September 18, 2020
We're here for you.
COMMISSION & COMMITTEE VACANCIES
Apply now and engage in local government! The City of Albany values community participation in City government and welcomes the opportunity for residents to serve on the City’s Advisory Bodies to the City Council.All public meetings will be held online for the duration of the public health emergency. 

Interested Albany residents are encouraged to apply for current vacancies here.  If you don't know what a City advisory body is, take a look at the list below or see our website for further information. albanyca.org/advise

Advise the City Council on cultural and artistic matters within the City including the acquisition and placement of public art.


Advises the City Council on proposed changes to the City Charter.

Climate Action Committee (formally known as Sustainability Committee)
The Climate Action Committee shall serve as a technical advisory committee regarding matters related to climate action and to advise council on matters related to reducing greenhouse gasses; and adapting to climate change.

Advises the City Council on matters related to media access in the City. CMAC supports community media access as a way for Albany citizens to share in the political and social life of their community.

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

Advises the City Council on financial matters including but not limited to budgeting, audits, long-term financial planning, and financial sustainability.

Advises the City Council on matters relating to the Albany branch of the Alameda County Library system.

The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission advises the City Council on all matters of public recreation, public park facilities and public landscaping (including street trees and parkways) in the City.

The Planning & Zoning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council regarding all provisions of the General Plan.


The charge of this Commission is to research, analyze, discuss and evaluate 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.

Transportation Commission (formally known as Traffic & Safety Commission)
The Transportation Commission advises the City Council on transportation policy and project planning and design on City-owned right-of-way.
EVACUATION ASSISTANCE REGISTRY
In order to better serve Albany residents, the City of Albany has developed an Evacuation Assistance Registry which allows residents to provide voluntary information that would be helpful for emergency responders to know when responding to a call.  

An Evacuation Assistance registry is a list of individuals who require assistance before, during, or after an emergency. Persons with disabilities or other functional needs can voluntarily submit either residential, medical, functional, or social background and contact information to the registry so that emergency management, response, and other personnel can better assist them during an emergency. 
THE UPCOMING ELECTION IS NOV 3, 2020
November 3, 2020 is Election Day and is right around the corner! Be sure to register to vote at California Voter Registration.



For more information on the Albany candidates or Albany ballot measures, contact the City Clerk, Anne Hsu, by email cityclerk@albanyca.org or call 510-528-5763

Voter Information Guide is scheduled to be mailed out by Alameda County Registrar of Voters between September 24 – October 13, 2020

Vote-by-Mail Ballot is scheduled to be mailed out to registered voters by Alameda County Registrar of Voters between October 5 – October 27, 2020

Please visit the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Vote-by-Mail FAQ web page for more information.
THE CENSUS DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30TH
It’s not too late to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census online, by mail, or by phone at 1(844) 330-2020. Language assistance is available. It’s important that everyone is accounted for to ensure accurate resource allocations.  
SOCIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN ALBANY
Work continues to develop the framework for a Community Task Force on Policing. The working group met on August 13th, August 24th with a final meeting held on September 10th to discuss and finalize the charge and composition of this Task Force for a recommendation to the City Council. The Working Group recommendation is scheduled to go before Council on September 21st.

The City’s Social & Economic Justice Commission held two special meetings in August to check-in on status on particular topics related to the equity impact action plan. At the Commission’s regular meeting on September 1, the Commission’s continued its discussion on the impact plan which included next steps for a survey and equity statement, and a commitment to schedule three community listening sessions. The SEJC is scheduled to provide an interim update to Council on September 21st.
STAY INFORMED ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESS INFORMATION
The City of Albany is working on exciting economic development programs, and we encourage those who are interested to sign up to stay informed. There are many ways for local businesses in Albany to connect, including:





We encourage you to forward this information to your local business contacts to help them stay informed.
ALBANY CERT COMMUNITY MEETING
INTRO TO RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Join The Albany CERT Community Group as they gather via Zoom for their 5th Wednesday CERT Community Meeting.

This introductory presentation is for both Albany CERT graduates and any Albany resident that wants to learn the basics of FRS (walkie talkies), GMRS & Ham Radio for local emergency communications.

Albany CERT is supported and trained by the Albany Fire Department. 
ALBANY FILMFEST PRESENTS
BEST OF THE BEST OF ALBANY FILMFEST 2011 - 2019
Online September 23-30, 2020 | FREE

Comedy, drama, documentary, animation - it's all there in this presentation of the Best of the Best of Albany FilmFest's first ten years. Enjoy these wonderfully eclectic prizewinning films from filmmakers as far away as China, Spain, and Singpore and as close as Albany and Oakland.
CLASSES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN FALL
In lieu of a printed 2020 Fall Activity Guide, the Recreation & Community Services Department has posted all fall programs on our Virtual Community Center - @HomeTogether. Here you will find the same diverse line-up of both in-person and virtual offerings. 
PLAY-WELL AT HOME
 
Tap into your imagination from the comfort of your own home with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor. Students will explore their creative boundaries, learn new building techniques, and connect their projects to practical real-world STEM concepts, all with a focus on open-ended builds that do not require special LEGO® pieces 
VIRTUAL WRITE ON! 

Albany Middle School English teacher, Abby Skrivan, MA, offers these engaging, supportive after-school classes with the aim of making writing fun and stretching the imagination. Participants will develop and deepen their mastery of the writing process in small, collaborative groups. 
VIRTUAL FALL FAVORITES COOKING CLUB 

Calling all culinary creatives! This fall, join us from your home kitchen as we discover delectable dishes based on scrumptious seasonal ingredients. This 5-week series uses skill-based, hands-on cooking to build motivation and confidence in the kitchen, emphasizing foundational cooking techniques as we explore fall favorites such as Fabulous Flatbread Pizza, Quintessential Quiche, and High Vibe Hand Pies. 
CURIOUS JANE’S ROOM MAKEOVER 

With these DIY Room Makeover classes, you will make all sorts of colorful new things for your room, of course! Personalize your space with projects that are small in scale, and perfect for any room. 

Projects include your own star map zodiac, a glowing jellyfish to hang over your bed, a miniature thimble garden for your window sill, colorful paper lantern collage, miniature prints, and a clothespin mirror for organizing and sharing your favorite little papers and photos. 
AC TRANSIT LAUNCHES ROLLOUT OF RIDER PPE
OFFERING HAND SANITIZER & FACEMASKS ON EVERY BUS

AC Transit has been working to ensure that the system is as safe as possible since the start of pandemic. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Bay Area Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force laid out a set of guidelines for Bay Area transit agencies that outlining a set of operational practices to provide for the safety of Bay Area transit systems. 

AC Transit is announcing its own reNEW Plan, which goes even further than these minimum guidelines. Please see the attached press release outlining the additional measures AC Transit is taking to keep our riders and employees safe.
JOIN BIKE TO WHEREVER DAYS - SEPT 2020
Due to COVID-19 Bay Area Bike To Work Day has pivoted to become a virtual event during the month of September. To participate and WIN PRIZES go to Bike to Wherever Days. The sooner you sign up, the more prizes you can win!
A CLEAN SHORE STARTS AT YOUR DOOR
September is Coastal Cleanup Month!  


This year, Coastal Cleanup Day is every day in September, and it starts right at your door. No matter where litter happens, it all flows downstream to the coast and becomes ocean pollution when the rain comes. The California Coastal Commission and The Watershed Project are requesting your help to clean the beach by picking up litter on your block, in your neighborhood, at your favorite park, along Albany’s 5 creeks, or at the waterfront with members of your household and/or social bubble.  

Remember to practice physical distancing and strictly follow safety protocols.  

Report your cleanup by recording data on the Marine Debris Tracker app to help us learn how to improve litter prevention efforts. 

In order to protect yourself and others while picking up and tallying trash, please observe these safety precautions:  

  • Always wear a mask or cloth face covering, gloves, and closed-toed shoes.  
  • Use a trash grabber or stick to pick up items. 
  • Always use a trash grabber to pick up used gloves, used masks, or other used PPE.  
  • Never pick up needles or human waste.  
  • After your cleanup, wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.  

For more information on Coastal Cleanup Month, safety tips, and information on the Marine Debris Tracker app, visit thewatershedproject.org/coastal-cleanup-2020. Thank you for staying safe, cleaning your neighborhoods, and protecting the Bay! 
ELECTRIFY YOUR RIDE!
Explore electric cars and e-bikes, and limited-time EV preferred pricing available through Drive Clean Bay Area.  

Bay Area nonprofits and cities have teamed up to offer a series of virtual events during National Drive Electric Week to help you start your clean transportation journey. 

Engage with EV drivers and e-bike riders. Learn about vehicle range, charging, preferred pricing, financing, rebates and programs for income-qualified drivers. Find consumer resources to help you find the right plug-in car or bike for your budget and lifestyle. 
AC TRANSIT PUBLIC NOTICE
BART TO BUS PAPER DISCOUNT TRANSFER TICKET

AC Transit is considering the elimination of the paper version of the BART-to-Bus paper discount transfer. Use of the paper transfer is very low and has declined in recent years, and it is believed this decline is largely a result of BART requiring the use of Clipper for all fare payment. If the paper transfer is eliminated, the discount would still be available via Clipper. The AC Transit Board of Directors will conduct a public hearing at its Wednesday, September 23rd meeting. 

Due to the current Shelter-in-Place (SIP) order, the public hearing will be held through video conferencing. You may access the hearing through Zoom or telephone call (callers will be able to listen ONLY). Visit https://actransit.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, call (510) 891-7209, or email districtsecretary@actransit.org after Friday, September 18, 2020 for Zoom links or call-in information.
GET COVID-19 UPDATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Check out our COVID-19 coverage on social media with these hashtags:  
#beatCOVID19 #AlbanyTogether 
To ensure you get alerts and the latest emergency information, please sign up for the following:
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 virtual until further notice. Please see the City Calendar for all public meeting attendance and viewing options.