FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #3.e.
MEETING DATE March 5, 2025
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Heather Abrams, Town Manager
SUBJECT Approval of Town Council Goals for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council review and approve the Town Council Goals for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 outlined in this report.
BACKGROUND
The Town Council conducts an annual retreat to review achievements against prior year goals and establish priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The latest retreat, held on February 26, 2025, at the Women’s Club, facilitated a discussion on past accomplishments and future goals.
DISCUSSION
The goals formulated during this retreat are intended to guide the town's annual planning and budgeting processes. This year’s focus areas emerging from the retreat include:
1. Road Maintenance & Infrastructure:
• Identify funding opportunities in and outside the Town’s budget. • Complete or start bridge projects to enhance connectivity and safety pending federal funding. • Increase crosswalks and ensure pedestrian safety.
• Improve parking availability, especially in downtown areas. • Develop a downtown safety report, including a parking study.
2. Housing and Community Development:
• Address housing needs while complying with State laws and local priorities. • Revive community spaces to foster engagement and enhance quality of life. • Support economic vitality by supporting local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce. • Promote housing stability and explore options for local affordability.
3. Public Safety, Fire & Emergency Preparedness:
• Explore funding opportunities to enhance public safety and preparedness. • Re-focus disaster preparedness—continue the Citizen's Disaster Council and collaborate with Fire Safe Marin, Firewise, and MWPA to increase community awareness (disband CEPC). • Increase AlertMarin participation.
• Explore the use of License Plate Readers for enhanced security. • Explore increased cell phone reception for increased safety. 2 • Explore use of LRAD’s.
• Ensure a comprehensive safety strategy for downtown and surrounding areas.
4. Budget Stability & Organizational Efficiency:
• Maintain town fiscal stability, including complying with the Town’s 25% reserve policy. • Improve organizational efficiencies, including software upgrades, technology improvements, and explore reducing staff.
• Encourage department heads to regularly report on activities at council meetings. • Investigate the value of becoming a Charter City.
• Explore issuing an RFP for a new auditor.
• Ensure Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles are embedded in day-to-day functions and decision-making.
5. Civility, Inclusivity & Community Engagement:
• Encourage a citizen's academy to boost community involvement and knowledge. • Enhance civility and engagement within the Town Council and the broader community. • Foster more opportunities for resident participation and inclusivity in town affairs. • Promote a welcoming environment for all residents to participate in town meetings and decisionmaking. • Create opportunities for meaningful dialogue without division or hostility.
6. Commitment to the Environment
• Celebrate and maintain open space.
• SB1383 Compliance
• Continue commitment to town facility decarbonization
• Continue public and fleet EV conversion
• Continue pursuing CAP implementation
Approval of these goals will formalize them as guiding principles for town activities, ensuring alignment across focus areas and operational planning.
The proposed goals were developed through consensus during the retreat and the attached PowerPoint presentation guided the meeting. Staff have prepared to integrate these goals into the upcoming budget cycle, ensuring that financial planning and goal setting are well-coordinated.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with the approval of the goals. Future budgetary considerations will be guided by these goals, with specific funding and resource allocations to be determined as part of the budget approval process.
ATTACHMENTS
Council Retreat PowerPoint Presentation
Annual
Retreat
2025
Town of Fairfax
Outline
1. Introduction
2. Accomplishments
3. 5 – 10 Year Plan
4. 2025 Goals
5. Summary
Introduction +
Retreat
Objectives
• Gather Input From All 5 Council Members Regarding Town Priorities • Focus on Overarching 3-5 Long-Range Goals & Strategies • Set Annual Priorities
• Build Teamwork Among Council Members
Building a Stronger Fairfax –
2024 Year in Review
Council and Staff Accomplishments
Council Accomplishments
Aging Infrastructure
Approved 5-Year Pavement Plan
Planned Construction Upgrades for Fire
Station 21
Public Works Projects: Signage, Retaining
Walls, Crosswalks
Town Operations
Approved Deep Green Energy Incentive
Program
Authorized Electric Vehicle Purchases
Address Housing Needs
Adopted Housing Element & Certified EIR
Passed Workforce Housing Overlay
Updated Short-Term Rental Regulations
Anti-Camping Ordinance Passed
Climate Resiliency
Approved Deep Green Energy Incentive
Program
Authorized Electric Vehicle Purchases
Disaster Preparedness
Successful Townwide Evacuation Drill
Advanced Fire Department Staffing Efforts
Strengthening Our Foundation
Town Leadership & Governance Highlights
Filled critical vacancies
Negotiated labor agreements
Acquired Wall Property for preservation
Bringing the Community Together
Parks, Events, & Public Engagement
Fairfax is more than a town—it’s a vibrant community. In 2024, we created more spaces and events for residents of all ages.
Expanded Public Art
Building a Tot Lot for toddlers
50+ events, 300+ Town Picnic attendees
Safety & Innovation at Work
Police, Public Works, & Climate Initiatives
From modern policing to sustainable progress, our teams worked behind the scenes to keep Fairfax safe and green.
90%+ Police staffing & 9-1-1 system upgrade
EV chargers & climate initiatives launched
Infrastructure improvements planned and implemented
Operational & Core-Functions
Finance, Planning, & Clerk’s Office
While some aspects make the news, we work continually—ensuring financial stability, transparent government, and future planning.
Robust Budget, Audit, Grant Seeking, and Financial Processes 476 building permits & housing programs launched
15 newsletters, 64% open rate (above industry average)
Managed 2024 General Election, overseeing 7 candidates, 5 committees, and 3 ballot measures, and FPPC regulations and deadlines Iceberg Model of Organizational Constraints
Town of Fairfax Regular Duties
Administration/Finance → Budgeting, HR, Public Meetings Public Works → Infrastructure Maintenance, Repairs
Planning & Building → Permits, Code Compliance
Recreation → Events, Classes, Facility Rentals
Climate → CAP Implementation, Mandated Waste Reduction
Public Safety → PD Patrols, Emergency Response
Plan for policies and projects
Policy
Ideas
Discussion
Workshops
Project Planning
Staffing/Contractors
Equipment/IT
Space
Funding
Outreach
Coordination
Ordinance or
Resolution
Commission
Advice
Drafting
Legal Review
Posting & Noticing
Council Meetings
Filing & Recording
Implementation
Outreach
Staff Work
Compliance
Reporting
Continuation
Evaluation
Funding
Coordination
Policy Changes
Roles and Responsibilities
Council – Sets policy direction, adopts budgets, and makes legislative decisions for the town
Commissions – Advisory bodies that provide recommendations on specific topics (e.g., planning, parks, climate action)
Manager – Implements Council policies, oversees daily operations, and manages staff and town resources
Attorney – Provides legal guidance to ensure town policies and decisions comply with laws and regulations
Staff – Executes projects, services, and programs that support the town’s operations and community needs.
Looking Ahead
2025 Staff Goals
Leading with Vision – Town Management
Highlights of 2025 Goals
Updated Personnel Rules
5-Year Budget Plan including deferred maintenance,
updated fee study
Citizen’s Academy to enhance public engagement
Grant Strategy – hiring experts to secure funding
Investing in Our Community – Parks &
Recreation
Community & Cultural Enhancements
Artist in Residence Program (new creative
collaborations)
Opera in a Box partnership with SF Opera
Outdoor Fitness & Park Upgrades (pickleball,
resurfacing courts, fitness stations)
Enhancing Public Safety – Fairfax PD
Key Initiatives
E-Bike Safety Program (partnership with Mill Valley
PD)
Expanding Hybrid/EV Patrol Fleet
New Resources: Drone program & off-road patrols for
100+ acre Wall Property
Therapy Dog Deployment for trauma response
Modernizing Governance – Clerk’s Office & IT
Tech & Transparency
Town-Wide SharePoint Implementation
Transitioning Website from .org to .gov
Records Management Overhaul
Strengthening Financial Stewardship –
Finance Dept.
Ensuring Fiscal Health
Transparency & Access – Financial Reports Online
Update Business License Process
Enhance Revenue Streams & Cost-Saving Initiatives
Building for the Future – Planning & Public
Works
Infrastructure & Development
Permit/Code Streamlining
Dark Sky Ordinance Updates
Street & Traffic Enhancements (ADA, bike spine)
Housing Element Implementation & Developer
Outreach
Protecting Our Home – Climate &
Environment Goals
Key 2025 Actions
Town Facility Decarbonization (LEDs, solar,
electrification)
EV Charging Expansion & Public Transit
Coordination
Composting & SB 1383 Waste Compliance
Fire Resilience & Water Conservation
Town of Fairfax Previous
5-10 Year Goals
Priorities
• Address Housing Needs
• Climate Action and Decarbonization by 2030
• Disaster preparedness and Resiliency
• Invest in Aging Infrastructure
• Strengthen Town Organization
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• What are three things you like about what the Town
has done in the last year?
• What are three thing you didn’t like about what the
Town did in the last year?
• What are three concerns that you have going into this next year?
• What are three things you want the Town to do in the
coming year?
Looking Ahead – A Vision
for 2025 & Beyond
What’s Next?
Next
Steps
Council Adopts Goals for 2025 at a Regular Meeting
Budget Preparation
Budget Adoption
Continued Staff Work Planning
Summary
Thank you!
Fairfax Annual Retreat 2025