MINUTES OF JANUARY 20, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=Zre_5nngCG3mMUV9 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 20, 2026 at 6:32PM.
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 Manager Rebecca Vaughn
Public Works Director Chris Good
Finance Director Chris Petlock
Community Development Director Amy Lyle (Virtual)
Parks and Recreation Director Tim Barry (Virtual)
Senior Civil Engineer Nick Cartagena
Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator Phoebe Goulden 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:
• Don Wihlborg
• Bret
• Ivy
• Marianna
• Lily
• Jeremiah Mock
• Laura Richards
• Dan Phipps
• Margie Peterson
• Andrew Foster
• Roy Wolford
• John Maa
• Bob Bundy
• Pamela Granger
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period.
January 20, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.A. Receive Update on Larkspur-Corte Madera School District Facilities, School Safety Initiatives, and Provide Comments on the Potential Consideration of a Bond Extension for a Special Election in June 2026
Discussion begins at 40:41 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=tq6wetUiDMuBoMO3&t=2441 The Town Council received a presentation from Dr. Brett Geithman, Superintendent and Dr.
Megan Atkins, District Business Official. Together they responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received comments from the following individuals:
• Kiko Lam Hoskins
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period and thanked Geithman and Atkins for the presentation.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Discussion begins at 1:06:00 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=UyTGrDoZajlP8ogb&t=3960 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.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Casissa) 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. Acknowledge and File Accounts Payable Warrants for December 2025
4.B. Accept the General Fund Revenue and Expense Report for November and December 2025
4.C. Approve Minutes of January 6, 2026 Town Council Closed Session Special Meeting
4.D. Approve Minutes of the January 6, 2026 Town Council Regular Meeting
4.E. Approve Minutes of the January 6, 2026 Town Council Special Meeting
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.A. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt Ordinance No. 1057 Amending Title 6 (Health and Sanitation) of the Corte Madera Municipal Code to Amend Chapter 6.10 (Reusable Foodware Ordinance) and Repeal and Reenact Chapter 6.18 (Regulation of Single-Use Carryout Bags) to Align with Senate Bills 1053 and 1046 Discussion begins at 1:07:07 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=fs172GvfGMSBX0CI&t=4027 Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator Phoebe Goulden presented the item to Council. Staff responded to questions from Council.
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. Following further deliberation, Mayor Thomas called for a motion.
January 20, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Ravasio) to adopt Ordinance No. 1057.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-1 (Andrews opposed) in favor of the motion.
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.A. Consideration and Possible Action to: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 02/2026 Approving the Town of Corte Madera ADA Self-Assessment Report; and 2) Authorize the Public Works Director to Execute an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Altura Solutions, LLC, Increasing the Not-to-Exceed Amount by $12,320 for a Revised Total Contract Amount of $196,190
Discussion begins at 1:07:07 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=fs172GvfGMSBX0CI&t=4027 Public Works Director Chris Good introduced the item and assisted Senior Civil Engineer Nick Cartagena with the introduction of the presentation to Council. Jesus Lardizabal, Founder of Altura Solutions, LLC assisted with the presentation and with responding to questions from Council.
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received comments from the following individuals:
• Roy Wolford
• Pati Stoliar
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period. Following further deliberation, Mayor Thomas called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Beckman) to adopt Resolution No. 02/2026 and provide authorization to staff as requested.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
6.B. Consideration and Possible Action to Authorize the Public Works Director 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 $420,000 Plus a 10% Contingency for the Menke Park Improvements Project, Project No. 24-006
Discussion begins at 1:42:03 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=oXxy6IpQi7Y-ijVq&t=6123 Public Works Director Chris Good introduced the item and assisted Senior Civil Engineer Nick Cartagena with the introduction of the presentation to Council. Together they responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received comments from the following individuals:
• Pati Stoliar
• Bob Bundy
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period. Following further deliberation, Mayor Thomas called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Beckman) to approve the item as requested.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
6.C. Consideration and Possible Action to Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement for Legal Services with Redwood Public Law, LLP Discussion begins at 2:09:57 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=h7JQ8Zi6eJrnNsX8&t=7797 Town Manager Adam Wolff presented the item. Town Manager Adam Wolff continued with the item and responded to questions from Council.
Councilmember Ravasio made a motion.
MOTION: To continue the item to a date certain so that the council can complete its evaluation and correct the record before approving a contract.
January 20, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4 Mayor Thomas explained that Council should continue with the standard process of asking questions of staff, receiving public comment and then holding Council discussion before taking votes on the motion.
Town Attorney Amy Ackerman explained to Council the options available should the item be continued.
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received comments from the following individuals:
• Jana Haehl
• Pati Stoliar
• Bob Bundy
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period. Following further deliberation, Mayor Thomas asked if there was a second to the motion currently on the floor.
Vice Mayor Casissa made a motion.
MOTION: To authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement for legal services with Redwood Public Law, LLP.
Town Attorney Ackerman explained that a motion must be seconded otherwise the motion fails.
Councilmember Andrews seconded the motion.
Being that there were now two motions on the floor, Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera asked Councilmember Andrews for clarification on what motion he was seconding. Andrews clarified he was referring to Vice Mayor Casissa’s motion.
The motion made by Councilmember Ravasio died. However, she asked that the record reflect that she was in disagreement with the wording of the staff report stating that “council reached a consensus” as her recollection of what occurred at the meeting was different and that was the reason she had made her motion.
Mayor Thomas called for the motion made by Casissa.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Andrews) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement for legal services with Redwood Public Law, LLP.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-1 (Ravasio opposed) in favor of the motion.
6.D. Discussion and Possible Action by the Mayor to Appoint One Councilmember and Two Planning Commissioners to Serve on the Town’s Building Code Appeals Board Discussion begins at 2:26:05 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=axP88_PLkyhloXGI&t=8765 Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera presented the item and responded to questions from Council.
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. Mayor Thomas proposed that due to his experience and background as an Architect, that Councilmember Beckman be the individual to serve on the Board. Following further deliberation, Mayor Thomas called for a motion to make the appointments to the Board.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Casissa/Andrews) to appoint Councilmember Beckman and Planning Commissioners Peter Chase and Daniel Kenney to the Building Code Appeals Board.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
6.E. Strategic Planning Workshop: Prioritization of Work Program Areas and Review and Direction of 2026 Draft Staff Work Plan
Discussion begins at 2:31:47 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=3ExMAvDGM9SkkgLW&t=9107 Town Manager Adam Wolff presented the item stating it was an opportunity for Council to bring up any questions or comments Council might have in relation to the material and the format for the workshop scheduled for Friday. Wolff responded to questions from council.
January 20, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes 5 Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council received comments from the following individuals:
• Roy Wolford
• Jeremiah Mock
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period and announced that no action was needed for this item.
8. TOWN MANAGER AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Discussion begins at 2:51:03 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=hZcUmhoUyqC8H3M7&t=10263 Town Manager: Town Manager Adam Wolff provided an update on the work being conducted post-flooding. He ended his report by thanking Town Attorney Ackerman for her time with the Town. Town Attorney Amy Ackerman explained that she would be working on the transition of attorneys and lastly she shared a few words regarding her time working for the Town and with all of the Town staff.
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/Andrews) to extend meeting to 9:45 PM.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Town Council Reports:
Mayor Thomas: She announced meeting with Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) staff to discuss e-bikes. She also attended climate action workshop one of five and a Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting.
Vice Mayor Casissa: He attended a CMPA special meeting and gave a shoutout to the CMPA staff working during the flooding events.
Councilmember Andrews: No report was provided.
Councilmember Beckman: No report was provided.
Councilmember Ravasio: She shared a few words about Doug McConnell and asked that a moment of silence be held in his honor.
8. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AGENDA FOR UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
8.A. Review of Draft Agenda for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 Town Council Meeting Discussion begins at 3:04:57 https://youtu.be/d9cUysLyQRU?si=gUiBc6h1dLrQhKyB&t=11097
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 9:37PM in memory of Doug McConnell to the next Town Council meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.