Friday, April 15, 2011

Blog #12 - Town Council Actions from April 6 and 14th Meetings

The Town Council at its regular meeting on April 6, 2011 approved a ten percent rate increase for solid waste and recycling services provided by Marin Sanitary Service (MSS). On April 14, 2011, the Town Council discussed the need for professional services to review the current draft franchise agreement. The Council Members agreed to charge the Mayor and Vice Mayor with providing the names of three solid waste consultants to Marin Sanitary Service and Marin Sanitary Service will provide three names to the Town and then the Town and MSS will pick one consultant to assist in crafting a new franchise agreement between the Town and MSS.

Other actions taken at the Town Council April 6 and April 14, 2011 meetings:

• Appointed Terra Clark to the Youth Commission and re-appointed Richard Pedemonte to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

• Heard a report from the Town Manager on the storm damage of March 24, 2011 which included one major landslide and areas of localized flooding. Several trees fell and there were many storm drains that were clogged at the height of the storm on March 24th.


• Approved an MOU for the FairBuck Project.


• Adopted a resolution establishing a General Plan Implementation Committee (GPIC). The Town is seeking two members on the GPIC from the community at large. The GPIC’s charge will be to monitor and facilitate the goals, objectives, policies and programs contained in the 2010 General Plan. The GPIC will meet monthly to review and monitor the proposed timelines contained within the General Plan and to provide or recruit assistance as needed. The GPIC will report to the Town Council quarterly, at least through the first year of implementation after the General Plan is adopted. It is expected that one meeting would be held per month, for approximately two hours in duration. Applicants for the two community positions must be residents of the Town of Fairfax. Application forms are available at Town Hall or on the Town’s Web site at townoffairfax.org. Appointments will be made by the Town Council at a future regular meeting. For more information, please contact Jim Moore, Planning Director, at 458-2346, or Judy Anderson, Town Clerk, at 458-2343.


• Approved a letter of support for EPA upgrades, Clean Air Transport rule and Hazardous Air Pollutants to protect clean air standards.


• Adopted a resolution in support of SB 810 – Single Payer Health Care.


• Adopted a resolution supporting the California Air Resources Board’s leadership in promoting clean and energy efficient motor vehicles, energy independence, zero emission technologies, and improved quality of life in California.


• Held a first reading of an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of new

medical marijuana dispensaries in any zoning district within the Town until such time that a permanent ordinance regulating the location, number and operation of medical marijuana dispensaries is approved.

• The Council appointed Mayor Bragman and Vice Mayor Hartwell-Herrero as designated representatives of the Town for the purposes of labor negotiations.


• Discussed the possibility of a local sales tax in the Town of Fairfax. This item will continue on each Council agenda for many months as a continuing dialogue is held with the community on this important issue. The entire amount collected from a one half cent local sales tax would go to the Town and could generate about $150,000 per year. The projected Town budget for fiscal year 2011-12 will have a deficit of about $350,000 due to declining revenues and increasing retirement and health care costs for employees. Some of the employee groups already pay a portion of the employee portion of the PERS system and discussions will occur in the next few months with all bargaining groups in Fairfax and with the Ross Valley Fire employees.


Other notes and announcements:


• A special meeting on the FairBuck program will be held on April 20, 2011 at the Women’s Club at 7:00 PM.


• Parks and Recreation Commission is sponsoring the annual Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23rd at Bolinas Park at 10 AM for children 8 and under.


• A “Spring Clean-Up” will be held at the Fairfax Community Center (Youth Center) on April 30, 2011 from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm.


• If you would like to be a volunteer at the soon to open Fairfax Food Pantry please attend a meeting on April 30, 2011 at the Fairfax Community Church beginning at 10:00 am.


• The next Town Council meeting will be May 4, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Women’s Club.

Monday, April 04, 2011

Blog #11 Fairfax Open Space Committee Fundraiser at Iron Springs Brewery

Fairfax Open Space Committee To Hold Fundraising Event (Fairfax, Calif.)

The Town of Fairfax Open Space Committee (FOSC) will hold a fundraising event on Tuesday, April 12 at the Iron Springs Pub and Brewery, 765 Center Blvd, Fairfax. Proceeds from the event will benefit FOSC’s work to preserve, acquire and maintain open space for Fairfax. During Iron Spring’s Give Back Tuesday for FOSC, ten percent of sales will be donated to FOSC. The restaurant is open between 4 and 9:30 p.m. and the bar is open until about 10:30 p.m. A raffle will be held featuring nifty Fairfax-themed prizes. FOSC T-shirts and tote bags will be available for sale and maps of Fairfax open space will be on display. The event will include special presentations, beginning at 7:30 p.m., to recognize members of the community.

For more information about this fundraising event, please visit the Committee’s website launched in 2010 at www.fairfaxopenspace.com.

More information about Give Back Tuesday may be found at the restaurant’s website at www.ironspringspub.com.

The Fairfax Open Space Committee exists to preserve the visual and environmental values of the community through the purchase of undeveloped land in and around Fairfax. The goal is to provide sanctuary for indigenous flora and fauna for future generations.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Blog #10 - Fairfax Documentary Film Festival Starts Tonight

The 12th Annual Fairfax Documentary Film Festival Begins Tonight at 7:30 PM and runs through Sunday at the Fairfax Theater. Listed below are the listings of films. The qulaity of films is quite high with many talented film makers living right here in Fairfax.

“Fairfax Scenes” 48 Views of our Town from 1890 to the 1950s

Guests of Space
Alba Roca’s documentary explores the encounter between the Nukak Maku people and the white man in 1988. Known as the last nomads contacted in South America, this film observes the collision of two alien worlds where settlers, missionaries, armed groups and Colombia ’s drug war unexpectedly meet and confront.

Old People Driving
Shaleece Haas’ documentary chronicles the adventures of Milton (age 96) and Herbert (age 99) as they confront the end of their driving years. Through them we observe that heartbreaking moment when the generation that came of age during America’s love affair with the automobile has to put the keys in the drawer.

Someplace With a Mountain
Pacific islanders, the “Lapita Navigators,” living far from “civilization,” learn that their world on a small atoll is fast disappearing because of climate change. Filmmaker Steve Goodall chanced across them on his travels and alerted them that their days on their island were numbered. They asked for his help. He provided it. "Fairfax Doc Fest Challenge 2011" a preview of the entries to this year's competition.

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SATURDAY APRIL 2ND 7:30 pm

Lesson Plan: The Story of the Third Wave
Spring, 1967: Disillusionment, anger and confusion bubble to the surface of the nation’s psyche, American youth are on the precipice of a social revolution and for a few tumultuous days, a young history teacher at Cubberly High in Palo Alto, attempts a startling social experiment that will inspire comment and analysis to this day. To explain the appeal of fascism in Nazi Germany, teacher Ron Jones created a classroom setting wherein students subjugated personal freedom to the good of the community, under a charismatic leader followed almost without question. Replete with salutes and Gestapo-like informants, the so-called Third Wave soon attracted scores of students throughout Cubberly and neighboring schools, spiraling out of Jones’ control. This moving reunion and recounting by Jones, school administrators, former students and Dr. Philip Zambardo (Stanford Prison Experiment) enthralls with the force of inescapable conclusions. Director Philip Neel was a member of the original Third Wave class. Q&A with the filmmaker and subject Ron Jones "Fairfax Doc Fest Challenge 2011" a preview of the entries to this year's competition.

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SUNDAY APRIL 3RD 1st showing 2pm, 2nd showing 6pm with judging and awards "SCREENING AND RESULTS OF THE FAIRFAX DOC FEST CHALLENGE 2011" a competition featuring short documentaries submitted by local filmmakers of all ages. The Challenge is a favorite event of the Film Festival and is fun for those who participated in making films and for viewers who get to see some remarkable local talent. Tickets are available at the Theater or on-line through www.cinemawest.com. STARTING TIMES VARY-PLEASE CHECK SCHEDULE Features: Open to All Website: http://www.fairfaxdocfest.org/ Phone: (415) 460-9760 Price: $10.00
Tickets: Buy Tickets