MINUTES OF AUGUST 4, 2026
CLOSED SESSION SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE
CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting video available at: https://youtu.be/2TaPTlpFtYo?si=UXzrwRNDTP9kCaxw Note that video recordings of closed session meeting discussions are not conducted. Video recordings are paused once Council adjourns to closed session. Video recordings resume once Council reconvenes in open session and reports out of closed session.
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#
Note that video recordings of closed session meeting discussions are not conducted.
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
Mayor Thomas called the meeting of the Town Council to order in the Town Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA on August 4, 2026 at 5:00PM.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Thomas, Vice Mayor Casissa, Councilmembers Andrews, Beckman (Virtual), and Ravasio
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Adam Wolff
Town Attorney Richard Pio Roda
Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager Lorena Barrera Mayor Thomas announced that Councilmember Beckman requested for authorized remote attendance due to a contagious illness which is defined as “just cause” under Government Code Section 54953.8.3 subsection (c)(2).
Councilmember Beckman stated there was no one over the age of 18 present at the remote location with him.
Mayor Thomas proceeded with the meeting.
Discussion begins at 00:06:48 https://youtu.be/2TaPTlpFtYo?si=COXo2OZv9CXrK0qF&t=408 As a courtesy and at the request of Councilmember Ravasio, Town Attorney Richard Pio Roda announced that Councilmember Ravasio would be recusing herself from item 3.B. because of a common law conflict of interest related to acting with disinterest pertinent to a particular matter.
Councilmember Ravasio announced she is recusing at the request of the Town Attorney and against her own conscience and that she would do so provided that she was allowed to read a statement explaining her position.
Ravasio was directed to proceed with her statement. She stated the following: “Why an elected councilmember has a responsibility to protect public rights of way and open space. While no single California statute says a councilmember shall protect the public right of way, the combined effect of California law, local government principles and our oath of office points clearly in that direction.
California cities hold streets, public rights of ways, parks, and other municipalities in municipal property in trust for the benefit of the community. A designated public street or right of way remains a public asset unless and until it is lawfully vacated or otherwise disposed of through established legal procedures. That principle applies whether the right of way is heavily traveled or is an August 4, 2026 Town Council Closed Session Special Meeting Minutes 2 unopened paper street. Its existence as a public asset does not disappear simply because it has not been approved. The oath of office carries an obligation to protect the public’s interests.
Responsible people may disagree about the legal status of a particular parcel or right of way.
They may also disagree about the best policy outcome. What should not be controversial is that elected officials have a sworn duty to ask careful questions, seek accurate legal guidance, and protect the public’s interests before public assets are diminished, abandoned, or surrendered.
This is not advocacy for one side of a dispute. It is a fundamental service and faithful stewardship of the community’s resources. And with that, I will recuse myself upon the request of the Town Attorney for the good of the Town.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CLOSED SESSION ITEM
Mayor Thomas opened the public comment period.
Council did not receive any public comment for the closed session items.
Mayor Thomas closed the public comment period.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION REGARDING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3.A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) Title: Town Manager
3.B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING AND ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Existing Litigation: Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Govt. Code Section 54956.9) Name of case:
(Victor Chiang, as Trustee of the Corte Madera Property Trust v. Town of Corte Madera) Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) subdivision (d) of Govt. Code Section 54956.9: 1 case, the facts and circumstances of which are available upon request by contacting the Town Clerk during regular business hours in accordance with Cal. Govt. Code Sec. 54957.5.
Council adjourned to Closed Session in the Lower Level (Jana Haehl) Conference Room at 5:12PM.
4. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION AND REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION Closed Session ended at 6:36PM and Council reconvened in Open Session in the Town Council Chambers at 6:37PM. Mayor Thomas announced that Council took no reportable action and that direction to staff was provided.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Thomas adjourned the closed session special meeting at 6:37PM to the regular Town Council meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 6:30PM.