I've long said that climate change is the only existential threat our town faces, and that planning for and responding to that threat is the most important long-term goal our local government must achieve. To that end, I voted yes to enter into an agreement with San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI), one of the most renowned local scientific agencies, as a partner to help us in preparing our town's Climate Adaptation Plan. This contract is fantastic bang for the taxpayers' b

There were two parts to this item: accepting a 7.85% increase in garbage collection fees proposed by our collector, Mill Valley Refuse Service (MVRS) and restructuring the way residents are charged for garbage collection. On the first, we were essentially obligated to agree; under our contract with MVRS, the Town essentially guarantees MVRS a certain profit margin, meaning that if their bottom line takes a hit for almost any reason, we have to let them charge residents more.