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Town Manager's Newsletter
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Saturday, March 18, 2023
David P. Donery, Town Manager
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Memorial Park - New Fields Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!
Opening Day of SA Baseball & Softball Saturday, March 18, 2023 - TODAY 10:00 AM
The refurbished Memorial Park fields are open and ready for the community! Please join us for a quick celebration and to kick-off baseball and softball season - in the Meadow, behind the ball fields (near the picnic table area).
Master of Ceremonies: Rod Kerr - Parks & Recreation Commissioner Ribbon Cutting: Mayor Steve Burdo and Vice Mayor Eileen Burke
Questions? Please contact: recreation@townofsananselmo.org or 415/ 258-4640
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Recap of this Week's Town Council Meeting
The Town Council discussed the following items at their Council meeting on March 14, 2023: Council Items included:- Received presentation and provided direction to staff on next steps regarding the Transportation Assessment of the Hub Study Report.
- Considered and approved the San Anselmo 2023 Live on the Avenue Music Series
Event Application, Street Closures and Budget appropriation. - Received presentation and provided direction to staff on list of priority
projects for the American Rescue Plan Act State & Local Fiscal Relief Funds
The full agenda 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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Creek Park News: County presentation at Town Council Meeting - postponed
Representatives from the County's Flood Control and Water Conservation District were unable to present an update on the San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction (SAFRR) project to Town Council at the meeting on Tuesday, May 14 due to illness. Town staff is working with them to reschedule their presentation. For more additional information regarding the closed Creek Park plaza, go to the Building Bridge #2/Creek Park Update page on the Town website, or click HERE For information about the Reimagine Creek Park project - please click: HERE
Please note that Creek Park is still open: This includes the Redwood grove picnic tables. You can access Creek Park via the pedestrian bridge from San Anselmo Avenue or from Center Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Additionally, the Town has created a larger parklet with picnic tables in front of the closed plaza, along San Anselmo Avenue. Lights and umbrellas will also be installed soon.
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Study Presentations: The Hub Transportation Study was presented to the San Anselmo Planning Commission on March 6, 2023 and Town Council on March 14, 2023. At that meeting, Council gave direction to staff to pursue several alternatives.
Next Steps: Staff will return to Council for approval of next steps for each potential alternative. Parisi will also present their findings to the TAM Board (who funded the study) and seek further funding for the next phases. Project Background: The Hub is a major crossroads in Ross Valley, connecting Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Miracle Mile/Center Boulevard, and is the most congested intersection in Marin County with over 65,000 cars per day traveling through the intersection. The Hub is often overcapacity and motorists regularly experience delays of 20 minutes or more. The Hub is not pedestrian or bicycle friendly and it is functionally disconnected from the Town’s commercial and civic centers. Study Grant Awarded: A $350,000 grant was awarded by the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) for the Town to undertake a planning study to provide an alternatives analysis of potential congestion relief and multi-modal solutions for the busy Hub intersection, which include but are not limited to, additional lanes, grade separation between specific movements, and rerouting specific movements. This funding allowed the Town to study alternatives and consider traffic, safety, and right-of-way. In November 2020, Parisi Transportation Consulting (Parisi) was approved by Town Council for the consulting contract to study these issues. The study team, led by Parisi, considered short, medium and long-term solutions and their impacts on traffic, safety, and right-of-way. The study was carried out using an iterative approach that reviewed baseline conditions, developed multi-modal improvement concepts based on project goals, and incorporated community and stakeholder input (including two community workshops, a site meeting held with active transportation advocates, and three meetings with local transit organizations) culminating in short and long-term recommendations.
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Downtown Block Party! Friday, March 24 5:00 - 9:00pm
For the second year in a row, the Chamber of Commerce and Longway are hosting a celebration for the community in the way of a block party. The party, which will be car-free, is happening on San Anselmo Avenue between Tamalpais and Magnolia Avenues. There will be a vinyl DJ stationed in the Longway parklet, kids activities, an art show, and an appearance by a youth band. This is their way of saying "thank you" to the community and reminding them that what makes San Anselmo special is the local restaurants and merchants who work hard to serve the community and provide an unmatched culture.
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Elders' Garden Event: Marin Master Gardeners Basic Pruning WorkshopSaturday, April 8, starting at 9:30 AMCome and learn about the basics of pruning ornamental small trees and shrubs including: why we prune, the must-have tools, and the 3 basic cuts which are used. The workshop will start with a talk, followed by a demonstration. Participants will then have the opportunity to try out the 3 basic cuts themselves. Bring hand pruners if you have them. The workshop is a joint venture by members of the UC Marin Master Gardeners’ Pruning Guild and the Elders’ Garden, a mostly California native plant garden, which is owned by the Town of San Anselmo and was created 20 years ago by volunteers. Parking: Park in the lot behind Memorial Park, by the Log Cabin. Note: Rain will cancel the event
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"Stroll Through San Anselmo’s History" Walking Tours Return!
The Historical Commission is excited to again sponsor its popular free walking tour through downtown. Travel back in time with Dick Miner and other members of the commission to learn about San Anselmo’s historic Hub, the role the railroad played in the development of the Town, and the changing character of the businesses and architecture on San Anselmo Avenue. Tour dates for 2023: April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, and October 14. Meet Dick at Creek Park at 9:00 a.m. The tour ends at the Historical Museum for refreshments. No reservations are required.
Questions? Please contact info@sananselmohistory.org.
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The California Department of Housing & Community Development Acknowledges Receipt of the Draft Housing Element
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has acknowledged the Town's submittal of the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element. It was sent to the HCD on January 26, 2023. For more information about the Housing Element and the next steps regarding the HCD staff review, please visit the Housing Element Update webpage on the Town website or click HERE 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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Spring into Reading: Adult Virtual Reading ChallengeMarch 6 -- April 30, 2023
Spring into reading with the San Anselmo Public Library! Log your reading on Beanstack and attend library programs throughout the challenge to earn a new set of colorful badges. Sign up on Beanstack and start reading today: https://townofsananselmo.beanstack.org/ Beanstack is an online and mobile app you can use to track your reading and participate in challenges and programs from your San Anselmo Public LIbrary. Earn spring-themed badges for logging your reading and completing activities. Sign up today at townofsananselmo.beanstack.org
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Climate-Smart Gardening Part 2: AdaptationWednesday, March 22 6:00pm Library Reading Room OR on ZoomJoin us for a two-part presentation by Marin Master Gardeners Kathy Hunting and Barbara Robertson on Climate Change and the Gardener. Part Two of this presentation will focus on best practices we can employ to adapt our gardens to our changing local climate. Can’t join us in-person? Click here to join us virtually on Zoom!
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Celebrity Chef Jernard A. Wells, author of Southern InspiredTuesday, March 21 at 1pm A talk that will leave you starving for more! Join us as we chat with celebrity chef Jernard Wells about his newest cookbook Southern Inspired. Southern food defines American food at large, and Chef Jernard takes it to a new level while still honoring its roots. Chef Jernard also brings in flavors from the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and Europe, always with his signature Southern flair. This cookbook shares 100 recipes that are approachable for both beginners and more experienced cooks. Register for this virtual author talk here: https://libraryc.org/sananselmolibrary/24594
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Pam Jenoff, author of Code Name SapphireTuesday, March 28 at 4:00 pm Join us for an exciting trip through time as we chat with New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Pam Jenoff about her newest book, Code Name Sapphire! Inspired by incredible true stories of courage and sacrifice, Code Name Sapphire is a powerful novel about love, family and the unshakable resilience of women in even the hardest of times. Register for this virtual author talk here: https://libraryc.org/sananselmolibrary/24846
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Town Books: Spring 1/2 Price Sale!March 22 - April 1 Wednesday-Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pmCELEBRATE SPRING! Shop our store-wide sale! You’ll have eight days to relax and browse our 4,000 gently-used books in a wide range of categories, CDs, DVDs, Audio books, and some rare and special books, too. Give yourself a spring treat, tell a teacher, or get a gift certificate for a friend or loved one. While you’re in the store, immerse yourself in the beauty of Marin through paintings by Connie Cook, now on display and for sale, prices as marked.
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 - all profits are donated to the San Anselmo Library.
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Town Council Discussion of County Foodware Ordinance
At the March 28, 2023 Town Council meeting, staff will present the first reading of a foodware ordinance modeled after the County’s foodware ordinance that was adopted last year. If adopted by the Town Council, the ordinance would replace the Town’s existing foodware ordinance and allow the County to handle the enforcement of the ordinance on behalf of the Town starting on November 10, 2023. The proposed ordinance covers all entities selling prepared food to the public in the Town including restaurants, grocery stores and delis, bakeries, carry-out, quick services, farmers markets, food trucks, and any other business that requires a health permit. For more information about the County’s foodware ordinance, please visit their: Reusable Foodware webpage. The Town’s current foodware ordinance can also be accessed: Here. For additional information visit the Single Use Foodware Regulations page: HERE
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Free Hot Water Heater Assessment & Other Ways to Reduce Household Emissions
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 additional ways to reduce your household emissions, check out the Town’s new Green Building webpage.
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Landscape Equipment Ordinance and Leaf Blower Rebate ProgramSan 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. 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.
To apply for the rebate, you’ll first need to go to the Landscape Equipment 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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Get PreparedMarch Wildfire Prevention Suggestions: Spring Cleaning
It may be raining but regardless of the winter storms, California always has dry summers and wildfire burns in dry periods. It’s time to prepare for wildfire season. Here are 3 ways to ready your yard: - Clean up any combustible materials within 5 ft of your home to help protect from burning embers.
- Cut annual grasses and weeds and do it again when they grow back.
- Trim shrubs, plants, and trees to create spacing and prevent the spread of fire
Adapting to wildfire requires ongoing maintenance. Learn more at: firesafemarin.org Visite: www.firesafemarin.org para obtener más información
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Marin Master Gardener TipsPlan Your Fire-smart Landscape March 2023 MARCH: Remove and replace invasive plants
- Remove invasive plants such as ivy, broom, and pampas grass that spread quickly, cause harm to the environment, add considerable fuel for fire and use precious water.
- Unfortunately, excessive clearing can create a vulnerable entry point for the plants we do not want.
- Pull weeds and invasive plants before they go to seed to keep them from spreading.
- Replace with California natives, pollinator or low water use plants keeping drought tolerance and biodiversity in mind.
- For persistent invasive plants, consider sheet mulching to help with weed suppression. Additional information on appropriate mulches and use can be found following the link below.
For More Fire-Smart Landscaping Information: Visit the U.C. MARIN MASTER GARDENER website: www.ucanr.edu/ucmarinmgfiresmart
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Please Support the Hanging Flower Baskets in Downtown San AnselmoThis will be our 5th year of enhancing the Avenue with beautiful hanging flower baskets from May - 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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Town Seeking Community Applicantsfor Boards, Committees and Commissions
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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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