1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo
Eileen Burke, Mayor
Brian Colbert
Alexis Fineman
Tarrell Kullaway
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Lindan Kenton, Assistant Town Manager
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Emily Longfellow, Town Attorney
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Sean Condry, Public Works Director (via Zoom)
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Guy Meyer stated the 50th Anniversary of Creek Park is October 12th.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Burdo reported on attendance to Sorich Park meeting great attendance and community engagement; the September 11th meeting Fire Board Meeting has been cancelled.
Councilmember Colbert reported he attended the Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting; the Larkspur “Wine Stroll”; the “Ember Stomp” event; the 20th Anniversary of the Fairfax Open Space Committee celebration; the “Safe Routes to Schools” Volunteer celebration; two Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meetings; the Marin Transit meeting; TAM will be sponsoring a Clean Tech event on Wednesday.
Councilmember Fineman reported she had no updates.
Vice Mayor Kullaway reported there will be a meeting about the Active Transportation report in the Council Chambers; thanked Councilmember Colbert for his seven years of service on the EDC.
Mayor Burke reported she attended the unveiling of the first Town mural at 1608 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and noted it is beautiful; sat at the volunteer table at the recent “Live on the Avenue” event; San Anselmo Clean Up Day is scheduled for October 12th; the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Creek Park will be held on September 20th; the Parade is scheduled for next Saturday- it is back!
Councilmember Fineman had questions about the application process for a mural. 2 Town Manager Donery reported the Downtown Active Transportation and Circulation Study Community Workshop will be held on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. There is a zoom link. This month’s Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) meeting will be held at Cedars on September 25th.
Special Presentation
There are no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting- August 27, 2024
1.2 Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4558 updating the Town of San Anselmo Biennial Conflict of Interest Code
1.3 Approved Resolution No. 2024-4559 Establishing the 2024/2025 Appropriations Limits
1.4 Receive the Report of Checks Issues for the month of August 2024
1.5 Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing and Ratifying Youth Commissioners for 2024/25 Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Mayor Burke stated she would like to pull item #1.5
1.5 Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing and Ratifying Youth Commissioners for 2024/25 Mayor Burke read the Proclamation and thanked the following Youth Commissioners: 1) Julia Wise and Hannah Jansen, Arts Commission; 2) Dylan Donner and Keilen Brod-Naeve, BPAC; 3) Ezra Thaler and Piper Kelly, Climate Action Commission; 4) Landon Sanchez, Historical Commission; 5) Alexander Hamlet, Clair Palmer, and Samuel Kaplan (alternate), Open Space Committee; 6) Carolyn Morris and Arlo Maury, Parks and Recreation Commission; 7) Stuart Pratt and Phoebe Morf, Racial Equity Committee
The Council gave a “Shout Out” to all the Youth Commissioners! M/s, Colbert/Burdo, Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
2. Council Business
2.1 Discussion Related to Proposed Amendments to Title 4, Chapter 13, Private Trees Public Works Director Condry presented a staff report and Planning Director Scoble presented a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding how to determine the diameter of a tree (including a multi-trunked tree); if the Town has Wildlife Habitat Corridor Maps; the breeding and nesting seasons requirements; how environmental issues play into the Zoning and Housing requirements; how trees that are a fire hazard are handled; Tree Permit Approval Criteria for Protected Trees, Subsection (E); personal benefits to homeowners; 3 the maximum fine; if nuisance birds are covered; if defensible space areas are covered; the number of applications submitted during the birding and nesting season; if violations and enforcement has to occur in real time and the statute of limitations; if a more comprehensive enforcement approach is possible; how to educate and inform tree contractors; if there is a problem with the current ordinance; if the Town is losing a huge number of trees; if the homeowner is responsibility for obtaining the permit; if a contractor can be held liable for violations; if there are different ways to impose penalties including a valuation process; retroactive permits.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments
Mr. Renee Voss supported the amendments. He discussed the issue regarding protected birds.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Mayor Burke stated the ordinance attempts to balance private property rights against community character and needs. The maximum fine amount was excessive along with the liens and forfeitures.
Vice Mayor Kullaway stated a fine of $100,000 is not too much if someone is cutting down a 100-year old tree. Education will be an important component.
Councilmember Burdo stated he does not dispute anything in the policy. He is concerned about enforcement.
Councilmember Fineman stated the thresholds contained in the ordinance should be familiar to any company doing tree work in Marin County. This ordinance brings San Anselmo in line with neighboring jurisdictions.
Councilmember Colbert thanked Councilmember Fineman for her work on this ordinance.
Planning Director Scoble stated staff would fine-tune the following issues and return to the Council: 1) Breeding and nesting seasons; 2) Penalties; 3) Review authority; 4) Definition of diameter including an example; 5) The “all trees” clause; 6) Tree replacement fees and fund.
M/s, Burdo/Colbert, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary