UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK - NOVEMBER 14-20 |
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United Against Hate Week (Nov. 14-20, 2021) is a call for local civic action by people in every Bay Area community to stop the hate and implicit biases that are a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.
The City of Albany, the Albany Unified School District, the Albany YMCA, the Albany Library, and University of California at Berkeley’s University Village are providing opportunities to celebrate inclusivity and to take action against hate in our community.
Click the button below for more information on how to be involved.
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NEW CITY TREES FREE TO ADOPT |
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Now is the time to apply for street tree planting
Individual property owners can apply to have a street tree planted by the City in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property. Additionally, as per action taken by the City Council, revenues from the recently approved Measure DD will now waive the costs for adopting a new street tree in the public right-of-way in front of your home (See Resolution No. 2021-102).
What are the benefits of planting more trees in our urban forest?
Albany strives to be a green City in many ways, including actively taking care of our urban forest. In Summer, trees promote energy savings through shading, and in Fall and Winter the urban canopy helps deflect wind and water run-off, limiting flooding. Trees reduce noise pollution, create privacy, furnish homes for birds, supply fresh air, and offset the impacts of air pollution. Trees also make our neighborhoods more beautiful, and increase property values!
Additionally, carbon sequestering in trees helps to lower the effects of global warming by lowering ambient air temperatures and reducing evaporation, resulting in a cooler, greener environment.
Click the buttons below for more information and to fill out an application.
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REMINDER: SERVICE REQUEST PORTAL |
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City of Albany’s Public Works department is hard at work doing maintenance, repair and improvement work around the City. But we could use your help!
Have you seen any of the following around town?
- Graffiti on public property
- Illegal dumping
- Damaged playground or park equipment
- Street lighting that isn’t working
- Potholes
- Broken, loose, or missing storm drain grates
- Sanitary sewer overflows
- Damaged traffic signals or signs
- Downed tree limbs
Please report these issues using our handy Service Request Portal so that City staff can help keep our roads, parks, and business districts as clean and safe as possible.
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STORMY WEATHER SEASON IN ALBANY |
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In light of recent storms, here’s some information about how City staff prepare for and respond to large storms in our area.
Preparedness:
- Seasonal storm drain cleaning (pictured above).
- Stocking sand for sandbags at Ocean View Park.
- Having additional staff on standby during predicted storms.
- Coordinating with the Police Department to pre-stage a truck with barricades and signs for quick deployment in case of power outages or other road hazards.
Action:
- Responding to calls about downed trees, tree limbs, and flooding to quickly mitigating the worst problems.
- Working with the City Arborist and contractors, who manage the larger tree issues with consideration of all factors including the health of the tree and protecting people and property.
- During the days following a storm, picking up branches and clearing leaves and debris from storm drains.
How can residents help prevent flooding?
- Placing sandbags around storm drains in your neighborhood to prevent clogging from debris and leaf litter.
- Clearing existing trash and leaves from storm drains in your neighborhood. Be sure and put these in trash or green waste bins as appropriate.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ALBANY ELECTRICITY |
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TRANSITION TO 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY JANUARY 2022
East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) began serving residential, business, and municipal electricity customers throughout Albany in 2018. Customers were placed on EBCE’s Brilliant 100 service, which offered customers 100% carbon-free electricity at the same price as PG&E. The Brilliant 100 service will no longer be offered after 2021. In June 2021, the Albany City Council voted to set the default electricity option for Albany customers to EBCE’s Renewable 100 service starting in January 2022. Renewable 100 costs an additional 1 cent per kilowatt-hour above PG&E rates. That’s about $5 more per month for a typical Albany home and varies more widely for businesses based on the amount of power used.
Alternative plans are available. To learn more about your electric service choices and compare plans, click the button below.
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Residents of Albany are encouraged to apply for a vacancy on the following committees:
Charter Review Committee
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.
Economic Development Committee
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 Committee assesses the current and ongoing business climate in the City and submits recommendations to the City Council intended to maintain a strong economic base in the City.
If interested, please complete an online application or contact the Albany City Clerk Office at 1(510) 528-5710 for more information.
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Children 5-11 Years-Old Are Now Eligible for Safe, Effective COVID-19 Vaccine
The CDC recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children, ages 5 to 11. Both the FDA and the CDC agree that this COVID-19 vaccine can be safely administered to children to prevent severe illness and death.
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.
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REMINDER: STREET & STORM DRAIN MAINTENANCE |
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Autumn is here! With Fall comes wet weather and falling leaves on our sidewalks, driveways, and streets.
It’s important to keep your storm drain clean and free of obstruction so that the City’s street sweeper can do a good job preventing seasonal flooding.
Cleanup Tips:
- Rake up leaves and put them in your green waste bin for disposal.
- Do NOT leave leaf piles in the street! It’s against the City code and can clog the street sweeper.
- Pick up larger trash and dispose in your waste bins – protect the SF Bay!
Please contact the Public Works department for information about available sand and sandbags at 1(510) 524-9543.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our City clean, safe, and free of flooding this season.
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To apply for a Minor Home Repair grant, call 1(510) 567-8280.
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PROTECT YOUR PIPES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON |
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You can help prevent backed up pipes this holiday season! When cooking oils and grease go down the drain, they can clog pipes and lead to sewage back-ups at your home, place of business, and in the City sewer system. This can even lead to sewage entering the San Francisco Bay when grease clogs the pipes and overflows the sewer system. Please keep our pipes and our Bay clean by properly disposing of cooking oil and grease. |
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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.
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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.
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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?
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City meetings are still virtual until further notice. Please see the City Calendar for all public meeting attendance and viewing options.
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