Larkspur City Council
Minutes of August 3, 2022
LARKSPUR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Larkspur City Council Chambers
400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur CA
And Via Videoconference Per AB 361 (2021)
August 3, 2022
For full video/audio of the meeting, go to http://www.cityoflarkspur.org (Quick Links – Watch City Council Meetings)
SPECIAL MEETING
Vice Mayor Paulson called the special meeting to order.
1. ROLL CALL
COUNCIL PRESENT: Scot Candell, Catherine Way, and Vice Mayor Gabe Paulson
COUNCIL ABSENT: Kevin Haroff and Mayor Dan Hillmer
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant to the City Manager Shannon O’Hare and City Manager Dan Schwarz
2. BUSINESS ITEM
2.1 INTERVIEWS FOR PLANNING COMMISSION (2 VACANCIES)
The Council interviewed Peter Haubold, Liam Campbell, and Max Williamson for the vacancies on the Larkspur Planning Commission.
Councilmember Haroff joined the meeting.
3. ADJOURN TO REGULAR MEETING
The Council adjourned the regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Vice Mayor Paulson called the regular meeting to order.
1. ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COUNCIL PRESENT: Scot Candell, Kevin Haroff, Catherine Way, and Vice Mayor Gabe Paulson
COUNCIL ABSENT: Mayor Dan Hillmer
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant to City Manager Shannon O’Hare, City Manager Dan Schwarz, Community Development Director Elise Semonian, Public Works Director Julian Skinner, and City Attorney Sky Woodruff
Vice Mayor Paulson led the pledge of allegiance.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
The Council received public comment from:
• Jim Burrows
• Kevin Carroll
• David Moller
• Dhuraiv Sayed
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of August 3, 2022
3. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
None.
4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
The Council removed Item 4.7 from the consent calendar.
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Haroff, the City Council approved the consent calendar, with the exception of Item 4.7, in one motion. The vote was unanimously in favor (Hillmer absent). The approved consent calendar consisted of the following items:
4.1 Approve warrants.
4.2 Approve minutes of the July 20, 2022, regular meeting.
4.3 Adopt Resolution 58/22 authorizing City Council and City Advisory Body meetings to be held via teleconference for the 30-day period beginning August 10, 2022, and making related findings pursuant to AB 361.
4.4 Adopt Ordinance 1059 imposing a one-quarter cent Disaster Preparedness and Essential Services Transactions and Use Tax to be approved by voters at the November 8, 2022, General Election.
4.5 Adopt Resolution 59/22 approving the plans and specifications and authorizing bid advertisement for the Measure B Group 4 Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CIP 22-301).
4.6 Adopt Resolution 60/22 approving the plans and specifications and authorizing bid advertisement for the Shady Lane Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CIP 22-301S).
4.8 Adopt Resolution 61/22 authorizing a consultant contract for 4LEAF Inc. to provide services to the Community Development Department.
4.7 Approve the City’s response to the 2021-22 Marin County Civil Grand Jury report entitled “Electrifying Marin’s Buildings: A Countywide Approach.”
City Manager Schwarz provided a staff report.
The Council received public comment from:
• David Moller
• James Holmes
• Leslie
Upon motion by Councilmember Way, and seconded by Councilmember Candell, the City Council approved the City’s response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury report entitled “Electrifying Marin’s Buildings: A Countywide Approach.” The vote was unanimously in favor (Hillmer absent).
5. CITY MANAGER’S ORAL REPORT
City Manager Schwarz gave his oral report.
6. COUNCILMEMBERS’ ORAL REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Councilmember Way reported on the following items:
1. The Commons Foundation
2. Larkspur Chamber of Commerce
3. Marin County Sherriff Jamie Scardina’s Swearing-In Ceremony
4. Memorial Benches
Councilmember Haroff reported on the following items:
1. The Commons Foundation
2. Larkspur Chamber of Commerce
Vice Mayor Paulson reported on the following items:
1. Fire Season
2. Sign Placement Discussions
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of August 3, 2022
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 AMENDING THE FEE SCHEDULE TO ADD ENCROACHMENT PERMIT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING FEE No. 9(c) – SQUARE FOOTAGE AREA CHARGE FOR OUTDOOR DINING IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY – AT A
REASONABLE RATE AS DETERMINED BY THE CITY ENGINEER, AND
COMPARABLE TO LEASES AT OR NEAR THE OUTDOOR DINING LOCATION
FOR SIMILAR USE
Council to hold a public hearing and consider adopting Resolution 62/22 amending the fee schedule to add the Encroachment Permit and Land Development Engineering Fee No. 9(c).
Public Works Director Skinner presented the staff report and answered question from the Council.
Vice Mayor Paulson opened the public hearing. No one from the public wished to comment, so Vice Mayor Paulson closed the public hearing.
Upon motion by Councilmember Haroff, and seconded by Councilmember Candell, the City Council adopted Resolution 62/22 amending the fee schedule to add the Encroachment Permit and Land Development Engineering Fee No. 9(c) – square footage area charge for outdoor dining in public right-of-way. The vote was unanimously in favor (Hillmer absent).
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
8.1 REQUEST FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT CITY COUNCIL DISCUSS
RENT CONTROL
Council to consider public request to take up the question of adopting a rent control ordinance in Larkspur.
City Manager Schwarz presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
The Council received public comment from:
• Tristan
• Vivian Tao
• Liesel Blush
• Kevin Carroll
• Charlotte Richie
• James Holmes
• Duncan McCandless
• Leslie
• Ani Maher
• Maddie Hirschfield
• Deepa Varma
• Dorothy O’Leary
• John Peretto
• Bridget Gleason
• Evan Lingonfelder
• Robin Jordan
• Lark Calderon Gomez
• Sherry Paula
• Elif Kimyacioglu
• Lisa Castro
• Joan Weinberg
• Katina Griffin
• Curt Reese
• Robbie Lynn Antonio
• Joshua Howard
• Lucy Hollingsworth
• Anil Babar
• Kate Delong
• Larkspur Resident
• Kyle Ansler
• Emilio Pineda
• Sarah Bermudez
• Caitlin Lamott
• Dorothy O’Leary
• Ansi
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of August 3, 2022
The Council appointed Councilmember Haroff and Vice Mayor Paulson to an ad hoc committee to consider options surrounding rent control and report back as a standing item on future agendas.
8.2 REQUEST THAT CITY COUNCIL REVISIT ITS PARKLET POLICY AS IT
APPLIES TO THE LEFT BANK RESTAURANT
Council to consider request from the General Manager of the Left Bank restaurant to revisit its decision of June 15, 2022, concerning parklets in the Downtown.
City Manager Schwarz presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
The Council received public comment from:
• Vine Hospitality Representative
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Haroff, the City Council extended the deadline for the removal of the Left Bank parklet to September 15, 2022, during which time the parklet may not be used and with the requirement that the restaurant sign a new permit assuming liability for the structure in the public right-of-way. The vote was unanimously in favor (Hillmer absent).
8.3 REQUEST FOR A WAIVER OF PROCESSING FEES FOR A HOMEKEY HOUSING PROJECT AT 1251 SOUTH ELISEO DRIVE
Council to consider adopting Resolution 32/22 authorizing the waiver of processing fees for the Project Homekey development at 1251 S. Eliseo Drive.
Community Development Director Semonian presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
The Council received public comment from:
• Leelee Thomas
• James Holmes
• Drew Martay
• Jeff Geissberger
Upon motion by Councilmember Haroff, and seconded by Councilmember Way, the City Council adopted Resolution 32/22 authorizing the waiver of Planning, Building, and Public Works development fees for the Project Homekey Development at 1251 South Eliseo Drive. The vote was 3-1-1 (Councilmembers Haroff, Paulson, and Way in favor; Councilmember Candell opposed; and Mayor Hillmer absent).
8.4 POLICY FOR THE USE OF REVENUES GENERATED BY THE LARKSPUR
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES MEASURE
ESTABLISHING THE CITY STORM DRAIN SYSTEM AND DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS AS THE PRIORITY USES OF FUNDS
Council to consider adopting Resolution 63/22 outlining priority uses for the Larkspur Disaster Preparedness and Essential Services Measure.
Assistant to the City Manager O’Hare presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
The Council received public comment from:
• Laura Effel
• James Holmes
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Haroff, the City Council adopted Resolution 63/22 adopting a policy for the use of revenues generated by the Larkspur Disaster Preparedness and Essential Services Measure, establishing storm drain maintenance and disaster preparedness as the priority use of funds. The vote was unanimously in favor (Hillmer absent).
9. ADJOURN
The Council adjourned the meeting at 10:17 p.m.
Attested
__________________________
Alison Foulis, City Clerk