ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, December 1, 2025
1 SPECIAL MEETING – OPEN SESSION: 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO O
RDER/ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Hansen-Romero, Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor McQuaid, Mayor López
Absent: None
2. STUDY SESSIO
N
2-1. Tenant
Protections Study Session
Staff
Recommendation: That the Council conduct a study session regarding tenant protection measures including provisions related to anti -harassment and non- discrimination, just cause for eviction, and rent stabilization, and provide feedback to staff regarding next steps in developing any local ordinances regarding tenant protections
Planning
Manager Leslie Mendez presented the staff report. The purpose of the Study Session is to obtain public input regarding local provisions related to tenant protection policies.
In Septe
mber 2025, the Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) discussed tenant protection policies . Staff proposes the Council discuss additional protected categories and definitions of specific harassing behaviors under anti -harassment and non- discrimination; elimination of the sunset date and expansion of the types of units covered under just cause for eviction, and elimination of the sunset date and a cap on annual rent increases below the state limit under rent stabilization.
In January
or February 2026, staff anticipates presenting a report of public comment and HAC areas of consensus to the Council for its direction on ordinance development, programmatic initiatives, enhanced enforcement, or other strategies to strengthen tenant protections.
Council
Member Miki reported that his financial interest in rental property is not a conflict of interest pursuant to a recent Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) opinion.
A summ
ary of public comment is as follows: accessory dwelling units (ADUs) should be exempt from the cap on annual rent increases; support for means testing as a part of rent stabilization; creating good renter protections is both complex and a balancing act ; opposition to rent protections; support for more protections for renters; rent control tends to inhibit housing development and increase rents; state renter protections are sufficient.
A summ
ary of Council comment is as follows: rent stabilization does not apply to new construction as described in the Costa- Hawkins Rental Housing Act; Albany’s rental policies do not apply to UC Village; interest in emergency rent support , habitability •
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Date approved: December 15, 2025
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, December 1, 2025
2 standards inspections, assistance with legal representation for tenants, a rent registry, enforcement of business licenses, and estimated costs of programs and policies.
ADJOURNME
NT OF SPECIAL MEETING – OPEN SESSION 7:42 PM
REGULAR M
EETING: 7:53 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
L
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. Comm
unity Emergency Response Team (CERT) Graduation
Mayor
López, Fire Chief Boito, and Fire Captain Tim Smyser presented certificates to graduates.
5. CITY M
ANAGER REPORT
Assista
nt City Manager Isabelle Leduc reported the City dog park and ball fields are closed for seasonal maintenance. Eligible homeowners and renters can submit applications for 2025 parcel tax exemptions and renter rebates until December 31, 2025.
Storm information and resources are available on the City’s website (albanyca.gov/stormresponse). Sandbag supplies are available free of charge to Albany residents at the Fire Department and Ocean View Park.
6. GOOD O
F THE CITY/PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor López opened the Good of the City.
A summ
ary of public comment is as follows: a request for a resilience hub at the Community Center and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations; suggestions for outreach to owners of apartment buildings regarding street trees; inquiry on permit applications for solar batteries and heat pumps.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, December 1, 2025
3 7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – November 17, 2025
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 11/14/2025: Net Amount $486,681.11, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $527,067.67, Total Payroll $1,013,748.78 Staff Reco
mmendation: Ratify
7-3. Ratification of Bills, Claims and Demands - Ratification of bills, claims and demands against the City of Albany in the amount of $366,425.41 (11/14/2025), $317,828.28 (11/21/2025)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Advisory Body Resignation: Elizabeth Watty appointed by Council Member Hansen-Romero resigned from the Planning & Zoning Staff Staff Recommendation: Information item
7-5. Side Letter Agreement with Albany Peace Officers’ Association (APOA) Concerning Holiday Pay
Staff Recommendation: That the Council Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 73, authorizing the execution of a side letter agreement modifying Section 7 – Holiday Pay of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Albany and the Albany Peace Officers’ Association (APOA), effective November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2028, to ensure compliance with CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) new guidance on Holiday Pay for CalPERS Classic and PEPRA (Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act) Members 7-6. Annual Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program (CIP No. 22000) Contract No. C25-17 Contract Change Order #! (Phase 11) Staff Recommendation: That Council adopt Resolution No. 2025- 74, authorizing the City Manager to execute Contract Change Order #1 to Contract No. C25- 17 with Spektren Engineering Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $136,815
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
This Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts the repair, maintenance, and minor alteration of streets, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and street trees
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, December 1, 2025
4 7-7. Albany Hill Eucalyptus Project (CIP No. 41015) / Public Works Creeks & Open Space Maintenance Program
Authorization of Reimbursement Memorandum of Understanding with the City of El Cerrito and Appropriation of $850,000 State Coastal Conservancy Wildfire Resilience Grant Funds
Staff
Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-75:
1. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of El Cerrito for the Albany-El Cerrito Wildfire Resilience Project; and
2. Appropriating $850,000 in grant funds to the Public Works Operating Budget and the Albany Hill Eucalyptus Project (CIP No. 41015), to be issued to the City on a reimbursement basis for expenditures incurred
Mayor
López asked if anyone wished to remove items from the consent calendar. No one removed an item from the consent calendar.
MOTION:
M
oved 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. PRESENT
ATION
8-1. Senat
or Arreguin Presentation – State Legislative Update
Staff
Recommendation: Information item
State
Senator Jesse Arreguín presented the State’s efforts to advance housing development and support infrastructure projects in Albany , provide immigration protections and resources, strengthen firearms regulations, protect children and women, address substance abuse, behavioral health, and food insecurity, and invest in transportation, climate, environment, housing, and homelessness.
A sum
mary of public comment is as follows: a request for information regarding Golden Gate Fields; support for climate legislation; appreciation for Senator Arreguín’s representation of Albany.
A sum
mary of Council comment is as follows: requests for pursue legislation for State law changes to move forward the date on which voter guides are mailed in the Elections Code and to add means-based tax relief to the Education Code. •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, December 1, 2025
9. PUBLIC HEARING
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. NEW BUSINESS
12. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS ON
APPOINTED REPRESENTATION OF ALBANY, AND OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
None.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Lopez requested an item to explore a tax on short-term rental units.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Transportation Commission Special Meeting, Thursday, December 4, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Arts Committee Meeting, Monday, December 8, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday , December 10, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission Meeting, Thursday, December 11, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
5. City Council Meeting, Monday, December 15, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
9:01 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Clerk.
Mayor
Attest:
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