MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available here.
NOTICE TO PUBLIC:
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 5:00 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.
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 Beckman called the Meeting of the Town Council to order at the Town Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA on September 17, 2024 at 6:31PM.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Beckman, Vice Mayor Ravasio, Councilmembers Casissa, Lee and Thomas
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Adam Wolff
Town Attorney Amy Ackerman
Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Central Marin Police Chief Michael Norton
Public Works Director R.J. Suokko
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera
2. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 4 individuals:
• Douglas Levy
• Kevin Buccata
• Lucinda Smith
• Anne Randolph
Mayor Beckman closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.A. Recognition of Outgoing Commissioner Sarah Elsen for her 8 Years of Service to the Town on the Parks and Recreation Commission
Mayor Beckman read a proclamation for Sarah Elsen into the record. Assistant Town Manager Vaughn presented a gift from the Town and shared a few words.
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 1 individual:
• Emily Charley
Mayor Beckman closed public comment. Council shared a few words and thanked Sarah for her service to the community.
September 17, 2024 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2
3.B. Presentation by Central Marin Police Authority Police Chief Regarding Current Initiatives
Central Marin Police Chief Michael Norton provided a presentation to Council and answered questions from Council regarding the presentation.
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 3 individuals:
• Lucinda Smith
• Charlie Kirschner
• Pati Stoliar
Mayor Beckman closed public comment and thanked Police Chief Norton for the presentation.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beckman asked if there were public comments or requests from the public for removal of items from the Consent Calendar.
Resident Doug Levy requested pulling item 4.A.
There were no public comments and there were no additional requests from members of public to pull items from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Beckman closed public comment.
Mayor Beckman called for a vote on the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to approve Consent Calendar items 4.B. – 4.G.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
4.B. Accept Accounts Payable Warrants for August 2024
4.C. Adopt Resolution No. 34/2024 Allowing Three Temporary Signs in the Public Right-ofWay from October 30, 2024 to November 29, 2024 Publicizing the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Event
4.D. Adoption of Resolution No. 35/2024 Approving a Publicly Available Pay Schedule Per CalPERS Requirements
4.E. Approve the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (“Marin Wildfire”)
4.F. Approve Minutes of the August 20, 2024 Town Council Special Closed Session Meeting
4.G. Approve Minutes of the August 20, 2024 Town Council Regular Meeting Mayor Beckman returned to item 4.A.
4.A. Second Reading and Possible Adoption of Ordinance No. 1041 Amending Title 9 (Public Conduct) of the Corte Madera Municipal Code by Amending Chapter 9.28 – “Conduct On Public Property” – and by Adopting a New Chapter 9.30 – “Conduct In Public Parks and Recreation Facilities” Regulating the Use of Corte Madera’s Parks and Recreation Facilities
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 1 individual:
• Doug Levy
Mayor Beckman closed public comment. Town Attorney Amy Ackerman and Town Manager Adam Wolff provided comments in response to the public comment made by Doug Levy and with the assistance from Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn, answered questions from Council. After further deliberation, Mayor Beckman called for a motion on item 4.A.
September 17, 2024 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to approve Consent Calendar item 4.A.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.A. Discussion and Possible Direction to Staff on the New Street Sweeper Alternatives and Consideration and Possible Authorization to the Director of Public Works to Purchase a Street Sweeper for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $650,000
Public Works Director R.J. Suokko introduced the item and presented the staff report. Suokko, with the assistance of Town Manager Adam Wolff, answered questions from Council.
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Mayor Beckman closed public comment. After further deliberation, Council directed the Public Works Director to continue exploring electric vehicle (EV) street sweeper options, with authorization to spend up to $650,000 if a suitable EV model meets the Town's requirements. If an appropriate EV model is unavailable or exceeds the budget, the Council approved the purchase of a gas-powered street sweeper as an alternative.
6.B. Consideration and Possible Authorization to the Director of Public Works to Execute and Record the Notice of Completion for the Corte Madera Town Hall Project, #17-020; Approve an Additional $102,000 for Alten Construction Inc., and Release Retention in the Amount of $125,000
Public Works Director R.J. Suokko introduced the item. He gave a short presentation on the item and answered questions from Council.
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Mayor Beckman closed public comment. After further deliberation, Councilmember Casissa asked that the minutes reflect that the Town Hall Project total is $16,070,664. (View presentation with cost breakdown here.) Mayor Beckman called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Thomas/Casissa) to approve the item as requested ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
6.C. Discussion and Possible Action by the Mayor to Appoint a Councilmember to the Countywide Sea Level Rise Governance Steering Committee, Twin Cities Disaster Preparedness Committee. Marin Healthy Youth and the Temporary Guiding Coalition for the Larkspur Corte Madera School District’s Vision and Strategic Planning Process Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera introduced the item and presented the staff report to Council. She then answered questions from Council.
Mayor Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Mayor Beckman closed public comment and proceeded with the following appointment changes.
1. Countywide Sea Level Rise Governance Steering Committee: Eli Beckman
2. Twin Cities Disaster Preparedness Committee: Charles Lee (Primary) and Pat Ravasio (Alternate)
3. Larkspur Corte Madera School District’s Vision and Strategic Planning Committee: Fred Casissa (Primary) and Pat Ravasio (Alternate)
4. Marin Healthy Youth: Fred Casissa (Primary) and Pat Ravasio (Alternate) September 17, 2024 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4
7. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff provided a brief update on the Tamalpais Overcrossing project, the Sanitary District No. 2 bonds and certificates of participation. He announced that he plans on having an update on the Age-Friendly Center at the next Council meeting. He also announced that a certificate of occupancy has been issued for the Evergreen Hotel.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Beckman: He attended the League of California Cities North Bay Division Lobby Day, the Age-Friendly Nonagerians and Centenarians event, the Lions Club EV Car Show and the Rome Burger ribbon cutting. He also announced that he was a guest speaker at the 2024 BPI Summit that was held in Berkeley.
Vice Mayor Ravasio: She attended the Marin Healthy Youth meeting and made an announcement on some of the activities for Oktoberfest.
Councilmember Casissa: He attended the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA) meeting and the Lions Club EV car show. He also attended the Nonagerians and Centenarians event.
Councilmember Lee: He announced that the Chamber of Commerce is holding a Town council Candidates Forum on October 7th and the Chamber’s annual golf tournament will be held on October 28th.
Councilmember Thomas: She attended the Age-Friendly Nonagerians and Centenarians event, the Lions Club EV Car Show.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, October 1, 2024 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 Beckman adjourned the meeting at 8:49PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.