The Corte Madera Town Council just approved its 2026 work plan in a 4-1 vote. They made revisions after a February meeting and a January workshop with town staff and the Marin County Sanitary District No. 2 board.
This plan keeps a bunch of unfinished items from past years and adds new priorities. It lays out how staff will handle fiscal, climate, and community-service needs across Corte Madera and its Marin County neighbors—from Larkspur to Mill Valley and San Rafael.
Discover hand-picked hotels and vacation homes tailored for every traveler. Skip booking fees and secure your dream stay today with real-time availability!
Browse Accommodations Now
Councilmember Pat Ravasio cast the only dissenting vote. She felt the document left out some quality-of-life projects she really wanted to see included.
What the 2026 Work Plan Signals for Corte Madera and Nearby Marin Communities
The plan sorts projects by priority and topic. It puts a spotlight on ongoing efforts in town operations, climate adaptation, and disaster preparedness.
There’s also a strong focus on careful fiscal management. The plan addresses flood risk and traffic improvements that matter to residents of Corte Madera, Greenbrae, and the North Marin corridor toward Larkspur and San Rafael.
Highest-Priority Initiatives
The council’s top priorities are fiscal sustainability, climate adaptation, and disaster readiness. They want smoother town operations in Marin County’s shoreline towns, which makes sense given recent challenges.
- Fiscal sustainability and stable, long-term budgeting to support services in Corte Madera and neighboring Marin communities.
- Climate adaptation with a topographic survey and strengthening of the Marina Village flood berm to protect homes and businesses along the Corte Madera-Chewsing corridor, including links to Larkspur and San Rafael.
- Disaster preparedness and recovery planning after the severe January flooding that hit Corte Madera and other North Marin towns like Mill Valley and Tiburon.
- Town operations and customer-service improvements such as upgrading the permitting system to make reviews easier for residents and builders in Greenbrae and San Anselmo.
These priorities echo what you hear in neighboring towns like Fairfax and San Rafael—people want more resilience in the face of climate risks and better service reliability.
Infrastructure and Public Services in Focus
The next tier focuses on keeping critical infrastructure in good shape and supporting local development. This covers Corte Madera, Larkspur, and other nearby Marin communities.
The plan talks about maintaining facilities, utilities, and waterfront gateways. It also encourages responsible land use and economic activity.
Second Priority: Infrastructure Maintenance and Economic Development
Some key items here include fixing flood-control pumps and continuing work on the town’s intergenerational center. Broader land-use planning and economic development efforts could help towns like San Rafael and Mill Valley, too.
- Flood pump repairs
- Work on the town intergenerational center
- Land use and economic development
Quality of Life and Local Oversight
Lower-priority items aim to improve quality of life and try new ways to ease traffic on key corridors, often using emerging technology. One big discussion point was whether vegetation management for fire mitigation should get more local oversight, instead of just relying on regional authorities.
Vegetation Management and Fire Mitigation
Vice Mayor Fred Casissa suggested several amendments about vegetation management. Town Manager Adam Wolff pointed out that the Central Marin Fire Authority and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority already handle this, but the council agreed to revisit the issue and maybe take more local action to boost fire safety for Corte Madera and surrounding towns like Sausalito and Novato.
Dissent, Dilemmas, and Midyear Proposals
Pat Ravasio stood alone in her dissent, saying the draft plan skips over several quality-of-life projects she thinks matter to residents. At the midyear review, Ravasio pressed for a few ambitious ideas that could make life better in Corte Madera and the wider North Bay area, if the town’s multi-year budget ends up with extra funds.
Midyear-Review Proposals from Councilmember Ravasio
- Bike path to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal
- Public water access along the Corte Madera coast or creekside
- Menke Park restroom and coffee spot
- Community gathering spaces for residents of Corte Madera, Greenbrae, and nearby neighborhoods
- A town pool, funded by projected surpluses and phased in over several years
These proposals show the balance between careful budgeting and the wish for public amenities. Marin County towns like Tiburon and Fairfax talk about this all the time, and it shapes conversations in places like San Anselmo and San Rafael, too.
What Comes Next for Corte Madera and Its Marin County Partners
Corte Madera’s 2026 plan keeps climate adaptation, flood-control upgrades, and smoother town operations at the top of the agenda. The plan’s direction will definitely influence Marin County as a whole.
Neighboring towns like Larkspur, Mill Valley, San Rafael, and Greenbrae are watching closely. They’re eyeing Corte Madera’s flood defenses and traffic-management pilots, maybe with a hint of curiosity—or even skepticism.
As the final tweaks roll out midyear, there’s a good chance these changes will spark new conversations across the North Bay. For folks living everywhere from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal area to downtown San Rafael, this isn’t just another council document.
It feels more like a working blueprint for resilience and community-building in Marin County. Maybe it’s ambitious, but isn’t that what the moment calls for?
Here is the source article for this story: Corte Madera council approves work plan for the year
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
Cities and Towns in Marin County
Things to Do in Marin County
Places to Stay in Marin County
