ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO
ORDER / LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Council Member Miki 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 Jordan (arrived at 7:02 PM), López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, Mayor McQuaid
Absent: None
3. REPORT
ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMO
NIAL MATTERS
4-1. Cert
ificate of Recognition – Craig Bryant, Recipient of the CMEA Byron Hoyt / Don Schmeer Band Educator Award for 2025-2026
Mayor
McQuaid presented the certificate to Craig Bryant.
A summ
ary of public comment is as follows: thanks for Mr. Bryant’s service to Albany students.
5. CITY M
ANAGER REPORT
City
Manager Nicole Almaguer reported the City is holding a Planning Expo on January 22, 2026 . The Senior Center will host the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation Tax Aid on Thursdays February 5-April 19, 2026. The Rotary Club of Albany invites the community to participate in a Greenway Cleanup on February 7, 2026.
On January 11, 2026, the Alameda County Library and the City held a Teen Showcase honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Red cards and Sanctuary City posters are available at all City facilities. City staff is preparing a year -end review of City accomplishments and will notify residents by postcard and the City website (albanyca.gov).
6. GOOD O
F THE CITY/PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor McQuaid opened the Good of the City.
A summ
ary of public comment is as follows: an inquiry regarding Council discussion of extending the notification area for development projects; an upcoming webinar regarding available solar incentive; California Public Utilities Commission program available to assist in raising electrification awareness; challenges charging an EV.
7. CONSE
NT CALENDAR
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Date approved: February 2, 2026
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
2 7-1. Minutes – December 15, 2025
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll –
• Date Paid 12/12/2025: Net Amount $520,711.75, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $544,661.90, Total Payroll $1,065,373.65
• Date Paid 12/26/2025: Net Amount $682,499.04, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $797,568.92, Total Payroll $1,480,067.96
• Date Paid 1/9/2026: Net Amount $447,348.54, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $525,386.95, Total Payroll $972,735.49
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 $119,627.18 (12/12/2025), $853,640.97 (12/19/2025), $152,270.80 (12/26/2025), $326,283.38 (1/9/2026)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Investment Transactions
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive the investment transactions for the month of December 2025
7-5. Advisory Body Resignation: Hillary Sardinas appointed by Mayor McQuaid resigned from the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission
Staff Recommendation: Information item
7-6. Conducted-Energy Device Purchase for Police Department
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-01:
1. Authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. to purchase the Taser 10 Basic Bundle for the total amount of $105,451.22 including waiver of formal bids; and
2. Authorizing the appropriation of $105,451.22 from the Police Equipment Reserve Fund
7-7. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25
Staff Recommendation: That the Council accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025
7-8. Phillips Seabrook Associates Community Development Department Project Review and Inspection Services Contract Extension
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
3 Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026- 02, authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Phillips Seabrook Associates in the not-to-exceed amount of $190,000 for Community Development Department project review and inspection services
Mayor McQuaid asked if anyone wishe d to remove items from the consent calendar.
Mayor McQuaid removed Item 7-7.
Item 7-7: Mayor McQuaid appreciated the timely and excellent report.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Council Member Miki, to approve the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members Jordan, López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, Mayor McQuaid
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
9. PUBLIC HEARING
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Staff Recommendation: That the Council provide feedback on the 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and authorize staff to submit the revised draft to CalOES
Community Development Director Dina Tasini presented the staff report. Staff presents updates to the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for the Council’s review and comment.
Jean Eisberg, Planning Consultant from Lexington Planning, reported the necessity to update the City’s LHMP, which was last adopted in 2018. The LHMP identifies hazards in specified categories and pre- disaster mitigations. The majority of community engagement occurred in 2022 and early 2023. The Council reviewed the draft LHMP in March 2023, and staff submitted it for California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) review in April 2023. Subsequently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated its policy and guidelines, and CalOES provided comments to reorganize and develop the risk assessment section, expand analyses, and update data and mapping. Staff has revised the LHMP to comply with new guidelines and CalOES’ comments.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
4 After receiving Council comment, staff will revise the draft LHMP as needed and submit it to CalOES for another review . Council adoption of the updated LHMP and corresponding amendments to the General Plan Safety Element is anticipated in the second quarter of 2026. Lastly, staff will submit the adopted LHMP to CalOES and FEMA for approval.
A summary of public comment is as follows: appreciation for including climate risk and underserved populations even though they are not required; suggestions to include a resilience hub and cross-functional approaches to preparing for emergencies.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: suggestions to revise the reference to Alta Bates Hospital to reflect the Sutter Hospital plan and replace references to UC Village with UC Berkeley and include items to explore extending the mandatory Seismic Retrofit Ordinance to duplex and single- residence buildings that are rented, encouraging or mandating cisterns and pumps to supply water to residential sprinkler system s, explore providing a cooling and warming center in a City facility, and explore including green water infrastructure in the City’s maintenance program.
12. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS ON
APPOINTED REPRESENTATION OF ALBANY, AND OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Council Member Miki attended the Audit and Fiscal Sustainable Committee meeting and League of California Cities events about housing legislation and e-bikes.
Council Member Jordan attended meetings of the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) Planning, Policy and Legislation Committee ( PPLC), the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, and the League of California Cities e-bike event.
Mayor McQuaid attended a meeting with Assemblymember Wicks, addressed the Albany Kiwanis Club meeting, and attended the Chamber of Commerce Mixer, the Alameda County Library Advisory Commission meeting, the Library Youth Day of Service, the Housing Authority of Alameda County (HACA) budget negotiations meeting, the Mayors’ Conference, a law enforcement training about antisemitism, the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Piedmont, and the League of California Cities event about e-bikes.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A summary of public comment is as follows: a suggestion for the Council to explore an ordinance regarding energy efficiency for residential buildings.
Council Member Jordan requested an agenda item regarding waiving permit fees for installation of EV chargers and solar photovoltaic.
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8 ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Climate Action Committee Meeting, Wednesday, January 21, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Police & Fire Pension Board Meeting, Tuesday, January 27, 3:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. City Council Meeting, Monday, February 2, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
7:59 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor McQuaid adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Clerk.
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Mayor
Attest:
Anne Hsu, City Clerk
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