In brief: Albany street lighting workshop set for Sept. 19

ALBANY

The city of Albany is working on a project to evaluate street lighting conditions throughout town to inform any future systematic improvements. To hear from the community, the city is hosting a street lighting workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Albany Senior Center at 846 Masonic Ave.

Citizens at the workship will be provided with information on the different aspects of public lighting and visit real sites nearby to evaluate some of Albany’s street lights in-person. More details are still to come, including a link to RSVP to the workshop.

Do you want to provide your opinion now about Albany’s street lighting? Participate in the city’s survey online at bit.ly/3sF5TcP. Information gathered will be used to supplement detailed technical assessments performed by the city’s experienced consultant at the same locations.

The survey will also help inform future proposed lighting guidelines and potential improvements to the city’s street lighting system. This capital improvement project is funded by local streets and roads pass-through tax revenues as a result of Alameda County Transportation Commission Measure B.

— city of Albany

EL CERRITO

Fire Department offers residents risk reduction guidance

Are you prepared for fire season? With El Cerrito containing Very High Fire Hazard Severity zones, staying vigilant and prepared is important in the event of a wildfire.

The El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department is continuing to actively identify and execute fire fuel management activities in the El Cerrito Hillside Natural Area this season by focusing on mowing tall grass along fence lines and access trails.

Residents can help by managing the vegetation on their own properties or by volunteering at work parties to remove invasive or highly flammable plants from the Hillside Natural Area. Sign up for the city’s monthly Green Happenings e-newsletter for information on upcoming work parties at el-cerrito.org/greenhappenings.

The El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department also continues to conduct an annual inspection program to ensure that all properties are managed in a way so as to not create fire hazards. Residents can download a fire hazard reduction checklist (bit.ly/47MCPAv) to help eliminate fire hazards on their property, even without an inspection from the Fire Department.

Residents should also consider including fire-resistant plants in their landscaping. For more information on city standards, visit el-cerrito.org/vegetation-management online. For any questions about wildfire safety and reducing fire hazards, contact the Fire Prevention Office at 510-215-4457 or visit el-cerrito.org/133/fire-department.

— city of El Cerrito

To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least three days before publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to whom to give credit for it.