CITY OF MILL VALLEY
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
26 CORTE MADERA AVENUE, MILL VALLEY
February 2, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Max Perrey — Present
Vice Mayor Caroline Joachim — Present
Councilmember Urban Carmel — Present
Councilmember Katherine Jone — Present
Councilmember Stephen Burke — Absent
City Staff Present: City Manager Cusimano; City Attorney Khalsa; Community & Culture Liaison Herndon; Senior Management Analyst and Assistant to the City Manager Rogers; Deputy Director of Human Resources Allingham; Police Chief Navarro; Sergeant Ryan Smith; Director of Planning and Building Kelly; Associate Planner Johnson; Director of Public Works Poster; Deputy Director of Public Works Barrilleaux; Sergeant Ryan Smith; City Clerk Intern Craft; City Clerk De Ferrari. 2026 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEE RECRUITMENT INTERVIEWS:
4:00-4:45 P.M. – Planning Commission
4:45-5:00 P.M. – Parks & Recreation Commission.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Perrey called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. and noted that Councilmember Burke was absent.
ACTION OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ORDER
260202_Agenda
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Joachim to approve the agenda order. The motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote, with Councilmember Burke absent.
Regular City Council Meeting Agenda, February 2, 2026
2 PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Perrey moved Presentation Item 2 to the top of the agenda to be heard first.
1. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring the Month of February 2026 as Black History Month in the City of Mill Valley.
Item 1. No Written Material_260202
2026 Black History Month Proclamation_260202
Community & Culture Liaison Tammy Herndon introduced the proclamation and speakers from the community.
Speakers read the proclamation aloud.
Speakers: 1) Milo DeBerry 2) Christine DeBerry 3) Kayla Ferrell Martin 4) Roman Cole 5) Gabrielle Gaetani 6) Jacob Carter 7) Tammy Herndon 8) Vice Mayor Joachim 9) Mayor Perrey Councilmembers thanked Community & Culture Liaison Herndon and the speakers for the presentation; and shared appreciation for highlighting Black History Month.
2. Presentation of the Historical Designation of Mill Valley City Hall and Fire House on the National Registrar of Historical Places.
Item 2. National Registrar of Historical Places_260202
Director of Planning and Building Kelly presented the Historical Designation of Mill Valley City Hall and Fire House on the National Registrar of Historical Places. He thanked architect historians, Page and Turnbull, Lisa Newman of the Mill Valley Historical Society, the California Historic Resources Commission, and the City Council for their support.
Councilmembers thanked Director of Planning of Building Kelly for the presentation and expressed appreciation for the historical designation of Mill Valley’s City Hall and Fire Department.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Perrey asked if any members of the public wished to pull any items from the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests from the public or online participants.
Councilmember Carmel requested to pull Item #4, to make the appointments to the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Joachim to adopt the Consent Calendar, Item #3. The motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote, with Councilmember Burke absent.
Councilmembers confirmed the following appointments to fill vacancies:
Francis Gough was confirmed for their 1st term on the Planning Commission to fill a vacant seat. Ernest Cirangle, Kevin Skiles and Eric Macris were all reconfirmed for their 2nd term on the Planning Commission.
Regular City Council Meeting Agenda, February 2, 2026
3 Nick Bockh was confirmed for their 1st term on the Parks and Recreation Commission to fill a vacant seat.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Vice Mayor Joachim to adopt Item #4, Making Appointments to the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. The motion was carried by a 4-0-1 vote, with Councilmember Burke absent.
3. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve 2026 Sewer Rehab Project 2026 Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project, Plans, and Specifications and Accept the Filing of a CEQA Notice of Exemption and Authorize the City Manager to Award the Bid and Execute the Contract.
Recommended Action: Adopt the Resolution No. 26-__.
Item 3. 2026 Sanitary Sewer Improvement_260202
4. Consideration of a Resolution Making Appointments to the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission, (Terms Effective March 1, 2026, Unless Noted Otherwise).
Recommended Action: Approve the Resolution 26-__.
Item 4. 2026 BCC Appointments (PC & PRC)_260202
PUBLIC OPEN TIME
Mayor Perrey opened public open time.
Speakers: 1) Richard Owens 2) John W. 3) Justice (no last name given) 4) Naima Dean Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Perrey closed public open time.
COUNCIL/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Vice Mayor Joachim attended the League of California Cities Conference in Sacramento with Councilmember Jones, Mayor Perrey, and City Manager Cusimano. Vice Mayor Joachim participated in the county’s point-in-time homeless count. She reminded the public about the First Tuesday Arts Walk on February 3rd and noted that the Legislative Committee will meet February 23rd.
Vice Mayor Joachim also gave a detailed report on the Police Governance Subcommittee’s work regarding FLOCK Cameras.
Councilmember Carmel attended the Municipal Services Tax (MST) Study Committee meeting where the Chair and Vice Chair were appointed. He also attended the Transportation Authority of Marin’s recent meeting discussing the 101-overpass project. Councilmember Carmel reported on the Transportation and Mobility Advisory Committee (TMAC) whose pilot program at Old Mill School intends to increase bike and pedestrian use by students. TMAC also discussed promoting bus Route 17, the Miller Avenue Safety Corridor Study, and adaptive signal technology.
Councilmember Jones attended the Transportation Communications and Public Works Policy Committee at the League of California Cities Conference. She reported updates on the Mill Valley Shoreline Adaptation Plan Working Group and will provide another update to City Council in June.
Councilmember Jones provided an update on the Miller Avenue Intersection Study, which focuses on Regular City Council Meeting Agenda, February 2, 2026
4 Millwood St., Montford Ave., La Goma St. and Camino Alto Ct. for improvements. Recommendations will go to TMAC in March.
Mayor Perrey attended the League of California Cities Conference and chaired the Environmental Quality Committee where he heard presentations from the California Public Utilities Commission Public Advocates Office (CPUC). Mayor Perrey attended the first MST Study Committee and the first Sea Level Rise Adaption Working Group meeting. Mayor Perrey held his first Community Chat with the Mayor on the Depot Plaza with Vice Mayor Joachim and plans to rotate locations and times monthly.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Todd Cusimano addressed public comments and reported that a paving plan will come to City Council after it is reviewed by the MST Study committee.
Sergeant Ryan Smith reported on the search for missing person, Judy Gilbert. Sergeant Smith thanked participating agencies including Lake County Sheriff Lake County Sheriff K9 Corps, Marin County Fire, Marin County Sheriff UAV team, Napa County Sheriff, Marin County Open Space, and search and rescue units from Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma counties. Sergeant Smith thanked the Mill Valley Market for providing food for all personnel.
Mayor Perrey opened public comment.
Speakers: None.
Communications (via eComment): None.
Mayor Perrey closed public comment.
PUBLIC HEARING
5. Consideration on an Appeal Filed by Ryan Loften (“the Appellant”) of the Planning Commission’s Approval of a Resolution Denying an Appeal by Adam and Ryan Loften, Upholding the Approval by the Zoning Administrator of an Application for Design Review and Variance for a New Carport at 74-1/2 Millside Lane in Accordance with Mill Valley Municipal Code (MVMC) 20.100.130.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 26-__ denying the appeal.
Item 5. Appeal 74.5 Millside Lane_260202
Item 5. e-comment (1)
ATT 1_Amended_CC Reso_Appeal 74.5 Millside Lane
Vice Mayor Joachim recused herself from the item.
Mayor Perrey opened the public hearing.
Planning and Building Director Kelly gave a presentation of the item.
Councilmembers asked staff questions.
Regular City Council Meeting Agenda, February 2, 2026
5 Planning Commission Chair Ernest Cirangle gave a summary of the Planning Commission’s decision on the Project.
Councilmembers asked Chair Cirangle questions.
Ryan Lofton, the appellant, gave a presentation of the appeal.
Councilmember asked Appellant Loften questions.
Project representative, Joe Maguire of Richardson Pribuss Architects and surveyor, Jim Clark addressed the Appellant’s claims.
Councilmembers asked Project Representative Maguire and Surveyor Clark questions.
Appellant Lofton made rebuttal statements regarding the Project Application.
Speakers: 1) Doug White 2) Naima Dean.
Communications (via eComment): 1) Jamie Gallagher.
Councilmembers asked staff questions and made comments.
Mayor Perrey closed the public hearing.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Carmel and SECONDED by Councilmember Jones to deny the appeal and uphold the approval by the Zoning Administrator of an application for design review and variance for a New Carport at 74-1/2 Millside Lane in Accordance with Mill Valley Municipal Code (MVMC) 20.100.130. The motion was carried by a 3-0-1 vote with Councilmembers Perrey, Carmel, and Jones in favor; Vice Mayor Joachim abstaining and Councilmember Burke absent.
NEW BUSINESS
6. Confirmation of Outcomes from the 2026 City Council Annual Retreat.
Recommended Action: Receive report and confirm outcomes.
Item 6. 2026 City Council Annual Retreat Outcomes_260202 Item 6. Attachment 2_Final_Workplan 2026-2027_260202
Item 6. e-comments (no 1 - 20)
Item 6. e-comments (no 21 - 35)
Item 6. e-comments (no. 36 - 58)
Item 6. e-comments (no. 59 - 78)
City Manager Cusimano presented the two-year work plan developed at the Annual City Council Retreat on January 12, 2026.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments
Regular City Council Meeting Agenda, February 2, 2026
6 Mayor Perrey opened public comment.
Speakers: 1) Naima Dean
Communications (via eComment): 78 eComments were received and published to the record.
Mayor Perrey closed public comment.
COUNCIL REQUESTS AND IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
Vice Mayor Joachim will review City Council policies and bring minor recommendations to a future City Council Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT – The Council ADJOURNED AT 7:14 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to accommodate for the President’s Day holiday, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mill Valley City Council Chambers.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE MILL
VALLEY CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 4, 2026.
___________________________
Max Perrey, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Risa De Ferrari, City Clerk