1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Tarrell Kullaway (Mayor)
Steve Burdo (Vice Mayor)
Eileen Burke
Yoav Schlesinger
Chantel Walker
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Linda Kento, Assistant Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Community Development Director
Eric Robbe, Building Official
Scott Schneider, Assistant Public Works Director
Jeff Zuba, Finance Director/Admin Srvs Director
Rob Bastianon, Senior Fire Inspector
Bridget Wipfler, Climate Coordinator
Bill Johnson, Code Enforcement Officer
Open Time for Public Expression
There were no public comments.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Burke stated she did not have anything to report.
Councilmember Schlesinger reminded everyone that ballots were due by next Tuesday- do not forget to vote! The main Library will be closed from now until sometime in January but the Mini Library is up and running; he went to the Gobblin’s Bootacular and it was fantastic; meetings with the Chief of Police about parking enforcement are happening; today is National First Responders’ Day.
Councilmember Walker reported she attended the Cal Cities Conference in Long Beach; there is an expanded office for Fire Aside.
Councilmember Burdo reported he attended the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting; the Gobblin’s event.
Mayor Kullaway reported she attended the Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Board Retreat; the Active Transportation Resource Center’s Annual Conference; the MCCMC Legislative Committee meeting; she has been invited to be a part of the Statewide Electric Mobility Council.
Librarian Kenton reported the San Anselmo Library will be receiving a $10,000 from the 2 Carnegie Foundation in early 2026. There are no strings attached! Town Manager Donery reported the Infrastructure Financial Management Committee met on Saturday for its annual tour which included the Library, the Resilience Hub, the Hub and improvements through AI, the Robson House, the Isabel Cook Community Center, and the Fire Station. He, along with Community Development Director Scoble, took advantage of the Marin/San Luis Obispo Learning Exchange.
Councilmember Burdo congratulated staff on the upkeep and maintenance of the Town’s facilities and infrastructure. Good work!
Special Presentation
There were no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting of October 14, 2025
1.2 Received and Filed the Financial Report on Recreation Fund ending September 30, 2025
1.3 Received and Filed Revenue and Expenditure Reports, September 2025
1.4 Approve an Agreement with Marin IT for Management and Technical Support Services
1.5 Approved a Special Event Application for Dia de los Muertos
1.6 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-1193 Amendment to Repeal and Replace Title “Planning and Zoning”, Chapter 4 “Housing Developments Under Government Code Section 65852.21” to Comply with State Law; Rename Chapter 10-4 to “Urban Lot Splits and Two-Unit Development in Single Family Zones”; Repeal Section 10-2.711 “Urban Lot Splits Pursuant to Government Code Section 66411.7”; and Make Associated CEQA Exemption Findings.
1.7 Approved Monday November 10, 2025 as the Next Regular Meeting of the San Anselmo Town Council
1.8 Adopted a Policy to Require the Display of Town-issued Permits by the Development Services Department
1.9 Received and Filed Quarterly Treasurer’s Investment Report, September 2025 Councilmember Schlesinger stated he would like to pull item #1.4.
M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1 through #1.3, and #1.5 through #1.9.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway
1.4 Approve Agreement with Marin IT for Management and Technical Support Services Councilmember Schlesinger stated the cost of the contract was $150,000 per year and the cost of a full-time staff person would be around $170,000 per year. He asked about the advantage of using a contract employee. Finance Director Zuba discussed his reasoning for the recommendation.
3 M/s, Schlesinger/Burdo, Motion to approve Consent Calendar item #1.4.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway Public Hearings
2.1 Introduce, read by title only, and waive reading of an ordinance to repeal and replace Title 3, Article 8 of the San Anselmo Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference the 2025 Edition of The California Fire Code, portions of the 2024 International Fire Code with Certain Local Amendments and Additions
Senior Fire Inspector Bastianon presented the staff report. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the exceptions; if there are fiscal impacts from raising the height limitations for tree clearance on fire lanes.
Mayor Kullaway opened the Public Hearing.
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the Public Hearing.
M/s, Walker/Burke, Motion to waive further reading of the ordinance and read by title only.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway M/s, Schlesinger/Walker, Motion to Introduce an Ordinance Adopting the California Fire Code and International Fire Code Prescribing Regulations Governing Conditions Hazardous to Life and Property from Fire or Explosion Providing for the Issuance of Permits for Hazardous Uses or Operations and Establishing a Fire Prevention Bureau and Providing Officers Therefore and Defining Their Powers and Duties. A Public Hearing is scheduled for the second reading and adoption of the ordinance on November 10, 2025. The Public Hearing Notice is deemed sufficient for publication.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway
2.2 Introduce, read by title only, and waive reading of an ordinance to repeal and replace Title 3, Chapter 3, Article 10 of the San Anselmo Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code and 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code with Certain Local Amendments and Additions Senior Fire Inspector Bastianon presented the staff report. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding page 7, Chapter 4, Attachment #1, “Road Surfaces Component” and whether this refers to Town or private property owned and maintained roads; how the Town or the Fire District would support the public with respect to road widening, changing, or repaving; how this information would be popularized; the change in the required signatures for the Certificate of Completion; how Section 604.6, Fire Hazard Reduction, would be enforced; the Fire Code enforcement mechanism .
Mayor Kullaway opened the Public Hearing.
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the Public Hearing.
M/s, Burke/Burdo, Motion to waive further reading of the ordinance and read by title only. 4 AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to Introduce an Ordinance of the Town of San Anselmo Amending Chapter 3, Section 3, Article 10, Adopting the 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code and Certain Portions of the 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code, Prescribing the Regulations Governing the Mitigation of Hazard to Life and Property from the Intrusion of Fire from Wildland Exposures from Adjacent Structures and Prevention of Structure Fires from Spreading to Wildland Fuels in the Town of San Anselmo and further Providing for the Issuance of Permits and Collection of Fees. A Public Hearing is scheduled for the second reading and adoption of the ordinance on November 10, 2025. The Public Hearing Notice is deemed sufficient for publication.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway
2.3 Introduce, read by title only, and waive reading of an ordinance to repeal and replace Title 9, Chapter 1 and Chapter 19 of the San Anselmo Building Code to Adopt by Reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) including the 2025 California Administrative Code, the 2025 California Building Code, the 2025 California Residential Code, the 2025 California Electrical Code, the 2025 California Mechanical Code, the 2025 Plumbing Code, the 2025 California Energy Code, the 2025 California Historic Building Code, the 20205 California Existing Building Code, and the 2025 California Referenced Standards Codes with Local Amendments, and the 2024 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code
Building Official Robbe and Climate Coordinator Wipfler presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered a question from the Council regarding the exempted structures and whether or not homeowners can opt into the Flex path.
Mayor Kullaway opened the Public Hearing.
There were no comments.
Mayor Kullaway closed the Public Hearing.
M/s, Walker/Schlesinger, Motion to waive further reading of the ordinance and read by title only.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway M/s, Walker/Schlesinger, Motion to an Introduce an Ordinance of the Town of San Anselmo Repealing and Repeal and Replacing Title 9, Chapter 1 of the San Anselmo Building Code to Adopt by Reference the California Administrative Code, 2025 Edition, California Building Code, 2025 Edition, and its appendices G, H, I, J, the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, California Energy Code, 2025 Edition, Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition, California Historic Building Code, 2025 Edition, California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition, California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition, International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 Edition, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2024
Edition, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 54 and 58, California Referenced Standards Code, 2025 Edition, (California Code of Regulations Title 24) and, Chapter 19 (Green Building Requirements) to Adopt the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code to Reflect Local Conditions. A Public Hearing is scheduled for the second reading adopting the ordinance on November 10, 2025. The Public Hearing Notice is deemed sufficient for publication.
5 AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway
2.4 Introduction of an Ordinance Amending the San Anselmo Municipal Code Section 2-1.02 to Increase Town Council Compensation
Town Manager Donery presented the staff report. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the analysis of nearby jurisdictions; the effective date of a change.
Mayor Kullaway opened the Public Hearing.
Josh discussed whether the new amount would represent meaningful compensation. The change should be done “wholeheartedly” and perhaps reviewed on an annual basis.
Mayor Kullaway closed the Public Hearing.
Mayor Kullaway supported the new proposed amount of $950 per month.
Councilmember Burke stated she was not sure an increase in the compensation would attract individuals to serve on the Council. The new increase recognizes the significant amount of time spent on Council duties.
Councilmember Burdo agreed with Councilmember Burke and supports the increase.
Councilmember Schlesinger would like to review this on an annual basis during the Budget Hearing process.
M/s, Burdo/Burke, Motion to read the Ordinance by title only.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway M/s, Schlesinger/Burdo, Motion to approve the first reading of the Ordinance and waive future readings in their entirety. Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of San Anselmo Amending the San Anselmo Municipal Code Section 2-1.02 to Increase Town Council Compensation as Permitted by State Law.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker, Mayor Kullaway
Council Business Items
2.5 Receive and File the Community Development Department FY 2025-26 Q1 Report (July-September).
Community Development Director Scoble, Climate Action Coordinator Wipfler, Building Official Robbe, and Code Enforcement Officer Johnson presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the number of Business License applications submitted and approved; the number of calls and emails received in the three month period; turnaround times for emails and phone calls and the goal; if the Town is doing projects or events in conjunction with Fairfax; how long it takes for plan reviews; if more contract hours have been added; if there was a shift to achieve better timelines; the public engagement volume represented by the emails; if the Town has only one Code Enforcement Officer; if staff thinks they are on top of the life/safety issues; what a Blight or Public Nuisance Ordinance would look like; if the “Report a Concern” Website could include subcategories; if the Town could use the See/Click/Fix software; enforcement of public nuisances; the Public Nuisance Abatement process and possible challenges.
Mayor Kullaway opened the meeting to public comments.
6 Josh stated he would like more information on the Permit Improvement Program and more raw data so he could create his own charts. He agreed with Councilmember Burke- they need to be careful about enforcement with respect to how people treat their yards.
Mayor Kullaway closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Schlesinger stated he would like more information on the cases that are tiered for life/safety and community impact and the trend lines.
Councilmember Burdo stated he would like to have a discussion regarding commercial buildings that sit vacant for a long time and the possibility of a Vacancy Tax.
Councilmember Burke stated dealing with the Planning and Building Departments represents a resident’s largest interaction involving the biggest dollars. She was in favor of anything that can be done to make it go smoother.
Mayor Kullaway stated that she has gotten feedback from residents about the quick response time on the part of staff.
It was the consensus of the Council to ask staff to develop a Blight/Public Nuisance Ordinance.
2.6 Approve a Consultant Contract for the Creek Park Parking Lot Contraflow Bike Lane Project
Mayor Kullaway recused herself from this item and left the meeting.
Assistant Public Works Director Schneider presented the staff report. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the map and routes; if Bolinas to Ross is covered; the “shelf life” of the plan; construction funding and budgetary requirements; if the grant received was specifically for this project; if the grant could be used for another bike or pedestrian project; if the grant has a deadline; if the volume of bikes using this route is known; if this project would need to be modified if something happens to Building Bridge 2; if there is an urgency to this project; if a project in Creek Park would require tearing up the parking lot.
Acting Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Josh asked what other projects this is trading off against.
Acting Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burke stated she was in favor of using the grant money for another project.
The fate of Building Bridge 2 has not been determined. This proposal is premature.
Councilmember Schlesinger agreed and questioned the timing of the project. He was not sure they should fund the study now before things have been decided about Creek Park. He would rather spend the money on a project they can execute now.
Councilmember Walker stated starting the component of a bike plan could work. She is interested in the San Anselmo Avenue bike route. She could support the proposal if it could be augmented and there is public input.
Acting Mayor Burdo agreed with the comments made about Creek Park. The safety aspect should not be put off.
7 Councilmember Schlesinger stated he has changed his mind and would like to see a safe route through the Hub for cyclists. He is in favor of the proposal.
M/s, Walker/Schlesinger, Motion to approve a Consultant Contract for the Creek Park Parking Lot Contraflow Bike Lane Project.
AYES: Burdo, Schlesinger, Walker
NOES: Burke
RECUSED: Mayor Kullaway
M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 p.m.
AYES: Burdo, Burke, Schlesinger, Walker
ABSENT: Mayor Kullaway
Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary