MINUTES OF AUGUST 5, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=I2cL6e9UftZu4CCj 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 August 5, 2025 at 6:35PM.
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 Attorney Ann Danforth
Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Fire Chief Ruben Martin
Interim Director of Public Works Chris Good
Community Development Director Amy Lyle
Principal Planner Martha Battaglia
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 3 individuals:
• Corte Madera resident
• Damian
• Tracy Lotterman
• Roy Wolford
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. INTERVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANT
3.A. Interview Andrew Rodgers for Consideration for Appointment to Serve the Remainder of a Vacant Term on the Planning Commission Set to Expire on June 30, 2027 (Discussion begins at 15:28 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=neHK9J6i7WS6s95L&t=928) The Town Council interviewed Andrew Rodgers for consideration for appointment to serve the remainder of a vacant term on the Planning Commission. 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 Andrew the Friday before the meeting. Each question had an assigned time August 5, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 limit and was read out for him to respond to.
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.,
B. Three questions - two minutes each
1. What motivated you to apply for the Planning Commission? What experience and expertise would you bring to the Commission and what do you hope to accomplish by your participation?
(Please include the following information in your response:
• Do you have any experience with design, architecture or construction? • Can you read architectural plans, schematics and drawings?)
2. Do you have any conflicts that may prevent you from making an unbiased decision concerning agenda items? Are you a member of any organizations that may influence your decisions?
3. Have you had an opportunity to work with the Community Development Department’s Planning Division on any projects or do you have an understanding about how land use decisions are made?
(Please include the following information in your response:
• Have you attended a Commission meeting in the past or reviewed any recent agendas or minutes?
• What challenges do you see the Planning Commission facing in the next several years?
• Are you familiar with the duties of a Planning Commissioner)
4. Please describe your strengths and weaknesses as it relates to being a Commissioner, 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. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
• No public comments were received for this item.
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. After further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Thomas) to appoint Andrew Rodgers to serve the remainder of a vacant term on the Planning Commission.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
4. PRESENTATIONS:
(Discussion begins at 22:58 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=jQRA7JQuvyo1CJOZ&t=1378) 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 Vernon Santos for his service to the Town of Corte Madera as Santos is retiring. Santos, who was accompanied by his wife, sons and daughter, stood before the Council and provided a few words.
Councilmembers thanked Santos for his work and dedication to the Town of Corte Madera.
Town Manager Adam Wolff provided brief remarks and thanked Santos for all of the work and accomplishments during 28 years. Wolff then presented Santos with a recognition from the Town.
Mayor Ravasio thanked Santos for all of the work he provided the Town for almost three decades. She then moved on to the next item.
August 5, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(Discussion begins at 28:07 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=BB9YP-fDn4kcLfzi&t=1687) 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 (Casissa/Thomas) to approve Consent Calendar items 5.A. through 5.I.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
5.A. Second Reading and Possible Adoption of Ordinance No. 1047 Amending Chapter
10.40 of Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic– of the Corte Madera Municipal Code to Regulate Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces
5.B. Authorize the Interim Public Works Director to Execute and Record the Notice of Completion for the Casa Buena Complete Streets Project, #15-021
5.C. Authorize the Interim Public Works Director to Execute and Record the Notice of Completion for the Town Park Pickleball Court Project, #24-005
5.D. Adopt Resolution No. 32/2025 Establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026
5.E. Adopt Resolution No. 33/2025 Allowing Six Temporary Signs in the Public Right-of-Way from August 6, 2025 through September 15, 2025 Publicizing the Corte Madera Lions Club EV & Classic Car Show Fundraiser Scheduled for September 13, 2025
5.F. Acknowledge and File Accounts Payable Warrants for June 2025
5.G. Accept Quarterly Investment Report for Period Ending June 30, 2025
5.H. Approve Minutes of the July 1, 2025 Town Council Special Meeting
5.I. Approve Minutes of the July 1, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Public Hearing to Consider Appeal Application PL25-0027 Requesting Reversal of the Planning Commission’s Approval of Major Design Review Application PL24-0048 and Major Variance Application PL25-0016 for a Second Driveway at 800 Corte Madera Avenue, Including Retaining Walls Exceeding Three Feet in Height Within the Required Rear Yard Setback
(Discussion begins at 29:09 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=Q7alDaUWwakN0EUu&t=1749) Mayor Ravasio explained the procedure that would be held to ensure a fair hearing for the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision. The order of proceedings and time limits would be as follows:
• Statements disclosing Ex Parte Communications
• Staff report and Council questions for staff
• Open public portion of the hearing
• Presentation by appellant (10 minutes)
• Presentation by applicant (10 minutes)
• Council questions for appellant, applicant and/or staff • Public comment
• Rebuttal by applicant (5 minutes)
• Rebuttal by appellant (5 minutes)
• Final Council questions of applicant and appellant
• Final Council questions of staff
• Close public portion of hearing
August 5, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4 • Council discussions, deliberation and findings and motion(s) Principal Planner Martha Battaglia introduced the item and with the assistance of Assistant Town Attorney Ann Danforth provided a presentation to Council. Fire Chief Ruben Martin, Town Manager Adam Wolff, Town Attorney Amy Ackerman, Interim Public Works Director Chris Good, Assistant Town Attorney Ann Danforth, and Principal Planner Martha Battaglia answered questions from Council.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the public portion of the hearing. (Discussion begins at 29:09 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=Q7alDaUWwakN0EUu&t=1749) Presentation by appellant was received.
(Discussion begins at 1:08:17 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=UEsbSHsQaNRhRj-6&t=4097) Presentation by applicant was received.
(Discussion begins at 1:19:07 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=Sw9po2fhWPJQNkdU&t=4747) Council questions for appellant, applicant and/or staff (Discussion begins at 1:31:08 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=wYIzffmp_7jg8ZoP&t=5468) Public comment was received.
(Discussion begins at 1:53:22 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=jBx9wqVDnKpjQ0Dk&t=6802) For the public comment portion of the hearing, Council received public comment from residents of Corte Madera. The comments received via email after publication of the agenda can be found on the Town’s website:
www.cortemadera.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6302
From attendees in person and on Zoom during the meeting, Council received 26 comments from residents of Corte Madera.
During the Public Comment period, Council arrived at the 9:30 hour of the evening. Per the Council Rules of Order Section 6.10: Meeting End Time, a majority vote is required when the meeting end time of 9:30PM has been reached and there is a need to continue the meeting to 10:00PM.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to extend meeting to 10:00PM.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment and continued with the order of proceedings. Each party was granted eight (8) minutes for their rebuttal as there was a request for more time from each side.
Rebuttal by applicant was received.
(Discussion begins at 2:59:28 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=6TVbZ1hIuFdDZ2aq&t=10768) Additional Information was provided by the applicant.
Grant Deed for 800 Corte Madera Avenue
Letter regarding threats of violence against applicants Chapman Park Map
Rebuttal by appellant
(Discussion begins at 3:12:03 / 4:45:46
https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=oYHDOBrCTwzNg0eZ&t=11523) Council arrived at the 10:00 hour of the evening. Per the Council Rules of Order Section 6.10:
Meeting End Time, a majority vote is required when the meeting end time of 10:00PM has been reached and there is a need to continue the meeting to 10:30PM.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Beckman) to extend meeting to 10:30PM.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Final Council questions of applicant, appellant, and of staff (Discussion begins at 3:18:44 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=SEQ-3wI4smXpXtzV&t=11924) Close public portion of hearing and Council discussions, deliberation and findings and motion(s) (Discussion begins at 3:53:36 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=ycpSxsQkASMQwywj&t=14016) August 5, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 5 Council arrived at the 10:30 hour of the evening. Per the Council Rules of Order Section 6.10:
Meeting End Time, a majority vote is required when the meeting end time of 10:30PM has been reached and there is a need to continue the meeting to 11:00PM.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Beckman) to extend meeting to 11:00PM.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Council deliberated on the item and stated their findings.
Mayor Ravasio stated she had concerns that the applicant did not recognize that over the decades, the subdivision has become a public right away. The applicant’s attorney stated that is not correct. Mayor Ravasio asked that his comment stating that her concern was incorrect be added to the record.
Mayor Ravasio called for other comments or for a motion. (Discussion begins at 4:17:25 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=f8p5eY-5rF5cBgxN&t=15445) MOTION: It was moved by Thomas to deny the appeal and adopt Resolution No. 34/2025.
Casissa seconded with two modifications. He would like to see the applicant post a bond and he would leave it to staff to determine the amount. The second was to have the applicant provide renderings to have a better visual.
Thomas was in support of the modifications.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 2-3 (Opposed by Andrews, Beckman and Ravasio) not in favor of the motion.
Mayor Ravasio tried a second motion.
(Discussion begins at 4:18:39 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=yhgTdZZOqMGdofty&t=15519) MOTION: It was moved by Ravasio to choose option number 2 to modify the Planning Commission’s action by changing the conditions of approval and associated findings and require staff to come back to Council with a modified resolution.
She added that what she would propose is that in order to restore Alta Woods to its current or better condition, that not only a bond be posted but that the applicant agree to work with a committee made up of residents, maybe the Alta Woods Homeowners Association and the Town to design and select plantings and whatever the public wants. She stated that something should be given to the community to make up for their losses and that she felt it is her responsibility to do that. She also explained that she did not know how what she said is a motion.
Assistant Town Attorney Ann Danforth interjected. She added that as stated, that would be a very difficult condition of approval to enforce. It would be easier for staff to implement that condition of approval if the Public Works Director be allowed the final decision after consultation will all the foregoing parties. She said this would help there not be a log jam happening between the applicant and the neighbors.
Ravasio added that she wants the neighbors to have a voice in the woods and have some control on what’s done over the funds that are available for the restoration. She said she did not know how to word it.
Vice Mayor Thomas asked if the denial failed since a vote was already taken.
Assistant Town Attorney Ann Danforth there was a motion and a second and a vote and the motion failed. It would then be up to the Council to decide if they can formulate a motion that can garner a majority vote.
Councilmember Beckman added his thoughts and stated he does not think he can make the findings and in light of that he made an alternative motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Andrews) to approve the appeal and overturn the Planning Commission decision.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 3-2 (Casissa and Thomas opposed) in favor of the motion.
Town Manager Wolff announced that the there was a need for Council to take action on Business Item 7.A. and the remaining portion of the agenda would be continued to the next Council meeting.
Mayor Ravasio continued with the meeting.
Council arrived at the 11:00 hour of the evening. Per the Council Rules of Order Section 6.10:
Meeting End Time, a majority vote is required when the meeting end time of 11:00PM has been reached and there is a need to continue the meeting to 11:30PM.
August 5, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 6 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Casissa) to extend meeting to 11:30PM.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
7. BUSINESS ITEMS
7.A. Consideration and Possible Action to Authorize the Interim Director of Public Works to Approve the Plans and Contract Documents, Authorize the Advertisement for Bids, and Award a Construction Contract to the Lowest Responsible and Responsive Bidder for the Base Bid Amount, Not to Exceed $3,250,000 Plus a 10% Contingency for the Madera Gardens Complete Streets Project, No. 24-003
(Discussion begins at 4:25:40 / 4:45:46 https://youtu.be/o8n6VfxSrB0?si=nCLf1UfY6ee0I6lR&t=15940) Interim Public Works Director Chris Good introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council. With the assistance of Town Manager Adam Wolff, Good 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. After further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to approve the item as requested.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Casissa) to adjourn.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ravasio adjourned the meeting at 11:18PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.