MINUTES OF JUNE 3, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING
FOR INTERVIEWS OF ADVISORY BODY APPLICANTS
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/KRXs_xuCbZc?si=n5MnypZicoMdxfM1 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 June 3, 2025 at 5:00PM.
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
Parks and Recreation Director Tim Barry
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 3 ONLY
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
No public comment was received via email or from in-person or online attendees.
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment.
3. INTERVIEWS OF ADVISORY BODY APPLICANTS
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera introduced the item and explained the process conducted in this year’s annual recruitment.
Mayor Ravasio thanked staff and explained to the applicants that the questions for the interviews would be read out and that they were the same questions that had been emailed to applicants the Friday before the meeting. Each question had an assigned time limit and would be read out for each applicant to respond to.
The Town Council interviewed applicants for consideration for appointment to serve a term on the body that was applied for. Upon the conclusion of the interviews for each advisory body, Council deliberated and took a vote on the appointments made.
A. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
(Discussion begins at 3:50 / 1:30:23 https://youtu.be/KRXs_xuCbZc?si=dLqyaLSjXxvZlY1i&t=230) Council interviewed the following individuals:
• Nikita Khanderia
• Brooke Hansen
The interview questions used for each Parks and Recreation Commission applicant included:
June 3, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 2 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.,
b. Four questions - two minutes each
1. What is it about the Parks and Recreation Commission that interests you? What qualities, experience, and expertise would you bring to this Commission?
2. What is your familiarity with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and what challenges do you see for Corte Madera Parks and Recreation in the next five years? How do you envision those challenges being addressed?
3. Corte Madera has many different types of residents, including, for example, families with young children, retirees with grown children, single people. As a Parks & Recreation commissioner, how would you balance the interests of these different groups?
4. Please describe your strengths and weaknesses as they relate to working with a group or, if applicable, serving as a committee member 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
Members serve at the pleasure of the Town Council and may be removed at any time by a majority of the Council vote. This Council would like to emphasize that attending meetings is a fundamental part of every member’s duties. Members are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings, or a minimum of 75% of meetings per fiscal year.
The Parks and Recreation Commission meets on the 4th Monday of each month, plus occasional special meetings as needed. Meetings begin at 6:30PM, run approximately 2 hours on average and Commissioners are required to attend in person. In addition to regular meeting attendance,
Commission members are expected to read the agenda materials provided (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting), and come prepared to discuss agenda items.
Committee members may also participate in ad-hoc subcommittees that conduct research and/or outreach outside of meeting times.
Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to the term you applied for on the Parks and Recreation Commission?
d. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera informed Council that for this body staff recommended appointing Nikita Khanderia to a two-year term commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2027 and appointing Brooke Hansen to a one-year term commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2026.
Council deliberated on the interviews conducted for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Thomas) to appoint Nikita Khanderia and Brooke Hansen as recommended.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
B. BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(Discussion begins at 29:42 / 1:30:23 https://youtu.be/KRXs_xuCbZc?si=DpgfTJ25ITDxBWgm&t=1782) Council interviewed the following individuals:
• David MacPherson (incumbent)
• Tony Garza (incumbent)
• Mike Strasser
June 3, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 3 The interview questions used for each Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee 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.,
b. Four questions - two minutes each
1. What motivated you to apply (or re-apply) for the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)? What experience and expertise would you bring to BPAC? (Please include the following information in your response:
• Do you have any experience with bicycle/pedestrian circulation, transportation safety, compliance with accessibility laws?)
2. Are you a member of any organizations that may influence your decisions? Do you have any conflicts that may prevent you from making an unbiased decision concerning agenda items? What do you hope to accomplish with your participation, should you be appointed to a seat on this committee?
3. Have you had an opportunity to work with the Department of Public Works (DPW) on any projects or do you have an understanding about how DPW operates when it comes to public projects? What challenges do you see BPAC facing in the next several years?
(Please include the following information in your response:
• Have you attended a Committee meeting in the past or reviewed any recent agendas or minutes?)
4. Please describe your strengths and weaknesses as they relate to working with a group or, if applicable, serving as a committee member and how would you describe your problem-solving style and strategies for dealing with difficult situations or decisionmaking 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 BPAC meets on the 2nd Monday of odd months. Meetings begin at 6:30PM, run approximately 2 hours on average and Committee Members are required to attend in person. In addition to regular meeting attendance, Committee Members are expected to read the agenda materials provided (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting) and come prepared to discuss agenda items.
Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to the term you applied for on BPAC?
d. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera informed Council that for this body, Council had the following appointment options:
a. Appoint two (2) applicants to fill two (2) seats on the BPAC b. Appoint only one (1) applicant to fill one (1) seat
c. Do not appoint any applicants
Council deliberated on the interviews conducted for the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Beckman) to appoint the two incumbents David MacPherson and Tony Garza to two-year terms beginning July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2027.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 2-3 (Noes: Andrews, Ravasio and Thomas). The motion was rejected.
Mayor Ravasio called for a second motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Thomas/Andrews) to appoint incumbent Tony Garza and new applicant Mike Strasser to two-year terms beginning July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2027.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 3-2 (Noes: Beckman, Casissa) in favor of motion.
C. CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE
(Discussion begins at 1:05:30 / 1:30:23 https://youtu.be/KRXs_xuCbZc?si=har-kyt5ZzkT2w3I&t=3930) June 3, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 4 Council interviewed the following individuals:
• Brittney Blair
• Penelope Trott
The interview questions used for each Climate Action Committee 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.,
b. Four questions - two minutes each
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Climate Action Committee? What goals 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. What is your familiarity with the Town’s climate goals, climate action workplan, and/or Climate Action Committee?
(Please include the following information in your response:
• Have you attended a Committee meeting in the past or reviewed any recent agendas or minutes?)
5. Please describe your strengths and weaknesses as they relate to working with a group or, if applicable, serving as a committee member and how would you describe your problem-solving style and strategies for dealing with difficult situations or decisionmaking 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 have an obligation to attend meetings in person, and are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings, or a minimum of 75% of meetings per fiscal year. They are also expected to read the agenda packet (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting) and come prepared to discuss agenda items at the meeting.
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 informed Council that for this body, Council had the following appointment options:
a. Appoint one (1) applicant to fill one (1) seat on the CAC b. Do not appoint any applicants
Barrera added that the CAC has created an alternative opportunity for youth to engage with the CAC through their student ambassador program. Student ambassador(s) serve as a volunteer liaison between the (CAC) and student populations within Corte Madera to help increase student involvement, foster dialogue between youth and the CAC, and encourage broader community engagement in local climate action efforts. This program is facilitated by Committee members and recruits annually for a one school year term. Since the student ambassador program allows for a lot more engagement than serving as an alternate youth member on the CAC, staff did not recommend appointing an alternate youth member to the CAC.
Council deliberated on the interviews conducted for the Climate Action Committee. Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
June 3, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 5 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Casissa) to appoint Penelope Trott to a one-year term beginning July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2026.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of motion.
4. DELIBERATIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF APPLICANTS TO SERVE TERMS FOR THE
DESIGNATED BODY
Upon the conclusion of the interviews for each advisory body, Council deliberated and took the votes recorded above.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ravasio adjourned the meeting at 6:31PM to the regular Town Council meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.