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Council approves consent calendar; police chief explains pre-event drone use and staff note Brighton sewer bid savings
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Summary
Albany City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar (4–0, one absent). During consent discussion Police Chief Greg Galliano described regulated, pre-event drone use as "overwatch" for public-safety preparations and staff noted a Brighton sewer replacement bid came in around $1.4 million under the engineer's estimate.
Albany City Council approved the consent calendar by roll call on April 20 with four yes votes; Council member Lopez was absent. The consent calendar was moved by Council member Jordan and seconded by the mayor; the motion carried by roll call (Yes: Vice Mayor Hanson Romero, Mayor Peggy McQuade, Council member Jordan, Council member Mickey; Absent: Council member Lopez).
During the consent discussion Council member Jordan asked about previous drone usage by the police during large public events. Police Chief Greg Galliano said the department asked El Cerrito to deploy drones "in advance of the stroll" as part of a multi-faceted safety approach that also included officer sweeps and explosive-ordnance detection dogs. "The intent… is to provide what's known as overwatch," Galliano said, describing the drone role as a regulated, elevated survey to identify potential safety concerns; he said the drone was not flown during the stroll itself.
Council member Jordan also complimented staff on a sewer project procurement: the Brighton sewer replacement bid came in about $1,400,000 below the engineer’s estimate, a savings the council noted could be used for additional sewer rehabilitation work.
The council took no separate votes on individual items after approval of the consent calendar and moved on to the Active Transportation Plan presentation.
