1 San Anselmo Draft Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Interviews for the Planning Commission- 6:24 p.m.
The Council interviewed Tara Ticknor, Jacob “Jake” Shemano, Elizabeth Thomas, Paul Corning, Jennifer Asselstine, Tim Heiman
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance- 7:15 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Eileen Burke (Acting Mayor)
Yoav Schlesinger
Chantel Walker
COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: Steve Burdo (Vice Mayor)
Tarrell Kullaway (Mayor)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Community Development Director
Eric Robb, Building Official
Linda Kenton, Town Librarian
Brigit Wipfler, Climate Action Coordinator
Jeff Zuba, Finance and Admin Srvs. Director
Open Time for Public Expression
Ms. Tiffany McGilroy, member of the Racial Equity Committee, asked for support for a community event scheduled on Thursday, November 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Archie William High School. A 1968 BBC documentary called “Root of America” will be shown Mr. Benedetto Chico, representing the Chamber of Commerce, reiterated the position and request to eliminate the paid parking program.
A graduate of San Dominico asked for the installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Cedar and Ross.
Frank asked for a contribution to help the Racial Equity Committee event. He thanked Town Manager Donery for his display of leadership this morning at the meeting with the EDC.
Mr. Andrew Dargas was concerned about the AT&T antennae at the Spotless Cleaners.
Mr. Ross Asselstine discussed Flood Zone 9 budget issues, the BB2 project, and the paid parking program.
Ms. Kim Pipkin stated she submitted a letter several weeks ago about merchants feeling unwelcome, a disturbing incident that happened to her in a restaurant, and kids throwing eggs. 2 Ms. Kelly Murphy thanked the Council for making the permitting process much easier.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Schlesinger reported it was National Weinerschnizel Day; he attended Ember Stomp; this morning’s EDC meeting regarding the parking issue.
Councilmember Walker reported she attended Ember Stomp; meetings at the Cal Poly Maritime Academy; supported the idea of a contribution to the documentary; asked if “daylighting” would help with visibility at the crosswalk at Cedar and Ross.
Acting Mayor Burke reported she attended the Memorial Park Renovation Committee meeting.
Town Manager Donery announced there will be a Special Town Council Meeting on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. regarding the paid parking program.
Special Presentation
There are no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approve the Draft Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting of August 26, 2025
1.2 Accept Resignation of Greg Alsterlind from the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee
1.3 Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing and Ratifying Youth Commissioners for 2025/ 26
1.4 Receive and File a Report of Checks Issued, August 2025
1.5 Accept the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Project at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Saunders Avenue and Authorize Staff to File a Notice of Completion Councilmember Schlesinger wanted to pull item #1.3
M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1, #1.2, #1.4 through #1.5.
AYES: Schlesinger, Walker, Acting Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
1.3 Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing and Ratifying Youth Commissioners for 2025/26 Councilmember Schlesinger stated the Youth Commissioners were amazing. The program is a great way to connect with the younger generation.
M/s, Schlesinger/Walker, Motion to approve Consent Calendar item #1.3.
AYES: Schlesinger, Walker, Acting Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
Public Hearing
2.1 Public Hearing, Discussion, and Potential Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Title 9, 3 Chapter 1 (Construction Codes) and Chapter 19 (Green Building Requirements) to Implement the 2025 Tier 1 CALGreen Building Code
Community Development Director Scoble presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation that included the following: 1) What are Building Codes? 2) AB 130 Context; 3) What are Green Building Codes? 4) CalGreen Compliance Options; 5) Current Green Building Code; 6) 2025 Green Building Code; 7) 2025 Comparison; 8) Policy Options; 9) Marin Comparison. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding maintaining the 750 square feet level; Section 11.2 “Definitions”, additions or alterations with respect to 500 square feet vs. 750 square feet; if staff has a projection for the number of ADU’s that will be built in the next six years; if the last slide was talking about new construction or renovations; if the codes will be updated in 2028; projections of the cost increases; “cradle to grave” analysis vs. GHG reduction; how to address possible carve outs in the ordinance; line items that have a large price tag.
Acting Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Sue Saunders discussed home electrification and stated she is an electric vehicle advocate.
She is concerned about the upfront costs related to the CALGreen EV charging requirement.
A 24-year resident of San Anselmo advocated for adopting the Tier 1 requirements. The Town could adopt the requirements and chose not to use certain ones.
Mr. Eric Matser stated developers will look to other communities that have fewer requirements.
It is about the bottom line.
Acting Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
Acting Mayor Burke was concerned about the increase in costs for multi-family housing using Tier 1. The CAL Green mandatory requirements are stringent. She discussed the modifications she would support.
Councilmember Schlesinger stated he was not convinced that they would want to keep every Tier 1 provision.
Councilmember Walker stated she would like to see this move forward and she was in favor of the exemptions for ADUs.
M/s, Schlesinger/Walker, Motion to Introduce and Waive Further readings an Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 1 (Construction Codes) and Chapter 19 (Green Building Requirements) to Implement the 2025 Tier 1 CAL Green Building Code and finding that the Council action is not a “project” under CEQA (Section 21065).
AYES: Schlesinger, Walker
NOES: Acting Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
Town Attorney Acevedo stated the motion did not pass since it needed three votes to pass.
Council Business Items
3.1 Consider Making Appointments to the Planning Commission Town Clerk Avila presented the staff report. There were no questions from the Council.
The Council selected their top choices.
4 Acting Mayor Burke opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Acting Mayor Burke closed the meeting to public comments.
M/s, Schlesinger/Walker, Motion to appoint Jake Shemano, Elizabeth Thomas, Jennifer Asselstine, and Tim Heiman to the Planning Commission.
AYES: Schlesinger, Walker, Acting Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
Closed Session
Acting Mayor Burke announced that item 4.1 will be discussed in Closed Session
4.1 Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9- Existing Litigation (National Opioid Settlement with Purdue (and certain of its affiliates) and the Sackler family)
Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code Section 94956.9- Existing Litigation (Secondary Manufacturers Settlements with Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus)
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
There were no comments.
The Council adjourned to closed session.
The Council reconvened in the Council Chambers at 8:52 p.m.
Acting Mayor Burke stated there was nothing to report from the Closed Session.
M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
AYES: Schlesinger, Walker, Acting Mayor Burke
ABSENT: Burdo, Mayor Kullaway
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary