Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Blog #22- Council to meet on Budget, Measure F Extension

The Town Council will hold its regular Town Council meeting on July 1, 2009 beginning at 7:30 PM at the Women’s Club on Park Road to consider adoption of the proposed 2009/2010 Town Budget and to discuss extending Measure F another five years.

This is a very important meeting and the Council encourages all residents to attend. The budget portion of the meeting will entail an overview of the current economic climate and the possible actions of the State regarding the possible theft of seven percent of the Town’s revenue through the theft of gas tax revenues. This equates to about $212,000 each year. This money will not be repaid by the State. Public comment will then be invited on the proposed budget.

The Council will also consider and adopt placing on the ballot for voter approval the extension of Measure F which expires on June 30, 2010. Measure F represents $465,000 per year to the Town’s $6.7 million general fund budget. The ballot language will be asking for an extension at the same rate of $125 per dwelling unit and business occupancy per year for another five years. This is an extension of an existing property tax. The Town is not asking for any new or additional tax.

The Council encourages the public to comment on the decision to extend Measure F.

Other items for the July 1st Agenda:

  • Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Town Attorney to cooperate with the League of California Cities as well as cities and counties in litigation challenging the constitutionality of any seizure by State government of HUTA funds (Gas Tax Funds)
  • Consider Appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of a request for a setback variance, a height variance, encroachment permit and a second unit use permit in order to construct a second unit underneath an existing three story, single-family residence and to construct parking for the second unit at 177 Frustuck Avenue
  • Adopt a Resolution setting new fees for services as a result of the Master Fee Study including business license fees
  • Second Reading and adoption of Ordinance 743 repealing and replacing Town Code Chapter 8.36 regulating the removal of trees
  • Consider endorsing a pilot low income elderly and disabled cable discount
  • Discussion and Approval of Redemption of Tax Delinquent Properties with Open Space Fund

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Blog #21 – Council to Meet on Town Budget, Extension of Measure F

The Town Council will hold a Special Town Council meeting on June 20, 2009 from 9:00 AM-12 NOON at the Women’s Club on Park Road to discuss the proposed 2009/2010 Town Budget and to discuss the renewal of Measure F. This is a very important meeting and the Council encourages all residents to attend. The budget portion of the meeting will entail an overview of the current economic climate and the possible actions of the State regarding the possible theft of eight percent of the Town’s property tax revenues. This equates to about $268,000. Then each department head from the Town staff will present their budget. Public comment will then be invited on the proposed budget.

The second part of the meeting will be a discussion on the renewal of Measure F which expires on June 30, 2010. Measure F represents $465,000 per year to the Town’s $6.7 million general fund budget. There will be a presentation regarding the Town Budget and Measure F and then a discussion on the proposed ballot language for the extension of Measure F. The ballot language will be asking for an extension at the same rate of $125 per dwelling unit and business occupancy per year for another five years. This is an extension of an existing property tax. The Town is not asking for any new or additional tax.

I encourage the public to comment on the decision to renew Measure F.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Blog #20 Town Council Discusses "Art Houses of Marin” Emergency Siren for Cascades, Update of Tree Ordinance

The Town Council took the following actions at the June 3, 2009 meeting:

1. Heard a presentation from Executive Director Diane Linn of Ritter House on the installation of “Art Houses of Marin” at various locations in Fairfax for a period of two months to raise awareness of the homeless in Marin County. The Town Council will discuss the “Art Houses of Marin” again at the Regular Council meeting on July 1, 2009 and consider approving a licensing agreement with Ritter House

2. Heard a presentation from Jason Dow, General Manager for the Central Marin Sanitary Service regarding a proposed Food to Energy project.

3. Adopted a resolution finding that a severe fiscal hardship will exist if additional property tax funds are seized and additional unfunded mandates are adopted by the State.

4. Held introduction and first reading of an ordinance to repeal and replace Town Code 8.36 regulating the removal of trees

5. Heard a presentation from Sergeant Stuart Baker regarding the placement of an emergency siren in the Cascades at the Marin Municipal Water District water tower off of Bolinas Road and then authorized the purchase and installation of the siren

6. Approved a contract for Engineering Consultant Services with Coastland Engineering for preliminary and construction engineering on Federal Aid projects

7. Renewed Agreement with the Town Attorney for contractual legal services with the Town.

There will be a Special Town Council Meeting on Saturday, June 20th from 9-12 NOON at the Women's Club to discuss the draft Town Budget for fiscal year 2009/10 and a discussion to consider ballot language to renew Measure F –a Special Municipal Services Tax which expires on June 30, 2010. There will be a detailed power point presentation on the history of Measure F including what the Town has accomplished since the passage of Measure F and what the Town has done to keep its promise to the community to control spending and seek new revenues.