ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 03, 2025
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDE
R / LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mayor López 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 Miki , Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
Absent: None
3. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
4-1. Proclamation – American Red Cross Month
Council Member Miki presented the proclamation to Jenny Arrieta, American Red Cross North Coast Region.
4-2. Proclamation – Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day Vice Mayor McQuaid presented the proclamation to women who have served as Albany City Council Members.
5. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicole Almaguer reported residents will begin receiving new trash and recycling carts at the end of March 2025. Questions and concerns should be directed to Waste Management at 510- 613-2116. A reopening celebration for the dog park in Memorial Park will be held March 13, 2025. The 2025 Summer Catalogue of classes and programs is available online and at City counters. Community members are invited to participate in an Albany Park Clean Up on March 22, 2025, at the Community Center.
The Community Center has a new exhibit in its art gallery. Information for nominations for the 2025- 2026 term of the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury may be found at grandjury.acgov.org/joinus. The Senior Center and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are providing a free tax preparation service through April 10, 2025.
Appointments are required and may be made by calling 510-524-9122 or stopping by the Senior Center.
Date approved: March 17, 2025•
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 03, 2025
2 6. GOOD OF THE CITY/PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor López opened the Good of the City.
A summary of public comment is as follows: a request to expand the notification area for development projects.
City Manager Almaguer noted staff requests for a meeting with commenter have been refused.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – February 18, 2025
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 2/21/2025: Net Amount $461,423.19, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $504,418.39, Total Payroll $965,841.58
Staff Rec
ommendation: Ratify
7-3. Ratification of Bills, Claims and Demands - Ratification of bills, claims and demands against the City of Albany in the amount of $303,190.86 (2/14/2025), $170,653.03 (2/21/2025)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Annual Street Rehabilitation Program (CIP No. 21000) – 2023 Pavement Maintenance and Repair Project (C23-30) Project Completion
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 08, authorizing the City Manager to:
1. Approve Contract Change Order #1 to Contract No. C23-30;
2. Accept the improvements completed in Contract No. C23-30;
3. File the Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
This project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of streets and pedestrian crossings.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 03, 2025
3 7-5. Public Works Creeks & Open Space Maintenance Program Contract Change Order #2 to Contract No. C21-28 for Urban Tilth
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 09, authorizing the City Manager to execute Contract Change Order #2 for Contract No. C21 -28 with Urban Tilth in the amount of $162,817.65 for a total contract amount of $563,136.57, using funds previously appropriated as part of the Public Works Departmental Operating Budget
Mayor López asked if anyone wished to remove items from the consent calendar. No one removed an item from the consent calendar.
MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor McQuaid, seconded by Council Member Jordan, to approve the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
9. PUBLIC HEARING
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10-1. Update on Gas Line Decommissioning Pilot Project and Appropriation of Climate Action and Adaptation Reserve Funds
Staff Recommendation: That the Council:
1. Receive the Gas Line Decommissioning Project Outreach and Engagement Plan;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 07 authorizing the appropriation of $125,000 in funds from available fund balance in the Climate Action and Adaptation Reserve Fund for the Gas Line Decommissioning Project
Community Development Analyst Michelle Plouse presented an update to the project .
Earlier in the day, staff at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notified City staff that grant funds should be accessible through the automated payment system. However, staff’s attempts to access funds w ere not successful. One grant recipient has been able to access funding. City staff also received a link to reschedule a check -in meeting with the DOE. Staff remain cautious but hopeful that grant funding will resume. Staff recommend the Council appropriate funds from the Climate Action and Adaptation Reserve Fund so that the project can remain on schedule. •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 03, 2025
4 At the Council’s request, staff have provided a Gantt chart to clarify timing in the outreach plan. The outreach plan will be submitted to the DOE to confirm that the City has achieved the milestone.
A summary of public comment is as follows: support for appropriating a portion of the amount requested.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: suggestions to appropriate some funds contingent upon staff not being able to access grant funding within a specified time period, to appropriate $125,000 with the City to be reimbursed as grant funds become available, or to appropriate $25,000 for the next three months of expenses with staff returning to Council for another check-in; concerns about the City’s financial health, property owners not support ing electrification, and other programs funded by the Climate Action and Adaptation Reserve Fund being negatively impacted ; support for proceeding with the project; the City may be able to partner with PG&E on a pilot project.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Council Member Miki, to 1) adopt Resolution No. 2025- 07 authorizing the appropriation of $125 ,000 in funds from the available fund balance in the Climate Action and Adaptation Reserve Fund for the Gas Line Decommissioning Project; and 2) direct staff to return to Council with a check-in after Phase I.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. Albany Hill Forest Management & Habitat Restoration Plan (2025) and Grant Application to the USDA Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG) Program
Albany Hill Eucalyptus Project (CIP No. 41015)
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-10:
1. Approving the Albany Hill Forest Management & Habitat Restoration Plan;
2. Authorizing staff to submit an application for grant funding to the USDA (U.S.
Department of Agriculture) Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grants Program, and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement and expend grant funds should a grant be awarded
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 03, 2025
5 CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a formal process that requires public agencies to consider and disclose to the public the environmental implications of their actions. The CEQA process involves four possible levels of environmental review, with “categorical exemptions” allowed for certain classes of projects that are not expected to have a significant effect on the environment and therefore do not require preparation of environmental documents. City staff have carefully reviewed the Plan, associated technical studies, and CEQA Guidelines, and have determined that the Plan is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts the maintenance and minor alteration of existing landscaping with negligible expansion of use. In addition, the Plan is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15304 “Minor Alterations to Land” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts the minor public alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees, including wildfire fuel management activities. The basis for the categorical exemption determination is provided in the “Notice of CEQA Exemption” (Attachment 7)
Natural A
reas Coordinator Margot Cunningham presented the staff report. In response to a decline in the health of eucalyptus trees on Albany Hill, staff consulted with many agencies and commissioned studies to craft a plan for managing the eucalyptus forest and restoring habitat. The Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Commission and members of the public support the draft Albany Hill Forest Management and Habitat Restoration Plan (Plan).
Kirsten Negus, Restoration Design Group (RDG), advised that the Plan proposes phased removal of eucalyptus trees, restoration of the removal sites with native plants, and care of Monarch cluster areas. Strategies include using separate contractors for tree removal and restoration, removing trees from the periphery first, protecting existing native plants, and implementing adaptive management. The Implementation Plan is composed of four restoration and three removal phases. Four types of trees will be planted on the site to determine their suitability as replacement trees and Monarch habitat. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $3 million.
MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor McQuaid, seconded by Council Member Hansen-Romero, to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 10, approv ing the Albany Hill Forest Management & Habitat Restoration Plan, authorizing staff to submit an application for grant funding to the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grants Program; and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement and expend grant funds should a grant be awarded.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 03, 2025
6 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 López McQuaid
Alameda County Transportation Commission Jordan Miki
Alameda County Waste Management Authority Hansen-Romero Jordan Association of Bay Area Government López Jordan
Ava Community Energy JPA Board López Jordan
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 Jordan N/A
Alameda County Library Advisory Commission McQuaid López UC Gill Tract Community Farm Advisory Committee López N/A Police & Fire Pension Fund Board López McQuaid
Alameda County Paratransit Advisory & Planning
Committee (PAPCO) (vacant) N/A
Council M
ember Miki attended League of California Cities meetings about priorities for local representation and State representatives’ legislative priorities.
Vice Mayor McQuaid attended meetings of the League of California Cities and Housing Authority of County of Alameda (report attached with the agenda) , the swearing- in ceremony for Supervisor Fortunato Bas, and met with Supervisor Fortunato Bas.
Council Member Hansen- Romero attended a StopWaste Board meeting regarding programs for reusable foodware and energy efficiency.
Council Member Jordan attended the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) meeting and learned that interviews for Executive Director have been scheduled.
Mayor López attended an Ava Community Energy Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board meeting and the swearing-in ceremony for Supervisor Fortunato Bas. In addition, he met with UC leadership regarding expectations and resources. •
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8 Y CITYPCbOUNACIL-MINUTES
an a lo venue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, March 03, 2025
12-1. Report for Housing Authority of County of Alameda (HAGA)
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Housing Advisory Commission Meeting, Wednesday, March 5, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Arts Committee Meeting, Monday, March 10, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, March 12, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission Meeting, Thursday, March 13, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
5. City Council Meeting, Monday, March 17, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
9:06 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Clerk.
Attest:
Anne Hsu, City Clerk
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