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Larkspur council elects Stephanie Andre as mayor; Gabe Paulson named vice mayor
Summary
At a Dec. 10 special meeting, the Larkspur City Council appointed Stephanie Andre as mayor and Gabe Paulson as vice mayor in unanimous voice votes. Incoming Mayor Andre outlined priorities including housing, downtown revitalization and traffic safety.
The Larkspur City Council elected Stephanie Andre as mayor and Gabe Paulson as vice mayor at a special meeting on Dec. 10, 2025, approving both nominations by voice vote.
"As I embark on my first term as mayor, I look forward to working with my fellow council members to advance the goals and priorities of our community," said Stephanie Andre, who gave brief prepared remarks after receiving the gavel. Her agenda items included creating new community gathering spaces, exploring a vacancy tax and reviewing minimum parking requirements to encourage downtown investment, pursuing housing strategies tied to the city's state‑mandated housing element, and advancing safety and accessibility measures such as additional traffic calming and a roundabout near North Magnolia and Hillview.
The appointments were introduced and seconded on the council floor and approved without objection. A gavel presentation followed a series of remarks honoring the outgoing mayor.
Mayor Catherine Wey, who is stepping back after her term, received tributes from colleagues during a recognition segment. "This is my third time as mayor and probably one of the most interesting times," Wey said, thanking staff and council members for their work.
Mike McDermott, president of the Larkspur Volunteer Fire Foundation, presented the ceremonial gavel and noted the foundation's effort to recruit new volunteer firefighters.
Andre framed housing and economic development proposals as ways to both avoid state penalties tied to the housing element and to stimulate local businesses by encouraging mixed‑use development and higher residential densities in locations identified by the city’s housing plan. She told the council she would work with resident volunteers and the Climate Action Forum to align environmental goals with development planning.
The council closed the meeting after brief public comment (none) and announced its next regular meeting date.
What happens next: The new mayor and vice mayor will serve in their leadership roles while the council continues to vet the priorities Andre outlined; specific policy changes such as any vacancy tax or parking‑code changes will require separate council hearings and staff reports.
