AGENDA ITEM #7
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
September 7, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Lorena Barrera, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Receive report on Councilmembers’ assignments, committees, and activities in August
__________________________________________________________________________________
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
• Out of town 7/30-8/14
• Aug 5th: Rent Stabilization working group meeting: Vice Mayor Cutrano, Curt Reis DSA, Lucie Hollingswoth Legal Aid Marin.
• Aug 9th: Fairfax Special town council meeting
• Aug 11th: Manor Hill Firewise neighborhood Steering Committee. Planning an fire preparedness event with RVFD and FSM at the top of Ridge Road on September 25th. • Aug 12th: Rent Stabilization meeting with Interim Planning Director David Woltering, Town Manager Heather Abrams, Executive Director Rent Stabilization Board o DeSean Williams, Legal Director ACCE Institute Leah Simon Weisberg, President DSA Curt Reis, Senior Staff Attorney Legal Aid of Marin Lucie Hollingsworth. Heard from City of Berkeley’s leadership on vision for using existing Berkeley infrastructure to support other jurisdictions, potential to expand their contract services to include all administration of Fairfax’s rent stabilization program. Heard they can support a Fairfax program, Hearing Examiner and their attorney in rare case of appeal, training, registration, sharing of communications, forms, etc.
• Aug 13th: Attended PG&E webinar hosted for the town of Fairfax on the topics of EVM (Enhanced Vegetation Management) and EPSS Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings. We learned there have been 8 EPSS outages in recent 6-7 weeks and adjustments to settings will be explored.
• Aug 16th: Climate Action Committee meeting Aiden Mann and consider approval as a youth non-voting member of CAC for a term of 1 year; Review of Fairfax CAC Annual Action Plan 2022-23; Update from Sean Youra Climate Action Coordinator; Discussed Electrification Survey: Existing Appliances-considerations for an ordinance requiring heat pump water and space heating at time of changeouts/permits and Substantial Remodelsconsiderations for an ordinance requiring all–electric, with some carve outs. 2 • Aug 19th: Met with group of 9 Spruce Street neighbors on the long-term topic of air pollution concerns from Fairfax Lumber yard – situation has worsened since several trees removed by PG&E. Town staff has met with Fairfax Lumber and a set of actions has been committed to including an 8ft fence, paving yard in drivable areas, Trees planted, consistent water sprinkler of areas where dust is created, no deliveries, tractor or fork lift operations, or other noisy activities during non-business hours, Bulk bins enclosed, covered. • Aug 19th: Rent Stabilization working group meeting: DSA, City of Berkeley, Legal Aid Marin. • Aug 20th: Met with Adam Politzer and Jim Irving of Local Motion Solutions – this firm been hired by the Ross Valley Fire Authority to provide consulting services regarding Leadership and Governance. As part of the initial phase, interviewing with stakeholders to solicit input regarding the future of the Ross Valley Fire Authority. • Aug 20th: Attended Peri Park redwood stage concert: Mads Tolling • Aug 23rd: Meeting on topic of Just Cause and Rent Stabilization County and Fairfax staff: Leelee Thomas, Deputy Director Housing & Federal Grants Division for Marin County and County Planner Ailine Tanielian, Fairfax Interim Planning Director David Woltering and Town Manager Heather Abrams. Discussion of County Just Cause and their communication and enforcement – eviction mortarium has been in place for the most of the time thus compliance and enforcement has not been an area of focus. County provided raw data (parcels) Fairfax will need in order to potentially communicate / register. • Aug 24th: Rent Stabilization working team meeting with DSA, City of Berkeley • Aug 25th: Attended opening of Homeward Bound’s new emergency shelter and permanent housing location in San Rafael.
• Aug 26th: Attended Planning Commission meeting
• Aug 31st: Attended Special Planning Commission meeting - Presentation on Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS) by ELS Architecture & • Urban Design, and Schemata Workshop, with zoning and schedule for Housing Element, heard public comments and feedback from 4 Planning Commissioners present.
Vice Mayor Cutrano
A report was not provided in time for the publication of the agenda packet.
Councilmember Ackerman
• 8/3 - Town Council regular meeting, preceded by a closed session • 8/4 - Pacific Sun "Best of Marin" award reception -- Fairfax was voted the best town in Marin!
• 8/6 - Tabling with members of Fairfax and San Anselmo Climate Action committees at Good Earth
• 8/9 - Meeting with Marin County Library staff regarding creating a Resilience Center infrastructure at the Fairfax Library
• 8/9 - Town Council special meeting
• 8/16 - Climate Action Committee meeting. This active and amazing committee is hoping for applicants for new membership as several people have had to resign. • 8/18 - Attended George Washington University webinar on Decarbonizing Buildings • 8/24 - Interviewed on behalf of RVFD regarding future directions for governance of Ross Valley Fire services
3 Councilmember Coler
1. Met with Town Manager several times on Town matters (Aug 9, 23, 30, Sep 6).
2. Attended Housing Element Ad Hoc Subcommittee mtg (Aug 3) – with Councilmember Goddard, Interim PD Woltering and EMC reps- discussed schedule for completion of Housing Element draft and related matters.
3. Attended Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) Executive Committee as alternate (Aug 4) – short meeting on business matters and Closed Session on labor matters.
4. Attended Housing Element Ad Hoc Subcommittee mtg (Aug 9) – with Interim PD Woltering and EMC rep and County staff on programs and policies related to AFFH and how the County can assist on this aspect of the HE.
5. Attended Marin Local Agency Formation Commission meeting (Aug 11) – Approved commendation for former Commissioner/Chair McEntee; Elected new Chair Lew Kious and Vice Chair Coler by unanimous vote; Coler was approved voting Delegate for CalLAFCO Conference Oct 19-21 (EO is alternate); new LAFCO staff person Stephanie Pratt (Clerk/Jr.
Analyst) introduced; Closed Session on anticipated litigation. CalLAFCO Conference will be held In Orange Co, CA Oct 19-21 (Coler will be attending, there is no ZOOM option).
6. Attended Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) Board meeting (Aug 18) –The Board: accepted the CEQA NOE for the Novato Memorial Park, the Southern Marin Ralston, and the SM Throckmorton CORE projects; issued a Proclamation for Sashi Sabaratnam McEntee for her service to MWPA; approved a Resolution accepting the $3.25M CalFire grant for the Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Project; approved appointments to the Executive and Finance Committees; and received the FY 21/22 FireSafe Marin Report. Update on grants – MWPA has received 144 new grant applications after the new FY, July 1 (home hardening and defensible space grants) -for FY 22/23, the total amount allocated for these grants will be ~$645K- D-Space is now eligible for ALL, not just AFN and is up to $1000 with no match required; Home Hardening is again eligible to all and is now up to $5000, most will not require a match. New staff ½ time grants specialist is Maria Schmitt (she was a Grizzly Corps fellow for MWPA last year – Grizzly Corps is an offshoot of AmeriCorps) – having her on staff will help process grants more quickly. Three West Marin projects that have been delayed (they overlap Federal Lands) will now move forward as the Feds have integrated them into their workplans/NEPA. Received a report on Fire Foundry starting its 2nd cohort apps – FF works with underserved youth to help them work through the process of gaining fire relevant careers (with wraparound services and financial support for education, fire service mentors for each).
Fire Foundry entered into a partnership with CCNB and obtained a grant from the CA Volunteers for $2.7M. Chief Jason Weber is lead for FF.
7. Attended MCE Clean Energy Board meeting (Aug 18) – The Board approved the 2021 Power Content Label to be distributed to customers (Light Green is >60% renewable; Deep Green, Local Sol and Green Access are 100% renewable); the Board discussed/ approved having new customer accounts default enrollment option as Deep Green (rather than Light Green, several CCAs already have this default to 100% renewable) – this will allow MCE to enable the State to meet its renewable targets potentially sooner (and MCE’s targets sooner) – CARE/FERA customers will not pay extra for the DG (DG is currently $6/month more than LG but is less than PGE). Updates - MCE has received 5 awards this year: East Bay Innovation 4 Awards, Clean Tech; YWCA Tribute to Women Award - Salutes businesses whose policies and practices encourage women’s leadership and promote equal advancement opportunities for women of diverse backgrounds; Spare the Air Leadership Award - In recognition of MCE’s Low-Income Families and Tenants (LIFT) program, which has already given over $1 million in rebates to 680 homes, saving over 7,800 kilowatt-hours of energy per year; Marin Office of Education Golden Bell Award - Celebrates public education efforts that bring the community together, recognizing MCE’s partnership with the Lagunitas School District to install backup battery power; and Association of Corporate Counsel’s Top 10 30-Somethings of 2022 - Recognizes international in-house counsel between the ages of 30-39, including Shalini Swaroop’s accomplishments as MCE’s Chief Legal & Policy Officer (Ms. Swaroop has left MCE after several years in early August). MCE’s Green Access program (100% renewable for CARE/FERA customers in disadvantaged areas with 20% discount) enrolled 3,200+ customers. 2021 Energy Efficiency Program - Helped 285 homes and more than 100 businesses save $2.2M on utility bills; Paid out $1.6M in rebates; and Avoided 5,228 metric tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing more than 1,100 passenger vehicles from the road or removing 450 housing units off the grid and Includes workforce development in disadvantaged communities (i.e., RichmondBuild). The Governor has proposed extending Diablo Canyon 5-10 years (current end date is 2025) – will be in bill form soon, State would provide forgivable loan to PGE $1.4B, many costs would be shifted to ratepayers.
8. Attended Marin County Mayors & Councilmembers (MCCMC) Legislative Committee (Aug 22) – This is the last week for amendments and final actions on bill. Action taken on bills:
the Legislative Committee will send a Support and remove oppose position on AB 2449 which allows teleconferencing for jurisdictions for emergencies and for regular meetings by members for “just cause” reasons only (e.g., not for vacations) and does not require posting in the remote location; Oppose unless Amended position letter on: AB 916 which would limit local specified height restrictions on ADUs. AB 205 was signed into law by the Governor – extends electric/gas bill arrearage payments to cover the period now to December 31, 2021 (automatically applied to bills); water bill arrearages have not been addressed yet but are expected to extend to 12/31/201 period also. No committee meeting to be held in September. 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.
9. Ross Valley Fire Department Governance interview by Local Motion (company hired to study governance by the JPA) (Aug 23).
10.Attended Community Media Center of Marin (CMCM) Board meeting (Aug 25) –The Center is open and holding classes. Government programming continues – some cities/towns have come back in person and then went back to Zoom only due to the latest Covid wave. The 5 Board voted to put on-hold the possible renting of the space adjacent to the Center due to costs and need for new egress hallway with cuts off the size of the space considerably. ED will inform the building owner. The Board voted to have Board Member Steven Tulsky serve as the Treasurer to complete the term (through October) left vacant by the death of Bill Sims.
11.Fairfax Age Friendly Task Force meeting – No meeting held in August.
12.MCE Executive Committee meeting – No meeting held in August or September.
Councilmember Goddard
• 8/3 - Housing Element (HE) ad-hoc sub-committee meeting (I am no longer the appointed Council Member on the sub-committee) with Council Member Coler, EMC (HE consultant), and Grace Kim for a presentation on Eco-Village zoning overlay and the HE process timeline.
• 8/3 - Regular Town Council meeting
• 8/9 - Met with Sean to discuss signage and ordering the new tri-receptacle carts for the downtown public rt of way. In accordance with SB 1383, all public area waste receptacles must be in sets of 3; (Recycle/Compost/Landfill)
• We will pilot 2 sets on Broadway downtown.
• 8/10 - Met with Bolinas Rd residents to discuss and answer questions regarding the unhoused residents who are camping behind the Pavilion
• 8/12 - Attended the final meeting of the MCCMC Marin Economic Recovery Committee which began at the outset of the pandemic in the Summer of 2020. The agenda was a presentation by Mike Blakely on the Economic Vitality Strategic Plan that Marin Economic forum (MEF) has researched and written over the past year. The plan was presented to the Board of supervisors on 8/23.
• *Workforce housing was not adequately addressed in the plan and questions remain as to how the plan will be utilized by the smaller cities and towns who do not have economic development departments or committees.
• 8/13 - Met with ‘Local Motion Solutions’ (LMS) a local consultant team comprised of Jim Irving, former Fire Chief of the Southern Marin Fire Protection District, and former Fairfax Interim Town Manager Adam Politzer. LMS was hired by the Ross Valley Fire Department to provide consulting services regarding Leadership and Governance. This meeting was part of the initial phase of their work hosting listening sessions with stakeholders to solicit input regarding the future of the Ross Valley Fire Department • 8/21 - Attended an all-day workshop presented by Architect Charles Durrett who has designed and brought to fruition 50 co-housing communities and authored multiple visionary books highlighting and detailing the process of building a successful co-housing village. The presentation was in relation to a potential purchase of the Marin Town and Country property for a co-housing project.
• 8/21 - Spoke at a Plastic Rally at the Courthouse Square in San Rafael. The purpose was to call attention to the plastic crisis and why it is a climate, environment, health, & human rights issue. The ask was that supermarkets reduce single-use plastic packaging. The event 6 included a letter writing campaign to advocate to Senator Padilla to sign the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act.
• 8/22 - Met with Curt Reis from Democratic Socialists of America and Leah Simon-Weisberg, Chair of the Berkeley Rent Board to ask questions regarding our upcoming discussions on Just Cause Eviction and Rent Control.
• 8/24 - Attended the ‘Catalyst for Local Control’ Town Hall which focused on California’s Housing Element quotas and the assertion that they are based on unreliable and unreachable numbers.
• 8/26 - Safe Routes To schools (Back to School) Task force meeting • Received a presentation on the new ‘Street Smarts’ campaign. This is a County-wide signage/education program to alert drivers to slow down and raise awareness around distracted driving & biking.
• Also discussed was the growing issue regarding the dangers caused by the steep increase of middle and high school students and their behaviors on Electric Bikes. • Safe Routes designed an excellent flyer which went out to all County middle and high school Principals educating parents about the laws and offering safety guidance to those purchasing e-bikes for their children. Law Enforcement around the County is increasing their presence at the end of the school day to help educate and enforce helmet and safe biking laws.
FYI:
• Class 1 e-bikes: pedal assist only, motor cuts off at 20mph- no minimum age • Class 2 e-bikes: Pedal assist and throttle, cuts off at 20mph- no minimum age • Class 3 e-bikes: Pedal assist, cuts off at 28mph- Must be 16 years of age • EVERYONE 17 years and younger MUST wear helmets on both traditional pedal and electric bikes.