AGENDA ITEM #4
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
October 6, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Lorena Barrera, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Receive report on Councilmembers’ assignments, committees, and activities in September
__________________________________________________________________________________
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
• September 14: Presented an informal update and Q&A to Fairfax Rotary Club • September 14: Ross Valley Fire Authority Board meeting – received update from Local Motion Solutions about Ross Valley Fire Authority Future Governance Leadership Project • September 15: Rent Stabilization group with town staff discussed next steps including Interim Director of Planning Woltering to meeting with City of Berkeley for detailed staffing needs for the hybrid model, begin exploring tech solutions including Marin IT. • September 16: Planning meeting for 9/25 Manor Hill Firewise Neighborhood event at the top of Ridge Road.
• September 15: Rent Stabilization working team with Vice Mayor Cutrano, Curt Ries (DSM), Lucie Hollingsworth (Legal Aid Marin)
• September 16: Rent Stabilization meeting with Leah Simon-Weisberg (ACCE) • September 18: Fairfax Town picnic – hosted in the Pavilion due to weather. • September 19: Heating electrification campaign program working group meeting: Susan Gladwin, Jody Timms, Kathleen Gundry, Sean Youra
• September 20: Rent Stabilization working team with Vice Mayor Cutrano, Curt Ries (DSM), Leah Simon-Weisberg (ACCE), Lucie Hollingsworth (Legal Aid Marin) • September 20: Fairfax Climate Action Committee: received presentation from county on model reach codes and initial staff recommendation from Climate Action coordinator Sean Youra.
• September 21: Finance committee meeting with Director of Finance Michael Vivrette, Town Manager Heather Abrams, Treasurer Janet Garven.
• September 23: Attended Spirit of Marin 2022 luncheon recognizing the achievements and volunteer spirit of local businesses and business citizens as chosen by the Marin County Chambers of Commerce.
2 • September 25: Manor Hill Firewise Neighborhood event at the top of Ridge Road. Miranda Miller (RVFD) and Josh Hamphire (Fire Safe Marin) presented materials, information and offered neighborhood walk through identifying home hardening opportunities. • September 26: Meeting with management at Ace Fairfax Lumber – received an update on progress concerning dust and noise remedies in response Spruce residents and PG&E tree removals.
• September 27: Visited Marin Foster Care Association and met with Board President Ashley Hurd and Board member Sara Edrington
• September 27: Bike safety planning discussion with Councilmember Goddard, Town Manager Heather Abrams, FPD Chief Tabaranza, Gwen Froh, Program Director Safe Routes to School
• September 28: 1:1 meeting with Fairfax PD Chief Rico Tabaranza • September 28: Attended regular MCCMC – Marin County Council of Mayors & Councilmembers meeting in San Anselmo
• September 30: Rent Stabilization working team with Vice Mayor Cutrano, Curt Ries (DSM), Leah Simon-Weisberg (ACCE), Lucie Hollingsworth (Legal Aid Marin) • October 3: Heating electrification campaign program working group meeting • October 3: Public Health Update by Marin HHS
Vice Mayor Cutrano
A report was not provided in time for the publication of the agenda packet.
Councilmember Ackerman
• 9/1 - PG&E EPSS Webinar
• 9/7 - Town Council Regular Meeting, preceded by a Closed Session • 9/10 - Housing Element workshop
• 9/14 - Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District board meeting • 9/16 - MCE Technical Committee
• 9/18 – Town-wide Picnic, moved due to rain(!) into Pavilion • 9/19 - Meeting and facilities walk with Public Works Director Loren Umbertis • 9/20 - Climate Action Committee regular meeting
• 9/21 - Town Council Special Meeting, preceded by a Closed Session • 9/28 - Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) in-person regular meeting
• 9/29 - MCE annual Board Retreat -- very informative presentations! Councilmember Coler
1. Met with Town Manager several times on Town matters (Sep 9, 13, 20, 27, Oct 4).
2. Attended Housing Element Community (Sep 10, attended part only) – Outreach with break out sessions with Interim Planning Director and HE consultants.
3. Attended Town of Fairfax Scoping Session Zoom meeting for the EIR for the 6th Cycle Housing Element (Sep 13).
4. Attended Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) Board meeting (Sep 15) –The Board: accepted the CEQA NOEs for the CORE projects for: “Southern Marin Zone 3 Tamalpais Valley/Homestead Fuel Break Project” (includes fuel management activities adjacent to homes in the Tamalpais-Homestead Valley. On April 21, 2022, the MWPA Board of Directors approved the non-federal portion of the proposed project. Yet the portions of the project area overlapping federal lands were put on hold until the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) could consider the project. GGNRA’s Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) reviewed the proposed project and determined that the project is consistent with the GGNRA Fire Management Plan and its associated Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). NPS filed a Memorandum to File on July 27, 2022 documenting this
determination. The MWPA has determined that this proposed project is statutorily exempt from CEQA in accordance with the provisions of Senate Bill (SB) 901. Public Resources Code Section 4799.05 states that CEQA does not apply to prescribed fire, thinning, and fuel reduction projects undertaken on federal lands that have been reviewed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).), the “Southern Marin Zone Highway 1 Evacuation Corridor Project” (includes fuel management activities on federal lands adjacent to Muir Beach. Because the proposed project overlaps federal lands, it was delayed until the GGNRA could consider the project. GGNRA’s Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) reviewed the proposed project and determined that the project is consistent with the GGNRA Fire Management Plan and its associated Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). NPS filed a Memorandum to File on July 27, 2022 documenting this determination. The MWPA has determined that this proposed project is statutorily exempt from CEQA in accordance with the provisions of Senate Bill (SB) 901. Public Resources Code Section 4799.05 states that CEQA does not apply to prescribed fire, thinning, and fuel reduction projects undertaken on federal lands that have been reviewed under NEPA. Additionally, because the proposed project is located on federal lands within the Coastal Zone, the project is compliant with the Coastal Act through a consistency determination initiated by GGNRA. No additional Coastal Act compliance is required.), and the “Southern Marin Zone Marin City Fuel Reduction Zone Project” (fuels treatment within up to 100 feet from structures on the boundary of Marin City in open space areas and removal of invasive species and dead and downed vegetation within a forest health treatment zone between the residential community and National Park Service (NPS) lands.
The forest health zone was added at the request of NPS staff as nonnative species are prevalent and several ignitions have taken place in this area in recent years due to its proximity to the highway.) Grants for residents –for FY 22/23, the total amount allocated for these grants is ~$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. As of early September, 333 grant applications have been submitted and have been awarded or are in process. Chipper days are still in process, as of early September there have been 1,676 pickups with 5,500 cubic yards of material. Two new Grizzly Corps fellows have joined MWPA: Alaina Benshing and Andrea Salinas. The Board received an update on the ingress/egress risk assessment literature review (this is the 1st time a risk assessment of this type has been conducted). 4 5. Attended Fairfax Town Picnic (Sep 18).
6. Attended Community Media Center of Marin (CMCM) Board meeting (Sep 22) – The Board appointed Curtis Aikens to fill the term remaining on Jim Geraghty’s term (Oct 2024, Jim passed away). The Board appointed Barbara Coler to be a member of the Executive Committee & Lorenzo Jones as a member of the Governance Committee. The annual member meeting is November 10 as is the next Board meeting (no meeting to be held in October). Member elections for two Board seats will commence in October.
7. Fairfax Age Friendly Task Force meeting (Sep 22) – Planning for the 90+ celebration on November 5; discussion on other age friendly events and matters.
8. Attended Marin County Mayors & Councilmembers (MCCMC) Legislative Committee (Sep 26) –Congressman Huffman attended, his updates: 1) HWY 37 – the Congressman would like letters of support re: the elevated causeway which includes the largest wetlands restoration project (salt marsh – if conducted would be the equivalent of removing 6,000 cars per day from the roads) in the US with no support for Caltrans to do the 10 mile “interim” $1/2B widening project (which would not really be interim and probably permanent and prevent the elevated causeway) to MTC and Caltrans (his aide Jennie Callaway will send sample letters and bullet points (timing likely mid-October for the letters); Senate will be voting on Schumer/Mansion oil & gas deal this week, Huffman is joining with 80+ members in the House to oppose – continuing resolution is needed of there will be government shutdown; Coler asked about funding for storm drains – he says Fed $$ should be available through State Water Board Revolving Funds; if cities/towns submit any federal grant applications his office will send support letters. The deadline for the Governor to take action on any bills is Sept 30. Some approved bills: AB-2449 (Rubio) Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences; SB-1020 (Laird) Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act of 2022 – shortens timeframes to meet climate change goals; SB 1100 (Cortese) Orderly Conduct for Open Meetings; AB 2097 (Friedman) Residential & Commercial Development:
Remodeling, Renovations, and Additions; Parking Requirements – does not set requirements for cities with pop. less than 75,000. 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. MCE Clean Energy Virtual Board Retreat (Sep 29) – The Retreat was all day by Zoom and covered: Key Achievements and Vision; 2021 Power Statistics Update; Member Community Needs & Priorities; Report on MCE FY2021/22 Financial Audit; State of the Market; MCE Load-Shifting Programs: Past, Present and Future.
10.MCE Executive Committee meeting – No meeting held in September. 5 Councilmember Goddard
• 9/1- Upon their invitation, I met with Marin Realtors to listen to their perspective on Fairfax’s pending rent stabilization, just cause eviction, and other tenant protections. • 9/1- Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA) monthly meeting • Agenda item of interest, approved unanimously, was the adoption of a resolution increasing ambulance service fees by approx. 4%.
• 9/9- Met with Jeannine Fradelizio to discuss her vision for a sidewalk safety campaign.
Given the growing number of e-bicycles and e-scooters in the downtown, she has proposed a community campaign to encourage bikers and other riders and skaters to ‘walk their wheels ‘on downtown sidewalks.
• 9/10- Attended the Housing Element Workshop. The workshop was focused on renters and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) which is a priority state requirement as part of the 2023 Housing Element update.
• 9/10- Attended a farewell party for all women elected officials in Marin County, honoring those not seeking another term.
• It was graciously hosted by Barbara Coler, Katie Rice and Julie McMillan (Ross Town Council Member)
• 9/13- Attended the Plastic Free Marin monthly meeting to hear a presentation and discuss opportunities for 3rd party venders to provide restaurants and delis with full service re-usable food-ware. These services are vital to support compliance with the Fairfax single use disposable food-ware reduction ordinance.
• 9/13- Attended the Housing Element scoping workshop
• 9/14- Met with Loren Umbertis (Public Works Director) to discuss Zero Waste initiatives and the existing and required infrastructure to enable compliance with SB 1383. Discussed the placement of new triple receptacles for maximum resource recovery in the downtown. • 9/15- Met with Good Earth, Jinesse Reynolds and Susan Hopp (Sierra Club) who have been hired by the County to assist restaurants and grocery stores in switching to reusable food-ware.
• 9/17- Attended the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club’s awards ceremony. I received the Phil Burton Badge of Courage Award, awarded to elected officials who fight for social justice and environmental protections.
• 9/18- Attended the ‘Town Picnic’ Kings, Queens and Vaccines’ The Town partnered with the Spahr Center to produce and perform Fairfax’s inaugural drag show. • 9/21- two Town Council Closed Sessions
• 9/21- Special Town Council Meeting
• 9/23- Attended the Spirit of Marin lunch and award ceremony where Fairfax Lumber was honored.
• 9/27- Met with Chief Tabaranza, Town Manager Abrams, Mayor Hellman and Gwen Froh (Director of Safe Routes to Schools) to discuss e-bike/scooter sidewalk safety and how to make both our downtown streets safer for bikers and sidewalks safer for pedestrians. • 9/28- Attended the monthly Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC)
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