February 11, 2022
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY
On February 7, 2022, the City Council proclaimed February 2022 as Black History Month in the City of Albany, acknowledging the contributions of African Americans in our community and recognizing our journey to a fully inclusive society is not yet over.
FREE SCREENING OF SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER - FEB. 22
Albany Library and Albany FilmFest present Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power
February 22, 7-9 PM

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and filmmaker Abby Ginzberg will discuss Ginzberg's new documentary, Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power, the “complex story of Representative Barbara Lee, a steadfast voice for human rights, peace and equality in the U.S. Congress for over two decades.” Registered attendees will receive a link to screen the film in advance of the event.
CONSTRUCTION ALERT: SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT
The City of Albany is performing essential work to improve sewers at various locations throughout the city. Construction activities include replacement and rehabilitation of existing sewer mains, lower laterals, manholes, and street restoration.

Work has begun on the project, and construction is anticipated to be completed in June 2022. Typical hours of work are Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Please be aware there is a possibility for traffic delays, temporary street closures, and parking restrictions. Notices regarding street closures and parking restrictions will be posted on barricade signs typically 72 hours in advance of work.

We know this can be difficult to navigate, and we appreciate your patience with us and our crews as we complete this essential infrastructure work. Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep the City’s sanitary sewer system up to date and safe for all!
FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS 
Groceries and essential items are distributed on the first Friday of each month at 10 AM at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Low income Albany residents of all ages who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for this program. Please contact Albany CARES at 1(510) 559-4589 or albanycares@albanyca.org to confirm eligibility and register.

This program is funded by the City of Albany’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds.
PARKS, RECREATION, & OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN ADOPTED
On January 18, 2022, the City Council adopted the 2021 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. This strategic planning document provides the Albany community with a ten-year vision and an implementation framework from which to execute on that vision. The plan consists of a list of project ideas based on community input received at community workshops, stakeholder meetings, park site visits, and a parks and open space user survey to provide guidance on how to meet the demands for future recreational needs of the community.

Click the button below to read the Albany Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Master Plan.
IN-PERSON RECREATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES
Youth, adult, and senior programs through the Albany Recreation & Community Services Department are now open for Winter-Spring registration. Click the button below to browse the selection of classes, camps, and programs to register for.

Activity Spotlight:
ALBANY ADULT SPORTS WILL GET THE SPRING IN YOUR STEP 
The City of Albany Recreation and Community Services Department has a fabulous variety of Adult Sports. Grab your friends, build your own team, create new memories and have fun!

Spring 2022:
Residents of Albany are encouraged to apply for vacancies on the following committees: 

Arts Committee
The Arts Committee advises the City Council on cultural and artistic matters within the City including the acquisition and placement of public art. The Committee adheres to the Public Arts Master Plan, the Art in Public Places Ordinance and the Public Arts Project Plan in order to support, develop and promote art in Albany and increase the economic vitality of the City. This vacancy allows for a non-Albany resident appointee that represents the local business community with experience in the fields of public art, cultural and artistic matters.

Charter Review Committee (Two Vacancies)
The Charter Review Committee advises the City Council on proposed changes to the City Charter. These proposed changes may be generated by the City Council or recommended to the City Council by the Charter Review Committee.

Community Media Access Committee
The Community Media Access Committee advises the City Council on matters related to media access, community engagement and outreach, and information regarding local government matters in the City.
 
Financial Advisory Committee
The Financial Advisory Committee advises the City Council on financial matters including but not limited to budgeting, audits, long-term financial planning, and financial sustainability.

Social & Economic Justice Commission
The Social & Economic Justice Commission researches, analyzes, discusses and
evaluates a broad range of data and opinions on social and environmental issues
affecting the welfare of the residents of Albany as inhabitants of both a local and a global
community, and make recommendations to the City Council on positions and/or actions
to take to address these issues.
 
If interested, please complete an online application or contact the Albany City Clerk Office at 1(510) 528-5710 for more information.  
FREE INDOOR WASTE CONTAINER PROGRAM
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The new Alameda County Organics Reduction and Reduction Ordinance is now in effect, requiring that compostable materials be kept out of landfills to prevent the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Businesses, institutions, and nonprofits as well as owners/managers of multifamily properties with five or more units must subscribe to compost/organics and recycling collection service, set up color-coded and labeled indoor bins (multifamily properties: common areas only), ensure proper sorting, and educate employees, contractors, and/or tenants about the law at least annually and during tenant move-in and move-out.

To support with compliance, the City of Albany is distributing free indoor sorting bins on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until the allocation cap is reached or until February 15, whichever comes first.

**Please note that due to manufacturing and shipping delays, bins may take up to 12 weeks to be delivered after the application closes. We thank you in advance for your patience.**
ALBANY PARATRANSIT WORKSHOP
On Tuesday, February 15th at 1 PM, the Albany Recreation & Community Services Department will host the annual Paratransit Workshop at the Albany Senior Center and virtually over Zoom. This opportunity provides information and insight into the various services offered by the City and County Paratransit programs. These services include door-to-door shopping, taxi subsidies, and day trips. Attention: Due to the pandemic, day trips have been temporarily suspended.

To register for this workshop, call the Albany Senior Center at 1(510) 524-9122.
ALBANY POET LAUREATE OPEN VACANCY 
The honorary position of Poet Laureate is given to a local writer who is currently active producing, sharing and promoting poetry in our community. The Poet Laureate represents the City of Albany and our commitment to the poetic arts through participation in community events, education, and readings.

The application deadline is March 31, 2022.

If you are interested in applying, click the button below for more information.
AC TRANSIT BUS STOP SURVEY
AC Transit is currently evaluating bus stops and wants to hear from the community to understand how to improve the rider experience. Insight provided by survey submissions will help guide AC Transit’s decisions in developing bus stop amenities guidelines for the district. Click the button below to submit the 5-minute survey and let AC transit know what you think is important at bus stops
WEEKLY COVID-19 TESTING IN ALBANY
A weekly COVID-19 testing site has been deployed at the Albany Community Center at 1249 Marin Ave. Testing is held on Tuesdays, from 9 AM-4 PM. The test is a self-administered shallow nasal PCR test and results are delivered directly 1-2 days upon receipt at Curative's labs. There is no out of pocket cost for the test and it is available for both insured and uninsured; insured must provide insurance information.

ATTENTION: Appointments are preferred to minimize wait times, and take precedence over walk-ins.

Visit cur.tv/albany or click the button below to schedule an appointment.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Alameda County Health Officers to Lift Most Indoor Mask Mandates on February 16.

The Alameda County Health Department, in conjunction with other Bay Area public health agencies, will lift universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings beginning Wednesday, February 16. Unvaccinated individuals over age 2 will continue to be required to wear masks in all indoor public settings. Indoor masking is still required by the State for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in public transportation; health care settings; congregate settings like correctional facilities and homeless shelters; long term care facilities; and in K12 schools and childcare settings.

The Alameda County Public Health Department has provided additional information:
Find a vaccination clinic near you or call 1-510-208-4VAX (1-510-208-4829). Residents can drop by a location near them and don’t need an appointment at County-supported vaccinations Points of Dispensing (PODs) and most pop-ups.
City Services Available During COVID-19

Counter services at City Hall, the Community Center, and Senior Center are available in-person to the community. Appointments are highly encouraged. All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings.

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.
UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS
City meetings are still virtual until further notice. Please see the City Calendar for all public meeting attendance and viewing options.
Arts Committee | Monday, FEB 14 | 7 PM
Community Task Force on Policing | Tuesday, FEB 15 | 7 PM
Climate Action Committee | Wednesday, FEB 16 | 7 PM