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No Power Shutoffs in Forecast for Next Seven Days
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The seven-day PSPS forecast from PG&E as of the morning of November 1
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PG&E is not currently expecting any Public Safety Power Shutoffs through Thursday, November 7, according to the company's seven-day forecast of shutoff potential in nine geographic zones. Marin County is in Zone 3.
In other power shutoff news, the City Council held a special meeting on Friday, November 1 at 8:30 a.m. to ratify the proclamation of a local emergency for Sausalito due to the conditions created by PG&E's de-energizing of the electrical system in Sausalito. By ratifying the declaration of a local emergency, the Council may improve the City's ability to recover costs should reimbursement funds become available from the State of California.
In his presentation about the power shutoff to the City Council, Police Chief John Rohrbacher reported that no crimes had been committed in Sausalito related to the shutoff. Twenty boats broke loose on Richardson Bay during the high winds on Sunday morning. The chief plans to present a more detailed after-action report, along with lessons learned by the City from the shutoff, at a later date.
In remarks from the dais, the members of the City Council thanked City staff and first responders for their efforts during the shutoff. Mollie Stone's and Driver's Market were also commended, along with others in the local business community, for continuing to provide services while the power was out.
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Ice House Plaza Opens in Downtown Sausalito
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Jerry Taylor of the Sausalito Historical Society speaks during the opening ceremony
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A large and enthusiastic crowd attended the opening of the new Ice House Plaza at a special ceremony in downtown Sausalito on Saturday, October 26. The ceremony was presided over by Sausalito Historical Society President Jerry Taylor, who acknowledged the large number of donors and contributors who made the project possible.
The new plaza fronts Bridgeway on City land adjacent to the Ice House Museum and Visitor Center at the corner of Bay Street and Bridgeway. Features include wooden benches, concrete seating walls, native plants, a wooden platform for making presentations to local schoolchildren, and a historical timeline inlaid into the pavement along the path of a rail line created with tile from Heath Ceramics.
The new plaza is also the home of a life-sized bronze statue of Farley cartoonist and longtime Sausalito Historical Society volunteer Phil Frank, who passed away in 2007. Farley's sidekick Bruce the Raven, also in bronze, stands on Phil's left shoulder.
Plans for the Ice House Plaza were approved by the Planning Commission and the Historic Landmarks Board in February 2017. In May 2017, the City Council approved the placement of the statue. Construction at the site began in January 2019.
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City Streets Scheduled for Vegetation Management in November
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Edwards Avenue
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The Southern Marin Fire Protection District has begun a new road clearance project to remove overgrown vegetation from Sausalito streets. Removing excess vegetation improves access for emergency vehicles and reduces the amount of fuel available to a wildfire. The project is part of the Vegetation Management Program launched by the fire district on July 1, 2019, with funds from Measure U, a $200 parcel tax approved by voters in November 2018 to improve local emergency services.
Road clearance is currently being scheduled within fire district boundaries with priority given to areas of greatest need. The next group of Sausalito streets to be targeted is listed below, with work scheduled to begin on Monday, November 18.
- Edwards Avenue
- Excelsior Lane
- Fourth Street
- Harrison Avenue
- Josephine Street
- Lower Crescent Avenue
- Main Street
- Marion Avenue
- Miller Avenue
- Miller Lane
Under the road clearance program, landscapers and tree workers employed by the fire district will be performing the following tasks:
- Removing flammable and encroaching vegetation from roadsides and sidewalks
- Pruning trees to maintain emergency vehicle access
- Evaluating street parking spots to determine if they leave enough space for emergency vehicles
- Clearing vegetation around fire hydrants
- Marking dead or dying trees with a red dot for future removal
Streets will remain open while work is underway, but traffic may be reduced to one lane in work areas. Please do not pile vegetation on the roadside in the expectation that it will be removed by work crews. Instead, contact the district about holding a "chipper day" for your neighborhood.
If you have any questions about vegetation removal from City streets, concerns about specifically marked trees, or interest in scheduling a chipper day, please contact Vegetation Management Specialist Jessie Figoni at (415) 730-9048 or jfigoni@smfd.org. Jesse is also available to answer any questions about vegetation management in Sausalito.
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Test Your Smoke Alarms When You Turn Back the Clocks
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Testing a battery-powered smoke alarm
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California goes off daylight saving time at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 3. The Southern Marin Fire Protection District recommends that you always remember to "turn and test," i.e. test your smoke alarms at the same time that you turn your clocks. This will ensure that you check your smoke alarms at least twice per year, when we "spring forward" and "fall back."
A smoke alarm is an inexpensive way to protect your family from smoke and fire injuries, but you must take the time to test it to ensure that it is working properly. A properly functioning smoke alarm doubles your chance of surviving a fire by warning you of a dangerous situation before it is too late.
For minimum coverage, have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, hallways outside every bedroom, and in every sleeping area. You can also add alarms to the top and bottom of all stairways and often-forgotten places such as basements, attics, utility rooms, and garages.
There are two types of powered smoke alarms:
- Battery-powered: These inexpensive units can easily be installed anywhere. They now come with a tamper-resistant, 10-year battery that leaves you worry-free.
- AC-powered: Installed by an electrician (or those with a good working knowledge of electricity), these units are more dependable in the long term due to their direct-wired power source. But they should still have an independent battery backup, so that they will continue to operate during a power outage.
Almost all smoke alarms have a test button that, when pushed, causes the alarm to sound. Most alarms also have either a blinking or a solid light that glows to let you know that the alarm is getting power. Please note that smoke alarms should be replaced after ten years. If you purchased your smoke alarms on or before November 2009, it is a good idea to replace them to make sure they are in working condition.
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Grant Money Available to Replace Your Wood Fireplace
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The Kincade Fire in Sonoma County is a reminder to Sausalito residents of the health hazards created by smoke and other airborne particulate matter. Wood smoke from fireplaces and wood stoves can also be a health hazard, particularly on days when atmospheric conditions have created a Winter Spare the Air Alert in the Bay Area.
If you own a home in Sausalito with a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you can make a difference to our air quality by decommissioning your wood-burning heating device or replacing it with a cleaner option like a sealed gas insert. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District currently has grant funds available in its Wood Smoke Reduction Incentive Program to help you with the cost of decommissioning or replacement.
Residents of Sausalito are eligible for the grant program due to our designation as a high wood smoke area. To participate in the program, you must submit an application and receive approval before beginning any work on your project. Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted, and funding is limited to one project per property.
Any questions about the Wood Smoke Reduction Incentive Program may be directed to woodsmokegrants@baaqmd.gov or (415) 749-5195. Please note that a City of Sausalito building permit will be required for decommissioning a solid wood burning fireplace (demolition permit), or to install a fuel-burning appliance (install permit). Please contact the City of Sausalito Building Division at (415) 289-4128 for information on permitting requirements.
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Tickets for Breakfast with Santa on Sale November 4
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Santa's coming! He's making a special trip to the Sausalito Yacht Club on Saturday, December 1 to eat breakfast with you and your family. It will be a magical morning where kids make holiday crafts and visit with Santa while elves prepare a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage.
There are two seatings to choose from: the 8:30 a.m. seating sees Santa arrive, the 10:00 a.m. seating gets to see him return to the North Pole. The cost is $15 for Sausalito residents and $18 for non-residents (free for children 2 and under).
Registration opens on Monday, November 4. To register, please visit the Breakfast with Santa web page. Any questions about Breakfast with Santa may be directed to Julie Myers at jmyers@sausalito.gov.
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Recap of the Special City Council Meeting on November 1
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A special meeting of the City Council was held on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The following, in red italics, is a brief summary of actions taken at the meeting.
Business Items: Watch the recording of this portion of the meeting
Adopted Resolution No. 5870 Ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency.
Did you know you can watch City Council meetings live via webcast? You can also watch video recordings of past meetings on the City website.
Council meetings are also broadcast live on television via Comcast Cable Channel 27 or AT&T Channel 99. If you miss the live broadcast, check the rebroadcast schedule.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held on November 12, 2019, with the open session due to commence at approximately 7:00 p.m.
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Updates from Boards and Commissions
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Planning Commission. The role of the Planning Commission is to review applications for design review and land use entitlements, as set forth in planning and zoning laws of the City and the state, and perform other such duties as specified in the Sausalito Municipal Code.
Previous meeting. A hearing of the Planning Commission was held on October 16. The following actions were taken at the hearing:
- 30 Atwood Avenue. The request for a design review permit and variance to construct a cantilevered deck at the rear of the existing residence was continued to the November 6, 2019, Planning Commission meeting.
- 1201 Bridgeway. The request for a sign permit and approval of amendments to the conditional use permit for the business were approved.
- 253 Glen Drive. The request for a design review permit to substantially demolish and reconstruct a single-family residence was continued (date uncertain) with direction that additional information must be provided to the Historic Preservation Committee for evaluation prior to referring back to the Planning Commission.
- 556 Sausalito Boulevard. The request for a design review permit and encroachment agreement for construction of a deck and to increase garage roof height were approved.
- 676-686 Bridgeway. The request for an encroachment agreement for three outward-swinging doors that partially encroach into the public right-of-way (sidewalk) was approved.
Watch the video recording of the October 16 meeting
Upcoming meeting. There will be a regular meeting of the Planning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. The following items are on the agenda:
- Lot 5, Wolfback Estates. Consideration of a design review permit for construction of a new single-family residence that will include 5,470 square feet of floor area and a 1,490 square foot subterranean garage. The staff contact is Senior Planner Calvin Chan at cchan@sausalito.gov or (415) 289-4129.
- 30 Atwood Avenue. Consideration of a design review permit and variance for a new cantilevered deck to be built at the rear of an existing residence. The proposed deck will encroach into the rear-yard setback and will exceed maximum building coverage limits for the property. The staff contact is Associate Planner Katie Faulkner at kfaulkner@sausalito.gov or (415) 289-4135.
- 30 and 40 Edwards Avenue. Consideration of a request for a condominium conversion permit and vesting tentative parcel map to permit the conversion of a two-unit residential duplex into two individually owned condominium units. The staff contact is Senior Planner Calvin Chan at cchan@sausalito.gov or (415) 289-4129.
All Planning Commission meetings are open to the public and are also live streamed and video recorded. If you have any questions about the Planning Commission or an item under consideration, please contact the Community Development Department at (415) 289-4128. The department's public counter in City Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
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News from City Departments
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Community Development. The City of Sausalito will prepare a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed City of Sausalito General Plan Update. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) has been prepared and distributed as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In accordance with the time limits established by CEQA, the NOP public review period began on October 17, 2019, and will end on November 18, 2019. The City of Sausalito will hold a Public Scoping Meeting on Monday, November 4, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers at 420 Litho Street. The City of Sausalito's existing General Plan documents and materials for the General Plan Update and Program EIR are available at sausalitogeneralplan.org.
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Administration. Does the water from your taps have an earthy or musty taste and odor? During the late summer and fall, some customers of the Marin Municipal Water District may experience a slightly different taste or odor in their water. Naturally occurring algae blooms during warm weather may temporarily change the way the water tastes and smells. This does not affect the quality or purity of your water. To learn more about how the water district ensures water quality, visit marinwater.org/205/Water-Quality.
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Administration. The County of Marin has hired R3 Consulting to conduct public outreach and develop a model ordinance related to single-use plastics. Local jurisdictions will be working with the county to develop the model ordinance in the spirit of creating an ordinance that:
- Addresses local hauler requirements
- Considers local business needs
- Streamlines regulations across each jurisdiction
- Continues to address Marin County's collective interest in sustainability
The model ordinance will be released in early 2020 for public review, followed by consideration for adoption by the county and local jurisdictions. As part of the initial kick-off, a public survey has been launched to solicit feedback from consumers and food facility operators. The survey is short and should take less than 30 seconds. For more information, see the county's press release.
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Administration. On September 20, the City of Sausalito released a request for proposal (RFP) for marketing and digital platform services. The services described in the RFP are designed to enhance the current marketing program and digital platform for businesses in Sausalito. The deadline for responses has been extended to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2019. Any questions about the RFP for marketing and digital platform services may be directed to Yulia Carter, Assistant City Manager and Administrative Services Director, at ycarter@sausalito.gov or (415) 289-4105.
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Things Happening in Our Community
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Finding the Bunny. Please note: This program has been rescheduled for Friday, January 17, 2020. The world of voice acting is fascinating yet little-known, and as a multi-billion-dollar industry, it can be considered America's most influential and invisible art. Attendees at this Sausalito Library program at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1 will meet Sausalito's own Samantha Paris, the award-winning voice actor, educator, and author who has trained more than 10,000 aspiring and working voice actors since 1988 from her Voicetrax studio complex on nearby Bridgeway. Samantha will share insights and inspiration from her acclaimed memoir, Finding the Bunny, which has just been optioned by Warner Brothers for development into a television series.
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Sausalito Writers' Circle. Looking for a supportive group to share your writing with? Ready to tackle that story, novel, or poem? Interested in providing feedback to others? Whether you're an aspiring writer, a seasoned veteran, or somewhere in between, come join us on Sunday, November 3 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Your host at this Sausalito Library program is Sausalito resident, published author, and experienced workshop facilitator Cindy Knoebel. If interested in attending, please join our Meetup group and RSVP. The Writers' Circle typically meets twice per month.
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Sausalito Village Art Reception. All are welcome to attend the opening reception of the 7th Annual Sausalito Village Art Show at the Sausalito Library from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 3. The exhibit highlights the work of Sausalito Village artists and authors, and includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, and books. In addition to perusing the artwork, you will be able to chat with the artists and authors of Sausalito Village while you enjoy refreshments and live chamber music. The exhibit will be on display in the Sausalito Library during regular hours from November 3 to January 4. Sausalito Village is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the ability of its members to live independently and remain active in our community as they age.
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Help Feed the Hungry in November. The Sausalito Woman's Club will be conducting its annual food drive for the SF/Marin Food Bank for the whole month of November. Beginning Monday, November 4, the club will be open to the community for donations of non–perishable food (no glass containers please) on Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Items the food bank needs most include: soups, chili, canned vegetables, tuna, canned meat, cereals, and peanut butter. Low-sodium items are in great need for the elderly. Please help end hunger in our community. For more information, contact Mollie Squires at molliesquires529@gmail.com.
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Public Scoping Meeting. The City of Sausalito will prepare a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed City of Sausalito General Plan Update. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) has been prepared and distributed as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In accordance with the time limits established by CEQA, the NOP public review period began on October 17, 2019, and will end on November 18, 2019. The City of Sausalito will hold a Public Scoping Meeting on Monday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers at 420 Litho Street. The City of Sausalito's existing General Plan documents and materials for the General Plan Update and Program EIR are available at sausalitogeneralplan.org.
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Met Opera Preview: Madama Butterfly. The Sausalito Library's Met Opera Preview series for 2019-20 continues at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5 in the Edgewater Room of City Hall with a preview of the upcoming Metropolitan Opera performance of Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. Guest host David Marshall will present background information about the opera and composer, followed by a plot synopsis that includes a selection of audio and video clips from past performances. David's preview takes place on the Tuesday before the Saturday morning Live in HD simulcast from the Met. All are welcome.
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Celebrate Communities, Families, and Health in Sausalito and Marin City. Join Supervisor Kate Sears and Marin City Health and Wellness Center Board Chair Nancy Johnson in conversation at the Sausalito Cruising Club from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7. Sausalito and Marin City share a zip code and so much more. Learn about Marin City's past, present and future, through our shared lens of community, family, and health. If planning to attend, please RSVP. The Sausalito Cruising Club is located at 1610 Bridgeway on the waterfront of Dunphy Park.
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Beautiful Brain Blues. Our brilliantly complex, creative, and adaptive brains require conscious care throughout our lives. Join Clinical Nutritionist Leni Felton at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7 in the City Hall Council Chambers as she talks about lesser known contributors to cognitive decline and cognitive health. Topics will include the impact of autoimmunity, the gut/brain/immune connection, the gut ecology's influence upstream, and our self-cleaning systems. Working as a clinical nutritionist to help people recover and "live health," Leni has seen choice, practice, and action enable beautiful brains to blossom. Additionally, Leni facilitates programs for clients via the Bredesen Protocol to prevent and reverse cognitive decline.
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Chasing Ships: An Inspector's Perspective. Captain Craig Thomas conducts ship inspections in the San Francisco Bay for vessels carrying the flags of Malta, the Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, and Liberia. Join Craig inside the Sausalito Library at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8 for an illustrated presentation based on his unique perspective of ship operations in the Bay. Craig is a Sausalito resident and the president of Agile Marine LLC. A graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College, his career in commercial shipping included positions ranging from third officer to master.
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Caregiver Support Group. Are you or someone you know caring for a loved one who is suffering from cognitive impairment? Consider joining the Sausalito-based Caregiver Support Group, led by facilitators affiliated with the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California. The next monthly meeting will be held on Saturday, November 9 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Rotary Village Community Room at 701 Coloma Street in Sausalito. The group offers caregivers the ability to exchange information, talk through challenges and ways of coping, and share feelings and frustrations. Participants and their situations are assured complete confidentiality. For additional information, please send email to caregivermarin@gmail.com.
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Procraftinators: Crafting for Adults. The Procraftinators crafting meet-up for adults is the perfect place to bring whatever unfinished object, craft project, or hobby you are working on. The Sausalito Library invites you to the Edgewater Room from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12 to complete that knitting, embroidery, or jewelry project while socializing with others for encouragement and inspiration. Bring your own supplies, trade with others, or come to learn a new craft. This event is free of charge and open to all experience levels. Drop in any time between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
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Homeless Outreach Event. On Thursday, November 14 from noon to 3:00 p.m., the Sausalito Police Department will host its annual Homeless Outreach Event in Marinship Park for Sausalito's anchor-out and homeless communities. Attendees at the event will receive free clothing, supplies, and medical and dental care. Flu shots and health exams will be provided by nursing students from UCSF. Marin Health and Human Services will offer clothing, toiletries, and emergency supplies. Sean Saylor of Saylor's Restaurant will be donating and catering lunch to those in attendance. Any questions about the Homeless Outreach Event may be directed to Sergeant Brandon Rodgers at (415) 289-4170 or brodgers@sausalito.gov.
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Sealabrate Sausalito. The Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Marine Mammal Center, invites you to an evening of fun, food and dancing at the Spinnaker Restaurant from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on November 16. Proceeds support the programs of both organizations. The early bird ticket price of $110 (through November 6) includes food, dancing, and entertainment. Mayor Joe Burns will be the MC for the evening, and there will be silent and live auctions. All are welcome to attend. Any questions may be directed to chamber@sausalito.org or (415) 331-7262.
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Julia Morgan Tour. The clubhouse of the Sausalito Woman's Club, the crowning jewel of architect Julia Morgan's work in Marin, sits atop a steep lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay at 120 Central Avenue. This historic landmark is now open to the public for tours by appointment. The next tour will be held on Sunday, November 17. To make an appointment, please send email to swcps94965@gmail.com.
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Coloring and Doodling Party for Adults. Come relax and join the coloring party on Tuesday, November 19 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Room of City Hall. We provide a stress-free atmosphere, soothing music, and delicious refreshments so you can unleash your imagination. The Sausalito Library provides all coloring supplies, and we can help you make bookmarks and buttons from your artwork. Seating is limited for this free program. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Rebecca Burgan at rburgan@sausalito.gov.
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Met Opera Preview: Akhnaten The Sausalito Library's Met Opera Preview series for 2019-20 continues at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19 with a preview of the upcoming Metropolitan Opera performance of Akhnaten by Philip Glass. Host Tom Wilhite will present background information about the opera and composer, followed by a plot synopsis that includes a selection of audio and video clips from past performances. Tom's preview takes place on the Tuesday before the Saturday morning Live in HD simulcast from the Met. All are welcome.
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Mac Tips & Tricks. This class in the Edgewater room at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 21 delves into shortcuts and workflows to make using your Mac even easier. Mac expert Jon Hartman will focus on key commands and shortcuts to increase efficiency and make your computer even more productive than you thought possible. Jon is a computer consultant specializing in Apple devices who also teaches classes at the libraries in Mill Valley and Tiburon.
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Tránsito Synagogue: A Monument to Peace and Interfaith Collaboration in 14th Century Spain. Adorned with both Hebrew and Arabic Scripture, Samuel Halevi's synagogue of El Tránsito in Toledo, Spain, is a Jewish monument to peace and interfaith collaboration from the 14th century. Robert Darr's illustrated talk at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21 will explore the history leading up to a golden age of collaboration between Spanish Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the 13th and 14th centuries. Robert is a translator of classical Persian and Arabic. He has for two decades studied the calligraphy and ornamentation of the Alhambra Palaces in Granada, Spain, and the related calligraphy ornamenting Tránsito Synagogue in Toledo.
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