1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via teleconference
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Interviews for the Open Space Commission and Art Commission- 6:20 p.m.
The Council interviewed Mark Fogelman, Ken Husband, Kathee Shatter, and Bente Mirow.
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance 7:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo, Mayor
Eileen Burke, Vice Mayor
Brian Colbert
Alexis Fineman
Tarrell Kullaway
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Linda Kenton, Town Librarian
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Ross Asselstine, San Anselmo Avenue, discussed a potential unfortunate situation- the biggest change to the creek in 50 years. He recommended that the Flood Administrator, in the event there is no FEMA “backstop”, looks at the structure of risk how it relates to approval of a permit. When something goes wrong, everybody gets sued.
Mr. Guy Myers discussed lowering the cost of permits in Town and the Reimagine Plans for Creek Park. He would like to see the lightest possible impact.
Ms. Rosanne DalBello discussed the four components that could lead to the demise of the vitality of the downtown business sector. They are: 1) Keeping the parklets, 2) Destroying the platform and killing the Redwoods; 3) The unavailability of Creek Park in the summer; 4) Approving creek construction for seven days a week.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Vice Mayor Burke reported she attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony which was well attended; the Archie Williams Softball Team will be practicing at the Memorial Park fields and will be using temporary lights- she is helping with the outreach.
Councilmember Kullaway reported she attended the Climate Action Committee (CAC) meeting; the Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting.
Councilmember Colbert reported he attended the EDC meeting; the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting; the Crossing Guard meeting; the Ross Valley Fire Board meeting; the 2 Marin Transit meeting; the Hanukkah Celebration and the Holiday Lighting Ceremony; Breakfast with Santa which was awesome; lessons in carols at the San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Councilmember Fineman reported she attended the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) meeting; the Ross Valley Fire Board meeting; the event in celebration of Peri’s Art Supply; the CAC meeting; the Hanukkah Event; she asked staff to agendize the progress with respect to well monitoring. Town Manager Donery stated staff would report back soon.
Mayor Burdo reported he attended the Tree Lighting Celebration; the Menorah Lighting; discussed the results of the recent Ross Valley Fire Board meeting.
Town Manager Donery reported that the Memorial Park Parking Lot Project is almost finished.
Staff received a letter from the representatives of the Log Cabin complimenting them on a job well done.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting- November 14, 2023
1.2 Received and Filed the 2022-23 Expenditure Report from Library Tax Oversight Committee
1.3 Adopted Ordinance No. 1183 Banning New and Expanded Gas Station Uses in San Anselmo
1.4 Report on Checks Issued, November 2023
1.5 Revenue and Expenditure Reports, November 2023
1.6 Recreation Finance Report
1.7 Adopted Resolution No. 2023-4523 Amending the Organization of the Town’s Economic Development Committee related to the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce Representative.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments
There were no comments.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Colbert/Fineman, Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Burke, Mayor Burdo
Council Business Items
2.1 Recognizing the Service of Outgoing Mayor Steve Burdo
Town Manager Donery presented the staff report and presented outgoing Mayor Burdo with several gifts.
Vice Mayor Burke read a Proclamation Thanking Mayor Burdo for his year of service as Mayor.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
3 Carol stated thanked Mayor Burdo for his welcoming and encouraging style.
Mr. Ross Asselstine thanked Mayor Burdo for his service as Mayor.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
2.2 Reorganization of Town Council; Elect Mayor and Vice Mayor to One-Year Terms Town Clerk Avila presented the staff. 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, Burdo/Fineman, Motion to elect Vice Mayor Burke as Mayor and Councilmember Kullaway as Vice Mayor.
AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Burke, Mayor Burdo Mayor Burke took her seat as Mayor at the dais.
2.3 Consider Appointments to Historical Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Climate Action Committee, Economic Development Committee, and Open Space Committee
Town Clerk Avila presented the staff report. He answered questions from the Council regarding appointment to the Arts Commission; when the next interviews are scheduled; if the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) appointments should be postponed due to additional applications; the filing period for receipt of applications; if there are enough spaces for people who have applied; if closing dates are posted to the Website.
The council took a five-minute break and reconvened in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Burdo/Kullaway, Motion to reappoint incumbents Andrea Pierce and Antone Sousa to the Historical Commission.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke Vice Mayor Kullaway stated the Council should hold off until March for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee voting since there were people who did not know there was an application deadline.
Vice Mayor Kullaway made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Colbert, to continue the appointment to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Mayor Burke made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Burdo to appoint Ford Greene to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
4 The Council voted on the second motion.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to appoint Ford Greene to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Mayor Burke
NOES: Vice Mayor Kullaway
Mayor Burke stated the first motion was moot.
M/s, Burdo/Fineman, Motion to appoint Soo (Bedo) Haylet to the Climate Action Commission.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke M/s, Burdo/Kullaway, Motion to appoint Gabe Turner as the voting member and Mark Jeffrey as the alternate to the Economic Development Committee.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke M/s, Kullaway/Colbert, Motion to appoint Ken Husband and Mark Fogelman to the Open Space Committee.
AYES: Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke ABSTAIN: Burdo
2.4 Receive and file the new Library Card Designs Report Town Librarian Kenton presented the staff report. She answered questions from the Council regarding whether the old cards could be upgraded; if staff could advertise the cards to get new readers.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo stated he loves the idea of having a choice.
Councilmember Fineman suggested the Library partner with the Arts Commission to create a program that has art on Library cards. The new cards are awesome!
2.5 Adopt a Resolution Approving the 6th Cycle of the Housing Element (2023-2031) and Amendments to the Land Use Element Related to California Government Code Section 65583(c)(3)(B)(iii). An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration related to the Housing Element was prepared pursuant to CEQA and certified by the Town Council on July 25, 2023.
Planning Director Scoble presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. She answered a question from the Council regarding the process for amending the General Plan given the pressure to meet RHNA obligations.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
5 Councilmember Colbert stated this is momentous and provides an opportunity for underutilized and underdeveloped properties in the major corridors. It allows for growth while retaining the “small town character”.
The Council thanked Planning Director Scoble and staff for the great work.
M/s, Colbert/Burdo, Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2023-4524. Approving the 6th Cycle of the Housing Element (2023-2031) and Amendments to the Land Use Element Related to California Government Code Section 65583(c)(3)(B)(iii).
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke.
The meeting was adjourned 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary