1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
7:00 PM Call to Order: Optional Pledge of Allegiance
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Burdo (Mayor)
Chantel Walker (Vice Mayor)
Eileen Burke
Tarrell Kullaway
Yoav Schlesinger
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Donery, Town Manager
Megan Acevedo, Town Attorney
Serge Avila, Town Clerk
Heidi Scoble, Community Development Director
Jeff Zuba, Finance Director
Mattie O’Grady, Director of Community Services
Open Time for Public Expression
Mr. Mike Ardito, Fairfax, announced that the last week of August is the 75th Anniversary of Sir Francis Drake/Archie Williams High School. The community will be celebrating the milestone with various events.
Ms. Kelsey Fernandez was opposed to the sale of tobacco and nicotine products in Town.
Mr. Jeremiah Block, Corte Madera, supported banning the sale of tobacco and nicotine products. It is a County-wide movement.
Ms. Bridgett Clark stated the first week of October is “A Week Without Driving”. She supported a ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products.
Ms. Sue Saunders discussed the new State program that provides rebates for electric vehicles.
MCE is providing rebates for heat pump installations and heat pump water heaters.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Schlesinger reported he attended the Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) Board meeting. Today is National Parks Service Founders Day.
Vice Mayor Walker reported she attended three Live on the Avenue Events; an MCE meeting.
Councilmember Burke reported “Baldy Dash” is scheduled for this Saturday.
Mayor Burdo reported Live on the Avenue continues to be great; he attended the CMPA Board meeting.
2 Town Manager Donery reported there are two Ash trees on the Town Hall lawn that are dead and will be removed. They will be replaced by some type of shade tree. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Pocket Park between Forbes and Hillsdale is scheduled for September 19th at 10:30 a.m. The Annual Fall Town Clean-up is scheduled for October 17th.
Special Presentation
There were no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 28, 2026 and approved the Draft Minutes of the Special Meeting of August 11, 2026
1.2 Community Development Department FY 2025/26 Fourth Quarter Report (April-June)
1.3 Considered and Adopted the Amendments to the Robson-Harrington Community Garden Rules and Bylaws
1.4 Received and Filed Report of Checks Issued, July 2026
1.5 Received and Filed Revenue and Expenditure Reports, July 2026
1.6 Received and Filed the Financial Report on Recreation Fund ending July 31, 2026
1.7 Adopted Ordinance No. 2026-1202 Amendment Repealing and Replacing Title 10 “Planning and Zoning”, Chapter 11 “Density Bonus” Consistent with State Law
1.8 Authorized the Mayor to Sign a Position Letter for Central Marin Sanitation Agency
1.9 Accepted the Fire Station 20 Renovation Project and Authorized Staff to File a Notice of Completion
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Doug Kelly, member of the Ross Valley Sanitary Board of Directors, supported item #1.8.
Ms. Kathleen Schafer thanked staff for creating the Pocket Park. She agreed with the comments made by Mr. Kelly.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Walker stated she would like to pull item #1.2 Mayor Burdo stated he would like to pull item #1.8.
M/s, Burke/Walker, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1, #1.3 through #1.7, and #1.9.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo
1.2 Community Development Department FY 2025/26 Fourth Quarter Report (April-June) Vice Mayor Walker thanked the Community Development Department staff for the report. She 3 highlighted some of the accomplishments.
M/s, Walker/Schlesinger, Motion to approve Consent Calendar item #1.2.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo
1.8 Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Position Letter for Central Marin Sanitation Agency Mayor Burdo stated he was in support of the letter and would like the support of the other Councilmembers.
M/s, Schlesinger/Walker, Motion to approve Consent Calendar item #1.8.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo Council Business Items
2.1 Receive and File Report on the Town’s Cybersecurity and IT Resilience: Overview of Town Systems, Incident Response, and Cyber Insurance Coverage Finance Director Zuba, Jaesa Cusimano Executive Director of Bay Cities JPA, David Cooper, Chief Engineer of Marin IT, and Stefana Alioto, Manager with Marin IT presented report a PowerPoint presentation that included: 1) Cybersecurity and IT Resilence; 2) Town Systems, Incident Response and Cyber Insurance Coverage; 3) Why This Report; 4) Council Direction; 5) Report Focus; 6) Presenting Alongside Staff; 7) A Multi-Layered Defense; 8) Data Backup and Testing; 9) Estimated Recovery Times by System; 10) The Human Layer; 11) Incident Response Readiness; 12) Communications Continuity; 13) What This Means for Residents; 14) Cyber Insurance Coverage; 15) When an Incident Occurs: Claims Process; 16) Annual Risk Assessment: 3-Year Track Record; 17) Lessons Learned and Continuous Improvements. Staff and the consultants answered questions from the Council regarding whether cyber security training for staff should be mandatory; Marin IT internal training and compliance in terms of resilience and the pass rate; assessment, deficiencies, and target completion date; if the Shared Account Policy is the most important of the three policies; the one vulnerability that should be addressed and the associates cost; what would staff consider to be a significant cyber incident; what portion of a catastrophic cyber attack would not be covered by insurance; human oversight; incorrect identifications by AI; the two different types of attacks (human centered vs. system centered) and resilience procedures to avoid each; type of segmentation or isolation between clients; if there are interim safeguards while migrating to Tyler; if funding for Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) is in perpetuity.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Josh supported the proposal especially the backup communication systems and connectivity to Public Safety. He had several suggestions for improvements.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
2.2 Receive and File Presentation by the Bay Cities Joint Powers Insurance Authority Jaesa Cusimano Executive Director of Bay Cities JPA presented a PowerPoint presentation that included: 1) BCJPIA was created in 1986- Purposes; 2) BCJPIA Members; 3) Major Advantages of BCJPIA; 4) Potential Disadvantages of BCJPIA; 5) Board of Directors/Committees; 6) Liability Program; 7) Workers’ Compensation Program; 8) Property Program; 9) Parametric Earthquake Coverage; 10) Sample Event and Payout. Staff and the consultants answered questions from the Council regarding what happens if one member has a catastrophic loss and cannot meet its obligations; current funded ratio and unfunded liabilities, what the actual fund looks like; the 4 category of claims that are driving losses; if the Worker’s Compensation SIR is the same for all the agencies; Board member training; risk management assessments for professional services contracts; what is looked at to set rates aside from historical data; San Anselmo’s contribution; if the Town should be addressing the factors that contribute to the main claims (trees and sidewalks).
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Ms. Kathleen Schafer asked the following questions: 1) If the All Hazards Insurance Policy covers replacement costs; 2) Does it accounts for the flood barrier around Town buildings; 3) How the actuarial rates for the Town buildings are established. She discussed how FEMA is proposing to change its policy regarding disaster recovery payments.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
The Council thanked the consultants for the presentation.
Mayor Burdo stated he would like to flip items #2.3 and #2.4.
M/s, Kullaway/Walker, Motion to flip items #2.3 and #2.4.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo
2.4 Receive Presentation of Memorial Park Athletic Courts Improvement Project and 60% Design Review and Provide Director to Staff
Mattie O’Grady, Parks and Recreation Director presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation that included: 1) Memorial Park Athletic Courts Improvement Project; 2) Town Council Action; 3) Project Background; 4) 2024 Approved Amendment; 5) 2024 and 2026 Design Direction; 6) 2026 Updated Conceptual Design; 7) 2026 Entrance Sketch; 8) Why a Dedicated Turf Futsal Court? 9) Why Now? 10) Proof of Concept; 11) Base Bid + Sunny Hills Entrance/Frontage Alternates; 12) Funding and Fiscal Considerations; 13) Creative Options to Assist with Funding; 14) Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting- August 18, 2026; 15) Next Steps. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding construction estimates and if it is possible to get an “under bid”; if fundraising costs are included in the budget; what it will cost to get to a 90% design; if the courts are the same surface; how they will know what residents want.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
Fiona stated the summer was a testament to what the community needs. The activities attracted people from different socio-economic areas.
Gabe thanked the Recreation Department for the summer activities, particularly the Futsal events. He supported the proposed Futsal and Pickleball courts.
Mr. John Moss supported the proposed renovations.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burke stated this project has been discussed for years and has received a lot of public input. This part of the park is in terrible condition and there is the possibility of injuries.
She wants to move forward and would support dipping into Reserves.
Vice Mayor Walker supports the project. She is glad there is a plan to take another look in five years.
5 Councilmember Kullaway stated this is a great plan. The Town should have some reasonably priced Pickleball and Futsal classes.
Councilmember Schlesinger stated he loved the design and the concept but this is a money question. They need to have a financial plan. He is favor of moving forward.
Mayor Burdo would like to move forward with the design and vision and come back to reassess the financial particulars.
2.3 Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Attached Letter Responding to Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report: MCE, Marin Clean Energy: A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes
Community Development Director Scoble presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation that included: 1) Response to Marin Civic Grand Jury Report; 2) Marin Clean Energy: A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes; 3) Background; 4) Why the Report was Issued; 5) MCE Context; 6) Town’s Response Scope; 7) What the Town Must Respond to; 8) Findings; 9) Recommendations; 10) Town’s Proposed Response and Council Action; 11) Key Response Points. There were no questions from the Council.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Kullaway stated she served on the MCE Board and felt there were too many members. She is concerned with the new governance review and the idea of keeping the same number of Board members. She would like to see the Town response revised with a bit more “meat”
Councilmember Schlesinger stated the Response to R6 should be more pointed in the objection to what the Grand Jury has pointed out. The primary failing of the Board was governance and financial oversight- not energy expertise.
Councilmember Burke stated she agreed with Councilmember Kullaway and noted the structure does not lend itself to Council member representation. She thought perhaps they should wait to allow for a more robust response.
Vice Mayor Wagner stated the response should focus on San Anselmo. They should agree with the first two Findings and highlight where the deficiencies did show up. The comments from the Grand Jury were substantially correct.
Mayor Burdo discussed his experience as an alternate representative. He agreed with Councilmember Kullaway in terms of the make-up of the Board- it should be smaller and perhaps consist of members that are appointed by a Council or Board of Supervisors.
M/s, Burke/Kullaway, Motion to approve the Town of San Anselmo’s Response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report: MCE, Marin Clean Energy: A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo
NOES: Schlesinger
6 M/s, Burke/Kullaway, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary