pages: CityCouncil/2006-11-21.pdf, 2
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CityCouncil | 2006-11-21 | 2 | responded in the affirmative. Mayor Johnson stated the Army Corps of Engineers created the Estuary; the train bridge [Fruitvale Avenue Railroad Bridge was built as an accommodation to Alameda to provide a rail connection. the City needs the transportation connection between Alameda and Oakland; questioned whether the Army Corps of Engineers' mission has changed since 1882; stated transferring the Fruitvale Avenue Railroad Bridge to the County without transferring funding is the same as tearing down the bridge; the City supports the transfer because residents would have control over the property; a previous proposal addressed the possibility of dividing the Estuary in the middle and transferring part to Oakland and part to Alameda another proposal addressed the Army Corps of Engineers retaining ownership of the Channel's navigational portion and transferring portions to each City; the Channel needs to be maintained because residents have boats; the City does not have the funding for dredging. The District Counsel stated the Army Corps of Engineers realized that the property is not being managed in a way that the local governments and individual property owners want; illegal encroachments dumped into the canal and there has been unnecessary discharge of pollutants; structures have not been maintained in accordance with the permits; neighbors complained that docks built were too large; the moratorium was an effort to get a handle on said problems; the moratorium does not grant regulatory permits for repair, new construction on existing structures, new construction, or new real estate licenses; individuals are allowed to repair an existing structure in kind upon written request; an Army Corps of Engineers permit is not allowed unless the structure has been kept in a serviceable condition. Mayor Johnson stated the homeowners are not allowed to do routine maintenance but are required by law to keep docks in good repair. suggested that the City could work with the Army Corps of Engineers to modify the moratorium to allow routine maintenance. The District Counsel stated the Army Corps of Engineers has considered modifying the moratorium as to real estate licenses and would entertain other ideas for modification; piece meal development and abuses would occur without the moratorium; a proposal is on the table to request the City to apply for a Programmatic General Permit (PGP) , which would allow the City to manage the waterfront; the property owners would come to the City for permits; the Army Corps of Engineers would assist the City with enforcement; representatives need to be encouraged to propose legislation to fix the Fruitvale Avenue Railroad Bridge; the Army Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 2 November 21, 2006 | CityCouncil/2006-11-21.pdf |