City Council
The Mercury News: California’s Insurance Crisis Continues, As State Farm an Insurance Rate Hike of 30%, Soon After the Company Won Emergency Approval for a 17% Rate Increase After the LA fires
While the insurance industry faces headwinds, State Farm, for instance, is now seeking to boost California home insurance rates by 30%. The company last week won emergency approval for a 17% rate increase after the Los Angeles fires. A week after winning emergency approval to raise Californians’ home insurance premiums, State Farm is seeking to boost that rate hike even higher to 30%. On May 13, the state’s largest insurance company got the OK from regulators to increase rates by an average of 17% starting next month. State Farm secured the expedited rate hike after asserting it was in financial distress and expected $7.6 billion in claims arising from the deadly Los Angeles wildfires in January.
Read MorePG&E Hosted an Open House for Mill Valley Customers at the Mill Valley Community Center on Thursday, May 15. It Didn’t Go Well.
Staffers put up easels and posters on topics ranging from safely digging on one’s property to safer power grids. But in the lobby, residents whose homes overlook a big power station had their own easels and posters to protest PG&E’s local track record. Gary Batroff pointed to before-and-after photos of PG&E’s Alto substation on a bare hill above Hauke Park. He said the utility turned a green landscape into a barren one. “They cut down 130 trees in like two days,” Batroff said. “Some of them were redwoods, which are supposed to be protected.” Batroff pointed to another easel holding an illustration created by the utility five years ago showing what the substation’s landscaping was supposed to look like.
Read MorePG&E Is Hosting an Open House for Mill Valley Customers at the Mill Valley Community Center on Thursday, May 15, from 6-8pm – They Hope to Share More About What They Are Doing to Reduce Wildfire Risk
During the event, we will share the latest updates on local wildfire safety work and provide community resources available to keep customers safe. Additionally, we will discuss critical topics affecting the community such as: Land use and substation initiatives; Electric and natural gas projects; and Customer resources and savings. This is also an opportunity for participants to ask questions, share feedback and connect with their local PG&E leaders, including North Coast Region Vice President, Dave Canny.
Read MoreCelebrate Earth Day at the Tam Valley Earth Day Festival – Sat., April 26th, Tam Valley Commmunity Center, 11am-2pm
The event features fun activities for all ages and green exhibits about climate action, in a beautiful outdoor setting. Visitors will learn about living sustainably, using clean energy and transportation, greening up your home and garden, eating healthy food, protecting nature, and building resilient communities.
Read MoreMV Residents’ Education Housing Partner’s 250-Unit, Affordable Apartment Project Near San Quentin For Teachers & County Employees, Have Received Unanimous Support to Take an Initial Step Toward Helping to Guarantee Rental Income for the Project
Marin County supervisors voted unanimously to take an initial step toward helping to guarantee rental income for a housing project designed to serve educators and county employees. The project, the Village at Oak Hill, envisions construction of 135 apartments on vacant land donated by the state in eastern Larkspur near San Quentin. The plan is to reserve 101 of the apartments for the employees of local schools and 34 for county employees.The project is being overseen by the Marin County Public Financing Authority, a joint partnership between Marin County and the Marin County Office of Education. It has a $16.4 million funding gap. Rising interest rates since the project launched are to blame, said Matthew Hymel, the authority’s director and a former county executive.
Read MoreMill Valley Parks & Rec and Donors Are Set to Move Forward With a Long-Sought Pair of Sand Volleyball Courts Near Bayfront Field!
“This has been an idea that’s been going on for many many years and there’s been stops and starts to it. And some of that is because this is a pretty major construction project,” said Vanessa Justice, whose term on the Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission recently ended. In Mill Valley, hundreds of youths play the sport in clubs and programs. For years, enthusiasts have set up makeshift nets and courts on the city’s hockey fields on Sunday, when those fields are closed to organized sports, Justice said.
Read MoreAs Lots of State Legislation Sought to Incentivize More Affordable Housing, We Saw Mill Valley Focusing on Right-Sized Affordability. So How Does it Fit in 2025 With the New Focus on ‘Abundance’?
“To unmake this machine will be painful,” they write. “It’s also necessary. In the long run, the way to marginalize the most dangerous political movements is to prove the superiority of your own. If liberals do not want Americans to turn to the false promise of strongmen, they need to offer the fruits of effective government. They need to offer Americans a liberalism that builds.”
Read MoreStay Informed, Stay Safe: Sign Up for BOTH AlertMarin and Nixle
Managed by the Marin County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), AlertMarin delivers critical, time-sensitive alerts directly to your phone via call, text, or email. These messages are sent when immediate action is required—such as evacuation orders, wildfire or flood warnings, or shelter-in-place instructions. The Marin County OEM and the Marin County Sheriff no longer uses Nixle for these types of alerts. All life-safety and action-required notifications now come through AlertMarin’s updated system, which features a streamlined sign-up process and allows you to choose your preferred language for alerts. If you haven’t registered yet, take five minutes to sign up.
Read MoreThe Boyle Park Master Plan Goal is to Preserve and Enhance Boyle Park and Amenities for Current and Future use. The City is Kicking off the Project with a Short community Survey – It’s Open Until April 18
The first Community Meeting is Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 5:30-6:30 at the Community Center. Meeting content to include: an introduction to the project and images, share survey results and discuss themes, and collect additional feedback. A second meeting at Boyle Park will be announced soon and will serve as an additional opportunity to share feedback and discuss project ideas and themes.
Read MoreSafer Evacuation: Here’s What Mill Valley Residents Need to Know to Have a Successful Evacuation Drill on Saturday, April 26!
Knowing how to evacuate safely can mean the difference between life and death. Being prepared and acting early can save lives. The Mill Valley Evacuation Drill on April 26th is your chance to practice your plan and ensure you are ready when it matters most. Safer Evacuation: What Mill Valley Residents Need to Know Wildfires move quickly, and for those living in Mill Valley, evacuating safely requires a well-thought-out plan. Whether you live in a hillside neighborhood or in a flatter area, having an evacuation strategy is critical. Wildfires spread rapidly due to heat, wind patterns, and dry conditions, making early evacuation and preparedness essential. Below are key strategies to help you prepare for and execute a safe evacuation.
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