1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
November 17, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Stephen Burke, Mayor — Present
Max Perrey, Vice Mayor — Present
Caroline Joachim — Present
Urban Carmel — Present
Katherine Jones — Present
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; Director of Planning and Building Kelly; Principal Planner Staude; Deputy Director of Finance Atashkarian; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Erickson; Building Official Emil Dilanian; Deputy Director of Engineering Barrilleaux; Project Manager De Guzman; Director of Public Works Poster; City Librarian Brenner; City Attorney Inder Khalsa; City Clerk Intern Craft; and City Clerk De Ferrari.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burke called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. confirming Vice Mayor Perrey 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
Agenda_251117
Agenda_251117_amended
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried by a rollcall 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Receive annual report and Presentation from the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
Item 1. Presentation_2025 Mill Valley Chamber_251117
Jim Welte, Executive Director of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce, provided the annual report highlighting the Chamber's activities and accomplishments.
Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the Chamber's community events and beautification projects.
2 2. Presentation from Councilmember Joachim on LiveWell Mill Valley and the AARP Survey and Focus
Item 2. No Written Material_251117
Councilmember Joachim presented an update on LiveWell Mill Valley.
Councilmembers received the presentation and asked questions.
Councilmembers thanked Councilmember Joachim for 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.
Mayor Burke and Councilmember Joachim requested that Item #7 is pulled to make an administrative correction to the draft resolution.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Joachim and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #3 - 8. The Motion was carried unanimously by a rollcall 5-0 vote.
3. Consideration of the November 3, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the Action Minutes.
Item 3. Under Separate Cover Action Minutes_251117
Item 3. Approval of November 3, 2025 Meeting Minutes_251117_
4. Consideration of Adoption of the Regular City Council Meeting Schedule for 2026.
Recommended Action: Adopt the Proposed Schedule.
Item 4. Proposed 2026 Council Meeting Schedule5. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Award Various On-Call Professional Services Agreements to Provide Engineering Tasks and Services.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-__.
Item 5. On-Call Services Award Agreements_20251117
6. Consideration of a Resolution Expressing Official Intent Regarding Certain Capital Expenditures to be Reimbursed with Proceeds of Obligations.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-__.
Item 6. 2026 Corp Yard Bond - Capital Expenditure Reimbursement_20251117 3 7. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Schaaf & Wheeler for the Design of the 2026 Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 25-__.
Item 7. 2026 Sewer Improvement Design PSA_20251117
Item 7. Attachment 1_Amended Resolution
8. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Title 20 (“Zoning Code”) of the Mill Valley Municipal Code (MVMC) to: 1) Amend Parking Regulations in Chapter 20.60 and Add New Chapter 20.61 (“Parking Requirements”) Establishing Updated Parking Regulations; 2) Amend Related Sections Throughout Title 20 of the Zoning Code to Ensure Consistency with the New Chapter 20.61; 3) Find That the Proposed Ordinance is Exempt From the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code Section 21000 Et Seq.) Guidelines Section 15061(B)(3).
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance No.__.
Item 8. Parking Code Ordinance_251117
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: 1) Jana Hildebrand 2) Mike Gothelf 3) Shannon Castello 4) Jonah Foust Communications (via eComment): 1) Steve Osaki
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
Public Open Time_Speaker 2_Materials_251117
Public Open Time_Speaker 3_Materials_251117
Public Open Time_Speaker 4_Materials_251117
Public Open Time_eComment 1_251117
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Vice Mayor Perrey reported on an upcoming MCE board meeting that would focus on finances. He noted the board would be deciding between two recommendations: creating an independent standing finance committee separate from the executive committee or implementing quarterly deep dives into financials within the existing executive committee.
Councilmember Jones reported that both the October and November Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority meetings had been canceled. Councilmember Jones reported that she attended the TMAC (Transportation and Mobility Advisory Committee) and EPC (Emergency Preparedness Committee) retreats. Councilmember Jones attended a meeting with Councilmember Joachim, Mill Valley Police, Chamber representatives, and the City Manager regarding potential changes to parking regulations.
Councilmember Carmel reported on an offsite meeting with the Library Board of Trustees where they discussed survey results. Councilmember Carmel detailed the ongoing work with the finance committee 4 ad hoc committee on the revised financial management report and discussed potential municipal bond offerings related to Measure L. Councilmember Carmel shared that the TAM Board will be focusing on Plan Bay Area and transit priorities. Councilmember Carmel reported on the progress of the Redwood bike share program, which has 300 bikes, 55 hubs and has seen 11,500 trips in the past year.
Councilmember Joachim reported on her participation in a Bay Area delegation that visited Texas to study models addressing homelessness. Councilmember Joachim announced that the Respite for All program, now called Three Cheers, had received a $19,000 county grant. Councilmember Joachim reported on Beautification Brigade activities, including work at the East Blithedale Triangle.
Mayor Burke reported that the Richardson Bay Regional Authority Board was making progress, with only seven boats remaining on the bay and potential resolution next year. He noted that the authority was seeking grant money to continue eelgrass restoration efforts.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Todd Cusimano responded to the public comment about Circle Avenue. He indicated staff would follow up on the concerns about the Seaver and Hamilton intersection.
PUBLIC HEARING
9. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Title 14 (“Building and Construction”) of the Mill Valley Municipal Code, and an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Title 15 (“Fire”) of the Mill Valley Municipal Code and Ratifying the Southern Marin Fire District Ordinance No. 2025/2026-01, and Consideration of a Resolution Adopting Findings of Fact Supporting Amendments to California Building Standards Code.
Recommended Action: Introduce Ordinance, waive First Reading, and set the public hearing date.
Item 9. Under Separate Cover_Building Code Update_251112 Item 9. Building Fire Code Amendments_251117
Planning Director Patrick Kelly presented the recommended adoption of the 2025 California Building Code of Regulations (Title 24). Planning Director Kelly presented two proposed ordinances.
Councilmembers asked questions.
Mayor Burke opened for public comment
Speakers: 1) Chris Toperski 2) Kevin Skiles 3) Brian (no last name given) 4) Paula Reynolds Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
Councilmembers thanked Planning Director Kelly for the presentation.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Jones and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to approve the introduction and first reading of an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Title 14 (“Building and Construction”) of the Mill Valley Municipal Code, and an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Title 15 (“Fire”) of the Mill Valley Municipal Code and Ratifying the Southern Marin Fire District Ordinance No. 2025/2026-01, and Consideration of a Resolution Adopting Findings of Fact Supporting Amendments to California Building Standards Code and set the public hearing for December 8, 2025. The Motion was carried unanimously by a rollcall 5-0 vote.
5 NEW BUSINESS
10. Consideration of Updates to Commercial Regulations as Proposed by Staff and Recommendations from Planning Commission.
Recommended Action: Receive reports and public comments; provide direction to staff.
Item 10. Commercial Code Update_20251117
Planning Director Patrick Kelly and Principal Planner Danielle Staude presented proposed updates to the commercial code.
Councilmembers received the presentation and asked questions. Councilmembers emphasized the importance of filling vacant spaces and maintaining Mill Valley’s unique character.
Mayor Burke opened for public comment
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
Councilmembers thanked Planning Director Patrick Kelly and Principal Planner Danielle Staude for the presentation and provided directions to staff.
11. Presentation of the 2026 Financial Management Report.
Recommended Action: Receive report.
Item 11. 2025 Financial Management Report_251117
Deputy Director of Finance Trevor Atashkarian presented the 2025 Financial Management Report.
Councilmembers received the report and asked questions.
Councilmembers suggested potential additions for future iterations, including incorporating investment management reporting and more detailed cost recovery tracking by department.
Mayor Burke opened for public comment
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
Councilmembers thanked Deputy Director of Finance Trevor Atashkarian for the report.
12. Review Five Year Pavement Program Assessment and Recommended Strategy.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation and provide input. City Staff recommends moving forward with the Current Investment scenario provided in the presentation.
Item 12. Five Year Paving Program Assessment_251117
Project Manager Brian De Guzman introduced Joe Ririe of Pavement Engineering Inc who presented an assessment of the city's pavement program and gave recommendations for Mill Valley’s pavement plan.
Councilmembers asked questions.
Mayor Burke opened for public comment
6 Speakers: 1) Paula Reynolds
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Burke closed public comment.
Councilmember thanked Project Manager De Guzman and Joe Ririe of Pavement Engineering Inc. for the presentation.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
None.
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. Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section 54957:
City Manager.
B. ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 11:17 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of
the City of Mill Valley on January 20, 2026.
_____________________________________
Max Perrey, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk