[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6688551,"mediaKeyId","2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41","parentId",2173604,"title","Albany begins capital improvement planning for parks; staff recommends turf audit, Pier Street planning and court refreshes","audioSeconds",5723,"startMs",3241000,"endMs",8964000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41&start=3241&end=8964","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41/thumbnail_3241000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6688551/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-begins-capital-improvement-planning-for-parks-staff-recommends-turf-audit-Pier-Street-planning-and-court-refreshes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688551-7eae4c99d2997f63921af40e5d178fde/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143906&Signature=bxt28c-mauQZT4IlPxwin1yX96X9mVm2YZLhZV~6HcRi3pKYROcPhy95r5gAxOGCVPMGqfjSv3EuTWtxk0HsBU2ulbZ-yfVoXv1V~H72rcSMhRNG8VZSZGlISL5FWO2m6XEL5DeuXa8w3AhetH2O21E9LXvrA6tAoElSfvX2kd8SV1graUKkW8f1igIGDnISXgBBKlFou1zsW2jyqW1JiBk0xtF5lRCHkDEbQwmR~UOJvkcgaEtXYv2zs~XXM~VohMlloXZRFTSR9SEz7ZCTZZj2d20tLyqOTio828-~GBCNNL5~mEI02~FRaG6oZr4ihwNjkN4GQWzmndFR-z86ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Albany, CA","date","2025-01-01T06:20:35.927Z","article","City staff opened a multi‑year capital improvement planning effort for Albany parks and presented a proposed framework that separates recurring core programs (maintenance, refreshes and renewals) from discrete projects (new or one‑time capital builds).

Allison Carrillo, program manager for the city's capital projects (introduced as CIP manager), told the commission the goal of the CIP plan is to bridge the Parks Master Plan vision and deliverable projects by clarifying needs, estimating rough budgets and matching funding sources. “A CIP plan…gives us the difference, the bridges between planning, budgeting and implementation,” Carrillo said. She described a two‑track approach: core programs for cyclic maintenance and refreshes (for courts, play structures and ball fields) and discrete projects with a clear beginning and end (for example, a new sand volleyball court, Pier Street Park improvements or the Ohlone Greenway program).

Carrillo and Devorah Zatter (program manager) walked commissioners through proposed near‑term priorities: a turf audit and asset inventory, a programmatic Ohlone Greenway study, Pier Street Park and shared‑use path planning, a turf and sustainable landscape strategy, systematic court refreshes (Terrace Park, Memorial Park, Ocean View), play‑structure refreshes, lighting upgrades and discrete items such as sand volleyball courts and flex (multiuse) courts. Staff said many items in the Parks Master Plan (adopted in 2022) feed into this list and that the intent is to produce project pages, rough order‑of‑magnitude budgets and a funding strategy for council consideration.

Commissioners and the public weighed tradeoffs. Several commissioners favored spreading smaller upgrades across parks (so more neighborhoods see incremental improvements) rather than concentrating work in a single park and asked staff to prioritize projects that reduce frequent complaints and maintenance burdens. Commissioners identified Terrace Park tennis courts and Ocean View/Memorial court conditions as recurring complaints; staff said renewing underlying court surfaces is often the most costly element and that a refresh is a chance to consider “flex” configurations and standardize lighting and controls.

The commission discussed sand volleyball again and whether to advance the Ocean View location as a near‑term discrete project; several commissioners and public speakers argued the Ocean View site is practical and would meet high demand from middle‑school and high‑school players. Staff recommended starting the CIP program with a turf audit (to size fields and find opportunities), then Pier Street Park planning, then Ohlone Greenway programming — a sequence commissioners generally supported during discussion and prioritization.

Staff described funding strategy principles: stabilize funding for core reinvestment, set aside modest sums for small enhancements, and seek grants for larger programmatic projects. Carrillo said some planning documents and technical studies will likely be consultant‑led because of staff capacity and technical needs (grading, ADA path design, lighting photometrics); other work will be staff‑led. She said the CIP will be a living document and staff will return with prioritized project pages and estimated budgets for commission review and then city council study sessions.

Why it matters: The CIP defines how the city will allocate limited capital and grant resources and sets a timetable for maintenance that reduces deferred maintenance and complaint volumes. Commissioners asked staff to return with a clearer mapping from the Parks Master Plan’s near‑, mid‑ and long‑term project lists to the proposed CIP items, and to post presentation materials so commissioners and the public can review details offline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission - Dec. 12, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","City staff launched a multi‑year capital improvement planning process for Albany parks that separates cyclical maintenance from discrete projects and proposed near‑term priorities including a turf audit, Pier Street Park planning and systematic court and play‑structure refreshes.","taxTitle","Albany City, Alameda County, California","taxId",72346,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6688556,"Albany staff outline how AB 2404 applies to fields; students press for sand volleyball courts",1658,1452000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41&start=1452&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41/thumbnail_1452000.jpg","/articles/6688556/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-staff-outline-how-AB-2404-applies-to-fields-students-press-for-sand-volleyball-courts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688556-3523ac34fec0f8324e02cfd1950bf44b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143906&Signature=dc3K3l6pn6KvW8MOHRxkAB35KFGleKtQ6fAdlAnfx7QYo6l-d-kOaWd2VGvuinnXSm6VcNwAiO4r~9HZJ73dEmJ-y2XmzcImwTE6OzXriXrBPbPEvCEx28UCNhtUE5lsCoMrRBxY-OY5bymLu4KhnpYPhp~R43e3hA-JontNjw9JM-~I2EbwM9ngm75MvFlyYflA1fn0w6W-tlHZbRJUs~9nD3ChvNDtitI7AsOz3bRrDgxbfW6rKbEUeATSxoxye-BAeIf7Oz6FAI-6pjNY~Wj~Dq-7rOsumq1vviWY4WkIxIxfLcdkP57ZYdK7XxDtwiM55uJwzP4NzGGkxVIOHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Albany recreation staff presented how California Assembly Bill 2404 — commonly described in the presentation as the Fair Play and Community Sports Act (AB 2404) — is being implemented for city-managed fields and courts, and said the city gives scheduling priority to girls’ teams when assigning facility time.

Joy Wyatt, recreation supervisor with the city's Recreation and Community Services Department, told the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission that “Assembly Bill 2404 is a California law prohibiting gender discrimination in community youth sports program.” Wyatt said the city collects season-by-season, self‑reported participation data from leagues and groups as part of its reservation process and applies a priority-use classification in the master fee schedule; department-sponsored events and school-sponsored activities receive top priority, and girls’ teams are given priority within community youth group reservations to help balance field use.

Wyatt described Albany’s field and court inventory: Memorial Field (adjacent to Albany High School) has no lights and a locked gate; Ocean View Park has lights and reservations available until 10 p.m.; the city has seven tennis courts and four pickleball courts across parks, with varying lighting and reservation rules. She said the city accepts online season applications (spring, summer and fall) and time-stamps submissions to set priority. Wyatt also acknowledged limitations: the participation counts are self-reported by organizations and the city has no statutory “teeth” under AB 2404 — the law requires opportunity and nondiscrimination but does not create penalties or incentives at the city level.

Public commenters pressed the commission for more dedicated volleyball space. Samara, an eighth grader at Albany Middle School, told commissioners, “I would like to advocate for girls volleyball courts in Albany Parks, specifically sand volleyball courts,” and described long travel times to the nearest sand courts. Another eighth grader, Annika, said Albany had six middle‑school teams and that “we had 70 girls at tryouts just for eighth grade,” arguing a local sand court would increase practice access and balance space use between traditionally male‑dominated sports and volleyball.

Commissioners and staff discussed options including a dedicated sand court at Ocean View Park, the possibility of flex courts (adjustable nets that accommodate tennis, volleyball and other uses) and whether a court built without formal reservation would show up in the city’s AB 2404 participation counts. Staff said informal, walk-up use or one-time reservations would not be captured in the seasonal application data that drives AB 2404 reporting, but that adding courts could still increase community access even if the usage does not immediately reflect in the self‑reported totals.

Commissioners asked staff for follow-up: possible short‑term fixes (adjustable portable nets and lower height settings), a status update on any previous trial or pilot courts, and whether the city could include sand volleyball or flex court options in the capital improvement planning process. Wyatt and other staff said they would examine previous surveys, review program data, and return with details and options for planning and funding.

Why it matters: AB 2404 requires local programs to provide equal opportunities for girls in community youth athletics; commissioners and students emphasized that facility design and availability (including courts and lighting) drive who can participate. The commission signaled support for pursuing practical ways to increase girls' access — from low‑cost net adjustments to adding sand or flexible courts in future capital work.","Recreation staff summarized California Assembly Bill 2404 implementation for Albany youth sports and said girls’ teams receive scheduling priority for field and court reservations. Several Albany middle-school students urged the commission to add sand volleyball courts to increase girls' access and practice space.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6688544,"Commission approves removal of decayed London plane tree at Marin School; staff to plant replacements",655,9044000,9699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41&start=9044&end=9699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41/thumbnail_9044000.jpg","/articles/6688544/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Commission-approves-removal-of-decayed-London-plane-tree-at-Marin-School-staff-to-plant-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688544-5677a6b91ed3caf2b606799b1f5a59a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143906&Signature=l4vbOCXrhIqHX9~SZhqCHg-O3D2r8Wv0xIXIuqFhHTn99dHLROj6t1dk7sADDInUPYjmoYeT~qys5lxQEuUB7Rnq49tiUx4H21QmPemxFPh0ligdILJ8yCMDeRPxpERFru5BRfQgnmJ9av9uJy72iizukK~aDS8KJO2yRV6Av2z-HY4BFFNPqWbNCFg4XpW9d5gQIKY8YK2yrMfrg3bqtj79ni1zl65dL2jZrPbePNMDkvGR5InrDwe8zu6ydEuLkbDtY3tWpMiJKeuSvzM8Y2ISdO9CKJfDjXNTgS2asrxPGEE~ytk1kIg6r6TVQclFc-zHcLC~MECCL0JDfMPTew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission voted to remove a London plane tree adjacent to Marin School after city arborist staff presented evidence of extensive trunk decay and a recent limb failure.

John Hockridge, the city's arborist (presenting staff), showed photos and a short inspection summary indicating significant internal decay in the central tree of a five‑tree row, including hollow sections the arborist probed with a hand saw. Hockridge said the decay had compromised the trunk and a limb had recently failed; he recommended removal for public‑safety reasons and proposed planting one or more replacement trees nearby. Hockridge said the narrow planting strip and proximity to high‑voltage overhead lines make a tall replanting unsuitable; he recommended species such as the red horse chestnut or an elm cultivar appropriate under utility lines, and noted there is room to add another tree closer to the corner at Marin and Curtis.

A commissioner moved to approve the removal and replacement plan; another commissioner seconded. The commission took a roll‑call vote with the following recorded: Commissioner Abbott — Yes; Commissioner Chang Frank — Yes; Commissioner Martin — Yes; Chair Sherry Sandberg — Yes. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The tree is on a school frontage and had a recent limb failure; removal and replacement are standard risk‑management actions for urban trees when internal decay threatens structural integrity. Staff will schedule removal during the school holiday to minimize disruption and will return with details on replacement species and planting location.","The commission approved removal of a heavily decayed London plane tree on the Marin School frontage and authorized staff to plant a suitable replacement plus an additional street tree nearby. The motion passed unanimously by roll call.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6688547,"City posts Albany Bulb radiological survey results; staff to sample a handful of locations",269,945000,1214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41&start=945&end=1214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173604-fae1a53a4f93dec5d9ec9705f5003f41/thumbnail_945000.jpg","/articles/6688547/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/City-posts-Albany-Bulb-radiological-survey-results-staff-to-sample-a-handful-of-locations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688547-9d746e206a8daff82732889cbf40f91b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143906&Signature=evELiT-okYG~etaw1MNsDE0OUV~53GDXKsQwHSiFfgN7wmo4ECqQeMeJS7cyLzz9Ub4NgMb6KsM~n1GlHc3ygLCs7oRbR~YtbT3nRgnDYYv4-ZuV7-xU9EqentQBeOYPMwmKD8U5NLjx~M6ekCnkwYKqLheXiLD2ShbCz1zaxmvkN4oUZ2wNNvCkHqriMpivEAzp6IZMQjiYODfJW9~6FubH~GSMI1zoHgcTGPr3LeiyJGikqJ5kopPsnFltzbHTDGeFn7D3wL1FsOzRoc2IowDNhgNXgP7s7NUJTFkeodJwkB28BhZZnRYt~LLBcevbW~cXi~9YBDJ~RLo7ArF4Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff gave an update on an environmental investigation at the Albany Bulb and the Albany Landfill parcel, reporting initial survey work found no readings that exceed what would be expected from a construction‑debris landfill, but that follow‑up sampling is planned for a handful of locations.

A city staff member briefing the commission said the California regulatory agency requested the investigation and the city submitted an investigation plan in March. Staff completed a document review and a gamma walkover survey that covered 100% of the accessible land; the walkover uses instruments that detect radiologic activity. “The readings came back…consistent with what would be expected on a…construction debris landfill,” the staff member said.

The presenter said a “handful of spots” had elevated readings warranting further work. Staff is developing a sampling plan that will include excavation and soil sampling at three locations and additional radiological surveys at seven sites; the plan will be submitted to the regional water board for review and approval. Staff said all results and project reports are posted on the city’s website and that they expect to submit the sampling plan to the water board by the end of the year, after which the city would move quickly to implement approved sampling.

During questions, commissioners asked whether affected areas had been roped off; staff said the elevated readings are consistent with background and no immediate public‑health protective actions were required, but the next round of sampling is designed to generate “actionable information.” The presenter also said the California Department of Public Health had characterized the findings as low risk in reporting by regional media.

Why it matters: The Bulb is public open space used by many residents; the investigation and sampling will determine whether remediation, restrictions or further public‑health actions are required. Staff committed to post updates and to follow the water board’s review process.","Parks staff said a city‑sponsored document review and gamma walkover survey found readings consistent with a construction‑debris landfill at the Albany Bulb. Staff will submit a sampling plan to the Water Board and take excavation samples at three sites and radiological surveys at seven more.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Albany begins capital improvement planning for parks; staff recommends turf audit, Pier Street planning and court refreshes

Albany staff outline how AB 2404 applies to fields; students press for sand volleyball courts

Commission approves removal of decayed London plane tree at Marin School; staff to plant replacements

City posts Albany Bulb radiological survey results; staff to sample a handful of locations