{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 1, "text": "MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTHURSDAY - -NOVEMBER 6, 2008 - -7:30 P.M.\nMayor Johnson reconvened the Adjourned Regular Meeting at 7:56 p.m.\nROLL CALL - Present : Councilmembers\ndeHaan,\nGilmore,\nMatarrese, Tam, and Mayor Johnson - 5.\nAbsent :\nNone.\nAGENDA CHANGES\nNone.\nPROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS\nNone.\nCONSENT CALENDAR\nCouncilmember Matarrese moved approval of the Consent Calendar.\nCouncilmember deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by\nunanimous voice vote - 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are\nindicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number. . ]\n( *08-463) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings\nheld on October 21, 2008. Accepted.\n(*08-464) Ratified bills in the amount of $6,279,171.57.\n(*08-465) Recommendation to award Contract in the Amount of\n$140,603, including contingencies, to NorCal Pipeline Inspection\nfor Citywide Sewer Mains and Laterals Video Inspection, Phase 2,\nNo. P. W.07-08-19. Accepted.\n(*08-466) Resolution No. 14281, \"Approving the Final Map and\nAccepting Associated Dedications and Easements for Tract 7723\n(Grand Marina) \" Adopted.\n(*08-467) Resolution No. 14282, \"Ordering Vacation of a Portion of\nan Existing 10' Wide Power Easement, Series No. 79-196972, Recorded\nOctober 2, 1979, O.R., Alameda County Recorder within Parcel 2 of\nParcel Map 2542 Filed Map Book 102, Pages 51 and 52, Recordation of\nQuitclaim, and Acceptance of Fifteen New Power Easements within\nParcel 2 of Parcel Map 2542 (Alameda Towne Centre) . \" Adopted.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n1\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 2, "text": "CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS\n(08-468) The City Manager discussed advanced planning activities.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired whether the condominium conversion\nordinance update would be discussed early next year.\nThe Supervising Planner responded the condominium conversion\nordinance would be part of the subdivision regulations.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired whether Safeway Gas has bio-diesel\ngas.\nThe City Manager responded Safeway Gas anticipated having bio-\ndiesel gas, but the State has not identified standards for bio-\ndiesel gas tanks.\nThe Supervising Planner stated the State Water Quality Board has\nprohibited the use of underground tanks for bio-diesel until rules\nare promulgated.\nMayor Johnson stated there is concern with methyl tert-butyl ether\n(MTBE) contaminating water supplies.\nThe City Manager stated that Safeway Gas is committed to having\nbio-diesel gas once the State defines the requirements.\nMayor Johnson inquired when the soft-story ordinance would come to\nCouncil.\nThe Building Official responded property owners are concerned about\nspending money at this time stated targeting buildings would make\nit almost impossible to sell or insure property; the process would\nbe to develop retrofitting standards and identify buildings; staff\nwould identify the buildings and come back to Council when there is\na better idea of the number of buildings; staff anticipates\nspending six months to a year identifying the buildings.\nMayor Johnson requested that the proposed time line come back to\nCouncil; stated the matter is a public safety issue; other\ncommunities have a soft-story ordinance; the process should not be\nlong and drawn-out.\nThe Building Official stated addressing the matter in phases would\nnot make the process any longer; identifying and categorizing\nbuildings would require six or nine months.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether other cities have adopted a\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n2\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 3, "text": "soft-story ordinance.\nThe Building Official responded the proposed soft-story ordinance\nis being modeled after the City of Berkeley i stated Fremont adopted\nan ordinance requiring mandatory retrofitting after two years [of\nbeing identified].\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether State or federal funding is\navailable, to which the Building Official responded that he is not\naware of any.\nMayor Johnson inquired whether the proposed soft-story ordinance\ncould be brought to Council by March, to which the Building\nOfficial responded definitely.\nCouncilmember Matarrese requested that staff provide information\nand pictures on areas that have incurred damage when the soft-story\nordinance is presented.\nMayor Johnson stated the building on Central Avenue near Encinal\nHigh School seems to be rotting away; permits were pulled to do\nwork, but nothing seems to be happening.\nThe Building Official stated the process has been very slow; the\nbuilding could be a candidate for enforcement.\nMayor Johnson inquired whether the building is protected.\nThe Building Official responded the building is secured; stated the\nbuilding will need to be tarped this winter; the building has\nchanged ownership three times.\nMayor Johnson requested that the proposed soft story ordinance and\nschedule for implementation come back for Council discussion and\nthat data be provided on areas that have incurred [structural]\ndamage.\nREGULAR AGENDA ITEMS\n(08 - 469) Adoption of Resolution Appointing Douglas Biggs as a\nMember of the Social Services Human Relations Board. Continued.\n(08-470) Recommendation to select an Interim Operator to provide\nmanagement, operations and maintenance for the Chuck Corica Golf\nComplex.\nThe Interim Golf Manager gave a brief presentation.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n3\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 4, "text": "The City Manager clarified the proposal presented by Alameda City\nEmployee Association (ACEA)\nCouncilmember Gilmore inquired how much is in the Golf Reserve fund\nand the best estimate in burning through said amount.\nThe Interim Finance Director responded the cash reserve was\napproximately $1.5 million at the close of June 30, 2008 ; stated\nthe Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget was balanced with approximately\n$700,000 of the $1.5 million; $1.5 million will last approximately\ntwo years.\nCouncilmember Gilmore inquired whether the Contract with the\nInterim Operator would be for one year starting January 1, 2009, to\nwhich the Interim Golf Manager responded in the affirmative.\nMayor Johnson opened the public portion of the meeting.\nSpeakers: Jane Sullwold, Alameda Golf Commission; Alan Elnick,\nACEA; Greg McFann, Management Confidential Employee Association\n(MCEA) ; Terry Flippo, ACEA.\nThere being no further speakers, Mayor Johnson closed the public\nportion of the meeting.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired how many maintenance positions are in\nthe Golf and Recreation and Park Departments.\nMr. Elnick responded the Golf Department has sixteen positions and\nthe Recreation and Park Department has thirteen positions; stated\nthe Public Works Department has maintenance workers also; the\nproposal addresses working out internal mechanisms whereby\nmaintenance workers could internally compete for Public Works\nmaintenance positions.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether classifications are the same,\nto which the Human Resources Director responded the classifications\nare different.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether classifications are\nrepresented by the same union, to which the Human Resources\nDirector responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired whether July through October\nnumbers reflect increases in revenue and play compared to the\nprevious year, to which the Interim Golf Manager responded in the\naffirmative.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n4\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 5, "text": "Counci lmember Matarrese inquired whether fees were increased, to\nwhich the Interim Golf Manager responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired whether projections were based\nupon a ten percent decrease and no fee increases, to which the\nInterim Golf Manager responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired where the line intersects when\nreserves are not drawn down anymore.\nThe Interim Finance Director responded $75,000 has been drawn from\nthe reserves within the last 120 days even with increased fees.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired what it would take to break even\nif only overhead was paid, and not any surcharge, Payment in Lieu\nof Taxes (PILOT) or Return on Investment (ROI) ; stated Kemper\nSports is not a non-profit company\nThe Interim Finance Director responded expenses need to be reduced;\nstated a policy decision would need to be made on what could be\nforgiven to break even.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated that he would like to fix the\nstructure rather than taking a hybrid approach; that he would hate\nto lose direct control.\nMayor Johnson inquired whether projections include any deferred\nmaintenance or infrastructure, to which the Interim Golf Manager\nresponded in the negative.\nMayor Johnson inquired what is the amount for deferred maintenance\nand infrastructure, to which the Interim Golf Manager responded\nthe amount is substantial.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired whether Kemper Sports' proposal\nincludes deferred maintenance and infrastructure.\nThe Interim Golf Manager responded in the negative; stated a long-\nterm plan would be developed during the year; Requests for\nProposals would include capital improvements, lease payments, etc.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether surcharge, PILOT, and ROI\npayments would be at the same level during the interim operation,\nto which the Interim Golf Manager responded in the affirmative\nCouncilmember Gilmore stated General Fund departments support the\nGolf Course services would need to be contracted out if the Golf\nCourse was a stand-alone business.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n5\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 6, "text": "Councilmember Matarrese stated the Planning and Building Department\nhas overhead costs for Human Resources, legal, and Information\nTechnology (IT) .\nVice Mayor Tam stated the difference between the Planning and\nBuilding Department and Golf Department is that Planning and\nBuilding does not have an asset and does not have to pay PILOT.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired how many maintenance workers Kemper\nSports would have.\nMark Luthman, Kemper Sports Retail Director, responded fifteen or\nsixteen.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired how many are seasonal workers, to\nwhich Mr. Luthman responded four.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired what is the current number of workers\nat the Golf Course, to which the Interim Golf Manager responded\nsixteen.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether there are seasonal employees.\nThe Interim Golf Manager responded there are four seasonal\nemployees in addition to the sixteen.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether Kemper Sports' cost savings\nwould come from paying less staff a lower wage, to which Mr.\nLuthman responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired why current staffing is not at a\nlower level.\nThe Interim Golf Manager responded the National Golf Foundation\nrecommended the current level of employees; stated the range is\nseven to nine employees per eighteen holes.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether Kemper Sports may have\nunderestimated the number of needed employees.\nThe Interim Golf Manager responded the proposed Agreement has\nperformance standards which would be monitored.\nMayor Johnson stated that she is willing to consider the proposal;\nthe proposal is reasonable and is an appropriate way to deal with\nstaff reductions.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n6\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 7, "text": "Councilmember Gilmore inquired how much the Golden Handshake and\nmedical insurance proposal would cost; further inquired whether the\ncost would come out of the Golf reserve fund.\nThe Human Resources Director responded medical insurance would cost\napproximately $7,000 per year for single party coverage up to\ntwelve months.\nCouncilmember Gilmore inquired how much the Golden Handshake would\ncost.\nThe Human Resources Director responded the full cost would be\napproximately $482,000 if everyone took advantage of the Golden\nHandshake; stated costs are amortized over twenty years and are\nrolled into the employer PERS contribution rate.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired what would be the impact of\nextending the same opportunities to MCEA employees.\nThe Human Resources Manager responded MCEA employees are included\nin the $482,000 cost; stated medical benefit costs would be\napproximately the same.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether Kemper Sports would handle\npayroll and Human Resource services, to which Mr. Luthman\nresponded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether other department layoffs have\nbeen calculated, to which the Interim Finance Director responded in\nthe negative.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired what would happen after the interim\nperiod.\nThe City Manager responded a long-term contract would be\nnegotiated.\nCouncilmember deHaan stated that he would like to see a cost\nallocation breakdown.\nThe Interim Finance Director stated cost allocations can be\nprovided.\nCouncilmember Gilmore stated staff recommends contracting\nmanagement and operations to Kemper Sports; there is an opportunity\nto provide Golden Handshakes for ACEA and MCEA employees; the only\ndifference between the proposals is medical care costs for MCEA\nemployees.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n7\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 8, "text": "The Human Resources Director stated MCEA only has the Golden\nHandshake, not the medical benefit; the cost to provide medical\nbenefits to MCEA would be approximately $14,000 if both eligible\nMCEA employees take the Golden Handshake.\nCouncilmember Gilmore stated Kemper Sports would have their own\nemployees if they took over the whole operation; inquired why the\nCity would be paying addition costs if ACEA workers are employed\nfor part of the year.\nThe City Manager responded the original proposal included\nreplacement of all maintenance workers on day one; the unknown is\nthe difference between the two proposals' cost; the proposal to\nkeep City employees until they retire would be an additional cost\nThe Interim Golf Manager stated Kemper Sports' initial proposal was\nfor everything; Kemper Sports came back with a proposal to just\nprovide management; Kemper Sports would not be replacing any\nmaintenance workers.\nMayor Johnson stated that Kemper Sports' staffing level for the\nentire operation would be sixteen employees and four seasonal\nemployees.\nMr. Luthman stated seasonal employees are included in the sixteen.\nCouncilmember deHaan stated that he does not have enough detailed\ninformation to make a good decision; that he is not in a position\nto make a decision tonight; management is not spelled out for the\ndraw down of personnel.\nThe City Manager stated the original ACEA proposal stated that ACEA\nwould work under the direction and control of the private operatori\nthe current proposal clarifies parameters and timing of work force\nreductions.\nThe Human Resources Director stated any eligible employee could\nretire under the window of the Golden Handshake, which would be up\nto 180 days; eligible employees could retire and receive two years\nservice credit to the PERS calculation for retirement an added\nincentive would be the medical insurance at the single party 2009\nKaiser rate; medical insurance would be provided for twelve months\nonlyi any eligible employees who chooses to wait until later to\nretire risks having the premium reduced by one month for each month\nthey wait; the proposal includes an early January notification for\none ACEA lay off related to the Mif Albright Course closure layoff\nnotifications would be sent if not enough members retire during the\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n8\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 9, "text": "first ninety days; notification would be given to any remaining\nemployees prior to the end of 2009.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether the Human Resources Director\nis comfortable with the projected costs.\nThe Human Resources Director responded the projected costs seem\nreasonable; stated medical benefit costs are fairly close; the\nGolden Handshake cost for an ACEA member is approximately $30,000\nand approximately $40,000 for a MCEA member.\nMayor Johnson inquired whether employees who are being offered the\nGolden Handshake are already eligible for retirement under PERS, to\nwhich the Human Resources Director responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember deHaan stated the Golden Handshake is usually offered\nto employees who have fifteen to twenty years of service so that an\nemployee with less years of service can be retained; inquired how\nmany years of service eligible employees have.\nThe Human Resources Director responded eligible employees have\nnineteen to thirty plus years of service.\nMayor Johnson stated lack of medical benefits is an issue for some\nemployees that are eligible for retirement; the City's contribution\nfor medical benefits for the eligible employees will be going up to\n$90 per month.\nThe Human Resources Director stated the increase would be a little\nmore than $90 per month; the City is required to pay the minimum\nemployer contribution; the cost will be increased by the cost of\nliving amount.\nMayor Johnson stated some employees would need to cover medical\ncosts for a number of years.\nThe Human Resources Director stated that current economic times\nhave caused concern regarding the possibility of retirement.\nMayor Johnson stated that employees could get coverage through\nPERS, which is very expensive.\nThe Human Resources Director stated the rates are the same as what\nthe City currently pays for employees; employees can enroll in a\nMedicare supplement when they reach Medicare age; the rates are\nslightly lower but not significantly.\nMayor Johnson stated that some less expensive plans might be\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n9\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 10, "text": "available for eligible employees, but there may be a problem with a\npre-existing condition.\nCouncilmember Gilmore stated Council has tried to get a hold on\nGolf operation costs and revenues in order not to blow through the\nGolf reserve fund in two years; the goal is to preserve Golf for\nthe City; the proposal provides a way to reduce expenses and allows\ntime to figure out the next stepsi thanked ACEA for being very\ncreative and proactive; affected employees would have a year to\ncome to a resolution with the City or find other employment\noverhead would be reduced; that she is in favor of ACEA's proposal ;\nthat she would like to offer the same Golden Handshake and medical\nbenefits to MCEA members.\nMayor Johnson concurred with Councilmember Gilmore.\nVice Mayor Tam extended her appreciation to the Golf Commission and\nACEA for helping the City develop some alternatives to get through\ndire economic circumstances in order to preserve golf in the City;\nstated the City needs to get a grip on dealing with decline in the\nrounds and erosion in the reserve fund in order to make sure golf\nis viable and sustainable long term; golf is an important asset in\nAlameda and provides a beautiful open space at Harbor Bay Kemper\nSports' proposal includes putting in a Director of Marketing and\nSales in addition to a Controlleri the City has been limping along\nfor the last year; the Interim Golf Manager has done a fantastic\njob; that she appreciates ACEA helping the City to review options\nfor increased savings it is important for the City to provide the\nbest scenario for a soft landing for employees; ACEA'S hybrid\nproposal would help to achieve some savings, although not as much\nas the staff recommendation, and would help to move into the\ntransition period while testing out the viability of an interim\noperator.\nVice Mayor Tam moved approval of: 1) selecting Kemper Sports as the\nInterim Operator; 2) directing the City Manager to amend the ACEA\nMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) so that it is consistent with the\nterms and conditions outlined in ACEA'S November 6, 2008 proposal\n3) identifying the estimated cost and presenting the amendment to\nthe City Council at the December 2, 2008 City Council meeting 4)\ndirecting the City Manager to negotiate and execute any agreements\nnecessary with Kemper Sports; and 5) authorizing the City Manager\nto provide the single party health insurance reimbursement at the\n2009 Kaiser premium rate for a maximum of twelve months to MCEA\nemployees who retire under the Golden Handshake.\nCouncilmember Gilmore seconded the motion.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n10\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 11, "text": "Under discussion, Councilmember deHaan inquired whether staff would\ncome back with a cost analysis for the second part of the motion.\nThe City Manager responded the proposed changes require a MOU\namendment stated the amendment would be prepared and presented for\nconsideration along with identifying cost estimates based upon a\nbetter understanding of who would accept the Golden Handshake.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether the cost analysis would come\nback to Council for review.\nVice Mayor Tam responded in the negative; stated that she would\nlike to direct the City Manager to make the necessary amendment in\nthe MOU; stated the MOU would help provide some definition on\nspecific savings and would come back to Council. inquired whether a\nreport could be provided on the savings.\nThe City Manager responded the MOU amendment staff report would\nidentify the changes as well as identify the savings.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated that he has some concerns ; Kemper\nSports' staffing levels are lower than the City's staffing level;\nthat he does not have a solid feel for City staffing levels\nquestioned whether the staffing level is necessary to maintain the\nGolf Course; stated the budget is projected with a 10% decline in\nplay, but play is increasing; the one year hit for golf carts\nshould be spread over three years; that he would like to have an\nevaluation of capital improvement funding paid for through a PILOT,\nsurcharge, and ROI having a Golf Director who's core profession,\nvocation, and expertise is running a golf course is a very good\nidea; that he would like to discuss hiring a Golf Director on a\nperformance bonus basis first; Kemper Sports has a great\nreputation; the Chabot Golf Course was contracted out and the story\nis not pretty.\nCouncilmember deHaan stated staffing levels are a concerning\nfactor; that he was hoping to hear that ACEA would be bringing\nstaffing levels down.\nMayor Johnson stated that she hopes affected Golf employees who do\nnot take the Golden Handshake during the next year will have an\nopportunity to work in Public Works or Housing Authority positions.\nThe City Manager stated the intention is to provide a soft landing\nfor displaced employees.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether the Golden Handshake proposal\nwould come back to Council.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n11\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 12, "text": "The Human Resources Director stated the second reading of the\nGolden Handshake proposal would be presented in two weeks and would\nopen the window that allows employees the opportunity to take\nadvantage of the Golden Handshake. .\nThe City Manager stated the two week period needs to be extended to\nthe December 2, 2008 City Council Meeting because of tonight's\nadjourned meeting.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice\nvote - 5.\nCouncilmember Gilmore inquired whether Kemper Sport's would not be\noperating the Mif Albright Course, to which the Recreation and Park\nDirector responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember Gilmore stated the land (Golf Course) is all zoned\nfor open space and recreation; there is a dire need for active\nsport fields; requested that staff provide Council with other\npossible recreational uses for the Mif Albright Course.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether Kemper Sports would be\nlooking at the Mif Albright Course as a viable operation, to which\nthe Interim Golf Manager responded in the negative.\nMayor Johnson stated having a nine hole course is a good, long-term\nidea and should be considered.\nThe Interim Golf Manager stated that he would look into the matter.\nMayor Johnson stated Poppy Ridge Golf Course has three nine hole\ncourses which creates two eighteen hole courses.\nCouncilmember Matarrese thanked ACEA for crafting a proposal that\nis beneficial to the City; stated there is no profit component, nor\nis there a component to address deferred maintenance and capital\nneeds for the Golf Course; that he was heartened to hear that the\nFiscal Sustainability Committee was reviewing the matter; that he\nis still not convinced that the City cannot run the Golf Course\noperation; that he looks forward to the Fiscal Sustainability\nCommittee's recommendations.\nMayor Johnson stated that the Interim Golf Manager has done a great\njob; Council appreciates the dedication in helping to formulate a\nlong-term, sustainable plan to keep golf in Alameda.\n(08-471) Recommendation to receive a Report on proposed PERS Golden\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n12\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 13, "text": "Handshake Retirement under California Government Code Section\n20903.\nThe Human Resources Director gave a brief presentation.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether the Golden Handhshake would\nbe extended beyond Recreation and Park.\nThe Human Resources Director responded the Golden Handshake is for\nthe Golf Complex and Recreation and Park maintenance portion only.\nCouncilmember Matarrese moved approved of the staff recommendation.\nVice Mayor Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous\nvoice vote - 5.\nORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA\n(08-472) Former Councilmember \"Lil\" Arnerich inquired how the\nAlameda Theater and parking structure are doing financially.\nMayor Johnson responded both are doing very well; stated jobs have\nbeen created theater, the BurgerMeister Restaurant and Wine Bar\nrevenues are higher than expected.\nThe City Manager stated that she would be happy to provide an\nupdate under City Manager Communications.\nFormer founcilmember Arnerich outlined the accounting procedures at\nthe Swim Club; stated that he requested financial information on\nthe Alameda Theatre and parking garage and has not received any\ninformation; the public has not received any information.\nMayor Johnson stated that she would be very happy to share\ninformation with the public; the City Manager would provide\ninformation at the next Council meeting; Council would like to\nshare the good news with the public.\n(08-473) - Deborah James, Alameda, discussed oversight at the Alameda\nBoys and Girls Club.\n(08-474) Mark Wagner, Kid's Chalk Art Project, submitted handout\n;\nthanked the City for supporting the project; stated the chalk\ndrawing was 90,000 square feet; 6,000 people worked on the project\nfor two weeks at the former Base; thanked the City for waiving\nrental fees and helping with obtaining a special permit; stated\nputting positive, creative energy into children is a great way to\ninvest in the future; the handout has contact information if anyone\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n13\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 14, "text": "is interested in knowing more about the organization which was\nformed as a result of the non-profit project.\nMayor Johnson stated the project was very successful; inquired\nwhether the picture is a satellite photo, to which Mr. Wagner\nresponded the picture is a kite photograph.\nCOUNCIL REFERRALS\n(08-475) Discussion of referring the Public Safety Memorandums of\nUnderstanding to the Fiscal Sustainability Committee for review and\nconsideration.\nMayor Johnson stated the City needs to have a long-term vision on\nhow community and public safety services will be provided and paid\nfor; the State will be balancing an $11.2 billion budget deficit in\nthe next seven months. a five to ten year vision is needed; people\nhave a misunderstanding of public safety service costs; the public\nneeds to be provided with information to better understand public\nsafety costs; the City needs to be very proactive in providing\nfuture community services; the City Manager proposed to reduce the\namount of money transferred from the Golf Course to the General\nFund; public safety will always be a priority Library hours have\nbeen cut continually; the Library should be more available to the\npublic; other options need to be reviewed with a long-term\napproach; some cities have special districts for Recreation and\nPark and are not at risk for being cut every year to pay for public\nsafety; it is important to have well informed public input.\nDomenick Weaver, Alameda Firefighters, stated the community needs\nto know that public safety costs are high; the International\nAssociation of Firefighters (IAFF) is hosting town hall meetings\nthat he does not want public safety Contracts going to the Fiscal\nSustainability Committee; agreements should be made at the\nbargaining table.\nMayor Johnson stated that she does not intend to have another\ncommittee work on negotiations; the intent is to start public\ndiscussions on paying for future levels of service.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated the community needs the facts; the\nFire Chief gave a very clear presentation on fire vehicle\ndeployment and staffing associated costs are missing; there is a\nbig disconnect in running the City; he would like to have\nmanagement and bargaining units put together a primer for costs;\nthe structure of the City has been changed by separating out\nPlanning and Building; goals should be established rather than\nsending MOU'S to the Fiscal Sustainability Committee.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n14\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 15, "text": "Mr. Weaver stated all public safety bargaining groups need to have\nsome level of participation in the decision making and educating\nthe community.\nMayor Johnson stated that she does not expect any decisions to be\nmade; public safety participation is important; a road map needs to\nbe created.\nCouncilmember deHaan stated the Fiscal Sustainability Committee has\na pretty full agenda; the Committee is scheduled to report back to\nCouncil in February or March; that he does not feel the Committee\nis the right vehicle to initiate discussion.\nMayor Johnson stated that she does not see the Committee finishing\ntheir job in February because of the current economic times.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated the Committee will need the output\nfrom an education effort in order to make a judgment on the\nsustainability of the City; that he took the list of potential cuts\nto Mastick Senior Center and Cardinal Point; people stepped up to\nthe plate once service costs were explained.\nVice Mayor Tam stated that the community still needs a lot of\neducation; a lot of budget cuts have been made; the City Manager\ncommissioned a study that reviewed service levels and statistics\nbased on the number of calls; that she would like to get some\ninformation on timing to allow for a public forum involving public\nsafety bargaining units.\nThe City Manager stated the consultant should be providing\ninformation by the end of December or beginning of January.\nMr. Weaver stated that the report he handled out at the last\nCouncil Meeting is a graphic interface study outlining response\ntime and deployment.\nVice Mayor Tam inquired whether there is any opportunity to branch\nout and have a subcommittee that deals with public safety\nsustainability.\nCouncilmember Matarrese responded that he would need to discuss the\nmatter with the City Treasurer and City Auditor.\nCouncilmember deHaan stated the finished product is to have a\npublic effort to be able to inform the public in layman's terms.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n15\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 16, "text": "Mayor Johnson suggested that the City Treasurer and City Auditor\ndiscuss the matter and provide recommendations on how to achieve\nthe goal.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated pieces need to be put together in\norder for people to understand the connection between response time\nand current and future costs.\nMayor Johnson requested that the Fiscal Sustainability Committee\nreview the Public Safety Memorandums of Understanding and provide\ninput on the best way to proceed.\nThe City Manager suggested that the matter be placed on an agenda.\nCOUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS\n(08-476) Consideration of Mayor's nomination for appointment to the\nHistorical Advisory Board (Architect Seat)\nMayor Johnson nominated Dennis M. Owens.\n(08-477) ouncilmember Gilmore stated that she and Vice Mayor Tam\nattended the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Fall\nGeneral Assembly; the big topic was regional water land use\nplanning the State of California has contracts for eight and a\nhalf times the water supply on hand; newer housing developments use\nmore water because of landscaping.\n(08-478) Vice Mayor Tam stated incoming Senate President pro\nTempore-elec Darrell Steinberg was present [at the Fall General\nAssembly] and provided an accurate depiction of how the legislature\ncame up with drafting SB 375, which is legislation that tries to\nintegrate land use that uses a stick and carrot approach, reduces\ngreenhouse gas emissions, and looks at resource conservation\ntransit oriented development projects would be exempt from the\nCalifornia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in the future; no\nEnvironmental Impact Report (EIR) would be required if all\nparameters are met.\n(08-479) Councilmember Gilmore stated that she attended the Water\nEmergency Transit Authority (WETA) meeting last week; WETA expects\nthe first ferry boat to sail in December, but the engineer thinks\nit could be as early as some time this month; the first new ferry\nterminal will be in South San Francisco and will be operational in\n2010; SB 1093 and SB 976 require a transition plan outlining how\nWETA would take over the Vallejo and Alameda ferries; transition\nand emergency response plans have to be completed by July 1, 2009;\npublic hearings are expected to start in February, 2009; WETA\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n16\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 17, "text": "believes that there will be $28 million available from Homeland\nSecurity for operations; the next ferry terminal site is\nBerkeley/Albany; the first EIR hearing is scheduled for November\n18, 2008; WETA is looking at other sites such as Hercules,\nRichmond, Redwood City, Antioch, and Martinez; WETA is looking for\na maintenance facility and refueling station and would prefer\nsomewhere in the East Bay.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether the Harbor Bay Ferry\nreplacement was discussed.\nCouncilmember Gilmore responded discussions were not that specific.\nThe Deputy City Manager stated the Gemini and Pisces would be\ncoming on line within the next several months; the Gemini would go\nto the Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service; the Pisces would go to the\nHarbor Bay Ferry Service.\nMayor Johnson inquired whether WETA is operating the service now,\nto which the Deputy City Manager responded in the negative.\nMayor Johnson stated WETA has more access to funding than the City;\nhopefully, service can be expanded.\nCouncilmember deHaan inquired whether fees would be lowered because\nof lower fuel prices.\nThe Deputy City Manager responded the City had a two-step fare\nincrease; stated the plan is not to implement the second step.\nADJOURNMEN'T\nThere being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the\nadjourned Regular Meeting at 11:09 p.m.\nRespectfully submitted,\nLara Weisiger\nCity Clerk\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown\nAct.\nAdjourned Regular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n17\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 18, "text": "MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTHURSDAY - -NOVEMBER 6, 2008- -7:25 P.M.\nMayor Johnson convened the Special Meeting at 7:36 p.m.\nCouncilmember deHaan led the Pledge of Allegiance.\nROLL CALL-\nPresent : ouncilmembers\ndeHaan,\nGilmore,\nMatarrese, Tam, and Mayor Johnson - 5.\nAbsent :\nNone.\nAGENDA ITEM\n(08-462) Ordinance No. 2985, \"Urgency Ordinance Making Findings and\nEstablishing a Forty-Five Day Moratorium on the Establishment or\nExpansion of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. Passed.\nThe Supervising Planner gave a brief presentation.\nMayor Johnson opened the public portion of the meeting.\n(Proponents: In favor of Ordinance) : Robb Ratto, Park Street\nBusiness Association; Nick Cabrel, Alameda.\n(Opponents: Not in favor of Ordinance) : Isao Taguchi, Alameda;\nBruce Rose, Alameda; Fred Gardner, Alameda; Kevin Good, Alameda.\nThere being no further speakers, Mayor Johnson closed the public\nportion of the meeting.\nVice Mayor Tam stated that she appreciates tonight's comments;\nserving on the Alameda County Planning Commission gave her some\nexperience from a land use prospective; Alameda is fairly new to\nthe issue; Alameda is trying to provide safe access but is also\nlooking at issues experienced by other jurisdictions Alameda\nCounty's unincorporated areas have three medical marijuana\ndispensaries; one dispensary closed because 100 pounds of marijuana\nand $500,000 were on site; the situation prompted the District\nAttorney's office to look into the second dispensary, which is\nabout to close; Alameda is an island; the parameters of school\nproximity and neighborhood safety need to be reviewed; a moratorium\nwould allow reviewing the matter in a methodical, comprehensive\nway.\nVice Mayor Tam moved passage of the ordinance.\nCouncilmember Matarrese seconded the motion.\nSpecial Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n1\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2008-11-06", "page": 19, "text": "Under discussion, Councilmember Matarrese stated marijuana has not\nbeen found to be safe and affective by the Federal Drug\nAdministration; all aspects need to be reviewed before the matter\nis sanctioned or prohibited.\nCouncilmember Gilmore stated the City is in the fortunate position\nof not being the first community to address the issue; reviewing\nother community experiences is important; access and safety issues\nneed to be addressed.\nCouncilmember deHaan stated that he echoes the same concernsi\nlessons need to be learned from mechanisms used by other\ncommunities.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice\nvote - 5.\nADJOURNMENT\nThere being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the\nSpecial Meeting at 7:56 p.m.\nRespectfully submitted,\nLara Weisiger\nCity Clerk\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown\nAct.\nSpecial Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n2\nNovember 6, 2008", "path": "CityCouncil/2008-11-06.pdf"}