CITY OF SAUSALITO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodside at 3:0 p. m. and the following members were present:
Councilmember Cox
Councilmember Hoffman
Councilmember Sobieski (3: 35)
Vice Mayor Blaustein
Mayor Woodside
H. CLOSED SESSION
CI. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Government Code Section 54957. 6)
Agency Designated Representative: Brandon Phipps, Interim City Manager, Kathy Nikitas, Human Resources Manager, Burke Dunphy, Sloan Sakai Employee organization: SEIU
C2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956. 9(d)( 2))
Significant exposure to litigation: One case
C3. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Government Code Section 54957. 6)
Agency Designated Representative: Kathy Nikitas, Human Resources Manager Unrepresented employees: All unrepresented employees
C4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54956. 8)
Property: Storage Space Under Excelsior Lane, Adjacent to 715 Bridgeway Agency negotiator: City Manager and City Attorney
Negotiating parties: Lincoln Lane Courtyard LLC ! Kent 1psen Under negotiation: Price and Terms
The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 3:6 p. m. 1 of 5
III. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened at 5: 04 p. m. and stated there was no reportable action.
Councilmember Sobieski moved, seconded by Mayor Woodside, and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, MAYOR' SANNOUNCEMENTS & CITY MANAGER
REPORTS
Kass Green, Chair of the Downtown Sausalito Association, presented the new " Discover Sausalito" website for the Downtown Sausalito Association that showcases local businesses, events, maps, guides, and future expansion plans to support and promote Sausalito' sdowntown and broader business community.
Brandon Phipps, Interim City Manager, provided an update to the City Council, reporting that ( 1) the Progress Pride flag is flying at City Hall for June in recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month; (2) the city received two proposals for developing the MLK Jr. Park and Corporation Yard affordable housing sites under Housing Element Program 8, which will be evaluated by a staff -led committee with results shared publicly; (3) staff is working with the owner and tenants after the May 22 structure fire at 2365 Bridgeway to expedite re -permitting and re -tenanting; and ( 4) the Objective Design and Development Standards ordinance is scheduled for second reading and final adoption on June 16 as a key housing compliance step.
2. COMMUNICATIONS
Carolyn Revelle, Fred Moore, William Arensberg, Kenneth Henry, Adrian Branton, Sharna Brackett, Alice Merrill, Michelle Mokalla, Michael Rex, Andy, Sandra Bushmaker and Babette McDougal provided public comments.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
Michael Rex, Adrian Brinton and Babette McDougal provided public comments.
Regarding item 3. H Mayor Woodside announced that he intends to appoint an ad hoc group to help with what goes into the Design Assistance Team ( DAT) application, but that a formal steering committee would ultimately need council approval.
The City Council asked Public Works Director, Kevin McGowan, to report on the status and next steps for a potential all -way stop at Tamales and Wateree streets, and asked Police Chief Gregory to address the e -bike safety issues on Tamales Street.
Director McGowan reported that the city has requested a proposal from its traffic consultant to conduct a warrant study for an all -way stop at the Tamales and Wateree intersection and will likely proceed to install one to three stop signs based on the results.
Police Chief Gregory said this was the first she' dheard of the e -bike safety issue on Tamales Street and committed to having officers do outreach at the school to identify the riders and address safe riding behavior.
Vice Mayor Blaustein moved, seconded by Councilmember Hoffman, and unanimously carried to adopt the following items:
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3. A Adopted the Draft Meeting Minutes of May 14 and 19, 2026.
3. B Adopted LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation.
3. C Adopted Resolution 24-026 calling for an Election to Fill Two Seats on the City of Sausalito City Council to be Held and Consolidated with the General Municipal Election Scheduled for November 3, 2026, and Requesting that the Marin County Registrar of Voters Conduct the Election.
3. D Authorized the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with 4Leaf for Planning and Building Services, Not to Exceed $ 240, 00, for Fiscal Year 2026 - 2027.
3.E Authorized the Interim City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with CSWST2 to Develop the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate for the 2026 Street Resurfacing and Repairs Project in an Amount Not to Exceed 163, 968.
3. F Waived Second Reading of Ordinance No. 08- 2026, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sausalito Repealing Chapter 2. 12 "Officer' sBonds" and Sections 2. 08.50 through 2. 08.90, Pertaining to Removal of the City Manager, of the Sausalito Municipal Code.
3. G Discontinued and Reorganized of the Disaster Preparedness Committee.
3. H Received and Filed Report on the AIA Architects Foundation Design Assistance Team ( DAT) Program.
4. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
4. A First Public Hearing in Consideration of Proposed City Charter and Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Whether to Proceed with the Charter City Process, Including a Second Public Hearing on July 7, and Placement of a Charter City Ballot Measure on the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election Ballot
Brandon Phipps, Interim City Manager, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Alice Merrill, Sandra Bushmaker, Nick Perogi, Babette McDougal, Jann Johnson provided public comments.
Councilmember Hoffman moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Blaustein, and unanimously carried, to table further action on pursing charter city status at this time and directed staff to commence public workshops on the charter city concept in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the intent that, following public engagement, the Council may consider placing a charter city measure of the November 2028 general election ballot. Council noted the advantages of charter city status, including strengthening local control over land use, housing, and public safety. However, there was hesitation due to staff capacity constraints. the compressed timeline before the next ballot, and given the complexity of the issue, there was concern that rushing the 3 of 5
process without robust public engagement could undermine community trust and the measure' schances of success.
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5. A Request Budget Appropriations for this Fiscal Year 2025-6 Angeline Loeffler, Finance Director, and Brandon Phipps, Interim City Manager, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.
Lorna Newlin, Sandra Bushmaker and Babette McDougal provided public comments.
The City Council received the staff update on the projected year- end general fund shortfall ( approximately $ 475, 000 after the prior supplemental appropriation of 612, 378) and the preliminary reconciliation of the sewer fund following transfer of sewer operations to the Marin City Sanitary District. The City Council directed staff to: (1) prepare a written, step- by- step plan detailing the proposed use of Section 115 pension and OPEB trust funds to reimburse eligible FY 2025-6pension/ OPEB costs and address the shortfall; (2) submit that plan for review and confirmation by the City Attorney and Badawi and Associates, the City' sindependent auditors, to ensure compliance with the MOU, trust restrictions, and generally accepted accounting principles; and ( 3) continue the detailed reconciliation of the sewer fund, including clarification of remaining balances and misallocated salary/ benefit charges, and return with updated figures and recommendations at a subsequent meeting.
5. B Review of Fiscal Year 2026-027 Draft Budget Information and Provide Direction to Staff as Appropriate
Angeline Loeffler, Finance Director, and Brandon Phipps, interim City Manager, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the city council.
Carolyn Revelle provided public comments.
The City Council directed staff to: (1) refine and document the proposed use of Section 115 pension and OPEB trust funds for FY 26/7 (including any "smoothing" draws), clearly identifying that these are Finance Committee recommendations, and provide a written, step- by- stepdescription of fund flows for City Attorney and auditor review; (2) further analyze the proposed permit concierge position, including potential fee structures and cost -recovery (and whether a nexus study is required), with the option of deferring consideration to mid -year if needed; (3) verify and report back on the approximately $ 1 million in CIP monies being returned to unassigned fund balance, including whether these funds represent true savings versus still -intended infrastructure work under the prior $ 17 million allocation; (4) confirm whether any other existing funds (e.g., special funds such as Tidelands) could appropriately offset portions of new staffing or other costs; and ( 5) incorporate this direction and additional analysis into a revised FY 2026-7 budget for potential adoption at the June 19 Council meeting.
6. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS & OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
6A. Councilmember Committee Reports
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Deirdre Coyne
Deputy City Clerk
Councilmember Cox reported that at the recent MCCMC Legislative Committee meeting, she learned the League of California Cities is opposing AB 2443, a bill that would exempt certain low- income housing from CEQA and local objective design standards.
Mayor Woodside reported on his recent Mayors and Councilmembers Association meeting, noting in particular that he and Councilmember Cox unsuccessfully advocated for Councilmember Cox to be appointed as Marin County' s primary or alternate ABAG representative, and emphasizing the need for Sausalito to stay closely engaged with ABAG to protect local interests in the next housing element cycle.
6B. Future Agenda Items
6C. Minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees
6D. Other reports of significance
6E. Public Comment on Items 6A -6D
6F. Appointments
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodside adjourned the meeting at 9: 20 p. m.
Respectfully submitted,
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