{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 1, "text": "MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTUESDAY - -JANUARY 3, 2017--7:00 P.M.\nMayor Spencer convened the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 16 led the Pledge\nof Allegiance.\nROLL CALL -\nPresent:\nCouncilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie,\nVella and Mayor Spencer - 5.\n[Note: Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft arrived at 7:06 p.m.]\nAbsent:\nNone.\nAGENDA CHANGES\n(17-02) Mayor Spencer stated her referral regarding lighting [paragraph no. 17-19]\nwould be moved to a later date.\nPROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS\nNone.\nORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA\n(17-03) Christopher Buckley, Alameda, expressed concern over referrals being\npostponed; urged Council to move through the meeting to get to the tree referral\n[paragraph no. 17-18].\n(17-04) Erik Strimling, Alameda Renters Coalition, expressed his appreciation for\nflashing cross walks; discussed various issues renters are facing, including\nmaintenance issues and rent increases; expressed concern over renters worrying about\nhaving an adversarial relationship with landlords; urged Council to adopt a rent cap.\nCONSENT CALENDAR\nMayor Spencer stated the Open Government Commission appointment [paragraph no.\n17-07 was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.\nCouncilmember Oddie moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice\nvote - 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the\nparagraph number.]\n(*17- - 05) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meeting Held on December 6,\n2016. Approved.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n1\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 2, "text": "(*17-06) Ratified bills in the amount of $2,765,219.60.\n(17-07) Recommendation to Accept Report on the Appointment of One Member to the\nOpen Government Commission.\nCouncilmember Vella made brief comments regarding Ms. Little's background.\nCouncilmember Vella moved approval of the staff recommendation.\nCouncilmember Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice\nvote - 5.\nThe City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Little.\n(*17-08) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to\nthe Agreement with Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar for Survey and Mapping Services in\nConnection with the Proposed Transfer of the Oakland Inner Harbor Tidal Canal for an\nAdditional 6-Month Term for a Total Term of 16-Months and in an Amount Not to\nExceed $20,000 for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $218,000; and\n(*17- 08A) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Amendment\nto the Agreement with Chicago Title Company for Title and Escrow Services in\nConnection with the Proposed Transfer of the Oakland Inner Harbor Tidal Canal for an\nAdditional 6-Month Term for a Total Term of 16-Months, Paid Prior to Close of Escrow,\nPlus Title Premiums and Escrow Fees Paid at Close of Escrow. Accepted.\n(*17-09) Resolution No. 15219, \"Approving Workforce Changes at Alameda Municipal\nPower (AMP) to Add Two New Positions Effective January 8, 2017: One Customer\nService Representative and One Utility Project Manager.\" Adopted.\nREGULAR AGENDA ITEMS\n(17-10) Resolution No. 15220, \"Appointing Norman Sanchez as a Member of the\nHistorical Advisory Board.\" Adopted.\nCouncilmember Matarrese moved adoption of the resolution.\nMayor Spencer seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether Mayor Spencer\ninterviewed all three candidates.\nMayor Spencer responded that her recollection was one person was interviewed\npreviously and two new candidates were interviewed; further stated her recollection\nis\nthree were interviewed.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n2\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 3, "text": "Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for the Mayor interviewing applicants;\nstated having all candidates interviewed is best.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\nThe City Clerk administered the Oath of Office and presented Mr. Sanchez with a\ncertificate of appointment.\n(17-11) Public Hearing to Consider Approving the Housing and Community\nDevelopment Needs Statement for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)\nAnnual Action Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18.\nThe Rent and Community Programs Director and Social Service Human Relations\nBoard (SSHRB) Vice Chair gave a Power Point presentation.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated the program is funded at the bare bones; that he is glad\nthe City is doing more for the homeless; during the budget adoption, the City should use\none time money to supplement CDBG funds.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated the staff report indicates there is not enough\nfunding for all activities; outlined how the funds would be used; stated there is a need\nfor more affordable housing; the Council will work hard to find funds for important\nneeds, such as homeless assistance; noted the homeless are often veterans who are\neligible for assistance, including housing vouchers.\nVice Mayor Vella expressed appreciation for the work done on the priorities, which are\nin line with the City's policies around housing, affordable housing and preventing\nhomelessness.\nMayor Spencer expressed support for the SSHRB and staff.\nCouncilmember Matarrese moved approval of the needs statement for the CDBG\nAnnual Action Plan for FY 2017-18.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice\nvote - 5.\n(17-12) Public Hearing to Consider Resolution No. 15221, \"Amending the General Plan\nto Replace the Health and Safety Element and Airport Environs Element of the General\nPlan with a New Safety and Noise Element.\" Adopted.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director gave a brief presentation.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated policy SN-1.b is regarding training; requested an\nupdate on the status of training programs.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n3\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 4, "text": "Councilmember Oddie stated the Element states the EOC was completed in 2016;\ninquired whether the EOC has been completed.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director responded staff would change it to\nreflect the EOC would be completed in 2017.\nThe City Manager stated Information Technology infrastructure is currently being\ncompleted in the EOC.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director noted a couple of other typographical\nerrors were found that would also be corrected.\nCouncilmember Matarrese suggested a date be added to the projected noise sources.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director stated a date and explanation can be\nadded to Figure 8-4.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated the area that will be affected changes.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director stated the specific readings are to\nshow the major sources of noise for Alameda.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated the figure is not the standard, it is an example.\nVice Mayor Vella moved adoption of the resolution.\nCouncilmember Oddie seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -\n5.\n(17-13) SUMMARY: Public Hearing to facilitate a tax exempt bond financing for capital\nimprovements to school facilities at the Chinese Christian School located on Bay Farm\nIsland. The bonds are not an obligation of the City.\nPublic Hearing Under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) to Consider\nResolution No. 15222, \"Approving Associate Membership by the City of Alameda in the\nCalifornia Enterprise Development Authority (CEDA) and the Execution of an Associate\nMembership Agreement Relating to Associate Membership of the City in the Authority.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n4\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 5, "text": "Adopted; and\n(17-13A) Resolution No. 15223, \"Approving the Issuance by the California Enterprise\nDevelopment Authority of Its Revenue Obligations on Behalf of the Bay Area Chinese\nBible Church and/or a Related Entity in an Aggregate Amount Not to Exceed\n$12,000,000 for the Purpose of Financing and Refinancing the Cost of Acquisition,\nConstruction, Improvement and Equipping of Certain Property, Providing the Terms and\nConditions for Such Obligations and Other Matters Relating Thereto.\" Adopted. [New\nfile: 600-30]\nThe City Attorney made brief comments.\nOn behalf of the school, Dan Bronfman, Growth Capital Associates, Inc., gave a brief\npresentation.\nMayor Spencer opened the Public Hearing.\nThere being no speakers, Mayor Spencer closed the Public Hearing.\nCouncilmember Matarrese inquired whether the tool is open to any non-profit\norganization in the City, to which the City Attorney responded in the affirmative; stated\nnon-profits look for an agency to conduct a Public Hearing for the organization.\nMr. Brofman noted the City is joining CEDA and would not have to do so again in the\nfuture.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the membership is for a specific period\nof time, to which Mr. Brofman responded the membership is permanent.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the school plans to remain on the site.\nSteve Quen, Pastor, responded the high school was moved to Hayward several years\nago.\nMr. Brofman stated the church and kindergarten through eighth grade remain on the\nsite.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether the bonds would be sold on the market, to\nwhich Mr. Brofman responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether the City has any reporting responsibility, to\nwhich the City Attorney responded in the negative; stated the City is not involved.\nVice Mayor Vella moved adoption of the resolutions.\nCouncilmember Oddie seconded the motion.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n5\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 6, "text": "Under discussion, Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the both resolutions\ncould be adopted via one motion, to which the City Attorney responded in the\naffirmative.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\n(17-14) Introduction of Ordinance Approving the Lease of Building 397 Located at 1690\nOrion Street at Alameda Point (in the Enterprise Zone), with Astra Space, Inc., a\nDelaware C-Corporation for a Two-Year Lease with Three One-Year Extension Options.\nIntroduced.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director made brief comments.\nChris Kemp and Adam London from Astra gave a Power Point presentation.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired how Astra found Alameda Point.\nMr. Kemp responded that he learned of Alameda Point through contacts at Google and\nMakani Power.\nIn response to Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry about rocket size, Mr. London\nstated the largest rocket would fit inside the Council Chambers.\nIn response to Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry regarding noise, Mr. Kemp\nstated the building was created for jet engine noise; if anything is heard, it will be quieter\nthan planes flying above the neighborhood.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether Astra would generate exhaust.\nMr. London responded the engines mostly burn kerosene and oxygen; stated the\nexhaust is mostly water; there is a very small amount of carbon dioxide; the exhaust is\nmostly steam.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether Astra complies with the Bay Area Air\nQuality Management District regulations.\nMr. London provided a Merced County example, which passed testing; stated similar\ntesting would be done.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated Astra would start with 25 employees in the\nbuilding; inquired whether the number of employees would increase, to which Mr. Kemp\nresponded Astra would be looking for additional space to house more employees;\nstated the number of employees could increase to 50 within the next year and hundreds\nof employees within the next five years, which would require a new facility; noted the\ncompany would like to remain in Alameda.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n6\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 7, "text": "In response Mayor Spencer's inquiry regarding the type of jobs, Mr. Kemp responded\nthe employees would mostly be rocket scientists.\nMayor Spencer stated the term is an usual length; requested staff to provide an\nexplanation.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director stated staff is not recommending a\nmutual termination because Astra is the type of tenant the City is looking for in the\nEnterprise District; staff believes the City should encourage Astra to stay and grow in\nAlameda.\nMayor Spencer inquired why the lease is for two years with three one year extensions,\nto which the Assistant Community Development Director responded Astra might not\nwant to stay in the building long term; stated Astra would be interested in growing into a\nhanger; the five year term provides opportunity to see what happens.\nVice Mayor Vella stated the use is adaptive reuse at its finest since the company is\nusing the internal elements of the facility, which is great.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft moved introduction of the ordinance approving the lease\nand authorizing the City Manager to execute documents necessary to implement the\nterms of a lease with Astra Space, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, for a two-year lease\nwith three one-year renewal options for Building 397 located at 1690 Orion Street at\nAlameda Point.\nCouncilmember Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice\nvote - 5.\n(17-15) Recommendation to Authorize a New Taser Program, including the Purchase of\n60 Taser Conducted Electrical Devices (CED) and the Approval of a Five Year Taser\nAssurance Plan for a Total Purchase Price Not to Exceed $139,509.00.\nThe Police Chief gave a brief presentation.\nMayor Spencer thanked staff for providing the draft policy; inquired when the policy\nwould go into effect.\nThe Police Chief responded the policy would become effective when the tasers are put\ninto the field.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated the issue is tough; she was hesitant about the\nPolice Department using tasers because of the BART incident, which occurred due to\nlack of training and proper protocols; police departments need non-lethal tools; the\nPolice Chief is selective about those he hires and has policies in place for use of\ndevices, such as body cameras and tasers, if approved; expressed appreciation for the\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n7\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 8, "text": "policies and background information.\nIn response to Vice Mayor Vella's inquiry regarding crisis intervention de-escalation\ntraining, the Police Chief stated the City has been participating in the training for about\nfive years since the County first introduced the program; the training is popular; only\nthree officers can be sent to each training and only ten sessions are offered per year;\nprovided background on the training, which has caused use-of-force incidents to\ndecrease; provided a recent example of an officer who used the training.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether the training will continue, to which the Police Chief\nresponded in the affirmative.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired what type of training would be required before an officer could\ncarry a taser.\nThe Police Chief responded training will take several months before deployment; stated\ndefensive tactics training staff will be certified to train other officers.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether training will continue, to which the Police Chief\nresponded in the affirmative; stated defensive training occurs quarterly, so officers will\nreceive ongoing training at least four times a year.\nMayor Spencer stated the policy is available online; noted videos on crisis training are\nalso online.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated providing another option of non-lethal force will make the\ncommunity even safer.\nCouncilmember Oddie moved approval of authorizing a new taser program, including\nthe purchase of 60 taser Conducted Electrical Devices (CED) and the approval of a five\nyear taser assurance plan for a total purchase price not to exceed $139,509.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion\nUnder discussion, Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft read a quote from the policy.\nMayor Spencer inquired whether the motion does not include approval of the policy\nsince it is a Police Department policy, which will be approved prior to tasers being\ncarried, to which the Police Chief responded in the affirmative.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\n(17-16) Recommendation to Consider the Tenants Request to Amend Lease via\nIntroduction of Ordinance Approving Amendment of a Lease and Authorizing the City\nManager to Execute Documents Necessary to Implement the Terms of a Lease\nAmendment with Auctions by the Bay for Five Years in Building 525 Located at 2751\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n8\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 9, "text": "Todd Street at Alameda Point to Allow the Sale of Antique and Collectible Guns. Not\nintroduced.\nThe City Manager and Assistant Community Development Director gave a brief\npresentation.\nAllen Michaan and Scott Bradley, Michaan's Auctions, gave a brief presentation.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether background checks would be required, to which\nMr. Michaan responded in the affirmative; stated Michaan's Auctions has to comply with\nall laws.\nIn response to Councilmember Oddie's further question regarding background checks,\nMr. Bradley stated background checks are only required for weapons made after 1898;\nthe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) does not require checks for\nanything prior to 1898.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated Mr. Michaan indicated firearms are often part of an entire\nestate; however, complete shows would be for firearms; requested clarification.\nMr. Bradley provided an example of an estate that included firearms.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether there would be shows that only include\nfirearms, to which Mr. Bradley responded if antiques come in as part of an estate, they\nwould be held and sold at an arms and armor show.\nMr. Michaan stated the sales would be separate; arms and armor would be its own\nauction; an estate went to another auction house because Michaan's Auctions could not\naccept the gun collection.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated said argument makes him sympathetic; however, he is\nconcerned Michaan's would be attracting estates and sales of only arms.\nMr. Michaan stated said estates are few and far between; Michaan's goal is volume;\nworking with Greg Martin gives Michaan's access to high end estates; Michaan's needs\ngrowth; selling newsworthy arms would provide publicity; Michaan's is building the\nauction house to be a world class player; urged Council to give him a chance; stated\nthat he is not interested in arming the public.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether musket balls could be sold, to which Mr.\nMichaan responded that he would agree if the Council restricts the sale of musket balls;\nnoted black powder is needed to fire musket balls; stated that he would prefer to sell\nmusket balls and cannons.\nIn response to Councilmember Oddie's inquiry regarding ivory, Mr. Michaan stated that\nhe does not sell ivory.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n9\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 10, "text": "Councilmember Oddie inquired whether the Police Department encounters weapons\nover 50 years old being used.\nThe Police Chief responded the age of a weapon used in a shooting is not typically\ntracked; provided a recent example of a very old revolver being used in a shooting.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether Butterfields or other auction houses lease public\nproperty.\nMr. Bradley responded Butterfield and Butterfield owned its buildings and Greg Martin\nAuctions leased buildings in San Francisco.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether the lease was with a private owner, to which Mr.\nBradley responded that he believes so.\nVice Mayor Vella stated the Cow Palace and other government owned convention\ncenters have gun shows; inquired whether the City has reviewed said locations liability\nwaivers, protocols and process.\nThe City Attorney responded not thoroughly at this time.\nVice Mayor Vella stated any time any type of firearm is being considered, the City\nshould be as thorough as possible as the owners of the property; inquired whether there\nis a timeline or if there time for staff to do a more thorough review of similar situations in\nwhich the government is the owner of the premises.\nMr. Michaan responded the ATF permits have expired so he would have to go through\nthe ATF's process again, which took more than a month; a collection is not being\noffered right now; he would like to be prepared to accept an estate the next time there is\none which includes arms and armor.\nIn response to Vice Mayor Vella's inquiry regarding replicas, the Assistant Community\nDevelopment Director stated the federal definition of curios and relics exempts replicas;\nthe applicant requested to sell replicas, so the definition was modified.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether the applicant would accept prohibiting sale of\nreplicas, to which Mr. Bradley responded in the affirmative.\nIn response to Vice Mayor Vella's inquiry regarding protocols when firearms are on\npublic display, the Assistant Community Development Director stated the Police Chief\nrequested people not be able to handle the guns; the firearms display would always be\nstaffed and a security guard would be on site.\nThe Police Chief stated that he wants to prevent a smash and grab where people drive\nthrough the front door of the business; firearms on display would be in a locked cabinet\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n10\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 11, "text": "with an employee present; the Alameda County Fairgrounds requires guns to be\ntethered; his biggest concern would be smash and grab or middle of the night thefts,\nwhich is why cameras and safes would be required.\nMr. Michaan stated the firearms would be displayed in closed glass cases, similar to\njewelry; workers staffing shows would unlock the case, show the item, take it back and\nlock the case; one item is shown at a time; noted the building does not have windows,\nso there is really no way to have a smash and grab; further stated the vault was\napproved by ATF, is metal lined and has a secondary alarm system.\nMayor Spencer inquired whether the vault is fixed to the floor, to which Mr. Michaan\nresponded the vault is a small, high security room which he built to house multimillion\ndollar items.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director stated the protocol for displaying guns\nis addressed under Condition 10, which requires a security plan to be submitted to the\nPolice Chief; read the condition.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether security measures are needed because\nthe firearms are still operable, to which the Police Chief responded that he would\nassume so.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether Mr. Michaan has run the auction house\nfor 15 years without ever requesting to sell firearms, to which Mr. Michaan responded in\nthe affirmative; stated the opportunity arose since Greg Martin approached Michaan\nAuctions; Greg Martin split from Butterfields and ran an auction house, which was sold\nwith a non-compete clause; the non-compete time has expired and Butterfields sold its\nproperty in San Francisco; Greg Martin approached Mr. Bradly with the opportunity,\nwhich would allow Michaan's to expand.\nIn response to Vice Mayor Vella's inquiry regarding high capacity guns, Mr. Bradley\nstated that he is not aware of any older guns with high capacity.\nVice Mayor Vella noted as time passes, the date of guns older than 50 years would\nchange and move towards the age of multi chamber guns; inquired whether or not the\napplication would object to restrictions on said guns.\nMr. Bradley responded some of the guns might have 10 round clips.\nMr. Michaan noted ammunition would not be sold; stated the date of 50 years old can\nbe set as of the current date; the Police Department would be provided a list of the guns\nto be sold; if the Police Department objects to a specific gun, Michaan's Auctions could\ntell the consigner the particular gun could not be accepted.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether Mr. Michaan would be amenable to a set, non-\nmoving date, such as January 1, 1967, to which Mr. Michaan responded in the\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n11\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 12, "text": "affirmative.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether there are times Michaan's tells an\nestate certain pieces cannot be accepted, to which Mr. Bradley responded in the\naffirmative.\nMr. Michaan stated an estate, which included arms, decided not to use Michaan's since\nthe arms could not be included in the sale.\nMr. Bradley stated an estate will use Michaan's only if there are one or two items that\ncannot be sold.\nIn response to Mayor Spencer's inquiry regarding theft, Mr. Michaan stated Michaan's\nhas never had a problem; Alameda is a safe community; the Police respond to alarm\nactivations very quickly.\nMayor Spencer inquired why antique guns, which are older than curios, have not been\nincluded.\nMr. Michaan responded pre-1898 is not an issue; stated curios and relics would be set\nat 50 years ago.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director stated the curios and relics definition\nincludes antiques because it says 50 years or older; suggested stating antiques or\ncurios and relics if the term antique is added.\nIn response to Mayor Spencer's inquiry regarding a definition of ammunition, the\nAssistant Community Development Director stated a definition could be added.\nMayor Spencer stated Mr. Michaan indicated that he would agree to requiring guns to\nhave low estimate of $1,000; suggested said condition be added; inquired about the 5%\nof floor space.\nThe Assistant Community Development Director stated 5% of the auction house show\nroom floor includes Building 20 to create the square footage cap.\nIn response to Mayor Spencer's further inquiry whether a snowball would be created by\nallowing gun sales, the Police Chief stated an answer would not be known until\npermission is granted; other people might see a commercial opportunity.\nMayor Spencer inquired what process would have to be followed to sell guns, to which\nthe City Attorney responded it depends on the zoning; the current issue is before\nCouncil because the City leases the property to Michaan's.\nThe City Manager noted a use permit would be required, which would have to go to the\nPlanning Board.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n12\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 13, "text": "Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she cannot support the request because the\nguns are operable; although the purchaser might be fine, it is not known who could end\nup with the gun; the Police Chief provided an unfortunate recent example; guns can get\ninto the hands of children; she would not have allowed gun sales at Big 5; the\ncommunity vision for Alameda Point has never included arms sales; having the Police\nDepartment review the list of guns monthly creates additional work; she cannot approve\nthe use.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated that he does not think it is appropriate for the City to\nhave a policy to sell guns on City land; he supports the staff recommendation to not\namend the lease.\nMayor Spencer stated that she would support a one year pilot with all of the conditions;\nunder proof of qualification, she would want to include a definition of ammunition; the\nmatter could come back with the definitions; a service would be provided to people with\nestates that include arms.\nVice Mayor Vella stated that her concern is the policy implications of allowing the sale of\nfirearms on City property; there would seem to be a lot of City staff time involved, which\nmight not be the best use of staff time; the City has not done its due diligence to look\ninto what other municipalities are doing; valid questions were raised.\nCouncilmember Oddie noted the action requires four votes; stated that he was opposed\nwhen he first heard the idea; the conditions crafted by staff are very strong; he would\nhave supported the use with a fixed date of 50 years ago.\nMayor Spencer inquired whether any concessions could be made to convince other\nCouncilmembers, to which Councilmember Matarrese responded in the negative; stated\nthat he thinks it is bad policy.\nCouncilmember Matarrese moved approval of the staff recommendation not to amend\nthe lease.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she talked to Mr. Michaan\nabout making the guns inoperable, which reduces the gun's value.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated that he would have supported the lease amendment;\nhowever, he will support the policy decision of the Council.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by the following voice vote: Ayes:\nCouncilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie and Vella - 4. Noes: Mayor Spencer\n- 1.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n13\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 14, "text": "CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS\n(17-17) The City Manager announced the Sanctuary City matter would return to Council\nat the next regular meeting on January 17, 2017 and a priority setting work session\nwould be held on February 17, 2017.\nORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA\nNone.\nCOUNCIL REFERRALS\n(17-18) Consider Directing Staff to Review and Update the City's Ordinance to Increase\nProtection of Historic/Heritage Trees, including Adding Arborist Peer Review. (Mayor\nSpencer)\nMayor Spencer made brief comments on her referral.\nStated that she and her husband created a district to protect trees, which has raised\nand spent over $300,000; expressed concern over the lack of City guidelines: Dee\nKeltner, Alameda.\nStated that he strongly supports the Mayor's proposal; other communities have stronger\nordinances, which are good models; outlined suggestions that should be included which\nhe submitted in a letter: Christopher Buckley, Alameda.\nProvided background information on a proposed project that is near three coast live oak\ntrees; stated the City Code offers very little guidelines, especially for smaller projects;\nthe policy leaves the City open to developers and burdens Planning Department staff;\nurged the City to adopt a more comprehensive ordinance, including creating a tree\nadvisory board: Scott Dawson, Alameda.\nStated the Planning Board does not have guidelines to follow, which has caused\nheartache over the last six months; urged the Council to consider establishing tree\nprotection guidelines: Antonia Nicosia, Alameda.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated there has been misinformation on a neighborhood\nproject; trees are not being cut down; the project is being designed to protect the tree\nroots; the tree ordinance should probably be updated; a priority setting workshop will be\nheld on February 17th; read a list of planning priorities; suggested amendment to the\ntree ordinance be considered at the priority setting workshop.\nMayor Spencer stated at this point, the ask is whether or not to proceed with the\nreferral; all of the referrals will be addressed at the priority setting workshop.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated that he wants staff to review the tree ordinance;\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n14\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 15, "text": "Council can address where the matter falls in the list on February 17th; suggested\nadding other facets, such as undesirable trees, historic tree management, drought\nmanagement, and tree trimming; stated guidelines are needed.\nMayor Spencer noted that she included the existing Municipal Code Section in her\nreferral, which is one paragraph.\nThe Assistant City Manager stated the Public Works website has a Master Tree Plan,\nwhich is two volumes that are around 135 pages each; stated guidelines are in place.\nVice Mayor Vella stated the Historical Advisory Board addresses removal of historic\ntrees; the Board refers to the Master Plan, which is cumbersome; the Fremont\nguidelines are direct and easy to follow; expressed concern over the lack of public\nunderstanding; stated the HAB takes the decision seriously and rarely approves\nremoval or construction which would damage trees; HAB members have worked with\nstaff on the policies; rather than starting from scratch, existing policies should be\ncompiled and made more user friendly.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated Alamedans love trees and want to protect them; since\nthere are processes and guidelines in place; perhaps rather than there being a Citywide\nproblem, the issue is a neighborhood dispute; the process has not been completed for\nthe neighborhood project; questioned the need for a new process and board; stated\nthere are already 40 issues in the queue, of which 8 are planning issues.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the topic could be raised at the priority\nsetting workshop even if the referral is not approved.\nThe City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated there will be a chance to raise\nissues at the priority setting workshop.\nMayor Spencer stated the referral does not specifically ask for a new board; the referral\nis not specific to one project, rather it addresses policy; having the Council review the\npolicy and receive community input would be appropriate.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired where the Master Plan is available and why it is not\nreferenced in the current ordinance.\nThe Assistant City Manager responded that she does not know why the Plan is not\nreferenced; stated a reference could be added; the Plan is under Key Documents on the\nPublic Works website; a link should be added on the Public Works webpage on trees.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired what Councilmember Matarrese would like to accomplish\nunder the referral since he was on the Council when the Plan was adopted.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated the Plan was adopted seven years ago; there has\nbeen a drought during said time; the City probably learned a lot from the drought;\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n15\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 16, "text": "Homeowners Associations do not have broad knowledge of the requirements; the user\nfriendliness and connection to day-to-day should be improved; what is existing should\nbe improved; tree issues cause attention; the process should be publicized and\noptimized.\nCouncilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that her only concern is allowing staff to be able to\ndecide when they can address the matter, which does not necessarily rise above\naffordable housing or other matters already raised; staff's workload should be\nrespected.\nMayor Spencer stated the priority setting workshop is being held to address workload;\nthe vote tonight is whether to proceed with the referral.\nCouncilmember Matarrese stated the matter should be added to the queue; it can be\nplaced in order at the priority setting workshop.\nThe City Manager stated the decision tonight is to approve the referral or decide not to\nfocus on the issue; staff could define the size of the project at the priority setting work\nsession; with two large volumes [of the Master Tree Plan], it might be that staff decides\nto go with a different, more user friendly approach or tweaks the existing document to\ncreate a procedure manual or process, which would be two different time commitments\nfrom staff.\nCouncilmember Matarrese moved approval of directing staff to follow the City\nManager's suggestion with regard to the management of heritage and other trees in the\nCity.\nCouncilmember Vella Spencer seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice\nvote - 5.\n(17-19) Consider Directing Staff to Review and Update Outdoor Lighting Regulations,\nalso Referred to as Night Sky or Dark Sky, to Reduce Light Pollution. Continued to\nJanuary 17, 2017. (Mayor Spencer)\nCOUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS\n(17-20) Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she participated in the Toys for Tots\ndrive on December 22nd to organize gifts for children; thanked staff; outlined the\nvolunteer effort.\nADJOURNMENT\nThere being no further business, Mayor Spencer adjourned the meeting at 9:58 p.m.\nRespectfully submitted,\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n16\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 17, "text": "Lara Weisiger\nCity Clerk\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n17\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2017-01-03", "page": 18, "text": "MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTUESDAY--JANUARY - 3, 2017--600 P.M.\nMayor Spencer convened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.\nRoll Call -\nPresent:\nCouncilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and\nMayor Spencer - 5.\n[Note: Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft arrived at 6:02 p.m.]\nAbsent:\nNone.\nThe meeting was adjourned to Closed Session to consider:\n(17-01) Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Pursuant to Government Code \u00a7\n54956.8); PROPERTY: 800 W. Tower Avenue, Alameda Point; CITY NEGOTIATOR:\nJennifer Ott, Base Reuse Director; ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED: City of\nAlameda and Bladium Sports & Fitness Club; ISSUE UNDER NEGOTIATION: Real\nProperty Negotiations Price and Terms of Payment.\nFollowing the Closed Session, the meeting was reconvened and Mayor Spencer\nannounced direction was given to staff.\nAdjournment\nThere being no further business, Mayor Spencer adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.\nRespectfully submitted,\nLara Weisiger\nCity Clerk\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.\nSpecial Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nJanuary 3, 2017", "path": "CityCouncil/2017-01-03.pdf"}