ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 7, 2024
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO O
RDER / 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
P
resent: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Tiedemann, Vice Mayor López, Mayor Miki
Absent: None
3. REPORT
ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMONI
AL MATTERS
5. CITY MANAG
ER REPORT
City
Manager Nicole Almaguer reported the Public Safety Department responded to and quickly extinguished fires on Albany Hill on September 11 and 25, 2024. Staff continues to monitor Albany Hill and the surrounding area. The Albany Police Department (APD) has issued a list of resources for Crime Prevention Month, which is October 2024. Phase 9 of the Annual Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program is substantially complete. Status updates regarding construction projects are posted regularly to the City website (albanyca.org/departments/public-works/construction-alerts). Ballots for the November 5, 2024 election may be deposited in the 24-hour vote-by-mail drop box, which is open through November 5 located at City Hall. Voters may track their ballots through the Secretary of State’s website ( https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my- ballot). The Alameda County Registrar of Voters is hosting a ballot drop stop event on October 14 and 15, 2024 10AM – 4PM in front of the Albany Community Center . A Ranked Choice Voting information session will be held in-person and virtually on October 15, 2024 6PM-8PM (www.albanyca.org/rcv). Election signs placed in the public right -of- way will be removed. As part of Fire Prevention Week, Albany Fire Department (AFD) will host its annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House on October 12, 2024. In compliance with the recent foodware ordinance, sustainable foodware will be utilized at the Pancake Breakfast and Coffee with a Cop. Also on October 12, 2024, the City will have free compost available for the public at Memorial Park beginning at 8AM . More than 250 community members attended the Senior Center Open House on September 27, 2024.
Friends of Albany Parks held a clean- up day on September 28, 2024. The Art s Committee’s year -long program, Path to Belonging, will begin on October 13 and 27 , 2024. More information can be found at sites.google.com/view/pathtobelonging. An open house to kick off the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) is scheduled for October 24, 2024.
The website for the ATP is bit.ly/AlbanyATP.
City
Attorney Mala Subramanian advised that the City recently stipulated to a judgment with the Lions Club to avoid additional litigation. The City has removed the cross from Albany Hill and will pay the Lions Club $1,530,000 pursuant to the judgment. The •
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Date approved: October 21, 2024
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 7, 2024
2 judgment also gives the City legal title to the entirety of the property and eliminates the easement.
6. GOOD OF THE CITY / PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Miki opened the Good of the City.
A summary of public comment is as follows: a 2021 Grand Jury report provided feedback regarding ballot measure questions; support for modifying notification requirements for planning projects based on size; support for Measure R; an invitation to Path to Belonging events.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – September 16, 2024
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 9/20/24: Net Amount $492,232.27, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $522,316.49, Total Payroll $1,014,548.76
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 $278,546.13 (9/13/2024), $213,373.47 (9/20/2024), $330,620.03 (9/27/2024)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Advisory Body Resignation: Kris Libunao Appointed by Vice Mayor López Resigned from the Planning & Zoning Commission
Staff Recommendation: Information Item
7-5. Advisory Body Appointment: Dexter Johnson Appointed to the Arts Committee by Council Member Tiedemann
Staff Recommendation: Information item
7-6. Advisory Body Appointment for City Council Ratification: Noel Cantu Recommended for Appointment to the Housing Advisory Commission (Renter/Tenant Seat) by Council Member Tiedemann
Council Member Tiedemann Recommendation: Ratify
7-7. Battery-Powered Electric Riding Lawnmower Purchase – Request for Funding Appropriation from Public Works Reserve (Fund 2210)
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 7, 2024
3 Staff Recommendation: That Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-71, appropriating $40,000 from the Public Works Reserve (Fund 2210) for the purchase of a battery- powered electric riding lawnmower.
Mayor Miki asked if anyone wished to remove items from the consent calendar. No one removed an item.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Tiedemann, seconded by Council Member Hansen-Romero, to approve the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Tiedemann, Vice Mayor López, Mayor Miki
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
8-1. Watershed Management Plan Update (CIP No. 30001) Informational Presentation and Status Update
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive a presentation regarding the Watershed Management Plan update and provide feedback on the Watershed Management Plan Project
Associate Engineer David Lam presented the staff report and highlighted the purposes of a Watershed Management Plan (WMP). The City’s WMP was last updated in 1998.
Cheng Soo and Camila Correa, Wood Rodgers, Inc., advised that updating the WMP will include comprehensive hydraulic modeling, a condition assessment of stormwater assets, analysis of climate change adaptation, revising regulatory requirements, and a detailed financial analysis. Public meetings are planned for the fourth quarter of 2024, second quarter of 2025, and second quarter of 2026.
In the first phase of the project, consultants will collect data, build a comprehensive GIS database, and accept public input. Consultants will review the condition assessment and develop a maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement plan. The capacity assessment will provide hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, potential projects to utilize green infrastructure, and an analysis of the effects of climate change on infrastructure. Utilizing data from the capacity assessment, consultants will prioritize projects based on benefit to the City and other factors such as health and safety, funding availability, constructability, and social equity, to create a comprehensive capital improvement plan. Lastly, a financial analysis will consider project costs, operation and maintenance expenses, and current funding to determine the amount of additional funding needed for projects.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 7, 2024
4 A summary of public comment is as follows: questions regarding measurement of water quality, input to the Marin system, assessment of physical infrastructure versus water quality, selection of locations for flow gauges, measurement of flow and quantity seasonally.
Mr. Soo explained the use of the calibrated model to quantify the amount of flow reduction.
A flow gauge will be installed downstream of the Berkeley system and on the Bay side of the Albany system to quantify flow into and out of the City. The City’s existing data will be used to assess the condition of infrastructure and sedimentation. The locations of flow gauges were selected because of reproducible data for similar land uses in the watershed.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: hope that the project to re -route Middle Creek would be re-assessed; interest in the WMP containing a policy opposed to lining storm drain treatments and in daylighting Cerrito Creek between Cougar Field and Albany Middle School; concern regarding the absence of a work order for flooding of certain properties; a suggestion to revise the culvert symbols in the map legend; interest in multiple uses of green infrastructure and fiscal impacts on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP); zoning standards may need to be modified to moderate runoff into storm drains; encouragement for the consultants to explore appropriate locations for onsite infiltration of surface runoff and the consequences.
8-2. City of Albany Emergency Operations Plan
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-72 approving the updated City of Albany Emergency Operations Plan
Fire Chief James Boito presented the staff report. The planning effort involved a core team of City department heads and a collaborative team that engaged with regional and state partners. The collaborative team presented feedback from regional and state partners to the core team who drafted the proposed Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
Paul Bockrath, Preparative Consulting, indicated that the EOP establishes a single and comprehensive framework for the management of extraordinary incidents, disasters, and emergencies and provides the concepts and process for City staff to carry out their assigned roles and responsibilities. The EOP utilizes best practices and guidance from the California Office of Emergency Services Planning Crosswalk and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG 101). With adoption of the EOP, the City will comply with federal and state mandates and be eligible for federal and state reimbursement of response-related costs.
The teams conducted a threat and hazard assessment; reviewed and analyzed existing plans, policies, protocols, and agreements; engaged partners, experts, and the community; and developed the draft EOP. The EOP is detailed and covers, among other topics, emergency operations, continuity of government, the emergency proclamation •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 7, 2024
5 process, mutual aid, disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, position responsibilities, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) quick activation, and a volunteer program.
A summary of public comment is as follows: a request for information regarding the volunteer programs.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Tiedemann, seconded by Council Member Jordan, to adopt Resolution No. 2024- 72, approving the updated City of Albany Emergency Operations Plan, with an amendment to include the CERT program.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Tiedemann, Vice Mayor López, Mayor Miki
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. Updated Salary Schedule for City of Albany Employees
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-73, approving an updated Salary Schedule for City employees
Human Resources Director Penny Ha presented the staff report. The proposed salary schedule incorporates salary increases negotiated with Albany Fire Fighters’ Association (AFFA) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA), and a market equity adjustment for unrepresented employees. If approved, the proposed schedule would become effective October 14, 2024.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Tiedemann, seconded by Council Member Hansen-Romero, to adopt Resolution No. 2024- 73, approving an updated Salary Schedule for City employees.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Tiedemann, Vice Mayor López, Mayor Miki
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
12. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS ON
APPOINTED REPRESENTATION OF ALBANY, AND OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 7, 2024
6 City Council Appointed Representation Bodies Appointee Alternate Alameda County Mayors’ Conference Miki López
Alameda County Transportation Commission Jordan Miki
Alameda County Waste Management Authority Hansen-Romero Jordan Association of Bay Area Government Tiedemann Jordan
Ava Community Energy JPA Board Tiedemann López
East Bay Sports Field Recreational Authority JPA Hansen-Romero Miki 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 Miki Tiedemann
Alameda County Paratransit Advisory & Planning
Committee (PAPCO) (vacant) N/A
Council Member Tiedemann attended a meeting of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Executive Board, where they learned about remov ing the bond measure from the ballot, endorsed Propositions 4 and 5, and talked about Plan Bay Area 2050+. The Ava Community Energy Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board of Directors met and voted to accept nuclear energy from PG&E.
Vice Mayor López attended the League of California Cities meeting on behalf of Mayor Miki. The League voted on its leaders for the year. Because the DAC meeting was held at the same time as the League of California Cities meeting, Vice Mayor López could not attend; however, he learned that DAC appreciates the City’s support. In addition, he spoke at the Albany Strollers & Rollers 20
th anniversary celebration.
Council Member Jordan attended a meeting of the Alameda County Library Advisory Commission and received statistics about patrons of the Albany Library. The Alameda County Transportation Commission (CTC) Planning, Policy and Legislation Committee received a presentation regarding the policy blueprint for the next transportation plan. At Council Member Jordan’s suggestion, the transportation plan now includes sidewalk conditions and maintenance.
Council Member Hansen- Romero was not able to attend the East Bay Sports Field Recreational Authority JPA meeting; however, the agenda for the meeting included items for financial reports, fee increases, and capital projects.
Mayor Miki indicated he visited Bon Marché market.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No request received.
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8 ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 7, 2024
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, October 9, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission Meeting, Thursday, October 10, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Arts Committee Meeting, Monday, October 14, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. Policing Commission Meeting, Monday, October 17, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
5. City Council Meeting, Monday, October 21, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Tiedemann led the Council in a moment of silence for those lost to violence on and since October 7, 2023.
9:29 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Miki adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Cle~./l. /, /21 ,,#; . Jg.fin Miki
Mayor
Attest:
Anne Hsu, City Clerk
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