1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
January 8, 2024
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Urban Carmel – Present
Vice Mayor Stephen Burke – Present
Councilmember Max Perrey – Present
Councilmember Caroline Joachim – Present
Councilmember Jim Wickham – Present
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; City Attorney Khalsa; Human Resources Manager Allingham; Accounting Supervisor Atashkarian; Community Engagement Liaison Terrell; and City Clerk/Management Analyst III Politzer.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Carmel called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
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It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation by the United Against Hate Youth Art Initiative Winner, Catherine Zhao.
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Community Engagement Liaison Terrell introduced United Against Hate Week Youth Art Initiative winner, Catherine Zhao.
Catherine Zhao presented the artwork to the City Council and read a statement regarding its meaning into the public record.
Councilmembers thanked Ms. Zhao for representing Mill Valley’s youth in a positive and creative way.
2 2. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Joan Murray as a Volunteer All-Star.
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Mayor Carmel introduced the item, announcing that the City intends to have four total “Volunteer All-Stars” selected to receive recognition from the City Council each year. He stated the City’s first “Volunteer All-Star” is Joan Murray, one of Mill Valley’s most committed and dedicated volunteer.
Councilmember Joachim read the proclamation into the meeting’s public record.
Joan Murray thanked the City Council for their recognition and encouraged community members to get involved with some of Mill Valley’s many volunteer organizations.
Mayor Carmel opened public comment.
Speakers: Michael Jevicky, Victoria Talkington, Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Maureen Parton, Hugh Kuhn, Teressa Ray.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
Councilmembers thanked Joan Murray for her unwavering commitment to the City of Mill Valley and said she is a model community member which everyone should aspire towards.
3. Recognition and Celebration of 100 Years of Soccer in Mill Valley.
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Mayor Carmel introduced the proclamation.
Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Jamie Firmage, read the proclamation into the meeting’s public record.
Councilmembers thanked Mr. Firmage for bringing this occasion to the City’s attention and encouraged everyone to participate in the commemorative match against Oakland Tech on January 20, 2024.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Joachim said she attended the service of Maria Aversa, owner of La Ginestra, who passed away in December and noted how sorely the community will miss her. She also noted she will be attending a slew of Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) subcommittee meetings in the next few weeks.
Councilmember Perrey said MCE will not be meeting in January but he attended a League of California Cities Policy Committee meeting. He noted he will be presenting with Grace Ledwith, Mill Valley’s Climate Action Coordinator on Mill Valley’s reusable foodware ordinance.
3 Mayor Carmel said the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) received a grant to help Mill Valley with gap closures around school and other various construction funding. He also noted Vice Mayor Burke and himself will be meeting with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) where they will discuss refocusing the committee’s purpose. Mayor Carmel also noted he has been watching Assemblymember Damon Connolly’s bill regarding e-Bike safety and encouraged the community to follow along.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics:
• City Manager Cusimano offered his condolences to the families of David Allingham, Maria Aversa, and Alex Korbut, all Mill Valley community members who passed away too soon. The City Council suggested adjourning this meeting in their memory. • The HCD approved Mill Valley’s Housing Element. He thanked Planning and Building Director Kelly and Principal Planner Staude for getting the project across the finish line.
• The annual City Council retreat will take place January 30th, 2024 at the Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse.
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Carmel opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: Bob Middlestead, Brian Donahue.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Carmel closed Public Open Time.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Consideration of a Side Letter Extending the Current 2021-2025 Memorandum of Understanding with the Mill Valley Police Officers Association through June 30, 2027; and Consideration of a Resolution Amending the Salaries and Benefits of the City’s Non-Represented Employees.
Recommended Action: Approve the Side Letter and Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
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City Manager Cusimano, Human Resources Manager Allingham, and Accounting Supervisor Atashkarian gave a presentation on the item.
Councilmembers asked staff questions.
4 Mayor Carmel opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
Councilmembers supported approving the Side Letter and adopting the Resolution.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Wickham and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Burke to approve the Side Letter and to adopt the Resolution. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
None.
CLOSED SESSION – The Council convened to a Closed Session discussion at 7:22 p.m.
A. CLOSED SESSION BUSINESS – Following Public Comment, the City Council will adjourn to Closed Session to consider the following:
1A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9); Mill Valley Firefighters Assoc. v. City of Mill Valley, ULP No. SFCE-2089-M (California Public Employment Relations Proceeding). 2A. Conference with the City’s Labor Negotiators, City Manager Cusimano, City Attorney Khalsa, Director of Finance and Human Resources Erickson, Finance Manager Atashkarian, and Human Resources Manager Allingham, Regarding Non-Represented Employees, the Police Officers Association, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME):
Government Code Section 54957.6.
3A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(e)).
B. ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED in memory of David Allingham, Maria Aversa, and Alex Korbut at 8:36 p.m. to the next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers. ___________________________
Urban Carmel, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Hannah Politzer, City Clerk/Management Analyst III