Table of Contents
1. Where to Start: SeeClickFix and Search Albany
Can I report a non-emergency City issue such as a pothole or an overgrown lot without making a phone call?
You can. SeeClickFix is a free and user-friendly mobile app and web tool that allows people to report and track quality-of-life issues and get things fixed where they live or work. Constituents can use it to report non-emergency neighborhood issues such as graffiti, potholes, damaged trees, illegal parking, vacant buildings, and illegal trash. With SeeClickFix, people can map the location of an issue, add video or photos, and include comments. City of Albany staff monitors issues, responds to posts, and addresses problems. The communication between constituents and staff is direct, transparent and trackable. SeeClickFix users can monitor their issue or issues in a specific neighborhood with the neighborhood watch feature from the time they are reported until they are addressed. To use the app, go to SeeClickFix or download the SeeClickFix app on your smartphone iPhone or Android.
3. Snow Emergencies and Removal (For more detail, see DGS’s new information portal: www.AlbanyNeighborhoods.com) Do I have to clear ice and snow from the sidewalk around my house? Yes, property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks and ramps along their property lines clear of snow and ice so that people can safely come and go to services, jobs and schools. According to City Code 323-21, property owners must clear the snow and ice within 24 hours after a snowstorm ends. If your sidewalk is not cleared within 24 hours, the Department of General Services can clear the sidewalk. The property owner will be issued a bill for the cost of removal and charged a fine, which if unpaid, will be added to the owner’s tax bill. If you would like to report a concern regarding snow and ice removal, report it through SeeClickFix or call the Department of General Services at (518) 434-CITY (2489). What should I expect during a Snow Emergency? When it is snowing, the City’s priority is to keep the driving lanes open for safe passage of emergency vehicles and other traffic. Snow Emergencies are called to remove remaining snow from parking lanes, parking lots and streets. When a Snow Emergency is declared it’s announced in the following ways: radio & TV news; message boards & signs placed on City streets; the City’s website and City of Albany social media pages; the Snow Hotline (518) 476-SNOW (7669); nixle.com or the Nixle app on your smartphone; and Nextdoor.com. During a snow emergency, normal parking regulations are temporarily suspended. Vehicles must be parked on the even side of the street for the first 24 hours of a Snow Emergency and on the odd side of the street for the second 24 hours. For locations of City parking lots that are made available during a Snow Emergency, go to albanyny.gov and visit the Department of General Services’ Snow Emergency page. If your car is parked on the wrong side of the street and towed during a Snow Emergency, call the Albany Police Department at (518) 438-4000 for information. Once the snow emergency is over, all parking regulations go back to normal.
For a listing of all City of Albany Departments visit albanyny.gov/Government/Departments (City of Albany offices are generally open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) For a City of Albany Staff Directory visit albanyny.gov/Government/AlbanyNewYorkCityDirectory Interested in funds to buy or renovate a home or apartments? Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA) 200 Henry Johnson Boulevard, 2nd floor communitydevelopment@albanyny.gov (518) 434-5265 www.albanyny.gov Want to access health services, find help for seniors or vets, get family assistance, or access services in an emergency? Albany County Harold L. Joyce Albany County Office Building 112 State Street, Room 1200 (518) 447-7000 albanycounty.com Want to buy an abandoned building? Albany County Land Bank 69 State Street, 8th floor info@albanycountylandbank.org (518) 407-0309 albanycountylandbank.org Want to find out about public parking garages, public lots, and metered parking? Albany Parking Authority (APA) 25 Orange St. CustomerService@ParkAlbany.com (518) 434-8886 parkalbany.com Interested in how Albany Public Library can empower and enrich your life? Albany Public Library 7 Branches (518) 427-4300 albanypubliclibrary.org 15 Need a building permit or want to report a code violation? Department of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance 200 Henry Johnson Boulevard, Suite 1 codes@albanyny.gov (518) 434-5995 www.albanyny.gov Where do I report vacant building issues? Sam Wells, City of Albany Neighborhood Stabilization Coordinator (for reporting a vacant building) swells@albanyny.gov (518) 694-4813 Department of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance (for reporting building code violations) codes@albanyny.gov (518) 434-5995 www.albanyny.gov Department of General Services (for overgrowth or sidewalk snow removal) generalservices@albanyny.gov (518) 434-CITY (2489) Albany County Land Bank (if ACLB owns it) 69 State St. info@albanycountylandbank.org (518) 407-0309 albanycountylandbank.org Interested in commercial development or starting or expanding a business? Capitalize Albany Corporation 21 Lodge Street development@capitalizealbany.com (518) 434-2532 CapitalizeAlbany.com Want to learn about or volunteer for cultural events put on by the City? Office of Cultural Affairs City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Room 402 specialevents@albanyny.gov (518) 434-2032 www.albanyny.gov Need to report a fire or a medical emergency? Albany Fire Department & EMS 911 (emergency) or (518) 438-4000 (dispatcher, non-emergency) or (518) 447-7879 (headquarters) www.albanyny.gov 16 Need a marriage or dog license? Want to FOIL a government document or public record? Want to hold an event in a public space, such as in a park or on the street? Office of the City Clerk City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Room 202 cityclerk@albanyny.gov (518) 434-5090 www.albanyny.gov Does your issue involve park maintenance, trees, graffiti, trash, recycling, potholes; street paving, cleaning, or plowing; sidewalk snow & ice removal; leaf bags, or compost pickup? Department of General Services (DGS) 1 Richard J. Conners Blvd. generalservices@albanyny.gov (518) 434-CITY (2489) www.albanyny.gov Want to apply for a City of Albany job or take a Civil Service exam? Human Resources City Hall, 24 Eagle St., Room 301 hr@albanyny.gov (518) 434-5049 www.albanyny.gov jobs.albanyny.gov/jobopps Do you have a claim to file with the City of Albany? Law Office City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Room 106 (518) 434-5050 www.albanyny.gov Who do I call if I need legal help, but I don’t have the money to pay for it? The Legal Aid Society 95 Central Avenue/Albany, New York 12206 (518) 462-6765 lasnny.org The Legal Project 24 Aviation Rd., Suite 101 Albany, NY 12208 (518) 435-1770 https://legalproject.org/ Want to invite the Mayor to come to an event? Mayor’s Office City Hall, 24 Eagle St., Room 102 mayorschedule@albanyny.gov (518) 434-5100 www.albanyny.gov