MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/e3bE86vnJVI?si=r5VELjagMXrAduq2 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 March 4, 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
Community Development Director Amy Lyle
Communication Manager/Code Enforcement Official Mike Morarity Senior Planner Martha Battaglia
Associate Planner Tracy Hegarty
Assistant Planner Claire Smith
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera
2. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
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 and moved on to the next item.
3. PRESENTATIONS: None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(Discussion begins at 1:35 / 2:37:27 https://youtu.be/e3bE86vnJVI?si=rR-LU0F09A_d0ToZ&t=95) 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.
March 4, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Thomas/Casissa) to approve Consent Calendar items 4.A. and 4.B.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0-1 (Andrews opposed) in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
4.A. Approve Minutes of the February 18, 2025 Town Council Closed Session Special Meeting
4.B. Approve Minutes of the February 18, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.A. Discuss, Receive Public Comment and Provide Direction to Staff Regarding New Solid Waste Contract Negotiations for Residential and Commercial Solid Waste Collection Services
(Discussion begins at 2:56 / 2:37:27 https://youtu.be/e3bE86vnJVI?si=06ae9tOJmTyTt0ah&t=176) Town Manager Adam Wolff introduced the item and turned over the presentation to Claire Wilson and Scott Hanin of R3 Consulting. Mill Valley Refuse Service (MVRS) managing partners Gene Della Zoppa, Dave Biggio and Alex Iavarone, were introduced and stated they were available to help answer questions if applicable and permitted by Council. Town Manager Adam Wolff and R3 Consultants responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 2 individuals:
• Heidi Hafer
• Robert Bundy
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Council provided direction to staff to enter into contract negotiations with the Town's current waste collector, Mill Valley Refuse Service, to potentially engage in a new contract upon expiration of the current contract.
Town Council also supported initiating a Request for Proposal (RFP) as a second option in the event a beneficial contract couldn't be negotiated with MVRS.
6.B. Receive a Report on the Short-Term Rental Program and Provide Direction to Staff on Potential Future Amendments to the Ordinance
(Discussion begins at 41:37 / 2:37:27 https://youtu.be/e3bE86vnJVI?si=SssMJcAP45buTVR9&t=2497) Community Development Director Amy Lyle introduced the item. Senior Planner Martha Battaglia and Associate Planner Tracy Hegarty provided a joint presentation to Council. Communications Manager/Code Enforcement Official Mike Morarity and Associate Planner Claire Smith sat in the audience and were present for questions on the item. Town staff responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 6 individuals:
• David MacPherson
• Susan Wolf
• Matt Rodgers
• Dan Kenney
• David Adamo
• Robert Wolkome
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Council provided direction to staff to retain the Short-Term Rental Program, and return to council at a later date with amendments to the current ordinance. Staff received direction to loosen some of the restrictions initially set forth in the original ordinance with hopes to encourage more participation, and provide less oversight and enforcement of the program.
7. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
March 4, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 (Discussion begins at 2:20:35 / 2:37:27 https://youtu.be/e3bE86vnJVI?si=-sW5TSjyycPJ2p5k&t=8435) Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff recognized Associate Planner Tracy Hegarty for her service to the Town of Corte Madera in the past ten years. He also announced that Tim Barry was appointed Division I President of the Parks and Recreation Society. He announced receiving a letter of appreciation on the quick turnaround of the conditions of the dog park thanks to the work of Sydney Bliss and the Maintenance Team. Wolff added that the pickleball court grand opening was coming up and that interviews for Finance Director were going to be held tomorrow. The State of the Town will be held at the Best Western in mid-April. He also announced the first Annual Volunteer Fair that will be held at the Community Center on April 19th.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Ravasio: She attended and spoke at the Endless Quest ribbon cutting, will be at the pickleball ribbon cutting, attended the Marin Healthy Youth meeting, had a meeting with Mayor Way of Larkspur, attended a Chamber of Commerce Board meeting and announced the Redwood High School Jazz and Blues band is having a concert on March 14th.
Vice Mayor Thomas: She attended the NRG Timely topics session and a Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) meeting.
Councilmember Andrews: He attended the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) orientation, a TAM board meting, Marin Wildfire meeting and a meeting for the Twin Cities Disaster Preparedness Committee.
Councilmember Beckman: He attended a MCE meeting, an honoration for Lee and John Howard organized by the Mariner Cove NRG, the ribbon cutting for Endless Quest and he ended the report by announcing a new restaurant called Mijo has opened in Corte Madera.
Councilmember Casissa: He attended an Age-Friendly Corte Madera meeting, Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) board meeting, a Marin Transit meeting, and a MCCMC meeting.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, March 18, 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 9:08PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.