ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, September 15, 2025
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO
ORDER / 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 CAL
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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. CEREMO
NIAL MATTERS
4-1. Proc
lamation – National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Mayor
López presented the proclamation to Jose Rodriguez and family, owner of Anahuac Restaurant.
4-2. Proc
lamation – City of Albany 117th Anniversary of Incorporation Vice
Mayor McQuaid presented the proclamation to every member of the Albany community.
5. CITY M
ANAGER REPORT
City
Manager Nicole Almaguer reported the Solano Stroll on September 14, 2025, was a fantastic event. Tables are available for Dinner with Albany at Memorial Park; reservations can be made at albanyca.gov/ dinnerwithalbany or 510-524-9283. Alameda County Public Works will begin installing new streetlighting within the month and anticipates completing the work by the end of October. Tree pruning and removals are planned along the BART corridor for September 28, 2025. On September 11, 2025, the Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Commission discussed the designs of the Ocean View sand volleyball court, and information is available at albanyca.gov/meetings.
The community is invited to submit haiku for Fall into Haiku at albanyca.gov/fallintohaiku.
The launch of Waste Management’s textile collection program is scheduled for the week of September 22, 2025. Albany Local Week is September 28 – October 4, 2025 with events scheduled each day. Albany Fire Department’s (AFD) annual Pancake Breakfast and a mini City Expo will be held on October 11, 2025. Voting for Best of Albany 2025 is open at albanycachamber.com/bestofalbany.
A summ
ary of public comment is as follows: an inquiry regarding the sand volleyball court. •
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Date approved: October 6, 2025
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, September 15, 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: an inquiry for expanding the notification area for development projects; support for relocating the sand volleyball court to another park; support for a resilience hub at the Community Center.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – September 2, 2025
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 9/5/2025: Net Amount $461,799.83, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $510,472.69, Total Payroll $972,272.52
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 $250,765.46 (8/29/2025), $202,713.93 (9/5/2025)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Investment Transactions
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive the investment transactions for the months of July and August 205
7-5. City Council Appointment to Advisory Body:
• Anthony Ugalde recommended for appointment to the Transportation Commission by Mayor López
Mayor López Recommendation: Appoint
7-6. Amendments to Albany Municipal Code Chapter 20 Sections 20.28.030.C and
20.24.050 Regarding Bicycle Parking Standards and Related Provision – Second Reading, Pass-to-Print
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Ordinance No. 2025-05, repealing and replacing subsection 20.28.030.C (“Bicycle Parking”) and amending subsection 20.24.050 (“Floor -Area Ratios”) regarding bicycle parking standards and related provision – second reading, pass-to-print
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, September 15, 2025
3 CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Consideration of the ordinance is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because the scope of this ordinance is limited to minor updates to zoning and development standards. It does not change land use or increase building density and therefore qualifies as a Class 5 Categorical Exemption (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations, CEQA Guidelines § 15305) and is also covered by the general exemption for projects with no potential for significant environmental impact (CEQA Guidelines § 15061(b)(3)).
7.7 Updating Various Sections in Chapter 2 of the Albany Municipal Code in Accordance with Voter Approved Charter Amendment – Second Reading, Pass- to-Print
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Ordinance No. 2025-06, amending Albany Municipal Code Sections 2- 3 “Administrative Officer,” 2 -16 “Emergency Organizations and Functions,” and repealing Sections 2-4 through 2-13 – second reading, pass-to-print
7-8. Annual Sewer Rehabilitation Program (CIP No. 32000) Award of 2026 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project – Engineering Design Services (Contract No. C25-40)
Staff Recommendation: That Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 59, authorizing the City Manager to award Contract No. C25-40 to Nute for the Project in the not- to-exceed amount of $149,457
7-9. Sewer Service Rate Study
Amendment #1 to Contract No. C25-15 for Raftelis Financial Services
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 60, authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment #1 to Contract No. C25- 15 for Raftelis Financial Services, Inc. in the amount of $84,450, using funds previously appropriated as part of the Public Works Operating Budget
7-10. Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance Service Contract Renewals Contract No. C22-19 Amendment #2 Stormwater Inspection Support Contract No. C23-22 Amendment #2 Trash Capture Device Maintenance
Staff Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 61, authorizing the City Manager to:
1. Execute Amendment #2 to Contract No. C22- 19 with CAP Engineering to extend stormwater inspection services for an additional three-year period in the not-to-exceed amount of $96,900.00 using funds previously appropriated in the Public Works Operating Budget;
2. Execute Amendment #2 to Contract No. C23- 22 with Revel Environmental Manufacturing, Inc. (REM) to renew annual trash capture device maintenance •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, September 15, 2025
4 service for one year in the not -to-exceed amount of $43,600.00 using funds previously appropriated in the Public Works Operating Budget
Mayor López asked if anyone wished to remove items from the consent calendar. No one removed an item.
MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor McQuaid, seconded by Council Member Hansen- Romero, 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. Street Tree Management Plan and Directing Staff to Initiate Actions Required for Plan Implementation
Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission Recommendation: At the Commission’s June 12, 2025, meeting, the Commission voted 5- 9 to recommend that the City Council approve the draft Street Tree Management Plan
Climate Action Committee Recommendation: A t the Committee’s June 18, 2025 meeting, the Committee voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council approve the draft Street Tree Management Plan
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-55, approving the draft Street Tree Management Plan
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Adoption of the Plan is Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts the operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing streets, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, street trees, and similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes.
Public Works Director Mark Hurley presented the staff report. The Street Tree Management Plan ( STMP) is based on several City policy documents and provides a framework for the City to manage street trees as a resource. A Street Tree Inventory was completed in 2023. The PROS Commission, Climate Action Committee (CAC), and •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, September 15, 2025
5 Transportation Commission (TC) reviewed the STMP at various points in its development.
Online surveys, the 2024 Community Expo, and the 2025 Planning Expo provided opportunities for public input.
Ryan Suttle, Hort Science | Bartlett Consulting, provided an overview of the draft STMP.
The STMP supports the City’s General Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Street trees provide approximately 19% of the City’s canopy cover. 56% of street trees are in good condition, and 37% are in fair condition. About 2% of existing trees are native to Albany, and less than 1% are native to California. An online survey received 188 responses from the public, and residents were interviewed about their experiences with street tree removals.
Ideally, all actions in the draft STMP will be implemented ; however, implementation will be based on budget, time, and staff constraints. The intent is to regularly review and evaluate progress toward implementing the STMP. Next steps after approving the draft STMP include incorporating feedback from the City Council to finalizing the STMP and the design process, and understanding the budget requirements and funding sources.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: concerns about planting 170 street trees per year and planting appropriately sized trees in planter strips.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Council Member Miki, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-55, approving the draft Street Tree Management Plan.
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. Amendment to the Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet
Staff Recommendation: That Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-62, approving the amended Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet effective as of May 1, 2022
Assistant City Manager Isabelle Leduc presented the staff report. The Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet (Booklet) outlines benefits available to the City’s management confidential/unrepresented employees. Proposed amendments relate to longevity pay, uniform allowances, existing benefits, and gender pronouns.
MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor McQuaid, seconded by Council Member Hansen-Romero, to adopt Resolution No. 2025 -62, approving the amended Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet effective as of May 1, 2022. •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, September 15, 2025
6 AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
11-2. Updated Salary Schedule for City of Albany Employees
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-63 approving an updated Salary Schedule for City employees
Assistant City Manager Leduc presented the staff report. The proposed Salary Schedule reflects salary adjustments contained in the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Albany Peace Officers’ Association (APOA) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and Market Equity Adjustment for unrepresented employee classifications. Salary adjustments are effective in fiscal year (FY) 2025-26.
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) requires the City adopt a publicly available pay schedule whenever employee compensation is adjusted. Funding for the proposed adjustments has been included in the current budget projections, and no additional appropriations are necessary.
MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor McQuaid, seconded by Council Member Hansen-Romero, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-63 approving an updated Salary Schedule for City employees.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
12. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS ON
APPOINTED REPRESENTATION OF ALBANY, AND OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Council Member Miki attended the Solano Stroll.
Vice Mayor McQuaid attended the Housing Authority of County of Alameda meeting, the Mayors’ Conference with Mayor López, and the Solano Stroll.
Council Member Jordan attended the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District meeting and learned about the Green Pools Program. He also attended the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) Planning, Policy and Legislation Committee meeting regarding development of an Active Transportation Plan, which will include aspects of the City’s sidewalk maintenance program.
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8 ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, September 15, 2025
Council Member Hansen-Romero attended the Solano Stroll and a StopWaste meeting about removing food from the waste stream.
Mayor Lopez attended the Solano Stroll and Mayors' Conference where he learned about a local wildfire coalition group.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Climate Action Committee Meeting, Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Transportation Commission Meeting, Thursday, September 25, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. City Council Meeting, Monday, October 6, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
8:46 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Clerk.
Robin D. Lopez
Mayor
Attest:
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