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Albany council approves $40,000 city sponsorship for Solano Avenue events, splits debated
Summary
After extended discussion about budget priorities and event impacts, the Albany City Council approved a $40,000 sponsorship to the Solano Avenue Association to support the Solano Stroll and three smaller "Stroll-ish" events. The vote split along fiscal caution lines with three councilmembers in favor and two opposed.
The Albany City Council on April 7 voted to allocate $40,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Solano Avenue Association to support the 2025 Solano Stroll and three related smaller events.
City staff presented the Association’s request for $40,000—$25,000 for the main Solano Stroll and $5,000 each for three smaller “Stroll-ish” events—and outlined the city’s in-kind costs for prior events, including police overtime, barricades and other event services. City staff said prior years’ direct city support and overtime for the strolls totaled tens of thousands in addition to the requested direct contribution.
Solano Avenue Association representatives and local business advocates described the events as an economic-development and marketing driver for Solano Avenue. "When we do the Stroll, people are reading about something happening on Solano Avenue," said an Association representative during public comment, describing regional promotion that brings visitors to the avenue.
Residents and some council members pushed back on the use of ARPA funds and urged caution given broader fiscal pressures and competing needs such as social services. Vice Mayor McQuay and Councilmember Mickey voted against the final ARPA allocation, citing concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability and rising recurring event costs; Mayor Robin Lopez, Councilmember Jordan and Councilmember Hansa Romero voted in favor.
Councilmember Jordan moved a substitute motion to fund the full $40,000 from ARPA funds; the City Clerk recorded the roll-call vote as: Councilmember Hansa Romero — yes; Councilmember Jordan — yes; Councilmember Mickey — no; Vice Mayor McQuay — no; Mayor Robin Lopez — yes. The motion carried.
Staff noted the shoreline of related expenses: a recent vendor quote for barricade rental increased to $53,580 and that in-kind city services (police overtime, public works and fire) add substantially to the event’s city cost. Staff also outlined funding options the council could consider, including ARPA funds or council discretionary funds; the council chose ARPA for this allocation.
Councilmembers asked the Association and staff to work toward longer-term planning and clearer budget forecasting so the council and the Association can anticipate future funding needs. Staff said the city will include event funding considerations in the upcoming two-year budget process so council and staff can better plan multi-year commitments.
