body,date,page,text,path
PensionBoard,2015-04-27,1,"00
the
The
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
PENSION BOARD OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD 4:30 P.M., APRIL 27, 2015
ALAMEDA CITY HALL
2263 SANTA CLARA AVENUE, ALAMEDA
CONFERENCE ROOM 391
1.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Trish Herrera Spencer at 4:35 p.m.
2.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Trustees: Trish Herrera Spencer, William Soderlund, Nancy Elzig, and
Jill Kovacs. Absent: Bruce Edwards
Staff: Elena Adair, Finance Director; Brad Farmer, Acting Financial Services
Manager, and Lelia Faapouli, Human Resources.
3.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 26, 2015 was moved for approval
by Member Soderlund and seconded by Member Elzig. Passed 4-0.
4.
AGENDA ITEMS:
4-A. Pension Payroll and Financial Reports - Quarter Ending March 31, 2015
and City of Alameda Police & Fire Pension Funds Financial Reports for the
Period Ending March 31, 2015 were accepted as presented and moved for
approval by Member Soderlund and seconded by Member Elzig. Passed 4-0.
Finance Director Adair brought up a question from the auditors: Do we need to
have a separate annual financial report for the Pension Funds? The Pension
Ordinance does not say we need to have separately audited financial statements
for 1079 and 1082 Pensioners. The Ordinance requires Finance to provide the
Board with a report as we are doing now, but does not ask for a separate annual
financial report. This raises the question, should we continue to have auditors
issue a separate report for these particular Pension plans or can we stop these
reports, which cost the City $10,000. Acting Financial Services Manager Farmer",PensionBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PensionBoard,2015-04-27,2,"City of Alameda
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Pension Board - Monday, April 27, 2015
Page 2
said that this is redundant reporting since the same information is in the City's
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and as such, is still subject to
normal full audit testing. This proposal is to eliminate the external audit and the
separate end of year financial report and save the City $10,000.
Chair Herrera Spencer would like this issue to be on the agenda for the next
meeting so the Board can review and give feedback before deciding and so the
public can be notified. Since we are talking about not having a separate external
audit, it has to be reflected formally because it is a significant change.
Member Kovacs asked the Finance Department to provide a report to the Board
stating what the Ordinance says, what we have been doing and what we are
proposing to do. Chair Herrera Spencer would like to see a copy of the last
external audit attached to the report because that is what is being eliminated in
the future.
Member Kovacs asked if the CAFR includes the required information as a
separate section so the Board could readily locate it. Acting Financial Services
Manager Farmer stated that it is under the ""Trust & Agency"" section. He said the
City is duplicating efforts. The City changed auditors and this new firm
questioned if the separate report is needed. The Pension Ordinance specifically
says there is a report due and that the report should be presented to Council at
the end of the fiscal year and we have been complying by providing a separate
report. The auditors are recommending that we comply with this requirement
through the CAFR versus a separate report.
Chair Herrera Spencer asked if auditors are working now, and was informed that
they would be back in June and then in September for the final audit. Acting
Financial Services Manager Farmer replied that the next Pension Board meeting
will be in July, and the Board can make a decision at that time in time for the final
audit. Member Kovacs asked Finance staff to provide the Board with both the
last Pension Plan audit report and the corresponding CAFR page, so the Board
can see what we are giving up and what we are getting.
Chair Herrera Spencer asked for the $10,000 cost reduction information to be
provided in writing. Member Soderlund asked if this had to go to Council. Acting
Financial Services Manager Farmer advised that Council needs to approve if
funding goes up but not when it goes down. However, the Board can make an
official recommendation. Member Soderlund asked if recommendation to stop
the end of year separate report, is agreed on at the July meeting, if that is
enough time to cancel $10,000 for this year. Finance Director Adair said it
should be enough time, that this is a part of the City's CAFR contract so the
report has to be done anyway. The $10,000 is to issue the separate report.",PensionBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PensionBoard,2015-04-27,3,"City of Alameda
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Pension Board - Monday, April 27, 2015
Page 3
4-B. Memo regarding the death of 1079 Pensioner - Consuelo Servente
(Widow of Fire Chief Ernest Servente) deceased 10/26/14, was accepted with
regret by Member Elzig and seconded by Member Soderlund. Passed 4-0.
5.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA (PUBLIC COMMENT):
There was no communication from the public.
6.
PENSION BOARD COMMUNICATIONS (COMMUNICATIONS FROM BOARD):
Member Kovacs shared with the Board that this is the last meeting for Acting
Financial Services Manager, Brad Farmer, as he will be heading off to Pittsburg
to be their Finance Director. The Board thanked him for his reports and wished
him well.
Member Soderlund asked about the thank-you letter to former Pension Board
member Robert Follrath. Member Kovacs shared a copy of what was sent to Mr.
Follrath by the City Clerk, a certificate and thank you letter with her personal note
on letter. Member Kovacs provided a thank you letter on the Mayor's letterhead
from the Pension Board for all Pension Board members to sign and to be mailed
to Mr. Follrath.
7.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was
adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
tifk
Jill Koyacs
Secrétary to the Pension Board",PensionBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PlanningBoard,2015-04-27,1,"APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015
1. CONVENE:
7:04 P.M.
2. FLAG SALUTE:
Board member Knox White led the flag salute.
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Vice President Alvarez and Board Members Burton,
Knox White, Koster, Tang and Zuppan. Absent: President
Henneberry.
4. AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION: None
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
6-A. 2015-1610
Approve a Resolution Finding that the Harbor Bay Entities have
demonstrated good faith compliance with the terms and conditions of
Development Agreement DA-89-1, through April 4, 2015, Based on
the Findings Contained in the Draft Resolution. This Compliance
Review is not a project under CEQA.
Board Member Burton motioned to approve the Annual Report. Board Member Knox White
seconded the motion. The motion carried, 6-0.
6-B. 2015-1611
PLN15-0078- 801 Marina Village Parkway- Applicant: Arrow Sign
Company for Westwood Financial Corporation. The applicant is
requesting an amendment to the previously approved Sign Program
for the Marina Village Shopping Center to allow for two (2)
freestanding signs along the shopping center frontage on Marina
Village Parkway. This project is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Section 15311-Accessory Structures.
Board Member Knox White asked for the item to be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
Mr. David Sablan, Planner I, , explained that there was an additional condition of
approval added to require energy-efficient lighting for all fixtures.
Board Member Knox White motioned approval with the added condition. Board Member
Zuppan seconded the motion. The motion carried, 6-0.
Approved Regular Meeting
Page 1 of 6
Minutes April 27, 2015",PlanningBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PlanningBoard,2015-04-27,2,"7. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
7-A. 2015-1606
Public Workshop on Alameda Point Site A Development, including an
Updated Draft Development Plan and Density Bonus Waiver,
Conditions of Approval, and a Draft Transportation Demand
Management Plan Compliance Strategy, and a Draft Development
Agreement.
Mr. Andrew Thomas, City Planner, gave the presentation.
Mr. Thomas introduced Mr. David Israel of BAR Architects. Mr. Israel gave the
presentation.
There were no public speakers.
Board Comments:
Mr. Thomas reminded the public that tonight's meeting was the last opportunity for the
public to give their input on the Site A plan to the development team, City staff, and the
Board. The final version of the plan would be brought to the Board at the meeting on May
11th
Board Member Koster asked about potential commercial and civic uses that could be
included in Site A. Mr. Thomas replied that Alameda Point would have various community
and recreational services for its residents, but they will not all be located in Site A. Board
member Koster asked whether it would be permitted to develop a church in the site. Mr.
Thomas responded that it would be permitted, but there are no current plans for any
specific development at this time.
Board Member Burton said he was happy to see a change to the parallel parking proposal.
He asked for clarification on the affordable-housing units, which consist of both single-and
multi-story housing. He praised the development team's effort on the massing of the
buildings and for integrating new buildings with existing ones. Board Member Burton asked
for clarification on the widths of the streets, in order to make sure that they were wide
enough for the fire department but narrow for everyday traffic. He said that it is critical for
bicycle access to all of the park areas.
Board Member Tang asked for clarification on the size of the trees on Ralph Apezzato
Memorial Parkway.
Approved Regular Meeting
Page 2 of 6
Minutes April 27, 2015",PlanningBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PlanningBoard,2015-04-27,3,"Board Member Koster said he appreciated the architects' massing models. He said he
noticed the site's waterfront edge, and how it could be a space to transition from one part
of the site to another. He said that he agreed with Board Member Burton that there should
be a reminder of the naval history in the area.
Board Member Zuppan echoed Board Member Koster's comments about the massing.
She said that the plans are moving in the right direction. She asked if modifications to
existing buildings would be brought back to the Board for review. Mr. Thomas explained
that none of the existing buildings are not technically historic, but some of the new
buildings will need certification from the Historical Advisory Board and Design Review
approval from the Planning Board.
Board Member Zuppan asked if there is a set budget for this project. Ms. Jennifer Ott,
Chief Operating Officer for Alameda Point, said that the City Council will be presented with
a Fiscal Impact Report on Site A at their meeting on May 19th. The numbers presented to
the Council are meant to be conservative in order to have some flexibility. Currently, the
price for park development and maintenance in Site A is budgeted at about $20,000 per
acre per year, which is about 1/3 of the infrastructure budget for the area. Ms. Ott
introduced Mr. Joe Ernst, of Alameda Point Partners. Mr.
Ernst explained that there will be an open dialogue about where, to place parks, and how to
use the available money wisely.
Board Member Zuppan asked Mr. Thomas whether or not buildings would have to be
approved according to future ordinances. Mr. Thomas explained that, once the City
Council approves the Development Plan, the current ordinances are frozen for the site. If
the State of California updates the building code or other laws, the project would be subject
those updates and changes.
Board Member Burton added that the senior housing on the site would be subject to State
accessibility rules, which would be of a higher standard than municipal Design Review
guidelines.
Board Member Zuppan said she was pleased with the work of the design team. She said it
is a great plan to mix the historic nature of the site with opportunities for future growth. She
said she is glad that there is a plan to bring real economic viability and character to
Alameda Point. She praised staff and the team for their efforts.
Board Member Knox White echoed the comments of the other Board Members. He said he
agreed with Board Member Burton about the issues regarding universal design. He said
that he still had issues about parking in front of some of the houses, but said that these
issues could be dealt in the Design Review stage. Mr. Thomas explained that the plans
would be brought before the Historical Advisory Board on May 7th for their input. Board
Approved Regular Meeting
Page 3 of 6
Minutes April 27, 2015",PlanningBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PlanningBoard,2015-04-27,4,"Member Knox White said he agreed with Board Members Koster and Burton, and said that
there should be public spaces wherever possible. Mr. Thomas explained that these issues
would be discussed during the Design Review stage.
Vice President Alvarez asked Mr. Thomas to make sure that all references are consistent
throughout the drawings. She thanked the development team for their work. She said that
there was an issue with universal design for the new buildings.
Board Member Burton asked about the architectural design in the illustrative plan, and said
that some of the housing blocks shouldp look different from each other. He said he would
like to see different architects design different blocks in the interest of diversity.
Board Member Knox White asked about the Transportation plan. Mr. Phil Olmsted of
Nelson Nygaard said that the exact routing of the shuttle is currently undefined, but he said
he hoped that there could be a connection to AC Transit or BART in the future. Ms. Ott
said that her preference was for AC Transit to provide this service, but she was not
opposed to having fast and convenient transit run by a private company.
Board Member Knox White asked for clarification about the different between time limits
and pricing for parking. Mr. Olmsted explained the differences between the two categories.
Board Member Knox White said that if the Board was going to look at the TOM strategies
then there should be other issues that should be made as well, including penalties for non-
compliance. Mr. Ernst said that the development team tried to minimize the townhome units
in order to achieve the access to transit, but said that townhomes are needed in order to
achieve the financial viability of the project as a whole.
Mr. Olmsted said that a key to achieving a reduction in automobile trip reductions in the
TOM plan is to unbundle parking for the project. Board Member Knox White said that
currently, the Town Center Development Plan calls for unbundled parking.
Board Member Zuppan said that there are several strategies for success, but that they are
dependent on what might happen in the area over the next 20 years. She said that the
evidence is correlative and not causative. As such, it would be better to allow for the
parking plans to change over time as long as it conforms to certain criteria.
Board Member Koster said he has seen various car-sharing programs that are available
for visitors, or other programs that allow for residents to share their cars for visitors. He
urged such programs to be implemented in Alameda Point.
Approved Regular Meeting
Page 4 of 6
Minutes April 27, 2015",PlanningBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PlanningBoard,2015-04-27,5,"Board Member Tang said that there should be programs to encourage carpooling among
employees in order to save parking spaces. He said that there could be other programs to
link a customer's parking fees with their shopping at local stores.
Board Member Burton said he agreed with many of Board Member Knox White's
comments. He thanked Mr. Olmsted for his work. He suggested that the developer should
keep the parking unbundled for now, but to have the option to change that in the Design
Review stage.
Mr. Thomas thanked the Planning Board for their work on this issue.
7-B 2015-1586
PLN14-0701- 2100 Clement Street (Clement, Willow, Eagle
Project), Design Review, Development Plan, Density Bonus and
Vesting Tentative Map- A Public hearing to consider applications to
permit construction of 58 attached townhomes on a 2.78 acre site
located at 2100 Clement Street. Continued to a date to be
determined.
7-C.2015-1587
PLN15-0092- Final Development Plan and Major Design Review
for an amendment to previously approved Final Development Plan
and Design Review No. PLN07-0061 to construct one approximately
22,868 square foot two story building instead of two 10,400 square
foot two story office buildings proposed on a 2.05 acre site at 2810
Harbbor Bay Parkway. The Proposed Project is Categorically Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15332 In-Fill Development Projects.
Continued to the meeting of May 11, 2015.
8. MINUTES:
8-A. 2015-1607
Draft Meeting Minutes-March 9, 2015
Board Member Knox White motioned to approve the minutes with edits. Board Member
Koster seconded the motion.
The motion carried, 5-0-1 (Board Member Zuppan abstained).
8-B. 2015-1608
Draft Meeting Minutes-March 23, 2015
Board Member Burton motioned to approve the minutes with edits. Board Member Zuppan
seconded the motion.
The motion carried, 6-0.
Approved Regular Meeting
Page 5 of 6
Minutes April 27, 2015",PlanningBoard/2015-04-27.pdf
PlanningBoard,2015-04-27,6,"9. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS:
Mr. Thomas explained about recent decisions made by the Zoning Administrator. He also
explained that Councilmember Daysog and Mayor Spencer called both cell towers for
review at the Council level.
Board Member Zuppan asked Mr. Thomas to provide some context about the new rules
regarding the Density Bonus application. Mr. Thomas said he would do so.
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
11. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS:
Board Member Zuppan said that Alameda has the second-least amount of affordable
housing in the Bay Area.
11-A 2015-1588
Report from the Alameda Point Site A Ad-Hoc Subcommittee
Vice President Alvarez said that the Subcommittee has not met recently.
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None
13. ADJOURNMENT: Vice President Alvarez adjourned the meeting at 8:57 P.M.
Approved Regular Meeting
Page 6 of 6
Minutes April 27, 2015",PlanningBoard/2015-04-27.pdf