City Council Set to Appoint Incumbents

Barring an unforeseen objection, the Mill Valley City Council is set to appoint three of its members to a second term Wednesday night after up for the Nov. 8 election.

Mayor Ken Wachtel, Vice Mayor Garry Lion and Councilwoman Stephanie Moulton-Peters all filed to run for re-election by the Aug. 12 deadline, but no one else filed to run against them. Only longtime Mill Valley resident George Gordon, who ran unsuccessful campaigns for City Council in 2007 and 2009, pulled papers to run this year - but he decided against running.

County election law dictates that the City Council can hold a special meeting at least 75 days before the Nov. 8 election to appoint the three incumbents to another term without holding an election. Skipping the election saves the city approximately $19,000, according ti City Clerk Kimberly Wilson.

Wachtel, Lion and Moulton-Peters all indicated that the lack of challengers was a reflection the current council is doing a good job and that challengers can run without facing an incumbent in both two years (Andy Berman and Shawn Marshall are serving their second terms) and in four years.

Moulton-Peters noted that the appointment of unopposed incumbents is far from uncommon in Mill Valley. Similar council appointments occurred in 1993, 2001 and 2003, city officials said.

“I also believe that improved communications and a more responsive staff have restored trust in the city government,” Lion said.

Moulton-Peters said the council had navigated the city through some difficult issues over the past few years, particularly getting the and despite a dip in property tax revenues.

Mill Valley Patch asked each soon-to-be-appointed incumbent to list their major priorities for the coming years.

Ken Wachtel

1. Aggressive fiscal conservatism in this era of an uncertain economy. This includes maintaining realistic reserves, cutting back where we can and getting control over the 500 pound pension gorilla sitting in the corner of the room.

2. Pursuing the update of our General Plan together with the zoning ordinances and guidelines that go with it. This includes making our city more user-friendly and predictable when it comes to planning issues, doing what we can to help our local businesses, drafting a Housing element with reasonable affordable housing, and inclusionary provisions, and taking a realistic look at our land use provisions.

3. Maintaining our environmental initiatives with discussions of a ; fire safety measures; development of our steps, lanes and paths; maintaining our infrastructure and doing what is right for the planet.

4. Always on my mind is expanding our communication opportunities. Beyond the and webcasting, my goals going forward include instituting a process whereby those who watch the webcast of our meetings can submit a limited length email to be read at the hearing so they can watch and participate, even if they cannot be present. 

Garry Lion

1. Updating our General Plan, including revised land use guidelines, an updated housing element addressing current affordable housing goals, a comprehensive transportation and circulation section and up-to-date health and safety (fire and flood) plans. The General Plan was last updated during my 1986-1990 term (on the council) and I played a very active role in that process.

2. Developing a sustainable economic development approach in cooperation with the business community to maintain the economic vitality of our local serving businesses. Alternatives are being studied now by the and may involve formation of a business improvement district or partnering with other business organizations.

3. Developing a flood protection and watershed management plan, especially for the Sycamore and Lower Miller neighborhoods. This involves identifying, prioritizing and funding capital improvements in the area based on the Stetson Engineering studies to lessen the likelihood of future flooding and at the same time restore the riparian watershed habitat.

Stephanie Moulton-Peters

1. City finances and employee pension and heath care costs, in the Mill Valley tradition of having conservative and well thought out financial planning. Pensions and benefits are an area that needs further attention.

2. , planning & recovery from earthquakes.

3. Reducing traffic and increasing walking and bicycling in town.

4. Transparency and citizen participating in government.