Meeting Minutes

Marin County Service Area 16 Advisory Board
Minutes for Meeting on September 12, 2024
Meeting held at Bacich Elementary School, Kentfield

Board Members Present: Ron Peluso, David Glenn, Mark Wittenkeller

1.    CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Peluso at 7:06 PM
Public comment: No one from the public came forward.

2. APPROVE MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD ON 2/8/24
Note: this meeting’s agenda should say “Minutes for February 8, 2024” instead of 2023. 

David Glenn was not in attendance. 

M/S: Peluso/Wittenkeller

AYES: ALL

3. UPDATE ON CSA 16 ACTIVITIES
Jim Chayka discussed successful work for the Sir Fracis Drake frontage project.  Bauman is still wrapping up a few of the final details of implementation. Routine maintenance included work with PGE on Via La Cumbre, which was all native plants and are doing well. Scott Sherman reported on other maintenance activity in CSA 16, in addition to what appears to be an intentional herbicide application to four oak trees and a poplar in CSA 16.  All apparent tree poisoning has been reported to the Marin County Department of Agriculture. There will be a raised bed with perennial planting at the corner of SFD and manor road. Scott Sherman has been working with the current contractors to help them improve irrigation maintenance and monitoring. The retaining wall on Bretano was failing and has been repaired by public works. This did include moving some plants and irrigation lines. 

Commissioner Comment: Commissioner Wittenkeller suggested that brokers be notified that the CSA board is aware of the tree vandalism, the illegal nature of herbicide application, and the likelihood of its association with a recent home sale and view preservation. 

Public Comment: n/a

4. FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET AND FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET REVIEWS
Jim Chayka presented updates on the FY24 and FY25 Budget.  Revenues were slightly higher than predicted, and expenditures were slightly lower. Largest expenditures were Sir Francis Drake frontage planting, with Bauman landscaping, and regular maintenance through Gardener’s Guild. Suggested spending for FY 25 includes $265 K in maintenance (Gardener’s guild plus hazard tree removal and annual pruning). 50K for manor road planting, including infill planting to the east. Some soil improvement there is also probably needed.

Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Wittenkeller would like to see some improvements at the entrance to Corte Comoda in FY 2026. 

Scott Sherman noted that hardscaping at Corte Comoda has been broken by roots of a coast live oak. There have been three attempts to plant there previously that have been outcompeted by aggressive Acacia trees nearby.  That site is challenging for adding planting. County staff will work with Scott to take a closer look there and review as a potential project for 2026.

Public Comment: No one from the public came forward. 

5. ADVISORY BOARD COMMENTS

Commissioner Comments:
There were no commissioner comments.

Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM
Next meeting will be September 12, 2024