MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
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 the Parks and Recreation Commission.
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 4:00 P.M. on the day of the meeting.
2. Attending the meeting in-person at the Town Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera.
3. Selecting the “Raise Hand” icon in the Zoom meeting or dialing *9 if calling in to the meeting.
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To download the complete agenda packet for this meeting, visit our archive center by clicking here.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Beckman called the Special Meeting of the Town Council to order at the Town Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA on September 17, 2024 at 5:01PM.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Beckman, Vice Mayor Ravasio, Councilmembers Casissa, Lee, and Thomas
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Adam Wolff
Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Town Attorney Amy Ackerman
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 3 ONLY
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
No public comment was received via email or from in person or online attendees.
Mayor Beckman 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. Mayor Beckman explained that the questions for the interviews would be read out and that they were the same questions that had been emailed to applicants the Friday before the meeting. Each question had an assigned time limit and would be read out for each applicant to respond to. Upon the conclusion of the interviews for each advisory body, Council would deliberate and take a vote on the appointments.
A. FLOOD CONTROL BOARD
Council interviewed the following individuals:
• Sarah (Sally) Aaron
• Kenton Wolfers
The interview questions used for each applicant included:
A. Opening Statement - one minute
This is your opportunity to share a little about yourself, your family, your involvement with any other organizations in town, etc.,
B. Four questions - two minutes each
September 17, 2024 Town Council Minutes for Special Meeting for Advisory Body Interviews 2
1. What motivated you to apply for the Flood Control Board (FCB)? What experience and expertise would you bring to FCB and what do you hope to accomplish by your participation?
(Please include the following information in your response:
• Do you have any experience with flood control issues facing the Town?)
2. Do you have any conflicts that may prevent you from making an unbiased decision concerning agenda items? Are you a member of any organizations that may influence your decisions?
3. Have you had an opportunity to work with the Department of Public Works (DPW) on any projects or do you have an understanding about how DPW operates when it comes to public projects?
(Please include the following information in your response:
• Have you attended a Board meeting in the past or reviewed any recent agendas or minutes?
• What challenges do you see FCB facing in the next several years?)
4. Please describe your strengths and weaknesses as they relate to being a Board Member and how would you describe your problem-solving style and strategies for dealing with difficult situations or decision-making in a public setting. (Please include the following information in your response:
• How would you reconcile your personal opinions and emotions should they conflict with the policies and regulations established by the Town?) C. Commitment Question – Yes or No Answer
The FCB meets on the 2nd Monday of even months. Meetings begin at 6:30pm, run approximately 2 hours on average and Board Members are required to attend in person.
In addition to regular meeting attendance, Board Members are expected to read the agenda materials provided (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting) and come prepared to discuss agenda items.
Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to the term you applied for on FCB?
D. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera informed Council that for this body, there were three options for Council:
1. Appoint both applicants to fill a sixth and seventh seat on the FCB
2. Appoint only one of the two applicants
3. Do not appoint any applicants
Council deliberated on the interviews conducted for the Flood Control Board. Mayor Beckman called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to appoint Sally Aaron and Kenton Wolfers to fill the two available seats with terms expiring on June 30, 2026 ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager announced that the applicant for the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee was not responding to communications and she was not present in the room. She suggested proceeding with the Climate Action Committee interviews as the applicants were present in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Beckman re-arranged the agenda and proceeded with interviews for the Climate Action Committee.
C. CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE
Council interviewed the following individuals:
• Dylan Phares
• Sienna Rouas
September 17, 2024 Town Council Minutes for Special Meeting for Advisory Body Interviews 3 The interview questions used for each applicant included:
A. Opening Statement - one minute
This is your opportunity to share a little about yourself, your family, your involvement with any other organizations in town, etc.,
B. Three questions - two minutes each
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Climate Action Committee? What goals would you hope to advance on the Committee?
2. Please describe the qualities and experience that you would bring to the Committee, including your experience and knowledge related to climate change, sustainability, and/or community outreach.
3. What is your familiarity with the Town’s climate goals, climate action workplan, and/or Climate Action Committee?
C. Commitment Question – Yes or No Answer
The Climate Action Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month from 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Committee members are required to attend in person and are expected to read the agenda packet (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting) and come prepared to discuss agenda items. Optionally, Committee members may take on research and/or outreach tasks to advance the Committee’s goals outside of meeting times.
Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to a 1-year term on the Climate Action Committee?
D. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Mayor Beckman announced that only one person could be appointed to the Climate Action Committee. Council deliberated on the interviews. Due to split opinions Town Manager Adam Wolff recommended that one applicant be appointed as an alternate member. Council liked the idea and after further deliberation, Mayor Beckman called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to appoint Sienna Rouas as the Primary member and Dylan Phares as the Alternate member to the youth seat on the Climate Action Committee expiring on June 30, 2025.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
D. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Council interviewed the following individual:
• Emily Hitchcock
The interview questions used for the applicant included:
A. Opening Statement - one minute
This is your opportunity to share a little about yourself, your family, your involvement with any other organizations in town, etc.,
B. Three 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 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?
C. Commitment Question – Yes or No Answer
September 17, 2024 Town Council Minutes for Special Meeting for Advisory Body Interviews 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.
Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to the term you are applying for on the Parks and Recreation Commission?
D. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Mayor Beckman announced that only one person applied for the seat and there is only one seat available. Council deliberated on the interview. Mayor Beckman called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Thomas) to appoint Emily Hitchcock to the youth seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission expiring on June 30, 2025.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Mayor Beckman returned to item 3.B.
B. BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera announced that she had not received a response from the applicant Elizabeth Foster. Barrera added that staff believes new applicants should interview before the Council. To allow flexibility, applicants are given the option to participate in their interview via Zoom if they are unable to attend in-person. Staff followed up several times with the applicant and received no response.
Council deliberated and directed staff to wait for a response from Elizabeth Foster and if Foster would like to continue with the application, she could attend the October 1, 2024 Regular Meeting and interview before the council at that time.
4. DELIBERATIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF APPLICANTS TO SERVE TERMS FOR THE
DESIGNATED BODY
Upon the conclusion of the interviews for each advisory body, Council deliberated and took the votes recorded above.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beckman adjourned the meeting at 6:00PM to the Regular Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
NOTE: On September 17, 2024 at 6:18PM, staff received a response from Elizabeth Foster stating she would not be able to go through with the application process. A record of this message can be acquires from the Town Clerk.