Novato City Council Meeting Summary - April 25, 2024
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Novato City Council Meeting - April 25, 2024
The Novato City Council met on April 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, approval of routine consent items, reports from council and staff, public comments, and three general business items: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding recommendations, evaluation of city-owned properties, and community engagement enhancements. The council also made appointments to several commissions, committees, and boards.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent calendar (5-0) including minutes from April 9, April 11, and April 15, 2024, and authorization of ordinance readings by title only.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Fred Reese (public comment) expressed concern about the future of the community garden on Hill Road, stating opposition to low-income housing on that site. He claimed city staff misled about permit requirements and cited a sinkhole from a city-plowed well. He argued the property should remain a community garden rather than housing.
- Paul Russell (North Marin Community Services) spoke in support of CDBG funding for their food program and roof replacement, noting the food program has a ~$100,000 deficit and the roof needs urgent repairs before the next rainy season.
- Sandra Marker (former city manager) suggested holding annual town hall meetings and making budget hearings more accessible, including providing food at events to encourage attendance.
- Zachary (public comment on appointments) expressed concern about a commissioner candidate's past efforts to dispute election results, urging the council to reflect on the values of the community when making appointments.
Discussion Items
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J.1 - CDBG Funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25
Staff presented the recommended allocations for the Novato Planning Area (approx. $295,000 in federal funds). Recommendations included funding for Habitat for Humanity (80 affordable homeownership units), Marin Center for Independent Living (residential access modifications), North Marin Community Services (roof replacement and nourishment program), North Bay Children's Center (child care scholarships, but their application was withdrawn due to timing issues), and four countywide public service projects (Front Porch Communities, YMCA, Planned Parenthood, Vivalon). The council voted unanimously to approve the funding recommendations as presented. -
J.2 - City-Owned Property Evaluation and Potential RFP for Real Estate Services
Staff presented evaluation criteria developed with the Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC) and Finance Advisory Commission (FAC), emphasizing financial benefit, quality of life, and consistency with strategic plans. Staff recommended issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional real estate services. Council discussion focused on narrowing the property list before seeking outside help. Councilmembers expressed concerns about including parks and right-of-ways, and about community notification. Final direction: staff will return with a list of no more than five priority properties (excluding parks, right-of-ways, and currently occupied buildings) and will also issue a Request for Information (RFI) to explore real estate services, without listing specific properties in the RFI. The council also asked for an update on the status of properties under existing exclusive negotiation agreements (e.g., Hamilton Officers Club, Bachelor Officer Quarters). -
J.3 - Enhancing Community Engagement
Staff presented current engagement statistics (48,000 monthly website views, 29,000 email subscribers, 49% email open rate) and proposed meeting people where they are by leveraging existing events like summer concerts and farmers markets. Council members supported the concept and requested additional elements: district-level pop-up events, rotating council member attendance at farmers markets, and creation of explanatory videos (e.g., how to set a speed limit, how to get a permit). Staff was directed to facilitate these engagements and to also focus on reaching Spanish-speaking residents. No formal vote was taken; the council provided consensus direction. -
K.1 - Appointments to Commissions, Committees, and Boards
The council voted on appointments for seven bodies. Notable issues: For the Design Review Commission, there were five seats (three regular two-year, one one-year, one alternate). Tanya Church received four votes but no clear consensus for term length; the council agreed to appoint her to the one-year term. For the Multicultural Advisory Commission, only three applications were received for six seats; staff will conduct a special recruitment in the next few weeks to fill the remaining three seats (and also an unfilled seat on the Housing, Zoning, and Building Codes Appeals Board). All other appointments were approved as presented.
Key Outcomes
- J.1 CDBG Funding: Motion passed unanimously (5-0) to approve the recommended allocations for fiscal year 2024-25.
- J.2 City-Owned Property: Council directed staff to return with a shortlist of up to five priority properties (excluding parks, right-of-ways, and occupied buildings) and to issue an RFI to explore real estate services. Staff will also provide status updates on properties under exclusive negotiation agreements.
- J.3 Community Engagement: Council directed staff to organize district-level pop-up events, schedule council members at farmers markets and concerts, and create educational videos on city processes. A focus on reaching Spanish-speaking residents was emphasized.
- K.1 Appointments: All appointments were approved with the exception of the Design Review Commission's one-year term (Tanya Church appointed) and the Multicultural Advisory Commission (special recruitment to be conducted).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the April 23rd, 2024 City Council meeting. Again, apologies for starting late this evening. I really appreciate your patience. We're going to go ahead and start with the Pledge of Allegiance. So if you could please rise and I'll lead you in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and divisible with liberty and justice for all. Did you find it? The uh city council uh actually I'm gonna go ahead and ask for the roll call first, Laura, please. Councilmember Eklund. Present, Councilmember Farak. Present, Councilmember Wernick, present council or Mayor Pertem O'Connor. Present. And Mayor Milberg. Present, thank you. All right, so um we did meet in closed session. Uh I'll ask our city attorney if there's anything to report out this evening. No remarkable action. Thank you so much. Okay, with that, we're gonna we have uh the wonderful um ability to do some ceremonial matters. We have three proclamations that we're gonna be doing this evening. So I'd like to ask the city council, please join me up front. Thank you, sir. Okay, this evening, the first proclamation we're gonna do is for Via Roe. Via, come on up. This is recognizing Via Row for her high school senior project. Whereas the City of Novato values contributions by youth and recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts that enhance our recreation programs, and we're as Via Rowe, a graduating senior of Novato High School, a member of the Novato Gymnastics Competitive team, and part-time employee of Novato's Parks, recreation and community services department, demonstrated visionary leadership and spearheading a senior project to celebrate girls' participation in competitive sports and in all places of leadership and esteem. And we're as VRO with assistance from her teammates, crafted over 250 handmade friendship bracelets to give to athletes, coaches, and judges at the 2024 Novato Classic. And we're as each friendship bracelet included a positive word or affirmative phrase to enrich the competitive experience and to combat social stigmas contributing to the women's sports foundation's finding that by age 14, many girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys. And we're asked VRO's project aligned with recognition of March as women's history month, a month dedicated to honoring and acknowledging the contributions of women in our community and beyond. And now therefore be resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of the residents of Novato. To all my teammates who helped me along the way. It was a lot of braces to make, so thank you all very much. And then to Carrie, Perry and Alexandra, I want to thank you guys for allowing me to do this project and express what I want to stay. So thank you. Thank you so much, Mia. Okay. Well Mia's getting our picture taken. We're going to go ahead and ask Ryan Judd to come on up. Ryan Judd will recognize you for your Eagle Scout Service Project. Whereas the City of Novato, contributions by value stuff, uses by UFO recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts that enhance our public space. And we're as Ryan Judd, a graduating senior of Nova Independent Study, Boy Scout of Troop 200, and Eagle Scout candidate demonstrating visionary leadership and an exemplary project management skills in completing his Eagle Scout Service Project to install a park kiosk and enhance the landscape at the entrance to the downtown recreation center, a city of Nevada Parks, Recreation and Community Services facility. But a lot of us are there this weekend saw the work is beautiful. Whereas Ryan Judd fundraised to purchase the park kiosks and through donations, collected landscape materials and other necessary supplies for the bill. And whereas Ryan Judd with assistance voice scouts and troops and higher installed the bird gas and planted a socket in the garden, providing a valuable contribution to beautify and enhance the entrance of the downtown recreation center. And whereas the park kiosks will provide opportunities for additional wayfinding and promotional signage for the city of Novato Home facilities. And now therefore we resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of the residents of Novato does hereby recognize Ryan Judd for his impactful Eagle Scout Service Project, which will provide an enduring community benefit for Nevada residents and visitors of the downtown recreation center, a city of Novato Parks Recreation and Community Services Facility. So let's please give a round of applause to Brian. Ryan, I know your fans are waiting for a couple uh words from you, so please.
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