City Position Statements

Support measures which would establish by ordinance administrative duties and responsibilities for City Boards and Commissions, and would prohibit City Council members from serving as ex-officio members on City Boards and Commissions.

Support measures providing simplicity in the Charter of the City of Alameda through clarification of meaning and elimination of obsolete or inapplicable provisions.

Objectives:

I. Remove from the Charter provisions which inhibit flexibility of governmental action to meet changing conditions including:

A. Specific monetary limits for items mentioned in Sections 3-10, 3-15 and 12-2d as of January, 1978.

B. Definition by ordinance of the operating procedures of Boards with references in the Charter made only as to purpose, power, and limitations

II. Encourage and support a wide and balanced representation of all segments of the community on the City Council.

Support the adoption of a Fair Campaign Practices Code/Agreement by the City Council for the local election of Public Officials.

Alameda elections should coincide with the date of the June primary or November general elections.

The League will continue to monitor voting patterns in Alameda to determine whether the ethnic population is fairly represented.

The Alameda League of Women Voters does not currently support district elections.

The League of Women Voters of Alameda supports new housing developments that fulfill Alameda's needs for housing at all economic levels. New developments should have a variety of densities and amenities that will support continuation of the quality of life now enjoyed in Alameda.

We support housing development design that provides maximum feasible open space, defined as sufficient communal green space, walking paths, play grounds, tot-lots and other naturally landscaped areas to encourage and enhance livability and strong community identity.

We support housing development designs that maximize the use of public and alternative modes of transportation. An appropriate number of off-street parking spaces should be provided for, for each type of housing in the mix.

We support designs that meet or exceed current standards for energy efficiency. All designs should show consideration for minimum negative impact on air, water, and the surrounding natural environment.

Support land use policies in Alameda which are designed to improve the quality of life. Support the revision of the Alameda General Plan with this purpose in mind. Support of the existing open space and conservation elements. Support of public input to determine community and neighborhood qualities with the following objectives:

I. General welfare of the citizens of Alameda in such areas as housing, public and social services, noise and odor control, beautification, commercial and industrial development should be enhanced.

II. Immediate attention to improving existing traffic patterns, including improving public transportation and access to BART. Alternatives to increased auto usage, such as bike paths and walkways should be considered.

III. Light industrial and commercial development should be actively pursued. Existing commercial areas should be upgraded and rehabilitated.

IV. Actively pursue and implement existing conservation and open space elements. The City has the responsibility to see that the existing shoreline is developed and maintained for public use.

V. Support the concept of planned growth development.

VI. Mandatory review of the general plan and related elements, with revisions made more than every five years. Adequate public input should be an integral part of the process. There should be public hearings and input at the pre-draft, draft and adoption stages of all future plans and revisions.

VII. Include in the General Plan a plan for acquisition and use of federal lands when they become available.

VIII. Evaluate land use related policies and civic positions so that they satisfy the following criteria:

Are the elements clearly expressed?

Are there concrete objectives?

Are the objectives defined so as to meet the goals?

Has there been citizen input?

Does the policy fairly reflect this input?

Is the Plan too specific?

Does the policy fit in with existing policies?

Have cost factors been fairly considered?

Does it protect environmental goals?

Support revision and regular review of the General Plan that would include policy which would:

A. Maintain livability of residential streets

B. Decrease increasing volumes of traffic on residential streets

C. Encourage the consideration of alternate forms of public transportation

D. Encourage measures to safely control entrances/exits to business and shopping areas.

Parties responsible for the increased traffic density should assume financial responsibility to ameliorate impacted intersections.

The City should establish a policy requiring traffic inpact studies. This policy should be subject to periodic review.

Support citizen participation in the ongoing process of Redevelopment under the California Community Redevelopment Law of 1951 in the City of Alameda.

To achieve this goal:

I. There should be an Environmental Impact Report for each individual project within the Project Area and the overall plan.

II. The Community Improvement Commission (Redevelopment Agency) should form a citizen group representing the diversity of the community to develop civic priorities to be addresses in all Disposition and Development Agreements (DDAs) and Owner Participation Agreements.

III. Citizen participation should be encouraged at all phases of the planning and implementation of redevelopment in Alameda.

IV. The Community Improvement Commission (Redevelopment Agency) should provide information about the Project Area in a timely manner, in a form easily understood and readily available to its citizens.

V. Quarterly financial statements of the Community Improvement Commission (Redevelopment Agency) should be made public

VI. Disposition and development Agreements and Owner Participation Agreements should specify the benefits to the City, and these should be made public by the Community Improvement Commission.

The library should continue working toward meeting the diverse needs of all Alamedeans (all cultural groups, age groups, students, handicapped and military). Open hours, evening and days, should be increased. Space of primary functions of the Library should be increased. The current emphasis on popular materials, reference and children's sections should be continued.

Funding should be increased in order that the Alameda Free Library meet and surpass the minimum standards for library funding set by the state. Funding from the general funds should e raised, and if the library tax is raised the general fund should not be reduced.

Written rules of procedure for communication and library mission and goal statements should be adopted by both the City Council and the Library Board to ensure Council commitment to a viable library for Alameda.

The Alameda League of Women Voters recommends and supports the revision of the Oakland City Charter to include representatives from cities affected by Port activities on the Port of Oakland commission.

The League supports the establishment of policies at local and state levels to implement the following measures which would protect the quality of life of the community.

I. The City of Alameda staff should attend all Port of Oakland meetings and report on actions and proposed plans to be undertaken by the Port which will affect Alameda.

II. There should be ecologically and environmentally sound disposal of dredge spoils from the Port of Oakland's dredging of the Inner and Outer Harbor Channels

III Regionalization of California ports and airports

IV. When adverse effects generated by the Port of Oakland impact on the health and welfare of Alameda residents, the City of Alameda should take appropriate action.