One function of our local government is to issue licenses for local businesses, which is intended to protect public health and safety by providing a mechanism (revoking a license) for the Town to shut down businesses that break the law or endanger residents. Traditionally, business licenses have been administered by member of the Town's Finance Department staff. However, the recent retirements of two Finance Department staffers, including the one who handled business licenses

The Town Manager is the single most important staff member in towns like Corte Madera, performing all the day-to-day tasks of running the Town that many people traditionally associate with mayors in larger cities like San Francisco or Oakland. The Town Manager is reports directly to the Town Council, and has ultimate responsibility for successfully implementing any policy the Council adopts. Our Town Manager is Todd Cusimano, a former Twin Cities Police chief with a lifelong

This was a no-brainer. While the state requires much of California's cities and towns, it is also a critical provider of grant funds that help defray the cost of the projects and services our residents rely on. I voted to authorize our Public Works Director, RJ Suokko, to apply for all grant opportunities with CalRecycle for which Corte Madera is eligible, including grants to help pay for some of our scheduled roadwork projects. I will never turn down an opportunity for free

I voted to award a $300,000, one-year contract to Flores Builders for landscaping maintenance throughout Town, including parks, medians, flammable vegetation management, hanging baskets, and special event preparation. This contract was offered without the normal competitive bidding process because the Town has previously contracted with Flores for these same services, although staff still performed a market survey to ensure that the price remained competitive. Our staff tells

About two years ago, Redwood High School changed its parking policy, so that students who parked on-campus were no longer allowed to drive off-campus for lunch. The result was predictable: many students began parking in the neighborhoods immediately off-campus, including Madera Gardens, driving through these quiet residential areas like... well, high school students. Residents were understandably ticked off, and asked the Town to implement a parking permit program in the affe

This was another one of those votes that's mandated by state law. In 2019, the state legislature passed Assembly Bill 38, requiring homeowners selling a house in high fire hazard zones to get the home inspected for compliance with various fire-protection building codes prior to sale. The state law required that local municipalities adopt these regulations into their local codes.