the Friday night.
You ready? All right. Welcome everyone to the
regular meeting of the Sanfell City Council. Today is Monday, August 17th,
2026. The city clerk, if you could call the role.
» Council member Bushy, >> present.
» Council member Hill, >> present.
» Vice Mayor Curts, >> present. Council Maria Tuli Rand Mayor
Kate >> present. We met in close session prior
to this meeting and I'll ask the city attorney to report out.
» Thank you Mayor Kate. No reportable action was taken in close session this
evening. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone and
welcome. Thank you for joining us whether you're here in person or online.
We appreciate your participation and engagement. We apologize that we're
running a few minutes late. We did have a ribbon cutting out in front of city
hall. There is a new incredible sculpture there. So, next time you're in
the city, uh do check it out. Um it is one of several art pieces throughout the
throughout the city. So, if you've attended a previous city council
meeting, you know that we like to start by appreciating our staff as they work
so diligently on behalf of our residents every day. So, it's a special highlight
today to announce, they already know, but to announce to the community our
team and employee of the quarter for Q2 of 2026. The team of the quarter are in
our community and economic development department and they are our permit
technicians. Sydney Dolchini, Julio Perez, and Oscar Padilla. Sydney, Julio,
and Oscar have earned repeated praise for providing fast, high-quality service
while making sure city permits are issued accurately and efficiently.
During the transition to open gov, which is a platform that the city uses, they
kept permit processing moving seamlessly while learning new systems, improving
processes, and continuing to provide excellent customer service. Their
patience, positivity, and solutions focused approach are a great example of
teamwork and public service. And our employee of the quarter is Gray Melgard,
senior civil engineer in public works. Gray consistently steps up for
colleagues in our community, taking on significant additional responsibilities
during a staffing transition while continuing to move important projects
forward with calm professionalism and a collaborative spirit. Gray truly
embodies our together Sanfell principles. We're very fortunate to have
them on our team. Congratulations to Sydney, Julio, Oscar, and Gray.
is how we uh applause in our chambers. I also want to briefly note that we now
accept public comment by telephone as part of our public participation
process. We welcome everyone's input and ask that whether participating in person
or remotely, we maintain a respectful and welcoming environment even when we
strongly disagree. We also include as part of our opening an land
acknowledgement that was actually written by the tribe and it reflects our
ongoing collaboration and work with them. We thank the original caretakers
of this land. Sanfell is traditionally home to the coast Miwok people, many of
whom today are citizens, our tribal citizens of the federated Indians of
great rancheria and we honor their continuing involvement and stewardship
practices that benefit us all. Thank you for being here. I'll turn it over to the
city clerk as she can explain how the public can participate in tonight's
meeting. >> Thank you, Mayor Kate. Tonight's meeting
is being recorded and streamed live on YouTube. For members of the public
wishing to provide public comment, you may participate in person through Zoom
webinar or by telephone. If you're joining by phone, you can call
669-444-9171 and enter the webinar ID 860-619-5675
pound. When you wish to provide public comment, you can press star 9 to raise
your hand. When it's your turn to speak, you will hear a prompt that says to
press star six to unmute yourself. If you're joining through Zoom, you can use
the raised hand feature when you wish to speak. The host will call call on you
and prompt you to unmute as well. If you're commenting in person, you can
form a line at the podium once Mayor Kate invites public comment, and you'll
have two minutes to provide comments. Displayed on the podium and the
projector is a timer to help you stay within the two-minute time frame. At the
conclusion of your two minutes, your microphone will be muted, so we may hear
to from the next speaker. You're invited, though not required, to
introduce yourself and say what part of Centerfell you live in, or if you're
joining us from outside of Centerfell. If you're experiencing any technical
difficulties, you can contact me at by email at city.clerk@c cityofterfell.org.
Thank you. >> Thank you. We have open time for public
expression at both the beginning and end of the meeting. At the beginning, we'll
just do it for about 10 minutes for folks both in the room and online. We'll
have more time at the end of the meeting. Uh you are welcome but not
required as you just heard to state your name and what part of Sanfell you're in.
And as I've already mentioned we do welcome a diversity of viewpoints and
respectful disagreement and help us maintain a welcoming environment for
all. So I already have received two cards of folks in the room. So now would
be your opportunity. So we have Oliver Reyes and Mon Gaho. If you'd like to
come and speak we would be interested in what you have to say.
Good evening, Mayor K and council members. My name is Mona Maho and I am a
student at Davidson Middle School. I am also part of alcohol justice youth
organization in the canal. Whereas thank you for allowing us to speak again.
We're here. We're asking for better lighting and clear signage at Pickle
Park. This park is very important to the youth in our community. It's where we
play, hang, and connect. These changes would make a huge difference to us.
Thank you for allowing us to speak and thank you for your time and
consideration. >> Thank you.
» Hi, my name is Oliver Reyes and I'm an incoming freshman at Sanfile High
School. In May, our youth ambassadors were here to request a platform for
local youth voices to offer our concerns while offering
fresh solutions. I am asking to reopen our request for the youth platform. We
want to work with the city, not just speak to the city. We believe Santa Fe
can be modeled for what youth centered civic engagement looks like. Thank you
for your time and commitment to making our community safer and stronger.
Thank you both for your comments and because it's during public open time, we
can't respond formally, but I will say we're starting an East Sanrafll um
planning effort which we would absolutely welcome youth participation.
So, we have your contact information. We'll ensure that you know uh when those
that engagement is happening because it will include pickleweed and it will also
include other other parts of East Sanfell. Thank you. Thank you both.
Is there anyone else in the ch
Is there anyone else in the chambers that would like to comment during public
open time? I don't see anyone in the chambers. Is there anyone online?
» I see no hands raised. I'd like to remind everyone if you're calling on by
phone. You can press star 9 to raise your hand.
» I see no hands raised. >> Thank you. We will close the public uh
open time for public expression and again there will be additional time at
the end of the meeting. Uh we'll turn to the city manager and council member
reports. Interim city manager Navasio. >> Okay. Thank you uh madame mayor. Uh just
a few items I'll highlight. Um we've already put out uh um information in
this regard, but just note that uh we have started the uh road construction
work on point um uh San Pedro Road as well as um up in Terolinda. Uh these are
both two significant paving projects part of our citywide uh um pavement
efforts. Uh work is going to continue through October. So there's going to be
traffic impacts on um basically weekdays from 8:00 to 5:00 with lane closures. So
a just noting that and um asking everybody to just be uh very mindful of
traveling through those areas. Um uh I'll just note that we also have um
you mentioned the East San Rafll specific plan. We also have several kind
of ongoing concurrent um community engagement efforts uh currently
underway. The community is hopefully aware of the uh partnership with
change.org that is soliciting uh feedback through uh their platform uh
that folks can um have already started to um submit significant uh comments. We
encourage that. Um also there's more information on the website. Uh council's
also aware that the city as part of our strategic work plan is looking to review
and as needed update our citywide uh parket permit uh program. There's been
some um meetings with neighborhood groups. There's also going to be a
survey that's going to be going out. So there'll be some more information on
that. But just want to make folks aware of those two um opportunities for uh
feedback we're soliciting. And I'll just highlight um see a couple of uh meetings
later this week. Actually, tomorrow morning, our economic development and
housing subcommittee will be meeting um on third floor of this building at 10:00
a.m. Our police advisory and accountability committee will be meeting
on Wednesday, 6 p.m. in um in this space. And then on Thursday, a busy day,
we'll have our homeless subcommittee meeting in the morning. And our newly um
formed uh subcommittee on the 350 Midel affordable housing project will be um
holding its meeting um on uh Thursday evening at 5 o'clock.
Um I'll leave it at that for now.
» Okay. Thank you. I'll turn to my colleagues to report out what they've
been up to. Uh Vice Mayor Curts, go ahead.
Thank you. Um, I was a had the honor of presenting to Marin Community Clinics a
proclamation on n national health center week partner appreciation day and we
were one of the partners with um Marin Community Clinic. So that was nice. Uh
the I attended the MCCMC Marin County Council mayors and council
members legislative meeting. We did the golf center ribbon cutting um which is
located in North Sanfell and Mayor Kate practiced. Uh it's quite interesting. It
was good. Thank you to the our San Rafale police department for hosting
National Night Out. I was able to visit three locations in North San Rafale and
Contempo and two within Terolinda. And I did a tour of the Cedars uh site
which is in San Rafale sort of right at the top of San Rafale and Sanelmo um
that serves many individuals with developmental disabilities um with an
additional focus on older adults. So >> that's it.
» Thank you, Council Member Uran Scaladi. Thank you, mayor. Um, so I have a few
updates from back in June because, um, I missed the meeting in July. I was
visiting family. So, um, I'll just try to be brief. Um, on June 5th, um, I
attended the Cal City's June policy committee meeting and I I'm representing
the city on the environmental quality policy committee update. And uh so we
just went uh with some updates on the priority environmental legislation
including positions on bills related to building standards, data center, energy
efficiency, clean energy permitting and energy governance. Um the committee also
highlighted some of the cal city's sponsor legislation on disaster
assistance, wildfire preparedness, sea level rise planning, um and the PFAS
mitigation. So um I'm very happy to represent uh the committee and I will be
attending the cal city cities conference in ju in September sorry um also
attended in Brettheart the um sixth annual bread heart in the park and that
was a wonderful neighborhood event uh showcased with the creativity of our
local artists musicians makers and artist plays so it's always a great
opportunity just to see the community uh there was a sea level right subcommittee
meeting for the city of San Rafael where uh mayor Kate is always attending as
well. And um let's see um something really exciting. It was the first annual
green festival by Raises El Canal. And um so this was like um environmental
event for the community. And I really want to thank everybody from the our
staff from the city that made it possible at Pickle uh the Picklewood
libraries and all the other agencies um who participated. I was actually
volunteering with the Mar gardeners and it was really fun to get all the
families interested um into composting and um different events. So, uh finally
um on August 12th, I attended the ribbon cutting and a new business that I'm
super excited um in the Marina Square is a Crunch Fitness. Uh Mayor Kate was
doing the the ribbon cutting and council member Hill was there as well. And it's
really amazing to have this new business in uh in my district. one which is the
south of uh San Rafael and I know that there are already so I think they've
been open for like six weeks, seven weeks now and it was completely packed.
So it's so great to have a place for the community to to get healthy. And then uh
this morning I had a really fun time. It was a meeting, but uh we were Mayor Kade
and I with uh some of our um staff members were kayaking um in the canal um
to show the new sustainability person from Marin County about sea level rise.
Uh supervisor Saket was there uh many of our staff members and also from the
county. So it was a lovely day but it was very important just to see it's a
different perspective what you see from the water. So I'm very grateful that I
got invited to that. So that's my report. Thank you.
» Thank you. Uh, Council Member Bushy, >> I have three items to, um, report on.
I'm going to do them in reverse chronological order so I can end with
the best one. I'll start with um, the meeting of the
board of the Central Marine Sanitation Agency. Two great things happened there.
First, um we approved the job descriptions for the employees coming
over to CMSA from San Rafale Sanitation um district which is part of our
operational consolidation process. So the nuts and bolts are getting turned to
to make that happen. We also heard uh in close session a report on the mediation.
I can't share the details but I personally remain optimistic about the
resolution of on the current dispute amongst the um JPA members. I also um
attended national night out. I thought we had a great turnout this year and um
I noticed that the safe team was particularly um popular. U people knew
who they were and and more importantly what they did. And finally, on August
2nd, I was delighted to attend the annual achievement ceremony for
Centerpoint Incorporated. They are a residential and outpatient treatment
center headquartered here in San Rafale. 23 people graduated um from the program
um and spoke about how their their lives are back on track. It was really a
pleasure to hear the district attorney who was a keynote speaker talk about the
role that um Centerpoint plays in turning people's lives around. So, it
was a a very uplifting um experience at our um B Street Community Center. Thank
you. >> Thank you, Council Member Hill.
» Thank you, Mayor Kate. My report includes all meetings going back into
July, which includes Saturday, July 25th. I attended three events that day.
Gristol Park cleanup. Uh my duty was picking up all the cigarette butts going
around. That was a self-appointed role. Uh then went over to the touch a truck
event at Sanfell High School, the biggest touch a truck event yet. I was
told because I wasn't there at opening that there was a line of people ready to
get run in like it was Black Friday. Um and uh so we might need to find a larger
venue next year. And then that evening I did a ride along with Corporal Agger. Uh
it was a it was a wonderful evening to see how our uh patrol members are uh
in our community and ensuring that uh safety is the priority. I will recount
um one uh anecdote that evening that a person had called in indicating that
they were in danger and then stopped talking. The officers um used uh
persistence uh intelligence and experience uh to do to use every tool at
their uh disposal as well as going door to door until the person was eventually
found. Thankfully uh it was a person who was uh more confused and it was not uh
more than that but but it spoke to me about the quality of our officers and I
was grateful for that opportunity. Uh the next uh report is for Tuesday,
August 4th, National Night Out. As already mentioned, I was with Lieutenant
Eberly uh with along with the mayor, Vice Mayor, and uh Council Member Bushy.
Uh we went to Crystal Park, West End Neighborhood, and Vivivalon Healthy
Aging Campus uh where I was able to partake in what was being served that
evening. And then on Wednesday, August 12th, I also joined uh Council Member
Yuran Goladi at the uh Crunch Fitness and Marin Squares Shopping Center. Uh
and then this past Friday, August 14th, I had an opportunity to visit the Marin
Fire Station, the only uh station in our shared service network that I had not
previously visited. Uh it was great to see the folks serving our community who
had just come back from a medical call. Um, seeing station 58 was a reminder
that it was not one of among one of the public safety uh sta one one of the
stations that was included in our public safety improvements funded by measure E
from 2013. And I was also reminded uh going back just a few months ago that
the city had allocated funding um timarinwood to support an important
intermediate step toward uh stronger staffing and improved compensation on
the way to full parody. And it was a reminder that we remain committed to the
longer term service agreement uh at some point in the future to bring staffing uh
to uh full parody and compensation. And then finally on that same day I was at
the youth and arts uh building to receive the Cal Arts Council who we just
uh spoke about uh um in front of city hall just now. uh that uh they were here
for a day uh for their off-site meeting and they were pivotal in ensuring that
this city received just over $700,000 just a few years ago on the heels of in
2017 being designated uh as uh one of 14 uh cultural arts districts in the state
of California. We're grateful to the California Arts Council for coming here
and being able to tour uh our our city and see a lot of the results of that
funding uh ongoing programs and of course the public art. That's my report.
» Thank you. I'll just add a few things. I also participated National Night Out and
again thank you to our first responders who also participated and the community
leaders that brought their neighborhood together um so we could all connect. So
that was a really really well attended event.
As you know, I'm your representative on TAM, the transportation authority of
Marin. TAM staff met with city staff and with DPW and director Miller uh to
discuss about the one Bay Area grant program that is through MTC, the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission. This is funding opportunities for us to
do projects locally. Uh it is not always a straightforward uh way to apply for
those grants. So, TAM is offering their expertise and working with the city if
we so choose to apply for any of those grants. In addition, we had a TAM
commission meeting. You might have read about it in the J today. Uh, one of the
key items was talking about throughout Marin County the coordinated traffic
signal modernization plan update. Uh, the short version is many of the traffic
signals have don't reflect um, modern uh, technology. So, TAM is looking at
all of the signals comprehensively and then we'll prioritize which ones will be
upgraded. Hopefully, all will be, but they won't be able to be upgraded all at
once. So, that's really looking at it across the entire county.
Uh, we've heard about the ribbon cutings. We always love ribbon cutings.
Uh, they tend to pick up a little bit in the fall as people return back from the
summer. And as mentioned, we had the Marin indoor golf. If you want to work
in your golf game, that's up in Terinda. And then Crunch Fitness, you want to
work on your personal fitness. Um, and that is down in the Canal neighborhood.
So, very appreciative of our local businesses. And then finally, I was
honored to speak at Drake's Terrace. It's a retirement community here in
Sanfal. I asked hard questions and really wanted to know what was going on
in Sanfell. So always appreciate all of us all appreciate always appreciate the
opportunity to come and speak to community groups. So if you're
interested, do reach out. Um and we are happy to do so. So thank you all for
what you've done since our last meeting in July. And before we move on to the
consent and calendar, I will have uh any public comments. So if you want to
comment on any of the items that you just heard specifically about the
reports, now is your opportunity to do so. And I will look in the chambers
if you would like to comment on the reports.
» Yeah. So just the reports. There will be public comment on the other items. I
don't see anyone in the chambers. Is there anyone online that would like to
comment on the reports? >> I do see one hand raised and just want
to remind everyone that they can use star 9 to raise their hand. And just as
a reminder, we are taking phone comments and we want to maintain a welcoming
environment by refraining from hateful or discriminary discriminatory remarks.
» My name My name is Gson and I support the police. I support the police. Brutal
I hate so much. They beat our women in sport. They beat our
women in county jails. >> I hate so much.
» If you could mute, I just would like to >> So, we are taking public comment and
it's a new world. So, I'm going to turn to the city attorney to find out what
speech is acceptable and which is not. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor Kate. And I think
it's important to note that um the speaker was muted, but the speaker has
um uh uh not been cut off the line. I just think that the type of speech that
was um just heard and we heard similar speech uh prior to the close session
this evening uh is worthy of comment before the speech is allowed to continue
under the first amendment. So, we have a couple of sources to look
at when we analyze whether uh this type of speech is something that um we must
endure at a public meeting like the one that we're in. I think it's particularly
important to make these observations tonight because we have young people in
the room and the kind of speech that we're hearing and it sounds like we're
going to continue to hear when the speaker resumes is speech that if we had
a choice we really likely would um make the decision not to expose minors to
because it's so uh inappropriate in our view. All that said, uh I want to make
some observations about our city's policy and explain why my advice uh to
you, Mayor Kate's going to be uh when I'm done speaking, which will take a
little while longer. So bear with me, um to allow the speaker to continue with
their remarks if they're in the same vein and don't tread into what actually
is impermissible under the first amendment. So uh the question presented
is whether uh the the speech violates the city's adopted policy on disruptive
behavior in a public meeting. What is disruptive behavior? We actually have it
defined here in San Rafale and it tracks the government code. The applicable
government code uh section is 54957.95
which defines disrupting as behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs,
impedes or renders in feasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and
includes failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations of the
body. Except for true threats of force, removal must be preceded by a warning
that the behavior is disrupting the meeting. Now, in some people's view, the
speech that we were just hearing might uh fall within that definition, but that
really would be inconsistent with uh what the first amendment would deem uh
disruptive speech. An example I would give would be if the speaker were here
live and standing at the podium, the comments that were made would be
permissible speech under the first amendment and our disruptive speech
policy. What would be impermissible is if the speaker at the conclusion of
their aotted time refused to seed the podium and continued to just talk and
rail and scream and make similar comments. If that were to occur, it
would be uh permissible to eject the speaker. But going back to our policy,
uh, and similar to what I just read from the government code, disruptive behavior
under Sanderfell's policy 7.1 under disruptive behavior in public meetings
is speech or actions that prevent the legislative body from conducting its
business. For example, and this goes along with what I just said, yelling
over speakers, refusing to yield the floor, spamming the chat.
This isn't really chat. When we're getting online uh oral commentary like
this, spamming is what we've experienced sometimes in the past when a uh person
was able to take over the chat function on um our uh then Zoom meetings and put
in uh epithets and things like that. Fortunately, uh we don't um seem to
offer that possibility anymore because we're able to control that from
occurring. Um so that kind of speech would be disruptive of our policy. I
think also because of the uh comments that we heard earlier this evening that
most people present didn't hear but the council did prior to close session. It's
important to talk about obscenity for a moment and the difference between
profanity and obscenity. Um
using a profane word and even a profane word directed at a public official is
not obscenity as defined by the law. And so, um, it would only be speech that
would meet the, uh, the legal definition of obscenity. That would be speech that
would not be required to be permitted at this public meeting and would be, um,
speech that we'd be entitled to prohibit. Uh, one more comment I want to
make before we resume is about hate speech for a moment. And this is uh
precisely relevant to the speech that we were just hearing because it was calling
out um uh certain members of the community and making uh hostile or
adverse comments about them. Hate speech under Sanderfeld's policy means speech
that demeanes or targets people based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender,
sexual orientation, or similar protected characteristics is often deeply
offensive. but is generally protected under the First Amendment if it does not
cross into unlawful conduct. And so when we're hearing speech like we were just
hearing, which we interrupted, but which um if the speaker has stayed on the
line, my advice to you, Mayor Kate, will be to allow the speaker to continue.
That sort of um speech would be permissible. As hateful as it is, as
unpleasant as it is to hear, as much as all the people in this room, especially
those of you on the dism and appreciate and respect so much, abhore, uh there's
really um nothing we can do other to endure it, to be thankful that we live
in a country that has the first amendment and gives people the right to
free speech and an opportunity to express themselves, to continue to do as
mayor Kate does to encourage uh community members to um keep their
remarks positive and to not use speech like that. But I think for everyone
present, including our young people who are having their chance to experience a
public meeting tonight, it's important to understand why with a lawyer in the
room, with a police chief in the room, with a a uniform police officer present,
and with our elected city council members on the dis, it might appear to
the community and those present that we're not doing anything about it. Well,
that's true, but we're enduring the speech for a reason, and I thought it
very important to explain that tonight. Thank you for allowing me this
opportunity to make these comments, Mayor Mayor Kate.
» Thank you, city attorney. Um, we appreciate that, and we appreciate that
we are balancing public participation, which we um welcome and hopefully it's
done in a respectful, non-discriminatory manner. So, I know we did mute the
speaker. If the speaker has anything that they would like to share hopefully
with that additional guidance and this is on the council member reports only we
would be welcome to hear your viewpoint as long as we I'll leave it there. So if
you could just have your concluding statement that would be fine.
» Give me one moment.
Thank you very much, city attorney, and thank you for upholding free speech.
Yeah, I just hate training so much. And I want
to roll on the streets of Beverly. Like I said about the Warkski case and
also Mayor Curt Mayor Danger your dump
as we said protected speech. Thank you for your comments. You may close the
public comment at this point. Please mute. Thank you.
» I see no other hands raised. >> Okay.
» We'll give everyone just a moment. >> Think we've had enough moments. Thank
you. >> Good public comment.
» Okay. With that, we will move on to the consent calendar. We have items 2 A
through 2L. Um, I would like to discuss consent
item I, but we will accept public comment on all items, but I did want to
pull consent item I, which is the fleet replacement. Um, and specifically about
a letter we received from sustainable Sanfell. So, we will have staff respond
to that. Are there any other items that the council would like to hold?
Not seeing any. I will open public comment on the entire consent agenda. So
that's items 2 A all the way through including I through L. So if you'd like
to comment on the consent agenda, you're welcome to state your name and what part
of Sanfel you live in. Maybe pull the microphone up. There you go.
» Good afternoon. Um, my name is Jose Guusman and I'm here on behalf of
Aliados Health, an organization that represents 17 community health centers
across six counties including Marin County and Marine Community Clinic,
Marin City Health and Wellness Center and Reader Center, key um, community
health centers in this city. So, I just wanted to make a quick comment about
thanking the major and members of the city council for proclaiming National
Health Center Week. We appreciate your support in recognizing and the important
role that community health centers play in the city and across the region.
Community health centers provide high quality affordable primary care
regardless of a person's ability to pay. They provide essential services
including primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and preventative
services. As the resolution noted, community
health centers in the across the county provided 300,000 patient visits and more
than uh to more than 57,000 patients. This information is coming from 2025 and
is across the county of Marine. Thank you again for recognizing National
Health Center Week and for your continued support for the work that
community health centers play in the city. We look forward to continuing our
partnership and to to improve the health and well-being of our community. Thank
you. And again, my name is Jose Guzman and representing Aliad Health.
» Thank you, Jose. And that was in reference to the proclamation that's
part of our consent agenda. Thank you. Anyone else like to comment on the
consent calendar? Not seeing any public in the room. Is
there any public comment online? >> I see no hands raised. Give me one
moment. Thank you.
» I see no hands raised. >> We will close the public comment online.
Um and I would accept a motion on all the items
except for I and then we'll have staff speak to I.
» So moved. >> I'll second.
» Moved and seconded. Roll call, please. >> Council member Bushy.
» I. >> Council member Hill.
» I. >> Vice Mayor Curts.
» I. Council Edensalotti. >> I.
» Mayor Kate. >> I. That motion carries 5-0. So the item
that was pulled was a fleet replacement. We received an excellent letter from
Samfell uh sustainable Sanrafell and they had a straightforward question
about why not all of the vehicles specifically the motorcycles and the
police administrative vehicles were not within the electric vehicle pool. So I
was hoping that chief could um clarify that for us and respond to their
concerns. >> Happily. Thank you uh Mayor Kate. Good
evening members of the council. Um we uh staff did receive the letter uh that you
made reference to. I hosted a personal conversation today with the author of
that letter, answered a few questions and provided some clarification as it
relates to the police motorcycles, staff cars, those types of things. We have um
begun our transition to some electric vehicles. We have two electric vehicles
in the fleet. One's operated by a police captain. The other is assigned to a
police lieutenant or special operations lieutenant. The vehicles that are in the
staff report for replacement uh include one vehicle which is assigned I'll speak
cryptically but it's assigned to an undercover uh operator um who in some
cases is on rolling surveillances and very special uh special utility for that
vehicle and electric vehicle would not be conducive to that line of work.
The other experience we've had thus far uh with where our uh uh uh charging
infrastructure exists today um we with the uh electric vehicles that we do have
in service. We originally assigned them to detectives. Detectives who rotate
through on call uh responsibilities. Uh in some cases um on call
responsibilities, the operator takes the vehicle home in case of um an after
hours call out. We've had cases where uh when the detective during their work
shift is operating the vehicle, uh it's not charged enough for them to get home.
Uh so we continue to evaluate the products available. We continue to
improve our infrastructure, but um these vehicles, you know, we specifically met,
including the city manager, sustainability, and we walked through
our options. At this point, we're we continue to remain open uh to further
electrifying our fleet, but at this point, these vehicle recommendations are
based on operational need. >> Thank you, Chief. That very well
explained and understanding the operational constraints. Any questions
by the council on this item? other than just gratitude that you have been
thoughtful about it and that the transition does continue but in a way
that enables our officers to do their work because that is the highest
priority. Thank you. So with that I'd entertain a motion on this specific item
please. >> So I'll move to accept the completion
and authorize the city cler to file the notice of completion. Is that no sorry I
missed it. >> Adopt the resolution.
» Adopt the resolution for >> Yeah.
» Do I have to? >> Yeah.
» Wait. Two I
» not I two I. >> Yes.
» Second. >> Moved and seconded on two I. Roll call,
please. >> Council member Bushy.
» I. >> Council member Hill.
» I. >> Vice Mayor Curts.
» I. >> Council member Yenslotti.
» I. >> Mayor Kate.
» I. That motion carries. 5-0. Thank you. We have two uh grand jury reports that
the council will be reviewing uh this evening. The first one is response to
grand jury report on MCE Marin Clean Energy. and we will turn it over to the
interim city manager uh to tee it up. >> Yeah, I'll just provide a quick
introduction. As was noted uh by the mayor, actually the next two items uh
represent um staff's proposed response to um the two reference uh grant jury
reports, one related to marine clean energy, and then we'll touch on the
report uh related to special districts. Um, as I shared previously, council,
I'll just note that, uh, these are two of four, uh, grand jury reports that
were issued over the last several weeks. Um, there's a third one that I would
argue has, um, city interest, but, the city was not requested to provide a
response that has to do with, um, findings and recommendations related to
the county measure A park and open space. And for the purpose of this
meeting, I'll just note that um staff is working with the county administrator's
office and other cities and towns to coordinate a response uh related to that
uh report. But without further ado, I'll turn it over to um Pya Nixon in our
office to uh present the first item. >> Thank you so much. Good evening, mayor,
members of the city council. I hope everyone is doing well. I'm here to talk
about item 3A, which is the response to the grand jury for Marin Clean Energy.
The action that we are requesting tonight is uh that the city council
adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the mayor to execute the
city of San Rafll's response to the Marin uh county civil grand jury report
entitled MCE Marin Clean Energy a series of missteps highlight need for
governance changes. And just as a reminder, the city does have 90 days to
respond. Um and you'll note in your packet that
the full response is there as an attachment. So just a little bit of
background. Um the report examines the governance oversight and management
practices of MCE Marin Clean Energy, the uh community choice aggregator uh that
provides electricity to most San Rafale households and businesses as well as
those of the other 37 uh other member cities, towns, and counties. Um just a
little bit of the conclusion that we read in the report is that MCE's uh 34
member board of directors has not consistently exercised an active
governance role. Um the board uh seated significant authority to MCE's uh
management and spending increased more than $200 million
uh uh more than $200 million more compared to last year. Um, and I'll also
just note that MCE is governed by a joint powers agreement. The MCE board,
not the city of San Rafael City Council, exercises governing authority over MCE
policies. So, there were two findings and then two
recommendations. Um, the first finding is F4. Many board members have quite
understandably limited experience regarding a large and complex company
such as MCE. The response is that we agree, the city agrees. Um and then F5,
which is all MCE board members uh are local elected officials who face
competing demands on their limited time and resources. As a result, meeting
attendance has often been poor and insufficient for optimal optimal uh
effective governance. And the response is agree for that. Um and then there's
two recommendations. Uh the first one, R5, is by December 31st, 2026, all of
MCE's marin jurisdictions and preferably all 38 jurisdictions covered by MCE
should implement a process by which its appointed board members or in that
person's absence, the designated alternate member commits to attending
each regular board meeting. And this recommendation will not be implemented
at this time but will be considered further. And then the last
recommendation which is R six by December 31st 2026 all of MCE's marine
jurisdictions and preferably all 38 jurisdiction covered by MCE should
reassess their appointments uh of chosen board members to prioritize those with
the most ex extensive financial and energy expertise. and the recommendation
is uh will be implemented and interim city manager if you have a comment.
» Yeah, I'll just add a couple comments and um just to clarify that uh the
findings and the recommendations in the report are that of the grand jury not of
the county or MC or any of its um member agencies. Uh with respect to the um two
specific recommendations, um I think we stated in the formal
responses attached that um in many ways city council already does both of these
um at least the spirit of those recommendations and all of your
appointments, right? ensuring that folks um both have an interest um have a
general aptitude uh towards the subject matter and the expectation of uh the
council as probably the case with all the councils that appoint the
representatives that the folks will make every effort to um you know attend the
meetings and be in the best position to serve in those roles. Uh the the grand
jury report um just wants to underscore the need for um
uh a strong governance model which includes um knowledge, expertise um and
time needed to um serve in that role. I will leave it at that.
» And that concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you, Prea. Any questions that the
council has? Okay, we will enable comments, but I
don't see any questions. So, not seeing any questions. We'll open up the public
comment on this item. If you'd like to comment on the grand jury proposed
response to MCE, now's your chance. I don't see anyone in the room. Anyone
online like to comment on this item? >> I see no hands raised.
» Okay. Thank you. I will close the public
comment online and come back to comments. And maybe I'll first I know
that you want to comment. Um why don't we first go with our representative on
MC if you have any comments then we'll just go to the vice mayor and then we'll
all have additional comments. >> Yes. Thank you. No I um I I appreciate
the uh the work that went into this response and I think um it really
addresses the the grand jury's findings and recommendations. This is again uh
the marine grand jury for um 38 different um districts or or cities and
and counties. So um I think um um there I think there is value in the MC's
governance model of having locally elected officials at the table and uh
bringing accountability and the perspective of the community that we
serve as well. I've been serving in MC for this is my sixth year. So I won't be
looking for to renew for the following year but I really um I think um um
trying to find somebody that has knowledge around um energy and um and
finance will be good although it is we are not elected to have that expertise.
So with that I definitely support moving forward with this response. Thank you.
» Thank you vice mayor. Any comments? I just said I appreciate the work that was
put into the whole grand jury report as well as the work that's happening
currently at MCE to address a number of open issues and concerns. Um I think the
responses to the findings and the recommendations
um work for us and align with work that we're already doing. So I appreciate
that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Hill.
» Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I think um the goal and vision and mission of Marine
Clean Energy, formerly Marine Clean Energy, now MCE, is noble. I do think
that appropriately uh the Marine uh civil grand jury has uh raised uh
questions on governance and I'm thankful that staff was able to respond and bring
uh the recommendations to the council. Thanks.
» Thank you, Council Member Bushy. U my comments um are those of a former civil
grand jury member and they go to the um quality of the presentation in this
response and the the second response the next one that we get to and I am very
impressed that with the analysis um the writing and the explanation of very
succinctly explaining the city's role and the city's position and bringing it
all together in a clear response in um in both of these and as a former grand
juror I know that making that connection is um the important part of um why they
put out those reports. So congratulations on two jobs well done.
» Thank you and I'll just conclude. Thank you for that presentation. Um I will
note that it's an unusual board and that there are 34 members. So thank you to
council member Uransuli for being there and a pretty un a large group. So, I'm
glad grand jury also looked at it and just for members of the public, we'd
have both um our appointee and we also have an alternate that is something that
we'll continue to do in the years to come. So, we're always at least two
folks um that are will cover Sanfell when the meetings occur. So, um thank
you to staff for doing that. I would entertain an Go ahead, Council Member
Micah. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, so I'll move um to
adopt a resolution approving the unauthor unauthorizing the mayor to
execute the city of San Rafael's response to the Marin County Civil Grant
jury report titled MC Marine Clean Energy. It's actually MC Clean Energy,
but a series of missteps highlight need for governance changes.
» Second. >> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.
» Council member Bushy. >> Hi.
» Council member Hill. >> I.
» Vice Mayor Curts. >> Hi. Council Marina Encelad.
» Hi, >> Mayor Kate.
» I That motion carries 5-0. Thank you. The next one is another grand jury
report. This is on special districts. >> Oh, and I see PA is leaving. So, we'll
have the city manager, interim city manager. Go ahead.
» Okay, I'll uh I'll cover this one. Um, so this uh second report by uh for which
the city is um required to submit a response within the uh statutory 90day
uh time frame. Uh is the report related to the grand jury's um review of
arguably like sort of the patchwork of special districts that uh provide uh in
almost all cases pretty critical municipal services to to residents uh
throughout the county. Um uh the title of the report is better service at lower
cost optimizing essential services for the future of Marin. Um, again, there's
uh our staff report and the action is the resolution authorizing the mayor to
essentially sign off on the response which is included in your packet.
There's a um number of findings F1 through F7 that I could just summarize
by saying that they speak to in the grand jury's opinion uh the fragmented
structure of special districts uh that can lead to um sometimes uh duplication
particularly on administrative functions but sometimes um spilling over into
operational um there are larger districts or smaller
districts And for some of these services, the grand jury notes that
scale matters and some of the smaller districts have more challenges in um
meeting their um goals and objectives including you know staffing challenges.
There's um also disperate um pricing and rates across for instance our sanitary
districts and um water districts uh fire districts providing services and um the
sense it's in essence the report um makes a case to uh look continue to look
at ways to knock down some of the perceived barriers to uh consolidation
where it has the promise of more efficient service, lower cost, and
better service uh to our to our community. There are um also a number of
recommendations that um we're being asked to respond to. Um uh the first
recommendation is that all district boards uh should have conducted their
first uh semianual consolidation exploration. Our answer there is again
this is not directed specifically at the um city of San Rafll although I would
note and we say in the staff report that we are actively uh pursuing uh
opportunities for uh consolidation of districts and the two that are cited I
think they might have even been mentioned earlier is our work with the
Marin um Marinwood community services district around um consolidating fire
services and the aforementioned um transition of the San Rafale sanitary
district from being under sort of the opices of the city of San Rafale and
merging with the central marine sanitation districts. Um
um so I I think I'll just wrap up by saying that um not only does San Rafll
in our view support the idea of continuing to look at opportunities for
efficiencies and improvements um even if that means the hard work of
consolidation. I know that the Marin Lafco has looked at this on numerous
occasions um including the two areas that we're currently working on and uh
city staff with council uh direction will continue to um do our part. So with
that I'll uh bring it back to the mayor and council.
» Thank you. Any questions on this item? >> Yeah, council member Hill.
» Um just the the question it seemed on face value. My question is that on face
value that all the recommendations that did not obviously pertain to the city of
Sanfell. When a civil grand jury asks questions um for us to respond to that
are so obviously not for us to respond to, are they inviting municipalities to
take the bait and get involved? Or was it just a misdirection
or something else? >> I don't know if I can speak to the grand
jury's intent. Um I will just say that uh within reason
um any opportunity that the city may have to comment um we'll look at. Thank
you. >> Thank you. Not seeing any other
questions. I'll open up the public comment on this item. If you would like
to comment in the chambers, now is your opportunity.
I don't see anyone coming forward. Anyone online that would like to comment
on this item? >> I see no hands raised, but I'll remind
everyone you can press star 9 to raise your hands.
I see no hands raised. >> Thank you. I'll close a public comment
and bring it back to the council for additional comments. Vice Mayor,
additional comments. >> I support so much of what has said been
said in this report. Um, I think it's a conversation that we've had a number of
different times. And I think one of the messages that comes out loud and clear
in the report is that it takes a lot of work to actually do the consolidation
work. And I appreciate the work that San Rafll is already doing in a number of
these different situations. In terms of our response, it's our response. It
makes the most sense right now. Um, and because it wasn't really in our purview
to deal with Thank you, Council Member Hill.
Comments. >> Thank you, Mayor Kate. Yeah, building on
the vice mayor's comments, the report called out the opportunity ahead for
consolidation that there is um benefit to it and and as the vice mayor
indicated, there are uh many uh parts of it that can be uh fraught uh to just
weigh in, weighed in. And they call out further that um often times
consolidations are done under duress. um in a moment uh when it's particularly
challenging. So, I appreciated the uh the questions and uh hopefully we can
find our way towards um better governance in our community with smaller
districts. >> Thank you, Council Member Ursali.
Comments. >> Uh yes, I concur with everything that
has been said. I completely agree with the with the report and I think it's
it's very important to um look at the different organizations that they exist
and see how we can um whenever possible bring them together um including school
boards that maybe were not included in here. I must say that thank you.
» Thank you. Council member Bushy comments.
» Um um my comments are just that we're living the dream here in San Rafal. um
bringing consolidation um to the forefront and doing the hard work um
that it takes. So I think the response is uh nicely summarizes all of our
policies and our strategic plan. >> Thank you. And I'll just add I
appreciate the grand jury looking at this. This is something again outside of
the purview of the city of Sanfell as it were but the Sanfell sanitation
district. We did point to previous grand jury reports as we started on working on
consolidation um which there is a formal process that will be starting the
discussion but in the interim we are working on an operating agreement to the
vice mayor's point it takes time we've been at it for two and a half years um
for lots of reasons the mechanisms and the systems are hard to change but
appreciate the grand jury looking at this I truly believe that it's best for
our residents rateayers and taxpayers to have additional consolidation throughout
Marine county. So, look forward to seeing how the other agencies respond
where it's more applicable where they're special districts. So, um I would
entertain a motion on this item, please. >> I'll raise a motion adopt the resolution
approving and authorizing the mayor to execute the city of San Rafale's
response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury report titled better service at
lower cost, optimizing essential services for the future of Marin.
» Second. >> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.
Council member Bushy >> I.
» Council member Hill >> I.
» Vice Mayor Kurt >> I.
» Council Marensi. >> Hi I.
» Mayor Kate. >> I. That motion carries 5. Thank you.
Thank you to staff for preparing those reports. The last item on our agenda
this evening is the city manager employment agreement. Paul Nazio.
So is there a staff report on this? Okay. I just realized city attorney turn
it to you. >> Thank you Mayor Kate. Members of the
council. I'll be doing the report on item 3C tonight. attached to the staff
report, the written staff report is a resolution appointing Paul Nazio as the
city's permanent city manager effective tonight and approving the attached
employment agreement to identify him for the record. Mr. Nazio is seated
immediately to my left wearing a navy suit with a navy tie and a white shirt.
Mr. Nazio has served as the city's finance director since 2023, but then
became the acting city manager in February and the interim city manager in
April. Staff uh now recommends that the council make his appointment permanent.
So, I just want to review a few key points on the agreement. They're
reflected uh as well in the staff report. The city charter uh um is
respected in the agreement. He Mr. Nazio is proposed to be appointed for an
indefinite term. Uh the council does have the full authority to remove the
city manager at any time with or without cause.
The agreement does uh run for an addition initial term through August 31,
2028 and then calls for an automatic renewal every two years after that.
Important to talk about compensation for a moment. The base salary is not
increasing beyond what the city manager would already be entitled to based on
the across the board increases that were provided to uh the city workforce. July
1, the um unrepresentative executive management employees received uh a cost
of living increase and it's proposed that um Mr. Nasio's uh salary would
similarly increase retroactive to uh January 1. So, it's not a new or a
special raise being made. Uh, >> July,
» excuse me, July one. Uh, that was a misstatement. July one. So, it's not a
new or a special raise. It's um uh simply um
uh bringing him current with what all the other directors received. Uh I do uh
want to uh correct two points on the staff report that were called to my
attention as being inconsistent with the agreement. We were working on the
agreement up till the last moment and there were a couple things that we
failed to pick up in the staff report. There are details, but I think uh it's
important to get these on the record. I'll also note uh that under um the now
prevailing law, the reason why this is a regular agenda item is because it's
required to be under the government code,
there's a uh place in the staff report that talks to a compreh speaks to a
comprehensive review for the city manager uh being under section 9G of the
agreement with amendments to be acted on if there are any amendments to the
agreement by June 30, 2028. That's an incorrect reference in the staff report.
Uh what is correct is in the final agreement. The provision I just
referenced is in section 7D and the deadline for the council to act on any
amendments would be March 1, 2028, not June 30th. But the meet and confer date
to talk about whether to make amendments is correctly stated both in the staff
report and in the agreement is January 31, 2028. There's also a miscitation of
the government code. That one hits me really hard. And um that's because the
legislature changed the Brown Act a teeny little bit. And what used to be
54953C3 is now 54953D3.
Ah, and so it's correct in the agreement. It's not correct in the staff
report. I wanted to call that to your attention. Kudos to those who spot such
sort of things. And because they were spotted by someone else sitting in this
room, I was able to correct the record tonight.
So to be clear, these are simply uh errors that were in the staff report,
not in the agreement. We stand by the agreement that's recommended for your
consideration and adoption tonight. And my recommendation remains to adopt the
resolution uh in its current form uh adopting the agreement appointing Paul
Nazio as our permanent city manager. That concludes my staff report. I'm glad
to take any questions you might have. >> Thank you, city attorney. Thank you for
those clarifications in the staff report. We will have time for comments,
but we'll start with questions as we always do. Any questions? I don't see
any questions from the council. I will open up public comment on this item.
Anyone in the chambers like to comment on this item?
I don't see anyone approaching the dis. So is there anyone online that would
like to comment specifically on this item?
» I do see one hand raised.
» Hello there. Please vote this item because uh pointing Basio is city
manager because Basio is attorney being big giddy greetable motherucker who's
going to steal. I'm >> going to go ahead and if you could mute
please and I know we had a speech from the city attorney
and I do appreciate that there are different voices being uh mimicked by
the caller. So maybe you could review where we are. Yeah, we did go into this
at some length earlier in the meeting and I'm not going to repeat all the
comments I made before, but I do think it's important to lend context for the
community when uh because of the new uh um requirement that our beloved state
legislature has imposed that we take public comment in this fashion over Zoom
and because we don't have a 7-second delay like they used to have on the
call-in radio shows, uh we get speech that is surprising, I think, to the
community because um Many people would find it offensive, abhorrent, and speech
that we would prefer not to listen to. However, uh even hate speech uh is
permissible public speech and frankly the the city can't prohibit it in a
public meeting like this because of our first amendment. And the speaker started
making uh um comments about um race and ethnicity. Uh and those are definitely
hate speech. and in a different context they would be actionable. Uh for
example, you can't um you know use hate speech in the employment context and
that sort of thing. But here um uh we really have to listen to the speech. And
so I would advise that the mayor allow the speaker to continue for their aotted
time. And I hope that my comments have helped uh anybody watching now or who
later watches this uh uh meeting to understand why this speech is being
allowed. >> Thank you for that clarification. I'll
ask the speaker. You're not required, but we would like to know uh if you're
welcome to say your name and what part of San Rafll you live in. would be
appropriate. You're welcome to do that. And we hope that while you might find
this entertaining, that you have helpful comments to the council would be
appreciated.
Timer start, please. >> Yes. Oh, mayor, I'm sick and tired of
corruption in this city. And believe me, council manager in this thought now or
whatever the hell his guinea name is, he's going to start buring people's
speed bumps along the 101 freeway because we all know how those
Italian back. Yeah. So them and you, Mayor Kate, your stupid
» Welcome to our free country where you are able to say whatever you want. So we
will in a spirit of democracy and upholding the things we hold dear. We
recognize that we have to listen to comments that are frankly I will say
unproductive not helpful and do not represent the values and the inclusivity
of our community. So with no more public comment
» more public comment >> and I'm very sorry that was a public
comment we had. We will now have comments from the council that will
actually um really represent the solity the solity and the seriousness and the
delight of this agenda item. Vice Mayor, >> thank you and fully support uh this
recommendation and the move to formalize the position um and to make uh Paul
Deazio our formal city manager. Um, Mr. Nazio, you have been a breath of fresh
air um, in the work that we've been doing. Can definitely see how your
experience um, and support has already put us on a trajectory of achieving so
much of what we have laid out. Um, I also appreciate your direct honesty when
we're going off the rails. So, um it's very helpful and I think in the world
we're in today, um your background, your finance background as well is incredibly
invaluable to the work that we are doing. Um and so really appreciate that
and looking forward to continue working with you in the years ahead.
» Thank you. Uh Council Member Bushy, >> I'm delighted to support this um this
matter on our agenda. Um it has been a pleasure to watch Paul become our um
astute finance manager and then um evolve into our um city manager in a way
that really focuses on our strategic objectives
in a way that fully encompasses all of the humanity that is involved in those
goals. Um, so I am confident in the future with Paul at the helm and can't
wait to approve the contract. >> Thank you, Council Member Hill.
» Thank you, Mayor. I am looking forward to uh voting for this resolution for
Paul Nazio to become our permanent city manager. Paul, you've been unswerving in
bringing every bit of your uh skill and experience uh to our city, and I look
forward to that continuing. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Uran Guli.
» Thank you, Mayor. I'm also very um excited to support this this
appointment. Um I think you started as an acting city manager at a very
complicated time of the year for us. Um and the fact that you have your
background in finance and were able to do our budgets and everything that the
city does. Um and also work with the staff members and knowing the respect
that they have for you. I'm really excited to appoint you as our new city
manager and also knowing that we have a lot of work to do. So, um very excited.
Thank you. >> Thank you. It I am delighted that this
is on our agenda this evening. I already see that you have the support of
everyone on the DAS. So, we'll make it formal u momentarily. And I'll just echo
everything that was said. your ability to uh navigate the past couple months
during the budget season with a lot of other things coming at it uh which not a
surprise in that you've had years of experience in public service. You have
been in a city manager's role before. You have been in other roles in other
cities and that wisdom is something we are all going to benefit from here in
Sanfell. you've already heard from. We already are benefiting from that and uh
we are so fortunate to have you here and that we want you and you want to be with
us. So we are uh thrilled to have this um as I said on our agenda and I also
want to thank the city attorney for working through all the mechanics of the
document that is before us. So, um, I know it's not usual for you to say
anything, but I would offer you the floor if you wanted to say anything
prior to the council making a vote. >> Um, thank you. I think I'll just add
that I um am excited to be here. I'm excited uh to uh work with the council
and the staff, the ambitious work plan, and um
um you know, honored and uh but ready to keep at it. So, thank you very much for
the trust. >> You are welcome. Vice Mayor, would you
like to make the motion? >> I would. Thank you. I'd like to raise
the motion to adopt the resolution appointing Paul Nazio as city manager
effective August 17th, 2026 for an indefinite term as required by charter
section 8 and approving and authorizing the mayor to execute the city manager
employment agreement. >> And a second.
» Moved and seconded. Uh, roll call, please.
» Council member Bushy, >> I.
» Council member Hill, >> I.
» Vice Mayor Curts, >> I.
» Council Mars Galani, >> I.
» Mayor Kate, >> I. That motion carries 50. We had public
comment at the beginning of the meeting and it was not fully utilized. So, we
will not uh have the public comment now this evening because we've already
covered it the beginning. So, not seeing anything else on our agenda, this
meeting is adjourned. Good night.