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Town Manager's Newsletter
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Saturday, January 14, 2023
David P. Donery, Town Manager
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Martin Luther King Jr Day Monday, January 16
Town Hall and most Town services will be closed on Monday, January 16 - in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Winter Storm Information
A storm door is open and rain and wind is expected at least through Wednesday January 18, 2023. After periods of heavy rain; the ground is saturated with increased risk of flooding, mud slides, downed trees and power outages due to strong winds. We wanted to provide you with information to keep you prepared and safe: Please view the latest NWS forecast for the most up to the date information. Please visit the Flooding and Storm Resources page on the Town website. Be prepared:- Secure outdoor objects that could be blown over by wind (e.g, patio furniture, sports equipment, trash cans, pop-up canopies)
- Rake leaves and other yard debris and place in green bin (to keep out of gutters and storm drains)
- Make sure your emergency kit is up-to-date: have a flashlight, radio and spare batteries handy if the power goes out.
- Protect homes and businesses in low-lying flood-prone areas by making sandbags.(see below)
- Sign up to receive AlertMarin emergency calls, text message or email alerts.
- Visit Emergency.MarinCounty.org for additional resources for preparing for a storm.
During the storm- Avoid unnecessary travel. Strong winds and wet roads make travel risky, and possible flooding may prevent you from returning home. Staying home is the safest option until the storm passes. If it’s an emergency, allow emergency responders to come to you.
- Use extra caution when driving. If you MUST leave your home, drive carefully: slow down, keep both hands on steering wheel, turn on head lights, allow extra space between vehicles, and watch for downed tree branches, trees, and power lines.
- Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume a fallen power line is live and do not touch it with your hand or other object. Call 9-1-1 immediately to report the fallen line.
- Do not walk or drive through standing water. Turn around, do not drown. If it’s an emergency, allow emergency responders to come to you.
- Avoid the coast and beaches.
- Monitor Emergency.MarinCounty.org for the most up-to-date weather and emergency information.
SandbagsSand and bags are available for San Anselmo residents at the tennis court parking lot at Memorial Park (Sunny Hills Drive across from the Red Hill Shopping Center). Please bring you own shovel. Flood HornThe Town has a flood horn located in the Town Hall tower. The horn is audible from areas subject to flooding. The horn is sounded when flooding is imminent. Town staff will sound the horn with 5 blasts, a pause, 5 blasts, a pause and 5 blasts. If you hear the flood horn, do not go to flood prone areas. Seek higher ground. PG&E Outage InformationIf you experience a power outage, you can check the PG&E Outage Map: https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outagecenter/ to report an outage and/or to find information on when power might be restored. Or call: Call: 1-877-660-6789 . Town staff has made preparations and we are in contact with downtown businesses and property owners about preparing for the latest storms. Remember that Emergency.MarinCounty.org is the go-to resident resource for emergency information throughout these storm events.
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Recap of this Week's Town Council Meeting
The Town Council discussed the following items at their recent Council meeting on January 10, 2023: Council Items:- Oath of Office for Newly Elected:
Councilmember, Tarrell Kullaway and Town Clerk, Cecily T. Wilson - Approved Resolution of the Town Council Authorizing the Appropriation
of Funds for the Purchase of iPads for the Installation and use of the Granicus- iLegislate Digital Agenda Application - Reviewed the Public Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element and Approved by
Motion the Submittal of the Draft to the California Department of Housing and Community Development
The full agenda and further information can be found on the Town website: HERE You can also add your email to receive notifications and agendas for the Town Council meetings or any other Town public meetings: HERE
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Building Standards Codes changed on January 1, 2023
The 2022 California Building Standards Code have been adopted as of January 1, 2023. Any permits submitted on or after this date shall comply with the new code cycle.
All new permit applications had to be submitted through eTrakit, and plan check fees paid (if applicable.
Please visit the Permit Center webpage for updated information..
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Town Seeking Community Applicants
Spotlight: Mosquito Abatement District Board of Trustees SeatPlanning Commission Seat
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The Board seat representing San Anselmo on the Mosquito Abatement District Board of Trustees is vacant
The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District is governed by a Board of Trustees. Each member represents his or her city of residence or a county at large - there is one representing each of the 20 cities located within the district's service area, and four (two for each county) selected by the county Board of Supervisors to represent the unincorporated and newly annexed portions of the district.
Trustees are appointed by their town/city council or county board of supervisors and serve a two or four year term.
Members of the Board of Trustees serve without compensation, but are provided with an allowance to defray expenses while on official business (not to exceed $100 per month) in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code Section 2030(b).
Regular Board meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at District Headquarters, 595 Helman Lane, Cotati. From time to time the regular monthly meeting may be canceled. Special Meetings are held occasionally and noticed in accordance with the Brown Act.
If you are interested, we encourage you to submit a completed application and you will be scheduled for an interview with Town Council. Positions will remain open until filled by Town Council.
To submit an application: Apply Here You can find more details: HERE
Vacant seat on the Town of San Anselmo Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is a seven-member body appointed by the Town Council, and established in 1938. Its primary role is to consider how land use decisions affect the Town. In this role, the Commission has review and approval authority for design review, use permits, variances, zoning changes and planned developments. The Commission makes recommendations to the Town Council regarding plan and ordinance updates.
Planning Commission Meetings are held the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm, currently on zoom, and in Town Council Chambers when they are in person.
If you are interested, we encourage you to submit a completed application and you will be scheduled for an interview with Town Council. Positions will remain open until filled by Town Council. To submit an application: Apply Here You can find more details about the Planning Commission: HERE
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Register For CivicRec Now!!
After 13 years with ActiveNet San Anselmo Recreation has moved on to CivicRec - our new registration platform. What can you expect? You can expect a new, easier to navigate catalog of all of our classes! And a simpler interface with more tools to manage your account and stay up-to-date on all of your scheduled classes! Now, what do we need from you? We need you to log-in to CivicRec and create a brand-new account. Don’t forget to add any family members to your account. With CivicRec you can manage your whole family with just one account. So, no need for separate family member accounts. To create your new account please visit: www.sananselmorecreation.org Questions? Concerns? We’re here to help you through the transition, please email: recreation@townofsananselmo.org or call 415-258-4640 with any questions.
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Environment & Sustainability Series: Climate Action Commission
Saturday, January 28, 1:00pm Library Reading Room
Join us for a presentation from the Climate Action Commission about what you can do to reduce your footprint! This is part of our Environment and Sustainability Series that will also include future presentations by: The Climate Center, Wisdom Supply Company, and Marin Water. Keep updated on the Series: here.
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LIBRARY NEWS CHILDREN/TEEN EVENTS
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Winter Reading for All Ages Dec 15, 2022 - Jan 31, 2023
Experience all the feels this winter! Learn about the history of emojis, explore the importance of emotions, and discover fun activities to express yourself fully —all while earning badges on a virtual bingo card! From Dec. 15–Jan. 31, the San Anselmo Public Library is participating in “All the Feels,” a winter reading challenge sponsored by Beanstack. Sign up at: townofsananselmo.beanstack.org We challenge you to read and log at least 600 minutes during Winter Reading, December 15 – January 31. Earn fun emoji-themed badges for logging your reading and completing activities.
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Teen Book Club with author Sara Loyster
Friday, January 20, 4:00pmCouncil ChambersFor 7th graders and older
Join author Sara Loyster and the Teen Library Council for snacks and discussion. Pick up a free copy of The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit at the library while supplies last. Email jwaskey@townofsananselmo.org to sign up!
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Lion Dance Performance
Saturday, January 21, 1:00pmat Town Plaza
Enjoy a traditional lion dance presented by the Marin Chinese Cultural Association. Bring everyone you know for this special Lunar New Year event!
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Bookworms Book Club
Friday, January 27, 4:00-5:00pm 3rd - 5th graders
Our book for this month is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. There is still time to join; please email jwaskey@townofsananselmo.org if you are interested. There are still copies of the book available, pick up your free book at the library as long as supplies last.
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Dana K. White, author of Organizing for the Rest of UsStart your new year calm and collected by learning to become better organized and clutter-free with Dana K. White, author of Organizing for the Rest of Us and Decluttering at the Speed of Life. If the thought of decluttering overwhelms you, organizing expert and bestselling author Dana White’s humor and practical, reality-based tips will give you exactly what you need to start making an impact on your space. In this deep-dive webinar, Dana will share actionable mindset shifts that will free you to make fast progress using minimal emotional energy. In addition, she offers sustainable ideas to simplify and manage your home and will teach you how to make great strides with minimal effort in every room of our home.
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Randall Munroe, author of What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Enjoy an online conversation filled with bonkers science, boundless curiosity, and the answers to the weirdest questions you never thought to ask with author Randall Munroe as he talks about his newest book What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions!
The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger. Thank goodness xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to help. Planning to ride a fire pole from the moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing. Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone’s freezer door at the same time? Maybe it’s time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics. Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-story building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist. Unfazed by absurdity, Randall consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airplane-catapult design to clearly and concisely answer his readers’ questions. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.
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Photography Exhibit
TOWN BOOKS is proud to host an exhibit of photography by René Voss in January and February, 2023. He is an avid hiker, backpacker, and photographer. This is René’s first solo show where he shares with us an intimate look into the wild heart of Marin County. Don’t miss it. René lives in San Anselmo, CA where he practices Natural Resources Law for non-profits and serves on the Town of San Anselmo’s Open Space Committee. He is a past member of the Sierra Club Board of Directors (1999-2001) and a current member of the Wilderness Watch and Coho Salmon Land Trust board of directors. TOWN BOOKS 411 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo HOURS: Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm INFO: (415)526-3791 • townbooks.org Town Books is run by the Friends of the San Anselmo Library and all profits are donated to the San Anselmo Library.
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Free - Hot Water Heater Assessment & Heat Pump Water Heater Info Heat pump water heaters are a climate-friendly alternative to gas water heaters. But most gas water heaters are replaced when they fail, with another gas one, locking in years of greenhouse gas emissions. Getting a free assessment is a great first step to be ready to replace your gas water heater. Sign up to get a free assessment of your hot water heater as part of a new San Anselmo and Fairfax pilot program with Ready-Set-Replace.
For more information, please: CLICK HERE.
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Landscape Equipment Ordinance and Leaf Blower Rebate Program San Anselmo has passed an ordinance that will prohibit the use of gas-powered landscape equipment starting June 1, 2023 for residents, and January 1, 2024 for commercial landscapers. The ordinance will help reduce the Town’s greenhouse gas emissions and protect the health and safety of residents and equipment operators by reducing hazardous air pollutants emitted during the use of gas-powered landscape equipment. Further details about the ordinance and upcoming launch of the landscape equipment trade-in and rebate program will be made available on the Town website.
In the meantime, if you haven’t already made the switch to an electric leaf blower, now is your chance to get a 50% rebate (up to $150) off the purchase of a new electric leaf blower from Jackson’s Hardware located in San Rafael. To apply for the rebate, you’ll first need to go to the Leaf Blower Information page on the Town website to get instructions on dropping off your gas blower, and to download and complete the rebate application that provides further details about the program.
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Free Online Climate Action Workshops
Learn to Live Lightly on the Earth: In the online Climate Action Workshop offered by Resilient Neighborhoods, you will adopt an earth-sustaining lifestyle, create a low-impact home, and learn how to be resilient in our new ‘normal.’ Taking simple actions like trimming energy and waste, utilizing clean energy, conserving water, and making smarter transportation choices can save you money too. Help build a stronger and safer community. Free for Marin residents!
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Marin Master Gardener TipsPlan Your Fire-smart Landscape January 2023
JANUARY: Time to Prune!- Trim and remove all dead & dying vegetation.
- Cut back vines and low-growing ground covers (e.g. ivy) to remove build-up of dry stems and dead leaves.
- Prune trees when dormant (except apricot and cherry).
- Gently thin and trim back tree & shrub canopies to remove twiggy growth and maintain separation between plants.
- For trees, remove limbs 6 to 10 feet from the ground, or trim up to 1/3 of tree height for smaller trees.
- Avoid topping trees and shearing hedges as this causes excessive and twiggy growth and more fuel for a fire.
- Remove branches within 10 ft of a chimney, and clear roof & gutters of plant debris. Consult an arborist regarding any branch removal, especially to ensure the health of the tree.
For More Fire-SmartLandscaping Information: Visit the U.C. MARIN MASTER GARDENER website: www.ucanr.edu/ucmarinmgfiresmart
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Creek Park Plaza Update
Please click HERE for more information, including Updates and Frequently Asked Questions. Please note that Creek Park is still open: This includes the Redwood grove picnic tables, and the Amphitheater grass and stage area. The Town has moved some plaza picnic tables back to that area to provide more seating. You can access Creek Park via the pedestrian bridge from San Anselmo Avenue or from Center Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
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Town Seeking Community Applicants for Boards, Committees and Commissions
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There are open seats on the Town's community volunteer Boards, Committees and Commissions.
San Anselmo's Boards,Committees and Commissions provide a vital link between Town government and the community for gathering public input, reviewing projects and making recommendations on key issues. If you are interested, we encourage you to submit a completed application and you will be scheduled for an interview with Town Council. Positions will remain open until filled by Town Council.
To submit an application: Apply Here For Youth Information & Application: Apply Here
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