HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Digest 2015-06-26TOWN COUNCIL WEEKLY DIGEST
Week of June 22-26, 2015
TIBURON
Correspondence, Notices and other Information
1. Letter - June 18 - To: Town of Corte Madera/Carla Condon, Mayor
Bus Challenge Update and call for assistance to T
2. Memo - June 25 - Patrick Barnes - Blackie's Pasture Improvements
3. Letter - June 22 - Status of Building Permit for 110 Gilmartin
Agenda, Minutes
1. Agenda - July 2 - Tiburon Design Review Board
REGIONAL, NOTICES AND AGENDAS
1. Minutes - Belvedere City Council - May
* Council Only
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CITY OF BELVEDERE TOWN OF TIBURON
450 SAN RAFAEL AVE. • BELVEDERE. CA 94920-2336 1505 TIBURON BLVD- • TIBURON. CA 94920-2530
1.415.435.3838 • WWW.CITVOFBELVEDERE.ORG
1.415.435.7373 • WWW.TOWNOFTIBURON.ORG
June 18, 2015
Ms. Carla Condon, Mayor
Town of Corte Madera
300 Tamalpais Drive
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Dear Carla:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with representatives of Belvedere and Tiburon last week
in response to our previous letter regarding our request for support from Corte Madera for the
expanded Reed School District bus program being offered to families in East Corte Madera. The
following information is in response to the questions you raised at that meeting.
As we discussed, the Belvedere and Tiburon councils have concluded that there is a critical need
to reduce traffic on our major thoroughfares during the morning and afternoon hours when the
traffic to and from our schools causes enormous congestion on our local streets. This problem
has increased in recent years and represents a major safety concern for our communities (and
our schools) by impeding police, fire and emergency vehicles from reaching their destinations in
a timely manner during these hours. This problem has been particularly acute on Tiburon Blvd.
and Paradise Drive.
The bus program for this corning school year, called the Yellow School Bus Challenge 2.0, was
designed in response to a survey sent to all school district parents last November. 441 families
responded to the survey (41% of school district families), 11.3% of which live in Corte Madera.
Using the data and recommendations from that survey, the yellow bus program for the coming
year was designed with the following improvements:
• The number of morning bus routes was increased from 3 routes to 12 routes. Afternoon
routes were increased from 4 routes to 9 routes.
• The routes were redesigned to circle into neighborhoods to allow for more bus stops
closer to the homes where school families reside.
• Separate buses will be used for each of the three different schools, assuring that younger
children will not be riding the same buses as older children. (Reed School has grades K-2,
Bel Aire School has grades 3-5, and Del Mar School has grades 6-8.)
• The length of time it takes students to reach the school on each bus route has been
reduced by as much as 50%.
• The cost of bus passes has been reduced by 50% from the current year cost.
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Based on the survey responses, we estimated that approximately 1,200 one-way bus passes
would be purchased (up from 755 passes sold in the current school year) if these changes were
implemented. This number of riders stands to eliminate as many as 4,800 daily car trips on our
major thoroughfares, since parents typically drive to and from school in both the morning and
afternoon. To date, the school district has sign-ups for 1,085 one-way bus passes under the new
program for the coming year.
This program is only possible with a deep subsidy as outlined above. The Reed Union School
District, like most school districts in California, does not subsidize bus transportation to school.
In prior years this cost has been borne entirely by those families who purchase bus passes. Thus,
in an effort to test whether this enhanced bus program could be successful, it was necessary for
Tiburon and Belvedere to subsidize 50% of the cost of bus passes (reducing the round-trip cost
of a pass from $860 to $430 per year). Parents may purchase either a one-way pass (for a
morning or afternoon route) or a round-trip pass.
The new route structure will require the rental of 7 buses for both the morning and afternoon
routes, at a cost of $72,000 per year per bus. (The local yellow school buses are operated by
the First Student Bus Company.) Based on the number of passes sold to date, we estimate a
$285,000 subsidy will be needed to enable each one-way pass to be sold for $215 instead of the
current $430 price. Tiburon and Belvedere have committed to paying this subsidy to advance
the program, but are hopeful that the Town of Corte Madera will contribute $25,000 toward
this effort.
Corte Madera has 153 students attending the Reed School District in the current year,
representing approximately 10% of the total school district student population. To date, there
have been 177 one-way bus passes issued to Corte Madera residents (the equivalent of 88.5
round-trip passes). The total subsidy for these Corte Madera passes will be $38,055. This
number could increase as additional students sign up for bus passes prior to the start of the
school year. The $25,000 Tiburon and Belvedere seek from Corte Madera is considerably less
than the anticipated subsidy to Corte Madera families, but would nevertheless constitute a
meaningful contribution and be a statement of support for this effort to benefit all of our
communities.
Tiburon and Belvedere do not intend to continue this subsidy in future years, and alternative
means of funding for future subsidies will need to be pursued. Nevertheless, we felt it was
imperative to try this new system to determine its effectiveness in reducing traffic on our
streets and improving safety for our residents. We hope that the Town of Corte Madera is able
to assist us in this effort and thank you for your kind consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
CITY OF BELVEDERE TOWN OF TIBURON
Robert McCaskill, Mayor Frank X. Doyle, Mayor
cc: Mr. David Bracken, Town of Corte Madera
Yellow School Bus Challenge 2.0 Committee members
Attachment: Letter to Mayor Condon dated February 6, 2015
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CITY OF BELVEDERE
450 SAN RAFAEL AVE. • BELVEDERE. CA 94920-2236
1.415.435,3B38 • WWW.CITYOFBELVEDERE.ORG
TOWN OF TIBURON
1505 TIBURON BLVD. • TIBURON. CA 94920-2530
1.415.435.7373 • WWW.TOWNOFTIBURON.oRG
February 6, 2015
Carla Condon, Mayor
Town of Corte Madera
300 Tainalpais Drive
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Dear Mayor Condon (Carla):
Greetings from the Tiburon Peninsula!
This letter is being sent as information for you and your Council and includes a request to
meet with you to discuss this subject at your convenience.
As you know, traffic congestion on Tiburon Blvd. impacts everyone who lives on the
Peninsula, including residents of East Corte Madera. During peak times not only do
drivers experience significant delays, but public safety is compromised when police, fire
and emergency medical vehicles cannot respond quickly to calls for service. Studies have
confirmed what residents have known for quite some time: Traffic improves considerably
when school is not in session.
Knowing this, representatives from the City and Town along with parents and staff from
Reed Unified School District have been working on a project to mitigate peak hour traffic
congestion on Tiburon Blvd. by encouraging RUSD families to use the yellow bus to get
to school, rather than drive in private vehicles.dBusdroutes7�have�bo ac oxnmen eodateahe routes
to attract
more riders, school start times are being a y
and most importantly, the City and Town Councils are considering subsidizing the cost of
an annual bus pass by 50% in return for unproved public safety and reduced congestion
for everyone trying to navigate Tiburon Blvd. '
Approximately 150 East Corte Madera families attend RUSD and 60 or so of their
children currently ride the school bus. We expect the changes proposed for next year will
encourage at least twice as many children to ride the bus district wide, including 60
additional East Corte Madera students. We would like to discuss how the Town of Corte
Madera could be a partner in this project that will clearly provide a direct benefit to many
East Corte Madera residents.
Carla Condon
February 6, 2015
Pa(,e 2
Please let us know when it would be convenient to meet. We look forward to explaining
our project in more detail and answering any questions you may have.
Sincerely;.
CF"T'Y OF BELVEDERE
Bob McCaskill, Mayor of Belvedere
Mayor
TOW1 % 4 TIBURON
Jim s?
Co n lniember
CITY OF BELVEDERE
Sandra Donnell
Council Member
TOWN OF TIBURON
Emmett O'Donnell
Councilmember
TOWN OF TIBURON
1505 Tiburon Boulevard
Tiburon, CA 94920
DIGEST
MEMORANDUM
Date:
To:
June 25, 2015
Mayor and Members of the Town Council
From: Patrick Barnes, Director of Public Work
Peggy Curran, Town Manage r
Subject: Blackie's Pasture Improvements Update
Introduction
Work continues on the project to enhance a portion of Blackie's Pasture, Area 2. The design has
evolved and is now 75% complete. A schematic site plan is attached. Detailed plans are available for
review upon request. The permit application to BCDC, which is dependent upon some environmental
review that is underway, is nearly ready for submission. The plan was presented to the Park Open
Space and Trails (POST) Commission as part of its review of capital projects during budget
preparation. It met with a favorable response from the Commission. This memorandum provides a
summary of the project elements and a timetable for completion.
Project Summary
Similar to the concept drawing presented to Council on May 6, 2015, the project realigns the current
pathway and contours about 0.92 acres. There have been small changes in the path alignment and
grading based on the actual topography and ADA requirements. This change also created a small
delay in the design as existing topographic drawings could not be used and a site survey needed to be
done.
The plan creates three picnic table sites. Each site will have a table set on a circle of decomposed
granite with a concrete bench placed at the circle perimeter on one side and one or two trees and some
shrubbery. Staff believes that the minimal, drought -tolerant plantings are an essential element of the
design to make these picnic areas attractive, and thus proposes the planting to be completed as part of
the project's installation. Watering would consist of very limited bubbler emitters adjacent to the new
plants to help establishment. There is no turf and no plan to water the newly -contoured grounds.
Ground cover will consist of an application of hydroseed, which will be dependent upon rainfall for
establishment.
Improvements include a split rail fence along the south side of the area to separate it from the Targe
bike path (which also serves as a service road). This will further enhance the sense of space and help
prevent new paths from being worn through the area. The existing dirt path near the creek is outside
the project area and will remain.
After some consideration, the plan as presented does not include barbeque grills. This is a
consequence of concern over the fire hazard they may present, smoke and odors they may produce
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during use and the additional maintenance they would require. Grills may be added at any point in
the future if desired; there is nothing about the plan that would make their purchase and installation at
this time particularly advantageous.
Project Timeline
Our goal is to meet the following schedule:
Permit application complete - July 2, 2015
Design completed - July 10, 2015
Out to bid - July 17, 2015
Bid opening - 4 weeks after advertised - August 18, 2015
Permit issued - August 31, 2015
Council award of bid - generally 2 weeks after bid opening - September 2, 2015
Notice to Proceed - generally 2 weeks after Award - September 16, 2015
Construction - 30 working days
End of contract - Oct. 28, 2015
Please note that the timeline is very tight and involves some risk:
1. The end of work is past the start of the wet season, so additional delays might warrant shifting
construction to the next construction season.
2. The above schedule shows the BCDC permit approval after bid opening. This means that any
special conditions set by BCDC that affect the construction will be a change order. We do not
anticipate any such requirements from BCDC, but there is some risk that could occur.
3. The above schedule presumes that the BCDC permit is approved prior to notice to proceed.
There is a small but unlikely risk that permitting could take longer and delay the schedule.
Staff will continue to push the project forward and keep Council informed. The project will be
brought back to Council for project construction contract award.
Thank you.
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AUTOMATIC VALVE
Town ofTiburon • 1505 Tiburon Boulevard • Tiburon, CA 94920 • P. 415.435.7373 E 415A35.2438 • www.ci-duron.ca.us
-3
June 22, 2015
Dear Gilmartin Residents:
Status of Building Permit for 110 Gilmartin
Area residents received a letter from the Town in May regarding the status of
construction at 110 Gilmartin Drive. In it we described the settlement agreement
between the owners and the Town, and noted that the Town issued an extension
of the building permit to allow construction to be completed. I am pleased to
report that the project has been "finaled" by our Building Division and the
owners, the Peterson family, are expected to move into their new residence
shortly.
We want to point out that the conclusion of this lengthy process does not mean
there may not be some ongoing work at the site, but it does mean this should fall
into the realm of more typical neighborhood activity. Just as all homeowners are
entitled to do improvements in and around their home, we can expect some of
that to occur at 110 Gilmartin, especially landscaping work and erosion control
activity. The Petersons have advised us they may be switching out some
landscaping for more water -saving plants, and that some warranty -related repair
work will be undertaken. We sincerely hope that any future activity is minor in its
disruption to the neighborhood.
Neighborhood Improvernents
We also wanted to take this opportunity to talk about three neighborhood
improvement plans in the works:
1. As mentioned in our letter of May 12, the Town is ready to assist in
repaving Gilmartin Court to address damage that occurred there as a
result of nearby construction activity. Because Gilmartin Court is a
privately maintained road, this improvement must be accomplished by the
homeowners responsible for it. The Town intends to enter into an
agreement with these homeowners to reimburse the cost of the repaving.
2. Several residents of Gilmartin Drive have asked the Town to explore
creating a parking area for four to six cars by the open space entrance to
the Hacienda Fire Road to allow dog -walkers and others to park more
safely and with less impact on the neighborhood. The Town will circulate
Page 1 of 2
Frank X. Doyle
Mayor
Erin Tollini
Vice Mayor
Jim Fraser
Councilmember
Alice Fredericks
Councilmember
Emmett O'Donnell
Councilmember
Margaret A. Curran
Town Manager
a separate letter to residents on this topic soon. It will include a rendering
of potential improvements and seek feedback to help us gauge whether
this idea has neighborhood backing. If there is a significant showing of
support, the Town will install the parking area.
3. All of Gilmartin Drive is slated to be slurry -sealed in the summer of 2016.
This will improve the roadway's performance, life -span and appearance.
There may be some isolated repairs to the road this summer. We also
expect to do some minor curb painting in places to enhance safety.
We thank you all for your patience with this process. We have high hopes that
the neighborhood will soon be peaceful, harmonious and newly -improved with
paving and perhaps some new, strategically -placed sparking spaces, too.
Sincerely,
Peggy Curran
Town Manager
cc: Mayor and Town Council
Scott Anderson, Director of Community Development
Clay Salzman, Building Official
Stuart and Gina Peterson
Page 2 of 2
TOWN OF TIBURON
Tiburon Town Hall
1505 Tiburon Boulevard
Tiburon, CA 94920
AGENDA
TIBURON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Regular Meeting
Design Review Board
July 2, 2015
7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Cousins, Vice Chair Tollini, Boardmembers Chong, Emberson and Kricensky
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Persons wishing to address the Design Review Board on any subject not on the agenda may do so under
this portion of the agenda. Please note that the Design Review Board is not able to undertake extended
discussion, or take action on, items that do not appear on this agenda. Matters requiring action will be
referred to Town Staff for consideration and/or placed on a future Design Review Board agenda. Please
limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes. Any communications regarding an item not on
the agenda will not be considered part of the administrative record for that item.
STAFF BRIEFING (if any)
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE -CHAIR
OLD BUSINESS
1. 173 STEWART DRIVE: File No. DR2015015; Afie Royo, Owner; Site Plan and
Architectural Review for construction of a new single-family dwelling. The applicant
proposes to construct a new two-story, 2,610 square foot house with a 600 square foot
garage. Assessor's Parcel No. 055-101-21. [DW] CONTINUED TO AUGUST 6, 2015
2. 110 BLACKFIELD DRIVE: File No. DR2015039; Jarret and Claire Weis, Owners; Site
Plan and Architectural Review for construction of a new single-family dwelling. The
applicant proposes to construct a 2,210 square foot single -story home that would include
an entry foyer, kitchen, great room, laundry/mud room, three bedrooms, powder room,
two bathrooms, storage space, and master bedroom suite. Assessor's Parcel No. 034-172-
30. [KO]
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND NEW BUSINESS
3. 3 TRESTLE GLEN CIRCLE: File No. DR2015031; Arthur Giovara, Owner; Site Plan
and Architectural Review for construction of a new single-family dwelling. The applicant
proposes to construct a new three-story single-family dwelling on a currently vacant lot.
The house would include 4,375 square feet of floor area, with a 600 square foot garage
and 2,128 square feet of basement area. Assessor's Parcel No. 039-061-93. [DW]
Design Review Board
July 2, 2015 Page l
4. 5 TRESTLE GLEN CIRCLE: File No. DR2015062; Arthur Giovara, Owner; Site Plan
and Architectural Review for construction of a new single-family dwelling. The applicant
proposes to construct a new three-story single-family dwelling on a currently vacant lot.
The house would include 5,791 square feet of floor area, with a 600 square foot garage
and 2,287 square feet of basement area. Assessor's Parcel No. 039-061-96. [DW]
5. 8 EGRET COURT: File No. DR2015065; Daniel and Teresa Solomon, Owner; Site
Plan and Architectural Review for construction of additions to an existing single-family
dwelling. The applicant proposes to add a new family room, bathroom, storage space,
master bedroom suite, new dining room, laundry room, expanded kitchen, and add a new
600 square foot garage. The floor area of the property would increase to a total of 3,464
square feet. Assessor's Parcel No. 058-132-13. [KO] CONTINUED TO JULY 16, 2015
MINUTES
6. Regular Meeting of June 18, 2015
ADJOURNMENT
Design Review Board July 2, 2015 Page 2
GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION
ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the Planning Division Secretary at (415) 435-7390. Notification 48 hours prior to
the meeting will enable the Town to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION
Copies of Design Review Board Agendas, Staff Reports, project files and other supporting data are available
for viewing and inspection at Town Hall during business hours. Agendas and Staff Reports are also
available at the Belvedere -Tiburon Public Library and on the Town of Tiburon website
(www.ci.tiburon.ca.us) after 5:00 PM on the Friday prior to the regularly scheduled meeting.
Any documents produced by the Town and distributed to a majority of the Design Review Board regarding
any item on this agenda, including agenda -related documents produced by the Town after distribution of the
agenda packet at least 72 hours in advance of the Board meeting, will be available for public inspection at
Town Hall, 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920.
Upon request, the Town will provide written agenda materials in appropriate alternative formats, or
disability -related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to enable individuals
with disabilities to participate in public meetings. Please deliver or cause to be delivered a written request
(including your name, mailing address, phone number and brief description of the requested materials and
preferred alternative format or auxiliary aid or service) at least five (5) days before the meeting to the
Planning Division Secretary at the above address.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS AND BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Hearing items and Business items provide the general public and interested parties an opportunity to
speak regarding items that typically involve an action or decision made by the Board. If you challenge any
decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the meeting,
or in written correspondence delivered to the Board at, or prior to, the meeting.
GENERAL PROCEDURE ON ITEMS AND TIME LIMIT GUIDELINES FOR SPEAKERS
The Design Review Board's general procedure on items and time limit guidelines for speakers are:
❖ Staff Update on Item (if any)
❖ Applicant Presentation — 5 to 20 minutes
❖ Design Review Board questions of staff and/or applicant
❖ Public Testimony (depending on the number of speakers) — 3 to 5 minutes for each speaker;
members of the audience may not allocate their testimony time to other speakers
❖ Applicant may respond to public comments — 3 minutes
❖ Design Review Board closes the public testimony period, deliberates and votes (as warranted)
❖ Time limits and procedures may be modified in the reasonable discretion of the Chairman
Interested members of the public may address the Design Review Board on any item on the agenda.
ORDER AND TIMING OF ITEMS
No set times are assigned to items appearing on the Design Review Board agenda. While the Design
Review Board attempts to hear all items in order as stated on the agenda, it reserves the right to take items
out of order without notice.
NOTE: ALL DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETINGS ARE AUDIO RECORDED
Design Review Board July 2, 2015 Page 3
TOWN OF TIBURON LATE MAIL POLICY
(Adopted and Effective 11/7/2007)
The following policy shall be used by the Town Council and its standing boards and commissions, and by
staff of the Town of Tiburon, in the identification, distribution and consideration of late mail.
DEFINITION
"Late Mail" is defined as correspondence or other materials that are received by the Town after
completion of the written staff report on an agenda item, in such a manner as to preclude such
correspondence or other materials from being addressed in or attached to the staff report as an exhibit.
IDENTIFICATION OF LATE MAIL
All late mail received by Town Staff in advance of a meeting shall be marked "Late Mail" and shall be
date-stamped or marked with the date of receipt by the Town. Late mail received at a meeting shall be
marked as "Received at Meeting" with a date -stamp or handwritten note.
POLICY
For regular meetings of the Town Council and its standing boards and commissions:
(I) All late mail that is received on an agenda item prior to distribution of the agenda packet to the
reviewing authority shall be stamped or marked as "Late Mail" and shall be distributed to the
reviewing authority with the agenda packet.
(2) All late mail received on an agenda item before 5:00 PM on the Monday prior to the meeting
shall be date-stamped and marked as "Late Mail" and distributed to the reviewing authority as
soon as practicable. Such mail shall be read and considered by the reviewing authority whenever
possible. If the Monday, or Monday and Tuesday, prior to the meeting are a Town -recognized
holiday, the deadline shall be extended to the following day at Noon.
(3) Any late mail received on an agenda item after the deadline established in paragraph (2) above
shall be date-stamped, marked as "Late Mail" and distributed to the reviewing authority as soon
as reasonably possible, but may not be read or considered by the reviewing authority. There
should be no expectation of, nor shall the reviewing authority have any obligation to, read or
consider any such late mail, and therefore such late mail may not become part of the
administrative record for the item before the reviewing authority.
These provisions shall also apply to special and adjourned meetings when sufficient lead time exists to
implement these provisions. If sufficient lead time does not exist, the Town Manager shall exercise
discretion in establishing a reasonable cut-off time for late mail. For controversial items or at any
meeting where a high volume of correspondence is anticipated, Town staff shall have the option to
require an earlier late mail deadline, provided that the written public notice for any such item clearly
communicates the specifics of the early late mail deadline, and the deadline corresponds appropriately to
any earlier availability of the agenda packet.
Pursuant to state law, copies of all late mail shall be available in a timely fashion for public
inspection at Tiburon Town Hall, 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon.
Design Review Board July 2, 2015 Page 4
r(P- -i
GEST
REGULAR MEETING
BELVEDERE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 11, 2015, 5:30 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM I & COUNCIL CHAMBERS
450 SAN RAFAEL AVENUE, BELVEDERE, CA
MINUTES
COUNCIL PRESENT: Sandra Donnell, Claire McAuliffe, Marty Winter, and Mayor Robert
McCaskill
COUNCIL ABSENT: James Campbell
STAFF PRESENT: City Attorney Robert Epstein and City Manager Mary Neilan
CALL TO ORDER OF REGULAR MEETING
The meeting was called to order in Conference Room I of City Hall at 5:40 P.M.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
1. CLOSED SESSION. Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Section 54956.(d)(2) of
the California Government Code. One case
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
After a short recess, the meeting reconvened in open session in the Council Chambers at 6:35 P.M. City
Attorney Epstein left at this point and the following staff members joined the meeting: Building Official
Eric Banvard, City Planner Irene Borba, City Clerk Leslie Carpentiers, Public Works Manager Scott
Derdenger, Finance Officer Rebecca Eastman, Deputy City Attorney Emily Longfellow, City Engineer
John Moe, and Police Chief Tricia Seyler.
Deputy City Attorney Longfellow announced that no reportable actions were taken in the closed session.
Mayor Cromwell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN FORUM
No one wished to speak.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Belvedere City Council
May 11,2015
Page 2 of 5
REPORTS
2. Cite Council reports
Vice Mayor McAuliffe reported on the Marin County Council of
Level Rise Committee.
Councilor Winter reported on the Richardson Bay Regional
management of the anchorage.
3. Citv Manager reports
No report.
Mayors and Council Members' Sea
Agency's subcommittee to study
4. Presentation by Marin County Supervisor Kate Sears on the OWL project
Supervisor Kate Sears gave a PowerPoint presentation on sea rise and the OWL project.
5. Annual presentation from the Belvedere -Tiburon Library Foundation
Ron Helow, Chair of the Belvedere -Tiburon Library Agency Board of Trustees, and Donna Bero,
Executive Director of the Library Foundation, gave the annual report for the Library.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: So moved.
MOVED: By Winter, seconded by Donnell; approval unanimous (Campbell absent)
The following items were on the Consent Calendar:
6. Approve minutes of the following:
A. April 13, 2015, regular City Council meeting.
B. April 27, 2015, special City Council meeting.
7. Approve warrants of April 2015.
8. Adopt resolution requesting membership in the Public Agency Risk sharing Authority of
California and participation in the PARSAC liability and workers' compensation
programs, establishment of a liability fund reserve, and designation of the authorized board
representative and her authority.
9. Approve revocable license for private improvements on City property in front of 74 Lagoon
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Belvedere City Council
May 11,2015
Page 3 of 5
PUBLIC HEARING
10. Consider adoption of an update to the City of Belvedere Housing Element and a Negative
Declaration for the Housing Element Update project
Planning Consultant Christine O'Rourke presented the staff report and answered questions from the
Council.
Mayor McCaskill opened the public hearing.
Martin Carr, 76 Bayview Avenue, commented that future projections are never accurate.
MOTION: That the City Council adopt a resolution adopting the housing Element Update 2015-
2023 and associated negative declaration.
MOVED: By McAuliffe, seconded by Donnell; approval unanimous (Campbell absent)
OTHER SCHEDULED ITEMS
11. Consider request to form a utility undergrounding assessment district on Acacia and Laurel
Avenues and portions of San Rafael Avenue, Beach Road, Bayview Avenue, and Oak
Avenue and adopt a resolution of intention to that end and a resolution authorizing a
budget amendment for the undergrounding design
Mayor McCaskill announced that his residence is within 500 feet of the proposed district and therefore he
must recuse himself He left the Council Chambers.
City Manager Neilan represented the staff report. Five utility poles remain on lower Beach Road which
cannot be included in the proposed district. The engineer of record for the proposed district will be asked
to prepare a cost estimate for the City to underground these utilities at the same time as the Acacia/Laurel
district.
Vice Mayor McAuliffe invited public comments.
Rob Hess, President of the Executive Committee of the First Church of Christ Scientist, which is in the
proposed district, spoke about the problems encountered several years ago by the undergrounding district
formed in the Del Mar area of Tiburon, where he is a resident.
Larry Matthews, Acacia Avenue, spoke about the history of people in his neighborhood not wanting to be
part of an undergrounding district and their continued desire to remain out of it.
Laura Sheibler 118 Bayview Avenue, and Jeanette Carr, 76 Bayview Avenue spoke in opposition to the
district and asked questions.
Martin Carr, 76 Bayview Avenue and Luke Mazur, 33 Bayview Avenue, asked questions.
Anne Sheray, 23 Acacia Avenue, asked questions and spoke in favor of the district.
Miriam Ganz, 111 Bayview Avenue, Nancy Barbour, 81 Acacia, and Laurence Bekins, 121 Bayview
Avenue, spoke in favor of the district.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Belvedere City Council
May 11,2015
Page 4 of 5
Public questions were answered by Ms. Neilan, City Engineer Moe, members of the Council, and Scott
Ferguson, the bond counsel for the proposed district, and Ms. Ganz. Irving Schwartz, Engineer of Record
for this and four previous successful districts in Belvedere, spoke to Mr. Hess's concerns and explained
why Belvedere's process is not susceptible to the problems that plagued the Del Mar undergrounding
district.
The members of the Council discussed the goal of undergrounding utilities in the entire City to increase
service reliability, safety in the event of a community wide disaster, and an investment in the appearance
of the common areas of the City.
MOTION: That we adopt the resolution of intention to create the Acacia/Laurel Utility
Undergrounding Assessment District.
MOVED: By Donnell, seconded by Winter; approval unanimous (Campbell absent)
MOTION: That we adopt the resolution authorizing budget amendment for Acacia/Laurel Utility
Undergrounding design.
MOVED: By Donnell, seconded by Winter; approval unanimous (Campbell absent)
Mr. McCaksill was summoned back to the Chamber and resumed his seat on the dais.
12. Preliminary review of annual operating budget and capital improvement program for the
City for Fiscal Year 2015-2016, including proposal to participate in Community Homeless
Fund
City Manager Neilan presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Council Member Donnell discussed the REST (Rotating Emergency Shelter) program.
Mayor McCaskill invited public comment.
Meredith Parnell, Co -Chair of the Marin Organizing Committee's REST Strategy Team, Pierce Brownell,
Belvedere resident, Jeanette Carr, 76 Bayview Avenue, and John Mills, a resident of San Rafael and
MOC member, spoke in favor of Belvedere supporting REST while it continues to contribute to
Homeward Bound.
The Council discussed REST and homeward bound; it was their consensus to find funding in the City's
budget for both.
The Richardson Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) subcommittee on the proposed anchorage plan has asked
for feedback from the four member towns, including the City of Belvedere, regarding the three-year
implementation plan and how willing they to provide the necessary funding. Council Member Winter
discussed the issues and costs involved.
BCDC may be about to change its position and allow moorings in Richardson Bay, precluding the RBRA
from banning them. Each course of action open to the cities, in response to this mandate, are costly. The
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Belvedere City Council
May 11, 2015
Page 5 of 5
most feasible way to keep boats from breaking loose and drifting into homes on West Shore Road is to
professionally install mooring balls in a regulated mooring field, rent them, abate the rest, and
regulate/enforce it so that unpermitted boats can't drop anchor there.
Belvedere currently contributes about $19,000 annually to RBRA and this request would double that
figure for the next fiscal year. The first year's contribution would be used to fund a feasibility study and
environmental impact report. Years 2 and 3 would see the building of the mooring field, abatement of
unpermitted boats, and anchorage regulation enforcement—including the hiring of necessary staff. The
cost of Years 2 and 3 is unknown.
The Council Members had reservations about the plan and its price tag, and it was their consensus that all
RBRA members should agree to a plan and the sharing of costs before it goes forward. A presentation
will be given by RBRA regarding the mooring plan at the Council's June meeting.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES were approved at a regular meeting of the Belvedere City Council on
June 8, 2015, by the following vote:
AYES: James Campbell, Sandra Donnell, Claire McAuliffe, Marty Winter, and Mayor Robert
McCaskill
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None