MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
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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 December 3, 2024 at 6:31 PM.
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
Community Development Director Amy Lyle
Public Works Director RJ Suokko
Fire Chief Ruben Martin
Senior Planner Martha Battaglia
Associate Planner Tracy Hegarty
Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator Phoebe Goulden 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 3 individuals:
• San Anselmo Councilmember Steve Burdo
• Suzi Beatie
• Roy Wolford
Mayor Beckman closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
3.A. Adopt Resolution No. 41/2024 Reciting the Facts of the Election held on November 5, 2024 and Declaring the Results and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera introduced the item and presented the staff report. Staff 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.
December 3, 2024 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 Mayor Beckman closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Mayor Beckman called for a motion:
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Lee/Ravasio) to adopt Resolution No. 41/2024.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
4. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COUNCILMEMBERS
4.A. Recognition and Presentation of Gifts and Acknowledgments to Outgoing Councilmember Charles Lee in Recognition of his Service to the Town of Corte Madera 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.
Mayor Beckman opened up the opportunity for remarks to outgoing Councilmember Lee.
Councilmember Lee provided remarks on his departure from Council.
Mayor Beckman, Vice Mayor Ravasio, Councilmember Casissa and Councilmember Thomas each gave their own remarks to outgoing Councilmember Lee.
Town Manager Adam Wolff provided a few words on behalf of Town staff. Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn presented a recognition to Councilmember Lee from the Town.
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera announced that staff received recognitions for service and certificates of appreciation for outgoing Councilmember Lee from Senator Padilla, Congressman Huffman, State Senator McGuire, Assemblymember Connolly, and Supervisor Rodoni.
Mayor Beckman thanked his fellow Councilmember and he stepped down from his seat on the dais.
5. OATH OF OFFICE
5.A. The Town Clerk will administer the Oath of Office to Newly Elected Councilmembers:
James H. Andrews and Fred Casissa
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera separately administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Councilmembers James H. Andrews and Fred Casissa. Both signed their Oath of Office upon completing their Oath and then took their seats at the dais.
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 moved on to the next item.
6. REORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
6.A. Recognition and Presentation of Gift to Outgoing Mayor Eli H. Beckman Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera presented a recognition to outgoing Mayor Eli H. Beckman for his term as Mayor.
He thanked his fellow Councilmembers for all of their support and staff for their work.
6.B. Selection of Mayor
Mayor Beckman asked council for nominations for Mayor.
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.
December 3, 2024 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Thomas/Beckman) to select Vice Mayor Pat Ravasio as Mayor.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Mayor Beckman congratulated Vice Mayor Ravasio and they switched seats for Vice Mayor Ravasio to take her seat as Mayor.
6.C. Selection of Vice Mayor
Mayor Ravasio asked council for nominations for Vice Mayor.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Andrews) to select Councilmember Rosa Thomas as Vice Mayor.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
7. PRESENTATIONS: None
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Ravasio asked if there were public comments or requests from the public for removal of items from the Consent Calendar.
Council received public comment from 1 individual regarding item 8.A.:
• Matthew Hartzell
There were no additional public comments and there were no requests from members of the public to pull items from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment.
Mayor Ravasio pulled item 8.C. Councilmember Andrews announced he would abstain from voting on item 8.D.
Mayor Ravasio called for a vote on the remaining items of the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to approve Consent Calendar items 8.A. and 8.B.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion for items 8.A. and 8.B.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
8.A. Second Reading and Possible Adoption of Ordinance No. 1042 Amending Section
10.60.010 and 10.60.020 of the Corte Madera Municipal Code (CMMC) to Reflect Reduced Speed Limits for Nine Roadway Segments in Corte Madera Based on Engineering and Traffic Surveys in Accordance with Section 6627 and 22358 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC)
8.B. Approve the Annual Statement of Investment Policy
Mayor Ravasio returned to item 8.D. and called for a motion.
8.D. Approve Minutes of the November 19, 2024 Town Council Regular Meeting MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to approve Consent Calendar item 8.D.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0-1 (Andrews abstained) in favor of the motion for item 8.D.
Mayor Ravasio returned to item 8.C.
8.C. Accept the Report by SOMA Aquatics Regarding the 2024 Summer Community Swim Program Offered at Redwood High School
December 3, 2024 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4 Mayor Ravasio commented that the program has been very successful and that due to Redwood High School seeking to resurface the pool area in the summer, the same location for the program will not be available in the upcoming summer. She asked staff to comment on options on how to carry out the program in 2025.
Town Manager Wolff confirmed that the pool area will be resurfaced next summer and that staff can return to council in early 2025 to provide some alternatives or options on how to continue this program.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 1 individual:
• Pati Stoliar
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion:
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Andrews) to approve Consent Calendar item 8.C.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9.A. First Reading and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance Adopting Amendments to Title 18 (Zoning) of the Corte Madera Municipal Code to Repeal and Replace Chapter 18.31 – Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)/Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) Mayor Ravasio announced that she would need to recuse herself from this item as she is currently in a contract to build an ADU. Councilmember Beckman also recused himself as his personal business sells prefabricated ADUs. Ravasio and Beckman left the Council Chambers and the meeting was turned over to Vice Mayor Thomas.
Senior Planner Martha Battaglia introduced the item and with the assistance of Associate Planner Tracy Hegarty, a presentation was given to Council. With the assistance of Town Manager Adam Wolff, Fire Chief Ruben Martin and Community Development Director Amy Lyle, Battaglia and Hegarty answered questions from Council.
Vice Mayor Thomas opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Vice Mayor Thomas closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Thomas called for a motion:
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to introduce the ordinance with the change that was recommended by staff.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 3-0-2 (Beckman and Ravasio recused) in favor of the motion.
Vice Mayor Thomas turned the meeting back over to Mayor Ravasio who returned to the council chambers alongside Councilmember Beckman.
10. BUSINESS ITEMS
10.A Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt Resolution No. 42/2024 Establishing Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging User Fees for Town-Owned EV Charging Stations and Possible Direction to Staff on EV Charging Program Implementation Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator Phoebe Goulden introduced the item and with the assistance of Public Works Director RJ Suokko provided a presentation to Council. Goulden and Suokko responded to questions from Council.
Council received public comment from 4 individuals:
• Lynne Simon
• Roy Wolford
• Matthew Hartzell
• Nick Javares
December 3, 2024 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 5 Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. After further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to adopt Resolution No. 42/2024 establishing public electric vehicle charging user fees with the amendments that in addition to the Public Works Director, a designee shall have the authority to update fees and with the overstay fee cap changing from $25 to $50.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-1 (Andrews opposed) in favor of the motion.
11. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff thanked Tim Barry and the Parks and Recreation staff for their work on the Turkey Trot event. He also thanked Craig Hartman for the work on the Hwy 101, Tamalpais Drive overcrossing project.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Ravasio: She attended the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) Legislative Committee meeting, the holiday tree lighting at Café Verde that was put on by the Chamber of Commerce and she announced the upcoming Town Band concert.
Vice Mayor Thomas: No report was provided.
Councilmember Andrews: No report was provided.
Councilmember Beckman: He attended the Evergreen Hotel ribbon cutting, MCE Executive Committee meeting, the kick-off for the Sea Level Rise Steering Committee and a Central Marin Sanitation Agency (CMSA) ad Hoc Committee meeting.
Councilmember Casissa: He attended the meetings for Ross Valley Paramedic Authority, Marin Wildfire, Marin Transit, Age-friendly Corte Madera, and the Evergreen Hotel ribbon cutting event.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, December 17, 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 Ravasio adjourned the meeting at 9:01PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.