Council expands probe into closed-session conduct, 3-0-1-1

Town Council voted to widen an independent investigation into conduct during two closed sessions, approving a legal services agreement with A.W. Blan Workplace Legal Services and a limited waiver of Brown Act confidentiality rules. The item had been continued from September 1.

As amended, the resolution authorizes up to $15,000 for the inquiry, broadens its scope to include potential violations of Government Code Sections 54963 and 8314, and extends the waiver to cover every closed session held between March 1 and September 1, 2026 — far beyond the two meetings originally at issue.

The vote split the council in an unusual way: it passed 3-0-1-1, with Councilmember Ravasio recusing herself entirely and Councilmember Andrews abstaining. Vice Mayor Casissa brought the initial motion to expand the investigation's reach and the authorized spending.

Several residents, including Matt Kaufmann, David Macpherson and Tracy Tuins, weighed in by email and in person; the investigator, Andrew Bland, joined remotely to answer council questions about process, witnesses and timeline. No findings have been released, and it is not yet clear when the investigation will conclude.

Council narrowly approves ban on tobacco and nicotine sales

After a public process that drew more than two dozen speakers, the council adopted Ordinance No. 1060, repealing and replacing the municipal code chapter that governs tobacco sales and effectively ending the sale of tobacco and nicotine products by businesses in Corte Madera.

The vote was 3-2, with Councilmembers Andrews and Thomas opposed; Andrews had pulled the item for separate discussion before the vote. Existing licensed retailers may continue sales through January 31, 2027, with the ban becoming operative February 1, 2027, at which point a related licensing chapter is also repealed.

Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn walked the council through the lead-up — an earlier ordinance, workshops, public hearings and retailer outreach — before the vote. Public comment ran long: residents and business owners including Inge Morrison, Cory Birnberg, John Maa and more than twenty others submitted views, split between support for a public-health measure and concern over its impact on retailers.

Council sets new parking time limits for Old Corte Madera Square

The council adopted Resolution No. 43/2026 establishing new parking time restrictions in Old Corte Madera Square and introduced a companion ordinance updating Title 10 of the municipal code to align with state law. The changes follow a parking study by consultant David Hoffman of Parametrix.

Public commenters raised concerns about parking availability, employee parking, enforcement, and how the new limits could affect both businesses and residents in the square. Staff had recommended adoption of the study's findings as proposed.

The resolution and ordinance passed 5-0. The ordinance will need a second reading before the new time limits take effect.