The council is on summer break. With chambers quiet until later this month, it's a good moment to take stock of what happened in the first half of 2026.
The year started at a planning retreat in January at the Golf Clubhouse. By June, the council had approved a major capital spending plan, raised sewer rates, put a road maintenance tax on the November ballot, cleared the way for affordable housing on city-owned land and agreed to fix two parks. All the while, it spent three meetings debating whether to raise its own pay.
City staff and Municipal Services Tax Study Committee members gathered at City Hall after the council voted unanimously to place the tax renewal on the November ballot. (MVB, May 18)
The big financial picture: The two-year budget, presented to the council by Finance Director Chris Erickson and Deputy Director Trevor Atashkarian at the June 15 meeting, projects $40.6 million in general fund revenues for fiscal year 2026-27 and $24.2 million in capital projects in year one alone. Councilmember Stephen Burke noted at the same meeting that the capital figure is roughly equal to the combined plans of Tiburon, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur and Novato. Erickson told the council Measure L, the 1% sales tax passed in 2024, is performing strongly, estimating it will bring in $5 million this fiscal year. A lease revenue bond auction in May locked in a 2.75% interest rate. According to Erickson's presentation, financial reserves stand at about 45% of prior expenditures, well above the city's own 28% target.
The council also adopted a five-year pavement plan in May (the Briefing reported on that here). According to Pavement Engineering Inc., which presented the plan to the council, Mill Valley's road quality score rose from 58 in 2014 to 79 in 2025.
Two cost increases land on property owners:
Sewer rates went up in June after a required Prop 218 process. City Clerk Risa De Ferrari confirmed that nine of 5,238 notified parcels filed written protests.
Trash bills rise by 2.2%, adding $1.41 a month to a standard bin, following a rate application from Mill Valley Refuse Service approved by the council in May.
The road tax renewal: In November, voters will decide on renewing the Municipal Services Tax, a $303-per-parcel levy funding road maintenance and vegetation management since 1987. The current version expires at the end of fiscal year 2026-27. A citizens study committee presented its final report to the council in May, recommending a 12-year renewal at the existing rate, with approximately 80% of revenues directed to street maintenance and 20% to vegetation management. The Briefing’s report here. Former Mayor John McCauley, who served as the committee's vice chair, described the goal at the May 18 meeting: "finish the job, finish the tax."
Housing: The Bayfront Terrace affordable housing project at 1 Hamilton Drive, 100% income-restricted units on city-owned bayfront land, cleared its final local approvals in January. The council also:
Restrooms in Boyle Park (on the right) were the most complained-about amenity and the children's play area (on the left) ranked second in usage and in update priority. (MVB, May 15)
The parks: The council adopted the Boyle Park Master Plan in May. Presented by the Parks and Recreation Commission, the plan identifies 13 improvement priorities. The tennis courts are first, with plans and specs targeted for fiscal year 2026-27 and a third-third-third funding model splitting costs between the city, outside donors and user groups. The Briefing report here.
The council also committed $100,000 in June to rebuilding the girls' softball complex at Hauke Park, which had no seating behind home plate, no storage and nowhere for a pitcher to warm up. According to figures presented at the June 15 council meeting, the Friends of Parks and Recreation have committed roughly $50,000 and Mill Valley Softball has raised approximately $50,000 through donations and crowdfunding. Target: a rebuilt field by March 1, 2027. The report here.
Everything else
The National Park Service listed City Hall and the old Fire House on the National Register of Historic Places in February, following a nomination presented to the council by Planning and Building Director Patrick Kelly and Mill Valley Historical Society President Lisa Newman.
Green building and low-carbon concrete ordinances passed in March, adding local requirements on top of the 2025 California Building Code.
The council accepted the new adaptive traffic signal system on East Blithedale as complete in May. (Briefing report here.)
The council engaged architect Mark Cavagnero Associates in May to begin master planning the library renovation.
City Manager Todd Cusimano told the council in April the city had hired two Neighborhood Response Group Coordinators for emergency preparedness outreach.
Vice Mayor Caroline Joachim reported earlier this year that the FLOCK license plate camera system, installed in February 2025, monitors three ingress and egress points only, has opted out of statewide and national data-sharing networks and is cutting data retention from seven days to 72 hours.
What's still unresolved: Tobacco sales regulations drew 38 speakers and commenters at the March 16 meeting. The council directed staff to consult local retailers before returning with a draft ordinance.
The council's own pay, $350 a month since at least 2007 according to council discussion at the March 16 meeting, took three meetings to resolve. The final vote was unanimous: $650 a month, reviewed every two years in an election year.
Explore the data: We built three tools to help you dig into some of these decisions yourself. The 5-year pavement plan dashboard lets you see which streets are scheduled for resurfacing and when. The Build your Boyle Park tool lets you explore the 13 improvement priorities and what they would cost. And the Dipsea Race calculator is just for fun.
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This week in Mill Valley history: The town Kent and Elliot Seymour were born into
On July 10, 1902, twin boys were born to a Mill Valley family at Hahnemann Hospital in San Francisco. Kent and Elliot Seymour would go on to become, respectively, an insurance broker and an attorney, both prominent in Marin County civic life for decades. But in 1975, when the Mill Valley Public Library's Oral History Committee sat them down to record their memories, what the interviewer wanted to know was what the town looked like when they were young.
Throckmorton Avenue, circa 1910. A delivery wagon from San Francisco's Emporium department store makes its rounds in front of 116 Throckmorton. The signs in the background advertise lots for sale. (Photo courtesy of the Lucretia Little History Room, Mill Valley Public Library)
The streets were unpaved. In winter they were several inches deep in mud. The sidewalks were wooden boardwalks, two planks wide, with a handrail, covered with frost in the cold season. Two blocks from the family home on Oakdale Avenue, Buena Vista Avenue served as the neighborhood skating rink because it was paved and Oakdale wasn't.
The old railroad depot - a Victorian building with the stationmaster's residence above, on the site of what became the bus station - had a wall of pegs just under the roof. Each commuter who caught the early train to San Francisco had an assigned peg. He left his lantern there in the morning and picked it up at night. There were no streetlights. "If you left a lamp there today," Kent Seymour said in 1975, "it wouldn't be there twelve hours later."
In the summer of 1907, Mill Valley ran out of water. Water was turned on for one hour each morning. Schools closed for more than thirty days. Families who could leave town were asked to do so while the situation was managed. The Seymours spent thirty days in Inverness. When Elliot recalled this in 1975, he noted there was a prediction of another water shortage that year in Marin County.
In those early years, the brothers said, people went away for the summer and never locked their doors.
Sources: Kent and Elliot Seymour oral history interview, Oral History Collection. Lucretia Little History Room, Mill Valley Public Library.
🍣 Peruvian-Japanese restaurant Lima Nikkei signs on for the old El Paseo spot
A sign has gone up at 17 Throckmorton Avenue confirming the name of the incoming restaurant taking over the historic El Paseo space: Lima Nikkei. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control lists Edwin Raul Sandoval and Ana Antonia Sandoval as the license's owners. In a brief conversation, the owners told Mill Valley Briefing they're excited to bring Peruvian-Japanese cuisine to Mill Valley. The move follows the December closure of Paseo Bistro, which had run in the space for five years under Ki Yong Choi. The address has carried a continuously operating restaurant since 1947, including a run under musician Sammy Hagar before he sold to Choi in 2019.
🚧 Miller Ave and 38 other streets get resurfaced starting tomorrow
Preliminary repair work is already underway on 39 streets across town, part of the city's summer pavement preservation program. The slurry seal itself goes down from mid-July through the end of August. During application, expect full road or lane closures for four to eight hours depending on heat and sun exposure, and driveway access will be restricted. On Miller Ave specifically, park on an adjacent side street the day of construction to make sure you can reach your vehicle. Expect vendors and deliveries to need a heads-up too. Striping follows about a week after the sealant cures. The city has a project website with the full street list and schedule, worth checking before you head out any given morning this month.
🌐 We turned the city's paving schedule into a searchable tool. Plug in your street, see your day: https://projects.millvalleybriefing.com/roads/july2026.html
What we covered this week
🚲 Marin County ranks first in California for youth bicyclist crashes. We reported on what the countywide numbers show - and don't show - about Mill Valley's own crash-prone corridors.
💧 Marin Water's board approved a $2.66 million step toward its drought-insurance pipeline. We reported on the reservoir numbers behind the timing and the board's pointed questions about when the district would actually use it.
⚾ Mill Valley's 14U All-Stars are sectional champions. We tracked the entire comeback game by game this week, plus how the 10s, 11s and 12s fared.
🏗️ Mill Valley's building permit activity topped $55 million at the halfway mark of 2026. We reported on what drove the second quarter's surge and which projects made the year's biggest-permit list.
🏘️ Two county housing stories moved this week - one project withdrawn, one financed. We reported on why the Strawberry project collapsed and what deadline Oak Hill Apartments is racing against.
⚡ MCE's board took a contested step in choosing its next CEO. We reported on Mill Valley's stake in that decision, including what residents actually pay for power.
If you want to read about any of these stories as they develop, the daily Briefing lands in your inbox Monday through Friday at 6am (Mon/Wed/Fri in July). A paid subscription makes this reader-funded, local news operation possible. It’s $12 per month, which you can cancel anytime, and the annual subscription comes out to less than $2 a week. Upgrading is only two clicks if you use Apple Pay.
⚾ Little League All-Star update
Mill Valley's 14U All-Stars lost their Northern California state tournament opener 17-7 to McKinleyville Saturday in Turlock. McKinleyville, a town north of Arcata roughly the same size as Mill Valley, made the 380-mile drive south for the tournament.
The loss came despite Mill Valley out-hitting McKinleyville 13 to 9. Matthew Cao led the offense with three hits, two runs and an RBI, and Oscar Walker added two hits and two RBI. Mill Valley used six pitchers over the course of the game.
The loss drops Mill Valley into the loser's bracket, where they now have to win out to survive. They play Arden today at 4pm, the first of three straight elimination games they'd need to win to reach the state final.
Mill Valley's 12U All-Stars lost 5-4 to Twin Cities Saturday, their first loss of the district tournament. Cooper M homered and drove in two runs, and Paxton K added a two-run homer of his own, as Mill Valley built a 4-1 lead through three innings. Charlie M kept the lead intact for most of the game, striking out six over 5.1 innings, before Twin Cities rallied late to take the lead.
Because Mill Valley entered the day unbeaten, the loss doesn't end their run: they play Twin Cities again today at 4:30pm at Joe Wagner Field in Larkspur in a winner-take-all rematch for the district crown.
📅 Next week in Mill Valley
Tue, Jul 14 – Teen Tuesday: Capoeira Kickstart, Mill Valley Public Library, 3:30-5pm. Drop by the Creekside Room at 375 Throckmorton Ave to dive into the energy of capoeira, a dynamic Afro-Brazilian art form blending movement, music, and martial arts culture. This beginner-friendly session focuses on foundational kicks and rhythmic flow. Open strictly to grades 5–12; registration is required online.
Tue, Jul 14 – Tuesday Night Comedy, Throckmorton Theatre, 8-10pm. Throckmorton’s acclaimed weekly comedy night brings a theater-style stage and an intimate club atmosphere to 142 Throckmorton Ave. Tonight’s laugh-out-loud lineup features fresh rising talent alongside top-tier veteran comics Tom Rhodes, Steve Bruner, Sophia Garrow, and Jim Farrell, with Emily Van Dyke serving as the evening's host. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Wed, Jul 15 – Noon Concert: Temescal Piano Trio, Throckmorton Theatre, 12-1pm. Take a midday musical break at 142 Throckmorton Ave. The Throckmorton Noon Concert series presents a classical performance by the Temescal Piano Trio, featuring Nancy Bien on cello, Barbara Riccardi on violin, and John Wilson on piano. Free admission.
Wed, Jul 15 – Hot Buttered Rum & Tea Leaf Green, The Junction Beer Garden, 6pm. A massive co-headlining night of local live music legends takes over 226 Shoreline Hwy. San Francisco jam titans Tea Leaf Green bring their signature Bay Area grooves, sharing the bill with Hot Buttered Rum's driving, danceable progressive bluegrass under the outdoor canopy. All ages welcome; tickets are $35 in advance and $41 at the door.
Thu, Jul 16 – Trivia Night, The Depot Cafe and Bookstore, 5:30pm. Co-hosts Lynne and Simon "The Brit" lead a popular night of quiz show fun and playful group therapy on the plaza. Picture trivia, wild categories, and bragging rights await those who know a little too much about obscure topics.
Thu, Jul 16 – Westerly with Travis Hayes, Sweetwater, 8pm. A stellar night of local Northern California songwriting hits the stage at 19 Corte Madera Ave. Catch the rich, atmospheric folk-rock and Americana soundscapes of Westerly sharing a stacked bill with singer-songwriter Travis Hayes. All ages; doors open at 7pm.
Fri, Jul 17 – Truckloads of Fun, Mill Valley Community Center, 4-7pm. Bring the family to 180 Camino Alto for a hands-on, community-wide experience. Kids of all ages get a rare up-close look at the city's big trucks, public safety vehicles, and heavy construction equipment. The celebration also features a selection of local food trucks and live entertainment. Free admission.
Fri, Jul 17 – Musical Feast, The Depot Cafe and Bookstore, 5:30pm. An alt-country-folk-rock ensemble blending Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Springsteen, and Petty with guitars, flute, violin, and gorgeous vocal harmonies live on the plaza. Free entry; all ages welcome.
Fri, Jul 17 – Margo Price with Jeremy Ivey, Sweetwater, 8pm. An incredibly intimate evening with one of country music’s fiercest and most celebrated modern songwriters at 19 Corte Madera Ave. Bringing her "Wild At Heart Tour" to the valley, the Grammy-nominated artist performs with her full band alongside special guest opener Jeremy Ivey. All ages; doors open at 7pm.
Sat, Jul 18 – Acoustic Son, The Depot Cafe and Bookstore, 5:30pm. Catch an outdoor acoustic performance live on the downtown plaza. Relax with a local evening showcase of classic melodies and soulful arrangements. Free admission; open to all ages.
Sat, Jul 18 – Don McMillan 2.0, Throckmorton Theatre, 8-10pm. Will AI replace comedians? Stand-up veteran Don McMillan (America's Got Talent, The Tonight Show, Comedy Central) definitively answers that question at 142 Throckmorton Ave. His engineered comedy tour features fresh charts, graphs, Venn diagrams, and lots of laughs.
Sat, Jul 18 – Dan Tyminski Band with Iona Fyfe, Sweetwater, 8pm. Legendary bluegrass titan and 14-time Grammy winner Dan Tyminski hits the historic main stage at 19 Corte Madera Ave with support from Scottish folk artist Iona Fyfe. Expect a masterclass in American roots music from the iconic voice behind "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow." All ages; doors open at 7pm.
Sun, Jul 19 – Brad James, The Depot Cafe and Bookstore, 4-6pm. Wind down your weekend on the downtown plaza with an early evening live acoustic set. Perfect soundtrack for a summer afternoon with coffee, wine, or local craft brews. Free entry; all ages welcome.
🔍 Businesses and venues mentioned in this section are covered on editorial merit only. No business has paid for coverage. Promotional content is always labeled.
