HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951 01-23 CC MIN445
National City, California, January 23, 1951.
Regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by
Mayor Clinton D. Matthews at 7:30 P.M. o'clock. Councilmen
present: Carrigan, Curry, Hart, Matthews. Councilmen
absent: Clarke.
Moved by Curry, seconded by Hart, that the reading of the
minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 1951, be dis-
pensed with. Carried, all Coumcilmen present voting aye.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS present: Alston, Sullivan, Warner,
Vansant, Gauteroaux.
BILLS AUDITED by the Finance Committee presented:
Moved
General Fund
Park M & I Fund
Planning Commission
Street Fund
Harbor Fund
Payroll Funa
TOTAL
02,083.56
56.87
8.48
5,110.97
15.75
P3,70-7T;gS
Y
by Curry, seconded by Hart, that the bills be allowed
and warrants ordorod drawn for same. Carried, by the follow-
ing voto to=wit: Ayes: Carrigan, Curry, Hart, Matthews.
Nays: None. Absent: Clerko.
COUNCILMAN CLARKE prosont.
HERBERT A. BARNES vas present and asked MAYOR MATTHEWS if
he had any reply to mako in regard to the memorandum that he
presented last week asking that he bo givon tho details
about the setup of tho insurance. MAYOR 4ATTHEWS said that
he did not have it. MR. BARNES stated ho would like to know
why tho business was givon to companies outside of National
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City. COUNCILMAN CLARKE said ho was wondering if thore was
not something that the Council could give Mr. Barnes that
would satisfy his inquirios, and clear this matter up. He
was given an equal opportunity along with tho rost of tho
other insurance represontativos to sell the omployoes
insurance, and why ho continually brings this matter up, Mr.
Clarke said ho did not have the answer. COUNCILMAN CURRY
said it seems to him that the same questions ere asked over
and over and that ho has hoard them explained, in fact ho
went ovor all of this, end to the best of his knowledgo
everything has boon fair and ebovo board. MAYOR MATTHEWS
statod that Councilman Carrigan was askod to check into
this problem and find out if there wee anything wrong, and ho
reported that everything lookod alright. Wo have had moot-
ings with Mr. Barnes end have Bono about everything we can
to try and straighten this out. MAYOR MATTHEWS stated if
Mr. Barnes would wait until after the mooting thoy would go
over this again. MR. BARNES said he could not wait tonight
as ho did not feel able to do so.
DR. J. M. HOWLRD, 3104 Highland Avenue, was present and
presented a Real proporty Owner's Petition to the Council.
The petition statod that those who signed same woro opposod
to the annexation of their proporty to National City.
ATTORNEY WARNER stated that it will bo necessary to check to
determine whether any prosont annoxation procoodings ere
involved. Mr. Simmons, the Right of Way Engineor askod that
the anoxation of Sweetwater No. 1 and No. 2 be laid ovor as
he is working on it. P.F. HOWLRD presentod mother
potitfon *Protest to Annexation°. MAYOR MATTHEWS roquosted
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that tho motto', of tho annoxation of Sweetwater No. 1 and
No. 2 and the petitions filed bo laid over until tho next
mooting.
THOMAS FORBES was prosont and stated he had a roquest from
the Boys' Club of National City asking tho City to lease
them three additional lots adjoining thoso thoy now have.
ATTORNEY WARNER stated that tho present leaso is for fivo
25 foot lots and they aro asking for oight 25 foot lets.
The reason for this request is that thoy sent tho plans to
the Boys' Club of America in Now York and it came back with
a suggested building plan which roquiros additional 50 foot,
the prosont site is insufficiont to fit the plans submitted.
A lease was prosentod betwoon the City of Notional City and
tho Boys' Club, to lease all of Lots 16, 17, and 18, Block 4,
10 Acre Lot 7, Quarter Section 154, for a term beginning
January 23, 1951 end ending Janunry 23, 2000, et tho rontal
cf Ono Dollar ($1.00) por year, payable in advance annually.
Moved by Carrigan, seccndod by Hart, that tho loose be
granted. Carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes:
Carrigan, Clarko, Curry, Hart, Matthows. Neys: None.
MR. I. EVERETT was prosent and states' that some of tho
house numbers on 12th Strout and somo cf the other streets
in the 1700, 1800 and 1900 block aro not in numerical order,
and thought this should bo straightenod out boforo moro
houses aro built.
ORDINANCE NO.
an ordinance rolating to Trailers was
prosentod for the first reading. Moved by Hart, socondod
by Curry, that only the homing be read. Carried, by the
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foiiewing vote to -wit: Ayes: Carrigan, Clarke, Curry,
Hart, Matthews. Nays: Nato.
ORDINANCE NO. , AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 652
OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NLTION!.L CITY, CALIFORNIA,
BY AMENDING SECTION 10 OF SLID ORDINANCE. Moved by Curry.
seconded by Hart, that the Ordinance bo laid over until tho
next mooting for tho second and final reading. Carried, by
the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Carrigan, Clarke, Curry,
Hart, Matthews. Nays: None.
ATTORNEY WARNER stated thst Councilman Carrigan, City Manager
Sullivan and himself looked at Lots 3 & 7, Block 215 and
Lots 20 & 23, Block 235, and they wore else checked by a
real estate agent and ho had some estimates of their valuo
and ho did not believe it would bo a good trade under tho
existing circumstances, and requested a week's time to
negotiate with Mr. Kelly to have tho offor raised and also
got some additional appraisals on tho lots. MAYOR MATTHEWS
requested that this matter bo laid over another week.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN stated that she end the City Engineer
chocked the sewer bids. Tho proposals were ell in order,
and recommended that the lowest bidder, Walter H. Berber,
bo awarded the contract on Lateral Sewor Jobs 6 and 7.
Movod by Carrigan, socondod by Hart, that tho bid of Walter
H. Barber be accepted. Carried, all Ccuncilman present
voting aye.
REQUEST OF SCIOTS FOR USE OF CITY PARK was presented, CITY
MANACIBR SULLIVAN stated she discussod this with Mr. Graff
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and that he stated it was a typographical error that the
letter statod the benefit was oxclusivoly for the Boys'
Club, as thoy planned to havo cno-third of the proceeds for
the Boys' Club, one-third for the Cripplod Childrons'
Hospital and ono -third for thoir local charity. The typo
of carnival they plan is similar tc that of tho Lions Club
on tho Fourth of July and indicatod that no building space
indoors will be required excopt for an offico for cashier
purposes. Mr. Graff also wishod to have tho Council know
that no gambling will be permittod, and thoy are planning a
show that would probably roquire the use of tho Bowl. Moved
by Carrigan, seconded by Clarke, that permission be granted
the South Wostorn Pyramid No. 55 tho use of tho City Park
on May llth and 12th. Carried, all Councilmen present vcting
aye.
COMMUNICATION FROM N'TIONLL CITY LIBRLRY was rear_'. The
letter statod that upon the demand cf tho City Monegor,
and in order not to work a hardship on the salariod employoes
of the Library, the Library Beard has instructed the
Librarian to sign the payroll for the January 1 to 15th
period. The Library Board is willing to moot with tho
Council at an early date in roferonco to this matter. CITY
MANAGER SULLIVAN said that the Library Board will be glad
to moot with the Council et their convonionce. MAYOR MATTHEWS
requested City Manager Sullivan to ask that the Library
Board meet with the Council, Tuesday evening, January 30,
1,51 et 8:30 P.M.
YE'$ DSCISION BY TES STATE BOIL OF EQUI.LIZATION in the
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450
matter of the transfer of an on -sale general licenso to
Club 366" and tho Texas Liquor Stores, Inc., was road. Th':
prot'-sts of tho City Council of National City on file wore
sustained end the applications worn denied. COUNCILMAN
CLLRKE mado a motion, seconded by Curry, that the Council
reply to tho State Board of Equalization stating that we
appreciate their action, and that tho letter be filod.
Carried, all Councilmon present voting ayo. MAYOR MLTTHEWS
asked Councilman Carrigan if he wished to moko any report
on their meeting with tho ownors of the National Hotol
Building. COUNCILMAN CLRIZIGLN said ho did not beliovo they
gained a thing. M.YOR 'iLTTHEWS said they net with tho owners
of the Building and their Lttornek, Mr. Kahn, and had a
thirty or forty minute discussion and came out about a draw.
They aro requesting our cooperation in using the buildirkg
for another throo years as it is, or for the duration of
the emergency, whichevor is longer. MAYOR MATTHE1°1S said
it will require more thought and legal advice. COUNCILMAN
CLLRKE asked if the owners mentioned anything about improv-
ing the upper stories. MAYOR MLTTHEWS said tho ownors worn
against any imnrovomont. COUNCILMAN CURRY asked if tho
decision by the State Board of Equalization would affoct
the present license, '(P_YOR M@TTu?W$ aatd it would net.
CITY CLERK ALSTON stated a roforendum petition had boon
filed with her January 17, 1951 on the card room ordinance,
and that she checked the petition, and signod an affidavit
stating thore were 740 good siznaturos on the 17 soctions
comprising the petition. MRS. LLSTCN stated under the
Election Code the petitioners havo ten days to bring in
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451
sufficient names to Hoot the requirements. COUNCILMAN
CLARKE asked what was tho minimum number of names required.
CITY CLERK ALSTON said it was 837. COUNCILMAN CARRIGAN
statod that sinco tho corner of 8th and National Avenue hes
been the focal point of disturbance for quito some time, and
the number of nanos on this potition show that thorn aro
quite a number of peoplo in the community for and against
this particular card room setup, and are apparently asking
for an election, that he did not think tho 97 names would
stop tho card room oporators, that they could oasily ;et
the additional names, since the City has gone to the expense
of sending the City Menager and City Attornoy to Sacramento
end since we were upheld in our protest, and sinco the Mayor
and himself spent 1;84.00 for advertising_ on this particular
cornor, end sinco the Council is split and the community is
split, that we can do a public service by instructing the
City Clerk to -set the machinery in motion for telling an
election et the oarliost possible timo to settle this matter,
and that ho would like to make a notion to that effect.
ATTORNEY WARNER stated t»at ha did act b41,UeY0 a 6pg0%a1
eloe4ion cola be tailed until, the suf.€lskAnt .npmhar of MA -
natures aro obt^fined, and before tho Council eallod a special
election ho would like to havo tho opportunity to check on
this matter. COUNCILMAN CLRRIGAN said he would withdraw his
motion. MAYOR MATTHEwS said that probably at the next meet-
ing we will have an opportunity to discuss this nattcr and
the Council should give it Sono thought.
ATTGtNEY WARNER stated that at the last meeting ho was in-
strueted tc draw up en architects contract with Pereira and
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Lucknan concerning the design of tho proposed pier at 24th
Stroot and it has been signed by Poreira and Lucknan.
COUNCILMAN CLARKE inquired if the City had any control what-
soever in the type of construction and the safety of th^
pier and whero does tho liability of the City begin and
]save off, in case soothing may not be according to the
regulations for building of piers. ATTORNEY WARNER stated
that architects Pereira and Lucknan, no doubt.; are well
qualified in building piers and it will havo to bo designed
in accordance with State law, and es far as our liability is
concerned we would not bo any more liable then in anything
else, and we are covorod by insurance. COUNCILMAN CLARKE
inquired as to the jurisdiction of a City Inspector.
ATTORNEY WARNER said the paragraph about the inspector hired
by the City was put in for the protection of the City. Tho
percentages is the 34,000.00 retainer to be covered by two
percent, then three percent and the balance to bring it to
six percent and then the two percent for supervision. Eight
percent is the normal architect's foe. Tho only thing that
is not certain in the contract is the expense of boring and
the surveying. COUNCILMAN CURRY said that nine porcont of
tho cost would be borne by the City an0 that ho thought thoro
should bo a contract with tho builders of the pier so that
there is et el co whatsoever of the breaking the sontreet
and leave the City holding tho bag to the extant of nino
percent of tho cost. CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN said that it is
eight percent. COUNCILMAN CARRIGAN asked if this would be
tied in with the firm that woule do tho building. CITY
MANAGER SULLIVAN stated that Mr. Scheidt from San Francisco
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has offered to do the building under a leaso purchase. She
recommended that the architect's contract be kept separate
in order to use mrtching funds 1f available, or to tako
a lease purchase and let the tidelands leases pay for it.
COUNCILMAN CURRY asked if thero was State money availab'-h.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN said throe portent, and she has a
fora that she obtained for an application to the Federal
Agency to which you aro eligible for tho complete cost of
architecture and onginoorin_ if thoy acce^t the application,
to be paid back out of construction costs. COUNCILMI,N CLARKE
asked if there is any possibility of tho construction of the
pier being held up duo to certain freezes of certain typos
of construction work. CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN saic; that she
talked with the Department of Commerce on tho freeze and
she has a copy of M-4 and the best information is that only
pleasure piers will be frozen. MAYOR MATTHEWS said he
thought it would be well for the Council to bo considering
the appointment of members to the Harbor Commission. COUNCIL-
MAN CARRIGAN askod if thore has boon any stimatod costs.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN said there have been a number of
estimates made, tho h:ghost estimate is 0250,000.00 and tho
lowest estimate, exclusive of drodging is $84,000.00. Mr.
Warner was calculrting and taking into account all the
contingencies, the outside limit would probably bo
$300000404 if you wont to the limit of what could bo
designed. There aro a number of loasos that are contingent
upon a pier being available. The potential income from
the tidelands, as accurately as can be estimated, with a
pier, is about C2O0r000,00 yoar. Mr. Schmidt ostimatod
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roughly 0230,000.00 including tho architect and ongineor.
The thing that the architects have to detornino is whothor
it 1s more economical, to build a thousand foot pier and
dredge loss or build a fivo hundred foot pior and drodgo
more, whichever is cheaper. COUNCILMEN CLLRKE asked if any
decision has been made as to tho length and width of the
pier. CITY W N,"_GF.R SULLIV;;N said the pier may not be more
narrow than 22 feet and have access back and forth from an
access point and it must' have a shape dither a "T" or "L"
on the and to permit a truck to turn around. Tho architects
think probably a mole typo pier with riffraff and platform
decking, which would cut down the number of piling to be
driven, is foasible. If it is a polo typo pier it can bo a
widor pier and the oxtra cost is only the asphalt surface
on top. COUNCILMEN CLLRKE said ho bolievod that if we had
the proper typo of pier constructed on our waterfront that
it would be en asset to our City. COUNCILMAN CURRY said ho
asked that a survoy bo nado as to tho demand wo could expect
for a pior. CITY ML.NLGER SULLIVLN said thorn havo boon a
number of actual negotiations with companies, cno interested
in documenting about thirty ships if a pior was available.
There are two companies that have wantod to take an option
on furnishing petroleum concossion on tho pier, thoro is
ono othor syndicate group who havo a number of fishing
vessels at San Pedro have inquired when wo would havo a
pier available for then to cone down and do up. Thcre have
been some inquiries by people who want to bring material in,
by wator and warohouso it. Mrs. Sullivan said she has done
everything she can to find out what the potential market is
455
and it all hinges on "Whon is your pier going to bo out,
then wo want to talk soriously ^.bout a leaso", so the
potential is there but you cannot guarantee that all the
pooplo that talkod about it will sign leases, on the othor
hand we cannot offer it until it exists. COUNCILMAN CURRY
said he wondered if the pier that is contemplated new would
bo of valuo to accommodate ships that might como in for
repairs. MRS. SULLIVAN sai9 that would bo the principal
use and wo havo two ether inquiries on shipyards.
RESOLUTION NC. 5387 was road, approving tho contract batmen
the City of National City and Poroirn & Lucknan, Lrchitocts
and Engineers, dated Janucry SEC, 1951, and tho Moyer is
hereby authorized to sign the sano on bohalf of tho City
of National City. Moved by Carrigan, socondod by Hart, that
tho Resolution bo adoptod. CCIJNCILMLN CURRY asked for tho
recommendation of the City Manager. CITY MLNAOHR SULLIVAN
said she recommends it because she believes it is necessary
in order to adequately dovolop the tidelands. COUNCILMAN
CLARKE said he would liko to know if any thought has been
given as to the best use of the silt, otc that would bo
removed from the bay. CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN said that
project No. 1 is Community Redevelopment and they contemplate
filling of the slough area from silt in the bay. Carried,
all Councilmen presont voting ayo.
ATTORNEY WARNER stated ho had a filo on tho opinion of tho
Public Utilities Commission in tho application of the San
Diego Ttfdlsit System for an increase in faros. MAYOR
MATTHEWS ordered the communication filed.
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CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN statod a letter was roceived from tho
County Health cfficer asking, National City to consider tho
adoption of an ordinance similar to the County Ordinanco
which would control tho handling of inapectod and unin-
spocted moat. Mrs. Sullivan said it could bo referred to
the City Attorney for
study. C^UNCILMAN CARRIGAN said ho
thought the matter of the Dog Ordinanco should also be
referred to tho City Attorney. M.'YUR MATTHEWS ordored the
matter rogarding the handling of moat be roforred to tho
Attorney.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN said thoro is a dog onorgoney and the
administrative offico of the County asked whether wo could,
on a contract basis, accommodato to the limit of our capacity
such emergency impounding that thoy mi:ht have, and Mrs.
Sullivan said wo would cooperate up to tho limit of our
capacity. They havo a problem of tho dogs that aro apparent-
ly coning in from Mexico and the control of rabies in this
area has been serious for tho Health Dept. The County has
employed additional Poundmastors to impound the dogs and
they are proposing that they will pay us 50 conts por dog day
for any animals confined during this emergency. If it moots
with the approval of tho Council we will procood to collect
for tho dog days that they impound stray animals.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN statod that a letter has boon received
from the aousl.AG ae4 He= Fiannge Meaty ey L dicating that
our applications for acquiring the three housing projects
havo boon filod and are in ordor but that duo to tho froozo
tho dofense area may be released but there will be a froozo
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on acquisition.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN statod that in orcer the Council nay
have additional information on trailers sho asked the
Police Dept. to make a map similar to the one made in the
Trailer Survey last year es to the location of tho present
trailers, As a result they have sighted a number of
trailers for non payment and fcr irregular operation, and
in the case of two different ones that were almost falling
apart. those have since been taken down.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN said there have been a number of
people in tho office concerned with building multiple dwell-
ings for the Navy. Mrs. Sullivan said that it should not
be long until there should bo et least one project.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN presented the Recreation Schedulo for
the quarter.
CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN statod that Mr. Chamberlain contacted
tho Jack Manufacturing Company and she has written Mr. Jack
a letter, end we are assisting then in finding a suitable
sites
ecwCl? %I SART said that ho asdsrsteada theta is as e$y
walking* ordinance and that he thought it would be well for
the City to adopt one. MAYOR MGTTHEWS suggosted that this
bo referred to the Traffic Safety Committee for study and
recommendation. ATTORNEY wARNER said that there has been
quite a bit of discussion on this matter and if the Traffic
Commission feels that present ordinances are not sufficient
he will be glad to draft a now ordinance.
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COUNCILMAN CURRY said he had occasion to drivo out 8th Stroot
to the Sanitarium and thoro are all new houses, with the
exception of two old houses that have boon moved in thero,
and that he feels thoy definitely doprociate the value of
the other houtos. ATTORNEY WARNER said wo night make the
Building Ordinance a little stronger. Tho Planning Commission
has this matter under consideration.
COUNCILMAN CU2ZY asked if the City has an ordinance in
regard to the parking of abandoned cars on sidewalks and
streets. ATTORNEY WARNER stated that tho State law provides
that after fivo days you can neve then, it is 120 hours, and
on the 121st hour thoy can be moved. In caso of an onergoncy,
such as a car parker' in th.: ni/c'le of e highway, it can bo
moved immediately. Tho police aro taking carp of this under
that provision but an ordinance is also in tho making.
COUNCILMAN CLARKE said he thoucht the annual report of the
Builcing Inspector should not go unnoticed or without comment
since it is tho largost yoar for building in National City.
The total in dollars is C2,776,094.00.
MLYCR MATTHEWS stated that the San Diego Sign Ordinance is
now ready for study, and if tho City adopts such an ordinance
it will bo a stop forward and will cover tho future noon
signs, etc. COUNCILMAN CLARKE askod how tho signs for
"National City" wore progressing. CITY MANAGER SULLIVAN
said that they are about ready to dig the holes for install-
ation.
1/23
Moved by Carrigan, socondod by Hart, that the pectin_ be
closed. Carried, all Councilnon present voting ayo.
CITY CLERK
459
MA OR, CITY OF CITY, CALIFORNIA
V23.