Accomplishments

By Robert "Bob" Lieber

I have worked hard the past four years to provide progressive leadership on a wide range of issues affecting Albany and the Bay Area. Please take a look at the range of accomplished over the past four years.

-Instrumental in defeating Caruso Waterfront Mall.

-Leader in promoting a broad based community waterfront planning process to develop Albany's long term vision to guide future waterfront development.

-Hired Fern Tiger & Associates to lead planning process in mid 2008 with the public phase of the process to kickoff in Winter 2009.

Environmental & Sustainability:

-Climate Change: The City is developing an action plan to combat climate change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% below 2004 levels by 2020.

-Banned Styrofoam Containers

-Codornices Creek Restoration: Continued long term plan with work on next segment to begin in Fall 2008.

-Restarted Urban Forestry program

-UC Development Plans: Co-chair Council Subcommittee working with UC to develop a comprehensive plan for UC's Albany holdings as part of the review of the Whole Foods project. Let's work to preserve the Gill Tract!

-Green Building Ordinance: Requires new development to be more energy and water efficient.

Support for Schools & Youth:

-Improved Ocean View School pedestrian safety: City will improve the Buchanan-Jackson traffic light.

-Opened the new Bates sports field complex at Gilman available to Albany youth and adult teams.

-Completed parks renovation projects at Memorial, Ocean View and Terrace Parks.

-Expanded Albany library hours to support student learning.

Public Health:

-Led Bay Area opposition to Light Brown Apple Moth aerial pesticide spraying.

-Adopted new smoke free ordinance (with new smoking limits near schools and businesses).

-Successfully pushed BART to fix noisy tracks.

-Introduced new Integrated Pest Management Ordinance.

-Introduced and passed Cell Tower Contol Ordinance.

Modernized City Government:

-Established new advisory committees: Community Media Access Committee, Social and Economic Justice Commission, and Sustainability Committee.

-Economic development consultants hired to strengthen small business community.

-Saved the City's Campaign Finance Ordinance.

-Championed broadcast of City Council and School Board meetings on cable and via web streaming.

Public Facilities & Parks:

-Installed lights on Ohlone Greenway under BART tracks.

-Funded Street Banners along San Pablo & Solano Avenue.

-Broke ground for the City Hall/Police/Fire seismic retrofit and remodel. Includes LEED equivalent green building features and solar photovoltaic system.

Championed City positions on State and Federal issues:

• Endorsed Federal Safe Climate Act of 2007 (HR 1590 - Co-sponsored by Barbara Lee),

• Endorsed California Universal Healthcare Act (SB 840 - Co-sponsored by Loni Hancock),

• Support for Cessation of Combat Operations in Iraq and the Return of U.S. Troops,

• Support for Impeachment of Bush/Cheney, and

• Introduced resolution to oppose Propositions 4 and 8 on 2008 ballot (dangerous restrictions on teen reproductive choice and discriminatory ban on same sex marriage)

-Art in Public Places Ordinance: Requires major new developments and City projects to include public arts elements.

-Urban Casinos: Joined other Alameda and Contra Costa elected officials in opposing the large expansions of urban gambling proposed for San Pablo, Richmond and Golden Gate Fields.

-Solano Avenue Safeway Project: When the design of this project is released for public review I will work closely with the neighborhood to represent their interests in the decision-making process.