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Albany council directs parcel-tax measure for street trees and lighting to November ballot
Summary
Council approved resolutions to place a parcel tax on the November 3 ballot to fund expanded street tree maintenance and street lighting, targeting roughly $775,000 annual revenue under a proposed structure described by staff; council also recorded intent to return with a street-tree policy should the measure pass.
On July 6 the Albany City Council authorized staff to submit a proposed parcel tax measure to Alameda County for placement on the November 3 ballot to fund street-tree management and street lighting improvements.
Public works program manager Devorah Zotterer presented the proposed structure: a levy calculated at about 0.0354 cents per lot square foot (staff illustrated that a 2,500-square-foot parcel would pay about $89 per year under the model), a revenue target near $775,000 annually, a 3% annual escalator tied to CPI, a rate cap for parcels larger than 500,000 square feet, and exemptions or rebates for very-low- and low-income occupants. Staff said proceeds would support loan repayment for near-term street-lighting capital projects, build out urban forestry program capacity and maintenance, and support future street-lighting capital needs.
Zotterer said the tax would continue until repealed by voters and that, if approved, staff would bring an ordinance to clarify the city’s street-tree maintenance responsibilities and expand city stewardship capacity. Several council members pressed for clarity about exactly when and whether the ordinance shifting maintenance responsibility from adjacent property owners to the city would be brought back. Council recorded a motion expressing the council’s intent that the street-tree policy be returned for consideration if the measure passes.
Public commenters urged caution about cumulative household costs given other near-term state/county charges; several asked how the parcel tax funds relate to other transportation projects (staff said the parcel tax funds are specific to street lighting and tree maintenance). The council voted to move the measure forward to the county process and also adopted a separate motion recording the council’s intent to pursue the park-tree policy change should voters authorize funding.
What happens next: If voters approve the measure, levies would begin July 1, 2027; staff will draft an implementing ordinance and return to council to refine program details and allocations.
