1 San Anselmo Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and Via teleconference
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Mayor Fineman called the Regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Alexis Fineman, Mayor
Steve Burdo, Vice-Mayor
Eileen Burke
Ford Greene
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Brian Colbert
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Linda Kenton, Assistant Town Manager
Jeffrey Zuba, Finance Director
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. David Hall, representing the Marin/Sonoma Building Electrification Squad, stated the June 6th Civil Grand Jury Report calls for the electrification of Marin’s buildings to reduce the risk to public health and safety and to help eliminate greenhouse gases.
Ms. Sue Saunders stated there is money “raining down from the state” to electrify transportation and homes. She discussed tax credits and other incentives.
Council committee liaison reports, requests for future agenda items, questions and comments to staff; staff miscellaneous item
Councilmember Burke reported the Housing Element Advisory Committee has held two meetings and one public meeting; she attended the on-line and in-person meetings related to the Hillsdale “Pocket Park”.
Vice Mayor Burdo reported the Ross Valley Fire Board met on July 13th and approved several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and selected the group “Local Motion” as consultants for the upcoming Leadership Study; he attended Saturday night’s Beatles Night at Creek Park with kudos to Town staff; he asked staff to post information on the Town Website about incentives and rebates mentioned by Ms. Saunders.
Mayor Fineman reported she attended a meeting with various stakeholders regarding ongoing tree work performed by PG&E; Beatles in the Park was a fantastic event; she asked residents to report the use of fireworks; she attended the Community Pride Event co-sponsored by the SPAR Center; the Climate Action Commission met last night; the Town recently adopted a Leaf Blower Ordinance.
Councilmember Greene reported he was contacted by several residents regarding retooling of eligibility for the garden plots at Robson Harrington. Vice Mayor Burdo stated the Parks and Recreation Commission would be discussing this at its next meeting. 2 Town Manager Donery introduced Community Engagement Coordinator Kelly Warner. She has hit the ground running!
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approve Minutes of June 28, 2022
1.2 Report of Warrants Issued, June 2022
1.3 Quarterly Treasurer’s Investment Report, June 30, 2022
1.4 Consider Adoption of Resolution to Allow for Virtual Town Council Meetings in Compliance with AB 361.
1.5 Canvass of Returns of June 7, 2022 Election
1.6 Resolution Adopting the Proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the Service Employees International Union, Local 1021 (SEIU) for the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025.
1.7 That Town Council approve the attached Resolution setting Management and Confidential Employees pay rates effective July 1, 2022, and Part-time Employee pay Rates effective July 1, 2022
1.8 Climate Action Update
1.9 Request to Support California’s Current Net Energy Metering Program (NEM 2.0)
1.10 Accept the Sir Francis Drake (SFD) Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation Project (the Hub to Bolinas Avenue)
1.11 Award the 2022 Street Resurfacing Project
1.12 2023 Street Resurfacing Project Design Consultant Contract Mayor Fineman opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Fineman closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Burdo/Greene, Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Colbert, Greene, Mayor Fineman
Council Items
2. Public Hearing to Consider Placing a Sales Tax on the November 8, 2022 General Election Ballot
Finance Director Zuba presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation that included the following: 1) Sales Tax Measure Renewal; 2) Revisions to Ballot Questions from June 28th ;
3) Recommendation.
3 Town Manager Donery stated if the Council decides to move forward then staff would get the necessary documents to the Marin County Elections Department by August 12th including the ballot language, “argument for”, and the impartial analysis from the attorney. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the process for appointing a Council subcommittee to write the ballot and argument language; how the “group of signatories” works; if the subcommittee would write the response to the rebuttal; if Councilmembers on the subcommittee can use their Council email addresses to communicate; Fire Department staffing levels; the deadline in terms of the ability to use public resources.
Mayor Fineman opened the meeting to public comments.
Kathleen Gundy, representing the Climate Action Commission, stated the Commission voted in support of adding climate mitigation and adaptation to the Measure C Statement of Intent.
There is a heightened priority of the twin climate risks of fire and drought.
Mayor Fineman closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Greene supported the Climate Action Commission’s request and stated it was very appropriate. Adding language to a “Whereas” would not impact the legal viability of the ballot statement. He volunteered to be on the subcommittee.
Councilmember Burke stated the argument in favor of the measure should include the following information: 1) How much is the increase?; 2) Is this a cap (as high as it can go)?; 3) What services will be included? She referred to the request from the Climate Action Commission and agreed with Councilmember Greene about the “Whereas” language. She disagreed with changing the intent and use of the funds- this has been thoroughly vetted.
Vice Mayor Burdo discussed what should be defined in the ballot language and recitals. He noted use of the funds is broadly defined in the ballot language and he was not sure how specific it should get. He supported the requests from the Climate Action Commission.
Mayor Fineman liked the new language in the revised ballot statement. She noted a change that should be made on page 2 of the ordinance. She supported modifying the “Whereas” language. She volunteered to serve on the subcommittee.
The Council discussed the reasons why the Town needs more money including fire vulnerability.
Councilmember Greene asked staff to provide the deadlines/calendar for completion and submittal of arguments, etc.
M/s, Burke/Greene, Motion to adopt the resolution with the insertion of the following in the “Whereas” section after the reference to the historic downtown: “A healthy, livable climate”.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Greene, Mayor Fineman
ABSENT: Colbert
M/s, Greene/Burdo, Motion to approve the ordinance for public consideration.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Greene, Mayor Fineman
ABSENT: Colbert
Mayor Fineman appointed herself and Councilmember Greene to the subcommittee to draft the “arguments in favor” as well as the rebuttal argument.
3. Public Hearing to Consider Placing a Special Library Services Tax on the November 8, 2022, 4 General Election Ballot
Assistant Town Manager Kenton presented a staff report. The current Parcel Tax expires in June, 2024. She answered questions from the Council regarding an opt-out provision for seniors or low-income residents; if the Friends of the Library would be interested in writing the “arguments in favor”.
Mayor Fineman opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Fineman closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burke supports this proposal and was confident that residents support it. This is a continuation and not an increase of the tax.
Vice Mayor Burdo agreed.
Councilmember Greene volunteered to serve on the subcommittee.
Mayor Fineman stated she would prefer that the Friends of the Library help draft the “arguments in favor” with the Council serving as the signatories. Mayor Fineman stated she, along with Councilmember Greene, would collaborate with the Friends of the Library.
M/s, Burdo/Greene, Motion to adopt the resolution.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Greene, Mayor Fineman
ABSENT: Colbert
M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary