[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6589909,"mediaKeyId","5444342-86f884aa367566a36eca0d6f0bc406d7","parentId",5444342,"title","Albany Council narrows HVAC rebates, shifts funding to heat‑pump water heaters and low‑income households","audioSeconds",4112,"startMs",2427590,"endMs",6540000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444342-86f884aa367566a36eca0d6f0bc406d7&start=2427&end=6540","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444342-86f884aa367566a36eca0d6f0bc406d7/thumbnail_2427590.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589909/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-Council-narrows-HVAC-rebates-shifts-funding-to-heatpump-water-heaters-and-lowincome-households","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589909-101ba83c64f8f64034c36f878d6bf066/orig.mp4?Expires=1773751038&Signature=fE52m6NEFMHb9oseoWSJR8QaoVpwXAdZW9BUrFStvd3zZJHmg8Rk9IIo0YM1V1o5OD0U2fvDLu3aKPg~gBOeiCqQFfw6r3kYmfsZPQy-WgPvpVYiFK489mt6LNfFx8r8KH1EEtnB1sSSdZDTMcGbaenIisoT8CjpDOC95yvSrNgEQzzk8werbOWiN4fx5FVvrwBDQm7y7mIOLtyGtn~INqScNDO9MNX4Z9Ok3WKSdQ1mpFVjsNAfkIuzqIfT8g4y2fDpP3nUE-xJ9HLSMzAbKuiyZj6Tj9qfaFEIZ3Fn2B6slHNoNXo0m-TBzaF0JJxTfRosD55-pKccmPEpA26x7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Albany, CA","date","2025-07-22T06:02:23.997Z","article","The Albany City Council on July 21 approved an update to the city\u000funded heat‑pump rebate program that shifts incentives toward heat‑pump water heaters and low‑ and moderate‑income households, while phasing out the standard rebate for higher‑income HVAC conversions.

The move followed a presentation from Michelle Plouse, the city\fommunity Development Analyst, who recommended a three‑tier structure for new heat‑pump water heater rebates (standard $500; moderate income $1,500; low income $3,000), stepped incentives for multiple ductless units (1 unit $1,000; 2 units $2,000; 3 units $3,000) and continued bonuses for electrical panel upgrades.

City staff and the Climate Action Committee recommended ending the standard, non‑income‑qualified HVAC rebate after a two‑to‑three‑month transition so the program budget could support broader access to water‑heater conversions and higher rebates for low‑income households. The council also approved continuing the higher rebates for moderate and low‑income households for HVAC conversions and adding stronger support for households installing two or more ductless units.

Why it matters: Buildings are a major source of local greenhouse gas emissions, and councilmembers and speakers said the program should prioritize households less able to absorb higher upfront costs. City staff said heat‑pump HVAC installations have become the local market default: roughly 75% of HVAC permits issued last year were for heat pumps. By contrast, heat‑pump water‑heater adoption lags and is sensitive to rebate availability, city staff told council.

What the council approved and how it will work
- New heat‑pump water‑heater rebates: $500 (standard); $1,500 (moderate income); $3,000 (low income). City staff said the $3,000 lower‑income level is intended to cover higher incremental costs that some applicants reported (in some quotes, installers estimated $4,000–$9,000 higher than gas replacements).
- Ductless HVAC incentives: $1,000 for one unit, $2,000 for two units, $3,000 for three units for eligible moderate and low‑income households; low‑income ductless amounts were increased to align with the program\u000formula.
- Electrical panel upgrade bonus retained: $500 (standard); $1,000 (moderate income); $2,000 (low income) when required as part of an electrification project.
- Staff will end the standard (non‑income qualified) HVAC rebate after a short transition period, but will preserve reservations already made.
- Staff and the Climate Action Committee intend to manage the program within the biennial budget that includes roughly $60,000 a year for the rebate program; council was told nearly all prior allocations (about $180,000 authorized over the past three years) are paid or reserved.

Councilmembers and public input
Michelle Plouse reviewed program history and data: the city launched the rebate with $40,000 in funding, the council later added $65,000 and subsequently adjusted the program to a three‑tier structure. Staff told the council the program has awarded more than 100 rebates to date, including 10 to low‑income and eight to moderate‑income households.

Public commenters with experience installing heat pumps urged larger incentives for water‑heater conversions. Lucinda Young, who said she has electrified her home and sought heat‑pump bids for relatives and community organizations, told council that the incremental cost for a heat‑pump water heater in her experience could be far higher than the $1,000–$2,000 average staff cited and that some quotes approached $9,000.

Councilmembers debated percentage‑based rebates (a share of documented cost) versus flat amounts. Councilmember Jennifer Hanser Romero (remarks during debate) suggested percentage formulas could better reflect cost variation; staff and other councilmembers said percentage models raise verification and administrative‑cost concerns and could increase fraud or require more staff time. The council ultimately retained the flat‑amount approach.

The council also instructed staff to improve outreach: the adopted motion included a directive to provide information about the rebate program to permit applicants and to publicize the panel‑upgrade fee waiver that the city already offers for electrification work.

Outcome and vote
The motion to update the heat‑pump rebate program, adopt the new rebate amounts, add multi‑unit ductless incentives and include information about the program during the permitting process passed unanimously.

Quote: “I do support communicating to each permit applicant for reasons that have been stated,” Councilmember Mickey said during debate, supporting expanded outreach. Councilmembers also emphasized keeping the program predictable rather than boom‑and‑bust.

What\fomes next
Staff will implement the revised rebate structure, honor existing reservations, and begin the permit‑process outreach the council directed. The council and staff said they will monitor uptake and may return with further adjustments.

Ending note
Council members framed the change as a shift in priorities rather than a cut: the city will direct scarce local funds toward households least able to absorb higher upfront costs and toward water‑heater electrification, where market uptake has not yet caught up with HVAC electrification.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Albany City Council - July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Albany City Council on July 21 approved changes to the city-funded heat‑pump rebate program that will phase out the standard HVAC rebate for higher‑income households and redirect funds to low‑income residents and heat‑pump water heaters.","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},6589901,"Albany council approves amendment to city manager—mployment agreement",65,10552564,10617770,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444342-86f884aa367566a36eca0d6f0bc406d7&start=10552&end=10617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444342-86f884aa367566a36eca0d6f0bc406d7/thumbnail_10552564.jpg","/articles/6589901/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-council-approves-amendment-to-city-managermployment-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589901-4474c98646078c3d05874b9e4a852db7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773751038&Signature=ZcKbC4VFuP4bzr7TX9tj-MzhVphBwjsSfKB2RGaTGAyqTnn0FKNBk5mQMhOrhGlApIP7myHPa3AtfFD41R4J-YaZ0bYi86HSy170DWKbMMzH8FPWc2CvgqeCc-Xkgk7zpRztlnPz63VNtjKAvSvL8iI-thq6Mb9dBfJizl3bHnt0hHgUAXHrN8OThKgLIFbwJTsykBTfga1LqzGlp3BxaGvF-kv~rCI6Tn0nJPNpPEw93KO-SNrvFx2XIVmNjQnbsyjbxzK~6wyzoMfaYcxCoXLJzFmipJxJktohK4d8I1H1aCM3DAs1J96pNpEutEHtS2fCQwhtHRMjzp5ABZh~6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Council on July 21 adopted a resolution amending the city manager\u000employment agreement to increase the manager\u000base salary, the sixth amendment since the original 2018 contract.

Staff summary
City staff told the council the original agreement was adopted in January 2018 and has been amended five times previously. The July item followed the council
nnual performance review of the city manager on June 30, 2025, and staff recommended amendment number six to adjust base salary and update the accompanying salary schedule. The resolution was numbered 2025‑56 in the meeting record.

Council action
There was no public comment on the item. A councilmember moved adoption of Resolution No. 2025‑56, and the council voted unanimously to approve the amendment.

Outcome
The resolution passed with all present councilmembers voting yes. The council did not discuss details of the salary figure during the public record other than noting the amendment and referring to the updated salary schedule.

Quote
\"Thank you very much,\" the mayor said after the vote, acknowledging the manager's service.

What happens next
City staff will implement the updated salary schedule and the amended employment agreement as approved by the council. The amended agreement is effective as of the date adopted by council unless the resolution specifies otherwise.","Council adopted a resolution amending the city manager\u000employment agreement to increase base salary following an annual performance review; the resolution passed without public comment.",{"_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},6589906,"Albany council pauses proposed land‑acknowledgement rewrite after tribal objections and public outcry",2200,3864465,6064485,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444342-86f884aa367566a36eca0d6f0bc406d7&start=3864&end=6064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444342-86f884aa367566a36eca0d6f0bc406d7/thumbnail_3864465.jpg","/articles/6589906/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-council-pauses-proposed-landacknowledgement-rewrite-after-tribal-objections-and-public-outcry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589906-2ea2b8fff5d692b3b585a5b122434b87/orig.mp4?Expires=1773751038&Signature=FLcMi2MRnCAp0wyzZpY~T-zDU76TbDzYmjjEP27I0LNKt8f1uWflyDD6LnfEc~vNdQRuwkyn6zmOy-oW3aBCPohVnq5sMtdBNXnqDQybHRFBiSqV43H9hf5bHMhPL2KFiwSU0xtlE~wiuwOSoK2cnoWQz0FsEN3yyLtVb59UD5keNqKBfpKwuNddJHKMlO5GXJsBK32ocmWJ8AyYu-8Ox9SPgKiW0xQfSD7tiC~z2N4ITBquxCAYRkEgec5TC0ei4BL6dV-QXsNWUzDPUyzWjaVXK~Iffaiz4HuHQOipqUuYosXPMfSrN0yEItZ0~11HQ1kiSH4dXvQBRsC0siDSMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Albany\fity Councilmembers on July 21 declined to act on a proposed rewrite of the city\u000earth/land acknowledgement after numerous members of the Confederated Villages of the Lishan Nation and community allies urged the council to consult the nation first.

The item had been introduced by Mayor Robin Lopez and Vice Mayor Peggy McQuade as a refresh of the city
cknowledgement language. Council members said the item was intended to be inclusive of multiple regional Ohlone groups and to update phrasing, but public speakers representing or allied with the Confederated Villages of the Lishan Nation said the proposed change risked erasing an existing, working relationship between the city and that tribe.

Tribal and community objections
Tribal Chair Karina Gold (identified in public comment) read a prepared statement urging the council not to proceed without direct consultation: “We strongly encourage the city of Albany not to vote on the changes to the land acknowledgement tonight, but to set up a meeting with our tribe before any changes are made.” The Confederated Villages of the Lishan Nation\relegation described years of formal and informal collaboration with city staff, past mayors and local educators, and said the proposed process disregarded that relationship.

Multiple Albany residents, teachers and community leaders supported the Lishan Nation\fall to delay. Laura Callan, a parent and a member of a curriculum collective working with the tribe, told council she and local teachers had cooperated for years to integrate Ohlone history into K‑12 classrooms and said a unilateral change would undermine that work. Reverend Deborah Lee, who described interfaith partnerships with the nation, said changing the text without consultation would be “a symbol of us being a bad partner.”

Council response and outcome
After more than an hour of public comment, Mayor Robin Lopez apologized for shortcomings in the process and acknowledged the council had not sufficiently consulted the tribe. He said the council would not move forward on the proposed language at this meeting and signaled a willingness to pursue a more deliberate process: “As your mayor, for item 11‑2, we will be taking no action on this item.”

Councilmembers discussed approaches including creating an ad‑hoc committee to facilitate respectful consultation; city legal staff warned that forming an ad‑hoc without prior public notice could raise Brown Act concerns and advised against ad‑hoc discussion not agendized. The meeting record shows the council opted to take no action and to consider future steps through an appropriately agendized process.

Why it matters
Land acknowledgements are symbolic statements that many local governments use to recognize indigenous peoples who historically stewarded a place. For Albany, members of the Lishan Nation and allied educators argued the phrasing matters because it represents long‑standing, active partnerships — including curriculum work, ceremonial events and land stewardship — and that changing the wording without consultation would further marginalize those tribal partners.

Quote
“We are appalled that the city of Albany is advocating for this erasure of our — the changes to the land acknowledgement flagrantly disregards years of service,” Tribal Chair Karina Gold said in public comment.

Next steps
Councilmembers said they will not pursue the proposal in its current form and suggested returning with an agendized item after consultation; specific next steps, timelines and participants were not set at the July 21 meeting.

Ending
The item was left without action and may return to the council after an agendized, consultative process; several speakers stressed that any revision should begin with direct conversations with the Lishan Nation and other Ohlone communities rather than being decided unilaterally by the city.","Councilmembers withdraw action and take no vote after multiple members of the Confederated Villages of the Lishan Nation and allied groups urged the city to consult the tribe before altering official land‑acknowledgement language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Albany Council narrows HVAC rebates, shifts funding to heat‑pump water heaters and low‑income households

Albany council approves amendment to city manager—mployment agreement

Albany council pauses proposed land‑acknowledgement rewrite after tribal objections and public outcry