On Monday evening, the City Council received a presentation from the heads of our Public Safety departments on the City's preparations for the winter storm season, which includes forecasting, pre-staging equipment, removing sediment and vegetation in the creeks, preparing our Waste Water Treatment Plant (testing alarms, checking generators), and training staff on Emergency Operations Center operations.

Read the Report | Watch the Meeting (Jump to Item 12)

Are You Prepared? Here are some storm preparedness resources for you: 

Prepare for flooding

Downed power line safety

Monitor creek levels

Where to get sandbags

Sign up for alerts:  AlertMarin &  Nixle (sign up for both!)

Clean Up Your Creekside Property:  If you live near or on one of the many creeks that run through town, please take a moment before the winter storms come to clean up your property. Random litter, sporting equipment, lawn chairs, kiddie pools and toys are often are swept away when the creeks swell with winter rain run-off. Learn more.

High Tides

High tides are expected in upcoming days, which may impact traffic and parking in flood-prone areas. Are you prepared?  Learn more.

The applicant team and Planning Department staff have held two meetings to discuss design options in response to comments and guidance received at the September 25 Planning Commission study session.  To date, no revised plans for the project have been submitted by the applicant and no date has been set for a subsequent Planning Commission study session.  Learn more.

At their meeting on Monday, the City Council received two reports on exciting upcoming roadway and paving projects - East Blithedale Avenue and Downtown Mill Valley. Both of these projects will include significant public outreach and engagement process to determine the scope of the projects to meet the community's needs. We will need your input - Please stay tuned to learn more about how you can participate.

Did you know? Cars parked on the sidewalk are in violation of the California Vehicle Code. Parking on the sidewalk on East Blithedale makes it hard for people to use the sidewalk, especially kids walking to school and parents with strollers, or neighbors with mobility impairments.  Learn more.

As part of the City's new Public Art Program, Art in Public Places, the Recreation Department and Arts Commission are proud to introduce the Center's first Atrium Project. 

Our first installation is "Family Tree" by Teresa Rea, a mobile created with copper wire, copper sheet metal and acrylic paint. Learn more.

Artists interested in exhibition opportunities should sign up for the Arts Commission emails at www.millvalleyarts.org or may contact Arts Coordinator Kathryn Yost at [email protected] for more information.

Community support and spirit is especially strong during the holidays - show your support for our area businesses this holiday season by doing all of your holiday shopping right here in Mill Valley!  Learn more.

Downtown: Free Holiday Parking is back Friday, November 23, 2018 to Monday, December 31, 2018 ! Visitors downtown will be able to park for free in spots up to the maximum time allotment which is noted on the parking meter. 

Miller Avenue: Enjoy our new streetscape and take a stroll (or ride your bike) over to the Miller Avenue shops and businesses. These local businesses are a part of what makes Mill Valley great so please show your support and shop Miller Ave today!

In an era when most folks get their goods and services delivered via the internet, underground pipes seem, well, downright Dark Ages. Sewer pipe maintenance is just one of the functions we manage in Public Works' Operations. We also maintain the City's 50,000+ trees, multiple parks, medians, sport fields, roadways, sidewalks, traffic signs, road striping, golf course, multiple pieces of machinery, benches, playgrounds, and solar panels. Learn more.

Did you know you can view the Community Center's Solar Energy Dashboard  for real-time updates on our buildings' energy consumption and annual savings?  Check it out!

LAFCo stands for Local Agency Formation Commission. Each County in California has one. The Marin LAFCo has regulatory power over the formation and boundary
changes of cities and special districts within its jurisdiction. In addition, the Marin LAFCo is responsible for determining sphere of influence for all cities, and special districts within the County of Marin. Composition of the Commission includes two members of the Board of Supervisors, two members from City Councils within the County, two Special District members, and a representative of the general public. Applications are now being accepted for the LAFCo Public Member Seat. Learn more.

See trash in your neighborhood? Want to make a difference? Sign up for Clean Mill Valley's Adopt a Spot Program: Pick a neighborhood, location, street corner or storefront that could use a regular cleanup, and adopt it.
Email Clean MV to Adopt-a-Spot. |  Learn more.

The Mill Valley Police Officer's Association is pleased to announce, we will again be participating in the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. This will be the third year the Mill Valley Police Officer's Association has had the honor of providing gifts to Marin County children through the generosity of Mill Valley citizens. Learn more.

Mill Valley public schools release students early this week and next. Please keep your eyes out for kids on bikes and in crosswalks!

Know Your Neighbor

The Mill Valley Library seeks your participation in new interactive programs to bring people together during divisive times. When was the last time you had a friendly exchange with a stranger? How do you feel when you receive a handwritten letter? When was the last time you wrote one? The Know Your Neighbor programs are meant to foster civility and develop new connections in our community.

Know Your Neighbor Pen Pals Program:

This program is an opportunity to correspond with someone you may not otherwise encounter in your social circle. The Library will function as a distribution center and randomly pair pals with each other. Put down your phone, pick up a pen and get to know your neighbors.

To participate, register in person at the Library's Reference Desk.

Know Your Neighbor Podcast Series:

This series will collect recordings of people sharing the stories that make them who they are. Everyone has a story. The Library wants to record them, we hope you will enjoy listening to them. Schedule a time to have your story recorded by emailing [email protected]

These new programs are part of the Library's Finding Common Ground campaign to connect the community through conversation. Look for more programs, including Views & Voices, in 2019.

November 20, 2018

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm 

Mill Valley Community Center Cascade Room
180 Camino Alto
$15 per person

Mill Valley Recreation invites you to slip into your dancing shoes and kick up your heels to the fabulous sounds of The Starduster Orchestra in our beautiful Cascade Ballroom. Learn more.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

10 am - 5 pm

Mill Valley Community Center
180 Camino Alto

Join us for this festive event and enjoy some unique holiday shopping. The fair features more than 55 new and returning artists selling their fine handmade arts and crafts. Learn more.

Sunday, December 2

Downtown Plaza

Join the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce in Mill Valley's landmark annual holiday celebration, featuring a visit from Santa in an antique fire truck, a full day of live entertainment and music, children's activities, amazing local food and a Tree Lighting Ceremony. Learn more | Sign up to Volunteer

Saturday, December 8, 2018

10 am - 2 pm

Mill Valley Community Center

180 Camino Alto

The Mill Valley Recreation Department invites you to participate in our 2nd Annual Makers Fair for Craft Artisans. The Makers Fair will provide the opportunity for both youth and adults to learn and create during the holiday season by making handmade items. Learn more.

The Planning Commission considered the following:

1. 19 Ralston Avenue - Design Review application to demolish an existing 1,667 sq. ft. one-story residence, a 695 sq. ft detached garage, a 544 sq. ft. accessory building and construct a new 4,485 sq. ft., two-story residence with a detached 695 sq. ft. garage, pool and associated improvements, and retain an existing 548 sq. ft. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on a 51,619 sq. ft. lot. 12 non-heritage trees are proposed for removal. Item was approved
2. 10 E. Laverne Lane - Design review application to construct a new 3,024 sq. ft. two-story home and attached 621 sq. ft. garage square foot garage. Item was continued to the November 13, 2018 PC meeting
3. 41 Throckmorton Avenue - Design Review application and amendment to the Outdoor Dining Permit to build an awning structure over the 1,200 square foot outdoor patio seating area at Playa Restaurant with roll up awning sides. Item was approved
4. 152 W. Blithedale Avenue - Design Review application to remove the existing 1,651 square foot home and detached garage and construct a 2,948 square foot dwelling with an attached 300 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and an attached 477 square foot garage. One non-heritage oak tree is proposed for removal. Item was continued to a date uncertain

Watch the meeting.

The City Council

• Introduced and welcomed new staff Assistant Planner, Tyler Smith and Laboratory Analyst, Franki Crites.
• Received Presentations:
• League of California Cities North Bay Representative, Nancy Hall Bennett, and Novato Councilmember and League Board Member, Denise Athas, on the League's new Strategic Plan.
• City's General Fund Quarterly Report through September 30, 2018.
• Annual Storm Preparations Report by the Public Works and Fire Departments. 
• Adopted
• A Resolution updating and confirming the Mayoral Terms of the Mill Valley City Council. 
• A Resolution authorizing a suspension of parking meter fees during the holiday season of Friday, November 23, 2018 to Monday, December 31, 2018. 
• A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute and award a contract to the Ghilotti Bros. for the Camino Alto South End Bike Lanes Project. 
• A Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute and award a contract to Parisi CSW Design Group for the East Blithedale Avenue Rehabilitation Feasibility and Scoping Study Project. 
• A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute and award a contract with Harris & Associates for the Downtown Paving, Sidewalk & Utility Improvements Project.
• Approved: 
• The 2019 Regular City Council Meeting Schedule. 
• The receipt of $21,680 in Donations from the Mill Valley Friends of Parks and Recreation and John and Cindy McCauley for Landscape and Performance Lighting Improvements at the Mill Valley Community Center. 
• Introduced and waived first reading of an Ordinance Updating Section 1.15.010 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code to Change the Date of the City's General Municipal Election in Order to Comply with the Regulations of Senate Bill 415 and SB 568.

Watch the meeting

The  Commission approved use requests for the Downtown Plaza from:

The Commission received a report on the Bayfront Complex; including Bayfront Meadow Enhancements and funding for future Dog Park improvements.

Watch the meeting

The Planning Commission agenda will include the following topics:

1. Presentation on the Vegetation Management Program. Presented by Mill Valley Fire Chief, Tom Welch.
2. Continued Item from the October 23, 2018 Planning Commission meeting. A Design Review proposal to demolish an existing 1, 667 sq. ft. one-story residence and detached garage, and build a new 4,485 sq. ft. two-story residence with a new pool and detached garage, while retaining an existing 548 sq. ft. Accessory Dwelling Unit. This proposal also includes a request to remove 12 non-heritage trees on property located at 10 E Laverne Lane.
3. A Design Review, Accessory Dwelling Unit and Tree Removal proposal to demolish a 3,160 sq. ft. two-story residence and construct a new 4,210 sq. ft. two-story residence and detached 500 sq. ft. Accessory Dwelling Unit and the removal of two non-heritage trees, while retaining a detached two-car garage on property located at 197 Corte Madera Avenue.
4. Study Session for a Design Review proposal to demolish a red-tagged 1,790 sq. ft. two-story residence with a legal non-conforming Accessory Dwelling Unit, and build a new 2,970 sq. ft. two-story residence with a 530 sq. ft. attached two-car garage on property located at 465 Molino Avenue.

The City Council will:

• Receive updates and presentations on: 
• Water conservation practices and maintaining water infrastructure 
• Utility street markings 
• Proposed Fire Department shared services 
• Pavement Management Program

• Consider
• Second reading and adoption of an Ordinance adopting changes to the Mill Valley Municipal Code Section 1.15.010, changing the date of the City's General Municipal Election to comply with the regulations of Senate Bill 568.