Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 1, 2024
LARKSPUR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Larkspur City Council Chambers
400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur CA
May 1, 2024
For full video/audio of the meeting, go to http://www.cityoflarkspur.org (Quick Links – Watch City Council Meetings)
REGULAR MEETING
1. ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Candell called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Stephanie Andre, Gabe Paulson, Catherine Way, and Mayor Scot Candell
COUNCIL ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Clerk Alison Foulis, Administrative Services Director Emilia Gabriele, Assistant City Manager Shannon O’Hare, City Manager Dan Schwarz, Community Development Director Elise Semonian, Public Works Director Julian Skinner, and City Attorney Sky Woodruff
Mayor Candell led the pledge of allegiance.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment was received from:
• JJ Andre
• Ted Horton
3. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
3.1 Marin County Office of Emergency Management Presentation from Director Steven Torrence.
The Council received a presentation from Marin County Office of Emergency Management Director Steven Torrence and asked questions.
3.2 “ECHO: Supporting Larkspur Tenants and Landlords” from Christina Soto, Executive Director.
The Council received a presentation from ECHO Executive Director Christina Soto and asked questions.
4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Andre requested Item 4.5 be removed from the Consent Calendar.
Upon motion by Councilmember Paulson, and seconded by Vice Mayor Way, the City Council approved the consent calendar in one motion with the exception of Item 4.5. The vote was unanimously in favor. The approved consent calendar consisted of the following items:
4.1 Approve warrants.
4.2 Approve minutes of the April 17, 2024, regular meeting.
4.3 Adopt Resolution 21/24 in support of the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA) Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2024/25.
4.4 Adopt Resolution 22/24 amending the spending authority of the City Manager in order to execute an amendment to a consulting services agreement with ClientFirst Consulting Group LLC for land management software implementation assistance.
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 1, 2024
Mayor Candell introduced Item 4.5.
4.5 Adopt Resolution 23/24 authorizing Amendment No. 12 to the City Manager’s Employment Agreement.
The Council directed staff to place a closed session item on the next City Council agenda for discussion on the City Manager’s employee evaluation.
5. CITY MANAGER’S ORAL REPORT
City Manager Schwarz gave his oral report.
6. COUNCILMEMBERS’ ORAL REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Councilmember Paulson reported on the following items:
1. 5/1/2024 SMART Board of Directors Meeting
2. TAM (Transportation Authority of Marin)
3. 3/21/2024 CPUC Meeting
4. Homeowners Insurance
Councilmember Andre reported on the following items:
1. 5/14/2024 Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Public Forum
Vice Mayor Way reported on the following items:
1. The Commons Foundation presentation at The Tamalpais
2. Project Homekey at 1251 S. Eliseo
Mayor Candell reported on the following items:
1. Project Homekey at 1251 S. Eliseo
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 1073 AMENDING CHAPTER 6.20 OF THE
LARKSPUR MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A SUNSET PROVISION TO THE RENT
STABILIZATION REGULATIONS
Council to conduct a public hearing and consider the introduction of an ordinance amending the Larkspur Municipal Code to add a sunset provision to the rent stabilization regulations.
City Manager Schwarz presented the staff report and answered questions.
Mayor Candell opened the public hearing and, seeing no one wishing to comment, closed the public hearing.
Upon motion by Vice Mayor Way, and seconded by Councilmember Paulson, the City Council waived the first reading and approved the introduction of Ordinance 1073 amending Chapter 6.20 of the Larkspur Municipal Code to add a sunset provision to the rent stabilization regulations with a date of January 1, 2030, consistent with California State Law, and directed staff to bring an amendment to Chapter 6.30, “Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Protection,” of the Larkspur Municipal Code to amend Section 6.30.130, “Sunset” to reflect a consistent sunset date of January 1, 2030. The vote was unanimously in favor. The ordinance will be brought back to the next regular meeting for adoption.
7.2 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 1074 RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION
OF CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
Council to conduct a public hearing and consider the introduction of an ordinance amending Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 2.04.030 and 2.04.040 related to the compensation of City Councilmembers and the Mayor.
City Manager Schwarz presented the staff report and answered questions.
Mayor Candell opened the public hearing and, seeing no one wishing to comment, closed the public hearing.
Upon motion by Councilmember Paulson, and seconded by Councilmember Way, the City Council waived the first reading and approved the introduction of Ordinance 1074 relating to the compensation of City Councilmembers. The vote was unanimously in favor. The ordinance will be brought back to the next regular meeting for adoption.
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 1, 2024
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
8.1 LARKSPUR CITY HALL FACILITY RENOVATION STUDY: BUDGET
AMENDMENT AND CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PAGE AND TURNBULL IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $232,000
Council to consider adopting Resolution 24/24 amending the FY23/24 Capital Improvement Program Budget for the City Hall Renovation Study (CIP 25-103) and Resolution 25/24 authorizing a consulting services agreement with Page and Turnbull for the City Hall Renovation Study (CIP 25-103).
Public Works Director Skinner provided a presentation and answered questions from the Council.
Public comment was received from:
• Hilary Culhane
Upon motion by Councilmember Way, and seconded by Councilmember Paulson, the City Council adopted Resolutions 24/24 and 25/24 amending the Capital Improvement Program budget and authorizing a consulting services agreement with Page and Turnbull for the City Hall Renovation Study (CIP 25-103). The vote was unanimously in favor.
8.2 FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES Presentation from staff about the trends and challenges informing preparation of the FY24/25 budget.
City Manager Schwarz and Administrative Services Director Gabriele provided a presentation to the Council and answered questions.
8.3 ENCROACHMENT PERMIT FOR LARKSPUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO
INSTALL DECORATIVE WRAP ON UTILITY BOX ADJACENT TO DOWNTOWN CITY PARKING LOT AT 512 MAGNOLIA AVENUE
Council to consider adopting Resolution 26/24 authorizing the Public Works Director to issue a no fee encroachment permit to the Larkspur Community Foundation for installing an art wrap on the traffic signal cabinet at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Ward Street.
City Manager Schwarz presented the item.
Upon motion by Councilmember Andre, and seconded by Vice Mayor Way, the City Council adopted Resolutions 26/24 authorizing the Public Works Director to issue a no fee encroachment permit to the Larkspur Community Foundation for installing an art wrap on the traffic signal cabinet at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Ward Street. The vote was unanimously in favor.
8.4 APPOINT LARKSPUR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Council to appoint a Citizen of the Year.
Upon motion by Councilmember Andre, and seconded by Vice Mayor Way, the Council appointed Carol Possin as Larkspur’s 2024 Citizen of the Year and approved a posthumous honorable recognition for Kevin Carroll. The vote was unanimously in favor.
9. ADJOURN
The Council adjourned the meeting at 10:07 p.m.
Attested
__________________________
Alison Foulis, City Clerk