1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via teleconference
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance- 6:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo, Mayor
Eileen Burke, Vice Mayor
Brian Colbert
Alexis Fineman
Tarrell Kullaway
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Rob Epstein, Assistant Town Attorney
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Tom Batista, Engineer/Project Coordinator
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Danielle Mauk, Recreation Director
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Guy Meyer discussed the need to prioritize the local environment.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Vice Mayor Burke reported last year’s intern, Ella Acker, will be working on playground features at several parks; she attended several “On the Avenue” events; she met with individuals who take care of the Elders Garden and encouraged them to come up with a plan to update the garden.
Councilmember Fineman reported she attended several Marin Clean Energy (MCE) meetings; the Infrastructure and Financial Monitoring Committee meeting; the Racial Equity Committee meeting; the irrigation at the Elders Garden was recently overhauled (shout-out to the Public Works Department Crew !) and there have been discussions about what it will take to get the fountain up and running; there is an historic climate trial occurring in Montana with Town Attorney Megan Acevedo serving as Secretary of the Board for the non-profit legal organization representing the plaintiffs; today is the longest day of the year- Happy Solstice! Councilmember Kullaway reported she attended the Open Space Committee fundraiser; the Fiscal Monitoring Committee meeting; the Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting; the Flood Zone 9 meeting; the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting; she would like foot paths prioritized.
Councilmember Colbert reported he attended the State Route 37 Policy Committee meeting; the Open Space Committee benefit; the Bald Hill plaque unveiling; the Marin Transit Authority meeting; the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting; the EDC meeting; the Climate Action Commission meeting; kudos to staff for the financially stable position of the Town.
Mayor Burdo reported he attended the San Anselmo Softball Volunteer Appreciation BBQ; the 2 Open Space Commission benefit; the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting; the “On the Avenue” events; the Flood Zone 9 meeting; the Ross Valley Fire Board meeting.
Vice Mayor Burke asked if the Flood Zone 9 meetings would be on Zoom. Mayor Burdo stated he has asked that question and would report back with an answer.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting- May 23, 2023
1.2 Consider the Reappointment of one (1) incumbent to the Commission on Aging and three (3) incumbents to the Library Advisory Board. Gene Ng was reappointed to the Commission on Aging and Anya Bosina, Dough Holm and Karen Licavoli were reappointed to the Library Advisory Board.
1.3 Adopted Ordinance No. 1178 to Adopt Amendments to the San Anselmo Municipal Code adding Chapter 21 “Affordable Housing” to Title 10 “Planning and Zoning, which amendment would establish an Inclusionary Housing Program and an Affordable Housing Fund, adoption of a resolution recommending Town Council adoption of implementing regulations regarding inclusionary affordable housing requirements and program regulations, and adoption of a resolution recommending Town Council adoption of in-lieu affordable housing fees and commercial/non-residential linkage fees.
1.4 Appointed the Town Manager to Marin Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board of Directors and adopted Resolution No. 4500.
1.5 Adopted Resolution No. 4501 Terminating the Declaration of Local Emergency Related to Storm Activity and Landslides in January 2023.
1.6 Consider Adoption of a Resolution of the Town of San Anselmo Condemning Antisemitism, Racism and Hate Speech in all forms.
1.7 Received and filed a Report of Warrants Issued- May, 2023.
1.8 Adopted Resolution No. 4503 to Recognize and Observe Juneteenth Day as a Public Holiday
1.9 Adopted Resolution No. 4504 of the Town of San Anselmo 2023/24 Tax Rate for Special Library Services Tax
Councilmember Colbert stated he would like to pull item #1.6 for discussion.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments
Mr. Gene Ames gave an update on the Commission on Aging activities.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burke referred to item #1.2 and thanked Mr. Ames for his service.
M/s, Colbert/Burke, Motion to approve all Consent Calendar items except item #1.6.
AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Burke, Mayor Burdo
1.6 Consider Adoption of a Resolution of the Town of San Anselmo Condemning Antisemitism, 3 Racism and Hate Speech in all forms.
Councilmember Colbert stated the Town neglected to recognize the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month and will do so in the future.
Councilmember Fineman discussed ways to be more inclusive.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Rachel Kertz, San Rafael Councilmember, thanked the Council for adopting the Resolution.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Colbert/Burke Motion to approve Resolution No. 4502, Consent Calendar item #1.6 as submitted.
AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Burke, Mayor Burdo
2. Public Hearing- There were no Public Hearing Items.
Council Business Items
3.1 Approve reorganization of the Recreation Department and Establish Job Descriptions and Pay Ranges for Recreation Manager, Senior Recreation Supervisor, and Recreation Coordinator III. This item is not considered a “project” under CEQA pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21065.
Recreation Director Mauk presented the staff report. There were no questions from the Council.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Colbert/Burke, Motion to approve reorganization of the Recreation Department and Establish Job Descriptions and Pay Ranges for Recreation Manager, Resolution No. 4506 and Senior Recreation Supervisor and Recreation Coordinator III, Resolution No. 4505.
AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Burke, Mayor Burdo The Council thanked the Recreation Department staff for the great work!
3.2 Consider Approval of an Active Transportation Fund Description and Active Transportation Fund Expenditure Guidelines.
This item is not considered a “project” under CEQA pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21065
Public Works Director Condry presented the staff report and noted Councilmembers Fineman and Kullaway were on the ad hoc subcommittee. He suggested an edit to Guideline B. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding whether the guidelines were aspirational or requirements; Guideline C.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
4 Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burke stated they should improve bike infrastructure when possible but balance it with the needs of the roads. These guidelines should be seen as aspirational.
Councilmember Colbert supported the Council setting forward-looking policies and allowing staff the opportunity to execute them.
Mayor Burdo thanked the subcommittee and supported the guidelines.
M/s, Burke/Fineman, Motion to Approve the Active Transportation Fund Description and Active Transportation Fund Expenditure Guidelines, adopting Resolution No. 4507.
AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Burke, Mayor Burdo
3.3 Consider Adopting a Resolution amending the 2022/23 Budget and provide staff with Feedback on the Preliminary Proposed 2023/24 Budget and Work Plan.
This item is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Code Section 15061 Finance Director Zuba presented the staff report and gave a PowerPoint presentation. He answered questions from the Council regarding the basis for the 20% increase in insurance, if this will continue, and if there should be an increase in the Reserves; the Reserve Policy; the more than expected increase on Property Tax Revenue; cost of living adjustment for Town employees; amount of Reserves for unanticipated events such as a sinkhole; what would happen if multiple emergency events occurred; General Fund Expenditures increases with respect to Street and Parks.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Sue Saunders discussed the climate crisis and asked for an increase in the Active Transportation Fund and other climate change measures.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burke stated the budget looks great but she is concerned about the Reserves.
Allocations should occur in July or August and she supported funding infrastructure.
Councilmember Fineman stated funding for proactive maintenance and being able to respond to emergency events can be at odds given the finite budget. This budget strikes the appropriate balance. She wanted to move forward with the staff recommendation of allocating $100,000 towards active transportation with a focus on ADA and sidewalk improvements.
Councilmember Kullaway agreed with the comments made by Ms. Saunders. She supported funding bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Councilmember Colbert noted revenues remain stable and he thanked staff for the great work.
Mayor Burdo agreed with Councilmember Fineman’s suggested allocations. There is a need to prioritize safe transportation routes.
Staff stated they understood the Council direction regarding the 2023/24 Budget.
M/s, Fineman/Colbert, Motion to Adopt a Resolution No. 4499 amending the 2022/23 Budget and include a $100,000 allocation to the Active Transportation Fund. 5 AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Burke, Mayor Burdo
3.4 Update on Rent Stabilization Efforts in Marin County. This item is not considered a “project” under CEQA and pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21065.
Town Manager Donery and Finance Director Zuba presented a staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the status of the Town of Fairfax Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Ordinances; the Town of Fairfax petition to put the ordinances on the ballot; activity at the County level; the City of Larkspur’s process; what the “right to fair return” means for rental property owners; demographics on renters; the best way to solicit community input; how to best study the policy details; how would Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) be handled; the origins of the Fairfax and Larkspur discussions; if there have been complaints from San Anselmo residents about any of the larger apartment complexes; the petition drive in Fairfax and whether it has been deemed to qualify for the ballot.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Sarah Chappelle (San Anselmo), Ms. Joey Davis (San Anselmo), Mr. Chris Braun (San Anselmo), Ms. Eileen Brown (San Anselmo), Mr. Curt Reese (San Anselmo), Ms. Wendy Todd (San Anselmo), Mr. Dave Gregowski (San Anselmo), Ms. Alexis Arguello (North Bay Labor Council), and Ms. Lucy Hollinsworth (Legal Aid of Marin) spoke in favor of rent stabilization Mr. Michael Sexton (Fairfax), Ms. Katie Hogan (San Anselmo), Ms. Deb London (Fairfax), and Ms. Lucy Berto (San Anselmo) spoke in opposition to rent stabilization.
Mr. Nicholas Riley, San Anselmo, stated they do have rent control in San Anselmo.
Mr. Bill Johnson (San Anselmo), Mr. Tim Ecke (Fairfax), Mr. Earl Mintraub (San Anselmo), suggested the Council wait and see how the issue in Fairfax plays out.
Several speakers stated the issue should be on the ballot and voted on by San Anselmo residents.
The Council took a 5-minute break at 9:15 p.m.
The Council reconvene in the Council Chambers at 9:20 p.m.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burke questioned asking private citizens to subsidize basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. This is something the government should do. The issue should be decided by voters.
Councilmember Fineman stated they need to figure out what rent control does and does not do for the housing stock. It can be an anti-displacement tool but it will not solve the affordability crisis. They do need to differentiate between the interests of “mom and pop” vs. corporate rentals. She suggested scheduling a series of Special Meetings to discuss this issue.
Councilmember Kullaway agreed with the other Councilmember’s comments. This is a climate change issue. She did not want to wait but would like to continue the discussion.
Mayor Burdo stated the Council was serious about notification for important issues. He agreed with Councilmember Fineman in terms of how to proceed. He wants to start the discussion. 6 Councilmember Fineman stated the next staff report should compare each of the policy elements that have been discussed in Larkspur and Fairfax along with the State base line level.
She listed the key elements. She suggested sending a survey to residents.
Vice Mayor Burke stated she is not really interested in what other towns are doing- she is interested in what is going on in San Anselmo. The benchmark is State law. She wants to get a sense of the rental landscape in town.
Councilmember Kullaway suggested they look at the provisions of the Fairfax Just Cause Ordinance and figure out what to “take off the table”.
Councilmember Colbert stated this process seems like it would take an incredible amount of work and be very challenging. He is skeptical that staff could obtain all the relevant data.
Mayor Burdo agreed they need to take a look at the needs of San Anselmo.
Councilmember Fineman asked staff to return with a proposed process for collecting community information and what the process would look like should the Council decide to move forward.
M/s, Burke/Fineman, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary