Meeting Minutes
Marin County Service Area 18 Advisory Board
Minutes for Meeting on September 10, 2025
Meeting held at Room 410B, Civic Center
Board Members Present: Gina Hagen, Carey LeVash, Jacqueline Garcia
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Hagen at 3:06 P.M.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment at this time.
3. APPROVE MINUTES FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 2025
M/S: Garcia/Hagen
AYES: ALL
ABSTAIN:
NAYS: N/A
Public Comment:
No members of the public came forward.
Commissioner Comments:
Item 6 change Hegan to Hagen. Change the Election of officers note from last fall to Scott as Chair, Gina as Vice Chair, and Jaqueline for vice chair.
4. STAFF AND BOARD INTRODUCTIONS (INFORMATION ITEM)
Staff reviewed the operations and maintenance for CSA 18 since the last meeting in February of 2025. Pruning Carob tree will need to happen this winter..
Public Comment:
No members of the public came forward.
Commissioner Comments:
Commissioner Garcia would like more oversight for cleanliness in Candy’s Park. Does F&K scope of work include this?
5. BUDGET UPDATE (ACTION ITEM)
Jim Chayka reviewed the year to date revenues and expenses for fiscal year 2025. The revenues were approximately 33K lower than expenses in 2025. The basic operating expenses of the CSA make up 98% of the total revenues, leaving very little room for additional work beyond recurring expenses. The budget for FY26 totals 260K, with approximately 135K for project related work and the rest for administrative expenses.
Public Comment:
No members of the public came forward.
M/S: Garcia/Levash
AYES: ALL
NAYS: NONE
6. ELECT OFFICERS FOR 2026 (ACTION ITEM)
The board elected a new slate Gina Hagen as Chair, Carey LeVash as Vice Chair, and Jacqueline Garcia for secretary. This is not a roll over from the previous slate, and so each of these members may stay in this slate for the next 2 years, 2026 and 2027.
Public Comment:
No members of the public came forward.
Commissioner Comments:
N/A
7. REPORT FROM LONG TERM PLANNING, FUTURE COST ASSESSMENTS, AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES SUBCOMMITTEE (INFORMATION ITEM)
Commissioner Garcia mentioned that sometimes an “adopt an island” or park program can be helpful to offset maintenance costs. The subcommittee will put together a list of projects that could theoretically be funded by additional revenue. Understanding the costs associated with an election itself will be critical. Subcommittee wants to examine the zone of influence vs. benefit, etc to determine whether it makes sense to increase assessment, add an elevator, or incorporate more parcels. Jim to speak to Wildan to get a cost estimate for that process. Subcommittee to create plan for education and outreach to the community related to revenues, expenses, and future options for ensuring sustainable funding. Need to research the potential for public donation directly to CSA 18.
Public Comment:
No members of the public came forward.
Commissioner Comments:
N/A
8. DISCUSSION RELATED TO WEED ABATEMENT ON COUNTY OWNED PARCEL BEHIND 713 ETANCIA WAY (INFORMATION ITEM)
Staff does not recommend that CSA 18 fund regular maintenance in this parcel because of budgetary constraints. Jim recommends that commissioner Garcia work with DPW to form an MOU with DPW but not take on that site as a part of CSA 18.
Public Comment:
No members of the public came forward.
Commissioner Comments:
N/A
9. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Commissioner Garcia re: Adrian Rosall: Gopher problem, ivy is invasive and a rat haven, she would like to see it taken out and replaced with natives. Cobwebs in the plants. Castro garbage can is still broken. Would like to know if there is a place at any of the parks to implement a pollinator garden. (Jim recommends the wild area at the far end of Castro Parks, where there used to be blackberry. Will email us to schedule a site visit with Elia). She will follow up with Kat on trash can lid at Castro.
Commissioner LeVash wants to know whether signs will go into the budget for next year if we do interpretative signage for pollinator gardens.
Public Comment:
No members of the public came forward.
10. MOTION TO ADJOURN: 4:42 P.M.
Next regular meeting: February 11 at 3 P.M.