City Council Meeting - September 13, 2011

The council discussed removing an unspecified item from the agenda. Councilmember Carolyn Ford moved to take the item off the agenda ▶ 📄, seconded by Linda Pfeifer ▶ 📄. The motion was approved 4-0 ▶ 📄.

Public comment period for items to be discussed in closed session. The Mayor (Herb Weiner) facilitated comments from several residents. Comments focused on general support for the council, concerns about lack of transparency and process regarding a removed item (likely related to affordable housing or property development), and a call for more public information and proper consultation. ▶ 📄 Fritz Warren encouraged the council to continue their work and not be rattled by public opposition. ▶ 📄 Susan Shea and ▶ 📄 Sonya Hanson thanked the council for removing an item from closed session and emphasized the need for transparency and public understanding. ▶ 📄 Keith Stoneking thanked the council for removing an item and recommended using consultants (the M Group) to address affordable housing before proceeding with the Butte-Lincoln property.

The meeting was called to order with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Keith Stoneking. Mayor Weiner announced that the council met in closed session regarding litigation and real property matters, providing direction to staff ▶ 📄. He recommended removing Item 4 (exclusive negotiation agreement with Rotary Housing Corporation) from both the consent calendar and the agenda, which received consensus approval ▶ 📄. Public comment was opened specifically regarding the removal of this item.

The item began with a public comment from Keith Stoneking, who suggested that any comments related to Rotary be held until Item C (Consultant Service Agreement for housing element) ▶ 📄. Mayor Herb Weiner acknowledged the comment and indicated the agenda should be approved without the 4-H item ▶ 📄. Councilmember Linda Pfeifer requested to pull Item C for discussion later ▶ 📄, and there was brief confusion about agenda structure, clarified by Mike Kelly ▶ 📄.

Police Chief Jennifer Tejada introduced Officer Jesse Callinan, highlighting his top performance in the testing process, commitment to service, and family background in public service ▶ 📄. She noted his reasons for choosing Sausalito, citing the small, engaged community. The ceremonial swearing-in and badge pinning followed, with Officer Callinan expressing gratitude to his family, friends, and the community ▶ 📄. Councilmembers and attendees offered congratulations, and a brief informal celebration was acknowledged ▶ 📄.

Associate Planner Heidi Burns presented on the city's recent achievement of Certified Local Government (CLG) status. She explained that CLG is a partnership program under the National Historic Preservation Act, providing benefits like grant funding, technical assistance, and enhanced review powers for federal projects (Section 106). The process began after the City Council prioritized it in FY 2010-2011, allocating $10,000. A subcommittee of the Historic Landmarks Board, including John Flavin and Peter Cipino, worked with staff to complete the application without a consultant, saving the city money. The application was approved by the City Council in March, and final approval from the State Office of Historic Preservation and National Park Service was received on July 14. A resolution was presented to the city on August 5. ▶ 📄 Councilmembers expressed gratitude: Mayor Weiner thanked Heidi and the board for an 'above-the-board job' ▶ 📄; Jonathan Leone credited Heidi's staffing and the board's qualifications ▶ 📄; Carolyn Ford praised doing it without a consultant ▶ 📄; Linda Pfeifer noted approval on the first try reflected local talent ▶ 📄; Mike Kelly highlighted this and historic guidelines as major accomplishments ▶ 📄; Leone added these are tools to preserve Sausalito's character ▶ 📄.

The Communications item consisted of public comments on various topics. Peter Van Meter, representing Citizens for Sustainable Pension Plans, urged councilmembers to sign a pledge to address unsustainable public employee pension costs ▶ 📄. Pat Sook raised concerns about the OMIT committee's transparency and deviation from its original purpose, requesting minutes and realignment ▶ 📄. Kayla Conn advocated for establishing an art commission to support local artists, especially with upcoming events ▶ 📄. Neil Whitelaw emphasized the need for an art commission and expressed frustration over lack of progress on pedestrian safety improvements at crosswalks on Bridgeway, citing a personal injury ▶ 📄. City Manager Jonathan Goldman provided a brief update on crosswalk restriping and offered a future detailed discussion ▶ 📄. Tom Hoover shared a personal incident of a driver not yielding in a crosswalk and suggested increased police enforcement ▶ 📄.

The council moved to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting on July 26, 2011. The motion was seconded and passed with unanimous 'Aye' votes from the councilmembers present, including Councilmember Cooper. ▶ 📄 The item was handled quickly as part of the consent calendar process.

Councilmember Linda Pfeifer pulled item C (environmental and ecological evaluation of shallow marine sediments at Cass Marina) for more information regarding city expansion or modification references ▶ 📄. Councilmember Carolyn Ford also pulled item C and item 4A (bulkhead project) for clarification on funding ▶ 📄. Jonathan Goldman explained that a potential $183,000 change order for the bulkhead project would require a supplemental appropriation if approved, but it is currently being value-engineered to reduce costs ▶ 📄. He noted that contingency funds remain and future cost savings are anticipated through collaboration with contractors ▶ 📄. Mayor Weiner moved item C to the business agenda as 6D ▶ 📄. Councilmember Jonathan Leone highlighted other consent items: D involves $1.6 million in street and storm drain repairs affecting over 20% of city streets ▶ 📄, and E includes street lighting upgrades with $14,000 annual savings and an eight-year payback ▶ 📄.

Finance Director Charlie Francis presented the recommendation to annex the City of Sausalito into the Southern Marin Fire Protection District without a parcel tax, transferring 45% of property tax revenues ($2,667,250) to the district. This is projected to save the city $184,000 annually and maintain high-quality fire services while stabilizing the general fund. ▶ 📄 CityGate consultants Stuart Gary and Dwayne Mills explained that annexation is the best operational and financial alternative, as Sausalito relies on Southern Marin for 11 of 16 personnel needed for a basic building fire. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Carolyn Ford raised concerns about transparency, lack of public workshops, loss of local control, and questioned the financial assumptions and pension liabilities. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Linda Pfeifer echoed transparency concerns and worried about future parcel taxes and pension liabilities. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Mike Kelly and Mayor Herb Weiner supported annexation as fiscally responsible and necessary to maintain service levels, arguing it provides better local control than the current contract. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Jonathan Leone emphasized that small towns cannot afford standalone fire departments and that annexation is the most cost-effective solution. ▶ 📄 The council discussed public outreach, with agreement to conduct education similar to the sewer tax process before the LAFCO protest period. ▶ 📄

The council received the Q2 Police Department report. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for Chief Tejada's work and community engagement ▶ 📄. Councilmember Leone inquired about safety updates at the Marin City freeway underpass, citing historical crime concerns ▶ 📄. Chief Tejada responded that while perception of high crime exists, statistics don't fully support it, and she is building a partnership with the new Marin City Sheriff's lieutenant ▶ 📄. Mayor Politzer added that he and the mayor are involved in county-level meetings addressing lighting, fencing, and maintenance, with updates expected soon ▶ 📄. Councilmember Leone also asked for Chief Tejada's assessment of Sausalito's safety compared to her past experience. Chief Tejada stated Sausalito is very safe, with unique challenges related to tourists, cyclists, parking, and traffic. She noted a recent rash of burglaries in one area and encouraged residents to report suspicious activity ▶ 📄. Councilmember Weiner thanked the chief for being hands-on ▶ 📄.

Sergeant William Fraass provided a quarterly update on disaster preparedness, covering events, training, plans, equipment, community outreach, and future plans. Key points included: response to a two-foot tsunami wave in March due to an earthquake in Japan, utilizing foot contacts, emergency radio, and Nixle for public notification ▶ 📄; ongoing FEMA training for city staff and attendance at external drills ▶ 📄; development of evacuation and tsunami protocols, including maps from USC and Cal-EMA ▶ 📄; successful testing of emergency broadcast systems and contracts with Marin County's notification system and Nixle ▶ 📄; community outreach through neighborhood meetings, realtor partnerships, and events like the Caledonia Street Fair ▶ 📄; and future plans including Disaster Preparedness Awareness Day on October 15th and a training exercise on November 10th ▶ 📄. Councilmember Jonathan Leone inquired about citizen sign-up for notification systems, and Sergeant Fraass explained current and upcoming options ▶ 📄. Police Chief Tahara presented Sergeant Fraass with a certificate of appreciation for his leadership and a supervisory certificate from POST ▶ 📄.

Associate Planner Lilly Schinsing presented the staff report recommending approval of a consultant services agreement with M Group for housing element preparation. The Housing Element Task Force identified need for a consultant to meet aggressive schedule targeting HCD comments by April 2012. An RFP was sent to nine firms; four proposals received. A six-member interview panel (including task force members, Planning Commissioner Warner, Community Development Director Jeremy Graves, and Schinsing) unanimously recommended M Group based on their experience with small unique communities like Sausalito, familiarity with ADU amnesty programs, and senior team involvement. Contract amount is $67,578 with additional 10% buffer, requiring $49,336 supplemental appropriation from general fund. Councilmember Leone questioned cost differential between proposals ▶ 📄 and consensus process ▶ 📄. Councilmember Kelly explained community emails supporting M Group due to their work with Woodside and Belvedere on ADU-focused strategies ▶ 📄. Mayor Weiner moved discussion forward ▶ 📄.

Staff, represented by Jonathon Goldman, presented the item, explaining that the contract is for an environmental and ecological evaluation to gather data on marine sediments and eelgrass at Cass Marina and Turney Street Boat Ramp and Marina. This data is intended to inform future decisions about maintenance, potential expansion, or leasing of the facilities, regardless of specific proposals. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Linda Pfeifer raised concerns about language in the staff report suggesting city interest in expansion, seeking clarification on what expansion might entail. Goldman clarified that the evaluation is a preliminary step to understand site conditions for any future use, not tied to a specific plan. ▶ 📄 Pfeifer confirmed the evaluation is for assessment, not permitting, and Goldman noted it would provide data for cost estimates, not a full financial analysis. ▶ 📄 Discussion included whether the evaluation might accommodate larger boats, with Goldman stating it would provide data to evaluate dredging needs for various vessel drafts. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Mike Kelly noted the consultant's language about expansion, but emphasized the evaluation's general purpose. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Jonathan Leone expressed concern about conducting toxicity tests, warning that discovering contaminants could create liability and cleanup obligations for the city without a clear funding source. ▶ 📄 Goldman responded that knowledge of contaminants does not automatically create a remediation obligation, and the evaluation is about gathering information, not disturbing the site. ▶ 📄 Kelly argued that knowing the conditions is beneficial for long-term planning, whether the site is restored to wetlands or developed for revenue, and that finding toxicity doesn't compel cleanup if not disturbed. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Carolyn Ford, citing fatigue and the need for more thought, moved to continue the item to a future meeting after hearing from interested parties like Heather Richards. ▶ 📄 Pfeifer seconded the motion to continue. ▶ 📄 Pfeifer proposed an amendment to proceed only with the eelgrass survey portion (approx. $10,000) of the contract, but it was not accepted. ▶ 📄 Public commenter Vicki Nichols questioned whether identifying environmental risks would obligate the city to address them before renting the property. ▶ 📄 Leone, initially making a motion to approve, later voted against his own motion after discussion.

City Manager Adam Politzer provides updates on several city initiatives. He introduces Michaela, a new team member focused on video production, with plans to create meeting clips and educational videos about city departments like police, code enforcement, and public works to increase public transparency and engagement ▶ 📄. He announces the completion of the librarian recruitment, hiring Abbott Chambers from Belvedere Tiburon, starting October 17th, who was vetted through multiple panels including community representatives ▶ 📄. A strategic planning session for council and management is scheduled for late October/early November. Councilmember Linda Pfeifer requests future agenda items: revisiting OMIT's guidelines for more transparency, possibly recording its meetings ▶ 📄, and holding a public hearing on the Analysis of Impediments for Fair Housing before it goes to the Board of Supervisors, expressing concerns about its focus and potential influence on housing policy ▶ 📄. Councilmember Carolyn Ford adds future items: reviewing council committee responsibilities and moving forward with forming an Art Commission, noting several interested applicants ▶ 📄.