FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE October 7, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Christine Foster, Assistant to the Town Manager/Deputy Town Clerk SUBJECT Receive report on Councilmembers’ assignments, committees, and activities in September 2026.
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
9/2 Met with Larkspur council members Stephanie Andre and Sarah Margulies regarding Ross Valley Sanitation and CMSA JPA governance issues.
9/9 MCCMC Executive team touchpoint with Prez Gabe Paulson and VP Chanel Walker and Secty Treasurer C. Parini.
9/10 Migrogrid meeting with Climate Coordinator Bridget Wipfler and Bruce Ackerman on RFP content development /specs.
9/9 Ross Valley Fire Board meeting
9/11 Memorial Garden meeting with families and town staff, town arborist. Next steps: In Oct, bay tree removal/stump grinding (approved by tree committee in June 2026); 11/1 weeding and mulching with volunteers; 11/15 planting. Boulder and plaque supplier tbd. 9/14 Attended first part of Climate Action Committee meeting. 9/14 Offered public comment as Mayor and rate payer to Central Marin Sanitary Agency. 9/16: Meeting with town staff and FFX Chamber of Commerce. Agreed on new communication and meeting process for town event planning.
9/16 MCCMC Executive team touchpoint with Prez Gabe Paulson and VP Chanel Walker and Secty Treasurer C. Parini.
9/21: Weekly 1:1 with town manager Heather Abrams
9/22 Fairfax Agenda setting meeting with Vice Mayor and Staff 9/25 Attended first annual Mayor’s (electronic toy) boat race at Sausalito Boat Walk 9/30 MCCMC September regular meeting at Kentfield campus COM.
Vice Mayor Egger
Frank Egger’s report on Ross Valley Flood Zone #9 Advisory Board: We are waiting for a meeting to be scheduled.
San Anselmo residents voted to withdraw from Flood Zone #9. San Anselmo taxpayers will no longer contribute funds for future projects. Funding for the Agency runs out next year. The Fairfax Town Council should agendize a discussion of the pros & cons of staying in the RVFZ#9.
Fairfax Open Space Committee: I attended the Center Blvd. Vegetation Management meeting at San Anselmo Town Hall the same night & missed the FOSC meeting.
A number of San Anselmo residents attended to express concerns over the loss of privacy and the sound barrier that the trees & shrubs provide. Oleanders under normal circumstances are fire resistant. I had asked that the trees & shrubs are proposed to be removed be marked so residents can actually see what greenery will be removed.
Fairfax residents along Belmont & Landsdale will be impacted. I said if Fairfax & San Anselmo keep the weeds down, the possibility of ignition will be greatly lowered.
Councilmember Coler
1. Sep 1, 22, 29 – Mtgs with Town Manager on various Council matters.
2. Sep 2 – Town Council mtg.
3. Sep 3–Marin Wildfire (MWPA) Executive Committee meeting (and pre-mtg Sep 2) – The Committee approved recommendations for the full Board: an amendment to the Employee Compensation Policy; information item on Low Interest Loans for Home Hardening and Zone Zero. Discussed/approved the Strategic Plan revised process as recommended by Pres. Coler. Had a Closed Session on EO Perf. Eval.
4. Sep 4, 11 – MCE CEO Search Ad Hoc Committee meeting – mtgs of the 7-member ad hoc. John McCormick (Lafayette) was chosen as the Chair on Aug 3, the ad hoc will meet every Friday until TBD less frequent mtgs are needed. Premeeting with Ad Hoc Chair and Coler (as Ex Com Chair) and staff earlier on Sep 4.
5. Sep 8 – MCE Clean Energy Executive Committee mtg – The Committee approved: the 3rd amended agreement thru March 31,2027 with CLEAResult Consulting for work with non-residential customers energy efficiency – increases their compensation (all funded by CPUC for energy saving incentives thru 2027): recommending to the Board approval of amendment to the Investment Policy (also recommended by the Finance Committee); Sept 17 Board Agenda. The Committee received a presentation on FY Year End 2026 Budget Results, Power Supply Variance and Ratification of Certain Line Item Variances – change in net position is ~$15M (the Finance Committee unanimously recommended ratification; Ex Com also recommended ratification – the recommendations will go to the full Board). A Closed Session was held.
6. Sep 9 – MCE CEO Search Ad Hoc Committee – interviewed 4 search firms who submitted proposals.
7. Sep 9 – Ross Valley Fire Board mtg – The Board: unanimously approved the 4th amendment to the JPA agreement (to be forwarded to the member agencies for ratification); approved the response to the Grand Jury Report – “Better Services at Lower Cost – Optimizing Essential Services for the Future of Marin; unanimously adopted a Resolution authorizing the Fire Chief to purchase a new Type 6 fire engine (specifically designed to operate in areas that are inaccessible to larger structural apparatus, are smaller and more maneuverable than our current Type 3 fire engine which is 4W drive and also good for wildland areas); Type 6 is also 4W drive and would be housed at Station 20 – it would increase our offroad firefighting ability by 100% using funds from the undesignated fund account (not to exceed $572,194).
At 6:59am on 9/11, each of the three fire stations held a remembrance for the victims. Interviews completed for 2 FF/paramedic positions.
8. Sep 11 – attended 9/11 remembrance at Fire Station 21 in Fairfax.
9. Sep 11 – MCE - meeting with Acting CEO re: closeout of pending matter.
10. Sep 14 – MCE – meeting with staff and Chairs of committees.
11. Sep 17 - Marin Wildfire (MWPA) Board meeting & premeeting (Sep 16) – The Board approved: a task order amendment for F&K with value not to exceed $243, 175 for the Inverness Seahaven Project; acknowledges completion of environmental compliance and approved the Core projects - "Novato Core Direct Assistance and Novato Hazardous Vegetation Removal Programs" (enhances defensible space and reduce flammable vegetation within and adjacent to neighborhoods – up to $160k) and "Southern
Marin Zone Tamalpais Homestead Valley Expansion Fuel Break Project”(would remove hazardous accumulated ground, ladder fuels, and hazard trees on private lands within up to 200 feet of structures in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley to create a fuel break in a 170- acre area – up to $100k); authorized the Executive Officer to execute the Fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Willow Labs, LLC ($144,700 and extends to Sep 2028); authorized release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) - for contractors for vegetation management, tree trimming and removal, and fuel load reduction services to be provided under master services agreements (current MSAs expire 1/2027); received/discussed a new approach to Strategic Plan, received a workplan implementation update (highlights - In Central Marin, West Marin, and Southern Marin inspections are conducted by the Marin Defensible Space Alliance (MDSA). Thus far in 2026, the MDSA has completed over 15,400 inspections. In the Novato Zone, Novato Fire Wildfire 2 Mitigation Specialists (WMS) have conducted 3,251 inspections thus far in 2026. In the San Rafael Zone, San Rafael Fire WMS have completed over 3,680 inspections; Defensible Space and Home Hardening Grant Programs – over $3M in Measure C funds will be spent, to date close to $1M; Chipper program is finishing its 4th of 6 rounds of chipping for this year, so far 3,390 successful pickups and 11,956 cubic yards of vegetation removed from residential properties). Other news – Redwood Credit Union will soon be offering low interest loans for home hardening (HH) and D-Space for residential properties, likely a $25K cap for 5-7 years and interest may be about 6.99% (compared to usually 12.99%) – may change due to recent interest rate hike.
Other banks may soon be offering this. Mercury Insurance has been insuring some who had been on the Fair Plan (if HH and Zone Zero/D-Space clearance) – has resulted in about $5K savings annually and better coverage. Strategic Plan update process agreed to – create subcommittee of the Ex Com plus alternate and up to 2 -3 more Board members.
12. Sep 17 – MCE Clean Energy Board mtg – The Board: received the findings and recommendations of the governance assessment report – voted to proceed as proposed by LRI and that they also provide an analysis of pros/cons of Board size reduction; approved the amendment to the Investment Policy and the FY Year End 2026 Budget Results, Power Supply Variance and Ratification of Certain Line Item Variances (both were recommended by the Finance and Executive Committees); approved a resolution with the MCE 2025 Power Source Disclosure Attestation; received an update and recommendations by the Ad Hoc CEO Search Committee – the search firm recommended, Heidrick and Struggles was approved by the Board; received a report out on the FY end 2026 Financial Audit (MCE’s FY ends March 31). A Closed Session was also held – the Board voted to reject two government claims and to appoint Vicken Kasarjian as Interim CEO and directed Ex Com to establish compensation, other terms and conditions and conditions of employment, scope of authority and that he also retains his position/title of COO.
13. Sept 21 – Community Media Center of Marin – Coler as VP met with ED Eisenmenger.
14. Sep 23 - MCE - Executive Committee prep mtg with Interim CEO.
15. Sep 24 – Community Media Center of Marin Board mtg – The Board: welcomed Beau Blanchard of the California Film Institute as the Arts representative on the CMCM Board; unanimously voted to request the San Rafael Chamber to designate Martin Kaufman as the Business representative to the CMCM Board; held a closed session re: ED compensation.
16. Sep 25 - Age Friendly Fairfax mtg – final planning for Oct 17 Annual 90+ Celebration (the 9th).
17. Sep 25 – Fairfax Art Walk.
18. Sep 28 - Marin County Council of Mayors & Councilmembers (MCCMC) Legislative Committee (now being held at the Larkspur Library with zoom available for the public). The Governor has until September 30 to sign or veto bills. Several bills the Committee supported or opposed have either been enrolled (on the Governor’s desk), DEAD or gutted and amended. Those chaptered (signed by the Governor) are: SB 1005 (Caballero) – allows rounding to a nickel if local agencies adopt a resolution to do so; SB 922 (Laird) – states that a fee, charge, or surcharge imposed by or for a local agency to recover the cost of street maintenance and repair and other costs associated with the use of its streets, roads, or highways to provide public services or public works is not a tax, permit fee, or other charge that is prohibited. The Governor vetoed AB 1383 which would have revised
PEPRA (pension reforms) for safety employees. The Committee also requested nominations to become its Chair for the next calendar year – Caroline Joachim (Mill Valley) and Sarah Marguiles (Larkspur) expressed interest. Kyra Ross (lobbyist) listed trends for next legislative year: bring back AB 1383 with possible adding CTA; AI safety; data centers; more bldg. of condos/townhouses; wildfire resilience; advanced clean fleet. 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 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. Coler requested and was approved to follow all wildfire bills as they fit within land use/housing and local control.
19. Sep 29 – MCE – meeting with Interim CEO re: Ex Com prep.
20. Sep 30 - Marin County Council of Mayors & Councilmembers (MCCMC) – Held at the College of Marin – business mtg and Speaker panel discussion on Super El Niño (Dr. Daniel Swain - University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), Mark Brown – Marin Wildfire, Steven Torrence - County OES, Nadia Seeteram, Marin County Chief Climate Officer; Belle Cole, Marin Conservation League).
Councilmember Blash
1. 09/01: Met with Town Manager.
2. 09/02: Special Closed Session Meeting. Conference with Legal Counsel, anticipated litigation and meeting with labor negotiators
3. 09/02: Town Council Meeting. Received Presentations on the Marin County Emergency Operations Plan and Coordinated Preparation for the 2026–27 El Niño Season, PG&E on the August 15, 2026, underground vault fire and power outage at Broadway and Bolinas Road, Ross Valley Sanitary District on tax dispute issue. Residents’ Petition on Cannabis.
4. 09/03: Ross Valley Paramedic Authority Meeting.
a. Received update from the Executive Officer on the Grand Jury report “Better Service at Lower Cost — Optimizing Essential Services for the Future of Marin”; RVPA does not agree with the findings. The Authority emphasized that, as an eight-member Joint Powers Authority (JPA), its structure already provides consolidated, efficient, and cost-effective paramedic services.
RVPA notes that many findings pertain to other types of special districts, and that the conclusions do not reflect the operational realities of the RVPA model. b. Cost Sharing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA), Southern Marin Emergency Medical Paramedic System (SMEMPS), and Marin County Fire Department (MCFD). The Board adopted a resolution authorizing and directing the Executive Officer to enter into a cost-sharing memorandum of understanding for EMS Personnel by and among RVPA, SMEMPS, and the MCFD. This move is part of a broader effort to standardize operations and enhance transparency.
5. 09/08: Chamber Mixer at the Lodge.
6. 09/11: Ross Valley Safe Routes to School Task Force. Discussed the Street Smarts public outreach program, the County’s efforts at introducing 15 mph speed limits around schools, Safe Routes to School Fall School Activities, and Town updates.
7. 09/21: Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting. The BPAC had a robust conversation about the Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and the potential for making the BPAC a standing committee. A number of members of the public attended and made many helpful comments.
8. 09/22: Met with Town Manager.
9. 09/22: Garden Memorial Meeting. Met with the Mayor, Town Manager, Town Forester, and families of the girls lost in the accident in Woodacre to discuss plans for memorial garden.
10. 09/24: Transportation Authority of Marin Board Meeting. a. The TAM Board voted to allocate funding to extend the existing Redwood Bike Share program for another three years. That means the current program, concentrated around the SMART Train stops, will continue in its current form. We were also informed that Governor Newsom signed AB 113, which includes $1 million for TAM to expand the Redwood Bikeshare Program in the Counties of Marin and Sonoma, including possible Fairfax. However, it will be some time before that funding comes through because it is an earmark, which means it is more complicated to find a path to access the funding. However, this is likely good news for Ross Valley.
b. There was also a discussion of the data from the first year after Marin jurisdictions adopted the youth e-bike policy. It appears to be having a positive impact, but the evaluation team needs to collect more data and more fine-tuned data.
11. 09/25: Age-Friendly Fairfax Meeting. Attended to solicit feedback on bike/ped issues. (I was not able to attend last month’s meeting.)
12. 09/25: Fairfax Artwalk.
13. 09/26: Fairfax Theater Company production of the Importance of Being Earnest.
14. 09/29: Met with Town Manager.
15. 09/30: Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers Meeting.
Councilmember Ghiringhelli
Not received in time for publication.