Albany council honors outgoing member Aaron Tiedemann, swears in three new members; Navajo Sundance song opens new mayor's term

The Albany City Council on Dec. 9 read a resolution honoring outgoing Council Member Aaron Tiedemann, administered the oath of office to three newly elected council members and heard a Navajo Sundance prayer performed as part of the incoming mayor's ceremonial remarks.

The council publicly read a resolution of appreciation that recounted Tiedemann's four years on the council, his service as vice mayor and mayor, and his role in securing a multiyear funding agreement with the University of California, Berkeley. The resolution notes negotiations with UC Berkeley resulted in the university agreeing to contribute $600,000 a year for 10 years; the text said that in 2024 the first year of funding this contribution accounted for roughly half the city's operating surplus and supported firefighting equipment upgrades.

Tiedemann addressed the meeting before the council took up oaths for newly elected members Megan McQuade, Jennifer Hansen Romero and Preston Jordan. "It has been my immense pleasure and honor to serve my community for the past 4 years," Tiedemann said, thanking voters, colleagues and staff and urging continued civic engagement.

After the oaths, public commenters and guests offered remarks. Sal Harkins, appearing on behalf of a state elected official, presented a certificate to Tiedemann. Jen Loy, identified as associate director of government and community relations at UC Berkeley, thanked Tiedemann and said the campus looked forward to working with him in the future. Nikki Fortunato Bas, supervisor-elect for Alameda County District 5, attended in person and congratulated the newly sworn members.

The meeting included an invited Navajo Sundance song and prayer led by Joshua Paredes of the Navajo Nation. Paredes asked for blessings and protection for the mayor and council and for the community; a portion of his remarks read, "I ask that you put a circle of protection around this young man, his family, as they step up to give up themselves, to give up their lives to be leaders of this city." The incoming mayor framed the song as part of a broader acknowledgement of the Ohlone people as the original inhabitants of the land and said the ceremony marked the start of his term.

A few residents urged outreach and reconciliation. Myra Padilla, who said she formerly lived in Albany, said seeing the new mayor "who looks like my son" made her proud. Rochelle Nason, a resident and former council member, suggested the council invite community members who were disturbed by a past removal of a cross from Albany Hill Park to offer a prayer as part of community healing.

The council took no formal policy action on the ceremonial items; they were presented and received as part of the ceremony and public comment.

Votes at a glance

- No formal votes were recorded on the resolution of appreciation or the oaths in the transcript; the resolution was read as a ceremonial matter and the oaths were administered by the city clerk.

Background

At the start of the meeting council members read an acknowledgement of the Ohlone people and the city announced a commitment to "sustain ongoing relationships with the tribe," language offered during opening remarks. The ceremonial matters included a request from the mayor to photograph the outgoing member and newly sworn council members following the oath.