1 Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Town Council Annual Goal Setting Retreat
Fairfax Town Council Minutes
Special Meeting for the Purpose of Conducting an Annual Goal-Setting Retreat Preceded by a Special Meeting at 9:00 a.m. to Conduct a Closed Session Fairfax Women’s Club
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Mayor Cutrano called the special meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Call to Order/Roll Call:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Ackerman
Lisel Blash
Barbara Coler
Chance Cutrano
Stephanie Hellman
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Heather Abrams, Town Manager
Christine Foster, Deputy Town Clerk
Janet Coleson, Town Attorney
Michael Vivrette, Finance Director
Janet Garvin, Town Treasurer
Jeff Beiswenger, Planning and Building Services Director Loren Umbertis, Public Works Director
Anne Mannes, Recreation & Community Services Manager
Maria Baird, Recreation and Community Services Manager
Approval of Agenda
M/S, Ackerman/Blash, Motion to approve the agenda.
AYES: Cutrano, Ackerman, Hellman, Blash, Coler
Councilmember Hellman requested that Item 4 be moved to before Item 1.
M/S Hellman/Ackerman, Motion to move Item 4 before Item 1.
AYES: Cutrano, Hellman, Ackerman
NOES: Blash, Coler
Regular Agenda
4. Discuss/consider the Residents’ Petition submitted per Town Code requesting to Discuss the Creation of a Dog Park – Deputy Town Clerk Christine Foster
Mayor Coler called for the proponent to address the Council. Councilmembers pointed out that the proponent may not be in the room because it was originally scheduled for later in the day.
M/S, Cutrano/Hellman, Motion to move Item 4 back to its original place.
AYES: Cutrano, Ackerman, Hellman, Blash, Coler
1. Receive Scientific Survey Results Regarding a Possible Bond Measure for Road Repairs and Direct Staff on Next Steps – Town Manager Heather Abrams
Town Manager Heather Abrams gave the staff report and introduced consultant Lucia del Puppo, Senior Vice President with FM3 who gave a presentation of the results from the scientific survey. 2 Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Town Council Annual Goal Setting Retreat
Mayor Coler opened the meeting to public comments.
- Michael Mackintosh – opposed this meeting and had questions and concerns about the survey. - Michael Sexton – expressed concerns about the survey and highlighted specific conclusions drawn from the survey.
- Todd Greenberg – opposed this meeting and did not agree with the survey. - Mark Bell – expressed questions and concerns about the survey and Measure K. - Pam Meigs – addressed the council about the survey subcommittee meeting discussing the survey results and had questions about the survey.
Mayor Coler closed the meeting to public comments.
Staff responded to clarifying questions and comments from Councilmembers about the importance of conducting a scientific survey before taking a measure to the ballot, that a scientific survey is driven by statistical data, common themes derived from surveys, and why some residents did or did not receive the postcards.
Councilmember Cutrano made comments about additional public education, the increased costs of deferred road maintenance, and asked if a smaller bond was considered.
Town Manager Abrams explained proposing a smaller bond is possible, noted voter fatigue, addressed the challenge of project selection with the backing of a smaller bond, and explained the payment timeline for Measure K.
Mayor Coler explained the thought process behind Measure K.
Mayor Coler noted that the survey results would be brought back to council for further discussion and action at a regular Town Council meeting.
Mayor Coler closed the discussion.
2. Receive Fiscal Year 2022-23 Audit Report – Finance Director Michael Vivrette Whitney Crockett, Audit Partner with Maze and Associates introduced herself and presented the PowerPoint presentation on the Town’s annual audit.
Mayor Coler opened the meeting to public comment.
- A speaker asked if the budget was online.
- Todd Greenberg asked about lawsuits the town is involved in, controlled costs, and legal expenses.
Mayor Coler clarified the years this audit covered.
- Mark Bell asked about the records provided to the auditors and Measure K. - Michael Mackintosh asked about pension liabilities.
Mayor Coler closed the meeting to public comments and noted the Council was only receiving the report today.
Michael Vivrette, Finance Director mentioned that the audit provides numerous pages of notes about the audit, including pension, debts, and projections.
Mayor Coler called for a short break at 10:34 a.m.
3 Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Town Council Annual Goal Setting Retreat
Mayor Coler called the meeting back to order at 10:53 a.m.
3. Conduct workshop to discuss Fiscal Year 2024-25 Draft Operating and Capital Improvement Budget.
Discussion to include the following general topics:
o Overview of Budget Workshop
o General Budget Overview
o Department Presentations
o Lunch Break (12:30 approximately)
o Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”)
o American Rescue Plan Act Funding
o Council Questions
o Council Discussion
o Closing Remarks
Town Manager Abrams and Finance Director Vivrette presented a general Budget overview.
The Council received presentations from each Department, including a presentation on the Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”).
Mayor Coler opened the meeting to public comments.
- Pam Meigs expressed concerns about the Town Attorney budget, available programs for children, and water fountains in town.
- Todd Greenberg mentioned grants, the new housing specialist position, attorney fees, creekside erosion, and downtown.
The Council made comments and asked questions to staff to be considered for inclusion in the proposed budget coming back to Council.
4. Discuss/consider the Residents’ Petition submitted per Town Code requesting to Discuss the Creation of a Dog Park – Deputy Town Clerk Christine Foster
Jon Elkin, resident of Fairfax presented the topic of a dog park for consideration by the Town Council.
Mayor Coler opened the meeting to public comments.
- Alan Andreini supported the idea of a dog park, specifically behind the ballfield. - Rick Hamer supported the idea of a dog park.
- Todd Greenberg supported the idea of a dog park.
Consent Calendar
5. Authorize the Mayor to Send a Letter Opposing the State’s Excess Educational Revenue Augmentation Funds (ERAF) Reduction Proposal – Town Manager Heather Abrams Mayor Coler announced there is one Consent Calendar Item.
Mayor Coler opened the meeting to public comments.
There was no public comment.
4 Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Town Council Annual Goal Setting Retreat
Mayor Coler closed the meeting to public comments.
M/S – Blash/Ackerman, Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Cutrano, Ackerman, Hellman, Blash, Coler
Adjourn to Closed Session on the following matter:
(Fairfax Community Center, 14 Park Road, Fairfax)
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code §54954.5
Property: APN Nos. 001-251-31, 001-150-12, 001-160-09, and 001-171-51 Agency negotiators: Council subcommittee of Mayor Coler and Council Member Cutrano, Town Manager, & Town Attorney
Property owner negotiators: Sequoia Mortgage Capital, Inc.
Under negotiation: Both price and terms
The meeting was adjourned at 4:42 p.m.