Tiburon Town Council Minutes #05-2026 March 18, 2026
TOWN COUNCIL
SPECIAL & REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Mayor Welner called the regular meeting of the Tiburon Town Council to order at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Town Council Chambers, 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Thier, Welner ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
PRESENT: EX OFFICIO: Town Manager Chanis, Town Attorney Stock, Engineering Manager Eshoo, Sustainability Coordinator
Ledwith, Town Clerk Dilena
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Nora Noguez expressed concern about the way Diversity Inclusion Task Force proposals come before the Town Council and requested the Council establish a logical and fair process with accountability.
George Landau requested an agenda item to discuss the concept of the Del Mar tunnel.
Andrew Thompson requested an agenda item to discuss the concept of the Del Mar tunnel.
Becky Pringle requested the Greenwood Beach Restoration Project come back to the Planning Commission for a Conditional Use Permit.
Beth Mix asked the Council to consider a new ordinance that would require existing playgrounds to be updated every five years for maintenance.
ACTION ITEMS
AI-1. Police Station Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – Consider acceptance of a grant that would fund a battery energy storage system at the Police Station, determine which size system is preferred, establish the preferred financial contribution, and consider adoption of a resolution that would accept the grant funding and authorize staff to proceed with the project (Office of the Town Manager)
Public comment was received by:
• Andrew Thompson spoke in favor of the smaller battery option. • Anna Poblasky recommended review of how long the lifespan of the battery is and said it may be more cost effective to get two 400 kWh batteries.
• Stepanie Hall requested language adopted that included a requirement for a skilled and trained workforce for the project.
• Jared Mumm requested language adopted that included a requirement for a skilled and trained workforce for the project.
Docusign Envelope ID: FEC218B7-B9CF-8EEC-828A-8BB0B6807097
Tiburon Town Council Minutes #05-2026 March 18, 2026
MOTION: To adopt the resolution, as amended to authorize the 400 kWh battery option and to amend the 6th ‘whereas’ stanza to require that the project must use a skilled and trained workforce on the project.
Moved: Thier, seconded by Nikfar
VOTE: AYES: Nikfar, Thier
NAYS: Fredericks, Ryan, Welner
MOTION: To adopt the resolution, as amended to authorize the 400 kWh battery option.
Moved: Welner, seconded by Ryan
VOTE: AYES: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Welner
NAYS: Thier
ADJOURNMENT – to special joint meeting with the Parks, Open Space & Trails Commission
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Thier, Welner ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
PRESENT: POST COMMISSIONERS: Burr, Hornbrook, Moon
ABSENT: POST COMMISSIONERS: 2 vacant seats
PRESENT: EX OFFICIO: Town Manager Chanis, Town Attorney Stock, Engineering Manager Eshoo, Town Clerk Dilena
ACTION ITEMS
AI-1. Local Parks Conceptual Designs – Consider approval of conceptual design plans, and authorize the Town Manager to execute professional services agreements with consultants to develop final plans for 4 local parks, as follows: 1) the Former Richardson Bay Sanitation Ponds Site and an agreement with RHAA to prepare Final Design Plans in an amount not to exceed $388,783; 2) Belveron Mini Park and an agreement with RHAA to prepare Final Design Plans in an amount not to exceed $96,600; 3) Cypress Hollow Park and an agreement with Carlile Macy to prepare Final Design Plans in an amount not to exceed $155,544; and 4) Bel Aire Play Area and an agreement with Carlile Macy to prepare Final Design Plans in an amount not to exceed $111,166 (Department of Public Works)
Former Richardson Bay Sanitation Pond Site
Public comment was received by:
• Nora Noguez was in favor of two volleyball courts and recommended paving the lower trail area. • Kathy McLeod suggested the Council put more through onto the bicycle path and pedestrian-only area.
• Harrison was in favor of a basketball court.
• Hannah was in favor of a basketball court.
• Claire was in favor of a basketball court.
• Michael Richman requested story poles be installed and thought the pedestrian path area looked nice.
• Becky Pringle requested more opportunity for community input and believed the bike path discussion should be a separate conversation than the park amenities.
Docusign Envelope ID: FEC218B7-B9CF-8EEC-828A-8BB0B6807097
Tiburon Town Council Minutes #05-2026 March 18, 2026
• N Zwiliger noted that the only place walkers can currently use the path is along the water’s edge. • Linda mentioned the petition in favor of basketball courts and said she was in favor of the courts. • Nicole Voss recommended the Council move forward with the conceptual designs. • Jenna McKnight expressed support for the conceptual designs. • Alice L was in favor of the conceptual designs, including basketball courts, and did not want the path along the water paved.
• Jonathan Powers was in favor of basketball courts and the ball wall, and spoke about the pros and cons of paving different parts of the paths and the impacts on bicyclists. • Another Tiburon resident was in favor of the basketball court and outdoor gathering area but recommended caution of keeping the sand volleyball courts maintained. • Andrew Thompson spoke to the differences in which directions bikes would travel and which path should be paved.
• Evan Siegel said the Council should demonstrate commitment to the project by moving forward with the designs, and not proceeding in a piecemeal fashion, which would assist in fundraising. • Emily was in support of the conceptual designs.
• Miguel Mendoza was in support of the conceptual designs. • Emily Poplawski recommended the Council either move forward with the designs or communicate a timeline to the public on how the projects will proceed. • Rob Paull was in favor of two beach volleyball courts. • Beth Mix felt the bike and walking paths should be separate and was supportive of the basketball courts as a multi-purpose area.
• Kim Stern was in favor of the ball wall addition and the proposed seating area but would like to see more variety in the park for different types of play and ages. • Natalie was happy to see upgrades to the park and expressed support for the ball wall, sand volleyball, and basketball courts.
MOTION: To approve the Conceptual Design Plans for the former Richardson Bay Sanitation Pond site and authorize the Town Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RHAA to prepare Final Design Plans including environmental clearance in an amount not to exceed $388,783.
Moved: Welner, seconded by Thier
VOTE: AYES: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Thier, Welner
The Council took a recess at 10:06 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 10:20 p.m.
Belveron Mini Park Site
Public comment was received by:
• Kathy McLeod spoke about difficulties with vegetation management in the existing area and the design would improve quality of life for the neighborhood. • Beth Mix was supportive of the design and the proposed connection with open space.
MOTION: To approve the Conceptual Design Plans for Belveron Mini Park and authorize the Town Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RHAA to prepare Final Design Plans in an amount not to exceed $96,600.
Moved: Ryan, seconded by Fredericks
VOTE: AYES: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Thier
NAYS: Welner
Cypress Hollow Park Site
Docusign Envelope ID: FEC218B7-B9CF-8EEC-828A-8BB0B6807097
Tiburon Town Council Minutes #05-2026 March 18, 2026
Public comment was received by:
• Jenna McKnight was eager to see the park upgraded but felt the design could benefit from more work, particularly enlarging the upper play area and a play structure with a slide. • Beth Mix was supportive of the design.
• Linda was supportive of the design.
MOTION: To approve the Conceptual Design Plans for Cypress Hollow Park and authorize the Town Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Carlile Macy to prepare Final Design Plans in an amount not to exceed $155,544.
Moved: Thier, seconded by Fredericks
VOTE: AYES: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Thier, Welner
Bel Aire Play Area Site
Public comment was received by:
• A member of the public was in favor of the design but said others may have questions about what has been planted in the area.
• A member of the public was in favor of the design with the ADA entrance and picnic table, but was not in favor of the concrete path due to the loss of play space. • Jenna McKnight was in favor of the design.
• Nora Noguez said this area is mostly used as a dog run so there may be an educational component in proceeding with the design if the intention is to create a children’s field. • Miguel Mendoza said it would be helpful to have more seating but was in favor of the more minimalist design.
• Beth Mix said this park was the Bel Aire Elementary School evacuation zone and should have basic amenities.
• Linda also was supportive of the design with amenities. • Erica Weirs said she would like to see more amenities but recommended moving forward with the design.
• Mindy Canter said the Blackfield family intended this field to remain multipurpose and undeveloped so recommended the Council vote against it. • Danielle Mendoza felt it would be a disservice to keep the park unkempt and spoke in favor of leveling the area and creating a place to sit.
MOTION: To approve the Conceptual Design Plans for the Bel Aire Play Area and authorize the Town Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Carlile Macy Moved: Ryan, seconded by Nikfar
VOTE: AYES: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Welner
RECUSED: Thier
ADJOURNMENT – to Town Council regular meeting
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-1. Vacancies on Town Boards & Commission – Announce special vacancy on the Parks, Open Space & Trails Commission (Office of the Town Clerk)
Docusign Envelope ID: FEC218B7-B9CF-8EEC-828A-8BB0B6807097
Tiburon Town Council Minutes #05-2026 March 18, 2026
CC-2. Town Manager Employment Agreement – Adopt resolution approving the first amendment to the Town Manager’s Amended and Restated Employment Agreement and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement (Office of the Town Attorney)
The Town Attorney reported the Town Manager’s Employment Agreement on the Consent Calendar includes an increase in the contract amount.
MOTION: To adopt Consent Calendar Items No. 1-2, as written.
Moved: Thier, seconded by Fredericks
VOTE: AYES: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Thier, Welner
TOWN COUNCIL REPORTS
None.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
None.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(One potential case)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Town Council of the Town of Tiburon, Mayor Welner adjourned the meeting at 12:40 a.m.
JON WELNER, MAYOR
TOWN OF TIBURON
ATTEST:
LEA DILENA, TOWN CLERK
Docusign Envelope ID: FEC218B7-B9CF-8EEC-828A-8BB0B6807097