San Anselmo Advances Tobacco Sales Ban on Split 3-1-1 Vote

San Anselmo moved a step closer to ending retail tobacco and nicotine sales on Oct. 27, 2026, after nearly an hour of testimony pitting public health advocates against convenience store owners and their trade groups. The Town Council introduced the ordinance on a 3-1-1 first-reading vote, with a carve-out for premium cigar retailers that drew fire from both sides. The council also unanimously adopted a policy to govern its $150,000 Climate Action Fund.

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• Tobacco and nicotine sales ban advances 3-1-1, with a premium cigar exception; second reading expected Nov. 17
• Six business voices and allies oppose the ban while five health advocates urge passage
• Climate Action Fund policy and Option 1 spending pass unanimously, funding the Climate Action Plan update and a resilience hub enclosure
• Live on the Avenue draws 94% repeat interest from survey respondents; staff to seek a multi-year permit in January
• Council proclaims anticipatory local emergency to speed contracting ahead of winter storms

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Tobacco Ban Clears First Hurdle, Barely

The basics: The council directed this ordinance on Oct. 13. It repeals the town's tobacco retailer license chapter and bans sales of any product made or derived from tobacco or nicotine, explicitly including Zyn-type nicotine pouches. The ban exempts retailers actively selling premium cigars, as defined by state law, as of Oct. 13, 2026.

Why it matters: San Anselmo would join other Marin towns in ending retail tobacco sales. Health advocates call it youth prevention. Convenience retailers say it will cost them revenue and won't keep products away from kids.

Where things stand: Five speakers urged passage. Pamela Granger and Bob Curry, co-chairs of the Smoke-Free Marin Coalition, argued the ban would end storefront tobacco advertising. Curry also rejected the "slippery slope" argument, calling tobacco uniquely harmful. John Ma, a surgeon and 2018 president of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society, cited health burdens and said the cigar exemption can be revisited later. A tobacco industry researcher pointed to a study of 30 small retailers in Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach, where 28 remain in business after similar bans. Megan Manning of Action on Smoking and Health cited the Philip Morris racketeering ruling and industry point-of-sale marketing.

The other side: Karon Gill, whose family has run Quick and Easy Market for 25 years, said the ban would cause hardship and push sales to neighboring towns. She asked for stricter compliance checks instead. Haley Hodges of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets said tobacco can account for up to 30% of in-store sales. Bryan Lam of the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance asked the council to extend the cigar exemption to other retailers. Tom Saberi, a family operator of Gas and Shop, called the carve-out discriminatory and unconstitutional. Taylor Hassell of the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association questioned why the exemption stops at cigars. A resident thanked the council for the cigar carve-out but urged enforcement against adults who supply minors.

On the dais, Councilmember Eileen Burke said she saw no evidence that local stores sell to minors.

“I don't support a ban on tobacco that makes it difficult for adults who want to smoke to buy tobacco,” said Eileen Burke, Councilmember.

Councilmember Yoav Schlesinger objected to the ordinance's scope and regressive impact before announcing, “I'll be abstaining from the vote.”

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The ordinance passed on first reading (For: 3, Against: 1, Abstain: 1, Absent: 0). Burke voted no and Schlesinger abstained. The three ayes came from the members who spoke in support: Mayor Steve Burdo, Vice Mayor Chantel Walker and Councilmember Tarrell Kullaway. A separate motion to read the ordinance by title only passed by the same split.

“This ordinance threads the needle and strikes the right balance for me,” said Chantel Walker, Vice Mayor.

Kullaway said “addiction is not a choice for adults or for kids.” Burdo argued that youth obtain products bought by adults in town, and he pledged to help affected businesses.

“I know this policy may piss some people off. I also know it is the right thing to do from a public health perspective,” said Steve Burdo, Mayor.

Convenience stores and gas stations bear the direct revenue hit. Premium cigar retailers keep their business.

What's next: Second reading is expected at the next regular meeting, stated as Nov. 17. Retailers who want changes have until then to press their case.

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Climate Fund Gets Rules and a Spending Plan

Why it matters: The policy sets the roles of the council, the Climate Action Commission and staff for spending climate dollars. It ties spending to emissions, resilience and community benefit as the town finalizes its General Plan 2045 and Climate Action Plan.

Where things stand: Most of the money is already committed to staffing.

“This fund has been allocated $150,000, 60% of which is allocated specifically for our part-time climate action coordinator,” said Heidi Scoble, Community Development Director.

Option 1 includes four pieces:

• The remaining $20,000 consultant cost to finish the Climate Action Plan update
• A roof and flood-resilient enclosure for the town's resilience hub
• A heat pump water heater rebate add-on with MCE, with aluminum cups as a fallback if administration can't be worked out
• A $10,000 Electrify My Life event with Ride and Drive Clean

Option 2 would have funded council-directed projects totaling $50,000.

Michael Kamerick, Chair of the San Anselmo Climate Action Commission, walked through the commission's ranking of 20 candidate projects by emissions reduced per dollar. Sue Saunders, the commission's vice chair, praised the process. She noted that only 14% of cars in town are electric and backed home electrification and EV outreach.

The other side: Burke and Schlesinger did not oppose the plan but pressed for stronger measurement of impact.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Kullaway moved both items. Schlesinger seconded the policy and Walker seconded Option 1. Each passed unanimously by voice vote, with no tally stated. Earlier, while discussing the greenhouse gas inventory on consent, Kullaway noted that transportation produces about 62% of local emissions and that the town must “reduce our climate emissions by 14% by 2030.” Homeowners stand to gain rebates, and the resilience hub gets hardened against flooding.

What's next: The policy sets an annual process, so the commission's next round of project rankings will feed the following budget year.

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Live on the Avenue Scores High, Costs Get Scrutiny

Where things stand: The 24-night season ran June 20 to Sept. 12, with street closures from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. and more than 55 bands. Of 242 survey respondents, 68% said they were very satisfied and 94% said they would return. Attendance data suffered after the town lost its Placer AI geofence, a tool that estimates foot traffic from mobile devices.

Deal math: Staff said the town paid $83,000 from its special events fund. Fundraising by Friends of San Anselmo Parks covered $104,420 of the $134,000 available.

The other side: Schlesinger asked staff to present town and nonprofit costs together. Walker favored keeping a financial cushion and keeping nonprofit and government funds separate.

What's next: No action was taken. Staff plan to add a kids' market and urged caution on mobile barriers and the staff workload of special programming. They will return in January with a request for a 2027-29 permit, which would give sponsors more predictability.

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Emergency Declared Before the Storms Arrive

The council adopted a resolution proclaiming an anticipatory local emergency for winter storm readiness, with El Niño in view. Staff said the declaration allows modified bidding so the town can hire contractors quickly. FEMA reimbursement would instead follow separate declarations tied to specific events, renewed every 60 days.

Schlesinger asked whether the declaration targets federal funds. Burke asked whether it would become an annual routine. Staff called it anticipatory and said many jurisdictions have taken similar steps. The resolution passed by voice vote, with no tally stated, after the council voted to continue the meeting past 10 p.m.

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar: The council approved all items, including park regulations and a Día de los Muertos event. Schlesinger said “we should not be approving special event applications 4 days in advance.” Town Manager David Donery said staff “will have to maybe take a harder line” on late applications.
• Woods site: Schlesinger called the stalled Woods development “somewhat of a blight on our downtown.” Three members backed an update and discussion. Donery said the town has no leverage, and Burke questioned weighing in on private property.
• Fire Station 20: The renovated station reopened with $1.5 million from Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District and is wired for a future electric engine.
• Regional reports: The Transportation Authority of Marin allocated $14.9 million, and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority's countywide wildfire protection plan was adopted.
• Proclamations: The council honored Scout Pack 50 for its 75th anniversary and Ross Valley Seniors for its 20th.

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Looking ahead: The tobacco ordinance returns for second reading, expected Nov. 17. The Live on the Avenue multi-year permit request comes back in January.