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.
