1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
January 27, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Stephen Burke – Present
Vice Mayor Max Perrey – Present
Councilmember Caroline Joachim – Present
Councilmember Urban Carmel – Present
Councilmember Katherine Jones – Present
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; City Attorney Khalsa; Human Resources Manager Allingham; Senior Management Analyst Walsh; Superintendent of Operations Neumann; Director of Public Works Poster; Director of Building & Planning Kelly; Director or Arts & Recreation Howe; Deputy Director of Arts & Recreation Ingram; Climate Action Coordinator Ledwith; and City Clerk De Ferrari.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burke called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Agenda_250127
Amended Agenda_250127-
• Adjournment in Honor of Mill Valley resident and talented musician who has been an avid supporter of and fixture at the Sweetwater, Austin De Lone, who passed away on January 6, 2025.
Councilmembers made comments in honor of Austin De Lone.
Mayor Burke invited members of the public to speak on behalf of Austin De Lone.
Speakers: Speaker 1: Mrs. De Lone; Speaker 2: daughter of Austin De Lone. 2 It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of a music video, “Mill Valley Day”, celebrating and honoring the City of Mill Valley by Steve Goldman.
Mayor Burke presented the item and invited the music video creator, Steve Goldman, to speak about the project.
2. Presentation by Performing Stars organization Honoring Outstanding Community Volunteers and Agencies for their Dedication and Commitment to the Annual Toy and Gift Drive by Executive Director, Felicia Gaston.
Mayor Burke introduced the item and invited Executive Director of Performing Stars, Felicia Gaston, to speak about the organization’s history, background, and to present the awards to outstanding community volunteers.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #3, and #5 - 7. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
Item #4 was pulled off consent, discussed, and voted on separately by the Council.
Mayor Burke pulled Item 4 off Consent for discussion and invited Deputy Director Jay Ingram to present the item. Deputy Director Ingram indicated that on December 10, 2024, the Arts Commission approved a location for the public art piece. Deputy Director Ingram presented the request of the Arts Commission to offer two alternate locations than what was originally approved by the Arts Commission.
Mayor Burke invited Councilmembers to ask questions of staff. Deputy Director Ingram Mayor Burke opened public comment.
Speakers: Speaker 1: Vanessa Justic; Speaker 2: Sharon Valentino; Speaker 3: Audrey; Speaker 4: Nancy Elkus; Speaker 5: Walker Elkus; Speaker 6: Mora Tokarski; Speaker 7: Clifford Waldeck; Speaker 8: Lidia Maravich; Speaker 9: Victoria Nimiaga. eComment: None. One e-comment received after public open time.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
3 Mayor Burke invited Councilmembers to make comments and deliberate on the item.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to adopt Item #4. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
3. Consideration of the Purchase and Installation of Public Art at Miller and Locust Avenue – “Lumisphere”.
Recommended Action: Approve the Purchase.
Item 3_Public Art Lumisphere_250127
4. Consideration of the Purchase and Installation of Public Art in the Depot Plaza – “Mum”.
Recommended Action: Approve the Purchase.
Item 4_Public Art Mum_250127
5. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting as Complete the Depot Plaza Expansion Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item 5_Depot Plaza Expansion Project Notice of Completion_250127
6. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting as Complete the 2024 Sewer Improvement Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item 6_2024 Sewer Improvement Project NOC_250127
7. Consideration of a Resolution accepting as complete the Monte Vista Avenue Roadway Stabilization Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item 7_Monte Vista Roadway Stabilization NOC_250127
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): eComment 1: Bob Mittelstaedt regarding E-Bikes sent on January 27, 2025 and submitted for the public record.
4 Public Comment No. 1 re E-Bikes_Public Open Time January 27 City Council Meeting Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Vice Mayor Perrey said the County e-bike committee met. Vice Mayor Perrey attended a Cal Cities committee meeting and received a budget report. He and Councilmember Joachim attended the MLK Day celebration in Marin City.
Councilmember Joachim provided reports on the following organizations: LiveWell Mill Valley, Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce related to the 125th celebration of Mill Valley, and the Beautification Brigade. Councilmember Joachim reported that she joined a California Fire Insurance Group, a working group to review insurance challenges in California, and she reported that Assemblymember Damon Connelly introduced legislation for Wildfire Insurance.
Councilmember Carmel provided an update the Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) flooding plan and Army Corps of Engineers. He shared a report from a recent Safe Routes to School (SRTS) meeting and highlighted the County is having financial constraints meeting demand for crossing guards. Councilmember Carmel reported there was a Mill Valley SRTS task force meeting the previous week and that they are creating mapping routes in detail for each city and community.
The City of Mill Valley’s Transportation and Mobility Commission (TMAC) is getting involved with making improvements to the SRTS program in Mill Valley. He also reported that TMAC held their first meeting of the year.
Councilmember Jones attended her first Marin Wildlife Prevention Authority meeting which was focused on the recent Southern California wildfires. The focus of the meeting was on developing Zone Zero requirements and creating defensible space from 0 to 5 ft from each home. She stated that the state is working on legislation to mandate Zone Zero. Councilmember Jones shared that there is an upcoming Firesafe event at the Community Center. She also reported that she attended a recent Beautification Brigade project in Miller Grove to help clear brush and vegetation. There will be a small split rail fence installed in Miller Grove and after the rainy season is over, seating will be installed by the Department of Public Works.
Mayor Burke provided an about the Anchor Outs in Sausalito and reported that he recently attended City of Sausalito’s second workshop on sea level rise.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
• Recognition of Community Engagement Liaison Michelle Terrell who is stepping down from her position at the end of January 2025.
Mayor Burke opened public comment.
Speakers: Speaker 1: Paula Renolds; Speaker 2: Police Chief Rick Navarro. 5 eComment: None.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
Councilmembers made comments in honor of Michelle Terrell.
Mayor Burke invited Michelle Terrell to speak on her service to the City of Mill Valley. • Presentation of an After-Action Report for the December 27, 2024 Flooding in Tamalpais and Sycamore Park Neighborhoods.
CM Report_After-Action Report December 27 2024 Flooding_250127 City Manager Cusimano presented the after-action report and shared plans for how to make improvements on future emergency response.
Mayor Burke invited Councilmembers to ask questions of staff on the item.
Mayor Burke opened public comment.
Speakers: Speaker 1: Tom Redman; Speaker 2: John Semore. eComment: None.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
Police Chief Rick Navarro provided comment on the emergency response and communication to the public. He clarified AlertMarin should be used for community emergencies such as this one.
He explained that Nixle is used for road closures, clearing of areas, and non-emergency related items.
Councilmembers made comments related to the item.
NEW BUSINESS
8. Consideration of the Marin County Electrification Roadmap.
Recommended Action: Receive Report and Accept the Electrification Roadmap.
Item 8_Marin County Electrification Roadmap_250127
The item was presented by Marin Climate and Energy Partnership Representative Christine O'Rourke and Climate Action and Sustainability Coordinator Grace Ledwith.
Mayor Burke invited Councilmembers to ask questions of staff on the item. 6 Councilmembers made comments and deliberated on the item.
Mayor Burke opened public comment.
Speakers: None.
eComment: None.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
None.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CLOSED SESSION BUSINESS – Following Public Comment, the City Council will recess to Closed Session to consider the following:
1A.Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). Nemer v. City of Mill Valley et al., First District Court of Appeal Case No. A170724.
2A.Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2). Threat of litigation (written threat of litigation from Len Rifkind dated 12/20/2024. Second written threat of litigation from Len Rifkind dated 1/24/2025) (1 case).
B. ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 8:21 p.m. Adjournment in Honor of Mill Valley resident and talented musician who has been an avid supporter of and fixture at the Sweetwater, Austin De Lone, who passed away on January 6, 2025.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
___________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY MILL VALLEY
CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 10, 2025
ATTEST:
____________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk