CITY OF SAUSALITO
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MINUTES
JANUARY 6, 2026
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodside at 4:02 p.m. and the following members were present:
Councilmember Cox
Councilmember Hoffman (arrived at 4:11 p.m.)
Councilmember Sobieski (remote)
Vice Mayor Blaustein
Mayor Woodside
CLOSED SESSION
C1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representative: Chris Zapata, City Manager, Kathy Nikitas, Human Resources Manager, Burke Dunphy, Sloan Sakai
Employee organization: SEIU
C2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT (Government Code Section 54957) Title: City Manager
C3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT (Government Code Section 54957) Title: Interim City Manager The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 4:09 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN
The City Council reconvened at 5:09 p.m. and stated that there was no reportable action.
Vice Mayor Blaustein moved, seconded by Councilmember Cox, and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended by the following: pursuant to Government Code section 54954.2(b)(2), that there is a need to take immediate action regarding recent high tides and related flooding and emergency conditions affecting Gate 5 Road: and the need for action came to the attention of the City after the agenda for this meeting was posted on December 23, 2025. Based on these findings, the Council added the item titled “Gate 5 Road Flooding - Emergency Response and Next Steps.”
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS & CITY MANAGER REPORTS
1.A Summary of City Manager Approved Community Contributions 2022 Through 2025 Chris Zapata, City Manager, made a presentation.
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1.B Response to Gate 5 Flooding
Chris Zapata, City Manager, Kevin McGowan, Public Works Director, and Michael McKinley, Emergency Services Coordinator, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
COMMUNICATIONS
Arthur Giovara, Fred Moore, Curtis Havel, Babette McDougal, Sunshine Weishan, Lorna Newlin, and Jack Burrows provided public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Cox moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Blaustein, and unanimously carried, to adopt the following items:
3.A Adopted the Draft Meeting Minutes of December 15, 2025.
3.B Re-Affirmed the City Council, City Manager, City Attorney Operating Protocols.
3.C Approved an Updated Position Allocation Table Effective January 1, 2026.
3.D Received and Filed the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Financial Audit Update.
3.E Received and Filed the Recommended Budget Calendar for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 Financial Review FY 2025-2026 Budget Update and FY 2026-2027 Budget Data and Process.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - NONE
BUSINESS ITEMS
5.A Discussion on Implementation of Program 8, Public Property Conversion to Affordable Housing, Including Martin Luther King Jr. Park / Bus Barn and Corporation Yard, and Provide Direction on the Schedule for Release of Notice of Availability (NOA) and/or RFPs for each
Brandon Phipps, Assistant City Manager, and Sergio Rudin, City Attorney, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Michelle Mokalla, Babette McDougal, Lorna Newlin, Aaron Nathan, Jack Burrows, Adrian Brinton, and John Gavin provided public comments.
Vice Mayor Blaustein moved, seconded by Councilmember Cox, and unanimously carried, to form a task force for housing on publicly owned land, which includes Scott Thornburg, Alex Woie, Michelle Mokalla, Aaron Nathan, Sybil Boutillier, Morgan Pierce, Carolyn Revelle, one Planning Commissioner, and a Sausalito Marin City School District board member or representative to participate.
Councilmember Cox moved, seconded by Councilmember Hoffman, and unanimously carried, to adopt the direction outlined by Vice Mayor Blaustein for implementation of Program 8. The motion directed staff to: (1) proceed toward making the MLK/Bus Barn (Site 84) and Corporation Yard (Site 75) available for affordable housing by issuing a Notice of Availability and/or an RFP, including exploring a single joint RFP for both city-owned sites; 20f5
5.B
5.C
(2) work with the City Attorney to use an applicable Surplus Lands Act affordable-housing exemption and return with a resolution, while preserving the option of the standard SLA NOA process; (3) publish an initial draft RFP framework in January and hold at least two staff-led public workshops (one in January and one in February) to present the framework, take questions, and then show how public and task-force input was incorporated before finalizing the RFP; (4) utilize the housing on publicly owned land task force under the ad hoc Publicly-Owned Land Subcommittee to support this work; and (5) publish as soon as feasible a schedule of key dates (draft release, workshops, and Council authorization) that still meets the March deadline in the Housing Element.
Review and Direct Staff Regarding the Draft Request for Proposals for Humboldt Street Dock Repair and Business Partnership
Brandon Phipps, Assistant City Manager, and Sergio Rudin, City Attorney, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Curtis Havel, Lorna Newlin, Babette McDougal, Adrian Brinton, Jack Burrows provided public comments.
By common consent, the City Council directed staff to proceed with the RFP after first bringing back a resolution declaring the site exempt surplus land under the Surplus Lands Act. The RFP is to: (1) assume an initial lease term of about 10 years with renewal options; (2) be structured to allow both a short-term pilot operation and a longer-term proposal, with strong weighting for creative, maritime-oriented business concepts that preserve and enhance public access; (3) require coordination with Anchor QEA’s dock/ramp/bulkhead design work and with BCDC and other permitting agencies; (4) make clear that all improvements remain City property at lease end: and (5) acknowledge adjacency to Housing Element Site 301 by both preserving existing rights-of-way and explicitly allowing respondents to propose water-based housing as an alternative component, provided it does not interfere with future access or housing on Site 301.
Discussion and Direction Regarding the 2025/26 Road Resurfacing Projects List which recommends a $2,950,000 investment in city streets to improve the City Pavement Management Index
Kevin McGowan, Public Works Director, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Anne Thunem, Babette McDougal, and Lorna Newlin provided public comments.
By common consent, the City Council directed staff to proceed with issuing an RFP for design of the 2025/26 road resurfacing project using the preliminary street list, with the understanding that treatments and streets may be refined during design, and to structure the construction package at roughly $2.5-$2.6 million in construction costs. Staff was further directed to (1) include micro-surfacing of Bridgeway from Nevada to Spring/Coloma, and consider the contiguous segment toward Harbor as a bid alternate coordinated with the separate Bridgeway striping project; (2) include Second Street and Sunshine Avenue as bid alternates (paired logically with Alexander) so they can be awarded if funding permits; (3) re-inspect and reconsider the upper concrete portion of North Street (Central to Third) for possible inclusion or spot repair, paying attention to both vehicle function and pedestrian safety on the steep segment; (4) continue prioritizing road function, safety, and emergency access rather than PCI score alone, recognizing that some older concrete streets may remain serviceable despite low PCI; and (5) bring back in the next Capital Improvement 3 0f 5
5.D
Program a separate “Complete Streets” study for Pine Street (Bonita to Caledonia) as a candidate corridor for traffic calming, pedestrian/bicycle improvements, and stormwater considerations.
Introduce by Title Only, and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. 01-2026, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sausalito Amendment Sausalito Municipal Code sections 3.30.120, 3.30.310, and 3.30.420 to Provide for Assistant City Manager Spending Authority
Angeline Loeffler, Finance Director, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Councilmember Cox moved, seconded by Councilmember Hoffman, and unanimously carried, to Introduce by Title Only, and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. 01-2026, An Ordinance of the City Council of the of Sausalito to Amend Sausalito Municipal Code sections 3.30.120, 3.30.310, and 3.30.420 to Provide for Assistant City Manager Spending Authority.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS & OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
6A. Councilmember Committee Reports
Councilmember Cox reported that the next MCCMC meeting will be held via Zoom at the end of January and that the membership will consider whether the MCCMC Legislative Committee is a Brown Act body (and thus must be open to the public) or an ad hoc committee. 6B. Future Agenda Items
Mayor Woodside stated that in the January strategic planning session, the Council will decide which future agenda items are still relevant and realistically doable in 2026.
Vice Mayor Blaustein requested a Flooding After-Action Report, summarizing response and short-term steps before the next king tide
Councilmember Hoffman requested a comprehensive package of incentives and implementation tools for Measure J housing sites (such as possible fee reductions, streamlining, and coordinated corridor planning), and integrate ongoing coordination with the Sausalito Marin City School District on Site 73 (MLK School/Nevada Campus) into that planning, including exploring teacher housing there and potentially mirroring the City’s RFP strategies. 6C. Minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees
The City Council received and filed Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes from September 11, 2025.
6D. Other reports of significance - NONE
6E. Public Comment on Items 6A-6D
Babette McDougal provided public comments.
6F. Appointments — NONE
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7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodside adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Walfred!Solorzano []
City Clerk
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CITY OF SAUSALITO
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MINUTES
JANUARY 20, 2026
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodside at 3:31 p.m. and the following members were present:
Councilmember Cox
Councilmember Hoffman
Councilmember Sobieski (remote)
Vice Mayor Blaustein
Mayor Woodside
CLOSED SESSION
C1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Name of case: Great Wall Investment America LLC and Ying Xu v. City of Sausalito, Marin County Superior Court Case No. CV0004472
C2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956. 9(d)(1))
Name of case: Stefani v. City of Sausalito, Marin County Superior Court Case No. SC0001 310 C3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)) Significant Exposure to Litigation: One Case C4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54956. 8) Property: 558 Bridgeway, Sausalito CA, APN 065-172-12 and APN 065-172-15 Agency negotiator: City Manager, City Attorney
Negotiating parties: Bridgeway 558 Real Property, LLC
Under negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment
C5. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54956. 8) Property: 300 Spencer, Sausalito CA
Agency negotiator: City Manager, City Attorney
Negotiating parties: Verizon Wireless
Under negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment
C6. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION
(Government Code Section 54956. 9(d)(1))
Name of case: Andrew Sullivan v. City of Sausalito, Marin County Superior Court Case CV0004822 C7. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT (Government Code Section 54957) Title: City Manager
The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 3:34 p.m. 1 of 5
Councilmember Cox moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Blaustein, and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened at 5:06 p.m. and stated that there was no reportable action.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS & CITY MANAGER REPORTS
1.A Police Department Service Awards
Stacie Gregory, Police Chief, and Pastor Paul Mowry, Police Chaplain made an announcement and provided comments regarding the Service Awards received by Police Department staff.
1.B City Manager’s Report on Upcoming Projects for 2026 Chris Zapata, City Manager, made a presentation on Upcoming Projects for 2026.
COMMUNICATIONS
Matthew Hartzell and Fred Moore provided public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Adrian Brinton provided public comments.
Councilmember Cox moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Blaustein, and unanimously carried, to adopt the following items:
3.A Adopted the Draft Meeting Minutes of January 6, 2026.
3.B Authorized the City Manager to Sign the Purchase Contract with Marin IT in the Amount Not to Exceed $137,000 for City Hall and Corporation Yard Security Cameras from the General Fund.
3.C Received and Filed the CARRS 2026 Annual Report.
3.D Waived the Second Reading and Adopted Ordinance No. 01-2026, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sausalito Amendment Sausalito Municipal Code sections 3.30.120,
3.30.310, and 3.30.420 to Provide for Assistant City Manager Spending Authority.
3.E Authorized the City Manager to Execute the Professional Services Agreement with SANDIS for the Bridgeway Mid-Block Crossing Project - Princess to Richardson in an Amount not to Exceed $87,850.
3.F Adopted Resolution 01-2026, Declaring Three Public Works Vehicles and one Arrow Board Trailer as surplus and authorizing the City Manager to dispose of said equipment at auction.
3.G Received and filed the January 1, 2026, Gate 5 Flooding Summary and Next Steps.
3.H Approved a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Sausalito and Bob Murray & Associates for Recruitment Services of a New City Manager 20f5
3. Received and Filed the Sausalito Police Department’s Crime and Traffic Fourth Quarter and Year End Report.
4. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - NONE
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.A
5.B
Receive and File the Shoreline Adaptation Plan report and Provide Direction to Staff as Necessary Catie Thow Garcia, Resiliency & Sustainability Manager, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Jim Madden and Babette McDougal provided public comments.
The City Council received and filed the Shoreline Adaptation Plan report and directed staff to continue treating it as a draft, clearly labeled as such, and to use the remaining SB 179 grant funds to strengthen the engineering and cost basis of the plan while keeping it at a vision/strategy level rather than parcel-specific design. Amend the WRT scope to (1) incorporate rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimates and more engineering realism for key adaptation options, with emphasis on “hold the line” alternatives for the existing shoreline and working waterfront; (2) consider adding experienced shoreline engineering subconsultants, informed by waterfront stakeholder recommendations; (3) conduct expanded, targeted outreach with waterfront property owners, tenants, businesses, and groups such as the Sausalito Sustainable Waterfront Association; (4) engage regional partners as appropriate; and (5) provide clearer, high-level explanation of potential financing mechanisms, including the concept of an EIFD that could encompass the broader shoreline, while deferring detailed EIFD boundary, revenue, and project-level feasibility work to later phases. Refine the draft scope accordingly and return to Council with a proposed contract amendment and work plan for approval. 27 Central Avenue - Administrative Hearing Before the City Council to Consider an Appeal of Administrative Citations Issued for Maintaining Illegal Construction Code Enforcement Case: CE2018-0088 (APN: 065-231-02) Justin Goger Malo, Code Enforcement Officer, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Sergio Rudin, City Attorney, responded to questions posed by the City Council.
The City Council confirmed that there was no ex-parte communication.
Thomas Meagher, Attorney for the Appellant, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Anil Zadem, Jack Carlson, Babette McDougal, and Bob Leff provided public comments.
Justin Goger Malo, Code Enforcement Officer, and Thomas Meagher, Attorney for the Appellant, made rebuttals. 3 of 5
Councilmember Hoffman moved, seconded by Councilmember Cox, and unanimously carried, to adopt Resolution No. 02-2026, affirming the violations cited in the Administrative Citation issued on October 2, 2025, as follows:
1. Maintaining Illegal Construction that Has Not Received Required Design Review Permit in Violation of Sausalito Municipal Code (SMC) §10.54.050.
2. Maintaining Construction Completed Without Valid Building Permits in Violation of California Residential Code (CRC) § R105.1 CRC § R105.1.
In addition to the violations cited in the Administrative Citations, the City Council finds that failure of the property owners to comply with the Conditions of Approval included in City Council Resolution No. 23-2025 also violates Sausalito Municipal Code Section 10.50.100.B, which states that it is unlawful to establish a land use contrary to adopted conditions of approval. In particular, the owners have failed to comply with the following conditions:
3. Failure to Comply with Condition of Approval #1 Requiring Removal of Deck and Roof Cover Portions in Violation of City Council Resolution No. 23-2025.
4. Failure to Comply with Condition of Approval #2 Requiring Building Permit Application in Violation of City Council Resolution No. 23-2025.
5. Failure to Comply with Condition of Approval #3 Requiring Documentation of Compliance in Violation of City Council Resolution No. 23-2025.
Furthermore, the City Council resolved that the property owners remain responsible for correcting all violations by obtaining required Building Permits and completing all modifications consistent with City Council Resolution No. 23-2025; or removing all construction completed without valid building permits.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS & OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
6A. Councilmember Committee Reports
Vice Mayor Blaustein reported on the PBID meeting and the new MLK housing task force. She and Councilmember Cox reviewed the initial NOFA and are drafting a joint RFP to post for feedback. She also noted council and staff attended the MLK Day celebration in Marin City.
Councilmember Cox announced an upcoming MCCMC Zoom meeting on Jan 28 to discuss whether the MCCMC Legislative Committee is subject to the Brown Act.
Councilmember Hoffman reported on the upcoming Cal Cities Mayors & Council Members conference. She gave an MCE update on its formation of a Finance Committee and a Governance Review subcommittee. 6B. Future Agenda Items
Councilmember Cox requested that staff revisit the City’s mission/vision and values at the Jan 31 priority setting meeting; and explore streamlined permitting for emergency/repair work (including Gate 5/Marinship). 40f5