The Mayor’s Week in Review (Sept. 30 – Oct. 6)

Partnerships versus guarantees:

Last week’s main subject – one that I never stopped thinking about all week – and still am – involves a fundamental tenet of the MV2040 General Plan not to obligate the City to anything more than its core services, while at the same time provide language that supports creating partnerships to do much more.  We’re talking about money specifically -- the policy decision to encourage, support, evaluate, explore, consider and investigate many things, but commit to the allocation of general fund money only rarely.

It all came to a head Monday night at our Council meeting where we reviewed the Community Vitality chapter to the draft general plan and rejected some of the planning commission’s recommendations to, among other things, promise funding in one or more cases.  The Council was unanimous on this front.  The issue was compounded, apparently, by Council deliberations, and in my own case a poor choice of words (for which I’ve since apologized; I’m human, but not sinister).  

What’s most important is that we keep our eye on the ball: we have a great draft general plan.  It affirms our vision of a healthy town, one full of “small town character,” tremendous natural resources we want to preserve, a diversity of housing (which we want to encourage), with fiscal prudence, great schools, civic pride -- and a profound respect for and understanding of the role that the arts and culture have on our identity.

Our actions and deliberations are not a rejection of any one view over another.  If anything, they reflect a goal of finding balance between and among diverse views.  Beyond that, the MV2040 General Plan lays the foundation for great partnerships by setting goals, polices and programs anyone can embrace to drive a particular initiative later on.  We want to cooperate with you to expand the benefits of partnership too. 

On Monday, the City Council will continue with its review of the MV2040 General Plan, starting with the 2009-2014 Housing Element and then reviewing the proposed changes to the MV2040 General Plan and Housing Element based on Planning Commission recommendations, public comment and City Council discussion held during the September 16 and 30th hearings.  At the conclusion of Monday’s public hearing we will consider the adoption of three resolutions as part of the formal adoption and approval process for the General Plan.  If we have missed anything, please come down & let us know your thoughts.  You are welcomed. City Hall is just like the Depot plaza: it’s everyone’s; everyone’s welcomed, and above all else I want you to feel comfortable when you are there.

What else?

International Walk & Roll Day:  Join me Wednesday at City Hall to walk some students to school for International “Walk & Roll” Day.  This tradition began with Safe Routes to Schools in Marin County several years ago and has grown into a big deal!  All of Mill Valley’s schools will be participating with students walking and biking to school.  This is all part of the Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) program, on which Stephanie Moulton-Peters played a big part, and helps us promote walking and biking to school. Be safe, but be there (on foot or bike!).  

Another parking lot on Mt. Tam??  We have received a number of emails, letters and phone calls recently regarding the National Park Service’s proposal for a range of possible operational and physical improvements to mitigate parking congestion in Muir Woods.  National Park Service representatives held a Public Scoping Meeting on September 18, 2013 in which they introduced two transportation projects.  Some of the proposals include a reservation system, expanded shuttle services, and possible new parking locations - along Muir woods road and Panoramic Highway.  While the City of Mill Valley has no regulatory authority over the land use and decision-making process in National Park Service lands, City officials are monitoring the project and communicating with the National Park Service regarding our concerns related to potential traffic and environmental impacts of the proposed options. The City is also coordinating with County and State officials and is encouraging National Park Service representatives to extend and enhance their public communication efforts and to ensure that the decision-making process includes all viewpoints.  See the letter from City Manager Jim McCann: No Parking Lot on Mt. Tam!  Of course, due to the federal government shutdown, NPS websites are not receiving public comment or offering links for more information. 

Shout out to Starr Ingram:  Starr Ingram, Elie Kashani’s (one of our Police Officers) daughter in Tam High School, has glorious art work being exhibited in this week’s ArtWalk.  That’s a fine accomplishment for any artist, let alone one of our local students. HOORAY!

Free classical music:  So I just learned about the Mill Valley Philharmonic, which  brings free classical music to the community: Free Classical Music. Here are the dates for their next concert: 

·      November 14 @ 8 pm- Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church

·      November 16 @ 4 pm- Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church

·      November 17 @ 2 pm- Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael

And here’s the program on these events: 

·      Antonín Dvorak, Symphony no. 9, From the New WorldRafael.

·      Claude Debussy, Danses Sacré et ProfaneBertina Mitchell, harp.

·      Arthur Honneger, Pacific 231. 

FEMA Flood Insurance Meetings Canceled:  The federal government is pathetic – shut down! Really?  Are you kidding?  Can you imagine Mill Valley doing that?  Anyway, given this fantastic display of democracy in action, it’s no surprise that  FEMA has canceled a series of informational meetings in Marin County to inform citizens in coastal communities about the FEMA-led San Francisco Bay Coastal Study.  City staff will post new meeting times, dates and locations when this information is available, since many of us live in a flood zone and might be affected by the study. Information can be found here: FEMA.  

If I survived sewer construction, so can Boyle Park:  Unlike Boyle Park, I could not shut down while sewer repairs took place in front of my home for a month and the vehicle in the attached photo blocked my driveway.  However, Boyle Park has more luxuries in life, so it’s being closed from this Wednesday, October 9, through Friday, October 18 for sewer work for the City.  For safety reasons the closure will remain in effect for 24 hours a day until the end of the project and will include the weekend.  The lower portion of the park and the bathrooms will remain open.  My house and bathrooms will remain open too. 

Community Emergency Response Training (CERT):  I have been writing about being CERTified all year long, and the final class this year in Mill Valley is coming up.  These classes train and prepare volunteers to achieve higher level of skills in Emergency Preparedness, Disaster First Aid/Triage, Fire Suppression, Utilities (recognition / controlling), and light Search and Rescue.  The 18 hours CERT training class times are: Thursday October 10 (6-9 pm), Saturday October 12 (830 am to 4 pm), and Sunday October 19 (830 am to 4 pm).  Training will be held at Mill Valley Fire Station 7, 1 Hamilton Drive.  The cost is $45 and you can Enroll for CERT here.  

15th Annual Click off Competition:  The Mill Valley Art Commission presents the 15th Annual Click off Competition from November 5-17. Each year during the autumn season, photographers of all ages and skill levels capture images unique to Marin County and each photographer’s perspective through the camera lens. Cell phone photos encouraged. For more information, Click click click here!  

About town: 

Mill Valley Film Festival - October 3-13.  See 2013 MVFF. 

Monday Night Movies:  

·      Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) – 730 pm at the Library.

·      Free screening of  “Village Music: Last of the Record Stores” (530 pm at the Sweetwater):  Everyone’s invited to happy hour and a free screening of this wonderful film that debuted at last year’s Film Festival. Filmmakers will be in attendance to share tales about the film that celebrates the life of the legendary record shop, Village Music, and its proprietor, John Goddard, who had a tremendous impact on the famous (and not-so-famous) musicians who were part of it’s unique history. From there you have two tough choices: come to the City Council meeting at City Hall across the street, or just kick back with a beer for open mic night with Austin DeLone.  Hummm?????? 

Tuesday:  

·      InDesign Drop In (noon at the Library).  This “drop in” will be an ideal opportunity to hone your design skills using Adobe's state of the art software.

·      Art Commission Meeting - CANCELED

·      GET READY Class (7 pm at the Community Center):  GET READY is a free 1 1/2 hour class, sponsored by the Mill Valley and Southern Marin Fire Departments, that teaches you how to prepare your home and family for all types of emergencies.  Call 380-1105 or email: GET READY! 

Wednesday:  

·      Digital Drop-in (noon at the Library):  Learn how to download/stream free content (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, films, databases) from the Library's website.

·      American Experience Book Club - A Map of Tulsa, by Benjamin Lytal (7 pm at the Library). 

Thursday: 

·      Library Board of Trustees Meeting (7 pm at the Library)

·      Emergency Preparedness Commission Meeting (7 pm at City Hall)

·      Teen Event: Hacking Your Education with Dale Stephens (7 pm at the Library) -- High School students ONLY (no parents!):  Founder of uncollege.com and author of "Hacking Your Education," Dale J. Stephens will bring his unique perspective on the future of education, talent, and innovation to this special event for high school students. 

Friday: 

·      Aquatics & Fitness Center Open House (6 pm at the Community Center):  Mill Valley Recreation will be hosting an Aquatics & Fitness Center Open House with free access to swim in the pool and spa, workout in our fitness floor, refreshments and snacks, and engaging children’s activities. Nice! 

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Thanks, as always, for reading.  

Andy