1 March 5, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes
Fairfax Town Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Fairfax Women’s Club, 46 Park Road, Fairfax, CA
and via teleconference
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Call to Order/Roll Call:
Mayor Blash called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Lisel Blash, Mayor
Barbara Coler
Frank Egger
Michael Ghiringhelli
Stephanie Hellman, Vice Mayor
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Heather Abrams, Town Manager
Christine Foster, Deputy Town Clerk
Janet Coleson, Town Attorney
Jeff Beiswenger, Planning Director
Rico Tabaranza, Police Chief
Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Hybrid meeting at the Fairfax Women’s Club and via Zoom Call To Order: Mayor Blash called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Blash led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda:
Mayor Blash requested removal of Item 3.e from the Consent Calendar.
M/S, Coler/Ghiringhelli, Motion to approve the agenda, as amended.
AYES: Coler, Egger, Ghiringhelli, Vice Mayor Hellman, Mayor Blash NOES: None
Mayor Blash read the Land Acknowledgement Statement and delivered a brief statement regarding the Town’s position, meeting protocols, and protocols on hate speech.
Open Time for Public Expression
The following speakers voiced opposition to a recall election:
Michael Rosenthal Marlene Rogo Dan and Sandy Howard
Patrick Costello Neal Kraus Jack and Sandy Jedkins
Jody Timms Susan Malloy Janet Turner
P.J. Feffer
Mark Bell raised concerns about receiving answers to his questions at Council meetings.
Rick Hamer asked to re-agendize Item 2 from the November 19th agenda and asked when the Town Clerk and Town Treasurer would be sworn in.
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Ling Shen Bell alerted the Council of a rat infestation downtown.
Todd Greenberg spoke about fire risk and asked that the Town take emergency action to repeal Ordinance 867.
Sean Fitzgerald spoke about the campers living near Contratti Field and asked for the Town’s support of “Compassion City.”
Kip Shaw questioned the status of the homeless near Contratti Field.
Town Attorney Coleson responded that the District Court Judge has asked the Town to not enforce the anti-camping ordinance until March 18th at which time a hearing would be held.
The following individuals voiced support of a recall election:
Kip Shaw Deb London Mallory Geitheim
Michael Mackintosh Jane Kay
Jean Eda said many people cannot attend meetings but still follow what is occurring.
An 8-year resident said he follows Council meetings and opposed those chastising people for not always attending meetings.
Janet Turner said she is disabled, cannot attend meetings, and opposed any recall election.
Kay spoke about the School Street project, the status of the Town becoming a Charter City, and voiced support for a recall election.
Town Manager Abrams stated staff is collecting information about State-wide Charter City efforts and will bring the matter to the Council in April.
P.J. Feffer opposed a recall election, thinks regular speakers do not represent the Town’s demographics, and recommended the Town wait to see a judge’s ruling on an injunction against a homeless “sweep.”
Regular Agenda
1. Receive Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Review Report Town Manager Abrams introduced the item.
Finance Director Michael Vivrette gave the staff report and a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation of the current FY 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget review. In summary, expenditures for the General Fund are expected to be under budget. Staff recommends any budget adjustments come from excess savings and be allocated closer to June 30th by the Town Manager and then reported back to the Council.
Councilmembers posed questions and received clarification regarding grant funds, reduced program costs, increased costs for certain departments, a request to separate line items in the Town Attorney’s budget, spoke about potential increases in sales tax revenue through the sale of vehicles, and questioned the status of current litigation. Council Members then questioned and received feedback regarding ARPA funds the Town possesses, garbage franchise fees, reduction of police fines and forfeitures, and LPRs (license plate readers). 3 March 5, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Blash opened the meeting to public comment.
Todd Greenberg commented on the income statement and asked Town to reduce its expenses.
Mark Bell commented on the Climate budget, program implementation, and outside services.
Michael Mackintosh commented that the appointed Town Clerk was not present, questioned the Town Council’s budget, and asked that the Mayor allow Councilmembers to make inquiries.
Mayor Blash asked, and Town Manager Abrams described the budget hearing process.
Responses were then provided for speakers’ and Councilmember questions and requests.
Mayor Blash concluded the item and confirmed there was no vote or action needed.
BREAK
Mayor Blash called for a brief break at 8:43 p.m. and, thereafter, resumed the regular Council meeting at 8:50 p.m.
1. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Town of Fairfax Annual Progress Report on the General Plan and Housing Element for the Calendar Year 2024
Planning and Building Services Director Jeff Beiswenger introduced the item and pointed out a correction on page 4 under the Conservation Element wherein the second sentence should state, “A significant step towards implementing this Element was adoption of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2014 and updated in 2023.”
Andrew Hill, Dyett and Batia, provided background context and an overview of the Housing Element. Director Beiswenger then gave a PowerPoint presentation on the progress the Town has made on the Housing Element for the calendar year 2024 and goals and plans for 2025.
Councilmember Coler confirmed with Director Beiswenger that the Town Center Plan was made a subset of the Land Use Element which allows the Town to review the plan, improve the property, and help facilitate infill housing.
Mr. Hill lastly reported that the Town will submit the report to HCD by the April 1st deadline and a parallel effort is underway to complete the Housing Element Update project by adopting an updated Safety Element, Land Use Element, and Town Center Element.
Councilmember Ghiringhelli received clarification and an explanation from staff on the Town’s population, number of RHNA units assigned to the Town as mandated by the State, and the ABAG and HCD process and methodologies for assigning the share of RHNA to cities.
Mayor Blash opened the meeting to public comment.
Todd Greenberg voiced opposition to building, and questioned actual numbers of ADUs built.
Mark Bell echoed Mr. Greenberg’s ADU questions and opposed RHNA mandates for the Town.
Michael Mackintosh worried about fire risk with dense housing, gridlock, and asked for a holistic approach for new housing production.
Deb London echoed comments, spoke of cities resisting housing mandates, and opposed the School Street Plaza development.
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Kay echoed comments, questioned lack of parking, excessive building heights, and asked for a traffic study for the School Street Plaza development.
Kevin gave projections of future increased enrollment in the Ross Valley School District, added property taxes and money for schools, and asked to go out to bid for City-owned parcels on Forrest Avenue.
Councilmember Coler clarified that of the 16 ADUs built during this period, 15 of the 16 are ADUs, and one is a single-family home which is outlined in the staff report.
Director Beiswenger spoke about the developer’s preliminary application, and the Town Manager referred to a link on the Town’s website with information about the School Street Plaza project.
Councilmember Ghiringhelli confirmed with Mr. Hill that traffic studies were done for the Housing Element EIR, and brief discussion ensued regarding State law requirements, additional analysis during the Safety Element review, and mitigation efforts addressing congestion and evacuation.
Councilmember Egger recommended the Town have an inventory of existing affordable housing, asked for an amendment to the EIR for the School Street Plaza, and opposed approval of the Annual Housing Report.
Mayor Blash recognized work done on ADU awareness, confirmed the Town implemented a discount program on fees many years ago, voiced support of holding workshops, expanded use of housing choice vouchers, and suggested staff consider adding information regarding CC&Rs under 4.G given next month is Fair Housing Month.
Councilmember Ghiringhelli spoke of higher rents in other cities, disagreed with changing the Town’s small-town charm, and also opposed approval of the Annual Housing Report.
M/S, Coler/Hellman, to adopt a Resolution Accepting the Town of Fairfax Annual Progress Report on the General Plan and Housing Element for the Calendar Year 2024.
AYES: Coler, Vice Mayor Hellman, Mayor Blash
NOES: Egger, Ghiringhelli
Consent Calendar
Mayor Blash stated Item 3.e was removed previously, and she opened the item. e. Adopt Town Council Goals for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Town Manager Abrams provided a PowerPoint presentation and overview of the Town Council’s goals and strategies for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Councilmembers provided comments and posed questions regarding the Town’s siren system, an Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) system, and work to adopt a dark sky ordinance.
Mayor Blash opened the meeting to public comment.
Cindy Swift asked the Town to include a comprehensive dark sky ordinance.
Todd Greenberg spoke about a Councilmember at the goal-setting retreat. 5 March 5, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes
Mark Bell asked the Town to add a goal to leave Flood District 9, questioned the need for street sweeping, questioned road maintenance, and the need to address sidewalks.
Deb London echoed Ms. Swift’s comments and asked for equal Council representation.
Michael Mackintosh echoed comments relating to Flood District 9.
Mayor Blash asked and confirmed there was Council interest in adoption of a dark sky ordinance and policies, exploration of the use of LRADs with MWPA, and development of a comprehensive safety strategy for downtown and surrounding areas.
Councilmembers Egger and Ghiringhelli voiced opposition to certain housing mandates and discussion ensued regarding looking at goals as “big picture” goals and addressing housing needs while following State law.
M/S, Coler/Hellman, Motion to approve Consent Calendar Item e, to retain bullet one as stated, and amend Item 3’s top 2 bullets which state, “Explore use of LRADs with MWPA,” “Develop a comprehensive safety strategy for downtown and surrounding areas,” and to add a new bullet under Item 6 under Commitment to the Environment to state, “Adopt a dark sky ordinance and policies.”
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: M/S Egger/Ghiringhelli, to remove “while complying with” and add the word “review” to read, “Address housing needs, review State laws, and local priorities;” and include Councilmember Coler’s original motion to leave bullet one as stated, change Item 3 of the top two bullets to state, “Explore use of LRADs with MWPA,” “Develop a comprehensive safety strategy for downtown and surrounding areas,” and to add a new bullet under Item 6 under Commitment to the Environment to state, “Adopt a dark sky ordinance and policies.” AYES: Egger, Coler, Ghiringhelli, Mayor Blash
NOES: Coler, Vice Mayor Hellman
Waive the 10:00 p.m. Rule
M/S, Coler/Ghiringhelli, Motion to waive the 10:00 p.m. rule and continue the meeting.
AYES: Coler, Egger, Ghiringhelli, Vice Mayor Hellman, Mayor Blash NOES: None
Town Manager Abrams requested removal of Item f, stating staff will bring back the item at the April meeting.
a. Receive Financial Statement and Disbursement Reports for January 2024 b. Receive Treasurer’s Quarterly Report Ending December 31, 2024 c. Receive written report on Councilmembers’ assignments, committees, and activities in February 2025
d. Approve Minutes for the December 4 and December 18, 2024 Town Council Meetings
f. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Temporary Road Closures for Various Chamber of Commerce Events Throughout the 2025 Calendar Year, and Approving Sponsorship of the Closures
g. Adopt a Proclamation Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the DayCaring Preschool M/S, Coler/Ghiringhelli to remove Item f and approve remaining items.
Mayor Blash opened the meeting to public comment.
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Todd Greenberg objected to the Consent Calendar format, and again cited the Town’s budget.
Mark Bell asked about the cost for banner re-hanging, Marin Sanitary Service’s street sweeping , and asked to hire a court reporter to prepare the minutes.
Deb London referred to Item 3d and asked to include the Council election and Measure I results in the minutes.
Michael Mackintosh echoed comments, asked about the new Town Clerk and Town Treasurer, and for election results certified by the Clerk.
Mayor Blash confirmed with Deputy Town Clerk Foster that the election results were certified via a Council resolution.
Councilmember Egger asked for the resolution to be attached to the minutes of December 4, 2024. Deputy Town Clerk Foster and Town Attorney Coleson clarified that the resolution is the official document for the election and the vote count of the Council election and Measure I election have never been included in the body of the minutes but Deputy Town Clerk Foster agreed to add the resolution number into the December 4, 2024 minutes.
M/S, Coler/Hellman, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items a, b, c, and g, to remove Items e and f, and to approve Item d, as amended to add the election resolution number in the December 4, 2024 minutes.
AYES: Coler, Vice Mayor Hellman, Mayor Blash
NOES: Egger, Ghiringhelli
Future Agenda Items
1. Discussion on Fire Station;
2. Discussion about Fairfax becoming a Charter City;
3. Discussion on revising park rules;
4. Discussion about adopting action Council minutes;
5. Invite Ross Valley Sanitary District regarding sewer replacement project;
6. Discussion of formation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Council Reports and Comments:
Mayor Blash announced that Council Reports are included in writing in the Consent Calendar.
Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Abrams reported on the following:
• The Police Chief participated in the U.S. Fire Administration Evacuation Tabletop Exercise today;
• She and Mayor Blash will be holding “Coffee with the Mayor and Manager” from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon next Wednesday, March 11th at Amelie Cafe; • Loren Umbertis, Public Works Director, is no longer with the Town and Mark Lockaby will be filling in while a Public Works Director is hired;
• Staff are working on a number of items for the April 2nd Council meeting, including:
o Fire Hazard Severity Maps
o E-Bike Ordinance
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o Street Closures for Chamber Events
o Artist in Residence Interviews
o Charter City Discussion
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:19 p.m.