MINUTES OF JULY 1, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/xadEKHL3VVo?si=j3zDm7P7fUhY7Syp 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 July 1, 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
Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Director of Public Works R.J. Suokko
Finance Director Chris Petlock
Parks and Recreation Director Tim Barry
Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator Phoebe Goulden 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 1 individual:
• Thomas Lynn
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. PRESENTATIONS: None
Town Manager Adam Wolff announced that there was not a presentation on the agenda, however, he wanted to take the opportunity to share a few words thanking R.J. Suokko for his service to the Town of Corte Madera as Suokko is retiring from the public sector and initiating his own private development company. Suokko, who was accompanied by his wife, son and daughter, stood at the podium and provided a few words to the Council.
Councilmembers thanked Suokko for his work and dedication to the Town of Corte Madera.
Town Manager Adam Wolff provided brief remarks and thanked Suokko for all of the work and accomplishments during a term of almost seven years. Wolff then presented Suokko with a recognition from the Town.
Mayor Ravasio wished Suokko best of luck and moved on to the next item.
July 1, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(Discussion begins at 13:59 / 2:51:32 https://youtu.be/xadEKHL3VVo?si=6af7PeHL2TSWwqcF&t=839) 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 to pull items from the Consent Calendar.
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 called for a motion on the consent calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Thomas/Beckman) to approve Consent Calendar items 4.A. through
4.E.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
4.A. Adopt Resolution No. 29/2025 Approving a Publicly Available Pay Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Per CalPERS Requirements
4.B. Approve the Statement of Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
4.C. Adopt the Proclamation of the Town Council of the Town of Corte Madera Dedicating the Corte Madera Town Hall Building
4.D. Approve Minutes of the June 17, 2025 Town Council Closed Session Special Meeting
4.E. Approve Minutes of the June 17, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.A. Discussion and Possible Action to (1) Introduce an Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.40 of Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic – of the Corte Madera Municipal Code to Regulate Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces and (2) Adopt Resolution No. 30/2025 Rescinding Resolution No. 42/2024 and Establishing the Amount of Penalties for Violating the Ordinance Regulating Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces
(Discussion begins at 14:58 / 2:51:32 https://youtu.be/xadEKHL3VVo?si=CEOuTHL2osieUvJz&t=898) Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator Phoebe Goulden introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council. Town Manager Adam Wolff assisted Goulden with responding to 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, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Thomas) to introduce the ordinance as presented and adopt Resolution No. 30/2025.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
5.B. Consideration and Possible Adoption of a Resolution No. 31/2025 Approving the Town Biannual Budget for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 (This is a two-meeting item, introduced on June 17, 2025) (Discussion begins at 46:31 / 2:51:32 https://youtu.be/xadEKHL3VVo?si=NwvrlXzQiS2iSxE2&t=2791) Finance Director Chris Petlock introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council with the assistance of Parks and Recreation Director Tim Barry. Town Manager Adam Wolff assisted Petlock and Barry with responding to questions from Council.
July 1, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 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, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to introduce the ordinance as presented and adopt Resolution No. 30/2025.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.A. (1) Consideration and Possible Action to Waive Competitive Bidding and Authorize the Town Manager to Negotiate the Terms of a New Agreement with Mill Valley Refuse Services for Collection, Removal and Delivery for Recycling, Processing and Disposal of Solid Waste; and (2) Provide Direction to the Town Manager Regarding the Preliminary Terms of a New Agreement
(Discussion begins at 1:19:10 / 2:51:32 https://youtu.be/xadEKHL3VVo?si=BfXTjWjeu8rEurrW&t=4750) Town Manager Adam Wolff introduced R3 Consultant Scott Hanin who was present to assist with the discussion of the item. Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera, alongside Town Manager Wolff and Scott Hanin provided a presentation to Council. Gene Della Zoppa, Alex Iavarone of Mill Valley Refuse Service were also present and assisted Wolff, Barrera and Hanin with responding 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. After further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to waive the competitive bidding process with respect to Mill Valley Refuse Service and the Town’s garbage contract.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Council continued the discussion in regards to the request from staff to provide direction to the Town Manager regarding the agreed upon preliminary terms for a new agreement. After further deliberation, Council directed staff to work toward adding an early Termination Clause to the new franchise agreement (between years 10 and 15).
Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to authorize the Town Manager to negotiate the terms of a new agreement with Mill Valley Refuse Service for collection, removal and delivery for recycling, processing, and disposal of solid waste with the direction provided by Council.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
7. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
(Discussion begins at 2:40:22 / 2:51:32 https://youtu.be/xadEKHL3VVo?si=WRZEao-AQN9k2fe-&t=9622) Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff spoke about the new smash burger micro-business operating in Menke Park. He added that staff is gathering feedback from the community regarding the business and this new pilot program. Lastly, he reminded council about his upcoming vacation and stated Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn will be in his place during his absence.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Ravasio: She attended the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) and announced that Vice Mayor Thomas is going to take her position as the liaison to the Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce.
Vice Mayor Thomas: No report was provided.
July 1, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4 Councilmember Andrews: He attended the Marin Wildfire meeting and Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting.
Councilmember Beckman: He attended the Central Marin Sanitation Agency Board meeting, a ribbon cutting for the new Corte Madera library and a meeting for the MCCMC.
Councilmember Casissa: He announced the upcoming Age-Friendly Corte Madera Nonagenarians and Centenarians event being held in August.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, August 5, 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 9:15PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.