1 San Anselmo Approved Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town Council Chambers and via Zoom
Tuesday,
September 8, 2026
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, Director of Community Development
Dan Mahoney, Ross Valley Fire Chief
Nicole Marcucci, Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator
Open Time for Public Expression
There were no comments.
Council requests for future agenda items; Committee liaison reports; questions and comments to staff; miscellaneous items
Councilmember Burke reported she participated in the “Baldy Dash” along with 350+ participants- it was a blast! The money raised goes towards “Live on the Avenue”.
Vice Mayor Walker reported she attended the North Bay Executive Committee of Cal Cities meeting; Live on the Avenue has been fabulous.
Councilmember Schlesinger reported “Moon Alice” is playing at Creek Park on Friday; today is Star Trek Day (“Live Long and Prosper”).
Mayor Burdo reported Live on the Avenue has been amazing and the turn-out has been awesome; he spoke with College of the Redwoods Public Policy grad students; the Hillsdale Pocket Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 19 at 10:30 a.m.; the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the unveiling of Fire Station 20 will be held on Saturday, October 24th at 10:00 a.m.; he discussed the apprehension of a San Anselmo resident by ICE.
Town Manager Donery reported this is the Grand Finale weekend for Live on the Avenue.
There will be a survey on the Town Website and in the Town Newsletter asking for feedback.
He invited everyone to attend the two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies. Fall Clean-Up Day will be held on October 17th starting at 9:00 a.m.
Special Presentation
2 There were no Special Presentations.
1. Consent Agenda
1.1 Approved the Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 25, 2026
1.2 Receive and File the 2025-27 Work Plan Priorities Progress Report
1.3 Received and Filed Report of Checks Issued, August 2026 Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Vice Mayor Walker stated she would like to pull item #1.2 M/s, Schlesinger/Burke, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.1 and #1.3.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo
1.2 Receive and File the 2025-27 Work Plan Priorities Progress Report Vice Mayor Walker highlighted the great work done by the Community Development Department.
M/s, Schlesinger/Walker, Motion to approve Consent Calendar items #1.2.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway, Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo Council Business Items
2.1 Receive and File a Presentation Regarding the Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator Role Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator Marcucci presented a PowerPoint presentation that included: 1) Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator Position; 2) Vegetation Management; 3) Before and After Photos; 4) Before and After an Incident; 5) Detection, Alert and Evacuation; 6) Grants and Voluntary Abatement (Direct Assistance): 7) Public Outreach and Education; 8) Defensible Space and Home Hardening; 9) How to Contact. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding what agency funds the position; how the Town makes decisions concerning how local project funds received from the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) are spent; the total amount received from MWPA; the amount being spent on the Coordinator position.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
There were no comments.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
The Council thanked Wildfire Presentation Coordinator Marcucci for the presentation.
2.2 Receive and File a Presentation on the Upcoming Center Boulevard Evacuation Route Clearance Project
3 Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator Marcucci presented a PowerPoint presentation that included: 1) Center Boulevard Evacuation Clearance Project; 2) What is Evacuation Clearance? 3) Why are we doing this project? 4) Project Specifics; 5) Examples of Work- Ladder Fuels, Hazardous Vegetation, “Limb Up”, 6) Frequently Asked Questions. Fire Chief, Dan Mahoney was also present. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the traffic considerations; the work hours; how information will be sent out; if the proposed ten feet crosses over homeowner’s fences; if plants in the median will be removed; if this is a Core Project and Local Project funded by the MWPA; if local tree services will be doing the work; if there will be lane diversions or road closures; noticing procedures and signage; if the notices will include a link to an FAQ page.
Mayor Burdo opened the meeting to public comments.
A property owner on the Center Boulevard side asked if there would be a differentiation between owner maintained vegetation vs. road side, unmanaged fuel.
Mr. Mitchell Berman, Alder Avenue, discussed the six foot tall fence he built along with vegetation he planted. He is opposed to the removal of the hedge- it has been there for years.
Ms. Bree Salvera, Alder Avenue, discussed how she maintains the bamboo in her yard. She wants to have a 10-foot barrier and asked it the Town could fast-track permitting for a 10-foot fence.
Ms. Cheryl Barbeau, Alder Avenue, stated the proposal is concerning because it will put the residents in a “fish bowl”.
Mr. Joel Bellway, Alder Avenue, stated this is a child safety issue. Balls bouncing into Center Boulevard would be a problem.
Mr. Scott Kimpen, Alder Avenue, stated cutting the lower branches of the Redwoods would leave the top with only a couple feet of greenery.
Mardel, Alder Avenue, is concerned about the pollution that will come from the road. She also had privacy and noise concerns.
Mr. Kyle Hughes, Lansdale Avenue, stated Center is a unique road and there needs to be a barrier of some sort. He had pollution and noise concerns.
A resident was concerned about the proposal since the vegetation provides privacy, shade, habitat, erosion protection, and a buffer from roadway pollution.
Mr. Anthony Silveira stated addressing the bamboo on an annual basis is a waste of money.
He suggested a more holistic approach. The proposal would increase noise and pollution.
Mayor Burdo closed the meeting to public comments.
Councilmember Burke stated it was important to prepare for a fire especially along a main artery. The Town will work with homeowners to preserve as much as possible. Everyone needs to bend a little to make the Town more resilient.
Vice Mayor Walker has faith in how they will move forward.
Councilmember Kullaway thanked staff for the presentation. 4 Councilmember Schlesinger stated clearing evacuation routes should be a priority. Tonight’s meeting is evidence that the process is working.
Mayor Burdo thanked staff for the great outreach. Center Boulevard is one of the Town’s main evacuation routes.
M/s, Burke/Kullaway, Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
AYES: Burke, Kullaway Schlesinger, Vice Mayor Walker, Mayor Burdo Respectfully submitted,
Toni DeFrancis,
Recording Secretary