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Our City

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Albany FilmFest

    • A film festival! In Albany? Tell me more!

    • But I’m a kid!

    • Can I attend?

    • Can I volunteer to help in some way?

    • Can you return my DVD?

    • Do I have to be an experienced filmmaker to enter?

    • Does my film have to be new?

    • How do I enter?

    • How do you select the films to be screened?

    • How much does it cost to enter a film?

    • I already bought tickets to Albany FilmFest 2020, can I get a refund?

    • I submitted a film that was named as a finalist, will the awards still be given out for 2020?

    • I’d like to be a sponsor. How can I do that?

    • My film was selected for Albany FilmFest 2020. Can I still display my Official Selection laurels, even though the event was canceled?

    • What are the categories?

    • What can I win?

    • What formats do you accept?

    • What formats do you accept?

    • What’s the entry deadline and fee?

    • When is it?

    • Where will it be held?

    • Who’s in charge?

    • Who's in charge?

    • Will the 2020 Albany FilmFest be rescheduled for this year?

  • Around Your Block

    • How are these e-notifications different from the current categories the city already has set up on the website?

    • Am I required to attend any meetings?

    • Can I unsubscribe from the Around Your Block program?

    • How do I sign up?

    • How many Around Your Block sections may I sign up for?

    • How much time will this take? How much does it cost?

    • How often will I receive e-notifications and what will they be about?

    • What are the benefits of joining the Around Your Block program?

    • Which Around Your Block section should I join if I’m on the edge of one or more sections?

    • Why do I need to sign up for the Around Your Block program?

  • Bike Share

    • A LimeBike is blocking the sidewalk, what do I do?

    • Can I ride a LimeBike outside of Albany?

    • Do I need to wear a helmet when riding LimeBike?

    • How do I contact LimeBike customer service?

    • How do I end a LimeBike ride?

    • How do I find a LimeBike near me?

    • How do I reserve a LimeBike?

    • How does LimeBike compare with other bike sharing operators?

    • How much does it cost to ride a LimeBike and how do I pay for it?

    • How much does LimeBike cost the City? Or does LimeBike pay the City?

    • I see a broken LimeBike, what do I do?

    • What is LimeBike doing about people and young riders that do not wear helmets?

    • What is LimeBike?

    • Where should I park my LimeBike? Does it go in a bike rack?

    • Why isn’t Albany using the bike sharing programs offered in other cities like Oakland and San Francisco?

  • Business Licenses

    • Are there interest and penalties associated with late payment?

    • Can I have two businesses under one license?

    • Do I need a Business License if I am participating in a one-day event?

    • Do I need a Business License if I only have a part-time business in Albany?

    • How can I pay for my Business License?

    • How do I get a business license?

    • How long do I have to get a business license?

    • How much does a Business License cost?

    • What forms are required to get a Business License?

    • What if I am no longer operating a business in Albany?

    • When does my business license expire?

  • Childcare/Friendship Club

    • Can a child that is not currently enrolled in Friendship Club go to a week of specialty camp (Mid-Winter or Spring)?

    • Does Friendship Club have a morning program during the Fall school year?

    • Does Friendship Club provide time for my child to do his or her homework?

    • Does Friendship Club provide transportation from my child’s school?

    • Does Friendship Club serve the children snack?

    • Does Friendship Club/Camp Friendship allow students to attend half days at half price?

    • Is Friendship Club a licensed childcare facility?

    • What is the teacher to child ratio at Friendship Club?

  • City Budget

    • Can fire services be shared with other cities?

    • Does the City have other options than Alameda County for vector control services?

    • How can the City Charter sections 14-1.5 and 14-1.6 transfer the cost of replacing the public sidewalk in front of our house caused by the City of Albany’s Camphor tree on the City of Albany owned str

    • How much does it cost to place a measure on the ballot?

    • What is the staffing level, and what services are provided by the Fire Department?

    • Who negotiates with the union groups?

    • Will there be a sidewalk reimbursement fund this year as there has been in past years to at least reimburse 50% of the homeowners’ sidewalk replacement cost?

  • East Bay Community Energy

    • How do I enroll in EBCE?

    • What if I own solar panels?

    • What is carbon-free electricity?

    • What is EBCE?

    • What is renewable electricity?

    • Why did the Albany City Council choose EBCE as an electricity provider?

    • Will my CARE, FERA, or Medical Baseline discounts still apply to the EBCE program?

  • FilmFest 2020 Cancellation

    • I already bought tickets to Albany FilmFest 2020, can I get a refund?

    • I submitted a film that was named as a finalist, will the awards still be given out for 2020?

    • My film was selected for Albany FilmFest 2020. Can I still display my Official Selection laurels, even though the event was canceled?

    • Will the 2020 Albany FilmFest be rescheduled for this year?

  • General Police

    • Are police officers required to write a certain number of traffic tickets?

    • Are the time limited parking laws enforced on holidays?

    • Does Albany have a law regarding oversized vehicles parking on city streets?

    • Does Albany have an open alcohol container law?

    • Does my disabled placard allow unlimited parking in a timed space?

    • Does the Albany Police Department do child car seat inspections?

    • How can I appeal a parking citation?

    • How can I be fingerprinted for a job or a background check?

    • How can I contest a citation I received while operating a vehicle?

    • How can I get a vehicle released that has been impounded or stolen?

    • How can I obtain a copy of a police record?

    • How can I obtain personal property that the Police Department has in their custody?

    • How do I file a complaint against a police employee?

    • How do I report a vehicle that has been parked on the street for an extended period of time?

    • How do I retrieve my property from the Police Department?

    • If I'm involved in a traffic collision should I file a police report?

    • What do I do when an emergency vehicle is approaching me with the emergency lights and siren?

    • When should I dial 911 vs the non-emergency number?

    • Why did I get a parking citation for street sweeping, when the street sweeper had already passed?

    • Why do police block part of the roadway when they make car stops?

    • Why shouldn't I call the police when the power is out?

  • Hotel Occupancy Tax

    • Are there any exemptions from Hotel Occupancy Tax?

    • Are there any interest or penalties associated with Hotel Occupancy Taxes?

    • Do I have to file a return if I didn't rent this quarter?

    • How do I pay Hotel Occupancy Taxes?

    • I'm not a Hotel, do I still have to collect the tax?

    • What are Hotel Occupancy Taxes?

    • What if I am no longer renting on a short-term basis?

    • When are Hotel Occupany Taxes due?

  • KALB

    • Can I have naked people in my show? Can I swear?

    • Can I make money on KALB?

    • Can I submit a show that I did not produce?

    • Can I use music or video from other sources in my show?

    • Does KALB have studio facilities that are available to Albany residents?

    • Does KALB run commercials?

    • How can I get training in television production techniques?

    • How can I submit my program to KALB?

    • How is PEG funded?

    • How long after I submit a program can I expect it to start being aired and how long does a program run?

    • How long has KALB been in operation?

    • How many people watch KALB?

    • What is Public Access Television?

    • What kinds of programs does KALB air?

    • What recording formats can KALB accept?

    • What technical requirements do I need to be aware of?

    • What types of programs will KALB accept?

    • Where do I find KALB?

    • Who runs the station?

    • Why should I get involved with KALB’s public access television?

  • Parking Enforcement

    • Are police officers required to write a certain number of traffic tickets?

    • Can I pay my parking ticket online?

    • Does my disabled placard allow unlimited parking in a timed space?

    • How can I get a vehicle released that has been impounded or stolen?

    • Will I received multiple citations if parked in the same parking space all day?

  • Rent Review

    • 01. When does the Ordinance become effective?

    • 02. What will landlords need to tell tenants about the Ordinance?

    • 03. How will landlords provide tenants with the notice of availability of Rent Review?

    • 04. Does the Ordinance prevent a landlord from raising a tenant's rental amount?''

    • 05. Are landlords required to file copies of the rent increase notices with the City?

    • 06. How does a landlord register a rental unit with the City?

    • 07. Will there be a fee charged to administer this Ordinance?'

    • 08. Does the Ordinance apply to single-family homes or condominium?

    • 09. How does Rent Review work?

    • 10. How will a tenant request Rent Review?

    • 11. When can a tenant request rent review?

    • 12. What is considered the 'base rent'?

    • 13. If a tenant has requested rent review, what is the landlord required to do?

    • 14. Is participation in conciliation mandatory?

    • 15. When can a tenant request mediation?

    • 16. Is participation in mediation mandatory?

  • Request for Records

    • How can I obtain a copy of a police record?

  • Sidewalks

    • Does the City have Standard Specifications for the replacement of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, etc.?

    • Does the City of Albany require that all sidewalk replacement and repair work be carried out by a C-8 “Concrete Contractor"?

    • Is a permit required to fix or replace a sidewalk, driveway approach, curb and gutter, etc.?

    • What if the problem is street tree roots uplifting the sidewalk?

    • What inspections are required for sidewalk area repairs?

    • What is meant by “sidewalk?”

    • What types of maintenance problems are associated with sidewalk areas?

    • Where do I find a contractor to repair or replace the concrete sidewalk, driveway approach, etc.?

    • Who can receive an Encroachment Permit for sidewalk area repairs?

    • Who may perform the work of repairing or replacing a sidewalk, curb, gutter, driveway apron, etc.?

    • Whose financial responsibility is the maintenance of the sidewalk area?

  • Street Sweeping

    • Are no-parking signs going to be installed?

    • Are parking citations issued for cars parked in areas that have permanent street sweeping signs?

    • Do other cities conduct street sweeping?

    • How often will streets be swept?

    • If permanent signs are not being installed now, how can I help remind people to not park on my street side during sweeping days?

    • What is the cost associated with this new program?

    • When will my street be swept?

    • Who will be doing sweeping?

    • Why do cars need to be moved off the street during sweeping?

    • Why is Street Sweeping necessary?

    • Why won’t our own City staff be doing sweeping?

  • Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax

    • Are there any exemptions to the tax?

    • Does the tax apply to coconut and tree waters?

    • How do I determine whether the tax applies to the distribution of a particular beverage?

    • I am a retailer. Do I have any obligations under the tax?

    • Is sugar (e.g., sucrose, glucose, fructose, etc.) an added caloric sweetener?

    • Is the distribution of granulated sugar a taxable distribution?

    • Is the SSB tax a sales tax?

    • May distributors increase their prices to retailers to pay for the tax?

    • What if I pay the SSB tax late?

    • What is an “Added Caloric Sweetener”?

    • What is the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Product Tax?

    • What is the tax rate?

    • When is the tax due?

    • When will the tax take effect?

    • Where can I find the SSB tax itself?

    • Where can I get additional information about the SSB tax?

    • Who is MuniServices, LLC?

    • Who is responsible for remitting the tax?

  • Traffic Enforcement

    • Are police officers required to write a certain number of traffic tickets?

    • Does the Albany Police Department do child car seat inspections?

    • If I'm involved in a traffic collision should I file a police report?

  • Trash, Recycling & Organics

    • Can I get a 96-gallon cart for my recycling and/or organics?

    • Can I recycle pastic bags in my WM cart?

    • Debris in street after carts are serviced?

    • How do I get rid of large bulky items?

    • How do I recycle batteries?

    • How do I recycle cell phones?

    • I have some unusual items to recycle. Where can I get more information about what to do with them?

    • Is there a website that tells me where to recycle everything?

    • Missed Waste Management pickups

    • My partner & I have a bet, can you tell us which cart the paper milk carton goes in?

    • Placement and replacement of carts after servicing

    • Placement of materials in carts

    • Reporting Waste Management service issues

    • What are all the recyclables that are accepted?

    • What happens if my trash day is on a holiday?

    • What if I have physical difficulty taking my carts out to the curb?

    • What is Household Hazardous Waste?

    • What is Universal Waste?

    • What items can I take to the Household Hazardous Waste facility?

    • What’s the “new WM contract” and when does it start?

    • Where can I dispose of Pharmaceuticals?

    • Where can I get rid of e-waste?

    • Where can I take expired medications?

    • Where should I place my WM carts for collection?

    • Which Waste Management cart do pizza boxes go in?

    • Why did my trash rate go up?

    • Why is food scrap composting so important?

    • Will Waste Management pick up my holiday tree?