June 18, 2021
CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH IN ALBANY
THE CITY OF ALBANY IS OPEN TO SERVE YOU!
Take advantage of our many online and virtual services that we have been providing throughout the COVID19 pandemic by visiting our website at www.albanyca.org, and find contact information for each City department.

City Hall will soon be authorized by the Department of State to begin processing passports again. We anticipate being able to be authorized to provide this service beginning on Thursday, July 8, 2021. Please note that passport services will be by appointment only. Stay tuned as we work to provide online appointments soon.

In addition, other counter services at City Hall are available in-person to the community beginning on July 6th including Planning/Building, City Administration, Human Resources and Finance. Appointments are highly encouraged. In the meantime, please continue to reach out with the contact information below with any services needed.

The Albany Community Center will also be opening on July 6th and continue to offer virtual programs, outdoor facility rentals, youth summer camps, picnic reservations and block party applications. Information on programs offered can be found at https://www.albanyca.org/our-city/hometogether


The Albany Senior Center is reopening on July 6th and will continue to offer virtual programs, meals on wheels and starting on July 1st weekly Grab and Go curbside meal service. Information on programs offered can be found at https://www.albanyca.org/our-city/hometogether/senior-programs.

City Department Contacts Listing:

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Call 9-1-1 in an Emergency

The City of Albany provides full-service police, fire, and emergency medical services. All emergency services remain in operation during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Non-Emergency Police & Fire Contacts
Police Contacts | albanypolice@albanyca.org | 1(510) 525-7300
Fire Contacts | albanyfire@albanyca.org | 1(510) 528-5770 X 5

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES | ALBANY CARES
albanycares@albanyca.org | 1(510) 524-9122

Assistance and referrals to services including food, shelter and housing, utility bill payment assistance and more.

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
cityhall@albanyca.org | 1(510) 528-5710

City operations oversight, City Council meeting administration and agendas, public information, and overall management of COVID-19 issues and response within the City. Providing local business outreach and resource clearinghouse. | econdev@albanyca.org Access the City Calendar to get updated information on public meetings.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
com-dev@albanyca.org | 1(510) 528-5760

Processing building permits via email and conducting construction inspections. Liaison with Waste Management for solid waste and recycling services.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Accounts payable and receivable, business licenses.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
apworks@albanyca.org | 1(510) 524-9523

Infrastructure and facilities maintenance (streets, sewer, sidewalk, trees, parks, city trash cans, etc.).

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES
recinfo@albanyca.org | 1(510) 524-9283

Online & in person classes, programs & summer camps, tennis courts, field rentals & block parties. Friendship Club 1(510) 559-7220.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Alameda County Is Aligned with the State’s Beyond the Blueprint Framework

Alameda County rescinds its Shelter-in-Place Order in order to fully align with the State’s Beyond the Blueprint Framework.

Effective June 15, 2021, new Health Officer Order 21-01a aligns the County with the restrictions, terms, and conditions imposed on individuals, businesses, and activities by the State’s Public Health Officer Order issued on June 11, which means no more physical distancing, no more capacity limits on businesses, no more county tiers, and relaxed mask guidance.
EXPAND, IMPROVE & CONNECT THE ALBANY PARK SYSTEM
From the comfort of your own home.

If you weren't able to attend the first Community Workshop last week, you may download or print the 3 maps (pages 4-6) and share your ideas through, computer markups, doodles, notes, essays, sketches, colors, song and dance. We just want to make sure your ideas are heard!

Scan or snap a photo of your maps and email them to: ramon@groundworksoffice.com

No printer? Can’t do a Computer markup? That’s fine. Leave us a Phone Message: 510. 859. 8491 and we’ll figure out a way to hear your ideas.


Also, please consider taking the 2021 Albany Parks and Open Space Survey. The survey will help gather community feedback on existing parks and open space usage, discover new active and passive recreational programming needs, and offer strategic direction for the Albany Parks and Open Space Master Plan.

All questions are optional and the survey only takes 10 minutes. Thanks for your help!
SPRING INTO HAIKU 2021 MAP
The residents of Albany, California, celebrate springtime and the promise of a post-pandemic world. Spring into Haiku is a project of the Albany Arts Committee and is supported by the Albany Community Foundation.

"Spring into Haiku" decorates locations throughout the city with original haiku written by people of all ages who live, work, or go to school in Albany. Selected haiku are printed on signboards and panels and installed in public places in this June.
SECURITY CAMERA REGISTRATION PROGRAM
The Albany Police Department is partnering with the community to prevent and solve crimes. If you currently utilize private security cameras at your home or business, you can turn them into the latest crime-solving tool. Registering your information does not provide the Albany Police Department with direct access to your camera and you may delete your registration at any time.

You will only be contacted by the Albany Police Department in the future if there is a criminal incident in your neighborhood or in the vicinity of your security camera.
EBMUD STAGE 1 DROUGHT
VOLUNTARY 10% DEMAND REDUCTION

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board of Directors voted to declare a Stage 1 drought shortage at its April 27, 2021 meeting based on projections that water runoff will fall below what is needed to refill EBMUD reservoirs this year.

What can Albany community members do to conserve water?

  • Water early in the morning, no more than 3x/week 
  • Look for leaks 
  • Make your yard drought-ready 
  • Update inefficient indoor fixtures 
  • Explore your actual water use 
SUMMER TREE WATERING REMINDER
The days are getting warmer, soils are rapidly drying, and our trees are getting thirsty!

Now is the time to water your trees. The first trees to consider watering are those that will be most vulnerable and affected by dry conditions.

  • Newly planted and young trees (1-6” diameter) are not yet established and have a limited root system. These trees generally need supplemental water even when we are not experiencing drought conditions. Basically, it will take three years for a newly planted tree to get established.  
  • Trees growing within a restricted root zone. Examples are trees adjacent to a driveway or house or street trees growing within a landscape strip between your sidewalk and the street.  
  • Trees that have recently received root injury due to construction or sidewalk work will need supplemental watering because the root system has been compromised.  

Water deeply and infrequently. About 5-10 gallons, once a week for new trees or more in very hot weather. Established trees need less frequent watering. Healthy trees actually help with California’s drought conditions – see the link below for more details. Watering helps maintain healthy root structure. Make sure the water isn’t running off and down the street!

Mulch to reduce moisture loss. 3-4" of wood chip mulch, kept 4-6" away from tree trunks, will help the soil retain water, while allowing roots to breathe.
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.