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Town Manager's Newsletter
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Saturday, January 28, 2023
David P. Donery, Town Manager
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Update on Discussions with the County of Marin Regarding Public Use of Creek Park Plaza
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the Building Bridge 2/Creek Park Plaza working group, which consists of staff and elected officials from both the Town of San Anselmo and the County of Marin, met at the Civic Center for their third meeting. The group received an update from the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District staff on the San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction (SAFRR) program and conducted a discussion related to a letter that was sent by the Town to the County requesting consideration of several pathways toward reopening the plaza for public use. Flood District staff reported that they expect to perform the flood mitigation work this year and that they are moving forward on finalizing the plans and will seek approval to move forward. This work would include the removal of Building Bridge 2, If this project moves forward in 2023, the Town would be in a position to follow the Flood District's work and implement the Reimagine Creek Park work plan, pending Council approval. Regarding the letter sent by the Town, which identified three different options for restoring the plaza’s foundation to allow for public use, the Flood District’s attorney will be reviewing the requests and considering the liability considerations. The Board of Supervisors, in their role as the Flood District Board, would need to make the final decision on the liability piece. However, evaluating the requests would not be necessary in the case of the County moving forward with the flood work in 2023. A copy of the letter is available by clicking the provided link. Once the Flood District finalizes their plans, they will come to Council to provide a project status report. The Working Group is set to meet again in February. 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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Recap of this Week'sTown Council Meeting
The Town Council discussed the following items at their Council meeting on January 24, 2023 at 7:00pm:
Mayor's Proclamation Honoring the Community Service of Lisa Graham. Council Items:- Reviewed the list of Town Council committee assignments and made
appointments for 2023 - Presentation of the Results from the Ross Valley Fire Department
Governance and Leadership Study - Received and Filed Updates on Town Boards, Committees and
Commissions. - Adopted a Resolution to Amendment the Establishing Framework for the
Town’s Economic Development Committee - Urgency ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on new or
expanded gas station uses in San Anselmo until the Town Council
considers potential revisions to existing regulations for new and
expanded gas stations
The full agenda, a link to the zoom recording and further information can be found on the Town website: HERE Please add your email to receive notifications and agendas for the Town Council meetings or any other Town public meetings: HERE
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RED HILL DOG PARK UPDATE
Members of the Red Hill Dog Park Steering Committee met with Town Public Works Department representatives to discuss the drainage issues in the Dog Park that have recently been compounded by the series of heavy rain events.
When the Dog Park was initially conceived over 13 years ago, it was creatively designed and built with community donations and volunteer sweat equity. Fast forward to today and this park has become a well-used and beloved dog/owner destination. And the basic, original design needs to be updated. Short term Fix
With the potential for more rain events on the horizon, there isn’t enough time for the park to dry out and allow for digging to make the proper repairs to the drainage that is needed. So, until the rains have diminished enough for that to happen, the Town will be putting down wood chips, in the heavily muddied areas of the park. Long term Plan
Town staff will research the situation and propose some long-term solutions to the Red Hill Dog Park Steering Committee and Town Council to remedy the drainage issues. Any work will be done after the rains have subsided. The Town will update communication as information comes available. For more information or if you have any questions:
Project Manager: Sean Condry, scondry@townofsananselmo.org
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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 Submits Draft Housing Element to the California HCD for Review
On January 26, 2023, Town staff sent the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to start its 90-day review. HCD will review the Draft Housing Element for compliance with state law. Next Steps for Review and Approval:
The California HCD has 90-days to review and make comments on the Draft Housing Element. If the Draft Housing Element complies with state law in the judgement of the HCD, HCD will send the Town a comment letter stating that the Draft Housing Element is in substantial conformance with the housing law. If the HCD requires changes to the Draft Housing Element, Town staff will meet with HCD staff to discuss how to move the Draft forward. The Town will then work towards addressing the comments from the State. The Town will also reconvene the Housing Element Advisory Committee (HEAC) and the Planning Commission to publicly review the HCD comments and proposed revisions to the Draft Housing Element. After the HEAC and Planning Commission finalize their review, the Town Council will conduct a public hearing for consideration of formal adoption of the Housing Element. That consideration is expected to occur in May 2023. More information on the Housing Element can be found at: Housing Element Update Public Comment continues to be vital to the process.
Please direct any comments or questions to:
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director hscoble@townofsananselmo.org
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Town Seeking Community Applicants
Spotlight:
Parks and Recreation Commission
Economic Development Committee
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There are open seats on the Town's community volunteer Boards,
Committees and Commissions.
You can find more details here:
Boards/Committees/Commissions Information 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. |
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Parks & Recreation Commission - one vacant seat
The Parks & Recreation Commission acts as an advisory body to Town Council and Staff for planning recreation activities, development of Town parks, and the management of public lands.
It also assists Town organizations and agencies that have as their goal the provision of activities or services for the leisure time interest of all youth and adults. Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are held the third Tuesday 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 Parks and Recreation Commission: HERE
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Economic Development Committee - 4 vacant seats
The charge of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) is to work with the Town's business community to identify actions that can be taken to ensure that the business community is vibrant, successful and meets the needs of the Town residents. The Economic Development Committee (EDC) ensures that the Town’s business community and residential community have a forum for giving the Town input on steps needed to attract and retain a range and variety of businesses. Economic Development Committee Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 8:45 am, currently on zoom, and in Town Council Chambers when they are in person. {Note: the EDC will begin meeting quarterly starting June 2023} The EDC recently expanded to Nine (9) members (up to 3 non-resident members) and one (1) alternate. The membership is intended to represent the diversity of interests and points of view in our community (with a strong mix of business, marketing, technology, parking management, design, and/or finance expertise), and the local business community. The Committee will include at all times, one (1) representative from the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce and three (3) representatives who have businesses in San Anselmo, including a retail business owner, restaurant/cafe owner, and property owner. 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 information about the Economic Development Committee: HERE |
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Environment & Sustainability Series:
Climate Action Commission Presentation
Saturday, January 28, 1:00 pm - TODAY!
Library Reading Room or on Zoom
Join us for an important and actionable presentation from the San Anselmo Climate Action Commission. Hear the latest steps to combat climate change and reduce your carbon footprint. Join us in the Library Reading Room or click here to register on Zoom and watch the presentation virtually. This is part of the Library: Environment and Sustainability Speaker Series that will also include future presentations by: The Climate Center and Marin Water.
Keep updated on the Series: here. |
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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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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 passed an ordinance that will prohibit the use of gas-powered landscape equipment as of 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.
Rebate Program:
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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Please Support the Hanging Flower Baskets in
Downtown San Anselmo
This will be our 5th year of enhancing the Avenue with beautiful hanging flower baskets from May through October. The flower basket program is a volunteer effort and relies on donations from the Town, the merchants and the community. Each year these baskets draw such an overwhelmingly positive response that we are committed to keeping them going. We are especially grateful to have Ed Healy (aka "Indy") on our team to water the baskets every day. A special thank you to the Town of San Anselmo and the Chamber of Commerce for their support and donations. And also to the residents and merchants who have supported us for the past four years. We couldn't do it without you!
There are two ways you can contribute: - Donate by visiting the program’s: GO FUND ME PAGE or
- Mail a check payable to:
SA Friends of the Flower Baskets
P.O. Box 2844, San Anselmo, CA 94979
For more information about this project contact: Nancy Altman at nnaltman@me.com
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The recent rainfall in Marin comes as a double-edged sword. We desperately need the water after years of drought, but the torrential rain we've seen lately causes flooding and dangerous conditions. Watch the promotional introduction video! In partnership with Fire Safe Marin, Ross Valley Fire, ReadyMarin, Caltrans, and the Town of San Anselmo. |
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Marin Master Gardener TipsPlan Your Fire-smart Landscape
February 2023
FEBRUARY: Trees and Shrubs - Consider spacing- Plant spacing, size control and maintenance are more important than type of plant. We cannot eliminate fire but we can alter the fire’s behavior.
- Consider creating separation by increasing spacing between tree canopies while considering flat vs sloped terrain.
- Maintain vertical clearance of at least 3X the shrub’s height between the tops of shrubs and the bottom of the tree canopy. This can be done by pruning the shrub down, or pruning smaller, easily ignitable tree branches up, or both.
- Avoid massing woody shrubs at the base of trees. Consider low-growing, herbaceous plants instead.
- Create islands of plants with non-combustible paths to interrupt spread of fire.
For More Fire-Smart Landscaping Information:
Visit the U.C. MARIN MASTER GARDENER website: www.ucanr.edu/ucmarinmgfiresmart
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