San Anselmo: Town Council Meeting Notes, Marin Commission on Aging, and Nixle

Town Council Meeting Notes

At the meeting of Tuesday, February 25, 2014, the Town Council took the following actions:

• Appointed Michael Burz to the Quality of Life Commission and Kathleen Cutter to the Library Advisory Board.  Congratulations and thank you both for your willingness to serve our community.
• Received the report from Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) on current green waste services and future innovations in the green waste area. 

The Contract:  The Town’s contract with MSS allows each residential customer to put out a total of seven 32-gallon cans of yard waste each week.  Most people utilize the MSS-issued 64-gallon green cart in addition to non-MSS issued 32-gallon cans that have been purchased privately.

The Issue:  The non-MSS issued 32-gallon cans must be lifted manually to empty and are often overloaded and heavier than the maximum of 60 pounds. In addition, some customers put out more than the allowable number of cans. 

The Interim Solution:  While MSS has been attempting to accommodate all their customers, they will no longer be able to pick up more green waste than the seven 32 gallon can limit that the contract allows.  In addition, personal cans weighing more than 60 pounds will not be picked up.  The MSS-issued 64-gallon green carts have no weight limit as they are emptied with an automatic arm mechanism.  We ask for your understanding as we work through these measures.

The MSS Goal:  Ultimately, MSS would like to have fully-automated pickups in all their jurisdictions for green waste, refuse and recycling carts.  To reach that goal, they would like customers to rent additional 64-gallon green carts for $1.88 per month, instead of using the random personal cans.  Renting an additional green cart would also help to solve the workers compensation concern.

The Council:  The Council has taken no action on the issue of renting green carts at this time.  Look for more information on next steps in upcoming newsletters.

• Conducted a public hearing and approved the resolution authorizing the procedures for the June 3, 2014 election, submitting to the voters the question on whether to renew the Library Parcel Tax.  The proposed tax would be in the amount of $54 per parcel per year with a 3% annual cost of living increase for a period of nine years.
• Received a report from the Ross Valley Sanitary district on their current operations and the state of the district.
• Reviewed materials regarding current efforts to reform Proposition 13 with respect to commercial property assessments.  A group called Evolve asked the Council to pass a resolution calling for Proposition 13 reform to close a commercial loop hole in Proposition 13.  The consensus of the Council was to take no action as there was not enough detail about what is proposed.
• Continued a discussion on governance rules for the Town Council to the meeting of March 11.

Meeting materials are available on the website at: http://www.townofsananselmo.org/index.aspx?NID=449.

Marin Commission on Aging

The Town Council is seeking a volunteer to serve as San Anselmo’s representative to the Marin Commission on Aging.  The Commission acts as an advocacy group for the interests and needs of the County’s older population, and serves as an advisory council to the County Board of Supervisors.  The 21 – member Commission is comprised by representatives from cities and unincorporated areas of the County.  The Commission meets the second Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

For more information or an application, go to: http://www.townofsananselmo.org/index.aspx?nid=175 or contact Carla Kacmar at ckacmar@townofsananselmo.org or 258-4691.  Applications for the opening should be submitted by Friday, March 21, 2014.

Nixle

The Central Marin Police Department belongs to a service called “Nixle.”  Nixle is a way to receive important safety information regarding our community on a timely basis.  The Police Department posts public safety alerts, traffic bulletins and community information on Nixle.  You can choose what type of information you receive and whether it comes to you by text message, email or via your web browser.

To register for Nixle, go to www.nixle.com.  Click “Sign Up Free” and create an account by completing the requested information.  Finish by clicking “I accept - Sign Me Up.”

This service has proven to be very effective in alerting residents to accidents, road closures and other information that is needed on an immediate basis.  Give it a try!