Town Council Meeting Notes 

At the meeting of Tuesday, April 12, the San Anselmo Town Council took the following actions: 

• Presented the Quality of Life Green Award to Jeff Hvid for his ongoing efforts to remove trash, recycle and raise community awareness of reduce, reuse and recycle. 

• Proclaimed April 10‐16 National Library Week 

• Proclaimed April 10‐16 Volunteer Week 

• Approved the downtown event application for the Film Night in the Park 2011 summer series. 

• Approved the downtown event application for the Music in the Park 2011 summer series. 

• Appointed Sarah Shideler, Elihu Welber, Liz Dahlgren, Sheila Girton and Ted Freeman to the Library Tax Oversight Committee. 

• Appointed Karin Ludwig and Kathy Sanders to the Open Space Committee. 

• Reviewed options for pedestrian barriers for eastbound Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between Butterfield Road and the high school for possible future grant applications, and provided direction to staff. Councilmembers want traffic barriers placed in key problem areas that provide good protection against collision, while being aesthetically pleasing. Staff will work to apply for grant money for the barrier project. 

• Received a report on the status of emergency work done in response to storm damage and approved a resolution declaring a state of local emergency as a result of the March 21‐26 storms. 

• Discussed a possible ordinance that would enact disclosure and reporting regulations for independent expenditures in town elections. The council directed staff to come back with a first reading of the ordinance at an upcoming meeting. 

• Approved the town’s participation in the Ritter House Art Houses of Marin project and authorized the Town Manager to sign the License Agreement establishing guidelines and defining responsibility for the project. The project celebrates community and keeps the conversation going about what we can do to solve our homeless problem. Executive Director Diane Linn reported that there are currently 1,200 homeless people in Marin.

New Energy Efficient Street Lights ‐ ‐ We Need Your Input 

The town has grant money to begin to replace a number of street lights with new, more energy-efficient lighting. There are two different technologies for the lighting from which to choose. The quality of the light is, of course, very important to our community. 

In order to receive your input on the quality of the two different types of energy-efficient street lighting, we have arranged to have samples of both types of lighting installed on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near the downtown. 

The first test section is at the corner of Tunstead Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. There are three “cobra” lights that have an LED type of bulb installed. 

The second test section is at the corner of Barber/Ross Avenues and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. There are three “cobra” lights that have an induction type of bulb installed. 

The test lights are easily discernible from the older type of lighting, which has a definite yellowish glow. Both types of test lights are clearly much more white. 

We would appreciate your input. To participate in our street light survey, please go here. The survey will be open until Wednesday, April 27. 

One Book One Marin 

The San Anselmo Library is celebrating the 2011 One Book One Marin selection, Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese, with a special event. 

Chef Eskender Aseged of Radio Africa and Kitchen will relate stories and savories from Ethiopia. Aseged will relate childhood stories of his Ethiopian neighborhood, as in “Friends would gather around one small radio and listen to soccer games and popular African music, while sharing laughter, conversation and food.” Aseged will also bring samples for tasting. 

The event will be held on Tuesday, April 19. The book discussion will take place at 7 p.m. and the event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the San Anselmo Library. All are welcome. 

Charles McGlashan Memorial Bike Ride 

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) invites the community to join them on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, for a bike ride to celebrate the late Supervisor Charles McGlashan’s life of accomplishments. Meet at 4 p.m. at the southwest corner of the Marin Civic Center parking lot (at the Sunday Farmers market area). The ride is approximately 12 miles and will take about 2.5 hours. The ride will end in Mill Valley. A bike shuttle service is available to get riders and their bikes back to the Civic Center. 

Creeks of Ross Valley Presentation 

Back by popular demand – Bay Area geomorphologist Laurel Collins will give her talk on why, how and where the creek changed its course and character in the mid to late 1800s. Laurel’s talk is extremely interesting to all who want to understand the creek and local flooding! The presentation will be on Tuesday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ross Town Council Chambers, 31 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 

San Anselmo News, published weekly on Fridays, is available at the San Anselmo Town Hall, Library, on the Public Notice Bulletin Board, and in the Ross Valley Reporter. It is also available on the town’s website and by email subscription. To subscribe to the email list, go here.