MINUTES OF AUGUST 16, 2022
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available here.
NOTICE TO PUBLIC:
The Corte Madera Town Council may meet by teleconference, in-person, or in a hybrid manner, consistent with the Brown Act as amended by AB 361 (2021).
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Mayor Casissa called the Regular Meeting of the Town Council to order at Town Hall Council Chambers, 240 Tamal Vista Blvd., Ste. 108, Corte Madera, CA on August 16, 2022 at 6:32pm.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Casissa; Vice Mayor Lee, Councilmembers Beckman, Mongan and Ravasio
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Todd Cusimano
Interim Town Manager Adam Wolff
Town Clerk/Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Town Attorney Amy Ackerman
Public Works Director RJ Suokko
Building Official Chris Ragland
Senior Planner Martha Battaglia
Administrative Analyst Lorena Barrera
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND SALUTE TO THE FLAG
2. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Casissa opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 6 individuals:
Patsy McCullough
Kyle Hendrix
Steve Hoffmire
Rosa Thomas
Tiffany O’hara
Anita Bock (presenting a recognition to out-going Town Manager Todd Cusimano on behalf of the Christmas Tree Hill Neighborhood Response Group) Mayor Casissa closed public comment.
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.A. Caltrans Presentation to Council: Draft Initial Study with Proposed Negative Declaration (IS/ND) for the Highway 101 at Tamalpais Drive Overcrossing Project Including the Six Project Alternatives; Followed by Discussion and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 43/2022 in Support of Alternative 4B
Public Works Director RJ Suokko introduced the item and Caltrans staff. Caltrans staff gave a presentation to the public. The Caltrans staff members presenting virtually were Ram Bommavaram, Liz Nagle, Ghulam Popal, and Diana Pink.
August 16, 2022 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 Council asked questions to Caltrans staff regarding the project. Public Works Director RJ Suokko gave a brief presentation and discussed the proposed resolution in support of Alternative 4B. Council then proceeded to ask questions to staff.
Mayor Casissa opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 8 individuals:
Craig Hartman
Wendy Walish
Tarrell Cullaway
Pati Stoliar
David MacPherson
Robert Betts (Marin Transit)
Roy Wolford
Raymond Santiago (Golden Gate Transit)
Mayor Casissa closed public comment. Public Works Director RJ Suokko recommended amending Finding 2 in the proposed resolution and adding a third. If approved, number 2 would read “Council requests that CalTrans extend the current Project Approval and Environmental document completion date by up to 12 months, beyond December 2022 to allow more time to identify funding,” and number 3 would read “Council requests that Caltrans establish a process where the Town and public can provide additional input during the design phase of the project.” After further deliberation by Council, Mayor Casissa called for a vote.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Beckman) to adopt Resolution No. 43/2022 as amended.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Council recessed for a short break at 8:40pm. Council reconvened at 8:46pm.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Casissa asked if there were public comments or requests from the public for removal of items from the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests from members of public to pull items from the Consent Calendar, and no public comment was received from attendees or via email.
Due to the location of residence for Councilmember Beckman and Mayor Casissa, they announced they would recuse themselves from item 4.E. and Town Attorney Ackerman confirmed that the item should be voted on separately.
Mayor Casissa called for a vote on the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Beckman) to approve Consent Calendar items 4A – 4D and 4F - 4J.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
4.A. Waive Further Reading and Authorize Introduction and/or Adoption of Resolutions and Ordinances by Title Only
4.B. Adopt Resolution No. 44/2022 Authorizing Teleconference Meetings Of The Legislative Bodies Of The Town Of Corte Madera Pursuant To Government Code section 54953(e) of the Brown Act, in the Event it is Necessary
4.C. Approve Second Amendment to Lease Agreement for a Five Year Agreement with Golden Gate Properties, LLC on Town Property Located at 2000 Redwood Highway
4.D. Third Amendment To Agreement With Renne Public Law Group To Increase The Hourly Rate By $10 For Both Basic Town Attorney and Specialized Legal Services
4.F. Adopt Resolution No. 45/2022 Authorizing Installation of Four Temporary Banners in the Public Right-of-Way from September 1, 2022 to December 31, 2025 Publicizing the Transportation Authority of Marin’s (TAM) Street Smarts Campaign for Driver, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety
August 16, 2022 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3
4.G. Adopt Resolution No. 46/2022 Designating The Town Manager As The Primary Representative To The Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) Governing Board And Reaffirming The Designation Of The Public Works Director As Alternate Representative
4.H. Accept Quarterly Investment Report For April 1 Through June 30, 2022
4.I. Accept Warrants and Payroll for July, 2022
4.J. Approve Minutes of the July 19, 2022 Regular Town Council Meeting Mayor Casissa and Councilmember Beckman recused themselves from item 4.E. and stepped out of the Council Chambers.
Vice Mayor Lee called for a motion on item 4.E.
4.E. Ratify Decision of the Director Of Public Works To Reject All Bids For 2022 Road Resurfacing Project And Rebid With Reduced Scope And Split Project In Two Phases; and Authorize the Director of Public Works to Award a Construction Contract to the Lowest Responsible and Responsive Bidder for a Not to Exceed Base Bid Amount of $2,000,000 Plus an Additional 10% Contingency for the 2022 Road Resurfacing Project – Phase 1, No. 22-005
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Mongan) to approve item 4.E.
Roll call vote: 3-0 in favor of the motion (Casissa and Beckman were recused).
Staff called Mayor Casissa and Councilmember Beckman back into the room and the meeting continued.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
5.A. Public Hearing To Discuss and Consider Adoption Of Urgency Ordinance No. 1021 Of The Town Council Of The Town Of Corte Madera, Pursuant To California Government Code Section 36937(B), Barring Evictions In The Town Of Corte Madera Through September 30, 2022 Due To The Public Health Emergency Arising From COVID-19 Town Attorney Amy Ackerman introduced the item and presented the staff report and with the assistance of Interim Town Manager Adam Wolff, answered questions from Council.
Mayor Casissa opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 1 individual:
David MacPherson
Mayor Casissa closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Mayor Casissa called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Beckman) to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1021.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.A. Receive Update on Public Comment Received on Draft Housing Element and Possible Direction to Staff Regarding Submission of Revised Draft Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its 90-day review
Interim Town Manager Adam Wolff introduced the item and with the assistance of Senior Planner Martha Battaglia, gave a presentation to Council. Christine O’Rourke of O’Rourke Associates was introduced by Interim Town Manager Adam Wolff and O’Rourke assisted staff with answering questions from Council.
Council received public comment from 2 individuals:
Luke Barnesmoore, Program Director for Home Match Marin Bob Pendoley
Mayor Casissa closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Council directed staff to proceed with the submission of the Housing Element.
August 16, 2022 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4
6.B. Consideration and Possible Approval of Draft Response to the 2021-2022 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report: Electrifying Marin's Buildings: A Countywide Approach (response required by 9/06/22)
Building Official Chris Ragland presented the staff report.
Mayor Casissa announced that the time had reached 9:30 and per council rules, a motion must be made to extend the meeting to 10pm.
Mayor Casissa called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Beckman) to extend the meeting to 10pm.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Building Official Chris Ragland proceeded to answer questions from Council.
Mayor Casissa opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 2 individuals:
Roy Wolford
Pat Ravasio
Mayor Casissa closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Mayor Casissa called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Mongan/Beckman) to submit the Grand Jury Report response after fixing typos.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
6.C. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 47/2022 To (1) Create New Position Classification Titled Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator, With a Salary Range of $7,413 to $9,011 Per Month; and (2) Amend Compensation Schedule C – Mid Management Employees, to Add New Position and Salary Range (This is a two meeting item per Council Policy, introduced on July 19, 2022)
Interim Town Manager Adam Wolff presented the staff report and answered questions from Council.
Mayor Casissa opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email.
Mayor Casissa closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Mayor Casissa called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Mongan/Beckman) to adopt Resolution No. 47/2022.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
7. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Interim Town Manager: Interim Town Manager Adam Wolff spoke on the transitions taking place in the Administration and Planning and Building Departments.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Casissa: He attended the Central Marin Police Council and Fire Council meetings.
Vice Mayor Lee: No report was provided.
Councilmember Beckman: He attended the Central Marin Police Council and Fire Council meetings.
Councilmember Mongan: No report was provided.
August 16, 2022 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 5 Councilmember Ravasio: No report was provided.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, September 6, 2022 Town Council Meeting There were no comments from Council regarding the draft agenda, and no public comment was received from attendees or via email.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Casissa adjourned the meeting at 9:44pm to the next regular Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.