1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
May 20, 2024
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Urban Carmel – Present
Vice Mayor Stephen Burke – Absent
Councilmember Max Perrey – Present
Councilmember Caroline Joachim – Present
Councilmember Jim Wickham – Present
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; City Attorney Khalsa; Arts and Recreation Director Howe; Senior Management Analyst Walsh; and City Clerk/Management Analyst III Politzer.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Carmel called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Agenda_240520
Mayor Carmel noted the Council would like to move Item #2 of the Consent Calendar to be heard after Presentation Item #1. All Councilmembers concurred.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the agenda order as amended. The Motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote. Vice Mayor Burke, absent.
PRESENTATION
1. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring the First Friday in June (June 7, 2024) to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Mill Valley.
Item 1_Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation_240520
Mayor Carmel read the Proclamation into the meeting's public record.
Mayor Carmel opened public comment.
2 Speakers: Kerry Getta (Moms Demand Action).
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
Mayor Carmel and Councilmembers thanked the group that sponsored the Proclamation, Moms Demand Justice, for bringing this initiative forward.
2. Consideration of a Resolution Declaring June, 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the City of Mill Valley and Authorizing the Display of the Pride Flag on City Property.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 2_Pride Month Resolution_240520
Mayor Carmel introduced the item.
Councilmember Joachim read the Resolution into the meeting’s public record.
Mayor Carmel opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Joachim and SECONDED by Councilmember Perrey to adopt the Resolution. The Motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote. Vice Mayor Burke, absent.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Carmel opened public comment for items on the Consent Calendar, Items #3 and #4.
Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt the Consent Calendar, Item #3 and #4. The Motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote. Vice Mayor Burke, absent.
3. Consideration of Resolutions to Authorize the Continuation of the Tamalpais Park Street Tree Assessment District: 1) a Resolution Continuing Improvements and Ordering the Engineer’s Report; 2) a Resolution Approving the Engineer’s Report; and 3) a Resolution Declaring Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments and Setting the Public Hearing for June 3, 2024.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___, No. 24-___, No. 24-___, and set the Public Hearing for June 3. 2024.
Item 3_Annual Adoption of TPSTAD_240520
Item 3_Public Communication No. 1_240520
3 4. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. for the East Blithedale Roadside Barrier Upgrade Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 4_Resolution Approving East Blithedale Avenue Roadside Barrier Upgrade Project_240520
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Carmel opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: Debra Rosen, Leslie Harlander.
Communication (via eComment): None.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Perrey said he attended an MCE meeting where they discussed a proposal to set up an Ad Hoc Committee to review acquisitions of capital projects and a budget including CIPs. He noted the proposal was approved.
Councilmember Joachim stated the MCCMC Homelessness Subcommittee released the 2024 point-in-time count, finding a 2.8% decrease in homelessness within the County, a 12% decrease in homeless families with children, a 24% decrease in individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, and a 32% decrease in homeless veterans. She also noted the Legislative Committee is focused on the budget deficit and negotiating around program budget cuts until June 15th and more information regarding its impact on Mill Valley will be available by this date.
Councilmember Joachim also said she attended the Mill Valley Music Festival (MVMF), the City of Mill Valley Arts Together event, a Mill Valley Rotary luncheon, and a talk hosted by the Marin Coalition regarding health span. She also noted research updates from the Buck Institute found that Marin is the oldest and healthiest County. She also attended a Redwoods fundraiser and a panel discussion sponsored by the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce on Affordable Housing in Marin.
Councilmember Wickham said he also attended the MVMF and Arts Together event. He also noted the MV 125 Committee presented its logo at the Memorial Day parade.
Mayor Carmel stated the MVMF hosted 8,000 attendees and that the city aims to host events like these to support the arts community through the KIDDO foundation. He reiterated that the MVMF is a source of civic pride, not a fundraiser for the city. Mayor Carmel also announced today is opening day for the Sequoia Theatre where they will be facilitating $1 movies for the week and a “Cocktails and Fairytales” event. He continued noting that the Traffic and Mobility Advisory Committee (TMAC) will have its first meeting tomorrow night at 5:30 pm. On the 26th, the Historical Society is hosting history walks with the mayor through town all day. Memorial Day Parade starts at 10:30 am on Monday. On Tuesday, the MVPD is hosting coffee with a cop on the Plaza. The Pride Flag raising will take place on June 1. On July 15th, the City Council 4 meeting will take place at the Redwoods – it will be senior-focused and provide an extended period of open time. Angela’s Organic Ice Cream shop still needs to submit a blueprint to the building department and requires approval from the health department before an official opening.
MV City Council is working to expedite the process.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics:
• Thanked Naima Dean and Community Engagement Liaison Terrell for putting on the Arts Together event.
• The City of Mill Valley and the SMFD coordinate projects through an annual ~$1 million vegetation management program - evaluating high-risk areas, park center medians, hillsides, and open spaces. The Public Works Department and the SMFD are working in unison to tackle open space projects.
• PGE is conducting an emergency gas line improvement project. Utilities programs were notified in advance. PGE identified vulnerabilities and is going to begin making improvements on Tuesday. To reach a middle ground, Cusimano advocated for nightwork construction in the Downtown and Lumberyard areas starting at 10 pm, which will last from now until Labor Day. Citizens should expect controlled traffic regulations in these areas at night.
NEW BUSINESS
5. Consideration of a Resolution Calling and Consolidating the November 5, 2024 Regular Municipal Election and Requesting Consolidation and Services by the Marin County Elections Department.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 5_Resolution Calling and Consolidating the November 5, 2024 Election_240520 Deputy Director of Administrative Services Walsh and City Clerk/Management Analyst III gave the presentation on the adoption of the resolution to determine that a General Election will be held within the City of Mil Valley on November 5, 2024. City Clerk/Management Analyst III stated the nomination period for the upcoming election will open on July 15th. Deputy Director of Administrative Services Walsh stated a sales tax measure will be put into consideration to cover projected infrastructure repair costs.
City Manager Cusimano presented the 15-year Priority Infrastructure, Estimates, and Assessments plan, which outlines upcoming needs, with projected costs of $150-180 million. He noted a sales tax will potentially bring in an additional $42 million to help fund infrastructure needs. Deputy Director of Administrative Services Walsh reported a February 2024 Survey of Likely Voters voting in favor of a 1% sales tax increase.
Councilmembers asked staff questions.
Mayor Carmel opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
5 Mayor Urban Carmel commented on neighboring cities, including the City of Novato which is raising their sales tax to alleviate a structural deficit, the Town of Fairfax is looking for ways to fund a street/road improvement project, and the City of Sausalito has neglected infrastructure needs while its insurance premiums are doubling. Mayor Carmel emphasized Mill Valley’s distinguished commitment to meeting infrastructure and repair cost needs.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt the Resolution. The Motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote. Vice Mayor Burke, absent.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
None.
CLOSED SESSION – The Council convened to a Closed Session discussion at 6:42 p.m.
A. CLOSED SESSION BUSINESS
1A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Government Code § 54956.9); Mill Valley Firefighters Assoc. v. City of Mill Valley, ULP No. SF-CE2089-M (California Public Employment Relations proceeding).
B. ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 7:01 p.m. to the next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 20, 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