Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ross Common topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ross Council weighs restoring Ross Common as civic-center plans loom
Summary
Council members debated whether to prioritize a full renovation of the Ross Common field now or wait for Citizens Advisory Committee recommendations and Civic Center planning; some favored immediate work with private support while others urged caution given tight Town finances and uncertain grant funding.
The Ross Town Council discussed whether to advance a full restoration of the Ross Common field ahead of, or linked to, a larger Civic Center project during its March 12 meeting.
Public Works Director Rich Simonitch presented the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and funding outlook through 2031, describing the Common as the Town’s most-used public space after major roads. Mayor Julie McMillan said limited revenues make prioritization necessary and asked to wait for the Citizens Advisory Committee report to clarify scope, cost and bonding capacity. "I want input from the Committee before making a decision on the Ross Common," McMillan said.
Council Member Mathew Salter urged immediate improvements tailored to residents’ priorities and warned that a new plan would trigger environmental review and could delay work by 1–2 years if scope changes. Several residents and community groups urged faster action: Ross Valley Little League representatives noted available organizational and private support. Patrick Quigney, a Little League board member, said the community has "significant public backing" and cited a comparable, lower-cost project in San Anselmo.
Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Robbins opposed pursuing an infiltration-field interim approach without clear grant funding and stressed not tying the Common to Civic Center funding if it can move forward sooner. Council Member Bill Kircher recommended Advisory Committee input and exploring cost-saving options and private fundraising. Town Manager Christa Johnson said staff will track grants and bring a final draft CIP to the April 23 budget workshop, with final budget action expected in June.
The Council did not adopt a final decision at the meeting and voiced a working consensus to seek the Committee’s recommendation and clearer cost estimates before adding a complete renovation project into the CIP.
