April 18, 2025

Earth Month

We are so very aware these days that we need more than a day to learn how we can be better citizens of planet Earth. So April is Earth Month - Zero Waste Marin will be sharing tips all month long to help you learn something new that you might adopt all year long. We are hosting an Earth Day Festival on the 26th including a screening of Common Ground - see below for more info and a preview of the documentary. Join us to learn about ways you can adopt small changes that can have a huge impact.

Our Speaker Series continues with Krystal Krucik from the Marin Mammal Center on April 22nd and then save the date for a Good Canine Citizen Workshop on May 10th at Eastwood Park with the Marin Humane Society. See below to find out more and register for these great learning opportunities!

So many meeting and events coming up, we hope to see you at one or all of them.

Wishing you a safe and joy filled weekend!



TCSD Board of Directors Meeting Summary

At the April 16^th Special Board meeting (rescheduled from 4/9/25), the Board discussed/considered the following items:

• Conducted a closed session regarding potential claim and anticipated litigation from Mr. Gervais.
• Discussed the actuarial valuation report for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB aka retiree health benefits).
• Approved selection of Nigro-Nigro as the firm to conduct the TCSD annual audit for the next three years with an option to extend for an additional two years. 
• Adopted resolution to proceed with a change order to the Sewer Improvement Project Phase E with Bayside Trenchless Inc in a not-to-exceed amount of $236,000 to replace 1,600 linear feet (approx.) of sewer main pipeline, manhole repairs and all related appurtenances on Green Glen Way, Hilldale Way, Jean Street, and Northern Avenue.
• Adopted resolution accepting Mainline Sewer Extension Improvements for 531 Tennessee Valley Rd.
• Approved $25,000 toward the repair/renovation of the Palma Way Bridge project to protect the sewer main line, subject to the receipt release/waiver from Palma Way residents.
• Considered proposed shade canopy for Kay Park and provided feedback for the Parks & Recreation Commission (PARC).

Click here to view the agenda and read the staff reports.



Next Regular Board Work Session

April 23

8:30am

Tam Valley Community Center

 At the Board’s work session next Wednesday, the Board will discuss/consider the following matters:

• Conduct a work session regarding Preliminary 10 Year Wastewater Financial Plan
• Approve an agreement with R3 Consulting in a not-to-exceed amount of $40,000 for solid waste vehicle GPS software procurement assistance, route map development & analysis, analysis of later start time, and other services
• Adopt and waive second reading of Ordinance No. 101 entitled “An ordinance establishing the compensation of the Board of Directors of the Tamalpais Community Services District”

Click here for the agenda.

TRASH TALK

No Debris Day in May

Unfortunately, Debris Day that is typically held in May, will be postponed to another month. Day and time to be determined. As you may have heard, due to a code enforcement complaint, TCSD was required to submit a use permit application to Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) for approval to conduct Debris Day and Household Hazardous Waste Day (HHWD). One major revision to the initial use permit application, that was requested by the County, was to revise the initial application to focus solely on Debris Day and HHWD. We have submitted the requested revisions to the County for review. After the County has deemed the application “complete,” staff will set a hearing, typical 30-60 days out, with the Deputy Zoning Administrator to consider the use permit application. No hearing date has been set yet. TCSD cannot conduct a Debris Day event until its use permit application is approved

Zero Waste Earth Month

Happy Earth Month! April is a time to reflect on how our daily choices impact the planet, and how we can make changes to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect our environment. Small shifts in our habits can make a big difference! We have five practical zero waste tips you can adopt this month (and beyond). We will be posting a tip each week in April.

Repair Before You Replace: Whether it’s mending a piece of clothing, fixing a small appliance, or patching up a piece of furniture, choosing to repair keeps useful materials out of the landfill. Learn basic repair skills like sewing buttons, patching clothes, or fixing small appliances.

Zero Waste Marin will be hosting repair fairs throughout Marin County in 2025 — check out the upcoming events here.

Want to increase your impact? Chat with your friends about what new habits you’re adopting!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tam Valley Tuesdays Speaker Series

April 22nd at 7pm

Tam Valley Community Center

Krystal Krucik from The Marine Mammal Center will be here on April 22. We’ll hear stories about some of their patients, learn about the groundbreaking research they do, and see how ocean and human health are interconnected. We’ll also find out how you can be involved with The Marine Mammal Center and how we can all take action to protect our shared environment. Learn more here.

This is a free event but it's helpful to know who is planning to attend, please RSVP here.

Earth Day

April 26th at 11am

Tam Valley Community Center

Join us for our second annual Earth Day Festival at the Community Center. We will have lots of fun activities for the whole family!

Fun things to look forward to:

• Monarch Butterfly information with Michael Bogart and Mia Monroe with milkweed seeds and starts available!
• Yummy treats (pies, tarts and muffins), coffee and tea from Birdland Bakery - available for purchase.
• Bike info from Priority Bikes and Xtracycle
• Fabrice Florin from Green Change - make the pledge!
• Compost How To and Compost to take home!
• Kids area with facepainting, art projects and more...
• More to come so stay tuned!

At 2pm join us in the Community Center for a screening of Common Ground - a new movie about the power of regenerative agriculture.

Watch a preview here.

We'll have a new design to print on canvas totes - free while they last! So come get yours early and use it all year for groceries, books and more! 

Woolly Egg Ranch Spring Tour

April 26th at 9:30am. - SOLD OUT

Woolly Egg Ranch

Wow! Such excitement for this seasonal tour of our local farm in Tam Valley. Thank you to all who signed up. We'll be sending out info about parking and other details, early next week.

If you missed out on tickets, we do have a waitlist and we'll contact folks in the order of the list if we have any cancelations.

Click here for more info about the tour and to get on the waitlist.

Rhubarb Revue

May 2,3 & 9,10

Tam Valley Community Center

Get your tickets now for the Tam Valley Improvement Club's legendary local variety show! Come laugh with your neighbors and enjoy rhubarb crisp to finish it off!

Get your tickets here!

Good Canine Citizen Workshop

May 10th

10-11:30am

Eastwood Park

Join us to learn from professional instructors about how to maximize your and your dog’s experience in “voice control” settings. The information will be helpful for all, whether you’ve just gotten your first puppy, you’ve had dogs all your life, your current companion is a senior, or even if you’re contemplating adding a dog to your family.

Workshop will include demonstrations with trained dogs. We ask that you leave your furry friends at home so that we can all focus on the lessons at hand without new dog dynamics. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

This free event is sponsored by the TCSD Parks and Recreation Commission for the benefit of our entire community.

Please register here to reserve your spot.

Senior Bingo

Every Wednesday at 11am

Tam Valley Community Center

Free and lunch provided

Join us for bingo, every Wednesday at 11am, in the Community Center. Jack Schwartz calls the numbers and keeps everyone entertained. Lunch is included and usually served around 12noon. Come on down and join the Bingo Bunch!



RESOURCES

Mill Valley Evacuation Drill and Public Safety Fair

Saturday, April 26

During the drill, participants will drive a designated evacuation route, simulating a real emergency evacuation. The route begins on Miller Avenue, continues to Camino Alto, briefly follows East Blithedale, then moves onto Roque Morales, and exits the community via Hamilton Drive—which is normally closed to southbound traffic but will be open for evacuation purposes during the drill.

This event is open to everyone in the 94941, and broad participation helps strengthen safety and preparedness across the entire community. Tam Valley residents are encouraged to take part!

Find out more about how to register

Southern Marin Fire Update

Are you prepared for an emergency? Join us for a FREE 90-minute Disaster Preparedness Training hosted by ReadyMarin on Monday, April 22 at 6:00 PM at the Homestead Valley Community Center (Montford Avenue, Mill Valley).

This interactive class is designed to give you the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to feel confident when disaster strikes.

You’ll learn:

• How to properly use a fire extinguisher
• How to perform hands-only CPR
• How to interpret emergency alerts
• How to create a personal emergency plan

The training is open to everyone ages 12 and up, and is a great opportunity for families, neighbors, and community members to get prepared together.

Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today!

For questions, contact Elaine Wilkinson at elaine.wilkinson@marincounty.gov.

Chipper Days

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) is providing FREE chipping service for most areas in Marin County six times in 2025. 

For addresses in Tam Valley, the first event will take place during the week of April 21st; subsequent events will take place roughly every five weeks afterwards. NOTE: A separate registration is required for each event/date.

Watch a "How To Prepare" video here.

Marin Wildfire is providing this service to residents within the Southern Marin Fire District's service area, which includes Tam Valley, as well as to those residents within the jurisdiction of other MWPA member agencies.

Click here to register.

It is an honor to bring you the news of Tam Valley each week. If you have any questions about our newsletter, want to see something included or would like more information about our events, please reach out to me at events@tamcsd.org.



Camille

Communications & Events Coordinator