1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
August 18, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Stephen Burke – Absent
Vice Mayor Max Perrey – Present
Councilmember Caroline Joachim – Present
Councilmember Urban Carmel – Present
Councilmember Katherine Jones – Present
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; Deputy Director of Engineering Barrilleaux; Deputy Director of Human Resources Allingham; Lieutenant McCracken; Climate Action/ Sustainability Coordinator Ledwith; Project Manager Swim; Management Analyst Politzer; and City Clerk De Ferrari.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Perrey called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Four council members were present, Mayor Burke was absent.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Agenda_250818
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Jones to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0-1 vote.
Adjournment in memory of former City of Mill Valley Mayor, John Jaeger.
Vice Mayor Perrey shared information about former Mayor John Jaeger and expressed appreciation for his life and service to the City of Mill Valley.
Former Mayor and resident Cliff Waldeck spoke about John Jaeger, noting that he had known him for many years, and expressed his admiration and appreciation of him. 2 PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation Related to the 125th Anniversary Celebration from Steering Committee Members Pam Keon and Joan Murray.
Item 1_No Written Material_250818
125th Committee member Pam Keon provided context for the 125th anniversary celebration, explaining that she and Joan Murray began planning three and a half years ago and outlined the anticipated festivities for the celebration over the coming weekend as well as noting additional projects including a time capsule dedication and a heritage plaque program for homes over 100 years or older in Mill Valley.
2. Presentation of a Proclamation Honoring the 125th Anniversary of the City of Mill Valley.
Item 2_No Written Material_250818
Vice Mayor Perrey led the reading of a proclamation honoring Mill Valley's 125th anniversary.
Councilmembers took turns reading sections highlighting the city's rich history, creative arts influence, environmental stewardship, volunteerism, community events, and library services. The proclamation declared September 1, 2025, as the 125th anniversary of the City of Mill Valley, recognizing its history, vibrant present, and future.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was MOVED by Councilmember Joachim and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #3 - 5. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0-1 vote.
3. Consideration of the October 2, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the action minutes.
Item 3_City Council Action Minutes_250818
4. Consideration of a Resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. for the Miller Avenue Corridor Intersection Safety Study.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item 4_RFP Miller Ave Coordinator Award_250818
5. Consideration of Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Title 14 (“Buildings And Construction Code”) Of The Mill Valley Municipal Code (MVMC) to Clarify and Require Higher Energy Performance For Certain Single-Family Projects.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance, by title only, and waive second reading to amend MVMC Title 14 (“Building and Construction”), Chapter 14.05 (“Construction Codes”) in accordance with (ATTACHMENT 1).
Item 5_Building Code Update_Green Requirements_250818
3 PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Vice Mayor Perrey opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Vice Mayor Perrey closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Jones reported that the next Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) board meeting would be held later in the week. She also reported on a meeting with Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) representatives about using an eco-counter at Old Mill School to measure the number of students biking and walking to school. This data will be used to set targets for increasing alternative transportation modes.
Councilmember Carmel elaborated on the eco counter project, explaining it would collect baseline data to set goals for increasing active transportation to school. The initiative begins with a pilot at Old Mill School, with the principal and parents on board, and could become a model for Safe Routes to School programs countywide. Councilmember Carmel shared the achievements of Mill Valley native Niall Shiels Donegan, who placed in the top four at the US Amateur Golf Championship, and announced that Paul Moe would be honored as the third quarter volunteer allstar on September 15. He highlighted Caltrans' Phase 1 plan for State Route 131, which will feature Class 2 bike lanes over Highway 101, and noted that planning for the Kelly Brush Foundation ride on October 25 continues, with Marin Health as a sponsor. Councilmember Carmel mentioned the city's progress on climate action reach codes, receiving positive feedback from the building community, and spoke about the McKinsey off-site meeting, which provided valuable insights into upcoming transportation changes, such as the adoption of autonomous vehicles by 2030.
Councilmember Joachim thanked Councilmember Carmel for organizing the McKinsey offsite and reported: The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce will pause the 2026 Mill Valley Music Festival due to rising costs and school construction. She toured PG&E's Hazard Awareness and Warning Center (HAWK), attended the county's homeless policy steering committee's quarterly meeting, and joined Marin Villages' 15th anniversary at the Buck Institute with US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
Vice Mayor Perrey announced that the joint meeting with the school district would be rescheduled as the district is focused on middle school projects this fall. Vice Mayor Perrey also noted that the planned October 6, 2025 joint Board meeting with the Mill Valley School District and City Council will be cancelled and rescheduled at a future date.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
No report was given.
4 PUBLIC HEARING
6. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Renewing Ordinance No. 1352, Chapter
8.80 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code Regarding Establishment of a Military Equipment Use Policy for the Mill Valley Police Department.
Recommended Action: Receive report, introduce the draft ordinance by title only, and waive first reading.
Item 6_Annual Renewal of Mill Valley Municipal Code Chapter 8.80 Military Equipment Use Ordinance_250818
Vice Mayor Perrey opened the public hearing.
Lieutenant Shaun McCracken presented the annual report on the military equipment use policy.
There were no comments or questions from Councilmembers.
Vice Mayor Perrey opened public comment.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Vice Mayor Perrey closed public comment.
Vice Mayor Perrey closed the public hearing.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to approve the first reading by title only and waive the first reading of the ordinance renewing Ordinance 1352, Chapter 8.8 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code regarding establishment of military equipment use policy for the Mill Valley Police Department. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0-1 vote.
OLD BUSINESS
7. Consideration of a Resolution to Grant the City Manager Authority to Award the Sea Level Rise Shoreline Adaptation Project to the Consultant Team Led by WRT.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___ and grant the City Manager the authority to execute the contract with WRT.
Item 7_Under Separate Cover_SLR Contract Award_250818
Item 7_SLR Consultant Award_250818
Item 7_SLR Consultant Award_250818
5 Deputy Director of Public Works Jared Barrilleaux introduced Project Manager Mari Swim to present on the Sea Level Rise Shoreline Adaptation Project and introduce the consultant team WRT with Environmental Science Associates.
City Manager Cusimano noted that the city is taking the lead on this project that represents multiple entities. He indicated that future discussions with Flood Zone 3 and county supervisors would be needed for additional funding and support.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments about the item.
John Gibbs, Principal of WRT, briefly addressed the Council, emphasizing the inclusive approach they would take with the project and their commitment to facilitating conversations with rigorous technical work in an understandable format.
Vice Mayor Perrey opened public comment.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Vice Mayor Perrey closed public comment.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Jones and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt the resolution and grant the City manager the authority to execute the contract lead by consultant team, WRT. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 4-0-1 vote.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
No items were discussed.
ADJOURNMENT – Vice Mayor Perrey adjourned the meeting in memory of former Mayor John Jaeger. The Council ADJOURNED at 7:15 p.m. to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Monday, September 15, 2025.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE MILL
VALLEY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 6, 2025
___________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk