1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
March 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; Director of Building & Planning Kelly; Deputy Director of Public Works Barrilleaux; Director of Arts & Recreation Howe; Deputy Director of Arts & Recreation Ingram; Senior Management Analyst Rogers; Management Analyst III Politzer; DEI Liaison Hernden; Traffic and Mobility Commission Chair Nick Bockh; Arts Commission Chair Sharon Valentino; and City Clerk De Ferrari.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burke called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.
Mayor Burke announced the meeting would be adjourned in memory of former Director of Arts & Recreation Sean McGrew. Mayor Burke invited Councilmembers to share comments.
Councilmember Joachim read messages from former Parks & Recreation Commissioner Greg Moore, Bill Johnston, and John Orofino and made comments in honor of Sean’s memory.
Former Chair Parks & Recreation Commissioner Vanessa Justice remarked that Sean was a mentor to her when she was on the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Naima Dean spoke of her friendship with Sean and recalled their last meeting.
Councilmember Carmel made comments in honor of Sean’s memory, speaking of his grace, intelligence, humor, and his great impact on the City.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Agenda_250324
It was MOVED by Vice Chair 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 Proclamation Honoring Volunteer All-Star Paula Reynolds.
Item 1_No Written Material_250324
Mayor Burke invited individuals to assist with the reading of the proclamation. Speakers included Jim Welty, Marin County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Councilmember Carmel, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Joachim, Vice Chair Perrey, City Manager Cusimano, Mayor Burke, and others.
Mayor Burke proclaimed that on this day, March 24, 2025, the City Council of the City of Mill Valley honors Paula Reynolds for exceptional volunteerism, leadership, and unwavering dedication to Mill Valley.
Paula Reynolds expressed her gratitude for the award, saying her happy place is serving Mill Valley, the City Council, the business community, her neighborhood, and her family and friends.
Councilmember Carmel spoke of his long friendship and working relationship with Paula. He revealed that she first urged him to join the Planning Commission, ultimately leading to his seat on the City Council.
Vice Chair Perrey thanked Paula for her sound advice and talked about the many ways she had touched the community.
Councilmember Joachim said Paula has served as a mentor to her, and thanked her for her remarkable commitment to the community.
Councilmember Jones said Paula had also served as her mentor and expressed her gratitude for the time they have spent together. She said she was inspired by the joy with which Paula views her service to the Mill Valley community.
Mayor Burke said Paula is the kind of leader that has long-term impact by getting others engaged, saying she is always the best prepared person in the room but never acts like it, and he thanked her for her support of the town.
2. Presentation of a Proclamation Celebrating and Recognizing Deputy Director of Administration Linn Walsh on the Occasion of Her Departure from the City of Mill Valley After 19 Years of Distinguished Service.
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3 Mayor Burke invited individuals to assist with the reading of the proclamation. Speakers included Vice Chair Perrey, Councilmember Joachim, Councilmember Carmel, Councilmember Jones, City Manager Cusimano, Mayor Burke, and others.
Mayor Burke invited members of the public to make comments.
Marin County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters expressed her pleasure working with Linn, saying she was exemplary in Mill Valley and she looked forward to her working for the County.
Hugh Kuhn spoke of his long friendship with Linn and expressed gratitude that she had stayed with the City so long, and wished her luck in her new job with the County.
Naima Dean shared her respect for Linn and thanked her for standing up for what she believes in.
Mayor Burke invited Linn Walsh to make comments.
Deputy Director of Administration Walsh acknowledged her family members and thanked them for their love and support. She thanked all the City Councils, City Managers, members of her administrative team, department heads, staff members, and community volunteers she had worked with for the past 19 years. She spoke of Mill Valley’s high standards, generosity, and courage in the face of pressing issues.
Councilmember Carmel said Linn is the epitome of professionalism and spoke of her calm expertise.
Councilmember Joachim said Linn had been so impactful to the town and thanked her for her service.
Vice Chair Perrey said Mill Valley’s proactive communication, community outreach, and engagement is thanks to Linn’s work.
Mayor Burke thanked Linn for nearly two decades of leadership, support, and patience with generations of City Council members, City managers, City staff, and Mill Valley’s residents. He wished her the best in her new job.
City Manager Cusimano said having Linn part of the team has been inspirational for everyone with her support and willingness to jump in and do the work.
3. Presentation of the Arts Commission’s Annual Report.
Item 3_Art Commission 2024 Annual Report_250324
Arts Commission Chair Sharon Valentino presented the report.
Councilmembers expressed their gratitude for the Arts Commission’s work and pledged their support. Comedy on the Plaza is a favorite event among the Councilmembers. 4 Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
4. Presentation of the Parks & Recreation Commission Annual Report.
Item 4_PRC 2024 Annual Report_250324
Director of Arts & Recreation Ashley Howe and former Parks & Recreation Commission Chair Vanessa Justice presented the report.
Councilmembers made positive comments regarding the City’s parks, sports fields, golf course, community engagement, and future goals.
Director Howe and former Commissioner Justice responded to City Council questions.
Councilmembers thanked former Commissioner Justice for her years of service on the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Naima Dean thanked former Commissioner Justice for her passion and ability to make things happen, such as advocating for improving the grounds of Old Mill Park to make it more accessible.
5. Presentation of the Planning Commission Annual Report.
Item 5_Planning Commission 2024 Annual Report_250324
Director of Planning & Building Kelley introduced Planning Commissioner Kevin Skiles.
Commissioner Skiles presented the report.
Commissioner Skiles and Director Kelly responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Burke thanked former Planning Commissioner Greg Hildebrand, recently retired from the Planning Commission, for his years of service to Mill Valley.
Mayor Burke thanked Commissioner Skiles for his years of service on the Planning Commission.
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
5 Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
6. Presentation of the Traffic and Mobility Annual Report.
Item 6_No Written Material_250324
Deputy Director of Public Works Jared Barrilleaux and Traffic and Mobility Commission Chair Nick Bockh presented the report.
Chair Bockh and Deputy Director Barrilleaux responded to City Council questions.
Councilmember Carmel noted that he is a member of Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), they would undoubtedly be approving Safe Pathways funding for the City. Mill Valley would receive $750,000 for Safe Pathway projects, and Strawberry, which is County, would receive $450,000, so they would get $1.2 million for these projects.
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
CONSENT CALENDAR
7. Consideration of the February 10, 2025, and February 24, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the action minutes.
Item 7_Under Separate Cover_Action Minutes_250324
Item 7_CC Action Minutes Feb 10 & feb 24 2025_250324
8. Consideration to Approve PS&E for Sand Volleyball, CEQA NOE, and Authorize the City Manager to Award Contract.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-__.
Item 8_Sand Volleyball Courts_250324
9. Consideration of a Resolution Amending the Salaries and Benefits of the City’s NonRepresented Employees.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-__.
Item 9_Amending Non-Rep Salary Schedules_250324
Mayor Burke asked if any Councilmember or member of the public wished to pull Items #7-9 from the Consent Calendar. There were no requests.
6 It was MOVED by Vice Chair Perrey to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #7-9.
Councilmember Joachim noted she had amendments to the February 24, 2025 Minutes, which she had given to the City Clerk.
Councilmember Jones noted she also had amendments to the February 24, 2025 Minutes.
Vice Chair Perrey amended the motion to include Councilmember Joachim’s and Councilmember Jones’ amendments.
The motion was SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: Bob Middlestead.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Jones attended a recent Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority meeting, where the main topic was the Governor's recent executive order that suspends the Coastal Act, CEQA, and other requirements for certain wildfire resilience projects initiated in 2025. She believed they would see several important wildfire mitigation projects move forward in the coastal zone that had been impeded by the Coastal Act, but also in and around Mill Valley where there is uninitiated work regarding the Greater Mill Valley Community Firebreak, so that may move forward in 2025.
Councilmember Carmel shared that he would attend the next Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting and shared updates related to budget allocations. He reviewed the upcoming Transportation and Mobility Advisory Committee (TMAC) meeting on April 16th. He shared that his 99-year-old father would soon be moving to the Redwoods Retirement Community.
Councilmember Joachim reported she had attended a California Legislative Committee meeting that morning and provided budget, project, and bill updates, including one to watch closely, AB 306, which would enact a moratorium of six years on State building codes, including reach codes.
She noted there are more than 100 wildfire and insurance related bills under consideration, and they are hoping to see coordination with the various legislation at the State level with respect to insurance rates. A Zone Zero draft regulations workshop was held in March, with more coming in April and May. Councilmember Joachim said the Live Well Mill Valley survey results are being manually tallied, and LWMV will host an event on March 27th at the library. An upcoming Beautification Brigade project will be a pollinator garden next to the Public Safety building. 7 Vice Mayor Perrey said he and Councilmember Jones met with the new school district liaison and discussed projects the liaisons could take on; an update on Countywide work on ebikes; how they might involve the school district in ebike education, construction of the middle school, and a joint meeting between the City and the District in the fall. He said the E-bike Youth Safety Task Force is preparing a first reading of the AB 1778 required ordinance for the April 21st City Council meeting. Vice Chair Perrey said he would attend the Sea Level Rise Governance Committee’s upcoming meeting. State code amendments will be taken up by Cal Cities Housing Committee, and then it will come to the Mill Valley Environmental Quality Committee. MCE Community Choice Energy met last week and approved the annual budget with minor changes and a small increase to customers.
Mayor Burke had no updates to report.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano attended a recent Marin Manager’s meeting with focused discussion on AB 1778, and said the County’s first reading of the ordinance would occur the following day, Tiburon would hold their first reading at their meeting on April 2nd, then Mill Valley would do the same on April 21st, so they would be prepared to move it forward with the County on July 1st when the law is implemented. He believed it would be up to Mill Valley and Southern Marin to move the ordinance along, and Novato, San Rafael, and San Anselmo are likely to be in line with Mill Valley and Tiburon. The City just completed with Tiburon an e-bike safety training with 50 children in attendance for the program. They are inviting the Town of Fairfax to also join in the training.
City Manager Cusimano said some school districts in the county, such as Ross Valley in Central Marin, are looking to pull out of the e-bike registration program, but the registration program has been critical as a major tool to support the ordinance. He said Mill Valley would continue the registration, because probable cause to enforce some of the ebike issues is very difficult, so they need the school registration program in concert with this ordinance.
City Manager Cusimano reviewed Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority’s (MWPA) three sources of funding and the uses for these funds. He presented plans for changing how the budget would be established and set going forward. City Manager Cusimano shared that MWPA supports education, and there are staff members in Southern Marin Fire, at the County-level, and Mill Valley City staff who do that education.
City Manager Cusimano responded to City Council questions.
City Manager Cusimano said he had a robust conversation with AE Comm regarding the work they are doing, and the Joint Powers Authority discussion related to sea level rise. He told AE Comm that this needs to be a regional discussion, and it starts with adaptation plans. City Manager Cusimano also told the County this is a great opportunity to solve the flood zone issue through this process, but said the County looks at it as two separate things. He said if Flood Zone 3 is not fixed first, there is nothing to talk about, because there would be no way to set up a JPA regionally for sea level rise.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
8 None.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adjourn the meeting. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
ADJOURNMENT - – The Council ADJOURNED at 8:40 p.m. in memory of former Mill Valley Arts & Recreation Director Sean McGrew, a dear friend – The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY
THE MILL VALLEY CITY
COUNCIL ON APRIL 21, 2025
___________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk