Town Manager Adam Wolff Resigns as Council Approves Severance, But Investigation Into Closed-Door Meetings Stalls

Corte Madera's Town Manager transition became official at a marathon September 1 meeting that ran past 10 p.m. Council voted 4-1 (Beckman opposed) to accept Adam Wolff's resignation and appoint Adam Politzer as Interim Town Manager effective September 23, approving Politzer's employment agreement in the same motion.

Before that vote, Council approved a Second Amendment to Wolff's own employment agreement 4-0-1 (Beckman abstaining), granting nine months of severance if terminated without cause, up to nine months of continued health benefits, and a $2,500 lump-sum payment covering attorney's fees from negotiating the deal. Town Attorney Richard Pio Roda gave the legally required oral summary of the compensation changes and fielded public questions about the release agreement, calling it a negotiated settlement. Wolff himself addressed the Council and community, thanking them for support during his tenure and endorsing Politzer as his successor.

The night's most contentious item never got resolved. A resolution to hire A.W. Blan Workplace Legal Services for an independent investigation into closed-session matters from May 20 and August 11, 2026 — plus a Brown Act waiver letting attendees discuss those closed sessions with the investigator — was continued after a motion to extend the meeting to 10:30 p.m. failed 3-2 (Andrews and Ravasio opposed), short of the unanimous vote required. The item, estimated at $10,000 to $12,000, got no public comment before the gavel came down. Nine residents had already spoken earlier in the evening on closed-session matters, including Brenda Brown, Bonnie Brown, Judith Creasy, Lucinda Smith, Tracy Lauterman, Debra Gallegos, Peter Hensel, Mary Kayser and David Macpherson.

A separate closed session held before the public meeting covered anticipated litigation — which Pio Roda clarified was a code enforcement matter unrelated to employment — and the Town Manager's performance evaluation, on which the Council reported no reportable action but said direction was given to staff, with more details expected later.

Council Votes 3-2 to Phase Out Tobacco and Nicotine Sales in Town

Corte Madera will become one of the stricter jurisdictions in Marin on tobacco after Council introduced an ordinance to end the sale of tobacco and nicotine products by businesses in town, repealing and replacing Chapter 5.06 of the Municipal Code and repealing Chapter 5.07 once the ban takes effect.

Council chose the more lenient of two drafted versions, giving existing retailers a transition period running through January 31, 2027, and tightening the standard for cessation products from "FDA authorized" to "FDA approved." The measure passed 3-2, with Beckman and Ravasio in favor and Mayor Thomas and Councilmember Andrews opposed.

The vote sets up a second reading before the ban becomes law, and puts Corte Madera retailers on notice that the clock is now running on their tobacco and nicotine inventory.

Town Locks In 15-Year Trash Deal With Mill Valley Refuse Service

Council unanimously approved a new 15-year franchise agreement with Mill Valley Refuse Service for solid waste collection, running from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2041.

The new contract updates service requirements, adds enhanced reporting, revises rate-setting provisions, adds services, and includes an early termination provision. Resident Jim Robinson spoke during public comment on the item; the resolution passed 5-0.