1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo
Eileen Burke, Mayor
Brian Colbert
Tarrell Kullaway
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Alexis Fineman
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Linda Kenton, Assistant Town Manager/ Librarian
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Lindsey Klein, Senior Planner
Erica Freeman, Building Official
Matthew Ferrer, Assistant Engineer
Dannielle Mauk, Recreation Director
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Jeff Zuba, Finance Director/ Admin Svcs. Director
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Bob Middlestead commended Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) Chief Norton for his comments regarding illegal throttle devices (ebikes) that kids are riding on the street. Schools should be in the forefront of this issue.
Mr. Rene Voss, Alderney Avenue, thanked the Council and staff for their hard work. He supported keeping the size of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) at 800 square feet.
Mr. Guy Meyer talked about the need to do something for the earth. He discussed his opposition to the plans for Creek Park and the use of concrete.
Mr. Sean Freeman agreed with Mr. Middlestead and asked the Council to publically endorse the statements made by CMPA Chief Norton.
Ms. Susanne Burgess stated she likes to take her dogs to Memorial Park and asked if the offlease rule could be adjusted to start at 9:00 a.m.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Colbert reported he attended the Fairfax Work Day; joined staff members to help with Small Business Week activities; attended the memorial services for a former Ross Valley Fire Department Firefighter.
2 Councilmember Burdo reported attended the Ross Valley Fire Board meeting and the memorial service; the JEPA Yellow Bus meeting; the Memorial Park Master Plan meeting; wished everyone a Happy Earth Week.
Vice Mayor Kullaway reported she attended the Marine County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) Legislative Committee meeting; thanked Mr. Middlestead and Mr.
Freeman for their efforts regarding ebikes.
Mayor Burke reported she is making an effort to meet all of the Board, Commission, and Committee members; she would like to add the following items to a future agenda: 1) Revisit the Overnight Parking Regulations; 2) Discuss regulations regarding dogs at public parks. There was support from the Council to add these items to a future agenda. Councilmember Burdo suggested item #2 be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission prior to going to the Council.
Special Presentation
Mayor’s Proclamation Recognizing Jonathan A. Wentzell for His Outstanding Community Service
Mayor Burke presented Mr. Wentzell with the Proclamation and congratulated him on his recent Eagle Scout honor. The crowd went wild with applause!
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approve the Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 9, 2024
1.2 Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4536 in Recognition of National Small Business Week and San Anselmo’s Small Businesses and Proclaiming the Month of May as Small Business Month
1.3 Revenue and Expenditure Reports, March 2024
1.4 Recreation Fund Revenue and Expenditure Reports March 2024 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 approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Fineman
Council Business Items
2.1 That the Council consider the request of Jim Baum, operator of the San Anselmo Farm Stand, to operate the Farm Stand on the Town Hall Plaza this summer, from May to December 2024
Town Manager Donery presented a staff report. There were no questions from the Council.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
3 Mr. Guy Meyer asked if the presence of the Farm Stand would be fair to an independent natural food market in San Anselmo. He asked if someone should be able to run a business on the Town Hall lawn.
Ms. Suzanne Lindely supported this proposal and would like to see the lease extended from three to five years and open all year round. The Stand has excellent produce.
Mr. Jim Baum thanked the Council for the opportunity. His request is for year round operations but he would not be open during extreme rain and/or wind events (December or January).
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo supported the request. Previous concerns about the lawn are moot due to the decomposed gravel (DG).
Councilmember Colbert and Vice Mayor Kullaway supported the request.
Mayor Burke stated the contract is put out to bid periodically. The Farm Stand is an asset to the community and Mr. Baum pays for the space.
2.2 For the Council to Review Options for a Potential New Methodology for the Town’s Allotment of Measure A Funds.
Recreation Director Mauk presented a staff report. There were no questions from the Council.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Stan Radtke, Chair of the Open Space Committee, stated the committee supports the proposed split. He discussed various Open Space Committee projects funded by Measure A Funds.
Mr. Rene Voss stated he was surprised to see Faudy Park on the list designated as a park and not open space. Much of it is heavily covered in Scotch Broom and is need of some restoration work.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Kullaway would like to move forward as proposed.
Councilmember Burdo agreed with the recommendations in the staff report. He is in favor of some funding going towards projects at Robson Harrington. Public Works Director Condry stated there are some projects planned for Robson Harrington including inside and outside restroom work, window repairs, ADA improvements, and painting.
Councilmember Colbert stated work at Robson Harrington is long overdue. Parks other than Memorial should be taken care of.
Mayor Burke stated the money obtained through Measure A is not enough for Memorial Park or open space. Memorial Park gets the most use. She does not support a change in the split but she would like to look at the General Fund and Measure J Funds as a supplement.
Mayor Burke stated the consensus of the Council is to leave the split as is. 4 Public Hearings
3.1 Public Hearing to Consider Awarding the Contract for the General Plan Update Consultant And Consider Approval of a Resolution Establishing a General Plan Advisory Committee and Associated Next Steps
Senior Planner Klein presented a staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding how information will be communicated to residents; the public engagement process.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Rene Voss supported the proposal and asked about the frequency of meetings.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Mayor Burke suggested including a Communications Element in the General Plan. Planning Director Scoble stated each element could include Policies, Programs, and Actions that speak directly to communication.
The Council thanked staff for their exceptional work on this issue.
M/s, Kullaway/Colbert, Motion to Direct the Town Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with O’Rourke and Associates for the General Plan Update.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Fineman
M/s, Kullaway/Burdo, Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2024-4537 Establishing a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC).
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Fineman
The Council directed staff to bring GPAC applicants to a future Town Council meeting for interviews and appointments.
The Council directed staff to work with the Climate Action Commission, the Economic Development Committee, the Open Space Committee, the BPAC, the Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Racial Equity Committee to nominate a member to sit on the GPAC at their upcoming meetings.
3.2 Council to Consider Approval of a Resolution Adopting an Energy Service Contract with Gridscape Solutions for Solar Photovoltaic System and Battery Energy Storage System Microgrid for Town Hall Resilience Hub and the Required Findings pursuant to California Government Code Section 4217.12
Public Works Director Condry presented a staff report. Building Official Freeman and Assistant Engineer Ferrer gave a PowerPoint presentation. Staff, along with Mr. David Williard representing CHMB5, answered questions from the Council regarding the process used in determining the two locations; whether the Town lot location would generate enough energy; if it would be possible to do both locations; if excess energy could be sold back to the grid; if it made financial sense to generate excess power; if they would be able to use 100% of the system when there is not an emergency; if there could be a situation where they would draw from the needs of the community in the event of an emergency; where Town owned vehicles would be charged; what would happen if they want to expand the footprint of Town Hall. 5 Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Josh Siegel spoke on behalf of his parents who own property in the proposed locations regarding emergency vehicle access, fires, aesthetics, etc. The benefits do not seem to outweigh the negatives.
Mr. Rene Voss stated “beauty if in the eye of the beholder” and he supported the proposal. He had questions about the financing.
Ms. Karen Mendalow supported the proposal.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo supported the proposal. This project is the future.
Councilmember Colbert thanked the staff and the Climate Action Commission. This is a great intersection of climate change and disaster preparedness Vice Mayor Kullaway supported the project.
Mayor Burke supported the project but would prefer that it be integrated into buildings and on the roof. Public Works Director Condry stated this is not feasible.
M/s, Burdo/Colbert, Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4538 Adopting an Energy Service Contract with Gridscape Solutions for Solar Photovoltaic System and Battery Energy Storage System Microgrid for Town Hall Resilience Hub and the Required Findings pursuant to California Government Code Section 4217.12.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Fineman
3.3 Approve Resolution Amending the Town’s Master Fee Schedule and finding the action statutorily and categorically exempt from CEQA
Finance Director Zuba presented a staff report. There were no questions from the Council.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Burdo/Colbert, Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4539 Amending the Town’s Master Fee Schedule and finding the action statutorily and categorically exempt from CEQA.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Fineman
The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. in honor and in memory of Ross Valley Fire Captain Rick Attics and Mr. Ralph Mihan, father of Recreation Supervisor Greg Mihan.
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis, Recording Secretary