CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
October 6, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Stephen Burke – Present
Vice Mayor Max Perrey – Present
Councilmember Caroline Joachim – Present
Councilmember Urban Carmel – Absent
Councilmember Kathrine Jones – Present
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_251006
It was MOVED by Councilmember Joachim and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Perrey to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation from Councilmember Caroline Joachim of Beautification Brigade Projects.
ITEM 1_No Written Material_251006
Councilmember Joachim gave a presentation on Beautification Brigade Projects highlighting their recent efforts.
2. Presentation of Current Events in the City of Mill Valley by City Staff Members Tammy Herndon, David Dubin, and Jasmyn Brown.
ITEM 2_No Written Material_251006
City Staff, Tammy Herndon, David Dubin and Jasmyn Brown presented on recent city events related to Pride and Juneteenth.
Mayor Burke and Councilmembers expressed their appreciation for staff’s efforts in executing these events successfully.
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.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #3-5. The Motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote; Councilmember Carmel was absent.
3. Consideration of September 15, 2025, August 18, 2025, November 6, 2023, October 16, 2023, October 2, 2023, and May 15, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the action minutes.
ITEM 3_City Council Meeting Minutes_251006
4. Consideration of a Resolution to accept Measure AA Safe Pathways to School Grant Funding Agreement with Transportation Authority of Marin Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No.25-__.
ITEM 4_Measure AA Safe Pathways Agreement_250106
5. Consideration of Adoption and Second Reading of the Annual Renewal of Mill Valley Municipal Code Chapter 8.80 Military Equipment Use Ordinance.
Recommended Action: Adopt the Renewal Ordinance No.__.
ITEM 5_Annual Renewal Military Equipment 24-25 Second Reading_251006
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: Naima Dean, Luisa and Parker.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Mayor Burke mentioned that while he was away, he wrote a letter of support for PG&E to the Public Utility Commission regarding undergrounding efforts. Mayor Burke also sent a letter supporting Assembly Bill 670 to Governor Newsom, which would allow Mill Valley to get credit for preservation efforts. He thanked Councilmember Joachim for helping draft the letter.
Vice Mayor Perrey reported on his upcoming attendance at the League of California Cities conference where many panels are focused on emergency preparedness. Vice Mayor Perrey attended the MCE Executive Committee meeting and is working with City Manager Cusimano on options for the former site of Whole Foods on Miller Avenue.
Councilmember Joachim reported she attended recent community events including the Fall Arts Festival, the Friends of Park and Recreation fundraiser, and the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Councilmember Joachim also attended emergency preparedness events at the library. There is an upcoming listening session for the Age and Disability Friendly Initiative in Mill Valley on October 14th.
Councilmember Jones reported on attending the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Board of Directors meeting where they approved the Marin County Forest Health and Fire Resilience Public Works Plan. She provided an update that on October 8th, the Parks and Recreation Commission would be reviewing alternatives for the Boyle Park master plan at their meeting.
She encouraged community members to review and provide feedback on the alternatives.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Traffic and Mobility Advisory Committee Update and Recruitment Policy.
City Manager Cusimano gave a report/update on the following topics:
• City Manager Cusimano attended a retreat with the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) operations committee.
• City Manager Cusimano is working with the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce on a proposal for a 24-foot-tall tree and lighting throughout downtown areas.
• On the Traffic and Mobility Advisory Committee (TMAC), City Manager Cusimano asked if the Council would authorize the two Council liaisons to appoint a new member from the previous applicant list. Regarding the commission's composition, City Manager Cusimano proposed to bring an amendment to either keep seven community members with non-voting school district liaisons or expand to nine members with the eighth and ninth being school district representatives.
Councilmembers discussed the City Manager’s proposal related to changes to the TMAC composition and agreed that a seven-member committee composed of a composition of members who reside in the City of Mill Valley and unincorporated area, with two dedicated school district liaisons who are not required to live within city limits is the appropriate amendment.
NEW BUSINESS
6. Consideration of Inclusionary Housing Regulations
Recommended Action: Receive report and provide necessary directions to staff.
ITEM 6_Inclusionary Housing Program_251006
Principal Planner Staude presented an overview of the city's inclusionary housing regulations and proposed changes.
Mayor Burke opened for Public Comment.
Speakers: Michael Hicock, Phil Richardson
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Comment.
Councilmembers asked questions about the report and provided further directions to staff.
7. Consideration of a $60,000 Budget Adjustment and Authorization for the City Manager to Hire a Part-Time Staff to Support the Neighborhood Response Group Program.
Recommended Action: Receive report and provide necessary directions to staff.
ITEM 7_NRG Coordinator_251006
City Manager Cusimano presented a request for a $60,000 budget adjustment to hire a parttime staff person to support the Neighborhood Response Group (NRG) program. The position would help organize neighbor
hoods, coordinate emergency preparedness efforts, and serve as a liaison between the community and public safety services.
Councilmembers expressed strong support.
Mayor Burke opened for Public Comment.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Comment.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the $60,000 budget adjustment and authorize the City Manager to hire a part-time staff person to support the Neighborhood Response Group. Motion passed by a 4-0-1 vote.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
There were no council requests or ideas for discussion.
ADJOURNMENT—The Council ADJOUNRED at 7:49 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley Council Chambers.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE MILL
VALLEY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 20, 2025
___________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk