{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 1, "text": "MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTUESDAY- - FEBRUARY 18, 2020- -5:30 P.M.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 5:30 p.m.\nRoll Call - Present:\nCouncilmembers Daysog, Knox White, Oddie, Vella and\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5.\n[Note: Councilmember Vella arrived at 5:41 p.m.]\nAbsent:\nNone.\nConsent Calendar\n(20-076) Recommendation to Approve Eric Levitt, City Manager, Gerry Beaudin,\nAssistant City Manager, Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director, and Alan Cohen,\nAssistant City Attorney, as Labor Negotiators for the City of Alameda. Accepted.\nVice Mayor Knox White moved approval of the staff recommendation.\nCouncilmember Oddie seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -\n4. [Absent: Councilmember Vella - 1.]\nPublic Comment\nStated that he submitted a letter; discussed conflict of interests and campaign\ncontributions: Jay Garfinkle, Alameda.\nThe meeting was adjourned to Closed Session to consider:\n(20-077) Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code section 54957.6); City\nNegotiators: Eric Levitt, City Manager; Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager; Nancy\nBronstein, Human Resources Director; and Alan Cohen, Assistant City Attorney;\nEmployee Organizations: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1245\n(IBEW), Electric Utility Professional Association of Alameda (EUPA), Alameda City\nEmployees Association (ACEA), Alameda Police Officers Association Non-Sworn Unit\n(PANS), and Alameda Management and Confidential Employees Association (MCEA),\nInternational Association of Firefighter, Local 689 (IAFF) Alameda Fire Managers\nAssociation (AFMA), Alameda Police Officers Association (APOA) and Alameda Police\nManagers Association (APMA), Executive Management Employees (EXME) and\nAlameda Municipal Power Unrepresented Management Employees (AMPU); Under\nNegotiation: Salaries, Employee Benefits and Terms of Employment\n(20-078) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Pursuant to Government\nCode \u00a7 54956.9); Case Name: Boatworks V City of Alameda, et al.; Court: Superior\nSpecial Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 2, "text": "Court of the State of California, County of Alameda; Case Numbers: RG16823346,\nRG16841240, RG19041531\n(20-079) Conference with Legal Counsel - Liability Claim (Pursuant to Government\nCode \u00a7 54956.95); Claimant: Grand Edibles, Inc.; Agency Claimed Against: City of\nAlameda\nFollowing the Closed Session, the meeting was reconvened and the City Clerk\nannounced that regarding Labor and Existing Litigation, staff provided information to\nCouncil and direction was provided to staff with no vote taken; regarding the Claim, staff\nprovided information; this matter involves a claim filed by Grand Edibles, Inc., against\nthe City of Alameda alleging that the City breached its obligations as landlord under a\nlease for 300 Island Drive in the City of Alameda; Grand Edibles contents that beginning\nin June of 2018, the City allowed the adjacent lessee and operator of the Chuck Corica\nGolf Complex, Greenway Golf Associates, Inc., to reconstruct the north golf course in a\nmanner that interfered with Grand Edibles business and forced it to close; the City has\ntendered Grand Edibles' claim to Greenway and maintains that at all times it acted in\naccordance with all of its obligations as landlord; nonetheless, in order to avoid the\nexpense and uncertainty of litigation, by the following voice vote: Ayes:\nCouncilmembers Daysog, Knox White, Vella and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 4, Abstention:\nCouncilmember Oddie - 1, the City Council authorizes the City Attorney to settle this\nmatter with Grand Edibles by paying Grand Edibles an amount not to exceed $100,000,\nless a $50,000 reimbursement payment which Greenway will provide to the City within\nfive days of Grand Edibles March 31, 2020 lease termination date; an amount not to\nexceed $69,000 for monthly rent due from Grand Edibles for the months of February\nand March 2020, as well as all unpaid delinquent rent, late fees and interest from March\n1, 2019 through January 31, 2020 shall also be waived.\nAdjournment\nThere being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 6:49\np.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\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 3, "text": "MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTUESDAY- - FEBRUARY 18, 2020- 7:00 P.M.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Councilmember Daysog led\nthe Pledge of Allegiance.\n(20-080) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft made comments in memory of Sarah Lorraine Giles and\nurged drivers to be mindful.\nROLL CALL -\nPresent:\nCouncilmembers Daysog, Knox White, Oddie, Vella,\nand Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5.\nAbsent:\nNone.\nAGENDA CHANGES\n(20-081) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft suggested hearing the Code Enforcement program\n[paragraph no. 20-100] and ordinance [paragraph no. 20-101 together.\nCouncilmember Oddie moved approval of combining the items.\nVice Mayor Knox White seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion the City Attorney stated combining the items works for him.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\nPROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS\n(20-082) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft presented certificates of appreciation to Officers Frank\nPetersen, Russel Wise and Craig Vreeland and Detective Jeffrey Park for a water\nrescue.\n(20-083) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft did a reading for the Season for Non-Violence:\nGentleness.\nORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA\nNone.\nCONSENT CALENDAR\nVice Mayor Knox White and Councilmember Vella stated that they would be voting no\non final passage of the Sunshine Ordinance amendments [paragraph no. 20-097].\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft announced the agreement with Centro Legal [paragraph no. 20-\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n1", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 4, "text": "Stated calls have increased since just cause protections were adopted; the services will\nhelp tenants: Catherine Pauling, Alameda Renters Coalition.\nStated the legal assistance is needed to implement the changes in the law; expressed\nsupport for Centro Legal de la Raza; stated settlements occur when renters have\na\nlawyer; urged approval: Lana Rishina, Alameda.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she supports having an agreement with Centro Legal\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n2\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 5, "text": "de la Raza, but has concerns with some of the amendments; Centro Legal said it did\nnot serve as many people as it wanted to in the first year, yet is asking to decrease the\nnumber of people served while being paid the same amount; expressed concern about\nCentro Legal not having any Asian language translators and wanting to use phone\ntranslators, which is unacceptable; stated that she is also concerned about the clinic\nlocations and hours; Centro Legal should be in Alameda once a week at a set location,\nwhich can rotate; only offering the services on weekday mornings is troublesome\nbecause many people cannot take time off of work; outreach should inform people\nabout Alameda locations; the contract amount seems steep for only phone\nconsultations; she wants the legal representation to be effective; unless there are\nmodifications, she cannot support approval of the contact.\nCouncilmember Daysog inquired how the service provider ensures it is pursuing legal\ncases only after examining the perspective of both the renter and small landlord;\nwhether the service provider guards against situations where they are not getting the full\npicture from a client; what internal policies and procedures are in place to ensure Centro\nLegal gets the full picture.\nThe Community Development Director responded Centro Legal's first approach is to\ntalk to both the landlord and tenant to try to negotiate a resolution and not have the\nissue end up in court; stated Centro Legal has not initiated litigation against an Alameda\nlandlord; working to negotiate solutions without going to court has been effective; there\nis a fact finding process and Centro Legal speaks to both the landlord and the tenant.\nCouncilmember Daysog inquired whether Centro Legal has written letters to landlords\non behalf of tenants, to which the Community Development Director responded in the\naffirmative.\nMonique Berlanga, Centro Legal de la Raza, stated the questions are all things Centro\nLegal has been examining internally.\nCouncilmember Daysog inquired whether internal policies or procedures institutionalize\nthe fact finding phase; stated that he is aware of some small landlords who received a\nletter which presumed the landlord was wrong without the landlord being interviewing or\nfacts being gathered.\nMs. Berlanga stated different levels of service are provided; outlined various services\noffered, including entering into legal representation; stated facts are investigated before\nentering into litigation or extended services.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated internal policies and procedures should include\nindicating when it is not a legal situation; when a landlord gets a letter, they need to\nunderstand when something will be fixed in the courts; he has heard landlords felt their\nperspective was not taken into account; small landlords might have difficulty waging a\nlegal case.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n3", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 6, "text": "Ms. Berlanga stated Centro Legal prides itself on intervening early before a situation\ngets to the point of eviction, which is why lowering the number of eviction cases and\nincreasing tenant education and outreach efforts is being proposed; at clinics, tenants\nwant help interpreting leases or help deescalating issues; the focus is more\ncollaborative efforts, but Centro Legal has duties to clients to enforce their rights and\nhelp provide notice; Centro Legal is very careful to investigate all of the facts before\nentering into a full legal representation.\nCouncilmember Vella stated that she hears the concerns about translation; finding a\nbalance between informational sessions versus one on one client time is difficult;\nquestioned whether appointments could be scheduled in Alameda to meet needs with\nphone interpreters.\nIn response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry, Councilmember Vella discussed\nscheduling appointments; stated people often do not want to drop in because they are\nconcerned about having to wait; when scheduling, language preference can be\naddressed; inquired what Centro Legal does for other contracts.\nMs. Berlanga responded Centro Legal administers contacts for other jurisdictions which\nare similarly evolving; stated pilot programs are started to determine the community's\nneeds and modifications are made; appointments are a great idea; a weekly drop in\nclinic may not be a good use of resources; an appointment based system works well\ngiven timelines; a three day notice might not allow tenants to wait for the next drop in\nclinic; often, individual appointments are made or advice is given over the phone;\nunlawful detainers have a five day response time; for face to face meetings with\ntenants, volunteer or hired interpreters could be present, but if not, the language line\ncould be used; further stated Centro Legal is open to talking to each Councilmember\nabout ideas, groups to reach out to and locations, and is happy to spend as much time\non the Island as works for tenants.\nCouncilmember Vella stated Alameda has a tenants group; working with the tenant\ngroup is important; some drop in hours should be scheduled and coordinated with the\ntenant group or the Housing Authority; inquired whether materials are available in the\nknown languages spoken in Alameda, such as Mandarin and Cantonese.\nMs. Berlanga responded the budget modification requested increased funding to\ncontract for translation of outreach materials.\nCouncilmember Vella stated that she is very supportive of Centro Legal sending letters\nrepresenting people who might not have a voice; letters are sometimes necessary and\nbring people to the table.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated legal services are governed by the Business and\nProfessions Code; by nature and law, attorneys are not the finder of facts; a dispute in\nfacts does not mean landlords are right; Centro Legal's job is to represent and advocate\nfor tenants if there is a dispute that might end up in court; inquired whether Centro\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n4\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 7, "text": "Legal's job is to advocate for tenants.\nMs. Berlanga responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated 62 people were served; 14% were Asian Pacific Islander\n(API); inquired whether the languages spoken are known, to which Ms. Berlanga\nresponded that she does not have the specific numbers.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated Alameda's language breakdown is Chinese, Filipino,\nVietnamese and he thinks Korean is next; there is not a tremendous number of\nlanguages; it bothers him that one in seven clients may not speak the language; as the\nMayor pointed out, Alameda is getting less for the same amount of money and will have\nthe pay an additional amount for translation; Centro Legal should work with the City on\nthe matter; if coming every week is not feasible, there has to be a middle option.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the City could help make connections with the Alameda\ncommunity, such as Alice Lai-Bitker, who is very tied into the API community; there are\nmany others, too; stated there might have been more renters in need who did not know\nabout the service if materials were not available in their languages.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated there are a number of resources with translators that do\nnot charge through the roof.\nMs. Berlanga concurred; stated that she does not think there has been a problem with\nthe service provision of providing services in other languages; she is concerned\ncommunities might not know about the availability of the services; she hopes the City\ncan help with connections; Centro Legal has many partner agencies to help with\ntranslation of materials and wants to focus efforts in a culturally responsive way.\nCouncilmember Oddie requested Ms. Berlanga address whether issues raised by the\nMayor can be resolved.\nMs. Berlanga stated regarding the decrease in deliverables, the initial proposal was\nbased the maximum number of eviction cases one attorney with a paralegal could\nrepresent; 40 is the maximum responsible case load for an eviction defense attorney;\nthe pilot has shown eviction defense is not the primary need in Alameda; the primary\nneed is consultation services, including clarification about the law and educating people\nof their rights; the proposal is to increase said efforts and focus on outreach, tenant\neducation and consultation services, as opposed to having an arbitrary number of\neviction defense cases; Centro Legal wants to prevent evictions and provide the whole\nspectrum of services, including Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA); Centro Legal\ndoes not view the changes as offering fewer services and is viewing it as modifying\nexisting services to meet community needs; the focus could be on eviction defense\nonly, but Centro Legal believes a broader range of services is the best way to combat\ndisplacement.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n5", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 8, "text": "Councilmember Oddie stated the two items the Mayor raised were the language\navailability and having to pay for said service and the hours not being convenient;\nAlameda also has a growing population of people who speak Arabic languages.\nMs. Berlanga stated although the language line is not a perfect solution, Centro Legal's\nmost recent bill was for 15 different languages; recent case law requires courts to\nprovide interpreters during court proceedings; in person interpretation is expensive, but\nis important; Centro Legal has partnerships with other organizations, which can be\ndrawn upon if Centro Legal wants to do a presentation in another language; any\nconnections the City can provide would be appreciated.\nKaty Guimond, Centro Legal de la Raza, provided the figures on the people served: one\nperson indicated Cantonese, one person indicated Tagalog, the rest were English,\nFrench and Spanish; a few did not report a language.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated the City should not be billed extra if translation was only\nfor two clients.\nMs. Berlanga stated Centro Legal is not billing extra and simply ensuring translation is\npart of the contract.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Council has not even agreed to what will be approved as far\nas funding for next year; requested Ms. Berlanga wrap up quickly.\nMs. Berlanga stated Centro Legal is open to suggestions or ideas in terms of clinics and\nhours; she thinks an appointment based system would be really great; an initial intake\ncan be done via phone with an appointment setup in Alameda based on what works for\nthe tenant; Centro Legal provides evening clinics.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the evening clinics are in Oakland.\nMs. Berlanga responded in the affirmative; stated Alameda tenants have been coming\nto the clinics.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated even if Alameda tenants have been to the clinics; the\ntenants who did not attend cannot be counted.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated the goal was 125 connections last year; the goal is\ndropping to 75; inquired whether Centro Legal actually spoke to 62 people and whether\nhis general understanding is correct, to which Ms. Berlanga responded in the\naffirmative.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated the budget proposes to do more outreach with less\nmoney for legal representation; inquired whether Centro Legal assumes services will be\nprovided to a greater number of people.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n6\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 9, "text": "Ms. Berlanga responded in the affirmative; stated there will be more touches; Centro\nLegal thinks the impact will be greater.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated that he agrees about the language issue and wants to\nknow how it will be handled and clarified; questioned if there is enough money for\noutreach and if the amount should be increased to reach other communities; he would\nlike on site meetings in Alameda.\nCouncilmember Vella stated there should be a way to partner with surrounding\norganizations, which are based in Oakland and active in Alameda, such as Filipino\nAdvocates for Justice and Asian Health Services; perhaps a know your rights event\ncould be co-sponsored with said groups with breakouts in various languages; resources\nshould be pooled to be more effective; she would also love to see events cosponsored\nwith the Alameda Renters Coalition; resources should be pooled amongst non-profits;\nshe would like to see a such a plan.\nThe Community Development Director stated Supervisor Wilma Chan's office wants to\ndo a know your rights event; she referred them to Centro Legal to combine forces; the\nHousing Authority is also working with Centro Legal on a forum; said events are being\ndone as outreach under the enhanced outreach budget; summarized the key points\nraised tonight regarding interpreters and not paying extra for the language line; stated\nCento Legal currently meets with tenants in person with a translator on the phone; the\nCouncil would like to see a model with an interpreter physically present at the in person\nappointment.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she has softened on an interpreter; an interpreter\nshould be found if a tenant requests someone in person; she cannot agree to add to the\nbudget to provide more services, outreach and translation; the budget has all that is\nneeded; less legal representation and more education is being done, which is non-\nattorney time; the contract is plenty rich in terms of compensation, especially for\ntouching fewer clients.\nThe Community Development Director stated additional compensation is not being\nrequested; the recommendation is a revised work scope using the existing budget.\nIn response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry, the Community Development Director\nstated the point that was being made in the Annual Report was less about translation\nand more about the cultural competency; Centro Legal doing a deeper dive around\ncultural competency would require additional funding, but additional funding was not\nrequested; cultural competency differs from translation services; more robust outreach\nwill involve reaching out to Alice Lai-Bitker and other connections in the community, but\nwill not require additional funding.\n***\n(20-090) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested a maximum of three additional minutes.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n7", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 10, "text": "Councilmember Daysog moved approval of giving Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft an additional\nthree minutes.\nVice Mayor Knox White seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -\n5.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is stunned an organization as well regarded and\ncompetent as Centro Legal did not know that working in Alameda would involve\nspeaking with non-English speaking Asian clients; there have been great suggestions to\nimprove the cultural competency from Councilmembers, such as partnering; more\nrobust outreach should be done within the same funding envelope; if she is going to\nvote for the proposal she needs to see more time spent in Alameda; tenants already\nstruggle and work two to three jobs to pay rent and should not have to take time to go to\nOakland.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated the services should be in Alameda; that he would like\nmore information about how Centro Legal can guard against situations where it is not\ngetting the full picture; information should be gathered from small landlords before\nreaching the point of legal representation; he wants a process and internal procedures\nin place to ensure getting the full picture before a matter becomes a legal issue.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired what Council wants to modify in the agreement; stated\nshould a check in be required in 90 days to ensure implementation.\nThe City Attorney responded the Council can make modifications, but the other side\nwould have to agree to sign the modified agreement.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated that he is not comfortable waiting a year.\nThe Community Development Director stated the work scope can be amended to have\none on one appointments in Alameda, drop in clinics more than once a month, and\nknow your right events with a six month check in with Council; translation of materials is\nalready contemplated in the scope of work.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she wants to see more robust outreach to non-English\nspeaking communities.\nCouncilmember Vella stated a rent registry is being done and will have information\nwhich can be utilized; the City should also be getting out the word about Centro Legal's\nservices in different languages and people should be notified Centro provides services\nin the different languages.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated said suggestion should be within the scope of the outreach\nand marketing budget; the EFA is $25,000 next year and $30,000 the following year;\nlast year, Alameda tenants received $47,462 in EFA grants; inquired why the amount is\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n8\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 11, "text": "being reduced; stated that she would feel more comfortable holding back some of the\n$166,666 for the City to decide; City authorization is needed; inquired why $25,000 is\nbeing requested and if the need is decreasing.\nThe Community Development Director responded the funding was not in Centro Legal's\nbudget last year; stated it came from the County.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated it looks like the City will be taking over and questioned why\nless is being allocated.\nThe Community Development Director stated tenants were able to access County\nmoney last November through May; the County contract is still in place; the amount is\nan augmentation; if the County contract is not renewed in May, there would be $30,000\nfor the following year; the report back to Council can include what the County does with\nthe contract in May and address whether or not there will be a reduction.\nCouncilmember Oddie moved approval of the staff recommendation, with direction for\nstaff to come back in four months, hearing all of the concerns that were raised, seeing if\nthere can be some agreement or modifications Council could consider to amend the\nagreement based on further research and negotiation, if needed.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested explanation.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated rather than changing anything today, staff would return in\nfour months with different ways to amend the agreement to alleviate concerns at no\nadditional costs.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the amendment would be based on Council\ncomments.\nCouncilmember Oddie responded in the affirmative; stated the contract would move\nforward and not lapse; he does not like the idea of amending the agreement from the\ndais, but would be open to firm amendments that Council thinks Centro Legal would\naccept.\nCouncilmember Vella seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, Vice Mayor Knox White stated a staff report returning in four months\nwould only include two months of data; the report should return in September; time\nshould be given to allow issues to be addressed; he supports the motion, but there\nshould be clarity about what will be reported back; he believes it would include in person\nlanguage interpretation, how meetings are going, how outreach is happening and if\noutreach has been successful.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether Vice Mayor Knox White is making a substitute\nmotion.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n9", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 12, "text": "Vice Mayor Knox White inquired whether Councilmember Oddie is willing to accept\namendment to the motion.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated that he would prefer before the end of July; it should not\ntake that much time to report out on outreach efforts and figuring out languages; data on\ncase numbers will not be available; data is not needed on specific points raised around\nmeeting in Alameda and interpretation services.\nCouncilmember Vella proposed amending the motion to provide an off agenda report to\nCouncil in four months and the matter return on agenda in September.\nCouncilmember Oddie agreed to amend the motion.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by the following voice vote: Ayes:\nCouncilmembers Knox White, Oddie, Vella and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 4. Abstention:\nCouncilmember Daysog - 1.\n***\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft called a recess at 8:19 p.m. and reconvened at 8:30 p.m.\n(20-091) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated staff has requested the Code Enforcement\nprogram [paragraph no. 20-100 and ordinance be addressed separately [paragraph no.\n20-101].\nVice Mayor Knox White moved approval of hearing the items separately.\nCouncilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -\n4. [Absent: Councilmember Vella - 1.]\n(*20-092) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Three-Year\nAgreement with Precision Emprise, LLC, dba Precision Concrete Cutting, for Sidewalk\nTrip Hazard Removal in an Amount Not to Exceed $825,000. Accepted.\n(*20-093) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Approve a Two-Step\nProcurement Process for Integrated Waste Franchise by First Entering into Sole Source\nNegotiations with Alameda County Industries. Accepted.\n(*20-094) Resolution No. 15631, \"Appointing an Engineer-of-Work and an Attorney-of-\nRecord for Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2 (Various Locations\nThroughout the City). Adopted. [345-20]\n(*20-095) Resolution No. 15632, \"Appointing an Engineer-of-Work and an Attorney-of-\nRecord for Maintenance Assessment District 01-1 (Marina Cove).' Adopted.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n10\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 13, "text": "(*20-096) Ordinance No. 3260, \"Approving a Lease and Authorizing the City Manager or\nDesignee to Execute Documents Necessary to Implement the Terms of a One-Year\nLease With Four One-Year Extension Options, Each Subject to Reasonable\nDiscretionary Approval of the City Manager, with Shelter In Peace, Inc., a California\nNon-Profit Corporation, for 2815 San Diego Road Located at Alameda Point to Operate\nTransitional Housing for Refugees.' Finally passed.\n(20-097) Ordinance No. 3261, \"Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending\nVarious Provisions of Article VIII (Sunshine Ordinance) of Chapter Il (Administration),\nincluding Provisions Related to Public Access to Public Meetings and Public Records,\nand Sunshine Ordinance Enforcement, Including Recommendations to Eliminate the\n\"Null and Void\" or \"Order to Cure\" Remedies and Replace Such Remedies With the\nAuthority for the Open Government Commission to Issue Recommendations to Cure\nand Correct.\" Finally passed.\nNote: Final passage of the ordinance carried by the following voice vote: Ayes:\nCouncilmembers Daysog, Oddie and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 3. Noes: Vice Mayor Knox\nWhite and Councilmember Vella - 2.\n(*20-098) Ordinance No. 3262, \"Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by: (1) Adding\nNew Section 23-9 (Personal Wireless Service Facilities in the Public Right-Of-Way); and\n(2) Amending Section 2-59.3 (Limitation and Power to Make Contracts) to Exempt\nMaster License Agreements for Use of Public Assets for Personal Wireless Service\nFacility Installation.' Finally passed.\nREGULAR AGENDA ITEMS\n(20-099) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum\nof\nUnderstanding (MOU) with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Related to the\nNorthwest Territories Regional Shoreline at Alameda Point, and to Approve the Finding\nthat the Northwest Territories Regional Park Disposition is Exempt from the Surplus\nLands Act, as Amended, as the Property is Proposed to be Leased to Another Local\nAgency (EBRPD) for the Agency's Use and Because It is Located on Public Trust\nLands.\nThe Community Development Director and Recreation and Parks Director gave a\nPower Point presentation.\n***\nCouncilmember Vella returned at 8:34 p.m. during the presentation.\nExpressed support for moving forward; suggested a workshop be held before a year\npasses; stated the public should be apprised; when agreement was not reached on\nproceeding with a wildlife refuge, there was no input from the public or the City;\ndiscussed work being done by the Navy: Richard Bangert, Alameda.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n11", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 14, "text": "Stated that she spends time on the water around the Northwest Territories; paddlers\nwould like to provide input; suggested having a landing spot for stand up paddleboards\nand kayaks; thought should be given to cleaning up garbage along the shoreline,\nmaking a space for nature, wildlife and boat management: Mary Spicer, Alameda.\nSubmitted information; discussed sea level rise; proposed returning the area to\nwetlands; requested her proposal be conveyed to EBRPD: Aimee Barnes, Alameda.\nStated the Sierra Club endorses the MOU; urged approval: Pat Lamborn, Alameda.\nStated the MOU has been a long time coming; urged approval: Irene Dieter, Alameda.\nCouncilmember Vella stated that she supports the staff recommendation.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated he enthusiastically supports the recommendation; Ms.\nBarnes proposal will not be heard tonight, but looks like a great plan.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated the project will be beautiful; he likes the idea of paddle\nboard parking; discussed progress at Alameda Point.\nCouncilmember Oddie moved approval of the staff recommendation.\nCouncilmember Vella seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, Councilmember Oddie requested there be a check in if snags occur;\nstated that he shared a concern about rodenticides with the City Manager; the project\nwill be amazing; he is thankful the project is moving forward.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is enthusiastic about the project; discussed an\nannual Navy tour and the Veterans Administration (VA) project; stated the MOU should\nnot be amended; rodenticides can be addressed as part of the lease negotiations.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated if rodenticides are used, the wildlife could eat the dead\nrodents.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested restrooms be addressed; stated the lease should\nspecify whether the VA or EBRPD will build the restroom facilities.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\n(20-100) Recommendation to Review the Planning and Building Code Enforcement\nProgram in Response to the City Council's November 19, 2019 Referral, and Provide\nDirection on Potential Future Changes to the Existing Enforcement Program.\nThe Building Official gave a Power Point presentation.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n12\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 15, "text": "Vice Mayor Knox White stated the current staff is similar to other cities; inquired about\nadding a position.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded every city does it\ndifferently; stated the position would be a working supervisor, which would increase the\nCity's ratio relative to other cities.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated Code Enforcement Officers also do other things; inquired\nhow much time is spent on Code Enforcement.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded that he does not have\nthe information; stated full time Public Works employees job duties include enforcement\nin the public right of way; the question is how to include the employees in the program\nwhen they report to other supervisors for other job duties.\nCouncilmember Vella inquired whether comparisons were done with other cities with\nconsolidated Code Enforcement units.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded most are organized\nsimilar to Alameda, with Planning and Building enforcing Building Codes and Public\nWorks enforcing right of way violations; stated some organize around quality of life;\nsome Council priorities are not life safety.\nCouncilmember Vella discussed Berkeley's program; stated Emeryville might do a ballot\nmeasure for a Code Enforcement officer; Oakland is also amending its program;\ninquired whether making changes is a trend.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded that he did not see a\ntrend; stated every city seems to be struggling with new kinds of issues, such as\nmarijuana and rent control.\nCouncilmember Vella stated there are health and safety issues outside the detailed\nBuilding Codes; inquired where smoking, mold, lead, night sky, AirBnB, minimum wage,\nor straw issues fall within the priority list; stated the Council has adopted ordinances in\nresponse to environmental, health and safety, and accessibility concerns; inquired\nwhether Council needs to give more direction about the issues.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded a lot of the laws were not\naround in 1999; stated the priorities should be reviewed and updated; Police is primarily\ndealing with smoking in public; staff is going to improve coordination internally, which\ndoes not require Council direction; Planning relies on other departments; Police handles\nnighttime complaints, such as noise violations.\nThe Building Official stated lead abatement is a heath safety issue tied to the Building\nCode; the City has been very successful with lead abatement.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n13", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 16, "text": "The Code Compliance Officer stated the Department considers lead and mold very\nserious issues; discussed treating water intrusion to address mold; stated life safety\nissues are addressed immediately.\nCouncilmember Vella stated the potential budget includes a car; inquired whether other\ntools and new technology is needed for inspections and whether training is needed.\nThe Building Official responded the City has the tools; stated if the City is not trained,\nthe County services are used; the budget line item includes a car, office and computer.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated the City seems to be good at dealing with the built\nenvironment; new areas not related to the built environment require enforcement;\nstructures underneath the overpass near Webster Street are a Code Enforcement\nissue, as well as social and health related, and require working with social workers.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Constitution Way overpass encampment enforcement\nissues are tricky; the property belongs to Caltrans; the Police Department cannot do\nenforcement; the Highway Patrol is Caltrans' enforcement arm; the City is working\nacross jurisdictions on the matter.\nStated renters are bringing forward habitability issues; education is needed once the\nprogram is clarified; discussed noise and mold issues: Catherine Pauling, Alameda.\nNoted residents need the services of Centro Legal de la Raza; urged approval: Arminda\nGraca, Alameda.\nIn response to Councilmember Oddie's inquiry about what staff wants, the Planning,\nBuilding and Transportation Director stated Council directed staff to make adjustments;\nstaff reviewed the program; the City Manager's recommendation is to add another\nperson to the Department, which could be brought back as part of the midyear budget;\nstaff wants to ensure prioritization is being done correctly; consolidating under one\ndepartment will be tricky.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated that he agrees an extra person is needed; he likes the\nproposed idea; discussed maintaining rentals.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated that he is not convinced another position is needed; he\ndoes not want the City to be going after landlords; data has to speak for itself and is not\nthere right now; he is willing to listen if there is a broader case to increase staff, but he\nhas a problem if it is just to go after smaller landlords.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated choosing who to go after based on who they are is\nproblematic; he represents everybody; he is a small landlord; if his building is not up to\nCode, he should be fined; a position was requested a few weeks ago; this is the second\nrequest; the midyear budget is coming up; there are still budget issues, such as\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n14\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 17, "text": "homelessness and transportation, which he would like addressed before committing to\nnew staffing; discussed a case of nine complaints being filed before anything was done\nabout a noise issue; stated that he would be comfortable discussing the request as part\nof the midyear budget; issues raised by Councilmember Vella are not on the list, but\nimpact livability and should be addressed; suggested the priorities come back; stated\nthat he would like more data and summary data; discussed the City's new Attorney\nprosecution unit; suggested monthly reports be provided.\nCouncilmember Vella stated that her referral was due to a number of complaints across\nthe board; Code Enforcement has been very focused on the Building Code; there are a\nlot more mixed use areas in development; suggested using notifications to prevent\nissues and bringing back how to deal with mixed use areas; expressed support for steps\ntaken since the referral and greater coordination; stated a consolidated unit could help\nwith coordination; there will be a transition period; evolution is needed from just\nenforcement of the Building Code; other regulations are on the books, including the\nClimate Action Plan; a process should be in place; there should be a single phone line\npeople can call for Code Enforcement issues; there should be a Council conversation\nabout the priorities; the City needs a matrix of the general categories with who will be\nresponding and the timeline for response; there should be tracking that includes the\nnumber of complaints against a property owner; she would like to know the plan since\nthe City has a prosecution unit in house; she does not see it as a tenant/landlord issue;\nit is broader and encompasses climate action, cannabis dispensaries and the\nAmericans with Disability Act (ADA); a non-Police Code Enforcement unit is needed; a\nproposal should include options for an alternate work week to have evening or weekend\nhours; she has concerns about using SeeClickFix and hopes there is another way to\ntrack and report complaints; the new position should be discussed in the context of\nother budget priorities.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for consolidating Code Enforcement under one\ndepartment; stated the City should create user friend systems; residents should be able\nto call one number; expressed support for discussing the financial resources as part of\nthe midyear budget; people do not get permits if fees are too high; a portion of the rent\ncontrol fees is being used to fund part of the prosecution unit in the City Attorney's\noffice; imposing steeper fees is a disincentive for landlords to improve properties; the\nissue can be discussed as part of the budget; times change and priorities need to be\nchanged; she might not have graffiti as a medium priority over garbage and litter, which\nis a low priority; the health and safety of the community needs to be protected; noise is\na health and safety issue, which should be discussed; requested vacant commercial\nbuildings be addressed; discussed examples of vacant buildings on Webster Street;\nstated that she would be inclined to consider the consolidated model; discussed the\nrental stock; inquired the best steps to send the issue back to staff.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated staff should continue to\nenforce Codes and start working on report that focuses on the types of cases and how\ncases are being handled; there could be two steps; the first would be a report on\npriorities and how staff is operating and integrating the new types of complaints; the\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n15", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 18, "text": "report would help inform mid-cycle budget discussions and continue the review of\ncoordination and consolidation.\nThe City Manager concurred with the Planning, Building and Transportation Director's\nsuggestion; stated that he also has some ideas, which could be sent to Council off\nagenda prior to the mid-cycle budget.\nCouncilmember Vella noted moving outside the realm of Building Code and folding in\nother Council priorities might require additional training.\nThe Building Official stated the City's noise ordinance needs to be rewritten, is almost\nimpossible to prove and should be reviewed along with the other changes.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director noted a next door tenants in a\nbuilding do not even apply since the ordinance relies on the property line.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated State law requires landlords to provide a habitable\npremises; discussed one of the complaints; stated small property owners should not get\na pass; the changes are not being done to go after any particular group; Council is\ntrying to make sure everyone in Alameda lives in a safe building.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated a detailed list should not be made for re-prioritizing,\nrather it should be high level concepts.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated his point is the data in the staff report shows there is not\nan abundance of Code Enforcement issues; a regime oriented towards the issue is\nsuddenly being created when there is not data; the City seems to have the capacity to\ndeal with problem properties; he questions increasing capacity and whether the City will\ngo overboard looking for problems.\nVice Mayor Knox White inquired whether staff would be coming back with the noise\nordinance as well, to which staff responded in the affirmative.\nCouncilmember Vella stated any needed ordinance amendments should return.\n(20-101) Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by\nAmending Section 1-7 (Administrative Citations) of Chapter I (General) Concerning\nCode Enforcement and Administrative Citations. Introduced.\nThe City Attorney gave a brief presentation.\nCouncilmember Vella moved introduction of the ordinance.\nVice Mayor Knox White seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, Vice Mayor Knox White stated that he appreciates the advanced\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n16\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 19, "text": "deposit hardship waiver for those who are fined; inquired whether there are hardship\nprovisions after a citation is issued so that compounding does not become an issue.\nThe City Attorney stated the advance deposit waiver allows someone with a low income\nto seek a waiver from having to deposit the fine; when someone files an appeal, nothing\naccrues if there is a waiver.\nIn response to Vice Mayor Knox White's further inquiry, the City Attorney stated late\nfees only accrue after a long period of nonpayment.\nVice Mayor Knox White discussed parking ticket nonpayment; stated that he would like\nto approve the ordinance tonight; inquired whether something could be brought back to\naddress the issue.\nThe City Attorney stated the Council could give staff direction to review the issue.\nVice Mayor Knox White inquired whether the motion could be amended to add the\ndirection, to which Councilmember Vella responded in the affirmative.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated staff direction is sufficient; there has been a motion and\nsecond, with staff direction from the Vice Mayor.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\n(20-102) Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding\nSection 5-31 to Establish Procedures for Expediting Permit Processing for Electric\nVehicle Charging Stations. Introduced.\nThe Planning, Building and Transportation Director gave a brief presentation.\nCouncilmember Oddie moved introduction of the ordinance.\nCouncilmember Vella seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\n(20-103) Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda\nMunicipal Code by Amending: (1) Article I (Uniform Codes Relating to Building, Housing\nand Technical Codes) of Chapter XIII (Building and Housing) to Adopt the 2019 Edition\nof the California Building Code, the 2019 Edition of the California Residential Code, the\n2019 Edition of the California Historical Building Code, the 2019 Edition of the California\nElectrical Code, the 2019 Edition of the Plumbing Code, the 2019 Edition of the\nCalifornia Mechanical Code, the 2019 Edition of the California Energy Code, the 2019\nEdition of the California Green Building Standards Code; and (2) Amending Section 15-\n1\nof Chapter XV (Fire Prevention) to Adopt the 2019 Edition of the California Fire Code\nwith Alameda Local Amendments. Introduced.\nThe Building Official gave a brief presentation.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n17", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 20, "text": "Councilmember Vella moved introduction of the ordinance.\nVice Mayor Knox White seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, Councilmember Oddie inquired whether the California Green Building\nCode includes a movement towards buying clean construction materials.\nThe Building Official responded the Green Building Code does address said matter, as\nwell as carpet glues and construction debris; stated the State improves the Code every\nthree years.\nOn the call for the question the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.\n(20-104) Recommendation to Approve the Legislative Agenda for the City of Alameda.\nThe Public Information Officer gave a brief presentation.\nStated the agenda is inadequate; urged the agenda include safety for pedestrians and\nbicyclists as its own item; expressed concern over vaque language: Pat Potter, Bike\nWalk Alameda.\nSuggested adding an item to address safety to support legislative efforts that enable\nlocal governments to improve road safety, such as changes to the 85% rule, use of set\nspeed limits, changes to the stop sign warranting process to prioritize safety, and\nremoval of the speed enforcement camera ban: Cyndy Johnsen, Bike Walk Alameda.\nCouncilmember Daysog expressed support for Ms. Johnsen's comments; stated the\nrange of current accidents suggests these recommendations be implemented at\nminimum; Alameda has a fiduciary responsibility to the municipal power company;\nexpressed concern about being put at risk for taking over utility assets; stated running a\nmunicipal utility is difficult; discussed stranded assets; leaders should think clearly about\nwhat they are doing; for not having the legislative staff member spend time on municipal\nutility work.\nVice Mayor Knox White expressed support for Assembly Bill (AB) 1839 and not having\nthe City lobbyist work on utility or Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) issues; expressed\nconcern about the criminal justice reform measure; stated that he would like the issue\nbrought back with information on what is being proposed; stated Senate Bill (SB) 50\nshould be supported; housing is a regional issue; expressed support for moving forward\nwith housing needs and removing supporting building the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry\nTerminal since the Terminal is already being built; stated ferry items should be moved\nunder Transportation, not under Base Reuse; expressed support for an increase in local\ncontrol of guns and firearms under Public Safety; stated community paramedicine\nseems to be listed twice; the Broadway/Posey Tube project should be removed until a\npresentation can be made later in the Spring; funding for biking is shown as a duplicate\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n18\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 21, "text": "under Transportation; expressed support for adding anything which removes 85% for\nspeed setting and allowing local jurisdictions to set limits, speed enforcement, efforts to\nallow vehicle miles traveled, building safety projects around schools, greater local\ncontrol for Transportation Network Companies (TNC) and automated vehicle\ndeployment; stated baseline safety information is not being provided related to how\nTNCs are operated; expressed support for requiring technological solutions to eliminate\nthe use of phones, texting and calls in moving vehicles, adoption of the design\nguidelines for standards for low speed streets, a reform for warrants at stop signs in\norder to build safer intersections, and State changes in requirements that slow down\nsafety projects; stated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reform needs to\nhappen.\nCouncilmember Vella expressed support for AB1839; stated Council should be part of\nthe conversation around the new SB50; not including SB50 is a disservice to the people\nof Alameda; that she opposes the repeal of Proposition 47; there is a prison problem in\nCalifornia; a federal mandate requires reduction of the prison population; the process\nshould not be cut short; something needs to be done about PG&E; she is not in support\nof the San Jose initiative as proposed; expressed concern for over-politicizing utilities\nsuch as PG&E; stated the City uses PG&E systems; expressed concern about impacts\nto Alameda from PG&E; expressed support for other changes to oversight, the\nWebster/Posey/Broadway project, having the West End Crossing shown as its own\nbullet point, and more lobbying and support of better regulation of TNCs.\nCouncilmember Oddie expressed support for Vice Mayor Knox White's comments\nrelated to traffic safety; stated all Councilmembers have the priority of keeping\nintersections safe; expressed support for the bicycle pedestrian bridge, the\nBroadway/Jackson project, listing guns under public health, community paramedicine,\nopposing cash bail reform initiatives, and supporting the Green New Deal; stated that he\nis not supportive of the Cooper Initiative, Proposition 57, or Proposition 47; expressed\nsupport for an iteration of SB50; stated there is not much that is known about PG&E or\nthe impacts of service to Alamedans; the technology to block calls while driving exists\nand enforcement should be discussed.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated there is reason to discuss PG&E; the power shutoffs have\nbeen onerous; local control over housing issues has to be addressed; more can be\ndone in Alameda about housing issues; expressed support for the League of California\nCities' priorities related to housing and homelessness, the City meeting and exceeding\nthe priorities, and SB50; noted the Oakland/Alameda access project is a regional project\nthat should continue to move forward; expressed support for the bicycle pedestrian\nbridge linking Alameda and Oakland together; stated the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry\nTerminal should not be removed from the list, but should be edited to support promotion\nof use; expressed support for regulating short term rentals such as AirBnBs and\nVacation Rental By Owners (VRBO) by limiting the number of permits and for putting\nmore money into addressing the population coming out of prisons.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n19", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 22, "text": "Councilmember Daysog stated that he supports the local traffic matters raised by\nresidents; he does not support San Jose's lead with PG&E; he supports local control\nwith SB50 and the Broadway/Jackson interchange project.\nThe City Manager stated staff has received a variety of direction; noted there is\nconsensus related to traffic safety; stated staff can compile direction and bring the item\nback on the Consent Calendar March 3 or a motion can be made to enact the requested\nchanges.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for bringing the item back March 3.\nCouncilmember Oddie expressed support for bringing the item back March 3, with a\nredlined version.\nThe City Manager stated the PG&E item showed a difference in opinion, as well as\nProposition 47, and Oakland/Alameda Access project.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated that he is willing to take the item off.\nVice Mayor Knox White expressed support for Councilmember Vella's framing of issues.\nCouncilmember Oddie expressed support for cash bail elimination.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated providing an informational sheet on the PG&E would be\nhelpful.\nCouncilmember Vella stated that she is not supportive of the Liccardo version.\n(20-105) Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by\nRevising Section 2-59.3 (Limitation and Power to Make Contracts) of Article IV\n(Contracts) of Chapter Il (Administration), Authorizing the City Manager and the City\nAttorney to Settle Liability Claims up to $75,000 Unless Otherwise Limited by Law and\nto Settle Liability Claims Involving Payments by Excess Liability Coverage. Introduced.\nCouncilmember Daysog expressed support for an annual cumulative cap; inquired\nwhether item that costs less than $75,000 can be fast tracked.\nCouncilmember Daysog moved introduction of the ordinance, with a cap of five times\n$75,000.\nCouncilmember Oddie seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, the City Manager suggested a specific amount be set.\nCouncilmember Daysog amended the motion to be $300,000.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n20\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 23, "text": "Councilmember Oddie seconded the motion.\nThe City Attorney stated Council may want to consider the exemption of worker's\ncompensation cases.\nCouncilmember Daysog expressed support for the exemptions.\nThe City Attorney stated another exemption to consider are cases where insurance\ncarriers already pierce the excess insurance layer, indicating a settlement; discussed a\nloss of coverage scenario.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification.\nCouncilmember Vella expressed support for a Council update; stated a call for review\nmay be implemented if necessary; noted a cap on the amounts might prove difficult.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for a Council update when settlements are\nmade.\nThe City Attorney stated an annual report is made public; a report to Council is\namenable.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated that information is always good to have.\n(20-106) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated a motion is needed to consider the remaining item,\nthe referral [paragraph no. 20-108].\nCouncilmember Vella moved approval of hearing the referral.\nCouncilmember Oddie seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -\n5.\n***\nIn response to Councilmember Daysog, the City Attorney stated approval of the item will\ncause less closed session items.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated that he appreciates an annual report; a threshold of\n$25,000 should yield an alert of settlement and allow for action to be taken if necessary.\nThe City Attorney stated within 5 days, updates will be provided for any amount in\nexcess of $25,000.\nCouncilmember Oddie expressed support for the annual report becoming a quarterly\nreport; stated many Councilmembers have expressed concern about a subset of claims.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n21", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 24, "text": "Councilmember Vella stated the authority to not hear the items in closed session was\nnot previously available; $25,000 is a low amount; expressed concern for\nCouncilmembers intervening with personnel matters and violating the Charter;\nexpressed support Council be informed about settlements, but not the dollar amount.\nCouncilmember Oddie stated that he is convinced no cap amount is needed.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated that he is in support; withdrew his motion.\nCouncilmember Vella moved introduction of the ordinance as drafted, with direction that\nCouncil be informed within a week of a settlement, with updates at the mid-year and\nannual budget.\nCouncilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -\n5.\nCITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS\n(20-107) The City Manager made an announcement regarding a planned signal outage\nand a new text 9-1-1 program.\nORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA\nNone.\nCOUNCIL REFERRALS\n(20-108) Consider Modifications to the Art in City Hall Program. (Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft)\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft made brief comments regarding the referral.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether the request should go through the Public Art\nCommission (PAC), to which Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft responded in the negative.\nThe Public Information Officer stated in its pilot stage, the program was presented to the\nPAC for feedback; final approval came to Council.\nCouncilmember Oddie inquired whether censorship should be considered.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft responded criteria must be followed.\nThe Public Information Officer stated there can be no violence, nudity, or hate speech.\nCouncilmember Oddie expressed concern about content based regulations.\nThe Public Information Officer stated a call for proposals was issued; roughly 40\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n22\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 25, "text": "applicants have been screened; a public meeting was held and a lottery conducted to\nselect artists for the 2020 calendar year.\nCouncilmember Oddie expressed concern for violations of the First Amendment.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the request is to change the venue to City Hall West.\nCouncilmember Oddie moved approved of the item.\nCouncilmember Vella expressed concern about content based regulation of speech;\nstated issues should be addressed; expressed support for feedback from the PAC for\nthe 2021 calendar year.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would prefer the art chosen for the third floor to be\nmoved to City Hall West this year.\nCouncilmember Vella stated the lottery has already been conducted; expressed\nconcern about changing the venue without advising the artists of the process.\nThe Public Information Officer stated when the lottery is conducted, the artists may\nspecify a desired floor; an agreement has been executed with the artists.\nCouncilmember Vella inquired how far out the selections have been made, to which the\nPublic Information Officer responded through the 2020 calendar year.\nCouncilmember Vella expressed support for enacting the change in 2021.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated many people are confused when traversing the third floor;\nthat she would like the third floor to be user friendly; recommended the second floor be\nused instead of the third floor; noted there are concerns related to artwork depicting\nhate groups or symbolism.\nCouncilmember Vella noted artists should not be slighted with an alternate location.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the West End of Alameda is being slighted without art; the\nWest End should have an opportunity to display art; it would be nice to give the West\nEnd the same opportunity.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated that he is unclear of the Council direction; stated\ndeciding what is allowed on City Hall walls feels outside of policy and problematic; City\nHall West does not have many visitors; questioned how many artists would elect to\ndisplay art at City Hall West due to lack of exposure; expressed support for a fair\nprocess for those to display art at the West End and for art being displayed at City Hall.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is concerned about the public as well.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n23", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 26, "text": "The City Manager stated the decision is before Council due to the item previously being\nbrought to Council.\nVice Mayor Knox White inquired whether direction can be provided to refer concerns\nand have staff return.\nIn response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's concerns about the work environment,\nCouncilmember Vella stated any Human Resource issues, such as a hostile work\nenvironment claim, should have a process; expressed concern about artists; stated any\nchanges should be implemented with notice.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated staff should provide input.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated the boundaries for the program are fine; questioned\nwhether the decision can be left with staff as opposed to bringing the item back to\nCouncil.\nVice Mayor Knox White moved approval of the program, the operational characteristics\nof the piece, so that staff can implement an Art in City Hall, including City Hall West, as\nthey see fit.\nThe Public Information Officer inquired whether there is direction about the upcoming\nexhibit in April.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated staff can look into the upcoming exhibit.\nVice Mayor Knox White stated the PAC can look into the matter as well.\nThe City Manager stated staff is not making decisions based on the art itself.\nThe Public Information Officer stated the April exhibits will move forward as planned if\nthe item is brought to the PAC.\nVice Mayor Knox White expressed support for keeping the art in the original place\nindicated.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the third floor is not the best place for art.\nCouncilmember Vella stated any change in venue should be enacted in 2021 to keep\ncommitments.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the artists can be contacted, to which the City\nManager responded in the affirmative.\nThe Public Information Officer stated an e-mail can be sent to the artist's interested\nparties list.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\n24\nFebruary 18, 2020", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2020-02-18", "page": 27, "text": "COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS\n(20-109) Councilmember Oddie announced that he is on the League of California Cities\nEnvironmental Quality Policy Committee.\n(20-110) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft made an announcement regarding Association of Bay\nArea Government and Metropolitan Transportation Commission meetings and the\nAlameda Mayors Conference.\n(20-111) Vice Mayor Knox White announced the Charter subcommittee would bring\nissues in March and April; he and Councilmember Oddie are holding a Town Hall on\ntransportation safety.\nADJOURNMENT\nThere being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 11:32\np.m.\nRespectfully submitted,\nLara Weisiger\nCity Clerk\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nFebruary 18, 2020\n25", "path": "CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf"}