August 19, 2022
CITY OF ALBANY HOUSING ELEMENT
Complete Draft of the City of Albany Housing Element Available for Review

The City of Albany is currently updating the Housing Element portion of the City’s General Plan. This is a state-mandated plan that identifies how the City will accommodate its existing and future housing needs. The working draft of the Housing Element is available for download. The working draft has been prepared over a number of months in a series of public meetings with the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.

The City is required to submit a working draft to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for their review. Prior to sending the working draft to HCD, the City is required to make the draft available to the public for 30 days. The 30 day comment period began July 29, 2022, and will be completed on August 28, 2022. The City Council is scheduled to review the working draft, and comments received, at their meeting scheduled for September 6, 2022.

The Housing Element includes an evaluation of local housing issues and needs, an analysis of potential housing sites and resources, a discussion of constraints to building housing, and a list of policies and actions that address housing issues. Recent changes to State law require that the Housing Element also show how each city will work to overcome housing discrimination and create housing opportunities for persons of all income levels in the community. 
CONCERT IN THE PARK, AUGUST 27
Enjoy a concert at Memorial Park (1325 Portland Ave.) with family, friends, and neighbors! Music performance from 12:00 PM - 2 PM by The Cheeseballs, a soulful, funky, and high energy dance band based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
PIERCE STREET - PG&E EMERGENCY REMEDIATION
PG&E has made City staff aware that urgent remediation work needs to be done to their underground electrical equipment on Pierce Street in Albany.

PG&E Work is scheduled to begin early this month (August) and continue through October.

PG&E has provided a local contact, Julian Lacson, who can be reached as follows:

  • By phone at 925-348-3532 (during normal business hours)
  • By email to electricreliability@pge.com

Please plan for minor delays when passing through this area, and adhere to any posted signage or directions.

Thank you for your patience as PG&E works to complete the project in a timely manner.
THE UPCOMING ELECTION IS ON NOV 8, 2022
NOMINATION PERIOD CLOSED

Election Day is right around the corner! On November 8, 2022, be sure to vote for the following positions using Ranked Choice Voting (RCV):

  • 2 seats on City Council (4-year term)
  • 3 seats on Board of Education (4-year term)

The filing period is closed for individuals seeking City Council candidacy and Board of Education candidacy.

Information regarding individuals who are seeking candidacy for this year's election can be found at www.albanyca.org/candidates. For information on the measure that will be included on this year's ballot, visit www.albanyca.org/measures.

For more information on the election, email the City Clerk, Anne Hsu, at cityclerk@albanyca.org or call 1(510) 528-5763.
CALL FOR ARTISTS
The Albany Arts Committee is now accepting applications for the Community Center Foyer Gallery. The application deadline is September 1, 2022. Click the button below for more information on how to apply. 
Class Spotlight: Bollywood Dance
Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 23 to September 16 from 3:30 PM-5 PM

Introduce your child to the vibrant and energetic style of dancing inspired by the Bollywood film industry of India. Children will move & groove to some fun and popular Bollywood songs.
FALL 2022 ALBANY ACTIVITY GUIDE
The 2022 Fall Activity Guide, which began reaching Albany mailboxes this week, is available to view on the City of Albany website. It features a City of Albany News section to give residents an update on available City services and recent City happenings, as well as Recreation & Community Services classes, seasonal camps, special events, and programs which take place between August and December. Our programs offer a variety of ways to make sure your Fall in Albany is a fun and enriching experience. Classes are popular and fill up fast, so don't delay! Be sure to check it out.
 
Register online now for Fall classes!
THE STORY OF PLASTIC VIRTUAL MOVIE SCREENING
Today, August 19 from 4:30-7 PM

The City of Albany is partnering with The Watershed Project to show a screening of The Story of Plastic. Tune into a searing expose of the environmental and human impacts of plastic production and discuss strategies for reducing plastics.
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY TOWNHALL ON MPX
Thursday, August 25, 2022
5:30-6:30 PM

MPX - formerly referred to a monkeypox - is a rare but sometimes serious disease, which is caused by infection with the MPX virus. Join the Alameda County Public Health Department in this discussion, where topics include an MPX overview and data update, the public health response, and guidance and resources.
Sign up for local emergency alerts. 

If you live, work, or visit Alameda County, take a moment to sign up for "AC Alert", the Alameda County emergency notification system. Signing up will allow you to receive emergency and topical information about flooding, earthquakes, fires and other emergencies occurring in your area.

To sign up for AC Alert go to http://ACAlert.org
And also be sure to follow the City of Albany Twitter account. When communication services are limited, Twitter is where government agencies, relief organizations, media, volunteers, and citizens go to communicate and collaborate - fast.
Feel like you didn't know about a public meeting topic, street repair on your block or the local dog park going in across the street?

Sign-up for the City of Albany’s E-Notification system and get information and updates going on Around Your Block.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
Weekly COVID-19 Testing in Albany - Tuesdays and Thursdays

Weekly COVID-19 testing is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-4 PM in front of the Albany Community Center at 1249 Marin Ave. The test is a self-administered shallow nasal PCR test and results are delivered directly 1-2 days upon receipt at Curative's labs.

Visit cur.tv/albany to find out more.
City Services Available During COVID-19

Counter services at City Hall, the Community Center, and Senior Center are available in-person to the community. Click HERE for department hours and contact information.

  • Passport services are by appointment only. Click here to schedule an appointment. Due to high demand, we are currently booking several months in advance. 
UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS
City meetings are still virtual until further notice and public meetings are in recess for the month of August. Please see the City Calendar for all public meeting attendance and viewing options. We'll see you in September!