ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 06, 2026
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER /
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Council Member Jordan 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 Jordan, López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, Mayor McQuaid
Absent: None
Mayor McQuaid read a statement regarding the Golden Gate Fields property.
3. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
4-1. Proclamation – American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month Council Member Miki read the proclamation.
4-2. Proclamation – Dolores Huerta Day
Council Member López read the proclamation.
4-3. Proclamation – National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero presented the proclamation to Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson and Victim Witness Advocate James Williams.
5. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicole Almaguer provided a report on recent projects, events and programs.
6. GOOD OF T
HE CI
TY / PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor McQuaid opened the Good of the City.
A summary of public comment is as follows: inquiry on noticing area for development projects; announcements for the Friends of Albany Library book sale and Friends of Albany Seniors garage sale; appreciation for the proclamations and the opportunity for Golden Gate Fields becoming a park; inquiry on Climate Action Committee meetings and resilience hub.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Date approved: April 20, 2026•
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 06, 2026
2 7-1. Minutes – March 16, 2026
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 3/20/2026: Net Amount $517,433.65, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $598,543.84, Total Payroll $1,115,977.49 Staff Recommen
dation: Ratify
7-3. Ratification of Bills, Claims and Demands - Ratification of bills, claims and demands against the City of Albany in the amount of $138,492.90 (3/13/2026), $985,205.04 (3/20/2026), $406,790.40 (3/27/2026)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Waiver of Formal Bids and Authorization to Purchase from the California Department of Technology (CDT) a Yearly Statewide Enterprise Level Agreement (ELA) Subscription for Microsoft Office 365 GCC G5 Product and Services for 5 Years
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-13:
1. Authorizing the waiver of formal bids; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager to purchase an annual Statewide Enterprise Level Agreement (ELA ) subscription for Microsoft cloud- based Exchange Online Protection and Office 365 GCC G5 product and online services from the California Department of Technology (CDT) in an amount not to exceed $700,000 for 5 years
7-5. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Paratransit Program Plan Application Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026- 14, authorizing the submission of the Fiscal Year 2026- 27 Paratransit Program Plan Application in the amount of $94,887.64 to the Alameda County Transportation Commission for the continued implementation of the Albany Paratransit Program 7-6. Request for Encroachment Permit for a Temporary Street Closure for the Albany Move’n’Groove Event and Request for Waiver of Permit Fee Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-15 to:
1. Authorize staff to issue an encroachment permit for a temporary street closure for the Albany Move’n’Groove event on May 31, 2026, and
2. Waive the permit fees for this event
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 06, 2026
3 7-7. Temporary Street Closure for City of Albany 4th of July Event
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026- 16, authorizing for a period of three years the temporary street closure of a two- block area of Portland Avenue between Carmel Avenue and Pomona Avenue adjacent to Memorial Park for the City’s July 4
th Event
Mayor McQuaid asked if anyone wishe d to remove items from the consent calendar.
Mayor McQuaid removed Item 7-6.
Item 7-6: Mayor McQuaid advised that she would recuse herself from voting on this item as she serves on the Albany Community Foundation Board, which is the fiscal sponsor of Move’n’Groove.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, to approve Items 7-1 through 7-5 and 7-7 on the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members Jordan, López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, Mayor McQuaid
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, to approve Item 7-6 on the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members Jordan, López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN/RECUSED: Mayor McQuaid
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
8-1. Presentation by Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson – Supporting Survivors Across Alameda County
Ursula Jones Dickson, Alameda County District Attorney, presented the work and programs of the District Attorney’s Office to increase public safety, improve efficiency, and better serve the community and crime victims.
8-2. Sewer Service Rate Study Update
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive a presentation regarding the City’s sewer fees, including an overview of the rate study process, preliminary findings and progress, and recommended next steps
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 06, 2026
4 Public Works Program Manager Devora Zauderer presented the staff report. A comprehensive rate study and development of updated internal processes are underway to ensure accurate and complete billing for all properties receiving sewer service.
Kevin Kostiuk, consultant from Raftelis, reported utility rate studies are performed to ensure rates are sufficient to fund the cost of providing services, to provide self-sustaining and financially resilient utilities, and to comply with Proposition 218. Preliminary results from the rate study indicate the sewer enterprise has a strong starting cash position, rate revenues are stable, and rate adjustments may be necessary in Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 and beyond. The proposed rate structure was presented. It is anticipated that the rate adjustments would be implemented in FY 2028.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: a suggestion to consider population density, building size, building type, and property size in rate setting; desire on direct billing the properties that has not paid; a preference to calculate rates based on building use and lot size, not by frontage.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. City Sponsorship of Solano Avenue Association Solano Stroll 50 and Temporary Street Closure for the Solano Stroll
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026- 17, to sponsor the Solano Stroll 50 at an amount of $20,000 and authorize staff to approve and issue the Encroachment Permit for the temporary street closure for the 2026 Solano Stroll
City Manager Almaguer presented the staff report. The Solano Avenue Stroll 50 is scheduled for September 13, 2026. Based on the overall budget, it’s advised that the City provide $20,000 for the sponsorship of this community event . Potential funding sources are $10,000 from the City Council Discretionary Fund and $10,000 from the Economic Development event budget. In addition, the City provides in- kind support and also pays for the barricades for the event. The proposed resolution includes authorization of the street closure.
A summary of public comment is as follows: support for City sponsorship.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: a proposal to sponsor the Stroll with $10,000 from the City Council Discretionary Fund and $10,000 from the Economic Development budget; a preference to sponsor the Stroll with $20,000 from the City Council Discretionary Fund and $10,000 from the Economic Development budget; support for a $30,000 sponsorship; alternatively, a preference to sponsor the Stroll with •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 06, 2026
5 $25,000 and Stroll-ish events with $5,000; with costs and staff time, the City is sponsoring the Stroll with $100,000+; this event supports business and community; businesses and people from outside Albany attend the events ; the Solano Stroll 50 is the event being considered on this agenda; interest in a follow up agenda item after the event to understand costs and other operational items..
City Attorney Mala Subramanian noted Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero’s service on the Board of Directors for the Solano Avenue Association, but she is allowed to participate in the discussion and vote on the motion because she does not receive compensation for her service and the SAA is a nonprofit corporation that supports the City as one of its primary purposes.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Council Member López, to adopt Resolution No. 2026- 17, to sponsor the Solano Stroll 50 at an amount of $20,000 and other Solano events at an amount of $10,000, $20,000 from the City Council Discretionary Fund and $10,000 from the Economic Development budget , and authorize staff to approve and issue the Encroachment Permit for the temporary street closure for the 2026 Solano Stroll.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Miki, seconded by Mayor McQuaid, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-17, to sponsor the Solano Stroll 50 at an amount of $20,000, $10,000 from the City Council Discretionary Fund and $10,000 from the Economic Development budget, and authorize staff to approve and issue the Encroachment Permit for the temporary street closure for the 2026 Solano Stroll.
AYES: Council Members Jordan, López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, Mayor McQuaid
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
11-2. City Council Ad Hoc Committee Regarding Climate Change
Mayor McQuaid Recommendation: That the Council establish a City Council ad hoc committee to evaluate the most effective approach to developing and evaluating climate action policies, initiatives and strategies for the City and appoint two members of the Council to serve on the committee
Mayor McQuaid presented her memorandum . The Climate Action Committee (CAC) serves as a technical advisory body to the Council, providing guidance on issues related to climate action. Goal 1 of the City Council Strategic Plan underscores the City’s commitment to climate resilience, and programs in support of the goal are developed and implemented across City departments.
To increase the focus on climate action, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), the Climate Emergency Declaration, and City initiatives, the Council should establish an •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 06, 2026
6 ad hoc committee to assess and recommend the most effective structure for developing and evaluating climate action policies, initiatives, and strategies.
A summary of public comment is as follows: support for the ad hoc committee; questions regarding the role of the ad hoc committee.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: support for creating an ad hoc committee.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Miki, seconded by Council Member López, to form a City Council ad hoc committee to evaluate the most effective approach to developing and evaluating climate action policies, initiatives and strategies for the City .
AYES: Council Members Jordan, López and Miki , Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, Mayor McQuaid
NOES: None
Motion carried and so ordered.
Mayor McQuaid and Council Member Jordan volunteered to serve on the ad hoc committee.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Miki, seconded by Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, to appoint Mayor McQuaid and Council Member Jordan to serve on the City Council ad hoc committee.
AYES: Council Members Jordan, López and Miki , Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, Mayor McQuaid
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 League of California Cities meeting regarding housing.
Council Member López attended an Ava Community Energy Joint Powers Authority Board meeting regarding pending legislation.
Mayor McQuaid attended ECHO Housing’s workshop about regional fair housing, the League of California Cities’ Community Services Policy Committee meeting, and Spring on Solano.
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8 ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April06,2026
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor McQuaid requested an item to review the 50th Solano Stroll after the event.
Council Member Jordan requested an item to consider funding for Solano Avenue Association events other than the Solano Stroll.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission Meeting, Thursday, April 9, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Arts Committee Meeting, Monday, April 13, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. Climate Action Committee Meeting, Wednesday, April 15, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council · Chambers
5. City Council Meeting, Monday, April 20, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
9:45 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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