Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 7, 2025
LARKSPUR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Larkspur City Council Chambers
400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur CA
May 7, 2025
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 Way called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Stephanie Andre, Scot Candell, Sarah Margulies, Gabe Paulson and Mayor Catherine Way
COUNCIL ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Clerk Alison Foulis, Administrative Services Director Emilia Gabriele, Central Marin Fire Authority Fire Inspector Chris Geul, Chief Building Official Bill Hansell, Library Director Damon Hill, Assistant City Manager Shannon O’Hare, City Manager Dan Schwarz, Community Development Director Elise Semonian, Public Works Director Julian Skinner, Recreation Director Nick Stone, and City Attorney Sky Woodruff
Mayor Way led the pledge of allegiance.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment was received from:
• Ross Asselstine
• Warren Wells, Marin County Bicycle Coalition
• Dwayne Price
• Elizabeth Swearingen
• Jim Kirsner
• Matthew Hartzell
• Lee Larson
• Donald Herzog
• Jennifer Malone
• Barbara Friday
• Odin Palen
• James Holmes
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Climate Action Forum Update
Councilmember Margulies and Assistant City Manager O’Hare provided a presentation and answered questions from the Council.
Public comment was received from:
• David Moller
4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Paulson, the City Council approved the consent calendar in one motion. The vote was unanimously in favor. The approved consent calendar consisted of the following items:
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 7, 2025
4.1 Approve warrants.
4.2 Approve minutes of the April 16, 2025, regular meeting.
4.3 Adopt Resolution 18/25 awarding a construction contract to Sandstone Environmental Engineering, Inc. for the Upper Elm Pathway Improvement Project (CIP 22-304).
5. CITY MANAGER’S ORAL REPORT
City Manager Schwarz provided a report to the Council.
6. COUNCILMEMBERS’ ORAL REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Councilmember Paulson reported on the following items:
1. 5/7/2025 SMART Board of Directors Meeting
2. Flood Control Zone 9: Ross Valley
Vice Mayor Andre reported on the following items:
1. MCE Marin Clean Energy
2. Appreciation of Public Works Maintenance Staff
Mayor Way reported on the following items:
1. Encouraging public participation in the City of Larkspur
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION TO APPROVE APPLICATION PLN23-45; 21 CHEVY CHASE CT; APN NO. 021-152-30: A
REQUEST FOR DESIGN REVIEW, FLOOR AREA RATIO EXCEPTION, SLOPE
USE PERMIT, SETBACK AND NATURAL STATE VARIANCE TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 1,890 SQ. FT. TWO-STORY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH AN ATTACHED 506 SQ. FT. GARAGE AND 468 SQ. FT.
ADU; ELIAS HORAT, APPLICANT; FRANK EDWARDS, PROPERTY OWNER;
JOHN & FRANCES MCKERNAN, JENNIFER & MICHAEL REESE, AND TED
RIDGEWAY, APPELANTS
Council to conduct a public hearing and consider adopting Resolution 19/25 upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of the project.
Mayor Way opened the public hearing.
City Attorney Woodruff provided information on appeal procedures. Community Development Director Semonian provided a presentation and answered questions from the Council. Chief Building Official Hansell and CMFA Fire Inspector Geul provided information to the Council during the hearing as well.
Michael Reese and John McKernan presented the appeal on behalf of the Appellants John & Frances McKernan, Jennifer & Michael Reese, and Ted Ridgeway and answered questions from the Council.
Property Owner Frank Edwards, Project Architect Elias Horat, and Jason Bernstein presented the project application and answered questions from the Council.
Public comment was received from:
• Phillip Harris
• Sarah Lockwood, Geotechnical consultant for the appellants • Laurie Kimball
• James Holmes
Seeing no one else wishing to comment, Mayor Way closed the public hearing.
Upon motion by Councilmember Paulson, and seconded by Vice Mayor Andre, the City Council approved Resolution 19/25 upholding the Planning Commission approval of Application No. PLN 23-45 for 21 Chevy Chase Ct., Larkspur, proposing to construct a new 1,890 sq. ft. residence with an attached 506 sq. ft. garage and 498 sq. ft. accessory dwelling unit. The vote was 4-0 in favor (Councilmember Margulies abstained).
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 7, 2025
7.2 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 1085 DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONES IN LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
Council to conduct a public hearing and consider introducing by title only and waiving further reading of Ordinance 1085.
Central Marin Fire Authority Fire Inspector Geul provided a presentation and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Way opened the public hearing.
Public comment was received from:
• David Moller
Seeing no one else wishing to comment, Mayor Way closed the public hearing.
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Paulson, the City Council approved the introduction by title only and waived further reading of Ordinance 1085 designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in Local Responsibility Areas. The vote was unanimously in favor.
7.3 STATUS OF VACANT POSITIONS AS REQUIRED BY AB 2561
Council to receive report.
Assistant City Manager O’Hare provided a presentation and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Way opened the public hearing and, seeing no one wishing to speak, closed it again.
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Margulies, the City Council received the report on the status of vacant positions as required by AB 2561. The vote was unanimously in favor.
The Council took a brief five minute recess before reconvening in the Council Chambers.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
8.1 CITY OF LARKSPUR COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2024-2 (LARKSPUR LAGOON BULKHEAD REPLACEMENT PROJECT) AUTHORIZING
ISSUANCE OF BONDS
Council to consider adopting Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Special Tax Bonds for CFD No. 2024-2 and Approving Certain Documents in Connection Therewith.
City Manager Schwarz presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
No one from the public wished to speak.
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Paulson, the City Council, acting as the legislative body of Community Facilities District No. 2024-2 (Larkspur Lagoon Bulkhead Replacement Project) of the City of Larkspur, approved Resolution 20/25 authorizing the issuance of its special tax bonds, Series 2025 (Federally Taxable) in a principal amount not to exceed twenty-two million dollars( $22,000,000) and approving certain documents and taking certain other actions in connection therewith. The vote was unanimously in favor.
8.2 PRELIMINARY FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET
Council to receive a presentation and provide feedback.
City Manager Schwarz and Administrative Services Director Gabriele provided a presentation to the Council and answered questions. Library Director Hill and Recreation Director Stone discussed their departments. The Council provided feedback on preliminary budget items.
8.3 APPOINT LARKSPUR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Council to appoint a Citizen of the Year.
The Council appointed David and Robin Moller as Larkspur’s 2025 Citizens of the Year.
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 7, 2025
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Way adjourned the meeting to closed session.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Manager
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION AND ANNOUNCE ANY REPORTABLE ACTION
Mayor Way reconvened the meeting in open session and announced that no reportable action was taken in the closed session.
10. ADJOURN
The Council adjourned the meeting at 10:42 p.m.
Attested
__________________________
Alison Foulis, City Clerk