MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/ja9HDKa1gI0?si=znMdT0OURAY1egsG 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 Thomas called the meeting of the Town Council to order in the Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, on January 6, 2026 at 6:36PM.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Thomas, Vice Mayor Casissa, Councilmembers Andrews, Beckman and Ravasio
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Adam Wolff
Town Attorney Amy Ackerman
Assistant Town Attorney Ann Danforth (Virtual)
Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Fire Chief Ruben Martin
Interim Public Works Director Chris Good
Finance Director Chris Petlock
Code Enforcement and Communications Manager Mike Morarity Associate Planner Tracy Hegarty (Virtual)
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera
2. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received a comment via email prior to the start of the meeting. During the meeting, comments were received from the following individuals:
• Bob Mittelstaedt
• Suzi Beatie
• David Bell
• Lauren Crosgrove
• Robin
• Corinne Grant
• Roy Wolford
• Pati Stoliar
• Elizabeth and John
• Peter Butt
• Lucinda Smith
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period.
Town Manager Adam Wolff addressed the Council with a report on the Town’s response to the tidal flooding that occurred over the past four days.
Report begins at 23:30 https://youtu.be/ja9HDKa1gI0?si=ewHlKHv5zu_XuB3B&t=1410 January 6, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 Public comment and questions from Council were not taken on this item as it was only a report out and not an item for discussion.
3. INTERVIEW OF COMMISSION ON AGING APPLICANT
3.A. Interview Ann Sparkman for Consideration for Appointment to Serve the Remainder of a Vacant Term on the Marin County Commission on Aging Set to Expire on June 30, 2026
Discussion begins at 36:05 https://youtu.be/ja9HDKa1gI0?si=sR88HzmW3TMMfkVR&t=2165 The Town Council interviewed the applicant for consideration. Mayor Thomas explained that the questions for each interview would be read out and that they were the same questions that were provided to the applicant via email. Each question had an assigned time limit and was read out for the applicant to respond to.
The interview questions used for the Commission on Aging 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 for the Commission on Aging and what do you hope to accomplish by your participation?
2. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing older adults and family caregivers in Marin County today?
3. How do you see the role of the Commission in promoting dignity, independence, and quality of life for older adults and caregivers in Marin County?
4. How would you encourage broader community input and engagement with the Commission’s work?
D. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
No public comments were received from attendees in person or from remote participants.
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period. After further deliberation, Mayor Thomas called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Andrews) to appoint Ann Sparkman to serve the remainder of a vacant term expiring on June 30, 2026 on the Marin County Commission on Aging expiring.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
PRESENTATIONS: None
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Discussion begins at 44:54 https://youtu.be/ja9HDKa1gI0?si=pbYDY0UFHoiYx0Mj&t=2694 Mayor Thomas 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 Thomas 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.
No public comments were received from attendees in person or from remote participants.
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period.
Thomas called for a motion on the consent calendar.
January 6, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Beckman) to approve Consent Calendar items 5.A. through
5.D.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar items consisted of the following:
5.A. Authorize the Interim Director of Public Works to Execute an Addendum to the Existing Design Contract with BKF Engineers for the Paradise Drive Complete Streets Project – Westward to Robin, Project No. 21-012 for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $60,000
5.B. Adopt Ordinance No. 1056 Extending a Fire Impact Fee Urgency Ordinance Previously Adopted on December 16, 2025 to Establish Development Impact Fees for Fire Protection, Including Findings that the Ordinance is Necessary to Resolve a Current and Immediate Threat to the Public Health, Safety, and Welfare Requiring Immediate Implementation of an Urgency Ordinance
5.C. Approve Minutes of the December 16, 2025 Town Council Special Meeting
5.D. Approve Minutes of the December 16, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. First Reading and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance Related to the Subdivision and Development of Qualified Senate Bill (SB) 9 Projects and Amending Portions of Title 17 (Subdivisions), Title 18 (Zoning), and Title 22 (Objective Design and Development Standards) of the Corte Madera Municipal Code
Discussion begins at 45:58 https://youtu.be/ja9HDKa1gI0?si=s2A2vCN6o3UMiXp_&t=2758 Principal Planner Martha Battaglia and Fire Chief Ruben Martin introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council. Staff responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received comments from the following individuals:
• Corinne Grant
• Albert Dilemma
• Lucinda Smith
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period. Following further deliberation, Mayor Thomas 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.
7. BUSINESS ITEMS: None
8. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Discussion begins at 1:25:11 https://youtu.be/ja9HDKa1gI0?si=ftrMsYHKP2lmoqCo&t=5111 Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff provided his report at the beginning of the meeting.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Thomas: She announced conducting a walk-through of Corte Madera was conducted alongside Congressman Jared Huffman to view the impacts from the recent flooding.
Vice Mayor Casissa: He attended the staff holiday lunch, and a Marin Transit meeting.
Councilmember Andrews: No report was provided.
Councilmember Beckman: He attended a Central Marin Sanitation Agency (CMSA) ad hoc committee meeting.
Councilmember Ravasio: She attended a Marin Healthy Youth meeting and Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) meeting.
9. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING January 6, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4
9.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Town Council Meeting Discussion begins at 1:30:52 https://youtu.be/ja9HDKa1gI0?si=MBIoIFRA2z9ct8VR&t=5452 Mayor Thomas asked staff for an item to discuss the e-bike conversation that has been brought up at various meetings. Town Manager Adam Wolff announced that the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) would be holding a discussion of this at their next meeting.
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received comments from the following individuals:
• David Bell
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:11PM to the next Town Council meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.