January 20, 2023
The City of Mill Valley commits to act and encourage community action towards eliminating racial disparities, both inside government and in the community. The City Council has identified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as their top priority, and staff provides regular updates to the City Council and community on activities in Mill Valley and around Marin County on a regular basis.
City-Wide
Get Involved in Mill Valley - Join a Board, Commission or Committee
Arts Commission, Emergency Preparedness Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Parks and Recreation Commission & Planning Commission
The Mill Valley City Council is seeking applicants to serve, contribute and to utilize the substantial talent that exists among the residents of the community for the City’s various Boards, Commissions and Committees. We are committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment that is welcoming to all who participate in municipal government. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. New terms begin March 1st 2023 for a three-year period. Application Deadline is Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Learn more and apply today!
Planning & Building
Housing Element:
- Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report Available for Comment
The City of Mill Valley, as lead agency, has released the Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (DSEIR), which evaluates the potential environmental impacts of implementing the Draft Housing Element. The DSEIR is available for public comment and review on the project website starting January 17, 2023 through March 3, 2023.
A public meeting to collect comments on the DSEIR will be held as part of the February 28, 2023 Planning Commission meeting, see details below. You can also submit written comments on the DSEIR to Senior Planner, Danielle Staude: dstaude@cityofmillvalley.org, 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941. - Feb. 28th Planning Commission Meeting to Discuss the Housing Element and Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (DSEIR):
On February 28, 2023 Planning Commission will host a public hearing to collect comments on the DSEIR. At this meeting, Planning Commission will also conduct a public hearing to consider recommending that staff finalize the DSEIR for City Council's certification and forward the revised Draft Housing Element to City Council for adoption. Staff will post the revised Draft Housing Element, incorporating comments received from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to the project website approximately 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
The Planning Commission (PC) meeting will be held in person at 6:30pm, Mill Valley City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA. You can also watch the meeting online here.
Next Steps: - February 28: PC meeting to collect public comments and consider recommendations for City Council approval
- March: release of Final EIR
- April: City Council hearing to consider certification of the EIR and adoption of the Housing Element
1 Hamilton
City planners held a scoping meeting on January 12, 2023 to provide the opportunity for public comments and questions regarding the proposed project description and scope of the environmental review, as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Scoping Period is currently open. Community members may submit written comments by 5:00 pm on January 27, 2023 to Patrick Kelly, Director of Building and Planning at pkelly@cityofmillvalley.org.
Next steps:
| SPRING 2023 | SUMMER 2023 | FALL 2023 |
|---|
- Community Meeting to preview application prior to submittal
- Submit development review application
| Publish Draft EIR: Public Review and Public Meeting: - Upon deeming an application complete, publish the DSIER (45 days) and conduct draft EIR public meeting
Response to Comments and Publish Final EIR - Respond to public comments on the Draft EIR AND Prepare Final EIR
| Hearing(s) to Certify the Environmental Review - Conduct public hearing(s) to approve the project and certify the Final EIR
|
575 East Blithedale/Richardson Terrace
On January 10, 2023, the Planning Commission resumed the public hearing to consider a mixed-use project referred to as “Richardson Terrace”. Following deliberative comments, the Planning Commission voted to approve the project (4 in favor, 1 opposed). Please see the following resources from the January 10, 2023, Planning Commission meeting:
Recreation & Arts
Diversity in Recreation and Arts Services and Programming
Did you know that our Community Center offers a number of classes drawing on history and knowledge from cultures all around the world? And that we have programming just for teens and active adults? Here are just a few samples (hyperlinked classes are open for registration now!):
- Beginning Kendo-The Way Of The Sword
- Beginning Tai Chi, Tai Chi 1 & 2, Continuing Tai Chi
- Beautiful Korean Buttercream Art
- Martial Arts for Adaptive Needs
- Ukulele Lessons for Adults, Teens and Youth
- Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate for Kids II, and Beginning Kendo-The Way Of The Sword
- Teens - Events & Outings (Game Night, Pool Party, and more!)
- Active Adults - Walks, Tai Chi, Hiking, Yoga and more!
Library
- Chinese-American Literature Book Club - Join us for a thoughtful discussion about culture, language, heritage, and belonging. This month we'll be discussing Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang. This book club is a joint effort between the Mill Valley Library and Mamahuhu Chinese-American Restaurant. Join us on Monday, January 23rd, 6:00 pm at Mamahuhu Restaurant - 173 Throckmorton Ave. Click here to learn more and register.
- Black History Month Celebration with Village Rhythm Dancing - Join us Wednesday, February 22nd at 2:30pm in the Creekside room to celebrate the expression of African Village Dancing! Drum and dance along with Onye Onyemaechi. Onye brings traditional wisdom of African culture and celebration of village life to schools, libraries, and organizations. All ages welcomed! Register to attend.
- Author Series Book Club - As part of our Speaker’s Series, we are offering a book club that will meet to discuss a featured title about a week before the virtual author talk. Connect with your community and library staff as we read and discuss various book genres including popular fiction, self-development, and memoir. This month we'll be discussing Tastes Like War by Grace M Cho. Wednesday, February 1, 2023, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Register to attend.
- Civic-Minded Book Club - Do you want to effect change in our society? Topics to be explored are the current global political climate, the Constitution, inequalities in the political and economic systems, the state of America and its citizens today, and alternatives for our future. This month we'll be discussing The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker, Marcus Kwame Anderson.Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Register to attend.
Police
City of Mill Valley Partners with Local Community Group to Address “Bias by Proxy” - Did you know that Mill Valley community members call the police about Black people at nearly 20 times the rate they do about White people? In most of these calls, police find no cause for citation or arrest. Working together, the Mill Valley Police Department and Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity and Empowerment (MVFREE) have developed a simple tool to help prevent Bias by Proxy. Learn more at: www.cityofmillvalley.org/biasbyproxy
Fire
Southern Marin Fire District staff continue to make progress on developing career pathways and resources to encourage a diverse and inclusive workforce. Please find the latest report at this link, and go to page 32 for the DEI update.
Highlights of the report include “The Career Track Chart,” which describes in detail the “Road to becoming a firefighter” and provides resources and cost estimates for achieving career success.
Other Community Partners
Friend to Friend, helping those you care about during challenging times.
When a friend is in crisis, how do you help? Learn how to communicate effectively and find out about local resources that provide support. Heart of the Village in collaboration with the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative invites you to join in this unique, transformative experience. Teens, young adults, parents, guardians and caregivers are welcome. Tuesday, February 7th - 5:30 - 7:00 pm at the Mill Valley Community Center. Learn more and reserve a spot.
Learn more: