MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/Mq2nkFCQm1s?si=R56IJGwgZZB7OjOs 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 AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Thomas called the Meeting of the Town Council to order at the Town Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA on May 19, 2026 at 5:33PM.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Thomas, Vice Mayor Thomas, Councilmembers Andrews, Beckman and Casissa
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Adam Wolff
Town Attorney Richard Pio Roda
Community Development Director Amy Lyle
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 3 ONLY
Mayor Thomas opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received for item 3 during the meeting. However, Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera announced that there were comments received prior to the publication of the agenda and those comments were part of the agenda packet.
Mayor Thomas closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. INTERVIEW OF ADVISORY BODY APPLICANTS
The Town Council interviewed the applicants for consideration. Mayor Thomas explained that the questions for each interview would be read out and that they were the same questions that had been emailed the Friday before the meeting. Each question had an assigned time limit and was read out for each applicant to respond to.
3.A. PLANNING COMMISSION
Discussion begins at 1:28 https://youtu.be/Mq2nkFCQm1s?si=7gokeEmqMoq0M-f_&t=88 The interview questions used for the Planning Commission 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 May 19, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 2 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
Upon the conclusion of the interview, Council deliberated and took a vote on the appointment made.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Casissa) to appoint Michael Harlock to serve on the Planning Commission for a term beginning July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2028.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0 in favor of the motion.
3.B. BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Discussion begins at 14:01 https://youtu.be/Mq2nkFCQm1s?si=FxoEw06vMlZSoFRB&t=841 Councilmember Ravasio recused herself from this item as her husband, Bob Ravasio, was interviewing for a seat on this body.
The following individuals were scheduled for an interview in the order listed.
1. Bob Ravasio (incumbent)
2. Andrew Hoskins
3. Henry Faust (Incumbent)
4. David Macpherson
Mayor Thomas began the interview process with Bob Ravasio.
The interview questions used for the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee applicants 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 (or re-apply) for the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)? What experience and expertise would you bring to BPAC? (Please include the following information in your response:
• Do you have any experience with bicycle/pedestrian circulation, transportation safety, compliance with accessibility laws?)
2. Are you a member of any organizations that may influence your decisions? Do you have any conflicts that may prevent you from making an unbiased decision May 19, 2026 Corte Madera Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 3 concerning agenda items? What do you hope to accomplish with your participation, should you be appointed to a seat on this committee?
3. Have you had an opportunity to work with the Department of Public Works (DPW) on any projects or do you have an understanding about how DPW operates when it comes to public projects? What challenges do you see BPAC facing in the next several years?
(Please include the following information in your response:
• Have you attended a Committee meeting in the past or reviewed any recent agendas or minutes?)
4. Please describe your strengths and weaknesses as they relate to working with a group or, if applicable, serving as a committee member 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. Commitment Question – Yes or No Answer
The BPAC meets on the 2nd Monday of odd months. Meetings begin at 6:30pm, run approximately 2 hours on average and Committee Members are required to attend in person. In addition to regular meeting attendance, Committee Members are expected to read the agenda materials provided (typically posted the Friday prior to the meeting) and come prepared to discuss agenda items.
Considering these expectations, do you feel you are able to commit to the term you applied for on BPAC?
D. Closing Statement (Optional) - one minute
Prior to the start of Andrew Hoskins’ interview, Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera announced that Hoskins sent a text stating that he would not be able to conduct his interview as he was ill and therefore was withdrawing. Barrera stated that the remaining applicants were present in the room and prepared for their interview. However, Council could consider waiving the interviews for the remaining applicants as one was an incumbent and the other (David Macpherson) had recently served on BPAC and had been an incumbent for many years.
After some deliberation, Mayor Thomas called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Andrews) to appoint Bob Ravasio, Henry Faust and David Macpherson to the BPAC for seats commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2028.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-1 (Recused: Ravasio) in favor of the motion.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 6:01PM to the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:30PM.