Town Council Meeting Agenda

The Town Council will be discussing the following items at their next Council meeting on December 14, 2021:

• Reorganization of Town Council: Elect Mayor and Vice-Mayor to one-year terms. 
• Recognize the service of 2021 Mayor Brian Colbert.
• Consider approval of a rate increase requested by Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) of 2.88% to be effective January 1, 2022.
• Presentation by Climate Action Commission youth commissioner Hayley Ballard on policies the Commission would like the Town Council to consider to reduce greenhouse gases from the transportation sector: 1) warning labels on gas pumps; 2) amendments to zoning to prohibit new or expanded gasoline/fueling stations; and a town vehicle fleet procurement policy. 
• Discuss the meeting format for upcoming Town meetings and provide direction to staff.
• Public hearing to consider adopting ordinances implementing 2020 Senate Bill 9

The full agenda can be found here: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/779/Town-Council-Meeting-Packets

Grants Accepted for Wildfire Fuel Reduction Work

An influx of more than $1.1 million in grant funds will help the Marin County Fire Department reduce wildfire fuels in the hills above Fairfax and San Anselmo.

Fire Chief Jason Weber said he was pleased the Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted resolutions to accept three grants[External] December 7 worth a combined $1,131,657 from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as CAL FIRE. Fuel reduction work is scheduled through spring 2025 at the in the hills above Fairfax in and around Camp Tamarancho and in and around the nearby Bald Hill Preserve.

Two of the grants were awarded for “significantly increasing the amount of acres treated for fire prevention” and chosen because of their proximity to residential areas exposed to heightened wildfire risk. Both locations are strategic for the communities of Fairfax and San Anselmo.

Both projects are expected to begin July 1, 2022.

“Our goal is to create safer recreational opportunities for the young Scouts and their families who enjoy Camp Tamarancho and the visitors to one of Marin County Parks’ many beautiful preserves,” Weber said. “The added benefit will be better access for fire vehicles to get where they need to go in case we have a real wildfire.”

The Tamarancho project involves improving access and egress along for evacuations on roadways, removing dead and dying trees near roadways and other infrastructure, reducing roadside vegetation, and other actions that will reduce the intensity and spread of wildfire. At Bald Hill, which is closer to homes in San Anselmo and Ross, there will be an additional task of clearing invasive species and enhancing defensible space around homes.

Fire agencies all over Marin urge residents to create defensible space around their homes to lower occupant danger and increase the chances of saving property during a wildfire. Responsible vegetation management and keeping driveways and roads clear of overgrown shrubs helps ensure access by first responders during a wildfire. When evaluating a home’s safety measures, consider installing fire-resistant roofing, siding, vents, and dual-pane windows as a wildfire mitigation method.

More information about fire safety can be found on the FIRESafe Marin website, the Marin County Fire website, the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority website, and CAL FIRE’s Ready for Wildfire[External] website. Learn about how to prepare an emergency kit at the Ready Marin website. Residents are urged to register their contact information with Alert Marin notification system overseen by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

Job Opportunity with the San Anselmo Recreation Department

The Recreation Department is currently hiring for a Recreation Coordinator II.
For more information and to apply please visit: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/129/Employment-Opportunities

Help@Hand: A Pilot Addressing the Needs of Isolated Older Adults

This Zoom presentation will focus on addressing the mental health needs of isolated older adults through the innovative project, Help@Hand. The goal of Help@Hand is to learn if and how digital behavioral health technologies fit within the system of behavioral health care and if they can effectively provide support to those who cannot, or will not, access the traditional system of care.
 
3:30 - 4:15 p.m., Monday, December 20, 2021
 
Meeting ID: 891 5099 0156
Passcode: 267018
Phone +1 669 219 2599

DECEMBER : Plan Your Fire-smart Landscape

 Make a fire-smart plan. Consider existing plants, budget, and how much maintenance you are willing to do. Start by understanding the three defensible space zones. The idea is to decrease the energy and speed of a fire by eliminating continuous, dense vegetation vertically and horizontally. Defensible space allows a safer space to defend property. Plant spacing and maintenance is key.

• Zone 0: 0 to 5 feet from the house. This is the most critical area. Minimize combustible materials and separate plants with non-combustible materials (concrete, brick, rocks, decomposed granite, gravel). Eliminate combustible plants and mulch near structures, especially windows. Select plants that are easy to maintain that do not produce excessive debris.
• Zone 1: 5 to 30 feet from the house. Separate plantings and garden beds with hardscape and provide ample plant spacing to slow the spread of flames.
• Zone 2: 30 to 100 feet from the house. Here, you can use larger shrubs and trees planted in widely spaced groups or “islands.” Consider the mature size of plants and shrubs to maintain spaces. 

 
More detailed information can be found throughout the Marin Master Gardener Website. https://marinmg.ucanr.edu

Christmas Tree Recycling

If you have a live tree and are looking to have it composted:
Click here for a list of 2021-22 curbside collection and drop-off options.
To prepare your tree for both curbside collection and drop-off:
• Remove all tree stands (metal, plastic, wood), ornaments, lights, tinsel, etc.
• Flocked trees will not be accepted.
• Apartment building tenants should contact their manager and request that they set up one day for holiday tree collection at the property.

TOWN BOOKS HOLIDAY UPDATE

OPEN: Wed - Sat 10-4
SUNDAYS: Dec 12 & 19, 10-4
 
TOWN BOOKS is filled with books of most genres, audio books, CDs, and DVDs. Also enjoy the art on our walls by Stephanie Thwaites. We have paintings, collage works, and prints of many sizes. We are also offering her line of tote bags, wine bags, lens cleaners, and cards. And we always have gift certificates. We hope you'll stop in to fill your gift list. Remember, proceeds from the store go to your San Anselmo Public Library. Happy Holidays to you all! 

We will be closed on December 25th and January 1st.

Open Space Committee Fundraiser 2022 Calendar

The San Anselmo Open Space Committee, celebrating its 40^th year in 2021, has a beautiful new web site and now accepts donations online! Visit sananselmoopenspace.org.
 
Here’s an opportunity to get the holiday shopping done early, benefit local open spaces, and to visualize a brighter and better 2022! The Fairfax and San Anselmo Open Space Committees have collaborated to create an informationally rich and stunningly beautiful Calendar for 2022 called Wonderfully Wild Marin. The calendar notes astronomical events, holidays from diverse cultures and religions, seasonal, cultural, and historical information about our natural surroundings along with outstanding vistas by talented local  photographers.
To purchase go to: sananselmoopenspace.org or call 415-456-5476

Year End Giving Campaign – San Anselmo Arts Commission

We ask you to remember the San Anselmo Arts Commission in your year-end giving.  We are very excited about 2022!  Our projects will include utility box painting, scholarships, public art, youth engagement, and music events.  Your donations are tax-deductible through our 501C3. Please scroll to the bottom of our website and press the donate button...https://sananselmoarts.org/

Congratulations to the winners of the San Anselmo Arts Commission Winter 2021 Youth Scholarships

Caitlin Glass (Archie Williams HS) — Visual Art/Photography 
William Bollini (The Branson School) — Performance/Dance  
Julia Ng-Heth (Tamiscal HS) Honorable Mention — Performance Art/Dance
Evan Pierce (Archie Williams HS) Honorable Mention — Performance Art/Drama

Holiday Closures at Town Hall

San Anselmo Town Hall will be closed to the public from Monday, December 20th through Friday, December 31st. Town Hall will reopen on Monday, January 1st, 2022.

Online services will continue to be available during this closure.