CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
October 20, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Stephen Burke – Present
Vice Mayor Max Perrey – Present
Councilmember Caroline Joachim – Present via Teleconference Councilmember Urban Carmel – Present
Councilmember Kathrine Jones – Present
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burke called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. confirming Councilmember Joachim was present via teleconference and that any motions would be called by a roll call vote.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
251020 Agenda - Closed SessionAMENDED_Agenda_251020 - Closed Session It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Perrey to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried unanimously by a rollcall 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of a Proclamation Honoring Two Neat’s founder, Bob Bijou, for 39 years of Service in the City of Mill Valley.
Item 1_Two Neat Proclamation for Bob Bijou_20251020
Councilmembers read the Proclamation aloud and made comments expressing their appreciation for Mr. Bijou. Members of the public shared comments honoring about Mr. Bijou.
2. Presentation of a Proclamation in Recognition of the Curtain Theatre’s 25th Anniversary.
Item 2_Curtain Theatre Proclamation_20251020
Councilmembers read the Proclamation aloud and made further comments honoring the Curtain Theater. Members of the public shared additional comments honoring the Curtain Theater.
3. Presentation of a Proclamation and Special Council Recognition of beloved Mill Valley Family.
Item 3_No Written Material_251020
Councilmembers read the Proclamation aloud and made further comments honoring the Carmel Family including Councilmember Carmel and his father, Tord Carmel.
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.
Councilmember Joachim requested to pull Item #5 for correction.
City Manager Cusimano and Councilmember Joachim requested to strike the word “citizen” Item #5 draft resolution.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Jones to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #4 - #6. The Motion was carried unanimously by a roll call 5-0 vote.
4. Consideration of the October 6, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the action minutes.
Item 4_Oct 6 2025 Council Action Minutes_251020-
5. Consideration of a Resolution Adopting an Amendment to the Traffic and Mobility Advisory Committee Resolution 24-05, to Update Committee Requirements and Composition.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No.25-__.
Item 5_Under Separate Cover_TMAC Reso Amend_251020-
Item 5_TMAC Amendment to Resolution 24-05
6. Consideration of a Resolution Approving an Outstanding Lease Purchase Payoff of Parking Meter Equipment and Entering a New Lease Purchase Financing of Parking Meter and Multi-Space Kiosk Upgrades.
Recommended Action: Adopt the Renewal Ordinance No.__.
Item 6_Under Separate Cover_Parking Lease Agreement_251020- Item 6_Parking Lease Agreement_251020
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Jones reported that the Marine Wildfire Prevention Authority meeting scheduled for October 16, 2025, was cancelled and that she attended the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting regarding the Boyle Park Master Plan. Councilmember Jones announced the upcoming ‘Ciclovia’ bike ride that would take place on Saturday, October 25th at the Mill Valley Middle School.
Councilmember Carmel attended a meeting with the Mill Valley Historical Society regarding an initiative to recognize historic homes in Mill Valley. He noted the initiative would be launched later this year and into next. Councilmember Carmel reported that the Measure L Sales Tax Citizen’s Oversight Committee had its first meeting and appointed John McCauley as Chair and Elizabeth Mooney as Vice Chair. The next meeting is scheduled for February 2026.
Councilmember Carmel provided transportation updates including concerns about the MASCOTS transit program and feedback received on the expanded hours of HOV lanes on Highway 101. He noted that the Marin Transportation Authority is planning to send a letter to Caltrans requesting reduced hours.
Vice Mayor Perrey attended the League of California Cities annual fall conference in Long Beach, California. He reported updates related to the Sea Level Rise Working Group. He also shared that he participated in a meeting on Mount Tam to assess fire danger and explore solutions with PG&E and Marin County Fire.
Councilmember Joachim reported that Live Well Mill Valley hosted a listening session at the Mill Valley Community Center, organized by Community and Culture Liaison, Tammy Herndon. Councilmember Joachim announced she will be presenting on behalf of Live Well Mill Valley to City Council at the November 17th City Council meeting. She noted that she recently served as a panelist for the California Parks and Recreation Society’s 2025 Senior Symposium and announced that the Beautification Brigade will meet the following week to review upcoming projects.
Mayor Burke attended the Mill Valley Historical Society’s annual potluck and meeting. He noted that Mill Valley City Hall was recently identified as a Historical Site. Mayor Burke provided an update on the Sewage Agency of Southern Marin, including the successful transition in leadership from Mark Grushayev to Mark Neumann. He thanked Mark Neumann for such a smooth and successful transition.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
• Status update on SLP Encroachment Workplan.
• City Manager Cusimano explained that the Department of Public Works was upgrading policies related to vegetation encroachment into public property and sidewalk maintenance. He noted he will bring a recommendation to Council in the first quarter of 2026.
• City Manager Cusimano provided an update on the agreement with Friends of the Steps, Lanes, and Paths to address seventy-two known encroachments. He confirmed letters had been sent to twenty-two property owners associated with potential encroachments but that responses from property owners have been limited.
He is working with City Staff and Councilmember Joachim to follow up with property owners.
OLD BUSINESS
7. Presentation of a Proclamation and Community Engagement Activity for United Against Hate Week, October 19-25thm by Community & Culture Liaison Tammy Herndon.
Recommended Action: Adopt the Resolution 25-__.
Item 7_UAHW Presentation_20251020-
ITEM 7_Amended_Draft Resolution United Against Hate_20251020 Community and Culture Liaison, Tammy Herndon, presented an update on Mill Valley’s participation in United Against Hate Week (UAHW). She reported that community members shared photos holding United Against Hate signs as part of a campaign established this year. She shared that Mill Valley’s Trunk or Treat celebration will be held on October 26th and she and other groups planned to attend as part of the UAHW campaign promotion. She shared a UAHW video campaign from 2024 in Council Chambers that was developed by Tamalpais High School Graduate, Ara Terell, featuring Mill Valley community members.
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 Jones to adopt the Resolution to declare the week of October 19-25, 2025, as “United Against Hate Week” in the City of Mill Valley. The Motion was carried unanimously by a rollcall 5-0 vote.
Councilmembers thanked Ms. Herndon for the Presentation and expressed their solidarity and strong support of the annual UAHW campaign and ongoing efforts to encourage and promote an inclusive and welcoming community in Mill Valley.
8. Consideration of the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Municipal Service Tax (MST) Annual Report.
Recommended Action: Receive report and provide necessary directions to staff.
Item 8_MST Annual Report_20251020
Item_8_AMENDED_MST_Annual_Report_20251020
City Manager Cusimano presented the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Municipal Service Tax (MST) Annual Report. He noted that the city's 10-year fiscal strategy includes the MST as a key funding source for infrastructure improvements. City Manager Cusimano explained how MST funds are used for both street improvements and vegetation management, with a focus on eighteen priority areas for vegetation management. He also noted that City Staff will bring the MST workplan introduction to the next City Council meeting as well as the 5-year pavement recommendation to the November 17th City Council meeting.
Councilmembers asked questions related to the presentation and report.
Director of Public Works, Andrew Poster, concurred that MST is the largest component for funding the city’s paving projects with approximately $6 million going to paving projects.
Mayor Burke opened for Public Comment.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed Public Comment.
Councilmembers expressed support for the continued use of MST funds for street improvements and vegetation management.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
There were no council requests or ideas for discussion.
Mayor Burke announced that the Council would move to the Closed Session with adjournment afterwards.
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 Real Property Negotiations Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8: Location of Property: 267 Buena Vista Avenue (APN: 029-084-01) Negotiators: Todd Cusimano, Inder Khalsa, Andrew Poster, and Patrick Kelly Negotiating Party: Michael Gothelf. Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.
B. ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT—The Council ADJOUNRED at 7:50 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley Council Chambers.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE MILL
VALLEY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 3, 2025
________________________
Stephen Burke, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk