Lundstrom's Swan Song, MEA Approval Mean Bittersweet Night

Joan Lundstrom is closing one chapter in her life and possibly opening an important new chapter for the residents of Larkspur.

Lundstrom offered her cautious approval as the Larkspur City Council voted unanimously to join the Marin Energy Authority on Wednesday night. The hall erupted in applause from supporters as the vote was announced.

The City of Larkspur accepted the offer from the MEA to join the joint powers authority during an amnesty period in which the city won't have to pay $20,000-$40,000 in initial fees.

Larkspur joins the County of Marin, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon, Fairfax and Belvedere as members of the MEA. The MEA's board of directors includes representatives from the member jurisdictions. Corte Madera, which voted two years ago not to join the energy authority, will hear a new proposal about joining the MEA at its Nov. 1 town council meeting.

"There's no risk to the consumer, no personal risk. They can opt out," Mayor Larry Chu said before calling for a motion to vote on the proposal. "We've already identified the City doesn't have any risk. We can choose to opt out. That's a financial decision we have to make. … With all those things in combination, there aren't really any more impediments to joining the MEA and to giving the residents a choice."

Residents will be automatically enrolled into the MEA's default program, unless they choose to opt out and stay with PG&E. There is reportedly a fee for residents to opt out of the MEA.

For that reason, the city council asked the MEA to craft a promotional campaign to explain the options to residents.

Wednesday's meeting was Lundstrom's last as she retires after 28 years serving on the city council, including seven terms as mayor. Lundstrom was married Sunday in Tiburon and showed off her wedding ring to the crowd. She and her new husband have a lot to do now before he moves from his home in Colorado to join Lundstrom in Larkspur.

"I got in from Denver at 4 o'clock today and I'm heading back on Friday," Lundstrom joked. Her retirement becomes official on Oct. 15.

"Mayor Chu called me a short-timer," said Lundstrom, laughing.

Chu read a proclamation declaring Oct. 15 as Joan Lundstrom Day. She was first elected to the city council in 1971 and became the city's first female mayor in 1973.

Lundstrom donated her gavel from her first term as mayor to councilwoman Kathy Hartzell's collection for a time capsule to be installed in the southeast corner of City Hall later this month.