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Meeting Minutes

County of Marin
Integrated Pest Management Commission
Minutes for Meeting January 23, 2026

 

Board Members Present: Rika Gopinath, Susan Hopp (Chair), Myrto Ashe (Vice Chair), Bob Mauceli (Secretary), Alison Hermance, Scott Sherman
Absent: N/A
Vacant Seats: Seats previously held by Steven Swain (UCCE), Kevin Sadlier (District 3), and Kate Wing (District 2).

1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 9:07 a.m. by Chair Hopp. Commissioner introductions. Chair Hopp mentioned that today is the last day for public comment on offshore oil drilling.
 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT
No member of the public came forward
 

3. APPROVE MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD ON 4/25/25 AND 10/24/25
The July 25, 2025 meeting did not reach a quorum, and so there are no minutes from that date. The October 24, 2025 meeting did not reach a quorum, and so there are no minutes from that date. 

M/S: Gopinath/Ashe
AYES: ALL
NAYS: None
 

4. IPM 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Quarter Coordinator’s report (information item)
Staff reviewed Staff presented an IPM program report for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters of 2025. Topics will include a summary of product use, violations and exemptions issued, and alternative IPM efforts associated with the County’s IPM program.
 

5. Annual Report and Allowed Products List approval (Action Item)
Staff will present highlights from the 2025 Annual IPM Coordinators report and review the 2025 Allowed Products list in compliance with the County IPM Ordinance.

Commissioner Comments:

  1. Intro: Add mentioned of IPM activities and methods in addition to just the number of nonchemical hours. Next sentence should say “glyphosate AND other synthetic pesticides.”
  2. 4th quarter report said total of 38K, this report said 41K. 4th bullet also says 2024 and needs to say 2025.
  3. Conventional pesticide use page:  1 more sentence about Reliant explaining, and should read “AND prevent the spread of sudden oak death.”  The word AND is missing. Should place emphasis on the reduction in toxicity even amongst other conventional products.
  4. Product charts:  please include the 2015 data.
  5. Add a bit more on weed tolerance. Make it clear that we have more weeds now. Trade offs include invasive species management. 

Allowed Products List: Ashe/Gopinath
M/S: ALL

Annual Report: Approved pending edits
M/S: Sherman/Gopinath
AYES: ALL
 

6. Select Recipient of Annual IPM Awards (Action Item)
The commission will select a winner for the 2025 IPM Achievement Award. Commission Chair will announce due dates and protocol for the submission of nominations.

M/S: Sherman/Gopinath
AYES: ALL
 

7. Election of Officers for 2026 (Action Item)
In January of 2024, the following appointments were made: Chair Hopp, Vice Chair Ashe, Secretary Mauceli. In January 2025, that slate was re-appointed. The election for a slate for 2026 (with option to renew for 2027) will take place. 

Recommendation:
Appoint a new slate of officers Bob as Chair, Rika as Vice Chair, Alison Hermance

M/S: Sherman/Hopp
AYES: ALL

 

8. Commission Member Comments (Information Item)

  1. Rika Gopinath recommends that members who expire soon re-apply in March.
  2. Commissioner Ashe would like some home garden tours from commissioners.

 
Motion to adjourn at 11:30 am.
Next Meeting: April 24, 2026, 9am