1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Interviews for the Library Tax Oversight Committee- 6:50 p.m.
Councilmember Alexis Fineman, Brian Colbert, Vice Mayor, Tarrell Kullaway and Mayor Eileen Burke, interviewed Ms. Laurie Nardone.
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo
Eileen Burke, Mayor
Brian Colbert (outgoing)
Alexis Fineman (outgoing)
Tarrell Kullaway
Yoav Schlesinger (incoming)
Chantel Walker (incoming)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Linda Kenton, Assistant Town Manager/
Town Librarian
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Mattie O’Grady, Community Services Director
Open Time for Public Expression
Ross spoke about Flood Zone 9 and the culture of the district. Public questions are not answered and money is wasted. He is concerned about the loss of the Redwood trees in Creek Park.
Eva discussed accountability with respect to the new Council and the problems in the Middle East.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Fineman reported she attended the Marin Clean Energy (MCE) meeting; the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) meeting.
Councilmember Burdo reported he attended the November 13th meeting of the Ross Valley Fire Board; the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA) meeting; the Tree Lighting Event; Councilmember Colbert reported he attended the Cedars Art Show; the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting; the Marin Transit meeting; the Tree Lighting Event; the California Association of Counties meeting in Pasadena.
2 Vice Mayor Kullaway reported she attended the Tree Lighting Event.
Mayor Burke reported she attended the Tree Lighting Event.
Special Presentation
Adopt a Mayor’s Proclamation Recognizing Curt Reis for his Commitment to the Residents of San Anselmo
Mayor Burke read and presented the Proclamation to Mr. Reis.
Mr. Reis thanked the Council for this recognition. He stated he will continue to advocate for the issues that are important to him including rent control.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Peter Getz, member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), stated he will continue to work with Mr. Reis on important social issues.
Mr. Joe McGarry stated he worked with Mr. Reis on the rent control issue. This is a dire situation and action is needed to keep individuals in Marin County.
Ms. Stephanie Hellman thanked the Council for acknowledging Mr. Reis.
Eva stated Mr. Reis deserves all the praise stated in the Proclamation.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
The Council congratulated Mr. Reis and thanked him for his service to the Town.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approve the Draft Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting- November 12, 2024
1.2 Approve the Draft Minutes of the Special Town Council Meeting- November 21, 2024
1.3 Receive the Revenue and Expenditure Reports, November 2024
1.4 Receive the Report of Checks Issues, November 2024
1.5 Authorize the Town Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Telecom Law Firm, P.C. to provide contract technical legal planning assistance concerning applications for telecommunications facilities
1.6 Consider to Approve a Notice of Completion (NOC) for the Town Hall Lighting Improvement Program
1.7 Accept the 2023 Town Hall Roof and HVAC Project and Authorize Staff to File a NOC
1.8 Consider the Approval of Announcing and Publishing Impending Expiration Terms for Boards, Committees and Commission Seats (Maddy Act Posting)
1.9 Adopt a Resolution Ratifying the Canvass of Returns from the Marin County Registrar of Voters Office for the General Municipal Election of November 5, 2024 and Declaring 3 the Elected Persons Receiving the Largest Number of Votes for the Office of Town Council, as well as declaring the results for Ballot Measures N and O 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.
AYES: Burdo, Colbert, Fineman, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke Council Business Items
2.1 Consider Making Appointments to the Library Tax Oversight Committee Town Clerk Avila presented the 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.
Mayor Burke asked the Council to select two candidates.
Councilmember Fineman selected Judy Baldassari and Laurie Nardone.
Vice Mayor Kullaway selected Laurie Nardone and Margaret Ohanlon.
Councilmember Burdo selected Judy Baldassari and Laurie Nardone.
Councilmember Colbert selected Judy Baldassari and Laurie Nardone.
Mayor Burke selected Laurie Nardone and Margaret Ohanlon.
Mayor Burke stated Ms. Laurie Nardone and Ms. Judy Baldassari have been appointed to the Library Tax Oversight Committee.
2.2 Recognizing the Services of Outgoing Mayor Eileen Burke
The Council and staff thanked outgoing Mayor Burke for her year of service as Mayor and making sure “everyone had a voice”. She was presented with a gift.
Mayor Burke stated it is important to listen to all residents.
2.3 Recognizing the Services of Outgoing Councilmember Alexis Fineman Town Manager Donery thanked Councilmember Fineman for her service to the Town and wished her well in her future endeavors.
The Council thanked Councilmember Fineman for stepping into the role and for her invigorating discussions.
4 Councilmember Fineman stated she relished the challenge and tried to bring a perspective to climate issues. She warned everyone not to try to remove any gardens!
2.4 Recognizing the Services of Outgoing Councilmember Brian Colbert Town Manager Donery thanked Councilmember Colbert for his work on economic development issues. He has been a leader throughout the County.
The Council stated Councilmember Colbert was a trusted colleague and wished him well in his Board of Supervisor position.
Councilmember Colbert thanked the community of San Anselmo for its support. He talked about his “two secret weapons” at home.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments
Sue thanked Councilmember Fineman for her work on climate change and Councilmember Colbert for his support of electrification.
A resident acknowledge Councilmember Colbert for his professionalism and Councilmember Fineman for always “doing her homework”.
Ms. Kim Pipkin presented Mayor Burke with a bouquet of flowers and thanked her for the handwritten holiday card!
Mr. Willie Burke stated he knows how much time and energy Councilmember Fineman put into being a Councilmember. He is her spouse.
Ms. Renee Goddard congratulated Councilmember Colbert on his next steps in political life.
She also got a holiday card from Mayor Burke! She thanked Councilmember Fineman for her service.
Ms. Kelsey Fernandez stated she was grateful for Mayor Burke’s, Councilmember Colbert’s, and Councilmember Fineman’s service to the community.
Ms. Ida Green thanked Councilmember Colbert for breaking barriers. She wanted to set Councilmember Fineman up with her cousin.
Maria, Ms. Carrie McCue, Ms. Stephanie Hellman, Mr. Bruce Ackerman, Mr. Eric Warner, and Ms. Kathleen Gundry thanked Councilmember Colbert, Councilmember Fineman, and Mayor Burke for their inspiration and years of service.
Eva was concerned about the amount of time spent congratulating departing members and thought it could be better spent discussing important issues.
Mr. Sid Gematte, Vice-President of the Ross Valley Firefighter’s Association, thanked Councilmember Colbert for his support over the years.
Councilmember Colbert read a letter from Supervisor Katie Rice thanking Councilmember Fineman for her insight and clarity of thought.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
2.5 Oath of Office for Newly Elected Councilmembers, Eileen Burke, Chantel Walker, and Yoav 5 Schlesinger
Town Clerk Avila administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Burke and newly elected Councilmembers Chantel Walker and Yoav Schlesinger.
Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
2.6 Reorganization of the Town Council: Elect Mayor and Vice Mayor to one-year terms Town Clerk Avila presented the 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, Burke/Walker, Motion to elect Vice Mayor Kullaway as Mayor and Councilmember Burdo as Vice-Mayor.
AYES: Burdo, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke Mayor Kullaway stated she was honored to serve as Mayor.
M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary