1 CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
December 8, 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; Senior Management Analyst Rodgers; Management Analyst Politzer; Deputy Director of Human Resources Allingham; Arts and Recreation Director Howe; Director of Finance Atashkarian; City Attorney Inder Khalsa; City Clerk Intern Craft; and City Clerk De Ferrari.
Time Capsule Dedication: scheduled to occur at 5:00pm prior to Council meeting, in front of City Hall at the Jasper Rock.
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_251208-
Adjournment in memory of local journalist and publisher Steve McNamara.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Joachim to approve the agenda order. The Motion was carried by a unanimous 5-0 vote.
Mayor Burke announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of local journalist and publisher Steve McNamara.
Mayor Burke spoke in memory of Steve McNamara.
Members of the public spoke in memory of Steve McNamara, including Abby Wasserman and Mary McClain.
2 PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation by Boy Scout Troop #1 Eagle Scout Recognition.
Item 1. No Written Material_251208
Nate Lee presented his Eagle Scout Project to the City Council. Nate Lee partnered with Mill Valley Little League to repair the third base dugout at Alto Baseball Field.
Councilmembers thanked Nate Lee and congratulated him on the completion of his Eagle Scout Project.
2. Presentation to Honor Volunteer All Star, Pam Keon.
Item 2. Under Separate Cover_All-Star Proclamation_251208 Councilmembers the proclamation aloud, honoring Pam Keon as a volunteer all-star.
Pam Keon expressed her thanks and spoke about her dedication to volunteerism.
Members of the public spoke in support of Pam Keon, including Joan Murray, Stephanie MoultonPeters, Gary Oats, Moreen Harton and Paul Moe.
Councilmembers expressed their appreciation.
3. Presentation of a Summary and Completion of the City of Mill Valley’s 125th Anniversary Celebration Program including the itemization of both the 1953 and 2025 time capsules.
Item 3. Published Under Separate Cover_125th MV Anniversary Celebration_251208 Item 3. 125th Anniversary Celebration Summary_251208
Item 3. Additional Materials_251208
Arts and Recreation Director Ashley Howe presented a summary of the City of Mill Valley’s 125th Anniversary Celebration.
Councilmembers thanked Arts and Recreation Director Ashley Howe 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.
City Staff requested to pull the November 17, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes from Item #4.
It was MOVED by Vice Mayor Perrey and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to adopt the Consent Calendar, Items #4 - 7. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote. 3 4. Consideration of November 17, 2025 and May 6, 2024, and April 15, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the Action Minutes.
Item 4. Approve Action Minutes_251208
5. Consideration of an Amendment to the Employment Agreement with City Manager Cusimano Extending the Term by Five Years.
Recommended Action: Approve the Amendment to the Employment Agreement with City Manager Todd Cusimano.
Item 5. Employment Agreement with City Manager_251208
6. Consideration of a Side Letter between the Mill Valley Police Officers’ Association and the City of Mill Valley to Amend the Memorandum of Understanding to Adjust the Probationary Period for Non-Sworn Classifications.
Recommended Action: Approval of a Side Letter.
Item 6. MV Police Association Side Letter_251208
7. Consideration of a Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinances Repealing Title 14 (“Building and Construction”) and Title 15 (“Fire”) of the MVMC.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance No. __.
Item 7. Building and Fire Code Updates_251208
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Burke opened Public Open Time.
Speakers: 1) Pam Keon 2) Justice Rosen
Communications (via eComment): 1) Andrew Trott 2) Susan Kirsch 3) Peter Klaphaak 4) Sam Hatoum 5) Bob Woodard
Public Open Time_eComment 1_251208
Public Open Time_eComment 1_Materials_251208
Public Open Time_eComment 2_251208
Public Open Time_eComment 3_251208
Public Open Time_eComment 4_251208
Public Open Time_eComment 5_251208
Mayor Burke closed Public Open Time.
4 COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Jones attended Winter Fest events, including Gingerbread making and the tree lighting.
Councilmember Jones also appreciated businesses putting up lights.
Councilmember Carmel wished everyone a happy holiday.
Councilmember Joachim reported that she and Councilmember Jones attended the annual Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC) retreat.
Vice Mayor Perrey attended the League of California Cities Leaders’ Summit in Southern California. He noted that their top four priorities of 2026 are public safety, accessing city funding, affordable housing and addressing homelessness, and climate resilience.
Mayor Burke reported that he delivered meals to members of the community on Thanksgiving Day with Vivalon’s Meals on Wheels.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Cusimano gave a report on the following topics:
• A draft pavement plan for Renz Rd. will be presented to City Council in February 2026. • The City Manager, City Staff and the Vice Mayor Max Perrey will present quarterly updates on LPR Cameras to City Council.
• The City Council agreed to authorize the Mayor to Submit a Comment Letter for Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ and the Draft Environmental Impact Report.
• The City Council agreed to authorize the Mayor to Submit a Comment Letter for the Bay Area Air District (“Air District”) Zero Emission Appliance Standard Rules 9-4 and 9-6.
MAYORAL TRANSITION
8. Presentation of the City of Mill Valley 2025 Year in Review by Mayor Stephen Burke.
Mayor Burke presented the City of Mill Valley 2025 Year in Review. Mayor Burke acknowledged City Staff and Councilmembers.
9. Congratulations to Mayor Stephen Burke on the Completion of His Term as Mayor.
Councilmembers and City Manager Cusimano expressed appreciation and spoke in support of Mayor Burke.
10. Nomination and Vote to Elect the New Mayor and Vice Mayor of the City of Mill Valley.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Joachim and SECONDED by Councilmember Jones to appoint Vice Mayor Perrey as Mayor of Mill Valley. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Burke and SECONDED by Councilmember Carmel to appoint Councilmember Joachim as Vice Mayor of Mill Valley. The Motion was carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
5 11. Welcome, Administration of Oath of Office to New Mayor and Vice Mayor and Opportunity for Comments from Incoming Mayor.
Mayor Perrey expressed his thanks and shared his objectives as Mayor for 2026.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
None
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED at 7:38 p.m. In memory of local journalist and publisher Steve McNamara. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 12, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in 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