The Mayor’s Week in Review: Jan. 28-Feb. 3

Mind monkeys, big picture and details . . . . 

The big picture: 

I ran into my good friend Rick Miseraca this week and we ended up chatting about the “mind monkey” visits – you know, those monkeys who wake you up at 3 AM to play – usually by getting you thinking about all those things that bump in the night and keep you awake.  What Monkeys visited me this week?  Lately they’ve been poking at me while I search for the "content" in "discontent" and try putting the “fun” back in “dysfunction."  If you read last week’s Review you probably saw that the monkeys were already visiting me (“Why can’t we all just get along?”).  

I put the monkeys at ease by reminding them that the basics are intact: 

• We have a great group of employees who work very hard, each and every day, to keep Mill Valley running
• We are safe
• We are paying our bills as they come due
• Our schools are top notch
• Our 911 response rate is among the fastest in the country 

I know what we have is precious.  I know we have work to do.  I know some of us feel challenged by change.  I promise you I am doing my part to pay attention to balance our needs. 

Stated another way: morale is going to be a focus for me this year too: appreciating the basics, keeping them intact, supporting our Team, and seeking continual improvement.  We need your help at every stage; you have mine.

The details: 

Curb your dog:  We have lately received a number of complaints from residents about the poor behavior of some dog owners in our parks:  dogs roaming unleashed, dog poo left behind, fields torn up.  Mill Valley is dog friendly, but kids are using those same parks, and we’re very kid friendly too.   Please adhere to the basics for everyone’s health & safety: 

• Code Sec. 6.04.155 requires the removal of feces in a sanitary manner;
• Code Sec. 6.04.160 restricts dogs running unleashed in certain public areas (e.g., parks, school grounds, commercial districts, wildlife refuge, public watersheds);
• Code Sec. 6.04.175 requires you to keep your dog under control. 

Please help.  

Do you love opera?  Golden Gate Opera is looking for new Board members experienced in financial planning, event planning, fundraising, philanthropy, digital marketing, education, corporate relations, governance, and HR.  The Opera is a 501 (c) (3), and you can email info@goldengateopera.org or call 415-370-1722 if you are interested. 

Cookie caper: My colleague Ken Wachtel gave our cookie loving City Manager Jim McCann a unique welcome to work on Jim’s birthday last week.  Happy birthday Jim.  Now, let’s be fair – if anyone deserves a birthday wish it’s Ken (who also celebrated a birthday last week), so happy birthday to Ken too! 

Moses and the Lion:  40 years wandering in the desert paid off for Moses, and our congratulations to Garry & Nini Lion for 40 years of marriage bliss - which has obviously paid off too. 

Do you Depot?  There is an important Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting for those who do: on Wednesday, February 6, @ 7:00 PM - come share your thoughts on proposed use modifications of the Downtown Plaza. 

Other upcoming meetings: 

• City Council Meeting:  Monday night (2/4/2013) @ 7:30 PM
• First Tuesday Art Walk:  Join us Tuesday, February 5, between 6:00 and 8:00 pm for a stroll through town to view exciting exhibits featuring a wide range of art by local artists.
• Technically Challenged?  Come learn more about computing at “Technology A-Z” – February 8, from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM.  It’s Free at the Creekside Room in the Library.

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As always, thank you and stay in touch! 

Andy