Novato City Council Meeting Summary - February 26, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Novato City Council Meeting Summary - February 26, 2025
The Novato City Council met on February 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, a presentation from the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito Vector Control District, approval of a consent calendar, a public hearing for the Greek Orthodox Church master plan, and discussion of the FY 2025/26 budget calendar. All votes were recorded with tallies.
Ceremonial Matters & Presentations
- The Council presented a proclamation honoring NFPD Chief Bill Tyler upon his retirement after 29 years of service. Councilmembers and the Chief made brief remarks.
- Peter Bonkrude, new Manager of the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito Vector Control District, gave a presentation on district services, 2024 activities (zero West Nile cases in the district, 293 classroom presentations), and emerging threats such as invasive Aedes mosquitoes and tick surveillance. Councilmembers asked questions about rodent control referrals, yellow jacket removal, and tick testing locations.
Consent Calendar
The Council unanimously approved the Consent Calendar (5-0) which included:
- Waiving reading of ordinances by title only (G.1)
- Approving meeting minutes of January 28, 2025 and February 11, 2025 (G.2, G.3)
- Adopting a resolution approving the Valley Oaks Phase One Final Map (G.4)
- Receiving and filing the Multicultural Advisory Commission’s 2024 Annual Report and approving the 2025 Work Plan (G.5)
- Receiving and filing the Q4 2024 Strategic Plan Progress Report (G.6)
- Adopting a resolution authorizing a second amendment to the 2012 loan with Bank of Marin for Marin Valley Mobile Country Club (G.7)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mary Curry (55 Clubview Drive, speaking on behalf of the PAC board) requested the Council address three modifications to the ENA (Exclusive Negotiating Agreement) in closed session, citing delays that could hamper progress on a deliverable due June 30, 2025. She noted an insurance requirement issue and asked for a simple fix as soon as possible.
- Dean Moser (55-year resident) commented that Section 16 of the Marin Valley rental agreement is no longer needed due to the expiration of bonds and existing rent control/vacancy control ordinances. He expressed frustration that the Council would not meet with him to discuss these matters.
Discussion Items
Public Hearing: Greek Orthodox Church Master Plan, Precise Development Plan & Design Review
- Senior Planner Vivek Damodaran presented the project for the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church at 1110 Highland Drive. The proposal includes: a 1,600 sq ft Narthex addition, a 500 sq ft dome (increasing building height to 53–58 feet), a 1,400 sq ft pavilion, an 1,800 sq ft shade structure, three new parking stalls, landscaping, lighting, ADA improvements, and retaining walls. The project is CEQA-exempt per Section 15183. The Design Review Commission and Planning Commission both recommended approval (Planning Commission on December 16, 2024). A condition requires the project to return to DRC for final landscape plan review.
- Councilmember Eklund asked about the height measurement, lighting (dark-sky compliant, non-essential lighting off after 11 PM—confirmed as a condition of approval), and the landscaping review rationale.
- Councilmember Milberg commended the tree plan and confirmed bollard lighting as a condition.
- No public speakers. The Council voted unanimously (5-0) to adopt the CEQA resolution, introduce the master plan ordinance, and adopt the PDP & DR resolution.
General Business: FY 2025/26 Budget Calendar
- The Council considered a proposed budget calendar (previously pulled from consent by Councilmember Eklund). Councilmember Eklund requested a dedicated public discussion on the use of Measure M funds (new revenue) earlier than the May 13 budget workshop, suggesting April 8 as a budget study session. She emphasized the need for transparency and public input on how Measure M funds are allocated separate from the overall budget.
- City Manager Amy Cunningham noted that April 8 was already on the calendar for budget assumptions and that a fuller picture would be available in May, but agreed to add a specific discussion on Measure M use on April 8.
- Councilmember Farac highlighted community feedback components (surveys, outreach) that would lay groundwork for the April 8 meeting.
- The motion to approve the budget calendar with the clarification that April 8 will include a discussion on Measure M use passed 4-1 (Mayor O'Connor dissenting).
Key Outcomes
- The Council recognized Chief Bill Tyler's retirement.
- The Consent Calendar was unanimously approved (5-0).
- The Greek Orthodox Church project entitlements were unanimously approved (5-0): CEQA resolution, master plan ordinance introduction, and PDP/DR resolution.
- The FY 2025/26 Budget Calendar was approved (4-1) with the understanding that a public discussion on Measure M fund allocation will occur on April 8, 2025.
- The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good everybody and welcome to the Novato City Counciling of Tuesday, February 25th. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republicans, when the visible thank you. Laura, if you take roll, please. Councilmember Eklund. Present. Councilmember Jacobs. Here. Councilmember Milberg. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Farak. President and Mayor O'Connor. Present. Thank you. The council did meet in closed session before the meeting this evening. And Gary, can you provide a report out on that? Yeah, thank you, Mayor and Council members. No reportable action from close session. Thank you. We've got a couple of ceremonial matters. Uh this the this uh this afternoon, this evening of jet lag. I'm eight hours off, sorry. Um first I'd like to invite the city council to join me up front to recognize Chief Bill Tyler. You get to be front and center. Thanks for having me. Well, I think everyone in this room knows Chief Tyler, and that this is very formal. I want to give each council member an opportunity to say a few words as well because I think everybody has worked with you many times over the years. Um so I'll do the stuffy bit to start. Um so Chief Tyler, uh, we want to recognize you for 29 years of dedicated community service. Whereas the City of Novado would like to recognize and thank Chief Bill Tyler for his dedication and service to Novado residents upon his retirement. And whereas Chief Tyler is an experienced service-driven leader, demonstrating a strong history of successfully applying the vision, mission, values, and guiding principles of the Novato Fire Protection District, and whereas a native Californian he completed his paramedic training at the Stanford Pre-Hospital Paramedic Program and Palo Alto and his bachelor's degree from Cal State Hayward. And whereas Chief Tyler began his fire service career in 1994 as a firefighter trainee with the Tamil Pius Fire District and was hired as a full-time professional firefighter paramedic with the Novato Fire Protection District in January of 96, rising through the ranks to become chief in 2018, which is that's the way to do it. And whereas Chief Tyler has been an instrumental member of a group of local fire chiefs and city managers with the formation of the Marin Wildfire Protection Authority. His leadership has ensured a regional approach to wildfire resilience, and whereas Chief Tyler has been the operations committee chair for the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, a member of the United Policyholders Wildfire Risk Reduction and Asset Protection Initiative sharing strategies for increasing parcel and community ride mitigations, advocating for insurance discounts, renewal reward, and financial assistance for wildfire reduction. And this is the long one. He's an active, he's active in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Nevada Sunrise, a parent coordinator. You can clap. A parent coordinator for the Samarin Robotics Club, a veteran coach for the Novato Youth Soccer Association, amen. Whereas he was an employee of the year for the Nevada Fire Protection District in 2004 and received the Ed Stark Achievement Award from the Novato Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program in 2009. And whereas Chief Tyler's outstanding services helped to make Marin County and the Novato community a stronger, better, and safer to live and safer, sorry, safer place to live and work by reducing wildfire risk and increasing community disaster resilience. Now, therefore, it be it proclaimed that the City Council of the City of Novato, on behalf of his residents and city staff, gratefully acknowledge Chief Tyler for his 29 years of dedicated public service to the Nevada Fire District and wish him the absolute very best in the many adventures that come ahead. Congratulations to you. Thank you. March Chief Tyler, it's been a real honor and pleasure to get to know you. I think you would be in the Hall of Fame if there was such a thing. Maybe there is, I believe. But uh your dedication to the community, watching you in action, how you show up and be present when you're delivering your message when you're you know leading your your core. It's just been phenomenal to work with you. And I know you're gonna have a great retirement.
openpublica.com