A Message from Garrett Toy, Town Manager
No surprise, the past 16 months have been one of the most challenging times I have experienced in my many years in government. I especially appreciate the efforts of the Town staff who have been working remotely and/or on-site during COVID-19 and kept the Town running. On behalf of Town staff, our “thanks” to all the Fairfax residents for their understanding and patience with the changes to Town operations in response to COVID-19.
This will be my first and last Town Manager’s message for the newsletter. I will be moving on to another unique opportunity similar to the one Fairfax gave me in February 2013. I have enjoyed my 8 plus years in Fairfax and the opportunity to interact with the community on many projects. I greatly appreciate the support given to me by past and present Councils as well as staff. While a few may disagree, I believe the Town has accomplished quite a bit during my tenure. I say “Town” because it’s a team effort with the Town Council, staff, and the community.
I will always Smile ☺ when I think of my time in Fairfax.
Sincerely,
Garrett Toy
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Highlights of the July 7th Council Meeting
The Council took the following actions on July 7th:
- Appointed Rico Tabaranza as Fairfax Chief Police
- Appointed Adam Politzer as interim Town Manager
- Authorized appeal of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
- Approved the reopening of the Mono Parking Lot in August 2021
- Adopted the Town Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022
- Approved the request of the Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee (RESJ) to allow the RESJ’s Police Practices and Public Safety Alternatives (PPPSA) subcommittee to not be subject to the Brown Act
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Adopted an ordinance to require a design review permit for changes in the exterior color of a structure or the alteration of a significant design element in certain zones
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Adopted an ordinance to remove the requirement that the Town Manager be a resident of Marin County
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Welcome to our Interim Town Manager
The Town Council has appointed Adam Politzer as our interim Town Manager to run the organization during the recruitment for a new Town Manager.
Adam Politzer has 33 years of experience in municipal leadership. He retired after 13 years as the Sausalito City Manager. As a result, Adam is very familiar with the structure and workings of the numerous JPA’S and special districts in Marin, has developed and worked with shared services models, has worked closely with the other Marin Managers, and has detailed knowledge of the various countywide efforts. In addition, Adam’s daughter, Hannah, worked for the Town as an interim Deputy Town Clerk in 2019, and as a result, Adam observed Town Council meetings. We are confident that Adam can hit the ground running with a minimal learning curve and that he can help steer us through this transition. Please join us in welcoming Adam Politzer as our Interim Town Manager.
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We Invite you to Participate in the Housing Element Process
The Town of Fairfax and EMC Planning Group, our Housing Element firm, welcome you to participate in in a discussion about the Housing Element update on the Town's online public engagement platform - www.fairfaxspeaks.com. We invite everyone to the table to determine what kind and where you want housing in Fairfax.
Plus, if you register online you are eligible for free prizes, courtesy of the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. Please join us today and help us plan for Fairfax's future.
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Marin Housing Authority Lottery Drawing for 1 BR/1 Bath Condo in San Rafael |
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MHA is holding a drawing for Meadow Oaks, 1 BR/1 Bath condo, in San Rafael, CA, on July 14th, 2021 |
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MCE Cares Credit
As part of MCE’s ongoing COVID relief efforts, we are offering bill credits to help those most financially impacted. Eligible residential customers can receive the MCE Cares Credit of $10/month, and small business customers are eligible for a 20% monthly discount on their electric generation charges. The MCE Cares Credit will be through December 2021.
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Upcoming Meetings & Events |
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Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
July 12th - 7pm
Affordable Housing Committee Meeting
July 7th - 7pm
Planning Commission Meeting
July 13th - 3pm
Climate Action Committee Meeting
July 20th - 7pm
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Fairfax Farmers Market in Bolinas Park
Wednesdays 4-8pm
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THE FAIRFAX ARTWALK IS BACK! CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
It has been a crazy 16 months and we are pleased, excited and thrilled to announce that the 4th Annual Fairfax Artwalk is underway!
Please mark your calendars: Friday, September 24, 5-8pm
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SAVE THE DATE – The Town-wide Picnic is Back!!!
The Fairfax Volunteers will be bringing back the Town-wide picnic to the Contratti Ball Field on Sunday, September 19th, from 12 noon – 5 pm. Music line up will be teen band Banana Soup, followed by the Nick Brown & Friends, followed by Last Chance Summer Dance, which will feature 80’s Motown Dance Music assembled by Jason Minkler.
This picnic will feature some old fashioned games as well as arts & crafts activities. Beer from Iron Springs will be available for purchase. Masking requirements will be enforced for unvaccinated attendees.
More details will be available soon, so stay posted!
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Music Pod with Dani
Tuesdays, July 13 - August 17
10:30am – 11:15am
Music with Dani is a fun and interactive music and movement time for young children and their grownups. Dani’s music session will have the children singing, dancing, rhyming, using their imaginations and having fun while creating music together!
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Mini Skate Camp
Week of August 2nd
10am-12pm
Beginner and Intermediate levels
Just added! Another week of skate camp at the new Fairfax Skate Park! Campers will be instructed in the basic fundamentals of skateboarding. The primary focus will be to get kids comfortable riding and performing flat ground maneuvers, and small skate park obstacles.
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Camp Fairfax
This just in - there are 2 spots available in Camp Fairfax this summer! Sign up now to secure your spot in this unique and high quality camp.
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Mat Yoga with Tamela is Back at the Women's Club This Week - Starting July 12th |
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Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:30-10:45 am
Mat Yoga will be in-person or you can continue on Zoom starting July 12, 2021.
Class size will be limited to 16 students for IN PERSON CLASSES (Priority to Fairfax Residence). We will continue to follow social distancing practices.
These classes will be for ALL LEVELS. Since I will not be able to see all of you, please modify the poses as needed to support your body and to take care of yourself. Most of all, have fun!
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You can pick up your FREE Evacuation Tags at the Fairfax Police Department
The Fairfax Police Department in partnership with the Ross Valley Fire Department is giving away evacuation tags to residents living in the Town of Fairfax, Marin County, California. Evacuation tags are a new tool to help us more quickly ensure that neighborhoods are evacuated during a disaster. Residents affix the tag in a location that is highly visible when they evacuate (mailbox, front door, garage, end of your driveway).
This saves time because first responders don’t have to utilize our own ribbon on the property and we can immediately check the next home. We’ve learned that seconds can count during evacuations and we are excited to bring this new time-saving tool to our residents. Each tag comes with a bilingual instruction flyer, too.
Read more about how Evacuation Tags work here.
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Countywide Rental Assistance Program
If you are experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19, please contact the programs below.
Marin County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Fairfax Rental Assistance Program
The Town Council has established a Residential Rental Assistance Program to assist extremely low-income Fairfax renters whose household incomes were adversely affected by COVID-19. The program is administered by St.Vincent de Paul and Ritter Center. If you are in need of assistance or have questions, please call 415-454-3303 X11 to leave a message. Calls will be returned in the order they are received.
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PG&E Programs to Help Those Impacted by the Pandemic
Customers who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now find new and updated information and web resources on various programs available to those who are behind on their bills and/or needing financial assistance due to the ongoing pandemic by going to: pge.com/covid19
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County Commission on Aging Seeks New Fairfax Representative
Interested in supporting the well-being of older adults in your community and throughout Marin County? Care about issues related to health, nutrition, housing, transportation, equity and public policy? The 23-member commission promotes the dignity, independence and quality of life of older persons through advocacy, information, programs and services. It serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and works closely with the County's Office of Aging and Adult Services on behalf of Marin’s older adults, persons with disabilities and family caregivers. If you’re a resident of Fairfax and at least 18 years old, please consider applying.
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Join a Board or Commission!
Do you want to make a real difference in 2021? Consider joining a board or commission for the Town of Fairfax. There are openings on the Open Space Committee, Climate Action Committee, Volunteer Board and Planning Commission.
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Spread the Word
We want to share the Town News with our whole community. If you know someone who would like to receive this weekly update, let them know they can subscribe here.
You can also share the link on your social media which will reach your whole network. Together, we can help keep everyone informed about upcoming meetings, events and more!
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Town of Fairfax sitio web se puede traducir al español
El sitio web se puede traducir al español usando el ícono del globo que se encuentra en la barra verde de cada página.
Our website can now be translated into Spanish (and other languages) using the globe icon found on the green bar at the top of each page.
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