Albany Council confirms annual county and regional appointments; discusses difficulty filling paratransit advisory seat

The Albany City Council on Dec. 9 approved appointments to county and regional boards and commissions, confirming which councilmembers will represent Albany at bodies such as the Alameda County Mayors Conference, the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), Alameda County Waste Management Authority and others.

Key appointments announced at the meeting included Mayor Lopez as Albany’s appointee to the Alameda County Mayors Conference with Vice Mayor McQuade as alternate; Council Member Jordan as appointee to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (with Council Member Mickey as alternate); and Mayor Lopez as appointee to the AVA Community Energy JPA (with Council Member Jordan as alternate). The full list of appointments and alternates was read into the record and approved by unanimous vote.

During consideration of the appointments, Council Member Jordan summarized the eligibility requirements for the Alameda County Paratransit Advisory and Planning Committee (PABCO). PABCO advises on transit services for seniors and people with disabilities; current eligibility rules require members to be Alameda County residents and eligible users of transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. Jordan and staff explained those requirements and noted that, because the advisory body currently meets in person and state law has not yet been changed to allow hybrid participation for such bodies, the city and staff have struggled to identify an Albany resident who meets the eligibility criteria and can attend in person. Staff said the commission and county intend to reintroduce legislation to allow hybrid participation for advisory bodies serving seniors and people with disabilities.

Councilmembers volunteered preferences for several regional appointments during the meeting; staff compiled the choices and presented a final slate for approval. The motion to adopt the appointments was made and carried unanimously with recorded yes votes from Council Member Jordan, Vice Mayor McQuade, Mayor Lopez and Council Member Hansa Romero.

Why it matters: the appointees serve as Albany’s representatives on regional transportation, energy, waste and library bodies; vacancies or eligibility constraints can limit Albany’s voice on policy decisions affecting transportation access, energy procurement and county services.

Actions: the council moved and approved the slate of appointments; staff will forward the appointment list to the respective agencies and follow up on the PABCO vacancy and the proposed legislative effort to enable hybrid participation for that advisory body.