1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo
Eileen Burke, Mayor
Alexis Fineman
Tarrell Kullaway
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Brian Colbert
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Jeff Zuba, Finance Director
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Mattie O’Grady, Director of Parks and Recreation
Matthew Ferrer, Assistant Engineer
Will Messinger, Assistant Civil Engineer
A. Call to Order: 6:00 P.M.
B. Mayor Burke announced that item B.1 and B.2 will be discussed in Closed Session and also mentioned that there was a couple updates to the language at appeared on the printed agenda.
Address should be 100 Sequoia and second, the property owner’s negotiator will not be Erica Ainsworth but instead an entity identified as “PWP, LLC” B.1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: Portion of 106 Sequoia, San Anselmo, California Agency Negotiator: David P. Donery
Negotiating Parties: Erica Ainsworth
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.
B.2 Public Employment pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 Title: Appointment of Community Development Director
C. Public Comment on Closed Session Items
There were no comments.
D. Council adjourns to Open Session.
Mayor Burke stated there was nothing to report from the Closed Session.
Mayor Burke reported Recreation Coordinator Maddie O’Grady has been promoted to Community Services Director.
Mayor Burke suggested continuing item #3.3.
2 M/s, Burdo/Kullaway, Motion to continue item #3.3.
AYES: Burdo, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Colbert
Open Time for Public Expression
Ms. Guy Meyer stated the General Plan process requires the Town to think differently than its surrounding neighbors. They need to “go slow”.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Burdo reported he will be attended tomorrow night’s Ross Valley Fire Board meeting; a Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) Board meeting on Thursday; he would like to have a discussion about projects for Robson Park. Mayor Burke suggested referring this issue to the Parks and Recreation Commission before it is discussed by the Council.
Councilmember Fineman reported she attended the MCE Annual Board Retreat; an MCE Technical Committee meeting.
Vice Mayor Kullaway reported she attended the Ribbon Cutting for the Redwood Bike Share Pilot Project.
Mayor Burke reported she attended the “Night of the Poets” Event at the Library; the “Gobblins Bootacular” Event; was the San Anselmo ringer in the Ross Pickleball Tournament and won; thanked everyone for participating in the important democratic process called voting! Public Works Director Condry reported the Planning Commission discussed amendments to the Tree Ordinance at its last meeting. The Commission asked staff to schedule a presentation from the Fire Department or the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) regarding fire issues at their next meeting. The Council will review the ordinance after the Planning Commission makes its recommendations.
Mayor Burke stated she has received several requests from residents about donating a tree or bench in someone’s memory. Public Works Director Condry stated there is a link on the Website regarding the Donation Policy and requests.
Special Presentation
There were no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting- Tuesday, October 22, 2024
1.2 Received the Revenue and Expenditure Reports, October 2024
1.3 Received the Report of Checks Issues for the month of October 2024
1.4 Received the Quarterly Treasurer’s Investment Report, September 2024
1.5 Received the Finance Report on Recreation Fund
3 1.6 Received the Financial Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/2024 Measure D/Measure J Sales Tax Fund
1.7 Consideration of Special Event Application- Community Hanukkah Celebration and Menorah Lighting Ceremony 2024
1.8 Consideration of Special Event Application- Teen Battle of the Bands 2025
1.9 Library Tax Oversight Committee 2023/24 FY Expenditures Review
1.10 Council Consider a New Three-Year Agreement with Jim Baum, operator of the San Anselmo Farm Stand, to operate the Farm Stand on the Town Hall Plaza Year-Round Beginning in January 2025
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Guy Meyer referred to item #1.7 and wondered if it was precedence setting. The issue should be discussed.
Five San Anselmo residents stated they were surprised at the comments made by Mr. Meyer.
They supported item #1.7.
Benedeto, representing the Chamber of Commerce, stated they support the event and filed the application for item #1.7.
Mr. Jeff Kroot asked everyone to respect each other’s opinions. He supported item #1.7.
Sharon and Miles supported item #1.7.
Mira discussed a recent Supreme Court case regarding the government’s display of a Menorah.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo stated he would like to pull item #1.7 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Burke stated she would like to pull item #1.10 from the Consent Calendar.
1.7 Consideration of Special Event Application- Community Hanukkah Celebration and Menorah Lighting Ceremony 2024
Councilmember Burdo stated this item is on the Consent Calendar because it is going through the regular permitting process. He supports item #1.7.
Councilmember Fineman was concerned that there is a different level of scrutiny for this event.
She discussed religious symbols. The question is: Which symbols are allowed to exist as secular, cultural, or religious and which ones get dismissed as religious? She supports item #1.7.
Mayor Burke stated the Town had a religious symbol at Town Hall years ago and decided to no longer display it. This is a serious question that should be addressed.
1.10 Council Consider a New Three-Year Agreement with Jim Baum, operator of the San Anselmo Farm Stand, to operate the Farm Stand on the Town Hall Plaza Year-Round 4 Beginning in January 2025
Mayor Burke stated she would like to put this three-year contract out to bid. Mr. Baum could be the only vendor who responds.
Councilmember Burdo agreed.
M/s, Burdo/Kullaway, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1 thorough #1.9.
AYES: Burdo, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Colbert
2. Public Hearings
2.1 Marin Sanitary Service Rate Increase
Town Manager Donery presented the staff report. Staff and the consultants answered questions from the Council regarding the formula that was used; why San Anselmo’s increase is the highest in Marin.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) President Patty Garbarino introduced the MSS team. She discussed several MSS Programs, diversion rates, hydrogen vs. electrification of the fleet, future partnerships, and hosting the Land Fill Harmonic Orchestra from Paraguay.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo applauded the operations of MSS, particularly recycling.
M/s, Burdo/Kullaway, Motion to approve the Marin Sanitary Service Rate Increase.
AYES: Burdo, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Colbert
3 Council Business Items
3.1 Council to approve a lot option for the Solar Photovoltaic System for the Town Hall Resiliency Hub
Assistant Engineer Ferrer presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the operational life of the system; if the project is for daily use; if surplus will be sold back to the grid; how Federal tax credits might work given the new administration.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Benedetto thanked staff for adding the fire proofing aspect and discussed the difficulty in containing lithium battery fires and the toxicity of the smoke.
Mr. Jeff Kroot questioned the need for this project. The cost is very high, the Town has a generator, and the structure will not fit harmoniously within the community.
Mr. David Bell stated the story poles were taken down too soon. He agreed with Mr. Kroot that the structure would not be very attractive. Residents should have been informed about this project.
5 Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo stated the project will allow the Town to provide energy generation in a more sustainable way. This is a cost-effective, climate oriented project. There was community outreach via a survey. He supported Option A.
Councilmember Fineman stated the priorities of Measure J were the result of community surveying. Energy resiliency tied for second along with repair of the roads.
Mayor Burke stated the Town fleet will be all electric by 2030. This project makes sense economically and will be a cost-saver over time. She agreed that the structure is unattractive.
M/s, Fineman/Burdo, Motion to approve Option A for the Solar Photovoltaic System for the Town Hall Resiliency Hub
AYES: Burdo, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Colbert
3.2 Adopt a Resolution Approving the Memorandum of Understanding with PG&E for Installation of Electric Service for Charging Stations at Memorial Park Assistant Engineer Messinger presented the staff report. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding whether conduit currently exists under the lot; the level of the chargers (Level 2 or 3); if these will be standardized chargers.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Fineman stated Level 2 makes sense in term of the hardware. The project design is very comprehensive and holistic.
M/s, Fineman/Burdo, Motion to Adopt a Resolution Approving the Memorandum of Understanding with PG&E for Installation of Electric Service for Charging Stations at Memorial Park and find that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA.
AYES: Burdo, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Colbert
3.3 Receive and Review the Downtown San Anselmo Active Transportation Safety and Circulation Study and Provide Direction to Staff
Mayor Burke noted this item has been continued to a future meeting.
M/s, Fineman/Burdo, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
AYES: Burdo, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Colbert
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary