Novato City Council Meeting - September 10, 2024
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Novato City Council Meeting - September 10, 2024
The Novato City Council met on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a retirement proclamation, a presentation on the Marin-Sonoma Bike Share program, reports from council members and the city manager, public comment, approval of a consent calendar, and several general business items. Key decisions were made on the city's investment policy, tourism budget, economic development work plan, and partial approval of on-call consultant agreements.
Ceremonial Matters & Presentations
- Proclamation – Lt. Chris Jacob Retirement: The council honored Lt. Chris Jacob for 22 years of service with the Novato Police Department. Councilmember Eklund shared personal remarks, and Jacob expressed gratitude to his family and colleagues.
- Presentation from Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM): TAM staff (Ann Richmond, Scott McDonald, and Mark Acevedo) presented the Redwood Bike Share program, a two-year pilot with 300 electric pedal-assist bikes and 60 hubs across seven cities, including eight sites in Novato (three at SMART stations, five on city streets). The program is grant-funded with no cost to Novato. Pricing: $1 unlock + $0.25/minute, or $20/month membership (30 free minutes/day), with a $5/month equity option. Hubs will be enforced through geofencing and financial penalties. Councilmembers asked about age verification, enforcement, and safety. The system is expected to launch in fall 2024.
Reports from the City Council & City Manager
- Farac Proposed Agenda Item – Construction Management Plan Process: Councilmember Farac proposed staff develop a construction management plan for downtown projects, aiming to minimize disruption. Councilmembers expressed support and suggested input from the Planning Commission and Design Review Board. The item was unanimously approved to be brought back for further discussion on October 8, 2024.
- City Manager Reports: Amy Cunningham announced applications for commissions, committees, and boards are open through September 29, and promoted the first movie at Pocket Park on September 14.
- Councilmember Reports: Councilmembers shared updates on attending community events, constituent concerns about AMG developments, and personal matters (Councilmember Eklund noted her mother’s recovery from COVID).
Public Comment
- Bernie Myers (former councilmember): Spoke against Measure M, arguing that the city has reserves and can borrow from the Hamilton Trust to avoid layoffs and service cuts. He urged the city to sponsor a debate and criticized the city's delayed audits.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent calendar (excluding items G3 and G4) unanimously. Items included:
- Ordinance 1718 (development standards, affordable housing, etc.)
- Resolutions for on-call engineering and maintenance services (G3 and G4 pulled)
- Emergency services agreement with Marin County OEM ($15,000/year)
- Plan Check Engineer job description update
- Participation in the Third Opioid Settlement
Discussion Items
J1 – Investment Policy Update
- Finance Director Carla Carvalho-Degraff and PFM consultant Allison County presented the city’s investment portfolio (~$112 million, earning 4.18%). The policy closely aligns with California Government Code. Options to increase returns include increasing credit allocation, extending average maturity (especially for the Hamilton Trust), and reducing excess liquidity. The council approved the policy update and directed staff to:
- Consider a longer-term strategy for the Hamilton Trust.
- Hold off on operating portfolio changes until a cash management policy is developed.
- Target creation of a separate investment policy for the Section 115 trust (OPEB/pension) in 2025.
- Vote: 5-0 to approve the policy. Additional direction by consensus.
J2 – Tourism Committee Report & Budget
- Garrett Garillo (Best Western) and Michael Vicario (Marriott) presented the FY 2023-24 report and FY 2024-25 budget. Highlights: 2,500 visitor inquiries, 63,000 hotel booking referrals, 157,000 total engagements, new branding, craft beer campaign, and TikTok presence. The TOT (transient occupancy tax) for Q4 was $580,418. Council discussed declining business travel, the need for more promotion at SMART stations, and the value of the program. The report and budget were approved unanimously (5-0).
J3 – EDAC Work Plan FY 2024-25
- Commissioner Harry Thomas presented the Economic Development Advisory Commission’s work plan, focusing on business visits (12 completed), a long-term economic development plan, and continued outreach. Councilmembers discussed the importance of retaining large employers and the need for a dedicated economic development staff position. The work plan was approved unanimously (5-0).
J4 – Community Sponsorship Program Update
- Principal Management Analyst Sullina Smith reported that the city allocated $50,230.70 in sponsorships, with $6,500 in cash and the remainder in-kind services. Top recipients: Downtown Novato Business Association ($13,378), Novato Fourth of July Parade ($12,080), and Novato Chamber of Commerce ($8,499). Council discussed the need for broader outreach to nonprofits and potential criteria adjustments. The update was received unanimously (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- Construction Management Plan: Approved direction to bring back a proposal on October 8, 2024.
- Investment Policy: Approved (5-0) with additional direction on Hamilton Trust and 115 trust.
- Tourism Report & Budget: Approved (5-0).
- EDAC Work Plan: Approved (5-0).
- Pulled Consent Items G3 and G4:
- G3 (On-Call Engineering Services): After discussion, the council approved (5-0) amending G3 to authorize up to $500,000 per consultant for three firms (BKF Engineers, Coastland DCCM, Sidell Pakravan Architects) specifically for Marin Valley Mobile Country Club projects (electrical switch and clubhouse roof). The remaining scope will be brought back for further discussion.
- G4 (On-Call Maintenance Services): The council approved (4-1, Councilmember Wernick dissenting) amending G4 to authorize up to $100,000 for DC Electric Inc. for the Marin Valley electrical switch project. The remainder of G4 will be brought back.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Dr. Dietz, as requested by Councilmember Eklund.
Meeting Transcript
Wonderful, thank you. So I'd like to convene the uh city council meeting for Tuesday, September 10th, 2024. And I'd like to start by the Pledge of Allegiance. If everybody can please rise and allegiance the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. If you could please do the roll call, Laura. Councilmember Eklund. Councilmember Farak. Present. Councilmember Wernick. Present. Mayor Pertemo Connor. Present. And Mayor Melberg. Present, thank you. There was no closed session tonight. And so we're gonna move to our ceremonial matters. We have uh a couple ceremony matters and uh one ceremony matter and one proclamation. I'm sorry, one presentation tonight. First, we're gonna start with a proclamation honoring Chris Jacobs. So Chris, if you could please join us, and we'll have my fellow city council members please join me at the front. We're here tonight to honor and recognize Chris Jacobs for his 22 years of service in Novato. Whereas Chris Jacob has worked for the City of Novato Police Department from March of 2002 until October 8th, 2024. And whereas he was hired as a police officer and was later promoted to corporal in 2012, sergeant in 2016, and lieutenant in 2020. And whereas Chris served as a field training officer, detective, and traffic officer. He was supervisor of the Novato Response Team and School Resource Officers. He coordinated the field training program and was the commander of crisis negotiation team. Chris made significant contributions to the use of technology by the Novato Police Department, most notably coordinating the body, warrant and fleet camera programs. Chris was recognized as Novato Police Department Employee of the Year in 2014 and again in 2017. And whereas during his tenure, Chris provided outstanding service to the community and to the police department, and has earned the respect of his colleagues and community by his proven leadership and dedication. And whereas Chris is married with one son. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the city council of the city of Novato on behalf of city staff and our residents wish Chris Jacob the very best in his retirement and thank him for his excellent for his years of excellent service to the city of Novato. Congratulations, Chris. Okay, one second. Before you say any words, I think uh our council member Eklund would like to say a few words. Thank you very much, Mayor Milburg, for giving me this opportunity. Um I've known Chris Jacobs since the day he reported to work. I first got to know him through his father, who I always called Dr. Bob. Dr. Bob and I would ride into San Francisco in a van pool five days a week, except for federal holidays. And he would be dropped off at the Presidio because he had a PhD, and he was with Department of Ag and I was with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. So Dr. Bob and I always loved talking about science, environmental issues. And he he was he's a fantastic man, and he lives in Novato as well. Still does. He's retired. I think he retired a little bit before me, but not too much.
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