ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 20, 2026
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO O
RDER / 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 and Miki (attending via teleconference), Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, Mayor McQuaid
Absent: Council Member López
3. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
4-1. Proclamation in Recognition of Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero presented the proclamation to Albany resident Haiganoush Preisler.
4-2. Proclamation in Recognition of Earth Day
Council Member Jordan read the proclamation.
4-3. Proclamation in Honor of Fire Chief James (Jim) Boito Upon His Retirement from the City of Albany
Mayor McQuaid presented the proclamation to Fire Chief James Boito.
5. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicole Almaguer provided a report on recent projects, events, and programs.
6. GOOD OF THE CITY / PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor McQuaid opened the Good of the City.
A summary of public comment is as follows: inquiry on public trans it access for Pierce Street residents.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – April 6, 2026
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Date approved: May 4, 2026
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 20, 2026
2 7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 4/3/2026: Net Amount $489,143.14 , Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $547,403.30, Total Payroll $1,036,546.44
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-3. Ratification of Bills, Claims and Demand s - Ratification of bills, claims and demands against the City of Albany in the amount of $ 258,917.46 (4/3/2026), $59,260.17 (4/10/2026)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Investment Transactions
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive the investment transactions for the month of March 2026
7-5. Advisory Body Appointment
• Britt Tanner Thesen appointed by Council Member Miki to the Transportation Commission
Council Member Miki Recommendation: Information Item
7-6. Advisory Body Appointment for City Council Ratification
• Nelson Peng recommended for appointment to the Planning & Zoning Commission by Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero
Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero Recommendation: Ratify
7-7. Letter of Support – Assembly Bill (AB) 1708
Mayor McQuaid Recommendation: That the Council note and file the letter as submitted
7-8. Letter of Opposition – Senate Bill (SB) 866
Mayor McQuaid Recommendation: That the Council note and file the letter as submitted
7-9. Assembly Bill (AB) 481 – California Government Code § 7072 Compliance
Staff Recommendation: That the Council:
1. Accept this annual military equipment report; and
2. Review and renew Ordinance No. 2022-02
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 20, 2026
3 7-10. Annual Sewer Rehabilitation Program (CIP No. 32000) Award of Contract No. C25-43: 2026 Brighton Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-18:
1. Authorizing the City Manager to execute Contract No. C25-43 with K.J. Woods Construction to construct the 2026 Brighton Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project in a not-to-exceed amount of $3,652,105.00; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager to execute Contract No. C25- 28 with Zoon Engineering, Inc. to provide construction management support for the 2026 Brighton Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project, in the not-to-exceed amount of $482,720.00; and
3. Authorizing the appropriation of $3,500,000 in Sewer Enterprise Fee funds to the Annual Sewer Rehabilitation Program (CIP No. 32000) budget in FY2026, and unfunding said appropriation in FY2027
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) / ENVIRONMENTAL
CLEARANCE
The project is Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 “Existing Facilities” of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing sewer with negligible expansion of use.
7-11. Measure B (2000), Measure BB (2014), and Vehicle Registration Fee Direct Local Distribution Master Programs Funding Agreements
Staff. Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 2026- 19, authorizing the City Manager to enter into the Master Programs Funding Agreements with the Alameda County Transportation Commission
7-12. Ordinance Amending Chapter 11 Fire Prevention and Chapter 12 Building and Housing of the Albany Municipal Code
Staff Recommendation: That the Council introduce and waive first reading of Ordinance No. 2026- 01, amending Chapter 11 Fire Prevention and Chapter 12 Building and Housing of the Albany Municipal Code related to the adoption and local amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulation)
CALIFORNIA E NVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) / ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Adoption of local amendments to the California Building Standards Code and amendments to the City of Albany Municipal Code are not considered a project under CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, pursuant to Public Resources Codes Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, because the action does not result in direct physical impact on the environment. The adoption of local amendments is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) because •
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 20, 2026
4 there is no possibility that adoption of the draft Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment.
Mayor McQuaid asked if anyone wishe d to remove items from the consent calendar.
Council Member Jordan removed Items 7-9 and 7-10.
Item 7-9: Police Chief Greg Galliano explained the use of drones to help support overall safety for the Solano Stroll.
Item 7-10: Council Member Jordan appreciated staff’s work to obtain a low bid and advance the timeline for the project.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Jordan, seconded by Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, to approve the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members Jordan and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, Mayor McQuaid NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member López
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
8-1. Active Transportation Plan Update – Phase 3 Project and Program Priorities
Staff Recommendation: That the Council receive a presentation on the draft project and program priorities prepared as part of the Active Transportation Plan and provide feedback to staff
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. Since the last Council update, staff has developed policies and priority projects and conduct ed stakeholder engagement. Active Transportation Networks have been revised to reflect Council feedback and the Transportation Commission’s (TC) recommendation to include Solano Avenue in the On-Street Bikeways Network.
Pete Ruscitti, Parametrix, explained the work performed to identify projects and develop prioritization criteria. To simplify review, projects were categorized as either pedestrian and trail or biking and rolling. The community’s top priorities are the Ohlone Greenway, Bay Trail, Solano Avenue, and school access in the pedestrian and trail category and the San Pablo Avenue Bikeway and Cycle Track and the Solano Avenue Bikeway and Streetscape in the biking and rolling category.
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, April 20, 2026
5 Staff and consultants identified 12 programs that support the achievement of ATP goals, policies and network buildout. The TC added a program for Railroad Safety; Micromobility Safety could be an additional program. The criteria for prioritizing programs are relatively high benefit to achieving ATP goals, relatively low cost, and community and TC input. The community and TC prioritized programs for lighting, pedestrian visibility, railroad safety, and speed management and enforcement.
A summary of public comment is as follows: suggestions for changes to priorities and projects; support for network improvements.
The Council provided clarifications and feedback on key projects to be included for the Active Transportation Plan and suggested priorities for the projects and programs.
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
Council Member Jordan attended the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) Planning, Policy and Legislative Committee meeting. The Countywide Transportation Plan for 2026 defines the projects that are eligible to compete for funding, which certain City projects/programs are included. He also attended the Ava Community Energy meeting where the Board adopted a policy of prohibiting contracts to support immigration enforcement.
Mayor McQuaid attended the Mayors’ Conference; meetings of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, Housing Authority of Alameda County (HACA), and Alameda County Library Advisory Commission; the East Bay Municipal Utility District (MUD) annual meeting where staff presented City concerns; and the closing of the exhibit ion entitled Journeys to Albany: Paths to Belonging . She and Council Member Jordan met with the City Manager regarding the Council ad hoc committee for climate action. She will attend the League of California Cities’ City Leaders Summit.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A summary of public comment is as follows: a suggestion for the Council to explore energy upgrades as part of residential home sales.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
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ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday,April20 , 2026
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, April 22, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Transportation Commission Meeting, Thursday, April 23, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Police & Fire Pension Board Meeting, Tuesday, April 28, 3:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
. 4. City Council Meeting, Monday, May 4, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
9:48 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor McQuaid adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Clerk.
Attest:
Anne Hsu, City Clerk
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