1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
February 24, 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; Senior Management Analyst Walsh; Director of Building & Planning Kelly; Director of Arts & Recreation Howe; Fire Chief Tubbs; Fire Marshall Hillard; Police Chief Navarro; Police Lieutenant McCracken; Senior Management Analyst Rogers; Community Engagement Liaison Terrell; and City Clerk De Ferrari. 2025 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEE RECRUITMENT INTERVIEWS:
4:00–4:45 P.M. – Parks & Recreation Commission
4:45–5:00 P.M. – Final interview for Library Board of Trustees 5:00–5:45 P.M. – Traffic & Mobility Advisory Committee
5:45–6:15 P.M. – Emergency Planning Commission
6:15–7:00 P.M. – Arts Commission
2025 CBC Appointment Materials (AC EPC LBOT PRC TMAC)_250224
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burke called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Agenda 250224 including AC EPC LBOT PRC TMAC Interview Schedule It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote. 2 CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Burke asked if any Councilmember or the public wished to comment or pull Item #1 or Item #2 for discussion.
Mayor Burke announced that the City Council held interviews prior to the regular council meeting for the appointments to the Arts Commission, The Emergency Preparedness Commission, the Library Board of Trustees, the Parks & Recreation Commission, and the Traffic and Mobility Advisory Committee.
Mayor Burke reported on Item #2 and confirmed the following appointments to fill scheduled and unscheduled vacancies:
Jimmy Singer was reconfirmed for 2nd term and Jack Jones was selected to fill the vacancy on the Arts Commission.
Mike Koo, John Landa, and Steven Nelson were selected to fill three vacancies on the Emergency Preparedness Commission.
Dorsi Bonner was selected to fill the vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees.
Naomi Jane Gray was reconfirmed for 2nd term; Torie Runzel and Andrew Smith were selected to fill two vacancies; and Emmet Austin was confirmed for a partial term on the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Ryan Buntain and Sarah McDonald were selected to fill two vacancies on the Traffic & Mobility Advisory Committee.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #1 – 2. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
1. Consideration of the April 23, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the Retro Action Minutes.
Item 1_City Council Action Minutes_250224-
2. Consideration of a Resolution Making Appointments to the Arts Commission, Emergency Preparedness Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Traffic & Mobility Advisory Committee (Terms Effective March 1, 2025, Unless Noted Otherwise).
Recommended Action: Approve the Resolution 25-__.
Item 2_2025 CBC Appointment Materials (AC EPC LBOT PRC TMAC)_250224
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: Speaker 1: Cliffard Waldeck.
3 Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Mayor Burke joined the Marin Clean Energy Board and received his orientation last week. He reported that recently, the Mount Tam Community Land Trust published transactions for property in the area.
Vice Mayor Perrey shared he planned to attend an upcoming League of California Cities committee meeting.
Councilmember Joachim shared that the California legislative committee met that morning and provided updates on the number of bills currently proposed. She shared that the Live Well Mill Valley Survey was currently available for community members to complete. She shared a project progress report on the Beautification Brigade and shared a summary of upcoming activities in town.
Councilmember Carmel reported that the TAM (Transportation Authority of Marin) committee recently met and shared upcoming projects that they are ready to move forward. He reported on the status of a Marin County Transportation Bond.
Councilmember Jones reported an update on the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority related to Zone Zero regulations that are being developed on the state level. She also shared that there are now fire hazard zone maps available for each community.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano reviewed that the City Council passed the City’s workplan for the year and that he plans to meet further with Mayor Burke to review and strategize on the approach and City Council communication going forward. City Manager Cusimano also reported on the Marin Manager’s recent meetings and discussions for City Council’s consideration.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Consideration of Wildfire Risk Reduction Efforts in Marin County.
Recommended Action: Receive and File the Report.
Item 3_Wildfire Risk Reduction_250224
Chief Tubbs and Fire Marshal Fred Hilliard presented the report, findings, updates, and information related to what’s currently available in the County of Marin. 4 Matt Samson from Marin Municipal Water District discussed further measures related to wildfire risk reduction in relation to Marin County’s watershed. He also spoke on vegetation management of the watershed area.
Councilmembers asked staff questions about the presentation.
Preparedness and Education Coordinator Leah Curtis provided a special report related to the current level of engagement and volunteerism with Neighborhood Resilience Groups (NRGs) within the City and, current needs for further engagement in certain neighborhoods. She also provided a summary of upcoming events, CERT training, FireWise education and training.
Deputy Fire Marshal Marshall Nau provided a summary of prioritization for wildfire emergency response including how Southern Marin Fire approaches fire evacuation, perimeter containment, water sources, and emergency service response within the County of Marin.
Mayor Burke requested Southern Marin Fire return to City Council for additional presentations over the coming year given recent elevated community concerns over wildfire emergency preparedness due to the Southern California wildfires.
Mayor Burke invited members of the public to provide public comment.
Speakers: Speaker 1, Bob.
e-comment: None.
Mayor Burke seeing no one further who wished to speak, closed public comment.
4. Consideration of a Budget Adjustment and Approval of a Two-Year Service Agreement with Flock Safety Group for the Mill Valley Police Department to Fund Automated License Plate Readers and Live-Video Cameras.
Recommended Action: Receive Staff Recommendations and Approve a Budget Adjustment to Fund a Two-Year Service Lease Agreement.
Item 4_FLOCK Safety ALPR Report_250224
Chief Navarro and Lieutenant McCracken presented the item.
City Manager Cusimano provided comments related to the spending proposal for this project, the budget adjustment, and where expenses would be pulled from specific funds.
Councilmembers asked staff questions about the presentation.
Mayor Burke invited members of the public to provide public comment.
Speakers: None.
e-comment: None.
Mayor Burke, seeing no one further who wished to speak, closed public comment.
Councilmembers deliberated on the item.
5 Councilmembers requested staff review the implementation of the FLOCK camera system in one year to see results.
Chief Navarro confirmed he plans to include the camera system in his quarterly updates to Council.
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.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
Councilmember Joachim shared a request to review hardening around our City buildings/facilities and if applicable, perhaps use one as a model for home hardening.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 9:22 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE MILL
VALLEY CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 24, 2025
___________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk