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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Digest 2009-08-03e TOWN COUNCIL WEEKLY DIGEST Week of August 3 - 7, 2009 Tiburon 1. Letter - Marc Wallis - Accident at the Fountain due to Bubbles 2. Courtesy Notice - Public Works Dept. - Annual Street Resurfacing Project 3. Email - Gayle Dunlap - Support of Security Camera 4. Email - Roberta R. Jeffrey - Opposition to Security Camera 5. Monthly Report - Design Review - July 2009 6. Yearly Recap - Design Review Submittals - July 2009 Agendas & Minutes 7. Meeting Cancellation - Planning Commission - August 12, 2009 Regional a) Press Release - Mill Valley - Ban on Use of City Funds for Bottled Water b) Western City - August 2009 c) Great Age - Newsletter - Summer 2009 d) Invitation - San Francisco Estuary Conference - 9/29/09-10/1/09 e) Invitation - Online Master of Public Policy Degree - Spring 2010 Agendas & Minutes f) None * Council Only Marc Wallis 29 Hillcrest Court San Anselmo, CA 94960 (510) 387-7414 August 1, 2009 Margaret Curran Town Manager, Town of Tiburon 1505 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Dear Ms. Curran, RECEIVED AUG - 3 2009 TOWN MANAGERS OFFICE TOWN OF TIBURON o/0Fsr I am writing to inform you of an unfortunate incident that recently occurred in downtown Tiburon, and to formally apprise you of the dangers associated with a public safety hazard. On Father's Day this year, June 21", my family and I were enjoying the shops in downtown Tiburon, as we frequently do, when my 4-'/2 year-old son, Gabe, was enticed by the fountain at "fountain plaza" overflowing with bubbles. Along with many other children along the perimeter of the fountain, he began to touch the bubbles. He then reached to grab a handful of bubbles and was suddenly plunged head-first into several feet of water and bubbles. He landed face-first, slamming his nose and forehead into concrete, buried under several feet of bubbles. The bubbles dangerously obscured where dry concrete ended and where slippery concrete began. I hauled him out of the fountain, soaking head-to-toe, his nose bleeding profusely. He was terrified, shocked and confused. Yesterday my wife and I suggested to Gabe that we go to ride his bike along the path at the water's edge, though he adamantly refuses to return to Tiburon at this point. I still enjoy Tiburon, but I very much want you to address this hazard. In consulting with our attorney, it seems clear that this problem constitutes an "attractive nuisance," and this letter is to convey that in the clearest of terms. While clearly meant for fun and pleasure, it's just not safe to cover the edge of an inviting fountain with a thick layer of bubbles. Sincerely, K"Al- (M 116 1- Marc Wallis a Town of Tiburon - 1505 Tiburon Boulevard - Tiburon, CA 94920 - P. 415.435.7373 F. 415.435.2438 - www.cimburon.ca.us TOWN OF TIBURON - PUBLIC NOTICE August 4, 2009 COURTESY NOTICE TO SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS 40/0 ce Fredericks Mayor Miles Berger Vice Mayor Please be advised that the Town of Tiburon will commence its annual street Dc4 Co gins resurfacing project in or near your neighborhood by the end of this month. Councilmember The type and complexity of the resurfacing work will vary depending on which ion .Gram street you live on. In you live on or near Main Street in the downtown area, the Councilmember work may be performed at night to reduce the conflict with daytime business Jef_~Slayitz activities, and should only take 2-3 days to complete. Councilmember The prime contractor for this project is Ghilotti Bros, Inc. They will be providing further notices through the use of door tags and flyers as they mobilize into your neighborhoods. Although the entire project will last up to 2 months, the work on Margaret A.=-Curran Town Manager any particular street may take only one to two weeks. During work hours, all emergency and special-needs access to and from your residences will be maintained and coordinated. Temporary lane closure, construction noise, and dust/debris are. anticipated. However, we will work with the contractor to mitigate these impacts as much as reasonably possible. Your patience and cooperation are most appreciated. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Public Works Department at 435- 7354, or the main Town line at 435-7373. Thank you, Nicholas T. Nguyen, P.E. Public Works Director / Town Engineer Town of Tiburon 30 -----Original Message----- From: Gayle Dunlap [mailto:DrDRoGay@hughes.net] 01§99 Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 7:00 PM To: Diane Crane Iacopi Subject: security cameras--Tiburon pass along my husband and my "approval" of security camera "idea" for Tiburon. Go for it! Gayle and Bob Dunlap (301 Blackfield Drive--Tiburon) qq, From: Roberta R. Jeffrey [mailto:mediate@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 4:27 PM lei To: Diane Crane Iacopi Subject: Camera Installation Dear Ms. Crane, Please forward my concerns to the town council. I wish to register my negative vote regarding the proposed cameras for Tiburon Blvd, for the following reasons: 1. I do not believe that the level of crime warrants the continual surveilance of Tiburon residents by such means. The majority of those who will be filmed will be law-abiding Tiburon residents. A great deal of the theft from cars and garages could be curtailed by a public information effort by the town to inform residents to lock cars and houses and to remove valuables from cars. Either people don't read the Ark police reports, or they continue to ignore such simple safeguards at their own peril. If the police seek to curtail non residents from committing such crimes, they need to remove the "bait" in the form of the careless habits noted above. The police and the town should put on a joint public education program, and/or mass mailing, much like the "Get Ready" program, instead of spending money on the camera system, and invading the privacy of residents. I strongly object to being filmed numerous times a day as I go up and down Tiburon Blvd., a public way. 2. On the subject of privacy: Tiburon is the only Marin town to propose such invasive measures as these cameras. There is a reason that these cameras have not been installed elsewhere in the county. They are extremely invasive of privacy, and the threat of this outcome exceeds the "catch the criminals" issue. I sincerely hope reason and-good 'udgement, plus creative thinking-regarding other prev_entiou measures, rather than apprehension measures, will prevail. Sincerely, Roberta Jeffrey 321 Blackfield Dr. s TOWN OF TIBURON OFFICE OF DESIGN REVIEW MONTHLY REPORT 40/0 DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPLICATIONS: NUMBER SUBMITTED 2008 ► NEW SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 1 I ► MAJOR ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS 1 0 ► MINOR ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS 0 0 ► (not eligible for Staff Revien) ► SIGN PERMITS 1 1 ► TREE PERMITS 2 5 ► VARIANCE REQUESTS 3 0 ► FAR EXCEPTIONS REQUESTS 2 1 ► EXTENSION OF TIME 0 0 STAFF REVIEW APPLICATIONS: Review of minor exterior alterations and additions of less than 500 square feet. 13 15 APPEALS OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD DECISIONS TO TOWN COUNCIL 0 0 REPORT PREPARED BY: Connie Cashman, Planning Secretary DATE OF REPORT: August 3, 2009 o~ O N m co m N ti r O o o 00 r m Q °o C) ~n rn Co ti CV) T- rn Q z 07 C C) C) C14 Q 1 .j a w E-- H D Q co W ? r O O r O r O N N W Z J r r O r N M N (Y) O Cf) V C w 0 w z ~ O O O M M O O O 0 n., W N N N N M U-) M ~ O N J li Q co r N I- co CD O N 00 a W O N O (0 O C m w N O O N N O O r z Q ~ O O O M O N a I - L w z H Q J z I- a. 0 55 w a. w I 1-- w v Q w > F- w v x w Q U. w > w LL H LL l) ~ < w a Q p - o - 2 NOTICE OF MEETING CANCELLATION THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009 HAS BEEN CANCELLED. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL BE THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 6',2kt~e'" DAN WATROUS, SECRETARY DIGEST For Immediate Release June 3, 2008 Contacts: Anne Montgomery, City Manager, 388-4033 Carol Misseldine Sustainability Coordinator, 388-5273 MILL VALLEY BANS USE OF CITY FUNDS FOR BOTTLED WATER Environmental impacts of plastic, high costs cited Mill Valley City Manager Anne Montgomery announced today that she is issuing a directive, effective June 16th, 2008, to require that all City departments begin to immediately phase out the purchase and use of bottled water for all City uses except legitimate emergency purposes. The ban includes single serve plastic water bottles as well as dispensers, which must be changed to bottle-less dispensers that are connected to Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) water. "The manufacture and transport of plastic water bottles purchased in the U. S. requires more than 47 million gallons of oil, resulting in one billion pounds of climate changing carbon dioxide released into the biosphere," Montgomery noted. Other environmental impacts from bottled water noted in the directive include leaking of toxic materials from the 1 billion bottles that are land-filled each year, and impacts on marine life from plastics that end up in the ocean. "All of this waste and pollution is generated by a product that is often inferior in quality to that of the pristine water delivered by MMWD," Montgomery said. Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which often has less stringent standards than the Environmental Protection Agency, which monitors municipal water supplies. The Mill Valley library has already invested in an under-sink filter at a lower cost than they were spending annually on bottled water. Preliminary research conducted by Mill Valley's Finance Department and Carol Misseldine, Mill Valley's sustainability coordinator, indicates this directive will save the City of Mill Valley approximately $5,000 per year. "Plastic never biodegrades and is building up to a frightening degree in our oceans," said Misseldine. "It's good to know that we will be saving money by doing the right thing." The directive prohibits any City department or agency from using City funds to purchase single serving bottled water after June 16, 2008 unless an employee contract specifies usage. This prohibition will also apply to City contractors and City funded and/or sponsored events. By August 1, 2008, all City departments and agencies must install filters or bottle-less water dispensers that utilize MMWD supplied water. Waivers will only be granted for legitimate engineering, health, fiscal, or emergency concerns. MILL VALLEY CITY MANAGER DIRECTIVE Permanent Phase-Out of Bottled Water Purchases by City of Mill Valley Government June 3, 2008 Mill Valley is proud of its role as a leader in environmental protection. Our environmental values are reflected by the numerous environmental initiatives we have launched over the past several years and by the recent hire of a part time Sustainability Director to advance sustainability related policies and programs for the City. An overriding goal of these initiatives is to substantially reduce the ecological footprint of our residents and City government. Toward that end, I am directing all City departments to immediately begin phasing out the purchase and use of bottled water for most City uses. Although their purchase may be necessary for some circumstances, including emergency related situations, for general office work, Mill Valley employees should be encouraged and eventually required to use their own re-usable bottles or containers. Departments that currently use bottled water dispensers and wish to retain this service will need to switch to bottle-less water dispensers. Over the past decade, Bay Area residents like citizens across the U.S. have responded to marketing campaigns to purchase bottled water, and record numbers of plastic water bottles have been purchased at the expense of the environment. The global consumption of bottled water was 41 billion gallons in 2004, up 57% from the previous five years. This consumption increase occurred despite the fact that bottled water costs 240 to 10,000 times more than tap water. Bottled water marketing campaigns have inaccurately suggested that bottled water is safer than the more stringently regulated tap water delivered by the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). Data suggest that the environmental impact of the bottled water industry is profound. According to the Container Recycling Institute, the manufacture and transport of the plastic water bottles that U.S. consumers purchase annually requires more than 47 million gallons of oil, resulting in one billion pounds of climate changing carbon dioxide released into the biosphere. In addition, more than one billion plastic water bottles are landfilled in California each year, leaking toxic additives such as phthalates into the surrounding groundwater. Water diverted from local aquifers for the bottled water industry has been documented as harmful to surrounding ecosystems. All of this waste and pollution is generated by a product that is often inferior in quality to that of the pristine water delivered my MM". 26 Corte Madera Avenue • Mill Valley, CA 94941 9 415-388-4033 As the City advances our Local Climate Protection Plan to combat global warming, it is essential that we initiate policies that limit contributors to climate change. There are alternatives. For example, the Mill Valley library has already invested in an under-sink filter at a lower cost, including installation and on-going costs, than they were spending annually on bottled water. Bottle-less dispensers that are supplied by MMWD are easily available and economically competitive. By virtue of the power and authority vested in me by Section of the Mill Valley to provide administration and oversight of all departments and governmental units in the City of Mill Valley, I hereby issue this Directive, to become effective immediately: • Beginning June 16, 2008, there will be a prohibition from any City department or agency purchasing single serving bottled water using city funds, unless an employee contract specifies usage. This prohibition will apply to City contractors and City funded and/or sponsored events. • By August 1, 2008, all city departments and agencies occupying either city or rental properties will have installed filters or bottle-less water dispensers that utilize MMWD supplied water. Waivers will only be granted for legitimate engineering, health, fiscal, or emergency concerns. Small numbers of individual bottles may be kept on hand for legitimate back up or emergency situations. Preliminary research indicates these changes will result in monetary savings for Mill Valley. Bottle-less dispensers that use MMWD water cost under $30/month. The Finance Department estimates that the City will save approximately $5,000 per year by switching to bottle-less dispensers. For questions concerning this Directive and its implementation, including various options and cost information on bottle-less dispensers that use MMWD water, please contact Carol Misseldine, Sustainability Director, City of Mill Valley, 415/388-5273, cmisseldine ci,cityofmillvalle .M. 26 Corte Madera Avenue • Mill Valley, CA 94941 9 415-388-4033 5 Facts About Bottled Water it's expensive. Up to 10,000 times more expensive than tap water! It's often lower quality than tap water. Bottled water is regulated much less strictly than tap water, resulting in numerous recalls due to the presence of carcinogens, arsenic, bacteria and even parasites. It's oil-intensive. 4 million gallons of oil are Used t:o manufacture and transport plastic water bottles each year in the U. S., which creates one billion pounds of climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions. It causes environmental problems. Plastic water bottles will never bio- degrade. Instead, they just break into small plastic particles that can kill marine and other wildlife when they mistcilke those particles for food. It causes health problems. Plastic eater bottles in our landfills leaf toxic chemicals like phthalates and Bisphe nol-A (BPA) into our g rou ndwater. Tests indicate that the contarnination of our bodies by BP can increase cancers and reproductive abnormalities Alternatives to Battled Water D r i i , k to w ate Tap water is often higher quality than bottled water and it's much cheaper. The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) provides some of the highest quality water available in the U.S. And for those who are interested in even greater protection, under-sink or counter top water filters are the best and healthiest solution. Bring you own bottle! Do your part to reduce plastic pollution by bringing your own reusable water bottle with you everywhere you go. Numerous brands of re-usable water bottles are available in local stores and on-line. Make your events plastic-free! To reduce your event costs and help the environment at the same time, forget the bottled water. Just make sure water pitchers are on hand for your next event, and fill them with ice and high quality tap water. In promotional materials for your event, remind attendees to bring their own water bottles, and have durable glasses on hand for those who forget. 'To n d o u. nri o e about the health and environmental impacts of bottled water, go to: http://www.allaboutwater.org/environment.htm/ h ttp://tin yurl. co m/4a wh 54 For more information about Mill Valley's sustainability initiatives, contact Carol Misseldine, Sustainability Director, cmisseldine@cityofmillvalley.org.