern Pacific Company's tower: to the north side of Benton Field. The communication
was ordered filed.
/16. From the City Manager, informing the Council that the Southern Pacific Company had
informed him that it has given consideration to the substitution of a single track for
the present double track on Lincoln Avenue and found that it would be impossible to
give the City of Alameda the service it is entitled to on a single track railroad. The
communication was ordered filed.
,i17. From the City Planning Commission, recommending that the Council grant to Lee H.
Cavanaugh and W. S. Bean a temporary revocable permit to use for the nurpose of selling
used cars a lot on the west line of Park Street 50.18 feet south of Buena Vista Avenue.
On motion of Councilman Calcutt, seconded by Councilman Maurer and unanimously carried
the permit was granted.
'18. From the City Planning Commission, recommending to the Council the rec a sificatinn
of property known as 1223 High Street, from Residential District, Class I, to Resident-
ial District, Class 1 3/4, for the purpose of remodeling into flats. On motion of
Councilman Maurer, seconded by Councilman Weichhart and unanimously carried, the rec-
ommendation was adopted.
/19. From the City Manager, informing the Council that the Division of Highways, State
of California, has approved plans and specifications and estimate for the improvement
of Street from the High Street Bridge to San Jose Avenue. On motion of Councilman
Morris, seconded by Councilman Weichhart and unanimously carried, the recommendation of
the City Manager was adopted, that the City Clerk be instructed to call for bids on this
project, bids to be opened on Tuesday evening, April 20th, 1937 at the regular meeting
of the Council.
20. On motion of Councilman Morris, seconded by Councilman Weichhart and unanimously
carried, the schedule bond of the American Surety Company covering officers and
employees of the City of Alameda, for a period beginning April 16th, 1937, was approved.
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED:
21. The following ordinance was introduced and laid over, under provision of the Charter;
"Ordinance No.
New Series
Reclassifying Property.
(Property Known as 1223 High Street)".
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
/22. The question of closing Harrison Street was taken up by the Council and after Mr. Roy
Powell had addressed the meeting in reference to his negotiation for purchase of the piece
of property adjoining/is own, the matter was referred to the City Attorney and the Com-
mittee of the Whole, for further consideration.
NEW BUSINESS
v 3. Councilman Calcutt addressed the Council in reference to 'distribution of hand bills
and was informed by the City Attorney that it was unnecessaryto print the permit number
on such advertising, matter.
/24. Councilman Calcutt requested a •report on the proposed Lincoln Park lights and was
informed by the City Manager that the type of standard had been decided upon and in-
stallation would be completed before the beginning of the games of the Soft Ball League
/25. On motion of Councilman Morris, seconded by Councilman Calcutt and unanimously
carried, it was decided to notify the Railroad Commission that the Council approved
the route to be taken by the A. Thompson Tours.
/26. Councilman Calcutt moved that the City furnish free li ghting in the City parks dur-
ing the games of the Soft Ball League, seconded by Councilman Maurer and on roll call
carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and
President Eschen, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
v27. Councilman Calcutt addressed the Council in regard to the space in front of the
Strand Theatre where parking is prohibited, informing the Council that the theatre is
not used during the day time and such space should be available for the public. The
matter was referred to the City Manager and the City Attorney for investigation.
d28. Councilman Calcutt called attention to the intersection of Park Street and Lincoln
Avenue, ire the corners are not uniform and, suggested that white lines be installed
to direct pedestrian traffic. The City Manager was instructed to arrange with the
Chief of Police to have such lines installed.'
29. On motion of Councilman Calcutt, seconded by Councilman Maurer and unanimously
carried, the Mayor was requested to forward a letter of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Herman
Krusi, expressing the appreciation of all the Council for their tender of property for
park purposes.
30. Councilman Calcutt requested information concerning the proposed football field in
McKinley Park, and was informed by the City Manager that all parties interested would
have an opportunity to express their views concerning this improvement before it is
commenced.
31. Councilman Calcutt addressed the Council in reference to the sanitary conditions
of some of the food stores in the City, and it was decided to refer the matter to the
City Manager, the City Attorney, the Health Officer and the Food Inspector,together
with a committee of local merchants,to investigate and make their recommendatioas.
/32. The City Attorney informed the Council that the Pacific Gas and Electric Company
had made an application to the Railroad Commission to approve certain franchises, the
hearing to be held on April 13th, 1937. The City Attorney was instructed to attend
the meeting in the interests of the City, it being understood, however, that the
Company was not interested in the operation of electric distribution in this Gity.
The motion was made by Councilman Maurer, seconded by Councilman Calcutt, and unanimous-
ly carried.
'33. President Eschen addressed the meeting, referring to his retirement from the Council
and expressed his thanks to his fellow members and his confidence in the new Council,
and his gratitude for the assistance of the various City employees and officials.
Councilman Weichhart then expressed his appreciation of having been associated with
President Eschen and Councilman Calcutt and for their constructive efforts in behalf
of the City. Councilman Calcutt also addressed the meeting in reference to the re- '
tiring Members of the Council, as did Councilmen Maurer and Morris and Mr. Frank
Gottstein.
7>!,,, RESOLUTIONS:
34. Councilman Morris introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2153
Directing Issuance. Publication and Posting of
Proclamation and Notice of Election",
Councilman Weichhart seconded the motion, and on roll call carried by the following
vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5).
Noes: None. Absent: None.
35. Councilman Morris introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2154
Resolution Authorizing Execution of Contract with
Heafey-Moore Co., for Improvement of Otis Drive",
Councilman Calcutt seconded the motion, and on roll call carried by the following
vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5).
Noes: None. Absent: None.
36. Councilman Maurer introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2155
Opposing Heisinger Bill, Assembly Bill No. 50, as
Amended March 18, 1937, and the Thorpe Bill, Assembly
Bill No. 77, Regulating the Inspection of Milk",
Councilman Weichhart seconded the motion and on roll call carried by the following vote;
Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes:
None. Absent: None.
37. At this time Mr. Frank Gottstein adressed the Council in reference to the proposed
purchase by the State of the ferries.
ORDINANCE PASSED:
38. "Ordinance No.
New Series
Reclassifying Property
(Property Known as 1404 Central Avenue)",
Councilman Calcutt moved that the ordinance as read be adopted, seconded by Councilman
Morris, and on roll call carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer,
Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
FILING:
39, Financial Statement as of February 28th, 1937, submitted by Jordan & Ticoulet, Special
Accountants.
BILLS:
40; 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, 43195.00; Police Department, $673.44; Pound Department, 42.53; Fire Depart-
ment, 41179.66; Street Department, 4358.50; Health Department, 4281.33; Park Department,
4961.89; Golf Course Department, 4442.96; Store Department, 4289.12; Social Service De-
partment, 4126.42; Initiative Relief Fund, 4204.00; Street Improvement Fund, $728.00;
East Bay Mun.Utility District Payments Fund, 42495.42.
Councilman Morris moved, seconded by Councilman Calcutt, that the claims and bills against
the City in the amounts as listed and itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City
Clerk on April 6th, 1937, and presented to the Council at this meeting be allowed and
paid. On roll call this motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt,
Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
41. There being no further business to transact, the Council adjourned to meet in regular
session on Tuesday evening, Apri1,20th, 1937, at 8 o'clock P.M.
Respectfully submitted,