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City Council Briefs

Connection Staff
July 2008

Pixar Expansion Gets Green Light from Council Majority

The Council voted 3-1 at the June 3rd Council session to approve a large-scale multi-phase expansion plan for the Pixar Animation Studio complex. The expansion includes, among many other provisions, a new building at the corner of Park and Hollis; a Class A bike path which will be open to the public at the eastern end of the campus; an eventual parking structure, and a new building at 45th and Hollis Streets.

In addition, Pixar will pay the City $2 million for the completion of the Arts and Culture Center (the former United Stamping Building, next to City Hall), and separately agreed to hold a fundraising event, probably in 2010, for the Center.

The final vote was 3-1, with John Fricke voting “no.” Fricke said he objected to the provision in the agreement which requires the Redevelopment Agency to relinquish its right to repurchase the vacant parcel on the eastern end of the complex, on Park near San Pablo Avenue. Councilmember Dick Kassis was not in attendance at that Council session.

Library Services for Emeryville.

The Council heard an extensive report about provision of library services for Emeryville residents. Emeryville residents have access to the Oakland Public Library system through a contractual agreement between the two cities. Emeryville currently pays $75,000 annually to the City of Oakland under a per-capita library use formula. This contract expires on June 30th and Oakland is looking to renegotiate it and is asking for a new formula that would require Emeryville to pay $559,000 for these same library services. The Council balked at this increase, and directed the staff to keep negotiating. Other long-term solutions could be Emeryville establishing its own library, either in conjunction with the EUSD or as part of the Centers for Community Life, or contracting with Alameda County for library services, which would require Emeryville to have its own physical library in the City.

Council approves consultant presentation on benefits of redevelopment

The Council voted to approve a presentation by a public relations firm on how Emeryville and our residents and businesses have benefitted from redevelopment. The Placemaking Group, a communications/public relations firm based in Oakland, was awarded the contract. Councilmembers Ruth Atkin and Dick Kassis will serve on an ad hoc subcommittee to work with the consultant.

Council Approves New Master Fee Schedule.

The Council approved a new Master Fee schedule unanimously, with no debate.

Kitty’s Cabaret Permit Renewed.

The Council voted to renew Kitty’s Cabaret permit, after substantial discussion regarding recent problems at the youth-oriented hot spot located at 6702 Hollis Street. Recent reports of noise, rowdiness, and blocked sidewalks have caused some concern. The permit was renewed conditional upon increased security by Kitty’s and attention to the other items.

Tracking Contracts to Locally-Owned Business Crashes and Burns

The Council rejected a suggestion by Atkin that the City monitor contracts with locally-owned businesses for the purpose of trying to keep City business local. The idea was rejected primarily due to administrative burdens on City staff and questions regarding the usefulness of the information to be collected. Councilmember Dick Kassis suggested instead that the Council might want to adopt a policy of a special notice provision to Emeryville-based businesses when City contracts are up for bid. This item will be included on the next Council agenda in July.

Other Items.

(A) 40th Street Bridge Lanes. The Council voted to experiment with reducing the number of lanes over the 40th Street Bridge for a period to see how it works. (B) Overnight truck parking. The Council voted to ban large trucks from parking overnight on Horton Street. (C) Emery Go Round Assessments. The Council approved the Transportation Management Agency’s budget with new parcel tax assessments for the Emery Go Round Service.