The latest news from the City of Mill Valley.
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January 10, 2019
Finding Common Ground: Views and Voices
Join us for a series of monthly programs which spotlight a singular national social issue through documentary film screenings, book clubs and featured events. S creenings are followed by topical discussion, often featuring guests. 

Themes include  Campaign Finance Corruption and Dark Money (January),  Gender (Identity, Social Structure) (February),  Consent, Assault & #MeToo (March), and  Immigration: Documented and Undocumented (April).

Learn more | Also check out our  Know Your Neighbor  program!
Project to Improve Downtown Infrastructure Kicks Off with Development of Base Map

In recent weeks, Mill Valley community members may have noticed bright blue and pink pavement markings appearing around the Downtown area. These marks are made to help engineers develop a map of existing conditions, also called a "base map," for the upcoming Downtown Project, a project to upgrade the infrastructure - below and above ground - and improve the overall flow and safety of car, bike and pedestrian travel in the  downtown area .  Learn more.
Highlights from the City Council Meeting
At their regular meeting on Monday, January 7, the City Council considered the following:
  • Presentation by the Mill Valley Historical Society on the Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway Original Steam Locomotive Relocation and Renovation Project.
  • A request to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Staples Golf Resource Group, LLC to prepare a Master Plan for the Mill Valley Golf Course. Council approved the request and said that they are looking forward to reviewing a range of options to improve the financial viability of the course. Read the Staff Report.
  • A presentation of a preliminary Sidewalk Repair Program. Council discussed the program and gave suggestions for clarification and improvement. Staff will refine the program based on Council's suggestions and return to Council at a later date. Read the Staff Report.
City Council to Review "Accessory Dwelling Unit" Ordinance January 24
The proposed modifications to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations incorporate direction received from City Council and Planning Commission to establish Junior ADU regulations and create additional regulations, where possible, to ensure that ADUs are maintained as truly separate, rentable dwelling units and used for the intended purpose of a dwelling unit.  Learn more
This rendering shows the type of mobile office that will be placed near the Plaza. The Chamber will also have the adjacent parking space to create a welcoming entry way.
MV Chamber to Relocate Temporarily During Depot Renovation, Public Bathroom Construction
To accommodate the upcoming construction at the historic Downtown Depot Building, the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce, whose Visitor Center and office has also been in the City-owned building for decades, is relocating to a temporary mobile office a few hundred feet away, in a pair of parking spaces on Miller Avenue across from Piazza D'Angelo.  Learn more  
Beware of Parking Lot Scams
There have been multiple reports of an unlicensed solicitor offering to repair dents and scratches in various parking lots within Mill Valley.  Learn more.
Warner Creek Restoration in Boyle Park
We are pleased to share an update on the Warner Creek Restoration Project - a project completed in 2013 which restored  a section of the creek channel within Boyle Park. The Marin County watershed team has monitored the site over the last five years and has proclaimed the project a success!   Learn more.
King Tides
The higher than normal tides, sometimes referred to as "King" Tides, are headed our way. Check out the list below and take note - high tides may impact traffic and parking in flood-prone areas, especially during winter weather. 

1-19-10    9:28 am     6'7"
1-20-19    10:17 am   6'9"
1-21-19    11:07 am   7'0"
1-22-19    11:58 am   6'8" 

Traffic
Traffic and Road Closures - Sent to your Inbox each week!

Did you know that the Department of Public Works sends out a list of the upcoming Road and Lane Closures in Mill Valley? Sign up to receive notifications by creating a MYCity account. The MyCity Portal allows for you to set up a personal account, control your own news and event feed, and manage email notifications.  Learn more  
eCars Rebate Program 
Low-income qualifying customers may be eligible to save $3,500 on the purchase or lease of an Electric Vehicle (EV). MCE is offering a rebate for low-income qualifying customers, giving them a great deal on a cutting-edge, new or used EV, especially when combined with other available incentives - a total of up to $12,000 in savings.   Learn more.
Call for Musicians
We are thrilled to announce that we are accepting applications for our annual Concerts in the Plaza, hosted by the Mill Valley Arts Commission. These  free outdoor concerts on the Downtown Plaza take place each Sunday in August from 2 pm-5:30 pm. All interested musical artists are encouraged to apply!   Learn more
Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling/Composting
Beginning January 1, 2019, all commercial businesses and public entities that generate 4-cubic yards of trash per week must recycle their organic waste to comply with new mandatory commercial organics recycling established under California Assembly Bill 1826. Learn more.
Public Engagement

2019 Board, Commission and Committee Vacancies - Application Period Open
Love the arts and recreation? Passionate about biking? Interested in disaster preparedness? Love the Library? Interested in design and planning for our town? The Mill Valley City Council is seeking applicants to serve and to utilize the top talent that exists among the residents of the community for the City's various Boards, Commissions and Committees. Most new terms begin March 1st for a three-year period. Learn more.

Marin County 2018 Resident Survey
Is the County of Marin government providing the services you want and need? Take the  Marin County 2018 Resident Survey.  This online survey will require about 15 minutes to complete and includes questions about quality of life, demographics, and government services. 
You can find City Events on our Event Calendar on the City Website. The following lists featured events, but there is so much more! Check it out.
Recreation Events
  • Tween and Teen Happenings at the Center! It's not too late to take advantage of these great programs designed specifically for Tweens & Teens! Learn more 
  • Youth and Family Special Events:
    • Mill Valley LiVE: The Brian White Band - January 27 at 11 am
    • Kids Night Out: January 25 and March 1 from 6-9 pm.
      Learn more.
New Year's Special - 70% Off!
$50 for (4) 30-Minute Personal Training Sessions
Have you been thinking about personal training and what it can do to help you reach your fitness goals? The Center is offering (4) 30-Minute training sessions for just $50 with select certified trainers. That's almost 70% off our regular prices!  Learn more.  
After Hours: Clare Malone - Identity Politics
Friday, January 18th
7:00pm
Mill Valley Library Main Reading Room

Journalist Clare Malone will explore the effects of racial and gender identity and political polarization on the 2016 presidential and 2018 midterm elections and what they might portend for the 2020 election.
Malone is senior political writer at data journalism website FiveThirtyEight and a panelist on their weekly politics podcast.  Adults and high school students only.  Registration recommended.  Click here to register.
Marin Wedding Fair
Sunday, February 17, 2019
12:00pm-5:00pm
Mill Valley Community Center
180 Camino Alto Mill Valley, CA 94941

Free Admission! "One Stop Shop" - tie up loose ends before you tie the knot! Stop by and meet a variety of talented photographers, caterers, bridal fashion designers, and event planners who can fill your needs and help make your wedding special. Learn more
REVIEWS
Planning Commission Meeting - December 11, 2018
  1. 50 Birch Street - Continued from November 27, 2018 - Study Session for Design Review and Accessory Dwelling Unit request to demolish an existing 2,132 sq. ft. residence with a 431 sq. ft. garage, and build a new 3,575 sq. ft., two-story home with a detached 462 sq. ft. garage and 472 sq. ft. attached Accessory Dwelling Unit on a 16,264 sq. ft. lot. This item was heard as a Study Session. The Planning Commission provided feedback and direction to the applicant; the project will need to return to the Planning Commission with revised plans in response to Planning Commission direction.
  2. 2 Wainwright Place - Design Review and Tree Permit applications in connection with the request to construct a new 4,401.4 sq. ft. two-story home and attached 561 sq. ft. garage on a 43,592 sq. ft. lot. The project requires substantial upgrades to an existing private road including cut/fill and new retaining walls. 20 trees will be removed to improve the road, including three heritage redwood trees. Three trees will be removed for construction of the residence. This item was continued to a date uncertain.
  3. Vacant Lot on Cascade Drive, APN# 046-030-19 - Design Review hearing for the construction of a new, two-story 1,941 sq. ft. single-family residence plus a 603 SF accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the 67,725 sq. ft. vacant lot immediately west of 481 Cascade Drive. The first floor of the residence would consist of 728 sq. ft. of floor area, and the second floor would consist of 1,213 sq. ft. of floor area. A second-story deck would wrap around the front elevation and continue into a rooftop deck over the ADU. This item was approved by the Planning Commission.
Watch the meeting.
City Council Meeting - January 7, 2019

The City Council: 
  • Received presentations on:
    • A proclamation Celebrating 50 Years of the O'Hanlon Center for the Arts.
    • Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway Original Steam Locomotive Renovation and Relocation Project.
    • City's Proposed Sidewalk Repair Program.
       
  • Adopted Resolutions to
    • Award the 2019 Streets and the Sewers Rehabilitation Design Consulting Services Contracts.
    • Approve plans and specifications for January/February 2017 Storm Damage Repairs. 
  • Accepted Donations of $2,891 from Project Awareness and Special Sports, $200 from Leslie Ludwick Bires, and $665 from "Games Against Flames" Fundraiser for various items.
  • Introduced an Ordinance amending Chapter 2.08 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code to modify membership criteria for the City's Arts and Emergency Preparedness Commissions. 
  • Authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Staples Golf Resource Group, LLC to prepare a Master Plan for the Mill Valley Golf Course.
Planning Commission Meeting - January 8, 2019

Planning Commission considered the following:
  1. 91 Evelyn Avenue - Study Session for Design Review - to construct a new 2,649 sq. ft. 2-story home with a 484 sq. ft. garage and a 484 sq. ft. Accessory Dwelling Unit on an undeveloped 11,722 sq. ft. steeply-sloped and wooded lot. The garage, located within the front setback, requires a Variance. Twelve Non-Heritage trees are proposed to be removed. Planning Commission provided direction to applicant on site and architectural design characteristics with the proposal. Applicant to revise project drawings in response to input by the Planning Commission and return to the Planning Commission for a subsequent Study Session.  
  2. Study Session - Draft Amendments to Study Session for Draft amendments to Single Family Design Review Guidelines, Design Review Application and Title 20 "Zoning" of the Mill Valley Municipal Code. Planning Commission provided direction to staff on draft Amendments.  Item scheduled for January 22 Planning Commission for final consideration.
PREVIEWS
Parks and Recreation Meeting - January 10, 2019

The Commission will hear presentations on:
  • Path Feasibility Study as part of the Scott Highlands Neighborhood Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvement Project
  • Mill Valley Golf Course Master Plan Scope of Work 

Items under consideration for approval by the Commission will be:

  • Use Request of Downtown Plaza by Mill Valley Middle School for "Chalk Art on the Plaza" on Friday, April 26, 2019 11:00 am-2:30 pm
  • 2019 Field Allocations
  • Youth Sports Groups 2019 Field Use Stipulations

The Commission will receive department reports on the following: 

  • DPW Projects (Skate Park, Ernest Block Park & Plaza Restrooms
  • City Tree Maintenance Program
City Council Meeting - January 24, 2019

The City Council will:

 

Receive the following presentations and discussion items:

  • Emergency Preparedness Commission Annual Report to Council. 

  • Police Officer Promotions Including: Officer Mitchell Kofford, Officer John Lovos, Officer Zachary Zell, Officer Elmer Arce, Corporal Kyle Maxwell, Corporal Joshua Longoria, and Corporal Scott Brooks.

  • Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin Waste Water Treatment Plant Capital Improvement Program Update. 
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations Update 

Conduct a second reading of an Ordinance Updating Chapter 2.08 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code to reflect requested membership changes to the City's Arts Commission and Emergency Preparedness Commission. 


Consider approving an agreement for Shared Services between City of Mill Valley and Southern Marin Fire Protection District.


Consider Resolutions:

  • Accepting as Complete the 230 Rose Avenue Roadway Stabilization Project, CIP 18-8. 
  • Approving a Budget Adjustment to purchase and install the City's Long-Range Acoustic Devise (LRAD) system.
We welcome comments & suggestions:
Mill Valley City Hall: 26 Corte Madera Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941
cityofmillvalley.org
City Hall Phone: (415)388-4033
City Hall Fax: (415)381-1736



City Hall Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.; Closed Alternate Fridays
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