1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
September 5, 2024
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Urban Carmel – Present
Vice Mayor Stephen Burke – Present
Councilmember Max Perrey – Absent
Councilmember Caroline Joachim – Absent
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; Human Resources Manager Allingham; Community Engagement Liaison Terrell; DEI Liaison Hernden; 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 Final_240905
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Wickham to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried by a 3-0 vote, with Councilmembers Perrey and Joachim absent.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation and Consideration of a Resolution to Declare the Week of September 21-27, 2024, as “United Against Hate Week” in the City of Mill Valley.
Item 1_United Against Hate Week 2024_240905
Mayor Carmel introduced the first presentation on the agenda focused on United Against Hate week by reading a letter he received from a community member that reported witnessing hate speech in the community. Mayor Carmel stated that standing up against hate and hate speech is a Council priority and part of why the City is committed to United Against Hate Week each year. 2 Community Engagement Liaison Michelle Terrell and DEI Liaison Tammy Hernden presented the history of United Against Hate week and the City of Mill Valley’s involvement over the past two years. Staff presented a video campaign they created to demonstrate the City of Mill Valley’s representation and expression about why they stand against hate.
Mayor Carmel read the resolution declaring United Against Hate Week of September 21-24, 2024, in the City of Mill Valley.
Councilmember Wickam commented on the history of hate and segregation in Mill Valley, apologized for the history of hate, and reiterated he was glad to see efforts to bring further awareness.
Vice Mayor Burke stated he appreciated the work of staff on this video campaign and ongoing efforts to educate the community. He noted continued challenges with hate speech in Mill Valley.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Wickham to adopt the Resolution. The Motion was carried by a 3-0 vote. Councilmembers Perrey and Joachim absent.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Wickham to adopt the Consent Calendar, Item #2–6. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 3-0 vote.
2. Consideration of a Resolution to Designate a Voting Delegate to Represent the City at the Annual League of California Cities (LOCC) Conference which will be held in Long Beach on October 16-18, 2024.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 2_LOCC Delegate Appointee_240905
3. Consideration of the July 15, 2024, and August 5, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the Action Minutes.
Item 3_Under Separate Cover Approval of Minutes_240905
Item 3_Approval of Action Minutes (July & August 2024)_240905
4. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to the Skate Park Lease Agreement Providing for a 1-Year Extension Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 4_Skate Park Lease Extension_240905
5. Consideration of a Resolution Adopting the 2023 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the City of Mill Valley Annex.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 5_MJHMP and City Annex Adoption_240905
3 6. Second Reading and Adoption of the Annual Renewal of Mill Valley Municipal Code Chapter 8.80 Military Equipment Use Ordinance.
Recommended Action: Renew the Ordinance No. ___.
Item 6_Annual Renewal Military Equipment_240905
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Carmel opened public comment. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed public comment.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Mayor Carmel said that the Community Chat held on Monday at 5:30pm at City Hall focused on Measure L, the Sales Tax Measure. Mayor Carmel noted that the following Tuesday at 7pm there will be star gazing at Hauke Park. On August 24th there was a Neighborhood Chat held on the street on Sycamore Avenue. On August 26th there was a wrap up meeting with BAHFA to finalize terminating a $20 million dollar housing bond. Mayor Carmel noted it is still to be determined if the BAHFA steering committee will reconvene, but he recommended it to do so.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics:
• City Manager Cusimano wished staff member Daisy Allen a happy birthday and noted her outstanding work in preparing the Multi Jurisdiction Housing Report for Council Agenda this evening.
• The PG&E project is out of the downtown plaza area now and working their way down Miller Avenue. Staff are working with PGE to get clarification on the timeline with the community.
• There will be a meet and greet with Council candidates and staff next week, on Monday morning in City Council Chambers.
• City Manager Cusimano commended City of Mill Valley staff: Grace Ledwith and Danielle Staude for outstanding efforts on sustainability work in the City and recognition from Zero Waste Marin.
• City Manager Cusimano commended Fire and Southern Marin Fire on their ongoing collaborative efforts and national recognition for having top tier capabilities. • City Manager Cusimano commended and outlined the ongoing work of the following departments for their work related to public safety: Public Works, Engineering, Planning, Parks, Streets, SASM, City Manager’s team, Administrative Services Team. • City Manager Cusimano stated he plans to outline the great work of the City, staff, departments, and re-org changes at an upcoming meeting. • City Manager Cusimano noted comparisons between Novato and Mill Valley related to Sales Tax Measures. He commended City Council and City staff for their ability to approach, problem solve, change, and pivot when approaching the Sales Tax Measure. • City Manager Cusimano stated the City is learning from its successes, experiences, and mistakes and said that mistakes will be approached differently in the future. 4 • City Manager Cusimano stated the top priorities for the City are now Public Safety, Diversity, Housing.
Mayor Carmel commended the leadership of City Manager Cusimano, commitment, and hard work of the staff of the City of Mill Valley. He said this City is always striving to do better.
Councilmember Wickham commended the work of City Manager Cusimano and expressed his appreciation and thanks for continuing to do a good job.
NEW BUSINESS
7. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing Submittal of the Local Housing Trust Fund Matching Grant Application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Item 7_LHTF Grant_240905
Senior Planner Danielle Staude presented the resolution that would authorize the matching grant application.
Councilmembers and the public had no questions.
Vice Mayor Burke confirmed he fully supported this effort and thanked staff for their work.
Councilmember Wickham noted the full report is available online and commended staff for their work.
Mayor Carmel expressed his support of the grant.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Wickham to adopt the Resolution. The Motion was carried by a 3-0 vote. Councilmembers Perrey and Joachim absent.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Introduction and First Reading of Three Ordinances to Amend Title 20 “Zoning” of the Mill Valley Municipal Code (MVMC) to Update Regulations and Clarify Definitions Related to Employee Housing, Density Bonus and Homeless Assistance, as Identified in General Plan Housing Element Programs 6, 24 and 31.
Recommended Action: Receive the staff report and presentation, conduct the public hearing, make findings, and introduce the three Ordinances by title only and waive first reading.
Item 8_Housing Element_Density Bonus Update_240905
5 Senior Planner Danielle Staude presented a presentation related to the Title 20 “Zoning” ordinance in the municipal code. The presentation outlines the three ordinances tied to specific items that will be changed in the code.
Mayor Carmel opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Mayor Carmel closed the Public Hearing.
Mayor Carmel commented on the cooperation and partnership across the County of Marin. He thanked staff for their hard work on this as well as expressed the opportunity
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
Councilmember Wickham attended the Concerts on the Plaza this weekend.
Vice Mayor Burke noted the Emergency Preparedness Commission campaign launched its ‘Use One Car’ initiative.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 6:32 p.m. to the Mill Valley Public Finance Authority Board of Directors Annual Meeting. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
___________________________
Urban Carmel, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk