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June 21, 2018
Heat Risks and Critical Fire Weather Conditions Friday through Sunday

The National Weather Service is predicting hot weather in our area Friday through Sunday. Highs will max out in the 90s to lower 100s across much of the interior leading to an increased risk for heat related illnesses. Temperatures will be much cooler near the coast, but still above normal. Temperatures will gradually cool down on Sunday, but more so on Monday.
Help Us Get to 100 Surveys Completed to Improve MVConnect!

Thank you to the 80+ people who took the time to take our survey in the last edition. Help us get to 100 responses - tell us what you think of our eNewsletter!

Here is what we are hearing: 
  • 88% of you are very satisfied or satisfied with our eNewsletter.
  • 56% of you always read our eNewsletter.
  • 85% of you are very or somewhat likely to recommend MVConnect.
  • You are most interested in: 1) Public Safety, 2) Land Use and Development, 3) Traffic 4) Upcoming Events and 5) Road Closures, among many other items!
  • You like that it is easy to read, informative, friendly, convenient, visual, and it helps you stay connected.
  • Your suggestions: less words, more links, more crime stats, a section where residents can express their views on issues, more youth content, more objectivity, and encourage citizen participation.
What do you think? If we have not heard from you - please take a moment to take our survey! And if we have heard from you - Thank you! We will consider your suggestions and make every effort to better serve you!

Update on 500 Miller Ave

In January 2011, the City approved a proposed nine-unit, attached single-family residential condominium project and a separate two-story, 4,948 square foot commercial building on the site at 500 Miller Avenue. After several state-extensions of the approval for this type of project during the economic recession, and a sale of the property in early 2017, the project finally began construction of site improvements in the summer of 2017. These site improvements include site excavation, site retaining walls, and drainage improvements. Read more here.
Quick Action from Public Works Staff Leads to a New Home for a Thriving Beehive

When the Alexander family moved into their Walnut Ave. home late last year, it didn't take long for neighbors to swing by to say hello. In doing so, some of them wanted to bend their ears about the tree in front of their home that seemed to both be in poor health and the home of one heck of a beehive. Read the entire story here.
Fire Prevention and Preparation Update

Mill Valley Fire Department Conducts Emergency Siren Demonstration

On June 14, 2018, the Mill Valley Fire Department conducted a demonstration of a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) at the Public Safety Building with all of the Marin County Fire Chiefs in attendance. This test is in furtherance of the Fire Department's initiative to improve the City's readiness and responsiveness to a significant fire event, as experienced in Napa and Sonoma in 2017. Read the entire article here.
Register Your Security Camera

If you haven't done so already, please register your security camera system with the Mill Valley Police Department. By registering with us, your camera can play an important role in assisting police officers with investigations - possibly capturing an image pivotal in solving a case. Learn more here.
Update on Steps, Lanes and Paths
The Story of Oak Lane Stairway

In 1890, Michael O'Shaughnessy, an engineer from San Francisco, had a vision to create a pedestrian friendly Mill Valley. To do this, he had to plan out paths and trails that would cut across the hilly landscape, making the downtown accessible to all residents. Today we call these pathways, SLPs or Steps, Lanes and Paths, and there are hundreds of them throughout Mill Valley and its surrounding areas. Read the entire article.
Budget Hearings Update 

The City Council held the third in a series of budget hearings on June 18, 2018. The City Council heard presentations from  the remaining elements of the budget process including a  proposed pension rate stabilization trust, Fire Department Deployment Analysis and  staffing recommendations, Capital Improvement Program and Special Funds. After the presentations, public comment, and discussion, the Council  adopted the Budgets for the 2018-2020 period.

There is Still Time to Sign Up for Mill Valley Recreation & Community Center Summer Camps! 

It's not too late! New amenities this summer include: curbside drop-off, hot lunch program and so much more! For more details and our full camp schedule click here
AFTER HOURS
Jeff Goodell: The Water Will Come
Friday, June 22nd
Mill Valley Library - 7:00pm
Main Reading Room

Jeff Goodell, author of The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World, has traveled across twelve countries to interview scientists and leaders about climate change. He will present his findings and report how climate change and sea level rise are affecting major cities, coastal villages, island nations and the military.

The Water Will Come was named as A NYT Critics' Top Book of 2017 and Washington Post's 50 Notable Works of Nonfiction in 2017. Goodell, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, is also the author of Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind American's Energy Future, and How to Cool the Planet: Geoengineering and the Audacious Quest to Fix Earth's Climate. He also published Sunnyvale, a memoir about growing up in Silicon Valley, which was a NYT Notable Book of the Year.

Adults and high school students only. Wine reception at 6:30pm for pre-registered guests. Registration highly recommended.
LOCAL HISTORY
Stories of Druid Heights
Monday, June 25th
Mill Valley Library - 6:30pm

Share your stories about the Muir Woods enclave where Alan Watts, Elsa Gidlow and other literary luminaries once lived. Or come and listen as others discuss this unique bohemian community. Author and former Druid Heights resident Hallie Iglehart Austen will moderate.

This event is an occasion for those who lived in or spent time at Druid Heights to come together and share memories. It's also a chance for those just discovering Druid Heights to learn more about this counterculture landmark. The event will begin with a brief slideshow by Mia Monroe of the National Parks Service, providing a visual overview of Druid Heights. If you plan to attend and tell a story about your time at Druid Heights, please indicate so on the registration page.

Photo of Druid Heights Library by Lora Good. Registration recommended. Click here to register.
Historical Context Public Hearing
June 26, 2018, 7:00 pm
Mill Valley City Hall
26 Corte Madera Ave

Join the Mill Valley Planning Commission at the first public hearing to review and comment on the City's Draft Historic Context Statement. A Historic Context Statement is a document that summarizes Mill Valley's history, specifically related to its physical development from pre-history to the 1980s. It identifies significant historical themes, periods, and architectural styles that provide a framework for identification, evaluation, and treatment of historic resources.

The draft Historic Context Statement will be presented to the Planning Commission and community on June 26, after which it will be presented to the City Council later this year for consideration and adoption. We encourage you to be a part of this community-enriching project by reviewing the draft document and attending the Planning Commission and City Council hearings to provide your comments and support. For more information and to access the Historic Context Statement, please click here.
Movies in the Park

Each summer the Mill Valley Recreation Department hosts free monthly Movies in the Park at Old Mill Park.  These movies are held on a Friday night in June, July, August, September, and October and are family friendly.   Please bring your blankets, low beach chairs, flashlights and picnics.

Summer Movie Schedule:
Friday, July 6th - Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Friday, August 3rd - The Incredibles
Friday, September 7th - The Lion King
Friday, October 5th - Zootopia

Community Campout
Saturday, July 21 - Sunday, July 22, 2018

Reserve your camping site on Friends Field and participate in fun activities, games, arts & crafts, campfire program, s'mores, educational activities and more! Reserve your family camp site now by registering online or completing a registration form and drop it off, mail it in or fax it to us. Course #46605 $25/person. Children 3 & under are free. Camp site fee includes: Camping space, dinner & breakfast, family games & activities, campfire entertainment, preparedness activities and a special gift. Click here for info.

REVIEWS
Planning Commission - June 12, 2018
The Planning Commission held a public hearing and approved the removal of one heritage coast redwood tree located on City Property at the Intersection of Marion and Hazel Avenue. The tree removal is at the request of the Fire Department to improve emergency vehicle access. The Commission also held public hearing and approved   a Design Review request to remove the home at 216 Ethel Ave. and replace it with a new 3,099 square foot home with a 500 square foot garage and a 490 square foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and held a study session hearing for a new home at 172 Tamalpais Avenue.

City Council Meeting - June 18, 2018
 
The City Council:
  • Presented a proclamation celebrating the forty year anniversary of the Happy Feet Dance School.
  • Continued to a later public meeting a Resolution rescinding the existing City of Mill Valley Personnel Rules and adopting the Amended Personnel Rules.
  • Approved:
    • The City's response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report Entitled 'Sexual Assault in Marin: Evidence Collection, Processing and Backlog.'
    • The City's Response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report Entitled 'Consolidation of Sanitation Districts.'
  • Received presentations:
    • Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Rate Stabilization
    • Fire Department Deployment Analysis
    • Fire Department Operations
    • City Manager's Department Operations
    • Finance and Human Resources Department Operations
    • Transportation Authority of Marin - seeking support for the Final ½ Cent Transportation Sales Tax Renewal Expenditure Plan.
  • Adopted:
    • A Resolution accepting as complete the Mill Valley City Hall Access Project.
    • A Resolution rejecting the construction bid for the Camino Alto Bike Lanes - South End, City Project 2014-01.
    • A Resolution declaring intention to levy and collect assessments for the Tamalpais Park Street Tree Assessment District and setting a Public Hearing for July 16, 2018.
    • The Fiscal Years 2018-2020 General Operating Budget, Special Funds Operating Budget, and Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.
    • A Resolution expressing support for the ½ Cent Transportation Sales Tax Renewal Expenditure Plan.
PREVIEWS
Planning Commission - June 26, 2018
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Draft Historic Context Statement being developed by the City and its consultant, Page & Turnbull. The Commission will also hold three Study Session hearings: 1) 19 Ralston Avenue, which proposes to demolish an existing home and accessory building and construct a 4,533 sq. ft. new main residence, 675 sq. ft. garage, and retain an existing 548 sq. ft. cottage to be retained as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), and will hold a Study Session hearing; 2) 241 Summit Avenue¸ which proposes to demolish three dwelling units at 241 Summit Avenue and construct a new 3,794 sq. ft., two-story home with a detached, two-story, 500 sq. ft. garage with a 640 sq. ft. Accessory Dwelling Unit above, on a 19,229 sq. ft. lot. The existing 684 sq. ft. cottage at 237 Summit would be retained; and, 3) 107 Sunnyside Avenue¸ which proposes to demolish the existing home and construct a new 2,180 square foot 2-story dwelling with an attached 501 sq. ft. garage and various site improvements.
Zoning Administrator - June 26, 2018 
The Zoning Administrator will continue a public hearing for a Variance and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and garage at 17 Coronet for a 538 square foot garage with an attached 540 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit above, located within the exterior yard setback; hold a public hearing to consider a Tree Removal application request for removal of two heritage coast redwoods (92" and 34" diameter) that are damaging the foundation of the house at 9 Carmelita; and, hold a public hearing for 4 Robertson Terrace to consider a Design Review proposal to remodel the existing 3,146 square foot home with an attached 629 square foot garage including new exterior siding, a new gable roof over the existing garage, a new metal roof, and minor site work.
City Council Meeting - July 16, 2018

The City Council will:
  • Conduct a Swearing In Ceremony for Councilmembers McCauley and Sloan.
  • Consider a Resolution Approving Revisions to the City's Service Contract with Mill Valley Refuse Service. 
  • Discuss the outline and direction of elements for inclusion in the City's Long-term Financial Plan 
  • Consider Grand Jury Report titled "Yellow School Bus for Traffic Congestion Relief"
  • Consider the annual levy of the sewer fee and its collection on the tax roll 
  • Receive an update on the Bicycle Friendly Community application 
  • Consider a Resolution accepting the Throckmorton/Seaver Gap Closure Project as complete. 
Council will adjourn, and open the annual meeting of the Mill Valley Public Financing Authority. The Mill Valley Public Financing Authority is a joint powers authority for public financing of capital improvement projects. The purpose of the Mill Valley Public Financing Authority is to provide, through issuance of revenue bonds, a financing pool to fund capital improvement projects. Mill Valley Public Financing Authority meetings are held only as required, at least once annually for purposes of reorganization of Board officers.
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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