ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
1 SPECIAL MEETING: 6:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER /
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
Absent: None
2. CLOSED SESSION
2-1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) (1 case)
No Public comment received.
ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING – CLOSED SESSION
REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER / L
AND 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
Mayor López announced no reportable action from Closed Session.
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
4-1. Proclamation – Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Council Member Miki presented the proclamation to representatives of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative.
5. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicole Almaguer reported the City’s storm webpage (albanyca.gov/stormresponse) is updated regularly to provide resources and information.
Public Works staff cleans storm drains and catch basins during the rainy season. Free sandbag supplies are available to Albany residents. The Albany Fire Department (AFD) and Public Works staff hosted an Albany Hill fire resilience event on November 16, 2025. •
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Date approved: December 1, 2025
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
2 The Sidewalk Repair Program Phase 10 should be complete by February 2026 and may affect traffic and parking. Winter on Solano is scheduled for December 7, 2025. The Albany Community Center Foyer Art Gallery is hosting an exhibit of Lisa Rose’s work through January 15, 2026. The d raft Plan Bay Area 2050 is available for review and comment at planbayarea.org/draftplan.
6. GOOD OF THE CITY/PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor López opened the Good of the City.
A summary of public comment is as follows: comments regarding the development project at 1600 Solano Avenue; a request for the Council to explore a resilience hub.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: State law prohibits the City from applying subjective aesthetic criteria to development projects that utilize the State Density Bonus Law.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – October 20, 2025
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll –
• Date Paid 10/17/2025: Net Amount $484,668.95, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $515,646.48, Total Payroll $1,000,315.43
• Date Paid 10/31/2025: Net Amount $474,112.16, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $422,043.98, Total Payroll $896,156.14
Staff Recomm
endation: Ratify
7-3. Ratification of Bills, Claims and Demands - Ratification of bills, claims and demands against the City of Albany in the amount of $154,910.03 (10/17/2025), $176,046.47 (10/24/2025), $270,307.39 (10/31/2025), $930,048.55 (11/7/2025)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Investment Transactions
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive the investment transactions for the month of October 2025
7-5. Fiscal Year 2024/25 Fourth Quarter/Unaudited Year-End Budget Review
Staff Recommendation: Report is for informational purposes only. No action required
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
3 7-6. Revisions to the Arts Committee Public Arts Projects Plan (PAPP)
Staff Recommendation: That the Council approve Resolution No. 2025- 67, authorizing modifications to the Arts Committee Public Art Projects Plan to consolidate existing sculpture-related allocations into a new Sculpture Program in the amount of $25,000 for the purchase of a sculpture to be installed on the existing concrete pad on the Ohlone Greenway near Solano Avenue, the evaluation of the Heron Sculpture at the waterfront, and the maintenance of existing City-sponsored sculptures
7-7. Authorization to Submit Application to the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program for the Adams Street – Carlson Boulevard Connection Project
Transportation Commission Recommendation: That the Council authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application for the Adams Street – Carlson Boulevard Connection Project to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 68, authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application for the Adams Street – Carlson Boulevard Connection Project to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program, enter into a funding agreement with Caltrans upon award of grant, and authorize grant funds awarded for expenditure on the project
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
The proposed project, an alternatives analysis of the Pierce- Cleveland Bikeway Connection, is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15262 “Feasibility and Planning Studies” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts projects involving only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions.
7-8. CalRecycle Payment Programs Signatory Authorization
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 69, authorizing the City Manager to submit an application to CalRecycle for any and all payment programs offered and authorizing the City Manager or their designee as Signature Authority to execute all documents necessary to implement and secure payment
7-9. Resolution No. 2025- 70 in Support of the Bay Area Air District’s Zero- Emission Building Appliances Rules
Council Member Jordan Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-70, in support of the Bay Area Air District’s zero-emission building appliances rules
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
4 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. Resolution Amending the City of Albany’s Investment Policy to Add a Values Statement Related to Environmental, Social and Governance Investing
Staff Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 71, amending the City of Albany’s Investment Policy to add a values statement related to environmental, social and governance investing
Finance Director Reina Schwartz presented the staff report. A values statement will allow the Council and staff to consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues along with financial issues when making investment decisions. In September 2025, the Council adopted ESG criteria and referred the values statement to the Audit & Fiscal Sustainability (AFS) Committee. The AFS Committee drafted a values statement for the Council’s consideration.
Council Member Miki summarized the AFS Committee’s discussions as attempting to incorporate values expressed during Council and AFS Committee meetings . Third-party review of investment opportunities based on ESG criteria is often insufficient.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: a suggestion to insert “Applying consistent human rights principles: the City will consider broadly recognized human rights standards when evaluating investments. Any review will rely on established neutral ESG frameworks and will be applied consistently across all countries, companies and industries in compliance with sta te and federal law” between respecting human rights and using multiple sources under Sustainable and ESG Investing section; opposition to the second sentence of the proposed language; a proposal to include the first sentence of the proposed language before respecting human rights.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
5 MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Mayor López, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-71, amending the City of Albany’s Investment Policy to add a values statement related to environmental, social and governance investing, with the inclusion of “Applying consistent human rights principles: the City will consider broadly recognized human rights standards when evaluating investments.”
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
10-2. Street Tree and Streetlighting: Program Development and Potential Revenue Measures
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive a presentation on programmatic developments in City services related to street trees and streetlighting and potential funding options and provide direction on a potential funding measure
Public Works Director Mark Hurley and Public Works Program Manager Devora Zauderer presented the staff report. In July 2025, the City Council discussed potential revenue measures for funding core City services and unmet needs and expressed interest in potential funding mechanisms for the street tree management program and streetlighting maintenance and improvements.
The Street Tree Management Plan ( STMP), adopted in September 2025, recommends the responsibility be shifted to the City for street tree management, development of a proactive Street Tree Management Program (Program), and establishment of a consistent funding source for the Program. The current budget for street tree maintenance is $380,000, which funds the annual planting project, tree pruning and removal as needed, and administrative costs. Current funding sources are Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District (LLAD) 88 -1, Measure M (2018), and General Fund revenues. To fund STMP recommendations for increased planting, proactive and comprehensive maintenance, better program administration, and community outreach, the budget would increase to an estimated $590,000-$635,000.
The City completed a Citywide Streetlighting Evaluation (Evaluation) in February 2024.
The Evaluation recommended design guidelines for lighting upgrades and replacement of existing lights and identified critical needs. A program to convert failed and failing lights is underway, however, funding of approximately $800,000 to convert 500 failed and failing lights has yet to be identified. Streetlighting maintenance projects are not generally competitive for grant funding, but a low -interest loan may be an option. Critical lighting upgrades are included in the Marin Phase 2 Project, and lighting enhancements at critical intersections were identified for funding in the C apital Improvement Project (CIP) Plan adopted in July 2025. Lighting elements could be incorporated into future projects or designed as standalone improvement projects with an estimated annual investment of $150,000-$250,000.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
6 Next steps i
nclude refining program scopes and funding estimates, engaging financial and legal consultants, and preparing an ordinance to update the City’s street tree policy.
A funding measure could be placed on the November 2026 ballot.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: proposals for revenue from a new ballot measure to exceed the current General Fund amount allocated to street trees or preferably replace all existing funding; consideration for a new tax to be limited to 10 years and calculated on building square footage; concern the adoption of a street tree ordinance would require indefinite funding to support the program; a request for additional information regarding administration costs for the street tree program.
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. Request for Use of City Council Discretionary Funds Mayor López Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 72, in allocating no more than a total sum of $5,000.00 from the City Council discretionary funds to support the several options for local programs and initiatives to benefit the broader Albany community
Mayor López presented his memorandum. The proposal is to allocate at most $5,000 from City Council Discretionary Funds to the Gill Tract Farm’s Winter Harvest Festival, production of Sanctuary City posters , printing red cards in additional languages , and developing emergency preparedness kits.
City Manager Almaguer reported the cost of printing 1,000 red cards in one language and 200 Sanctuary City posters is approximately $100 and $170 respectively. For the emergency preparedness kit, a solar-powered flashlight costs approximately $10.
A summary of public comment is as follows: requests for funding for school field trips to Gill Tract Farm; support for allocating funds to the Gill Tract Farm and printing red cards in Asian languages.
Mayor López advised that discussion of funding for school field trips to Gill Tract Farm was not included in the agenda item.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: a suggestion to partner with other groups to provide emergency kits and to delay funding the posters and red cards ; support for allocating funds to the Winter Harvest Festival and printing posters and red cards but not to emergency preparedness kits; support for funding red cards and the Winter Harvest Festival; a proposal to print 200 posters and distribute them to businesses and schools and to consider printing additional posters at a future meeting; proposals to allocate $500 and $1,000 to the Winter Harvest Festival.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
7 MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Miki, seconded by Council Member Hansen- Romero, to authorize an allocation of $1,250.00 for the printing of red cards in as many languages as needed and for any remaining funds to be used for the printing of posters.
AYES: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Miki, seconded by Council Member Jordan, to support the Gill Tract Winter Harvest Festival at the $1,000 level.
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
12-1. Vice Mayor McQuaid Report from League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo
Vice Mayor McQuaid attended the Senior Center Open House, the District Attorney’s Day of Remembrance for Victims of Domestic Violence, ribbon- cutting events for new businesses, the Police & Fire Pension Board meeting, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) meeting s, the UC Berkeley and City of Albany annual fall meeting, two Housing Authority of Alameda County (HACA) meetings, the Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year banquet, the Mayors’ Conference, and the Albany Hill fire resilience workshop.
Council Member Hansen- Romero attended a ribbon- cutting event and the Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Council Member Jordan reported the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District discussed the Aedes aegypti mosquito essentially being endemic to Livermore. The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) discussed Alameda County’s Active Transportation Plan (ATP) update.
Mayor López attended a ribbon-cutting event, a press conference with Congresswoman Simon and regional Mayors, Ava Community Energy and Bike East Bay’s event in Oakland, and the Mayors’ Conference.
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8 ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, November 17, 2025
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Jordan requested an item to consider the requests for funding of school field trips to the Gill Tract Farm and an item to consider a process for utilizing•City Council Discretionary Funds.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Thanksgiving Holiday - Thursday, November 27, 2025 & Friday, November 28, 2025 (City Offices Closed)
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Climate Action Commission Meeting, Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, November 26, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. City Council Meeting, Monday, December 1, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
9:19 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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