The Mayor's Week 2 in Review

It’s been a big week and whether it’s the rush around the holidays, the push to get stuff done before New Years, or just my own situation ... I was feeling under pressure. This results in a number of noteworthy items from my perspective: 

• Communications:  We heard you loud and clear after MAPP and have been very focused over the past few years on being accessible, and communicating clearly, often, and through a variety of media.  This blog is part of that process and we’ve also decided to create a more formal “Staff Committee” to compile the elements of our existing communication efforts, evaluate their effectiveness and develop recommendations regarding a comprehensive communication plan.
• Depot Duty:  Speaking of communication and access opportunities, I spent a nippy Saturday morning down at the Depot for our semi-monthly “Council on the Plaza” session, ducking out before the rains settled in.  I only had two visitors and must assume everyone else was home staying warm!  Where was Cliff?  At least Dart & Esther provided warm hugs. 
• Holiday shopping:  Skip the malls and come shop local!  If you drive down the hill take advantage of the free parking downtown.  And check out these holiday safety tips.
• Toys for tots:  If you’re shopping why not pick up something extra for those who need some extra love.  Toys are being accepted until Sunday, December 23, and can be dropped off at any Mill Valley Fire Station or local participating businesses.
• Recycle your dead batteries:  While you are dropping off toys at a Fire Station don’t forget you can recycle old batteries there too (and at City Hall, and at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and at the Community Center). 
• High tides . . . on Miller Avenue?   Yes, you saw it right – nice sunny day, floods on Miller??  These are the “king tides” which occurred this week in the Bay.  A 7 foot tide caused spot inundation in Mill Valley.  Specifically, Miller Ave had a fair amount of water sufficient to force the closure of all lanes of travel between Camino Alto and Almonte.  Whoa!  
• Local pride: 
  • The City had its annual employee service awards delivered on Friday.  We are blessed to have great employees and many have been here for many years. 
  • Among those honored were Chief of Police, Angel “Garuda” Bernal (25 years) and Fire Chief Jeff Davidson (35 years).  Captain Clint Mason deserves mention for his 35 years of Fire Department service too.
  • Mill Valley’s own Maggie Lang was honored by the Marin County Board of Supervisors for her ongoing preparedness work this week too.  Well done Maggie!
• Miller Avenue Streetscape project: December is the month for DPW to issue the RFP for design, financing and phasing plan services, and coordinate interim improvement design efforts. 
• Golf Course: The Parks and Recreation Commission and City Staff have formed a Citizen Advisory Committee to look at ways to keep our jewel up & running and in the black.  A big thanks to those participating and we look forward to your feedback.
• PEPRA:  What is this?  It’s the acronym for the Governor’s Pension Reform Act and it’s the law come January.  The City Council has asked me and my good friend & colleague, Stephanie Moulton-Peters, to act as a subcommittee to work with Staff on a pension reform policy statement.  This is going to be agendized for a Council discussion and will likely form part of the Council’s annual retreat agenda too.  I’ll be sure to let you know how this develops and any upcoming dates where the issues will be discussed.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant:  Some of you know that Steve Danehy retired as the Plant Manager and we wish him the best.  Staff has been working on recruiting a new Manager and selection should be either later this month or in January. 

Thanks for listening and feel free to ask questions.  By the way: we are not having another City Council meeting this month and our next one is scheduled for January 7.

Of course, our thoughts, prayers and hugs pour out to CT ... my home state. 

Have a safe, healthy week. 

Your Mayor, 

Andy