City Council Dec 17, 2024
City Council Meeting Summary
| Time | Item | Item Summary | Motion Summary | Comment Summary |
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| 00:00:15 | None: None | The meeting is called to order by Sobieski on December 17, 2024. The meeting is being held in council chambers at 420 Little Street. Staff and members of the public are participating via Zoom. The meeting is being broadcast live on the city's website and cable TV channel 27. | No Motion | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 00:00:38 | I: CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL & ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION | Mayor Sobieski calls the meeting to order and asks the City Clerk to do Roll Call (00:00:38). Councilmember Hoffman suggests Sergio Reddin be made a panelist (00:00:40). The roll call is completed, with Vice Mayor Cox present (00:01:05). Councilmember Huffman is not present. The council will move to closed session to discuss two items: existing litigation - Yes in My Backyard versus City of Sausalito (00:01:15), and real property negotiation regarding 750 Bridgeway, Associated Center for the Arts (00:01:24). Mayor Sobieski asks if there are any public comments on these two items (00:01:30). Seeing none, public comment is closed. The council will return at 7 p.m. (00:01:35). There was no report out from the closed session. The meeting continues with the Pledge of Allegiance (00:01:39). | No Motion | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 00:01:57 | II: RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - 7:00 PM | The meeting reconvened to open session at 7:00 PM, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by Ian Sobieski (00:01:57). | No Motion | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 00:02:09 | 2: ACTION MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING | The council is asked to approve the minutes from the December 3rd, 2024 meeting. Vice Mayor Cox notes that Item 4A in the minutes doesn't indicate that the public hearing was opened and closed, which it was. The minutes are amended to reflect this correction and will be approved with the motion initiated by Councilmember Kelman. (00:02:40) | Motion to approve the December 3rd, 2024 meeting minutes with the amendment to Item 4A, initiated by Councilmember Kelman and seconded by Vice Mayor Cox. (00:02:56) | 1 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 1 Neutral |
| 00:03:11 | 3: CONSENT CALENDAR | The council is considering the consent calendar, which includes several items to be passed with a single unanimous motion. The items are: 3A) Adopt a resolution certifying the results of the general municipal election held on November 5th, 2024; 3B) Authorize the city manager to execute an amended professional services agreement with Robert Brown for $13,065, totaling $108,280; 3C) Adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a maintenance and operation agreement with the Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District for $268,720 annually, plus variable costs; 3D) Receive and file the City of Sausalito Bicycle Parking program report for the 2024 season; 3E) Approve the updated agreement from the county of Marin for public safety dispatch services in the amount of $350,725 from the general fund; 3F) Receive and file a report related to parking prohibitions under California assembly bill 413; and 3G) Consider and approve an amended and restated lease agreement with the Sausalito center for the arts for 750 Bridgeway. Vice Mayor Cox requested to remove item 3F and move it to the January meeting (00:04:44) for further consideration and public comment, because Director McGowan will not be present (00:05:26). She also requested a change to item 3C (00:04:44), adding a 'whereas' clause stating that the agreement will terminate upon transfer of collection services to the district (00:05:47). Councilmember Hoffman requested that Item 3G be removed from the Consent Calendar (00:06:53). The council agreed to add the 'whereas' clause to item 3C and remove items 3F and 3G from the consent calendar (00:06:32). | Vice Mayor Cox moved to approve items 3A through 3E, with item 3C approved as amended (00:07:53). The motion was seconded (00:08:01) and carried unanimously (00:08:05). | 1 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 1 Neutral |
| 00:08:16 | 3.G: Consider and Approve Amended and Restated Lease Agreement with Sausalito Center for the Arts for 750 Bridgeway | Councilmember Hoffman addressed a potential conflict of interest under the Levine Act, stating she received a letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission confirming she is not conflicted and can vote on the matter. The letter has been attached to the agenda for public review (00:08:16). Discussion then focused on the financial implications of the amended lease, particularly concerning capital costs (00:09:12). Councilmember Hoffman inquired about the types of repairs and maintenance the city would be responsible for under the new lease, especially regarding structural elements (00:09:42). The city is currently assessing the capital needs of the building with a report expected in February (00:10:30). The exact cost to the city from amending the lease is currently unknown (00:11:05). Councilmember Hoffman asked if there were any estimates for these costs, and Chad indicated electrical, HVAC, and bathroom repairs are needed but a dollar value is not yet available (00:11:18). The upstairs bathrooms are currently not operational (00:11:50). The city is charting new territory with facilities assessments (00:12:17). Vice Mayor Cox noted the city is responsible for capital repairs for other leased properties as well (00:13:00). City Manager Chris Zapata clarified the history of the lease rate discussion, noting the council previously directed staff to charge $6,000 a month (00:13:35). | Motion to approve the amended and restated lease agreement with Sausalito Center for the Arts for 750 Bridgeway (00:16:46) | 1 Total: 0 In Favor 1 Against 0 Neutral |
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00:15:13 Sandra Bushmaker was Against: Sandra Bushmaker requests council members speak into the microphone for better audibility (00:15:18). She notes that the city did a request for ideas, not a request for proposals for the SEA building (00:15:27). She estimates a net additional cost of $7,109 due to the lease modification, plus major repair costs and expressed concern due to other unfunded city needs like police officer positions (00:15:46).
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| 00:17:19 | 3.F: Receive and File a report related to parking prohibitions under California Assembly Bill 413 | The council received a report related to parking prohibitions under California Assembly Bill 413. After no public comment, Vice Mayor Cox moved to continue item 3F to the first meeting in January for further discussion with the Director of Public Works. The motion was seconded and passed. | Motion to continue item 3F to the first meeting in January for further discussion with the Director of Public Works. (00:17:23) | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 00:17:41 | 5.A: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Sausalito and with the Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District to transfer sewer collection services | City Manager Chris Zapata presented the item, explaining that the goal is to streamline sewer services by transferring the city's collection system to the Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District to gain economies of scale and enhance resident service. He clarified that the current system involves two distinct government agencies, oversight boards, workforces, billings, and rate reviews. He noted that in 2020, the council began exploring combining the city system with the district system and the city conducted a full inspection of its pipes and facilities. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a non-binding agreement that outlines the steps to achieve the transfer, including assessing the condition of the collection system, agreeing on responsibilities for transferring equipment, considering hiring city employees, and addressing fiscal aspects like bond debt and legacy pensions. He also mentioned that the city is no longer under an administrative order from the EPA. Councilmember Kelman raised concerns about the MOU's lack of provisions for system closure, Sausalito resident participation in district governance, and consideration of sea level rise in planning. She also questioned the staffing plan and requested copies of prior agreements. Vice Mayor Cox suggested clarifying language regarding attorney fees and consultant costs and adding attorney approval signatures. Councilmember Hoffman emphasized the need for a more in-depth explanation and community input before final approval and questioned liability for pipe maintenance. The council discussed the timeline for the transfer, aiming to complete it by the end of the fiscal year. (00:18:01) - Chris Zapata explains the purpose of the MOU. (00:22:12) - Chris Zapata highlights key components of the MOU. (00:25:44) - Councilmember Kelman asks about resident participation in the district's governance. (00:30:19) - Vice Mayor Cox suggests revisions to the MOU regarding legal costs. (00:31:18) - Councilmember Hoffman emphasizes the need for community input. (00:33:27) - Chris Zapata discusses the timeline for the transfer. | Vice Mayor Cox moved to adopt the MOU in substantially the form presented, with revisions to add "approved as to form" lines, update the provision regarding the date of adoption of the services agreement, and revise the clause regarding payment of each party's own attorney's fees and consultant costs. The motion also included a direction to staff to add provisions concerning governance and closure of the system following transfer of Sausalito's collection system. Councilmember Hoffman seconded the motion. (00:38:25) | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 00:39:14 | 5.B: Presentation to Outgoing Councilmember Janelle Kellman by Chris Zapata, City Manager | This agenda item was a presentation to honor outgoing Councilmember Janelle Kellman for her years of service. Mayor Sobieski opened the item, followed by public comments and a presentation by City Manager Chris Zapata, highlighting Kellman's accomplishments, including her work on climate resilience, securing funding for coastal adaptation, and launching Sausalito's first Pride celebration. Each councilmember shared personal anecdotes and expressed gratitude for Kellman's leadership and contributions. Councilmember Kellman then gave a heartfelt farewell speech, thanking various individuals and groups for their support and sharing a poem she wrote for Sausalito. The meeting concluded with a photo opportunity. (00:46:48) Chris Zapata highlights Janelle's accomplishments. (00:50:05) Mayor Sobieski met Janelle and encouraged her to run for city council. (00:57:29) Councilmember Kelman thanks those who supported her. | No Motion | 6 Total: 6 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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00:39:46 Morgan Pierce was In Favor: Morgan Pierce, former member of the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission, thanked Janelle Kellman for her dedication, objectivity, and friendship, acknowledging her contributions to the community and civil service.
00:41:08 Sandra Bushmaker was In Favor: Sandra Bushmaker thanked Janelle for her years of service on the Planning Commission and City Council, highlighting her work on climate change, adaptation, and resilience. 00:41:39 Alice Merrill was In Favor: Alice Merrill thanked Janelle for her service, appreciating her sensibility, thoughtfulness, and professionalism over the years. 00:42:28 Unknown was In Favor: The speaker thanked Janelle Kelman and praised her professionalism, particularly highlighting her experience on the Planning Commission and her ability to run discussions on complex infrastructural issues. They also wished her success and acknowledged her contributions to sea level rise mitigation. 00:44:11 Vicki Nichols was In Favor: Vicki Nichols shared similar comments to Morgan Pierce, recalling Janelle's early engagement in the community and her subsequent trajectory. She emphasized Janelle's talent and her contributions to innovative solutions for sea level rise, expressing respect and affection. 00:45:53 Charles Melton was In Favor: Charles Melton thanked Councilmember Kellman for her friendship and leadership, particularly as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Sausalito, noting the first Pride Celebration and the installation of the Pride flag and rainbow crosswalks due to her efforts. |
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| 01:11:05 | 5.C: Presentation to Outgoing Mayor Ian Sobieski by Chris Zapata, City Manager | City Manager Chris Zapata presented a recap of the City Council's accomplishments during Mayor Sobieski's tenure, highlighting various initiatives and projects undertaken. He acknowledged the significant time commitment of the council members and the mayor (01:17:26). Zapata spoke about the various proclamations and recognitions made by the council, infrastructure investments, and community engagement efforts (01:17:36). He then individually praised past mayors, before praising Mayor Sobieski for negotiating revenue-producing leases, supporting the Business Improvement District, and strengthening city finances (01:26:07). He also commended Mayor Sobieski's support for employee retention and community events, as well as his placemaking efforts and generosity (01:27:20). Mayor Sobieski then spoke about his time as mayor, giving credit to city staff and other council members for their hard work. He especially thanked his wife Julie for her support (01:32:56). Councilmembers Kelman, Hoffman, and Vice Mayor Cox then spoke about their experience serving alongside Mayor Sobieski, and thanked him for his work. (01:33:44) Councilmember Hoffman shared how she encouraged Ian to run for city council originally. (01:39:58) | No Motion | 4 Total: 4 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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01:11:52 Unknown was In Favor: The speaker thanks Mayor Sobieski for his service and acknowledges their political differences, while also noting his growth and dedication to the role.
01:13:14 Lorna Newlin was In Favor: Lorna Newlin thanks Mayor Sobieski for his leadership and commends the city council and city manager for approving the lease for the SCA and hiring a Kimber company for property management. 01:14:17 Marcia Obieski was In Favor: Marcia Obieski thanks Mayor Sobieski for his leadership and for helping to create a "Salsalita renaissance," highlighting the new Ferry Plaza, the PBID, and the SCA as examples of positive change. 01:15:05 Shelby Van Meter was In Favor: Shelby Van Meter recounts encouraging Ian to run for city council and expresses pride in his accomplishments, praising his creativity, follow-through, and community engagement. |
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| 01:40:26 | 5.D: Oath of Office for Councilmembers Elect Melissa Blaustein, Ian Sobieski, and Steven Woodside. | This agenda item covers the oath of office for the newly elected councilmembers: Melissa Blaustein, Ian Sobieski, and Steven Woodside. Councilmember Sobieski opens the item (01:40:27) and confirms the order of oaths with the city clerk (01:40:56). He then opens and closes public comment on administering the oaths (01:41:02, 01:41:16), noting no comments were received. Dave Sachs, as a newly appointed deputy city clerk, administers the oath to Melissa Blaustein (01:41:44, 01:42:00). Lynette Rose, former mayor and county supervisor, administers the oath to Ian Sobieski (01:44:05, 01:46:39) with Xander Rose assisting (01:44:48, 01:45:07). Steven Woodside is sworn in by Judge Sheila Lickbow (01:47:11, 01:48:11). Each councilmember then receives a pin (01:49:25). | No Motion | 1 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 1 Neutral |
| 01:50:02 | 5.E: City Council Selection of Mayor | Councilmember Sobieski opened the floor for the selection of the next mayor of Sausalito (01:50:02). He nominated Joan Cox, citing her teamwork and the desire to continue the current positive momentum (01:50:13). He then asked if there were any other nominations. Seeing no other nominations, he closed nominations and called for a vote to approve Joan Cox as mayor (01:50:36). The motion carried unanimously (01:50:50). | Motion to approve the election of Joan Cox as mayor, carried unanimously (01:50:36). | 1 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 1 Neutral |
| 01:51:03 | 5.F: City Council Selection of Vice Mayor | The council convened to select a Vice Mayor. Vice Mayor Cox nominated newly elected council member Stephen Woodside, citing his legal background as beneficial for upcoming municipal affairs (01:51:14). Public comments followed, with speakers questioning the decision to overlook Councilmember Hoffman, who has experience and a strong record (01:52:28). Councilmember Hoffman expressed disappointment in deviating from the usual practice of rotating the Vice Mayor position, stating that this decision would prevent her from serving as Vice Mayor or Mayor during her current term (01:56:57). She acknowledged the council's support for the nomination and pledged to assist Mr. Woodside in his transition (01:59:22). Mayor Cox mentioned having discussed her choice with Councilmember Hoffman beforehand (02:00:00). Council then voted to approve the selection of Steven Woodside for the position of Vice Mayor. | Motion to approve Stephen Woodside as Vice Mayor was approved (02:00:26). Councilmember Hoffman voted aye, but noted it was 'respectfully' for the reasons that she just enumerated. | 4 Total: 1 In Favor 2 Against 1 Neutral |
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01:52:18 Babette McDougall was Against: Expressed confusion over overlooking Council Member Hoffman, emphasizing her experience and ability to raise important issues. Questioned the choice of a new council member over a past mayor already on the team. (01:52:28)
01:53:52 Alice Merrill was Against: Agreed with the previous commenter, stating it was out of protocol not to include someone with experience on the dais. Nominated Jill (Hoffman) for Vice Mayor. (01:53:56) 01:54:43 Sandra Bushmaker was In Favor: Supported Jill Hoffman for mayor or vice mayor due to her experience and thorough investigation of issues. Acknowledged Steve Woodside's experience and potential contributions in the future. (01:54:43) 01:55:28 Charles Melton was Neutral: Thanked all city council members, including Stephen Woodside, for their service. Recognized the assets and benefits each member brings to the city. Encouraged the council to look forward, consider everyone's ideas, and build a bright future together. (01:55:28) |
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| 02:02:02 | 5.G: Consider Revising the 2025 City Council Calendar to Cancel the Regular Meeting of August 19, 2025; and Call for 2025 Special Meetings on January 11 at 8:30 am, and February 25 at 7:00 pm. | City Manager Chris Zapata requested the council to consider revisions to the 2025 City Council Calendar, specifically to cancel the regular meeting on August 19, 2025, and schedule special meetings on January 11, 2025, at 8:30 am, and February 25, 2025, at 7:00 pm. He also addressed the September meeting dates, ensuring they don't conflict with any religious observances, such as Rosh Hashanah, which falls on September 24th (02:03:28). Councilmember Hoffman confirmed that there was no meeting scheduled for the 24th (02:03:28). Zapata explained that the January 11th special meeting is crucial for setting the tone for the work program, resource allocation, and strategic direction for the city staff (02:04:17). Council anticipates further discussing additional meetings and workshops during their strategic planning session in January (02:06:09). | Motion to approve the changes to the 2025 City Council Calendar, including canceling the regular meeting on August 19, 2025, and scheduling special meetings on January 11, 2025, and February 25, 2025, made by Ian Sobieski and seconded by Vice Mayor Cox (02:05:36). | 2 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 2 Neutral |
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02:04:58 Councilmember Hoffman was Neutral: Mentioned a previous request and discussion regarding a specific town hall, which is on future agenda items.
02:06:00 Steven Woodside was Neutral: Commented that future agenda items will be added to the list, indicating that the current list is not exhaustive (02:06:00). |
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| 02:06:25 | 6: COMMUNICATIONS | Vice Mayor Cox opens the floor for public communications on items not on the agenda, noting the council's limitations in responding to non-agenda items. Several speakers address the council. One speaker requests the council to move public comment to the beginning of the meeting, suggesting time limits for individual speakers and the total comment period. Another speaker discusses the center medium and bike path project, requesting that the staff report include the consultant's contract and grant funding information (02:07:48). Another speaker shares a personal situation regarding eviction from low-income housing and the difficulty of finding a new place to live, also mentioning the lack of available Section 8 vouchers in Marin County (02:09:03). Another speaker criticizes the council for not having public comment at the beginning of the meeting, and believes that the council is flouting tradition of the community (02:11:12). Sandra Bushmaker also supports moving public comments to the beginning of the agenda, noting that it was like that when she was Mayor. (02:13:18) Vice Mayor Cox announces that, as one of her first acts as Mayor, she plans to move public communications back to the beginning of the agenda next year (02:13:56). | No Motion | 5 Total: 2 In Favor 1 Against 2 Neutral |
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02:07:12 Unknown was In Favor: Requests that public comment on items not on the agenda be moved to the beginning of each meeting with time limits.
02:07:48 Unknown was Neutral: Discusses the upcoming center medium and bike path project in 2025 and requests that the staff report include the consultant's contract and grant funding information. 02:08:56 Sunshine was Neutral: Shares a personal situation regarding eviction from low-income housing, the difficulty of finding a new place to live, and the lack of available Section 8 vouchers. 02:11:12 Unknown was Against: Argues for moving public comment to the beginning of the meeting, criticizing the current placement at the end, and states that the council is flouting the traditions of the community. 02:13:18 Sandra Bushmaker was In Favor: Supports moving public comments to the beginning of the agenda, mentioning that it was that way during her time as mayor, and requested as such during her campaign. |
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| 02:14:30 | 7: COUNCILMEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS | Vice Mayor Cox opened the floor for public comment on councilmember committee reports but, receiving none due to the holiday season, moved on with the meeting. (02:14:30) | No Motion | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 02:14:43 | 8: CITY MANAGER REPORTS & OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS | Vice Mayor Cox introduces the City Manager Reports and Other Council Business, starting with city manager information for the council. (02:14:43) | No Motion | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 02:14:50 | 8A: City Manager Information for Council | City Manager Chris Zapata thanked the Mayor and Council for their work during the recent storm events and power outages, acknowledging the efforts of first responders and city staff in communicating the urgency of the situation to PG&E representatives (02:14:50). He then announced the closure of City Hall and the library to the public on Christmas and New Year's Day (02:15:50), clarifying the operating schedule for the surrounding days. | No Motion | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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| 02:15:53 | 8B: Future Agenda Items | Vice Mayor Cox initiated the discussion on future agenda items, focusing on the Bridgeway median project. She mentioned a recent Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting with significant public attendance and the referral of the item for a sea-level rise assessment. The item is scheduled for review by the Sustainability Commission in January, with plans to bring it back to the City Council in February. Due to the planning retreat and special meeting in February, there are no plans for an additional special council meeting before the grant deadline. Councilmember Hoffman expressed concern about rushing the Bridgeway median issue, advocating for a dedicated conversation with the council due to substantial community interest. Councilmember Woodside suggested a special meeting focused solely on the Bridgeway median, emphasizing safety and input from safety experts. Councilmember Sobieski, who watched the meeting, felt the work product presented was incomplete, lacking key elements, and proposed waiting for the work to be completed before bringing it forward. The Vice Mayor indicated that the Bridgeway item will not be ready in January and they will plan to schedule 4 council meetings in February to address. Councilmember Hoffman raised concerns regarding the recent storm events and power outages, proposing discussions on emergency response, the city's relationship with PG&E, and an update on Gate 5 flooding and resilience. She suggested prioritizing these discussions for the January 11th meeting. Vice Mayor Cox requested that councilmembers communicate their top five priorities for 2025 to the city manager and engage in an interview process with the meeting facilitator. Councilmember Hoffman added that they already have a lot of historic studies on Gate 5 and need to factor ownership issues in to the process to create a path forward. | No Motion | 2 Total: 1 In Favor 0 Against 1 Neutral |
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02:18:31 Steven Woodside was In Favor: Advocated for a special meeting dedicated to the Bridgeway median issue, emphasizing the importance of focusing on safety and incorporating input from safety experts.
02:19:21 Ian Sobieski was Neutral: Suggested comparing the work presented on the Bridgeway median with the original charge from the City Council, noting it was incomplete. He expressed the need for more work to be done and felt the meeting should be a consideration for future direction of work and should be a special meeting. |
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| 02:23:51 | 8C: PUBLIC COMMENT on Items 8A-8B | This agenda item was for public comment on the City Manager's report and future agenda items. Several community members spoke on various topics, including the reconstruction of parking lot number one, the impact of sea-level rise on local businesses, concerns about the removal of the median lane, and the need for appointments to the pedestrian bike advisory committee. (02:29:54) The Vice Mayor announced a meeting with PG&E to discuss better addressing challenges from the storms. | No Motion | 5 Total: 1 In Favor 2 Against 2 Neutral |
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02:24:05 Unknown was In Favor: Recommended a future agenda item to authorize the city manager to solicit requests for proposals for the reconstruction and design of parking lot number one to rejuvenate downtown.
02:24:42 Scott Thornburg was Neutral: Chair of EDAC, mentioned the Gate 5 Road flooding and its impact on local businesses. Suggested considering the impact of sea-level rise on businesses and aligning priorities across committees to address community issues. 02:25:52 Alice Merrill was Against: Expressed concerns about the bicycle lane project, stating that 95% of people at the meeting opposed removing the median lane, and felt that the committee did not listen to the public. 02:26:46 Adrian Brenton was Neutral: Sausalito resident, suggested an agenda item to appoint members to the pedestrian bike advisory committee. Also suggested refocusing the committee to be more transportation-oriented. 02:27:48 Babette Montugo was Against: Expressed concerns about removing the median, stating that it was created for emergency response and that removing it would negatively affect public safety, especially in a high-density area. Also stated there is still a lot of work to do before pulling the trigger on the project. |
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| 02:30:24 | 9: ADJOURNMENT | Vice Mayor Cox stated that the council was ready to adjourn the meeting (02:30:25). She wished everyone happy holidays and thanked them (02:30:28). The meeting was then adjourned (02:30:32). | No Motion | 0 Total: 0 In Favor 0 Against 0 Neutral |
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City Council Meeting Transcript
| Time | Speaker | Text |
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| 00:00:15.72 | Sobieski | Sobieski, |
| 00:00:18.26 | Sobieski | And council members, this special and regular meeting of December 17, 2024, is being held in council chambers located at 420 Little Street. Staff and members of the public are also participating through Zoom. This meeting is being broadcast live on the city's website and on cable TV, channel 27. |
| 00:00:38.66 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you very much, C. Clerk. Would you time to... |
| 00:00:40.30 | Councilmember Hoffman | Sergio Reddin has raised his hand. |
| 00:00:41.97 | Ian Sobieski | Post. |
| 00:00:43.27 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:00:43.30 | Ian Sobieski | Go ahead, Mr. |
| 00:00:43.97 | Sobieski | Mr. City Attorney. |
| 00:00:47.20 | Sobieski | I think he just wants to be made a panelist. |
| 00:00:49.04 | Councilmember Hoffman | Okay. |
| 00:00:49.12 | Shelby Van Meter | Okay. |
| 00:00:49.19 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:00:49.24 | Shelby Van Meter | Thank you. |
| 00:00:49.96 | Shelby Van Meter | We need to do this at the end of the meeting. |
| 00:00:52.48 | Shelby Van Meter | in the future. Sorry, go ahead. |
| 00:00:52.98 | Councilmember Hoffman | Sorry, go ahead. I just thought there was something he wanted to say about our |
| 00:00:54.40 | Shelby Van Meter | human. |
| 00:01:00.90 | Ian Sobieski | You can call the Royal City Clerk. |
| 00:01:03.67 | Sobieski | Councilmember Blastin. |
| 00:01:04.14 | Ian Sobieski | blah, blah. |
| 00:01:05.03 | Vice Mayor Cox | Here. |
| 00:01:05.74 | Sobieski | Councilmember Huffman? Not here yet. Councilmember Cummins? |
| 00:01:10.30 | Vice Mayor Cox | THE FAMILY. |
| 00:01:10.35 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:01:10.40 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:01:10.91 | Sobieski | Vice Mayor Cox? Here. And Mayor Sobieski? Here. |
| 00:01:13.39 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:01:15.65 | Ian Sobieski | All right, so the following items are in closed session. Conference with legal counsel, existing litigation, Yes, in My Backyard versus City of Sausalito. |
| 00:01:24.98 | Ian Sobieski | and then Conference with Real Property Negotiation, 750 Bridgeway, Associated Center for the Arts. |
| 00:01:30.89 | Ian Sobieski | Is there any public comment on these two items? |
| 00:01:34.03 | Sobieski | seen none |
| 00:01:35.51 | Ian Sobieski | All right, we'll close public comment and we will return at 7 p.m. Thanks. |
| 00:01:39.95 | Ian Sobieski | It was a pleasure to use the gavel almost one last time. No report out from our closed session, and we will move on now with beginning our last city council meeting of the calendar year by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Will you please stand? |
| 00:01:57.70 | Ian Sobieski | Pleasure, Legion. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:02:01.38 | Ian Sobieski | and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. |
| 00:02:09.21 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you very much. There are no special presentations. We will now move on to adopting the minutes from the December 3rd, 2024 meeting. Is there any public comment about these minutes? Any persons that would like to. |
| 00:02:20.97 | Sobieski | like to provide public comment the over at the table by the tv there are some speaker slips and you can turn those over to us and if you're on zoom you can use the raise hand function uh seeing none |
| 00:02:31.65 | Ian Sobieski | All right, thank you. We'll close public comment. Is there a motion to approve the minutes? |
| 00:02:37.05 | Ian Sobieski | There's a motion is there a second? |
| 00:02:38.62 | Vice Mayor Cox | I wanted to |
| 00:02:40.76 | Vice Mayor Cox | Item 4A in the minutes doesn't indicate that we open and close the public hearing, which we ultimately did. So I would like to amend the minutes for 4A to demonstrate that we... |
| 00:02:53.79 | Vice Mayor Cox | held the public hearing. |
| 00:02:56.75 | Ian Sobieski | Without objection, we add that to the minutes that will be approved with the motion initiated by Councilmember Kelman. |
| 00:03:03.38 | Vice Mayor Cox | I'll second the motion regarding the amended minutes. |
| 00:03:07.46 | Ian Sobieski | Seconded by |
| 00:03:08.78 | Ian Sobieski | Vice Mayor Cox, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? |
| 00:03:11.53 | Vice Mayor Cox | Bye. |
| 00:03:13.22 | Ian Sobieski | Motion carries unanimously. We'll now move on to the consent calendar. |
| 00:03:16.27 | Ian Sobieski | These are items that will be passed with one unanimous motion, but any city council member may remove them. |
| 00:03:21.77 | Ian Sobieski | if they so wish, the council consent calendar items are three adopt a resolution certifying the results of the general municipal election held on November the 5th, 2024, declaring the result |
| 00:03:34.97 | Ian Sobieski | and such other matters as provided by law. 3B, authorize the city manager to execute an amended professional services agreement with Robert Brown in an amount of $13,065 for a total cost not to exceed a contract amount of $108,280. 3C, adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a maintenance and operation agreement with the Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District to support the cost of one full-time equivalent position and service truck in an amount estimated to be up to $268,720 annually, plus variable costs for equipment, materials, and engineering services from sewer enterprise funds. 3D, receive and file the City of Sausalito Bicycle Parking program report for the 2024 season three E approved the updated agreement from the county of Marin for public safety dispatch services and an amount of 350,000, $725 from the general fund three F receive and file a report related to parking prohibitions under California assembly bill 413 and 3G consider and approve amended and restated lease agreement with the Sausalito center for the arts for seven 50 bridgeway. Does any council member wish to remove any of these items? I swear Cox. |
| 00:04:44.96 | Vice Mayor Cox | Um, mayor, I would like not to remove, but to make one brief change to three E, which is just to add another whereas clause that's consistent with another matter that we're working on. But I would like to remove three F and move that to our January meeting to give us more opportunity to weigh in on alternative means to, um, |
| 00:05:09.11 | Vice Mayor Cox | of to comply with a B 413 without losing 44 parking spaces in town. |
| 00:05:16.45 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, so... |
| 00:05:18.71 | Ian Sobieski | There's a your your request is to remove three F and then to continue the bottom. So we're going to remove it and put it on the agenda and then continue it and take public comment on it at that time. Yes. |
| 00:05:26.75 | Vice Mayor Cox | Yes, I would like to continue because Director McGowan is not able to be here. |
| 00:05:30.39 | Ian Sobieski | So we'll remove 3F from the consent calendar. Well, here it is, business item, with the expectation that the... |
| 00:05:30.60 | Vice Mayor Cox | What we're feeling. |
| 00:05:36.49 | Ian Sobieski | at that time you're going to make a motion to continue the item but we'll take public comment on 3f on its own separately 3e did you describe the additional whereas you wanted to insert |
| 00:05:47.17 | Vice Mayor Cox | Yes, so I've described it to the city attorney. I simply want to say that whereas this services agreement will terminate upon transfer of the collection services to the district. |
| 00:06:03.75 | Vice Mayor Cox | And I forwarded that language to the city attorney, and he's fine with that. |
| 00:06:03.79 | Unknown | And I feel like. |
| 00:06:08.53 | Unknown | Is that, are you referring to item three C the maintenance operation agreement with Sausalito Marin city sanitary district? |
| 00:06:08.62 | Vice Mayor Cox | Is that? |
| 00:06:14.69 | Vice Mayor Cox | Yes. Three C. |
| 00:06:15.80 | Unknown | I'm sorry. |
| 00:06:16.55 | Unknown | So that would be a change to the resolution to suit any whereas clause. |
| 00:06:19.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | See you then. |
| 00:06:22.03 | Vice Mayor Cox | Correct. Just one additional whereas clause. |
| 00:06:24.71 | Ian Sobieski | So I was mispronouncing it. It was 3C, not 3E. And city attorney, you're okay with that, whereas? And does anyone here have an issue? |
| 00:06:31.68 | Unknown | Um, |
| 00:06:32.32 | Unknown | Yes, and let me just read that into the record. So the the provisional would just add a whereas clause that says, whereas the operation maintenance agreement shall automatically cease upon transfer of collection services to the district. |
| 00:06:46.62 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, that's in the record. Any objection to that change added to the consent calendar? Without objection, it will be added. Any other items to be removed? |
| 00:06:53.67 | Councilmember Hoffman | yes mr. mayor i would request that item 3g |
| 00:06:58.11 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, so 3G will come off and be the first business item |
| 00:07:02.65 | Ian Sobieski | Anything else? |
| 00:07:04.20 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, is there a motion to approve the consent calendar of I'm sorry public comment first of items. So we'll take public comment, please, on items three a three b three c three d three e. |
| 00:07:18.22 | Ian Sobieski | now that's it and not 3f or 3g we will hear both of those later in the meeting today so is there a motion to approve |
| 00:07:25.58 | Sobieski | We have, I'm sorry, we have public comment. We'll start with Sandra Bushmaker. |
| 00:07:25.62 | Ian Sobieski | I'm not sure. |
| 00:07:25.82 | Ian Sobieski | We have... |
| 00:07:26.11 | Unknown | Great. |
| 00:07:26.27 | Ian Sobieski | Thanks. |
| 00:07:26.46 | Ian Sobieski | I'm sorry. |
| 00:07:27.03 | Unknown | Public comment. |
| 00:07:27.47 | Ian Sobieski | Public comment, please. |
| 00:07:28.23 | Unknown | We'll start with. |
| 00:07:33.56 | Sobieski | Where did she go? |
| 00:07:36.57 | Sobieski | So, |
| 00:07:38.10 | Sobieski | There she is. Okay. |
| 00:07:39.93 | Sandra Bushmaker | Can you hear me? I just saw that I was going to comment on 3G, but I see you pulled it off. |
| 00:07:44.89 | Sandra Bushmaker | And it'll be heard as a business item. So thank you. |
| 00:07:49.60 | Sobieski | Any other public comment? Seen none. |
| 00:07:51.97 | Sobieski | you |
| 00:07:52.58 | Sobieski | All right, is there a motion? |
| 00:07:53.85 | Vice Mayor Cox | I move we approve items 3A through 3E with 3C approve as amended. |
| 00:08:01.81 | Vice Mayor Cox | Second. |
| 00:08:02.49 | Ian Sobieski | All in favor say aye. |
| 00:08:03.42 | Vice Mayor Cox | Bye. |
| 00:08:04.09 | Vice Mayor Cox | I'm closed. |
| 00:08:04.41 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:08:05.14 | Ian Sobieski | motion carries unanimously there are no public hearing items we'll now move on |
| 00:08:08.98 | Ian Sobieski | To the business items, the first will be 3G, turned into a business item. Consider and approve the amended and restated lease agreement for the Associated Center for the Arts for 750 Bridgeway. |
| 00:08:16.80 | Councilmember Hoffman | Mr. Mayor, if I may, I'd just like to begin on this issue. So when we heard this issue at our first meeting or the last meeting of November, there was a question as to the Levine Act and whether or not I should be conflicted from a vote. And I, in fact, did receive an official letter of advice from the Fair Political Practices Commission and the state of California, noting that I am not conflicted on this matter. And for the knowledge of the general public, I have asked that the city clerk attach this item to our agenda. It is attached. If you go online, it's on page five. You can read the letter. |
| 00:08:46.53 | Councilmember Hoffman | in its entirety, which explains why there is no conflict on this item. So I will be participating in the vote for the SCA lease. |
| 00:08:57.41 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you very much, Councilmember. |
| 00:08:58.90 | Councilmember Hoffman | And just to add, I did provide that as well to our city attorney and our city manager so that they might use it going forward for questions that come up with regards to the Levine Act. |
| 00:09:07.13 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you very much. Any questions for staff or Council Member Hoffman? |
| 00:09:12.67 | Councilmember Hoffman | No. The reason I pulled it was to discuss a question that I had asked to Mr. Hess about the financial analysis of adopting the additional – |
| 00:09:25.70 | Councilmember Hoffman | the additional costs for |
| 00:09:30.96 | Councilmember Hoffman | for the structural, sorry, yeah, the capital costs under the new lease. |
| 00:09:33.12 | Unknown | capital. |
| 00:09:34.07 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:09:34.13 | Ian Sobieski | Sorry. |
| 00:09:34.40 | Unknown | THE FAMILY. |
| 00:09:37.39 | Ian Sobieski | Yep. |
| 00:09:38.89 | Ian Sobieski | Would you like to ask your question? |
| 00:09:40.48 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yes. What's your question? |
| 00:09:41.11 | Ian Sobieski | What's your question? |
| 00:09:42.13 | Chad | . |
| 00:09:42.20 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:09:42.24 | Chad | So you're asking what type of repairs or maintenance would the city be responsible for under the new lease? |
| 00:09:49.21 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah, it was unclear to me when we had discussed it, in addition to reducing the lease cap, I |
| 00:09:56.80 | Councilmember Hoffman | from I think it was |
| 00:09:58.57 | Councilmember Hoffman | Was it 11,000? |
| 00:09:59.95 | Chad | Originally, yeah, it was over $11,000. |
| 00:10:01.47 | Councilmember Hoffman | It goes to escalate up to 11,500. |
| 00:10:02.98 | Chad | Yes, city manager recommended 8,000, and council approved 6,000. Exactly. |
| 00:10:05.17 | Councilmember Hoffman | THE FAMILY. |
| 00:10:07.50 | Councilmember Hoffman | And Councilmember Cox or sorry, Vice Mayor Cox also suggested that we accept all of the capital costs with regard to the building, maintaining the building. |
| 00:10:08.49 | Chad | And... |
| 00:10:18.52 | Chad | The structure of the building, yes. The walls, the roof, the exterior of that building, so the structure of it, that is correct. |
| 00:10:20.68 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah. |
| 00:10:26.99 | Councilmember Hoffman | And at that time we didn't know what that number was. And so. |
| 00:10:30.35 | Chad | That is correct. And we are still working through that. We had our property manager, Kimber, go through that property the other day and do kind of initial assessment and provided some feedback. We also are having Veritas, our facilities assessment consultant, is going through that property and is going to provide a report to the city in February is the current expectation of when that report would be available. |
| 00:10:31.19 | Councilmember Hoffman | And we are so. |
| 00:10:32.15 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah. |
| 00:10:56.64 | Chad | that information will help direct us on the capital needs of that structure. |
| 00:11:01.63 | Councilmember Hoffman | And so at this time, we still don't know what that cost is going to be. |
| 00:11:04.45 | Chad | that is correct |
| 00:11:05.18 | Councilmember Hoffman | So at this time, we still don't know what that additional cost is going to be to the city from amending the lease and accepting those additional costs. |
| 00:11:13.36 | Councilmember Hoffman | pursuant to the change in the lease structure. |
| 00:11:16.01 | Chad | That is correct, council member. |
| 00:11:17.23 | Chad | Okay. |
| 00:11:17.41 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:11:17.46 | Chad | you |
| 00:11:18.24 | Councilmember Hoffman | Do we have any idea at all, any estimates at all? |
| 00:11:24.06 | Chad | No, I'm not qualified to offer that opinion. That would be more of a public works department on those improvements. I know that there are electrical panel upgrades that need to take place. There are HVAC challenges in that structure that need to be repaired, and then also the bathrooms I'm aware of. So there are considerable improvements that need to be made to that structure. At this point, I don't have a dollar value that I can provide or assign to that. |
| 00:11:50.55 | Councilmember Hoffman | And at this time, the bathrooms are not operational. |
| 00:11:53.20 | Chad | That's my understanding. The upstairs bathrooms. |
| 00:11:56.00 | Councilmember Hoffman | Are there any other bathrooms there? |
| 00:11:56.05 | Chad | Correct. |
| 00:11:57.10 | Chad | I don't know. I don't know the answer. |
| 00:11:59.14 | Councilmember Hoffman | Okay, thank you. |
| 00:11:59.88 | Councilmember Hoffman | you |
| 00:12:00.07 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:12:00.12 | Chad | Thank you. |
| 00:12:00.22 | Ian Sobieski | Okay. |
| 00:12:01.08 | Ian Sobieski | Any other questions, Council Member Hoffman? Uh, Boston. |
| 00:12:03.97 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. I'm just wondering, in our general budgeting for the year going forward, when we look at all of our facilities, do we typically have a preemptive assessment of the cost for potential improvements that we're not yet aware of? |
| 00:12:17.38 | Chad | No, we're charting new territory with this facilities assessment and really trying to take a comprehensive look at all of our properties to ensure that we're keeping them safe. We're investing in them and maintaining those facilities. |
| 00:12:30.46 | Councilmember Hoffman | But in your budgeting, when you're considering the general fund, you've put in generally facilities assessments and potential costs for facilities? |
| 00:12:33.62 | Chad | but in general. |
| 00:12:37.92 | Chad | We plan for general repairs and maintenance in a lot of our facilities, but this is above and beyond, and this is new information that is developing after we've prepared our fiscal year 24-25 budget. |
| 00:12:51.62 | Chad | So it will be part of the mid-year process. We're going to have to assign some additional dollars for some of these improvements. Very much so. |
| 00:12:58.36 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you, Vice Mayor. |
| 00:13:00.96 | Vice Mayor Cox | And indeed, this lease is not the only one for which Sausalito is responsible for capital repairs for the properties it leases. Is that right? |
| 00:13:08.23 | Chad | That is correct. |
| 00:13:08.99 | Vice Mayor Cox | And indeed, we incurred significant costs this year with respect to another property that we own that is not a nonprofit, but is actually a for-profit large business. Is that not correct? |
| 00:13:20.68 | Ian Sobieski | That is correct, Vice Mayor. |
| 00:13:21.76 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thanks. Okay. |
| 00:13:22.98 | Ian Sobieski | Councilmember Kelman. |
| 00:13:24.46 | Councilmember Kelman | Yeah, and just to clarify, it's been a while since we heard this, maybe city manager, can you remind us, you had recommended that we set the lease rate at $8,000 a month, is that right? |
| 00:13:35.72 | Chris Zapata | That was then, this is now, there was a vote last time this came forward to take a $6,000 look at it, $6,000 fee assessment as requested by the SEA board. And so when the council directed us to bring this back, it was convoluted by the question of can the council actually vote on this because there was this whole question of the Levine Act. And so the earlier statement by Councilmember Blaustein now presents this as a new opportunity if you so choose as a council to you know undo what you were directed us to do last time I mean that's your call we we are here to make recommendations and follow through on your direction and so when when we recommended that the lease be $8,000 a month and the council directed us to charge $6,000 a month and to look at the cost that might be incurred with some of these capital items, we followed suit and started that process. And that's what Chad was referring to. |
| 00:14:34.81 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you, City Manager. |
| 00:14:36.28 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, let's take public comment, please, Mr. City Clerk. |
| 00:14:40.92 | Councilmember Hoffman | I'm sorry, I have a... |
| 00:14:44.33 | Councilmember Hoffman | I have just one clarification and follow-up question. I'm looking at the agenda right now. There's a... The... |
| 00:14:51.99 | Councilmember Hoffman | The attorney letter from Council Member Blaustein, I don't see it attached to the agenda right now. |
| 00:14:56.77 | Vice Mayor Cox | Page five of the agenda as she announced. It's not attached to the specific item. |
| 00:15:00.89 | Councilmember Hoffman | Oh, pardon me. Okay. Oh, pardon me. Oh, gotcha. Gotcha. Okay. I thought it was a touch on that. All right. |
| 00:15:06.05 | Sobieski | We have Sandra Bushmaker. |
| 00:15:13.41 | Sandra Bushmaker | Hello? |
| 00:15:13.90 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:15:13.96 | Sandra Bushmaker | Thank you. |
| 00:15:14.84 | Ian Sobieski | I can hear you, go right ahead. |
| 00:15:15.89 | Sandra Bushmaker | Oh, you can hear me. We've got a new system. |
| 00:15:18.25 | Sandra Bushmaker | I just like to request that the council members speak into the microphone because we when you turn your head, we can't hear you in it. We lose quite a bit. |
| 00:15:27.92 | Sandra Bushmaker | I just have a couple items that I would like to note for the record. We never did a request for proposals for the SEA building, as stated in the staff report. We did a request for ideas. |
| 00:15:40.64 | Sandra Bushmaker | And I do think there is a difference between those two processes. And I would like that noted. |
| 00:15:46.31 | Sandra Bushmaker | So I would also like noted that it appears and doing some arithmetic that based on the loan requirements that the city is required to pay, we will have a net additional cost of $7,109 as a result of this lease modification. |
| 00:16:04.12 | Sandra Bushmaker | plus the cost of the major |
| 00:16:06.50 | Sandra Bushmaker | major repairs. And I think the public should know |
| 00:16:09.14 | Sandra Bushmaker | that I'm particularly concerned because we have other |
| 00:16:14.12 | Sandra Bushmaker | Expanses, we have unfunded police officer positions in our police department. |
| 00:16:19.84 | Sandra Bushmaker | And I just want that noted in the record that we are |
| 00:16:23.98 | Sandra Bushmaker | taking on $7,000 a month for this particular lease, plus the cost of these major repairs. |
| 00:16:30.26 | Sandra Bushmaker | And that's all I have. Thank you very much. |
| 00:16:35.49 | Sobieski | No further public comment? |
| 00:16:36.79 | Ian Sobieski | All right. |
| 00:16:37.75 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:16:37.87 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:16:38.00 | Unknown | We just had somebody raise your hand. Oh, no, not for the public. All right, we'll close. |
| 00:16:41.29 | Ian Sobieski | All right, we'll close public comment, please. Any discussion here before we vote? |
| 00:16:46.30 | Vice Mayor Cox | I move we approve the amended and restated lease agreement with Sausalito Center for the Arts for 750 Bridgeway. |
| 00:16:53.63 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, motions made and seconded. All in favor say aye. Aye. Oppose? |
| 00:16:57.80 | Shelby Van Meter | Bye. |
| 00:16:59.74 | Shelby Van Meter | No, no. |
| 00:17:00.66 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, motion carries three to two. Let's move on to three F that's the item pulled from consent, receive and file report related to parking provisions under California assembly bill for 13. The vice priority stated her reasons for pulling it. Is there any public comment on that item? |
| 00:17:19.58 | Ian Sobieski | Seeing none. None online. We'll close public comment. Do you want to make a motion? |
| 00:17:23.09 | Vice Mayor Cox | I move we continue item 3F to a date certain, our first meeting in January for further discussion with the Director of Public Works. |
| 00:17:37.76 | Vice Mayor Cox | Second. |
| 00:17:38.43 | Ian Sobieski | motion made and seconded all in favor say aye |
| 00:17:40.66 | Vice Mayor Cox | Bye. |
| 00:17:41.20 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:17:41.21 | Ian Sobieski | Opposed motion carries unanimously. We'll now move on to business items. The first of the next business item, which is adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the member and of understanding between the city of Sausalito and the Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District to transfer sewer collection services. |
| 00:17:59.31 | Ian Sobieski | Mr. City Manager, would you like to- |
| 00:18:01.33 | Chris Zapata | Thank you, Mayor, members of the council, members of the public. I want to first begin by thanking you all and the board of the Sassana Marin City Sanitary District and their general manager for their work on this particular effort, and especially like to thank Council Member Kelman and Council Member Hoffman for their work as members of the sewer committee. I want to start with some general stuff so that we can all kind of get our arms around this because it's a big thing. First and foremost, you know, I think everyone can agree that the sanitary and safe disposal of sewage is essential for public health, protecting water quality, environmental health, and supporting economic activity. Without sewage, you don't have a civilized society, so that's really important. Our Sewers Enterprise in Sauselito currently is a legally separate enterprise fund, and what that means is any revenues we collect from sewer bills go into the sewer system, not into the general fund, not into the tidalance fund, not in any fund, but that fund, so that's what an enterprise fund in a legal term is. what's going on in Sausalito is the residents currently have a longstanding service system that is split between the city of Sausalito and the Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District. And what that means is we have two distinct government agencies. We have two different oversight boards. We have two different workforces. We have two different billings. We have two different rate reviews. Thank you. distinct government agencies we have two different oversight boards we have two different workforces we have two different billings we have two different rate reviews we have different communications that we do that we do differently than the district and district does differently than us so all of that is complicated and to unwind that and make that simpler is one of the objectives of this exercise so uh know this that what the city does do is we provide collection services and the district provides treatment services and they move the effluent |
| 00:19:54.33 | Chris Zapata | the conveyance of it. |
| 00:19:58.09 | Chris Zapata | In 2020, the city council formally began the work of exploring the effectiveness of combining the city system with the district system. As part of this process, the city was requested to make a full inspection of its 21 miles of city pipes and facilities, which we did, and presented it to the city council and the district. That was about a year ago that we presented that and showed you the condition of the pipes that we have and tiered them into five categories and I was done by our consultant Vivian housing last year at the city council strategic planning session a priority of the city council was to work to streamline the critical this critical service with the marine city Saucyla sanitary sewer District to do two things predominantly gain economies of scale and enhance resident service from sewage and an understanding of what they're getting |
| 00:20:52.39 | Chris Zapata | So since then, the city and the district have engaged over the past year to work on and identify steps necessary for the district and the city to transfer their portions or the city to transfer its portion of the collection system to the district. That's been a very involved process in which the sewer subcommittee has been involved, our staff, |
| 00:21:11.63 | Chris Zapata | The district board, the district subcommittee, the district staff, our legal counsel have all been involved in. |
| 00:21:17.42 | Chris Zapata | One of the aspects of that was the local agency formation commission, LAFCO, and what would happen if this were to occur. There was some questions asked from the legal standpoint as to was LAFCO to be involved or LAFCO not to be involved. And the answer came back from the council at LAFCO that it was the district's call as to involve LAFCO or not. And the city was essentially a bystander. THE DISTRICT ELECTED TO INVOLVE LAFCO OR NOT. AND THE CITY WAS ESSENTIALLY A BYSTANDER. THE DISTRICT ELECTED TO NOT GO THROUGH THE LAFCO PROCESS. THEY'D RATHER STREAMLINE IT AND GO STRAIGHT CITY TO DISTRICT AND DISTRICT TO CITY. AND STAFF WOULD SUPPORT THAT. |
| 00:21:54.14 | Chris Zapata | So in this work, one of the outcomes is is what you have in front of you tonight, which is a memorandum of understanding. What is a memorandum of understanding? What is an MOU? |
| 00:22:04.89 | Chris Zapata | It's a... |
| 00:22:06.25 | Chris Zapata | non-binding formal agreement to provide specifics so the city and the council can |
| 00:22:12.89 | Chris Zapata | try to reach the goal of transferring services from the city to the of Sausalito to the Sausalito Marin Sanitary District so what we're doing right now is providing you a a pathway in which to achieve this that will be followed down the road if this is approved to create a schedule but there are specific components of this that need to be understood by the public first and foremost there has to be an assessment and understanding of the condition of the collection system which we did that was a study done by housing and associates identifying our 21 miles and what condition they were in and providing that to the district which they have there has to be an agreement on the responsibilities in transferring equipment there has to be consideration of hiring two of the three city employees currently on staff that's the district's request |
| 00:23:01.69 | Chris Zapata | We have to provide all related documents that we have that involve our sewer system. We have to engage in public outreach with the district to notify the public of the city's intent to transfer services to the district. We have to commit to collaboration and communication in a future relationship with the district. |
| 00:23:23.00 | Chris Zapata | have to work on with the district on the fiscal aspects of it including the transfer of uh bond debt the city has a current bond loan with with our own enterprise which has to be satisfied through the bond covenants and the bondholders there has to be acceptance of that by not only the |
| 00:23:44.89 | Chris Zapata | in the city, but also the district as well. So that's going to be something that's going to take some work. And then we have a couple of things that are part of the financial aspect of it, which are we have a state revolving loan fund, and we also have some legacy pensions that we need to resolve through this memorandum of understanding process. So as we determine the legal and administrative needs and issue, |
| 00:24:08.08 | Chris Zapata | We would be coming back to the city council with some more concrete information. This is just the beginning. It's important to take this step to build that roadmap, to adopt a schedule, so this system could be transferred if that's what the city so wants to do, and that's what the district agrees to. One of the things I will say is the city of Sausalito may not be known to the public, but it's known city council and city staff we were under a administrative order from the environmental protection agency since 2008 along with the district through the work to document the management of sewage and wastewater over that period of time we requested and appealed that this decision be removed and so we received a letter from region nine saying that they granted that to the city so we're no longer under administrative order from the environmental protection agency which is a good thing and the district is no longer under that same order theirs was removed as well so that concludes the information i have for you mayor and council in public thank you very much happy to answer any |
| 00:25:14.93 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you very much. |
| 00:25:16.27 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you, Mr. City Manager. Are there questions, please, for our City Manager? Councilman Kellman. |
| 00:25:16.38 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. |
| 00:25:20.15 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you. |
| 00:25:20.20 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you. |
| 00:25:20.64 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you very much City Manager. So a member of the Council, a sewer committee, so let me start with some questions. Does the MOU contain a provision for closure of the system following transfer of Sauciuto's collection system? We've discussed that in prior meetings. |
| 00:25:36.52 | Chris Zapata | I apologize, but it does not. And that would be something that we would want to incorporate into our MOU process going forward. |
| 00:25:44.53 | Councilmember Kelman | Okay, we saw consolidation a long time ago with Southern Marin Fire. So spurred on by that, given that the transfer of service will result in the transfer of significant services for Saucedo residents now overseen by the Saucedo City Council, is there any provision for ensuring that Saucedo residents are able to participate in the governance of the district? |
| 00:26:06.52 | Chris Zapata | And again, a memorandum of understanding is a document that is non-binding. And these two items, that item that you mentioned about |
| 00:26:15.72 | Chris Zapata | service expansion and about governance are really important ones and we miss those you know that's what happens when you have changeover of staff over a four or five year period something gets lost in that time frame so we definitely would want to bring those forward as part of an MOU and final agreement |
| 00:26:33.01 | Councilmember Kelman | A couple more questions and that's okay. So I know there's a capital condition assessment and understanding. I think 2021 was the first year that the district began to look at sea level rise in its planning and we all know where the district is located. How was that contained in this assessment and understanding? And how is the work that we're doing with Katie, with WRT, for our vulnerability assessment plan to that? |
| 00:26:55.27 | Unknown | Mm-hmm. |
| 00:26:55.39 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. |
| 00:26:55.85 | Chris Zapata | As part of this particular document, there isn't a specific language, but there is an intent on our end and on the district's end. They've spent a big sum of money. I toured their facilities about three months ago to, you know, make their facilities more climate resilient. You know, they're doing work around what we call the Block 303 area to make sure that, you know, the bay is protected, you know, and that's been a heavy lift as well. And then as part of the analysis that we have, if you look at the Vivian Hausen report, you know, there is, you know, a rating of all of the status of each of the five, the pipe, the 21 miles, in which five is bad and one is good, and we have some that are five, and I'm not sure if those are along the waterfront, but we can certainly take a look because that would be important. We don't want to have a compromised collection system because we failed to plan and look at anything related to climate change or sea level rise. |
| 00:27:59.77 | Councilmember Kelman | Okay, yeah, I would strongly urge that we include that and |
| 00:28:03.14 | Councilmember Kelman | have a risk mitigation factor around that. We own the conveyance, but they, of course, have the treatment. And there are some areas, including the pump stations, there are low-lying areas of Lumberjway. So I guess my additional question is, you may not know this, but we handle waste that comes all the way from Amir Woods. It goes through TAM, it comes into us, and then goes through our city to the district. My understanding from prior discussions was that after this transfer the district would close its system and not undertake any additional collection obligations I don't see that in the MOU was that discussed |
| 00:28:37.16 | Chris Zapata | Yeah, that has been a miss on our part again. I think I thought that's what you were referring to earlier with us closing the system, having language in it that says we don't want it to be such a large system that, you know, SOS that was forgotten in governance or it becomes too large to manage in terms of the operation and maintenance of it. So yeah, I think that's a fair conversation to have with the district. |
| 00:28:59.25 | Councilmember Kelman | Okay and last question is about staffing and Chad you may want to weigh in. We talked a little bit about the sewer fund. Why is the district only going to hire two of our three sewer maintenance staff and if they only need two of the three why are we separately planning to pay an additional FTE for operations and maintenance? |
| 00:29:17.16 | Chris Zapata | So that's a hard question for me to answer because I'm not Kevin, but I'll do my best. We are only planning to hire two people in our department. We had three when this process was started. We have since lost one. If this goes forward, we don't intend to hire another person. I think the sewer services agreement that was earlier approved by the council is a way way to fill that gap for you know operational and system needs so we're happy or we're content with the fact that we wouldn't have to you know they wouldn't have to lay someone off if we had three and there were two we have two and we'll keep two for the time being if this slows down significantly we may have to revisit this |
| 00:30:00.12 | Councilmember Kelman | Okay, and then maybe for the city attorney, do we have a copy of the 1953 and 1958 agreement and subsequent amendment that this agreement replaces? Do we actually have copies of that? |
| 00:30:10.75 | Unknown | Yeah, we do. I'm happy to forward those to Council if you would like copies of them. |
| 00:30:15.41 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you. Thank you, city manager. |
| 00:30:17.30 | Ian Sobieski | Vice Mayor. |
| 00:30:19.48 | Vice Mayor Cox | I noted in the MOU there's language about each party bearing |
| 00:30:26.01 | Vice Mayor Cox | the total |
| 00:30:27.54 | Vice Mayor Cox | attorneys fees and consultant costs. I wonder if it would be clearer to say each party to bear their own attorney and consultants costs. |
| 00:30:39.58 | Vice Mayor Cox | This is directed to the city of the Hernia. |
| 00:30:41.28 | Unknown | Yeah, I believe, yes. Yes, we should make that revision. That is non-substantive. |
| 00:30:45.36 | Vice Mayor Cox | Okay. |
| 00:30:47.51 | Vice Mayor Cox | And then I wonder also if we, you know, right now, it only shows the principal signing. I know that we've both had the benefit of counsel and indeed the |
| 00:30:57.58 | Vice Mayor Cox | agreement recites that we've had the benefit of counsel from our respective attorneys. And so is it possible to add approved as to form by the attorneys for each? |
| 00:31:09.17 | Vice Mayor Cox | agency. |
| 00:31:10.52 | Unknown | Yeah, that definitely is a change we can make. |
| 00:31:13.54 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 00:31:13.93 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:31:15.40 | Ian Sobieski | Any other questions? Councilmember Hoffman. |
| 00:31:18.57 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you, City Attorney. I feel like this is an initial presentation, and I feel like that this is going to come back to us again with a more in-depth explanation and how impacts, based on some of the questions that Councilmember Kelman has asked, and a more in-depth presentation of how the, what are we calling this, an expansion of service? Correct. a transfer no no and a more in-depth presentation of how the, what are we calling this, an expansion of service? Correct. A transfer, no, no, it's no longer a transfer. Is it an expansion? |
| 00:31:46.15 | Unknown | Correct. |
| 00:31:48.74 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:31:50.53 | Unknown | It's a transfer of service and assets. |
| 00:31:53.71 | Councilmember Hoffman | So we've gone through another. Okay. Well, it was a consolidation. It was an expansion, but now it's a transfer. Very well. I'm happy to accept whatever term is the current term. But I, especially because of the caution that we all feel based on previous considerations, |
| 00:32:15.05 | Councilmember Hoffman | metamorphosis of services with different agencies here in Sausalito, that the community is going to want a much more in-depth description of what's going to happen and how we're going to be impacted by that, and that's going to happen before this actually goes into effect. I'm assuming that tonight is not the night where we're going to approve. This is just the initial explanation. |
| 00:32:43.45 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:32:43.74 | Councilmember Hoffman | The MOU is a |
| 00:32:44.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | who actually calls for the community meetings? |
| 00:32:46.63 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah. |
| 00:32:46.95 | Councilmember Hoffman | We're going to be right. |
| 00:32:47.03 | Councilmember Hoffman | approving what I'm actually city manager yeah so so |
| 00:32:47.42 | Vice Mayor Cox | But I'm actually... |
| 00:32:49.41 | Chris Zapata | Yeah, so absolutely. This is a non-binding action that you're taking tonight, if you take it. In the agreement itself, it speaks to public engagement that is a part and parcel to this current MOU, that that must happen. And certainly before anyone would sign on a dotted line that this is final, you'd have to have more public input, more council review of the actual final documents. And MOU is just a starting point. |
| 00:32:50.02 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you for that, man. |
| 00:33:17.61 | Councilmember Hoffman | So this is just the first step in what will be a long process. |
| 00:33:21.07 | Chris Zapata | All right. |
| 00:33:21.27 | Chris Zapata | I'm hoping it's not long. |
| 00:33:24.28 | Councilmember Hoffman | Give me your estimate of what the next steps are going to be. |
| 00:33:27.01 | Chris Zapata | Well, I would hope that we would target by the end of this fiscal year to get this done, because there are a couple of reasons. One is we're building a budget, and, you know, if we have the sewer enterprise in our budget for the coming year, that complicates how we move forward in that regard. Secondly, you know, as we try to figure out our risk profile, the things that we can do to mitigate risk, this would be something that I believe would be helpful in that vein as well. I understand there's history in the community over the district, the fire district and fire department transfers, and that's all water under the bridge, but it's got people's eyebrows raised a little bit. This is not that. This is a totally different thing. The money that comes in comes from the rate payers. Unlike the property tax segmentation in the fire district situation, this one is you've approved rates for three years. Those rates are there. They'll stay there. If, in fact, the district takes it over, as we would hope, sooner than later, then it's their obligation to look at the rates to pay for all the things that the system requires, which we are doing. And we're doing it halfway. We're not in full control of this. I think maybe the community is confused by that. Maybe not. But it's not a good situation for a city to have half of a utility. |
| 00:34:50.72 | Councilmember Hoffman | And the question, one of the questions, primary questions is going to be, |
| 00:34:55.42 | Councilmember Hoffman | who's going to pay or who accepts the payment or the responsibility for payment of the bonds. |
| 00:35:00.92 | Chris Zapata | That that's that's the financial aspect that we need to work through. Council member Hoffman. And that's a good question, because that's that's the I believe it's the place where it either happens or it doesn't. And so we need to have that conversation with the district after we do some financial work on our end to understand the bond covenants and what the process is. And we started that. |
| 00:35:23.04 | Councilmember Hoffman | So when would we expect to see a full sort of explanation and a full report on the questions that we've discussed here on the dais and how we're going to move forward? |
| 00:35:34.16 | Chris Zapata | So we're going to have to get back with the district to talk about some of these things that are currently in the MOU and get their temperature on them. And we know we should be able to do that in the next, you know, first part of next month and then come back to city council early February and say this is where the district is or isn't. And then keep trying to move the train forward. |
| 00:35:54.11 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:35:54.12 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 00:35:55.24 | Ian Sobieski | Right. |
| 00:35:55.61 | Ian Sobieski | Vice Mayor. |
| 00:35:55.96 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. |
| 00:35:55.98 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:35:57.67 | Vice Mayor Cox | One other issue is that the MOU as drafted says that we've already signed the services agreement, which we just approved tonight. So again, Mr. City Attorney, if we can just, you know, approve the MOU subject to the minor revisions to reflect the actual status of these correlating services agreements. |
| 00:36:20.48 | Unknown | Yeah, and so to the extent that Council's inclined to approve the MOU tonight, my recommendation is the items agendized is adopt a resolution. There is no resolution in the packet, so I would recommend that your motion be authorize the city manager to execute the memorandum of understanding in substantially the form presented tonight subject to modifications as approved by legal counsel. |
| 00:36:45.80 | Unknown | Um, |
| 00:36:47.26 | Vice Mayor Cox | And then would we come back in January to add to the MOU the provisions that Councilmember Kelman raised about governance and about closure of the system? |
| 00:36:59.06 | Unknown | Yeah, if the council wants to direct staff to engage in those discussions with the district and assuming the district is agreeable to make those amendments, then yes, we would be able to come back with an amended MOU for the council to approve. |
| 00:37:12.12 | Chris Zapata | Great. |
| 00:37:12.24 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:37:12.26 | Chris Zapata | We'd like that direction tonight, the vice mayor, mayor and council, to incorporate the questions that were asked so that we can come back with a ready-made document rather than revisiting it. |
| 00:37:21.91 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. |
| 00:37:21.98 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:37:21.99 | Chris Zapata | All right. |
| 00:37:22.03 | Ian Sobieski | Once a member of Blastene. |
| 00:37:22.99 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah, I just wanted to ask a few questions about the more practical applications of this for Sausalito residents. So when we think about the cost of something like, |
| 00:37:31.76 | Councilmember Hoffman | improvements for our pipe system that's something that has if a pipe breaks the potential for millions of dollars in shortfall for infrastructure improvements so if we move forward with this memorandum of understanding for example right now we have a service agreement whereby the district operates four pumps with in partnership with us will they also be taking on liability associated with the maintenance of those storage pipes or where does the shift go with |
| 00:37:56.70 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:37:56.74 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yes. |
| 00:37:56.79 | Unknown | Yes. |
| 00:37:56.97 | Chris Zapata | FORWARD. |
| 00:37:57.33 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:37:57.58 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yes. So that would significantly reduce our liability as we're thinking about how to decrease our insurance costs, for example. |
| 00:38:05.04 | Unknown | Hopefully. |
| 00:38:05.77 | Councilmember Hoffman | Okay, okay, great. I just wanted to make that clear. So members of the public understood what the benefits were for this type of agreement and why we've been pursuing it. So thank you. |
| 00:38:14.64 | Ian Sobieski | Any other questions? Seeing none, we'll move open public comment, please. |
| 00:38:20.70 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:38:20.72 | Ian Sobieski | I'm not sure. |
| 00:38:21.24 | Ian Sobieski | No. |
| 00:38:21.32 | Vice Mayor Cox | No. |
| 00:38:21.39 | Unknown | you |
| 00:38:22.59 | Ian Sobieski | Seeing none. All right. We'll close public comment. Is there a motion? |
| 00:38:25.76 | Vice Mayor Cox | I move we adopt the MOU in significantly the form presented with the revisions discussed from the dais this evening regarding adding approved as to form lines with updating the provision regarding the date of adoption of the services agreement and revising the clause regarding payment of each party's own attorney's fees and consultant costs with direction to staff to add provisions concerning governance and closure of the system following transfer of Sausalito's collection system. |
| 00:39:06.35 | Ian Sobieski | I'll say it. |
| 00:39:06.74 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 00:39:06.91 | Ian Sobieski | All right. Motion made and seconded. |
| 00:39:09.10 | Ian Sobieski | All those in favor say aye. |
| 00:39:10.45 | Ian Sobieski | Aye. Aye. Opposed? |
| 00:39:12.30 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, motion carries unanimously. |
| 00:39:14.23 | Ian Sobieski | now move on to 5b the presentation to outgoing city council member janelle kelman by chris potter city manager |
| 00:39:21.16 | Ian Sobieski | Our city attorney. |
| 00:39:24.07 | Ian Sobieski | David Myers, advises me that we need to take public comment on these since they're all agendized as business science so. David Myers, So so city clerk, is there any public comment here on five be. |
| 00:39:36.66 | Sobieski | Yeah, we have Morgan Pierce. |
| 00:39:41.18 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:39:41.20 | Unknown | See you. |
| 00:39:46.17 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor Sobieski, Vice Mayor Cox, members of the city council. |
| 00:39:51.99 | Morgan Pierce | city staff and members of our community. |
| 00:39:54.22 | Morgan Pierce | My name is Morgan Pierce, former member and chair of the Saucydo Historic Preservation Commission. |
| 00:39:58.64 | Morgan Pierce | former member and chair of the Sausalito Planning Commission and current president of Sausalito Beautiful. |
| 00:40:03.94 | Morgan Pierce | I've had the distinct pleasure and honor of working with Commissioner Kelman |
| 00:40:07.49 | Morgan Pierce | during my tenure on the Historic Preservation Commission and partnering with her as a fellow planning commissioner |
| 00:40:12.48 | Morgan Pierce | over a period of several years. |
| 00:40:14.54 | Morgan Pierce | During that period, I found Janelle to be a committed |
| 00:40:16.72 | Morgan Pierce | hardworking, thoughtful. |
| 00:40:18.30 | Morgan Pierce | and compassionate servant to our community. |
| 00:40:20.99 | Morgan Pierce | And I learned a great deal about civil service, |
| 00:40:23.18 | Morgan Pierce | through our many deliberations. |
| 00:40:25.14 | Morgan Pierce | I'd love to thank Janelle. |
| 00:40:26.55 | Morgan Pierce | profusely for her selfless dedication to our community, |
| 00:40:29.63 | Morgan Pierce | for her objectivity. |
| 00:40:30.99 | Morgan Pierce | in assessing a wide array |
| 00:40:32.60 | Morgan Pierce | of challenging development applications |
| 00:40:35.08 | Morgan Pierce | And last but not least, her friendship. |
| 00:40:37.29 | Morgan Pierce | I wish her great success in her future endeavors and encourage my fellow Sausalitans to join me in thanking her for her service. Thank you, Janelle. |
| 00:40:59.44 | Sobieski | All right. We have Senator Bushmaker. |
| 00:40:59.80 | Unknown | We're not. |
| 00:41:08.98 | Sandra Bushmaker | I want to join in the thank you for Janelle for all of her years of service on the Planning Commission and on the City Council and the endless work she's done on climate change and adaptation and resilience. And kudos to you, Janelle. Thank you so much. |
| 00:41:32.77 | Ian Sobieski | Ms. Merrill, did you want to make your comment? Oh, sorry. I'm sorry. |
| 00:41:33.78 | Unknown | I don't know. |
| 00:41:34.02 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:41:34.12 | Unknown | Okay. |
| 00:41:34.27 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:41:35.47 | Ian Sobieski | To cut in front of you there, Mr. City Clerk, I saw her approaching the dice. Go right ahead, Ms. Reynolds. |
| 00:41:39.93 | Alice Merrill | Sorry. I want to thank Janelle, too. I know I get up here and whine and complain about things and argue with you. But I really appreciate what Janelle has done and your sensibility and your thoughtfulness and professionalism. And I thank you. And all the years. It's been nice knowing you. Thank you. |
| 00:42:09.56 | Sobieski | by BepBepBegDougle. |
| 00:42:15.20 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:42:15.21 | Ian Sobieski | Ms. McDougal? |
| 00:42:15.91 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 00:42:21.00 | Unknown | Good evening. |
| 00:42:22.57 | Unknown | So I can now explain that the reason for the delay is it takes a while for the unmute button to present itself. |
| 00:42:28.85 | Unknown | And too bad y'all didn't see my raised hand for earlier items. But I do also want to join in saying thank you, Janelle Kelman. |
| 00:42:36.64 | Unknown | Now, I don't want to repeat everything that everybody said, but I do want to take up where Alice Merrill left off. |
| 00:42:42.13 | Unknown | because she mentioned the professionalism that, |
| 00:42:44.84 | Unknown | Janelle Kalman has consistently demonstrated |
| 00:42:47.85 | Unknown | And I would like to speak specifically to that. |
| 00:42:51.07 | Unknown | I really appreciate and value that this woman started |
| 00:42:55.02 | Unknown | from the ground and worked her way up. There is no better place to learn policy chops than on the Planning Commission, in my opinion. |
| 00:43:02.73 | Unknown | And I really applaud the time that she invested in our planning commission because it has made a world of difference in how she sits at that dais and can run a discussion about |
| 00:43:13.06 | Unknown | on rather complex issues |
| 00:43:14.93 | Unknown | particularly, you know, infrastructural items in particular. |
| 00:43:19.30 | Unknown | that like nobody else can. I mean, it's thanks to that kind of training and discipline that she has accrued to herself. |
| 00:43:27.15 | Unknown | And finally, I wish her every success going forward. |
| 00:43:30.14 | Unknown | Don't forget Sausalito when you become president of the United States. |
| 00:43:34.00 | Unknown | Thank you so much. |
| 00:43:35.88 | Unknown | or governor of California for that matter. Thank you so much, Janelle. You've done a fantastic job for us. |
| 00:43:40.87 | Unknown | You've brought us into the current century. |
| 00:43:43.64 | Unknown | And it's thanks to you, Janelle, that we are going forward in such a positive way, especially with the mitigation of sea level rise. I'm so pleased that you were able to take that on and bring it to us. |
| 00:43:54.34 | Unknown | We're going to miss you horribly. |
| 00:43:56.53 | Unknown | We're going to really miss you. But we understand that there is a higher calling, and we all support that. Thank you. |
| 00:44:05.95 | Sobieski | All right. Next speaker is Vicki Nichols. |
| 00:44:11.33 | Vicki Nichols | Good evening, Mayor Sobieski and council members. Many of my comments are similar to |
| 00:44:17.52 | Vicki Nichols | Thank you. |
| 00:44:17.62 | Vicki Nichols | Morgan Pierce says we both served with Janelle |
| 00:44:21.12 | Vicki Nichols | on not the HLB, but when she was on planning commission and as planning commissioners, |
| 00:44:26.53 | Vicki Nichols | There are many wonderful statements that have just been made about her, but even before she started, really her... |
| 00:44:32.71 | Vicki Nichols | volunteer service, I remember her as a very |
| 00:44:36.22 | Vicki Nichols | younger member coming into Sausalito who organized a |
| 00:44:41.05 | Vicki Nichols | salon for members of |
| 00:44:44.52 | Vicki Nichols | friends that she met to discuss issues and policies. And so she was really reaching out even at that very early stage |
| 00:44:53.77 | Vicki Nichols | to learn more, to engage the community, and then she just rocketed right off of that trajectory. |
| 00:45:01.35 | Vicki Nichols | She's really been a talent that's going to be hard to be replaced in that. |
| 00:45:07.05 | Vicki Nichols | She has reached out on her own accord with keeping good reputation to other groups. I'm, |
| 00:45:13.80 | Vicki Nichols | coming to mind is the |
| 00:45:15.62 | Vicki Nichols | innovative solution for a different kind of way to do insurance. Sea level rise is, you know, we would not be near |
| 00:45:23.66 | Vicki Nichols | in the position that we are without Janelle |
| 00:45:26.39 | Vicki Nichols | So I hope she stays in touch too. I'm really rooting for her and her next adventure. |
| 00:45:32.36 | Vicki Nichols | But I have a feeling that she just doesn't ditch people easily. So we hope to see you around Janelle. And thanks for everything. With great affection and a lot of respect. Thank you. |
| 00:45:43.30 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you, Vicki. |
| 00:45:52.82 | Ian Sobieski | Mr. Melton. |
| 00:45:53.73 | Charles Melton | Good evening, my name is Charles Melton. I just wanna say thank you, Council Member Kellman, for one, your friendship, and also for being a leader, an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ plus community of Sausalito. Because of you, because of your tireless efforts, we had our first ever Pride Celebration here in Sausalito because of you. Our Pride flag applies here at City Hall. |
| 00:46:14.96 | Charles Melton | We have a crosswalk downtown where a large history of this town, the LGBTQ plus community has been part of it. But oftentimes you've been hidden in the hills and hidden in the houseboats. You brought great visibility to our community and we couldn't have done it without your leadership, your passion and your advocacy. So thank you for all that you've done for this critical community here in our town of Sausalito. Thank you. |
| 00:46:34.67 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you, Charles. |
| 00:46:43.46 | Sobieski | I believe that. |
| 00:46:44.10 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, we'll close public comment then. Mr. City Manager. |
| 00:46:44.13 | Sobieski | Okay. |
| 00:46:48.00 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. It gives me great, great pleasure to speak to some of the things and maybe repeat some of the things about planning commissioner, former mayor, and Councilmember Kelman. We are certainly grateful for your service to the community and the city during the past three decades. Three decades. |
| 00:47:10.90 | Chris Zapata | So Janelle is a very special public service in her rigorous but kind approach to problem solving will be missed by city staff. We will miss that. |
| 00:47:16.55 | Unknown | her |
| 00:47:16.70 | Adrian Brenton | with |
| 00:47:16.77 | Unknown | really, really, really, |
| 00:47:24.31 | Chris Zapata | Among your many accomplishments, part of the team, sometimes leading the team, sometimes finding resources for the team or a path forward for the team, you united the council to achieve a compassionate and successful resolution of the homeless encampment as mayor. At that time, I believe you were the first city in California to achieve this with a federal court case hanging over them. So that was leadership that you provided. But you were just getting started. The focus and push on the Sea Level Rise Task Force, you actually working to secure $1 million from the state for a coastal adaptation plan. You pushing for the hiring of a talented resilience and sustainability manager. Who's here tonight? Carito Garcia. |
| 00:48:16.68 | Chris Zapata | And you work with our city council and our consultants to acquire grant funding, a million dollars for longstanding needs such as Gate 5 Road and the 10th Street Dock, so thank you for that. As a member of the Finance Committee for two years, |
| 00:48:32.22 | Chris Zapata | you push for transparency and new leadership in the department. |
| 00:48:35.81 | Chris Zapata | And that resulted in our Cracker Jack Finance Director, Chad Hess. |
| 00:48:39.25 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:48:44.86 | Chris Zapata | It's been mentioned, but I know you did many hours of work on state mandated housing element. You co-authored the appeal of the housing numbers allocated to SOSU and the methodology. Thank you for that. You served on the Economic Advisory Committee, planting the seeds for a blue economy and innovation ecosystem in the Marin ship. You mentioned, it was mentioned by Charles, you launched SOSU's first ever pride celebration, including the installation of the Rainbow Crosswalks on |
| 00:49:11.55 | Chris Zapata | Bridgeway. |
| 00:49:13.12 | Chris Zapata | You supported the Ferry Landside Improvement Project and the Business Improvement District. You worked as a city council member to create workforce stability by supporting middle-of-the-market pay philosophies, 36-hour work schedule for non-public safety, non-management employees. And so the people here that I work with that are my colleagues, on behalf of them, you know, we certainly thank you. We express our gratitude for your leadership and your service. We wish you the best in all your future endeavors, and we expect to continue seeing you and your impact in Sausalito in California. So I want to present something to you, if I can, on behalf of the organization. Thank you. |
| 00:50:05.54 | Ian Sobieski | The plaque says, the city of Sausalito City Council, Janelle Kelman, in appreciation of your dedicated service, December 8, 2020 to December 17, 2024. Congratulations, but I'm sure we all want to add a word. So maybe I'll kick it off. I met Janelle at the Spinnaker restaurant when we did the town hall about the future of the town, really. And I was so taken with her. I said, we got to have coffee. And I said, you should run for city council. Little did I know that I would have the incredible, distinct honor to serve with you. And in that time, it was, |
| 00:50:40.74 | Ian Sobieski | The challenge, I think, has created a bond of common purpose. And I'm really proud to have migrated my admiration and kept it while developing a friendship. So I won't add to the laundry list of accomplishments, but I know you already have come so far. And the best is yet to come. So congratulations. It's truly been an honor. Best of luck. |
| 00:51:09.74 | Vice Mayor Cox | Um, |
| 00:51:15.77 | Vice Mayor Cox | At that time, she was the chair of the Planning Commission. So I learned from her because it was my first foray into public service. And then eight years later, I returned the favor. I was the chair of the Planning Commission who had just gotten elected to the city council. And I invited her to apply back to the Planning Commission, which she did. And, of course, she then ran for city city council something not a lot of people know is that um this guy beat me by one vote in 2020. |
| 00:51:47.02 | Vice Mayor Cox | And so I was not on the council in 2021 and 2022, and Janelle faithfully kept in touch with me and solicited feedback and partnered with me as I continued to try to work behind the scenes on things of real importance for Sausalito. And I am so grateful. She's not the only member of this council who did that, by the way, but I'm so grateful to Janelle for doing that. And, you know, through it all, we have just become, you know, it's a privilege to call you my friend as well as my colleague and my partner on the dais. So thank you so much. |
| 00:52:29.63 | Councilmember Hoffman | Well, I first met Janelle in 2017 when I naively knocked on your door because I did not know who you were, which obviously showed my navetae because at that point you'd been engaged for over 10 years in our community as a big time leader. And you were so warm to me and you actually invited me in and we talked for, I don't know, almost at least a half hour. And I really liked you right away. And then I figured out how impressive your resume was, which did not surprise me at all. And how. |
| 00:52:58.86 | Councilmember Hoffman | critical you were to the community. So then my admiration grew. And then we got to serve together on the general plan advisory committee, which was some of us up here served on that. And it was quite a lot of fun. |
| 00:53:10.54 | Councilmember Hoffman | um many hours spent yes fun um and uh and then I remember going to coffee with you in 20 like late 2020 mid 2020 um just to see like hey you know are you going to run for city council and at that time I was thinking like if Janelle's going to do it I don't really need to because Janelle is going to be great um and to get to serve alongside you has just been so |
| 00:53:34.16 | Councilmember Hoffman | rewarding for me because you are like my climate companion. Every time something needs to come up about resilience or sustainability or climate change, we are just always in lockstep and you come up with the most incredible ideas to have a climate lens, to put resiliency first, to remind us of that. You got a million dollars, then another $600,000 just chasing all of the opportunities for making our city a real |
| 00:53:57.03 | Councilmember Hoffman | beacon and example for what climate resilience can look like. And one thing that you don't talk about from the dais a lot that people might not know that you do is you're actually an international leader in all things sea level rise and climate. You frequently are asked to speak all over the world about sea level rise solutions. You have a nonprofit that you started that focuses on sea level rise solutions and you're the president of the North Bay League of Cities. So just outside of what |
| 00:54:21.02 | Councilmember Hoffman | you bring to Sausalito, you represent Sausalito's flag so impressively all over. And I've had the opportunity to work with you in the Jewish community, and that's been a really special way for us to bond together and share in our values. And I'm just really going to miss having you up here, and Bowie's going to miss you too. And we're going to continue to knock on your door and show up, and I hope you |
| 00:54:44.48 | Councilmember Hoffman | show up on zoom and make lots of frequent public comment and engagement and you are just such a leader for our community for for decades and i hope you continue to stay engaged as you move on to bigger |
| 00:54:55.38 | Councilmember Hoffman | Bigger, but not necessarily better, but bigger things. So you will be missed. |
| 00:54:57.56 | Unknown | Big, big, big. |
| 00:55:08.07 | Councilmember Hoffman | I'll do the wrap-up. Yeah, you don't know how lucky we are to have had Janelle with us the past four years, to have the incredible talent that she brought to the table and the professionalism. She's just a huge well of talent that she brings to us. We met, I don don't know I think it's 20 years ago at a law firm where we crossed paths briefly I think Stoll Reeves was the law firm and I worked there we worked there as associates briefly and so I walked in and someone said oh yeah you guys live in Sausalito she's on the planning commission |
| 00:55:48.35 | Councilmember Hoffman | We were both, I was a litigator, and I think we were both litigation attorneys there for a little bit, and, um, |
| 00:55:54.55 | Councilmember Hoffman | You know, what a delight to work with her on the council. And I found out that she was running when I was deployed. And my phone still worked occasionally. And I got a call from her. She said, I'm running. I'm running. |
| 00:56:09.82 | Councilmember Hoffman | can I have your endorsement? I'm like, well, let me get back. Let me get back inside the United States and we'll talk when I get back. And we did. And of course I endorsed her and she ran and it's been, she won handily and thank God, right? And what a tremendous, tremendous job she's done for the people of Sausalito. And you have no idea. I mean, all the things that we've heard up here on the dais, |
| 00:56:37.09 | Councilmember Hoffman | You know, today... |
| 00:56:38.61 | Councilmember Hoffman | And tonight... |
| 00:56:39.89 | Councilmember Hoffman | the incredible amount of work that she's done for us and the incredible amount of |
| 00:56:45.17 | Councilmember Hoffman | the mountain of |
| 00:56:47.16 | Councilmember Hoffman | assets that she's brought to the table and how she's brought us into the future on |
| 00:56:53.02 | Councilmember Hoffman | climate change and really led the way, not just for Sausalito, but for the region and for other cities and towns here in our region and led the way along the coast and other coastal cities. It's just tremendous. And so thank you, Janelle, in addition to all the other comments that have been made up here. |
| 00:57:11.63 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you for everything you've done, not only for us, but for everybody along the coast and for our community and all the fun that you've brought to us as well. So thank you. All right. |
| 00:57:22.50 | Ian Sobieski | Right. |
| 00:57:25.20 | Ian Sobieski | So Councilmember Kalman, future Lieutenant Governor, the last word is yours. |
| 00:57:29.82 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you. |
| 00:57:33.18 | Councilmember Kelman | I'm not crying, you're crying. No, nobody's crying. |
| 00:57:37.11 | Councilmember Kelman | My turn for some thank yous. |
| 00:57:40.05 | Councilmember Kelman | So I had to write it down. I normally go off script, but I didn't want to miss thanking all of the people who have made this so important. |
| 00:57:48.06 | Councilmember Kelman | Today I do conclude my official service to Sausalito. Probably not going to reapply for the Planning Commission, don't worry about that. And it is a journey that began over two decades ago. I was a young... |
| 00:57:59.91 | Councilmember Kelman | law firm attorney, a land use attorney, and there was this vacancy on the planning commission and I applied. I didn't really know what it did, but I got it and here I am. So from my early days as a planning commissioner to my recent role as mayor and member of the city council, each step has strengthened my love for this remarkable community. |
| 00:58:17.24 | Councilmember Kelman | I've spent 14 years in this room. |
| 00:58:21.56 | Councilmember Kelman | Sausler has been my home since 2001. |
| 00:58:24.95 | Councilmember Kelman | And the truth is, I am deeply in love with Sausalito. |
| 00:58:30.18 | Councilmember Kelman | Never has a place captured so much of my imagination with its beauty and its saltiness. All nestled so close to the trails I love and the water. |
| 00:58:38.87 | Councilmember Kelman | Wherever I travel, when I mention Sausalito, people smile. And as a city council member, I have loved serving. From every extra meeting to every July 4th parade to every chili cook-off, this is an amazing place. |
| 00:58:52.74 | Councilmember Kelman | And together we've achieved so much. We've advanced climate resilience and taken key steps to plan for Salisados infrastructure. We have reinvested in our downtown and built new bridges for the business community. And we have created one of the strongest staffs in city hall that I've seen. And I worked with six different planning directors, so I know this. |
| 00:59:11.80 | Councilmember Kelman | It is definitely bittersweet to step down from this dais. And the highlights are many. |
| 00:59:18.18 | Councilmember Kelman | I've had the honor of helping plan and approve the public safety buildings back in the day. |
| 00:59:23.17 | Councilmember Kelman | I worked with Saucydo legends like Bill Werner. |
| 00:59:26.73 | Councilmember Kelman | and Susie Shea. |
| 00:59:29.58 | Councilmember Kelman | I spent three years developing a vision for Sausalito and our general plan, pushing with councilman Blaustein for new features like a sustainability element, more disaster preparedness planning and a path to economic and climate resilience. |
| 00:59:41.38 | Councilmember Kelman | And then I spent another three years working on Sausalito's housing element. |
| 00:59:45.12 | Councilmember Kelman | Together, we have served through remote meetings, COVID restrictions, economic challenges, and a homeless encampment. |
| 00:59:51.62 | Councilmember Kelman | I ran as a collaborator and a team player, and I believe I delivered on those promises. |
| 01:00:02.56 | Councilmember Kelman | I am so, gosh, I'm proud of the progress we've made together during my time on council. |
| 01:00:08.39 | Councilmember Kelman | I tried to balance compassion and practicality. |
| 01:00:12.80 | Councilmember Kelman | These moments have shown me that the decisions we make at the local level can ripple outward in shaping the lives of people far beyond our city limits. |
| 01:00:21.44 | Councilmember Kelman | But of course, none of this happens in isolation. There are so many volunteers and dedicated members of this community who have supported me. |
| 01:00:27.94 | Councilmember Kelman | Please allow me to name a few. |
| 01:00:31.84 | Councilmember Kelman | I want to extend a huge thank you to my planning commission colleagues who took the time to join today, Morgan, Vicki. Your dedication and shared commitment to this community is immeasurable. |
| 01:00:43.01 | Councilmember Kelman | I also want to thank Phillip Snyder who is actually the chair when I first served on the commission who pulled me aside on the bus home and told me I needed to talk more. |
| 01:00:52.09 | Councilmember Kelman | Guess I solved that problem. |
| 01:00:55.48 | Councilmember Kelman | I want to thank the inventors and creators and fabricators in the working waterfront. |
| 01:01:00.81 | Councilmember Kelman | During COVID, you indulged my crazy idea to make face masks. And sure enough, together we fabricated and shipped 15,000 plastic face shields nationwide for free. |
| 01:01:10.68 | Councilmember Kelman | Reason Bradley is the real mayor of Saucyedal. |
| 01:01:15.47 | Councilmember Kelman | I want to acknowledge and thank our amazing Sausalito Sea Level Rise Task Force. I see Michelle, and I see Terry back there, Cass, Wilford, Greg, Christina, Lisa. We have thorough planning commission reviews, public hearings, a comprehensive white paper with immediate and long-term recommendations. And ultimately, you supported my efforts to secure a million-dollar check from the state of California to address flooding in Sausalito. If you don't believe Sausalito floods, please see last weekend. |
| 01:01:45.85 | Councilmember Kelman | I still have a picture of that million dollar check on my phone. Thank you city manager. |
| 01:01:51.37 | Councilmember Kelman | And what makes me most proud is how wisely we've used that funding, hiring our first ever resilience and sustainability manager, and assembling a world-class team to lead our vulnerability assessment. |
| 01:02:00.68 | Councilmember Kelman | And things like this create momentum. |
| 01:02:03.25 | Councilmember Kelman | This year alone, and a huge thank you to Katie, we secured about a million more dollars in grants for gate five road flooding, the Turney Street dock, and to assess the vulnerability of our city-owned property along the waterfront. |
| 01:02:15.04 | Councilmember Kelman | And I also want to offer a heartfelt thank you to the Sausalito Pride Committee, especially Scott Thornburg, Charles Mountain, Wayne Catholic, Michael Rose, Joel Carr, and Ken Fong, |
| 01:02:24.31 | Councilmember Kelman | I launched the first ever Saucelito Pride celebration as an idea, but these amazing humans have been key to execution. |
| 01:02:31.39 | Councilmember Kelman | With the support of my council colleagues in the Pride Committee, we gifted Sausalito with rainbow crosswalks and three days of inclusivity and celebration. |
| 01:02:39.85 | Councilmember Kelman | It's been an incredible run. |
| 01:02:42.65 | Councilmember Kelman | I also want to thank our amazing city employees, many of whom I've known for a very long time and consider both neighbors and friends. |
| 01:02:50.92 | Councilmember Kelman | Tabitha, Katie, Brandon, Kevin, Brian, Chad, Walford, Maria, Peter, Kathy, and of course the chief hiding in the back to name a few. |
| 01:03:00.98 | Councilmember Kelman | And there are, of course, many more. |
| 01:03:03.59 | Councilmember Kelman | from capturing our special moments and amplifying our good work to working with demanding council members and emerging victorious with new grant monies |
| 01:03:12.80 | Councilmember Kelman | to working through giant planning documents with respect and grace. |
| 01:03:17.58 | Councilmember Kelman | to navigating our aging infrastructure with patience and awareness. |
| 01:03:21.28 | Councilmember Kelman | and to helping turn ideas into action, whether it was Sausalito Pride or new wind guards at the MLK Pickleball Courts. |
| 01:03:29.51 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you. |
| 01:03:32.11 | Councilmember Kelman | I want to thank our city manager. |
| 01:03:41.41 | Councilmember Kelman | I want to thank our city manager Chris Zapata, who this council hired in our first big act together, and who's 30 plus years in that seat as city manager has been a secret weapon for me, for teaching me that ROI also stands for return on involvement. |
| 01:03:58.55 | Councilmember Kelman | A lesson I'll carry with me. |
| 01:04:01.69 | Councilmember Kelman | And to my fellow council members, I am deeply grateful. |
| 01:04:08.29 | Councilmember Kelman | Councilmember Blaustein, for your thought, partnership, and support on all things climate, |
| 01:04:13.76 | Councilmember Kelman | your commitment to equity, and your solidarity and leadership as a fellow Jewish elected official. I thank you. |
| 01:04:28.32 | Councilmember Kelman | Mayor Sobieski, for your ability to shake the snow globe, |
| 01:04:34.73 | Councilmember Kelman | and encourage this lawyer dominated counsel to think outside the box. |
| 01:04:39.09 | Councilmember Kelman | and for your dedication to following through on projects you believe in. |
| 01:04:44.54 | Councilmember Kelman | I thank you. |
| 01:04:51.17 | Councilmember Kelman | Vice Mayor Cox. |
| 01:04:53.38 | Councilmember Kelman | for your long time friendship, your collegiality, your professionalism, and your diligence. |
| 01:04:58.80 | Councilmember Kelman | From our time on the planning commission to now on the city council, your expertise and direction on critical policy and legal overlaps has been invaluable. |
| 01:05:09.50 | Councilmember Kelman | I thank you. |
| 01:05:16.26 | Councilmember Kelman | And to Councilmember Hoffman. |
| 01:05:18.81 | Councilmember Kelman | For your amazing guidance as mayor during my first term on this beautiful council, your pragmatic approach to problem solving, and your willingness to dig deeply into the issues you care so deeply about for a community you care so deeply about. |
| 01:05:35.40 | Councilmember Kelman | I thank you. |
| 01:05:40.12 | Councilmember Kelman | Finally, I want to thank the people of Sausalito. You were the heart of this community. |
| 01:05:44.82 | Councilmember Kelman | Serving as your mayor has been the honor of a lifetime. |
| 01:05:49.71 | Councilmember Kelman | While my role in the council is ending, I will always remain an advocate for this city. And I'm excited to see the seeds we plan to continue to grow in the years to come. |
| 01:05:59.09 | Councilmember Kelman | Before I conclude, I'm just going to ask my council members and city manager to pull out what I've given to you in your bag. |
| 01:06:07.72 | Councilmember Kelman | because nobody ever wants to be forgotten |
| 01:06:11.31 | Councilmember Kelman | So I've stubbornly |
| 01:06:14.16 | Councilmember Kelman | come to you with |
| 01:06:16.14 | Ian Sobieski | A kerchief? |
| 01:06:17.62 | Councilmember Kelman | pocket squares. |
| 01:06:28.71 | Councilmember Kelman | And since I still have the mic and it's still on, I'm gonna embarrass myself with one last thing. I was asked in the EDAC meeting, yesterday was it Scott? Does Sausalito have a poet laureate? And I thought, well, I've got free time. |
| 01:06:45.95 | Councilmember Kelman | Right? |
| 01:06:47.69 | Councilmember Kelman | One of my favorite poets is Mary Oliver. |
| 01:06:51.78 | Councilmember Kelman | It urges us to pay attention and be astonished and tell about it. So I wrote a poem. |
| 01:07:00.47 | Councilmember Kelman | And my effort and style akin to Mary Oliver, and it's called For Sausalito. |
| 01:07:09.66 | Councilmember Kelman | I am deeply in love with this place. |
| 01:07:13.53 | Councilmember Kelman | where salt air tangles with dreams, and trails meet water, meet sky. |
| 01:07:20.29 | Councilmember Kelman | Sausalito. |
| 01:07:22.28 | Councilmember Kelman | Name it and watch smiles bloom. |
| 01:07:25.58 | Councilmember Kelman | A town that holds imagination like a harbor holds light. |
| 01:07:30.89 | Councilmember Kelman | Here I learned the art of care. |
| 01:07:34.25 | Councilmember Kelman | drafting plans, building safety into foundations, raising questions against the rising tides, |
| 01:07:41.62 | Councilmember Kelman | I've seen the waterfront hold its stories while waves come to whisper change. |
| 01:07:48.32 | Councilmember Kelman | In a year when the world stopped and we stitched shields from plastic and sent them to strangers, it felt good to be a part of something bigger. |
| 01:07:57.47 | Councilmember Kelman | And so I stayed to fight for what I love. |
| 01:08:01.74 | Councilmember Kelman | Campaigns under stars six feet apart. Conversations like tides pulling truth to shore. |
| 01:08:01.77 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 01:08:08.96 | Councilmember Kelman | I walked the stories of this campus with my chosen family. |
| 01:08:13.50 | Councilmember Kelman | Learn to read the currents, the pride in the boats, and the fear in the floods. |
| 01:08:19.27 | Councilmember Kelman | Sea level rises, but so do we. |
| 01:08:22.14 | Councilmember Kelman | a million-dollar check in my hand, and a task force with answers. |
| 01:08:25.99 | Councilmember Kelman | Solutions built plank by plank. |
| 01:08:28.93 | Councilmember Kelman | We hired resilience and we found wisdom in the winds. |
| 01:08:33.26 | Councilmember Kelman | As mayor, I saw the city through the lens of care, housing shaped by values and compassion balanced on the edge of a homeless encampment. |
| 01:08:41.70 | Councilmember Kelman | Big victories gleamed, but small winds sang. A pickleball court's wind guard. A dock restored for our community. |
| 01:08:51.59 | Councilmember Kelman | We have planted seeds in stormy soil and trust the sun to guide us. |
| 01:08:57.56 | Councilmember Kelman | Sausalito, I leave this role. |
| 01:09:01.06 | Councilmember Kelman | and not this love. |
| 01:09:03.35 | Councilmember Kelman | Your waters and skies still hold me. Your future still calls. |
| 01:09:07.94 | Councilmember Kelman | Let us rise together like the tides. |
| 01:09:11.13 | Councilmember Kelman | Let us ride together at dawn. |
| 01:09:13.76 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you. |
| 01:09:25.24 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:09:44.59 | Ian Sobieski | We will do a picture, sure. Want to come up to the middle and behind the dais? Do you want to be in front of the dais? Come right here. Do you want to be in front? Right here? Come in. |
| 01:09:46.31 | Unknown | I'm not sure. |
| 01:09:58.43 | Ian Sobieski | Oh. |
| 01:09:58.51 | Unknown | Oh, any color? |
| 01:10:00.03 | Shelby Van Meter | Thank you. |
| 01:10:00.22 | Unknown | So nice. |
| 01:10:00.23 | Ian Sobieski | Did someone in the audience think of a picture? This is sitting there. |
| 01:10:00.56 | Shelby Van Meter | Thank you very much. |
| 01:10:01.35 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:10:03.71 | Shelby Van Meter | Anybody? Anybody. |
| 01:10:07.96 | Shelby Van Meter | Well, first of all, I got this. |
| 01:10:08.35 | Sandra Bushmaker | Thank you. |
| 01:10:10.51 | Shelby Van Meter | Could you be in the middle? |
| 01:10:11.80 | Ian Sobieski | Can we break it? |
| 01:10:12.28 | Shelby Van Meter | I'm gonna sit in the middle. |
| 01:10:15.88 | Shelby Van Meter | Let's go. |
| 01:10:16.94 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:10:16.96 | Shelby Van Meter | Thank you. |
| 01:10:17.08 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:10:17.24 | Shelby Van Meter | Bye. |
| 01:10:17.40 | Ian Sobieski | That's it. Yeah, it'll be actually in the minute. |
| 01:10:17.43 | Unknown | that's it. |
| 01:10:17.60 | Councilmember Kelman | Thank you. |
| 01:10:20.06 | Unknown | our pockets personally. |
| 01:10:20.96 | Ian Sobieski | I have a pocket, which is not. |
| 01:10:21.09 | Unknown | I have a pocket. |
| 01:10:22.09 | Unknown | Thanks. |
| 01:10:22.98 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:10:27.88 | Shelby Van Meter | Don't shoot. |
| 01:10:37.09 | Shelby Van Meter | Oh, my God. That was beautiful. Add that to the... |
| 01:10:39.30 | Unknown | Add that to me. |
| 01:10:40.77 | Unknown | Bye. |
| 01:10:49.76 | Ian Sobieski | Yeah, at the risk of inciting some sort of complaint from the public, I will off-agenda hereby appoint you the Poet Laureate of Sausalito for the remainder of this meeting. |
| 01:10:59.80 | Ian Sobieski | Ah. |
| 01:11:01.64 | Ian Sobieski | And wish you fair winds in following seas. |
| 01:11:05.91 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:11:06.42 | Ian Sobieski | PB, David Ensign, Well done and now we'll move on to item five C, which I hope will be a much briefer presentation about going. PB, David Ensign, To outgoing Mary and so be asking myself by our city manager, Mr city and Mr Chris a pota but again we have to take public comment on this item so Mr city clerk is there any public item on five C. |
| 01:11:31.07 | Ian Sobieski | We have some people coming up. |
| 01:11:33.39 | Ian Sobieski | No, they say. |
| 01:11:35.41 | Ian Sobieski | These are all the Janelle fans can leave. |
| 01:11:39.85 | Ian Sobieski | Well, look. |
| 01:11:40.29 | Sobieski | you |
| 01:11:40.88 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:11:40.93 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:11:40.96 | Sobieski | We'll start online. We'll start with Babette McDougall. |
| 01:11:52.61 | Unknown | Thank you. So, Mr. Mayor, I know that you and I don't always agree politically. |
| 01:11:58.85 | Unknown | And I know that you and I have certainly gone nose to nose over more than one issue this past year and last year, too. But I thank you so much for stepping up to volunteer yourself as a civil servant, a servant of the people of this town. |
| 01:12:14.36 | Unknown | I've seen you actually mature a great deal this past year. |
| 01:12:18.66 | Unknown | And I'm glad of that. And I'm glad to know that you have taken this job seriously. I wasn't too sure at first. |
| 01:12:25.48 | Unknown | but watching you perform over the last two years |
| 01:12:28.50 | Unknown | I came to really appreciate that. In fact, you do take it seriously after all. |
| 01:12:32.97 | Unknown | So I thank you very much for that. |
| 01:12:36.33 | Unknown | I wish you fair winds going forward. I know you are not stepping away from the daisies. |
| 01:12:41.46 | Unknown | unlike our Ms. Kelman, who will go off to bigger... |
| 01:12:45.63 | Unknown | and better opportunities that will be better for us all, I know. But I want to thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your work on behalf of us, we the people of South Salido. Thank you so much. |
| 01:13:14.75 | Lorna Newlin | Hi, Lorna Newlin, homeowner for 31 years, small business owner here for 22 years. And I want to thank Mayor Sobieski for all his leadership. I wasn't sure exactly which agenda item to speak on, but I wanted to, besides Mayor Sobieski, commend the city manager and city council for following through and especially approving the lease for the SCA. I think I spoke on that in January. And also for the forward thinking of hiring a Kimber company for property management. I've been a tenant at MLK for 19 years now, and it's really important for all of us. So I want to commend all of City Council for your service, because I know it's tireless, and especially the mayor. So thank you very much. |
| 01:14:11.27 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:14:14.66 | Sobieski | Starting to block it. |
| 01:14:17.92 | Marcia Obieski | Marcia Obieski, I just want to thank you so much for your leadership and for all of the positive change that you've helped lead us through. |
| 01:14:28.18 | Marcia Obieski | And just helping us create a Salsalita renaissance. So just been very excited. Love the new Ferry Plaza that I know all of you were in support of. But it's looking amazing. I think they just removed some of the fencing. And I keep hearing people. They're so excited about being down there and having a beautiful space. And your leadership was critical to that. The PBID, we're super excited to see everything that's happening, starting to happen downtown with that and the SCA. So I just wanted to thank you for your leadership and for helping us navigate change. I know it's not always easy, so thank you. |
| 01:15:00.19 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:15:05.62 | Shelby Van Meter | Hi, I'm Shelby Van Meter. |
| 01:15:07.92 | Shelby Van Meter | I... |
| 01:15:08.78 | Shelby Van Meter | Ian, years ago now. |
| 01:15:12.07 | Shelby Van Meter | One morning at Poets' Corner, |
| 01:15:14.53 | Shelby Van Meter | which I was redoing, and Ian lived next door and was very supportive. He came down and sat next to me, and he said, Shelby, I think I'd like to run for the city council. Would you support me? |
| 01:15:26.97 | Shelby Van Meter | And he didn't really know anyone. He'd never been to a council meeting, I think. Is that true? No. |
| 01:15:33.53 | Shelby Van Meter | sort of |
| 01:15:34.80 | Shelby Van Meter | And I thought, well, sure, of course I'll support you. I like you a lot, and I know you will be... |
| 01:15:40.57 | Shelby Van Meter | you work very hard. And sure enough... |
| 01:15:43.03 | Shelby Van Meter | he won the election and |
| 01:15:46.17 | Shelby Van Meter | So I'm very proud of you, Ian, in my own way. |
| 01:15:49.07 | Shelby Van Meter | And I thank you for all you've done. I love that you think out of the box. I love how creative you are. I love how you follow through. And I love how you... |
| 01:15:58.20 | Shelby Van Meter | make a point of meeting individuals in the community. It seems every time I turn around, you're having coffee or lunch with someone else. And I know that one by one by one, you have made a huge difference in making contact with the community members. And I know that's very much appreciated. So I thank you for everything. |
| 01:16:19.52 | Shelby Van Meter | I've loved watching you become mayor and navigate the waters, and you've done a great job. So thank you for everything, Ian. You're appreciated a lot. |
| 01:16:36.41 | Ian Sobieski | Anyone else, Mr. City Clerk? I think that's it. Okay. Okay. We'll close public comment then, Mr. City Manager. |
| 01:16:44.29 | Chris Zapata | Thank you, Mayor and Council members of the public. |
| 01:16:47.87 | Chris Zapata | I'm going to do something that I've been tasked to do every year, and I enjoy it because it's an ability to recap the work that's been done by the city council and honor the mayor as the mayor leaves office. So by the numbers, Saucyotl City Council had 26, now 27 city council meetings this year. |
| 01:17:07.51 | Chris Zapata | You considered 342 items as of last agenda, so now it's more than that. So it's closer to 350. Over 90 hours of public meeting you've had in a year. That's an average of 3.6 hours per meeting. And guess what? We appreciate the rigor, |
| 01:17:25.01 | Chris Zapata | and the service and |
| 01:17:26.34 | Chris Zapata | almost volunteer time you put into this community in your roles as mayor and council. |
| 01:17:31.34 | Chris Zapata | So let's start with what's happened in Sausalito. |
| 01:17:36.06 | Chris Zapata | You began the year by proclaiming and honoring and observing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. You issued proclamations recognizing Juneteenth, LGBTQ plus Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, gun violence awareness, Alzheimer's and brain awareness, as well as welcoming delegations from our sister cities and adopting a resolution acknowledging loneliness and isolation in older adult communities to support services that enhance the well-being of older residents in Sausalito. And you recently honored Sean Saylor and his family for their contributions to Sausalito. So that's just some of what you've done. You've taken resident talent and volunteerism. You've recognized this. You've conducted interviews and you've provided placement of our talented city residents on various city and county commissions and committees. Thank you for that. This past year, you held a strategic planning workshop to direct attention on five priorities. A general fund emergency reserve policy, city insurance, sewer consolidation at the time, property leasesases and a hillside ordinance you adopted a 25% general fund reserve level this year you split it 20 percent for economic shortfall and 5% for budget stabilization and that was the council priority you approved a new risk manager position and third-party claims administrator you You approved a new city insurance policy with public risk innovation solutions and management, another city council priority, so thank you. You held study sessions to provide direction on a draft amended 2023 through 2031 housing element and to begin the adoption of comprehensive objective design and development standards, a state mandate, not a city council priority, a state mandate. |
| 01:19:23.79 | Chris Zapata | You reviewed and approved the 2425 capital improvement program for the city. |
| 01:19:29.02 | Chris Zapata | You heard about our sidewalk challenges and ideas for sidewalk repair. You authorized half a million dollars for the North Street Steps slide repair project. |
| 01:19:39.20 | Chris Zapata | You directed work with the landslide task force to implement recommendations, providing mapping remedial measures and land use regulations in high risk areas through a contract with Miller Pacific. So that's in process. You invested in infrastructure again by approving the Edwards Avenue pavement improvement project for approximately one and a half million dollars. |
| 01:19:59.55 | Chris Zapata | You reviewed a comprehensive risk, pardon me, a comprehensive request for proposal template, and you approved it. And this comprehensive building and facilities assessment is a work in process. We hope to get this done in February sometime. You initiated the sewer rate process, and you uniquely set sewer rate fees after reviewing and hearing public engagement for a three-year term, not a five-year term. You were unique in that regard. You completed the Woodward Avenue sewer main realignment project. You approved and saw the completion of the C-Click Fix app for maintenance and problem solving of city infrastructure and facilities. |
| 01:20:38.43 | Chris Zapata | You authorized electrical vehicle charging stations at City Hall and Dunphy Park with completion at City Hall. You applied for and received over $2 million in grants for Gate 5 Harbor Road, technical assistance, public safety grants, Turner Street Dock grant, Safe Routes to School, and Surrender and Abandoned Vessels program. |
| 01:21:00.39 | Chris Zapata | You authorized the hiring to provide design services for the Ferry Landside Improvement Project, and you awarded a construction contract to spend the grant funds for this project, which were $2.3 million. |
| 01:21:13.11 | Chris Zapata | You begin the implementation and community engagement to complete the Saucyus shoreline adaptation plan. |
| 01:21:18.90 | Chris Zapata | You approved an installation agreement with Climatech to implement conservation measures, create lifecycle savings, and honor prior direction and work done by our Sustainability Commission, our Sea Level Rise Commission, all the different people that have worked in Sausalito to bring this forward culminated in that action last month. |
| 01:21:37.93 | Chris Zapata | You received a million dollars after making sure that the state and the county understood the homeless situation in Sausalito. That money is predominantly for the Dorothy Gibson House project. That is going to involve housing for two unhoused individuals who will be city employees. And that was big. As a million dollars that the state and the county, Senator McGuire, as well as the county of Marin, approving for the city of Sausalito. |
| 01:22:06.47 | Chris Zapata | Monday, you had in the rain. The rain stopped for everybody, which was great. You completed, you funded, you opened the Marinship Park Improvement Project with new pickleball courts. Wind guard's coming. You again authorized and began the process of a business improvement district downtown. You approved a six-month lease modification for the Sosso Center for the Arts to hold them at $4,000, and then we brought forth a revised agreement, which you approve. YOU APPROVED A SIX MONTH LEASE MODIFICATION FOR THE SACHO CENTER FOR THE ARTS TO HOLD THEM AT 4000 AND THEN WE BROUGHT FORTH A REVISED AGREEMENT WHICH YOU APPROVED TONIGHT WHICH IS $6,000 PER MONTH WITH ESCALATORS AND CITY RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS. |
| 01:22:43.31 | Chris Zapata | Viewproof fireworks funding for the best small-town fireworks show over the water in Northern California. Congratulations to them. |
| 01:22:54.39 | Chris Zapata | And |
| 01:22:54.98 | Chris Zapata | you |
| 01:22:55.83 | Chris Zapata | the work on the promotion and hosting of the second annual Toast to Sausalito event on Caledonia. |
| 01:23:08.87 | Chris Zapata | You brought over 3,000 people to Sausalito to see our downtown, our Caledonia downtown. You also approved, with some support from staff and the city attorney, our second annual Sausalito boat show at the Clipper Yacht Harbor. Thank you, Council Member Hoffman, for pushing me on vacation on that day. Got that done. You authorized a property management consultant through a competitive request for proposals process. We have a mini agreement. We're bringing back a longer term agreement in the coming month. You completed new long term lease agreements with New Village School which is the city's second largest tenant rent paying tenant to pair with Licee Francais last, which was the largest rent-paying tenant. You responded to Marin County Grand Jury reports on cyber preparedness, sea level rise, e-bikes. You supported the appointment of Chief Gregory, which allowed for leadership development and opportunity within the police department. |
| 01:24:08.22 | Chris Zapata | You have been doing excellent work on the water. In 2017, the city vessel count on Sosotil water was 93. As of today, it's two. So one of the big things was the work that the team here, led by the police department, did to remove the Vidura. That was a work, a work, a work. So that was important. You approve safety systems to help our public safety, which is a new camera system to help with crime reduction in our city. And last but not least, put it up there, Wolford. |
| 01:24:45.24 | Unknown | laughter |
| 01:24:51.10 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:24:51.13 | Unknown | So, |
| 01:24:52.10 | Chris Zapata | So that's a recap of the year, and now I want to speak a little bit about former council member, Mayor Ian Sobieski. Like all mayors, it goes without saying that there's a great deal of extra work and responsibility, and Mayor Sobieski certainly approached this public service with vision and energy. Let me go back a little bit. I had the good fortune of working with former Mayor Susan Cleveland Knowles when she was on the council. She was a council member then. I've had the pleasure of working with former Vice Mayor Joan Cox in her roles as council member and vice mayor, but not as mayors. I've worked with four mayors in Sausalito, and I want to speak about them individually in a short, brief way, because they've each made their mark in distinct ways. Then Mayor Hoffman successfully guided the city through a global pandemic into a more stable financial position thank you then Mary Kelman we've heard a lot about her tonight climate resiliency focus on consensus building and resources to acknowledge Sussler's waterfront planning needs and opportunities then mayor Blaustein was successful in working with the council and community to acquire major infrastructure money through Measure L and spark building and energy efficiency to further bring Sausalito into the 21st century. |
| 01:25:15.59 | Unknown | and, you know, |
| 01:25:15.62 | Unknown | there. |
| 01:26:07.78 | Chris Zapata | Now we're to Mayor Sobieski, the fourth mayor in four years. Mayor Sobieski has been instrumental in negotiating the two largest revenue-producing leases in the city. He's been a champion for a more dynamic business environment through support for the Business Improvement District, Sassos Center for the Arts, and as an advocate for local business retention and expansion. Specifically, this past weekend was an example of the city council at work and the mayor's commitment to communicate and support Utilities doing work in Sausalito city staff doing work in sauce there our fire district doing work in Sausalito and regional responders to the severe weather we faced You know it seems these happen on weekends mayor. I can't I can't tell you why Mayor Sobieski's financial acumen was instrumental in strengthening city finances through safe and higher yielding investments mayor Sobieski was a strong supporter of employee retention and stopping the loss of city employees via compensation and work-life balance mayor Sobieski has always supported community events along with the council such as Jazz by the Bay and the Toast of Sausalito. He's worked hard to begin placemaking in Sausalito by advocating for a design lens on city projects. |
| 01:26:17.92 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:27:20.90 | Chris Zapata | along with Councilmember Kelman's resiliency lens. So that's something he's brought forward, and he continues to bring forward ideas related to creating a better parking enterprise in Sausalito. And behind the scenes, with little fanfare, Mayor Sobieski is a generous person. His public service includes serving six years on the Meals on Wheels program to help our seniors age in their home with dignity and care. He's worked with Saucido Village assisting with the provision of pet food delivery and donation of robotic pets to help ease loneliness. He quietly donates personal funds. He wouldn't want me to tell you that. The community causes is an unfailing and is unfailing in his 24-7 approach as a member of the Sisala City Council and Mayor. So on behalf of the organization, I would like to thank Mayor Sobieski for his support of city staff, his commitment to maintaining and growing a high quality team of employees to serve the community. |
| 01:27:21.78 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:28:14.83 | Chris Zapata | And that has been unwavering. So can I have the plaque, Wolfram? |
| 01:28:48.06 | Adrian Brenton | Thank you. |
| 01:28:48.77 | Ian Sobieski | Well, sure, I'll let other people speak, but I want to speak first. It's my last, I guess, privilege to do so. Thank you for this. I've always wanted one of these gavel things. |
| 01:28:58.76 | Ian Sobieski | Hey, one thing I often talk about my service here to other people that have not had the privilege of serving and I say in city service, |
| 01:29:05.88 | Ian Sobieski | You get credit for things you shouldn't get credit for. |
| 01:29:09.14 | Ian Sobieski | don't get credit for things you should get credit for. You get blamed for things |
| 01:29:13.07 | Ian Sobieski | you shouldn't be blamed for it, and you don't get blamed for things you should. It is truly a team effort, and when you're not actually in the room, even when you're in the room, you don't even always really know what's going on. It's just the case that it is a team effort. |
| 01:29:28.83 | Ian Sobieski | I don't know. |
| 01:29:29.82 | Ian Sobieski | Even when you don't disagree, we had a 3-2 vote here tonight. The opposition makes the whole discussion sharper, and presumably, over time, cyclically, it makes the outcomes better. It's the way you make change. It is democracy in action. Uh... |
| 01:29:45.30 | Ian Sobieski | And so I am so pleased that the city manager started with the litany of all the things that were accomplished this year and none of them do I get sold credit for many of them I had nothing to do with. But i'm happy to take the credit for if anyone would give me any, it is the result of the work up here, the result of the work of the staff. |
| 01:30:05.40 | Ian Sobieski | only a few of whom are here. |
| 01:30:07.02 | Ian Sobieski | And as Council Member Kelman said, we have the finest staff. In my time, it is just getting better and better. And it's a result of the work of many of the people in this room and many who aren't here together. We are indeed a little village, and we are in this boat together. So I am just pleased to do my little part to help. That has been my North Star, which is just to try to be helpful on any particular thing. I see a problem and I want to try to help solve it. And that is my North Star on it. I'm glad when that's useful. Sometimes it isn't. Often I hope it is, but that's been my guidance. And in that, it is common cause with all of you, all of you here. And common cause deepens bonds. That's it. It deepens bonds. So I'm actually deeply moved at the beginning of the meeting seeing everyone in the audience and reflecting on your beautiful comments and the emotion of everyone to your comments and to each other just because I have the |
| 01:31:10.03 | Ian Sobieski | in this very uncompensated job right uh everyone just to remind you is basically working for free it is a treasure that you cannot mint in coin which is the value of the bonds that are created by the privilege of service and engagement on these issues with all of you as friends uh and all of you as colleagues uh behind the wall and all of you as members of the community and my neighbors so So it is a kind of richness that you cannot buy and truly extremely gratifying. I am of course continuing and will soon be moving over and working for four more years as part of this team. And I hope we'll continue to make things better one step at a time. I think my greatest gratification is that over this year, we've added on to the previous year, the previous year and the previous year. |
| 01:31:58.76 | Ian Sobieski | in making Sausalito better. I genuinely think it's fair to say that there is a good feeling that we are making progress. |
| 01:32:05.70 | Ian Sobieski | City managers and product calls it creeping excellence. |
| 01:32:09.60 | Ian Sobieski | not what I'm used to in the startup world where we leap from one step to another and sometimes we leap off the cliff, which is what you want to avoid as a city. So it has to be incremental. But it is seemingly |
| 01:32:21.32 | Ian Sobieski | creeping excellence. Things are getting better. There is optimism and hope. And that virtuous circle of optimism that feeds a good feeling, that then invites people to take a step forward, is what I think we're seeing more and more of in town. |
| 01:32:34.69 | Ian Sobieski | And that is immensely gratifying and due to all of us, all of you, and all of you. So thank you very much for the privilege of serving. |
| 01:32:41.37 | Chris Zapata | but you're serving at a... |
| 01:32:42.11 | Chris Zapata | Mayor? |
| 01:32:42.86 | Ian Sobieski | ahead to know. |
| 01:32:43.40 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. |
| 01:32:46.99 | Chris Zapata | Mayor, if I may. |
| 01:32:50.10 | Chris Zapata | I'm going to give you some city manager advice. |
| 01:32:52.91 | Chris Zapata | Okay. |
| 01:32:53.49 | Chris Zapata | Don't forget to thank |
| 01:32:55.61 | Ian Sobieski | Oh, yeah. |
| 01:32:56.61 | Ian Sobieski | Well, I thank the love of my life there, Julie. |
| 01:33:00.31 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:33:02.53 | Ian Sobieski | Nailed it. |
| 01:33:05.47 | Ian Sobieski | I've been through a lot over these in these four years. As you know, she had a tremendous accident that nearly cost her her life. |
| 01:33:14.23 | Ian Sobieski | So that was tough. |
| 01:33:16.96 | Ian Sobieski | And I appreciate everyone's support during that time. And it's nice to be here together. And I'm so glad that you are here. And in all those ways. And I look forward to. |
| 01:33:26.92 | Ian Sobieski | all the exciting days ahead. So thanks, everybody. And thank you. Always catching me when I'm about to step into it. |
| 01:33:32.99 | Unknown | . |
| 01:33:44.13 | Councilmember Kelman | If I may, I've already spoken a lot, but I just want to weigh in on your fellow female council members. We also are grateful for Julie, the love of your life, for so many reasons. And Ian, you and I have grown together on this council and pushed each other, and I do believe, made every decision a better one together. And so I'm grateful for your leadership this year and for your friendship moving forward. And I just want to hope that continues. |
| 01:33:57.94 | Unknown | We'll be right back. |
| 01:33:58.04 | Lorna Newlin | THE FAMILY. |
| 01:33:58.20 | Unknown | All right. |
| 01:34:13.38 | Ian Sobieski | It will. Thanks, Joe. |
| 01:34:17.36 | Councilmember Hoffman | Okay. |
| 01:34:18.61 | Councilmember Hoffman | I mean, I could also wrap it up, but I could talk about Ian for a really long time because I mean, I feel very lucky to have you as a colleague, but I think I feel even more lucky to have you as a friend. I love that you refer to me as clutch because I am your clutch on decision making, but I also just really feel like you are someone I can truly count on and are so honest and forthright in all of your decision making. |
| 01:34:44.05 | Councilmember Hoffman | And if you say you're going to do something or if you say you feel a way about something, it's true. You aren't someone to... |
| 01:34:50.16 | Councilmember Hoffman | walk back or to mislead or to |
| 01:34:53.94 | Councilmember Hoffman | you know, say something that isn't what you're going to do. And that can be very rare in politics. And that's something really special to have on the dais, not to mention that you're a rocket scientist. So I mean, I often talk about how lucky we are in Sausalito because everyone on our council is so bright, but it is especially amazing to have someone with a PhD in rocket science from Stanford, who is also a brilliant angel investor, bringing a really much needed business approach and making us think about the way businesses think and what they need in a way that really was truly missing before. But I think what was it, beyond just your council work and your work as mayor, you know, you remind people that they have agency. I think that you have really let everyone know that their voice matters, that you will listen no matter what, and that if they show up, things will change. And you've done that with such a positive perspective, always through all of it, even when things got really tough, even when people said things that weren't fair, even when it got unnecessarily personal. |
| 01:35:55.76 | Councilmember Hoffman | You always persevered, and you're such a strong leader, and I'm really thrilled that I'm going to get to serve with you for another four years and be friends with you for another 40. Thank you. Thank you. |
| 01:36:05.54 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 01:36:07.62 | Morgan Pierce | I hope it's longer than 40, but yeah, thank you. |
| 01:36:12.33 | Vice Mayor Cox | So Ian is another one of those who reached out to me immediately after the challenge of the election was over. And we started having regular lunches where he would pick my brain. And what public servant doesn't love to be able to share the institutional knowledge that they've gathered over? |
| 01:36:32.48 | Vice Mayor Cox | over time. I had served on the general plan advisory committee, and then I didn't get to actually adopt the general plan that I had worked on for so long and so hard. But Ian did me the privilege of actually calling to consult with me, ask me questions. He read the damn thing cover to cover as a brand new council member, and to ensure that his vote was thoughtful and appropriate. And I was so honored and touched by that outreach. And then last year, he made a vote of confidence by nominating me as his vice mayor. And Ian is from the private sector, and I work in the public sector. And so believe it or not, we don't agree all the time. He is frustrated at the pace of municipal government, and I am all about getting things done, but understand that it takes time and that it is important to have process behind it. And so something that I've really appreciated is his, he has not been, you |
| 01:37:43.33 | Vice Mayor Cox | This has not been a monarchy. This has been a partnership this year, and I so appreciate that. And when we do go sideways, he insists that I sit down and talk it out with him. And so I have appreciated that as well. So it's been a privilege to serve with you, and I feel as though it's been a productive year in large measure to a lot of the work that you've done, not just on the dais but behind the scenes ensuring that projects got vetted and worked through and approved. So thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. |
| 01:38:26.31 | Councilmember Hoffman | You know, it's a strange relationship up here, and it's a unique relationship up here. And so anybody that you ever serve with up here, you always have that relationship with that person up here. And so when we see each other, we're always going to have this relationship. And anytime we see anybody that you've ever served with up here out in the community, you always have, no matter who it is, you always have that relationship. |
| 01:38:51.88 | Councilmember Hoffman | you know, throughout, even when it's gone. And so I'm delighted that, that we've had this relationship and that we're continuing to have this, and that Janelle and, and that we all have this relationship moving forward. Because it, you know, I clearly, vigorous debate, I find that valuable. And, and I think I'm not shy about vigorous debate. Anybody who's ever been with me on the dais up here knows that. But I find that helpful. And I think that drives us to better decisions. And having rigorous debates and challenging assumptions, I think, is a good exercise. And helps us, keeps us, everybody accountable in a 360 kind of way. And I appreciate that about Ian and I know that you're good at that as well. And also, you know, we met a long time ago at a pitch conference that Ian was, he was one of the investors and I had this little company that I was pitching. And we quickly got off that though, because somebody said, |
| 01:39:58.91 | Councilmember Hoffman | Ian lives in Sausalito. And I said, oh my God, you live in Sausalito. You should run for city council. |
| 01:40:04.21 | Councilmember Hoffman | And so thank God. |
| 01:40:06.37 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank God you did, and I appreciate it. We don't always agree, of course. |
| 01:40:09.88 | Councilmember Hoffman | But nobody agrees all the time, and I appreciate the talent that you bring to the table and all the other talents and assets that you bring to the table and your creative thinking, of course. And so thank you for all that you've done to our town. Thank you, Jill. |
| 01:40:22.06 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you, Joe. Thank you, Joe. |
| 01:40:22.62 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 01:40:26.36 | Ian Sobieski | All right. |
| 01:40:27.66 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you so much for being here. Now we'll move onwards and upwards. We will go to the next business item, which is the oath of office for council members elect. Melissa Blaustein, myself, Ian Sobieski, and Stephen Woodside, I believe in that order, right, Mr. City Clerk or Mr. City Manager? So... |
| 01:40:44.81 | Unknown | So, |
| 01:40:44.98 | Sobieski | So, uh, |
| 01:40:47.02 | Ian Sobieski | No, we're still at a time. |
| 01:40:49.77 | Ian Sobieski | I check. |
| 01:40:51.14 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. Yeah, thank you. |
| 01:40:53.18 | Ian Sobieski | I guess actually we have to do according to the city. |
| 01:40:56.59 | Ian Sobieski | according to the city attorney, Mr. City Clerk. |
| 01:41:00.08 | Sobieski | Okay. |
| 01:41:00.28 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:41:02.63 | Ian Sobieski | City Clerk, we do have to take public comment, apparently. Okay, they can't imagine why anyone would, but if they do, is there any public comment on the administering the oaths of the three council members elect. |
| 01:41:14.76 | Sobieski | I've seen none. |
| 01:41:16.41 | Ian Sobieski | Okay, we will close public comment and move on with the chat. |
| 01:41:25.06 | Sobieski | Can I have Dave Sachs, please? |
| 01:41:29.00 | Sobieski | That's a... |
| 01:41:34.51 | Vice Mayor Cox | Oh, yes. |
| 01:41:36.85 | Shelby Van Meter | Okay. |
| 01:41:37.02 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:41:37.29 | Ian Sobieski | See you, Mike. |
| 01:41:37.85 | Ian Sobieski | Why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself as the agent who's duly sworn. I'm Dave Sachs. I am now. |
| 01:41:40.73 | Unknown | Why don't you go? |
| 01:41:44.97 | Dave Sachs | I'm Dave Sachs. I am now a deputy city clerk. |
| 01:41:48.63 | Dave Sachs | And I'm here. |
| 01:41:51.63 | Dave Sachs | Wearing in, is that the proper terminology? My beautiful girlfriend, Melissa. |
| 01:41:58.25 | Unknown | Amen. |
| 01:41:59.89 | Unknown | All right. |
| 01:42:00.24 | Dave Sachs | I, Melissa Blaustein, do solemnly swear |
| 01:42:06.41 | Dave Sachs | that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States |
| 01:42:14.31 | Dave Sachs | in the Constitution of the State of California |
| 01:42:19.90 | Dave Sachs | against all enemies, foreign and domestic. |
| 01:42:25.10 | Dave Sachs | that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, |
| 01:42:33.74 | Dave Sachs | in the Constitution of the State of California. |
| 01:42:38.70 | Dave Sachs | that I take this obligation freely. |
| 01:42:43.32 | Dave Sachs | without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion |
| 01:42:50.22 | Dave Sachs | and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. |
| 01:43:20.18 | Sobieski | Oh yeah. |
| 01:43:22.62 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:43:28.34 | Ian Sobieski | The pinning ceremony is getting a pin. Bet you already have one. |
| 01:43:44.34 | Chris Zapata | Here we go. |
| 01:43:44.97 | Xander Rose | There we go. |
| 01:44:01.45 | Ian Sobieski | Congratulations, Councilmember. |
| 01:44:05.52 | Ian Sobieski | For my swearing in, I decided to invite a legend of our community, a stateswoman, Ms. Lynette Rose, the first maritime mayor of Sausalito, served as mayor from 1988 to 1992, and after that as our city, as our county supervisor until 2005 for more than 12 years. It's a privilege and honor to have you here as an homage to the town. |
| 01:44:42.66 | Shelby Van Meter | It was very fun. |
| 01:44:44.25 | Shelby Van Meter | It's a pleasure. |
| 01:44:46.12 | Ian Sobieski | You have to speak to him. I'm not going to go on. |
| 01:44:48.16 | Ian Sobieski | This is Xander Rose, grew up in Galilee Harbor, among other places, and dear friend of reason Bradley and legend in his own right. Great to have you here, sir. |
| 01:44:59.60 | Xander Rose | Thank you. |
| 01:45:03.15 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:45:03.45 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:45:03.47 | Xander Rose | very much. Is it on? |
| 01:45:05.04 | Xander Rose | Thank you. |
| 01:45:05.07 | Ian Sobieski | Yeah, okay. |
| 01:45:07.16 | Xander Rose | And if you'll repeat after me. I will. I, Ian Patrick Sobieski, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States. |
| 01:45:16.46 | Ian Sobieski | I Ian Patrick Sobieski do solemnly swear that I will faithfully |
| 01:45:22.94 | Ian Sobieski | Yes. |
| 01:45:23.08 | Xander Rose | Support and defense. |
| 01:45:23.18 | Ian Sobieski | Support and defend the Constitution of the United States. |
| 01:45:24.31 | Xander Rose | THE FAMILY. |
| 01:45:26.84 | Xander Rose | and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies. |
| 01:45:30.89 | Ian Sobieski | and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies. |
| 01:45:34.87 | Xander Rose | that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. |
| 01:45:40.02 | Ian Sobieski | that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. |
| 01:45:44.32 | Xander Rose | and the Constitution of the State of California. |
| 01:45:46.94 | Ian Sobieski | and the Constitution of the State of California. |
| 01:45:49.54 | Xander Rose | that I take this obligation freely without any mental |
| 01:45:53.65 | Xander Rose | reservation or purpose of evasion. |
| 01:45:56.07 | Ian Sobieski | that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. |
| 01:46:01.06 | Xander Rose | and I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I'm about to enter. |
| 01:46:06.31 | Ian Sobieski | and I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I'm about to enter. Thank you very much. |
| 01:46:22.78 | Ian Sobieski | We'll come and stand here and we'll do a photo right in front of the dais. |
| 01:46:26.80 | Ian Sobieski | 10. |
| 01:46:30.93 | Ian Sobieski | there. |
| 01:46:32.99 | Ian Sobieski | And your last official public office after your storied career is Deputy... |
| 01:46:39.25 | Ian Sobieski | City clerk, Ms. Rose. |
| 01:46:43.01 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:46:50.08 | Ian Sobieski | Awesome. Thank you so much. |
| 01:46:56.70 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you. And now, Mr. Stephen Woodside, please approach the dais. |
| 01:47:04.77 | Ian Sobieski | And |
| 01:47:09.15 | Unknown | It's certainly true. |
| 01:47:11.38 | Steven Woodside | Just a quick introduction for those of you who do not know my lovely wife, Lucinda, my main campaign this season, and our dog Farley, who you probably already know. |
| 01:47:24.34 | Steven Woodside | And I'm really honored that my dear friend, Sheila Lickbow, judge of the Marin County Superior Court, who I first met more than... |
| 01:47:32.85 | Steven Woodside | 10, 12 years ago, and she was elected to be the first Latina on the Marin Court in 2016. |
| 01:47:44.25 | Sheila Lickbow | and my former boss. |
| 01:47:46.46 | Sheila Lickbow | Bye. |
| 01:48:03.17 | Sheila Lickbow | Right hand. |
| 01:48:04.96 | Sheila Lickbow | Thank you. |
| 01:48:04.98 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:48:05.33 | Sheila Lickbow | Bye. |
| 01:48:05.38 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:48:05.62 | Sheila Lickbow | Sure. |
| 01:48:06.75 | Sheila Lickbow | Bye. |
| 01:48:07.81 | Sheila Lickbow | Can you hear me? Okay, it's on. All right, great. Okay. |
| 01:48:11.88 | Sheila Lickbow | I, Steven Woodside, do solemnly swear |
| 01:48:14.78 | Steven Woodside | I, Steven Woodside, do solemnly swear |
| 01:48:17.07 | Sheila Lickbow | that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States. |
| 01:48:20.94 | Steven Woodside | that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States |
| 01:48:24.31 | Sheila Lickbow | and the Constitution of the State of California. |
| 01:48:27.05 | Steven Woodside | and the Constitution of the State of California |
| 01:48:29.78 | Sheila Lickbow | against all enemies, foreign and domestic. |
| 01:48:32.06 | Steven Woodside | against all enemies, foreign and domestic. |
| 01:48:34.40 | Sheila Lickbow | that I will bear true faith and allegiance |
| 01:48:36.65 | Steven Woodside | that I will bear true faith and allegiance. |
| 01:48:39.10 | Sheila Lickbow | to the Constitution of the United States. |
| 01:48:41.12 | Steven Woodside | to the Constitution of the United States. |
| 01:48:43.25 | Sheila Lickbow | and the Constitution of the State of California. |
| 01:48:45.58 | Steven Woodside | the Constitution of the State of California. |
| 01:48:47.97 | Sheila Lickbow | that I take this obligation freely |
| 01:48:50.12 | Steven Woodside | that I take this obligation freely. |
| 01:48:52.29 | Sheila Lickbow | without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, |
| 01:48:55.60 | Steven Woodside | without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. |
| 01:48:59.19 | Sheila Lickbow | And that I will well and faithfully discharge. |
| 01:49:01.79 | Steven Woodside | that I will well and faithfully discharge |
| 01:49:04.31 | Sheila Lickbow | the duties upon which I am about to enter. |
| 01:49:06.50 | Steven Woodside | duties upon which I'm about to enter. Congratulations. |
| 01:49:09.40 | Steven Woodside | Thank you very much. |
| 01:49:22.79 | Ian Sobieski | Congratulations, mate. Congratulations. |
| 01:49:25.18 | Vice Mayor Cox | You're going to have Lucinda pin you. |
| 01:49:28.39 | Steven Woodside | I didn't realize there was a pin, but there was a pin. You get a pin. |
| 01:49:29.67 | Vice Mayor Cox | Yeah. |
| 01:49:45.74 | Ian Sobieski | All right. Well, it's a privilege then to be the first to ask you to take your seat, Council Member Woodside. |
| 01:50:02.66 | Ian Sobieski | So our next business item is the selection of the next mayor of the city of Sausalito. City clerk, is there any public comment on this item? |
| 01:50:13.36 | Ian Sobieski | Seeing none. We'll close public comment on this item, and then it is my privilege to nominate John Cox to be the next mayor of the city of South Salido. My two cents is that won't make a long speech of it, but what she said is true. She's a team player. We've had a great year. Let's keep the met and met him going, but I do want to open the floor for other nominations. Are there any other nominations? Yes. |
| 01:50:36.92 | Ian Sobieski | Seeing no other nominations, then we will close nominations and I will ask for a vote to approve the election of Joan Cox to be mayor for the next year. All in favor? Well, we gotta vote. All in favor, say aye. |
| 01:50:49.39 | Ian Sobieski | Bye. |
| 01:50:50.48 | Ian Sobieski | Opposed? The motion carries unanimously. Translation is married. |
| 01:50:54.30 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 01:50:54.32 | Shelby Van Meter | They're cooked. |
| 01:50:56.61 | Shelby Van Meter | That's great. |
| 01:51:03.60 | Ian Sobieski | the floor is the meeting and the floor is yours and i'm on my way to miami tomorrow |
| 01:51:07.70 | Vice Mayor Cox | Ha ha ha. |
| 01:51:09.55 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 01:51:11.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. Thank you all. |
| 01:51:14.21 | Vice Mayor Cox | The next item on the agenda is city council selection of vice mayor. So I will ask for nominations for vice mayor. I will actually lead off the nominations by nominating our newly elected council member, Stephen Woodside. So I really thought long and hard and I wanted to choose someone who I believed could best collaborate on a lot of the important business coming our way next year. And that is, |
| 01:51:44.52 | Vice Mayor Cox | I have a municipal lawyer on the dais with me, and I just could not resist that partnership. We have lots of important municipal affairs to manage, and so that's my nomination. But I open the floor for other nominations. |
| 01:51:47.00 | Unknown | Yes. |
| 01:51:47.30 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:52:03.18 | Unknown | And mayor, before we vote, public comment. |
| 01:52:05.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 01:52:08.21 | Vice Mayor Cox | I'll take public comment. Babette McDougall? |
| 01:52:18.56 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:52:19.85 | Unknown | So first of all, I too would like to congratulate Stephen Woodside on winning election to our city council. |
| 01:52:25.64 | Unknown | I look forward to his good work. |
| 01:52:28.12 | Unknown | I honestly don't understand why |
| 01:52:30.94 | Unknown | you are overlooking Council Member Hoffman. |
| 01:52:34.35 | Unknown | She's a fantastic stalwart. |
| 01:52:37.19 | Unknown | She raises things that are |
| 01:52:39.73 | Unknown | usually not thought of. |
| 01:52:42.74 | Unknown | If you think of them, you don't articulate them audibly for the rest of us to consider. |
| 01:52:48.27 | Unknown | And I don't mean to put |
| 01:52:50.43 | Unknown | anyone in an embarrassing situation here, I just simply want to state for the record, |
| 01:52:55.24 | Unknown | that I do not understand why you would not draw upon the talent within your own pool |
| 01:52:59.61 | Unknown | How could you possibly even fear the kind of |
| 01:53:03.22 | Unknown | level of discussion. |
| 01:53:05.50 | Unknown | especially from the legal angle, as you have so rightly pointed out, Miss newly appointed, newly elected mayor. |
| 01:53:12.62 | Unknown | Um, |
| 01:53:13.69 | Unknown | I just don't understand why in the world |
| 01:53:16.47 | Unknown | You would want to choose from the brand new kid on the block who obviously has got civic experience. I don't doubt that. |
| 01:53:22.98 | Unknown | But we also have someone write on our |
| 01:53:24.89 | Unknown | team already. |
| 01:53:26.46 | Unknown | who was, |
| 01:53:27.41 | Unknown | a past mare herself and aptly capable. |
| 01:53:30.41 | Unknown | So I apologize if I am forcing some embarrassment upon any of you, especially Ms. Hoffman. |
| 01:53:36.53 | Unknown | I'm sure she didn't know I was going to speak. |
| 01:53:40.11 | Unknown | But I don't understand why she is not either the mayor or the vice mayor, if you want to know the God's truth. And with that, I shall say thank you and withdraw. Thank you. |
| 01:53:50.46 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. Any further public comment? |
| 01:53:52.92 | Vice Mayor Cox | Yes, Alice Merrill. |
| 01:53:52.99 | Alice Merrill | Yes, Alice. |
| 01:53:56.85 | Alice Merrill | Thank you very much. I have to say that I agree with that. It's way out of protocol not to include the person for vice mayor who has been on the dais for a long time and already is, you know, on things and isn't just learning. And I know that our new council member knows plenty, but I'm |
| 01:54:19.89 | Alice Merrill | I'm surprised and I'm sorry that you didn't, and if I can nominate someone, I would nominate Jill. |
| 01:54:30.30 | Alice Merrill | Thank you. |
| 01:54:31.33 | Vice Mayor Cox | FACTORY. |
| 01:54:31.38 | Alice Merrill | further public |
| 01:54:31.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | comment. |
| 01:54:32.41 | Sobieski | Thank you. |
| 01:54:32.44 | Alice Merrill | Thank you. |
| 01:54:32.48 | Sobieski | Yeah, Senator Bushmaker? |
| 01:54:43.53 | Sandra Bushmaker | Yes, I too support Jill Hoffman to serve as mayor or vice mayor. Given all of her... |
| 01:54:50.24 | Sandra Bushmaker | incredible experience and |
| 01:54:52.93 | Sandra Bushmaker | have. |
| 01:54:54.19 | Sandra Bushmaker | thorough investigation of the issues, I think she would be great. |
| 01:54:57.87 | Sandra Bushmaker | and not putting down Steve Woodside for his |
| 01:55:02.43 | Sandra Bushmaker | his experience, which I think will be put to good use in time with the Council. I think that it is important to recognize that |
| 01:55:11.26 | Sandra Bushmaker | Jill is a |
| 01:55:13.94 | Sandra Bushmaker | perfect candidate for either mayor or vice mayor. Thank you. |
| 01:55:18.04 | Sandra Bushmaker | Thank you. |
| 01:55:19.19 | Vice Mayor Cox | Any further public comments? |
| 01:55:20.92 | Sobieski | see none |
| 01:55:21.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 01:55:23.39 | Vice Mayor Cox | Oh, yes, please. Oh, Charles. |
| 01:55:28.40 | Charles Melton | Sorry, I didn't fall for him. My name is Charles Melton, South City resident. I want to thank all of our city council members, including the city council member Stephen Woodside, for your service to our community. Recognize all the great work you all do. You all have tremendous assets and benefits that our city provides from. And no matter what position you sit in behind the dais, you will provide that benefit to our city and make our city better every step of the way. It's Councilmember Hoffman, Councilmember Cox, Councilmember Sobieski, Councilmember Blostein, Councilmember Woodside. You will all do a tremendous job. I think our city has made great progress so far that we've seen over the leadership of |
| 01:56:01.22 | Charles Melton | and look forward to that continuing progress going forward. |
| 01:56:04.01 | Charles Melton | So I encourage the city council to look forward to the future. |
| 01:56:07.73 | Charles Melton | Consider everyone's ideas, look at new ideas coming in, and build that bright future together behind the dais with everyone's opinions coming together here today. |
| 01:56:16.86 | Charles Melton | Thank you. |
| 01:56:22.16 | Vice Mayor Cox | Any other public comment? |
| 01:56:23.60 | Sobieski | But... |
| 01:56:23.70 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 01:56:23.77 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 01:56:24.26 | Vice Mayor Cox | Seeing none. I'll close public comment and call the vote. |
| 01:56:29.52 | Councilmember Hoffman | Actually, I would like to make a comment. |
| 01:56:33.27 | Councilmember Hoffman | So first let me just welcome Mr. Woodside to the dais. Thank you. I'm excited actually to have you here. |
| 01:56:38.67 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:56:40.74 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:56:40.83 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:56:41.03 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 01:56:41.30 | Councilmember Hoffman | And let me congratulate Councilmember Blaustein and Councilmember Sobieski on your re-election. Excited to have you back. And as we indulge me for just a second, because we have had public comment on this, and I'd like to address it very briefly. |
| 01:56:57.72 | Councilmember Hoffman | And as we consider nominations for vice mayor, I am a little taken aback by the fact that we appear to be deviating from the council's |
| 01:57:06.22 | Councilmember Hoffman | usual practice of rotating the mayor and vice mayor positions and um |
| 01:57:10.71 | Councilmember Hoffman | As you and I recently discussed, Mayor Cox, the past practice of the council is that we normally do rotate. And this means that if I'm not serving in the vice mayor position, this means during this four-year term that I'm on the council, I will not serve as vice mayor and likely mayor during this four-year term. |
| 01:57:29.53 | Councilmember Hoffman | This is, in fact, quite a large deviation from the normal rotation of the council. |
| 01:57:35.10 | Councilmember Hoffman | And so many of you know that I have served on the council and steadfastly and strong advocate for fiscal stability, transparency, and rigorous compliance with ethical rules, including the two times in the past that I've served as mayor and that my record shows that I'm a strong and reliable leader for Sausalito. Importantly, I have a deep and sustained community record of support. I've been reelected twice with the largest margins ever in city council elections by 5% or more. Nobody has had these margins of voter confidence in elections. |
| 01:58:17.15 | Councilmember Hoffman | I'm disappointed, obviously, that I don't have the confidence of Mayor Cox in this appointment and her nomination. I'm |
| 01:58:23.24 | Councilmember Hoffman | I understand that people on the Council want to support her nomination, and I accept that. |
| 01:58:29.92 | Councilmember Hoffman | but i am disappointed that i won't be able to serve in the position of vice mayor or mayor during this uh term that i'm on the |
| 01:58:38.07 | Councilmember Hoffman | Council, given the strong support that I've had in the community during my elections. I think that we just came off of a very strong election cycle. I think that this would be the time |
| 01:58:55.51 | Councilmember Hoffman | to be bringing the community together. |
| 01:58:59.37 | Councilmember Hoffman | And this would be an opportunity to unify different perspectives on the council that are represented on the council. And this would be that opportunity. I fear that this is a missed opportunity. |
| 01:59:17.85 | Councilmember Hoffman | I also, having had this happen with me in the past, |
| 01:59:22.94 | Councilmember Hoffman | it's a difficult position to step directly into the position of vice mayor your first term on the council. But I am committed to help Mr. Woodside in this transition. And I know that with his prior experience that he will be able to do this with our assistance. And I am disappointed that we're departing from our normal protocol. And with that... |
| 01:59:51.75 | Councilmember Hoffman | I think that we should move forward. And anyway. |
| 01:59:55.53 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 01:59:57.94 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:00:00.81 | Vice Mayor Cox | I will say I did spend an hour meeting with Councilmember Hoffman and explaining the reasons for my choice before today. So I'm not going to discuss those reasons. She's welcome to share those with those of you she would like. That's a private matter between her and me. Okay. And with that, I'll call the vote. All in favor of Stephen Woodside as Vice Mayor, please say aye. |
| 02:00:26.92 | Councilmember Hoffman | Aye. Any opposed? No. Respectfully. |
| 02:00:30.01 | Vice Mayor Cox | or for the reasons that I've |
| 02:00:31.04 | Councilmember Hoffman | I've just enumerated. |
| 02:00:34.06 | Vice Mayor Cox | All right. Congratulations, Vice Mayor. Thank you. |
| 02:00:36.57 | Councilmember Hoffman | He's mayor. |
| 02:00:43.54 | Steven Woodside | I may just, in the interest of time, say just a couple of things, words of thanks and words of really looking forward. First of all, I want to say that I'm very excited to be here tonight. I'm also very humbled to be here. I see some wonderful people in the audience who, like Annette Rose, who I've known for a long time. And Sausalito is so fortunate to have the people in the community who care so much about it and have done so much to make it the wonderful place that it is. I look forward to working with each and every member of the council. I want to say that I've been very impressed by the members of the city staff that I've had a chance to meet over the last couple of years and I'm very much looking forward to working with each and every one of you. And to the people in the audience who are still here at 9 o'clock, I did campaign kind of on a promise to try to end early. This meeting will set a record as far as I'm concerned, but it was a lot longer than I was told. And to my three adult children and my six grandchildren, who I think are watching on Zoom, I simply will say goodnight. |
| 02:02:02.58 | Vice Mayor Cox | All right, moving on our next item of business is consider revising the 2025 city council calendar to cancel the regular meeting of August 19 2025 call for 2025 special meetings on January 11 at 830 am and February 25 at 7pm city manager, did you want to make a report. |
| 02:02:21.80 | Chris Zapata | Yeah, if I can, thank you, Mayor and |
| 02:02:25.13 | Chris Zapata | Council members, I have asked our staff to put together some documents to help determine the dates that you may want to consider moving or not. And one of the things that I want to be really clear on is, you know, this council has always tried to respect each other's needs and beliefs. And so I want to make sure that that's the case with the September meetings. There's two meetings scheduled on September 2nd and September 16th. |
| 02:02:53.44 | Chris Zapata | in my review of those. I thought that those were solid dates, but if they're not, I'm happy to ask you all to consider a different date in September, keep the dates we've recommended in terms of the cancellation in August and the special meetings that were approved. So if the 16th is a problem, or the second is a problem, I'd like to know so we can take advice from you and direction from you. |
| 02:03:23.60 | Councilmember Hoffman | Sorry, it's agendized for the 3rd and 17th at this point? The 1st and 3rd. |
| 02:03:28.46 | Councilmember Hoffman | Okay, so the date that was a conflict is the Tuesday, the 24th. So there's no scheduled meeting then. Okay, that's Rosh Hashanah, so I just wanted to make sure that that was acknowledged and we had no meeting on that day. |
| 02:03:40.10 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. |
| 02:03:40.14 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 02:03:40.20 | Chris Zapata | Thank you. |
| 02:03:40.63 | Chris Zapata | And it's my birthday on the 2nd, so that's a holiday too. |
| 02:03:43.21 | Chris Zapata | Yeah. |
| 02:03:43.31 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah. Well, I had a meeting on my birthday this last year. You'll recall. |
| 02:03:47.01 | Chris Zapata | But that's okay. You can sing. |
| 02:03:50.97 | Chris Zapata | you |
| 02:03:51.34 | Chris Zapata | So that's my report. We gave you some city holidays, some league information, so that you all could direct us as we prepare for the coming year and schedule meetings. You will also note that we have scheduled, based on conversations with you all, a January 11th special meeting on a Saturday at 830, which may or may not be, you know, |
| 02:03:59.63 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:04:17.95 | Chris Zapata | fit all of you, but hopefully it will. But, you know, that's the special meeting that sets the tone for what it is you have in terms of a work program, resource allocation, and strategic direction to city staff. So that's set for September the 11th. No, it's |
| 02:04:32.80 | Vice Mayor Cox | No, it's January 11th. |
| 02:04:33.63 | Chris Zapata | January 11th. January 11th, pardon me. And January 11th from 8.30 to 4. If there are issues with that, we need to know as soon as possible so we can work with the consultants that are working on that with us. Any questions, and then I'll take on. |
| 02:04:48.14 | Vice Mayor Cox | Okay, any questions of the city manager? I'm going to take public comment and we'll bring it back up here for comment. |
| 02:04:53.43 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 02:04:55.59 | Vice Mayor Cox | Is it a question? |
| 02:04:57.04 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah, but I mean, I don't know. I just... |
| 02:04:58.84 | Councilmember Hoffman | we i had mentioned in previous agenda items and i and we have discussed at length a request for a specific town hall with regards to the that's on future agenda |
| 02:05:07.01 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:05:07.03 | Lorna Newlin | That's on future agenda items. Okay. |
| 02:05:08.04 | Vice Mayor Cox | Items. |
| 02:05:08.29 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 02:05:08.33 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:05:10.59 | Vice Mayor Cox | I'm going to stick I'm going to be a stickler so we have future agenda items coming up. All right, I'm going to open it for public comment regarding the 2025 city council calendar. |
| 02:05:23.72 | Sobieski | Sunshine, did you want to speak on this item? |
| 02:05:25.62 | Vice Mayor Cox | No, she's for communications. |
| 02:05:25.94 | Sobieski | Peace. |
| 02:05:28.61 | Sobieski | And there's no public comment. |
| 02:05:30.30 | Vice Mayor Cox | All right. I'll bring it back up here for any discussion. |
| 02:05:34.87 | Vice Mayor Cox | Or emotion. |
| 02:05:36.96 | Ian Sobieski | I move to approve those changes. |
| 02:05:39.48 | Vice Mayor Cox | Second. |
| 02:05:40.39 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 02:05:40.49 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:05:40.51 | Councilmember Hoffman | I'm sorry. |
| 02:05:40.96 | Vice Mayor Cox | What are the changes? |
| 02:05:42.14 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:05:42.16 | Ian Sobieski | As read by this mayor. |
| 02:05:42.24 | Councilmember Hoffman | THE FAMILY. |
| 02:05:43.75 | Vice Mayor Cox | It's on the agenda. So we are adding two special meetings, one on January 11th, Saturday, and one on February 25th, a Tuesday, to do the odds. Got it. And we are canceling August 19th so that we have a little bit of a break. Okay, so it's on here. I'm sorry. |
| 02:05:53.59 | Councilmember Hoffman | Got it. |
| 02:05:57.38 | Councilmember Hoffman | It was so fun. |
| 02:05:58.41 | Councilmember Hoffman | Okay, fine. |
| 02:05:58.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:05:59.31 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 02:06:00.81 | Steven Woodside | Just a quick question, comment. Obviously, for future agenda items, we will be adding to this list. This is not exhaustive. |
| 02:06:09.28 | Vice Mayor Cox | So in January at our strategic planning session, I anticipate we will be discussing additional meetings, perhaps workshops that can be held by the city council. But this is our regular calendar that we wanted to get approved now. |
| 02:06:22.32 | Steven Woodside | Understood. |
| 02:06:22.78 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:06:22.80 | Steven Woodside | Thank you. |
| 02:06:22.95 | Steven Woodside | Thank you. |
| 02:06:23.47 | Vice Mayor Cox | All right, I'll call the vote. All in favor? Aye. |
| 02:06:25.66 | Steven Woodside | I. |
| 02:06:26.71 | Vice Mayor Cox | That motion carries 5-0. We'll move on to communications. This is the time for the City Council to hear from citizens regarding matters that are not on the agenda, except in very limited situations. State law precludes the Council from taking action on or engaging in discussions concerning items of business that are not on the agenda. However, we may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by a member of the public, ask clarifying questions, make a brief brief announcement or make a brief report on his or her own activities the council may also refer matters not on the agenda to city staff or direct that the subject be agendized for a future meeting |
| 02:07:01.32 | Vice Mayor Cox | Are there any communications on items not on the agenda? We have a- |
| 02:07:06.30 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:07:06.32 | Unknown | We have- |
| 02:07:12.58 | Unknown | I strongly feel that this item, communications of items not on the agenda, should occur at the beginning of each meeting. |
| 02:07:19.98 | Unknown | and not at the end of the meeting like we have here tonight |
| 02:07:23.12 | Unknown | You can limit the time. |
| 02:07:25.32 | Unknown | both by individual speaking, |
| 02:07:27.75 | Unknown | and also to the total amount of time for comment. |
| 02:07:31.14 | Unknown | maybe 15 minutes altogether, you know. |
| 02:07:33.70 | Unknown | No more than two minutes for a person. Please move it forward like it used to be for many, many decades. |
| 02:07:39.36 | Unknown | prior to recent history. Thank you. |
| 02:07:43.19 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:07:43.26 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:07:43.27 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:07:43.61 | Vice Mayor Cox | So. |
| 02:07:48.42 | Unknown | Good evening and congratulations for everybody who's been elected and reelected. An item I know that's going to be coming up to you in 2025 will be the center medium and the bike pass that was presented by the commission. And I'm hoping that when you have that item heard that you ask staff to attach two documents that were not attached during the committee report. One of those is a contract for the consultant who came up with the designs. And the second is the grant money for whatever improvement is being done. I know there was some opposition to the approval process that was presented from the committee. And I think some of those items were not looking at other opportunities for improving the safety of the bike paths. So I think the public will have a better opportunity to respond if they have those two documents as part of the staff report so I hope that you're able to do that thank you |
| 02:08:39.06 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:08:40.68 | Vice Mayor Cox | Any other communications on items not on our agenda? |
| 02:08:44.63 | Sobieski | Sunshine. |
| 02:08:56.32 | Unknown | Thank you, and I want to congratulate all of you. You've really helped me understand Sausalito. |
| 02:09:03.51 | Unknown | I once said a statement that my daughter taught me in Croatia. Odom Podom. And that's everything happens in its right time. I'm still puzzled though what has happened to me. I've spent all of my life volunteering |
| 02:09:21.92 | Unknown | and I didn't realize it would get me into the position at age 84 |
| 02:09:26.18 | Unknown | that I'm in low income housing. |
| 02:09:29.59 | Unknown | And |
| 02:09:30.75 | Unknown | Four of us. |
| 02:09:32.59 | Unknown | three in the 80s, over 80s, and one |
| 02:09:37.52 | Unknown | under 80. |
| 02:09:38.93 | Unknown | have been given eviction notices by our manager. |
| 02:09:45.23 | Unknown | We've denied. |
| 02:09:46.49 | Unknown | all the claims. |
| 02:09:48.62 | Unknown | And |
| 02:09:49.97 | Unknown | It still is happening. |
| 02:09:52.55 | Unknown | Couple, last week someone came and said, do I know where this person can sleep at night because she's been evicted? |
| 02:10:00.89 | Unknown | I didn't know where she could sleep. Today, I spoke with someone at St. Vincent's, DePaul, because my neighbor in the next building was evicted, and they're putting her up in a motel because she hasn't found a place. I found a place. The people are wonderful. I would love to live there. |
| 02:10:20.11 | Unknown | but they require a Section 8 voucher. |
| 02:10:23.03 | Unknown | And that |
| 02:10:24.55 | Unknown | Marin County has not offered it for two and a half years. |
| 02:10:27.97 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:10:28.36 | Unknown | and I need help. |
| 02:10:30.06 | Unknown | I need to find a place to live. And it's very hard. I've lived in my place for 12 years. |
| 02:10:36.38 | Unknown | And |
| 02:10:37.42 | Unknown | I have all my things that I'm moving out. Fortunately, my son is helping me and other people are offering. |
| 02:10:43.13 | Unknown | But it's hard at age 84. |
| 02:10:45.49 | Unknown | to move, first of all, everything somewhere else |
| 02:10:48.71 | Unknown | and then maybe be able to find a place. |
| 02:10:51.09 | Unknown | But, |
| 02:10:51.90 | Unknown | A couple of days ago, I was told, maybe you just have to leave Marin County because there's nothing here. |
| 02:10:59.01 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:10:59.04 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:11:00.68 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you, sunshine. Any other questions? |
| 02:11:03.26 | Sobieski | Yes, online we have a bet. |
| 02:11:08.73 | Unknown | All right. Thank you all for bringing that unmute button up right away. |
| 02:11:12.30 | Unknown | So, yeah, I totally concur with Peter Van Meter and many others who have also said moving the public comment to the front of the meeting as opposed to the very end. |
| 02:11:24.40 | Unknown | is really kind of a crazy thing too. |
| 02:11:26.92 | Unknown | consider leaving it at the end of the meeting. I just don't get it. You've seen so many people show up and just not be able to tough out the long hours. And then they turn around and leave. |
| 02:11:37.38 | Unknown | others that barely hang on. So there's that part of it. And the reason I raise this issue generally is because |
| 02:11:44.65 | Unknown | even after tonight's setup with the new mayor and the new vice mayor, you are absolutely flouting out. |
| 02:11:50.81 | Unknown | You are just defying the traditions of this community, which I suppose in some ways |
| 02:11:56.67 | Unknown | It can be OK, but in other ways, I think it creates a tremendous amount of insecurity among we citizens. And why is that? Because I just heard each one of you newly elected re-swear an oath of office. I didn't get the opportunity to hear any of you state your oath. |
| 02:12:15.15 | Unknown | previously, I was not around for that. However, I did hear this one. And the fact that you are affirming the Constitution of the United States of America, and then you behave and do some of the things that I have seen each of you do, |
| 02:12:29.02 | Unknown | As your... |
| 02:12:30.50 | Unknown | elected position flies in the face of saying that you actually support the Constitution because |
| 02:12:36.44 | Unknown | Let's face it, the first thing that we're guaranteed is the freedom of speech, and that seems to be something that some of you just have a hard time reconciling. However, I would like to ask you, if you're going to uphold your oath of office, I will be watching carefully, and as much as you love to hear me complain and shout out these disagreeable remarks, you will hear more of them, unless I see you guys honestly sticking to the oaths that you just swore to uphold. |
| 02:13:03.36 | Unknown | So with that, I will thank you and wish you Godspeed going forward. And I hope we all win from this. |
| 02:13:08.12 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:13:08.13 | Sobieski | all of us. |
| 02:13:11.63 | Vice Mayor Cox | Any other public comment? |
| 02:13:12.64 | Sobieski | Yes, Senator Bushmaker. |
| 02:13:12.65 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:13:18.12 | Sandra Bushmaker | It was when I was mayor, |
| 02:13:20.55 | Sandra Bushmaker | a few decades ago, |
| 02:13:22.85 | Sandra Bushmaker | that |
| 02:13:23.74 | Sandra Bushmaker | The comments were moved from the end of the agenda to the beginning of the agenda. |
| 02:13:27.89 | Sandra Bushmaker | And it was stayed that way until very recently. |
| 02:13:31.17 | Sandra Bushmaker | During the campaign, I can't tell you the number of people |
| 02:13:34.78 | Sandra Bushmaker | in the community |
| 02:13:35.98 | Sandra Bushmaker | who asked me why do we have to sit through the entire meeting when we have to say something that is not on the agenda. |
| 02:13:42.31 | Sandra Bushmaker | Please, please move this to the front of the agenda. |
| 02:13:45.17 | Sandra Bushmaker | as a courtesy to your constituents. |
| 02:13:48.28 | Sandra Bushmaker | Thank you. |
| 02:13:52.40 | Sandra Bushmaker | and you can see it. |
| 02:13:52.48 | Vice Mayor Cox | any further |
| 02:13:54.40 | Vice Mayor Cox | See you. |
| 02:13:54.47 | Vice Mayor Cox | the |
| 02:13:54.52 | Sobieski | See none. |
| 02:13:56.11 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. We will close communications. I will take the privilege of briefly responding to statements made by announcing that even before this meeting, I shared with the city manager my intention, if I were bestowed this position, to move public communications back up to the front of the agenda beginning next year. So that will be one of my first official acts as mayor. All right, moving on to council member committee reports. |
| 02:14:30.79 | Vice Mayor Cox | It's the holiday season. So seeing none, we'll move on to, but I will take a public comment on |
| 02:14:39.51 | Vice Mayor Cox | Committee reports. |
| 02:14:43.32 | Sobieski | See you then. |
| 02:14:43.95 | Vice Mayor Cox | Okay, I'll move on to the city manager reports and other council business. First is city manager information for council. |
| 02:14:50.66 | Chris Zapata | I'll be brief, Mayor and Council. The first thing I'd like to do is thank you all for your work this past weekend during the storm events. The first responders that responded out of police, fire, public works, community and economic development and communication that worked with PG&E during the situation where half of Marin County was without power, most of our downtown was without power. And so to communicate the urgency of, you know, the need and the population in Sausalito to PG&E representatives from the mayor on down was really helpful to kind of get through that troubled time. I also want to let you know that Christmas week, City Hall offices will be closed to the public on and the library on 1224 and Wednesday 1225 and city offices will be open on Monday 1223 and 12 Thursday 1226 as normal and on New Year's Day City Hall will be closed to the public on Wednesday on New Year's Day |
| 02:15:53.22 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you city manager future agenda items I do want to address the. |
| 02:16:02.32 | Vice Mayor Cox | median on Bridgeway. So there was a, |
| 02:16:06.79 | Vice Mayor Cox | pedestrian bicycle advisory committee meeting on this matter uh this past a week ago monday and roughly 40 members of the public attended that meeting uh with following that meeting this item with the cooperation of former council member kelman was referred for a sea level rise lens And so this item will also be heard by the sustainability commission in january and the plan is to bring this back for a city council meeting in february given the need to agendize our planning retreat in january and a special meeting in february in order to adopt the odds there is no plan right now to schedule an additional special meeting of the city council in january or february before the grant deadline for um saying yay or nay to the grant and so we've been publishing the notices of these meetings in the currents now that we have scheduled three separate meetings at which the public is invited to attend the feeling was of the agenda setting committee that we did not need to schedule a further special city council meeting but after i take public comment i'm happy to hear from the council |
| 02:17:27.30 | Councilmember Hoffman | Are there any questions? I just have a comment on that and on another item, so I'd like to... |
| 02:17:31.48 | Vice Mayor Cox | Okay, great. Actually, I can't take public comment till the end. |
| 02:17:36.19 | Councilmember Hoffman | Yeah, I mean, I thought we had discussed before. I just think we've received quite a lot of robust comments from the community on this specific issue. While I think it is important for our boards and commissions to review it, |
| 02:17:36.24 | Vice Mayor Cox | Yeah. |
| 02:17:47.28 | Councilmember Hoffman | I don't think it should be rushed. I understand we have the deadline of the grant, but I've heard it time and again from so many residents that they'd like to have a dedicated conversation with members of the council on this topic. And I worry that if we put it into a packed agenda without the opportunity for folks to amply engage and look at the issue, |
| 02:18:05.10 | Councilmember Hoffman | people will have cause for not having had a chance to weigh in. So I would rather spend the time, and I'm happy to take a vote, or to just, you know, we can think about what makes sense. But I do think that given the community interest that we have had on this issue, it deserves a specific, special meeting. So I have other future agenda items, but I'll just leave it on that. Okay. |
| 02:18:25.40 | Vice Mayor Cox | So I'll invite feedback from others about scheduling another special meeting of the City Council. |
| 02:18:31.22 | Steven Woodside | I think for the reasons that Member Blofsteen just articulated, this I think would be well-suited for a special meeting where it would be the only topic so people would know. It could come at a certain time, have a pretty good idea of how long the meeting would last, and then we could move on. And then just to add a little bit of substance to it from my perspective, learning about this, mostly during the campaign, it seemed to me that the primary issue throughout any discussion about that section of the road is safety. And I think it would be important for us to have a meeting where we had input from our own safety experts in-house as well as the outside consultant. I just want to add that. |
| 02:19:19.18 | Steven Woodside | Thanks. Okay, thank you. |
| 02:19:21.69 | Ian Sobieski | Thank you, Mary. Just to dovetail on that, I did not attend, but I did watch the meeting. And I just wanted to highlight to the head of the agenda setting committee for your consideration to compare the charge that we gave staff back in May with the work product that was presented. And in my view, it was not complete. And I would just propose in terms of agenda setting for future agenda items that we consider whether we should wait to have the work complete go back to that meeting and make sure it was complete before bringing it forward uh there are some key elements i'm going to write a letter to the city manager outlining where i think the admissions are but i just wanted to highlight that for your benefit |
| 02:19:59.51 | Vice Mayor Cox | And where do you come in on special meeting or regular city council meeting? |
| 02:20:03.82 | Ian Sobieski | Since I think the work's not finished, if you look at the key material items that City Council charged, were simply not done around other configurations and safety considerations. And so I feel as though there needs to be more work done, frankly. So I feel that the meeting is fine for feedback from the public, I suppose, but it's a half-baked potato. |
| 02:20:26.39 | Ian Sobieski | and don't feel like we gave them good direction back in May and it's not finished. That's, of course, a... So special meeting. |
| 02:20:31.17 | Vice Mayor Cox | So special meeting or regular meeting? |
| 02:20:33.40 | Ian Sobieski | Oh, for sure it would be special. I don't think you want to cock this gun and make people think something's going to get approved. So it should be, I would even say that there's no, that such a meeting shouldn't have the agendized ability to actually implement any changes. It ought to be a consideration for future direction of work. |
| 02:20:49.61 | Vice Mayor Cox | Okay, so as a member of the Agenda Setting Committee, I can tell you this will not be ready in January, so that means we will be scheduling four City Council meetings in February. I'll ask the City Clerk to send out a doodle poll regarding Council availability for an additional special meeting in February beyond the 4th, the 18th, and the 25th. |
| 02:21:13.00 | Councilmember Hoffman | Any other future agenda items? Yes. So I think we all experienced the storm events where we lost power, and also I had the opportunity with Supervisor Moulton Peters to walk through some of Gate 5 and visit with some of the folks who were heavily impacted, and so that brought up two really critical future agenda items that I think we need to address. One is I know that our city manager has been in conversation with PG&E about their response, but a lot of businesses were really deeply and adversely impacted, having the inability to serve on the lighted boat parade night, not to mention not one of the busiest days. So I think we need to have a conversation about emergency response and our relationship with PG&E and what that looks like and how we prioritize that. That's one. And two is we need to immediately agendize an update on gate 5 flooding and resilience and and i would like to bring that to the january 11th meeting just how do we address that more specifically so i think gate five pg and e and then more generally a resilience conversation for the january 11th meeting |
| 02:22:10.38 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:22:10.70 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. And you raise a good point, Council Member Blaustein. So for the January 11th retreat, we are asking that department heads each provide to us in advance of that meeting their five top priorities for the year. I invite the council to do the same, to think about and communicate to the city manager your five top priorities for 2025. Also, each of you will be hearing from Amy Howarth, our consultant who will be, |
| 02:22:42.93 | Vice Mayor Cox | facilitating that meeting and I invite you to engage in an interview process with her as well. |
| 02:22:50.27 | Councilmember Hoffman | . |
| 02:22:50.64 | Councilmember Hoffman | I just want to dovetail off that on the Gate 5 Road and the flooding issues down there in the Marin ship. I know that we have a lot of... |
| 02:23:00.68 | Councilmember Hoffman | historic |
| 02:23:03.26 | Councilmember Hoffman | studies on that and we have a lot of engineering work on that and so I would ask that that, you know, be brought forward. I'm sure we're going to talk about that. |
| 02:23:12.51 | Councilmember Hoffman | at the meeting. So in the context of all of the work that we already have on that, in addition to the ownership issues, which I always have to go back and look at who owns what roads and also who owns what pipes and what sewers because it's very confusing. But that always helps us in determining |
| 02:23:36.66 | Councilmember Hoffman | the path forward until we all forget about it until the next storm. So that's helpful in looking at grants that are available now in the context of the sea level rise and climate resilience. |
| 02:23:51.73 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:23:51.95 | Councilmember Hoffman | Thank you. |
| 02:23:51.97 | Vice Mayor Cox | you any other proposed future agenda items all right uh with that i'll open it to public comment on uh item on the city manager report and on future agenda items peter van meter |
| 02:24:05.38 | Unknown | i recommend a very simple future agenda item namely simply to authorize the city manager to su and request for proposals for the reconstruction and design of parking lot number one |
| 02:24:17.31 | Unknown | And that's an item that you can address very quickly to get that work in progress so the rejuvenation of downtown can be complete. Get rid of that horrible piece of asphalt and dead trees that we have there now to go along with the new plaza. And so your first step is issuing that RFP for engineering and design proposal work to get that project going. Thank you. |
| 02:24:38.76 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:24:38.79 | Scott Thornburg | Thank you. |
| 02:24:42.71 | Scott Thornburg | Good evening, Madam Mayor and Council. Scott Thornburg, Chair of EDAC. At our meeting yesterday, one of the things that came up was some of the Gate 5 Road flooding and the impact to local businesses. |
| 02:24:57.32 | Scott Thornburg | in the marineship that were significantly affected there were also businesses downtown that had flooding which was news i think we oftentimes think of of the marineship as the only area that floods but there were businesses downtown that were thriving prior to this past weekend and this was a really important weekend for the business community as you all know one of the things that we discussed as a committee is considering the impact of sea level rise on our businesses. And so as a future engine, I would love for you also to consider priorities for EDAC, as well as other committees where there may be some overlap, where we need to align on what those priorities are and come together, potentially cross committees to address some of the issues facing our community. |
| 02:25:46.50 | Scott Thornburg | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 02:25:49.30 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:25:49.31 | Alice Merrill | Alice Merrill. |
| 02:25:51.41 | Alice Merrill | Thank you. |
| 02:25:52.28 | Alice Merrill | I went to that meeting about the bicycle lane. |
| 02:25:57.35 | Alice Merrill | And |
| 02:25:58.65 | Alice Merrill | There were the house was packed. I would say that of the people that spoke, 95% said do not get rid of the median lane. |
| 02:26:10.61 | Alice Merrill | Don't do it. Please don't do it. And at the end of it, I heard, maybe I heard it wrong, the leader of the committee say, we will propose to the City Council that they proceed with the plan. |
| 02:26:29.10 | Alice Merrill | So to me, they did either not listen |
| 02:26:32.61 | Alice Merrill | or they did not hear. |
| 02:26:34.47 | Alice Merrill | And I hope that you guys did hear what the people said. Thank you. |
| 02:26:39.60 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:26:46.20 | Adrian Brenton | uh hello council just a quick comment on a future agenda item to um |
| 02:26:50.62 | Adrian Brenton | Look at the appointment. |
| 02:26:51.45 | Vice Mayor Cox | Will you identify yourself, Adrian? Just for those who don't. |
| 02:26:53.17 | Adrian Brenton | Adrian Brenton, Sausalita resident. I just wanted to suggest an agenda item to make appointments to the pedestrian bike advisory committee. |
| 02:27:02.42 | Adrian Brenton | applications out there and with all the work going on here around the bike lanes, I think it would be great to fill those seats. |
| 02:27:09.52 | Adrian Brenton | Additionally, I think looking at the scope of the committee and refocusing it a bit from strictly pedestrian and bike to be more transportation oriented might be a great consideration. There's a lot of discussion has been had around it being, you know, |
| 02:27:25.52 | Adrian Brenton | to focus strictly on bikes and pedestrians, where the issues around that they're talking about are transportation issues. So I'd love to see that come up in the future. Thank you. |
| 02:27:35.61 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:27:38.68 | Vice Mayor Cox | Anything online? |
| 02:27:39.74 | Sobieski | Yes, we have Babette Montugo. |
| 02:27:47.88 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:27:48.62 | Unknown | Well, I'm starting to feel reassured about the coming year. So thank you all for your comments and especially to Mr. Woodside, because, um, |
| 02:27:56.01 | Unknown | You are spot on. There's one thing I'd like to amplify, however, Mr. Woodside. When you talk about public safety, I hope that you realize that within the context of that, that median... |
| 02:28:07.27 | Unknown | was created specifically |
| 02:28:09.44 | Unknown | for emergency response. |
| 02:28:11.77 | Unknown | And I imagine that when you speak of public safety, you must surely be thinking of our first responders and people who have a need for a first responder to show up quickly. |
| 02:28:22.98 | Unknown | whether it's a health concern or a fire or something else, and trying to remove that median |
| 02:28:28.75 | Unknown | for those reasons just seems |
| 02:28:31.63 | Unknown | Well, |
| 02:28:32.68 | Unknown | Seems kind of oxymoronic in a way. You know, it just doesn't seem to make any sense because this is a highly... |
| 02:28:38.55 | Unknown | This is a high density area. |
| 02:28:40.65 | Unknown | And because of the way things are laid out, I mean, I hadn't, none of us had anything to do with it, but here we are. |
| 02:28:46.70 | Unknown | And, |
| 02:28:47.67 | Unknown | to take away something so essential as the ability for first responders to move |
| 02:28:53.20 | Unknown | through this town, whether they're going all the way out to the Cavallo Point area, |
| 02:28:57.25 | Unknown | or whether they're going in some other direction in our town, we have to have access. And the more we start to look forward, like to the housing element, for example, and elsewhere, to where we're looking at higher density of people and populations, more vehicles, more this and more that, the more we can, in fact, reserve these spaces and acknowledge them now. I really thank, in this case, I thank Ian Sobieski, because I agree. |
| 02:29:23.74 | Unknown | There's an awful lot of work to lay out yet. |
| 02:29:26.19 | Unknown | We are nowhere near |
| 02:29:27.76 | Unknown | the area where we can save time to, as you say, pull the trigger. |
| 02:29:31.51 | Unknown | And I really appreciate that you are willing to go thoroughly through this. Perhaps you were one |
| 02:29:37.11 | Unknown | Further to what Alice Merrill just said, who actually heard? |
| 02:29:40.74 | Unknown | that the vast majority of people said, do not get rid of this media, and you'd be crazy to do that. |
| 02:29:46.15 | Unknown | And yet... |
| 02:29:46.75 | Unknown | There was one resolution and it was, let's dump the media. |
| 02:29:50.71 | Unknown | Thank you. Anything further, city clerk? |
| 02:29:52.30 | Vice Mayor Cox | Thank you. |
| 02:29:52.85 | Sobieski | Same scene then. |
| 02:29:54.93 | Vice Mayor Cox | All right, with that, we will close public comment. I do want to announce with respect to the storms this weekend that the city manager is in the process of scheduling a meeting with PG&E's regional vice president, district staff, the city manager, the police chief, the fire chief, the public works director, and myself to address this, to commence the dialogue about better addressing challenges like this moving forward. |
| 02:30:24.36 | Vice Mayor Cox | Um, |
| 02:30:25.24 | Vice Mayor Cox | And with that, we're ready to adjourn. |
| 02:30:28.36 | Vice Mayor Cox | Happy holidays, everyone. Thank you all so much. |
| 02:30:32.56 | Vice Mayor Cox | We're adjourned. |
