1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo
Eileen Burke, Mayor
Brian Colbert
Alexis Fineman (attending remotely)
Tarrell Kullaway
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Linda Kenton, Assistant Town Manager
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Mattie O’Grady, Parks & Rec. Interim Director
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Jeff Zuba, Finance & Admin Services Director
Lindsay Klein, Senior Planner
Dan Mahoney, Fire Chief
Erica Freeman, Building Official
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Guy Meyers reported the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Creek Park was a success.
Ms. Ava Crisante discussed an article she wrote about a candidate running for Town Council.
Mr. Joe McGarry expressed shock at the endorsement of a candidate running for Town Council.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Vice Mayor Kullaway reported she attended the Cal Cities Conference in Long Beach.
Councilmember Fineman stated she had nothing to report.
Councilmember Burdo reported he attended the Ross Valley Fire Board meeting; the League of California Cities Conference.
Councilmember Colbert reported he attended the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative fundraising event; the opening of the Canal Alliance's new headquarters; an Executive Committee meeting of the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM); the Wall Property Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Fairfax.
Mayor Burke reported she attended the October 12th Volunteer Day Event; the Live on the Avenue “wrap-up” meeting; participated in the League of Women Voters Debate; attended the Merchant Meeting regarding the Downtown Circulation Study; hosted her 45th High School 2 Reunion at her home (Go Marin Catholic Class of 1979 !).
Public Works Director Condry reported the Resilience Hub story poles were installed last week and were removed yesterday. He stated the on-line survey would be active for one more day.
Special Presentation
There are no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting- October 8, 2024
1.2 Revenue and Expenditure Reports, September 2024
1.3 Received the Recreation Fund Finance Report for the month of September 2024
1.4 Received Progress Report on 2023-25 Priorities Work Plan
1.5 Approved the Special Event Application- Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 2024
1.6 Proclaimed National Friends of the Library Week, October 20-26, 2024 Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Eva Chrysanthe discussed an article she wrote on an assault on the First Amendment and the cancellation of a library presentation.
An individual discussed social and racial justice with respect to housing.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Kullaway thanked staff for the thorough reporting on item #1.4 M/s, Colbert/Burdo, Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
2. Council Business
2.1 General Plan Update: Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles Senior Planner Klein presented a staff report and consultants Christine O’Rourke and Bob Brown gave a PowerPoint presentation. Staff and the consultants answered questions from the Council regarding a concern from a GPAC member about the term “charming architecture”; making the Vision Statement more forward-looking; if the Guiding Principles is a ranked list.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Guy Meyer discussed reasons for updating the General Plan, how recent rulings regarding mandated housing were unconstitutional; and how the Ross Valley cannot afford 1,000 more units of housing. The document is, however, beautifully written. 3 Josh stated it is a lovely document but the “rubber hits the road” when the items conflict. There is no sense of prioritization.
An individual stated there are reports that indicate that San Anselmo is not very diverse and has been reluctant to build any housing.
Ms. Ava Crisante discussed the history of Marin City and the potential for reparations.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo stated the Vision Statement is well crafted and he has no suggested edits. He noted there could be some conflicts such as climate vs. social justice. The Guiding Principles list should be prioritized and discuss all income levels.
Councilmember Fineman stated there could be conflict within a particular principle such as economic vitality. The principles are subjective and open to interpretation. She asked if it would be better to have an aspirational document that is simply symbolic or have nothing at all.
Vice Mayor Kullaway referred to the Vision Statement and stated the current phrasing is performative and that is a concern. It should be seen as a goal for the future. There should be some prioritization within the Guiding Principles.
Councilmember Colbert stated the document seems over-stuffed. He agreed there should be priorities and suggested including some short, discernable pillars. He would like to see a differentiation between public vs. private sectors.
Mayor Burke stated the intent of the document is to gather the voice of the community at a point in time and figure out priorities looking forward. They do not want to prioritize since there will be trade-offs. The document is aspirational and should be broad.
Senior Planner Klein stated staff will present another report to the Council soon.
2.2 Authorize Staff to Award the Firehouse 20 Renovation Building Official Freeman presented a staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the funding; the initial cost; when construction would start; if the station would be fully functioning during construction.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo discussed the new movement in Public Safety regarding health and wellness of employees.
M/s, Burdo/Colbert, Motion to Authorize Staff to Award the Firehouse 20 Design and Repair Renovation Project, to go out to bid, and to authorize the Town Manager or designee to execute the contract.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke M/s, Burdo/Colbert, Motion to make the Finding that the project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guideline Section 4 15301(1).
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke M/s, Burdo/Colbert, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary