Federal money is coming to fix six crossings across Mill Valley

Good morning and happy Monday! Take another sip of your coffee, read the Briefing, and then let me tell you what’s happening this week.

🌤️ Today's weather: Partly sunny and cool, high near 63°F. Rain likely tonight after 11pm, with up to a quarter inch possible by morning. (Source: National Weather Service)

Today's newsletter: Pedestrians in Mill Valley should soon feel a little safer, your trash bill might soon go up (if you live within city limits) or down (if you live outside of them), and the civic calendar ahead.

- Written and edited by Franz Strasser-Galvis

The city council votes tonight on a pedestrian safety project that would bring flashing crosswalk beacons to Miller Avenue and fill a sidewalk gap on the walking route to Old Mill Elementary School, with Washington covering 90% of the bill.

What's happening: The council is being asked to approve plans and specifications for six pedestrian safety improvements across town and authorize staff to go out to bid. If bids come in within budget, construction starts as early as next month and wraps by fall.

What's in the details: Three locations on Miller Avenue - at Park Avenue, in front of Super Duper Burgers and Salon 171 - would get Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, the blinking lights that activate when a pedestrian pushes a button. A new sidewalk would be installed on Throckmorton Avenue at Cornelia Avenue, closing a gap on the recommended walking route to Old Mill Elementary. New marked crosswalks would be added at Fern Ave and Catalpa and at Ashford Ave and Leyton. The locations were chosen from the city's collision data, Safe Routes to School program input and public requests.