1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
June 17, 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 – Absent
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; City Attorney Khalsa; Finance and Administrative Servies Director Erickson; Public Works Director Poster; Arts and Recreation Director Howe; Deputy Director of Finance Atashkarian; Deputy Director of Administration Walsh; Operations Superintendent Neumann; DEI Liaison Herndon; Management Analyst III Politzer; and City Clerk De Ferrari.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Carmel called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. and noted Councilmember Wickham was absent from the meeting.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Agenda_240617
It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried by a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Wickham, absent.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Christine Lundy’s Athletic Achievement.
Item 1_No Written Material_240617
Mayor Carmel presented Christine Lundy’s many athletic achievements, including winning the Dipsea for the third time this year. She is the first Mill Valley resident to win the Dipsea since 2011 and one of only six runners to win three times. She is a part of an all-female team, The Apollo’s, that finished second this year. Christine also holds an impressive background in her 2 running career, being a former Olympic qualifier and Boston Marathon competitor. Mayor Carmel then read the Proclamation into the meeting’s public record.
Christine Lundy said she feels very honored to be a City of Mill Valley resident. She expressed immense gratitude for the support she received during and after the Dipsea race.
Close acquaintances of Christine subsequently shared fond memories of their friendship and expressed how much they admire her dedication to running and upholding an adventurous spirit.
2. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Hugh Kuhn as a Volunteer All-Star.
Item 2_No Written Material_240617
Mayor Carmel presented Hugh Kuhn as this quarter’s Volunteer All-Star. He noted how Mr.
Kuhn was an original member of the Emergency Planning Commission and founded Friends of the Steps, Lanes, and Paths (SLP). He has coordinated over 40 projects throughout the City, raised his children in Mill Valley, and was a volunteer coach. Mayor Carmel also noted Mr.
Kuhn started the community-wide howl during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Carmel read the Proclamation into the meeting’s public record.
Hugh Kuhn said he met his wife, Katie Kuhn, when he moved to Mill Valley. He expressed a dedication to having fun and taking advantage of the many opportunities to meet people in town and be an active member of the community. He thanked the City Council for recognizing the importance and value of volunteerism in this community. Hugh encouraged residents to get involved with the projects he and other volunteers work on every second Saturday and to connect with the City Council, City Staff, and Public Works team.
Chris Kearney, a neighbor and friend of Hugh Kuhn and a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, thanked Hugh for the work he has done and for inspiring people.
Katie Kuhn, Hugh’s wife, expressed great respect for what Hugh does all while having a full time, high-pressure job.
Other friends of Hugh Kuhn shared their gratitude for his work and commitment to making Mill Valley a better place. He has been a huge help for many volunteer groups across the community.
3. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring July 2024 as Parks Make Life Better Month! Item 3_Parks Make Life Better Month Proclamation 2024_240617 Arts and Recreation Director Howe introduced the proclamation for dedicating July as Parks Make Life Better Month. CPRS is a statewide organization that supports and promotes Parks and Recreation professionals. The proclamation affirms the Parks and Recreation Commission’s commitment to supporting safe, vibrant, and active communities. Mayor Carmel read the Proclamation into the meeting’s public record.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3 Mayor Carmel opened public comment for items on the Consent Calendar, #4-10. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Burke to adopt the Consent Calendar, Item #4-10. The Motion was carried by a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Wickham, absent.
4. Consideration of the May 20, 2024, and June 3, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the Action Minutes.
Item 4_Under Separate Cover_Approval of Minutes_240617
Item 4_Approval of Action Minutes (May and June 2024)_240617
5. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement for Business Vitality Services with the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 5_2024-2029 Chamber of Commerce PSA_240617
6. Consideration of a Resolution to Release a Request for Proposal for Consultant Services for the Boyle Park Master Plan Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 6_RFP Boyle Park MP PSA_240617
7. Consideration of a Budget Adjustment for the Arts Commission 20th Anniversary for Comedy on the Plaza, not to exceed $13,000.
Recommended Action: Approve Budget Adjustment.
Item 7_Arts Comm 20th Anniversary of Comedy_240617
8. Consideration of a Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Depot Plaza Expansion Project; Authorizing the City Manager to Award the Construction Project and Accepting CEQA Notice of Exemption.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 8_Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Depot Plaza Expansion Project_240617
9. Consideration of a Resolution Setting Sewer Charges Pursuant to Resolution No. 21-05.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 9_Sewer Rate Update_240617
10. Consideration of a Side Letter with the Local 2167, Mill Valley Employees’ Association, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Association (“AFSCME”); 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 the Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 10_Non-Rep Reso and Salary Schedule Updates_240617 4 PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Carmel opened Public Open Time. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Vice Mayor Burke represented the City of Mill Valley in a county-wide committee that administers the granting of state and federal funds for a variety of programs. This year, the City of Mill Valley was successful with our partner Ecumenical Association for Housing (EAH) in obtaining $600,000 for the 1 Hamilton Project. This project scored the highest of any projects this year. Vice Mayor Burke congratulated the City staff on this incredible effort.
Councilmember Perrey participated with Mayor Carmel in the Painted Bins Project with Clean Mill Valley. He said we are the fourth city in Marin to have this program and hopes to expand it. Councilmember Perrey also attended the Juneteenth event at Tamalpais High School.
The League of California Cities Environmental Quality Committee has a meeting on Friday where the former Mayor of Novato, Josh Friday, will be speaking. Marin Clean Energy adopted a budget that includes some rate relief programs, specifically for small businesses on A1 or B1 rates. It will also target residences enrolled in PG&E’s CARE or FERA programs.
Councilmember Joachim announced that there was a grand opening at Homeward Bound for the Veterans’ New Housing project. She volunteered with the Mill Valley Rotary to help furnish twenty apartments. Councilmember Joachim also worked with Hugh Kuhn on SLPs.
Mayor Carmel reminded residents that the 20th anniversary of Comedy on the Plaza is this Thursday. City staff expects up to 1500 attendees. This Wednesday, Juneteenth will be officially recognized as a federal holiday, so City Hall will be closed. There are two bonds working through the nine-county legislative system, one on housing and the other on transportation. The bond for housing will show up on the November 2024 ballot. The steering committee for Marin will start to meet in July to discuss how this bond will be administered. The Tam Legislative Executive Committee will be working on the transportation bond and addressing the fiscal cliff that transportation agencies will be dealing with.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics • Gravity Tavern’s outdoor dining section has been removed. • Angela’s Ice Cream shop is set to open this Friday. He thanked the Building and Planning Department for getting this project over the finish line. • The City staff approved PG&E daywork from 8 am - 5 pm and expects all downtown work to be completed in 2-3 days.
DEI Liaison Tammy Herndon presented on the Juneteenth event at Tamalpais High School.
The event featured an entertainment group called HipHopforChange. In celebrating Juneteenth, Tammy recognized and acknowledged our history, progress, and Mill Valley’s commitment to upholding an anti-racist agenda.
5 OLD BUSINESS
11. Consideration of the City Council Workplan Update – Second Quarter 2024 Recommended Action: Receive Report.
Item 11_Workplan Update June 2024_240617
City Manager Cusimano highlighted the Plaza expansion project. He said City Staff is working very hard to complete it by the end of the summer.
Mayor Carmel opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
Mayor Carmel reported the City Council’s progress in keeping up with their established Workplan. In the second quarter, City Council finished the Climate Action Plan (CAP), updated the Chamber Agreement, launched TMAC, and worked out the chip for the November Sales Tax. Coming up in the third quarter, the City is working on events on the Plaza, the Boyle Park Master Plan, and plans related to Flood Zone 3. In the fourth quarter, the City will be heavily focused on the Sales Tax ballot initiative, a downtown parking study, updates to the noise ordinance, completing the plaza expansion project, screening for soft story structures in Mill Valley, a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) assessment, and, finally, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) acceleration process for new businesses.
NEW BUSINESS
12. Consideration of Resolutions Approving the Transactions and Use Tax, or “Sales Tax” Ordinance, Ordering the Submission to the Qualified Electors, Approving the Ballot Question, Directing the City Attorney to Prepare an Impartial Analysis, and Providing for Ballot Arguments and Rebuttals
Recommended Action: Adopt the Resolutions.
Item 12_Sales Tax Resolutions and Ordinance for Ballot Measure_240617 Item 12_Public Communication No. 1_240617
Deputy Director of Administration Walsh gave a presentation on the item.
Councilmembers asked staff questions.
Mayor Carmel opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
City Manager Cusimano suggested removing the word, ‘sewers,’ from Line #2 in Attachment #1 because the Staff’s recommendation is to keep sewer laterals outside of the Sales Tax Measure proposal. The adjustment was accepted.
Councilmembers offered their support.
6 It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt the Resolutions. The Motion was carried by a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Wickham, absent.
13. Consideration of the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Years 2024-2026 and Forecast for 2023/24.
Recommended Action: Review and Approve the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Years 2024- 2026 and Proposed Budget Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2023/24.
Item 13_2024-26 Proposed_Budget Forecast 2023-24_240617 Director of Administrative Services Erickson and Deputy Director of Finance Atashkarian gave a presentation on the item.
Director Erickson strongly suggested two budget adjustments: 1) In light of the increasing unfunded actuarial liability from PERS, Director Erickson recommended putting away another $400k for the City to hedge against this bubble, and 2) Staff recommended adding another $1 million into the Equipment Replacement Fund, in anticipation of a more comprehensive fleet evaluation.
Councilmembers asked staff questions.
Mayor Carmel opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
Mayor Carmel stated that no other city in Marin has carried out a ten-year plan like Mill Valley.
He also reminded staff and residents that these numbers do not reflect a surplus and that there is a strong funding need.
Vice Mayor Burke said that the City of Mill Valley is in a unique and fortunate position given our property tax underpinning. He shared that three quarters of Mill Valley residents believe that the city is well-managed, which has been accurately reflected in the City’s conservative and responsible handling of the next two-year fiscal budget.
Councilmember Perrey expressed his confidence in the budget, stating that it maintains a fiscal prudence.
Councilmember Joachim echoed that it is great to have a 73% vote of support and confidence in our citizens. She encouraged residents and viewers to look at the budget to see how well the City has done, asserting that people should invest in Mill Valley.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Perrey to approve the budget adjustments and to prove the two-year budget has presented itself. The Motion was carried by a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Wickham, absent. 7 PUBLIC HEARING
14. Hear Any Objections and Consideration of a Resolution to Continue the Tamalpais Park Street Tree Assessment District Improvement and to Levy the Assessment for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Recommended Action: Hold a Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 14_Annual Adoption of Tamalpais Park Street Tree Assessment District_240617 Mayor Carmel stated: “This is the time and place for the public hearing on the levy of an assessment for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 against parcels within the Tamalpais Park Street Tree Assessment District.”
Operations Superintendent Neumann presented the staff report.
Mayor Carmel opened the public hearing by stating: “The City Council will now receive testimony from all interested persons for or against the continued levy of assessments in the District and the proposed levy of assessments against those parcels. In addition, any interest person may, prior to the conclusion of the hearing, file a written protest with the clerk. A written protest shall state all grounds of objection. A protest by a property owner shall contain a description sufficient to identify the property owned by such property owner.” Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel stated: “I will entertain a motion to close this public hearing.”
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Perrey to close the public hearing and to direct the City Clerk to tabulate the written protests to the proposed assessment. The Motion was carried by a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Wickham, absent.
City Clerk De Ferrari stated: “The written protests submitted and not withdrawn in connection with the continued levy of assessments in the Tamalpais Park Street Tree Assessment District have been tabulated. A total of zero written protests were properly returned to the City Clerk.” It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Perrey to adopt the Resolutions. The Motion was carried by a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Wickham, absent.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 7:42 p.m. to the next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Redwoods, 40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941.
___________________________
Urban Carmel, Mayor
8 ATTEST:
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Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk