Sanctuary City 

On April 17, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017-09, declaring Albany a Sanctuary City. The City Council formed a subcommittee comprised of Mayor McQuaid and Council Member Nason to engage with the community to develop a Sanctuary City Resolution that is customized to Albany. A community workshop to discuss becoming a sanctuary city was held on April 5, 2017 (view workshop materials).

In adopting the Sanctuary City Resolution, the Council expressed pride in being a City which recognizes the dignity and civil rights of all  community members including the right of all community members to live, work, and study in a City that does not subject them to prejudicial treatment or discrimination. The City Council understands that undo enforcement of immigration violations will damage the public trust in law enforcement and make our entire community less safe.

City Council Statement on Diversity & Inclusion

On November 21, 2016, the City Council reiterated a priority for community diversity and inclusion by reading the following statement:

We, the members of the Albany City Council, recognize that many in our community are hurting and fearful as a result of the recent national election. Thus, we would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that we welcome and value all of our diverse citizens regardless of where they are from, who they love, how they worship, how they look, their abilities, or how they vote.

We invite all of the citizens of Albany to join with us in creating a safe and welcoming community; one in which we celebrate our differences and learn from each other; one in which we are proud to raise our children.

“Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness”. Ola Joseph

On July 16, 2020, over 200 members of our community participated in the first community dialogue to address institutional racism that impacts the City of Albany. The goal of this ongoing dialogue is to work together to develop an Equity Impact plan to make tangible change in Albany towards addressing institutional racism.

Community Dialogue Addressing Institutional Racism that Impacts the City of Albany

Public Comments Regarding the Community Dialogue Session

Council Special Study Session - July 20, 2020

The Albany City Council held a special study session on July 20, 2020 to continue the conversation specific to one element of the City’s overall approach towards addressing institutional racism - regarding fair and equitable policing in Albany. The focus of this agenda included a presentation of the police department current budget and the authorization of an ad-hoc subcommittee of the Mayor and Vice-Mayor to develop the framework for a group to serve as advisory to the Police Chief to review and recommend updates to police department policies and procedures.

Special & Regular Meeting - July 20, 2020

Special & Regular Meeting Agenda

Council Special & Regular Meeting  - September 21, 2020

Special & Regular Meeting – September 21, 2020

Special & Regular Meeting Agenda – September 21, 2020

Presentation Slide Show - City Council Update on The SEJC - September 21, 2020 

Council Special & Regular Meeting - July 6, 2021

The Albany City Council received a Racial Equity Impact Plan Final Draft Presentation by Consultant Nicole Anderson & Associates, LLC.

Special & Regular Meeting– July 6, 2021

Special & Regular Meeting Agenda – July 6, 2021

Council working group to develop framework for a community task force on policing

The work group comprised of the City’s Mayor, Vice Mayor, Chair and Vice Chair of the Social & Economic Justice Commission met on August 13th , August 24th and September 10th  to develop a recommended framework for creation of a community task force on policing. The Council considered the draft framework on September 21st. Please stay tuned for upcoming action by the City Council regarding this task force and how to apply to serve on this new group.

Working Group to Develop Community Policing & Relations Task Force - Aug. 13, 2020

Working Group to Develop Community Policing & Relations Task Force - Aug. 24, 2020

 Working Group to Develop Community Policing & Relations Task Force – Sep. 10, 2020

 Aug. 13, 2020 Agenda

Aug. 24, 2020 Agenda

Sep. 10, 2020 Agenda

Community Task Force on Proposed Policing Framework

SEJC Special Meetings in August 2020

 
To begin work on the equity impact plan, the SEJC held 2 special meetings in August and established 3 working subcommittees: policing, housing/business development and youth/schools. The subcommittees worked to clarify focus area and goals, identity equity challenges at each system level, data collection needs and metrics to monitor, and additional stakeholders/partners to engage with.  The subcommittees have met with City and school district staff to discuss the impact plan and collect data on racial equity. The SEJC will be providing an interim update to the City Council on September 21, 2020.

Special Meeting – August 4, 2020

Special Meeting Agenda – August 4, 2020

Special Meeting – August 20, 2020 

Special Meeting Agenda – August 20, 2020 

The  Social & Economic Commission’s work on the Equity Impact plan will explicitly outline recommendations for City Council to consider in identifying racial disparities in key focus areas, implementing policies and practices that address those disparities, and utilizing ongoing monitoring of racial equity work and data in order to influence systemic change and eradication of racism in the City of Albany. The SEJC’s work to develop this plan includes the development of a racial equity survey, community listening sessions, research to identify racial disparities, as well as collection of quantitative and qualitative data to inform the Equity Impact Plan. 

Regular Meeting – September 1, 2020

Regular Meeting Agenda – September 1,  2020

Regular Meeting - October 6, 2020

Regular Meeting Agenda - October 6, 2020

Regular Meeting - November 4, 2020

Regular Meeting Agenda - November 4, 2020

Regular Meeting – May 4, 2021

Regular Meeting Agenda - May 4, 2021

On December 1, 2020 the SEJC discussed the Draft of the SEJC Interim Impact Report which included the background of the report, their research that was conducted,  draft of the Equity Statement, the Racial Equity and Social Justice Survey, community listening sessions, and the Racial Equity Impact Plan.

Regular Meeting December 1, 2020

Regular Meeting Agenda - December 1, 2020

Draft of the SEJC Interim Impact Report

SEJC Working Subcommittees on Policing, Housing/Business Development, Youth/Schools

 
SEJC Education and Youth Sub Committee Agenda/Meeting Notes – August 25, 2020

SEJC Policing Sub Committee Agenda/Meeting Notes – August 27, 2020 

SEJC Housing Subcommittee Meeting Agenda/Notes – August 28, 2020

SEJC Business Community Development Sub Committee Meeting Agenda/Notes – August 28, 2020

SEJC Subcommittee to Organize and Get Responses to Public Questions

 
FAQ to City

FAQ to School District

FAQ to SEJC

Social Equity & Inclusion FAQ to City