1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
December 5, 2022
6:30 PM
Mayor Jim Wickham – Present
Vice Mayor Urban Carmel – Present
Councilmember Stephen Burke – Present
Councilmember Max Perrey – Present
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; City Attorney Khalsa; Planning and Building Director Kelly; Senior Management Analyst Walsh; and City Clerk Politzer.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wickham called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Agenda_221205
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Burke to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of a Letter of Condolence to Paul Russell ‘Russ’ Kiernan’s Family.
Item 1_Letter of Condolence to Russ Kiernan's Family_221205 Mayor Wickham introduced the Letter of Condolence and spoke of Russ Kiernan.
Vice Mayor Carmel offered his condolences to Mr. Kiernan’s family and friends and said he was a legendary athlete, a great community member, and a wonderful person. He spoke of meeting Mr. Kiernan and his contribution to building Mill Valley’s Steps Lanes and Paths, as well as his three-time winning of the annual Dipsea Race.
Councilmember Perrey recounted that Mr. Kiernan and his wife Marilyn gave him rides to Tamalpa races all over Marin County when he was a teenager. He also spoke of the many other 2 ways Mr. Kernan was an amazing person who supported the CTE, the Marin County supporting arts program for teens; volunteered at various Mill Valley festivals; and was always willing to give back.
Councilmember Burke said years ago he coached the Mill Valley Middle School track team for four years and Mr. Kiernan helped him with the distance runners for two years, asking nothing in return. He spoke of how Mr. Kiernan cared about the community and what a pleasure it was to get to know him.
Mayor Wickham said Mr. Kiernan was a beloved member of the Mill Valley community and one the most iconic runners in the Dipsea Race history. He talked of Mr. Kiernan’s life both before and after moving to Mill Valley, his three Dipsea Race wins, his membership in the Dipsea Race Hall of Fame, and that he still holds several of the most treasured Dipsea records.
Marilyn Kiernan, his wife, said even though they lived with Russ, his family was in awe of him and are to this day because he was very special. She said Mr. Kiernan was always willing to help, no matter what the job was because he loved to be active. She thanked the Councilmembers for their fond memories.
Haywood Bowser, his son, shared stories about his father and expressed his appreciation for the City Council and members of the community who were present to honor his father.
Mayor Wickham presented the Letter of Condolence to Russ Kiernan’s family.
2. Presentation of a Letter of Condolence to Captain James ‘Jim’ Allen McClure’s Family.
Item 2_Letter of Condolence to Captain Jim McClure's Family_221205 Mayor Wickham introduced and read the Letter of Condolence and spoke of Captain McClure, who was part of the Mill Valley Fire Department for over 32 years and a fourthgeneration citizen of Mill Valley. He spoke of Captain McClure’s life, interests, accomplishments, and service to the City of Mill Valley.
Marge McClure, his wife, spoke of her husband’s huge heart and his love for Mill Valley, the Fire Department, and his crew. She expressed her gratitude for Mayor Wickham’s kind words.
Mayor Wickham presented the Letter of Condolence to Mrs. McClure.
Tom Welch, former Mill Valley Fire Chief, said the first captain he worked for was Captain McClure, who he called a “fireman’s fireman.” He said Captain McClure is well known for knowing the Mill Valley water system so well, including the location of every hydrant, and how Mill Valley has benefited from his work in passing the Measure L Sales Tax Measure.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Wickham asked if any Councilmember or member of the public wished to pull any of Items #3-6 from the Consent Calendar. There were no requests. 3 It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Burke to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #3-6. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote.
3. Consideration of Continuing to Make Findings Authorizing the Use of Remote Teleconferencing Option for the Public Meetings of Mill Valley’s Legislative Bodies as Required by Assembly Bill 361.
Recommended Action: Make findings to have the option to hold remote meetings as allowed by Assembly Bill 361.
Item 3_Continuing AB 361 Findings_221205
4. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing Free Two-Hour Parking at Metered Parking Spaces for the 2022 Holiday Season.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 22-___.
Item 4_Holiday Parking 2022 Meters_221205
5. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Mutual Agreement for Police Services Support with the City of Sausalito.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 22-___.
Item 5_Sausalito Mutual Police Services Support_221205
6. Consideration of the 2022/2023 Winter Outlook and Storm Response Report.
Recommended Action: Receive report.
Item 6_2022 & 2023 Winter Outlook and Storm Response_221205
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Vice Mayor Carmel said Mill Valley’s Climate Action Plan was completed on November 16th and it is the most aggressive climate action plan in Marin County. The plan will go to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council for approval, and then there will be a General Plan amendment. Vice Mayor Carmel stated the 1 Hamilton Drive project was advanced on November 30th, with the next steps being a project-specific EIR and design approval in the first half of 2023. He also noted that next year he will join Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters on the Transportation Authority of Marin Executive Committee for Advanced Planning and Budgeting. Vice Mayor Carmel said this is the last City Council meeting of 2022. He believes the city is in a good place to have a successful 2023.
Councilmember Perrey said he is the liaison to the Emergency Preparedness Commission, which was at the Winterfest on December 4th and interacted with hundreds of residents, giving out information on emergency preparedness as well as three cases of COVID tests the county had provided. He noted city staffer Michelle Terrell, a previous chair of the Emergency Preparedness Commission, has worked with the Fire and Police departments to create a fourpage guide for new and seasoned employees, businesses, and organizations throughout Mill Valley. Councilmember Perrey also shared new State Assembly Member Damon Connolly was sworn in today.
4 Mayor Wickham said he attended Winterfest because Vice Mayor Carmel did not want to attend because it was raining. He also noted the lights have been lit on the downtown Christmas tree. Mayor Wickham stated beginning in January 2023 City Council meetings will begin at 5:30 pm rather than 6:30 pm. The meetings will still occur on Mondays.
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Wickham opened Public Open Time. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Wickham closed Public Open Time.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics:
• They are on track to meet their goal of delivering a work plan, and all departments have been working diligently to complete it.
• The City has hired three new employees:
o Public Works Director Andy Poster.
o Operations Superintendent Mark Newman.
o Deputy Director of Public Works Jared Barrilleaux.
• They are working with Tiburon to see if Belvedere would join them in a three-way shared services agreement for a sustainability coordinator. The job description has been completed and they will start recruitment immediately. This matter will come before the City Council at its first meeting in January 2023.
• He and Senior Management Analyst Walsh are working with 12 community members looking at Mill Valley through the lens of DEI. In January, February, and March 2023 meetings they will ask San Rafael and Tiburon to provide a presentation on their experience with the General Plan and DEI.
• As they complete the work plan the City Manager Group will be tasked with looking at the plan for Mill Valley’s departments, commissions, and the City Council for the next 15-20 years and how to deliver it.
• Mill Valley’s outstanding Parks and Recreation Director McGrew will retire in the spring. The recruitment process for his replacement has begun and will be brought before the City Council in January or February of next year for consideration of how to do the transition.
• The successful joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission regarding the 1 Hamilton project was what the public process is all about. He has received positive comments about the community’s appreciation that the City Council and staff answered every question.
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Consideration of Resolutions: 1) Requesting the Marin Local Agency Formation Commission to Initiate Proceedings for the Reorganization of Lands of Marin County (E.
Blithedale Right-of-Way Adjacent to 2, 45, and 55 Kipling Drive); 2) Approving a Property Tax Revenue Exchange Agreement with the Alto Sanitary District for Proposed Reorganization of Lands of Marin County (E. Blithedale Right-of-Way Adjacent to 2, 5 45, and 55 Kipling Drive), Including Detachment from Alto Sanitary District and Annexation to City of Mill Valley, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement; and 3) Approving a Property Tax Revenue Exchange Agreement with the Richardson Bay Sanitary District for Proposed Reorganization of Lands of Marin County (E. Blithedale Right-of-Way Adjacent to 2, 45, and 55 Kipling Drive), Including Detachment from Alto Sanitary District and Annexation to City of Mill Valley, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 22-___, Resolution No. 22-___, and Resolution No. 22-___.
Item 7_Reorganization and Tax Exchange E. Blithedale Tower Kipling_221205 Mayor Wickham introduced the item.
Mayor Wickham opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Wickham closed public comment.
City Attorney Khalsa outlined the motion to adopt the three resolutions.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Burke to adopt the three Resolutions. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote.
8. Consideration of a Resolution Making Express Findings and Determinations that Modifications to the 2022 California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Fire Code, and California Green Building Standards Code are Reasonably Necessary because of Local Climatic, Geological and/or Topographic Conditions; and Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. ___ Amending Chapters 14.05, 14.48, and 15.04 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code, Adopting by Reference the 2022 Editions of the California Fire, Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Green Building, Historical Building, Existing Building, Referenced Standards Codes, and Appendix A of the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, with Amendments to Reflect Local Conditions.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 22-___ and Ordinance No. ___.
Item 8_Building & Fire Code Ordinance Update Second Reading_221205 Mayor Wickham introduced the item.
Director of Planning and Building Kelly gave a brief outline of the code update, which happens every three years, was last updated in 2019, and serves to implement State law.
Mayor Wickham opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Wickham closed public comment.
City Attorney Khalsa described the motion to adopt the resolution.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Burke to adopt the Resolution. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote. 6 COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 7:15 p.m. to the next Regular City Council meeting which will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. ___________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk