Blog #8 - Town Council Actions from March 7, 2012

Town Refinances Measure K Bond

The Town of Fairfax authorized the sale of $2,880,000 of Revenue Bonds (Series 2012) to
(1) refinance existing bonds issued in 2002 at a more favorable interest rate and (2) finance the acquisition and construction of public capital improvements consistent with the intent of the original bond issue. The bond bidding and award was February 15, 2012.

Six bidders participated, each submitting bids with 16 interest rates for each of the years remaining on the bond. The individual coupon rates bid varied from 2% to 4%. The lowest overall interest rate bidder was Mitsubishi UFJ Securities of San Francisco which likely means the securities will be marketed locally. The highest bid was 2.627338% and the winning, or lowest bid was 2.118578%.

The Bond sale closed March 1st. The Town added $193,726 to funds available for capital improvements.

Collectively tax payers will realize savings for the remainder of the bond term in excess of $20,000 per year.

Other actions taken at the Town Council January 11, 2012 meeting:

• Appointed Natasha Riggens to the Cittaslow Committee;

• Adopted a Proclamation declaring April 8-14, 2012 National Library Week;

• Adopted a Proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month in Fairfax;

• Approved a low bid in the amount of $38,000 to Republic ITS for the Streetlight Energy Efficiency Project in Downtown Fairfax. The project involves replacing current streetlights with LED lights to achieve substantial energy savings;

• Authorized the Town Manager to sign an Agreement with Sustainable Fairfax in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the implementation of a Zero Waste Grant. The Agreement with Sustainable Fairfax is fully funded by the Grant. No general fund monies will be used to implement this grant;

• Authorized the Town Manager to sign an Agreement with Community Media Center of Marin for installation of cameras, cabling and video distribution and to provide video production services during Town Council meetings;

• Authorized the Town Manager to sign an Agreement with Parisi and Associates for the Fairfax Bike Spine Project for an amount not to exceed $25,000. The Agreement is fully funded through the Bike Spine grant and no general fund money will be used to implement the grant;

• Heard a status report and discussed the Banking Service RFP process. The Town has narrowed the selection down to two banks. The selection of a bank for the Town’s banking needs will be on the Council agenda for the April 4, 2012 meeting.

• Adopted Resolution 12-15, adopting the Association of Bay Area Government (ABAG) Plan “Taming Natural Disasters” and the Town of Fairfax Local Annex (appendix), as the Town of Fairfax’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

• Tabled the discussion of the Mid-Year Budget Review to the April 4, 2012 Town Council meeting.

Other notes and announcements:

• Fairfax Festival/Ecofest Outreach Party for potential volunteers on March 15th at the Sleeping Lady, 6 – 8 p.m., Kyle Alden to provide the entertainment

• Public Workshop on Fairfax Schools Bike Spine Project on Saturday, March 17th facilitated by Traffic Engineer David Parisi, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Fairfax Women’s Club

• Fairfax Festival Poster Contest entries due by April 1st – Prize of $350 and free Festival booth

• Fairfax Food Pantry – Saturdays 9-11 at the Fairfax Community Church, 2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, volunteers needed

• Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Annual Brewfest at the Pavilion, Saturday, March 17th, 1 – 5 p.m.

• One Vacancy for Community member on the newly formed Cittaslow Committee

• Vacancy on the Open Space Committee to complete an unexpired term to June 30, 2012

• Vacancies on the Fairfax Youth Commission for Ross Valley youth between 14 and 19 years of age

• Vacancy for a Youth Commissioner to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission for a 2-year term

The next Town Council meeting will be April 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Women’s Club.

Blog #7 - Town Siren Malfunction

Dear Town Residents:

The Town has discovered the reason for the siren sounding (malfunction) yesterday evening at about 8:45 PM.

The technician examined the siren system today. He discovered a considerable amount of condensation (large drops of water within the box and on the electronics) on the computer boards and relays that he is rather certain caused the siren to activate. He will be returning to weather proof the two boxes containing these electrical components.

The Town will also be working to provide more timely information on our Home Page in the future.

Blog #6 Community Meeting on Fairfax Bike Spine Project

FAIRFAX SCHOOLS BIKE SPINE PROJECT
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 17, 2012
9:30—11:30 a.m.
Women’s Club, 46 Park Road

Residents of the Fairfax community are encouraged to attend an upcoming workshop to discuss the proposed Schools Bike Spine Project. This past October, the Transportation Authority of Marin granted the Town of Fairfax $110,000 to install signage and street markings for identified bicycle routes to school. The Schools Bike Spine will connect much of Fairfax to three schools—Cascade Canyon, Manor Elementary, and White Hill Middle schools. The overall goal of the project is to improve the safety of the Town’s streets for student bicyclists, as well as increase awareness of motorists who share the road with them.

The first phase of the Fairfax Schools Bike Spine will begin at Bolinas Road to the south, run along Park Road, Arroyo and/or Sequoia roads, Manor Road, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Oak Manor Drive, and end on Glen Drive (see map). A future phase of the project may extend along Olema Road. The intent of the public workshop is to inform the community about the proposed changes and to solicit input prior to finalizing the project. The workshop will consist of a presentation, as well as discussion and input from residents.

To learn more about the project or view a map of the project area please visit www. townoffairfax.org or contact Michael Rock at mrock@townoffairfax.org or call 453-1584.

Blog #5 - Smart Meter Update

The Town Council held a special meeting on February 13th and discussed the recent order by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that requires a one time $75 fee and an ongoing $10/month fee to opt out of the Smart Meter program. There is a second round of hearings scheduled with the CPUC to ocurr in the next five to six weeks to discuss this order and to discuss the possibility of allowing communities to opt out. These Phase 2 hearings could last four to five months.

The Town Council directed the staff to have our pro bono attorney be prepared to file a stay of the order in case it is needed. The Town Council committed to keeping the lines of positive communication open with PG&E and has assurances from PG&E that no smart meters will be installed in Fairfax per the Moratorium Ordinance passed by the Council.

Residents in Fairfax who are on the delay list should have received a letter from PG&E recently asking them to opt out. Twenty-three persons addressed the Council on the Smart Meter issue. The vast majority of those speakers supported the Council's decisions to date on this issue.

Please see the Town's Home Page for much more information about the Smart Meter issue at:

www.townoffairfax.org

Blog #4 Town Council Actions February 1, 2012 Meeting

Council passes resolution objecting to the Military Detention Provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The Council adopted a resolution objecting to the NDAA over grave concerns about violations within NDAA of several sections of the U.S. Constitution. NDAA could allow for indefinite detention without trial of any person, including US citizens. The FBI Director, the Defense Secretary, the Department of Defense, and many of our nation’s generals, admirals, and service men and women have opposed the NDAA’s detention provisions.

The Town of Fairfax has an extensive history of protecting its residents’ civil rights and liberties embodied in its rejection of the USA PATRIOT Act, which led hundreds of other municipalities across the nation to emulate our example. The NDAA could allow the recurrence of torture in military detention in violation of the Eighth Amendment and could force US military service members to serve as domestic jailers. The Resolution will be sent to our U.S. House and Senate representatives and to the President who signed the NDAA.

Planning Commission and Design Review Board Functions

The Town Council, on a 4-1 vote, (Council Member Bragman dissenting) adopted Ordinance 764 which adds the current functions of the Design Review Board to the Planning Commission. This will allow for the Planning Commission to have a more comprehensive and holistic review that evaluates project design at the same time it evaluates other code requirements thus reviewing all aspects of a project in a more streamlined way. The Town Council gave direction to staff to have the Chair of the Planning Commission report to the Town Council on a regular basis on how the newly constituted Planning Commission is working.

Other actions taken at the Town Council January 11, 2012 meeting:

• Re-appointed Barbara Coler to the Planning Commission;

• Adopted Resolution 12-08, a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of its 2012 General Obligation Refunding Bonds

• Authorized the Town Manager to apply for the Cal Recycle Beverage Container Annual funding in the amount of $5,000.

• Decided to utilize PEG funds for the purchase of video equipment for the Town Council Chambers for broadcasting and webcasting of Town Council meetings.

• Formed an Ad Hoc Committee of Vice Mayor Reed and Council Member Weinsoff to meet with residents living on Hawthorne Court to discuss the possibility of a pedestrian bridge connecting Hawthorne Court to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. A pedestrian bridge would allow school children to cross Sir Francis Drake at a controlled intersection rather than going all the way through the neighborhood to cross Drake to get to Manor School.

• Continued a public hearing declaring 39 Wood Lane a Public Nuisance. The hearing was continued to allow the property owner more time to abate the nuisance. The owner started clearing the property a few days before the meeting and will have to appear before the Council on March 7th with all items in the abatement notice completed to avoid triggering the abatement process.

• Other notes and announcements:

• Fairfax Food Pantry – Saturdays 9-11AM at the Fairfax Community Church, 2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd-Volunteers needed!!

• Vacancy on the Fairfax Youth Commission for Ross Valley youth between 14 and 19 years of age

• Vacancy on the Volunteer Board to complete an unexpired term to 12-31-12

• Vacancy for a Youth Commissioner

• Two vacancies for community members on the newly formed Cittaslow Committee

• Jolly Hill Cleanup – Invasive Plant Eradication is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 9:30 AM sponsored by the Open Space Committee in Cooperation with the “Gift of Love” Countywide Event

The next Town Council meeting will be a Special Meeting to discuss the most recent ruling by the CPUC on Smart Meters on February 13, 2012 at 7:00 PM. The next regular meeting will be March 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Women’s Club.

Blog #3 Free Homeowner Workshop on Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

You are invited to the following event:
Is your house leaking energy and money?
A Free Fairfax Homeowner Workshop

When:
Thursday
February 9, 2012
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Where:
Women’s Club
46 Park Road,
Fairfax, CA 94930

For more info contact:
Napallo Gomez-Somer
(650) 796-4148
napallo@ecoact.org

Learn more:
EnergyUpgradeCA.org

Attention Homeowners:

Did you know that the average California home wastes 30% of heating and cooling energy? Want to fix your home?

Join us for a Community Energy Workshop and learn how to make your home more healthy, comfortable and energy efficient. Find out how your neighbors are taking advantage of rebates up to $4,500 and how you can too!

Featured Presentations:

• Hear from a Fairfax resident who completed a home energy upgrade and received rebates

• Learn from a Participating Contractor how to address comfort and health concerns while lowering energy use in your home

• Speak with an Energy Upgrade California Specialist about how you can save money with rebates up to $4,500

To Register for this workshop go to this web page: http://fairfax-euc.eventbrite.com/

This is sponsored by Energy Upgrade California partnering with Sustainable Fairfax and through the Marin Energy Authority.


For more info and
useful resources
join us on Facebook

Blog #2 Town Council Actions January 11, 2012 Council Meeting

Fairfax Town Council Releases Plans and Specifications for three capital projects

Plans and Specifications Released for Bid on Pastori Sidewalk, Drake Bike Lane Striping Project and Street Light Energy Efficiency Project

Pastori Sidewalk: This project includes installation of a new sidewalk on Pastori Ave. from Center Blvd. to Sir Francis Drake Blvd on the west side of Pastori Ave. on the side of the street where the new Good Earth Natural Foods store will be located very soon. It will also include natural swales for improved drainage and will preserve all of the liquid amber trees along Pastori Ave. A short retaining wall will be needed to stabilize the sidewalk area and provide the appropriate slope needed for disabled access and drainage.

Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Bike Lane Striping Project: This project consists of restriping Sir Francis Drake Blvd between Olema Road and Claus Drive, including minor shoulder paving and widening in certain areas. Street markings will be painted with Thermoplastic for better visibility and for longevity. Thermoplastic typically will last about six years while conventional paint only one or two years. Markings will include “BIKE LANE”, “PED XING” and “STOP”.

Street Light Energy Efficiency Project: The work entails removing the lamp or post and replacing downtown street lights with energy efficient LED lights. LED lights are about twice as efficient as regular sodium or incandescent lights and thus will last about twice as long and save the Town significant money on energy costs.

Abolishing Corporate Personhood

The Town Council adopted a resolution calling for an amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing corporate personhood. The resolution calls for federal legislators to join tens of thousands of citizens, grassroots organizations and local governments across the country in the “Move to Amend” campaign to call for an Amendment to the United States Constitution to Abolish Corporate Personhood and return our democracy, our elections, our communities back to America’s human persons and thus reclaim our sovereign right to self-governance.

Report from Fire Chief on adding the Town of Ross to the Ross Valley Fire Department Joint Powers Authority

The Town Council received a presentation from Ross Valley Fire Chief Roger Meagor on the possible addition of the Town of Ross as a member of the Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD). Formal discussions have begun with the Town of Ross and with the RVFD Board of Directors. Many details are being worked on including assets, liabilities and labor issues. There are significant financial savings and improvement of service with the addition of the Town of Ross because it would add another Fire Station to the RVFD and add personnel including paramedics that would enhance service for the whole Ross Valley. Both the Town of Ross and the RVFD are working towards a possible merger by July 1, 2012. There will be much more discussion over the next few months with the Town Council.

Other actions taken at the Town Council January 11, 2012 meeting:

• Appointed Laura Kehrlein to the Planning Commission; Appointed Michael Aaronson to the Marin Commission on Aging; Appointed Bruce Ackerman to the General Plan Implementation Committee; and Appointed Mia Andler to the Open Space Committee.

• Discussed the concept of combining the Design Review Board with the Planning Commission. After a fairly lengthy discussion the Council voted to conduct the first reading of Ordinance 764. A second reading and adoption of the Ordinance is scheduled for February 1, 2012.

• Council conducted a public hearing on how to allocate the proceeds from the refinancing of the 2002 General Obligation Bonds (Measure K Bonds). After a short discussion the Council directed staff to give partial savings to taxpayers and to cash out part of the proceeds for use in future Measure K projects. The Town will receive approximately $220,000 for new capital improvement projects.

• The Council signed a petition urging the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to delay consideration of CPUC President Peevey’s preliminary decision to charge fees to customers who elect to opt out of the SmartMeter program.

• Adopted a resolution urging Congress and the Drug Enforcement Administration to reschedule cannabis as a drug with recognized medical benefits.

• Approved a letter be sent by the Mayor to the Marin County Board of Supervisors and the Marin County Sheriff supporting the right of private ownership of farm animals.

Other notes and announcements:

• Fairfax Food Pantry – Saturdays 9-11AM at the Fairfax Community Church,1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd-Volunteers needed!!

• Vacancy on the Fairfax Youth Commission for Ross Valley youth between 14 and 19 years of age

• Vacancy on the Volunteer Board to complete an unexpired term to 12-31-12

• Two vacancies for community members on the newly formed Cittaslow Committee

• Jolly Hill Cleanup – Invasive Plant Eradication is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 9:30 AM sponsored by the Open Space Committee in Cooperation with the “Gift of Love” Countywide Event

The next Town Council meeting will be February 1, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Women’s Club.