City Council

# CITY OF SAUSALITO

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025

## I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Cox at 4:01 p.m. and the following members were present:

Councilmember Blaustein Councilmember Hoffman Councilmember Sobieski Vice Mayor Woodside (Arrived 4:06 PM) Mayor Cox

## II. CLOSED SESSION

C1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) Name of case: Yes In My Backyard v. City of Sausalito, Marin County Superior Court Case No. CV2300652

C2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)) Significant Exposure to Litigation: One Case

C3. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representative: Kathy Nikitas, Human Resources Manager and Charles Sakai, Sloan Sakai Employee organization: Sausalito Police Association

Councilmember Sobieski recused himself from Item No. C2.

The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 4:02 p.m.

## III. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

Mayor Cox reconvened at 5:03 p.m.

Mayor Cox announced that she recused herself from Item No. C3 due to the proximity of her residence and that there was no reportable action.

Councilmember Blaustein made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Woodside, and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda.

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## 1\. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS

1.A Public Hearing: Certification of Amended 2023-2031 Housing Element Environmental Impact Report (EIR); Adoption of CEQA Findings, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and Approval of Amended 2023-2031 Housing Element; and Adoption of Amendments to General Plan Chapters 1 (Land Use and Growth Management Element), 4 (Community Design, Historic and Cultural Preservation Element), and 5 (Circulation and Parking Element) to ensure consistency with the Draft proposed Amended Housing Element

Brandon Phipps, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Beth Thompson, DeNovo Planning Group, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.

Sophia Collier, Scott Robinson, and Brian O'Neill provided public comments.

Mayor Cox made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Woodside, to adopt a resolution certifying the amended 2023-2031 housing element EIR and adopting the CEQA findings, Statement of Overriding considerations, and mitigation monitoring and reporting program rescinding the sixth cycle housing element and approving the general plan amendments to adopt the amended 2023-2031 housing element and to adopt the amendments to the Land Use and Growth Management Community Design, Historic and Cultural Preservation and circulation and parking elements.

Sergio Rudin, City Attorney, responded to questions posed by the City Council.

Mayor Cox made an amendment to her motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Woodside, to accept the City Attorney’s recommendation about agendizing a deeper discussion regarding the ordinance City Council passed during the May 20th meeting. The motion passed by the following vote 4-1 vote:

AYES: Blaustein, Sobieski, Woodside, Cox NOES: Hoffman

1.B Public Hearing: Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of Ordinance No 06-2025, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sausalito Amending the Official Zoning Map of the City Of Sausalito and Adopting Various Textual Amendments to Title 10 of the Sausalito Municipal Code for the Implementation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element (CEQA: Analyzed Under Housing Element Environmental Impact Report, No Further Review Required Per CEQA Guidelines 15162)

Brandon Phipps, Director of Community and Economic Development, made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the City Council.

Sybil Boutilier provided public comments.

Mayor Cox made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Blaustein, and unanimously carried, to introduce by Title Only and waive first reading of Ordinance 06-2025, an Ordinance of the city council of the city of Sausalito, California amending the official zoning map of the City of Sausalito and adopting various textual amendments to Title 10 of the Sausalito Municipal Code for the implementation of the Sixth Cycle Housing Element.

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## 2\. ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Walfred Solorzano City Clerk

CITY OF SAUSALITO AMENDED SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA In the COUNCIL CHAMBERS at 420 LITHO STREET, SAUSALITO, CA 94965 and via Zoom Tuesday, May 27, 2025 4:00 PM Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85275894165?pwd=KJKaETkUjibJUh8Ol0OeCg9PlE9jn5.1 PASSCODE: 123456 Or join by phone: +1 669 900 6833 +1 669 444 9171 +1 719 359 4580 +1 253 205 0468 Webinar ID: 852 7589 4165 PASSCODE: 123456 Your phone number will appear on the screen unless you first dial *67 before dialing the numbers shown above. If you want to comment during the public comment portion of the agenda, you can use the "Raise Hand" function in Zoom under Reactions or Press *9 if you are calling in. If you do not want to speak during the public comment portion of the agenda, you may also submit email correspondence to cityclerk@sausalito.gov. Emails received after 2:00 PM the day of the meeting may not be posted online until the day following the meeting. IF STARTING TIMES ARE LISTED FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM, THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A GUIDELINE ONLY. THE CITY COUNCIL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER THE ORDER OF DISCUSSION IN ORDER TO RUN AN EFFECTIVE MEETING. THE CITY VALUES AND INVITES WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS SET FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AMPLE TIME TO REVIEW ALL CORRESPONDENCE, PLEASE SUBMIT CORRESPONDENCE TO STAFF IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING. To give everyone an opportunity to be heard and to ensure the presentation of different points of view, the City Council requests that members of the audience who wish to speak, complete a Speakers' Card and when called on: 1) Always address the Chair; 2) State your name; 3) State views succinctly; and 4) Limit presentations to two (2) minutes. However, if there is a large group present to speak on the same issue, the City Council has the discretion to limit speakers to less than two minutes.

I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL - 4:00 PM A. Mayor Cox Calls the meeting to order and requests that Roll Call be taken II. CLOSED SESSION - 4:00 PM A. Mayor Cox announces that item C.1-C.3 will be discussed in Closed Session B. Public Comment on Closed Session Items C. City Council adjourns to CLOSED SESSION to consider the following: C1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) Name of case: Yes In My Backyard v. City of Sausalito, Marin County Superior Court Case No. CV2300652 C2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)) Significant Exposure to Litigation: One Case C3. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representative: Kathy Nikitas, Human Resources Manager and Charles Sakai, Sloan Sakai Employee organization: Sausalito Police Association III. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - 4:30 PM A. Roll Call B. Pledge of Allegiance C. Closed Session Announcements (if any) D. Approval of Agenda 1. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - 4:35 PM 1.A Public Hearing: Certification of Amended 2023-2031 Housing Element Environmental Impact Report (EIR); Adoption of CEQA Findings, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and Approval of Amended 2023-2031 Housing Element; and Adoption of Amendments to General Plan Chapters 1 (Land Use and Growth Management Element), 4 (Community Design, Historic and Cultural Preservation Element), and 5 (Circulation and Parking Element) to ensure consistency with the Draft proposed Amended Housing Element (Brandon Phipps, Community & Economic Development Director) o Staff Report - 15 minutes o City Council questions - 15 minutes o Public Comments - limited to 2 minutes/person o Motion/City Council discussion - 15 minutes Staff Report Attachment 1 - Revised Draft Amended Housing Element (Exhibit C to Resolution) Attachment 2 - Final Environmental Impact Report for Sausalito Amended Housing Element - February 2025 Attachment 3 - Errata Sheet to FEIR Addressing Site 84 Attachment 4 - Sausalito Revised Draft Amended Housing Element CEQA Review Attachment 5 - Draft Resolution Attachment 6 - Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Attachment 7 - Exhibit B (Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program) Attachment 8 - City Response to HCD Findings Attachment 9 - Map of Amended Housing Element Sites Attachment 10 - Map of Amended Housing Element Sites - Zoning Attachment 11 - Planning Commission Resolution No. 2025-03 (Signed) including Exhibit A - Amended Housing Element Attachment 12 - HCD Letter Regarding (2023-2031) Draft Amended Housing Element, November 4, 2025 (Exhibit D to Resolution) Attachment 13 - Presentation

Attachment 14 - May 22, 2025 Letter from HCD Finding Substantial Compliance with Housing Element Law Attachment 15 - General Plan Amendments (Exhibit E to Resolution) Public Comments - Babette McDougal Public Comments - Linda Fotsch Public Comments - Sophia Collier 1.B Public Hearing: Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of Ordinance No 06-2025, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sausalito Amending the Official Zoning Map of the City Of Sausalito and Adopting Various Textual Amendments to Title 10 of the Sausalito Municipal Code for the Implementation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element (CEQA: Analyzed Under Housing Element Environmental Impact Report, No Further Review Required Per CEQA Guidelines 15162) (Brandon Phipps, Community & Economic Development Director) o Staff Report - 15 minutes o City Council questions - 15 minutes o Public Comments - limited to 2 minutes/person o Motion/City Council discussion - 15 minutes Staff Report Attachment 1 - Draft Ordinance - Zoning Map and Code Amendments Attachment 2 - Exhibit A to Draft Rezoning Ordinance Attachment 3 - Exhibit B to Draft Ordinance - Municipal Code Amendments 2. ADJOURNMENT The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held June 3, 2025, with the open session due to commence at approximately 7:00 PM. LEAD DEPARTMENT Administration Department City Hall, Main floor 420 Litho Street Sausalito, CA 94965 (415) 289-4199 admin@sausalito.gov CITY COUNCIL Joan Cox, Mayor Steven Woodside, Vice Mayor Melissa Blaustein, Councilmember Jill James Hoffman, Councilmember Ian Sobieski, Councilmember STAFF Chris Zapata, City Manager Sergio Rudin, City Attorney Walfred Solorzano, City Clerk Brandon Phipps, Community & Economic Development Director Kevin McGowan, Public Works Director/City Engineer Jesus Nava, Interim Finance Director Stacie Gregory, Chief of Police Chris Tubbs, Fire Chief Kathy Nikitas, Human Resources Manager Catie Thow Garcia, Resiliency & Sustainability Manager Bryan Vitale, Community Services Manager Jeffrey Jackson, Acting City Librarian LEVINE ACT PUBLIC PARTY/APPLICANT DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS: Pursuant to California requirements under the Levine Act, applicants, parties, and their agents who have made campaign contributions totaling more than $500 (aggregated) to a City Council Member over the past 12 months, must publicly disclose that fact for the official record of that agenda item. Disclosures must include the amount of the campaign contribution aggregated, and the name(s) of the campaign contributor(s) and City Council member(s). The disclosure may be made either in writing to the Clerk prior to the agenda item consideration, or by verbal disclosure at the time of the agenda item consideration.

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