ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, May 04, 2026
1 REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 PM
1. CALL TO O
RDER / 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 CALL
P
resent: Council Members López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, Mayor McQuaid
Absent: Council Member Jordan
3. REPORT
ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
4. CEREMONI
AL MATTERS
4-1. Certi
ficate of Recognition Commending Madison Jones and Maedora Song f or Their Achievement in Girls Scouts of America
Mayor Mc
Quaid presented the certificates to Madison Jones and Maedora Song. 4-2. Procl
amation in Recognition of Affordable Housing Month
Mayor Mc
Quaid presented the proclamation to Susan Friedland, Chief Executive Officer of Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA).
4-3. Procl
amation in Recognition of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Vice May
or Hansen-Romero read the proclamation.
4-4. Procl
amation Recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month
Vice May
or Hansen-Romero read the proclamation.
4-5. Procl
amation in Recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month Council M
ember Miki read the proclamation.
4-6. Procl
amation in Recognition of National Police Week and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day
Council M
ember López presented the proclamation to Albany Police Chief Greg Galliano and Albany Peace Officers Association President Sergeant Holly Matthews. 4-7. Procl
amation in Honor of Public Service Recognition Week
Council M
ember López read the proclamation.
Date approved: May 18, 2026
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, May 04, 2026
2 5. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicole Almaguer pr ovided 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: AC Transit’s Board of Directors will consider service reductions on June 10, 2026; inquiry on noticing area for development projects , resilience hub, and prohibition on the sale of tobacco products.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7-1. Minutes – April 20, 2026
Staff Recommendation: Approve
7-2. Ratification of Payroll – Date Paid 4/17/2026: Net Amount $487,559.19, Taxes/Benefits/Deductions $549,845.19, Total Payroll $1,037,404.38
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-3. Ratification of Bills, Claims and Demands - Ratification of bills, claims and demands against the City of Albany in the amount of $1,921,036.55 (4/17/2026), $434,661.51 (4/24/2026)
Staff Recommendation: Ratify
7-4. Advisory Body Resignation:
• Michael Barnes appointed by Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero resigned from the Transportation Commission
Staff Recommendation: Information item
7-5. Initiating Proceedings, Approval of Annual Report, and Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments in Assessment District No. 1988 -1 for Fiscal Year 2026/27, and Setting a Public Hearing for June 1, 2026
Staff Recommendation: That the Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-20, initiating proceedings for the levy and collection of assessments for the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District 1988- 1 for Fiscal Year 2026/27;
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, May 04, 2026
3 2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026- 21, approving the Annual Report for the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1988- 1 for Fiscal Year 2026/27;
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2026- 22, A Resolution of Intention to levy and collect assessments for the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1988- 1 for Fiscal Year 2026/27. Pursuant to the Landscaping & Lighting Act of 1972, set a public hearing for June 1, 2026 on the proposed assessment.
Mayor McQuaid asked if anyone wished to remove items from the consent calendar. No one removed an item.
MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, seconded by Council Member López, to approve the consent calendar.
AYES: Council Members López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, Mayor McQuaid NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Jordan
Motion carried and so ordered.
8. PRESENTATION
9. PUBLIC HEARING
9-1. Ordinance Amending Chapter 11 Fire Prevention and Chapter 12 Building and Housing of the Albany Municipal Code
Staff Recommendation: That the Council adopt 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) – Second Reading, Pass-to-Print
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL 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 there is no possibility that adoption of the draft Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment.
Community Development Director Dina Tasini presented the staff report. The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) adopted the 2025 State Building Code, which became effective January 1, 2026. Assembly Bill (AB) 130 mandated a six -year ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, May 04, 2026
4 moratorium on local amendments to building codes that apply to residential units unless the amendments can be considered an exception. Local building code amendments applicable to the 2022 cycle may continue. The most notable changes to the 2025 State Codes include stricter energy standards, expanded life safety requirements, increased requirements in the Green Building Code. The proposed amendments meet the City’s sustainability considerations and are consistent with the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP).
Mayor McQuaid opened the Public Hearing.
No public comment received, and Mayor McQuaid closed the Public Hearing.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: opposition to AB 130.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Miki, seconded by Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, to adopt 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).
AYES: Council Members López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, Mayor McQuaid NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Jordan
Motion carried and so ordered.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. NEW BUSINESS
11-1. Ordinance Prohibiting the Retail Sale of Live Animals
Mayor McQuaid Recommendation: That the Council direct staff to develop an ordinance for City Council consideration to prohibit the retail sale of live animals in Albany
Council Member Miki recused himself from the item as he raises and sells tropical fish.
Mayor McQuaid presented her memorandum. While federal and state laws regulate the sale of live animals, enforcement and the scope of the laws are limited. Studies reveal that the wildlife trade affects the extinction or decline of numerous native species.
Currently, there are no Albany retailers that sell live animals. The ordinance would ban the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, hermit crabs , and arachnids with certain exemptions proposed.
A summary of public comment is as follows: support for the ban; opposition to a ban.
A summary of Council comment is as follows: support for a ban on the sale of live animals.
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL – MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, May 04, 2026
5 MOTION:
Moved by Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, seconded by Council Member López, to direct staff to develop an ordinance for City Council consideration to prohibit the retail sale of live animals in Albany.
AYES: Council Member López, Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, Mayor McQuaid NOES: None
RECUSED: Council Member Miki
ABSENT: Council Member Jordan
Motion carried and so ordered.
11-2. Amendment to the Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet
Staff Recommendation: That Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-23, approving the amended Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet effective as of May 1, 2022
City Manager Almaguer presented the staff report. The proposed amendment to the Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet complies with requirements of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and California Code of Regulations Section 571. CalPERS advised the City that modifications to specific benefit definitions are needed. Otherwise, no substantive changes are proposed.
MOTION:
Moved by Council Member Miki, seconded by Vice Mayor Hansen- Romero, to adopt Resolution No. 2026 -23, approving the amended Management and Confidential Employees Benefits Booklet effective as of May 1, 2022.
AYES: Council Members López and Miki, Vice Mayor Hansen-Romero, Mayor McQuaid NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Jordan
Motion carried and so ordered.
12. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS ON
APPOINTED REPRESENTATION OF ALBANY, AND OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
12-1. League of California Cities – Community Services Policy Committee Report (Mayor McQuaid)
12-2. Alameda County library Advisory Commission Report (Mayor McQuaid)
12-3. League of California Cities – 2026 City Leaders Summit Report (Mayor McQuaid)
Mayor McQuaid attended the League of California Cities’ City Leaders Summit, where discussions were held with Assemblymember Wicks’ staff and State Senator Arreguín on local issues; a Police and Fire Pension Board meeting; a Housing Authority of Alameda •
ALBANY CITY COUNCIL-MINUTES
1000 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
Monday, May 04, 2026
County Scholarship Committee meeting; Mr. Dewie's Cashew Creamery 10th anniversary celebration; the Gill Tract Farm birthday celebration; the Foyer Gallery exhibition opening; the Citywide Garage Sale; Supervisor Fortunado Bas' preparedness event; and met with the PG&E local government affairs representative. She and Council Member Jordan began work as the City Council Ad Hoc Committee for Climate.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Upcoming City Meetings
1. Arts Committee Meeting, Monday, May· 11 , 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
2. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, May 13, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
3. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission Meeting, Thursday, May 14, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
4. City Council Meeting, Monday, May 18, 7:00 PM, City Hall Council Chambers
15. ADJOURNMENT
8:25 PM There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor McQuaid adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by Anne Hsu, City Clerk.
Peggy McOua1d
Mayor
Attest:
Ah Hsu, City Clerk '
6