ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
1 SPECIAL MEETING – OPEN SESSION: 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO O
RDER/ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Hansen- Romero, Jordan and López , Vice Mayor Miki , Mayor Tiedemann
Absent: None
2. STUDY SESSIO
N
2-1. City
Council Study Session – Street Tree Management Plan (STMP) Staff R
ecommendation: That the Council receive information regarding the Street Tree Management Plan and provide feedback and any preliminary policy direction on the Plan
Communit
y Development Director Jeff Bond presented the staff report. The first phase of the Street Tree Management Plan (STMP), a street tree inventory, was completed in April 2023. The inventory identified more than 4,807 street trees and 171 distinct species of trees. Phase 2 consists of hiring a consultant and preparation of the STMP. In September 2023, the Council authorized a contract with HortScience to prepare the STMP.
Darya Barar an
d Ryan Suttle, HortScience | Bartlet Consulting, described a STMP as a document that creates canopy and planting targets, balances benefits with management and maintenance, and maintains the City’s aesthetic character. The consultant team will focus on beautification, habitat, and coo ling through shade and evapotranspiration.
Potential challenges for the team are managing a living, dynamic resource, climate change, and the City’s and homeowners’ shared responsibility for trees.
Developm
ent of a STMP begins with assessment of the current condition, challenges, and opportunities; continues with stakeholder engagement and community outreach; and concludes with revision of ordinances, policies, and procedures. Areas for enhancement include maintaining neighborhood identity and aesthetic, creating a more equitable distribution of urban forest benefits, and bolstering climate resilience. Stakeholder engagement and community outreach will occur through commission and committee meetings, public events, online information and surveys, and focus groups. The team will work with elected officials, community stakeholders, and City staff to create a vision statement that reflects the values of the community. The Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP), climate change, drought and water restrictions, recycled water, additional codes, and community culture will influence the STMP.
A summar
y of public comment is as follows: the Council should begin thinking about additional resources for the management of street trees.
A summ
ary of Council comment is as follows: developing an urban canopy and an objective process for risk assessment are important; hope that the STMP process will include a cost estimate for maintenance, a policy for moving sidewalks to preserve trees, •
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Date approved: November 6, 2023
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
2 and identification of appropriate tree species; encouragement for the team to consider fire hardening, root systems, and future locations for underground utilities; interest in understanding the benefits of increasing the size of planting strips , obtaining data that could support the City maintaining street trees, limiting the City’s liability for open tree wells, and educating the public about climate-resilient and drought-resistant trees.
ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING – OPEN SESSION
REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER / LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Council 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
Present: Council Members Hansen- Romero, Jordan and López, Vice Mayor Miki, Mayor Tiedemann
Absent: None
3. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
4-1. Proclamation – World Polio Day
Council Member Hansen- Romero presented the proclamation to the Rotary Club of Albany, California.
5. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicole Almaguer reported the City has been selected for a U.S. Department of Energy grant to help decommission natural gas pipelines within the City. The Albany Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast and Open House was held on October 14, 2023 and benefits the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. Coffee with a Cop is scheduled for October 31, 2023 on the Ohlone Greenway. The Pavement Maintenance and Repair Project will begin in October 2023. Information about street and construction closures will be available on the City website (albanyca.org). Quarterly cleaning of Big Belly trash containers on sidewalks and in parks has occurred. The Great Shakeout earthquake drill will be held on October 19, 2023, at 10:19 AM. Tips for earthquake safety are available on the Great Shakeout website (shakeout.org) and app. The Albany Hill Survey will close at the end of October 2023.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: the Department of Energy grant was awarded to only 12 cities, and Albany is the only city selected on the West Coast; thanks to City staff and the Albany Fire Department.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
3 6. GOOD OF THE CITY/PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Tiedemann opened the Good of the City.
A summary of public comment is as follows: the Albany Film Fest concluded successfully on October 15, 2023.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – October 2, 2023
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 10/6/2023: Net Amount $403,607.39, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $415,687.68, Total Payroll $819,295.07
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 $249,463.73 (9/29/2023), $216,641.41 (10/6/2023)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Ordinance for Filling a Vacant Seat on the City Council by Appointment – Second Reading, Pass to Print
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Ordinance No. 2023-05, adding a new Section 2-1.3 for establishing procedures for filling a vacant seat on the City Council by appointment and amending Section 7- 3 of the Albany Municipal Code relating to vote counting. Second Reading, Pass to Print.
7-5. Temporary Street Closure for the Holiday Market Event Hosted by Picnic, and Request for Waive for Permit Fees for the Event
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-70:
1. Authorizing the closure of a portion of the 1000 block of Solano Avenue for the Holiday Market Event for a period of three years,
2. Waive the encroachment permit fees for the event, and
3. Approve the City absorbing the cost to obtain a contractor for traffic management, which is estimated to be $2,500 per year
7-6. Professional Services Contract with BKF Engineering for Jackson Street Bikeway Design
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
4 Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2023- 71, authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with BKF Engineers for detailed design for the Jackson Street Bikeway in University Village
Environmental Clearance:
The proposed project is Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15304 “Minor Alterations to Land” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts the minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation including creation of bicycle lanes.
Mayor Tiedemann asked if anyone wishes to remove items from the consent calendar.
No one removed an item.
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, Mayor Tiedemann
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
8-1. Policing Commission Proposed Work Plan
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive a presentation regarding the work plan developed by the Policing Commission and provide any comments or direction regarding the proposed work plan
City Clerk Anne Hsu presented the staff report. The work plan outlines the areas on which the Policing Commission will focus.
Greg Downs, Policing Commission Vice Chair, presented the Policing Commission’s proposed work plan to collect data for discussion and to share information and recommendations with the Council. Members of the Policing Commission unanimously supported the proposed work plan.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: the Policing Commission should be cognizant of the distinction between budget and expenditure; if the Policing Commission’s desire for reporting is not workable , staff should return to the Council for discussion; appreciation for the Policing Commission’s commitment to community service.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Council Member Hansen- Romero, to approve the Policing Commission work plan as presented. •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
5 AYES: Council Members Hansen- Romero, Jordan and López, Vice Mayor Miki, Mayor Tiedemann
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
8-2. Fiscal Year 2022-23 End of Year Review
Staff Recommendation: Information item for Council to receive a report on the status of the City’s finances
Interim Finance Director Cassondra Murphy presented the staff report.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2022- 23 concluded with a General Fund surplus of $1.819 million.
Department expenses were within budgeted amounts. The City’s largest expense was salaries and benefits. In departments with vacancies, salaries fell below budgeted amounts. Revenues exceeded budget ed amounts by $3.789 million , which created the surplus. Property tax and sales tax are the City’s strongest revenue streams. Although staff anticipated revenues from sales and use taxes would decline during the pandemic, they have grown each year since FY 2019- 20. Revenue from construction permits has continued to grow and exceeded projections for FY 2022-23, but staff is unsure whether this trend will continue. With the lifting of the state of emergency in February 2023, the demand for services provided by the Recreation & Community Services Department surpassed expectations and generated an increase in revenue.
Staff recommends any reappropriation of surplus funds wait until completion of the audit, which is under way.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: conservative budgeting and strong revenues have helped the City; interest in understanding the volatility of revenue streams.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. Placing a Charter Amendment Measure on the November 5, 2024 Ballot Related to Salaries for the Mayor and Council Members
Mayor Tiedemann and Council Member Jordan Recommendation: That the Council:
1. Direct staff to prepare a measure amending the City Charter to increase the salaries of Council Members to 30% of Area Median Income (AMI) for a family of three for approval on the November 5, 2024 ballot; and
2. Form an ad hoc Council Committee to work with staff on drafting the measure
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
6 Mayor Tiedemann presented Council Member Jordan and his memorandum. The salary for Council Members has not changed in many years and is not adjusted for inflation.
Because the City Charter sets the salary, the voters must approve a Charter amendment to increase the salary. The intent of the proposal is to increase the pool of candidates and to compensate Council Members for their work and time. In 2020, voters in Berkeley approved a measure to increase Council Member compensation to 63% of A verage Median Income (AMI) for a family of three. This approach adjusts compensation for inflation.
Council Member Jordan added that without adequate compensation, government service is not an option for those who are interested in serving but cannot afford to. Among six comparable cities and the City of Albany, the City has the lowest pay for Council Members. The cities with the highest compensation had no uncontested elections in the 21 st century while the cities with the lowest compensation had two uncontested elections in the 21st century.
A summary of public comment is as follows: a suggestion to amend the Charter to allow adjustments for inflation only or to increase compensation beginning in January 2031 when all current members are not on Council; members of the Planning & Zoning Commission should be compensated if Council Members receive a salary; opposition to the proposal; support for increasing Council compensation; the Council should obtain a legal opinion as to whether Senate Bill (SB) 329 automatically increases Council Member compensation; without public input, a ballot measure is premature.
Mayor Tiedemann clarified that public education would be provided if the Council supports the recommendation. The Brown Act allows two Council Members to discuss and work on a topic. A memorandum is the appropriate method to present a topic to the Council.
City Attorney Mala Subramanian advised that the Charter provides compensation of $300 per month for Council Members and references Government Code Section 36516(a) and amendments thereto. Government Code Section 36516(a) has been amended, and the amendment takes effect on January 1, 2024, when Council Member compensation will increase from $300 per month to $950 per month.
Council Member Jordan related that Council Members may receive compensation for serving on regional bodies, and the compensation varies from $0 to $250.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: local elected officials are underpaid most of the time ; the purpose of the proposal is to value the work of Council Members by compensating them; compensation has not been increased since the 1980s while inflation has increased since then; the increase is not as large as it appears due to the high cost of living in Albany; interest in a discussion of methods to encourage public service on Council Advisory Bodies; support for increasing Council compensation with an effective date of two years from the election; support for the approach used by the City of Alameda; compensation could be based on a sliding scale; the Council could form an ad hoc committee to explore compensation ; a preference to direct an ad hoc committee to •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
7 explore increasing Council compensation up to 30% of AMI; support for an increase up to 30% of AMI with Council approving future adjustments as long as adjustments do not benefit the Council Members voting on them; concern that voters will not approve a vaguely worded measure or that future Councils will not approve adjustments; perhaps Council compensation could be based on a trailing AMI amount; a future Council action will determine whether a measure is placed on the November 5, 2024 ballot; the Council may wish to direct the ad hoc committee to explore a variance in the Mayor’s compensation.
City Attorney Subramanian recommended the Council not address Advisory Body compensation because the topic is not included on this agenda.
MOTION:
Moved by Mayor Tiedemann, seconded by Vice Mayor Miki, to direct staff to work with an ad hoc Council Committee comprised of Mayor Tiedemann and Council Member Hansen- Romero in exploring 1) a City Charter amendment that increases the salary for Council Members up to 30% of Area Median Income for a family of three, and 2) options for further increasing the Mayor’s salary.
AYES: Council Members Hansen- Romero, Jordan and López, Vice Mayor Miki, Mayor Tiedemann
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
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
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
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
8 Police & Fire Pension Fund Board Tiedemann Miki
Alameda County Paratransit Advisory &
Planning Committee (PAPCO)
(vacant) N/A
Council Member Jordan reported he attended a meeting of the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) Planning, Policy and Legislation Committee, in which they recommended approval of a Congestion Management Plan.
Vice Mayor Miki reported he attended a League of California Cities event where he learned about communities’ transportation needs.
Council Member López reported the Gill Tract Farm will hold its Harvest Festival on October 29, 2023. He attended a meeting of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, in which trustees discussed continuing meetings via Zoom.
Mayor Tiedemann reported he attended an East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Executive Committee meeting, where he learned about a pilot program to install induction and electric stoves. He also attended an Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Legislative Committee meeting, where he learned about recent legislation. Approximately 80 people attended the Town Hall regarding the Albany Twin.
Peggy McQuaid reported she attended the Housing Authority of the County of Alameda (HACA) meeting, where they met the scholarship winners.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Tiedemann requested an item regarding Advisory Body compensation.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Climate Action Committee Meeting, Wednesday, October 18, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Policing Commission Meeting, Thursday, October 19, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Police & Fire pension Board Meeting, Tuesday, October 24, 3:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, October 25, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
5. Transportation Commission Meeting, Thursday, October 26, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
6. Financial Advisory Committee Meeting, Wednesday, November 1, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
7. City Council Meeting, Monday, November 6, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers I I I
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL- MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 16, 2023
15. ADJOURNMENT
9:18 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Tiedemann adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu , City Clerk.
Aaron Tie.Efeman1f"'
Mayor /
Attest:
Anne Hsu , City Clerk
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