Monday 20, 2023
The City of Mill Valley commits to act and encourage community action towards eliminating racial disparities, both inside government and in the community. The City Council has identified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as their top priority, and staff provides regular updates to the City Council and community on activities in Mill Valley and around Marin County on a regular basis.
City-Wide
City of Mill Valley and Community Members Experiencing Homelessness
Homelessness is an issue impacting many communities across the nation, and we share community concerns about the health and safety of our unhoused neighbors in Mill Valley. We want to assure you that the issue of homelessness in our community receives our full attention and we are actively working to assist those individuals that are currently experiencing homelessness. Please click here to learn more about how we are navigating needs and finding compassionate solutions to this important issue.
Human Resources
Internship Program
City Manager Todd Cusimano announced at the February 6, 2023 City Council meeting that the City of Mill Valley internship program will be back this upcoming year. It will include opportunities with the City’s business community as well. The internship program will include opportunities for adults from Marin, including from Marin City and the San Rafael Canal community. See images from last year’s program from the Marin County Cooperation Team.
Planning & Building
- 575 E. Blithedale - "Richardson Terrace" Appeal Denied - At their March 6, 2023 meeting, the City Council voted 3-1 to deny the appeal of the Planning Commission action to approve the mixed-use project referred to as “Richardson Terrace.” View the Agenda and Staff Report | Watch the meeting video.
- Planning Commission Adopts Resolution on Housing Element - At their February 28, 2023 meeting, the Planning Commission passed a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Housing Element. The Housing Element contains comprehensive and practical housing policies and programs that address General Plan goals. Learn more about the Housing Element.
- 1 Hamilton News - The City has partnered with EAH Housing to develop approximately 40-50 low-income rental apartments at the northern portion of 1 Hamilton. City planners and the EAH Housing Team are in the process of assembling information based on City Council and Planning Commission direction. The City will provide an announcement to the community once application materials are submitted, and will be made available to the community upon completion. Read the latest news here.
Recreation & Arts
- Heritage Month Celebrations in After School Teen Program
Mill Valley Arts & Recreation Teen Coordinator Melanie Mah and Youth & Teen Supervisor Yukie Sano have spearheaded a new way to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion education and awareness in their after school teen program, which is proving to have an ongoing impact on the multitude of teens who participate in the daily program.
In 2022, this team officially launched a new monthly rotating Heritage Month Celebration program which includes: art, photographs, descriptions, movie screenings, and even an interactive quiz all geared toward raising awareness about a selected heritage, culture, community, or service. The interactive exhibit remains on display throughout the month.
- AARP Tax-Aide - Free Tax Preparation Services
Mill Valley is pleased to host free AARP tax preparation services at the Mill Valley Community Center. The program is offered from now until April 13, 2023, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Please make an appointment (drop-ins are not permitted) by emailing millvalleytaxaide@gmail.com or calling (415) 322-9361.
Library
- A Journey Through Angel Island with Felicia Lowe
Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Angel Island: We've all heard of it, but do we really know it? Join director Felicia Lowe as she takes us on a visual journey through Angel Island's history. Lowe's documentaries, A Journey Through Angel Island and Carved in Silence, tell the story of her family and many others like it as they came to America seeking something better. After a screening of these two films we'll open the floor to Q&A with Felicia. More on Angel Island with Felicia Lowe here.
- Civic-Minded Book Club Online
Thursday, March 23, 2023, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Do you want to effect change in our society? Topics to be explored are the current global political climate, the Constitution, inequalities in the political and economic systems, the state of America and its citizens today, and alternatives for our future. This month we'll be discussing A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell.
- Ramadan Storytime
Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Join us to read and learn about the traditions of Ramadan. Enjoy a great storytime and fun activity!
- Trans Day of Visibility Open Mic at the Spahr Center In-Person
Friday, March 31, 2023, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Spahr Center and the Mill Valley Library present an open mic night in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility! Join us at the Spahr Center (150 Nellen Ave #100, Corte Madera) for an evening of creativity and community, featuring a keynote performance from Lio Min, author of acclaimed YA novel Beating Heart Baby. Whether you have a poem, short story, or piece of music to share (or if you'd like to hear the words and music of your community) all are welcome at this free, all ages event - Learn more.
Police
Bias By Proxy Education Campaign in the News
We are pleased to share that the word is getting out about our efforts to educate community members about the "3 Considerations" (in the image) and create dialogue about Bias By Proxy. Recent news coverage has included articles in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Marin Independent Journal and the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce's Enjoy Mill Valley Blog. We hope community members will continue to share the "3 Considerations" with their friends and neighbors as we work to build a welcoming, inclusive community.
Public Works
Downtown Project Construction Update
In case you have not been Downtown lately, Phase 3 of the Downtown Project kicked off in February! The Downtown Project furthers the City’s goal to provide safe, equitable and accessible use of our public right of way. The project includes replacing concrete sidewalks, installing accessible curb ramps, widening the sidewalk on Miller Avenue, and paving Throckmorton from Corte Madera Avenue to Old Mill School and Miller from Sunnyside Avenue to Throckmorton Avenue.
City of Mill Valley Public Works projects operate under two important equity principles - The Complete Streets Policy, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Complete Streets are planned, designed, operated, and maintained to be safe and comfortable for everyone, regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, income, or chosen travel mode. ADA provides comprehensive rights and protections to individuals with disabilities in public accommodations and infrastructure.
Fire
Southern Marin Fire District staff continue to make progress on developing career pathways and resources to encourage a diverse and inclusive workforce. Please find the latest report at this link, and go to page 125 for the DEI update.
Highlights from the report include a list of accomplishments for 2022:
- Revamped the District’s website to include a brand new section dedicated to careers in the fire service
- Created downloadable career path charts for a variety of positions in the fire service: Firefighter, Fire Prevention, Administration
- Formed relationships and created partnerships with our local highschool and programs throughout the County in order to provide information about the fire service to career centers and job fairs
- Supported the efforts of the FIRE Foundry program
- Initiated the process of the recruitment video and generated an RFP
- Participated in local events to enhance our outreach and presence in the community, including events for local youth programs and sports team practices.
Happy Women’s History Month From Southern Marin Fire District!
Other Community Partners
Tam High Prom Pop-Up Shop
Is your formalwear gathering dust in the nether regions of your closet? Give it new life by donating it! Every spring, at the PTSA-sponsored Tam High Prom Pop-Up, students can browse the racks and take home something special to make them feel elegant on their big night. Everything they take home is FREE because of your kind donations. Plus it’s better for the planet to Reuse, Recycle, Reprom! Learn more here.
Youth Job Fair
Need money? Discover paid jobs and internships for young adults and teens. What are you doing to make money? Learn new skills? Prepare for life? If you are thinking about college (or not!), living on your own, and building your resume so you can get great jobs and make money, join us. The Youth Job Fair is just right for 14 - 24 year olds in Southern Marin. It’s happening at the Mill Valley Community Center on Wednesday, March 29th from 3:30 - 7:00p. Meet local employers and grab a free dinner! Register to attend at youthjobsmarin.com
Persian New Year Celebration
Hosted by the Town of Tiburon: Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 3 pm - 5:30 pm
Downtown/Main Street - Tiburon. Music, dancing & food - Free and open to the public.
Summer Internship Opportunity
Check out this opportunity for Bay Area high school aged students to learn about public service, local and regional government, and public policy over the summer!
Bay Area high school students are encouraged to apply for the Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy, a four-week paid internship with MTC, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District).
Over the course of four weeks, beginning July 6, 2023, students will learn how regional agencies deal with various issues, including environmental justice, housing and transportation equity and community health. Students are encouraged to apply(link is external) before the April 17, 2023, deadline.
MTC, ABAG, BCDC and the Air District are sponsoring the Bay Area Summer Academy to provide insights into how regional governments address these issues and how the public – including students – can help advance equity across the Bay Area. Most sessions will be conducted remotely online, with the final session to be held in person in San Francisco at the regional agencies’ shared headquarters.
Learn more: