1965 - Laserfiche WebLink

MINUTES of THE MEETING of THE CITY COUNCIL Pleasanton, California September 27, 1965 THE CITY COUNCIL met in Regular Session at 8:00 P.M. on the above date with Mayor Long presiding. ROLL CALL by the City Clerk evidenced the following attendance: Councilmen Cairo, Harding, McWilliams, and Mayor Long present. Councilman Bubics was absent. Mr. Fales, City Manager, Mr. Struthers, City Attorney, Mr. Campbell, City Engineer, and Mrs. Woodward, City Clerk, were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG was led by Mayor Long. MEETING OPEN FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL Mr. Dana McGaugh of 218 Abbie Street, Pleasanton, California, addressed the Council in the matter of the letter that was to be sent to the Director of the Job Corps. This letter was to be a reaffirmation of the understanding between the City and the Job Corps personnel concerning visitations of Corpsmen to the City. More specifi- cally, it was understood that no Corpsman would be permitted to enter the City without prior invitation or without the accompanyment of a Counselor. Mr. McGaugh went on to say that, in his opinion, the "official action" that was take;: by the City was illegal and immoral. With regard to the illegality of the matter he stated that the problem was apparently discussed in the Personnel Session that was scheduled and held on the date of the last Council meeting. He went on to say that the matter of the Job Corps was not a matter that was announced prior to the actual discussion or a matter that could legally be discussed in a Personnel Session. He therefore stated that the discussion and ultimate action taken by the Council was in violation of the 1957 Brown Act. In addition, he pointed out that, in his opinion, the Job Corps was indicted without due process of law, thereby violating the fourteenth amendment to the United States Constitution. With specific reference to the immorality of the situation, Mr. McGaugh stated that, in his opinion, the Council had acted on the basis of rumor and hearsy without possession of any of the facts, and as a result the action seemed arbitrary. He concluded by requesting that the Council reconsider its action and withdraw the letter that was to be sent. In addition, he urged that the Council take positive steps to get acquainted with the Job Corps and work out the problems on an informal basis as the need arose. Mr. Struthers admonished the Council in regard to any further statements that were to be made since there were obvious charges of violating the 1957 Brown Act, which is punishable by fine and imprisonment. Mayor Long, speaking on behalf of the Council, related the rather long and involved history of the agreement between the City and the Job Corps regarding visitations to the City by Corpsmen. He went on to say that the policy, stipulating corpsmen visitations based upon invitations and the accompanyment of Counselors, was a policy that was in fact suggested by the Job Corps people, and ascertained as acceptable by the City. Mayor Long stated that the policy was established as a result of the obvious impracticality of permitting a large number of single, adult males in this age group to enter a City which had no recreational facilities and a small police force. He continued by stating that the letter was an attempt by the City to re- affirm the agreement between the City and the Job Corps but was not provoked by any specific incident, but rather by a series of unrelated and numerous complaints re- garding the fact that Corpsmen were seen at night on the City's street corners. Mayor Long concluded by saying that it was not the desire of the City or City Council to be arbitrary in this matter, and that constructive suggestions and solutions were always welcome. Councilmen Harding and Cairo reaffirmed the Mayor's statements and emphasized the fact that the agreement that was being reiterated in the letter to the Job Corps was a result of a suggested policy by the Job Corps personnel. They also pointed out that the Council was open to any and all suggestions in this matter and would welcome a better solution to the problem. 9 -27 -65