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Health & Fitness

San Anselmo: Chocolate Heaven, Town Council Meeting Notes, Flood Committee, News from MMWD

Chocolate Heaven

The San Anselmo Library presents the second of a series of unique and captivating events, after hours!  The Tunstead Live series continues with a “Journey to Chocolate Heaven,” a history of chocolate followed by a divine chocolate tasting.  On hand will be Insalata Pastry Chefs Bruce Johnstone and Gerhard Epke.

Chocolate Heaven will be held on Friday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Library.  This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the Library Parcel Tax.  Special thanks to New Tree Chocolates.

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Town Council Meeting Notes

At the meeting of Tuesday, February 11, the Town Council took the following actions:

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  • Appointed Marc Hand and Brian Colbert to the Economic Development Committee.  Congratulations and many thanks for your willingness to volunteer your time to the Town!
  • Heard a report on the drought from the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD).  More on this below.
  • Approved the request of Jim Baum, Farm Stand Operator, to operate the Farm Stand on Fridays from May to October, 2014 and approved a three year commitment for 2014, 2015 and 2016, with actual dates approved annually.
  • Directed staff to put the Library Parcel Tax renewal on the June 3, 2014 ballot, with a $54 per parcel tax, with a 3% cost of living annual percentage increase, for a period of nine years.  The proposed resolution and ordinance will be considered for approval at the February 25, 2014 meeting.
  • Received the report from the Public Works Director regarding preliminary planning for the Town’s long-term capital improvements for infrastructure.
  • Reviewed the progress toward goals set out in the 2012 Strategic Planning Process. More on this item next week.

The full packet for the meeting is available at http://www.townofsananselmo.org/index.aspx?NID=449.

Flood Committee

The next meeting of the Flood Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers, 525 San Anselmo Avenue.  Included on the agenda will be a discussion of the FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) for homes in areas designated as flood plains. 

News from MMWD

Bob Fairchild, MMWD’s Director of Information Technology, gave a presentation on the drought to the Town Council on Tuesday, February 11.  The recent heavy rainfall has improved our water situation, but a voluntary 25% reduction in water use is still in effect, at least through April 1, 2014.  Reservoir storage is currently at 76% of average, a big improvement over the storage before the storm.  Conservation is still needed however!

MMWD has taken a number of measures to improve capacity since the 1976-77 drought, including implementing a recycled water program, building Soulajule Reservoir, expanding Kent Dam, implementing an aggressive conservation program and conservation-oriented rate structure, and increasing supply imported from Sonoma County.

In response to the drought this year, MMWD has taken a number of actions:

  • Maximized use of Nicasio Reservoir
  • Utilized Phoenix reservoir
  • Maximized recycled water use
  • Optimized use of imported water
  • Re-started conservation rebates
  • Suspended a flushing program
  • Reprioritized leak repair
  • Requested voluntary 25 percent reduction, with no rate increase at this time.

With respect to customers already using just 6 ccf (4,500 gallons) per month or less, they are encouraged to continue their good work!  This is 62 gallons per person per day, assuming a 2.4 person household.

MMWD suggests ways to achieve the 25% voluntary reduction in water use:

  • Turn off automatic irrigation systems until April or May.
  • Get a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) survey by calling 945-1523, or perform a Do-It-Yourself Home Water Survey (www.marinwater.org)
  • Check for leaks (CAP surveys reveal leaks in 30% of homes)
  • Install high-efficiency toilets

MMWD will be providing weekly drought updates in the media.

San Anselmo News, published weekly on Fridays, is available at the San Anselmo Town Hall, Library, and on the Public Notice Bulletin Board. It is also available on the Town’s website, www.townofsananselmo.org, and by email subscription. 

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