Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 6, 2026
LARKSPUR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Larkspur City Council Chambers
400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur CA
May 6, 2026
For full video/audio of the meeting, go to http://www.cityoflarkspur.org (Quick Links – Watch City Council Meetings)
SPECIAL MEETING
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Andre called the special meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Scot Candell, Sarah Margulies, Catherine Way, and Mayor Stephanie Andre
COUNCIL ABSENT: Gabe Paulson
STAFF PRESENT: City Clerk Alison Foulis, Administrative Services Director Emilia Gabriele, Library Director Damon Hill, Community Development Director Andrew Mogensen, Assistant City Manager Shannon O’Hare, Public Works Director Julian Skinner, City Manager Dan Schwarz, Recreation Director Nick Stone, and City Attorney Sky Woodruff
2. BUSINESS ITEMS
2.1 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO ALLOW DOGS TO BE OFF-LEASH AT
NIVEN PARK
Council to hold a public hearing and decide if it wants to designate some form of dog park at Niven Park in order to allow dogs to be off-leash.
City Manager Schwarz provided a presentation and answered questions from the Council.
Councilmember Gabe Paulson arrived at 5:41 p.m.
Councilmember Margulies announced that a petition circulated in her neighborhood was signed by her husband under her name, but that she has not made a decision on the topic and will participate in the discussion this evening.
Public comment was received from:
• Laks Sampath
• Tom Miller
• Archana Mudivarthi
• Kory Zipperstein
• Denise Rocha
• Mark Margulies
• Anonymous Speaker
• Elaine Forman
• David Jaffe
• Alene Blake
• Sherry St. John
• Shayla Jaffe
• Rob Hansen
• Linda Suma
Upon motion by Vice Mayor Paulson, and seconded by Councilmember Candell, the Council approved Resolution 29/26 authorizing off-leash dogs in the unfenced portions of Niven Park, with an amendment to limit the pilot program to 6 months. The vote was 4-1 in favor (Councilmember Way opposed).
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 6, 2026
3. ADJOURN TO THE REGULAR MEETING
The Council adjourned to the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
1. ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Andre called the regular meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Scot Candell, Sarah Margulies, Gabe Paulson, Catherine Way, and Mayor Stephanie Andre
COUNCIL ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Clerk Alison Foulis, Administrative Services Director Emilia Gabriele, Library Director Damon Hill, Community Development Director Andrew Mogensen, Assistant City Manager Shannon O’Hare, Public Works Director Julian Skinner, City Manager Dan Schwarz, Recreation Director Nick Stone, and City Attorney Sky Woodruff
Mayor Andre led the pledge of allegiance.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
No one from the public wished to comment.
3. PRESENTATIONS
None.
4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Way, 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:
4.1 Approve warrants.
4.2 Approve minutes of the April 15, 2026, special & regular meeting.
4.3 Informational item presenting the adopted budget amendment Resolution 22/26 for exterior enhancements for the Larkspur Library at The Commons – Water Feature and Monument Sign.
4.4 Adopt Resolution 23/26 awarding a construction contract to Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc. for the 2026 Pavement Maintenance Project (CIP 26-301).
4.5 Adopt Resolution 24/26 approving plans, specifications and estimate and authorizing bid advertisement for the Pathway Repaving 2025 Project (CIP 26- 305).
4.6 Adopt Resolution 25/26 approving the first amendment to the agreement with Forster & Kroeger for landscape maintenance services.
4.7 Adopt Resolutions 26/26 amending the Fiscal Year 25-26 Budget and authorizing an amendment to the consulting services agreement with Urban37.
4.8 Adopt Resolution 27/26 amending the not-to-exceed amount for an agreement with Shute, Mihaly, and Weinberger LLP for special counsel services.
4.9 Approve a proclamation declaring the first Friday in June to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
5. CITY MANAGER’S ORAL REPORT
City Manager Schwarz provided a report to the Council.
6. COUNCILMEMBERS’ ORAL REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Vice Mayor Paulson reported on the following items:
1. 5/6/2026 SMART Board of Directors Meeting
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 6, 2026
Councilmember Way reported on the following items:
1. Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) & Marin’s Wildfire Preparedness Public Forum
2. Central Marin Fire Home Inspections
Mayor Andre reported on the following items:
1. Farmers Market in Downtown Larkspur
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 STATUS OF VACANT POSITIONS AS REQUIRED BY AB 2561
Council to receive report.
Assistant City Manager O’Hare presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Andre opened the public hearing and, seeing no one wishing to speak, closed it again.
The City Council received the report on the status of vacant positions as required by AB 2561.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
8.1 PRELIMINARY FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 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.
Public comment was received from:
• Ann Morrison, The Commons Foundation
8.2 ALTERNATIVE EQUIVALENT ACTION REQUEST FOR INCLUSIONARY HOUSING AT 1000 DRAKES LANDING ROAD (APNS: 022-050-06, -14, -24, AND -25)
Council to consider adoption of Resolution 28/26 approving an Alternative Equivalent Action request for inclusionary housing for the 19-unit townhome project located at 1000 Drakes Landing Road.
Community Development Director Mogensen provided a presentation and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Andre opened the public hearing and, seeing no one wishing to speak, closed it again.
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Way, Council adopted Resolution 28/26 approving an Alternative Equivalent Action request for inclusionary housing for the 19-unit townhome project located at 1000 Drakes Landing Road (APNs: 022-050- 06, -14, -24, and -25), including amendments to the resolution language to refer to “moderate income units,” removing the word “level.” The vote was unanimously in favor.
8.3 APPOINT LARKSPUR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Council to appoint a Citizen of the Year.
Upon motion by Councilmember Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Margulies, the Council appointed Diana Saint James and Kris Lienhart and Dana Swisher as Larkspur’s 2026 Citizens of the Year. The vote was unanimously in favor.
9. ADJOURN
The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Attested
__________________________
Alison Foulis, City Clerk