Blog #8 Center Blvd Project Update

As many residents and visitors have noticed the Center Blvd. Improvement Project is in full swing. Concrete has been poured and new sidewalks are in along with new ramps for disabled access. There has been much discussion about how many crosswalks are being installed and at what locations. There are three crosswalks being installed as I write this. One will be at the Post Office, one at the main entrance to the Fair Anselm and one at the corner of Center Blvd. and Pastori.

The contractor, Ghilotti Brothers estimates they will complete Center Blvd. at the end of May of this year. There will still be work on Pastori well into the summer, including the overlay of Pastori once the new storm drain is installed.

Please be reminded that all businesses are open for business throughout the construction period and there will be access at all times.

Blog #7 - Town Council - Strategic Planning, Public Works Director Recruitment

STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP

The Town Council met on Saturday, March 15th to discuss the Town's Strategic Plan. The discussion was very productive. The discussion focused on the business community and what can be done to maximize opportunities for all business owners. The Council agreed the Town will become a stronger partner with the Chamber of Commerce and others in assisting the business community. There will be more information on this subject in future blogs.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR RECRUITMENT

Also on Saturday, March 15 the Town Council in a closed session interviewed the final two candidates for Public Works Director and gave direction to the Town Manager. At the April 2nd Town Council Meeting the Council will ratify the appointment of the next Public Works Director. There will be a press release and more information for the community in early April.

MEET THE TOWN MANAGER MEETINGS

A reminder I will be at Barefoot Cafe today from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM for another "Meet the Town Manager" meeting. Please feel free to drop by and chat about anything that is on your mind. I will also be at the Fair Fix Cafe March 31st from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM. I will be at Chad's Cafe on April 8th from 1:00 PM-2:30 PM.

Blog #6 - More Meet the Town Manager Meetings, Town Council Meeting Highlights

As promised I have scheduled more "Meet the Town Manager" meetings at the following locations:

Barefoot Cafe: Tuesday, March 18th from 1:00 PM-2:30 PM at 1900 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Fair Fix Cafe: Monday, March 31st from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at 33 Broadway

Chad's Grill Garden Cafe: Tuesday, April 8th from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM at 85 Bolinas Rd, Suite 4


Highlights of the Town Council Meeting of March 5, 2008:

• Adopted Resolution 2532 opposing Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed Across-the-Board Budget Cuts and Supporting the Alternate Budget of the Legislative Analyst which provides Full Funding for Local Schools



• Adopted a Proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month in Fairfax
  
  
• Awarded a Bid for $31,650 to Linscott Engineering for the Upper Scenic Road Stabilization Project
  
  
• Adopted Resolution 2534 Opposing the California Department of Food and Agriculture Aerial Spray Program to Eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth



• Discussed a formal policy/ordinance regarding resolutions on state and national issues

Blog #5 - Emergency Blog

I am sorry I missed the first of a series of Meet the Manager sessions I set up. I was supposed to be at the Barefoot Cafe yesterday afternoon (Feb 25) but I came down with the flu very suddenly and was unable to get out of bed on Monday. I will be available tomorrow at 9 AM at the Coffee Roastery as planned. I will schedule a make-up day at the Barefoot Cafe in the near future. I am sorry for the inconvenience this caused any of you.

Blog #4 Meet the Town Manager

As promised in Blog #3 I am setting up time to allow the public to meet me and discuss anything you would like to that is related to the Town of Fairfax.

The first meeting place will be the Barefoot Cafe (1900 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.) from 1:30-3:00 PM on Monday, February 25, 2008.

My second location will be the Coffee Roastery (4 Bolinas Rd) from 9:00-10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 27, 2008.

Location three will be the Bookbeat (28 Bolinas Rd) from 7:30-9:00 AM on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.

I will schedule more locations in the future as time permits and if there is interest. Please feel free to email me about anything in the blog and any suggestions you have for the blog.

Project Updates

Some folks have been asking about the removal of the three parking spaces on Sir Francis Drake that the Council approved for removal a few weeks ago. This will be done in the next few weeks. Sorry it has taken so long, but we had to resolve all of the issues with the Sir Francis Drake Pedestrian Crossing Projec at Oak Tree Lane. All of the technical issues have been resolved and we will proceed with this project to create the solar powered overhead flashing light and pedestrian cross walk and the restriping of the area where the three parking spaces will be removed.

Park and Hill streets will be overlayed in the coming month or so. This will involve the removal of the existing asphalt concrete (pavement) and then the application of brand new asphalt concrete.

The Slope Stabilization Project on Upper Scenic Rd will also begin construction in the next month or so. The Town Council first must approve of the low bid at the March 5, 2008 meeting.

Blog # 3 - Town Council Meeting - February 6, 2008

For blog posting number 3 please see the summary below of actions taken by the Town Council at the February 6, 2008 meeting:

• Approved a change order to install solar powered overhead flashing signal for the Sir Francis Drake and Oak Tree Lane pedestrian project. This means this project can commence construction very soon. As part of this change order the three parking spaces on SFD right behind the bus stop (that Town Council voted to remove at the January 2008 meeting) will be removed and the street will be retriped.
  


• Approved low bid for the overlay of Hill Ave. and Park Road. The exisitng asphalt will be removed and brand new asphalt overlayed. This project will start construction within the next month, weather permitting.
  


• Denied the appeal on 183 Frustuck which allows for the construction of a "super green" home on this private property.
  


• Created a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Ordinance Review Committee consisting of two Council Members (Larry Bragman and Lew Tremaine), two Planning Comission Members (Pam Meigs and Brannon Ketcham) and two Design Review Committee Members (Shane Deal and Laura Kehrlein).
  


• Appointed Lini Bodian to the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC). Congratulations to Lini!

• The full Council gave direction to Ross Valley Fire Board Members Maggiore and Tremaine to submit an offer to Sleepy Hollow to become a full voting member of the Ross Valley Fire Joint Powers Authority. Sleepy Hollow's Fire Board must still review the proposal and then it must return to the Ross Valley Fire Board and to both Fairfax and San Anselmo Town Council's for final approval. You may view the details of this proposal at: http://www.town-of-fairfax.org/TownCouncil/TownCouncilPacket/RVFS%20Sleepy%20Hollow%20Report.pdf
  


• Voted to send a letter to the California Department of Food and Agriculture notifying the department of Fairfax's policy requiring notifcation and prohibitng the use of pesticides on or in the commons (open space and public lands) to erradicate the light brown apple moth.

There is a Town Council meeting scheduled for February 20, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the Women's Club. Agenda for this meeting will be posted on late Friday, February 15, 2008.

In Blog #4 I will be setting up office hours for folks to discuss any matters related to the Town they wish.

Blog # 2 - Center Blvd. Improvement Project

For my second blog posting I am highlighting the Center Blvd. Improvement Project. The $1 million capital improvement project entails work on 1,500 lineal feet of Center Blvd. The project encompasses the design of new curbs, gutters and sidewalks, accessibility ramps, street lighting, landscape design, and bike lanes to complete the restoration of this major thoroughfare in downtown Fairfax. The project also includes pavement removal, grinding, and overlay.

In addition, Pastori Ave. is being upgraded with a new storm drain pipe, pavement removal, grinding, and overlay between Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and the entrance of the bridge. The entire project is expected to be completed at the end of April 2008. Please be advised it will be easier to use Sir Francis Drake Blvd. during construction on Center Blvd. and Pastori Ave.

The February 6, 2008 Town Council Meeting Agenda is posted on the Town Home page and the link is http://www.town-of-fairfax.org/TownCouncil/TownCouncilPacket/

Many thanks to the Public Works Department staff that worked very hard cleaning up the Town after the heavy rains on January 4th and again on January 25th. They worked 16 hours straight at one point removing branches from our streets and clearing storm drains. Many thanks also to the Police and Fire staff that also worked around the clock.

Michael Rock
Town Manager
Town of Fairfax

New Town Manager's First Blog - STORMY!!

Hello from Town Hall:

As I sit here writing my first blog I am grateful we survived last night without significant flooding. The Fairfax Creek level under Town Hall crested at about 7.9 feet just mere inches from flooding over the top. We are expecting more rain today but the creek level is 2.2 feet right now (NOON) so we should be OK for now. Thanks to the Town Council and Town staff and residents and businesses who helped get us through last night.

I apologize this first blog is coming more than two weeks after I started as Town Manager but I am also the Public Works Director until we can hire a new one. So please bear with me as I try to update this blog as often as I can get to it. We hope to have the position of Public Works Director filled by April.

Residents and businesses are reminded to have on hand battery operated radios, flashlights and candles at all times.

I will be setting up office hours in the upcoming couple of weeks so residents can drop in and talk about anything they would like. These office hours will take place at various businesses throughout the Town. Stay tuned.

Michael Rock
Town Manager

Final Blog post from Linda

This will be my final post as Fairfax Town Manager. Our new Town Manager Michael Rock will continue the blog.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the blog readers out there. This has been a lot of fun for me and I have appreciated everyone's feedback on this blog.

I know the Town will enjoy the leadership and guidance of an excellent new manager and I wish everyone a great 2008!

Linda

Strategic Financial Plan approved by Council Dec. 5th 2007

The Strategic Financial Plan has now been posted on the Town's website at
http://www.town-of-fairfax.org/TownCouncil/Strategic_Plan_web.pdf

Town Council adopts Goals and Strategies

The Town Council's Goals and Strategies document is now posted on the Town's website here
http://www.town-of-fairfax.org/TownCouncil/Goals_Strategies_2007_Adopted.pdf

This was accepted by the Council at its meeting of December 5, 2007.

Appointment of new Management Analyst

Please click to read the press release regarding the appointment of Yvonne Roberts as Management Analyst.

Town Treasurer Appointment

Please click to read the press release regarding new Town Treasurer Barbara Petty.

Strategic Planning Workshop - Sat., Jan. 12th

The Council will hold a workshop this Saturday, Jan. 12th from 9 a.m. - Noon at the Women's Club with the following agenda:

9 – 10:45 a.m. - Discussion with Catlin Properties regarding ideas for former Albertson’s site and Fair-Anselm property

10:45 – 11 Break

11 – Noon – Future Planning: Non-motorized transit / green issues – How to accomplish goals

The meeting is open to the public.

Ice Skating a big hit!

All told, we accommodated about 800 ice skaters over our two day "ice skating" event at the Pavilion this past weekend. Click to watch a brief video. Thank you to Fairfax Parks and Recreation Commission for coordinating and staffing this fun event!

Agenda for Jan. 9th meeting

The agenda for the next Council meeting on Jan. 9th is posted here:
http://www.townoffairfax.org/TownCouncil/TownCouncilPacket/

Storm Update - Fri. at 4:30 p.m.

The Fairfax Creek peaked at 9:45 a.m. this morning at six feet and subsequently subsided thereafter over a period of four to five hours. No major flooding was reported. Wind and downed trees caused most of the damage, with an awning detaching from a downtown business, and trees falling on homes, on vehicles and in several roadways. Several downed power lines were reported to PG&E. Fairfax Public Works cleared a large debris jam in Fairfax Creek at Town Hall and worked all day removing trees from roadways and clearing storm drains. Here is a photo of Public Works employee Tom Bruce using a chainsaw on the debris jam.

At this time, we have no closed roads in Fairfax and no reported flooding threatening private or public property.

The flood advisory expires at 5 p.m. today and the wind advisory expired at 4 p.m. The next storm is expected tomorrow (Saturday) in the late morning, with not as much force and predicted under two inches of rain.

The National Weather Service Forecast Discussion is located here http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?wfo=mtr&sid=mtr&pil=afd

The Fairfax Creek Gauge is located here (the gauge was inoperable for two hours today and is now back working)
http://www.rossvalleyfire.org/ffx_creek.html

American Red Cross Emergency Services can be reached at (866) 272-2237 and can provide assistance if anyone is unable to stay in their home due to the storm conditions.

Call 911 in the event of a life-threatening emergency

Fairfax Police Department 453-5330

Ross Valley Fire Department 258-4686

Fairfax Town Hall 453-1584 (Mon-Fri)

Fairfax Public Works 453-0291 (Mon-Fri)

Council Announces selection of new Town Manager

Amidst the stormy day, the Town of Fairfax has a positive announcement! Please click to read the 2-page press release.

Storm Update

Power outages are ensuing due to high winds. Keep flashlights at the ready.

From the National Weather Service: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?wfo=mtr&sid=mtr&pil=afd
AN URBAN AND SMALL STREAM
FLOOD ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SONOMA...MARIN...AND NAPA
COUNTIES BEGINNING AT 4 AM PST FRIDAY MORNING UNTIL 4 PM PST FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. A SECOND URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY WAS
ISSUED FOR THE REMAINING COUNTIES IN OUR CWA FROM SAN FRANCISCO SOUTH
BEGINNING AT 4 AM PST FRIDAY MORNING UNTIL 10 PM FRIDAY EVENING.
RAINFALL TOTALS WILL EASILY REACH 2 TO 6 INCHES BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AS THE FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE REGION. HIGHER ELEVATIONS HAVE THE
POTENTIAL FOR HIGHER RAINFALL TOTALS. BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR
HEAVY RAINFALL WITH THIS SYSTEM WE HAVE ALSO ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD
WATCH FOR THE NORTH BAY COUNTIES OF SONOMA...MARIN AND NAPA FROM 4 AM
FRIDAY MORNING TO 1 PM FRIDAY AFTERNOON.


Fairfax creek level gauge:
http://www.rossvalleyfire.org/ffx_creek.html

Storm Watch

Happy New Year...and we are now facing a heavy storm. The latest weather forecast is that we are due for three storms within the next five days. County Office of Emergency Services informed us of these storms on a conference call today – here is what is expected, given the latest information:

- First storm - Thursday night – high wind watch to 45 mph, 1 inch of rain

- Second storm – Friday Noon – up to 65 mph winds, 3 inches of rain, flash flood and small stream advisory. Tides could rise on Friday. The County OES may put out a telephone automated notification in the Ross Valley on Friday if there is a flood watch.

- Third storm – Sunday night – 1 inch of rain

Total possible 4-6 inches of rain, with 8-10 inches possible in high threat areas.

As far as what we are doing at the Town,

- We have sand and sandbags at the parking lot below the Pavilion, free for anyone who needs them.

- We will have temporary flood gates ready for installation at Town Hall tomorrow (the permanent ones have been custom ordered and they are not here yet). We can put up the flood gates Friday at the end of the day if needed.

- Staff will be on call at night and through the weekend. Public Works staff has been keeping the storm drains clear.

Good news - our new creek level warning gauge is active and live! The link for Fairfax is: http://www.rossvalleyfire.org/ffx_creek.html and the link for San Anselmo is: http://www.rossvalleyfire.org/sa_creek.html . The gauge will send out an automatic notice to Ross Valley Fire and designated Town staff if the creek rises to threatening levels.

We can also activate our downtown warning siren if flooding is imminent.

I am also making contact with our volunteers to enlist their assistance if needed.