1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:
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
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Jerry Healy, Public Works Manager
Scott Schneider, Assistant Public Works Director
Marc Matundan, Engineer
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Ross Asselstine, San Anselmo Avenue, discussed flood control issues and the proposal to remove Building Bridge Two.
Mr. Steve Emery stated the softball infields at Memorial Park need to be watered down before they are dragged- this avoids the problem with blowing dust.
Mr. Guy Meyers stated the issue regarding the Redwood trees at Creek Park should be on a Council agenda. April 12th is the “50th and a Half Year” Anniversary of Creek Park. He discussed the loss of local control.
A resident discussed the ban on Super 73 e-bikes and e-motorcycles but noted they are still being ridden by students. He asked the Council to talk to the Police Department about enforcing the law.
Mr. Todd Greenberg was concerned about a conflict of interest in terms of “pay to play”. Certain Councilmembers have received donations from various Fire entities.
Benedetto stated the Chamber of Commerce had a great meeting today and he thanked those who attended. Police presence is an issue for the merchants.
Ms. Rachel Feibush, Ms. Emily Elder, Ms. Patty Wagner, and Carla, Benjamin, and Ollie (5th grade students at Brookside School) supported Measure E.
A resident spoke in opposition to Measure E from a commercial business point of view.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
2 Councilmember Burke reported she met with Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD) Chief Mahoney on March 12 to receive an update on department activities; she is working with the Greenfield Avenue neighborhood in becoming a Fire Wise community; met with the local Fire Wise Coordinator; attended the Ross Valley Fire Board meeting; watched the Ross Town Council meeting on Zoom regarding the closure of the Ross Fire Station; attended this morning’s meeting of the merchants; would like to agendize AB1778 regarding age requirements for riding Class 2 e-bikes. Town Manager Donery stated this issue would come to the Council in the spring.
Councilmember Schlesinger reported it was National Waffle Day; attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting; the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) meeting.
Councilmember Walker reported she attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting; encouraged everyone to attend the Sip n’ Stroll; had a discussion with MWPA Executive Officer Mark Brown; met with RVFD Chief Mahoney; attended the Fire Board meeting.
Vice Mayor Burdo reported he attended the Fire Board meeting; the Joint Executive Powers Authority (Yellow Bus JEPA) meeting; the Flashlight Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 18th and the Spring Egg Hunt for the younger kids is scheduled for April 19th.
At 7:42 PM Mayor Kullaway arrived at the meeting.
Town Manager Donery reported staff is planning to hold a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce on a quarterly basis to discuss issues important to the merchants and improve communication.
Special Presentation- none
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approval of the Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, February 25, 2025
1.2 Approval of the Agreement for Town Attorney Services with Acevedo & Longfellow LLP
1.3 Receive and File the Revenue and Expenditure Reports, February 2025
1.4 Accept Update on the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Authorize Staff to Send the Report to the State Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and State Housing and Community Development Department (HCD)
1.5 Consider Reappointing Three Incumbents to the Infrastructure & Fiscal Monitoring Committee
1.6 Adopted Resolution No. 2025-4571 Proclaiming April 2025 as Fair Housing Month Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments
Mr. Todd Greenberg referred to item #1.2 and had some questions about the legal services agreement and the prior budgeted vs. actual legal expenses.
Mr. Ross Asselstine referred to item #1.5 and supported any of the candidates. 3 Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burke had a question about item #1.2.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1 through #1.6.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Council Business Items
2.1 Consider the Approval of the Isabel Cook Community Center (ICC) Preschool and Breezeway Reroofing Project
Public Works Engineer Matundan presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Staff answered a question from the Council regarding the timeline and possible impacts to summer programs.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
The Council thanked the Public Works Department staff for the great work.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to approve the Isabel Cook Community Center (ICC) Preschool and Breezeway Reroofing Project, authorize staff to advertise for construction bids, authorize the Town Manager to award the contract to the select bidder, and find the project exempt from CEQA.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
2.2 Consider the Approval of the Robson-Harrington House Exterior Repairs and Paint Project
Public Works Engineer Matundan and Public Works Manager Healy presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered a question from the Council regarding the proposed trim colors.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burdo stated this is a good use of Measure J Funds.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to approve the Robson-Harrington House Exterior Repairs and Paint Project, authorize staff to advertise for construction bids, authorize the Town Manager to award the contract to the select bidder, and find the project exempt from CEQA.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
2.2 For the Council to Review and Discuss Town Council Committee Assignments
Town Manager Donery presented the staff report. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the Town budget; the budgets of the multi-jurisdictional committees; the Council 4 representatives of the multi-jurisdictional committees; representation of these multi-jurisdictional committees in the past; the alternate resolution proposed by Councilmember Schlesinger; if the Council has representation on the Ross Valley School Board.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments
Mr. Ross Asselstine was concerned about the direction of the current Council and urged them to be gracious and respectful.
Mr. Philip Chigos recommended an equitable distribution of roles and responsibilities.
Ms. Ann Politzer would like to see an equitable process for selecting committee members. The Council needs to uphold the basis of representative public service.
Ms. Katie Hogan stated the Council should comply with Resolution #3043 and Councilmember Burdo should step down.
Mr. Guy Meyer supported Councilmember Burke’s proposal for the rotation of committee assignments.
Ms. Anna Franzoia spoke in opposition to favoritism, outside influences, and exclusion related to the Council committee assignments.
Mr. Jeff Kroot stated Councilmembers are a part of a “team or a family”. Cooperation is important and the Council works for the community.
Mr. Steve DeMartini stated he was worried that the democratic process could be corrupted. He supported Resolution #3043.
Mr. Todd Greenberg stated this vote is very important and he got Biblical by citing the Golden Rule. He opposed exclusion.
Ms. Roseann dalBello was concerned about the perception of collusion and possible Brown Act violations.
Bob was concerned about the lack of respect and civility and asked the Council to “lighten up”.
This issue could be solved with grace.
Mr. Paul Chignell, former Mayor of San Anselmo, stated he was the catalyst for Resolution #3043 and asked the Council to adhere to its spirit and work something out.
Mr. Steve Emery supported appointing Councilmember Burke to the Fire Board.
Ms. Ellen Caldwell, Laurel Avenue, asked the Council to work together. She supported Councilmember Burke’s appointment to the Fire Board.
Mr. Ford Greene, former Mayor of San Anselmo, discussed authoritarianism and arrogance.
Councilmember Burke deserves the seat on the Fire Board.
Mr. Kevin Curtis asked the Council to not approve either of the two Councilmembers proposed resolutions. He had an alternate suggestion.
Ms. Carol Page stated Resolution #3043 is sound but does not go far enough. She opposed the exclusion of a sitting Councilmember because it disenfranchises voters. She supported the 5 appointment of Councilmember Burke to the Fire Board.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Walker stated they are at a point to make change and she would like to create a new process. Rotation makes sense if it applies to all the committees. She could live with a subcommittee that looked at all 26 committees. She was in favor of longer time frames.
Councilmember Schlesinger discussed the intent of the alternative proposal. He was in favor of repealing Resolution #3043; not replacing it with the current process; was open to discussing the specifics; did not think there was value in “throwing up all the pieces to see where they land” at this point in time. He was open to the idea that the process should apply to all committees.
An advisory group should choose the assignments.
Councilmember Burke discussed some fundamental issues. Her proposal would solve the possibility of exclusion and give some ability for Councilmembers to select what they want. It shares the load. She was in favor of implementing Resolution #3043 unless it is replaced with a rotation system; three years makes sense; she would agree to implementation in January of 2026 as a compromise; the process should apply to all committees.
At 9:26 PM The Council took a 5-minute break.
The Council reconvened in the Council Chambers at 9:31 PM.
Vice Mayor Burdo stated he would abstain from ruling on Resolution #3043; perhaps a new process is needed; the process should apply to all of the committees; he is in favor of a rotation requirement even though it does not solve the problem of exclusion; he would go with two years; this should come into effect in January of 2026.
Mayor Kullaway was in favor of repealing Resolution #3043; they should not continue as is; the process should apply to all committees; two years seems too few; favors the “exclusion” when someone is the chair of a committee; this should start in January; was in favor of seniority and the number of votes received by a Councilmember.
Town Attorney Acevedo summarized the Council's preferences.
Town Manager Donery stated staff would bring back the resolution to the Council at the next meeting on the Consent Calendar.
M/s, Walker/Burke, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:39 p.m.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary