MINUTES OF MAY 20, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=u2190Pk4ogyxMeeE 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 May 20, 2025 at 6:30PM.
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
Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Police Captain Hamid Khalili
Lieutenant Alberto Duenas
Finance Director Chris Petlock
Director of Public Works RJ Suokko
Senior Civil Engineer Chris Good
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 3 individuals:
• Tania Weiss, President of the Corte Madera Town Band
• Kim Bishop, Vice President of the Corte Madera Town Band • Scottie Spurzem
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. PRESENTATIONS: None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(Discussion begins at 9:00 / 3:43:10 https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=gdY-5Teh0gHnWYVQ&t=540) 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.
May 20, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 Mayor Ravasio asked if there were requests from Council or staff for removal of items from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Ravasio called for a motion on the consent calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to approve Consent Calendar items 4.A. through 4.
4.G.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
4.A. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 1044 Adding Section 15.02.035 to Chapter 15.02 – Fire Code – to Designate a Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone in Corte Madera
4.B. Adopt Resolution No. 21/2025 Allowing Two Temporary Signs in the Public Right-ofWay from June 1, 2025 to July 15, 2025 Publicizing the Corte Madera Community Foundation Summer Concert Series at Piccolo Pavilion
4.C. Adopt Resolution No. 22/2025 Approving the FY 2025/26 SB1 Project List and Funding of Gas Tax Expenditures Per Senate Bill No. 1 (SB1): The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
4.D. Accept Quarterly Investment Report for Period Ending March 31, 2025
4.E. Acknowledge and File Accounts Payable Warrants for April 2025
4.F. Approve Minutes of the May 6, 2025 Town Council Closed Session Meeting
4.G. Approve Minutes of the May 6, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.A. Consideration and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance Adding a New Chapter 10.74 to Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic – of the Corte Madera Municipal Code (CMMC) that Would Prohibit Those Under 16 Years of Age From Operating a Class 2 E-Bike as Defined in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5, and Require Any Person Operating a Class 2 E-Bike to Wear a Helmet in the Town of Corte Madera Effective July 1, 2025 (Discussion begins at 9:56 / 3:43:10 https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=zvRpWtesiiUN1mt6&t=596) Central Marin Police Authority Police Captain Hamid Khalili introduced Lieutenant Alberto Duenas and then proceeded to introduce the item. He then provided a presentation to Council. Town Attorney Amy Ackerman assisted Khalili and Duenas with responding to questions from Council.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 5 individuals:
• Karl Spurzem
• David Bell
• Gwen Furough
• Scottie Spurzem
• Alex Iavarone
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. Following further discussion, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Andrews) to introduce the ordinance as presented.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
5.B. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 23/2025 Approving the Base Rate Change Application of Mill Valley Refuse Services, Inc. to Enable a Fair Rate of Return as Required Under the Existing Franchise Agreement by Increasing by 2.80% the Current Maximum Rates that May be Charged for Delivery of Solid Waste Collection and Dual-Stream Recycling Services with Rates and Terms and Conditions Effective July 1, 2025
(Discussion begins at 49:50 / 3:43:10 https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=LN5KxLdmCd0Ieqq4&t=2990) Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council. Vaughn then proceeded to introduce Gene Della Zoppa and Alex Iavarone of Mill Valley Refuse Service (MVRS). Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn, Gene Della Zoppa and Alex May 20, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 Iavarone answered 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 discussion, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Andrews/Beckman) to adopt Resolution No. 23/2025.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
5.C. Discussion and Acceptance of Annual Report on Staff Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts as Required Under AB 2561
(Discussion begins at 1:00:59 / 3:43:10 https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=oU4L1Sn9Iur14VNN&t=3659) Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council. Town Manager Adam Wolff provided some comments related to the item. Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn answered 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 discussion, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
Staff confirmed Council action was not required for this item. Mayor Ravasio moved on to the next item.
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.A. Discussion of Draft Fiscal Year 25/26 Capital Projects Budget and Draft Five-Year Capital Projects Plan, including Projected Expenditures from the Sales Tax Override Fund
(Discussion begins at 1:13:00 / 3:43:10 https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=KI1SY-H0eb9RVXV0&t=4380) Town Manager Adam Wolff introduced the item. With the assistance of Director of Public Works RJ Suokko and Senior Civil Engineer Chris Good a presentation was provided to Council. Staff 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 discussion, Mayor Ravasio thanked staff for the information and moved on to the next item.
6.B. Discussion and Direction to Staff on Proceeding with Detailed Design for the Menke Park Accessibility Improvements Project, Project #24-006
(Discussion begins at 2:05:48 / 3:43:10 https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=cYG8ph7Pn3lS0b5G&t=7548) Public Works Director RJ Suokko introduced the item and presented the staff report. He and Town Manager Adam Wolff discussed details about the project with the assistance of the Community Foundation’s President, Peter Chase. Wolff, Suokko and Chase responded to questions from Council.
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 discussion, Council declared support for this project and provided direction to staff on proceeding with the detailed design for the Menke Park Accessibility Improvements Project, Project #24-006. Council also created an ad hoc subcommittee that would work on this project with staff. Mayor Ravasio and Councilmember Andrews volunteered to serve on the ad hoc subcommittee.
May 20, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4
7. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
(Discussion begins at 2:50:10 / 3:43:10 https://youtu.be/VO9iIo2fzA0?si=gMuAB9-QWPtTP8K4&t=10210) Town Manager: No report was provided.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Ravasio: She recognized Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn for her work on the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) event held at Town Hall.
Vice Mayor Thomas: She attended the Central Marin Fire Council meeting.
Councilmember Andrews: No report was provided.
Councilmember Beckman: No report was provided.
Councilmember Casissa: He attended the Central Marin Police Council meeting, Safe Routes to School meeting, and the Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce event at Wheelhouse.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, June 3, 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 9:25PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.