The City of Albany is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from experienced organizations to prepare and implement a survey regarding racial equity in Albany and based on the results suggest priority actions for improving racial equity in the City.

Project Information and Timeline: Construction activities include construction of curb ramps, valley gutter, and pavement renovation on Washington Avenue from San Pablo Avenue to Masonic Avenue. Segment 1 paving on Washington Avenue, east of Cornell through the Masonic Intersection is scheduled to take place next week from Monday, March 28, 2022 through Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Typical hours of work will be between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. 

Traffic Impacts: For the safety of residents, Washington Avenue from Cornell to Spokane will be closed to through traffic during construction, including intersections. Segment 2 paving at the Cornell and Washington intersection will be constructed at a later date upon completion of other work within the intersection.

Detours will be in effect and residents are advised to use parallel routes for through access. Local access will be maintained but please leave extra time for traveling in and out of the construction zone. Pedestrian access along Washington will also be maintained but pedestrians will be detoured to the side of Washington Avenue further from the paving operations for safety. Please minimize through pedestrian travel – pedestrians who are traveling through the work zone are highly advised to take alternative paths.

CLICK HERE for a Neighborhood Detours Map

The Ohlone Greenway Trail will remain open to pedestrians during construction but the crosswalk will be temporarily relocated to the Spokane Avenue intersection. All cyclists will be asked to dismount within the work zone for the safety of other trail uses.

CLICK HERE for an Ohlone Greenway Detour Map.

Parking Impacts: No Parking signs will be posted in advance of work within the construction zone. Please respect the no parking signs at all times during pavement construction in order to allow the inspector and contractor to mark out work. We advise residents to park on side streets to minimize impacts to paving operations and the tracking of construction material out of the work zone. During paving, a sticky tack coat material is applied to the asphalt to bond the layers of together. It is advisable to avoid driving or walking on the road during this time as the tack coat material can be very slippery to drive on and may track into your home or driveway. All efforts will be made to minimize this situation while at the same time maintaining access during the project.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this project.

COMMUNITY GROCERY PROGRAM  

Healthy groceries and essential items are distributed on the first Friday of each month at 10:00 AM at the Albany Senior Youth Annex, 842 Masonic Ave. Low-income Albany residents of all ages who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible. Please contact (510) 524-9122 or albanycares@albanyca.org to reserve your bags of groceries and essential items. Walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.

Summer is just around the corner and the Albany Recreation Department is excited to announce a fabulous line-up of engaging camps to enrich your child's days.

Peruse the 2022 summer offerings by clicking the button below then scrolling down to find our Summer Activities tab. Most camps will operate outdoors and at Albany facilities. Have fun, stay safe and call 1(510) 524-9283 if you have any questions.

2022 Friendship Camp registration is now open! Join the City of Albany's amazing all-day summer camp for kids entering 1st-5th grade in fall of 2022.

This year, brand new half-day camp options are available for kids entering TK-kindergarten in fall of 2022.

For additional camp information including camp descriptions, sample daily schedules, and an FAQ, click the button below.

ADVISORY BODY SPECIAL VACANCY NOTICES

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.

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.

The Climate Action Committee serves as a technical advisory committee regarding matters related to climate action and to advise council on matters related to reducing greenhouse gases; and adapting to climate change.

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.

The Economic Development Committee advises the City Council on matters related to promoting vital and inviting business areas and advancing economic development within the City.

The Transportation Commission advises the City Council on transportation policy and project planning and design on City-owned right-of-way. 

If interested, please complete an online application or contact the Albany City Clerk Office at 1(510) 528-5710 for more information.  

The Albany Move’n’Groove, a 5K event taking place on April 24th at Albany High School and Memorial Park, is looking for volunteers to help bring this fun, healthy, and free event to the community. Not only will Albany Move’n’Groove include a 5K where registrants may walk, run, roller skate, wheelchair, or stroll, but also feature live bands stationed around the course.

Volunteers will be needed on the day of the event (and in the days leading up to the event) to help in a variety of tasks and functions including: flyer distribution, making and placing signage, street barricades and cones, handing out registration packets, 5K pacing, safety monitoring, helping out at an information booth, skate check-in table, providing first aid, refilling water cisterns, assisting bands, etc.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Form and you’ll be contacted. Volunteers will receive a complimentary Move’n’Groove t-shirt.

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.

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.

The Albany Community Center Foyer Art Gallery is supported by the City of Albany and managed by the Albany Arts Committee. The Albany Arts Committee sponsors four art shows per year and the exhibits run for approximately three months. The gallery has played host to wonderful & talented artists from Albany and our neighboring cities.

The Albany Arts Committee is now accepting applications for the Community Center Foyer Gallery. The application due date is April 1, 2022. Click the button below for more information on how to apply.

Do you want to learn more about your rights after the Alameda County eviction moratorium ends? Join your neighbors and learn more about your rights and resources as tenants. Attendees of this workshop will be signed up for individual consultations to occur at a later date.

To register, email tenantsrights@centrolegal.org with the subject "HCD Workshop".

Thinking of launching a food product or opening a restaurant? Join the Foundation Food Entrepreneurship Training Academy (FETA) and learn the critical aspects of how to start and succeed in the specialty food business!

The Alameda County SBDC and the Alameda County Community Development Agency offer a free 10-part series on "Food Business Entrepreneurship" for participants interested to launch and grow food businesses in Alameda County.

In this series, you will learn the basics to start and grow your own food business, cookbook, catering, and so much more. This series will help turn your idea into reality.

Workshops every Monday and Wednesday night, beginning April 4, 2022 at 5:30 PM. No cost to attend.

Alameda County will continue to align with the state’s guidance for indoor mega events and move vaccine verification or proof of negative test in these settings to strong recommendations after April 1. 

Mega-events are:

If you are considering not wearing a mask, ask yourself the following questions before making a choice that impacts you, your household, and community:

If answering “yes” to any of these questions, wearing a mask may be especially important. Individuals should speak with a medical provider if they are immunocompromised or have other health risks.

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.

Counter services at City Hall, the Community Center, and Senior Center are available in-person to the community. Appointments are encouraged. Click HERE to contact the department you wish to schedule an appointment with.

To sign up for AC Alert go to http://ACAlert.org

Sign-up for the City of Albany’s E-Notification system and get information and updates going on Around Your Block.

City meetings are still virtual until further notice. Please see the City Calendar for all public meeting attendance and viewing options.

There are no City meetings scheduled for next week: Monday, March 28 to Friday, April 1.