1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
August 5, 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; Public Works Director Poster; Planning and Building Director Kelly; Principal Planner Staude; Senior Planner Ross; Human Resources Manager Allingham; Community Engagement Liaison Terrell; Senior Management Analyst Walsh, Management Analyst III Politzer; and City Clerk De Ferrari.
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
Agenda_240805
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Perrey to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of Curtain Theater by Greg Wilker
Item 1_Curtain Theater_MVHS-Review_2023-print_240805
Greg Wilker spoke about the Curtain Theater. Greg expressed how this organization has a longtime presence and relationship with the City of Mill Valley. He expressed how when there is staff turnover there is recurring issue with booking and reserving of space. Greg offered an invitation to view the rehearsal this Saturday in Old Mill Park. The program is offered free of charge to the community.
2 Greg Wilker asked if the Curtain Theater’s annual performance could become part of a more integral relationship, cemented in annual traditions and reservations at Old Mill Park.
Personal perspective from second speaker during presentation. Your 125th anniversary will be our 125th anniversary. We really encourage and invite you to join us on Saturday.
Mayor Carmel reviewed how the conversation about the Curtain Theater came up on agenda and expressed an intent for this to be the beginning of a new tradition for the Curtain Theater and Council to receive a presentation from members of the Curtain Theater.
Vice Mayor Burke expressed he did not realize the Curtain Theater program was part of annual announcement and expressed a need to alert the Parks & Recreation Commission of interest in being included in an annual schedule put forth to the Commission.
Councilmember Perrey appreciated the comments, the visit and presentation to Council.
Councilmember Joachim praised the presentation, awareness, and plans to attend this Saturday.
Councilmember Wickham suggested working with staff first, Director Ashley Howe, and then approach the City Manager’s office.
2. Receive the 2024 Fire Season Outlook and Current Preparations Report.
Item 2_2024 Fire Season Outlook_240805
Doug Patterson from Southern Marin Fire gave an overview of the 2024 upcoming fire season.
Councilmember Joachim asked if Southern Marin Fire was identifying the projects going forward, in terms of the mitigation. Doug Patterson from Southern Marin Fire responded that he could not speak specifically to how funds are being allocated at this time. He stated that generally, there are a few commonly identified locations that are at greater risk, such as the canyons, that receive attention.
Vice Mayor Burke expressed his gratitude to see project areas that have been cleared out.
Mayor Carmel asked if predication models are helping to inform fire risk. Doug Patterson from Southern Marin Fire responded he could not inform as to what those predications are at this time.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Carmel asked if any Councilmember or member of the public wished to pull an item from the Consent Calendar. There were no requests.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Wickham to adopt the Consent Calendar, Item #3-8. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote. 3 3. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve the Plans, Specifications and Estimate for the Monte Vista Ave. Roadway Stabilization Project; Approve CEQA Notice of Exemption; And Authorize the City Manager to Award the Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 3_220 Monte Vista Ave Roadway Stabilization Project_240805
4. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting Flood Zone 3 Funds from the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for Various Drainage Improvements.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 4_Accept Flood Zone 3 Funds from Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District_240805
5. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Walker Consultants for Services on Updating the City’s Parking Regulations.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 5_PSA with Walker Consultants for Services on City Parking Regulations_240805
6. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the City of Mill Valley’s Response to the 2023-2024 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report Entitled, “Water Is Upon Us We Cannot Run – We Cannot Hide”.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 6_Grand Jury Response_Sea Level Rise_240805
7. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve the Plans and Specifications for the Miller Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Repair Project; Authorize the City Manager to Award the Project; and Approve a CEQA Notice of Exemption.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 7_PG&E, CEQA, Award Miller Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Repair PW24- 16_240805
8. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate; Authorize the City Manager to Award the Project; Approve Budget Adjustment of a Minimum of $716,432 HSIP Funds and $79,604 City Match Funds for the Construction Phase; and Approve A CEQA Notice of Exemption for the East Blithedale Guardrail Upgrade Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 8_East Blithdale Guardrail Upgrade PG&E, CEQA, Award PW23-5_240805
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Carmel opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: Speaker 1 (name not provided), Speaker 2 (name not provided), Speaker 3: Steve Dana, Speaker 4 (name not provided), speaker 5: Julia.
4 All public comments spoke in support of Terra Marin School and against the Mill Valley School District.
Mayor Carmel noted that the City of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley School District are two different organizations, and any communication put forward today should be directed to the District.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Carmel closing Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Wickham announced the ending of his term as Councilmember and encouraged members of the public to apply.
Councilmember Joachim said the State Legislature Committee was preparing a slate of bills for a gut and amend process. The Governor issued an executive order, applied to state property, permitting jurisdictions to sweep and move homeless encampments. E-bikes programs are moving ahead with pilot control programs County by County and San Diego County is one of the first to pilot. On Saturday July 20th, Councilmember Joachim attended an evacuation drill in the City. She noted only 30% of residents who have signed up for AlertMarin and encouraged the public to sign up. Tomorrow, Tuesday August 6th is National Night Out.
Councilmember Perrey said he continues to attend MCE meetings and noted the opt-in program for a discount on energy bill is still available.
Vice Mayor Burke said a number of people who run on Mt. Tam asked him about the piles of vegetation. Vice Mayor Burke learned Marin Open Space did the work of collection and said Southern Marin Agencies are coordinating the pick-up and removal of these piles. He noted that people are beginning to return to town prior to the school year and urged the public to review Emergency Preparedness page on our website.
Mayor Carmel said a recent BAHFA meeting occurred, and a second meeting was coming up in a few weeks and noted an Open House at the Mill Valley Community Center on August 26th.
Mayor Carmel stated the TMAC Countywide transportation plan for the next 25 years was completed. National Night Out is Tuesday, August 6th and starts at 5pm on the downtown plaza.
On August 15th, Zip Trips is coming to Mill Valley to do a promotional video about Mill Valley.
On August 20th, Mayor Carmel will be involved in the approval of Flood Zone 3 Funds. The Community Campout is coming up on Saturday, August 24th at the Mill Valley Community Center and is Olympic themed. Mayor Carmel stated he recently had the pleasure to officiate a wedding.
• Police Governance Update
The Mill Valley Police Department provided a report and update on police governance 5 Mayor Carmel noted a Governance Analyst was recently hired by the County. Mayor Carmel provided a verbal summary of the report to the Council in session.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics:
• Community Liaison Michelle Terrell and DEI Liaison Tammy Hernden are completing the United Against Hate video which will be presented at the next City Council meeting.
• Community Liaison Michelle Terrell finalized the ‘Take One Car’ Evacuation Education Campaign.
• The next Community Chat will be held on September 9
th at City Hall in the Council
Chambers.
The Emergency Planning Commission, with help from Community Liaison Michelle Terrell provided Go Bags for all staff.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Consideration of a Resolution in Support of the Transactions and Use Tax or “Sales Tax” Measure.
Recommended Action: Adopt the Resolution No 24-___.
Item 9_Resolution in Support of the Transactions and Use Tax or Sales Tax Measure_240805
Administrative Services Deputy Director Linn Walsh gave a presentation on the Sales Tax Measure progress over the prior months and noted this will be the final presentation and agenda item. There have been 5 infrastructure meetings, and 5 community meetings. Walsh presented a video on the City of Mill Valley Sales Tax Measure available to the public on YouTube.
Deputy Director Walsh reported on next steps to take this video to PRC, EPC, TMAC, and all will be considering a letter of support for the Sales Tax Measure. There will be a community chat that was mentioned in the video. Any members of the public may file an argument for or against the measure by August 16th. This information is noted on the website.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Perrey and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Burke to adopt the Resolution. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
City Manager Cusimano and Councilmembers reiterated the timeline and progress of the Sales Tax Measure and pointed out the guardrails attached to this measure passing, including an Citizen’s Oversite Committee.
6 COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
Councilmember Joachim requested continued discussion relating to wildfire designation of fire hazard severity zones and homeowners who are losing or receiving a significant increase in fees in insurance and/or premium is dramatically increasing.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 7:01 p.m. to the next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
___________________________
Urban Carmel, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk