MINUTES OF MAY 16, 2023
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
FOR INTERVIEWS OF ADVISORY BODY APPLICANTS
Meeting video available here.
NOTICE TO PUBLIC:
The Corte Madera Town Council will meet in person to conduct interviews of applicants for advisory bodies.
Members of the public may attend the meeting in person, or view and participate in the meeting remotely through the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84104397707 (No Pre-Registration Needed- Click on Link at Meeting Start Time) You may call in using: 1 (408) 638-0968 (Zoom webinar ID: 841 0439 7707) Or iPhone one-tap: +14086380968,,84104397707#
Submit public comment by:
1. Emailing [email protected] prior to 3:00 P.M. on the day of the meeting,
2. Attending the meeting in-person at the Interim Council Chambers, 240 Tamal Vista Blvd., Suite 108, Corte Madera
3. Selecting the “Raise Hand” icon in the Zoom meeting, or dialing *9 if calling in to the meeting.
Click here for information on how to attend the meeting in person, participate remotely or submit public comment.
To download the complete agenda packet for this meeting, visit our archive center by clicking here.
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Lee called the Special Meeting of the Town Council to order at Town Hall Council Chambers, 240 Tamal Vista Blvd., Ste. 108, Corte Madera, CA on May 16, 2023 at 4:15pm.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Lee, Vice Mayor Beckman Councilmembers Casissa, Ravasio, and Thomas
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Adam Wolff
Town Clerk/Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Town Attorney Amy Ackerman
Administrative Analyst Lorena Barrera
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 3 ONLY
Mayor Lee opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Mayor Lee closed public comment.
3. INTERVIEWS OF ADVISORY BODY APPLICANTS
The Town Council interviewed applicants for consideration for appointment to serve a term on the body that was applied for. Council agree that the questions for the interview would be read one time (per advisory body) and then the applicants would proceed to answer the questions with the timer displayed in front of them. Upon the conclusion of the interviews for each advisory body, Council would deliberate rather than deliberating when concluding all interviews for the agendized groups.
A. CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE INTERVIEWS
(3 terms expire on June 30, 2023)
Council interviewed the following individuals:
• Patrick Burtis
• Karen Lang
• Laura O’Shea
• Philip Simon
The interview process used for each applicant included:
A. Opening Statement – one minute
May 16, 2023 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 2 B. Four questions – two minutes each
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Climate Action Committee? What priorities or objectives would you hope to advance on the Committee?
2. Please describe your experience and knowledge related to climate change, greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, sequestration, and/or community engagement and equity.
3. What do you see as the Town's role in addressing climate change and what do you feel are the Town's current climate action priorities?
4. The Climate Action Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Committee members are required to attend in person. In addition to this roughly
1.5 hour monthly meeting, Committee members are expected to read the agenda packet (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting) and come prepared to discuss agenda items. Committee members may also choose to participate in ad-hoc subcommittees that conduct research and/or outreach outside of meeting times.
Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to a 2-year term on the Climate Action Committee?
What other commitments, if any, might conflict with your ability to attend meetings or otherwise fully participate on the Committee?
C. Closing Statement (Optional) – one minute
Council deliberated on the interviews for the Climate Action Committee.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Thomas/Casissa) to appoint Patrick Burtis and Karen Lang, and reappoint Philip Simon to a two year term with the Climate Action Committee beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring on June 30, 2025.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
B. PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
(2 terms expire on June 30, 2023)
Mayor Lee recused himself from the Planning Commission interviews due to having an upcoming hearing with the Planning Commission for a personal project. Vice Mayor Beckman took over the meeting.
Town Clerk/Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn announced that Lisa Budhiman withdrew her application for consideration to the Planning Commission.
Council interviewed the following individuals:
• Peter Chase
• Kenneth Mahon
• James Rizzo
The interview process used for each applicant included:
A. Opening Statement – one minute
B. Four questions – two minutes each
1. What motivated you to apply for the Planning Commission, what experience and expertise would you bring to the Commission and what do you hope to accomplish by your participation?
Please include the following information in your response:
• Do you have any experience with design, architecture or construction? • Can you read architectural plans, schematics and drawings?
2. Have you had an opportunity to work with the Planning Department on any projects or do you have an understanding about how the Planning Department operates? Please include the following information in your response:
• Have you attended a Commission meeting in the past or reviewed any recent agendas or minutes?
• What challenges do you see the Planning Commission facing in the next several years?
May 16, 2023 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 3
3. What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses, and how would you describe your problem-solving style and strategies for dealing with difficult situations or decisionmaking in a group setting.
4. The Planning Commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, plus occasional special workshops. Meetings begin at 7:00pm, run approximately 2 hours on average and Commissioners are required to attend in person. In addition to regular meeting attendance, Commission members are expected to read the agenda materials provided (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting), conduct any required site visits and come prepared to discuss agenda items.
• Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to a 2-year term on the Planning Commission?
• What other commitments, if any, might conflict with your ability to attend meetings or otherwise fully participate on the Commission?
C. Closing Statement (Optional) – one minute
Council deliberated on the interviews conducted for the Planning Commission.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to re-appoint Peter Chase and James Rizzo to the Planning Commission for a two year term beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring on June 30, 2025.
Roll call vote: 4-0-0-1 (Lee Recused) in favor of the motion.
Mayor Lee returned to the Council chambers and Vice Mayor Beckman turned over the meeting back to the Mayor.
C. PARKS AND RECREATON COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
(4 terms expire on June 30, 2023)
Town Clerk/Assistant Town Manager Vaughn announced that Rachel Kelly and Lauren Lennon withdrew their applications for consideration to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Due to the gaps in the schedule, Council took a short recess at 5:24PM.
Council returned from recess at 5:38PM. Mayor Lee repeated the interview process to the applicants and proceeded with the interviews.
Council interviewed the following individuals:
• Lisa Budhiman
A recess was held at 5:48pm after interviewing Budhiman. Council returned and proceeded with the interview of the following individuals at 6:05pm.
• Emily Charley
• Chenin Kenig
The interview process used for each applicant included:
A. Opening Statement – one minute
B. Four questions – two minutes each
1. What is it about this Commission that interests you? What qualities, experience, and expertise would you bring to the Commission?
2. What is your familiarity with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan project currently underway and what challenges do you see for Corte Madera Parks and Recreation in the next five years?
3. Corte Madera has many different types of residents, including, for example, families with young children, retirees with grown children, single people. As a Parks & Recreation commissioner, how would you balance the interests of these different groups?
4. The Parks and Recreation Commission meets on the 4th Monday of each month, plus occasional special meetings as needed. Meetings begin at 6:30pm, run approximately 2 hours on average and Commissioners are required to attend in person. In addition to regular meeting attendance, Commission members are expected to read the agenda materials provided (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting), and come prepared to discuss agenda items. Committee members may also participate in ad-hoc subcommittees that conduct research and/or outreach outside of meeting times.
May 16, 2023 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 4 • Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to a 2-year term on the Parks and Recreation Commission?
• What other commitments, if any, might conflict with your ability to attend meetings or otherwise fully participate on the Commission?
C. Closing Statement (Optional) – one minute
Council deliberated on the interviews conducted for the Parks and Recreation Commission.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Casissa) to appoint Lisa Budhiman and re-appoint Emily Charley and Chenin Kenig to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a two year term beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring on June 30, 2025.
Roll call vote: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
4. DELIBERATIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF APPLICANTS TO SERVE TERM FOR DESIGNATED BODY COMMENCING JULY 1, 2023 AND EXPIRING JUNE 30, 2025.
Council deliberated on the interviews as they concluded with the interview process of each advisory group separately.
1. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lee adjourned the meeting at 6:26pm to the Regular Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.