In Your Town for Jan. 9, 2025
MILL VALLEY
Board in Strawberry
clears antenna plan
The Strawberry Design Review Board has approved a wireless antenna project along Thomas Drive near Highway 101.
The applicant, New Cingular Wireless PCS, wants to upgrade its antenna there by adding a 43-foot-tall monopole, among other changes, according to the Marin County Community Development Agency.
The board held a hearing on Monday and approved the plan with the condition that the company paint the pole in a dark color, preferably green, said Matt Williams, the board chair. The company must submit color samples to the county planner for selection.
MILL VALLEY
Contract in works for
slide damage project
The City Council has authorized a $119,970 contract for a firm to design a road stabilization project on Ethel Avenue.
Heavy storms damaged a part of the road in October and December 2021, according to a staff report by the public works department. The damaged area is 389 to 416 Ethel Ave.
“Slope movement has resulted in loss of lateral support from an approximately 500-foot section of roadway, undermining several existing retaining structures,” the report said. “Stabilization design for this project will include two new reinforced concrete retaining walls, two new pier supported grade beams, and miscellaneous grading and drainage improvements.”
The city received designed proposals from three companies and determined the Sanbell first was the most qualified. The city has funding available from a California Office of Emergency Services grant.
The city also approved a contingency allowance of about $12,000 for unexpected costs.
COURTS
Suspect to undergo
competency review
A Marin County Superior Court judge ordered a 1970s murder suspect to undergo an evaluation to see if he’s mentally competent to stand trial.
Investigators arrested Michael Eugene Mullen, 76, in August when they linked him to the 1973 murder of San Rafael resident Nina Fischer. He was extradited from Idaho and booked into Marin County Jail where he remains in custody.
Mullen was scheduled to enter a plea at the Wednesday hearing, but his defense attorney, Peter Kuykendall, requested a competency evaluation. Judge Geoffrey Howard accepted the request and suspended the case’s criminal proceedings.
Deputies brought Mullen on a wheelchair into the courtroom. His next hearing was scheduled for Feb. 5.
Kuykendall and prosecutor Leon Kousharian declined to comment after the Wednesday hearing.
Marin County sheriff’s detectives used DNA evidence to determine that Mullen, a former Sonoma County resident, is the murder suspect. Fischer, 31, was found bound and slain at her home on Point San Pedro Road.