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Good evening everyone. Welcome to the
regular meeting of the Sanfell City

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Council. Today is Monday, July 20th,
2026. I'll request the city clerk to

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call the role.
>> Council member Bushy,

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» present.
>> Council member Hill,

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» present.
>> Vice Mayor Curts,

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» present.
>> Council member Yeden Scaladia is absent.

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Mayor Kate,
>> present. Thank you. So, good evening

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everyone and welcome. Thank you for
joining us tonight. Whether you're here

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in the chambers or watching online or
later commenting online, we appreciate

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your engagement in our community. At the
end of tonight's meeting, I will be

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adjourning it in honor and memory of
Esther Burn, who's a former city clerk

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for the city of Sanfell. I don't know if
you'll all still be here at the end of

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the meeting, but I did want to note that
we like to start our meeting by thanking

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all of our city employees. Every day
across every department, they work hard

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to serve our community. I want to
highlight that Sanfal Fire Department

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recently received the American Heart
Association missions lifeline EMS

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emergency medical service gold
achievement award for its commitment to

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offering rapid and researchbased care to
people experiencing the most severe form

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of heart attacks and strokes ultimately
saving lives. As a majority of the calls

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that we know that are received by our
fire department do involve a medical

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issue. Thank you to the fire department
for receiving this as it clearly

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demonstrates your commitment, ongoing
commitment to providing a high level of

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service to all of our residents.
So this evening, as many of you may

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know, there's been a recent change in
state law regarding public participation

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at local government meetings. Beginning
tonight, we'll once again accept public

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comment from individuals participating
by telephone. Public comment is one of

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the most important parts of local
government and it gives residents and

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community members the opportunity to
share their experiences, perspectives,

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and ideas directly with the council and
with the community. I also want to

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acknowledge something important. The
First Amendment provides broad

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protections for speech, including speech
that many people may find offensive or

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hurtful. While there are legal limits on
certain types of speech, there's

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generally no lawful basis for the city
to prohibit protected speech simply

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because it's offensive. That said, my
hope and my expectation is that everyone

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who chooses to participate will help
foster a respectful and welcoming

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environment. We can disagree
passionately on issues before the

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council while still treating each other
with dignity and respect. Productive

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public dialogue strengthens our
community and while harmful or hateful

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comments discourage participation and
undermine the civic engagement we all

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value. So, thank you in advance for
making our public comment process one

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that reflects the very best of our
community.

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We also include a land acknowledgement
as part of our opening. This statement

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complements the ongoing collaboration
and work we do with the tribe. We thank

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the original caretakers of this land.
Sanfell is traditionally home to the

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Coast Miwok people, many of whom today
are tribal citizens of the Federated

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Indians of Great Rancheria. And we honor
their continuing involvement in

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stewardship practices that benefit us
benefit us all. Thank you for being

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here. I'll now turn it over to the city
clerk to share how the public can

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participate in tonight's meeting.
>> Thank you, Mayor Kate. And before I

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start, I'm actually going to pass it
over to city attorney Robert Epstein to

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report out on closed session from June
29th.

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» Thank you, Madam Clerk. Mayor Kate, the
council met in a special close session

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on June 29th and uh we haven't met since
then because we did not have a first

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meeting in July and so this is the first
opportunity to report out of that closed

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session and my report is as follows. No
reportable action was taken in the

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closed session on June 29th.
>> Thank you. And now turn to city clerk.

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» Thank you, Mayor Kate. Tonight's meeting
is being recorded and streamed live on

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YouTube for members of the public
wishing to provide public comment. You

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can participate in person through Zoom
webinar or by telephone. If you're

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joining by phone, you can call 669-444

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9171 and enter the webinar ID
860-619-5675

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pound. When you wish to provide public
comment, you can press star9 to raise

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your hand. When it's your turn to speak,
you will hear a prompt that's asking you

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to press star six to unmute yourself.
And if you're joining through Zoom, you

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can use the raise hand feature when you
wish to speak. The host will call on you

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and prompt and prompt you to unmute as
well. If you're commenting in person,

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you can form a line at the podium once
Kate invites public comment. You'll have

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two minutes to provide comments.
Displayed on the podium and the

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projector is a timer to help you stay
within your two-minute time frame. At

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the conclusion of two minutes, your
microphone will be muted so we may hear

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from the next speaker. You're invited,
though not required, to introduce

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yourself and say what part of Centerfell
you live in or if you're joining us from

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outside of Centerfell.
And if you experience any technical

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difficulties during the meeting, you can
contact me at city.clerk

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cityofanfell.org.
Thank you.

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» Thank you. So, we have public open time
for public expression at both the

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beginning of the meeting and at the end
of the meeting. At the beginning, we

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take two to three people uh that are in
the chambers and we'll check and see if

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folks are online. So, I'm going to open
up this portion of the public comment.

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You're welcome, but not required to
state your name and what part of Sanfell

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you live in. And as I just stated, we
welcome a diversity of viewpoints and

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respectful disagreement. Help us
maintain a welcoming environment by

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refraining from hateful or discriminary
discriminatory remarks. Go ahead.

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» Testing. There we go. Good evening,
council mayor. My name is Jared Mum. I

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am a local electrician and um I'm here
tonight to just highlight the uh the

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amount of housing that Centerfell is
looking at building here in the next few

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years. It's exciting, right? I'm when I
look around at your website, I'm seeing

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thousands of units. And when we talk
about that, when we show that to people,

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they're they're really excited for the
opportunity to have more places to live,

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more uh projects to build here in the
area. Housing is obviously a major issue

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throughout all of California, Marine
County, and also here in Centerfell. Um

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if these projects go union, it'll mean
opportunities for local workers, right?

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Folks that live here and nearby in the
area. It'll mean more opportunities for

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young folks that are looking to get into
an apprenticeship program and start a

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future for themselves, right? Can't tell
you how many people we meet from, you

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know, all over the North Bay that are
just looking for an opportunity. People

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that have plenty of experience working
for a living, right? Showing up um

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putting on a pair of boots, going
someplace every single day and and

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working really really hard and not
really having much to show for it at the

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end of the day, right? We like to say
that you're supposed to be working for a

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living, not just working for the heck of
it. Right? If these projects go union,

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it's going to mean that there's
opportunities for people to get into a

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training program, learn a trade, learn
how to feed themselves, feed their

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families, hopefully own one of these
homes that they're building. So, um,

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again, just exciting times and, um,
looking forward for the future. Thank

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you.

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That was awesome, huh? Uh John
McIntigert and uh I am uh lucky enough

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to serve the uh women and men of IBW
local 551 as their business manager and

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that's the electrical union in this
area. We um like to say from the Golden

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Gate to the Oregon State and um what
what does that mean to be in the union

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at all? You know, people wonder is that
in San Francisco? No, no, we actually

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have the unions here too. And if you're
lucky enough to make it into one of the

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union construction uh programs, then
you're going to have health care. You're

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going to have a pension. Um and the
health care is going to take care of you

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and your family, not just yourself. It's
not going to cost you anymore if you

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have one kid or six kids. The pension
will be there at the end of your work

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days, you know, when you're done. And
not at an age that you're too old to

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enjoy your pension. No, it'll be there
at an age that you can still swing a

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golf club and lift up your grandkids and
or go see them, you know, and enjoy

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yourself. But that's the whole intent,
right? Work for a while and then the

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last third of your life then hopefully
you're doing you're living that kind of

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life, a grandparent life. And I kind of
looking forward to that myself. So how

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does somebody get into the program? How
does somebody get into the building

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trades and why would they? And who are
these folks? Right now we're at all of

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your job fairs. We go to Centerfell
High. We go to Terinda High. We show up

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there. We have people on staff that
that's their job to show up and speak to

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any young individual that wants to be in
the in the building trades. And these

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are the folks that don't want to, you
know, go to college. And when college is

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being pushed down a lot of kids' throats
these days, they're saying, "Well, what

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about me? What's your option for me?"
And if we don't have an answer for that,

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then you're dealing with the psyche of
the young folks. Then what am I supposed

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to do? So when we show up there, we say,
"No, no, no. You're special, too. You're

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brilliant at something. We're going to
find out what that something is. Are you

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mechanically minded? Let's try and get
you into the building trades. Let's get

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you into an apprentichip that you just
heard about. And let's give you the

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opportunity to also to have the life
that you hope for yourself that we all

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hope for our kids, right? We want them
to be successful. They can be and in the

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building trades, we're waiting for them.
So, thank you very much.

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» Good evening. My name is Kevin Collins.
I moved to Sanfell 5 years ago from

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Santa Cruz County and there and
ironically I'm a retired general

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contractor
and in Santa Cruz County I was involved

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in zoning law issues related to land use
and uh building height, parking

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availability and so forth. And I've been
in increasingly alarmed by the proposals

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in Sanfell for 17story highrises jammed
into freeway exits and clogged

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situations. And I'm here to uh urge your
city and the

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Marin County Council of Mayors and
Council members to uh confront this

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situation. I looked I was doing some web
research today. I found a Yimba law.

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They have eight active lawsuits. One
against Salelo, two San Francisco, one

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against the governor for daring to limit
development in the Los Angeles burn

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areas. Certino, Los Angeles, Roondo
Beach, and Santa Clara. There has to be

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a commensurate response to this. The
chaos in Sacramento is not going to sort

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out this in any reasonable way. It's
people are poking at circumstances like

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the builder's remedy for example which
completely undermines local zoning

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authority as do several other laws
passed and uh

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everyone cannot live in California. It
is difficult to move here. It took me

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three attempts to move to San Francisco
because it's expensive and it always has

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been and it always will be because it's
desirable until it isn't. Thank you.

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» Thank you. And I'll take one more public
comment in the chambers. Go ahead and

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then we'll go online.
>> Hello. Um

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» pull down the microphone so we can hear
you better. There you are.

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My name is Patricia Ree, Patty Ree, and
I've lived in Gersell Park since 2009.

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I'm here today because I'm concerned
about the possible loss of the B Street

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Safeway uh due to the Mil Creek project,
and I I realize, of course, that it is

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still in its presubmission state. Um I'm
not here to talk about parking or

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traffic. Uh, I am here to talk about the
importance of a local grocery store that

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people can actually walk to and ride
their bikes to without having to get in

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their car all the time and drive. Um,
I would ask I have two asks. One of them

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is that this topic get added to the next
month's agenda because I know that you

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can't really speak to open comments. Uh
the second question would be that I

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would ask that Mr. Hill specifically
since I understand that you are uh

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specifically
um responsible for district 2 and that

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includes Gersell Park. I believe that's
my understanding. I would like you to

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get specifically involved with this and
actually engage and represent the the

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residents of Gersel Park and West End
and Picnic Area which are also affected.

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And that's all I have to say.
>> Thank you. And I'll just clarify that

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all of us including council member Micah
who's not here we represent we represent

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all of San Rafale each of us. So, we
might be elected by district, but I just

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want to clarify we always think of the
city holistically.

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» That's great. Thank you for that. And I
would love to have a point person.

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» Thank you.
>> Thanks.

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» Is there anyone online that would like
to provide public comment on anything

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not on tonight's agenda?
>> Thank you. Just again, if you wish to

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provide comments online, you can use the
raise hand feature or you can press star

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9 to raise your hand. I see one hand
raised.

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Hello, mayor and council members. My
name is Josie Quimby and I'm an intern

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from 350 Marin, but I've also been a
resident of San Rafale for the past 19

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years. I'm speaking today to thank the
council in making our city more

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sustainable, but also encouraging the
city to continue working towards climate

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action. As someone who is born and
raised in Sanfell, I can assure you that

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the environment in our local community
is very valuable to us, especially the

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youth. Young people in Sanfell are
highly concerned about the fast

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approaching climate crisis. From sea
level rise to increased chances of

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forest fires and extreme temperatures as
a coastal community, San Rafell faces

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real risk from sea level r from rising
sea levels and extreme weather events.

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Investing in naturebased and resilient
infrastructure today saves lives,

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protects habitats, and prevents costly
repairs down the road. I hope you all

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continue to think about our climate and
the environment down the road for our

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city. Thank you for your continued
efforts in creating a sustainable future

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for all Sanfell residents.

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» I see no other hands raised, but I'll
give everyone a moment to use star9 to

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raise their hand or use the raise hand
feature.

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I see no more public comment.
>> Thank you. I will close the open time

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for public expression. Again, there'll
be some more at the end of the meeting.

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We'll go to the next item, which is city
manager and council member reports. I

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will return to interim city manager Paul
Nasio.

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» Thank you, uh, Madame Mayor, members of
the council. Just a couple of items to

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share. Um couple events that are uh
coming up uh in the next week or so. Uh

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starting with later this week, July 25th
is the um amazingly popular Touch a

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Truck event that is going to be
happening at uh Sanfell High School at

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the Third Street parking lot. That will
be on July 25th uh from 10:00 a.m. to

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noon. Also, um,
uh, in the first week of August, again,

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we won't be having our council meeting
first, uh, Monday, but August 4th is

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the, uh, national night out event, which
is, um, again, an opportunity to help

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promote our police community, uh,
relationships really at a neighborhood

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level. There'll be a host of
neighborhoods that will be hosting uh,

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special events. Um, and we'll be
providing additional information to the

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council. Uh and there's information on
our website uh regarding that event.

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Again, it's August 4th uh from 6 pm to
8:00 pm. Uh if anyone is interested in

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holding an event, uh there is a
registration form on the city's website.

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Um and again, police um fire personnel,
elected officials, and number of city

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staff will be um visiting some uh those
uh events throughout the evening. Um

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uh we announced this periodically but um
and there was an event uh two Fridays

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ago at the San Rafale Theater, but city
continues to be very excited about the

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um ongoing uh development and growth of
our public art program and specifically

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um there was an event to celebrate the
um uh four of the murals that have been

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part of that public art um event
specifically on the Sea Street uh garage

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on Third Street. Um again, we had the
statue at the B Street Community Center

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uh murals at the city plaza uh fountain
as well as on Second Street. And uh we

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will soon be announcing I think the date
might argue uh for uh art installation

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here at city hall. And so we um like to
promote uh that the really wonderful

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events and the artists that are behind
them. Very interesting stories. I think

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the last thing I'll I'll add is a we did
get a notification from um state

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department of transportation aka Calrans
regarding uh preventive maintenance work

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that is being done on um highway 101 uh
through San Rafale both the freeway

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00:25:38,559 --> 00:25:49,600
itself um some lane work as well as
several onramps on and off ramps and so

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um this work is going to be done
starting uh this evening, Monday, July

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20th, going through Saturday, July 25th.
Um uh the areas that are being worked on

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that are in the northbound 101
direction. Those will those areas will

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be closed from uh 1000 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
So, it's overnight work and there'll be

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signage, but we're urging folks to just
be aware of um impacts of lane closures.

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Um southbound closures will occur um
same date period from u 8:00 pm I'm

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00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:29,039
sorry. Yeah 800 p.m. to 5:00 am. Um more
detail on the schedule for the different

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ramps, but I won't go into that at this
time. But thank you.

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» Thank you. I'll turn to my colleagues
for their reports. Uh Vice Mayor.

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» Sure. Um
>> wait, you're not on.

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00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:43,120
» Oh, sorry.
>> Out of practice. Uh I just want to add

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on to the comment about the public art
event. Uh huge shout out to San Rafale

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00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:55,279
Chamber uh downtown program and Stacy
Lman who worked on it for a really

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00:26:51,919 --> 00:26:59,440
really long time for San Rafale. Um it
was great. And I'd also like to

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00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:04,480
highlight the new branding and the
tagline is look around. Um which I

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00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:09,919
thought was a really nice nice addition
to the whole program.

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00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:18,080
Um HPSC, Homeless Policy Steering
Committee, recently passed a new um

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00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:25,520
resolution as part of our older adult
committee. Um and that resolution um

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00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:30,080
gives direction to the broader HPSC
group to do a needs assessment

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00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:36,000
specifically for older adults around
homelessness. Um and a study we're going

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00:27:33,120 --> 00:27:40,240
to be using community solutions
uh group to help with that and use their

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00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:46,159
toolkit which is what was originally
done for homeless. Um and so we're going

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00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:51,919
to be focusing on older adults and then
do a report back by May 2027.

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00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:57,360
So more to come on that one just to
follow it. Um I attended San Rafll's age

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00:27:54,799 --> 00:28:03,039
friendly um advocate program and they
really are shifting their attention to

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00:27:59,919 --> 00:28:09,039
advocating for older adults. The Marin
Wildfire uh Prevention Authority board

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00:28:05,679 --> 00:28:14,480
meeting was last week. I attended with
Council Member Hill the Junth

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00:28:11,360 --> 00:28:19,360
celebration which now seems like eons
ago but in June and I believe that's it.

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00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:24,640
Thank you.
>> Thank you uh Council Member Hill.

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00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:29,520
» Thank you, Mayor. Um I am going way back
because we did not give council reports

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00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:33,200
at the meeting on June 15th. This goes
really far back. Uh, I attended a

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00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:37,360
meeting on June 2nd, the Measure Peace
Subcommittee, also known as the New

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00:28:35,679 --> 00:28:43,120
Library and Community Center at Albert
Park. The survey is still open, folks.

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00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:48,120
So, please consider uh going online and
going to the survey. It's at city of

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00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:48,120
samfell.org/albertarklcc.

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00:28:49,679 --> 00:28:55,919
On Tuesday, June 9th, I attended the
finance subcommittee meeting which

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00:28:54,320 --> 00:29:02,399
covered budget and master fee schedule
which was uh ultimately considered at

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the agenda on June 15th. On Saturday,
June 13th, I attended the 47th annual

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00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:11,679
Fairfax Festival Parade. Uh got to walk
in the front with the the council uh

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town council of Fairfax. It was a
wonderful event. And the final meeting

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00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:23,440
of the year for Marin County Council of
Mayors and Council members uh was held

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00:29:19,440 --> 00:29:27,760
on June 24th um during which the
incoming president Gay Paulson of

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00:29:25,679 --> 00:29:32,320
Larkpur um was at least nominated and
will be voted in uh potentially at the

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00:29:29,919 --> 00:29:37,120
next meeting and vice mayor or vice
president Shantel Walker of Sanelma is

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00:29:35,679 --> 00:29:41,919
being considered for vice president.
That's my report. Thank you, Council

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00:29:39,440 --> 00:29:49,679
Member Bushie.
>> On Julyh 17th, along with Mayor Mayor, I

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00:29:46,559 --> 00:29:56,880
attended the San Rafll sanitation board
meeting that um was a was interesting in

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00:29:54,799 --> 00:30:01,279
that there are not one but two different
um consolidation um steps on the agenda.

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One was for the operational
consolidation well underway with um the

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00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:13,120
CMSA and the other was for a broader um
consolidation study to be funded jointly

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00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:18,399
by all members of the JPA that would
include the Sanfell sanitation um

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00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:25,520
sanitation agency, the Ross Valley
sanitation agency uh um the city of

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00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:31,760
Porto Madera which is sanit sanitary
district 2. all of the members um

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00:30:28,559 --> 00:30:35,840
together to working on a major
consolidation proposal and hiring a

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00:30:33,840 --> 00:30:42,880
consultant to work with LAFCO on that
effort. So big news in the consolidation

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00:30:38,399 --> 00:30:48,880
front um at Sanfell Sanitation. On July
13th, I attended a meeting of Marin

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00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:55,520
Transit. Um big news there too. Um the
good news first um the roll out of the

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00:30:52,480 --> 00:31:00,000
mascot study that has um that is being
implemented is going well and some of

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00:30:58,159 --> 00:31:07,760
the first data points are starting to
come back. Um and one is that transfers

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00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:15,039
are up 45%. Um so very excited um about
the implementation of um of that phase

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00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:18,399
of mascot. Um we're some of us are
secretly hoping that this will lay the

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00:31:16,480 --> 00:31:24,960
groundwork for a mascot too for even
more um efficiencies and integration of

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00:31:21,039 --> 00:31:32,559
the um the transportation organizations.
Also importantly at Marin Transit uh

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00:31:28,240 --> 00:31:38,960
they are fully implementing the um
Clipper card only transfer. Um, that

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00:31:36,159 --> 00:31:43,200
means that people who pay cash will no
longer be getting the the little paper

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00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:49,519
transfers that allows them to get on
other um other transportation providers.

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00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:57,039
There's a we've set the public hearing
for September 14th on this measure. The

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00:31:53,120 --> 00:32:02,320
um purpose is to um help our customers
get on Clipper where the cost is lower

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00:32:00,159 --> 00:32:08,880
um and they will qualify for um
transfers for $2.85 85 which gets you on

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00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:16,320
um on smart and gets you a long ways. So
um September 14th, a hearing on that big

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00:32:12,159 --> 00:32:23,279
change coming um in January of of next
year for transfers on um Marin Transit.

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00:32:20,240 --> 00:32:28,640
And finally, uh, last Saturday, I
attended the memorial mass, um, for

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00:32:25,679 --> 00:32:34,159
Esther Burn along with her successor,
um, uh, city clerk and the city

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00:32:31,679 --> 00:32:40,720
attorney, and a very sizable contingent
of current and former, um, employees of,

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00:32:38,159 --> 00:32:47,120
uh, the city of San Rafale. We met her
sister, Esther's four sons, and we heard

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00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:54,080
a poem read by her griefstricken
husband. He read it in Irish and it was

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00:32:51,120 --> 00:33:00,559
a poem about the anguish of grief. So it
was a very moving um service and um and

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00:32:58,480 --> 00:33:03,440
um reception.
That's it.

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00:33:01,679 --> 00:33:07,840
» Thank you, council member. I just have
three meetings to report out on. Um I

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00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:11,279
recently met along with assistant city
manager Angela Robinson Pinon. We met

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00:33:09,919 --> 00:33:14,000
with the Federated Indians of Great
Rancheria. You heard the land

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00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:17,440
acknowledgement at the beginning and we
do connect with them periodically. So,

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00:33:15,519 --> 00:33:23,120
we went up there and had a good meeting
with and discussing um various issues

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00:33:20,640 --> 00:33:28,320
that are um important to both our agency
as well as theirs. As you know, I'm your

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00:33:25,919 --> 00:33:34,399
representative on SMART, the Sonoma
Marin Area Rapid Rail Transit. We had

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00:33:31,679 --> 00:33:38,720
our meeting. We had some um updates to
the budget. We also received the same

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00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:42,240
mascots uh that council member Bushy
just referred to update. Um and in

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00:33:41,039 --> 00:33:47,600
addition, I'd like to share some of the
writership numbers. So in June there

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00:33:44,799 --> 00:33:53,440
were 150,000 riders. There's now been
three monthly records in a row in terms

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00:33:49,840 --> 00:33:59,279
of riderships. Fiscal year 26, which of
course is now concluded, there was 1.47

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00:33:57,360 --> 00:34:04,080
million riders. We're hoping to get to
1.5, but we're happy to be well over 1

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00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:08,720
million. And that equals over 29 million
passenger miles. The average weekday

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00:34:06,320 --> 00:34:13,280
ridership saw a 21 increase over the
prior year. And the Marine County Fair,

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00:34:11,119 --> 00:34:18,560
as you many of you took advantage of,
there was free transit on Bin Transit

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00:34:15,119 --> 00:34:23,440
and SMART and it provided nearly SMART
specifically provided nearly 12,000 free

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00:34:21,520 --> 00:34:26,399
rides during the fair day. So that took
a lot of cars off and when you go to the

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00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:30,879
fair, if you've had to deal with the
parking, you know how fantastic it is to

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00:34:28,240 --> 00:34:34,800
have the train and to be able to walk.
And then finally, TAM, the

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00:34:32,159 --> 00:34:38,159
transportation authority of Marin, uh,
our last month's meeting. First, we

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00:34:36,639 --> 00:34:41,200
celebrated the completion of the
Freighus roundabout. So, hopefully

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00:34:39,760 --> 00:34:44,480
you've been through it. And I know we
say that Americans can't handle

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00:34:42,480 --> 00:34:48,480
roundabouts, but we can, and they're
great and they're safer. So, we've

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00:34:46,159 --> 00:34:52,800
gotten great feedback from that. Uh, in
addition, a reminder that Marine Transit

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00:34:50,639 --> 00:34:58,640
still is offering free summer rides for
youth uh, under 18. That was a part of

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00:34:55,520 --> 00:35:02,079
the general manager's report. Um we
during the meeting in addition we talked

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00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:06,720
about the marine transit allocation.
Marine transit is funded through dollars

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00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:11,040
uh that flow through TAM. So we heard a
presentation from Marine Transit. And

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00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:16,880
I'll end on a high note which is sharing
that there is a grant that TAM has

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00:35:13,040 --> 00:35:21,520
received and is utilizing for $544,000
which is to study school access safety

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00:35:19,520 --> 00:35:27,440
action plan. So that is how do we look
at a more granular level um around

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00:35:24,160 --> 00:35:30,960
pedestrian bike uh car interactions that
are close to schools. So when we're

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00:35:29,119 --> 00:35:35,359
looking at improving infra
infrastructure throughout the community

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00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:39,839
especially prioritizing those ones
closer to schools. So we just had an

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00:35:37,520 --> 00:35:44,000
update when that report is finalized I
will be sure to let the community know

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00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:48,400
so they'll be able to look at it. So as
always thank you city manager. Thank you

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00:35:46,000 --> 00:35:52,960
to my colleagues for what they do um
between the meetings that we have. But

352
00:35:50,960 --> 00:35:56,160
before we move on to the consent agenda,
we do provide the opportunity for the

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00:35:54,560 --> 00:36:00,160
community to comment on any of the
reports that they just heard. So if you

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00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:06,160
have a comment on what you just heard,
now is your opportunity to do so.

355
00:36:04,640 --> 00:36:10,400
I don't see anyone in the room. Is there
anyone online that would like to comment

356
00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:14,079
on these reports?
>> I see one hand raised.

357
00:36:12,720 --> 00:36:16,800
» Thank you. And as always, you're
welcome, but not required to state your

358
00:36:15,359 --> 00:36:20,880
name and what part of Sanfell you live
in. And we uh welcome a diversity of

359
00:36:19,359 --> 00:36:24,359
viewpoints and help us maintain a
welcoming environment.

360
00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:31,760
» Go right ahead.
>> Hi, Mayor Kate

361
00:36:28,240 --> 00:36:40,000
is Susan Gilbert. I am a resident of
downtown San Rafale. I deeply appreciate

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00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:46,079
your advocacy on behalf of SMART, which
makes it easier for all of us who

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00:36:42,880 --> 00:36:51,680
appreciate public transit to be able to
get from here to there safely and

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00:36:48,079 --> 00:36:57,760
conveniently. And now in my 65th year
freely, so I have deep appreciation for

365
00:36:54,800 --> 00:37:03,119
that. Um I have had a discussion with
the police department and they have

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00:36:59,920 --> 00:37:08,560
agreed to provide more oversight for the
safety of the passengers who are on the

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00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:15,280
paid platform
of the um smart train. Uh there is a

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00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:21,680
group of men ranging in age from 20 to
60 years old who frequent that area uh

369
00:37:18,880 --> 00:37:28,880
drinking, drugging, perhaps selling
drugs, though I cannot confirm that. and

370
00:37:25,280 --> 00:37:35,119
it creates a feeling of lack of safety.
I've also spoken to uh the Smart Train

371
00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:41,599
because it's their jurisdiction
primarily and Sanfell's secondarily.

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00:37:38,480 --> 00:37:48,800
Unfortunately, SMART only has one
security officer on the entire line

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00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:54,560
who's on duty at any given time.
I spent two years teaching English and

374
00:37:51,440 --> 00:37:59,760
working there in Japan. And you can set
your watch to the Shinkansen and the

375
00:37:57,359 --> 00:38:06,720
bullet train. They were always perfectly
clean and quiet and you could expect

376
00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:10,960
decorum and safety on the platform. I'd
love to talk with you at a time in the

377
00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:17,000
future about how we can achieve that for
the safety and comfort of us all. Thank

378
00:38:13,520 --> 00:38:17,000
you so much.

379
00:38:17,119 --> 00:38:23,599
» I see no other hands raised. We'll give
everyone a moment to press star 9 or use

380
00:38:21,119 --> 00:38:26,720
the raise hand feature.
I see another hand.

381
00:38:24,800 --> 00:38:30,800
» Thank you. I'll close a public comment.
>> Oh, there's one more. Sorry, there is

382
00:38:27,920 --> 00:38:35,560
one more hand.
And as a reminder, I will mute you at

383
00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:35,560
two minutes.

384
00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:43,200
» Hello, my name is Brenda Gayen and I'm a
resident of of San Rafale in the Gst

385
00:38:41,040 --> 00:38:48,960
Park neighborhood. I'm commenting
tonight on the proposed uh redevelopment

386
00:38:45,920 --> 00:38:54,960
of the Safeway in Gstl Park. While I
understand that the project is in very

387
00:38:50,880 --> 00:39:01,200
early stages of planning, I wanted to uh
plea with the council and city staff to

388
00:38:57,680 --> 00:39:07,599
seriously work with the developer to
maintain the Safeway or other valuable

389
00:39:04,880 --> 00:39:13,040
market for this Galile Park and
surrounding downtown area. This is an

390
00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:18,880
area where we have a number of lowincome
people, a number of elderly people that

391
00:39:15,440 --> 00:39:23,680
walk daily to and from Safeway Market.
And to take away the market in favor of

392
00:39:21,200 --> 00:39:29,119
simple residential development with no
lower story market would be a

393
00:39:25,839 --> 00:39:33,440
devastating impact to this community.
We are not against housing. We think it

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00:39:31,359 --> 00:39:38,000
should definitely be in scale with the
neighborhood surrounding. But we also

395
00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:42,400
think that having that very very
important resource for the neighborhood

396
00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:46,560
is extremely important. It will also be
important as the recreation uh

397
00:39:44,960 --> 00:39:54,400
department is developed at the park
adjacent at Albert's Park. Um lastly, we

398
00:39:51,040 --> 00:39:59,359
would like to um work with the city
council to ensure that there's more

399
00:39:56,000 --> 00:40:02,720
parking provided for that residential
development because the Gristol Park

400
00:40:01,119 --> 00:40:07,280
neighborhood and many neighborhoods
surrounding

401
00:40:04,240 --> 00:40:12,079
um that Safeway are already at capacity
with parking. daily we have trouble

402
00:40:09,680 --> 00:40:17,119
parking individual cars for homeowners
and renters because this is an extremely

403
00:40:14,480 --> 00:40:22,800
dense neighborhood with historic homes
that do not have in many cases driveways

404
00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:27,440
or even garages. Um and so the
residential parking actually ends up a

405
00:40:24,880 --> 00:40:32,880
lot of times on the street. And so
having a limited number of parking for a

406
00:40:30,079 --> 00:40:38,720
very dense development that's proposed
would be devastating to the neighborhood

407
00:40:35,040 --> 00:40:42,400
and make life much more difficult.
And just a reminder, I'm taking public

408
00:40:40,320 --> 00:40:45,599
comment on the council member and city
manager reports. We appreciate all

409
00:40:44,079 --> 00:40:48,640
comments, but anything not on the
agenda, if you could save those comments

410
00:40:47,280 --> 00:40:51,520
till the end of the meeting, that would
be most appropriate. Is there anyone

411
00:40:50,240 --> 00:40:54,320
else that would like to comment on the
reports?

412
00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:57,599
» I see no other hands raised.
>> Okay. Thank you. I'll close the public

413
00:40:55,839 --> 00:41:02,720
comment. We'll move to the consent
agenda. Are there any items that the

414
00:41:00,480 --> 00:41:10,640
council would like to hold? Okay. the
agenda uh consent calendar. It's items A

415
00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:15,119
through R. I will open up the public
comment on the consent calendar. As

416
00:41:13,839 --> 00:41:18,560
you've heard us say, you're welcome, but
not required to say your name and what

417
00:41:16,480 --> 00:41:22,560
part of San Rafale you live in. And we
welcome diversity of viewpoints and

418
00:41:20,960 --> 00:41:27,200
thank you for helping us to maintain a
welcoming environment by refraining from

419
00:41:24,480 --> 00:41:32,079
hateful or discriminatory remarks.
>> Good evening, Daniel Alm. uh through the

420
00:41:29,839 --> 00:41:38,240
Western Neighborhood Association, I rise
before you in regards to consent to G.

421
00:41:35,359 --> 00:41:43,200
Uh I want to thank you for your
continued support and the city staff and

422
00:41:40,960 --> 00:41:47,920
council for us to continue our Weston
neighborhood picnic. This year will be

423
00:41:45,119 --> 00:41:51,520
our 23rd annual year. I really want to
put a pin in. Community events are

424
00:41:49,839 --> 00:41:55,520
really important to the fabric of our
community and your continued support of

425
00:41:53,760 --> 00:42:01,160
this helps our community feel a sense of
belonging. Thank you.

426
00:41:57,839 --> 00:42:01,160
Thank you.

427
00:42:04,319 --> 00:42:11,119
» Hello, Mayor, city council members and
staff. My name is Wayne Raburn. I live

428
00:42:08,960 --> 00:42:16,400
in San Rafale Meadows. I'd like to speak
on item 2 I, the establishment of 350

429
00:42:14,079 --> 00:42:19,440
Midel for my housing development project
subcommittee.

430
00:42:17,920 --> 00:42:23,760
Regarding the formation of the
subcommittee for 350 Maridale affordable

431
00:42:21,760 --> 00:42:28,720
housing project, we view this step as
positive in a light positive light as

432
00:42:26,960 --> 00:42:32,560
providing greater opportunity public
engagement. This should allow for

433
00:42:30,640 --> 00:42:36,079
greater transparency about the
development proposals that were

434
00:42:34,480 --> 00:42:40,880
submitted in response to the city's
request for the proposals. We hope that

435
00:42:38,800 --> 00:42:45,599
through this subcommittee, the city will
fully engage the public in the

436
00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:49,520
development selection process, allowing
us to be informed and comment on the

437
00:42:47,520 --> 00:42:54,400
developer aspects that are in the table
for cond consideration,

438
00:42:52,079 --> 00:42:58,079
such as the number of units, number of
stories, building heights, and the

439
00:42:56,079 --> 00:43:04,079
amount of parking that each development
has proposed along with the propo

440
00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:07,920
planned sequel review for the project.
These are all elements that the public

441
00:43:05,680 --> 00:43:12,480
has the right to be engaged in and we
expect expect to be able to have a say

442
00:43:10,480 --> 00:43:17,040
on how this development project unfolds
and progresses.

443
00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:21,760
We also request that the city create a
citizens advisory committee for this

444
00:43:19,680 --> 00:43:26,160
project with representatives from Sanel
Meadows Midale Road and surrounding

445
00:43:24,640 --> 00:43:30,960
neighborhoods participating in the
advisor committee. While this idea is

446
00:43:28,640 --> 00:43:35,760
not on the tonight's agenda, request
that the city form a city advisor

447
00:43:33,440 --> 00:43:40,319
committee for the mayor 350 mayorell
project in the very near future to

448
00:43:38,160 --> 00:43:45,800
coincide with the city's selection of
development team for this project. Thank

449
00:43:42,800 --> 00:43:45,800
you.

450
00:43:51,119 --> 00:43:57,359
Good evening, mayor, city council and
staff. Marian Nana for San Rafale

451
00:43:55,760 --> 00:44:02,079
Meadows
with the plan interim shelter. Oh, this

452
00:43:59,359 --> 00:44:06,800
is in regard to 2J 350 Marital interim
shelter site preparation. With the plan

453
00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:10,079
interim shelter at 350 Midale on the
agenda, I would like to take this

454
00:44:08,319 --> 00:44:14,800
opportunity to speak to the city council
and staff about the increase in homeless

455
00:44:12,160 --> 00:44:19,200
encampment activity that we have already
begun to experience in our community.

456
00:44:17,440 --> 00:44:23,200
Over the past few weeks, we have
observed the emergence of a greater

457
00:44:20,960 --> 00:44:28,319
number of homeless individuals and the
establishment of three encampments. One

458
00:44:26,319 --> 00:44:34,560
behind the public storage facility next
door to 350 Midale along the freeway. Uh

459
00:44:32,319 --> 00:44:40,160
two at the Chevron gas station on Midale
Road and three an individual car camper

460
00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:43,760
on Meridale Road adjacent to Mount
Olivet Cemetery.

461
00:44:42,319 --> 00:44:48,400
These are instances of homeless
encampment that were not there this

462
00:44:45,680 --> 00:44:51,920
winter or spring. The San Rafell Police
Department is aware of these encampments

463
00:44:50,079 --> 00:44:56,720
and they have been quick to respond to
do what they can and we do appreciate

464
00:44:54,319 --> 00:45:01,280
their quick and thoughtful response to
our concerns. But their hands are tied

465
00:44:59,200 --> 00:45:05,760
and all three encampments have remained
in place for now at least. We welcome

466
00:45:03,920 --> 00:45:09,920
the police and fire department continue
action to address these issues. These

467
00:45:08,240 --> 00:45:16,000
problems have begun before the interm
shelter at 350 Maridel has even opened

468
00:45:12,960 --> 00:45:21,040
and they're likely to only get worse. We
requested that the city council adopt a

469
00:45:17,920 --> 00:45:27,040
camping band throughout the area around
3 350 Midale just as has been adopted

470
00:45:24,000 --> 00:45:32,240
around Mahon Creek, Anderson Drive, and
City Hall. In addition, the interim

471
00:45:29,440 --> 00:45:37,599
shelter at 350 Midale should not be open
unless and until agreements with Calrans

472
00:45:34,640 --> 00:45:42,720
and Smart are finalized that will
prevent ancillary encampment from

473
00:45:39,359 --> 00:45:48,720
becoming established around 350 Midil.
Please move forward on these actions

474
00:45:45,280 --> 00:45:52,119
immediately. Thank you.
>> Anyone else?

475
00:45:56,720 --> 00:46:02,880
» Good evening. My name is Gregory Andrew
and I live in Saraphone Meadows. I'm

476
00:46:00,319 --> 00:46:06,640
here to speak on item 2J. The
authorization of a construction contract

477
00:46:04,960 --> 00:46:13,640
with Gelotti Brothers in the amount of
$1.1 million for the 350 Midale interim

478
00:46:09,920 --> 00:46:13,640
shelter site preparation.

479
00:46:15,040 --> 00:46:21,920
Thank you.
Uh for the 350 Midale site preparation

480
00:46:19,760 --> 00:46:26,160
is another example of the city council's
all too regular practice of awarding

481
00:46:23,760 --> 00:46:31,040
contracts as consent calendar items
without any prior public or even city

482
00:46:28,400 --> 00:46:36,000
council review. This is just one of six
contracts being awarded tonight through

483
00:46:32,720 --> 00:46:42,240
the consent calendar totaling a totaling
a whopping $5.7 million. So, you're

484
00:46:39,200 --> 00:46:46,720
certainly starting off the calendar year
uh with a bang. This contract and most

485
00:46:45,119 --> 00:46:49,440
of the other contracts, or at least some
of the other contracts, were not

486
00:46:47,920 --> 00:46:53,280
publicly bid and none of them went
through any public meeting prior to

487
00:46:51,119 --> 00:46:57,200
tonight's consent calendar. While it is
stated that the Gelotti contract was

488
00:46:55,119 --> 00:47:01,119
priced at cost, there is no way to know
if perhaps another company might have

489
00:46:58,880 --> 00:47:05,599
also performed the work at cost and for
a lower price. It is poor public policy

490
00:47:03,680 --> 00:47:10,480
and not in our best interest to prevent
the public from being able to first

491
00:47:07,200 --> 00:47:15,119
review and comment on how expenditures
of taxpayer dollars are being spent. The

492
00:47:13,040 --> 00:47:19,920
authorization of this construction work
is being approved prior to sequel review

493
00:47:17,280 --> 00:47:24,560
issues at 350 Midale being resolved by
the Maring County Court. And so in appre

494
00:47:22,480 --> 00:47:29,119
approving this contract, the city is
proceeding at risk of having the city's

495
00:47:26,480 --> 00:47:32,400
secret claims being overturned. The city
has claimed that there is zero

496
00:47:30,480 --> 00:47:37,280
possibility of any environmental impact
from this project on a site that has a

497
00:47:34,560 --> 00:47:41,520
tributary to Galan Galinus Creek and a
secondary drainage, both of which are

498
00:47:38,960 --> 00:47:45,200
waters of the United States and which
provide at least some habitat or may

499
00:47:43,359 --> 00:47:50,079
provide some habitat for special status
species. to claim zero possibility of

500
00:47:47,839 --> 00:47:54,319
any potential impacts to these habitats
is a dubious claim indeed. The city

501
00:47:52,560 --> 00:47:58,800
should not should withhold action on
this construction contract until the SQA

502
00:47:56,800 --> 00:48:02,880
issues are first fully resolved. Thank
you.

503
00:48:00,960 --> 00:48:07,440
» Thank you. Any other public comment on
the consent calendar?

504
00:48:05,680 --> 00:48:11,359
I don't see anyone in the chambers. Is
there anyone online that would like to

505
00:48:08,800 --> 00:48:14,800
comment on this?
>> I do see a few hands raised. Just as a

506
00:48:13,280 --> 00:48:17,440
reminder, you can use the star 9 to
raise your hand or use the raise hand

507
00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:20,480
feature and you'll be prompted to press
star six to unmute yourself.

508
00:48:19,040 --> 00:48:24,559
» And just a reminder, so it's on the
consent calendar cuz I know we are now

509
00:48:22,400 --> 00:48:28,640
adding in folks phoning in. So if you
could uh just alert the council as to

510
00:48:26,720 --> 00:48:33,720
which item that you're referring to on
the consent calendar, that would be

511
00:48:30,079 --> 00:48:33,720
helpful. Thank you.

512
00:48:36,160 --> 00:48:45,760
» Hello, Mayor and Council. This is Craig
Murray with North Center.

513
00:48:42,079 --> 00:48:52,319
I want to thank you for having this open
sessions for Zoomers and folks that call

514
00:48:48,720 --> 00:48:57,520
in. I'm calling in on item 2F
cooperation agreement with county Marin

515
00:48:54,240 --> 00:49:04,160
for grant programs. Ren Min County's
2024.4

516
00:48:59,359 --> 00:49:09,359
action plan page 34 AP50 states that Min
County has two areas of low-income and

517
00:49:06,079 --> 00:49:13,920
minority concentration. one the canal
two unincorporated rent city and states

518
00:49:12,480 --> 00:49:17,440
the county could only invest in
rehabilitation and affordable housing

519
00:49:16,079 --> 00:49:22,400
with federal dollars in these
communities. This is a result of work

520
00:49:20,000 --> 00:49:27,760
undertaken to comply with the 2010 and
2019 voluntary compliance agreements

521
00:49:25,280 --> 00:49:33,599
with HUD. I request that the city
council consider that the city as an

522
00:49:30,319 --> 00:49:38,400
entitlement city manage its own CDBG and
home funds with staff under its goals of

523
00:49:36,240 --> 00:49:43,839
the housing element and the action and
consolidated plan retain approximately

524
00:49:41,119 --> 00:49:49,440
20% of its administration and apply
these funds to all areas of Sanfell in

525
00:49:45,920 --> 00:49:54,800
need many charter and county seat cities
manage their own entitlements

526
00:49:52,240 --> 00:49:59,680
as city continues with county management
then I request that Centerfell members

527
00:49:56,480 --> 00:50:04,240
of the priority setting committee PSC
considers other areas that are known to

528
00:50:01,440 --> 00:50:10,000
have qualifying low-inccome and minority
qualifying areas such as Sandfell's

529
00:50:06,720 --> 00:50:14,160
California Hill and 9491 and Midell Road
in 9493.

530
00:50:12,079 --> 00:50:19,280
Maryale Road supports a large population
of qualifying minority and low-income

531
00:50:16,079 --> 00:50:23,520
households as well as seniors and
children. And it has been over 50 years

532
00:50:21,760 --> 00:50:27,200
since the city has annexed area. And yet
there are large sections without

533
00:50:25,520 --> 00:50:30,480
sidewalks, safe crossings, and
improvements that can increase

534
00:50:28,720 --> 00:50:37,480
accessibility for these persons with
disabilities and usability for seniors

535
00:50:32,880 --> 00:50:37,480
and children. Thanks again.

536
00:50:46,000 --> 00:50:56,800
Hi, Mayor Kate and city council Susan
Gilbert. Again, I'm speaking to the uh

537
00:50:53,520 --> 00:51:01,760
20 on the consent calendar, the
resolution to purchase the fireboat. I

538
00:50:59,520 --> 00:51:07,520
think this is a very important piece of
safety equipment, which I'm very

539
00:51:04,160 --> 00:51:13,839
enthusiastic about Sanfell acquiring.
Um, I could see its usefulness

540
00:51:10,559 --> 00:51:20,559
particularly considering the terrible
tragedy we suffered a couple years back

541
00:51:16,160 --> 00:51:26,160
during the canal fire. Um, and also of
course the tragedy that happened last

542
00:51:23,040 --> 00:51:31,440
week on the bay. These types of boats
can be crucial in preventing injuries or

543
00:51:29,359 --> 00:51:35,319
deaths. So, thank you so much for
considering that resolution.

544
00:51:42,240 --> 00:51:51,359
Hello, my name is Phoebe Reyes and I
live in Rafll Highlands near Sun Valley.

545
00:51:47,599 --> 00:51:58,319
Um I am calling to or chiming in to talk
about item I believe it's 3A regarding

546
00:51:54,559 --> 00:52:01,680
the um increase in transfer taxes.
>> I'm I'm going to interrupt you just so

547
00:52:00,000 --> 00:52:04,880
you know. We're happy to take your
testimony now, but we're not on that

548
00:52:03,280 --> 00:52:09,599
item. We're actually on the consent
calendar item, which is the one prior.

549
00:52:07,359 --> 00:52:12,880
So, if you wouldn't mind waiting and
calling in during that item, that would

550
00:52:11,440 --> 00:52:17,839
be really helpful.
>> Could you kindly tell me about how long?

551
00:52:14,960 --> 00:52:21,119
Um, uh, roughly. [laughter]
>> Sorry, I'm new here. Don't show up to as

552
00:52:19,760 --> 00:52:22,640
many city council meetings as I'd like
to.

553
00:52:21,440 --> 00:52:26,319
» Yes. Now, we normally don't have back
and forth like this, but this is a new

554
00:52:24,319 --> 00:52:31,599
transition. Uh, we will be hearing a
presentation by staff on item 3A. Um and

555
00:52:30,079 --> 00:52:35,839
that that and then the council member
will u ask questions and then we'll be

556
00:52:33,520 --> 00:52:39,599
open up the public comment. So it
depends on how many questions and the

557
00:52:37,920 --> 00:52:46,200
presentation probably in another half
hour or so.

558
00:52:40,880 --> 00:52:46,200
» Yeah. First I very much thank you.

559
00:52:46,559 --> 00:52:53,119
» I'm seeing no other hands raised.
>> Okay. Thank you. I'll close the public

560
00:52:50,640 --> 00:52:56,319
comment and it again um trying to be
flexible because we really do appreciate

561
00:52:54,720 --> 00:52:59,680
people calling in and it's most helpful
to have them calling in under the

562
00:52:57,599 --> 00:53:03,760
appropriate agenda item. So, uh, thank
you for all the testimony that we heard

563
00:53:01,440 --> 00:53:06,480
on the consent calendar. Um, I don't
know if there are any additional

564
00:53:04,720 --> 00:53:09,280
questions from the council. And if there
aren't any, then I would request a

565
00:53:08,000 --> 00:53:12,240
motion on this item, please.
>> I move the consent calendar.

566
00:53:11,599 --> 00:53:14,960
» Second.
>> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

567
00:53:14,000 --> 00:53:16,400
» Council member Bushy.
>> I.

568
00:53:15,440 --> 00:53:17,680
» Council member Hill.
>> I.

569
00:53:16,720 --> 00:53:18,800
» Vice Mayor Curts.
>> I.

570
00:53:18,079 --> 00:53:23,280
» Mayor Kate.
>> I. That motion carries 40. Thank you.

571
00:53:21,440 --> 00:53:28,000
We're moving on to our first public
hearing, which is the proposed November

572
00:53:26,240 --> 00:53:32,640
2026 ballot measure, revenue
enhancement, real property transfer tax

573
00:53:30,400 --> 00:53:35,880
rate. I'll turn it over to our interim
city manager.

574
00:53:54,319 --> 00:54:02,400
Okay. Uh, thank you, Madame Mayor and
members of the council. has noted this

575
00:53:58,160 --> 00:54:09,599
um public hearing is to consider
um an action recommended by staff for

576
00:54:05,280 --> 00:54:14,800
the city council to adopt a resolution
that would among other things uh place

577
00:54:12,000 --> 00:54:22,000
on the November 2026
uh ballot um an ordinance that would

578
00:54:18,800 --> 00:54:27,440
amend the city's uh existing real estate
property transfer tax. Um, I'm gonna

579
00:54:25,520 --> 00:54:31,760
give a brief presentation and then
quickly get to uh council uh question

580
00:54:30,079 --> 00:54:36,640
comments and the public comment for this
item. Um again just a summary of the

581
00:54:34,160 --> 00:54:41,280
staff recommendation is um the adoption
of a resolution uh calling the municipal

582
00:54:39,359 --> 00:54:46,800
election for the purpose of submitting
to the electors a measure to modify

583
00:54:44,400 --> 00:54:53,200
Sanfell municipal code section uh
related to the real property transfer

584
00:54:49,040 --> 00:54:56,480
tax which would um if approved if placed
on the ballot by the council and

585
00:54:54,720 --> 00:55:01,040
approved by the voters would increase
real property transfer tax rate. Um, we

586
00:54:59,359 --> 00:55:04,720
would also be adding an oversight
provision consistent with um, most all

587
00:55:03,280 --> 00:55:09,599
of our other voter approved tax
measures. And then the technical part

588
00:55:07,119 --> 00:55:14,240
about uh, requesting the county of Marin
to consolidate and conduct the election.

589
00:55:12,480 --> 00:55:18,079
Uh, direction of the city attorney to
prepare an impartial analysis and

590
00:55:16,559 --> 00:55:23,280
authorizing
um, mayor and council member Bushy to

591
00:55:20,480 --> 00:55:28,800
file ballot argument andor rebuttals for
the measure. So the background on this

592
00:55:26,079 --> 00:55:32,559
uh piece is part of a ongoing discussion
that we've had in this chamber with the

593
00:55:30,559 --> 00:55:38,559
council and at council subcommittees
regarding sort of some strategic

594
00:55:35,599 --> 00:55:43,760
planning around long-term fiscal
stability and long-term fiscal

595
00:55:40,160 --> 00:55:47,280
sustainability. Um we won't rehash the
lengthy meeting we had at the end of

596
00:55:45,520 --> 00:55:52,720
June where the council adopted the
annual budget um 200 plus million dollar

597
00:55:50,400 --> 00:55:56,640
all fun budget. We did some balancing
measures, some belt tightening, did some

598
00:55:54,799 --> 00:56:00,799
budget flexibility
um to address some emerging needs. Uh

599
00:55:59,040 --> 00:56:05,520
but one of the things that we've been
attempting to highlight throughout our

600
00:56:02,640 --> 00:56:14,480
discussions uh with the council on the
city budget and fiscal um situation is

601
00:56:09,200 --> 00:56:18,799
really the um large and growing list I
would say of unfunded and unmet needs

602
00:56:16,720 --> 00:56:23,839
that we don't currently have adequate
funding uh to address. Uh the slide that

603
00:56:22,240 --> 00:56:30,640
we're sharing here actually was uh
included in our last budget presentation

604
00:56:27,200 --> 00:56:35,440
um really to give examples within uh
various categories

605
00:56:32,720 --> 00:56:38,799
um within our baseline funding which is
costs that we are going to incur

606
00:56:37,200 --> 00:56:44,160
regardless of whether or not we have
additional funding. Um some that still

607
00:56:41,280 --> 00:56:48,960
remain outstanding is um kind of a
shortfall in our um kind of equipment

608
00:56:46,720 --> 00:56:54,240
replacement and a lot of our assets when
they come up for um at the end of their

609
00:56:51,599 --> 00:56:58,559
useful life uh increasing costs related
to uh liabilities and claims and that

610
00:56:56,720 --> 00:57:03,760
whole area which we will hopefully have
some time for some more detailed

611
00:57:00,079 --> 00:57:07,680
discussions in the coming uh months. um
at or near the top of the list

612
00:57:05,440 --> 00:57:14,400
continually um and it's highlighted by
the council is our infrastructure uh

613
00:57:10,000 --> 00:57:20,720
funding needs. Um we are continuing to
advance you know our capital program

614
00:57:17,520 --> 00:57:25,280
with um limited available funding a for
maintenance and prevented maintenance.

615
00:57:23,119 --> 00:57:29,359
Most of the projects that end up funded
in the capital plan are as a result of

616
00:57:27,440 --> 00:57:33,920
one-time funding and grants that we're
able to secure. Um but there was an item

617
00:57:32,160 --> 00:57:39,119
actually approved I believe on the
consent calendar a few minutes ago. Our

618
00:57:36,160 --> 00:57:43,359
annual uh payment maintenance program
um about a million three million five a

619
00:57:41,440 --> 00:57:48,799
year goes into that. We are between two
and a half and $3 million a year short

620
00:57:45,440 --> 00:57:54,000
of being able to fund our ongoing street
pavement maintenance program at a level

621
00:57:51,440 --> 00:58:00,240
required to actually maintain current
conditions, let alone improve them. and

622
00:57:57,200 --> 00:58:04,400
um you know arguably absent um either
additional funding or rep prioritization

623
00:58:02,160 --> 00:58:10,720
of funding in that area, we will
continue likely to see a decline in our

624
00:58:07,520 --> 00:58:15,520
um roadway conditions. Um also on that
list is sidewalks, storm drain

625
00:58:12,400 --> 00:58:21,280
improvements. Uh we have a park um
capital plan um park maintenance plan.

626
00:58:18,559 --> 00:58:26,079
We've identified about $10 million worth
of um funding needs over the next 10

627
00:58:23,520 --> 00:58:31,200
years, separate and distinct from the
demands on our park infrastructure

628
00:58:28,079 --> 00:58:36,319
related to new development, which was
somewhat addressed by council's recent

629
00:58:33,680 --> 00:58:40,400
actions related to the um park impact
fee. But in terms of just baseline

630
00:58:38,240 --> 00:58:46,799
maintenance and replacement costs for
our current service levels, that's an

631
00:58:41,920 --> 00:58:52,960
area unfunded need. um public safety. Uh
kind of well not top of the list but

632
00:58:48,960 --> 00:58:58,960
among the top of the list is um ongoing
uh funding to be able to sustain if not

633
00:58:55,280 --> 00:59:02,960
expand our safe team. um alternative
response to some of the calls for

634
00:59:01,040 --> 00:59:09,839
service related to our unhoused
population or any individuals in crisis

635
00:59:05,920 --> 00:59:16,000
that um um need uh a response that
doesn't necessarily require um sworn law

636
00:59:12,799 --> 00:59:19,520
enforcement or our fire and paramedic um
staff. Uh we can have a long

637
00:59:17,760 --> 00:59:24,000
conversation and we will eventually on
sort of public staffing uh going forward

638
00:59:21,920 --> 00:59:30,640
as we continue to see increased calls
for service uh changing demographics and

639
00:59:27,839 --> 00:59:35,599
um just continued uh pursuit of best
practices in the area fire and EMS. Um

640
00:59:34,000 --> 00:59:39,040
and then we've added some other areas on
this list. Again, this was also included

641
00:59:37,200 --> 00:59:44,720
in the budget document and in the staff
report. There's a little more extensive

642
00:59:41,520 --> 00:59:49,200
discussion of all of these. Um, I want
to bring this slide back to the council,

643
00:59:46,960 --> 00:59:55,520
which is another,
um, I guess piece of information that

644
00:59:52,480 --> 01:00:03,359
speaks, I believe, to uh, the context
for the need to at least look at other

645
00:59:58,720 --> 01:00:10,240
revenue sources. And this is looking at
um, of the property tax that is paid by

646
01:00:07,680 --> 01:00:16,960
all property owners who own property in
the city of San Rafale. Um and this is

647
01:00:12,880 --> 01:00:24,000
the 1% constitutional state um property
tax um rate of 1%. Um city of San Rafll

648
01:00:22,000 --> 01:00:30,640
near the kind of center right of this
chart uh we retain uh 12.2%

649
01:00:27,839 --> 01:00:36,960
of every dollar that is collected. Um,
and this chart basically shows um our

650
01:00:33,440 --> 01:00:42,079
allocation uh in comparison to the
amount of property tax that's retained

651
01:00:38,799 --> 01:00:49,920
by other uh Marin County cities and
towns and also on the blue bars um how

652
01:00:46,160 --> 01:00:54,799
much of that u property tax paid in each
jurisdiction actually goes to Marin

653
01:00:52,400 --> 01:01:02,000
County. So just to be clear for San
Rafll we retain 12.2% 2% uh county marin

654
01:00:59,040 --> 01:01:07,200
retains 19.2%.
Um

655
01:01:04,000 --> 01:01:12,160
we are um I would say well below the
average if you do a straight numerical

656
01:01:08,799 --> 01:01:19,040
average would be uh in excess of 16%.
But this is just it's just a a fact of

657
01:01:15,200 --> 01:01:22,880
um how our dollars are allocated. And
without arguing good, bad or

658
01:01:20,400 --> 01:01:28,480
indifferent, um being on the lower end
of the scale while at the same time

659
01:01:25,280 --> 01:01:32,000
being a fullervice city where we run our
own police department, our own fire

660
01:01:30,079 --> 01:01:38,640
department, have our own library that
not all the cities on this chart um have

661
01:01:34,720 --> 01:01:43,040
responsibility for. Um while on the one
hand we can compare our financial

662
01:01:40,640 --> 01:01:48,000
situation, our taxes to other cities and
towns in Marin County, we all are

663
01:01:45,119 --> 01:01:50,480
dealing with a different um deck of
cards, if you will, that we've been

664
01:01:49,200 --> 01:01:56,079
dealt with. So we're trying to do the
best we can with the resources we have.

665
01:01:52,640 --> 01:02:02,319
Um but this is one of the reasons why um
the city has relied on and continues to

666
01:01:58,480 --> 01:02:07,520
rely on um additional funding sources
such as um you know voter approved sales

667
01:02:04,960 --> 01:02:12,880
tax measures, library tax measure, the
paramedic tax measure. It's to bridge

668
01:02:10,799 --> 01:02:16,640
the gap between the service level and
service level demands, the cost to

669
01:02:14,720 --> 01:02:21,520
deliver those services and the revenues
that we would be receiving kind of on

670
01:02:18,960 --> 01:02:25,680
the natural uh to support those. and we
can talk more about that. So this is

671
01:02:23,119 --> 01:02:31,680
just lays a little bit of the context.
Um this is not our first discussion um

672
01:02:29,119 --> 01:02:38,799
in these chambers regarding ballot
measures in general and specifically um

673
01:02:34,640 --> 01:02:45,359
options for November ballot. Um we
included um this discussion both in a uh

674
01:02:43,359 --> 01:02:49,520
agenda item we did last February
regarding long-term fiscal

675
01:02:46,799 --> 01:02:53,680
sustainability and strategies. We also
uh discussed it in the context of both

676
01:02:51,280 --> 01:02:58,720
the proposed and the adopted budget um
when it was presented as well as at the

677
01:02:55,839 --> 01:03:05,520
subcommittee. And this just summarizes
that um you know going into tonight's

678
01:03:02,480 --> 01:03:10,079
recommendation uh staff uh had continued
to look at the options potentially

679
01:03:07,359 --> 01:03:15,599
available to the city. Kind of narrowed
our analysis down to two uh potential I

680
01:03:14,160 --> 01:03:21,200
would say viable options for the
November ballot. Uh the first one being

681
01:03:19,359 --> 01:03:24,960
uh what we're coming back to and
recommending which is looking at

682
01:03:22,720 --> 01:03:32,240
increasing the property transfer tax.
Current tax rate is um $2 per thousand

683
01:03:29,119 --> 01:03:40,559
uh or effective tax rate of 0.2%.
Um, and an increase to a uh 1% which is

684
01:03:37,200 --> 01:03:47,760
$10 per thousand or 1% uh would generate
an additional $6 million per year, which

685
01:03:44,079 --> 01:03:52,000
um is um not the beall and endall, but
would make arguably a significant

686
01:03:50,079 --> 01:03:57,839
contribution towards addressing at least
some of the highest priority needs um on

687
01:03:54,720 --> 01:04:03,440
our unfunded needless and significantly
as a general purpose tax. Um, in order

688
01:04:00,799 --> 01:04:11,200
for this to be enacted, it would require
a majority vote, 50% plus one of the um

689
01:04:08,640 --> 01:04:18,720
um voters that would be uh participating
in that election. Uh we've also had been

690
01:04:14,319 --> 01:04:26,640
looking at and continue to explore um an
alternative which would be a public

691
01:04:21,280 --> 01:04:32,880
safety parcel tax. Uh which would be um
as proposed a or contemplated uh a tax

692
01:04:30,960 --> 01:04:38,720
on a square footage of building
improvements for all properties within

693
01:04:35,520 --> 01:04:43,440
uh the city. Um
the what we were looking at was a rate

694
01:04:41,200 --> 01:04:48,880
that would generate about $3 million per
year. Uh this is about half of what the

695
01:04:45,760 --> 01:04:55,599
measure P uh parcel tax that was
approved in November 2024

696
01:04:51,760 --> 01:04:59,760
via a citizens initiative. Um
um and so this has a different um

697
01:04:58,240 --> 01:05:04,480
obviously
effective

698
01:05:01,760 --> 01:05:08,400
net tax depending on uh the size of the
property and the size of the structure.

699
01:05:06,559 --> 01:05:15,119
Um with some property owners having some
significant uh tax bills as a result. Um

700
01:05:11,520 --> 01:05:21,359
but also a as a special tax for this to
be enacted it would require a twothirds

701
01:05:17,440 --> 01:05:27,920
vote of the um electors participating in
the in the November election. Um we

702
01:05:24,799 --> 01:05:34,799
shared also with the council um last
month um sort of uh some scenarios of

703
01:05:31,920 --> 01:05:41,200
how either a uh revenue from a property
transfer tax um as suggested um that

704
01:05:39,119 --> 01:05:46,160
would generate $6 million, how that
could be allocated. um essentially

705
01:05:44,000 --> 01:05:51,599
between infrastructure
improvement needs and uh public safety

706
01:05:48,799 --> 01:05:58,319
needs and how we might uh potentially
propose a public safety parcel tax were

707
01:05:54,480 --> 01:06:03,520
we to proceed um uh with that albeit at
a uh reduced overall dollar amount but

708
01:06:00,640 --> 01:06:09,359
potentially a little bit more uh funding
for public safety because of its

709
01:06:05,119 --> 01:06:14,000
dedicated nature. So, um, from that I
want to, um, move forward to since this

710
01:06:12,079 --> 01:06:21,200
was presented to the council and we
signaled this, um, at the time, uh, the

711
01:06:16,799 --> 01:06:28,000
city did conduct a survey, a poll of,
um, likely voters in the November 2026

712
01:06:25,680 --> 01:06:34,799
election. I will note as I go through
these slides that um Curtis Bellow from

713
01:06:31,359 --> 01:06:38,880
the polling firm of FM3 is uh joining us
um online this evening and is available

714
01:06:36,880 --> 01:06:43,839
to answer any questions that uh may come
up on either the information presented

715
01:06:41,359 --> 01:06:50,799
here or anything else related to uh the
survey but went through the um

716
01:06:47,119 --> 01:06:55,599
methodology uh for their survey. Um, I'm
not a survey expert, but this was a

717
01:06:53,119 --> 01:07:00,319
effectively a split poll where everybody
received certain questions and then the

718
01:06:57,440 --> 01:07:07,680
poll was split to test these two
alternatives um in in the sample. And um

719
01:07:05,280 --> 01:07:14,240
b just going to share highlights of of
those results that um um both a public

720
01:07:12,319 --> 01:07:21,520
safety parcel tax and a property
transfer tax received um initial

721
01:07:18,160 --> 01:07:28,559
support. uh just when asked sort of cold
the question would you be likely to

722
01:07:24,160 --> 01:07:34,960
support um either of these measures? Um
and what how these slides show is the

723
01:07:31,359 --> 01:07:42,319
definitely yes and the probably yes um
right around 50 51% uh for both measures

724
01:07:38,240 --> 01:07:49,599
and similarly um probably no definitely
no uh about a little over a third of the

725
01:07:45,280 --> 01:07:53,680
respondents. Um um the definitely nos
are important because those are unlikely

726
01:07:51,599 --> 01:08:00,000
to sort of change their opinion over the
course of um between now and November.

727
01:07:56,480 --> 01:08:06,960
Um so that's um important number but
also is the um level of undecided um

728
01:08:04,720 --> 01:08:13,280
opinions um in the sample. So it depends
on more information and how things are

729
01:08:09,200 --> 01:08:19,759
going at the time etc etc. um for the
public safety tax. Um we're showing the

730
01:08:16,560 --> 01:08:25,440
initial uh sort of voter sentiment and
then as these surveys do to help um

731
01:08:23,359 --> 01:08:30,480
really dig a little deeper, the
respondents are presented with likely

732
01:08:27,759 --> 01:08:36,400
arguments in favor of the measure to see
how their opinion might be um swayed or

733
01:08:34,239 --> 01:08:41,920
how it moves. and in this case uh for
the part public safety tax up to about

734
01:08:38,640 --> 01:08:46,960
60% and then when presented with uh
sample arguments or statements in

735
01:08:45,040 --> 01:08:52,719
opposed or or critical of the measure
reasons not to support the measure um

736
01:08:50,400 --> 01:08:57,839
that what's important here to take away
is that um while there was a majority

737
01:08:55,839 --> 01:09:02,640
support beginning, middle, and end for
this measure, it didn't come close to um

738
01:09:00,719 --> 01:09:07,920
hitting the twothirds vote requirement
that would be required uh for a special

739
01:09:05,120 --> 01:09:14,480
tax. Um, when looking at the general
purpose uh real estate property transfer

740
01:09:10,400 --> 01:09:19,359
tax, again um again given the margin of
error in these samples that Curtis can

741
01:09:16,719 --> 01:09:27,520
speak to better than I can, right around
the required threshold um out the gate

742
01:09:24,080 --> 01:09:31,839
with um hearing arguments in support of
the measure and the reason why we would

743
01:09:29,359 --> 01:09:39,040
be advancing it. Uh it went up into the
mid uh 50% range. to to get some um bump

744
01:09:35,839 --> 01:09:43,759
there. Um but it's noteworthy that
arguments that were presented uh in

745
01:09:41,440 --> 01:09:50,560
opposition to the measure also had the
effect of reducing some of that. So the

746
01:09:47,120 --> 01:09:55,600
takeaway here is that uh between the two
measures uh the public safety tax

747
01:09:53,600 --> 01:10:01,199
doesn't really look like it has a path
towards getting a twothirds u support

748
01:09:58,800 --> 01:10:07,040
regardless of the effort that that may
go into that. Um and the recommendation

749
01:10:04,960 --> 01:10:14,000
that's before the council tonight for a
real estate transfer tax um has a

750
01:10:11,199 --> 01:10:19,360
potential path to uh passage and
support, but want to be clear that it by

751
01:10:16,480 --> 01:10:25,120
no means um falls under the you know
slam dunk these rarely do. But um it's

752
01:10:23,280 --> 01:10:28,719
based in part based on these results
that we're advancing uh the

753
01:10:26,719 --> 01:10:33,520
recommendation that's that's before you
this evening. Uh I'll just end this part

754
01:10:31,199 --> 01:10:39,920
of the presentation to by um
highlighting that within the survey um

755
01:10:37,040 --> 01:10:47,600
there were also a number of questions
aimed at both um what are the areas that

756
01:10:44,560 --> 01:10:53,520
the prospective voter and the community
more broadly defined um feel are

757
01:10:50,400 --> 01:11:00,159
important to support in a um tax measure
and a revenue measure. And this uh the

758
01:10:57,360 --> 01:11:05,679
far right column here adds the extremely
important and very important um those

759
01:11:02,719 --> 01:11:10,880
two numbers. Um and at the top of the
list um number one, not surprisingly, is

760
01:11:08,239 --> 01:11:15,840
maintaining our 911 emergency medical,
police, and fire response times, which

761
01:11:12,880 --> 01:11:19,520
is a key component of why we would be uh
putting this before the voters,

762
01:11:17,760 --> 01:11:24,159
preventing the deterioration of streets
and roads. Check addressing impacts of

763
01:11:22,320 --> 01:11:29,760
homelessness, including litter and
illegal dumping. So some of the what's

764
01:11:27,440 --> 01:11:33,520
interesting here is among the highest
priority needs that we've identified,

765
01:11:31,600 --> 01:11:39,840
they seem to also be the ones that
resonate most strongly with at least the

766
01:11:36,159 --> 01:11:44,000
respondents um from the survey. Um
there's a long long list below this, but

767
01:11:41,840 --> 01:11:49,199
I just wanted to highlight um those
areas among others. Um so again, the

768
01:11:47,199 --> 01:11:57,600
recommendation before the council this
evening is essentially to um pursue

769
01:11:53,440 --> 01:12:02,960
um asking the voters if they would be uh
supportive of increasing the real estate

770
01:12:00,159 --> 01:12:10,719
property transfer tax um as a general
purpose tax um again uh with a increase

771
01:12:07,920 --> 01:12:16,800
to a rate of of 1% that would generate
$6 million uh dollars per year. I should

772
01:12:13,520 --> 01:12:21,600
note that in the staff report and in the
resolution is the actual ballot language

773
01:12:19,760 --> 01:12:26,080
that is being proposed. I probably
remiss that I didn't cut and copy that

774
01:12:23,840 --> 01:12:32,080
into this, but we can uh highlight that
for sure uh before we um get to any

775
01:12:29,360 --> 01:12:36,960
council decision on this. Um, I wanted
to end with just a few more um kind of

776
01:12:34,640 --> 01:12:44,239
background and context pieces in terms
of um not so much um why we're

777
01:12:41,600 --> 01:12:48,960
contemplating bringing a property trans
a tax measure to the voters um but why

778
01:12:47,120 --> 01:12:53,679
specifically a property transfer tax.
And we did look at other tax measures

779
01:12:51,760 --> 01:13:00,239
including other general purpose taxes
which include um you know the transient

780
01:12:57,280 --> 01:13:04,719
occupancy hotel tax. Uh many cities have
utility users tax on the books that the

781
01:13:02,239 --> 01:13:08,159
city of San Rafll does not have. Uh the
business license tax. I would just say

782
01:13:06,480 --> 01:13:15,199
that the hotel tax and the business
license tax um would not be generating

783
01:13:12,400 --> 01:13:20,400
anything near this amount of revenue
even with um you know bringing them to

784
01:13:18,000 --> 01:13:25,600
arguably the maximum rate that would
even contemplate uh bringing forward.

785
01:13:22,320 --> 01:13:31,440
So, the property transfer tax we believe
is um at least um

786
01:13:29,840 --> 01:13:35,440
interested in a couple of respects.
Number one, it's a tax that we already

787
01:13:33,520 --> 01:13:42,960
have on the books. So, it's just
increasing existing tax. Um, number two,

788
01:13:38,880 --> 01:13:47,360
the tax rate is um, arguably,
you know, depending on the cities that

789
01:13:45,280 --> 01:13:51,440
we're comparing to, and I'm looking at
all of the cities in California that

790
01:13:49,360 --> 01:13:56,560
have property transfer tax, which by the
way is by state law only the purview of

791
01:13:54,320 --> 01:14:01,199
charter cities. So, general law cities
do not have the ability under state law

792
01:13:59,360 --> 01:14:07,040
to enact
um, a property transfer tax. Um but uh

793
01:14:05,120 --> 01:14:13,440
we shared before and we'll see on here
our current tax rate on the low end and

794
01:14:10,560 --> 01:14:18,480
uh significantly for cities that do have
property transfer tax, it generally

795
01:14:16,000 --> 01:14:22,400
provides a significantly
I would argue significantly higher share

796
01:14:20,400 --> 01:14:28,640
of overall general fund revenues than
the 1.5 million that we collect out of

797
01:14:25,120 --> 01:14:34,159
$110 million general fund budget. Um,
and so this chart does sort of compare

798
01:14:31,040 --> 01:14:38,239
existing property transfer tax. Um, and
I drew the line right at the the San

799
01:14:36,400 --> 01:14:44,159
Rafale. So you can see clearly the
cities whose have these taxes on the

800
01:14:40,800 --> 01:14:48,400
books that generate um um whose general
fund is more reliant on property

801
01:14:45,840 --> 01:14:53,040
transfer tax which from a finance
director's perspective is also appealing

802
01:14:50,719 --> 01:14:57,679
relative in the sense of diversifying
our tax base as opposed to going back

803
01:14:55,040 --> 01:15:03,440
for another sales tax increase or other
some of the other taxes. Um also uh on a

804
01:15:01,440 --> 01:15:08,880
per capita basis uh there are charts
about you know gross property tax

805
01:15:06,640 --> 01:15:13,520
revenues but those are very skewed by
sizes of city. So to normalize that,

806
01:15:11,840 --> 01:15:19,120
this is the property transfer tax
revenue uh on a per capita uh basis. And

807
01:15:17,280 --> 01:15:23,760
again, Sanfell there is on the green
line in the middle of the chart and it

808
01:15:21,120 --> 01:15:28,320
shows you of all the cities that have
the property transfer tax on the books,

809
01:15:26,159 --> 01:15:35,040
the vast majority of them are uh
generating significantly more revenue uh

810
01:15:30,800 --> 01:15:40,159
per capita. So, um um and then the last
chart, which um

811
01:15:37,920 --> 01:15:46,640
I'm going to attempt to explain just
shows really the property transfer tax

812
01:15:44,320 --> 01:15:51,840
rates that cities that have property
transfer tax on the books um charge. I

813
01:15:49,440 --> 01:15:56,159
will note um of interest that while I
have a number of cities, I think 25 26

814
01:15:54,719 --> 01:16:01,120
cities in the state with property
transfer taxes, this is actually sorted

815
01:15:58,480 --> 01:16:07,679
by county. So you'll have sort of your
Alama County, East Bay cities um off to

816
01:16:05,360 --> 01:16:12,960
the right. Um, and then when you get
into Elserto and Richmond, you're in

817
01:16:10,239 --> 01:16:17,280
Contraasa County, and then you get into
some of the Southern California counties

818
01:16:14,800 --> 01:16:21,600
until you get to San Rafll, which is
next to Santa Monica that has one of the

819
01:16:19,120 --> 01:16:25,920
highest rates. And then City County,
well, Sacramento, City County, San

820
01:16:23,120 --> 01:16:30,719
Francisco, and then Sanonteo, Santa
Claras, and at the far end you have

821
01:16:28,400 --> 01:16:38,400
Sonoma County, which is the Paluma and
Santa Rosa's um on on that. And uh this

822
01:16:35,120 --> 01:16:45,760
chart tries to uh display two things.
One is uh the comparative

823
01:16:41,600 --> 01:16:51,040
uh real estate transfer tax. Um and if
it can if it shows on the video, the

824
01:16:48,239 --> 01:16:55,840
sort of the purple are the cities that
just basically have a flat property

825
01:16:52,960 --> 01:17:00,960
transfer tax applied across all uh
transactions at that rate. Um there are

826
01:16:58,560 --> 01:17:06,880
several cities, maybe about six or eight
of them that have the so-called tier

827
01:17:03,760 --> 01:17:11,360
structure. So they'll have a certain um
tax you'll see at the bottom. Some of

828
01:17:09,120 --> 01:17:14,640
them, you know, anything up to 300,000
and then up to a million, one and a

829
01:17:12,960 --> 01:17:18,880
half, 2 million, two and a half. So some
of the, you know, these cities that may

830
01:17:16,880 --> 01:17:24,480
go up into the three, four, five, and
six% um only do that for their higher

831
01:17:22,480 --> 01:17:30,560
value, but it just shows that there's a
taring of them. Um and I would just note

832
01:17:27,120 --> 01:17:36,880
that with our recommendation to consider
um without a taring structure increasing

833
01:17:33,360 --> 01:17:42,560
our rate to 1% uh the San Rafale bar
would be up at that first line which is

834
01:17:39,280 --> 01:17:48,239
the 1% the horizontal line and um while
I didn't put the proposal on here you

835
01:17:45,840 --> 01:17:53,520
could see how it then compares sort of
with the other cities that um have the

836
01:17:50,719 --> 01:17:57,040
existing taxes on the books. um we have
not done a lot of research on to what

837
01:17:55,440 --> 01:18:02,320
extent some of these cities might also
be contemplating bringing forward

838
01:17:59,199 --> 01:18:08,080
additional taxes on it but um thought
that would be uh somewhat um

839
01:18:05,120 --> 01:18:15,360
illustrative. Um so just to wrap up our
staff recommendation uh this evening is

840
01:18:11,360 --> 01:18:19,840
for the council to consider and um
adoption of a resolution to call the

841
01:18:17,199 --> 01:18:24,719
general municipal election uh to place
the measure on the November 2026 ballot

842
01:18:23,280 --> 01:18:29,440
increasing the real estate property
transfer tax uh and then requesting that

843
01:18:27,360 --> 01:18:34,080
the county consolidate and conduct the
election. have the city attorney

844
01:18:31,520 --> 01:18:40,800
authority to prepare impartial analysis
and then uh mayor and council member

845
01:18:36,880 --> 01:18:45,840
Bushy to file arguments. So with that I
will conclude the presentation. Um happy

846
01:18:43,280 --> 01:18:50,880
to answer any questions you have. I said
Curtis Bellow is joining us remotely. Uh

847
01:18:48,719 --> 01:18:56,080
if there's any questions on sort of the
needs component, we have also staff

848
01:18:53,679 --> 01:19:00,239
available here at the meeting to help uh
answer any questions council might have.

849
01:18:58,880 --> 01:19:04,880
» Thank you. Thank you for that staff
report and as you mentioned we have

850
01:19:02,640 --> 01:19:08,239
talked about it in the finance
subcommittee as well but we haven't had

851
01:19:06,560 --> 01:19:11,440
a chance to talk about it um up here on
the dis. So I'll start with questions

852
01:19:09,760 --> 01:19:14,000
first. Uh vice mayor do you have any
questions?

853
01:19:12,400 --> 01:19:18,800
» I just have a couple of questions and
thank you for um we had followed up

854
01:19:17,360 --> 01:19:21,679
earlier in the day with some additional
questions but I want to share a couple

855
01:19:20,080 --> 01:19:26,159
of those because I think the responses
are really helpful for people to

856
01:19:23,600 --> 01:19:32,400
understand. Um
right now it's being proposed that the

857
01:19:28,880 --> 01:19:39,360
it's a general it'll be a general fund
um revenue stream and I was wondering

858
01:19:35,520 --> 01:19:45,840
what the thought was in terms of uh not
doing a percentage of infrastructure

859
01:19:42,320 --> 01:19:51,600
versus public service. Um like we have
with marine wildfire we have a lot of uh

860
01:19:48,560 --> 01:19:55,920
percentages and earmarked and why why
it's considered not to do that for this

861
01:19:53,440 --> 01:19:55,920
one.

862
01:19:56,080 --> 01:20:04,640
Um so I think the short answer of that
question is um while as we shared in the

863
01:20:02,320 --> 01:20:11,840
presentation there's definitely some
thought as to how the city would most

864
01:20:07,600 --> 01:20:15,520
likely um allocate the funding and um
under general purpose it's important to

865
01:20:13,760 --> 01:20:20,560
note that ultimately that decision is to
the city council. they are by law and by

866
01:20:18,480 --> 01:20:26,560
definition discretionary dollars to be
spent on whatever the council deems um

867
01:20:24,159 --> 01:20:31,520
appropriate. Um, you know, it is
important though when we're going to the

868
01:20:27,760 --> 01:20:36,159
voters seeking a tax increase to be um
as transparent as we can be as to the

869
01:20:34,000 --> 01:20:44,000
needs that are driving it and how this
fund uh could assist once we start um

870
01:20:40,480 --> 01:20:51,520
building into the actual
ordinance or ballot measure uh those

871
01:20:47,840 --> 01:20:56,800
carveouts or allocations then it starts
to move into the special tax category.

872
01:20:53,920 --> 01:21:01,280
So for instance, NWPA by its nature is a
special tax and then there's allocations

873
01:20:59,040 --> 01:21:06,320
and how you're using it within that. But
that's the that's the main distinction.

874
01:21:03,199 --> 01:21:11,360
» Yeah, I appreciate that. Thank you. Um,
is there any thought in or analysis at

875
01:21:09,199 --> 01:21:15,840
this point in terms of how much the tax
would generate from commercial sale

876
01:21:13,040 --> 01:21:20,960
versus residential?
>> Um,

877
01:21:18,080 --> 01:21:28,719
I will say, Vice Mayor Curts, that we
have that data. Um I don't have it at my

878
01:21:24,880 --> 01:21:35,520
fingertips. Um but we did look at the
last I believe 8 to 10 years of um

879
01:21:33,040 --> 01:21:38,800
actual real estate property transfer tax
paid in terms of the number of

880
01:21:37,280 --> 01:21:42,880
transactions
the value of the transactions

881
01:21:41,360 --> 01:21:47,840
and
I want to say that there's um

882
01:21:45,840 --> 01:21:50,800
residential versus commercial is
somewhere in that in distinctions in

883
01:21:49,679 --> 01:21:54,880
that database.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um

884
01:21:52,800 --> 01:21:58,320
» I will say the vast majority will be on
residential

885
01:21:56,400 --> 01:22:01,440
just because of the volume.
>> Yeah.

886
01:21:59,520 --> 01:22:04,800
Um
can you share a little bit about how

887
01:22:03,360 --> 01:22:10,080
this I mean it was talked about the
finance committee but other groups or

888
01:22:07,120 --> 01:22:15,040
areas that you've started to uh to
review the possibility of of going down

889
01:22:12,400 --> 01:22:18,000
this path just so it this isn't I mean
we know that this is not the first time

890
01:22:16,639 --> 01:22:23,440
as you had mentioned we've we've
discussed this in different forums

891
01:22:20,400 --> 01:22:27,120
» um publicly but have you um had an
opportunity to share at this point with

892
01:22:25,199 --> 01:22:34,400
others?
uh a little bit uh but I would say um

893
01:22:30,960 --> 01:22:37,360
other than the um the work we've done at
the staff that we brought to the fine

894
01:22:35,840 --> 01:22:44,320
subcommittee and the pieces that it
brought to this committee I would say

895
01:22:39,440 --> 01:22:49,120
that most of the engagement um with uh
select members of the community has been

896
01:22:46,719 --> 01:22:55,199
in response to questions or inquiries
that we have received as they've been

897
01:22:51,440 --> 01:23:03,040
following this uh item going through um
less So, um, frankly, in terms of, um,

898
01:22:59,760 --> 01:23:06,719
you know, proactive outreach, um, um,
and as you know, and as the city

899
01:23:04,560 --> 01:23:12,719
attorney will want me to say, um, should
the council put this on the ballot, uh,

900
01:23:09,679 --> 01:23:19,679
we are precluded from, um, using staff
resources, um, and city resources in a

901
01:23:15,920 --> 01:23:27,679
campaign advocacy, um, area, but we will
absolutely be ensuring that we're um,

902
01:23:23,679 --> 01:23:32,880
available to um um share information and
put out information that might be

903
01:23:29,280 --> 01:23:38,080
helpful to the community in deciding.
>> Great. Thank you. And the last question

904
01:23:34,480 --> 01:23:41,840
I have is um why was a flat 1% rate
recommended instead of a graduated

905
01:23:39,760 --> 01:23:46,639
structure that places more of the burden
on higher value transactions?

906
01:23:44,560 --> 01:23:52,000
Um yeah, that is a good question because
it was something that that was looked at

907
01:23:48,719 --> 01:23:59,040
and um also informed by looking at some
of the other agencies that do have those

908
01:23:53,840 --> 01:24:02,719
structures in place and I would say um
three

909
01:24:00,560 --> 01:24:10,159
kind of main reasons. Um the first one
is that um because of the concentration

910
01:24:07,280 --> 01:24:14,639
of the transaction really in the lower
end of that that as soon as we were to

911
01:24:12,320 --> 01:24:21,120
say for instance we're recommending an
increase for um properties over even say

912
01:24:18,719 --> 01:24:26,639
$2 million let alone three million the
amount of incremental revenue um is

913
01:24:23,840 --> 01:24:31,600
diluted significantly. I think um I
don't have it in front of me, but I

914
01:24:28,080 --> 01:24:35,920
think you know almost half of the real
estate property transfer tax comes from

915
01:24:33,600 --> 01:24:40,480
sales under one and a half million and
if you go up to 2 million it's it's over

916
01:24:38,159 --> 01:24:46,560
half if not twothirds of of the revenue.
So in our situation it gets diluted uh

917
01:24:43,600 --> 01:24:52,560
very quickly. Um
that is not necessarily a reason not to

918
01:24:49,280 --> 01:24:58,719
do it. Um, however, we also did include
in our survey some questions about

919
01:24:54,560 --> 01:25:06,400
whether or not doing a tiering would um
um impact uh voter sentiment, at least

920
01:25:02,239 --> 01:25:11,280
as um represented by the survey. And uh
that did not move the needle. In fact,

921
01:25:08,320 --> 01:25:17,280
when we posed questions about uh taring,
it actually lowered the support. I don't

922
01:25:15,360 --> 01:25:20,800
pretend to know why. Others might have
opinions on it, but there wasn't really

923
01:25:18,719 --> 01:25:25,600
a a compelling reason both from a
financial standpoint. Um, and the last

924
01:25:23,120 --> 01:25:31,679
one, which I'll shouldn't even mention,
but um, given that we are limited in law

925
01:25:29,360 --> 01:25:36,719
to the 75 words in the ballot question,
trying to explain a tiered

926
01:25:34,800 --> 01:25:41,360
tax structure
takes up most of the ballot question to

927
01:25:39,199 --> 01:25:46,320
begin with, and the pros and cons of of
doing that didn't pan out for us.

928
01:25:43,760 --> 01:25:48,800
» Great. Appreciate it. Thank you. So,
Thank you, Council Member Bushy.

929
01:25:47,920 --> 01:25:54,639
Questions?
>> Thank you. Um my questions um revolve

930
01:25:51,840 --> 01:26:02,000
around comparison of San Rafale to our
neighbors. I want to start with um early

931
01:25:57,760 --> 01:26:08,639
in your presentation you um showed that
San Rafale retains about 12% of property

932
01:26:06,000 --> 01:26:13,679
tax revenue and our neighbors in the
fine city of Mil Valley though retain

933
01:26:11,760 --> 01:26:16,880
twice that.
Why is that?

934
01:26:20,560 --> 01:26:29,600
I don't know that there's an easy answer
to that question. Um

935
01:26:26,960 --> 01:26:39,440
uh other than what I may have tried to
explain before that, um the property the

936
01:26:35,199 --> 01:26:46,320
allocation of the baseline Prop 13
property transfer tax was put in place

937
01:26:42,880 --> 01:26:51,520
following the passage of Prop 13 uh back
in 1979

938
01:26:48,719 --> 01:26:56,960
and um which is when Prop 13 was
approved by the voters in the state of

939
01:26:53,199 --> 01:27:03,520
California. Um and then uh the enabling
legislation was I believe AB8 which is

940
01:26:59,920 --> 01:27:10,800
the legislature. And so, um,
to try to make it very simple, the

941
01:27:06,000 --> 01:27:17,679
legislature came up with a property tax
allocation formula

942
01:27:13,199 --> 01:27:26,800
that was developed to with the purpose
of ensuring that any city's

943
01:27:22,480 --> 01:27:32,000
uh share of property tax post Prop 13
was in proportion to their proportionate

944
01:27:29,040 --> 01:27:39,120
share of property tax pre-prop 13. So on
a statewide basis, so if um and so what

945
01:27:36,159 --> 01:27:42,880
this suggests is for cities before that
could set their own property tax rates.

946
01:27:40,960 --> 01:27:48,560
So cities that had a quoteunquote high
property tax rate going into Prop 13 who

947
01:27:46,159 --> 01:27:56,560
would have been much more negatively
impacted by a statewide 1% figure. they

948
01:27:52,719 --> 01:28:02,960
keep more of the uh local property tax
than a city that may would have had a

949
01:27:59,440 --> 01:28:10,080
lower property tax rate at the time. So
all other things equal, it's the formula

950
01:28:06,320 --> 01:28:12,159
that um implemented Prop 13
>> in 1979

951
01:28:11,120 --> 01:28:16,400
» in 1979.
>> Okay. So this this happened a long time

952
01:28:13,600 --> 01:28:20,239
ago. This was set and we cannot change
it. That's the important

953
01:28:17,440 --> 01:28:24,880
» we cannot change that. The other area or
two that impacts this number over time

954
01:28:23,040 --> 01:28:35,440
is obviously new cities, new
incorporations. Um but for instance um

955
01:28:29,920 --> 01:28:40,000
when uh cities will annex um areas into
the city, then there's a tax sharing

956
01:28:37,040 --> 01:28:44,000
agreement that uh takes place that
they're negotiating with the county. And

957
01:28:41,679 --> 01:28:48,400
so if we were to annex another area of
unincorporated and negotiated a higher

958
01:28:46,239 --> 01:28:53,440
share than 12.2 two for that annexation
our average goes up. So that's another

959
01:28:50,880 --> 01:28:59,120
area where that number changes over time
as cities grow and annex. And the second

960
01:28:56,480 --> 01:29:03,280
one you mentioned earlier in the context
of utilities but um consolidations

961
01:29:01,840 --> 01:29:06,560
because all the special districts that
allocate. So some of these cities for

962
01:29:04,800 --> 01:29:10,159
instance that are served by fire
districts, the fire districts get a

963
01:29:08,719 --> 01:29:13,840
portion of that property tax. You would
think that they'd have a lower property

964
01:29:11,520 --> 01:29:17,679
tax share but it doesn't always pan out
that way. But if going forward we were

965
01:29:16,400 --> 01:29:21,040
to and we're discussing some
consolidations ourselves with Merinwood,

966
01:29:19,920 --> 01:29:24,800
there's the potential that we would
receive some of their property tax and

967
01:29:22,560 --> 01:29:27,920
this number could change through that
process.

968
01:29:25,520 --> 01:29:32,400
» But setting aside those like literally
adjustments around the edges. um

969
01:29:29,760 --> 01:29:39,360
focusing on what happened in 1979 and
where it leaves the city of San Rafll,

970
01:29:35,440 --> 01:29:43,679
» it leaves us disadvantaged from by a
factor of 100% compared to Mil Valley of

971
01:29:42,159 --> 01:29:48,320
property taxes.
>> And that that disadvantage is part of

972
01:29:46,320 --> 01:29:53,440
the justification for turning our
attention to other sources of revenue

973
01:29:50,960 --> 01:29:56,320
because if I'm correct, um San Rafel is
the only charter city in Marin County.

974
01:29:55,679 --> 01:30:01,280
Correct.
>> I believe so. So, we're the only city

975
01:29:58,320 --> 01:30:02,719
that could have a real estate transfer
fee.

976
01:30:02,000 --> 01:30:07,679
» Yep.
>> Okay. So, we're on our own.

977
01:30:05,760 --> 01:30:12,000
» Can I can I underscore that because I I
on that chart we just showed the you

978
01:30:09,760 --> 01:30:18,239
know the average allocation of property
tax for marine cities and towns is I

979
01:30:14,480 --> 01:30:24,719
think was 16.2 which is 4% more than our
12.2. That would have if we had that

980
01:30:21,520 --> 01:30:30,159
level it would we would be receiving
about $9.6 6 million a year in

981
01:30:27,360 --> 01:30:33,679
incremental property tax and I would
submit that we might not be having this

982
01:30:32,080 --> 01:30:37,679
conversation if we were
>> we'd be even happier if we had Mil

983
01:30:35,360 --> 01:30:42,800
Valley's 25%. So just putting that out
there um but comparison so that what and

984
01:30:40,719 --> 01:30:49,520
what's um driving this now turning our
attention to the newly proposed tax um

985
01:30:46,480 --> 01:30:53,760
real estate transfer tax um we have no
we have no comparators in Marin County

986
01:30:52,320 --> 01:30:58,400
because we're the only one that can do
this. Correct. on. So that leaves us

987
01:30:56,400 --> 01:31:06,000
with looking sort of across the North
Bay. In your other um chart showing all

988
01:31:02,639 --> 01:31:10,800
of the the different counties other than
Southern California, when we look across

989
01:31:08,400 --> 01:31:19,199
the North Bay,
we see that they were below 1%. We would

990
01:31:14,960 --> 01:31:24,000
not be we would be jumping from one of
the lowest

991
01:31:21,760 --> 01:31:28,400
trans um real estate transfer taxes to
one of the highest in the North Bay. Is

992
01:31:26,159 --> 01:31:34,159
that right?
>> Uh that would be correct.

993
01:31:29,679 --> 01:31:41,440
» Okay. And this is driven by our the fact
that we're taking our 0.2%

994
01:31:37,360 --> 01:31:46,400
tax and turning into 1% tax. It's 5x
>> of the tax rate.

995
01:31:43,760 --> 01:31:52,239
And
how did you select that number just for

996
01:31:49,199 --> 01:31:58,239
ease of mathematics?
Um

997
01:31:54,239 --> 01:32:02,320
well two things. It was the
you know do you

998
01:32:00,719 --> 01:32:06,320
propose an increase in the property
transfer tax for a $2 million

999
01:32:04,560 --> 01:32:10,560
incremental revenue and how does that
move the needle on the need? So it's a

1000
01:32:08,400 --> 01:32:18,320
combination of the needs that are well
in excess of it. what would

1001
01:32:15,520 --> 01:32:22,560
represent a meaningful
uh increment. Um, hey, we could put

1002
01:32:21,120 --> 01:32:26,080
another couple million into streets and
roads. We can put a couple million into

1003
01:32:24,400 --> 01:32:32,639
public safety. We could deal with some
of our parks and facilities. that would

1004
01:32:27,679 --> 01:32:41,600
make a significant uh in and
within that larger cohort of comparisons

1005
01:32:36,400 --> 01:32:44,960
still be within the um the range of what
um

1006
01:32:43,120 --> 01:32:49,360
cities that have these taxes on the
books are able to generate. So, in

1007
01:32:47,760 --> 01:32:56,159
short, to make it worth our while, we
needed to make it a significant increase

1008
01:32:51,440 --> 01:33:01,280
to get a a a meaningful um increase in
funding for our our needed priorities

1009
01:32:59,120 --> 01:33:07,120
because of this anomalous thing that
happened back in 1979. And the other

1010
01:33:03,679 --> 01:33:11,520
thing I would note that is um in the
staff report and implied in the ballot

1011
01:33:09,040 --> 01:33:17,600
question is unlike a parcel tax, unlike
a sales tax, unlike a business license

1012
01:33:14,560 --> 01:33:24,639
tax, this is paid one time at the time
of the transaction of the sale. So it's

1013
01:33:19,679 --> 01:33:30,400
not a tax that those who are um you know
paying the tax you know are paying on a

1014
01:33:27,920 --> 01:33:35,120
ongoing annual basis. So there's a
distinction between how a property

1015
01:33:32,080 --> 01:33:40,880
transfer tax functions and most other
taxes that we are able to um enact.

1016
01:33:38,880 --> 01:33:44,960
» Great. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council Member Hill.

1017
01:33:43,120 --> 01:33:51,199
» Thank you, Mayor Kate. I have a few
questions. Uh when I look at the um

1018
01:33:48,639 --> 01:33:56,639
draft ballot statement at the very
bottom, it indicates uh with annual

1019
01:33:54,000 --> 01:34:01,199
audits and public spending disclosure.
Can you elaborate on what that would

1020
01:33:58,000 --> 01:34:06,239
mean? I presume it meant that um at
least it involves the voter approved tax

1021
01:34:03,600 --> 01:34:10,800
oversight committee including this as
part of its uh um oversight, but I just

1022
01:34:09,280 --> 01:34:15,040
wanted to hear if there's any more or if
you could elaborate a little bit on how

1023
01:34:11,840 --> 01:34:20,400
that would go to that committee.
>> Yeah, I'll speak to that and then maybe

1024
01:34:17,760 --> 01:34:25,760
um ask Curtis if he has other Curtis
Bellow other comments on it. Um so the

1025
01:34:23,360 --> 01:34:32,159
part of the uh ballot question that
references the ordinance change uh so

1026
01:34:28,400 --> 01:34:38,960
right now I would say that the u our
existing property transfer tax was

1027
01:34:34,960 --> 01:34:47,040
enacted prior to prop 218. So was
enacted by a council not by uh uh the

1028
01:34:43,199 --> 01:34:52,800
voters. And so if this is placed before
the voters and passes, we're essentially

1029
01:34:49,520 --> 01:34:58,159
adding the same language that we have on
um most all of our existing voter

1030
01:34:55,440 --> 01:35:05,520
approved um
uh tax measures. Um and yes, it would uh

1031
01:35:02,719 --> 01:35:10,639
also fall under the purview of oversight
of the voter approved tax oversight

1032
01:35:07,280 --> 01:35:16,880
committee as currently constituted in
their charter with a bit of a caveat

1033
01:35:13,520 --> 01:35:21,600
because as we um have shared prior with
the finance committee and we took action

1034
01:35:18,719 --> 01:35:26,159
at the council um vote approved tax
oversight committee, you know,

1035
01:35:22,880 --> 01:35:32,320
appropriately um flagged that for a
general purpose tax um oversight is is a

1036
01:35:29,679 --> 01:35:36,400
little bit of a um tricky wicket because
we don't necessarily track those. We

1037
01:35:34,800 --> 01:35:40,639
track the revenue separate. We know what
we're collecting because it goes into

1038
01:35:38,239 --> 01:35:46,639
the general fund. Um they're generally
not set up so that we can um you know

1039
01:35:44,560 --> 01:35:53,040
account for all the dollars that are
being spent from a general purpose tax.

1040
01:35:49,280 --> 01:36:00,480
Um but that said um it is important to
um include an oversight component. Um

1041
01:35:57,040 --> 01:36:05,760
the other part is obviously you know all
of our financials are subject to our you

1042
01:36:03,280 --> 01:36:10,880
know regular annual independent audit.
uh we do reporting to the council on all

1043
01:36:07,840 --> 01:36:18,320
of this and what Curtis might add if I'm
missing something is that um

1044
01:36:15,840 --> 01:36:25,840
irrespective of the tax the tax rate and
the mechanism of the tax what has is

1045
01:36:21,600 --> 01:36:32,000
consistently um important to note when
we're doing poll and what we're doing

1046
01:36:27,679 --> 01:36:36,000
survey is to uh reassure the voters that
these are locally controlled dollars

1047
01:36:33,760 --> 01:36:44,239
that the state can't come and take from
us at some future date. And that we are

1048
01:36:40,719 --> 01:36:48,800
serious about um transparency in terms
of oversight and audits and reporting

1049
01:36:47,199 --> 01:36:52,880
and
um

1050
01:36:50,400 --> 01:36:58,239
whatever how we um allocate the dollars
in the budget and how we do this will be

1051
01:36:55,520 --> 01:37:05,840
um an important piece of it.
>> Thank you. My next question is um

1052
01:37:01,920 --> 01:37:09,199
regarding impacts. Um, so I can I think
everyone in the room can do this kind of

1053
01:37:07,600 --> 01:37:13,920
math, which is if you sell a property
and the sale price is 1 million, then

1054
01:37:11,360 --> 01:37:19,360
the tax rate for this particular tax
would be $10,000.

1055
01:37:16,960 --> 01:37:25,520
Aside from the math,
um, can you contemplate what the impacts

1056
01:37:21,520 --> 01:37:31,840
would be to real estate industry?
>> Um, I'm not sure if I can speak to the

1057
01:37:28,800 --> 01:37:33,520
impacts on the real estate industry. um
if that's the question.

1058
01:37:32,639 --> 01:37:36,880
» How about locally?
>> Yeah. No, I guess what I would what I

1059
01:37:35,040 --> 01:37:43,040
would say and this question does come up
and um others will have their opinion

1060
01:37:39,360 --> 01:37:48,880
and we'll see. But um I would just say
that um it's not uncommon for the real

1061
01:37:46,800 --> 01:37:55,119
estate property transfer tax and we have
one on the books currently um is oftent

1062
01:37:52,320 --> 01:37:59,840
times um
um the real question is is it borne by

1063
01:37:57,360 --> 01:38:07,360
the buyer or the seller on the property.
So an argument is that it increases the

1064
01:38:02,719 --> 01:38:13,840
cost if it's on largely on the buyer and
may um you know kind of eat into the

1065
01:38:10,960 --> 01:38:18,320
equity that a seller might be um
otherwise getting from it. Um and I

1066
01:38:16,320 --> 01:38:22,960
remind you we're talking about 1% of the
sales price. So, um there are scenarios

1067
01:38:20,880 --> 01:38:27,280
out there where a property transfer tax
like many of the other fees that are

1068
01:38:24,800 --> 01:38:33,199
associated like a real estate commission
can be uh on both sides of the ledger

1069
01:38:30,800 --> 01:38:38,480
like split between the property owner
I'm sorry yeah the seller and the buyer

1070
01:38:35,600 --> 01:38:42,639
that's um not uncommon um and then what
get comes into play uh at least from

1071
01:38:40,880 --> 01:38:47,119
some personal experience although it's
been a while is that depending on the

1072
01:38:44,480 --> 01:38:53,280
housing market right when you're in a
buyer market then um some of these costs

1073
01:38:51,199 --> 01:38:58,560
through the negotiation between
individual buyer and seller um can be

1074
01:38:56,320 --> 01:39:03,520
negotiated to be picked up by one side
or the other. The other extreme is in a

1075
01:39:01,440 --> 01:39:08,000
quote unquote you know sellers market
when properties particularly residential

1076
01:39:05,840 --> 01:39:13,280
properties are you know going over
asking price cash only and they're

1077
01:39:11,040 --> 01:39:18,080
flying off the market. It's not uncommon
for the property transfer tax to then be

1078
01:39:15,920 --> 01:39:24,239
um kind of
swooped up into the transaction costs.

1079
01:39:20,960 --> 01:39:26,560
Um, and um, that's all I'm gonna say
about that.

1080
01:39:24,560 --> 01:39:31,360
» Yeah. Well, thank you for addressing a
very broad question on the real estate

1081
01:39:29,119 --> 01:39:36,400
industry. So I and my final questions
are are not to go through every unfunded

1082
01:39:34,400 --> 01:39:42,800
need that you articulated but I do want
to for the sake of emphasis understand

1083
01:39:39,520 --> 01:39:48,159
what is meant by our pavement program is
we'll will we need to increase it by 2

1084
01:39:45,600 --> 01:39:53,440
million a year just to maintain
PCI um which is our pavement uh if you

1085
01:39:51,600 --> 01:39:57,360
can elaborate on the initialism and then
just make certain that is it do we

1086
01:39:55,440 --> 01:40:01,520
degrade by a half a percent a year a
percent a year I just want to understand

1087
01:39:58,800 --> 01:40:06,719
just so that a community member can
understand

1088
01:40:03,040 --> 01:40:11,840
how this translates into road quality.
>> So, I'm going to ask our public works

1089
01:40:08,960 --> 01:40:16,800
director, uh, April Mi Miller to assist
on this. Um, but one thing I'll say at a

1090
01:40:14,560 --> 01:40:22,800
very, very high level, and she can speak
more to it, is, um, you know, we talked

1091
01:40:20,719 --> 01:40:25,679
about $2 million. I think in the staff
report we actually bumped that up to

1092
01:40:24,560 --> 01:40:33,679
between two and a half three because I
think in like 2022 or $23 we were in the

1093
01:40:30,320 --> 01:40:38,880
that $2 million range and let's just say
that um pavement condition index you

1094
01:40:36,639 --> 01:40:42,400
know has you know numbers associated but
they're in you know excellent condition,

1095
01:40:40,560 --> 01:40:49,040
good condition, fair condition and we're
at the very bottom of the um fair

1096
01:40:45,679 --> 01:40:54,320
category and uh at our current funding
level it will continue to deteriorate.

1097
01:40:51,760 --> 01:40:59,600
rate. The question of how much funding
is needed per our most recent reports to

1098
01:40:57,679 --> 01:41:06,000
maintain it at the current level, let
alone bring it up um is going to be

1099
01:41:03,040 --> 01:41:10,480
probably in excess of the $2 million.
April,

1100
01:41:07,520 --> 01:41:14,719
» that sounds accurate. Um, yeah. So, just
to weigh in a little bit more, so since

1101
01:41:12,000 --> 01:41:19,119
we've been we've had such a limited
budget on pavement over I mean, I've

1102
01:41:16,400 --> 01:41:24,800
been here six years for six years on,
you know, we've been using the money to

1103
01:41:22,480 --> 01:41:29,440
just focus on maintenance. We've been
doing slurry seals. We've been, you

1104
01:41:27,119 --> 01:41:33,920
know, sealing cracks on roads that
typically you would grind an overlay. We

1105
01:41:31,679 --> 01:41:39,760
just been stretching every dollar we can
to try to keep these roads just alive as

1106
01:41:36,800 --> 01:41:44,639
long as possible. So to your question on
how fast it will go down, like we're

1107
01:41:42,719 --> 01:41:50,080
we're trying to put as many band-aids as
we can to to keep the roads going, but

1108
01:41:48,239 --> 01:41:54,639
it's hard to determine at what point
they'll it'll just drop. I mean, we are

1109
01:41:52,320 --> 01:42:01,520
we have been losing like a point a year
consistently for the last five years,

1110
01:41:57,440 --> 01:42:06,159
but it's sort of unknown since we are
doing preventative maintenance on roads.

1111
01:42:04,159 --> 01:42:10,080
So, you can't really tell how bad the
underlying condition is on the road. We

1112
01:42:08,560 --> 01:42:13,760
know what it is because we knew what it
was before we did the pavement

1113
01:42:12,000 --> 01:42:19,440
maintenance, but we are stretching our
dollars to the maximum right now and

1114
01:42:17,119 --> 01:42:23,679
it's it has been successful over the
last few years.

1115
01:42:21,040 --> 01:42:26,320
» Got it. And not to um try to create fair
uncertainty depth, but what I'm hearing

1116
01:42:24,880 --> 01:42:30,480
you say is that there could actually be
underlying literally underlying problems

1117
01:42:28,239 --> 01:42:34,800
with the with the substructure and
things that may not be seen that

1118
01:42:32,880 --> 01:42:38,639
patching may be able to alleviate for a
season, but that there could be major

1119
01:42:36,480 --> 01:42:44,480
problems where a road could fail and
have to do emergency repaving.

1120
01:42:42,159 --> 01:42:48,639
» Uh potentially, yes. Usually it just
gets it starts to deteriorate more and

1121
01:42:46,320 --> 01:42:53,360
more. Um
yeah, quicker. So typically like if a

1122
01:42:50,400 --> 01:42:56,639
road was more in the good condition, we
would slurry seal it every seven to 10

1123
01:42:55,119 --> 01:43:00,400
years. These roads that we're slurrying
are in the poor condition, we should

1124
01:42:59,280 --> 01:43:03,119
probably be slur if we're going to
slurry them to keep them alive, we'd do

1125
01:43:01,760 --> 01:43:06,639
it like every three years. We don't have
the money to do that. So we're still

1126
01:43:04,320 --> 01:43:10,719
trying to do in that 7 to 10 year mark,
but yeah, the the roads are continuing

1127
01:43:08,800 --> 01:43:13,679
to get worse and worse in that
underlying condition.

1128
01:43:11,920 --> 01:43:16,880
» Thank you, Director Miller. And can I
can I add one more thing to that that I

1129
01:43:15,119 --> 01:43:21,199
think we shared in one of the CIP is
that you know the the goal is to do all

1130
01:43:19,280 --> 01:43:25,119
the maintenance you can do to avoid the
reconstruction of the road which happens

1131
01:43:23,119 --> 01:43:31,199
eventually at a much more significant
cost. So there's you know how

1132
01:43:28,320 --> 01:43:36,719
aggressively can we maintain
um what you're trying to avoid is having

1133
01:43:34,320 --> 01:43:41,280
to get into the major reconstruction
which uh this funding would not

1134
01:43:39,920 --> 01:43:46,080
be enough to support.
>> Okay. Thank you. And as I said, I would

1135
01:43:44,239 --> 01:43:52,239
not uh inventory all of our unfunded
needs, but there is one other which is

1136
01:43:47,520 --> 01:43:55,360
the safe team uh $750,000 a year that we
cannot that we don't have a plan for

1137
01:43:53,760 --> 01:44:00,080
beyond this year. Can you just confirm
that what the safety does and what would

1138
01:43:58,159 --> 01:44:06,960
happen what could happen if we can't
fund it?

1139
01:44:02,480 --> 01:44:12,239
Um again I will ask um police chief uh
Spiller to assist with this but yes as

1140
01:44:09,520 --> 01:44:16,719
the council is aware uh we have been
able to maintain what was initially a

1141
01:44:14,480 --> 01:44:22,159
pilot program through some one-time
funding. Uh, credit to the department

1142
01:44:19,600 --> 01:44:28,320
and Chief Biller's uh, staff for
identifying some grant funding that we

1143
01:44:24,159 --> 01:44:33,280
were able to um, uh, receive that as you
noted, we have secure funding for the

1144
01:44:31,360 --> 01:44:37,360
current level of service through the
current fiscal year, maybe a couple of

1145
01:44:35,280 --> 01:44:41,280
months through the current contract, and
then we're going to continue to be

1146
01:44:39,119 --> 01:44:49,440
looking for um, how to keep this
together. And um what uh the reason why

1147
01:44:45,040 --> 01:44:54,080
this is on this list is not only um a
candidate for

1148
01:44:51,600 --> 01:44:59,360
stable recurring annual funding, but
potentially also funding source to meet

1149
01:44:56,560 --> 01:45:04,320
the um demands and potentially
increasing the days and hours of

1150
01:45:01,440 --> 01:45:08,239
operation of the safe team. Chief,
>> that was perfect. I couldn't have said

1151
01:45:05,760 --> 01:45:11,199
anything better. Uh so as the council's
aware, you know, we had a very

1152
01:45:09,440 --> 01:45:15,280
successful three-year pilot of the safe
team. Um and at the conclusion of the

1153
01:45:13,679 --> 01:45:19,679
three-year pilot, we extended that
contract to coincide with the fiscal

1154
01:45:17,040 --> 01:45:24,159
year and then did a one-year extension.
So at the completion of this fiscal

1155
01:45:21,440 --> 01:45:29,520
year, the safe team won't be funded.
There's no permanent funding solution

1156
01:45:26,000 --> 01:45:33,360
for the safe team. So absent this, the
manager and I will be scouring

1157
01:45:31,600 --> 01:45:38,960
opportunities and additional grant
opportunities and other philanthrop

1158
01:45:35,840 --> 01:45:44,239
philanthropic opportunities to uh offset
the expenditure and that's based on the

1159
01:45:41,040 --> 01:45:49,840
current deployment of a two-person team
12 hours a day or excuse me yes 12 hours

1160
01:45:47,520 --> 01:45:53,840
a day every day of the calendar year.
There has been question from the

1161
01:45:51,440 --> 01:45:59,360
community uh from community groups and
even council members what are the

1162
01:45:56,080 --> 01:46:04,239
opportunities to expand the program. So
uh that will be a part of what um we

1163
01:46:02,560 --> 01:46:08,560
could potentially leverage this
additional revenue for.

1164
01:46:06,080 --> 01:46:13,040
» Thank you chief. Those are my questions.
Thank you.

1165
01:46:09,840 --> 01:46:17,199
» Thank you. I just have one um hopefully
easy question. So this is already on the

1166
01:46:14,960 --> 01:46:22,560
books and you mentioned in answering
council member Hill's question about uh

1167
01:46:20,320 --> 01:46:28,080
why it is going to the voters. So that
original 2% was done by the council but

1168
01:46:26,800 --> 01:46:32,000
not this council and I don't see
anywhere in the staff report when this

1169
01:46:29,600 --> 01:46:36,639
was originally
we we've already agreed to do this in

1170
01:46:34,000 --> 01:46:42,880
this community. This is not a brand new
tax. It's an increas increasing one that

1171
01:46:39,360 --> 01:46:46,400
already exists. So, I don't recall. I
don't know if Council Bushy recalls. So,

1172
01:46:44,639 --> 01:46:52,800
it wasn't in the last 20 years when
we've been here. [laughter]

1173
01:46:48,719 --> 01:46:58,719
Um, but I'm curious you and and I'm um
Oh, I see it. City attorney, deputy city

1174
01:46:56,560 --> 01:47:03,280
attorney arriving and then you mentioned
218. Why is it that the council can't

1175
01:47:01,520 --> 01:47:08,639
make the decision from the dis and why
do we need to go to the voters? I

1176
01:47:05,440 --> 01:47:13,040
believe that the original ordinance was
adopted in 1990 1991.

1177
01:47:12,560 --> 01:47:15,360
» Okay.
>> Sometime around that

1178
01:47:13,840 --> 01:47:22,719
» by the council at that point
>> by the council prop it's like a

1179
01:47:18,080 --> 01:47:27,920
municipal history lesson. Prop 218
came in 19

1180
01:47:25,679 --> 01:47:32,960
97 98.
>> Okay. which said that for these specific

1181
01:47:30,320 --> 01:47:35,840
types of taxes, they need to go to the
voters and cannot be done through

1182
01:47:34,480 --> 01:47:42,719
council resolution.
>> It didn't specify real estate transfer

1183
01:47:38,239 --> 01:47:46,719
tax, but the type of um revenue
generation now requires a voter

1184
01:47:46,080 --> 01:47:53,679
approval.
>> Can I add that Prop 218 did two things?

1185
01:47:49,679 --> 01:47:59,840
It required that um any and all taxes
require voter approval and it also

1186
01:47:56,800 --> 01:48:02,719
stipulated that special taxes require a
twothirds vote.

1187
01:48:01,119 --> 01:48:04,960
» Okay.
>> Yeah.

1188
01:48:03,520 --> 01:48:06,719
» See, yeah, we're everybody's going to
try.

1189
01:48:05,280 --> 01:48:10,400
» We did a little bit of history um
background research on this. So,

1190
01:48:08,400 --> 01:48:16,800
ordinance 1303 was adopted by the city
council in 1978 and then subsequently in

1191
01:48:13,840 --> 01:48:19,679
1990, ordinance 1595 was adopted by the
city council and then about a week later

1192
01:48:18,320 --> 01:48:25,440
there was an urgency ordinance that
amended that slightly um in 1990.

1193
01:48:23,040 --> 01:48:28,400
» Okay. So, if they had done a 1% then we
probably wouldn't be having this

1194
01:48:26,560 --> 01:48:34,800
conversation. So, right because there
was no retro of reducing it to another

1195
01:48:31,920 --> 01:48:39,520
number. So that that chart that you
showed, those were all cities and towns

1196
01:48:36,880 --> 01:48:44,800
that back before Prop 218 increased it
to those numbers. Okay. Just again, it's

1197
01:48:42,719 --> 01:48:50,480
a lot of context and and to understand
why um we have an opportunity that other

1198
01:48:47,600 --> 01:48:53,760
cities and towns might not have. Okay. I
don't see any questions right now. We've

1199
01:48:51,760 --> 01:48:58,239
asked a bunch and I know that the public
would like to weigh in. Um so I'm going

1200
01:48:56,000 --> 01:49:02,719
to go ahead and open up the public
comment for this item. If you are in the

1201
01:49:00,800 --> 01:49:05,920
room and would like to comment, uh, we'd
love to hear from you. And just a

1202
01:49:04,400 --> 01:49:10,000
reminder, we'd like to know what part of
Sanfell, if you do live in Sanell, what

1203
01:49:07,920 --> 01:49:13,440
part you live in. You're not required to
say your name, but we would welcome

1204
01:49:11,840 --> 01:49:17,360
hearing it. And we are maintaining a
welcoming environment by refraining from

1205
01:49:15,360 --> 01:49:20,480
hateful or discriminatory remarks.
Welcome.

1206
01:49:18,080 --> 01:49:24,400
» Hi. Good [clears throat] evening, um,
mayor and members of the city council.

1207
01:49:22,480 --> 01:49:28,880
My name is Jen Feifer. I grew up in
Sanfell, own a home in this community,

1208
01:49:26,800 --> 01:49:34,880
and I've spent more than 25 years in
Marin real estate. Tonight, I'm speaking

1209
01:49:31,679 --> 01:49:38,800
speaking on behalf of all homeowners. I
want to be fair. The city has real

1210
01:49:36,560 --> 01:49:43,480
needs. Aging streets, storm drains, and
the pressure of emergency response. Um,

1211
01:49:41,360 --> 01:49:47,199
it's not imaginary and I respect
[clears throat] the work you do to

1212
01:49:44,560 --> 01:49:52,719
manage it all. Um, I appreciate you
reaching out to us, the community, um,

1213
01:49:50,400 --> 01:49:58,639
before you place re the revenue measure
um, before the voters, but I'm here to

1214
01:49:55,040 --> 01:50:04,159
say no to this idea that you've
proposed. Today, when a resident sells a

1215
01:50:01,119 --> 01:50:10,320
home, the city transfer tax is $2 per
thousand. This measure makes it $10,

1216
01:50:07,360 --> 01:50:15,600
which is five times higher on a typical
Sanfale home. That's about $10,000 more

1217
01:50:13,600 --> 01:50:21,600
taken at the closing table. and it's
permanent with no sunset. I have a

1218
01:50:18,239 --> 01:50:26,639
listing now closing this Friday for $3.3
million and the trustees are paying

1219
01:50:23,920 --> 01:50:32,480
6,000 in city transfer taxes. If this
were to pass, they would pay $30,000

1220
01:50:30,320 --> 01:50:36,400
just for the city transfer tax. That
doesn't include the county. So, you want

1221
01:50:35,040 --> 01:50:42,800
to come to my listing appointments with
me and try to explain this? Um, I'm

1222
01:50:39,600 --> 01:50:48,560
going to condense this, but I'll email
it to you. [snorts] Um,

1223
01:50:45,679 --> 01:50:54,400
I think all residents should pay for 911
response times and storm drainage su

1224
01:50:51,360 --> 01:50:59,199
systems and flooding and addressing the
impacts of the homelessness and street

1225
01:50:57,360 --> 01:51:03,760
and road maintenance and maintaining
self safe places for kids to play. I

1226
01:51:02,000 --> 01:51:09,360
agree with all that, but I think
everybody should pay for it. You're

1227
01:51:05,760 --> 01:51:14,960
proposing that one household at one very
hard moment in time should pay the

1228
01:51:12,960 --> 01:51:18,880
senior who is finally right sizing or
downsizing or moving to assisted living

1229
01:51:17,520 --> 01:51:23,280
where they're going to have to pay pay
tens of thousands of dollars

1230
01:51:21,520 --> 01:51:29,119
» before um
>> sorry you got muted at the two minutes

1231
01:51:26,480 --> 01:51:33,679
so no so so thank you for your comments
and yes I will email you. Thanks so

1232
01:51:31,440 --> 01:51:33,679
much.

1233
01:51:38,719 --> 01:51:46,480
Good evening. Can pull that down.
>> Good evening. Hi, my name is Sandra Del

1234
01:51:43,920 --> 01:51:53,440
Regno and I live in Rafll Meadows in San
Rafll. And I am against this tax for a

1235
01:51:50,480 --> 01:51:59,679
couple of reasons. Number one, because
to sell a house, it will in it will have

1236
01:51:57,040 --> 01:52:03,760
to increase the value
because you know, you want to get so

1237
01:52:02,000 --> 01:52:09,520
much money for your house. You've spent
money, you fixed your house up, you're

1238
01:52:06,000 --> 01:52:15,599
going to add it to the cost. This over
the last couple of years, everyone's

1239
01:52:12,239 --> 01:52:19,360
talking about the high cost of housing.
This will just increase the cost of

1240
01:52:17,679 --> 01:52:25,679
housing.
And what no one's addressing is all the

1241
01:52:22,480 --> 01:52:32,480
new construction. There's 1,900 units
going into Northgate. There's highrises

1242
01:52:29,440 --> 01:52:38,159
going into San Rafale. All of those
units are going to bring revenue into

1243
01:52:35,440 --> 01:52:43,119
the coffers of San Rafale.
That's significant money you're going to

1244
01:52:40,400 --> 01:52:46,960
get get. You're not addressing all the
extra money that you're going to be

1245
01:52:45,199 --> 01:52:55,000
getting from all the new construction
and all the new housing. I'm against

1246
01:52:49,679 --> 01:52:55,000
this specific tax. Thank you.

1247
01:52:55,360 --> 01:53:00,599
» Anyone else like to comment on this item
in the chambers?

1248
01:53:04,880 --> 01:53:10,800
» Hi. Uh my name is Noah Bugby. I'm a
rising senior at Archie Williams. I was

1249
01:53:08,960 --> 01:53:14,960
not planning on speaking, but something
I've heard a lot through my time living

1250
01:53:12,960 --> 01:53:19,360
in San Rafel is that we have an
increasingly

1251
01:53:16,480 --> 01:53:22,960
aging population, most of whom are the
people that own the homes. And basic

1252
01:53:21,199 --> 01:53:27,119
economics says that this will
deincentivize selling your home or jag

1253
01:53:25,360 --> 01:53:31,199
up the price, making it harder for the
younger residents that we desperately

1254
01:53:28,960 --> 01:53:36,560
need to come in. So, I'm just curious if
the effects of that have been studied

1255
01:53:33,440 --> 01:53:40,520
when we need a younger population. Thank
you. Any

1256
01:53:40,880 --> 01:53:45,320
other comments in the chambers?

1257
01:53:45,520 --> 01:53:51,760
Okay, I don't see anyone in the room. Is
there anyone online that would like to

1258
01:53:50,719 --> 01:53:54,880
provide comments?
>> There are some hands raised. Just as a

1259
01:53:53,280 --> 01:53:59,040
reminder, you can raise your hand using
star9 if you're calling in or you can

1260
01:53:56,400 --> 01:54:05,800
use the raise hand feature on Zoom. And
uh I will be muting you at two minutes.

1261
01:54:01,440 --> 01:54:05,800
I do see a few hands raised.

1262
01:54:08,560 --> 01:54:12,480
Hi, my name is Phoebe Reyes. I live in
San Rafale in the Sun Valley

1263
01:54:11,520 --> 01:54:17,840
neighborhood. I'm going to keep it
brief, but uh I um also work as a

1264
01:54:16,080 --> 01:54:22,159
realtor and I highlight everything that
Jen was saying. Jen Feifer, who was the

1265
01:54:19,760 --> 01:54:26,880
first to speak at the podium. Um it is
incredibly difficult to buy a house in

1266
01:54:25,119 --> 01:54:32,239
Marin County. And I hear everything that
you're saying in terms of, oh, yes, all

1267
01:54:28,960 --> 01:54:35,760
these fees are negotiable, but with the
years of experience I've had selling

1268
01:54:33,920 --> 01:54:41,920
houses, I can promise you that these
costs are going to be uh the sellers

1269
01:54:38,159 --> 01:54:47,760
will bear these transfer tax costs 99%
of the time. Um, it is already so

1270
01:54:44,960 --> 01:54:50,560
expensive for sellers to even consider
selling the house. Yes, they're going to

1271
01:54:49,040 --> 01:54:53,920
make some money, but I have a client
who's selling right now, and the only

1272
01:54:52,159 --> 01:55:00,000
reason he's selling in San Rafale is
because he has to pay for $18,000 worth

1273
01:54:57,599 --> 01:55:04,400
of um care for, you know, he's got
$8,000 for his wife for memory care plus

1274
01:55:02,320 --> 01:55:08,560
the thousands of dollars he has to go
into for assisted living. And so when

1275
01:55:06,560 --> 01:55:14,159
you look at these
transfer taxes, San Rafale is the only

1276
01:55:11,119 --> 01:55:17,679
city in Marin County that offers these.
And I could see how you think it's a

1277
01:55:15,599 --> 01:55:22,159
benefit in, you know, certain financial
aspects. I I appreciate everything that

1278
01:55:19,440 --> 01:55:26,239
you put together, but really you you the
city council is approving so many new

1279
01:55:23,920 --> 01:55:33,199
housing units. It's ridiculous. And then
to add the cost of like to add this

1280
01:55:30,320 --> 01:55:38,960
extra transfer tax is I think you can
raise taxes or

1281
01:55:35,840 --> 01:55:42,480
see these costs borne o over people who
are not just the sellers. You know,

1282
01:55:41,040 --> 01:55:47,119
everyone's going to benefit from these
who live in San Rafale. And you know,

1283
01:55:44,480 --> 01:55:51,920
from the from the community perspective,
getting buyers into San Rafale, they

1284
01:55:49,840 --> 01:55:56,560
want Southern Marin. So, we need to have
incentives to benefit San Rafale. And

1285
01:55:54,800 --> 01:56:00,639
that I don't think the transfer taxes is
the right answer. I think if we allow

1286
01:55:58,560 --> 01:56:03,840
more businesses in downtown, make it
easier for things to open, we have lots

1287
01:56:02,400 --> 01:56:07,920
of vacancies downtown, let's make it
easier for small businesses. I do not

1288
01:56:05,840 --> 01:56:11,840
agree with this transfer tax increase.
Uh especially not at

1289
01:56:16,159 --> 01:56:24,719
Hi. Good evening,
Mayor Kate. Good evening. And city

1290
01:56:21,040 --> 01:56:32,400
council chief spiller, city general
manager. Um, I very much appreciate the

1291
01:56:29,199 --> 01:56:40,239
aspect of this resolution that would pay
for the maintenance for the safe team.

1292
01:56:37,360 --> 01:56:44,639
Uh, I deeply appreciate the Sanfell
Police Department and the work that I

1293
01:56:42,639 --> 01:56:50,159
that they do in the downtown
neighborhood in which I live and the

1294
01:56:47,760 --> 01:56:56,800
safe team which provides a different
type of support in particular for those

1295
01:56:53,360 --> 01:57:02,719
who have mental health issues that can
compromise the safety of those who live

1296
01:56:59,280 --> 01:57:09,760
in the neighborhood. Um, [clears throat]
also I was a little surprised by the

1297
01:57:05,280 --> 01:57:15,760
survey results which said that uh many
of the respondents didn't think that

1298
01:57:12,639 --> 01:57:23,199
safety and patrolling was an issue. But
then again um the the main issues happen

1299
01:57:20,159 --> 01:57:28,880
in downtown San Rafale and only 2 to
3,000 of us live here. The other 57,000

1300
01:57:26,800 --> 01:57:34,239
do live in the outskirts. So that
probably makes sense. So I just wanted

1301
01:57:32,239 --> 01:57:39,679
to say
thank you very much for those of you who

1302
01:57:36,880 --> 01:57:46,719
are in support of this resolution. I
feel deeply grateful for both um the

1303
01:57:43,360 --> 01:57:52,639
safe team, the Sanfell PD for the hard
work they're doing and I appreciate the

1304
01:57:50,719 --> 01:57:55,639
city council and the mayor's work as
well.

1305
01:58:04,800 --> 01:58:14,000
Hi, this is Victoria Dwit and uh I'm
opposed to this increase in tax. Um, it

1306
01:58:11,440 --> 01:58:20,159
might be worth noting that the UCLA
Center for Regional Policy Studies has

1307
01:58:16,400 --> 01:58:24,480
cited unintended consequences resulting
from high property transfer tax,

1308
01:58:22,960 --> 01:58:30,080
including
reduced turnover of higher price

1309
01:58:26,480 --> 01:58:34,719
properties, which reduces property tax.
It impedes building new housing or

1310
01:58:32,159 --> 01:58:40,159
improving struggling commercial property
where property tax revenue could be

1311
01:58:37,440 --> 01:58:45,520
increased. It can slow revitalization
efforts and it reduces housing

1312
01:58:42,400 --> 01:58:49,280
affordability. Another note is that
there's my understanding it's a state

1313
01:58:47,760 --> 01:58:57,119
law
that cities and counties can charge $110

1314
01:58:53,199 --> 01:59:01,920
per thousand for property transfer tax
which is what every other city and the

1315
01:58:59,040 --> 01:59:09,440
county does in Marin. It's only because
Sanrell is a charter city that they can

1316
01:59:05,199 --> 01:59:14,400
adopt an additional amount on top of the
$110.

1317
01:59:11,119 --> 01:59:21,520
So the 1%, it's not just 1%, it's the 1%
plus 110 cents per thousand. Um,

1318
01:59:19,040 --> 01:59:26,080
I think the increase is excessive and
ill- advised and I suggest the city do a

1319
01:59:24,480 --> 01:59:30,400
more thorough assessment of other
sources of revenue. Even it means if it

1320
01:59:28,560 --> 01:59:35,199
means that you get it from several
sources rather than just going for the

1321
01:59:32,719 --> 01:59:40,400
big bang of, oh, let's just hit the
property transfer tax. We get $6

1322
01:59:37,679 --> 01:59:46,920
million. Let's go for that. Um, I
suggest doing an overall assessment of

1323
01:59:42,639 --> 01:59:46,920
all revenue. Thank you.

1324
01:59:53,280 --> 02:00:05,280
Good evening. My name is Grace Scarity.
I live in Terinda and I am very much

1325
01:59:59,840 --> 02:00:13,360
opposed to this text. I also um sent an
email a little bit late uh today, but

1326
02:00:08,719 --> 02:00:21,760
you'll see it in the record. Um I think
the city needs to do a lot more um

1327
02:00:18,159 --> 02:00:27,280
statistical analysis and research
um regarding what other cities are

1328
02:00:24,880 --> 02:00:35,199
doing. Um
as uh Victoria Dwit just mentioned uh we

1329
02:00:32,239 --> 02:00:41,920
have an already excessive uh charge in
San Rafale. Um, and all the alternatives

1330
02:00:39,119 --> 02:00:48,480
just seem to be uh increased taxes,
increased taxes. What about savings? And

1331
02:00:45,760 --> 02:00:56,159
what about joining with other cities? I
mean, why do we have to have all our own

1332
02:00:52,080 --> 02:01:03,920
services and everything? Um, it's it's
just mind-boggling to me. Um the J had a

1333
02:01:00,560 --> 02:01:10,480
very good opinion article recently about
that and u the consolidation of services

1334
02:01:07,199 --> 02:01:18,800
and how much uh savings that would lead.
But then of course um cities uh lose

1335
02:01:15,840 --> 02:01:25,199
city employees lose very well- paid jobs
and uh everyone else loses power and

1336
02:01:22,000 --> 02:01:32,880
they're fifing them. So, uh I urge you
to look at other savings opportunities

1337
02:01:30,239 --> 02:01:40,639
uh or even other
uh incremental opportunities that are

1338
02:01:36,320 --> 02:01:47,280
not always about taxing and taxing the
residents. And you may want to think

1339
02:01:43,199 --> 02:01:52,080
about increasing taxes on all these
housing developments that are going up

1340
02:01:49,440 --> 02:01:56,280
and having them take care of the roads
much more. Thank you.

1341
02:02:02,400 --> 02:02:09,599
» Hi. Hi there. My name is Chris Backer
and I'm a resident in downtown San

1342
02:02:06,639 --> 02:02:14,480
Rafale. Um, Council Member Eli Hill is
my member and I also am a realtor, been

1343
02:02:12,000 --> 02:02:19,599
practicing here for 13 years. And I just
wanted to comment that um, a couple of

1344
02:02:16,880 --> 02:02:24,400
things that I've noticed when when the
commentary relates to these this money

1345
02:02:22,320 --> 02:02:28,800
going to the general fund and not having
an active way of tracking where the

1346
02:02:26,400 --> 02:02:33,760
money goes. That's concerning to me on
multiple levels because we often look at

1347
02:02:31,440 --> 02:02:40,000
Sanfal being a place that already has a
tax on the books. And when we've talked

1348
02:02:36,560 --> 02:02:44,960
to the city in various in uh instances
about maybe talking about a transfer

1349
02:02:41,760 --> 02:02:47,840
tax, the response is not really you
haven't been able to track the money a

1350
02:02:46,400 --> 02:02:52,080
lot. So now they're coming back, you're
coming back for a 5x on that number and

1351
02:02:50,239 --> 02:02:57,440
the tracking isn't really there is
pretty concerning even with citizen

1352
02:02:54,480 --> 02:03:01,440
oversight. I also want to echo some of
the other comments about maybe we should

1353
02:02:59,599 --> 02:03:05,599
all bear this together because if you're
just relying on a couple of transfers of

1354
02:03:03,920 --> 02:03:09,679
real property, it's just we're not
really in it together. And I I really

1355
02:03:07,360 --> 02:03:12,960
applaud all the council here for asking
really great questions and being

1356
02:03:11,040 --> 02:03:17,360
intelligent on this. So, I don't really
want to belabor that point cuz I think

1357
02:03:14,960 --> 02:03:21,520
you are looking at this very
holistically and just going at a small

1358
02:03:19,599 --> 02:03:27,679
group of people just doesn't seem like a
very intelligent way to try to fund, you

1359
02:03:25,520 --> 02:03:30,800
know, the services. And then lastly, you
was brought up earlier about the elderly

1360
02:03:29,440 --> 02:03:34,080
population. A lot of people who are
selling, I'm working with someone right

1361
02:03:32,239 --> 02:03:38,800
now. I have to sit there and talk to
them about what the current rate is and

1362
02:03:35,599 --> 02:03:41,599
how much money that is. Um, and then I
explain to them that there's a city

1363
02:03:40,159 --> 02:03:46,480
resale report and they say, "What's
that?" And I say, "Well, you pay the

1364
02:03:43,119 --> 02:03:50,159
city $363 to come in and look at what
you've done to your house." And then

1365
02:03:47,840 --> 02:03:55,760
that adds up to more permit fees. And
now I have to talk to them about quad

1366
02:03:53,199 --> 02:03:59,119
quintupling their transfer tax. It
starts to add up and that's why people

1367
02:03:57,520 --> 02:04:02,800
actually aren't moving when those are
the population we need to get out of

1368
02:04:01,119 --> 02:04:05,800
their homes. Thank you for your
consideration.

1369
02:04:08,080 --> 02:04:14,639
I see no more hands raised, but I'll
give everyone just a moment. Okay.

1370
02:04:12,000 --> 02:04:17,040
» Okay. I do see another hand.
>> Oh, okay.

1371
02:04:15,440 --> 02:04:20,400
» I see two names on here. If there are
two people in the same space and you

1372
02:04:19,119 --> 02:04:24,280
both want to provide comment, please let
us know so I don't mute you.

1373
02:04:33,920 --> 02:04:38,119
You can press star six to unmute.

1374
02:04:43,920 --> 02:04:48,880
» Brian,
>> sorry I was muted. Can you hear me now?

1375
02:04:48,239 --> 02:04:53,360
» Yes.
>> Hi, uh, Brian Walsh, West End. I agree

1376
02:04:51,280 --> 02:04:56,000
with all the comments made and I would
appreciate it if you do put this to a

1377
02:04:54,800 --> 02:05:01,880
vote so you can hear what the rest of
the community has to say on this and I

1378
02:04:57,760 --> 02:05:01,880
oppose it. Thank you very much.

1379
02:05:04,239 --> 02:05:11,199
» I see no other hand raised. This is the
last call.

1380
02:05:10,000 --> 02:05:15,679
» I see no hand raised.
>> Okay. Thank you. We'll close the public

1381
02:05:13,360 --> 02:05:18,719
comment on this item. uh we received
some great input but I heard two

1382
02:05:17,040 --> 02:05:23,840
questions that I think are worth
commenting or uh providing information

1383
02:05:20,719 --> 02:05:28,719
on. One is uh and it kind of goes to the
industry conversation but the effect on

1384
02:05:26,000 --> 02:05:35,440
any new homeowners um and then the
second one was housing units are coming

1385
02:05:31,679 --> 02:05:38,960
online and there was in inference or
implication that there'll be lots of

1386
02:05:36,880 --> 02:05:43,400
money coming with that those units as
well. So maybe you could speak to that.

1387
02:05:43,840 --> 02:05:52,080
» Okay. Um so I'll try to address the
questions related to that second uh

1388
02:05:49,760 --> 02:05:56,639
question which is
um

1389
02:05:53,920 --> 02:06:03,840
sense that we're not taking into account
all the new housing and the revenue

1390
02:05:59,119 --> 02:06:08,239
that's going to come from that. Um, so
this actually gets to that conversation

1391
02:06:05,760 --> 02:06:14,080
we were talking about, which is how much
revenue does the city actually receive

1392
02:06:11,599 --> 02:06:17,360
from um any new development? Now,
granted, there's property tax and if

1393
02:06:15,920 --> 02:06:24,800
there's commercial industrial, there's
sales tax multipliers. But in general,

1394
02:06:21,440 --> 02:06:31,280
um, for most cities in California and
for our quote unquote low property tax

1395
02:06:27,119 --> 02:06:40,320
cities in that 12% range, um, generally
speaking, the cost to provide the, um,

1396
02:06:36,560 --> 02:06:47,040
services that the new uh, development
brings in terms of population and folks

1397
02:06:43,119 --> 02:06:52,800
to the city. um generally does not
actually cover the incremental costs. So

1398
02:06:49,840 --> 02:06:57,599
I would just say simply that for the
most part when we're looking at new

1399
02:06:55,520 --> 02:07:01,920
development and we're looking at impact
fees so that they're paying their fair

1400
02:06:59,520 --> 02:07:06,560
share, we're looking at potentially
establishing uh financing districts so

1401
02:07:04,480 --> 02:07:12,320
that new developments generate
additional revenue. Um, it's not to

1402
02:07:09,920 --> 02:07:18,239
cover the deficiencies and the gaps that
we have in our current

1403
02:07:15,119 --> 02:07:25,119
budget math to deal with the uh costs
and the service demands of our existing

1404
02:07:20,960 --> 02:07:30,159
population. We're challenged to just try
to help make sure that new development

1405
02:07:27,440 --> 02:07:35,679
doesn't make that problem worse by
covering their cost. And happy to have

1406
02:07:34,320 --> 02:07:41,280
we'll probably have more conversations
about it. The exception to that is, you

1407
02:07:38,480 --> 02:07:49,760
know, retail, um, at least back in the
day. But retail generally generates more

1408
02:07:44,000 --> 02:07:54,880
revenue than the cost. Um, but for, um,
housing, unless you're looking at three,

1409
02:07:52,480 --> 02:07:59,199
four, five million
um, housing units, that revenue isn't

1410
02:07:57,280 --> 02:08:04,880
going to cover the cost of services,
affordable housing, significant uh,

1411
02:08:01,679 --> 02:08:10,000
funding gaps. And so I would just submit
that looking to development and revenue

1412
02:08:08,159 --> 02:08:17,360
from new development to help address
some of these core areas of underfunding

1413
02:08:13,040 --> 02:08:20,800
is not um realistic or even even
possible.

1414
02:08:19,119 --> 02:08:24,639
Um
>> I don't know if you want to take a stab

1415
02:08:22,159 --> 02:08:29,280
at the effect on new homeowners, but I I
I will say that we did receive a letter

1416
02:08:26,719 --> 02:08:33,119
from the Marin um Association of
Realators that also made a similar

1417
02:08:30,960 --> 02:08:39,040
assertion. So, I definitely think
industry um philosophy or approach uh

1418
02:08:37,520 --> 02:08:43,119
does say that there can be a negative
impact. So, I'll just leave it at that

1419
02:08:41,119 --> 02:08:46,159
» and I I wouldn't dispute that and there
are folks that understand that better. I

1420
02:08:44,880 --> 02:08:50,239
would just say that there are lots of
costs associated with the purchase and

1421
02:08:48,639 --> 02:08:55,599
the sale of the property just like
there's a lot of costs on developers and

1422
02:08:52,480 --> 02:09:00,000
so you know I'm not surprised by you
know developers that are saying our fees

1423
02:08:57,520 --> 02:09:06,480
are making projects infeasible and that
any tax on the real estate makes the you

1424
02:09:02,400 --> 02:09:11,840
know transaction more challenging but um
there's a lot that goes into that. Um, I

1425
02:09:10,079 --> 02:09:15,440
would say, and I'm going to probably get
in trouble for saying this, but I'm

1426
02:09:13,360 --> 02:09:19,040
going to say that because folks who live
here love living here, and there are

1427
02:09:17,040 --> 02:09:25,920
folks that are, you know, would love to
be able to relocate to San Rafale. Um,

1428
02:09:22,079 --> 02:09:30,800
part of the reason, um, why our property
values are where they're at and what the

1429
02:09:28,320 --> 02:09:34,880
market demands for properties is because
of the quality of life and the level of

1430
02:09:33,280 --> 02:09:39,199
service that we can provide in this
community. And so there is a at least a

1431
02:09:37,440 --> 02:09:46,239
connection between our ability to
maintain that um actually supports

1432
02:09:41,920 --> 02:09:49,119
ongoing um value in ownership in the
community.

1433
02:09:46,880 --> 02:09:52,639
» Thank you for that. Um any additional
questions? Do you have a question, Vice

1434
02:09:51,280 --> 02:09:59,480
Mayor?
>> No, but I also heard the question around

1435
02:09:55,119 --> 02:09:59,480
other options for revenue generation.

1436
02:10:03,520 --> 02:10:13,440
Um yes, I heard that too. Um so a
comment that I would make on that is um

1437
02:10:09,679 --> 02:10:20,800
kind of yes and yes, which is um by no
stretch would uh any semblance of

1438
02:10:17,679 --> 02:10:26,320
revenue that would be generated by this
um solve the city's financial problems.

1439
02:10:24,560 --> 02:10:31,599
Uh, I will say that we're not looking at
this to deal with our short-term budget

1440
02:10:28,639 --> 02:10:35,280
structural um that operating deficits
because that we have to address. This is

1441
02:10:33,760 --> 02:10:39,840
really where are there areas that we
need to be putting more dollars in. Um,

1442
02:10:38,079 --> 02:10:47,440
so it's going to be a combination of
revenue measures and I would submit um

1443
02:10:44,239 --> 02:10:52,960
that uh a property transfer tax increase
would be one of the potential uh revenue

1444
02:10:51,119 --> 02:10:59,040
areas. We've been discussing and looking
at others including um maybe trying to

1445
02:10:55,920 --> 02:11:03,920
get back a little bit more of the um
hotel assessment that is being levied on

1446
02:11:01,920 --> 02:11:08,480
visitors into the city so that the city
could retain some of that. But um I'm

1447
02:11:06,719 --> 02:11:15,760
glad you reminded me what's what's
really important is that not only is one

1448
02:11:12,960 --> 02:11:18,800
revenue measure not the beall endall
solution because we have to look at all

1449
02:11:17,119 --> 02:11:24,880
of them, but I would submit that just
revenue enhancements isn't the answer.

1450
02:11:22,480 --> 02:11:31,840
It can't be because we're never going to
be out of trying to um keep up with the

1451
02:11:28,400 --> 02:11:35,679
costs and the demands for services by
just natural revenue growth are always

1452
02:11:34,079 --> 02:11:41,199
going back to the voters. It's a
combination of um being strategic about

1453
02:11:39,040 --> 02:11:46,480
the appropriate revenues to generate.
It's about what services and what

1454
02:11:44,079 --> 02:11:50,560
service levels we can and can't afford.
And there's some tradeoffs there. And in

1455
02:11:48,639 --> 02:11:55,920
some jurisdictions, knock on wood,
there's actually a discussion about what

1456
02:11:52,719 --> 02:12:02,159
services we can and can't provide. Um,
and so, um, managing costs,

1457
02:11:59,760 --> 02:12:07,440
ensuring that the money we have is spent
on the most important things, and then

1458
02:12:05,040 --> 02:12:12,560
trying to maximize and diversify the
revenue that we do bring to that

1459
02:12:08,880 --> 02:12:19,599
conversation is just one part of the
long-term sustainable financial picture

1460
02:12:15,920 --> 02:12:24,560
for any city. Any
additional questions from the council?

1461
02:12:22,239 --> 02:12:28,159
So, um, I'll open up to comment and just
to have you clarify that the action

1462
02:12:26,239 --> 02:12:34,719
before the city council is to whether or
not to put it before the voters so they

1463
02:12:30,560 --> 02:12:36,159
can weigh in on this issue. So, that's
the action.

1464
02:12:35,440 --> 02:12:40,239
» That is correct.
>> Okay. I just want to clarify to place

1465
02:12:37,840 --> 02:12:44,880
the question before the electorate at
the November 26 election. And just

1466
02:12:43,520 --> 02:12:48,400
wanted to clarify because I know in all
of this and we might have started to

1467
02:12:46,560 --> 02:12:51,280
lose that sight thinking that we are
actually taking the action to increase

1468
02:12:49,840 --> 02:12:55,920
it or not but it would be before the
voters if it were to pass this evening

1469
02:12:53,599 --> 02:13:00,480
to put on the ballot. Um I will start
with vice mayor your comments.

1470
02:12:57,199 --> 02:13:04,400
» Great. Thank you. So um I have been
doing my notes and listening and and we

1471
02:13:02,880 --> 02:13:08,800
did get quite a few letters so I
appreciate that. Um so a bit of a

1472
02:13:06,880 --> 02:13:13,840
rhetorical question is how quickly can
we spend $6 million? and having gone

1473
02:13:12,159 --> 02:13:19,760
through the budget process and for a
number of years. That's $6 million goes

1474
02:13:16,400 --> 02:13:23,920
by very very quickly. Um local control
is meaningful only when it's ex

1475
02:13:21,920 --> 02:13:29,040
exercised transparently and with public
consent and that is exactly what we're

1476
02:13:26,159 --> 02:13:33,440
trying you know we are doing here is to
with this process to bring it forward.

1477
02:13:31,679 --> 02:13:39,920
Um I definitely support bringing it
forward to the public for the ballot. Um

1478
02:13:38,320 --> 02:13:44,560
the measure is expected to generate
approximately six million in new annual

1479
02:13:42,239 --> 02:13:49,760
revenue and that really only represents
a very very small percentage of our

1480
02:13:46,400 --> 02:13:55,360
entire budget um and of our general
fund. So the it's you know the way we're

1481
02:13:52,480 --> 02:14:00,320
looking at it right now we have so many
critical services um between public

1482
02:13:58,000 --> 02:14:05,920
service a police fire streets parks and
other daily operations. We want to keep

1483
02:14:03,199 --> 02:14:09,760
those going as strong as possible and we
need to keep those going for our

1484
02:14:07,280 --> 02:14:16,800
community. Um it's definitely not a
slush fund. Uh it's it's about really

1485
02:14:13,360 --> 02:14:21,760
keeping um that on as well as we know we
have looming infrastructure needs.

1486
02:14:19,760 --> 02:14:25,920
I do want to mention that we have we do
I want to make sure that everyone

1487
02:14:23,199 --> 02:14:30,719
understands we have our San Rafll
property tax transfer and we also have a

1488
02:14:28,320 --> 02:14:36,159
county transfer tax. But the county
transfer tax funds does not directly

1489
02:14:33,440 --> 02:14:41,760
come to San Rafale as in within our
spending being able to manage directly.

1490
02:14:39,040 --> 02:14:47,679
So those go for county services as well
as support of the entire community. So

1491
02:14:44,960 --> 02:14:53,840
that this is an opportunity for us
within our toolbox of of a opportunity

1492
02:14:50,719 --> 02:14:59,360
to raise additional revenue. Um consider
it sort of our bake sale. Um but much

1493
02:14:56,880 --> 02:15:06,480
more important than that because it is
something that we do need the support of

1494
02:15:01,440 --> 02:15:11,280
the voters to support us on that. Um the
staff report, thank you, really framed

1495
02:15:08,800 --> 02:15:16,960
the need and it's been an ongoing
discussion over many many years

1496
02:15:13,760 --> 02:15:21,199
basically of of their rising service
demands and infrastructure needs and

1497
02:15:19,520 --> 02:15:26,719
costs that are actually outpacing
traditional revenue growth. revenue

1498
02:15:23,440 --> 02:15:31,520
growth these days is not the, you know,
mortar, the stores, the retail, what

1499
02:15:28,800 --> 02:15:38,000
we're seeing. It's it's really changed.
Um, and so I think that using this tool

1500
02:15:35,599 --> 02:15:43,760
at this time and putting it to the
voters is super important. Um,

1501
02:15:42,000 --> 02:15:49,760
and that's a local authority that we
have and it's a gift that we have uh to

1502
02:15:47,840 --> 02:15:53,599
to address these local needs. We're
asking the voters, not the council

1503
02:15:51,360 --> 02:15:57,760
alone, to decide whether this is the
right approach. Being a charter city

1504
02:15:55,760 --> 02:16:01,760
gives us the ability to consider this
option. It does not eliminate

1505
02:15:59,760 --> 02:16:07,119
accountability. There was a question
around accountability

1506
02:16:03,760 --> 02:16:12,480
um and and that is built into the
proposed measure um to ha to ensure that

1507
02:16:10,000 --> 02:16:15,920
that accountability is there. It still
requires voter approval, public

1508
02:16:14,159 --> 02:16:20,800
disclosure, annual audits, and
independent oversight. Every city has to

1509
02:16:18,880 --> 02:16:25,840
evaluate the revenue tools legally
available. Um, and San Rafll's charter

1510
02:16:24,000 --> 02:16:29,440
gives us this option and [music] it's
our responsibility to determine whether

1511
02:16:27,360 --> 02:16:33,200
it is fair, necessary, and accountable
and then let the voters decide. And I

1512
02:16:31,840 --> 02:16:37,920
hope that we're able to move that
forward and and look to the voters to

1513
02:16:35,519 --> 02:16:42,479
get their um support.
>> Thank you.

1514
02:16:39,120 --> 02:16:49,040
» Thank you, Council Member Bushie.
>> Well, raising taxes is never popular.

1515
02:16:45,840 --> 02:16:54,800
um it's not something we like to do. Um
however, as we discussed at Great Lakes,

1516
02:16:51,200 --> 02:17:01,760
the unique and complicated history of
what has happened with property taxes

1517
02:16:58,960 --> 02:17:08,479
u distinguished from this real estate
transfer tax.

1518
02:17:03,920 --> 02:17:14,719
um have put us in a position where much
of the funds that the check that each of

1519
02:17:11,760 --> 02:17:20,479
us write uh twice a year, very little of
it stays in San Rafale instead goes to

1520
02:17:17,040 --> 02:17:25,840
the county, putting us at a disadvantage
um and requiring that the city of San

1521
02:17:22,479 --> 02:17:34,080
Rafale find other ways to fund necessary
services that everyone depends on. this

1522
02:17:29,760 --> 02:17:40,639
prop this real estate transfer tax is
one is uniquely available to San Rafll

1523
02:17:37,920 --> 02:17:46,479
um amongst the cities although as um the
vice mayor points out the county has one

1524
02:17:43,359 --> 02:17:55,679
as well that actually is more than um
than ours um and we we will become

1525
02:17:52,479 --> 02:18:02,399
closely aligned um with with the county
but it will give us a another avenue

1526
02:17:58,559 --> 02:18:05,760
venue to um bring some equalization.
That's probably a bad word to use when

1527
02:18:03,679 --> 02:18:12,639
I'm talking about taxes, but to another
source of revenue um for our needed

1528
02:18:08,479 --> 02:18:20,160
services um in the context of the
relatively low amount of actual property

1529
02:18:16,080 --> 02:18:26,960
taxes that stay in San Rafale. So, for
that reason, um, and for the many many,

1530
02:18:23,599 --> 02:18:31,679
um, hearings and public meetings that
we've been through on all of the topics

1531
02:18:28,639 --> 02:18:38,479
in the the list of the things that our
constituents want. This is one way that

1532
02:18:34,559 --> 02:18:45,679
we can um increase the funding available
for those um, needed projects um, and

1533
02:18:41,840 --> 02:18:50,559
services. And so, therefore, I support
bringing this measure to the voters.

1534
02:18:48,000 --> 02:18:56,240
Thank you, Council Member Hill.
>> Thank you, Mayor Kate. Uh, building on

1535
02:18:52,559 --> 02:19:00,080
my colleagues uh existing comments, I
would underscore a couple of things.

1536
02:18:57,920 --> 02:19:04,639
First, just that every letter that uh
constituents wrote in about the impacts

1537
02:19:02,479 --> 02:19:09,040
and people's opposition to this, this
does create impact to people's

1538
02:19:06,880 --> 02:19:16,080
livelihoods and and and does have an
impact on how people buy and sell. And

1539
02:19:13,760 --> 02:19:21,840
that said, wait against our unfunded
needs. um as well as what I would

1540
02:19:19,840 --> 02:19:25,760
characterize as sufficient analysis by
staff looking at other municipalities

1541
02:19:23,599 --> 02:19:31,280
noting that the city of San Rafale is a
charter city and can uniquely take um be

1542
02:19:29,040 --> 02:19:35,439
able to integrate this tax is something
that other municipalities have examined

1543
02:19:33,280 --> 02:19:42,240
as well. Most recently Salo these these
this is why municipalities contemplate

1544
02:19:38,719 --> 02:19:47,840
converting from uh general law over to a
a charter city. the property tax

1545
02:19:45,280 --> 02:19:54,160
allocation is as has already been
elaborated upon prop 13 uh I will just

1546
02:19:51,840 --> 02:19:58,319
say from this dis could use for some
reform beyond just this moment prop 13

1547
02:19:56,640 --> 02:20:03,760
has a lot of impacts on the state of
California uh I know it's difficult for

1548
02:20:01,040 --> 02:20:06,960
anybody in the assembly or senate to
consider it but from this das I hope

1549
02:20:05,200 --> 02:20:13,439
that folks will contemplate that this is
one of the impacts of prop 13 uh I do

1550
02:20:10,080 --> 02:20:20,319
support that this would go to the voter
for consideration based on the survey uh

1551
02:20:17,040 --> 02:20:25,280
and the likely revenue that it would uh
generate. I also would like to to the

1552
02:20:23,439 --> 02:20:30,399
degree possible and I appreciated your
testimony uh city manager that the voter

1553
02:20:28,240 --> 02:20:33,600
approved tax oversight committee can't
readily and very easily say well this

1554
02:20:32,080 --> 02:20:37,359
exact dollar went to this exact
allocation to the degree possible. I

1555
02:20:35,439 --> 02:20:43,280
hope that there's a way that we can at
least start to create the ability for

1556
02:20:40,560 --> 02:20:48,000
that committee to uh assess that. Thank
you.

1557
02:20:44,640 --> 02:20:51,359
» Thank you. Great comments. um appreciate
staff for all the work that you've done

1558
02:20:49,920 --> 02:20:56,240
and Curtis, I know you're listening
online for doing the voter polling. I

1559
02:20:54,240 --> 02:21:00,640
appreciated seeing that slide that shows
what are the key issues and the key

1560
02:20:58,880 --> 02:21:04,960
services that our community wants and
they've pretty much been similar over

1561
02:21:02,240 --> 02:21:08,880
the last decade of what we want and
more. And uh the reality is we have the

1562
02:21:07,680 --> 02:21:14,080
world that we want to live in and the
world that we do live in. And the

1563
02:21:10,319 --> 02:21:17,520
pragmatic reality is uh we have many
unfunded needs. We tal heard talked

1564
02:21:16,000 --> 02:21:22,319
about pavement. We talked about the safe
team. So I no one disputes that the need

1565
02:21:20,560 --> 02:21:25,520
is there and we even heard that from the
comments uh from the public and thank

1566
02:21:24,080 --> 02:21:30,080
you for the letters as well as folks
that called and participated today. And

1567
02:21:28,319 --> 02:21:33,359
so what is the tool? What is the
mechanism to look at revenue

1568
02:21:31,520 --> 02:21:36,800
enhancements? If you've been coming to
our meetings, you know that for all the

1569
02:21:35,200 --> 02:21:40,479
the financial discussions we've been
having, we've been looking at revenue

1570
02:21:38,399 --> 02:21:45,120
enhancements which include tax measures.
And I can assure you, we are continuing

1571
02:21:42,800 --> 02:21:48,960
to go after all the grants that are out
there for the safe team or for uh

1572
02:21:47,439 --> 02:21:53,359
matching grants for infrastructure
improvements. None of that's going to

1573
02:21:50,479 --> 02:21:57,520
stop. That's all a given. And in order
to have the type of community we want

1574
02:21:55,680 --> 02:22:02,399
with the type of love and care that we
wanted to see, um I I want to put that

1575
02:22:00,160 --> 02:22:06,479
tradeoff before our voters because it is
a trade-off. The impact of this fee,

1576
02:22:04,640 --> 02:22:10,319
Council Member Hill said that very well.
There is an impact and we understand it.

1577
02:22:08,399 --> 02:22:14,399
And the trade-off is the benefit that it
brings the community. I want to see what

1578
02:22:12,080 --> 02:22:17,760
the voters have to say uh about that and
I hope that they support it. Uh but

1579
02:22:16,319 --> 02:22:23,600
again, that will be a conversation that
we'll have in the community. So, um

1580
02:22:20,720 --> 02:22:30,840
thank you all. I will now uh entertain a
motion on this item, please.

1581
02:22:27,280 --> 02:22:30,840
I'll make the motion.

1582
02:22:31,680 --> 02:22:38,000
Uh recommended action. adopt the
resolution calling for a general

1583
02:22:35,280 --> 02:22:42,399
municipal election on November 3rd, 2026
for the purpose of submitting to the

1584
02:22:39,920 --> 02:22:48,399
qualified electors of the city a measure
to modify chapter 3.2 322 of the San

1585
02:22:46,399 --> 02:22:53,520
Rafale municipal code to increase the
real property transfer tax rate and add

1586
02:22:50,960 --> 02:22:57,359
an oversight provision. authorizing and
requesting that the county of Marin

1587
02:22:55,200 --> 02:23:01,520
consolidate and conduct the election,
directing the city attorney to prepare

1588
02:22:59,120 --> 02:23:05,280
an impartial analysis and authorizing
Mayor Kate and Council Member Bushy to

1589
02:23:03,280 --> 02:23:07,840
file a valid argument and rebuttal for
the measure.

1590
02:23:06,399 --> 02:23:11,120
» Thank you. Is there a second?
>> Second.

1591
02:23:08,560 --> 02:23:12,560
» Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.
>> Council member Bushy,

1592
02:23:12,160 --> 02:23:13,760
» I.
>> Council member Hill,

1593
02:23:13,439 --> 02:23:15,920
» I.
>> Vice Mayor Curts,

1594
02:23:14,720 --> 02:23:20,560
» I. Mayor Kate,
>> I. That motion carries 40. Thank you.

1595
02:23:18,720 --> 02:23:26,240
The next item on our agenda this
evening, switching gears literally, is a

1596
02:23:23,200 --> 02:23:33,399
change in speed limit on 18 Sanfell
Roadway segments.

1597
02:23:29,120 --> 02:23:33,399
I will turn this over to staff.

1598
02:24:04,160 --> 02:24:11,439
Good evening, city council members, um,
uh, Mayor Kate and city staff and

1599
02:24:09,520 --> 02:24:15,040
members of the public. Uh my name is
Kelly and I'm a traffic engineering

1600
02:24:13,120 --> 02:24:18,399
technician with the city of centerfell
department of public works. I'm joined

1601
02:24:16,800 --> 02:24:23,040
today with our consultant for this
project, Jimmy. He is a

1602
02:24:21,200 --> 02:24:27,840
uh transportation engineer and planner
with parametrics. Um we're here tonight

1603
02:24:25,439 --> 02:24:34,560
to present on the change in speed limit
on 18fell roadway segments. Um so to

1604
02:24:32,479 --> 02:24:39,920
provide a little bit of context on where
how we've gotten here. Um, so one of the

1605
02:24:37,840 --> 02:24:45,200
objectives in the city's work plan is to
implement new traffic safety laws. And

1606
02:24:42,800 --> 02:24:49,760
as a part of this effort, we've been
we're continuing to implement uh

1607
02:24:47,359 --> 02:24:55,520
assembly California assembly bill 43 or
AB43 for short. Um, which gives cities

1608
02:24:53,040 --> 02:25:00,160
the ability to reduce speed limits on
roadways as they meet the criteria set

1609
02:24:58,000 --> 02:25:04,000
forth in AB43.
Um, so we have presented previously

1610
02:25:02,080 --> 02:25:09,920
about a year and a half ago on this
effort. Um and as a part of that effort,

1611
02:25:07,040 --> 02:25:15,359
we call it phase one now. Um we reduce
the speed limit in downtown San Rafll on

1612
02:25:12,880 --> 02:25:20,960
certain roadways such as Fourth, Fifth,
Mission, and the North South Crossroads

1613
02:25:18,000 --> 02:25:26,160
between those. Um so those all saw a
reduction in speed limit from 25 mph to

1614
02:25:23,920 --> 02:25:32,800
20 m hour. And this was to create a more
continuous 20 mph uh downtown Sanfel.

1615
02:25:30,080 --> 02:25:37,600
And as we were going through this phase
one effort, we saw a lot of community

1616
02:25:35,359 --> 02:25:42,720
input and feedback on interest in
expanding this reduction in speed limits

1617
02:25:39,680 --> 02:25:47,280
to roadways outside of downtown Sanfell.
Um so through city or city staff

1618
02:25:45,280 --> 02:25:53,439
evaluation and then consideration of
community input, we have put together a

1619
02:25:50,479 --> 02:25:57,920
list of phase 2 locations that would all
see a 5 mile per hour reduction in their

1620
02:25:56,319 --> 02:26:02,800
existing speed limits. So, I'm going to
pass it over to Jimmy who will provide a

1621
02:25:59,920 --> 02:26:09,399
little more information on the AB43
criteria and then also the phase 2

1622
02:26:05,280 --> 02:26:09,399
locations. Thank you.

1623
02:26:09,439 --> 02:26:16,960
» Good evening, uh, council members, Mayor
Kate, thank you. It's an honor to

1624
02:26:14,800 --> 02:26:21,040
present again on speed limits in San
Rafll. I know we've heard this

1625
02:26:18,800 --> 02:26:25,680
presentation before. I do want to do
just a little bit of review of speed

1626
02:26:23,680 --> 02:26:30,000
limits and how they come to be. We'll
talk about, as Kelly mentions, what

1627
02:26:27,760 --> 02:26:36,600
we're now calling phase one and phase
two of this project and what some of the

1628
02:26:32,720 --> 02:26:36,600
next steps are coming forward.

1629
02:26:36,880 --> 02:26:44,720
Uh, if we'll remember some of what we
talked about a year and a half ago, most

1630
02:26:42,160 --> 02:26:51,359
people are surprised to find out that
speed limits aren't necessarily set by

1631
02:26:48,080 --> 02:26:55,359
cities. We can't prescribe what we think
is the best speed for a vehicle to

1632
02:26:53,040 --> 02:27:00,080
travel and then set a speed limit. The
California Vehicle Code describes two

1633
02:26:58,240 --> 02:27:05,439
situations of how speed limits can come
to be. On the left, you'll see primma

1634
02:27:02,000 --> 02:27:12,479
fascia speed limits, which means at face
at uh bespoke speed limits are are

1635
02:27:09,359 --> 02:27:16,640
presumed as 25 miles an hour on most
residential local streets. So, you'll

1636
02:27:14,479 --> 02:27:21,359
see a picture on the left here of San
Rafale. On all other roadways, speed

1637
02:27:20,000 --> 02:27:28,000
limits are set by an engineering and
traffic survey. This is a study of

1638
02:27:25,520 --> 02:27:32,160
speeds and other roadway characteristics
that must be performed by a traffic

1639
02:27:29,840 --> 02:27:37,359
engineer. And the way the speed limits
are determined is based on the 85th

1640
02:27:35,200 --> 02:27:42,800
percentile speed. And another way that
we think of 85th percentile is the speed

1641
02:27:39,359 --> 02:27:46,720
at which 15% of vehicles travel at or
above. So in essence, as per the

1642
02:27:45,120 --> 02:27:50,960
California Vehicle Code, speed limits
have always been set by the fastest

1643
02:27:49,359 --> 02:27:57,280
portion of drivers traveling the
roadway.

1644
02:27:53,200 --> 02:28:03,840
This leads us to AB43. As of 2024, all
provisions of AB43 went into effect and

1645
02:28:00,399 --> 02:28:08,000
for the first time in California.
Now, jurisdictions have to do two

1646
02:28:06,319 --> 02:28:12,880
additional things. They can take they
have to take into account the presence

1647
02:28:09,920 --> 02:28:16,720
of vulnerable roadway users that is
children, seniors, persons with

1648
02:28:14,560 --> 02:28:20,240
disabilities, the unhoused when
establishing speed limits and the

1649
02:28:18,240 --> 02:28:25,600
proximity of those users to these
roadways.

1650
02:28:21,920 --> 02:28:30,560
Uh and importantly, AB43 now permits
jurisdictions to reduce speed limits by

1651
02:28:27,920 --> 02:28:36,800
an additional 5 miles an hour in certain
areas if these roadways meet a number of

1652
02:28:33,280 --> 02:28:42,160
characteristics. Uh so cities still
cannot set their own speed limits, but

1653
02:28:38,560 --> 02:28:46,160
what AB43 provides is in some situations
an additional 5 miles an hour reduction

1654
02:28:44,240 --> 02:28:52,000
from what would have otherwise been the
recommended speed limit.

1655
02:28:49,200 --> 02:28:57,760
Also in 2024, Sanfell adopted its local
road safety plan. One of the

1656
02:28:54,319 --> 02:29:01,920
recommendations from the LRSP was to
consider lowering speed limits in

1657
02:28:59,439 --> 02:29:05,760
compliance with AB43.
The LRSP

1658
02:29:03,680 --> 02:29:10,479
sets forth what we now call the high
collision network. And as you'll see,

1659
02:29:07,680 --> 02:29:16,399
this network in San Rafale, where the
most crashes occur, uh is centered on

1660
02:29:14,479 --> 02:29:21,760
downtown.
And the primary collision factor of the

1661
02:29:19,760 --> 02:29:26,800
greatest number of crashes in San Rafale
is due to high speed.

1662
02:29:24,800 --> 02:29:32,640
One other reason why we always take
speed limits seriously and the speed at

1663
02:29:30,319 --> 02:29:38,479
which uh vehicles are traveling on the
roadway is because this this span

1664
02:29:35,760 --> 02:29:44,080
between 20 and 40 miles an hour really
greatly depend greatly drives the

1665
02:29:41,120 --> 02:29:50,080
outcome of people that are involved in
collisions. This graph shows out of

1666
02:29:47,040 --> 02:29:54,080
pedestrians that are hit with a vehicle
traveling 20 miles an hour, there's a

1667
02:29:51,760 --> 02:29:57,680
10% chance that that results in a
fatality. But if that vehicle is

1668
02:29:55,760 --> 02:30:03,040
traveling at 40 miles an hour, the
chance of fatality increases greatly to

1669
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:09,319
80%. And so we take great care in
thinking about the traveled speeds

1670
02:30:05,680 --> 02:30:09,319
within this band.

1671
02:30:09,359 --> 02:30:16,960
As you may remember, uh, we established
a 20 mph zone largely throughout

1672
02:30:14,479 --> 02:30:22,319
downtown about a year and a half ago,
adopted by council in February 2025.

1673
02:30:20,240 --> 02:30:28,080
This came in conjunction with another
requirement in the California Vehicle

1674
02:30:24,160 --> 02:30:35,680
Code to update an ENTS and update speed
limit validation every seven years.

1675
02:30:31,680 --> 02:30:39,359
And now, as a result of uh broadly
supportive feedback, we are evaluating

1676
02:30:37,760 --> 02:30:44,240
and presenting the results of this
further evaluation of roadways on other

1677
02:30:41,760 --> 02:30:49,359
roadways uh other areas outside of
downtown.

1678
02:30:46,000 --> 02:30:56,560
A quick overview on the top band here is
the timeline that phase one uh was

1679
02:30:53,520 --> 02:31:01,280
enacted in the ordinance for downtown
speed limits in the spring of 2025. in

1680
02:30:59,040 --> 02:31:06,640
phase two is coming alongside just
afterwards

1681
02:31:03,120 --> 02:31:10,720
after uh the adoption of an ordinance
and installation of signage. There's a

1682
02:31:08,640 --> 02:31:16,319
required 30-day warning period where
citations are not given yet and then

1683
02:31:13,600 --> 02:31:22,640
after that warning period citations can
be valid. The full implementation of

1684
02:31:19,040 --> 02:31:30,080
both phase one and two signage striping
education and evaluation phases is yet

1685
02:31:26,560 --> 02:31:30,080
to come in the coming months.

1686
02:31:30,399 --> 02:31:39,760
Previously, I presented a slide showing
some other Bay Area uh newsworthy

1687
02:31:37,280 --> 02:31:45,840
moments, installation of reduced speed
limits from neighboring jurisdictions.

1688
02:31:42,720 --> 02:31:49,280
And now, proudly, we have a picture here
of San Rafale here on Mission Avenue

1689
02:31:47,760 --> 02:31:54,960
just adjacent to where we are tonight,
but other 20 mph signs have gone up in

1690
02:31:52,960 --> 02:32:00,960
downtown.
And then to remind ourselves of what we

1691
02:31:59,040 --> 02:32:05,600
have taken into account both in phase
one and in phase two of this evaluation,

1692
02:32:03,439 --> 02:32:10,800
we've looked at the proximity of
roadways to businesses. We've looked at

1693
02:32:08,319 --> 02:32:16,479
previously adopted speed limits over the
years, not just the current established

1694
02:32:13,280 --> 02:32:21,040
speed limit. For each roadway evaluated,
we've done a crash history analysis.

1695
02:32:18,800 --> 02:32:26,000
We've looked also at the presence of
vulnerable roadway users in proximity to

1696
02:32:23,359 --> 02:32:30,560
these roadways. And we've also taken
into account

1697
02:32:28,240 --> 02:32:36,880
future infrastructure projects, existing
infrastructure projects, as well as

1698
02:32:33,359 --> 02:32:42,000
cclick fix, other public input, and then
done this in consultation with city

1699
02:32:38,720 --> 02:32:46,399
staff and the police department.
So here on this map, we're here to

1700
02:32:43,520 --> 02:32:51,439
display the draft results of phase two.
Of course, roadways outside of downtown.

1701
02:32:48,880 --> 02:32:56,560
We've identified 18 roadway segments
that are eligible for an additional five

1702
02:32:54,399 --> 02:33:00,720
mile an hour reduction from their
current established speed limit. And

1703
02:32:58,800 --> 02:33:05,680
again, I want to emphasize this isn't us
going out and just choosing roadways and

1704
02:33:04,160 --> 02:33:11,040
saying that we can set speed limits.
There is a very fixed set of criteria

1705
02:33:07,680 --> 02:33:15,280
that roadways have to meet and match
existing measured travel speeds in order

1706
02:33:13,760 --> 02:33:20,720
for them to be eligible for this
additional 5 mph reduction. But you'll

1707
02:33:18,160 --> 02:33:26,800
see that they are scattered on all sides
of downtown. Less roadways meet the

1708
02:33:24,640 --> 02:33:30,880
criteria for qualification north of
downtown. But each one of these

1709
02:33:28,960 --> 02:33:35,520
recommended speed limits does represent
a 5 mph reduction from the existing

1710
02:33:33,120 --> 02:33:41,920
speed limit. A full list of the speed
limits are included here on this slide

1711
02:33:38,720 --> 02:33:46,640
and the extents from those roadway
segments upon which we're recommending

1712
02:33:43,680 --> 02:33:51,680
them for adoption. And then finally,
we'd also like to mention we have the

1713
02:33:49,359 --> 02:33:58,080
city has hosted a public website since
October of 2024. It does have an online

1714
02:33:54,800 --> 02:34:03,120
input form. This phase two of public
engagement has been presented to the

1715
02:34:01,600 --> 02:34:07,200
bicycle and pedestrian advisory
committee as well as the police advisory

1716
02:34:05,280 --> 02:34:12,640
and accountability committee. These
draft results have been adjusted and

1717
02:34:10,000 --> 02:34:15,800
updated to reflect input from both of
those bodies.

1718
02:34:16,160 --> 02:34:30,240
So to talk about next steps, this um
presentation is being brought tonight.

1719
02:34:23,840 --> 02:34:35,200
Roadways can be reduced by 5 m an hour
as per AB43 with the adoption of an

1720
02:34:32,800 --> 02:34:40,000
ordinance or resolution. So that is also
bring being brought to council.

1721
02:34:38,479 --> 02:34:45,600
And then going forward, the city looks
to undertake, in addition to installing

1722
02:34:42,720 --> 02:34:50,640
signage and striping and a 30-day
warning period prior to issuing

1723
02:34:47,680 --> 02:34:54,800
citations, uh, steps to inform and
educate the public on speed limit

1724
02:34:52,560 --> 02:35:02,200
reductions, as well as putting a plan in
place for evaluating effectiveness of

1725
02:34:57,280 --> 02:35:02,200
reducing speed limits themselves.

1726
02:35:04,319 --> 02:35:10,000
With that, we'll conclude and open it up
for questions.

1727
02:35:07,840 --> 02:35:12,800
Thank you, Kelly. Thank you, Jimmy. I'm
sure we have some questions. I'll start

1728
02:35:11,200 --> 02:35:17,120
with the vice mayor. Go ahead.
>> Thank you. Just one quick question as

1729
02:35:14,960 --> 02:35:20,560
around I remember years ago when I was
on the school board, there was a

1730
02:35:18,880 --> 02:35:24,720
situation where I believe it was on
Point San Pedro, we actually the between

1731
02:35:23,280 --> 02:35:29,280
the school district and the city
increased the speed limit. Um, and I

1732
02:35:27,760 --> 02:35:34,880
remember there was a lot of conversation
that it just did not seem like a

1733
02:35:32,640 --> 02:35:38,319
reasonable or rational approach. And I
was wondering if you could describe when

1734
02:35:36,560 --> 02:35:41,840
that would happen and and if you
anticipate there would ever be a

1735
02:35:39,920 --> 02:35:45,960
situation these days that we would
actually increase the speed limit.

1736
02:35:46,240 --> 02:35:53,760
» Yeah, happy to address that question and
thank you for bringing this up. There is

1737
02:35:50,880 --> 02:35:59,600
a phenomenon that is known in traffic
engineering circles called speed creep.

1738
02:35:56,240 --> 02:36:07,359
And it's actually quite rational of a
conclusion when speed limits are set

1739
02:36:04,000 --> 02:36:11,200
based on the fastest trunch of traveling
motorists. And when speed limits are

1740
02:36:09,760 --> 02:36:16,160
required to be updated every seven
years, when you raise the speed limits,

1741
02:36:13,760 --> 02:36:20,160
people then have leeway to travel
faster. the next cycle comes around and

1742
02:36:18,720 --> 02:36:23,600
you measure speeds again and people are
traveling faster and so hence the

1743
02:36:22,080 --> 02:36:29,439
recommended speed limit has to be
increased and that phenomena of speed

1744
02:36:26,479 --> 02:36:35,200
creep has been recognized and was also
addressed in AB43.

1745
02:36:32,000 --> 02:36:40,960
One of the provisions also allows
in situations where you would recommend

1746
02:36:38,399 --> 02:36:45,359
raising the speed limit to retain the
existing speed limit. And so in the

1747
02:36:43,359 --> 02:36:53,040
future, this difficult conversation
would have another, uh, another avenue,

1748
02:36:49,439 --> 02:36:57,120
pun intended, to for resolution.
>> Great. Thank you. Thank you, uh, Council

1749
02:36:55,680 --> 02:36:59,920
Member Hill. Questions?
>> Thank you, Mayor Kate.

1750
02:36:58,160 --> 02:37:03,280
» Yes. Thank you, Jimmy, for coming back
to us. This is about a year and a half

1751
02:37:01,120 --> 02:37:08,240
ago that we had you before us, and, uh,
I appreciate you being here again, uh,

1752
02:37:05,439 --> 02:37:13,760
to bring in phase two. uh since we're
talking about AB 43 U and you did a

1753
02:37:11,920 --> 02:37:16,800
great job I think explaining how we got
here but I can't tell you the number of

1754
02:37:15,200 --> 02:37:20,160
times I go in front of the community and
they're like why can't you just lower

1755
02:37:18,240 --> 02:37:27,120
the speed limit so I appreciate your
explanation of it. My question um is on

1756
02:37:24,640 --> 02:37:33,840
the number of times that we have
periodically we have to do this uh ENTS

1757
02:37:30,160 --> 02:37:37,760
uh study just to hold these um these
speeds. So it sounds like because we did

1758
02:37:35,520 --> 02:37:43,600
phase one and phase two staggered, would
we conduct two ENTS studies in about

1759
02:37:41,280 --> 02:37:47,439
seven years or would we do it all at one
shot maybe um so we don't have to keep

1760
02:37:45,760 --> 02:37:50,439
redoing them over and over again
staggered?

1761
02:37:50,560 --> 02:37:57,200
» Yeah, that's a great question. It is
easiest for cities to perform an ENTS

1762
02:37:55,920 --> 02:38:01,040
for all roadways within their
jurisdiction all at the same time and

1763
02:37:59,040 --> 02:38:07,359
with the same cadence. Not every city
does it that way. Um, but one of the

1764
02:38:03,840 --> 02:38:12,800
other advantages of AB43 is the
seven-year requirement for recycling

1765
02:38:10,000 --> 02:38:19,280
your ENTS's now has a provision where
that can be lengthened to 14 years and

1766
02:38:15,840 --> 02:38:25,840
and so um kind of arresting the very
quick cadence was another rationale of

1767
02:38:23,200 --> 02:38:33,520
AB43. If a speed limit is rational, then
it can stand for a longer period of

1768
02:38:29,200 --> 02:38:37,760
time, as long as there are no other
uh triggers for re-evaluating speed

1769
02:38:36,160 --> 02:38:41,120
limits, new developments or different
land uses that have changed the roadway

1770
02:38:39,760 --> 02:38:45,280
characteristics. If it all remains the
same, uh that validity can be extended

1771
02:38:43,439 --> 02:38:49,520
longer than in the past.
>> Thank you, Jimmy. Uh my other question

1772
02:38:47,359 --> 02:38:55,040
is on enforcement. This is a question I
get from the community a lot. Um, I

1773
02:38:53,200 --> 02:38:58,319
would appreciate and maybe it's not it's
probably not for you, Jimmy. It's

1774
02:38:56,399 --> 02:39:02,560
probably for Oh, thank you, Chief. I see
Chief Spiller, uh, coming down from the

1775
02:39:00,240 --> 02:39:06,640
gallery. Uh, my question as you as you
come down, Chief, is um, as we

1776
02:39:04,960 --> 02:39:11,040
contemplate not just this, but just
generally, could you share where we are

1777
02:39:08,479 --> 02:39:14,720
with our traffic pool and and how, uh,
traffic enforcement might be rolled out

1778
02:39:12,960 --> 02:39:19,760
and how it operates generally?
>> Absolutely. So, we um our traffic uh

1779
02:39:18,080 --> 02:39:24,880
officers, our designated traffic
officers are assigned to respond to

1780
02:39:22,479 --> 02:39:30,000
community complaints as well as uh
documented areas of injury collisions.

1781
02:39:26,880 --> 02:39:34,960
That that's the primary driver of the
designated traffic officers. All of the

1782
02:39:32,399 --> 02:39:38,880
police officers that work a beat or have
patrol responsibilities are also able

1783
02:39:37,120 --> 02:39:45,200
and responsible for traffic enforcement
in their geographic area. So, um, you

1784
02:39:43,120 --> 02:39:48,880
know, when we respond to community
complaints, the traffic sergeant just

1785
02:39:46,720 --> 02:39:55,040
assigns those complaints to the traffic
team and that team, those resources eb

1786
02:39:51,680 --> 02:40:02,240
and flow depending on our staffing
reality. Um, and then as you all know,

1787
02:39:59,200 --> 02:40:09,359
our work plan is very uh specifically
directed toward changing driving

1788
02:40:04,080 --> 02:40:14,240
behavior and um um increasing traffic
safety through enforcement engineering

1789
02:40:12,319 --> 02:40:18,560
with partnering with engineering and uh
education to the community. So, it's a

1790
02:40:16,319 --> 02:40:22,479
multi-pronged approach. Uh but
enforcement happens both at the beat

1791
02:40:20,720 --> 02:40:28,720
officer level, the traffic directed
traffic officer level um throughout all

1792
02:40:25,920 --> 02:40:33,160
of the shifts 247 365.
>> That's super helpful. Thank you very

1793
02:40:30,160 --> 02:40:33,160
much.

1794
02:40:33,520 --> 02:40:38,880
» Council member Bushy, any questions?
>> No questions.

1795
02:40:36,160 --> 02:40:41,439
» Okay. Um I just had one and actually the
chief already answered the question that

1796
02:40:40,080 --> 02:40:45,520
I had because enforcement is really
critical. So thank you council member

1797
02:40:42,960 --> 02:40:51,600
Hill for asking that. Um Jimmy, you'd
said in your presentation about the last

1798
02:40:48,640 --> 02:40:55,600
phase or in that uh project timeline is
around effectiveness and that you would

1799
02:40:53,439 --> 02:40:59,920
be looking at what are the metrics to
show that whether these are effective or

1800
02:40:57,520 --> 02:41:04,880
not. Ult we're doing this because we
need to reduce our KSI which is um the

1801
02:41:02,800 --> 02:41:11,280
acronym for people that are fatalities
are seriously injured in our community.

1802
02:41:06,880 --> 02:41:16,560
So, I'm wondering or hoping that that
metric would actually look at those that

1803
02:41:14,080 --> 02:41:20,640
data. Um, and I didn't hear you say
that, but we we know that that data is

1804
02:41:18,560 --> 02:41:24,880
what drives I know we look at it at TAM
and we're the county marine ser like

1805
02:41:23,120 --> 02:41:27,600
number one in terms of those numbers and
that's not a good thing to be number one

1806
02:41:26,399 --> 02:41:33,280
in because it shows that we have high
incident. So, could you speak to how you

1807
02:41:30,240 --> 02:41:36,800
would be looking at utilizing that data
with this information? I I I don't know

1808
02:41:35,200 --> 02:41:44,560
what that looks like, but I think that
is our ultimate goal here.

1809
02:41:40,800 --> 02:41:48,720
» Yeah, certainly the uh LRSP
does a great job of describing, let's

1810
02:41:46,160 --> 02:41:52,960
say, a prior condition to speed limit
reductions. And one of the uh nice

1811
02:41:51,280 --> 02:41:58,319
things about having so many roadway
segments where speed limits are

1812
02:41:55,359 --> 02:42:03,200
recommended for reduction is that you'll
have a suite of streets where nothing

1813
02:42:01,200 --> 02:42:08,399
was changed except for speed limits. And
you can do a before and after of crash

1814
02:42:06,319 --> 02:42:12,960
results. Uh you can also do a before and
after of measured speeds because the

1815
02:42:10,640 --> 02:42:18,000
next time we come around and do an ENTS,
we would take the same speed survey with

1816
02:42:15,840 --> 02:42:22,319
the same methodology. And you can do
that for roads that receive no treatment

1817
02:42:21,040 --> 02:42:26,000
but speed reduction. You could also
compare that to the effectiveness of

1818
02:42:23,920 --> 02:42:28,720
roads that reduce their speed limits in
addition to other infrastructure

1819
02:42:27,359 --> 02:42:34,160
improvements or traffic calming
measures. And so, um, I don't mean to

1820
02:42:31,200 --> 02:42:38,080
lay out exactly what that evaluation
should include or how it will be

1821
02:42:36,160 --> 02:42:41,520
conducted or when, but there there will
be plenty of data to be able to utilize.

1822
02:42:39,920 --> 02:42:45,280
» I see Director Miller coming down
because the other part about that is

1823
02:42:42,800 --> 02:42:48,399
when we could actually start to when
will this have been in place long enough

1824
02:42:46,720 --> 02:42:52,160
to start to look at some behavior
change.

1825
02:42:49,200 --> 02:42:56,800
» Yeah. something not directly involved
with AB43, but uh we actually just

1826
02:42:55,040 --> 02:43:01,200
applied for a grant for safe streets for
all with the transportation authority of

1827
02:42:58,479 --> 02:43:06,479
Marin in order to update the local road
safety plan. So as if we get that grant,

1828
02:43:04,399 --> 02:43:10,960
we would actually do more studies to
analyze the collision history in the

1829
02:43:08,960 --> 02:43:14,720
next couple years. So we would have an
updated data point, okay, from the local

1830
02:43:12,880 --> 02:43:19,120
road safety plan. have to be strategic
on how we want to do it as a city like

1831
02:43:17,840 --> 02:43:24,640
because if if we're doing with local
road safety plan with TAM then maybe we

1832
02:43:22,080 --> 02:43:30,000
wait a few more years to do it on our
own with our updated ENTS.

1833
02:43:28,080 --> 02:43:34,479
» Okay. No, that's helpful because we want
the data. We're going to get data and we

1834
02:43:31,680 --> 02:43:38,160
want to make sure that um well that
we're looking at and analyzing it see

1835
02:43:36,160 --> 02:43:42,399
what the effect is in the real world.
Okay. I don't see any other questions at

1836
02:43:40,479 --> 02:43:45,680
this point. So, I will open up public
comment on this item. If you're in the

1837
02:43:44,319 --> 02:43:49,040
chambers and would like to comment, now
is your opportunity. And you're welcome,

1838
02:43:47,680 --> 02:43:53,279
but not required to say your name and
what part of Summerfell you live in.

1839
02:43:51,279 --> 02:43:57,120
» Good evening again. Daniel Alm speaking
through Western Neighborhood Association

1840
02:43:55,279 --> 02:44:01,279
board. Uh we are excited that the
Miracle Mile and Weston Avenue and

1841
02:43:59,279 --> 02:44:04,399
Greenfield Avenue have been identified.
These are key areas within our

1842
02:44:02,720 --> 02:44:10,240
neighborhood that our community members
have desperately wanted slower speeds

1843
02:44:07,040 --> 02:44:14,880
on. uh pivoting and speaking through
myself as a committee member on the pack

1844
02:44:13,120 --> 02:44:21,920
adviser and comm I would like to share
my own comments that it is a

1845
02:44:18,080 --> 02:44:27,200
disappointment for me to that second and
third street uh meet all of the

1846
02:44:24,399 --> 02:44:31,760
qualifications for this all but for
speed creep and the average speed and

1847
02:44:29,600 --> 02:44:37,600
the based on the data second and third
street desperately need slowing and it's

1848
02:44:34,880 --> 02:44:43,000
unfortunate that because of our mean
average speed. We cannot get a reduction

1849
02:44:39,359 --> 02:44:43,000
on those two streets.

1850
02:44:43,200 --> 02:44:48,040
» Thank you. Other comments in the
chambers?

1851
02:44:53,040 --> 02:45:00,720
» Uh hello Kate um Mayor Mayor Kate and
city council members. My name is David

1852
02:44:58,399 --> 02:45:04,399
Seltzer and I live on Lincoln Avenue. I
just wanted to voice my strong support

1853
02:45:02,479 --> 02:45:09,920
for the proposed reduced speed limits
here in parts of San Rafll. As a side

1854
02:45:07,359 --> 02:45:13,359
note, I a few weeks back I actually had
a stroke. So, I'm not currently able to

1855
02:45:11,840 --> 02:45:18,720
drive until I get some follow-up
evaluations. So, this injury is making

1856
02:45:15,760 --> 02:45:22,399
me especially think about children or ch
or people with disabilities that can't

1857
02:45:20,720 --> 02:45:26,399
drive and their safety getting around
the city. So, if I stumble with my

1858
02:45:24,319 --> 02:45:30,720
words, I'm still recovering. Hence why
I'm reading this rather than speaking

1859
02:45:28,080 --> 02:45:34,720
off the cuff. Uh, so I live on Lincoln
Avenue and I've long felt the speed

1860
02:45:32,560 --> 02:45:39,600
limit on the north end of the street is
too fast for such a dense residential

1861
02:45:37,520 --> 02:45:43,680
area. We have so many families and
children living in this neighborhood. So

1862
02:45:41,439 --> 02:45:48,960
this change in speed limit better
represents this reality and paired with

1863
02:45:45,840 --> 02:45:54,960
those new improved pedestrian signals. I
think this is um a great improvement for

1864
02:45:52,399 --> 02:45:59,520
pedestrian safety. Um, as we've just
seen in the presentation, we have tons

1865
02:45:57,200 --> 02:46:03,920
of uh data that shows that the severity
of injuries and likelihood of death of

1866
02:46:01,680 --> 02:46:08,960
pedestrians or cyclists is directly
related to car speed. Also, most of that

1867
02:46:06,319 --> 02:46:14,880
data was uh accumulated before the
increased popularity of trucks and SUVs,

1868
02:46:11,920 --> 02:46:19,520
which are more dangerous to pedestrians
um and the increase of destructive

1869
02:46:17,200 --> 02:46:23,840
driving. So reducing speed limits to
offset the increased danger from drivers

1870
02:46:21,520 --> 02:46:32,640
is so important to improve pedestrian
and cyclist safety. Um additional note I

1871
02:46:27,200 --> 02:46:38,800
see an item about uh improved uh um oh
dear uh

1872
02:46:36,399 --> 02:46:42,240
uh traffic calming me measures. So I'm
looking forward to that as well. Uh

1873
02:46:40,880 --> 02:46:46,319
thank you for your time and thank you
for all your continued attention to

1874
02:46:44,160 --> 02:46:51,160
pedestrian and bicycle safety.
>> Thank you David. We wish you a speedy

1875
02:46:48,160 --> 02:46:51,160
recovery.

1876
02:46:51,520 --> 02:46:58,080
Anyone else in the chambers?
I don't see anyone approaching the das.

1877
02:46:56,640 --> 02:47:01,520
So, is there anyone online that would
like to comment on this item?

1878
02:46:59,439 --> 02:47:04,520
» I do see a hand raised. Couple hand
raises.

1879
02:47:07,920 --> 02:47:14,479
» U
good evening uh Mayor Kate and council

1880
02:47:12,240 --> 02:47:19,359
members. My name is Kevin Hagerty. I'm a
board member of the point San Pedro road

1881
02:47:16,319 --> 02:47:24,800
coalition. The coalition supports the
consistent speed limits on Point San

1882
02:47:21,520 --> 02:47:29,040
Pedro Road. Specifically, we support the
proposed

1883
02:47:26,560 --> 02:47:35,279
reduced speed uh limits on the section
of Point San Pedro Road between Marina

1884
02:47:31,760 --> 02:47:40,800
Boulevard and Porttoello Drive. We hope
that this action will result in the city

1885
02:47:38,399 --> 02:47:44,080
considering in the future speed
reductions of the rest of Point San

1886
02:47:42,479 --> 02:47:49,200
Pedro Road.
Finally, the coalition appreciates and

1887
02:47:46,319 --> 02:47:57,240
supports improvements the city have made
to safety on Point San Peter Road.

1888
02:47:54,000 --> 02:47:57,240
Thank you.

1889
02:47:57,680 --> 02:48:02,120
» Thank you. Any other on

1890
02:48:03,359 --> 02:48:10,000
» Hi, Brian Walsh from the West End. Um,
thank you very much for meeting with all

1891
02:48:07,600 --> 02:48:13,600
of us tonight. Thank you, Jimmy, for his
brilliant presentation. I actually took

1892
02:48:11,920 --> 02:48:17,680
photos of your slides. Thank you so
much. And Eli, for your questions about

1893
02:48:16,160 --> 02:48:22,399
enforcement,
which historically has been a problem

1894
02:48:20,240 --> 02:48:25,680
getting the police to come out when we
call them about speeding or red light

1895
02:48:24,080 --> 02:48:30,479
runners. So, I would suggest that the
board speak to Sergeant Graham and the

1896
02:48:28,319 --> 02:48:38,240
traffic uh committee, the traffic
enforcement team to monitor these 18

1897
02:48:35,359 --> 02:48:43,600
streets with the new speed limits and
after the 30-day warning start issuing

1898
02:48:40,800 --> 02:48:48,240
violations. And secondly, if um April
Miller could see us, her staff uh

1899
02:48:46,080 --> 02:48:52,000
readjust the radar boards. These are the
signs that display in real time the

1900
02:48:50,080 --> 02:48:56,240
speed limit. They they need to be
changed for the new threshold. Um that's

1901
02:48:54,640 --> 02:49:00,359
it. Thanks so much. I think this is a
wonderful idea for our community.

1902
02:49:00,960 --> 02:49:06,520
» I'm seeing no other hands raised, but
I'll give everyone a moment.

1903
02:49:07,200 --> 02:49:12,560
» I see no further public comment.
>> Thank you. I will close the public

1904
02:49:10,080 --> 02:49:16,319
comment. We got great input, but we also
got a question also comment around

1905
02:49:14,800 --> 02:49:22,960
second and third and maybe you could
just speak to that um why a segment

1906
02:49:19,359 --> 02:49:28,560
might not u meet the qualifications
or that specific segment. Actually,

1907
02:49:26,560 --> 02:49:34,640
» as the commenter had noted and as we had
presented to the pack, the traveled

1908
02:49:31,920 --> 02:49:39,680
speeds as measured in the traffic survey
as part of the ENTS were too high to

1909
02:49:37,200 --> 02:49:46,080
qualify for a reduction from the
existing 25 mph speed limit to 20 mph.

1910
02:49:43,680 --> 02:49:51,120
» So, people are already speeding too much
that we can't reduce the speed limit.

1911
02:49:49,040 --> 02:49:55,920
Yes, that is the logical conclusion of
how the CBC is currently set up to

1912
02:49:54,000 --> 02:49:58,560
establish speed limits. Correct.
>> Yeah. I didn't want to phrase it that

1913
02:49:57,120 --> 02:50:00,080
way, but it is a way that we all think
about it.

1914
02:49:59,680 --> 02:50:03,520
» Yeah.
>> Okay. So, we will continue to look at

1915
02:50:01,600 --> 02:50:07,920
infrastructure or other ways that we can
continue to reduce speeding in those

1916
02:50:05,439 --> 02:50:13,359
areas uh if we can't have the tool of
the speed limits. Okay. Any additional

1917
02:50:10,720 --> 02:50:18,800
questions? I don't see any. So,
>> Oh, yeah. Go ahead, Council Member Hill.

1918
02:50:15,840 --> 02:50:23,520
» Thank you so much. What what related to
second and third, what discretion does

1919
02:50:20,880 --> 02:50:30,800
the city of San Rafll and our traffic
engineering um folk have over the timing

1920
02:50:27,600 --> 02:50:38,800
of lights to land exactly at the speed
limit? Uh do we have discretion to

1921
02:50:33,920 --> 02:50:42,760
assert this this the posted speed limit
through the timing of the lights?

1922
02:50:46,160 --> 02:50:55,040
Fakri, city traffic engineer. Um, so we
have a consultant currently which has

1923
02:50:52,720 --> 02:51:00,880
been updating the signal timing
coordination and the speed limit is part

1924
02:50:57,600 --> 02:51:08,160
of it. So the progression is the posted
speed limit as you also know that

1925
02:51:04,000 --> 02:51:14,240
there's a lot of concern with
second and third. It's the main

1926
02:51:10,560 --> 02:51:20,560
arterial. So that moving people is also
a concern. But within that speed limit

1927
02:51:17,439 --> 02:51:25,760
so when the coordination happens that's
what so I've already informed them on

1928
02:51:23,760 --> 02:51:32,399
also on fourth street we change it
because it was 25 mph so now progression

1929
02:51:29,120 --> 02:51:38,399
is based on 20 m hour so if you speed
theoretically it won't help you you hit

1930
02:51:35,760 --> 02:51:45,120
a red light but if you continue with 20
m per hour then you hit the green

1931
02:51:42,160 --> 02:51:45,120
» thank you say

1932
02:51:45,359 --> 02:51:50,640
Thank you. I don't see any other
questions, so I'll thank you. Say, we'll

1933
02:51:49,040 --> 02:51:55,920
come back for comments. Uh, Vice Mayor,
go ahead.

1934
02:51:52,640 --> 02:52:00,399
» Thank you. I mean, rarely do we have and
this is great news and we know that

1935
02:51:58,160 --> 02:52:05,439
there'll be more uh interest in wanting
to do more streets. Uh, appreciate the

1936
02:52:03,040 --> 02:52:09,760
objectivity around the process even
though we don't necessarily agree with

1937
02:52:06,880 --> 02:52:13,279
the process all the time. Um, and it's
great to see this coming forward. So,

1938
02:52:11,680 --> 02:52:17,520
thank you and I'm looking forward to the
next round of updates.

1939
02:52:15,439 --> 02:52:24,160
» Thank you, Council Member Hill.
>> Thank you, Mayor Kate. Thank you, uh,

1940
02:52:20,399 --> 02:52:29,279
thank you, team, uh, Jimmy and Kelly and
say, uh, for presenting and answering

1941
02:52:26,720 --> 02:52:34,319
all of our our questions. Uh, it's
clear, well, it's clear to me when I

1942
02:52:31,600 --> 02:52:38,240
joined the council in 2021, one of the
things that really vexed me was the fact

1943
02:52:36,319 --> 02:52:42,319
that we did not have discretion over our
own speed limits. There was a lot of

1944
02:52:40,720 --> 02:52:45,359
speeding going on on in our community
during the pandemic and I don't and I

1945
02:52:44,080 --> 02:52:52,720
don't think that's unique to this
community. So I appreciate that we've

1946
02:52:48,160 --> 02:52:58,000
built upon the passage of AB43 went into
effect in 2022 and it's taken us this

1947
02:52:54,560 --> 02:53:03,200
long to be able to do it. Of note in
this the staff report for this was

1948
02:53:00,080 --> 02:53:09,600
almost 400 pages long and it was that
long because the ENTS is very thorough.

1949
02:53:06,720 --> 02:53:13,600
So I appreciate not only Jimmy U and
parametrics came in but that staff in

1950
02:53:11,760 --> 02:53:16,880
the city has I think appropriately
invested in our community safety to

1951
02:53:15,680 --> 02:53:21,279
ensure that we can arrive at this
moment.

1952
02:53:18,800 --> 02:53:28,319
I would also as a opportunity in this
comment look forward to uh a point when

1953
02:53:25,200 --> 02:53:33,120
AB 645 which allows for six pilot cities
to automated to do have automated speed

1954
02:53:31,439 --> 02:53:35,920
enforcement in their communities. Not
the least of which is the city and

1955
02:53:34,240 --> 02:53:39,520
county of San Francisco has seen, I
think, initial signs that that is

1956
02:53:38,160 --> 02:53:45,439
working very well there. I hope that
that can come to our community so that

1957
02:53:41,680 --> 02:53:51,920
um motorists uh will uh obey our our
laws and not have to wait for an officer

1958
02:53:48,080 --> 02:53:55,920
or to uh hopefully learn not to do so uh
but obey the speed limits. These speed

1959
02:53:53,760 --> 02:54:01,200
these speed limits are there for the
safety of our community. Thank you.

1960
02:53:58,479 --> 02:54:08,880
» Thank you, Council Member Bushy.
I just want to contrast this to what it

1961
02:54:04,319 --> 02:54:18,240
was like on Point San Pedro Road 10, 15,
20 years ago. It was the the chamber was

1962
02:54:12,720 --> 02:54:23,520
full. It was massive controversy. Um
that changing the speed limit could be

1963
02:54:20,960 --> 02:54:28,000
done, must be done, couldn't be done. It
we we went in circles. Um people

1964
02:54:25,760 --> 02:54:34,960
complained and then we did the study and
then we had to raise it because that um

1965
02:54:31,120 --> 02:54:42,479
then and we had to sell that that um it
created so much controversy um and took

1966
02:54:39,680 --> 02:54:50,160
so much time um from this body and from
our staff. In contrast, um we now have

1967
02:54:46,960 --> 02:54:58,160
new laws, um a rigorous analysis, all
400 pages, um of it, and I think

1968
02:54:53,600 --> 02:55:05,840
community outreach as well, um and a um
a um joining of the enforcement and the

1969
02:55:02,560 --> 02:55:10,399
public works um approach to this, the
visual friction um and some of the

1970
02:55:08,880 --> 02:55:15,600
safety improvements that have been done
particularly on on on Point San Pedro

1971
02:55:12,479 --> 02:55:19,520
Road to get give it more of sort of an
urban feel and not, you know, a road

1972
02:55:17,920 --> 02:55:26,080
along the ocean that you can, um, speed
on like they do in the car commercials.

1973
02:55:21,439 --> 02:55:32,800
Um, so, um, it's great to have this low
contourocy approach to adjusting speed

1974
02:55:29,120 --> 02:55:37,760
limit. So, um, I'm delighted to be here,
um, to see this on this this day. So,

1975
02:55:36,080 --> 02:55:41,920
thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Kelly. Thank you,

1976
02:55:39,279 --> 02:55:45,760
Jimmy. Thank you say and all of DPW for
bringing this forward to the council. We

1977
02:55:44,240 --> 02:55:49,920
have committed as a body and as a
community to vision zero which is an

1978
02:55:47,600 --> 02:55:55,200
approach of how do we using all the
tools across the board that are

1979
02:55:52,640 --> 02:55:59,680
available to the city uh take action to
reduce fatalities and serious injury in

1980
02:55:58,240 --> 02:56:04,800
our community to bicyclists and
pedestrians. We have already made that

1981
02:56:01,760 --> 02:56:09,200
commitment. This is 100% following that
commitment and that policy that this

1982
02:56:06,640 --> 02:56:14,479
body has already approved. So, uh, thank
you for taking the philosophy and

1983
02:56:11,040 --> 02:56:18,319
putting it into action. Um, it's
fantastic and as was mentioned by the

1984
02:56:16,560 --> 02:56:22,800
vice mayor, I think there'll be more
streets that we'll be wanting to add as

1985
02:56:20,240 --> 02:56:27,840
we start to see how much safer it makes
for everybody to utilize our streets.

1986
02:56:24,800 --> 02:56:33,760
So, so thank you. I would entertain a
motion on this item, please.

1987
02:56:30,640 --> 02:56:37,920
» I'd like to make the motion.
I move to introduce the ordinance. Wave

1988
02:56:36,160 --> 02:56:40,240
further reading and refer to it by title
only.

1989
02:56:39,279 --> 02:56:43,200
» Second.
>> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

1990
02:56:42,080 --> 02:56:44,720
» Council member Bushy.
>> I.

1991
02:56:43,680 --> 02:56:46,240
» Council member Hill.
>> I.

1992
02:56:45,200 --> 02:56:47,359
» Vice Mayor Curts.
>> I.

1993
02:56:46,560 --> 02:56:51,040
» Mayor Kate.
>> I. That M motion carries 40. The city

1994
02:56:49,920 --> 02:56:54,399
clerk could read the title of the
ordinance, please. An ordinance of the

1995
02:56:52,720 --> 02:56:58,080
city council of the city of Centerfell
regarding speed limit changes on 18

1996
02:56:56,240 --> 02:57:04,000
Centerfell roadway segments outside of
downtown pursuant to sections 22357 and

1997
02:57:01,120 --> 02:57:09,439
22358 of the California vehicle code.
Thank you. Thank you all. And in a

1998
02:57:06,560 --> 02:57:16,439
related traffic venue, our next agenda
item is the city of Sanfal traffic

1999
02:57:11,920 --> 02:57:16,439
calming program policy.

2000
02:57:21,840 --> 02:57:25,319
Welcome saying.

2001
02:57:47,279 --> 02:57:56,240
Good evening mayor and council members
and member of public. Uh my name is Sed

2002
02:57:53,439 --> 02:58:03,279
Fakri a city traffic engineer. I started
working for the city uh on February in

2003
02:58:00,479 --> 02:58:10,560
February 2025.
So tonight agenda is 4A traffic calming

2004
02:58:07,920 --> 02:58:16,439
program policy which is really how to
manage speed and volume on residential

2005
02:58:13,439 --> 02:58:16,439
streets.

2006
02:58:24,319 --> 02:58:33,840
So the goal and intent of this policy is
to address excessive speed and volume on

2007
02:58:30,880 --> 02:58:39,040
residential streets and to create
objective standards, definitions and

2008
02:58:36,399 --> 02:58:43,279
thresholds for excessive speed and
volume

2009
02:58:40,800 --> 02:58:50,479
uh and also to create an objective
process easy to follow by staff and uh

2010
02:58:47,680 --> 02:58:56,240
by residents.
uh other Bay Area cities with similar

2011
02:58:53,520 --> 02:59:02,720
policy. Uh most cities in the Bay Area
have similar traffic calming policies.

2012
02:58:59,279 --> 02:59:10,720
To name a few in Marin County, city of
Larksburg, they adopted their policy uh

2013
02:59:06,560 --> 02:59:15,760
in 2025 last year. Uh city of San Bruno
which I worked as a consultant. uh city

2014
02:59:13,439 --> 02:59:22,880
of Berkeley, city of Mountain View which
I was city traffic engineer and city of

2015
02:59:19,120 --> 02:59:27,640
Palo Alto. So our policy is very similar
to those in many other cities.

2016
02:59:28,160 --> 02:59:36,080
So basically the process starts with
concerns that currently comes through

2017
02:59:33,120 --> 02:59:43,359
cyclic fix by individuals
um which can be addressed by installing

2018
02:59:39,680 --> 02:59:47,680
signage striping channelizer etc. These
are what we call tier one traffic

2019
02:59:45,600 --> 02:59:54,880
calming tools which will be discussed
later in the slides. Uh so if the

2020
02:59:52,080 --> 03:00:01,120
resident is not satisfied by tier one
approach then tier two and three starts

2021
02:59:57,840 --> 03:00:06,720
which need community support
and basically because this requires cost

2022
03:00:03,600 --> 03:00:12,560
of survey and measuring the speed and
volume at least for a week. So we are

2023
03:00:09,680 --> 03:00:17,120
asking for tier two and tier three that
the community submit a petition of

2024
03:00:14,640 --> 03:00:23,760
support which is signed by majority of
the household of the street block or

2025
03:00:20,479 --> 03:00:29,439
blocks if they're uh applying for more
than one block. Uh petition of supports

2026
03:00:26,720 --> 03:00:34,040
must be signed by simple majority which
is 50% plus one.

2027
03:00:34,240 --> 03:00:44,319
Uh so the next step once we receive the
petition of support uh we will do a

2028
03:00:41,200 --> 03:00:52,080
street in volume survey. These are a
little bit different than what Jimmy was

2029
03:00:47,279 --> 03:01:00,160
uh doing the survey. Those are by LAR or
laser uh which the police enforce it.

2030
03:00:56,000 --> 03:01:07,920
This is for 24hour to counting uh speed
and volume. And if the 85% of speed

2031
03:01:04,880 --> 03:01:12,640
meets the threshold which we is in the
report then the street will be

2032
03:01:09,760 --> 03:01:20,319
considered for traffic calming. The 85
percentile is just a threshold which

2033
03:01:15,040 --> 03:01:27,520
means obviously 15% drive above certain
threshold and 85% drive below it. For

2034
03:01:25,279 --> 03:01:36,479
example, if you look at the residential
street with uh say 20 uh cars per hour,

2035
03:01:34,240 --> 03:01:42,560
we are we are looking at three cars. If
the three cars drive, which is 18 15%.

2036
03:01:40,560 --> 03:01:46,720
And above that threshold, then the
street qualifies.

2037
03:01:44,560 --> 03:01:51,600
So residents after the survey will be
informed of the street survey and result

2038
03:01:49,600 --> 03:01:58,319
uh meeting the threshold and qualifying
for traffic calming or if they did not

2039
03:01:54,160 --> 03:02:03,920
they will be informed too. uh so our
system is we are using the tier system

2040
03:02:01,439 --> 03:02:10,240
and as I mentioned tier one is which we
are doing currently when individual

2041
03:02:06,720 --> 03:02:16,720
request uh basically it's a warning sign
speed limit warning sign curve sign

2042
03:02:13,120 --> 03:02:23,279
pedestrian ahead sign and and also some
striping in channelizers that we could

2043
03:02:19,439 --> 03:02:29,359
do as part of the uh cyclic fix or tier
one option. So this doesn't require

2044
03:02:25,680 --> 03:02:34,880
really uh submitting of petition or
anything because it doesn't really

2045
03:02:31,040 --> 03:02:41,200
impact at least physically anybody. So
it's reallyformational and it's safety.

2046
03:02:38,560 --> 03:02:45,760
Uh the tier two which we call it passive
traffic calming. It does require

2047
03:02:43,680 --> 03:02:53,680
petition of support because it has to be
surveyed. It's costly. Uh the tier 2 has

2048
03:02:50,800 --> 03:03:00,160
limited uh impact or no impact to
emergency response time. Uh

2049
03:02:58,319 --> 03:03:05,920
some of the examples of what we
discussed tonight. It's reducing speed

2050
03:03:02,399 --> 03:03:11,439
limit AB43 which could be applied to
some of our other street. We have to

2051
03:03:07,920 --> 03:03:18,160
look and see uh preliminary how many of
them qualify. Just like we did for what

2052
03:03:15,600 --> 03:03:26,399
Jimmy presented, we did a survey of C
click fix. We looked at uh

2053
03:03:22,960 --> 03:03:31,439
uh at a do they qualify kind of
pre-qualification and then we selected

2054
03:03:28,640 --> 03:03:36,960
all those roads. Uh the other one is
electronic speed radar signs, bulb out,

2055
03:03:34,160 --> 03:03:44,399
narrow median, island, chokers. As I
mentioned, these measures are really not

2056
03:03:40,720 --> 03:03:50,160
impacting um for example fire response
times to that that limit.

2057
03:03:47,359 --> 03:03:56,800
And then tier three which we can call it
active transportation caling calming.

2058
03:03:53,520 --> 03:04:01,600
Obviously this requires support uh
petition of support and that may impact

2059
03:03:59,359 --> 03:04:07,760
emergency response time. So it will not
be applicable to all street. uh it

2060
03:04:04,560 --> 03:04:14,616
includes speed humps and traffic circles
and turn restrictions and other

2061
03:04:11,120 --> 03:04:14,616
measures. [snorts]

2062
03:04:14,960 --> 03:04:24,000
Uh the way our policy is structured,
traffic engineers select the tool after

2063
03:04:20,960 --> 03:04:29,279
the street qualifies petition signed and
the survey

2064
03:04:26,399 --> 03:04:34,080
prove that it's qualifying for traffic
calming. So the traffic engineer

2065
03:04:31,680 --> 03:04:39,439
selected tool and design and presented
to traffic advisory committee for input

2066
03:04:36,560 --> 03:04:45,520
which include police department and fire
department planning and our street

2067
03:04:42,160 --> 03:04:51,120
maintenance crew. Uh
after the advisory committee inputs uh

2068
03:04:48,479 --> 03:04:56,319
we'll be having a public presentation of
the design and outreach at bicycle and

2069
03:04:53,439 --> 03:05:03,120
pedestrian advisory committee and then
we will receive feedback from public and

2070
03:04:58,960 --> 03:05:10,000
from BPAC and then then the final design
notification and installation.

2071
03:05:07,120 --> 03:05:14,080
Uh after installation study, staff may
monitor results after a year of

2072
03:05:12,479 --> 03:05:18,800
installation.
Uh may perform speed and volume survey

2073
03:05:16,720 --> 03:05:24,000
to compare the before and after
installation data and examine the

2074
03:05:20,880 --> 03:05:30,240
effectiveness of specific tool. Uh
mostly in literature. There are

2075
03:05:27,120 --> 03:05:35,359
uh studies that compare before for
different tools.

2076
03:05:32,080 --> 03:05:40,800
It always varies with the driving
population, the characteristic of a

2077
03:05:37,439 --> 03:05:47,120
road. So it it will be good to have that
in San Rafael which may be different

2078
03:05:43,040 --> 03:05:52,080
slightly from other cities. Uh also
these traffic calming tool that's in the

2079
03:05:49,760 --> 03:05:58,319
policy. It's not
inclusive of everything. this our

2080
03:05:55,439 --> 03:06:03,640
toolbox we can change it and due to
change in technology or research or

2081
03:06:00,640 --> 03:06:03,640
studies.

2082
03:06:03,760 --> 03:06:12,720
Uh for people who for communities or
street that they do not qualify the

2083
03:06:09,359 --> 03:06:18,240
first time for after the survey then
they can submit resubmit petition of

2084
03:06:15,760 --> 03:06:23,520
support two years after the notice we
sent for them not meeting the threshold

2085
03:06:20,800 --> 03:06:28,160
or qualification. So they cannot
immediately because we will have

2086
03:06:25,840 --> 03:06:33,439
probably other applications. So we have
that two years and also in two years

2087
03:06:31,120 --> 03:06:40,000
give time that the condition might
change due to development or other uh

2088
03:06:37,920 --> 03:06:44,399
effects. So they we can look at it
again.

2089
03:06:42,080 --> 03:06:48,880
And then there's a process for removing
the city traffic engineer may remove or

2090
03:06:46,720 --> 03:06:54,720
modify any installed traffic calming
measures for public safety reason

2091
03:06:51,040 --> 03:07:00,880
without uh any additional action and
those public safety could come from our

2092
03:06:57,840 --> 03:07:03,880
safety staff, fire, police, emergency
services.

2093
03:07:05,279 --> 03:07:12,960
Uh for the recommendation, uh staff is
recommending that the council adopt the

2094
03:07:10,479 --> 03:07:20,160
resolution approving the city of San
Rafel traffic calming program policy

2095
03:07:17,600 --> 03:07:24,080
and then I have
questions and comments.

2096
03:07:22,000 --> 03:07:26,479
» Thank you say for that. I will see if
there are questions. Uh vice mayor, do

2097
03:07:25,600 --> 03:07:32,160
you have any questions?
>> I do. Um can you share a little bit more

2098
03:07:29,120 --> 03:07:39,279
about the petition process and how that
has worked in other jurisdictions?

2099
03:07:36,240 --> 03:07:46,000
uh petition petition process is very
similar um although it's not very

2100
03:07:42,960 --> 03:07:53,040
defined in some cities for example city
of larks per uh they have a petition

2101
03:07:50,000 --> 03:08:00,640
after the survey kind of uh they call it
voting but they their approval rate is

2102
03:07:56,720 --> 03:08:07,200
69% of the resident agreeing
uh so the variation is between simple

2103
03:08:03,600 --> 03:08:13,760
majority to even 75%
uh community support.

2104
03:08:11,120 --> 03:08:19,840
So for us
uh if if the street uh for example

2105
03:08:17,439 --> 03:08:27,279
through CLI fix and we do some minor
stuff and it's not uh satisfying for

2106
03:08:24,080 --> 03:08:34,319
residents then a a champion or somebody
from uh residence uh they can

2107
03:08:31,840 --> 03:08:40,479
volunteer. We give him a petition
because the petition have to be designed

2108
03:08:36,960 --> 03:08:46,160
for example that the people who sign
this petition the residents household

2109
03:08:43,359 --> 03:08:54,399
and they agree to the process the
policy. So once if they get uh approved

2110
03:08:50,640 --> 03:09:00,399
or or meet the criteria then the polic
policy starts. So once we receive the

2111
03:08:57,040 --> 03:09:05,040
petition and we can check also the
petition is designed by us so they don't

2112
03:09:02,800 --> 03:09:11,760
have to put the language with addresses
and everything. Uh one one property

2113
03:09:08,640 --> 03:09:18,399
needs or one household needs one
signature. Uh also the policy goes into

2114
03:09:15,920 --> 03:09:23,040
detail for example if you live on a cold
that you have to take some that section

2115
03:09:20,800 --> 03:09:28,399
of the street then you have to sign the
petition because you don't have any any

2116
03:09:25,279 --> 03:09:33,439
other option. Uh the reason for that is
we have to be careful who can sign it.

2117
03:09:30,880 --> 03:09:39,040
If if you extend the block or signature
this kind of dilute the support because

2118
03:09:36,160 --> 03:09:44,080
if you live on a street you want you see
the problem the issue and you see the

2119
03:09:41,040 --> 03:09:50,160
speeding and petition of support comes
from people who live on that street. But

2120
03:09:46,399 --> 03:09:55,200
if you live uh five block away or 10
block away, you probably take that

2121
03:09:52,880 --> 03:10:00,720
section and probably you're one of the
speeders. So you can't dilute the the

2122
03:09:58,160 --> 03:10:06,880
petition support. So once we receive the
petition and we check that it's 50% plus

2123
03:10:03,439 --> 03:10:14,399
one and this includes multifamily units,
renters and owners and then we can see

2124
03:10:10,960 --> 03:10:20,279
if it meets at least majority support
and then we can start the survey. We

2125
03:10:16,479 --> 03:10:20,279
have to hire a

2126
03:10:20,399 --> 03:10:28,960
somebody to do the survey for us a
vendor for a week. It's not very costly,

2127
03:10:26,479 --> 03:10:35,200
but say if we do it on a two segment or
three segment, it cost a thousand per

2128
03:10:32,479 --> 03:10:39,760
tube per per location. And then once we
determine that, then we proceed with the

2129
03:10:37,439 --> 03:10:46,000
the rest of the policy.
>> So just to follow on with that, so do

2130
03:10:41,520 --> 03:10:49,840
you define the universe of the the
petition signers?

2131
03:10:48,080 --> 03:10:53,359
And and I'll just ask, you know, if you
could use

2132
03:10:51,680 --> 03:11:00,160
Director Miller is very familiar with
this stretch of street, which is the

2133
03:10:56,640 --> 03:11:05,760
northern part of Canyon Oak, um that has
no residents on it, but it's used

2134
03:11:02,000 --> 03:11:10,399
probably by hundreds every day. So what
would be the I I'm having a hard time

2135
03:11:07,920 --> 03:11:14,880
trying to understand in that type of
scenario, what would be the universe of

2136
03:11:12,240 --> 03:11:20,080
signatures? So those are all the people
who that segment which is doesn't have

2137
03:11:17,840 --> 03:11:26,399
any resident but the following segment
has people who take that street every

2138
03:11:23,040 --> 03:11:31,279
day. So the definition of that street
probably falls into residential street.

2139
03:11:28,880 --> 03:11:36,399
So all the people who live on that
segment all the way probably if they

2140
03:11:33,200 --> 03:11:42,080
want to do it to the culdeac at the end
they can submit a petition and we could

2141
03:11:38,720 --> 03:11:43,600
stop. So the so the universe is sort of
subjective

2142
03:11:43,200 --> 03:11:47,760
» very
>> in terms of defining correct

2143
03:11:45,520 --> 03:11:53,359
» the who needs to sign the petition.
>> Yeah. depending on the context. In this

2144
03:11:50,080 --> 03:11:59,279
case, uh I [snorts] mean if you live
somewhere, if you have another route to

2145
03:11:56,399 --> 03:12:04,800
take except that route, then you
probably

2146
03:12:01,279 --> 03:12:09,600
I have to check to see exactly who has
to who have to take that route every day

2147
03:12:07,920 --> 03:12:15,760
because that's the only route they can
take and then those people can vote. Uh

2148
03:12:12,880 --> 03:12:21,120
also that stretch of a road is included
in our bicycle and pedestrian uh plan

2149
03:12:19,279 --> 03:12:25,520
update which will come later to the
council. Uh it's one of the stretches

2150
03:12:24,000 --> 03:12:28,880
that
yeah

2151
03:12:26,080 --> 03:12:34,880
» bike and improvement.
>> So still working I mean I I absolutely

2152
03:12:31,359 --> 03:12:38,960
love having an objective process. I'm
stuck on the petition piece of it and

2153
03:12:37,120 --> 03:12:43,279
how that's going to work in practicality
and I'm wondering if there's other if

2154
03:12:40,880 --> 03:12:48,800
you've can looked at other options aside
from that petition process to get to

2155
03:12:46,000 --> 03:12:53,840
that same goal. So that is that's one
way of doing it and our policy is also

2156
03:12:51,600 --> 03:13:00,000
when we do safe route to school as a
capital improvement project or we also

2157
03:12:56,720 --> 03:13:04,800
consider that also if we tackle some of
the stretches that's in our local

2158
03:13:02,160 --> 03:13:09,040
roadway safety plan which is a segment
and it's a residential street. We can

2159
03:13:07,120 --> 03:13:14,960
always implement the public works take
the initiative [snorts] and we pro we

2160
03:13:11,600 --> 03:13:20,319
will send the petition for signatures
and the staff will send if it comes from

2161
03:13:17,359 --> 03:13:25,120
community it's probably most agencies
like the community also to work a little

2162
03:13:22,479 --> 03:13:29,840
bit for it. So send go to the
neighborhood and and

2163
03:13:27,439 --> 03:13:35,279
collect signature. So otherwise, if it's
a safe route to school or or local

2164
03:13:32,560 --> 03:13:38,880
roadway safety plan that we do, then we
will take the initiative. And again,

2165
03:13:37,600 --> 03:13:43,040
sorry, I'm I'm going to keep going on
this petition thing because it's not

2166
03:13:40,640 --> 03:13:49,120
sitting right with me on this. It you're
asking for a physical signature. It

2167
03:13:44,880 --> 03:13:54,080
can't be an online email response or I
just think in practicality, I'm I am

2168
03:13:51,279 --> 03:13:59,200
really concerned that there's going to
be very few. Again, I understand the

2169
03:13:56,560 --> 03:14:02,960
goal of it, but the practicality of
getting those signatures from people and

2170
03:14:01,200 --> 03:14:07,760
if they're going doortodoor and asking
and knock I I I think it's limiting in

2171
03:14:05,920 --> 03:14:13,600
terms of our community being able to
participate in that.

2172
03:14:10,080 --> 03:14:16,880
» So far, I have seen that's the hard the
part of it and also the signature

2173
03:14:15,520 --> 03:14:23,120
collecting.
Uh I mean we certainly can look at

2174
03:14:19,920 --> 03:14:29,200
technology how can but how can we make
it easier but to gather all those emails

2175
03:14:25,920 --> 03:14:35,920
is also or maybe we can send a notice
where they can send all their emails and

2176
03:14:32,000 --> 03:14:41,680
then we gather signature through email
with the address and everything. So that

2177
03:14:37,680 --> 03:14:44,560
there's must be a way to do easier uh
with technology.

2178
03:14:43,120 --> 03:14:48,000
» Thank you. I'll I'll leave it to others
to ask some questions. um at this point.

2179
03:14:46,800 --> 03:14:50,880
Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh Council Member Hill

2180
03:14:49,680 --> 03:14:56,160
questions.
>> Thank you, Mayor Kate. Thank you, S for

2181
03:14:52,960 --> 03:14:59,840
the presentation. Uh my question would
continue with the the petition. I

2182
03:14:58,319 --> 03:15:05,439
actually think that the policy reads
well. I think the implementation with

2183
03:15:01,680 --> 03:15:11,920
the with the uh petition
um still presents as um

2184
03:15:09,760 --> 03:15:17,120
I I want to be optimistic that it will
produce it. So, I have a couple

2185
03:15:13,120 --> 03:15:20,560
questions. So my questions are um and I
think but the vice mayor used the word

2186
03:15:19,200 --> 03:15:24,800
the universe but I'm thinking of it more
in terms of a fraction of how do we

2187
03:15:22,479 --> 03:15:28,479
establish are do you establish the
denominator by saying you're just you

2188
03:15:26,399 --> 03:15:32,080
would draw a circle that you believe is
or the the in the area of influence

2189
03:15:30,479 --> 03:15:36,640
maybe to to determine what the
boundaries of it and then based on that

2190
03:15:34,239 --> 03:15:39,120
you determine the denominator of the
fraction. Is that does that sound

2191
03:15:38,319 --> 03:15:42,399
accurate?
>> That's accurate.

2192
03:15:40,080 --> 03:15:46,479
» Okay. And
maybe building on one of the I'm trying

2193
03:15:44,560 --> 03:15:52,560
to imagine there are cen certainly
scenarios in our community where there

2194
03:15:49,600 --> 03:15:56,560
are multif family units where there are
one, two, maybe three, four families

2195
03:15:54,160 --> 03:16:00,399
that might live inside of a of a large
unit and that would they would get one

2196
03:15:58,800 --> 03:16:06,880
vote. I'm just trying to imagine is
there a way to how do we

2197
03:16:04,080 --> 03:16:12,160
allow for a more equitable approach to
to those types of scenarios?

2198
03:16:10,239 --> 03:16:17,600
uh
in single family is probably easier and

2199
03:16:15,040 --> 03:16:24,720
if they have one renter unit A and B so
they both can vote on the number of unit

2200
03:16:20,800 --> 03:16:32,080
in the policy it's per household unit
per vote so or per signature sorry

2201
03:16:28,720 --> 03:16:38,080
signature of support
>> uh we if there are unit officially A and

2202
03:16:35,040 --> 03:16:44,800
B yes that should be counted
>> okay thank Yeah,

2203
03:16:42,000 --> 03:16:49,200
» council. Um, I just had an additional
question also trying to get my head

2204
03:16:46,319 --> 03:16:51,920
around who
who who the universe or the denominator,

2205
03:16:50,960 --> 03:16:55,359
however you want to look at it, who are
the people that are weighing in on the

2206
03:16:53,279 --> 03:16:59,439
petition and I I want to be clear that I
share the goal of this because it has

2207
03:16:57,520 --> 03:17:03,359
been very haphazard and sometimes it's
the folks that know how to advocate for

2208
03:17:01,760 --> 03:17:05,920
themselves that want speeding and they
come in. Sorry, they don't want

2209
03:17:04,479 --> 03:17:10,160
speeding, but they want traffic calming
and then other neighbors don't want it.

2210
03:17:07,279 --> 03:17:15,359
So I do really appreciate um having it
come from the community and I do think

2211
03:17:12,399 --> 03:17:19,040
there is a the mechanism um we need to
have some sort of mechanism but when I'm

2212
03:17:16,880 --> 03:17:23,520
looking at again you had your example of
a street but I'm thinking of Sper Point

2213
03:17:20,880 --> 03:17:26,640
Drive where is a street that we put
traffic combing in and we were very

2214
03:17:25,040 --> 03:17:30,800
excited and then there were a group of
people that didn't want to drive slower

2215
03:17:28,640 --> 03:17:35,840
so they were not excited about it. So,
I'm looking at that street and is that

2216
03:17:33,920 --> 03:17:39,680
when you would have all the culde-sacs,
everyone that's on Sper Point Drive up

2217
03:17:38,000 --> 03:17:43,520
to Catalina like is that what you're
saying when you're saying people that

2218
03:17:40,800 --> 03:17:49,279
are required to drive there because of
where they live? That would be the

2219
03:17:45,200 --> 03:17:54,160
universe that would um need to write the
petition and be a part of it.

2220
03:17:51,920 --> 03:18:00,880
» Yeah, that that that is the most tricky
part of the area that in my experience.

2221
03:17:58,239 --> 03:18:08,560
So I have excluded people and they have
really passionately why I cannot sign

2222
03:18:04,000 --> 03:18:14,239
the petition because um if you extend it
to include every possible people that

2223
03:18:11,600 --> 03:18:20,720
there's no limit of who can sign the
petition and then it usually dilutes the

2224
03:18:18,160 --> 03:18:25,279
vote because they want to speed they
want to go fast to work and

2225
03:18:22,640 --> 03:18:30,800
» I agree. So you have to be very careful
careful in in the guide I have is

2226
03:18:28,720 --> 03:18:36,160
usually when the petition comes if it's
for one block you always encourage them

2227
03:18:33,359 --> 03:18:41,520
how about block upstream and downstream
to make it say three blocks uh three to

2228
03:18:38,960 --> 03:18:45,680
five blocks is is best because always
you don't want to put say speed you

2229
03:18:43,680 --> 03:18:50,479
don't want to put one you want to put
two or three because if you put one

2230
03:18:47,840 --> 03:18:56,479
people slow and then speed up and also
the people who signed the petition so If

2231
03:18:53,200 --> 03:19:02,720
they are taking another route, they can
take and that's another scenario where

2232
03:18:59,439 --> 03:19:08,000
the next street might qualify. So if
they change their route, but people who

2233
03:19:05,279 --> 03:19:13,439
are concerned is people who live on that
street. You don't want to dilute,

2234
03:19:11,120 --> 03:19:16,080
» right? And know that makes sense. So you
stated in the beginning of your

2235
03:19:14,560 --> 03:19:20,000
presentation, so thank you for looking
at other cities and towns. You mentioned

2236
03:19:17,760 --> 03:19:24,800
Larks, Berkeley, there were some other
ones on there. I can't remember them

2237
03:19:21,359 --> 03:19:29,600
now. Um, so what you've are presenting
to the city and to the community this

2238
03:19:27,279 --> 03:19:33,680
evening is based on what has been
successful in other communities because

2239
03:19:32,000 --> 03:19:37,600
I think because it's new to us, we're
trying to imagine how it will manifest.

2240
03:19:35,760 --> 03:19:42,640
So I want to say these are best
practices, but you you have taken

2241
03:19:40,479 --> 03:19:46,720
recommendations or existing programs
that have been had the outcome and

2242
03:19:44,960 --> 03:19:50,239
that's what you're suggesting here.
>> Exactly.

2243
03:19:47,760 --> 03:19:56,640
» Okay. and and and the studies there are
traffic calming studies in uh institute

2244
03:19:53,840 --> 03:20:00,720
of transportation engineers and these
other cities that I mentioned some of

2245
03:19:58,399 --> 03:20:05,840
them like larksburg is very brief like
us even less than us a policy but some

2246
03:20:03,840 --> 03:20:11,040
of them like city of mountain view has a
thick manual so every chapter for

2247
03:20:08,560 --> 03:20:14,000
example who can sign and
>> okay we don't want to do the thick

2248
03:20:12,319 --> 03:20:18,640
manual approach so
>> this is this is a beginning and I I I

2249
03:20:16,560 --> 03:20:19,920
think for this city This is the first
one,

2250
03:20:19,200 --> 03:20:25,439
» right?
>> And and and could be studied in four or

2251
03:20:22,479 --> 03:20:29,040
five years and when when we have
experience how many we installed them.

2252
03:20:27,760 --> 03:20:33,600
» Yeah. No, I appreciate that that we
would want to revisit if it needs to be

2253
03:20:31,520 --> 03:20:36,080
tweaked and and and I do appreciate we
haven't talked about the traffic calming

2254
03:20:34,880 --> 03:20:40,720
measures that you talked about the
different tiers. 100% I agree with all

2255
03:20:38,000 --> 03:20:44,720
of that, but I was like vice mayor a
little bit stuck on who gets to sign the

2256
03:20:42,880 --> 03:20:49,760
petition. If there's a technology aspect
of it, great. But um I do think we need

2257
03:20:47,200 --> 03:20:54,319
to do something. I just know how much
staff time this takes and there's been

2258
03:20:51,840 --> 03:20:59,279
an inconsistency in applying who gets
the benefit of traffic calming and we're

2259
03:20:56,720 --> 03:21:02,800
really working as a city to not have
that inconsistency. Do you have another

2260
03:21:01,600 --> 03:21:04,800
question? Yeah, council member Hill. Go
ahead. I don't have any others.

2261
03:21:03,680 --> 03:21:09,840
» Thank you, Mayor Kate. One more
question. As I was thinking through um a

2262
03:21:07,279 --> 03:21:16,239
scenario and I appre again I think I
appreciate the order of the policy of

2263
03:21:12,239 --> 03:21:19,920
the request submission initial review um
I was thinking of a scenario I'll make

2264
03:21:17,920 --> 03:21:25,920
up a maybe it's a counterfactual. So
tonight we adopted the change speed

2265
03:21:22,560 --> 03:21:30,000
limit on 18 roadways. Um now Fifth
Avenue in Sun Valley is now recommended

2266
03:21:28,000 --> 03:21:33,200
to be 20 miles an hour. Let's say the
community gets together and they come to

2267
03:21:31,040 --> 03:21:37,760
you and say, "We want it to be uh you
get a 50 plus one." They they ask for a

2268
03:21:35,760 --> 03:21:41,520
10 10 mph speed limit. I'm pretty sure
that wouldn't happen. But let's say they

2269
03:21:39,040 --> 03:21:44,160
do that. Would would you be able to
confer with them to say, "Hey, don't

2270
03:21:42,800 --> 03:21:49,120
submit that petition. That's not going
to pass an ENTS. There's nothing we

2271
03:21:46,800 --> 03:21:56,160
could do to legally support that before.
>> They're not excluded." So for example,

2272
03:21:53,200 --> 03:22:00,880
Fifth Avenue if it qualify other stuff
like it's a I know it's a route or D

2273
03:21:58,880 --> 03:22:05,840
street it's a route for fire it's the
only route. So considering all those

2274
03:22:03,279 --> 03:22:12,560
they're 20 m per hour and if they want
to submit for traffic cal because people

2275
03:22:08,640 --> 03:22:18,720
drive fast. So the the thing applies to
them and the criteria. C can I clarify

2276
03:22:16,080 --> 03:22:23,120
though people aren't requesting the type
of of trafficcoming measure just that

2277
03:22:20,880 --> 03:22:27,359
they want trafficcoming measures.
>> So it wouldn't go down by 10 miles an

2278
03:22:25,439 --> 03:22:31,920
hour but if there was five speed humps
on the road it might go down by 10 miles

2279
03:22:30,160 --> 03:22:37,279
an hour just because people have to slow
down by that much but we would we would

2280
03:22:34,800 --> 03:22:40,560
do an analysis that determined what the
appropriate

2281
03:22:38,960 --> 03:22:43,840
» trafficcoming measure would be.
>> That is super helpful to set that

2282
03:22:42,160 --> 03:22:47,359
expectation. So in other words, the
petition would not say we want speed

2283
03:22:45,760 --> 03:22:51,040
bumps. It would say we need traffic
calming and you would determine what the

2284
03:22:49,439 --> 03:22:57,040
best mechanism would be.
>> Exactly. Just for your information that

2285
03:22:53,520 --> 03:23:01,040
we have um a grant to install traffic
calming on Fifth Avenue. So changing the

2286
03:22:59,439 --> 03:23:07,680
speed limit wouldn't change and we are
installing near California and fifth two

2287
03:23:04,640 --> 03:23:13,040
two radar speed signs and we're
improving that corner of California in

2288
03:23:10,560 --> 03:23:17,840
the market uh for pedestrian and
bicycles. So we have that grant it it

2289
03:23:15,359 --> 03:23:20,239
doesn't exclude because now they're 20 m
per hour.

2290
03:23:18,560 --> 03:23:24,399
» That is welcome and wonderful news for
the San Sun Valley residents. Thank you.

2291
03:23:22,560 --> 03:23:28,080
» Thank you. So not seeing any further
questions at this time. I would like to

2292
03:23:25,840 --> 03:23:31,760
open up public comment if you would like
to comment. Now is your opportunity.

2293
03:23:30,479 --> 03:23:35,279
You're welcome but not required to say
your name. What part of Sanell?

2294
03:23:33,200 --> 03:23:40,640
» Daniel Almigan. Uh through the Western
Neighborhood Association board, we've

2295
03:23:36,880 --> 03:23:45,920
always welcomed more to the toolkit. I
think this is a great idea. I appreciate

2296
03:23:42,479 --> 03:23:50,560
the tiered system. I think for us, we
would want to understand the lift on

2297
03:23:48,239 --> 03:23:55,279
doing a petition because it would sound
like it would probably likely fall to a

2298
03:23:52,960 --> 03:24:00,319
neighborhood association.
And I know from our own experience on

2299
03:23:57,439 --> 03:24:05,600
trying to do the street closure where we
have to get 100% sign off. It's an act

2300
03:24:03,200 --> 03:24:09,439
of hurting cats and it's not easy and
it's not fun. Um, I'm a little bit

2301
03:24:07,520 --> 03:24:13,319
concerned about the the petition process
and how that would work.

2302
03:24:13,520 --> 03:24:18,720
Thank you. Any other comments on this
item?

2303
03:24:17,200 --> 03:24:22,800
I don't see anyone in the chambers.
Anyone online?

2304
03:24:20,800 --> 03:24:25,800
» I do see a hand raised. A couple hand
raised.

2305
03:24:28,239 --> 03:24:33,920
» Hi there. Um, good evening, mayor and
council members. My name is Dave

2306
03:24:32,319 --> 03:24:38,479
Rhodess. I'm the co-chair of WalkBike
Centerfell and a West End neighborhood

2307
03:24:36,239 --> 03:24:41,680
resident. And uh first of all, I just
want to thank the staff for bringing

2308
03:24:39,840 --> 03:24:46,399
forward Centerfell's first traffic
calming program. It's a significant step

2309
03:24:44,000 --> 03:24:50,319
forward. Having a transparent process
with clear criteria is definitely much

2310
03:24:48,399 --> 03:24:55,040
better than handling requests on an ad
hoc basis. Um but my primary concern is

2311
03:24:53,279 --> 03:25:00,560
the neighborhood voting requirement like
many of you um on the council have

2312
03:24:57,439 --> 03:25:04,800
expressed and others uh in the in the
chambers there. Um it's the traffic

2313
03:25:02,960 --> 03:25:08,479
calming is fundamentally a public safety
issue. And while neighborhood neighbors

2314
03:25:06,560 --> 03:25:12,640
should absolutely have a strong voice in
identifying the problems and shaping

2315
03:25:10,399 --> 03:25:16,640
solutions, the decisions should
ultimately be guided by engineering

2316
03:25:14,319 --> 03:25:21,600
analysis, speed data, crash history, and
the city's adopted policies, not by a

2317
03:25:18,880 --> 03:25:25,279
referendum. The streets not only belong
to the people who live on them, but

2318
03:25:23,600 --> 03:25:29,200
they're used every day by children
walking to school, people riding bikes,

2319
03:25:27,439 --> 03:25:33,200
transit riders, visitors, and everybody
traveling through our community. We

2320
03:25:31,120 --> 03:25:37,680
don't vote on whether or not to install
a stop sign or a crosswalk. We rely on

2321
03:25:35,439 --> 03:25:43,200
objective criteria and professional
judgment and traffic calming should be

2322
03:25:40,560 --> 03:25:47,120
treated the same way. So, I adopt you
tonight to adopt uh I encourage you to

2323
03:25:45,279 --> 03:25:51,200
adopt this program tonight, but please
do direct staff to revisit the

2324
03:25:48,800 --> 03:25:55,200
neighborhood voting requirement um and
so that the community input informs the

2325
03:25:53,279 --> 03:25:59,359
decisions without becoming a barrier to
warranted safety improvements. I

2326
03:25:57,439 --> 03:26:06,560
definitely think that uh staff and
neighborhood um time is a major barrier

2327
03:26:03,840 --> 03:26:11,600
uh to making these things happen. So,
let's try to do as much as we can to get

2328
03:26:09,359 --> 03:26:15,520
as much as um out of our staff and
neighborhood time to improve our

2329
03:26:12,880 --> 03:26:20,520
streets. Um thank you all very much.
Thanks for considering this u this

2330
03:26:17,520 --> 03:26:20,520
policy.

2331
03:26:25,760 --> 03:26:34,720
Hi, Susan Gilbert again, downtown San
Rafale. I'd like to share my gratitude

2332
03:26:32,560 --> 03:26:39,840
for the trafficcoming measures you've
implemented and intend to implement here

2333
03:26:36,880 --> 03:26:45,600
in the future. I can appreciate that the
city traffic engineers have a complex

2334
03:26:42,960 --> 03:26:51,040
complex task of balancing the needs of
drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, all

2335
03:26:48,720 --> 03:26:55,040
of whom want to get across town as fast
as humanly possible.

2336
03:26:53,439 --> 03:27:00,080
As you know, we've had at least four
pedestrian fatalities and two cyclist

2337
03:26:57,520 --> 03:27:05,120
fatalities in the last four years here.
And it's important to recognize that

2338
03:27:01,920 --> 03:27:09,920
these deaths are multiffactorial.
Mostly they have to do with distracted

2339
03:27:07,279 --> 03:27:14,000
or impaired driving and/or speeding on
the part of the driver. I'm asking

2340
03:27:12,160 --> 03:27:18,800
drivers to have more regard for the
lives of the pedestrians and cycling

2341
03:27:16,479 --> 03:27:22,960
neighbors. While it's wonderful that
you've lowered the speed limits around

2342
03:27:20,560 --> 03:27:28,640
the downtown area, I'd like to see more
enforcement of the limits by the police.

2343
03:27:25,760 --> 03:27:34,479
Some of the cars going west on third and
east on second reach speeds of up to 50

2344
03:27:31,279 --> 03:27:40,239
miles an hour. in our residential
neighborhood, which is a 25 mile per

2345
03:27:37,439 --> 03:27:44,640
hour zone. Please consider your
pedestrian neighbors, some of whom are

2346
03:27:42,160 --> 03:27:49,279
old, may have poor mobility or poor
eyesight, and need more time to ambulate

2347
03:27:46,720 --> 03:27:54,160
through a crosswalk.
I'd also like to ask police for more

2348
03:27:51,439 --> 03:27:58,880
enforcement of scooters and ebikes who
are on the sidewalks, make making it

2349
03:27:56,160 --> 03:28:05,040
precarious for us pedestrians.
Finally, I'd like to mention 25 years

2350
03:28:02,080 --> 03:28:10,560
ago, I was responsible for circulating a
petition in my Oakland neighborhood to

2351
03:28:07,520 --> 03:28:17,200
get a speed bump to prevent drug dealers
from traversing our block. I succeeded

2352
03:28:14,239 --> 03:28:22,040
in getting the 160 signatures and it's
still there today. Thank you.

2353
03:28:23,600 --> 03:28:29,200
» I see no other hands raised, but I'll
give everyone a moment.

2354
03:28:26,560 --> 03:28:32,399
» Okay.
I see no more public comment.

2355
03:28:30,640 --> 03:28:39,200
» Okay, thank you. I will close the public
comment and bring it back. Um, any other

2356
03:28:35,600 --> 03:28:43,680
questions by the council?
>> Yeah, go ahead. Vice Mayor, I have a

2357
03:28:41,040 --> 03:28:49,600
question in terms of amending the
resolution. It's the seventh whereas

2358
03:28:47,680 --> 03:28:55,680
um that establishes a request in
petition process if that can be because

2359
03:28:53,279 --> 03:29:00,239
I support everything within the
resolution aside from that petition. I

2360
03:28:57,600 --> 03:29:04,960
don't feel like we've really defined
that the right. I think we need to think

2361
03:29:03,120 --> 03:29:09,120
about that a little bit more of what
that would look like. And I don't know

2362
03:29:06,479 --> 03:29:15,920
if if we're really saying there has to
be community engagement or there has to

2363
03:29:10,880 --> 03:29:22,000
be input or there has to be um some
consensus of a defined area.

2364
03:29:19,680 --> 03:29:26,640
But a petition to me means actually
getting those signatures.

2365
03:29:24,239 --> 03:29:32,800
And unless we're going to give
flexibility on what that petition is,

2366
03:29:29,920 --> 03:29:36,880
I'd like to redefine what that that ph
that whereas.

2367
03:29:34,560 --> 03:29:39,600
» Well, let's let's uh maybe ask city
manager or director Miller to see if

2368
03:29:38,399 --> 03:29:43,200
there's flexibility in this wording
because to change a resolution, you

2369
03:29:40,960 --> 03:29:46,000
would have to make um a motion that
would change that and that may or may

2370
03:29:44,720 --> 03:29:49,840
not be supported. But maybe there's
another way. What I hear is having

2371
03:29:47,760 --> 03:29:55,200
flexibility given the input that you've
heard from the council tonight as well

2372
03:29:52,080 --> 03:30:00,960
as the community. I Yes, thank you. Um I
just want to clarify I think there's a

2373
03:29:57,840 --> 03:30:07,200
piece was missed from say's presentation
and the first step is for residents to

2374
03:30:03,920 --> 03:30:11,439
submit on cclick fix and so the location
is evaluated. There could be striping

2375
03:30:09,200 --> 03:30:16,080
there could be signage that's added.
This policies in place for people who

2376
03:30:13,760 --> 03:30:19,439
are just want more and they're really
passionate about wanting more. Maybe

2377
03:30:17,359 --> 03:30:23,279
it's just one person but maybe it is the
entire neighborhood. And I think that's

2378
03:30:21,520 --> 03:30:28,720
the petition we're trying to get is the
people who want who disagree with our

2379
03:30:25,439 --> 03:30:33,680
initial analysis on what what we think
would be done without the data and and

2380
03:30:31,520 --> 03:30:36,640
that's where the petition comes in. So
just to clarify that piece, I wasn't

2381
03:30:35,120 --> 03:30:43,680
sure if everybody caught that from the
comments from the public. No, I I still

2382
03:30:39,200 --> 03:30:49,680
think that puts the um
there's there's a an advantage for

2383
03:30:46,319 --> 03:30:53,520
somebody to be able to collect that
versus I don't think it's balanced

2384
03:30:52,000 --> 03:30:55,120
» across the community to be able to do
that.

2385
03:30:54,720 --> 03:31:00,880
» Okay.
>> Talking to May I add?

2386
03:30:57,040 --> 03:31:05,600
» Yes. talking to our legal team, city
attorney office. We are working on the

2387
03:31:03,520 --> 03:31:11,600
design of petition because we want to
put some language that they can review.

2388
03:31:07,840 --> 03:31:17,760
For example, if I receive a clic for a
stretch of a road, we can include that

2389
03:31:14,960 --> 03:31:24,080
in the petition, the map of the area
that they need to sign the petition. So

2390
03:31:20,160 --> 03:31:28,479
that but we haven't really finalized the
design of petition. We thought we will

2391
03:31:26,239 --> 03:31:33,200
leave it to staff to design it and with
city attorney review. So that also might

2392
03:31:31,040 --> 03:31:39,520
help your concern.
>> Right. And that's what I was asking if

2393
03:31:34,880 --> 03:31:46,720
we is there flexibility in terms of this
whereas

2394
03:31:41,040 --> 03:31:50,640
to um evaluate that of petition process
um and really

2395
03:31:49,200 --> 03:31:55,120
I'm not sure I'm conveying my
>> No, I think we Yeah, we got it. We hear

2396
03:31:52,560 --> 03:32:00,960
that you have a concern about that and I
I I think really is there flexibility to

2397
03:31:58,000 --> 03:32:06,000
um have staff incorporate the feedback
that they've heard

2398
03:32:03,279 --> 03:32:10,120
and then maybe that may or may not be
sufficient enough. Um

2399
03:32:10,239 --> 03:32:14,479
so
yeah, we haven't designed the petition

2400
03:32:13,120 --> 03:32:18,399
yet. So we would definitely take the
feedback we've received today and from

2401
03:32:17,200 --> 03:32:22,960
some of the letters that we've received
when we're designing the petition. I

2402
03:32:20,560 --> 03:32:25,920
don't think that changes the whereas,
but we could always ask.

2403
03:32:24,720 --> 03:32:29,600
» Okay.
>> No, that's fine. And if that's has the

2404
03:32:27,680 --> 03:32:35,040
flexibility and maybe it goes back to
BPAC or it goes back to some others to

2405
03:32:31,840 --> 03:32:39,920
be able to review and evaluate that that
petition process, that'd be great.

2406
03:32:38,000 --> 03:32:43,200
» Okay. Additional comments? Yeah, Council
Member Hill.

2407
03:32:41,040 --> 03:32:48,640
» Thank you, Mayor Kate. Just to affirm
this doesn't replace this is in addition

2408
03:32:45,439 --> 03:32:54,080
to the city conducting it's already the
existing process which is that there is

2409
03:32:50,960 --> 03:32:59,040
a continued examination of data there is
cclick fix this is just one more

2410
03:32:56,080 --> 03:33:03,279
mechanism on top of the existing process
is that right

2411
03:32:59,920 --> 03:33:09,120
» and and in addition to that this policy
will help us when we implement in our

2412
03:33:06,239 --> 03:33:13,279
projects because we want feedback from
community if we do a safe route to

2413
03:33:11,040 --> 03:33:18,399
school and we imple implement traffic
calming which we can according to the

2414
03:33:15,680 --> 03:33:24,640
policy then we can also use this process
to get petition of support from the

2415
03:33:22,160 --> 03:33:31,279
residents. So we have that outreach or
if we do something on a street where is

2416
03:33:27,600 --> 03:33:36,880
part of the local roadway safety plan uh
high collision segment and it's on a

2417
03:33:34,880 --> 03:33:41,760
residential street we can use the same
process it will be initiated by

2418
03:33:41,359 --> 03:33:45,120
» Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other comments? Council

2419
03:33:44,640 --> 03:33:50,880
Bushy
>> quick um comments. Um I think this is a

2420
03:33:47,760 --> 03:33:55,920
very solid version one. Um it's an
improvement over what we have sets out

2421
03:33:52,640 --> 03:34:01,760
some standards. Um and to the extent
that the roll out brings things that are

2422
03:33:58,960 --> 03:34:06,479
unanticipated, this policy can be can be
revised. Um I think the policy is

2423
03:34:04,000 --> 03:34:10,479
brought forward um is an improvement and
we should adopt it and we look forward

2424
03:34:08,399 --> 03:34:15,760
to your feedback um and the community's
feedback on how it can be improved.

2425
03:34:13,600 --> 03:34:18,960
» Thank you. And I'll just uh close by
saying it was in the staff report, but

2426
03:34:17,200 --> 03:34:23,200
it wasn't in your presentation that this
is a direct response to one of the goals

2427
03:34:21,359 --> 03:34:27,520
and objectives in our three-year
strategic plan. So, this body has

2428
03:34:25,120 --> 03:34:31,200
already stated that we want to launch
and evaluate pilot projects for traffic

2429
03:34:29,680 --> 03:34:36,479
calming measures to improve neighborhood
safety. We do the policy up here and you

2430
03:34:34,160 --> 03:34:41,279
guys come back with the operations and
the how-to. And this is uh what we have

2431
03:34:39,040 --> 03:34:46,160
before us this evening. and we look
forward to seeing how it manifests with

2432
03:34:43,359 --> 03:34:51,040
the input that you've heard and any um
modifications that might be needed after

2433
03:34:48,720 --> 03:34:54,720
it has been um underway. But we
appreciate having an action item to a

2434
03:34:53,040 --> 03:34:59,120
goals and objectives. Um
>> Mayor Kate,

2435
03:34:56,239 --> 03:35:04,160
» please we we were just discussing a
potential change you might wish to

2436
03:35:00,880 --> 03:35:09,120
consider uh that I was discussing with
the city manager because of the concern

2437
03:35:06,160 --> 03:35:12,479
expressed about the request and petition
process.

2438
03:35:10,399 --> 03:35:18,000
Again, the the wherehouses aren't really
operational, but we could substitute the

2439
03:35:14,960 --> 03:35:23,680
word contemplates for establishes
on uh the uh about the eighth whereas

2440
03:35:22,000 --> 03:35:29,399
whereas the policy establishes a
requested petition process, we could say

2441
03:35:25,520 --> 03:35:29,399
whereas the policy contemplates

2442
03:35:29,760 --> 03:35:36,880
just a suggestion in line with vice
mayor's concern stated

2443
03:35:35,040 --> 03:35:40,720
» if the city attorney's office believes
that's necessary in order to have the

2444
03:35:38,399 --> 03:35:46,000
flexibility that we want to have
inherent as the program gets designed,

2445
03:35:43,920 --> 03:35:50,160
then I think we'd be welcome. I I worry
about words smithing, having the five of

2446
03:35:47,760 --> 03:35:53,040
us words smmith, but so that's if if you
believe that change needs to happen to

2447
03:35:51,760 --> 03:35:56,399
have this type of flexibility.
>> It doesn't it does not need to happen.

2448
03:35:54,960 --> 03:36:00,000
» Okay.
>> So, it's just a suggestion to try to

2449
03:35:58,399 --> 03:36:04,000
ameliate the concern, but I don't
believe it's required.

2450
03:36:01,520 --> 03:36:06,080
» Okay.
>> Are you ready for a motion? Yes, I will

2451
03:36:05,439 --> 03:36:09,040
go ahead and
>> I move that we adopt the resolution

2452
03:36:07,520 --> 03:36:13,600
approving the city of San Rafale's
traffic calming program policy.

2453
03:36:12,479 --> 03:36:16,239
» Second.
>> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

2454
03:36:15,279 --> 03:36:17,439
» Council member Bushy.
>> Hi.

2455
03:36:16,560 --> 03:36:18,720
» Council member Hill.
>> Hi.

2456
03:36:17,760 --> 03:36:20,800
» Vice Mayor Curts.
>> Hi.

2457
03:36:19,680 --> 03:36:25,040
» Mayor Kate.
>> I. That motion carries 40. Thank you for

2458
03:36:23,279 --> 03:36:30,319
taking our input. Thank you, S, for all
your work.

2459
03:36:27,600 --> 03:36:36,640
» Our last in our regular agenda is a
nomination of eligible census tracks for

2460
03:36:32,800 --> 03:36:44,160
opportunity zone 2. Z.
I see Greg Miner has joined us. Welcome.

2461
03:36:40,960 --> 03:36:47,200
» Good evening. Greg Miner with the
Community Economic Development

2462
03:36:45,439 --> 03:36:51,080
Department. I'm going to try to pull up
a PowerPoint here.

2463
03:36:53,760 --> 03:37:00,080
All right. Um, I'm going to walk us
through the staff report, which is going

2464
03:36:57,920 --> 03:37:05,840
to provide an overview of what an
opportunity zone is, the opportunity

2465
03:37:02,080 --> 03:37:10,319
zone or OZ 2.0 0 process uh that
Congress recently established as well as

2466
03:37:08,560 --> 03:37:15,840
California's
uh portion of that process and how the

2467
03:37:12,880 --> 03:37:22,160
city of Sanville uh fits in. And I'm
joined uh by Alexis Captain in our our

2468
03:37:20,080 --> 03:37:26,640
housing manager.
Um so what's an opportunity zone? Uh

2469
03:37:24,319 --> 03:37:30,840
it's a federal tax incentive program.
>> We can't see.

2470
03:37:27,439 --> 03:37:30,840
» Oh, I'm sorry.

2471
03:37:32,800 --> 03:37:37,520
I forgot to share.
>> It's uh

2472
03:37:36,239 --> 03:37:40,851
» we were listening to what you were
saying. I we didn't know that we get

2473
03:37:38,800 --> 03:37:42,800
slides too. So great. Thank you.
[laughter]

2474
03:37:40,880 --> 03:37:50,640
» I had similar problems back in
preschool, but uh I'm working on it. Um

2475
03:37:47,840 --> 03:37:55,359
so opportunity zones were a federal tax
program created under the first Trump

2476
03:37:52,399 --> 03:38:02,800
administration. Uh it allows for
investors to repurpose capital gains uh

2477
03:37:58,960 --> 03:38:07,359
into um qualified opportunity funds
which are an investment vehicle that are

2478
03:38:04,960 --> 03:38:12,319
used to support economically distressed
areas. And depending on how long the

2479
03:38:09,680 --> 03:38:16,720
investment is in place, it minimizes or
eliminates the tax burden. Um, and this

2480
03:38:14,960 --> 03:38:20,640
slide lists a couple of eligible
investments such as real estate

2481
03:38:18,239 --> 03:38:25,920
construction, uh, rehabilitation of
vacant or underutilized properties, um,

2482
03:38:23,359 --> 03:38:29,359
infrastructure or energy related
projects or investments in operating

2483
03:38:27,840 --> 03:38:35,680
businesses.
Um, so the first opportunity zone 1.0,

2484
03:38:32,720 --> 03:38:40,560
the initial program established in 2017
was scheduled to sunset um, I think at

2485
03:38:38,560 --> 03:38:45,120
the end of 2028.
However, Congress made the pro program

2486
03:38:43,200 --> 03:38:50,239
permanent uh last year as part of that
one big beautiful bill and it also

2487
03:38:47,439 --> 03:38:55,920
established this opportunity zone 2.0 0
process where uh IRS in the spring

2488
03:38:53,760 --> 03:39:00,319
released the eligible census tracks
nationwide and then governors across the

2489
03:38:58,399 --> 03:39:07,279
country have until the end of September
to nominate up to 25% of their eligible

2490
03:39:02,800 --> 03:39:12,399
census tracks and then uh the
Treasury uh later this year will certify

2491
03:39:09,760 --> 03:39:16,080
those nominations and then the new
opportunity zone map will be in effect

2492
03:39:14,080 --> 03:39:22,720
for the next decade. So it's a once a
decade process moving forward.

2493
03:39:20,239 --> 03:39:26,319
U and then within that uh California has
created its own process that's being

2494
03:39:24,479 --> 03:39:31,359
overseen by GOBiz or the governor's
office of business and economic

2495
03:39:27,840 --> 03:39:35,200
development. Uh so back in
uh middle of June they opened up an

2496
03:39:33,920 --> 03:39:40,239
application process for local
jurisdictions to re make recommendations

2497
03:39:37,439 --> 03:39:45,040
of which census tracks uh the governor
should nominate. Um there's not a it's

2498
03:39:43,040 --> 03:39:49,279
not required that a a local
jurisdictions's elected body adopt a

2499
03:39:47,200 --> 03:39:53,840
resolution. Um, however, it's something
that we can add during the public

2500
03:39:50,880 --> 03:39:59,200
comment period to show um support or
direction. And then uh again at the end

2501
03:39:57,120 --> 03:40:05,200
then there'll be a public comment period
uh August 1st and uh a deadline for the

2502
03:40:02,399 --> 03:40:11,840
governor at the end of September.
Um the state has indicated that uh and

2503
03:40:10,000 --> 03:40:17,920
and just for context in terms of the
number of census tracks in California um

2504
03:40:15,439 --> 03:40:23,960
there's over 2600 eligible census
tracks. So the governor can only

2505
03:40:19,279 --> 03:40:23,960
nominate a little over 600.

2506
03:40:24,000 --> 03:40:32,239
Um in terms of um how the state will go
about selecting that 600 or so census

2507
03:40:29,760 --> 03:40:37,600
tracks, they've identified a number of
priorities.

2508
03:40:34,319 --> 03:40:42,319
Um, some of those are outside of our
control, just demographic factors such

2509
03:40:39,359 --> 03:40:47,840
as poverty, medium family income, uh,
renter occupancy, occupancy, uh, and

2510
03:40:45,600 --> 03:40:51,279
unemployment. But other factors are
statewide and regional economic

2511
03:40:49,520 --> 03:40:56,239
development, uh, objectives such as
those outlined on the slide here,

2512
03:40:53,760 --> 03:41:00,960
alignment with, uh, the state jobs first
regional plans and programs, alignment

2513
03:40:58,800 --> 03:41:06,319
with, uh, affordable housing objectives
and regional housing needs allocation.

2514
03:41:03,600 --> 03:41:13,200
the presence of business ready sites and
any active or planned public investment.

2515
03:41:09,920 --> 03:41:19,040
Um so when it comes to San Rafll uh in
the the initial opportunity zone or OZ

2516
03:41:16,479 --> 03:41:26,800
1.0 the census tracks the two small
census tracks 1122.04

2517
03:41:22,479 --> 03:41:33,760
and 003 were the designated tracks. In
this second uh round, the IRS has

2518
03:41:31,120 --> 03:41:41,439
identified five potential census tracks,
including much larger census tracks such

2519
03:41:35,840 --> 03:41:46,880
as um 1122.02, O2, which includes um the
remainder of East Sanfell and all of our

2520
03:41:44,080 --> 03:41:55,840
our ARO dealerships, which are prime tax
generating um uh uses for the city, as

2521
03:41:52,000 --> 03:42:02,080
well as uh areas west of 580 and a
portion of the downtown.

2522
03:41:58,800 --> 03:42:06,399
Um these areas align with many of the
the state priorities that uh I

2523
03:42:04,080 --> 03:42:10,080
referenced a moment ago. Um there's
currently various forms of public

2524
03:42:08,640 --> 03:42:15,359
investment in these different areas.
Just an as an example, MTC is funding

2525
03:42:13,040 --> 03:42:20,720
the East Sanfell specific plan that is
underway at the moment um that will help

2526
03:42:17,840 --> 03:42:24,560
shape um opportunities and um
development pathways going forward.

2527
03:42:22,640 --> 03:42:29,359
There are multiple housing sites as well
as busy ready site, business ready sites

2528
03:42:27,279 --> 03:42:33,200
and there's ongoing workforce um
training programs as well in these

2529
03:42:30,880 --> 03:42:38,479
areas.
Um, one issue that the economic

2530
03:42:35,920 --> 03:42:42,880
development and housing subcommittee um
raised during discussion of this item

2531
03:42:40,960 --> 03:42:49,200
was the potential for displacement of
tenants as a result of um opportunities

2532
03:42:45,920 --> 03:42:55,439
zone related investments. Um, back in
2021 and 2024, the city took measures um

2533
03:42:53,279 --> 03:43:01,359
to adopt anti-displacement strategies
specific to those um opportunity 1.0

2534
03:42:58,399 --> 03:43:06,960
census tracks. Um however there isn't a
lot of data in terms of the actual

2535
03:43:03,359 --> 03:43:11,680
impact of um OZ 1.0 investments and
partly that's a reflection on the lack

2536
03:43:08,560 --> 03:43:16,560
of data reporting requirements during OZ
1.0. OZ 2.0 will have more reporting

2537
03:43:14,960 --> 03:43:24,399
requirements. So we'll have a better
sense of um the impact um of opportunity

2538
03:43:21,120 --> 03:43:28,880
zone uh investments. Um regardless of
opportunity zones, uh the city council

2539
03:43:27,040 --> 03:43:33,040
through the housing element and the
three-year strategic plan has adopted

2540
03:43:30,880 --> 03:43:38,000
goals directing staff to explore
anti-displacement strategies as our our

2541
03:43:35,600 --> 03:43:41,600
housing manager knows well. Um and staff
is already um exploring

2542
03:43:39,760 --> 03:43:44,960
anti-displacement strategies for
presentation to the city council

2543
03:43:43,520 --> 03:43:50,000
starting with the economic development
housing subcommittee um this fall that

2544
03:43:47,760 --> 03:43:58,080
so that will include an analysis of the
opportunity zones but more more examine

2545
03:43:53,520 --> 03:44:02,560
anti-displacement strategies citywide.
Um so in terms of staff's recommendation

2546
03:44:00,720 --> 03:44:07,600
uh since there is no limit on how many
census tracks we could recommend um

2547
03:44:05,439 --> 03:44:13,120
we're recommending
uh all five census tracks for the

2548
03:44:09,600 --> 03:44:16,960
state's consideration um with the pri uh
prioritization.

2549
03:44:14,720 --> 03:44:24,880
Um the number one census track that we
recommend is the the largest census

2550
03:44:19,920 --> 03:44:29,920
track the 1122.02 O2 um as well and
followed with the downtown census tract

2551
03:44:27,760 --> 03:44:33,120
as these two census track provide the
strongest opportunity for investment

2552
03:44:31,359 --> 03:44:38,560
that aligns with the city's economic
development uh housing resilience and

2553
03:44:35,840 --> 03:44:43,199
revenue um objectives.
Um the next two census tracks staff

2554
03:44:41,680 --> 03:44:47,920
recommends
uh for the state's consideration would

2555
03:44:45,520 --> 03:44:53,680
be 1122.04
and 1122.03 03 the remaining uh census

2556
03:44:51,680 --> 03:44:59,040
tracks in East Sanfell or the existing
1.0 census tracks is that would provide

2557
03:44:56,479 --> 03:45:04,640
for a kind of a comprehensive
um economic development tool for East

2558
03:45:02,319 --> 03:45:09,279
Sanfell and help support the policies
developed in the East Sanfell specific

2559
03:45:06,399 --> 03:45:13,359
plan. And the last census track uh
recommended would be the furthest west

2560
03:45:11,760 --> 03:45:17,120
1121
um as there are opportunities for

2561
03:45:15,760 --> 03:45:21,920
industrial and commercial land
modernization there as well.

2562
03:45:19,600 --> 03:45:24,720
Um, so that's staff's recommendation.
Um, and we're here to answer any

2563
03:45:23,600 --> 03:45:29,520
questions.
>> Thank you, Greg. Uh, questions, vice

2564
03:45:27,279 --> 03:45:37,040
mayor. Any questions on this item?
>> So, we can recommend all five and the

2565
03:45:33,199 --> 03:45:38,560
state can come back and select one.
>> Right. Okay.

2566
03:45:37,840 --> 03:45:43,920
» Correct.
>> Yeah. Um, for all these census tracks,

2567
03:45:41,120 --> 03:45:48,279
are they all within the city or does it
cross into the county as at all?

2568
03:45:50,720 --> 03:45:56,160
Um, my wise colleague to my right has
confirmed that they're they're all

2569
03:45:54,319 --> 03:45:59,760
within the city of Sarville.
>> Okay, great. All right, that's Yeah, no,

2570
03:45:58,399 --> 03:46:02,880
it makes sense.
>> Great. Thank you. Uh, questions. Council

2571
03:46:01,760 --> 03:46:07,439
member Bushy.
>> Um, I want to ask some questions about

2572
03:46:05,120 --> 03:46:12,640
the uh anti-displacement.
Um, because I was here when we did those

2573
03:46:10,239 --> 03:46:15,680
and it was an emergency. um we thought
there was going to be widespread

2574
03:46:13,840 --> 03:46:21,279
displacement because of the very
lucrative incentives created by the

2575
03:46:19,120 --> 03:46:26,720
opportunity zones.
So if I understand your presentation

2576
03:46:23,600 --> 03:46:34,760
correctly, there hasn't been a lot of
use of those anti-displacement

2577
03:46:30,800 --> 03:46:34,760
uh programs and requirements.

2578
03:46:38,160 --> 03:46:45,600
So, um,
as Greg mentioned, we don't have great

2579
03:46:43,920 --> 03:46:50,479
local data because of the lack of
reporting requirements. But what we do

2580
03:46:48,160 --> 03:46:56,479
know is nationally
a little under three4ers of tracks, OZ

2581
03:46:54,080 --> 03:47:04,560
designated tracks, saw activity and
about a quarter didn't. Um we have not

2582
03:47:02,080 --> 03:47:10,560
we are not aware of a lot of activity in
our opportunity zone. Um I think what

2583
03:47:07,520 --> 03:47:15,359
we're thinking about for 1.0 versus 2.0
is that we do have some other economic

2584
03:47:12,720 --> 03:47:21,760
development strategies coming down the
line for instance the Southeast Sanfell

2585
03:47:17,760 --> 03:47:25,840
specific plan and other plans that could
catalyze investment together with the

2586
03:47:24,160 --> 03:47:32,080
opportunity zone. One of the things that
a lot of the um research and commentary

2587
03:47:29,520 --> 03:47:40,000
on the opportunity zones are saying is
that often the tracks that had more

2588
03:47:35,920 --> 03:47:48,479
activity had multiple had an opportunity
zone designation and some other um

2589
03:47:42,960 --> 03:47:55,120
tools. And so um that is why even though
we're not aware of um a proliferation of

2590
03:47:52,239 --> 03:47:59,680
activity in the OZ 1.0 0 in the canal
census tract. Um we didn't want to

2591
03:47:58,000 --> 03:48:04,160
assume that there would necessarily be
no activity in 2.0 if if there were

2592
03:48:02,080 --> 03:48:09,760
another designation with different other
local tools in place,

2593
03:48:06,319 --> 03:48:15,120
» right? That doesn't make any sense. So
years ago in 2017, it was an emergency.

2594
03:48:13,840 --> 03:48:19,600
Something was going bad things were
going to happen to tenants. We had to

2595
03:48:16,239 --> 03:48:24,640
act right away. We adopted um extremely
strenuous tenant protections. I'm now

2596
03:48:22,720 --> 03:48:28,652
hearing you tell tell me that as far as
you know there haven't they haven't been

2597
03:48:26,960 --> 03:48:35,120
used um and they haven't created
[clears throat] any um and and there and

2598
03:48:31,760 --> 03:48:39,680
there wasn't a real need for them. So
and that was just in the two small ones.

2599
03:48:37,040 --> 03:48:45,279
So now we're zooming out to many more a
much a much bigger area and you're

2600
03:48:42,560 --> 03:48:51,199
coming forward and making no
recommendations for those for the for

2601
03:48:48,960 --> 03:48:54,560
the new areas. So my question goes back
to what are we going to do about the

2602
03:48:52,160 --> 03:48:58,720
ones? Are we going to leave the So are
we going to have two with these these

2603
03:48:56,720 --> 03:49:03,920
strenuous requirements and the other's
not? What's the logic behind that?

2604
03:49:02,160 --> 03:49:09,760
» Sorry, let me just clarify. I apologize.
I didn't understand the question. So um

2605
03:49:06,880 --> 03:49:16,640
the two emergency policies, one of them
will expire December 31st, 2026. So the

2606
03:49:13,279 --> 03:49:21,279
2024 emergency ordinance, no matter what
happens with the opportunity zone 2.0 0

2607
03:49:18,880 --> 03:49:28,319
designation whether all of them get uh
designated none of them it will deci it

2608
03:49:24,399 --> 03:49:33,359
will expire December 31st the 2021
policy which is the one that increased

2609
03:49:30,319 --> 03:49:38,560
relocation assistance payment amounts
>> that is tied specifically to the canal

2610
03:49:36,000 --> 03:49:44,560
opportunity zone designation that
currently exists. So if those two were

2611
03:49:42,399 --> 03:49:50,640
to get redesated
that would survive into 2.0 No, unless

2612
03:49:47,120 --> 03:49:53,279
the council took action. But if if those
>> only for those

2613
03:49:52,080 --> 03:49:58,640
» Exactly.
>> Okay.

2614
03:49:54,800 --> 03:50:04,080
So, logically, if they're necessary for
those two, are they necessary for the

2615
03:50:00,720 --> 03:50:12,080
others? And if it sounds to me like they
haven't been used in those two. So,

2616
03:50:08,479 --> 03:50:20,479
why so so what what are we doing here?
So, it's not that that um those policies

2617
03:50:17,600 --> 03:50:26,800
haven't been used. I think it's that
we're saying there hasn't been

2618
03:50:23,439 --> 03:50:31,279
a a proliferation of qualified
opportunity fund activity in the in the

2619
03:50:28,880 --> 03:50:35,279
in the current zone that we're aware of.
Those policies have been utilized in

2620
03:50:33,040 --> 03:50:40,000
circum certain circumstances. But I
think part of what we're saying is it

2621
03:50:38,080 --> 03:50:45,680
makes sense to look at this in a
city-wide approach rather than only look

2622
03:50:43,120 --> 03:50:51,920
at it in isolation with a couple of
census tracks to your point.

2623
03:50:49,359 --> 03:50:56,000
» So your proposal then is to look at it
across the city

2624
03:50:54,560 --> 03:50:59,120
and what are you going to do about those
two?

2625
03:50:57,279 --> 03:51:02,080
» So council member if I may, Micah
Hinkle, community and economic

2626
03:51:00,239 --> 03:51:06,000
development director. Uh some of these
items were covered in the um uh

2627
03:51:04,399 --> 03:51:10,319
subcommittee meeting we had on this.
I'll try to bring up to speed on the

2628
03:51:07,520 --> 03:51:14,960
general thoughts and approach. Um we did
adopt um tenant protection components

2629
03:51:13,359 --> 03:51:18,960
tied to the opportunity zone which is
those two little census tracks. But the

2630
03:51:17,359 --> 03:51:23,199
initial data in the analysis when
looking from a citywide perspective of

2631
03:51:21,040 --> 03:51:28,160
our issues on protections really need to
be citywide. They can't just be tied to

2632
03:51:25,439 --> 03:51:31,920
a singular opportunity zone provision or
the changes in that. So really the staff

2633
03:51:30,479 --> 03:51:36,160
recommendation is really to separate
tenant protections and opportunity zone

2634
03:51:34,000 --> 03:51:40,720
designations. Opportunity zone
designations were how we approached the

2635
03:51:38,640 --> 03:51:45,279
particular problem at the time to say
here's a potential solution that defined

2636
03:51:42,560 --> 03:51:49,600
a geographic area. But as we dug more
into the issue about displacement or

2637
03:51:48,000 --> 03:51:54,160
concerns about displacement within the
city of Sanfell, it really is it's in

2638
03:51:51,920 --> 03:51:59,199
multiple components of the city that's
not specifically an OZ an opportunity

2639
03:51:56,720 --> 03:52:04,479
zone location. So we really are looking
at them as two different uh approaches.

2640
03:52:01,680 --> 03:52:08,239
One is um uh tenant protection
approaches um through for through the

2641
03:52:06,319 --> 03:52:12,000
entire citywide and we're prepared and
we've been researching uh

2642
03:52:09,840 --> 03:52:16,880
recommendations to bring back to the uh
subcommittee along and ultimately to the

2643
03:52:13,920 --> 03:52:20,000
council per the work program. There is a
secondary piece to this and really is

2644
03:52:18,319 --> 03:52:26,160
related to the state's movement on
opportunity zone 2.0. Um we do see this

2645
03:52:24,399 --> 03:52:30,399
opportunity zone 2.0 you know as a
economic development tool uh and really

2646
03:52:28,800 --> 03:52:34,640
what it is it's it's tax benefits from
the federal government. So it is an

2647
03:52:32,239 --> 03:52:39,120
important investment tool and we want to
utilize it as such and that's its

2648
03:52:36,080 --> 03:52:44,319
original intent. Um so we are focused on
the eligible track zones that we have.

2649
03:52:41,279 --> 03:52:47,279
Um we have actually engaged um the uh
multiple community members. We've done a

2650
03:52:45,840 --> 03:52:51,279
couple workshop sessions on this and
actually received general support of

2651
03:52:49,520 --> 03:52:54,479
like yeah one questions I think we
received I think we got received letters

2652
03:52:52,800 --> 03:52:58,239
on this was okay what's the
prioritization which one is it downtown

2653
03:52:56,239 --> 03:53:02,160
or is it east Sanfell uh a lot of
approach was make sure it's east Sanfell

2654
03:52:59,680 --> 03:53:07,120
first with downtown and the other zones
um in that order of preference but

2655
03:53:04,800 --> 03:53:12,080
ultimately this will become a state uh
tool that the we may get zero uh in

2656
03:53:10,239 --> 03:53:15,840
terms of the eligibility tracks I'm
hoping that we'll get something but who

2657
03:53:13,840 --> 03:53:19,199
knows um But that's really the approach
we're taking. Really trying to isolate

2658
03:53:17,520 --> 03:53:24,560
the two type of questions being opposed
here. Um but opportunity zones is just a

2659
03:53:22,560 --> 03:53:27,920
a toolbox into the economic development
tools whereas the tenant protections I

2660
03:53:27,120 --> 03:53:32,239
think is actually something that needs
to be taken on by the city as a whole

2661
03:53:29,840 --> 03:53:36,720
and it expands beyond the two little
census tracks uh located in the canal.

2662
03:53:34,560 --> 03:53:41,840
» Agree with you 100%. Um economic
development sounds great. Let's do all

2663
03:53:38,399 --> 03:53:47,840
of that. but we put them together years
ago and we either need to decide that

2664
03:53:44,720 --> 03:53:53,920
they belong together or they don't.
Maybe that's an issue that you take up

2665
03:53:49,600 --> 03:53:59,199
in the broader um looking at the across
the city and saying in this particular

2666
03:53:56,479 --> 03:54:03,319
area we have them based on this
rationale that is now outdated.

2667
03:54:03,680 --> 03:54:08,560
Um, I believe that's the the approach on
this and really just bringing forward

2668
03:54:06,880 --> 03:54:12,479
recommendations on where where the
tenant protection should lie across the

2669
03:54:10,640 --> 03:54:15,680
entire city and actually define
potentially a different geographic

2670
03:54:14,000 --> 03:54:19,600
basis. You there are other other
opportunities for us to do that. That's

2671
03:54:17,439 --> 03:54:21,840
not an OZ map um
>> anymore.

2672
03:54:20,319 --> 03:54:25,040
» That's correct. And that's really the
concern of this. We needed to come to

2673
03:54:23,279 --> 03:54:28,880
terms with this no matter what because
they were going to expire at the end of

2674
03:54:26,239 --> 03:54:32,960
the year. Um so we we've already been
working on okay where is our approach

2675
03:54:30,720 --> 03:54:37,920
for tenant protections. Uh but then the
opportunity zones period time period uh

2676
03:54:36,239 --> 03:54:41,040
ramped up really kind of we need to take
action if we want to preserve the

2677
03:54:39,600 --> 03:54:44,080
ability even to obtain the economic
development tools that we presented by

2678
03:54:42,640 --> 03:54:49,920
OZ 2.0.
>> Right. So capture the benefits of OZ um

2679
03:54:46,640 --> 03:54:54,160
2.0 and resolve the tenant protection
issues somewhere else but separate them.

2680
03:54:53,359 --> 03:55:00,720
» That's correct.
>> Actually cleave them apart because that

2681
03:54:57,439 --> 03:55:03,520
was that was how it was done before. All
right. Uh, thank you.

2682
03:55:02,399 --> 03:55:08,800
» Certainly.
>> Thank you, Council Member Hill.

2683
03:55:06,239 --> 03:55:13,680
» Thank you, Mayor Kate. Thank you, Greg
and Alexis, for being here to present

2684
03:55:11,439 --> 03:55:21,199
this item. This is very important to our
community. My question uh is because we

2685
03:55:17,600 --> 03:55:23,120
can't tell investors, invest in this.
They're going to come in and they're

2686
03:55:22,000 --> 03:55:28,720
going to invest in what they want to.
However, what I'd love to hear is does

2687
03:55:25,359 --> 03:55:34,800
staff have any opinions on tools that we
have that would might encourage or steer

2688
03:55:32,239 --> 03:55:38,479
towards
projects that would lead to more

2689
03:55:36,239 --> 03:55:45,680
community benefit or toward and or
towards um our general plan.

2690
03:55:43,120 --> 03:55:49,680
» Sure. I mean, one one opportunity that
comes to mind is the East Sanfell

2691
03:55:47,359 --> 03:55:53,439
specific plan. That's a process where
the community and the council ultimately

2692
03:55:51,760 --> 03:55:59,040
can,
you know, incentivize certain activity

2693
03:55:57,199 --> 03:56:02,399
um through our our planning regulations.
So, that seems like an opportunity on

2694
03:56:00,399 --> 03:56:07,840
the horizon. And I don't know, Alexis,
did you want to add anything? Um, one

2695
03:56:04,880 --> 03:56:11,680
one thing I I just I omitted earlier in
the presentation to to mention that

2696
03:56:09,520 --> 03:56:15,120
staff's recommendation is consistent
with the recommendation of the the

2697
03:56:13,439 --> 03:56:20,239
Chamber of Commerce and East Sanfell
Working Group and Canal Alliance. and

2698
03:56:17,040 --> 03:56:26,720
they included a letter in our packet.
>> And um my other my other question around

2699
03:56:24,960 --> 03:56:33,199
displacement because I I know that in
the in the packet in the presentation

2700
03:56:29,199 --> 03:56:37,040
too that um staff will come back to
subcommittee first and then the council

2701
03:56:34,720 --> 03:56:42,880
to contemplate what those proposals
might be to for for mitigation. I I

2702
03:56:39,920 --> 03:56:46,160
think that might go I I would suggest it
might answer a lot of what council

2703
03:56:44,239 --> 03:56:51,279
member Bush's concerns are, which is how
do we disentangle

2704
03:56:48,479 --> 03:56:54,239
citywide policy from OZ specific policy
for displacement. Are there any other

2705
03:56:52,640 --> 03:56:58,840
risks other than displacement that you
would contemplate or is that the main

2706
03:56:55,840 --> 03:56:58,840
one?

2707
03:57:00,960 --> 03:57:05,920
» Um not that comes to mind. And I don't
know if director Henle if you want to if

2708
03:57:04,399 --> 03:57:09,199
you have any thoughts but it ultimately
I think what we've discussed at the

2709
03:57:07,520 --> 03:57:13,040
subcommittee level and director Henkle
mentioned is it's just an additional

2710
03:57:10,800 --> 03:57:19,359
economic development tool. So if an
investor is considering investing in Oak

2711
03:57:15,920 --> 03:57:23,680
in Sarafll rather uh this is this is
something that might encourage them to

2712
03:57:20,800 --> 03:57:28,479
invest here rather than not. So it's
it's an additional tool. Um, you know,

2713
03:57:26,720 --> 03:57:31,439
kind of to to add on to that, I agree
and I don't think there's a lot of risk

2714
03:57:30,000 --> 03:57:36,319
outside of the displacement concerns
that were really been called out for it.

2715
03:57:33,359 --> 03:57:40,880
It is a federal tax um benefit that's
actually applied by Congress. Um, I

2716
03:57:39,359 --> 03:57:44,479
think for us when we look at these
items, it's overall investment actions.

2717
03:57:43,279 --> 03:57:50,239
It's almost like a checkbox for
investors, right? You know, are you in

2718
03:57:46,399 --> 03:57:54,880
the flood zone? Maybe, yes, no. Um, are
you uh in opportunity zone? Yes. So they

2719
03:57:53,040 --> 03:58:00,000
go through the box of items and then
also the reality of for investors to

2720
03:57:57,279 --> 03:58:03,439
take advantage of the tax benefits
applied by opportunity zones, you got to

2721
03:58:02,080 --> 03:58:07,359
pretty you have to have like groups
understand qualified investments and

2722
03:58:05,600 --> 03:58:11,120
there's a big fund pool that ties into
it. But they do exist and they actually

2723
03:58:09,199 --> 03:58:16,080
been successful in some areas for
bringing that capital uh to play. The

2724
03:58:14,000 --> 03:58:19,920
one area that that and I I mentioned
this in the um subcommittee. One area

2725
03:58:18,560 --> 03:58:25,199
that I was surprised with is is the
ability that downtown was not originally

2726
03:58:22,160 --> 03:58:29,279
on any of the initial projected maps or
locations. I actually think that's a

2727
03:58:27,680 --> 03:58:32,800
great benefit for us because we already
have adopted plans and information. This

2728
03:58:31,040 --> 03:58:38,479
is an area we've targeted for many years
for investment where this brings another

2729
03:58:35,840 --> 03:58:42,880
checkbox to say why makes sense for
investment. if that brings in that

2730
03:58:40,479 --> 03:58:47,840
housing and that um officer development
pieces we're looking for the benefits

2731
03:58:44,960 --> 03:58:52,560
also too opportunity zones also um they
look always layered for for like tools

2732
03:58:49,920 --> 03:58:56,399
for investments being qual and a
qualified opportunity zone may also

2733
03:58:54,880 --> 03:59:00,560
bring some of the infrastructure dollars
and pieces we're after um based on the

2734
03:58:58,800 --> 03:59:06,080
projects that are being presented. So
whatever we can do to add to the ability

2735
03:59:02,800 --> 03:59:10,080
for investment to pull full benefit, I
think it's it's a value to us. But I do

2736
03:59:08,319 --> 03:59:14,080
do agree the biggest concern of the
biggest setbacks opportunity zones and

2737
03:59:12,399 --> 03:59:17,199
uh has been always been the displacement
concerns. That's why I think we're

2738
03:59:15,680 --> 03:59:20,800
trying to address this the displacement
concerns more on a citywide pieces where

2739
03:59:19,439 --> 03:59:24,239
it's not just the protections are added
only if you're in the opportunity zones

2740
03:59:22,319 --> 03:59:29,760
because those same concerns are
throughout our community.

2741
03:59:26,239 --> 03:59:35,120
» One concern that I have that
I imagine and I can't prove it but I'd

2742
03:59:31,920 --> 03:59:41,279
love if staff could uh indulge walking
into this risk area that I think about

2743
03:59:36,960 --> 03:59:44,160
which is that you know uh the happy path
is that we get investments that are

2744
03:59:42,960 --> 03:59:48,560
completely aligned with community
benefit completely aligned with the

2745
03:59:45,520 --> 03:59:53,680
general plan. However,
um I can also imagine that what might be

2746
03:59:51,199 --> 03:59:59,680
more important to an investor is that it
they get a return

2747
03:59:56,239 --> 04:00:05,680
and that may not be consistent with
community benefit and general plan. So,

2748
04:00:02,319 --> 04:00:08,720
I guess um it doesn't have to be an
answer that says here's what we're going

2749
04:00:06,880 --> 04:00:13,279
to do. I'm hoping that maybe if if staff
can contemplate as part of the

2750
04:00:10,960 --> 04:00:18,399
displacement um you know the next time
we we revisit this at the subcommittee

2751
04:00:15,199 --> 04:00:23,120
level what are ways that we can help you
know how do we create more encouragement

2752
04:00:20,800 --> 04:00:26,640
I I appreciate you know the the specific
plan is obviously one way if there's any

2753
04:00:25,279 --> 04:00:32,640
other lessons that are learned even if
it's not data driven I I I heard uh

2754
04:00:29,520 --> 04:00:36,080
opportunities in 1.0 did not have data
and reporting requirements uh in a way

2755
04:00:34,640 --> 04:00:41,520
that might inform even if it's
anecdotal, what did other communities do

2756
04:00:37,600 --> 04:00:46,080
to try to um make it less extractive and
and more aligned with community benefit?

2757
04:00:44,479 --> 04:00:50,640
» I think that one thing that really helps
in the process, particularly for the

2758
04:00:48,160 --> 04:00:56,239
community engagement portions for both
the downtown and for uh Southeast

2759
04:00:52,960 --> 04:01:00,080
Sanfell, um is the community engagement
about what we're looking for. Uh I think

2760
04:00:58,560 --> 04:01:03,760
that's the most critical piece because a
lot of times that is the question for

2761
04:01:01,359 --> 04:01:07,439
investors. What's the overall vision of
this community? Where is it going to go?

2762
04:01:05,359 --> 04:01:11,520
What do I need to be successful here?
And I think those plans and that

2763
04:01:09,359 --> 04:01:16,239
investment of our of our time and effort
really will pay off in that um total

2764
04:01:14,000 --> 04:01:20,160
investment package. Uh particularly
what's needed to be successful. So and

2765
04:01:18,800 --> 04:01:23,920
and that's when we look at kind of the
displacement policies or concerns

2766
04:01:21,840 --> 04:01:28,720
related to that. we're getting that
level of investment and looks in Sanfell

2767
04:01:26,080 --> 04:01:32,080
altogether and all parts of Sanfell. So
I think that's why we really do need to

2768
04:01:30,399 --> 04:01:36,479
look at really what's happening to our
community in respects of displacement

2769
04:01:33,760 --> 04:01:39,520
outside of opportunity zones. Uh and I
that's really where where we landed as

2770
04:01:38,000 --> 04:01:43,760
staff and really kind of p pursuing that
that approach.

2771
04:01:41,359 --> 04:01:46,960
» Thank you.
>> Thank you. I don't have any additional

2772
04:01:45,439 --> 04:01:51,840
questions. So I'm going to open up
public comment on this item. If you'd

2773
04:01:49,279 --> 04:01:56,319
like to comment, now is your opportunity
to do so.

2774
04:01:54,080 --> 04:02:00,239
I don't see anyone in the room. Anyone
online like to comment?

2775
04:01:58,800 --> 04:02:02,880
» I see no hands raised, but I'll give
everyone a second.

2776
04:02:01,199 --> 04:02:05,680
» Okay,
>> I see no public comment.

2777
04:02:04,080 --> 04:02:09,120
» Okay, I'll close the public comment and
bring it back. We've had in addition to

2778
04:02:08,000 --> 04:02:12,880
those questions, there was some
commentary in there as well. Um, but I

2779
04:02:11,520 --> 04:02:18,720
will offer the opportunity for
additional comments. Vice Mayor.

2780
04:02:15,680 --> 04:02:23,920
» Um I'm supportive of moving forward with
recommendation of the prior and the

2781
04:02:20,960 --> 04:02:31,279
priorization of the five additional
um or actually three additional plus the

2782
04:02:26,399 --> 04:02:35,600
two um census tracks. I think we have to
keep an eye on the what happens to the

2783
04:02:34,080 --> 04:02:41,760
opportunity zones. It will be
interesting to see if having them in

2784
04:02:38,080 --> 04:02:46,399
more commercial areas will generate
something. I don't feel that we saw what

2785
04:02:44,720 --> 04:02:51,040
we were hoping to see with the
opportunity zone. So, um, but I think

2786
04:02:49,439 --> 04:02:55,359
we'll need to watch it carefully and I
hope the state supports the work that

2787
04:02:53,120 --> 04:02:59,920
we're trying to do because if it works
the way it's supposed to work for the

2788
04:02:57,920 --> 04:03:06,239
better of the community, that would be
great. If it leads to more, you know,

2789
04:03:04,160 --> 04:03:10,000
gentrification, displacement, other
things that the the negative aspects

2790
04:03:07,840 --> 04:03:14,800
that come along with an opportunity zone
potentially, then we need to, you know,

2791
04:03:12,960 --> 04:03:21,040
address that as they come forward. But
right now, we're not seeing that. Um,

2792
04:03:17,840 --> 04:03:25,680
and it would be to it we would we would
be remiss not moving forward at least to

2793
04:03:23,279 --> 04:03:30,080
see if we can get some support from the
state to be able to work with these with

2794
04:03:27,439 --> 04:03:32,560
these levels and these census tracks.
Thank you.

2795
04:03:30,720 --> 04:03:36,720
» Thank you, Council Member Bushy.
>> I support the staff recommendation and

2796
04:03:34,319 --> 04:03:39,600
be happy to move the motion um at the
appropriate time.

2797
04:03:37,600 --> 04:03:44,880
» Thank you, Council Member Hill.
>> I will echo my council members comments

2798
04:03:42,640 --> 04:03:51,680
and not belabor the point. I support
this um adopting the nomination of these

2799
04:03:48,160 --> 04:03:54,960
five census tracks. I look forward to uh
the next engagement with staff on

2800
04:03:53,439 --> 04:03:58,960
recommendations for displacement and
ways that we can guide investment if

2801
04:03:57,120 --> 04:04:01,279
what using whatever tools we have. Thank
you.

2802
04:03:59,680 --> 04:04:04,720
» Yeah. And thank you, Alexis and Greg,
for all the work. I I know there's a lot

2803
04:04:03,040 --> 04:04:10,720
of work that went into bringing this to
the city and even having us consider it.

2804
04:04:07,199 --> 04:04:14,720
Um we hope that we get selected as we
already talked about as the vice mayor

2805
04:04:11,920 --> 04:04:18,720
mentioned the um there's a lot of
opportunity zones that can be elected or

2806
04:04:17,040 --> 04:04:22,080
suggested and it's really up to the
governor's office. So, I'm glad we're

2807
04:04:19,920 --> 04:04:25,920
taking this step. Um Council Member
Bushy, you said you would make the

2808
04:04:23,520 --> 04:04:29,359
motion on this item. You are. Uh, I move
that we adopt the RA resolution in

2809
04:04:27,760 --> 04:04:33,439
support of an application to the
California Governor's Office of Business

2810
04:04:30,960 --> 04:04:38,760
and Economic Development, Go Biz,
recommending the nomination of census

2811
04:04:35,199 --> 04:04:38,760
tracks 0604111

2812
04:04:38,800 --> 04:04:43,399
01
0604111

2813
04:04:43,840 --> 04:04:46,840
060411

2814
04:04:47,439 --> 04:04:53,239
1 22 02 0604111223

2815
04:04:53,359 --> 04:04:57,560
and 060411122042

2816
04:04:58,479 --> 04:05:04,080
the opportunity zone 2.0 program.
>> Well read. Is there a second?

2817
04:05:03,439 --> 04:05:07,040
» Second.
>> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

2818
04:05:06,000 --> 04:05:08,239
» Council member Bushy.
>> I.

2819
04:05:07,359 --> 04:05:09,359
» Council member Hill.
>> I.

2820
04:05:08,479 --> 04:05:12,399
» Vice Mayor Kurtz.
>> I. Mayor Kate.

2821
04:05:10,239 --> 04:05:16,800
» Hi. That motion carries 40 Z. Thank you
so much. Um, as I mentioned at the

2822
04:05:14,960 --> 04:05:20,080
beginning of the meeting, we also have
open time for public expression at the

2823
04:05:18,560 --> 04:05:23,279
end of the meeting. If someone hasn't
already had the opportunity to say

2824
04:05:21,520 --> 04:05:26,800
something during the meeting, now is
your opportunity. Is there anything that

2825
04:05:24,800 --> 04:05:31,120
was not on tonight's agenda? I'll see if
there's anyone in the chambers who would

2826
04:05:29,439 --> 04:05:34,160
like to comment. Now is your opportunity
and you're welcome, but not required to

2827
04:05:32,800 --> 04:05:40,160
say your name and what part of Sam or
fail you're in. Welcome.

2828
04:05:37,840 --> 04:05:43,840
» Good evening, Mayor Kate, Vice Mayor
Kurts, and members of the council. My

2829
04:05:42,080 --> 04:05:47,439
name is Saj Dakar. I'm a 14-year-old
rising nth grader living in Fairfield,

2830
04:05:45,520 --> 04:05:50,560
Slano County. I'm a member of the
Fairfield Youth Commission and am the

2831
04:05:48,960 --> 04:05:54,239
founder of the National Association of
Youth Commissions. This nonprofit

2832
04:05:52,560 --> 04:05:57,520
organization works to establish youth
commissions in cities where they're not

2833
04:05:55,520 --> 04:06:01,120
already present, push for legislation
beneficial to youth, increase youth

2834
04:05:59,439 --> 04:06:04,640
youth access to government, and provide
a space for youth commissions around the

2835
04:06:02,640 --> 04:06:07,680
nation to collaborate. I'm speaking to
you this evening on a proposal that I've

2836
04:06:06,160 --> 04:06:11,279
seen work firsthand, and it's one of the
best things that a city could do for its

2837
04:06:09,120 --> 04:06:15,040
young people. I'm asking you to create a
youth commission in San Rell. For some

2838
04:06:13,600 --> 04:06:19,199
context, a youth commission is a group
of young people, typically aged 14 to

2839
04:06:17,040 --> 04:06:22,640
25, who work to advise the city council
and mayor on topics relating to the

2840
04:06:20,800 --> 04:06:26,319
youth. This can range from a small issue
that affects a few young people to

2841
04:06:24,160 --> 04:06:29,680
citywide youth issues. Youth commissions
are created with the purpose of bridging

2842
04:06:27,680 --> 04:06:34,479
the gap between the youth of a city and
a city's government. Right now, Sanfell

2843
04:06:32,399 --> 04:06:38,399
does allow for youth to have a seat on
specific existing committees and

2844
04:06:36,399 --> 04:06:42,080
commissions. But what San Rafell needs
is a standalone body that can tackle

2845
04:06:40,160 --> 04:06:45,279
youth issues independently of other
commissions. A youth commission would be

2846
04:06:43,920 --> 04:06:48,399
different from just another program in
that this isn't the city giving to the

2847
04:06:46,640 --> 04:06:52,239
youth. It's also the youth giving to the
city. All the city needs to do is give

2848
04:06:50,319 --> 04:06:55,439
them the chance.
This would not even be difficult to

2849
04:06:53,680 --> 04:06:58,239
implement. All that is needed is a
resolution that would establish the

2850
04:06:56,720 --> 04:07:01,520
commission. There would also be minimal
cost to the city since there would be no

2851
04:06:59,600 --> 04:07:05,840
need to hire new individuals. The only
adults involved with the commission

2852
04:07:02,960 --> 04:07:08,960
would be an adult adviser and optionally
one city council member acting as a

2853
04:07:07,439 --> 04:07:12,479
liaison. There'd be very little
administrative costs since the only real

2854
04:07:10,479 --> 04:07:14,880
cost would be holding a meeting.
Furthermore, through the National

2855
04:07:13,600 --> 04:07:18,319
Association of Youth Commissions, I
would be happy to offer the city with

2856
04:07:16,160 --> 04:07:21,439
free research on how things like costs,
appointments, and scope of work would

2857
04:07:19,600 --> 04:07:24,560
play out. I'm requesting the city
council to direct staff to report back

2858
04:07:23,120 --> 04:07:27,439
on potential routes the city could take
in starting a commission. I would be

2859
04:07:26,160 --> 04:07:31,840
happy to serve as a resource for the
city during this time. Uh, I have here

2860
04:07:30,160 --> 04:07:35,040
some QR codes that redirect to the
National Association of Youth

2861
04:07:32,880 --> 04:07:37,920
Commission's contact page. If any member
of the council is interested, please

2862
04:07:36,399 --> 04:07:42,399
contact me and I'll be happy to help out
in this process. Thank

2863
04:07:40,640 --> 04:07:47,279
» Thank you. So, if you can be sure to
give your information to the city clerk,

2864
04:07:44,239 --> 04:07:51,279
that would be fantastic.
Thank you so much and thank you for the

2865
04:07:48,640 --> 04:07:55,840
work that you've been doing.
Any other public comment in the room?

2866
04:07:54,399 --> 04:08:01,680
I don't see anyone else in the room.
Anyone online? I see no hands raised.

2867
04:07:58,399 --> 04:08:04,479
It'll give everyone a moment.
>> No public comment.

2868
04:08:02,720 --> 04:08:08,399
» Okay. I'm going to close the second
public expression time. And we have on

2869
04:08:06,800 --> 04:08:13,840
our agenda this evening the Sanfell
Successor Agency. We have a consent

2870
04:08:11,359 --> 04:08:18,000
calendar. Are there any items to be held
from the consent calendar? I'm looking

2871
04:08:15,359 --> 04:08:21,760
up. I see no head shaking notes. So, I'm
going to open the public comment on the

2872
04:08:19,760 --> 04:08:26,880
consent agenda. This is for the Sanfal
Successor Agency. Anyone in the room

2873
04:08:24,560 --> 04:08:30,560
like to comment on the consent calendar
for the Sarafel Successor Agency? I

2874
04:08:29,439 --> 04:08:33,199
don't see anyone in the room. Is there
anyone online?

2875
04:08:31,920 --> 04:08:37,359
» I see no hands raised, but I'll give
everyone a moment.

2876
04:08:36,160 --> 04:08:41,439
» I see no public comment.
>> I'll close the public comment. I request

2877
04:08:39,120 --> 04:08:44,640
a motion on this item, please.
>> I move the consent calendar.

2878
04:08:43,840 --> 04:08:47,439
» Second.
>> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

2879
04:08:46,479 --> 04:08:48,640
» Member Bushy.
>> I.

2880
04:08:47,920 --> 04:08:50,080
» Member Hill.
>> I.

2881
04:08:49,040 --> 04:08:51,760
» Vice Chair Curts.
>> I.

2882
04:08:50,399 --> 04:08:57,040
» Chairperson Kate.
>> I. That motion carries 40 Z. As I

2883
04:08:54,960 --> 04:09:01,600
mentioned at the top of the meeting, we
are journeying tonight in honor of

2884
04:08:58,720 --> 04:09:06,000
Esther Burn. She faithfully served the
city of Somerfell for many years as our

2885
04:09:03,439 --> 04:09:09,920
city clerk. Esther dedicated her career
to ensuring our local government

2886
04:09:07,600 --> 04:09:15,199
operated with integrity, transparency,
and professionalism. She served under

2887
04:09:12,479 --> 04:09:20,080
two mayors, four city managers, and
multiple city councils, providing the

2888
04:09:17,840 --> 04:09:24,479
steady institutional knowledge and
commitment that helped our city navigate

2889
04:09:22,160 --> 04:09:30,479
change while always keeping the public
at the center of her work. Esther began

2890
04:09:27,279 --> 04:09:35,600
her service to Sanfell in August 2000 as
deputy city clerk under the then city

2891
04:09:32,720 --> 04:09:41,199
clerk Jean Lancini. She was first
elected city clerk in 2007 and was

2892
04:09:38,880 --> 04:09:45,040
subsequently reelected twice without any
opposition. A reflection of the

2893
04:09:43,199 --> 04:09:49,439
confidence that our community placed in
her and the respect she earned from

2894
04:09:46,560 --> 04:09:52,239
colleagues and residents alike.
Those of us who had the privilege of

2895
04:09:50,720 --> 04:09:56,479
working with Esther remembered her
remember her not only for her

2896
04:09:54,080 --> 04:10:01,279
exceptional confidence but also for her
kindness. She treated everyone with

2897
04:09:58,640 --> 04:10:05,279
warmth, patience, and respect, whether
they were first time in city hall and

2898
04:10:03,520 --> 04:10:11,040
didn't know how to navigate something or
a longtime community leader. She had an

2899
04:10:08,880 --> 04:10:16,239
incredible ability to make people feel
heard and welcomed. And she also ensured

2900
04:10:14,560 --> 04:10:21,760
at that same time that the public's
business was conducted openly and with

2901
04:10:18,640 --> 04:10:26,800
care. Esther leaves behind a lasting
legacy of public service and a standard

2902
04:10:23,760 --> 04:10:32,000
of excellence that continues to inspire
all of us and I know inspires our city

2903
04:10:29,120 --> 04:10:36,399
clerk today. So on behalf of the Sanfal
city council, we extend our heartfelt

2904
04:10:34,560 --> 04:10:40,560
condolences to Esther's family and her
friends and all who had the pleasure of

2905
04:10:38,080 --> 04:10:45,520
knowing and working with her. Sarafhel
is a better place because she spent time

2906
04:10:42,800 --> 04:10:49,479
with us. This meeting is now adjourned
in memory of Esther.