MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 18, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=lhLEDK_THOhHWWdP&t=71 To access a guide on how to activate transcripts for the Town’s video recordings, visit https://www.cortemadera.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10133/How-to-Activate-and-Use-the-Transcript-Feature-onYouTube PUBLIC ATTENDANCE OPTIONS FOR THIS MEETING:
Members of the public had the option to attend the meeting in person, or view and participate in the meeting remotely through the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84104397707 Attendees could also call in using: 1 (408) 638-0968 (Zoom webinar ID: 841 0439 7707) Or iPhone one-tap: +14086380968,,84104397707#
Options for Submitting Public Comment for this meeting:
1. Emailing [email protected] prior to 5:00 PM 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.
To download the complete agenda packet for this meeting, visit our archive center:
https://www.cortemadera.gov/archive.aspx
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Ravasio called the Meeting of the Town Council to order at the Town Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA on February 18, 2025 at 6:31PM.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Ravasio, Vice Mayor Thomas, Councilmembers Andrews, Beckman and Casissa
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Adam Wolff
Town Attorney Amy Ackerman
Fire Chief Ruben Martin
Community Development Director Amy Lyle
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera
2. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 2 individuals:
• Stephanie Hall
• Roy Wolford
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. INTERVIEW OF CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE APPLICANT
3.A. Interview Sarah D’Alexander for Consideration for Appointment to Serve the Remainder of a Vacant Term on the Climate Action Committee (CAC) Set to Expire on June 30, 2026
(Discussion begins at 7:47 / 3:04:49 https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=Qtm1XQ7w3c-cIFWk&t=467) The Town Council interviewed Sarah D’Alexander for consideration for appointment to serve the remainder of a vacant term on the Climate Action Committee. Mayor Ravasio explained that the questions for the interview would be read out and that they were the same questions that had been emailed to Sarah the Friday before the meeting. Each question had an assigned time limit and was read out for a verbal response.
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., with the Council February 18, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular 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 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?
4. Please describe your strengths and weaknesses as they relate to being a Committee member (or working in a group) 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 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
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera announced she made a mistake in the commitment question and the term is actually for more than a year as Sarah applied for a vacant term that is set to expire until June 30, 2026. Sarah D’Alexander confirmed her response to the question was still a yes.
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. After further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Andrews/Beckman) to appoint Sarah D’Alexander to serve the remainder of a vacant term on the Climate Action Committee set to expire on June 30, 2026.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.A. Central Marin Fire Authority Presentation from Fire Chief Ruben Martin on the Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Program
(Discussion begins at 21:55 / 3:04:49 https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=fdjlOId9kD8h0xBK&t=1315) Fire Chief Ruben Martin provided a presentation to Council on the wildfire hazard mitigation program. Chief Martin answered questions from Council with the assistance of Town Manager Adam Wolff.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 4 individuals:
• Roy Wolford
• Dan Kenney
• Lucinda Smith
• Pati Stoliar
February 18, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. Council provided brief closing comments and thanked Chief Martin for the presentation.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(Discussion begins at 1:32:10 / 3:04:49 https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=euZuZAlb5-WacvLN&t=5530) Mayor Ravasio 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 the public to pull items from the Consent Calendar and no public comments were received.
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment.
Mayor Ravasio asked if there were requests from Council or staff for removal of items from the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests from Council or staff to pull items from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to approve Consent Calendar items 5.A. and 5.F.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
5.A. Accept Accounts Payable Warrants for January 2025
5.B. Accept Revenue and Expense Report for January 2025
5.C. Adopt Resolution No. 06/2025 Acknowledging the Receipt of a Report Made by the Fire Chief of the Central Marin Fire Authority Regarding the Inspection of Certain Occupancies Required to Perform Annual Inspections in Such Occupancies Pursuant to Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code
5.D. Approval of Necessary Funds for Interested Councilmembers to Attend the League of California Cities City Leaders Summit on April 23-25, 2025, in Sacramento, CA
5.E. Approval of Necessary Funds for Councilmember Beckman to Attend the California Community Choice Association 2025 Annual Conference on April 28-30, 2025, in Irvine, CA
5.F. Approve Minutes of the February 4, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
7. BUSINESS ITEMS
7.A. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 07/2025 Authorizing the Town Manager to Allocate up to $50,000 to the Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce for Fiscal Year 2025 Expenses, including the 2025 Independence Day Parade, Rent for Office Space and Operational Support
(Discussion begins at 1:33:11 / 3:04:49 https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=5DVLkkkdL9CjEWiy&t=5591) Town Manager Adam Wolff introduced the item and presented the staff report. Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce Board Member Stan Hoffman and Executive Director Julie Kritzberger shared a few words regarding the item. Wolff responded to questions from Council.
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. Following further deliberation, Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to adopt Resolution No. 07/2025.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
February 18, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4
7.B. Discussion, Consideration and Direction to Staff on the Creation of an Employee Housing Program and the Purchase of a BMR (below market rate) Unit from the Marin Housing Authority
(Discussion begins at 1:50:09 / 3:04:49 https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=E4ccWNaFM1rWWzQl&t=6609) Community Development Director Amy Lyle introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council. With the assistance of Town Manager Wolff, Lyle answered questions from Council.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 1 individual:
• Roy Wolford
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Council provided direction to staff to return at a later date with more information related to total/comprehensive costs associated with the purchase of this housing unit, to include any upgrades and/or management fees, taxes, etc. Council also asked for more information about the creation of a proposed employee housing program.
7.C. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 08/2025 Creating a Finance Advisory Committee for the Town and its Subsidiary District, Sanitary District No. 2 (Discussion begins at 2:37:10 / 3:04:49 https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=se2QEZM87CVHK5m1&t=9430) Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera introduced the item and presented the staff report. Town Manager Adam Wolff provided additional comments. With the assistance of Town Attorney Amy Ackerman, Barrera and Wolff responded to questions from Council.
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. Following further deliberation, Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Andrews/Thomas) to adopt Resolution No. 08/2025 as amended.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Due to reaching the hour of 9:30PM, a vote was called to extend the meeting.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to extend the meeting to 10:00PM.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
8. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
(Discussion begins at 2:59:52 / 3:04:49 https://youtu.be/jguu05zRU90?si=O3djQfkqOF25HXuO&t=10792) Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff announced the Town will be receiving new maps related to the hazard severity zones.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Ravasio: She attended the Scotty Lapp skate park grand opening.
Vice Mayor Thomas: She attended the Scotty Lapp skate park grand opening and the Fire council meeting on the 13th.
Councilmember Andrews: No report was provided.
Councilmember Beckman: He attended a meeting with R3 Consulting, a board meeting for the Central Marin Sanitation Agency (CMSA) and the retirement celebration for Stan Hoffman.
Councilmember Casissa: He attended a Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA) sub-committee meeting, Scotty Lapp grand opening of the skate park and the Police Council meeting.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING February 18, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 5
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, March 4, 2025 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 9:35PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.