1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
September 15, 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; Chief Navarro; Deputy Director of Human Resources Allingham; Captain Haynes; Management Analyst Politzer; Senior Management Analyst Rogers; City Clerk Intern Craft; 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
Mayor Burke noted there would be no action out of closed session at the beginning, but there would be a closed session following the meeting with an announcement of any action afterward.
He called for a motion to approve the agenda order.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
Adjournment in memory of accomplished artist, teacher, and activist Margaret ’Kett’ Zegart.
agenda_250915 - Closed Session_final
Agenda Amended Item 7_250915 - Closed Session
It was MOVED by Councilmember Joachim and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Perrey to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
Mayor Burke announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of local artist, teacher, and activist Margaret 'Kett' Zegart who passed away this summer at nearly 100 years of age.
Vice Mayor Perrey spoke in memory of Kett Zegart.
2 Several members of the public spoke in memory of Kett Zegart including Joan Murray and Maureen Parton.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition for Carol Lancour of Marin Mosaics for her outstanding work at Lytton Square.
Item 1_No Written Material_250915
Councilmember Joachim presented this recognition to artist Carol Lancour for her beautiful mosaic art project at Lytton Square, which had just received an official ribbon cutting before the council meeting. She noted the project was made possible through donations from the Dipsea Race Foundation, Outdoor Art Club, Mill Valley Chamber, and the City of Mill Valley.
Artist Carol Lancour expressed her gratitude for the funding and opportunity to be part of Mill Valley's history.
Mayor Burke and other Councilmembers thanked Lancour for her work and acknowledged Councilmember Joachim for her involvement with the project, with deep thanks to Hugh Kuhn for his inspiration and dedication through the project.
2. Presentation of a Proclamation Honoring Volunteer All-Star Paul Moe.
Item 2_MV All Star Paul Moe Proclamation 20250915
Councilmember Carmel presented a proclamation honoring Paul Moe as a volunteer all-star, noting that Moe has been a volunteer in Mill Valley for five decades.
Paul Moe expressed his thanks and spoke about the pride and joy he's experienced through volunteerism.
Several community members spoke in support of Moe, including Bill Johnston, Cliff Waldeck, Dan Cressman, and Maureen Parton.
Councilmembers expressed their appreciation.
3. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring September 2025 as National Preparedness Month in the City of Mill Valley.
Item 3_2025 National Preparedness Month Sept Proclamation_20250915 Mayor Burke announced this item, noting that instead of reading the proclamation, they would be moving directly to presentations from public safety officials, reflecting on a significant year for emergency preparedness, which was the number one item on the City Council's workplan. 3 4. Presentation from Executive Officer Mark Brown of Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority.
Item 4_No Written Material_250915
Mark Brown, Executive Officer of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, acknowledged Mill Valley's leadership in evacuation preparedness and demonstrated the Ladris AI tool, which allows for evacuation modeling in minutes and in real-time, making it possible to quickly adjust plans when roads are blocked.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments on the presentation.
5. Presentation from County of Marin Director of the Office of Emergency Management Steven Torrence.
Item 5_No Written Material_250915
Item 5_Presentation_OEM City and Towns Council Meeting Mill Valley Steven Torrance, Director of the Emergency Management for the County of Marin, provided an overview of his office, which is housed within the Marin County Fire Department but works with city and town partners throughout the county and about his work with the City of Mill Valley.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments on the presentation.
6. Presentation of the April 26th Evacuation Drill Findings from the Mill Valley Police Department.
Item 6_Supplemental Material_Presentation_Mill Valley After Action Evacuation Drill April 26, 2025
Item 6_Supplemental Material_MVPD Evacuation After Action Report_250915 Item 6_No Written Material_250915
Item 6_Public Comment 1_Evacuation Presentation
Police Chief Rick Navarro presented key findings from the April 26th evacuation drill. He shared a video recap of the drill emphasized that the drill was a partnership with community members, public safety partners, and volunteers. He explained that planning began six months before the drill and involved extensive communication and outreach to make possible.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments on the presentation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Burke asked if any member of the public wished to pull any items from the consent calendar. There were no requests from the public or online participants. 4 Councilmember Carmel requested to pull Item #10 regarding the "Lease to Locals" program.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Joachim and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Perrey to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #7 – 9 and #11 - #16, pulling Item #10 for discussion. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
7. Consideration of the July 21, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes; and August 11, 2025 and August 12, 2025 Special City Council Meetings Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the action minutes.
Item 7_Under Separate Cover_Action Minutes_250915-
Item 7_City Council Action Minutes_250915
8. Consideration of a Resolution to Designate a Voting Delegate to Represent the City of Mill Valley at the Annual League of California Cities (LOCC) Conference to be held in Long Beach on October 8-10, 2025.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item 8_Under Separate Cover_LOCC Delegate_250915-
Item 8_LOCC Delegate Appointee Staff Report_250915
9. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the Mayor to Execute the City Of Mill Valley’s Response to the 2024-2025 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report Titled “The Worrisome Future Of Marin Housing: Nimby Resistance Takes A Backseat To Economic Reality”, Dated June 24, 2025.
Item9_Grand Jury Marin Housing Report_20250915-
10. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve a Budget Adjustment and Authorize the City Manager to Finalize and Execute a Contract with Placemate for Consulting Services to Launch the “Lease to Locals” Program.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item10_PSA w Placement_20250915
Item #10 was pulled for discussion, Councilmember Carmel opened the discussion by inquiring about the Placemate program.
Principal Planner Danielle Staude and Charlie Wilmoth, President from the Community Housing Foundation, provided additional background information relating to the Placemate program.
Councilmembers provided comments.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt Item #10. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote. 5 11. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve the Plans, Specifications and Cost Estimate for the East Blithedale Avenue at Elm Avenue Drainage Improvements Project; Approve CEQA Notice of Exemption; And Authorize the City Manager to Award the Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item11_East Blithedale Ave at Elm Ave Drainage Improvements Project_20250915
12. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve the Plans, Specifications and Cost Estimate for the 2025 Hillside Avenue Storm Drain Improvements Project; Approve CEQA Notice of Exemption; And Authorize the City Manager to Award the Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item12_Hillside Ave Storm Drain Improvements Design_20250915
13. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager To Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Schaaf & Wheeler for the Storm Drainage Database Development Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item13_S&W Agreement SD Database Development_20250915-
14. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the Director of Public Works to Execute All Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Agreements and any Amendments with the California Department of Transportation and Approving the DBE Race-Conscious/RaceNeutral Program (DBE Program) Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___.
Item14_DBE Agreement Authority_20250915-
15. Consideration of a Resolution to Accept the Sand Volleyball Courts Project as Complete.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___ and Notice of Completion.
Item15_Sand Volleyball Courts_NOC_20250915-
16. Consideration of a Resolution to Accept as Complete Work Under a Contract to Altor Construction LLC., For the Sycamore Ave Safety Improvement Project, Pw 24-12.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-___ and Notice of Completion.
Item16_Notice of Completion Sycamore Ave_20250915
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
6 Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Jones reported that the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Board approved the Greater Mill Valley shaded fuel break project and directed core funds to it. She noted that the Business Vitality Panel is working on key initiatives to be presented soon.
Councilmember Carmel shared news from Berkeley Disaster Lab, which is creating AI-driven, pole-mounted nozzles to sense advancing fires and safeguard homes using less water. He discussed attending his first Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin meeting as an alternate, joining a business vitality event in San Luis Obispo, and mentioning Transportation Authority of Marin's $85,000 grant for rapid flashing beacons in Mill Valley. Carmel noted the October 3rd Marin Sonoma Narrows project opening, the old post office on Blythedale being leased, and several City Council letters backing transit services and initiatives.
Councilmember Joachim reported on recent ribbon cuttings at Old Mill Park (new roof) and the sand volleyball courts. She announced a listening session for Live Well Mill Valley on October 14th at the Community Center. She praised neighborhood engagement through block parties and updated council on the Mill Valley Chamber's activities. She highlighted legislative updates, particularly SB 79, a controversial housing bill from which Marin County was exempted.
Vice Mayor Perrey discussed his participation in Cal Cities Lobby Day as chair of the Environmental Quality Committee, where he advocated for sea level rise funding and a state housing bond. He also provided updates on Marin Clean Energy matters, including a new program for municipal accounts.
Mayor Burke thanked staff who worked on the city's 125th anniversary celebration and reported on his "Clean Mill Valley" route, noting issues with litter, particularly cigarette butts near restaurants and along Throckmorton on the way to the library.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics:
- The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival would be happening this upcoming weekend. - He and Deputy Director of Finance Trevor Atashkarian would be attending the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities conference in the following week, and conference tuition is be covered by the Bay Cities.
- He requested authorization to draft a letter of support for undergrounding to the California Public Utilities Commission, as PG&E is planning a major undergrounding project in Mill Valley in 2027 that could be at risk if funding is cut. - He attended the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority retreat and would be reporting back in the fourth quarter with a comprehensive report on the Municipal Services Tax and recommendations for future policy.
- He noted a developing situation with the Whole Foods Market on Miller Avenue and that the City is not a factor in the decision for the store’s potential departure. 7 OLD BUSINESS
17. Consideration of Parking Meter Upgrades.
Recommended Action: Receive Report and Approve Upgrades Item 17_Under Separate Cover_Parking Meter Upgrades_250915 Item 17_Parking Meter Staff Report_250915-
Item 17_Public Comment_Mill Valley Chamber_ Parking Letter to Council 9.11.25 Captain Lindsay Haynes of the Mill Valley Police Department presented an update on the city's parking meters and staff recommendations.
City Manager Cusimano suggested using the Business Vitality Committee as the forum to continue discussions about parking management, employee parking issues, and potential policy adjustments.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments on the item.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the recommended upgrades presented by staff with Councilmember’s recommendation that the city absorb the costs of convenience fees, with the understanding that staff will report back if the financial impact proves significant. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
18. Consideration of the City Council Workplan Update– Second Quarter 2025.
Recommended Action: Receive Report
Item 18_Council Workplan Update Third Quarter
This item was not discussed in detail due to time constraints. The Council had received the update in writing.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
There were no council requests or ideas for discussion.
Mayor Burke announced that the Council would move to a Closed Session with adjournment afterwards.
8 CLOSED SESSION – The Council will convene to a Closed Session discussion. Any public announcement regarding the Closed Session will be made after the Closed Session and prior to adjourning the regular meeting.
A. CLOSED SESSION BUSINESS – Following Public Comment, the City Council will adjourn to Closed Session to consider the following:
1A. Conference with Legal Counsel, Liability Claim pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(3). Claimant: Piombo.
B. ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 9:24 p.m. in memory of accomplished artist, teacher, and activist Kett Zegart.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 5:30p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE MILL
VALLEY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 6, 2025
___________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk