AGENDA ITEM #8
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
December 7, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Lorena Barrera, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Receive report on Councilmembers’ assignments, committees, and activities in November
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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
• November 9: Ross Valley Fire Dept Board meeting canceled. A special meeting for December 14th will include a workshop to receive a presentation from Local Motion Solutions on the Leadership and Governance Study.
• November 10: Zero Waste subcommittee meeting with Garth Schultz of R3, Heather Abrams to learn new MSS rate increase for Solid Waste Services to be Effective January 1, 2023. • November 14: Fairfax Chamber of Commerce mixer at Deer Park Villa • November 15: Meeting with Heidi Tomsky, Director FSACC (Fairfax San Anselmo Children Center FSACC), Shelley Hamilton, RVSD (Ross Valley School District) Board President, and Council member Goddard regarding the status of 7-11 committee. Ms. Freeman will send a letter to the town concerning detailed summary status of this related to Naylor Act and more. • November 16: Special Town Council meeting
• November 17: Panelist for Marin Communication Forum on the Housing Element, Affordable & Equitable Housing
• November 18: Marin Water District meeting – farewell to departing Directors. • November 29: Just Cause Eviction and Rent Stabilization ‘Fairfax Community Education Clinic’ on recently passed ordinances.
• December 2: Fairfax Photo show sponsored by Fairfax Recreation and Fairfax Artist in Residence
Vice Mayor Cutrano
• 11/2— Webinar on The Environmental Justice Index: a National Tool to Measure the Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Burden on Health. The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is pleased to announce a new webinar that will teach attendees how to use the new Environmental Justice Index (EJI). The EJI is the first national, placebased tool designed to measure the cumulative impacts of environmental burden through the lens of human health and health equity. For more webinar information visit https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/eji/eji-index.html • 11/2—Regular Meeting of the Fairfax Town Council
2 • 11/3—Attended the 2022 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo with Councilmember Ackerman. We engaged with low carbon concrete venders, ADU vendors, UV reflective street sealant vendors, and water efficient appliance venders at the Greenbuild Expo. I attended a breakout session on the future of vehicle electrification building codes as well as a session on a microgrid case study developed by the University of California, Berkeley.
• 11/9—Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) Meeting
• 11/15—Fairfax Open Space Committee Acquisitions Subcommittee Meeting. This meeting was called to discuss the charge of the newly established Acquisitions Subcommittee and the work of prior committees focused on various acquisitions. The subcommittee developed best practices for developing one-pagers and resource inventories for future acquisition proposals. • 11/16—Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) Regional Forum on Decarbonizing Rental Housing While Protecting Tenants. This webinar examined concerns renters have about decarbonization and energy efficiency upgrades and the legal and policy landscape around tenant protections in California and the Bay Area. Presentation slide decks and recordings can be found here: https://www.bayren.org/events/regional-forum-decarbonizingrental-housing-while-protecting-tenants-2022-11-16 • 11/16—Special Meeting of the Fairfax Town Council
• 11/23—Fairfax Open Space Committee Regular Meeting
• 11/28—Fairfax Volunteer Board Meeting
• 11/29—Legal Aid of Marin Fairfax Community Clinic on New Tenant Protections. Hybrid meeting on Zoom and at the Fairfax Library with Legal Aid of Marin Senior Attorney, Lucie Hollingsworth and Local Real Estate Landlord attorney Barrett R.P. Schaefer. • 12/2—“Future of Mobility in Marin” event hosted by Wilderness Trail BikesTransportation Alternatives of Marin (WTB-TAM). Invitees discussed multi-modal transit opportunities, challenges, and projects for Marin County in the long term and short term. • 12/6—Fairfax Open Space Committee Meeting
Councilmember Ackerman
A report was not provided in time for the publication of the agenda packet.
Councilmember Coler
• Met with Town Manager several times on Town matters (Nov 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6). • Attended Countywide HUD Priority Setting Committee (Nov 3) – Primary purpose was to interview and appoint community members who represent protected classes to the Committee (for 4 areas: Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield & Greenbrae – Valeria de Silva-Sasser appointed; Novato – Jaime Yan Faurot appointed; San Rafael – Darlene Goins (incumbent) appointed; West Marin – Jennifer Lynn Kerrigan appointed); also discussed HOME – ARP funds and possible uses for the $2.09M (to be determined at the December 1 meeting. • Attended MCE Marin Clean Energy Executive Committee meeting (Nov 4) – Staff proposal to increase rates in Jan 1, 2023 to $0.04kwh dues to high energy and resource adequacy costs have caused MCE to dip into reserves about $10M, with significant reduction in the PCIA charges in January, this rate increase strike a balance and MCE customers will still pay less than PGE customers for electricity (approved by the Ex Comm to go to the full Board Nov 17); approved the CEO Review and Compensation Structure policy developed by the Ad Hoc Committee (Coler was on this Ad Hoc Committee). MCE will be meeting in person starting in March 2023.
• Participated in the 5th Annual Age Friendly Fairfax Celebration of residents age 90 and better (Nov 5) – Gift bags were delivered to each of the participants (over 50 were identified 3 and 20 chose to participate). Gifts included handmade ceramics from a local Fairfax artist, Fairfax Open Space Committee note cards, flowers and more. Coler delivered to 4 of the participants with Stephanie Mohan photographer who took photos of each for the website and other materials.
• Attended Community Media Center of Marin Board meeting & Annual Member meeting (Nov 10) – Reviewed/approved annual report to be submitted to MGSA. New Board members were noted through the recent member elections: Jo Prabhu and Ginger Souders-Mason (both were appointed by the Board as there were only two openings and two candidates). MGSA (Marin General Services Agency) appointed Robert Zadnik (Belvedere City Manager) and reappointed Barbara Coler (Fairfax Councilmember) as MGSA reps on the CMCM Board.
Letters to be sent soon to other appointing organizations/agencies for Board member appointments/reappointments. Also attended the Annual Member meeting. • Attended Marin Housing Authority Commission meeting (Nov 15) – By ZOOM. • Attended Town Council Special meeting (Nov 16).
• Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) Board meeting (Nov 17) – The Board acknowledged the environmental compliance for and approved the San Rafael Zone Evacuation Route Core Project (expanded on the prior approved project – provides for clearance to 10 ft and up to 30 ft of roadways ID as evacuation routes and adds road miles in some areas – was 80 roadway miles). Defensible Space and Home Hardening Grant Programs: Since start of the 2022-2023 grant program in July, 767 grant applications from residents have been either initiated, submitted, or awarded with over $415,000 distributed to homeowners to date. Curbside Chipper Day Program: as of October 7th, the program has completed 2,561 pickups and removed 8,350.5 cubic yards of material. One additional week will be added in November (season usually ends in October) for all 5 MWPA zones. Strategic Plan reviewed and next steps of metrics to be added (GIS consultant RFP to be issued soon).
Approved in-person and hybrid meetings starting in December (at new Los Gamos office) & then in-person for Board members with hybrid for the public in March. Annual Report of MWPA presented – posted online on the MWPA website (page 22 has an excellent summary). • MCE Marin Clean Energy Board meeting (Nov 17) – Board approved: 6 month extension for existing revolving line of credit with JP Morgan Chase; approved rate increase $0.04/kwh effective 1/1/2023 (will still be savings over PG&E - ~$3.25/month for the average household (and ~$9.74 increase for the average HH) – rate increase is necessary due to high energy and resource adequacy costs which is significantly cutting into reserves) – public hearing at next Board meeting; approved 21 year power purchase agreement with Humboldt House Geothermal under construction – will provide 20MW of resource adequacy & 20MW renewable energy around the clock, requires PLA agreement with unions, they will pay MCE $60K for community benefit programs, fixed price with no escalator; received presentation on Electrification Reach Code Adoption Model by County of Marin staff. • Fairfax Age Friendly Task Force Special meeting (Nov) – Meetings will not be held in Nov/Dec due to holidays.
• Marin County Mayors & Councilmembers (MCCMC) Legislative Committee (Nov 28) – Meeting canceled as Legislature is in recess.
• 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 4 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 Community Media Center of Marin Board meeting (Dec 1). • Attended Countywide HUD CDBG/Home Priority Setting Committee meeting (Dec 1) - Approved the HOME ARP funding allocation plan for the BOS (prioritized on families at risk of homelessness including victims of domestic violence); reapproved the funding priorities for the PLHA funds from the State (family, rental, homeowner, special needs housing) for the BOS; approved stipend for community member members of the Committee to attend meeting (based on income); reviewed materials for the conclusion of the Voluntary Compliance Agreement with HUD (concluded after 12 years).
• Attended MCE Executive Committee meeting (Dec 2) – Approved 2nd agreement with federal lobbyists; reviewed/recommended nominations for the Charles McGlashen award & the staff recommendations for the Climate Action Leadership award (Feinstein, Garamendi & Huffman) – both will held/awarded at a Board meeting in early 2023. • Attended Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Ad Hoc Committee RE: Citizen’s Oversight Committee (Dec 5) – review applicant applications for four areas: Novato, Environmental and Taxpayer Organizations (3-year terms), a fourth seat is to replace the Civic Organization slot and term vacated by Michael Wara.
• Attended Town Council Housing Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting (Dec 5).
Councilmember Goddard
• November 2nd- Regular Town Council meeting
• November 3rd- Met with Miranda Miller, Jody Timms and Vice-Mayor Cutrano regarding immediate next steps in establishing the Community Emergency Preparedness Committee as approved by Council in Spring of 2021
• November 10th- Met with Town Manager Abrams, Mayor Hellman and Garth Schultz from R3 Consulting to review the rate increase as proposed by Marin Sanitary Service • November 14th- Attended the Chamber of Commerce Mixer • November 16th- Attended the E-bike Smart Marin planning session. These sessions are ongoing and the program is rolling out in January. Curriculum on e-bike safety is currently being delivered to students who ride e-bikes to white Hill Middle School. A ‘Buyers Guide’ has been developed and will be distributed to parents to educate about the different types and classes of e-bikes and the legal restrictions regarding age limits, speed and transporting passengers • November 16th- Attended the Town Council Special Meeting • November 29th- Attended the meeting of key non-profit, County staff and elected officials to discuss outcomes from the Spring Symposium on Homelessness. It was reiterated that there is a need for a collaborative, multi stakeholder approach to the work. There was a focus on communication with constituents. There was general consensus that an updated needs assessment and strategic plan is crucial to guide next steps *The number of unhoused individuals being placed and retaining housing still continues to be approx. 10-12 individuals per month.
• December 1st- Ross Valley Paramedic Authority meeting