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VIEWPOINT

City Council Briefs

Connection Staff
May 2008

A Summary of City Council Activity from Recent Meetings

Staff Analysis of Benefits of Major Developments.

At the request of veteran Councilman Dick Kassis, the Council heard a brief report from Economic Development Director Helen Bean on the economic benefits of recent development projects, particularly Novartis, Pixar, Bay Street, EmeryStation, the East Bay Bridge Center, the Marketplace and IKEA. The Council voted to make this the topic of a Study Session at an unspecified date in the future. Kassis stated that Emeryville residents and business owners need to be educated that these major developments yield many benefits.

Conceptual Design for Police

Department Headquarters.

The Council heard a presentation by an architect on a new design for the Police Department headquarters building, a proposed $1.3 million makeover. Chief James stated that eventually the Police will need a brand new building somewhere off the Peninsula, which is built on landfill and when the next major earthquake comes the police could be completely cut off from the rest of the City.

Updated Rules and Procedures for Council Committees.

City Attorney Mike Biddle presented a draft set of new rules and procedures to govern City committees. One section of the rules addresses threatening, disruptive or abusive behavior and authorizes the Police to remove such person from the room.

Ceremonial Items – Berkeley City College and National Train Day.

The Council adopted proclamations from the Mayor recognizing Berkeley City College and Proclaiming it National Train Day on May 10th. There will be a ceremony at the Emeryville Amtrak Station on Saturday, May 10th, recognizing National Train Day.

Bay Street Bridge Design.

The Council continued very detailed discussions on the many details regarding the design of the proposed pedestrian bridge from Novartis to the Bay Street complex. Details centered around an elevator or no elevator; the degree of “meandering,” angles of overhead arches and other items.

Wareham Exclusive

Negotiating Rights for the

Development of the Hollis

Powell-Greenway Site.

The Council voted 4-1 to extend to Wareham Development the exclusive negotiating rights to various parcels along Hollis and 59th Streets adjacent to the Greenway. Ruth Atkin expressed some concern regarding shadow impacts on tree growth but a Wareham representative stressed that the designs that were submitted were strictly preliminary and much more work remains to be done and will be brought before the Planning Commission and eventually before the City Council. John Fricke voted ‘no’ based on what he said were cost concerns about the development.

Oaks Card Club Gaming License Approved.

The Council approved the renewal of the Oaks Card Club gaming license for another year by a 5-0 vote with no debate. The vote included approval of a new game called “21.5 Blackjack” which supposedly is closer to “real” blackjack as played in Las Vegas or Reno. The approval was recommended by Police Chief Ken James. Oaks Card Club owner John Tibbetts made a brief statement of thanks to the Council. The Oaks is Emeryville’s largest single tax-paying business.

Charter City?

The Council heard a very brief report on whether or not to consider converting to Charter City status. Mayor Ken Bukowski is in favor of becoming a Charter City. This issue has been presented to the City before and has never been favorably looked upon. The Council did vote to request the City Manager invite a speaker from the League of CA Cities to make a presentation to the Council in a special study session at some unspecified future date. One of the stated considerations for becoming a Charter City would be the ability to assess a Real Estate Transfer Tax, which as a General Law City Emeryville cannot legally now do. It was estimated that Emeryville could earn up to $1 million additional revenue annually through imposition of a RETT.