1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Interviews for the Historical Commission and Open Space Commission- 6:30 p.m.
The Council interviewed Daniel Krebs, Jamie Mackie, Rene Voss.
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance 7:00 p.m.
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
Linda Kenton, Town Librarian
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director
Mattie O’Grady, Community Services Director
Kelly Warner, Community Engagement
Jeff Zuba, Finance and Admin Services Director
Mayor Kullaway stated there has been a request to continue item #2.2 to the next meeting.
M/s, Walker/Burdo, Motion to continue item #2.2 to the next meeting.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Ross Asselstine and Ms. Rosanne dalBello discussed flooding issues including the lack of flood control and the Building Bridge 2 project.
Ms. Ann Politzer stated last May she had asked for an update on the status of the Building Bridge 2 project and has not received an answer. She is concerned about flood management.
Mr. Tyler Graff, Superintendent of the Valley School District, gave an update on a Parcel Tax proposal revision that the Board is considering for a May Special Election.
Mr. Peter Collins discussed the good works of the First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo and an event that will occur on Saturday, February 8th.
Mr. Guy Meyer discussed the importance of speaking one’s mind even when it is a minority opinion, the recent fires in Southern California, and the dangers of lithium batteries being used in a Town Hall project.
2 Bob discussed the problem with Super 73’s and the other illegal throttle devices the kids are riding.
Mr. Benedetto Chico discussed the Moss Landing Fire and his concern about lithium batteries.
The Town needs a larger police presence given the recent assault on an elderly man.
Ms. Eva Chrysanthe discussed the Moss Landing Fire and the effects on nearby agricultural fields.
Ms. Sue Saunders, Vice Chair of the Climate Action Commission, stated gas powered cars are more likely to catch fire than electric cars due to fuel pump leaks. Electrification including battery storage is important.
Ms. Bridget Clark stated the Ross Valley Seniors have a Thursday lunch at the Women’s Club and the next presentation will be about the resources of the Fairfax and San Anselmo libraries.
Erin, owner of Sax Consignment, state the noon Flood Horn terrifies people. She noted there are often cars parked in the EV charging spaces that are not using the chargers.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Vice Mayor Burdo reported he attended the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting; was in Sacramento last week at a conference; responded to citizen concerns about fire issues.
Councilmember Burke reported she attended the Safe Routes to Schools meeting; a Live on the Avenue meeting with the merchants; the Art Show at Town Books; announced the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Basketball games for Archie Williams (Go Falcons!); the basketball hoop in front of her house is repaired and back in business; she and her father were interviewed on a recent “Run TMC” podcast and she will be speaking to the Dominican Basketball team next week; will be meeting with residents about a United Market/Greenfield Fire Wise group; fielded a report about a homeless individual using propane and a BBQ; did a walkthrough at Robson; received a lot of feedback regarding last month’s Council Committee Assignments and a potential Brown Act violation.
Councilmember Schlesinger reported he attended the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) meeting.
Councilmember Walker discussed the Fire Wise communities; attended the conference in Sacramento; the Martin Luther King Celebration in Southern Marin.
Mayor Kullaway reported she attended the Martin Luther King Celebration; the McGinnis Park Smart Pathway Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; the Marin American Indian Alliance Potluck; discussed incidents of vehicular violence; the MCCMC Legislative Committee meeting; will be attending the Two Spirits Event at Fort Mason
Town Librarian Kenton reported on Library events including Super Saturday, the Puzzle Swap, and upcoming Middle School Speakers Program.
Special Presentation
There were no presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
3 1.1 Consider to Approve the Draft Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting- January 14, 2025
1.2 Consider to Approve a Special Event Application- Children for Change Challenge 2025
1.3 Receive and File the 2024 Age and Disability Friendly Assessment Report
1.4 Receive and File the Revenue and Expenditure Reports, December 2024
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Sara Robinson and Gene supported item #1.3
Ms. Eva Chrysanthe referred to item #1.3 and supported a robust public transport system.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burdo stated he would like to pull item #1.3.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1, #1.2, and #1.4.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
1.3 Receive and File the 2024 Age and Disability Friendly Assessment Report Councilmember Burdo stated there was a lot of good data in the report.
Councilmember Walker stated this report was very important and provided a means for moving forward.
Councilmember Schlesinger noted two trends in the report- the increased in the need for home improvements and preparedness in the event of an emergency, Councilmember was concerned about the data regarding future cognitive health of seniors. She thanked staff for the great report.
M/s, Walker/Burdo, Motion to approve Consent Calendar item #1.3.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Council Business Items
2.1 Consider to Approve a Special Event Application- Live on the Avenue 2025
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 the amount of time needed to clear parked cars; the type of bollards that will be used; street closure times; impacts to merchants; safety concerns; hours of music; the survey; overtime hours; what type of cuts would be needed if there is a fundraising shortfall.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments
Mr. Benedetto Chico, representing the Chamber of Commerce, stated Friday afternoon is the most important shopping day for merchants. He asked the Council to listen to the merchant requests in terms of street closure times. The extra half an hour would go a long way. 4 Mr. Frank Gomez agreed with Mr. Chico- he supported the extra half hour. He suggested forming a committee to pick the bands.
Bridget suggested that vendors be required to comply with the single use ordinance requirements when possible
Erin stated from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. it is like a “ghost town” in front of her store during the Live on the Avenue Event. Merchants are losing money two nights a week during this event.
She asked for the Town’s support and to move the street closure time to 5:00 p.m.
Ms. Lori Berlinger stated merchants are asking for a reasonable accommodation and an extra half hour. She asked the Council to collaborate.
Belinda agreed with the comments made by her fellow merchants. She asked the Council to work with the merchants.
Barbara stated the request for an extra half hour has been done before. This is very important to the merchants.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Mayor Kullaway was concerned about the Public Works Department doing enforcement- this is not their role. Police Department overtime is difficult to schedule due to staffing issues. Frank has offered to move the cars and they should let him do that. She supported decibel enforcement. The permit should speak to the single use ordinance.
Councilmember Burke stated the Community Services Officer hours need to be flexible. The priority should be to support the businesses. The safety issues can be addressed. She supports the later start, the mid-June start, and the decibel level suggestion.
Councilmember Walker stated she could live with a pilot that has a later closure by about thirty minutes. She would like data related to fundraising, how the cost of enforcement for that twenty minutes was covered, the impact to business income, and if there were impacts to cars.
Councilmember Schlesinger stated he is lacking some data including actual data from merchants regarding losses and that balanced increase in sales for staying open. He liked the idea of a pilot but was not sure about its scope. Clearing the streets for a 5:00 p.m. closure time is doable but he would need assurances that the staffing levels could be funded. Without those assurances he would prefer a 4:30 p.m. closure.
Councilmember Burdo stated he is not opposed to extending the closing time but he would need to see the cost, how overtime would be funded, and what it would look like. He would like Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) Chief Norton to participate in these discussions. He wants to be receptive to the businesses.
Councilmember Schlesinger would like to see a budget proposal that includes the additional resourcing request.
M/s, Walker/Burke, motion to approve a 5:00 closure, that the music sets end at 8:30 p.m. an April determination of what contingencies need to move around including starting Fridays and Saturdays in July without impacting on the public services that have gone well for those on the survey, including the staff report budget as a baseline with the ability to exceed said amount.
5 AYES: Burke, Walker
NOES: Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
Mayor Kullaway stated this item would be continued to the next Town Council meeting.
2.2. Receive and File the Public Works Department Update Mayor Kullaway stated this item has been continued to the next meeting.
2.3 Receive and File the Update on the Building Department and Permit process M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to continue this item to the next meeting.
AYES: Burdo, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Kullaway, Mayor Burke M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 p.m.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary