Town Council Meeting | Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Town of Town of Fairfax
Regular Town Council Meeting
Fairfax Women’s Club, 46 Park Road, Fairfax, CA
and via teleconference Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Hellman called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Stephanie Hellman, Mayor
Frank Egger, Vice Mayor
Barbara Coler
Michael Ghiringhelli
Lisel Blash
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Heather Abrams, Town Manager
Christine Foster, Assistant to the Town Manager/Deputy Town Clerk
Janet Coleson, Town Attorney, Public Agency Law
Janabai Owens Deputy Town Clerk
Jeff Beiswenger, Planning & Building Services Director
Anne Mannes, Recreation & Community Services Manager
Maria Baird, Recreation & Community Services Manager
Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Hybrid meeting location at Fairfax Women's Club, 46 Park Road, Fairfax, CA and via Zoom.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Hellman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moment of Silence
Mayor Hellman called for a moment of silence in remembrance of Ada Keppley, Olive Corrin, Jocelyn Osborne, and Sienna Katz, four young women lost one year ago. The Mayor announced plans for a memorial with a garden and a plaque near the Women's Club.
Approval of Agenda
M/S: Blash/Coler
AYES: Blash, Coler, Egger, Ghiringhelli, Hellman
NOES: None
Announcements
- Tot lot ribbon cutting on Friday, April 17 at noon.
- Take Back Day on April 25th from 10 am to 2 pm for e-waste, medications, document shredding, and free compost.
Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Abrams reported on the positive San Francisco Chronicle article about Fairfax, upcoming tot lot ribbon cutting, chipper days registration, evacuation drill survey and planned driveway drill, the diseased giant sequoia tree at Doc Edgar Park requiring removal, potential stairway improvements using Measure A funding, and completion of park sign designs.
Future Agenda Items
Town Council Meeting | Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Council Member Egger requested an agenda item regarding reducing speed limits.
Open Time for Public Expression
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Kevin Curtis from San Anselmo commented on council member reports and discussed RHNA allocations and potential cooperative agreements for housing units. • Gail Corrin, Olive Corrin's grandmother, thanked the council for offering to create a memorial for the four young women.
• Pega Nieuwenhuijs, Sienna Katz's mother and Manor School principal, expressed appreciation for being invited and recognized the community's support. • Christine Osborne Batonities, Jocelyn Osborne’s mother, thanked the council for acknowledging their children and including their names in the memorial. • Todd Greenberg asked questions about official meeting records. • Rick Hamer supported the memorial and reduced speed limits. • Megan, a Manor parent, expressed support for the memorial and raised awareness about Measure H parcel tax.
• Jody Timms expressed appreciation for the memorial, encouraged detailed council reports, and announced a Climate Action Committee EV and e-bike show. • Mark Bell requested recognition of Arab American Month, supported the memorial, the Chamber of Commerce funding request, and advocated for speed limit reductions.
Mayor Hellman closed the meeting to Open Time for Public Expression.
Regular Agenda
1. Public Review: Updated Draft Budget Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Discuss Fiscal Year 2026-27 Updated Draft Operating and Capital Improvement Budget Finance Director Vivrette and Town Manager Abrams presented the updated draft budget totaling approximately $16 million. The presentation included comparisons between Budget A (proposed) and Budget B (10% reduction scenario) showing potential impacts to services. Council Members posed questions about police retirement costs, legal expenses, capital improvements funding, and road maintenance priorities.
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Kevin Curtis asked about Meadow Bridge project costs and funding sources. • Jim raised concerns about road maintenance costs and Marin County operations. • Mark Bell commented on the council's approach to road funding and suggested alternative financing methods.
• Todd Greenberg agreed with the previous speaker and commented on the budget presentation and legal costs.
• PJ spoke about government operations compared to private business constraints. • Jane commented on council conduct during budget discussions. • Ana Medina from Mas Masa supported Chamber of Commerce funding at $24,000.
Mayor Hellman closed the meeting to public comment.
The item was received for information with the next budget review scheduled for May 6th and final approval and adoption planned for June 3rd.
Town Council Meeting | Wednesday, April 15, 2026
2. Adopt a Resolution Adopting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the proposed Bridge Preventive Maintenance Project (BPMP) and Approve the BPMP
Mayor Hellman opened the public hearing.
Public Works Director Arnold presented the Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program related to Canyon Road, Spruce Road, and Marin Road bridges. The project includes wing wall repairs, deck sealing, and fish ladder maintenance. Environmental consultant Justin Simeon from WRA explained the CEQA process and mitigation measures. The environmental review determined all impacts can be mitigated to less than significant levels.
Council Members raised concerns about fish ladder effectiveness, creek restoration opportunities, and FEMA water rise regulations affecting downstream flooding liability.
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Todd Greenberg spoke about water velocity impacts and potential flooding for downstream homes.
Mayor Hellman closed the public hearing.
M/S: Coler/Blash Motion to adopt the resolution adopting the CEQA Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Bridge Preventive Maintenance Project and approve the BPMP.
AYES: Blash, Ghiringhelli, Coler, Hellman
NOES: Egger
3. Public Hearing: Introduce and Read by Title Only an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 17.048 (Residential Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Fairfax Town Code to Comply with Recent Changes in State Law CEQA: Statutorily Exempt. Under California Public Resources Code section 21080.17, CEQA does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance by a jurisdiction implementing the provisions of Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code, which is California’s ADU law, as defined by section 66313 Mayor Hellman opened the public hearing.
Planning Director Beiswenger presented updates to the ADU ordinance to comply with state law changes. Key changes include new processing timelines, rental term restrictions, parking replacement elimination, impact fee exemptions for units under 750 square feet, and provisions for legalizing nonconforming units. The Planning Commission did not provide a positive recommendation due to the requirement for five positive votes.
Council Members discussed enforcement, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R) interactions, size limitations, and amnesty programs.
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Todd Greenberg asked about document versions and supplement posting procedures. • Mark Bell asked about the number of ADUs built in recent years. • PJ questioned the amnesty program timeline extending to 2036.
Mayor Hellman closed the public hearing.
Town Council Meeting | Wednesday, April 15, 2026
M/S: Coler/Blash Motion to waive first reading and read by title only an ordinance to amend Chapter
17.048 residential accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units of the town code to comply with recent changes in state law.
AYES: Blash, Coler, Hellman
NOES: Ghiringhelli, Egger
Consent Calendar
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar: Council Member Egger requested removal of items E, F, and H.
Items Remaining on the Consent Calendar:
a. Financial Statement and Disbursement Reports
b. Councilmember Reports
c. Minutes
d. Agreement with the Town of San Anselmo for Slurry Seal Bid g. Catastrophic Leave Donation Policy
i. Boards & Commissions Reappointment
j. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
k. Fair Housing Month
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Todd Greenberg commented on the topic of items included on the consent calendar. • Mark Bell asked about spending priorities.
Mayor Hellman closed the meeting to public comment.
M/S: Coler/Hellman Motion to approve the consent calendar minus items E, F, and H.
AYES: Blash, Coler, Ghiringhelli, Egger, Hellman
NOES: None
e) Adopt a Resolution Awarding a Contract to Argo Construction, Inc. for Fire Station 21 Remodel Project and Authorize Town Manager to Execute the Contract and Pay an Amount Not to Exceed $1,036,000 with an Additional Contingency of $98,953; this resolution is not expanding the total project cost, which remains estimated at $1.6 million Public Works Director Arnold explained the contract award to Argo Construction for $1,036,000 with a $98,953 contingency, all within the $1.6 million total project budget.
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Todd Greenberg questioned total project costs including loan payments. • Mark Bell asked about unused funds and suggested paying down the principal.
Mayor Hellman closed the meeting to public comment.
Town Council Meeting | Wednesday, April 15, 2026
M/S: Coler/Blash Motion to adopt the resolution awarding the contract to Argo Construction Inc. and authorize the town manager to execute the contract.
AYES: Blash, Coler, Ghiringhelli, Egger, Hellman
NOES: None
f) Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Contract with WRA for Fuel Reduction Environmental Services for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $68,031 Council Member Egger asked and Council Member Coler explained this contract with WRA for $68,031 covers only environmental compliance work, not the actual fuel reduction project, and will be funded through Marin Wildfire local funds.
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Mark Bell asked about estimated costs for the vegetation management work.
Mayor Hellman closed the meeting to public comment.
M/S: Coler/Blash Motion to adopt the resolution authorizing the town manager to execute the professional services agreement with WRA for environmental services.
AYES: Blash, Coler, Egger, Ghiringhelli, Hellman
NOES: None
h) Adopt a Resolution supporting the Bay Area Air District’s Zero-Emission Building Appliance Rules
Council Member Egger asked and Council Member Coler explained the resolution supports Bay Area Air District rules requiring replacement of gas appliances with electric when they fail, beginning in 2027.
The town is not adopting local requirements but expressing policy support.
Mayor Hellman opened the meeting to public comment.
• Todd Greenberg urged opposition citing potential legal costs and homeowner financial burden.
Mayor Hellman closed the meeting to public comment.
M/S: Coler/Hellman Motion to adopt the resolution supporting the Bay Area Air District Zero-Emission Building Appliance Rules.
AYES: Blash, Coler, Hellman
NOES: Ghiringhelli, Egger
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:00 p.m. in memory of John Martin.