MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=WtuPfOVrFZlsPThi 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 October 21, 2025 at 6:32PM.
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
Fire Chief Ruben Martin
Chief Building Official Bernie Zipay
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 via email after publication of the agenda. Open Time Public Comment can be found on the Town’s website:
www.cortemadera.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6364
From attendees in person and on Zoom during the meeting, Council received public comment from 2 individuals:
• Don Wihlborg
• Roy Wolford
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. PRESENTATIONS: None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(Discussion begins at 8:23 / 1:41:19 https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=Oaa9-5H2xxi2iTGz&t=503) Mayor Ravasio asked if there were requests from Council or staff for removal of items from the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Andrews requested the removal of item 4.B. from the consent calendar. There were no additional requests from Council to pull items from the Consent Calendar.
October 21, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 Mayor Ravasio asked if there were public comments or requests from the public for removal of items from the consent calendar.
Roy Wolford supported the request by Councilmember Andrews to pull item 4.B. from the Consent Calendar. There were no additional requests from members of the public to pull items from the consent calendar.
No public comments were received on the remaining consent calendar items.
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment.
Mayor Ravasio called for a motion on the remaining items of the consent calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Andrews) to approve Consent Calendar items 4.A. and 4.C. 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. 39/2025 Allowing Three Temporary Signs in the Public Right-ofWay from November 5, 2025 to December 19, 2025 Publicizing the Registration Period for the Upcoming Twin Cities Girls Softball Season
4.C. Acknowledge and File Accept Accounts Payable Warrants for September 2025
4.D. Approve Minutes of the October 7, 2025 Town Council Special Meeting
4.E. Approve Minutes of the October 7, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting Mayor Ravasio returned to consent calendar 4.B.
4.B. Adopt Resolution No. 40/2025 Supporting the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (Discussion begins at 10:45 / 1:41:19 https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=wWv3B1GKXm6ygjfA&t=645) Councilmember Andrews initiated the discussion on the item. Council contributed to the discussion.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment via email after publication of the agenda. Public Comment can be found on the Town’s website:
http://www.cortemadera.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6365 From attendees in person and on Zoom during the meeting, Council received public comment from 2 individuals:
• Melody Schumacher
• Roy Wolford
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. After further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Casissa) to approve item 4.B..
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-1 (Andrews opposed) in favor of the motion.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.A. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt Ordinance No. 1048 Amending Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) of the Corte Madera Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code and Local Amendments Thereto by: Repealing and Reenacting Chapters 15.01, 15.03, 15.05, 15.06, 15.07,
15.08, 15.09, 15.11, 15.13, 15.15, 15.17 , and 15.19, Adopting by Reference and Amending as Noted Parts 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12 of the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) Incorporating the 2025 California Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, Historical Building Code, Existing Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, and Referenced Standards Code; and Creating a New Chapter 15.18, Adopting by Reference the 2024 International Property Maintenance October 21, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 Code; and Finding that Adoption of the Ordinance is Exempt from Environmental Review Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines; and Adopting Findings of Fact Supporting the Amendments to the Codes
(Discussion begins at 27:36 / 1:41:19 https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=MrHGpKL5A99nhGWe&t=1656) Chief Building Official Bernie Zipay presented the item, which was introduced at the October 7, 2025 Council meeting and with the assistance of Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator Phoebe Goulden, 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 deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Thomas) to adopt Ordinance No. 1048.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
5.B. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt Ordinance No. 1049 Repealing and ReEnacting Chapter 15.02, Adopting the 2025 California Fire Code and 2024 International Fire Code with Amendments Supported by Local Findings, Prescribing Regulations Governing Conditions Hazardous to Life and Property from Fire or Explosion; Providing for the Issuance of Permits for Hazardous Uses or Operations; and Define the Powers and Duties of the Central Marin Fire Authority and Officers; and Finding that Adoption of the Ordinance is Exempt From Environmental Review Pursuant To CEQA Guidelines (Discussion begins at 31:58 / 1:41:19 https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=PTx0AdOoMdb09i7U&t=1918) Fire Chief Ruben Martin presented the item which was introduced at the October 7, 2025 Council meeting. Chief Martin 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 deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Andrews/Thomas) to adopt Ordinance No. 1049.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
5.C. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt Ordinance No. 1050 Amending Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) of the Corte Madera Municipal Code by Repealing and Reenacting Chapter 15.04, Adopting the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland Urban Interface Code and 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code, Prescribing Regulations Governing the Mitigation of Hazard to Life and Property from the Intrusion of Fire from Wildfire Exposures, From Adjacent Structures and Prevention of Structure Fires from Spreading to Wildland Fuels in the Town of Corte Madera; Further Providing for the Issuance of Permits and Defining the Powers and Duties of the Central Marin Fire Authority and Officers; Adopting Findings of Facts Supporting the amendments to the Codes; and Finding that Adoption of the Ordinance is Exempt from Environmental Review Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
(Discussion begins at 35:16 / 1:41:19 https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=2ksCUtnMKF2Xx4Ui&t=2116) Fire Chief Ruben Martin presented the item which was introduced at the October 7, 2025 Council meeting. Chief Martin 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 deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Andrews) to adopt Ordinance No. 1050.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
October 21, 2025 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.A. Consideration and Possible Action to Authorize Staff to Refurbish Town Park Plaza Furnishings, Appropriate a Maximum of $32,670, and Direct Staff to Finalize ADACompliant Furniture Selection and Layout and Install New Furniture (Discussion begins at 38:56 / 1:41:19 https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=BdPZsn4FwXDiaccC&t=2336) Town Manager Adam Wolff introduced the item and Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn provided a presentation to Council which included some project history and context to the Town Workplan. Mayor Ravasio, who initially requested this project be added to the 2025 Staff Work Plan, contributed to the presentation by discussing her vision of the Town Park Plaza. Parks and Recreation Director Tim Barry was also present for this item and assisted Ravasio, Vaughn and Wolff with responding to questions from Council.
Mayor Ravasio opened up the item for public comment.
Council received public comment from 4 individuals:
• Pati Stoliar
• Alden Miles
• Suzi Beatie
• David MacPherson
Mayor Ravasio closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Mayor Ravasio called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Andrews/Thomas) to approve the item as requested.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
7. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
(Discussion begins at 1:28:32 / 1:41:19 https://youtu.be/ICGIxx0ghzQ?si=N-Y7DFIo0qNPxrBo&t=5312) Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff announced funding has been reallocated for the Highway 101/Tamalpais Overcrossing Project. He announced that the first two police electric vehicles have been outfitted and are now on patrol. He stated a lot of progress has been made on the mural. He announced that he would be attending the Bay Cities Conference in Santa Cruz.
He also announced that staff would be participating in an all-day retreat in Mill Valley on October 28th.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Ravasio: She announced that Mayor Kate Collins would be attending the November 18th Sanitary District Board meeting to speak about the operations agreement between San Rafael Sanitation District (SRSD) and Central Marin Sanitation Agency (CMSA). She attended Oktoberfest and announced that the volunteer dinner would be taking place next month.
Vice Mayor Thomas: She attended Oktoberfest.
Councilmember Andrews: He met with Kate Collins to discuss what is being considered for the SRSD and CMSA operational agreement and stated he is comfortable with Councilmember Beckman continuing to serve as the Town’s proxy for that work.
Councilmember Beckman: He attended the annual League of California Cities Conference in Long Beach, a CMSA Board meeting and CMSA Finance Committee meeting. Lastly, he attended the Redwood High School groundbreaking ceremony for their Fine Arts buildings.
Councilmember Casissa: He attended Oktoberfest, a Marin County Infill Builders Foundation meeting, Redwood High School groundbreaking ceremony, a Southern Marin Public Transit workshop and had a chance to speak to the mural artist.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, November 4, 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 8:14PM to the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.