Saturday August 14, 2021

David P. Donery, Town Manager

Special Town Council Meeting

Monday, August 16th, 7:00PM

At a special meeting on Monday night, the Town Council will consider adoption of a proposed Urgency Ordinance to establish COVID-19-related paid sick leave requirements for San Anselmo businesses with 25 or fewer employees through September 30, 2021.

Under the proposed ordinance, paid sick leave is available for any of the following reasons:

1. The Employee has been advised by a health care provider to isolate or self-quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19;
2. The Employee is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order due to COVID19;
3. The Employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
4. The Employee needs to care for an Individual who is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19, or has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19, or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
5. The Employee needs to provide care for an Individual whose senior care provider or whose school or childcare provider is closed or unavailable in response to a public health or other public official’s recommendation;
6. The Employee is attending an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; or
7. The Employee is experiencing symptoms related to a COVID-19 vaccine that prevent the Employee from being able to work or telework. (Ord. §5-1(d)).

The proposed ordinance is substantively identical to a Marin County ordinance and is applicable to businesses with 25 or fewer employees within San Anselmo. The ordinance requires these businesses to provide paid sick leave at a maximum rate of $511/day or $5110 in aggregate for employees who cannot telework. (Ord. §5- 1(e)). These rates are consistent with the tax credits available to employers under the American Rescue Plan.

To read the staff report and proposed ordinance, please visit this LINK.

To access this or any Town Council meeting, please visit this LINK.

Community Help Needed with Parking Issues at Weekend ON THE AVENUE Events

As most of you know, the Town closes San Anselmo Avenue to vehicle traffic on Fridays at 6:00PM and Saturdays at 5:00PM for the ON THE AVENUE event series. In addition, in August the SAN ANSELMO LIVE! music series began with shows on the Town Hall lawn and the Creek Park stage each night. These events are very well attended.

Over the past two weekends, vehicles have remained in the event area, which is on San Anselmo Avenue between Tamalpais and Tunstead Avenues, after the events got underway. No Parking signage for the event is visible on both sides of the street. It creates a dangerous condition when cars remain in the closure area as adults and children are in the street with the expectation that it is free of moving vehicles.

In partnership with the Central Marin Police Authority, the Town will be addressing this issue by increasing signage and requiring that any vehicle that remains parked within the closure area will receive a parking ticket and will not be allowed to exit the closure area until the end of the event and those streets have been reopened at 10:30pm.

We appreciate the community's cooperation and collaboration in this matter!

DEFENSIBLE SPACE & HOME HARDENING
EVALUATION PROGRAM

Through funding provided by the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, inspectors are out in the community conducting Wildfire Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluations for properties in San Anselmo's Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas.

Inspectors inspect properties to evaluate whether homes meet wildland-urban interface "WUI" defensible space, vegetation management, and construction standards. Residents then receive a comprehensive, online report that includes recommendations for improving their home’s ability to survive a wildfire. This evaluation may also determine if the property meets state and local requirements for defensible space. Residents can choose to accompany the inspectors during the home evaluation, however, this is not required.

Follow up inspections may occur after 30 days. Some issues identified may be required by law and must be corrected. In some cases, failure to correct these issues may result in abatement and/or liens. Enforcement actions, if necessary, are the responsibility of your fire department's Fire Prevention Bureau, not the MWPA.

Public Health Order - Masks

Marin County Public Health released the following press release on August 2, 2021

SAN RAFAEL, CA – Vaccination continues to protect against severe COVID-19 illness, but with the COVID-19 Delta variant now infecting a small percentage of vaccinated people as well as many unvaccinated people, eight Bay Area health officers have issued health orders requiring masks to be worn indoors in public places. The Orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions.

Vaccines remain the most powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Nonetheless, the Delta variant is infecting a small percentage of the vaccinated in the Bay Area — who still remain strongly protected against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. In those instances of infection in a vaccinated person, a face covering prevents further spread. Bay Area health officials urge all unvaccinated residents 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

These Health Orders aim to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and protect everyone. Health officials are very concerned by the substantial levels of community transmission now found across the Bay Area, especially among unvaccinated people. In part, this is due to the widespread COVID-19 Delta variant, which is substantially more transmissible than previous forms of the virus. Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also indicates that even fully vaccinated individuals can in some cases spread the Delta variant to others, and so indoor use of face coverings provides an important added layer of protection.

“While most COVID-19 exposures in Marin County are due to household transmission and gatherings in non-public indoor settings with unvaccinated persons, we’ve also seen a significant increase of clusters of COVID-19 cases, among both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, in public settings including outdoor and indoor events and performances where masks were not worn by vaccinated persons,” said Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin County’s Deputy Public Health Officer.

The new Health Orders require wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in public settings. Indoor settings, whether public or private, are higher risk for COVID-19 transmission, especially when you are with people you do not live with. Health officials also recommend that all employers make face coverings available to individuals entering their businesses, and businesses are required to implement the indoor face covering order.

“Masking and vaccinations are the most important tools we have to end the pandemic,” added Santora. “The vaccine is safe, effective, free and widely available. We encourage all residents to do their part in wearing their masks to keep themselves, their families and their community safe. This is a short term, evidenced-based strategy to help keep our businesses open and support a safe reopening of schools.”

These latest Health Orders are consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health, which recommend that fully vaccinated individuals wear masks while in indoor public settings. Bay Area Health Officers will continue to monitor data, including increasing vaccination throughout the region, to determine when the Orders can be adjusted or lifted.

The public can continue to monitor Marin County’s COVID-19 case rates and vaccination progress by visiting Coronavirus.MarinHHS.org[External]. A current listing of Marin County vaccination sites can be found online: GetVaccinatedMarin.org[External]. Businesses can access new mask requirement signs in English[External PDF], Spanish[External PDF], Bilingual[External PDF] (English & Spanish) and other formats on Marin Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 Communication Toolkit[External].

For complete information, please visit: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/masks

Marin Sanitary Launches New APP! Never Miss Your Waste Collection Day Again

Marin Sanitary Service has launched a new calendar tool and upgraded mobile app to make it even easier for residents to stay informed about waste and recycling collection programs.

In the mobile app and on the website you can:

Sign up for waste collection reminders by email, phone call, or text message.
Download your collection schedule into your iCal, Google calendar or Microsoft Outlook calendar. Print your collection schedule. Receive notifications about any service disruptions (i.e. road closures, holidays, etc).

Download the App and sign up today, for Apple (Download from the App Store here) or Android (Download from the App store here) smartphones.

You can also search the Where Does it Go, Joe? tool to find out if a material can be reused, recycled, composted or disposed of.

If you don’t have an Apple or Android smartphone, you can visit our website https://marinsanitaryservice.com/resources/where-does-it-go-joe/ and search your home address in the My Schedule tool.

Town is Seeking Applicants for Treasurer Position

The San Anselmo Town Council is accepting applications for a Town Treasurer vacancy resulting from the resignation of Treasurer Liz Dahlgren, who will be stepping down in August. The successful candidate will serve the residents of the Town of San Anselmo from the time of the appointment by Town Council until November 2022, completing Ms. Dahlgren’s current term.

The person named to fill the Treasurer position would have to stand for election at the November 2022 General Election if s/he wishes to continue serving on the beyond November 2022. This position includes a $50 per month stipend.

How to Apply:

Applications are available online at the following link:

https://www.townofsananselmo.org/FormCenter/Administration-Forms-4/Treasurer-Application-50

The deadline to submit applications is 5:00 PM on Friday, August 20, 2021. It is expected that Council will conduct applicant interviews on September 14, 2021 prior to the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting that evening.

The Town seeks applicants for Instructor at Parkside Preschool

Parkside Preschool in San Anselmo is looking for a Preschool Teacher with a minimum of 6 ECE Units. The position is part-time (20-25 hours per week). The pay range is $17-$21 per/hour.

Qualifications

CPR Certification (Preferred)
A minimum of 6 Early Childhood Education (ECE) units
Experience working with children

Desired Skills and Abilities:

Energetic self-starter who is professional, friendly and loves children.
Background and knowledge of child development, classroom management, and parent interaction.

Please contact Dawn Jones at DJones@townofsananselmo.org for more information.

SAN ANSELMO LIVE!

Weekend entertainment in Downtown San Anselmo

The Town of San Anselmo in partnership with the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce is excited to present SAN ANSELMO LIVE!, a live entertainment series that coincides with the On the Avenue weekend street closure program. San Anselmo Live!, which is generously sponsored by Eric Gelman of Compass Real Estate and by Jack Kammer of Fairway Mortgage, will schedule musical acts on the Creek Park stage and on the Town Hall Plaza through October, weather permitting.

For a listing of bands, please visit: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/316/Community-Events

For more information, please contact Recreation Supervisor Mattie O'Grady at mogrady@townofsananselmo.org

On the Avenue Program for 2021

The community is invited to come and enjoy San Anselmo's "On the Avenue" program on summer weekend evenings.

Following a successful effort in 2020, the Town has opened San Anselmo Avenue to pedestrian-only access from Tamalpais to Tunstead Avenues during weekend evenings. This project, named “On the Avenue” takes place on Friday and Saturday nights during the warm weather months.

The Town is excited to welcoming shoppers and diners back every weekend to enjoy themselves and to take advantage of this safe community space.

On the Avenue will run from 6:00 to 10:30pm on Friday nights, and from 5:00 to 10:30pm on Saturday nights.

When it comes to water, use these important fire-smart landscape strategies

Here’s a UC Marin Master Gardener fire-smart landscaping tip for August:

Remove dead plants and debris.
Keep a vigilant eye on plants that may be suffering from drought. If too drought damaged, a plant may not recover and will need to be removed.
Within 5 feet of the perimeter of structures on your property, move wood mulch or foundation plants to other locations on the property.
Keep your irrigation system in good condition to optimize water distribution to plants.
Hand watering before 9 am when it’s cool is an option when irrigation is not optimized and water is restricted.
Limit replacement plantings to climate appropriate plants such as California native species, and plants native to Mediterranean summer dry climates.
Do not wet down your property on Red Flag warning days. Water as normal.
Clearly mark all emergency (and other) water sources.
Create easy firefighter access to your closest emergency water source and provide extra hoses.

For more information on fire-smart landscaping, see http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/BASICS/FIRESMARTLANDSCAPING/

Stroll through San Anselmo's History

The Historical Commission is excited to resume free docent-led tours through downtown. Learn about San Anselmo’s historic Hub, the role the railroad played in the development of town and the changing character of the businesses and architecture on San Anselmo Avenue.
Tour dates are August 14, September 11 and October 9. Meet at Creek Park at 9:00 a.m. The tour ends at the Historical Museum for refreshments. No reservations are required.

If you prefer to tour downtown or the Seminary area on your own, try the Historical Commission’s new audio walking tours. They use VoiceMap, a free mobile app for iPhones and Android devices. Just download the tour, put on your headphones and you’re ready to explore. You can walk at your own pace and stop along the way. See https://wp.me/P5Vikt-Pc for details and instructions.

Free Yoga in the Park

San Anselmo Recreation is partnering with Marin Yoga to offer free or donation-based yoga classes every Saturday and Sunday morning from 9:30am-10:30am!! Pre-registration is required. All proceeds will benefit the Canal Alliance and the San Anselmo Recreation Department.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Art on the Avenue

The San Anselmo Arts Commission is proud to be sponsoring the art exhibit at 538 San Anselmo Avenue. This month features the work of artist Spence Snyder and will run through the month of August.

For more information about the Arts Commission please visit. http://sananselmoarts.org

For more information about the Arts Commission please visit. http://sananselmoarts.org

Help Keep the Flower Baskets In Downtown San Anselmo

Donations are being accepted to help fund this annual community effort

The San Anselmo Beautification Committee has launched its 2021 fundraising campaign to raise funds for the annual hanging flower basket program in the downtown.

There are two ways you can contribute:

1. Donate by visiting the program's GO FUND ME PAGE, or

2. Mail a check to:

San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 2844, San Anselmo, CA 94979
(please mark check for “baskets”)

ALL BASKETS ARE BEING WATERED WITH WELL WATER!

For more information about the project, contact Nancy Altman at nnaltman@me.com