1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Interviews for the Climate Action Commission- 6:40 p.m.
The Council interviewed Judith O’Rourke and Nicholas Pappas.
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo (Vice Mayor)
Eileen Burke
Yoav Schlesinger
Chantel Walker
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Tarrell Kullaway (Mayor)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Linda Kenton, Assistant Town Manager
Emily Longfellow, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Community Development Director
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Jeff Zuba, Finance Director
Marc Matundan, Assistant Civil Engineer
Bridget Wipfler, Climate Action Coordinator
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Nick Pappas thanked the Public Works Department for recent improvements in his neighborhood.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Walker reported she attended the Live on the Avenue; a Ross Valley Fire Board meeting; discussed the update of the CAC’s Website; would like to see the following on an upcoming agenda: The formation of a subcommittee regarding emergency management; the Council was open to discussing this issue.
Councilmember Burke reported she attended the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) meeting; the celebration of residents 90 years of age and over at the Log Cabin; earned a Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
Councilmember Schlesinger reported it was National Mango Day; he attended the Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) Board meeting; the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) Board meeting; Live on the Avenue has been amazing; would like to see a 4th of July Parade in San Anselmo!
Acting Mayor Burdo reported he attended the Senior Celebration at the Log Cabin; the Ross 2 Valley Fire Board meeting; Live on the Avenue; would like to see the following on an upcoming agenda: A Presentation from “Front Porch”; the Council supported this request.
Public Works Director Condry reported on the receipt of an MT2 Application (CLOMR). Staff sent a request to the County Flood Control District for more time to review it. Staff received a report from a hydraulics consultant recommending that staff sign and submit the application.
Any member of the public or the Council can appeal this decision. Councilmember Burke stated she would be filing an appeal.
Special Presentation
There are no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting- June 24, 2025
1.2 Accepted Resignation of William Wells from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
1.3 Adopted Resolution No. 2025-4590 Adopting the Proposed Memorandum of Understanding, Local 1021(SEIU) for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028
1.4 Received and Filed the Financial Report on Recreation Fund ending June 30, 2025
1.5 Received and Filed Revenue and Expenditure Reports, June 2025
1.6 Received and Filed a Report of Checks Issued for the Month of June 2025
1.7 Approved a Special Event Application- Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting Ceremony 2025
1.8 Approved a Special Event Application- Holiday Tree Lighting 2025 Ceremony
1.9 Authorized Town Staff to Seek Proposals and Retain a Consultant for Design of the Sequoia Park Safe Routes to Schools Project Areas #1 and #3
1.10 Adopted Resolutions Adopting the Management and Confidential employees pay rates for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028 and part-time employees pay rates for July 1.
Management Resolution No. 2025-4591, Confidential Resolution No. 2025-4592, Part-Time Resolution No. 2025-4593
1.11 Receive and Approve the Quarterly Treasurer’s Investment Report, June 2025 Acting Mayor Burdo opened the Public Comments.
Will Messinger, Vincent Lin, Chris, Jenny Walsky, and Kurt Reis, proud members of SEIU Local 1021 (Si, Se Puede!) thanked the staff and Council for negotiating a fair contract.
Acting Mayor Burdo closed Public Comments.
M/s, Walker/Schlesinger Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Acting Mayor Burdo
ABSENT: Mayor Kullaway
3 Public Hearing
2.1 Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Ordinance Amendment to Repeal and Replace Title 4, Chapter 13 “Private Trees”; Adoption of Resolution In Lieu Tree and Replacement Fees Engineer Matundan presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the protected category; how the list of protected trees was determined; if the list values particular trees over others; the Migratory Bird Act with respect to the nesting season; if the Town has a seven-month ban on cutting trees in compliance with this act; application of the non-intrusion zone; if staff has an assessment of the condition of Town trees; if staff is aware of how many trees are planted in Town; the impact to homeowners; the process and cost for removing trees; if replacement of a removed tree is mandatory; if fees could be waived; if an arborist report is required; if the section regarding a “homeowner’s right to use his or her land in a manner that is not prejudicial to the public interest” is new; if the criteria regarding the diameter (four inches) of a protected tree is new; how in-lieu fees work; the range of the valuation/appraisal of a tree.
Acting Mayor Burdo opened Public Comment.
Mr. Jim Vernon supported the ordinance. He discussed the importance of native plants.
Acting Mayor Burdo closed Public Comment.
Councilmember Burke had concerns about the new restrictions on homeowners’ rights. She could not support the ordinance without some amendments.
Councilmember Schlesinger agreed that some amendments could be made. He discussed the need for wildfire preparation and did not want there to be a financial burden to homeowners.
Councilmember Walker stated she is leaning towards supporting this but is concerned about the impact of the in-lieu fees.
Acting Mayor Burdo stated the update to the existing ordinance represents an improvement.
Mayor Burdo suggested forming an ad hoc subcommittee to work on this.
Public Works Director Condry stated staff understood the Council’s concerns.
Council Business Item
2.2 Receive the Town’s 2023 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and the Update on the Climate Action Plan
Climate Action Coordinator Wipfler and County Sustainability Coordinator Christine O’ Rourke presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered a question from the Council regarding ways to engage the public.
Acting Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Nick Pappas stated this is an important document that has a lot of influence. He recommended further investigation into some of the assumptions. 4 Mr. Michael Comrey, Chair of the Climate Action Commission, stated the projections look good but the climate in Washington DC is somewhat adversarial. There are programs coming from the State that do help with electrification, etc.
Acting Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
The Council thanked Climate Action Coordinator Wipfler and County Sustainability Coordinator Christine O’ Rourke for the great presentation.
Public Hearing
2.3 Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution Amending the Master Fee Schedule for the Town of San Anselmo
Finance Director Zuba presented the staff report and gave a PowerPoint presentation. There were no questions from the Council.
Acting Mayor Burdo opened public comment.
There were no comments.
Acting Mayor Burdo closed public comment.
Councilmember Schlesinger stated the methodology made sense but the increase in the Building Department Fees might be a “hard pill to swallow”. Staff should be prepared for a reaction from the public.
Acting Mayor Burdo agreed and stated this is what governments have to do to “keep the lights on”. He asked staff to keep an eye on any feedback.
M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4594 Amending the Master Fee Schedule for the Town of San Anselmo.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo
ABSENT: Mayor Kullaway
Council Business Item
2.4 Consider Making Appointments to the Climate Action Commission Town Clerk Avila presented the staff report. There were no questions from the Council.
Acting Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Acting Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Schlesinger/Burke, Motion to Appoint Judith O’Rourke, Nicholas Pappas, and Michael Kamerick to the Climate Action Commission.
AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo
ABSENT: Mayor Kullaway
M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. 5 AYES: Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Vice Mayor Burdo
ABSENT: Mayor Kullaway
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary