Tobacco and Vape Sales Ban Heads to Final Vote, Over Sharp Resident Objections

The Council is set to take a second reading and possible final vote on Ordinance No. 1060, which would repeal and replace the town's tobacco rules to end the sale of tobacco and nicotine products by Corte Madera businesses. Existing retailers would get a transition period to sell through January 31, 2027, after which a companion chapter allowing tobacco retailer licensing would be repealed. Staff recommends the Council waive further reading and adopt the ordinance as introduced on September 1.

“I personally will vote out anyone who supports this. We have lost so many rights already.”— Ann Cameron, Corte Madera resident, opposing the ban

The item drew a wave of written opposition ahead of the meeting. Several residents and at least one Larkspur neighbor argued the ban goes too far and won't work as intended. Margaret DeCuir wrote that 'adults who choose to use these products will simply buy them somewhere else,' and Rita Emami, a Birch Ave resident, called it 'a dangerous precedent if the city starts deciding what we as citizens can and can't buy at local stores.' John Fragola made a similar appeal, framing tobacco use as 'a legal choice' for adults.

The most pointed pushback came from resident Ann Cameron, who argued existing underage-sales laws already address the town's concerns and dismissed the need for a blanket ban. Her comment suggests this fight isn't over even if the ordinance passes Tuesday — expect it to become a talking point in future council races.

Council to Hire Outside Lawyer to Investigate Its Own Closed-Door Sessions

Buried in the business items is one of the highest-scored items on this week's agenda: a resolution to approve a legal services engagement with A.W. Blan Workplace Legal Services to conduct an independent investigation, paired with a limited waiver of the Brown Act's confidentiality rules. The waiver would let people who attended Council closed sessions on May 20, 2026 and August 11, 2026 speak to the investigator about what was discussed behind closed doors — information that's normally kept confidential under state law.

The agenda packet gives no further detail on what triggered the investigation or what it will examine. The item was continued from the September 1 meeting, meaning the Council has already had at least one prior crack at it without resolving it. Staff's recommendation is straightforward — adopt the resolution as requested — but the unusual step of waiving Brown Act confidentiality for two specific closed sessions signals something more serious is being looked into than routine personnel business.

No public comment on this item appears in the record so far. Residents wanting to know what's behind it will have to watch Tuesday's meeting or wait for any public findings the investigation produces.