Current Board Actions and Issues

District 3 Header with Kate Sears Photo

Current Board Actions and Issues

Highlights of the Marin County Board of Supervisors' Recent Agenda

Previews and Reviews: Board Meeting Highlights

Courtesy of Supervisor Kate Sears, the following provides selected highlights from the most recent Board meeting and is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the meeting’s agenda. 

The last Board of Supervisors’ meeting was held on Tuesday, April 16th. The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, April 23rd and that agenda is posted on the website. Please go to the Cyberagenda for a complete archive of agendas, meeting videos, and staff reports, as well as other attachments.


Current Hot Topics

 

There were several things on the April 16th agenda that I would like to call to your attention, but first I’d like to share some thoughts on what we mean when we use the word “sustainability” as that word relates to our society, not just our “environment”.

On the heels of yet another tragedy with the bombings at the Boston Marathon, and with Earth Day being celebrated with calls to action on climate change, I reflected on the many tragedies that we are suffering. Divisiveness and the loss of a sense of the common good in our public discourse is a tragedy. Greed and short-sightedness in our business and financial transactions is a tragedy. Lack of compassion, or the presence of fear and anger in our social interactions, is a tragedy. Carelessness and irresponsibility in how we treat our environment is a tragedy. We need to take action to improve the health and sustainability of our environment and of our society. Here is a link to my comments at the April 19th meeting:

http://marin.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=5717b4f6-f9c7-1030-bce9-7f882e4cf4e2&sn=marin.granicus.com


Highlights of the April 16, 2013 Board Meeting Policy Agenda

Presentation on Community Marin 2013 land use report

At the request of Supervisor Arnold, the Board heard a presentation on Community Marin 2013, which is a report that includes recommendations from Marin County’s major environmental organizations on how the County can provide an environmentally responsible foundation for land use planning.

Need more info? See the Community Marin 2013 Report

Renaming Pathway in Honor of Charles McGlashan

The Board adopted a resolution to rename the Tennessee Valley Pathway as the Charles McGlashan Pathway, in honor of the former Marin County District 3 Supervisor who passed away in March of 2011. Charles McGlashan's widow, Carol Misseldine, and several other members of the public expressed their approval. The beautiful new pathway, many years in the making, safely connects the Mill Valley-Sausalito multi-use pathway with Tennessee Valley. I invite everyone to take a stroll, a run or a bike along this section of the Bothin Marsh.

Need more info? See the report on the renaming proposal

Measure A Parks Spending Plan Discussion

Marin County Parks presented a high-level overview of their proposed Measure A expenditure plan for the next fiscal year.  Measure A is a temporary quarter-cent sales tax increase passed by voters in November 2012 that protects natural places, local parks and family farms. It is expected to generate approximately $10 million annually for nine years. The Board approved the proposal.

Need more info? See the report on Measure A

FEMA Flood Maps Update

The Board heard a staff report that provides the latest updates on the three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) studies under way in Marin County which will result in revised flood insurance rate maps for residents in various portions of Marin County.

Need more info? See the report on the FEMA maps

Recognition of MarinLink's 10th Anniversary

At the request of Supervisor Adams, the Board adopted a resolution commending MarinLink on the occasion of its 10th year of work in Marin County. MarinLink is a local non-profit organization that finds and fills community needs by connecting resources, ideas, and expertise on a range of local community issues.

Need more info? See MarinLink's website

New County Library Director Appointed

After a nationwide recruitment, the Board has selected Sara Jones to serve as the new Director of the Marin County Free Library.  Sara will join the County with 25 years of professional library services experience. Most recently she was director of the Carson City, Nevada, library system and, before that, served as the Nevada state librarian and library director for Elko County, Nev.  Sara Jones' first day on the job will be July 8.

Need more info? See the report on Sara Jones

Local Coastal Program Amendments

As part of its ongoing review of the proposed amendments to the Local Coastal Program, the Board conducted its sixth hearing on various sections of the draft amendments related to agriculture, second units, potential takings and economic evaluations, among various other matters.  After hearing staff’s presentation as well as public comment, the Board provided feedback and continued the item to the Board's June 11 meeting.

Need more info? See the full report on the coastal plan

Appointments for Various Boards & Commissions

The Board made the following appointments:

Building Board of Appeals: Peter Daly and Rachel Ginis

Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board: Christine Lam

Health Council of Marin: Kent Angerbauer, Judith Coombes and Paul Roye


Preview of the April 23, 2013 Board Meeting Policy Agenda: