AGENDA ITEM #6
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
April 6, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Lorena Barrera, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Receive report on Councilmembers’ assignments, committees, and activities in March
__________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Receive Councilmember activities report.
DISCUSSION
Every month, each Councilmember provides a list of the meetings they attended in the preceding month on behalf of the Town, for inclusion in this report. Under the agenda section entitled “Council Reports and Comments” Councilmembers may choose to highlight one of those meetings.
Mayor Hellman
• March 8th: Presented at Glenwood Elementary School for Children for Change. Discussed role of local government, read “Just Help” book by Sonia Sotomayor and brainstormed with kids on what they could do to help improve our local community. • March 9
th: Met with CBSC California Building Standards Commission to discuss their presentation at 3/15 FFX Climate Action Committee
• March 9th: Attended Marin Water District’s Virtual Community Workshop #1: Water Supply Strategic Assessment concerning Strategic Water Supply Assessment underway. • March 9
th: Ross Valley Fire District Board meeting and Closed session: Conference with labor negotiators (Cal. Gov. Code §54957.6.) Agency designated representatives: Chief Weber, Deputy Director Yeager, Executive Officer Dave Donery, and Stephen Raab:
Employee Organizations: International Association of Firefighters Local 1775 and Ross Valley Fire Chief Officers Association.
• March 10th: Welcome meeting with new staff member Sean Youra, Sustainability Coordinator.
• March 10th: Hosted biweekly MCCMC water policy subcommittee discussing short term and long term water supply solutions from a policy, program and infrastructure standpoints. • March 11th: All day Fairfax Strategic Planning session with town council and staff. • March 15th: Presented to San Domenico 3rd grade class on the role of local government, ideated on best use of tax payer funds.
• March 15th: Hosted regular Fairfax Climate Action Committee meeting. CBSC presented on upcoming (2023) changes from the current Tier 1 to the new Tier 1. • March 17th: Attended biweekly Welcome Kit meeting. A relaunch of the new resident Welcome Kit is in development. New content to be shared publicly prior to production and approval.
• March 21: Participated in Vivalon Meals Champion program, met with and delivered healthy meals to 2 older adults in Fairfax.
• March 22: Discussion with community organizers regarding Rent Stabilization. 2 • March 23: Joined DA Frugoli, SR Mayor Kate Colin for the 2022 Gun Buy Back county campaign kickoff planning meeting.
• March 23: Joined JCRC Jewish Community Relations Council, Congressman Jared Huffman and over 20 local electeds for “Here I Am: Communities United Against Antisemitism” – a Marin county-based convening on rising antisemitism. • March 23: Attended MCCMC regular meeting. Heard presentation from Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) & High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in Protecting Public Safety and Privacy, Civil Rights, & Civil Liberties. • March 24: Hosted MCCMC water policy subcommittee meeting. Aiming for summer report to MCCMC.
• March 25: Attended FFX Climate Action Engagement subcommittee. Working on 30 sec film promoting CAC for Fairfax theatre ad spot placemnt. Developing new CAC branded tablecloth for tabling events, flyer for upcoming Earth Day events. • March 25: MCCMC Climate Action subcommittee. Discussed 10 of the 12 Marin jurisdictions are in some stage of pursuing Landscape or Leaf blower ordinance. Buidling electrification, EV infrastructure among priorities.
• March 29: Joined NOAH Marin in attending CA Assembly Public Safety Committee to voice support for AB2282 which equalizes penalties or sentencing for posting symbols of hate (noose, swastika, and burning cross) on public property. • March 31: Fairfax new resident Welcome kit meeting (see above) – targeting early April to have content for staff review and pricing.
• April 4: Manor Hill neighborhood Firewise meeting.
Vice Mayor Cutrano
• 3/2—Closed Session of the Fairfax Town Council
• 3/2—Regular Meeting of the Fairfax Town Council
• 3/7— Fairfax Town Council agenda-setting meeting with Mayor Hellman and Town staff • 3/8—Children for Change Speaking Engagement at Glenwood Elementary School • 3/10—Transportation Authority of Marin’s Safe Routes to School Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
• 3/10—Marin Conservation League’s Parks and Open Space Committee Meeting • 3/10—Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) Ad Hoc Water Policy Committee Meeting
• 3/10—Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Project hosted by the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA)
• 3/11—Town of Fairfax Strategic Planning Workshop
• 3/11—Peace Vigil at Bolinas Park organized by Councilmember Renee Goddard • 3/12—EV Rally/Pop-up Event in the Fairfax Parkade with Councilmember Ackerman and Climate Action Committee member Jody Timms.
• 3/13—Meeting with Fairfax resident and parklet/streeterie professional, Jon Bela, regarding feedback on the March 2022 staff report regarding outdoor dining. • 3/16—North-South Greenway Gap Closure tour of the construction of the multi-use path over the Corte Madera Creek in Larkspur.
• 3/21—Meeting with Town Manager Abrams and Councilmember Renee Goddard regarding outdoor dining structures.
• 3/22—Water Supply/Policy discussion with Mayor Hellman and Marin Water Board member, Cynthia Koehler
3 • 3/22—Renter Support Services discussion with Legal Aid of Marin, Mayor Hellman, and DSA Marin
• 3/22—Fairfax Open Space Committee Meeting
• 3/23—“Here I Am” Marin antisemitism program hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council with Congressman Huffman, Assemblymember Levine, Mayor Hellman, Councilmember Goddard, and other civic leaders in Marin. • 3/23—Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) meeting
• 3/23—Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) meeting • 3/24—Closed Session of the Fairfax Town Council
• 3/24—Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) Ad Hoc Water Policy Committee Meeting
• 3/24—Transportation Authority of Marin meeting
• 3/25—Regional Housing Technical Assistance Program for Elected Officials, Available Assistance for Housing Element Updates hosted by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)/Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) • 3/25—Children for Change Speaking Engagement at White Hill Middle School • 3/28—MCCMC Homelessness Committee with Councilmember Renee Goddard • 3/30—Special Meeting of the Fairfax Town Council
Councilmember Ackerman
• 3/2 Meeting with Adam Politzer and Heather Abrams, as we transition Town Managers.
Thank you Adam and Welcome Heather!
• 3/2 Town Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting
• 3/3 MCE Tech Committee
• 3/9 Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District Regular Board Meeting • 3/10 CAC Buildings Subcommittee Meeting
• 3/11 Town Council and Staff Strategic Planning Workshop in Women's Center • 3/12 Cheer on the EV Rally from the Parkade
• 3/15 Tour town buildings with new CAC Buildings Subcommittee Chair • 3/15 CAC Regular meeting
• 3/17 Listened to excellent presentation sponsored by OFA on heat pumps for heating and hot water, including incentives to help install them. A recording is available. • 3/18 Attended Climate Action in Marin: The Next Five Years event, with inspiring youth speakers.
• 3/23 MCCMC regular meeting, still by Zoom
• 3/24 Town Council Closed Session
• 3/24 Interviewed by Archie Williams High School students on opportunity for a Fairfax town buildings microgrid
• 3/24 CAC Buildings Subcommittee call
• 3/31 Flood Zone 9 Board meeting
Councilmember Coler
• Met with Town Manager several times on transition and other Town matters (Mar 8, 16, 28, Apr 5).
• MCE Clean Energy Executive Committee meeting (March 4, no meeting held on April 1) – CalCCA is sponsoring AB 1814 which would allow CCAs to apply for transportation funds 4 for electrification (currently only allowed for Investor-Owned Utilities, IOUs – e.g., SCE, PG&E); MCE has applied for $188M for energy efficiency funding for the next 8 year cycle (will hear from PUC in several months – if approved will more than double MCE’s energy efficiency funding); recommended approval to Board of proposed budget for next FY and to allocate another $5M to the MCE Cares Credit program (for low income and other disadvantaged people/small businesses - $10 credit per month, about $22 credit/month – up to 20% for SB) to extend it through September 2022.
• Attended Town Council Strategic Planning meeting (March 11). • Attended Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) Board meeting (March 17) – The Board approved CEQA Notices of Exemption for two Core projects: San Rafael Zone Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Fire Fuel Reduction project & San Rafael Zone South SR Hill Fire Fuel Reduction project; provided authority for the Executive Officer an agreement for professional services and one for software as a service (SaaS) for the evacuation risk assessment – this is the first of its kind – projected completion is March 2023 (will determine highest risk areas needing vegetation clearing for evacuation); approved grants specialist position for advertisement to fill; received educational presentation on fire resilient governance. • Attended MCE Clean Energy Board meeting (March 17) –MCE rate change went into effect March 1, 2022 - All MCE customers are paying less compared to PG&E. MCE residential customers are saving an average of $13 a month on their electricity bills with Light Green 60% renewable compared to PG&E’s 31% renewable. MCE’s premium Deep Green 100% renewable is less expensive than PG&E’s 31% renewable service, saving customers an average of $7 a month. Just published, MCE’s 2021 Supplier Diversity Report outlines MCE’s >$5 million investment in small and diverse businesses (including Woman–, Minority–, LGBT–, and Disabled–Veteran–Owned Businesses). MCE spent over $1.3 million on certified small and diverse businesses, and an additional $4 million on businesses qualified to receive diverse certification but that have yet to go through the certification process. The Board approved the proposed next FY budget with, among other things, the $5M to extend the Cares Credit program through 9/30/2022 (see above, MCE Exec.) • Attended Town Council closed session (March 24).
• Attended/Chaired Marin County Mayors & Councilmembers Legislative Committee (March 28) – Urgency Eviction Moratorium bill through June 30, 2022 (AB 2170) will have Assembly vote today – to Senate early next week – only for people in the queue for rental assistance $$. Should go through & be signed by March 31. Prohibits locals from enacting their own eviction moratoriums. The Governor was not interested in allowing folks who are not in the queue for rental assistance $$ to be included. Senator McGuire attended --- primary topics:
CA Economy $55B surplus; Legislature to take up providing direct checks based on income ($5-6B) rather than Governor’s proposal for all to get $400-$800 checks; $5-6B for infrastructure; HWY 37 needs revenue stream for install permanent fix (est. $100M); Senate will be advancing significant climate change program in the next month – 4 pillars – greening the energy grid, fossil fuels transition, workforce green energy jobs, climate adaptation; he’s working on having PGE underground lines without charging ratepayers; making fire crews permanent for contract counties (Marin) and expanding for additional crews; funding for homelessness target for San Rafael, Novato. Action taken on three bills 5 the Legislative Committee send an Oppose position letter on AB 897 – allows ADUs to go from 1 to 2 story ministerially; AB 2097 – rerun on AB 1401 from last year – eliminates parking for certain housing; Legislative Committee will send a Support letter on AB 2647 (Levine) which makes a change to the Brown Act to allow posting documents only electronically within 72 hours and be in compliance with the Act; other bills of interest for watch position at this time: AB 2449 & AB 1944 to continue to allow teleconferencing for jurisdictions under revised Brown Act rules (also watching other bills as they will change over time). MCCMC LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE SCOPE OF ADVOCACY: Fiscal Protection: protect city revenues from state Local Control: support legislation that enhances local control of resources to provide services while supporting regional co-operation.
Oppose unfunded mandates and preemption of local authority and control of land use Transportation Investment: promote stable transportation finance structure for state and local government. Multimodal, enhancing livable communities Housing/Land use: protect local government land use authority. Oppose punitive housing legislation, and legislation that restricts or reduces local discretion on land use decisions. Other legislation can be recommended to MCCMC at a regular meeting.
• Attended Fairfax Age Friendly Task Force meeting (April 1). Meeting held after report submitted.
Councilmember Goddard
• 3/1- Met with John Bela (expert advisor on use of commercial community space/ Parklets) to discuss outdoor dining design and permitting standards
• 3/4- Presented and led a discussion for ‘Children For Change’, with White Hill 6th grade students re/ Climate policy and the importance of the youth voice • 3/9- Ross Valley Fire Board meeting
• 3/11- All day Town Strategic Planning Workshop
• 3/17- Attended the meeting of the Cascade Canyon neighbors/Town/Chamber of Commerce volunteer committee, to work on the Fairfax welcome packet, a project supported by Fairfax Volunteers
• 3/21- Attended the meeting of the Joint Exercise Powers Authority (JEPA) for the yellow school bus program to review the budget and potential bus pass price increase for the 2022/23 school year
• 3/23- Attended the ‘Here I Am’ event hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) at Rodef Shalom Synagogue in San Rafael to stand with other elected officials and speak out against antisemitism
• 3/23- Attended the monthly Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) business meeting
• 3/24- Town Council Closed Session Meeting
• 3/25- Attended a planning meeting to establish a subcommittee of diverse community members and discuss the seasonal celebration program.
• The program is being sponsored by Park and Rec and invites members of the community to share their traditions, rituals and celebrations to foster deeper respect and understanding. • 3/25- Attended Archie Williams High School’s first annual Art Exhibit and celebration featuring BIPOC artists (BIPOC Voices, Visions and Dreams) • 3/28- MCCMC Homeless Committee
6 • 3/28- Fairfax Festival Committee Meeting
• 3/29- Attended the Marin County Office of Education and RxSafe Marin workshop on the Fentanyl crisis and the local school’s and County agency’s prevention efforts. • 3/30- Town Council Special Meeting
• 3/31- JEPA subcommittee meeting. Brainstorming additional funding mechanisms