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2001-12-18 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY - - DECEMBER 18, 2001 - - 7:30 P.M. Mayor Appezzato convened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, DeWitt, Johnson, and Mayor Appezzato - 4. Absent: Councilmember Kerr - 1. [Note: Councilmember Kerr was representing the City at the League of California Cities Annual Conference in Sacramento.] AGENDA CHANGES None. PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS None. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Appezzato announced that the Resolution Establishing Free Three -Hour Parking for Webster Street Business District [paragraph no. 641] was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Councilmember Johnson moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Vice Mayor DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Kerr - 1.1 ( *01 -638) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings held on December 4, 2001. Approved. ( *01 -639) Recommendation to accept the Annual Report of the Community Improvement Commission (CIC). Accepted. ( *01 -640) Recommendation to accept transmittal of the City of Alameda Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2001; the Auditor ❑s Report on Agreed Upon Procedures on Compliance with Vehicle Code Section 40200.3 Parking Citation Processing; the Agreed Upon Procedures Report on Compliance with the Proposition 111 2000 -01 Appropriations Limit Increment; the Independent Auditor ❑s Report on Measure B Compliance; and the Police and Fire Retirement System Pension Plans 1079 and 1082 Audit Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 1 Report. Accepted. (01 -641) Parking 2001." Resolution No. 13420, "Establishing Free Three -Hour for Webster Adopted. Street Business District Meters on December 22, Steven Gerstle, Alameda, stated the Council approved Transit First Policy gives preference to public transit over the private automobile; the City is subsidizing parking and encouraging people to drive to Webster Street; instead, there should be free transit service to and from Webster Street or discounts offered for bicycle riding or walking. Councilmember Daysog moved adoption of the Resolution. Councilmember Daysog stated a member of the Public Transit Committee suggested free parking on Webster Street to make it similar to Park Street. Vice Mayor DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Kerr - 1.1 ( *01 -642) Introduction of Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2088 to Extend Franchise Agreement with Waste Management for Solid Waste Collection and Disposal through October 5, 2002. Introduced. ( *01 -643) Ratified Bills in the amount of $2,750,302.62. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (01 -644) Public Hearing to consider amendments to the Catellus Project; (01 -644A) Resolution No. 13421, "Certifying an Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Catellus Mixed Use Development (State Clearinghouse #1998112078)." Adopted; (01 -644B) Resolution No. 13422, "Approving General Plan Amendment, GPA -01 -0004; General Plan Amendments to the General Plan Diagram to: a) Change the Designation of the Existing Eight Acre School Site in the Northeast Corner of the Residential Area from Public /Institutional to Medium Density Residential; b) Change the Designation of a Seven Acre Site in the Central Portion of the Residential Area from Medium Density Residential to Public /Institutional for Use as a School; c) Reconfigure the Existing Neighborhood Park that is Designated Parks and Public Open Space from Five Acres to Four Acres in a Location Adjacent to the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 2 Proposed New School Site in the Center of the Residential Area; and d) Change the Remaining One Acre Designated for Neighborhood Park From Parks and Public Open Space to Medium Density Residential." Adopted; (01 -644C) Introduction of Ordinance Approving Master Plan Amendment MPA -01 -0001 for a Mixed Use Development, Including Single- Family Residential Office, Research and Development, Open Space and Limited Retail Uses as Well as Sites for Multiple Family Residential and a School, Located within a Project Area Encompassing Approximately 215 Acres of Land and Water at the Former Alameda Fleet Industrial Supply Center and Annex and Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda East Housing. Introduced; (01 -644D) Introduction of Ordinance Approving Development Agreement Amendment DA -01 -0001 for a Mixed Use Development Including a Single- Family Residential, Office, Research and Development, Open Space and Limited Retail Uses as Well as Sites for Multiple Family Residential and a School, Located within a Project Area Encompassing Approximately 215 Acres of Land and Water at the Former Alameda Fleet Industrial Supply Center and Annex and Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda East Housing. Introduced; (01 -644E) Resolution No. 13423, "Approving Tentative Map Amendment TMA 01 -0002 to Tentative Map, TM- 7179." Adopted; and (01 -644F) Introduction of Ordinance Approving an Amendment to an Agreement Between the City of Alameda and the Alameda Unified School District to Relocate and Reduce the Property Transferred to the District for the Proposed School Site on the Former Fleet Industrial Supply Center /East Housing Property. Introduced. Mayor Appezzato requested staff to provide a brief oral report; inquired whether the recommendation was unanimously adopted by the Planning Board. The Planning and Building Director responded in the affirmative and introduced Consultant, Chandler Lee, to provide a brief report. Mr. Lee stated the Catellus project was approved in May, 2000; proposed amendments are required to be consistent with the [Renewed Hope] Settlement Agreement and to relocate the school adjacent to the park in the center of the site; a three -acre site will be designated for affordable housing; noted a supplemental staff report was provided to Council to clarify two points relative to the Master Plan and the Tentative Map. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 3 Vice Mayor DeWitt requested staff to review changes on a project drawing for the public. Mr. Lee outlined changes to the residential section of the development. Vice Mayor DeWitt inquired whether streets would be wide enough to accommodate school buses. Mr. Lee responded in the affirmative; stated major streets will be wide enough for school buses, emergency vehicle access, fire trucks and ambulances, and delivery trucks. Councilmember Johnson inquired whether parking would be permitted on the street along the school, to which Mr. Lee responded in the affirmative. Mayor Appezzato opened the Public Hearing. Proponents: Jean Sweeney, Alameda; Richard Neveln, Alameda; Peter Lauerer, Catellus Development Corporation; Laura Thomas, Alameda; and Bill Smith, Alameda. In response to Ms. Sweeney's question regarding multiple family residential development as related to Measure A and Guyton Settlement requirements, the Planning and Building Director stated City Charter Article 26 includes an exemption for 325 units of replacement low- income housing for the Housing Authority; the [ Catellus] development units utilize said Charter provision. The City Attorney stated Charter Section 26 -2 provides for replacement of existing low- income housing units; said provision was defined in the Guyton Settlement Agreement as 325 units. Mayor Appezzato inquired whether Navy housing is considered low - income, to which the Planning and Building Director responded housing depends on resident's pay grades; military pay grades are lower- income. Vice Mayor DeWitt inquired how many units would be low- income, to which the City Attorney responded there are two projects: one has 39 units and the other has 60 units. Consultant Chandler Lee stated 39 units would be developed by the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 4 Housing Authority and Alameda Point collaborative on 2- acres, and the 60 units would be developed on a 3 acre site. In response to Vice Mayor DeWitt's further inquiry regarding the use of the 60 units, Mr. Lee stated the 60 units would be for a range of affordable household incomes as stipulated in the [Renewed Hope] Settlement Agreement. The City Attorney stated affordability is addressed in Section 2.1.2 of the Settlement Agreement, which states: "The 60 family units of FISC /East Housing affordable housing project shall be made permanently affordable as follows: a) minimum of 300 of the units shall be made permanently affordable to households with incomes at or below 500 of the area median; b) 300 of the units shall be made permanently affordable to households with income at or below 600 of the area median; and c) no more than 400 of the units shall be made permanently affordable to households with incomes between 60- and 1000 of the area median." Councilmember Johnson inquired whether said affordable housing helps the City satisfy Association of Bay Area Governments requirements, to which the City Attorney responded in the affirmative. There being no further speakers, Mayor Appezzato closed the public portion of the Hearing. Councilmember Johnson moved approval of the staff recommendation [adoption of the Resolutions and Introduction of the Ordinances with the following revisions: 1) added eighth bullet to page 34 of the Master Plan document to read: "The Master Plan provides for a temporary cul -de -sac at the western end of the street extending westerly from the public park. Either the cul -de -sac or a future extension of this street to Main Street is consistent with the Master Plan. Any extension of this road to Main Street shall be at the discretion of the City subject to environmental review and an amendment of the Tentative Map for the project;" and 2) revised condition #62 of the Tentative Map conditions to read: "The extension of C Street westerly of the residential project boundary is not approved at this time. Such an extension shall be at the discretion of the City and shall be subject to further environmental review and a Tentative Map Amendment. Issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to, the potential impacts of the extension on traffic signalization along Main Street and on wetlands, drainage and the pedestrian /bicycle /recreational facility within the greenway. "] Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 5 Vice Mayor DeWitt seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Daysog stated West End homeowners were concerned about the future of neighborhoods; the project stabilizes the neighborhood, while addressing concerns raised by Renewed Hope and others interested in affordable housing. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Kerr - 1.] Mayor Appezzato called a recess at 7:55 p.m. and reconvened the Regular Meeting at 7:57 p.m. (01 -645) Final Passage of Ordinance No. 2868, "Amending Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Subsection 8 -8.4 (Official Vehicles Designated Areas) of Section 8 -8 (General Parking Regulations) of Chapter VIII (Traffic and Motor Vehicles) Relating to Parking Spaces on Central Avenue at Historic Alameda High School." Finally passed. Vice Mayor DeWitt moved final passage of the Ordinance. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Kerr - 1.] (01 -646) Final Passage of Ordinance No. 2869, "Approving and Authorizing the Execution of First Amendment to Lease Agreement Between the United States of America, as Lessee, and the City of Alameda, as Lessor, to Reduce the Leased Premises Located at Coast Guard Island from 4.37 Acres to 0.015 Acres." Finally passed. Richard Neveln, Alameda, stated Coast Guard Island is part of Alameda and there should be a bridge connecting Coast Guard Island to Alameda mainland. Councilmember Johnson moved final passage of the Ordinance. Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Kerr - 1.] (01 -647) Final Passage of Ordinance No. 2870, "Approving and Authorizing a Multiple Site Lease Agreement Between the City of Alameda and American Tower Corporation for Development and Operation of Wireless Telecommunication Facilities on City Property, Including One Site Each at the Chuck Corica Golf Complex, Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 6 Fire Station #4 and Washington Park." Finally passed. Councilmember Daysog moved final passage of the Ordinance. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Kerr - 1.] ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON- AGENDA (01 -648) Jeff Cambra, Chairman, Citizens for Financial Alternatives and Responsible Taxation, stated there is a need for a medical facility on the Island; there is an alternative to a $10 Million property tax assessment; his organization supports Mayor Appezzato's statements about: 1) the City of Alameda providing interim funding to keep the Alameda Hospital open, if necessary, and 2) the City Council being involved in the Hospital tax district approval process; noted property tax dollars from Alameda citizens would be used to subsidize medical services for non - Alameda patients; suggested HMO and PPO [insurance] affiliations should share in the overhead cost of maintaining the emergency room; stated the Hospital indicated it cannot operate profitably due to a reduction in the number of patients; questioned whether $10 Million will solve the problem or simply postpone the effect of increased competition; further stated Mr. O'Neill [Alameda Hospital CEO] stated the Hospital would not attempt to merge with another facility if the tax passes; however, an affiliation, merger or sale of the Hospital could resolve inadequate reimbursements, labor cost increases and the Hospital's limited negotiating powers due to its size; requested Council form a fact - finding committee and present facts to the public in an open forum; requested Councilmembers to provide their opinions on the formation of said committee at the first City Council meeting in January. Mayor Appezzato requested Mr. Cambra to provide a list of the members of the Citizens for Financial Alternatives and Responsible Taxation; clarified his statement was that if needed, he would bring a recommendation to Council regarding interim funding to keep the Hospital open until the voters had an opportunity to decide; stated that he offered to hold Town Hall meetings with the Hospital to involve the public and explain the issues. Councilmember Daysog noted the Hospital has been forthcoming with information. Councilmember Johnson noted that if approved, the Hospital District would have an elected board. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 7 (01 -649) Alan Gooch, Alameda, stated that he opposes the parcel tax to support the private hospital, which will be on the ballot April, 2002; requested the Council to place a Resolution in support, opposition or neutrality of the parcel tax on an agenda; stated a public hearing should be held prior to the vote and Council should weigh in on the matter. (01 -650) Mrs. Dawdy, Alameda, stated the petition circulated by Alameda Hospital indicated there would be a value tax $80 per $100,000 [property value]; now, it has switched to a parcel tax; South Shore would pay $900 and Harbor Bay Shopping Center would pay $300, while residents would pay $300; noted a speaker at the last Council Meeting was correct about the date of the December 11, 2001, Local Agency Formation Commission Hearing. Mayor Appezzato noted a LAFCO Hearing would be held on January 10, 2002, in the Council Chambers. Councilmember Johnson inquired whether said hearing could be televised, to which the City Manager responded staff would ask LAFCO whether it would like to televise the meeting. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS (01 -651) Mayor Appezzato stated Fire Station #3 is closing and will be moving; noted there will be no degradation of fire services in the community. (01 -652) Councilmember Daysog stated motorized skateboard scooters make tremendous noise driving through neighborhoods; requested the matter be reviewed; inquired whether the noise fell under existing rules, e.g. noise from leaf blowers. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Appezzato adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 18, 2001 8