2003-05-20 Regular CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY - - MAY 20, 2003 - - 7:30 P.M.
Mayor Johnson convened the Regular Meeting at 7:40 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, DeWitt, Kerr and
Mayor Johnson - 4.
Absent: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.
AGENDA CHANGES
None.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(03 -218) Proclamation declaring June 21 and 22, 2003 as Relay for
Life Days in Alameda.
Mayor Johnson read the proclamation and presented it to Mary
Andrade, Volunteer Co -Chair for Relay for Life.
(03 -219) Proclamation declaring June 9, 2003 as Firefighter "Fill
the Boot" Day for Muscular Dystrophy.
Mayor Johnson read the proclamation and presented it to Julie
Jenkins, Muscular Dystrophy Association.
(03 -220) Presentation of the League of California Cities "Cloudy
Skies over California Cities" video.
The video prepared by the League of California Cities was played.
Councilmember Kerr submitted a handout to Council; stated that she
was in Sacramento last week for discussions on the [State] budget
crisis; the Governor is proposing to borrow $17 billion, which
would only provide enough revenues to cover expenditures for FY
2003 -04; one proposal is to take money from redevelopment areas; in
the beginning, $600,000 would be shifted from each redevelopment
agency; the amount would increase to an average of $2.5 Million for
each agency; a $350,000 loss in redevelopment money causes the City
to lose the ability to issue $5 Million in redevelopment bonds; the
loss is multiplied many times for each dollar lost; the State
legislature is not connected to local government; the State is not
budgeting; announced that the City would hold a budget workshop on
May 29.
Mayor Johnson stated the State's situation is extremely serious;
one legislative aide informed her that if the State laid off every
employee and closed every prison, the budget would still not be
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May 20, 2003
balanced; the City will be impacted.
Councilmember Kerr stated when local money goes to Sacramento,
money is lost in the bureaucratic overhead and funds are
redistributed Statewide according to deals legislators make with
each other; leaving money in local communities is more efficient.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Johnson announced the recommendation to accept the Report on
Residential Phase 1 Demolition Improvements [paragraph no. 03 -228]
was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Councilmember Daysog moved approval of the remainder of the Consent
Calendar.
Councilmember DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried by
unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.]
[Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding
the paragraph number.]
( *03 -221) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings
held on May 6, 2003. Approved.
( *03 -222) Recommendation to accept the work of Kvichak Marine
Industries, Inc., for Express II Conversion Project and appropriate
$25,000 in additional Transportation Improvement Funds, No. P.W.
08- 01 -22. Accepted.
( *03 -223) Recommendation to accept the work of Mike Brown Electric
Company for Traffic Signal Improvements at Central Avenue/ Main
Street /Pacific Avenue and Webster Street /Atlantic Avenue Project
and approve allocation of additional funds, No. P.W. 07- 01 -21.
Accepted.
( *03 -224) Recommendation to award Contract in the amount of $545,200
to Consolidated CM, Inc. for Construction Management Services for
the New Main Library, No. P.W. 01- 03 -01. Accepted.
( *03 -225) Recommendation to authorize installation of Stop Controls
on the minor approach of Court Street at Lincoln Avenue and Fountain
Street at Lincoln Avenue to establish vehicular right -of -way.
Accepted.
( *03 -226) Recommendation to amend the July 3, 2002, Franchise
Agreement between the City of Alameda and Alameda County Industries
AR, Inc. for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Organic
Materials Services. Accepted.
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( *03 -227) Recommendation to approve Letter of Participation
Agreement between the City of Alameda, the Alameda County Waste
Management Authority and Resources for Community Development in the
Green Building Design Assistance Program. Accepted.
(03- 228) Recommendation to accept Report on Residential Phase 1
Demolition Improvements and authorize the City Manager to enter
into a Subdivision Improvement Agreement with Catellus Development
Corporation ( "Developer ") for Tract 7387; and
(03 -228A) Resolution No 13584, "Approving Final Map and Accepting
Certain Dedications and Offers of Dedication and Easement Vacations
for Tract 7387." Adopted.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated that when Council [acting as the Community
Improvement Commission] addressed the Catellus project on March 18,
2003, he and other Councilmembers raised concerns about finding
ways to compensate for the cost of municipal services; compared
municipal service costs to property tax revenues; stated the
discussion of covering the costs municipal services should have
been addressed tonight before the project moved forward; although
the matter will return to Council for deliberation, he will not
support the recommendation tonight; noted that he has championed
the Catellus project and is not voting against Catellus; stated
Council should address the costs of municipal services before
construction begins.
Councilmember DeWitt moved adoption of the Resolution.
Councilmember Kerr seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Councilmember Kerr inquired when the first
residential subdivision would be conveyed to Catellus.
The Base Reuse and Redevelopment Division Redevelopment Manager
stated staff has targeted the June 30, 2003 deadline; the actions
before Council tonight are required in order to convey the
property.
Councilmember Kerr
collected, to which
Mayor Johnson statE
project; one way to
tax rolls; inquired
deadline.
inquired whether taxes would start to be
the City Manager responded in the affirmative.
d the City has put a lot of money into the
start getting a return is through the property
whether June 30 is being used as a target or
The Redevelopment Manager stated the date will be used the deadline
mandated by Council.
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Vice Mayor Daysog stated the motion [at the March 18, 2003
Community Improvement Commission meeting] directed that a strategy
be developed for dealing with the cost of municipal services;
inquired when said matter would be addressed.
The City Manager stated staff intends to have a workshop with the
Council; a number of funding sources have been identified;
estimates, such as the Police Department's estimate that there will
be a 20 increase in services calls, will be used to build a cost
context.
The Redevelopment Manager stated the workshop would be scheduled
for the end of June or early July; the Subdivision Improvement
Agreement includes the intent to form the municipal services
district within four months from the recordation of the final map.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated that his mantra has been that the base
must pay for itself; although he supports the project and wants the
City to start collecting property taxes, the strategy for dealing
with municipal service costs should be resolved first.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following
voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers DeWitt, Kerr and Mayor Johnson -
3. Noes: Councilmember Daysog - 1. Absent: Councilmember Matarrese
- 1.
( *03 -229) Resolution No 13585, "Waiving Parcel Map Requirement for
Alameda Point Collaborative Leasehold Interests." Adopted.
( *03 -230) Resolution No. 13586, "Intention to Levy an Annual
Assessment on the Alameda Business Improvement Area of the City of
Alameda for FY 2003 -04 and to Set a Public Hearing for June 3,
2003." Adopted.
( *03 -231) Resolution No 13587, "Implementing Provisions of Article
7 of that Certain Agreement Between the City of Alameda and Alameda
County Industries AR, Inc. for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials
and Organic Materials Services Entered Into as of July 3, 2002 and
Rebating a Portion of the Infrastructure Impacts Mitigation Fee for
the 2003 -04 Fiscal Year." Adopted.
( *03 -232) Resolution No. 13588, "Authorizing the City Manager to
Submit a Grant Application for the Fiscal Year 2003 -04, Cycle 9
Used Oil Recycling Block Grant Funds to the California Integrated
Waste Management Board and Execute all Necessary Applications,
Contracts, Payment Requests, Agreements and Amendments." Adopted.
( *03 -233) Resolution No 13589, "Authorizing the City Manager to
Apply for Regional Measure 1 Bridge Toll Funds, Including Five
Percent Unrestricted State Funds and Two Percent Bridge Toll
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Revenue Funds for Operating Subsidy and Capital Projects for City
of Alameda Ferry Services and to Enter Into All Agreements
Necessary to Secure These Funds for FY 2003 -04." Adopted.
( *03 -234) Ratified Bills in the amount of $1,636,707.81.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(03 -235) Resolution No. 13590, "Appointing Patrick Lynch as a
Member of the City Planning Board." Adopted.
Councilmember DeWitt moved adoption of the Resolution.
Vice Mayor Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.1
The City Clerk administered the Oath and presented Mr. Lynch with a
Certificate of Appointment.
(03 -236) Recommendation to approve final schematic design for new
Main Library project.
Casey Jurgins, Thomas Hacker & Associates, gave a presentation on
the final design.
Mayor Johnson recognized the Library Building Team, Library Board
and members of the Friends of the Library for their hard work.
Councilmember DeWitt moved approval of the final schematic design
for the new Library project.
Vice Mayor Daysog seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Vice Mayor Daysog stated the design looks great.
Mayor Johnson stated really good design changes have been made.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.]
(03 -237) Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Alameda Point
General Plan Amendment and certification of the Final Environmental
Impact Report pursuant to the Environmental Quality Act;
(03 -237A) Resolution No. 13591, "Making Findings Concerning
Mitigation Measures, Making Findings Concerning Alternatives,
Adopting a Mitigated Monitoring and Reporting Program, Adopting a
Statement of Overriding Considerations in Accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act and Certifying the Final
Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda Point General Plan
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Amendment (State Clearinghouse #2001012057)." Adopted; and
(03 -237B) Resolution No. 13592, "Adopting the General Plan
Amendment (GPA- 01 -01) for Alameda Point." Adopted.
The Planning and Building Director provided a brief report.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated the Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
refers to 430,000 square feet of industrial warehousing; inquired
whether Council's policy to preclude cargo containers could be
included.
The Planning and Building Director responded the Master Plan would
address establishing standards for outdoor storage; stated the
General Plan Amendment notes general land use categories and not
specific uses; specific uses, such as precluding the storage of
cargo containers, would be identified during the Master Plan
process.
Mayor Johnson stated Council gave clear direction to preclude cargo
containers; the Master Plan process should address the issue of
industrial warehousing separately from cargo container storage.
Councilmember Kerr inquired when the condition of a second crossing
would be discussed.
The Planning and Building Director responded the second crossing,
or alternative transportation solution, is a very important part of
the process; stated the General Plan Amendment premise is that
there needs to be an alternative transportation solution in
conjunction with full implementation of the reuse plan; the EIR
includes an analysis of the alternatives and evaluates the kind of
development that would occur.
Councilmember Kerr stated the report points out that traffic
problems are significant and unavoidable; at some point, Alameda
will need a second crossing.
Councilmember DeWitt stated that Council is reviewing the General
Plan Amendment EIR; inquired whether Council would be reviewing the
General Plan once housing and projects are decided upon, to which
the Planning and Building Director responded in the affirmative.
Councilmember DeWitt stated a large portion of the area will be a
Golf Course and Wildlife Refuge; there will be more opportunities
to discuss the issues and environmental impacts.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated the transit report table states morning
northbound Posey Tube capacity is at 58% currently; adding pipeline
projects increases the capacity to 75 -800; inquired which
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percentage was used.
The Planning and Building Director responded the table quantifies
existing traffic levels and anticipated traffic levels 20 years
from now both with and without the proposed General Plan Amendment;
stated the table reflects the results of an island wide cumulative
impact analysis.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated the Traffic Capacity Management Plan
(TCMP) calculated the traffic impacts of pipeline projects; the
TCMP calculated the traffic capacity at 75 -80o by 2005; inquired
what is the correct threshold to evaluate environmental impacts.
The Public Works Director responded the TCMP is updated every year;
stated the TCMP includes projects that have been approved by
Council or the Planning Board; the "baseline" in the EIR analysis
includes proposed and existing traffic volumes; 750 of tube
capacity, or Level "C ", is acceptable by City of Alameda standards;
the capacity of the Posey /Webster Tube will be exceeded in the year
2020 with or without the General Plan Amendment.
Mayor Johnson stated a very extensive community process would take
place as the Master Plan is developed for Alameda Point; everyone
is welcome to participate in the process.
Mayor Johnson opened the Public Hearing.
Proponents: Jean Sweeney, Alameda; Peter Wang, Alameda; Jim
Sweeney, Alameda; Robb Ratto.
Opponents: Grace Wong, Alameda; Gar -Yin Lee, Asian Health Services
(submitted photographs); Sherry Hirota, Asian Health Services;
Sheryl Cho, Alameda; Colland Jang, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of
Commerce; Jennie Ong, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
(submitted letters); Julie Liou, Asian Health Services; Chan To
Kix, Gee How Oak Tin Family Association (via interpreter); Arnold
Fong, Alameda; Lena Tam, Alameda.
Neutral: Raymond Chan, Oakland; Leslie Gould, City of Oakland
(submitted letter); Carl Chan, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of
Commerce (submitted letters); Wai Fong, Family Bridges; David
Ragland, U.C. Berkeley Traffic Study Center; Hinh Nguyen, Alameda;
Dawn Passar (submitted petition); Taylor Chow, Oriental Food
Association and Alameda resident; Rob Worley, Alameda.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Johnson closed the public
portion of the Hearing.
Vice Mayor Daysog thanked Alameda and Oakland residents for
speaking on the issue; stated there is a lot of double parking in
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Chinatown; social relationships structured the location of
Chinatown; there are a limited number of ingresses and egresses in
Alameda; Alameda and Oakland traffic concerns are similar; Alameda
should formalize a way for Oakland and Alameda to address all
issues; the City of Oakland should be Alamedas partner in finding
ways across the estuary; requested staff to recommend a way to
formalize the partnership, particularly in dealing with the traffic
issues, and to include Chinatown representatives; stated the
Transportation Commission mentioned the need for better bicycle
access or routes in Oakland near the Fruitvale area; clear and
consistent measures for mitigation come out of formal dialogue.
Vice Mayor Daysog moved approval of the staff recommendation
[Adoption of Resolution No. 135911, with the addition as direction
to staff to formalize the relationship with Oakland and to reaffirm
Council's policy on precluding warehousing of containers.
Councilmember Kerr thanked everyone who attended the meeting;
stated that she hopes Alameda can work with Oakland; Oakland could
ease the traffic problems in Chinatown by timing the lights on
Fifth Street eastbound into the tube; there is already a Level of
Service "F" [fail] (LOSF) during commute hours; there is a long
light on Broadway and Seventh Street with minimal cross traffic;
Chinatown is not very concerned about the traffic impacts of
proposed development projects in Oakland; AB436 relieved Oakland of
the EIR requirement for three projects in downtown Oakland last
year; Alameda is being held to a much higher standard; that she
hopes that an effective partnership is created; southbound Webster
Street is already at LOSF because of double and triple parking;
Oakland could regulate the times deliveries can be made to keep
trucks from blocking lanes during commute hours; Webster Street is
part of State Highway 61 and is meant to transport traffic between
cities; mutual aid for both cities depends on the Webster /Posey
tube; the Navy base closed ten years ago; the Navy left in 1997;
that she is in favor of moving forward; the City needs base
redevelopment for its economic survival; that she supports solving
traffic problems before Phase II.
Councilmember DeWitt thanked Leslie Gould for attending the
meeting; stated the EIR recognizes there is a traffic problem in
the City; development will stop when traffic reaches a certain
limit; that he wants Alameda and Oakland to continue to work
together.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated Councilmember Kerr itemized a range of
issues that need to be addressed; staff should institutionalize a
formal mechanism for discussions with Oakland; that he wants
Alameda and Oakland to be a safe place for residents, especially
elderly residents; noted that he made a motion to move forward,
including direction to staff to work with Oakland staff to devise
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an on -going mechanism for discussions and to reaffirm Council's
policy prohibiting warehousing of container cargos.
Mayor Johnson stated staff is working on an agreement; that she
anticipates the issue will go before each City Council on June 17.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated Chinatown citizens would like to be
involved.
Councilmember Kerr inquired whether Vice Mayor Daysog would agree
to amend the motion to allow Council to give direction to staff
without including the direction in the approval of the General Plan
Amendment.
Vice Mayor Daysog agreed to amend the motion accordingly.
Mayor Johnson stated staff is in the process of working on the
agreement.
Councilmember Kerr seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Mayor Johnson stated that she met with Chinatown
leaders; Alameda is committed to working with Chinatown to resolve
the [traffic] issues; important issues need to be addressed with
the City of Oakland, including Webster Street traffic; development
projects in Oakland have more impact on Chinatown; everyone is
welcome to participate in the community process.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote -4. [Absent: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.1
Councilmember Kerr moved adoption of Resolution [Adopting the
General Plan Amendment (GPA- 01 -01) for Alameda Point].
Councilmember DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried by
unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.]
(03 -238) Ordinance No. 2900, "Authorizing Amendment to Contract
Between the Board of Administration of the California Public
Employees' Retirement System and the City Council of the City of
Alameda." Finally Passed.
Councilmember DeWitt moved final passage of the Ordinance.
Councilmember Kerr seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote - 4. [Absent: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.]
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON- AGENDA
(03 -239) Peter Wang, Encinal Terminals, urged Council to revoke
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May 20, 2003
the vote on the recommendation to accept the Report on Residential
Phase 1 Demolition Improvements and authorize the City Manager to
enter into a Subdivision Improvement Agreement with Catellus
Development Corporation [paragraph no. 03 -2281; stated that signing
an Agreement with Catellus is a bad decision.
Mayor Johnson requested the City Manager speak with Mr. Wang.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(03 -240) Mayor Johnson requested staff to meet with Caltrans to
discuss the possibility of the Webster tube staying open until
10:00 or 11:00 p.m. and to expedite work completion.
(03 -241) Vice Mayor Daysog encouraged staff to involve the Oakland
Chinatown Coalition Forces when formalizing dialogue with the City
of Oakland regarding the Alameda Point General Plan Amendment
[paragraph no. 03 -2371.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the
regular meeting at 10:27 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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