February 18, 2022
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

Please join us for this special online event. BARBARA LEE: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER is an intimate, inspiring and timely portrait of Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a true pioneer on behalf of racial and economic justice, who raised two sons as a single mother on food stamps, and was the lone vote in opposition to the authorization of military force after the September 11th attacks.
CONSTRUCTION ALERT
Intersection Roadway Repairs at Jackson & Buchanan

Project Information: The City of Albany is commencing the first phase of roadway repairs at Jackson & Buchanan, consisting of repair of deteriorated concrete at the west crosswalk.

Work is scheduled to coincide with the Albany Unified School District's February Break to minimize disruptions to the nearby Ocean View Elementary School. Work includes construction of two concrete panels with high early strength concrete to expedite work within the highly used truck route.

Timeline: Work is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 2/22/22 through Saturday, 2/26/22. Due to the need to get this complex work done during the short AUSD break, work hours will be Monday through Saturday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Traffic and Parking Impacts: Traffic delays are anticipated for westbound Buchanan Street and Marin Avenue as the roadway will be reduced down to a single lane of traffic. Through traffic is advised to follow posted construction traffic signage or take alternative roads to avoid the construction area. Bicycle traffic is advised to take the Ocean View Bikeway Trail for westbound travel starting at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Marin Avenue.

Parking will be restricted during construction hours. Access to streets, driveways, parking, and other facilities may be temporarily affected by construction - please allow extra travel time into and out of your neighborhood. Notices regarding street closures and parking restrictions will be posted on barricade signs 72 hours in advance of work.

Thank you for your patience with us as we take care of this issue!
SPOTLIGHT: ADVISORY BODIES TO THE CITY COUNCIL
This section spotlights the work of each of our advisory bodies to the City Council. A different advisory body will be featured on a periodic basis. Learn more about the Advisory Bodies to the City Council. 

The Transportation Commission (TC) advises the City Council on transportation policy and project planning and design on City-owned right-of-way. The Commission also serves as the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and supports the City’s efforts to increase the share of active transportation trips. The Commission is composed of five members, each of whom are appointed by Council members. 

The Transportation Commission advises on a number of City programs, including the City’s pavement management program, the sidewalk repair program, and neighborhood traffic calming. The Commission regularly reviews vehicle collision data to identify safety concerns and improve roadway safety for all users. 

The Transportation Commission provides a forum for public review and advises on the planning and design of street, bicycle, and pedestrian projects in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The Commission advised on the development of projects expected to be constructed in 2022 and 2023 including traffic signal and safety improvements at the Marin/Masonic and Solano/Masonic intersections; and closing the Codornices Creek shared use path gap between 8th Street and 10th Street behind Krone Field. 

The Transportation Commission will be leading the City’s development of a Local Road Safety Plan in the coming months. 

Transportation Commission meetings take place on the fourth Thursday of every month, beginning at 7 PM. Like all public meetings, Transportation Commission meetings are open to the public and are currently conducted on Zoom and broadcast on YouTube. Comments from the public, both those submitted beforehand by email and those made during the meeting itself, are welcome. The next Transportation Commission meeting is on February 24 at 7 PM. 

For a record of the prior meetings and information on attending future meetings, please visit the city’s webpage for the Transportation Commission.
ADVISORY BODY SPECIAL VACANCY NOTICES
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.
 
If interested, please complete an online application or contact the Albany City Clerk Office at 1(510) 528-5710 for more information.  
ALBANY ADULT SPORTS - 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:
ALBANY CREATIVE JUSTICE ART PROJECT
Submission Window Extended

The City of Albany Arts Committee invites artists to submit proposals for the Albany Creative Justice Art Project - the creation of a new public artwork that will actively engage residents of Albany in creatively addressing past, present and future issues of social justice in the city and region.

Applications are welcome from individuals as well as teams, collectives, and collaborators.

Updated Submission Due Date: April 8, 2022, 4:00 PM
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 due date is March 31, 2022.

If you are interested in applying, click the button below for more information.
VIRTUAL GARDEN TALK - MARCH 8
Planting Herbs and Perennials for Pollinators
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 8 - 9 PM
Presenter: Rose Loveall, Morningsun Herb Farm
Free to Attend
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 unless specified otherwise.

Visit cur.tv/albany or click the button below to schedule an appointment.
FREE AT-HOME COVID TESTS 
Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order 4 free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests. Getting tested, along with vaccinations and masking, help us reduce the chances of spreading COVID-19 and its variants.

For free at-home COVID-19 tests, visit covidtests.gov.

There is now also a phone line for those who may have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional help ordering their tests: 1-800-232-0233 (Assistance in more than 150 languages).
COVID-19 UPDATES
Alameda County Health Officers Lift Most Indoor Mask Mandates

The Alameda County Health Department, in conjunction with other Bay Area public health agencies, lifted universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings on February 16. Unvaccinated individuals over age 2 are still 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.
City Council | Tuesday, FEB 22 | 7 PM
Planning & Zoning Commission | Wednesday, FEB 23 | 7 PM
Transportation Commission | Thursday, FEB 24 | 7 PM