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July 11, 2019
Fire Prevention and Preparedness News & Events
PG&E Wildfire Safety Open Houses and Webinars 
On the heels of a widely attended workshop to prepare business owners for the upcoming possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs, PG&E will be hosting two upcoming events to share more information about their Community Wildfire Safety Program. Topics will include the expansion of the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, accelerated safety inspections of electric infrastructure, enhanced vegetation management around power lines, and more.

PG&E Wildfire Safety Webinar
Date: Monday, July 22, 2019
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Location: From your computer or mobile device

PG&E Wildfire Safety Open House
Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Embassy Suites, 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, CA

For additional information, including the webinar log-in passcode, please click here.
LRAD Public Safety Sirens Installed 
The City of Mill Valley is excited to announce the installation of new and more powerful emergency sirens to replace our aging system. These sirens are known as "LRADs" - Long Range Acoustic Devices - and they project both siren and voice recordings to alert and inform community members during a large-scale disaster. 

In May, 2019, the City tested the LRAD system at our Annual Evacuation Drill. The test, along with information about the installation of the new system, is featured in an ABC10 documentary series, FIRE - POWER - MONEY: California's burning crisis and how it's going to cost us all. 
Fire Season is Here - Are You Ready?
Here are four things you can do today to help protect your family and home:
  • Clean you gutters and roof - Not just a winter chore, this simple step removes a fuel bed from spreading fires.
  • Visible address numbers - This addition can keep you and your family safer by ensuring your home can be found in an emergency.
  • Clear brush around driveway and home - Allow us to better protect your home by making sure we can get our equipment in. Need help? Request a visit from our Chipper Program.
  • Sign up for emergency alerts through AlertMarin and Nixle. Already signed up? Sign up your family, friends and neighbors.

Learn more.



Recent Increase in Auto Burglaries
Since May 1, there have been over 215 reported auto burglaries in Marin County, with at least 14 occurring in Mill Valley. Historically, the majority of our auto burglaries have occurred along the 101 corridor, but there has been a substantial increase in the downtown area. Learn more.
Downtown Project Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Project Rescheduled to 2020
At their meeting on Monday, July 1, 2019, the City Council considered the approval of the plans and specifications of the first phase of the Downtown Project, the Sanitary Sewer System Improvements project- which includes the repairs of the sanitary sewer system in the downtown area. Construction was set to begin in late summer/early fall of this year.

Upon receiving information from City engineering staff and comments from members of the Downtown business community, Council directed scheduling the Sanitary Sewer System Improvements project to occur in May 2020 with the intention of lessening construction impacts on the Downtown business community by avoiding the busy fall and holiday shopping periods. Learn more.
Courtesy of Enjoy Mill Valley
Mill Valley's newest residents go by the names Buffy, Enzo and Corazon. The trio are quick-charging electric vehicle charging stations that just went live in the Alto Plaza shopping center, courtesy Whole Foods Market at 731 East Blithedale. Learn more.
City of Mill Valley Completes Friends Field Renovation Project
Friends Field, at the Mill Valley Community Center, is Mill Valley's largest and most used sports field. A natural grass field, constructed in 2001, through a public/private partnership between the City of Mill Valley and the non-profit, Friends of Fields. Friends Field recently received a major renovation, which the City of Mill Valley undertook with the help of a donation from the Mill Valley Friends of Parks and Recreation. Learn more.
RSVP Stickers on Sale
The Resident Shopper Vehicle Permit (RSVP) is designed to make it convenient for Mill Valley and other Marin residents to shop, eat and visit downtown Mill Valley. The permit allows residents (zip codes 94941, 94920, 94925, and 94965) to park in any of the city's metered spaces without feeding the meter, for the maximum allowable time limit (usually two hours). Learn more & purchase permit.
Notice of Roadway Construction - Camino Alto Rehabilitation Project
Miller Ave To East Blithedale Avenue
July 22, 2019 through Wednesday August 28, 2019

In May 2019, the City of Mill Valley completed the federally funded project adding Class II bike lanes on Camino Alto between Miller Avenue and East Blithedale Avenue, as well as installing new traffic control video detection and signal hardware upgrades of the signalized intersections along this corridor. This project will include grinding the existing pavement, installing new pavement overlay, upgrading the existing curb ramps to meet ADA standards and installing new green bike markings. Learn more.
Call for Winter 2020
Class Proposals
The Mill Valley Recreation Department
is hosting a CALL FOR PROPOSALS
for our Winter Brochure
We need instructors for all types of programs including, after-school enrichment, adult/senior education, arts, crafts, STEM, fitness, music, outdoor recreation and specialty classes. We are looking for qualified, experienced instructors with more than 2 years experience. Learn more

US 101 East Blithedale/Tiburon On Ramps Temporary Night-time Ramp and Lane Closures
Caltrans has started electrical work which is a part of the northbound US-101 Ramp Metering Project at the eastbound and westbound Tiburon Blvd on ramps to northbound US-101 in Mill Valley and Tiburon. Eastbound and Westbound Tiburon Blvd On Ramp to Northbound US-101 will be closed Sunday, July 14 until Saturday, July 20:
  • Sunday through Friday morning - 9:00 PM - 6:00 AM
  • Friday night through Saturday - 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Housing Advisory Committee
The Mill Valley City Council has assembled a Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) to provide advice and recommendations regarding affordable housing needs in Mill Valley, and as a means of advancing various General Plan programs aimed at encouraging the continued diversity of housing and income levels in the City. Learn more.
Mill Valley Recreation is HIRING
The City of Mill Valley's Recreation Department is now accepting applications for several part time positions: Kidzwatch Staff, Facility Attendants, Field Monitors, Fitness Staff, and Swim instructors. Job descriptions and applications for all these positions can be obtained by clicking here.
Supercharge your Summer with Mill Valley Recreation's Camps!
You can now register for all of the Mill Valley Recreation department has to offer for all ages....Summer programs - Paddle Board, Camps, Swim Lessons, Art, Science, Dance, Technology and so much more.....don't miss out! To download our guide or visit our online registration site click here
Update on Restaurant Renovations: Paseo California Bistro and La Boulangerie
A quick summary of the renovations happening around town. Learn more.
Our Street Lights and Sewers Could Use Your Help!
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is looking for help from residents and businesses to improve our street lights and sewer system. Here's how:
1) Keep vegetation trimmed around street lights
3) Report sewer overflows

Do you know how many street lights DPW maintains in Mill Valley? Take a guess, and then click here to see the correct answer learn more!
New Voting System Approved for Elections
The County of Marin's equipment for conducting elections is 20 years old, but the Marin County Elections Department will receive new equipment now that the Board of Supervisors has approved a contract with a vendor. The new system offers features that will modernize election administration and make counting ballots more efficient. Learn more.
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.
Movies in the Park

Friday, July 12th in Old Mill Park
Where the Wild Things Are

Movies begin at sunset.  Bring your low lawn chairs or blankets. For more information and more dates click here.
Join MVPD on July 13th for Coffee with a Cop
The Mill Valley Police Department would like it a latte if you joined us for coffee and conversation on Saturday, July 13, 2019 between 7 AM to 9 AM at Equator Coffees located at 2 Miller Ave in downtown Mill Valley. This event provides an opportunity for residents to ask questions, espresso concerns and meet members of the Mill Valley Police Department. It would be totally tea-riffic to see you there!
Friends of Mill Valley Steps, Lanes and Paths Work Project - SLP323 or the "Seaver Stairs"
Saturday July 13, 9 am - 12 pm 
Location: SLP323 near the new Community Garden on Hamilton Drive

Join the Friends of Mill Valley Steps, Lanes and Paths as they weed and clean up the pathway known as either SLP323 or the "Seaver Stairs." All skill levels are welcome! Wear a hat, bring your gloves, rakes and pruning shears.  Learn more.
Wednesday on Stage: Music and Puppets with Teacher Barb
Wednesday, July 17
3:30 - 4:15pm
Mill Valley Public Library Amphitheater
 
Sing along and get your groove on with this fun-loving musical duo - Teacher Barb and Clef the Magical Chef! All ages. No registration required.
After Hours: Eric Klinenberg: Palaces for the People
Friday, July 19
7:00 pm
Mill Valley Public Library
 
Eric Klinenberg, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at NYU, will talk about his latest book, Palaces for the People, and make the case for how social infrastructure can help fight inequality, polarization and the decline of civic life. Learn more and register here. 
PG&E Rate Increase Public Forum
July 31, 2019
Two sessions: 1:00 pm or 6:00 pm
Santa Rosa City Council Chambers
100 Santa Rosa Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

The California Public Utilities Commission has announced a public forum regarding PG&E's request to increase rates.PG&E is seeking approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to increase customer rates by 6.4 percent, or $10.57 per month for PG&E's typical residential electric and gas customer.

The purpose of this public forum (called a Public Participation Hearing) is to provide an opportunity for customers of PG&E to communicate directly with the CPUC regarding PG&E's rate increase request.
REVIEWS
Planning Commission Meeting - June 25, 2019
This meeting was canceled.
Planning Commission Meeting, July 9, 2019

The Planning Commission approved the following items:
  1. 152 W Blithedale Avenue - Design Review proposal to remove the existing 1,259 square foot home with a 128 square foot accessory dwelling unit and 264 square foot detached, one-car garage, and construct a new 2,962 square foot residence with an attached 300 square foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and an attached 450 square foot, two-car garage. 
  2. 388 Edgewood Avenue - The Design Review application proposes to demolish two existing dwelling units totaling 2,156 square feet, and construct one new 3,703 square foot single family home and an attached 476 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit on the 17,037 square foot lot. 
City Council Meeting, July 1, 2019

The City Council: 
  1. Continued the Downtown Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project plans, specifications and estimate; accepting a CEQA Notice of Exemption; and authorizing the City Manager to advertise and award a contract to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder to the July 15, 2019 Regular City Council meeting.
  2. Approved the City's response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report entitled "School Resource Officers Revisited."  
  3. Authorized the Mayor to sign and submit the City's response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report entitled "Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach" with amendments included reflecting the City Council's comments and direction.
  4. Approved, as amended, the City's Response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report Entitled "Vaping: An Under-the-Radar Epidemic." 
  5. Received a presentation, discussed, and adopted the proposed Budget Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2019 - 2020 and the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.
PREVIEWS
Parks and Recreation Meeting - July 11, 2019

The Parks and Recreation Commission will consider use requests for:
  • Old Mill Park by Bay Area Ultra Runners for the Quad Dipsea Race Start & Finish on Saturday, November 30, 2019 7:30am-4:30pm.
  • Downtown Plaza by Mill Valley Police Department for the National Night Out Event on Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 5:00pm-8:00pm

The Parks and Recreation Commission will hear reports on:

  • Friends Field Renovation
  • Perfect Mind Recreation Software Migration Project
  • Start of Summer Update on Recreation Programming, Rentals & Events 
  • Public Art Update.
City Council Meeting, July 15, 2019

Council will consider:
  • Acceptance of $5,300 in donations for the Dover Memorial Bench at the Mill Valley Community Center.
  • A Resolution accepting as complete the Camino Alto Bike Lane Project.
  • A Resolution accepting as complete the 2017 Mill Valley Storm Damage Repairs Project, CIP 18-9.
  • A Resolution approving the Downtown Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project plans, specifications and estimate; Accepting a CEQA Notice of Exemption; and Authorizing the City Manager to advertise and award a contract to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder for May, 2020 work (Continued from the July 1, 2019 Regular City Council Meeting).
  • A Resolution designating a Councilmember delegate and alternate to represent the City at the October 16 - 18, 2019 Annual League of California Cities (LOCC) Conference in Long Beach.
Council will hold Public Hearing and consider a Resolution regarding the report prepared in connection with the levy of the Annual Sewer Service Charges for Fiscal Year 2019-20.
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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