New Mayor/Vice Mayor, Police Chief Retires, Police Consolidation Approved

New Mayor and Vice Mayor Elected

At the meeting of Tuesday, December 11, the Town Council elected Kay Coleman as the Town’s Mayor for 2013.  Jeff Kroot was elected Vice Mayor.  Congratulations to both Kay and Jeff.

The Council also recognized the dedicated service of outgoing Mayor Tom McInerney, presenting him with a plaque commemorating his year of service as the Mayor of San Anselmo. 

Police Consolidation Agreement Approved

In a unanimous vote, the Town Council approved the proposed Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agreement to consolidate the San Anselmo Police Department with the Twin Cities Police Authority.  The change is planned to be effective January 1, 2013.  The City Council of Larkspur has already approved the JPA agreement and Corte Madera is scheduled to consider approval next week.  The new Police agency is proposed to be called the Central Marin Police Authority.  The staff report and the Joint Powers Agreement can be found on the website at http://www.townofsananselmo.org/archives/61/TC121211%20Itm3-002.pdf.

Police Chief Charles Maynard Retires 

Police Chief Maynard, who has served the Town since 2000, is retiring this week.  He has 33 years of law enforcement experience in progressively responsible positions for the cities of Fountain Valley, Stanton, Orange, Cathedral City and Yuba City as a Police Explorer, Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain, completing the last twelve years in San Anselmo as our Chief of Police.

Chief Maynard has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Management and a Masters of Public Administration, both earned while working full time and caring for a family. 

He has accomplished much in his twelve years in San Anselmo, including updating Police Department technology, equipment and the working environment; implementing a Community Policing program; developing a comprehensive training program for Police Officer Standards and Training compliance; and working with local schools on alcohol and drug awareness, all the while serving the Town in a dual role as the Assistant Town Manager.

Chief Maynard, who has been an active proponent of Police consolidation for many years, was instrumental in the consolidation efforts with the Twin Cities Police Authority, increasing service levels while reducing costs for both organizations at a time when the need for such shared services was critical to all three communities. 

The Town Council presented the Chief with a proclamation outlining his achievements and wished him the very best in his retirement.  It was the consensus of Council and staff that he will be sorely missed!

Volunteers Appointed to Boards and Commissions

Congratulations to our newly appointed (and re-appointed) Board, Commission and Committee members:

Arts Commission:  Arnie Cicchetti, Ervin Grinberg, Gail Galli, Linda Seabright, Stacey Kamp.

Board of Review:  Jeff Scales

Historical Commission:  Joan Vermond, Elizabeth Anderson, Richard Miner, Wendy Sylvia, Tom Hendricks.

Open Space Committee:  Peter Horn, Rene Voss

Planning Commission:  David Swaim

Many thanks to all of you for volunteering your time to the Town!

Bicycle Improvements 

The Town recently completed significant improvements to the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Sierra Avenue/Broadmoor, making this an ideal route for cyclists that are traveling from downtown San Anselmo to Sleepy-Hollow and beyond. Because Sierra is one-way, this route will only work going south-to-north.  Sierra also provides an alternative means (other than Drake) of accessing Butterfield Road, via Morningside Drive or Meadowcroft Drive. If you’re headed for Brookside School, this route presents an alternative to riding along busy Drake.

The Drake/Sierra/Broadmoor intersection safety improvements included the installation of a “leading-pedestrian-interval” (LPI), which provides cyclists and pedestrians crossing Drake at Sierra several seconds leeway into the intersection before the signal turns green for vehicular traffic. This helps to alleviate a bicycle/pedestrian safety hazard at this intersection.

Additionally, bicycle-sensitive loop detection was installed at the intersection, which will trigger a traffic signal change. A bicycle symbol was striped on the pavement to inform cyclists of where to best place bikes for detection.  A low-placed “pedestrian” push-button was installed specifically for access by cyclists. This convenient button allows cyclists to trigger the LPI, an important safety feature and convenience for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

And last but not least, Sierra Avenue was completely repaved, lending to a much smoother and comfortable bike ride.