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CityCouncil,2011-10-04,1,"MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY--OCTOBER - 4, 2011--7:00 - P.M.
Councilmember Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Gilmore convened the
meeting at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL -
Present:
Councilmembers Bonta, deHaan, Johnson, Tam and
Mayor Gilmore - 5.
Absent:
None.
AGENDA CHANGES
(11-456) Mayor Gilmore announced the golf items [paragraph number 11-474 were
continued to December 13, 2011.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY & ANNOUNCEMENTS
(11-457) Proclamation for Public Power Week.
Mayor Gilmore read and presented the proclamation to Alameda Municipal Power
General Manager.
(11-458) Proclamation Recognizing Citizen Emergency Response Team
(CERT)/Earthquake Preparedness.
Mayor Gilmore read and presented the proclamation to Fire Captain Sharon Oliver and
CERT members Fred Blas, Jerry Juhala, and Tom Schweich.
(11-459) Proclamation Declaring October 2011 as Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor Gilmore read and presented the proclamation to Firefighters Jeff Del Bono and
Gail Thomas.
(11-460) Proclamation Declaring October 2011 as Disability Awareness Month.
Mayor Gilmore read and presented the proclamation to Leslie Krongold, Commission on
Disability.
(11-461) Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to the Mayor's Fourth of July
Parade Committee Members.
Mayor Gilmore continued the item.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
Regular Meeting
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CityCouncil,2011-10-04,2,"(11-462) Sandy Sullivan, Alameda (submitted comments); Mary Anderson, Alameda;
Gregg deHaan, Fernside Homeowners Association; and Ashley Jones, Alameda,
commented on the Memorandum of Agreement [paragraph no. 11-474].
.
(11-463) Linda Fenn, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS), Christa Nicholas,
Alameda; and Janet Davis, Alameda, commented on the animal shelter.
(11-464) Ken Peterson, Alameda, announced that photos of 4th of July parades would
be on display at the Ken Betts Center.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Tam moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Vice Mayor Bonta seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
[Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph
number.]
(*11-465) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings, and the Special
Joint City Council and Community Improvement Commission Meeting Held on
September 6, 2011; and the Special City Council Meeting Held on September 7, 2011.
Approved.
(*11-466) Ratified bills in the amount of $3,270,915.48.
(*11-467) Recommendation to Approve a Consultant Agreement for $43,500 with HF&H
Consultants, LLC, for the Annual Integrated Waste Management Rate Review, Analysis
of Contractor's Compensation Application, and On-Call Services. Accepted.
(*11-468) Recommendation to Approve a Consultant Agreement for $56,689 with West
Advertising, Inc. for Preparation and Production of Multi-Media Advertisements for
Website and Written Publications. Accepted.
(*11-469) Recommendation to Adopt Plans and Specifications and Authorize a Call for
Bids for the Sewer Pump Station Backup Generator Installation Project, No. P.W. 04-
10-10. Accepted.
(*11-470) Recommendation to Ratify the Public Utility Board's Approval of Renewable
Energy Certificates Transfer Agreement between Northern California Power Agency
and Alameda Municipal Power and Authorize the General Manager of Alameda
Municipal Power to Execute the Agreement. Accepted.
(*11-471) Ordinance No. 3035, ""Authorizing the Execution of Lease of Real Property
between the City, as Lessor, and Alameda Swimming Pool Association, as Lessee, for
Swimming Pool Facilities at Lincoln and Franklin Parks."" Finally passed.
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CityCouncil,2011-10-04,3,"REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(11-472) Public Hearing to Consider Resolution No. 14622, ""Amending Master Fee
Resolution No. 12191 to Add and Revise Fire Fees."" Adopted.
The Interim Fire Chief gave a brief presentation.
In response to Councilmember Johnson's inquiry, the Interim Fire Chief stated the
service fee for more than 200 new fire sprinkler heads would have a $479 flat fee and
would be $1 for each additional head over 200.
Councilmember Johnson inquired whether the suppression system and underground
and aboveground tank fees would cover site inspections and code compliance visits, to
which the Interim Fire Chief responded in the affirmative.
Councilmember Johnson inquired who would be charged for failure to notify the City's
dispatch division when testing an alarm, to which the Interim Fire Chief responded the
alarm company.
Councilmember Johnson inquired whether multi-family false alarm fees would fall under
the commercial category, to which the Interim Fire Chief responded in the negative.
Mayor Gilmore requested clarification on how the proposed fees compare to other
jurisdictions.
The Interim Fire Chief stated staff has researched fees for Hayward, San Leandro,
Oakland, and Berkeley; Alameda's fees have been significantly lower; the intent would
be to stay at least 5% below surrounding jurisdictions.
The City Manager stated the exercise has been very helpful; service fees are charged in
different ways; staff has been directed to keep fees 5% to 15% lower than surrounding
jurisdictions; the same exercise would be done for all departments; the City cannot
afford to be 50% to 60% lower than surrounding jurisdictions.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated the strategy and approach make sense; inquired whether the
proposed fees would adequately reimburse the value of the service and staff time, to
which the Interim Fire Chief responded in the affirmative.
Councilmember Tam stated a year and a half ago, Council had an exhaustive
conversation regarding the fee schedule; the importance of cost recovery was
discussed; the entire cost was not being recovered at that time.
Councilmember Johnson inquired whether the proposed fees would cover calls for
getting people out of elevators in commercial buildings, to which the Interim Fire Chief
responded in the negative.
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October 4, 2011",CityCouncil/2011-10-04.pdf
CityCouncil,2011-10-04,4,"Councilmember Johnson stated people should be billed if Fire Department resources
are abused.
The City Manager stated all fees would be reviewed.
The Assistant City Manager stated direction was given in 2008 and something was
passed at that time; the matter would be reviewed.
Proponent with Revision to the Second False Alarm Fee: Robb Ratto, Park Street
Business Association.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated staff should review fees charged by other cities that the City
does not charge.
Councilmember deHaan concurred with Vice Mayor Bonta; stated the $520 false alarm
fee [for each additional false alarm after four] is very steep.
Mayor Gilmore stated being hit with a steep fee would almost guarantee that such a
situation would not happen again; that she is concerned that lowering the fee might be
more digestible for a business owner and they might become lax.
Councilmember deHaan questioned whether residents are aware of the false alarm fees
and whether fees are enforced.
The Interim Fire Chief stated fees are being enforced under the current schedule; the
Fire Department would be out in the community this month, which would provide an
opportunity to interact with businesses as well.
In response to Councilmember deHaan's inquiry, the City Manager stated police fees
have not been reviewed.
Councilmember Johnson stated staff should distinguish between single family and small
multi-family units versus certain size apartments; Alameda has quite a few large
apartment complexes; having alarms work is important; a lot of false alarms have
involved large apartment complexes; perhaps large apartment complexes should have
a higher false alarm fee.
The City Manager stated the issue would need to be brought back to Council because
of noticing requirements or the issue could be revisited when the full fee schedule
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CityCouncil,2011-10-04,5,"comes back for review.
Mayor Gilmore stated that she prefers that the matter come back when the full fee
schedule is addressed.
Councilmember Johnson concurred with Mayor Gilmore.
Councilmember Johnson moved adoption of the resolution with amendment to the false
alarm fees for commercial and residential.
Vice Mayor Bonta seconded the motion.
Under discussion, in response to Councilmember deHaan's inquiry, the Interim Fire
Chief stated the third residential false alarm fee would be $203, $254 for the fourth
alarm, and $520 for each additional alarm.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
(11-473) Public Hearing to Consider Resolution No. 14623, ""Amending Master Fee
Resolution No. 12191 to Add and Revise Civil Service Marriage Ceremony Fees.""
Adopted.
The City Clerk gave a brief presentation.
Mayor Gilmore stated the Council Chambers has been spruced up for marriage
ceremonies; people would be getting more than before.
The City Clerk stated [City Clerk] staff brought in personal items from home; the City
has not been charged for any of the furnishings.
Councilmember Johnson stated the Clerk's office is doing a great job; hopefully, people
are aware of the service.
The City Clerk stated the web site would be updated.
The Assistant City Manager noted marriage ceremonies are now open to non-residents.
Councilmember Tam moved adoption of the resolution.
The Acting City Attorney stated marriage ceremonies are not restricted to cost recovery
and are an exception under Proposition 26.
Vice Mayor Bonta seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
(11-474) Recommendation to Approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the City
of Alameda and Harbor Bay Isle Associates Regarding Application Processing and
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October 4, 2011",CityCouncil/2011-10-04.pdf
CityCouncil,2011-10-04,6,"Preparation of Property Exchange Agreement Related to a Proposal for Land Exchange
and Funding for the Chuck Corica Golf Complex Course Improvements and New Sports
Fields on North Loop Road; and
(11-474A) Recommendation to Accept a Report on the Status of the City's Athletic
Fields; and
(11-474B) Recommendation to Approve the Major Deal Points for the Agreement with
KemperSports for the Maintenance and Operation of the Chuck Corica Golf Complex
and Direct Staff to Prepare a Lease Agreement for City Council Consideration.
Continued to December 13, 2011.
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
(11-475) The City Manager announced that the Planning Board would address
environmental impacts of the Harbor Bay Isle's proposed housing development on
October 24th and that the City received a letter of intent from Target.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
None.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
None.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(11-476) Consideration of Mayor's Nominations for Appointment to the Youth Advisory
Commission.
Mayor Gilmore nominated Emani Pollard, Mackenzie Prince, Angus Storm, and Sonia
W. Xu.
(11-477) Vice Mayor Bonta announced upcoming Town Hall meetings that he would be
holding.
(11-478) Councilmember deHaan discussed grass on the golf course greens.
(11-479) Mayor Gilmore announced that she attended the League of California Cities
annual conference.
(11-480) Councilmember Johnson stated the news about Target submitting a letter of
intent is good.
(11-481) Councilmember Tam announced that she attended the League of California
Cities annual conference.
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CityCouncil,2011-10-04,7,"The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
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October 4, 2011",CityCouncil/2011-10-04.pdf