1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo (Mayor)
Chantel Walker (Vice Mayor) arrived at 7:01 PM
Eileen Burke
Yoav Schlesinger
Tarrell Kullaway
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Linda Kenton, Assistant Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Community Development Director
Jeff Zuba, Finance & Admin Srvs. Director (Zoom)
Sean Condry, Public Works Director (Zoom)
Open Time for Public Expression
Johathan (Open Space Committee and member of board of directors for Marin Open Space trust) shared that his trust entered a purchase contract for a 7-acre parcel for open space near bald hill, marking the 6th addition to the bald hill reserve. Open space committee has pledged 800k towards the purchase, and the committee will soon embark on fundraising efforts.
Emily Frischman spoke about the fiscal crisis facing Ross Valley School District is facing.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Vice Mayor Walker gave an update to the recently held finance committee meeting and Ross Valley Fire Department’s new website.
Councilmember Kullaway reported she attended the Racial Equity Committee meeting, and shared that more members of the committee will attend future town council meetings. She mentioned that the committee requested that the general plan be considered through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. She also stated she attended the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Transportation Authority of Marin meeting and gave brief updates on both.
Councilmember Schlesinger brought the devastating rain that Spain and Portugal have endured recently to the council’s attention, noting that preparedness for flood is something to be considered.
2 Mayor Burdo reported on his attendance to the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and briefly commented on the recent protests held in San Anselmo.
Town manager Donery gave an update on the new Firefighter Station 21, mentioning that the firefighters have moved in and a grand opening will be held soon.
Special Presentation
There were no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting of January 27, 2026
1.2 Receive and Accept the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Audited Annual Financial Report
1.3 Adopted Ordinance No. 2026-1198 to Amend Title 10 “Planning and Zoning”, Section 10-
3.302 “Land Use Regulation Table” and Section 10-3.1702 “Definitions” to Limit Live Entertainment in Restaurants to 10:00 P.M. and Require a Conditional Use Permit for Live Entertainment After 10:00 P.M.; and make associated CEQA Exemption Finding.
1.4 Adopted Resolution No. 2026-4608 Establishing Policy for Disposition of Unclaimed Money Pursuant to California Government Code Section 50050 et seq
1.5 Received and Filed Report of Checks Issued for January 2026
1.6 Reviewed the List of Town Council Committee Assignments and Ratified Councilmember Kullaway’s Assignments for 2026
1.7 Received the Quarterly Treasurer’s Investment Report for December 2025 Mayor Burdo opened the item for Public Comment.
There was no Public Comment
Mayor Burdo closed Public Comment
Councilmember Kullaway requested to pull consent calendar item 1.6.
M/s, Walker/Schlesinger, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,
1.5, and 1.7.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo ABSENT: None
1.6 Review the List of Town Council Committee Assignments and Ratify Councilmember Kullaway’s Assignments for 2026
Councilmember Kullaway requested an amendment be made to 1.6, stating she wishes to be removed from EDC and added to Racial Equity and BPAC, and retaining all other previously held appointments..
3 M/s, Kullaway/Schlesinger, Motion to approve Consent Calendar item #1.6 to ratify Councilmember Kullaway appointments including her amendments as requested AYES: Schlesinger, Kullaway, Burke, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo ABSENT: None
Council Business Items
2.1 Receive and File the Community Development Department Permit Improvement Program Phase I Findings and Next Steps. The Town Council’s consideration of the Permit Improvement Program Phase I report and potential direction to enter Phase II does not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Director Scoble introduced Rick Wells and Casey Mazzoni from the Marin Builders Association who gave a Powerpoint presentation on the Permit Improvement Program’s Phase I.
Mayor opened the item for questions from Town Council.
Councilmember Burke asked about the metrics available from other jurisdictions who have worked with the Marin Builders Association.
Councilmember Schlesinger asked several questions pertaining to the data derived and required for the study.
Councilmember Kullaway asked about steps other jurisdictions have taken and if it has seen success.
Mayor Burdo asked about data of citizens who do not choose to permit their work, as well as the general scope of the study.
Mayor Burdo opened the item for Public Comment
Jenn Pfeiffer, a realtor in Marin, spoke on her concerns regarding the time that permits take to obtain, as well as the restrictions that resale inspections put on the housing market, buyers, and sellers.
Chris Backer, a realtor in Marin County, gave support for the introspective look the town is taking to improve it’s permitting process. He also commented on the resale inspections, and how they can be burdensome on the process.
Pascal, San Anselmo resident, gave feedback about the permitting process, highlighting customers service issues, bottlenecks, and processing timelines.
Councilmember Walker commented that she would like to see an easier process, more safety, and ensuring that the process is successful. She also mentioned that she is supportive of pursuing Permit Improvement Program Phase II.
Mayor Burdo closed Public Comment
Councilmember Burke stated that she is in support of Phase II and noted that her main concerns are timelines and getting projects completed.
Council Member Schlesinger mentioned that the data collected from Phase I may be outdated, 4 and his biggest priority is shortening the permitting process timeline.
Mayor Burdo expressed his appreciation to staff, realtors, and contractors who have contributed to the study. He also suggested that some case studies might supplant the information already obtained to bolster the permitting process, and supported Phase II.
Councilmember Kullaway expressed her support for a Phase II and mentioned that the concerns regarding resale inspections would be discussed at next week’s Council Meeting.
2.2 Receive the Community Development Department and Department of Public Works FY 2025–26 Q2 Report (October-December). Receiving this report is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act, because it does not involve an activity which has the potential to cause a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (Cal. Pub. Res. Code §21065).
Director Scoble presented the Community Development Department staff report and used a PowerPoint presentation. Director Sean Condry was part of the presentation for the Public Works staff report and used a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Burdo and Councilmembers Burke, Schlesinger, Kullaway, and Walker discussed the item and gave insights as to data collection and permit processing metrics.
Mayor Burdo opened the item for Public Comment
There was no Public Comment
Mayor Burdo closed Public Comment
2.3 Approved Resolution No. 2026-4609, Amending the 2025-2026 Budget. The Council’s discussion and acceptance of this item is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act, because it does not involve an activity which has the potential to cause a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (Cal. Pub. Res. Code §21065).
Director Zuba presented the budget staff report and used a PowerPoint presentation and answered questions.
Mayor Burdo opened the item for Public Comment
There was no Public Comment
Mayor Burdo closed Public Comment
M/s, Burke/Walker Motion to Approve Resolution No. 2026-4609 Amending the 2025- 2026 Budget.
AYES: Schlesinger, Kullaway, Burke, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo, ABSENT: None
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Burdo adjourned the meeting at 9:34 PM Respectfully submitted | Serge Avila | Town Clerk