ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 6, 2023
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
C
ouncil Member Jordan read the Albany Land Acknowledgement Statement as adopted by the City Council per City of Albany Minute Action, November 15, 2021.
2. ROLL CALL
Pres
ent: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and López, Vice Mayor Miki
Absent: Mayor Tiedemann
3. REPORT ON ACT
ION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMONIAL M
ATTERS
4-1. Proclamati
on - American Red Cross Month
Council Member López presented the proclamation to Cindy Leung, Alameda County Red Cross Community Partnership Lead.
4-2. Proclamati
on - March for Meals Month
Vice Mayor Miki presented the proclamation to Peggy McQuaid and Nick Peterson who are volunteers of the Meals on Wheels Program.
4-3. Proclamati
on - Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day Council Member Hansen-Romero presented the proclamation to Sunny Eom and Sophia Downs of the Albany High School Feminist Club.
A summary
of public comment is as follows: the American Red Cross trains people to save lives; appreciation for the comments of Ms. Eom and Ms. Downs; perhaps the City could partner with the Red Cross to offer classes.
A summary
of Council comment is as follows: thank you to each organization for providing services to the community.
5. CITY MANAGER RE
PORT
City Manager
Nicole Almaguer reported the dog park at Memorial Park and lawns at Memorial and Terrace Parks have re- opened after turf maintenance, which was funded through the Measure M parcel tax. Registration for summer camps opened March 6, 2023, and more than 300 individuals have registered for camps and programs.
Approximately 20 businesses attended Coffee with a Cop hosted by the Albany Police Department, Berkeley Police Department, and the Solano Avenue Association. City staff has contacted all businesses affected by recent vandalism regarding the Window and Door Repair Grant Program.
6. GOOD OF T
HE CITY/PUBLIC COMMENT
Vice Mayor Miki opened the Good of the City.
Date approved: March 20, 2023
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 6, 2023
2 A summary of public comment is as follows: a request for a City ordinance regarding horse racing; a request for the City to explore forming a public bank; suggestions for a trash can, water fountain for people and dogs, and airlock entry gates at the Memorial Park dog park; a report of the volunteer laundry services; appreciation for Public Works staff responding to inquiries.
Public Works Director Mark Hurley advised that staff is in vestigating improvements for the dog parks that include airlock entry gates, water fountains, trash cans, and bag dispensers.
City Manager Almaguer indicated she is sharing information regarding a public bank with staff so that they can explore the concept.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes - February 21, 2023
Staff recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll - Date Paid 2/24/2023: Net Amount: $358,174.30, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $380,112.94, Total Payroll: $738,287.24
Staff recommendation: Ratify
7-3. Ratification of Bills, Claims and Demands - Ratification of bills, claims and demands against the City of Albany in the amount of $272,365.27 (2/17/2023), $395,272.71 (2/24/2023)
Staff recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Police Fleet Vehicle Purchase
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2023- 10, authorizing the purchase and outfitting of three 2023 Hybrid Ford Police Utility patrol vehicles utilizing police equipment reserve funds and Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant funds, at the State of California contract price of $56,610.86 per vehicle for the hybrid Ford Police utility patrol vehicle, and outfitting costs of $18,396.24 per vehicle
7-5. Annual Sewer Rehabilitation Program (CIP No. 32000) — Brighton Avenue Easement Sewer Relocation Project: Award of Contract No. C23- 14 for Engineering Design Services
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2023- 11, authorizing the City Manager to execute Contract No. C23- 14 for profess ional ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 6, 2023
3 services with Nute Engineering in the not -to-exceed amount of $322,120.00 for design of the Brighton Avenue Easement Sewer Relocation Project using funds previously appropriated for the Annual Sewer Rehabilitation Program (CIP No. 32000)
7-6. City Council Terminating the Local Emergency in the City of Albany Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Staff Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023- 12 terminating the local emergency in the City of Albany regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Vice Mayor Miki asked if anyone wishes to remove items from the consent calendar. Vice Mayor Miki removed Item 7-4.
Item 7-4: Vice Mayor Miki thanked staff for proposing the purchase of hybrid vehicles and encouraged staff to search for opportunities to purchase electric vehicles for non- essential vehicles.
A summary of public comment is as follows: suggestion of a pilot program for City electric patrol vehicles;
A summary of Council comment is as follows: two years ago, the City did not purchase patrol vehicles; a question regarding the vendors for patrol vehicles.
City Manager Almaguer reported patrol vehicles have not been purchased in several years, and the Police Chief continues to explore the use of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. The City purchases vehicles from Folsom Lake Ford using the State of California procurement contracts.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Council Member Hansen- Romero, to approve the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and López, Vice Mayor Miki ABSENT: Mayor Tiedemann
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
9. PUBLIC HEARING
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. Request for Proposals for Consulting Services for a Street Tree Management Plan ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 6, 2023
4 Staff Recommendation: That the Council authorize staff to issue the Request for Proposals for consulting services to assist the City with the development of the Street Tree Management Plan
Community Development Director Jeff Bond introduced CivicSpark Fellow Natasha Gallatin and explained the purpose of the CivicSpark Program.
CivicSpark Fellow Natasha Gallatin presented the staff report. The goals of developing a Street Tree Management Plan (STMP) are to modernize street tree policies and decision- making processes and to clarify property owners’ responsibilities. ArborPro is conducting a street tree inventory that will inform the STMP.
Staff proposes a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the consultant to assess current challenges and opportunities, provide strategies for robust stakeholder engagement and community outreach, recommend a budget and staffing str ucture, and recommend tree species and management.
The Council may authorize staff to issue the proposed RFP or provide feedback for inclusion in the RFP. In addition, the Council may wish to consider a future study session regarding major policy issues and key milestones. The deadline to receive responses to the RFP would be four to six weeks after its release.
A summary of public comment is as follows: questions regarding appropriate height of street trees and tree species that reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2) the most; a suggestion to
include PG&E in the discussion as they prune some street trees; street tree management is important for carbon sequestration and shading to reduce heat.
Urban Forester John Hawkridge reported the selection of tree species depends on various factors such as the size of the planting area. PG&E usually notifies him of their plans to prune trees. Based on the condition of the trees, he will work with PG&E to revise their plans. The California Public Utilities Commission requires PG&E to prevent trees from getting within 18 inches of high- voltage power lines. PG&E’s pruning meets this requirement, but a tree’s appearance after pruning may not be aesthetically pleasing.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: a preference to complete the STMP in time to inform a 2024 ballot measure as a means to fund the City taking responsibility for street tree maintenance; the RFP should highlight the need for community engagement and outreach and ideally a GIS map; including the second discussion paragraph from the staff report in the RFP will benefit potential consultants; cost of planting new trees as well as maintaining existing trees are needed to draft a ballot measure; Under RFP Equity and Environmental Justice , it should state STMP policies and practices should reduce or eliminate existing inequities among neighborhoods in Albany; the Climate Action Committee should review and provide input regarding RFP responses.
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 6, 2023
5 Community Development Director Bond relayed that a realistic timeframe for completing the STMP is likely to be by the end of 2024, however the timeline may be able to be condensed.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Council Member López, to authorize staff to issue the Request for Proposals for consulting services to assist the City with the development of the Street Tree Management Plan with amendments to state “…STMP should reduce or eliminate existing inequities…” under the RFP section of Equity and Environmental Justice and to include the second paragraph under the discussion section of the staff report. I
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and López, Vice Mayor Miki ABSENT: Mayor Tiedemann
Motion carried and so ordered.
11-2. Accountability Community Dialogue
Staff Recommendation: That the Council designate a Member of the City Council to represent the City Council at this venue
Council Member Jordan reported the Council received an email regarding the meeting on March 8, 2023. Compliance with the Brown Act could be an issue if three or members of the Council attend the meeting.
City Attorney Mala Subramanian advised that a majority of the Council could attend the event and speak to items on the agenda without causing Brown Act issues.
A summary of public comment is as follows: a suggestion to designate Council Member López as the Council’s representative.
Council Member López agreed to represent the City Council at the Accountability Community Dialogue.
12. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS ON
APPOINTED REPRESENTATION OF ALBANY, AND OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
City Council Appointed Representation
Bodies
Appointee Alternate
Alameda County Mayors’ Conference Tiedemann Miki
Alameda County Transportation Commission Jordan Miki
Alameda County Waste Management Authority Hansen-Romero Jordan Association of Bay Area Government Tiedemann Jordan
East Bay Community Energy JPA Board Tiedemann López
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 6, 2023
6 East Bay Sports Field Recreational Authority
JPA
Miki Hansen-Romero
Housing Authority of Alameda County McQuaid N/A
League of California Cities (East Bay) Miki López
Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District López N/A
Alameda County Library Advisory Commission Jordan Tiedemann Rausser College of Natural Resources Dean’s
Advisory Committee on the Gill Tract (DAC)
López N/A
Police & Fire Pension Fund Board Tiedemann Miki
Alameda County Paratransit Advisory &
Planning Committee (PAPCO)
(vacant) N/A
Council Member Hansen- Romero reported she attended a StopWaste meeting and encouraged the public to review StopWaste’s programs. In addition, she attended the Advisory Body training.
Council Member Jordan reported he attended a meeting of the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) where they voted to allocate $4 million of Measure BB funding for an e-bike subsidy program over the next two years. Also, he attended an Alameda County Library Advisory Commission meeting regarding its budget.
Vice Mayor Miki reported he attended the Advisory Body training.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Vice Mayor Miki requested an item to discuss ways to encourage minority -owned, women-owned, and small businesses to respond to RFPs.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Events – please check on City website www.albanyca.org under City Calendar web page for up-to-date information
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Social & Economic Justice Commission Meeting, Tuesday, March 7, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, March 8, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission Meeting, Thursday, March 9, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. Arts Committee Meeting, Monday, March 13, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
5. Climate Action Committee Meeting, Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers