1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A. Call to Order: 6:00 P.M.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Tarrell Kullaway (Mayor)
Steve Burdo (Vice Mayor)
Eileen Burke
Yoav Schlesinger
Chantel Walker
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Emily Longfellow, Assistant Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Community Development Director
Jackson Dobronyi, Assistant Planner
Hamid Khalili, CMPA Captain
Maddie O’Grady, Recreation Director
B. Mayor Kullaway announced that item B.1 will be discussed in Closed Session B.1 Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 3540 Agency Designated Representatives: Christopher Boucher, David Donery, and Jeff Zuba Employee Organization: SEIU 1021
C. Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Jonas Vaughan
Jackson Dobronyi
Jennie Waskey
Chris Papi
Serianna Leyland
Marc Matundan
Matt Ferrer
John Falcone
Will Messinger
Vincent Lin
Steve Richard
Holli Their
Michae Legault
Travis Balzarini
Jena Blunt
Kurt Ries
D. Council adjourned to Closed Session.
2 Council reconvened at Town Hall in the Council Chambers and Via Zoom at 525 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, California 94960 at 7:21 PM
Mayor Kullaway stated there was nothing to report from the Closed Session.
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Ross Asselstine and Ms. Roseanne DalBello spoke about saving the Redwood trees in Creek Park
Mr. Mark VanGorter, representing Pacific Gas and Electric, reminded everyone that fire season is year-round and PG&E is implementing wildfire mitigation measures. He discussed Public Safety Power Shutoffs and outages that occur without notices Mr. Patrick McGregor stated he was appalled at the new parking situation. It is very difficult to make a payment.
Mr. Tom McAfee, representing the First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo, discussed the conflict in Gaza.
Mr. Richard Lee stated the Safe Routes to Schools project will affect his property and he asked for further development of the plan in the Hillsdale/Jordan/Sequoia area.
Mr. Guy Meyer talked about progress, how to be conservative, forever chemicals, the need to act with scrutiny, and other insightful stuff.
Mr. Gene Ng, San Anselmo representative to the Marin County Commission Aging and Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee, provided some updates.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Council member Burke reported she attended the Memorial Park Committee meeting; talked about the installation of parking meters on San Anselmo Avenue.
Vice Mayor Burdo reported he attended the Ross Valley Fire Department Board of Directors meeting; the Memorial Park Committee meeting; the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting; noted the merchants supported the installation of parking meters.
Councilmember Schlesinger reported the Golden Gate Bridge opened to pedestrian traffic on this day in 1937; he attended the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) Board of Directors meeting.
Councilmember Walker reported she attended the Ross Valley Fire District meeting; she is hearing people ask about Live on the Avenue.
Mayor Kullaway reported her “first pitch” at the Pacifics game made it into the glove with no bounces.
Town Manager Donery referred to the new parking program and stated staff is hoping that the app will be the primary use for payment. Librarian Kenton stated residents can get help downloading the app at the Library.
3 Special Presentation
There were no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 13, 2025
1.2 Adopted a Proclamation Declaring the First Friday in June, June 6, 2025, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day
1.3 Received and Filed the Financial Report on Recreation Fund ending April 30, 2025
1.4 Received and Filed Revenue and Expenditure Reports, April 2025
1.5 Approved Resolution No. 2025-4583 Town of San Anselmo 2025-2026 Tax Rates for Municipal Services Tax, Pension Override Tax, Measure G Debt Service Tax, Special Library Services Tax, and Ross Valley Paramedic Tax
1.6 Received and Approved the Quarterly Treasurer’s Investment Report, March 2025
1.7. Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-1190 Amending Title 10 (Planning and Zoning) Chapters 2, 3, and 4, and the Zoning Map to Implement the 2023-2031 Housing Element and Comply with State Law
1.8 Approved a Special Event Application- Cedars Hands and Earth Farmstand
1.9 Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-1191 to Repeal Title 9, Chapter 4, Undergrounding Electric and Communication Laterals to Building and Structures
1.10 Accepted and Filed the Resignation of Zach Koblick de Leon, Thomas Tunny from the Planning Commission and Lilly McKenna from the Climate Action Committee
1.11 Adopted a Resolution No. 2025-4581Declaring June 2025 LBGTQ Pride Month and Directing Staff to Fly the Rainbow Flag through the month of June at Town Hall Mayor Kullaway referred to item #1.2 and stated a new document was placed in the file.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burdo wanted to pull item #1.11 for discussion.
Councilmember Burke wanted to pull item #1.2 for discussion.
M/s, Burdo/Walker, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1 and #1.3 through #1.10.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
1.2 Adopt a Proclamation Declaring the First Friday in June, June 6, 2025, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day
4 Councilmember Burke thanked the Moms Demanding Action group for their efforts.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to approve Consent Calendar item #1.2.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
1.11 Adopt a Resolution Declaring June 2025 LBGTQ Pride Month and Directing Staff to Fly the Rainbow Flag through the month of June at Town Hall Vice Mayor Burdo asked that this item, along with item #1.2, be adopted in perpetuity. He would like to place this on an upcoming agenda.
Councilmember Burke stated she liked the idea of recognizing these issues every year.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.2.and #1.11.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
2. Council Business Items
2.1 Consideration and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 2 to Title 19 of the San Anselmo Municipal Code (SAMC) that would prohibit individuals under 16 years of age from operating a Class 2 e-bike as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5, and requiring any person operating a Class 2 e-bike to wear a helmet in the Town of San Anselmo effective July 1, 2025
Mayor Kullaway stated she would not be voting on this issue.
Captain Khalili presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation that included the following: 1) Youth E-Bike Safety & Assembly Bill 1778; 2) Marin Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program; 3) Background; 4) Marin County Public Health E-Bike Safety Study; 5) What is the Difference? 6) State Legislation on E-Bike Safety; 7) AB 1778; 8) Questions/Discussion. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding whether police departments can enforce the sale of illegal vehicles; civil rights issues; what will this law do; if there are any Class 2 bikes that are legal; who will be teaching the classes and what bikes will be used; what happens to the rider when a vehicle is confiscated; would it be a burden if one of the agencies did not pass the ordinance; is there coordination with the schools; can the Town increase the amount of the fine; could education be required for a repeat offender; can the Town adopt a separate ordinance regulating e-bikes in the Town limits.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Kim Pipkin, Ms. Laura Allen, Mr. Guy Meyer, and Ms. Bridget Clark spoke in support of the ordinance.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Mayor Kullaway stated this will be a deterrent and is a good thing. She was in favor of strengthening the ordinance but not criminalizing kids. A vehicle that goes over 20 miles per hour and has a throttle is not a “bike”.
Councilmember Burke supported the ordinance and stated it was about safety- education is how they get there.
Councilmember Walker left the meeting at 8:40 PM.
5 Vice Mayor Burdo stated that jurisdiction-wide uniformity was very important. He supports the ordinance.
Councilmember Schlesinger stated he is in favor of the ordinance and would like it to have more “teeth”.
M/s, Burke/Schlesinger, Motion to Adopt the first reading of an Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of San Anselmo Adding a new Chapter 2 to Title 19 of the San Anselmo Municipal Code to prohibit persons under 16 years old from operating a Class 2 electric bicycle and requiring any rider of a Class 2 electric bicycle to wear a helmet.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo
ABSENT: Walker
RECUSED: Mayor Kullaway
M/s, Burke/Schlesinger, Motion to read the ordinance by title only and waive future reading of an Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of San Anselmo Adding a new Chapter 2 to Title 19 of the San Anselmo Municipal Code to prohibit persons under 16 years old from operating a Class 2 electric bicycle and requiring any rider of a Class 2 electric bicycle to wear a helmet.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo
ABSENT: Walker
RECUSED: Mayor Kullaway
The Town Council took a 5-minute break.
2.2 Approve the 2025-2028 Age and Disability Friendly Action Plan Recreation Director O’Grady introduced the leadership team of Ms. Sara Robinson and Ms.
Colleen Arnold who presented a report. Staff answered a question from the Council regarding the future of this work after the grant expires.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Bridget Clark thanked Ms. Robinson and Ms. Arnold for their great work. She discussed the June 27th event.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to Approve the 2025-2028 Age and Disability Friendly Action Plan.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway ABSENT: Walker
3 Public Hearing
3.1 Public Hearing to Adopt Amendments to the Land Use Element of the General Plan Assistant Planner Dobronyi presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation that included the following: 1) Amendments to the Land Use Element of the General Plan; 2) Objective; 3) Background; 4) Planning Commission Discussion; 5) Land Use Amendments; 6) Recommendation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding policy conflicts that might arise due to height limits appearing in the Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan; if it is easier to amend the ordinance if the provision is not in the General Plan; how to provide more local control and flexibility.
6 Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Guy Meyer discussed recent housing and land use mandates. He urged the Council to preserve the local community.
Ms. Nancy O’Connor asked the Council to keep the “small town character” of San Anselmo without having high rises.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Burdo stated the amendment simply cleans up a redundancy. He supports the amendments.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4582 Amending the Land Use Element of the General Plan of the Town of San Anselmo to Remove Development Standards Related
to Building Height.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway ABSENT: Walker
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to Find the Amendments to the Land Use Element of the General Plan exempt from CEQA.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway ABSENT: Walker
3.2 Appeal by Applicant Laura Allen and Michael Day of the Planning Commission Decision to Conditionally Approve an Application (PRO 2024-0048) for a Demolition Permit, Grading Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Variances, Design Review to Demolish the Existing Two- Story Commercial Building, and Construct a New 8,850 Square-Foot, Three Story, Mixed- Use Building at 401 San Anselmo Avenue
Mayor Kullaway discussed the Public Hearing process for an appeal.
Assistant Planner Dobronyi presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation that included the following: 1) Appeal of Project PRO2024-0048 at 401 San Anselmo Avenue; 2) Objective; 3) Project Site; 4) Project Components; 5) Background/Project History; 6) Discussion/Analysis; 7) Staff Recommendation; 8) Alternative Actions. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the rationale for granting the original Height Variance for 37 feet; the Town’s perspective on why the bond does not violate the Mitigation Fee Act; the applicability of the Housing Affordability Act; why this would not be an example of selective application with respect to the bond; if there is a way to guarantee less blight to the community should a project go awry or the developer is not able to finish it.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Laura Allen, appellant, presented a PowerPoint presentation that included the following: 1) Condition of Approval Appeal; 2) 401 San Anselmo Existing Building; 3) 2024 Design- 10 units; 4) 2025 Design- 4 units; 5) Respectful Design, Responsible Process; 6) San Anselmo’s Critical Housing Needs- 2024; 7) Why Our Project Matters; 8) Keintz Hall Before and After; 9) Condition of Approval #13- Phased Performance Bond Requirement; 10) Construction Bond PolicyResolution No. 2024-4549; 11) Summary of Appeal; 12) Outside of Industry Standards; 13) Risk Outweighs Reward; 14) In Conclusion. Ms. Allen answered questions from the Council regarding the cost of the bond; the anticipated rent for the housing units; if they are capable of 7 reducing the cost/percentage of the bond; the timeline for completion of the project; the phased nature of the bond.
Ms. Kim Pipkin, speaking as a resident of the Town and not a Planning Commissioner, stated Marin needs new housing. Bonds are typical, development is risky, and failed projects tend to be retail.
An individual supported the appeal and the project.
Ms. Alisa Geary, attorney with Buchalter, stated she prepared the Appeal Letter. The policy adopted by the Town does not apply to this type of project. She urged the Council to uphold the appeal.
Ms. Nancy O’Connor supported the staff recommendation.
Mr. Michael Day stated this is a precedent in a different way. The bond could prevent further development
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Mayor Kullaway agreed with the applicant team because they have invested so much money and the existing building is ugly.
Councilmember Schlesinger stated they need to say “yes” to housing and not add barriers. He is in favor of removing the bond requirement.
Councilmember Burke stated she is on the opposite side. She loves the project but wants to make sure it will get built.
Vice Mayor Burdo agreed with Mayor Kullaway and Councilmember Schlesinger. He has faith in the developer.
M/s, Schlesinger/Burdo, Motion to grant the appeal and remove the bond requirement from the Planning Commission’s conditions of approval.
AYES: Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
NOES: Burke
ABSENT: Walker
M/s, Burdo/Schlesinger, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:43 p.m.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Burdo, Mayor Kullaway ABSENT: Walker
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary