We wanted to reach out to the residents of Fairfax and ask how they viewed the performance of the Town Council Members. We had people from the fairfaxresidents.org mailing list and opened it up to submissions from NextDoor. We collected over 150 responses.
In summary, people were disappointed by most members of the Council and their individual and collective performance with Barbara Coler doing the best. We asked to take into account all the current issues and how the TC was dealing with them. The Results and Comments are below.
Results:
And as always, we rely on you for your support in helping protect homeowners, housing providers and renters from the unintended negative financial consequences of extra rent control.
Comments:
As usual, we publish all comments unedited with the exception of any comment that called for public violence. We do not, under any circumstances, support a call for violence or support violent speech. We believe in the freedom of expression of good ideas, especially those we do not agree with. However, several comments have been removed. Thank you.
| Many things that town council has decided upon without the communitoes vote and consent makes me very leery and non trusting of them. The bridges in the ENP, the removing of the center line on Cascade Drive, the additional rent control, the wanting to change the name of SFD, the LGBT crosswalk etc.. Let’s just get back to the business of running the town via the voice of the people. |
| Too many items on the Town meeting agenda !! Important issues are not given priority. Is this to avoid public awareness of issues? |
| A very big thank you for a very tough job. |
| They are conducting themselves like tone deaf tyrants fueled by an ideological agenda. |
| The fundamental lack of understanding on how rent control actually causes issues in the supply of inventory is amazing. Considering the impacts long and short of these types of laws and not properly allowing the community to weigh in is preposterous sad. Are we communists? |
| A very large number of Fairfax residents, including myself, are extremely disappointed in the manner in which the current FTC and the previous FTCs(Goddard era) have represented our town’s residents!!! I truly understand it is not necessarily an easy job being on any town council, but you knew this before you took the job! With that said … what are you folks doing by spending town funds so recklessly, ignoring and being disrespectful towards concerned residents who speak so passionately at town council meetings, not addressing the infrastructure of this town in order to prepare for more housing, making additional housing ordinances that takes all homeowner/landlord rights away and without voter approval, so on and so on? If you liked this town so much the way it was before you moved here, then I must ask you, why are you trying to change it so drastically to be like another town in a nearby area? Why the heck didn’t you just move to that town that you’re trying to change OUR town to mimic?! We want OUR Town of Fairfax the way we had it before you people moved in and decided to make it your “movement!!” Without you and your “movement,” OUR town(not yours) would do what is absolutely necessary to keep it going in a positive direction without all the other unnecessary b.s.! You may want to begin to start listening to the residents of this town. After all, you should be representing us, the residents—that is your job, and we are your boss!!! Again, I can’t tell you how disappointing and saddening it is to see OUR cute little town headed in the direction you all are steering it—very sad indeed. 🙁 |
| Get the homeless out of Peri Park (they need to be in temporary homeless shelters). Take down the pride 30 pride banners and get rid of the pride progress crosswalk (a pride flag flying at town hall during June is sufficient). Fix our streets and sidewalks. Get rid of extra rent control (California law is sufficient). |
| Please listen to the residents of Fairfax and not the well funded outside special interest groups. Please address the growing encampment at Peri Park. Why does San Anselmo not have encampments at their children’s parks? What can we learn from San Anselmo? Thank you. |
| Well, I’m not sure I’m actually knowledgeable about how each of them are individually with regard to finances……so those were gestalt answers but it is based on what I am hearing second hand…..the street sweeper, Tommy Bruce leave, the outrageous attorney costs, and did they REALLY spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to investigate closing Bolinas (that was one of the stupidest ideas ever) and then I heard that they screwed up the bike lane in the cascades, the street was painted incorrectly…..and now they paid $8G for a one day training on …..you know, the more I write, the more I guess I am a little knowledgeable, LOL |
| I don’t understand why the town council were so swayed by an extremist minority group regarding the rent control and just cause issues that will harm so many people who live in Fairfax—renters and homeowners alike. |
| I wish the mayor and council would listen to the citizens of Fairfax instead of the DSA and Berkeley. They don’t seem to know what they are doing with the housing element. They should NOT be having meetings in the middle of the night. I think Stephanie Hellman and Chance should be recalled. They have split the town in two. |
| One has to wonder about the purpose of this survey, I think it is about self-gratification. Also, as a tool being used to justify Marin Residents PAC’s own misbehavior. I think the questions, and the results will be skewed. For this reason, I pegged all the personal questions and answered the others in the middle. Your blame game does not work for me. I know there may be folks out there “supporting” your agenda, and I would expect most of your respondents will be from this group. Could you create an evaluation about Marin Residents PAC performance? Why not the State Legislature? The town staff? DSA/ACCE? And, of course the Governor, just like another recall attempt by those with grievances. |
| Yes |
| They’re unfit to serve. They have repeatedly proven that they can’t be trusted to have the Town’s best interest in mind when making important decisions. |
| You were elected to represent ALL citizens of Fairfax, NOT out of town SPECIAL INTEREST! Please have the courage to recognize your mistakes and repeal these unjust ordinances! |
| I have lived in Fairfax for 26 years and have never experienced this level of divisiveness. I have attended many TC meeting both in person and remotely and find the current TC to be dismissive and impatient while residents are speaking. I am also troubled by the increased use of the consent calendar for issues that should be discussed. |
| I’m willing to suspend judgment if Town Council improves transparency. |
| Your excessive new ordinance has basically put a stop to our hard earned future! You were elected to support ALL of us not just the things that interest YOU! What has happened to Fairfax on the whole is heartbreaking for everyone. You have got to rescind the JCE/rent control ordinance and let life flow here again, we feel like we are suffocating. This is just a mess! You have the power to FIX THIS immediately! |
| Tough issue but after all said and done and read facts — I still stand with the Renters. |
| Your out-of-the-blue rent control mandate lacks any thoughtfulness and is a disaster!! What were you thinking??? Get rid of it. Unhoused people should Never Ever be living on the porch of the Fairfax Pavillion or Anywhere in the Park, pooping and peeing on the ground, doing drugs in front of chidren, panhandling kids. Find the proper resources to get these few people into housing and rehabilitation! Help! The Park should never again be allowed to be a feces and meth or whatever drug contaminated danger zone for children. Please, Get It Together Town Council! Your lack of common sense and your poor leadership is Appalling. Living in downtown Fairfax for 12 years and now Sleepy Hollow for 30 years, this current Fairfax Town Council leadership is a sad disappointment and is not serving Fairfax well. |
| Rental insurance must be required for all rentals in fairfax. I tried in vain to ge it to the forums. And you always discuss this issue after this 79 yr old has fallen asleep |
| I’m glad someone in this town is sticking up for poor people against the extremists spreading disinformation and using inflammatory rhetoric. |
| keep up the good work and i appreciate your efforts |
| The residents of Fairfax need council members who have the best interests of all at heart with their votes and ordinances. They need to remember they were voted in by the people. The town needs infrastructure improvements, better money management, and better transparency and communication. We can do better!!! |
| This Town Council is the worst Fairfax has seen during my 40+ years being a resident of Fairfax. They ignore the needs of property owners and have shown great incompetence on many other issues. They do not represent the Town of Fairfax, but appear to be “in bed” with the Socialists (DSA) who call housing providers exploiters and property theft. Fairfax is still located inside the US and Marxism is a road to ruin. Let’s recall the most incompetent members of this Town Council and heal the disconntent and devisiveness they have created. Return Fairfax to fairness! |
| Extremely Disappointed in the following: handling of the homeless situation, late with the housing element to state and not listening to the concerns of the citizens of Fairfax regarding rent control and the extreme Ordinances . |
| Get the Meth heads out of Peri park. |
| Get your act together. Your primary job is to protect and enhance property values. You are failing miserably |
| I do not feel the Fairfax Town Council represents the majority of its population—the property owning, tax-paying population. They waste our tax-payer money hiring private consultants to develop a Housing Element Plan and then fire them for incompetency because after 1 1/2 years, EMC had not completed 20% of the Housing Element that was due to be submitted Jan 31, 2023. Why weren’t milestones established to monitor progress? This lack of effective government has cost Fairfax over one million dollars and subjected Fairfax to Builder’s Remedy penalties for a delinquent submission. Fairfax now has three lawsuits pending as a result of the Council’s actions and non-action. Mr. Rothman is suing Fairfax for damages and now proposing development of 10 monster homes PLUS 15 condominiums on the former Wall property. This is a result of the Fairfax Town Council’s failure to provide a timely Housing Element Plan and the resulting Builder’s Remedy consequences. Fairfax has a State Division of Mines and Geology report on known landslide formations on this property, which is known to be riddled with landslides. Both the Wall family and the Town of Fairfax have been sued and lost because landslides damaged homes on San Gabriel Drive and San Gabriel Court. Over much voter objection, the Town Council approved (a delinquent) Fairfax Housing Element Plan with a proposed 175 units on 1.92 acres at 6 School Street Plaza in downtown Fairfax. This most likely equates to a 12+ story building with no parking in the middle of town! Why is the Town Council proposing a “tower” in the middle of a residential neighborhood when the Marin Town & Country Club’s 35 acres of flat lands are available? Why is the MTCC property not included on the proposed Fairfax Housing Element Plan? Without a vote of the people, or any notification to the stakeholders, the Council’s adoption of two controversial rent stabilization and just cause eviction ordinances has terrified local housing providers. The Council’s punitive and authoritarian approach has caused many housing providers to remove their properties from the market, producing less housing rather than more. This works against State requirements for needed affordable housing as part of our Housing Element Plan. The influence of outside groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America and the involvement of Berkeley Rent Control with our local decision-making process, has been very disturbing and counterproductive. These groups have no business pushing their politics on our Town. It seems the Council’s only progress has been with “virtue signaling” proclamations and advancing their socialist leaning agendas. They seem to care more about being known for social justice rather than for fixing our town infrastructure. The impact of ill-conceived decisions made today will be felt and seen for many years to come. Sadly, Fairfax Town Council actions, to date, have produced extreme divisiveness in our town. As Civil Servants, it is their job to be accountable to the people who elected them. Where are the Council Members who represent and support homeowners? |
| Have lived in Fairfax 51 years and I love my town but this Council is the absolute worst we have ever had! Their arrogance, wasting of our tax money is extremely upsetting and chaos caused by these unfair RENT ISSUES IS CRAZY! |
| Recraft the ordinances now or step aside. As a long term property owner in Fairfax since 1985 I have significant concerns about your ability to effectively oversee town affairs in the best interest of all residents. |
| It would be nice if they fixed the roads and sidewalks, and stopped trying to force rent control on our community. And how about helping us figure out how to fight this state mandated additional housing? I’d like them to be on our side to help keep fairfax awesome. |
| This comment has been removed. |
| TC is out of touch with what the majority of the people in town care about. Stop pushing drastic social Justice and personal agendas! Operate with your priority being keeping our basic town needs in mind. Clean up the awful situation of the growing encampment, make our public spaces enjoyable and safe. Fix the roads, sidewalks and other general basic things. Quit packing the agendas with fluff and take care of business – listen to the folks who show up and speak on behalf of the community, quit being so divisive. |
| Spend on roads the worst in Marin. Missing the housing deadline while messing around with unwanted rent control was unforgivable. Spending the outrageous sum for the towns workshop dumb. Reach out to the town’s talented residents for help with issues instead of hiring useless consultants for big bucks. |
| On the housing element, I think the current TC inherited a difficult situation. On the rent stabilization/ no fault eviction issue, I feel like they have handled the issue really poorly and have generated a lot of animosity in our town. The TC seems to be consciously and intentionally ignoring the discord. The lack of accessibility to the workshop for anyone not comfortable with online venues convinced me that they only want to hear the views of a select few. |
| Their actions will destroy this town. Bankrupt mom and pop landlords, devalue our properties, create discrimination against groups of people they think they will protect, they have done nothing about the homeless camp, haven’t fixed the roads. Overall deplorable performance. Recall them |
| You have insulted so many long time residents, landlords & tenants, in this town- it’s an absolute disgrace – you should be removed from your position on our Town Council! |
| The current town council has zero regard for the feelings safety and bank accounts of its townspeople. It is shocking and wildly irresponsible to have employed consultants for hundreds of thousands of dollars for issues like rent control, race relations and other issues. It’s as if we here in the town have no control of our own town amd need to follow others. Highly insulting and fiscally damaging. Our roads are atrocious. The homeless encampment is a joke. Serving three people and infuriating the taxpayers. It will grow and we wlil start to be like Berkeley.and San Francisco The day after Memorial Day twenty five or so flags went up on two streets for the whole month for gay pride month. My gay friend asked if we were having a pride parade. She is not frim this town. My hairdresser laughed madly that it’s been suggested we look like the Castro. The Xylophone looking crosswalk is not to code amd makes the town look Like candy land. It’s a distraction actually I think illegal. Memorial Day was not recognized in one flag. Talk about a cancel culture. Disgusting. Disturbing. Our police have been desecrated. It began years ago when our mayor laid down in front of the police station when other areas of the country had issues. We had the most trusted and respected force led by Chief Chris ? He promptly stepped down and “retired” after insult and injury when the force was defunded a ridiculous trend that we followed and shifted funds to a racial study. I never saw any results from that study abd the 180000 dollars or so that was spent was grossly negligent considering the infrastructure that has needed addressing for decades. Meantime I see no olive patti king at night and the crime rate has hit the roof. The place force has been slapped in the face. It was once a great vital part of our town. There was not a single complaint of any significance to take from an underpaid force. This hursts there psyche their wallets their families. Very disturbing the treatment of our police chief by our forner mayor. Undeserving disrespectful follow the leader of other parts of the nation. Our force was amd is something to be proud of not shamed. I wish I could say the same for the counsel. . Last, rent control is the craziest title for the laws pot into effect here that harms all. We are not berkeky or San Francisco. Look at them now. I have seen dangerous changes to our towns in the.last decade. It’s a cancel culture that squeezes good and open minded people out. I’ve loved all over the country and abroad. I’m shocked to be a part of this. The future planning of additional housing is the most insane idea ever. We will all burn with the roads clogged with cars when the impending fire happens here. We don’t have the infrastructure to support the suggested occupants of school street plaza and the thousands more people to move in. All of this keeps me up pondering if I should pull out of fairfax before all the homes turn over amd town is changed forever. I apologize for the above misspellings or of this writing is not professional. It’s 3 a m now. We’ve got to reign in our council or clear them all out and I need to get some rest. |
| The current town council has zero regard for the feelings safety and bank accounts of its townspeople. It is shocking and wildly irresponsible to have employed consultants for hundreds of thousands of dollars for issues like rent control, race relations and other issues. It’s as if we here in the town have no control of our own town amd need to follow others. Highly insulting and fiscally damaging. Our roads are atrocious. The homeless encampment is a joke. Serving three people and infuriating the taxpayers. It will grow and we wlil start to be like Berkeley.and San Francisco The day after Memorial Day twenty five or so flags went up on two streets for the whole month for gay pride month. My gay friend asked if we were having a pride parade. She is not frim this town. My hairdresser laughed madly that it’s been suggested we look like the Castro. The Xylophone looking crosswalk is not to code amd makes the town look Like candy land. It’s a distraction actually I think illegal. Memorial Day was not recognized in one flag. Talk about a cancel culture. Disgusting. Disturbing. Our police have been desecrated. It began years ago when our mayor laid down in front of the police station when other areas of the country had issues. We had the most trusted and respected force led by Chief Chris ? He promptly stepped down and “retired” after insult and injury when the force was defunded a ridiculous trend that we followed and shifted funds to a racial study. I never saw any results from that study abd the 180000 dollars or so that was spent was grossly negligent considering the infrastructure that has needed addressing for decades. Meantime I see no olive patti king at night and the crime rate has hit the roof. The place force has been slapped in the face. It was once a great vital part of our town. There was not a single complaint of any significance to take from an underpaid force. This hursts there psyche their wallets their families. Very disturbing the treatment of our police chief by our forner mayor. Undeserving disrespectful follow the leader of other parts of the nation. Our force was amd is something to be proud of not shamed. I wish I could say the same for the counsel. . Last, rent control is the craziest title for the laws pot into effect here that harms all. We are not berkeky or San Francisco. Look at them now. I have seen dangerous changes to our towns in the.last decade. It’s a cancel culture that squeezes good and open minded people out. I’ve loved all over the country and abroad. I’m shocked to be a part of this. The future planning of additional housing is the most insane idea ever. We will all burn with the roads clogged with cars when the impending fire happens here. We don’t have the infrastructure to support the suggested occupants of school street plaza and the thousands more people to move in. All of this keeps me up pondering if I should pull out of fairfax before all the homes turn over amd town is changed forever. I apologize for the above misspellings or of this writing is not professional. It’s 3 a m mow. We’ve got to reign in our council or clear them all out and I need to get some rest. |
| Listen to the people that elected you |
| Unless the homeless are removed from the center of town, they should all be removed. This is absolutely unacceptable for a town like ours. |
| Homelessness and so-called rent control has ruined Fairfax. All must GO |
| Please consider dong some road improvement projects. Bolinas road from Broadway to the Cascades is a mess. Also Center Blvd. |
| The middle of the night is not a good time to hold agenda meeting, make any decisions and feels very disrespectful of the citizen many of who are seniors and people that work regular jobs. Rent control should have been voted on. I am opposed to building 175 apts at school street site. The council seems secretive and that’s a very big problem because it breeds mistrust. |
| You were elected to represent all of Fairfax. You are using your positions to further your own personal agendas rather than doing your duties by representing the residents. You should stand down. |
| You intentionally left out housing providers from the discussions about eviction protections and rent control. Ms Goddard told me that fact. You sent a postcard to all residents about gas lawn mowers but you make little to no effort to reach out to housing providers who will be financially harmed by your actions. You are representatives of all people in this town. Not just a chosen few whom you hold in higher regard. We support a recall. Shame on you. |
| I do not feel like you represented the majority of the towns residents in the rent control issue. I believe you have wasted huge amounts of our money on pushing your rent control agenda and when this all gets reversed at the ballot the money will be gone and all you will have to show for it is a lot of bad feeling |
| I wish you would listen to the property owners and actually care about them instead of only your agenda. It feels like a lot of time is spent on poorly thought out very specific harmful to the town endeavors. Quite frankly, I am appalled that on Veterans Day!(one day in the month)Not the whole month. there wasn’t one American flag raised instead LGBQT+ Flags ever day of the month and painting that will last forever on our crosswalks. Ordinances to take away so many rights from the property owners that they don’t even have any control of their own property. Missing crucial deadlines for funding for Fairfax housing… I see that your job is a lot of work, but how could you possibly put so much time and effort toward things that damage the town and things that only a small portion of the residents can identify with . Spending the towns money on things you want personally. Maybe you hope it’ll help your political career. I promise you all that you have done has not helped your political career. |
| You are the worst town council in the 40 years I’ve lived in Fairfax, you spend our money on wasteful projects, and have subscribed to the woke agenda narrative, I don’t know why you live in Fairfax, this has always been a loving and accepting town of all people.,and you have ruined this and you’re about to ruin our property values ,I’m all for a recall starting with Stephanie and chance., governor Newsom spent millions of dollars for rent control but that wasn’t enough for you ,you had to waste our money and work with the Democratic social party of berkeley. Rent control is not the issue you dumb idiots, sub letting , and all the other parts of your commie agenda ,are the problem but you’re too stupid to understand that. |
| I live in 1/2 if a duplex that I own. I am a senior citizen. I believe in rent control. My tenant is currently paying 15-20% below market rate. I will continue renting at a reasonable rate. I don’t like greedy people who give the rest of us a bad name. My am VERY concerned about the just cause for eviction rules that are in the ordinance. |
| Stunned that DSA just cause legislation with severe financial impacts to homeowners was passed by four council members. An unfortunate defining moment indicating disregard for the taxpayers of the town. |
| As a long-time resident of Fairfax, I am extremally disappointed and disturbed by the actions of the council members making policies for us (Fairfax residents) that are secretive, undermining and detrimental to our health and well-being. The Fairfax council members are NOT acting in the best interest of Fairfax residents, most significantly, Fairfax homeowners. We are suppose to be living within a democracy, yet our elected council members are acting in the their own best interest and leaving homeowners in financial and emotional distress. Homeowners in Fairfax pay enormous amounts of property taxes, only to be undermined by our own council members. I would vote to dismiss and relieve the duties of every Fairfax council member immediately. Our civil rights are being violated and we no longer live in a democratic society. It is so sad that we no longer have the right to choose: the right to vote. |
| We do not need more rent control / eviction controls in Fairfax. It is shocking how a change this dramatic was not put forth for the voters of Fairfax to decide – In my view, any town council member who voted for this dramatic change by trying to pass it directly without letting the voters themselves decide through a ballot measure directly should be recalled. |
| The rent control without a vote was just plain wrong. Letting campers break the law in our town’s children’s park by using drugs being disrespectful and not using port a potty’s provided is a health concern that has not been addressed. Dissatisfied with the council’s lack of attention in the matter of the campers -letting a bad situation get worse And now right before the festival they have suddenly moved to a location not visible by the festival attendees. I only hope they stay there and don’t go back to living on and around the Pavilion where we have Recreation classes for the children . They whole situation has been handled unprofessionally and ineffectually. |
| Please recall the town council. They are very bad at their jobs. |
| Pathetic that the Council’s housing policies or lack thereof has created today’s housing crisis. Instead of creating more housing, their “socialist” policies are driving people out of town and keeping new capital from coming in. They should be RECALLED, and their Super Rent Control rescinded! |
| Having been elected by the voters of Fairfax, it is incumbent on them, individually and collectively, to be responsive to the electorate regardless of personal bias. They have shown (or not, as the case may be) that the lack of respect for those who elected you makes them unsuitable for the task(s) at hand. Please note that the individual scores assigned to council member can not be greater than the whole. |
| Having lived in many towns, I find this Council to be the least responsive to the majority of residents. This small town spends too much on vanity projects & has little concern for the basics of town life that affect us all. Codes are ignored, especially in regards to land use; logic is suspended in favor of non stakeholder consultant views. I could go on and on….. |
| I have had nothing but frustration on issue with hoarding neighbors filth |
| I just wish that both sides could sit down and respectfully discuss the issues – the pros and cons on BOTH sides. I see valid points on both sides, but I haven’t been able to find anyone who is against rent control that is willing to have a conversation without name calling and demeaning statements about those of us for rent control. How can we ever grow in this community without appreciation for all views? |
| The renters ordinance saved me when I was evicted for no cause to sell the building. I’m disabled and needed to pay to pack and move. The cash I got covered that. Thank you! |
| Rent control was the best thing to happen to Fairfax and finally is addressing the disparity between the rich land owners who hoard it. And the disenfranchised renter who has very little options if they want to live in Marin with their families. No, rent control is the whole reason I moved here! Im so happy to be protected in such a comprehensive way. I left fairfax years ago because my slumlord Micheal Sexton was such a piece of shit. He tried to evict me and I won not one but 2 cases against him. (Ed Note: The Michael Sexton referred here is NOT the the same Michael Sexton, Chair of Marin Residents & Fairfax Residents. Thank you. MS) |
| This Town Council is using their own personal agenda and using it to run (ruin) our town. They have divided our town even more with their extreme ideas. We need a Town Council that relies on Democracy, one who represents all the residents, not just their chosen few. |
| I would prefer the tc doesn’t push their own personal agendas and listen to the constituents instead. General feeling is that they do not care. |
| I have learned a number of interesting things attending council meetings. For instance, you have, according to Mayor Contrano, not created a deficit in the town budget because you have a large reserve. I would like to know what it was upon his election, what it was when he started his term, and what it is now. It is so easy to spend other peoples money, especially with the seductive prospect of laying the ground for a larger political career. But he is not alone here. It seems that while they feel the state is over reaching they also feel it is a valid option to both demonize property owners while also making them the responsible parties in meeting the states mandate. Another point in this process I find interesting is the lack of transparency with regards to the fees that are or are projected to pay the Berkeley rent control board. I have never gone into any contract without a clear understanding of my financial responsibilities so I find this incredulous. Nor do we know what fees they project The Town will collect from this arrangement. They also collect fees from the short-term renters in town and monitor that. (https://www.townoffairfax.org/short-term-rental-program/) I am often critical that they do not do enough to make the town budget operational but it seems that the property owners may be the golden cow for this council. Property owners are or will be paying fees for rental property, short-term rentals, and all property owners pay an additional property tax in order for The Town to remain operational (Vote to Save Fairfax!). If this is not addressed in a manner that is not prejudicial against a specific group then the town should cease to exist and we should be returned to the county for management. |
| Your relentless exercise of your own personal agendas do not represent the residents of Fairfax. The just cause eviction and rent control ordinances you pushed through in Nov 2022 are extreme and paralyzing. You did this with out a vote of the people and without any notification to home owners and housing providers. You tried to sneak through the removal of gasoline in our town. (2 mile china communist rule) You quietly push through an ordinance whereby a 200 sf addition to a home triggers the removal of all gas appliances from the home. Very harmful during our rampant electric outages. You spent a million dollars on unnecessary Extreme JCE and RC instead of crafting the town of fx housing element that you had 8 years to complete, I could go on and on but i have to WORK to pay my property taxes, insurance etc etc etc… There is a strong push for RECALL of all of your positions. the trains a comin”…. |
| I would ask them to please let residents vote on whether to adopt the town’s rent control measure |
| undemocratic and incompetent |
| Homeowners pay property, taxes, and property taxes in part, pay the salaries or stipends of the mayor and city manager. This rent control issue feels like a real land grab on the part of the mayor – a renter – and others on the Town Council, who clearly are not representing the homeowners of Fairfax. How are homeowners incentivized to provide additional housing for renters, when additional rent control is so egregious as to make it completely untenable (not enticing for property owners, not a good business decision for mom and pop landlords), who are the ones providing the space, and ultimately might not be able to get somebody out of their units, or a room in their home? Why haven’t the mayor or Town Council been more responsive to the concerns of homeowners? Why has it required a dedicated group or concerned property owners to generate any movement? Why do they think they are good for Fairfax? |
| Mayor Cutrano needs to either drop being on the town council or involved with the Sierra Club. It seems to me from what you have uncovered about him that there is a definite conflict of interest. |
| The Council doesn’t realize how expensive it is to repair and maintain property. Property taxes go up every year – Some of this cost SHOULD be paid by the tenants! |
| They have created a nightmare in this town. They have no respect for the property owners…the people that pay the taxes in this town. The 2, possible 3 of them who have the audacity to try and promote the DSA’s agenda in our town need to be recalled immediately. All I can say is how dare they…. I have been here 50 years…this is the first time I have felt disgusted with this town and what is happening. They need to be removed immediately before they do any more damage. Fortunately we will have the ability to vote on the rent control issues…we all need to bust our butts to get the word out to as many people as possible to get out to vote. Somehow we need to make sure that the DSA does not infiltrate the ballot boxes and skew the results. |
| i urge the tc to fast track housing projects and reject the new ordinances that penalize small landlords.pay attention when citizens contact you re issues within their neighborhoods. instead of doling out money for consultants, dole some out for an emergency shelter in town, fixing badly broken sidewalks and storm drains, a first aid center w narcan and qualified personnel..not the fire dept.. i could go on but…… |
| Fix our roads and get rid of graffiti / trash everywhere. |
| Dictorial, unresponsive to recidents needs, Machiavellian |
| New rent ordinances are not appropriate for our small town. These unfair ordinances will end up with Fairfax having less affordable housing not more. This was a huge mistake and done with little town notification and input from landlords. |
| The Public Monies of Fairfax are not for use for your personal pet projects or social justice ideals. You were elected to represent the majority of Fairfax Voters. Start representing the views of your constituents, not the agendas of outside of Fairfax special interest groups. Disclose your Conflicts of Interest, both past and ongoing. Rescind the Costly and Divisive Fairfax Rent Control Ordinances immediately or accept personal responsibility for their costs and consequences. Ask for forgiveness and accept personal responsibility for the great costs and losses that you are forcing upon Fairfax residents and legal liabilities you are creating for the Town of Fairfax. Find a way to rescind or put the Rent Control Ordinances on hold until they are voted on by the people of Fairfax. Stop passing ordinances that the majority of the people of Fairfax do not want. Be cost conscious. Act Responsibly. Be more understanding and admit when you’ve overreached and acknowledge that the majority of Fairfax voters think you have been and are acting poorly and making very bad decisions. Resign now and save the Town from more expense and trouble. |
| Why does the Council violate the Brown Act at every meeting? Why doesn’t the Town hire an attorney who obeys the Brown Act? Why does the Town pay the current attorney $400,000 when she doesn’t know the Brown Act, has exhibited incompetence in protecting the residents from what amounts to fraud, and violates CA law including adjudicated decisions from the CA Supreme Court and Court of Appeals? |
| Feels like none of you listen to people in Fairfax, you just do what you want – no respect for voters (just lip service come election time). |
| No communists, never worked out |
| Get out of our town. |
| pay attention to your constiuents |
| The whole rent control process was deeply flawed from the beginning. At this point, it’s obvious that enough people felt like there wasn’t ample notice or enough real seats at the table by all stakeholders. The TC was able to send a mailer to every house in Fairfax about leaf blowers, but couldn’t do the same for one of the largest pieces of legislation in decades – which is exactly how the DSA wanted it. The workshop was a joke. All the delaying, 1:30am meetings, the placating, etc., is infuriating. With all due respect, being a Council Member is not an easy job, and not many people can pull it off, but this group has been particularly ineffective and has just gone about things in the wrong way. For that reason, the community will overwhelmingly reject their policies when they’re taken to a vote, and the folks will ultimately probably get recalled. |
| Catrono needs to move to Berkeley!!! |
| Allowing non Fairfax residents to participate in the workshop was totally wrong as was inviting outsiders to march in the town parade. It’s part of the broader problem of imposing the agenda of the DSA on the town without our consent |
| Our streets need paving, clearance of weeds and fire clearance in public areas need to happen and the Housing Element needs to be addressed – none of this is happening. Instead the focus is on cost shifting expensive living costs to those with houses. I pay 50% of my income on my house and need a roommate to keep living here as it is becoming hard to afford. I cannot afford the new eviction controls. Not everyone is rich here and putting these draconian tenant rules into law is going to make this town unaffordable for people and make it so truly rich people do move in and those people will not need to rent out rooms or have ADUs. |
| total mismanagement!! Just Cause ordinance affects me directly as a homeowner sharing my house! |
| As possibly the public member most in attendance at Council meetings over the last 21 years, I can unequivocally state that the current Town council is the poorest at responding to constituents who write in, the poorest as representing the constituents who voted them into office, the poorest to understand the impacts of their actions, and the most frightfully poor at following the Laws of the State of California and Attorney General as it pertains to disclosure, PRAs, and compliance with Bagley Keene, Ralp M Brown, and HCD. Their lack of good Governance reminds me of Bell California. Ideologs have a place in academia, not in the real world where their whimsical actions can bankrupt all of us. If we randomly chose 5 strangers on the street, the strangers might do a better job, than our current Council. |
| I have lived here for almost 40 years and this is one of the most disappointing councils . I would appreciate it if they would be more responsible for the town and its constituents. I truly get the feeling that they just want to do their own agendas. |
| Put the ordinance to a vote! |
| They are completely tone deaf in making rent control policies with out considering the many home owners who will be affected by these onerous laws. Some have all ready left Fairfax because of foreseeable constraints on their finances. Realizing they can no longer afford to live in Fairfax because they depend on rental cash flow. Others have decided not to build a second unit to help in their later years. They are AFRAID too. Fairfax is hard on seniors, many who have lived here all their lives. (This sentence was edited.) How dare they foist a divisive ideology upon us all. Fairfax has always been a kind, inclusive town where you can safely raise your family. We do not need to promote any minority group above any other. and shove it down all of our throats. Bad Form!!!~ not to mention opening a Pandoras box of ME TOOS. Disappointed and Disgusted. |
| As someone who was a former Chance Cutrano supporter, based on what has happened in the town since his election, I now feel that he should NOT be our mayor and never be let back on the town council ever again. And for the rest of the town council, I feel they currently do not represent the interests of the property owners and business owners who make up our town and tax base. The members of the town council behave more like activists, rather than politicians, and have shown no signs of having any interest in actually representing their voters. Collectively they pursue their environmental and social activism agendas over the basic needs of our town. Valuing their own pre-conceived personal views, before the views of others. Once example is their never breaking connection to a national socialist organization, and Chances continued efforts to provide support to them and the pro-rent control organizers through his position at the Sierra Club. I find it despicable that the TC let national socialist organizations like the DSA influence our our local government to adopt policies that are destructive, divisive, and just flat out are proven by economists and history to not work. Not only that, but they intentionally adopted the policies WITHOUT informing the public. It’s been stated publicly twice by the DSA that “they made a DECISION” with the TC to not inform the housing providers of Fairfax, because they knew how much pushback it would get. In what “equitable” society would a socialist organization DENY townspeople of a vote on such a major legislature? Chance should NOT have let the DSA influence them into rent control, and NOT supported suppressing the vote. Just because we voted for you, doesn’t mean you can just go do whatever you want to our town!The fact that this legislation would benefit him as a renter, and future politician to have this pass, and he did NOT let anyone vote on it should be heavily scrutinized. I have heard from the Mayor of San Anselmo that Chance is an “ambitious” person, which leads me to ask things like: what is his end goal? Is all this really for the people of Fairfax? Or is it to build his resume for when he runs for another local office? Is everything he is doing really to benefit Fairfax’s specific problems, or is he just latching onto popular leftist movements so he can advance himself in the political sphere? I think all these questions should be asked by everyone in Fairfax, and to heavily scrutinize all their intentions. Based on his actions, I feel that Chance wants to change the world to be the way he believes it should be, and doesn’t really want to hear any opposing opinions, or even consider the notion that his ideas might be misguided. |
| This poll is clearly a bias poll authored by someone who wants to blame the TC for anything they can, trying to steer any other person toward acute grievances without realizing the problem started with them, because they were not engaged and deny there are people outside of their bubble being reported by this poll with polar opposite opinions. The results of this poll will just be more baseless propaganda from a platform of myopia. Lets see how they play it: The respondents of our focused, bias poll has concluded the TC needs to be recalled. Odd, if you knew the identities of many voters in this poll you may find out they usually voted for some other TC themselves and are unhappy they lost the election. This poll will not be the grounds to effect change unless its authors effect change within themselves. Keeping Fairfax Fair is only being fair to landlords. A more equitable Fairfax is promoting the exact opposite, take from the vulnerable whatever their soul grasps for. The Roy Cohn playbook with twice the self and all the calories. |
| I have no problem with rent control but the just cause eviction part of this will force me to sell after my tenant’s lease is up. The risk is just too high and one bad tenant could ruin me financially. This will result in less rentals being available. |
| As a small landlord I am appalled at the ignorance exhibited by our current TC. I cannot rent to anyone now. They cannot fix the streets and sidewalks but waste our tax dollars on incompetent outsiders giving bad advice. Disgusting state of affairs. |
| Chance and the other members of the town council clearly have another agenda which is not related to the people of Fairfax or quality of life in Fairfax. Chance needs to go find another place to work his personal agenda. And to use his position and connections at the Sierra Club is beyond unbelievable. Chance needs to leave at a minimum! |
| The Council forgets that they work for the people. They need to leave their personal views at the door, and be more transperant for all city residents. They need to let the people have a voice, not special interest groups like the DSA! |
| None of these people are qualified to lead local government. They have their own agenda, and not enough knowledge to to make responsible decisions. They have wasted the town’s money due to a lack of foresight. From bike lanes to the housing element to the egregious rent control ordinance. |
| The current Council members are clearly more concerned with their own agendas than listening to their constituents. The short sightedness of the rent control/just cause ordinances coupled with the ignorance and stubbornness of the Council members is a wake up call to Fairfax voters; pay close attention to who you’re voting for! |
| We have the worst roads in the county. I travel the entire western USA and Fairfax has the worst roads I have seen anywhere. We pay huge property taxes so don’t say there is no money. The whole rent control issue should be voted in by the residents of Fairfax, not decided unilaterally by the Fairfax Town Council. Thanks |
| No overreach in any category whatsoever. The bridges in the Elliott Nature Preserve are unwanted and will forever change the beauty and quiet of the preserve. Removing the center line from Cascade Drive arbitrarily was unnecessary and scary for many people. Accepting the name change of SFD is more knee jerk reaction to nonsensical issues. The rent stabilization and just cause eviction is more overreach and control of not only our voice and community, but our investment and livelihood. We need council members that are more in line with the Fairfax culture and mindset and not special projects and agenda’s. |
| We need a senior listing of persons over 80 or over 70 who are disabled and need help and have no close friends or family’s to help them. When power is off I for instance have been totally isolated and no one checks on’ me |
| RECALL RECALL RECALL This town council continues to demonstrate a profound level of disregard for the well being of our town of Fairfax and all factions of its residents but especially towards housing providers. |
| They are completely wrong in enforcing ANY HOUSING ORDINANCES.. OUR GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY SET RULES..The TC is handing over control of our town and paying the DSA AND BERKELEY RENT CONTROL TO MANAGE THEIR RIDICULOUS ORDINANCES .. We need other things in this town.. And a TC member Helman marched with the DSA who should not have been allowed to March. Not much of difference between our TC and DeSantis The Governor of Florida….Just a different attack on residents… |
| Since Hellman only represents the 10% she should not be on the Town Council. |
| repeal the ordinances.. fix the sidewalks instead. build a community center that can function as a shelter for residents when excessive heat or rain or fires make it dangerous to stay here. separate small landlords from corporations in your minds and in any future ordinances |
| Stop wasting money and raising property tax. Enough with pensions brand new police vehicles and unnecessary job payroll! There is very little police presence or response from city works. Fix the crumbling infrastructure fir the people that pay the bills. Stop remodeling town buildings! |
| I own a duplex and take pride in providing a safe beautiful home for tenants. We have always rented below market value and these ordinances are unfair unnecessary and unduly burdensome. |
| Transpersncy, accountability, open discussion with sincere listening |
| I would like to see all shared properties between landlord and tenant/lodger be excluded from just cause ordinance. Compatibility has been a huge concern renting out one bedroom (under “market value”) in my house & sharing facilities. This is true for anyone sharing space/property with a renter, ie driveway, yard, utilities, etc. Compatibility is NOT listed under “Just Cause”! |
| Recall them and or vote them out ASAP. |
| I appreciate their continued work during these difficult times. I appreciate the fact they are still willing to work with the community regarding Rent/Just Cause Ordinances. My hope is the community will do the same. |
| You do not need “extra rent control.” You do not have statistics to do this. You do not need a new “just cause” ordinance. If you did the statistics and the math, you would figure that out. I believe you are on a mission to do this “no matter what.” Chance was my tenant for 5 years and he had a rent increase in 5 years of less than 2%. So he is a liar. My water has gone up 20% and my fire insurance 60% so I cannot afford the new fees you suggest I pay in order for you to run this program. The rent at Lanai has never been raised above 5% and has usually been much lower. I don’t believe either that you ever have had mediation for anyone in fairfax raising the rent about 5%. Why do you not listen to the people of Fairfax. You have a petition and you are aware of their feelings. |
| A recent duplex sold for $434 per square foot. There has been a massive loss in value of properties in Fairfax due to the uncertainty created with the new rent stabilization. This is unacceptable! |
| Lets make state rent control work for our town and not listen to what other towns are doing. State rent control is enough, it does not need to get more local. |
| They should listen to the residents. Not outside consultants. Most certainly not ideologically driven democratic socialist organizations. |
| this council seems to want to change the flavor of Fairfax, the current flavor is what we love |