1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Interviews for the Historical Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission- 6:20 p.m.
The Council interviewed Marcie Miller, Ryan Lafrenz, and Nate (Charles) Marsh.
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Tarrell Kullaway (Mayor)
Steve Burdo (Vice Mayor)
Eileen Burke
Yoav Schlesinger
Chantel Walker
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Linda Kenton, Town Librarian
Mattie O’Grady, Community Services Director
Kelly Warner, Community Engagement
Mayor Kullaway announced that agenda item #2.1 has been continued to a date uncertain.
M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to modify the agenda with the removal of item #2.1.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Ross Asselstine, San Anselmo Avenue, discussed Flood Zone 9 and detention basins.
Mr. Benedetto Chico, representing the Chamber of Commerce, stated there are currently 150 members of the Chamber with a goal of 200 members by the end of 2025. He discussed recent activities of the Chamber.
Ms. Rosanne dalBello discussed a proposed flood control project near Creek Park and her concern about the impacts to the Redwood trees
Mr. Brian Crawford, Chair of the Sorich Park Residents group, discussed a development application submitted to the County by Mr. Mike Folk. It includes the development of 96 units which will result in many negative impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Mr. Leo Barry, Ms. Liz Huntington, and Mr. Jonathon Braun agreed with the concerns expressed by Mr. Crawford. Concerns include emergency evacuation, quality of life, congestion, narrow streets, and parking.
Mr. Gene Ang, San Anselmo representative to the County Commission on Aging, agreed with Mr. Crawford’s concerns. He discussed the rise in the aging population in Marin County and 2 whether the County is prepared to meet its needs.
Mr. Janet Bosnecker, Tamal Avenue, discussed the Town’s construction hours and was surprised that construction is allowed on Sundays. She asked the County to consider prohibiting construction on Sundays.
Eva discussed the background and affiliations of one of the Councilmembers. She discussed First Amendment rights.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Burdo reported he attended the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA) meeting, the Ross Valley Fire Board meeting; urged everyone to sign up for Alert Marin; acknowledged the courage displayed by Ms. dalBello.
Councilmember Burke reported she attended the Hanukah Celebration; supported the creation of an Ad Hoc Housing Committee and wanted to see this item on a future agenda; the Council supported this request.
Councilmember Walker reported she attended the Menorah Lighting Celebration; stated her priorities are emergency preparedness, infrastructure work, activities for teens, connecting the community, and affordable housing development.
Councilmember Schlesinger reported he attended the Menorah Lighting Celebration; the Winter Market Walk Event.
Mayor Kullaway reported she attended the Friday night Archie Williams Varsity Basketball Game (Go Falcons!); participated in the search for a new director of the Marin County Parks Department; she would like the following to be place on an upcoming agenda: 1) Construction times; 2) The 96 unit development proposed in the Count near Sorich Park; 3) The Sais crossing; 4) Crosswalk daylighting (red zones).
Special Presentation
Adopt a Mayor’s Proclamation Recognizing Nancy Altman for her Exemplary Years of Community Service.
Mayor Kullaway read and presented the Proclamation to Ms. Altman.
Ms. Altman thanked the Council for the recognition and stated it was a pleasure to serve. She introduced her neighbor who will be taking over the Flower Basket Project.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approve the Draft Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting- December 10, 2024
1.2 Receive and File the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Audited Annual Financial Report
1.3 Receive and File the Report of Checks Issues, December 2024
1.4 Approve the Town of San Anselmo Downtown Hanging Flower Basket Funding Request
1.5 Recreation Fund Revenue and Expenditure Reports December 2024 3 1.6 Accept the Resignation of Ginny Svigals from the Economic Development Committee and Promote Mark Jeffrey to a Full Voting Member Position
1.7 Consider Canceling the Regular Town Council Meetings Scheduled for July 8, August 12, November 25, and December 23, 2025
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Public Hearings
2.1 Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Ordinance Amendments to Title 10 “Planning and Zoning”, Chapter 6 “Accessory Dwelling Units”; and associated CEQA Exemption Finding Mayor Kullaway stated this item has been continued to an uncertain date.
Council Business Items
3.1 Live on the Avenue 2024 Recap and Review
Recreation Director O’Grady and Community Engagement staff member Warner presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding hard costs; community survey results; cost of an event consultant; methods of communication including the Town Newsletter; food options and vendors; Movie Night and restrictions placed on films; movie licensing; total number of visitors and where they come from; how to think about and measure the economic impact from this event; direct and indirect impacts to the merchants; possible increase in property values; the Parade; how to advertise business hours; the budget.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments
Mr. Frank Gomez, owner of Wink Optics, stated the event is beneficial to the retailers. He suggested closing the street at 5:00 p.m. instead of 4:30 p.m. and more diversity in terms of the music.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burdo did not support the idea of having music without closing the street- it would not be safe.
Mayor Kullaway supported hiring professional fundraisers and also opposed having the streets open for safety reasons. There should be more bike parking.
Councilmember Burke suggested starting the event in June and perhaps scheduling it for Friday and Saturday nights.
The Council thanked staff for the presentation and wonderful event!
3.2. Consider Making Appointments to the Historical Commission and to the Parks and Recreation Commission
4 Town Clerk Avila presented the staff report. Five appointments should be made to the Historical Commission and two to the Parks and Recreation Commission. There were no questions from the Council.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Burdo/Schlesinger, Motion to appoint Marcie Miller and all of the incumbents to the Historical Commission.
AYES: Burdo, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke M/s, Burdo/Walker, Motion to appoint Ryan Lafrenz and Nate Marsh to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
AYES: Burdo, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke
3.3 For the Council to Review the List of Town Council Committee Assignments and Make Appointments for 2025
Town Clerk Avila presented the staff report. He answered questions from the Council regarding whether all assignments are open or just the vacancies; the process that will be used.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burke noted there has not been a natural rotation for the desirable committees and this is not beneficial to the Town. She would support some sort of rotation system.
The Committee assignments are as follows:
1. Infrastructure Fiscal Monitoring Committee- Mayor Kullaway and Councilmember Walker, Councilmember Burdo as alternate
2. Chamber of Commerce- Councilmember Schlesinger
3. Economic Development Committee- Mayor Kullaway and Councilmember Schlesinger
4. Flood Committee- Councilmembers Burke and Burdo
5. Racial Equity Committee- Councilmember Burdo, Mayor Kullaway as alternate
6. Reimagine Creek Park- Councilmember Burke, Councilmember Schlesinger and Councilmember Burdo as alternate
7. Climate Action Commission- Councilmember Burdo, Councilmember Walker as alternate
8. Memorial Park Master Plan Review- Councilmember Burke and Councilmember Burdo
9. ABAG General Assembly- Councilmember Walker and Mayor Kullaway as alternate 5 10. CDBG for Ross Valley- Councilmember Walker
11. Central Marin Police Authority- Councilmembers Burdo and Schlesinger, Councilmember Walker as alternate
12. Flood Zone 9- no longer part of Flood Zone 9 this item should be deleted
13. League of California Cities North Bay- Councilmember Burdo, Councilmember Walker as alternate
14. MCCMC Climate Action Commission- Mayor Kullaway and the alternate position remains vacant
15. MCCMC Disaster Preparedness- Councilmember Burdo, Councilmember Burke as alternate
16. MCCMC Homeless Committee- Mayor Kullaway
17. MCCMC Legislative Committee- Mayor Kullaway and Councilmember Burdo as alternate
18. Marin Clean Energy- Mayor Kullaway, Councilmember Burdo as alternate
19. Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA)- Councilmember Burdo and Sean Condry as 1st alternate and Dave Donery as 2nd alternate
20. Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA)- Councilmember Schlesinger, Councilmember Burdo as alternate
21. Refuse and Recycling Subcommittee- Councilmembers Burke and Burdo
22. Ross Valley Fire Authority- Councilmembers Burdo and Walker and Councilmember Burke as alternate
23. Ross Valley School District- Councilmember Burdo
24. Ross Valley Yellow School Bus JPA- Councilmember Burdo, Mayor Kullaway as alternate and Dave Donery as staff representative
25. Safe Routes to Schools- Councilmember Burke, Councilmember and Schlesinger as alternate
26. Transportation Authority of Marin- Councilmember Burdo, Councilmember Walker as Alternate
Added to the list- General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC)- Councilmember Burke and Burdo Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 p.m. 6 AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary