ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 20, 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 – United Against Hate Week
Council Member Jordan presented the proclamation to Justin Lock, Executive Director of Not in Our Town.
4-2. Proc
lamation – World Polio Day
Vice Mayor McQuaid presented the proclamation to representatives of the Albany Rotary Club.
5. CITY M
ANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicole Almaguer reported the Senior Center Open House will be October 23, 2025. Ballots for the November 4, 2025, election may be deposited in the City Hall drop box, mailed in, or cast at the Senior Center (November 1 – 4). Albany Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast on October 11, 2025, raised money for the Burn Foundation. Also on October 11, the City’s Open House was well attended. City staff attended an emergency operations training on October 13, 2025 . The Fall Compost Giveaway on October 18, 2025 provided more than 1,000 bags of free compost to the community.
6. GOOD OF T
HE 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; concerns on the membership composition of the Housing Advisory Commission; concerns with Waste Management’s system for detecting mixed waste in carts; a request for updates about public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and the all-electric block project.
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Date approved: November 17, 2025
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 20, 2025
2 City Manager Almaguer advised that staff would work with Waste Management staff to understand contract performance issues and find solutions. Members of the public will have opportunities to discuss housing policies with the City Council in the coming months.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – October 6, 2025
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 10/3/2025: Net Amount $467,460.96, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $508,762.70, Total Payroll $976,223.66
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 $196,874.98 (10/3/2025), $282,234.64 (10/10/2025)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Investment Transactions
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive the investment transactions for the month of September 2025
7-5. Darktrace Network Security Services Contract Extension
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-65:
1. Authorizing waiver of formal bids; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a 36- month agreement extension with Darktrace in the amount of $163,339 for the extension of the network security support services contract
7-6. Amendments to Albany Municipal Code Chapter 20 §20.08.020, §20.12.040, §20.12.050, §20.16.020, §20.16.050, §20.20.020, §20.28.030, §20.100.010, and §20.100.030 to Implement Adopted Housing Element Programs and Reflect Changes to State Law – Second Reading, Pass-to-Print
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Ordinance No. 2025-07, amending §20.08.020 (“Definitions”), §20.12.040 (“Permitted Land Uses by District”), §20.12.050 (“Residential Districts”), §20.16.020 (“Residential Use Classifications”), §20.16.050 (“Public and Quasi -Public Use Classifications”), §20.20.020 (“Community Care Facilities”), §20.28.030 (“Citywide Parking Space Requirements”), §20.100.010 (“Common Permit Procedures”), and §20.100.030 (“Use Permits”) related to residential uses and residential c are facilities – Second Reading, Pass-to-Print
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 20, 2025
3 CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Consideration of the Ordinance amendments 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)).
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 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. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Program Update
Staff Recommendation: That the Council:
1. Receive an update on programs and services funded with ARPA; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 66, allocating $50,000 of ARPA funding from the Temporary COVID Business Assistance Program to the Temporary COVID Public Assistance Program to cover costs of the Rental Assistance Program until the end of 2026; and
3. Provide initial feedback to staff on programs and services of priority interest to work to retain post-pandemic without ARPA funding
Assistant City Manager Isabelle Leduc presented the staff report. The City received approximately $4.7 million in ARPA funding, and the City Council utilized the funding for a Temporary COVID Public Assistance Program, a Temporary COVID Small Business Assistance Program, and City cyber -security infrastructure improvements. Staff expects to expend all ARPA funding by the end of 2026 and has expended approximately 79.5% of the funding through September 30, 2025.
Assistant to the City Manager Brown reviewed programs for business grants and other business assistance funded through the Temporary COVID Small Business Assistance Program.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 20, 2025
4 Recreation and Community Services Supervisor Kate Miller reviewed the Friendship Subsidy Program, Albany Project HOPE Expansion, Financial Assistance Program, and Community Grocery Program funded through the Temporary COVID Public Assistance Program. Staff is exploring resources, such as Albany CARES, the Senior Center, University of California Berkeley, and Alameda County, to support the community after the expenditure of ARPA funding.
Assistant City Manager Leduc concluded the presentation with staff’s recommendation to reallocate $50,000 from the COVID Temporary Business Assistance Program to the COVID Temporary Public Assistance Program to sustain the Rental Assistance Program through December 2026. In discussing the services and programs it wishes to retain, the Council needs to consider the scale of services and programs, an appropriate facilitator, administration, and funding. Staff recommends continuing the current service level of the Albany CARES program with additional funding of $350,000 from the General Fund.
A summary of public comment is as follows: inquiries regarding the requested funding of $350,000; support for the resolution.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: appreciation for staff’s efforts to support the community ; support for the staff recommendation; of the $350,000 in additional funding, $200,000 is for Albany CARES staff and $150,000 for rental assistance.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Vice Mayor McQuaid, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-66, allocating $50,000 of ARPA funding from the Temporary COVID Business Assistance Program to the Temporary COVID Public Assistance Program to cover costs of the Rental Assistance Program until the end of 2026.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
10-2. Active Transportation Plan Update: Phase 2 – Network Development
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive a presentation on the draft citywide bicycle and pedestrian networks for the Active Transportation Plan update
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Review of compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act will accompany the draft plan once it has been developed.
Transportation & Sustainability Manager Justin Fried presented the staff report. In Phase 2 of the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) update, staff has developed active transportation networks, quality standards, and potential improvement options; drafted policies to support ATP goals and networks; developed and analyzed conceptual design options for Solano Avenue; and conducted extensive stakeholder engagement.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, October 20, 2025
5 Pete Ruscitti, Parametrix, and Angie Chen, Fehr & Peers, noted themes of network gaps, intersection and crossing upgrades, traffic calming, sidewalk quality and maintenance, school zone safety, widening sidewalks near activity areas, and better lighting of sidewalks and paths, in public comment . Development of the active transportation network was based on community comments, level of comfort, safety data analysis, and City and agency input. Albany’s base pedestrian network is in fairly good shape but has a few areas of missing sidewalks. Standards for a bike network are more complex, provide more detailed guidance, and include level of comfort. The National Association of City Transportation Officials ’ ( NACTO) All Ages and Abilities (AAA) guidance is the gold standard for high-comfort bikeway selection.
Jen Shriber, Parametrix, shared examples of options to meet standards for a base or high-comfort network.
A summary of public comment is as follows: concern that basic traffic rules are not followed or enforced; hope for a bridge across the creek at Adams Street; support for protected bike lanes on major streets connecting schools; suggestions for the Ohlone Greenway bike path; support for San Pablo Avenue being designated a high- comfort network.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: support for buffers and protected bike lanes in school zones; vehicles park ed on sidewalks do not support high- priority pedestrian networks; support for utilizing AAA guidance along Key Route Boulevard; opposition to a crossing of Codornices Creek at 9 th Street; suggestions for sidewalk-user priority at the intersection of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Key Route, deleting Ramona Avenue and adding Carmel Avenue along Portland Avenue, and adding Pierce Street at Buchanan Street; Spokane Avenue should be removed from the cycling network south of Brighton Avenue; Portland should not be included in the rolling network west of Masonic Avenue.
MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor McQuaid, seconded by Mayor López, to extend the meeting to 10:45 PM.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
11. NEW BUSINESS
12. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS ON
APPOINTED REPRESENTATION OF ALBANY, AND OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Council Member Miki reported an effort to form a small cities group at the League of California Cities conference and attendance at the Pancake Breakfast.
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8 ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany , CA 94706
Monday, October 20, 2025
Vice Mayor McQuaid reported attending the Pancake Breakfast, the City's Open House, Housing Authority of Alameda County (HACA) meeting and its Budget and Negotiations Committee meeting, and a United Against Hate event.
Council Member Hansen-Romero reported attending the Albany Education Foundation Awards and Pancake Breakfast.
Council Member Jordan reported attendance at the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) Policy, Planning and Legislative Committee meeting.
Mayor Lopez reported attending the Pancake Breakfast and City's Open House. The UC Gill Tract Community Farm Advisory Committee plans to meet in December 2025. He and several other mayors have a meeting with Congresswoman Simon scheduled for October 24, 2025, regarding the federal government shutdown. Legislation supported by Ava Community Energy's Board of Directors has moved to the Governor's desk for signature.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Lopez requested a discussion of traffic calming and enforcement.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, October 22, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Transportation Commission Meeting, Thursday, October 23, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Police & Fire Pension Board Meeting, Tuesday , October 28, 3:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. City Council Meeting, Monday, November 3, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
10:33 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Clerk.
Attest:
An~~
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